Genocide

Amazon Rainforest- 27 March 3025

Amon Kenji

The Anguis,  a race of humanoid serpents that roam tropical rainforests all around the world. Of course, I had to run into one. I took a quick glance from behind a tree. It was massive, with the upper body of a ripped man and the lower body of a green anaconda. It was about 15-feet and I still couldn't see it's tail. It's bulging stomach indicated that it was still digesting it's latest prey. I was planning on rallying some allies in the Amazon but this particular kind are known for their unbridled hatred towards humans. There were bruises covering the length of the snake-part of it's body. They looked rather fresh. Was this beast recently beaten up? What kind of mythical creature could take on an Anguis?

"I see you do not have a clue of my abilities, human," growled the serpent. "I can detect thermal heat you know."

Damn! Well what the hell do I do now, I silently thought. I always relied on my lackeys in the magical society to convey information on the mythical creatures that I'm not familiar with so at that moment I was clueless  to the abilities of an Anguish.

"All right, you got me," I said as I came out from my hiding spot with my hands up to show I meant no harm. "So? What happens now?"

The serpent seemed intrigued. I scanned the surroundings for an escape route should things get ugly. The dense forests would be to hard to navigate while being chased. However, I could use an augmentation spell and jump to the branches of the trees and make my exit. In that moment, I felt a muscular tail coil around my waist. I swore under my breath an I was hoisted into the air by an invisible force. 

"You underestimate our intelligence, human," said the Anguis. 

I could finally see the root of my problems. Camouflage! He had blended half of it's tail to match the surroundings and then lured me into a trap. It was almost impossible to notice the outline of his camouflaged tail unless you really focused.

"What do you..... want?" I wheezed under the pressure of it's tail.

"Answers, human." the serpent began to close the distance between us. "Why would a human come into the home of the most dangerous mythical beings on the planet before a war?"

It released its grip enough for me to talk. "Before we get to that, how about introductions? Just because a war is brewing, doesn't mean we can just forget our etiquette, can we?" I said as I tried to offer my hand as a kind gesture.

The serpent was not amused. "Apache is my name, you get nothing more than that. In fact, you might lose something if you do not answer immediately."

I was in genuine terror. I needed time to speak the incantations and I needed air to speak. Apache could easily cut off my air supply so I was clearly in a pickle here. I could not just carelessly disclose my magic as well. That would be catastrophic. I needed time.  I felt my eyes momentarily bulge as Apache started to squeeze.

"Okay....okay, damn it, man. You really need to work on your people skills or you won't ever find a Mrs. Apache."

That remark earned me a sharp slap from Apache. "You best start talking before I resort to drastic measures, human," said Apache.

" Fine...... First of all, my name is Amon Kenji and I'm here to recruit some allies. I heard that the mythical creatures that thrive in the Amazon are experts in the field of combat and....." I was cut of by the uncontrolled laughter of Apache.

"Surely, you must jest. Have you ever seen war? It is us against you humans, who only have machinery on your side while the mythical beings have hundreds of different abilities. You have no chance whatsoever," said Apache.

If you only knew, I thought to myself. "What if I told you there was a way to prevent the war without senseless bloodshed? Would you help me? Surely a man of your resourcefulness would be useful," I said hopefully.

I could see the rage in his eyes the moment I suggested it. "Have you forgotten the sins you humans have committed?  You dare ask for my assistance.  My people were among the first of our kind to make contact with you humans and what was your first response? You eradicated half of the Anguis on the grounds that we looked terrifying! "

I stared at the ground in shame. "I understand your pain and anger, I really do but we were scared. Not all humans are the same. Please, understand that the past can't be changed but the future can. If we do nothing, then both our people will suffer further. Again, I ask you, are you willing to help me prevent World War 3?"

His answer was smashing me onto the hard ground repeatedly. Dazzed, my vision was now blurry. Then, I felt it, the searing pain on my torso.  It was so horrific that I was thrashing  in mere seconds, screaming in agony. There was a colourless liquid dripping from Apache's mouth. It felt like pure acid.

He bellowed. "Cut the crap, before I..." 

I slashed at his tail with my concealed sleave dagger, the second he loosened his grip on my waist. Apache wailed in pain as blood began to gush out from his injuries. Instantly, he sprayed the liquid in my direction. Instinctively, I rolled to the side in the nick of time. I began chanting the incantations for a spell. 

"You dare?!" Apache was furious as he lifted a huge boulder and hurled it towards me.  Fortunately, I had infused some magic into a few weapons in my arsenal. I threw a knife which shattered the boulder into pieces. I took satisfaction in seeing Apache's eyes widen in astonishment.

"You're one of the Sicarius?" asked Apache.

I sighed. "I never did fit in with those weirdos but yeah, I was"

Apache held up his hands in surrender at the sight of the growing fireball in my palm. He was colossal and that made him an easy target to roast.

"My offer stands, Apache. I'm going to try and save the world but I can't do  it alone. I could really use you," I tried to reason with him.

"I won't betray my people, I would rather die," he said as he spit on the ground.

Realizing it was pointless to attempt persuading Apache, I began chanting the teleportation spell when I was bashed by a blunt object. I staggered to the ground as I started to lose conciousness. The last thing I saw before everything went black was Apache being beaten up by a group of Anguises. His own people? Why?