Monster Legends: Inevitable Betrayals

Safe to the Monster's Eye

Taiga's eyes traveled around the straw cottages, the monsters talking to one another in harmony, and Silverleaf's kind gaze that filled his defensive senses with figurative calming medicine.

"What is this place?" he asked.

"This haven is for the forest elves, built thousands of years ago. It was created for escape from the cities of Monster Legends. For freedom, if you will," explained Silverleaf.

Taiga turned to see a small green dragon dart past and into a cottage. "Why are there other monsters here then?"

"These monsters are mutineers from the Warmaster reign. They heard about the arena and escaped into the woods, eventually winding up here. There are hundreds of newcomers that live peacefully among us now," he said.

"The elder would like to meet any unexpected visitors," exclaimed an elf, several meters from Silverleaf. Her hair was a bright pink, and had a leafy tunic wrapped around her body. Silverleaf nodded, escorting Taiga, Kimber and Uriel towards a rather large cabin near the edge of the haven. It had visible mold lining the roof and multiple massive fungi near the entrance.

Silverleaf creaked open the door and motioned for the guests to join him. The cabin smelled quite awful, and looked incredibly unkept. There were many journals scattered on the floor, along with numerous tiny fungi that crept through the floorboards.

Taiga peered inside first, immediately shocked by the giant monster seated in the center of the room. It was a mushroom, towering over Taiga in height and sheer mass. The creature had seven red eyes that stared at the group with interest. A leafy cloth layer of clothing was sprinkled around the monster, but it could have been mistaken for plants attached to the body.

"This is Rubellus, the elven elder," whispered Silverleaf.

"Are you sure that's an elf?" questioned Kimber.

The mushroom chuckled heartily, causing Kimber to stare uncomfortably at Taiga. Rubellus was seated in a fungi infested throne, which he lightly jumped off of to confront his visitors.

"That is a fair question, Darmith spawn," Rubellus mocked, making Kimber seize up. "I was an elf at some point, but I sometimes forget when the transformation began. I haven't left my home in centuries, child. At some point, the fungi connected with my bloodstream on an organic level. I became the mighty fungus from the elven person. What have you become, dragon warrior?"

"I have become a better fighter," she replied. Rubellus smirked at Kimber, apparently not respecting her response.

"You come visit the mighty Rubellus, and this is all you can muster? The monster world truly is endangered indeed," he croaked, his sly grin still pasted to his meaty toadstool face.

Kimber let her arm propel like a slingshot, striking Rubellus in the eyes. Or, that was what she intended. The elder put a beefy hand in front of her blow, anticipating the hit. Fungi began to trickle along her forearm, creeping to her elbow, and then through her shoulder armor.

She screamed in agony, collapsing to the ground. Taiga and Uriel were paralyzed in shock, gaping at the scene. Silverleaf did not react, but stood incredibly still, watching the confrontation fascinatingly.

"Is this our last hope!?" blurted Rubellus, kneeling down to face Kimber. "This puny, insignificant, small, horrid, draconic, Dar-mith Spawn is what we have?"

Kimber curled up into a defeated ball of sadness. "The monsters will be slaughtered, one by one, survival is lost, IT IS OVER, NO MORE HOPE, DESTINY IS LOST!"

Kimber began to cry, unable to strike back and fight. Each "Darmith-spawn" insult was a fresh stab to her armor, shattering it to bits in her mind. She was a helpless young dragonborne inside Darmith's basement again. Her hard shell was broken to reveal an infant larvae, gasping for air.

"STOP THIS, NOW!" Taiga roared, making Rubellus take his attention away from Kimber. He smirked again, revealing yellow pointy teeth. "Silverleaf, goddammit!"

"Taiga, this is the-" the elf began.

"Breaking apart one of my best warriors is no solution! What did you think to accomplish from this!?" the tiger yelled, shutting down Silverleaf. He crouched down to hug Kimber, still shaking and weeping from the event. Taiga's exterior refused to shed a tear, but inside was deeply affected. He saw the people in his old village begging for mercy from Burotgor's forces.

"Taiga, you are the fiercest warrior in the land. You cannot restore order to Monster Legends without good soldiers. This lizard is not even capable of withstanding my emotional attack," explained Rubellus. "This Darmith spawn is not capable of fighting against simple protestors."

"I...am capable," groaned Kimber.

"WHAT? Did I hear a tiny beetle scurrying across the room? What did I hear?"

"I am capable," she repeated.

"I apologize Taiga, but did you hear a fighter, or did I hear a youngling girl being overwhelmed by simple insults writhing on the ground?"

"I AM CAPABLE!" shouted Kimber.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" shouted back Rubellus.

"I AM CAPABLE! I AM CAPABLE! I AM CAPABLE!!!"

Kimber grasped her spear and thrust it deep into Rubellus' hand this time. He moaned in slight pain, but smiled naturally as his fungi blood dripped onto the dank floor.

"Now, let me ask again, what have you become, Kimber?"

"I have changed my faith from evil to good. Darmith is dead and I no longer live by his rules. I am Kimber. Lucifire is dead, buried by Darmith's side. Kimber lives on."

Rubellus grinned, causing the overwhelming fungi on Kimber's arm to vanish.

"Taiga, you have a fearsome warrior by your side. Well done."

Taiga glanced at Silverleaf again. The elf also smiled wide, nodding at Taiga in approval.

"Who is this other warrior sporting natural silence? Come forth, Uriel!" announced Rubellus.

"I'd rather not, thank you," declined Uriel politely, escorting herself out. Taiga chuckled at this, his sadness reverting to joy.

"Taiga, wait-" called Rubellus, as Kimber, Silverleaf and Uriel left the cabin.

"Yes?" he asked. Rubellus' cheerful grin with glowing magenta cheeks changed to a sorrowful frown.

"They are coming, Taiga. Xiron is not dead, and she now leads the protestors."

"What has become of Remntar and Sherezar? Have they remained in control?" questioned Taiga.

"They are trying to maintain balance, but unsuccessfully. Without you, the city kingdom crumbles. Across Monster Legends, the water kingdom has already declared war on you. The other eight kingdoms remain neutral, but the thunder kingdom is considering becoming an enemy," Rubellus explained.

"Kingdoms? I don't understand," said Taiga.

"You have much to learn. You controlled the majority of Monster Legends, but other kingdoms exist. They mostly consist of refugees from the city that eventually created their own societies and policies. We, the plant kingdom, ally with you, but that cannot be said with the others. You must convince them to end this protestor resistance with new armies. Kimber's front line of troops has joined the protestors, including someone with vengeance. He is coming."

"Who is coming?" asked Taiga. Rubellus ignored him, all of his eyes glancing down at Taiga with slight hopelessness.

"May the universe be merciful with our deaths."