Monster Legends: Inevitable Betrayals

Undersea Warfare

Uriel stood at the edge of the mountain, having left after hearing Kimber's cries of anguish. She had always known that their small battalion would be extinguished, but she had held onto the minuscule sparks of hope that lingered in her soul. 

"Even my wings can't save me now," whispered Uriel, lifting one leg off the ground. She was about to lift the other, but was stopped by a sensation in her brain that convinced her to hang on a little longer. Something would happen that would be worth living for.

"Defeat is never the end. I thought you knew that, but apparently you hadn't truly processed its meaning." 

Uriel whipped around to see Taiga standing behind her, with two daggers in his hands. He was covered in blood, but still smiled at his partner. She looked completely broken, with baggy eyes and bruised limbs. She had a noticeable wound from Gorg's harpoon that had been mostly untreated. 

"Am I dead already? What is this apparition?" she questioned, feeling herself lose energy in her legs. Uriel slumped downward, and right off the clifftop. 

Taiga's eyes lit up in shock, coinciding with his reactionary leap toward her. He snagged onto her torn uniform, mere moments before death. 

"G o t c h a," he breathed, yanking her up and into his arms. Suddenly, Uriel realized that she was fully alive, and had been saved. She turned to look into Taiga's eyes, which stared back at her lovingly. His yellow irises and small grey pupils conveyed every emotion he felt at once. 

"That was a close call," spoke a voice behind Taiga. He placed Uriel carefully to his right before acknowledging the monster. 

This monster had yellow armor that covered its body, and a matching yellow mask with two glass eye protectors. Its armor was paired with two mechanical wings that were positioned downward. 

Taiga almost fell backward himself at the sight of the monster, as he recognized the armor and mask immediately. 

"H...Hornet?" he asked, surprised to see his old ally standing before him. Hornet and Taiga fought on the same side years ago, but when Hornet was a teenager and Taiga was in his mid thirties. After a while, Hornet left with Dr. Faraday, a respected physician and warrior. Unfortunately, Taiga had murdered Faraday in the arena, because the latter had tried to seek refuge in his cabin with force. 

"Yes, It's me!" exclaimed Hornet, outstretching an arm in excitement. The monster's voice was extremely feminine, confirming her gender that was usually unknown to most from the sight of her armor. Taiga gladly took her hand, heartily shaking it while grinning. Uriel positioned herself on the ground, staring up at the two. 

"Who's this?" she questioned, attempting to rise from the grass. Taiga assisted her, bringing Uriel to her feet. 

"This is Hornet, an old friend. I suppose she works with Thundeer and his army now," introduced Taiga. Hornet nodded, bobbing her helmet up and down. 

"I am Thundeer's chief advisor. I let him know about new events and battles that occur. Your speech was very moving, Taiga, I was bawling like a baby at the end," she joked, seemingly smiling underneath her mask. "Hey, we should probably get moving if we want to catch the other Kingdoms by surprise." 

"Why was the Thunder kingdom against me? If you are Thundeer's main advisor, why was there conflict between us?" asked Taiga. Hornet put both hands behind her back, bowing her head in shame. 

"I may have told him some misleading information, I...I apologize, Taiga. At the time it seemed justified, but now I feel horrible. I'll make it up to you with this next battle, don't you wait!" she shouted, rushing away and toward Thundeer.