by T. A. Uner
Inside his quarters Reptilius fed Sawtooth a whole chicken. His friend had earned it for his excellent work on Capri. He removed his black helm and cleaned his face in the wash basin before climbing into his hammock. He stretched out his muscular arms and dreamed of the riches the Leopardess would bring him. He desired another shot at besting the Leopard King. But if he could not have his revenge then he would be satisfied making a small fortune off the furry bitch. No doubt she would fetch a handsome price.
Right before Reptilius drifted off to sleep he heard someone knocking on his cabin door. Sawtooth grunted.
He cursed the interruption and lifted his head. “What is it?” His First Mate, a Scythian named Praxis, entered. Reptilius shot him an acrimonious look. “I asked not to be disturbed.”
Praxis looked at him abashedly. “My apologies, Croctus, but we have a visitor.”
“Who?”
Sawtooth sauntered toward the First Mate. The Scythian looked at the crocodile defensively.“Jarkos Wolfsbane.”
Wolfsbane? What did that shitworm want?
Praxis escorted Reptilius and Sawtooth onto the main deck where Jarkos Wolfsbane, his son, and four Wolfguard stood. Reptilius’ crew, now armed, eyed the newcomers suspiciously.
“What brings you to my humble ship?”
Jarkos Wolfsbane nodded his head respectfully to Reptilius. “Croctus Reptilius, even though we were previously rivals competing for the head of The Leopard King. I come bearing you an offer.”
“What type of offer?” Reptilius asked.
Wolfsbane snapped his fingers. Two of his Wolfguard pushed a large chest in front of Reptilius. When the chest was opened Reptilius stared at the contents within.
Inside was an impressive collection of treasure. Hundreds of thousands of golden aurei coins mixed within them were rubies, emeralds and diamonds.
“We both I share a common enemy,” Jarkos Wolfsbane said. “The Leopard King. He murdered my younger son. And, I hear you suffered a setback against him as well.”
“Word travels fast,” Reptilius said.
“Indeed. I come to make you an offer. Come and serve my court. I will pay you handsomely and we can both satisfy our thirst for revenge against the Leopard King.”
“I serve no man. I work only with Sawtooth, and he only works with me.”
Sawtooth snarled in agreement.
“I see, rest assured that no one could offer you a better bounty for the Leopardess.”
Jarkos nodded at one of his Wolfguard and the chest was closed.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean what you see in this chest is only a fraction of the wealth I can offer you. Follow my ship, Ghostwind, back to my home port. There, in the comfort of my Alcazar I will give you the rest of your bounty.”
“Let me think about it,” Reptilius said.
“Do not think too long. That cage that you borrowed to capture the Leopardess is my personal property. I do not allow others to handle my possessions, but in your case I shall make an acceptation.”
“Like I said…I’ll think about it.”
Jarkos Wolfsbane nodded. “When you make your decision send message to me. My ship, Ghostwind, leaves within the hour.”
Reptilius pondered Wolfsbane’s offer. It was generous, but the Wolf Lord was known throughout the empire as a ruthless criminal lord. He could always betray him, but Reptilius had a feeling that Wolfsbane’s offer was justifiable. If it was true that The Leopard King had killed Wolfsbane’s son then they indeed shared a common enemy. Besides, Wolfsbane had left the chest onboard Razor as a gesture of goodwill.
Reptilius thought hard. He didn’t trust Wolfsbane completely, but this was his chance to obtain the wealth he had always dreamed of.
Reptilius looked at Sawtooth. “What would you do, boy?”
The crocodile grunted his response. Reptilius smiled and made his decision.
{IV}
Vulpus led Caltus deeper into the caverns.
“If the Snake Lord learns I led you to him he’ll torture and kill us both.”
“You should be more concerned with what I’ll do to you,” Caltus replied.
Caltus prodded the Vulpus in the ribcage with cutter. The bones sizzled and the Skeleton shot Caltus a pointed glance. “Alright, alright! Just keep that sword away from me bones.”
Vulpus, holding up a lantern with his remaining hand, led Caltus to the end of the cavern tunnel. “I must rest,” the skeleton said, placing the lantern on the cavern floor and slumping to the ground.
“What?” Caltus said. “You’re a magical being, you shouldn’t be tired.”
The skeleton pointed at Cutter. “It’s that sword of yours.” Vulpus pointed at it accusingly. “It’s been blessed by Elemence. Since I’m a product of Serpent Eye exposure to it weakens my bones.”
Caltus chuckled. “I thought you skeletons were fearsome warriors.”
Vulpus shook his head and his golden jaw bone clicked against its teeth. “Numbers win battles, boy. You’d never catch one of us attacking a foe alone. No. We always attack en masse. Strength in bones.”
“Strength in bones?”
Vulpus nodded. “An old saying my people have used. It originated long before you were born, when my kind fought for the Cultists during the Serpent Wars. Those were the good old days. And we almost won. If not for Zedion Firmitas and those gods damned Air Paladins. There’d be more of us roaming around alive these days.”
Caltus pointed Cutter at Vulpus’s skeletal body. “You call that alive?”
Vulpus’s red eyes shimmered. “It’s better than death.”
“That’s enough rest,” Caltus complained. “Get up!”
Vulpus collected the lantern and sighed. “Gods damn you, human.”
They reached the end of the tunnel where two large serpent statues stood sentinel, flanking an entrance. Vulpus stopped and turned his head toward Caltus. The light from the lantern glinted off the Vulpus’s golden skull. “This is it.”
“What’s beyond that entrance?”
“It’s a holy chamber filled with idols. Serpentus uses it to communicate with Reptokk’s essence. It is required for all Cultists and Snake Lords to pay homage to the Serpent Demon. In return for their dedication, Reptokk feeds them powerful emotions so they can do his bidding.”
They crossed the threshold of the entranceway and found themselves on a rocky shelf overlooking a large cavern room where a half circle of flickering torches adorned the walls below. Caltus’ eyes settled on a large, columned plinth with steps carved into its base. Red candles flickering within serpent shaped sconces were mounted on the columns, producing a morbid red light. Sitting upon the plinth was a large golden statue depicting a reptilian creature wearing a spiked crown and wielding two scimitars.
“That is where Serpentus prays,” Vulpus said. “He climbs the steps and kneels before the Altar of Reptokk, seeking communion with the Serpent Demon’s essence.”
Caltus was intrigued by this strange religion, and wondered why his grandfather hadn’t told him about the Serpent Cult’s customs.
Probably trying to protect me from its evil, Caltus thought.
“Let us have a closer look,” he told Vulpus.
They descended a rock staircase that curled down towards the cavern room. As they descended into the room, Caltus noticed strange murals of battle scenes decorating the walls. One displayed Reptokk the Serpent Demon riding atop a strange mount, leading his armies across a battlefield. Inscribed beneath the mural was a writing he had never seen before. This was not ancient Greek or Babylonian, or any of the other languages he had studied at his grandfather’s stead.
They passed the Altar, behind it was an entrance to another passageway. More Serpent shaped sconces lined it’s interior walls, providing the same eerie red light. Low on oil, Vulpus left his lantern behind.
After a short walk, the passageway ended and they found themselves inside another cavern overlooking a shelf that spanned an abyss. Ahead of th
em was an imposing-looking man clad in black armor and cape.
Serpentus!
He was standing over another figure. When Caltus realized it was Tullus his heart almost stopped.
“That’s the Snake Lord, boy,” Vulpus whispered, pointing at Serpentus. “Now what do you propose to do? Charge him with your sword? He can kill you with a glance.”
Caltus took a deep breath and pondered his next move. Tullus’ Leopard print mask had been removed and Serpentus was standing over Tullus' body, speaking to him. It sounded like he was gloating.
I have to do something, Caltus thought. But what? Then an idea flashed into the youth’s head. It just might work.
He grabbed the Vulpus’s arm. “I need you to create a distraction.”
Vulpus looked at him if he had gone insane. “What? That is foolery, boy? He’ll turn me into a bowl of bone pudding and feed it to his silver serpent.”
“You have no choice bone man,” Caltus said. “Either you die now by my sword, or take your chances with Serpentus.”
“Some choice. I should’ve let you kill me earlier.”
They slowly inched their way toward Serpentus. Using the shadows to conceal their movements. Serpentus was too enamored with Tullus to notice them. Perhaps Caltus could use the element of surprise to his advantage.
Keep your back turned to me Snake Lord, It make my plan easier.
A few steps from where Tullus lay, Caltus saw LeopardClaw lying on the ground. Serpentus walked over toward Tullus' greatsword and picked it up. The blade shook violently in Serpentus’ gauntleted hand, as if resisting the Snake Lord’s touch. Caltus figured that Hradack’s blessing had imbued the greatsword with defensive properties, to prevent it being used by an evil force. Then Caltus heard loud moan and noticed Tullus was slowly regaining consciousness. This was unexpected but he would welcome Tullus’ assistance, assuming it worked.
Caltus whispered to Vulpus, “This is what I need you to do.”
{V}
Tullus slowly came to his senses. The bridge of his nose screamed in fury; the black void that spelled unconsciousness now lifted from his field of vision, and he remembered where he was. Capri. He looked up and saw Serpentus staring down at him, while grasping LeopardClaw. The great blade shook in his enemy’s hand. As Tullus' senses returned, he remembered Hradack’s teachings and how magical weapons blessed by Elemence did not mesh with cursed users. By embracing Serpent Eye, Norbanus, or Serpentus, as was now called, had damned himself. Blinded by arrogance, the Snake Lord, had neglected caution by taking possession of Tullus' blessed LeopardClaw.
“Look at you now, Tullus. Not so mighty now. Once the Serpent Cult has been resurrected, tales will be told of how Serpentus slew the mighty Leopard King with his own sword.” Using both hands, Serpentus raised LeopardClaw above his head, yet the blade continued defying his touch by jerking Serpentus' hands side to side.
Tullus did not try to get up. He focused on conserving his Vigor. His head still throbbed, but he took deep breaths, and felt a trickle of Vigor course through his veins. He wasn’t finished yet. He stared at LeopardClaw and focused, channeling his thoughts through it. Its blade glowed azure and emitted a high-pitched sound that filled the cavern.
Let us see how you handle a blessed sword, Serpentus, Tullus thought.
Serpentus looked around the cavern wondering what was happening. LeopardClaw shook with fury, but Serpentus gripped it fervently, determined to slay Tullus with his own blade. Tullus’ eyes remained locked on the pommel. The Leopard head stared back at him resiliently, urging him on.
Lucis.
Once the spell was cast a blinding white light discharged from LeopardClaw’s blade. Serpentus held his other hand up to shield his eyes from the light before LeopardClaw tore from his hand and landed in Tullus grip. Tullus stood up and when he did he couldn’t believe his eyes.
Caltus?
He crept up behind Serpentus, next to him a gold Skeleton Marine.
What in Jove’s name is he doing here?
Serpentus collected his composure and shook off his confusion. Before Tullus could act. Caltus pushed the skeleton into Serpentus, knocking him over. Serpentus wrestled with the bony creature before lifting it and hurling it to the ground.
“What is the meaning of this?” Serpentus roared.
“I was forced into it, Lord Serpentus. The boy threatened to kill me if I didn’t help him,” the skeleton pleaded.
Serpentus turned to face Caltus before turning his attention back to the command skeleton. “If it is death you fear then let me expedite your journey to the underworld.”
Serpentus thrust his palm toward Vulpus’s face. “Cariosus.”
Vulpus’s bones began sizzling. He raised its arms and started howling in pain before dissolving into a puddle of gold liquid.
“Together we can both slay him, Tullus,” Caltus said excitedly before rushing Serpentus with Cutter.
“Caltus, wait!” Tullus said. But Serpentus laughed at Caltus’ challenge.
“Fool,” he said, extending his hand. Tullus charged Serpentus with LeopardClaw right as an energy projectile appeared in the Snake Lord’s hand. He got off a shot at Caltus before Tullus swung LeopardClaw at Serpentus’ head. Serpentus ducked to avoid LeopardClaw, losing his focus, and causing the projectile to strike the cavern wall behind Caltus.
Serpentus drew FireSkull and his mace, Skull-Crusher, and embraced a battle on two fronts. Caltus engaged him with Cutter but Serpentus easily parried the blow before elbowing Caltus in the face. Tullus, seeing the young man knocked to the ground, restrained his anger and converted the negative emotion to thought. Feeling the revitalizing Vigor of Elemence course through his veins, he landed a cut upon Serpentus’ spaulder which protected the Snake Lord’s shoulder. The cursed armor crepitated as LeopardClaw struck it. Serpentus hurled Skull-Crusher at Tullus’ head but he knocked it away with LeopardClaw. Serpentus landed a kick at his knee and Tullus lost his footing. Tullus felt the heat of FireSkull as the blade slashed across his harness. He cursed the fire which threatened to engulf his face but managed to avoid the next cut by stepping away from Serpentus’ swing.
“I am ten times the man you are!” Serpentus proclaimed.
“No…only ten times more evil!” Tullus said.
Much to Caltus’ credit he recovered from his fall and rejoined the fight. Tullus kept trying to go for the kill by decapitating Serpentus, since the only weak spot in the snake Lord’s armor was beneath his helm. But Serpentus easily parried Tullus’ thrusts while keeping Caltus at bay with Skull-Crusher.
The trajectory of their fight brought them dangerously close to the edge of the precipice. Tullus could hear the rushing water beneath. He knew he could not keep this up forever. He was fighting with heart now. His Vigor having been sapped by Serpentus’ minions and the duration of this fight.
Serpentus landed a kick upon Caltus’ face, splitting his chin open, as a spurt of blood erupted from the wound. Caltus staggered backwards and fell again before Serpentus brought Skull-Crusher and FireSkull to bear on Tullus who drew LeopardTooth and crossed it with LeopardClaw to parry Serpentus' attack. The four weapons greeted each other like old enemies as ripples of red and blue Vigor crackled around both Tullus and Serpentus.
“I think I liked fighting you more when you were called Norbanus,” Tullus said.
“Why? Did you think you could easily defeat me again, Tullus?”
The four weapons met again. Tullus’ whole body shook. He shot a quick look at Caltus who lay flat on his back. Tullus hoped the boy’s wound was superficial.
The serpent, Havoc appeared on Serpentus’ shoulder. It hissed at Tullus while its silver scales glowed.
Is it regenerating? Tullus thought.
He thought hard and pondered his next move. His limbs felt like they had been ripped off his frame and stitched haphazardly back onto his torso.
Tullus remembered Hradack’s Pride-Fear lesson in the forest during his training.
Perhaps it would work here.
He sheathed LeopardClaw and LeopardTooth and stretched out his arms, opening himself to be cut down by Serpentus.
“I yield,” he told Serpentus. The words tasted like bile on his tongue. Yet he kept his emotions in check.
Serpentus raised FireSkull and Skull-Crusher while Havoc’s red eyes shimmered like rubies. “Now you die.” Serpentus came at Tullus with the intent to strike him down as Tullus felt the ground vibrate beneath him.
FireSkull and Skull-Crusher bore down on him.
Tullus ducked and with one quick motion slung Leopardhide off his back. He slammed its boss into Serpentus’ face and sent the Snake Lord tumbling. Havoc, attempting to break his master’s fall, placed his coiled body behind Serpentus' back for support, but found himself caught between Serpentus’ helm and hard rock.
Tullus ran toward Caltus and slung the boy over his shoulder before picking up Cutter. He ran toward the precipice before hurling himself into the dark void.
Serpentus’ eyes blinked open. His head felt as if someone had smashed a boulder against the base of his skull. Beneath his helm he felt something stirring. He reached behind his head and grasped at the source of the movement. When his fingertips felt the hard leathery skin he recognized Havoc. Serpentus rose and dusted small particles of rock off Havoc’s head while the King Cobra’s eyes flickered.
Loyal creature. It broke my fall. Whoever says that serpents are vindictive have not met Havoc.
Serpentus channeled some of his Vigor into Havoc’s body and the Cobra’s eyes began pulsing red.
It was the least I could do for you. My scaly friend.
Havoc hissed contently before slithering up Serpentus’ arm and positioning himself on his lord’s shoulder. Serpentus removed his helm and rubbed his head. A large painful swelling had formed at the base of his skull. He would have his Tteacher examine it. Right now he had to recoup his Vigor. After donning his helm again, he sheathed both FireSkull and Skull-Crusher. He fondled his nose and winced. It had been broken. The sensation of burning coals ignited across his face; the nose cartilage smashed when Tullus had slammed the blessed shield against his face. He should’ve known that it was a trick; but his eagerness to kill Tullus had cost him his vengeance today. But, he would have it someday. Even if he had to kill thousands of beings to get to Tullus.
