Chapter 15: A different Path
The sun was high in the sky as they neared the border, but the storm however continued to rage on. Monkey knew a lot must be on Wolf’s mind after witnessing that army attack his mother. Did Carmilla and her troops lose? Did Sozen and the others kutta betray them? Why did an army of that size appear all of sudden? Monkey had his suspicions and it seems he may be right, that someone is controlling things behind the scenes. At first it seemed like it was just the army from the west but when they returned to the battlefield that army seemed to have tripled in size. Where did those reinforcements come from? These were impossible odds regardless... no matter how strong Carmilla is, it would be miracle for her to survive.
Monkey put the thought away, it wasn’t his problem. The only reason he took part in the war was for one reason.
He looked at Wolf who seemed to be lost in thought as well, was he having the same thoughts as Monkey?
He wish he could do something but at the moment all he could do is respect Wolf wishes, after witnessing his father death it couldn’t have been easy to decide to leave his mother to her fate. No, he takes that back he saw that look in Wolf’s eyes, the decision to not help his mother was in fact easy. But now Wolf had a look of regret on his face, regardless of the lies, regardless of son betraying mother and mother betraying son. Carmilla was still Wolf’s mother.
He placed a reassuring hand on Wolf’s shoulder, bringing Wolf back to reality
“If anyone able to bring about a miracle, its Carmilla. Then you two can settle your differences”
Wolf was stunned for a second then he laughed
“Monkey...thanks, I know Carmilla won’t die that easy.”
He took a deep breath
Monkey decided now was as good of time as any to ask.
“Hey Wolf...”
“I can’t join you”
Damn. Shot down before he even finished asking.
“B-but why?”
Monkey couldn’t hide the disappointment that his brother wouldn’t be with him on his journey.
“There’s something I need to do, after what we witnessed, there’s a lot on my mind now and I know of only one person who can answer these questions I have.”
Monkey got a bit hopeful
“Then I’ll...”
“You can’t come with me”
He stared at Monkey his eyes serious, then growing gentle.
“Monkey...brother, thank you for coming. You didn’t have to fight in this battle but you did, you didn’t risk your life for my people but for me. And I can't express in words how much that means to me. But Monkey this is something I need to do alone, and you have something you need to do right.”
The Black Beast.
“It's a big world, you only ever lived in one small part of it. I know it can be scary finally setting out into this world... especially when you’re alone. The unknown can be frightening, the people even more so. But, even so we walk head first into this unknown, experiencing all it has to offer the worst of it all and the best of it. The world isn't just frightening but exciting there so much wonder in our world Monkey”
He extended his hand in a fist
“And those who travel the world gets the chance to experience it all. I’m sure...my brother, a man who seeks to destroy the black beast can handle anything this world throws at him, right?”
Monkey was stunned, he fought back the tears that was welling up. How could someone that just fought a war be scared of being alone? Wolf was right, he didn’t want to be alone. Wasn’t that pathetic? Here he was, hunting down a monster and yet the thing that scared him the most was the thought of being in this world alone.
Monkey extended his fist towards Wolf
“We’ll meet again right brother?”
“What kind of question is that? Of course, we’ll see each other again.”
Monkey smiled.
“And when we do, we’ll take this world on together”
Wolf grinned.
“The world better watch out”
Monkey turned to the blizzard before him a red aura appeared around him as he entered the storm crossing the borders. He was sad to leave his brother after what happened, but seeing him again was exactly what he needed. He feels like he truly ready to experience what else this world has to offer
“This is goodbye for now brother”
~
1 month later
It has been a month since Monkey parted ways with Wolf, it was raining non-stopped. Like how the Dog kingdom has a storm protecting it borders. Here, in the Pig kingdom it rained continuously, not just on the border but over the entire region.
“is every region like this?” Monkey wondered
He thought back to his homeland, the monkey kingdom. It didn’t have any rain nor snow; it didn’t have any magical protection that he was aware of. Then again, he never really thought about it when he was younger.
He looked up at the sky as the rain continued to pour, it started to let up a little but the rain still continued to fall nonetheless.
“Guess some people would feel depressed here but oddly enough I find it comforting”
Monkey continued towards the village; it was difficult walking through this area as the constant rain turned the entre landscape into a giant mud trap. At this moment he was walking uphill. He had to be careful. If he slipped and fell, there no doubt he would cause a mudslide and being buried alive did not set well with him.
When he finally reached the top of the hill, he saw a village in the distance.
“finally, maybe now I can get some rest”
As he took a step forward a tentacle rose out of the mud, wrapping itself around his ankle pulling him underneath.
Monkey panicked, he was being pulled down fast. He did the first thing that came to mind, his body erupted in flames unleashing an explosion destroying part of the hill.
Monkey sucked in a full breath of air as he rushed away from the whatever it using his fire to propel him forward, he felt a chill go up his spine as he quickly dodged left another tentacle striking the spot he was just at. Multiple tentacles came from the hill, reaching to pull him back inside. He dodged and destroyed any that came before he heard a loud screech coming from the hill. The creature seemed to have given up on its prey as the tentacles slowly resided. He watched as it gathered more mud repairing the hill till it looked as it did before monkey blew a crater into it. Monkey looked at the hill. He would have to remember to avoid it in the future.
The people of the pig kingdom, definitely more rounded than any other race , doesn’t mean they should be underestimated. It was actually their thick skin that made it almost impossible for normal weapons to pierce their skin.
Unlike the rooster kingdom the village here were built entirely of stone, and when he entered, he quickly drew their attention.
Monkey wondered if this was going to happen every time he visited a new place, luckily for him the guards here was kinder than the ones at the rooster kingdom
“Maybe it a short person ,” he wondered.
The guard looked him up and down
“Had a run in with the mudtrap, huh?” he asked
“Ah, that what that thing he called? He thought back but can't remember if his mother ever mention that creature in one of her lessons.
The guard nodded “It doesn’t really have a body, just a mouth and those long tentacles about twenty of them”
“T-twenty!?” Monkey said stunned
“Yeah, and you saw how it covered itself in mud right? To resemble a hill? That how it tricks people and animals. Even in this rain the mudtraps can tell when a person or beast is walking on top of it. It slowly moves it tentacles through the mud till it close enough to it prey. Then, it pulls them underground. Suffocating them first before devouring them.”
“Are there many of them?”
“A few in this area, but they’re easy to avoid. Just don’t go climbing over any hills and you’ll be fine”
Monkey thank the guard who then pointed him in the direction of the inn. From the explanation he gave, the mudtrap is a beast that thrives in this endless rainy weather. He said that one time a group of mercenaries pulled one out of the mud and the beast went berserk. Apparently, they love being underground. Well, under the mud. Place nice and soft, places where the ground is too hard or dry just don’t do it for these types of creatures.
Monkey made his way to the Inn, once inside he sought out the owner who he found managing the counter. Grabbing a seat across from the barkeep, he placed a few coins down ordering a drink and a meal.
“here’s your drink, the meal is on its way” he said as he sat a large mug in front of Monkey
“By the way. It's not often we get a Houzi here... are you by chance a mercenary?”
Monkey nodded, reaching for his badge, he showed it to the barkeep.
He studied it before nodding.
“Yup, shouldn’t have doubted it. That's the only way you could travel so freely, no offense.”
Monkey shook his head. “None taken”
It's well known how rare it is for travelers of another race to venture into another kingdom even during a time of peace.
“If you don’t mind me asking, though,” He pointed at the rooster on the badge unlike the other signs this one glittered marking exactly where he got it from.
“why you go to another kingdom for your badge instead of your own?”
Was he suspecting something? Or was its genuine curiosity? Either way Monkey suppose it wouldn’t hurt to tell him. He had nothing to hide.
“I was visiting my brother who lives in the dog kingdom. It was quicker to just get my badge from the neighboring kingdom as I made my way to there.”
Monkey saw the side of the owner's mouth curve up, then the owner laughed.
“a houzi and a kutta? Brothers? That’s a good one”
Monkey didn’t know why that was funny
“Not a kutta, my brother is a Bhediya”
The owner expression suddenly became serious.
“A bhediya, huh? Ya know, we don’t get much information from the other kingdoms. Only rumors that we hear from other mercenaries on the road. Last anyone heard, the bhediya had started a civil war with Ti shin. If you did visit this... bhediya brother of yours, then you must know if the war there has ended or not”
It was then that Monkey noticed that most of the residents in the inn was listening.
“ah, so that’s what he wanted. Information"
It was true information from other kingdoms were hard to come by. You can only speculate from the rumors that came from other mercenaries during their travels.
Monkey smirked.
“I’ll be happy to tell you, if you can tell me if there been any sighting of the Black Beast?”
The room grew silent as the owner's eyes grew wide with fear.
“n-now why would you want to know about that monster?”
Images of that night flashed inside Monkey's head.
“I’m hunting that creature down and when I find it... I’m going to kill it”
The room remained silent before erupting into laughter
“hes going to kill the Black Beast?”
“that's a good one, as if a single person could succeed when twelve kingdoms couldn’t"
“did you become a merc just for fun kiddo?”
“must be nice to be young and still have dreams”
“guess I shouldn’t be surprised that idiots like that still exists”
Monkey ignored their taunts...or tried to.
Their laughter rang in his ears, he could feel his anger boiling over.
“cowards every last one of them”
Black Monkey reappeared next to him
“they can laugh so easily yet not a single one of them is willing to even try to find a way to kill it.”
He leaned in close
“they laugh at you because you reach for something, they themselves are too scared to do”
Monkey rose up from his seat spinning around
“shut up all of you, every single one of you are cowards. Just because of one battle you think destroying the black beast is a lost cause? You all are just too scared. But I’m not, there must be something here in this world that can kill the black beast and I will find it!”
He yelled at them.
“it wasn’t just one battle”
A man spoke up sitting at a table in the corner.
“it was multiple battles, at first a kingdom tried to kill this monster alone. It failed, then the next kingdom tried, then the next, till it was decided that only the combine strength of all twelve would be enough. Or so they thought. But even that wasn’t enough”
A woman stood up from the other end of the room, she had a scar over her left cheek, her tail shown he to be from the rabbit kingdom.
“Take a good look around you, you’re not the only mercenary in this inn and each warrior here took part in that battle against the black beast. Each one lost friends and family to that monster. You think this “peace” happen by chance? It’s a force treaty because fighting each other is a waste of time when there is an unstoppable monster rampaging across the lands.”
Another man spoke his tail showing that he was from the Horse kingdom.
“it is arrogant and ignorance to call each person here a coward when you haven't faced the black beast yourself. It not that we don’t search for a way to kill it, it just that such a thing does not exist. There is no killing the black beast. Only thing we can do now is endure and survive”
Every warrior in the room murmured in agreement.
“endure and survive?” Monkey couldn’t believe what he was hearing
“there is no surviving from that thing! It won't stop killing!! You're all are just waiting for death to come! And I’ll admit I never fought against the black beast but I did face it! I saw it as it destroyed my home, killed my father! Devoured my uncle”
He said the last part almost in a whisper.
“I refuse to believe that something in this world exist that cannot be killed!”
“enough of this crap!”
Another man stood up, He looked to be in his twenties. A few years older than Monkey
“Ravenna the Black lioness, Joan the silver princess, and Zayav the fang of akita. Not just them but many warriors took part in that battle. So, tell me, brat, do you mean to say that your strength is on par with them?”
Monkey remembered how powerful Zayav was and couldn’t look the man in the eye and the guy grew smug.
“then I take it you must've hunted down some strong monsters then? Maybe slain a few Azura?”
“I’ve killed a cockatrice and a deviljoe” Monkey finally spoke trying to defend himself
“well congratulation you killed a cockatrice and a deviljoe” the man said mockingly.
“guess you’re not completely all talk but guess what, those creatures are small fry compared to other monsters that lurk in this world and those monsters are weak compared to an Azura and surprise, surprise an Azura don’t compare to a fraction of the Black Beast strength.”
“The cockatrice I fought could use earth magic!!” Monkey protested
The man aimed his spear at him
“don't start sprouting lies. Only Azura can wield magic. The truth is that you are weak, you’re trying to hunt a creature that can't be killed, claiming that something exists that can kill it but you don’t even know what it is. You’re like a dog chasing its tail.”
“hey watch it Fenn” a man said taking another sip of his drink
The Man named Fenn laugh “just a phrase Loffetto” he then turned his attention back to Monkey
“Guess the kid's all talk after all,” the woman who was sitting with Fenn giggled
Monkey became even more frustrated. He started to feel alone, he could hear them chatter amongst themselves, snickering and now they believe he’s a liar when he brought up the cockatrice. Even still he was determined to succeed even when all twelve kingdoms failed.
He Locked eyes with Fenn, Refusing to back down.
“I don’t care if you don’t believe about the cockatrice, but I did meet one that could use magic. And I WILL kill the black beast. I’ll become stronger than Joan, Zayav and even Ravenna. Even if all twelve kingdoms failed, I’ll kill the black beast no matter!!”
Fenn gotten an annoyed look on his face
“alright then kid then how about we make a deal”
Fenn offered, lowering his spear he went back to his table.
“hey Hinso hand me the contract”
The man Fenn asked reached inside his bag bring out a rolled-up piece of paper.
Returning to Monkey Fenn open the paper to reveal the contract is a bounty of
“aw shit” Monkey thought
“cmon what with the look?”
Fenn said placing the contract on table. The contents said that they were tasked with hunting the mudtrap for 20 gold
Monkey almost suffocated because of that thing.
“see, me and my friends accepted this contract to kill the mudtrap in this area. Guess the person who requested it removal got tired of having it around or maybe they were almost eaten. Anyway, my deal is this. If you can kill this mudtrap by yourself I’ll not only accept your story of a cockatrice wielding magic but I’ll believe your ridiculous statement of killing the black beast”
The girl at their table stood up in objection
“hey Fenn! That our contract. There just no way he can handle a mudtrap are you trying to kill him?”
“The kid said he would become stronger than Ravenna, didn’t he? Not just that but he insulted every merc here by calling us cowards. I say it time to put up or shut up.” he turned to Monkey
“well? What do you say?”
Monkey could tell by the look in their eyes.
They wanted to see if he would accept the challenge. After what he just said he has no choice but to accept. He trapped himself.
“fine. I accept.”
Fenn grin grew wider
“then let’s go.”
~
The rain continued to pour; it grew heavier as they made there way to the Mudtrap.
Monkey took this chance to study Fenn group.
The one Fenn called Hinso was bald, with a strange tattoo on the side. He wore an open short shirt that had a fur collar. He didn’t hide his gem and since the color of it green Monkey could easily guess he uses wind magic and the weapon he carried...was a stick? Looked to be as long as the man forearm
Then there was the girl. Her name was Mimi. Her hair was a mixture of light blue, pink and white her colors however consisted of orange, dark blue and red. Wearing a kimono Monkey couldn’t tell what her gem was or what weapon she carried
They came to the hill where Monkey was attacked. Yeah, he knew it would be this guy but still he hoped against hope.
Fenn was mumbling to himself as he slowly moved closer to the hill before, then he stopped using his spear to draw a line.
“100 meters. That how far a fully grown mudtrap tentacles can go” He said
The world just never stops surprising him. 100 meters!?
He thought back to his first encounter, he wasn’t 100 meters away 30? 40? He was running for his life. That means this thing wasn’t fully grown, not yet. He thought back to his discussion with Vulcan, regardless of how they felt about each other if he had just a bit more information.... just a bit more.
“I encountered this beast before”
The other three turned to stare at him. He continued
“it's not fully grown, I was able to get out of it reach at about 40 meters”
Hinso whistled
“guess it’s a good we accepted the contract when we did huh Fenn” Mimi said.
“lucky indeed... well, lucky for you kid”
Fenn turned to look at him.
“time to prove yourself”
“anything else I should know?” he shared information with them. He expected them to return the favor
Fenn acted like he was thinking about it.
“anything you should know? Hmmmm nope, nothing comes to mind”
Rage enveloped Monkey face as he took as step towards him
“I sha-”
Mimi stepped between them a blade already at Monkey throat.
“you shared obvious information that we would've figured out eventually. That doesn’t mean we have to share anything with you”
Fenn remark coldly without turning around
“let this be a lesson kid, any information you have no matter how little shouldn’t be shared freely.”
He thought about it some more
“oh, and just because you do share something doesn’t make the person obligated to share anything back. There you go kid. Two free lessons think I’m more than generous”
Mimi lowered her blade and stepped back.
“good luuuck” she said in a sing songy voice.
Monkey ignored her and made his way to the hill
What did he know about the best already? Twenty limbs, don’t like dry places, goes berserk once out of its little mud castle. If he cut off all of its tentacles it’ll be easy for him to kill it. The mud made it attacks hard to predict so he should keep his distance to at least 20 meters. Once he started to destroy its home it’ll move to protect itself, Monkey can then take out each one till he completely crippled the creature. Easy right?
Monkey remembered his time in the Dog kingdom. The war he took part of. Compared to that he could handle one creature right? The young soldier eyes he killed flashed in his mind.
He quickly shook the image out of his head. Now was not the time.
Monkey arms ignited into flames as he launches a stream of fire at mound. He was making quick work of the hill and it seemed the mudtrap didn’t like what was happening to its home and retaliated, its tentacles burst out of the mud, launching themselves at him like a spear. Monkey counted six, he dodged each of them but the last one cracked in the air like a whip as it changed direction almost wrapping itself around his neck.
Monkey was able to catch it, He pulled with all his strength ripping it off. The mudtrap made an inhumane sound at the loss of one of it tentacles.
“thats one”
He thought as more shot out of the mud aiming at
“two, four, eight. Eight this time I can handle eight”
Monkey dodged to his right noticing that the trio continued to watch from afar.
“that's fine, I can handle this myself. I’ll show them I’m unlike the rest of them. I’m not a coward.”
He’ll destroy this beast and show not just those three but the rest of them back there that he can and will destroy the black beast.
He caught another tentacle with his left hand, twisting it around he brought his other hand down using the side to cut through it.
The creature was getting more agitated, it roared in pain
“that two”
Monkey dodged and continued to cut off each tentacle that attacked him
“three, four, five”
He can do this, if things get too dangerous, he can retreat back to safety.
This time only three tentacles launched itself at him, Monkey avoided two but when he went to catch the third, two more popped out of the ground beneath him piercing his legs wrapping themselves up to his ankle.
He screamed out in pain as he was being pulled towards the creature, he struggled to free himself but the mudtrap dug deep into his leg. Monkey looked around wildly for anything that could help him, till his eyes fell upon Fenn and his group.
He was about to call for help but their look said it all. A gleeful expression on their faces, they were enjoying this.
“damn them”
“hey! What's wrong kid? Aren't you going to ask for help?” Fenn said
“surely a kid that took down a magic wielding cockatrice wouldn’t do such a cowardly act like asking for help.” Mimi taunted
“oh, I’m just waiting to hear him beg”
They laughed at him. Showing no signs that they will help.
Another tentacle shot aiming for his head but he caught.
“focus, focus, focus”
He set it ablaze, the flames ran back along the tentacle towards the mudtrap. The hill exploded as the creature was engulf in fire. The rain would not help it, as long as he kept his focus, he’ll burn this thing alive.
The mudtrap however, still holding it grip on his legs, lifted him up and slammed Monkey into the ground. He coughed up blood as the tentacles came down upon him, he rose up his arms in defense receiving blow after blow. He arms grew heavy but the onslaught was relentless, once again the creature lifted him up slamming him into the ground, one of its limbs shot forward piercing his side causing him to lose consciousness for a second.
He turned to see Fenn walking over towards him as the creature dragged him towards it. Monkey reached out a hand, wanting to be saved. Fenn reached out and grabbed Monkey pouch that had all his coins inside. It must've fallen when the creature lifted him in the air.
“h-help me...ple... please.”
Fenn just smiled as he looked into the bag seeing all the gold in there
“no wonder you were so arrogant. Had so much money on you. Well, in exchange for the gold I’ll give you this bit of information. Usually, a mudtrap suffocate it prey before devouring them but once it goes berserk it’ll just eat you whole”
He turned and walked away as Monkey was lifted into the air. The creature mouth parted four ways
“hey, aren't we going to kill the mudtrap?” Mimi asked
“we’ll be back, first let's celebrate a round of drinks for everyone. On me.” Fenn said.
Those were the last words Monkey heard before everything went dark.
~
“Give it back!!” Tiger chased a boy that took her doll away from her.
“all you do is play with your dolls now” the boy ran out towards the court yard
“that because I have more fun playing with them then any of you losers”
She stuck her tongue out at him.
Angry the boy threw her doll into a tree
“if you rather play with your doll then go get it! Noone wants to play with you anyway” the boy said as he ran off
Tears welling up but refusing to cry, Tiger climbed up the tree easily.
She hated the other kids when they stole her dolls from her, usually her brothers Monkey and Wolf or her sister Viper would stop the kids from picking on her but they weren't here anymore. She had to protect herself now. She would get stronger; she’ll stop the kids from picking on her and she’ll be able to protect her brothers and sister too, like they protected her. She reached out and grabbed her doll.
~
Monkey awoke inside the mudtrap, no, he always been awake. Something awoken inside him, something dark. Anger and raged grew within him as Fenn face appeared fresh in his mind, their laughter rang in his ears.
“I won’t. Die. Here"
He repeated those words like a mantra as the fire consumed him
“I won’t. Die. Here"
The fire spread burning the mudtrap from the insides. It screamed in agony, anyone who saw it would think it was a creature screaming out to skies for mercy. But not even the rain would stop these flames, Monkey placed his hands on the surface. Using all the strength he still had he started to rip the creature open, He tore open a hole large enough for him to crawl through.
Once free he took a deep breath of fresh air before looking into the direction of the village. His rage growing towards Fenn and his group for leaving him to die.
~
“and you left him to die!?” the girl with the scar yelled at Fenn who was pouring himself another drink.
She and a few of mercenaries didn’t like what Fenn did to the new kid. When Fenn and his group with a pouch full of gold, they knew what had happened. Fenn didn’t even try to hide it either.
“whattya complaining about?” Fenn said drunk.
“all of ya was against the kid.”
“we didn’t agree with what he said that doesn’t mean we wanted him dead.” the man from the horse kingdom spoke up disgusted with Fenn
“what the matter with you all? The kid comes in here, calls us cowards, lies about a monster that can use magic and make outrageous claims of killing the black beast and I’m the bad guy? He would’ve died sooner or later. Far as I’m concerned, he got what he deserved. And it got the rest of us free drinks!!”
Some of the Mercs cheered with him as they raised their mugs, while the rest left the inn in disgust.
“Don’t mind them, they’re just hypocrites. They have no problem expressing their disapproval but when it comes to putting their words into action, they’re like dogs with walking with their tails between their legs” mimi said.
She looked around like she was expecting someone to speak up
“Loffetto left with the rest of them Mimi” Fenn informed her.
“well, that just proves my point.”
She said grabbing another bottle.
Fenn shrugged and she poured him another bottle.
“ah well, who cares. Least we had a good laugh watching that kid get eaten” Fenn took a huge swig of his drink
“the expression on his face was priceless” he laughed
The doors blew open, one of them narrowly missing Mimi who fell behind the counter.
Monkey entered the room.
He searched around till his eyes fell upon Fenn who stared back at him with a shocked expression on his face.
Fenn quickly composed himself
“well look wh-”
Monkey didn’t give him a chance to finish. His fist connecting with Fenn’s face sending him flying into the shelfs that behind the counter. Remaining mercs reacted immediately, one using his earth magic to trap Monkey’s feet but he wouldn’t fall for a trick like that again as he leap onto a table.
Jumping from table to table a s the earth itself erupted behind him he leapt at man kicking him into the wall. Before he could recover Monkey threw a punch into the man chest, the sound of broken bones could be heard as the man grasp for air before falling down.
Monkey face twisted in pain from the kick he delivered but he ignored it as Hinso appeared. Out of all of them it appears he was the only one who didn’t drink, he had his stick out, instead of holding it from the end he held it in the middle, he twisted it around as he attacked Monkey who dodged and blocked each attack.
“your still alive!!??”
Mimi shouted as she joined the fight two knives appearing out of the sleeve of her kimono as she fought in unison with Hinso, whom aimed down for Monkey legs, forcing him off balance he used his wind magic to launch Monkey into the air colliding into the ceiling.
Mimi threw her knives right into Monkey stomach, giving him her middle finger, she winked as she blew on the tip of her finger, flames roaring at Monkey as it blew a hole in the roof. Seemingly devouring him.
“hehe for a kid he wasn’t half bad but over confident” Mimi said
“Fenn you ok over there?”
“yeah, damn bastard broke my nose.”
Fenn said getting up from behind the counter.
“if I ever see that..Hinso behind you!!”
But Fenn warning came too late as Monkey used one of Mimi dagger to stab Hinso in the back who screamed.
“so, you can speak” Monkey said as he used the other dagger cut out Hinso tongue.
He pushed him at Mimi who moved out the way as she rushed Monkey this time brandishing a dagger from her sleeve
“how many weapons are you hiding?”
Monkey asked
The rain that was falling stopped in mid-air and turning into spears as it launched at Monkey kicked Mimi away, creating a wall of fire. Steam quickly rose from the collision of water and fire
“dammit Fenn, now I can’t see him” Mimi yelled angrily
“Hinso, if you’re still alive a little help would be nice” Fenn said
Next thing they knew a gust of wind came clearing he smoke out of the inn. Though blood was still pouring out of his mouth Hinso was still alive, when the smoked cleared though Monkey stood over him, Hinso’s stick in his hand as he brought it down against Hinso skull knocking him out and also breaking the stick.
“why won’t you die already!?”
Mimi screamed as she attacked him, taking a few steps back he dodged her next attacks before shoving the broken stick into her right socket. She fell to the ground without muttering another word.
Monkey turned to Fenn who was still on the counter.
“so, I guess I was right about you at least, you stand of the side lines as your friends die. Nothing but a coward.” Monkey spat on the ground, wiping the blood from his mouth.
“got some damn nerves trying to judge me on being a coward, what you are trying to do is impossible. I mean kill the Black Beast? We've tried, all twelve kingdoms tried. It is impossible.” Fenn refuted.
His hand shook, his eyes searching the room for any means of escape. The entrance? Windows? Or even the hole in the ceiling. Monkey can see him trying to run all scenarios in his head on the best way to get away.
But Monkey won’t let Fenn escape.
Fenn made the first move twisting his spear around creating water around him, then he attacks, the first strike he leapt at Monkey who dodge it but the water around his spear hit Monkey like a tidal wave. He spun the spear around launching a wide arc at him.
This time Monkey met Fenn head on, Moment their magic collided an explosion knocked both of them back. Monkey recovered first shear adrenaline rushing through him pushed Fenn on the defenses. His spear was the only thing keeping Monkey at a distance.
Each strike became more and more aggressive as he gave Fenn no room to try anything. Fenn made one more desperate attack aiming for Monkey’s leg but Monkey flipped over him, grabbing the back end of the spear, quickly disarming him.
“alright, alright I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have left you to die like that, we shouldn’t have taken your gold either.”
Fenn made a despite plea for his life but it fell on deaf ear.
Monkey dropped Fenn’s weapon and slowly made his way toward him.
Fenn fell to the ground as he was backed into a corner, He continued to beg for his life.
“what is he saying? does it matter? Probably just begging for his life, but when I asked for help, he ignored me didn’t he? Or maybe, he just couldn’t hear. If that the case”
Monkey took Fenn head into his hands, the man was terrified unable to do anything. The tips of Monkey fingers begun to heat up as he inserted them into both ears.
Fenn screamed in pain as he tried to push Monkey away, but he couldn’t. All he could do was scream in agony.
~
Monkey tried to get up but his legs finally gave as he collapses to the floor. Then, everything went dark.
Monkey drifted in and out of consciousness as he felt his body being lifted, the next moment he felt his body being dropped somewhere. He managed to open his eyes to see someone he didn’t recognize; he was talking to one of the mercenaries that was at the inn. The Innkeeper was also there talking to the person, he couldn’t make out what they were saying. The person then yelled something and Monkey felt the area moving around him before everything went dark again.