AnimeCheetah: Okay, this was once an extra credit assignment for my British Literature class. I hope you like it.
Before Herot: Grendel's Hatred Begins
Giant trees stretch out their branches every which way, long thriving ivy clothing the mighty trees. Flying, buzzing and many legged and eyed creatures mingled around the tangled and gnarled roots, in which they make their homes. Putrid, bubbling water scoured the land trapping the area in its forever moist web. Thin fog wandered through, trapped for infinity, howling like souls of the lost and deceased.
Shacking, trembling in fear the ground shook from the Monsters' Cain inherited malice. The giant trees moaned aloud in protest, never having liked Cain's brood in their domain. The residents retreated away from the swamp waters unforgiving wrath. Retreating they ran and flew to, hopefully, the safety of their root dwellings, away from the creatures who were now emerging from their underwater haven.
The smaller one first appeared with moonlight reflecting off its sleek scales and glittering like a diamond in each of its silver eyes. Paws (the size of a standard sized notebook) sprang out of the murky depths and hauled its large body up and out onto the muddy land. Armor like enchanted dark green scales covered the monstrosity's long slender form, and sword like claws provided perfect traction on the slippery muck. Long armored ears hung about the creature like hair, defining the creatures half human, half beast face. Upon opening its giant maw for a yawn, moonlight glittered off thousands of godforsaken razor sharp teeth like strobe lights. It waited there silently, eyes locked onto the water's edge and a smile played on it's lips as they parted to form the words, "Mother!"
Even the water seemed to tremble, upon hearing the young one's call. A moment more passed before s human head broke the surface, long black hair flowing behind. It was followed by a neck and the slender torso of a woman. The giant trees screamed out in terror as the temptress emerged to follow her vile son of Cain. As the temptress came further onto land her slender torso became armored with dark green, almost black scales, which led into a lower half mirroring her sons. She towered over her son, coming halfway up to the giant trees. The Temptress smiled down at her excited son. It was rare she allowed him to visit the surface world. She didn't consider herself over protective, but with her sons large ears she wanted to be careful. Tonight was special though, "Are you ready to see your father, Grendel?"
Grendel nodded enthusiastically. It was even rarer than coming to the surface was, "Yes Mother!"
"Good. Now, follow and stay close to me my son." the Temptress replied maternally and took off through the swamp. Every now and then she would glance over her shoulder to check on Grendel, but sure enough he was keeping close. They ran to the edge of the vast swamp and there a man dressed in black was waiting. "Greetings my love, Cain,"
Cain smiled, black eyes slowly looking over the Temptress in front of him, before turning to regard his son, Grendel. "Greetings my son,"
Grendel could barley contain his excitement, a grin ran from ear to ear, "Hello Father!"
"Tell me my son" Cain began his voice as smooth as silk, "how far can you hear with your…marvelous ears?"
Grendel cocked his head to the side. How far could he hear? He shifted his gaze to the distance, remaining silent. The moments passed, and with each passing minute Cain grew more and more impatient, tapping his foot on the ground.
"Grendel why –" Cain began irritably before his son interrupted him.
"I hear…voices and loud noises."
"Grendel don–" the Temptress began berating her son, but was silence by Cain's a brief glare in her direction from Cain. The steady beating of Cain's foot ceased, and crossed his arms over his chest.
"You are hearing what the humans call music, my son, and their loud boasting. Have you ever crossed paths with human before?"
"Aren't you a human Father?"
"I am more than just a human my dear boy." Cain chuckled before moving on. "The humans live in settlements far from here. If they come close enough, that their noise hurts your marvelous ears, I want you to hunt them down and eat them for your dinner."
"Do they not like me?"
"They loath your very existence Grendel,"
"Why?"
"It is the humans' nature to do so. Those humans have already murdered your brothers and sisters in the sea countless times." Cain's smile grew at Grendel's enraged expression and added, "but fear not my son, I will give you a very special gift." Cain paused to mutter some latin words before addressing Grendel again, "I have placed a spell upon you, which will protect you from the humans crude weaponry."
"Thank you Father." Grendel muttered, his excitement stolen from his body by his father's dark revelation.
"You're Welcome." Cain's smile now went from ear to ear. He'd successfully planted the seed of hatred with his son. His job was done. "Now, I must leave. Take care my love and son."
A/N: So, how'd you all like it? Please Review with some feedback for this.