FOURTEEN

ESCAPE THE BEAST

Zeema the Egyptian had grown tired of walking in the forest. She couldn't tell how long the Mongols kept her captive, but she wished they would make her stop and rest for at least a little while. Three Mongol soldiers had bound her hands and dragged her with a piece of rope. They didn't stop. They held their torches high and led way deeper into the forest. She could only assume that they would bring her to a fortress or a prison. Regardless, all she could see in front of her was more dead trees and dry dirt. She wanted to say something, but she knew that the Mongols would just ignore her. Seeing as how the three of them kept speaking to each other in their native language, there would be no point for Zeema to try to reason with them.

As they continued to drag her into the forest, she spotted something in the distance. At first, it appeared to be a few branches scattered all around a small area. But as she and the Mongols drew closer and walked right past it, Zeema was almost speechless. The branches turned out to be various body parts, clearly from a few human beings. Arms and legs, as well as several organs lay in a puddle of black liquid. No red blood could be seen amidst the dark puddle. This spectacle reminded her of the Viking massacre that she and the other pirates had found after leaving the village. She wished she could cover her nose from the stench. At this point, she couldn't tell if the black liquid was oil or the blood of a dragon. No one had the right information and she could only believe anything that was absolute.

The Mongols remained silent about the carnage. They continued to drag Zeema deeper into the forest.

One of them turned around and said to Zeema, "Do not be afraid. That will not happen to you."

Zeema just had to ask, "How did they die?"

"I cannot tell you. You have to see for yourself."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Shut up."

The Mongol couldn't speak again as he suddenly screamed. It took Zeema just a split second to notice the arrow that pierced through his neck. He collapsed, leaving the other two Mongols to wield their swords and observe the surroundings. They remained attentive while Zeema quickly looked around to see where the arrow had come from.

Another arrow shot right past the Mongols. Zeema ducked down and laid flat on the dirt floor. The Mongols dropped their crystal torches, gave their terrifying war cry, and made a dash for it. Zeema looked to see a shadowy figure in the distance that ran right towards the Mongols. Both of them raised their swords and swung them right at it. But the shadowy figure attacked with quick speed. It sliced through both men in seconds. They fell to the floor and lay lifeless.

Zeema stood up and picked up one of the torches. The shadowy figure stepped closer. The light revealed the face of a woman, gorgeous and mature. She had brown hair and wore a sleeveless shirt. Her sword had been newly drenched in blood from the tip to the hilt. Zeema calmed down for now. The attacker seemed like the sort of woman she would trust, especially when she struck down their newest mortal enemies.

She cut through Zeema's rope with her sword and helped unbind her hands. "Tell me who you are."

Zeema gave her name. "I am a part of a faction made for the sea. Reverix the Viking is my leader."

The other woman raised her eyebrows. "Reverix is here?"

Zeema nodded. "Do you know him?"

"He is one of my husband's best friends."

"Who are you?"

"Valka is my name."

"What is happening here?"

"My worst nightmare."

Zeema looked around the forest to see if any other Mongol would emerge for an ambush. She could only see more dead trees in the partial darkness. The full moon kept both women from being enveloped in the heart of the night.

Zeema proclaimed, "I have so many questions, but I can't just start with one."

Valka left the scene with Zeema right behind her. The Viking replied, "I can understand the confusion when first stepping foot on this island."

"What happened to the Romans?"

"They're all dead."

"I figured that's what Genghis Khan would want."

"He is a menace. And what's worse, his plans are working."

"I have to find Reverix. We've been on this island since this afternoon, and we-"

Valka stopped and became motionless. She whispered, "Listen."

Zeema paid attention to the current surroundings. She could hear something faint in the distance. It sounded like giant footsteps.

Zeema's eyes widened. "I think I know what that is."

She could only think of one gigantic beast that roamed freely on this island. "Have you seen a canine that is fifty feet tall?"

Valka's tone of voice grew solemn. "You've seen him before?"

"We had an interesting encounter not too long ago."

The distant footsteps didn't change volume and remained as faint as it could be.

Valka whispered, "Unfortunately, I've known him for a much longer time."

"What is he? What sort of wolf would stand on two feet and be as tall as a tower?"

"He has a very interesting history on this island."

Valka continued on in her intended path, with Zeema following from behind. They looked in all directions, feeling more cautious when the distant footsteps didn't change in volume. They did not still spot any potential enemies in the forest, regardless of what they turned out to be.

Valka walked a little faster. "His name is Ketakor, and he is a Goromo Wolf. He defends against intruders who set foot on this island."

"I didn't think Genghis Khan would be the boss of that thing."

"He is not Khan's. He is possessed by someone else."

"By who?"

"The question is, 'by what'. Genghis Khan stole our children, so we don't know how."

"I think I have an idea."

Valka suddenly stopped and turned around with a look of fierce determination. "Tell me."

"It hasn't been confirmed. But I did hear from one of my comrades that a dragon named Voriak may have had something to do with it. His blood could be poisoning your son at this very moment. Tell me something. Have you seen the black oil…or black blood that's on this island?"

"I have seen plenty of it."

"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it has to have something to do with Voriak."

"I'm not too sure. There has never been a dragon on this island ever since we set foot on it."

"Maybe his body is gone, but his blood lives on."

Valka looked away. "I know what you mean. Hiccup has seen the blood. He…"

"What?"

Valka's tone of voice was more solemn than before. "You cannot imagine the horrifying feeling of seeing your own son writhing in agony. No parent should ever see what Stoick and I had seen."

Zeema didn't want to say anything else. She did, however, notice that the distant stomping had stopped. Everything in the forest fell silent again. Crickets didn't chirp. The branches didn't sway. Only the sounds of their breathing reached their ears. Zeema began to feel a little uneasy. With no one else in sight, she feared the worst that could happen.

Valka whispered, "Tell me, Zeema. Has Ketakor ever tried to devour you?"

"I don't think so. He had already filled his belly by the time he had captured me."

"When did that happen?"

"I don't know. Perhaps an hour ago, maybe less. Why?"

"He's going to feed again."

"How can you tell?"

"I know how hungry he can be. He tried to make me his dinner once. Fortunately, I made my escape."

"That's good."

"Of course, he can't see me…but he can still smell me."

"I don't like where this is going."

Valka's eyes denoted concern. "He has been looking for me for quite a while. He has already chosen me as one of his meals, and he will never give up the pursuit."

"What have you done to upset Ketakor so much?"

"I tried to take my son back."

Suddenly, the two of them heard something in the distance. It sounded like a small rock falling from above. They turned around to see someone standing on a boulder not very far away. He was close enough for Zeema and Valka to recognize his apparel and his face.

Zeema raised her eyebrows. Genghis Khan just stood there with a silent but ominous look on his face. He had the perfect look of a tyrant, his oriental garbs appearing to fit his persona quite well. He raised his fist and shouted something in his native tongue.

On the other side of the forest, a rumbling noise could be heard. Followed by the growing volume of giant footsteps. Zeema turned around and spotted the gigantic Goromo Wolf marching across the forest while topping down trees that stood in his way.

Valka pushed her away. "Just run! He can't catch you if he's only looking for me!"

At first, Zeema was skeptical.

Valka yelled, "Run!"

Zeema couldn't hesitate. She ran off in a random direction as she ignored Genghis Khan's presence. She didn't look back to see if Valka either stayed or went her own way to escape the beast. Zeema could hear the footsteps decreasing in volume, giving her the clear signal of its intended footpath.

Zeema just kept on running. Despite beginning to grow a little short of breath, she managed to make it up a hill. More and more dead trees and dry bushes surrounded her, but she was able to find herself on the edge of a steep incline. Down below was a thick ravine, similar to the one where she and Ketakor first met. She finally stopped and relaxed as she sat down on a rock. She needed water after what she had been through. She hoped she would find a well somewhere, even if there was a good chance that it didn't exist on this island.

A sudden growl in the distance made her more vigilant as she crouched down on the ground. She looked around to see where it came from. She had have found her answer in just a few seconds. On the other side of the ravine, Valka ran as fast as she could. Behind her, Ketakor let out a roar while charging right for her. Zeema couldn't help Valka at all. She was too far away to even try to assist her in her escape.

With her sword in her hand, Valka persevered in her escape from the beast. She ran as fast as she could. Ketakor could almost reach her with its hands. Zeema kept watching as Ketakor suddenly made a giant leap. The anthropomorphic wolf flew right above Valka and made a solid landing in front of her. Zeema could feel the ground shake as a result of the sudden impact. Valka fell to the floor as Ketakor now towered over her, blocking her way with his own two feet. Valka quickly stood up from the ground with her sword still in her hand. It would prove to be quite handy as Ketakor reached down with his hand and closed his fingers around Valka. The Viking struggled to escape its grip just like Zeema did. She tried to push his fingers away, but Ketakor lifted her up in the air. The wolf licked his lips. Valka kept her sword close to her, ready to strike just as Ketakor opened its salivating mouth wide.

Without a moment to lose, Valka stabbed one of the sharp teeth with her sword. Ketakor howled as it lowered its arm and let go of Valka. She landed safely on the ground. Ketakor began to write in agony. Valka looked up at the cliff beside her. She put her sword back in the hilt and began to climb the steep incline. Ketakor touched his wounded tooth for inspection and growled. Zeema could see that it began to bleed. Drops of blood fell and landed on the dirt floor. The wounded warrior regained his senses and ignored his minor injury. He turned around to see its next meal climbing up and trying to depart from the gorge.

Valka was already halfway up the cliff. Ketakor reached up with his claws, but failed to grasp her. He scratched the surface just as Valka moved away from it. Zeema could only hope that Valka would escape in time.

And then, Ketakor narrowed his eyes. He clenched his fists and banged them against the cliff. The direct collision caused the ground to shake. Valka almost lost her balance just as Ketakor produced those rhythmic vibrations. Pebbles and even boulders from the top of the cliff began to fall. One of the boulders barely missed Valka as it dropped to the bottom of the ravine. With all those pebbles and small rocks hitting her, she had trouble reaching her destination.

Zeema held her breath. She couldn't tolerate the Viking's struggle. Watching her try and avert the relocation to the belly of the beast made Zeema feel tense. Ketakor continued to bang his fists against the wall. More boulders slipped from the top and came tumbling down the slope. Valka tried to protect herself with her arms as even more rocks struck her body. Ketakor roared, its vehement passion at an all-time high.

And then, Valka could no longer hang on. The falling rocks caused her to lose her balance and fall off the cliff. Ketakor opened his hand and watched as Valka landed right on his palm. He growled as he trapped her in his closed fingers once more.

Zeema gasped and watched in horror as Valka became powerless in front of the beast. She had no chance to reach for her sword as it stayed in the scabbard. She tried to push his fingers away as a desperate attempt to avoid being consumed. She even tried to kick them away with her legs. But Ketakor kept a firm grip on her. Valka was now horrified, her look of fear made complete by her misfortune. Ketakor opened his mouth and began to pull her right into it. Valka closed her eyes and turned away, forcing herself to try and ignore the pain that she would have to endure when being crunched by two rows of sharp teeth.

The big boulders, however, kept falling. The biggest ones hit Ketakor on the back. He growled as they interrupted his special moment. Zeema could see a row of huge boulders on the top of the cliff, which slowly but surely slid down the slope one by one. And all of a sudden, the entire top of the cliff gave away. Ketakor looked up and saw them tumbling down. They struck him down and made him collapse. He loosened his grip on Valka, who leapt into the air and made a steady landing on the ground below. She moved away from the disaster while more gigantic rocks piled up on Ketakor. Within minutes, he was half-buried by the rockslide that he himself had caused. With his eyes closed, he lay unconscious amidst the newly made wreckage. Everything went silent again.

Zeema breathed a sigh of relief to see that Valka had remained unharmed. The Viking began to run off again.

Zeema called out her name. The echo had reached Valka, who turned around to see her standing on top of the other side of the gorge.

Valka shouted, "Go on! Get out of here! Find your friends and stay safe! I have other business to attend to!"

She ran off without saying another word. She left Ketakor alone and disappeared into the darkness. The Goromo Wolf would soon reawake and continued on with his mission. Zeema hoped that Valka would return to her family unscathed. In the meantime, Zeema ran off to search for her own comrades. Without a map, it would certainly be a complicated matter when finding the right direction. But she resisted her frustration and stayed optimistic while leaving the ravine altogether.

TO BE CONTINUED…