Enkidu knew this creature was not of the mortal plane. It was a creature of the heavens, something from the realm beyond. Power radiated off the monster and even from here Enkidu could smell death from the monster's breath.
"I can sense it has seven auras of power," murmured Urash. "It's too powerful to fight head on."
"Let us past mongrel," growled Gilgamesh. "I am not in the mood of dealing with your kind right now." He cracked his knuckles.
Enkidu still did not know much in the way of man but even they knew that was probably not the right thing to say to a monster like this.
The creature's blood-red eyes narrowed, and it began pawing the ground with one of its large vulture-like feet.
"I'm sorry for my husband's rude behavior." Hakuno stepped forward and bowed low. She glanced at Enkidu and used her eyes to signal a message. Please control Gil.
Enkidu straightened and grabbed Gilgamesh's arm before the King could protest his Queen prostrating before the monster.
"What are you doing?" he hissed.
"Trust her," replied Enkidu. They did not like it either. She was closer to the beast now and if this was a normal beast, they knew they would be able to grab her and get her out of the way in time if the creature did attack. However, this was not a normal beast and with the power Enkidu sensed coming off of it, it could probably harm her before they would be able to respond.
"What may I refer to you as great create of Huwawa's Forest?" Enkidu noticed Hakuno's legs were shaking.
"Huwawa," replied the creature.
"Oh, so this is your forest!" Hakuno kept her head low. "We are sorry for trespassing on your land Lord Huwawa."
Enkidu tightened their grip on Gilgamesh's arm. "Stay quiet Gil. If you speak up, she will probably be attacked first, and we do not know what kind of power is has. I do not know if I can protect her in time."
Gilgamesh gritted his teeth but thankfully stayed silent.
"Lord Huwawa, we are sorry for disturbing you, but we have to continue to travel this way. May you bless our travel through your forest? We will travel quickly and be out of your territory as soon as possible."
Huwawa growled and Enkidu had to put a hand over their nose. The stench of death was cloyingly strong. And it seemed like the others in the group had smelled it this time as noses wrinkled.
"No, you will leave my territory now!" growled Huwawa. His snake-like tail hissed.
Hakuno glanced back at Enkidu. "Which way do we need to go?"
"The direction Huwawa is."
"Of course it is that way." Hakuno turned to face the beast. "Lord Huwawa, unfortunately we cannot follow that order."
Huwawa narrowed his eyes.
"However, I will say we are in awe of your splendor. Your seven auras are radiant, your power and might nothing I've seen before. Isn't that right everyone?"
"Oh, of course." Shub bowed low, Urash following a step behind her.
Enkidu tugged Gilgamesh down into something that sort of resembled a bow. Based on the clench of his jaw, Gilgamesh was obviously not happy about having to think of himself as something lower. It was probably only due to Hakuno and their prompting that he even went along with this.
"My powers are great and might and I guard this forest that is my home," spoke Huwawa, the pride evident in his voice. Based on how the snake-tail was wagging, Enkidu surmised this creature was a lot vainer than he appeared.
"And you are doing an excellent job," agreed Hakuno. "Your auras grant you the power to do so?"
"Of course!"
"Well, I'm shocked you would need such gifts due to a lord such as yourself. I feel like you would be able to guard the forest well enough without such gifts, your presence and splendor able to give you just that."
Huwawa laughed and Enkidu had to put all their energy into not retching due to the rancid breath.
"Human girl, you amuse me so. It has been a long time since a human has spoken highly of me and my powers."
"I am glad you find me amusing my Lord. If my Lord would not mind me suggesting so, but how about a trade? Your auras are unneeded, your strength is enough to protect your cedar trees."
"What will you offer me in trade then human girl?"
Hakuno nodded and turned to Gilgamesh and held out her hands. "Gil, please, give me your jewelry," she murmured under her breath.
"My…" Gilgamesh glanced at the creature and then her. Enkidu had a feeling he had a few choice words he would have said if they were not in the presence of a monster. He sighed and took off his earrings and handed over his necklaces.
Hakuno mouthed 'thank you' before she turned to Huwawa and held out the jewelry. "Precious stones carved into shape from the finest craftsman found in Uruk."
Huwawa looked at her curiously. "Bring them here."
Everyone stiffened. Enkidu shifted onto the balls of their feet, ready to dart forward and throw themselves in between Hakuno and the creature.
"Shub, give me the bag of our supplies," murmured Hakuno.
Shub nodded and handed over the small bag. Hakuno nodded her thanks before she approached Huwawa, holding the jewelry out in her open palms. Enkidu had to fight back the urge to roar as she walked within striking distance of the monster.
A small hiss of pain from Gilgamesh made Enkidu realize their grip on his arm was tight enough that soon Enkidu would probably injure him. They released their grip and murmured an apology.
"Yes, these jewels look splendid." Huwawa plucked a necklace out of Hakuno's hands and examined it. "I also haven't seen craftsmanship like this in a long time." The red eyes glittered. "You have yourself a deal human girl."
Hakuno yelped and fell to her knees.
"She's fine," Urash said quickly. "Lord Huwawa just transferred one of his auras to her."
"You better be right mongrel."
Thankfully Hakuno stood again. Now that Urash had pointed it out, Enkidu could sense the power that made up Huwawa, a part of it was embedded into Hakuno.
"Thank you for the gift great Lord Huawawa. I have more to offer you."
"Oh really now?" Huwawa sat on his haunches and looked at Hakuno thoughtfully. "What else do you have for me?"
She reached into the satchel of supplies and pulled out the small bag of eca flour the group was able to grab from the kitchens on the way out. "You may use this to create food fit for the Gods and here is a waterskin filled with the cool waters of the Tigris to help slacken your thirst."
Huwawa took each item and examined it over and nodded in agreement to the deal. Hakuno shuddered but managed to stay upright.
Enkidu began to wonder; how could a human body handle such auras? Although Hakuno had magical gifts of her own.
"And another gift for you." Hakuno took off her shoes and held them out. "So your feet will not have to touch the earth. Gil, if you would please?"
Gilgamesh grumbled but he walked over and handed his shoes. Enkidu moved up as well, not wanting both of their beloved people near this monster. This close, the stench was almost unbearable. Wait, now that they were closer, they realized the creature was not as tall as it was before. In fact it seemed closer to the size of a lion. Was giving away the auras getting rid of its power?
"This is excellent," laughed Huwawa before giving Hakuno another aura.
"And I will offer you kinship dear Lord Huwawa. Your days spent here in the forest are probably boring and dull. I will speak to you as a companion and partner."
"Your kinship is most excellent. I already find you interesting and I would be glad to speak with you further."
Two auras left.
Enkidu could tell Hakuno was running out of ideas. There was nothing left in the pouch that would be of interest to Huwawa. Could they overpower the creature? No, based on the sense Enkidu had, having two auras made it too powerful. Damn it, was there a way to get rid of the last two?
"My Lord, if I might add." Shub stepped forward and bowed low. "I myself am another gift to you. You probably required…companionship."
Hakuno's eyes widen.
Enkidu could see the girl quiver as she approached the monster.
"And I as well. A dutiful slave boy. You will want for nothing Lord Huwawa for I will be able to provide it to you." Urash also stepped forward.
"I could use the companionship." Huwawa's chuckle made Enkidu want to run over and shield the slave girl from the monster. However they could not do that. Not until the creature had given over the auras.
Shub forced a smile. "Excellent."
"However, I have no use for you slave boy." They gestured to the forest around them with a paw. "This is my land, my territory. The animals give me what I need when I need it. You are useless to me."
"Oh…I uh…" Urash looked at Hakuno, his eyes begging her to tell him what to do.
"Well in that case." Hakuno rested her arm over her heart. "I will offer myself to be your wife Huwawa."
Gilgamesh opened his mouth to speak but Enkidu's hand shot out and grabbed Gilgamesh's forearm to silence him. His eyes were blazing as he glared at Enkidu. Of course they understood his anger but they could not mess up Hakuno's plan. Not when they were so close to succeeding.
Huwawa chuckled. "Kinship and a bride, you are a very interesting human."
Hakuno shuddered as the last two auras were given to her.
Huwawa was smaller now, barely taller than Gilgamesh. The power of the auras gone, Enkidu felt like he was looking a large wild animal rather than a monster.
Huwawa held out a paw. "Well my bride and concubine? Shall we?"
Hakuno took a big step back and grabbed Shub's arm. "Urash?"
Urash nodded. "It's fine now. He has no power."
Gilgamesh struck first, landing a punch on Huwawa's cheek, sending the weakened creature tumbling to the ground. "How dare you filthy mongrel think you can lay a finger on my wife!?"
Enkidu gave Huwawa a sharp punch as well. Just thinking of Hakuno stuck with such a beast made them super cranky.
"Maybe you two should stop?"
"NO" said Gilgamesh and Enkidu at the same time.
"Honestly, I'm not even surprised by their response," commented Shub.
"Please, spare me!" cried Huwawa, seemingly unable to take the blows anymore. "Please. You can leave my forest if you wish."
Gilgamesh cursed under his breath and stayed his hands. "I hate beasts like you, that groveling is so pitiful."
Enkidu looked at Gilgamesh in surprise. They really thought he would want to pummel this creature to death.
"Hakuno, are you alright?" asked Gilgamesh. He approached her and was about to hug her but noticed his blood splattered knuckles, grimanced and left them by his side.
"I'm feeling fine." Hakuno shrugged and looked down at her hands. "I'm shocked really, to be honest."
Enkidu caught Urash looking at her thoughtfully and he murmured something under his breath. Too soft for the others to hear but Enkidu's hearing was still one of a child of the forest. "Maybe she is blessed after all..."
Blessed by what?
Huwawa growled and suddenly moved towards the group. Pure instinct took over and Enkidu attacked, their claws and teeth digging into Huwawa's neck. It was odd, for such a monstrous creature, just a simple attack to the neck would render it dead. Enkidu stood over the body and wiped the blood from their mouth. It tasted nasty.
"Hakuno!"
Enkidu turned to see Hakuno on her knees, her arms wrapped around herself, her eyes shut in pain. Gilgamesh was next to her, begging her to tell him what was wrong. Shub stared wide-eyed.
"The auras are dissipating." Urash's eyes moved back and forth, like he was seeing something that only he could. He glanced back at the body of Huwawa. "I assume Huwawa was acting as an anchor for the auras and now that he's gone, the anchor is no longer there."
"Speak plainly mongrel," growled Gilgamesh.
"Huwawa's death is making the auras leave Hakuno in a quick and alarming rate."
So this was Enkidu's fault? By the time they had made it over, Hakuno's pain seemed to have subsided.
"Well that was a feeling I do not want to experience again," she murmured. She smiled at Enkidu and patted them on the head. "Do not worry, I am alright. You do not need to make that face."
"But…I…"
Hakuno sighed and got to her feet. "Gil, you don't need to help me, I can get up on my own. We should get going. We do not have the time to dawdle. I assume stories of this beast has kept Suse away from this area so we might be safe for now. In fact we might even be lucky because no one will expect us to come out of this forest so the area beyond it will probably be safe as well."
"Is she fit to travel?" Gilgamesh glared at Urash.
Urash dipped his head to the King. "Honestly, I am not sure. The magic that the creature possessed is not magus based in nature, however from my view, she seems alright?"
"I am fine," Hakuno replied firmly. "Now come on. Let us keep moving." She smiled at Enkidu. "Why don't you retrieve the bag with Shulpae in it and lead the way like you did before?"
"But Hakuno…" Was she really fine? She looked the same but her scent was still slightly off. Now that they were so close it reminded them of something. Something from their time in the forest, with the wolves.
"But nothing. Stop looking at me like that, everyone, I am fine!" She hopped up and down in place like that would demonstrate how fine she was. "Now come on, let's go while we still have daylight left."