Chapter 49
BASH
Brutus got blindsided. Some of the shadows have managed to make it through his legions and land a solid strike. Needless to say, Bloodbore was rather pleased with himself as he managed to land the first blow.
CRACK
From behind he was then struck by both a hellcat and werewolf, he skidded down the road but was quick to recover. "Impossible, this cannot be possible… the Shadow King… how did the Shadow King get into a feast of the demi gods?!" he demanded. He slowly stood as his wounds began to heal. "YOU STOLE FROM A GODDESS AND LIED ABOUT YOUR POWER! YOU ARE NO DEMI GOD!" Brutus shouted.
Bad however was merely smiling, seething with power as he continued to stalk him. His guards suddenly vanished. He was struck suddenly from the front, multiple sharp jabs to his chest as a naga shadow came out of nowhere! He felt his intake of air suddenly drop when he was struck from behind by a dragon's tail! Brutus went flying overhead and crashed into the street once more.
"I am not falling to the likes of you!" his hands plunged to the ground, thick tree roots began to rip up the streets and converge onto Bad and the Others. None of them dodged or moved out of the way. Bad in fact grabbed one limb that was about to gore him through his chest. He held it in place as it refused to go any farther. "Come on! Puncture the bastard!" he called.
But then he saw it, the roots turned black. What he summoned as slowly decaying around him and crumble to dust. "What… you can't do that!" he protested.
"Looks like I just did," Bad said with a grin.
"WAY TO GO DADDY!" one of the little ones yelled.
Brutus then smiled. "If I can't hit you… I'll hit them!" He turned his strikes to the children. Summoning the roots once more, he was going to be sure to break Bad one way or another. "Your little abominations are done for!"
The roots took aim, as they came down at a sharp angle, the eldest son stood at the ready, but the roots were repelled! Black fire enveloped the roots as they were quick to decay before making contact.
Before them stood a mage with a glowing green skull for a head! "Who… Who the hell is this!?" he demanded. "We agreed legions only!"
"Yeah, that's a councilman!" Bad said with a smirk. "Hey Z, what do you go through on a daily bases? Wanna show Brutus first hand?"
Somehow, he could see this mage smile a skeleton grin. "Hmm, let's start with this…" A burst of light came from his hands. Brutus felt his chest burn as he was blown back and away from the children. It was as if a bomb went off in front of him! His clothing nearly torn away, his body sliced into and was bleeding out. He was then struck from behind by Bad with a bat, he swore the blow cracked his ribs!
"A demi… can't be hurt by the likes of you… it's not possible!" he protested.
Bad merely grin.
Garou came in next as he was able to hit him 100 times over before he could even draw a breath! Blood began to gush out of his mouth as Brutus found himself surrounded.
Bad stood before him, his baseball bat in hand as he took aim for the temple of this jackass's head. "Admit you're weaker than me," Bad demanded. "Apologize for what you said to me, for what you tried to do to my family… and just maybe, I'll let you limp out of here."
Brutus spat at him.
Bad blocked the spit wad rather easily with his bat, but he answer was given. He took aim and lined his shot! His arms cocked back as he took his swing…
"Stop," came a gentle voice.
The bat was barely an inch away from making connect, Bad stopped himself. His legions paused as they lowered their heads. "Gaia?" Brutus asked with a grin. "You... you came to help me!"
Bad turned to her, he was quick to bow and show respect. "Since I couldn't have done it before, I am now. Gaia, thank you very much for your hospitality…"
"Rise Shadow King, you have already shown your gratitude," she said with a smile. But her eyes narrowed to Brutus. "You… have much to answer for," she said in a scolding tone. "Your legions now belong to the Shadow King. You are most fortunate he held back his attacks against you."
Brutus froze. "But he lied, he is no demi god. Death never made one!"
"Until now, before Shadow King Bad expanded his family, he was confirmed and acknowledged as a demi god. Learn to see the world outside of your own greed. Now stand," she ordered.
Brutus slowly got to his feet. He was battered, bloodied and wounded. For the time being it appeared to be good enough for Bad. "Shadow King, I request mercy upon him. Will you agree to give it?" she asked.
He glared at Brutus however he nodded to her. "Out of respect for you Gaia, yes. I will grant it just once to him. Should he challenge me again, I will not show mercy." Bad said defiantly.
She nodded. "You have my thanks." With a tap of her staff, Gaia vanished along with Brutus. The streets returned to their normal state, the shadows cheered out in victory. But now, the question remains.
Bad turned to the creatures that was under Brutus's command. His kids were already going up to them. Some were inspecting their wounds. "Daddy! They're all hurt!" cried his eldest daughter Saiya.
Magnus nodded. "Many have wounds that must be treated immediately."
Bad nodded. "Jima, get our best healers on them please. If I don't have to turn them into shadows I won't. But where the hell do I put everyone?" he muttered.
"My King… do you not know the shadow realm is infinite? Much like Gaia's sanctuary, there are many levels. You have lands where they can live in peacefully." Jima explained.
"No one tells me anything…" Bad muttered.
#
Jima explained how the realm works to Bad. Since he rules it, it can be whatever he wishes.
"The past kings have kept this part of the realm in utter darkness, perhaps for brooding purposes or to forget their humanity. I can't quite explain it to you, but… through these doors, is the real outside of your realm."
They were massive, solid door, yet there were bars and chains across them. They were quickly removed as the double doors were pushed open.
Light flooded their eyes as Bad wondered out into a vast, untamed land. "Whoa…." He whispered.
"This land has been untouched for centuries. None of the kings did anything to it for it was too much work and power. They merely expanded the shadow realm with darkness. But this is truly the land you command… the creatures we have obtained are more than capable of living here. There is a great amount of prey for them as well."
"Wait, there are living creatures here too?" Bad demanded.
"Where else did you think the fresh meat came from?" asked Sonic. "Human standards of food are so poor and inferior for my King to consume. I hunted it all with the others!"
"Shit no wonder you were stressed in feeding me…" Bad muttered. But he saw his kids frolicking around on the grass, the creatures he gained became remarkably tame and never snapped at the children. They managed to save nearly all the creatures under Brutus's command, those they couldn't were either turned to shadows or released to their final rest. Garou even appeared impressed.
"Who knew we had a backyard!" he said and laughed. "I ain't cutting the grass,"
Bad snickered. "Well this is nice to know… now… if you all don't mind. I am going for a nap. Don't wake me unless it's life or death!"
He was still tried from it all, but as Bad wondered back to his room. He felt a sense of pride.
He is a proud father, he's a good leader and he's the goddamn Shadow King!
Bad entered his room, he was about to flop on the bed when he paused to a familiar presence. "I'm surprised you weren't here sooner…"
Death lingered in the corner, but was smiling a wide grin. "Bad… Your children are amazing…" he said with great sincerity. "And… I am very sorry for how things happened. I promise you, from this moment on, any questions you have, I will answer them!" he vowed. "The other gods cannot stop talking about you, many are impressed you had such a big family…"
"Yeah, well… we ain't having kids for a while!" he said in a warning tone.
"I understand completely on the notion. But know that you have done an amazing thing… I will need to speak to you about a serious matter. But for now, you rest up."
"Serious?" Bad asked, but Death was already gone. "Why the hell does he always put such a burden on me before I relax?!" But there was no use in dreading over it. Bad looked to the bed, with a grin he jumped into it and took a deep breath of relief. "Finally…" he sighed.
But peace was never an option. Before he could even pass out, Bad felt the kids all climb into bed, nestle up beside him and fall asleep before he could. "Goddamn it…" he muttered.
The price he pays for being a good father…
