xoxo
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The sun above blazes like a Titan's wrath in the sky, beams of gold scorching the desert as the trio trudges through the sandy Plains of Idolone, onward to the town of Merves. It dazzles with splendor, and the experience is both soul-swelling and exasperating, prompting peeved sighs and remarks regarding the heat to follow.
"How much longer do we have?" Huck questions, shoulders hunched forward, feet dragging through the sand, "isn't there a spell that can protect us from this heat?"
"And risk the chance of exhaustion, no," Claw retorts, wiping a bead of sweat from his left brow, "we need to save our energy. I made it clear that—"
"That the creatures outside this forest are much worse than some ghoul. I know, I know." A sigh follows, "but it's hot." He whines, throwing his arms up.
Claw scoffs.
"Huck, we're all hot, but your whining isn't helping." Fitz states, orbs fixing on his friend, "relax and keep your cool."
He can't believe this. "Was that a joke? Because it's far from funny."
"It was, and it was funny." A sound like chuckle emits from his lips.
"Brilliant, really," Claw adds, an unnoticeable smile gracing his lips.
Disbelief washes over Huck as he spins on his heels to face his two companions, his narrow gaze cutting between them. He wants to say something, but the words can't come fast enough, so he lets it go, turning back around and continuing the agonizingly slow trudge forward.
"Assholes."
Claw and Fitz exchange a rather kind gaze before the latter catches up to Huck, gracing his shoulder with a firm grip.
"If there were anything I could do to absolve you from the heat, I would. You know this," and Huck does, "but if Claw is right, then I think it would be best if we save our energy in case things escalate in a way that we are not prepared for."
There's only silence in response until an unexpected proposition comes up.
"I could carry you the rest of the way."
The offer brings Huck to a stop. "Start with that next time, and we'll avoid any unnecessary conflict," perking up, his hands land on his hips, "well then, bow before your new ruler."
Fitz regrets it instantly but kneels to allow Huck to climb onto his back. Once he's secure enough, the cursed one rises to his feet and continues onward while Claw's head shakes from a safe distance behind.
"Have you two always been close?"
Fitz doesn't know how to answer, so he looks to Huck for that.
"I tended to his mother's livestock until she released them," he continues, "Fitz and I never interacted much during that time, but he always spoke when he saw me."
"And how do you explain your current situation?" A reference to Huck being on Fitz's back.
"Oh! I'm the annoying pain in his ass who motivates him to be better," he chuckles, "and Fitz is the noble warrior with a shitload of issues he has to work through," he pauses, "no offense, Fitz."
"None taken."
"As for you, White Claw, are you as crazy as they say?"
"Huck." Fitz scolds for the lack of respect.
He's clueless. "What?"
"It's fine," Claw assures, "I'm used to people thinking I'm crazy, but if you must know, I was only labeled as such by a pack of inbreds who framed me for murdering a high priestess that resided in their town."
"What happened?" Huck wonders.
"Ravenous beasts attacked the town. I slew them, but the woman was dead by the time I got to her, and I was covered in blood standing next to her body."
"Wow, and here I thought it was the white hair."
"Huck!" Fitz comes to a stop, casting his gaze on Huck. He's not happy, and Huck can tell.
"I'm sorry!" He fixes his attention on Claw, "I'm sorry, Claw."
Claw doesn't respond, trudging ahead of the duo. Huck sighs, feeling bad.
"I didn't think that me making a situation humorous would turn out to be a shit show."
"Well, Huck, some people have experienced torment far beyond what we can see and hear. He may be going through enough, so he doesn't need you adding onto that, not when he's doing us a favor."
"True," he understands, "why does my humor not affect you?"
Fitz smiles, "a wise man once said that I require someone to show me that life isn't just full of gray." The reiteration of Huck's words makes him smile.
"Maybe Claw's the same way."
"Maybe you're right," he rests his chin on Fitz's shoulder, "you know, this walk has been fun. I can't believe we haven't gotten attacked yet."
"I think you may have spoken too soon," Claw stops, bringing Huck and Fitz to do the same, focusing on the raging sand swirling in the distance.
Kneeling, Fitz lets Huck off his back, "what is it?"
"Trouble."
Amid the raging sand, a shadow emerges from the dark. It's a gargantuan and nameless sacrilege with glaring yellow eyes. It stands in front of the trio, becoming more apparent with each passing second, steps drawing nearer towards them.
It is tall, portly, and solid as old bones, with flesh white as snow. With each movement, its armor changes colors; here, it's as red as the devil's eyes — there, it's as dark as night. Like a full moon cascading over water, the patterns run with every step.
"Well," Huck's hands grace Fitz and Claw's shoulders, "this looks like a pretty easy job for you two, right?"
Silence.
"Am I right?"
The creature roars, prompting a spiked maul to form in its right hand. The weapon is massive and capable of irreversible damage if hit directly. Drawing their swords, Fitz and Claw move to stand in front of Huck, preparing themselves for the challenge the creature brings.
Hues shifting black, Claw speaks. "No matter what you do, cursed one; don't die."
He doesn't plan on it. "Let's give this beast hell."
xxx
Blades slash across armored flesh. Spells bring forth chaos. The sandy Plains of Idolone outside the town of Merves is nothing more than a battlefield, enduring nothing but havoc. The creature stands tall, giving the trio a fight they weren't expecting. They're the furthest thing from being prepared, and there's also no cohesion amongst them, and if they don't pull it together, they'll die.
Colliding with the ground, Fitz tumbles to a stop, coughing as a reaction to the impact of the creature's fist connecting with his chest. If it weren't for his armor, he'd be dead. Suddenly, the creature rushes after him with a speed he didn't expect, and with a swing of its maul, it prepares to make the final blow, only to be interrupted by Claw stopping the attack with his blade shrouded in white light.
"Move, now!" He exclaims in response, forcing Fitz to roll out of the way and take cover behind the same rock Huck is hiding behind.
While Fitz catches his breath, Claw engages in a one-on-one battle with the creature. Slashing through its arms, the beast screams in pain while retracting its maul. The reaction gives Claw the perfect opening to roll to the left. Preparing to strike again, the creatures heavy foot slams against his chest, ceasing his action and sending him flying backward a great distance.
"You have to do something, Fitz!" Huck notices Claw's body traveling through the air before hitting the ground. "Claw can't handle the creature on his own!"
"What do you suggest I do? And why the hell aren't you helping?"
"Look at me," hands wandering over his body, "I'm dressed for a night out on the town, not a night of slaying creatures. Plus, I've never fought before."
Disbelief. "What?"
"I'm more of a trickster than a fighter."
"Then reach into your bag of tricks and lend us a hand."
Fitz takes off in the creature's direction, moving from behind the rock, and retrieving his blade. Closing in, he slides on his knees, effortlessly gliding across the ground, slicing through the creature's Achilles' tendon, prompting it to fall to one knee in a fit of rage. Using this moment to find courage, Huck vanishes in a flash of white light from behind the rock, reappearing beside a dazed Claw.
"Shit," reaching into his satchel, Huck retrieves a vial of healing liquid, pouring it into the white-haired man's mouth.
"In twenty seconds, you'll feel better. You're not out of the fight yet."
And with that, he vanishes once more and reappears in front of the creature, waving his fingers, antagonizing it. Lifting its maul, the beast attempts to strike Huck, but he disappears and reappears, using his method of teleportation to cause disarray. At the same time, Fitz utilizes his blade, slashing with extreme precision in hopes of wearing down the armor.
They keep the trickery and onslaught up, but nothing seems to be working, for the creature knocks them away with one swing of its arm. Roaring, the beast uses its maul to rise to its feet, the damage to its Achilles' tendon healing rapidly. Their efforts are practical, partially, but not enough. They need to amp up the teamwork and end this battle.
As the creature approaches Huck and Fitz, Claw strides towards them, black hues fixing on the giant. With his magic coursing through him, he locates a weak spot underneath the seemingly unbreakable armor, but his power alone isn't enough to kill it; Fitz's power is.
"I know you prefer not to give in to your power, Fitz, but the only way to kill this god-forsaken beast is by sending it to the depths of hell," Claw informs, whistling to attract the creature's attention.
"The choice is yours, but the only way we're getting out of this battle alive is to work together."
Taking his stance, Claw prepares himself as the creature charges his way, giving Fitz and Huck time to recover. Drawing a glowing white symbol with his left hand, he waits for the perfect moment to cast his spell, wanting to seize the opportunity of slaying the beast.
"He's right, Fitz," Huck agrees with Claw. "This thing can only be killed by the power you possess. I've read about it. And I know you want to rid yourself of this curse, but many more will die if we fail to kill this thing."
It seems Ultimatums bind Fitz's life. He's damned if he does, damned if he doesn't, but Huck and Claw make valid points.
"Fine," darkness consumes Fitz's eyes, and a glowing blue ring appears dead center. Spinning his blade, the sapphire and black flames consume the steel.
"On your mark, Claw."
As the creature closes in on the white-haired man, Huck vanishes and reappears on the shoulder of their enemy. Pulling a vial of venom from his satchel, he smashes it into the beast's eyes. Roaring, the creature swings its maul without direction to get Huck off his shoulder, but he vanishes in time.
Seizing this moment, Claw slashes his blade through the symbol, and his sword becomes covered in ice. Launching himself into the air, he descends, stabbing his sword into the ground, bringing forth ice spikes that travel towards the creature, piercing its exposed skin while gradually freezing it from the ground up.
Dragging his blade through the sand, igniting it with his flames, Fitz knows it's his moment to end this. He propels forward with a loud growl, leaving a fiery blaze in his wake. Spinning rapidly, he spirals through the back of the creature, burning through the flesh, bones, and armor protecting its heart.
Utilizing his unyielding strength, Fitz soon bursts through the creature's chest, bringing it to silence as he lands on his feet, covered in blood and guts. His flames cease, and the beast falls to its knees behind him, allowing the ice to freeze its entirety. Reappearing by the frozen creature, Huck taps the ice and snickers.
"Looks like this one's having a cool time. Get it? Cool."
Sheathing their blades simultaneously, Fitz and Claw shake their heads in disappointment at the horrible joke, continuing their trudge through the sand towards the town of Merves. From where he stands, Huck vanishes and reappears between the two warriors — proud of what they accomplished together.
"You know? We could be an unstoppable trio with more practice and dedication."
xxx
The townspeople of Merves crowd around Mellie's incapacitated body, whispering to one another about the events that have taken place and the witch's current condition. With all the work she's done to keep the town safe, you'd think they'd help her, but they don't, for Olivia's speech repeatedly echoes in their minds.
They're unsure if Mellie is a friend or foe, which worries them for the future. Will she be able to protect them, or will they lose countless more to a war that has nothing to do with them? It's unnerving, and their hesitance to help her derives from those questions.
Arriving at the town, the trio enters through the open gates and proceeds to the white witch's home, but Huck notices a gathering in the center of the town and stops, bringing Fitz and Claw to a halt when they realize he's not with them.
"Something happened here." He mutters.
"Let's take a look," Fitz replies, leading them to the gathering.
The closer they get, the clearer the picture becomes until the townspeople turn to face the trio, blocking their path and view of Mellie.
"Your kind is not welcome here, White Claw," the front-man speaks. "We heard what you did to that high priestess, and you have been banned from passing through our gates."
Claw moves forward, but Huck's hand on his shoulder stops him. The last thing they need right now is more bloodshed, not that Claw would kill them, but as a precaution.
"Your gates were open," Huck offers in response, stepping forward. "These two men alongside myself went through hell to get here. Not only was it as hot as the devil's ass crack, but we had to fight and kill a massive beast right outside of these walls."
His words take them back to what Olivia spoke, and they know it's true, for Fitz is covered in blood.
"So, show us some goddamn respect, and let us help you; otherwise, you can kiss your precious town goodbye and the people residing here."
Silence, followed by the people separating to make a path to Mellie.
"We're sorry, sir. We do not wish to have any more conflict."
Without a word, the trio proceeds to the witch.
"Thank you for that." Claw's orbs shift to Huck, "I don't know what I would've done had you not stepped in."
A smile. "Well, I figured I owed you for how I spoke to you. I was out of line, so now we're even."
"Even?"
"Oh brother," shaking his head, chuckling, "even meaning we're good. There's no issue between us."
"Oh. Okay. Even then."
Fitz smiles at the subtle interaction between the two, but it fades when they see the witch's condition. Kneeling, Huck checks Mellie's pulse to see if she's still breathing.
"She isn't dead but will be if we don't help her."
"What can we do?" Fitz inquires.
"What happened to her?" Claw inquiries next.
Looking over her body, Huck notices nothing out of the ordinary besides the lacerations until he sees her grey right arm.
"Dark magic."
"Can you help her?" Fitz steps forward, scooping Mellie into his arms.
"It'll take some time to create a potent healing potion to heal her wounds and reverse the effects, but yes."
"Then we don't have time to waste," with confirmation, he looks to Claw. "Can you get us to her home?"
"I can," drawing a glowing white symbol with his left hand. Once formed, he places his right hand in the center, triggering a portal to form before them.
Fitz is the first to enter the portal with Mellie, Claw is second, and Huck is last.
xxx
The two warriors stand outside Mellie's bedroom while Huck works his magic. It's been almost an hour, and not a peep is heard. They both worry that they are too late, that the white witch's fate is sealed and irreversible. With a heavy sigh, Fitz slides down the wall to sit.
"Have you studied black magic, Claw?"
"Not enough to reverse the effects it has on the witch, but yes."
"Have you fought someone capable of such magic?"
"No, but there was a man who once ruled the lands and was capable of such power."
"What happened to him?"
Like Fitz, Claw slides down the wall to sit, "he died by the hands of a coven, but his power never did."
"So, he caused this even in death?"
"I can't answer that, for I don't know."
A hum. "How long have you been practicing magic?"
"For as long as I can remember."
"How did you come to embrace it?"
He's aware of what Fitz is looking for, "fear is only a construct the mind creates to stop us from getting what we want or becoming who we're supposed to be. I embrace everything I am because if I don't, I'll be like the people of this town, depending on someone else to protect me." He pauses, orbs cutting to Fitz.
"Your power isn't something you should run away from, for it's who you're meant to be, but I can understand why you don't want it."
He's pleased with the response, "does that make me a fool for wanting to rid myself of it?"
"No," he smiles a bit, "it makes you better. It must be that noble warrior spirit that lingers within you."
Fitz's gaze meets Claws, and he gestures a nod as a thank you. The two then revert their gazes ahead. More time passes, and nothing is heard from the room until Huck finally opens the door, prompting Claw and Fitz to rise to their feet.
"She wants to see you, but please try not to overwhelm her. She's been through hell."
With a nod, the warriors enter the room and stand on the right side of the bed so that Mellie can see them — Huck remains at its foot. She looks exhausted and defeated, but somehow her spirit remains intact.
"What happened to you?" Fitz asks.
"A wretched witch by the name Olivia Pope happened. She betrayed her coven by practicing the art of dark magic, and for that, I killed her at the stake."
The men sit silently, giving Mellie the floor to speak without interruptions. She continues.
"But someone brought her back, and both nearly killed me," tears fall down her cheeks.
"Why did she attack you?"
She wipes her eyes. "Aside from killing her due to her practice of the dark arts, I ostracized her brother and gave him up to witch hunters, for he was too uncontrollable. He's unlike any witch I've ever seen, and if she found him, I'm afraid all life will end."
"Where can we find her?" Fitz asks.
"The castle at the top of the hill. You must take a dangerous path to find it, and make no mistake, cursed one; she's far more ruthless than I am."
He heeds her warning, bowing as a thank you for her time, "one last question, I—"
She knows. "I'm sorry, but my power alone isn't enough to rid you of a curse bestowed upon you from the Underworld. That's far beyond my jurisdiction and knowledge."
He understands, though defeated. "Thank you for your time."
The trio departs from Mellie's home, reconvening on the front porch with nothing else to say.
"I'm sorry, Fitz." Huck places a hand on the warrior's shoulder, "I thought she could help you."
"It's fine. It was worth a shot," shoulders rising and falling, "all hope isn't lost."
Claw's aware of what's coming. "You want to venture to the castle, don't you?"
"Would that be so bad?"
"Uh, yeah!" An exclaim from Huck, "you heard what Mellie said. The witches that reside in that place are bad news."
"I have to do something, Huck." He's stern in his demeanor, "I think it's worth trying."
Silence ensues amongst the group. Going to a place where evil resides isn't the most ingenious idea, but with what Claw and Huck know of Fitz thus far, they know that they won't be able to change Fitz's mind on the idea of ridding him of his curse.
Claw leans against the porch railing, peering into the distance, emitting a faint sigh.
"I know the path the witch speaks of, and I can get you through it safely, but after that, we go our separate ways."
"You can't be serious," Huck objects, "we don't know what we're up against!"
"It is not our journey, Huck," a calm retort, "it is Fitz's, and if you have his back like you claim, you will support his decision to try."
Huck is in disbelief, throwing his hand up in defeat, venturing to the far side of the porch with Fitz's eyes following.
"You don't have to come with me, Huck," Fitz approaches him, "I cannot ask that of you."
"You don't have to ask because I'm coming," it's apparent. "I simply don't want you to let this hope you have blind you, for everyone isn't as welcoming as myself or even Claw in his special way."
Claw smiles somewhat, "so, what's the verdict? The longer we wait, the worse it'll be to maneuver through."
Fitz turns to face Claw, "we're ready."
xxx
Covered in the blood of the Spider Queen and serval of, if not most of her children, the trio departs from the Dead Forest, falling to their knees simultaneously to catch their breath. As challenging as it was to get through the various hordes and then the final boss, they did it as a team.
"I fucking hate spiders," Huck says in laughter to break the silence, prompting the others to laugh.
"Let's hope that's the last of them." Fitz sighs, moving to his feet, hands out to help Claw and Huck up, which they accept — pulling themselves to their feet.
"Looks like we made it," orbs fixed on the stronghold at the top of the hill; Claw removes some leftover guts from his hair.
"The Castle of Reltheo. Home of the one they call Olivia Pope."
"So, what's the next step?" Huck wonders, "Is this where you part ways?"
"I'm afraid so," turning to face Huck and Fitz, "my only task was to get you here safely, and I did."
"You can always stay with us," an offer from Fitz, "we make a good team, the three of us."
"Yeah, we do," Huck adds. "Plus, it beats staying in that shack you call a home — no offense."
"None taken," a calm retort from Claw. "You trust me that much? You don't even know my name."
Fitz smiles. "How about we start with that and see where it goes?"
Silence, then a sigh. "Ulysses."
"It's nice to meet you, Ulysses," outstretching a hand officially, "will you join us?"
Ulysses looks to Huck and Fitz, both men rather happy to have him tag along. They're right, they do make a good team, and with a new threat on the rise, they'll need all the help they can get. He shakes Fitz's hand, and Huck celebrates by shooting his finger guns.
"I will remain by your sides." Ulysses clarifies his words, "whatever troubles we may face, we'll face them together."
"Then let's get going."
Together, the trio strides onward up the steep hill to the castle. In the distance, Huck points out a plethora of guests arriving, dressed in beautiful gowns and immaculate tuxedos. Arms wrapping around one of Ulysses and Fitz's, Huck looks at them.
"Looks like we're just in time for the party."
Next Chapter: The Witch's Ball.