Chapter 4
Grendel
"Who are you, human and why do you come here?" Grendel growled.
"I-Iago, sir." Iago responded. "I come for help."
"With what?" The grip loosened.
"With Beowulf." Iago said. "He's a tyrant. Today I saw a family of four burned alive on the streets. We need your help."
Grendel growled. "I don't get myself involved with your kind anymore. All they know is fear, hate and prejudice." He looked around. "I'm much more comfortable by myself." He looked around. "Besides, I'm a monster. Children throw stones at me when they see me. What good could I do?"
"I'm a monster too."
Grendel stared at Iago as if he were insane. "What are you talking about? You're as human as anyone else I've seen."
Iago grinned humorlessly. "There are other types of monsters, my friend."
Grendel raised an eyebrow. "So we're friends now?"
Iago shrugged. "Nothing says otherwise."
Grendel smiled. "Very well. Friends it is then."
The two shook hands.
The two walked outside of the cave. Grendel shielded his eyes. He wasn't used to the outside light.
"Get them!" A voice said. "Kill the man if you must, but he specifically asked for the beast!"
Grendel turned around. Emerging from the trees were some of Beowulf's soldiers.
"How could they have found us?" Iago hissed.
"It doesn't matter." Grendel said. "Just focus on survival. Kill them if you must." Iago pulled out his sword just in time. A soldier with a hole where his nose should have been jumped forward only to be impaled on Iago's blade. Iago pulled it out, and the man fell to the ground dead. Another man came behind Iago, but Iago was too quick for him.
Grendel had gone into full-out beast mode. He roared like a wounded hippo and lunged into the crowd of soldiers, tearing and slashing. The swords had no effect on him, as he was invulnerable to man-made steel. Grendel, on the other hand, plowed through them like a hot knife through butter.
In a matter of minutes, most of Beowulf's men were defeated. Iago looked around to those that were still alive and had all their limbs intact.
"Run back to your castle and tell your master what happened." Iago said. "Tell him that his reign is coming to an end."
"T-thank you, kind sirs." One soldier said, looking at his sword. It was cut in half. "You are most merciful."
"Go." Grendel growled.
"Yes, sir." The soldier gulped. He and the others ran away like scared children.
"What exactly are you planning on doing?" Grendel asked.
"To overthrow Beowulf's government and establish democracy to the island."
"Easier said than done." Grendel mused.
"Not if you tear off Beowulf's head and eat it." Iago said with a grin.
"Again…easier said than done."