Chapter 10

Grendel and Beowulf

The crowd backed away as Grendel stalked forward. Beowulf smiled. "I've been waiting for you."

"Have you now?" Grendel asked.

"Indeed." Beowulf held up his hands. "I won't need my sword. My hands will be enough."

Grendel snorted. "Even if you kill me, everyone on this island knows you for what you are. You're not the God-like being that you want people to see you as. All you are is a sad little man who uses Christianity to further your violence and butchery."

"You fear me! I can see it in your eyes." Beowulf said, trying to sound menacing.

"No." Grendel said. "I pity you."

Beowulf let out a scream and lunged forward at Grendel, knocking him over. The two rolled on the ground; biting and scratching like cats. Grendel kicked Beowulf off of him. The warrior fell backwards. Grendel got up and slashed at Beowulf's face twice.

The first time he missed.

The second time, Beowulf thought dodged Grendel's attack. But as he stood up, his right eye was missing. All that remained was a patch of torn and red flesh. Beowulf put his hand to his eye. It was missing a pinky. His remaining one glared with hatred.

Grendel turned around and walked away.

"Come back here!" Beowulf screeched.

"We're even." Grendel said. "An eye for an eye."

"I'll kill everyone here." Beowulf threatened, but he didn't sound too convincing.

"You and what army?" Grendel said, turning around. Beowulf looked. His men were walking away with everyone else. "You see," Grendel said. "You no longer hold any power here. I've shed far too much blood in your name." He remembered Scout. "Far too much. If you want to die so much, then do us a favor and go jump off the cliff."

Grendel turned back around and continued walking. He heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed.

"I thought you said you didn't need a sword."

"I lied." Beowulf said.

In his right hand was the crimson sword of the god he called Cthulhu. Beowulf ran forward and swung it at Grendel. Grendel let out a cry and dodged it, but the blade had pierced his flesh. Grendel's eyes widened with surprise. What sorcery was this?

Grendel managed to duck some blows from Beowulf but ultimately he was at a disadvantage.

With a roar, Beowulf plunged the sword into Grendel's chest. The monster let out a gasp.

Beowulf pulled out the sword. The blood blended in with the steel. Grendel collapsed to the ground with a thump.

Beowulf let out a wild scream and held the sword above him in triumph. He didn't notice the bloodied hands grip the edge of the cliff.

Iago hoisted himself over the rocks. He had managed to grab the wall before falling. He looked weary and beaten, but his eyes were full of vitality.

Beowulf didn't notice Iago until he unsheathed his sword. He turned around. "Who in—"

"I am the devil, and I am here to do the devil's work." Iago swung his sword.

Beowulf's head fell onto the ground. It rolled off the cliff along with the dismembered torso and plummeted into the roaring river below, where it passes out of this story forever.

Iago ran over to his fallen friend. But someone had already gotten there.

"Teddy!" Scout cried, running over to Grendel. Jem followed her.

"Scout?" Grendel said thickly. "Where's…where's…"

"The Really Bad Man?" Iago said. "Dead."

Grendel nodded. "Good."

Scout began to sob. She cradled the creature's furry head in her hands. "Thank you. You saved us."

Grendel smiled at her. "Your father would be proud."

Scout blinked back tears. "Tell Atticus I said hi."

Grendel nodded one last time. "I will." And then he died.