Chapter II: Time (Part IV)

I'll kill them. I will slaughter them all.

More days passed, and finally night came again. This night, I was alone, as Azur was called away to heal some Orks injured in an explosion embedded with toxic chemicals, and Strosk had to deal with a worksite accident that caused another, separate explosion.

I felt uneasy as I sat on the perch, the twin moons of Mannslieb and Morrslieb throwing their white and green hues over the dry desert landscape. Being alone at night near an Ork camp was never a 'safe' feeling, and it was certainly not assuring that I'd lost two extra fighting hands in case something went down.

Because in an Ork camp, something always went down.

Still, these nights instilled no fear in me; Whenever I was left to my own thoughts, I would inevitably become embroiled in rage and agony as I reflected on my past- How little I had accomplished, the destitute path I was on now, the decisions I had made…

Damn you, Greenskins. Damn you to every hell there is; Wherever they may rob you of your twisted love for violence, wherever they may nullify your will to live, your interests and passions and hobbies and little quirks and behaviors and destinies…

I would be there to cackle and piss on their writhing bodies.

"M-Man thing!"

"AAAAHHHH!"

I cried out in panic, as I had anticipated something coming at me for some time now; I scurried back in flighty desperation, recovering quickly to my feet and brandishing my club and whip (it was a necessity to keep it on hand at ALL times).

Immediately, I was assailed with confusion and suspicion as I saw the sleek-black fur I recognized after all these years; That particularly unique type of jet-black that blended with the darkness of the night so perfectly; Even now, seeing the Skaven in the twin moonlight, he still managed to somehow blend with his own shadow. A true assassin. Except this time, he was fully able-bodied and capable of violence.

I decided it was best to keep my guard up, though the familiarity of the Skaven, along with his crude informal greeting, had somewhat removed the air of danger I had felt previously.

"W-Who are you?" I asked instinctively.

The rat-man's bloodshot eyes contrasted against its stygian fur, staring at me with a mixed look of suspicion and… lingering curiosity. Even in his confrontative state, he skittered around on his feet and quivered with anticipation in that innate manner that was beholden to all Skaven.

"We have met-met once in the past, man-thing! Ngh! You gave me bread-food, for what reason I think-know not! I followed you on the corpse-cart, saw you go to Green-thing camp-grounds! Nggggh! I think-thought you died, but you still live-live!"

The Skaven pointed to the edge of the cliffhang with a quivering finger.

"I warn-tell you nights ago! Save your life, I did-did! Mess-wreck with Green-thing camp to talk-speak with you here, Man-thing!"

I lowered my cudgel and whip, which seemed to send a shock through the Skaven.

"Stupid man-thing! I can kill-maim you so easily!" He screeched at me harshly, though he showed no signs of doing such a thing as he described. I wasn't sure what had compelled this Skaven to follow me, after all this time, just to talk. But I assumed he was not here for ill intentions.

"I appreciate you saving my life… friend."

The Skaven leered back as he heard the last word of the sentence, chittering as if laughing cruelly.

"No-no, idiot! I am not your friend-thing! Ngh! I repaid my debt-due, that is all!"

"And yet you are my friend, because you did something a friend would do. And so I will do the same for you in the future."

The Skaven chittered once more, laughing at my proposition.

"Ngh! Don't be stupid, man-thing! I have kill-stabbed countless foe in combat! Nggh! Your small-tiny being is of no help!"

I decided to ignore his insults and jabs. Tentatively, I extended a hand towards the Skaven, who initially lurched back as if anticipating an attack.

"I plan on getting revenge against these Green-things. I will crush them into the dirt, and strip them from this earth completely. I need capable, loyal friends and companions who will help me in this goal. Even if you don't want to be my friend…"

I steeled my gaze, intent on showing outwardly my grim determination to the Skaven, who faltered momentarily as he stared back.

"...Be my ally. I promise you whatever your wildest dreams may be. A sea of gold, wealth in glory, completion in vengeance…"

I outstretched my hand further to the Skaven, grinning madly as I imagined the fiery, blood-soaked path I was now intending to walk; a malicious and long-term plan was molding, crafting in my mind.

"Anything."

The Skaven chittered and squeaked to itself, as if in deep contemplation of my declarations. Moments passed, before I felt its small, cloaked rat-hand paw my palm.

"Ngh! We are allies, not friend-kin! It lasts-stays only as long as you live-live!"

I nodded. I already had a tentative relationship with the two others in my dismal group, so I wasn't particularly wary of this one.

"What is your name?" I asked him. "I am Enos."

The Skaven hesitated, unsure of whether to part with its name. After a few seconds, he begrudgingly relented.

"Ngh! Snik! Snik Pineshrieker! I am an exalted Death Runner! You would be wise-smart to not cross me-me!"

I sighed inwardly, wondering if the rat-man was going to be this unbearably paranoid and egoistic the whole time I was with him. Looking into the Skaven's eyes, I could see the desperation, the cunning, the malice; But for just a single passing moment… there was a look of gratitude.

Looking back up at the twin moons, I felt that my journey here would be a long one… but at the end of this road…

I would be far more than what I was tonight.