Chapter 15
"Have A Bite"
...(Scuro's POV)...
Black rocks that resembled obsidian made up the ground. Tall spires of dark crystals, a hint of purple emanating from their bases, jutted out from the dark soil. Purple and magenta colored the skies, the clouds forming a large vortex in the middle of a ruins in the distance. The ruins was huge. And by huge, I meant as big as a modern city. A blackened castle, once grand and now split in half with most of its buildings crumbled, centered it all. The structures that surrounded it held the same traces of destruction where claw marks and cracks formed on their black walls.
"You have slept... I was with you... You have hidden... I found you... You have returned... So did I... You have contained me... for far too long... You have cast me... away as a simple story... You have failed in my name... far too many times... You will pay... All will pay..." A voice chanted from what seemed like everywhere.
I instantly recognized it as the voice from my dream. I spun around, trying to find the large beast, but it was nowhere to be found. A spire shifted and crumbled, and what looks like a tail retracted from it. I grew angry and frustrated at being played at. "I have enough of this game."
"You have been bested... We have been bested... You have failed us... Now you must prevail... No more failures... No more pain... No more lost memories." It kept on chanting like I never said anything.
I roar. "Show yourself!" The loud sound echoed throughout the land, nothing to keep it from repeating over and over again. Then, the cold hit me like a sudden winter gale. I growled under my breath and shivered furiously.
"I AM ALWAYS HERE... I FOLLOW YOU WHEREVER... I AM EVERYWHERE..." The voice boomed behind me. I whirled around and I come face to face with the large, orange orb.
"YOU CAN ONLY KEEP ME AWAY FROM THIS WORLD FOR TOO LONG... YOU CANNOT STOP THE FORCE THAT SHALL LEAK INTO YOUR REALM AND CONSUME ALL... BUT YOU WILL NOT WITNESS IT... YOU WILL NOT LIVE TO SEE THE LAST DAYS OF THIS WORLD..." It continued. Its large jaws shifted, showing the impression of talking.
"You expect me to fear this?!" The cold was suppressed all of a sudden by my anger. "Do you expect me to be bested by you? You are nothing compared to me! I am the Dark Star! Do you know what that means?!"
"THE DARK STAR... A SHINING LIGHT DIMMING AS IT IS CONSUMED BY DARKNESS... BUT ALAS, YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN CONSUMED... THE DARK STAR... A RELIC CAST AWAY... A POWERFUL FORCE BESTED BY TWO PLUMBERS, A STAR SPRITE, AND AN EGOISTIC KOOPA KING... WE ARE INCOMPARABLE... I HAVE NOT BEEN BESTED BY SUCH MEEK FORCES... I CANNOT BE BESTED... NONE CAN EVER PUT ME DOWN..."
I roar at its face. My fury threatening to burst my sanity. I will rip this fool apart! Even though it is bigger than me, I shall make him smaller by tearing him to pieces!
It had an unreadable expression on its face. Just then, its jaws parted, and closed, parted then closed. A hiss that paused occasionally escaped the shifting maw. That was when I realized that it was laughing.
This pushed me over the edge and I tackle its eye in outrage. But when I opened my eyes, the monster was gone.
"THE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW ME AGAIN... THE WORLD NEEDS TO REMEMBER THE DARKNESS... THE WORLD MUST NEVER FORGET ITS MASTER..." It chanted from behind me.
I attempt to tackle it again, but something held me back. The biting cold hit me. It was stronger and I find myself unable to bear the discomfort. A pained roar escaped me. The giant beast laughed again.
"YOU ARE A FOOL... FAILURE IS ALWAYS BY YOUR SIDE... YOU HAVE GONE TOO CLOSE INTO THE LIGHT... YOU MUST COME BACK TO THE DARKNESS'S EMBRACE... YOU MUST."
"What... do you mean?!"
"THE LIGHT SHINES UPON YOU... BUT DARKNESS NEEDS YOU BACK IN THE SHADOWS... YOU THREATEN TO BE PART OF LIGHT... YOU ARE BETTER WITHIN THE ABYSS..."
"I... do not understand..."
"YOU NEED NOT UNDERSTAND... YOU NEED NOT KNOW SUCH DETAILS FROM ME... IT MATTERS NOT ... FOR YOU ALREADY KNOW THE TRUTH... BUT YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN..."
Then it hit me. My lost memories during the past millennia. Everything that happened before being sealed away... I forgot. And this beast seems to know all this... "All this time... You were a part of this..." I whispered.
"LIGHT HAS BEEN IN RULE FOR TOO MANY MILLENNIA... IT IS MY DUTY TO DETHRONE IT FOR ITS INSURRECTION AGAINST MY REIGN... I MUST REAFFIRM MY PLACE."
It lunged at me, and the dream ended.
I gasp awake, the memories of the dream fresh in my still sleepy mind. I shake the grogginess off before surveying where I was, reminding me of the current situation. As I shifted, I notice a warm and fuzzy object wrapped around my body. I was wrapped in a blanket, keeping me warm and comfortable. Who wrapped it around me I do not know nor did I care. It invited me back to sleep, but I shook it off before taking in more of the surroundings.
I am in a cave. A bonfire lit the walls and ceiling with a warm orange light. Sleeping around the fire were the two limp figures of Mario and Starlow, both snug in their own blankets. Luigi is not with them... where is he? I scan the dim cave, looking for the green plumber. My eyes landed on the cave's mouth, where I could see outside. It was dark outside, the crickets singing to emphasize that it was night. There, sitting on a rock just by the entrance, was Luigi.
I approach him, intending to ask him what he was doing outside during this unholy hour. I snort behind him, calling the attention of the plumber. He jumped in surprise before twirling around and facing me in a fighting stance. When he saw that it was just me, he calmed down and released his stance. "Oh... It's just you, Scuro..." He sat down on his rock again, resuming whatever he was doing.
"What are you doing?" I ask him.
"Doing the night shift... I'm just keeping watch for the night." He fiddled with his fingers, nervous about something. I wasn't sure if it was because of my presence or because he was keeping watch over us in the dead of night in a forest that had Macabres and nocturnal monsters roaming about.
"You should go back to sleep, Scuro... You need it." Luigi recommended as he finally faced me.
"I do not need to sleep now that I am awake." I state stubbornly.
"But it's around, I don't know, 2 in the morning? You need sleep." He pointed his index finger at me. It wasn't an aggressive gesture, but more demanding. He insisted, even though I knew that deep down, he wanted company.
"To correct your statement, you need sleep." I countered. I noted how his eyes drooped after every few seconds, his rather fast blinking, and his stifled yawns.
"Fair point. But I'm just doing my job guarding you guys."
"...Do as you must..." I decided not to push the green plumber off his decision. If he needed to do his job then I shall not antagonize. I didn't lie when I said I could not return to sleep, so I thought it would be better to keep the plumber some company... Not like I had anything else to do, anyway.
"Are you sure you can't sleep?" Luigi looked at me questioningly, one of his eyebrows raised.
I nod. "I had enough sleep. And not only that reason, but because-" I paused, realizing that I was just about to tell him about my dream. I knew they can be trusted with knowing about it. It was necessary for the mission. But the way that creature talked to me... It felt personal. This was my own problem. Mario, Luigi, and Starlow didn't need to know about it.
My problems needed to be solved by myself only. There is no need to drag others into my problems. We had enough things to worry about, and it would be a burden for us if I added to that. It is not because I care about them. It is because it would slow the mission. It would hinder me from reuniting with the dark power. I didn't want to wait any longer, and adding to our problems would just slow us down.
"Because... what?" Luigi furrowed his brows.
"Nothing needed to worry of..." I shake my head. "It is simply because I do not feel comfortable enough to sleep." I lied to him, hoping that Luigi would simply dismiss it. Much to my relief, he believed it. "Well... okay..." He returned to observing the line of trees and shrubbery before us.
Minutes passed, and the night ticked by uneventfully. We were sitting by the entrance, now both of us keeping watch over our sleeping companions. Again, just like earlier today before Lady Lisa attacked us, I began to feel bored. I could see Luigi have the symptoms of boredom, too. In our attempt to entertain ourselves we began to name the new monsters we encountered so far.
"That lizard..." I began "...Lady Lisa-" Luigi snorted musingly. I shot him a glare warningly for interrupting what I was about to say. He only grinned at me sheepishly before gesturing for me to continue. "That lizard... what should we call the general species?"
Luigi rubbed his chin in thought. "Uh... We think the one we encountered was an alpha, right?" I nod. "And she's a lizard... How about we mix those two words?" He raised a finger victoriously as he advised himself.
I tilt my head in askance, wondering what was going on in the plumber's somewhat vivid mind. Luigi tapped his chin as he began to form the words. "How about we call them... Lizard... Alpha... Zard... Alzard... Alizard..." He muttered some names. He then lit up when a seemingly good thought came to him. "Let's call them Alphazards!"
I raised my metaphorical eyebrows at his suggestion. I was about to disagree with him when we were interrupted by a loud snap.
Luigi stood up from his rock. I float up and jolt into alertness as I scan the commotion. It sounded close... Something was nearing us... A nocturnal creature most likely. No matter. We could fight it without a problem.
I shake my head and snort. We were being paranoid. Perhaps we needed sleep after all... It was probably just a branch that snapped on its own weight, or a harmless nocturnal creature that stepped on a fallen twig. "Ignore it... Our paranoia has gotten the best of us."
Luigi calmed down as he pondered my words. He settled back down on his rock and I ceased floating. Luigi began to trace lines in the rocks, seemingly losing interest in our little naming session. I huffed, trying to clear my mind of paranoia and inviting in the calmness. I glare at the line of trees for breaking my tranquility. I snort at them, cursing at them in my own way.
I decided that it wasn't the trees' fault for breaking the calmness. I was practically blaming inanimate objects for doing things they were naturally supposed to do. I shake my head dismissively before attempting to strike up another conversation with green plumber.
I turn towards him and he noticed my gaze. He raised an eyebrow expectantly, then shrugged. I huff again.
The night was threatening to become another hour-long wait in the middle of the night. Yes, we're basically just waiting around and scoping the scene, but I meant differently. As patient as I was, boredom somehow gets the best of me. I hate it, and I don't want any day infested by it. Entertainment was a rather rare find in a cave surrounded by monsters. It didn't help that Luigi wasn't interested in talking anymore and instead resorted to scribbling imaginary lines on the rocky floor.
I considered going back to sleep. Even though sleep was just another uneventful thing, it was still something worth my time. I'd be able to rest and have this night pass by like it was just mere minutes. But I decided against it... I turn towards the line of trees... I could've sworn I saw a flicker of electric blue eyes just before it disappeared behind the bushes... I wasn't sure if it was just a trick of my eyes. But it was more preferable to be sure than sorry...
...(3rd POV)...
It was now around 6am and Mario and Starlow began to stir from their sleep. With a prolonged yawn and a long stretch, Mario got up and unwrapped his blanket and folded it into his pocket. Starlow, too, woke up with a soft yawn.
They immediately saw Scuro and Luigi by the entrance, supposedly keeping watch since last night. They were showered in the warm, yellow, morning glow coming from the cave's mouth, the rays coming from the break in the leaves filtering into the cave in a dazzling array of light. Mario and Starlow approached the Dark Star and green plumber, only to find them fast asleep.
They blinked in surprise, but they soon shrugged in dismissal. They thought better not to wake the two. Scuro and Luigi did spend most of the night watching over and guarding them. The least they could do was let them sleep in until it was time to go.
Mario pulled a red and white mushroom out of nowhere and began nibbling it. Starlow did the same with her baked biscuit. They ate in silence, not wanting to wake their two sleeping companions. If they ever did talk, it was in whispers.
"Hey... Mario?" Starlow whispered towards the red plumber, who had already finished half of his mushroom.
"Hmm?" Mario didn't look at her, but he raised an eyebrow to indicate he was listening.
"Why's Scuro keeping watch with Luigi? I thought Luigi was the only one on guard duty last night." Starlow noted how the green plumber and Dark Star were positioned as if they were discussing something. They could always dismiss that Scuro was just sleeping next to Luigi when he was on guard duty. But she saw the Dark Star sleeping on the far wall on the back of the shallow cave before she fell asleep. It was obvious that the ancient relic wanted some time alone even in sleep. It was highly unlikely that he would've woken up and asked to sleep next to Luigi like a toddler waking up his parents because he had a nightmare.
It was just hard to imagine.
Mario thought for a while as he pondered Starlow's question while studying the two sleeping figures. "I don't know..." Mario admitted. "But I'd say to just ignore it. Scuro might have just kept Luigi company last night or something. Then, they fell asleep on the job."
Starlow decided to go by Mario's suggestion to leave them be.
...(Scuro's POV)...
My eyes fluttered open sleepily. Everything was in a haze as my eyes process wakefulness. As the haze disappeared, I find that it was now morning. The warm and bright sunlight blinded slightly until I adjusted.
I float and scan the cave for anything new. Luigi was slumped on the cave wall, snoring softly in his sleep. His cap was tilted at an odd angle as his cheek leaned on the rocky wall. My eyes drooped and I forced them to stay open by shaking my head. I yawned and a sound that resembled a rumble and a hiss came out.
I turn towards the mouth of the cave, where I could now clearly see the outside. In the sunlight, the line of grotesque trees didn't look at all malignant like yesterday. They still look twisted, but in a way that they looked enchanting. The sunlight filtering through the breaks of the above-growth sifted in accordance with the leaves that rustled in the cool morning breeze. I find the rhythmic rustling and the balance between the warm sunlight and cool wind soothing...
I tilt my head up to bask in the shower of warm sunlight. The cool breeze refreshed me as it blew past. The calm rustles reminded me of Dimble Wood and how tranquil it was there, without any monsters of course.
"Oh, hey. You're awake." A voice said from behind me. I spun around and I was greeted by Mario and Starlow, both sitting down and eating breakfast. "Good Morning." They both greeted with a smile.
I nod and snort in greeting and acknowledgement.
"Want some breakfast?" Mario offered. He raised his half-eaten mushroom in a gesture of invitation.
I shake my head. "I do not necessarily need food. I am a relic. Relics do not eat."
"Well, suit yourself." Mario finished his mushroom. "But you could taste, right?" He asked me with one of his eyebrows raised.
"Yes." I tilt my head in askance.
"Well, eat something! If you don't need to eat, then at least savor some of it." Mario exclaimed.
"I do not see the point of enjoying food when it is not needed." I pointed out.
"Well, you say you don't need it. And I say you need it. Why I said you need it? Well, for one, you need to learn to appreciate food. And two, you might as well eat something to refresh your hunger." Mario countered.
"Relics do not feel hunger..."
"Then, just eat something, okay?" Mario held out a drumstick which he pulled out of nowhere. "Here, try it!" He handed it to me. I grabbed it slowly, unsure what to make of it.
Starlow raised her metaphoric eyebrows at me. "Well? Don't keep the food waiting, Scuro. We get it that you don't need to eat, but you have to at least know what it is you stuff in your mouth. Have you even ever eaten anything?"
"I have consumed cities and kingdoms during the past millennia. I consume through darkness. I "ate" scientist-bug and the brute's DNA, but my ability to consume using my mouth has yet to be confirmed. I do not feel hunger, but I do consume for the purpose of destruction and magnifying my power. I know I can taste... But I haven't tasted anything." I admitted.
"And since your dark power isn't here to feed you, then you might as well eat with your mouth." Starlow pointed out.
"I do not see the point in consuming when I am not in need of any food." I pointed out again. I was getting really irritated at them for trying to convince me to eat.
"Oh, quit being so stubborn and just eat!" Starlow urged as she flew up.
"C'mon, Scuro. Just eat and we'll all be happy." Mario stood, sensing the building tension.
I growled. This is how to start a morning?! Fair mornings were not often for me, but being awoken only to be argued at is unacceptable! "What makes this so urgent that you go as far as persisting me to eat this worthless piece of defecation?!" My eyes glowed menacingly,
Luigi jolted awake because of the commotion. With wide and flitting eyes he scanned the cave for the source of his sleep's abrupt interruption. When he realized it was me shouting at his friends, he shrunk down in his seat in an attempt to save himself from being involved.
Mario and Starlow stared at me wide-eyed and mouth agape. They glanced at each other with the same surprised expressions before facing me again. Slowly, their faces contorted into a small smile and then into a sly grin.
I was confused by this. But it also made me angrier for them not taking my anger seriously. I roar at them incredulously. Their grins just grew wider. "You dare to think that my anger is a humorous joke?! Even without the dark power, I will crush you! I will- urk."
Mario shoved the drumstick I momentarily forgot I was holding into my mouth. I nearly choked on it, and I gagged at the sudden entrance of food. Mario removed his hand and left the drumstick in my mouth. A victorious grin was plastered on his face as he held my mouth closed.
My eyes glowed brighter, screaming bloody murder. I wanted so bad to destroy him now! Forget what I promised to Captain! I will kill him along with his friends! I will erase him from existence for shoving this defecated anathema into my mouth! This horrid, pathetic, useless, tender, tangy... juicy... spicy... flavorful meat...
"See? Now was it so bad?" Starlow mused as I calmed down. She giggled as I began chewing the drumstick in my mouth. Mario removed his hand from my face when he saw that I was eating obediently. He placed his hands on his hips in a victory pose.
My teeth ground the drumstick's tender meat and at the same time, squeezed the tangy juices out. The spiciness added to the tang and bite of it, but that just made it all the more enjoyable. When the meat was all consumed, the bone was left. I didn't stop there, and I began chewing on the bone like a dog, extracting the juices inside of the marrow.
Mario chuckled to himself before sitting back down and grabbing another mushroom. Starlow stopped floating and settled for another biscuit. Luigi sat up and blinked at what had just happened before shrugging it off. He pulled a loaf of bread and began biting it down. I settled down and stopped floating, still chewing the bone in my mouth.
Once I extracted every edible part of the drumstick, I spat the bone out. I rumbled contently at the marvelous taste that still left in my mouth. "Having fun, Scuro?" Mario asked me with amusement.
I answer him with a somewhat delighted snort. Even though he nearly killed himself by forcefully feeding me an initially hated object, I thanked him mentally. If he hadn't done that daring and stupid act, then I wouldn't have been introduced to food. Why hadn't I eaten before? What stopped me from finally tasting and savoring something so glorious? No matter. I have been introduced to it, all thanks to the red plumber and star sprite.
Then, I felt the urge to get up and going. I couldn't hold it in anymore and I find myself floating towards Mario. I nudged him on the shoulder with my forehead. He faced me, one of his eyebrows raised in askance. As if my mouth had a mind of its own, I spoke. "Do you have more?"
Well, what do you think? Do you like this chapter or have something to ask? Tell me in the reviews!
Yes. I know the Dark Star doesn't have a visible mouth. But if you played Bowser's Inside Story and finished the level where you pursue the Dark Star in the Airway, then you know he can eat using his "mouth". How do you think he ate Bowser's DNA? It isn't exactly called absorbing because I am 110% sure that the Dark Star was chewing as he consumed the DNA.