THE GOLIATHUS CHRONICLES

Chapter 10- The Battle Within

Eh, this chapter's late due to work, school, and a period where I didn't feel like writing much. So I watched JC2 again and got inspired to continue. I assure you though, one way or the other, this story will go on. Actually I'm glad for the break, it gave me some time to reflect and think out the next chapter.

/

The stag lurched from its hiding area, springing off a tall boulder and landing with a thud as all four hooves found whatever strength they held and ran like never before. The animal knew a dangerous predator was on its heels, but something told it that this was far more deadly then any wolf or bear. A creature with a huge wingspan came soaring down and onto the ground, where it was forced to land and give chase as the forest was becoming more dense. Twigs snapped and a myriad of nocturnal animals scampered away as the stag burst through a large bush, trying in desperate terror to flee its pursuer. Its hot breath steamed the night air and moisture dripped from its black nose as the panicked animal fled, its mouth wide open in panting breaths.

Let's end this.

With unfathomable strength, the winged predator leapt up high and seemed to disappear in the treetops. The stag kept running but looked around, no longer seeing its pursuer. With no scent to catch onto, the animal calmed its pace to a mere canter, looking around in confusion. Its mind told it that something dangerous had been chasing after it, but now, it seemed nothing was there.

With no visual proof as well, the stag let down its guard, and slowed its pace further still. A new instinct took over, one that told the large beast to get back to its herd. Sniffing the air, it caught the scent of its fellow deer and trotted in that direction.

And then, the winged creature leapt down from the trees in a sudden movement, capturing the stag off guard, and it was knocked down to the ground, all four hooves wildly flailing as the animal bellowed in distress.

I'm sorry. But this is the way of things.

The deer blinked a dark and widened eye at the mind-voice, and stopped struggling. Fear still gripped its mind, but it seemed to fall into some sort of understanding. Slowly, the stag relaxed its held-up head, slowly sinking back to the ground. The eye kept watching, honing right on its attacker's own gaze.

And in one swift movement, Dinarius grabbed the creature's neck, snapping it and killing it instantly.

He allowed a long moment of silence to pass between them, before gutting the animal with his huge talons.

/

Jezelle snapped out of her trance, sweat pouring down her brow. She could scarcely believe all she had seen in the past hour or so, and now, her life was in real danger. The Creeper was after her. Getting up, she smoothed out the wrinkles in her pants nervously before quickly heading to her cabinet to get some items. Fumbling around she broke about seven bottles, spilling their contents all over the floor and sink before finally finding the crushed red brick she was looking for.

And some crushed chalk.

"Protection...I need protection..."

Swiftly she went back to the circle she had drawn on her living room floor and scratched out a new and larger one with the chalk. Stepping out carefully so as not to disturb it, she then went to every door and window in the house, spreading the crushed brick along the edges. At the very moment she had finished, a large thud and the sound of footsteps could be heard in the roof.

"Oh gawd...he's here already..."

Jezelle nearly ran into her circle and sat down quickly. She put her hands together and started praying.

With a mighty crash, the Creeper tried to break through a window, but screamed out as it came near the crushed brick. He seemed unable to pass, and snarled in frustration.

"Goliathus...you stay away from me...you're not being yourself!" Jezelle yelled, her answer coming in the form of a loud roar of anger as he put a fist right through another window.

The old woman struggled to maintain her composure, but could not stop her body from shaking all over. Fear was not something she could help at this moment. If he did get a hold of her, she would surely die.

Giving up on the windows, the possessed heradus went for the door, but again snarled as he realized he could not pass.

Jezelle stared at him as he peered in, only a few feet away from the door in her circle of protection. He glared back, wild intent glazed on his blackened eyes.

And then, he sneered, an idea springing to mind. Using his powerful wings he beat them hard, causing great gusts of wind to sweep across the floor, blowing all the brick dust away and most of Jezelle's circle. As he came forward in great strides, she quickly spread more chalk around her mere seconds before he reached out, trying to grab her with one powerful arm. It was as if some kind of force field held him back, for again the Creeper found he could not go any further. Rather then get angry again, however, he only chuckled and repeated his earlier solution, blowing all the dust away with muscular wingbeats.

Sobbing, the old black woman closed her eyes and hugged her knees. If she was going to die, she didn't have to watch.

Just as she felt a large hand grasp around her neck, he suddenly snorted in a fashion that caused her to half-open one eye. His expression had changed dramatically, but he seemed far off, as if listening to something Jezelle could not hear.

In the very back of his mind, Goliathus heard the small and familiar voice echoing into his conscience.

Daddy! Daddy NO! Don't kill Nana...

The six-headed monstrosity in his head heard the voice too, and huffed, finding the child nothing but a nuisance. It grasped the chains holding Goliathus, pulling them back harder. He groaned and fought against them in vain.

Daddy, don't do it! Don't kill my Nana...

Then, the small and piteous sounds of an infant's wails filled the mental plane's atmosphere. It tore at Goliathus like knives, and in a great surge of renewed hatred towards the demon, he spun around and reached out a claw, raking the hell-spawned creature's side and opening up wounds that gushed black blood. The six heads roared and the being retaliated with its own giant claw, intending to slam it down on the heradus.

But at the last second, he pulled harder against the chains and managed to dislodge one from his leg in a great cry of pain.

Part of the demon lost its grip on him...just enough to change his decision.

Jezelle was tossed back down to the floor like a ragdoll, but the Creeper howled and spun around, leaving as suddenly as he had come. The psychic wept anew, but her tears were now of relief.

/

Dinarius gulped down the remaining half of the deer's liver before finally feeling satisfied enough.

Geez, vampire hunting is hungry work.

The deer's middle was completely emptied, and the heradus' belly distended. Content, he finally leapt into the air and made his way back towards the mama and her child. It didn't take long, he had made sure not to travel too far from where he left her. Upon getting closer to the forest clearing, he noticed the Ring of Dark Fire had returned and were watching her. Puvo had never left her side either.

All in a day's work for you, too, huh Puvo?

Upon hearing his master's mental voice, Puvo chirped and held up his quivering nose to the air. Ami looked in his direction and smiled as he landed almost as silently as an owl.

"All better now?" She grinned, pointing to his belly. "Pig."

"Hey if you were a heradus...you would understand." He came around and sat near them. "How is the baby?"

"She's been a bit restless...fidgeting in her sleep. Kinda seems a little upset about something."

Dinarius nodded knowingly. "She's got a lot to be upset about, actually." His blue eyes then focused on Ami, his expression softening.

"How are you?"

"I'm...okay...I guess. I feel a little better. Didn't by any chance bring me any of that food, did you? I could start a fire or something..."

He frowned, almost pouting. "Pigs often forget to share. Do you want me to go back? I could-"

"No, no...I was half joking, really. You stay here, where I need you. A big strong guardian to protect me and little Navius." She winked.

Dinarius felt heat flood his cheeks but thankfully his dark grey skin hid any evidence of that. "Big and strong maybe, but not always so smart."

He sighed, and stretched out into a lying position. Ami watched in fascination as he flexed those huge claws. What in the world was it, anyway, that she found so oddly attractive about claws? Were all women as weird as her?

"Thanks Dinarius. Without you I'd be dead, and so would she."

He smiled, but it was obvious painful emotions were making it half-hearted. "It's the very least I can do."

"Just don't go leaving anymore for feeding, would you? I'm too worried about so many things right now..." Ami held back tears, thinking of not only Marcus who was still around, but also Goliathus...totally torn from his true nature and sent unwillingly spinning back into his evil ways.

"I won't, I promise." Dinarius moved a bit closer to her to make sure they were warm, but he dared not get too close. Desires were already running rampant through his system and he needed to restrain them.

I'm not some kind of gawd-damned animal. Ami's in trouble and she needs a friend, not someone to take advantage of her at a time like this. Even though...she is...probably the nicest human I've ever met... so sweet...

"Dinarius?" Ami had noticed the distant look in his eyes. "You here or off flying around in la-la land?" She giggled.

"Sorry.." He looked back down to the ground before slowly averting his gaze up towards Starcrow, sitting in a low branch and every now and then cocking his head at them.

"Nice to have them around, isn't it?"

"Yeah. Though even they seem upset. They know something is wrong with the Master."

Master. Gooone... away... Starcrow cawed, ruffling all his feathers in solemn sadness.

"Don't worry, Star. You know we'll do everything we can to help him. I'm not sure how exactly, but..." he sighed again. "We'll figure it out." Even though Dinarius was always an optimist, even he was finding this depressing and almost hopeless. Just how DID he expect to help Goliathus rid himself of a thousand-year old demon in his head?

/

There were times the Creeper, even during his long and evil reign, had wished he could die. Times when guilt would plague him or he'd regret killing a human female that tried everything to appease him...even if it came down to violation.

There was also now, this time.

Somehow, whatever remained of Goliathus had won, sparing the psychic's life once more. For the moment, however brief it would be, he was back in control again. How he'd done it, he wasn't sure...but it had been painful. He wasn't sure that he wanted to feel it again...a pain that so reminded him of needles being jammed in his eyes.

Oh of course...that's what it was indeed. How could he be so stupid? The demon wanted nothing more then to remind him of his tormentors. So all the pain it caused him felt just like his worst memories.

But he had to fight this. He knew his daughter needed him, she could not survive without him. So were the ways of heradus.

How did I know that? Strange, what comes to mind when you least expect it. Father...if only you were here now. You'd know what to do, wouldn't you?

Goliathus looked up higher into the sky as if to try and see the very spirit of his father appear. But nothing was there, other then sparkling stars and the shining moon. He cried out longer and louder then he had ever before.

I WILL fight you, monster. Do you hear me! YOU WILL LEAVE ME!

Goliathus felt a sharp pain explode in his head, but he restrained from giving a scream that he knew it wanted.

He willed the pain to stop, willed with all his mental strength for the demon to withdraw further away.

And to his great astonishment, it did. Now, he had to find Ami. It was dangerous and perhaps crazy, but he needed her. She was the only real way out of this.

/

The hours passed by slowly, and the night grew colder. Ami shivered and kept Navius close to her. At this point, Dinarius had no choice, he had to get as close as possible to try and help them stay warm. At the same time, however, he wondered if staying in the forest was any real good choice...but, where would they go? It wouldn't matter if they left or not...Goliathus would find them anyway. And he would fight him, if need be, fight him to the death, if such a thing were even possible.

Ami snuggled closer to his warm skin, quickly removing Dinarius from his thoughts. He looked down and saw that her eyes were open, staring right at him.

"You sure you're ok?"

"Yeah..." She sighed. "It's just...your eyes. I've never seen eyes such a gorgeous, vibrant blue...they're practically mesmerizing me." Grinning, she stroked his cheek then closed her eyes, forcing herself to try and get some sleep.

Damn. There were those hormones again, making him nearly crazy. The poor human had been through so much, and just given BIRTH not too long ago, what the hell was he thinking anyway?

Puvo made it all too clear what he was thinking, his words appearing in his mind like engravings.

Love her?

No...no. This is just...just lust. He knew it was a lie, even as he said it. Don't pay any attention to it. I'm here to protect her and fight against the vampires...that is all. Besides, you know she's with Goliathus...

Love her. Yes. Puvo snorted, which for a bat sounded very odd indeed.

Quit it, bat-brains. I don't need your two cents anyway.

Puvo didn't seem all that convinced and with a huffy chirp curled himself into a ball to rest.

Somebody tell me what I am supposed to do...Sighing heavily, Dinarius wrapped himself tight around Ami, Navius, and little Puvo, while the ocean of black eyes watched them, all blinking in perfect synchronization.

End Chapter 10 part 1

/

I know this is short, but I wanted to get something out before any more time went on. I'll have the next part out as soon as I can manage.