Chapter 8: Dragon Attack
That night, Grendel and Genevra stood on the wall, accompanied by their stepmother.
"You know he never really killed her." Genevra said to her queen.
"I know." Welthow nodded.
Suddenly, the bedchamber door opened. They didn't have to turn to know who it was.
"Another restless night?" Welthow asked the whore.
"He has bad dreams." She told them.
"That doesn't surprise me." Grendel sighed.
"He's a king." Welthow pointed out. "A king has a lot on his mind."
"He calls your names in his sleep." The whore told them. "I think he still holds a place for you in his heart."
"Do you?" Genevra doubted.
"I, often wondered what happened between you." The whore admitted.
"Too many secrets." They answered.
Suddenly, of burst of fire and a roar from the church caught their attention. They gasped in horror at the golden, flying creature that burned Unferth's Catholic Church to the ground.
"No." Grendel and Genevra gasped as the golden creature turned into a golden man.
….
"It was horrible!" Grendel cried to Beowulf as the town panicked. "It was nothing I've ever seen!"
"What was it?" Beowulf demanded.
"Fire, so much fire." Genevra cried.
"Damn you!" Beowulf shouted, making his children draw back. "What was it?!"
"A dragon!" They both said together.
"You say a dragon caused all this damage?" Beowulf frowned in doubt.
"We saw it with our own eyes, father." Grendel nodded.
"Oh my god, Unferth!" Genevra gasped.
Beowulf turned to catch the warriors that were carrying the wounded man on a cross.
"Unferth, what happened?" He asked.
"A message, the creature had." Unferth started. "For six and a half years, our land was in peace and unharmed. Now that the Golden Horn has found it's way back, and the agreement has ended. Now, all Hell will wreak havoc."
"Who said that?" Beowulf demanded.
"Sins of the fathers." Unferth chuckled crazily. "It was the last thing I heard before I watched my family burn, alive!"
Beowulf, Grendel, and Genevra gasped and looked at each other in horror as Unferth continued to cry out the phrase.
War between man and demon, had started again.
….
Grendel and Genevra waited by their horses as Beowulf and Wiglaf got ready for battle.
"It's happening," Genevra cried. "It's happening again!"
"Relax, Onee-chan." Grendel assured. "Don't worry so much. We will defeat this dragon, and then, we'll be sure that mother is dead."
"How can I relax?!" Genevra shouted. "Do you really think that Beowulf will kill mother now that she's unleashed our half-brother on the land!"
"If he doesn't, we will." Grendel nodded.
"And what makes you think we're strong enough against her?!" Genevra asked. "Come on, this is our mother we're talking about. Our mother! We know what she's capable of. How are we going to stop her?!"
"Because we have the advantage." Grendel answered. "Mother has the power to seduce men. But she can't seduce her own children."
Suddenly, Beowulf and Wiglaf emerged from their chambers, dressed in armor and ready for battle.
"It is time." Beowulf nodded.
….
After a long ride through the moors, they finally arrived at the cave they visited six long years ago.
"Here we are." Wiglaf gulped. "The cave where you killed Grendel and Genevra's mother."
"Yes." Beowulf nodded before looking at Grendel. "Grendel, I have no heir, no sons but you whom I adopted. If I don't make it out of this battle alive, I leave the role of the king in your hands."
"My lord, that's crazy talk." Grendel argued. "Look at me, I am not fit to be a king. Not yet at the least. Make Wiglaf king. He's been more loyal to you than any of the soldiers and lords in the world."
"Then, I will make Wiglaf king." Beowulf agreed.
"Do you want us to go in with you?" Wiglaf asked.
"No."
"Good."
"Not this time, father." Genevra argued. "Grendel and I will go in with you."
"Children, there's something you should know."
"We know." The sibling nodded.
Beowulf nodded as he jumped off his horse, followed by Grendel and Genevra. As they approached the cave, Beowulf brought out the Royal Dragon Horn. The three of them looked to each other, nodded, and entered.
Using the light coming from the horn, they made their way through the cave and to the lair. Waiting for them, was the water demon.
"Mother." The siblings gasped.
"Hello my children." She smiled at them. "My sweet babies that left me."
"So that's why you went rogue." Grendel gasped.
"Here." Beowulf sneered as he tossed the treasure to her. "Take your treasure, leave my people alone."
"And please mother," Genevra begged. "Forgive us for wanting to live alone."
"Too late, my loves." The mother smiled evilly.
Heavy breathing above them was heard. They looked up just in time to see the dragon breath it's fire at them.
"Run!" Beowulf shouted as the dragon blew it's fire at them.
The three of them ran from the fire as fast as they could. They jumped through the cave entrance and landed face first into the snow, dodging the stream of dragon fire.
"It's heading for Herot!" Beowulf cried.
"No!" Genevra gasped. "We gotta get there first!"
"Come on then!" Wiglaf shouted as the horses reared in fear.
"We'll be back for you, later!" Grendel hissed back into the cave at his mother.
"I'm sure you will." She laughed back.