OH MY GOD GUYS...HOLY SHIT...IM SO HAPPY...THIS CANT BE HAPPENING! PINCH ME IM DREAMING!
(tries to breath calmly) fails... *squealing* I GOT FAN ART!
To RejectedApe on tumblr: OH SWEET JESUS, I LOVE YOU! NOT EVEN JOKING, THANK YOU SO MUCH! YOUR ART LOOKS SO GOOD! MY BABIES...THEY'RE SO BEAUTIFUL. *sniffing* i absolutely loved it! Mason and Ross made me laugh so hard!
okay i need to calm down...*deep breaths* anybody who has a tumblr and is following needs to see RejectedApe's art for this story. im getting excited all over again...
Ape, as a thank you, i give you the next chapter! Ta da!
hey guys...we're starting to build to this story's climax! believe me when im just as excited as you guys! (assuming you're excited). ive been wanting to type these parts of the story for almost two years! and now its finally happening. so sit back, relax, and enjoy. or get on the edge of your seat if its suspenseful enough, which hopefully it is.
It was barely even time for breakfast and Batlash was having to deal with strange incidents and idiots.
In his office, which used to be the Queen's, the Boggan Lord was rubbing his temples to fight the migraine that was developing. A knock on his door however, signaled to him that someone wanted to see him and he needed to stop acting weak. "Enter."
Thankfully, it was just the person he needed to speak to. Madam Belladonna had come to give her report. The matriarch of the spider Jinn stood at nearly seven feet tall. The top half of her was that of a slim, young woman with gray skin, long dark hair, and eight pitiless black eyes. Woven into her hair was the finest stones and precious metals the earth had to offer. Four elegant arms were crossed across her chest, her wrists adorned with gold and silver bangles. Starting at her waste was the bulky thorax of a wolf spider, supported by four long, muscular legs. The Madam smiled, revealing a mouth that only housed a pair of short, sharp pincers, the ends of which could inject deadly toxin into any that crossed her.
Batlash couldn't help but reflect upon her every time they were alone in a room. She was beautiful and monstrous all in one. His eyes couldn't help but follow the curves of her top half and linger longer than deemed polite on her chest. It didn't help that Belladonna seemed to have a seductive nature towards all males, no matter their species.
"My Lord," she purred, bowing low at the waste, giving him a full, shameless view of her cleavage.
"Give your report, Madam," he ordered in a clipped tone that he uses just for her.
"Please, how many times must I tell you? All my good friends call me Bella," she replied with a wink.
He waited in silence, glad that his mask could hide his emotions, or else she would have seen how he struggled to keep a leering smirk off his face.
Unperturbed by the lack of response, Belladonna continued. "It seems as if the explosion that we heard earlier was the sound a bomb. Many bombs in fact."
"Elaborate."
"Apparently, someone was clever enough to lure almost all of my spider hordes out of their tunnels. The primitive beasts ran straight into a trap and they payed the price," she spat.
This was why Batlash had created ties with Belladonna. Most other Madams were seen as a mother figure of the spiders, a worshiped idol that cared for her wayward, less-than-intelligent children. Belladonna was different in the aspect that she saw her spider brethren as stupid animals that were only good to be used as tools. She did not possess weakness like the others.
"Beasts or not, we still need them to keep this fortress secured," Batlash reminded her. "How many are still here?"
"Enough to stand guard at the entrances but not enough to patrol the tunnels."
Batlash drummed his fingers on his desk in thought. "That means that someone is trying to infiltrate the stronghold through the tunnels. In fact, they could already be here..."
"In that case, my dear," the gypsy drolled, black lips stretching into a bloodthirsty smile. "Allow me to find them and skin them alive for you. You know such a thing would be child's play for me."
"I would usually allow that. But I have a feeling that I will need these intruders alive."
She quirked an eyebrow in confusion, disappointed at denial of a hunt. "What do you mean?"
Technically, the Lord didn't have to explain anything to her. She would have to follow his orders without question anyway. Yet she was smarter than many of his other minions and it was better that she was informed. A lack of information would only irritate her and then he'd loose his influence.
"As you know, I'm trying to keep control of this territory," he began. "But at the same time, I'm trying to locate a powerful relic that can secure my hold on Moonhaven permanently. This relic, unfortunately, is attached to a fugitive Jinn. His whereabouts are a mystery to us, but I think that will change in the next few hours."
He was cut off by another knock on his door. Giving permission to enter, Savidicus stepped into the room, saluting him. Batlash's hand went up to his face to adjust his mask, making sure that it was still secure. This Boggan was more intelligent than the rest of them. Because of this, The Lord promoted him and constantly assigned him missions that took him away from the homeland. Unease settled in Batlash's stomach every time they meet.
"My Lord," the Boggan greeted. He had returned two days ago, his mission to retrieve the rose a failure, though Savidicus had not acted like a shamed soldier. Batlash had been so busy with everything else, he didn't punish the Boggan.
The Lord gestured for him to make his report, fingers still prodding at his mask. Savidicus continued. "Something strange is happening with the prisoners today. They seem excited for some reason."
Batlash forgot his unease for a moment, his attention grabbed by the statement. "Really? You're a sharp one, Savidicus. What would you say is causing this change in behavior?"
The Boggan was silent as he thought out a careful answer. "If I had to guess, I'd say they're planning something."
Batlash clenched his hand into a fist under his desk. The spiders running out of their tunnels, the prisoners acting suspicious. The pieces began to fall in place...
Just when it was dawning on him, there was another knock at his door, with a near-frantic guard of low ranking bursting in without his permission. Before he could reprimand the fool, he sputtered out his report.
"Lord Batlash! There's an unconscious sentry by the door that leads into the catacombs, sir!"
And the puzzle was complete.
The Boggan guard gasped as he tried to catch his breath. "Should I alert the army, sir?"
Batlash had to fight to keep the smile out of his voice. "No. Don't let anyone know what's happening or your tongue will be cut out. Leave, and pretend that nothing's wrong."
The Boggan stared dumbly at him for a second before complying, lest he suffered the wrath of his superior. Savidicus quickly caught on to his master's intentions. "You don't want the intruders to know that we're on to them."
Batlash ignored him and turned to Belladonna, who had been strangely quiet and had yet to make a move on Savidicus. "Madam, I have a job for you."
The spider gypsy slit-like nose wrinkled at his authoritative tone but it vanished with her sultry smile. "Anything, my Lord."
"Go down to the slaves and make a few rounds. Use those wonderful senses of yours to find any trouble."
"And if I find any?"
The Lord turned his back on her dismissively, as he began pacing, thoughts flying through his head. "Do not kill them, that is all."
He heard the snarl in her throat but she merely drawled, "As you wish," and left the room. He then addressed Savidicus, not bothering to hide his smug tone.
"Our bird is already in its cage. Now we just have to lock the door."
"I can't believe that actually worked," Ross whispered under his breath so only his allies could hear him.
"I can," M.K. replied. "This is the second time I had to do it! And it still smells like something died in here."
Mason smiled at her. "That's because-"
"Something did," she finished for him. "I've heard it before, thank you."
The three of them had just walked past the sentries that were guarding the perimeter around Moonhaven. Not one of them gave the three a second glance, due to the disguises they wore. A Boggan's brilliant night vision was countered terrible day vision. Dressing as a Boggan didn't take too much creativity anyway. All they needed was dead leaves and the remains of what was left of the spiders that morning. The redhead cringed as she tried not to think about the freshly dead hide draped over her, her skin crawling in disgust. She was going to smell so bad by the end of this. How long had it been since she had a proper shower?
When they had walked further in, they were met with a sorry sight. Moonhaven was...ripped apart. The beauty of the secret place was utterly gone. The flowers were killed, the water was tainted, and the green moss and grass had been stripped away like a fresh scar. Even more deplorable was the exhausted, thin bodies of the Leafmen, working to destroy their own home, the place they had all sworn an oath to protect.
M.K. could not stop the tears welling up in her eyes and she fought not to let out a sob. It was only the spider skull covering her face that hid her despair, but Ross saw her start to shake. Discreetly, he placed a firm hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. He in turn, was trying to control his anger at the sight. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mason go stiff then turn his gaze away, maybe to control his own emotions.
"Keep moving," the golden-haired boy murmured, reminding both of them of their mission.
The girl took a moment to regather her composure, then the shaking stopped. Ross was secretly impressed that she pulled herself back together so quickly. Perhaps he was wrong about M.K. from the very beginning and she was never a liability. Despite not having enough training, she was level-headed and determined even when surrounded by the enemy on all sides.
"The longer we linger, the bigger the chance of us getting caught," Ross reasoned. "Follow me and keep my pace. Try to act normal."
He led them to the barracks, walking at what he hoped was a nonchalant stroll. M.K. followed just a little bit behind him on his left and Mason bravely flanked his right. They kept their gazes straight ahead to avoid garnering unwanted attention.
As they walked, they noticed the glances that the prisoners shot at each other as they worked. Sterling's message had spread like an invisible wild fire. M.K. wished they had a way of telling the Leafmen that they were with them but they couldn't risk acting out of the norm. Surprise was all they had.
They were nearing the barracks when they noticed the thickening group of Leafmen. The Boggans standing guard were acting edgy. Both groups could sense something in the air, making everyone's instincts ring alarm bells. Any second now, the Leafmen were going to do something- shout, goad, start a fight- anything to distract the Boggans long enough for them to place their bombs.
Ross saw a young Leafman stalk toward the guards, looking ready to throw the first punch. He took a threatening step forward but he wasn't even close when something jumped on him. It happened too fast. The Leafman's shout was cut off abruptly before anyone could move to help him. Ross, Mason, and M.K. froze.
It was a spider gypsy. A really big one. She shuffled off the Leafman's prone body, licking her sharp fangs in delight. Ross's wide eyes traveled down to the young man's neck. She had bit him clean through the throat.
The monstrous woman laughed coldly at the other prisoners. "Does anyone else want to try anything rash?"
Already the plan was falling apart. Without a diversion, there would be no bombs, no rallying the Leafmen to fight, and no assassination of the Boggan leader. This creature would kill them before they got close.
As if things couldn't get any worse, the spider gypsy sniffed the air like a bloodhound. All eight eyes, dark and cold, pinned onto the three of them. Unknown to the teenagers, their surmounting fear had given them away. Belladonna could smell it, tinged with a scent that was not Boggan. She smiled cruelly; Batlash would be pleased with her for finding the troublemakers so quickly.
"What's taking them so long?" Thryn asked anxiously, continuously checking over her shoulder at the door behind them.
"I don't know," Lex replied, her sharp eyes narrowing as she tried to spot her friends in the crowd. "I can't see them anymore."
"Something's definitely gone wrong," Nod added. "The bombs should have gone off by now. Unless they were never placed..."
"If nothing's going to happen, then we need retreat," Thryn reasoned. "It's getting too dangerous."
Jason's blue gaze whipped toward her. "But the others down below..."
Thryn shook her head, her expression as hard as stone, but Jason could see the uncertainty and worry in her gray eyes. "We have to trust that they can get themselves out."
Nod didn't tear his eyes away from the view, brown orbs desperately searching for red hair among the brown and gray. "I'm not leaving M.K. down there."
He had made sure to say it in such a hard, unmoving tone, one that left no room for argument. But Thryn was Thryn and he heard her take in a breath to do just that, and in turn he prepared himself to act the most stubborn, love-sick boyfriend he could muster.
Neither of them got the chance to do that though.
A sinister laugh and slow clapping came from the passage. They all whirled around, fear pitting in their stomachs at the sight of the Boggan behind them. He was average size and dressed menacingly in a grotesque spider skin on his shoulders, the legs still attached and dragging behind him on the floor. A spider skull mask covered his face, broken by eight eye holes. They all knew who he was, their fear spiking as they stood face-to-face with him at last. Lord Batlash.
He wasn't alone. Another Boggan was with him, watching them all impassively. He was stout and short but his eyes told of uncanny intelligence. He almost looked bored by the whole affair. He wore armor made of turtle shell and the white skull of the same reptile on his head, but unlike his leader, his face was uncovered. A long, sharp spear of animal bone rested by his side, not pointing at them but threatening all the same.
"At long last we meet," the Lord stated smoothly, though Nod caught the victory in his voice. It was no mystery as to who the Boggan was addressing, and the boy met his enemy's black gaze, willing himself not to look away.
Nod had chosen that morning to wear a waste length, dark green cloak to better blend in with his surroundings and to hide the rose. It could have been a see-through veil for all its worth as Batlash's gaze seemingly pierced through it like daggers right where the rose rested against his side. It made Nod's skin itch uncomfortably, the rose shifting into a tighter grip on his arm, as if it feel the malicious intent.
"You have been my target for quite some time now," the Lord continued when it was clear that none of them would speak. "However, I don't know your name. Care to enlighten me?"
Nod's throat was dry as he debated whether he should reveal it to him or not. What did it matter at this point? "Nod," he said, mentally patting himself on the back when his voice didn't crack.
The Boggan dipped his head. "Good. I dare say you know who I am. Now, will you kindly come with me?"
"Like hell he will," Thryn growled, stepping in front of her friend. Her twin katanas were already drawn and raised in the defensive.
Lex fearlessly stepped up with her, bow and arrow in hand, her gold-green eyes glinting dangerously. Jason also bravely stood behind him. They weren't best friends but Nod really felt for the boy for doing that for someone he barely knew.
"Why I would expect anything less?" Batlash commented. "Even the Leafwomen don't know when to stand down. If you come quietly, I'll let your friends go unharmed."
At this, Nod couldn't help but snort. "You should know that these two young ladies with me are more then just pretty faces. They can kick your ass any day of the week. And Jason's deadly with his lamp."
"Thanks Nod," the blonde quipped back, a shaky smile crossing his face. "I try my best."
"Focus, both of you!" Thryn barked sharply, reminding Jason of an overly-hyped soccer mom.
Batlash tsked and shook his head in disappointment. "I wasn't talking about these friends."
Even though they were high above ground level, they could hear the scream. A scream of terror and pain. Nod knew from Ronin's constant lectures that taking your eyes off your opponent is the stupidest thing he could do, but he recognized that crying voice, and it opened up a box of emotions that he had never felt the likes of which before. Oh, god...
M.K...
Her Boggan disguise had been ripped aside, exposing her flaming red hair, drawing his eye immediately. A splash of color against a lifeless canvas. She was surrounded by grinning Boggans, Ross and Mason flanking her side like they were trying to shield her from them. They had failed miserably. A giant spider gypsy had her pinned down, the sharp feet stabbing her in the shoulders and drawing blood.
"I can call Madam Belladonna off," came the slimy voice of Batlash. The only thing keeping Nod from attacking the Boggan was Lex and Thryn standing between them. "But at the moment, she's been allowed to deal with any intruders as she sees fit. She'll kill the girl unless you allow yourself to be captured. I'd choose quickly; Belladonna likes to play with her food before slowly killing the victim with her toxic bite."
Nod had no idea that Batlash was bluffing and the Madam was told not to kill, but was actually just giving in to her brutal tendencies. All Nod knew was that as much as his inner-Ronin screamed at him to get over his emotions and think for a second, he couldn't, because there was no time for that. Any second, that monster could plunge her pincers into M.K. and subject her to a painful death by venom. He could not let that happen, he couldn't imagine a world without her! It made him physically sick.
"Alright, enough!" he snapped, using his anger to hide his paralyzing terror. "Just let them all go and I'll give you what you want." He pulled his right arm out from under the cloak, exposing the rose just to prove his point.
Despite the mask, he could hear the infuriating smirk in Batlash's voice. "Smart move." Then, in a surprising loud, carrying voice, he shouted to the ears down below. "Belladonna! Stand down!"
Nod watched anxiously as the spider woman eyes turned away from M.K. to look up in their general direction. A flash of rage and disgust crossed her features and for a moment, it looked as if she was going to kill M.K. anyway. Then, to the young man's great relief, she moved away.
M.K. got to her feet, a hand clenched on one of her bleeding shoulders, fixing a heated glare on the Madam. She was wounded but still standing and defiant. God, he was so proud of her.
Lord Batlash moved to stand by the edge, once again addressing the crowd below in his carrying, commanding voice. "The foolhardy whelps down there have a minute's head start to start running! Only after that, my Boggan hordes, they are free game!"
A hungry cackle rippled through the mob. Mason took M.K. gently by the arm to guide her away, but her heels dug into the ground. Her wide eyes were searching frantically for Nod's. She knew what had happened.
The Lord folded his hands behind his back formally. "As promised," he asserted. "Now come with me like a good boy."
"And my friends with me here?" the teen stalled, though he felt that he already knew the answer. "They go free as well?"
The cruel Lord chuckled; Nod took that as a no. "We made no agreement about them. Honestly, I expected more from you Leafmen! Savidicus, kill the others and-"
"And I expected no less from you Boggans!" Thryn cut off. Unexpectedly, she whistled. Time to summon the extraction team!
A cardinal and a swallow streaked towards them, while two other large birds flew for Mason, Ross, and M.K. In the same instant, Savidicus threw his spear, aiming to impale Lex in the chest. The spear's aim was dead-on until a gust of powerful gales blew it away like a twig. Patamon to the rescue!
But the birds could not fly fast enough, and the sylph's winds were only effective if he knew an attack was coming. However, none them saw this attack coming.
Batlash surged forward, covering the short distance in less than a second. He tackled Nod with what felt like the unstoppable force of a stampede. Completely off balance, the boy took one step backward and fell.
Both of them. Right over the edge.
For what could only be for seconds (though to Nod, they felt like an eternity), the two grappled as they plummeted to the ground. Batlash's meaty hands circled Nod's throat and squeezed harshly. With his air supply cut off and the strength of his opponent exceeding his, Nod couldn't flip their positions for Batlash to break their fall.
Nod took the impact full-on. He knew he survived because of the flashing agony roaring through his body, easily the most painful thing he ever experienced. Even with the difference in mass, he must have broken some ribs. What little air was left in his lungs had been punched out. The boy desperately clawed for air as his lungs refused to work properly and blackness crept over his vision. The last thing he saw before losing consciousness was the sky being blocked out by the leering dark faces of the Boggans.
hey you just read this, and it is crazy! but there's the button, so post a review maybe?
ugh, i better never write a song haha ;)