-(SkekTek, earlier)-
I don't like this, SkekTek thought. The last thing I need is to be near a smelly Podling and cursed Arathim. Especially after one of them possessed me! His face was stuck in a permanent scowl. His nose burned from the scent of death, making him consider that he should rethink Podlings of being smelly after this. He could feel the Threader, who Razz introduced as Orchid, hidden under his first layers of robes on his shoulder. He tried to refrain from shuttering because it would only make 'her' want to crawl in another spot. It was bad enough that Grumble the Fizzgig was perched on the other side. The other Fizzgig, Fearless, rolled close to him. He looked at the Silk Spitter that went by the name Shield. Each step the large creature took was filled with fear and caution. "I hate to admit it, but I agree with him." He whispered.
SkekLach scowled. "Blech!" He said in the lowest voice he could muster. "This smells like something di-" He stopped in mid-sentence. "Never mind. Let's just find Ghost and get out of here. This place is making me want to throw up."
The Podling, who the Scientist now knows is named Hup, waved his spoon around. He even had one hand pulling up his scarf to block out the smell. He tried his best to peer into the darkness and managed to avoid hitting three pillars. His spoon might be a bit of a problem if he's going to battle. He suddenly stopped when heard something close by. A rattling of chains. A few roars and hums.
Fearless growled. The grey Fizzgig started to bark at an unknown shape.
There seemed to be bars in front of them. Before anyone could stop the little creature from getting any louder, a large foot appeared in front of the cage. Fearless was soon knocked on her back with tremendous force. Hup grabbed her before she was barking again.
SkekTek stared in pure fascination. The creature looked like a large owl. It started giving off a soft glow that brightened the room. It was soon followed by several other glows which showed all the beasts that reside in the cages. Each holding a large creature or a frightful being that might have been civilized once upon a time. The owl was big enough to blot out the moon. A light blue coloration. It wore a mask that resembled a bird-like muzzle. Dark eyes filled with curiosity and caution. "Astounding...I've never seen a creature this large to have that amount of bioluminescence. The way that the lights within the feathers are set up, it looks like camouflages with the night sky." He felt a tap on his shoulder. He nearly jumped when Orchid started to move. The scientist soon focused on what needed to be done.
The Collector walked over to a strange workbench. It was littered with bones. He moved them around. Then,he found a strange box. The box was about the regular size of a Gelfling. There were symbols etched into the wood. On the top of the chest was a blue starfish. "Hey Scientist, what do you make of this?"
SkekTek, the Fizzgigs, Hup and Shield walked over to where SkekLach was. They were all entranced by the design of the box. SkekTek took a hold of it and looked closely. His synthetic claws following the carvings. His golden eyes narrowed in thought. A bizarre design. Nothing I've seen before. Might be at least a hundred trine. Then, he heard a noise. He watched Orchid move forward as she crawled down his arm. The little Threader was curious about what she was seeing. Even he couldn't ignore the fact that some light peeked out of the -thump. The two of them squeaked. Orchid ran up back to his shoulder while SkekTek made a frantic attempt to avoid dropping it. There was no doubt that something was alive in there.
Suddenly, they heard a different noise. A door being opened. Heavy footsteps echoed the halls. A hush reaching them. The lights started to dim. Chains rattled. "Hide." Said a voice that was the closest to the group. A female. "Hide, fools. Hide. Or you'll end up like your friend."
SkekLach looked confused. "What is she talking about?" Instead of getting an answer, he felt his rear hit by a hard shell. He turned to glare at Shield. Before he could protest, the footsteps got louder. Followed by a blade dragged against the floor. He quickly made for a pillar.
SkekTek searched against the cells for a safe place to hide. Suddenly, he was suddenly pulled by his robe. He realized it was the bird from earlier. For some reason, he can feel the intelligence in those eyes. SkekTek tried to allow himself to be buried by feathers. They were surprisingly supple despite the condition they were in. He peeked to see Hup hiding in a deep corner of a cell that shared with several other creatures that he knew wouldn't hurt the Podling. Shield was on the ceiling. He could feel Orchid crawl up his arm, close to his collar. His beak tightened in hopes that he wouldn't Fizzgigs rolled behind him. Grumble whimpered while Fearless gave a low growl.
As the footsteps came closer, a figure was slightly seen through the remaining light. It was large. An outline was that of a bear with a rhino horn stuck to his head. The breathing is raspy. A sword simply scraped against the floor. It was wearing a mask. However, the smell of death was stronger coming from him. Small gagging sounds briefly heard in the group. Shield was visibly shaking at the sight of this ominous warrior. He, as far as the group could tell through the bulk, reached to the workbench. He loomed over the box as if it was his special prize.
"I know you can hear us." He said in a gravelly voice. His claws lightly followed the carvings. "You can't deny us your power forever. You know you'll have to pick your host soon enough. The other two may be stubborn, but they have emotion. You do not. Our king is a worthy partner. Choose him and you'll exist."
"Who is he talking to?" SkekLach asked.
"He crazy." Hup whispered. He noticed a few eyes on him. "What? It true."
"The hearts you guard are important." The stranger continued. "They keep his subjects in line as well as free them from their burden." He suddenly began to sniff. His head began to whip around. He started to move around the cells. His steps are heavy and almost difficult to do. Head swaying from side to side. A large tail dragged to the floor. Heavy breathing echoed in the halls.
SkekTek could sense that they had to get out of here and fast! He reached into his robes for some of his tools that he always carried with him just in case. He peered through the feathers and found a shackle clasped on the bird's leg. He fiddled with a lock until it finally clicked. He grabbed it before it had a chance to fall on the floor. He held back a scream as the steps got too close. Then, he had an idea. One that a certain Threader wasn't going to like. "Hey," he whispered. His warm breath made the little creature sneeze. "Orchid, is it? Can you see if you can distract that large fellow? It would buy me enough time for me to create a bigger distraction for the rest of a castle. Even lure Ghost down here." There was only silence. Great, he thought. Serves me right to talk to a little bug with little logic.
Suddenly, Orchid went down his robes and scuttled over to the looked up. Gulped hard. For Ghost, She thought. I'm doing it for Ghost. Not because that scaly smarty told me. In her Aranthim language, she got his attention. She squeaked as she narrowly avoided the large claws coming after her. Orchid frantically ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Hoping that it would make him chase her. The creature threw an axe right into her path. She briefly saw her reflection before turning to the assailant. Her heart thundered in her body.
"Interesting." The horned creature said. Upon a closer inspection, his mask was bear-like. Two pairs of ears perched on top of his head. "I have a feeling that the spirits had damaged the castle, but I failed to realize that a tiny creature like yourself would care about that squeaky Skeksis. Considering what they've done to your kind. Little Arathim." He lifted his head. He sniffed a bit more. Even though he was emotionless, the statement could be mistaken for smug.
Orchid stiffened. What do I do? She thought. I was to distract him, but all I did was possibly notify that there might be others here! Suddenly, a loud boom vibrated throughout the castle. To her relief, the creature looked up. Orchid saw her moment to jump. She then noticed a set of keys hidden in the fold of his cloak. She leaped over to the set. Her legs made frantic work to undo the loop that the keys were trapped in. She was only able to get them off when claws wrapped around her. She looked back into the dark, soulless eyes.
"Don't waste your breath grabbing the keys. Your compassion is messing with you." The creature stated. "Tell me...where are your friends?" A screech answered his question. He was pinned to the ground by a large talon that belonged to the large blue bird from earlier. His grasp loosened on Orchid, causing her to fly in mid-air along with the keys.
Heeeelllp! She shrieked. Orchid was about to hit the wall when she felt the metallic claws of Scientist. She looked up at him confused.
"Don't look at me. I only did it for Ghost." The blue Skeksis fiddled with the keys. He tilted his head as a thought came to him. "I see where you're going with this." SkekTek looked to see the monster rising up. He quickly began to unlock a few doors. As he neared Hup's hiding place, he pulled out a key and tossed it to him. He was about to go for the next cell when he had to dodge the horn. His sleeve was torn by a swung axe.
The monster growled. His legs stamped the ground. He charged. Then, SkekLach knocked the creature over. "What are you two waiting for? Run!" The Collector caught a key with his claw. "What am I-"
"Unlock the cells and run!"
-(SkekVar, SkekSa and Gurjin)-
Gurjin looked around. He nearly bumped into another pillar until SkekVar grabbed him. The Drenchen turned his gaze to the armor clad Skeksis. He hardly worked with the General so it felt weird being with two lords and not working alongside Rian. He continued moving until SkekSa started to raise a hand to halt them.
"Do I smell something?" Mariner asked.
SkekVar looked at her as if it was the dumbest question he's ever heard. "I can only smell death here!"
"Can't aruge with that." Gurjin agreed. He squinted his eyes when he noticed something. A light. "Am I hallucinating or is that a light coming down a few feet from us?"
The Mariner squinted her eyes to follow his gaze. SkekVar followed it. They both saw a light blue glow peeking out of the corner of the hallway they were on. It does come off warm and inviting, but...SkekSa couldn't help but feel her feathers raise against her head. Being in this castle alone was bad enough, but looking in another room. She shook herself and pulled out her cutlass. She walked over and peered into the room. It seems to be filled with cradles. "All clear!" She whispered. SkekSa walked in slowly. SkekVar and Gurjin closed behind her.
SkekVar walked over to the nearest cradle. In it was a small form. Even in the darkness, SkekVar could see that it was a creature he's never seen before. He lowered his nose to sniff at the children. They didn't smell of death. It resembled a bit of a plant with some flower petals perched on its head. Suddenly, it's eyes snapped open. The General nearly jumped and choked back a shout. His amber eyes began to notice that there was something unsettling about those eyes. They were grey orbs in the dim light. However, it wasn't the color so much as the lack of emotion in them. "Mariner! Gurjin! Look!"
Gurjin looked at the infant that was in the cradle. He waved a hand over its face. No reaction. It didn't flinch, giggle, cry or scream. It just simply stared at him. He backed away from the cradle and continued to look further down. He began to take note that the floor was covered in some strange silk. It crackled under his weight. When he touched it, a cool sensation tickled his fingers. Gurjin then noticed that one crib was empty but had a red stain present. The Drenchen's blood ran cold. His mouth went dry. What sort of nursery is this?!
A clicking noise echoed through the room. SkekSa raised her cutlass high. She grabbed a nearby torch with her free hand. She raised it toward the roof. Her red eyes caught the sight of a bluish white creature scurrying away from the light. Then, she noticed one corner of the room had light blue eyes glittering the darkness. SkekSa instinctively backed away slowly. Hissing soon followed. "We'll need to go...Now!" She said in a hushed voice.
SkekVar gasped. He started to see another pair of blue eyes. Four of them at least. They looked like Arathim, but furrier and clear as ice. He turned to see Gurjin wave his sword out. A thunder echoed in the castle. Some of the debris was starting to fall. He narrowly dodged one on his right. "Run, you fools! Run!"
-(SkekSo)-
SkekSo pushed a heavy door with all of his might. He wheezed hard. He shifted his covering. He'd been lucky to put that thing back on before anyone saw. The Emperor thought back to what Ghost had said. The look of betrayal on her face. That expression he'd seen twice now. The first time, he'd seen it was when Ghost got caught being with the Arathim. Then, what he said to her back at the cavern. Ghost's emotions are beyond silly, he thought. She knows nothing of running an empire. She's just a small, useless Gelfling. Somehow, the word useless left a terrible taste in his mouth.
His blue eyes narrowed as he had a better look at the room he walked in. It was dimly lit by strings of light that seemed to be nestled in root-like structures. Each a different color of reds, blues, greens and a few whites. It still held the same smell as the other rooms he'd been to. Most of them are filled with chained prisoners. None of them understood what he said and just stared blankly at him. However, the air felt chillier in this particular room. He tugged at his robes to keep the sensation off. Then, he saw a table that had something sitting on top of the oaken wood. He walked over.
On the table was a scroll. For some odd reason, it had chains wrapped around it. What was even stranger was the fact that it felt really heavy when SkekSo picked it up. "What the-What sort of trickery is this?!" A moan was heard. He tucked the scroll away and turned to the noise. "Hello?" No one was there. "Whoever you are...Show yourself!" He nearly fell over when a strange rumble filled the castle. He couldn't explain it, but he felt a slight tingle all over his body. Like being hugged by a gentle force. "Ghost?"
Suddenly, cracks began to appear. Then, the lights of the roots began to shift. A purple light leaked out. It took on the form of a large wolf on two legs. It began to turn and face the stunned Emperor. "By Thra…"
-(SkekMal, throne room, present)-
SkekMal cradled the little white Gelfling in his arms. She no longer smelled of death but she didn't look well. In the dim light, she had taught skin. Her eyes closed. Her breath wheezed slightly. Her whole body burned of fever. He looked to see SkekEkt next to her. The once fashionable Skeksis laid on the floor unmoving. The Hunter faced the group. He pulled out his blades as he swung them at oncoming foes. He managed to keep them at bay, making sure that none of them touched Ghost or SkekEkt.
To his shock, his upper arm was suddenly caught in the jaws of a wolf-creature. He tried to counter with a swing of his other arm, but claws grabbed it quickly. SkekMal saw the other masked assailants walking over to his charges when Rian and Ordon jumped into battle. The two Stonewood Gelflings swung their blades at them. Rian did a fierce kick that caused one masked creature in the form of a monkey to back away.
The little Grotten, known as Deet, flew in the middle of the battle. She gingerly picked up Ghost. Setting Ghost up in a piggy-back position. She ran a few feet then turned back to the hunter. "I'll carry Ghost. You can meet us at the door." She continued to run with Rian close behind her, guarding the Grotten with his life.
The Hunter wanted to protest but the searing pain in his arms reminded him of what had to be done. He cried out as his arm broke in two places underneath the jaw. The claws threaten to twist the other arm. He plunged his blades into the monster, but it showed no backing down. SkekMal would've been impressed if the opponent didn't have the scent of death. How it burned his nostrils. Suddenly, he heard a screech and was soon broken free from the monster. As he cradled his arms, he saw Razz flying close.
The bird panted heavily. Eyes filled with fear. "Run! You crazed Beaky! Run! King Neco will…" He was stopped short as he gazed on the king.
SkekMal followed it. The mask King Neco was wearing fell. Standing before him was something he's never seen before. The upper portion of the head was entirely made of bone. Violet eyes flashed through the eye sockets. King Neco simply stood there. As if he wanted to know what the Hunter would do next. Something about this made SkekMal's skin turn cold. "She interests you...Doesn't she?"
SkekMal was about to say something when another rumble erupted. He soon realized that the throne behind King Neco changed. The statues began to pulse purple. Limbs began to move. Stone turned to teeth. Roars began to erupt. His green eyes lit up with excitement. More creatures for the hunt. Suddenly, the throne room started to crumble. Slaves started to run and scream once their chains broke by some rock. He wanted to walk forward only to be stopped by Razz. The grey bird had his talons deep in his black pelt. "Let go!"
"No!" Razz screeched. "Won't hunt if dead! Now run!" Razz was smacked away by SkekMal. The grey bird flew away to join Deet and the others.
SkekMal looked back at the king. He could never ignore that burning desire to hunt. He sees so many worthy trophies before him. His arms still burned with pain from the bite. Yet, Ghost was his original hunt. The reason he came. Suddenly, the image of her small form in his arms made those desires vanish. He wanted to be back with her. He growled. "This isn't over." He picked up the Ornamentalist and ran, dodging a few more masked adversaries. Before long he joined the others.
"So," Rian spoke. He swung his sword at an oncoming guard "What's the plan?"
"Uhh…" Deet said. "I guess find the others."
"This place is coming down", Ordon pointed out. "They can be anywhere. For now we need to find an exit so we can find them from the outside."
"But-" Deet was cut off as the group, with the exception of SkekMal and Razz, crashed into something hard. Being piled on by something very heavy. "Heeelllp!"
"Ow!"
"Watch it!"
"Get your claws off of me!"
"That's my tail!"
"GRAAAHISS!"
After a while of struggling to get off and entanglement, the group was able to separate to see each other clearly. A mixture of emotions rang as everyone talked at once. Relief. Fear. Pure horror.
"Quiet!" SkekSo roared. Everyone turned their gaze to him. His blue gaze went hard for a moment. His lips tightened and he gripped the scroll he had under his robe. He then noticed SkekEkt on SkekMal's back. His mouth went dry. "Ornamentalist...Is he?"
SkekTek quickly went over to him. "Alive, but barely." He squawked when roars erupted.
"Oh Thra no…" SkekLach said. "Anyone spotted a window by any chance?"
Gurjin looked down the hall that SkekLach just came from. His eyes widened in disbelief. "What did you guys do?"
"I could ask the same thing!" SkekTek snapped.
Suddenly, Shield growled and pointed to something. Hup followed the direction of the leg. His dark eyes widened. "There! A way out! Hurry!" He held onto Shield and the Fizzgigs as he started to move. Before long, everyone ran in that direction. The Skeksis would be against it but the sounds of creatures were running towards them. Shield began to knock some rock away, shooting silk webbing from his mouth. Before long, the hole was thick and wide enough to jump out.
"Mariner!" SkekVar yelled. He could see the spider-like creatures starting to emerge from the shadows. His eyes grew wide with fear. "Call your beast, NOW!"
SkekSa immediately pulled out her whistle. With one harsh blow, the sound reverberated throughout the halls. She adjusted her hat as she looked below. Large bubbles were starting to appear on the water's surface. "Jump!" She took a leap without any hesitation.
"Wait for me!" SkekVar said. He soon jumped after them with his Emperor close behind them. Ordon soon joined.
Rian turned to Deet. "Give me Ghost! It'll be easier for you to fly." Before the Grotten could do so, SkekMal grabbed her. Rian glared in shock. "Hey! What are you doing?"
"She's my trophy! She's too puny to be any trouble." SkekMal said.
"But your arm-" Deet protested.
"I'll be fine! Go!" SkekMal shoved the two hard. He watched as Deet rightened herself in time to catch Rian. He ignored the pain in his arm. He jumped with little effort. Razz followed after him.
"Jump Spitter!" Hup said. "Jump!" He looked behind to see more coming. He tried hitting Shield but the Silk Spitter didn't move. Hup began to notice strong fear in the insect eyes. He got off and began to push as hard as he could. Then, with a growl, the Podling paladin backed away and slammed into the leg closest to the edge. Shield began to lose balance and fall. Hup followed.
"Gotta admit." SkekLach said, watching the fall. "That Podling got guts." He gulped. "I hate getting wet." He jumped.
SkekTek hesitated, but one glance back at the monsters that were nearing them changed his mind. He jumped in a matter of minutes. His screams soon joined by Orchid's. To his relief, the fall wasn't long and he caught hold of the mast. The scientist looked down to see everyone had been safely on deck. He soon began to climb down.
SkekMal lowered SkekEkt gently on the floor only for the Ornamentalist to be picked up by Mariner. He gave no response. His green eyes focused on Ghost. The ashy white Gelfling cradled in his primary arms. She still didn't stir. Her eyelids couldn't twitch. The soft white hair she had was completely gone. All the proof he had that life was in her was her shallow breathing.
That's it for this chapter! Just something to show just how scary the enemy is going to be. Basically, a manifestation of what the Skeksis fear most! Review!
