Chapter 3: Opening Act (3)

"You should not so easily trust those with the magics of false shamans, warrior."

Harris cocked his head at Weave-Maker and the other two Olmec females, the trio warily staring at where Akito and Charles were somewhat awkwardly going through whatever provisions the outpost had on hand, obviously unsure how to act around such a strange and unfamiliar individual that should technically be their enemy but were instead united through shared experience and circumstance.

"You seem pretty hard on what are essentially a pair of kids, if you don't mind me saying so."

The woman shook her head, calmly stating, "The passed seasons of outsiders are not so easily discerned by mere physical observance. Young are old and old may be young."

A more reproachful glare was sent Harris' way.

"You should not so easily wear one of their trinkets with their words upon it, such methods are how they steal away one's soul and will. The most powerful ones may simply gaze into your eyes and steal away your voice and breath."

The male merely shrugged, remarking, "I'm aware of their capabilities. Besides, why would I bother worrying about them stealing my voice and breath when she already does that for me?"

So saying he snagged Merlin's wrist as she walked past, plating a kiss on her cheek as she squirmed in delight, teasing, "Oh my, are you so rapacious that you cannot keep your hands off of me~?"

Not bothering to reply as he nipped at one of her pointed ears - drawing a delighted hum in the process - Harris unfurled one of his hands as if presenting the latest and greatest.

"See?"

They merely offered up unimpressed looks, Weave-Maker replying, "It is a difficult thing for us, to trust those of pale skin and otherworldly appearances. They have brought naught but pain to us."

Not having the heart to tell them that such an attitude regarding the white man was absolutely justified - Manifest Destiny is a hell of a drug - he instead dramatically stated, "Alas, poor Merlin only wanted to befriend you all...and as a bit of a whitey myself it seems I'm also excluded."

The Magus of Flowers playfully swooned, falling deep into his embrace as she hammed it up, one gloved hand pressed against her forehead as she soulfully wailed, "Summoned into this reality and doomed to be friendless, what woe!"

The Olmec collectively rolled their eyes, Weave-Maker dryly responding, "You have proven to be friends to us. And you, warrior, are not as pale as your wife to begin with."

"True, I like to think I'm more of a pleasing mocha than I am creamer. And thank you for calling Merlin my wife, I think I'm going to keep that title."

The Magus let loose a girlish giggle, coyly remarking, "A poor husband you make. Neither ring nor deflowering have yet to be gifted to me~."

"As one who's rather in tune with the flora of the world would anyone actually be able to 'deflower' you?"

"I wouldn't mind it if you tried…"

A huff of breath left the Olmec, the pair smirking as Harris shifted gears slightly, asking, "If you don't mind me asking, how did all of you end up in the Underworld?"

This time it was Silent-Walking who took up the narrative thread, explaining, "Five of the pale-skins with bat wings attacked in the morning hours...they wore strange metals that blocked our arrows and spears and they cast weather from their fingertips. Wind-Whisperer killed one of them and took most of our tribe to safety but us and seven others were taken."

Nodding in understanding he glanced over towards the younger duo, now unfurling a map they had scrounged as he gave a small gesture to Merlin, who sauntered off towards the two youths.

"Alright, my wife and I are going to start working on a plan of action against Gastofield. In the meantime while we're gone you five will be in charge of keeping this place secure if anything comes calling."

His cheer and affability vanished like a summer breeze, tone neutral as he warned, "I know you don't trust or like those two. That's fine. Harm a hair on their heads and I'll personally deliver the three of you back to the devils, am I clear?"

While Silent-Walking and Morning-Breeze quailed under his frozen demeanor Weave-Maker merely shrugged, replying, "Should they make no hostile actions then they will remain untouched and unsullied."

"Good. Glad we understand each other."

Leaving it at that he approached where Merlin was chatting with the Vampire and Kitsune, still overlooking the map as he asked, "So anything here that you two find interesting?"

Both shook their heads, Akito's ears briefly flattening themselves against his head as the kitsune replied, "Only basic architecture and things like that, no secret tunnels or anything of the sort."

Offering an affectionate scratch between his subdued ears Merlin cheerfully commented, "And such information is magnitudes better than nothing, little boy~! Have no fear, this schematic is very much appreciated."

Nodding in agreement with his newly manifested partner Harris added, "That's actually more than I was hoping for, we were prepared to go in mostly blind, relying only on spoken word and what all of you could remember from your brief time in the place."

Hesitantly nodding at Harris' explanation Akito snuck a quick glance towards where the trio of Olmec women were rooting through a pile of collected weaponry and armor, the Kitsune sadly observing, "They don't trust us yet? But we went through much the same ordeal, should we at least not be acquaintances?"

It was Charles, surprisingly, who fielded that question, morbidly explaining, "That matters little. We look quite similar to the ones who beat and violated them...it's only natural that they regard us with suspicion and wariness."

Merlin and Harris exchanged quick glances, the male idly commenting, "That's a surprisingly mature - and kind of grim - outlook to have, Charles."

The vampire awkwardly shrugged, responding, "It's the truth though, you can't deny that, right?"

"No, I can't."

The older male nonetheless ruffled both of their heads, the pair protesting the action as he stated, "While they may not trust you or even really want to talk to you, the fact remains both of you are going to be the sole magic users looking after this place in the meantime. It's time to be men, guard the fort and all of that other inspiring talk. Merlin and I are going to be gone and it falls to you to ensure the safety of all present, even if they might never thank you for it."

He gave the pair a more serious expression.

"Think you can handle that?"

"Of course!"

Akito's immediate reply accompanied a happy wagging of his tail and twitching of ears, Charles merely nodding after a moment of scared indecision, jaw setting itself as he drew himself upright somewhat.

"Excellent. And just in case things do get too hairy and you have to abandon this place head directly towards Gastofield, hopefully we'll have finished cleaning it out by then and can help you hide or provide sanctuary."

The boys nodded in affirmation, Merlin commenting, "With our two brave little warriors stationed and ready to hold the line it's high time we depart and begin our first conquest together."

"She speaks the truth. Are you two all right with that?"

"Naturally. Do you need the map?"

Shaking his head at Akito's offer the older male replied, "No, I think we have everything we need. See you soon, kiddos. Take care."

Offering waves as they strode off Merlin and Harris made their way to one of the battlements overlooking the landscape of the Underworld, the woman amusedly remarking, "To think that we are ensuring our rearguard to the young and magic-less. Such desperate circumstances we have stumbled into, no~?"

"Don't be so dramatic, they're fine. Now do you feel like walking or flying?"

A playful grin was sent his way.

"Is it not the man who usually rides the woman~?"

"In your case I am more than happy to make an exception."

So saying he closed his eyes and concentrated on one of the many creatures he'd encountered during his short sojourn across the place, an oversized raptor with light green plumage as his skin shifted and crawled, his recently increased magic power surging with intent-

-and cracking open his avian eyeballs with their vastly improved sight included caused his beak to crack open in a human attempt at a smile.

"Just like intended. Each increase in my power also increases the amount of shapes and creatures I can imitate and assume."

Crouching low for a moment he waited for Merlin to hop on, the magus gleefully announcing, "Oh my, to be borne upon the back of such a magnificent specimen...the bird is nice too."

Warbling in wry amusement at her comments Harris felt the slight weight of his partner grab ahold of his plumage, newly shifted form providing the knowledge of how to properly fly despite having never done such a thing before as with a hop and flap of wings that magically excluded mild currents of air to assist in flight they soared high into the sky.

"Now this is something I could get used to!"

Steadying out once they had reached an acceptable cruising elevation the male immediately began considering various schemes and plots as to how they were going to go about taking down an entire fortress of super powered beings.

...After all, they had a boast to stay true to.

"Your choice in locales for our first date leaves something to be desired, Harris."

"Yeah. I find myself agreeing with that analysis. Well, on the morbidly bright side at least I'm not gonna have any compunctions whatsoever about slaughtering every single person in this base. Assuming there were any reservations in the first place."

Gastofield seemed to have set aside any compunctions whatsoever about being a fortress and instead embraced the life of a prison designed exclusively to making the prisoners as miserable as possible.

From their hidden position far away from any prying eyes a single bird familiar Merlin had created looked down on the outpost, both of their expressions grim as they shared senses with the avian creature.

In the main courtyard surrounded by black walls of metal several meters high a few dozen devils sat, chatting and drinking while occasionally standing up to walk over to where a pair of women were chained to metal posts, limbs spread wide by chain that bit deep into their flesh, casually using them as receptacles for their lust. While one of them was undoubtedly an Angel - spouting four pure white wings from her back - the other was of unidentifiable origin, only dark brown hair and fair skin marred by bruises and cuts.

Nude women that were no doubt from the Olmec tribe also walked among the relaxing devils, chains and collars upon them as they served their captors food and drink, suffering under the occasional bit of sadistic raunchiness or interest.

The last bit of 'decoration' were a Fallen Angel and Werewolf male crucified upside down on raised pillars, forced to watch the proceedings with no ability to blot out the sights or sounds, sans closing their eyes.

Letting loose a calming breath - rushing into this without a proper plan wouldn't help anyone - Harris continued to watch things through the eyes of his companion's familiar, steady observation revealing at least forty devils present in the courtyard and walls while an unknown number still resided inside.

"Too many to fight, at least not as weak as we are now."

"Agreed. Perhaps if I had days to create a proper series of bounded fields such a lopsided battle would be possible but every hour that passes increase the chance that our actions at the watchpost will be noted."

"Hmm...What to do then…"

Easing himself out of the mental contact he'd shared with the bird Harris shrugged, commenting, "I'm going to have to get in closer, see if there's anything exploitable we can make use of."

"A wise decision, I fear we will not find anything of use merely watching from afar like this."

He gave the woman a kiss on the tip of her pointed ear, remarking, "Once we've got this latest conquest under our belts we'll sit down and figure out just what, exactly, the details and implications of your manifestation are. Honestly I'm still kinda lost on the specifics of it."

She merely smirked, playfully remarking, "I like that, a little bit of sitting down with the other sounds lovely."

"How you managed to make that sound seductive is beyond me."

"I was rather accomplished at ensnaring the hearts and minds of others."

Shaking his head Harris concentrated, instead of expanding his body this time he shrank it. Increased power didn't just mean larger creatures, it also meant he could adopt the shape of a far tinier subset of critters.

Fluttering off towards the walls of the fortress the male kept his now compound eyes peeled, the creature roughly the size of a fly and possessing a name that he knew nothing about.

Not like he'd had a chance to sit down with anyone and figure out those kinds of details yet.

Holding his breath as he sped towards the boundary of Gastofield's protections the male braced himself for the sudden appearance or response of any wards or the like that might be laced around the place-

-and passed through without so much as an angry glance sent his way, either his body too small to be noticed or his magic power was unidentifiable by the observation alarms.

"Whatever, I'll take what I can get."

Buzzing further into the depths of the fortress Harris began creating a mental map of everything he saw as well as any additional devils present, their numbers steadily increasing. Eventually he came across a supernatural chain gang, Olmec men shackled together and digging out what looked to be an indoor swimming pool, mottled bruises and scars resting over their kidneys while a Devil supervisor kept close watch with a braided whip.

Blows like that would likely leave the men pissing blood for days.

Chalking that up to yet another strike against the denizens of this place he continued his scouting, hoping for any easy exploits to present themselves.

Unfortunately his luck didn't hold true, locked doors aplenty dotted throughout the place and he didn't doubt that security here was a great deal tighter than some isolated watch outpost. No easy access to improvised frag grenades.

Honestly stumped as to how he and Merlin were going to take out the now sixty Devils occupying the fortress he winged towards a final entryway that wasn't blocked or shackled, hoping it would be a worthwhile find-

-and had he a human mouth the man would have savagely grinned.

Three large, nasty and homicidal looking beasts were chained up in pens, appearances suggesting a lethal ancestry of velociraptor and alligator as their slitted eyes darted and shifted about, tracking his every movement despite his small size.

"Now that might just be our ticket to victory...alright, let's see what we can find out."

Ensuring that no devils were approaching his position he shifted back into his human form, carefully approaching one of the restrained beasts in a way that hopefully wouldn't result in his head being bitten off.

Ignoring the warning growl from one of the beasts he cautiously brushed his fingers against its scarred and pitted leg-

-and promptly lept backwards, the beast violently straining against its restraints with a feral snarl, no doubt desiring nothing more than to rip his throat out.

But in all honesty that was fine with him, since knowledge had flooded his mind upon making contact with the monsters.

Scale Maulers, predators and dangerous carnivores this side of the Underworld that killed for both food and pleasure, hungry or not. These three had no doubt been intended to be used as cannon fodder or expendable pawns...but now he knew how to turn into one of them - having the ability of a supernatural Animorph was pretty damn handy - Harris was confident they could use this to flip the script and come out on top at the end of this whole venture of theirs.

Smirking cruelly the male turned back into his tiny insect form, returning to his companion on swift wings as he began to formulate a plan of attack...they had a garrison to massacre.

Anyone ever read or remember Animorphs? I read a few of the first volumes way back when I was in elementary school and never really got a chance to get back into them until High School and holy mother of MOSES does it get pretty serious later on. I'm just trying to imagine what 10 year old me would have thought of the PTSD, massive amounts of death and the final chapter of the final book and I'm pretty sure I would have been scarred for life. Jesus.

Still an interesting read, maybe give the synopsis a try and see if it's to your liking.