A/N: Hello, fellow readers! I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy upcoming New Year. 2022 had been rough, especially with the *sigh* celebrity deaths, but life goes on—enough of the sadness. I have created two expanded chapters for "The Golem The Brave" portions from constructive criticism to celebrate. So, here's the first expanded chapter. Happy reading!

Disclaimer: Killer Instinct and Carrie belong to their respective owners and properties.

June 30, 2013

A thick blanket of grey clouds shrouded the sky above Seven Devils, Idaho, blocking the sun and casting a long, dark shadow over the countryside.

The air was still and silent, with the occasional bird chirping, hidden from view.

A loud thunderous boom followed the lightning flash.

The trees swayed in the wind while the river flowed unaffected by the upcoming storm. Crows cawed in the distance, their cries echoing.

Driving on the road, Hinmatoom remained in his world. About 6'4 and weighing 295 pounds, the Nez Perce man was like a mountain. Strands of his long black hair lingered around his forehead. His eyes, raw and red from crying, stared into the horizon.

His life hasn't been the same since his brother's disappearance. A few years ago, Tipyeléhne competed in the Killer Instinct tournament. His goal was to expose Ultratech's crimes on their tribe's land.

Though Hinmatoom opposed the idea, he supported him. However, their last banter didn't end well.

"You're paranoid based on emotions and superstition."

"You're in denial. Please, Tipyeléhne, come home with me."

"What about the supporters and fans? You expect me to abandon them?!"

"Tipyeléhne—"

"No, you listen! Do you know why Ultratech is getting more press? It's because of me! You're jealous!"

"What?! Jealous?"

"That's right! I'm doing something for our tribe, unlike you! Your efforts to preserve our heritage are absurd! A fancy college degree could not help you, so you can take that and shove it!"

"Is that what you believe?"

"Hinmatoom…"

"Please, answer me."

"No, I… Jesus, I-I'm sorry."

"How can you say that to me? Is preserving our tribe's heritage a joke to you?"

"N-No."

"Have I erred in teaching you about our ways?"

"N-No, you haven't."

"Well, I must've done something wrong. I don't know who you are, Tipyeléhne. We may share blood, but we are not brothers."

Despite the tension between them, he still cared about his brother.

Ten-year-old Hinmatoom and five-year-old Tipyeléhne sat on the couch. A bowl of popcorn smothered in caramel sat between them.

Their parents saved enough money to purchase a pay-per-view event. The timing was ideal, as WrestleMania returned. Like an annual ritual, the boys awaited the event.

"I can't wait for my favorite wrestler to arrive!" Tipyeléhne said.

Hinmatoom threw a piece of popcorn into his mouth. "You and me both."

"What will happen this year?"

"Not sure. WrestleMania gets crazy every year."

"Hey, brother? Remember that assignment the teacher gave us about what we'll do once we grow up?"

"We still need to finish it."

"Don't worry. It's the weekend, so we have time. I decided what I wanted to be: a wrestler."

"Like on TV?"

"Yeah. Either that or be a boxer."

Hinmatoom mused about his brother's future careers. "Boxing is iffy for me. Now, a wrestler, it's easy to picture that. Still, were wrestlers injured in their matches?"

The younger boy slapped his older brother's shoulder. "No way! Wrestling is a scripted sport. Same with boxing."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I mean, it's not like anyone got killed."

"I agree! So, what do you want to be?"

"Beats me."

"Maybe you should become a wrestler too. Think about it: we'll be The Wrestling Brothers!"

"The name has some appeal. Hey, the show's about to start."

"Yay! WrestleMania, let's go!"

Hinmatoom sighed while that memory played in his mind. While Tipyeléhne aimed to compete in wrestling, he took a different path. He excelled as a gifted football player in high school. As time passed, he became a teacher.

As the years passed, his concern about his sibling grew. With limited options, Hinmatoom entered the Killer Instinct tournament. While in the program, he discovered that his brother's remains served as a resource for Project Fulgore.

After the competition, he returned home, mourning. Grief had overtaken his daily routine in life. Concerned, the university gave him paid vacation time.

Hinmatoom turned on the radio, which played Lord Give Me A Sign by DMX. He disliked rap, but this song spoke to him. I could use a sign right now.

Then, something hit the lane, snapping him to reality. Thrown off guard, he swerved the vehicle out of the way.

He gained control and stopped before hitting a tree.

Shaking, he gripped the steering wheel, his heart racing. After a while, he calmed himself. He squinted at the site where the unknown object crashed.

Small streams of smoke lingered as if something had fallen from space.

What was that?

With nerves jangled, he shut off the car and unbuckled his seatbelt. Stepping out, he eyed the scene. For each slow step, he moved closer until a bronze arm emerged from the smoke.

Startled, Hinmatoom stepped back while a hand slammed the ground.

As the figure rose, it reached its height with a hunchback. Though crafted from aged bronze, rocks, plants, and vines replaced missing parts. Its head contained three faces with geometric-patterned beards.

While two faces had archaic smiles, the third displayed a wrathful expression. Its eyes and gems changed from lush green to angry red. Upon seeing Hinmatoom, the creature roared.

Before he processed the situation, the golem raised its rock arms. Before it struck, he dodged. Then, it formed a barrier with glowing runes encircling them. Soon after, it tucked into a ball and barreled toward him.

Once again, Hinmatoom moved out of harm's way, keeping a safe distance. How do I beat that thing?

His car caught his eye. My Tomahawks! With no time to waste, he sprinted towards his vehicle.

Once it unfurled itself, the golem found its victim, growling. It thrust its metallic hand against the earth, summoning spikes.

Hinmatoom dodged most of them, using his old football skills. One came so close that it tore through his arm sleeve and scraped the skin, drawing blood. Winced at the minor injury, he raced toward his car. He opened the back seat door, grabbing the weapons. Handmade and sharp, the blades remain attached to wooden handles.

As he confronted the golem, it removed a volleyball-sized rock from itself. Once it punched the chunk, smaller fragments flew in his direction. Hinmatoom ducked as shrapnel damaged his car. Shattered glass, though harmless, littered his body.

As the danger receded, he got up, brushing the glass off him.

The clouds darkened as gusty winds danced against the pine trees. As lightning flashed, the golem rolled itself up and advanced.

Hinmatoom conjured lightning as the bolt struck him. Instead of hurting him, an electric discharge surrounded him. He eluded the golem by changing into a flock of crows.

After that, he leaped and kicked with both feet while the giant unfurled. With the golem down, he charged ahead.

On instinct, the golem slammed its hand on the tarmac, erecting a wall.

Hinmatoom skidded to a halt. The golem uprooted the wall as it rose, turning it into a rock club. This thing is full of surprises! When the golem swung its club, he evaded. A hit from such a weapon would cause critical damage. While dodging, he searched for the golem's weak spots.

The center has too much protection. Only its joints are exposed, but it won't be easy. Those vines will prove challenging to cut, even with my sharpened blades.

Like before, he summoned lightning to boost his speed. As the club's tip approached, he dispersed into crows, avoiding the hit. He aimed his left tomahawk at the golem's 'knee,' cutting off the vines. Hinmatoom attacked until the golem smacked him, sending him flying.

Damn! I didn't expect it to be so strong!

As Hinmatoom landed near the ditch's edge, he groaned. The golem roared again and coiled itself, hurtling after him. Thinking fast, he retreated to the ditch area. The golem flew over before crashing into the gutter. After getting up, he studied the golem's behavior. The entity gripped its head while recovering from its crash, still roaring in distress.

This creature is conflicted. Could it be in pain? While watching, Hinmatoom spotted something. On the creature's brow was a peculiar black device. It is! If I destroy that device, it might calm down. With a game plan, he surged forward.

When it spotted its opponent, the golem stomped its foot, creating a shockwave.

Though struck, Hinmatoom flipped back and summoned a flaming eagle. While the spirit distracted the golem, he rushed again before leaping forward. While doing so, he called forth lightning, and a sudden flash ignited the tomahawks. The blades struck the gadget, triggering a violent electric shock.

The golem bellowed as the device on its head short-circuited until it exploded. Hinmatoom hopped off as the golem swayed and fell. Panting, he straightened himself, letting the weapons slip from his hands.

With caution, he approached the giant, studying its features.

After that, he walked to the destroyed device and examined it. While figuring out its origins, he sensed a presence.

The golem awoke as its gemstones and eyes returned to emerald green. Groaning, it tried to stand but fell, still marred by its fight.

Hinmatoom approached with non-threatening behavior. "Hey, steady there. You got struck by lightning, so don't move."

The golem surveyed the surroundings before focusing on the human standing in its presence.

"Do you understand me?" Hinmatoom asked.

The golem stared, emitting a soft grunt.

Is this golem….? Although Hinmatoom wouldn't say it, he knew what this meant. To prepare for encounters with disabled students, he studied sign language. Over time, the skill came in handy. He saluted before extending his hand.

"Hello," he signed.

After a while, the golem mimicked his movement.

So, it responds to visual cues. Okay, that's a start. Hinmatoom continued with hand gestures. "What is your name?"

The golem spelled out its name.

"A…g…a…n…o…s… Aganos," Hinmatoom said before signing, "a good name."

"Thank you." The golem rechecked its surroundings. "Where am I?"

"Idaho."

"I…da…ho? How did I get here?"

"You don't remember?"

"Everything is fuzzy."

Hinmatoom rubbed his chin. "Okay. What do you remember last?"

"I was in darkness until men in strange armor and light sticks appeared. They brought me to a massive building, locking me in a cell. They also put some black material on me, and I was in pain." Aganos brought its arms to its chest. "So much pain."

"Oh, you poor creature. Well, I destroyed that black thing on your head, so you're not suffering."

The golem rubbed its brow, checking the emerald jewel, which remained intact. "You took my pain away? Thank you, and you're hurt." It pointed at its left arm.

The Native American furrowed his brows until he checked his arm. Blood still leaked from his scrape.

"Did… did I… hurt you? I'm so sorry."

Hinmatoom waved. "Do not apologize. You were just a victim caught in an unfortunate situation. Those who placed you in that position should pay. Perhaps I can help you retrace your steps."

"Retrace my steps? How will that help me?"

"Whenever I lose or forget something, I return to the last place. I believe it could be the same for your memories."

"I'll be grateful for your help… who are you?"

"Oh, my God. My parents taught me manners, but I forgot them. I'm Hinmatoom. It translates to 'Thunder.'"

"Thunder. It's fitting since you have a strong fighting spirit. Also, I sense your sadness."

"Pardon?"

"A terrible loss saddens you. Have you lost or forgotten something?"

Hinmatoom massaged his chest with a heavy heart. "That burden is mine."

"Fair enough."