Once again, it's time to check out what Skales and Pythor are up to. Now that Pythor's ultimate plan has been revealed, all that's left is to set the plan into action. But if you know the show, then you know there's one little problem they have to solve first.
"It says nothing about where the four Fangblades are hidden," Skales exclaimed as the silence from Pythor started to get unbearable. They had been looking at the mural for nearly an hour, and still, they had managed to gather nothing in terms of further instructions for how to proceed with Pythor's plan.
"Have our ancestors left us nothing?" He asked the Anacondrai with frustration, as his king did nothing but continue to stare at the murals. But still, he remained quiet, as if simply ignoring the Hypnobrai's words.
"Where are they?!" He finally blurted out as he couldn't take the silence any longer. It was Pythor's plan, yet he seemed just as at a loss as the other generals were.
"This, here," Pythor said in an eerily calm manner, as he turned around and slithered towards the round stone table in the middle of the room, still seemingly ignoring Skales.
"This must be a clue." He continued, before finally standing over the table. He then started reading the inscriptions chiseled into the stone.
"When five fangs unite as one, the path toward the Devourer has begun." Pythor read aloud, before looking at Skales to see his reaction.
"Yes, when the five tribes unite. We've done all this. It means nothing!" Skales ranted, before quickly realizing that he might need to keep his voice down.
"If you don't find out soon, the others will begin to ask questions, and soon they will start to think you don't know what you are doing." The Hypnobrai started to explain, with increasing nervousness, as he looked around the room brimming with Serpentine. They had all grouped together into their respective tribes, barely making an effort to associate with the other Serpentine. Except for a skeptical glance and a targeted whisper here and there.
"I know what I'm doing, fool!" Pythor lashed out, making Skales move ever so slightly back as Pythor spoke. Skales could guess that his calm demeanor had been an attempt to keep the situation under control. But as it stood, the Serpentine warriors with them were starting to get restless. Usually, it would have been the perfect time for the other Generals to speak up against Pythor. But they were still sore, figuratively and literally, from the last time they had stood against Pythor. In fact, they seemed almost shocked that Skales was so openly criticizing the Anacondrai.
"I'm trying to unleash the Great Devourer!" He continued, shaking his staff slightly, though he seemed to calm down from his outburst. "Legend spoke of a map showing exactly where the four Fangblades have been buried."
Skales nodded in agreement, but it was more to help keep Pythor calm than anything else.
"There must be something around here. Keep looking!" He demanded as he continued to study the stone table, ever certain that the key to moving forward was right under his nose. He just had to find it.
The Hypnobrai wasn't as easily convinced, and couldn't help but feel embarrassed at the idea of staying any longer in that dusty tomb. If there was anything else that could help them, then they would have found it already.
Skales slithered quietly away from the table, with Acidicus and Pythor staying to see if they could make out anything else from the inscriptions. Fangtom and Skalidor followed him, probably to get out of earshot from their king.
"This is getting ridiculous!" Skalidor exclaimed once he was sure that Pythor couldn't hear him. "My tribe has been stuck here for decades, and now that we have finally been freed, we have been dragged right back again!"
Fangtom nodded in agreement with his two heads, and Skales wasn't entirely sure how to respond. While Skales wouldn't want to go back to his tomb either, he couldn't help but feel that Skalidor was just complaining because Pythor was in charge. While it hadn't been officially stated, it was clear that the authority the Generals once held had been greatly reduced. They still had a say in their respective tribe's affairs, but any big decisions were made by Pythor and him alone.
"Skalidor, you sssaid yourself that you have been living in thisss tomb for ssso long. Sssurely you must have noticed anything that could point usss in the direction of the Fangbladesss." Skales asked, in hope of changing the topic.
The General in response let out an angry grunt. "We translated the murals a long time ago, so trust me when I say that there isn't anything that can help us."
Fangtom let out a tired sigh, before looking around the room, and back to the two of them.
"Well, we better-figure out something fast, or else-there's gonna be problems." He explained, nudging the others to take a glance at the situation. They did, and quickly realized what he was referring to. Tension was rising between the Serpentine warriors, and they were starting to act impatient. Skales had hoped now that they were all united under Pythor, they could look past their differences. But he was naive to think that it could be so easy.
"Then I suggest that we start working," Skales said, earning a harsh stare from Skalidor.
"And who's made you the boss, huh?" He asked aggressively, before closing in on Skales, who could only try to keep his composure.
"I remember that it was Pythor who beat us and became king, not you. Or do you have some kind of special privilege that I don't know of?" Skalidor continued asking, getting even closer. The Hypnobrai tried to stay his ground, but he could feel the need to back away.
"Back-off!" Fangtom stated, before griping Skalidor's shoulder, keeping him from advancing. He stared daggers at the Fangpyre, but Fangtom was undeterred.
"This is no place-to start fighting. And besides, it isn't his fault-that we're down here. Or do you want to-bring the issue up with Pythor?" He questioned the Constrictai, who looked back at where Pythor was standing. For all his bravado, he couldn't hide his nervousness when looking at the Anacondrai. They stood there for a moment as Skalidor considered what to do next. In the end, he slapped Fangtom's hand away and huffed before slithering away.
Skales looked at him with a sharp stare as he went away, before turning to Fangtom.
"Thanksss, old friend." He thanked the Fangpyre. "Not that I wouldn't have told him off myself of course." Skales continued with a sarcastic tone, earning a small chuckle from the Serpentine General.
"Why of course! You seemed to-have everything under control. But in truth,-I find his quarreling quite irritating-most of the time, so I was more-than happy to quiet him down."
While the moment was pleasant enough, Skales couldn't help but feel awkward from the last time they spoke. He wasn't quite sure if they left on good terms. In a desperate act to keep his friendship, he decided to speak up.
"Listen, Fangtom…I hope our last discussion hasn't left a sssour taste in your mouth. I can understand if you're skeptical about Pythor, even more ssso with how the sssituation isss now. But I've made my decision to sssupport him, and I'm not backing out anytime soon. I merely hope this won't come between our friendship. Even with Pythor, it'sss nice to know that sssomeone has my back.
The Fangpyre looked surprised at Skales before a thoughtful expression spread on his faces. In the end, he gave a lighthearted smile to his friend.
"Skales, I've known you for-far too long to let a single Serpentine come between us. Besides, you may be right about him. Maybe he will awaken the Great Devourer, and-Ninjago can finally be ours."
"I'm sure everything will work out in time. If we ever manage to decipher these cursed glyphs!" Skales responded with a humorous tone, though a small smile portrayed his gratefulness.
"Well, let's hope so. But as a friendly reminder, you-might need to step carefully around the-other tribes for the time being. If Skalidor is a sign of anything, then it's-how the other Serpentine might not be so keen to see an Hypnobrai-as their king's second-in-command."
The Hypnobrai had thought of the possibility, but as it seemed until now, there hadn't been any incidents besides Skalidor. Skales had taken it as a sign that the unification of the tribes had been starting to change the opinions of the other snakes. But he could see why Fangtom might be worried.
"While I sssee your point, I believe it'sss only a matter of time before sssuch trivial concerns start to disappear. It might even end with the other Ssserpentine looking up to me, just asss they do with Pythor!" He explained, with what he believed was a fair bit of optimism and hope.
"If there was anyone that could do that,-then it would be you Skales," Fangtom commented surprisingly sincerely before going over to his tribe, leaving Skale behind to ponder his words. While he had thought himself suitable to lead the Hypnobrai, he had never actually considered getting the respect of the other tribes. As far as he was concerned, that was something only Pythor could pull off. But he couldn't help but ponder over it, if only for a little bit.
Besides that, he was rather relieved to know that his friendship with Fangtom was still intact. The more he thought about it, the more his concern just seemed like paranoia. But that might just be the effect Pythor had on him. The Anacondrai was anything but predictable, and that was something Skales couldn't help but admire.
But what was between him and Pythor was starting to take its toll. Even if he could only notice it a little bit. The hardest part was definitely keeping up appearances of indifference toward each other. His questioning of Pythor had been the most direct form of this, if only because Skales thought that it was fair to do so. But it was still hard for him to tell if Pythor was playing along or was genuinely irritated by his questions. All the while trying to comprehend his newfound relationship with the Anacondrai, if it even went so far. He had considered that they both just happened to have taken a liking to each other and decided to have a bit of companionship. But a part of him hoped, and feared, that it could be something more intimate. But only time could tell that. The most important thing was to try and keep it hidden from the others. Even if that included his friend.
As time went on in the tomb, the more it became apparent that they were not making any progress. Even with Acidicus' knowledge of Serpentine history and glyphs, he wasn't able to decipher anything besides what they already knew. In the end, the tribes were sent deeper into the tomb to rest as night came. Except for the Constrictai, who Pythor had given orders to dig a giant tunnel. For what purpose, he didn't tell, which only infuriated the others even more. Soon enough it was only Pythor, Skales and the other Generals left.
Pythor was still standing by the stone table, surrounded by the four golden staffs. Looking over the table, as if the answer would suddenly come to him. Skales could sense the tense atmosphere and was scared to act in fear of the others boiling over. Even with their loss against Pythor fresh on their minds, the lack of progress was making them reach the edge of their patience. But his efforts were in vain, as Fangtom was the first to finally snap, to Skales' shock. He slowly slithered over to Pythor's side, and said, in an infuriated tone;
"Where are-the four Fangblades?"
"What if there is no map?!" Acidicus pushed in to say, now standing by Pythor's other side. Skalidor too moved closer, interested in what Pythor had to say for himself.
"I know, I know!" Pythor exclaimed in defeat.
"But I don't know where to look!" He continued, before pounding his hands down on the unfeeling stone table. Before Skales had the chance to intervene, Fangtom spoke up again.
"Then I'm taking my staff back." He declared, grabbing said staff and holding it in defiance to Pythor, who could only look back at him with a face of surprise. Even Skales found himself at a loss for words.
"Me too," Acidicus announced as well, grabbing his staff and turning his back as if about to leave.
"Me three," Skalidor uttered, joining in. But as he took his staff, he knocked it into Aciducs who nearly toppled over. It seemed the tension had reached a boiling point for the Venomari, who furiously started hitting Skalidor over the head with his staff. The Constrictai then retaliated, ending with both their staffs being thrown to the ground as they started fighting with each other. Skales could only shake his head at the scene before him. But then, he noticed that something had caught Pythor's eye. Nearly effortlessly, the Anacondrai pushed the two Serpentine Generals away from each other and passed through them. While they looked at him shocked, Pythor went over to the two staffs, which venom was leaking out into a joined puddle on the floor. It was then that Skales too noticed the two colors of the venom mixing into a near blood-like red.
"That's it!" Pythor called out, before picking up the two staffs, and then motioning Skales to get Fangtom's too. Out of either shock or curiosity, the Fangpyre gave his staff up to Skales without a fight who then gave it over to Pythor.
"What's it?" Skales asked before the Anacondria took his staff as well, wondering what it was Pythor was planning to do.
"The Map of Fangs!" Pythor explained, with renewed enthusiasm. Fangtom then handed Pythor's staff to him, perhaps out of obligation. The changed demeanor of the Anacondrai had definitely made its impact on all the Generals, who even patiently waited for Pythor to explain.
"It's been right in front of us all this time." He continued while placing the staffs upright on the table in a circle.
"'When the five fangs unite as one, the path toward the Devourer has begun.'" He quoted from the inscription they had read beforehand. As he did, the venom from each staff slowly started dripping down on the table.
"It's not speaking of the five tribes, it's the venom in the five staffs!" Pythor proudly proclaimed, as he slid a piece of paper under the staffs, the venom continuing to drip down on it. But as a puddle was formed, the color again changed to red, before shortly covering the paper with lines and symbols. At first, it looked incomprehensible, but it quickly became apparent that it was a map of Ninjago. Skales and seemingly the other Generals could scarcely believe what they were looking at.
"Behold, the locations of the four Silver Fangblades!" Pythor shouted victoriously, picking up the paper and holding it over him for the other Generals to see. Then a united cheer arose from the Generals, as they now had insurmountable proof of the existence of the Fangblades. And therefore, proof of the possible awakening of the Great Devourer. The commotion was enough to gather the attention of the rest of the Serpentine, who quickly gathered the rest as the news of the Map of Fangs spread. It wasn't long before all had gathered to cheer on the discovery. It was then, that Pythor continued to speak.
"Soon, the Great Devourer will be unleashed and Ninjago will be ours!" He yelled triumphantly, gathering even more cheering from the crowd. Soon the entire tomb echoed with shouts and cries of conquest and victory.
But soon enough their vigor faded, and everyone settled in for the night. Only Skales and Pythor were left awake. The Anacondrai was busy looking over a map of Ninjago that Skales had brought him, and the Map of Fangs. Skales could guess he was comparing the two to find the definite location of each Fangblade.
As the minutes passed by, Skales found it ever harder to keep himself awake, with only his staff to keep him upright. Meanwhile, Pythor nearly had his snout touching the paper as he studied away. The Hypnobrai was worried that it would continue on for hours, but finally, life returned to the Anacondrai.
"Found it!" He excitedly exclaimed, making Skales jump and nearly fall.
"Found what?"
"The closest Fangblade should be around…here!" Pythor answered, pointing at a point on the map that was fairly close to the Constrictai tomb, all things considered.
"This shall be the first place we strike. Then, we can continue onwards to the other Fangblades."
"Yesss, then the Devourer is next!" Skales blurted out with a thrilled tone.
"Yes, the Devourer will be next," Pythor replied with a content expression on his face. A quiet moment passed when the Anacondrai eyed up the Hypnobrai. It was like he was preparing himself for something, which only made Skales nervous for what would come next.
"I'm quite delighted to see that you're taking our little charade seriously, but-" Pythor said as he turned to Skales, who could already tell what he was talking about. "-next time, maybe you tone it down a notch. I don't find it very pleasant having you question me in front of the other Generals. I'm nearly blaming that for the little stunt, they pulled earlier."
Skales found himself grasping for any excuses, but in the end, he just let out a defeated sigh. In all honesty, he might have been right.
"I apologize, but now that we have the map, there won't be any need to question your actionsss any further."
"I do hope so," Pythor uttered rather uncaringly, before looking back to the maps. He then almost immediately turned to face Skales again.
"Oh, and more itsy, bisty thing. Your friend, Fangtom?" The Anacondrai asked, with an innocent voice.
"Yesss, what about him?" Skales replied, slightly unsure of why Pythor was bringing him up.
"I would appreciate it if you kept him in line for me. Threatening to take back his staff is something I don't take lightly. Especially not if it incites the others to do so as well." Pythor continued, his tone now threatening, and Skales couldn't tell if it was directed at him or Fangtom. In any case, the Hypnobrai found himself worried that his Fangpyre friend might be on Pythor's bad side. Something that would only make his own situation even more complicated.
"I assure you Pythor, asss I sssaid before, with the map in your handsss, Fangtom, and any other Ssserpentine, will have no groundsss to object to your rule," Skales explained, trying his best to sound calm and collected, though as always a bit of panic escaped his voice.
"Hmpf, we'll see," Pythor muttered dismissively, perhaps noting Skales' apprehension to his request. "In any case, be a darling and keep an eye on him."
"...O-of course, my king." The Hypnobrai replied together with a bow, rather poorly so, as he practically reeled back from Pythor's use of 'darling'.
"Oh please, my dear Skales," Pythor said, in an affectionate tone, catching Skales' eyes with his. "You don't need to be so formal in private, especially not with how close we two are. Wouldn't you agree?"
And there it is. Been a little while, but that's how it is sometimes. In any case, thank you so much for sticking with the story and for your support! Hope you've enjoyed this chapter and will come back for the next.
