Between 28. (Patreon)

A mindless mass of flesh and bone, forgotten in a cave at the bottom of the ocean. He’d always expected to be the one to end up like that, so the irony of this situation wasn’t lost on the hag. It was his greatest fear manifested, and now, he felt the tentacles in his nape clutch together as his body instinctively recoiled. Somehow the description didn’t quite live up to the actual thing.

Six little red dots framed on a broad mandibled jaw rose up from below the stony surface of the cave. A sharp “clap” echoed through the chamber, as the set of mandibles snapped together, accompanied by a gleeful cackling.

The way their eyes blinked one after the other instead of all at once, only added to the creature's alien appearance. Armored plates scratched together, filling the hall with an unsettling and devastating groan. The first of many spearlike legs plunged into the sand, digging into the surface like an anchor as its massive body arose out of the newly made tunnel.

Altogether, what stood before them reminded Charibdis of a dragon-sized centipede, its body a very dark shade of brown and easily double his own weight and size.

To have gotten so big, they had to be ancient. There was no other way.

I wanted to show myself sooner, but the situation unfolding before me was the best entertainment I’ve had in a long long time.

Red eyes blinked one by one as its massive head turned towards their little group. Not quite sounding either male or female, its voice echoed in Charybdis’ head, and judging by the way all of the mer jolted, they all heard the same thing. Agathis hadn’t moved, but her eyes frantically darted between the creature and Charybdis, as if desperately trying to discover how all of this fit into his scheme.

He was sorry to admit that he was as clueless as the rest of them. All he could do was make an educated guess. It wasn’t acting solely on instinct, seemingly preferring to toy with them rather than murder them on the spot. It also spoke, in a way. So perhaps it could be reasoned with?

Collecting himself, Charybdis pushed away from Scylla and swam slightly towards the creature, leaving her as she released a sad little whimper. He thanked the gods that she stayed behind, he wouldn’t be able to handle her being any closer to that thing than necessary. Those eery red dots honed in on him, trailing up and down his body with an amused interest. Every muscle in his body begged for him to retreat, but Charybdis forced a neutral expression on his face and rose to meet the creature's gaze.

Young one, you have settled in the wrong territory.

A long, deadly leg extended towards him. Sections of the creature's long body curling at the cavern floor, inching closer and closer towards him. Charybdis was aware of every move, every twitch the creature made.

These caverns are ‘my’ hunting ground.

Their voice didn’t sound accusatory, but held a tone of superiority, as if it were scolding a pup. It was as if a stone hit the pit of his stomach. Charybdis recognized the hunger and possessiveness in its eyes as it glanced back towards the shivering band of mer. They were prey. Positioning himself between the centipede and Scylla, he raised his chin and summoned a make belief grin. Please let this work.

‘Perhaps that was true at one point, but you have been asleep for a long time, kindred.’ His voice didn’t have any of his usual bravado, but perhaps a demure attitude could placate the monster just long enough to come up with a plan.

‘To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking to?’

A low clicking sound echoed through the hall.

I am Achypes,-

Wrecking his brain for any memory of a name like that came up empty. Another dagger-like leg sank into the stone. Hoisting itself forward, Charybdis watched as little tentacles underneath what had to be its chin flicked and whipped into the water. Whatever it smelled or tasted, caused a ripple of annoyance to surge through its massive tail. Focussing its attention on the two females present, a rumbling sound rose up from the creature's throat.

-And their ancestors locked me away inside a mountain of stone.

Well shit, that complicated things.

-But you came to free me.

One shift in their body later, the centipede sank down to meet him at his level.

I can feel your essence all around. Smart little witch.

Charybdis couldn’t help but grimace. Fucking fantastic. The idea that would ever intentionally free this creature, another predator, was enough to make him sick, but he wasn’t going to correct it. No sir. If it improved the chances of him and his mate to get out of here, it could believe whatever it wanted. Looking around the hall, the exit was at Achypes’ back. If he could just get it to face away from Scylla…

‘You’re welcome,-’ This could work. He could bluff his way out of this.

‘As for my reward, I’ll take mine and be out of your way…’ Without turning, he gestured behind his back towards the exit of the cave.

There was movement at his back. A tickle, like a sixth sense, told him Scylla understood his intent and was starting to usher her mother and brother around Achypes. Good. Judging by the empty caverns, most mer were already outside. They could make a dash for it and find a new home. Achypes could have the stragglers if it wanted. This could work.

You can go, little witch. Achypes purred using a nickname he really didn’t care for. Relief washed over him.

But the treacherous pests stay.

Shooting to the side, the centipede moved at unimaginable speed, bouldering its body to block the mers path while rising to its full height. Agathis let out a loud growl as she shielded Scylla from view, but was too late to dodge the impact of one of the legs as it stomped down, barely missing her chest, but nicking her tail instead. Achypes’ little tentacles twitched as blood oozed into the water.

Their scent offends me.

(This is a shorter one, cause I am getting back into the habit of writing and this is a really, really tough chapter for me to write. Still, I hope it is a nice surprice after such a long wait. ;) )