September 18, 2007

  • Beginings Chapter 6

    Here's chapter six! Enjoy!


    Begingins chapter 6: Sara's chapter

    Somehow, amidst the brimstone and sulfur, fluffy gray clouds of smoke billowed almost cheerfully toward the ceiling. Vlad watched them with interest, distracting himself from the thin chasm he stood near. A bubble of noxious gas rose next to his head and burst, letting loose a disgusting odor.
     
    Beside him, Azazel leaned heavily on the wall. His robes had finally been returned, but the blonde found himself wishing for the billowy black dress. At least it had been cool, temperature wise. He wiped a sleeve over his face, grimacing at the sweat and dirt. “Why are we here?” he asked quietly.
     
    This was the first time the blonde had spoken since their argument three days prior. Vlad turned to him. “So you haven’t forgotten how to talk.”
     
    Azazel said nothing, simply stared at him, silver eyes flashing almost menacingly.

    “Did you miss what Kaggren told us, or…” Vlad trailed off. “Shh…”
     
    Azazel followed his line of vision, eyes widening. He unconsciously took a step closer to Vlad. “What is it?” he whispered, staring at the beast ambling toward them.
     
    The creature stood at least seven feet tall, three of this was the human torso. Long, grayish hair, hung around its equally gray shoulders in gnarled, soupy clumps. Below the waist, a crab-like shell began, spanning five feet in diameter to cover six crustacean legs. A clawed arm tapped wildly on the ground as it moved, as if checking for objects in the way.
     
    Azazel leaned closer over the chasm to get a better look. The nightmarish monster turned and leaned as well, wide, blinded blue eyes, which jutted abnormally from the face, swiveling in opposite directions.
     
    Vlad pulled him back roughly with a snarl.
     
    “What is it?” Azazel asked again, voice full of wonder.
     
    “Something you do not   want to mess with,” Vlad replied with a hiss. “She’ll have no qualms with eating you.”
     
    As he said this, it reached a bony hand toward them. The cracked fingernails grazed Azazel’s cheek, drawing blood, and he shrank backward. The creature’s mouth opened to reveal rows of crooked fangs and it stuck its hand in, chewing thoughtfully on the fingers.
     
    “It’s disgusting,” Azazel finally said. “I hope this isn’t what you wanted to show me.”
     
    It wasn’t, and Vlad wondered why the thing had shown up in the first place. Dismally, he glanced at his arm. While the sling was gone, he was still wrapped in gauze, which had been soaked in herbal medicine. Wonderful, it could smell them.
     
    “Azazel,” he hissed. “You are going to slowly make your way back to where we came from.”
     
    The blonde shook his head. “You first,” he replied.
     
    “Now isn’t the time to play hero. I’m serious. She’ll tear you to bits.”
     
    Azazel glanced at Vlad’s arm before looking at the creature again. “No,” was his firm reply. “You’re injured.”
     
    So, maybe he did have manners…
     
    “It’s my-”
     
    “Shut your mouth.”
     
    Vlad realized, almost grinning, how quickly their roles had switched. With a sigh, he shoved Azazel toward the exit, following close behind. It wasn’t until he felt something grab his robes that he realized they had moved too late. “Oh shit…”
     
    He whirled around, yanking free just in time to avoid the deadly claw. It sank into the rock wall beside Azazel’s head. Vlad would have, should have done something, but he froze for a split second. It was all the creature needed and, ignoring his companion, she wrapped the human hand around his throat.
     
    Strong as he was, Vlad knew it was hopeless. His powers weren’t a match for his adversary. Great. He was going to die in front of the new kid.
     
    Still, Vlad wasn’t one to go down without a fight. He released a powerful attack, which the monster absorbed, and was preparing for a second spell when it incinerated. Vlad landed heavily, staring at the pile of ash in front of him. “What…” he asked dumbly.
     
    Azazel helped him stand silently. He spread the ashes around with his foot in little circles absently while Vlad gathered his thoughts.
     
    “What did you do?”
     
    The blonde glanced at him. “You’re injured,” he stated simply. “Besides, if you die, I’ll be lost down here.”
     
    Just when Vlad thought he was understanding the guy…