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The man turned and took a step back towards his carriage, his two cohorts opening the doors for him. "If yer game, I suggest you hop aboard. We'll get you out of here and where you need to go. Of course I don't blame you if you don't trust us, but I assure you, we don't mean any harm."
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"Yeah, thing didn't grab me with too much force thankfully. It's just the fact it did grab me," Horik shuddered in disgust and stepped a bit closer to Ash. Her face was a mix of disgust and slight fear. "I don't know if I want to go through that again."
The worm swayed slightly back and forth, seeming in control of the snake.
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***
Tamil marched down the side of stone stairway. Seru, Horik, M'kama, Otis & Ash followed. The Worm, the slobbering imbecile, followed. Percy too marched along with another guard behind them. "Time is of the essence," Tamil said as he led them lower into the city. Now they stood but a few levels above the base of the caverns. The city of Cobran crisscrossed above them.
They reached the bottom of a limestone staircase to find themselves at a river bed at the base of Cobran. Several guards seemed stationed here at the bottom level- chairs and crates beneath bridges, though they all stood to attention as Tamil walked through. They wore matching leather armour and bug helmets as Percy did, the Sorillian giving them a quick nod as Tamil led the group through the guard camp along the dark river. There was the smell of brine in the air and rowboats hung off the river bank,
Tamil turned to the assembled team. "Well, it's as the Lady said," Tamil muttered in reference to the snake. "Time is of the essence. You're all going to listen to Seru's word on the dot, is that clear?" Tamil blinked. "You're gonna destroy that gun... destroy those bullets, then get back here." Tamil blinked. "And you can decide... if here you stay, once we seal our doors, or if out there you'll die."
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Ash stepped around and in front of Horik once she was back up on her feet, standing between her and the nasty beasty. "No, I rather think we should prevent that." He said as he leveled his pistol to waist height, aimed in the direction of the worm.
"Yeah, I threw a small rock to determine if she was real, and she immediately tried to drown me. That's how I ended up shooting through the geyser and meeting Otis and yourself."
The Captain's face contorted into a look of sarcastic surprise. "Is that so!" He said in a high pitched tone that signaled displeasure, his gaze turning to look back towards Tamil. "Always safe in Cobran is it?" Ash's words may as well have been snakes for all the bite they had in them.
Before anything else could be said, the snake spoke once more.
"There is a life here where you could be happy. But it is not this one."
Ash, Otis, Horik, Voodoo man, Seru, and Percy had all been lead away by Tamil shortly after. The group descended deeper into the depths of Cobran, far below what Ash thought even existed. Cobran was certainly full of surprises, though that probably wasn't always a good thing.
Once the group reached their destination, Tamil spoke again.
"Well, it's as the Lady said. Time is of the essence. You're all going to listen to Seru's word on the dot, is that clear? You're gonna destroy that gun... destroy those bullets, then get back here. And you can decide... if here you stay, once we seal our doors, or if out there you'll die."
The Captain was silent for a moment as he contemplated it all. He'd essentially committed himself to this when he joined up with Otis, but there was still a lot he was uncertain on, The Gun in particular.
"As I've already said, I'll happily go along with this, but I will repeat, for everyone's sake; I don't think this is going to go the way you hope. Perhaps it will, perhaps I will be wrong, but I assure you, there will be a cost, and it will be a bloody one."
"And as for dying..." He said looking to Tamil again. "That's something I have very little intention of doing, in Cobran or the wastes."
He turned to face the rest of the group. "Assuming everyone here is in agreement on this mission, then I am prepared to leave when necessary. Though I must ask, is this our entire group? I thought one of you mentioned that pilot, or some caravans?" He gave a slight shrug. "Not that I doubt our assembled groups' skill, but many hands make light work."
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"Death doesnt scare me but like i said, if something comes over the horizon, I'm out," Horik reiterated once more. She then pointed at Ash, "Like he said. Things could go sour but I.. I dont plan on sticking around if they do."
She paused as though done but remembered how Ash had stood in front of her. A small smile came on her face and she rubbed the back of her neck, adding with a sheepish grin, "But I uh, i dont mind helping out and doing some good on the way there."
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Deception is the basis of any cult - make someone believe something that gives you power, subdue their will to your own, and show the pretense of guidance, leadership, or protection. Give the people a light to blind themselves with. They'll stare at it willingly, while you control their steps from the shadows.
The worm undulated, and Otis couldn't help but question that the worm, under control of the snake god, hadn't been under its control when the attack began. That the attack, in truth, was nothing more than an illusion, a show designed to prove the god's power to the others.
But Otis said nothing, and did less. Perhaps, one day, someone with more power than him would come and find out the truth. But he dared not challenge the snake, not here, not now.
***
Otis watched the other members of the ragtag group and tried to shake off the uneasy feelings that he had been burdened with since entering Cobran. They were leaving easily enough, and they all needed to get along in order to cooperate.
"That's the right attitude... Horik, was it?" Otis said, smiling and spreading his hands. "No one's perfect, after all. I'm Otis, by the way. A... well, never mind. I'm in this to win it, wherever it takes us. And even though I'm probably not the best one for the job, I'll do my best to make sure you all make it through as well, even if it means my own life is lost."
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Otis soon chimed in, and the two properly introduced each other. Now Ash's smile was really starting to grow. He, couldn't help it, this was all starting to feel really bloody heroic, and it thrilled him.
He looked over to the Voodoo man now. "So, Voodoo man, or er.... M'Kama was it?" Ash snapped his fingers a few times as he tried to remember before Otis gave a slight nod. "Right, M'kama then. What say you about this endeavor?"
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"Only safe way in and out," Tamil murmured, slapping a hand on Percy's shoulder before wandering towards Seru.
Percy nodded and stepped toward Ash. "Right old boy, you're going to be taking the river out... don't... touch the water," He grinned. "It burns. You're scouts of Cobran now so I would gear up. Our tents are yours." Percy grinned. "Imagine we're back at Old NvTarson's stand." A reference quarter master in the legion Ash and Percy had bothered, up until the day Rockians blew his head open in an assault.
Boats carved out of beetle-shells bobbed along the river, long wooden oars stretching out of them. Tents full of voyage supplies lined the bank, the Cobran guards standing watchfully by.
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He glanced around at the tents as he contemplated the gear he'd be needing for all of this, but he was ready to wait and hear what the others had to say first. Bullets, food, and water were definite, but another firearm with a little more range could be handy...
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"There is a fate that befalls me...and it will not end in Cobran," he spoke calmly before turning around. "I'm ready to leave when you all are...I'm looking forward to traveling with all of you!" He then swiveled around and glared at the new arrival, his fists clenched. "But not you, Worm. Rest in the dirt where you belong."
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The guard could learn much from it. What possible words could it have learned on it's travels, the guard would wonder.
"I'm king in this bitch!" The lizard parroted, biting the guard's hand off. "Ain't about to fuck with meeee!" It screeched, punching him in the eye.
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"Cloaks," Another guard added, handing them cloaks of what looked like sown dragon-scales. "That can withstand even the hottest fires."
Percy squinted at the items and then at Ash. "You'll live, old boy," He smiled. "You've made it this far. The return of the systems may be bad for the Rockians..." He paused. "But perhaps it means you'll see Sor again one day, eh?"
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She threw a bundle of rope into one of the rowboats and stood up straight, her eyes locked on to her brothers, "I'll try to come home as soon as I can," Seru shifted, "If I don't though...don't wait for me. Make sure Cobran thrives, yeah?"
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There was a small smile on his face as he listened to M'Kama enthusiastically declare his feelings on working with this group. Ash himself wasn't exactly sure about everyone here, but he'd worked with, and for, far less reliable or trustworthy people. No, the real threats, the ones Ash knew never to trust, were quite far away from The Rock... For now.
"You'll live, old boy, you've made it this far. The return of the systems may be bad for the Rockians... But perhaps it means you'll see Sor again one day, eh?"
Ash shook his head slightly as he chuckled. "Well Percy old friend, I do plan to keep on living. But as for Sor, if I do see it again... Well, it may be too soon." He gave a slight smirk as he clasped his old friend on the shoulder. "It's good you've found something. Cobran I mean. You always were a good man, one of... A few. It truly gives me hope seeing you here." He gave his old friend a big grin. "Besides, the world needs some old soldiers to keep the peace!"
Once Ash finished getting the cloak on, and some extra ammo, food and water pulled together, he turned back to Percy. "By the way, is there any chance you have some spare firearms? I came in rather under equipped, only handguns, no rifle."
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"Shall I play us a tune to commemorate the start of our journey?" Otis asked, eyes half-lidded as he examined his violin for any damages. Thankfully, there were none.
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Horik shifted from one leg to another and gazed at each person beside her. They were getting ready, talking, and seemed to know what they were about to embark on. Nervousness and hesitance filled her chest, biting her lip as no one would hear what she had to say. She looked over at Otis who seemed focused on playing a tune. Horik sighed and stood around, waiting for what the others would do, afraid to ask.
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It was not a natural feeling for the citizens of the Rock, but it was nice nonetheless. After a few minutes, the song ended, and Otis let the notes die off across the water of the river, before gently replacing his violin in the case and slipping it back into his knapsack.
"Hope that was to everyone's, um, liking," Otis said, scratching his head sheepishly. "I don't play much for other people so I'm not sure how great my performances are."
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From Percy's waist-pouch he pulled out a golden revolver, studded with rubys and jewels. "When I saw it I thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. He wasn't like the other lads in the unit." Percy glanced up at Ash. "Neither were you."
With a fateful last look Percy handed the gun to Ash. "It wasn't until I came here I realized... gold burns, same as everything else."
The cloaks were heavy, the scales shifting atop each other as they hung off the shoulders. They were dark, but they glittered in the aqua lantern light.
As Seru prepared for departure Tamil stood at the shoreline, arms crossed. "I think the odds are in our favour," He said. His brows were raised, a tiredness clear on his face. But also pride. "After all, how many villages have a god looking over them?" Tamil grinned, the black tobacco staining the corner of his teeth as he began to back away from the beetle-boats.
In a duo of boats Seru, Otis, Ash, M'kama, & Horik lined- three in each, each careful not to tip over the bobbing crafts. "Remember, follow Seru's orders," Tamil called out to them. "Cause if you don't you're dead. First by the desert, and then by me." Tamil smiled. "And then maybe the gates of heaven will open to you before this planet is truly engulfed in fire."
From out the tents the beetle-armoured guards had emerged, lining to watch the new scout team's departure. They stood beside Percy, eating their grub. It was a rare sight: people leaving Cobran once they had arrived.
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"When I saw it I thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. He wasn't like the other lads in the unit. Neither were you."
There was a long moment of silence from Ash, he took a moment to look back at Otis, who'd been playing his violin, to Horik, who seemed noticeable anxious, to Seru who seemed stern and determined, and to M'Kama who seemed relatively calm, yet intent.
"You're right old friend... Still trying to decide whether that's a blessing, or a curse." Ash turned back to Percy, who handed him the glittering gun.
"It wasn't until I came here I realized... gold burns, same as everything else."
The Captain took the gun in his hand, letting himself feel the weight of it for a moment, getting familiar with it. "Everything... Except perhaps for justice." He spoke softly, giving his old friend a sort of wistful smile.
Tamil gave a brief speech, reminding the group of their new responsibilities, and the consequences if they didn't follow through with them. "Thank you for the pep talk, a sure fire way to inspire the troops." Ash said with a light note of sarcasm as he followed the group to the boats. They all began to climb in, quickly figuring out their seating arrangement.
Before Ash could climb in, he turned around one last time. Looking at Percy, he gave him an old Sorillian salute. His loyalties to Sor were long gone, but the bonds that are created between soldiers, true warriors of a righteous cause, those could outlast any empire.
Ash turned back to his boat and climbed in. "Once more, unto the breach..." He whispered.
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"It's been some time since I've traveled by the river. It'd be nice to fish again..." M'Kama stated, thankful that they had one giant piece of bait constantly following them like bad joke. He was certain the rock wouldn't drown it forever and it would return with more stupid hijinks in store. And it would regret it.
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Without giving them a chance to reply, Seru pushed one of the beetle boats away from the shore and began to row. With a few labored breaths she pushed the boat into a steady rhythm and glanced up at the shore where her brother and the Cobran guards stood, watching their departure. A pang of sadness shot through her heart. She was leaving Cobran - her home, her family - not for forever she knew, but long enough that she could feel homesickness already starting to settle in her stomach. Seru lifted her hand to Tamil and he lifted his back, and for a brief moment they shared the same, gut-wrenching sadness of parting ways.
With one last wistful pause, Seru heaved her strength into rowing until Tamil, Percy, the guards and Cobran were out of sight.
**
The river that flowed into Cobran was wide enough for two beetle boats to sail through, but no larger. It was one of the few entrances and exits of the underground town, protected by it's boiling waters that would burn any wooden vessel or person that attempted to swim through it. Two lanterns hanging on the end of each boat were the only lights that illuminated the darkness. Steam lifted up from the waters around them, creating a humid, sauna-like experience as they traversed through the underground tunnel. Small beads of sweat rolled down Seru's brow as she rowed in the gentle waters, "Remember, don't touch the water. It's boiling."
Her voice felt shockingly loud. It was silent, save for the constant dripping of condensation that fell into the river, and the rocks that enclosed them were so invasive that no echo was allowed to pass inside the tunnel. She looked up at M'Kama for a brief moment as he followed her in rowing the other boat through the river. Eventually the waters curved and a bright light shone through the steamy air at the end of the underground tunnel. The Bright.
Their journey had begun.