Chapter 36

  Heel Hydra

  In the grand scheme of ick, I assumed there was a hierarchy, a limit to what the world would throw at me.

  Spiders, meh. Just squash them and move along.

  Snakes, okay. You know just watch out for cupboards and watch where you are going and you will be fine?

  Actually, up until a few seconds ago, I would have clearly said the highest ick factor was Icky herself and her way too close relationship with her second cousin by blood Johny.

  This is important context, for the fact of what just happened.

  Even now, looking at the beast, I had thought the scariest thing I would see all day was a giant four-hundred-pound chest-high phase panther popping smoke and appearing right before me.

  Now though, when I see who the opponent of the killer phase panther is, I suddenly have to rework a number of my life decisions that have gotten me to this point.

  The reason for my current reflection is the aforementioned opponent a giant twenty, no twenty-five-foot-long anaconda looking serpent, with wings. Plural, not one. Not even one set, but apparently the beast seems to grow a new set of wings every ten or so feet. Don’t worry, the wings fully collapse and can be pressed tightly to the sides of the great beast, to give it that aerodynamic look while killing.

  I want to rethink my entire structure of what I fight most frightening, or icky, suddenly realizing that snakes are a very real danger in this world that I clearly misunderstood.

  Then after a second thought, I think to myself, no. It’s not that I am afraid of all snakes. I am just afraid of that snake.

  Mentally, I begin classifying as a different species entirely of snakes, no monsters.

  The Tamer, goes, pauses and then holds up her left hand casually. For a moment, I swear I can almost see a look of complete disdain on the beast’s face, but it just flicks out its long black tongue and jumps up to rest on her outstretched hand. Clearly the girl doesn’t miss arm days, as she is able to hold the massive bulk of the beast.

  Then with an apparent command given by her free right hand, the monster spreads open its three sets of wings and hisses.

  Ruffle.

  Even from the other end of the arena, I can hear the massive leathery wings rumble to life as they unfurl and have a slight popping sound accompanying them. As what first appears to be three sets of hoods all open up, to further unfold into wings. Wings that are sets of appendages that have mutated with age and time, as I can clearly count out no less than five razor sharp fingers ending with a sharp talon that seems to be excreting some type of dark energy. The same way birds did.

  “GROWL”

  Suddenly the world by my stomach rumbles and for once I wish it was due to me being hungry. Unfortunately, it is clear that the reason for the rumble is due to the phase panther growling her obvious anger. That or maybe she senses my fear, as I can feel her all but slamming her massive head into my stomach, forcing my arms around her head.

  Realizing I better keep the big cat happy, I begin petting the area just below the ears, the parts that lead to the ear canals. My reaction goes thanked, as I feel the massive panther all but yanking me down as it tries to get me to scratch just a bit harder at that area.

  On a whim, I pause, realizing that there might be some issue with the ears. I almost bend down to look into the ears, but realize that would get me far too close to the monster’s maw. Instead, I just dig my glove covered finger around on the inside of the ear, making sure to use my Trash Skill on the inside and on the residue of my finger.

  Wide eyed daze.

  Instantly, I think I did something wrong, as I see the big cat suddenly freeze up, as she just looks up at me. Then seeing that I’m just staring at her confusedly, the giant cat seems to take matters into her own hands, or paws, and jumps up, placing both massive paws on my shoulder.

  I bend but don’t buckle, though in my mind I am going over exit strategies. The only thing that keeps me from moving are two facts that my mind picks up on. First, the giant claws of this beast are not extended, meaning that it doesn’t wish to do damage. Second, and probably most importantly, the panther is now purring excited.

  “Oh no, get down,” her handler cries out, but while that is happening, the cat twists its massive head and almost head buts if massive left ear towards my chest and towards the same hand that just played with its right ear.

  “Oh, you want scratches,” I reply, and then quickly but gently raise up my right hand again and do the same cleaning number on the inside of its ear. Getting rid of wax, possible grout, and hopefully any ear mites that might persist in this creature. Not certain if ear mites are captured by my Trash Skill as they are technically living, but I think they are Trash and should therefore be removed, and hopefully that is enough.

  “Rmmmmrrrmmm.”

  A faint thrum that sounds and feels roughly like a motorcycle coming to life can be heard coming from the beast. It then proceeds to give me a massive wet slurp that mostly gets caught by my veil. Again, I am thankful for my Skill, because if this dried up like this, I might not be able to see properly. One quick, cast of Trash again removes the excess saliva, and any profusive sweat I know I excreted during that whole exchange.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “Sorry about that, she really is just a sweetheart,” the tamer, Kiera Bembry offers as she begins walking her phase panther to the stage. Only once they are a few feet away, do I let out the breath that I had been holding.

  “You good?” Markan finally asks.

  I nod, suddenly glad I am not supposed to talk, as I still can’t find the words to explain what just happened.

  “It seems we will not have to spend as much time developing out your legs and core as I had originally feared,” is all Mr. Yi provides as words of encouragement after that exchange.

  I almost want to say something, but then just shake it off as I realize it isn’t worth it. Also, I’ll take that as a win. No holes, no bloody paw prints, and she seems to like me. Things are looking up, right?

  “Again, let’s hear it for Bianca Serpente and her colossal winged-snake Hydra!” Sal called out. Then following some type of command given by Bianca’s lowering right hand, the serpent, Hydra collapsed its three sets of wings tight against its body, then dropped to the ground and proceeded to slither towards the ring.

  However, I couldn’t help but notice one thing, while it was relatively dark green with black spots on top, its wings and stomach were all black. I tried to think back to if I had ever seen an all-black snake have a black stomach before. There might have been, a few king cobras and the like, though I was pretty sure most king cobras had tan stripes every so often, whereas this was just pure midnight black.

  For a moment, I wonder why a species would evolve to have an all-black stomach, until I realize that the stomach along with the wings would appear dark in the night sky, making it easier for them to swoop down and attack prey that was too stupid to think of roofs. Though looking at that creature, I as pretty sure if it was motivated, that not even most roofs would stand a chance.

  “Legalized Mind Control,” Markan states with a disapproving tone, and then just stops talking as the two women bend down and begin talking into their pets ears. Almost as if the pets themselves and understand them. Then I think back and realize that there must be some type of Tamer Skill that allows for them to communicate with he pets. At that thought, I focus my Eagle Eye Skill and relax a bit when I can see the faint use of light blue Mana seeping out in their words and flowing directly into their tamed animals.

  Watching, I can see the way the light blue sheen easily flows into the phase panther and then sort of settles in. While the serpent dismisses the first dose of energy, before shaking its head.

  Angry-hiss.

  The giant winged serpent begins to struggle and resist, but that Serpente girl just straddles the giant beast and while still having the beast in a loose choke hold, with its massive head propped up by her elbow, she again hisses into the beast’s ear once more. This time at least twice as much light blue mana pours out, the snake blinks once and resists, but by the second time the light blue coat of energy takes and it settles down.

  This is going to be bad. Is all I can think to myself as I see just how much that serpent is struggling to resist her owner’s commands.

  I look over at Mr. Yi, but he only shakes his head at me indicating he is just as lost as I am. Then turning to Markan, I hold up my hand that says, you’ve got to tell me something.

  Markan for his part looks just as confused, “normally there is not such resistance, not unless you are forcing the creature to go against their nature. But their nature should be to want to kill Z-Rot infested creatures. All creatures naturally hate the tainted.”

  Hearing his reply, I pause and try to see if there is any reason or injury why the giant serpent, Hydra a worse name I couldn’t think of, slithers into position.

  Even Sal, seems somewhat hesitant to begin.

  “Tamers are you ready?” Sal’s booming voice calls out.

  Both Tamers hold up one thumb high in the air showing they are good to go.

  “You sure?” Sal asks.

  Chuckles.

  His comment did cause a few of the more nervous patrons to laugh, at which point he received a direct glare from Bianca Serpente herself, where she once again held a thumbs up.

  “On your marks,

  Get set

  Go!”

  “Go!” the two Tamers cried out in almost unison.

  Prance, prance, gallop, poof.

  Slow slither, slide, wings uncoiled, take off.

  By comparison the two creatures took off at vastly different speeds. While Lady, the phase panther, was able to get into a full gallop in a matter of paces, the longer slower serpent seemed to have a harder time moving, almost as if its center of gravity was off.

  Only then did I see the reason. There on its stomach, in between the flowing and undulating pseudopods that moved the serpent forward was also a very real and full sac of eggs, just waiting to be laid. Seeing the eggs, its sudden slowish gait and resistance to commands all seemed to make sense. At least, according to the Markan and the going against their nature. I assume that even a serpent would want to protect their eggs from being broken apart by excessive movements.

  Poof.

  By the time Hydra got off to a quick glide, to the Z-Rot infested animals, Lady had already come back, a dead and subdued doe in its mouth that it placed lovingly at Kiera’s feet.

  “Good girl, now go on, get a sheep!” Kiera commanded, and not even needing to use infused power words, the panther nodded excitedly and turned about, took three steps, got into a mid-sprint and poof.

  This time with both monsters nearing the hunting grounds at the same time, which was just a makeshift hill surrounded by a white picket fence with bird wire to keep the infected animals inside, I could see what Z-Rot did to a creature.

  Nom, nom, nom!

  At the sight of the two healthy creatures, the Z-Rot infected farm animals seemed to come alive as they began gnashing and gnawing their teeth together is some sort of creepy monster film gone wild.

  Poof.

  The phase panther continued its full barrel charge forward, dashing through time and space, black wisps of smoke appearing around it, as it lowered its head and barreled into one of the sheep.

  Crunch.

  The infected sheep just stumbled a bit, despite the force being enough to cause it to break and shatter bones. But the creature did not feel pain and instead just continued to gnash its teeth and try to get closer.

  For a second it looked like the phase panther was about to go in for the kill but with its sixth sense seemed to note a threat coming from behind and popped out of existence.

  Poof.

  Of course, the giant flying serpent was not to be out done, for it seemed to just over for a moment. Then almost as if it was a cat trying to hack up the mother of all hair balls, I saw a giant ball of something form up from its stomach and slowly work its way up.

  Hack, hack.

  Yuck, I thought as I had to turn away.

  Poof.

  At that exact moment, the phase panther blinked into existence and managed to appear from the exact opposite side of the crippled but still fully active sheep that it had tried to tackle early.

  Chop.

  I watched as its teeth bit deep into the neck of the sheep, at the same time the giant glob of whatever had finally worked its way into the flying snake’s mouth. That’s when I saw the most frightening thing, and something that will likely haunt my dreams.

  There far up in the sky, was not just a flying snake, but a snake that could apparently spit acid.

  Acid Spray!

  I watched as dark mana infused specks of rotting meet and snake saliva rained down and began blanketing everything.

  “Rarrr!”

  Poof.

  Just as the spray began to rain down, the Phase panther teleported away, but I could tell it was hit by the puss.

  Then breaking form of a silent healer, I grabbed Markan and hissed, “it can spit acid?”

  “Only if they are pregnant,” Markan replied, disbelief etched in its face.

  “It’s clearly pregnant!” I hiss out and then point to the flying monster. A fat stomached pregnant monster that clearly didn’t want to be forced to fly anyways.

  Poof.

  Then to make matters worse, Lady the phase panther appeared, before her master and with an act of loving kindness, placed the second Z-Rot infested animal, the very sheep her master had demanded a moment ago. It was placed there, before the beast collapsed to the ground, and passed out from its pain.

  Only once it fell down and collapsed with its right side up, could I finally see the damage it suffered as clumps of acid still continued to burn through its thick fur.

  Suddenly my mind went back to how I too had huddled up in the woods, waiting for my injuries to take me. Recalling that thought, I didn’t pause, I didn’t hesitate. Hell, I didn’t even care who won this stupid match. I just ran forward, my legs easily moving me, as my long completed Running Skill came into use as I ran forward and jumped up onto the arena, not having to worry about ropes or steps. Then I began working on the downed panther, treating her, just as Madame Bloom treated me.

  Those were my thoughts, I was so lost in my own thoughts about trying to save that big beautiful cat, when I almost failed to notice a long winding shadow that began to form overtop of me.

  Looking up, I saw it, death incarnate. A flying snake, that can spit acid.

  And again, I found myself wondering, exactly who thought taming flying snakes was a good idea to begin with.

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