As he entered another vaulted room, he saw the beast he’d been stalking, laying on the floor. The green metcor didn’t move, when Cyprian hesitantly approached, his long sword drawn just in case. The creature didn’t look injured, till Cyprian noticed the puncture wound in its side.
Dammit, Cyprian growled in rage.
The collar around the beast’s neck was missing. He spun around the room looking for the thief. Movement on the ceiling drew his attention.
That damn worm.
The vile slimy creature swiftly slithered across the ceiling, defying gravity with its segmented body. It clutched the access card in one of its tiny hands, as it took off down another tunnel. Cyprian threw his blade grazing the creature. Blue blood oozed from the wound, but didn’t slow the foul contestant. Instead it retreated faster.
Cyprian followed the thief into a large central room, where numerous tunnels intersected. In the middle stood a column with a yellow door.
The sudden blow to Cyprian’s midsection sent him reeling back. The general focused on his new assailant as he brandished his sword.
“I assumed we’d meet eventually,” Aculus sneered at Cyprian.
“Out of my way,” Cyprian snarled.
The damn worm was slithering down the column, toward the door that undoubtedly led to the next level. Cyprian attempted to side step Aculus, but the male wasn’t having it.
“We’re both about to lose, you fool,” Cyprian roared.
Aculus followed his gaze, then bellowed in frustration. Cyprian threw a small blade as the worm creature shoved his keycard into the slot. The knife struck the slimy beast in the arm, but not before the door opened.
Both Cyprian and Aculus raced forward. Aculus threw his spear, as the worm entered the portal. The weapon grazed the slithering beast’s torso. Before Cyprian could aim and launch another blade, the door slammed shut. Both he and Aculus slid to a halt, feet from the door. The display next to the sealed door changed from white to red.
“You stupid bastard,” Cyprian roared as he struck Aculus in the jaw.
The bones in Cyprian’s hand cracked when they met the bony armor, but he wasn’t deterred. The disgusting slimy worm was heading straight for Riley.
As the warriors fought, Cyprian’s sword barely chipped Aculus’ bony armor. He’d have to aim for the warrior’s joints, if he was going to have any impact. Cyprian dodged the sharp spear Aculus skillfully wielded. Frustratingly, they were equally matched.
This is going nowhere.
Beyond Aculus, Cyprian caught sight of a massive shadow barreling down the corridor. He froze where he stood. Aculus’ spear struck Cyprian in the shoulder. The sharp metal tip glanced off the bone, and emerged from the other side. Cyprian gritted his teeth, as the searing pain radiated down his arm and torso, but he didn’t dare make a sound. This wasn’t the first time he suffered in battle. And he had far bigger things to worry about. A fraction of a second later the green metcor careened into Aculus.
The hairy beast picked up the bony warrior and shook him. Cyprian was impressed Aculus’ armor stood up to the vile beast.
Cyprian grabbed hold of the spear protruding from his trapezius. He got lucky it didn’t rip free, when the beast attacked Aculus. Cyprian pulled the lance, gritting his teeth as the metal tip scraped his clavicle on the way out. He moved slowly not just because it stung like a bitch. The last thing he wanted to do was attract the rampaging bizarre metcor.
The general clenched his fist and moved his fingers, pleased he still retained use of his arm. With his sword in hand, he silently inched toward the enraged beast, his eyes on the prize around its neck. The green metcor was in a particularly foul mood since its meal refused to die.
“What are you waiting for? Kill it while it’s using me as a chew toy,” Aculus bellowed as he was rattled about.
Cyprian arched his brow at the male. He found himself both amused and perturbed at the unsolicited advice.
Ever so slowly Cyprian crouched on the ground, getting into position. When the beast swung its head away, Cyprian struck out, stabbing his sword through the fleshy part of the creature’s neck. He jerked downward, flaying open its jugular and throat. The beast burbled as it dropped Aculus, and started to stagger. Cyprian swiftly tore the pendant from its neck, before Aculus recovered and noticed the key card.
“It was about time,” Aculus stood flexing his arms and legs.
Cyprian didn’t feel sorry for the male, considering he had hole in his shoulder.
“You’re welcome.”
The general didn’t waste another second on pleasantries. He hustled toward the door on the column. Cyprian shoved the card into the slot, but was met with a buzzer instead of an open door. The blinking light on the panel was still red.