Realm of Monsters

Chapter 215: The Rat Snake’s Misfortune

The gangsters fist smashed into Mels face, splitting his lip once more, and slicing the inner cheek across his sharp teeth. Mels head lolled to the side as he reeled from the pain. His instincts told him to run, escape the pain, but a small coherent part of his mind told him there was no escape.

Mel and Witt were tied to chairs back-to-back and blindfolded. Their hands and feet had been bound with rope made from ivlid weed, a common yet tough plant from the Silent Marshes. The Rat Snake gang had ambushed them a few hours ago, yet it felt as if an eternity had gone by.

The drow gangsters had tied them up, then they had left Mel and Witt with a sadistic couple, Gina and Dan, who got off on beating them senseless for hours. Mels leg and arms had long gone numb from the thrashings, but the pain in his stomach and chest burned with throbbing agony. He dimly wondered why they even blindfolded him, his eyes were so swollen he wouldnt be able to see anything anyway.

Mel knew this was the end of his short life. While his life hadnt amounted to much, he was grateful that he had found purpose in the end. He was no longer just the trash and rabble of Hollow Shade, an orphan drifting through the streets begging for scraps. No, he was now a child of Lunis. He was proud that his life held meaning, his sacrifice had saved his fellow brothers and sisters, and Sophi. He had made a difference, that should have been enough, but he still couldnt stop the trembling running through him at the thought of his looming death.

Enough with the punches, honey, Gina complained.

Aw, why, it was just getting good, Dan groaned.

Yeah, but lets try something new, she giggled.

Mel could hear the click of a chest opening and the sounds of metal objects bumping into each other from inside.

O-o-oh, lets try the carving knife! Gina said happily. I bet I could skin the goblins legs off in under 10 minutes!

Okay, youre on. Oh, wait, look! The little goblin shit just peed himself, Dan laughed.

Hey, leave the kid alone, you sick fucks! Witt muttered through swollen cheeks.

Gina walked over to Witt and grinned, Trying to play the hero?

Bah! As if that human has a single brave bone in his body, Dan sneered.

Witt licked his bloody lips, Im not brave. Youre just a bunch of cowards. Its pretty easy hurting people when theyre tied up. Why dont you untie me and see who the coward really is?

I could take this stupid shit with only one hand, Dan spat on Witts face.

Then try me, you son of a bitch! Witt snapped.

Thats it! Im snipping your balls first! Dan grabbed a pair of shears.

The door swung open.

I told you not to rough them up too much. It seems someone needs to learn respect, a feminine voice said coldly.

Dan and Gina lowered their heads and stepped back.

Sorry, boss, the couple said together.

Both of you get out, she ordered with a calm voice that held faint yet clear tones of anger.

Witt heard the footsteps of Dan and Gina run out of the room and the door close behind them. A lighter set of steps walked around Witt and Mel. The footsteps stopped, Witt heard the sounds of a chair being dragged in front of him.

Ah, thats a bit better, the woman sighed and leaned back in the chair. Here, let me get that for you.

Witt blinked his eyes blearily as his blindfold was removed. His swollen jaw went slack at the sight of the woman sitting across from him.

Im Donna, whats your name?

W-Witt Youre the boss?

Didnt expect a woman? she smiled.

I didnt expect an orc, he frowned.

The orc shrugged, Our gang may consist mostly of drows, but its membership isnt exclusive to any one species.

Witt looked the woman up and down, she was skinny, almost frail-like; her black leather clothes hung a tad loose over her body, this didnt seem like the rumored feared leader of the Rat Snake gang.

All those guys listen to you? Witt asked with a skeptic tone.

Thats what happens when you're the one who founded the gang, she smirked. Looks like Dan and Gina arent the only two who need to be taught respect.

Hard to respect someone when youre tied up in a chair, Witt tried moving to no avail.

You are a little cocky one arent you? But Im afraid its a little late for that now. You see, local residents noticed you and the little goblin behind you disrespecting my men the other day. We are new to this territory, we cant afford such a display of dissent.

So youll just kill us like animals!?

She sighed, No, Gina and Dan went overboard. I was hoping to simply gut you in the middle of the streets. Your death would be horribly painful, but quick. Unlike this whole little torture session.

W-why? Witt shook with anger or fear, he wasnt sure.

Hm, youre not too bright are you? We need to show the folks around here that were the new gang in charge. They need to know that they have to listen to us. With the gods grace, well have the entire five blocks around here under our influence by the end of next month.

So youre going to kill us, no matter what, Witt squeezed his eyes tight, tears slipping down anyways.

Quite right, I do apologize for dragging this one out. Ill have the men take you down the street and finish this in the morning. Donna stood up and headed for the door.

Youre religious? Mel called out.

Only a fool would not believe in the gods, Donna said.

Most drows arent religious. You really think the gods are going to bless your little atheist gang?

My drows follow my orders, she glared. Why do you think they didnt take you in last time? Your little acolyte friend saved you. The Rat Snakes respect the temples own.

Mel broke into a cackling fit, his bloody mouth grinning from side to side.

Donna pulled out her dagger and pointed at the blindfolded goblin, Whats so funny little man?

You say you respect the temples own. But you just had one of them tortured, he chuckled.

Do you really expect me to believe your little street rat ass works for a holy temple? Donna raised an eyebrow.

Nope, but he does, Mel threw his head back.

This human idiot? A priest? Donna laughed.

Not a priest, hes the temples cook, Mel sneered. And you just attacked us as he was on a trip to buy food for the temple.

Donnas smile slipped away.

Do you really think the gods will bless your little gang now? Mel chuckled bitterly.

Well, shit. I guess youre right, Donna threw her hands up in the air. In that case, Dan! Gina! Get back in here, you still have some work to do with these two.

Mel stiffened with fear.

Donna tapped her foot, Dan!? Gina!? Get your asses over here, now!

A thunderous crash resounded outside the room. Several screams echoed through the house.

What the fuck is going on? Donna muttered.

~~~

Is this the place? Stryg asked.

Yes, sir, the orphan girl nodded repeatedly.

Stryg, Karen, and the orphan stood in an alleyway, watching a large house down the street. Candlelight glowed from the windows, various figures passed by the curtain routinely. The Rat Snakes base was far from empty.

Good, Stryg nodded. Ill take it from here, you go to the barracks on the eastern side of the Trade District. There youll find Captain Rorik Polamtal. Tell him I sent you, and that I want him and his men here for a bit of cleanup. Hell understand.

The orphan opened her mouth to object, but hesitated, and lowered her head. Tears formed at the edge of her yellow eyes, ...Mel, he we need him. He cant die

I cant promise his safety, Stryg said. But Ill do my best to save your leader.

Mel believes in you, more than any of us, she swallowed. Please dont let him down now.

Before Stryg could respond she ran off.

Poor girl, Mel is her family, Karen bit her lip. I know what its like to have your family taken by a gang.

This isnt like last time, Stryg said.

Karen looked around the alleyway dubiously, This feels exactly like last time. Except its already dark, I guess. We dont have to wait for nightfall.

The dark is always nice in a fight.

So whats the plan? You sneak in through the back again? Then Ill come in as backup? Karen gripped her dagger tight.

No, you stay here. Ill handle this, Stryg stepped out of the alleyway.

Thats what you said last time! And you would have died without my help!

Like I said, last time was different.

How!?

Last time I fought like a hunter. But truth be told, I never did manage to join the hunters, he admitted. This time I fight as a mage.

Then why the sword!? Karen called out from the alleyway.

Stryg unsheathed the longsword from behind his back and brandished the blade with a flourish. Because its better than a dagger.

Karens eyes widened as she noticed his direction, Wait, where are you going!? Theyll see you! 

Not for long, he whispered to himself. 

Stryg walked down the street and headed to the Rat Snakes front door, it was made of iron, an expected defense for their main base of operations. They were definitely wealthier than the Wild Knives gang and larger if the dozens of scents coming from inside were any indicator.

As he neared, he could hear the sounds of whispers from inside the house. Heavy footsteps ran to the front door. Stryg guessed there were two, maybe three, waiting for him behind the door.

Stryg smiled maliciously. Brown mana coursed through his lower body, a faint bronze sheen covered his legs as the spell took hold. Vigor magic enhanced the casters base strength, but his base strength was far above normal.

Strygs muscles flexed tight. He raised his leg and kicked the door with a resounding boom. The iron door bent under the pressure, ripped off its hinges, and flew back into the wall, smashing the two drows behind into a bloody pulp.

Screams of horror and confusion echoed through the house. Stryg released the vigor spell and channeled yellow mana over his body. A dim outline of yellow scales surged across his skin.

Three drows ran out of another room, daggers, and swords in hand. They stared at the intruder in surprise for a brief moment, before charging him in an all-out attack. Stryg took a step back and entered a defensive stance of the Gale Style.

He may have been taller than other goblins, but his reach was still shorter than any average drow. Like the spear, the longsword eliminated that weakness. Stryg narrowed his eyes as the enemies rushed him.

Durability scales were heavy, they usually weighed down their caster and slowed their movements noticeably. But he weighed more than others, his body was used to carrying around a little extra weight.

Stryg waited, his muscles tightened. His enemies were now a mere few feet from him. They raised their weapons, ready to attack. Stryg dashed in and closed the gap in the blink of an eye. His longsword flitted through the air in one swift silver strike. The three gangsters fell apart, their bodies buckling in half at the waist.

Stryg didnt waste time to glance at their bodies and jogged over to the living room. A crossbow bolt smashed into his shoulder, his durability scales flaring bright yellow where they blocked the attack. Stryg ignored the futile attack and surveyed the living room.

The rooms furniture had been flipped over and being used as cover by the gangsters. Two of them stayed at the very back, bolts notched in their crossbows. Another dozen gangsters held spears, swords, and axes at the ready.

Kill him! Gina raised her crossbow.

Dan fired off his crossbow again, Ginas bolt flew right behind. The iron bolts broke on his blue skin and clattered to the ground harmlessly. His body had barely been pushed back from the force. Dan and Gian trembled in utter shock. Stryg stared at them, annoyed.

A human snuck up from behind and swung his ax down at Stryg. The goblins right leg spread out and his body ducked low in a smooth sweep. His feet shifted and he spun around the human, his longsword swinging in a wide arc in a coinciding motion. The humans head rolled off the neck and the man collapsed in a heap of blood.

Luca, no! a dire drow screamed in fury from across a hallway.

The dire gripped her hammer tight and charged.

Stryg flicked his open hand, a funnel of orange flame blasted the dire back into the hall in a vortex of fire. She thrashed on the ground as the fire consumed her flesh and seared her bones.

Stryg glanced at the dozen pale-faced drows in the living room. He hefted the longsword over his shoulder and bared his small fangs, I really hate snakes.