The rumbling started faint, like distant thunder, but within monts, it crescendoed into a roar that made the ground beneath shudder violently.
Dust and pebbles scattered across the underworld floor, and I clutched the baby manticore closer to my chest as my pulse quickened.
"Oh no, no, no. Don't tell —" I muttered, but my words were cut off by the sight of sothing massive barreling toward us.
A manticore.
Not just any manticore, though.
This one was at least three tis the size of the baby I was holding. Its golden fur shimred under the flickering casino's neon light, and its bat-like wings stretched wide as it galloped with terrifying speed.
Its scorpion tail arched high over its back, the stinger glowing faintly with venom that could probably take down a dragon.
And it was headed straight for .
"Great. This is how I die. Death by a manticore," I said aloud, fully aware that nobody was going to eulogize as The Guy Who Died Hugging a Baby Manticore.
I froze in place, unsure whether to run, drop the baby, or start praying to any deity that might take pity on .
But before I could decide, the baby manticore let out a sharp, high-pitched cry.
The sound echoed through the lower casino lobby, piercing and desperate.
To my utter shock, the mother skidded to a halt, its claws scraping against the stone floor.
Its glowing eyes locked onto , not with fury, but with sothing more conflicted—concern?
Curiosity?
Parental guilt for almost skewering a random mortal?
I exhaled, my chest heaving as I stared at the massive creature looming inches from . Its warm, heavy breath puffed against my face as it studied , then the baby, then again.
"Well," I said nervously, "looks like we've reached... an understanding?"
The mother's attention shifted suddenly to Agnos, who was sitting nearby, grooming one paw with the kind of nonchalance that only a purple, otherworldly god-cat could pull off.
The manticore lowered its head, its intimidating deanor shifting to one of submission. It bowed deeply, its mane brushing the ground.
Agnos didn't so much as twitch an ear in acknowledgnt. He just kept licking his paw, like this was a completely normal Tuesday for him.
The mother turned back to , its gaze softening. There was a flicker of nervousness in its eyes as it glanced between Agnos and its baby. It seed to be waiting—contemplating.
I swallowed hard and looked at the baby in my arms. Its tiny lion-like face looked up at , its wide, innocent eyes gleaming with trust. I felt a pang in my chest. I didn't want to give it up. But it wasn't mine to keep, was it?
"This is the part where I do the right thing, huh?" I said softly to the baby, my voice breaking slightly.
The baby manticore nuzzled my chest one last ti, and I reluctantly stepped forward, extending it toward its mother.
"Here," I said, my voice thick. "Take care of them, okay?"
The mother's expression softened, and it let out a soft rumble of approval as it gently took the baby from my hands. It nuzzled its child, its massive wings quivering with what I could only describe as happiness.
Then, without so much as a glance back, it strutted off with a proud, almost smug bounce in its step.
"Great. Just leave here with my existential crisis," I muttered.
Agnos finally stopped licking his paw and glanced up at . "Sentintality won't get you far,
Carl," he said in his usual bored tone. "Shall we move on?"
I sighed. "Yeah, let's move on."
********
Dr. Philippe and Eldrin were preparing to return to CCP headquarters. Their job here was done, and to their credit, they did manage to resolve most of the underworld's ecological ss—after I, of course, risked life and limb.
Dr. Philippe dusted off his coat, giving a stern look.
"Carl, you've done... adequate work."
"Adequate?" I repeated, feigning indignation.
"Excuse , but I believe I went above and beyond. I an, I practically carried this mission on my back." I puffed out my chest, then added shalessly, "Does this an I get the bonus paynt?"
Philippe's eyes twitched, but he sighed.
"Yes, Carl. This includes your bonus paynt."
"HA!" I fist-pumped the air, hopping with unrestrained glee.
Realizing the others were staring, I coughed awkwardly and smoothed out my clothes.
"I an... uh, that's great news. Glad I could contribute."
Eldrin snorted. "You're shaless, Carl."
"Shalessness pays the bills," I replied, grinning ear to ear.
I turned to Dr. Philippe and Eldrin as they finalized their departure preparations. The underworld of Domos Haidou cast its perpetual twilight glow, adding a strange finality to the mont.
"Well," I said, scratching the back of my neck, "I guess this is it. You guys head back to CCP, and I... keep doing whatever this is."
Dr. Philippe adjusted his glasses, giving his signature mix of approval and mild disdain. "Try not to get yourself killed, Carl. You're a... unique asset, if nothing else."
"Gee, thanks for the heartfelt goodbye, Sir," I replied with a wry grin.
Eldrin clapped a hand on my shoulder, his normally stoic face softening just a little. "You did well, Carl. Rember, if you need assistance, CCP is only a portal away—though don't abuse the privilege."
I smiled, nodding. "Thanks, Eldrin. I won't forget."
As the two of them stepped into the glowing portal that would take them back to CCP, I stood silently, watching their forms fade into the light. Thɪs chapter is updated by novelfire(.)net
The portal shimred once and then vanished, leaving nothing but the quiet hum of the underworld around . I let out a long breath, realizing how much I already missed the familiar faces.
"Guess it's just and you now," I muttered, glancing at Agnos.
"Don't sound so glum," Agnos said, flicking his tail. "The real adventure is just beginning."
I wasn't sure if that was comforting or ominous. Probably both.
"So," I began, breaking the silence, "where to next? Is it another random pit of doom or... sothing even worse?"
Agnos, perched lazily on a floating rock that moved at his command, stretched and yawned. "The next fragnt? Ah, it's being held by a friend of mine."
I stopped in my tracks. "A friend? You an soone you trust has it?"
"Correct," Agnos replied with a casual flick of his tail. "Before my powers were shattered and the fragnts scattered, I made sure the most critical ones were secured by my closest confidantes."
"Well, that's... surprisingly responsible of you," I admitted, narrowing my eyes. "Who is this friend? Are they trustworthy? Reliable?"
"Oh, very," Agnos said, his tone maddeningly nonchalant. "He's a judge."
My ears perked up. "A judge? Like... in a magistrate court or sothing? Soone who upholds laws and—"
"Precisely," Agnos said slyly, his lips curling into a grin. "A magistrate of sorts."
I groaned. His tone didn't exactly inspire confidence. "You're being cagey. This 'judge' isn't just a regular court official, is he?"
Agnos's smirk widened, and he said nothing. Fantastic.
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