As I stumbled out of the dense forest, I could hardly believe I was still standing. I glanced down at myself—my clothes were torn, stained with dirt, sweat, and streaks of blood from the cuts that still stung. My limbs felt heavy, but a deeper, unexplainable strength kept me upright. I had survived the centipede, barely. Relief washed over me, but it was fleeting. I wanted nothing more than to go home, to escape this nightmare.
The village loomed ahead, its rundown huts looking even more decrepit than before. Smoke curled lazily from a few fires, but the place felt abandoned, like a graveyard. My eyes scanned the area, searching for Levi. I made my way to the shack, to have him bask in my presence, my survival and his. Instead, I spotted Wayne, sitting alone in the dust outside Levi's shack. His face was buried in his hands, his body shaking with silent sobs.
"Wayne," I called out softly, approaching him with cautious steps. "What happened? Where's Levi? I have to tell him about the monster".
Wayne lifted his tear-streaked face, his eyes swollen and full of grief. He tried to speak, but his voice broke into a barely audible whisper. "He's gone, Jeremiah. Grizz and Lenny… they took him to Radamar."
The words struck me like a physical blow, and for a moment, the weight of exhaustion I'd carried seemed to crush me. "But why?" I asked, my voice cracking. "I kept my end of the deal. I defeated the centipede."
"Centipede?" The question barely left his mouth.
"The monster in the forest—it was like a giant centipede, It looked a little sickly with light green veins running throughtout its body." I said, my voice still hoarse.
Wayne sniffled, wiping his face. "Not a centipede. Those have a hundred legs. What you fought... that sounds like a triopede. They're rare, and... a lot deadlier.
"We can talk about that later, where is Levi?" I asked still looking around for him.
Wayne wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, his fingers trembling. "Levi tried to reason with them. He believed in you, believed that you'd make it back. But Radamar called him a traitor for trusting you. Called him weak, for staying back and relying on a human for protection. They dragged him out back… and by the time I got there, it was too late. They killed him, Jeremiah."
Guilt twisted inside me like a knife, each word cutting deeper than the last. I looked around, my vision blurred by a mix of anger and tears I tried to hold back. My gaze fell on Levi's shack, and I noticed the door was ajar. Driven by a sudden impulse, I walked toward it, feeling Wayne's eyes on me. As I stepped inside, the small, cluttered space reeked of desperation—a life lived on the edge of survival.
That's when I saw it: a sword, leaning against the back wall. It was unlike any weapon I had seen before, with a single handle but two blades fanning out in a U-shape, each blade polished and sharp, though covered in a layer of dust. The sword looked both ancient and powerful, a strange relic in a place like this.
I reached out, my fingers brushing against the sword's handle, feeling the cold metal beneath the dust. Before I could fully grasp it, Wayne's voice broke the silence behind me. "That's what Levi was lookin' for," he said quietly. "Before you left, he wanted to give it to ya for help against the centipede, but he couldn't find it in time. You were in such a hurry that you left without it."
I stared at the sword, amazed by its ancient design and undeniable power, even under layers of grime. Wayne stepped closer, his voice tinged with sadness. "As soon as Levi found it, that's when Radamar, Grizz, and Lenny came for him. He didn't even have time to clean it up for ya, but I'm sure he would've wanted you to have it now, for all the dangers ahead. You should take it, Jeremiah."
I reached out and grasped the handle, feeling its cold, solid weight settle in my hand. It felt heavy, yet oddly balanced. For a moment, I hesitated. Would Levi have wanted me to take it? But I knew deep down that Levi's death needed to be avenged, and the sword was a tangible way to honor his sacrifice. I slung it across my back, securing it as best as I could with a makeshift strap and the sheath I found on the floor.
With renewed determination, I stormed toward the bar, my heart pounding not just from anger but also from the weight of the sword. The sword's twin blades clinked together softly as I walked, each step echoing my resolve.
As I approached the bar, I spotted Grizz and Lenny standing guard outside. The moment they laid eyes on me, their expressions shifted from surprise to a grim kind of sadness. Grizz's brow furrowed deeply, while Lenny's usual smirk faded into a tight, solemn line. It was clear that they already knew the truth about Levi, but uncertainty lingered in their eyes—unsure if I, too, was aware of it.
"You… you actually made it, barely it seems" Lenny muttered, his voice a mix of disbelief and concern. He glanced at the sword in my hand, realization dawning in his eyes. "So, you figured it out, then?".
I tightened my grip on the sword, its weight a reminder of what Levi had tried to do for me. "I know," I said bluntly, my voice low and edged with anger.
Grizz stepped forward, his tone cautious. "Look, we know you're upset, but rushin' in there like this ain't the way to handle it. You don't know what you're up against, Jeremiah. Radamar's not someone you just challenge head-on. He's dangerous, and you ain't prepared for what he'll throw at you."
Lenny nodded in agreement, his voice unexpectedly earnest. "You don't have to do this, not like this. There's a better way, trust me. Just walk away now before it's too late."
But their words only fueled the fire inside me. "I can't walk away," I snapped, pushing past them with a forceful stride. "Not after everything he's done."
As I stormed into the bar, the smoky air hit me like a wall, but I barely noticed it. Radamar stood near the back, his posture relaxed as if he owned the world. I didn't give him a chance to react—I shouted across the room, my voice booming with all the anger I'd held back.
"You liar! You wicked man! You broke your word and killed Levi!" My words cut through the murmur of the bar, every pair of eyes turning toward me, the room now dead silent.
Radamar leaned back against the bar, his posture calculative, as if he found the situation amusing. He didn't respond immediately, letting an uncomfortable silence stretch out between us. His eyes studied me lazily, as if I were a mere insect that had dared to crawl too close. I tightened my grip on the sword, refusing to let his dismissive demeanor shake me.
Finally, a slow smile spread across his face. He chuckled, a deep, mocking sound that seemed to resonate throughout the room. "Forgiveness?" he repeated, his voice filled with disdain. He looked around at the others in the bar, as if expecting them to join in. "This boy speaks of forgiveness!" he announced, his laughter growing louder. The patrons hesitated for a moment, then, as if on cue, burst into laughter as well—an ugly, jeering sound that filled the smoky room.
The sound of their laughter stung more than I expected, but I refused to let it show. I took a step forward, the sword raised slightly, my eyes locked on Radamar. "This isn't a joke," I said firmly. "You promised that if I defeated the centipede, you'd spare Levi and me. You didn't keep your word."
Radamar's laughter died down, but the smirk remained on his face. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. "And what will you do about it, boy? Wave that little sword around and expect me to bow down?" His voice was dripping with mockery, each word meant to belittle and provoke me.
My jaw tightened, and I took another step closer, the tip of the sword now inches away from his chest. "I don't care about you bowing down. I just want answers.
Radamar's expression shifted from amusement to cold disdain. He tilted his head slightly, regarding me with a mixture of annoyance and something darker, as if he were deciding whether to crush me or let me squirm a little longer. "Look at you being arighteous?" he said slowly, drawing out the words. "You think you can avenge Levi?".
I met his gaze, unflinching. "Yes i can," I replied. Grizz hold on me tightens.
Radamar's face darkened, the smirk vanishing. For a moment, the room felt colder, as if a dark cloud had passed overhead.
"You think this is about you? The triopede, Levi... they were just pawns in a bigger game, boy."
Without warning, he grabbed a clay mug from the bar and hurled it across the room. It smashed against the wall, shattering into countless pieces. The sudden violence sent a shock through the bar, silencing the laughter.
You dare challenge me?" Radamar growled, his voice dripping with venom. "Do you think a boy with a relic and a half-baked sense of justice can change anything here? This is my world, my rules. And your kind... your kind exists to kneel, or die."
Radamar stood still for a moment, his reptilian eyes locked onto mine, but the air around him rippled with an unseen force. Slowly, a dark aura began to swirl around him, pulling in strands of vibrant, greenish energy from the ground and air itself. His body seemed to swell, muscles bulging, veins surfacing and pulsing with an eerie, glowing light that snaked across his scaly skin. A slow, guttural laugh rumbled from his chest, thick with power that pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe.
As I watched him transform, fear clawed at my insides, a cold truth settling in my chest. I wanted to avenge Levi, to make Radamar pay for what he did, but I knew I wasn't strong enough—not now. Charging into this battle would be a waste of effort, or worse, my life. It would be foolish to die here or make an unnecessary enemy just to satisfy my anger. I clenched my fists, swallowing the frustration and pain that threatened to rise. I have to be smarter than this.
"Radamar! Calm yuhself, man! Dis nuh worth it!" Lenny's voice rang out, filled with a desperation that mirrored my own thoughts. Radamar's form only continued to grow, his glowing veins casting an eerie light across the dim space. The sight made my skin crawl, and I knew I needed to shift tactics—fast. Raising a hand, I spoke quickly, my voice low and steady, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Wait, Radamar," I said, my words urgent but measured. "I acted rashly. Lost my head… Levi was the first person in this place who showed me a bit of kindness, yuh know? I let my emotions get the better of me, and I realize now how ugly it is to be controlled by anger. It nearly blinded me to what really matters."
Radamar paused, his massive frame still pulsing with power, but the glow in his veins seemed to dim slightly, as if my words were reaching him. I took a deep breath, pressing on, hoping to connect with the part of him that could understand. "Yuh know that kind of rage yourself, don't yuh?" I asked, voice softening. "It's why yuh were about to rip me apart. But yuh have the power to control it, and that's strength. That's something I don't have yet."
Radamar's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I wasn't sure if he'd listened at all. But then, his body seemed to relax, his form slowly shrinking back to its original size, the glow in his veins fading. "You speak sense, boy," he muttered, his voice low but no longer filled with that monstrous growl. "Anger is a powerful weapon… but it can also be a curse."
I seized the opening, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Then let's talk, Radamar," I suggested, keeping my voice calm. "I want to know if there are any other humans in this world. I killed the triopede, even though I'm realizing now yuh probably didn't need my help." I let a small, rueful smile tug at my lips—a clear attempt at flattery. "Fair trade, right?".
He said nothing , just continued to look at me. Grizz releasing me and Lenny stepping back. Everyone in the bar was on the edge of their seat. You could tell that they want to leave but they didnt want to risk being on the end of Radamar 's not yet desapated anger.
"Just tell me where I can find them." I said calmly. "I jist want to know how to get home" and with that his eyes flashed a peek of interest.
Radamar's chest heaved with barely contained rage. For a moment, it seemed like he might lash out again, but he slowly regained control, his breathing evening out. "There is only one human that is know through out this land to be alive and thats the Obeah Man, located three regions over, in the swamp," he said finally, his voice low and venomous. "To the North. To get there you need to get pass three Guardians".
He paused, his eyes glinting with malice. "But don't think for a second that the swamp will be easy to get to as defeating a triopede.
"I'm not afraid," I replied, though my heart raced at his words and the knowledge that the triopede was a very hard battle fought. "I've come this far, and I'll go further."
Radamar's expression turned calculating, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Brave words, indeed. But bravery will only take you so far." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that carried the weight of a threat. "If you falter even once, the swamp will consume you."
I straightened, refusing to show any sign of intimidation. "Then I'll make sure I don't falter," I said.
Radamar's lips curled into a sneer. "We shall see." He took a step back, waving his hand dismissively. "Now, get out of my sight before I change my mind about letting you live."
As I turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of Radamar leaning toward Grizz and Lenny, his voice low but clear enough for me to hear faint snippets of the conversation. "Leave him be for now, dont let the villagers harm him. I interested in seeing if his presence bring other humans here," he said, his tone cold. "Watch his every move. Report back." Their reaction looked almost hesitant.
I stepped out of the bar, the air hitting my face like a splash of ice water. The encounter with Radamar left me shaken, but also more determined than ever. I knew the path ahead would be treacherous, filled with spirits and dangers I couldn't yet imagine. But I had no choice. I had to find the Obeah Man, and I had to find a way home.
As I made my way through the village, I could feel eyes on me, a silent, ominous presence that lingered in the darkness. The night was colder now, the wind sharper. I adjusted my grip on the double-bladed sword, the weight of it feeling both reassuring and foreboding.
I looked at the path westward through the forest, the same forest I had just risked my life in. I heard faint rustling behind me, like cautious footsteps trying to keep pace. I didn't turn around. I knew Grizz and Lenny were following, but I kept my focus on the path ahead. The swamp awaited, and so did the answers I desperately sought.
No more games, I thought, my resolve hardening. This time, I'll get the truth, no matter what it takes.