Blue stood firm, his tail arched over Grimfang's eye, his pincers raised defiantly. He had just asked the monstrous guardian a simple question, his voice shaking with anger but resolute. "Can you understand me?"
Grimfang narrowed his eyes, and for a moment, an eerie silence settled around them. Then, in a deep, resonant voice that seemed to echo in the very depths of Blue's mind, Grimfang spoke.
"I understand you, insect," Grimfang rumbled, his voice filling Blue's thoughts like a dark cloud. The creature's tone was laced with contempt and irritation. "And I see that you are no ordinary scorpion. But your insolence will not be forgiven."
Blue felt the weight of Grimfang's words like a chill in his spine, but he held his ground, clenching his pincers tighter.
Grimfang continued, his voice thick with disdain. "These foolish villagers dared trespass into my forest without regard. They intruded upon sacred land, disturbing the balance of nature itself."
Blue's anger flared, cutting Grimfang off abruptly. "And you think that justifies attacking them?" he snapped, his voice high-pitched but filled with fury. "They've lived alongside this forest peacefully for years, in a village that doesn't harm the land, nor does the forest bother them."
Grimfang's face twisted with rage, his towering form trembling with restrained fury. But before the beast could retort, Blue struck him again, stinging him with his tail. Venom surged into Grimfang's other hind leg, causing the creature to stagger back a few feet.
This time, the venom's effects were almost immediate. Grimfang's muscles seized, and a flash of panic crossed his eyes. This venom… it's spreading even faster than before, Grimfang realized, pain shooting through his limb. There must already be too much in my system.
The realization was clear on Grimfang's face, but Blue didn't relent. He lunged forward, latching onto the creature's swollen leg with his pincers, and with all his might, he tore a small piece of flesh away. Grimfang let out a guttural wail, the pain driving him to collapse onto his remaining legs, his body shuddering.
Blue moved quickly, scuttling up to Grimfang's face, his tail poised over the creature's eye. "One more move," he said in a low, intense tone, "and I'll blind you."
Grimfang's jaw clenched, his teeth bared in fury, but he could feel the venom coursing through him, weakening him. He attempted to intimidate Blue, letting out a low growl, but Blue didn't flinch. Instead, he made his tail twitch forward, a subtle but deadly movement that made Grimfang tense, his body shuddering in alarm.
Seeing he had the creature's full attention, Blue spoke again, his tone quieter but firm. "Now, I want you to actually think and listen. Why did you attack the villagers? They haven't caused any harm. What reason could you have for harassing innocent people?"
Grimfang let out a low, reluctant growl but finally answered, his voice thick with resentment. "It is my duty to protect this forest. I am the guardian spirit, the Grimfang, keeper of life within these woods. My magic sustains the balance, keeping all within safe."
Blue tilted his head slightly, narrowing his gaze. "But have the villagers ever harmed the forest?" he pressed, refusing to let Grimfang off easily.
Grimfang hesitated, casting a sideways glance toward the fallen tree. "They tried to cut through a sacred tree, disrupting the natural flow of water. How is that not harm?"
Blue shook his head, his voice sharp. "That tree fell on its own, blocking the village's water source. They weren't disturbing the forest—they were trying to survive."
Grimfang's expression hardened, but he couldn't refute Blue's words. Before he could respond, though, he muttered something strange, a note of unease coloring his voice. "There is something else. I have sensed… a dark presence within these woods, a black magic that disturbs the harmony."
Blue considered this, then shook his head. "The villagers don't even know advanced magic. They have one healer, and even she barely has the resources to perform her craft. If anyone were using dark magic, it wouldn't be them."
Grimfang pondered this, his gaze thoughtful but pained as the venom coursed through him. Blue noticed Grimfang's discomfort, a pang of guilt momentarily softening his expression. He hadn't wanted to poison anyone, but his friends' lives had been at stake. And Grimfang had left him no choice.
At last, Grimfang let out a heavy sigh, bowing his massive head toward Blue in a gesture of submission. "I acted too rashly, little one," he admitted. "You are right—I have misjudged the villagers and allowed my duty to cloud my reason. For that, I am sorry."
Blue's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly waved his pincers. "Alright, alright, you don't have to bow!" he said, feeling awkward. He had never expected an apology, let alone from a creature of Grimfang's stature.
Grimfang raised his head, his gaze softening. "You have shown bravery, little one. What is your name?"
"Blue," he replied, though he felt a bit sheepish as he said it.
Grimfang raised a brow. "Blue… an unusual name for one with such spirit. Have you never considered a true name, a full one?"
Blue tilted his head. "A… full-fledged name?" he asked, curiosity piqued.
But Grimfang waved the question away, dismissing his musings. "Another time," he said, though the idea of a full name lingered in Blue's thoughts.
As Grimfang's body shuddered with pain, he looked at Blue with a pleading expression. "I must ask… can you remove this venom from my system? Its potency is far greater than I anticipated."
Blue's expression faltered. "Um… I don't actually know how to remove it. I just… inject it. I haven't exactly practiced the 'removal' part." He scratched the ground with a pincer, feeling embarrassed.
Grimfang raised a skeptical brow. "You don't know your own biology?"
Blue winced. "Look, I'm still figuring out this scorpion body. I've only been… well, alive as a scorpion for a little while."
Grimfang studied him, the intensity of his gaze softening as understanding dawned. "You… you were not always a scorpion?"
Blue nodded, feeling a strange sense of relief as he finally shared his secret. "I was human once. I don't know how it happened, but I died saving my granddaughter, and the next thing I knew… I was here."
Grimfang regarded him with newfound respect. "You have been reincarnated, little one. Few souls survive such a crossing. Reincarnation is a rarity, often guided by gods of great power. Yet you bear no sign of their blessing."
Blue's gaze widened. "A blessing? You mean… something should have helped me cross over?"
"Yes," Grimfang explained. "Souls, especially human ones, are fragile. For you to cross over without divine aid… it is extraordinary, if not impossible. You, Blue, may be one of a rare few—a being who transcended the limits of death by sheer will alone."
Blue felt a mix of awe and disbelief. "So… I'm here because… because I wanted to save my granddaughter?"
Grimfang nodded, a glimmer of admiration in his gaze. "A selfless act can indeed create miracles."
But the pain of the venom snapped Grimfang from his thoughts, his body convulsing. Blue jumped back into action, looking for a way to help. "Okay, okay! How do I get this venom out of you?"
Grimfang took a strained breath, his voice weak but steady. "There is… a way. You must draw the venom out using the same energy you use to inject it. Focus on reversing the flow, willing the venom to retreat."
Blue squinted, unsure if he understood, but he steeled himself. "Alright… I'll give it a try."
He latched onto Grimfang's leg again, pressing his stinger to the swollen spot. Focusing with all his might, he tried to feel the venom, the energy within it, and will it to reverse.
Grimfang watched as Blue concentrated, his tiny form trembling with effort. "Good… now, pull."
Blue grunted, his whole body tense as he attempted to draw the venom out. Slowly, the swelling began to subside, the dark color fading as he pulled the poison from Grimfang's system.
After a few grueling minutes, Blue staggered back, panting from the effort. Grimfang let out a relieved sigh, the pain finally easing.
"Impressive work, Blue," Grimfang said, his tone respectful. "You have shown true strength and compassion today."
Blue couldn't help but grin, though he felt a bit dazed. "Thanks… but maybe next time, we'll just skip to the talking part before we start stinging each other?"
Grimfang let out a low chuckle, the sound rumbling through the forest. "Agreed, little one. Agreed."
And with that, an unlikely truce formed between the scorpion and the guardian of the forest.
.
Blue halted in his steps, and looked around. "Wait, where's wobbles?"