Asmodeus who still felt uneasy from the abrupt transport started to look around at the new unfamiliar surroundings. The sun hung high in the sky blinding him for a few seconds, making it even harder to gain his bearings. It wasn’t until now that he realized that he was in a crater. When he started to pay more attention to his surroundings he noticed Atlas and Kronos lying unconscious in the distance. He struggled to get up, swamped by an intense feeling of vertigo and nausea.
He waited a short time until he finally felt that he had regained enough of a sense of balance in order to move. He started walking towards Atlas on unsteady feet as started to yell, “Atlas are you alright?” In the distance Atlas started to rise from his slumber with a look of unease and discomfort. Atlas had a blank look on his face due to having no idea what had just happened. It took him a moment to realize that Asmodeus was calling out to him. Turning around he noticed that Asmodeus was walking towards him and it took him a moment to realize what he was saying. When he was finally able tell what Asmodeus was saying he replied "Perfect", with an idiotic grin on his face.
Complety disreagarding his unease Atlas started rushing over towards Asmodeus. Noticing that Atlas had started to run towards him Asmodues call out for Atlas to slow down. When Asmodeus saw that he wasn’t slowing down at all it caused him to flinch as a base reflex concerned that he was about to be tackled. It wasn’t until Atlas was right next to him that he came to a screeching halt. Atlas had only stopped for a split second after which he spread his arms out, in order to give Asmodeus a huge bear hug. Atlas smiled as if he hadn’t seen Asmodeus in years.
With an ecstatic grin on his face he said, “Its’ good to see you buddy!”
Asmodeus patted him on the back twice and said, “Okay, okay I get it now can you please let me go?” with an annoyed expression on his face.
“Sure thing buddy.” Atlas replied while still having a goofy grin on his face.
From a distance they heard Kronos say sarcastically, “Get a room you two.”
When Asmodeus heard this he grew angry yelling back, “Shut up Kronos no one asked you.” Once Asmodeus looked towards where Kronos was, he became annoyed to find that Kronos was just sitting cross legged on the ground like nothing had ever happened. Kronos just had a slight smirk on his face like he was above the world and knew all things. Standing up Kronos started to walk over to where Atlas and Asmodeus were standing. Once he arrived next to them he regained his cold attitude along with a sense of arrogance. He coldly asked, “Asmodeus where you messing with your power when this occurred?”
Asmodeus gave him a weird look before saying, “Uhh yeah?”
“Then it must have been that your power had gone out of control bringing us through space to this location.” He smugly explained.
“It might have brought us to a different world or dimension using the fundamental properties of your power.” He continued sure of himself.
“Well no duh Sherlock! I figured that out pretty quickly, its’ more a matter of where we are than how we got here.” Asmodeus replied with a tone of annoyance.
Atlas who looked utterly confused by their conversation asked, “Hey what are you guys talking about?”
Both Asmodeus and Kronos shared a look of exasperation at Atlas’s lack of intelligence. Asmodeus’ look gradually changed to one of understanding, whereas Kronos’ expression went to one of disdain. With an agitated gaze Kronos explained to Atlas, “You wouldn’t be able to understand what we’re talking about, even if you tried.”
Atlas just shrugged his shoulders, put his hands behind his head with his goofy grin still on his face and replied, “OHHHHH ok sounds good”.
Ignoring Atlas' reaction Kronos started to survey their surroundings when he noticed the lack of vegetation in their area realizing the true scope of what happened to them. The area around them had been destroyed with no signs of life remaining. Offput he decided that they should try to find the nearest source of water as soon as possible. “Let’s find the nearest water source to recover.” Kronos ordered as if he was above them. Asmodeus rolled his eyes with a look of annoyance on his face, but followed his suggestion because he was far too lazy to argue with Kronos. Atlas stretched out his arms like his was about to do a workout answering back with a carefree attitude, “Alright let’s go.”
They walked towards the edge of the crater where the vegetation started to grow in abundance. Once they reached the edge of crater, Kronos looked at where they had come from noticing the sheer size of the crater that they had come out of. Atlas asked out of curiosity, “Ok where to now?”
“We should find some high ground in order to get a better lay of land as well as being able to locate a nearby source of water.” Kronos said with an air of arrogance.
“And exactly how do you propose that we accomplish this task oh wise and fearless one?” Asmodeus replying with a hint of amusement in his eyes.
“I will use the slight difference in elevation in order to ascertain the location of high ground.” Kronos stated as if it was common knowledge.
When Asmodeus heard this he replied with an entertained gaze, “I could have told you that much.”
They started to trek through the forest noticing that the trees were of abnormal size. The trees were so thick that it would take ten men arm to arm to wrap around its base. Kronos led them through the forest with absolute confidence of where he was going. Eventually they reached a clearing that was a few hundred meters across at the top of a hill. When they had reached the peak of the clearing the view stopped them dead in their tracks. They stared out in breathless amazement at vastness of the forest they were in as it stretched off into the horizon. Towards the west there was a mountain range that stretched on with no end in sight. Each of the mountains were easily two to three times the size of Mount Everest.
Atlas stood absolutely still with his mouth hanging open in amazement at the vastness of the world around them. Looming towards the north was a river whose enormity reached at least twenty four kilometers wide. Asmodeus couldn’t even wrap his head around imagining the length of such a monstrous river. At the same time Kronos had already memorized the layout of the surroundings, planning a route in his mind. “Ok enough gawking let’s get a move on.” Kronos told with his usual cold and arrogant tone.
“Shut up I'll move when I feel like it!” snapped Asmodeus.
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Rolling his eyes Kronos replied, “Well do you feel like moving now?”
“You know what, sure. Not because you told me to, but because I’m too lazy to bother arguing with you anymore.”
When Atlas heard this exchange he couldn’t help grinning at the usual back and forth between Kronos and Asmodeus. He chose to remain silent this time since he didn’t feel like adding fuel to the fire. The Sun hung low in the sky signaling that end of the day was near. They started heading towards the river hoping to make it before nightfall. The trek downward was more hazardous than the hike up the hill as the descent got steeper as they got closer to the river. The descent started to wear on their stamina making it harder for them to catch their breath. The slope wasn’t very forgiving as it didn’t allow for much leeway going down.
It wasn’t until sunset that they were able to see the river in the distance. Tired and hungry,they found a new source of energy knowing that they were close to their goal. Through the trees the sun setting shined on the river as the light reflected of the river showing its majestic might. It wasn’t long before the sun dipped below the horizon line no longer visible.
Atlas sensed a danger being projected from the surroundings, he grew more cautious by the moment. It wasn’t until after the sunset that he could no longer bear the pressure given off by the surroundings deciding to say something to Kronos and Asmodeus. “Hey I think we need to pick up the pace, this area is making me uneasy.” Although Atlas was the one to point it out, both Asmodeus and Kronos felt an ominous aura lingering in the air. The ground gradually leveled out as they went getting closer to their destination. The vegetation started to spread increasing the distance between the nearest trees.
In the distance they saw a bright light, the sole thing visible in the pitch black of night at edge of the river. Each one of them involuntarily froze upon seeing the light source. In a hushed voice Asmodeus asked, “What’s the plan of action guys?”
Curious as to the origin of the light source Kronos proposed, “I think it best to investigate the source of this mysterious light source. It could lead us to people, at the worse it could be someone to cause us harm.”
“At which point using the combined abilities of myself and Asmodeus we should be able to handle whatever it is. If all else fails we will absolutely be able to flee.”
Atlas felt confident about his ability to handle the situation, while Asmodeus was slightly unsure whether this was the best course of action. Expressing his wariness he said, “Before we announce our presence to this unknown party and its potentials hazards. Let’s get a better understanding of the situation and scout out the area as we proceed.”
Annoyed at the explanation that Asmodeus provided he snapped back, “Well that is a given, what idiot would willing walk into a situation without any earthly idea of what will happen.”
“LETTTSS GOOOO……….uhhhgh!!!!!” Atlas yelled before being hit in the stomach by Asmodeus, stopping him in the middle of his yell. Kronos gave both an ice cold glance that brought them quickly to a unearthly silence. Knowing better than to continue the discussion Asmodeus and Atlas choose not to comment on what Kronos had said. Kronos regained his usual demeanor, signaling to them that they should move on.
The sounds of their feet stepping on branches and leaves seemed elevate as they got closer to the source of the light. The sound of the rushing river became crisper as they went along. Under the nighttime sky three shadows moved through the underbrush of the forest. Once they reached a suitable distance away from the light, the expression evident on their faces turned into one of astonishment. On the bank of the river were mangled looking creatures hunched over a fire pit. These creatures could have passed for humans if it wasn’t for their sickly green bodies. On the head of the largest of the five creatures was savage looking skull of an unknown creature. Extruding from its head was misshaped horns similar to the horns of a ram.
Scraps of cloth hung from these creatures waist looking almost like rags completely covered in dirt and grime. They resembled a more grotesque version of their world’s mythical goblins. Of these five creatures the one with the skull helmet looked to be the size of average adult male, appearing to be in charge holding a glaive of unusual quality. The goblins around the leader were of a smaller stature about the size of a child each wielding a unique weapon. The one holding the glaive shouted a series incoherent grunts at the smaller goblins.
The group of goblins eerily turned towards where they were located. Atlas showed an expression of excitement towards the looming threat, while Kronos had already to formulate plans that they could act on. He calmly went over to where Atlas and Asmodeus were crouching explaining to them his plan. When Asmodeus heard the entirety of the plan he silently nodded his head in approval. At the same time Atlas showed a resolute face ready to face anything that came their way.
Only the sound of the goblins sprinting towards their location could be heard as if omen of what was to come. When the group of goblins finally reached where their prey’s scent disappeared. Out of the silence came the sound of pain and agony, what was surprising was where it came from. From the neck of the goblin on the left protruded a piece of bark,it clawed at its throat desperate to remove the source of its pain. At the same time another goblin was on the ground writhing in pain as its knee had been punctured by a similar piece of bark. Life left the eyes of the goblin who had been stabbed in the throat falling to the ground lifeless.
From the air Atlas pounced from atop a branch above the goblins bringing his knee down on to the neck of the goblin still rolling around on the ground in pain. As soon as Atlas knee made contact with the neck a crackling sound echoed off of the body of the goblin. The Large goblin started to shout the same strange grunts, rushing towards Atlas in an uncontrollable rage. It was closely followed by the smaller goblins albeit not able to run at the same speed of the larger goblin. Atlas just stood there smug as if everything was going according to plan.
From another branch Asmodeus swung down increasing the weight of his lower body. He swung perfectly into the shoulder of the smaller goblin to the right of the leader. A crunch was heard as he connected with the goblin sending it flying into a nearby tree trunk. The body of the goblin slumped to ground its bones shattered upon impact with the tree. The last small goblin grew panicked fleeing from where it came from. Kronos gently landed on the ground rushing towards the fallen goblin’s crude looking spear. The goblin felt as if its limbs grew sluggish, increasing its panic even more.
Kronos scooped up the spear calculating the trajectory in his mind. As if he had thrown the spear a million times before, it flew through the air creating a whistling sound as it went. A thud was heard in the distance coming from the where the goblin was. It had fallen to the ground, the spear protruding from its back life leaving its body. In fit of fury the leader goblin charged towards Kronos dragging the glaive behind it creating drag marks behind it.
As it ran it started to feel heavier than usual creating deeper imprints into the ground. At the same time its vision started to seem sluggish making it confused and disoriented. Asmodeus, Kronos, and Atlas all charged towards the leader goblin the adrenaline of the fight or flight response kicking into overdrive. Kronos picked up a short dagger from a goblin corpse as he ran toward the freakish creature. Asmodeus stopped running to pick up a small rock throwing towards the goblin’s knee. While the rock was in midair it instantly exploded with a burst of speed. It made contact with the creature’s left knee crushing it into dust, the goblin letting loose a heart rending screech as it fell to one knee.
Atlas and Kronos ran side by side towards the Goblin at a dead sprint. When they got closer the goblin leader swung the glaive over its head towards them. As it came down like lightning,both Atlas and Kronos felt as if it was moving at a snail’s pace. Splitting apart Atlas went to the right and Kronos moved slightly to the left. The glaive slammed into the ground creating a dust storm in its wake. Unable to see through the dust the goblin looked left and right trying to find its prey. It suddenly felt a crunch reverberate through its body as Atlas delivered a powerful low kick to its uninjured knee. It could no longer stand the pain falling down on both knees looking defeated. It let loose a roar that caused the leaves of the tree to sway at its might. Kronos rushed up with the dagger plunging it in to the head of the goblin from below its chin.
The eyes of the goblin first showed an expression of anger before turning to one of horror. It only took a moment for the goblin leader's eyes to turn lifeless. Kronos withdraw the dagger from the goblin looking at the creature with contempt. To express some of his disgust he kicked the now dead goblin making fall backwards to the ground.