Chapter 23: Many Armed Beast
Charon heard the ring of steel leaving a sheath as Emerius prepared to engage an unknown foe.
Heeding the warning, he ran as fast as he could, swatting aside plants and leaping over a tall log.
A sudden screaming filled the jungle, not quite human but also not far off. It reminded Charon of grinding gears mixed with a child, an unpleasant sound that shook him to his core.
It wasn’t long before he heard steel striking something hard from behind him.
’Emerius must’ve started fighting!’
Charon’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the shaft of his scythe, worry propelling him forward.
Branches started snapping behind him, growing more intense with time until he heard deep breathing just a few feet away.
Stooping low, he grabbed a rock and spun, throwing it at whatever was chasing him.
He only caught a glimpse of three arms reaching for him before he righted himself.
It collided with the creature’s face, causing it to release a strange whine, but only for a moment. It quickly regained its previous speed and began to murmur unintelligibly.
It was like a dozen voices were mixed into one, beckoning to him with a tinge of chaos.
Charon was chilled to the bone, deciding right then and there that being caught was a fate worse than death, and not one he intended to experience.