Chapter 14: Anvil of the gods
Irwin ignored the small stones that pressed into the soles of his feet as he snuck across the path. A sharp stone dug into his tender flesh every few feet while the ground was hot enough to hurt even his heat-resistant feet. He barely noticed, his mind completely focused on the molten rock around him and the plateau ahead.
The air was odd, thick, and hard to breathe, and he kept taking peeks at the lava from which yellowish fog trickled up. The molting rock consisted of dark swirling patterns with edges as bright as the stone. The top layer of the stone almost seemed to harden as it reached the surface before being swallowed down by the churning mass.
Halfway across the path, a dull, droning snore joined the bubbling and hissing of the molten rock.
Perhaps he'll just remain sleeping, Irwin thought as he stared at the Imp.
He reached one of the narrowest parts, barely enough to put two feet side by side. Twenty feet beyond was a large outcropping of stone, after which was the final stretch. As he stepped forward, an odd movement came from his left, accompanied by a sloshing sound. Irwin's heart skipped a beat as he looked to the side.
A large black head rose from the depths, the molten rock sliding off and dribbling back into the lake. Two narrow yellow irises sat in massive gray eyes, focused intently on him. The thing reminded him of the snakes that sometimes found their way into Malorin during the hottest summer days.
Irwin froze- unable to move as the massive thing rose further. Its lips parted, and a long tongue flicked between four canines the size of his legs. Slowly, it moved forward.
Irwin's legs began shaking, and it took all of his effort to keep his bladder under control as the thing moved within a foot of him, hanging partially over the narrow path. A burning hot air came from two slits on its snout.
I don't want to be eaten alive, Irwin thought as the lips parted again. He should have fled as soon as the thing appeared. I'm such an idiot. Why didn't I just go up and search for-
The tongue slowly moved forward, its tip touching the flame above his hand. There was a tiny outburst of sparks as the flame surged up to its maximum size, and the tongue jerked back. There was another sniffing sound, and the massive head cocked to the side, a curious interest radiating from its eyes.
It's like Bullwinkel's hounds, Irwin thought as he blinked.
The tongue licked forward again, this time touching his chest. His shirt and jacket caught fire and turned to dust so fast he didn't even feel the flames. Then, a soft pressure came from where the tongue pressed against him. It was scorching hot, to the point of pain, but Irwin remained motionless.