Chapter 51: ready
"What?" Kaedros demanded sharply, his expression turned cold as he looked at the Keeper. "We are going to do what?"
"What is he saying again?" Taria asked, already wary.
"Something about fighting to the death," Rauk replied dryly. He was already tired from everything that been happening.
The Keeper grinned, metal fangs gleaming. "What are you afraid of? I’m very small. You could probably bend me with one hand and melt my body."
"You just said you’ve killed thousands like us before," Taria shot back, spear still ready. "And looking at you, I don’t think that’s a lie. So what are you really up to."
"That’s an exaggeration! Exaggeration! Exaggeration!" the metal thing crackled. The Keeper continued. "Don’t you want food and water? It’s inside, but first, you must fight me! Only then will you get what you want!"
They exchanged tense glances. If what the Keeper said was true, then food and water waited inside, but what else was in there? And more pressingly, how strong was the Keeper?
Kaedros, however, knew the truth, they had no choice. What else could they do? It was obvious from the beginning that something wanted them there...or him, in the first place.
The aura he was feeling around was the same as when his core was changed.
"What will it be, hmm? What?" The Keeper tilted his head, voice too eager. Kaedros had the sudden suspicion the creature wanted them to fight.
Or perhaps... it wanted them inside and was trying to bait them.
"Alright," Kaedros said firmly after a while. "We’ll fight you."