King Grumus

“What happened when you got home? I know your wife was extremely pissed you ran off with an extremely dangerously hot woman prisoner and then came back with another hot woman.” Judith asked.

The factory surroundings were calm. The fire still burned like Kig haven’t been talking to us a while. Everyone sat closer than before while Kig grasp the eyes of everyone.

“When I returned home, my Queen was with child. She tried to tell me before I left but she made sure that was the first news I receive when I saw her. She had no thoughts of Lily because I kept her hidden, far out of sight, near Stone’s sleeping chamber. She smiled when I told her I killed Yucca myself. Nothing else mattered more to her.”

“She was caring you Ian. Both you and Titan were born only a few days apart.” He said turning to Ian.

Ian’s face looked so displeased. His eyes filled with fury and pain as he balled his fist tightly.

“How did he get here? How did he get in this time dimension?” he said.

I saw that Grandma stood relentlessly with tears in her eyes. Titan ran over to her and wiped her tears.

“Nights after Queen Trev Tronѐca gave birth to the great Prince Ian, in a small cottage I the village

“I’m sure I got here the same way you did.” Titan said walking toward Ian.

“We are the same age only I wasn’t born here yet you were. You have this perfect little life already written out for you. You didn’t even know the blood flowing through your veins is that of a God, King Green. You are a mockery and pain I am enduring because of the betrayal I have committed to my wife.” Ian said getting closer to Titan. t

“Stop it! Both of you shut your damn mouths!” she yelled.

Grandma Lily walked over to Kig and touched his face gently.

“I had no choice. It was either stay and be beaten, unloved, and belittled or find a way out and have a new life with your father.” She said as he wiped her tears.

“She offered me a way out and all I had to do was let her use my womb as a guardian for you and her seed. He was an unborn child that had the blood of both Yucca and Green. Such magnificent creation. Your life holds so much value and you never knew it.” She said lifting her hand to Titan’s head.

“Ever since the day you were born, I knew you were special.” She said. Titan yanked away from Grandma, ignoring her compliments.

“So I’m not really your son?” he asked as a heavy tear fell from his eye. Kig looked over at Lily with a puzzled look on his face.

“Why didn’t you speak word to me sooner Rose? How could it be?” he said turning around.

“You are my son, because I carried you. You have my blood, only you have to share it with the blood of your father and Yucca.” She said.

“Sorcerer hand.” Ian said. “We must rid this evil at once. He is the reason this beast haunts our family now!” Ian said grabbing his father’s sword off of his hip, posing as if he was ready to fight. Titan turned and snatched Tyler’s baseball bat right out of his hands, holding it directly up to Ian’s face.

While everyone has their eyes on Titan and Ian I notice Marley turn around and walk away from everyone. Marley let out a very loud laugh that echoed through the factory walls.

“This takes me back to a time when we fought King Ian.” Marley said.

Ian lowered the sword and looked over at Marley who kept her back turned.

“I’m sorry; I forget we have two King Ian Green’s here; or not anymore since one isn’t really dead, yet.” Marley turned around, walking toward the fire. The light from the fire grew on her face, exposing cloudy grey eyes. Marley started rising off the ground slowly.

“Yucca?” Titan said. Judith, Tyler, and I kept quiet and stood behind Grandma. Jase got off the ground grabbing his leg in pain.

Marley came over to Titan and placed her hand on his cheek.

“My son; my beautiful son.” She said.

“Yucca is using Marley’s body to channel through?” Chuckie whispered to Jase.

“So long, I’ve wanted to tell you who I am; touch your flesh and explain to you what happened.” She said.

I can’t help but feel awkward because even though I don’t know Marley that much, I know how she acts and it felt weird.

“I knew I would die by the sword of the great King Ian but I did not know he would render some of my powers by destroying my Untah jewel. I can no longer read the thoughts of anyone. That really makes me mad.” She said.

“While we traveled in the carriage, I took you from my womb and placed you inside of her to keep you alive. If you weren’t alive, I wouldn’t care to be here right now.”

“Why do you want to kill my father?” Ian asked.

“He killed me and destroyed my Untah jewel. Now I need the body of young girls to stay alive each decade. That was me in the sky and wandering around chasing my son and new body.” She grinned.

“My plans don’t always execute as well as I’d hope they would. I tried to make you fall in love with me to bore me a child with both our blood lines as experiment at first. Then I allowed myself to fall weak and let my guard down.” She said rubbing her forehead.

“My potion didn’t work as I thought it would. It wore off when we went to Raign’s cottage. His magic proof barrier had to have knocked the potion affect off of you. I stole The Book of Spells from Raign to get the ingredients for Sorcerer Hand.”

“Was I not good enough for a seat next to you on your throne? It couldn’t have been because you have so much loyalty of your wife.” she said walking toward Kig.

“We could’ve fixed both of them like I did for your son decades ago. You Green men sure can’t give your heart to one woman.” She said walking toward Kig.

“I knew you would’ve never chosen me so I started thinking about my family unlike my brother who happens to be the strongest weakest person I know. No one in my family seems to see that good will get you nowhere. So skilled yet pathetic.”

“After my sisters were murdered by the hands of men in your coast, I don’t see how he could show you any petty or befriend you after that.” She said as her hands started glowing.

“I’ve killed your precious Queen Trev Troneca, sent both your son’s out of their own time dimensions and you still seemed to find happiness.”

So she was the reason my Dad so called “disappeared” when I was little. He didn’t die.

I ran up to her and placed my hands around her neck so tightly they started hurting.

“Let go Iris! You can’t hurt Marley!” Chuckie yelled trying to get me off of her.

Yucca laughed and seemed to be unbothered by me choking her. She didn’t gasp for air at all.

“My granddaughter sure is strong. I know she has some Yucca in her.” She said staring me in the eyes. A tear drop shaped jewel with a small crack in it started forming in the middle of her forehead. Small moles and thin freckles popped up on her cheeks, stretching across her face.

My hands loosened on her neck without will. The factory walls began to crumble. A book, I assume to be the important spell book, fell from her pocket on the factory floor without her noticing.

I saw Tyler pick it up and slide it in his pocket quickly. Yucca threw a flame ball at the ground. A bright metallic rainbow puddle of water appeared on the floor. The puddle started getting bigger by the second.

“No, she can’t be.” Grandma yelled. “It’s a water portal. Kids come over here to me and do exactly as I say.” Everyone except for Ian ran toward Mom. Jase limped to her with the help of Chuckie.

“Open your eyes wide!” she yelled pulling a small blue pocket perfume-like bottle out her pocket. She swallowed a bunch of it.

“Amphibious Lapetus!” she said yelling spitting the liquid into our eyes. It stunk a little bit but when I opened my eyes the water appeared different. I could see through it.

“No warning? Geez, this shit burns.” Jase said.

No one realized the puddle on the floor growing faster, stretching across the room.

“Good luck.” Yucca yelled smiling jumping into the puddle like a pool. She turned into a great white light before us, vanishing into the puddle of water.

“How can we all be saved? It’s impossible.” Wren yelled.

“Jump into the water portal. You will be under water so don’t panic. Swim to the surface as quickly as possible!” She yelled lining everyone up around the portal hole.

The fire that kept burning had disappeared. The water seems like it’ll be a soothing beach by a coast somewhere nice maybe.

Grandma Lily looked at me. “Kig will lead the way and I’ll jump after you all are in the portal. We must be quick!” she said.

Everything was happening so fast. The room seemed to be spinning just like when we drank those mosh berry drink.

Ian stood quietly, as if this wasn’t what bothered him the most at the moment. Before I could blink, Kig jumped in the portal.

“Okay kids; let’s go on the count of 3. 1, 2, 3 now!”

Titan grabbed my hand and we all jumped into the portal at the same time. The cold water rushed through my body fast. I’ve never felt water this cold before. My eyes stayed closed for a second. I opened them only to see dark murky water. The portal kept some light around us. The surface seems far.

Titan didn’t let go of my hand. I can see and breathe under water. This is so neat! Where is grandma though? I saw everyone else following Kig to the surface. Titan looked at me and signaled to swim back with him. Just then Grandma started swimming toward us but the light from the portal started closing up.

Everything became dark but I still could see under water.

I feel so light headed but I can’t worry about a headache now.

A large tail far in the distance behind the portal swooshed silently deeper in the water. The creature had to be at least a mile away which meant it had to be pretty damn large.

We kept swimming toward the surfaces as the water started to get a little thinner. I guess Grandma Lily had to be saying swim to the surface fast to avoid being eaten by whatever that was I saw in the water.

The water started to be visible. Kig must’ve made it to the surface because he was nowhere in sight any more.

***

Titan, Grandma, and I reached the surface after everyone else did. I saw Kig standing in front with Ian drenched in water looking around. He had his dragon mask on his face. We’re in a cave. I turned behind me to find formations of hundreds of gigantic hideous ogres, same as the ones Grandma described before. I feel so dizzy and can barely stand up straight.

The ogres stood over 8 and 9 feet tall, all armed with some forms of deadly weapon I’ve never seen. There’s a great chair that stood out alone in the head of the cave. Chuckie held Jase up as he barely could stand from what I assume his leg injury or the exhaustion of the swim.

Judith wrapped her arms around Jase, slouched around him like a sick dog. Tyler stood near Chuckie and Wren, and Grandma stood guard behind Titan and I.

Titan looked like a vampire with his long black hair slicked to the back by water.

“Ha, ha. Ha!” a loud voice echoed from the wall to wall but no one stood in the formation. “Finally, our guests have arrived!” Twin ogres came from a hall behind the formation, walking toward the throne. One ogre sat in the throne while the other stood beside him.

The ogre that sat had a large cut across his eye. I assume he’s the ogre Grandma mentioned, whose name I can’t remember. Their skin looked super dry. They barely had on clothing and their muscles popped out of what little garments they did have on.

“How ill-mannered of me to not introduce myself? I’m sure those of you that do not know are dying to know.” He said getting up. The other ogre stood at attention like the rest of the ogres lined up.

“I am King Grumus. Welcome to my coast!” his voiced was so loud bats cried out somewhere from deep in the caves. Grumus smiled was not filled with welcome but evil.

“This is my brother Gurunk, who is also my right hand.” He said walking closer to us.

Judith hid behind Jase and Chuckie.

I can’t tell how Kig was looking because of the mask but I knew he had to be pissed by the way his eye jumped and hands twitched.

“Grumus! I am not here to toy with you. I know you want my kingdom; my entire coast and I want to know why!” Kig yelled through the mask clear as day.

Grumus turned and walked back to his throne, passing right by him.

“I’m an ogre of his word. I do have a reputation to uphold so I brought you here to make a deal. The beast that lurks the waters beneath you have made it a living hell to stay here any longer. It made the water rise above the lands that we once lied our heads and grew food. My armies are too masculine and sink to the bottom with no effort of slaying the creature at all. I’ve lost a few of my men to this beast.” He said looking over at his brother.

“With that being said, you have a nice setting over on your coast. Blue skies, plenty of dry land and sea. Why waste it on mortals?”

“My father and his father before him, fought for the equality of mortals and immortal life. We will not render that tradition for the likeness of an ogre.” Ian spit on the cave ground.

“No deal.” Ian said. Titan went toward the front standing on the other side of Kig.

“No deal at all?” He said, holding his hands up to his head. Titan’s pants stuck to him like glue. His hair was wet and slicked toward the back of his shirt. Ian looked over at Titan.

“No, Great King Ian Green’s kingdom in exchange of the life just one of your son’s and allow the rest of you to live.” he said.

“So kill Titan or Ian and get the Kingdom?” Jase said. Jase face started looking greyish. He slummed over and vomited.

“Dad!” Judith helping Jase stand up.

Grumus started sniffing the air like he smelled a specific smell he smelled once before.

“Eh! I knew I smelled something off putting. A Simpson of the Barbarian coast is present.” He said with excitement.

“That’s not much of a deal Grumus.” A softer voice said coming from behind the formation.

“Marley?” Chuckie said as Yucca came walked to the side of Grumus’s throne.

“No, Yucca.” Ian said. Her appearance changed completely from what Marley had on earlier. It was defiantly Marley’s body but Yucca’s soul took over tremendously. Her hair was pinned up into a braid that wrapped around her head. She wore thin straps of leather garment barely covering her private areas as the ogres did. The jewel I saw early was all the way visible unlike before.

“I guess you really no longer a King anymore until your father dies is that not right Prince Ian?” She teased.

Yucca kissed Grumus on the cheek while rubbing her hands across his chest.

“She is only going to use you. Just like she used me and many men before us I assume.” Kig said.

“It may not be too much longer before your name is renounced to you.” Yucca said.

Gurunk stood out of attention and walked directly up to Kig. He didn’t move a muscle.

“Have I ever grown fright of you Gurunk?” Kig said staring fearlessly up at the large ogre through pass his mask.

“There will be enough blood shed later.” Yucca said as she hovered over everyone. I looked over at Judith who was still speechless hiding behind Jase like a little kid. I’ve never seen her act this way before.

None of Grumus’s army moved. It’s if they were statues, possessed by his presence or voice. Yucca spoke some words underneath her voice.

“Grande élévation du portail de l'eau à nouveau.” she said. The water we swam from starting glowing just as the puddle in the factory did.

“Remember, be ready to surrender all you have or you will die slowly after I make you watch your family die, your kingdom crumble, and the Green Heir Royal Blood lye to rest.” He yelled. “I will give you two orgon moons!”

Yucca threw a great force toward us and we flew back into the dark.

“Iris!” Judith yelled as we both reached for each other in the forced wind. Everything is fading. Am I dying? Please say I am waking up from a terrible nightmare. I pictured Krys jumping in my bed.

“Iris! Iris!” I heard Krys yelling my name and her voice slowly changed into Titan.

“Iris!” he said underwater. Everything went black.

***

The night was musky which made the air thick. Yucca sat on a fur palette on the floor with her hair taken down out of the braid.

“Do not believe anything that man speaks of me. He is-“Grumus went behind Yucca grabbing her head with one hand, applying pressure to her jaw bone.

“I really don’t want to ruin the new face you have. As hideous as it is enough to look at it.” He complained.

“Leave us!” he demanded the guards at the door of his sleeping chamber.

Grumus ripped her bra off and untied his bottom garments down. Yucca looked over at the wall in pure disgust as Grumus kissed her back and shoulders. She couldn’t fathom his disgusting hands on her.

“Uh, I know you don’t believe him is what I’m trying to say.” She murmured.

“I don’t give a damn about what either of you have to say about what happened between you.” He grabbed her waist.

“You both have something I want. I need you to read that spell book and brew those potions. I need his kingdom. As long as we have possession of this book they can’t travel through any time portals anymore until the curse on the barrier is lifted.” He said forcing himself on Yucca. She let out a violet tear as she pretended to enjoy it.

“Whatever you say King Grumus!” Yucca yelled scratching his back until his skin ripped and blooded came about.

***

1 HOUR BEFORE

KING IAN’S ARRIVAL

The coast of the Ogres ruled by King Grumus and his twin brother, Gurunk wasn’t a pleasant place to be. In the day it still seems like the sun was setting. Mud controlled what was once a road making it difficult to tell the earth and water apart.

The Ogres were always deadly but they did not bother anyone unless they bothered them. The evil that lurked the swamps and seas of King Grumus coast ruined their everyday lives. The murky waters, ruled by the water dragon, started to rise as the dragon grew larger.

The Ogres tried to fight off the beast but had not even a small amount of luck because they would drown once they hit the water. There is no other solution besides moving and starting over with a new colony. Somewhere new that had the perfect place for living, hunting, and growth.

***

“We can’t choose the barbarians.” Gurunk told Grumus as they sat a large table alone. Large mugs filled with mosh berries shared the table. Torches on the wall lit the room. The cave was quiet, as King Grumus demanded, as they waited for the arrival of both Yucca and King Ian with his group.

“Why do you say we can’t? Are you saying we’re not strong enough for those wild animals?” Grumus said.

“No brother. That is not what I meant at all. We have already lost half of our platoons to starvation and that beast in the waters.” Gurunk said slamming his fist down on the table.

“We need to hit the Green coast hard. They have their little magic tricks but majority of their coast is mortal souls. They are feeble and will retreat with ease.

“I am no coward, which is why I am King over you perhaps?” Grumus said in Gurunk’s ear.

Gurunk grunted at him. “I have no reason to sale you false information, please listen to my plan if you want to keep your coast alive!”

“You make accusations as if I’m soft but you have that witch whore living in our lands as if she is one of us.” he said.

“You let me deal with her. She is none of your concern.” Grumus scowled. “Besides brother, she is our way out. In two orgon moons we will be there ready for a new life.”

“Two orgon moons? We’ll be dead by then. You are not thinking clearly.” He said grabbing Grumus’s mug out of his hand. Grumus slapped his hand away.

“She can control time. It will be weeks for us as two hundred years passes. Then we hit them.” Grumus grabbed Gurunk’s shoulder and lifted his mug.

“More mosh drink for my brother the genius!” Gurunk yelled to the guards.

Grumus and Gurunk both laughed loudly, filling the caves with echoes that reached the shores outside.