Book 2 Chapter 17

Garm traveled quickly, carrying them through the empty buildings at a blinding speed. As they passed through the town, they saw more of the Sea Beasts swarming the streets searching for more prey. Some of them noticed the giant creature moving towards them and prepared themselves hungrily. Globs of acidic mucus came flying as other beast lunged in their path.

Tirr raised a hand protectively and the acidic spit stopped as it once again hit the shining white barrier and was forced aside. Garm deftly jumped over the starfish’s tackles, landing on one with a sickening crunch before springing forward leaving them behind.

“Why aren’t we killing them?” Maria asked confused, craning her neck to look back at the stunned creatures behind them, who disappeared as they kept winding their way through the town.

“No Point…” Tirr replied, raising his hand to cast another shield as Garm charged through another group of the monsters. They burst through easily, leaving behind more squashed messes as they continued on their way.

“What do you mean?”

“These are just kids, younger than Garm probably…”

“Kids?”

“That’s why they’re as stupid as they are. They’re young, just children. The only thing they know how to do is eat and sleep. One or two might wander ashore like this, but this many? And this coordinated? There must be a big one still hidden somewhere. And I’m guessing its near wherever these originally came from.”

“Bigger than what we already saw?” Maria questioned thinking of the already terrifying Beasts that had easily overwhelmed the town’s guards.

“Of course, The other ones might not grow as quickly as Garm’s kind, but they still are well beyond what any normal person could deal with.” Tir replied as Garm sprang over a nearby building and started to run along its roof, jumping to the next as it collapsed under him.

“How do you know so much about them?” Thinking about it, maria realized that Tirr seemed familiar with beasts in general.

“Because I made them…” Tirr said seriously.

“Wh…” His declaration left her dazzled but before she could ask him to clarify, the beach opened up in front of them. The beautiful coastline was filled with the remains of the shattered boats and the overturned dock. More of the Sea Beasts lay around the ruins, devouring the bodies of those unfortunate enough to have been their first targets.

Garm skidded to halt, scattering sand everywhere until he stopped just at the water’s edge. Tirr hopped down and walked towards the water, stopping just close enough so that the coming waves could tickle his feet.

“What do you mean you made them?” Maria asked as she scrambled down after him.

“I made them… Tirr answered calmly before turning to face the ocean.

“Come out…” He commanded, looking out at the water and rolling waves.

The Sea Beasts nearby seemed frozen, watching in silence as Tirr spoke into the ocean.

“Who are you talking to?” Maria looked around, not seeing any sign of another Beast.

“Whoever is here…” Tirr growled, growing frustrated as nothing happened.

“Get out here!” He yelled. Still, they were greeted with nothing but the calm sounds of the tide, rolling slowly back and forth.

“Are you sure there’s something here?” Maria groaned, rubbing her ears.

“They’re just being stubborn… If they won’t show themselves willingly….” Tirr started raising a hand as he channeled his Blessing. Flame started to collect around his hand, spinning itself into a ball that continued to grow larger and larger, “Then, I’ll just force them to come out!”

Maria had to step back and Garm whimpered as he snuck away, both trying to escape the oppressive heat and Tirr’s wrath. he raised the fireball above his head, continuing to let it grow hotter and brighter until soon it looked like he was holding a small sun overhead.

“Hide from this…” Tirr growled, before lobbing the small sun up and over the shore, into the water. As it struck there was an explosion of steam and fire that rose in a small cloud over the ocean. The steam rolled out and soon covered the entire beach in a dense, hot fog. An angry vibrating screech called out from within the steam…

As they watched, a dark figure seemed to rise out of the steam, repeating the strange vibrating cry. In front of them, another starfish appeared. Its size beyond what Maria could have even imagined. It had to be over 4 stories tall as it rose on its arms, lifting one to point at Tirr curiously.

Tirr’s eyes were cold as he watched the monster rise in front of him. AS the arm cam down towards him, he stood calmly simply waiting as it stopped only a few yards away.

“It’s bigger than Garm…” Maria whispered, looking over the creature. Garm let out a hurt whimper, sniffing dismissively at the Beast.

“Garm’s still growing, this one’s an adult.” Tirr replied offhandedly, before turning to the Arm that still seemed to be examining him. “Leave now and I won't make you pay for this….”

The creature waved for a moment, its huge body swaying back and forth before it lifted its arm back up slowly.

“You see, we should have come earlier…” Tirr started, before he heard Maria let out a scream. He looked up to see the arm had leaned back before whipping forward, picking up speed as it came crashing down.

Tirr looked up at the arms swinging towards him with a frown as a heavy force hit him, knocking him out of the way. He tumbled across the sand looking over at Garm who stood over him protectively.

“Couldn’t you have saved me more gently?” Tirr complained, drawing a whine from Garm. He turned back to the Starfish, anger in his eyes as he stood and brushed himself off.

“Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance later…” Tirr muttered to himself before looking back at Garm. “Kill it…” He commanded, turning back towards the starfish as Garm grew behind him…