Chapter Ten: Ultimatum

A month had passed since a major demon attack on Penny Lee's Fort. I beamed at the many creatures that called this place home. Most of them were minions that had evolved sentience. They often mimicked their masters, and all of them were jacked like muscle-bearing gods. I frowned as I tried to show off my bicep. The farm work and other projects kept me in shape, but the minions were much stronger, and they had demonic ways to show it.

"I don't even know why Master is even keeping you," one of the sentient hungry flowers blurted. His body of vines wriggled as he revealed his sharp teeth. "You're better off in my tummy!"

Hekin stood beside me and growled. A gang of fiery gorillas roared, scaring off the rude minion. Hekin crossed his arms as he beckoned me along. "Jopp needs to show them who's boss."

"He's been designing this place to be siege-proof, or so he says," I explained. "He goes about it for weeks on end, and when he crashes, he doesn't wake up for days."

Hekin took a deep breath and sighed. "We need to take a break from this place. It will do everyone good if we get some fresh scenery."

"Fresh danger, too," I muttered.

"That's a risk we'll have to face," Hekin posed. "Tell Jopp to wake up! We're heading to the eastern ocean at first light."

"Jopp!" I called. "Wake up!"

Jopp groaned as he rose from his slumber. "Shut up, Tark! My head is throbbing!"

I froze when Hekin yanked out Jopp's shadowy form. Hekin grinned with sharp teeth while Jopp lay limp in his arms.

"Don't!" I started. "He's really not feeling up to it."

Hekin moved Jopp's bottom lip. "Pretty Penny Lee, she is a sight to see. Come to me, little pussy, pretty Penny Lee."

"Stop it already!" Jopp snarled, slapping his hand away. "I'm up, now, you sick sack of-"

It was the first time I had seen Jopp outside of me. His dark, curious eyes absorbed the world around him. His shadow had a tinge of dark green, hinting at his forest origins. He seemed bashful as he hid his red claws and stared at the ground.

"Give it," Hekin demanded. He held out his hand.

Jopp glared at him before placing an object in his palm. Hekin stuffed it in his pocket.

"What was that?" I queried.

"Nothing," Hekin assured. "Come on, Jopp. We'll need supplies to head out and look for signs of life."

Jopp rubbed his forehead and grumbled. "Why now? Can't we just wait until Penny Lee dies? That way, I don't have to tiptoe around her like some kind of cowardly cunt."

Hekin and I gave him incredulous stares. Penny Lee yowled before she kicked his jaw, the force slamming him into a scorched tree. The scorched tree lost its balance and crashed into a silo that was holding grain. The grain spilled onto the ground, making a huge mess in the forest. Not only that, the dust ignited and set fire to the dried fish.

"Clean it up, Aeklith!" Penny Lee ordered. "The rest of you, prepare to die!"

"No! Wait!" I told her. I picked her up and held her in my arms. "Please, don't do this, Penny Lee!" She squirmed in my grip, and I knew she could break my neck if she wanted to, but I didn't want her to regret her rash actions later on. Her bristled fur soon relaxed, and she purred as I held her close. "Thanks, Penny Lee."

"He's on borrowed time, now," Penny Lee scowled. "You're going to find that human and bring her here, on the double!"

Jopp didn't seem happy as he rubbed his jaw.

"What human?" I asked.