Last Stand

Pulling himself across the muddy forest floor, Lauren had a trace of urgency in his voice as he muttered. "I can't let her down for the second time."

The more he chanted his new found mantra, the more determined he became. Unbothered by the stench and the grime clinging to him.

"Shriek!!"

While Lauren had all his attention fixated on saving Tega, a familiar shriek pierced Lauren's thoughts, reminding him of a creature he'd almost forgotten.

The creature's shriek originated from his subconscious like the creature was already a part of him.

'How could I forget I had a contracted beast.' Lauren thought, finally remembering he had a pet spider.

If only he had remembered sooner maybe things would've been slightly different.

Biting his thumb to draw blood, Lauren hastily drew a summoning formation on the root of a nearby tree.

As his mana slowly spread through the formation, it lit up in a mysterious light as a long spiked leg which was followed by seven others emerged from it.

Tinubu let out a piercing shriek, flicking Lauren on the head in irritation for being summoned late.

"Go meet Tega now!" Lauren ordered, not in the mood to comfort the infuriated spider.

In an act of rebellion or just pure love for its master, the spider sat beside Lauren who was slowly crawling across the floor.

Having no intention of saving the kid who not only provoked it but doubted its gendervas a female.

"I said you should go meet him!" Lauren yelled, infuriated by Tinubu's reaction.

He wasn't in immediate danger so why couldn't the dumb spider go save someone who might die anytime soon?

"Shhrrriiiiekkkk!!!"

Letting out an ear-piercing shriek that sounded akin to nails on a blackboard, Tinubu's huge figure soon vanished as it made its way through the trees.

––

'What can I do?' Tega thought, staring at the torch which was about seven inches away from his face.

"Um… sir, we have a problem." The torchbearer said, taking a few steps from Tega before going to the town head's side.

"Speak." The town head replied, having a satisfactory grin on his face and eyes focused on his people.

Unabashed, the torchbearer began. "The thing is the liquid we poured on the cursed creature has already dried—"

Forcing the man to swallow his own words after smacking him across the face, the town head looked at the fool beside him. "Is that all so important that your brain couldn't tell you to handle it yourself?"

"I'm sorry sir." The man responded, having a hand on his cheek and gaze lowered.

"Go do it now." The town head clicked his tongue. His attention back to the people in front of him, he yelled. "This day wouldn't be known as a time we set a poor kid aflame but a timr we fought for our liberation!"

"Now who's with me!"

He yelled, trying to rally emotions of his people. But his bold declaration was only meet with a few inaudible whispers.

Even to him it was obvious that they had began doubting his conviction, they were having second thoughts about the things he made them believe.

Seeing this as another opportunity to try and buy more time, Tega suddenly had his attention fixed on the torchbearer.

"You actually believe him?" Tega asked, looking at the town head's ashen features.

"I'm not going to respond to that. It's obvious you're trying to turn us on each other." The torchbearer replied, frowning as he reached for the bucket which contained the gasoline like liquid.

Unfazed by the young man's response as he had already expected it, Tega chuckled. "You really think their is a group of people called the Cursed race or is it a plot by your leaders to incite war."

His tone had an obvious trace of mockery and when he was done speaking he shot a glance at the town head through his tired eyes.

Honestly, Tega would've been quite surprised if he was able to convince the torchbearer easily. It would mean everyone in the village were basically puppets who followed the town head's orders.

Hesitant, the torchbearer fell into deep thoughts but soon shoved those to the back of his mind and doused Tega in the liquid. Deciding that obedience was his best answer and the one which would keep him safe.

The cold liquid seeped into his wounds, stinging like a bunch of bees. Tega fought to keep his breathing steady, willing himself not to pass out.

"It may seem like he cares about you all but no human can be that altruistic." Tega's winced, enduring the pain he felt.

Barely retaining consciousness, Tega added. "Protect the land? You can't really believe that nonsense. They all have something to gain from this whole you all would be their cannon fodder."

If he couldn't make the torchbearer doubt his belief, he would make him doubt the ones who created those believes… The authorities.

"Although all that you said sounds sensible, I don't have a choice." The torchbearer said, staring at the flames on the torch he held.

Placing the torch in front of Tega, he asked. "Any last words?" His face was expressionless, as if this had become second nature to him.

Noticing a strange silk formation like a giant eye above him, Tega chuckled unresponsive to the man's question.

"Since you have none, I'll tell you something." He continued, making the flames touch Tega's clothes. "The poison would lessen the pain you feel but it'll take longer for you to get thoroughly burnt."

Immediately those words left his mouth, Tega's figure became a human sized torch that drew the attention of everyone gathered in the town square.

Pain flared as the flames touched his clothes, but Tega clenched his jaw, refusing to scream

"Aren't you sure this is wrong?" Someone voiced out, his words carried doubt which soon settled within the hearts of those who had similar thoughts.

"Yeah, it wasn't his fault that he was born like that. Who are we to judge an entire race?" Another said.

Soon, nervous murmurs filled the town square as an aura of hesitance and regret filled the air.

"Shut the crap! He might not have done anything yet but he would soon!" One of the town elders countered.

"That's right even if he didn't have a choice he has now inherited the sins of his ancestors."

The town elders tried their best to retain order and keep everyone's belief steadfast but that seemed to gradually fail as the murmurs slowly grew.

——

"Seems like he showed up." Tega chuckled, looking at the people who were staring in front of them with blank faces.

"Or rather his pet did." He added, barely noticing the complete mysterious silk formation that looked like a giant eye above him.

"Thanks." Tega said, sensing the presence of a hostile giant spider that had appeared behind him.

Although hostile, Tinubu didn't dare harm Tega and only undid his bindings while ignoring him.

"Where's your master?" Tega asked. Unbothered that Tinubu had rejected his gratitude, he sat on the floor trying to catch his breath.

He knew when to be grateful but if someone was unwilling to appreciate his gratitude he wouldn't push. Saying thank you once was already enough to convey his emotions.

"Irritated that I called you male?" He chuckled, quite pleased by Tinubu's personality. But the closer he looked at the spider the more he noticed something was amiss.

"You creature of darkness, what did you do to my people?!!" Tega heard the town head's annoying voice from behind Tinubu.

'How did he break out of it?' Tega thought, his eyes staring at the pitch-black sword that was stabbed through Tinubu's abdomen.

Tega's gaze darkened as he met the town head's sneering eyes, a seething rage building within him.