CH 136: Second Anomaly
Firewater left the three, walking with his head bowed in shame. The goblins broke formation to swarm their leader. Jasmine and Claire were too shocked to even react.
It was Ursa who snapped them out of it. She shed her wolf form with a crack of shifting joints and fur, rising to her full warrior height, bare chest unbothered by modesty. Their warrior’s bare breasts were enough to jolt them back to reality.
“He-he looks so…” Claire muttered.
“Different.” Jasmine finished..
They locked eyes, exchanging a look of bewilderment. Neither of them had seen men with beards before, only in drawings. Ursa was already walking towards the carriage, unbothered by the revelation.
Lily, Elsie, and Ana rushed out of the carriage, passing Ursa. They ran to the two kneeling pair and inspected them for any signs of harm.
“What happened?” Elsie asked between gasps. “You two froze and that goblin…”
“I-it looked like them,” Ana continued, her voice shaking. “Li-like a giant.”
“No,” Claire corrected softly, rising unsteadily to her feet. “He looks like a man.”
That made the others fall silent. Claire's eyes never left Firewater, who now stood just beyond his kin, overseeing their re-formed ranks. Her knees still trembled.
“Wait!” Claire’s voice cracked slightly. “Come back.”
Firewater turned and nodded. He gave a sharp signal, and the goblins saluted in unison. Then he stepped forward, hand pressed to his bleeding side. Claire eyed the wound she inflicted.
“Ana,” Claire said, regaining her composure. “Heal him.”
Ana didn’t respond. Claire glanced at her lover, finding her eyes wide and wand idly by her side. Her sister mirrored her shock.
“Ana!” Claire barked. The command shook Ana free, and she fumbled with her wand. With a subtle flick, she cast her spell.
As Firewater approached, he was bathed in yellow light. Claire saw the saluting goblins drop their salute. Firewater gave a low whistle, and order in their formation was restored.
Claire didn’t realize she was holding her breath as he marched towards them.
“Thank you,” Firewater said as he bowed towards Ana. “You must be Ana. My name is Firewater.”
“Uh… you-you’re we-welcome,” Ana stammered.
Firewater turned to Claire. “May I have the names of your other companions?”
Claire hesitated. His face felt wrong. Not grotesque, but ancient. Familiar and alien all at once. A mix of fear and curiosity filled her. She shook her head.
“Sorry, this is Lily and this is Elsie,” Claire said, hastily pointing to the two shocked women. “I apologize for gawking at you. Your face it’s… not something we are used to.”
“No need to apologize,” Firewater said, raising his hand. “I understand my face is… unpleasant.”
“N-no.” Ana interjected, almost too quickly.
“It’s just… foreign to us,” Claire added. She forced a smile on her face as she continued. “Human men haven’t looked like you in generations. Not since the Tyrant’s age…”
“I understand. I’m used to it.” Firewater said with a solemn smile. “Even my kin find me strange.”
Claire glanced at the goblins lining up behind the goblin man. Their faces were unmistakably goblin-looking. Faces covered with blemishes and extended noses. Then she looked back at Firewater. It didn’t make sense.
“What about your wife?” She asked without thinking. That divine nudge at the back of her mind pushed her forward.
“She,” Firewater’s eyes softened as a warm smile crossed his face. “Is like me. Smooth-skinned and tall.”
“How like you?” Lily asked, trying to steady her voice. “Intelligent?”
Firewater tilted his head, and he looked at the woman for a moment. He nodded, hiding his sadness behind a smile.
“Yes, Lily, by your definition, she is,” Firewater said warmly.
“So you are like Samira?” Lily asked.
Firewater shrugged. “My apologies, I’m afraid I don’t know who that is.”
“She’s… another like you,” Claire added. “The lamia I spoke of.”
“Ah, that makes sense,” Firewater said, relaxing his shoulders. “I didn’t know there were others like us… Interesting”
“Firewater,” Jasmine finally spoke, her voice low and wary. “Why do you look like him?”
Claire turned to her sharply, finding fear in her eyes. A shiver went down her spine as she’d never seen Jasmine so pale.
“Marcellus.” Jasmine said, “God of the dead.”
“How do y-”
“I’m an assassin.” Jasmine cut her off. “Also, he’s appeared in my dreams…”
“Wait what?” Claire asked
“He appears to those who’ve seen tragic deaths,” Jasmine shook her head. She took a deep breath and centered herself. “He’s appeared for as long as I can remember.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me that?!” Lily said, unable to control the volume of her voice.
Jasmine waved her hand, her eyes never left the goblin man. “Because he’s always been… friendly. Never mind that, why do you share his face?”
Firewater tilted his head and rubbed his beard. He contemplated for a moment and sighed. “I have no idea who this Marcellus is.”
“Bullshit,” Jasmine said with conviction.
“I assure you it is not.” He said calmly.
Ursa stepped in before Jasmine could press farther. She let out a groan as she stretched her arms. “He does look like him.”
“See!” Jasmine nearly yelled. “You have to know more.”
Ursa circled Firewater like a wolf assessing a rival. “He appears to us during lycanthropy initiation. All Ravians know his human face.”
Firewater’s gaze stayed on Ursa, he was wary of the warrior’s presence.
“I apologize again,” he said. “But I truly do not know him.”
“No, there has to be more.” Jasmine continued, getting to her feet. She rushed the goblin man, but Claire intercepted her. She thrashed against Claire’s grip as Firewater stepped back.
“Sorry, she’s never like this.” Claire struggled against Jasmine. Lily and Elsie jumped in to help.
“I’ll believe you,” Ursa said, pursing her lips and ignoring Jasmine’s outburst. “Claire, you met a Bestowed, right?”
Claire nodded as she held Jasmine back. “Yeah, Toni. Bestowed of Anka.”
Firewater’s expression flickered.
“Right, did he have a marking or anything?” Ursa continued.
Claire blinked, “His mole… called a ‘beauty mark’, I believe.”
“Firewater, take off your armor.”
“Excuse me?” Firewater asked, bewildered.
“Take off your armor.” Ursa repeated, calm but firm.
“Why would I do that?” Firewater said, taking a cautious step back.
“Because,” Ursa said, stepping forward. “None of your kin carry that rotten smell.”
Claire nearly lost her grip on Jasmine as she listened to Ursa. She tightened her grip on her lover as her mind raced to catch up with Ursa’s words.. Ursa glanced back, and their eyes met.
“I was wondering how they were able to ambush us,” Ursa explained. “I didn’t notice until just now.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Claire muttered.
“Would have made finding the alcohol harder. That smell can cover up almost anything.” Ursa continued. “Never would have found that flask if they smelled like monsters. But they don’t.”
Firewater stiffened as silence fell upon them. Jasmine’s muffled protests were the only sound for an uncomfortable amount of time. Firewater let out a deep sigh before nodding.
“Before you even ask,” He said as he began unbuckling his chestplate. “I have no idea who it comes from.”
Jasmine stopped struggling the moment the steel chestplate hit the ground. No one said a word as Firewater tossed his chainmail undershirt to the side. He turned slowly, offering his back to the Scarlet Seraphs.
It appeared to be a birthmark at first glance, but it was far too detailed. Almost like a brand. Inked in natural tones against his olive-toned skin were three animals in pristine detail: A horse, a dog, and a raven.