The Brutes - 1/2

“So,” Cailu craned his neck to peer at the three Vayrons tailing him, “You’ve already had a brief introduction to the Brutes, as you saw they are indeed a cheery lot!” he turned back, facing forward, giving a little shrug as he did so, “They’re not horrible per se, they’re just uuh, motivated.” 

Grizz rolled her eyes in response, soft paw pads barely making a noise on the mossy cavern floor. “You could have had us fooled.”

“Ha, well, you wouldn’t be the first to say that… nor the last.” he furrowed his brow ever so slightly before donning his familiar grin, “Anyway, today happens to be competition day!”The three Vayrons shared an apprehensive look, with Mari once again looking the most concerned. Without any need for prompting, Cailu launched into a detailed explanation of the contest they would be participating in, spinning tales of Haedians launching themselves from spiralling rock pillars to snatch painted golden rocks from their kith and kin. The contest was a free for all, with the only rule being to win no matter the cost.

“And they’re not even real gold?” huffed Otho, “So what’s the point of the contest?”

“The point my friend is to be the best, something that will most certainly aid you in your journey of approval.”

The group paused at the opening of a vast cave, one that seemed impossibly high given its underground nature, watching shadows of Haedians flit between stalagmites, a hint of gold glistening between teeth and claws.

“Oh!” exclaimed Cailu, “They’ve already started, you best get going!”

The three Vayrons yelped as Cailu unceremoniously whipped the back of the ankles with his tail. Otho and Grizz didn’t need to be told twice. Otho darted underneath a stony arch as a Haedian vaulted over the platform beside him, a golden rock slipping from its claws. It swung its huge head around to stare daggers at Otho - a silent stand off - and then they both lunged for the rock.

The sound of claws skittering across the ground and great paws slamming into the rock face echoed around the cavern as the sound of hundreds of Haedians battling over their prizes filled the air. For a brief moment, Otho’s mind stood still - frozen and unsure how to act - as his limbs acted outside of his control sending him careening towards this unknown threat. He couldn’t win a head on fight and he knew it.

But he didn’t have to, he just had to distract him long enough to…

Grizz shot out from the side, slamming into the side of the Haedian at full speed and drilling him into the cave wall. Otho took his chance while the pair were distracted, snatching the shining rock from the cold cavern floor. His claws skittered across the slick surface as he turned on his heels, darting towards Mari who was hunched in a divot in the rock wall.

She scooted to the side to let her partner scrunch in beside her as yet another Haedian barreled past their hiding spot. Otho breathed a deep sigh and rested his weary head against Mari’s shoulder. “After all that,” he heaved, “And I only have one rock to show for it.”

Mari huffed and shifted her weight onto her front paws, leaning her head out to peer towards the melee. “One rock is still a victory in my mind,” she muttered, “In this situation your strengths do not lend to you fighting head on-” she paused for just a second to pull Otho’s head back into the divot as another Haedian screeched past them, followed closely by Grizz on its heels. 

The sound of rock scraping against rock caught Otho’s attention as a golden tinged rock skidded to a stop at his feet. “Your strengths are to protect our stash.” Otho could see a hint of smugness on Mari’s stoic face as they watched Grizz weave underneath the legs of a Haedian who was clearly unprepared to go toe to toe with such a small opponent. It snapped at her heels as she slid under its open wing, snatching yet another golden rock between her teeth.

Just as quickly as she grabbed the rock she was bouncing back on herself, the Haedian snapping uselessly at where she was just standing. Otho’s chest swelled with pride as Grizz effortlessly sprinted towards them, dropping the rock without breaking stride and kicking it towards the pair. The Haedian on her tail didn’t notice its prize was no longer in sight - too focussed on the thief that had pilfered it.

Otho darted out and batted the rock over to Mari, who quickly tucked it away behind herself, increasing the size of their stash once again. “See,” Mari smiled, “Your strength is defence, Grizz’s strength is to fight head on.” The puller surveyed the area, ears twitching as the sound of melee slowly died down.

“Is that it?” whispered Otho, as a resounding clash echoed across the battlefield. Grizz padded towards them, weary and breathing heavily,

“On the contrary, I think that’s the start of round two.”