12. Drasuk

12

Drasuk

It seems like I made some unfortunate assumptions.

The pink creature may not be as strong or as deadly as I am, but it's not a terrible fighter. For its size. A shudder runs through me at the thought of being so small.

Plus, if there is also a manticorid here, then there may be others who are not my enemy.

If the manticorid male has venom, it's not an Abstainer, which makes me optimistic he won't be a raging idiot. Hopefully, with some mentorship from me, he can cast off his pacifism and we might have a chance of living through this.

I look closer at the small creature that may be my ally in the meantime. I cannot believe something so frail can smell so alluring.

All the whispers behind my back about my strange fixations might have had some merit, after all.

Still, it seems hasty to consider it worthless.

My anger subsides, replaced by a curiosity about this tiny creature—this small ball of violence and rage, that refuses to surrender and still yells out its insolence when clearly outmatched.

Its curse words are strange, a mix of creative and confusing, unlike anything I've heard before.

I am still at a loss to how many times the thing mentioned the word fornicate .

It has a peculiar way of speaking.

Still, I'm in a playful mood, so I decide to continue our spar, if only to enjoy how nimble this pink-furred creature is.

"You're fast," I admit, circling it. "But not fast enough to avoid capture. How did someone as agile as you get caught?"

The tiny thing's eyes narrow, and it lunges at me with the dagger. I sidestep easily, chuckling.

"Not a subject you would like to discuss?"

"Close ascend," it snaps, slashing at me. "What the fornicate is wrong with your language? Shut up . You got captured, too, didn't you?"

I laugh, a low, rumbling sound. "Yes, but I'm a warrior. I was taken down by an army, not by some petty trick."

My eye twitches at considering a genali raid an army, but it doesn't need to know the details.

"Maybe you're just not as smart as you think," it retorts, its dagger barely grazing my side. "Getting captured isn't exactly a mark of genius."

My spines shift, enjoying this tiny thing's sharp tongue. "I like your spirit," I say, dodging another wild swing. "You've got a fire in you. Not many would dare insult a drakonid in their presence."

It lets out a snort of amusement, though I can't quite tell if it's genuine. "Glad you're entertained," it mutters, its movements quickening as it tries to land a blow.

"You should be," I reply, feinting left before striking from the right. The nimble creature dodges, barely, and I laugh again. "You're fun to play with."

"Play?" it huffs, breathing heavily. "This isn't a game."

"Isn't it?" I counter, swiping at it again. "You're dancing around, trying to avoid my claws. It feels like a game to me."

Pink eyes flash with anger and the creature attacks with renewed vigor. "I'm not your toy."

"No," I agree, parrying its dagger with ease. "You're much more interesting than a toy. You've got a dagger for a tongue and quick reflexes. I like that."

"Good for you," it snarls, its quick movements becoming more desperate. "But I'm not here for your amusement."

I tilt my head, watching it with a mix of curiosity and admiration. "Then why are you here, little one? What do you hope to achieve?"

It gives me a floundering stare. "Are you hopelessly stupid?"

My spines shiver at the unimaginative insult, a retort waiting on the tip of my tongue before it shakes its head and breaks in again.

Its enchanting pink eyes burn with defiance as it lunges at me once more. I easily dodge, this time only allowing my claws to sweep against it to let it know what would have been a death blow.

It stumbles back, glaring at me. "Why do you keep taunting me?"

"Because it's fun," I admit. "And because I want to see how far you'll go. You're a fascinating little creature."

Its stony expression hardens, and it takes a step back, breathing heavily, but arms still raised and ready to fight. "Fine. Let's see how much fun you have when I actually hit you."

A rumble of amusement rises as I prepare for its next move. "I'm looking forward to it."

I dodge the attack, but this time, it's closer. Too close. The annoyingly durable glass dagger grazes me on my more sensitive underside, drawing blood. I hiss in pain, but it's more of an amused hiss than an angry one.

"Another little scratch. It will only take you a tens of tens more to kill me. Will your blood pump explode before then?"

Pink eyes glare at me, the intricate patterned organs opened wide, I assume showing its affront. "I'm not done yet."

"Good. Because neither am I."

It growls at me. "You'll wish you hadn't said that. You little like-a-cock excrement."

I give the creature an incredulous stare. There is nothing small about my anatomy. Not a single thing.

I smooth my features before the outrage shows along my spikes. It was a clever use of words, though, and I can't resist the snort that escapes my nostrils.

"You are very creative with your language." I compliment begrudgingly.

If this were a battle of words, I'd have lost horribly, so it was only fitting I give praise.