6. Jytos

6

JYTOS

T he stillness of my cave shatters as a commotion echoes from beyond its mouth. My tentacles soon twitch as I sense a disturbance in the air. Curiosity gnaws at me, an itch I can't ignore.

"What the fuck is going on out there now?" I growl to myself, rising to my full height.

I stride towards the entrance. My muscles begin to coil with anticipation. The cool night air hits my face as I emerge. My green eyes pierce through the darkness. The forest stretches before me, a sea of shadows and whispers.

In the distance, flickering lights catch my attention. Torches. Human torches. My lips curl into a sneer. What are those pathetic creatures up to?

I move silently through the trees. My black skin blends with the night. As I draw closer, voices drift towards me, a mix of hushed tones and muffled sobs. The scent of fear hangs heavy in the air.

Crouching behind a massive boulder, I observe the peculiar procession. A group of humans, their faces etched with grim determination, lead a smaller figure into the heart of the forest. The torchlight dances across their features.

"Interesting," I mutter.

The smaller figure stumbles, nearly falling. A flash of white fabric catches the light – some sort of ceremonial garment. What kind of ritual are these humans performing?

I lean forward, straining to hear what is going on. Their words are too faint, lost in the whistling of the wind and the crackle of torch flames. But their body language speaks volumes. Tension. Anticipation. And... guilt?

My eyes narrow as I try to focus on the central figure. The young woman, by the looks of it. Her head is bowed and her shoulders are slumped in defeat. The others flank her like guards, though it's clear she's not a prisoner. Not in the traditional sense at least.

"What game are you playing, humans?" I growl softly, my curiosity piqued.

The procession continues deeper into the forest, towards the ancient clearing where I've often seen them leave their pitiful offerings. My territory. My hunting grounds.

A growl rumbles through me. How dare they encroach on my domain? Yet, something holds me back from charging in and tearing them apart. The mystery of their actions intrigues me, sparking a hunger for knowledge rather than flesh.

I settle back for a moment trying to grasp what is happening. Whatever they're up to, it's clear this is no ordinary night.

I soon start to watch them again, transfixed, as they enter the clearing. My muscles tense even further, ready to spring into action, but curiosity keeps me rooted to the spot temporarily.

The small figure in white stumbles forward, and I catch my first real glimpse of her face up close. She's young, with wide brown eyes that dart around nervously. Her curly hair falls around her tear-stained cheeks. Something stirs deep within me at the sight of her vulnerability.

An old crone steps forward, her voice cracking as she speaks. "Great Umbrath, we bring you this offering. Protect us from the waira that plague our lands."

My eyes narrow as my earlier suspicions are confirmed. These pathetic humans really think they can buy my protection with this girl.

The crone continues, "We have prepared her as the ancient texts describe. She has been purified and..."

I tune out the droning, focusing instead on the girl. She trembles uncontrollably. Her chest heaves with barely contained sobs. The sight of her fear should please me, but instead, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

Suddenly, the crone produces a small pouch. "Take this," she commands, holding it out to the girl. "It will ease your passage."

The girl hesitates, her eyes darting around as if searching for an escape. Finding none, she takes the pouch with shaking hands and brings it to her lips.

"What the hell is that?" I growl, leaning forward. The scent of unfamiliar herbs reaches my nostrils, pungent and sharp.

As she eats them, her eyes begin to glaze over. Her trembling subsides and is replaced by an eerie calmness. The villagers back away, leaving her alone in the center of the clearing.

My tentacles twitch with anticipation. Part of me wants to charge in, to claim what they've so willingly offered. But another part holds back, wary of this strange ritual and its unknown consequences.

The girl sways on her feet, the effects of the herbs taking hold. Her gaze sweeps across the treeline, unfocused, until suddenly – impossibly – her eyes lock with mine.

A jolt runs through me. For a moment, the world narrows to just us two.

The moment shatters as one of the villagers steps forward, a dirty rag clutched in her gnarled hands. My eyes narrow further and my muscles tighten. What fresh fuckery is this?

The old hag approaches the girl, who sways like a sapling in a storm. Her glazed eyes still seem to seek me out, even as the rag descends over her face.

"What the—" I growl, low and menacing.

The girl crumples to the ground. The villagers gather around her fallen form, muttering and gesturing. My body writhes with agitation. I desperately want to lash out and scatter these pathetic humans like leaves.

But I hold back. Something about this whole goddamn situation doesn't sit right. I've seen plenty of rituals in my time, but this? This is new. And I don't like new. New means unpredictable. Unpredictable means dangerous.

So I wait, watching as they lift the girl's limp body onto a makeshift altar. Her white garment catches the moonlight, making her look like some kind of ethereal offering. Which, I suppose, is exactly what she is.

"Fucking humans," I mutter, flexing my claws. "Always thinking they can buy protection with flesh and blood."

The procession retreats, torchlight flickering between the trees. As the last human disappears from view, I straighten to my full height. Seven feet of muscle and terror. The forest seems to hold its breath around me.

I stride forward. Each step is deliberate and powerful. The clearing beckons straight ahead of me.

As I approach the ritual site, my senses are on high alert. The scent of fear lingers in the air. It's a sweet aroma that makes my mouth water. But there's something else. Something... off.

I pause at the edge of the clearing, scanning for any sign of trickery or trap. These humans may be weak, but they're not entirely stupid. I've underestimated them before to my own detriment.

Finding nothing immediately threatening, I inhale deeply. The night air fills my lungs, carrying with it the promise of... something. Something new. Something that makes my black skin prickle with an odd excitement.

"Alright," I growl to myself, flexing my tentacles. "Let's see what kind of mess you've left for me this time."

With that, I prepare to step into the clearing, ready to claim what's been offered – and deal with whatever consequences may follow.

I approach the unconscious girl. My footsteps are silent on the forest floor. The moonlight bathes her pale skin, making her look like some ethereal creature rather than a mere human. Every part of my body twitches with curiosity as I crouch beside her.

"Well, well," I murmur, my voice a low rumble in the quiet clearing. "What have we here?"

I lean in, inhaling deeply. Her scent hits me like a punch to the gut. It's intoxicating - a mix of fear, innocence, and something uniquely... her. My mouth waters even more, and I have to forcibly restrain myself from sinking my teeth into her soft flesh.

"Fuck," I growl, shaking my head to clear it. "What the hell is this?"

I've never reacted this way to a human before. They're usually nothing more than prey or annoyances. But this girl... she's different. My tentacles reach out, almost of their own accord, gently brushing a curl from her face.

Her skin is warm under my touch, despite the cold night air. I trace the curve of her cheek, marveling at how delicate she feels. How breakable. And yet, something in me rebels at the very thought of harming her.

"This is insane," I mutter to myself, but I can't seem to pull away.

I slide my arms under her limp form, lifting her effortlessly. She weighs nothing to me. Her head lolls against my chest, and I feel a strange tightening in my gut.

"Alright, little one," I say, my voice gruff. "Let's get you somewhere safe."

I turn towards my cave, cradling her close. The forest seems to part before me, sensing my determination. Nothing will stand in my way. Nothing will harm what is mine.

And she is mine now, I realize with a start. These foolish humans have given her to me, and I'll be damned if I let her go.

As I stride through the trees, I can't help but glance down at her face. Even unconscious, there's a strength there. A resilience. It intrigues me.

"You're going to be trouble, aren't you?" I chuckle darkly. "Good. I like a challenge."

The entrance to my cave looms before us, a gaping maw in the mountainside. I duck inside quickly. The familiar darkness envelopes us. But for once, it feels too oppressive. Too cold for this delicate creature in my arms.

I lay her gently on my bed of soft mosses, arranging her limbs carefully. She looks so small here being surrounded by the trappings of my lair. So out of place. And yet... so right.

"What the fuck am I doing?" I growl, running a hand over my face. But I already know the answer. I'm keeping her. Protecting her. Making her mine.

I settle closely beside her. I watch the slow rise and fall of her chest. Whatever those herbs were, they've knocked her out cold. But she'll wake soon enough. And when she does...

A grin spreads across my face, all sharp teeth and wicked intent. When she wakes, the real fun will begin.