Hero 108: A New Beginning Ch 19

Swamp Love

By: ARTgazer12

The group of four walked down the swamp path. Oddette was as happy as can be, returning to a familiar place. It wasn't like her swamp, but it was as good all the same. The path split up ahead, the right area appearing to have more dense plant life than the left. Lovely was about to make a suggestion, but Oddette quickly chose the left path. "See you on the other side Lovely!" Escara and Kitari followed her on the left path. As much as she wanted to stay together, the other human took the right path.

Kitari and Oddette were laughing as they walked down the path. Kitari had several pranks planned for the other members of Big Green, and her human friend wanted in on them. Their slug friend shook her head as she followed them. She never really had it well with pranks. As they were walking, the trio could not help but to feel watched.

Escara slowed down a bit, the feeling getting to her the most. It could be another human that the villagers sent to kill Kitari. Ever since she met her several years ago, they became the best of friends and always looked out for each other. The Slug Princess turned to face her friends, but soon found that she was alone. The sinister air of the swamp began to affect the slug, making her shiver in fear.

"Excuse me…" The voice scared Escara, causing her to turn and spew slime. The attack was short lived, the slug noticing what she sprayed. It was a human, but a rather strange one. And when she means strange, she means definitely different. The human seemed to be a girl, her figure seeming to be very slim. Her hair was spiky and black while her skin was an unusual shade of purple. Her teeth seemed to be at a point, and her eyes were covered with a light blue band. A strange black liquid seemed to be leaking out beneath her band. The black outfit she wore seemed to be several overlapped fabrics. The human stood up, slightly moving her arms to get the slime off. "Uh…what was that for?!" she exclaimed.

"Oh…I am terribly sorry…" The Slug slimed her way over, gently cleaning the strange human. "I thought you were something else…I am Escara."

The human brushed herself off, "Hello Escara, I am Maiden…"

Escara looked at the human girl with confusion. The name sounded familiar. If the human's eyes were showing they would be shifting everywhere. The way she behaved worried her greatly. "I-Is there s-something wr-wrong…?" asked Maiden nervously.

"It's really nothing…but your name sounds…"

"Look out!" Maiden tackled Escara, but the slime launched her into a tree. The human landed in front of her. "Are you okay?" The slug managed to nod, but she only screamed in response. A python slithered in front of the two, hissing at the duo. Maiden glared at the large snake, even straight through her band. The python lunged at the two, but its head slammed into something hard. Escara looked up, seeing a large purple shield blocking the attack. The shield collapsed into the hand of her newfound friend. Before the slug could ask, Maiden formed around her into a ball before rolling away. Once they were out of that area, she unfolded and let the slug out. "The Pythons have been everywhere lately" explained the strange human. "But what is really strange is that they usually always stay in the more dense areas."

Escara gasped, "We have friends in that area!"

"…We…?"

"I have some friends up ahead this path."

"You go warn them, I will find your friends."

Escara slithered down the path in a hurry, wanting to warn her friends. Maiden quickly extended her arm, grasped a tree branch, and swung through the trees. She knew this swamp better than anyone. However, so did the Pythons.

---

Lovely and Chusi did not need to be warned of the threat, because they were well aware. Chusi clung close to the human as she battled each oncoming Python with her tongue. With Lovely's "inside voice", she could tell when there was one behind her. The Snake Princess was scared out of her mind. She was beginning to believe that Basilisk's confinement was more of a protection than a punishment. One Python screeched near Lovely, scaring Chusi greatly. She slithered down Lovely's arm and away into the bushes. "Chusi!" Lovely was slammed into a tree by one Python. Another slithered into the bushes after Chusi. Rage began to form inside of Lovely, her hair and face began to change. Her hair seemed to fly out in all directions, tangling and strangling the enemies. "No one…hurts…my friend…" Lovely's voice sounded like a combination of two voices, and the voice itself scared the Pythons.

Chusi slithered very quickly through the vegetation. A figure was following her, she could hear it. But it was getting closer and closer, the rustling getting louder and louder. A clearing formed in the swamp, but it was blocked off with massive tree roots. Chusi turned, seeing bright red eyes in the darkness.

The Python lurched back and lunged for his prey. However the direct light from the tree tops shone down on Chusi, revealing her entire form. The eyes of the attacker grew wide, causing him to stop. The rest of his body slammed against his coils from the sudden stop. The light shone down on the Python, revealing himself to the Snake Princess. The Python appeared normal in coloration, but the pattern along his back was much different. But that was minor compared to the other main distinction. Scars covered the snake's body, some smaller than the others and some deeper. Chusi was scared of the Python, but something about him told her he wasn't going to harm her.

"Uh…hello…" the Python spoke. His voice sounded scratchy, almost as if he was hissing at the same time. Chusi was confused greatly; he just tried to attack her, but now he was seemingly friendly. The Python was also confused by his actions. He has never stopped and attack before, even on his own kind. "Uh…I am…"

Maiden dropped from above just before kicking the scarred Python. The snake hissed in anger, the two creatures now attacking each other. Chusi sat there still dumbfounded. The battle went on for a bit, but the Python soon became victorious. His body was wrapped tightly around Maiden's body, his tail pointed at her. The tail had this large sharp spike on the end. The human could get out of it, but she did not want to reveal herself just yet. The badly injured python hissed in laughter.

"NO WAIT!" Once again, the Python stopped his attack. His head turned, the same gaze returning once he laid eyes on the Snake Princess. She slowly slithered up to him, "Could you…could you please stop?" The plea was small and her voice was weak, but the Python heard it. He sighed, just before slowly unraveling Maiden's body. He slithered away very slowly. Chusi slithered faster, and cut him off. "Wait, you don't have to go" she said. "Uh…what's your name…?"

The Python turned away, "…Venom…" He was completely confused. Why was she being so nice? Didn't she know what he was? "You should go…more of us are in these swamps…"

Venom began to slither away. Maiden managed to grab onto Chusi before she could follow, "He's right, they are everywhere. We should grab your friend and get out of here while you can."

"But…" Maiden ran back where she came before the Snake Princess could protest. The two found Lovely, but her back was turned. Her hair seemed to shrink down while her breathing settled. Chusi was worried, "…Lovely…?" The human turned, seeming to be normal. "I…I'm fine…" she said. "Wh-Where's that Python…?"

"He left with no fight" said the strange human. "Oh, sorry, I'm Maiden. We should get out of here before more come." Lovely nodded before the trio left. Venom popped his head out of the bushes, looking in the direction where they left.

---

Oddette, Kitari, and Escara waited nervously for their friends. The two humans heard of the danger, but they never experienced it. Still, they knew the danger of the Pythons. To their relief, they saw their three friends walk out of the thick vegetation. However they also saw a Python following them. Kitari jumped towards them, pinning the Python down between her swords.

"No stop!" Everyone looked at the Snake Princess as she slithered down Maiden's legs and next to Venom. "He never attacked me in the swamp, I think he's good." The others did not know what to say or do. Venom shoved Kitari away so he could stand up. He looked down at the little snake, a slight amount of red coming onto his face. The human girls giggled, as well as the slug. Chusi turned, "What…what's so funny?"

Venom patted her head, "I-I'm sure it's nothing…" His nervous behavior still bugged the snake, but she did not let it bother her that much. She led him to the others. Lovely looked at the Python; he looked like trouble. "Chusi, are you sure we can trust him?" she asked.

"I'm sure" she said. She faced Venom, "You will come and join us right?"

Maiden bumped in, "Join you guys for what?"

"Oh, we are starting a new organization of Big Green to restore peace between animals and humans" Oddette said. "While doing some missions, we are also looking for more members."
Maiden couldn't believe her ears; humans and animals working together?! It was her dream come true. But she would keep her little secret quiet for now. "Then count me in!"

Chusi once again focused her attention onto the Python. His face seemed to be even redder, his face turned away. "Do…do you have a fever…?" asked the Snake Princess.

"What…?" Venom replied, "Uh…n-no…I-I'm fine. I-I will join you too…"

MAIDEN 016

VENOM 012

The other welcomed their two new members to the team. As the sun began to set, the group set off back to their base.