The Savage Caves - Chapter 14

The Savage Caves: Original Story by T.H. Lain

A Fan-Fiction Reimagining: Walthus Proudstump

Chapter 14

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The second in command of the bugbears stormed through the halls, a frustrated growl ever present in his throat. He clenched and unclenched his paws, squeezing hard enough that they stung from his claws. His nose ached and he tasted blood from Rezrek’s abuse. He’d walked the path Thrunk had taken with the group of goblins, wanting to follow them but not wanting to anger Rezrek. A sound distracted his thoughts and Erzmer dropped low - Thrunk must be running back. 
Coward, the bugbear thought. An idiot with no ear and a stupid shield.
A pair of goblins rounded the corner, dashing as fast as their little feet would carry them and Erzmer was taken aback. It was just these?
Erzmer caught the two goblins as they streamed past him; both were knocked to the ground as they collided with his massive arm. They whimpered and he looked down at them, his angry eyes glaring holes into their little weak bodies. He sniffed and placed a boot onto one of their chests, shifting his weight against the smaller creature’s body. It croaked, straining and desperately clawing against the leather of his thick booted foot. The other goblin didn’t move; it lay still on the stone floor and looked up at Erzmer’s chest.
The bugbear ran a thick paw over his face, wiping the snot and blood that rolled from his broken nose. He growled at the pain and looked down at the goblin beneath him. He pressed harder, enjoying the little squeal it made and the way its eyes started to bulge from the pressure. The thing’s tongue rolled out of its mouth as it breathlessly pleaded. The other goblin shook its head.
“Please,” it said, putting an uncertain hand on Erzmer’s boot.
“Why little goblins running?” The hulking bugbear asked, his voice sounding strange in his ears. He growled, grinding his boot harder into the goblin’s chest. He would kill Rezrek but for now, he’d be happy to watch the goblin pop under his weight. It grunted and Erzmer felt bones shift, cracking under the pressure of his foot.
“Tazerg,” the goblin holding his boot said, its eyes flitting to its crushed companion. 
“Little runt Tazerg. What Tazerg do?” Erzmer shouted.
The whimpering goblin sniffled, looking up into Erzmer’s eyes and pleading. “Please, no hurt Yerdn.”
Erzmer snarled but pulled his boot away. The goblin beneath it gasped, whining and rolling to the side as it coughed and shook. The other goblin nodded, continuing.
“Tazerg see hu-mans. Thrunk fight hu-mans and Tazerg help kill Thrunk.”
The bugbear’s clawed paw shot out faster than the goblin could react to. Erzmer pulled the goblin to his face so quickly that he felt its neck pop.
“Tazerg kill Thrunk?!” He screamed into the goblin’s face. He felt it shudder and it desperately grabbed at his forearm but he was too strong; the goblin would never get loose unless Erzmer wanted it to. The bugbear flexed its claws and felt them dig into flesh. The goblin whimpered, still struggling.
“Y-yes,” it managed to croak.
Erzmer wrenched the creature’s neck to the side, snapping it with no more effort than he might a thin tree branch in his way. The tiny goblin’s body went limp and Erzmer dropped it. He glared at the coughing goblin.
“Is true?” He shouted. “Tazerg kill Thrunk? Help humans?”
The sniveling goblin nodded, holding its hands up in defense as it coughed and struggled to take in air.
Erzmer grabbed the goblin by the head, his entire face fitting easily in the bugbear’s massive paw, and repeatedly smashed its skull against the stone until there was nothing left of it but a bloody pulp. Blood covered Erzmer’s paw and he wiped it on his armor. The goblins wouldn't lie to him, he knew. They were too scared to lie. But Tazerg was a little bastard and Erzmer told Rezrek to kill him when they’d killed the chieftain. 
He fumed, stomping away and leaving the corpses of the goblins.
Rezrek was bigger, stronger than Erzmer. But he was weaker. Erzmer had been waiting for the time to challenge Rezrek since they’d crawled into the black hole of these caves. He pushed past goblins in the halls, shoving them aside and ignoring their whimpers as he moved towards the area Rezrek used as a throne room.
It was Erzmer’s time.

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        Rezrek reclined in his throne, watching Fidul try to communicate with Dulf - it was clear Fidul was disgusted by the other bugbear, whose stench had filled the room with a noxious smell. The two bugbears went back and forth, Dulf arguing about something - Rezrek wasn’t really paying attention to what the smelly bugbear was saying. He just thought the grunting Fidul was funny to hear.
Erzmer stormed into the room, drawing the eyes of the two arguing bugbears.
Leden, from a little perch ten feet above the pit, shifted uncomfortably as Erzmer stomped his way to Rezrek. 
The larger bugbear glared at the approaching Erzmer, sneering. He spoke but didn’t look at him. “What, Erzmer?”
“Thrunk dead.” He said in a flat tone.
Rezrek raised an eyebrow. “Thrunk dead?”
“Tazerg killed Thrunk.”
Rezrek laughed, a loud and unpleasant sound that Dulf and Fidul mirrored. He stood, looking down at Erzmer and shaking his head.
“Tazerg? Kill Thrunk?” He turned his head away and laughed again.
“Tazerg help humans kill Thrunk. Tazerg join humans.” Erzmer shifted his eyes behind Rezrek. The larger bugbear had left his warhammer at his throne. Rezrek noticed.
“Then Tazerg die.” Rezrek said. Erzmer raised an eyebrow and Rezrek looked over his broken nose and smiled. “Erzmer. What you want?”
“Three dead bugbears. Rezrek not do nothing!” Erzmer shouted at Rezrek and drew the small human blade at his side. Rezrek didn’t flinch but he heard the scrambling of Leden and her crossbow.
Dulf and Fidul had gone silent.
“Rezrek bad leader,” Erzmer said in a low and intimidating voice. “Maybe Erzmer better leader.” The shorter bugbear smirked. He shot Dulf and Fidul a look. “Bugbears better under Erzmer. Not hide in stinking goblin hole! Go out, kill humans! Take! Eat good food!”
Rezrek smiled. “Erzmer challenge Rezrek.”
Erzmer nodded, shifting his grip on the blade in his hand. “Erzmer challenge Rezrek.”
The larger bugbear moved back towards the throne, reaching for the fine warhammer. As he bent down for it, Leden made a hissing noise and Rezrek tensed. He instinctively threw his bulk to the side, rolling awkwardly away from Erzmer’s attempted sneak attack. The sword scraped against the stone and Erzmer stepped past the throne, turning to face the other warrior. Rezrek growled, baring his fangs.
“Cheat! Erzmer cheat!” He yelled. Dulf and Fidul growled their own disapproval.
“Cheat,” they cried. “Cheat!”
“Erzmer good ambusher,” Rezrek said as he circled the stone throne and eyed his weapon. He could overpower the other bugbear - easily. But Erzmer was good with a blade, Rezrek knew. He sneered at the other bugbear. “Too bad Erzmer stupid.”
Erzmer growled. He rolled away from the throne and towards Rezrek, swinging the blade high. The larger bugbear ducked, avoiding the strike and gave Erzmer a hard kick to the stomach. The blow landed, knocking the wind from the warrior and sending him reeling backwards. Rezrek rushed to his weapon, hearing the sounds of Dulf and Fidul’s howls as he slid to snatch up the warhammer. The weight felt good in his hand and Rezrek turned, throwing his weight forward to block an incoming swipe from Erzmer. 
Warhammer and sword met in a thunderous clash. Sparks showered both bugbears as they drew back from the strike. They circled, eyes searching each other for an opening like wolves hungry for the killing strike. Erzmer reared back and Rezrek thought he meant to charge. Instead the smaller bugbear spit a great wad of phlegm at Rezrek’s face. It slapped against him, hitting his left eye and he shook his head violently to clear his vision. As he brought his paw up to wipe it away, Erzmer lashed out at his thigh.
Rezrek turned at the last moment, shifting his leg away and the blade bit his skin - a shallow cut but one that set Rezrek’s blood to boiling instantly. Erzmer was smaller, weaker - how dare he challenge Rezrek. The larger warrior roared in anger, throwing his weight forward in a shoulder rush that saw the two collide. Erzmer lost his balance, falling hard on the stone floor and Rezrek was on top of him immediately. They were too close for the warhammer but Rezrek delivered a powerful headbutt to Erzmer, hitting the bugbear’s already sensitive nose. Erzmer made a whimpering noise and shoved Rezrek off of himself.
He scrambled up, turning his sword in a reverse grip as he let out a snarl. Spittle dribbled down his lower lip and fangs. Erzmer sliced the air in front of Rezrek, causing him to step away. The warhammer came up in a high sweep, catching the tip of the sword as it poked at the heavily armored Rezrek. Leden hissed from her perch and Rezrek saw her shift the crossbow in her hands. He growled, sparing a few moments to glare at her - she shrank away, making herself smaller as the two males battled.
Erzmer took advantage of the momentary distraction, punching out and connecting solidly with Rezrek’s jaw. 
The hit dazed the larger bugbear, who shook his head several times while swinging the warhammer wildly in all directions to keep the other warrior from him. Rezrek yelled.
“Stupid Rezrek,” Erzmer shouted, turning away from the momentarily shaken leader. Dulf caught Erzmer’s eyes, quickly looking away to Rezrek. Erzmer looked at the other three bugbears. “Rezrek weak! Erzmer lead! Erzmer strongest.” He moved towards Rezrek, who was still blindly swinging. Erzmer approached slowly, cautiously waving his blade towards Rezrek.
With a loud huff, Rezrek growled and stood to his full height. He looked at Erzmer and the other bugbears.
“Rezrek strongest bugbear!” He reared back, hurling the warhammer like a javelin and striking Erzmer in the chest. The blow sent the bugbear back and Rezrek yelled, throwing himself forward. He landed a punch at Erzmer’s face, feeling teeth crack as he did. He struck again, a kick to the groin that stole the breath from the other bugbear. Erzmer collapsed. 
Rezrek grabbed his weapon, pulling it back for a heavy swing. Erzmer tried to roll away but he wasn’t fast enough; the hammer smashed against his kneecap. The bone shattered with a horrible crunch noise and Erzmer screamed, his voice filling the cavern as Rezrek continued his assault. He knocked Erzmer’s sword from his hand, crushing several fingers as he did so. Rezrek slammed his foot into Erzmer’s gut, stomping on the fallen warrior over and over. Ribs cracked and broke from the impact but Rezrek kept stomping. Bloody spittle burbled out of Erzmer’s mouth and a hideous gurgling noise spilled out of his throat as he tried to raise his hand.  
It was crushed under the swing of Rezrek’s mighty warhammer, his rumbling voice screaming curses as he continued to pummel the wounded bugbear.
“Erzmer! Stupid Erzmer!” Rezrek screamed, the fury of his strikes causing Leden to turn her face away from the carnage. Blood splattered around the body of Erzmer as Rezrek slammed the hammer into his broken nose, splitting the bugbear’s skull open. Bone, gore and brain flecked Rezrek’s face and armor; his body stained a heavy, ruddy red. But he continued, smashing every bit of the dead warrior beneath him. Several long minutes stretched, as Dulf and Fidul just stared at their leader destroying the corpse of Erzmer.
Rezrek, finally finished, pulled the warhammer from the mound of flesh and broken bone that was Erzmer. He was gasping for air; sucking in huge gulps as sweat poured down his face and he eagerly licked the gore from his lips. He dropped the weapon, which clattered impossibly loudly in the chamber, and reached down to take the ruined head of Erzmer in both paws. He tore it apart, shredding the last vestiges of the creature’s mutilated face and throwing them to either side. A chunk of flesh slapped against Leden and she hissed, drawing Rezrek’s bloodshot eyes.
She lowered her eyes immediately, as did the others when Rezrek looked at them.
“Rezrek,” he panted, standing to his full height and looking down at the mess before him. He smiled. “Strongest.”
He picked up the fallen blade that Erzmer had used. He tossed it to the side, pointing to the remains and yelling for Dulf. The bugbear slunk over, getting close but staying just out of arms reach in case Rezrek decided to lash out again. 
“Throw in pit. Feed Ripper.”
There was a moment of hesitation from Dulf, who stared at the ruined bugbear’s mutilated corpse. He exchanged a look with Fidul but the silent bugbear broke eye contact quickly. Rezrek grunted behind Dulf, who turned and nodded. 
The foul-smelling bugbear complied, dragging the mess of Erzmer’s body over to the side of the pit and unceremoniously tossing it inside. It landed with a wet noise and immediately Ripper went about devouring the former warrior. Crunching noises punctuated Rezrek’s next words.
“Any bugbear want join Erzmer in pit?”
A chorus of shaking heads met his question. Rezrek nodded, moving to collect his warhammer and heft its weight against his furred shoulder. He was still breathing heavily and he felt a rush for more - he loved fighting, loved the thrill of making the final blow. He could taste Erzmer’s blood in his mouth and part of him wanted to kneel down, lick up what was staining the stone and enjoy his victory fully. He shot the others a glare, growling low in his throat to intimidate them.
It worked. Dulf moved away and back towards Fidul, who stood looking away from Rezrek. Leden was silent, watching like she always did. He locked eyes with the female bugbear and she held it for a moment. He bared his bloody fangs and she lowered her head in respect. Rezrek smiled.
“Rezrek strongest bugbear. Kill every bugbear who not bow.” He said in a commanding tone. The others nodded but said nothing. The massive bugbear, his wound still dripping blood, gestured to the three.
“Come.” He pointed before him on the stone, still wet with blood and gore.
There was a moment of silence and Fidul stepped forward first. Rezrek growled, baring his yellowed fangs and settling his orange-yellow eyes on the smaller bugbear. Fidul understood the silent command. He knelt. Rezrek turned his eyes to both Leden and Dulf.
Dulf moved faster than Leden did but both assumed the same position as Fidul. 
The female bugbear showed her throat, turning her head to the side in a show of submission to Rezrek. The bigger bugbear smirked and snarled, letting his bloody spittle splatter against her face and neck. He moved in close; she could smell the rotting teeth and old meat from his hot breath. But she didn’t flinch. Not even as he bit down into the soft fur of her neck and continued to bite.
        She suppressed a whimper and the two other bugbears watched. 
        Rezrek pulled away, fresh blood on his mouth and they saw the bite mark he’d left on Leden.
        He turned to Dulf and Fidul, huffing his foul breath on them as he indicated they would do the same as Leden.
        Each in turn did, receiving Rezrek’s mark - a deep bite that bled heavily. A scar to show their submission to him.
Rezrek turned away, walking to the throne and considering for a moment. The two male bugbears stood but Leden didn’t move. She seemed to be waiting. A long moment stretched in the chamber with only the sound of heavy breathing filling the space. Rezrek broke the silence.
“Leden. Speak.” His tone was sharp.
The smallest of the bugbears didn’t lift her head but spoke to the stone floor beneath her. Her voice was low.
“Rezrek send Leden to find humans.” She looked up, not directly into his eyes but close. “Leden…serve Rezrek.” She lowered herself even more and Rezrek growled in reply. He waved her forward and she complied; shifting forward with her face down, almost as if she were groveling towards him. As she drew close, he stood and shoved his booted foot into her bowed head. The female bugbear hissed, falling backwards but keeping her eyes averted. Rezrek could hear the anger in her snarl. He smirked. She moved forward again, getting close enough that he could strike her if he wanted. But he didn’t.
        He waved his bloody paw out, dismissing Leden with a growl. The smallest bugbear gathered her weapon and left, moving swiftly into the hall and hiding her intense rage in the deep shadows of the caverns. Rezrek turned to level a powerful glare at Dulf and Fidul. Both had fear in their jaundiced eyes. Fear that Rezrek could use.
“Follow Leden. Find humans, bring to Rezrek.” He snapped his jaws at them.
Both nodded but Rezrek held his bloody hand up.
“Do not fail. Bugbears fail, Rezrek kill. Like Erzmer.” He snarled loudly and the two nodded, moving away from him and collecting their own weaponry; Dulf took up his morningstar and Fidul carried a small hammer that looked almost like a child’s toy in his large hand, were it not covered in gore from tortured goblins.
Rezrek stood. He needed to go to the Spider Mother. If the others failed, she wouldn’t.

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