Legend of the World Roots - Part 2

This is a Chain story passed between @zakludick and @tanglebranch. Each writer authors a post based on the events of previous episodes and carries on the story.

There is very little collusion between the writers as it is challenging to discover and develop a story by attuning the writing to the partner's plot, style and presentation.

Last time on The Legend of the World Roots

Part 1 of The Legend of the World Roots by @zakludick

The mage Katsugu had been fighting and fleeing from a horde of Troghe warriors. As he became cornered without more mana charged up he is saved by one of his teammates - Bullseye Monroe.

Part 2

Ah, Troghs. Their gods, if they had any, must be cruel bastards. Bullseye Monroe was caught between two angry flocks of the nasty critters. It was a rather delicate situation.

“Catch your breath, Katsy. I’ll handle this.”

“How?” Katsugu coughed, watching the advancing enemies.

“Same as always, with Patience and Tact.” Monroe winked.

Katsugu groaned and rolled his eyes.

Quick, now. Monroe levered back the firing pin on his right-hand pistol and took casual aim at the Alpha Trogh’s forehead. “First a little Tact.” He squeezed the trigger and the leader tumbled to the dirt path.

The followers staggered to a halt around their fallen champion and eyed each other suspiciously. Monroe took that opportunity to pick off three probable candidates in the other group. Their companions didn’t stop, but there were only two left.

Two more bullets brought down two more Troghs, and Tact was spent.

“Now for some Patience!” Monroe cocked his left-hand pistol. The upwind Troghs had ceased mourning their chieftain and were snarling along the road toward him.

Six bullets. At least a dozen Troghs. Yikes.

Katsugu was breathing a little better. He fiddled with his robes and pouches. Monroe emptied his gun into the advancing mob. One thing about Troghs, they never thought to take cover. Eight left. Katsugu raised a glowing hand and feebly shouted “Flame Tooth Wave!” The magical attack sliced three more Troghs down.

“Looks like Patience ran out.” Monroe chuckled at his own joke.

“Oh, stop.” Katsugu glared at him. “Time for more running.” He began to shuffle back toward the temple. Monroe holstered Patience and starting reloading Tact as he trotted after the mage.

A ear-shattering roar reverberated through the shabby little village. Katsugu and Monroe froze in place, as did the remaining Trogh warriors.

One of the mud huts exploded out into street, propelled by nearly five hundred pounds of angry green muscle.

“KATSUGU!” An ogre, near eight feet tall, pointed his crystal studded club at the mage. Katsugu winced.

The Troghs let out a wild bellow and charged at the ogre. He swung his club about and mashed most of them into a pulp against another hut. The last Trogh caught the brunt of the ogre’s massive left fist, which was adorned with an equally massive set of brass knuckles.

“I hate dealing with Troghs, Katsugu.” The ogre shook his club, splattering brains and entrails along the ground.

“Oh, but you’re so good at it, Glazog.” Monroe finished reloading both his pistols and grinned.

“I’m sorry, Glazog. But I trust you got what we game for?” Katsugu eyed the rest of the village and took long, deep breaths.

“Yeah, yeah. I have it.” Glazog Ironstrike liberated a leather pouch from his belt and tossed it in Katsugu’s direction.

Monroe snagged it in the air and opened the drawstring. “Lookie there, Katsy. Just like the old woman said.” Inside was a crystal, glowing softly green, pulsing like an ancient heartbeat. It was remarkably smooth, polished into a teardrop shape.

Katsugu whistled softly. “This changes everything.” He glanced back at the temple again, where new howls and roars of rage were just beginning to be heard. “Let’s get back to our campsite. I’ve had my fill of Troghs, and running from them, for a very long time.”

Part 2 completed!

Now the keyboard is passed on to @zakludick to add in Part 3 of the story!

Thanks so much for reading. And thank you to @zakludick for his excellent formatting and image-creation skills! This project is going to be a lot of fun, and a great method to practice my writing.