Pumpkin Seeds (Pt. 2)

Calcifer turns to Sneezle who is standing in the other window hole and pointing outwards. Approaching around the corner of a great stone wall, a rather large creature crept towards them. It had dark and dirty fur, sharp claws protruded from its four feet and even sharper teeth hid in its crooked smile. It’s tail swayed behind it like a giant worm. It stared out at them with three, bright, piercing eyes.

“Holy skittles,” shouts Calcifer, “it’s the Beast!”

“What’s with all that racket, you two,” says Moribold, turning about to look at them, a giant piece of pumpkin meat in his hand, “you better have that entire upper quadrant carved out by…” Moribold trails off as he sees the two hysterically running down the stairs with worried looks on their faces. 

“Where the fuddle are you two spoiled vegemites running off to?”

“The Beast is coming,” yells Calcifer, almost tripping over himself.

“Run, Morry,” shouts Sneezle, grabbing hold of Calcifer by the arm to keep him steady.

“The Beast,” ponders Morry quietly, turning the phrase in his head, “you mean the monster of myth? It’s only a legend, a story for silly children who are too lazy to work! Now you get your aspens back here this…” Moribold trails off again, this time because he notices that the top of the pumpkin is knocked off and large head comes into the view through the new opening. It’s three eyes peering down at Moribold dangerously and its sharp crooked smile shining like a sickle. 

“T-th-the BEAST,” shouts Moribold, tossing his piece of pumpkin into the air and running headlong towards the stairs. 

Calcifer and Sneezle are climbing down the ladder when Moribold reaches the triangular hole. Just as he’s stepping out onto the ladder, the Beast’s tail swats it away, sending Calcifer and Sneezle hurdling towards the stone floor. Moribold tries, but fails to catch his balance, and falls from the pumpkin. He lands first on his right arm, which gives a loud crunch as it snaps between the stone floor and the rest of Moribold’s body. He yelps with pain.

Sneezle and Calcifer stand up, mostly unharmed, and rush over to Moribold’s side. “Oh skittle,” mutters Sneezle, “his arm is fuddled up pretty bad.”

“C’mon, you old fiddle,” says Calcifer as he tries to help Moribold to his feet, ” we gotta get you outta’ here.” But they aren’t fast enough. The Beast leaps from the top of the pumpkin and nearly lands on top of the three creatures, it’s front legs closing them in on both sides. The beast kneels on its haunches and brings its face inches from the creatures.

The Beast opens its mouth, its teeth like dozens of bony knives its breath like boiling, rotten carcasses, and it says, “What were the filthy beings doing in the Temple?”

The three creatures are frozen in fear, none of them daring to move, except for their skin, which crawls and shivers uncontrollably. The Beast, growing impatient, leans its face even closer, narrows it’s eyes, curls its lips into a snarl, and growls so deeply it seems as if the Earth is rumbling beneath the creatures’ feet. Calcifer lets out a yelp before covering his mouth. “Wha-what is the Temple,” says Sneezle softly.

The Beast nods its head in the direction of the pumpkin, “That is the Temple.”

“The pumpkin,” whispers Moribold confusedly.

“That is no mere pumpkin, you worthless peons,” roars the Beast, “that is the temple, sculpted by the Spooky Goddess herself. And you dare set a foot within in its walls!”

“We-we’re s-s-sorry,” stutters Calcifer.

“Sorry is not enough, fool. You defiled the Hollowed Temple.” The Beast gives a snarling smile, “you must pay for your sins.”