Chapter 8
Jabari was confused, but right now they didn’t
have time. He and the hippocampus team had hurt Formaci and his
gang and they had retreated for now. However, he wasn’t stupid. The
bastard would be returning, and like his mate had warned, with
reinforcements. He needed to get the kids to safety and call in his
guards. It would be easier if he shared a mind link with them,
however, with the resistance of his very existence, one of those
had never been possible. They had to want to join mentally with him
and no one wanted to do that with something they thought was evil
or an abomination. That meant calling in his men was going to have
to wait long enough to get the boys back beyond the arches and his
mate safely to their home.
“What’s happening? Did you kill Formaci?” Foster
asked.
Shaking his head, “No but he’s hurt. We did take
out four of his army though, however, they retreated before we
could finish the job. I think he’s going to meet up with whoever he
was waiting for and then he will be back with a vengeance. Before
that happens I want you and the boys behind the arches.”
Foster thought a moment muttering, “I really
wish there were some sperm whales here.”
Jabari laughed, “I have never been able to get
over what you named the mamba beast. You humans are funny.”
Foster rolled his eyes at Jabari, saying, “It’s
not because of that, you butt. It’s because they have this organ in
their head called spermaceti that creates an oil. It was highly
sought after for the oil. They used it for lighting and
lubricant...”
The boys giggled and Foster pursed his lips.
“Not for that you naughty kids. It was used for things like
high-speed machines and transmissions... things like that. Some
people also used the oil to make soaps and other toiletries.”
“Okay, we get it, but still why are you wishing
we had some here with us now?” Jabari asked.
Shrugging, Foster replied, “Because sperm whales
love to eat giant squid. It’s kind of their favorite meal.”
“Is that right? I didn’t know this.” Polaris
said, looking at Goboli. “Put out the call to Marish. See if he and
some of the others might come and help. We have no clue how many
friends of Formaci might be coming to join the party.”
“Yes, sir.” Goboli said.
Polaris then ordered, “Sacrin, you stay close to
the children while Jabari leads. I’ll take up the rear.” He then
looked at the boys, “You boys stick to us like glue. No dawdling or
sightseeing. I’m sure your parents will be worried enough. You know
better than to come out here by yourself and will have a lot to
answer for.”
The smaller boys looked guilty and didn’t say
anything, but Rolary wasn’t so inclined, “I’m not a child. I’m
seventeen. I can help fight.”
Foster quickly spoke before Jabari could,
“Rolary, you might be the oldest and I know you want to help, but
the best way you can do that is by helping us get everyone home.
You aren’t trained for fighting a giant squid, and trust me, you
need to be. They are nasty creatures with over seven thousand
hooked teeth things that will shred you so they can eat you.”
“You’re not trained either and you stayed behind
when you first got here.” Rolary tried to argue.
When Jabari heard his mate’s next words he
couldn’t help but be surprised, “That’s true and it was stupid. I
regretted it about two minutes in. I had no weapon, no means of
defending myself, and I hated knowing that if I did anything to
draw attention to myself it could get my mate harmed if not killed
as well as Polaris and his men. That’s why when we go this time,
I’ll be returning with you guys and waiting for my mate in his
home.”
Jabari could tell that Rolary was still
struggling with wanting to help, so he quickly added, “I promise
you as soon as I can, I will start training you myself, if that’s
what you want.”
Rolary’s eyes widened, “Really?”
Nodding, Jabari replied, “Of course. If you guys
are going to continue to break the rules, you should know how to
defend yourselves at least enough to get away.”
“Will you train us all?” Tetley asked.
Nodding, Jabari answered, “If that is what you
want and your parents agree.”
“I’ll talk to them myself first thing.” Rolary
quickly stated.
“We all will.” Tetley stated, standing next to
Rolary.
Jabari felt something within himself, but didn’t
understand what it was. He would have to analyze it later. Right
now they needed to get out of here. “Let’s go. Keep close and
quiet.”
Once they all left the safety of the cave, it
didn’t take Jabari long to get everyone to the arch. Before Foster
walked through the entrance, Jabari grabbed him and gave him a
quick kiss. “Be safe, my mate. We have much to discuss when I
return.”
“Stay safe or I’m gonna kick your ass.” Foster
grumbled.
Smiling, Jabari leaned closely to Foster’s ear,
whispering, “There are many things you could do to my ass that
would be far more pleasurable than kicking it.”
Foster shivered, saying, “Hurry the fuck up
because I will be spending my time coming up with a list of what
exactly that is. Maybe I’ll need to look some shit up while I’m at
it.”
Jabari felt his cock harden and he couldn’t hold
back a small groan. “You are a mean, mean man. Now go and don’t
forget to tell the guard they are needed.”
“I won’t.” Foster replied.
“They’re coming back, and fuck me I think he
brought every giant squid from his squad.” Polaris hissed out.
Jabari ordered, “All of you go. Get to
safety.”
The boys rushed through the entrance and Foster
quickly followed. Once he knew his mate was going to be okay,
Jabari turned to see at least fifty of the slimy bastards heading
their way. Within moments the Atlantis guards came rushing through
the arch. Jabari calling out, “We fight! We defend!”
“Yes sir!” They all shouted as they began
pulling swords from their sheaths. The battle was about to
begin.
* * * *
The battle had been going on for what seemed
like forever. There were wounded and dead on both sides. If not for
Jabari’s strong hide, he would be as torn up as some of the other
men were. He had picked up a sword from one of the wounded deciding
it was best to go this route over using his powers. Not that it
wouldn’t make things easier, but it would also use a great deal of
energy and with his speed and versatility hand to hand combat was
the best choice.
The hippocampi didn’t have the same problem as
Jabari, but they had to limit the use of their bugle call. It
wouldn’t just hurt or kill the squid, but his men as well. No true
humanoid could withstand that kind of magic, which was why Jabari
was not phased by it. He wasn’t human, even if he looked it when in
Atlantis.
Polaris used a stun call and then turned to use
his tail to hit the unmoving squid. It flew into a jagged coral
rock and black ink started surrounding it. Seeing this gave Jabari
an idea, “Polaris, I’m going to gather three groups together. You
guys use the stun effect on the squid and then my men will take the
squid out.”
Polaris nodded and went to the next piece of
shit. Jabari gathered groups of four and ordered them to each of
the hippocampus soldiers. It didn’t take long for them to get the
hang of things and finally Jabari could see they were making
headway. He just hoped they could keep this up long enough for
Marish and his pod to get here.
Just as Jabari thought they were getting a hold
of things he noticed at least twenty more squid heading their way.
“Shit! Polaris! Incoming!”
Polaris gave one quick glance and a sharp nod.
Jabari went to him, asking, “How long until Marish gets here?”
“I don’t know. Goboli said they were pretty far
out. I sure as hell hope they make it quick as the men are starting
to tire.” Polaris said using his stun call once again so Jabari’s
men could go in for the kill.
“I haven’t seen Formaci, yet. I think his plan
is to exhaust my men, then come in for the kill.” Jabari said,
swimming to a squid coming at them and removing his head from his
body with one swipe before going back to Polaris.
Polaris said, “I agree. It’s what I would
do.”
“The second wave is almost here and it looks
like Formaci is leading them.” Jabari stated, preparing to do
battle some more.
He knew his men were tired and manpower was
down, but damned if any of them would give up. When Formaci made a
sharp right, Jabari shouted, “He’s going for the arch!”
Jabari took off cutting in front of the giant
squid before he could make it to his destination. “You will not go
near the arch, Formaci.”
“I will kill you and I will tear that freak of
nature down. All Atlanteans will die and those that don’t will make
a nice snack for me and the rest of my people.” Formaci snapped,
bringing his long tentacle out and slapping it onto Jabari,
knocking the sword from his hand and then suctioning himself to
Jabari’s leathery frame to draw him in.
The smaller appendages came up and Jabari hissed
as the squid tried to hook those sharp ass teeth into him. Gritting
his teeth, Jabari worked one of his sharp claws out and sliced into
the tentacle holding him. The second Formaci let him go, Jabari
pulled back and sliced down once more, severing the smaller
appendage trying to get at him with those sharp teeth.
Formaci hissed and a dark ink began to drift out
of the squid, making things difficult to see. However, Jabari knew
just what to do about that and began swimming faster and faster
around the inky mess drawing it all into a tight circle until
Jabari shot straight up drawing the ink crap with him. Slowing,
Jabari allowed the ink to dissipate before quickly returning to
Formaci who now was at the arch with his large tentacles suctioned
on each side, pulling. Without thought to anything else, Jabari
brought his sharp claw down on the left one, but before he could
make contact, Formaci used one of his smaller teeth-like appendages
to slap Jabari back and he flew backwards into one of the coral
walls.