The Great Belligerency [Round 4: Static]

Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.

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Cole was almost disgusted. Was this some kind of sick joke by the Executor? Sending him to be helplessly torn apart by these people, mere moments after the round had begun?

After an instant that seemed like an eternity, another voice spoke.

Exile.

The words Destroy and Exile flooded through Cole's mind. Wonderful. His fate was being put to a vote, and he wasn't even being told why.

At least he was able to think now. Not that it helped much; he still wasn't able to move.

The words echoed, seemingly without end. Finally, there was a new word.

Uncertain.

Then, silence.

***

Minotaurus lowered his bazooka, breathing a sigh of relief as the giant scorpion was vaporized. That reload had come just in time.

"Ambrose!" he shouted. "Where are you?"

"Right here."

She stepped out from behind a corner, holding a bow and a bloodied arrow. She smirked wearily.

"You'd think they could have given that guy some armor or something. He wasn't very well protected."

Minotaurus gave out a chuckle, then stood up straight.

"We can't afford to stop now. They know we're here. If we take too long, they'll send new guardians in here."

Ambrose nodded, and followed Minotaurus as he walked forward.

The pair soon made their way to a four-way intersection.

"This way," Minotaurus muttered. He didn't hesitate for even a moment.

"What makes you so sure?"

"I know mazes. It's a talent of mine."

They walked down the corridors for several minutes, Minotaurus leading the way.

Then Ambrose screamed. The minotaur turned, and saw her being held by an enormous statue.

He readied himself to tackle it in hopes of breaking the statue - it was safer than a bazooka shot - but then he felt something cold and hard on both of his shoulders.

Turning his head, Minotaurus saw a second, identical statue trying to restrain him.

He quickly grabbed it by the arms and prepared for a throw.

***

Balance had to admit, this village wasn't what he had expected from the Executor's description.

It was still reasonably low-tech, yes, but they had crude smokestacks, implying a mastery of fire. There were clothes hanging on what seemed to be a laundry line, and the god couldn't help but notice that these people seemed to have pockets.

The most startling difference, however, was the crowd of villagers standing nearby holding signs and chanting "Welcome, Balance!" He certainly hadn't expected that one.