The Tale of Cain and Titus, Pt. 1
This is part 1 of a multi-part story I have been working on with a friend. This should be updated pretty regularly and I'd love to hear what you guys think. I wrote for Titus and my partner wrote for Cain. Lightly edited for readability and to make it flow more as a continuous narrative instead of an RP.
Disclaimer: if you don't enjoy muscle-bound warriors being hypnotized and seduced by giant talking snakes... first, why are you so weird?! And second, don't read this. But if that sort of stuff floats your boat, enjoy!
"I do wish you would let me accompany you into the jungle, Titus," complained the worried voice of Merakles, the legendary hero's attendant.
Titus merely chuckled and shook his head as he raised his arms spread-eagle to allow Merakles to massage the ritual oil into his sun-kissed skin.
"It's too dangerous Merakles," he said in a tone that brokered no argument. "And besides," he continued, his tone growing softer, "how am I supposed to slay the beast if I'm too worried about keeping you from getting killed, eh?"
Merakles rolled his eyes at that, but refocused his efforts on making his warrior friend's body slick with oil. Not only did it help the armor go on easier with less chafing, it also made his muscular form shine. Titus' already statuesque body, honed by years of hard labor, relentless training, and deadly battle, became even more pleasing to the eyes of the Gods when coated in the ritual oil. And the attendant knew his warrior companion would need as much of Their favor as possible for this task.
Word had reached the wandering pair of a nearby village situated next to a large and mostly un-mapped jungle. Once a year, they were required to send a young and fertile man into the dark depths of the jungle to be sacrificed to some monstrous spawn of the underworld. Upon hearing this, a rage took hold of Titus and he swore an oath to all the Gods that he would slay this dire beast and free the village from its tyranny.
And Merakles knew that once Titus set his mind to something, there was no dissuading him. He'd been that way since they were boys. So the attendant had not even tried to stop him, but he had hoped the warrior would allow him to go with in case he could prove useful. But even if he couldn't go, he could make sure that Titus' armor, sword, and shield were all in top condition.
Before long, the six foot tall warrior stood clad in his bronze breastplate - which was less sculpted than the actual torso that it protected - and his warrior's skirt. Sandals covered his feet and wrapped around his muscled calves and his wrists were guarded by simply gauntlets. His handsome features and close-cropped brown hair were covered by his bronze helm.
All that remained was his large shield and short sword. Titus gripped both firmly and for a moment, Merakles stood in awe as it seemed to him he had stepped into legend and was seeing the glory of a hero of old. He shook his head to rid it of such thoughts and bid farewell to his friend, who with a smile and an eager gait, marched into the jungle.
Titus had slayed lions and great horned beasts with skin like armor. No matter what he encountered in these fell lands, the young warrior was confident he could deal with it. He would bring its head into the village square and delight in the peoples' joy as they were delivered their freedom at last. His heart raced at the excitement of the thought and a thirst for glorious battle surged within him.
The warrior was ready for anything. Or so he suspected.
The un-mapped jungle Titus bravely entered was a dangerous and mysterious area. There was a reason it was un-mapped. For those who entered never found their way out. This was due to an unknown entity that inhabited the thick trees. The monster had a power far beyond comprehension. No man could resist, it was said, and no man could escape once snared. No one knew exactly its shape or appearance, but one thing was certain. Its size was humongous.
Eons ago, a village built its foundation next to the jungle, hunting the animals nearby and making the land their own. This angered the creature and it threatened to eat everyone in sight if a deal was not struck. The village elders met with the beast, and made an agreement that forced the village to pay their price. Each year, a man was to be sent into the jungle wearing only a cloth that covered his lower regions. He had to be fit and muscular, handsome and mature, yet still youthful and full of energy.
The terms were strange, and one would wonder why a fertile man was needed for the beast. The unfortunate youth would never be seen again, and the village sadly grew accustomed to performing their ritual every year. This year however, they were blessed with the warrior Titus!
Hearing his promise of freedom, the village rejoiced and cheered the hero for saying he would slay the beast. The chosen man would not be sent, but instead, Titus went, clad in his armor that revealed his muscular physique and tanned skin. Little did the hero know, he fit the normal requirements very well.
Deep in the jungle, a python slept happily in a tree. Cain was an 80 foot long snake, his entire scaly body thick with muscular coils. Cain was the monster that lived in the jungle. While the python didn't have horns or wings, looks could be deceiving. A massive snake his size truly was a monster, and he had the powers to prove it. Unimaginable strength and agility, cunning and quick thinking, and the ability to speak. And an hypnotic power that could ensnare any mind subjected to it, turning it into a willing slave. The snake truly had made a deal with the devil.
Resting peacefully in his tree, Cain awoke to the sounds of heavy footsteps nearing him. "Ahhh yessss, isss it that time of year again already? I wonder who the village ssssent thisss time," the snake hissed, as he slithered to get a closer look. "I hope it'ssss that farmer'sss boy. He sssseemed like he could - Wait a minute," Cain said.
Looking down from the canopy, the python saw a tall young man. He wore a chest plate, some metal shirt, sandals, a helmet and was carrying a sword and shield. "Oh thisss isss jusssst rich," the snake growled. "They think they can kill me, eh? Oooh they'll pay for thisss!" Cain hissed as he turned to head toward the village.
But suddenly, he stopped. Yes the village had tricked him, but in a way... they had fulfilled their end of the bargain. They had sent a brave warrior to him. To kill him yes, but the hero's intentions didn't matter. He was tall, handsome, and clearly muscular. "He ssseemsss young and full of life. Jussst what I like in a man cub," Cain chuckled, as he began to follow the hero.
The warrior was completely unaware he was being followed. The snake noticed his stance, tall and proud with his chest puffed out, gripping his weapons with such strength, making his thick arms bulge. Sweat glistened on his tanned skin, clearly showing the his attire was unsuited for the jungle heat. Cain would have to fix that.
The snake lowered his tail and swiftly lifted the helmet off the warrior's head, revealing his short and spiked brown hair, also covered in sweat. Bringing it up into the trees, the python didn't allow the human to see his tail, as he waited for the man cub's reaction.