The Eternal Forest - Chapter V
#5 of The Eternal Forest
Reprobus defies Romulus and finds his true purpose.
The Eternal Forest - Chapter V
2022 by Zorha
And you're a cherry blossom
You're about to bloom
You look so pretty, but you're gone so soon
Silva Marciana
41 AD
The ominous boom of thunder made Reprobus' eyes shoot open. The canopy of the dark forest shielded him from the worst of the storm above him, but the occasional fat drop of early morning rain still found its way to pelt his forehead.
Dreams were unknown to the Nephlim, but being half mortal, they did require sleep. Reprobus' had no reason to change from his wolf form last night, and so found a moss covered cozy nook just inside Abnoba's sacred grove to wait until morning. There wasn't a huge break in the dark canopy above, but there should have been at least some shafts of light filtering through if the sun was out.
Instead an angry storm thundered above; the once ominous Black Forest now shielding him from Nature's Fury.
The gargantuan wolf began to push himself up from his belly on his four legs but stopped when he felt a tiny form cling to him for warmth. Reprobus twisted his neck around to look at the young mortal who had handfuls of his thick shaggy and sandy colored fur in his comparatively tiny hands. The young one murmured softly, still caught in one of Morpheus' pleasant dreamscapes. Reprobus looked around and found the young boy's uncle still asleep as well.
The Goddess of these wilds and her consort were nowhere to be soon. Not unsurprising as they did not require the gifts of Morpheus to sustain themselves. Reprobus laid his head back down on the soft moss under him. He suddenly wondered why he didn't just ... get up. The young mortal with blondish hair and fair skin squeezed him tighter, smiling.
Reprobus considered what Abnoba's consort had told him. The huge monster could have swung his head around and gnashed up the little boy in two bites. The child wouldn't even know what had happened. How dangerous the fallen half demon in wolven form was. But he ... slept cuddled up to Reprobus with no fear.
The boy was not naive. Abnoba had told him of all the other little boys and girls Reprobus had feasted on after the fall of Pydna. Reprobus marveled at the boy's courage. Did mortals, in all their frailty, exhibit more comparable strength than that of even deified Kings and Gods?
This planted a seed in Reprobus' mind. The savagery and hubris from Romulus and the following lineage of Roman Kings and Emperors laid down fertile ground for dissent. He again questioned his purpose. The once unrepentant monster felt the blooming cherry blossom next to him give another squeeze. He closed his dark eyes, not wanting to stir the young one from what little reprieve afforded to him from the cruelty of this brutal world, and waited ...
* * * * *
An hour later the uncle finally stirred. Reprobus noted how sure the old man was on his feet now that the grove's healing spring healed the arthritis in his knees. He woke his nephew and said something to him before noticing a small stone bowl filled with nuts and berries. Reprobus wasn't sure if the bowl was there when he first woke up, but he wouldn't put it past Goddess Abnoba to manifest it for her worshipers.
After a small breakfast the two humans began their way back down the mountain. Though he couldn't understand the two, they didnt question it when he followed. The trail was muddy now, but the two didn't seem to mind the warm summer rain soaking their simple clothing. The stroll down the mountain was rather uneventful despite the thunderous downpour. Once small and burbling, the unending rain turned the Breg into an overflowing, rushing stream.
Once they reached Romulus' fortalice Reprobus bounded ahead to go inside. The giant re-emerged in human guise, dressed in a simple tunica and carrying a small sack of provisions. On the way out the charred front door Reprobus picked up a huge crooked staff from the wood pile. He knelt on a knee in front of the boy and drew out some of the apples from the bag. The boy grinned and hugged the giant, almost lost in his thick and boundless beard.
The three shared a simple prandium under some sheltering trees before continuing on. An hour later they exited the canopy of the Black Forest and stopped in awe at the tempest hammering the exposed valley below. Reprobus gripped his rough staff, a grim frown setting in. Lightning split the dark angry sky.
He knew this wasn't a natural storm. He also knew that someone still sensed his presence in this foriegn land when the soldier should have been on the first boat back to Rome. But he had promised the Deer Goddess he would take two as far as the beginning of the Danubius. They continued through the storm, the gale trying to rip the matted clothes from their very flesh. It was hard to see through the pelting rain.
Two hours later they passed by Fort Brigobannis. The few sentries braving the storm on the stone fortifications watched them pass by curiously. They were neither maurading germanic tribes nor gaulish slaves.
The three followed the swollen Breg until it joined up with the Brigach. Together the rushing waters formed the second longest river in Europe. Just up ahead a navis lusoria sat tied up to a small dock, its sail flapping against its ropes securing it against the harsh storm. Reprobus was certain that its captain wouldn't question why the Roman Optio wasn't bearing his uniform.
He gestured to the other two to stop and knelt to hug the boy. Reprobus felt a small pang as the youth's tears were lost in the rain. The boy offered up his toy carving of the deer and the giant hesitantly accepted the parting gift, putting it in his sack. He stood and clasped the arm of the uncle at the elbow. They shook and parted with a simple nod, but the mortal looked upset for some reason, glancing about as if he expected something to happen.
"Reprobussss!" Lightning crashed around them, and the dark skinned giant spun back to the ship anchored nearby.
Romulus appeared from out of the tempest, his dry boots touching down on the soaked hardwood of the dock as if his corporal form dropped out of the very air itself. Fury flashed in his eyes alongside the white hot forks of lightning slamming into the sloppy muck around him.
"I ordered you to ..."
Reprobus stepped forward, knowing that this moment was inevitable. Was this his fate?
"These mortals are in my charge ..."
The fire in Romulus' blazed. "They ... you ..." His fangs lengthened, nails darkening and extending in unbridled fury.
The Uncle stepped between the two. His Goddess explained that this was as far as his numen would take him. Romulus lurched forward and slashed. A spray of blood exploded from the old man's jugular, coating the demi-god in hot crimson. Drops of rain mixed haemo fell to the mushy earth. Reprobus caught the mortally wounded uncle even as his nephew screamed.
Reprobus felt powerless, watching life slip away from the mortal. All his Goddess' effort into healing him felt ... wasted. All on a petty demi-god's whim. Reprobus' looked up at Romulus, his eyes flashed red, his own fangs lengthening ... would he give his life to avenge this great injustice?
The boy rushed at Romulus, beating his tiny fists into the demi-god's abdomen. Romulus looked abjectly disgusted and picked the boy up by the back of the neck. Bolts of lightning flashed behind him, the monstrous look on his face putting ice in the pit of Reprobus' stomach.
"If this pitiful mortal means so much to you ..." Romulus tossed the boy as if he was nothing, far, far, and right into the center of the rushing Danubius. " ... then go get him."
Reprobus dropped the dead man in his arms and shot up, watching the rushing waters overcome the young one, quickly sweeping him downstream. Time seemed to slow, and the giant suddenly felt overcome with loss. If he jumped in after the boy, the rushing water would surely rip his spirit away. It seemed so ... wrong that the boy would never grow up. To feel the love of another. All that youthful innocence, that perfect trust ... gone.
No. He had lived centuries. And in that moment Reprobus realized that this boy's blink of an existence held greater meaning, purity than his own ever would ...
He flashed a look of defiance to Romulus before crouching and leaping in after the boy.
Some legends are told
The rushing waters swallowed him. Wetness enveloped him. The cracks of lighting grew somehow distant, muted. And for a split second, he felt the terror his ancestors felt during the Great Flood. But this was his purpose now. And he would save the boy or die trying.
Some turn to dust or to gold
Reprobus couldnt swim. His huge body sank like an anchor, feet sinking into the soft sand of the river's bottom. He reached for the sky, huge hands barely breaking the waters swirling, churning surface. He felt dragged along, barely able to stand, the moving water stealing his spirit, his strength.
But you will remember me
Reprobus held his breath, lungs already starting to burn. He reached out in front of him, feeling for the boy he knew struggled in the fast moving current. For a terrifying moment, his huge outstretched hands clutched nothing but dark water.
Remember me for centuries
A small hand gripped an outstretched finger. And Reprobus immediately cupped the small, thrashing, dying form. And in one desperate motion he pushed the small child up and out of the water. The boy was like a lead in his weakened state, as if he was the entire world of mortals.
And just one mistake
But Reprobus pushed his wobbly legs to the side, fighting for the shore. His lungs felt as if they were on fire. And he was certain that the waters would claim him, just as it had done to the barbian a few nights ago.
Is all it will take
The weight of the boy somehow increased, Reprobus' air starved brain not registering that the top of his head broke the river's surface. His lungs sucked in air, and he gasped with a ragged wheeze. He was halfway to shore ...
We'll go down in history
Reprobus lurched forward, using the mass of his own body to pull him forward. He continued to cradle the boy like a delicate egg, ultimately collapsing on the sandy shore. The sand scoured his cheek, but no water threatened to pass his blue lips. The last thing he felt was the pling of rain on his left cheek as darkness descended upon the Nephlim ...
Remember me for centuries ...
* * * * *
Reprobus' eyes fluttered open. Rain continued to fall on him, the waters of the Danubius still pulling at his feet. But above, small shafts of sunlight broke through the dark churning clouds above, signaling an end to Romulus' fury.
He felt for the boy, but he was nowhere on the shore near him. Instead his huge hands clasped a diminutive deer carving. Reprobus drew it closer to inspect it. He considered it for a while before forcing himself to his weary feet. He stumbled his way along the sandy riverbank, towards Rome ... and eventually Judea ...