Chapter Text
Epilogue 2
Two figures were running through the swamplands.
One moved through the murk as if it wasn’t even there, ethereally running through muck and grime as if it were asphalt and concrete.
The other...
"Shit!"
...Cursed as the mud clung to her jeans. Despite the fact she had rolled them up beforehand.
“Oh, now why can’t you leave old Catfish Booray alone! I ain’t even do nothin!”
“Ask the council, weirdo. It ain’t my job to ask.”
“Well, it ain’t my job to be leavin’ my swamp! So git!”
Suddenly, a pair of gators burst from beneath the mud, snapping their jaws at Catfish’s pursuer. She scoffed, kicking off the trunk of a tree and flipping over the giant reptiles without a second thought. They lashed out at her, but even encumbered by the swampy waters, they couldn't keep up with her. Not that she would fight them if they could. She wasn’t about to hurt some innocent, mind controlled gators, no matter how desperately they were trying to chew off her feet.
“Just chill out dude! This will be easier for both of us if you just- WOAH!”
A massive figure burst out of the water, thick swamp water dripping off its fur. A massive ape with fur the color of a skunk rose to its hind legs, eyes glowing a sinister purple. It was then that a horrible smell wafted throughout the area.
“Aw- dude! A Skunk Ape? Couldn’t you have enslaved something less… dumpster smelling? Like nothing at all? Then I wouldn’t have to be hunting you down.”
“But how den’ am I supposed to rule me swamp?”
“Don’t!”
“Mmhhh… Nah.”
The massive sasquatch slammed its fist downwards, kicking up the swamp water as it moved. Dodging to the side, the mysterious pursuer stuck to the shadows, keeping her eyes on Booray as she tried to figure out how to deal with the hulking cryptid in front of her.
“Man… This is more work than it's worth.”
Suddenly, the sound of metal cut through the air. The skunk ape, who had just been reaching for the pursuer, suddenly found itself flying backwards. She wasn’t going to hurt some random animals, but a Cryptid with the strength to crush a car single handedly?
She didn’t have to try as hard.
A sword, runes etched into the blade, glinted in the moonlight. Slowly, the pursuer waded further into the swamp, ending up at the edge of a clearing. There, basking in the moonlight and waist deep in water, stood Catfish Booray.
“Ooohh! Now y’all done it! Imma hafta use my Gris-Gris on ya!”
“Look, the Orchid Veil isn’t even that bad! Probably. I don’t actually know, I’ve never been there myself… But I’m sure-”
“No! I ain’t eva leavin’ my swamp, and yous can’t MAKE me!”
The sound of thunder suddenly shattered the night sky. Purple light started emanating from the pouch around Booray’s neck, pouring over him. Soon his entire body was alight, magical energy radiating off of him like embers from a fire.
“ Oh, mighty spirit of the swamp. Conjure! Bewitch! VOODOO! ”
Engulfed in light, the sound of wild animals screeching filled the area. Before the pursuer could react, Catfish Booray stretched and mutated, his form changing before her eyes.
Standing nearly 15 feet tall was some kind of red skinned monster, the barest hints of a human body remaining. It had the sharpened scales and swishing tail of an alligator, yet the matted and wild fur and claws of a panther. Comically enough, it still retained Catfish’s overalls, though the humor was lost when you got a look at its giant snake-like teeth and whipping tongue.
“... Damn it.”
“ Wooo HOOOO!! Now DIS is more like it! Hows yous gonna beat a Pythanthigator, huh? ”
Stepping into the clearing, the pursuer finally stepped out into the moonlight. With her sword held forwards, the young woman gave Booray one last look of disdain before chanting a spell under her breath. The magenta streak in her hair began glowing with mystical powers.
I hate working late nights.