I Am Python!
Thematos halted in his tracks, clearly taken aback by my words, and asked again.
"Crawl?"
"Yeah. From now on, crawl over here on the ground. If you're even a little higher than my line of sight, you'll pay the price."
"Puhahaha!"
Thematos slapped his knee as if he'd heard the funniest joke in the world.
"You're telling this body to crawl like a worm?"
"Exactly."
"You insolent worm! I can't stand it anymore! This old man’s gotta teach a puny rat pup some manners!"
Thematos might have a calm demeanor usually, but after half a year dormant, this insult was too much to bear.
"Do it then!"
"I'll rip your snout off first!"
Boom! Boom! Grunt! Grunt!
The massive giant charged, shaking the cavern floor like an earthquake.
Snap! I flicked my fingers lightly.
The Tightening Ring began to constrict.
"Gaaargh!"
The metal band around his head suddenly tightened, and Thematos collapsed forward in agony, tumbling head over heels.
Rumble! Crash!
I sidestepped casually as the hurtling giant rolled right past like a toppled truck. He slammed into the wall with a deafening roar, kicking up a massive cloud of dust.
But the most horrific part was Thematos's scream.
"Grraaah! Aaaah! What the hell did you do?!"
In the thick dust, his writhing silhouette looked grotesque, especially under the cave's dim glow—like a scene straight out of hell.
"Crawl over here, and I'll tell you."
"I refuse! Urgh! How dare you!"
Pride is one thing, but pain doesn't care. When you can't overcome agony, submitting quick is the smart play. Cunning Thematos knew that better than anyone.
"Stop! Stop it! I get it already!"
Unable to endure the pain, Thematos was already on his knees. I paused the ring's constriction for a moment.
Cold sweat poured off him, drool spilling from his mouth.
"Got it? Then crawl."
As I asked, flames reignited in his eyes. I casually raised my hand, and he hurriedly blocked it.
"Enough. That's sufficient."
With that, Thematos actually crawled over.
A guy who could make rational choices. What good would stubborn pride do here? Just more suffering.
"Good. I don't have a hobby of tormenting folks. You get the message—no need to push it."
"Huu... huuu..."
It must've hurt like hell; cold sweat streamed down his face. He pawed at his forehead, trying to pry off the metal band, but gave up quick. He'd realized it was pointless.
"Incredible power embedded in it. No idea where you snagged a divine relic like this..."
He'd faint if he knew I made it. Still novice work—just a simple constriction on command—but it'll evolve. This was creation based on divinity, the gods' domain. Mastering divinity meant stepping into the gods' realm, plain and simple.
"You know what it is? Then how about a cooperative attitude?"
"...What do you want?"
"Simple. Your strength. Why does a farmer stick a nose ring on an ox? To harness its power for plowing."
"What?! Grrr!"
Comparing his plight to a noseringed ox sent Thematos into a rage.
"This body is a great Titan descendant! Don't you dare treat me like some farm beast!"
"Life turns even the mighty into slaves sometimes. One more cocky word, and no mercy."
"Kh..."
Couldn't even crawl properly, now couldn't mouth off either—Thematos trembled. His head must be swirling with curses right now.
But his mouth was wiser.
"...When will you release me?"
Ho. A faint smile crept up. Quick to adapt to reality—I liked that.
"Of course I'll release you eventually. Can't just use you endlessly; you'd pick death over that."
"When exactly?"
"When I'm so strong you couldn't even dream of revenge."
"What?"
"When even a mythic bloodline like yours is worthless. That's when you get freed. Choose: cling to life with this, or not."
Either option's nightmare fuel for him. Hates slavery, hates death. But life's not that easy. If you could skip the crap you hate, living wouldn't suck so much.
"Haa..."
An uncharacteristically long sigh escaped him. Looking up at me, he muttered.
"Never met many crueler than you. The few I did? All gone."
"Probably vanished into your gut."
"Right. Figure it'll end the same this time. I'll endure—lie in the basket, swallow the bile."
Waiting for the day he devours me, huh? Whatever. Long as I can use him as a slave.
Better than him choosing death.
I crooked my finger at Thematos, beckoning him to rise.
"Not hope of freedom, but hope of chewing and swallowing your enemy alive—typical giant bullshit... Fine, do you. But first, there's work: grub time. Gotta fill that belly after half a year out cold, right?"
* * *
Boom!
Another explosion, and one of the Titans' meticulously crafted traps shattered.
Traps shine when hidden. Exposed? Useless mostly.
The Titans' were potent precisely because even gods couldn't spot 'em easily.
But Hephaestus's lantern revealed them, leaving Ares's warriors helpless—no, unstoppable. When it came to brute smashing, they were top-tier among all gods' fighters.
"Kahaha! As expected of Lord Ares! Bestowing such a divine tool!"
Angulifer Namimensis smashed through the traps with relish, a wide, predatory grin plastered across his face. A man of pure fire and honor, he absolutely loathed underhanded tricks. Naturally, he had a special kind of hatred for traps.
"Smash every last one of these pointless contraptions! Warriors! Leave nothing standing!"
"Ooooh!"
They were way too fired up. Could've just wrecked the essentials and moved on, but once immersed, Ares's meatheads—Ares's warriors' derisive street nickname—lost all sense.
They reveled in pure destruction, pulverizing mechanisms to dust while praising each other.
"Mastered a new technique?"
"Damn right. Been waiting for today."
"Splendid!"
Traps crumbled, but they'd achieved their goal: delay the enemy.
In this chummy vibe, one being was in dire straits.
"What to do..."
Mountain guardian Python scratched her head, flustered.
"Can't even bluff and threaten now."
Ares's warriors were lost in trap-smashing bliss. They hunted down and obliterated even optional ones.
Good soldiers, sure—but Python, who'd come with grim resolve to buy time, was out of a job.
The buff warriors bantered cheerfully: "Brother, smash first!" "No, you go!" Chaos.
Quaaang!
Every punch from those brutes sparked explosions. Python lost her timing entirely, brushing sadly at the stone dust falling on her head.
"Sniff..."
Tears threatened. Friendless her whole life, but ignored by enemies before even showing up? Unthinkable.
"Feels like a third-rate novel villain. Sob..."
Worse, actually. Villains at least get an entrance.
And friendly bro-vibes? Her kryptonite. Some massive invisible wall kept her from stepping up.
"Could just leave 'em... but..."
Habitual self-talker from loneliness, she finally resolved to advance. No need to overdo, but the traps were her lifeline. More breakage? Trouble.
Still reluctant, she dawdled before taking one hesitant step forward.
An hour since spotting them.
"You fools! Halt!"
Python stepped out and bellowed. Now they'd all look, right? Deep breath, rehearsed lines ready.
Wrong.
"Grooo! Power surges! Thanks, Lord Ares!"
"Warriors! Diligence brings victory! Destroy without rest!"
"Ooooh!"
Completely ignored.
Python poured her lungs out, but no eyes turned her way. All engrossed in demolition.
"You bastards..."
Second shout, voice much weaker. Eyes misty, welling up.
Ignored plenty in life, but today it stung extra.
Sadness flipped to fury quick.
Tremble tremble.
Resentment bloomed: It's your fault I have no friends!
She unleashed a mighty destruction spell.
Quaaang!
At the blast, Ares's warriors leaped every which way like flying fish breaching water. Buff as they were, their jumps were balletic.
"Little miss, sudden outbursts like that's dangerous, y'know."
Leader Angulifer chided gently.
Sudden kid—maybe 10—in a mountain cave? No one batted an eye. Veterans all.
Laughing outwardly, hands drifted to weapons slyly. Bold yet ready to kill instantly.
They knew she wasn't normal. Maybe the ruckus was bait all along.
"I'm no kid! Older than you lot—gave up counting ages ago!"
"Oh? Not a little lady, but an ancient monster?"
Angulifer kept his affable smile. Thick black lips, white teeth—charming, but fight-savvy folks would dread it. Pre-kill face.
"Yes! I am Python!"
"Ho?"
Her declaration turned rowdy laughter serious. Half-encirclement formed.
But Python was no pushover. Still leeway. And they'd ignored her—payback time.
Like them, she'd forgotten her goal.
Too much delay? Her solo spotlight dream shattered.
"Grrr! Waaargh!"
Sudden cavern-shaking roar—like a beast's bellow. Ares's warriors drew weapons in unison.
Quaaang!
A huge stalactite exploded, revealing a massive giant.
"Grrrh!"
Growling low, tiger-eyed, he hefted the fallen stalactite onto his shoulders like a weapon.
Ares's warriors gulped, tension thick.
"Who the hell are you?"
Angulifer asked for the group. The giant—Thematos—declared boldly.
"This body is Python!"
Ares's warriors gasped in awe.
"Ooh! Finally showed!"
They'd doubted the real Python's claim, but this monster screamed "beast." No question he was legit.
"Now that's fightin' material!"
"Sever his head, and it'll echo in our house's glory forever!"
Python gaped at the giant impersonating her, about to protest. Outrageous! I'm the real one. Non-negotiable—gotta convince 'em...
"Hahaha!"
Someone else appeared. Clear-voiced laugh—a human man.
Cracked armor, masked face: Peleus.
He strode forward confidently.
"Those two are lying! I am Python!"
Real Python was floored. Even this was too much. Protested again.
"Ah, no! I am Pwyton." (Slip of the tongue.)
Weak defense ignored. All eyes on the giant and youth.
No one glanced at the real Python.
No friends, now no foes either.
Her eyes welled up softly.
"Sniff..."
Life just felt miserable.