Hot and sweltering, for the two gigans this weather was almost unbearable as they trekked through the thinning jungle area of their homeworld. Standing with a slight slouch, arms folded, Theromin swatted a few sweat beads from his forehead while muttering under his breath.

"Friggin" He started to raise his right arm to wipe his head, remembered the scythe at the end, then used his left hand instead. His stomach felt sick, it gurgled reproachfully. Gogar stared at his companion, looking Theromin's ugly color scheme over. The gigan was a deep green, more like decaying moss than anything else. His fins were withered and tattered before their time from countless fights he'd lost. Scab brown shoulder pads rested in place, his left with two barely functional buzzsaws. Gogar smiled a bit to himself, knowing Theromin's appearance would never win him any beauty contests, unlike himself. His shifted his golden fins, his own yellow skin glistened in the sun, contrasting beautifully with his black claws. His chest and lower abdomen were a striking red, making him a perfect contrast to his amigo's run down exterior. Gogar laughed a bit at Theromin's complaining.

"Now what?" he laughed. "You're always complaining."

Theromin glared at Gogar through a dirty red eye. "Shut up."

"Gogar's eye twitched a bit in surprise "Hey, no, YOU shut up!"

Theromin continued glaring at Gogar as they walked, "If you ate a bad mushroom, you'd complain too!"
Gogar picked up his pace, walking lightly ahead of Theromin as the battered gigan called after him

"Why didn't you warn me?! Mr. Nature!"

Gogar brushed off the complaints "Heheh, I wouldn't eat one."

Theromin continued onward, still muttering "Friggin"

"Ha ha, Skinny Boy, you should have seen yourself"

"Shut up, I don't want to think about it!"

Gogar chuckled again as he remembered Theromin's amusing conduct while under the influence of the hallucinogenic mushrooms. He kept walking. "You're so strange.
Theromin stretched his neck and scanned the area "There's nothing good out here. Why are we here? This place sucks."

"What? I thought it looked nice."

Theromin, not content with Gogar's response, continued scanning "There's gotta be SOMETHING out here to add to my territory" he thought about his statement for a moment, his annoyance at the area coming to the forefront "Something that doesn't SUCK.
"There's gotta be something, you're more obsessed with territory than I am. Sheesh!" With that Gogar leapt effortlessly onto a large rock before them. Theromin's glare followed him.

"I don't have time to play with dames like you prettyboy."

"Heh heh," Gogar laughed "You're so dingy they wouldn't go for you. You're jealous."

"Jealous of what, you? Feh, whatever!"

"Yes me! Why not, I'm so cool!"

Theromin looked to his right, noticing something. "What about that over there?" He pointed towards a tremendous cave a short ways off. Gogar followed the direction of Theromin's claw and saw the cavern as well. Theromin took a step in that direction, intent on finding out what was in there. He called back to Gogar "Now shut your mouth and come on!" Gogar stepped quickly behind Theromin and stumbled him with a quick shove, mocking the smaller gigan.

"Weak."

"Don't push me zippy! I push back!"

Gogar, undaunted by the threat spread his arms and smiled. "What was that, Skinny Boy?"

Theromin knew who would win the encounter should there be one, he turned with a growl and kept moving. "Lucky I like you ya bum"

Satisfied with Theromin's disguised submission, Gogar followed him. His ears detected something.

"Hey!"

"Hey what banana boy?!"

Gogar growled at his crude friend but continued listening "Listen, do you hear that?"

"You know, there're leaves you can eat for that."

"Stop a sec, wait."

Theromin chuckled at his joke then realized Gogar was indeed serious. "What?" he cocked his head, "Hear what?"

"Shh, ya hear that?"

Theromin listened as well as his damaged ears would allow him, but detected nothing. "You eat a mushroom too?"

"No. The silence, you hear it?"

Theromin sighed and listened, still he heard nothing. Gogar stood straight and tall, looking about. "I don't like this, it's too quiet."

Theromin stood watching Gogar, when suddenly, a light, barely audible something slit the silence. From somewhere, there came a sound, unidentifiable, playing with their senses.
"........"

Theromin's head perked up "The frig?"

"I don't think there's a territory holder Skinny boy."

Theromin said nothing, he continued listening. Gogar inhaled deeply, then cried out a shrill challenge call. It rang through the now rocky area, then faded. Theromin listened for a response but heard none. A smile tugged at his face. "Yeah baby, this'll be PERFECT!" he roared his own challenge, raspy from his less than adequate vocal chords. This time only a small, weak response came.

"rrrssss"

Theromin found himself entering the cave. "Whatever's in here is probably some wounded prey. Let's go."
Gogar held back a moment, thinking to himself "Now why would there be no territory holder?" Theromin heard Gogar talking to himself and turned back towards him "You comin' or not?!"

"Huh? Yeah, wait up." He caught up to Theromin with a few strides. "No one answered your call, don't you think that's strange?" he listened again, "Also, I don't like this silence."

Theromin threw Gogar an annoyed glance. "There's a thing called abandoned area Gogar. Whoever owned this place probably left it."

"Yeah, why?"

"Who cares why, it's empty now!" Theromin rubbed his claw in his hand "And that means it's ripe for the taking"

Gogar sighed at his companion's attitude. "Out of my way, me first."
Theromin hissed as Gogar brushed past him. "Dammit!"

"Hush."

"Sure thing your highness." Gogar raised his tail and bopped Theromin's head with the tip in response. A thin sound emanated from the cave.

"sssss."

Theromin growled again at Gogar's hesitating. "Go already!" he pushed Gogar forward as he was switching spectrums, enabling him to see in the dark. He stumbled forward.

"Hey, cut it out!" with that he pushed Theromin back. Theromin noticed Gogar's change of eye spectrum, and snorted. "I can see fine thanks. And don't make me kick yer-"

"ssss"

"Wha?" Theromin froze, Gogar stopped.

"The-?"

Gogar looked at Theromin in the dark "You heard it too?" Theromin said nothing, trying to locate something in the blackness. Gogar continued listening, his ears caught wind of something and lifted slightly. "Come on, let's go this way." The hushed whisper continued.

"."

Theromin followed Gogar through the cave, avoiding small rocks and maneuvering through the unfamiliar terrain. As the moved forward the cave narrowed, forcing them to hunch in some areas, stoop low in others. In time they reached a small opening which opened up into a larger area, allowing the two to stop crouching. Gogar stood and gave a small stretch. "Oh that's better, I can stand my full height now" Theromin stood as well, arching his back "Yeah, much-" he stopped suddenly, his eye widened, "Better" the hushed whisper came again.

"......"

Theromin stared, mouth agape, at a huge gate like structure that spanned before them. The interlaced thing stood before them, menacing. It was composed of stone, cold and glistening in the dark from light touches of dew. He could see nothing beyond it, the fence like patter had been poorly etched, hurriedly composed. Gogar hadn't turned yet but saw Theromin's expression.
"So where do you want to go?" he turned as he spoke, soon laying eyes upon the incredible structure before them. "WHOA!"

Theromin stared at the gate, unable to manage anything except "What the h@## is that?!"
"It looks like a dead end, but no" Slowly Gogar approached the structure. The closer he came, he began to notice a large round section of the gate was solid, a thick red symbol had been splashed across the area. It looked old, weathered. In some areas it looked cracked, as if whatever substance used to create it was slowly deteriorating, cracked in some areas, peeling like dead skin from others. The sounds came, continuous, steady, almost pulse like.

"sssrrr"

Gogar looked up at the symbol, his mind racing. He'd never seen anything like it before, he couldn't place it. Theromin watched Gogar, glancing from him to the symbol.
"And that is?"

"Shhh"

"Don't frickin' shush me dammit!"

Gogar leaned his head against the stone, placing a claw upon it. His brow furrowed at Theromin's constant objecting. "Shh!" he hissed "Quiet Theromin!" He kept listening, he heard a sound coming from somewhere behind the gate.

"hhhhhh"

"Humm" Gogar kept listening. Behind him, Theromin crossed his arms. "So doctor, does it have a heartbeat?"

Gogar ignored him and continued feeling around the stone, hearing the sound again.
"hhhnnn"

He looked back at Theromin, a smile upon his face. "Just wait, I may have something."

"Have what?"

Gogar turned back to the stone and ran his claws along the surface again. Theromin saw no intention of leaving upon Gogar's face, and soon realized what the gigan's agenda was.
"Oooooh no, we are LEAVING, right NOW!" He took a few steps back, "This is TOO freaky!"
Gogar neared the stone, his nose inches from the gate "I bet this opens, it's not part of the cave rock." Out of the corner of his eye he saw Theromin backing away, he whipped around, grabbing him with his claws. "Oh no you don't!"
"C'mon Gogar, we're out of here! C'mon!"
"You wanted to come here, now we're here." He tightened his grip, unaware of the increased volume of the sounds in the cave.
"hssss"
Gogar tightened his grip on Theromin again. "Hey, you wanted this place."
"Yeah, and now I want to LEAVE! So let's GO!"
"You brought me here." Theromin pulled away again, frustrated. "Dammit!" Gogar pulled back his claw and smacked Theromin. "WAIT!" Theromin growled and kicked Gogar away. "YOU wait! I ain't gonna-" He froze, staring at the gate again. "Why the h#$@ is there light in there?"
Gogar looked at him, holding him at arm's length.
"You just stay there, I'm gonna open this!" Theromin ignored him, his eye fixated on the gate. "Get away from that Gogar, I ain't playin'!"
Gogar neared the gate again, noticing a thin sliver of white light, it bounced off his forehead and ran down his beak, a stark illumination in the darkness. The beam came from a small crack in the cave itself, it struck the gate, making it appear to have originated from the inside. If allowed to continue on its current angle, the beam would probably become much wider.
"You're right." He breathed, staring at the light. Another sound came.
"hrrr"
Gogar adjusted his vision again. "I can see without using my" He ran his claws across the surface again, finding a small smooth spot. He pressed against it. "Hummm"
Behind the gate, something stirred. It could sense something had come, something was on the opposite of his prison, his dark cell. He rose his head slightly, barely able to sniff the air. The sound of clanking metal came as he moved. From the bottom of his throat came a thick bass sound.
"rrrrooooo.."
Theromin immediately heard the sound, his head jerked into the air as he stared wide eyed at the gate. "What the H#@$ WAS THAT?!"
Gogar ignored him, pushing harder against the gate. "Let's find out!"
"Gogar, get away from the gate!"
Gogar pressed both hands against the smooth stone and pushed harder, placing more of his weight against it. "He heh, want to see how strong I am? I bet you wish you could do this."
"I wish we could LEAVE! Come ON Gogar!"
"No, I've almostalmostgot it" The sound came again.
"rrrraaaa"
Gogar's muscles tense, he could feel the stone giving way. He huffed and strained against it, determined. "Nnnuuff!"
Within the darkness the creature watched a tiny beam of sunlight enter his tomb. It hit the wall behind him, he craned his head, trying to reach it, he could not. He strained, a metal clatter sounded, and he stopped just short of it again. He lowered his head and breathed, his strength expended.
Gogar continued pushing, he felt the gate giving, it shuddered and gave more with a satisfying crack. Theromin stood behind him, unable to do anything but watch.
"What are you nuts?!"
"I'm good huh?"
"Hey, I bet someone put that gate there for a friggin reason!"
Gogar ignored Theromin's reasoning, absorbed in his own feat of strength. "I bet you couldn't have done this."
"Couldn't have? More like WOULDN'T have! Stop it!"
"Well, you wanted to come. Look, it's just big enough. We can get in."
The beast behind the gate saw the very wall of his prison shudder, it began to move, something on the other side was pushing it. He remained where he was, watching, waiting. His heart began to beat a bit faster as more than a quarter-sized spot of sunlight appeared on the wall beside him.
Theromin was almost in a frenzy, he called after Gogar "Gogar, if you don't knock it off-" Gogar cut him off, entering the opening as he spoke.
"Well I'm tired, I'm not opening it anymore. But we can go in now. Come on Skinny face."
"No!" Theromin clasped Gogar by the arm, jerking him clear of the doorway.
"Ah!" Gogar protested, "Hey!" Pulled from the opening, bickering amongst each other, neither gigan realized that the sunlight now flooded into the crack Gogar had made earlier. Moved completely from the opening, the sunlight hit the creature, illuminating his orange skin, the dark green of his beak shone dully as the light played on it, highlighting the contour. He could remember nothing feeling so pleasant. Kneeling, the creature bowed his head again, but this time, the sunlight played along his neck, the once dull and washed color began to change, in moments the area touched by the light came to life, a vibrant shade of their former tone.
Theromin was more than tired of fighting with Gogar, his fear and agitation showed clearly on his face. "We are OUT of here!"
Gogar still struggled against him, shaking himself free of Theromin's grasp. "Let me GO green bird!"
Stumbling, Theromin regained his footing and for the first time looked fully into the cavern hole. What he saw stopped him in his tracks and left him speechless.
A beast (that's the only thing his mind could comprehend it as) kneeled at the far end of the cavern, shacked from the neck down in over three dozen manacles and limb restraints. The creature was a vibrant orange in the areas touched by sunlight, a fact Theromin attributed to his shock. It's beak was green, a single red eye, darker than his own, rested in the middle of its head. The thing was simply colossal in size, almost twice that of he or Gogar. It was a gigan like them, but a type Theromin had never seen before, a type he was almost positive Gogar had never seen before as well. He watched, mouth agape, at the thing. Had this been what was making the noises? Why was it here? And more importantly, why in the cosmos was it restrained like that? Just as he was deciding he didn't care he heard Gogar.
"Look, we go in and if there's nothing cool I'll help you fight the next land holder." He saw Theromin's face and frowned. "Now what?" No sooner had he voiced the question he turned to see the gargantuan beast chained behind the gate he had just moved. Hi eye widened as Theromin made his thoughts clear.
"Ah sh@#! What's that?!"
"Oh my." Gogar could not answer, he remained, staring at the creature. A slight chill ran through him, he shivered. Theromin was not as contained.
"!@#@, !@#$, @#$%!!!!!"
Gogar looked away from the beast a moment as it slowly began to look up at them. More sunlight poured through the opening and fell across his face and body, making him even more vibrant in color than before. Gogar grew tired of Theromin's inability to do nothing more than let loose a string of profanities.
"Stop it!" he finally yelled, "You always get like that!" He looked back at the beast, pity etched into his face. "Who or what would do something so cruel?"
Theromin stopped his yelling long enough to register what Gogar had said and respond accordingly. "Stop it? STOP it?" he thrust a claw towards the creature's direction. "LOOK at that freak!"
Gogar's eye never left the beast. "I am." He kept staring, "That looks very painful."
"Get a good look? Good, now let's GO!"
"Stranger," Gogar called out lightly "Who did this to you?" The beast remained still, his breathing obvious with the heavy yet rhythmic heaving of his shoulders. The stranger's voice echoed through his head, the words he spoke were the first he had heard in countless years, he bowed his head slightly and tried to form words in his mind, words he had forgotten so long ago. The first thing to come was his own name Animus He tried to force the word from his vocal chords, but they would not comply with his wishes, only a slight "rrrrr" was allowed.
Gogar ignored Theromin, more interested in the creature they had uncovered. Cautiously he regarded him, thinking aloud. "I wonder how long he's been here" The beast swayed his head to the left and tilted it.
"rrrr"
Theromin was less than thrilled by the creature's ability (or lack thereof) to communicate.
"How cute, he can rrr! You happy now?! Let's get the frig outta here!"
Gogar promptly ignored him and began to enter the cave holding Animus. Theromin watched him go, incredulous.
"Where the H@#$ are you going?!"
Gogar shot a serious look back at him "He's in pain, can't you see? I'm going to help him. You can leave now." He turned his attention back to the creature. "Don't worry strange one, we will help you.."
"I don't give a damn WHAT he's in! There's a REASON for whatever happened to it! Let's GO!" he saw there was no use, Gogar would not return. "Aw dammit Gogar!"
"How would you feel if you were in there?" he shivered at the thought. "I wouldn't like it." Theromin was less than impressed with Gogar's plight for the beast. "I'M not in there, HE is! And I like it that way."
"This is wrong, why would someone do this to a gigan?"
The areas of Animus' skin touched by the sun's rays slowly began to pulse with a brilliant glow, smaller in some areas, but they were noticeable, unmistakably glowing.
"Rrrrarrr!" Gogar growled at Theromin "Shut up." He approached Animus and began to run his claws over the restraints, searching for the weakest one, the single weak link to shatter the whole chain. He looked up at him. "Don't worry stranger"
Animus regarded him weakly, managing a small growl, then lowered his head again, he could see Gogar in the corner of his eye.
"You must have suffered a lot. I'll get you out somehow."
Theromin watched Gogar with a hand placed across his forehead in disbelief and disgust. "I don't believe this, I don't frickin' BELIEVE this!"
Gogar's eye flashed as he found what he was looking for. A single section of the restraints had worn with age and presumably the creature's constant shifting. He narrowed his eye and planned his strike. "There!" Theromin's eye widened when he saw what Gogar was about to do.
"No Gogar! NO!"
"I said shut up!" Gogar raised his claw and smashed the metal with a loud clang, but it still held. The substance was a lot stronger than it appeared. Animus turned slowly towards the sound, uncertain as to what the newcomers were doing, still too weak to do anything if it was detrimental. Gogar raised his claw yet again.
"I end it now." With a flash of red he fired his eye beam at the restraint, shattering the metal. Theromin stood by, muttering to himself.
"Son of a-"
Animus breathed heavily and slowly began to look up. It was the first time he was able to fully do so in more years than he could recall. It felt good. Here in the darkness for so many years, held down by these bonds. No more.
"Dammit!" Theromin yelled as he watched Gogar set the freak free. Was he nuts?! Gogar walked over to Theromin and joined his side.
"Blastit Gogar, LOOK what you've done!"
"I let him go."
Animus managed to focus his eye on the two strangers, but soon turned his unsteady gaze towards the sunlight. Gogar smiled as he tried to move forward. Now that one section of the intricate network of restraints had been destroyed, the whole thing should collapse.
"The rest shouldn't be too hard."
The chains still restrained Animus however, the network seemed to prove more effective than Gogar anticipated. Combined with Animus' obvious lack of strength, the chains held onto him, still restricting his movements. But he COULD move. Into the sunlight. He slowly pulled himself forward, the sunlight touching him more than it had been in years. He began glow, the areas touched by the light brighter than before. He began to rise, slowly at first, then with a little more assurance as the glowing grew more intense. Theromin growled, agitated. Gogar watched the beast, a look of concern crossed his face.
"He still can't get out?"
"Screw that, look at him, he' friggin GLOWING!"
Gogar looked at the beast and saw that the beast was indeed getting brighter before their eyes. "Yes, I wonder why?"
Animus forced himself to his feet and allowed the sunlight to course over his body. The crack from the outside allowed a surprising amount into the cave, the beam widened as it reached Animus himself, who seemed to absorb the light itself. A deep orange light began to emanate from him, small spikes of light raced across his body, he seemed to be getting bigger beneath the restraints themselves. They soon dug into his skin, like an old scab trying to cling to healed flesh. Theromin could do little more than manage "Oh H!@#.
"You're so strange Ther."
Animus continued to rise, his body pressing against the restraints, his mass increasing as the sunlight struck him with burning force. The chains snapped with loud pops, they flew from him and sprayed the room in all directions. Some smashed into the walls, other flew into the air with such velocity they stuck into the ceiling.
"Woe!" Gogar yelled and dodged a small piece of airborne chain. Theromin took a step back, careful to avoid the flying debris.
Chains still clinging to him, Animus found himself able to move without restriction. He raised his head and sniffed the air, a memory in his mind unlocked after countless years of being holed up in the darkness without reprieve of any kind, without contact from anything of the outside world. The scents were nice, saliva dripped from his mouth. The links of broken and shattered restraints dripped from him like dead bits of flesh, they coiled on the floor, never to hold him again. Animus looked towards the two gigans, and began to head their way. Theromin immediately took exception and thrust his claw in the beast's face.
"Don't come any closer freak!"
Gogar watched is friend, a bit worried as Animus looked from Theromin to him.
"So strange one, are you alright?"
Animus raised a black claw and inspected it, as if he had never seen it before. He tilted his head slightly, then looked at the other. He opened his mouth, releasing a cracked sigh, then tried again. He managed
"YoU Alright?"
Gogar cocked his head at the odd voice, it had obviously not been used in some time, the pitches and accent on the two words he'd managed were completely off. But at least now he knew the creature was capable of speech. Theromin remained as he was, claw thrust forward, a distasteful sneer on his face.
"What are you, a friggin parrot?"
Animus looked towards Theromin at the sound of his voice. He stared silently, then opened his beak, a sound resembling Theromin's voice came.
"FrIggiN
A smile crept upon Theromin's face as he stared back at the creature with obvious distaste. "Hehe, what a moron."
Gogar gave Theromin a baneful glance upon hearing his remark.
"Quiet Skinny boy." He looked back to the creature. "Are you alright? What is your name?"
Animus said nothing, he raised a thick black claw and examined it, he paused and raised his eye to look at Theromin. In the blink of an eye he rushed forward and reared back his arm, swinging a vicious backhand that slammed Theromin through the passageway both he and Gogar had entered through. The upper part of his body slammed through the top of the opening, bringing a shower of rocks and dust down in the opening. He roared in pain.
"GAHHHHHHH!!"
Gogar watched in shock, "What THE?! Ther!"
Animus growled, now speaking in his own dark voice. "FriGgiN"
Gogar was breathing heavily, he turned to face Animus. "Why did you do that?!"
The sunlight from above increased, the rays washing over Animus' massive frame. The longer he was in contact with it, the more defined his muscles became, as if the light was somehow feeding him. Gogar ran towards the passage to find Theromin as Animus watched him with a leery eye. Gogar looked back at the beast to see Animus clamoring into the passageway as well, the sunlight hitting even more of his body as he did so. Gogar growled.
"You hurt my friend."
Theromin stirred, "nnnn"
Gogar lifted the gigan's head. "Skinny boy, are you ok?"
Animus smiled at the show of compassion, exposing his wicked teeth. Gogar kept focused on Theromin, kneeling next to him.
"Can you stand?"
Animus approached the pair, malicious amusement in his eye.
"Did what? Did this?" A tremendous green blast shot from Animus' mouth, it streaked forward towards the two. Theromin saw the crackling line of fire a split second after it was fired.
"Sonuva!" Before he could finish Gogar wrapped his arms around Theromin's neck and lifted him into the air with a flap of his wings.
"WOE! We're outta here!"
"'Bout TIME you listened to me!"
The beam exploded it thunderous force beneath them, the force of the blast knocking them both out of the air. They fell back into the passageway, noticing the stark loss of space as they stumbled to regain their footing. Like a predator Animus came at them, racing across the cavern floor and propelling himself into a frightening lunge.
"Dammit!" Theromin yelled as he saw the beast move with incredible speed towards them.
"Get out, get out! Hurry, can you move?!" Gogar yelled at him, he growled in frustration. "Grr, or do I have to carry you again??"
"You freak!" Theromin ignored Gogar, waving his scythe at Animus as he came, "You FREAK!! You wanna piece of me?!"
Gogar sighed, "Ok, I do!"
Animus smiled at Theromin's question, "All of you."
Gogar grabbed Theromin with his claws, dragging him towards the passageway. "Now it's time to go!"
Animus' lunge brought him down directly atop Gogar, the beast grabbed his prey's head in his claws, trying to wrench it free of its body.
"AHHHH!" Gogar screamed as Animus flung him against the near wall of the cavern, a loud thoom resounded as he fell to one knee. "Ooohh"
Animus paced towards him, gritting his teeth. "All of you"
Theromin's blood was boiling, he screamed at the beast "Son of a BI#!$!!" then lunged at Animus. Gogar saw the skinny gigan attacking the creature and shook his head at the difference in size and firepower. Animus welcomed the little gigan, backhanding him yet again, this time sending him into the wall.
"GGRRAAAA!!" Theromin screamed, feeling the jagged crags of the cavern stress and shatter beneath his body. There would certainly be some war scars from this fight
Gogar pulled himself up and flew towards Theromin. "I mean it this time! We're outta here!" He saw Animus, "But first"
Animus stalked towards Theromin's fallen form, placing a solid foot on his back, then adding more and more of his massive body weight. The pleasurable sound of Theromin's shell beginning to crack filled his ears. He could picture his foot traveling through the small animal in seconds. Gogar flew towards them with increased speed as Theromin screamed.
"AAAAAAAAA!!!"
Gogar neared the pair and fired an eye beam at the ceiling above the strange beast, the foot of the beats itself. "Leave him alone!" his eye glowed with renewed resolve. "How dare you, after we helped you!!"
Rocks rained down on Animus, the creature snarled as they pelted him repeatedly. He heard the other gigan saying something, then turned and fired a swirled green and red eyebeam at him in response. Gogar rushed towards Theromin, placing an arm around his waist to lift him into the air.
"Helped me?" Animus almost laughed as he watched Gogar carry Theromin further into the passageway. He growled.
"Yes helped!" Gogar responded as he pushed Theromin along. He had barely spoken the words when Animus rushed them, slamming into Gogar.
"Help yourselves." He snarled.
"Gogar!" Theromin's eye flickered as he glared at Animus. "Damn you!" Gogar heard his friend calling, but before he could tell him to stay put the gigan was in motion. With surprising speed he raced towards Animus and swung his scythe. A small sliver of a cut ripped open on the beast's arm.
Gogar held his head with a groan to see Theromin's brash action. "Oh No!"
Animus glanced at the cut on his arm, growled, then lashed out at Theromin, catching him with a strong punch in the side.
"Nyyyhhhh!" Theromin clasped the area, feeling it already start to swell and bruise. Gogar was again on his feet, flying towards Theromin. He saw Animus stand, then clasp Theromin, holding him close.
"Get the he$# offa me!" Theromin screamed as Animus opened his mouth wide. His intent was obvious as thick rivulets of hot saliva dripped from his mouth. Gogar swung around, firing at the beast's other foot.
"Let him go!" As the beast growled at his demand Gogar jumped on his neck, slashing him with his claws. In a flash Animus lurched forward, hurling Theromin at Gogar. The savagery of the motion send the two flying.
"Ack!" Gogar yelled, "At least I got you now Skinny boy."
Animus turned towards the two, the same baneful look set in his eye. "Know.. why.. I was IN there?"
Gogar pulled Theromin again further into the passageway, trying to escape from the now surprisingly talkative creature. Animus continued.
"I"
"EAT"
"GIGANS"
Theromin heard the words as they echoed off the wall like a chorus. He felt sick.
"Oh God" he whispered as Gogar growled.
"We're almost out, can you stand?"
Animus lumbered towards them, "YOU two.. are My first MEAL in DECADES!
"Theromin! Darn it! Can you stand?"
A eye beam shot from Animus, exploding into the cavern wall. It was widening now from the repeated shots fired inside. He moved forward towards them. Theromin saw him coming and pulled free of Gogar.
"YES I can stand! Get off me and let's get outta here!"
"Good because we're gonna have to fight."
"Can't run." Animus breathed as he neared. "Can't hide." He raced towards them. Gogar looked behind them.
Theromin looked at the oncoming beast, registering Gogar's words. "What are you talking about?
"Well, he's gonna eat everyone, starting with us!"
"Ah sh!#!!"
Animus leaped into the air, his teeth stretched in a wicked smile.
"We can't let that-" Gogar saw the beast coming, "AAAA!"
Still in the air Animus unleashed blazing purple mouth beam at the duo. It slammed into the wall beside them, melting the rock. Theromin was thrown to the ground by the concussive force and tried to pull himself up. Gogar leapt forward, rolling into the open. As animus landed he watched the two, trying to decide upon which he would dine first.
Gogar saw a small hole of light, the entrance to the cavern.
"Look, I can see the outside!! Theromin come on, this way!"
Animus attempted to stand in the cramped passageway, his bulk larger than either Gogar or Theromin. He roared and shook the cavern. Theromin ran after Gogar.
"Ain't got to tell me twice!"
The two ran, Gogar looked about and saw there were too many trees above them to enter flight. He tried to think of an alternate form of escape when Theromin tapped him.
"Uh, Gogar"
"Yeah?"
"Is it just me, or is Animus getting bigger?"
"What the?" Gogar dared a look back as they ran and saw the horrible truth. Now in total sunlight, standing outside the entranceway of the cave, Animus was indeed getting bigger. His muscled size increased, his definition improved, his legs became even more massive than they had already been, and his claws enlarged, curling a bit more now into threatening hooks.
"Aw man!" Theromin growled, "We don't NEED this crap!"
Running while watching Animus behind them, Gogar didn't see the cliff they were running towards. He spotted it a split second before falling in.
"WOE!"
Animus chased after his prey, his footfalls shook the ground.
"Gah!" Theromin yelled, glancing back at Gogar "Why'd you stop-" he saw the cliff but couldn't stop himself in time. He smashed into Gogar from behind, sending the two over the cliff together with a combined scream.
"GYAAAHHH!"
Gogar grabbed a hold of Theromin as the fell to keep from being separated. They tumbled, Theromin yelling at the top of his lungs.
"This is your fault, this is ALL YOUR FAULT!"
"My fault? You wanted the stupid cave! If only you were as good as me!"
"YOU had to set him free! He's not a FRICKIN BUTTERFLY!!"
"We wouldn't get into these messes if-"
Shut up! It's YOUR fault! All your- GAAA!"
"Dirty green thing-YAAAHHHHH!"
The two gigans hit the bottom of the cliff and smack painfully into an adjacent wall. It stretched towards the sky, curved in such a way as to prevent any means of escape other than climbing back up the cliff itself.
"Oooh" Gogar held his head a moment, then looked about for Theromin. A grumble from below revealed his location.
"Get off my face!"
"Thank for breaking my fall"
A shuddering BOOM startled them both. Animus stood before them, larger than they remembered from the cave. He had leapt off after them, intent upon catching his first meal. His eye pulsated steadily, his focus was unwavering. Saliva dripped from his maw.
"Food. Blood."
Gogar backed away.
"Get up Skinny boy!"
Gogar looked up at the tall cliff, realizing there was not way out on foot. Animus attacked immediately, swing a claw at Gogar. It whizzed past his head and cleaved a deep groove in the rocky wall behind them.
"Ther can you fly?"
"Fly? Why?"
"There's nowhere to go but up, we're trapped! Can ya?"
Theromin glared at Animus, he felt something stir within him. The dark eyes of the beast stared back at him, pulsing with savagery. Theromin's eye flickered, he whispered without turning towards Gogar.
"You're right. He's gonna eat everyone." He paused, breathing angrily. "Damn you freak."
Gogar looked at Animus as well, understanding his friend's words.
"We can't let that happen."
Animus snarled at the two. He was done playing with them. He would dine upon their corpses now. Gogar leapt into the air, claws spread, buzzsaw whirring. Theromin flicked his fingers, the silver claws sheathed beneath sparking forward with a metallic cling. He readied them and beckoned to the beast.
"Alright bi$%#, let's see what you got."

Gogar dove at the monstrosity
"Let's show him how we hunt!"
Animus lashed at Gogar in the air, but Gogar veered clear of the hook. With surprising force he smashed Animus in his temple. Theromin stepped lightly towards Animus during the distraction, speedily angling himself as well as his claws. He lurched and swung his left arm on a downward arc. The fingerclaws dug deep into Animus' hide, leaving thin lives of red behind. The scars soon proved to be more than they appeared as thick strips of flesh fell away, revealing the creature's ribs. Blood poured from the stinging wound. Gogar looked on with approval as Animus howled in anger and pain.
"Good one Skinny face!"
Animus snarled at Gogar's voice, but saw Theromin first. He clasped the gigan's throat between his claws, slamming him into the cliff wall with a thundering crash.
"Noo! Gogar screamed. Hovering above Animus, Gogar fired his eye beam with a greater intensity at the monster's head. It burned into his skull, drawing another roar from Animus. Gogar winged back, diving again at Animus with his claws open. Theromin pulled himself from the small hole he had made in the cliff from Animus' attack, and saw Gogar land on the freak's back, biting his neck. Animus snarled, wrenching his hear around and firing a massive eye beam at Gogar. The beam engulfed Gogar and sent him face down to the ground. Theromin leapt at Animus, kicking the beast in the chest. It proved futile, sending Theromin to the ground for his efforts as Animus stood above him, undamaged from the attempted assault. Blood dripped from the wounds on his ribs and neck. Theromin managed to pull himself up, spinning and drilling his scythe deep into Animus' side through the hole he opened.
"Eat THAT ya bastich!"
Gogar looked up from the ground to see Theromin battling Animus. He got to his feet and raced to Theromin's side, stabbing Animus' leg. Animus ripped Theromin's scythe from himself and squeezed it between his own claws. A spiderweb crack raced through the appendage as Theromin screamed bloody murder from the pain. Gogar moved to the side attempting to get the beast's attention.
"Yo fatso, over here!"
Animus let go of Theromin, tossing the gigan to the ground and turned to see Gogar standing defiant. Gogar yelled at the beast, "I've had enough of you! Come and get me!"
Animus smiled. "All of you."
Gogar remained where he was, standing his ground. "You ungrateful ugly thing!"
Animus fired both his eye and mouth beam in unison, they tore through the air towards Gogar. He spread his arms, electricity dancing about his claws, quickly flashing and forming a spherical shield before him. Half a sphere of sparking energy rested before him, Animus' beams slammed into it, then suddenly bounced back at Animus himself. Fire exploded into the cannibal, but did not phase him. His own power could not be used against him. Gogar growled at the creature.
"Nice try ugly."
Animus was undaunted, he continued forward. "I see you"
A voice came from behind him, "Not anymore!" Theromin leapt up above Animus, landing on his neck and running his finger claws across Animus' eyes with a single swipe. They ripped across the lens, chips and shards of the red visor shooting into the air. He leapt off as Gogar drew his claws back and fired the shield as a projectile.
"Eat THAT why don't you!" Gogar smiled as Theromin landed beside him. "Skinny boy!"
The shield exploded into Animus, electricity raced through ever inch of his being. The beast howled and screamed in agony, his circuits conflicting with his biological nerves as the lightening wreaked havoc throughout his body. Gogar charged himself for another attack.
"Oh you like that huh? Skinny boy, get behind me NOW!!"
Animus stood smoking from the devastating attack. He glared at Gogar through his damaged eye, then lunged at him, teeth exposed. Gogar barely ha time to react, countering the beast with an electric ray of his own.
"Theromin!"
"What what WHAT?!"
Gogar slid on his feet towards Theromin, "Get behind me NOW Skinny boy!!"
Electricity sparked through Animus, he roared again, pushed back by the beam.
"DO IT!" Gogar screamed at Theromin, his eye glowing "I've had enough of this thing"
Theromin glared at the beast, then fired his mouth and eye beam at the
creature. Gogar yelled at him again, "Get behind me, you don't want to be in my way Skinny boy, when I-"
"Everything's a big friggin production with you, just nuke the guy!"
Tired of talking, Gogar grabbed Theromin and tossed him to the ground, standing in front of him. "Shut up, you don't know what I can do!!"
"You ain't gonna do nothing if you stand there flappin yer jaws! Just do it!"
Animus growled, starting towards the two again, his muscles ached, some had been cocked from the inside, but he still came for them, he would HAVE them! Gogar concentrated, starting his distortion beam. It spread from his forehead in a cone like shape, widening as it reached Animus, soon engulfing him. Animus reared back, the beam completely threw his equilibrium, attacking the very liquid in his brain used for balance.
"Bout time!" Theromin growled, covering his head with his hands as Animus released another shattering scream. The world twisted before him, his perception of everything around him changed, he could not tell what was up and what was down, left or right. Gogar intensified the beam as he saw the effects, firing his electric ray as well. Animus howled, his flesh searing, his world visibly shattered. Gogar added his eye beam as well, pummeling the beast with all his powers. Animus attempted to stand, failing, falling to the ground in a writhing heap. His arms and legs lashed out in myriad directions, he felt his brain on fire, he could not control his own movements anymore, all he could do was feel the intense pain. Theromin watched the beast flailing. His eye flickered.
"He dead yet?"
Gogar slowly cut his weapons one by one, his distortion soon faded to nothing. He watched Animus' wavering movements.
"No"
Animus thrashed a few more times, trying to feel his limbs, trying to focus on anything, but could not. He felt his brain liquefying, his muscles seized, he could do nothing more, only breathe. Gogar stumbled shortly after stopping his distortion, weakened by the effort. Theromin watched him a moment, then left his side, headed towards Animus.
"Damned freak"
Gogar stumbled as he watched Theromin go. "skinnyboy"
"Shut up Gogar! You stay there and let me do what I gotta do."
He reached Animus in a few steps, looking at the crumpled heap of the beast that only minutes ago tried to devour him.
"Stupid bast@#%! Not so big now, are ya?"
"Ther wait, he might" Gogar fell, his vision blurred and his head pounded from exerting so much effort. Theromin ignored his friend's pleas, instead he grabbed the beast by the back of his massive head, lifting it so it could see him. He smiled maliciously at the chiseled scars along the visor. He could hear the strained breathing of the creature, small puffs of hot breath hit his skin and faded. He leaned closer to the animal as Gogar looked on, unable to do anything.
"You know, here's the difference between me and Gogar..."
He readied his scythe. "Gogar clings to his precious morals"
Gogar tried to raise his head, with a whisper he managed "What are youdoing?"
Theromin snarled with burning hatred in his eyes "And I HAVE none!"
Gogar breathed heavily, "Theromin No!"
Theromin swung his claw upward, sending it straight through Animus' throat. It exploded through the creature's skull and exited its mouth with a thick squelching noise. Blood covered the length of Theromin's scythe jutting from Animus' mouth, he breathed steadily, as if the act had brought him some kind of euphoric joy. His eye pulsed steadily. Gogar looked away. A moment passes, then Theromin stood his full height, allowing the monster's head to slide off his scythe. He looked down at its limp body.
"Rot in He##, bi#@$."
Gogar could not believe what he had just seen, he was shocked by Theromin's actions.
"Theromin?"
Theromin snapped his head around, his pleasant trance interrupted. He stared at Gogar, silent, blood still dripping from his claws. Gogar tried to sit up, still feeling the fatigue of his on body.
"Youyou" His eye was wide, staring at Animus. Theromin snarled.
"What? WHAT Gogar? You gonna lecture me on his right to life? Fu#@ that!" He pointed to the beast, "You know DAMNED well what would have happened if he lived!"
Gogar held his head, trying to take it all in, he needed to focus, he tried to do so as Theromin continued.
"And don't give me that 'all living creatures' bulls#$@ either!"
Gogar lowered his head and looked at the ground. Slowly he whispered "Yes, I know." He was silent a moment, then, "You're welcome."
"Welcome? Welcome for WHAT? For setting that thing free? For getting us in this frickin mess?!"
"If it wasn't for me you would have been snapped in two."
"THANK you Gogar, for almost makin' us his next meal!"
"I got him started before you killed him."
Theromin leaned closer to Gogar, almost smiling at his friend's last retort. "Yeah, but YOU wouldn't have killed him. He added, "@#$@ bleedin heart"
Gogar ignored him, going to another topic. "Grr, and for the first time I used a new power and YOU didn't even notice!" He pulled himself up a bit, placing himself in a seated position, still lacking the strength to stand. "Let me show you why I wanted you behind me!" He began to concentrate. "Good thing you're close"
Theromin snorted at Gogar, "Too late macho bird, the deed's done."
Gogar focused and managed a mild ray of distortion on Theromin. The sudden change in his equilibrium sent Theromin to the ground in seconds, he hit with a clumsy thud.
"Bast@#$!" He growled.
"Heh heh, welcome to the ground, nice of you to join me."
"You think this is friggin FUNNY?!" Again he pointed to the prone form of Animus. "Yeah Gogar, it've been REAL funny if that thing ate us, or half the frickin planet!"
"Heh heh, it's funny to see you fall Besides, thanks to me he didn't." He took a deep breath, Theromin gave him a baneful stare.
"Thanks to YOU huh?"
"But it took a lot out of me."
Theromin continued to stare at Gogar, the look a mixture of anger and annoyance. "Whatever."
"Darnit, help me up!"
Theromin grabbed one of Gogar's claws with his hand, then jerked the pompous Gigan to his feet. Theromin laughed at the gasp Gogar made at the sudden ascent.
"S'matter? Savior of the world can't stand on his own?"
Gogar punched Theromin in the shoulder, "And you helped, thanks."
Theromin rubbed his shoulder, glared at Gogar and tossed him back to the ground. "Yer WELCOME!"
Gogar fell with a yell, then lashed his tail out, tripping Theromin. They sat, back where they started. Gogar glanced over at his grumbling companion.
"Hey, wasn't that a cool power? You gotta admit that was great. I'm so powerful, heh heh!" he thought a moment, "I only did a fraction of the strength on you."
Theromin looked up, annoyed. "Yeah yeah, ain't you great"
"Yeah, I am!"
"One day yer gonna pull yer greater than thou bulls@#$ with the wrong guy"
"Not likely, who's better than me?" he stood suddenly, striking a glamorous pose for an imaginary audience. Theromin scoffed at the effort.
"There's ALWAYS someone better ya uppity jerk."
Gogar crossed his claws, appalled by the notion. "Name one!"
Theromin glared at him again. "I CAN'T, but it don't mean no one's out there"
"Hum, well, I haven't heard of anyone huh? A compliment from Skinny boy?"
Theromin laughed at the suddenly show of affection. "Don't take it to heart. If I was a little bigger, I'd beat yer a#@ myself!"
"Heh heh, but you're not."
The two sat a moment longer catching their breath before Gogar spoke again.
"Um, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." He was seated facing Animus, he looked the dead gigan over, noting his handiwork. "Nah, I'm friggin great!"
"I got really worried a sec when he stepped on you."
Theromin rubbed his back, a bruise had already formed, he could feel the blood hardening already. "You weren't the only one Gonna take weeks to heal"
Gogar looked at the wound and winced. "Yeah, I heard a crack was worried. Didn't feel I could fly fast enough."
"Bah, ya did fine." A small laugh escaped him, Gogar joined him in it.
"Thanks for the help."
"Yeah yeah, stop getting all mushy. We're alive ain't we?" He stood, dusted himself off and looked at Animus a final time. "So c'mon, let's get outta here." He started to walk away, a noticeable limp in his step.
"Heh, yeah Sooo you still want to look for more land after this?" He looked around, it was getting dark, the sun was slowly sinking below the horizon line casting a sharp orange glow upon the planet. Theromin looked back at Gogar. "I think there's some more abandoned territory a few miles from here
Gogar cast a concerned look. Theromin crossed his arms. "What, WHAT?"
"We can fly now, you can get off your feet."
Theromin lifted his wings slightly, wincing as a jolt of pain shot through him. "Maybe YOU can, I can't, Fifty friggin tons on yer back ain't good for the fins"
Gogar ruffled his wings, he found that they too were a bit sore from being banged around by Animus. "Ow, actually heh heh, mine hurt too."
"So c'mon! If we leave now we can cover more ground by nightfall."
"AAHHH! You're worse than I am! Aren't you even hungry?"
Theromin waved the question off, he was already falling into step, ready to leave Gogar behind if he didn't follow. "Yeah yeah, stop flabbin yer jaws and c'mon.. We'll eat when we get there!"
Gogar sighed and began to walk after him, feeling the aches and pains suddenly hit him from the fight. They walked a moment when Gogar smirked.
"It was neat wasn't it?"
Theromin turned and stared wide eyed at Gogar.
"NO!"
Gogar seemed taken aback by his response. "No?" he asked. Theromin stopped, thinking about it a bit more.
"Well, maybe a little" he thought about it some more, a smile creeping onto his face. Gogar began to laugh.
"Yeah, it was frickin awesome!"
Gogar laughed at Theromin "HAHAHA! I thought so! We rule!"
"Damned straight"
"Next time I need to control my power better so I don't lose all my energy."
Theromin rolled his eye, "Oh would you shut up about yer stupid power already?"
"But I've never done it!!"
"Sure, whatever, c'mon!"
Gogar watched him walk on, then smiled to himself.
"Heh heh, cool."
He quickly caught up to Theromin, the two set back on their trek to find new lands to claim, both in some hidden way appreciative of the experience that brought them closer together as friends.