Chapter 1629 – Downfall

“Where is Zluth?” Soluzz bellowed.

The other Krath’lath had remained close to him, cowards and fools, all of them, but at least he had seen Zluth out fighting. That scout had shown he was a capable Krath’lath, though still young, and Soluzz had plans for him, a pawn to extend the power of the Zissth even further, but now he was nowhere to be seen.

“He ran away,” Ulizz spat, “fled to preserve himself.”

Soluzz glared at the Krath’lath of the Bulg. Useless and weak, the slug had conserved what power he had even to this point, perhaps waiting for Soluzz to grow weak so he could turn on him and try to seize control of the Zissth. A useless effort, as Soluzz could smash the weakling even if he was half dead.

“You expect me to believe he ran away while you remain?” Soluzz spat.

He turned his furious glare at the others around him, including Mulzoz, leader of the Lirz, and Puzzith of the Suggoth.

“You’re useless,” he ground out through his clenched fangs. “Cowards and traitors. You call yourselves Krath?!”

Despite the fury that burned in his veins and sizzled his flesh, Soluzz could see that the heart was all but lost, a fact that stung him so fiercely the pain of it was greater than the acid within him. It was all he could do not to start lashing out and feasting on the weakling leaders around him. He would need them, for a little while longer. When he had led the survivors of his tribe to a new slimeground, established a new centre of power for himself, then he would turn on them.

Disgusted by the pathetic display and the possible betrayal of Zluth, Soluzz raised his voice to gather the remaining members of his tribe.

“Fall back!” he ordered. “Regroup in the upper chamber!”

Once the order had been given, he made his own move immediately. Without the slugs actively pushing back against the oncoming enemy, it wouldn’t be long before the lower chamber was lost completely, and he certainly didn’t intend to be the last one in line. Clinging to the ceiling, he pushed and bullied his way forward as the Krath rushed to the relatively narrow opening.

Only for a flood of shining blue fluid to pour down from above.

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Horrified, the slugs slid to a halt, though some were already too close. The blue liquid gushed through the opening, spraying drops in every direction. Those Krath closest to the opening fell back, writhing and hissing in pain and fury, their skin sizzling as even a single drop burned into them. Soluzz knew well how that pain felt, and he wasn’t eager to feel it again.