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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Oct 29, 2022 20:32:48 GMT -5
As Cyran stood still, Edward didn’t make any movement towards him, but he didn’t make any movements backwards, which Cyran considered progress. He started approaching when he spotted a blurry figure emerging from the shadows. He barely managed to unsheath his dagger as the hunter stepped out from the shadows, a female in leather armor under her hooded cloak that Cyran distinctly recognized as the woman who’d been arguing with the other hunter about the inn. She clutched a crossbow in both hands, a wicked glare on her face.
“Afraid I can’t let you walk out of here with that thing.”
Cyran thought back to the conversation he’d overheard between her and the other, keeping a wary eye on his surroundings. These people seemed to work in teams of two, and just because he didn’t see the other one didn’t mean he wasn’t lurking nearby. “And I’m afraid I can’t let you kill him, Candace. So I’d say we’re at an impasse.”
If she was at all shocked at the fact he knew her name, it only showed on her face for an instant before she recovered, expression slowly morphing from shock to a triumphant smile. “You think you’re going to get past me with that toothpick? Funny.”
“I don’t even need the dagger.” Cyran shrugged, slipping it back into the sheath. When he spoke, it wasn’t with the arrogance of someone who was overstating their abilities. It was simply a fact. Warily, his eyes drifted up to where Edward was hidden. Getting him out of here was the main priority, and if he engaged here, Cyran would lose track of him.
The two stood at a stalemate, neither moving, when a blood-curdling scream pierced the air, like the wails of the damned. Edward yelped, startled, and leapt off onto the nearest rooftop he could reach, back in the direction Cyran had left Shaa. At the same time, Candice’s head whipped in the direction of the sound. “Wait, that sounded like-”
Cyran didn’t wait for her to finish that sentence, darting forward and slashing his nails across her chest. The swipe went through the armor, as if it wasn’t even there, leaving blackened marks along the skin of her torso. She shrieked, firing her crossbow bolt wildly- at this range, it pierced him in the shoulder, the force from the blow nearly throwing him backwards. Cyran grunted, pain blossoming in his shoulder. With his free arm, he swung wildly, slashing her across the neck. She crumbled to the ground like a puppet with her strings cut, leaving Cyran standing over her, clutching at the crossbow sticking out of his shoulder and panting heavily.
He didn’t have time to stand here catching his breath. Cyran knew it was dangerous, but the blood loss was a risk he was willing to take, and he couldn’t afford to limit his mobility. He braced himself, and yanked the bolt out. Gods, I’m going to need a stiff drink after this… and a lot of stitches.
He dropped the bolt to the ground and sprinted off in the direction of Edward and Shaa, leaving Candice’s body on the ground. The light from the church’s stained glass window cast a soft red glow over her corpse.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Oct 29, 2022 22:35:52 GMT -5
Shaa was in trouble. He was blind, could barely breathe and there was a professional killer out there who had it out for him. So, like a typical Tuesday. But Shaa didn’t need to see him to hurt him.
Shaa quickly dropped down and slammed his Hans into the ground. The ground started shaking so hard that the pavement started to upturn while the windows in the buildings shattered spraying everywhere. As long as he kept the tremors up, dart guy was just as stuck as he was. That’s when he heard the voice.
This isn’t over beast! We will get you and your other monster friend if it’s the last thing I do! The voice trailed off into the darkness. Shaa let the tremors subside. He sat down in the street, rubbing his eyes. The streets had gotten quiet. At least he had a moment to himself.
From the darkness, came a low growl. Errrgghhhhhhh
Edward? Is that you man? Are you ok? We have been looking all over for you.
Shaa heard some sniffing and shuffling of feet. Then nothing.
Ed? Bro? Shaa slumped up against the wall. Man I could use a drink.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Oct 30, 2022 15:27:12 GMT -5
Cyran was sprinting through the streets when he spotted a figure approaching him. Cyran halted immediately, slipping into the shadows of a nearby building as they got closer. It was one of the hunters that had cornered him and Shaa earlier, retreating like the devil was on his heels. “Damned beasts protecting beasts… lucky I got him with that poison when I did.”
Cyran tensed when he heard the word poison. Was Shaa hurt?
He lay in wait until the hunter passed him, too wrapped up in his thoughts to focus on his surroundings. Just as the hunter was within striking distance, Cyran darted out like a coiled snake, grabbing his dagger from his sheath and grabbing the hunter from behind. He pressed the blade to the hunter’s throat, making sure he felt the cold sting of metal.
“I wouldn’t move, if I were you.” He warned as the hunter squirmed in his grasp. “Listen to me very carefully. If you value your life, you’ll answer my questions truthfully. If I have any reason to believe you’re lying to me, it’s lights out, got it?”
The hunter didn’t respond, but he felt the man’s throat bobbing as he swallowed, which he took as a sign of affirmation. “Good.” He said. “That poison you mentioned. Did you use it on the minotaur you were fighting?”
“Man, what does it matter to you?”
Cyran applied more pressure with the knife, enough to startle him. “Answer the question, if you please. It’s a simple yes or no.”
“He used it on us first!”
That would explain the scream he heard earlier. “And do you happen to carry any antidote for this poison?”
“Why would I? It was meant for the wolf, no reason to carry any for us!”
“Accidents happen. I’m going to ask you again, and I want you to think very carefully about your answer. Do you have an antidote for the poison?”
“Usually it works too fast on humans to matter. But we do keep some, just in case the boss wants the beast alive. It’s in my satchel pouch, I beg you, take it and leave me be!” He cried.
With his free hand, Cyran snaked a hand into the pouch on his belt, keeping the dagger pointed at his neck. When he secured his hand around a vial, he quickly shoved it in his own pocket. “If I find out this is some kind of trick, I’ll be back for you, understood?” He didn’t wait to see if the hunter responded, as he pressed his hand to the man’s temple, and all the hunter’s memories of him faded away, obscured into shadow. As the hunter stood, stupefied, Cyran snuck away, sprinting back to where he’d left Shaa.
He found Edward sitting on the tile next to Shaa, who was slumped over in the street, hands over his eyes, unmoving. “Shaa? Are you alright?” He called softly, trying not to startle him too much. He knelt down, pulling the vial out of his pocket. “I heard you got hit with something bad. I’m not sure how much this will help, but it’s a hell of a lot better than nothing.”
Fade from Memory
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Oct 30, 2022 16:19:41 GMT -5
Cyran, is that you? Yeah , ran into a bit of trouble. One of those hunter guys blew something in my face. Whatever it was, I wouldn’t recommend for parties. Shaa took the vial and sniffed the vapors. Ughh smells like feet. With a grimace, Shaa chugs the contents of the vile. Blegh, tastes like feet too. Shaa’s eyes start to clear. Well I’m lucky I just got the powdered version. Look at what a straight shot will get you. Shaa thumbs over to the smoldering body of the woman hunter.
As his eyes began to clear, he could see the mess he made in the streets from the tremors. Continuing to survey , the scene, he sees Edward sitting on the side, staring at them. Cyran, you seeing what I’m seeing? I’m still a little fuzzy. Achew! Shaa sneezes out some purple goo. Ughh. Shaa finds some random paper to wipe his snout. His head clearing, he can now see Edward for sure.
Hehe what a fun group we are. Edward, can you hear me? Do you understand.
Were Edward just stared at them. Well at least he’s not trying to eat us. Any suggestions?
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Oct 30, 2022 18:23:30 GMT -5
Cyran nearly gagged looking at the mess that had once been the female hunter, grateful that whatever Shaa had taken was a dilute version of the poison. He procured a handkerchief to help Shaa wipe off the strange colored snot as the last vestiges of the powder left his body.
“You’re not seeing things.” He replied. “Edward is definitely here.” The werewolf was sitting a little bit away from them, eventually having decided that they weren’t a threat to him. “I’m not sure. I was so focused on finding him that I didn’t think about what would actually happen next.”
Not to mention he wasn’t especially good with dogs. Was it rude to consider Edward a dog in this form? Hesitantly, he reached out a hand to Edward, wondering if he might respond to gentle petting, but Edward’s ears flattened, lips parting back in a snarl, and Cyran immediately took the hint.
“I suppose we should lead him out of the village and hide him away from the hunters until the sun rises.” By his count, there were still four left, including their leader, a mysterious man named Grey that they had yet to encounter. “There was also a church I saw earlier that looked pretty empty. We could take our chances there for the night.”
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Oct 30, 2022 22:47:22 GMT -5
Yeah that makes sense. Shaa said. I would much rather be holed up somewhere with a roof vs wandering the streets all night….Shaa’s face goes green and he vomits into the alley. Ergghh sorry sorry I’m actually feeling much better ….I promise.
Shaa thinks for a moment about how they could even get him to follow them. Working on a hunch, Shaa started back towards the church that Cyran had mentioned. Sure enough, working slowly through the streets, they started making their way back.They had been going on for awhile when they could start hearing voices down the alley.
They have to be around here somewhere. Apparently that thing has friends. Orders have come down from the boss. Eliminate them all. No survivors.
Well I guess that seals the deal. It’s either us or them. I say it’s us. Edward was keeping low, sniffing something in the street. But between you and me, us is in trouble. Let’s hurry to the church.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Oct 31, 2022 7:10:30 GMT -5
It looked like the hunters were finally rallying. They’d been able to pick them off so far, but it looked like the only way a confrontation between them would end now was with either side getting wiped out, and Cyran was quite partial to their side.
He glanced at Shaa, nervous. Shaa insisted he was still fine, but whatever was still in his system was making him nauseous. “We’re almost there.” He said, pointing down another street. “It should be just at the end of that path.”
The body was already gone by the time they reached the church’s entrance, with nothing more than a splatter of blackened blood to mark what had once been there. “Looks like the hunters have already been through here once.” Though it was probably too much to hope that they wouldn’t be back here again.
The old, wooden double doors looked like they’d seen better days. They groaned and protested when Cyran and Shaa pushed them open, keeping them open just long enough for Edward to slink inside, before hastily shutting them again. Only once they were inside did Cyran feel like he was able to breathe again.
The inside of the church, compared to the narrows outside, was in good condition, if not covered in cobwebs. Cyran gently sat himself down in one of the pews, taking a second to check his shoulder. The wound was still tender, and blood had drenched the side of his jacket. But he was still well enough to fight, should it come to that, and that was what mattered.
“Are you holding up alright?” He asked Shaa, brow furrowed in concern. He didn’t think he’d ever seen someone take concentrated deadly poison straight to the face and shrug off the effects a few moments later.
As the two caught their breath and readied themselves, Edward made his way up to the raised podium in the back. He sniffed around before hesitantly curling up under a table. At least one of them was feeling a bit more relaxed now.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Oct 31, 2022 7:57:54 GMT -5
After entering the church, Shaa picked up one of the pews and jammed it into the front doors, sealing them inside temporarily. He sat down in one of the other pews close to Cyran. Were-Edward was sitting on the ground close to the podium looking around.
Shaa was breathing better now but was still having to strain a bit at times. His years of training in terramancy had basically turned his skin into stone. He was pretty sure that in reality he had only gotten a fairly low dose of the poison which had been giving him fits all night. That with the antidote Cyran procured saved him from being liquified. It was close, too close. He knew if he had taken the dart instead, not much would have been able to save him. He wondered morosely how many other Minotaur had met their end to something similar.
Who me? Fit as a drake in a bakery. Shaa burps a bit, an acidic aftertaste in his mouth. He waves off Cyran trying to look casual. It’s all good.
Shaa was pretty sure that he was through the worst of it but he was no where near 100% yet. This was so frustrating. Shaa always considered poison to be a cowardly weapon. Can’t punch it or cut it. You don’t even have to be near it for it to work. Shaa burned the face of the hunter into his brain. If he ever saw him again, it would be the last time.
Shaa looked over at Edward and then back to Cyran. He had not intended for them to get this deep. Cyran was a good companion who had gone above and beyond for people he didn’t know. Shaa promised himself that if things got bad, he would make sure Cyran got out alive. He and Edward were part of the fighters guild. Facing death was just part of the gig. He didn’t need any unnecessary casualties haunting him.
Edwards ears perked up and Shaa could hear some noises outside. I think we have company.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Oct 31, 2022 9:26:10 GMT -5
Cyran peered out one of the stained glass windows, careful not to let any of the hunters see him. He counted four of them- some faces he recognized, and a few others he hadn’t seen yet. An older man sporting a silver, close-shaven beard stood at the center of the pack, clearly the leader based on the way the others deferred to his judgment. He alone held what looked like a melee weapon, a blade clutched in his hand with an unnatural gleam.
“A silvered weapon.” Cyran muttered to himself.
Two others carried torches, shining a light through the windows. Cyran could hear them talking amongst themselves, though he could only make out snippets of the conversation.
“Where else would they be? We’ve looked everywhere.”
“Maybe they left the village.”
“With that big hulking beast? They wouldn’t have escaped in time. No, they’re hiding somewhere.” The door shook, as if someone on the other side were trying to open it, but Shaa’s barricade held firm. “Ugh. They blocked it with something.”
A new voice called out, one none of them had heard before. It was deep and firm, and projected clearly without the need to yell. “We know that you’re in there. You can attempt to hole yourselves away until sunrise all you wish, but the truth is that once the moon sets, that beast won’t stop being a monster. It will simply cease to resemble one. You can either surrender it to us, or we can smoke you out ourselves. The choice is yours.”
Cyran remained silent, slowly pulling out his dagger. He had a feeling that Shaa would rather die than give up his friend, so he would do the same. That kind of loyalty was rare, and he intended to honor it. He would hold his ground here.
After a minute, the voice spoke again. “No? So be it, then.”
Cyran watched as he raised his hand, and one of the hunters raised his crossbow bolt, shattering the closest window.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Oct 31, 2022 11:13:47 GMT -5
The bolt from the crossbow clunked and stuck into the podium, close to Edward’s head. All right, that’s it. Shaa called out very perturbed. It was all fun and games until one of you jokers made me puke up a muffin. Now I’m just pissed. Shaa ambled over to the wall. You said we could give up but I know your lying. Burp. You know what I hate more than being poisoned? Big fat liars. So I’m not even going to give you a warning. Shaa motions Cyran to take cover. You mess with the bull, you get the horns.
Shaa smashes his fist through the wall grabbing one of the hunters who thought he was under cover. With a huge yank, Shaa pulls him back through the wall, breaking several of the hunters bones in the process, and steps on his chest to keep him down.The other hunters scatter looking for cover.
What? You said you wanted to come inside, I’m just being helpful. Shaa grabs an empty pew and chucks it through the window into the courtyard. Look, I made room. Come inside, I dare you!
Shaa dangles his fingers in front of Cyran like a puppet master.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Oct 31, 2022 12:44:40 GMT -5
“Oh, gods.”
Those were the only words Cyran could muster as he watched Shaa grab one of the hunters through the walls like it was nothing but paper before turning to him and mimicking a puppet master. He was so awed that for a moment, he missed one of the hunters charging in through the broken wood and glass that once belonged to the wall, ignorant to the fact that they were approaching a man who had just turned their ally’s bones to powder.
Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say they didn’t care.
Cyran darted out from his hiding place, plunging his dagger into the hunter’s side. The hunter swung wildly at him with the torch in their hands. They were close enough that Cyran didn’t have time to dodge. He took the side of the torch to the face, gasping in pain. Instinct took over and he stabbed at her chest. She crumpled, but his head swam from the blow, and he missed another hunter rushing past him.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Oct 31, 2022 14:43:22 GMT -5
Shaa watched as one of the hunters ran after Edward. Edward skirted to the side and swiped at him. The hunter pulls out a silvery net and tosses it over thr werewolf’s head. Edward begins to howl in pain.
With the hunter distracted by Edward, he did not see Shaa coming up behind him with the third pew. Shaa raises it high and slams it directly on top of the hunters head, crumpling him to the floor. Shaa rushes over to Edward to try and release him from the silver net but Edward snaps at him.
Would you knock it off, I’m trying to fix this! Barked Shaa in frustration. Finally Were-Edward understood Shaa was helping him and managed to calm down enough for Shaa to release him. Just as he finishes, Shaa catches a crossbow bolt to the shoulder. However, due to his hardened hide, the bolt only manages to strafe him, leaving a gash behind.
Scuse me, man. Just a second.
Shaa stands up to face his assailant. An older man with a grey beard and several scars. Shaa sighs at the sight of him. You the guy?
What guy? The man inquires.
You know, the guy. The boss. The head honcho. THAT guy.
The man chuckles at the description. I guess but that is all irrelevant for you beast. I will give you this, you are certainly tougher than most we have encountered but, it will all end the same.
Edward erupts from behind Shaa, slashing at the man. With surprising agility, the man doges to the side, slashing Edwards arm with a silver knife. With a whimper, Edward collapses in the corner.
You are going to pay for that one beardy.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Oct 31, 2022 18:07:26 GMT -5
Cyran heard Edward yelp as his vision blurred, the church spinning around him. That pained sound brought him back to reality, and He forced himself to focus. Pull yourself together, Cyran. He could take all the time he needed to recover later- now, he needed to get back in the fight.
Only their leader was left. Shaa was engaged with Grey, and he was holding his own, but it was difficult to fully engage while he was protecting Edward. The werewolf was curled up from taking a cut from the silvered knife, whimpering softly. And Shaa looked like he was about to pulverize Grey.
The hunter looked calm, way too calm for someone who was staring down a seven foot tall Minotaur stalking towards him. Cyran rushed forward, fingernails extending into long claws. He stepped out of the shadows, slashing at his torso- the man was fast, slightly faster than Cyran, and twisted his body just at the right moment, minimizing the damage from the blow. He turned to Cyran with a bemused smile on his face.
“I thought I saw another one of you slinking around here.” He said, twirling the silvered blade in his hands. Cyran couldn’t dodge in time to stop Grey from plunging the knife into the wound already on his shoulder, tearing at the skin that had already been ruptured.
Cyran yelped in pain, unable to get out of the hunter’s grip. Grey laughed, a cruel sound. “You two have put up a valiant attempt, but I haven’t lost my prey before. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be taking care of that beast now.”
He pulled the dagger out, shoving Cyran away. Cyran stumbled, retreating into the safety of the shadows. His shoulder felt like hell, throbbing in pain. He was never an outright fighter, not when it came to one-on-one battles. In a battle of strength, Grey was bound to win.
But Cyran hadn’t been trying to win.
He was just the distraction.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Oct 31, 2022 21:07:13 GMT -5
Shaa watches as the elder hunter puts his knife into Cyran. He was fast, agile and worst of all experienced. There was really only one way to handle guys like this. You know what, this reminds me of a riddle. Shaa began. What is the most dangerous snake in the world?
The hunter stops momentarily curious what the Minotaur was up to. Spire vipers, basilisk…. Nope not even close.
Fine, whatever. What IS the most dangerous snake in the world?
Shaa smiles. It’s simple really. The most dangerous snake in the world, is the last one to bite you. The hunter looks confused. That is the most dangerous snake because it is the only one that actually killed you. What is more dangerous than that?
The hunter laughed a little and stepped forward, blade in hand.
Ugh, no one gets my humor. The point, dear fellow, is that you may have fought other Minotaur before, but I am the one you need to worry about because I’m the one who’s going to kill you.
The hunter just laughed and slashes at Shaa with the silver knife. When you attacked Edward and Cyran with that blade, you showed me your hand. You never show your hand, your old, you should know that.
It won’t matter in the slightest. Even if you know my moves, you aren’t even close to fast enough to stop me. The hunter continued to slash and stab with the knife. Shaa tries grabbing the knife but the hunter is too quick and pulls away just in time. Only a matter of time now.
As the hunter stabs forward with a hard strike, Shaa allows the strike to pierce through his hand. As he does so, Shaa grabs the hand and the knife at the same time. Knife and hand in a solid grip, the hunter loses his ability to dodge. Checkmate.
Shaa takes his other hand and, with a huge effort, tears off the other arm of the hunter. The hunter howls madly and slumps to the floor due the sudden loss of blood pressure and overall shock. Shaa let’s go of the knife hand and let’s the twitching body fall to the floor. He then proceeds to beat the hunter with his own arm until he stopped moving. As much fun as that was, Shaa was pretty spent. He pulled up a broken pew and turned to Cyran. You alive there man? Sorry you had to see that, not some of my best work.
Shaa sat in the pew as the morning light started pouring in through a broken stained glass window. The scattered colors fell on the man Edward who was naked and groaning on the floor. About time man. Shaa remarked. If you had pants, I would say you owed us a drink. Shaa spit some purple and red goo on the floor.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Oct 31, 2022 21:52:46 GMT -5
Cyran groaned, picking himself up just as Shaa pulled up a broken pew near him, taking a seat. With a groan, Cyran angled himself into a sitting position, careful not to put any weight on his shoulder. For a brief moment, he wondered if he imagined what he just saw from the pain and blood loss, but a quick glance at the dead hunter’s body, mangled, red, and armless, told him that it had been very real.
Cyran supposed he should have felt sick at the sight, but given how vicious those hunters had been, he couldn’t muster up much in the way of strong emotions. It was a taste of the hunter’s own medicine.
“He deserved it.”
He breathed a sigh of relief when the full moon finally set, bathing the damaged church in pale morning light, marking an end to Edward’s transformation. Cyran smiled at the now human, relieved to see that the hunter’s dagger hadn’t done much damage. He pried his jacket off, careful of his injured shoulder. “Here. It isn’t much, but feel free to wear this until you can get more clothes.”
He leaned back in the broken chair, mindful of splinters. Briefly, it occurred to him that someone was going to have to pay for all this damage. They should probably get out of here before the townsfolk realized the danger had passed and started looking for someone to take the blame.
“So… what time does the tavern open?”
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