What in the frozen fuck was she actually doing out here, trapped on some dumb sleigh with two strangers, roaring across the ice fields in what felt like a blizzard. How did she always end up in these weird situations, was her luck so bad that no matter where the young woman went, disaster was fated to happen? This time it was another accidental guild initiation, as if joining the golden consortium under someone else's identity was not enough. She was not even really sure how she got recruited to join this stupid hunt, but here she was, on another oh so exciting adventure. 

A rickety sleigh pulled by a pack of tundra dogs bolted through the snow and mist, sailing across the open ice fields. The wagon was being controlled by Syr Thomas, an outrider for the Expedition Guild, and was making its way through Frost Gale on the trail of a monster. Plague was wearing her normal olive green jumpsuit, patched up where several holes and tears existed, with a hood pulled over the top of her head. A leather plague doctors mask rested on her face, currently being blown in all directions as the wind whipped by. The suit provided no warmth at all, and while the mask kept snow out of her face, she could not see a single fucking thing. It was torture. 

There was another on the sleigh with them, an elven woman. But Plague barely had any time to introduce herself before the nightmare of the sleigh ride had begun. She knew nothing about her traveling companions or what they were after, just that it was already off to a horrible start. 

The wonder and mystique of snow had long since worn off on Cirice. This isn’t her first trip to the ice fields, though she’s missing her wagon and her warm kotatsu right about now. It was strange being on a vehicle that wasn’t her own. She’d never been on a sled before and it felt quite exposed and not very safe. As her scarf whipped in the wind she looked over at her strange companion. The outfit they wore didn’t look especially warm and they didn’t seem to be wearing a thick enough coat to keep out the chill. The strangest part was the beak-like leather mask she wore. Cirice had never seen anything like it. She supposed it helped to keep the snow out of her companion’s eyes, but it looked terribly uncomfortable rattling around loosely on their face.

Syr Thomas wasn’t one much for conversation and he hadn’t introduced them to each other, just had them get on the sleigh before the trail of the beast went cold. Heh cold… Everything was cold here. She had seen some of the beasts out here in the snow and she knew firsthand that tracks were easily lost in a blizzard such as this. But if she wanted to follow in her friends’ footsteps and join the Expeditionary Guild she’d have to do her best out here. And that meant making friends.

“Hey, are you alright?” Cirice asks leaning in close to the other woman’s hooded head so her words aren’t stolen by the wind. “You look a bit cold, I have a snuggle we can share. It will be much warmer. You don’t want to get so cold you lose feeling. I’m Cirice, looks like we’re going to be working together so let’s be friends, okay?”

Her leather gloved grip was as tight as it could possible be, Plague's tiny fingers holding on for dear life as they continued to race across the ice. The wind continued to whip by as ice and snow splattered outward, the compact wooden sleigh carving a path through the tundra, towards its destination. The young masked woman was unable to really comprehend anything, as the entire situation was a complete overload. From within her leather beaked mask, Plague cursed her very existence, wondering why she ever found herself in situations like this. For most people this was probably not that bad of a trip, little wind, little snow, sure it was inconvenient, but bearable. It was an absolute nightmare for Plague however, and there were not enough happy thoughts to make the suffering fade. 

She tried desperately to understand the woman next to her, who had just slide over and was now attempting to strike up a conversation. She could not see much of the woman, her mask flopping around wildly, and her words were almost entirely muffled out due to the wind. She could only really understand about half of what was said, and still had no idea what was actually taking place. These strangers were friends right?

Plague began to just nod her head up and down, making the mask violently flop from side to side. Through chattering teeth and pure fear, she screamed at the top of her lungs, a series of barely audible or understandable words escaped from the terrified girl. 

"HEEEAAAEELLP MMAMAMAAME PPEPEEEEELLLLLLES!!!!"

The sleigh was nearing a large embankment of snow, one the group would have to go around for fear of crashing or toppling over. Syr Thomas crouched from his position at the head of the sleigh and shouted as loud as he could, informing the two woman that they were nearly there, but would be taking a quick sharp turn to avoid a hill, and that they should brace themselves. Unfortunately for Plague, she heard none of that, and only barely caught a glimpse of the man through her ice crusted goggles. 

Whhhhhaaaaatttttttt???

Realizing that the girl was both unable to hear and understand her and asking for help she quickly wraps the snuggle tightly around them, almost pulling Plague into her lap as she tucks it in tightly so as to trap as much warmth as possible.

“I’m sorry,” her voice comes, invading Plague’s thoughts softly¹, “It is hard to hear, I hope you don’t mind we speak this way. I’m Cirice. Are you warmer now?”

She shifts them slightly, bracing for the turn so neither of them are tossed off into the snow. Ser Thomas takes the turn at irresponsible speed, nearly flinging them at high velocity, but with all her strength Cirice holds tight to the rail beside her and her companion as they’re jostled. Soon the ride evens out and she relaxes a little more, offering Plage a small smile.

“When we get settled I can make us a nice warm fire and lots of food, but until then you can relax and take it easy here with me. I’ve got you, new friend. I won’t let you fall or freeze, I promise.”

It was quite a bit warmer under the snuggle with both of them together but she still worries that her friend might be uncomfortable.

“Why don’t you take off the mask? Its surely not doing much in the way of protecting your face and it seems quite annoying flapping about.”

---

1 Message for the rest of the conversation

The feeling of Cirice tossing the blanket over her body and snuggling into her was a surprising one, as she did not expect to be pulled close to the stranger and tucked under a rather soft snuggle. She normally hated physical contact and would have cussed this woman out if the situation was any different, however the warmth she provided was welcome. Reluctantly, Plague scooted closer and nuzzled into the woman, taking full advantage of her body heat and warmth. What she was not prepared for was the voice to enter her mind, as if being directly transported into her brain. She gave off a startled scream before realizing that it was just magic from her companion. It took a moment to fully gather herself, teeth still chattering and fingers numb, so instead of responding, the alchemist simple tucked her head under the blanket and into the moon elf, protecting her mask from the wind and her face from the cold. 

The sleigh took its sharp turn, dodging the mound of snow and quickly narrowing in on a patch of trees and hills. Both woman aboard the sleigh would shift from side to side, but ultimately be safe from the velocity of the turn. In a matter of moments the wooden cart came to a slow, until finally stopping just outside a small forest of snow covered pine trees. The wind continued to howl and snow continued to fall as Syr Thomas disembarked from the sleigh and started to unpack a series of bags and supplies, starting to set up a small campsite on the edge of the tree line. Regardless of their arrival Plague did not move, and instead of getting off of the wagon, she pulled the snuggle tighter. Warmth was her biggest concern at the moment, and their guide appeared to understand that, making no movements or notions to remove Plague from the cart. 

Eventually the alchemist would roll over and look up, adjusting her outfit and getting her gear in order. Finally Cirice's entire form came into view, giving Plague the opportunity to finally meet her traveling companions. She stood, rolled the snuggle up and returned it to the elven woman, while sheepishly offering some sort of introduction. 

"Thank you for that, and sorry for the screaming, that was my first time on a sleigh and boy was it terrifying. I am Plague by the way, do you know why we are out here in this frigid ass hell scape?"

She hated admitting that she did not know what was going on, but it was better to ask than assume and get caught up in something much worse.

Accepting the snuggle back from Plague with a warm smile, Cirice waves her concerns away. “That’s alright, it was hard to hear over the wind. I’d never been on a sleigh like that either! I thought it was quite fun!” She giggles, “Its lovely to meet you, Plague. You’re not really dressed for this kind of weather are you? How are you going to hunt down a monster when you’re shivering so?”

Turning to the camp Syr Thomas was preparing, she gestures towards the center of the little ring of tents and supplies and with a flash of lavender light a bonfire roars to life, painting the area with orange light and giving off a pleasant warmth to stave off the bitter cold. She motions for Plague to go ahead and get more comfortable by the fire’s side as she puts the snuggle away and digs into her bag for something else. Her arms sink into the bag deeper than the fabric should have allowed and after a moment she pulls out a soft, blue scarf. She offers the scarf to Plague.

“It isn’t much, but maybe this can help you be a little warmer. I have a weakness for cute clothes and accessories, so I happened to have a few extra. You’d honestly be doing me a favor by accepting it, I’m truly testing the meaning of ‘bottomless’ with how much I’ve stuffed this bag.”

Pulling a large cloth out of her pack she lays it on a clear part of the snow like a picnic blanket and steeples her hands together in prayer. “Mother Moon grant us strength and sustenance to find and fell our quarry.” The tattoos on her face glow with soft lavender light and she opens her arms towards the blanket as a feast of hearty food materializes over it, more than enough food for the three of them.

“Here you are, eat up Plague. You too Ser Thomas!” She calls to him with a grin. “We’re going to be hunting a big monster that has been terrorizing people out here is what I was told, so we’ll need all the strength we can muster!”

---

1 Camp Fire
2 Grand Feast

Plague gulped and stood there, staring blankly into the white void as Cirice returned to the camp with Syr Thomas. The moon elf summoned her power and created a campfire in the spot their guide had started to prepare one for. It was a much needed addition, casting a warm glow over their site, Plague however did not immediately recognize the fire, despite how welcoming it was. No she was far more hung up on what her new companion had said. 

"How are you going to hunt down a monster when you’re shivering so?”

Hunt a monster? She had completely forgotten that this was why the guild was recruiting new members, to restock their ranks for so called hunts they liked to go on. Fighting off other people was no big deal for the chemist, she quite liked it actually, but fighting big scary monsters was a different story. Fighting monsters often required a kind of strength the girl did not have, and forced her to become something she did not like being. After a few moments her attention was finally grabbed as Cirice called out to her, beckoning her to the safety of the fire. 

Plague took a seat on one of the crates that had been set out beside the fire. The lavender skinned elf was now pulling all kinds of clothing from her bag, draping scarves, and blankets across her body. The warming sensation that overtook her body was enough to snap her out of her daydreaming and bring her back to reality. All of her senses were flooded with joy, the warmth of the fire, the smell of the food, the compassion of someone else, it was good. 

Both Cirice and Syr Thomas had no begun to dig into the food, preparing themselves for the harsh hunt to come. Plague was hesitant however, for she hated to remove her mask in the presence of strangers. Regardless of how friendly and kind people seemed, Plague had learned first hand that is was typically a ruse, a way to trick people into exploiting them. But the food looked so good, and man it had been a few weeks since she had eaten anything more than stale bread. She sheepishly slide the doctors mask from her face, keeping it on her forehead to quickly recover her face afterwards. A young, pale skinned face was revealed, one covered with dirt and dried muck, mixed in with several scars and blemishes. Several strands of dingy blonde hair fell from the mask, framing her worn face. 

The orange light danced off her face as she began to shove food into her mouth, feverishly gorging herself as if she had not eaten in awhile. There were no manners or civilities about her, just a starving girl faced with more food than she knew what to do with. With two fist full of food and a full mouth, Plague finally looked up at the other two, the fire flickering in her crystal blue eyes. 

"So we fighting a monster huh? Any clue what this thing is able to do? Do I need to worry about it shooting ice out of it's ass, or maybe pissing acid on me? Monsters typically have some stupid fucking powers like that."

“No one is going to take it away from you, Plague. If you eat that fast you’ll get a tummy ache!” Cirice giggles and slows down eating to make sure her new friend has plenty. She notes how dirty and scarred the girl is and her heart aches, thinking of Iryla and Vail and their stories of growing up on the streets. Perhaps Plague came from a similar background? Plague was a strange name to be sure but that could just be a human thing she doesn’t get, but if she was a child without a family perhaps it was a name she gave herself. Or was given to her by someone cruel.

At her questions Cirice can’t help but laugh. “Pissing acid and shitting ice? That sounds terrifying! I’m not really sure, last time I was here I fought some yeti and that wasn’t too bad. I’ve heard about some scary things that are farther north, towards where we’re headed I’d guess. Would I be right, Syr Thomas?”

Syr Thomas just nods once, tearing into a leg of lamb with his teeth.

“There you go. It might be a monster with ice-type powers given its environment. Like the lightning chickens in the Dragon’s Cradle. Those things shoot lightning and are pretty tough. Not as tough as Ziev’s balls though…” She muses aloud. “I’ve got an idea! After we hunt these beasties let’s go find a nice hot spring to relax in, my treat! If I remember there’s one with private baths in Dragon’s Cradle, if you’re headed that way. It can be our celebration of a job well done.”

The young girl continued to shove food into her face, bits of bread tumbling from her mouth as she spoke with a mouth full of food, having no manners or decency about her. She was rather use to having an upset stomach, but not because it was full of food, quite the opposite actually. To her, pain from a full belly was better than pain from an empty one. So as Thomas and Cirice casually munched on their own food, sharing conversation about their trip, Plague continued to gorge herself, and had no qualms with how the others viewed her. The night was beginning to set in, a dark sky slowly replacing the pale one they started the day with. This made the fire even warmer and brighter, creating a very comforting atmosphere for the trio, despite the dangers of the darkness lurking just outside their sphere of safety. 

Plague finally stopped eating, her body needing a second to digest everything, as her blue eyes locked onto Cirice. She had never been invited to go do something like a hot spring before, and honestly really did not know what the moon elf was talking about. She seemed like a really nice woman, providing food and offering a relaxing trip after their ventures here in the cold. The chemist was still a little apprehensive about getting close to these strangers, but with each second that passed and each act of kindness that was extended, she slowly began to warm up to the idea of making a few friends. 

Still holding a half piece of bread, Plague pulled a glass jar from her alchemy bag, a container holding a thick, green slime of some kind. She uncorked the container and dropped the piece of bread into it. The slime instantly came to life, quickly taking a more humanoid form as the Ooze began to dissolve the bread. Not wanting to be left out, Crumble, her tiny door mouse wedged it's way out of her jumpsuit, having used it to stay warm during their travels. The dingy, dirty mouse sat on her shoulder and nibbled a crumb of bread the girl was now feeding her pet. 

"I can't say I know what a hot spring is, but if it's any warmer than this solaria forsaken tundra then count me in. Hey, did you hear that?"

She wasn't sure if the sound she had just heard was her imagination, or the sound of her mouse crunching bread, but something off in the distance, out of sight of their campfire, had made a crunching sound. It could have been a stick from the few trees here snapping, or something large stepping in the snow and creating a foot print. She was unsure, but hoped it had just been here imagination.

Watching the young girl gorge herself and feed her pets, Cirice can’t help but find her adorable. She wonders if the slime she keeps can talk like her own ooze friend.

“Well of course! Its a HOT spring after all! They’re pools heated from heat within the earth and they feel wonderful. Its the most soothing experience in the world. We’ll get you cleaned up and cozy! It looks like you’ve got a few tears and some damage in your clothes and things, I can mend those for you too if you like.” As Plague’s question she looks around. “I didn’t hear anything… But we should take some precautions.”

She stands up and looks at the bracelets that snake up her arm resting above her elbow-length gloves. “Keeeevin will you take a look around for us please?” She trills gently. One of the bracelets that appears to be the skeleton of some sort of large snake shakes itself and moves to look up at her with its empty sockets¹. Unfurling from her arm it drops to the packed snow and buries itself.

“There we go! Now if my little friend finds anything trying to sneak up on us we’ll know.” She gives Plague a thumbs up but her eyes tighten as Kevin picks something up. “Looks like you were right, there’s something nearby. Something large. It’s fast too. Plague, get ready we’re about to have company!”

Summoning her sword, Crestfallen, to her hand, Cirice takes a defensive position. “If you get hurt get behind me. Brace yourself!”

The sound of large thudding footsteps on the snow gets closer and closer. In a matter of moments with a loud roar a massive creature comes barreling towards their camp, fangs bared.

---

1 Baby Bone Naga Kevin

The trio went quite, each member of the group taking a second to listen out, a very faint sound just able to be heard coming from the darkness that surrounded their little camp. Plague stood along with Cirice and Syr Thomas, both of whom were now pulling out their weapons, understanding that the situation could go from zero to sixty real fast. Plague stood with them, setting her plate of food on the log beside her and tucking both Oozbert and Crumble back inside her olive jumpsuit. It was hard to see anything, their tiny campfire casting a very small area in soft orange warmth, but just outside this camp was cold, pitch black darkness. 

The moon elf had summoned forth some type of bone bracelet, sending it into the ground and using it to identify a large thing moving very quickly towards their location. The chemist gulped as Cirice informed them about the incoming threat, now in a defense stance and prepared to fight. Their guide, the ranger, was taking a similar stance, a long sword now engulfed in fire gripped tightly in his gloved hands. Plague stared in amazement at how brave and determined these two were, kind of star struck for a moment. While they stood heroically against an unseen threat, she was shaking in her boots, sweat dripping down her dirty face as the girl pulled her leather mask back over her face and fastened it, making sure everything was good to go. 

She had little time to fully summon her bravery however as the sounds of massive foot steps pounding the earth quickly began to get louder and louder, heralding the arrival of the creature they were actually here to find. A towering, white furred monster emerged from the darkness, using multiple arms to propel itself across the tundra and directly for them. Plague whimpered much louder than she would have liked, taking a step back as the full image of their enemy came into view. It was absolutely terrifying and literally the last thing she would have agreed to fight. But here she was, stuck out in a dark, icy hell with two strangers who seemed way too eager to fight this fucking thing. So like every other unfortunate situation she found herself in, Plague swallowed her fear and went to work. 

Her hands began to glow a vibrant neon green color as she summoned the sticky, ooze like magic she had recently learned to harness. From beneath her cracked glass goggle lens, Plague watched and counted as the creature continued its charge towards them, she was waiting for the perfect moment to strike and catch the ugly thing off guard. It was getting closer and would soon be on top of the trio, so right before it breached their camp and entered the fire light fully, Plague clapped both of her hands together and slammed the snowy ground, causing a large, green wall made out of ooze and slime to rise up directly in front of the monster. Unable to halt its rampage, the furry beast slammed right into the gooey structure. A smile spread itself across the girls face, joy filling her heart before vanishing just as quickly. A shower of slime and goo sprayed itself through the air as the wall was completely obliterated, unable to slow the creature at all. 

A huge ass hole now sat in the center of her wall as the beast pushed forward, fangs and claws ready to rip the entire group to pieces. Plague shrieked and turned around, running past Cirice and putting a gap between herself and the fight that was surely about to break out. But neither Cirice nor Thomas budged, as both were now waiting for their moment. Plague fumbled around in her satchel, moving bottles and beakers around, looking for a very specific bottle. If she was going to be of any help tonight, she was going to need to get stronger. 

---

1. Used Wall of Ooze
2. Is drinking a Bull Strength Potion

As the creature bursts into their camp and through Plague’s wall, sending the girl running for cover, Cirice can’t help but think of her first adventure with Astrid and Blue and how woefully unprepared and powerless she had felt. Plague seemed like she was used to a different kind of danger, not hulking beast ready to rip your head from your shoulders. Whatever happens she’ll protect her new friend.

“Syr Thomas!” She shouts, unfurling Crestfallen into its bladed whip form, “You take the arms on the left, let me try to handle it from the front!”

The old ranger gives a short nod, already moving into action. Cirice runs forward, a ring on her left hand shining brightly as she begins whirling the whip around her in fast, graceful arcs¹. She slashed at the creature with the whip, hitting weak points along its torso and arms. As she’s holding the beast’s attention, Syr Thomas delivers a blow of his own to the smaller arm on the monster’s left, slicing up with his flaming sword and trying to cripple it. The smell of burning fur fills the air as the sword makes contact, but the arm is too thick and muscular for a single blow to sever and his longsword only manages a deep gash in its armpit, cauterized by the flames.

“Get back!” Cirice shouts, but she’s too late. The larger arm brings its viscous claws down in an arc aimed at the old ranger’s head. It comes within inches of slicing his head open only to be engulfed in the bladed whip of Cirice. She strains against the massive ape’s strength, the whites of her eyes turning black and shadows clinging to her as she barely manages to hold it long enough for Thomas to get out of the way². She turns a ring on the hilt and the creature is pulled towards her by the arm, thrown off balance. She didn’t quite calculate its reflexes into her plan and the right arms come up, delivering a strong blow to the cleric’s chest and sending her flying backwards into a snowdrift.

---

1 Blade Dance (from Gerhart's eternity ring)
2 Abyssal Infusion (Fiend lvl 2)

The effects of Plague's potion were now in full swing, the contents of her make shift strength enhancer now coursing through her blood. She could feel her body bulk up a little, thick mucles replacing scrawny noodle arms, rage and anger welling up inside as she watched the battle unfold. Both of her companions were extremely skilled fighters and were putting on a powerful display of defensive combat. Having watched Plague's wall fail, both Thomas and Cirice moved into action, flanking the beast and engaging it. The alchemist was mesmerized, never in a hundred years did she ever think she could fight like them, her skill set was more hap hazard and strung together, so watching true masters in the heat of battle was a sight to behold. Their forms flickered and danced in the darkness, their silhouettes illuminated by the warm campfire, weapons glinting and reflecting light as the duo delivered such devestating attacks, there was no way they could lose this right?

That's when the fight took a turn. Cirice had just managed to save Thomas from losing his head to a powerful claw swipe, using her bladed whip to lock down the creature's arm and pull it towards her. This proved to be a catastrophic move however, for the creature's attention was now on the moon elf, a massive ape like fist connecting with the woman's frame and sending her into the snow bank. Syr Thomas reacted, rushing towards the white furred monster and delivering three quick, flaming slashes across it's back. While these attacks were effective, they were not enough to fully fell the beast, and now fully enraged, the creature swirled to meet the ranger, bringing all of the arms it still had access to down ontop of the guide. 

Thomas threw his sword up in a loose attempt to guard, knowing full well it would not be any where near enough to save himself. Luckily for the ranger, Plague was here. In a swift dash the masked girl rushed across the snow, sliding inbetween the Girallon and it's target. Instead of turning her guide into a Syr Pancake, the massive arms collided with her. Through gritted teeth she yelled out for Thomas to grab Cirice and move, she was going to weaken this thing and prepare it for a final blow. The monster looked as surprised as she was, its two primary hands locked together with hers, the young girl doing everything she could to hold back its might. She intentionally began to loosen up, letting her opponent take the upper hand as it continued to push forward, trying to break her hold and free itself, this was going to be her moment to strike. 

With it's full weight behind the beast, Plague instantly let go and dropped to her knees, letting the momentum from the Girallon's own body propel it forward and over the girl, toppling behind her as Syr Thomas now made a mad dash for Cirice. Her plan was a success, but she knew a straight up brawl in this form was still not going to be enough to end the bout, so as Thomas attended to Cirice, Plague unzipped her olive green jumpsuit and summoned forth a swarm of hornets. The swarm flooded into the night, buzzing around the creature as each hornet started it's assualt, biting, nipping and stinging the monster all over. It would only take the enraged Girallo a few seconds to dispatch the swarm, but it was enough to give her a moment of peace, a moment she used to down yet another bottle of suspicious looking liquid. 

Back on it's feet, the white furred behemoth cleared the swarm and turned back to Plague, who was now growing in size. Her body began to twist and contort, thick, matted brown fur starting to grow over her body as the jumpsuit expanded, ripping and tearing in its usual places. She was allowing the beast inside of her to take full control. A long, thin, pink rat tail burst from her back side, as ears, claws, fangs and a muzzle took shape. She was now a grotesque monster of her own, a massive rat like beast, with beady red eyes that were now locked in on her prey. 

---

1. Staff of the Hive
2. Activated Wererat

Dizzy, Cirice pulls herself out of the snowbank as Syr Thomas gets to her. Her jaw is dislocated and several of her teeth feel cracked or broken and she spits a red splatter into the snow. She resets her jaw with a sickening pop and Syr Thomas gives her a hand getting to her feet.

“Where’s… Plague?” She asks with a cough, looking over at the pair of dueling creatures.

The old ranger points at the massive rodent. “Turned into that.”

“Oh, well that’s unexpected, but it looks like she’s winning...” Cirice blinks. “Hopefully she doesn’t lose control, but if she does I can pull her out of that. For now lets fell the beast we came here for. For your safety Syr Thomas I think you should stay back. If something goes wrong I can’t be certain you won’t be hurt in the process. If our prey makes a run for it, finish it off.”

He nods gruffly, clearly not happy to have to sit out of the fight but understanding the situation has shifted and he would be more in the way than anything. Taking up a defensive position he lies in wait to see what comes of the fight.

Cirice summons Crestfallen back into her hand from the snow and as it does so the deepening bruise on her face fades as the blade heals her¹. Showtime.

Using her enhanced speed and strength she hops back into the fray². She pauses just long enough to take note of Plague’s appearance and strength but the wererat only has eyes for its prey. Beady little eyes and a cute little nose and a precious little tail…! Cirice can’t help but find this transformation oddly adorable, feeling that she’s seeing a side of Plague that is hidden like her face. Why not let loose a little herself?

A pair of shadowy bat-like wings burst from her back and the sclera of her eyes turns dark as night, her pupils burning bright violet against the void³. She flies up into the air, shadows racing up the length of her blade as she circles the girallion. Silently she folds her wings in close and drops down towards the monster at blinding speed, using all of her weight and momentum to deliver a devastating blow to the creature⁴. Fur and muscle splits like a hot knife through butter as she carves a deep gash from its neck to its waist, her blade cutting through cleanly and bisecting the poor creature. But its death isn’t to be fast. It’s head refuses to acknowledge its mortal peril and it swings what arms it has left, the left side, to try and take them out with it.

---

1 Spellblade 2: Shared essence - Crestfallen healing Cirice
2 Abyssal infusion post 2
3 Harbinger of Evil for the wingdings
4 Gerhart's Final Strike