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1[19:07] Time passed.
2
3Natasha remained a growing weight on her mind as the preparations continued, but with reservations made, and deadlines to meet, not even she could dismiss the preparations they had so painstakingly raised over the glacial passage of months. Agrien made her preparations, and so did she, with an advance party of scouts to chart the path and confirm the rumors, and a steady caravan of carriages and wagons creaking underneath them as they rode their way across Osrona.
4
5The line filtered away, until but a single carriage took them across the final bend.
6
7A hunt. Her very first in a long time. Just the word made her shudder. Perhaps it was out of excitement, that much was true, but another was out of fear, fear that the past would repeat itself. That she'd lose more.
8
9But as she turned, looking to familiar faces, a sense of ease seemed to claim her, even as the undercurrent of trepidation roared strong. 
10
11Leylin and Tanya. Friendships that were fostered for nearly a decade. And both were stout and strong in their own ways. As they dismounted from the carriage- earning a groaning creak from the horse as its burden was lifted, Barca took the time to speak.
12
13"Right now, we have a few potions. Elixirs of healing. Rage potions to strengthen- and to help you ignore shock. Invisibility potions for scouting. We'll move together whenever we can, and if it seems dangerous, we have a campsite built at the base if we need to retreat. We don't need to do this fast. Just safely. More supplies will follow in the coming weeks, should it take that long. Is that clear to everyone?"
14(Barca Scipio )
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16
17[19:14] The long awaited trip that she had spent quite some time preparing for. Rations, spare clothing, the essentials mostly. Aside from things like, trauma kits and medical things that would require a professional to utilize, she had. Bandages, alcohol for cleaning, gauze.
18
19She'd be prepped for the trip to their destination for the hunt and back as well. The only thing that would help her more, was being able to use the armor that Agrien had made her some time ago. That wish didn't come to fruition by the time this venture came by.
20
21She'd make a last few checks on her equipment and armor that she did have though, making sure that everything was there and in order before they had arrived at their destination. Which would be cause for her to disembark from the wagon as she looked around.
22
23"Hmm, I jus' brought a bit of extra food and such. Nothin' as special as that. I'll do my best to keep up with ya' lot if and when we fight somethin'. That's what I'm good at but I'm sur' ya' both are better."
24
25She was a bit outclassed by the two but that didn't stop her from coming. She was here for the hunt, her first one that wasn't just on weak daemons and such like that. It was a special occasion for her and she was going to do her best to make the most of it.
26
27"Those rage potions would do me good personally in a fight though. Especially if what we face is a lot tougher than me."
28(Tanya Ise)
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30
31[19:14] Leylin had been busy these last few weeks, so much so that he had very little opportunity to catch up with both Barca and Tanya. He knew the Order would take up a lot of his time, and was prepared for that eventuality.
32
33Doesn't mean he didn't wish for a little more free time.
34
35The Drakan Knight had been long prepared for this trip however. He didn't have to pack very much as most of what he needed to travel he simply carried with him at all times anyway. He foraged himself whatever else he didn't usually carry along with him.
36
37Mythril scale armor clinked together as he moved together with Tanya and Barca towards their final destination. A fair distance away, even by carriage.
38
39The Drakan nods towards Barca as he slipped off the carriage to the ground. He was ready to spend as long as it takes to complete the hunt of this particular, dangerous breed of daemon. "I have my own potions on hand Barca, and food isn't a problem either."
40(Leylin)
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42
43[19:17] {NARRATION} The group marches on, prepared as much as they could. The woods that lead to Silverfang's most recent sighting spots seem to grow denser, although they do end up finding a path that seems to have been carved exactly for them to traverse through.
44
45Perhaps because of something large that passed through this very location at one point in the past, far too big to fit between the trees without trampling over them.
46
47They have, to their very left, a small clearing.
48
49And to their right, the path continues on.
50[19:26] Dismounting from the carriage, the group entered into the woods. With an ample supply of food, medicine, and potions, they trekked through writhing branches and dense shrubbery, with only the occasional glimpse of the sun filtering through the canopy to light their way.
51
52As they moved, Barca remained vigilant, spotting a few familiar prints over the ground, a few rubbings across the trees, and tracks, large and small. Her focus? The ecosystem. A forest was never a closed space, and was apt to change. The introduction of any predator would cause lasting ripples across the pond, and the forest was no different.
53
54Everything had a flow. But it didn't take a huntress to know something was wrong.
55
56Uprooted trees, tilted and twisted, with jagged breaks along the trunks where something barreled through. A glance was cast, a careful rub of her hand given, and already she was dipped to a knee, scraping the ground, pressing it with the heft of her nyeshk gauntlets to feel for the age of the tracks. 
57
58"Hm." 
59
60Even as they passed through the forest there was nary a critter in sight. 
61
62Something was wrong.
63
64To the left, a clearing. And to the right, the path. She looked to the two, speaking quietly.
65
66"A Direwolf is large- but this?" She rose, glancing back to both Tanya and Leylin. "This can't be it, right?" Befuddled. Was the intelligence wrong? A direwolf hunt was one thing- but if something else was afoot, caution had to be paid. "What about you two? I'd like to see what your opinions are. Should we track whatever caused-- all of this?"
67(Barca Scipio )
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69
70[19:26] Leylin looked towards the path laid out ahead of them. He could see the signs of a large beasts passing, and also noticed the small clearing to their immediate left. It was a rather large creature to have made a path that obvious.
71
72Quite the strong one too, if it simply trampled trees by passing by them. Was this the creature they were looking for, or was it a different one?
73
74With a frown, he turns towards Barca and speaks up. "I'm not seeing any signs that tell me whatever passed through here was a wolf-like creature. Only that it's quite large."
75
76"Do we follow the obvious path, or take a detour Barca?" He would ask, deferring to her experienced judgment on the path to take.
77(Leylin)
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79
80[19:29] She'd mostly stick to follow Barca and Leylin, letting them do most of the route planning and all that for when such an occasion came up. Though, there weren't many paths, at least for people like them to take in such a dense forest.
81
82At some point or another they would come upon a path though, it was as if something had trampled about the area to make them. Anything, at least to her made a path because it wanted to be followed, or it was mostly just careless.
83
84"Pretty obviously lain out path if ya' ask me. It's like somethin' made it on purpose, or jus' did it carelessly. Easiest way to be followed and killed is leavin' pathways right to where ya' are."
85
86She'd give the two pathways some observation.
87
88"Hmm.. I'm not the best with trackin' things really. Though, I guess it all comes down to if ya' want to see some extra scenery, or maybe find somethin' interestin'if we head a bit off the path. If we aren't in a rush I see no problem in takin' some detours, ya'?"
89(Tanya Ise)
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91
92[19:35] The opinion were gauged, and Barca nodded.
93
94"We'll need more information anyway. The scouts said something was wrong here- and they were right about that."
95
96The shrubbery wasn't dense- or nearly large enough to support a herbivore that large. Most likely it was a carnivore. A predator. The forest was an ocean, in its own way, filled with islands of their own, trails to connect them. But something that gargantuan was bound to make a splash.
97
98It shouldn't be hard to find signs of it from a safer position. 
99
100"Let's take the clearing for now." She turned, looking toward the left path. She moved, stepping away to take the lead, and as they walked, she talked.
101
102"We need to get a better feel for the area. If we're lucky, we'll find a watering hole where some of the predators might hunt. Otherwise? Keep a look out for any pockets in the forest filled with vegetation. Lots of variety. Fauna. That'll be where the herbivores will feed- and where the carnivores will hunt. Hopefully we'll get a peek at the direwolf there. And if we're lucky, we'll figure out what made this mess in the first place. For now. Quiet. Let me know if anything catches your eye though."
103
104Her footfalls were silent, deadened to a dim mute under the blessings of Agrien's runes. Her coat was brown, a decent choice, but a far cry from the greeny hues that would better cloak them into the shrubbery, and the story was the same with Leylin. Barca made no comment on Tanya, however.
105
106
107(Barca Scipio )
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109
110[19:42] {NARRATION} The first room seems to be nothing but a clearing, rather peaceful at that; The herbivores are around, mostly deer and ones that are just as small as that waiting around.
111
112Nearly the entirety of them run away the moment the group comes along, revealing the silence that penetrates through this forest, something rather usual for such a deep area within the jungle. There seem to be some insects walking about, but...
113
114The wolf isn't -there-, although an investigation might be in order. It was big, but it was just one.
115
116[19:50] Even with a smaller group, it was difficult to remain hidden against creatures whose entire livelihood depended on being vigilant. Barca watched as the critters scatter upon their approach, leaving the Huntress to glance back towards the two with a nod.
117
118"Empty."
119
120There wasn't even a scuttle from the branches above. Small mammalian creatures seemed strangely absent, and not even a caw could be heard since they made their initial trek. 
121
122They were gone.
123
124Silence. That's what unnerved her so, even more than the dense labyrinth of roots gripping the earth that obscured her tremor sense.
125
126With her eyes pouring across the ground, she looked for tracks. Yes. There was the familiar split of the hoof impressed into the ground. Deer. And a few more. Barca dipped to a knee, reaching down to pinch at the dirt.
127
128Most were fresh, but there were some deeper imprints where the earth had dried and cracked. A common gathering spot. With a lot of foot traffic. Barca didn't think they were being too conspicuous as they moved- but.
129
130Maybe they weren't running away from them, but rather-
131
132Was this a trap?
133
134She reached out with her tremor sense- but she couldn't spot a thing past the bramble of roots that filled the forest earth.
135
136"It's too quiet." said Barca, pulling up to a stand. "Let's take a closer look."
137
138
139(Barca Scipio )
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141
142[19:51] The clearing was their destination for the moment it seemed. Something she was fine with. She liked a bit of extra exploring here and there, regardless of danger. That's why she was here after all. A want to go out and explore things.
143
144Though the wolf had a hand in that too. After they all had vanished from the mines, she had been a bit curious in the back of her mind where they had gone and ran off to.
145
146They'd seem to scare off the wildlife that was there upon their arrival in the clearing though. It left it in an eerie bit if silence really. Aside from the ambient noises of the occasional bug.
147
148"Oddly quiet after the animals ran off, ya'? Maybe somethin's up? I don't think we're causin' that much of a disturbance jus' by steppin' inside this clearin'."
149(Tanya Ise)
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151
152[20:04] Leylin catches sight of the fleeing herbivores, but not any of the predators that hunt them. It wasn't exactly odd, but the silence of the clearing was a little deafening.
153
154His time spent in the forests and outlier regions around Osrona had taught him that jungles were usually a hotbed of noise and activity. This silence was unnatural.
155
156"You noticed it too right, Barca?" He would ask of her as he moves through the clearing to briefly investigate the direction one of the larger herbivores ran in before turning back towards the clearing.
157
158If they wanted to find large predators, they would need to first find large herbivores. "There's no birds in this jungle. No birds willing to make noise at least. I don't like that."
159
160He really didn't like that.
161
162"The larger herbivores went this direction Barca." He would say, turning to look back towards the direction he had just spent a few moments investigating. The deer were the largest herbivore he saw within the area.
163(Leylin)
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165[20:16] {NARRATION} Barca seems to pick up the way that the animals went, but not too far beyond the part where the roots amidst the earth were far too thick for her to inspect. After all, she was an earth magi, but not a nature one.
166
167Peering past was difficult, but she at least noticed two different exits to this current clearing that were just as carved out as the other ones, or at least were closely enough offering a path between the trees without being entirely disorganized.
168
169One, close to the one they came from, went north. Another, on the opposite end of the clearing, went south. 
170
171The entrance that Leylin pointed towards, however, was the one that went north.
172
173[20:28] Barca gave a dim nod to Leylin. The Huntress reached into her pouch, flapping open the lid of her compass, and glanced at it briefly before clapping it closed with a clink.
174
175"It's- odd. You're right. We weren't too noisy. Something's wrong, just."
176
177Her mind was fully drawn outwards. There was flurried, skittish patter of footfalls to the north. But thankfully, Leylin tracked them by eye. Her gaze followed the Drakanite's as he pointed to the path where the bulk of the critters had escaped through.
178
179Close to the direction that they had came from just moments ago.
180
181"So they're leaving there."
182
183And already, Barca turned, panning her gaze across the boundary of the clearing. She reached out, fanning her mana loose across the surface like spidersilk, feeling against the forked roots and the bundled shrubs for a gap.
184
185To the south, she could feel a point where the pinch of the forest was loose, baring open a path. 
186
187So it was another choice. 
188
189"Here's the problem." She sighed, walking up to the pair. "We came from the west, but we just found out a large path there. Made by something- big. Really big. The herbivores here should have keener senses than us, and they have the experience to guide them. If they're running north, that means it should be safe. South? Bad. I picked the clearing since it was safer, but there's also the fact that there's more room. We have two fire-magi here, so no matter what, we're liable to trap ourselves."
190
191What a headache.
192
193"I suggest we walk back to the previous fork and follow the broken trees. They weren't made recently, as far as I could tell, but whatever made that might be skulking around now. Could be coming from the south. We can set a trap here and see what snags. I'll loosen the earth so that only something heavy can really fall in, but it'll take time. Or we can head back to the first fork and follow the broken trees."
194(Barca Scipio )
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196
197[20:36] Decisions. To stay in the clearing, or go back and follow the other path. She herself couldn't do much of anything in this clearing, aside from torch the place and fill it with holes. But, she didn't want to do that. It's not like she was here to just, harm nature or anything of the sort.
198
199They were on a hunt, predator versus prey. There was no reason to upset the balance of a place aside from that, though it seemed whatever large beast had crushed down the tree's was already upsetting the balance. So perhaps them bringing it down would restore that?
200
201She wasn't sure.
202
203"I think if we want to focus on huntin' it, best bet is to go back and check the other path out. Even if we aren't in a rush, waitin' to long will jus' make us miss our shot and then we'd have to prepare for a whole other venture out or somethin' while huntin' for the same thing."
204
205That was her opinion on it.The more time they wasted, the less of a chance they had to find what they were looking for. The longer they waited, the more chances the wolf had, or if not that, whatever was skulking about this place had of leaving.
206
207If that happened, most of this would have been a bit of a waste really. The most they would be getting out of it is just the experience of adventuring out to a deep forest.
208
209"So, I support goin' back and takin' a look at the other trail."
210(Tanya Ise)
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212
213[20:46] Tall, draconic slits peered into the pathway to the north for a few moments, eyes flicking to and fro as even the smallest sign of movement within the heavy path.
214
215The Drakan's eyesight had always been excellent while half-shifted, it being just another gift of his bloodline. Such sharp eyesight always served him well during his scouting expeditions for the Order.
216
217Now was certainly no different.
218
219"We came a little more from the northwest than true north, but yes. I agree. If these creatures ran to the north, that's a good indication that that direction is mostly safe." Perhaps the pathway with the trees had been made by a creature moving towards their direction instead of away?
220
221He would have to go back to the pathway to look again and confirm that. However, there was also the possibility that whatever made that pathway back from where they had come from was actually a migratory trail.
222
223"I want to back track towards the previous fork and take a closer look at the broken trees. I want to confirm which direction those trees were knocked over from. If the pathway is coming from the south, I think that will give us more information than just waiting to see what we can trap here in the clearing, or by following after the prey."
224(Leylin)
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226
227[20:49] {NARRATION} Going back to the fork, Leylin examines what direction the trees were knocked from. It seems that most of them, on the path that they followed, were stumbled from something that came from the side- Not very conclusive of where the creature that put them down was headed, or where it came from.
228
229Regardless, the corridor continued- It went further west, slowly turning its way south, and then east. A sharp turn sets its course east, however, and the trees seem to not be stumbled upon anymore.
230
231Perhaps whatever did it decided it was supposed to be careful, and even telling something went by is difficult, if not for the torn vines and branches that lie on the ground, as well as the occasional scratches.
232
233[21:04]  Leylin backtracks alongside the others, then follows along the pathway with all of the fallen trees on either side. Frustratingly, the trees were all knocked over at a ninety degree angle in relation to the pathway, making it very difficult to determine which direction this pathway was being made in.
234
235After a little way along the trail after the sharp turn occurred, and the trees were no longer uprooted and on their side, Leylin would come to a stop within the silent jungle.
236
237He shakes his head slowly with a frown. "I can't tell if we are following along whatever is making this trail, or if it's behind us now. Knowing that would have helped a lot. The way I see it now, we are either on the trail of something large that found something to hunt, and started being more careful about making noise."
238
239"Or, we are going the wrong way entirely." Leathery wings unfurled slightly to bat the air behind the Drakan Knight, a sign of restlessness from the man. He turns towards Barca. "Either way, this area is likely dangerous. We can go on a bit further and try and look for anything this creature might be hunting? If it's this large, I imagine it only targets prey large enough to make the hunt worthwhile."
240
241"We'll need to be very careful from here on if we choose to continue along this pathway."
242(Leylin)
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244
245[21:11] "Well."
246
247It had been years since the Huntress squared off against a direwolf, but to her knowledge, they bore no skill in magic. Yet. She looked, gazing from left to right. The trees were cut, broken out, like the bent neck of a chicken before processing. They were neither dragged forward nor pulled back. No indication of direction- just.
248
249The way the path seemed to shrink as they approached was clear to see.
250
251It wasn't an indication of size. The destruction. All of it.
252
253It was... 
254
255Magic. Most likely.
256
257"I don't think we'll have to worry much about that, Leylin. If it was that large- the trees wouldn't be bent like this, and the path wouldn't close up as it moved forward. Think about it. It looks as though the trees were- blown away." She allowed the words to hang, and already her mind was working for a solution.
258
259She bent down, gazing across the ground, peering for any tracks beyond their own. But the ground was swept, completely. Torn vines and branches filled the ground, but the occasional scratch was there. Curious.
260
261"We could try and attack it directly. If we follow it from behind we could attack it while it's trying to hunt. Or if we're lucky, we can look around for its bed. Once we know where it nests, we can set up a trap. What're your thoughts on this, Tanya? Leylin?"
262(Barca Scipio )
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264
265[21:15] "Let's not become the prey, aye? I ain't to fond of not knowin' where somethin' is goin' at least. I'd rather not be a meal y'know?"
266
267That wasn't in her plans really. Being a meal of something, or in a fringe case, someone's wasn't her ideal way to go. Most carnivores didn't care whether or not the prey was alive or dead. It really wasn't a fun way to go, surely.
268
269She'd give a look to Barca as she talked.
270
271"I'm more for fightin' when it comes to things, but ya' are more experienced. Though, we might risk agitatin' it if we trap it and from fightin' things, an agitated beast is more dangerous than one that we catch by surprise."
272(Tanya Ise)
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274
275[21:23] "Finding it's nest and laying a trap there would be the most ideal. If this is the direwolf we are following.. Don't they usually come in small packs? I know normal wolves do, so I assume that it applies to these direwolves as well. We should consider how we deal with more than one direwolf."
276
277He had no intention of moving much for right now, and mostly stood in place, paying attention to his surroundings as he spoke to Barca.
278
279"If I recall correctly, the direwolves that laired in Silverwall long ago were a pack of three. If it's three wolves, it might explain a bit about the size of this trail." That or they were after a singularly impressive direwolf.
280
281Based upon whatever information Barca supplied in response to his query, it would give him a more accurate picture, which is what he needed. "I think we'll end up agitating it no matter what we do. You should prepare for that eventuality, Tanya."
282(Leylin)
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284
285[21:34] "Let's just follow the trail for now." Barca braced herself. The path didn't seem like a circuitous loop, but that was more intuition than anything. "That seems to be the only way. Right now all we know is that the beast is coming from the south, but we have no idea where it's nest might be. It'll take months before we can comb and chart out the forest in full." 
286
287She didn't dare name it yet- too many variables. Without a clear track to peer into, it was difficult to tell exactly what that creature was. She sighed, glancing both to Tanya and Leylin before focusing onto the path.
288
289"We don't have any tracks- and we can't tell if it's a direwolf or... something else. Either way, whatever it is, it's dangerous. I'd rather not get attacked while we're searching, so it's better to take it out ourselves." Confidence. The destruction she saw earlier was something many magi could do- but they had three of them. Each strong in their own right. 
290
291"If it turns out to be the direwolf, all the better. If it's something else? Well. Once we're done with it we won't have to worry about it ambushing us while we're hunting. How does that sound?" Perhaps it was her trademark impatience, or maybe it was confidence, or even further still, hubris. She couldn't imagine staying months out here- especially with Natasha's condition still unconfirmed.
292(Barca Scipio )
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294
295
296[21:43] {NARRATION} The group follows on the trail, even with care, it seems the forest only goes more awfully quiet the more they go on. Whatever sounds from animals that eventually came close enough was slowly put down to silence, until they found a single thing amidst the trail.
297
298The path forward was more closed, but still traversable- It still had something that went past, obviously, but... A small clearing amidst the woods revealed that a fight broke off there, and there were remains torn to the side.
299
300People, dead, most with claws and fangs running across their armors, tearing it to shreds. One of them seems to have died after the other ones, lying back against a tree, a corked vial in their hand. The skeleton stinks, as it was quite obviously left there for quite a while, while the other ones are...
301
302Partially devoured. All of them.
303
304[21:50] Well. Shit.
305
306The Drakan Knight grimaces at the sight of the corpses. "Yikes." He would intone quietly before moving forwards into the gathering of partially devoured dead people.
307
308The very first thing he does is attempt to ascertain what kind of creature killed these people. Something more definitive than the large, clawed and fanged kind.
309
310That's when he noticed the still corked vial in the hand of the oldest seeming skeleton. The realist in him considers retrieving it to possibly add to the groups supplies, but for now, his main focus is upon identifying what they were dealing with here.
311(Leylin)
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313
314[21:51] A kill-site.
315
316Common for predators. At least, that's what she assumed it to be. The trio pushed through the path and into the clearing. People. Dead. There was a vigilant look to her as she stepped out, with her gaze trained across the perimeter, before finally drifting down to the dead splayed over the ground.
317
318Walking to one of the bodies, she dips down to a knee, and by the careful, forensic gleam of her eye, she knew him to be dead. But more than that, by the streaky furrows drawn over his back, she knew their attackers to be clawed-
319
320And fanged.
321
322Pulling. Tugging. As though flesh was peeled open by a grasping maw. Barca sucked in a deep breath when she flipped him over.
323
324Face. Gone. Innards. Gone. Most of it was hollowed out. Devoured. They weren't fastidious, and there was plenty left over for carrion to feast on.
325
326"Well. Shit. Leylin. Tanya."
327
328Standing up, her gaze pans around the scene- to a single man resting limp against the tree. And in his hand? A vial. She looks to Leylin, then back to the vial. Unidentified. Who knew what it could be. But she didn't have the confidence to touch it.
329
330"Something attacked them. But the problem of the matter is that it doesn't match up to what we saw earlier. All the broken trees. I expected them to be less- whole, if you know what I mean." She was stumped. 
331
332But already her eyes were drawing over the ground, looking for tracks. Just what exactly were they fighting against? In such a scuffle, something had to have been left behind. Anything.
333
334(Barca Scipio )
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336
337[21:55] The forest grew even more quiet as they traversed. Striking her with an even more eerie feeling as she went through with Leylin and Barca. She wasn't a big fan of forests, mostly due to the brush and plants that made it difficult to traverse, but this was even worse.
338
339To her at least.
340
341That eeriness was met with a narrowing and harder to traverse path. It was clear that something still had traversed this path though, as there was still a path there. At the end of it though, there was another clearing. Yet, this time was different.
342
343A fight had taken place at some point. One that didn't end well for the group of people involved. They all were dead, some sooner than others apparently with one of them laying up against a tree.
344
345"Looks like we aren't facin' some small fry clearly. Gonna have to be extra careful, ya'?"
346
347She'd give a look around the area, to try and assess it. Though they'd have to make some closer observations if they wanted to find things out.
348
349"Ya' want to stop here and take a look around for the moment? I'm curious bout' that vial. Maybe it's somethin' useful? Could have Eve or Agri take a look at it if we bring it back. Or all of ya'."
350(Tanya Ise)
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352
353[22:03] {NARRATION} The examination from Tanya reveals that the uncorked material seems to be also present around the dead person's lap, with a broken vial right next to them. It was something that they opened before dying, and somehow managed to break the vial and then picked up another; Before dying, apparently due to the bleeding from the wounds.
354
355This part, however, revealed not tracks- Whatever did it was far too big and bulky to not mess with the ground enough to barely make a recognizable paw pattern around the dirt, but just barely so. It was very likely they were wrong in the end.
356
357Yet, one thing was noted. Every bite against the trees or the devoured bodies themselves left slightly charred pieces of meat right next to the place of the bite. The bodies were a few months old, it seemed, and whatever killed them had enough dominion over this part of the woods that nothing else dared to go there and finish eating.
358
359[22:11] She'd take a look at the corpse that had the vial near it. Something that she'd notice around was another vial, this one broken and spilled like they tried using it but broke the vial in the process, yet didn't have time to open the other beforehand.
360
361"Seems like they tried usin' a vial before the uncorked one. Maybe it was somethin' for healin' injuries then? Somethin' that could heal em' all? I'm not to sure."
362
363She'd stand up and look back to Barca and Leylin. A bit confused really. Did that sort of thing exist, or was that just thinking too much. She wasn't sure. She wasn't an alchemist or anything of the sort. The closest she did to that was farm alchemy materials for others.
364
365"Do ya' think somethin' like that exists in a potion Barca? THe vial might be useful to us if it is, ya'? Either of ya' find anythin' to?"
366(Tanya Ise)
367--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
368
369[22:13] "Alright. I'm not sure about that potion but- Just keep an eye out. If anything happens. Shout." said Barca, casting a nod to the both of them before drifting off to reexamine the scene.
370
371Barca thought the beast small, but by the heft of the print over the ground it had to be of considerable bulk. It made little sense to her, really. Wolves of any kind were always fairly messy in their feasting habits. It was a common sight to see dozens of prints circled around their kill-site. 
372
373They moved as a group, circled around to draw attention, and struck from behind with practiced coordination. It was all absent, here. Even the tracks. She found only the barest border of a print by the ground, and nothing more.
374
375"Well."
376
377But more than that, there was the bodies, blackened and charred. Perhaps the shock of it struck her too harshly, but once she had a moment to temper herself with Tanya and Leylin by her side, she noticed the smell when she dipped back to examine the bodies again. 
378
379"Burnt." She flipped over yet another body, and saw the writhing maggots feasting underneath the skin.
380
381They weren't fresh, either, by the smell. But it was curious how carrion hadn't feasted them clean yet already. Perhaps whatever creature that lived here had been living here for a long time. It must've been especially aggressive to drive even the carrion away, after all.
382
383"Strong. This is an older feast site." She flipped the corpse over- laying it face down over the ground. Then pulled up to a stand.
384
385"It's big. But not overly big. And it's careful. It's not covering its tracks, it's just not making many to begin with. Everything's burnt. So it uses magic." Was it used to the presence of humans? At Tanya's call, she turned back, walking over to meet the fire magus as she spoke.
386
387"No idea about the potion. I'm barely an artificer, let alone an alchemist. Whatever this is? It's not a direwolf. A direwolf is still a wolf at the end of the day. This is plenty different. There aren't enough tracks to tell whether it walks on fours or twos, but it uses fire magic for sure, based on the way it bites. It's probably large, but not too large. Maybe around the size of a carriage. But we haven't found any rubbings against the trees when we came here, so it's either stupidly careful or-- It might not even be a beast, so to say. Could be a rabid beastkin, even."
388(Barca Scipio )
389--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
390
391[22:17] Charred meat?
392
393That didn't sound like a direwolf.
394
395A puzzled frown is given as he glances over towards Barca, he doesn't say anything yet. Taking note of the age of these bodies, he feels comfortable enough to start searching the remains for anything left behind that could help them.
396
397These people clearly didn't need what they had any longer.
398
399Granted, he loot them respectfully. As respectfully as looting the dead could be at least. The smell of all of it didn't seem to bother him much, or if it did, it wasn't enough for him to complain or make faces.
400
401He starts with the still corked vial in the hands of the older skeleton, and then moves on to the others.
402
403"Definitely useful if that's what it is. Things like that exist for sure. I'd be surprised if we found what I am thinking of just lying around in the forest though." 
404
405He would say, then looks towards Barca. "You noticed the charred bits too Barca? I haven't heard of any direwolf with an affinity for fire magic. We are probably on the wrong trail." Afterwards, he stood up and nodded towards Barca. "Before we leave here, would you sink all of them into the ground? May as well give them a decent burial, though I can't really offer any words for them."
406
407"The main question we need to ask is whether we continue tracking whatever this fire aligned creature is, or double back and try to find the direwolves trail?"
408(Leylin)
409--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
410
411[22:20] "If there was a direwolf here, it's long gone. With something this tyrannical lurking around, not even carrion are here. Carrion, even." She repeats it, twice. "The birds too." There were still herbivores, admittedly, but the lack of wildlife as they explored the forest was staggeringly low. 
412
413"If the point is to hunt down a direwolf- well. We should give up now. But why not try and attack whatever caused this?" 
414
415It seemed almost ridiculous, even. But she had to put the idea up there, if only to assess the reactions of the two. "Anyway. If you're both done looting- I'll do just that." Leylin was right. It really was the least she could do, but it did little to alleviate the tension in the air.
416
417To continue? Or not?
418(Barca Scipio )
419--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
420
421[22:27] {NARRATION} The moment Leylin picks up the potion, however, the glass cracks with the pressure of his fingers themselves- It was the only thing in all of these, and the moment it pops open...
422
423Its true purpose is revealed. It's a poison, one meant to be thrown at people and immediately start to corrode their skin. Yet, Leylin is able to pull his hand back just a moment before his skin starts corroding, even if the wound is visible.
424
425Leylin obtains 4 points on their Injury Score.
426
427[22:39] A long hiss comes from the built Drakan Knight, followed by a string of curses as intensive heat cleanses his hand, even as he takes out a waterskin and then uses it to clean off his hand.
428
429Hurts like hell, but at least he is able to clean off his hand before whatever that was ate through his skin too badly..
430
431He didn't need even more scars.
432
433He looks over towards Tanya and Barca. "Don't pick up any vials you see. If you absolutely have to, try to pick it up around the cork. Damn it all."
434(Leylin)
435--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
436
437[22:45] Barca would have laughed if it wasn't for the visible pain in his expression as the Drakanite hurried to flush the vile swill off his hand.
438
439"Yeah." But it didn't stop her from curling a smile. "Probably not the best idea, Ley." But despite the smirk on her face she reached into her pocket pulling out yet another vial, though it swirled with a milky, whitish hue. "I feel like you should hold on to this then, just in case."
440
441She held it out for him to take- and from there, she dipped to a knee, setting a nyeshk hand over the ground as she concentrated.
442
443With the bodies looted and the vial- discarded, Barca reached in, spreading her mana. And through the golden gleam of her eyes she could see the strands of her energy fanning out across the clearing. 
444
445She worked the strands, curling them under the bodies, drawing a square around each cadaver. Already she was working to destabilize the soil, a phase shift from earth to mud. And as though gripped by an invisible hand, the bodies began to sink, disappearing with a sickening lurch.
446
447And as she finished, she reached even further, scrying for the rest of the trail. The beast wasn't here- therefore, it had to have gone somewhere.
448(Barca Scipio )
449--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
450
451[22:47] "Good thing I didn't pick it up first thing. Ya' should be more careful Ley."
452
453She was worried about slipping up first. Though, with her guards on her hands, perhaps she would have been fine if she got poison on it, most likely. They were meant to protect her already damaged hands so if they didn't serve that purpose then, they weren't all that useful.
454
455"I do have hand protection though Ley, if ya' got to grab somethin', might be best to let me grab it. I can remove em' if they get damaged. I got some bandagin' if ya' need it though. Might help the liquid from spreadin' or somethin'."
456
457She'd give a look over to Barca though.
458
459Think we should move on? Think ya' could toss me one of those rage potions as well? Best to have it if I need it, ya'?"
460(Tanya Ise)
461--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
462
463[22:53] Rolled his eyes towards Barca as he saw her smirk. "Yeah, I know it's not the best idea now." Still, he feels like those potions would have come in handy had he known what it was and how to use them properly.
464
465Hindsight was a whole bitch.
466
467"I should be fine for now. Thanks." He would say to both Tanya and Barca before dismissing the idea of searching the rest of the corpses in case he breaks another vial on his groping hand.
468
469It was time to get back to the hunt now. "I suppose the main objective was the direwolf, but if you feel like we're better off chasing after this fire creature, let's get started."
470(Leylin)
471--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
472
473[23:05] {NARRATION} The path ahead seems to be more than enough of a tip that, whatever lies ahead, is the creature's den. It seems to not be populated by any animals whatsoever, all of them already left behind.
474
475Yet, on the path ahead, now going all the way back to turning northward, there seems to be a path that has been entirely burnt. The trees charred down to the ground, and claws sharpened against the trees.
476
477To their left, however... The sound is simple enough.
478
479The sound of bones breaking and flesh tearing.
480[23:06] Well. There was no mistaking any of that.
481
482"Guess it's here. What's the play Barca?"
483(Leylin)
484--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
485
486[23:13] The path pretty much was telling where they were going. To the lair of whatever it was that they were hunting. Were they nearing the end, or was there going to be more after this? She wasn't sure really, the paths ahead only served to make her question.
487
488One burning and the other, well the sound of bones breaking and flesh tearing rung out. Were they from whatever was leaving the burning behind, or was it something else. Perhaps the wolf they were searching for? She wasn't too sure.
489
490"What do ya' think we should do Barca? Disturb somethin's meal or follow that burnt path."
491
492Regardless, she expected fighting more or less. Interrupting an animal's meal was never a good thing. They would surely defend it, just like she would defend hers when she was just a kid in the slums.
493
494When it came to eating disturbing meals wasn't a good thing.
495(Tanya Ise)
496--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
497
498[23:15] Rising to a stand, Barca reached into her pouch, handing Tanya her rage potion. 
499
500From the front, she saw it, the winding path, covered in trees charred and bent. The rubbings were clear as day, with claw-marks scrubbed across the bark. Barca found it odd how it played itself so carefully around the forest despite the wanton destruction it caused. It ruled the forest- but why was it so wary? 
501
502It almost felt as though it was accustomed to human presence. 
503
504Then she heard it- the crunch.
505
506Well- Leylin made it simple. There was no point in stealth. Her hand reached down, gripping her Betelgeuse, and already her mana was fanning out from the soles of her feet, drawing a streaky web as she prepared the earth. Her heart took on a thunderous rhythm as it quivered in her chest.
507
508"I'll take the front and keep it pinned down." The bait. 
509
510It was her old play.
511
512Fire magic. She was familiar with it, but by the state of the forest where it blew back the trees, it was clear that its attacks weren't effective across its underbody. 
513
514"Both you and Tan beat it down. Don't get caught- if it's the thing that caused it? It can cast fire from its mouth- and around its body, if the trees we passed by weren't clear enough. If it isn't? Well. We can't afford to deal with two creatures at once."
515
516Last time she fought as a Huntress she was practically a slab of meat, waiting to be eaten. It was only through relying on her teammates did she ever survive- and when she failed, and stumbled?
517
518The others paid the price.
519
520She wouldn't let it happen again.
521(Barca Scipio )
522--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
523
524[23:16] Barca Scipio says, "I'll take an invisibility potion and go in first. When you hear the signal. Blast it with everything you got. You'll know when."
525[23:24] She'd take the rage potion, but not drink it just yet. She'd wait until they were ready to move, then she'd drink it. She'd look to Barca as she spoke. Talking of her and Ley being the ones to strike it down while she acted as a distraction for it.
526
527"Do what I do best then, got it."
528
529She wouldn't jump at it just yet, she'd be patient for once not jumping at fighting something like her usual way of doing things.
530(Tanya Ise)
531--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
532
533[23:25] Leylin of course made it simple. He had always favored the direct approach. He was an explosion magi for star's sake. The direct approach was pretty much all he could do.
534
535He was probably the least stealthy of the group, and knew his position in the formation. Though Barca volunteered for the place of vanguard, he wouldn't be far behind them, ready and prepared to hit whatever they would find with everything he had.
536
537In that aspect, heat began to emanate from him like a stove. His affinity with his flames enhanced by both blood and long years of experience with the magic itself.
538
539Scales rippled across his figure, and his lustrous sapphire draconic slits peered towards the sound of crunching bones. Claws already began to lengthen as he turns to look towards Barca. "I'm ready when you are. Just let us know."
540(Leylin)
541--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
542
543[23:28] With a nod, Barca reached into one of the many pouches strapped to her body, took out a potion, and tilted it to her lips. With a few gulps, it was completely drained, and soon, her body took on a more transparent hue, until even the space behind her became visible.
544
545"Alright."
546
547And then, without so much as a sound, she began her trek toward the creature.
548(Barca Scipio )
549--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
550
551[23:33] {NARRATION} Barca moved in front of everyone else, and was met with another clearing, but this one was not akin to the last. It was not made by a particularly infertile patch of land randomly sorted out amidst the land, no. This one was once home to a lush part of the forest, but now...
552
553It was charred. An arena nearly carved in that, and in the very center, a living creature weakly whimpered. It was a large, horned creature with leather seemingly as thick as an arm, but there was something else on top of it. A direwolf, just as they had predicted.
554
555Its fur was made of fire, and its snout was buried deep inside their meat, taking parts of it. Anytime the large herbivore complained and tried to squirm away from the grasp, the large claws buried deeper inside.
556
557[23:45] A direwolf. 
558
559Barca peered through the shrubs, moving carefully to avoid betraying her presence. Thankfully the runic blessings cast across her equipment killed her footfalls. She avoided branches and twigs, tugged at the shrubs with a gentle pull, and set them back carefully with a careful and gentle hand as she passed through them.
560
561Tense. Quiet. Not even a sound to be heard.
562
563At least, save for the pitiful whimper of the horned creature mounted by the wolf. With the benefit of proximity. She saw it. The creature wore a hide of burning flames. 
564
565Danger.
566
567Panning her gaze, she saw the desolate earth. Charred. Burnt to ash. It drew a circle with the Direwolf feasting idly in the center. She thought briefly to the trail of blasted trees, then to the circular cut of this space. And already she was drawing conclusions.
568
569Explosion magic?
570
571Maybe. But when it came to hunting- it used its claws and fangs. And by the lack of rubbings and the faint, almost invisible prints it left across the ground? It was smart. Too smart. It would conceal itself when it can, and hunt with leisure where it could. But if it were to be pressed into a corner? Explosions. Everywhere.
572
573Her eyes flickered gold once again as she watched the spill of her mana work the earth. Already she was drawing the forking paths into the ground to ready for an earthquake. The hexagonal grid that announced spikes, and already the streaky lines that shifted earth into mud were drawn. She was ready- and she would have to activate it as she moved.
574
575She glanced back, if only briefly, to peer where the other two stood, awaiting her instructions. And as her layers of traps were finally set, she moved.
576
577Tossing a single stone over by the beast. 
578
579Just the thud of it alone filled the silence. 
580
581With Barca waiting with bated breath for its next move.
582
583(Barca Scipio )
584--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
585
586[23:54] She'd watch Barca, or at least the direction she went in. Keeping an eye on what was going to happen. The beast was there, eating a still living animal.
587A fact of nature that while, gruesome was a part of life. She'd wait til' Barca gave them some kind of signal to do anything though.
588(Tanya Ise)
589--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
590
591[23:59] {NARRATION} The wolf seems to indeed be attracted by that single stone. Its red eyes peered over, almost like it was a dog on watch- Truth be told, it did nearly look like so, even with blood covering its snout. At the vision of Barca, however, the creature RAN towards her.
592
593If not for the traps, she'd certainly be caught alone.
594 
595[00:10] {NARRATION} The wolf seems to be more than resilient at the hands of the group. They manage to bring him forth, and it is promptly put down by the multiple traps, weakening it enough to cause the group to easily outsmart it. Yet, it seems to not be so easily worn down.
596
597Its sights are set on Leylin for the most part, but even though the drakanite warrior seems to be taking advantage and knocking it away...
598
599It doesn't do much harm.
600
601Its fur glows with a fiery red, and a loud howl echoes through the woods, flames flashing right under its feet.
602
603[00:10] {NARRATION} (how the fight actually went, since this first part was easy for you two, is entirely up to you! Be sure to be descriptive!)
604
605[00:22] An invisibility potion was only ever good for deceiving humans. Be it by scent or by feel, magi-animals of all kinds would eventually detect her approach, but the brief moment of confusion it would take for the creature to zero in on her was the very moment she needed.
606
607It pounced, running, paws searing the ground wherever it galloped as the coat of fire around its form blazed. 
608
609And some point something whistled by her- striking nyeshk, and the camouflage was undone. But the golden gleam of her eyes still beamed true as she reached out, grasping through the tendrils of mana she had cast through the earth.
610
611The ground shook.
612
613But Barca continued to run with all the steadiness of a stone, as though the very space around her would part at her approach, like the bend of water around a rock in a river's flow.
614
615Spikes erupted. The very ground answered her in a tremoring groan. Stone split from the earth, spraying mud and grit. She drew the motion time and time in her mind- prepared herself just as she discussed with Agrien.
616
617And it came.
618
619Dozens of seconds were spent to prepare it, and even then it wasn't much different from how she layered her spells- only. The gap between each cast was smaller, coming consecutively without pause, casting and casting until it bled into an unceasing current of shuddering earth, blistering spikes, and crusting mud as the very forest around them quaked and shattered. Trees fell- uprooted in full, lumbering down.
620
621But they split. Burst. Firing shrapnel as the Direwolf bouldered through tree after tree, spike after spike. Occasionally it would pounce from sundered tree to uplifted stone, leaping up against a spike that rose to impale it, and at time blowing back the mud that caked its coat with an explosive burst. It flared. Like a beacon towards Leylin and Tanya as it chased after her.
622
623"Shit." She panted, cursing between every breath. Sound seemed to melt away, untilthe loudest thing to her ears was the thudding of her heart against her temples as she moved. Dashing with long, flowing strides through brambles, bushes, rotting logs, and the occasional tripping branch. 
624
625All-
626
627Until the trees gave way- opening up to the small clearing. She leapt- and in mid air, her limbs were fanned out to her sides. They squeezed, pressing together as though Barca moved for a four-limbed clap.
628
629And then-
630
631"Now!"
632
633It crunched. 
634
635The rattle of chains filled the silence, a preamble for their inevitable firebomb, clenching at the direwolf around each of his heels.
636(Barca Scipio )
637--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
638
639[00:22] Barca's traps made it easy for her to move in on the creature once it attempted to strike. It'd be met with various forms of fiery punches, kicks and the like. She had a good amount of force behind it, but compared to Leylin?
640
641He was most likely doing more of the damaging work than she was.
642
643She was still putting in her own bit of work though, hindering it with strong punches and despite it using fire, she'd heat it up and slow it down as well. Which helped when it came to strikes.
644
645She wasn't afraid to keep on the creature though when it came to fighting, it seemed to not focus her much as she hit it. To the others surprise she'd even let out several clusters of explosions around the beast. Surely not helping the matter of its movement either.
646
647There wasn't much semblance to her fighting style right now though. That potion had mostly sent her in a wild frenzy when it came to fighting. She was like a wild animal due to it. More than she usually was then it came to fighting.
648
649The most that came from her in relation to words, were more like human roaring, as if she was some kind of wolf or dragon. Even though she was a human.
650(Tanya Ise)
651--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
652
653[00:25] As the wolf ran in, so to did the heavy set Drakanite. Only he came in from the side. Golden-red scales flicker in the light of fire, and the Drakan Knight came in with a low rumbling growl as he quite literally shoulder charged the creature before it could reach Barca.
654
655Afterwards, Leylin took several steps backwards as he created distance immediately before he knelt down in place, the lengthy wings of his half-shifted state curling forwards to surround him as he began to gather his flames around him into a rolling sphere of destruction. With a shout, he stood up abruptly and unleashes his explosive talents against the wolf in one glorious event.
656
657The roiling sphere of flames erupted outwards with a cacophony of noise, sending sand and debris flying, along with the wolf as well. The inferno consumed the land around him without restraint or care. With a dash forwards, pillars of flames erupted all around the explosion magi as his violent energy tore the land around him asunder.
658
659And caught within it all was the wolf.
660
661Heavy breathing.
662
663It wasn't over yet, but it seemed clear enough to the Drakan Knight that they had managed to agitate it. He shook his head slightly. "Keep it up, and don't let it rest! It's about to get a little rougher from here on!" The flames around him only grew hotter and hotter as he began to conjure up several gleaming orbs of flame. With a slowly closing fist, those orbs began to compress inwards before orbiting around one another just above his hand.
664
665Barca might remember what would happen when those orbs made contact with one another.
666
667However, Leylin began to spread off to the side, hoping to once again be able to come at the direwolf from the flank, just like he did before.
668(Leylin)
669--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
670[00:34] {NARRATION} They were, fortunately, using fire to fight the creature. Its fur was charred, and yet, it continued to dash forth. At least it meant they were preserving the creature, forcing it to a magical heat that was far too big for it to withstand alone.
671
672Yet, every single motion seemed to only serve as more incentive for it to simply run away and lick its wounds instead of something else. The traps came in useful, and just as they were approaching in for one of the final blows...
673
674It roared yet again, knocking them down to their feet, and ran away into the woods, fire knocking down the trees on its path.
675[00:40] Blinks a few times as the direwolf.. Turns and runs?
676
677Leylin immediately crushes the impulse to chase after it. He stands firmly in place and turns to look towards Barca. "That's concerning behavior from an animal. This thing is smarter than it appears to be. I have no faith that we can keep up with something like that in this sort of environment."
678
679"Let's take an opportunity to check out the creature it was feeding on before following it's trail?" He would suggest towards Barca and Tanya both. Wondering what they wanted to do from here.
680(Leylin)
681--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
682
683[00:46] They were nearing beating the beast, before it would roar and knock them on their feet. Before going off and fleeing, leaving a charred path of trees in its wake. She'd pick herself up rather quickly. Fire still waking around her.
684
685It was around her full body this time around instead of her hands and feet like when she was normally fighting.
686
687She'd bolt after the creature, not really thinking much. She had a thirst for killing this thing now. As fast and as quickly as possible. Which is why she was aiming to chase down the creature, burning the ground with her every fast paced step.
688
689She wasn't unable to be stopped or anything though if the group would wish to. It would most likely be rather easy to restrain her for the moment considering their strength and abilities against hers.
690
691She was deaf to their words and actions though. She'd keep going if they didn't stop her though.
692(Tanya Ise)
693--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
694
695[00:48] Barca was drawing a furrow over the ground as she landed from that leapt, kicking up dust as she slid across the ground. She saw a winged shadow- then heard a burst as she finally rolled herself back into a stand.
696
697The shoulder tackle bludgeoned and blasted the wolf away, earning a yelp from the creature as Leylin stepped back to gather strength. Then, with a beat of his wings and a shout-
698
699Explosion after explosion came, blasting the beast.
700
701Then as it was caught in a fluster, Tanya dove in, crunching its legs with powerful kicks and sweeping punches, all for Leylin to deliver a finish with the swiveling orbs of condensed explosion magic.
702
703Only,
704
705"-------!"
706
707For once, she felt her legs turn to jelly.
708
709The sheer volume rocked her ear-drums, splitting her mind down the middle as her legs worked cross-eyed against her will. But perhaps owing to his Drakanite heritage, Leylin seemed fine, with his explosive orbs extinguishing soon after the direwolf disappeared. 
710
711But it took Barca scant moments before she could process his words as he turns to talk. She seemed pale. Blood was drained from her lips, as though not even a drop could be spared to the quivering pulse of her heart at that moment.
712
713Explosions. Blood. Death.
714
715She gritted her teeth against the memory and stood- with difficulty, squaring her stance as she gazed back to the Drakanite with a gritted look.
716
717"You can take a look- but. Remember the path ahead?" She looked away from the scorched battleground of the clearing- flurriedly closing the circuits that filtered mana through her eyes as she spotted body after dead body buried under the ground.
718
719Right. She buried those.
720
721She huffed a breath. Even the scantest reminder seemed to unnerve her, despite the more logical cuts of her brain telling her otherwise. They were just small details- it was different this time. Different.
722
723But in that pensive moment of recollection, she noticed a shout- 
724
725Tanya. The rage potion. It could strengthen her, sure, but it shot her mental faculties down in exchange. 
726
727Fuck.
728
729She projected chains from her wrists and fired them out- drawing streaky lines of gray in the air as they whistled to snap at the brawler's feet.
730(Barca Scipio )
731--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
732
733[00:54] She'd make it a bit ways with her erratic roaring and running, before she was brought to the ground by the chains that Barca had sent her way. She'd be mostly powerless to stop them, but she'd still try. Grunting while clawing at the ground. She'd probably not calm down for a while, but at least she'd still be stronger when they went to fight next.
734
735But for now she'd continue to fight the restraints while the other two went about their business.
736(Tanya Ise)
737--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
738
739[01:14] Leylin inspects Barca for a few moments, noticing that the fight seemed to take quite a bit more out of her than it honestly should have. It was almost like she was shell-shocked. Briefly expressed worry was displayed as he looked her over, perhaps she had been injured and he hadn't noticed it?
740
741As Barca took action to restrain Tanya, Leylin would nod. He had forgotten that she took one of them, and knew well the effects it had on people. Especially in the midst of battle.
742
743Short of blowing up, restraining people was not his forte, so he would entrust Tanya to Barca as he quickly moved in the direction that the direwolf came from and narrowed his eyes towards the large herbivore in the midst of the area they had seen it in previously.
744
745He blinks once, two sets of eyelids closing, a membranous film closing sideways across his eyes, while the more human looking eyelid closing vertically across his eyes. He recognizes the sight and stillness of death that had claimed the poor creatures life. It could be come back to see if it was at all useful.
746
747For now, he turns back to regroup with Barca and Tanya, seeing the brawler still fighting against the chains, he clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "Right. It's not going anywhere any time soon. We can move on." The hardy vitality of the Drakanite was obvious enough to see, and even after all of that exertion he still moved with only a slight sluggishness, more so a by product of past injuries than one stemming from exhaustion.
748(Leylin)
749--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
750
751[01:23] {NARRATION} The wolf seems to not move much further, instead moving only to a neighboring area. It carved a path through the woods, but it seems to be hurt enough to at least warrant some discomfort to their very bones, but not too much.
752
753Where the group decided to go, however, was up to them. The current room had only one exit besides the one they came from, which led back to that hallway that likely led to the monster's very home, and it was the one that it went through.
754
755Regardless, the movements of the wolf are somewhat easily trackable, but it does seem to have the smarts suspected from before: After a while, the trail goes blank, if not for the occasional moving twigs and burnt leaves that just scraped against its fur.
756
757At least being hurt made it a bit less careful.
758
759(The group can roll 1d20 to check for perception; Rolling 15+ results in success, and gives a tip to what side the wolf should be. Rolling 18+ results in pinpointing its location no matter where on the map.)
760
761[01:32] Her heels dug a small furrow at the first yank- until somehow Tanya, in her drunken rage, lost her footing. From there? It was simple. A step back. Then another. All until the girl was reeled in close enough for Barca to anchor her feet.
762
763But between the moment of shock and her preoccupation with Tanya, the beast had made its mistake, scuttling back without so much as a trace.
764
765"Right." She sighed- her voice peeking past the groans and grunts of Tanya as she writhed in her chainy grasp. Eventually, she had the girl folded and rolled into a bundle, leaving her writhing in a cocoon as Barca stepped away.
766
767"We can try and chase it- or we can head back there." She gestured with a nod to the other path- flanked by charred stumps and claw-raked trees. "That thing is- smart. Really smart. The fire on its coat can be drawn back, and it's smart enough to avoid leaving tracks. It seems to only use fire when it's being attacked, but it doesn't leave many traces when it's hunting though." She sighed, glancing back to Tanya as she continued to squirm.
768
769"Even when it fights it doesn't leave rubbings like that against the trees. It might be how it marks its territory. We stay around there, and it'll be bound to show up, right?"
770(Barca Scipio )
771--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
772
773[01:36] She'd just sort of sit there and keep squirming as Barca and Leylin conversed about the creature. She just wanted to fight it and kill it. Struggling and fighting against Barca's chains as she held her there.
774(Tanya Ise)
775--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
776
777[01:39] Leylin shook his head slowly.
778
779"There's no guarantee that that thing will come back there any time soon. Maybe if it was possessive in nature, but it abandoned both it's meal and the place back there rather quickly."
780
781Every now and then, the Drakanite would turn to check on Tanya before looking back towards the area around him and Barca.
782
783"But, it's not like we have much choice. We can only follow its path so far before it stops burning everything. We might only be able to set up a trap around here, and hope it comes back to finish it's meal. Not sure if we can successfully pull off a trap with Tanya as she is right now though. The chains are a bit loud."
784(Leylin)
785--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
786
787[01:43] "Yeah. You're right." They were so close, too. As much as Barca emphasized safety, she was loathe to keep this going for any longer than she had to. Her nerves were already running dry...
788
789For a number of reasons.
790
791With a sigh, she pulled Tanya in, and with a clank, set her up against her back like a rucksack as she continued to shift around.
792
793"We could wait for the rage potion to wear off first. Sure. The two of us are strong, but with three, we're stronger. That's the safer option. But for now, let's follow the trail and see where it leads. If things don't work out? We can head back here and take a look at the other path."
794(Barca Scipio )
795--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
796
797[01:47] Leylin considers the plan in silence for a moment before nodding once. "We'll go with that for now. I'm getting a bad feeling about following the thing into the jungle though."
798(Leylin)
799--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
800
801[01:48] Leylin says, "It's intelligence has surprised me already. It wouldn't surprise me at all if it was capable of catching us by surprise, since it seems to be so cunning."
802[01:56] {NARRATION} The group follows the wolf into the jungle. The trail seems to grow cold soon enough, and in a few... They're amidst the corridor, following it to the clearing where they were before, when they first entered this forest.
803
804Two paths continue now: One, newly carved to their right, where they go back to the clearing they spotted when first entering these woods... And another one, to their left, leading into another hallway between the trees.
805
806[02:00] Charred leaves and burnt twigs could only lead them so far, it seemed. Tanya was still firm across her back, dangling off of her shoulder like a rucksack as they made their trek. They were by no means silent, with the quiet creak and groan of her chains filling the air as Tanya continued to struggle.
807
808It seemed as though it would take a while, at least, for the girl to regain her senses.
809
810"Well. Which path? Left or right?" 
811
812Another fork in the road. But without any tracks to guide them, they were back to square one. Her intuition told her to reach for the left- and so she voiced it.
813
814"I don't have any basis for this. But we can take a look at the left- unless you have a better idea, Leylin."
815(Barca Scipio )
816--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
817
818[02:09] Leylin followed along the path as far as it could take them before they came to a fork in the path now. With Tanya as she is now, things were rather troublesome.
819
820In terms of safety.. This felt like a bad idea to him. Though he had already voiced it once before, they were essentially walking blindly through a forest that contained a fiery direwolf. A creature who had showed a degree of cunning that was unusual for animals to portray.
821
822"My better idea involves not going into a confined path, where we could easily be ambushed. If I was going to ambush someone here, that hallway in the trees is exactly where I would do it."
823
824The Drakan Knight turns to consider Barca pointedly. "Your gut is probably right.. I think it went to the left too, as that would give it the most advantageous position. I'm certain it knows that much, since it clearly hunts in this area."
825
826He sighs loudly. "But, again. What choice do we have? We can try to bait it out into attacking us, but at this point, I have no idea if it will do so unless we give it that advantageous position."
827(Leylin)
828--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
829
830[02:15] "It'll be more vigilant next time around. It's hard to track, so it'll take time. If you're alright with that, we could head back to base camp and wait for more supplies, even." said Barca. 
831
832He wasn't wrong, and perhaps it really was her impatience ruling her again. Then- Well. There was Natasha. Being away from Osrona was already nerve-wracking enough, with how things seem to quickly spiral out of control, but she couldn't help it.
833
834"So the only way it'll feel comfortable attacking now is if it has the advantage." She shrugged- walking ahead toward the left. As shocked as she was in the moment of it all- the trio didn't suffer any major injuries, and they were able to repel it, even. 
835
836Though she had the slightest thought it was going easy.
837
838After all, it would take a lot to carve out a gash that deep through the forest. But she held her tongue, trusting herself, and her companions, to carry through. Right. This wasn't the same.
839
840It wasn't a dragon.
841
842Barca reminded herself with a sigh as she took the left fork, walking further, and leading Leylin behind her. 
843
844"If anything goes wrong, just blast everything around you. I'll stick close, and I'll keep Tanya shielded long enough until I can untie her. How does that sound?"
845
846(Barca Scipio )
847--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
848
849[02:19] {NARRATION} The left pathway was one that led them towards another clearing, albeit a significantly small one. There, they see the wolf devouring onto some smaller creatures, a deer stuck between its paws as the wolf kills it without any sort of mercy.
850
851It didn't seem to notice the group so far.
852[02:25] Freezes as the wolf was noticed- and then is absolutely amazed at their luck at the creature having found something to gnaw on.
853
854Something absolutely awful was going to follow all of this, there had to be a catch. This amount of luck just didn't happen. Not in his experience.
855
856But.. Well. All that he could do now was to decide what to do now?
857
858He turned slowly to look towards Barca, then glanced towards Tanya pointedly. He didn't dare to say anything however. Instead, he raises a hand to point towards first himself, and then formed a fist and punched towards the wolf.
859
860Afterwards, he pointed towards Barca and Tanya and pointed towards the ground at their feet. Then gestured towards the wolf. A little improvised sign language that was probably vague, but the Drakan felt it conveyed what he was thinking rather well.
861
862Right?
863(Leylin)
864--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
865
866[02:27] Glutton.
867
868Normally it should retreat back into its den to rest. Of course, it would have to make a stop to retrieve some food, but it was still surprising to see it idly munching over a deer just as it did with that leathery horned critter. 
869
870With the benefit of the distraction, Barca took the time to step back, unwinding her chains, though it wasn't enough to set Tanya free.
871
872And in the meantime, she spends a moment to study their surroundings.
873
874The space was even more narrow. Awful. Her mind melted back into the scar across the landscape. It had yet to unleash that- but in a space like this? Unavoidable. With its intelligence, the same trap wouldn't work again, and there wasn't the space to set it, either.
875
876If she were to do it again, she'd have to cast it in the midst of battle. 
877
878This time, she drew her Betelgeuse in full, shifting roles from distractor to aggressor. A glance was paid to Leylin as he gestured.
879
880It'll be a brawl. 
881
882Though her other two companions were powerful fire magi in their own right, Barca herself couldn't help but reconsider her earlier decision when faced with its outcome. 
883
884It would be Leylin taking the vanguard.
885
886The plan was conveyed in full, but she mirrored it, pointing to Leylin, then to the wolf, and then she curled a fist and punched. But this time? She pointed to Tanya, making an unwinding motion with her hand before pointing to the ground. They agreed for the most part- but she wanted to work the rest out before going.
887
888
889
890
891(Barca Scipio )
892--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
893
894[02:37] Leylin nods towards Barca, seeing her essentially mirror his plan, though with a little more accurate improvised sign language than he used. All the same, he was confident that she understood his intentions.
895
896He raised a hand and conjured up a trio of gleaming orbs of flame, and slowly compressed them downwards into much smaller spheres that began to orbit around one another just above his hand. It was the same method he was going to use before.
897
898With his preparation complete.. Leylin rushed forwards and flung the three orbiting base-ball sized orbs towards the wolf.
899(Leylin)
900--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
901
902[03:18] When they neared the beast she'd struggle and squirm more and more as they neared the creature. Eager to fight and kill the wolf that they had been trailing this whole time. Barca and Ley had a plan, but waiting for them to carry it out at the start of the fight made her even more antsy.
903
904She was let down at one point, as things were set up.
905
906She'd instantly dart over, leaving a path of flames in her wake, she'd punch and kick at the creature, pretty much just flailing wildly at it. There was no semblance of planning or order in her fighting right now. She was just as animalistic as the beast they were fighting.
907
908Because of that she didn't have as good of a time as before as the creature had seemed to adapt.
909
910It threw fire about, even explosions of sort it seemed. Whatever it had done to change up it's style, gave it a good bit of an edge against the group. Enough to even push them all back at the start. Though it was her and Barcathat had gotten pushed back more than once.
911
912Leylin was the star of the show mostly when it came to dealing meaningful blows to the creature.
913
914They'd all be left standing at the end of it all though. She'd seem near the end of the fight, to regain her composure as the effects of the potion wore off. The fight would leave her panting though. Clearly tiring her out, she was going off sheer adrenaline before from the potion.
915
916"Gah. That was one hell of a creature, wasn't it?"
917
918She'd give a look between Barca and Leylin, curious to see how the two were holding up after the fight.
919(Tanya Ise)
920--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
921
922[03:23] It was planned with but a few seconds of quiet hand-signing.
923
924And then the chaos began.
925
926Barca worked, unwinding the chains, freeing loose Tanya, but only after the initial clash after Leylin occupied the bulk of its attention. After all- it would be terrible if she rushed in ahead of the armored Drakan Knight. 
927
928Then came her portion. Her eyes glimmered gold as mana flowed into her hues.
929
930With her Betelgeuse in hand, she fired- casting bolt after bolt of unerring steel, explosive rock, and splintering slugs.
931
932A large, flame-imbued swipe would fall short with a blinding shot of steel to it's eye. An explosive roar was stifled with a clench of her chains just as it began to draw breath. And even more, she peppered it with explosive blasts against its hind-legs as it bared its fangs toward Leylin.
933
934Eventually, she proved herself an annoyance great enough to earn the Direolf's ire, with the full of her nyeshk groaning under the strain. It held firm- but the contents were splattered as she was knocked away, drawing a deep trench into the ground as she rolled and tumbled.
935
936With Betelgeuse falling loose from her hands.
937
938She huffed- with her vision fading in blurs of motion. The heavy thump of her heart took up all the sound in the world, with the explosions and shockwaves falling into a dim, warbled echo to her bleeding ears. Barca stood- or struggled to, but the clench of her organs shifting in place drew a splatter of blood from her lips at the strain.
939
940A step. 
941
942No. Strength left her, and she wobbled, with both hands pressed to the floor as she reached for clarity. But it never came. Instead- she found her place against the earth.
943
944Gaia.
945
946Once, when she was young, she braced herself against the earth to project her strength. Irisa. The Eye of the Malachite. At some point- that changed. She herself became stone. A pillar of earth that refused to yield. From her own mana she conjured metal, bent steel, even shifted arcanium, the mineral of the divine itself. And then she moved even further, shifting the earth, evoking earthquakes, bogging the very land and firming it all the same.
947
948But now? 
949
950She reached in. Resting herself against the ruddy earth of the forest, Barca pushed, sending her mana outwards. It filled the earth, drawing a shape. A pattern. Over the top sat the geometric grid of hexagons, streaked with wavy lines- all dripping down into a thin stem that branched out into the earth like the neck and legs of a table. It forked further. Reached even deeper. 
951
952Like a tree spreading wide under the ground.
953
954She dug herself elbow deep into the ground as she braced against Gaia. 
955
956And pulled. 
957
958The ground gave an answering tremor as the space around them shook, with the earth melting into mud, pillars rising up like iron spikes, and spikes sprouting from the splits that formed.
959
960She could vaguely hear the thrum of fire,the shouts of blows being taken and given, and the consecutive explosions that filled the air like firecrackers. But the full of her gaze was pointed to the ground- to the magic she was weaving into the earth.
961
962Until finally, the battle ended.
963
964Moments faded into minutes as Barca- finally, painfully, pulls herself up to a stand. While nary a bone was cracked, thanks to the runic protection of Agrien's artificing, she was still wiping blood from her cheeks and lips as she stood, as wobbly as she looked.
965(Barca Scipio )
966--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
967
968[03:29] Went in first, as was the plan. He immediately tossed the three orbiting spheres of explosion magic out to start the group off. The poor hapless deer wouldn't be feeling anything for much longer.
969
970The three stars of fire spiraled through the air like a cyclone before finally, contact was made between the three spheres directly over the wolf.
971
972At first, nothing happened, and then everything happened all at once with no warning whatsoever.
973
974Heat flared outwards in scorching waves as blinding light split the darkness of the lakeside. The chosen air pockets became hazy and blurred for a fraction of a second as a gaseous substance was created within the perfectly spherical constructs. It was those gaseous spheres that were then simultaneously ignited as soon as they formed.
975
976Abruptly, there was a handful of what could only be described as miniature stars littering the area around the tightly confined hallway of trees, which then promptly burst outwards with deafening concussive force. The heat generated from which was enough to break the bonds between the surrounding air molecules, severing their connections with their orbiting electrons and causing them to shoot outwards freely on the atomic level.
977
978A chain reaction was to follow, as the superheated ionized gases that were created from the heat of the initial explosions combusted, they burst outwards continuously in a chain of secondary explosions that shook the area and bent the trees away from the epicenter of the alarming blasts!
979
980These secondary explosions could only be described as electrically charged bursts of volatile energy. Moreover these spherical explosions even gave off orange-red plasmic bolts of fire as the combusted gases were blasted outwards, giving the visual scene as if the broiling plasma clouds were also emitting lightning. All of which amounted to a scene that decimated their surroundings in a gloriously volatile and incendiary method!
981
982Flames consumed the forest at an alarming rate, before the fight had even begun. It was bound to happen with two explosion magi being part of the fight. Leylin simply decided to create as much room as possible for them to get down to business with the wolf.
983
984Now the real battle begins.
985
986Leylin rushed in even while the plasmic clouds were exploding around the creature, until finally he was in range. Golden-red scales gleamed brightly under the glow of the fire that ran rampant through the forest. He started punching the wolf. He knew how to get it's attention.
987
988Of course, this put him directly in harms way, but the Drakan Knight had always been rather proud of the hardiness of his heritage, and his scales on top of that. Still, there would no doubt be a price to pay for that.
989
990There would come times when the Drakan would defensively curl his wings around him, and with a shout, pillars of flame would tear through the area around him with concussive force. Now that he had gotten so close to the wolf, he focused his magic into his scales, while also using his explosions mainly to stun and daze.
991
992Usually followed by a rapid flurry of blows, or a long slide propelled by a solid wave of flame that burned a trail of ashes along his path. He fought with a single-mindedness and focus that made him not even notice the blood that had begun to colorize his body. An injury had been sustained at some point, but in the midst of battle he didn't even have time to stop and notice it, much less care.
993
994He was running on adrenaline now, and when the battle would be over, that would be the time to acknowledge the pain.
995(Leylin)
996--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
997
998[03:35] {NARRATION} The group manages to beat down the direwolf, stopping it from even returning back to its shelter. The few final moments are tiresome, the flames growing hotter and hotter as the creature seems to abandon any restraints that stopped it from harming itself.
999
1000It was a smart animal, one modified by many different things, but it was just one of the three rumored. It was big, large and any attempts at fighting it with raw strength would most likely have been met with complete and utter retaliation, no matter who it was.
1001
1002It was impaled, scorched, beat down and still it tried to fight.
1003
1004A loud, painful yell pierces through the forest one last time, before it goes entirely silent. Whatever creatures lived there have long ran into their shelters in fear of the king of the woods, or burnt to a crisp on their fight. The shriek certainly did not help.
1005
1006At least, the wolf's pelt was partially harmed. Harder to use, but not entirely impossible, thanks to the care they took when fighting it.
1007
1008(Given the event was cut short due to time constraint and the fact another 3-round fight as planned would take too long, the injuries requirement is 2 points lower. Instead of 0 to 8, use 0 to 6, 7 to 18, etc.
1009
1010As such, with the final injury score of:
1011Tanya: 7
1012Barca: 6
1013Leylin: 9
1014
1015Leylin and Tanya are afflicted with temporary, 4-day, -15% vit injuries!)
1016
1017As soon as adrenaline dies down, however, Leylin and Tanya notice their injuries. They were simple enough to be dealt with, but each had seemed to suffer, ironically, from the wolf that mastered the very same magic they had before.
1018
1019Perhaps a dire reminder of what the world truly was. Where monsters like these existed, turning your very own magic against you.
1020
1021Tanya was hit with a wave of fire across the chest, burning most of her cloak and forcing it to be discarded lest she burnt whole under the fires that refused to die as the creature was still alive.
1022
1023Leylin was victim of a similar treatment from the wolf, his arm covered in the wolf's punishing backlash for each punch that was given. It burnt and hurt, even if not as much as it could. Perhaps killing it right now was exactly what they needed.