Private Tales Roses and Rust

[Larka]

Larka wasn’t green to Gannis’ anger, although truth be told she was always quite pouty when his irritation was directed to her. However, considering the dire situation, she understood that there was plenty of frustration to go around.

Although perhaps he’d be less frustrated if he weren’t carrying that massive wheel around. It’s not like he was Baeshor or Sister Aysel.

Before she could follow one, or go to the cover of the trees, Larka would need to dispose of the demon before her. It was smaller than some of the others (how suitable for her) but it didn’t act like it was as it charged at her. She was poised to strike and stab with her blade, hopping back as Kitty tackled the demon over, ripping and chomping at it’s wings.

The demon screeched in agony, and Larka moved quickly to deliver a series of stabs at the demon’s neck, using her thick boot to stomp down on it’s gnarled hand to keep it from flailing at her dog. The demon stopped moving and turning her back, Larka began making her way to the tree line and looking up in the sky.

Kitty followed after her, but paused, and looked back. Larka herself did the same, worried why the custos canem wasn’t following after her and seeing the demon—which could have been dead— rising up, it’s glowing red eyes sending a chill down her spine.

“Forget it! Let’s just listen to Gannis.” Larka commanded, and looked towards her mentor and then up at the sky. A demon was carrying off a human that had been severed at it’s waist, holding onto one of it’s arms and clutching a foot in the other greedy claw. “That one!” The body didn’t look drained, and so perhaps it was bringing it’s spoils back to safety.

Gannis

 

[Gannis]

The creature was not graceful in flight, carrying more of a carcass than its wingspan was made for. He trudged on, one step at a time and trying to pretend he didn't have such a weight across his back.

Eventually it dived. Gannis gripped his sword, thinking they had been seen. Instead it plunged down into a steep wound in the ground. A narrow valley ahead. In the moonlight, it was hard to see the thick brown smog until the creature vanished into it.

"Shit," went Gannis. That confirmed it. That reddish brown fog was exactly what had followed the demons during their first excursion.

Gannis dropped the wheel, looking at the path that wound down into the fog.

"You can walk away," he said, looking at Larka as he started to undo some buckles. He discarded his sword and packs, but grabbed his rope and started pulling metal shards away from the wheel. It wasn't clear quite what he was doing.

"This isn't some woman with a lost book. This is demons twisting mankind and it won't stop until they're gone. We're going to make them gone. We shift, completely, we go into that dark fog and we fight to the last. This is kill or be killed Larka so tell me, are you ready for it? "

 

[Larka]

Her heart was pounding in her chest but Larka followed Gannis regardless of the fear that seemed to nestle within her chest. Of course, despite the fear and uncertainty that she felt, she stared hard at her mentor’s back in shock. And indignation.

“I can’t walk away.” The foster said firmly. She was small, she was a runt. She was stronger than women her size because of her strain, but amongst the other venari Larka would always be seen as a pup. Or a liability. She would always need to prove herself to the conclave. She sheathed her needle-like sword, but hesitated in undressing, curious as to the creation Gannis was doing.

“I don’t want to die, but I’ll kill until I can’t.” Larka said, completely resolute.

Gannis

 

[Gannis]

"I didn't think you would be able to walk away," he said. "I appreciate the sentiment, long may you live to keep it."

Sentiment was a particularly long word for Gannis.

When Gannis had finished hacking and binding he was left with four chain and rope arrangements.

He undressed quickly, taking the two larger creations and pulling one onto his left hand. The roles went between his fingers, the chains held chunks of wood with steel spikes and broken blades.

"They don't like iron. Best I can do. Haven't got the focus to carry a sword but maybe I'll be able to wear these," he explained.

"Undress, put them on," he said.

There was one last surprise for Larka. He stood bare before her, waiting. As soon as she was ready to shift he would slap her open hand across the face and pull her close as she started to shift. He needed her angry and ready for a brawl, but they needed their scents firmly ingrained.

It was a gamble on her control, but they would worry about establishing that if they survived.

 

[Larka]

Larka couldn’t help but to raise a brow curiously at Gannis’ invention. It seemed strange but… well, if they didn’t like iron then perhaps it would do the trick. Larka began to undress quickly and efficiently at the command, hardly noticing the chilled air that pricked her skin. Her only focus was on shifting— and hopefully not ruining it.

She had never shifted completely with Sister Aysel or Brother Simon, of course the latter died before she could even try but Sister Aysel had been adamant that Larka wasn’t ready. Her hedonism was proof of this, she acted like a beast too much already.

So when she turned to face Gannis and was struck unfairly so, she couldn’t help but to curse out at her mentor.

“What the FUCK!” She snarled into his scarred skin, somehow clawing at him while also trying to push away as she felt the shift come on. “Let me go! I’ll tear you apart!” She howled enraged and in pain as her body began to change, squirming all the while somehow, a part of her was trying to keep it at bay. Her teeth and hands were the first to change while her arms and thighs became thicker and more enhanced.

Gannis

 

[Gannis]

"You won't," he growled.

It was pain. Pain in every corner of his body. But it was also temptation. It was finally letting go at the edge of a slippery slope. Shifting could be addictive.

Base urges were there, but he mentally honed them into a sharp point, into a weapon. It was new for her, more pain, more temptation.

His hands were already great paws and he placed one on each of her shoulders. He could feel his muscles shifting over changing bones. Gannis forced her to take a deep breath of his scent.

"We are pack. We hunt together," he growled as his voice was lost to the change. If she lost control a little, he would be forced to assert dominance until she followed.

If she completely lost control then he and the canem would tear her apart.

Trial by fire.

Aysel could chastise him another day.

 

[Larka]

Gannis had said she wouldn’t, but Larka could feel nothing but rage. A sort of rage that was initially directed at Gannis but now seemed to be directed everywhere and nowhere at once. She was angry and bloodthirsty, craving the taste of another in her jaws.

Larka heard Gannis’ words and she growled deeply, the sound reverberating in her broaden chest and furry throat. Her jaws were lifted up, baring all of her white teeth, as she growled again. While her limbs were tensed as if ready to pounce or run, she didn’t move.

Another growl, low and foreboding.

And then she sneezed, backing away and staring at Gannis with her gold eyes. For all of Larka’s spunk, she was hyper aware of her position. Gannis, even as small as he was, was bigger yet than her. But more importantly, Gannis was her mentor. Gannis was a part of the Conclave. Even now. Despite Sister Aysel’s misgivings towards Larka’s control, there was one thing that could never be tarnished: her love for the Conclave. She’d serve them in any way she could until her death.

That being said, Gannis had promised her a hunt. The longer he delayed it, the more antsy she would get and perhaps she would actually try to tear him apart. At least, only a little.

Gannis

 

[Gannis]

Gannis reared up onto his hind legs. He was small by the standards of the Venari, but most striking was his white fur and red eyes. He was an albino in this form.

He viewed everything through a thick red lens. He could recognise Larka by scent, Dog and Kitty too. Deep down he knew what he had to do, knew that they would rend with tooth and claw until the job was done.

Gannis flexed his claws. He didn't like the ropes around them, but he could just remember their purpose. These demons were not made of normal meat.

He turned from his pack and dropped to all fours. A low growl was their signal to follow as he padded down the path and into the fog.

 

[Larka]

She followed suit after him, on all fours with her head held low. Larka’s animal-like instincts noted Gannis’ tail and ears, and their two dogs followed after them. A hunt, a serious hunt. She was salivating at her jaws, drool falling down between nimble paws as she walked into the fog.

Kitty, despite being so vocal of a dog, was dead silent.

The stench only got worse, a still silence following them as they continued to walk into the fog. Soon enough, Larka’s furry ears pricked up, hearing a flap of wings and a screech that was unlike beast or human. A demon, probably alerting others of it’s arrival, departure, or maybe even of the threat of the venari in closing in on their nest.

Gannis

 

[Gannis]

Gannis didn't feel fear like this, not in the usual sense. It drew more adrenaline into his system, made his senses sharper. It didn't make him want to turn back.

Unleashed, finally, in the light of the moon. He wanted to rip and tear and sink his teeth down. The air was hot and heavy, a sulphurous scent filled his lungs.

He darted towards the sound, leapt at the sight of wings. It saw him coming. A steak of white fur and whiter teeth. His claws punctured its wings, steel and iron rending its fragile membranes.

His laws clamped around its neck. As soon as he was down he shook his head from side to side furiously. Its blood didn't taste right.

He turned towards Larka, white fur darkened all around his jaws. There were more creatures moving through the dark mists, disturbed by the commotion. Gannis lowered his body, bearing his teeth and snarling.

The pack was on the attack.

 

[Larka]

When Gannis attacked, Larka knew it was okay for her to let loose. How long had it been since she could freely fight without worrying about needing to hold back? She always had to hold back when she was human, even as she phased to utilize more of her Lycan abilities there had to be a sense of control. If she went into a raving, wild beast—

The small werewolf was vicious as they jumped through the air, sailing over head to meet a demon in mid-flight. Snarling and growling, Larka wasn’t quiet as she tore into the leathery skin. Her canines dug into the flesh, tearing through sinew until her jaws could snap and break the bones underneath.

The demon was down on the ground, trying to claw through Larka’s thick coat, but using all of her weight she was soon ripping the tendons off from it’s neck. Black blood sprayed everywhere. She was faintly aware of their dogs fighting as well, and even more aware of more demons coming to them because of the commotion.

Yet that hardly mattered as she broke the demon’s neck in half with her jaws, pulling out it’s jugular vein to then spit it out to the side.

Gannis

 

[Gannis]

They didn't taste right. Dark and bitter, like bile. It tempered his desire to bite deep, but did nothing for the need to rear and rend. Under the light of the moon he gave over a little more of himself to it. Not because he wanted to give up control - not entirely at least - but because he needed to survive.

Demons of different shapes and sizes were arrayed before them. On the rocks, some in flight. Shadows in the mist. He felt no fear. His senses would not be fooled.



Beyond the shapes, in the distance, was a demon that stood beyond them. A true, pure demon of pandemonium of the fourth order. It prowled and waited and watched. Those that were not strong enough, did not deserve to survive.

Gannis charged forwards. Something dived out of the mists, talons catching his back as he ducked. The pain was almost welcome.

Tooth and claw, he set upon the demons. He grabbed one by the skull with both claws, twisting so hard that the single sickening crack signalled the end of its existence.

 

[Larka]

At first, Larka didn’t notice the demon before them that was watching them. She was so wrapped up with fighting off the demons that were swarming them she hadn’t thought there was something worse up ahead. Or rather, the act of tearing through sinew and tasting the bile of their blood consumed her.

Rightly so, when Larka did get in a closer range, she could feel it. Instinct told her that up ahead there was a being so horrid and awful and it struck enough fear in her to forget her bloodlust.

The only thing that kept moving her forward was Gannis’ charge. He ducked and in response Larka leapt once again to take down the demon that had just attacked her mentor. This one was smarter and it clawed at her face— right at her eyes. Larka’s head moved back, but not fast enough.

She felt her snout open up and could feel her own blood dripping down her muzzle. Sanguine droplets fell from her whiskers and onto the demon writhing beneath her claws. Snarling she caught one of the demon’s hands in her jaws, chomping off the wrist before lunging at the other hand to chew off.

It was a long process, and Larka shouldn’t have wasted so much time on dismembering the demon. Kitty yelped, knocking over a demon that was creeping up on the small lycan, giving Larka just enough time to actually finish her job.

The slash across her face was already healing, steam hissing out from them as the flesh grew back.

Gannis

 

[Gannis]

He stood on all fours, muzzle close to the ground. With each breath, a stream of mist rolled through the dark fog. His white fur was matted with blood in several places, much clearly his own.

Several wounded demons had retreated behind their leader. Gannis stood at the tip of the arrowhead that was his own pack.

He didn't usually lead. He didn't even get assigned new members of the order. He either hunted alone, or acted as a tracker for a bigger team.

He spread his paws, feeling the cold ground beneath him. He could feel every wound they had inflicted, feel every muscle coiled like a spring.

Gannis charged on. The largest of them came on to meet him.

Gannis was fast, but it was faster. It darted to one side then leapt over him. Gannis snapped at it, jaws catching nothing but air.

It's own claws opened up a gash across Gannis' spine and he skidded to a halt, turning and gnashing and growling.

 

[Larka]

Her russet head lifted up to see Gannis moving forward. Larka growled, seeing his white tail like a lantern in the foul mist. Kitty was beside her once again, panting hard. The dog’s silver capped teeth were no longer glinting as they usually did, thick coats of black blood hiding their shine.

Through the lifting of their muzzles, the posture of their tails, and simple ear flicks, the two communicated. Larka wanted to very much charge after Gannis but Kitty thought to play it safe would be better. That was when the both of them could hear Gannis’ growl.

There were only two things on Larka’s mind as she rushed forward: killing and maiming the wretch that attacked her mentor.

Larka strained every fiber in her muscles to sprint as fast as she possibly could, ignoring a demon that actually charged at her from the side. Leaping over to avoid them, she could hear Kitty engaging the demon in a serious of snarls and screeches.

The young venari went to attack the large demon, but much like Gannis she felt her jaws snap around nothing but air. She yelped as she felt it grab her tail, lifting her up into the air and shaking her about like a toy.

Gannis

 

[Gannis]

He could feel warm blood spreading across his back. His anger and instinct to attack seemed to bleed away with his lifeblood.

The yelp he heard from Larka reversed. It was a difficult life. Many novices died on their first hunt. She was at greater risk, given his fuck ups to date, but he wasn't about to let her go without a fight.

He didn't growl. He roared.

Gannis charged back in, he darted to the left, planted his paws and then dove in low. He felt his teeth sink in.

It was only the ankle of the demon, but his jaws clamped down tight, anchoring on bone itself. He dropped his weight and pulled backwards, forcing it to stumble and drop Larka.

It slashed at him again, claws catching his flank.

He had a grip and he wasn't going to let go, accelerating backwards to start dragging the fiend across the ground to put those claws further away. He snarled and shook his head back and forth, rending tendons and flesh.

 

[Larka]

Larka fell from the demon’s grasp, yelping and growling and snarling. Whatever sounds she could make, she made as she came free of the demon’s clutches. She spun, ignoring a broken tail bone that was struggling to heal itself as she moved. She didn’t care, ignoring the pain until she couldn’t actually feel it anymore.

Adrenaline pulsed within her blood, adrenaline made her fear fade way. Together, her and Kitty went for the other ankle of the demon, snapping and shredding it until the demon was on it’s knees. It held itself up on it’s hands and knees, screeching in a deafening tone.

Her ears were pressed hard against the back of her head, the veins in her snout protruding as Larka continued to destroy the tendons in the demon’s ankle. It’s tail swiped at her, but she was able to dodge and instead caught the tail in her mouth. She chewed through the touch flesh, spitting out bone and scales and skin, causing the demon to screech more as she attacked.

Gannis