Open Chronicles The Pale Plague

[Ashieron]

Crouching on the roof Ash watches the group look up at the gargoyle, it seemed half of his hunch was right. But it did not act. He remains in his position, keeping his hand away from his body in the case he did need to act. Jirou drew his blade, so he did not trust it either,

Lia, on the other hand, was intrigued, a mental facepalm happened in Ash's mind. For all they could know that "gargoyle" was a vampire's spell or something along those lines. He'd whisper a slight spell which had the breeze change direction towards him. Taking a sniff of the air, it was an illusion. That gargoyle did not smell of stone.

Smiling and elf happily made his way quietly across the other rooves, until he made it be a bit closer to their suspicious friend. He was just in enough distance to fire a magical arrow or to use magic in some other way. Definitely close enough to intercept it if need be, with his elven speed. After all he did manage to hunt down his fellow keeper who was tracking down a dragon hunter within a few hours on foot.

Just attack it. Nothing wrong with a bit of fun Ashieron. Ash hears the familiar seductive voice in the back of his head. He was tempted to attack it, but he resisted it. Too much rode on this mission, and if a drop of blood was spilled with the commotion. Then the vampires would be warned if they haven't been already. And there were templars about, he had to be careful with what magic he'd use, which was now incredibly limited with the amount of corruption he had.

 

[Solith]

Solith really needed to learn how to see those who are invisible. He knew that multiple techniques magical and not existed. For now he had to assume the other that vanished is with them most likely in a position to strike Solith. For now they knew less of Solith's capabilities than he knows of theirs, even if thats by a small difference. For now Solith needed them to over or underestimate him, either works.

Still staying as still as possible not moving a muscle Solith responded to Lia "There is atleast one with the hunger feasting on the corpse of the gate guard"

This was good they decided to talk rather than attack Solith. He might not be able to kill the prey today but hopefully learn something. The prey understandably didn't trust Solith "He is right. To trust me is foolish considering the only reason I am here is to possibly kill one of you" Solith gave a chuckle before something told him to run.

Centuries of selective breeding had given his kind a natural warning system to deal with the fiends that ravaged their lands every couple of decades. He had ignored the feeling around the time one of the others vanished. Now the feeling was stronger "A hellspawn is somewhere" Were the hunger lead by a devil or demon which may explain their unusual behavior. No if that was the case the town situation would be alot different.

 

[Lia]

Trust was thin. Always in a place like this.

Lia was about to open her mouth to assure Jirou that she wasn't so foolish as to believe anything a...gargoyle said to her, but the creature quickly interrupted with a declaration of intent to probably kill one of them.

Before she could answer however it gave a warning.

The moment Lia heard the words she drew her sword, but it was already too late. From beyond the gates something came rushing towards them. It rushed the doors open, breaking them into pieces and running towards Jirou.

The creature was gigantic. Twice as tall as any man, it's skin pale and sickly, it's head a warped visage of humanity. "WHAT IN THE FUCK?"

She called out as the hulking creature lashed out towards Jirou with it's long claws.

(Think of this as like a 'Vampire Hulk' almost)

 

[Jirou]

Jirou's eyes fixated immediately on the monster barreling towards him as it finally showed its presence. The creature showed extreme blood lust and no sign of being impeded by anything. As it grew closer the ronin lowered his body and assumed stance with his hand tight on the hilt of his sword.

The hulk came down on Jirou with a heavy claw. The exorcist drew his sword and made its talons with the blade of it. The sat in a momentary struggle of power before the sword cut clean through the nails of its right claw leaving it nothing but a hand.

Jirou assumed his stance yet again and looked dead at the hungry eyes of the vampire hulk in stand off. "I won't be able to do that every time. Let us bring this thing to its knees."

<135hp> <Roll: 18>

 

[Ashieron]

Ash looks at the "statue" feeling his heart sink some. How did it know of his affliction? There was no way unless he was more clever than the elf had originally given him credit for. He shrugs it away, there were many creatures with stronger senses than those of humans. It was only natural that some would be able to sense his little companion.

His attention was snapped to the vampire charging the group he was charged with protecting. Lia had her sword drawn and Jirou was prepared. Luckily it was less of an ambush as the ronin cut off its claws. He had Lia to assist him as well. That brought a bit of the worry off of Ash's shoulder. But he still had the statue to contend with, it said that one of them was its target. But whom?

Ash was no about to let it get in the way of his friends, it was probably waiting for the right moment to strike at its target. Running his hands through his hair so he swept his hair back a bit, Ash puts his hands together and the bone glaive appeared.

He was off in a meer second quickly advancing on the statue in the matter of a few seconds, sweeping his sword low at an upward sweep to try to knock the thing off of the roof. To somewhere more suited for combat.

<HP: 41>

 

[Solith]

The hunger appeared just after Solith felt the presences of a fiend which couldn't have been a coincidence. The town really didn't have the whole demonic presence feeling but maybe the hellspawn of this land act differently to the ones he was taught about. Right now the beast threatened to steal his prey which couldn't be allowed. Luckily the rangers and templars would be focusing their attention to what ever type of being infected by the hunger was.

Turning around to face towards the monster Solith prepared to attempt to assist the group in taking the beast down and maybe use this time to learn of his prey to kill him another day as it was clear at least for now. Plan of attack was a pretty simple manuver of a leap over the hulking flesh that was somehow a vampire to get behind it and then another leap onto its back hopefully assisting in restraining the beast while easily allowing for Solith to bite at its neck.

Just as Solith prepared to leap he felt the air around make way for a blade that came out of nowhere. Solith attempted to leap away but the blade came too fast cutting his carapace as he got into the air. Solith came crashing down onto the ground. The magic that had made Solith look like a wooden statue faded showing the true colour of his carapace.

Now Solith knew the location of the other that was invisible. While he couldn't see the elf it didn't mean he couldn't fight back. As long as Solith can spot the elfs interactions with the world such as the movement of dust when it runs he could fight back which was easier said than done but then Solith didn't train his whole life to lose to a pointy ear.
"You weren't my prey but many creatures will pay good coin for your ears"
Solith was pissed alright


Max Hp: 63
Current Hp: 51

 

[Lia]

"I can agree with tha-" Before Lia could finish her sentence the Vampire Hulk was suddenly upon her.

The creature moved with surprising swiftness, rushing at her in the blink of an eye and swinging it's already injured hand like a club. The Ranger squeaked, quickly ducking beneath the sweeping attack and bringing her sword low.

Her blade sliced across the creatures torso, black brackish blood splattering on the ground.

A loud howl escaped the beast as she took three quick steps and came to stand besides Jirou. Behind her Rangers loosed their arrows. Four of them striking the beast as it reared up and turned to face the two warriors.

"I'll go low." She told Jirou. "You go high."

Lia was so drawn into the fight with the great beast that she did not even notice Ashieron fighting the statue.

 

[Jirou]

Jirou faced the same dilemma that Lia did. He could not pull his eyes away from the hulk in order to notice Ashieron's fight. The ronin nodded at his ranger friends sentiment about where to strike. He had no qualms with that plan.

No words from his mouth would leave for a while. Not in a situation such as this. It would just interfere with his other senses. Jirou shifted his feet to face the same direction, his blade pointed vertically and at his eye line. The monster was still facing them even with arrows in its flesh.

The exorcist went on the offensive this time, rushing the vampire with deadly precision. At the last second he flipped his blade from facing upward to pointing down. He pierced the creatures shoulders and cut outward. Though his blow hit perfectly this monster had some tough flesh. The damage it would do to any normal bandit held no weight here.

"Tch." Was all that left his mouth before he backed off; awaiting a counterattack.

<57hp> <Roll: 14>

 

[Ashieron]

Ash smiles, why did it always come down to his ears. Sure they had a point but there were other pointed eared races. He jumped to the ground offering little to no sound. The elf smiles, a truly happy and laid back smile. "You said you might be after one of us, which one?" He asks, knowing too well that no one hides on a roof when no one other than the guards that are around this late at night.

He didn't give the insect a moment to respond as he proceeded with his next attack, running his blade through the insect's shell by means of a cut across the chest. He knew his friends were having a bit of time fighting the vampire but he had to consider all the possibilities with something like this bugman.

 

[Solith]

Kerping track of an invisible elf was easier said than done especially if said elf doesn't even make a sound when jumping. Solith kept his eyes focused where the elf had attacked him previously not realising the elf had already jumped down.

"You said you might be after one of us, which one?"
That simple question would be the question that would save Solith's life. Solith now knew that the elf had move position and was heading straight to him. Unlike before Solith was fully prepared and even expected the attack allowing him to jump out of the way in just at the right moment.


"The knowledge of the prey is of no concern to you"
Atleast now Solith was using this time to learn of Ash's capabilities.
"Any chance you have any bounties on you. I personally don't like wasting time on non prey"
It didn't help that while fighting Ash Solith couldn't watch and learn of Jirou's combat capabilities. Hopefully the vampire would keep Lia and Jirou preoccupied long enough preventing them from assisting Ash.

 

[Lia]

Lia moved in sync with Jirou, her steps forcing her low as she cut the right side of her blade against the Hulk's side.

She slid forward on her knees, moving behind the hulk as Jirou backed off. The beast roared, it's claws lashing out to try and grasp her. She felt the swipe of wind as sharpened edges nearly cut her to ribbons, her heart racing as she stood and turned about.

The Vampire Hulk turned it's head, glanced at her, and then turned towards the Exorcist.

No roar escaped the monsters throat this time, instead it charged.

With great thundering steps the beast moved towards Jirou. It's claws extended and it's gaping maw fell open as it tried to grab the Exorcist and chomp down onto his neck.

As soon as it moved Lia charged after it, dashing forward and jumping in an attempt to land on the creatures back.

 

[Jirou]

Jirou had been able to keep up with the beast. His speed at least paired very well against the hulk's own. The creature must hate him for some reason. Perhaps it was the severing of the claws, as it intended most of its attacks towards him. The thing came barreling back at him. Jirou went to back step, but...

What his foot found was the halberd of a fallen guard. He was able to regain his composure and not trip, the hulks mouth about to sever his jugular. His swiftness granted him sanctuary from the fangs. The creature expected this it seemed. The vampires claws came upward with fury as Jirou evaded the bite, catching his left arm and leaving a gash. The impact hurt, but more so surprised the ronin. He flung himself backwards with a back hand spring and assumed his stance again.

Lia was in the midst of a flank, and hoped she could deal a serious blow before this got out of hand. He sustained the first injury.

<52hp> <Roll: 11>

 

[Ashieron]

Not answering the bug's question, giving him a death glare with gritted teeth. He did have a bounty on his head but it was not his fault he had a bounty. Something that was a rather touchy subject for the elf. But why would someone want Jirou dead of all people? That was what he wanted to know. Looking to his side he'd walk to the shadows and put his hand on it. Dark tendrils erupted from the wall and the ground that had shadows. Their aim to impale the insect as it was in the air.

I won't let this insect jeopardize their mission. Ash watches the bug intently before jumping back after the tendrils faded into pitch-black smoke.

 

[Solith]

Solith couldn't see Ash but nevertheless he could feel the glare. Right now Solith was still stuck on the defensive and not willing to risk attacking the unseen enemy.

Solith didn't get much time to think on how to deal with Ash as black tendrils came out of the shadows attempting to pierce him. Solith used a bit of magic to increase his velocity thus barely doging the tendrils. Such simple spells were tiring on Solith and it was clear he couldn't stay on the defensive assuming Ash had high reserves of magic or something.

Solith's forelegs started to glow in arcane energy as Solith used the last of his magical energy to make them as sharp as a rune sword. Solith leaped towards the area Ash had last attacked him in a hope to atleast injure Ash. Solith had only one shot with this attack as further attempts would most likely drain his life force and kill him.

Current hp: 47

 

[Lia]

At this point Lia didn't care much for the subtleties of technique.

She had never before encountered a creature like this. The hulking Vampire was altogether new to her, and she had absolutely no idea how to kill it. So her plan was simple; deal whatever injury she could while she could.

Somehow the beast poured all of its attention on Jirou, and that opened the opportunity for her. She landed upon the hulls back, her feet digging and her hand catching on its shoulder. Then she began to stab it. Her blade pierced pale flesh, drawing black brackish blood as it slipped free.

Then she stabbed again.

Then again and again.

She opened dozens of wounds upon the creatures back, a loud roar escaping it's throat. The monster tried to reach back and grasp her, but by then it was already too late. Her blade pierced it a sixth time, and finally the hulk wobbled.

It's legs shifted, growing weaker, and then it tumbled onto the floor with a loud thud.

 

[Jirou]

This was it. Lia had dealt enough to subdue the creature. This was going to be plenty. Like Lia, Jirou had not dealt with a vampire of this stature before. Its make was horrifying. No human could have achieved size like this, he thought to himself. Whatever had turned this person was amplifying them somehow. What an awful thought.

As the hulk's body hit the ground the ronin shifted over beside them. The creature's hands were occupied, and it was losing blood fast. Blood may be even more valuable to vampires than to humans. It was weakening greatly. Jirou rose his sword over the head of the beast with a somber look in his eyes.

"I can only hope you don't suffer such a fate in your next life." With these soft, cold words, he brought his blade down on the hulks neck. It's head severed in one clean swing and hit the ground with a soft cold roll. He swung his blade, the blood flying from it to the ground. He sheathed it and looked up towards Lia.

"If we are to face many more like this, we will not last."

 

[Ashieron]

Ash saw the attack coming but he didn’t dodge in time as it cut into his side. Blood trickled down his side, he kept his concentration on the spell but it did not hide the blood dripping onto the ground. Damn it. He thinks looking at his wound real quickly before he rushed the insect again, dropping his blade and forming clawed gauntlets over his hands. Sliding low Ash aims to slash the bug’s hamstrings or atleast its leg. Hopefully providing enough of an irritate for it to limp around and slow down.

(HP:36)

 

[Solith]

Finally Solith got a hit on Ash. Had it been at the start of the fight it may have meant something but now the fight had drawn on and Solith had expended nearly all his energy. Solith saw the attack coming now that Ash was covered in blood but Solith just couldn't move at the speed he was moving just before.

Solith Screeched in pain as the clawed gauntlets pierces his carapace. His back left leg was now dangling just barely attached to his body. Now that the vampire spawn was slaughtered by Jirou and Lia it was too likely they would turn and assist Ash in this fight. As quickly as Solith could he tried to run away and get up on a roof before attempting a leap with a broken leg. Ash would pay for disrupting the hunt with his life but now was not the time to fight, now was the time to escape.
(HP: 15)