As the Hunters approached the borders of Iredele, the mist that seemed to guard the town from the outside world parted just enough to make visibility clear for the travelers. The surrounding area was just as bleak as the village itself and it didn’t seem much was to be commented on given the circumstance.

The World of Wasted Dreams certainly lived up to its name. The twin blue moons hung high above the blackened sky like two ever present eyes watching the progress of all. The sounds of things crawling around in the dark filled the air on all sides though the group had yet to see anything to cause them trouble. Maribel had mentioned monsters and it seemed like the God Hand was just but a glimpse of the horrors contained in this world.

The road was raggedy and barely recognizable as a pathway at all. Broken down shards of what looked like possibly train tracks littered wherever the Hunters stepped and the ground creaked with each step they took. Soon though, the sound of pattering footsteps was heard through the mist, getting louder and louder with each shuffle until a bent over form appeared before the group of Hunters.

A man with tattered clothing reached out blindly in the dark, the wisps of his shirt pulled back by either wind of something else, as if dragging him away from the group. Small mumblings escaped his dry throat before they were easily distinguished as cries of help.

Upon closer inspection, one could see that his eyes had been scratched out with what looked like a knife. A poor beggar, left out to wander and rot within this world, no better off than dead. He was a sad example of this world’s apathy and cruelty. He reached towards the group with curious arms, hoping these people could help in a time of need.

For Tatsumi, he would feel something much more sinister in his step. The first effects of his first exposure to the magic of darkness were beginning to creep into his mind. Every corner was filled with light paranoia and it seemed as if the shadows themselves were watching him, specifically an overwhelming force that peered from behind the group.

It was the price for using the magic of the shadows in this world.

"Don't separate, or you'll never find your way once you lose it." And so Macey watched Leo gingerly, as he made his way out of the city and into the thick mist beyond.

"And where is he going?" Macey hissed quietly. "He still has a debt!" Leo, probably being the strongest and most experienced of the hunters, would have made an invaluable addition to the hunt. And yet, here he was, travelling into the world of nothing but pain and sorrow by himself.

It's because I'm not strong enough to follow him... she sighed, with her eyes downcast. With any luck, Leo might be heading towards the direction of the Ravine anyway; although, this scenario was unlikely, Macey felt. Well then. I'll show him. I'll bring down a big fat dragon and wear it's skull as a helmet. Then he'll see I'm worth having around!

The scenery outside the city didn't really shock Macey. It looked every bit as miserable as the city itself - if not for the wooden walls, she wouldn't have noticed the difference. Still, the hunting group kept at their long and steady march, and within time she found herself pacing along Mu's side.

"Don't get me wrong. Your Monkey's cute, but don't start thinking we're friends. As far as I'm concerned, we're still strangers." Shortly after, whilst tripping for the umpteenth time in those past 15 minutes on what seemed to be a heavy metal clamp and the remains of a wooden track of sorts, she carried on, “Who on earth constructs these things all the way out here anyway? Either there was a time when this place didn’t have monsters, or this legendary builder had a massive can of monster repellent. Either way, he need to learn his secrets.”

Mid rant, the troupe happened across a ghost like shadow of a man. It even took Macey a few moments to realise he was calling for help.
"try to not interfere with things around here... I hope you'll not try to save every person that you hear screaming and dying in the dark..." Those words of warning rang back in her mind, just as she was about to reach out for the guy. She felt her heart break - before, back in the normal world, she would have helped a man like this in need in a heartbeat. Now, even people who were on the brink of death and desperately in need of help seemed to be a threat. It seemed like everything here happened for a cold and just reason - what if this man was just another child eater?

“What happened to you?” Macey asked coldly, making sure she was further than an arm’s length away to distance herself from him.

Upon exiting the town, things looked ever so gloomy. Everything was just as dark and the only light seemed to be coming from the moon. Mu had opened his umbrella and put it to his back. He felt like something was off about this land, maybe it was because it didn't match his brightness, or maybe it was because there was real evil here, he didn't, but what was clear was that they had left all safety behind and now it was all left on their own skills to stay alive.

@Memoir
Jin was shivering and crawled on top of Mu's head. Even the monkey could feel it. While they walked, he found his self next to Macey. "I get you but being friendly is not a crime." He said to her with a chuckle. "I agree, about the monster repellent, and I'm trying to figure out which monkey you find cute." He looked at her when he said this. The last part kinda slipped out, but it felt right.

Out of no were, a dead looking guy appeared on their path. He was calling for help. The hairs on the back of Mu's neck stood up straight. Jin crawled into his shirt and peeked out. Mu loosened the blade on the umbrella, not enough so that he would be noticed but just enough for a quick draw, he stepped up right behind Macey, ready to fight. "He looks suspicious." Mu said out loud.

The path the ravine was dark, gloomy, and positively dreadful; Which is to say it was exactly like the rest of the World of Wasted Dreams. Tatsumi began the trip feeling confident. He was ready for adventure, ready to prove himself to the group. But soon that changed, a sense of dread slowly consuming him as they drew closer to Paraanon Ravine. He wasn't sure if it was just an effect of this world or if he was just getting jumpy... or maybe there really was some sort of danger. He began throwing glances over his shoulder, convinced that something very scary was following them. Something overwhelmingly powerful. His hand drifted to the hilt of his sword, ready to draw at any moment. Am I just being paranoid? No one else seems scared...

At least none of the humans in their party were. He cast a glance to Mu and his monkey companion Jin. The monkey was nervous too, to the point of shaking. Animals do have a certain sense for these things. Maybe there is something following us. He heard Macey dismiss the monkey-like man as a stranger. Tatsumi cast her a friendly smile, "No need to be so cold, Macey. I have a feeling we're going to be stuck together for a while, so I think we should all be friends!" He announced enthusiastically. He really was seeking the friendship of the group, even the more aggressive members like Akemi and Sinthe, that was simply Tatsumi's nature.

And then footsteps could be heard advancing towards them from the mist. Tatsumi tensed, preparing to draw his weapon. He had a feeling that vigilance was an incredibly valuable trait out here. However the mist parted to reveal an old man that appeared to be in a very sorry state. His eyes were clearly gone, and although his cries were barely audible it was obvious he needed help. Mu and Macey instantly announced their suspicion of the man, but Tatsumi was foolishly not so cautious. "C'mon, he's just and old man, and he clearly need some help. Are you alright sir?" He said, approaching the man.

Sinthe was behind everyone while they walked into the almost blinding mist, he noticed the blue moons in the sky and it started to give him memories, while he walked with everyone keeping up with them, he held his forehead and remembered being a swamp like forest and jumping through the trees and beating hell out of people while wearing a black cloak and an odd mask on his face, he remembered ambushing a group of men that captured people in cadges and dragging them through the swamps, Sinthe remembered taking the men on with only his hands and feet and freeing the people.

When Sinthe came to, he noticed that they came across a man with his eyes cut or ripped out, Sinthe didn't like this, and felt that they should just keep going. But sadly it didn't work too well, Tatsumi was wanting to help, even after the last attempt to help someone, Sinthe began to wonder if the guy was a knight of some sort that needed to help people." Tatsumi remember what Akemi said ! This isn't the real world ! It's a trap ! " Sinthe yelled at the guy, he didn't approach the guy like Tatsumi, but tried to remind the guy that this wasn't the regular world he probably came from, Sinthe wasn't going to help him in this type of fight if it was actually a trap.

As they walked into the thick mist that permeated every inch of the barren wasteland outside of Iredele's wall, Akemi spared a few moments of peace and silence to think about the current situation, while the effect of alcohol vanished gradually.

"This wasn't one of my best days, I have to admit..." the fox demon thought to herself as she recalled everything that happened.

"It all began calm and quiet, as I came back to the 'town' after slaying a few chupacabras at a random farm, I got my udon, my drink and even some free beef, but then, they came." Akemi frowned under her hood as she thought about the newbie hunters.

"Ahh... and for the Absolute's sake, I had to let my goddamned body have the best of me. But what could I do after not having sex for so much time that even I can't remember the last one?" She heard Sinthe's heavy footsteps at the back of the group, and if the others could see Akemi's expression they would notice a total lack of interest, disappointed that things didn't went as she wished.

"And then, I fought those dog bastards for nothing, nearly drunk myself to a stupor and finally, basically raped one of those stupid vegetables that call themselves villagers. And last, but not least..." Akemi sighed, and the last few words came out of her throat without she even noticing "Here am I, babysitting a pack of newbies when can't even walk around in the dark without tripping on their own feet. Just what I call a perfect day."

Just as Akemi concluded her lone rant, she noticed the little commotion of the other hunters, in regards to the poor beggar, that she only noticed now. Akemi's ears twitched as she heard the man's pitiful cries "Ah, to hell with it!" the fox woman yelled when she couldn't bear the noise any longer.

The vixen stepped in front of the other hunters, and before any of them could react, she drew something from inside her mantle "Here, that's allthe kindness you'll get from me, old man." Akemi said as she closed in on the beggar and... placed a loaf of tough bread and a waterskin, full of wine, in his hands.

"Keep to the tracks to your left and you'll reach the town in an hour or two. Don't expect me to help you anymore, though." If the man still had his eyes, he would be crying now, but instead, he just thanked his unknown savior from the bottom of his heart and walked away in the shadows following the tracks while he ate food that Akemi gave him eagerly, just as if it was a banquet from the gods.

As Akemi turned tails and began walking towards the Ravine again, she shot a dlare at the other hunters and said "Don't look at me like this, you bunch of wet behind the ears puppies. If you can't tell the difference between a trap and a random unlucky old sap, you're not cut for the job of being a hunter."

Without any other word Akemi began to walk again towards the Paraanon Ravine. "Sure, he old man wasn't a trap, but it didn't meant that I had to help him. What the heck am I thinking today?" The vixen thought as she continued to thread within the dark.

The beggar did not answer Macey’s question but he did frown heavily, shaking his head and clasping his hardened and dirty hands over his eyes. It was probably obvious to guess what had happened to the pour soul. Fate was against him, as it was to all denizens of the World of Wasted Dreams. And yet, Akemi alone decided to defy fate and show the man compassion.

"Ut absolutam gratiam tuam...ut absolutam gratiam tuam...""

The old man let out what appeared to be a whispy gasp as Akemi stepped forward to deliver unto him some much appreciated food. He listened to her words and managed a crooked smile towards her, the remains of his teeth hanging loosely in his small maw. Yes, this sacrifice of hers would not go in vain. Shuffling over to the left side of the road in his rags, he quickly guided himself along towards the village of Iredele.

However, it seemed that fate was dealing nothing but cruel hands on this day. As the group of Hunters was turned away from the beggar, the forces of the night chose that moment to strike. A piercing screech broke in the air, the sound reminiscent of two bones being harshly grated against one another. If the Hunters looked back they’d see that the man was seen no more in a flurry of black and white.

They looked like oversized, rotting ravens. That was probably the best way to describe them. They were at least three times the size of any regular raven, their feathers slicked with some sort of black, oily substance. Their ribcages showed, revealing pale white bones that led down to form razored claws at the end of each foot. In place of a bird’s head was in fact a clacking human skull and its body ended with a long, bony tail with a snarling bird’s skull screeching at the end of it.

They had waited for the Hunters to pass before striking to kill the old fool that was condemned to die. And yet, the beggar was not dead. An impossible sight was being witnessed, as the man was fighting back with what seemed to be renewed strength and increased fortitude. It would seem that Akemi’s kindness had done something for the man’s conscience and he refused to die so easily like other prey before him.

Fate had certainly been changed. Perhaps he would have fallen in despair and been killed instantly had the Hunters turned away from him? No one could say for sure. What could be said though was that the man chose survival over acceptance of death. But life could only sustain for so long. If the Hunters waited any longer, than the man’s second chance would go to waste and he would surely die.

Sinthe pushed Tatsumi back with the others as Akemi gave the man water and bread, he shot a grin her way for what she had done, then let the old guy pass by he didn't trust the man still and kept his guard up as he drunk from the water skin and ate the bread on his way back to the small village, and before any of them knew it and the guy began crawling back to the village, a pair of the biggest birds that Sinthe has ever seen dropped in and tried to kill the old guy, but the old man began putting up a fight towards the large birds." Willing to make them fight for their food huh ? " Sinthe said aloud.

He sighed before cracking his knuckles, Sinthe went in without a plan but with a goal, he sprinted up the back of the close one with a crazy amount of speed and grab hold of it's head, he then flipped over it's head while still keeping a tight hold on it, and brought the creature's head into the ground and flipped the entire creature over, before it could try to recover from the stunning attack, Sinthe put his hands together and brought them both down on the creature's head, he then looked to the other bird creature Sinthe took up a defensive stance and wondered if anyone else would join in on the battle." If you want to live then get moving. " Sinthe told the old begger.

Not even five minutes after Akemi had helped the old man, defying most of her personal creed in the process, there was he being in mortal danger again, she cursed herself under her breath, before yelling "You rotting, overgrown parrots, if you think you're getting a free bite you're very wrong."

Seeing that Sinthe jumped in to deal with one of the beasts, Akemi focused on the other. She curled her right hand forming the shape of a crooked talon, not unlike that of the birds that assaulted the old beggar restlessly. Slashing the air in front of her, Akemi shouted in a voice that seemed to reverberate from the pits of hell itself "GeT aWaY fRoM tHaT mAm NoW, bOnY bEaK!"

Blood splashed from a she had been carrying and formed and formed a claw that mimicked Akemi's movements and smashed the bird against the ground, with a sickening sound before penetrating the creature's skin and bursting forth from its blood vessels in a gory mess. I wasn't enough to kills the creature yet, so Akemi closed in and engaged the bird on melee.

"Unh..."

Rising from the dirt, Donny wasn't sure where he was. Or what he was doing. He looked around what seemed to be some old church. Before he even got to his feet he heard the rambling of some old man, something about "hunting monsters" and what not. By the time Donny's eyes adjusted to the darkness he saw some things at his feet. A hatchet, a knife, and a pile of rope. Looking up at the old man he seemed to just sit there. "Aye, what's going on? Where am I?" He asked, but he didn't get an answer. Something told him that he'd need to figure it out himself. Surely there were others around.

Donny strapped the weapons onto his belt. When he touched the rope, he instinctively looped a knot to turn it into a lasso. This was familiar to him. Not entirely certain why, but it felt right. He left the building and arrived in a dark town. He stepped into what he guess was the town square. He didn't see anyone around and it must have been night time. "Maybe everyone is asleep?" Donny continued to walk around. He went to one of the buildings across the square, the Winter Wolf Tavern. Hopefully there was someone there to help him figure out what this town was all about.

Not even five minutes after Akemi had helped the old man, defying most of her personal creed in the process, there was he being in mortal danger again, she cursed herself under her breath, before yelling "You rotting, overgrown parrots, if you think you're getting a free bite you're very wrong."

Seeing that Sinthe jumped in to deal with one of the beasts, Akemi focused on the other. She curled her right hand forming the shape of a crooked talon, not unlike that of the birds that assaulted the old beggar restlessly. Slashing the air in front of her, Akemi shouted in a voice that seemed to reverberate from the pits of hell itself "GeT aWaY fRoM tHaT mAm NoW, bOnY bEaK!"

Blood splashed from a she had been carrying and formed and formed a claw that mimicked Akemi's movements and smashed the bird against the ground, with a sickening sound before penetrating the creature's skin and bursting forth from its blood vessels in a gory mess. I wasn't enough to kills the creature yet, so Akemi closed in and engaged the bird on melee.

Before Sinthe could actually attack the giant bird, and it tried to lunge at him, Akemi jumped into the fight, she crooked her hand into an odd shape and spoke in a voice that Sinthe couldn't even explain in words, she ordered the bird to get away from the man, and Sinthe wondered if she was meaning him or the old guy for a minute, then she slashed the bird with a giant claw that followed her moves, the claw mutilated the giant bird human hybrid, but the monster wasn't finished yet.

Sinthe could see that Akemi was going for the kill and decided to help her out a little, Sinthe walked up to her side and picked her up, before she could probably object to what he was going to do, he lifted her off the ground and threw her towards the bird's back." Drop it !" He yelled to the demon fox woman, as Sinthe looked at his actions, some part of him thought he wasn't expecting this to be his day, helping a fox woman kill a giant bird with the skull of a human.

"You're late Hunter."

The voice was small, almost shy, and yet commanded a strange sense of authority. Or at the very least, it drew more power than the weak shells of mortal men that called themselves residents of this godforsaken town. Maribel sat in one of the front corners of the tavern and gently waved Donny over to join her for a drink.

A small cup was already placed before her and it was half-full with a red liquid so smooth and pungent it would have made Akemi hurl in disgust. So potent was this strange drink that it would even seem odly familiar to Donny in some way.

"My name is Maribel and I'm drinking juice," the young girl said before he got any ideas about her. As dangerous as this place was, she would not break the law when it came to alcohol. Taking a sip of the smelling drink, Maribel kicked her legs out slightly since she was too short to actually reach the bottom of the tavern booth.

"I'm afraid your fellow Hunters are already tracking their first prey. Going to them now will only waste time and possibly get you killed. For now, you should rest a bit more and ask any questions you might have. I know you do have some mysteries you want solved."

The young girl titled her head knowingly.

Back in Paraan Ravine, the bony birds let out a deafening screech in unison as the Hunters began to fight back. Hearing Sinthe's heated order, the beggar rolled out of the way when an opportunity within the fighting finally presented itself and he stumbled to his feet. He gave only a nod to Akemi though before he shuffled out of sight, presumably back to Iredele. Tatsumi made sure to make his path easier by cutting down any avian abomination that stood in his way.

The first of many souls to be liberated by the Hunters, or so it seemed. The flock of birds only became more and more agressive as they gave witness to their prey fleeing. One was downed by Sinthe while another was heavily mutilated by Akemi. The Hunter then picked up the fox woman and threw her at the injured bird for a killing blow.

Before she made impact however, the same sensation from before at the Town Square was felt. A lingering shadow was sensed before the deathly raven cried in pain, it's wings clipped off almost instantly. A spray of purple blood spewed out and in that blinding moment of invisibility, a force halted Akemi's motion midair and placed her back down on solid ground before disappearing again like a ghost.

Donny looked over at the girl in the tavern. "Late? Nah. I'm lost. No destination but now." Donny said jokingly. Given that he doesn't remember making an appointment to show up in this town, he hardly felt like he was responsible for being "late".

The tavern itself felt familiar, not in the sense that Donny has been here before, just that he was familiar with the environment. He guessed that he must have been in similar establishments in a previous life. Donny walked over to join her for a drink after she beckoned for him. She called herself Maribel and made it clear that she wasn't drinking any alcohol. Whatever she was drinking, it wasn't like anything for Donny. He didn't even get to sit down before his nose picked up it's powerful scent. But once seated he did not hesitate to take the drink and downed it in one gulp.

He started to gag but managed to prevent himself from simply vomiting. After coughing for a few minutes he grumbled. "Cal... Maybe I shouldn't drink so soon after showing up in this ghost town. Anyways." Donny looked over to this Maribel as she told him about his "fellow hunters" and their prey. Seemed like they went ahead of him and it would be a bad idea to try to catch up. Makes sense to him; he doesn't know a thing about this town. If he intended to go anywhere he'd want someone to watch his back, even if they were strangers. Maribel was at least willing to answer some of Donny's questions and give him a chance to relax. Granted, he was already doing do the moment he came to, but now he at some alcohol and a very pretty girl.

"Mmm... I guess I have a few questions. Feel free to answer them in any order. Name's Donny by the way. Donny Lee Yang. Anyways! First and foremost, where am I? What's this place called and where is it at?" Always important to know where he was, though upon further thought Donny couldn't even remember where he came from. He doesn't remember his home, his land, his country if he had one. So maybe it was pointless asking so much about where he was, considering that he doesn't even remember where he came from. Still, it could be important. "Let's see, second question: Who rules this place? I saw the ded at the church but he doesn't seem to really do much. I'm guessing you run this tavern, but I don't see any millicents or nothing. You also mentioned hunters and prey. What are they chasing after so late?" Donny guessed it was late since he at least knew what sun looked like. Yet somehow he got a feeling that this was going to be a very long night.

Playing around with the now empty cup Donny looked at Maribel with a curios look. "And lastly, I'd like to know more about you. How'd a pretty devotchka like yourself get stuck here? Came with family, or same as me?"

Jenniver had not drawn her sword when the abominations that resemble crows appeared, instead she found this to be a perfect time to test out the other weapons she had been given. Drawing the hand crossbow with lightning speed she only needed a moment to take aim and fight, nailing one of the crows with a impressive shot to the head. It was strange, aiming and shooting like this felt so natural when compared to the strange feeling of using her sword, but she didn't know why as of right now. Something was missing.

It was then that something appeared, what was it? She couldn't tell but whatever it was it didn't attack them like the crows, but it was as if it was watching them. "What was that?" She didn't know for sure but she felt like it didn't just leave, maybe it was still watching? Whatever it didn't take its chance to fight them but instead helped a little so it was already nicer than 80% of things they had met. She looked down to Akemi, she had been down here the longest after all right? So reasonably she should known what the heck just happened.

Macey internally groaned at Monkey Kid’s comment, although her face on the outside was completely deadpan. That was okay though – she’d murder him later.

With the birds, she kept that same air of indifference. Though they looked quite harrowing, Macey had a feeling that this wasn’t the target that the Mayor wanted the hunters to go after. Predicting that Sinthe and Akemi to rush in and deal with the bulk of the ravens (which they did, rather splendidly) Macey took the time to relax and try out her ranged weapon.

The first shot only managed to knock out the humanoid jaw from its hinge. The “bird” in question staggered for a few seconds, before carrying out its assault with its razor sharp claws. What kind of gun has this bad of an aim? Macey thought, taking two more shots to finally kill the stupid thing. One spiralled through its body, while the lethal blow took the head off completely. At least the shotgun was powerful, but with this kind of deviation, it seemed like a better fit for a close range weapon.

There was some benefits to hanging back from the fray, however. For one, seeing Akemi’s demonic fighting form for the first time was rather fascinating. And secondly, meeting that shadowy being for the second time that night gave Macey a strange sense of reassurance.

“It seems like our dark knight in shadowy armour has decided to follow us. Which works out perfectly – it means we waste less time and energy trying to track him down.” Or her. Or it. “He’s the same guy we saw in the town square today” Macey said, addressing Jenniver. “If we have him as an ally, we have relatively little to fear. Let’s get going, before I end up starving as well.”

It was a…sad day? A depressing day? Nope, a hilarious day! Not only did that fox bitch drench herself in the stench of a bitch in the heat once more, but there were new Hunters popping up and showing off their superior combat skills, interrupting the town’s rituals in the process! Hell, one of those new kiddos even went out of their way to go back to the church and try to shake some answers out of Rotting Bone!

It really would have been better if the trigger-happy Hunter had actually pulled the trigger though, so Roless could have some human blood to play with as well. Of course, the poison would have to be purified first, and the blood still won’t be quite as effective as his own, but…well, the brunette just wanted to see another display of death-dealing skill from that old man. It had been far too long that he had seen the old man in action, after all. But, alas, the idiot girl wasn’t that stupid, and pretty much gave up, prompting Roless to stop caring as well.

Dropping down from his front-row seats on top of the roof of a building, the Hunter, his steps pronounced with the clink of metal against metal, strode up to the sorry collection of dead dog-humans, selecting the one that was the most whole. Ignoring the glances he received from the townspeople, he dragged the monster alongside him as he headed to the decrepit church.

“Morning RoBo,” he called out cheerily, kicking open the doors of the Temple, “Messy day, eh? Want me to cull some of them to preserve status quo, or are you enjoying the chaos as well?”

Maribel first widened her eyes and then frowned deeply as Donny snatched up her drink and downed the whole thing by himself in little less than a few seconds. Well wasn't that a way to start out first impressions? The red liquid would become all too familiar to Donny as it slid easily down his throat, the taste strong and acidic in its flavor and texture. Maribel was honestly surprised that he had fought off the urge to vomit almost instantly.

"You...You realize you just consumed a mug's worth of stale blood, right? Also, it's rude to steal other people's paid drinks."

Donny gulped. He didn't think blood tasted that... Strong. "She means animal blood right? Not like... People blood?" But Donny quickly resumed his cool as if he totally knew what he was doing. "I apologize. I'm just a bit... Blood thirsty. But I guess now I have to make it up to you, huh? Anything you'd like from me?" He said in a sultry tone. He just hoped that she wasn't going to make him drink more blood.

The young girl sighed at his cheesy lines. So he was one of those types of people. Fun. She considered making him drink more blood since he was so inclined to not only show off but to pile on a terrible pun at that. But she didn't because frankly she didn't want to deal with a sick Hunter.

"No, but I would prefer if you bought me another drink," Maribel replied, frown still creased into her features as she crossed her legs. "To answer your first question, you're in what's known as the World of Wasted Dreams, specifically the last human village, Iredele. The rest of this world is populated with monsters and nightmares, hence the prey your fellow Hunters are in pursuit of even now."

"Of course. What counts as cutter round these parts anyways?" Aside from the clothes on his back and the weapons on his belt Donny was fairly certain he was broke. Nothing he had on him would indicate he had any sort of currency unless... She doesn't mind drinking his blood. Not that Donny liked that sort of exchange of fluids.

Putting those thoughts aside he mulled over the new information she gave him. He didn't know a single thing about anything she said. World of Wasted Dreams? Iredele? Monsters and nightmares? Sounded like something out of a game of fantasy. But here he was. Whatever story he was in now, he was a character within it. He supposed he ought to go with the flow.

"Alright. Can't say any of that makes sense to me, but considering that I hardly know much beyond my name I suppose it's all the sense it'll be. Not much reason to know the boss 'round here. Gunna take a wild guess and say it's the most starry hunter here. So I guess now we're down to one question. Who are you?"

"Well there is an entity called the Absolute that's supposed to watch over this land. That's why there's a church in this town, supposedly. But me...I'm not exactly sure," Maribel answered, acutely aware that he still hadn't bought her a new drink.

"I don't remember much just like you admittedly. But I know that my name is Maribel, I don't have any parents, the monsters of this world avoid me, and I drink juice not alcohol," she announced with a little pride.

Nodding his head Donny noticed a ragged looking fellow behind the bar. He must have been the barkeep but he looked... Dim. Regardless Donny snapped his fingers to get his attention. "Aye bartender! One more for Maribel. My tab." Did they take tabs here? He certainly hoped they did.

The barkeep with the glassy eyes seemed to jump both at Donny's snap and order before lumbering about to fulfill the request. He returned shortly, a fresh cup of that same stinking red juice before placing it next to Maribel and shuffling away without a word.

Maribel spoke something about "The Absolute" which had something to do with the church. Some sort of deity from what Donny could gather. He wasn't a religious man, but he was still rightfully god-fearing and such. After all, no need to earn the ire of the great beyond. Aside from that Maribel also told him a bit about her. Or what she knew about her anyways. Must have showed up here like he did: out of the blue. But monsters avoided her and she drank "juice". If her idea of juice was stale blood she was pretty freaky. Donny liked freaky.

"Nice. But if the monsters avoid you, does that mean you're a hunter? I mean... You don't look the part, but then again what do I know? Ya peet with blood and call it juice. Obviously there's more to you then that."

"Not really," Maribel said with a shake of her head. "The monsters attack anyway regardless if they're a Hunter or not. The instinct to consume is greater than fear. They avoid me like I'm some kind of...plague I guess. Or like I'm not one of their kind, like an ugly duckling."

The girl took a sip of her drink and waited for Donny to respond. After all, they had all the time in the world and it wasn't like the others would be back any time soon.

Ugly duckling... Donny was familiar with the tale. He wondered if it had more significance then Maribel realized. "Ya don't say? Interesting... So I guess that must make you a guardian angel of some sort, eh? Monsters wouldn't come near you, so you stay in the town, make sure they don't just run everyone out. Something like that anyways." Donny's throat was getting a bit parched, not helped by the fact that he still had a sick feeling in his stomach from drinking that blood. "Bartender, something for me too. Whatever wines you got, water if not."

The bartender's step faltered slightly before he processed the request. Moving like a dead man, he made a short trip and back to the table with a cup of something dark and bellowing, something that had bubbles fizzing at the top with a rancid odor. At least it was alcohol as opposed to the less...dilute stuff Maribel was drinking.

"I wouldn't call myself a guardian angel Donny," said Maribel once the bartender was gone. "I only visit this town occasionally sometimes. I usually just travel around outside the village though I do deliver wandering strangers I come across to this place. In fact, I even brought you here Donny, along with the rest of the Hunters. You were unconscious near the Lake of Tears."

Now here was something. Donny just figured that he showed up in the church, perhaps fell from the skies, not too long ago. Certainly would explain the initial vertigo and amnesia. But instead Maribel said he arrived at this place called the Lake of Tears. Not the most sunniest place he'd imagine. "Lake of Tears huh? What can you tell me about that place?" When the barkeep arrived with his drink, some sort of fizzing and putrid thing, Donny gulped that down without much thought or fanfare as well. "Another!"

Maribel frowned at his insistence to the local drinks. Not that she minded since he was supposedly using his own money, but she didn't want to have to explain again when he eventually became too drunk to understand her.

"It's cold. That's all you need to know since I doubt you'll be visiting that place any time soon."

Scowling at Maribel Donny tried to press further. "Oui? What if I need to go there tomorrow? Seeing that you've been there before, and who knows what could happen later, wouldn't it be better to now know then later? If it's where you found me and the other hunters surely it's important. Otherwise how else did we end up there?"

The effects of the drinks were hardly bothering Donny. While it certainly didn't sit well in his stomach, his mind was still quite lucid. It'll take more poison to do him in then just a mug of blood and whatever other spew he just drank.

"I said that's all you need to know," Maribel reiterated. "Besides, I didn't find all the other Hunters there. Only you. Everyone else was scattered around the World of Wasted Dreams. I just happen across you all during my travels."

The girl narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, refusing to give in like a child clinging onto their favorite toy.

Letting out a bit of a chuckle Donny rested his chin on his hands and looked at Maribel. "That's cute. Though you say otherwise, you're still trying to protect me. My own angel." While the girl was smaller then Donny, she surely was much more experienced. She may claim otherwise, but if she hadn't come along Donny would have been alone and defenseless at the Lake of Tears, at the mercy of the monsters there. Surely there was some good will in that.

"I-I am not your angel! I just couldn't leave you there to die, that's all," Maribel protested, a light shade of red tinting her pale cheeks.

"Heh heh... Well, I guess that's all I wanted to know. So, my pretty ptitsa, anything you want to ask about me?"

"Well, I can ask you where you got such rude language. I am not some old tavern woman," Maribel said with a little heat in her voice to match her budding cheeks.

Donny was almost about to laugh seeing that he was finally getting some bite from Maribel. "Oh? I never thought of you that way. More like a... Molodoy nadsat. Heh, if you're wanting to know my lingo, I suppose I could teach you a thing or two. Or maybe I could keep my secrets so you can keep yours." Donny's playful smile suggested this was a joke, but it also masked his intent to use this as an opportunity to learn more about Maribel. That and he honestly couldn't really remember what or where he learned these words from. As far as he cares to know they're just a part of his language, much like the words he spoke already.

"Nice try, but you get what I give," Maribel said with a sense of finality before a sly smirk crossed her face. "Unless of course, you're willing to pay for more drinks."

Finally letting out a hearty laugh Donny motioned for the barkeep to come over. "Another round for me and my angel! Mark my words Maribel, I'll open your doors one way or another. But until then how about a toast? From a stranger to my savior."

Maribel sighed in annoyance as he continued to refer to her like that. Still, at least he was being jovial about it. Reluctantly, she raised her own glass and toasted his mug of smelling alcohol, the clank of glass filling the room.

Close by, at the town square in fact, the collection of dead dog bodies was beginning to smell much like the drinks of the Tavern. However, it had to be noted that only two bodies were still around for Roless to pick up and deliver. The other three seemed to have vanished off somewhere. The notion of them walking right back up was absurd so one had to wonder where those corpses had gone to.

Back inside the Temple, Rotting Bone looked up to see Roless kick his way in with the two dead dogs in tow. The hooded man indicated towards the corner of the Temple to where the corpses should be laid to rest.

“Messy as it always is Roless,” the old man replied knowingly. “As for the young ones, do what you see fit. Just be sure to grant this hardened soul some peace for the night, yeah? It’ll take some time blessing these monsters back to a holy land.”

Dragging the dog-men towards the most rot-filled corner of the Temple, with a blood-stench so bad that even Roless was reflexively repulsed at the scene, the Hunter tossed those sacks of flesh and blood into the corner. He drew out the retracted variation of the Harvest out afterwards, the dull blade reflecting no moonlight as it was poised over the hearts of the corpses. A quick jab, and then, blood flowed as Roless’s magic got to work. The crimson liquid flowed up the blade, and then the shaft of the folded spear, sliding into the folds of the hunter’s dark coat and disappearing from sight. Soon, the two mongrels were white as bone, and Roless turned back to face the priest.

“Suppose that you’d like someone to get that dead bitch out of the well too, before you get more dead people to purify? Or do you already have someone on that job?”

“What a way to go though,” he chuckled, shaking his head, “Trying to take everyone else down with her and all.”

"Oh shit, I'm late!" Alto shouted. Today he was supposed to be out hunting with a group of new arrivals, but he'd totally forgotten. He'd actually been sleeping, but since Iredele was always night-time he had lost track of what time it was, but he could tell from the moon outside his window that he was definitely late.

"Shit, crap, fuck..." He tripped over himself a few times before finally making it to his wardrobe. He quickly pulled on his hunter clothes; his fancy trousers, vest and even a little tie thingy before hurriedly tugging on his shoes.

"Why didn't anyone wake me up?" He said, running over to the window.

He flung open the shutters, breaking some of the glass in the process, and grabbed one of his Zweihanders which were resting on the wall next to the window. He was on the second floor of the Inn of Four Winds, and his room directly faced the town fall. He leaned out of the window and he also pulled the Zweihander outside with him. He mentally aimed where he wanted it to go, and he threw it as hard as he could, sending it full storey above the inn. He quickly pulled his other Zweihander from inside the window and flung it as well, but not as high.

Without missing a beat, he took a step on the window sill and leaped out onto the tree in front of his window. Using its outer-most branches as stepping stones, he quickly leaped up through the tree and into the air. His Zweihanders arced through the air, the second one falling slower but starting lower, and at the point where the two equalized, Alto was there. He caught them in midair, but the weight caused him to suddenly drop and he hit the ground hard.

"Fuck!" He could feel the impact going through his legs, but he was still fine. Somehow he managed to keep his grip on his Zweihanders. "Can't waste any more time!"

Hefting his Zweihanders onto his shoulders, he bounded off in the direction of the town's boundaries, and the hunting group he was supposed to be in for that day.

Tatsumi gave their vixen a small smile as she offered the old man food and water. Maybe I was wrong about her. However this small moment of redemption was broken up by strange crow-like monsters descending upon the old man. Tatsumi seemed to jump into battle on instinct, not taking time to think about the potential consequences of getting involved in something that didn't really involve him. That was just the sort of person he was. He moved to fight off the carrion-creatures that attacked the old man, trying to cut a path through for him to run.

He got out safe.

But as soon as he was gone, the crow-monsters seemed to press their attack. Tatsumi continued to fight, but his attention was drawn by Akemi and Sinthe's suddenly and unexpectedly interrupted attack. He was sure now. I thought I saw something in the town square... that must be the same person. Macey also picked up on it. She announced that she wanted to find it and ally with it. "I don't think who or what that is doesn't have any interest in making its presence obvious to us."