Steer:

{Walking the Dirt Road.}

He had his assignment and was heading towards it. An area of interest had possibly been discovered and Steer was well on his way to get there. As pictured, it was a lovely if not unbeaten path. Above the ankle grass lightly swayed in a warm summer breeze, the sun hung overhead in a crisp blue sky and Steer seemed to bask in it while he evenly paced forward. Sweat lined his pale white features, on part of the warm summer day and in part because of his choice of clothes, the usual blue hooded sweater and leg covery Pant-sweats as he called them. Hand stuck in the pockets of his sweater, white hair stayed placed if not a little moist from the sweat lining his brow, blue eyes peering ahead, occasionally squinting but steady as he moved.

"Hm...Forgot if there was any in-between place from here to there..."

Mind you, Steer could hunt, enjoyed doing it in fact, but cooking-camp-fire and legitimate hot home made food was never to be beat, or so he thought. Smile on his face, the whimsical Martial Artist shrugged and continued on his way. Eyes were ever vigilant. He was hoping for a place to stay and grab a bite, as evident by the words spoken to himself, but it never hurt to look out. Might see some big old elks and deer, maybe a bush lizard or cat, maybe some birds that'd leave to a nest. One way or another it was always good to ensure you had a good food source nearby and this meant both looking out for meat and random wild vegetables. Eyes to the sky, ground, then evenly set for the place ahead, a foresty looking place at that.

"Roads long but I'll make it."

Or would he? You never know what you'll find out there, during the day or night...something just might pop its head out from somewhere.

@Griffintaur

As Steer made his way under the eclipsing branches and leaves, he would soon find himself faced against something well beyond his expectation. An animal was currently lurking about, a beast, at that. One of which that boasted 2 separate bodies much like a Centaur. This creature instead harbored feline and avian traits throughout, making it appear as a mutated Griffin. Its head was white feathered, sporting a sharpened pair of plumaged horns, a prominent crest and a hooked, golden beak. The entirety of his body was more akin to a lion, with soft, tawny brown fur making up his entire frame. With a height of 3 fully grown men and a length of 4, this hybrid instilled fear on mortal men just from his sheer size and sharp features. Because of this, he was quick to get attacked by those foolish enough to attempt thinking he was just some dumb animal. The one called Tharraleos was intellectual as he was physically strong.

On this particular day, the bird cat was taking a more grounded approach with his travels as apposed to aerial transportation. 2 pairs of arms adorned his smaller, bipedal portion. One of which were a pair of monumental wings as pitch as the night sky and folded along his body almost like a cape. With an outstretched span of 90 feet, they carried more than enough vigor to achieve successful flight, albeit with a slow and somewhat awkward takeoff with subsequent gliding being much more fluid and simple. The other pair resembled a lion's and dangled freely at his sides.

With each step from his quartet of feet trembled the earth slightly. Left talon, left paw, right talon, right paw. This was the equine-like gait that carried Tharr forth. His quadraped forelimbs were nearly identical to his feline arms while his hindlegs were covered entirely in black feathers with sharp and elongated claws on each toe. His much extended feline tail swayed back and forth as if always ready to strike. The large tuft of fur it was tipped with was just one of the warrior's many hidden weapons. This particular limb could whip out and if that tail tuft struck you, it'd feel like a lead ball hitting you across the skull. His watchful gold eagle eyes and array of heightened senses gave him a keen, omnipresent focus for any and all threats. It was relatively uneventful today, and just as boredom was about to commence, a faint presence was registered from afar. The distance was too great to garner a good understanding, but it was at least worth investigating. As such, he continued on per normal, only adjusting his path somewhat to ensure an encounter with the forest visitor.

@Metal Tortoise

Steer:

{Thar Be...Griffons?}

On and on Steer walked, hands in his pockets, eyes all over the place, light grin on his pale face, good view, all seemed to be going well for Steer. Then his stomach growled. Brow twitching eyes turned down and he patted the chubby belly of his. Looked like it was that time of the day. Biting his tongue and shutting his eyes. Two things were focused on at that moment; the first was his Chi manipulation, the second was the fear of not having anything to eat. There was a metallic snapping sound and for any passing eyes, a completely black colored Gewehr 43 scoped rifle with a bayonet at the end was in his hands. Projecting, a dash of Chi accompanied by some Fear and boom, you got what Steer called a 'Solid Projection'. Rather then the fast ones, these didnt need to be maintained and lasted a good three to four hours, though with a downside to not being able to get 'enhancements' or modifications. It was a useful thing for simple tasks, like he intended here. Completely unaware of the mammoth Griffin Mutant in the forest, Steer was intent on catching himself a deer, or something like it for dinner!

"Luck be with me..."

Though he could be a good hunter, for once he didnt need the finesse for yonder a few yards from Steer was a deer! Knees bent, slow approach to a tree, the Whimsical Martial artist brought the scope of the gun up to his left eye, the butt of the gun on his left shoulder as his right hand held the mid-upper body firmly while his left held the trigger. Tongue coming out to lick his lips, Steer counter to ten to himself, waiting for the animal to be JUST in the right spot he needed. It got there within moments and as if on cue the deer turned it's head looking directly at Steer from a distance. Within a blink there was a soft but audible crack of the rifle, the sound of a completely black colored bullet leaving a barrel, exiting into a skull, through a brain, and the body of the deer thumping to the ground, lifeless.

"Yes! First shot."

Always good to get that, even if that first shot went through the deer and inadvertently was soaring at an alarming rate towards Tharraleos' person. It was almost comical because even if the black bullet hit it most likely wouldn't do jack squat to the Griffin-mutant and also because despite firing, the first 'attack' wasn't even meant for him! Steer had no clue he was nearby (assuming most of the 'heavy' noises he heard was just part of the forest) and clearly intent on getting to his next meal. Spells out 'disaster' in a weird sort of way, dont it?

@Griffintaur

It was moments before the bullet was sent from its barrel, the reek of danger alerted the keen awareness of the large hybrid. A faint metal clink was registered through his focused hearing right before the sound barrier was broken from the subsequent shot. The sudden burst of noise left an irritating ring in his keen feathered protrusions, but not enough to deter him at the slightest. His reaction was nevertheless instantaneously by pure instinct. The left wing was quick to fold in front of his minor body where the projectile would have struck. Instead, it burrowed into the black plumage of his oversized limbs, and aside from charring a inconsequential portion, did no damage of any kind. Notwithstanding the bullet's origin, Tharr took this as a personal attack as no knowledge of the fallen dear.

A normal reaction in this situation would be to use the surroundings to conceal yourself from further rounds and to seek the shooter. The Griffintaur was no such thing. Furling his wing to his body, the behemoth trotted forward towards the beak faced mortal. Stepping out into the open, Steer would be directly faced with his unexpected target, though his precise whereabouts were still being distinguished. Coming to a halt just outside the forest entrance, Tharr began to work on finding his assailant.

"There is no point in attempting to elude my perception." He called out in a booming and thunderous voice. The tone was rigid and had an heir of politeness nearly concealed by a naturally threatening composure. He would remain where he was unless his new friend greeted him with more gunfire or revealed his location. The man would be wise to approach accordingly, even with a lack of knowledge regarding the makeup of his modified fur and feathers. Hopefully he wouldn't be so foolish as to simply shoot the Griffintaur, though his options aside from that were rather limited.

Steer:

{Unexpected sides.}

Just when you think you had a nice dinner, not only did you hear something that clearly wasn't normal but you HEARD it speak, boomingly at that! Complete unexpected, Steer did a little jump were he stood, butt of his rife shifted to his shoulder aimed every which way. Where in all of good heaven had that come from?! Blue eyes rolled this way and that, a nervous frown on his face as he spotted...something not to far off, something big, not a normal animal either. A comical grimace formed on Steers face. He could guess what just happened, looking down at his rifle before sniffing a bit. Oh boy was this gonna get messy in a second.

"Hey ya buddy...Er...Sorry about that. I didnt know you were around these parts. I'm just passing through, getting me some dinner then moving on. I mean if you want, you can have what I just killed. I'm a fat dude but you look big...Er...Muscle wise, bulk wise, not in the fat realm."

Botched? Maybe. The grip on his rifle tightened a bit. You'd think a wary experienced traveler like Steer wouldn't give into his feeling of Fear so easily, but it looked like he was. Though, as displayed by Steer, albeit in a small way, there was Power in such emotions, and not just for your opponent. Gulping, formerly heat induced sweat being replaced with forced fear sweat, the eyes of the whimsical martial artist followed his ears. How the heck was something that sounded and spoke so big so hard to spot? And how did he NOT see that during the whole fricken process...Ho boy was he scared, Fearful...But somewhat deceptively...ready?

Was that a black whiff aimlessly floating off his right side?

@Griffintaur

"I see." Tharraleos began with a series of nods, lower minor arms crossing. The actual sight of Steer had yet to be seen, but the bird cat was fairly confident he knew where the hidden human was. "Your bullet striking me was a mere accident, it seems. I have no intentions of accepting your offer, but still hold respect for such." He went on. Twisting his smaller bipedal torso somewhat, the deer carcass fell into view. Extending one of his arms towards the animal, it began floating unsupported through the air and towards the hybrid.

"Now. Take your kill and proceed with your day." He stated, carrying the prey more towards where he was convinced the chi manipulator was situated. It seemed he was aware of how humans tended to be. This one was an obvious threat what with his noisy tool of death. Besides, why settle for a common dear when 2,700 pounds of meat just came your way. Not to mention the sight curing properties of his feathers and poison detecting talons. Even though he was more than a capable warrior and revelled in battle, it typically acts as a last resort to put foolish mortals in their place. If he can just carry on without unneeded bloodshed, that'd be more preferred, but mot possible, as previous events have told him.

@Metal Tortoise

Steer:

{Black Gryphon Sway.}

"Oh well, that wo-...HOLY CRAP ZOMBIE DEAR!"

Without even thinking, Steer shouldered the gun and fired again at the rising deer. In truth, he did not suspect the creature, many if at all or any (not even mutants, outside of the legendary and rare 'Sleeping Mutants') to have such an ability of telepathy and telekenetics. The words spoken he thought were just low grumbling but audible words and the deer...well, call it a moment of stupidity, which it was, but he shot at it again. Black bullet flying, puncturing flesh muscle and bone easily, the projectile flung and threatened to hit the mighty noble beast AGAIN. Steer realized what happened and those pebbles of sweat formed and slithered down his face at a more rapid pace. Oops, that was not good and second shot literally fired. Gulping, the man tensed up immediately and the feeling about his was strangely a mix of offensive and defensive, lips forming a thin pale line with blue eyes wide open.

In truth? Any other day the Whimsical Martial Artist might of just been on his way with his deer but...One need, even if accidental, a method incidental or not for such an odd fight to begin occurring. Accidents occured frequently, attacks were incidentally flung, and overall? A level of unneeded but at the same time NEEDED hostility was to be formed in the wake. Poor Steer, it was just not his day today.

@Griffintaur

Within that frantic second, many things were processed through the robust mind of Tharraleos. His hold on the dear was lost instantly and it fell to the ground, painting the lightly grassed terrain in an explosion of gore and bone. As the hybrid watched the bullet careen towards him, it became clear he was not able to move in time and this projectile would find its way to his midsection. His immense body was a curse, but also a gift, as the bird cat was also aware of. Sure enough, the bolt burrowed into the midsection part just above where the bodies divided. Given his reinforced fur and hardened skin, it hardly broke the flesh, drawing only a minor amount of blood and forcing and irritated, growl from Tharr's agape beak, fangs and teeth bearing in response.

"At times I contemplate if I give humans too many opportunities for mercy." He started with retained tranquility, using a duo of his claws from his left minor paw like a pair of tweezers, the bullet was easily lodged from its place with nothing but a flesh wound remaining. His body abruptly reared upwards with feathered hindlimbs supporting his entire weight, golden talons clawing into the dirt for grip. From here, two things would happen simultaneously; his wings would flare outwards, their girth and low aspect ratio inherently unleashing a hefty gust of wind. Then his signature battle cry rattled the forest around them. The screech of a bird of prey pierced the air before it transitioned into a thunderous roar of a lion. If the torrent of air wasn't enough, the beast slammed his paws against the ground with such force it generated shockwaves with enough of a radius to ensure the hidden man faced some instability.

"Embrace your fear, and directly face the might of Tharraleos." He called out, body in a much more prepared stance for future deterrents.

Steer:

{The Bird and the Mammal.}

"Fuck..."

Steer heard the words and he heard the other thing; a very distinct cry of battle. Fucking hell.

"I HOPE YOU KNOW, UNLESS YOU KILL/EAT ME I AINT GONNA DO SQUAT TO TRY TO KILL YOU!"

The words were shouted, little did they matter. Blue eyes flared as Chi was willed and directed towards them. Unnatural 'flows of energy', manipulations upon reality both unnatural and natural could be viewed with this buff and in time, Steer figured it would serve him well if things went to utter hell. Second was almost ironic in a way 'Embrace your fear', yeah, if Steer wasn't sweating up a storm he would laugh at the irony of it all...but he did allow a quivering little smirk to form on his face. If only the beast knew...

"Guh..."

The shockwaves did rattle him to the core and make him stumble a bit behind his tree (because yeah, when he heard the roar and soaring noises, yeah he ran like a motherfucker) but...he had to wonder, no, he had to think. Brow furrowed, frowning, he looked at his surroundings and he took in the image of what he saw flying before he ran. Teeth grit lightly, he nodded to himself. He had a plan. There was the distinct sound of a gun being shifted and if the beast looked he'd see the barrel and body of the gun peeking and pointing out. The distinct clap of the rifle went off as another black bullet flew through the air and attempted to hit the beast square in the…wherever. He was a big fellow and if the bullet connected? Well…Fuck all if Steer knew but it’d do something, right? That’s why the beast was so pissed at him to begin with (or so Steer thought, sadly)!

However, he wasn’t done! As soon as he shot he was off from his hiding spot and somewhere else, though not without leaving something within his wake. Chi Manipulation came into play, a gray outline began forming around his person and part of it shot off in the simplest version of a literal gray orb. Softball sized, it flew through the air in a curveball sort of fashion, seeking to bash into the beast, to what affect, he didn’t know, but if it did impact the usual sort of thing from Chi could be expected; a good amount of physical force and heat, nothing to incredible but a good impact and oomph if all went well, not a whole lot else. In the process, Steer began running from where he had flung both offenses from. Towards his left trying to keep moving and not staying in one spot. Ignorance of the creatures abilities sort of made him blind…but a black outline began forming about his normal Chi.

Fear COULD be a good weapon, after all.

@Griffintaur

No sight of the mortal, just as expected. As the beast stepped forward to advance on the unfortunate man, the sight of the barrel alerted him. Though once again his large body would prove to be a beneficial hindrance. The bullet struck in the left shoulder, leaving no notable damage, but did have enough impact to have a physical reaction. As he recovered from it, he suddenly found himself faced with an orb careening straight towards him. With no time for evasion and wanting to test this more unorthodox ability, Tharr made no attempt to avoid harm. This was a gamble, as more often than not, these spheres were magic in nature and caused far more damage than anticipated. Though unluckily for Steer, this wasn't the case.

The blast embedded itself into the side of his major body. This certainly had much more pressure than the bullet and the beast found himself sliding laterally across the ground, claws reactively digging into the ground to sustain footing. With Steer nowhere in sigh, the feeling of dirt in his paws sparked an idea. The man would see a billow of dust and debris as Tharraleos began to tear into the earth. Before long, more and more of the creature would vanish before he was entirely submerged into the ground. If the Martial Artist were to look from his hiding spot, he'd see the immense hole left behind with the hybrid nowhere to be seen. Though vibrations were very much evident as Tharr carved his way around. At this point he was using Echolocation to roughly determine the location of his prey. If Steer was detected by the subterranean monster, he'd find himself standing above collapsing ground.

@Metal Tortoise

Steer:

{Tremors.}

One minute the beast was there, the next...he wasnt, but Steer did not know that, not one bit. He had ran further to his left and further, unimpeded in this at the moment and fully taking advantage of it as he did. Distance from such a big thing was good after all, especially when you were getting things 'running' and said running things were being built upon. At one point though, he finally stopped and whirled himself so his back plopped against a tree, breathing before inhaling a breath of air through his nose and standing quiet. Beast...that was right, a big one at that, possibly or possibly not a 'Ancient Mutant' and...Breath could give Steer, no matter how far he was, away. Sweat to, anything that smelled and it was now more then ever did Steer mentally chastise himself for his very stupid way of handling this but...he also deliberately let his fear take over him.

It helped in it's own way, as evident by the black aura growing out and around him but mostly in his gun. It seemed to warp lightly, change in an instant and take on the shape of something more advances. From hunting rifle to something that looked like one of the better M series US rifles (fixed with a bayonet of course) but not taking on a completely specific mold. Lips lick, face as pale as it was going to get, Steer exhaled that breath of air, feeling his heart pound in his chest loudly, focusing on that fear, that one thing that usually would be a hinderance to people, but for Steer? It was a might potent weapon when used right.

"...I dont suppose negotiations and an apology is in order is it?"

Who the hell was he kidding? He was possibly gonna be a meal. Still...that did not stop the area around Steer from somewhat changing, oddly enough. A light feeling of icy cold took over, and something not exactly natural as well. Something dark, squirming and overall BAD, as if it came from the pit of hell itself. Steer was aware but unsure of this to a degree. Different emotions acted different way for different people, and Fear, well, to Steer, it was almost Demonic how it could get to someone so easily.

@Griffintaur