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Every day begins the same as the last, dark and quiet within the underground bunker that Cyrus had discovered during his years as a watchmen. The surface city, no matter how sleepy, buzzed with electricity, whispers, and footsteps. The vigilant boy had trouble placing the directions that noises came from due to his heightened hearing making source and echo indistinguishable from each other. His subterranean home blocked out the noises from above and acted as a sensory relief room since he hadn't bothered to fix the electrical wiring either. Cyrus senses were always above average, but his training unlocked quasi-magical abilities that allowed him to increase them further at the cost of never being able to turn off the improvements to his hearing. He quickly enhanced his natural night-vision, allowing him to not just navigate his lightless room but properly find the many small objects that were part of his day-to-day attire. Earmuffs meant to muffle gunfire that he used to lessen the noise, goggles that keep sand out of his eyes but also dull bright lights, a gas mask that gave him better protection from the smoke and dust of the city than the general-use pollution masks, baggy clothing that allowed him more freedom in his movement for proper aim, military backpack with travel and gun-maintenance supplies, and finally his watchmen's rifle that he was allowed to keep in his job change. Cyrus slowly gathered his belongings, carefully tucking his feathers into his earmuffs, and made for the ladder leading out of his bunker. 

As he reached the hatch, light poured in from the air grate and so did the buzzing from the rust-gnats outside. Cyrus turned off his visual improvement and once again wished for the ability to do the same for his hearing. The outside world was louder than usual, and he quickly found out why as he opened the hatch. The semi-collapsed building that hid his bunker from others had the insects buzzing around its ceiling as no-one cared to oil-coat the metal accessories up there anymore. Luckily, he had recently de-rusted and oiled the hatch and grate, otherwise he'd likely have had roommates when he woke up. The morning walk to the HQ was uneventful for the most part, however Cyrus made sure to take note of the other recruits he noticed walking the same path ahead of him. A large man with four arms carrying a small girl with prosthetic legs in front of him, and another small individual carrying a bag of candy behind him. 

[color=ff4500][i]It seems the rumors about the Captain's new strategy is true. Recruiting individuals with innate talents or magic and then training them to be capable as opposed to recruiting skilled individuals from the guard force or the watchmen. I guess my resume was unnecessary then, seeing as how I was likely hired for my[/i] Neural Enhancement [i]instead. That's almost disappointing, but also interesting.[/i][/color]

The HQ's lights were bright, and the room hummed from background noise. Most of the recruits were quiet, almost shy, and definitely uncertain of proper etiquette. Cyrus sat immediately at a table, back straightened and eyes forward until the captain called for his attention. The speech was short, and cut even shorter by the sound of metal on stone. The wall had been breached and it was time to act, but the ex-watchmen couldn't help but wonder what his old coworkers were doing to allow this. Vulnerabilities in the wall were never overlooked on his watch, but he supposed the others couldn't enhance their visuals like he could.

Cyrus wasn't as fast as the others, he was trained to maintain his stamina and to hustle but not run. The others were practically sprinting and so he arrived last to the conflict. He stayed back as far as possible, laid on the ground for steadiness, and aimed at the beast. Range was clear, but the others more random movements made line of sight less certain. He improved his visual intake which also heightened his light sensitivity, and pulled his goggles over his eyes as he cast the spell. Now all he had to do, was wait for the beast's eye to be open, unobstructed, and still so he could take his shot.
[hr][center][h2]>Continue Narration:[/h2][/center]
The beast of stone and scale prepares itself for the group of 8 that charges it. Vhoth and Penni charge first as Germ, Marsala, and Elio take up positions. The Stone-Horn ignores the small one jumping onto its back, comfortable knowing that its scales are too durable to pierce with such a small knife, and instead focuses its attention on the four-armed brute. It turns to face him head on, and bites down onto his shoulder as the other three arms struggle to find purchase on its face. A strong grip on its horn is acquired and the beast shakes to free itself or rip the bitten shoulder off, whichever comes first. 

Germ takes this opportunity to send the flurry of shards, but that amount of shards forms a nasty cloud that cares not for friend or foe. The shards scratch at the creature's face as it closes its eyes, but it also tears into Vhoth, weakening his grip. The Stone-Horn jerks its head around as it turns to try and exit the cloud, and throws Vhoth towards Germ. The two crash into each other, and the control over the swarm of metal is lost as they drop to the ground.

Elio finds himself nicely at the beast's side, but the only uncovered point is near where Penni has found herself. This fazes him not, as his control over his spear insures he'll get close but not hit her. The spear cracks a scale and pierces flesh, but the wound is shallow and the spear falls out and to the ground. Penni, ever the opportunist, sees the newly made weak spot and begins stabbing into the spear-made hole.

It gnashes towards its back, leaving its neck exposed. Suddenly, the squidfolk known as Cambrian appears at its neck and scales rip apart as a shallow cut arcs across its throat and blood runs out. The Stone-Horn brings its horn down to smash him and breaks open the ground in its attempt, but the flexible squid maneuvers out of the way with only his own gash on his leg from the tip of the creature's horn. An injury that could have been avoided if Cambrian wasn't distracted by the beast's bleeding. Now knowing the abilities of its hunters, the Stone-Horn is wary of the magic users and of Marsala who has stayed at its rear this entire time, plotting something.

It hasn't forgotten about the prick on its back and manipulates the positions of some rocks to block the wounds on its back and neck. As it watches the circling vultures, it doesn't notice the crocodile coming from underneath. Erin grabs onto its leg and tail, but without Vhoth's strength she cannot keep it still in the same way. It lefts its hind legs and attempts to crush her underfoot, but the ground there is still mud and the impact is lessened as Erin is submerged. Its foot sinks into the mud puddle, hampering its movements. 

In this situation, the Stone-Horn is instinctively aware that it has been wounded, but none of its assailants have suffered any real damage. Desperation and the lack of movement cause it to send the rocks that are not guarding open wounds to circle it, and shoot stones out at every angle. Adult Stone-Horns usually use this ability to switch between attack and defense, but Juveniles know their stones don't cover enough ground for defense to be useful and are much more willing to lash out like this. The stones move fast enough to crack a bone if they make impact and once they reach the Stone-Horns max range, they are pulled back in to the swarm surrounding it to be sent off again. The downside of this ability is that the beast must stand still. It hunkers down, guarding its underbelly and neck to be less vulnerable, but it remains still with its eyes open and occasionally unobstructed. 

A shot rings out, as blood pools around its eye. Sadly, it's a miss that hit just above its mark. The blood trail going into its eye will thankfully still obstruct its vision. Osprey re-aligns his shot, taking into account the wind created by the stone's movement. He won't miss again under these conditions.
[center][h3]>End Narration[/h3][/center]
[hr][center][h2]>Analysis[/h2]
[h3]>Juvenile Stone-Horn[/h3]
>Condition: Injured
>States: Desperate, Cautious, Enraged, Vision Impaired[/center]