[center][h3]~ Cambridge ~[/h3][/center]

[center]- [@Silverstein] -[/center]

Ugh. Malfested.

Einer had his fair share of assignments cleansing areas tainted by Miasma back in Flugell. The fighting was long over every time Einer's services were called and all the musician knew of the Miasma firsthand was how grotesque it turned everything it touched. Obviously, Einer read about the taint's effects, much like everyone, but he still remembered the first time he encountered it out in the open. Many were horrified, and it horrified Einer too... but similarly with Scarlett, the musician always found the taint oddly fascinating in a way.

Apparently, this neutral city caught a bad Miasma infestation at such a seemingly coincidental time. It fell to the newly-arrived Reaver guests to help eradicate the darkness. Once again, Einer found himself accompanying [u]Leon[/u], Eve and Lapi investigating the city's alleys and crannies for anything tainted. Einer was playing the [b]Song Of Varda[/b] all the while, a tune that made it seem this small party were the heralds of salvation of Cambridge against the Miasma. Not exactly a fitting tune right now, but it cleansed any Miasma energy wherever they went. Of course, it would also attract any Malfested who heard the song. But perhaps that was for the best in order for the threat to be dealt with immediately.

Sure enough, the party was assailed by the Malfested. Einer was actually startled by the creature's speed, even making him stop playing the song. "[color=springgreen]...So that was a Malfested.[/color]" The musician muttered as the others talked. They were hideous as ever, but they were surprisingly quick contrary to Einer's expectations.

[quote=Malfested Woman][color=Slategray]”Many things in nature take on grotesque forms when on the path of evolution.”[/color][/quote]

But any further investigation must be put on hold, a woman emanating powerful Miasma appeared before the party. She radiated evil... and power. Einer was awed at her presence, his mouth agape. The fact that she could speak flew over the musician's head.

[quote=Malfested Woman][color=Slategray]”To think you refer to those with Mother’s gift with such contempt. It’s sacrilege, aside from it being utter mockery.”[/color][/quote]

Shortly after that sentence, the woman unleashed a powerful wave of negative energy that sent everyone except [u]Leon[/u] flying a couple of feet away. As Einer recovered, he noticed more Malfested incoming to join the party. While [u]Leon[/u] fought the Malfested lady, Einer along with Eve and Lapi had to deal with these tainted. Perhaps playing the [b]Song Of Varda[/b] the entire time earlier wasn't such a good idea after all.

The Malfested homed in on Einer. One was taken down by Eve, but there was still another. Einer's close combat instincts kicked in as he quickly dropped his lute to receive the enemy. As the Malfested lunged, Einer made himself low before catching the tainted creature and slamming it down on to the pavement. The musician knew that the Malfested were strong, practically impervious in hand-to-hand combat. Einer put the Malfested into a headlock, the proximity to this evil made Einer's stomach churn.

"[color=springgreen]Eve! Lapi![/color]" Einer cried out, using all his strength to keep the Malfested from breaking free. "[color=springgreen]You need to cover me! I can play music that'll weaken the Malfested in the area! But you need to cover me![/color]" Such words shamed Einer, but desperation and the instinct to survive mattered more in these circumstances.