Collaboration of Lucius Cypher and FallenReaper
Tyrael dismissed Rathel's opinion on their hunt. While Tyrael would dully take it into consideration, at least he wasn't like Satori who was more vocal about her objection to hunting. "Inhumane" she calls it, like such a word could really apply to him. At least he knows his limits, which than provoked another thought. Since he had his demons hunting in the last few days, much of the possible prey, at least the predators, would have left the college area already. Indeed, while they were savage beasts, they were not so foolish to stay near the college knowing that the demons, who outnumbered them, were going to hunt them down. On the bright side, though may bring in more elusive beasts who were of a higher cut than your average carnivore. Tyrael was somewhat concerned with taking Mar out to hunt such a beast, as he also had a tendency to brining in demonic creatures. Especially since she wanted to hunt a monster, which populate a Ravine entrance. But before Tyrael took too long to think about it, quickly made up his mind; even if she finds it or not, there was no point in keeping it a secret. She at least deserves the chance to make the choice to stay herself. Besides that, it has been some time since he has been into the Ravine. Perhaps he could find something of interest there.
"Then let us hurry." Tyrael tore a portal into the Inferno and pulled out a demon around his size.
"-- . .-- .. -.- --- . .... - / -.. -. ..- -- .-.-.-" The demon nodded his head, picking up the couch as Tyrael got off of it. It went back into the Inferno as Tyrael walked towards the southern part of the college. He'd need to get to the stables and get his chariot out; it would be a long travel.
The duo tore through the south on Tyrael's
chariot, pulled by
large boars. The trip was mostly silent aside from Tyrael telling Mar what they could expect in the area. A few bandits, rogue demons, and maybe a monster they could actually bring back to the college to eat. Not that Tyrael was that much of a picky eater, but most people don't apprciate it when he tries to feed them a former mortal. And demons usually don't taste very good. Soon they came to a stop when the forest was about fifty yards away. Tyrael got out of the chariot with two large buckets of a strong smelling slop, which would be used to feed the boars as well as mark them by scent.
"This is the place. We head into the forest, take back whatever we kill. Remember: We are hunting. No need for senseless butchering." If only because there was so much space on the chariot.
"Tyrael, I'm an Naga not human." Mar stated plainly, a manner which she expected her plain answer to remind him she wouldn't. Naga after all only hunted and killed to live, and even animals killed when defending their underground city was consumed until nothing was wasted. Not at all like humans.
She slithered out of the chariot, her hands still held her weapon but the rune however stayed behind. The very rune Althalus had went through the trouble of getting and made her feel less edgy within the College, the notion of watching eyes displeasing in her mind. She watched Tyrael set the buckets beside the decorated beasts while they started to dig in, their snouts rooted into the strong smelling goo.
Mar turned towarded the forest, then in an after thought, asked Tyrael a simple question.
"Anything certain we are to hunt?"
"Only what we find." That was Tyrael's way of saying that he didn't know, but also because he didn't think he needed to explain that most of the predators in the area were gone; that means nothing would be trying to stalk them. They would need to find something, and he had one thing in mind.
"There may be paratas roaming." Parata's were vaguely wolf-like monsters with antlers and somewhere between the size of a bear and a large bear. Nothing particularly magicaly about them, they tend to work in small packs of three or five similar to wolves, but they have a very omnivore diet. There was never enough in the area to justify hunting them for the opening cerimony, and because their meat was rather tasteless compare to some other animals. Like wolf meat, but stringy. At least there would be enough for him and Mar if it would just be them, and he'll figure something out with everything else they don't eat.
Tyrael's choice of weapons suggested that he was expecting some bigger danger, however. He carried what appeared to be a
large shield made of solid stone, as well as a giant fang. Not what you'd call normal hunting weapons, but he was expecting monsters. And if things turn out badly, which they always could, they may end up facing against ravine creatures, rogue demons, or bandits. Things that generally would need something better than his usualy hunting tools would be used for. But in case he loses those two weapons and couldn't or simply doesn't want to rely on his magic, he also had a
smaller sword strapped to his back. It was entirely an emergency weapon, however, and doesn't expect to need it.
Entering the forest, Tyrael was able to pick up signs of various creatures who had pasted by. Nothing concrete aside from tracks, most of which seemed to be small creatures. The Parata he was hunting for didn't leave their mark on dirt if they could help it; they were smart enough to move mostly on stones or tree roots, and were light enough not to leave a deep impression. So they would need to find a dry area, open enough for their massive bodies but with enough cover to hide them. Since their antlers could be mistaken for deers, Tyrael kept an eye out for them. If he remembered correctly, their main diet was veal, though not many would be around here. This would only make their hunt a bit more difficult, but not impossible. They headed further east. A few more hints of their location, scratches on stones and blood mixed in the dirt. Not deer blood however, but he remained vigilant. Tasted like bird's, but he wasn't entirely sure of that either. Finally after some time walking, Tyrael found a herd of deer, about twelve, in a small clearing. They seemed to just be resting, so he suspected that they would find some Paratas if they stuck around. Silently, he gave Mar a familiar hand sign to go on her own. He couldn't get any closer without revealing himself due to his equipment, but hopefully Mar could find a beast and keep it's attention long enough for him to assist in the take down.
Mar kept close to Tyrael, her eyes flickered in complete alert while her tail barely rustled the ground underneath. She easily glided over the soft ground, her eyes noted what the Fallen Orc already seen and currently followed. Their direction seemed to travel east with signs clearly marked out to the hunters, from blood to scratches, making Mar grow slightly excited when signs grew in number.
It had been too long for her. The thrill of the hunt, the intense sensation to feel her own heart flutter in place and feed her strength. When they edged towards a small clearing there was several deer within who seemed ignorant of both Tyrael's and her presence, she noted the hand signal and in a short moment, she slide towards the side. Not a leaf rattle or branch from the outer edge seemed to feel her brush by, her head darted slowly side to side in her look out for the beast. She knew what to look for, in moments spotted something with antlers shift across from her.
A light colored fur shift through the green foilage. A white mane was dappled by the shadows and sun spots, red eyes seemed fixed upon the deer's grazing forms. Mar's head darted back to where she had last seen Tyrael, her head jerked towards where she spotted the slow movement. Something was lurking there and it seemed to lurk around the deer. Their figures seemed to circle about and draw nearer to where Mar's position was, her eyes noted she had chosen the path closest to the deer and a perfect place to ambush them.
Tyrael noted Mar's movements just as four of the creatures exploded from the forest. Their attack came viciously as two dears were pinned down, a doe and it's child, and one buck that was impaled on the horn of another. The rest fled, leave two of the parata's to give a short chase while the other two quickly killed the deer captured before they could escape. Tyrael did not attack yet, however. He needed to see what their next action was, to catch them off guard. Both of the parata's present didn't seem to plan on going anywhere however, as the two first began to eat the buck, which was removed thanks to the assistance of the one who killed the doe and it's young. Tyrael moved carefully away from Mar, closer to the paratas but not in the same direction it's two allies went. He went as far as he could before he stopped, just as one of the beasts lifted it's head. It had detected something. Tyrael feared that it might have found him, but now it was also the best opprotunity for Mar to attack the other one, which was gorging itself on the buck.
Mar had made her way to one of the wolfish beasts, it's maw still deep into the buck's thick under belly. Stringy intestines started to be pulled out, easily chomped down and devoured in moments while it rushed in for more. The sound of cracking bones while its large paw pushed the ribs in, busted under the weight, allowing it to get to the squishy organs within. It seemed to be more interested in it's meal, Mar's closeness gone unnoticed.
Her hand tighten upon the her weapon before she drew it back, her approach from it's back end. She noted the hind leg and took aim. Instantly, when the other creature lifted its head, Mar's arms whipped out. The blade caught the beast's back leg and the tendon was immediately struck causing a loud roar to thunder from its throat. It's head turned back and spotted her. The wounded leg slightly lifted, gingerly tip toed in its effort to glimpse her fully then it bolted. Without thinking, Mar's tail lashed out.
It slammed into the animal's side and sent to the ground, the woflish creature snarled at the suddeness. Mar didn't waste her time. Her scythe flashed out at the hind leg, cutting clear through the tendon and crippling it. The predator didn't stop its fruitless tries to get back up. It's front paw pushed it on three as it started to drag it's useless one behind it, weighing it down heavily. She was about to struck it again when the other took one look before it took off.
Mar's eyes jerked to where Tyrael was, hoping he would stop the beast before it caught up to the others. Too many and they would become the prey instead of the hunters.
The beast turned tail to find it's allies, only to instead find the brunt of Tyrael's giant fang. He swung it with enough force to snap off a horn of the beast, but it had reacted well enough to avoid smashing it's face. It tried to escape Tyrael by dashing into the forest, but he gave chase and caught up with it before too long. With another strong swing, he managed to smash the beast on it's hind foot, causing it to stumble and slam into a tree. Tyrael himself had too much momentum to simply stop, so he raised his large shield and rammed into the beast. The tree it was against began to creak at the force and the beast tried to kick at Tyrael with it's good hind leg. And though it was a mighty kick, Tyrael was able to deflect it with his shield. Raising his club up, he smashed it into the beast's face, stunning it. Than he smashed it again, causing cracks in it's horns. The beast flailed, but most either missed or hit his shield, and did nothing to stop him as he bashed the monster's face in repeatidly. When the beast was still, Tyrael did not leave it to chance; holding the tooth by it's root, he plundged the pointed end in the rough aproximation of where it's heart was at. And in case he missed, it did it again.
The other beast fled during the short moment Mar gave it. It would be moving rather quickly despite it's injury, but it's path was obvious and could not manuver greatly. Tyrael would have come back to chase, but he now had to drag the dead body of the Parata away before their allies returned. They were not sentimental creatures, but if he was correct this pack was family, and would attack them on sight.
Mar cursed her moment of distraction.
The beast's wounded leg seemed to have affected its speed very little, a slight surprise to her, causing her to head after it. The lopsided gallop was clear where it intended to head as it large body tried to thread through the trees, its speed slowed and bulk slammed into the trunks. Wood splintered with the impact while its legs hastened in an attempt to gain speed again. Mar caught up easily to it, the brief slow in is pace aided her, and her scythe lashed out.
Blood spilt across the dark ground. Another roar in pain echoed through the surroundings as the beast's head twisted behind it, teeth bore. It snarled at its attacker but Mar merely lowered her stance. She let out a low, threatening hiss which only caused the creature to turn the body about to face her. It was trapped and both of them knew it. The side where her blade sliced into now had entrails hanging from the gaping wound. A few soft pink inners had started to spill over the ground; each escaped organ had made a wet plop. The creature’s first paw stepped on its liver, the squish muscle smeared and busted from its carelessness while it lounged. Mar's weapon went up quickly. Her handle took the sudden blow when it connected to the animal's chest, her arms resisted to keep a space between. The claws flayed about and sliced just inches near her shoulders, determined to wound, its maw struggled to push forward. The animal shoved more of its weight on top, its hind claws clawed the air in its failure to tear out her underbelly.
The hot, musty breath puffed into her face and Mar's nose scrunched up from the smells stank. Its jaws snapped just inches from her, the muzzle shifted to and forth to grasp any bit of flesh. Closer, closer it inched until finally, the Naga’s arms bunched up before she swiped it to the side. Trapped by the weapon, the beast followed along with the motion, finally smacked into the ground only to have been jerked up into her coils. Around it was twisted until the animal lower half had been completely caught in her grip. The beast’s front paw made to slash across her forehead but missed by centimeters. Hair clipped was scattered in its wake, easily cut from the rest, its burly form tried to squirm out. Mar’s tail squeezed harder, the muscle gain strength and started to cave in the beast’s pelvis. The bone gave away easily as the pressure increased causing a painful howl. Antlers rushed forward, Mar’s head tilted to the side and caught the brush of the scrape the skin. In reaction, her mouth opened revealing her viper like fangs.
It had no chance to react. The Naga strike where the beast’s throat was then sank her fangs into the meaty flesh. Wet, warm and slick blood filled her taste, a thin trail dribbled at the corner. Her mouth tightened, crashing the windpipe, to silence the soft whines. The rustic and wild flavor filled her mind while the beast had fell victim to the effects. When its struggles ceased, her tail loosed gingerly then finally pulled completely away. However, it was not without taking a small bite. The neck skin caught in her teeth, it came away easily before it vanished down her throat shortly.
Mar had to fight the overwhelming urge to continue tearing into the carcass and devour it, until nothing was left. Now wasn’t the ideal time or place, the remaining pack would be back soon after hearing the struggles. Her eyes turned upon her current prize now. The bottom half was mangled, the bone collapsed on to itself, where the skin seemed to lack its frame. Instead it hung there misshapen. The head laid limply at one with the mane muddled with dirt and blood, plastering the fur to the surface where her fangs had sank in. Seeing the creature had caused Mar to look herself over, curious if she was as much a mess as her prey. The organs had stained her torso when she had to pin it, her mouth now lined by the chilled blood, and body covered in grim. Seeing a piece of intestine clinging to her waist, Mar freed one of her hand to peel it off then discarded it on top of the carcass. That’s when she noticed the long, thin red line upon her skin. If wasn’t for the fact she stopped and look closer, the Naga would’ve missed it completely. Apparently, it seemed during the scuffle the beast had managed to score a small scratch. No matter, she would deal with it later and not when there was the meal needed to be dealt with first.
She had just finished hauling the beast into a fireman’s carry across her shoulders and about to lean down for her scythe when a sound caught her attention. Suddenly she jerked upright, almost dropped her prize, for her eyes pan the scene in search of key colors. The Naga inwardly breathed a relieving sigh when she saw Tyrael emerge from the trees. He also seemed to have been successful, much to her joy. Yet her face didn’t betray her earlier worry or joyful emotions she knew swell in her heart, her attention focused between how to balance the wolfish creature and snatched up her weapon before she made her way over to him.
With the dead beast in tow, Tyrael met up with Mar who had also succeeded in slaying a parata. She was a mess, but they weren't doing a clean job. At least Mar's carcass looked more neat, with clean cuts instead of gaping holes like Tyrael's own. He had to do a crude suturing to prevent it's various organs from falling out, since he also broke much of the beast's ribs. He chuckled for a moment, reminded of how to couch gave a large amount of people a hernia. Once that feeling pasted he went ahead and began to walk in the direction of the chariot. By the time the other Parata's returned, the two hunters were long gone, and only the signs of a struggle telling them the fate of what happened to their comrades. A collective howl peirced the forests to mourn their allies.
Back at the chariot, Tyrael was tying down the two beasts to the hull of the chariot. His boars didn't go too far, though he had to fight with them to get them back into their harnesses. Once everything was settled, he put his weapons away in a container on the chariot and got behind the reins. He turned to his naga friend one more time, wondering if she had sustained any injuries. He doubt it, but it was still something that concerned him, if he didn't really show it.
"Ready?"Mar had slithered into the back, her eyes been watching Tyrael both tie the carcasses down and gather up his creatures for the trip to the College. At the back of her mind, the wound still stinged slightly as she pointly focused on ignoring, a slight heat dwelled within. It was only a scratch in her mind and had little reason to be alarm. However, it did look rather red and swollen more then usual whenever she recieved an injury, a thing that hadn't went overlooked. Before Tyrael had gotten in, Mar had picked up the rune and slid to the side to allow him in first. Now seated in the back part, her weapon across her lap, her head perked up at her hunting companion's voice.
She nodded her answer in the usual fashion, no point in verbally saying what a simple gesture could.
Like the ride to get there, the ride back to the college was uneventful. They did pass a caravan group, but Tyrael did little to them aside from avoid running them over. Once he reached the college some stablehands came out and helped get his boars and put away his chariot. Tyrael untied his and Mar's prize, careful not to let it drag across the dirt. He figured Mar would butcher her parata herself, though Tyrael was at least going to go to the kitchen and offer the staff first cuts. He wasn't hungry and honestly did not expect to kill more than one monster. He also wasn't entirely certain if anyone in the kitchen right now knew how to carve up a parata, but who knows. He might be surprised.
Once he and Mar got into the college, Tyrael paused and remembered something. He still needed to find someone to give the couch to. Shifting the weight of the parata to another shoulder, he used his free hand to open a portal into the Inferno and yelled into it.
"-.- .. -.. / .-.. .. / -.. -. . -.. / ... -.-- --- ... -. " Soon a couch popped out of the portal, and Tyrael caught it with his free arm. Sealing the portal he than headed off to the dinning hall, Parata on one shoulder and couch in the other.
