[IC] Wanderers in the Void

[AWildBear]

Elsen

The giant stood at the gates to Elsen, the gentle breeze lightly tossing his hair back. He was being accosted by a group of the local guardsmen, by the newest decree; non human-kind were allowed in the cities anymore. This notion had never bothered the wanderer, as his towering presence along signified the danger that would ensue if he was angered. Yet, these men knew nothing but duty, and with such a mindset, had demanded his leave in a loud demeanor. Flashing their weapons towards him, the man did not budge whatsoever. Amid shouts, one guardsman, rather decorated compared to the rest had stepped forward. The commander, the giant thought. He attempted to shove the massive bear of a man that stood at the gate to no avail. Instead, he had just provoked him.

"Hmpf... So be it, worm. "

He immediately shot out his right arm like a cannon, the massive hand grasping onto the human's neck like a vice-grip. Effortlessly, the commander was lifted from the ground like a paperweight. Brought to eye level with the giant, his cold green eyes stared dead-center into the commanders. He then reared back slightly, tossing the commander into his own soldiers. He drew his sword, his huge frame tense and ready for the first fool to move upon him.

"You brigand! You dare attack the Commander of the Elsen Guard? I'll slay you myself, beast!"

The commander was hastily picked up by his soldiers and drew his sword. He was enraged at the audacity to be attacked by an outsider, much less at their very gates. Noting the commanders sudden action, it was by pure peer-pressure that the rest even drew a weapon while outnumbered, it was clear that they were outmatched a thousand fold in strength, but would that strength hold in a battle? Only one way to find out, the guardsmen had to engage. The first man to swing his sword was the commander himself, yet he found his attack simply batted away by the giant's longer arm, grasping the hilt of the sword, he yanked the commander forward, driving his huge boot into the armored man's chest, knocking the wind right out of him. Swiftly after, the giant ran him through the chest with his sword, stepping on the corpse to pry his blade out, stepping back calmly.

"I fear no man."

Enraged by the merciless slaughter of their leader, the rest of the guardsmen tried to rush him in rag-tag coordination, yet they were simply outmatched, the giant's swordplay made them look like recruits. One would slash, and have his attack stopped by the brutish man's blade, which would immediately cut up across the chest of the first assailant while pulling to defend another angle. It was clear this man was a skilled warrior. His blade was coated liberally in blood, and his torso, arms and face were drenched in the blood from the fight. However, not a single drop of this blood was his own. He turned away after lifting the last guardsman up into the air, impaled through the right side of the chest, and then with inhuman force bringing the blade down, and out of the man with a downward-motion, essentially slamming his skull, and torso into the ground. Twelve men dead, simple as taking candy from a baby.

"Fools. If this is the filth that passes for a soldier these days, this country is fucked."

He had retreated into the wilderness, searching for a river or lake to clean himself and his blade off.

The River North of Elsen, bordering the forest.

The man knelt down next to the running waters, cleaning his blade off in the flowing water, whilst cupping large handfuls and lathering it across his bloodied arms, chest, face, and stomach. With a heavy sigh, he stood up after his reflection looked somewhat clean. Drying his blade in the grass, he slowly began to retreat into the forest, looking for any interesting things to do or people to see along his way. Inside, he still immensely loved nature, perhaps due to his wolf-blood, or perhaps it was the pure serenity that it brought to his weary mind. Regardless, he found a small clearing amidst the forest and stood there in silence, taking in his surroundings. At the given time, he had not located any threats to be aware of. Peace and quiet.

Yet, something disturbed him about the silence of this place. He turned his back on it and made his way back to the river, sitting his back against a huge oak tree. A snap of his fingers brought a spirit to his side, wreathed in a faint blue ethereal glow. A man, dressed much like a commoner from another country presented the giant with a lute. The musical instrument had been custom designed for a man his size, and the spirit vanished after performing it's task. Cradling the instrument for a few moments, plucking a few notes, then a few melodies, the giant began a song. The slow, resonating melody brought a hue of despair and agony to the air, only to be followed by his gruff, Northern accent singing.

"I remember when we were still together
Had the world in the hands.
Nobody could share us we lived as just one thing
Tell me "what's happened"? We're lost in the night.
I was your hope and you the air I breathed
We stayed under the rainbow dreaming of Heaven.
With you I could fly as an eagle through the wind.
Give me light to see, I've become blind another time."

After this verse, the man stopped singing momentarily, perhaps self-aware that he did not have a singing voice. He played the chorus instumentally, before beginning the next verse

"And the sun is warming my skin
All the memories fly in the wind
Our love more true was when we were children
I can't stay another time in loneliness without you"

The somber melody strung out through the air like a heavy cloud, a simple exhale felt like he was pushing against a mountain. Yet, paused once more, simply staring about, before repeating this song over and over, as if memorizing it again and again.

[OmegaOnyx]

The woman sat cross-legged in front of her charred campfire, watching the smoke rise silently. A stone-tipped spear laid against a tree within her reach, ready to grab if needed, though she didn't suspect of anyone coming this deep into the forest. She pulled off a leather pouch hanging from her chest, grabbing a pinch of the herb inside to toss over the ashes, immediately grabbing two rocks after pulling the bag shut. After several attempts, she lit a spark, sitting back as a bluish flame burned. She stared into it intensely, waiting for a vision to arise in final hopes of seeing where the lone traveler shall go.

The shaman heavily relied on these visions and spells to guide her way across this world, as she remains alone in her many years of living. Still dabbling in the work of her craft, she spends her time practicing, remaining in the woods that she called her new home for several years. Though she has history with the powerful magic, her mind and body remained the same since she was merely young and brash, often letting her become frustrated easily. Her cocky attitude lacked the patience she really needed, though she still makes attempts in sharpening her skills.

Setting her headdress in her lap, the woman kept her focus to the flickering cerulean, growling lowly as a breeze came by blowing it away. She let out an exaggerated sigh as she leaned back against a boulder, staring off to space trying to decide what to do, rubbing the bridge of her nose. The smoke from before mixed with the attempt, rising in a blue hue to the sky.

She stared up at the trees, silence filling the air. The boredom felt overwhelming to her, but she wasn't ready to be on the move again. Her thoughts pondered back to the bandwagon of hunters chasing her days before. Though the mage was powerful, she was outnumbered, and would rather flee than to fight. She drew an energy orb, launching it into the group, scaring their horses and injuring anyone in its way, giving her time to retreat into the woods. A smirk rose across her lips, the scene replaying in her head.

[AWildBear]

Some time later...

The giant had grown wary of his surroundings in the time he'd sat idle, playing and singing solemnly. He picked himself up, quickly skirting off into the forest. The faint smell of smoke caught wind to his senses, and he'd immediately chosen to pursue it. After mere moments of a jog towards the location, he could very distantly smell a presence near it. Caution was the safest approach. He was new to these lands, and did not yet know all that it could have in store for him. As much as a giant could do, he crept stealthily through the forest, looking for any peek of the entity that was running the campfire, which was barely visible through the leaf-coated branches of the trees. Until he saw the owner.

" A woman... Looks like a mage of some sort, and alone.. "

He realized there wasn't much to gain if he was going to sit here and stare at her. So quite roguishly, he pushed his way through the trees. Coming to a distance short of 50 feet away from the woman where he stood non-threateningly crossing his huge arms across his chest. He took a moment to look her over, yet he still seemed rather curious.

"This is not the safest place to travel alone, woman. You are not human, by scent. So if you do not belong in the cities, and you roam these wild lands, what is it you seek?"

There was something about her. Familiar... Yet he couldn't place it. His mind quickly pondered the possibility that he'd recognize this woman.. Though his mind finally came to a conclusion, he did not speak on it. Surely, if she was as he believed, she'd recognize the tribal tattoos that coated his arms and torso. If not, perhaps he was merely delusional.

[OmegaOnyx]

The girl snapped out of her calmed stance, quickly standing to grab her spear. She spun around, the arrowhead pointed towards the stranger, lowering her weapon once she had a glance at the newcomer. Even when intimidated she wouldn't let it show, straightening her back to make eye contact with the brute.

"You know what you smell, stranger. You're not so lovely yourself either."

The woman snickered at her own snarky remark, grinning smugly towards the man. She jabbed the end of the handle into the grass before turning her attention back to the brute, sneering in an annoyed tone.

"I'm just a traveler. What are you wanting anyway? Nothing's here in these woods, and I don't give away potions."

Her eyes trailed over his body. Her grin diminished as her attention drew to the man's tattoos. She could only stare in shock at the familiar markings, knowing what they bear, as similar ones show across her face and through the tears of her clothes. She gripped tightly to her weapon, her cocky attitude faded as she mumbled under her breath, shaking her head in disbelief.

"No...it can't be, there's no way.."

She didn't know what to think or do. Memories of the past alpha came to thought, but it was centuries ago she held that role. Since it was so long ago, she remained in doubt that the legacy carried forward. She stared down the giant, planning in her head how to flee if an attack comes at random.

[AWildBear]

You really weren't to blame for that.

The somber words were followed up with him turning his back on her, and his right arm extended out, a black mist-like substance floating into the air around them, opening his palm drew immediate darkness upon the scene, and as he clenched his fist, the village appeared.

The man's dark magic was bringing together the scene piece by piece, yet seemed to be connected to his memory. The village the woman had lead was were he had settled as a "adult". Now married, and with a daughter of 6 winters age at the time. The entire village was engulfed in flames, warriors from either party in the fray to and fro. Yet, this image followed the giant, who, once was what seemed to be just an ordinary man, struggling his way through the combat, killing whomever got in the way. Upon reaching his own homestead, he'd found the slain, and recently set ablaze corpses of his first wife and daughter upon the doorstep, and a torch that had lit the structure, and the bodies, laying beside.

The thunder rolled, lightning darted across the sky. A storm was coming. The dream sequence ended abruptly, with that image. The giant solemnly searched the skies, the clouds were moving in fairly quickly.

Come with me. I have a place not too far from here that will be suitable to get out of the storm.

He moved towards the treeline, looking back at her. He did not ask what she thought of the vision, for he didn't want to ask himself about it, either.

[OmegaOnyx]

"Tch.."

She was confused, remaining in doubt that this stranger knew of her. Or if he did, thinking of it brought some fear into her. All these thoughts vanished at the sight of the back mist surrounding her, seeing her home in flames once more. She swallowed the lump in her throat, watching in sorrow as the scene unfolds. Her attention turned to the warrior, assuming it was a connection to this stranger. A chill ran down her spine at the sight of the woman and child, their corpses burning with their surroundings.

The woman's trance was broken by the thunder, gasping as her senses came back to reality. She followed his gaze towards the sky, huffing at the coming storm. Deciding to take his offer and follow, she hesitantly followed the brute, grabbing her satchel off the ground and realigning her headdress back onto her head. She nodded in response, keeping her distance by a few feet, not letting her curiosity overcome caution.

"So, who are you anyway?"

Might as well ask she thought since she's accompanying him out of the rain, and she was stern to get answers, however not wanting to pester. Slinging the strap over her shoulder, she waited for his lead, thinking to herself.

Maybe I'll finally see what I've searched for, there has to be something different behind this wanderer if those marks are real.

Even with this hope, the former alpha still held onto blame, unsure of whether she could redeem her abandonment towards her people. Not that it fully mattered, the lycan only wanted to be free from the dread of her mistakes.

[gorgenmast]

"May it be manifest that the apostate is to be shown no mercy, for he is the greatest enemy of the Faith. The apostate is a blight among the believers, for as a a rotten fruit spoils the whole of the bushel, so too does the apostate encourage syncretism and laxity among his peers. The apostate is therefore to removed swiftly and ruthlessly. Pursue him to the ends the earth if it be required."

Manual of the Faith - holy text of the Xalform Crusade

---

After nearly a fortnight at sea, Thozgild the Strange set foot on terra firma at last, clumsily lowering himself off of the deck of his beached vessel and landing with a splash amidst the churning foam rolling in and out along the beach. Most of the deckhands and servants had already disembarked from their vessels and busied themselves by heaving the three ships in Thozgild's flotilla up onto the beach with lengths of mooring rope. The Polymath surveyed his ships his eyes darted up and down the ship, while his head bobbed and weaved as if to compensate for the furious darting of his eyes. After another several moments of craning his neck up and down, Thozgild satisfied himself that his boats were in satisfactory condition.

"Take care in unloading the collections!" Thozgild ordered to anyone who might be listening, his mad eyes darting around the sand at his feet. "Already I have lost innumerable treasures during this journey, and I can scarce afford the destruction of anythi- Ooh my!"

The polymath was immediately distracted by something half buried in the sand. Thozgild bent over at once and plucked the object of interest from the sand, brushed off its crust of moist sand with jittery fingers, and examined it carefully: a leathery mermaid's purse.

"How very curious indeed!" Thozgild exclaimed, turning the leathery black object in his fingers. "Quite curious, these mermaid's purses. I am told that they are not actually purses at all, but rather the egg of various undersea beasts. Hmmm... this one seems to have hatched already. A pity - how curious it would be to examine the contents and see what sort of queer chick might hatch from such an egg."

Thozgild's men were accustomed to their master's eccentricities and sudden distractions, and paid him little mind to these tangents. His unusual requests and sudden snap decisions often made Thozgild a difficult master to serve. But for all his irritating attributes, Thozgild was wealthy indeed and paid his servants well. Their handsome stipends did much to make Thozgild's strange habits tolerable.

The approaching rumble of hooves tore Thozgild's attention from the mermaid's purse. Thundering down the beach toward Thozgild and his ships were a dozen horsemen clad in plate-and-mail armor. Several held spears pointing into the sky with fluttering banners bearing imperial heraldry attached just beneath the speartips. The deckhands and servants stopped their work to gawk anxiously at the approaching horsemen, but Thozgild was perfectly at ease. Thozgild gently placed the mermaid's purse back onto the sand - as if he meant to recover it shortly - before ambling toward the horsemen in his characteristic swaying, seemingly-intoxicated gait. The horsemen slowed to a canter as they reached Thozgild.

"At last! The welcome committee has arrived!" A cordial Thozgild exclaimed in perfect though heavily-accented Galovian.

"Quite the opposite, stranger," corrected the gravelly-voiced commander of the horsemen as he pulled back on the reigns to bring his steed to a halt before Thozgild. "We are the Elsen Guard. Your ships were spotted from the lighthouse making an unauthorized landing on the Isle of Fray."

"Oh good, we are exactly where we mean to be then," a delighted Thozgild clapped his hands together in enthusiasm. "You see, my maps are quite old, and so I had some anxiety that perhaps we had missed our destination and instead landed on some other spit of land. It certainly did take us a long time to reach this place, but I do suppose the Timorous Easterlies were not working in our favor for much of our-"

"It my duty to inform you that only vessels on imperial business are granted entry to the Isle of Fray, given the... situation on the mainland and recent events here on the Isle. You must therefore launch your ships from here and return from whence you came."

"I'm afraid, my dear sir, that returning to our point of origin is not an option. You see, I hail from the city of Helarx. I too have been affected by the conflict on the mainland."

"Helarx?" Another mounted guard spoke up. "That's a Xalform city. You're a damned Crusader or one of their spies."

"Let's just put a spear in his gut and be done with this," snarled another guard.

"I am no more a Crusader than any of you lot. If those zealots had their way, the vultures would be picking at my crucified skeleton on the ramparts of Helarx right now. I have no more love for the Crusade than any of you, for I am a refugee from their perverted cult. My customs and tastes were unpalatable to the new masters of my home, and so I was forced to flee. You may well know my name, for I am Thozgild of Helarx."

"Thozgild the Strange," recognized one of the guards.

"The same," said Thozgild with a wry smile. "An unfortunate moniker, but I cannot deny it is true."

"I would have thought the Xalform Crusade would have killed off a freak like you long ago," said the horseman who had recognized Helarx earlier.

"I was, for a time, too valuable to kill. But their bloodlust has since overcome their greed. I escaped their wrath but only just, and I cannot return. I therefore seek asylum in your Empire, on this Island of Fray."

"I cannot grant you permission to stay," reaffirmed the guard commander. "Enemy of the Crusade or not, I cannot let you stay here."

"Then who could grant such permission?" Asked Thozgild.

"The Duke of Elsen, perhaps," said the commander as he looked askance at Thozgild and his ships, "but an appointment is requi-"

"Splendid!" The Polymath exclaimed, clapping his hands together and rubbing them together. "Take me there, I wish to speak with him at once."

[AWildBear]

"Halvar"

His gruff accent huffed out the words. He was walking a quick pace, but consistently making sure the smaller female kept pace with him. The rain began to pour, the roar of it only deafened by moments of ear-splitting rumbles of thunder. A severe storm, perhaps. Nevertheless, he brought his new companion to a small log cabin on the edge of the woods, right next to the river. He opened the door and quickly ushered her inside, before stepping in and shutting the door behind him. Shaking his head quickly, he rid himself of some of the dripping water in his hair. A heavy sigh followed, as he leaned on the wall beside the door, staring at her for a moment.

" You must not know me, much less remember me. I was a very different man then... This body, is not who I was then, I did not have this choice. Yet, I've come to terms with it. Regardless, I lived in your village for a few years. My work upon the dark arts often kept me out of the area. I would not risk harm coming to my wife and my daughter. But I remember the day that we were attacked. What I showed you in the forest was my own memories. I do not blame you for the vileness of those creatures. It is not the first time I've lost to them."

The was a tint of anger to his voice towards the end of his tirade. His right hand drew his sword, which he slowly lumbered forward and set on the table. From the rather pristine condition of the blade, it appeared rather new. He then pointed to the hilt, in which the metal was slightly etched with little tallies.

"Look closely. Each of these marks represents a vampire I've slain with this blade. I forged this mere weeks ago, and the number is already at fourty-seven. My axe... Heh, let me show you."

He walked across the room and opened a small closet, pulling out a massive battle-axe. Dual-bladed. A large, curved blade holding firm on each side of the axe. At the very bottom of the handle, the axe-shaft was attached to a skull, much like a rounded-off bottom would be attached to an axe from their nation. As he placed the huge weapon down on the table, the skullpiece was entirely riddled in marks. So much so that it appeared physically impossible to either count the number of them, or to even find room for a new row. Hundreds, if not thousands of tiny marks were scratched into the skull.

"This skull came from the first king I killed. Damn vampires are all about their bureaucracy. I've slain many important leaders, yet they always replenish themselves. Annoying worms."

He laughed, obviously amused by the thought of the various battles he'd fought with the creatures. Even when outnumbered, he still outmatched the best of their warriors by such margins that it was almost embarrassing. Using his own necromancy, he'd often kill a contingent of guards, and order them to go attack their own former friends. It was a hilarious sight, truly. His thoughts then snapped back to the reality before him, aside his bragging. This, long lost leader of that village.. He'd ran across many oddities in his journeys, yet he'd never found anyone from the homelands. It was a huge curiosity what drew her here, and how she'd survived the battle. Yes, a mage.. But surely she wasn't much of a fighter. So he believed although he didn't much care about that, not now anyway.

" You're among your own again, I don't suppose you have questions for me?"

[OmegaOnyx]

Once she stepped inside, the woman shook her hair free of water, the wooden beads adorning her dreads rattling with every shake. She carefully set down her bag against the wall, crystals clunking together inside. After standing once more, she kept her back to him, sighing heavily.

"As much as I appreciate your kind words, you have to understand-"

Her words were cut off as she turned to the sound of his blade placed on the table. Carefully walking over to see, her eyes followed to the hilt, staring in awe.

"Hmm, peculiar. Another weapon you say?"

She still had her spear in her right hand, using it like a balancing stick as she watched him pull out a large, foreign weapon. Amazement couldn't be hidden, gazing in wonder as she listened to his story. Like a child, she was easily impressed to see such a high record and to hear such tales. Acknowledging his question, her eyes trailed to the ground, her raspy voice barely above mumbling.

"Well, there is a few. What happened after that day? Does the tribe live on? And... how are you alive? My reign was years ago, which could
only mean you're over a hundred years old. I don't think I could understand how."

The woman didn't appear old herself, but she didn't think that another would have the same fate. A healthy body and her skin still full, even though she had bluish-silver hair and slightly clouded eyes, it was a change that came with her curse, her sight still clear. She knew she couldn't deny what she saw in that vision, it was her home exactly like it was. Her gaze followed back to the man's marks, then to the ones across her right arm. Truly enough, they matched in ways. No doubt, he was right.

[AWildBear]

" Nobody I know of survived the attack other than myself. Everything was compromised upon my arrival. As for myself, I cut my way through whomever was in my way until I made it out. I spent years in hiding practicing the Dark Arts, primarily Necromancy. Unfortunately, it is an law that those tied to one can not be resurrected, or it destroys the caster. As I've understood, it's part of an elaborate curse that I haven't further researched. Whilst I was making such progress in my studies, I was alerted to a chance at immortality. Conducting a very... costly ritual, I was able to immortalize myself when I was 23. After that... I had been captured in my sleep by cultists. Perhaps my newfound immortality and extravagant powers had called to them in some way. This body you see.. Results of their magic, and altercations with my own frame. I do not mind it. It was very strange to get used to, but I found myself liking it. Unfortunately the fools underestimated me. Set me as a overseer to a small army of slaves they'd acquired. It didn't take too long before we overthrew them. "

He spoke calmly, pacing back towards the window near the door and staring out at the storm pouring down outside. His hands were behind his back in a rather formal fashion. His body was stiff, as if he was reporting to an officer in an army. Heaving a sigh, he turned to face her. He seemed to take more note of features at this time.

" It takes a hell of a lot more than what I've had thrown at me to kill me. You shouldn't worry to much about that. As for you. You're cursed, I can tell. The dark energy is radiating off of you. It's the immortality, by the feeling. I can't say what or where it came from, but it is not anything that I can't fix. Presumably, to only kill the manifestation of the curse and then to re-implement a more.. tolerable version such as my own immortality. That is, if you're willing. "

He was aware it was an odd request, yet as a former member of her village, it was only customary to offer his aid out of respect. Whether she accepted it or not was up to her, yet he himself could not determine any true thoughts about her. After all, he was acting out of respect. He didn't know fuck-all about her.

[OmegaOnyx]

"Necromancy? It was my ancestor that laid this Hell on me, he was a warlord at most."

The mage was familiar with the dark magic, though never saught practice. It was a surprise to her that this brute didn't kill her on site since she heard tales about its mana corrupting its caster. She couldn't question it though, eagerly taking his offer.

"Well, whatever's the cause, if you think you can help me I'm willing to do what it takes."

She seemed to perk up a bit, even some excitement shown. To remove this dread from her soul was something she couldn't refuse, even from a stranger she wanted to at least give it a chance. Glancing towards the window behind him, she went into thought.

Maybe the rain will clear soon unless he offers space here. I never stayed in something like this though...

Being in the wild, she would find refuge in dense forests and caves, sleeping as a lycan by night. She slumped back against the wall before sliding down to the floor, sitting cross-legged as she stared off into space, recollecting memories.

"As I've said, it was a great spirit that placed this curse on me, Daku. He was my mother's great, great uncle, and saw how much of an irresponsible brat I was. He wasn't wrong, I cared more about magic than my home. I'm not entirely sure how to reach in contact again though. Immortality is something new to this ol' mage, even after roaming the Earth beyond the normal lifetime, so I trust that you're right, since you have all of your flesh and bones together as I do. Why you're willing to help surprises me greatly, along with your forgiveness, but I'm more than grateful. So tell me, what do you have in mind to make this work?"

[AWildBear]

He listened to her with a rather calm demeanor around him. During this, he started to unclutter the table, placing the huge battleaxe back into his closet, and placed the sword by the door. After this, he went to a keg near his bed, grabbing two tankards off the top of it and filling each to the brim, just slightly foaming over, and handed one of the drinks to her.

" Least our country still ships out mead. As for this dilemma.. There's only one way that the curse can be broken. A curse laid upon you from the dead means that the deceased still roam this world. To dispel that curse, the malevolent spirit must be banished. Many spirits choose combat, manifesting themselves so that a fair battle can be waged between them and the living. Much like a flesh and blood battle. That, I have no problem with. However, contracting my form of immortality... There's a catch. Death is Undeath. If your mortal frame is killed, you will turn into a Lich. A undead mage, typically those of great power. In time, if not defeated in combat, you may reform as a humanoid figure again. If defeated once more as a Lich, your soul is shattered, and you perish for all eternity. The ritual isn't complicated, all-be-it. The demand for your own immortality is one thousand souls. The rest of the ritual items and works are easily acquired through casual means. Gathering, trading, whatnot... I can do this for you. As for now, let the storm pass, you may stay here with me. I do not anticipate trouble, as if anything could pose any.

He walked across the room to his bed after finishing his drink, pulling a knife from his boot and twirling it around like a childs toy. He seemed to be fairly relaxed, as much as someone with his stature and outward mindset could be. He still didn't fully understand the reason of his actions. Perhaps it was just his own loneliness that made him seek out company from someone he found familiarity with. He didn't know the answer, much less did he ever even expect to.

[OmegaOnyx]

She accepted the drink, sniffing it before taking a sip. Her attention was towards him, trying to make the best of what she can understand. Unsure feelings were in place, perplexion showed across her face as she stood up to place the empty mug on the table. She placed her weapon by the door before returning to her original choice to sit, setting her headdress on top of her satchel and letting her tattered coat drop off her shoulders, wearing a brassiere underneath, showing more tattoos that covered her arms, back, and stomach.

"Thank you. I'm sure I won't cause any havoc."

She chuckled softly, laying back as her fingers toyed with a purple crystal tied around her neck. The shard seemed to glow with the shaman's touch, though merely another trinket of the many she has, seeming to keep her calm.

Become a Lich... pay a thousand souls? Do I want to do this? I'm sure I've lived long enough as it is. Though he calls this a curse and
acts like his own lifespan is glorious. Maybe I'll do it anyway, got more to gain than to lose...

With these multiple thoughts in her head, she was staring up at the ceiling quietly. Dismissing her stress, she shook her head, her gaze turned towards him. The shard fell from her hand, its glow fading as the center turned blue. She grinned shyly, awkwardly continuing to fidget with her necklace. Clearing her throat, she tried to keep a focused demeanor, asking hesitantly.

"Halvar was it? I simply ask out of curiosity, but you seemed to have done this deed. Was it worth it to you?"

[Dr Catfish]

Prologue

It wasn't often she became excited. However upon seeing the small parchment wrapped box rested at the base of an oak tree: she could hardly contain herself. Hastily taking hold and harboring the package beneath her cloak, she maneuvered back the less travelled way to her more permanent residence. That being a rather spacious section beneath a rich fellows home. A crawl space, if you would.

Like a furtive pygmy, she sat her rear on the cool dirt and withdrew the hood from her face, taking the time to draw some hair away from her eyes as well. If the contents were what she believed them to be, she would require the additional sight.

Tentative hands gently freed the knotted twine before drawing back the flaps of parchment. Within sat a rather ornate wooden chest. Beautiful molding on the edges and a wonderful glossy sheen to the chestnut brown. A large green jewel sat dead center on the lid. This chest contained no latches, nor a hinge to open as it would appear. However upon placing her hand against the jewel, it separated it to two halves.

Within was a single envelop, sealed with ocean blue wax in a crest she was unfamiliar with. Beside the envelope, was a similarly ornate ring. A signer ring if the similarities between it and the wax crest were of any indication. Like a poor man seeing gold for the first time, she took a few minutes to examine the ring. She even tried it on a couple times, committing it's intricacies to detail and admiring the beauty in its golden, jewel encrusted glory.

Afterwards, she gently opened the letter and began reading it's hand-quiled contents.

To the Lady in Waiting Sephanim.

You bless our comoany with honour for coming to us with your humble request first. We graciously accept the opportunity to assist such a pure young maiden in retaining her life and will offer our ship, the Lady Estalia for your one time use.

She could hardly contain a brilliant smile which spread across her face. This was it, she had finally been given a ticket to her freedom! She had been waiting for so long for something to finally come through, and this finally did it. She had only briefly stopped reading to enjoy the feeling of stress relief, only for it all to return as she herself returned to the writings. A mix of anxiety, curiosity and concern started brewing within.

However:
The captain has obstinately stated that you will not be permitted to sail with him, unless you sleep within his quarters. Precisely why is unknown to us, however as a captain he holds considerable weight in the handling of cargo, regardless of how precious - Or in your case prestigious - it may be. You sailing time will be immediately after reading this letter, you may find the captain at the docks. If you do not arrive wit..-

The paper suddenly burst into flames. The remaining tidbit was unnecessary to her. She was leaving today right this moment. She had nothing to pack so she had already made it out to the street, walking hurriedly to the docks.

However what intentions did the Captain have with her in his quarters? Perhaps it was simply to garauntee her safety? She knew how rowdy men at sea got, especially when it came to young women. For them the women didn't even need to be good looking, just had to have a wet p-

She bumped into a man while lost in her thoughts, apologizing before jogging along her previous path...

She just hoped the captain wasn't an old lech.

Upon reaching the docks, she was greeted by large burly men who asked for identification. With feigned elegance, she held out one ivory hand which held the signer ring from the wooden chest. With a surprising amount of delicacy, the red-skinned goliath she had been speaking to removed the ring from her with two pickle sized fingers. Afterwards, they all bowed in varying degrees of competency.

"We'll do wit' auhr loif ta getcha ta-dat awhland m'lady." One stated in a questionable level of English. He gently moved to the side and gestured for her to board, all hands following behind her like a escort of slightly smelly security guards.

While the deck hands prepared to ship to depart, she took a moment to admire the coast. It was quite beautiful with the smell of brine and lightly sodden wood, the sight of a descending sun against clear blue skies. Even the ambient drone of people conversing and bartering, the hustle bustle of the coastal market stalls; all added a sense of peace to the scene. However it was doubtful to last long, if those crusaders pounding onwards around the corner had anything to say about it.

Within an hour they departed, and she was introduced to the Captain she would be sleeping in the same room with for a week. All the bad scenarios she had held within her head occurred at once. He was tall but fat with a great pube-like beard in gray. He reeked like decaying fish, leered at her whenever he believed she wasn't looking and had long, sorry fingernails and hands. At least his English was understandable, but she was not looking forwards to sleeping near him. Something that did catch her eye through the brief introductory journey through the ship, was the map. While it was actually just a piece of stretched hide and some charcoal, it could still be called a map by any cartographer. Without a legend, the symbols were a mystery to her. But she got an idea of the general shape of where she was. Large squares were dotted along the coasts of some areas, one near the lower left was beside a line that was positioned out at sea. In fact, these lines seemed to be places in strategic areas all around the entire island. In the ocean, were occasional squiggles and jagged teeth like marks. What any of the symbols meant was unknown. However a large arrow pointed towards the main island on the east side, between two smaller land masses. The interior was lined with squiggles and teeth but it held a large black checkmark...

The next week was sleepless. She had tried to threaten, insult and persuade the Captain but his ominous eyes always peered out at her from his bed. Thankfully, he grew tired of watching her all night and passed out, giving her a few nervous hours of sleep every now and then. At least he didn't try to wake her while she was awake... Was she really rationalizing the creep?

A sudden choir of "Land Ho!" Broke the silence abruptly. Clambering from the captain's quarters she peered around the horizon as her eyes adjusted. Indeed, there around two o'clock was a - relatively - large landmass. She supposed this was where she was going to enter, however those giant spear like rocks juttjng out and about where far from placating. If that was supposed to be how she'd make land the- All form of rational thought instantly went out the window.

Coming from behind her, the Captain violently slapped her ass loud enough that she was sure the hands still sleeping woke up. The sound probably bounced off the island and notified all it's inhabitants of what happened. Or at least, that was what it felt like anyway. She inadvertently yelped, like a small dog being kicked only to place both hands on her buttocks and glare daggers of shock and anger at the Captain who merely chortled.

"We've got the raft ready, get on and get going Missy. I'd like to have ya 'round but I'm under order. Y'll go through the docks here. No light houses to spot you coming in." He shrugged, continuing to walk forwards past her like nothing had happened. It took her a good handful of minutes, but she regained her composure. Unfortunately now with a sore bum.

The raft he was referring to was known by the deck hands as a "Suicide Raft". Mostly because it was so hastily put together with scrap bits it was a wonder how it even floated. But also because it was off balance, more so with a person so it tended to go wherever the current directed it. Settling into the hoisted craft, the burly hands lowered her down into the water while saying farewell.

Landfall: Eastern Coast?

Her eyes cracked open, shutting closed before she abruptly sat up and rubbed them furiously. Actual sand had gotten in her green orbs, and now caused pain that she tried to remove with her hands. This actually only got more sand in her eyes until she wiped her hands on her clothes and cleaned her eyes out properly.

With a sigh of relief, she looked around where she was, wincing as pain shot through her entire body from her feet up. She sucked in a noise, looking over herself first instead of the area. On the outside she was fine, her clothes were soaked with salty water and already had begun chafing. She'd have to wash soon to avoid a full body rash. The pain originated from dozens of deep tissue bruises that ranged in varying stages of severity. Some purple, some blue, some black. Every point of pressure or movement sent pangs of pain and discomfort through her small frame.

Now that a self diagnosis was done, she looked around... A beach. A white sand beach. She looked towards the ocean. Massive teeth like jutting rock formations, and their dangerous shale brothers slightly beneath the waters surface. The smell of salt water and hot sand reached her senses, as well as the annoying screeches of seagulls. Accompanying this, was the smell of herself in water logged leather. This was neither pleasing or disgusting. It just made the area smell of old steer.

Shards and splinters of what was her raft lined the beach, some still flowing back and forth with the waves. She tried to remember what had happened...
She left the Lady Estalia in a smaller craft, carried on as she was told between the island away from the rocks... Then a current took hold of the boat... She scowled. Everything became fuzzy from there. Yet none of that mattered, she was on the island and she was alive. She had made it out alive, and nobody would chase her any longer. A smile crept up on her face as she marveled at this fact. Even the pain in her body ebbed away. Until she tried to stand up that was.

Like an old man getting up from a warm bath, she slowly but surely crept up to her feet using every object and item at her disposal to assist her wobbling limbs. With a slight dusting of herself, she tried to gather her bearings. If what the map said was true, a city rested up to the north, and some other sort of gathering to the south. The names of either she couldn't recal. All she really needed right at this moment was a wash basin. She could survive in a wood if the town's wouldn't allow her entry. A breeze and the looming rumble of thunder prompted her to look skyward.

Indeed, it would most likely rain very soon. The clouded were heading west if the wind indicated anything. An east wind would have been shrouded by the small rock face which sectioned off the beach from main land. A single sandy path some distance away lead up onto grass. Without wasting any more time, she began to move towards said path, planning out a southern route along the coast. If she happened to get caught in a rain, it would at least wash some of the salt water off and besides, she had been boiling under the sun while passed out anyway. She could use some cooling off.

The maps those pirates made must have been wrong however. The West held large mountains which stretched around towards the north. To the direct north, was a wooded area and what she believed to be a river. She couldn't see all that far however, as the trees grew too thick. In fact, the only path was to the south. Through a thin section of land between the mountains and the sea. It was well traveled for sure. Which made sense in a way. To the north was that city, and she would have to cross a river to reach it. One much wider than that which she was close to. So south it was, walking along the coast and already beginning to feel the rain hit her cloak hood.

By the time she got near what looked like city walls, a nice general rain had started up. It was enough to soak her through after walking for so long, chilling and removing the salt clinging to her body. That latter was of great relief. Both chafing and the tightness of her akin had started irritating her to the extreme. Upon nearing the main entrance however, she was halted by a man shouting something. The scent of slightly old blood hit her nose. At one point there had been a slaughter here. How long ago was unknown. The man repeated his order, this time actually detectable.

"Halt! State your name, your business and if you have information regarding the slaughter th-" He was cut off by a large rumble of thunder. But she could fill in the blanks.
Her name, she needed a name.. Nobody knew her real name, but now wasn't a good time to start spreading it around. When one had a name, you could track them. Fake names meant harder to be tracked. Just like those pirates, she was no Lady in Waiting, nor was her name... Whatever she had told them. Regardless, she needed another one here right now. And a story to go with it.

"Alli." She shouted back. Short for Alibi, ironic. "I was out foraging for honey and I got lost. Mother always told me to follow the coast if I got lost because I'll always eventually find somewhere." She said all at once, taking a few steps closer so the guard and her could converse easier. She lightened her voice and gave it a bit more naivety than usual to make a child-like facade more believable. "Then the rain came and now I don't know what to do." She sniffled, actually having to rather than just faking. She was cold, that was a bit of truth. She had also purposely not answered the man's final question. Not only was it beyond her "characters" realm of comprehension

The guard seemed to stumble. Why he was alone may have been because of a few things. The most prominent was likely the attack he had mentioned. Had one attack crippled their forces? "W-what am I?" She asked, paling when the answer returned.

"Elsen." Such a thing couldn't be possible. That was on the western coast almost. How could she have walked past two major settlements? It was impossible. Something must be wrong. She remembered the name seeing as how it was the only legible one on the pirate's map. So how exactly did she get... When she woke up, there weren't two smaller islands out towards the horizon. Somehow, either by current or during the events while she was trying to land: she had moved to the southern part of the island. It was almost mind boggling how something like this could happen. Still, it may prove useful if she was close to the rather large coastal town.

With a slight inhale she began to start spinning a story that the guard would believe.

[AWildBear]

The male did not answer her last question, a scowl crept onto his face to wash away his blank expression. He stood up, grabbed his sword and walked to the door. Without word, he walked out. A few yards behind a flowering bush an armored man stood, sword at the ready crouched and watching them through the window. Without hesitation, the giant threw down his own weapon and slammed his massive body into the soldierly figure like a freight train. Stomping his boot down on the blade, his right hand latched onto the man's throat, lifting him up into the air like a mere pebble. Lighting flashed, illuminating the scene intensely, and with an air of malice weighing heavy upon the scene, the giant snarled at the soldier.

"Hur många av er måste jag döda innan du förstår att du aldrig tar mig?"

The crushing grip on his throat ensured the soldier could not voice any response to the brute. Moments later as lightning flashed the corpse of the soldier fell like dead-weight from the brute's hand. He picked up the sword the soldier had carried with him, huffing in annoyance as he grabbed his own blade in the same hand, tossing the soldiers blade into the corner. He stood in the doorway, his huge frame menacingly being lit up as the lightning flashed. After the thunder rolled, he looked back to the female.

"We must go now."

He wasn't taking any argument. He stepped out of the doorway post-haste. making his way to the edge of the forest. Just beyond this line, he'd constructed a small alter for his own work. His green eyes searched the landscape for any sight of anymore hostiles. It seemed rather clear, but the male was not trusting of that notion. He dug his way through the branches to find his small ritual site completely overrun with the soldiers. They hadn't destroyed anything at this point, but there were upwards of twenty men. The giant stood firm after pushing through the trees. His sword hung slightly to the side, point down at the dirt. The men moved closer, and then he shouted.

"I'll kill every last man who brings his blade towards me. Leave this place."

Alas, it was never so easy. The first soldier had foolishly charged with his sword hanging out like a spear, trying to hide his frame behind his shield. A foolish attempt, his left hand swatted the blade away as the soldier crashed into the giant, not managing to move him whatsoever. A wild shout, and a flash of his blade, brightly gleaming in the storm struck the soldier through the chest, blade puncturing through the heart and out of his back. Instantaneous death as the only result, as the brute brought his blade back and out of the soldier, he fell limp to the ground. Four more stepped up this time, two of which managing to clash their swords against the man's own. Holding his blade sideways with one hand, preventing them from forcing all three blades down, and two of them into himself, he retorted with a mighty shove, tumbling the two onto each other. The other two tried striking him from the back, but his attention had quickly turned and forced him to dart to his left, narrowly having the side of his stomach scraped by one sword whilst dodging another, the clash of metal happened once more, the soldier eagerly putting up a decent attempt of swordplay with the giant. But he couldn't win in the end, After getting a boot to his chest and toppling him, his heart was pierced by his own comrade who tried to rush the giants back, who aptly shuffled himself and stuck a foot out, tripping the other soldier. A downward swing of his blade decapitated the third soldier. The fourth and fifth had stood once more, but had no chance. The first sword-swing of the brute was so powerful it cleaved the fourth soldier cleanly in half while burying his blade into the fifth's side. As he fell, he soon had his heart pierced by the giant's blood-coated steel.

More came and more fell. The giant had sustained a multitude of cuts, scrapes, and hits himself, but nothing seemed to slow him down. His blade sought out and destroyed, mutilated corpses and blood began to pool on the ground, the rain only mixing itself in with the blood. The area, which was already slightly pooling with rainwater had begun to run red. One man remained, and he attempted to flee the scene for his very life. But at a raise of the giants free left hand, a spirit manifested itself in front of the man. One of a fallen soldier bearing the same armor and insignia on his sword. His jaw was broken, along with his neck. Head hanging limply to the side, the spirit spoke slowly, but loudly and sharply, as if something was causing it pain yet even after death.

"Y...Y...You....will.....die!"

The spirits eyes went wide, coughing out a malicious laugh as it drew its blade and thrust it through the terrified soldier's chest, and continued it's maniacal laughter until the man had completely bled out within moments of vicious stabbing after piercing through the chest. After the man was dead, the spirit had disappeared. And even though injured, the giant had walked calmly to his alter, setting his sword in the grass, and began to prepare things for the ritual that was to be underway. First, he aligned four skulls into a cube, placed a heart that he had to pull out of the closest intact body in the center of the skulls, and then scattered some small red woodland flowers across the heart and cube.

"The extraction ritual is ready. After you perform it, I will kill the curse-giver. Nothing will change, exhaustion will hit later. I will give you safe haven for the time being. To do the ritual, all you must do is call forth the curse-giver. These preparations will ensure that he manifests, rather than ignores your plea as a novice."

The giant backed away, brushing his sword off in the grass before standing upright, bloodied and battered, rain washing the blood down his body and soaking his longer black hair. He was ready for more fighting, even after the brief battle.

[OmegaOnyx]

Seeing him rush out the door, concern quickly grew. The woman poked her head out the door before rushing back inside to quickly redress herself and stack her gear back onto her body, refusing to leave anything behind. Running out the door, she bumped into the giant, falling down immediately. She scrambled to get back up, clumsily running after him, dragging behind by a few feet. This wasn't a time for questions, she merely followed his lead despite being oblivious to what was going on.

Answers will come later, just go damn it...

Eventually in her hurry she lost him, skitting to a halt as she frantically scoped the area to find the brute, her smell coming second to giving hints. A familiar voice rang through the air, her head spinning towards its direction before taking off.

Pushing her way through the shrubbery, she came to see her new acquaintance covered in blood and an eerie creature, spirit perhaps, killing off a panicked soldier. With a deep sigh, the girl easily hopped and weaved around the multitude of bodies across the field, staring at the collection of skulls with concern, but she agreed regardless.

"Alright, be prepared though. I questioned his strength and ability before and well, you know what happened."

She merely assumed this ritual followed her own chants that she was used to. Taking her stance, she ground her boots into the dirt before tilting her head up to the sky, her curse-giver's face in her mind.

Daku Blackclaw! Come forth from the Spirit World!

Silence followed for a few moments after her call before she fell onto her knees, clutching her chest. Red smoke engulfed the altar before the silhouette of a wolf rose, its dark brown fur slowly fading into color. His face was severely mauled, covered in scars and his snout twisted slightly, part of his lip taken. Even hunched over, he loomed over her at 6'7. The shaman fell to the ground on her side, howling as her body heaved, slowly morphing into her lycan state. The grey wolf snarled and growled, trying to force herself back into a human. Daku only stared with a blank expression, toying with the girl's soul to force her into the animal underneath, speaking through telepathy.

You summon me? I can feel the hatred in you though. I've given you what every warrior has killed for, and you still despise what you're born into. Be what you are, kill off these scum that threatens your life. You are a wolf, Rida!

Though he couldn't see, his senses felt a presence near, only assuming there would be hostility. He floated towards its direction, no change in his face, only tilting his head to the right slightly.

"Not..everything..is battle. I never..asked.. for this.."

She wheezed, clawing at the ground as her energy flicked and radiated around her, the inner turmoil exhausting her strength.

You are a Blackclaw you fool! What doesn't your pathetic ass understand? You failed your bloodline, but you don't care about anything but your own hide.

He spun around, soaring across the air until he landed infront of her, lips curled into a snarl. With a low whine, the now she-wolf collapsed to the ground, eyes blinking slowly as she gasped for breath. The spirit huffed, staring down at her in attempts to intimidate. She returned the harsh glare, slowly rising onto her feet, her clothing fading into her translucent body as she stepped forward, also having the ability to speak through telepathy.

"Well, here I am. I don't know what you mean by life-threatening scum around beside you."

She seemed to crack a smile, snorting as color filled her body. Feeding her magic through the ground, five vines of crimson arcane sprouted, shooting for his legs, arms, and neck. His own magic warded off hers, a shockwave of black energy disintegrating her attack. The wolves circled each other, Daku being the first to lunge forward, encased in his own magic, an enlarged shadow of himself sharp to the touch. Rida threw up her arms in an X, drawing a circular shield in front of her in the split-second of contact, thrusting forward to knock him down before summoning yet more vines, this time multitudes cocooning his body, much thicker strands. She forgot the ritual, the intentions meant for it, and about the man aiding her. This was a moment she waited for, to kill the one that caused her suffering.

"Fuck bloodline, fuck tradition, and fuck you!"

Her anger caused the coils to tighten around the madly shifting wolf. He broke his right arm free from its grasp, wildly clawing away as hazy, dark shards flew around him, slicing away at his prison. Clenching her fist, the female mage tightened the choke around his neck, trembling from rage, however, this didn't seem to affect him. The floating shards cut off the ropes to his throat, allowing him to sit up and break off the rest of the trap. She took this as an opportunity to attack, the gem infused into her head glowing in a bright scarlet as she blasted an array of orbs towards his direction. The spirit merely closed his eyes, his shadowy armor taking the hits before fading into smoke. The she-wolf bowed down onto all fours, ready to charge before she felt the same stinging feeling in her chest, hitting the ground with a thud, her energy radiating outside of her body. Floating towards her, Daku only stared in disappointment as he forced the unconscious battlemage to shift back into her human state, covered in slight bruises all around her body.

Pathetic. Trying to kill the undead? What a futile attempt.

[AWildBear]

"Daku Blackclaw, I will be your opponent."

His booming voice ushered the words coldly, as he slowly began to approach the spirit, when he spoke the spirits name, the malevolent entity turned to him and readied itself, but the spirit had no idea what lay in store. The giant manifested into the astral plane himself as he walked, a faint blue shimmer coating his body as he became near-holographic. Upon reaching the spirit, he firmly planted his left hand around the astonished spirit's throat and forced his sword through Daku's chest, whilst impaled, the giant's commanding voice growled

"You will release the woman of your curse. Daku Blackclaw, I banish you back to the grave! Influence this plane of existence no more or you shall be obliterated!"

All that followed of this was the spirit screaming horrifically, as if in the upmost of agony, thrashing it's ethereal body around his sword wildly, but the spirit slowly began to dissolve into light blue flaky particles, blowing away in the wind of the storm whipping around them. The giant had only muttered to himself, seemingly reverting his doings of his own transformation. Slowly, he began materializing in a mortal-body once more although still wounded and drenched from the rain, he had not forgotten his duty. He knelt down beside the quivering woman and gently lifted her up, cradled in his massive arms. He made haste to his cabin, slipping inside the door and laying her upon his bed. He searched her exterior over, respecting the privacy under her garments. No injuries too severe, he thought. He was aware she'd need time to rest. He made himself get away from the scene, filling himself a mug and heading outside, standing underneath a tree during the pouring rain. He began to mutter to himself

"What's done is done. That place.. That time. Memories must be laid to rest. That is not the world I live in today, nor is it the world of tomorrow. She will learn this soon.

So he stood, drinking silently and absorbing the flora and storm around him, and he began to calm. Alas, any man of worldly upbringing could learn to appreciate the Earth around him. But there was something about this land that seemed different to him, though he couldn't place a finger upon what it was. His mind trailed again, as he began to hum a short melody, that later broke into song.

"The icy winter is creeping near
Dark skies above us
Biting frost in the air
Darkness surrounds us

The cold piercing autumn breeze
Fills the longships sail
Soon the lakes and seas will freeze
And snow will lay its veil

Many years we've been away
Many oceans we have roamed
Now the North star guides us on our way
As we are heading home

The many hardships we've endured
Have brought us rich reward
Now the North star guides us home
With cargo full of gold

Many friends died on the way
Only few of us survived
But I would gladly take their place
In Oden's hall up high

The icy winter is creeping near
Dark skies above us
Biting frost in the air
Darkness surrounds us

Soon the lakes and seas will freeze
And snow will lay its veil
And we will long for the summer breeze
Where we can set our sails"

[OmegaOnyx]

Fragments of the wolf still floated around the woman, red smoke fuming out of her fur. She groaned when he picked her up, her eyes fluttering open. As they neared the cabin, more fur diminished into smoke, her attire from before weaving itself into reality, in worse tear than before. Multitudes of coin-sized bruises dotted her skin, an effect from her uncle toying with her soul. Her short, rapid breathing eased after he laid her down, faking sleep. After hearing him leave, she sat herself up, examining her body.

I'm still alive, must mean he's banished finally. Fuck, this hurts, argh. Just rest... can't push it.

She recognized the cabin, curious about where her accomplice could've wandered off to. Wincing in pain, she clutched her wrists, pulling back her sleeves to inspect more of the damage. With a heavy sigh, she stared at her own hands, her left thumb tracing over a circular scar on her right palm.

I'm too weak to use magic, I wish I left my damned bag here instead of being a hoarder. How was I supposed to know this would happen
though? I didn't even think I would make it out alive.

She shook her head, a smirk across her lips as she swung herself out of bed, pulling off her headdress to toss behind her, limping to the door as she held her side, her dominant hand slowly pushing the door open. Taking a step out, she scanned the woods through the rain trying to find any signs of the brute. A voice could be heard singing in the distance, the woman abruptly following its trail.

Is that..?

Her pace slowed to a halt, staring in awe as she listened to the giant's song. A wave of calm washed over her as she stood a few meters away from the tree he stood under, mesmerized to hear his voice, not daring to disrupt. Not the best she heard, but not the worst, she was yet glad to see him again.

[AWildBear]

"You're up sooner than I imagined. What stirs you?"

His eyes curiously glanced the battered woman as he had finished his song. Leaning his huge frame against the tree, his idea had worked thus far. For the time being, he knew the pair were safe from external threats. The merciless bloodshed was nothing new to him, so he thought rather indifferently about it. His new companion on the other hand, may think otherwise. Suddenly, he had stumbled forward. He fell onto the wet grass, barely managing to push himself up onto all fours. As he looked up, a projection appeared before him, a clip of the past that seemed to be overpowering him.

Recollections

A small cabin with a great hearth burning in the center slowly faded into the scene. The sound of an axe splitting wood echoed through the house's open door. A bright morning upon a snow-covered valley somewhere in the frozen north. The scampering of small feet became louder and louder, until the image surfaced. A young girl attached to a larger man's leg. The man in question with the giant himself, all before the drastic changes to his frame. Setting down his axe, he ruffled the child's hair, glancing down at her. Barely six winters old with long auburn hair, and her mother's vibrant green eyes. The mantle of innocence, and his only daughter.

"Daddy, I really like this new village! There's so many other kids to play with!"

"Is that so little cub? That's wonderful. Go find your mother, she was looking for you. She's probably inside yet.

The child ran into the small cabin, only to re-emerge with her mother. A slender build, standing five-foot six, chestnut-brown long hair, with bright green eyes and a devastating smile. She calmly swayed over the man, who was about to continue his work, before she had gently tapped his shoulder, catching his attention.

"Our little cub wants to go fishing. She insists the both of us come. How could I say no?"

"Hahaha, I suppose I can take care of this wood later, and then our dinner is taken care of, no?"

The markings of a happy, young family. The man, young and strong with a bright future set in what seemed like sturdy-stone for him and his kin. The trio had slowly faded into a calm breeze, which picked up snow from the trees, blurring the escape of the three. Upon revealing the world again, the deathly screams of combat of slaughter echoed upon the once calm air. The giant with sword in hand came dashing into the fray. The markings upon the invaders armor screamed of a vampiric invasion. He did not face much resistance on his sprint home, only to find the small cabin engulfed in flames, with the corpses of his child and wife laying upon the doorstep. Breathless, cold. The man was sent into a blood-rage, with the nearest vampire having noticed his presence and closing in. He did not make it to the man, who'd instead came to him quickly, tackling him and ramming the dagger he had hid in his left boot through the face of the vampiric man over and over and over again. Dropping his own sword in favor of the longer sword the soldier had dropped, he tore his way through the village to the exit upon which he came in. Behind him lay nothing but corpses, that of his friends, his family, and those that took his life away from him. The enemy soldiers that stood in his way were naught but eviscerated. Internal organs torn out, pieces of the body caved in, skulls splattered under his boot. Blood and gore doting the scene like modest decoration. He ran into the wilderness, completely coated head to toe in blood. He fell to his knees in the snow some distance away, looking at the ring that set upon his finger. The rage had drained him, and the horror of what he'd seen had sent him into despair. He fell unconscious there.

Present

The man rose a hand to his head, his heavy breathing only drowned out by the downpour around him. While the image faded, it's effect had not. He was writhing in an indescribable agony, before he finally was able to bring himself onto his knees, head hanging to the ground. Lightning illuminated the scene vividly, as if an attempt to amplify the man's sorrow. As the thunder rolled. he could do nothing more but weep.

"What more..?

[OmegaOnyx]

"Meh, I'm not sure myself."

She limped over to the tree, seeking protection by its branches from the ongoing rain. Though she still clutched her ribs, a smirk was painted on the bruised girl's face to hide how sore she was.

"Eh heh, did it work?"

Straightening her back, her eyes met with his, grin dropping instantly as she watched the giant tumble forward, crouching in front of him as she extended her spare arm out to him.

"You okay? I could try to help you up."

No answer. He just stared towards the sky, lost in space. She snapped her fingers near his ear, then tried shaking him, keeping her tone calm and soft.

"Hey, hey, snap out of it!"

She repeated several times, increasing her volume. Worry surfaced through her expression as she backed away, gazing off in the distance towards the cabin. The rain kept pouring, a chill running up her spine.

"Maybe we should head back."

Turning her attention back to the man, she could only stare confusedly as he wept. Why such sudden trauma she couldn't understand, but kept her judgment to herself, though still puzzling the randomness of this outburst of emotion.

Maybe he'll tell me after calming down. How am I gonna get him back there though?

Nonetheless, patience was the only thing she knew could be of help, calmly rubbing his back as her eyes kept darting back towards the direction of his home. Though the man was still a stranger to her, she couldn't a blind eye, especially after his help.

It's the least I can do, I think. I don't have my medicines with me though. Meh, there are surely other soothing herbs around here when
the rain clears.