[IC] (Story)Hephaestus Vs Kragimaeus : Thunder and Giants

[GreivousKhan]

The sounds of chirping resounded throughout the swampland's, mixing with the buzzing of insects and the cries of birds. The green foliage of reeds thick in the gloomy waters. The light of the sun, which was positioned high in the cloudless sky, filtered through the thick vegetation with a few rays of light peaking through the canopy. The harsh environment filled with all types of beasts would have scared away any normal or wise traveler. Yet, Kragimaeus was by no means normal by any stretch of the imagination.

A ball of white fur surrounded by green vines and countless leaves; the Draegloth hung suspended from a large thick branch some 30 feet off the ground. Climbing about the branch nimbly with strong claws, the beast shook itself to throw off a few pesky mosquitoes, a few of the more aggressive or stubborn ones falling dead to the swampy ground below after receiving a nasty zolt. As here and there, blue static jumped across Kragimaeus’s body periodically. He moved to the near end of the branch of the great tree, lifting it’s head high and breathing in deeply as he sniffed and tasted the air. Foul as always. A few months ago, a great portal had transported Kragimaeus to this desolate place. Portals that aided in travel through the multiverse were rare indeed. Thus the beast was trapped here for the time being, which was fine with him. As having only been here in his short time, he had proven to be the alpha predator of the immediate area.

The few travelers and natives of the place had come to fear the unmistakable cry that drowned out all others that could only be that of The Thunder Beast. Which the natives had dubbed 'Moka-loka-lumbe'. Most of the predators of the area had also learned to stay clear of him, the less wise had long since fallen prey to his relentless thirst for violence and hunger for flesh. Still, as much as he enjoyed it here, Kragimaeus knew he could not stay indefinitely. His God had helped foster him into what he was, had sent him into the multiverse for a purpose.

Though, he might as well find entertainment now and again while he waited for a new portal to manifest itself. Something told him another rift would flicker into being soon… he need only wait. As it was he could do little else but wait, remaining still on his perch, which gave him a wonderful view over his surroundings. A small river - more a creek really- just ten feet wide flowed lazily to the west a little over 11 feet before him. Who knew how deep it was? Only one rutty little wooden bridge allowed one to cross it safely.

The beasts senses, however, were slightly deprived in this place. The stink of soot was heavy, the winds rare, and the fog strong. Instinct told Kragimaeus the locals might send another demon hunter soon. Given the failures of the last six. That was fine, as well as one of the reasons Kragimaeus avoided traveling on the grounds of the swamp. Least he leave tracks for which one might follow him. Kragimaeus may be a beast, but he liked having the advantage of being aware of prey first before they were aware of him. As any good hunter would.

[Inuyasha]

Foilage and the canopy of trees covered the swamp floor from the sun's wrath. Brambling branches jagged and gnarled the ground, as a rank gaseous cloud simmered in the humidity overhead. A deep and dark crowd of rickety trees stands, arms linked for miles in a silent choir. The trees stood tall and looming, the sentinels of the Fen. Their grossly disfigured hands stretched in attempt to reach the sky, swaying their derelict fingers to the bleak skies up above. A breeze began to sift between trunks, carrying the sickly stink of wood rot. A bayou barely flows, being stagnant and boggy. Mosquitos', moths', and lord knows what other bugs' buzz is deafening in the hot, sticky air. The swamp is dark and foreboding, grown with great gloomy pines and hemlocks. The trees rot in the swamp, looking like alligators sleeping in the mire. The swamp is chalk full of pits, quagmires, weeds, moss, slime, mud, rotting trees, and stagnant pools of water.

A figure, who was large, at least 8 and a half feet, tread carefully, like a cat, along the prostrate trees. His muscles were like mountains, defined and bulging, striating his massive frame. He was beefy and barrel chested, bullnecked and brawny. A giant broad copper-colored armor sat atop his thickset body. A silvery grey bandana and a tall and large cowboy hat that sunk over his eyes covered up his face, with a blue electric eye piercing the obscurity of the face. Two abnormally large revolvers rest at the hulkering beast's sides, bouncing along with his step. He took in his surroundings shrewdly, his posture calm and erudite, exuding confidence. Suddenly the colossal cowboy stopped in his tracks, crouching in front of a massive claw print in the mud. The print was set deep in the mud, exhibiting a very heavy creature had left it behind. He suspected that these were the tracks of the supposed "Thunder Beast" he was supposed to kill. Nearby villagers had sent many a demon hunters after this beast; all had failed. But then again, Hephaestus was no average "demon hunter." It was time to fight fire with fire, monster with monster. Because that's what Hephaestus really was: a monster.

Hephaestus approached a slothful and idle river, accompanied by a runty bridge. The wood rasped and groaned under Hephaestus' boots, and he was surprised the rickety little bridge even held his monstrous weight. Suddenly their was a large crashing sound, and Hephaestus bounded off of the bridge onto solid ground just as it splintered away behind him. He took in his new surroundings, quickly flipping on his thermal vision trying to identify any immediate threats. That's when he saw the large creature hanging from the branch above, glowing a burning red in his thermal sights. An admirable foe indeed. Hephaestus tensed and readied himself, wondering what the beast would do next.

[GreivousKhan]

The buzzing of insects and the crying of birds were soon joined by another sound. That of heavy foot falls of something large...and heavy. Kragimaeus’s head twitched toward the direction of the sound before it remained stock still; ears flicking. The long white fur that sprung from it’s pale dark blue hide shuddered periodically, while the lean toned muscles of it’s legs and arms flexed instinctively. Kragimaeus breathed in long and slowly, it’s large chest expanding gradually before it released the air; preparing itself. Soon the crashing sound of wood hitting water could be heard before the figure responsible stumbled into view. A hulking figure even broader and heavier than draegloth, standing a good dozen heads taller than the reeds and pale green grass that made up a great deal of the foliage of the place.

The figure stood stalk still after a moment, as if preparing itself. The way it fixated in his direction alerted Kragimaeus to the possibility that it had spotted him. But how so? It knew enough of its surroundings to know such a thing should have been quite difficult.This hunter had come prepared indeed possessing no doubt some magic or means of seeing him even in this fog heavy wet marshland. If such was the case then Kragimaeus’s preferred means of stalking his prey was no longer viable.

Looking down at this would be hunter Kragimaeus reared back on his legs and lower arms then spread it;s larger upper arms. Suddenly he unleashed a mighty roar that echoed through the dense swamp and sent dozens of birds into panicked flight; a challenge. Wicked teeth bared, drool falling from his open maw, Kragimaeus snarled as he narrowed his gleaming red eyes at the one who would dare encroach on his territory. With a powerful lung he exploded from the tree branch, which shook form the force causing countless leaves to fall free. He landed hard on the wet ground several feet below - just 15 feet away from the large man as Kragimaeus rounded a nearby tree. Running on four legs, his upper arms flexing as static run down their length. The hairs on his body standing up.

He leapt in one great bound moving sharply to his left, through reeds and past a large rock, then bounded right again, over a small stream of water that bled away from the running creek behind his opponent as he made a beeline to his prey. He covered the distance in the span of little over a second to within just seven feet to the left side of the large hunter. Putting him roughly at the man's 11’ o clock. Feet slightly apart while in a low crouch and placing his weight on his right leg, Kragimaeus sent its left upper arm in a deadly four fingered claw swipe aiming for Hephaestus’s chest and left arm. Static flying across the outstretched arm.

Unless the man reacted quickly, he’d suffer a grievous wound as Kragimaeus’s 50 cm claws tore into his flesh, likely cutting into his collarbone a few ribs and the flesh of his left arm. Perhaps even nicking a lung if he was lucky. It would all depend on the strength of the mans body armor. Dodging backwards would be risky for this hunter, given his proximity to the running river there. It would be interesting to see how this new hunter reacted.

[Inuyasha]

The beastial roar of the Thunder Beast resounded and rumbled through the forest, rolling over the forest; a stark contrast to the lullaby of the tree's soft whisper against the wind's calm. Hepheastus was not intimidated, in fact, the cry showed the beast's arrogance and pride. The beast bounded by the viridescent trees with ferocious speed -- it was this that impressed Hephaestus, and not the creature's cry. It had bounded the distance in a matter of seconds... impressive. Hephaestus switched off his thermal vision, as the brute sprung towards him, it's gigantic left upper arm outstretched, ready to swipe him of a good hunk of flesh, Hepheastus knew he had little over a second to decide his next course of action.

Hepheastus leaned in on his left shoulder into the blow, whilst reaching with his right hand into his right holster for his pistol. The 3-inch shoulder guard absorbed the blow, leaving Hepheastus unscathed. Before the beast could regain it's balance, Hepheastus drew his right pistol, jamming it in the beast's skin, and shot it, at point blank range, directly into the Thunder Beast's exposed gut.

[GreivousKhan]

Kragimaeus’s claws struck the lumbering giant across his shoulder scratching across the metal surface creating a few sparks, the moment he made contact the strike sent a painful electric shock through the guard and into the man's shoulder. Of course, Kragimaeus’s prey would not stand idly while under threat, his hand now pulling free a strange looking object from his waist. Kragimaeus had hunted these lands long enough to recognize such instruments for the danger they possessed and he was prepared for it.

As his the man drew his weapon Kragimaeus was already reacting by sending his lower left arm, which had been held back for such an occasion, into a backhand slash aimed for the wrist of his opponent's right hand as the man drew his device. Quite possibly cutting across the man's lower right abdomen as well in the process. The move would likely catch him off guard, such were the advantages of multiple limbs, Kragimaeus could attack with one and defend with the other as easily as one manipulated the four fingers of ones hand independently. That smaller clawed hand sparked with electricity much like it’s larger cousin, which if it made contact, and at such close range it was likely to, would cause intense pain to the nerves by way of electric shock.

The effect would likely cause him to squeeze the trigger involuntarily and prematurely from the current running through his arm. Possibly causing the hunter to shoot himself in the thigh or at their feet. Either way, it would be a miss that neither slowed down Kragimaeus or had caused him any harm leaving his other limbs free to continue the assault. If the lower arm did meet its target, it was a simple twist of his lower left hand to turn that blow into a grab. Allowing the beast to continue to leave that arm stunned by delivering an electric current to disrupt voluntary control of the man's muscles causing neuromuscular incapacitation of that arm. Thus taking that hand, and the weapon it wielded, out of the equation for the time being.

The blow to the man's shoulder had been taken rather resiliently, so Kragimaeus upper left arm was now positioned across his upper body. It was from this vantage point he pushed off his right leg and sent that arm into a vicious backhand aimed for the man's head. Such a blow might have caved the head in of a normal man, it was yet to be seen how this hunter would deal with it. Even if his skull was still intact, the kinetic force on his neck delivered from the blow could prove fatal.

Meanwhile Kragimaeus lower right arm snapped forward to grab the leather belt around the man's waist.