Guy0fV4lor

The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll

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@Rune_Alchemist

The hair on Don's neck stood on end the moment the thud gave way to silence... No birds, no crunch of snow, no skittering of the squirrels in the trees, no deer dashing about amongst the brush. Only the wind remained... But something was still off.

Donovan had a gut feeling that something shit was about to hit the fan... If it hadn't already.

Straightening himself, the man would head in the direction of where he'd expect Akando to be at good speed, hoping to reconvene with the man quickly whilst not startling the hunter lest his concern accidentally get him stabbed by the man's spear or shot with an arrow. Small beads of sweat began forming above the man's brow as his concern mounted; Had splitting up been the wrong decision? Did the Kyrnith mistake Akando for an intruder and engage him? Was there some kind of Assassin lurking nearby that the animals could sense?

Regardless of the truth, Don's eyes raked the woods ahead as he'd keep moving; hammer in hand, as he'd scan for any sign of the Veteran Huntsman.

The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll

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@Rune_Alchemist

Donovan would nod to Akando as his eyes would sweep the clearing, back and forth; searching for movement between the trees. "Right then. Let's get to et.

Before proceeding, Don would pause a moment to place a hand on Akando's shoulder and his other hand grasping his emblem, as he would appeal to his patron god, "Oh Suthainn, aye pray that yeh watch over this man as yeh have watched over meh. May yer guidance an' watchful eye protect 'im from harm. Amen."

The man would straighten himself. "Aright Akando, aye say we patrol opposite sides o' tha clearin, an keep real low. They might know somethin's up so we'll wanna take em by surprise if weh can. Aye'll walk th' side side closer to th' village, you take th' side deeper intah' th' woods if they're on my side, cover meh with yer bow. If on yours-- hollar an' aye can cover th' distance in an instant... It wont be quiet though, so me comin' tag help yah wont catch em' off guard none. Sound like ah plan?"

Should Akando agree, Don would waste no time getting into position on his side of the clearing, ducking low, and uttering a quiet prayer to Suthainn for guidance as he would stalk along the underbrush, listening and watching closely as he could.

The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll

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@Rune_Alchemist

The gears in Don's head turned as he considered the fact that his 'time' was seemingly unharmed by the Kamaitachi. The ticking, the seeming slow of time, the accelerated rate of withering of the demons, and now the protection of his 'time'?

Was Suthainn perhaps some kind of time god?

Don looked around the tent; seeing that a fair amount of townsfolk were still milling about, including a few hunters. The man rubbed his chin in careful contemplation for a long moment; in all likelihood-- he could fix what was wrong with the dwarf... However, doing so would certainly reveal his hand to the Illuminator's faithful...

But Donovan was never one much to go about things the easy way, what mattered here was to do that which was right, not what was easy.

"Truth beh told Mie, th' power yah saw? Ain't mine... But-- aye'll give yah ah demonstration bout' what et can do."

The large man stepped forward, placing his right hand gently atop the dwarf's head as he would grip the emblem of his necklace firmly with his left. Closing his eyes, and focusing his mind, he sensed it... Something, 'off' slightly; not quite like the demonic infection incurred by the garden's thralls, but something more akin to a knot of sorts.

"Oh Suthainn--" he loudly beckoned to the deity, focusing any of the divine power he could draw from his emblem into his right palm. "Aye ask once more fer yer aid this day. By yer eternal benevolence an' timeless wisdom, may yer faithful bring forth yer blessing. Just as time heals all wounds-- aye ask this lass made whole, en bodeh an' spirit. May that what been wronged be righted, an' what stolen be returned."

"May yer radiance feravah grace our lives with time lived well, an' justleh... Amen."

The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll

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@Rune_Alchemist

"Nonesense Lass!" Don exclaimed with a chuckle, giving the dwarf a firm pat on the head. Though he couldn't really put his finger on it, the large man could 'sense' the little needed some help, "Ain't no sense in turnin' the Ladeh down. Least any of us can do fer yah!"

The man looked to Mie, rubbing his knuckles, "Sorreh bout yer beastie. Heard somethin' break when aye hit et.".

Donovan let out a deep, heaving sigh; his necklace slipping from his shirt, "Right then, waht's next?"

The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll

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@Rune_Alchemist

"Think Lass!" Donovan hissed as the beast crashed against his shield; his stance (though holding fast) tearing up topsoil as the sheer force of impact forced him back, "Herbs, spices, furs, fruit-- nuthin? Are yah sure???"

Snapping jaws forced Donovan to retreat lower behind his shield, the creature's forward weight leaning almost entirely on the shield arm. Don grunted forcefully, his eyes darting about the surrounding area as he quickly assessing the situation. The Dwarf seemed clueless about what may be aggravating the beast, and the damn thing's claws and teeth were likely to rip him to bits before the Oni workers could do anything to aid him if he didnt do something quick. If he used his hammer, he'd likely kill or cripple the creature. If he used his magic, that'd draw too much attention-- and folk would start asking questions, while tipping off the hunters that he may be a threat.

In a sudden motion, Don stuffed the sack of fruit he'd been given into the open jaws of the massive rodent. Gritting his teeth, Don crouched low, his back foot pivoting as he would wrench his shield out from between himself and the animal. "Arright Beastie--" he bellowed as every muscle in his body; from the tips of his toes, up his calves and into his thighs, hips core and arms, all fired in a synchronized motion-- all leading into a devastating superhuman uppercut!

"Time tah learn yeh some manners!"

The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll

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@Rune_Alchemist

Donovan laughed heartily at the little lady's protests as he ran from the pursuing creature, "Lass, much as aye'd be happeh tah help ya pulp th' damn thing-- aye been hired tah return et to th' folk that own... An' they wannet alive!"

Don did his best to duck branches and weave between trees as he ran, but the giant rat-creature seemed to be a hell of a lot faster than he'd thought and was hot on his heels; and the fact that the dwarf was wiggling so much didn't help. "Quit strugglin'! Yer slowin us down!"

As the creature drew ever closer, Don called upon that divine might once more-- the ever present force protecting and empowering him. He channeled that power downward through every nerve, muscle, and tendon in his leg. As the Kamaitachi would pounce, Don would fire the gathered power out his back foot, launching himself forward!

The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll

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@Rune_Alchemist

Donovan's brow raised as he approached the strange beast, curious as the why it ignored the fruit he'd tossed at it. Getting closer, the man damn near had a heart attack for a moment; believing the creature was mauling a child... Until he saw the armor. Though he breathed a slight sigh of relief-- it wasn't for long, as the little lady clearly needed help!

From what Mie had said, these creatures were normally quite docile, so there was only one reason it would be attacking her rather than going for a treat.... The Dwarf had something that smelled even better!

Almost chuckling to himself, Donovan wasted no time stepping in, grabbing the dwarf, and throwing her onto the shoulder of his free arm before breaking into a dead sprint back toward the village. "Dunno wha'cha got on yah tha' et wants so much lass-- but yah just made bringin' et back a helluva lot easier!"

The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll

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@Rune_Alchemist

Don nodded to Lady Mie as she offered him the small sack of fruit, "Yer a generous soul lass-" he responded with a smile, giving the 'gambesons' a steady lookover as he spoke; though they weren't a single shirt like Don would've preferred the material seemed sturdy enough. "Consider et done." Even though the thought the merchant may have possibly upcharged him; taking advantage of the fact he was clearly in a rush, and clearly was unfamiliar with the market-- Don pushed it from his mind. He could worry about being swindled later... The village's safety came first.

He headed east, towards and into the forest; the creature's less than subtle tracks making his job rather easy. Before long, he would come across a giant weasel-looking thing; which appeared to be the source of the rather obvious trail. Reaching into the sack he was given, Don tore a small chunk off one of the fruits tossed it before the Kamaitachi, slowly approaching the creature with another chunk extended in his hand.

This task was easy. Too damn easy....

"Aye wonder why she ain't sent nobodeh else tah get cha..."

The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll

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@Rune_Alchemist@PaulHaynek

Don's brow furrowed in thought as Enli spoke, carefully considering the man's words... From what he could tell, the man that stood before him was both knowledgeable and wise, but the years had clearly not been kind to Enli-- and even the most stalwart souls would slowly erode under the countless stresses of leadership. As Enli sat and waved to dismiss the two men, Don stepped forward placing a large hand firmly upon Enli's shoulder. His burly frame towered over that of the other man, the incandescent rays of midday sun reflecting off the top of the emblem that peeked out Donovan's shirt. For a moment, it seemed almost as if the silver star had ignited to life; casting stripes of silver and white across the surrounding room, its luster illuminating Don's expression of unshakable determination.

His words in that moment; though quiet, almost seemed to carry a rumble in their wake, "Stay strong Enleh. By Suthain-- aye swear to yah that we'll see to et that yer people are safe... An' that whatever shite Iva’Krorh es plannin'll be dead in et's tracks."

Giving the man a grateful nod, Don followed Nick out the door and into the town. Upon hearing Nick's plan, Don would shake his head in disagreement. "Runnin' outtah daylight lad, no time tah track em down... As fer armor-- aye seen what they got ere, an aye think we'd ave better luck with tha' trader... But, if yah can make et quick, you go find em an see what they can tell yah. Aye'll get us some armah."

Regardless of Nick's decision, Don would make his way to the trader's tent and approach one of the masked employees, "Oi." he spoke firmly, "How much'd two gambehsons run meh?"

I, the Demon King, Will Summon My Own Damned Heroes!

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