Despite lacking his powers right now, he still had plenty of skill and brute force to rely on. Jen would grab a nearby vase and throw it at the monster before putting some distance between him and it. He could only hope that it was enough to save Nia from the lunging monster. He would eye some other pieces of furniture he could use defensively and offensively.
âNah, I'm just here for the ride of doing a mission Ice Princess over there got ordered to do. Along with everybody else. â He said to the Natkhelese woman.
âYou mean⌠So that whole diplomacy mission that you claimed to come here for⌠It wasnât a front?â She seemed confused by that notion.
âI just thought⌠I mean with so many pactmakers all in one placeâŚâ Her words trailed off, her eyes falling about Pyter with a frown.
The vase smashed across one of the heads from the jumble of bodies, turning more than a few of the other heads. The thing let out another screech, causing one of the other monstrosities to jump into motion, the one that appeared more spider-like.
The creature pounced, vomiting out tendrils of webbing at Jen.
âYeah, sorry-â Jen would get cut off by the spider monster approaching him fast. There was an attempt to dodge it by shoving a table at it. However, it wasn't enough and he'd get covered in the webbing. He'd make an annoyed face. âA little help here!â He'd say as he looked for something useful.
The creature cried out in glee as it launched an arm at Jen. The Nashep-Natjier was there in a flash. Thrusting her spear through the arm and down through the floor.
She looked to Jen grimacing, and reluctantly put her hand to the webbing and breathed out. Slowly the webbing began to fuzz, though not fast enough.
The creature swatted one arm after another. The Nashep-Natjier tsked. Waving her free hand back and forth trying to intercept each blow. Each time, she let out a tiny bit of breath, causing the air in front of her to solidify into a thin silvery metal that shattered on each impact.
The Nashep-Natjier gritted her teeth and turned her attention back to the webbing. Grabbing it, it fuzzed and transformed into a tangle of ropes. She then quickly tossed Jen a knife to cut himself free with.
âThanks!â Jen replied as he grabbed the knife. The webbing would be slashed and heâd be mobile again. It seemed her ability keyed off breath like his? Although their effects were radically different. Heâd then rush to reposition himself trying to have the monster being flanked by both him and Nashep.
âGlad to know the distrust is mutual. You people seem like trouble. But I also keep seeing future meetings with you or others like you. It seems the being has the attention of multiple factions.â Jen would parry a blow by the creature. Heâd then counter with a couple slashes and stabs.
The Nashep-Najier sniffed at his words.
âTrouble is not a thing that me and my own tend to dabble in. It is a concept incompatible with the ideal behind the power I hold. Disruption on the other hand⌠that is something more akin to what I do.â
âRegardless, you should not judge my own based on your encounters with the others. Our goals do not align.â The Nashep-Natjier stated cooly.
Growing frustrated. The creature leaped backwards, ripping its pinned arm from the spear. It then started acting defensively and releasing spools of webbing from a distance.
The Nashep-Natjier cursed while sparing an anxious glance towards the hallway. They didnât have the time for this delay. She wasnât quite sure how well her power would fare against the Cutlerware.
âDisruption? I see⌠You might not have the same goals, but youâre functionally the same. Bunch of fair weather allies liable to come âdisruptâ our lives the moment we become inconveniences to whatever convoluted plans you have.âHeâd say as he vaulted over some furniture as he saw her signal to the hallway. He was hoping they could lose this thing or at the very least get rid of the inhibitors.
âDo we have the keys for these things yet?â Heâd shout while looking for a way to impede the monster. Heâd then find a nearby long table and kick that sucker into the path of the monster.
âWho do you take me for? The Kharu-Natjier?â She gave a dry laugh that had no mirth while catching a blast of webbing on one of those thin metal plates that she made out of the air.
âI am no schemer.â She said slapping another bit of webbing out of the way.
âNor am I a glutton for power.âTwo more blasts of webbing shot at her. She dodged one and caught the other. Releasing a breath, the webbing seemed to fuzz.
âI am a warrior.â The webbing began to warp.
âAn endower of power.â She pulled back on the webbing as it began to darken in color and shift in shape.
âThe Being, The Cult, The Unseeing Eye⌠any who would covet the power of gods⌠I will break them.â The webbing became a whip with wickedly curved blades on its tip. With a yank, she pulled the bladed end towards her and caught it with her free hand.
âI will break them,â She repeated,
âand return the power to us all!â The Nashep-Natjier took off in a sprint, dodging another blast of webbing. She then tossed the bladed end, which dug into the neck of the spider-like monstrosity catching on some bone.
âAnd if you should decide to join them-â She continued, sparing Jen a glance.
â-well⌠then I may find that I might have to break you as well.â She stomped on the tether of the whip and pulled it taunt. The creatureâs head tugged downwards and to the side, messing with its ability to properly aim its webbing.
âGo!â She said to Jen.
âWe may not have the keys yet, but at least we got ourselves an opening!ââA warrior huh? Well, you know what they say about us. That we communicate better with our fists. Still, I try not to keep too many enemies. The only ones I have are the cult and their associates.â Heâd say as he kept moving. It seemed heâd have an easier time dodging the attacks given how focused the monster was on Nashep.
Heâd watch as her power kept transforming the webbing into various things. It seems she had some experience throwing knives. He saw how well she threw the rope-dagger into the monsterâs neck.
âOn it? Hey lady? Catch!â Heâd say dashing as he easily avoided the now sloppy shots of webbing it was trying to hit. Heâd then toss her the knife she lent him.
The Nashep-Natjier looked up, and her eyes widened. With a curse in another language, she breathed out and held up her hand. The knife turned into an iron bar which she easily caught in her hand.
She then shot Jen a flat look.
âFreshlanders.â She said flatly.
âNot all warriors are fighters. I may have experience in fighting, but I certainly donât within the area of catching knives. For someone who claims to not like making enemies, you could have fooled me.â Jen would feel a wave of mortification as he overestimated the womanâs prowess. Luckily she managed to nullify its threat with her ability.
âSorry about that lady, when you called yourself a warrior I just assumed you were of great ability. Still, as suspect that action was, if I was your enemy do you think Iâd give you a warning?â Heâd say.
She sighed and nodded.
âYouâre not my enemy⌠At least not yet.âWith a sudden tug of its head. The creature pulled back and yanked the whip out of the womanâs hands.
The Nashep Natjier tsk.
âThis is becoming bothersome.â She said.
Jen would quickly eyeball the new room as they went through it. He was worried about that creature getting close again. They needed to find a way to lose or slow it down. Although perhaps they could defeat it, it was going to be dangerous and challenging.
âAnyway how are we doing?â Heâd ask aloud.