Lose of Humanity

[Alchemister]

The winter is harsh on wildlife that tries to live through it instead of hibernating. Animals had no choice but to scavenge or fight over food. Maybe even taking out pack members. Though as soon as any remaining herbivores disappeared. Brutos grew hungrier, and his animalistic instincts began to take hold, he walked towards the town. Earlier he had noticed a child playing near its edge.

“Delicious…”

His ability to reason was slipping away, he walked towards the town, there was plenty of meat there. Plenty to keep him up through the remaining harsh times. He growled low, continuing on, Humans are now on his menu. So far nothing will be able to change that, at least till had had a full stomach. Many rocks and trees had been eaten by him, but it wasn’t enough to keep him going.

“Over there!”

Brutos drew close, he crouched low, a simply swift kill is all he needed. Soon he caught sight of a few children running and playing. A simple snow ball fight, he moved in closer. Stomach growling in anticipation. He hurried forwards, it was quite easy to catch the children, ignoring their screams of horror and protest. Soon silenced to their consumption.

[Laughing Man]

<< I'm going to try something new, and connect our two RPs, since neither of them seem to be getting attention, I figured I'd pop in? If it's a problem, I'll simply remove it. PM me or something if you disagree with the idea? >>

Continued from: 'The Barbarous Truth'



As Vhe'tra made his way out of the front gate, he stopped suddenly. Ani'ray, his Hawk screeched loudly and took off with an excited roll of her wings for a tree nearby. The barbarian's eyes scanned the area - he had found red in the snow. Traces of it, which meant it was fairly fresh. Bending down to put his finger in it, then glancing around,

"Twenty minutes tops... With this snowfall... Would be gone if any longer." He reasoned, standing up and pulling his crossbow to bare across his chest, checking for his spare bolts and to make sure the weapon was ready. He had 15 bolts in reserve, and one already on the bow.

Following what little bits of blood he could, he went around a small bend and came upon a scene that made his gut wrench with fear, bile, and rage. Scattered throughout a small clearing were a few corpses, half-buried in the snow, all dead. All of them were children.

His eyes narrowed as his mind reeled to think of what kind of monster could have committed such an act. An act that will NOT go unpunished. The Barbarian crept closer, bending down and hardening his heart at the saddening sight of slaughter. There was no signs of struggle. What could children do? They were defenseless. It took a completely terrible fiend of a person or simply just a monster.

There was a small copse of rocks nearby, and the Barbarian decided to check that area, slowly and wih his crossbow ready, he started toward it. There was a faint noise from the other side, it sounded almost like crying, a small faint sobbing.

He crept closer - it could be a trap, best not to take chances. He crept around the rock slowly, crossbow out in front of him until he turned quickly at the last moment, leaping and twisting left to bare the sight down on- A child?

Instantly, his agression faded and he dropped the aim from his bow. The littler girl didn't seem to register his presence, she sat shaking, shuddering with her eyes staring dead ahead and her arms wrapped around the tiny legs that were tucked up in her chest. Tears were streaming down her cheeks to leave frozen lines that struck deeper the mask of fear on her adolescent face. It melted Vhe'tra's heart and he moved closer to try and get her attention,

"Little girl, are you okay? Little girl? Can you hear me?" He called to her, trying to get her attention or at least gauge what was going on...

[Alchemister]

[Sounds good to me I guess ]

The child continued to tremble. Wide eyed almost looking traumatized, this child had most likely seen to much for her young mind to process. She had probably wet herself from the whole ordeal. To scared to put together the proper words of what had happened.

Many of the other children that laid about in the snow had been bitten in half. Usually their torso and head having been bit clean off. Intestine strung out not to interested in what the children had consumed. Wide paw marks were in the snow, what ever had eaten the children was much larger. A predator of course, starvation attracted all kinds, even scavengers picked at the Childs corpses.

Brutos clutched a still living child in one of his massive claws. Jaws stretching wide as he yawned, a fog of air rising from his gaping maw as the hot air contacted the cool. The child squirmed and cried in a shrill voice that Brutos took no notice of.

Stomach full and mind fogged, he looked for shelter, keeping close to his hunting grounds though. Rearing to trees and dragging them down. He blew fire down onto pile of logs. A warm decent bed for him, warming his body as the fire crackled and reduced the logs to seemingly burning bones. The child still in hand and screaming more as it was burned alive.

Brutos had a full belly now, he wouldn’t have to feed for another six days, but it being winter, he needed no food till another ten. His grasp loosened in his sleep, and the child would be burned within the flames. He slept peacefully, relaxed and content for the first time in a very long time. Black smoke stained the white snow nearby, but also formed a thin line into the sky.

[Laughing Man]

Vhe'tra heard a screech off in the distance - it sounded like another child. He almost turned to rush after it, but stopped and looked back at the little girl. He wasn't much of a tracker, but he knew that in a little while, the snow would erase any chance to capture this beast, but if he left the girl here, she would freeze to death with the coming blizzard. His mind worked quickly, and he whistled allowed. Out of the sky dropped Ani'ray with a light screech,

"Help her. Find someone. The little boy." Commanded Vhe'tra,

"I have a monster to slay." With that, he took off to hopefully leave the Basalisk Hawk to find help. He trusted her enough for that, but wasn't sure if she actually understood him. His blood was full of fire right now, and he wanted nothing more than to end the monster that did this.

It didn't take long to find the spot the creature had rested to feast on the children, and from there he could see the trail it left behind - faint, but he had gotten there just in time. With crossbow in hand, and broadsword upon his back, he started after the creature, ready to kill that which had taken these innocent lives.

[Alchemister]

Brutos continued sleeping. A the fire low and the logs crackled from the heat and his weight. The childs screams now gone a simple black crusted corpse curled up in the ash. He remained asleep, his mind settling from the hunger and what sanity he had returned. Waking up and seeing what he did would devistate him.

His looks named him a best, a murderous demon, and today he only furthered that beleif. He had reacted like any other starving beast would. For now he rested, the heat hardening his armored shell, but also keeping him warm throughout his short nap. It wouldn't be long till he woke up, already begining to stirr from his sleep.

[Laughing Man]

The clansman pulled his Wolf pelt cloak around himself tighter, tucking his arms into it while keeping the crossbow ready. He hunched over slightly, and the wolf's gaping maw fell over his helmet, giving him a grisly visage, like a predator hunting his prey. But this was a predator as well. A monster in its own rite. Just as people had occassionally accused Vhe'tra of being. He shrugged off the thoughts that ate at his mind as the cold bit at his body. It was getting late and the sun was falling, while a bit of a wind swept the top-most layer of snow harshly to the West, biting through almost all of his layers of clothing.

But his mind was set, his determination steeled, and his body ready. He could tell he was getting close as the tracks seemed to be more fresh, and soon he would be upon the beast. So, he gave his equipment one last check:

A Medium-sized net, large enough to capture a normal man. It was usually used on those mission which required live targets. It even had a set-up that allowed him to fire it from his crossbow, but he didn't think he'd be trying to bring this thing in alive.

A good amount of High tensile-strength rope was in his light backpack, along with some rations and blankets for sleeping. A lot of the other stuff was usual camping gear, and his money. The bag he was to deliver back to his client was hanging from his waist belt, and he had completely forgotten about it until now. Oh well, nothing can be done for it at this time. Only to move on.

He committed, and moved further on, his gut telling him he was nearing the creature's lair.

[Alchemister]

As the light began to dim down, so did Brutos’ sight, he continued to rest though. The heat of the fire began to die down as well. As soon as the cold air began to fully reach him he yawned and stretched, smacking his jaws some and pausing to the taste in his mouth. He doesn’t remember the deed he’s done, he just knows he ate, and ate well.

“Still full…” He patted his large stomach, staying clear of the mouth that was there, ”Haven’t felt so good in so long.” He stretched once again, giving a joyous bellow that echoed around the immediate area.

He stood from the ash and fading sparks. Brutos shook off the remaining ash, not noticing the crispy corpse as he stepped over it. He felt good, though was unaware of what sin he had caused, though he also wanted to digest quickly instead of letting the food sit and rot. He could easily get from it.

Brutos made his way to nearby trees, biting and pulling at branches and crunching down on them to eat a decent amount at least. The fire in his belly flaring causing a dim red glow. Afterwards he pawed at the snow exposing old leaves to eat, but also a few bugs, which filled his stomach even more.

[Laughing Man]

Vhe'tra wandered a bit more, the winds whipping at his bones, and chilling him to the core. He focused on the rage at seeing those poor children, strewn about like ruined rag dools after a four-year old's tantrum. It disgusted him, and he pushed on. A few times, he almost fell, but he would not allow himself to falter. There was justice to be had. It didn't matter that he wouldn't be paid for this job. Or even that he could very well perish in this endevour. all that mattered was slaying the monster that destroyed those children's lives.

But at the same time, he had to curse the townsfolk. What kind of fools let children play out side the city walls without a guard, or someone there to watch them? It was a horrifying thought that the city was so lax with its security. Maybe he'd make sure they beefed it up when he got back.

Suddenly a roaring bellow sounded through the area, and the Clansman froze. Clutching his Crossbow close, he scanned the area with his eyes, lowering himself to a crouch and continuing slowly. He could just make out the dying embers off to the distance. Creeping closer, he knelt behind a boulder and peaked his helmed head out to find some... CREATURE... Chomping down a tree.

This confused him for a moment, but he couldn't comprehend, or name this creature. There was, of course, only one thing to do.

The Barbarian stood slowly, crossbow at the ready. He felt the weight of the sword on his back, and was glad for it. A reminder that he was not defenseless. Taking a few steps around the boulder, he moved forward and called out,

"Hail creature! I am Vhe'tra Skytower be'Kata! Identify yourself, that I may know what to call the beast I slay this day in retribution of the murdered children of Tamasha Village!"

[Alchemister]

"Hail creature! I am Vhe'tra Skytower be'Kata! Identify yourself, that I may know what to call the beast I slay this day in retribution of the murdered children of Tamasha Village!"

He tilted his head towards the voice, having a hard time seeing at the moment. “My name I Brutos… and I have not been near Tamasha Village… I keep my distance for obvious reasons.” He growled low, facing towards the person. He was unsure of why he was being called on. Unaware of his foul deeds. He probably wouldn’t take it to well anyways.

Brutos relaxes some, seeing no real reason to fret. He lays down crossing his legs, but was wary of the being. He knew how impulsive humans could be, so he couldn’t take the chances this man was any different.

[Laughing Man]

Vhe'tra kept his position behind the rock, crossbow aimed at the thing that called itself Brutos,

"Your lies cannot sway my resolve, creature! I have tracked your for hours, following you from the scene of the slaughter. All indicators led here!" Called out of the barbarian, his voice full of righteous fury, and his heart steeled to kill. The snow drifted down sofly, lightly coating the world in white as if to smother all the bad things with its brilliance. The sun was high in the sky, but shrouded behind the deep, grey clouds that hung lazily to blot out the warmth. The wolf-pelt cloak hung tightly around Vhe'tra's shoulders, and the armor underneath was cold against the warm pulse of the lifeblood running under his skin.

Eyes like a wolves, he stared down the target and added almost as an afterthought,

"What... Are you?"

[Alchemister]

Brutos yawned slightly, eyes squinted some, wondering who might be there. Though also tired from his nap.

“This human is annoying..”

He opened his maw wide, yawning, a thick liquid dripped from his lower jaw, sizzling as it struck the snow and bits of steam rose as the heat met the cold. He rumbled a little, “I’m a Chimera, other than that I doubt its any of your concern.” He was still confused, what might this human want. A reason to murder him and feel like its justified? He snarled somewhat, “What is it you want? I remember nothing of going to the town to eat.” he patted his large belly, “I am full… I don’t now on what though” he grunts a little.

[Laughing Man]

Vhe'tra remained in his position, unswayed. This could be the only reson. A pack of wolves would have left many trails. No, this was done by a lone, single creature. And there was one sitting right in front of the Barbarian, lying to his face. Or even if it wasn't lying, it was still wrong,

"I already told you what I'm here for! To exact vengeance on the one who destroyed the lives of those children! You say you do not remember going there, yet you also claim to be full without your knowledge!" He reasoned, his trigger finger was resting outside the trigger guard for now, running parallel with the bolt, rather than curled around the release mechanism. He was ready to fire if he had to, but there was an inkling of doubt at the back of his mind. What if this creature was telling the truth? What is this Chimera was simply in a bad place, caught between the real killer and Vhe'tra?

"Did you see anything or anyone pass by you? Any time within the past few hours?"

[Alchemister]

He snarled angrily, “I’m full yes, I‘ve woken up many times full. It only happens when I‘ve been running on empty for days.” he grunts a little, pushing some snow from his rocky scales. “I don’t question it usually… now I’m worried” he snorted, what the man said was possibly true.

Brutos stood shaking off settling snow, “If something else had come and passed I wouldn’t notice, I‘ve been asleep for a few hours now” he rumbled low, sniffing the air, “I doubt there has been… smells nothing more but dead leaves, and you” he growled low, “Are you done with your interrogation?”

[Laughing Man]

Vhe'tra narrowed his piercing eyes from his perch, but remained still,

"Nayc, monster. I am not finished. I will be finished when I bring your head back to the village to atone for the sins you have committed. You say nothing has passed, and yet you are full. I witnessed the aftermath of a slaughter, a massacre at that village, and tracked the remains back here." His eyes wandered around the surrounding area, scouting for any cover he could use, or anything he could use to his advantage. The only thing he noticed was a ledge of snow above the creature that he could possibly drop onto it. His aim shifted to that subtly,

"You will pay for your crimes unless you can prove that you are not the perpetrator."