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((OOC Note: Much of what happens in this scene would not be available to all. Guards would not have let commoners past, or anyone who did not have a purpose. Those who play guards, spellrenders, healers, or archers, however, may have their character be a witness to the more violent events.))

Mauricio sat in his office reading a few reports he’d compiled for himself, mainly on the movements and background of an inspector named Pernosco and the exact range of his influence. The grand inquisitor didn’t mind the owl’s presence in itself, but wanted to make sure what they were to each other in anticipation of a probable future meeting. Now and again the ermine’s eyes travelled to his door, an appointment had been made after all and he was curious what exactly it would be about.

The warm spicy scent of the Overseer drifted into position on the other side. It paused for a moment to be joined by that of another. Words of encouragement were whispered, Mauricio might catch. "...and stick to the truth." among them as the office door cracked open. Phaeo offering a knock just out of the sake of politeness before it swung open entirely. She knew he was expecting her and could smell her a mile off.

"Good day, your eminence." The colourful mage greeted with a respectful nod. She seemed less ill than she had been of late, moving with a great deal more ease as she stepped aside to hold the door open for another. There was a book under her arm, but it seemed resigned to stay there for the moment. "I have someone here who has something unorthodox to divulge about themselves in pursuit of the faith."

Rufio looked worse than anyone might have ever seen him, even worse than when he lost all his hair and feathers. His skin was pale, his tail feathers seemed to have frazzled with the sheer worry and his body trembled fearfully as he followed Phaeo, so much that his teeth were chattering. He waited for Phaeo's introduction before taking a deep breath and hesitating and pushing himself through the door to stand beside her staring at Mauricio. The tax collector swallowed roughly and glanced sideways at Phaeo and then back to the inquisitor. "A-ah sh-shall i just...get s-straight -t-t..." he cleared his throat quickly "straight to the point?" he asked, Phaeo, more than Mauricio. If Maur would ever move forwards or at all Rufio would wince as if expecting punishment already. Dude was shitting himself.

Before the two came in Mauricio filed the reports underneath is desk and then put his hands together in front of him. “Titans blessings, overseer...” The inquisitor began, there was something weary in his tone that he played up as he shot a brief glance towards her companion. “Have you now?” The clergyman asked when she was finished and he turned eyes as sharp as a swords edge upon the pale pathetic-looking man. “Yes, proceed.” The grand inquisitor answered in his most commanding tone.

Phaeo closed the door behind the tax collector and moved to stand by the ermines desk so she was essentially facing both of them. In difference to the man she had entered with she seemed entirely calm. The book was held loosely in front of her now, over her stomach. Even with her arms partially obscuring the cover the Inquisitor could, should he choose to look, be able to make out something about summonings in the title.

At the look from Rufio she nodded. "Tell the Inquisitor what you told me." She prompted.
Rufio closed his golden eyes for a moment and then spoke steadily as they opened and focused on Mauricio "I am a spirit conjured and manifested from another plane to do the bidding of a mortal whom no longer has control of me and hasn't for years" his voice wavered but did not stutter "I..i come forwards today, because i do not wish to hide it from the temple, nor the empire whom i-i work for, loyally"

There was a silence as Mauricio gave an uncomfortable cold stare to Rufio that probably lasted quite a bit too long until at last. “/What/ are you exactly?” The inquisitor asked sternly.

Quincy stood in the office, an extra body where there hadn't been one before. The oracle gave a glazed, somewhat disjointed look around, before, with an embarrassed frown, moved away from the visiting pair. She would then shuffle, face blank, to a dark area of the room- the area behind the grand inquisitor's chair. She hid behind the tall back of the chair, which unfortunately, while tall enough to conceal her short height, was not wide enough to conceal her full width.

"Sorry that I am late.." she said into the back of the chair, resting her head on it. "..please, continue."

Phaeo was just lifting the book, about to interject when another did and she damn near dropped the volume. Staring at her apprentice with no small alarm it took the usually composed woman a good moment to get some of that posture back, and then her train of thought. "It- It's covered in here." She managed, prying her eyes away from the inquisitors chair to open the book she held to a marked page. Passing it over to Mauricio. "Liderc. They are among various servants even a simple mage can summon." She summarized, the very few pages of the book covering the chicken-man would contain more depth and illustration. "They are called demons in some texts, as you will see here, but so are most things of an unusual or otherworldly nature. I have not been able to find records of any particular malicious intent inherent in the species... Admittedly though, summonings and the creatures resulting are not my forte. I am awaiting feedback from mage's more experienced in this field, whom I took the liberty of contacting."

Rufio didn't notice Quincy until she spoke, head snapped upwards and he let out a sharp cluck of shock and quickly covered his mouth, staring at the woman openly for a good whie before speaking again "..u-uh yes a Liderc." he stammered and motioned to the book as if he was lost for words. The book would do plenty of the talking though. The texts described the ritual involved in conjuring a Liderc that suggested it was a spell that would make every woman succumb to love. The ritual went as such: you must kill a black cat and dig out its eyes and then put them in two eggs from black hens, then the eggs must rot in a pile of horse dung and there a devil would be born from each egg to then be at the service of the conjurer, procuring them of all the delights of this world. The book also explained that Liderc were roosters with human forms and had control over the element of flame. They're more active at night and have been sighted on rare occasions flying on fire near villages.

Quincy’s appearance made Mauricio’s hairs stand on ends and in a quick lightning motion the ermine was on his feet with mace in hand. He noticed who it was before he swung it, but the look he gave Quincy was anything but kind. “If you would use the door... Quincy.” The ermine said in a stern voice. “That would be appreciated.” He continued as he sat down again, following her with his eyes until she was behind him. Luckily for Quincy he had more important matters at hand, and he trusted her not to plunge a sword though that chair for now.

The grand inquisitor took the book when given it and read through it in silence for a while, when he knew what he had to know his eyes went up. “This creature would be best off destroyed or banished back into the realm it belongs in I believe. This tome describes it as a ‘devil’?” His gaze turned on Rufio. “Also had this... /thing/ not a partner once? Probably another one.”

Quincy gave no reply, and did not bother defending herself. She was quiet, not interrupting, not speaking up- up that is, up until the moment Mauricio mentioned destruction. "I am apparently.. not late, but early. How fortunate." The oracle shuffled out, and gazed disjointedly from Rufio to the inquisitor, expression fairly blank. "Grand Inquisitor," she began, "he deserves fair trial, as he has.. been very loyal to the Empire- a-and I see no ill intent in him." The oracle's face peeled back into a grimace. She turned her head toward the door, but did not seem to be /looking/ at it. "There will /be/ a trial, master.. a-and.. opportunity will rise very soon. Very.. /very/ soon."

Phaeo took a step back to give Quincy room to pass. Watching her apprentice with rather more caution than she usually would at the mention of something happening soon, perhaps it was not the first time she had heard of something impending. It took her a moment to find her voice again, but when she did it had an unusual softness to it. "Quincy, you needn't address any here as master..."

Rufio's heart sank as Mauricio suggested banishment. He avoided the question of his partner and became more concerned with the mention of a trial "Y-yes a trial, i am willing to undergo any trial the titans may wish of me" he said nervously but surely, though his eyes flickered towards the door as if the oracle's general demeanor had him expecting a dragon to crash through the back wall. "A-and if there is a trial to come soon, i will be ready for it!"

“Has he been loyal to the empire?” Mauricio then asked, turning to look at Quincy for a moment. “A devil creature acts with evil intent. What are his reasons for serving anything if his master is no longer here and what did he do to his master in order to break free?” The inquisitor’s gaze turned back on Rufio for the answer.

The meeting has to be cut short, though, as the sound of frantic knocking on the door makes itself heard. The guard, a young man of tanned skin and a small scar on his left cheek, invites himself in - he looks rather alarmed, with fear in his eyes. "Your Eminence, I bring an urgent message- oh, Overseer, apologies, I didn't know you'd be here." That makes his job way easier - he ignores Quincy for the time being, and Rufio might as well have gone unnoticed as well. The guard stands at attention. "The beast from the library has gone crazy! It's attacking the people. The General has already been informed."

There is no surprise from the oracle, and Quincy doesn't smile. She merely gave a pointed look to the inquisitor (or rather, just past him). "This is that trial."

The meeting has to be cut short, though, as the sound of frantic knocking on the door makes itself heard. The guard, a young man of tanned skin and a small scar on his left cheek, invites himself in - he looks rather alarmed, with fear in his eyes. "Your Eminence, I bring an urgent message- oh, Overseer, apologies, I didn't know you'd be here." That makes his job way easier - he ignores Quincy for the time being, and Rufio might as well have gone unnoticed as well. The guard stands at attention. "The beast from the library has gone crazy! It's attacking the people. The General has already been informed."

"Devil is a broad and inconclusive term, Mauricio..." The Overseer pointed out as little flatly, almost as if she was disappointed with him. "I come from a heathen land where any woman who weilded simple magics were documented as devils and monsters. We should be trying by the case, rather then old ink alo--" She was cut off by the knocking, and looked up, not surprised but expectant. Phaeo stayed quiet untill the guard relayed his message, and she swore under her breath before demanding. "Has anyone been killed!?"

Rufio was about to reply to Mauricio nervously when the knock made him nearly jump out of his skin. The tax collector spun on his heel and listened with a sharp gaze fixed on the men. The Librarian...? dear titans above. He swallowed, was this to be his trial? "...If they haven't already they might be if we don't get there quickly, come on" he said, pushing past the men and out the doorway to run through the temple to get outside unless stopped. It seemed he was intent on throwing himself at his trial, no matter how terrifying.

In an instant Mauricio was on his feet again. “This meeting is postponed.” He said pointedly before he walked to a cupboard and opened it. Inside hung his crossbow and several pouches with bolts, he picked one particular pouch, snatched a holy symbol to stuff in his pocket and then at last took his crossbow in hands. As soon as he was ready he turned to the man. “Tell us everything you know at once.” He briefly turned his head to Phoenix. “Overseer can you assist me?”
"..it's killed families! Left symbols of the Titans in their blood!" But he was already moving out- in a rush, as he was. The guard would lead the way- running full speed out of the temple and to the street. The scene would not be far- a few minutes' run. It was obvious, the closer they came. There was panic, screaming and crying, families in the streets well-protected by guards. The 'scene' was a house, and some sort of unholy noise was coming from within. Screaming, begging. "The General is coming," the guard yelling over the chaos, addressing the fellow guards- among which were archers and a few spellrenders. An archer, half-bloodied and with grayed hair, was the closest to the door, crossbow readied. "The General had best hurry! He's tearing them apart!"

"Only if you assist me." Phaeo shot back to the inquisitor, already making her way to the door to bolt out after the guard and rooster. She arrived in time to catch wind of the calls for the general, and raised her voice back to the guards. "What do we train you for if you will stand around like children!?" She snapped at them out in outrage. Throwing up a hand to get the attention of the nearest spellrender. "I want magical containment around this house! No one leaves this zone until the vampire is dead!"

The spellrenders got to work immediately, three of them forming a protective barrier around the house- anyone could enter, but it would be difficult for anything evil to exit.

Urgoth was in the courtyard, he'd heard raised voices and hurried steps and had come out of the kitchen with haste just in time to see guardsmen, a tax collector, the overseer and Mauricio fleeing the inquisitors office. He picked up his pace to a run to keep up with them, over hearing some of it. He asked no questions, sword and shield were ready and he stopped nearby Greene "Greene!" he called over to the man, eyeing the damage "Are you alright!?" he called as he stopped near the door, ready to make a move inside.

Rufio was ahead of the group by a bit, praying badly in the back of his mind 'please. if you could do anything- uh- Fire Titan, bless my flames, something, just let me prove myself to the inquisition i will bring extra good offerings- i sacrificed those poor chickens by fire like the mage suggested a-' oh he was at the building. He swallowed and grabbed at the door. It might have been the most STUPID move possible but the Liderc, if possible, would open the door and step in, shutting it behind him and yelling into the house "VAMPIRE! COME HERE AND FACE ME!" he shouted with false confidence, glowing eyes flickered around to seek out the monster.

Mauricio looked about the building, Phoenix’s idea was a good one which he did not need to contest. The ermine was just planning an attack strategy when the lideric suddenly rushed in and closed the door. “Foolish...” He quickly turned to one of the guards. “Is there another way into this house?” His eyes turned to Phoenix. “That thing may distract the beast, we could catch it off guard in the back if we can take another entrance.”

"OUT OF MY WAY!", a familiar voice all but roars. Only some will recognize this beaten, raspy tone as General Arak's, but all stand aside to allow the woman passage. Supporting herself with a crutch, holding a shortspear in her right hand as opposed to the blade she usually carries, the General looks very much in pain and moves slowly but in a hurry towards the house, every step taken followed by a grunt. She is surrounded by a few worried nurses, but none dare try to physically stop her. "YOU! ORC!" The spear is pointed at Urgoth. "Tell me his status. Now! Guards, spellrenders, and all who wish to take action - to me! Let us end this quickly." As for the one who just stepped inside... who was he, again?

The Overseer looked none too impressed when the general did finally show up. "Arak you stay clear, or I will take that crutch back!" She shouted at the other woman, grabbing the Inqusitors robe to pull him with her around the side of the house. "This way, we need not find an entrance when I can make one." And that she did, a neat portion of wall immolated to ashes as if the woodwork burned from within, creating a second door.

Rufio- the first to enter- would find the house devoid of life. Blood was sprayed over a wall, some organic debris was trailed on the floor. One corpse, pale and bloodless, was against a wall- drawn there, the icicle symbol of the Titan of Cold, the final mark. Another body, a child, in the same state, lay in the middle of the front room. Sounds of feeding came the next room to the back, but it seemed as though the taunt would go unanswered.

But once a door was made, however, just next to where the beast was feasting, his attention was had. The monster, covered in gore and tattered cloth, let out a screech and reached. All that the pack near Phaeo would see, were two gigantic claws snagging out through the makeshift door and yanking her in. Rufio'd see the whole story- monster just snatchin' up yo Overseers!

"Not my blood," the archer'd reply. Greene, who'd been quite pissed about Rufio going in, waited until a party went around back before busting in the front, himself, followed by one of the spellrenders who had not become occupied by containing the house.

Rufio rushed towards the sounds of feeding and entered the doorway just in time to hear the screech and see Phaeo somehow entering through a doorway that hadn't been there before and being snagged. The rooster did not wait to react, he knew Phaeo would be fine against his own attacks and with bared teeth his eyes glowed and the air around his body started to distort immediately with heatwaves. A foot was slammed into the ground nigh immediately and a great shockwave that split and burned the floor boards rolled outwards in a forceful cone towards the vampire and the overseer.

"Titans fill my bow with power!" Mauricio called as he raised his crossbow and aimed it forward as he rushed inside. Perhaps it was hard to see but that needn't be a problem, the inquisitor sniffed loudly trying to find his target. His crossbow wasn't filled with any power though.

"Everyone in! Whoever brings me the skull of the beast will be rewarded! Protect the Overseer and the Grand Inquisitor with your lives!", the General orders her guards, herself moving towards the building as quickly as her broken body allows her.

Phaeo didn't have time to react when she was grabbed, letting out a startled curse rather then a cry. She barely got to see the creature that had nabbed her, but then she hardly needed to. As rufio sent out his own wave of heat so did she, her entire body enveloping itself in a burst of flame like the bird of her namesake was famous for.

The unholy beast let out a rumble- a crossbow bolt from Mauricio had hit him in the back, and another one from Greene was in his leg, but he seemed insistant upon the lady tHAT HAD JUST BURST INTO FLAMES. His front half now on fire, he tossed her ruthlessly into a wall, knocking her out cold.

Just after that, he found himself stumbling back- his attention, rather than the pinpricks of crossbow bolts, was on the demon. He charged.. on fire.

Greene fired again, and again, hitting the beast's back-- though moved, quickly, when the now-flaming beast charged toward the nearby demon. Other guards filtered in, creating a full house, but this would soon become hazardous. While some took up their bows and began firing, others took their spears and attempted to curb the beast back.

“Archers fall behind me!” Mauricio shouted as he pulled a vial from his belt. The way Phoenix had been thrown worried him but there was no time to think about it now. With a practiced sweeping motion the inquisitor wet the ground in front of him and the other archers if they’d gotten behind him. “Pray to the titans this holds!”

Rufio was probably not incredibly easy to see past a wall of thick charging flame "Phaeo!" he yelled over in frantic worry and with renewed fury the demons teeth thickened, eyes burned like molten metal. His hands went out to catch the vampire and latch onto him if possible as he was charged, mouth open ready to fend off the biting. Now in direct contact he could start sending the fire and heat down into the vampires skin and muscles, battling against his natural resistance if there was any.

Urgoth charged in behind Greene but stepped forwards and to the side to be on the front line, praying to the titans to bless him in this battle and keep his weapon strong. The orc let out a bellowing war cry at the vampire and tried to get closer, but the vampire would just have to come near him, the flames were overpowering for even the thick skinned orc.

The archers did as suggested, and Arak continued to shout orders- a guard was sent to fetch healers, another ordered to drag the bodies outside, including that of the Overseer's. She was still alive, but was going to be trampled if not dealt with.

Rufio's burning, however, was a little too much for the vampire: for a moment, it might seem like the vampire had merely exploded into the already-thick smoke, the flames about him swirling into nothingness, and crossbow bolts toppling to the floor- and with the air thick with foul-smelling smoke, the mist might go unseen. But he'd reform, no longer aflame, just some to the left and behind guards. He swept his arm in a massive backhand, sending a line of guards sprawing into the flames on the wooden floor.

Notably, much of his wounds had healed, save for those struck by the Inquisitor. The amount of blood he'd had.. things were healing abnormally fast. Noticing the remaining bolts, he turned his head to face the Inquisitor, prepared to lunge... though, timed properly- thok- a thrown crutch hit him in the face, properly distracting the crazed beast. In anger, and still suffering blow after blow, the monster irritatedly grabbed the nearest guard and tore into him.

As Mega Vlad turned to Mauricio the ermine lowered the crossbow and pulled the holy symbol out of his pocket. As luck would have it however, at least on the inquisitor’s end, the vampire was distracted by a guard. With smooth practiced motions the inquisitor began to reload his crossbow as he began a new quick prayer. It was a success, almost done loading the ermine stopped for a moment to wave a hand towards Urgoth who would suddenly find himself cloaked in a whirling torrent of blue fire. “Charge templar, the titan of fire protects you!”
Urgoth didn't need to be told twice, the templar let out a roaring battle cry as with very few long strides he charged forwards and with one incredibly powerful thrust he rammed his sword directly towards and hopefully through the vampire's torso just at the bottom of the ribs, though the impact was enough to break any bones it struck.

The General finally makes her way inside to personally oversee the situation, having left a competent lieutenant outside, dealing with keeping the populace in check and all that. Very aware that, in her state, she won't put up much of a fight against the beast, she left her shortspear outside and instead had one of the archers hand her a bow and a couple arrows. She stands next to Mauricio as she readies an arrow. "What hurts it the most, Inquisitor?", she asks, the crutch still her support.

Greene had ceased fire once he realized the futility of his own bolts- and he knew no magic nor had holy power to aid in taking down a vampire, so he did what best could do, and dragged some of the burning guards out from the path of the rampaging beast, before taking up one of their spears and aided in keeping the monster at bay. A nearby spellrender, who had cast a protective sheild around the trapped injured, thanked him.

Vladikov, unfortunately, had very big ears. Mauricio's shout was heard. The uber-vampire turned, opening its feasting mouth long enough to let out an inhuman screech- in time for a flaming orc to stick him in the gut. For a dead moment, the vampire glared down to the green-skin, gore dripping from its jaw.. before it raised the body of the dead guard it'd been feasting on, and used it to knock the templar toward the Grand Inquisitor. "You.. missed!" it bellowed, though now it had a sword lodged in its belly, and black ooze began to drip to the floor.

As though driven to feed again, however, it reached for another guard, grabbing a spear and yanking a new snack towards him.

Mauricio danced out of the way of the templar, the fiery shield he himself had cast on the orc still singed part of his fur black. “Fire, silver, the sacred strength of the titans themselves.” The inquisitor hissed as he reached for his belt to take another bottle, his last one and offered it to Arak. “Your mundane weapons will not hurt him much, we would do well to stop him from fe-“ The ermine cut off as something suddenly struck him. “Vampire!” He shouted and the inquisitor fired towards him with a one-handed shot, it would likely miss but it was only to draw his attention as he tore an entire pouch of crossbow bots from his belt. If he managed to attract the attention of the beast he would undo the seal and with a mighty swing spread all the tiny bolts across the floor. “This better work...” He hissed under his breath.

New toy's crushed head in his black mouth, the monster's attention turned to Mauricio- and then, suddenly, everything all over the floor. Everything. Bits. Pieces. Singular. Scattered. The vampire /whimpered/. With spears stabbing him in the side with little effect, he dropped his level and began to attempt to pick up the bolts- they burned, and he could not even lift them. A hiss! He took his furious complaint out on his meal, scratching the wood of the floor attempting his obsessive task.

Urgoth almost fell over those he was thrown towards and let out a roar as he staggered to right himself. By the time he'd turned back around and pushed a few men aside he spotted the creature leaning over to pick up the bits and pieces on the ground. Too enraged and berzerk as it were, to really be confused by it he instead saw opportunity and swung his shield around to hold it lengthways with both hands and charged forwards, swinging it downwards with the edge of it aimed directly for the vampire's neck.

Rufio felt useless in his own trial, but seeing others burning or hurt he darted aside and sucked any remaining, damaging heat or flame from their wounds before he would ready himself for another attack, perhaps if he helped them, it'd be alright.

Urgoth's feet infiltrated the frantic vampire's visiono NO NO CANNOT SEE THE ONES THE ORC WAS STANDING OVER NOand he /moved/, trying to push the orc out of the way. Which meant the sheild would come down on the vampire's shoulder-blades-- resulting in a howl of pain and a hiss of anger. The vampire reluctantly sat up, meal having been dropped, possibly about to lunge... but the counting still took his attention, as, the bolts rolling away from his lifted claws caught his eyes. He rocked back to his haunches, crouched still, whining in dismay at his moved number. He'd /lost count/. It was a /tragedy/.

In the meanwhile, Arak has been readying her bow. Mauricio's words were heard, but the bottle she was given isn't used, and is put away rather unceremoniously. Closing her eyes, the General focuses, despite her pain, and whispers a word. The arrow she aims at the vampire's now exposed chest (more specifically, his heart) glows a bright orange and starts humming ever so slightly. "Move out of the way!", she orders, as she releases the imbued arrow, which flies true.

It wasn't like the vampire could move much- the sheild-strike and sword stuck in his gut were bad, the open wounds caused by Mauricio's bolts were just as awful, and on top of that, still-healing burns kept him stiff.. it didn't matter, now, that the counting had distracted him, because he had an arrow suddenly hit him in the chest.

He tilted his head at it, baring his teeth.. and after a moment, his ears drooped, face falling in realization as to what the glow within in his chest and the increasing hum might mean.

Gregori sent the General a baleful look- right before the exploding-tip arrow went off. Black gore and fire splattered guards and ceiling alike as the vampire's ribcage exploded out the back and front, leaving feeble meat and barely-resistant ribs to hold the vampire in one peice.. though, one could see right through that body.

Black ooze spilled from the monster's mouth, and in a thrashing panic, he threw himselves at the guards he'd just wet with his ichor, tearing into one throat, and latching onto another. A last-ditch effort to feed, a final attempt to regenerate, but the frenzy was for naught, for the fresh blood just started to spill from that hole in his chest.

"Keep your distance everyone!” Mauricio commanded. “This nightmare has almost passed.” The ermine reloaded his crossbow, this time a lot quicker due to focusing on nothing else. He had only one pouch of bolts left now. When the crossbow was loaded the grand inquisitor took aim and released a shot towards Vladikov’s neck.

The bolt was aiming for a frantic target, and hit home- in the same soft spot the orc had landed the sheild just moments before. The creature screeched, and its skin grew black at the site- but now, it desperately tried to feed, eyes bulging.

Rufio saw his time to shine, finally despite barely factoring in it at all (well he's a nobleman this sort of work wasnt very regular.) The demon lifted a hand as it errupted with flame and then cast a bolt of fire towards the open chest wound, should it catch he'd raise both his hands and the fire would force its way upwards to eat up through the vampire's chest violently, more violently than a normal flame would. "Titans blessings" he muttered snarkily towards the vampire, though it was most likely not heard.

What ungodly screeching game out of that monster next would never be forgotten by some of those guards- the fire burned the beast from the inside out, finishing what Arak's fateful skill had started as the creature writhed upon the corpse he'd created. The blackened skin around the Inquisitor's bolt sprayed into a fiery inferno, and as the fire inside continued north, the shrieking of the beast stopped.

..and then, Rufio's fire burst from its eyesockets and mouth, sending even more ichor across the room in a glowing display of exploding flames.

The vampire was still, and in moments, its body began to disintegrate into ashes, leaving naught but wicked bones. The skull rolled off the corpse, jaw hanging open in a dead scream.

Gregori Vladikov was finally, inarguably, dead.
That one arrow took a lot out the General, for sure - both bow and remaining arrows are dropped, and even with the crutch, she almost loses her balance. But there are more important issues at hand - even if the vampire is indeed dead. Because that last guard to be attacked was someone she knows rather well. "Greene, report. Greene!" There is genuine grief in her voice as she limps towards that specific victim. "Say something!"

Tension left Mauricio like a deflating balloon and he slung his crossbow back over his shoulder when he saw it was really over. He looked over the terrible carnage that the vampire had wrought then turned to one of the guards. “Gather the dead, they must be buried. What is left of the vampire too.” Then the inquisitor stepped forward to look at whoever Arak was worrying over.

Urgoth was in a daze staring at the corpse, covered in gore now after the battle. Arak's voice broke the haze when she shouted for Greene. his heart stopped and the room seemed a blur as the orc looked directly towards Arak and Greene. He quickly surged forwards to get over there and quickly dropped to his knee beside the man "GREENE!" he bellowed loudly, reaching down to cradle the back of his head with a trembling hand "No- no no!" his eyes clouded quickly "Joo going to be ok, we're going to get joo to the infirmary right now" his voice wavered frantically.

Rufio was absolutely covered in gore himself, but he was relieved. He drew the fire out of the body and let it hover as a small ball of flame in the air to light the room still for people to use it for guidance to get the injured out of the room.

Greene looked like utter shit. He was splattered with that ichor that'd sprayed, and for all that it was worth, was clinging to the ragged, bleeding hole in his neck. But he was pale, and fading fast. "Gnrkt." He'd heard his name, and given a moment to realize it was General calling for him, he coughed out a smile- and a little bit of blood, too. "Oh.. fine," he gurgled, and just after that, an overbearing orc was trying to cuddle him the rest of the way out. "'ey, oaf... uhm." He tried to sit up, now, away from Urgoth- no offense to the green lug, but he wasn't going out in someone's arms. "..'ey, uh.. General," he gurgled. "..did say one o' us was gunna die.." He coughed another laugh, and a little bit more blood. He woozed, leaning to one side. "Thought'cha met Mutton."

“General, I suggest that all those who have been bitten are watched carefully, burn the bodies of those who died from bites, lest this situation will repeat itself.” Mauricio said grimly before he turned to the door. “I shall advice the infirmary, some may still be able to be saved.” With that he began to walk out although he slowed when he passed Rufio. “We shall meet again tomorrow, or the day after. For now you continue to lend your aid.”

She limps closer, and she sit by him as much as collapses on the floor, by his side. "Shut up, Greene, you're going to be fine. Just stay with me, alright? And stop talking." If his eyes ever start closing, she'll gently try to slap him awake. "Give him space, Orc. He needs some space.", she mutters to the Templar, her voice becoming raspy and starting to fail - she is holding back tears. As for the Grand Inquisitor, for once she doesn't seem to be in a state to give him a proper reply.

Urgoth winced away as he was told to give his friend space, the strong beast of a man was trembling like a leaf. It was a whole world of things he'd had to go through before all coming back in this moment "Joo bastard" he croaked, his eyes watered but he struggled hard not to let Greene see the sadness in his eyes "Joo...still owe me a drink for last week" he tried to joke softly, smiling was incredibly difficult with his jaw muscles clenching with the urge to sob.

His eyes- blue as ever, though a little glassy, now, followed the Inquisitor out. He wobbled, and to Urgoth's remark, grinned, blood-spattered lips sliding over blood-smeared teeth. "Sssor.. sssth- ggnk." Greene winced, and for a moment, might seem to attempt to get up, but such attempts were given up before they truly began.

He slumped again, turning his head the best he could to address the orc, which wasn't much, but it'd be obvious. "Sorry.. I got a few bits in m-my pocket, if.. if you wanna get one.." he gurgled, and then, trained his eyes back to the General. He looked, for a moment, happy- before the agony got to him again.

"..you're gunna haff.. haff to kill me, General." Another wet laugh, another spit of blood. Something about this was funny, for he couldn't stop smiling through the pain. "I'm dyin'. An' that.. poor bastard ripped me right before he went. I.. I don't wanna turn into that. Y'ggnkt.."

More pain. Another wince. He spat a gob of dark red to the floor.

"..y'gotta.. put me down, kiddo. Dun let the orc watch, though.. he's ugly enough when 'e cries. An' don't you.. d-don't you cry, either."

Those blue eyes were welling.

"'ey.. ..don't forget to smile. Don't.. d-don't let your smile die with me."

Arak can't even mutter a word. Not a sound can leave her throat, and it takes an overwhelming amount of self control to even continue looking at the guard. Her sight is blurred by her own tears.

Sobbing, she draws her dagger - a weapon that is always with her, but hasn't seen the light of day in many months. Her usually firm grip is sloppy. Her hand is shaking. But she must not waver.

She needs to be strong.

"G-g-goodbye, uncle Vero. G-give mother a- a- a hug..." The end of that sentence in drowned in tears, sobs, hiccups, but she presses the dagger against his neck and slits his throat. As cleanly as possible.

And when the deed is done, the dagger is just dropped, and young Arak buries her head in her deceased uncle's shoulder, finally too weak to continue. The strong General breaks down into a mess.

Urgoth did watch, he couldn't take his eyes away. He was a warrior, it felt most respectful to be by his comrade's side in his last moments. When the mans throat was slit the orc felt it through his heart like a deep stab and for a moment he could not breath. The shock numbed him for a moment but Arak's tears triggered it, a breathless, raspy sob barked from his throat followed by another and then another. Uncle...? he looked at Arak through the clouds in his eyes and shifted forwards to wrap his large arms around the general and his deceased friend to cradle them close while his own, deep and stiffled sobbing echoed in the room.

Somewhere off far away, a supernatural wail echoed through the city, a mournful sound...the sound of a banshee wailing at the end of a great tragedy.

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