Bounty hunter was as good a job as any. It was reliable, after all, and reliability attracted others, which meant that Sephiroth would not be tackling this by his lonesome. And indeed, there was a small team now of himself and a handful of interested takers. The odds looked good.
Still: Sephiroth had to wonder, not for the first or last time, whether this was truly a wise choice for his very first bounty mission.
Mammoth Aberration, he reviewed silently, running his fingers along the sheath of his borrowed sword. Intelligent. Vicious. Blends well into the snow. So it’ll have the size, camouflage, and terrain advantage… Not ideal, but perhaps if it’s based on scent…? How well can it see to operate during a blizzard? So, perhaps we kill its sense of smell. Gas, smoke perhaps… We could trade beforehand, maybe ask around if there are any incendiary—
He sighed quietly. No. He was thinking too heavy-handedly. What would be the point of taking up this bounty for its hefty pay, only to have decided the best way to complete it was by spending would-be reward money on unnecessarily violent solutions? He looked down at his sword. His toothpick, as a certain someone had called it. He could use it fine, but he couldn’t shake off the sense that something about the blade’s size—the blade’s length—wasn’t right in his hands.
Well, no matter. It will do. As they say, the bigger they are…
The thought then cut off once Sephiroth realized he was being approached. He turned to face the newcomer, and sunlight in his eyes thinned his catlike pupils to needles. He smiled, though, and tilted his head. A friendly gesture.
“Hello,” he said, simply. “Here for the mammoth bounty as well?”
Still: Sephiroth had to wonder, not for the first or last time, whether this was truly a wise choice for his very first bounty mission.
Mammoth Aberration, he reviewed silently, running his fingers along the sheath of his borrowed sword. Intelligent. Vicious. Blends well into the snow. So it’ll have the size, camouflage, and terrain advantage… Not ideal, but perhaps if it’s based on scent…? How well can it see to operate during a blizzard? So, perhaps we kill its sense of smell. Gas, smoke perhaps… We could trade beforehand, maybe ask around if there are any incendiary—
He sighed quietly. No. He was thinking too heavy-handedly. What would be the point of taking up this bounty for its hefty pay, only to have decided the best way to complete it was by spending would-be reward money on unnecessarily violent solutions? He looked down at his sword. His toothpick, as a certain someone had called it. He could use it fine, but he couldn’t shake off the sense that something about the blade’s size—the blade’s length—wasn’t right in his hands.
Well, no matter. It will do. As they say, the bigger they are…
The thought then cut off once Sephiroth realized he was being approached. He turned to face the newcomer, and sunlight in his eyes thinned his catlike pupils to needles. He smiled, though, and tilted his head. A friendly gesture.
“Hello,” he said, simply. “Here for the mammoth bounty as well?”
"If you mean I'm here to make sure a little less people die today, you also wouldn't be wrong."
Black, digitigrade feet padded onto the floor as the humanoid, donning a thick coat and a fur collar, appeared to walk on his toes. His balance was impeccably assisted by the four vulpine tails that bloomed from his backside, no doubt. As much as he liked taking on other appearances for the fun of it, as well as for convenience, his usual form was enough for him. People didn't judge him so much on it, as less people had the knowledge of the typical kitsune stereotype; selfish fox spirits constantly up to no good. Sure, Fuyuki wasn't always an angel, but here, it was a little different. He was definitely still not an angel though.
"I admit, while getting fifty gold's worth of supplies is a great motivator, I find I care more for maintaining the lives of people than causing the death of some poor creature." Above narrow eyes, the inner corners of his brows furrowed. "Not that I can't fight, of course. It's just a pity, the situation at hand. It was probably some beast minding its own business."
Then, his black hands raised as he shrugged. That seemed to be the final answer for his pity.
"Alas, so are we. Beasts in - or, outside of - our own habitats. It's within every living creature's right to fight back when threatened, don't you agree?"
His tone seemed more amiable than sullen now. In spite of - or perhaps because of - the inherent danger. Though a spirit, he could be destroyed as well, and he liked to get to know people beforehand. In the recesses of his mind, he believed it made everyone fight that much harder.
"I'm Fuyuki, by the way," he said, bowing his head once. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Say, you can be healed with magic, can you? I know traditional medicine, but I find magic always works in clutch when on the battlefield. Provided others' anatomies are receptive to it, of course."
This fox was particularly chatty, oftentimes saying the unnecessary. However, his question was more practical in nature this time around. To add to his thought, he glanced around. It was snowing gently, resting on the ground and structures with a powder that was more ice than anything else. They could enjoy it for now.
"We have others joining us as well, don't we? I wonder when they'll show up."
Black, digitigrade feet padded onto the floor as the humanoid, donning a thick coat and a fur collar, appeared to walk on his toes. His balance was impeccably assisted by the four vulpine tails that bloomed from his backside, no doubt. As much as he liked taking on other appearances for the fun of it, as well as for convenience, his usual form was enough for him. People didn't judge him so much on it, as less people had the knowledge of the typical kitsune stereotype; selfish fox spirits constantly up to no good. Sure, Fuyuki wasn't always an angel, but here, it was a little different. He was definitely still not an angel though.
"I admit, while getting fifty gold's worth of supplies is a great motivator, I find I care more for maintaining the lives of people than causing the death of some poor creature." Above narrow eyes, the inner corners of his brows furrowed. "Not that I can't fight, of course. It's just a pity, the situation at hand. It was probably some beast minding its own business."
Then, his black hands raised as he shrugged. That seemed to be the final answer for his pity.
"Alas, so are we. Beasts in - or, outside of - our own habitats. It's within every living creature's right to fight back when threatened, don't you agree?"
His tone seemed more amiable than sullen now. In spite of - or perhaps because of - the inherent danger. Though a spirit, he could be destroyed as well, and he liked to get to know people beforehand. In the recesses of his mind, he believed it made everyone fight that much harder.
"I'm Fuyuki, by the way," he said, bowing his head once. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Say, you can be healed with magic, can you? I know traditional medicine, but I find magic always works in clutch when on the battlefield. Provided others' anatomies are receptive to it, of course."
This fox was particularly chatty, oftentimes saying the unnecessary. However, his question was more practical in nature this time around. To add to his thought, he glanced around. It was snowing gently, resting on the ground and structures with a powder that was more ice than anything else. They could enjoy it for now.
"We have others joining us as well, don't we? I wonder when they'll show up."
"How many weapons do you think they'll let us bring?" Eclipse asks, her arm tight around Isaiah's, a blindfold around her eyes, and a sniper rifle strapped to her back, with two daggers hanging from a belt around her waist, as she lets him lead her towards their rendezvous point.
Isaiah chuckles, "You mean besides the amount we have right now? I don't think we need much of anything else except a rocket launcher but if this thing can ambush during blizzards, having one of those might not be the best idea. Not to mention the fact that it's taken up residence in a barn. I'd rather avoid property damage in case we have to pay for it if we fuck up." He says, stopping in his tracks for a moment, noticing that there were two other people standing at the edge of town already.
"I guess you're right. I wonder how big this monster even is, did we get a height? Do you think it's as big as the barn? Because those are pretty big." Eclipse says, sighing softly. "Hopefully I'll be able to hear it. Do you think it smells like snow?" She asks curiously.
"All we know so far is that it's large bull mammoth that's angry, and way too smart for it's own good because of a Crackle Storm. Don't worry, we'll figure something out. We're not alone so we should be fine, hopefully." Isaiah says, patting Eclipse's arm before waving at the two waiting for them.
Standing before the two other team members is a young woman who stands at four feet, nine inches tall with light brown skin and a chubby frame. Her rosy brown hair is long enough to reach her shoulders, and slightly curly to almost look fluffy. Almost. She's wearing a colorful sweater, some long black pants, and brown leather boots with a winter jacket.
The monster beside her is tall, standing at seven feet, adorned in nothing but a dark blue and purple body suit. Around him and the woman is a pair of large, black, leathery wings with dark brown membranes. His form is that of an Anubian Jackal with brown fur covered in black and gold scales that cover all of the most vulnerable parts of his body, and a long brown tail to match.
Upon his head is a long, golden brown mane and two, long ivory colored horns jutting from his head with two, perky, jackal-like ears. If someone would look at his hands, they would notice the sharp, dragon-like claws. His feet on the other hand, also look jackal-like with a pair of sharp, pointed claws.
"Hey! We're not late are we?" Isaiah asks, standing close enough to them but not too close. "I'm guessing you two are the ones who we'll be teaming up with?" He says, looking the two of them over. "Name's Isaiah, this is my partner Eclipse." He greeted, amber colored eyes glancing at Eclipse.
"Hello. It's nice to meet you! I'll be your designated sniper today, and Isaiah will be your tank." She says, standing at attention and saluting them before relaxing her stance. "I'll be sure to do my best but, please take care of me!" She added, bowing politely, a large smile spreading across her face.
"What are you guys' names? I'm pretty sure we were told but, I would rather hear it from you so I can recognize your voices better." Eclipse says, nodding firmly as she wraps her arm around Isaiah's again.
Isaiah chuckles, "You mean besides the amount we have right now? I don't think we need much of anything else except a rocket launcher but if this thing can ambush during blizzards, having one of those might not be the best idea. Not to mention the fact that it's taken up residence in a barn. I'd rather avoid property damage in case we have to pay for it if we fuck up." He says, stopping in his tracks for a moment, noticing that there were two other people standing at the edge of town already.
"I guess you're right. I wonder how big this monster even is, did we get a height? Do you think it's as big as the barn? Because those are pretty big." Eclipse says, sighing softly. "Hopefully I'll be able to hear it. Do you think it smells like snow?" She asks curiously.
"All we know so far is that it's large bull mammoth that's angry, and way too smart for it's own good because of a Crackle Storm. Don't worry, we'll figure something out. We're not alone so we should be fine, hopefully." Isaiah says, patting Eclipse's arm before waving at the two waiting for them.
Standing before the two other team members is a young woman who stands at four feet, nine inches tall with light brown skin and a chubby frame. Her rosy brown hair is long enough to reach her shoulders, and slightly curly to almost look fluffy. Almost. She's wearing a colorful sweater, some long black pants, and brown leather boots with a winter jacket.
The monster beside her is tall, standing at seven feet, adorned in nothing but a dark blue and purple body suit. Around him and the woman is a pair of large, black, leathery wings with dark brown membranes. His form is that of an Anubian Jackal with brown fur covered in black and gold scales that cover all of the most vulnerable parts of his body, and a long brown tail to match.
Upon his head is a long, golden brown mane and two, long ivory colored horns jutting from his head with two, perky, jackal-like ears. If someone would look at his hands, they would notice the sharp, dragon-like claws. His feet on the other hand, also look jackal-like with a pair of sharp, pointed claws.
"Hey! We're not late are we?" Isaiah asks, standing close enough to them but not too close. "I'm guessing you two are the ones who we'll be teaming up with?" He says, looking the two of them over. "Name's Isaiah, this is my partner Eclipse." He greeted, amber colored eyes glancing at Eclipse.
"Hello. It's nice to meet you! I'll be your designated sniper today, and Isaiah will be your tank." She says, standing at attention and saluting them before relaxing her stance. "I'll be sure to do my best but, please take care of me!" She added, bowing politely, a large smile spreading across her face.
"What are you guys' names? I'm pretty sure we were told but, I would rather hear it from you so I can recognize your voices better." Eclipse says, nodding firmly as she wraps her arm around Isaiah's again.
Despite Sephiroth's small and polite smile, there appeared a certain gleam in his eyes as he gazed at his new companion, pupils thin and sharp. How truly curious! A walking, humanlike fox—or a foxlike human, perhaps? Sephiroth bowed his head in greeting and replied, "Ahh, the team medic. I shall certainly be in your hands, then! And you're right, it's a shame, but there are times when the beasts of the wild can't be left to their own devices. After all, even wolves will band together to take down a rabid animal coming too close to their dens, won't they?" Then he cocked his head. "Hm. Maybe that analogy is too much, considering that we live in very close proximity to strange wolves, indeed..."
But when Fuyuki bowed, Sephiroth smiled and cupped a gloved hand over his chest to nod back. Dressed in a heavy coat himself, his long hair spilled around his collar and down his back. "The pleasure is all mine, Fuyuki," he said, lightly. "But...hmm...magic? Ah. I am afraid that I can't answer that. I actually can't recall."
He laughed, a rueful little smile on his face. An interesting notion, though. Magic... He did have to wonder whether this body would be receptive to something such as that. Sephiroth couldn't shake the sense, though, that Fuyuki had nothing to fear. So he said as much: "But I'm confident that you will do me no harm, so don't worry. As for our other companions..."
He squinted good-naturedly at two figures coming up behind Fuyuki.
"It would appear that they have just arrived."
Ahh, truly... Such a fascinating group this is.
A woman and a— Ah. Sephiroth couldn't help the brief spike of alarm that shot up his brain stem, but he managed to keep his hands still rather than grabbing for his sword like a nervous cadet. Instead, he smiled at them, noting their proximity to each other, the woman's blindfold, and then bowed his head.
"I am Sephiroth," he offered his name to everyone present this time. "I look forward to working with you all." He turned in the direction of the forest, then. The light layer of snow on the ground crunched beneath his boots. "Shall we head out, then? It would likely be best if we get there before dark. No need to lose more visibility than we probably already will, you see."
But when Fuyuki bowed, Sephiroth smiled and cupped a gloved hand over his chest to nod back. Dressed in a heavy coat himself, his long hair spilled around his collar and down his back. "The pleasure is all mine, Fuyuki," he said, lightly. "But...hmm...magic? Ah. I am afraid that I can't answer that. I actually can't recall."
He laughed, a rueful little smile on his face. An interesting notion, though. Magic... He did have to wonder whether this body would be receptive to something such as that. Sephiroth couldn't shake the sense, though, that Fuyuki had nothing to fear. So he said as much: "But I'm confident that you will do me no harm, so don't worry. As for our other companions..."
He squinted good-naturedly at two figures coming up behind Fuyuki.
"It would appear that they have just arrived."
Ahh, truly... Such a fascinating group this is.
A woman and a— Ah. Sephiroth couldn't help the brief spike of alarm that shot up his brain stem, but he managed to keep his hands still rather than grabbing for his sword like a nervous cadet. Instead, he smiled at them, noting their proximity to each other, the woman's blindfold, and then bowed his head.
"I am Sephiroth," he offered his name to everyone present this time. "I look forward to working with you all." He turned in the direction of the forest, then. The light layer of snow on the ground crunched beneath his boots. "Shall we head out, then? It would likely be best if we get there before dark. No need to lose more visibility than we probably already will, you see."
The kitsune didn't seem too nonplussed about this, raising a hand to wave nonchalantly. He must have been new folk. Or maybe he's just never been exposed to it before. Hopefully, that wouldn't get in the way of their task. He looked and sounded familiar with danger.
"It's a bridge we'll cross when we get there," Fuyuki said. "Do you remember what species you are? As long as you're not undead, it shouldn't harm you, at least."
Compared to the hurt he could be doing - he had one sickle-saber at each side. If he were to be struck, or do the striking himself, he wouldn't go down easily.
As a new duo approached, his nose twitched briefly before he turned. Taking in both new scents and new faces, he dipped his head, content now that the party was all here.
"Fuyuki." His black hand moved to his chest. Four tails flourished behind him. "Worry not, I'll ensure you're all in the best of the health. I much intend to have you all return in one piece. Or one piece each. Not. . . amalgamated together, obviously. You get my point! In any case, I'm ready to depart."
A brief grin bore a flash of sharp canines that was gone after just a couple of seconds. His expression turned pensive as he crossed one arm over his chest, the other raising a hand to his chin.
"Let's walk and talk. If we have a sniper, do we intend to trap this thing or keep it still first, so she's not taking pot-shots? I have a spell or two that could be useful on that front, if it decides to leave the barn. If it doesn't leave, it might make it even easier, but that also means we're trapped in the barn with it as well. Save for, perhaps, our sniper shooting from outside, if she has a clear view of where everyone is." Curious, he turned to Eclipse and canted his head, one vulpine ear going lopsided. "How exactly does shooting work if you're blindfolded? Do you also use magic?"
"It's a bridge we'll cross when we get there," Fuyuki said. "Do you remember what species you are? As long as you're not undead, it shouldn't harm you, at least."
Compared to the hurt he could be doing - he had one sickle-saber at each side. If he were to be struck, or do the striking himself, he wouldn't go down easily.
As a new duo approached, his nose twitched briefly before he turned. Taking in both new scents and new faces, he dipped his head, content now that the party was all here.
"Fuyuki." His black hand moved to his chest. Four tails flourished behind him. "Worry not, I'll ensure you're all in the best of the health. I much intend to have you all return in one piece. Or one piece each. Not. . . amalgamated together, obviously. You get my point! In any case, I'm ready to depart."
A brief grin bore a flash of sharp canines that was gone after just a couple of seconds. His expression turned pensive as he crossed one arm over his chest, the other raising a hand to his chin.
"Let's walk and talk. If we have a sniper, do we intend to trap this thing or keep it still first, so she's not taking pot-shots? I have a spell or two that could be useful on that front, if it decides to leave the barn. If it doesn't leave, it might make it even easier, but that also means we're trapped in the barn with it as well. Save for, perhaps, our sniper shooting from outside, if she has a clear view of where everyone is." Curious, he turned to Eclipse and canted his head, one vulpine ear going lopsided. "How exactly does shooting work if you're blindfolded? Do you also use magic?"
"Nice to meet you Sephiroth, Fuyuki." Eclipse says, smiling softly as she began to walk with them, listening to them talk amongst themselves as she stayed close to Isaiah, her arms still around his own.
When Fuyuki asked how she can see, she tapped her chin then patted Isaiah's arm. "Mmm, I don't know if I would call it magic persay, it's more of a uhm... I guess a weird innate sense?" She replied, tilting her head in thought.
"Isaiah kind of also helps me see and I'm really good and hearing things around me. Also, the scents help if they have one." She wasn't sure if that made sense but she wasn't really sure how else to describe it.
"I can tell her where the target is as well." Isaiah says, tapping his forehead. "We can communicate telepathically with each other which helps immensely." He added, tail flicking behind him, his wing wrapping around Eclipse, a soft chuckle escaping him as he noticed the quick reaction of Sephiroth when he first saw him.
"As for what we can do with our target, both are an option I believe. Eclipse's reaction times are pretty quick unless the target is quicker than her. She can indeed miss however." He says, rubbing his chin. "Fighting in the barn depends how big that mammoth is going to be. If it's too big and takes up space then we'll have to lead it outside so we can have space and not get squashed." He says.
"I think that would probably work. We'll probably need a back up plan if it doesn't though." Eclipse says, tapping her chin. "By the way, is there anything else about you guys that we should be aware of? Isaiah and I can list off all of our abilities if you'd like. There's kind of alot between us though." She says, laughing nervously. "But, I think it would be best to let you guys know so we can plan even better strategies."
When Fuyuki asked how she can see, she tapped her chin then patted Isaiah's arm. "Mmm, I don't know if I would call it magic persay, it's more of a uhm... I guess a weird innate sense?" She replied, tilting her head in thought.
"Isaiah kind of also helps me see and I'm really good and hearing things around me. Also, the scents help if they have one." She wasn't sure if that made sense but she wasn't really sure how else to describe it.
"I can tell her where the target is as well." Isaiah says, tapping his forehead. "We can communicate telepathically with each other which helps immensely." He added, tail flicking behind him, his wing wrapping around Eclipse, a soft chuckle escaping him as he noticed the quick reaction of Sephiroth when he first saw him.
"As for what we can do with our target, both are an option I believe. Eclipse's reaction times are pretty quick unless the target is quicker than her. She can indeed miss however." He says, rubbing his chin. "Fighting in the barn depends how big that mammoth is going to be. If it's too big and takes up space then we'll have to lead it outside so we can have space and not get squashed." He says.
"I think that would probably work. We'll probably need a back up plan if it doesn't though." Eclipse says, tapping her chin. "By the way, is there anything else about you guys that we should be aware of? Isaiah and I can list off all of our abilities if you'd like. There's kind of alot between us though." She says, laughing nervously. "But, I think it would be best to let you guys know so we can plan even better strategies."
"Ah... Unfortunately, I am a mere human," Sephiroth said to Fuyuki, his tone almost bashful. (Despite his unsettling eyes: a blatant contradiction to such a statement.) Then he laughed, very quietly. "Yes, nowhere near as interesting as any of you, it seems. But I'll do my best to keep up nonetheless."
He couldn't resist glancing back at the duo, Eclipse and Isaiah. The clear trust between them was... Charming. Yes. Something else, too—but Sephiroth didn't think he liked that feeling much at all, faint as it was. So he pushed it aside and just smiled, warmly.
"Ah, telepathy...! How fortuitous. An immense help indeed, that is sure to come in handy one way or another. Regarding our method of attack... I should think that it would be best to get the creature out in the open."
Sephiroth hummed. He motioned his hand through the air as he thought aloud, as if drawing out what he was imagining. "Isaiah is correct. Fighting inside the barn itself will be too close-quarters, I think. Outdoors will give the mammoth better room to fight against us as well, it's true... But indoors, we'd stand the greater risk of being crushed by it, or trapped by debris from combat. Better that we fighters try to lure it out, then—give our long-range unit her chance from afar."
At Eclipse's question, Sephiroth raised his eyebrows and nodded at once. "That's a good call. It would be best if we know how to play all our strengths together." He then gave a wry smile, and lifted his little borrowed sword. "I know I am good with a blade," he said. "And I am good at withstanding pain, if need be. I also know I can be quick, and I'm somewhat stronger than I may look. Otherwise... Perhaps a spell or two, although I haven't tried that too much. I am much more martial than magical, it would seem."
He couldn't resist glancing back at the duo, Eclipse and Isaiah. The clear trust between them was... Charming. Yes. Something else, too—but Sephiroth didn't think he liked that feeling much at all, faint as it was. So he pushed it aside and just smiled, warmly.
"Ah, telepathy...! How fortuitous. An immense help indeed, that is sure to come in handy one way or another. Regarding our method of attack... I should think that it would be best to get the creature out in the open."
Sephiroth hummed. He motioned his hand through the air as he thought aloud, as if drawing out what he was imagining. "Isaiah is correct. Fighting inside the barn itself will be too close-quarters, I think. Outdoors will give the mammoth better room to fight against us as well, it's true... But indoors, we'd stand the greater risk of being crushed by it, or trapped by debris from combat. Better that we fighters try to lure it out, then—give our long-range unit her chance from afar."
At Eclipse's question, Sephiroth raised his eyebrows and nodded at once. "That's a good call. It would be best if we know how to play all our strengths together." He then gave a wry smile, and lifted his little borrowed sword. "I know I am good with a blade," he said. "And I am good at withstanding pain, if need be. I also know I can be quick, and I'm somewhat stronger than I may look. Otherwise... Perhaps a spell or two, although I haven't tried that too much. I am much more martial than magical, it would seem."
"Oh, don't say that. Humans are plentiful interesting, what with their endearingly round ears and clawless little fingers. And their penchant for trouble, too. It's something any kitsune can appreciate."
Fuyuki chuffed in a canid way, content with his own observation. Though, he noted those eyes Sephiroth possessed might have belied a nature that wasn't entirely mundane. Even still, if he was just a human, it would seem to Fuyuki that his magic would work just fine. He would just have to find a way to careen the truth of Sephiroth's nature out of him some other time. A shame, it was.
"Telepathy is quite a gift, isn't it? But if I gave away all the spells in my book, it wouldn't let me keep any secrets, would it?" He seemed a bit smug about this, but he relented with a tone of faux reluctance. "I guess I can tell you three, at least. In that case, I happen to be a druid. Communing with the wild is something we're naturals at. However, I've never tried to connect with an Aberration before. When I do command the wild, my domain is usually that of the earth and plants. It is in my heritage, after all. I can heal by both touch, long distances, and through soil or clay. You'll. . . just have to deal with that one yourself, if it comes to that.
"That said, I can also control and create growths of plants and fungi. There might not be a lot out there, but being in the woods, I have more. . . let's say 'tools' at my disposal. Not that I need them. Most of my spells work on their own in any location. That's what makes them good assets for my repertoire, I like to think."
His hands briefly brushed the sickle-sabers at his side, looking more like they were built to cut down people than plants.
"I can attack from a distance, but if that fails and something gets in my face, I'm still prepared. Though, for my sake and everyone else's, I'd rather not be on the front lines. I don't mind dirtying my hands, but it's probably better that I'm not so busy with that that I can't heal and produce shields." Stepping through the snow with the ease of a predator familiar with it, he crossed his arms. "Why don't I stay in the back with you, Eclipse? I can keep an eye out on everyone that way."
Fuyuki chuffed in a canid way, content with his own observation. Though, he noted those eyes Sephiroth possessed might have belied a nature that wasn't entirely mundane. Even still, if he was just a human, it would seem to Fuyuki that his magic would work just fine. He would just have to find a way to careen the truth of Sephiroth's nature out of him some other time. A shame, it was.
"Telepathy is quite a gift, isn't it? But if I gave away all the spells in my book, it wouldn't let me keep any secrets, would it?" He seemed a bit smug about this, but he relented with a tone of faux reluctance. "I guess I can tell you three, at least. In that case, I happen to be a druid. Communing with the wild is something we're naturals at. However, I've never tried to connect with an Aberration before. When I do command the wild, my domain is usually that of the earth and plants. It is in my heritage, after all. I can heal by both touch, long distances, and through soil or clay. You'll. . . just have to deal with that one yourself, if it comes to that.
"That said, I can also control and create growths of plants and fungi. There might not be a lot out there, but being in the woods, I have more. . . let's say 'tools' at my disposal. Not that I need them. Most of my spells work on their own in any location. That's what makes them good assets for my repertoire, I like to think."
His hands briefly brushed the sickle-sabers at his side, looking more like they were built to cut down people than plants.
"I can attack from a distance, but if that fails and something gets in my face, I'm still prepared. Though, for my sake and everyone else's, I'd rather not be on the front lines. I don't mind dirtying my hands, but it's probably better that I'm not so busy with that that I can't heal and produce shields." Stepping through the snow with the ease of a predator familiar with it, he crossed his arms. "Why don't I stay in the back with you, Eclipse? I can keep an eye out on everyone that way."
Eclipse nodded, listening to everything everybody was talking about. "When we have the mammoth outdoors we have to be sure to watch out for sudden blizzards too. We're not sure if the target can control them itself or they just happen at an opportune time for it to strike. The weather seems fine right now though." She says, thinking about it and tapping her chin.
Isaiah listened to Sephiroth and Fuyuki, thoughts and plans going through his head as possibilities that could happen with the mammoth that they could use to their advantage. "Fuyuki and Eclipse staying back is fine with me. However, how long is your attack range, Fuyuki?" He asked curiously.
"Can you attack while moving or do you have to stand still? I'm guessing you would have to stand still?" He added. "If that's the case we're going to have to find some high area for both of you that's close enough but dangerously close. Hopefully we have time to survey the area before the mammoth shows itself."
"Hopefully." Eclipse says, sighing softly. "But let's see, I guess I'll start with my skills? I can take a few hits unless it's fatal and I can shoot fast! I'm also hard to track down." She says, laughing nervously and rubbing the back of her head.
"As for me, I can harden my scales and my claws." He says, holding his paw up and showing off his claws. "I'm also able to cloak myself, see pretty far, and take a few hits before I need healing. I can also fly." Isaiah adds.
Isaiah listened to Sephiroth and Fuyuki, thoughts and plans going through his head as possibilities that could happen with the mammoth that they could use to their advantage. "Fuyuki and Eclipse staying back is fine with me. However, how long is your attack range, Fuyuki?" He asked curiously.
"Can you attack while moving or do you have to stand still? I'm guessing you would have to stand still?" He added. "If that's the case we're going to have to find some high area for both of you that's close enough but dangerously close. Hopefully we have time to survey the area before the mammoth shows itself."
"Hopefully." Eclipse says, sighing softly. "But let's see, I guess I'll start with my skills? I can take a few hits unless it's fatal and I can shoot fast! I'm also hard to track down." She says, laughing nervously and rubbing the back of her head.
"As for me, I can harden my scales and my claws." He says, holding his paw up and showing off his claws. "I'm also able to cloak myself, see pretty far, and take a few hits before I need healing. I can also fly." Isaiah adds.
Sephiroth's first instinct was to glance down at his hands—his clawless little fingers, ah—like a surprised child, but he resisted the urge and simply glanced back and forth between his new companions as they listed off their abilities and began to talk strategy as well. He was admittedly rather pleased. Perhaps it was premature to say so, but this felt like a good, competent group. Pro-active, well-rounded, willing to coordinate efforts beforehand. He tried to keep expectations low, just in case, but Sephiroth let his shoulders ease from their soldier-straight rigidity.
"Communion with nature... It may be snowing, but it's not an impossibility that we might have need of such a skill," he mused aloud. "I am a mobile fighter—by necessity, perhaps." He gave his borrowed sword a look. "But, hm, I think that Isaiah brings up an excellent point. Perhaps if we are quiet, and do not startle the Aberration, we can scout the area first. See what we might have for advantages, however small. Although the two of you certainly seem like you'll be just fine— Ah."
He blinked his catlike eyes, then ducked his head, mien a bit embarrassed now.
"That is... What I mean is... You both seem to have very useful skills. Being hard to track, hard to pin down with flight and cloaking, your claws... These are, ah. Very good."
Hmm. Maybe they could start walking faster. Sephiroth was good at getting things done—but the longer he was around people, the more glaringly obvious it became that he was shockingly very bad at all the things that were apparently required between Task A and Task B. Conversation, for example. Niceties. Talking. He took a deep breath, and the sharp scent of ice and snow stung in his nose, enough that he tugged the scarf around his neck higher.
"Communion with nature... It may be snowing, but it's not an impossibility that we might have need of such a skill," he mused aloud. "I am a mobile fighter—by necessity, perhaps." He gave his borrowed sword a look. "But, hm, I think that Isaiah brings up an excellent point. Perhaps if we are quiet, and do not startle the Aberration, we can scout the area first. See what we might have for advantages, however small. Although the two of you certainly seem like you'll be just fine— Ah."
He blinked his catlike eyes, then ducked his head, mien a bit embarrassed now.
"That is... What I mean is... You both seem to have very useful skills. Being hard to track, hard to pin down with flight and cloaking, your claws... These are, ah. Very good."
Hmm. Maybe they could start walking faster. Sephiroth was good at getting things done—but the longer he was around people, the more glaringly obvious it became that he was shockingly very bad at all the things that were apparently required between Task A and Task B. Conversation, for example. Niceties. Talking. He took a deep breath, and the sharp scent of ice and snow stung in his nose, enough that he tugged the scarf around his neck higher.
"Thank you, Sephiroth. I appreciate your words. I am more durable than I look." A clawed finger raised, a smirk upon his features. "Nothing's tougher than the wild, after all. Even plants return from dormancy someday. As for me, well, I'm a lot more mobile than you'd first think. Sure, a lot of casters need to hold still, but not this fox."
A hum escaped Fuyuki. He crossed his arms, seeming to consider the question of his range honestly. Though he knew his limits, he'd never considered things in such mathematical terms. These two might be military, he pondered. While he didn't care much for soldiers, or any branch of guard or authority involving combat, they had quite a practical way of thinking. It'd be handy for sure.
"They usually range from anywhere from. . . let me think. Thirty to sixty feet? It depends on the spell. Some are more long-ranged than others. I'd suggest a wall of thorns to tangle it up in, but it's about five-feet thick. It'd only be useful for ranged attacks. It also takes about a minute to summon, but I'd be easily distracted." His ears went lopsided, but then he snapped. "I can form tree roots around its legs, has it any, before or during our strike. I guess it depends on whom finds whom first. . . but that's not to say it can't be a helpful reinforcement during combat."
A hum escaped Fuyuki. He crossed his arms, seeming to consider the question of his range honestly. Though he knew his limits, he'd never considered things in such mathematical terms. These two might be military, he pondered. While he didn't care much for soldiers, or any branch of guard or authority involving combat, they had quite a practical way of thinking. It'd be handy for sure.
"They usually range from anywhere from. . . let me think. Thirty to sixty feet? It depends on the spell. Some are more long-ranged than others. I'd suggest a wall of thorns to tangle it up in, but it's about five-feet thick. It'd only be useful for ranged attacks. It also takes about a minute to summon, but I'd be easily distracted." His ears went lopsided, but then he snapped. "I can form tree roots around its legs, has it any, before or during our strike. I guess it depends on whom finds whom first. . . but that's not to say it can't be a helpful reinforcement during combat."
Isaiah and Eclipse nod, listening to the abilities listed off. "Alright, I'll be sure to keep that in mind then." He says.
"If we get to scout, maybe we could check the barn first. I think that'd be the best way to get enough range from the monster. Unless there's a large hill somewhere for us to park ourselves onto." Eclipse says.
Soon enough the group reaches their destination and already, the wind is howling with the sound of a large blizzard having already been started. The air itself smells cold, and there's no signs of any other wildlife in the area.
"It's too quiet..." Isaiah says, his ears twitching as he lifts his head and sniffs the air. "I can't smell anything but cold air and there's too much snow to see." He says, instincts telling him to be on high alert.
As the group continued to try and make their way through the storm, the ground began to shake, as the sound of the blizzard grew even louder and their field of vision got worse.
Before anybody could react, Isaiah and Eclipse were both tossed aside, with only the glimpse of something long and brown being seen for only a second, followed by the loud sound of a trumpet and a strong smell of iron wafting pass the others.
"If we get to scout, maybe we could check the barn first. I think that'd be the best way to get enough range from the monster. Unless there's a large hill somewhere for us to park ourselves onto." Eclipse says.
Soon enough the group reaches their destination and already, the wind is howling with the sound of a large blizzard having already been started. The air itself smells cold, and there's no signs of any other wildlife in the area.
"It's too quiet..." Isaiah says, his ears twitching as he lifts his head and sniffs the air. "I can't smell anything but cold air and there's too much snow to see." He says, instincts telling him to be on high alert.
As the group continued to try and make their way through the storm, the ground began to shake, as the sound of the blizzard grew even louder and their field of vision got worse.
Before anybody could react, Isaiah and Eclipse were both tossed aside, with only the glimpse of something long and brown being seen for only a second, followed by the loud sound of a trumpet and a strong smell of iron wafting pass the others.
Snow blew into nose and mouth and eyes the further into the wilderness they went. Despite how much he strained his ears, Sephiroth could hear nothing beyond the whistle of the wind, which became a shriek, which became howling. To his surprise, though, the cold didn't seem to be affecting him as badly as it should have—which made no sense. Still, it was an unexpected boon, so Sephiroth could worry about one less thing as he fought to keep his senses alert, to keep wary for the creature that was hiding for them.
The storm grew worse. The ground began to shake. Sephiroth's nerves bristled, a skin-crawling sensation thrilling up his spine that blared a warning in the back of his brain. It was here. The Aberration was upon them, and they'd run out of time to prepare.
A shout bloomed in the back of his throat—only to go unneeded, because then it was already on them and Isaiah and Eclipse had blinked out of sight, lost in the snow. There came the stench of blood, but Sephiroth thought that as he'd whirled around to face their foe he'd caught a glimpse of Isaiah buckling around Eclipse, last-second-protecting her from the surprise attack. Then he had no more time to take in anything from his senses, and Sephiroth had a moment to bring up his blade as defense before a powerful force rammed into it—into his chest. Something gave. Pain rocketed through his body as he was hurled backward, landing hard into the snow and dirt. The world spun wildly, but Sephiroth gasped for air, sucking in a lungful of ice, and thought: It knows what we're here for.
It knows to get rid of the frontliners first.
Shit, thought Sephiroth then, and the ensuing rush of panic had him fighting to get back up, get up, get up now. Shitshitshitshit—
"Fuyuki!"
The storm grew worse. The ground began to shake. Sephiroth's nerves bristled, a skin-crawling sensation thrilling up his spine that blared a warning in the back of his brain. It was here. The Aberration was upon them, and they'd run out of time to prepare.
A shout bloomed in the back of his throat—only to go unneeded, because then it was already on them and Isaiah and Eclipse had blinked out of sight, lost in the snow. There came the stench of blood, but Sephiroth thought that as he'd whirled around to face their foe he'd caught a glimpse of Isaiah buckling around Eclipse, last-second-protecting her from the surprise attack. Then he had no more time to take in anything from his senses, and Sephiroth had a moment to bring up his blade as defense before a powerful force rammed into it—into his chest. Something gave. Pain rocketed through his body as he was hurled backward, landing hard into the snow and dirt. The world spun wildly, but Sephiroth gasped for air, sucking in a lungful of ice, and thought: It knows what we're here for.
It knows to get rid of the frontliners first.
Shit, thought Sephiroth then, and the ensuing rush of panic had him fighting to get back up, get up, get up now. Shitshitshitshit—
"Fuyuki!"
The scent of blood was something Fuyuki considered like a best friend. In most sapients, it was supposed to be inside the body, so when it hit Fuyuki's sensitive nose, it told him that - unless someone was menstruating - someone was hurt. So familiar was he to this metallic scent that he'd even picked it up amidst the snowstorm, where the wind blew the air every which way. That was why, when the Aberration had emerged from virtually nowhere, he frantically scanned the area to see where the scent it came from.
Immediately, he saw far too much red than he would have preferred.
Having been towards the back, Fuyuki staggered backwards, fighting to stand against the sharp wind that threatened to topple him. Inevitably, he'd fallen sideways, having to scramble with a wrist that was certainly sprained. He tried to strafe towards their downed comrades, kicking up snow as he went. His legs were lithe and deft, as any fox's, but they were not built for grounding. He stumbled frequently, but he was hellbent on his quest to make it to the fallen's sides.
He'd heard his name, making him throw a glance through frost-covered eyelashes towards the black figure off to his side. With a drawn sickle raised, the sound of roots groaning as they were drawn from the ground was hopefully enough to signal that Fuyuki was still in fighting condition. They were thick, but would splinter easily with the Aberration's weight. Perhaps a combination would be enough to slow its procession towards the rest of their team down.
Frantically, with the biting cold whipping at his entire body, Fuyuki knelt towards Isaiah and Eclipse each to garner vitals on either of them.
No breaths. No pulses. No spell to resuscitate them. No time to leave Sephiroth by himself.
A hand was flung upwards to erect a five foot tall shield of stone. However, it was not to make a sacrifice over the fallen, but to protect Sephiroth. Fuyuki's palms held the handles of his sickles, which almost closed together as a light that was barely visible in the storm hung over the swordsman. To take away some of the pain, to restore breath, to mend. But would that prove meaningless as well?
"Don't you stay down, too!"
It was more like a command rather than a plea.
Immediately, he saw far too much red than he would have preferred.
Having been towards the back, Fuyuki staggered backwards, fighting to stand against the sharp wind that threatened to topple him. Inevitably, he'd fallen sideways, having to scramble with a wrist that was certainly sprained. He tried to strafe towards their downed comrades, kicking up snow as he went. His legs were lithe and deft, as any fox's, but they were not built for grounding. He stumbled frequently, but he was hellbent on his quest to make it to the fallen's sides.
He'd heard his name, making him throw a glance through frost-covered eyelashes towards the black figure off to his side. With a drawn sickle raised, the sound of roots groaning as they were drawn from the ground was hopefully enough to signal that Fuyuki was still in fighting condition. They were thick, but would splinter easily with the Aberration's weight. Perhaps a combination would be enough to slow its procession towards the rest of their team down.
Frantically, with the biting cold whipping at his entire body, Fuyuki knelt towards Isaiah and Eclipse each to garner vitals on either of them.
No breaths. No pulses. No spell to resuscitate them. No time to leave Sephiroth by himself.
A hand was flung upwards to erect a five foot tall shield of stone. However, it was not to make a sacrifice over the fallen, but to protect Sephiroth. Fuyuki's palms held the handles of his sickles, which almost closed together as a light that was barely visible in the storm hung over the swordsman. To take away some of the pain, to restore breath, to mend. But would that prove meaningless as well?
"Don't you stay down, too!"
It was more like a command rather than a plea.
No promises, was the semi-grim, semi-hysterical response that burst in Sephiroth's head even as his slitted eyes registered a light amidst the blinding snow, which he went to defend himself against before he realized that the pain in his body had lightened considerably. His ribs suddenly allowed him to breathe easier, and Sephiroth gasped for air and surged to his feet. The short sword in his hands was a flash of silver light in the snow.
A shadow above and before him; a shield of stone—Fuyuki's work. And no sooner had Fuyuki erected the shield did another blow ram into it. The sound was ear-bursting, and Sephiroth felt bits of stone spray into his face even as he leapt aside. The wall didn't quite give, but he could glimpse a deep crack that meant another charge from the mammoth Aberration would likely bring it down.
White against white—he couldn't see it. But he could smell it: its unnatural presence hot as a storm cloud in the blizzard, its stench an animal musk that mingled with ozone like a lightning strike. And Sephiroth thought that he could glimpse two pits like burning coals amidst all the whistling white, two streaks of slightly less pure white that arched upwards from its face, long and deadly sharp. The eyes. The tusks. Then a deep red mouth opened, and the roar that shook the ground jarred him to the bones.
But the mammoth was facing him. And Sephiroth, drawing on training he couldn't remember, recovered fast, and sprinted forward to try and land the first blow.
Not enough! He couldn't pierce its thick hide deeply. But the sword caught on something, and suddenly there was a streak of dark violet-red through the blizzard. The smell of unnatural blood—reeking and distinct from the pure copper tang of more humanoid blood—sang through the howling air. Sephiroth felt as much as he heard the mammoth's shriek shaking through his entire body, and he landed hard in the snow, only just avoiding another blow. The ground jolted as the Aberration swung around its heavy head and bellowed its rage. Sephiroth rolled aside right as a leg came down where his head was. Snow sprayed across his face and he leapt up to his feet—only to have to leap away again from a tusk intent on goring him.
Fuyuki was right. Staying down would only mean instant death.
"Fuyuki!" Sephiroth shouted into the storm, hoping that the fox's heightened senses could still catch his voice. "I need it slowed down! Can you manage that?!"
A shadow above and before him; a shield of stone—Fuyuki's work. And no sooner had Fuyuki erected the shield did another blow ram into it. The sound was ear-bursting, and Sephiroth felt bits of stone spray into his face even as he leapt aside. The wall didn't quite give, but he could glimpse a deep crack that meant another charge from the mammoth Aberration would likely bring it down.
White against white—he couldn't see it. But he could smell it: its unnatural presence hot as a storm cloud in the blizzard, its stench an animal musk that mingled with ozone like a lightning strike. And Sephiroth thought that he could glimpse two pits like burning coals amidst all the whistling white, two streaks of slightly less pure white that arched upwards from its face, long and deadly sharp. The eyes. The tusks. Then a deep red mouth opened, and the roar that shook the ground jarred him to the bones.
But the mammoth was facing him. And Sephiroth, drawing on training he couldn't remember, recovered fast, and sprinted forward to try and land the first blow.
Not enough! He couldn't pierce its thick hide deeply. But the sword caught on something, and suddenly there was a streak of dark violet-red through the blizzard. The smell of unnatural blood—reeking and distinct from the pure copper tang of more humanoid blood—sang through the howling air. Sephiroth felt as much as he heard the mammoth's shriek shaking through his entire body, and he landed hard in the snow, only just avoiding another blow. The ground jolted as the Aberration swung around its heavy head and bellowed its rage. Sephiroth rolled aside right as a leg came down where his head was. Snow sprayed across his face and he leapt up to his feet—only to have to leap away again from a tusk intent on goring him.
Fuyuki was right. Staying down would only mean instant death.
"Fuyuki!" Sephiroth shouted into the storm, hoping that the fox's heightened senses could still catch his voice. "I need it slowed down! Can you manage that?!"
Vulpine ears pricked at the words Sephiroth lobbed Fuyuki's way before they were pinned back. With his lips pulled back, his grit sharp canines to the point his teeth ached, both from the pressure and from the cold.
"I'm trying!"
His frustration, not yet adequately vented, was not deliberately in Sephiroth's direction. It was at the fact that the Aberration marched through his roots like they were twigs underfoot.
He white-knuckled his sickles, only loosing them to swirl them in his fingers. The wind was harsh and the snow was hard; compacted and icy, making it hard for even practiced footwork. Thus, he put little flourish into his spiritual dance - just enough to communicate with his body that he needed to draw in earth energy. And he did not ask lightly of nature and give out gratitude through 'thank yous' - he commanded it and repaid it in blood spilled. Something else for the wild to reclaim. From nature it came, and to nature it will go.
There was not only the presence of earth energy in Fuyuki's cast spell. No, with his sickles crossed in front of him, he cast forth vital energy as well. Bone. Flesh. His to plant seeds in. And from those seeds in the legs of the Aberration, roots sprouted, bursting forth like broken bones and penetrating the layer of snow to grasp deep into the earth.
A preternatural wail came from the creature, still trying to continue its procession for their funerals. The more it pulled, the more roots creaked and snapped. The more its wretched blood ran. It seemed particularly stubborn about getting one limb up as it realized the wood was only sinking deeper into the ground. One foot kicked upwards, bringing up snow and blood and gods know what else with it, before being released with such force that it made the ground tremble. Its groaning sounded halfway between a buzz and something growling - something akin to a humanoid voice growling. Its struggle was about as peaceful as it was quiet; it stomped and swung its unnaturally scaly nose like a weapon.
The Aberration was not the only one that labored. To keep it in place, or make a good attempt to, Fuyuki needed to dedicate every ounce of his concentration. This meant keeping his sickles crossing, crooks outward as he felt the weight of the mammoth struggling against his spell. His arms were gradually giving pressure through bending at the elbows, so tense that he could swear he'd tear a muscle. His grandmother always advised him to put his whole body into spells like this, especially his back. Right now, he felt like his shoulder blades were threatening to leap off his body.
"Now's your chance!"
Fuyuki practically roared. He had slowed large creatures down before, but none quite the size - and stubbornness - of this giant.
"I'm trying!"
His frustration, not yet adequately vented, was not deliberately in Sephiroth's direction. It was at the fact that the Aberration marched through his roots like they were twigs underfoot.
He white-knuckled his sickles, only loosing them to swirl them in his fingers. The wind was harsh and the snow was hard; compacted and icy, making it hard for even practiced footwork. Thus, he put little flourish into his spiritual dance - just enough to communicate with his body that he needed to draw in earth energy. And he did not ask lightly of nature and give out gratitude through 'thank yous' - he commanded it and repaid it in blood spilled. Something else for the wild to reclaim. From nature it came, and to nature it will go.
There was not only the presence of earth energy in Fuyuki's cast spell. No, with his sickles crossed in front of him, he cast forth vital energy as well. Bone. Flesh. His to plant seeds in. And from those seeds in the legs of the Aberration, roots sprouted, bursting forth like broken bones and penetrating the layer of snow to grasp deep into the earth.
A preternatural wail came from the creature, still trying to continue its procession for their funerals. The more it pulled, the more roots creaked and snapped. The more its wretched blood ran. It seemed particularly stubborn about getting one limb up as it realized the wood was only sinking deeper into the ground. One foot kicked upwards, bringing up snow and blood and gods know what else with it, before being released with such force that it made the ground tremble. Its groaning sounded halfway between a buzz and something growling - something akin to a humanoid voice growling. Its struggle was about as peaceful as it was quiet; it stomped and swung its unnaturally scaly nose like a weapon.
The Aberration was not the only one that labored. To keep it in place, or make a good attempt to, Fuyuki needed to dedicate every ounce of his concentration. This meant keeping his sickles crossing, crooks outward as he felt the weight of the mammoth struggling against his spell. His arms were gradually giving pressure through bending at the elbows, so tense that he could swear he'd tear a muscle. His grandmother always advised him to put his whole body into spells like this, especially his back. Right now, he felt like his shoulder blades were threatening to leap off his body.
"Now's your chance!"
Fuyuki practically roared. He had slowed large creatures down before, but none quite the size - and stubbornness - of this giant.
The shout back at him was reassuring, at least—it meant Fuyuki wasn't down for the count just yet, which also meant that they still had a fighting chance. The blizzard shrieked all around, and the blowing snow fought to lace Sephiroth's eyelashes shut with bits of ice. His feet slid across the snowy ground even as he relied on every mysteriously honed reflex in him to keep balance. The streaks of dark, unnatural blood were his only way to keep track of the Aberration; otherwise it kept moving with the blizzard, trying to attack from an unexpected angle. Trying to listen for its booming footsteps was no use. The snowstorm confused his hearing, and it was hard to reliably distinguish the distance of one shaking step from another.
It really is intelligent, hissed an internal voice. It knew its advantages, and it was all he could do to ward it off and distract it away from Fuyuki as he cast his magic. Sephiroth dodged and weaved and struck out half-blindly based on nothing but his honed senses and the brief glimpses he could get through the streaking snow. At some point, he had to duck almost flat against the ground, then roll aside, and when he lashed out with his sword against a barely visible smear of violet-red, this time a spurt of Aberrant gore spouted through the whiteness of the blizzard. A heavy thud sounded. Sephiroth's pupils thinned in shock; he'd managed to slice off a part of the creature's long trunk.
Then the air shook with the Aberration's screaming bellow. Sephiroth staggered, clapped his hands over his head, and felt something in his inner ear seem to warble dangerously. His teeth felt as if they were jittering inside his skull.
No! Sephiroth commanded himself. No. Keep focused. But he couldn't. "UGH—!" he shouted at the unstoppable force that slammed into him and sent him flying sideways. He hit the ground perhaps ten feet from his original place, rolled, and fought to get back up. The creature had hit him with one of its tusks, thankfully the side rather than the daggerlike tip. Pain, pain, although the agony of his blunt injuries faded fast thanks to Fuyuki's healing light. But oh, gods. Sephiroth panted and raised his sword as the ground began to shake, a telltale sign that the Aberration had begun to charge. He tasted blood. It didn't matter. He had to protect Fuyuki at the very least. There was a smell that his senses caught even past the storm. Something green; something earthy.
Soil? Sephiroth wondered—right as he heard a sound like a dozen trees cracking apart, the Aberration roaring, and above it all: Fuyuki's shout, somewhere amidst the snow.
Sephiroth needed no other incentive. He leapt forward, intending for several feet above the dark patch that was the Aberration's injured trunk, because that would surely be where its skull was. His legs propelled him up. He grasped both his hands around the hilt of his sword.
Just before Sephiroth plunged his blade straight down, at the very last moment, one of those burning eyes turned towards him, suddenly visible through the snow.
He aimed for it.
His eardrums burst from the ensuing noise, and the blizzard went quiet.
It really is intelligent, hissed an internal voice. It knew its advantages, and it was all he could do to ward it off and distract it away from Fuyuki as he cast his magic. Sephiroth dodged and weaved and struck out half-blindly based on nothing but his honed senses and the brief glimpses he could get through the streaking snow. At some point, he had to duck almost flat against the ground, then roll aside, and when he lashed out with his sword against a barely visible smear of violet-red, this time a spurt of Aberrant gore spouted through the whiteness of the blizzard. A heavy thud sounded. Sephiroth's pupils thinned in shock; he'd managed to slice off a part of the creature's long trunk.
Then the air shook with the Aberration's screaming bellow. Sephiroth staggered, clapped his hands over his head, and felt something in his inner ear seem to warble dangerously. His teeth felt as if they were jittering inside his skull.
No! Sephiroth commanded himself. No. Keep focused. But he couldn't. "UGH—!" he shouted at the unstoppable force that slammed into him and sent him flying sideways. He hit the ground perhaps ten feet from his original place, rolled, and fought to get back up. The creature had hit him with one of its tusks, thankfully the side rather than the daggerlike tip. Pain, pain, although the agony of his blunt injuries faded fast thanks to Fuyuki's healing light. But oh, gods. Sephiroth panted and raised his sword as the ground began to shake, a telltale sign that the Aberration had begun to charge. He tasted blood. It didn't matter. He had to protect Fuyuki at the very least. There was a smell that his senses caught even past the storm. Something green; something earthy.
Soil? Sephiroth wondered—right as he heard a sound like a dozen trees cracking apart, the Aberration roaring, and above it all: Fuyuki's shout, somewhere amidst the snow.
Sephiroth needed no other incentive. He leapt forward, intending for several feet above the dark patch that was the Aberration's injured trunk, because that would surely be where its skull was. His legs propelled him up. He grasped both his hands around the hilt of his sword.
Just before Sephiroth plunged his blade straight down, at the very last moment, one of those burning eyes turned towards him, suddenly visible through the snow.
He aimed for it.
His eardrums burst from the ensuing noise, and the blizzard went quiet.
Magenta blood erupted from the eye socket like a burst congestion in a kinked hose. It likely coated the swordsman in a layer before it flowed freely from the wound, dripping down to the Aberration’s shrieking, wool-adorned mouth. Ugly teeth flashed behind its tusks, appearing disturbingly sharp for something was – previously – an herbivore.
Immediately as that happened, the Aberration’s head dipped as it started to fall from its charge, just as the snowstorm gave in. All it managed to do was jerk its head, halting in place with a gag. Though the thorns were too small to be useful, sturdy vines the width of a human male’s leg had coiled around the creature’s neck and continued to creep there. Fuyuki commanded this with one hand – the one on the left arm, which didn’t have a partially torn bicep.
The one that did was lifted with a struggle that he plowed through, crying out in sheer effort and to somehow show that he, too, had not collapsed yet. Scaling the area around the beast opposite of the side Sephiroth was on, Fuyuki’s narrow feet carried him with a lightness that seemed either preternatural or animalistic for his height. Another light came upon Sephiroth. Another breath restored. No more blood spilled on the snow, even if it pooled under the skin.
The shine on his right sickle was brighter than usual, ice clinging onto it for dear life. The blade was only cleaned of it in the split second that he swung it sideways, directing a flying slash from a distance towards the Aberration. It was not enough to sever a whole leg, but it was enough to cut apart vital tendons. With a high-pitched groan, the creature stumbled sideways as its knee buckled. Blood quickly pooled on the ground of where it could move it no longer, melting snow and steaming sickly.
Perhaps some could view it as a sad situation for the beast, inevitability in either its own destruction or that of Sanctuary’s. It never had a choice in getting mutated. Fuyuki found it pitiable, but not forgivable. Not for the deaths of their allies.
Immediately as that happened, the Aberration’s head dipped as it started to fall from its charge, just as the snowstorm gave in. All it managed to do was jerk its head, halting in place with a gag. Though the thorns were too small to be useful, sturdy vines the width of a human male’s leg had coiled around the creature’s neck and continued to creep there. Fuyuki commanded this with one hand – the one on the left arm, which didn’t have a partially torn bicep.
The one that did was lifted with a struggle that he plowed through, crying out in sheer effort and to somehow show that he, too, had not collapsed yet. Scaling the area around the beast opposite of the side Sephiroth was on, Fuyuki’s narrow feet carried him with a lightness that seemed either preternatural or animalistic for his height. Another light came upon Sephiroth. Another breath restored. No more blood spilled on the snow, even if it pooled under the skin.
The shine on his right sickle was brighter than usual, ice clinging onto it for dear life. The blade was only cleaned of it in the split second that he swung it sideways, directing a flying slash from a distance towards the Aberration. It was not enough to sever a whole leg, but it was enough to cut apart vital tendons. With a high-pitched groan, the creature stumbled sideways as its knee buckled. Blood quickly pooled on the ground of where it could move it no longer, melting snow and steaming sickly.
Perhaps some could view it as a sad situation for the beast, inevitability in either its own destruction or that of Sanctuary’s. It never had a choice in getting mutated. Fuyuki found it pitiable, but not forgivable. Not for the deaths of their allies.
Light. Breath. Breathe, Sephiroth commanded himself, and forced air into his lungs. It tasted of something sour and metallic and faintly ozone, and something burning hot dripped down his face and off his eyelashes. Sephiroth clung to his sword and to a fistful of staining white hair as the Aberration fought to shake him off. His full body weight lurched, legs scrabbling for purchase against its neck. Sephiroth grasped his sword hilt with both hands, keeping the blade pressed down into the Aberration's skull with his body, and felt through his entire being the bellow of the mammoth Aberration as the blade sank deeper. It was dying. It was going to die, and it knew it, and it wanted to bring them down with it.
Something wrenched at him. Sephiroth let out a wordless shout; the mammoth's trunk! Even with a chunk sliced off, it was trying to wrap around him and fling him off, likely to crush underfoot. Blood slopped down his back, and by now the violet-red of its own gore colored the Aberration through the blizzard. Both Sephiroth and Fuyuki could see—outlined clear as day—the massive head of the mammoth, the line of dark blood gushing from its cut-apart trunk. Sephiroth grasped at a handful of fur and wrenched his sword from the mammoth's eye to lash out against its trunk, but the moment his blade was pulled free, he was fighting to stay on as the mammoth tossed its huge head, intent on bucking him. He smelled earth, he caught glimpses of a russet shadow darting through the snow. The world came to his ears muffled and dim.
The Aberration jolted underneath him and screamed. Fuyuki, Sephiroth understood at once. The Aberration fought against something, and Sephiroth blinked through icy eyelashes to see a vine, winding itself near his hands, moments before the creature—and himself with it—went crashing down. In that second, Sephiroth saw an opening, drew back his arm, and let gravity plunge him forward until his sword sank deep, deep, into the Aberration's forehead.
They hit the ground. His bones jarred. He lost his grip and was flung forward, head over heels, into the slurried snow that surrounded them. Sephiroth gasped and inhaled a lungful of ice, cold like nails in his lungs. Then he just lay there, dazed and panting, green eyes aglow in the blinding white.
Meters away, the Aberration heaved once. Twice. Its unnatural blood steamed in the snow.
It stopped moving. The bounty was complete.
Something wrenched at him. Sephiroth let out a wordless shout; the mammoth's trunk! Even with a chunk sliced off, it was trying to wrap around him and fling him off, likely to crush underfoot. Blood slopped down his back, and by now the violet-red of its own gore colored the Aberration through the blizzard. Both Sephiroth and Fuyuki could see—outlined clear as day—the massive head of the mammoth, the line of dark blood gushing from its cut-apart trunk. Sephiroth grasped at a handful of fur and wrenched his sword from the mammoth's eye to lash out against its trunk, but the moment his blade was pulled free, he was fighting to stay on as the mammoth tossed its huge head, intent on bucking him. He smelled earth, he caught glimpses of a russet shadow darting through the snow. The world came to his ears muffled and dim.
The Aberration jolted underneath him and screamed. Fuyuki, Sephiroth understood at once. The Aberration fought against something, and Sephiroth blinked through icy eyelashes to see a vine, winding itself near his hands, moments before the creature—and himself with it—went crashing down. In that second, Sephiroth saw an opening, drew back his arm, and let gravity plunge him forward until his sword sank deep, deep, into the Aberration's forehead.
They hit the ground. His bones jarred. He lost his grip and was flung forward, head over heels, into the slurried snow that surrounded them. Sephiroth gasped and inhaled a lungful of ice, cold like nails in his lungs. Then he just lay there, dazed and panting, green eyes aglow in the blinding white.
Meters away, the Aberration heaved once. Twice. Its unnatural blood steamed in the snow.
It stopped moving. The bounty was complete.
All at once, the wretched creature came crashing downwards. It was enough momentum for the swordsman to make his final attack, just as Fuyuki had hoped. He watched as its sides lifted and collapsed, expelling its final death rattle with it. Now that its gore was strewn across the ice, there was still something else there as well.
"Sephiroth!"
His cry came clearer now that there weren't howling winds lashing at their ears. The backdrop was that of the soothing patter of snow hitting more snow. And, of course, the furious crunches of Fuyuki's digitigrade feet padding across it. He was tall, but luckily capable of moving lightly, owed in part to being a fox spirit.
Once he had rushed to Sephiroth's side, he set to work to survey his wounds. His right arm was limp at his side, only mustering effort to sheathe his sickles at his sides. There would surely be deep bruising on both limbs. Regardless, he managed to use his left hand to try and help Sephiroth to sit upright.
Get up. Get up, please. Don't leave me here alone.
Fuyuki's grip was firm but mindful of many factors; Sephiroth's pain; the nature of his injuries; Fuyuki's own claws. He had a practiced hand in stabilizing others, physically and medically. He just hoped he could do it again here.
"That was. . . quite the tumble, wasn't it? Hah. . ."
"Sephiroth!"
His cry came clearer now that there weren't howling winds lashing at their ears. The backdrop was that of the soothing patter of snow hitting more snow. And, of course, the furious crunches of Fuyuki's digitigrade feet padding across it. He was tall, but luckily capable of moving lightly, owed in part to being a fox spirit.
Once he had rushed to Sephiroth's side, he set to work to survey his wounds. His right arm was limp at his side, only mustering effort to sheathe his sickles at his sides. There would surely be deep bruising on both limbs. Regardless, he managed to use his left hand to try and help Sephiroth to sit upright.
Get up. Get up, please. Don't leave me here alone.
Fuyuki's grip was firm but mindful of many factors; Sephiroth's pain; the nature of his injuries; Fuyuki's own claws. He had a practiced hand in stabilizing others, physically and medically. He just hoped he could do it again here.
"That was. . . quite the tumble, wasn't it? Hah. . ."
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