"NEIL...!" The front door was kicked open, with Neil letting go of his brother as the three were stunned by her entrance. Klein and Neil quickly rushed to her side, immediately checking her condition. It was Laila, with blood running down from her head as the mage fell to the floor.
"What happened?!" Klein asked Laila, who could barely make a word out from her lips. She raised her hand, desperately calling him to bring his head down to her face. He complied, bringing himself down as Laila whispered in his ear the answer.
"W...Wolf..." Those were Laila's last words before passing out, her head falling back. The brothers were shocked, as Klein and Neil hurriedly lifted her body onto the table where Florence stood awaiting them. She had already rummaged through her drawers and brought out another healing potion to support her magic.
The brother's stood by as Florence quietly did her work, both turning back to the door as they heard screams and cries. They could only be described as a mix of pain and agony, as a burst of fire flew past the front door.
"What kind of wolf would need-"
A hand came crashing through one of the windows, flying right at Neil as he ducked in time to dodge it. Hitting the wall between them, Klein barely had enough time to register what had just happened. Florence peaked behind her head to spot the hand, noticing the red tattoos across its fingers. "That was Jiran, blade's of fire and brimstone."
"How could you tell?" The brother's jumped back as it exploded in a burst of flames, a piece barely missing Florence's head.
"Take a wild guess," Turning their attention back to the door, Klein and Neil had to decide what to do next. Would they fight whatever was outside? Maybe they could find a safer route and leave this town to its fate. Klein felt the centre of his brain sting, dropping to his knees with one of the most painful headaches he's ever had. Neil knelt by his side, with what he said next striking fear into both him and his brother.
"Amari... Where is Amari...?"
......
Amari felt her heart sink as Laila was flung across the rooftop, now alone and with no one to keep company. Not one, except a demonic rendition that looked to be a deformed wolf. Its multiple legs were extremely intimidating, as was it's lack of eyeballs, prowling towards Amari.
"G-Get away!" Amari brought her hand up, making a similar hand-sign during her training with Klein and Neil. Before she could act, a hand grasped her shoulder as she turned to the person. It was a very familiar old man, with many more adventurers behind him.
"You are-"
"We'll deal with this beast, go and find somewhere to hide." Without another word, he rallied other adventurers as they charged right at the disturbing beast. Amari ran in the opposite direction, following where Laila's body had been thrown. Anyone who could help would suffice, even Klein and Neil could be enough despite their lack of faith in their own skills.
They may not admit it, but together, they are formidable as a group.
I have to get away...! Running around a corner, she heard screams of terror from behind her growing in volume. Amari began to sweat profusely when she heard multiple footsteps approaching from the corner. Those footsteps were not the adventurers, as she looked up in time to spot a flying hand shot across the air.
Making it to the main road, Amari managed to spot the creature poke it's head out. Just in time to spot her, as a deafening howl echoed throughout the town.
"W-What's going on..."
"By the gods!"
"A DEMON!"
It luckily woke the whole town, with citizens and adventurers alike coming out to see what was happening. Amari ran down the main street, passing by a strangely suited man walking out of his house. Turning head to see the demi-human sprinting away, he checked the other side to see a gigantic wolf charging at him.
"Oh, shit-" He jumped back into his house, closing the door as the ferocious growls soon passed by his door. It's footsteps lightening as he heard it dashed further away from his home. Peeking his head out, he spotted the backside of the beast, as a scar ran down the back of its head.
"A weak spot...?"
"No no no no no...!" She felt her leg grabbed by stone, forcefully pulled to the ground. Desperately trying to crawl away, Amari was too scared to turn around and face whatever had grabbed her. Black drool oozed out of the beast's mouth, falling onto the back of her head as Amari tried to get it off.
Turning her head, she came face to face with the beast itself.
"G R R R R R R R R R R A A A A A A A A A H H H H H . . ."
Amari felt her life flash before her eyes, memories surging back to times she never wanted to remember ever again.
She didn't expect the raiders to arrive that night when the village was at its most vulnerable. Running home, an image was etched into her psyche that would remain with Amari for the rest of her life. Soon after, everything became a haze for her. Knocked out by one of the raiders, she was brought into slavery among others she knew.
A never-ending cycle for the demi-human, one that a child should've never endured.
She would thank the gods that watched over her kind, as a miracle forming as a mysterious object came diving into the slave camp she and many others were held in. Its impact shook the earth itself, the force was enough to send cages flying. Breaking open, Amari and many others took this chance to escape with others who were captured.
However, none ran in the direction she went as Amari unknowingly crossed over to Aloysius.
After miles of running non-stop, she came out to a certain clearing as Amari fell to the grass. Looking up, she saw two dots in the sky growing in size as she felt her heart stop. Jumping back in shock, she ran and hid behind one of the nearby trees as she watched two certain boys recollect themselves.
She ran away, but she'd never run again.
"NEVER AGAIN!"
Amari shouted, taking the sword given to her by the brother's and stabbed it right into the paw bringing her down. The demonic wolf shrieked in pain, as the demi-human wiggled out just in time to dodged multiple claws coming down at her. Rolling out of the way, she quickly flipped herself up and held the sword with two hands.
"I'll never run away... Not after everything..." Her mind flashed to the brothers, their warm embrace as she felt herself drift to sleep. It was a reminder to her, the people that she'd lost that fateful day and what she had now. Amari was determined to protect her new family, she twisted her heel as she stood in place.
The legs abnormally stretched out, flying straight at Amari as she held her sword and got into a stance.
As three were inches away, she shouted with all her might and drew her sword out. In one fell swoop, she managed to cut all three down at once, her eyes shining blue as Amari felt a strong resolve burst throughout her body.
"They filled this hole in my heart, and no matter what... I'll repay all they've done for me!" She ignored the cries of the wolf, picking up whatever she could find to block her from the oncoming attack. Amari managed to grab a piece of wood, jumping back in defense as the creature charged right into her.
Crushing the wood completely, Amari felt something break as she was sent metres back and crashed outside the apothecary.
Sliding across the ground, Amari's nerves began to numb as she couldn't keep her eyes open. Trying to raise her hand, she spotted blood all over her arm and elbows. Coughing out blood, Amari tried to turn her body to a safe position but was too weak. Tears ran down her eyes, she knew this would be the end of her.
She never got to say goodbye, the door still closed as Amari couldn't feel anything.
"M...M...o...g....h..e..r..." Amari's vision faded, her ears ringing as she couldn't hear anything anymore. Amari had wished she could've stayed much longer, with Klein and Neil to learn more about them. To understand their strange references and petty antics, maybe even grow closer to them on a more personal level...
She had always wondered, what happens after she dies? Would she go into the afterlife she was lead to believe from the day she was born? Or was it all just a lie? Amari felt her lungs weaken, as she took one last breath before exhaling. The silence was maddening, it felt like she was going insane.
But Amari was glad, she wouldn't have to be alone any longer...
"...A..."
"A...M...A...R.....I....!"
Hm...? A rough hand brushed along her cheek, as she felt a soothing aura surround her entire body. Cries of sorrow were becoming audible again, followed by a deafening shriek. Could she really hear again?
"....N..O...."
That voice... It was so familiar to her, but she could not put her finger on it. It was a young man's voice, calling her name as the voice started to get more desperate. Amari tried to speak, or even breathe for that matter, but nothing would go through. The shouts slowly devolved to sobbing, as the demi-human remained quiet throughout the entire experience.
Amari felt was seemed to be arms wrapped around her back, bringing her closer to the stranger.
"Klein, I need you to calm down-"
"Calm down?! How am I supposed to calm down?!" Klein began cradling Amari, holding her as Neil had his back turned. He was more focused on the wolf making its way to the three of them, a danger which Klein had to register. With one hand, Neil bent his ring finger whilst aiming it towards the wolf.
It began to pick up speed, darting towards the three while it's 'mouth' slowly opened.
"Inpulse Eva!" Using his other arm to keep his aim steady, Neil fell back as a bolt of lightning cut through the air between them. In a split-second, it covered several metres before colliding with the oncoming monster. Momentarily shocking it, the gigantic wolf went tumbling to the ground in pain.
"We... We couldn't protect... Fuck..." Neil picked himself up, looking to the side to see his brother still distracted by the corpse lying before him. Klein's anger flared up as he cried, a tear dropping on the fallen demi-human. They had promised to protect her, to give her a new life that wasn't anything which would bring back the past. Klein's grip tightened, his pupils shrinking when Neil came to his side.
The monster was down, but not for long.
"Klein!" The two looked back to the apothecary, Florence came rushing out with a vial and needle. Neil took note of the purple liquid inside, this could only mean trouble for both of them. Klein trusted her enough, gently letting her body onto the ground as he got up.
"What's this?" Florence passed the vial to Klein, who checked the colour as it was the usual purple. Her special strength enhancement potions could be familiarised by the colour, but this one seemed different. Not only was the shade of purple slightly brighter, but he spotted a spark of lightning from within.
"Your chance at slaying that monster."
"I'll take it-" Klein was occupied with his own thoughts, consumed by the death by the little girl they took in. Before he could drink the vial, another hand grabbed his wrist stopping him. Klein opened his eyes, glancing to his left to find Neil fixated on the potion. Pulling it away, Klein growled at his brother while Florence remained quiet throughout their confrontation. "What're you doing?"
"Don't you see how suspicious this is Klein? She's been experimenting on you for almost a month, injecting who knows what into your system! What if this is some ploy?!" Neil shouted, trying to get his brother to understand the situation before him. Klein was reaching his boiling point, attempting to snatch it back but his little brother was prepared.
Stepping back with the potion in hand, Neil watched as his brother's face shifted. His expression darkened, taking one step forward as he brought his hand up to reach for the potion. "Neil, give me the potion."
"Sorry." Without warning, Neil chugged down the whole thing in one go. All of the fluid was gone, now left with an empty vial as he slowly put it down. Looks of horror could be seen from Florence's face, as Klein followed suit as he froze in place. Sweat ran down Neil's forehead, as purple swelling began to form all over his body.
Neil saw his brother scream something, but could only hear ringing in his ears.
"NOOO!!! Neil can you hear me?!" He fell to the floor, body shuddering intensely as his brother held him close. Neil was unresponsive, his eyes constantly moving as his pupils began to dilate.
"He wasn't supposed to drink that!"
"YEAH, NO SHIT- HOW DO WE FIX THIS?!" Klein wanted to scream even louder, now holding his brother in his arms. Neil was now convulsing right in front of him, and he was powerless to do anything about it. Florence knelt beside him, twisting the needle and prepared for injection.
"You can't. This special medicine was designed to transform you into a stronger being," Florence hurriedly clicked her belt, taking out a small green vial in one of her many pockets. She gave one last look to Klein, hoping to get some sort of confirmation to do what she needed to do.
Klein nodded.
"I trained your body for it using previous injections, but Neil hasn't done any of it..." She brought down the needle to Neil's neck, with Klein still holding onto his brother. Despite Neil's erratic movements, Klein had managed to hold him down as Florence slowly injected its sharp point into his neck.
"Now...? Now your brother must complete the transformation..."
"And if he dies?" Klein noticed his brother's eyes slowly changing colour, with Neil's body slowly calming down before reaching a relaxed state. Florence turned back to the road, as the creature had gotten back up again. Looking around, it's mouth locked onto the alchemist who was standing up.
Walking a few steps away from Klein, she tightened her belt as her coat blew in the wind. It revealed a chest plate in between her coat and shirt, and the distinct sound of clanking as she drew closer to the beast. Now only far enough from the brothers, Florences' hands began to glow as she tensed up.
"Pray to your god that he has enough room for the entirety of Graela."
"Hup!" Raising her hands, a golden began to shine from all 10 fingertips. In a glow of light, a handle appeared before blades started to form. Sharp long edges on both sides, as Florence brought it down with a sickening thud.
A blue ribbon hung from the hilt, it's material ending while wrapped around the blade.
"You will cease this destruction, monster. Or I will be forced to end your life!" Florence shouted, pointing her double-edged sword to the demonic wolf. It responded as much as any beast. They watched as most of it's front legs stretched out of place, almost like vines aiming towards the alchemist.
"Very well." She grinned at the attempt, stepping forward as her blade began to glow again. She leapt onto the first paw, running above it before sliding under another. Florence was clearly skilled, using her swift movements to dodge whatever got close.
Such a shame he wasn't as flexible as her.
"Fos..."
She had backflipped away from another extended leg when began to shift her stance. From Klein'a perspective it looked as if she was drawing a bow, the alchemist closing her eyes.
The demon growled in anger, not having hit the skilled alchemist even once. Slowly moving forward, the creature was patient this time when approaching her. Purple blood began to bleed from Florence's eyes, as a strand of her hair fell in between her arms. Klein sat in amazement, watching the strand grow in size to an overly large line before changing again.
This time, to a goddamn purple arrow.
" A r c h e s ! "
Letting her right hand release it, the arrow in it's entirety disappeared. The demon saw its chance, leaping at her with his mouth wide open. Klein screamed for her to move, only to be surprised when the beast stopped midair. The two watched as the beast was launched back into the air, flying a flew blocks away before crashing near the end of the street.
"Did...Did you kill it?"
"Perhaps," Florence said, taking off her coat as she went back to the brothers. Already reaching into her pocket for something, Klein held her hand as he led her to the Demi-humans corpse. Kneeling down with the body, Florence ran her hand over Amari's head.
"Well that special move of yours did it in, we need to get Amari out of here-"
"She just wanted to repay you two... It was only a week when Amari came to me, wanted to talk..." Florence said, bringing her hands to the girls forehead. A green glow emanating from her palms, waves of energy flowing through Amari's body. Klein remained silent, not wanting to interrupt her in case she couldn't bring her back.
"She came to me, shyly asking for advice. She was braver than you thought." Florences' eyes were beginning to get watery, the waves of healing energy growing stronger. Turning to where she assumed Neil could be, her expression darkened for a moment.
"Let him go Klein," Florence said, slowly moving back with Klein clearly against the idea. He wouldn't just leave his brother on the cold ground, not after the stunt he just pulled. He was about to protest when he saw her reaction. Florence's mouth was agape, her sweat only growing as she lifted Amari into her arms. Klein glanced back down at his brother, different than before.
"Holy shit..."
...
"Ha... Ha... HAGGGGGGHHHHHHAAAAA!" A dark aura began to ooze out his body, leaking out of his neck. Spreading across his body, Klein grabbed Amari and went a safe distance away. Neil had awakened, but he wasn't responding at all. His body was twitching uncontrollably, which was beginning to scare even Florence.
Neil took a step forward, with Klein and Florence watching the process start.
What's happening to me..?! He couldn't feel his hands, with a black liquid spreading across his body. Neil helplessly watched his vision disappear, now replaced with a black void. Neil screamed in pain, the ooze spreading from his neck beginning to light up. Powerless, his emotions ran wild as he struggled to breath, each attempt ending in a blood-curdling shriek.
Neil tried moving something, anything to try and regain control of himself. He wanted to live, he didn't want to die after making such a stupid decision. A decision that most likely led to his brother's death, to Amari's death, to everyone's death. His muscles strained as he grabbed whatever he could, his mind racing to whatever he could grasp mentally. Something that could stop the pain...
"Hunger..." Neil stopped himself, hearing a voice ring through his brain. Hunger? He hadn't thought about that, the idea of eating something delicious was amazing. His body numbed as Neil slowly got back up, mind now focused on food. Food that he could just eat in one go...
Like meat, that seemed delectable enough.
"Hun...gry..." Neil's eyes opened, now standing across from the beast ahead of him. He turned to find someone jumping back in shock, but he couldn't recognise him. The only thing he could see were three people, glowing yellow, and that caused him great hunger. All he was thinking about was food, the need to eat anything that could satisfy him. He'd just need to be efficient, reaching out at the figure and grabbing him by the neck.
The man struggled to break free as Neil lifted him from the ground, reeling his free hand back.
To his surprise, his arms had changed to else entirely. The black ooze fell faded from his hands, now replaced with a bigger set, this time with a twist. They were gigantic, possibly two times his size from before he took the needle. Flexing his free arm, thin blades emerged from his newly armoured hand. Neil breifly looked down, noticing them pop out with an unnverning crack. He couldn't help but grin at his new upgrades, closing his hands as the claws dug into his palm.
"This is..."
...
"I WARNED YOU!-" Neil felt a boot slam against his face, causing him to drop his next meal. His anger flared up, feeling the bruise it had left on his cheek. Turning to the prey who knocked him down, his vision of the man was a blur as he could still see the yellow silhouette on the floor.
"He just tried to kill me!"
"Nevermind that, the demon is coming back!" Klein turned his head, trying not to scream in terror as it was charging straight at them. After a near-death experience with his younger brother, he wasn't expecting himself to be in between a rock and a hard place.
The demonic wolf-monster-amalgamate-octopus had gotten back up, now roaring as it wouldn't stop. Luckily for Klein, Neil's attention was shifted towards the monster headed their way. Klein quickly took out his knife, realising this could be the death of him.
"Shit... I can't believe I'm going down like this..." Klein gripped his knife, gulping as he stowed his fears. There was no way he could think his way out of this one, not with two monsters in-front and behind him.
As it's tentacle-like legs sprouted from below, the demon solely aimed towards the closest victim it could find. Klein ran forward fearlessly, his expression filled with hysteria as he readied himself to slice the closest leg. He wouldn't go down without a fight, not after everything that's happened. A gooey hand grasped his shoulder, with Klein's skin beginning to crawl as he glanced back.
Not a moment later, he blacked out.