Screams fell short as a figure moved forward. The viscous red fluid steadily dropping from the set of pure white claws, moving along to his heavy footsteps. A burly figure easily mistaken for a beast was making his way across the swamp.
Footsteps turning from loud thuds to squishy squelches as mud splashed around. Head turning, his nose scrunched as he smiled.
'Grrrrr, something strong moving about. Death claimed the area... something odd.'
Slowly but surely the figure crossed the swamp. Occasionally stopping to kill a beast or two, but nothing hampered his steps. Now in the midsection of the swamp, knee deep into the terrain, screams echo across the swamp.
'I expected more beasts, no, there should've been more beasts.' This time his face growing a frown as the amount of beasts he ran into was far too few. The howls brought him out of thought.
"Hmmm, nice tall trees. Howlers, but you aren't what I'm looking for."
Name: Howler Lemurs
Lvl: 4
Element/Concept: Physical, Sound
Age: Youngling
Status: Wary (Perpetual)
Innate skill: Blaring Alarm
Techniques: Deafening Scream, Shallow Scratch, Enhanced Echo
{Str: 2.0 Sta: 2.1 Agi: 3 Vit: 1.1 Int: 0.7 Spi: 1}
******************************************************************************************************
"Weaklings, the lot of you, but allow me to lay you to rest."
Claws tightening around his hand, the boy waited. Time seemed to still unless you listened to the occasional pitter patter on the nearby trees. The water floating around carrying algae and yellow growths. It was almost peaceful, the lull of the surroundings.
Finally, a loud screech tore through the night. 'Whoop, whoop, shoop.'
Fluid like water, the boy turned with surprising speed using one foot to pivot as he punched out causing his claws to leave his hand; a chain connecting the appendage to a metalllic glove on his hand. A closed fist projectile met flesh faster than the beast could understand, life had left it's body. Only a headless meaty goop of red and pink sitting where a well-shaped head once was. What was once still leaves became replaced with a multitude of small grey bodies with massive ears launching towards the boy.
One burly figure stood amidst an air full of lemurs rushing forth. Swinging his arm, the claw previously thrown retracted as he moved his forearm about. The claws opening, becoming razor sharp. Squeals consumed all sound in the area. Using the other claw, it grew to three times the size of an already large hand and using it he began a slaughter.
"[Sticky Glob]"
A greenish fluid encased his ears before the lemurs started yelling all together. The water skittishly dancing at their hoots and hollers. Red flushing the murky water becoming an amalgamation of blue, yellow, and red.
The boy's claws eviscerated several of the midgets at a time. A low bubble popping noise started to arise not too far away from the scene of battle. A noise not lost on the boy as he smiled a bit more.
"Interesting, a bit of a challenge."
The lemurs kept coming at him but it was pointless. The creatures were deficient in enough intelligence or even instinct to prevent them from charging. Had they had a leader, it might have been different.
After a while more, the same popping noise appeared except this time much closer. Jumping back the brute kept his claws close as more and more popping noises appeared. Something rose from the depths of the water.
Scaly skin, small spikes lining the spine, a large frame and a crocodile's head. The creature made a loud guttural noise carrying vibrations across the air.
The lemurs in tandem retreated, but not before the new guest closed it's razor like maw over several of them. It had medium length arms with three stubby fingers, having sharp nails attached.
Name: Warrior Croc
Lvl: 7
Element/Concept: Water
Age: Teen
Status: Hungry, annoyed
Innate skill: Shredding Spray
Techniques: Disembowelment, Death roll, Instant bite, Water Buff
{Str: 7.0 Sta: 4.1 Agi: 3 Vit: 4.3 Int: 3.0 Spi: 1.9}
The creature ambled forward slowly before unleashing [Disembowelment]. Barbo parried the claws causing water to splash around. The lemurs had long since escaped with their only presence the form of the deceased floating along the water.
The animal unleashed instant bite causing the boy to use punches that smacked the creature around. Yet it never lost it's balance.
"I thought you had more in you than this. A pity."
Barbo punched the croc's mouth again, this time knocking a tooth out. Arm flying forward he knocked the heavy creature off it's feet sending it crashing into a tree. Growls could be heard but from the water as the creature submerged itself.
Another claw launched at the boy as he looked disdainfully on. Catching the claw, he was welcomed to a spray of water that peppered him continuously causing red marks on his brown forearms.
He merely stood there and took the attack head on.
[Heart Puncture], a loud rip sound emitted from the croc's chest as a beating heart lay in the boy's hand. Tunrning his attention, he smelled his prize with relish.
"Nothing lik-----
Eyes flashing the boy jumped back as he heard a soft noise. Looking deeper in the swamp area was the barely audible noise of a growl and what sounded like a burp.
However, there was no humorous look on the boy's face as the water parted to reveal another crocodile. This time bulkier, with strong legs, and arms. The claws looked armored as did the rest of the body.
A mass of green and black waded through the water with intelligent cream yellow eyes. Studying the creature again, Barbo saw the knicks and welts on the enemy. Performing a hand sign he jumped out of the water standing on it.
"Beast Art: [Water Tread]"
'He fought earlier, and he must've.....'
Looking around, the beast's eyes landed on Barbo and a gleam appeared in the critter's eyes. Falling down face first, the moment the beast touched water, it zoomed forth. Interest filling his eyes when he saw the croc slow down next to other croc.
It's mouth ripped open and it's teeth seemed to effortlessly tear apart his brother's body. Flesh went flying as the croc proceeded to shake for one moment as the slit pupils became doubles. No roar, just action as the croc ate rapidly, not even the bones being spared.
'Status'
Name: Murderous Armed Croc
Lvl: 6
Element/Concept: Water, Physical, Blood
Age: Teen
Status: Ravenous, Weakened
Innate skill: Cannibal's Thirst-????
Techniques: Disembowelment, Death roll, Instant bite, Water Buff, Blood let, Invigorate, Water tomb, Tail Slash, Water spear, Abominable Slam
{Str: 10.0 Sta: 7.0 Agi: 3.8 Vit: 4.9 Int: 5.0 Spi: 3.0}
'Hmmmm, an interesting one. I can see potential but I need more. A test is now in order.'
Water bounced as his gargantuan feet pushed off it like regular ground. A twitch of the croc's jaw and the trap opened, releasing spears of water that portioned no smaller than the boy's stature.
Dodging ever so slightly, Barbo shot his clawed hand at the croc only for it to smash into the water. An armored tail whipping out with deadly accuracy. Slamming his other claws forward, Barbo saw a sharp spike protrude from the tail, causing sparks to fly.
"Beast Art [Hunter's Tear]"
A claw came swiping at him causing him to go on defensive. Meeting claw for claw, the two kept up until Barbo changed tempo.
"Attack forms are pretty basic, good usage of natural abilities, doesn't seem very good at planning."
Muscles tensing Barbo's speed increased while also dishing out harder attacks the moment the croc's body fully appeared.
"Beast Art [Abominable Claw]"
"Beast Art [Explosive Fist]"
"Beast Art [Intimidating Prescence]"
One arm using claws and the other using fists, the combo caused the croc to fall passive while cutting off retreat to the water.
A red gleam ran along the croc's spiked back as Barbo's hair gently vibrated. Jumping off the water and performing a tucked back flip, he barely missed a devastating attack.
The tail length hadn't changed but the pure blood energy and physical power created a spiked tail swipe that extended long enough to cut the water even unto the distance.
"Must be the innate ability, one croc gave it the ability to use that attack, not too bad. Mainly saw the water and physical abilities, blood related abilities lacking. Odd but worthy of testing."
Gathering qi for a moment, the water rippled as his claws shined white. [Abominable Slam], Raising both claws in the air and slamming them down caused a large projection.
A single claw moved to clench the croc, however, this claw was different. An ancient air reminiscent of forgotten animals only mentioned in legend erupted.
The croc seethe at the coming attack, diving down a dirty blue aura in combination with a blood red aura emitted from the croc. Mouth opening, the aura coalesced into a ball that the croc promptly devoured before it erupted with new strength.
Bringing the two clawed hands together, a spear formed that drew in the blood from all of the lemurs. muscles bulging. The spear was shot towards the claw creating an explosion. Trees fell, animals scurried even further into the distance, while the water rained.
A sizable crater now filling in with water but a bloody figure zig zagged in the water in an attempt to escape. Seamlessly, Barbo snatched the gator from the water as though knowing exactly where he had been.
Claws around the croc's neck, Barbo plunged the tip of one of his clawed hands into his chest removing a drop of heart blood. Quickly jabbing into the croc's exposed chest he similarly pulled out a drop of heart blood.
Using it's tail the croc tried to attack only to go completely still the moment the blood of the two mixed. In the palm of his hand, Barbo held the combined blood of himself and his soon to be first tame.
"You aren't powerful or even uniquely gifted but I see a hunter in you. From now on we will roam the lands for prey and power. I, a child of the wilds, claim this creature as my bond. Power shared and power gained. Man and creature shall fear our success. As one, we are now bonds"
The two then appeared in the bridge of consciousness but no fighting occurred. The croc appeared annoyed but also gratified. Power wreathed it's being just like Barbo.
The two looked at one another, their eyes seemed to meld as a roar sounded. The bridge collapsed as a new bond was forged that day.