...8th of September 2047 ...
The hum of running water through a small concrete drainage tunnel would be oddly relaxing, paired with the chirps of birds and quiet gentle wind bristling the trees surrounding the area. Showing off the life the trees weren't able to show themselves. The tunnel would lead out into a small, but gentle stream, upon closer inspection it was clear what it led to as a giant lake in the surrounding forest would come into view. Not too deep, but also not shallow either. The amount of land the lake took up definitely gave it's shallow interior more complexity, despite the amount of time having passed since these tunnels were maintained and cleaned, they seemed to do well enough on their own as the water cycle would continue anyway, even after the downfall of society.
There was a small, little shoreline surrounded by tall grass with a beautiful direct view out onto the lake. It was as well still thriving with life as insects would fly by and some frogs would make this place their home. The dry dirt just barely escaping the water's reach that made up its small shoreline would be heavily polluted with old beer bottles and cans that scattered along it, the water didn't seem safe to drink from much at all due to this fact. Of course, the surrounding wildlife didn't take this into consideration as survival of the fittest was also still in motion.
Practically cemented into the dirt that assimilated the rough, cracked can it appeared to be a blueish colour, only the colour on this can was worn down by time and appeared a lighter shade of blue rather than the darker blue it once was. It was evident now, this can had been here for some time and came from the drainage pipe, with no where left to go. The lake would eventually carry it to shore where it stuck it's roots and stayed there in a perpetual state of being motionless, unchanging. This can had many eyes that had glanced at it before, the last pair of eyes to meet it were someone familiar, years ago. But who, exactly?
Off in the far distance an echo would ring out carrying the distant message of a shout and gunshots, showing us what point this world had really come to despite the peaceful lake showing off it's perfection with the beautiful features it held.
Sprinting through the trees, on a light jog of desperation trying to conserve their energy in the event they might have needed it. Hot on their trail were more of the pursuers, desperate to capture them. Rasmus ran in front of the other three that followed, he knew these woods better than anyone, as he resided around these parts for a majority of his life by now. It was getting harder to run off trail, the grass and foliage was thicker and the plantation would only slow them down before they came to a halt and decided to crouch near a tree and rest in the thick overgrown grass. This granted them a moment of perception, where they could hear the other hunting team desperate to reach the destination, by now they probably had already seen the massacre in the house that Jaklo caused out of his own defence or perhaps some other drive that motivated him to kill?
Suddenly, a figure would show through the many rows of trees just ahead of them. Pulling his hat down over his face, Jaklo would hide his colourful fur, stalking the man and the three others that followed with him. It was him who was leading this hunting posse and as expected, it was The Dime, Staring around the woods, he obviously had not noticed them yet and most likely never will, as the grass concealed them good. They held their breath, remaining silent and only being able to watch their opponents in silence, providing him with an audience that he wasn't expecting to have besides his own crew.
"You seen that fucker run off, right? You told me you seen him run this way, all of them." Clovis bashed his own teammate for his now sudden doubt, coming to a conclusion they have been chasing ghosts rather than the people they were meant to actually capture "You know how dead I am if I don't get this guy? The disrespect I get in this crew is CRAZY, I fucking tell you, I manage everything for him.. this fucking White Hand business, and now I am in charge of fetching his lost dogs with a crosshair painted on my back the entire FUCKING WAY. I need a god damn promotion man! ... maybe a little Spa vacation to get me nursed back to fucking health, I'm sweating bullets here." His ranting and raving approached the hidden four as an echo, while they watched like a frightened audience just praying he wouldn't break the fourth wall. Clovis would then take a seat on the grass and relax for a moment, getting his breath back before pulling out a device like before and taking a hit from it, blowing out the same orange smoke from before.
"Boss.. We'll find them, They don't have much place to run without encountering one of our guys again through this place. If we don't get em' then the Bats will.. it's getting dark out" The affirmation gave Clovis a bizarre beacon of hope as he stared up at him "You're right.. That's smart actually man, you got a serious fucking head on your shoulders.. I like you" Standing to his feet he'd smile and wave his gun around in an unsafe manner in his direction "Seriously! How did I not think of that before! It ain't our fault if the little FUCKER winds up dead somewhere, why don't we just off the bitch and his friends and blame it on natural causes? It's a win-win for everyone! hahaahh"
His teammate seemed doubtful at the idea "I'm not sure I want to chance it, Boss. You know how smart our leader is, I'm sure if he finds him with a bullet-hole to the head he'll hunt down the perpetrator and ice him, meaning he'd ice us.." Clovis would grunt and take his beanie off, drying his head with his backhand and putting it back on as he feels the stress overwhelm him as he tries to think with his small amount of intelligence. "Well maybe we'll set some other asshole up, we always wriggle out of shitty situations like this, right? ..." Then he'd sigh again, feeling hopeless "I still.. don't see why he has me in specific running all over the place to find this guy. I had him in my grasp before, he seemed so frail... WEAK.. now he's going around snapping the necks of my guys? You and me.. we don't deserve that bro! we should be doing our own shit without being leashed up all the time and thrown around like a damn frisbee! You feel me? ... This is why the White Hand is run by me.. ME! Not the Musician.. Me!" The Dime would look around again, almost landing eyes on Jaklo, causing the raccoon's heartrate to dramatically accelerate before the possum looks away again and continues ranting "Sometimes.. I don't want to be bossed around by him anymore, I want to be my own god damn leader.. He's an .. an.. anchor to me! Fuck!"
Jaklo was so fixated on their conversation he failed to notice the first few taps on his shoulder. Rasmus tapped him a few times and begged him to come with and away while they had the distraction window "Follow me" He whispers and continues on, glancing back at Clovis he'd slowly continue his crouched walk through the tall grass after his friends.
Despite the intense situation they were roped through, they were finally at ease of mind to know they were out of it for now, simply following the path opposite where they believed the search would be carried out for the remainder of the day, walking along that dirt path the trees would glare down from above and only seemingly grew taller in stature as they progressed. Jaklo seemed the most silent out of them all, he couldn't help but think to himself that something was going on inside of him, with how violent he was back there in the house, it was like he was unleashing a pent up anger inside of him that replicated onto Daisy as she seemed quiet too. Simply still taking in what she witnessed back at that house. A static would rumble in his head constantly, it hurt, it was like he couldn't think of anything else but something that was troubling him. It was like he almost couldn't remember what was troubling him at times too, no matter how hard he tried to think. He knew it was wrong to kill, his prior pacifistic mindset cemented that into place. But, he kills so frequently now and uses the excuse that he has to, in order to survive.
Stopping at a tree, Jaklo would untie the eye-mask from around his head with a sigh, it took a moment for the others to stop and glance back at him; Ellis would be the first to realise he wasn't following and jogged back lightly to meet the raccoon again. "Hey man-- You feeling alright?" Without any expression, he would glance up at him then down at the pocket he shoved the mask into and nodded "Fine, let's keep going to where we need to go, yeah?" Rasmus would walk back over towards him and suddenly growl, the sudden anger from him was unexpected "You want a break huh? After what happened back at my own home? You promised you weren't dragging in any dogshit with you.. Especially not the White Hand, They're ruthless.. kid.. and they're definitely onto you, the fuck did you do to get them to come with Elite men like that?" Through his ranting the anger would boil over, he seemed to grow soft inside when he realised he was complaining to a friend of his or almost like he didn't know how to socialise too well due to his perpetual solitude in the place he once called home, now left in shambles thanks to the senseless actions of Jaklo desperately trying to get away.
"We got too relaxed back there, that's what happened- we should have never shown our face outside at least for a few days. That's how they found us. Probably had a fucker that made us while we were outside." Jaklo started walking ahead of them and catching up to Daisy who stood like a deer in headlights, walking with her while the other two follow and holding their tongue. The path only seemed to go on forever but eventually, shacks and other lonesome homes would start to show up in the woods. Some were abandoned and others were not, the ones that still had life were easily identified by the consistently lit lanterns surrounding the household, it scared off the creatures of the night that threatened to hurt the residents inside. Judging by how late it was, if they didn't make it to a place of sanctuary by now the night would roll in and they would become easy prey to the mysterious creatures that roam the shadows in the forest.
Time was running thin, and very soon the sun would have completely set leaving them in the dangerous shade of night that would leave them vulnerable. Rasmus became uneasy and it was clear "We need to find somewhere now, I know for a fact further down this path there is another small settlement, but right here we are Bat Food.. Listen, Jaklo I need you and Ellis to go check those houses off onto the left path and me and Daisy will check the right, come looking if you can't find anything and we'll let you know about our luck." It seemed reasonable in their position but Jaklo had a complaint "We have zero communication, we'd be toast splitting up.. we should've nabbed those radios" Rasmus' eyes would narrow at his response "Trust me, we're easier prey together than we are split. Take the path now, I'll catch up if there's nothing where me and Daisy will look." Rolling his eyes, he didn't have much choice, taking the left path while Ellis followed and spoke "This ain't too much of a good idea.. We're gonna lose em"
Rasmus gripped at the hilt of his rapier and prepared to draw at any given notice, Daisy crept up behind him and followed along as she remained to be incredibly skittish. Any noise or snap of a branch or twig would send her to jump. "Can't we just like yknow-- get into any cabin around here? I'm sure they won't mind when they see a girl like me show up at their front door" Rasmus would smirk and turn his head to face back at her "Yeah, and as soon as they see me they'd turn their nose up and slam the door. People around here have no good intentions, they'd best want you alone if you catch my drift- Daise." He grew quite attached to her, forming a nickname for her and treating her somewhat like a daughter. Acting as a protective father as he kept her behind him. Walking up to a cabin entirely lit by lanterns, no upstairs area or patio. It was as hollow and bare on the outside as you could get it, the moon was bright in the sky by now. A subtle knock on the door echoed throughout the entire house, the door crept open as it seemed no one was inside judging by the fact they left it open. A foul stench would greet Rasmus who would turn his nose up immediately at the rancid smell. "Smells like someone died in here.. Jesus, whoever left this place obviously didn't leave it in a good condition."
Swinging the door open anyway, letting the lunar light creep inside. He figured it was safe to pick this house regardless of the repulsive odour, taking a step inside the already lit window-less cabin with a lantern sat on a counter of a small kitchen facing the living room, the only doors that were present led to the bathroom, bedroom and what was probably another bedroom opposite of the same bedroom across the room. Daisy would follow him inside and immediately cover her face with her hand and cough at the smell, as she did some movement could be heard coming directly from one of the rooms. It sounded just like someone had fallen over. On full alert, Rasmus would draw his rapier towards the bedroom and sigh quietly, feeling like he'd have to deal with something. Approaching it, he'd knock on the door "Hello? I do hope we are not intruding we simply need a place to stay.. You know how night can be around these parts friend.. no good-- no good at all!" He tried staying enthusiastic with his tone, hopefully convincing whoever was behind the door but his poor social skills from years of loneliness gave up the fact he wasn't being genuine. However, that didn't matter as what he got in response was a desperate muffled scream that was immediately silenced by whoever was behind the door.
Whatever it may be, the soldier's blood ran cold, ready to attack he kicked the door open and it creaked noisily against the wooden floor. The room was dark, and the only thing illuminating it was the shallow moonlight that made his task of identifying who exactly was in there all the more difficult. The bedroom consisted of two men, one sat in a chair in front of the bed and the other cloaked in the shadow of the dark room. One swift motion and quickly he lunged himself out from the window, filling the room with even more noise as the glass shattered, he was outside. Daisy's heart was racing as she remained outside of the room in the doorway as Rasmus rushed inside "Holy fuck! What's going on here?" She was frozen, adrenaline racing now, knowing there was a threat around. Sticking his finger onto the mans neck, there was no sign of life or any beating from that vital artery in his neck. In fact, when he pulled his hand, away the moonlight would show him the blood on his finger; his neck was sliced and was freshly pouring blood onto the floor below him, this all but confirmed whoever was here prior had nothing but malice on their mind.
( ANTAGONIST by Alex, Tokyo Rose, The Akuma would play here)
Turning quickly to look at Daisy, realising he left her out in the open, his eyes would widen and the hair on the back of his neck would stand on end. Something was about to happen and he felt it, rushing towards her as quick as he could out of the room his footsteps fast, matching his heartbeat but it was no use. A tall and skinny figure rushed into the room at a lightning pace and grabbed her tight, strong enough to keep hold of her, he would deter Rasmus with a sudden swing of a large staff that nearly took his head off. Yet again, he jumped from a window of the cabin to the outside, he had Daisy under his Mercy. "Daisy!... let her go you fucker! Let her go!" Stunned from what had just happened he pushed on anyway, running towards the freshly broken window and glaring outside to see the two. On her knees she had her hands raised in a quick surrender, behind her stood the man who had the homemade Glaive weapon pressed against the back of her neck "Look man, we weren't trying to intrude we were just looking for a place of safety" She begged and Rasmus played defensive, rapier drawn, he'd point it directly at him through the shattered window.
"You gain.. nothing from this senseless murder, she has done nothing to you.. Animal" The Cold Blooded snake would stand still and wince under the bright light of the protective lantern outside, swaying on a post. Gazing up at Rasmus with a smirk, the snake boy would speak up to deliver his oppressor an oddly witty sentence out of his own twisted arrogance "Bats are out tonight, out every night... You're not safe wondering around in the dark? You're a little too old for this pretty flower anyway.. Private.." Gesturing to his Veteran outfit, the snake would fixate his attention on the damsel in distress before him, Looking down at her and suddenly thrusting the blade into her calve, she would let out a loud scream as expected but she still retaliated, Daisy would swiftly elbow the man in the stomach but to no avail, responding yet again. "Sorry dear.. Can't let you get away. I hope.. you're not a smoker.. hard to find a good set of lungs nowadays.. heh heh" The Wolf couldn't take it, watching this woman suffer, the same woman he had grown fond of over the period he had got to know her. His agile and swift manner sent him lunging through the broken window and with a hopeful strike, he thrusted his rapier in the direction of the Snake but quickly his attack would be deflected with the snake's blade, utilising the blunt end of the bladed staff to attempt to trip the Veteran and due to his blind rage it worked. Rasmus laid along the floor, along with a bleeding Daisy, now pinned by the oppressor.
They would both lock eyes with one another, one expression was a smirk and narrowed eyes and another was that of rage and intent to kill. "You're a predictable thing, aren't you? There's no such thing as heroes anymore pal.." In the corner of his eye, he would watch two bulky and intimidating creatures lurk in the shadows, just on the perimeter where the light was barely able to crawl towards.. along the cold and dangerous shadows. The snake looked back at them and noticed them too before gazing back down at the old man again "It is quite fun to see Bats tear people apart, they're a interesting species and I find it intriguing how violent they are with prey.. yet how scared they are of something like light, like a bat.. That's where the name comes from, cute right?" Rasmus would attempt to move his hand, grasping his rapier that was pinned by the knee holding his arm down. He continued to struggle against the much stronger and fitter man, pinning him "I know a lot more about Bats than you do.. shithead!" The Snake's smirk went sour and he frowned before looking down, with a short period of silence he would sigh and suddenly drop his guard and stand up "Well, play-time is over I am afraid." Seeing the opportunity the soldier would rush to advance and push his rapier forwards and penetrating his stomach just briefly and not fast enough because he managed to jump back in time, in result of the poor dodging he fell back onto the floor and quickly recovered to his feet just as Rasmus recovered
"Guess it's gonna be a game of Sumo huh.. Let's see who can feed who to the Bats first." The Snake snarled out as the audience of creatures of the night increased in number because of all the commotion, surrounding the circle of light, watching those who were able to lurk in it. Just praying that they fell into the shadows at least even once. The Snake would grin at the idea, steadying himself into a fighting position with his bladed staff, confident he could overpower the supposed frail old man before him. Rasmus did the same, holding his rapier and focusing on the enemy and trying his best not to focus on the crippled Daisy, who was unable to stand while she watched with high hopes in her heart that Rasmus would conquer in this fight.
Off in the not so far distance, a dim yet comforting light could be seen piercing from the shadows of the dark of night that threatened to swallow and cloak anyone that got near them, emerging from the trees two figures were attracted to the noise and the commotion and standing not so far away, plain as day Jaklo and Ellis stood and watched, they underestimated just how much danger they put themselves in just by being out at night like this but they knew they had protection. Holding the lantern tightly in one hand, Jaklo held it high so that the light would cast around them both like an umbrella guarding them against unwanted rain, the rain in this case was the bats and luckily they were drawn to where most of the attention and noise was focused as of the moment.
Daisy was caught under the wrath and greed from an Angler fishing for people's organs, this hollow snake would do anything to make a quick buck it seems. As to go with his emotionless killings, he was indeed a sadist "You look like Bat food already Gramps.. Why not just give them their meal? There'll be more humanity in learning when to give up." They both circled in the thin light that protected them both from being mauled by these creatures, waiting for the first attack as they both clung their weapons tightly and fixated on each other completely, Daisy would simply watch in horror before peering over at Jaklo and Ellis whom watched. "I've survived longer alone in these woods, You're nothing.. Shit on my shoe, You don't know shit about humanity." Rasmus would snarl and threaten to swing his rapier with a soft motion to threat, The Angler didn't budge once showing his defence was solid as well as the sadistic grin on his face "Hush it.. You're rusty.. Look at your posture, you're just counting the seconds of life you have now before I feed you to our Audience.." Snarling right back at him and continuing circling around in the beacon of light, they were too engrossed in the fight that was about to break out to really notice Jaklo or Ellis watching from the distance.
Nodding in silence he'd gesture over showing he knew where the source was coming from, Ellis watched in shock at the dire state they were both in especially with the shadows of beasts lurking around them "That's them.. Looks like he's gotten himself in quite a tussle, Daisy too..." Jaklo's calm demeanour and voice didn't break, nor did his smooth thinking pattern as he tried to formulate a plan, they would be torn to bits by the amount of beasts surrounding them if they even thought about getting close. Ellis would panic and gaze back and fourth between Jaklo and the three in the circle of death "That's Scratch, he's an organ harvester he works in the black market.. He was kicked out of Turner Town a while ago because of his murders of the locals there. Son of a bitch we need to do something-" Ellis had sheer panic in his voice, a contrary to Jaklo.
Jaklo would hush him and lay his hand on his shoulder in attempt to comfort his friend, hoping he wouldn't fly off the handle and do anything rash "Silence.. We don't want to attract them to us, Rasmus warned us just how dangerous they can be even while we were in a fully barricaded house.. My guess is they burn under bright light, think there is anything in that house we can power on?" Jaklo would gesture towards the cabin that they previously exited from into the safe light outside and to which Ellis shook his head in denial "No way, probably unoccupied.. Pitch black! No generator or power source and if there was it's probably been scavenged for parts by now.. I'm surprised that light outside is still even functioning, probably a Lantern which would make more sense. They hate Natural Light more than .. like LEDs and whatnot. Sun is their biggest enemy." He spoke in a choked whisper of panic, his lip quivering as adrenaline fuelled his body.
Suddenly, Ellis would attempt to bolt forward just as Jaklo grabbed his wrist and shook his head quick "Don't.. It's a death wish Ellis, I can't lose you even if we lose them. Stay for now, please." A look of sadness would befall Jaklo's face as Ellis looked back with a more angered expression "What the fuck has gotten into you? You don't care if our friends live or die now? What happened to wanting to be a Superhero, huh Jaklo? Because now is the damn time!" This would baffle Jaklo and he would stare blankly at Ellis in an internal shock he couldn't project into his emotions. During this distraction, Ellis would run off into the shadows, presumably towards the cabin and not so much towards the actual source of conflict. The Raccoon stood there in silence, alone and clutching the lantern tightly as he continued to simply stare over and watch for now. The same static like effect would cloud over his mind quietly as he watched, he didn't know what to think right now.
Ellis as aloof as he was acting he ran to give Rasmus the protecting that Jaklo couldn't give himself, the raccoon stood there and slowly started walking forward as Ellis headed for the cabin. "I'll make bat-food out of you yet, grandpa.." Scratch hissed right at Rasmus in an ominously relaxed tone to which the elder would reply with a simple "Bring it." And the fight was on, as quick as it started the bladed staff would be brought down mere inches away from Rasmus' face and caught on his rapier he used to keep it from fulfilling it's strike. Struggling, he'd tense his arms and press the rapier back against his enemy with grunts, planting his feet into the grassy floor and clenching his teeth while the other laughed and simply pushed back "You're losing your strength already and we haven't even started gramps." His teasing was fuel for a motivated comeback, slipping closer he managed to kick Scratch in the stomach and hurdling him away from pressing the spear down anymore onto his weapon, giving Rasmus a short-lived break before the fight was on again. His arm was growing tired and tense from the constant parrying. The Bats that surrounded them in the shadows would hiss and growl in an otherworldly tone, begging for the meat in the ring of light.
Both played defence, not wanting to risk the chance and at every opportunity Scratch would attempt to knock Rasmus out of the ring while Rasmus kept his guard up and aimed for vital organs with critical speed that Scratch was somehow able to keep up with, blocking every single time with ease. The clinging of the two blades filled the night as Rasmus' Stamina would run low, it would indubitably be his downfall as the glaive would land a hit and slice right into his shoulder. The screams the veteran let out were enough to rile the beasts around the circle of light up to a louder growl as he was again kicked to the floor, running his fingers quickly through the grass in a struggle to regain his Rapier, it was no use. Scratch would kick the Veterans trusty weapon out of his reach and plant his glaive into the floor, quickly straddling his stomach to pin him. He'd grin down at the Veteran before starting to beat him senseless, punch after punch, after punch and with a final blow he seemed almost unconscious. Scratch's fists were bruised from the attack as he chuckled "You soldiers are too weak for this world now. Too bad your organs are no use to me any more, could have had two birds with one stone here tonight.. What a dream." Spitting on his uniform, he'd stand and turn towards Daisy who was in the middle of a retaliation to save her friend, likewise to before but it was no use, limping towards him with her injured calve he would walk triumphantly over to her and strike her down with his backhand. "You on the other hand, you're a good fish but you've led me into a sea of bombs, haven't you?" gesturing to the bats that surrounded him, the reptilian would reach down into a satchel on his hip and pull out a scalpel that glinted in the light of the lantern, threatening to hurt Daisy as she laid whimpering on the floor, Weak.
"No matter, I've been in worse scuffles than this." Sitting to his knees he would pin the woman down to the floor and push the scalpel towards her neck to which even in her weakened and dazed state she would grasp his fist and struggle in a desperate attempt to keep the blade away from her jugular, blood flicked from her bloodied hand onto the man as he grinned in amusement to the struggle. "Get the fuck off of me.. Psycho" His grin would widen and he would gradually overcome her weak strength pushing the blade dangerously close to her jugular in her neck "I think I'll ...take your lungs first.." The scalpel would start piercing the skin on her neck as the blade would threaten to slowly sink in to which it began to do so.
"Daisy!" From the window of the cabin stood Ellis, and in perfect timing. Taking the attention of Scratch away from the woman as he focused on the man in the window, the bats would notice him too and discovered he wasn't fully in the safety light of the lantern. "You signed your death warrant, amigo." Scratch said in a sing-song voice while gesturing his head to some approaching bats towards the cabin, before he could return to his murder from behind Rasmus would grapple him and pull him off and fall to the floor with him, he had the murderer in a headlock and a firm elbow locked around his neck. Rasmus panted with a wheeze in his throat and desperately kept the man subdued as he flailed and struggled, amidst this he dug the scalpel deep into Rasmus' thigh and the soldier had little to no reaction at all beside gritting his teeth and a quiet groan of discomfort. He was trained for combat, He was trained for pain, He was trained to kill. The adrenaline coursing through his veins amplified and solidified this thought. "I've.. been in worse.. scuffles too." Rasmus wheezed out, continuing to choke the snake in his grasp as much as he could.
His hold on the mans throat got tighter as he desperately attempted to to roll over to get the better of Rasmus, but he refused to let him, bearing the pain and only wanting to deliver more pain to his opponent to protect his friend. His strength wore thin, as did the adrenaline in his body and weakness washed over Rasmus with every pant and exhale. It grew more evident his strength was wearing thin. Taking the Scalpel from his thigh Scratch would jam the blade into the wolf's forearm that kept him secure in the chokehold and he would inevitably let off and pull his arm away in pain, Straddling Rasmus once more and gripping him by the scruff of his uniform he'd slowly inch him closer and closer towards where the light would end and where the shadows would take over. The bats were hungry and waiting for him to come closer like a steak being teased to a hungry dog "I want nothing more... than.. to see you.. splattered all over the forest floor.. right now" Scratch snarled down at him as Rasmus would try to stop the slow motion to his grizzly end, pushing and shoving at his opposer with weakened strength, gazing up and meeting terrifying eye contact with one of the bats waiting on it's meal. It's jaws had terrifying rows of sharp teeth, saliva dripping onto the shadow covered forest floor.
The other Bats would snarl and crawl viciously along the house in an abnormal fashion, threatening Ellis inside who backed away from the window and stayed out of the open. Although, it was too late and he was thinking in the heat of the moment, he gave away his position and this was confirmed as the eerie silhouette of a deformed figure peeked his head slowly through the broken window Ellis once shouted from, The Dragon's eyes would lock with the beast cloaked in darkness and his heart would inevitably skip a beat. Adrenaline racing, expecting to make a move however he didn't have to. An approaching light coming from the front door would suddenly be followed by rough and fast footsteps as Jaklo stormed into the house and smashed the lantern onto the floor where the bat was peeking inside, the shallow wood would catch fire creating a huge beacon of light that caused the creature to let out a horrifying whale of discomfort at the sudden light piercing its sensitive skin, before it could retreat however, Jaklo would catch a quick glance at the monsters face.
It was hideous, it resembled that of a bat and lived up to it's name in that fact. Scarred and blind with milky white eyes and sharp fangs that extended from it's lower and upper lip, like a monstrous sabretooth tiger. The ears were crooked, bent and fuzzy representing sickly and almost sticky like black fur. It hissed loudly and retreated back as the cabin quickly caught fire, the flames would replicate as a reflection in Jaklo's eyes as he watched the house burn. As fixated as he was on the fire brewing before him he would be grabbed hastily by his companion Ellis and pulled away "He's getting murdered out there! We gotta get around fast"
"You really are losing your strength. Vet" As Rasmus protested his fate he struggled and clung to his perpetrator in a desperate attempt to keep him away from where the light would end and shadows would take over, along with the bats of course. Scratch would chuckle and take each weak punch and shove from the injured Veteran as he grunted in a wheeze almost to a point now he could just barely see the gaping maw of the feral animal awaiting his meal "Stop Please.. Get the hell off of me!" His faith was burning dry, realising this may be it as his protests diminished and he focused more on the worry of dying to the hands of this killer, the cabin would burn behind them casting even more light but not enough to spread across the shadows.
It was enough light to create a secure path for Ellis to rush around along with Jaklo, just as Rasmus had accepted his fate a loud yelp would echo and the angler's efforts would stop. Rasmus laid still on the floor and pushed him off and quickly moving his head away from the oncoming shadow ready to swallow him whole. The blade of his own glaive had been dug directly through his abdomen, Jaklo would kick the wounded killer to the floor and pushed his bare footpaw down on his neck and keeping him stationary while glaring down at him. "Ellis, check on Daisy and Rasmus make sure they're okay and try your best to tend to any wounds they got here." Meanwhile, Scratch would gaze up at Jaklo still with the blade wound pierced fresh in his gut and would chuckle quietly "You are alive.. You're the reason Clovis is so stirred up aren't you? Look at you, so weak and pathetic compared to what.. you were, I heard you're an Outsider too? Paaaathetic.. You're no man, never were.. You'll always be the Thief of Stardown and nothing more." Jaklo would remain unchanged and pushed his foot down on his throat further with no remorse or empathy for this man, tilting his head up a little and a light smile would slowly form "I was a better gangster than you'll ever be, hustling organs out here for money. What I had was more special than your small mind can ever understand." Gesturing to his medical bag he'd shake his head, knowing he was one of those that defiled people for money. "Even so, I'm going to bring down every last one of you and you won't live to see it." Jaklo uttered his last words for him in a cold tone before pressing his footpaw down harder on the man's neck, flailing and choking he'd show him no mercy.
The static in his head would grow louder again, he felt as if he was losing control of himself and murder seemed to be the only option. Ellis would interrupt him and pull Jaklo off of him and gazed at him with a shocked yet angry expression "What is with you lately?! Leave him be we need answers out of him. I thought you were the type to show mercy, you keep killing people Jaklo." Ellis stated with a sad tone, nearing the end of his sentence. Jaklo instead scoffed at Ellis and he'd walk away from the man, giving him that breath of air and mercy that this murderer wouldn't give to many others. "He's nothing more than an organ hustler, you'll get nothing outta him. Lower than trash, that's what he is"
Rasmus would sit on the floor still heaving and panting after the fight, turning his head and spitting up some blood from a busted lip and gazing up at Ellis as he approaches him after tending to Jaklo and his rising murderous instincts he'd smile meekly "Good to see you Ellis.. Sorry he got the better of me, I'll be fine just tend to Daisy for me." Daisy would lay still on the floor, her wounds weren't that bad but she was still crippled from the wound in her calve along with some scratches. "That fucker has it coming anyway Ellis, I'd let Jaklo at him." She'd snarl at Scratch while trying her best to sit up. Rasmus on the other hand has sustained wounds in his thigh and arm and a bunch of blows to the face, he was strong enough to bare his way through it for now. Jaklo would stand still and continue to watch over the injured oppressor before kneeling down and staring him in the eye.
"Anyone send you? What's the business with your men wanting me so much?" He'd wipe his mouth from blood pooling around his lip and spit onto the raccoon's Jacket with his bloodied saliva "Why would I tell you? I'm a dying man anyway I got nothing to lose, you hit me in the abdomen partnerrrrrrr!" Jaklo would inhale and let out a soft sigh before leaning over and pressing two fingers directly into the open wound and covering his mouth so the screaming wouldn't startle anyone. He'd shake and struggle at the pain and muffled yells and yelps would ring out from Scratch, the roof of the cabin behind them would collapse as the fire gradually digests the house and the body within it. "When I uncover your mouth, I want nothing but the truth from you. If this isn't the case I'm going to push my fucking fist in there." His mask of confidence would slip and would quickly nod his head, he was a coward at last at the hands of the retired leader. Retracting his now bloodied fingers from the wound and uncovering his mouth to allow him to release pants and quiet groans of an odd like relief.
"No! .. No one fucking sent me, I am a surgeon working under my own command and my past time hobbies are collecting the organs of the filth that reside in this fucking forest.. FOR MONEY!" Jaklo would believe it, although it wasn't the answer he was looking for and would continue to persistently ask questions "You have to work for someone, you recognise me and you know who I am. You know who Clovis is." Immediately, Scratch would fold again and give out his answers "Krover!! I work for Krover.. He's known as the Watchmaker, he's a doctor too he needs fresh organs, he doesn't tell me why but.. he pays me a pretty penny if I do the wet work for him." Jaklo's eyes would widen as would Ellis behind him as he gazed over his shoulder while tending the best he could to Rasmus' wounds "Krover?.. like Krover Limelight?" Ellis muttered and Jaklo looked back at him with a quiet sigh before staring back at Scratch "He was supposed to be on Death Row due for Execution last I heard, guessing he got broke out during the Prison Riot huh?"
Scratch would give a confused nod "I don't know man! I don't look that far into anyone I work with, he's always been tender to me I didn't see a fucking reason to do so!" Jaklo would push him down to the ground again and stand up looking down at him before offering him one last question "Where's the nearest town? My friend here said he knows one but I wanna confirm we're not walking in circles." Scratch would sit up to try to be compliant to his intimidator only to be immediately kicked down by Jaklo again "Aah! It's Archer's Haven, If you walk north from here you'll come across a slope leading to a mountain! At the top of it you'll peer down into a small valley and there should be a path down to it, The town's name is Archer's Haven!" Rasmus would nod and gaze over at him with reaffirmation "That's the town.. Archer's Haven, the town we were meant to reach before nightfall Jaklo."
Scratch would chuckle and wipe his backhand along his lip that was leaking blood, he didn't have very long at all to live and he knew this. "You'd be lucky surviving in that wreck of a town, total ghost town heh heh.. Literally" Jaklo would kneel in front of scratch and seem curious "Ghost town? Every town is a fucking ghost town nowadays.." Scratch would nod and sit back up again only this time he wasn't kicked down like before "Yes.. There's something lurking in that town, killed all the folk living there. It'll kill you too no doubt and I am sad I ain't gonna live to see it.. Some people say it's that Outsider that lurks around that area.. heh.. Fast Foward or.. FST-FWRD, one of the most strongest outsiders n-next to the Musician.. he'll kill you all." His breathing grew rasped and sounded similar to the rattled wheeze of a corpse giving its final breaths. Jaklo would stand again and turn to the rest of the group, Ellis still crouched and tending to Daisy while Rasmus would try his best to tend to his own wounds sitting on the ground. "Think it's worth it? We kind of need medical assistance here Ras" The wolf would seem confused as well "I heard the town was holding up pretty well, I guess times change. Especially when strong Outsiders get their noses in it."
While the rest of the group was distracted suddenly the reptile would use the last ounce of strength in his dying body and lunge himself across the grassy ground towards Daisy, Pulling out a device that was circular in design he pressed it onto her arm and snarled loudly. As soon as the device hit her arm allowing her to send a yelp into the forest at the sudden jolt of pain. He then went limp and still, like his job was done from here. "Death.. to you all.. May you feel the wrath of what's to come." Jaklo wouldn't allow him to cause anymore damage and then quickly drew his pistol that he hadn't used in some time and fire 2 shots into Scratch's back and one in his head, The Angler was dead. Gunfire would echo throughout the forest for a moment as a feeling of dread lingered over the group, the flames had consumed the entire cabin and thankfully the flames were big enough to almost engulf the entire area with light keeping the Bats away. Ellis would push the corpse off of Daisy and quickly stare down at her "You alright? What happened?" Rasmus would follow up behind Ellis and inspect the wound in her arm "What the hell did he hit you with?" Picking up the device, Daisy would clutch her arm with pain and wince "It.. It was like a syringe going in, feels like it almost hit my fucking bone" Daisy muttered through her teeth, it pained her for now but it didn't seem like anything serious.
The device was circular and had eyes and a nose and a mouth with fangs, it was in the design of a snake and it certainly was able to Bite. Questions remain, what was its purpose? The night went quiet and the dawn approached all the more quicker, the sun would glaze along the grassy land and the burned cabin and corpse that laid in front of it still with the fresh bullet wounds in his back and it seems now his satchel had been taken by the group that was here previously and fighting for their life. The previous items in that satchel laid beside the corpse that consisted of organs in medical bags that prevented contamination of the valuable organ inside. Other items consisted of the device used to bite onto Daisy and various medical gadgets as well, a heart wrapped up in a bag laid on the grassy floor closely to the corpse of Scratch. It seemed almost as if this is the place where it stopped beating despite being harvested many hours before this fight. A random bird would fly down, pecking at the back and causing the organ inside to twitch. The bird desperately trying to rip open the plastic again to get something to eat.
On the other side of the forest, Birds chirped happily as if nothing at all was wrong with the world, it was like a cruel façade to give those who witnessed their cheery behaviour and false hope that everything was truly okay. It was like this world was lulling you into a false sense of security to reassure you, at the same time it reminded you maybe nature was more pure than whatever civilisation had deteriorated into nowadays. Through the treeline, just a little bit off the path of the forest, there laid a small rundown shed, various leaves scattered along the top of it and it seemed to be made up entirely of scrap and other rusted metal, almost like if you simply grazed the walls, you'd hope your tetnaus shot was up to date. Inside wasn't much different, dim with one window and one door to feed light into the small room consisting of tools and other rundown equipment rendered unusable by time. Rasmus sat on the floor next to Daisy and comforting her, they had bandages on their wounds now and seemed to simply be healing thanks to the medical satchel they picked up generously from their previous attacker. Jaklo and Ellis sat opposite of them as the raccoon played around with the gun and the only magazine he had with approximately 6 bullets left in the cartridge to go. Setting the gun down he'd sigh and pull out the cigarettes from his pockets along with his trusty green gas lighter and lit one up, puffing out that sickening smoke and leaning his head back against the wall and gazing at the metal sheet that was meant to be a ceiling.
"Still surprising to see you smoking cigarettes, Jaklo." Ellis would state, looking over at him to which Jaklo would shoot his eyes over to stare into Ellis'. "Picked it up a little while after I lost contact with you guys." Jaklo stated before taking another hit and the response made Ellis scoff "Guessing you picked up a habit for killing as well then? You've never killed in your life." The raccoon would roll his eyes and tap the butt of the cigarette, staring at the floor and avoiding eye contact "I'm just doing what needs to be done for us to survive El, it seemed tough back in our days I know, but this is a whole different story. There is animals out there and it's honestly survival of the fittest now.. we need to adapt, those days are over." Ellis would sigh and not seem to be short fused this time like he was last time, reassuringly laying a hand on his shoulder and gently squeezing Jaklo while he took another hit from the cigarette. "I can't help but feel there's something eating away at you, I know what happened before is tough, but you're losing yourself Jaklo.. Seems like you're the one who needs to adapt, not me." The raccoon would grow silent for a moment and drop the cigarette onto the floor and biting his nails quietly in stress while Ellis talked "You don't seem to mind killing, but that time I shot one of the Musician's guys back at Rasmus' house is still eating away at me, I felt like vomiting earlier when I sat and thought about it. Puppets or not.. they were people before.. Do you get that feeling of guilt too Jaklo?"
His ringed tail would flick anxiously behind him and he'd stare up at Ellis with an emotionless gaze "All the time, I'm not about to let that stop me from doing what I need to do however. Eye for an eye, right? That's what you want with that bastard.. You're a hypocrite." Jaklo narrowed his eyes, speaking in a monotone and judging voice while Ellis would sigh in frustration and look away "When I invited you out onto this little revenge mission, I expected us killing the Musician and his main associates to be the only exception where we would spill blood.. I thought about it over and over and people like Clovis and The Musician are nothing but monsters, they aren't people.. Why wouldn't I want to kill them? But.. killing those people who are brainwashed by him doesn't feel right at all.. They don't know any better, it isn't their fault." Jaklo would explode suddenly, in a burst of anger like before in response
"That Scratch guy was a cold blooded murderer! You expect me to feel sympathy for him? The others are so far gone they aren't people anymore, they're zombies! you stupid bastard.. Maybe if you just looked after Rosco that night with Arasai this wouldn't have happened, I know for a fact you were still awake.. You thought Rosco was common street trash, didn't you? Well so were we at one point, I Seen Myself in him Ellis. You don't seem like you cared at all about what happened to him, and I'm the bad guy?! Your only fucking intentions are killing the Musician to stop this world from descending further into chaos, you never cared about him.." Jaklo looked down and growled to himself, his fur was standing on end as the rage boiled inside of him. "Well I tell you what.. I'm doing this for Rosco, I don't give a fuck about this world anymore. Why should I? It's done nothing but hurt me.. Done nothing but take from me.. Done nothing but fuck me over! I'm doing this because it is what Rosco would want.. I'm not letting that bastard take his life and get away with it! All for a fucking PLAN.."
The bearded dragon's eyes would widen as he moved back from Jaklo, clearly surprised at the constant ranting and for a moment he'd find himself to be speechless. The raccoon's expression angered and strained as he snapped in that moment. Daisy would yell over trying to intervene while Rasmus remained silent, not exactly wanting to intervene as much as Daisy was trying to "Cut it out Jaklo! What the fuck Dude? You got a fucking stick up your ass or something? You too Ellis, We almost died and you two wanna bitch about the past? Grow the fuck up." Yet Jaklo pursued Ellis even more, completely ignoring Daisy as Jaklo continued to complain in a moment of pure malice for everything that stood against him, including his friends at the moment. "He was a son to me, shamed by everyone because he was a fucking Outsider like me! I was the only one to take him in and nurture him and give him a life and a fucking family! His mom didn't give two fucks about him, You're always so quick to resent people, trust issues or not he was a fucking kid!! He meant no harm to you! OR anyone else!" Ellis would instead fire back "Oh so you wanna pin all of this on me do you? You had that ability back then when that fucker capped him.. why didn't you use it to save him?! And you call me the Hypocrite?" Jaklo would hold his tongue for a moment and he grew saddened before firing back once more "I.. I tried.. Something wouldn't let me" His tone grew more quieter and saddened "I tried over and over and had to witness him dying over.. and over and over.. It seemed like no matter how much I tried there was no scenario where he lived, something else was controlling the situation and wouldn't allow me to save him."
The shed grew quiet instead of the back and fourth argument, Ellis would still remain infuriated that he was blamed for everything and would get up and walk outside "I'm getting some air, I can't stay here right now." Slamming the door open it would shut again by itself, Jaklo continued to sit quietly as an aura of sadness surrounded him while he stared at the floor. Rasmus would stare over at him with a half-hearted smile of reassurance "It's no one's fault Jaklo, it's all entirely up to fate even if you have the ability to control that. I didn't myself, still kick myself for what happened during the day spent with no ears and what happened to my unit--" He was quickly interrupted by shouting outside that sent a chill up everyone's spine "JAKLO! GET THE FUCK.. OUT HERE NOW!!" It was a voice they remembered all too well, The Dime had arrived at their front door "I have your little boyfriend out here with me! I will not hesitate to blow his brains all over the floor, throw your weapons out the door and walk out with those paws up in the sky, boy!" A warning shot would be fired off through the window completely shattering it.
Quickly standing to his feet, the raccoon would peek outside and that similar feeling of dread would return to him, Ellis laid along the floor limp almost as if he was either dead or knocked out, Judging by what the dime stated Ellis was definitely still alive. Quickly looking over towards Rasmus who was crumbled up in the corner afraid of the men that invoked his trauma in the first place, he quickly shook his head almost as if he knew what Jaklo was going to ask "Rasmus.. Ras.. I need you to.. take this gun and fire off a couple of shots as soon as I get outside, it's the best idea I have right now otherwise we're all dead. Understand?" The veteran would hesitate momentarily but he'd sigh and hold out his hand to which Jaklo would throw the gun towards him, gesturing Daisy to follow "Gotta make it look like it's only us three here okay? Daisy come with me, I trust a soldier has a good shot Rasmus.. There's only what looks to be four of them out there including The Dime. I can't see anymore goons with them"
Standing to his feet as would Daisy as she struggled to walk, Taking her by the hand he'd smile reassuringly as they slowly walk towards the door "That solider cares for you immensely, he won't miss I promise. I got you and I won't let go" Daisy was just as worried, shivering and unable to really say anything other than "I got a a bad feeling Jaklo.. I really do man." He'd Splay his paw along the door and take a deep breath in as to focus and he could only imagine what is waiting for him outside "No need to worry, just follow my lead okay?". Pushing it open quickly he'd step outside slowly and raise his hands "Only us two in here, I'm unarmed and so is Ellis" The Dime would smirk aiming what looked to be a handgun at him while the three goons held assault rifles and other advanced weaponry "Damn! Three's company! I surely hope four isn't a party. There isn't another shithead hiding in there is there?" Jaklo would shake his head "No.. Everyone's terrified of you they would've complied and walked out with us" He stated simply to stroke the Dime's ego a little and ensure he doesn't get angry, he takes it kindly and laughs "That's much appreciated! I'm just happy I finally caught up to you little fuckers.. I haven't forgotten what your girlfriend there did to me, not one bit."
Jaklo stared over at Daisy then back at Clovis "Look.. She shot you out of defence and didn't mean any harm--" Before he could finish Clovis would interrupt him again "I DON'T GIVE A FUCK! I don't accept any fucking APOLOGIES around here get it?? That wound is still fucking killing me!.. Thank god that little runt Scratch tagged her with a tracker before you iced him haha, he was finally useful for something instead of going around collecting organs like a weirdo!.. Why am I even talking? Tag him Mikey!! Light her up boys! NOW!" A sharp prick on Jaklo's neck would send a shiver down his spine from how cold his neck became, he felt himself becoming weaker and his legs struggled to hold his body up as he stumbled. Someone behind him quickly injected him with what appeared to be a syringe full of something.. as he turned around gazing at a man holding a syringe before falling back onto the floor. He'd helplessly gaze over at Daisy as she stood there like a deer in headlights, guns would fire across and completely riddle the mother in bulletholes. She'd fall back onto the floor dead in an instant while Jaklo struggled, his pupils dilating over and over again desperately trying to use his ability, but he couldn't do much of anything at all now he was drugged and slowly succumbing to fatigue. The last thing he'd hear before drifting off was an angry Rasmus from the window firing off every shot in the gun and it was unsure whether he landed any of them, most likely not due to his sheer anger over the loss of someone he deeply cared about.
Daisy was dead, Jaklo couldn't save her in his weak state and now her body laid like a pincushion for bullets on the floor. His insomnia wouldn't let the drug work on him easy though as he drifted in and out of consciousness just enough to see the commotion of men walk around him and lift the body, throwing it into the shed to let it decay while another man approached Jaklo from the left. Through his blurred vision he was only able to see just enough before he got close and crouched down to stare him directly in the eyes, with that sinister grin latched on his face that could not be mistaken at all, it was him and he was celebrating the victory of finally being able to catch up to his old friend, The Musician. "Rest up easy dear prince.. You travelled far enough, It's so refreshing to finally see you in person again. How many years has it been Jaklo? It's almost poetic that I first met you when I was at my lowest point while you were at your highest.. Now you're at your lowest point.. while I'm at my highest." Moving a paw over he'd eerily caress the raccoon's cheek showing an odd sense of care for him while resenting him at the same time. Jaklo couldn't keep his eyes open any longer and he succumbed to the drug finally as thoughts continued to overwhelm his mind, Was Rasmus Alive? Did they lose? Was Ellis even alive as well? Is this the end? He didn't know at all, for now it was permanently darkness.