While Donald laid up in his bed still sleeping soundly something had begun writhing through his gut. Red hot fire coarsed through his veins a burning blood wrecking amock within him, a sudden jolt of pain knocked him from his slumber for a moment chiding him to let out a blood curdling scream."KHAHHHhh! GRAHHTT KHAAA kuhg!" His hands like claws scratched and grasped at his throat trying to alienate the suffocating pressure in his throat. His muscles spammed and tense stealing away conrtor from. the freshly conscious Donald in a daze of furry. Thrashing about he coughed of boughts of green and black blood, a putrid stench filled his nose, not that he paid it much attention. Lines of blue hued silver pulsed and threatened to Crack his veins coatin his body in a web of snaking silver lines. They crawled across his skin threatening to tear him apart, the right half of his face warped and melded like putty. Gnashing teeth and hagorous mouths latched and chomed in a frenzy as black green scales webbed across his neck and face." Hungry..." in a daze as his flesh warped and cracked like paper mache as he crawled about laid up in a pool of inhuman blood. Donald mearly crawled and grasped upon anything it could find, chairs, silverware, the bedframe, even the tablecloth all greedily filled his gullet but it was not enough.
Unaware of the horror scene happening within his room a fellowship of 7 had made it's way into the town. The shrine preists walked cloaked through the town. Clanking rings and russles of beads taped lightly dampened by thin rags wrapped about the heads of their staff's. With poise they strode in with not slight trouble from the guards after identifying themselves from the church. a few of the younger men looked quite tense and jumped at the slightest startle. This was their first hunt and It brought them only little comfort to know the experience of their leadership. softly one man whispered to their leader "Sir Caplan what is our plan, we cannot just start a riot in the streets"
"Calm yourself" Caplan spoke to ease his nerves " we shall not cause a riot, first let us find anyone that was at the scene, well check in with the local guild. Considering the proximity they should know something or at the Verry least be trying to investigate themselves."
"Aye" Drake responded" It's best to gather information first, the demon could be anywhere so we must trad carefully, best to not scare him off les we lose his trail."
" I see thank you for the insight" the junior bowed his head in thanks falling back into line as they continued their walk through the street. They attracted attention due to how small the town was, not many newcomers came around these parts, but most thought nothing of it getting back to their tasks and work. Soon they had arrived at the guild the same old ramshackle building and rough hewn sallon doors welcoming the party just as any other to enter the place. Sadly this had drawn much unwanted attention, suddenly a scilence drew upon the bar that lined the first floor of the guild house. Drunkards paused in their drink sizing up the newcomers with a cold eye, their shady demeanor did not assist much as soon one man quite stout stood up from his seat. His brown hair messing combed ruffled as he walked, he wore a grey blue tunic with leather pants, quite casual though looking ready for work.His short sword laid sheathed at his side as he approached the men.
"NOW what might you folks be doin in these parts, we don't get many travelers round here ya see." He appeared calm as he came uncomfortably close to Caplan who appeared to be the top dog.
"aye relax we've come here on business no need to be so hasty good sir." taking a step back he raised his hands in a form of goodwill." Me and my friends here don't mean any trouble to you all or nothin."
"Business ya say well what kind of business requires so many men in such a small town as this hmm?" seeming to encroach further the brown haired man calmly rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. Drake, Belus ant the others behind Caplan became tense at this tightened the grip on their staff's a low buzz of mana chasing through the air. The tension ran thick through the air waiting for the other to make a first move till it was shattered by the loud grumbling of a burly man.
Gridus stood stock and hardy, his chest bare covered by hair and a few scraps of plate& cloth. He strode from behind the counter his overbearing demeanor creating a pressure on the quarleimg partys."NOW what seems to be the problem." His voice was measured and calm but inside his eyes lied a raging whirlwind that shattered The tension to peices as both parties relented and separated.
"Not a problem here boss." the brown haired man spoke weakly quickly scurrying back off to the bar to die and drown his face in booze.
"Boss you say?" Caplan looked intrigued as he quickly sized up the mountain of a man before offering his hand to shake.
Gridus accepted the shake with a firm grasp each threatening to crush the others hand before they released one another. Breaking the scilence Gridus spoke" The names Gridus now what might bring you fine fellows to our humble establishment?" He spoke with a slight smile the picture of hospitality and service.
"Oh where are my manners" Caplan spoke retracing back on himself " You can simply call me Caplan ,and these are my compatriots Belus and Drake aswell as a few of our juniors." He gave a light wave of gesture. "As I had told that kind gentleman from before we have come here on a sort of business as you say." as he spoke Drake their scout had begun observing the room and slowly began weaving together his demon pulse eye, it was a slow process that he casted while Caplan tried to interact with Gridus. "you see we mean no harm we have come to warn you and ask in your cooperation in a certain delicate matter." He spoke softly as not to be heard by the rabble about the bar.
"Delicate matter you say what could you be coming to warn us about? We've already been up to our knees in looking for that blasted monster running amok in the forest." Crossing his arms he looked slightly peved at the mention of concern but listened nonetheless.
" Ah so you do know of it that makes things easier. You see we have reason to believe that the 'monster' you speak of is actually a..." Caplain leaned in close to wisper in Gridus's ear, "A Deamon..." stepping back he continued to speak" Don't be alarmed my comrade Drake here can detect demonic fluctuations, originally we had come in search of intruders that broke into our temple but once we'd caught onto its tail we could not allow it to roam free."
Gridus scratched his chin in thought before he spoke" Aye that is quite...problematic." Tapping on his chin he spoke once more." we were all really tracking it before this but without luck, if we can We shall provide our assistance to get rid of the beast but it appears you've might have to do this alone. I don't know how much help we would be."
Caplan's face was a beaming smile as he quickly grasped Gridus'es hand. "Thank you good sir any assistance would be heaven sent now, we think it may be hiding somewhere around the town. from how well it hid its tracks it must be able to cloak or disguise itself. quite the troub-" Being cut off Drake suddenly spoke up, his pulse eye finally picking up on traces rapidly blinking and flying out from the upstairs of the building.
"Sir I think the beast is in this verry building.
Alarmed "WHAT!" Caplan exclaimed" Drake you surely jest what do you mean in the building.
"Sir demonic energy is flooding out from upstai--" suddenly a bloodcurdling scream broke through the quiet of the town rattling ones bones as a sudden backlash coarsed through the pulse eye. craking and fizzled out as energy arcs ran amock around his right eye, crying tears of blood. Thrown to the floor everyone quickly became alert, before every one as if on que began running up the stairs to the source of the sound, Gridus helping Drake up and following quickly behind. blackened energy seeped under the door and ghoulish screams could be heard from the room
"That's Donald's room what in the hell is goin on." Gridus shouted but was quickly drowned out by the sound of Belus trying to kick in the door but it didn't budge no matter how hard his scrawny frame tried.