A subtle sound, almost like the fast paced ticking of a clock, reverberated through the surroundings. It's eerie noise leaving my stomach in a knot. I looked to Scott for guidance, yet he did not utter a word. Simply staring intently in its direction. And so I did the same. Waiting and waiting and waiting, until he finally moved. Running swiftly past tree and bush, his movements were skilled and precise, almost too difficult for me to follow. Issola chose to remain close behind, voluntarily watching our flank.
As we ran through the forest, I wondered what sort of beast we were going to encounter. I had already seen one of the creatures of death before. A Reaper is what it was called in the beastiary.
Though my thoughts didn't last long as we soon found ourselves in a small clearing, with barely any cover to hide behind.
And there in the centre of it all, stood the creature that we had been hunting. I perhaps would've said it looked majestic had I not payed attention to it's appearance.
It's figure revolting, it looked slim and boney with dark slime that oozed off and down its sides. There were 2 large ears that moved as if they were themselves, alive. It's face held no eyes or mouth, I wondered how it ate. Small holes lined its neck, opening and closing, quick and rhythmically. That seemed to be where the clicking was from.
Scott watched the creature, waiting to make his next move before finally, the beasts ears pointed away from us. Scott sprinted towards the beast, covering the distance in almost an instant. Though it seemed that it noticed him, it's ears now pointing directly to Scott.
Too bad that in the next moment, it's head was no longer a part of its body.
Looked easy enough, just gotta wait for its ears to turn away before decapitating it in one swing...
Maybe Scott wasn't the best teacher when it came to on-field practice.
I looked back at Issola, gauging her reaction-
Oh my god! Why are there 5 of them attacking her? Where did they even come from? How fucking unlucky does one have to be to-
One of the beasts arms flew towards my face. Ducking, I barely avoided it. Too bad for the tree though, as some of the goo melted through.
The same monster had began to run. Seems like they're somewhat intelligent. Thinking that it was some easy kill, I decided to follow. I ran behind, keeping an eye on the trail of black slime on the ground.
- - - - -
Wait... where am I? It didn't feel like I had been running too long. Trees were all I could see. The same trail that I had been following seemed to abruptly stop.
In the next moment, I could hear the clicking once more. Turning my head from left to right, I tried to follow the sound, but it seemed to be moving, and fast.
*Click*
*Click*
*Click*
...
It abruptly stopped?
*Screeeeech*
"Fuck", the creature lunged towards me from behind a bush. Its dissected wound still bleeding.
Its force pushing me to the ground, it's figured pressing me to the ground. Our faces so close, I found myself staring into the eyes of the beast, or rather where a pair of them would have been. A rush of Deja vu hit me. Why do I always find myself on the fucking grooooound!
I tried to push my blade up, trying to shove it off me.
But it wouldn't budge.
A drop of the slime fell on my cheek.
*ssssssss*
"That hurts goddammit!".
The beats abdomen began to part, showing an array of razor sharp teeth and a long slimy tongue that made me upset in my stomach.
"WHEN DOES IT FUCKING END!".
Noticing a rock in my peripheral, I picked it up, before slamming it into the side of its head. The subtle stun from the impact, giving me enough time to break free.
"Haaah", I stood up, letting out a deep breath. "Now let's fucking go".
I watched the creature get up on its feet once more. Pulling my sword, I pointed it towards my opponent's neck.
"You should've taken a shower before you came here!", I taunted the beast. "Oh shit".
Screeching again, it tried to pull of the same move twice. Though this time, I knew it was coming.
"You're"
I dodged to the side.
"A fucking"
I slashed at its legs, watching it collapse.
"Twat".
I stabbed it in the back.
"Phew, that was wayyyy harder than it should've been", I stretched my back. "How does it even screech when it doesn't have a mouth?".
Following the black trail back, I found the two of them leaning on a tree, chatting.
"You know... I could've died back there", I was out of breath.
"We thought you could deal with it, plus we had to take care of the rest", Issola looked to the 2 dozen bodies laid out in the snow.
"Now you guys are just showing off", I said defeatedly, falling back onto the cold snow, trying to catch some breath.
Scott chuckled, a bit.
My eyes twitched, It would be so easy to tell him I know what happened back at the house and wipe that smirk clean off his face. Alas, I am a generous and merciful man...
"Issola, told me you handed me change back at the house 'cause you thought I was asking for pocket money...", I said with a straight face. "Like how did you even think I was asking such a thing in that situation.
I shook my head side to side, shrugging my shoulders and sighing.
Scott's face turned stiff, his jaw almost dropping. Though this shock didn't last long, before an aura so dense with the intent to kill, arose. You would honestly probably suffocate if you got too close.
A smug smile on my face, I looked to see how Issola was reacting-
Issola? ISSOLA?!
Shit...