Skrid was gasping heavily while kneeling on the ground. Blood ran from the corners of his mouth as he glared at the man in front of him. Skrid cursed himself for the lack off offensive skills he had. Unbeknownst to Yaren, Skrids strength lied in his abnormal regeneration abilities. Having focused most of his life on trying to enhance his defensiveness and regeneration, Skrid couldn't help but reproach himself for his decisions to hold off on any helpful combative skills. Skrid was mustering his energy to dodge the mans attack when paused, looking over towards the other fight.
The man no longer found this amusing. The higher upside would not appreciate them being held back like this. The man was about to crush the opponent in fron of him when his faced twisted into shock and disbelief. He had sensed his partner use her Mana earlier, causing him to paused as he looked in her direction. As his eyes focused on the scene in front of him, he noticed the other gnoll laying folded faced first on the ground. His wandered further to side, exploding with horror as his jaw slowly dropped. His eyes nearly bulging out of his skull he froze, unable to process the startling turn in events.
The woman laughed hysterically as she saw the gnoll in front of her laying on the ground. Realizing that the area was strangely quiet, the woman looked over to see a huge bald man staring at her.
The stupefied look plastered on the mans face caused the woman to tilt her her head in confusion, noticing the man staring around her chest, his eyes unmoving. The womans gaze was slowly drawn down to where his slight was concentrated. Embedded deeply into her chest was a pitch black axe, the handle pressed against her stomach as the edge of the axe peeked through the back of her chest. The womans arms slowly moved towards the handle, the effort required left the woman jarred as her eyes found the eyes of the mans once more.
Seemingly attempting to give a few finals words to her partner the womans mouth opened as a despondent smile spread from her lips. No words managed to escape from the woman, as blood tricked from the corners of her mouth her elbows slumped to the side of her body with her lifeless hands still placed on the handle of axe.
The mans body quaked as a myriad of emotions flashed amongst his face. Looking down at his hands, several moments passed as silence continued to permeate the area. The tension grew as the mans demeanor shifted.
He looked at Skrid his dour expression causing a chill down Skrids spine. "Do you understand me Gnoll?" The mans deep voiced boomed with a melancholic tone.
Skrids mind raced as he tried to process the dynamic change in events. Although he hadn't seen what happened during Yarens confrontation, the same scene that played out before the man had for Skrid as well.
Skrids body, although batterered repeatedly had healed to a degree unexpected of Beasts his level. His condition was much better than it has appeared, giving his some hope he would be able to launch one last surprise attack on the man. Although not very strong by any standards he had slowly been working on increasing the firepower of his [Surging Mountain Force]. Skrid considered this his ace, as using the skill expended considerable effort on his body's part.
Suddenly the air around him vibrated as the man turned towards his, "Do you understand me Gnoll?" His voice boomed.
Skrid chuckled meekly as he met the mans gaze. "And what if I do?" He replied as he spat a mouthful of blood.
"You Beasts have made a grave mistake for your village. The force behind us found that woman particularly intresting." He motioned towards the deceased woman. "Consider yourself lucky our Mana has been sealed. Otherwise we would have obliterated all of you by now, including the coward hiding in the trees."
Skrids pursed his lips as he asked " Your Mana is sealed? What are you people here for in the first place?"
The man looked down a Skrid with a questioning gaze. "If you don't know why we're here, why did you mess with us in the first place?" Seeing Skrids eyes lower as he slowly shook his head the man continued speaking.
"It doesn't matter. We're after someone very valuable to the man in charge. At this rate she has probably arrived at the village nearby." He let out a defeated laugh as he slung his mace over his shoulder. "Don't take this personally, but I have to end this now. Things got out of hand here. Don't be too worried though, that little village of yours will be joining you all in the afterlife."
The man suddenly barreled forward swinging his mace down with great force. Skrid appeared to be at the end of his leash, however his incredible regeneration allowed him to recover a little bit of energy. Skrid leaped to the aside as the mace hammered into the ground. The man, surprised the Skrid still had the ability to move hadn't anticipated the gnoll dodging him, causing his mace to be buried into the dirt.
"This is my last bolt!" A voice rang out from the dense thicket of trees surrounding the two. A crossbow bolt whistled through the air as it struck the man in his forearm. Skrids eyes twinkled as he recognized the chance in front of him, burying his feet into the ground he propelled himself towards the man with as much force as possible.
[Surging Mountain Force] !
Skrid unleashed his skill with all the might contained in his body. He swung his sword with incredible momentum as in sank into the mans side.
The man felt a searing pain in his side as he saw the gnolls sword stuck in his side. The man laughed viciously as he twisted his body to the side, the sword still embedded within him. "You monsters are always in the tricky side." He growled as he unleashed a devastating punch to Skrids ribs, causing him to go plunging into the trunk of a tree.
Skrid coughed up several mouths of blood as he gaped for breath. That single punch wrecked havoc to his insides, breaking several bones in process as well. He struggled to maintain his vision as his blurred vision tried to focus onto the man. His ability to see flashed in and out as he barely made out the man tearing his mace from the ground, and taking slow, heavy steps towards him, Skrids sword still embedded into the mans side. Heavy foot steps sounded in his ears as the skewed image of a man appeared before him. The mans gaze felt heavy upon Skrids body as he awaited death.
"You have made my life hell, now I'm going to send you to it you fucking mutt."
Skrid closed his eyes he saw the man raise his mace above his head. Waiting for the impending end of his life he thought of his wife, Yewbed as he shed a tear.
A loud crashing sound came soon after, however it wasn't the impact of the mans mace upon Skrids body.
" Argghh! What the fuck is this!!" The man bellowed wildly as a large jet black wolf crashed into him, it's large jaws clamping around his arm as it thrashed it head wildly. The man screamed in pain as his arm started to turn black around the area he was bitten, spreading at an alarming speed the longer the wolf's jaws held onto him.
Panicking at the strange energy corroding his arm, the mans entire being erupted with a radiant light as he let loose an unbridled roar. The blinding light concentrated on the mans fist as he swung it towards the large wolf tearing apart his other arm.
[Spiteful Buddhists Fist]
The fist radiated an intense light as it soared towards the body off the wolf. With a yelp, the jaws of the wolf let go of his arm as it flew into the foliage.
Sensing that the wolf was still alive, he acknowledged that this was no ordinary beast. No longer having any reserves the man was about to follow suit to end the wolfs life when he sensed intense danger, however before he could act a sword enshrouded in an sinister darkness erupted from the middle of his stomach.
"Thank you." Came a rough voice, lain with sadism. The man was paralyzed, unable to move an inch as the unnatural darkness started to cover his body.
"Yakukukuku." An old, decrepit voice wheezed with laughter. "Truly interesting this is to see one of you here." It cackled with glee as a what could barely be called a man fell from a tall branch. His eyes trained on the man In front of him sparkled with delight as he pulled out a staff composed of a bright red wood and dull purple gem planted at its crown.
Skrid waited for what felt like an eternity for the mans blow to come and crush his skull. Hearing the pained roar of the man Skrid strained to open his eyes, toiling with great pain to lift his head high enough to see what was happening. His eyes widening slightly as he was able to discern what was happening before resting his head back and letting out a sigh of relief.
After all, if that wolf was here than that meant Fragnir wasn't far behind.