|
Post by Charon Nachtweber on May 25, 2016 17:48:12 GMT -8
What was that? What. Was. THAT?! the Death Collar...the mockery of his people and their sufferings hung around the mongrel's neck! That collar made f the teeth of his clan, ripped from their skulls like...like...like trophies! A sibilant hiss began building in Charon's throat. He would not stand for this insult. Were some of those teeth his sister's? His father's? His dear mother's? Silver claws gripped tighter to the wall and then released, pushing away from the human stonework. The white monster below him would pay!
Charon's falling flight wast interrupted by the very tapestry he had used to climb up the wall. the woven art tangled against his foot and swung him closer to the wall than he intended. Instead of dropping on top of Soren, he landed slightly behind. The old Nosferatu improvised, slashing at the wolf's hind legs and tail with his claws.
|
|
|
Post by Soren Shepard on May 25, 2016 17:48:40 GMT -8
He didn't hear the undead being drop beside him as much as he felt a slight shift in the air and there was no doubt about it that his natural agility saved him from a debilitating blow. Instincts cried out and the young Spiral spun around and almost out of reach from the Nosferatu's wild strike. Even then it wasn't fast enough to avoid a hit. Claws cut shallow marks through fur and into flesh and they were accompanied by the burn of a thousand suns. Silver!
The Garou let out a surprised yelp before he snarled savagely, swiping a massive paw back at Charon before springing forward in a quick lunge with jaws seeking to snap shut on any limb he could get a hold of. White hot rage washed over Soren as he sought to close distance with his prey. He could feel his wound burning, but he could still move and function. He'll it was just a scratch by most standards and he'd been hit with worse as a pup. He would rip this offending creature clean apart if he got the chance. There would be no mercy.
|
|
|
Post by Charon Nachtweber on May 25, 2016 17:49:09 GMT -8
That paw was massive! The bludgeoning mass of white fur and ripping claws swiped at Charon. Rather than dodge, the old Nosferatu let it slam him in the chest. He latched on with his claws and wrapped his spindly legs around Soren's limb. For added measure, Charon sunk his shark-like teeth into the joint. If he could damage Soren's wrist, then the damned monster couldn't run and leap on all fours.
As his teeth broke skin, a burning and bitter flavor flooded his mouth. The flavor was worse than Garou blood normally tasted. This was nauseating. Charon felt his stomach turn and his gorge rise. He was well prepared, wasn't he? Charon spat out the fur and blood, trying very hard to not vomit up all of his stomach contents. Ugh!
Charon's eyes narrowed. He couldn't have done this preparation himself. He had his elders behind him. Well then this was the night he died. Like hell he would die alone!
"RRRRRRRAAAAAHH!"
Charon swiped at Soren's elbow, looking to lay the wolf's forearm bare to the bone. Let him bleed out that tainted blood!
|
|
|
Post by Soren Shepard on May 25, 2016 17:49:36 GMT -8
Soren let out a howl of rage when the old Nosferatu grabbed onto his arm and had the audacity to bite him. Did Charon actually think he would be so unprepared as to fall victim to a bite? Even then, the bite itself was still devastating in its own right. A chunk of fur and flesh was torn violently away in a spray of blood. All the pain did was fuel the rage further and his next howl rang clear across the whole school.
"GAROUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"
Rather than tray and shake the undead being off Soren pulled him closer and raked his free paw across Charon's back while jaws sought out a more pressing issue: silver claws. If he could get his jaws around a spindly little wrist then his bite strength would be enough to either tear the offending limb right of or break the bones so badly the claws would be useless. A swipe at his elbow was all the Garou needed for an opening and he let Charon's strike hit even as jaws clamped around the monsters arm. Knowing the Nosferatu wouldn't take that Soren threw his weight behind an impromptu body slam in an attempt to crush the life out of his prey.
|
|
|
Post by Charon Nachtweber on May 25, 2016 17:49:59 GMT -8
Charon screamed in agony as the flesh was flayed from his back. He arched in pain, baring his teeth in a micro facsimile of Soren's fangs. Time was running out and he had only a few tricks left to him.
He released his grip on the wolf and tried to avoid his snapping jaws. An idea was forming in his mind about his claws and that gullet; for now he needed another route of attack. Soren's blood coated the old monster...that would be a sufficient tool! As the wolf body slammed, the vampire swirled a shape onto the wolf's fur in blood. Like their previous battle, this blood spell was aimed at making the wolfish senses go dark and deaf. Charon gasped in pain and felt his ribs crush under Soren's full weight. The next bite, Charon would aim his claws at the roof of Soren's mouth. If he could pierce that thin bone, it was conceivable he could kill the wolf, or permanently injure him. If he failed, he was as good as dead.
|
|
|
Post by Soren Shepard on May 25, 2016 17:50:22 GMT -8
Soren was growing more and more agitated as his jaws snapped closed on nothing but air. Had his human mind been more present he would have been impressed that the old Nosferatu could still move that fast. It wasn't until he lost his sense of smell that the Spiral new he was in trouble if this didn't end soon. He knew Charon had the ability to cast spells with blood. He'd done it before when they had played their little kill game many moons ago. First smell would go, then his hearing, followed by sight.... It had left him vulnerable and had Charon not shown mercy for whatever reason Soren knew his life would have ended that night.
A slight opening of Charon's throat had the Spiral instinctively going for a kill. What happened next was all a blur to the Garou. The old Nos was clever and had played on the young beta's lack of experience and failing restraint when he brought silver claws in line of the strike. There was no time to dodge or to pull back. In fact even with all his natural speed Soren was only able to just turn his head enough to prevent a blow that would have ripped his lower jaw clean off. Charon's claws raked up along side his jaw, cutting deep red lines before plunging into his left eye socket.
The burning of the silver and the pain of his injuries was enough to let the rage fully take over. He pulled back in a pained cry so severe that only a fellow Garou would understand how badly he'd been hurt. The world had turned into a red haze and Soren's only remain thoughts were to kill. Kill the thing that had dared to hurt him this bad. He stood up to his full 10 foot height and bellowed back at Charon, reaching out and securing a grip on the old thing before hurling him at the closet wall with all the strength he possessed.
He dropped to all fours to stalk forward and finish the job but the forearm Charon had cut to the bone gave out. Another howl of rage ripped out of the bloody animal as he stood back up on two feet, his lone eye seeking out the Nosferatu.
|
|
|
Post by Charon Nachtweber on May 25, 2016 17:50:45 GMT -8
He was alive!
Charon hurt all over. He could barely breathe and the last forceful throw had broken his left shoulder, but he was still alive. Strategically, there was no winning; his back was to the wall and he was facing a ten foot tall bloody Garou. Both of them were debilitated. Soon, one of them would be dead and the other would need intensive care if they were going to survive. All in all, it was a glorious fight!
Charon panted and narrowed his eyes at the beast. Why had the other Garou not stepped in to harry him? The brown mutt was hanging back, watching. Was this a pup, come to see the great Lord Death fall? She didn't join in the slaughter...why not? Charon pushed the thought out of his mind and stilled himself. Soren couldn't see him...Charon dabbed his wounds slowly and melted into the shadows. He had one last big play left before he died. And before that, a special attack. The broken old Nosferatu stalked as quietly as he could around Soren. He would pounce the white, now red, wolf and bury his lethal claws into Soren's ribs. Soren would likely bite him, so let him find the bite to be poison. Turn about being fair play and all...
Charon prepared to spring, making one final gesture with his talons. Let his blood burn like silver in the demon's mouth! Charon leaped from the shadows and snarled. This was his end. He would take Soren down with him and let his final chapter be his bloodiest of all!
|
|
|
Post by Soren Shepard on May 25, 2016 17:51:04 GMT -8
He hurt all over. His face was on fire and his breathing was coming in short pained gasps. The silver was definitely talking it's toll on the beast. The blasted stuff was as caustic as ever and it currently felt like his insides were being dissolved. The Spiral's natural healing was all but null and it was surprising that he was even still functioning with his current wounds. A clawed hand reached up to scratch at his mangled face in an attempt to stop the burn and assess the damage but pulled back almost immediately with a whimper. He'd have to deal with that later.... if there was a later. Right now there were more pressing issues and his normal human self was able to see through the red haze enough to realize that. Soren attempted to push through Charon's spell and pinpoint his location since his eyes were damn near useless.
The muffled sound of boots pushing off of stone was all the indication the Garou needed to know that Charon was coming. The last time the Old thing had him in this position he had attacked from behind. Soren spun on his heels with uncanny speed and caught Charon mid leap, jaws clamping hard on the things head with enough force to crush a skull as Charon's momentum took them booth to the floor in a splatter of blood. Even so he didn't come out unscathed as silver claws buried themselves deep within his chest. A pained whine mixed with a howl escaped though bloody teeth as the white wolf struggled to pry his body away Charon. He couldn't run, he couldn't hide, and his senses were still dulled by the blood-weavers spell, but he did know if he couldn't get away form the claws he was as good as dead.
|
|
ri
New Member
Posts: 17
|
Post by ri on May 25, 2016 17:51:29 GMT -8
Aishe watched the battle intently, wincing and whining quietly as the titans clashed against each other again and again. They were evenly matched; if Soren had not received the gifts from the nation, he would likely be dead instead of holding his own. The Nachtweber was ferocious and unpredictable.
The verses for her tale were enacting themselves before her with each slash and snap of fangs. Aishe waited until all fell silent before approaching. Soren was a mess: gore oozed from his face and jaws, blood dyed his fur red, and the mangled corpse of the monster hung limp from his jaws with his silver claws buried in Soren's chest.
A weak struggle for Soren galvanized her movements. He still lived! Quickly, she grabbed the bony corpse and tugged. The silver needed to be removed before it killed Soren. Her growls of effort mingled with the burning in her paws. Charon had turned his blood toxic, making the removal even more necessary.
Where were the humans? Aishe howled, trying to get their attention. It seemed to be of no avail until she saw movement from the corner of her eye. Looking, it proved to be only a wizard's portrait moving in the frame. She growled at it and pointed back to the Great Hall. It spoke to her, but she ignored it in favor or trying to remove the silver claws from Soren without damaging him further.
No matter what she did, she couldn't get a good grip on the leather mounting the articulated silver gauntlet. She sat back and calmed her mind. Owl was her totem, the totem of wisdom. How could she best do this? What was the wise thing to do? She bit the bony arm of the vampire and crushed the bones apart. The spray of caustic blood burned her mouth, but she wouldn't die. Using the severed stump of the limb, she levered the claws out and free from Soren's muscles and bones. She grabbed the abominable weapon, burning her paws, and cast it as far from Soren as she could. His breathing was still labored and he was still in danger of death of the humans didn't arrive soon....she stood guard, howling again for assistance.
|
|
|
Post by Delilah Chase on May 25, 2016 17:51:54 GMT -8
It was silent.
After what felt like hours but was likely only minutes, the chaos had died down outside the Great Hall. And it was silent.
Did that mean the warring creatures had taken it away from the ground floor to the first or higher? Or...
Delilah shook her head firmly, a fire lighting her eyes. No, she wouldn't think that way. Soren would live. Soren would succeed. She had chosen wisely even if a few lives may have been lost despite their best efforts to prepare here before her arrival with Soren.
The howl pierced through the silence, and it seemed as though the group inside the Great Hall released a collective breath. It wasn't a release of relief but rather a subconscious action to keep one alive. The howl was persistent, troubled, and too close. Then, it, too, stopped.
Delilah couldn't stand it anymore. She took her wand out, picked up the rod Soren had given her before, and walked determinedly toward the closed and sealed doors of the Great Hall. She would go out there, killer alive or not. Something wasn't right. And if the killer had prevailed, she would do what she could. To the death. If she couldn't keep Trevor from going insane, she would at least accomplish this in her life.
The groups of stragglers parted as she approached, as she clearly wasn't willing to deviate from her path. She had to keep forward. She didn't take her eyes off the door and rose her wand in a pattern to undo her spell work. Markus would have to spell it behind her to protect the others. She didn't have the time.
She only hoped she wasn't opening the doors only to let the vampiric devil in to take their lives in one final blood bath. This room held the students holed up in their common rooms' main source of protection. They alone with what few guards they had with them and their heads of houses would do little come the next nightfall. But her will had steeled. She would not deviate. She would not question. She had to do this. She had to see it through.
As the doors swung open before her, Delilah stepped through. She had a thought to hesitate, to ensure that door was closed behind her, but she couldn't do that. There were several capable inside she would simply have to trust to have a sense of self-preservation.
In the dark, the castle was foreboding. The faint glow of the candles in the air above in the foyer was eerie. The glow of the torches on the wall as she reached the hall flickered, casting shadows against the pictures. Those inside the frames were restless, trying to speak to her. She tuned them out and tried to focus on watching for any sign of movement.
It was difficult with her peripheral sensing their frantic movements with the roving of her eyes.
"Lumos maxima," she whispered, and her wand began to glow brightly. Delilah squinted against its brightness, protesting the sudden change. But it was so much better, and it made her more confident to pick up her pace from the cautious one she had exercised before.
After what seemed like ages in her current state, Delilah found the scene. The little Garou was pulling at Soren, who seemed injured, but her worry for him was briefly lessened by the triumph she felt at the sight of the dead body in his mouth. Her focus quickly returned to the troubled living duo before her, and she muttered a spell to dim her light rather than put it out. She looked to the smaller wolf. "What does he need?" she asked, hoping Aishe would recognize she wasn't a threat and somehow understand enough to guide her to the problem. She stuck her wand length-wise between her teeth and bit down. She needed light, but she also needed her hands based on the tugging the wolf had seemed to be doing. Ready to help, Delilah waited for indication from the wolf. She wasn't going to get herself killed. Not now.
|
|
|
Post by Soren Shepard on May 25, 2016 17:54:53 GMT -8
A howl pierced through the pain and rage filled haze that was the Spirals thoughts. Another Garou was here and perhaps looking to make a name for themselves. It would be easy after all. He was in no position to fight back. Or was it Charon? Had he failed in his task to kill the old Nosferatu? Soren attempted to raise his head and identify whoever it was that was closing in, but his senses were a mess. All he could smell was blood, the taint of silver, and death. He knew Aishe had been watching but he couldn't tell if she was here or not. His vision swam and he could barely make out the imposing form of the closing figure. Panic pushed its way to the forefront of his current emotions and the white wolf tried to pull away.
Confusion replaced panic as he felt the tug Charon's gauntlet as his savior? tried to remove it from his chest. Soren wanted to scream out to let it be, to leave it alone. It hurt far to much to have it moved. Even then his human mind countered that if he wanted to live the gauntlet had to be removed. The tugs became more insistent and painful and the spiral struggled to distance himself from the thing that was causing him more pain. He snarled a warning but it was to little to late. A sharp pull and the gauntlet ripped free and Soren found himself in agony. Blood gushed from the wound and self preservation skills kicked in and with a savage snarl mixed with a pained cry, Soren lashed out with what little strength he had left and sunk his teeth as hard as he could into the closest part of the figure he could get to.
He tasted fresh blood and fur as it mixed with Charon's caustic stuff that currently coated the inside of his mouth and it made the garou gag. A wet wracking cough followed by a wheezy breath escaped the once proud hunter as the bite strength he normally possessed began to fade, and not long after the strength to keep his head up left him.
A familiar voice broke the silence of the room. Why was Delilah here? Hadn't he told her to stay away? Soren took a small amount of comfort that she at least had the guts to show herself after he'd done all the real work. It was her stupid idea after all that had got him into this mess right? And she was technically pack, and pack that had earned his begrudging respect. Perhaps she would land the killing blow if no one else would. A soft whimper followed by a slight wag of his tail was the only greeting he could currently offer her
|
|
ri
New Member
Posts: 17
|
Post by ri on May 25, 2016 17:55:16 GMT -8
To her credit, Aishe didn't cry out in pain when Soren sank his massive teeth into her upper arm. Thankfully, he didn't crush the bone, but she'd have a hard time using the limb until it healed.
Instead, the smaller Garou fixed her gaze on Delilah, then began miming with her uninjured limb the swish and flick of a wand. Aishe splashed her paw against her face like water hitting it then pointed to the burning ruin of Soren's face. He needed water to quench the burn of silver, and the witch could summon water.
Owl had not blessed Aishe with the ability to use magic beyond pack magic. Wolves like Soren, who COULD use wands, were rare and prized creatures. It was no wonder he was a beta, if he had such an inherent skill. His bloodline, too, was known for magic and leadership. Still, humans themselves were so weak. Maybe that was why so many of them were created with the ability to use magic...an equalizer of sorts.
Aishe pointed again and Soren's burn. Now that the silver was out of his chest, he just needed to be cleaned from the monster's blood. Blood...that was it!
Aishe bent and swiped a claw in her bleeding bicep, then spelled out what was needed. W A T E R !
|
|
|
Post by Delilah Chase on May 25, 2016 17:55:43 GMT -8
Well, this was odd. Soren greeted her like a dog, the smaller wolf was injured and motioning like a human, and...wait, she was spelling? Well, they certainly retained a good part of their human selves. She took her wand out of her mouth and pointed it toward what the smaller Garou wrote so she could see. Water? Alright, she got it. Delilah gave Aishe a look that showed she understood and moved toward Soren quickly. He was too weak and injured right now to be much danger, and they both seemed to realize she was here to help.
"Aguamenti," she said with a swish and flick of her wand, which propelled a jet of water toward Soren's face. She aimed as much at his mouth as she could to get the outside part off, but she was sure there was more inside, what with the body so near.
Delilah looked at it with a frown then used Wingardium Leviosa to move it out of the way. Its blood remained, but she didn't have time to worry about it getting on her clothes. She kneeled before Soren as soon as the vampire's body was unceremoniously dropped out of the way and looked at him. "Now, I need you to open your mouth, ok? It's the only way I'm going to help, if I get this stuff out." She looked at Aishe for reassurance that she had understood correctly but only for a quick moment. The smaller wolf seemed to realize what she needed Soren to do, and soon Delilah had carefully and gently pried Soren's mouth open. This next bit she was not looking forward to. What person, much less what creature, would like a big jet of water going into their mouth?
Delilah thought for a moment then summoned a large cup. She filled it with water so she could rinse off Soren's teeth. That would be best. Get what she could out this way then go for the rude awakening of water streaming into his mouth. Maybe even take care of anything else vital before she got to that bit. Yeah, sounded best. Hopefully Aishe could show her well enough. She went through this process a few times, looking at Soren here and there to gauge where his rage was and if she was in any immediate danger. After a while, she set the cup down.
"Is there anything else he needs taken care of?" Delilah asked, emphasizing the word needs with hopes Aishe would understand more. "Because I have a feeling he won't let me near him once I jet this water into his mouth to take care of the bit that remains."
((Aishe would help distract Soren per Ri, and AC states Soren would open mouth if distracted.))
|
|
|
Post by Soren Shepard on May 25, 2016 17:56:08 GMT -8
When the jet of water first hit his face he panicked. The force of the liquid, while temporarily removing the burning caused by the silver in Charon's blood, was a painful hell unto itself, especially when it dripped into his newly emptied eye socket. He moved, ready to lash out when he felt something heavy counteract his pitiful struggles and he cried out in pain. Eventually he settled though he was breathing hard in short painful gasps.
"Now, I need you to open your mouth, ok? It's the only way I'm going to help, if I get this stuff out."
He knew that voice. It was here to help. It wanted to help. It wanted him to open his mouth.... but the water only hurt and his mouth hurt bad enough already and he refused at first. It wasn't until a reassuring clawed touch settled over his good eye and effectively blinding him that Soren was able to calm down a bit, though the rage swirled just below the surface. Aishe was here, and she was protecting him. He felt delicate human hands rest on his muzzle and begin to pry his mouth open and when Aishe gave him a reassuring whine he gave in.
Panic once again set in when he felt the water and he was about to close it, but again he was reassured by Aishe and she was careful to maintain contact. He was surprised when the water was given gently. It took a few washes but eventually he felt the caustic burn lesson and relaxed a bit more with a soft whine.
Again he heard Delilah speak though he wasn't sure what she wanted.
|
|
ri
New Member
Posts: 17
|
Post by ri on May 25, 2016 17:56:32 GMT -8
Even just watching hurt. Aishe couldn't imagine the pain that Soren was enduring. As much as she had disdained this human, she was making an effort to not only help Soren but to do so gently. Aishe reevaluated Delilah. Maybe the human wasn't as anathema as she had previously thought. Aishe would deign to be kinder to the human, if only for Soren's sake. After all...he was dying, and now he was not, because of her treatment.
When Del spoke to Aishe, the tan Garou thought. The silver and the blood was washed away. Soren ideally needed rest. A long time of rest. His blood soaked fur under her paw shifted with his breathing. It was steadier and deeper...that was good. Shallow breathing when not asleep indicated a drawing near to death's door...Soren was not there, so his breathing should be steady, strong...
Aishe ran her nose near Soren's wounds. They didn't reek of death or silver. Aishe pantomimend sleeping to the human. Soren NEEDED sleep. He could get that after she finished cleaning his mouth out. Aishe would ensure that this hero was hidden and protected from any of his pack who had wrong ambitions. And when he began to heal, she would be his missing eye until he learned to compensate for it. The duty was given to her to be his shadow, and she would be, proud and strong.
|
|