Chapter 79: - The Initiative [3]
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A/N: This Chapter is a bit long, but it is very much worth the length when you see the ending. But trust me, it could have been a lot longer with how I was going.
A/N(2-later edit): This chapter may be long and it may look weird. My computer was bugging out and wouldn't work, so I had to email myself the chapter to my phone, and went through about an hour of spacing between sentences. I apologize, there will be a chapter tomorrow, and I will do what I can to fix this issue with my computer.
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The wall came down like a falling avalanche. The mountain shook from the blast, and the world around them felt like it would last forever, as they watched the small pieces of rock and stone fly through the air, crashing into the ground, and slamming against trees.
Ryzler watched as the wall - the door that led to the main camp of the gang, came crashing down with a one punch.
A force so massive it nearly shook him from his stance, rattling his knees and vibrating his bones, Ryzler had no choice but to look on in shock, as the man next to him pushed softly off the tree trunk and began to move forward.
Startled by their blank expressions, Ryzler began moving after Cain and Kal, who both walked through the dust unharmed, and unafraid.
But before his body could enter the dust cloud, Cain appeared from within, the dust and air seeming to morph around his body as he walked.
"You stay here. We'll deal with all this, so trust us."
"But…"
He wanted to talk, but couldn't find the words to fill his speech. To form the concerns he wanted to shout and argue with him.
They were about to walk into a base camp full of men and women who would kill them without a second glance. These people, he knew, were powerful in their own right as they were able to take down his leader - Krill - without so much as breaking a sweat.
Contrary to what he had seen however, Ryzler knew that one could have luck. Or one could have power.
And fear leads to power. These people they were about to face, inspired fear in the underground, the alleys, and the shadows around this entire area.
Cain would die, Kal would die, and soon enough, the rest would come for him.
Sure, he had seen their power, he knew they were strong. But even so, a knight of ultimate strength could not last long against an army, let alone seas of them.
These two would be going in alone, outnumbered at least a few hundred to one.
'There's probably about a hundred - maybe more. I should go in - I should -'
But his thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of death that called just beyond the dust cloud.
"Ahh!'
"Where are they! I can't see -"
"Gah!"
"My leg!"
"Die you-"
"Kghh-"
"Run!"
Ryzler could only stand there in shock as the sounds of screams, gasps, and pain filled death cries filled the air.
The dust refused to settle, and he wondered if this was their doing. To keep him from seeing - from knowing something? But what?
He kept his face close to the cloud, hoping it would begin to dissipate and he would get a glimpse through the clearing dust of the battle that lay hidden behind it.
But just as he did, the outline of a shadow grew on the edge of the cloud, and in just seconds, Ryzler was narrowly able to dodge the body flung through to the other side.
The man's face was bloodied and dirty with mud. Clearly he had been thrown around much more than what Ryzler had seen.
But just as he was about to bend down to the man to check whether he was alive or not, his eyes flung open, and once they landed on Ryzler standing not too far away, he flung his body towards him, his teeth gashed and dagger drawn.
"Aghh!"
As he raised his dagger over his head, Ryzler held up his hands instinctively as he was taught to do, in preparation for the attack. However, as if the world was in slow motion, the dagger did not meet his flesh.
Instead, from the cloud of dust once again, another shadow grew. Only this time, rather than a body that was flung from the other side, a large chain with a spear ended tip flung from the cloud, rapping around the man's throat.
He staggered back surprised by the attack, as he gasped for breath and dropped his knife to the ground. As he clutched at the chain, the slack was pulled back, and with it, the body of the man who was flung back into the cloud of dust, his shadow disappeared after only seconds passed.
The sounds of fighting were beginning to fade, and Ryzler thought it was all over. Cain and Kal put up a good fight in his eyes, but he knew it was no use.
'They'll come for me next. I guess I can only wait and accept my dea-'
"Hey kid?"
Ryzler was snapped from his thoughts, his eyes opening wide as he glanced up, slowly, from the ground below.
Cain stood before him, his face covered in splotches of blood, each sprayed and splattered in a different way.
Blood covered his right hand like a glove, dripping into the green grass, painting it red with drops of red ooze. His clothes were torn in several places, revealing skin, both tan and bare. No scars. No gash. Nothing.
Not only did his clothes tell Ryzler that he had been cut, but now he was actually beginning to doubt his own eyes, as there was no blood coming from these openly torn clothes.
"Y-You…your…"
His eyes fell to his right, where Cain's left hand - or rather, arm, was gone. Nothing was there but a stump of flesh and blood that poured like a slow oozing pump of water, puddling at his feet.
"You alright kid?"
He asked, kneeling down and not bothering to pay his arm a single glance.
"Y-Your arm. It's…"
He stopped as he watched as Cain drew his right hand over his left shoulder, just hovering over the stump where his arm had been ripped from the rest of his body, both flesh and bone.
What happened next made Ryzler look on in fear. Utter fear.
Bones began to protrude from the skin, slowly growing and taking form. The blood that had once been lost to Cain, began to rise in small string like patterns, wrapping around the bones as they grew.
The bones formed an elbow, an arm, and eventually a and, as the blood strong's formed veins, flesh, and pooled over the bones like water on glass. As if defying the laws of nature.
Eventually, the blood got so condensed, it looked as though it was hardening on the surface. And before Ryzler's eyes, the hardened blood took a smoother form, and changed color back to the tan appearance his arm had before.
Testing it out, Cain grabbed his shoulder and flung his arm back against, gripping his fists, and flexing his muscles.
All the while his face was stone and stoic, as if the feat of something so, so…impossible had not even phased him.
'H-He - Ho -How? Y-Yo…You-'
It was the last thing Ryzler saw as his vision grew blurry, balancing in between awareness and shock, eventually fading deep into black as he felt his body go limp and fall backwards.
The last thing he heard as the darkness overtook his vision was the sound of a calm and stoic voice.
"Oops. I guess I shouldn't have done that."
***
The office door burst open, the sounds of hustling footsteps and silent but subtle screams came from below.
Carlena stood in the doorway, her hair askew, papers in one hand, the other clutching the doorknob. Her dress was ruffled and wrinkled, telling those who took a glance that she had been running, not caring what happened to it.
"Randolph!"
She said through deep gasping breaths for air, slumping to the ground in exhaustion.
Randolph was already flying past Lai before she could even get up out of her chair, which toppled over in her state of shock.
He grabbed the papers in her hand, and threw them aside, grabbing both hands and holding her close to his chest.
Careful he spoke, careful to speak clearly and give her time to regain her breath.
"Are you alright? What happened?"
Through gasping breaths, she spoke, her voice filled with concern and fear.
"Outside…there's…mon…mon…"
"Monsters."
Randolph finished, holding her closer to his chest. Clearly she had run a long way up those stairs and in a hurry as well, not bothering to take any time to breath as she was doing so. Leading to her current, rasping state.
"Randolph…leave…leave me…go."
This was not a request, and Randolph knew it, but just as Carlena was about to pass out from a mixture of things - shock, fear, exhaustion, and adrenaline - he spoke softly in her ear, kissing the top of her forehead.
"Don't worry. I'll be back."
As she faded into a deep sleep, Radolph swooped his arms under her, and carried her bridesmaid style to the couch nearby, laying her softly on the pillows.
When he was done, he turned to Lia.
No words needed to be said, no symbols needed to be shown. They simply nodded their heads, and both were off, speeding out the door, down the hallway, each drawing their own weapons as fast as they could along the way.
The cries and screams were getting louder, as well as a gut wrenching inhuman roar that vibrated the very wood and stone ground they walked upon.
Flying down the stairs, they didn't even bother to keep themselves from stumbling, as once they did, they were up again the next second, speeding off down stair after stair after stair.
When they reached the bottom floor, chaos was erupting, as dozens of people, receptionists, weaker Hunters, and civilians rushed out the three back doors of the main hall, pouring through the hallway and into the archive room behind that.
They stumbled over one another, not daring to stop, and Lia knew that they were going to have more than a few deaths on their hands at the end of this, but what mattered more than that at the moment, was the sound that made her stomach turn on end.
As she drew her sword, the silver glinting in the candle and torch light, she pushed her way through the crowd with the help of Randolph, and finally, entered the main hall.
If before was a sea of chaos, this was a sea of destruction.
Lia didn't know how one of the walls looked before, but now all she could see was the torn and crumbling rubble, bits of stone, wood, and glass scattered the floor. With it, several bodies were littered around the room, some against other - more intact walls, while some were thrown over tables, counters, and the floor.
A large ground of Hunters yelled at each other, circling the giant beast that had caused all this destruction. In their hands they held daggers, swords, shields, spears, hammers - the likes of which Lia could not count.
Ropes were thrown around the beast many horns - three, if she was counting correctly. Two protruding from its cheeks. The third horn was shaped like an ax head, the top reaching high up, while the bottom reached to the bottom of its chin.
The monster was rough looking, several bumps and scars covered its back, the arched hump near his neck, and the black and muddy look of the beast told Lia this was a dangerous creature. One that was from the Glades.
'But why is a beast from the Glades here?!'
She asked herself, but didn't dare to stop and gawk at it, as he turned her eyes to the many Hunters surrounding it. Some were holding on to ropes and pulleys they had thrown around the beast's body as well as one of its main horns.
However, despite the several attempts the Hunters surrounding the monster made, their weapons could not pierce the thick hide of the beast, as its tail, built like a hammer flung wildly around, throwing several Hunter's off their feet and to the ground, some even ending up on the second floor balcony that overlooked the main hall.
"Dear gods!"
She heard Randolph cry from behind her as he also stood in shock at the sight of the beast. The head of his ax slowly dropped to the floor as he stood in utter shock at the sight of this beast prancing around his Post, flinging around his Hunters like they were rag dolls.
One of the Hunters, who saw both Lia and Randolph come in, cried out to them.
"Randolph, thank gods you're here! We need help!"
The other Hunters barely batted an eye at the sound of Randolph having arrived, but Lia could see small hints of hope in their eyes.
Randolph, hearing the Hunter's cries, snapped out of his awe along with Lia. He took a small look around, and found a large vacant shield leaning against a table.
He didn't hesitate to pick up the shield, and in a burst of speed, push off the ground and rush forward as the Hunters holding the ropes pulled with all their might to keep the beast still.
The effect spoke for itself as the shield collided with the monster's head, stunning the animal as it staggered back, pulling its head inwards towards its body, along with several other Hunter's who held on to the ropes.
However, as the beast regained its footing becoming more aware of what was going on, other
Hunters joined them, clutching the ropes like they were their lifeline, as they truly were.
"Goooaaarrrr!"
The beast reared its head, fury and raging in its eyes, all directed at Randolph who held the shield steady in front of him, bashing his ax against the metal plating.
"Come on! Come on!"
He taunted the beast, who occasionally would make several fake charges towards him, hoping to mess up his stance.
However, Lia wasn't just planning on watching this from the sidelines.
As the beast was occupied with Randolph, Lia gestured to other Hunters with spears and long weapons to follow her.
Initially confused, they decided to follow her, as she left no room for negotiation as she quickly moved on, a plan already forming in her mind.
As the monster was faking a charge, Lia took the opportune moment to ram her sword deep in the side of the beast, along with several other spears and long weapons, different Hunters clutching onto them from afar.
"Roooaaarrr!"
The beast reared its head, the hammer tail flailing from its backside. But from where she and the others were located between the monster's front and back legs, the tail couldn't even think about hitting them.
Taking this opportunity for a chance at the beast, Randolph rushed forward, smashing the shield against the beast's head as it was staring fury at the humans who had hurt it.
The shield slammed the monster's head back, as Randolph's ax took a small chunk out of its neck, black blood oozing from the wound.
The beast cried out in pain, its tail swinging wildly in every direction, not caring for the tables, chairs, walls, or bookshelves it was destroying.
"Again!"
Lia cried out, slashing relentlessly at the creature's hide, blood smearing on her face with every hack and slash. Following her lead, the others began hacking away at the monster, more joining on the other side.
Again they continued this pattern, as the beast reared its head in pain, randolph or another Hunter would take a jab at the front, preferably someone who could take a hit, while Lia and the others danced around the beasts tail and body, taking off chunks of flesh and skin with each attack they made, digging deep into the monster's body.
"GRRROOOOAAAARRR!"
However, just as the pattern was beginning to have an effect on the creature, the ropes snapped, the beast pulling out all its strength to fling the Hunters holding it in a palace across the room.
Rearing upwards, and in a move almost defying physics, the creature stood on its hind legs, flailing its head every which way, throwing Hunter after Hunter from their spots on the rope line, across the room and into walls and tables.
"Ahh!"
"Run!"
"Look out! On your left!"
"They got Tommy!"
"Keep clear of its tail!"
The beast came down with a crash, as its front legs slammed into the ground, knocking several Hunters off their feet.
"Lia!"
Lia, who was one of them, regained her footing, only to find the monster staring her down, wide eyes full of fury behind its armored and deadly horn.
The body of the beast was painted with blood, gushing and dripping from the many wounds she inflicted. And it was only then did she realize that she had caused the most damage to the monster's back, which was probably why it was so angry at her.
She cautiously raised her body from the ground, as many Hunters around her did the same, all eyes on the creature as it locked its own with Lia's.
Through huffing breaths, the monster's right leg brushed the ground, its claws pulling up wood and rubble, flinging it behind it.
It shook its head once, twice, three times as if trying to shake something off its head. However, instead, it reared its ugly teeth and roared one final time.
"Roaaar!!"
It charged, its feet pounding against the ground.
Several strong and buff Hunters attempted to stop it using shields, standing in its way, but unlike Randolph they were unable to stop the creature, as it rammed its head into each of their shields, flinging some to the side, others over the top of its body.
Randolph, who only had a moment's notice to work with, tried grabbing its tail, but narrowly missed as the hammer slammed into his side, barely being blocked by the shield which curved in on itself.
He offered no help, as he was quickly flung to the side, slamming against the wall at full force.
"Look out!"
"Run!"
"Someone stop it!"
Different Hunters called out different things as their voices filled Lia's ears, blurring out the noise around her until it became silent.
Her eyes found the monster's, and time appeared to move in slow motion.
[Drifting Winds]
Using the skill Cain had given her a while back, she moved in almost a blur of motion, using as much energy as she could to close this gap of time, and make it last.
Her own hand moved slowly, holding the sword close to her chest, she turned the left side of her body to the monster, the blade raised above her head, but kept at ear level.
Her free hand left the hilt and found the cold sharp blade.
She took a deep breath, remembering the words Cain had told her about this blade, and the natural effects it had on the user, as well as its enemies.
[Flame]
She breathed out, letting the air in her lungs leave quickly, as the heat in her chest rose, the tips of her fingers burning, and her mind racing.
Sparks flew from the palm of her hand. Sparks turned to flames, that licked at the silver steel of her sword, and soon, she felt the blade heat up with it, but it didn't catch.
She glanced at the incoming body of the monster, its sharp horns aimed directly at her. It was only a few steps away from her now, and she had little time left to waste.
'Please Cain. I know you said this was only for emergencies. But please…'
She calmly called out in her head, waiting for a reply.
And soon it came.
'It's all yours kid.'
His voice was clear as the heavens to a believer in faith.
She smiled, knowing the end was near.
But not for her.
"Evegallien."
She whispered to the sword, as she felt the heat rise and fall, like flames in the wind.
She closed her eyes, as she didn't need to open them to know what had happened. A burst of flames shooting from the hilt, up the blade, lifted up in the air by the force of the burst, curling with the wind above her, painting the room red and orange in color.
Time was slowled, but already the looks of shock were beginning to show on their faces.
But she wasn't done yet, as she turned the weight of the sword back to the heaviest setting she thought it could go to. As she was currently bursting with speed, the effect of the weight wouldn't happen until after she had delivered the blow, making it all that more deadly.
As Drifting Winds came to a slow down, Lia brought the flaming spire of a sword down on the beast's head, snapping the skill out of power.
Time returned and so did the force of the blow, as Lia struggled to not get flung back. However, it appeared as her own attack had nullified the formers, and they stood their struggling against each other's strength. Flames licked at the beast's tough hide, as its eyes showed with unimaginable rage.
They stood there, silent over the raging flames, their eyes not daring to leave one another.
Suddenly, as Lia felt her feet beginning to slip, the sound of rampant footsteps filled the air.
"Hey ugly!"
Both Lia and the beast glanced left only to see a large wooden beam rising in their direction, six men holding onto the sides, using it as a battering ram.
The monster had little time to react, as the wooden end slammed hard into its face, smashing through a horn, and landing a nasty blow to the head.
The Hunters dropped the post immediately, and rushed forward, followed by dozens of other Hunters who all rushed the beast. The monster on the other hand, was set in a daze as it stumbled over its own feet, its vision still blurred from the attack.
Among all the Hunters rushing the creature, Randolph beat them all there, slamming his shoulder into its side, which proved more than capable of pushing the beast over, as it crushed the receptionist desk, smashing against the wall.
"Now!"
One of the Hunters called out, while Lia dug the sword into the ground, deactivating the flames as she waited for the after effects and the exhaustion set in.
What she saw however, was something she never expected.
All the remaining Hunters who could so much as hobble on their feet, threw their bodies over the monster, pinning it to the ground. Several wrapped their arms and legs around the tail, weighing it down enough for other Hunters to pin it to the floor.
"Randolph!"
A large Hunter with silver plated armor called out, his body weighing down the neck of the monster.
Randolph didn't hesitate, taking four large strides, each larger than the other, he picked up a large iron ax and raised it above his head, pushing off the ground with all his force, he brought it down with all his strength, crying out as he did so.
The ax dug deep, blood splashed, the monster roared in pain, but the Hunters didn't stop. Randolph continued and continued hacking away at the creature until its eyes lost color, its tongue rolled from its mouth, and the body stopped squirming.
They had won.
Ranodlph, through labored breaths, turned to look at Lia with something she couldn't tell.
Pride? Fear? Amazement?
…disbelief.
"Roar!!"
Their heads snapped to the broken wall, the sounds of inhuman roars and screams filled the air and streets of the Outpost.
No one batted an eye, as Randolph raised his ax, and let out a deep sigh. Next to him, other Hunters who could walk and move joined him, holding close their own weapons, watching the scene before them.
Lia didn't know what she was seeing, but she could guess as her eyes passed over the many Hunters joining Randolph's side.
'Monsters. Human monsters'
But she too didn't linger long, raising her own blade, and joining the others by Randolph's side.
From the back part of her head, she could swear she heard a voice speaking from the silence.
'It takes a monster to kill a monster.'
"Hunters!"
Randolph cried out, raising his ax to his chest.
"Hoorah!!"
The Hunters by her side cried out in unison, lifting their weapons in the air.
"Hunters!"
That's what they were.
"Let's Hunt."
Monsters.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone