The build-up to the battle is horrifying, to say the least. Knowing that, at any moment now, the call will come and everybody will have to move to kill and possibly even die... There's almost nothing more dreadful. The people around you certainly seem to share the sentiment, as you see many wizards doing whatever they can to remain calm. Some play with some magical tricks, others are in hefty discussions about the weather, some are sitting on the ground, taking deep breaths next to those hyperventilating. Meandra and her master both seem quite calm, though you see a hint of the jitters in Meandra. Her master has his arms crossed, and is doing his best to calm the most panicky of the wizards. The Order of the Blighted Beak seems much more animated than usual, and they move with such certainty and speed they even make much more noise than usual. They don't care for the flapping of robes or their footsteps. Some are mixing up potions, most are pumping magical energy into the golem, which seems to grow more and more precise and powerful with every little ounce of magic poured in. The abomination looks truly horrific, but it doesn't do anything outside the order's will. This thing will be a formidable ally indeed. You, yourself, however...
Your "ritual" is a bit more desperate and potentially stupid. But eventually, you just close your eyes and take a deep breath before whispering to yourself.
What are you?The voice seems to do an imitation of a gasp.
So you're done being in denial? How lovely~. It goes over into an almost sing-song voice at the end, which doesn't aid in your trust of the thing
Please just tell me what you are...Aww, Sydney... I'm YOU. Or, more accurately, what you could be. Growing up under a human instead of out in the wild has left you quite a bit weaker than you should be... But the social graces are an excellent plus. And why do I hear you?Well, you've tapped into me before. Quite lucky that you would react like THAT to a stressful situation. I always make the best of things...Your best of things doesn't seem to fit my idea of it. Oh, shush. That's the human indoctrination talking! Your devouring of the lesser ones is something to revel in! There's nothing better for showing them their place. Food. It's a primal fear, you know....You're... I'm evil. You feel your heart sink at the realization. You're some kind of cartoonish villain!
Oh, Sydney... Please. Look, how about this. With your recent alteration, I've become more pronounced in your psyche, but the fact I'm just a voice says enough, no? Though I could be much, much more! I could take over, you know?You almost recoil in shock at the sound of that.
T-take over!? You shout, causing some people to whip around and look at you.
No,no... You misunderstand. I'll only take over if you let me. I wouldn't dream of keeping this wonderful body to just myself! Look at us, powerful, beautiful...
and TWO equals that can share it! I can just take over where it's too difficult for you. I can do everything you could, but better. It's just instincts, dear. There's all manner of blocks and mannerisms that hold back your true power, and I am able to unleash all of that. Don't think I mean any disrespect, however... You're far, far smarter than I am.
I won't deny it. That's why you must keep control. Consider me an... ace in the hole. If I wanted to kill my friends, maybe! No, don't worry! You've got far more control since your last mutation. I'll do whatever you suggest. Mostly, at least. I still need some elbow room. I won't harm anybody you don't want harmed. If you want proof, just let me out right now!You must think I'm stupidQuite the contrary, dearest. I swear, I'll defend our weak and puny allies where I can. Come on. I know you're curiousI can't exactly hide that, can I? You can't deny it. The idea of just completely cutting loose, and not having to deal with the stress of battle. After the last few days...
You take a deep breath, and tell her to get it over with. It's an almost electric feeling, and your vision blurs as...
Oh, this is much better!Sydney stretches her arm, every feeling a new and unique sensation. The massage from yesterday did absolute wonders, it can't be denied. That Kitsune knows what she doing... Sydney almost didn't catch her true form, but your
insight is amplified when it comes to Sydney. Not to mention, her carapace is just that little bit thicker and pointier. Sydney's fingers twitch and twist as the claws set in. The change is quite physical now, but people won't notice unless somebody tells them. Nobody wants to admit they didn't pay attention to you properly, after all! Sydney moves back to Eveline and Meandra, who seem to be standing next to eachother, not sure what to say. With a smile on her face, she steps forward and yells
Sup bitches! Who's ready for a fight! as she opens her arms widely in an exaggerated manner. If you were 100 percent conscious, you'd mentally facepalm. The two friends look at Sydney like she sprouted a second head. Meandra is the first to speak.
I don't think anybody is? We're all a bit nervous. Except you, I suppose. I guess you were hyping yourself up? Kind of a dorky habit, I gotta say..Hmpf. How rude. If it works, it's fine, no?Alright? Eveline adds, still looking confused.
Whatever helps you stay calm. You did have a bit of an outburst, so I understand you doing something like that. I did some silly thing myself during my stay with The Count. She looks away, into the distance. Something interesting about her past? Lovely~
Almost immediately after, a guard comes in. He yells that the battle is about to begin, and that the movement starts now! Sydney rubs her hand in anticipation, not even trying to conceal her smile. Most people don't even notice, and the march begins. To call it clumsy would be an understatement, as the lumbering meat-golem from the beakheads almost tramples some people with it's wide movements. It's so massive, people need to keep a big distance to avoid getting clotheslined by the thing. Not to mention, the line is far from ordered. The only certain part is Meandra and her master walking at the front, and Sydney having a lot of space to herself. Her smile is weirding people out enough to stay away, and Eveline is riding her, besides. It's a strange sight, to say the least. Sydney uses that space quite well, however, gesticulating somewhat wildly in excitement. And hunger.
You see the soldiers standing ready, and the captain is giving a speech. A profanity-laden speech, at that. The soldiers seem unfazed, and when your crowd arrives, the captain finishes up, and the soldiers begin their march. The captain shouts the orders for the soldiers and bruisers to go to the front, so Sydney moves forward, licking her chops in anticipation.
There's a final walk to the sewer entrance, but there are already cultist standing ready, wearing their masks. Some even have the spider legs poking out of their shoulders, meaning that not all of the hybrids went braindead.
How unsightly.Eveline has dismounted earlier, of course, and the first thing that flies out is the different elemental balls of fury. They aren't aimed that well, so only some of the cultists are hit, and most are unaffected by the pain. They are a little slowed, at least, but they still charge forward, snarling and enraged. They have a hole to allow their teeth to show, but their eyes are hidden behind the occult symbol. There are many of them, but they aren't too threatening compared to the guards. Now that you and the guards have closed in, however, most of the wizards take a more supporting role. No more elemental attacks fly to the battle, leaving the fight to be purely melee-based.
Just the way Sydney likes it.
She charged in at the front, and distracts three at once. With a savage glee, she rushes forward and slams the sword almost halfway down the first one's midsection. The problem is, of course, that it's now stuck. Before the second one can attack with his club, she uses her shield to flick the attack away. As his arm is out of the way, Sydney slashes down with her claws. The wound isn't very deep, but it's distracting enough to permit some time to the last one. He doesn't even get to attack as Sydney bashes him into the ground with her shield. With two spidery legs on him, she turns to the one she already wounded. He attempts another clubbing, but once again the speed is too much for him. He gets grabbed by his club arm, and pulled into a fatal embrace. The drider's teeth tear into his neck, and warm blood gushes out. It completely stains her leather armor, and fills her with an unholy energy. With just a little more force, she impales the poor sod under her feet as she takes another bite from the current victim.
The fight is unbelievably one-sided, ultimately. There aren't a whole lot of cultists in comparison to the wizards or guards, and they're hardly trained. The most dangerous ones wield claws attached to their wrists, but they quickly fall to the guards. The few wounded on your side are quickly carried away and healed by the wizards. Not to mention, now that the flesh golem has joined the fray, the fight is over very quickly. By the end of it all, there are no casualties on your side, and their side is almost entirely eradicated. Sydney has managed to kill seven before the fight is over, not without injury. She hardly cared in her bloodlust, but she did make it a point to help out the guards instead of trying to get as many as possible. This has caused some injuries, but she hardly notices them in her current state. You'll feel them when this is over, of course. Now comes the last problem.
How will you lure out the big-man?
Fortunately, that's where the wizards come in. Many of them come together, and begin a complex-looking ritual at the entrance to the sewers. After about a minute of chanting, hand-holding and glowing, a vile gas spews out from their cirkle, and into the sewers. The moss wilts at it's mere touch, falling off in great numbers. This will most certainly flush the bastard out... Sydney rubs her hands, staining them further with gore. Her sword was left behind at enemy number five, and she killed the last two with er bare hands. The first with some strategic slashing, and the last by... gouging. Of course, she won't be leaving on an empty stomach, either. Most of the fighters keep their distance in respect (
That's FEAR, you numbskull!)
Sure enough, it doesn't take long before something happens. You hear a rumbling from below, and Sydney quickly removes your sword from the chest of the last unfortunately bastard. The stones bulge and break apart, just before the bug-man bursts though the ground with a flash of light and begins floating high up in the air! More cultists crawl out of the hole like spiders, forcing the guard to begin putting them down. There are far more down here then there were topside, Sydney muses as she splits a head in two. Their positioning is less than ideal, now that they have to crawl. But the cultists are far from the main problem at the moment. The heavy, cloaked figure in the sky is launching all manner of spells downwards, and it's only through the efforts of Meandra that a group of wizards wasn't just wiped out instantly! She summoned thick, thorny vines to pretect them from the purple wave of energy, breaking through the floor. She falls the floor in exhaustion, but almost instantly gets back up to stumble under the viney umbrella. The counter-attack doesn't take long, however, with the most brilliant attack coming from Meandra's master. A flashing, multicolored beam of lightning burns away at the cloak of the cultist, and you hear a yell quickly turn into a horrible drone as he is forced to discard the burning cloth. A massive wave of fire is launched out, but the prepared wizards manage to shield most of it with ease. Sydney would have remained and keep attacking the cultists climbing out, but she can't turn down a promise. With a groan, she wanders off, and stands ready to defend a group of wizards and Eveline, who is handing out mana potions and throwing the occasional toxic vial into the pit. It doesn't stop the cultists, but their numbers are steadily thinning. Soon, the only threat left will be the flying bugman.
Without the cloak, you get a proper look at the bug. It's head has two large, bulging eyes, filled with splotches for pupils. His mouth is a gnawing, dribbling mouth of rage, with mandibles clicking wildly as keeps making a low droning sound. You can hear faint screams in the constant, loud drone. His body is a twisted mess of carapace, and you see occasional bits of red flesh poking though. It looks disgusting, in short. Soon enough, however, it's shot out of the sky by the sheer torrent of spells and arrows. As it falls to the ground, wings sprout from it's back. It just barely manages to slow it's descent enough, and lands roughly on it's feet. Just a mere three meters away from you. In a daze, it looks around, pupils darting around in it's ugly, misshapen head. Then it notices you. It doesn't even say anything, but it just starts screaming as the most terrible metamorphosis takes place. The pieces of red flesh bulge and twitch, and the pieces of carapace begin to stretch apart. His legs bend and crack, and he catches himself on his hands. No spells fly in his direction, out of fear for hitting each-other. People are standing in a circle, and the risk for friendly fire would be too great. The wizards begin to make a retreat.
The creature twists and morphs further as the flesh pops and cracks the carapace, stretching it in new dimensions. One of Eveline's potions hit the back, and despite bubblign and sizzling, the creature seems unaffected. Then, it charges, faster than anything you ever saw. Without your enhanced reflexes, you would have taken that blow head-on! Even with your bulk and stability, you are blown back as the full-body charge hits your shield! The damn thing is like a massive cockroach, and it's still changing! Tentacles have begun to sprout from it's back, fighting off the guards that came in to attack. In just one strike, they fly backwards, and one poor man even gets wrapped up! He screams in agony as the tentacle SQUEEZES down, and you hear a sickening *POP* as the man goes limp. You don't know what broke in him, but it was lethal. Sydney only barely manages to get up in time to dodge the next charge, still getting grazed by the powerful leg. The carapace on your arm blocks the worst of it, but it still hurts! Then, however, comes the counter-attack! The next charge, Sydney holds her sword and shield ready, and just as the head comes close, she jams her sword in! With that little bit of luck, and that little bit of skill, the sword plunges underneath the reforming carapace, wounding the abomination further! It stumbles and falls, and Sydney wastes no time getting on the creature! The tentacles are inactive under the daze of pain, and are quickly bitten off by Sydney's wicked bite. They tear easily, despite their strength, and her claws quickly deal with the other offending appendage. Then, she climbs on top on the creature.
In it's current state, it is unable to reach Sydney. It rushes and skitters around in an attempt to throw her off, and if she was anything other than a drider, it probably would have worked. Reaching down, her claws manage to get under the carapace and slowly the shell tears off with the sound of flesh tearing. A whole chunk of meat was still attached to the underside of the carapace. Again, it screams, and again, Sydney reaches down to tear. Using her right hand to pull, and her left to grind and tear inside, the insect is rapidly disassembled. Soon, it loses it's ability to move, finally allowing the massive meat golem to reach it. Said golem begins to tear at the legs as Sydney buries her face in the massive open wounds she has created. Soon, with some final twitching, the creature finally dies. Sydney makes some final chomps into the creature, remarking that it tastes sort of spice and... indescribable. Her mark burns softly, but not in an unpleasant way. After she gets off the creature, and people begin to gather around, the sheer EXHAUSTION sets in. Now that the adrenaline is leaving and the battle is over, it hits her all at once. She doesn't mind, and goes back into her cage.
When you shake your head again, you see the people around you looking at both the dead creature and you. Covered in blood and guts, with meat still between your teeth. The expressions of the crowd being of all sorts. Some are relieves it's over, others are interested in the creature, many have a mix of awe and fear, and some of them look at with nothing except pure awe. Of course, now you need to explain why you've been eating people and monsters for the entire battle.
Slink awayThis is still quite busy. Perhaps it's best if you were to just kind of leave right now. You'll talk when everything has calmed down. Find your friends.You should really check if everybody's alright. You were barely conscious during the fightStand there, and try to explain somehowPerhaps it would be better not to run away from this.VomitHey now, that's just in poor taste!OtherStats
Level: 7
HP: 17/30
Mana: 12/22(8 mana invested) (sheer exhaustion also affects mana)
Stress: 20/75
Inventory
Equipment:
Clean, large shirt
Steel sword
Gardener's iron shield
Rough, gore-covered leather armor
Items:
Magic Cookbook
Pick-axe
4 sleeping bags
five potato sacks
Pot, pan, kitchen knife collection, scraping tool.
156 coins
Magic, skills and minions
Magic:
Resurrect vermin: Allows you to resurrect very small creatures such as rats(1) (invests 1 of your max mana)
Resurrect average beast: Allows you to resurrect creatures such as dogs, cats and other similar-sized creatures.(10- (invests five mana)
Reshape minion: Allows you to slightly change the appearance of your resurrected minions. (///......)2
Minion Vision(weak): Allows you to see what a minion sees. The minion must have eyes.
Animate Piece: Allows you to animate just a piece of dead tissue. It requires your constant attention, and cannot act independently. (invests one mana) (1)
Graft: Allows you to use dead tissue as a replacement limb. Requires a lot of mana. (2 per second)
Gather Soul: Allows you to make a soul visible. You can't do anything with it, quite yet. (10 mana)
Undead flashbang: Allows you to blow up a minion for a flash-bang effect. (15 mana)
Stitch: allows you to close a wound and stop bleeding as fast as you can stitch. Costs very little mana, but requires something to stitch with.
Minions[/b]
one sewerhound
Three rats(enhanced claws) On the hound
Skills:
Poison Stinger (Potentially lethal)
Major experience in blocking and swords.
Climber
Crafty: Bolas
Cooking skill: Excellent
Corpse Cutting: Awful.
Animal handling: inexperienced.
Necromantic knowledge
Soul Sniffer
When I said it would be extra-long, I was not joking.
Jesus christ this is four entire pages on Word.
Hope you enjoy it, at least.
Author
Topic: Web of Life: A Drider's Adventure (Ended) (Read 186026 times)