Touya Khan & Val
Their efforts, though valiant, proved ultimately futile as the group of twenty or so therians assaulted the giant monstrosity. The thing wailed as it crashed into them, hoisting one screaming therian into the air and shaking him to death. It was clear that something otherworldly was powering the beast, animating it beyond any logical considerations. If there were vital organs or a brain at all, it would be useless trying to target them. A few stray magic bolts successfully scorched the location of its eyes, spraying chunks of steaming hot meat over the clearing.
Wheeling around, the monster screeched and charged at Touya. The buzzing chainsaw came first in a vicious arc, its constant droning now almost as monotonous as the screams of the dieing.
Touya ground his teeth as the thing turned and charged full on towards him. The chainsaw whirling as it came crashing down over and over. The Therian backpeddled as quickly as he could, moving out of its reach. However, he was running out of room to run and soon had to raise his blades in an attempt to deflect the giant weapon. His mind was blank on any ideas, even more so as he had to concentrate on keeping his own life.
His weapons crossed, locking over the vibrating rotation of the saw. Sliding off to his right, he managed to get the weapon away from him. However, as he tried to retrieve his blades, the one in his left hand got caught and as the chainsaw slammed into the ground, his blade was stuck underneath it. Fear clogged his throat as he tried desperately to pull the blade out from underneath it.
Then the unthinkable happened. The chainsaw continued it's grinding and Touya pulled again on his weapon, ducking as the creature swung it's other arm at him. His weapon came free finally, but it wasn't whole. The saw had damaged the area where the blade folded and consequently snapped it in half. Touya tossed the blade aside, his teeth clenched together and sprinted around the damned hybrid to it's back.
"Touya!" Val called and he turned to his name.
"Still alive?"
The Therian grinned at him, "If you can't kill me, what makes you think this thing can? Got any bright ideas yet?"
"I'm working on it..."
It continued to chase Touya without respite, driven by some primordial instinct. With its attention on Touya, the abomination had turned away from the other therians, giving them the opportunity to continue attacking its rear. A violent whipcrack followed as the thing's chain weapons lashed out, chasing the therian.
"Damn..." Touya cursed as he ducked the first attack of chain weapons, sidestepped to the left to avoid another and then moved even farther to keep from getting hit from behind as the hybrid dragged the chains back towards it. He was hardly spared as it came at him again, another crack of the chains hurtled right at him. Touya was thrown backwards from the impact.
The first chain nailing him straight in the chest and knocking the air from his lungs. When he landed, he landed ontop of another part of the chain and felt his body slide forward, towards the thing as it pulled back. His sword was lost to him, all that he had left was his wrist blades and claws.
"Fire..." it came to him as he slide towards the hybrid. He recalled that Grashath had told April to stay away from fire and water. His heart beat raced as he tried to think of the nearest lake. In the meantime, he would see about burning the damned bastard before him, hopefully before he lost his life.
"Val!" Touya yelled, "Burn it!"
"With pleasure," came the reply. Val echoed the order to the other Therian's that were still fighting. Touya twisted around and tried to free himself from the chains that were drapped over his body as the warriors began igniting the hybrid with whatever they could, be it spells or flaming arrows.
Certainly for a hybrid who'd regained her senses like April, the fire would have been unbearably painful. Heat conducted through the metal limbs would have only burnt its bearer, but the abomination was far from cognizant. The meat beast went up like a giant bonfire, the flames spreading across its massive form in a matter of seconds and searing its outer layer of skin. Thick slabs of flesh sizzled then blackened, yet still it attacked, apparently immune to the terrible damage imposed on it. All they'd accomplished was giving the monster a warm, fiery state with which to further assault them.
It was getting far to warm for comfort the closer Touya was pulled towards the creature. It had only stopped briefly when the attack of fire came. The Therian growled in anger as he rolled around. He'd found a way to get free, but his wrist blade was tangled, it was the only thing holding there. Shaking his arm in frustration he glowered up at the hybrid. Suddenly the chains whipped upwards, dragging Touya with it.
His breath sucked in sharply as his arm was pulled sharply. His shoulder felt as if it would come out of it's socket at any second as he dangled in the air. They blind hybrid flung the chains forward again and Touya was finally freed, except he was now hurtling towards the trees of the outer rim of the camp. He slammed into a tree, flipped around it and then took out a couple of branches as he came back down into the dirt.
Touya started to push himself up, only to fall forward as his arm could not hold his weight at all. It had been pulled out of the socket the moment he'd been flung. Rolling onto his back he pulled himself upwards via his upper body. Tucking a leg underneath him, the Therian got back to his feet, his hand holding his dislocated arm tightly. Dizziness struck and he stumbled forward, hitting a tree with his good shoulder.
"Damn it... so fire doesn't work... water. Gotta find some water," he muttered to himself. He had to get back to the fight though, to warn Val. He wasn't too sure he could do much more in the state that he was in. He cleared the tree line and caught sight of Val.
"Val! Lead that thing to a body of water," he shouted.
"And where would that be at, hu?" The Therian yelled back, irritated.
Touya ground his teeth, "You've been in Creeid a long time, Val! You must know of a place!"
"Fine. Alrighty you freak, follow the tasty Therian," Val taunted and started forward. His sword cut into the beasts leg several times before he disengaged and then started into the forest at a dead run with the group of attacking Therian's following right behind.
Forgetting Touya like a discarded, broken toy, it gave chase after Val and his group, hunting them relentlessly into the forest. The sounds of its pursuit could be easily heard as logs and bushes were crushed beneath its vast bulk. A few twigs caught fire onroute, leaving a blazing trail in the wake of its movements. All the while its whirring blades and metal chains dogged the pack of therians.
Val watched the thing carefully. Making sure it was still following them, he rushed through the trees wincing every time he heard the death cry of one of his fellow Therians. The hybrid was deadly, even more so in it's burning and blind state. He knew where he was going, the lake was some distance away though, and he feared that he would not get there in time. Val pushed aside the disheartening thoughts and continued on. It wasn't a large body of water, but it was deep. He hoped that would suffice.
Though far, the therians were soon at the point of reaching the river. Everything tends to occur faster when one is desperately fleeing for their lives. Just ahead of them snaked the running stream, a ten meter wide crossing of water. The abomination came crashing down after them, barreling through the columns of trees like an avalanche. It was still on fire, and still very much hungry. Now they just needed to reach the other side before it.
"Come on! Faster!" Val shouted as he reached the swirling river that connected to the very small lake of water. He splashed into the water and then dove into the water. He heard the splashes of his men following him, those that were left anyway. As he surfaced, he turned in the pool of cold water to see if the hybrid had followed.
It dove right after them, wading through the water like it was nothing. The water hissed as it evaporated, unleashing a steam cloud around the monster's burning visage. A slick, oil-like blood pooled around its waist as it moved deeper and deeper into the river, polluting the surface. Far from finished, its chain whips thrashed outwards, seeking to capture any therians still close enough to be caught.
"Get out of the way!" Val sputtered as he kicked his body backwards, swimming farther away from the hybrid that was having a rather strange reaction to the water. His eyebrow lifted as he watched the thing move deeper and deeper. Would this really work? The water sizzled as the fire was put out and the dark blood that began to seep out of it was stretching forward through the water. Turning around, Val swam hard to the other side, followed by the other Therians. Several were caught in the chains that thrashed about, the hybrid still determined to catch what it could.
Val made the bank of the other side of the pool of water and clambered up onto the mud. He turned around on hands and knees to see what the hybrid was doing. How had Touya known to drown the damned thing? It was a mystery he would like to ask the man when he got back to the camp.
A therian was launched in the air as the chains wrapped around his ankle unfurled on the backswing and sent him hurtling backwards. Another was sent bouncing across the water, but he had the quick wits to morph into a fish before sinking into the deep end. Abruptly, sparks flew as whatever mechanisms powering the abomination's chainsaws died in the water. It paused, glancing down at the broken machine with an almost quizzical expression. Finally, it seemed a combination of wounds, burns and power shortages was taking its toll on the beast.
"Die you son of a bitch," Val cursed as he watched warily from the opposite bank.
As if the therian's profanities had dealt the final blow, the monster let out a low-keening screech before plunging head first into the river.
Val fell over, landing on his back and sprawling his arms wide with a heavy sigh of relief, "What a hell of a day," he muttered to himself. Closing his eyes he rested there for quite some time before getting to his feet. Looking to the remaining Therian's around him, he motioned for them to follow.
"Come on, lets get back to camp. We gotta get Touya and make sure the others are alright."
April Rosevolt & Ahmeil Leain
April ran on despite the onslaught behind her, following closely after Ahmeil as they headed back towards the main area of the therian encampment. Trying to focus on warning the others, she dispelled the growing sounds of its blades and broke into a sprint. There was movement all along them now, vague shadows darting beneath the forest canopy. She let out an angry curse as a few moved ahead in an effort to intercept them. Seems like their enemy wasn't going to graciously allow them passage.
A hybrid broke from its pursuit and burst out of the bushes, landing in the mud directly ahead of Ahmeil. Like all the others, it was a hideous algamation of weapons and bodyparts, but with one major distinction. This one had four arms. Without pause it charged at the closest target and swiped all four of its blades at Ahmeil.
Ahmeil ducked, bending her body backwards as she hardly had enough time to stop from her headlong rush. She came down onto her knees, sliding across the ground to avoid having her body chopped into pieces. Her hand reached back and drew her huge weapon. Ahmeil rolled off to the side, getting to her feet at the hybrids right side. Without wasting a moment, she swung her weapon at the creatures' arm, hopping to chop one off.
She loped off an arm, sending the twitching appendage spiralling across the floor. It didn't howl or cry in pain, only turned in her direction before slicing its left arms forwards without hesitation. April arrived to deliver the finishing blow, dashing past it a blur of movement. The former hybrid decapitated the monster in one precise attack of her arms. She winced from overexertion, the wound in her side still painfully vivid.
"Keep moving!" she yelled even as more hybrids exploded from the green vegetation, "We need to get everyone out of here!"
Ahmeil nodded her head, her sword lifted against the blades that had come at her. They fell off to the side as the hybrid toppled over, headless. Her heart raced as she looked up to April who continued on. The Therian followed after the woman without complaint. She quickly fell into step next to the woman and rushed through the trees as quickly as possible. Many of the Therian's from the camp were ahead of them, some behind them.
What were they going to do? They needed to get away as quickly as possible. That or do something about the advancing army of hybrids. But what could they possibly do? They were being chased by beings that simply didn't feel anythingthing!
"We need to stop them from advancing! Can you think of anything?"
"Havanthii!" Turning slightly, Ahmeil caught sight of Sharye rushing after them. He barreled right passed Ahmeil and wrapped his arms around April's waist, "You're alright! I've been trying to find you!"
April started in surprise at the thin figure wrapped tightly around the bottom of her waist. The ordinarily kind gesture gave her no small measure of discomfort as the youth's arm rubbed against the wound in her side.
"I'm glad that you're safe also," April replied, breathless. "Sharye, are there any bodies of water close-by? An ocean? A deep river?"
"Eh? A river... Yeah! Why?" The boy looked up at her, his purple eyes wide in slight confusion and wonderment.
April's mind was racing in the confusion. Everything was happening far too quickly to keep track of. She wondered if Touya was still alive even. Gently, she took the young therian by his shoulder and looked him firmly in the eyes. "Get them to cross the river. If we have any mages adept at manipulating water, tell them to gather near the river. We're going to freeze the water on them. The rest of us will hold them off whilst you evacuate. Now go!"
Sharye took in a deep shuddering breath before he nodded his head, "Alright. I'll do that," he said, his voice a bit fearful. He rushed off, his voice calling through the group of Therian's for their attention and asking if anyone could manipulate water. He spoke in Therian as he went. When he'd gotten as many as he could, he turned and motioned to Ahmeil and April before darting off into the forest, leading them off the path.
April joined him, leading the rear guard with a few other therian warriors. Violence had erupted throughout the camp as therians frantically fled from their habitats like rabbits chased from their holes. The number of hybrids had drastically increased in the last few minutes, going from six to two dozen. As though sensing the proximity of their prey, they gathered, breaking into the camp's outer perimeters.
She dodged an over arm hammer blow meant to cave in her skull as more hybrids closed in on her position. They only needed to hold out until everyone had reached the other side of the river, but even in her enhanced state she was beginning to tire. The hybrids were ruthless, steadfast even. How could a normal army possibly compete against such monstrosities?
To the left of her she saw Ahmeil, also assailed by another hybrid wielding large rotary blades. A single hit from that would spell certain doom, even for a therian. To her right was Bordal, the giant cyclopean masterfully fending off a duo of hybrids with a single blade. All around her she saw bravery and determination the likes of which she had rarely seen previously. Common Sharye, hurry with the evacuation! she urged.
He'd finally gotten everyone across the large river, having directed them to take the rocks that were higher up from where he'd originally lead the group. Turning he ran back down to get with April once more. As he ran he enountered a hybrid that lunged out of the trees at him. His heart stopped in his chest as he skidded to a halt. He ducked as it swung at him a heavy hammer with spikes on its end.
Sharye's breath caught, his eyes wide with fear. Adrenaline rushed through his limbs and it was the only thing that kept him moving. Otherwise he was sure to have been rooted to the spot and unmoving. Swiftly, he cut under another swing, the spikes catching his shoulder and dragging down his back. Sharye screamed, his voice shaking as he stumbled and fell onto the ground. Breath heaving in and out of his lungs, he scrambled to his feet and started running without looking behind him. Tears were in his eyes as he barreled through the underbrush.
Finally, he caught sight of April just ahead of him through the bushes, "Havanthii!" He screamed, half in pain and fear, the other half in relief, "Now!" He didn't stop running as he yelled at her. He wanted to be near her right then, the only place he felt safe and confident.
Spotting Sharye and the hybrid behind him, April slammed her boot into the one infront of her and diverted her focus to the hammer-wielding hybrid. It was meters from catching him and she could already see the shallow gash it had incurred to his shoulder. Not again, she thought. She wasn't going to let him die like Ninia and Zear. "Get down!" she yelled.
Using her wind magic, the former hybrid propelled herself up and over the young scout. She landed in a tumble, but not before driving her wrist blades into the neck of the hybrid and tossing it backwards. The thing was far from dead, nevertheless at least they had some space to breath now.
"You did good," she huffed, pulling up close to the young therian in a defensive stance. Her chest heaved as she fought to get the air in her lungs, "Pull back everyone! To the river!"
"Ha-Van-Thii," Sharye hiccuped as he leaned against her back for a moment. He'd never been so scared in his life. It took him a moment to regain himself, but her words put him at ease again. Lifting off her, he held his arm tightly and nodded as she ordered everyone across the river. There was no time to waste. He turned and quickly crossed the river with her.
Ahmeil nodded her agreement just on the other side of the trees, having heard April's call to retreat. She swiped her large sword at the hybrid before her, cutting into it's throat before she turned and started across the river as well. The last attack of hers had been pure luck and she doubted she could do that again. Pushing herself through the hard current, she made the bank of the other side and watched as the repulsive and determined hybrids started to follow them. Her heart jumped to the bottom of her throat. Was this really going to work?
April led the last of the rear guard to the riverside but paused as she ushered Sharye across. Grashath's warnings were at the forefront of her thoughts as she regarded the river. They'd inevitably lost a few trying to break away from the hybrids, those unlucky enough to get surrounded or too slow to outpace their opponents. She'd probably be joining them soon enough. "You go first! Don't look back and don't wait for me! Tell them to freeze it the moment you get out!" she ordered, nudging the young therian into water. The hybrids were just behind them and she could already hear the sounds of their rapid approach.
"Havanthii!" Sharye shouted as he was pushed into the water. Then he recalled that she could not enter the water herself. Grashath had specifically said so. His heart pounded in his chest. What was he going to do!? He couldn't just let her stay on the other side, risking her life! Touya wouldn't let her do that. But, how was he going to get her safely across the water? It was deep too, coming up to Sharye's chest as he struggled to stay afloat in the current.
There wasn't much he could do as he was being swept downstream slowly. With a shout of agrivation he turned around and began going across the water as quickly as he could. He would carry out her orders, no matter what and he would take out as many hybrids as he could. He pulled himself up out of the water, wincing as it hurt his shoulder to put weight there.
Once he was on his feet, he watched the water line carefully as the hybrids began to give chase through the water. His eyes narrowed, teeth tightly clenched together as he looked between them and the row of Therian's that were ready to launch their attack. He couldn't tell what were tears coming from his purple gaze and what was left over water from the river. His hands clenched together and he opened his mouth to scream over the rushing water.
"Now!" All around him, the water mages worked their magic and Sharye could only hope that it would work as planned because as soon as they were finished, he was going back to the other side to help April.
Over a dozen hybrids were caught in the spectacle as they eagerly immersed themselves in the murky waters to give chase. Crystallizing from one end to the next, the targetted section froze over, trapping the hybrids in place. Perfect icy shards and formations of waves were suspended in place as the therian water mages cooperated to manipulate the hydrogen and oxygen molecules. They'd done it, they'd fended the incursion.
Sharye's breath hissed out between his teeth in surprise as he looked at the frozen hybrids. His eyes lifted and he looked for April on the other side. He leapt out onto the frozen wasteland of hybrids and easily made his way over to the otherside, shouting for her, "Havanthii! We did it! Havanthii!" He called and landed on the other bank where she'd left them.
"Aye, that you did," April replied. The woman emerged out of some thick foliage, caked head to toe in black filth. Her left arm was cradled under her chest, tending the sharp cut in her waist. A look of relief brightened her bedraggled expression as she smiled at Sharye. "You certainly did."