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Post by Sam on Mar 4, 2018 22:39:01 GMT -6
Sam nodded. Koban was absolutely right. There was no trace of the girl - or any other recent victims. The bones in the previous chamber had been old and unburnt. It was unlikely they’d passed through the digestive system of this creature. They were likely victims of the house above. Sam would need to investigate further later, just to determine how long this had all been going on. For now, however, he had a window - an opening to find the missing girl.
Koban did what he did best - brought the justice. The great Horror roared at the Heran and started in on what was definitely going to be some drawn-out declaration of its own power and Koban’s insignificance. This creature clearly had never met the Captain. Amongst mortals, Koban was unique in that he could never be described as insignificant. Sam often wondered if he were somehow touched by some greater being - blessed with great courage and strength, but blighted with the bad luck to have to make use of both.
While the beast was distracted with Koban’s fists, Sam made for the opposite side of the cavern. Something had flickered in his lighter’s flame in that direction, a small spark of a brighter green - a little flame of hope, perhaps. When he arrived, there he found a small indent in the wall, a sort of cell closed in by volcanic stalactites melted into the floor from above. Within was a young human woman, looking much the worse for wear. Sam could immediately tell she was dehydrated, and likely suffered from a number of bad burns. He scowled at the makeshift bars of her horrific prison. He had no way of melting this rock. But he did have a few tricks up his sleeve.
“Miss, if you can hear me, please get back. And try not to scream, if you can avoid it.”
Sam opened his mouth, taking in what would look like a deep breath to a mortal onlooker. However, he wasn’t breathing, but rather devouring. Like a whale takes in great volumes of water in order to capture its meal of krill, Sam was taking in the air of this place to pull in the lingering fear of this monster’s victims. The taste was rich and smokey, but overdone - like ashes burning his throat. But he was going to need this strength if he was going to get this girl out of here.
His arms bulged, becoming more muscular as their skin turned a deep aquatic blue. Scales sprouted, as did long, black claws. He knew this shape well, one of the classic visions of horror amongst mortals. It granted him greater strength in times of need. He grabbed at two of the stalactites and began to push, trying his best to force them apart.
“Just keep him busy a little longer, Captain…”
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Post by Captain Koban on Mar 5, 2018 18:23:14 GMT -6
The day had begun so well, he had briefly departed his lair to collect another sacrifice (or, perhaps if he had time to get yet another later, a snack) which had been a resounding success considering how pathetically weak the local mortals were that it was actually feasible for him to take a ‘subtle’ route to collecting them. Usually his nature made such things impossible as he was easily detected, but most of these mortals lacked even the ability to feel his presence until it was FAR too late. Apparently the ease of the beginning of the day was because he was to have a truly patience trying afternoon as a Heran in some sort of odd jumpsuit attacked him out of nowhere, not even giving him a moment to collect his thoughts or speak.
Koban surged forward again fists flying at the demon but this time he finally met a proper defense as the Demon raised its arms to defend itself absorbing the attacks easily enough though with the stony makeup of its body it was easier for Koban to see the damage he was doing compared to a being of flesh, each punch produced a series of cracks or made an existing crack worse and if he hit the same area fast enough he could even cause it to worsen before the magma ooze could hit him He didn't actually know if the ooze WAS magma but considering the heat and the creature’s smokey breathing Koban was not entirely eager to find out, while magma was not as immediately lethal to someone as strong as he was that certainly did not make it FUN to interact with without a form of proper protection. His suit would provide SOME protection but even it had heat thresholds it could not sustain against and the creature he fought likely had the power to reach them. He wasn’t quite used to giving his all right from the beginning but he had felt Sam head further into the cavern shortly after his first attack on the Demon which meant to Koban that it was likely Sam had figured something out. Now he just needed to make sure that this demon was either taken down or kept busy. PL: 5,610
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Post by Sam on Mar 5, 2018 18:55:33 GMT -6
Sam could taste it in the air - the girl’s fear. He knew now that she was definitely alive and definitely awake. She knew something was happening - that a fight was going on and someone, or something, was trying to get into her cell. Her fear was fresh and sweet like summer strawberries. He had to make a conscious effort not to consume any significant amount of it - her spirit likely couldn’t handle it at this point. Instead, he let it be the motivator he needed to push past his own limits - both physical and self-imposed.
His body elongated as he pushed on the stalactites. His flesh grew darker, and while his arms still bore the traits of the gill man, they too grew longer and darker, like a deep sea parody of the classic lagoon monster. His face developed a series of deep grooves from forehead to chin, like those of a gourd. His lip formed into something resembling a mouth of pointed teeth. Candlelight flickered in his eyes.
The stalactites cracked, and then gave way. The cell was open, and the girl free. But she was in no condition to run and flee, or even to stand on her own feet. And she was afraid, so very afraid. He could see her peeking at him over her shoulder, hoping he wouldn’t notice. To her, he was not a savior, but rather some invading monster hoping to steal her captor’s lunch.
He turned away from the cell and launched himself towards the fight. He called out, his voice rasping dry in his twisted throat.
“CAPTAIN, TAGGIN’ OUT! THE PACKAGE IS READY FOR DELIVERY!”
He didn’t wait for Koban to understand before latching himself onto the back of the lava-born Horror. He dug his vicious fish-claws into its flesh, finding the cracks that Koban had caused and pulling on them to turn them into deep fissures as magma blood poured out over his fingers. It was near agony, but there was something within the Horror that spurred him on. Something that tasted like summer strawberries.
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Post by Captain Koban on Mar 8, 2018 3:34:27 GMT -6
Koban landed another heavy punch on the stony Demon sending a large crack splitting across its chest before the beast whirled around slamming one arm into Koban’s side and causing him to skid away from it as he did his best to protect himself. From what Koban could tell this Demon was not actually a particularly good fighter at all it seemed to mostly rely on its innate defenses in the form of its incredibly durable ‘skin’ and the magma that oozed from it if you DID break its defenses. While Koban generally did not brag much about his skill as a fighter he DID consier himself fairly proficient, FAR more so than this creature. The fact he was fairly powerful also seemed to take it off guard for as tough as it was Koban was able to crack and splinter its hide reasonably well. Still though it was taking no small amount of his strength to do so while also protecting himself on the few oocasions that the Demon managed to take a swing at him, as such KOban was rather relieved when Sam called out to him, his voice was far raspy-er than usual which meant that Sam was holding nothing back, his message while cryptic was however good enough for Koban to quickly piece together. Koban took a step back and then launched himself over the beast as Sam launched forward leaping onto it and tearing into the Demon, Koban didn’t bother looking back already knowing that if he had been able to handle the beast well enough then Sam giving his all would be MORE than enough. Once past the beast Koban found the remains of the ‘cell’ that Sam had torn apart sensing a faint power signature from inside he stepped close “Hello Miss? You’re Miss Yatsu right?” Koban said kneeling at edge of the cell “Y-yes?” The young woman took a long moment before she actually spoke only doing so once she looked back to see that Koban was no demon. “We’re here to help, your Father asked me to come looking for you. If you come with me I can get you out of here.” Koban said extending a hand to the woman in case she needed help to move. The young Woman looked torn for a moment, clearly unsure about trusting a stranger however her options were severly limited, she also vaguely remembered her father talking about a strange blue man who had helped him a few weeks ago, a description that Koban certainly fit. Without a further thought she took Kobans hand and the Captain helped her out of the remainder of the cell and scooped her up into his arms when it became clear she barely had the strength to move on her own. Now he just had to hope that Sam had handled the Demon so they could get moving. PL: 5,610
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Post by Sam on Mar 8, 2018 23:19:28 GMT -6
The cavern echoed with a cacophany of unearthly sounds. From the Horror came roars and guttural curses in languages not native to this plane of existence. From Sam came rasping shouts and hisses, along with the occasional unsettlingly high-pitched laugh. But there was no amusement in Sam’s demeanor or the way he fought. He tore into the Horror’s stony flesh and allowed its magma blood to wash over him. It had been years since he’d tapped into his true nature, since he’d allowed even a part of his true form to show through. And yet, as the fight raged on his limbs continued to grow longer and more gaunt as the feel of his natural body started to come back to him. Like riding a bike. Only this time the bike wasn’t built from the bones of children and human souls.
Finally, Sam was able to get a proper grip on the edges of a great crack Koban had left in the horror’s chest. All at once the beast ceased its roaring and yelling, realizing just how dire its situation was.
“I see you’re no mere mortal,” It said to Sam quietly, trying to strike a bargain, “Let me live and - HUAGHHHHHHH”
The horror’s bargain was cut short as Sam tore open its chest, the last of its hot blood flowing out over him and onto the cavern floor. Sam stood there, body long and lean, head just a little too large and discolored. This wasn’t his true form, but rather a compromise he was willing to live with. In the now-silent cavern, he turned to look at Koban and the girl, the joints in his neck creaking like old, dry wood.
“Go on ahead,” he rasped, “It might take me a moment to compose myself, and she’s seen enough of this sort of shit for one lifetime. I’ll catch up once I’ve got my face back on.”
Activated Terror (x2) to finish off the horror and put this evil to rest!
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Post by Captain Koban on Mar 9, 2018 21:03:07 GMT -6
Koban watched Sam ‘fight’ the creature with great interest from the mouth of the tunnel they had entered from doing his best to keep it so that while he could see things easily enough the young woman in his arms would not though it was rather clear she had NO interest in watching how the fight proceeded being far too terrified by the events that had transpired. Koban had not expected Sam to actually get even more powerful as he fought, and was more than a little concerned for his friend as his body began to change and warp, he was used to the idea of someone’s form changing as they unleashed there full strength, Koban himself possesed such a form however Sam’s transformation was something… different like something completely divergent from his usual state. Koban’s concern was offset somewhat as he realized that the form he usually saw Sam in might be the one that was divergent from his ‘true’ state, the rocky demon they had been fighting was a good testament to the unusual shapes that a Demon could come in. Sam quickly proved however that regardless of his form he was still the man Koban knew, a member of the Pride Troopers and willing to put the girl’s safety above his own by staying behind to change back “I might need to make some alterations to your suit when we get back, I’m not sure I accounted properly for how tall you can get” Koban said giving Sam a grin, realistically the suit WOULD stretch with Sam’s change but it was a design made more for a complete expansion rather than just length and would likely look a bit silly without some alterations. Without another word, Koban dashed through the tunnel trusting that Sam would be behind them quick enough. PL: 5,610
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Post by Sam on Mar 9, 2018 23:42:31 GMT -6
Sam watched as the Captain left the cavern back the way they’d come in, all but carrying the girl as he went. He was glad that Koban was the type to listen in these situations, rather than push the issue. He’d met more than his share of people who tried to tell him that he was no less of a good person just because he was a monster. That...rarely helped. It wasn’t a matter of feelings or a sense of insecurity. It was a matter of self control. When Sam took this form, while he could still hang on to the humanity he’d claimed, there was always something scratching away at the wall. Being in this form for extended periods of time made that scratching louder. Being around frightened mortals made it even worse. Hell, sometimes being around courageous mortals was even worse than that - a hero was like a food challenge to Samhain back in the old days. If you can finish this enormous steak in thirty minutes or less, you get your face on the wall of fame.
He let Koban’s joke get inside of his head. He had always hated the super suit Koban had made for him, he thought it was tacky. Still, he held onto it just for such an occasion that it might be needed. The idea that it would need some alterations was...funny. It had to be funny, because laughter was anathema to fear. Laughing in a monster’s face robbed it of its strength, and so Sam had to laugh at himself to come down from the high of tapping into his heritage. In a few short moments, he was back to his normal, boring self. He headed through the tunnel to meet back up with Koban and the girl.
“Sorry about that. Anyway, you should get the girl back to her father - or better yet, a hospital. She’s likely in need of medical attention. I’ll set to work sealing this place up. The last thing we want is a very lucky necromancer finding that thing’s carcass down here.”
He reached into his jacket pocket and produced a small pouch with a heavy aroma of herbs and earth. He held it out to the girl, along with a business card.
“Take this. Put it under your pillow. It’ll help with the nightmares. If the smell of it ever turns sour or rotten, call me. If the smell of it fades and goes away, then it’s done its work and you’re in the clear.”
He turned to look at Koban once more.
“We have some things to discuss next time we get a chance.”
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