[13th Division] Haunted! (Curse of the Demon Dog)

[isayreadordie]

Kumo burst in roaring, though he was smaller than the hollow, he was fierce and both he and Rae knew his true power. He leapt onto the hollow, clamping his jaws into its shoulder and neck. The hollow let out an equally fierce roar, raising his claws, Rae saw them grow to the length of long daggers. Rae cringed as the claws ripped into the Kumo’s silver side, even though she knew the hollow couldn’t kill him, her heart was pained to see him damaged. Instead of blood spilling from his wound, a spray of shimmering silver dust emerged. Slowly he began to disappear as from the wound spread the cloud of silver dust. It swirled, gathering into a small tight sphere of light and as the last piece of him broke away and joined the sphere, a huge explosion followed.

Rae closed her eyes against the blinding light and she felt the shock wave ripple through the ground and the barrier around her fade. This time it wasn’t just debris that fell from the ceiling, boulders crumbled and crashed and she could suddenly smell the cool damp smell of morning wafting through the cavern. She dodged the large falling rocks, but was showered with small stones, leaving bruises and scraps all over her arms and shoulders. Her arm burned as Kumo’s tattoo etched itself back upon her flesh. She caressed it softly, silently thanking him for his help.

As the dust cleared, she could see that the sky was peeking through the cavern roof and the hollow lay still and she could smell singed animal hair. She approached him slowly, he could be playing possum, and she wasn’t going to let him pull any tricks.

She had been correct in her assumption, he grunted, a low growl coming from him as she approached. He burst from beneath the stones that had fallen on him, and he was mad. His eyes had changed and Rae was certain that the poison was now gone from his system. Oh well, it will make the fight more interesting, she thought, though what’s the fun in kicking a half dead dog…

He howled, he seemed beyond words now as he charged at her. Stupid.

But midway through his charge, he came to an abrupt halt, and stood almost as if he was listening.

Woah, Rae felt it too. His level of power suddenly changed, it was like turning of a light. Perhaps Zeph had done something...

He hesitated for a moment, before turning to flee. Whatever had been giving him a boost was now gone and he was at least smart enough to know that without it he was too weak for her.

“I don’t think so, Gekkou no Wana!” Rae pulled the poi knife from the handle of her Zan, holding it by the end of the tassels. Sweeping the poi over her head – one arc, two arcs, and on the third, the tassels had lengthened from feet to yards. With a whip like swing, she swung it at the retreating hollow where it snared him around the neck. Rae braced herself, digging her sneakered feet into the dirt and gave the poi a mighty yank. The hollow gave a strangled snarl as he hit the ground and Rae was on top of him in a flash.

“Get off of me!” his claws were still sharp, even if he had become all bark and no bite. They ripped at her leg, where she stood on his chest. Rae felt the thin trail of hot blood run down her leg, but she acted like nothing had happened.

It was her turn to snarl as she raised her sword. He wasn’t even fast enough to reply, before her sword separated his hairy head from the rest of him. Rae stood on his chest, watching as his body disappeared, almost the same way that Kumo’s body faded, but without the light. Her feet sinking to the ground beneath her as the last of him turned to nothing.

I didn't even get to have any fun...

[MarcoPR1]

Zephyros stepped from the crypt in one movement, to see the rising sun just creep over the hills... the death of Imai sat heavily on him and yet he knew this was not over...somewhere Rae was fighting a hollow... one that he was now certain, was feeding off the boy who had called him...

Suddenly Zephyros felt the shifting of darkness, as if everything that was darkening this place had been destroyed...

She must have won, he thought to himself... time to go find my clothing, I can't let these people see me as I am...they have shown to be... unnerved easily...

Zephyros moved to go to their rooms when he saw Rae come from out of what seemed to be a pit in the earth...he stepped over to her to see if she needed any assistance... He held out his hand as he noticed the cuts on her...

So it is over... he stated, knowing that she would explain when she felt like it...

OoC:

 Spoiler: click to show

Finish it off dear commander... I hope you liked my part in this...

[isayreadordie]

Rae smiled at Zephyros, "Oi Zeph, good morning." Typically she wouldn't accept an offered hand, especially since she wasn't really beat up to badly, but she figured he would appreciate her accepting his gesture.

As she pulled herself up, dusting of the debris on her clothes, she listened to th soft morning sounds. It was kind of hard to believe that they had only arrived last night and only a few short hours ago she had been sleeping. "Well, we made quick work of that, it was too easy." Her stomach growled loudly to punctuate her sentence. Man, I'm starving, lets get a bite to eat before we head back to the 13th. Mei and that snotty priest ok, yeah?" She strolled into the courtyard, many of the vassals had congregated there and stood back. They seemed uncertain whether they were looking at their savours or their enemies.

Rae scoffed but then cringed a little as she looked at the path of destruction that lead to the center of the mansion, the path she had left when she had rushed in earlier. "Opps..."

But Mei and the preist arrived and eased some of her guilt. Mei bowed to Rae and Zephyros with grace and a smile and a sincere, "Thank you! Our family can finally move ahead. What can I do to thank you."

Rae shrugged, I little embarrassed as the crowd began to come out and gather around them, "Well, it was our job, what we came here to do, but I'd settle for a coule bento boxes for the road." She smiled and the preist chuckled; the air of tension finally began to rise, like fog in the light of the morning sun. And with that, everyone began to bustle, greeting one another like they had been long parted, before beginning the day, a day without fear.

Though Rae had intended on leaving immediately, it was almost noon before their host would let them depart. Mae insisted that she and Zephyros relax before leaving the estate. They enjoyed a hearty breakfast with Mei and Dao while recounting all the nights occurances. Afterwards, Rae found herself coerced (despite her arguments) into a long bath. Mei insisted that she would be dishonored if Rae refused to accept at least some small hospitality before they left.

By the time she arrived back in the courtyard at Zephyros' side, she had been scrubbed, wounds and scratches tended and Mei had taken the liberty of having her clothes cleaned and mended but wouldn't let her have them back. So feeling distinctly wrong in the fancy blue kimono her host provided, she grinned a half smile and said, I don't know about you, but i'm ready to get out of here."

Many of the people of the estate watched them as they departed and Mei extended an invitation to them both to return sometime. Rae had never seen people look so grateful when she had completed a mission, their good emotions couldn't help but affect her as they walked away (bento boxes in hand).

"To bad all of our missions can't be like that, eh Zeph? Let's take out time on the way back, huh? Its a great day for a picnic..." she said, indicated the lunch boxes, then wandered out into the shade of the woods for a nice stroll home.

 Spoiler: click to show

Lol, most of my missions and stuff end on a depressing note or with me beat up, so I thought I'd go for something nice at the end of this one. Feel free to reply if you like or leave it as it is. Great job, and I had lots of fun!