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Chapter 4: Serene Minds
As Morning dawned, Granberia casually marched forward through the thick forest, her stick slung over her the back of her tunic like a knight's great sword. "I wonder what Salamander's gonna think of her." Granberia thought in reference to Alma. She spared a curious glance to the young succubus. Alma had a long purple scarf wrapped around her head, which she held onto tightly, along with a cloak that seem too big for her size. Alma was looking downwards at the forest floor, her eyes downcast. So far, she hadn't spoken much about why she was running. Granberia didn't expect to find her during her trip around the Gold region. She thought back to the day she left.
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Gold Volcano
"Alright kid, I think you have what it takes to travel on your own." Salamander said as Granberia lifted a bag with food onto her back. As Granberia swung the stick she had used for training over her back, Salamander continued speaking. "Travel around this region for a week, see if you can find anything interesting in the world around you." Salamander scratched her head, her hand traveling through the flames above her. "Normally I wouldn't like the idea of sending such a young kid like you out there, but most kids haven't mastered the Serene Mind at the age of five, so I'm sure you'll be fine." Nodding, the eight-year old Dragonkin turned and began to walk to the cave entrance, her head held up high. Smiling proudly, Salamander's grin shifted to a predatory one as she turned around. In front of her was a group of four monsters clad head to toe in gleaming armor. They consisted of two sword wielding elves, one Cerberus, and one lamia with a spear strapped over her shoulder. "So." The Flame Spirit said, cracking her neck. "Your training begins now." As though awoken by an unspoken signal, the squad charged forward, Salamander doing the same as her smile widened, her fangs gleaming.
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Gold Forest
Jumping over the charging Mantis Girl, Granberia turned and hit her in the head with a rock, sending her stumbling into a pond.
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The lamia lifted herself as high as she could as she could, stabbing her spear right in front of the charging spirit. She blinked.
The Spirit was running at them one moment, now she was standing right on top of the spear, balancing herself perfectly as though she hadn't been running in the first place. A flaming fist smashed itself into her helmet, shattering it as the Lamia fell down backwards. Disbelief lined the Lamia's face right before a fire-charged kick to the temple knocked her out. Salamander laughed as she dodged a slice from the elf twins.
"You react too slowly."
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The harpy bandit threw a collection of throwing knives at the young dragonkin, all of which were dodged by the speedy warrior in training. She through another knife while the dragon was in the middle of a dodge-
Only for her to reach out and grab it. With a twirl, she held it out along side her stick. Glaring at the challenge through green eyes, the harpy bandit spread her wings and flew up, revealing the steel gauntlets covering her talons. Her blue hair flipped around as she flew forward, the young dragonkin doing a charge of her own.
Year's later, the Harpy Queen would laugh when she realized exactly who she had been fighting at that time.
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The Elves have been getting more impatient as the fights gone on, Salamander realized. They both charged forward in a choreographed attack that Salamander had already seen. Reaching out with flaming speed, she gripped bother their wrists in an iron grip. Without looking behind herself, Salamander flung them off their feet behind her. She leaped out of the way as the Cerberus barreled through, smashing into her elven comrades during the charge and sending them flying into a wall, on which they slid down. The Cerberus stopped and turned around, looking at her unconscious comrades. Instantly, all three heads began to argue with one another as they tried to figure out who needed to be blamed.
"Keep your focus."
With that, Salamander leaped onto the distracted beasts back, swiping at all three heads with her sharp nails. Cracks appeared on the helmets as the now dazed Cerberus stumbled around. Salamander jumped off her back with a burst of flame as she hopped on top of a nearby pile of stones. Cerberus angrily charged again in an attempt to knock her down. Salamander calmly jumped down as the living battering ram charged forward, her burning nails slashing the massive dog in the side, this time drawing blood. Unable to control it's momentum, the Cerberus continued charging forward before coming to a stop. The First head glared at Salamander, the second smiling in blood lust, while the third looked on in concern at the small slash on her side.
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In the darkness of the night, Granberia held out her dagger as she stared at the vampiress. Despite the the wooden spear in her chest, the ghoul was still determined to fight. Normally, Granberia didn't fight to kill her opponent but after seeing what the vampire had been doing, she couldn't bear to stand by and let anything more happen.
(The dragonkin looked on in horror as the red eyed vampiress ripped into the throat of the dead human boy. All around the area, mutilated, pale corpses were strewn over the ground.
On top of the wagon was a small red stained bundle of clothes.
That was what Granberia told herself, intentionally ignoring the shape of the bundle, or how their seemed to be something small and pale under it, or how a red trail was leaking out the side of it. The vampiress stopped her feast to turn and look at Granberia. Her bloody mouth transformed into a smile as she spoke. "Are you lost?" She said, her soft voice completely at odds with her deed. Suddenly the vampire leaped forward, claws outstretched as her mouth seemed to fill itself with fangs, her true form revealed.
At that moment, serenity prevailed.
Letting the power of water take hold in her, Granberia closed her eyes.
The vampire blinked when she finished her pounce, only to find no warm flesh to sink into. Still on all fours, she turned around, looking for the little dragonkin. She got her answer when a Granberia's stick smashed it's way into her face hard enough to snap it's end off, knocking a fang out as she yowled in pain. Turning swiftly, Granberia stabbed her newly made spear into the vampires chest, forcing it back. Granberia pushed the impaled vampire away with all of her might. At this point, she stepped back, accidently stepping onto the dead boy's corpse.
Her Serene Mind cleared up.)
The vampiress laughed as pure obedience shined through her eyes. Soon this little annoyance would be nothing but another blood bag.
Granberia felt her body begin to stiffen.
The Vampire's power was quite strong against a mind that had been unfocused and recently disturbed.
But against a Serene Mind, it would not last for long.
Granberia calmly closed her eyes as the vampire approached, absolutely confident in her victory. That was before her "defeated" charged forward, stabbing her blade right into her belly button. "FUCKING SHIT" She screamed, sending her left claw down. Granberia pulled out swiftly. From her perspective, her enemy was moving slowly as though underwater. Running to the side, she threw her knife. The vampire shrieked as she reared backwards, her hands on her face as the knife protruded form her left eye. With her claws occupied, Granberia ran forward. Using her momentum, she pushed her the spear right into the vampires black heart.
With one last shuddering wail, the vampire fell to the ground dead.
Granberia went over to the corpse, pulling her knife and spear out. After that, the vampire's corpse dissolved in a flash of light. Panting, the young warrior got on her knee's. Looking around, she sadly surveyed the dead bodies. Knowing that nothing more could be done, she turned her back and walked away, knowing that at the very least, she had avenged them.
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Salamander calmly stared the angry Cerberus down. She had lasted far longer than the others despite the extensive damage she received. She was now limping on her left hind leg, and her two left and right heads had been knocked unconscious. Her armor had been cracked and outright shattered in many places. And Salamander stood in front of her at the edge of a small cliff, not a scratch on her. Bellowing, she charged forward one last time.
This time Salamander did not move away.
A loud crashing sound resounded throughout the volcano.
The dog yelped in surprise, looking down as Salamander held her in place, her hands digging into the massive canines chest. With a grin, Salamander began to pull up.
"Wh-What are you doing?" the surprised dog shouted as she tried to pull herself away. Salamanders nails dug into the dog's chest as she slowly began to lift her up.
Steam began to rise from her body as she put her power into this throw.
With a mighty heave, Salamander threw the Cerberus over the cliff behind her. The Dog yelped as she fell down ten feet onto the drop below. A loud thud was heard. The shear exhaustion of the battle finally overwhelmed her, and she let sleep claim her.
"You'll be fine." Salamander quipped as she overlooked her unconscious students. She then began to walk towards the front entrance of the volcano, calling out behind her back: "Training starts again tomorrow morning." Walking outside, she felt the cool air on her body as she stared at the moon. A genuine, warm smile crept it's way onto her face as she looked up. "Granberia...Your gonna go far kid."
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Granberia and Alma continued walking forward. Eventually, Granberia finally decided to ask Alma about her circumstances. Leaning her head backwards, the little knight spoke thusly: "Hey, uh, you've been looking a bit sad. If you want to talk about it..." Alma whispered something. Granberia frowned "Sorry, I couldn't hear you." Alma turned to the side, her eyes starting to get wet. Granberia sighed and facepalmed. "Look, I'm really sorry that I brought it up, I honestly don't know just how bad whatever happened-" Suddenly, Granberia's eyes widened as she smelt a familiar scent.
The scent of blood.
Grabbing Alma, she pulled the surprised young Succubus into a nearby bush. "What-"
"Shh. Do you hear that?" Granberia growled from inside the bush, her hands going to her dagger and spear. Alma looked around nervously.
From inside the bush, they both watched as a lamia with long green hair and golden eyes slithered nearby the bush. The lamia braced herself on a nearby tree, clearly tired. Their was a crossbow wound on her right shoulder, and a big slash on her chest area between her breasts. Their was also a small, but bleeding gash on her forehead. She had a noticeably large belly. Alma and Granberia's eyes widened as they realized the implications.
"Is-is she pregnant?" They both thought. Suddenly, they heard the clopping of hooves and the clanking of armor.
A group of knights charged through the trees, surrounding them. On their armored chests was the symbol of a cross.
The mark of Illias.
One Knight lifted up a spear, which he pointed at the lamia. "IN THE NAME OF ILLIAS, SURRENDER AND WE SHALL GRANT YOU A QUICK DEATH! REFUSE, AND WE WILL SEND YOU TO HELL THE SLOW WAY!"
Granberia narrowed her eyes from within the bush. Without hesitation, she stepped out, her spear and dagger in hands. She glared at the growing number of knights.
"Like Hell you will."
The ironclad knight's slowly began to surround them, up to thirteen in all. Five horse bound swordsmen stared at them through lion-faced helmets. Two men with shark faced helmet's held crossbow's at their hips, casually leaning on nearby tree's. Four men on the ground held spears, and they wore boar shaped helmets. On top of one horse, the speaking spearman from earlier had a gold colored boar helmet, perhaps signifying him as a person of greater importance than the other spear wielders. One small looking fellow wore what appeared to be wolf shaped helmet, and on each hand he wore a three pronged gauntlet of sharpened steel.
The Gold Spearman stared at Granberia. "A CHILD, EH? WE SHOULD PROBABLY KILL YOU BEFORE YOU GROW UP TO BE A STRONG DRAGON."
The Wolf Man seemed to be excited by this statement, for he began to beat on his chest and laugh. One of the crossbow men seemed to take issue with this. "...Do we really have to kill her? She's just a kid-" "SILENCE!" The Gold Spearman roared. "SHE IS A DEVILSPAWN! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY PEOPLE WE WOULD MURDER BY LETTING HER LIVE TO ADULTHOOD? HER AND THAT DEVILSPAWN CHILD IN THAT FOUL LAMIAS WOMB! THEY MUST BE DESTROYED!"
Granberia was unmoved. "You guys think you're a bunch of hero's? Don't make me laugh. I know a real warrior, and she'd be a far better knight than all of you combined."
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Gold Volcano
Salamander swiftly dodged to the side as the Cerberus charged her, the spear wielding lamia on the dogs back swiping at her on the side. Casually leaning back, Salamanders advice was swift.
"It's nice to see you two working together."
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Gold Forest
The Goldman was enraged. "FOUL REPTILLIAN! WE ARE NOT A GROUP OF TRAVELING ADVENTURERS! WE ARE NOT MEN SEEKING PLEASURE FROM MONSTERS LIKE THOSE TRAITORS IN GRAND NOAH! WE ARE WARRIORS, KNIGHTS DEDICATED TO KILLING ALL OF YOUR HERETICAL SCUM! WE ARE THE EXTERMINATION ARM OF THE CHURCH! WE ARE THE ULTIMATE KNIGHTS OF ILLIAS! WE ARE THE CRU-
"Illias Kreuzaders." A booming voice interrupted. The Goldman became even angrier as he shouted out "WHO DARES INTERRUPT MY SPEEC-oh hi general I didn't see you there", he said, suddenly becoming meek in the end. A new figure stepped up behind the crossbow men.
He was clad in dark armor, and he wore a black helmet shaped like a human skull over his head with a red visor. He was a tall figure, with Granberia only coming up to his legs. Slung over his back was a massive halberd. What was most notable, however, were the bones.
A necklace of various types of monster fangs was slung around his neck. The sharp talons of a bird monster covered the fingers of his gauntlets like nails. Slung across his chest on a bandolier, were, shocking enough, three human skulls. On all three skulls, the word "Heretic" and "Tail Lover" had been carved onto the foreheads, hinting at his reasons for murdering his own kind. Lastly, at the bottom of his helmet, a fang tipped lower jaw bone had been slung over where his own jaw would be. It was a truly fearsome sight. Granberia held her weapons tighter when she realized that jaw bone belonged to a dragonkin.
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"Now Granberia, there are four types of hero's. There's the lousy, weak kind that are only in it for the privileges. Next, there are the perverts that intentionally lose to get laid. Then, their are the brave, noble types that protect the people, these guy's are usually the type that'll give you a good fight. However, the last group is what you should really be concerned about." Salamander said, suddenly becoming serious. "These guy's are the crazies, the lunatics, they really, really, hate monsters and whoever associates with them. Killing is what they really, really, love. They don't care if a monsters minding her own business, they'll kill her and dance around her corpse. They will attack human villages that so much as let one monster coexist with them. They don't even care if they have to attack a major human kingdom! As long as they can kill something, the consequences can go to the depths of earth." Salamander pointed at Granberia. "If you see those guys coming at you, do not hesitate at all, because they won't. Unless you want to become their dinner, put your everything into that fight. If they out number you, run. Living another day is worth the shame."
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Granberia pushed herself out of her memories. "I'm not the one who's going to be running."
The Bone General looked at her, his expression masked by his helmet. "It is a shame that I have to kill a brave little warrior like you at such a young age. I would have loved to fight you in your adulthood." He turned to the Goldman. "Crusaders is the modern interpretation. As the best knights of the Goddess, we must use ancient translation, "Kreuzaders." The Goldman seemed to recoil. "General, I'm sorry-" He shrieked in fear when he found an axe blade aimed at his throat. The General glared at him. "Redeem yourself through combat." Snapping out his fear, the Goldman mumbled an apology before charging forward, spear outstretched.
[Serene Mind]
The man thrust his spear out at Granberia, only for her to leap up above him. He gasped in shock right before she tossed her spear's blunt end at his head, knocking him off his horse. She then jumped down onto his body, knocking the wind out of him before she smashed her fist into the side of his helmet, knocking him unconscious with a loud clang. The horse, frightened by this turn of events, ran off.
Wordlessly, the General pointed forwards, and all four remaining spearmen charged forwards. With four men surrounding her, it would have been a tough battle for a six-year old child, even with her serene mind.
But most kids weren't Granberia.
Moving forward, she shifted around one knight seamlessly, knocking him off his feet with a swing. He fell to the ground, dropping his spear, which fell forwards and cut another knight ass. The man screamed as he tripped. "Demon!" he screamed, turning around to swing at her-
-Only for him to fall down, gurgling his own blood as a spear protruded from his back. The lamia from earlier pulled the spear out, which she had taken from the now unconscious Goldman. With a flourish, she turned around and swung it at the third spearman, locking them both into a duel. The first spearman cowered on the ground, crawling away and trying not to be noticed- only for a cross bolt to slam into his head, killing him.
The General glared at one of the horrified archers. "Next time, try aiming before you open fire."
The Wolfman looked on, breathing heavily. He eagerly got ready to charge forwards-Only for bone tipped hand to grab him and hold him in place. "Come on General, let met at 'em he" whined, struggling. The General shook his head. "No. The last time you got this excited Konner, three of our men went home with horrible burns and five of them died. We can't risk you going crazy and attacking everyone." Konner sadly drooped his head, his respect for the General outweighing his bloodlust. The General looked at the fight. The lamia head butted the third spearman, and now she had impaled him in the chest with the spear. As he fell downwards, one of the Lion Knights burst out from behind a tree. Throughout the battle, the sword knights had been sneaking out to start an ambush. She and the knight locked their weapons together. Meanwhile, Granberia finished off the last spearman. Forcing him backwards, she let out a truly vicious swing at his head, shattering his helmet and slamming him into a tree, dazed. "Gonna kill you.." He said, swinging around dizzily before a branch fell out of the tree, clunking him in the head. He fell to the ground unconscious. Granberia then turned, ready to fight the next group-
-Just in time to dodge when a cross bolt flew through the air by her head. The shark men cursed and reloaded their crossbows.
Running forward, she ignored them and attacked a swordsman that had been sneaking up on the lamia while she was occupied.
The man yowled in pain as she slid beneath his legs, hitting him right in the nuts.
These men were willing to kill a pregnant woman. They deserved no mercy. As he fell to the ground unconscious, the lamia managed to overwhelm her opponent, stabbing him through the neck. Two more swordsmen came out of the woods, older and more advanced in their technique than the previous ones by the looks of it. As they advanced, Granberia and the Lamia got back to back with one another. As the lamia dueled her swordsman, the one fighting Granberia kept his distance as she released a strike. "A Serene Mind." he thought, carefully observing her movements. " I'll just use the normal strategy. I'll stay out of her reach until she runs out of the Spirit Power needed to keep her Serene Mind up. Then, I'll strike" He finished, narrowly avoiding a blow from the young swordswoman as cracks began to form on his sword.
The General raised his hands to his mouth as he released a truly tremendous shout.
"SEND IN THE HOUNDS!"
On cue, a loud rumble was heard through the forest as a large amount of armored Dire Wolves tore through the woods into the clearing. The swordsmen seemed to be invigorated, for their blows came even harder. They surrounded the fighters, waiting to break in. Meanwhile, Alma hid in the bush, watching in shock and awe at the battle. While she had just met Granberia, she had no idea that she was so skilled. The lamia fighter also brought out her curiosity. Suddenly, a sword cut through the bush.
The last swordsman had found her. His helmet, shaped like the head of a roaring lion, peered at her as his hand reached out to grab her. She inched herself back as he began to push himself further into the bush. "Don't worry, I'll make it quick. Believe, the other guys would go out of their way to hurt you." He casually said, as though he was walking about the weather. Alma began to back away even further as the man raised his sword.
Outside, the archers began to aim, their sights firmly on Granberia.
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Succubus Village
Her Mother was yelling at her to run as the beast held her in place. Her beautiful appearance was marred by ash and blood as the killer held her in place, smiling at her struggles to break out. But the sheer horror still rooted her in place. Then the beast began to slowly lift her mother up. His mouth opened wide, wider than it had the right to as he raised her head towards his mouth. Behind her mother, she saw steam beginning to rise from the monsters lower area.
At this point Alma finally held the courage to run. Without looking behind her she was about to round the corner when she heard
a sickening crunch coming from where her mother was. Alma started to run faster.
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Alma walked forwards, her eyes blank at the horror surrounding her. While running, she tripped over something on the ground.
It was a dark purple scarf, the same color as her mother's hair. Wordlessly, she put it on before running some more.
She escaped the down, amazingly having no further encounters with it.
BEFORE
"I don't why your interested in the being a warrior, but I'll show what I know" her mother said, clearly not taking Alma seriously but deciding to indulge her request regardless.
NOW
Suddenly, Alma felt like her fear had dissipated.
Like her mother had instructed her, she stepped forward with her fist outstretched, her wings spreading out.
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Two things happened.
First, the archers pressed down the triggers of their crossbows, sending out two bolts.
Second, one of their own screamed in alarm.
The bolts did not reach their target. Instead, a screaming lion knight was sent flying through the air out of the bush in a blast of air, right into the arrows path. The bolts punched into him, the momentum instantly killing him and sending his corpse right into the knight fighting the lamia, knocking him out. Terrified by the events so far, the remaining horses turned and fled to the dismay of the humans. Those fighting turned and stared in amazement. The surprise of it broke Granberia out of her Serene Mind. Alma walked out of the bush, wind billowing around her. No longer did she seem like a scared little girl.
This time, she had an absolutely determined look in her eyes. Several hounds broke off from their pack to attack her-
-only for a green blur to fly past them. Lashing out with her stick, Granberia knocked the dogs off their paws, sending them crashing to the forest floor.
She then took a place right next to Alma, both of them sharing a knowing look. If they fought together, they would be much stronger in battle.
Putting her spear between her teeth, the lamia ran forward, grabbing two swords from two fallen swordsmen. Quickly slithering over to Granberia and Alma, she tossed a sword to both of them. Granberia expertly held the sword up, Alma imitating her position.
The wolves began to circle them, filled with rage. Behind them, the last remaining swordsman jumped on a particularly large wolf like it was a horse.
He raised his sword and pointed it at them as the horde began to creep forwards.
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The General glared one of the archers. They recoiled in fear. "Look man," said one of the archers, "We didn't mean to shoot Igor-GAH!" He yelled as the General fastened his right hand around his head, lifting him into the air. He began to squeeze. "Igor belonged to a Noble family." A crack was heard as the man started screaming in pain. "His death will not reflect well on us." With one final squeeze, he dropped the dead archer onto the ground. While the one remaining archer looked on in horror, the general casually flicked the blood and brain matter off of his hand. He turned to Konner. "Make sure that the other one does his duty." Laughing, Konner turned and looked at the last archer. He held the blades on his gauntlet up to the man's neck. The terrified archer gulped and pointed his crossbow back at the battle
The General strode forward through the sea of combat, his main focus directed to Granberia.
"If you want something done right, do it yourself."
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The war wolves were not stupid. Instead of attacking all at once, they were circling the group, looking for any opportunities to catch them by surprise. One hound jumped out behind Granberia. Spinning around, she swung her sword, cutting through it's neck mid leap. The wolf fell to the ground besides her, blood spewing from the stump on it's neck. Another two charged at her, only for Alma to jump in front of them. She let loose a punch in front of them, a burst of air coming from her fist, sending the two wolves back into the horde, knocking the other dogs around. While the rest of the wolves recovered from the unconventional barrage, three more charged forward, only for her to swing her sword, the slash traveling away from the sword and cutting into the hounds. One dropped to the ground as it's front leg was severed, blood gushing as the shock of the sudden loss sent the dog into unconsciousness. Another lost it's head, and it charged forward a few more feet before dropping to the ground. The last wolf fell to the side as it's left ear fell to the ground, it's training being the only thing preventing it from crying out.
It got back to it's feet and growled at her-only for a spear to pierce through it's head.
The lamia pulled her red spear out of the dead hound, twisting it around with a flourish as she brought it's end down onto another wolves head, sending it to the ground, it's tongue lolling out as it surrendered to blackness. Suddenly, sharp teeth bit into the back of her red tail, and she yelled as the dog on her tail began to sink it's teeth further in. Running on pure adrenaline, she swung her tail at another hound, the sheer force snapping it's neck as she violently swung the dog down like a hammer, the beast falling off after the impact. The hammered dog had it's own war helmet shattered as it stumbled around, dazed.
The red spear slit it's throat, and it finally fell down, dead. More hounds began to surround her. Granberia and Alma quickly rushed to her aid. Granberia slid between two wolves slicing a limb or two off with each hit. As the wolves fell to the ground, another one rushed at her. Granberia flung herself forward, and with her sword she cut it's head in two horizontally as she took a position next to the lamia. Alma charged forward with the power of the wind, elbowing her way into a hound, which was sent flying over her head as it yelped, blood gushing from it's mouth. It crashed down onto the floor as she finally took a spot next to Granberia and the lamia. Sweat began to drip down her forehead, for she was not as used to fighting as Granberia and the lamia. Nevertheless, she still took a fighting stance.
With the deaths of their fellow hounds, the wolves were now falling back. This changed, when, on top of his war hound, the last swordsman charged forward, the wolves trailing after him, reinvigorated. As the beast's began to surround them further, Granberia closed her eyes and focused.
[Serene Mind]
Cut the head off the snake, and the body will die.
Speeding forward, she dove between the wolves easily moving around them. Jumping onto one wolves head, she used it as a stepping stone. Leaping forward, she brought her sword down onto the man's own sword. Crack's formed on his sword as she used her feet to jump off of his plated chest, nearly knocking him over. She sailed over the snapping head's off the wolves, her serene state making them appear to be barely moving. She threw her stick, the pointy end impaling itself into one hounds eye. The panicked animal began to lash out around, hitting other dogs. Due to this and the ongoing battle, the wolves began to lose discipline, the first wolves tantrum spreading to the others and driving them to bite and snap at other wolves the chaos spreading.
On top of his hound, the swordsman desperately called out to his hounds. "Settle down now!'' he yelled, barely holding on to his now berserk hound.
Then, Granberia saw her opportunity.
Jumping from wolf to wolf, she brought her sword down, the man desperately holding out his own blade.
His eyes widened as she cut right through his blade. As the silver splinters sailed through the air, her blade cut across his chest. He fell off of his hound. He blinked, feeling unharmed.
Right before a thin line appeared on his chest, blood suddenly spraying out. As he cried out in pain, the war wolves lost their discipline entirely. They began to run around wildly, the wounded swordsman disappearing under a tide of fur as the hounds trampled over him, the animal's randomly attacking everything in sight, including the monsters and their fellow hounds. Using her Serene Mind, Granberia eased through the swarm, chopping off limbs and head's as she got back to Alma and the lamia. Alma thrust her hand's forward, creating a wind barrier in a small radius around them. The now savage hounds began to bush themselves up against the barrier, snapping and snarling. A few managed to force themselves past it, but a spear to the brain's quickly ended them. Running up a wolves back, Granberia jumped into the circle.
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The Bone General glared at the chaotic mess around him. War beasts tripping over each other, most of his men dead because they couldn't take on a pregnant lamia and two kids. "How could this happen?"He thought, before he found his answer. "Of course...the assault on the lamia camp was the first true combat mission for everyone except for me and Konner. Also, my soldier's aren't used to fighting monster's that are willing to fight lethally. Idiot's, don't they know that when fighting to kill, they should expect their enemies to do the same." He sighed as he clutched one of the skull's strapped across his chest. "This was supposed to be a simple extermination mission to increase the experience of my recruits, not a further scar on our Order." Crack's began to form on the skull he was holding. He looked at the now mad horde. By now, the three monsters had managed to wittle their numbers to less than twenty. Those not dead were stumbling around in daze with various injuries and lost limbs, the remaining healthy wolves not moving as fast. "USELESS" He growled in anger, having enough.
"SO BE IT."
The General finally crushed the skull as he looked up into the sky. By now, it was Afternoon. "Illias, give me strength!" he prayed, raising his hand's to the heavens. He pulled out his halberd as he aimed it right in the middle of the horde. He began to move forward with a speed beyond what his massive form appeared capable of achieving. Aiming his blade, he spoke his next words not with a roar, but with deathly cold calmness.
"Demon Decapitation"
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Granberia's eyes widened as the war hounds in front of her suddenly began to split in two down the middle, falling down in bloody halves while a black blur charged forward. "Move!" She yelled as the general prepared another swing. "Demon Decapitation" he called out, his attack slicing right into Alma's barrier like it wasn't there. The succubus yelped as she and the lamia dove out of the way. Granberia slid under the General as he brought his halberd down onto where they had been standing before hand, sending a mass of wet earth into the air. She immediately leaped forward to attack-
Only for him to grab her sword mid swing and hold her, snapping her concentration and her Serene Mind. "A monster technique" she said under her breath, loud enough for him to hear. "It decapitates demon's like you. That's good enough for me and Illias." Staring Granberia right in the eye's, he began to lift his axe up, ready to bring it down. "Shit! He's got me! Unless-" Inhaling as fast as she could, Granberia exhaled as she released a fiery blast right into his face. He held his axe in front of his face like a shield, the expertly crafted metal defending himself from the heat.
Granberia braced her leg's against his chest, pushing herself backwards with all her might. A terrible scraping noise was heard as she jumped back. Landing on her feet, she looked at her sword, only for her too see that the tip had been snapped off. "Ah, Nuts." She thought as the General charged forward's, brandishing his axe. She immediately leaped out of the way of his blow. Turning, she sent out a swing of her own, only for him to block it with his halberd. she promptly rolled under his next swing, jumping onto a dog corpse. "He's so fast." She thought, her breathing going ragged as she finally began to sweat. She jumped up, intending to hit his head, but he blocked with his halberd and shoved her off of him six feet away. "He's definitely not like the others... If his giant axe hit's my sword full on, it'll shatter! Unles-" Her thought's were interrupted as he brought his grim edge down. She narrowly evaded the blow as he split a dead dog in half.
XXX
Alma watched with wide eyes as Granberia began to struggle against the giant. She desperately wanted to help, but she was currently preoccupied. The surviving wolves were surrounding her. There was seemingly no end to the things. She sent one hound flying with a windblast, it's close proximity to her attack ensuring that it was ripped in half as her attack sent it's remains rolling in the grass. Suddenly, a massive weight on her back as another wolf pounced her. She quickly held her sword up, her right hand on the grip and her left on the flat. The dog snapped and snarled as it bit down onto her sword, shaking it's head from side to side as it tried to rip it out of her hands. As the wolf began to scratch at her, she finally let go.
And used the power of wind to push the sword upwards, the blade in the hounds mouth slicing through and separating the top of the hound's head. It fell backwards as blood spewed from the separated area's. The now blood soaked succubus panted. Now, their were only three dogs left. Faster than she could summon her wind, they closed in.
"No!" a strained voice called, and then a thrown spear pierced through the hound's head's, killing all three.
The lamia breathed heavily as she pulled her spear out. She pointed towards the General. "That Illias humper over there is the main threat. Try and hold him back with your wind." She then turned towards the crossbow man and Konner. "I'll take that sniper out."
XXX
An idea formed in Granberia's head as he continued to chase her, swinging his halberd again and again as she barely managed to parry.
"If I have enough time to concentrate, I can recreate my Serene Mind."
She stood her ground, holding her sword out as he charged forward. With a roar, he swung downward's. At the same time Granberia leaped into the air, before forcing herself downwards. Landing on top off the handle with her feet, she swung with all she had at the General's head-he suddenly swung his halbered to the side like a club, the sheer force sending her flying off. Her impact was broken when she fell onto a pile of gore. Her warrior's discipline was what kept her calm, even as blood that was not her own began to stain her. Once again, she had to dodge a sudden slice at her head. She barely evaded, a few of her red hairs getting sliced off despite her narrow dodge. She spied a brown, sharp edge sticking out of a dead wolves head.
"Just what I was looking for."
Her tail began to wrap around the stick. She closed her eye's and began to concentrate. The General immediately prepared to swing his sword, intent on claiming her head before she could active her Serene Mind.
Suddenly, her tail flicked the spear at him. He instinctively swung his axe, smashing it into splinters.
[Serene Mind]
This one second difference was all Granberia needed. Climbing up his armor, she swung. He moved his head to she side, but she did succeed in severing the dragonkin jawbone on his helmet. Jumping off, she began to run around him. He began swinging wildly. His swing's were like a blur, able to grind a base opponent into bits in a normal situation.
Granberia dashed around his strikes with ease. He brought his halberd down, only for her to move out of the way, which resulted in him burying the axe into some wolf corpses. While he started shaking the corpses off, the battlefield thick with blood, she climbed on top of his back. Grabbing onto his collar, she pulled her sword back, absolutely focused on driving it through his skull.
Suddenly, pain exploded in her shoulder.
Grunting, the impact sent her across the battlefield. She rolled to a stop. Groaning in pain, she noticed the crossbow bolt sticking out of her shoulder.
XXX
"I did it!" The last archer triumphantly yelled. He began to reload his crossbow, Konner standing nearby. The man in wolf armor laughed at the sight of the dragonkin on the ground. "Finally, you did something useful!" he jovially said. "Thanks-GAH!" the archer yelled. Konner turned just in time to see the archer fall to his knees, a thrown spear right in his heart. Konner felt his mouth water when he gazed across the killing field to see the lamia they had been fighting, her arm outstretched. "You really shouldn't have done that." he croaked out, slowly advancing towards her with his gauntlet claws outstretched. The Lamia's eyes widened when she realized that throwing away her only weapon was probably not her best idea.
XXX
Grabbing a nearby stick, Granberia bit down on it as she pulled the bolt from her shoulder. She then heard a dreaded growling noise.
"Not now..." she thought as the last remaining wolf ran at her, climbing on top of her body. Thinking fast, she pulled out her knife. Just when the wolf was about to close it's jaw's around her throat, she stabbed the blade right into it's neck. The wolf let out one last whimper before collapsing, and while pushing it off of her, she saw the General striding towards her. He picked up speed. "No more games." Granberia barely had her sword up before he was finally in front of her. He raised his halberd. This time, it was the end-
"Hey, asshole!" A wolf carcass slammed into him, knocking off his concentration. Granberia slipped past him, and she was greeted by the sight of Alma holding out her hands, a strained look on her face. Alma immediately lashed out with her wind, sending a massive blast at the General. However, his concentration had returned. Holding his arms out in front of him like an X, he began to move forward despite the wind's ripping around him. With a yell, Alma sent two more wolf corpses flying at him.
He immediately pulled out his Halberd, and with no hesitation he sliced through both wolves, the gore covering him as he began to get closer.
Right next to Alma, Granberia did her best to ignore the pain as she began to concentrate. Slowly, she opened her eyes, a calm look in them despite the devastation around her. "You can go." She casually remarked, now dual wielding her sword and dagger. Alma was about to protest, only for Granberia to point behind her. "She need's your help." Granberia pointed at the Lamia, who was struggling against Konner without her spear. Alma hesitated, but decided to put her faith in Granberia. Nodding, she went off to help. Granberia finally turned back to the Boneman. Without the cyclone holding him back, he had pushed forwards. Right in front of her. He swung his axe right at her, cutting into the air itself, his speed faster that any sane reaction could hope to accomplish.
Like water flowing around an obstacle, Granberia evaded it.
Her Serene Mind had returned.
The General's expression grew baleful under his helmet. "No more holding back."
This time it would be a battle of equals.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Konner laughed as he advanced on the lamia. "After tonight, your wretched warrior clan will be gone forever." Picking up a wolf corpse, she threw it with all her might. Konner simply held up his gauntlet.
In an explosion of blood, the dead wolf was ripped in half. Even as the blood coated his Wolf Helmet, Konner was not worried. "You may have put blood on my eyes, but I can still sniff your tasty blood out."
"Go back miss. I'll take care of this." The lamia looked on in surprise. Even though she was clearly exhausted from the battle, and covered in minor scratches the young succubus was still willing to fight. A hard, battle worn look was on her face. "Such courage, at such a young age." Knowing that she could trust her, the lamia went to find a place to rest while Alma engaged Konner. The Wolfman laughed maniacally as he charged at her, claws outstretched.
Spreading her wings, Alma jumped over him, throwing her sword to the side in a bold move. He looked to the sky, eyes wide beneath his helmet. "I forgot they could do that..." Alma launched a quick blast of wind, knocking him off his feet as he still charged. His momentum turned against him, Konner tumbled through the ground before hitting a tree, smacking his helmet and covering it with cracks. Shaking his head, he got up, his vision blurring. "Fuck! I can't see shit with this broken helmet on." Growling hatefully, Konner ripped his helmet off, revealing a long head of black hair, a shaggy beard covering his face, and a feral grin. Holding out his claws, Konner got on all four's and jumped up at Alma. She narrowly dodged to the side as he grabbed onto a tree. Jumping off of it, he did a flip, his claws slicing downwards as she evaded again. His claws dug into the woods of another tree as he pulled his bladed claws downwards, splitting wood as he turned around. With a cruel grin, he pointed upwards. Alma looked at her left wing.
There was a big cut on it.
She felt something soft and warm start to trip out of it.
Then, she was falling.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Even in her serene state, Granberia started breathing heavily, the battle making her tired even in her serene state. She once again managed to avoid a strike from the general, their blades clashing as Granberia timed her blows in a way that would not shatter her sword against his larger weapon. She managed to run past him, striking his armored leg. To her dismay, she found that she had only managed to make a small cut. "His armors' too hard...I just need to find a weak spot.." At that moment, the General smashed the Halberd downwards. "Demon Skull Beheading!" The impact sent a shower of blood and dust into the air. Granberia grimaced as she braced herself for his next attack.
"Thunder Thrust!"
XXX
Using the wind, Alma halted her descent, watching in horror as Konner began run, his claws outstretched as he prepared to skewer her. Thinking quickly, she opened up her tail and pointed it at him.
Konner yelled out in surprise and tripped as a sticky liquid was blasted into his eyes. "Holy shit, there's digestive juice in my eyes!" He immediately raised his hands to his face. Through blurred eyes, he saw his own bladed gauntlet pointed at him. Laughing manically, he pulled his blades away from his face. "Clever girl, trying to trick me into cutting my eyes out..." He smashed his face into the grass, wiping the juice off his eyes as he got up and looked around. "Now where did you go.." Like a dog, he got on his knees and sniffed her blood out. He saw a small trail around him, but he couldn't see her.
Up in a tree, Alma held up a crossbow. While Konner was blinded, she had taken the crossbow from the dead archer. Aimining it at his head, she pulled the trigger. While the bolt did not hit the intended target, it did succeed at striking Konner in the back. The heavy bolt sent him to the ground, screaming in pain. Alma's eyes widened as the recoil sent the crossbow flying out of her hands, with Alma falling off the branch she was standing on. Quickly, she wrapped her tail around the branch.
Enraged, Konner ran to the tree and stabbed his gauntlets into it. He than began to quickly climb up, stabbing into the wood. From her branch, Alma reached under her cloak.
She let go, allowing herself to fall to the ground.
One hand still impaled in the wood, Konner reached out with his free claw, intending to gut her mid fall.
Beneath her cloak, Alma pulled out a crossbow bolt. She threw it forward, right into Konner's left eye.
With a mad scream, Konner fell backwards off of the tree, while Alma broke her fall with the wind. She panted heavily as she looked on at Konner's now unmoving form. Suddenly, the wolf man's one remaining eye opened. She immediately backed away as he began to pull himself up, a hateful roar building up in his mouth. She pushed her self backwards with the wind. Her options were now limited. She was tired, and the adrenaline was wearing off, the pain in her wing growing. She felt her back hit something. She looked up and saw the same tree that Konner had been cutting through earlier.
At that moment, Alma knew that this was her last chance to take him down. "Come on!" She shouted, Konner accepting her challenge as he charged forwards, all rational thought gone from his angry mind. He pointed his claws right at her, intending to impale her.
Straightening herself, Alma launched herself up in one last burst of air. Konner missed her and impaled his arms right into the tree. He grunted as he tried to pull his claws out, but he found himself fully stuck inside of it. As Konner tried to pull himself out, Alma dropped down behind him. Sliding beneath his legs, she released a devastating punch right into the tree's trunk.
A resounding crashing sound was heard as the tree began to tip over. Alma immediately dashed out of the way.
Konner had no such luck, and he could only stare in shock, his eye widening before the tree fell on top of him. Alma fell to her knee's as she observed the fallen trunk, Konner's legs the only thing sticking out. Whether he was dead or knocked out did not matter, just that she had won.
A delirious smile crept it's way onto her face.
XXXX
Granberia held tight, betting everything on her next move.
It may very well be her last.
The General charged forward, propelled by his Thunder Thrust, the energy from his attacks blasting off sparks to the sides.
Instead of dodging the blade, Granberia held her ground. "What is she doing?" He thought. Sure enough his blade came in contact with hers.
Just before it happened, she threw her sword at his head.
The General instinctively grabbed it, leaving his hands occupied. At the same time, Granberia grabbed onto the halberd's side, holding on tight as the charge continued. She pulled herself on top with her legs and left arm holding on for dear life, holding her dagger sideways in her right arm. The General's eyes widened as he began to make a motion to shake her off. Granberia reacted faster.
"Demon Decapitation!" Her knife began to glow with burning power.
Releasing her arm and legs, she let the momentum from his charge fling her forward.
The dagger sliced right through his neck.
Both of the fighters came to a stop. Granberia tumbled to the ground, dropping her knife. The General stopped his charge. He turned around, facing her.
Blood began to spew from his neck. He took a single step towards her.
Than another.
And another.
He dropped his halberd to the ground. He spoke one last time, awe in his voice as his hand's clasped together in prayer.
"...You were magnificent."
Like a puppet with it's strings cut, his head fell from his shoulders, blood pouring out from the stump.
Ten second's later, the dead warrior finally joined his head on the ground.
Granberia fell to the ground, looking up at the tree's, completely exhausted.
"You okay?" A worried voice yelled. Flapping wings were heard as Alma landed next to her. Granberia looked at her crossbow wound. "It's just a flesh wound." she reported, trying to ignore the strain in her own voice. "You don't look too good yourself." Alma grimaced as she finally got a good look at the cut on her wing. "Oh...I..." Alma grimaced at the pain. With a loud slither, the lamia was at their side. "Let's get out of here." She offered her tail to Alma, who climbed on it. "Some of the tree's in this massive forest contain a sap with healing properties. We just need a safe place to go find rest." Granberia, despite her injuries, rejected her offer to be carried. "I..can walk on my own." some pain from her wound still creeping into her voice despite her pride as a dragon. The lamia looked at her for a few seconds before shaking her head. "Oh right. Dragonkin. Incredibly prideful." Granberia simply shrugged before looking back at the battlefield. Now that she was not in the haze of battelust, she began to see the battlefield in a clearer light.
The dead, mutilated bodies. The red blood that stained the ground they stood. The stench of spilled entrails.
Suddenly, Granberia began to feel sick.
Alma looked back, and she immediately turned away, having similar feeling's of revulsion. Not another word was spoken as they all left the desolate clearing.
XXXXXXX
5 hours later
Konner groaned as he finally pushed the damn tree off of himself. He turned to look-
and saw the gore strewn battlefield, the General dead, and the three monsters were no where in sight, while he had been badly wounded.
"Mother-
XXXX
Somewhere Else
-Fucker"
A well dressed Merchant cursed. He had gotten lost, and now the rain was coming down like all around him. He had found a nearby cave, which he decided to take shelter in.
Guiding his oxen to a wooden post, he set it up and tied a rope to keep them from running off. He sat down, sighing as he considered his bad luck, only for him to recoil as he saw a big, black furred shape at the back of the cave. "A bear!" he shouted, louder than he intended too. He fell on his ass and began to back up as the bear began to rise up, much to his utter horror.
Two glowing white eyes peered at him from the darkness. With a start, he realized that the "bear" was actually a massive man wearing a dead bear over himself.
A loud grumble came from the massive man's stomach.
He grinned as he starred at the merchant and his oxen.
"You'll do nicely."
Wyald ate well that night.
-END
A/N: I've decided that the Ubik/Conrad sidestory would reveal too much about the backstoy too early, so I've decided to push it back at a later date.
Trivia: The Bone General was based on General Boscogn and Bishop Mozgus.
Salamander's fighting style was based on that of the Rogue Titan from Attack On Titan.
The Illias Kreuzaders are meant to be a sort precursor to Illias Kreuz.
