And Darkness Consumes
Chapter Five: Of Men and Wolves
Yun threw his head back, letting flow from his thin lips a long, forlorn howl, thrusting his trophy up into the air. "NO!!" Erich screamed as he recognized the head which Yun was holding. It was the Paladin Rico. Gripping his Halberd tightly in both hands, Erich charged forth from his cover, rushing towards the man dressed in Wolf's fur. Crossing the distance in what seemed like two or three steps, Erich was upon Yun before the other even realized he was there. But Yun's Spirit Wolf companion was well aware of Erich's charge. Teleporting in front of Erich, the Spirit Wolf hurled itself at the man in Bonemold armor, going straight for the throat with it's jaws. Suddenly Erich was put on the defensive, swinging his Halberd parallel to the ground, the weight of the white furred wolf staggering him as the wolf chomped down on the heft of his Dwenmer Halberd.
The Spirit Wolf growled, it's glowing red eyes locked with Erich as it's dug it's lower paws into Erich's armor, using it's powerful neck and leg muscles to tear the Halberd free of Erich's grasp, leaping off of him and landing on all fours, like a cat. The Wolf flung the Halberd aside. Erich cursed, then froze as he saw Yun's body change. Right before Erich's eyes Yun morphed into Werewolf form, dark gray fur covering his entire body as it assumed a hunched over posture, his jaw and lower face elongating into a wolf's snout, his teeth becoming sharp canines capable of rending flesh from the bone. Sharp, six inch talons grew from his fingernails, and a tail sprouted from Yun's backside. The sight was unsettling, and took the span of a full second, more then long enough for Yun's Spirit Wolf to begin it's second attack.
Launching itself at Erich again, the Wolf collided with him a second time, Erich crossing his wrists over each other, jamming his Bonemold bracers up under the wolf's throat to keep it at bay. Hungry, vicious jaws snapped at him, barely centimeters from his face, the wolf's hot breath reeking of blood and flesh. It's paws scratched and kicked at Erich's armored body, trying to cut a tear in the hardened armor to claw at Erich's soft flesh underneath. Erich was off balanced by the wolf's weight, which put him at a further disadvantage. Abruptly, the wolf leapt off Erich, ceasing it's attack just in time for Yun's clawed fist to slam into Erich's side, sending the Nord flying to one side. He could feel a bruise beginning to form where Yun had punched him, and cursed as his body crashed into the ground, kicking up a spray of dirt and mud. Yun was on top of him before he had a chance to gain himself, grabbing him by the shoulders and lifting him up into the air. Opening his mouth, Yun clamped his teeth down on Erich's shoulder, trying to tear the shoulder pad there off. Squirming in Yun's grip, Erich kicked at him, but to no avail. Like a vice grip Yun's jaw tightened on Erich's right pauldron, the teeth beginning to break through the armor. Suddenly, something came whizzing out from the Moor: an arrow! Yun's Spirit Wolf teleported in front of the projectile's path, and then whined as the arrow impacted it's body, digging deep into its gut. Immediately Yun threw Erich like he was nothing more then a paperweight, sending him flying across the battleground to collide with a wooden post where a hut had once been.
Howls went up all across the battlefield, and the wolves and werewolves began to withdraw, disengaging their opponents as they fled back into the wilderness. Kyoko had managed to avoid being detected, then quickly went to the Rogue Encampment, going to Erich's side.
"Erik! Are you okay?!" She inquired. Nodding as he sat up, Erich touched his right shoulder, feeling where grooves had been made by Yun's teeth. Luckily, he hadn't managed to sink his teeth into Erich's flesh, but he was bruised where Yun had hit him.
Looking around, Kyoko stood and began to search for Kashya, calling her name out. The leader of the Rogues was still alive, and Kyoko brought her to see Erich.
"What happened?" Erich asked.
"We were attacked, first by zombies and skeletons, but that was a decoy. Yun's Wolves then came in on our flank sides. We were overwhelmed and out numbered, but we fought bravely, and with the help of the Paladins, we were able to hold our ground. I noticed that you defeated Janus. Good job, that helped our situation greatly." Kashya told Erich. Kyoko helped Erich up. "Take him to Akara, she wanted to speak with him." She told Kyoko, then went about to help put the defenses back up.
The dead and dying lay upon the ground, a mixture of Rogues, Paladins, wolves and men. Blood and the stench of fear hung heavy on the air, a sense of depression settling amongst the survivors. They were even weaker now, and very vulnerable. Akara was making rounds, using her powers to heal those who needed it. The Seer was standing over a Rogue who's leg had been broken, the dark haired female lay squirming on the ground, making soft cries of pain. Akara knelt, murmuring a healing spell to mend the broken bone. "Be easy on that leg, let the bone have time to mend itself fully." Akara told the Rogue, then turned to Erich. "Well now, are you the man whom I've heard so much about?"
Erich nodded his head. "Yeah."
"I believe we owe you our thanks. Kashya may be a bit rough about the edges, but she appreciates the effort you've made. We have scant little time to speak, there is much you should know." Akara invited Erich to her hut, Kyoko stood poised just outside, looking as if she was unsure if she would be allowed in or told to stay out. "You too Kyoko." Akara said, and the Rogue stepped into the hut, sitting cross legged on the ground.
"Erik, Warriv tells me that you have amnesia?" The Seer asked of Erich.
"Yes, that is correct."
"I don't think that it's merely a coincidence that you, a stranger to our lands, would appear in the wake of a dark wanderer."
Erich sat and watched Akara, studying her. She wasn't exactly old, but she could conceivably be Erich's mother. Wrinkles were just appearing to crease her face, and her black hair showed streaks of gray. Her hooded purple robe hid her body completely, but Erich could guess that like the others in the camp, Akara was fit, and could probably swing a sword with the best of them. "Go on," He urged her.
"Have you heard of Diablo?" Erich shook his head no, "Many years ago, he first appeared below the city of Tristram. A Prime Evil, Diablo is the Lord of Terror, and he and his minions sought to plunge the world into darkness. But a great warrior went bellow Tristram, and eventually into the bowels of Hell itself to vanquished this dark foe. One of our Sisters who happened to be in the area lent her assistance to him. According to lore, he too was a stranger to these lands, much like you are. The similarities are too numerous to ignore. You may very well be the reincarnation of the Hero of Tristram, here to vanquish Diablo and his Brothers, Mephisto and Baal. Kyoko, I feel that you too will play an important part in this tale. I want you to stay with Erik, and help him. You will come to rely upon each other greatly in the times ahead."
Erich simply stared at Akara for a long while, as if deciding weather or not he believes her tale. "So... I am to find this Diablo, and kill him?"
"Yes, I feel that is the path fate has laid before you. I am afraid that we know very little of the Hero of Tristram, but there is one person who does. His name is Deckard Cain. He still resides in Tristram, but the distance is too great to travel there. However, I do know of one way you may travel there quickly. In the Dark Woods lies an ancient tree. It is called the Tree of Inifuss. On the bark of this tree is an inscription. Bring me a copy of this inscription, and I will be able to open a portal to Tristram. Hurry, for I sense that Yun of the Blood Wolf Clan is not yet through with us."
Kyoko suddenly spoke up. "But what if Yun attacks again while we are away?"
Akara scoffed. "You value yourselves very highly, but your presence here would make little if any difference were Yun to attack again. Kashya has called back most of her scouts, and Warriv has sent for more Paladin reinforcement. We will be fine. Go now, go to the Dark Woods, find the Tree of Inifuss, and bring me the inscription on it."
Standing, Erich left Akara's hut, feeling a bit overwhelmed. It was much to swallow. Kyoko was at his side, her arm having been healed by Akara. "Well... Should we get going now?"
"Yeah. I know the way to the Dark Woods, but I've never seen nor heard of the Tree of Inifuss. We'll have to search for it once we get to the Dark Woods." Kyoko said, switching out her short bow for a Composite bow.