"Finn, what happened to you? How did you end up here?"
Finn regarded Huntress Wizard, his Isabella, with a raise of an eyebrow. He could feel her warm and comforting hand upon his cheek, something that felt pleasant on his worn and beaten body and his mind. He missed this sensation, he missed her touch, he missed this beautiful green huntress in front of him. He almost never get to enjoy a touch like this, the closest he got to this feeling was the cold yet loving hands of a ever faithful living doll. Everything else was claws, fangs, tentacles, BLADES, BLUNT OBJECTS, BULLETS, FIRE, ELECTRICITY, ACID, ARCANA… Everything else offered only pain and madness. ..
Why was it that he was inside that accursed realm? Why did HE have to suffer everything that place would throw at him? Did he go there of his own will or was he shoved into the deep the end? He'll remember the reason one of these days. Maybe he'll remember who sent him there. Perhaps he'll hunt them down and kill them.
Finn broke that train of thought, pushing it away for now. He'll figure out something later. Right now he was with Isebela, the one he remembered the most. She doesn't even realize how much she helped him from losing himself forever. He frowned as he saw Isabela's concerned for him as he was mulling over his thoughts inside wherever they were. It was clear to him that she didn't like this place, even if she tried not to show it. Her heart was loud to his ears, beating slightly faster than someone who was truly calmed, the unease in her eyes, a tiny little twitch of her ear or antler. She hid it well and if someone else were to see her now they would see a calm and unflinching huntress, but to him he could see it clearly. The littlest change in demeanor, a shift in her scent, the slightest twitch told him a lot. One learns to pick up the littlest of things after the things he went through.
She looked to him, not with fear or disgust as she study his scarred face, but concern. Thank the gods that he didn't repulse or frighten her! So many in the Nightmare that were still sane had some level of aversion to him, only a handful viewed him as huntsmen, a boy on the cusps of manhood, instead of a monster. Concern was something rarely received, only from others like himself; Huntsmen, Outsiders, and a certain lady of the night dressed in red. She was showing him concern in those beautiful and captivating green predatory eyes. they were just so captivating to him that he could stare into indefinitely. They brought a picture of a clean and beautiful green forest; nothing decayed and plagued with mutated snakes wrapped together or mad beast man or men with snakes for heads as they writher out of their decapitated necks. Was that laughter he just remembered? Was it them or someone else?
Has Isebal grown soft for him? Was concern a weakness in her eyes? Was he not hard enough for her now in his current state? Perhaps he'll ask her later, but it probably wouldn't hurt for them to leave this place if only to put her a little more at ease. He wanted his reunion to be a happier moment. Maybe they could go hunt together! Or would a calm walk be more appropriate? Music perhaps? He did recall a special flute that he played….
The scent finally reached his nose, breaking him from his planning. The air heavy with the scent of sickly sweet blood with a hint of something he couldn't put his finger on. Were there beasts out and about or were there some Kin? The smell began to stir the beast within, almost making him salivate for a bloody slaughter of prey. The smell was almost pleasant to him but Isebela didn't seem to like it. She was no stranger to blood and guts but it must've smelt something awfully putrid as her nose and mouth were covered by her cloak. H wanted to see her face so bad and fill in more of the blanks in his mind. 'Another reason to leave', thought Finn.
His blue eye roamed the oppressing room, scanning every little detail that he could. What immediately drew his attention was the single corpse in a wooden chair and a large chest against a wall to his right. The corpse was a typical Yharnamite that met another unfortunate and gruesome end. Finn reluctantly removed Isebal's hand from his cheek, immediately missing her touch, and made his way towards the chest, feeling the blood on the ground caking his bare feet, slowly being absorbed into his being. He experienced the man's last moments before death. All he saw was long white teeth in the gloomy room before feeling two pointy fingers jammed into his eyes. Everything else was just the feeling of sharp claws ripping into his chest before being ripped apart. This wasn't new to him. Not anymore.
Finn kneeled in front of the old chest, brushing off the spider webs and dust before bringing the lip upward with a heave, a slight groan of rusty hinges echoed from age and mistreatment. He could feel her eyes watching him, watching his every movement he made. He didn't mind, he missed having her company after so long.
He began rummaging around the chest, throwing what he didn't find interesting to the side. He lifted a heavy cloth bag that chingled and clanked as he lifted it before tossing it the side. The big split opened as it landed, shiny golden bloody coins flowed out, drawing Isabela's attention. She grabbed one of the coins and began inspecting it, the low light making it shine bright. She studies the foreign design on them, never seeing anything like them before. She grabbed a handful and pocketed them for later. Finn turned around and looked at the small pile next to her. Those coins were nothing more than land markers to help prevent him from running in circles whenever he was in a new area or a part on the ever-deepening dungeons underground. They would shine and twinkle like stars even in the darkest of places, seemingly needing no light to shine. He acquired quite a sum from the turned citizens but it was just a simple land marker there… Maybe he should take them just in case now that he was out of that place…. They were of value there, so they may have some value here.
Finn let out a triumph "Aha!", smirking as he pulled out a large leather satchel and a black fur cloak he recalls all to well from his time in that accursed dream. He threw the black furred cloak over his shoulders, feeling the air around it crackle with energy, grasping gently around his neck and shoulders. He decided to not change out of the hospital clothes here, opting to do so when he was somewhere safer, more private. He looked to Isabela who eyed the fur cloak with a mix of curiosity and caution as she saw faint blue arcs of energy dance across the twitching fur. He smiled softly at her, unintentionally showing her his now slighter sharpened teeth, her eyes to slightly widening at the sight of his new fangs. 'What happened to you Finn?'she thought. She grew increasingly concerned for Finn as more and more changes were being displayed. She noticed that he developed ticks he didn't have before like how he would drum his fingers in a constant rhythm and that his eyes would constantly move and scan the area, a slight twitch to them every now and then. The smell didn't seem to bother him one bit either, as he almost seemingly enjoys it. He seemed cracked and twisted, broken and put back together, on the edge. 'What did this to you?'
"Let's leave this place shall we? The smell's starting to make me a little light headed" Finn chuckled, walking up to her and offering his hand to her as he slung the satchel over his shoulder.
Huntress looked to his hand and back to his eyes and down to his hand again before slowly grasping it. As soon as their hands met, Finn smile grew wide, happy to hold her hand as they began to walk by the corpse, a occasional squeak and twitch being heard in the dark. As soon as they were right in front of the open doorway, the loud squeaking grew louder and louder from the corpse, causing Finn to snap his head to the sound. He and huntress both stared at the increasingly twitching corpse for a moment, watching as lumps formed under its skin before moving this way and that. Finn let go of her hand and opened up his satchel before he searched for something inside. He searched a few moments, bringing the bag up to his shoulder as he dug deep and deeper, sounds of clinking glasses and rustling fabric as he did so. Isabela watched Finn with a quirked eyebrow, wondering what he's looking for and how he could fit his arm inside the satchel as she couldn't sense any magic from it nor could see any enchantments with her Huntress vision. So how could he reach that far down?
Finn pulled out an iron contraption, the design like it was before the great Mushroom war. The grip was wrapped in black cloth, with a canister under the barrel, a little flame flickering just outside the barrel. Finn pointed the contraption at the rat-invested corpse. He stared at the shaking and twitching body, face blank and eyes dead of anything, the rodents moving faster and becoming louder, sensing immediate danger. Finn pulled the trigger, a great roaring flame flowing from the barrel with a loud WHOOSH! The roaring stream of fire was bright and the temperature rose exponentially in the enclosed space to uncomfortable levels. Isabela jumped back away from the intense heat, staying right outside the doorway as to keep away from the flame and avoid the rat's fate. The rats squeaked in agony as they were being incinerated inside the body, thrashing, tearing and gnawing away at the burning narcotic flesh in a vain attempt to flee the burning flames. It was to late for the rats, even if they managed to break through the skin. Finn kept the trigger pulled till no more rats were heard over the sound of the blaze being unleashed. His hands began to steam, his hands burning. It was uncomfortable but something he has grown accustomed to. It was more like a gnat bothering him if he could find someway to compare it to.
Finn let go of the trigger, the smell of burnt hair and flesh mixing in with the already existing smell of blood. All that was left was a pile of ash where the corpse and rats once were, smoking and sizzling in the cool air. Finn calmly returned the still steaming weapon back into his satchel, not worried in the least that he was putting a still very hot piece of iron into a leather bag. He latched the satchel closed and made his way to a stunned Huntress in the doorway. She looked at the pile of ash then narrowed her eyes at Finn's satchel.
"For the record Finn, me and fire really don't get along that well."
Finn looked dejected from hearing that as he scratched the back of his neck. She has every right to be a bit annoyed at his actions. She has leaves for hair and antlers made of wood! even if she cooks with a campfire doesn't mean that she isn't at risk of being set on fire, especially by an inferno. A lot of things in nature can be pretty…. Flammable. maybe he shouldn't have done that with her so close.
She sighed at his expression, wiping the sweat off her forehead with the back of her arm, "At least now I don't have to come back and deal with those rats. Maybe next time use a more… controlled method. I'll give you that it did get the job done."
Finn sheepishly grinned and chuckled as he slightly blushed. Huntress saw the same pale glow in his eyes return once again before vanishing. She'll get answers about what happened to him and where he went but now was not the time. Not here in this decrepit house. She grabbed Finn's and again, causing him to smile contently. He looked her in her eyes, and felt a sudden blush form as she truly saw the way he looked at her full of love and affection. His eyes seemed to show weariness that only the truly old and wise have, something he never has had before till now but he was still Finn. Maybe a little disturbed, not like she could judge, but he was still that exceptional beast she met in the stream that one day, following the music of his flute, planning to use him to summon her mentor. The more she hanged out with him however, the more she enjoyed his company and the more he started to make her revaluate her emotions, her views on companionships. Finn could be strong and fierce a moments notice, he could be the most kind and patient person to lend an ear to, but most of all was that he had a hardness to him that wasn't like a shell like hers but a shield to protect others. now Finn gives off the air of something she herself prided herself on. He had an air to him akin to apex predators, a force unyielding to anything but his will. It was an enticing and attractive new quality that made him that more enticing to her eye.
Isabela gently grabbed his hand again and led him out into the open air of the woods. He followed her out with no hesitation , hand and hand, eyes constantly roaming about for any movement. His eyes immediately darted to Jake as he came from behind a tree moaning with discomfort as he rubbed his belly. He didn't feel threatened by the walking dog; he felt a sense of happiness at seeing it. The dog was very familiar to Finn yet like most of everything that's in his head, it's covered by mist. Just have to give it time for the pieces to come back. That should be the case anyway…
The smell of a beast drew his attention away from the yellow dog. He abruptly stopped, jerking Huntress to a sudden stop before letting go of her hand. Finn grew tense, ready to act at the beast's slightest move. The Beast was large and covered in green flame with three eyes. It laid their, its golden eye on top of it's head stared at him, sizing him up. 'If this thing so much as twitches, I'll rip it's eye out first'. Finn thought, starting to truly smell the blood in the air.
Huntress heard the sound of grinding teeth come from Finn. She turned around, witnessing his body change slightly. Finn's eyebrows grew thicker and his messy blonde hair began to shift and move about like tentacles, whipping around the air in all direction. His canines grew longer and sharper as the grinding sound continued, teeth bared at Jimorgan. His eyes were beginning to glow pale light around the edges, his pupils slowly turning into slits. A low growl escaped his throat as he stared down Jimorgan. Blue electricity danced across his fur pelt, the smell of ozone growing strong. Jimorgan raised his own green flames in response, the wisps flaring brightly in the dark as the smell of fire excludes from him, the smell of the woods completely overpowered by the two smells.
Huntress could feel the tension grow thick in the air, her antlers fast she slowly moved in front of Finn, hands raised, palms outward. She needed Finn to not attack Jimorgan and cool the sudden hostility. She gained Finn's attention, his eyes piercing right through her, sending a cold shiver to run down her spine, but she refused to show any fear in front of him. She isn't going to show him she's weak. Not now. She looked back right into his eyes, ignoring the feeling of being the prey and not the hunter, a unpleasant feeling for her.
"Finn," she calmly says, keeping her voice low and calm, "Jimorgan" she jerks her thumb to the beast "isn't a threat. He helped us find you. We need to calm down."
A cold sweat ran down her neck as Finn continued to stare her down with cold unblinking pale eyes. They slowly began to revert back to their original state, losing their predatory look. His hair began to calm down and was no longer whipping back and forth, his teeth receded back to their original size soundlessly yet still sharp and dangerous. Huntress released a tiny sigh of relief at having stopping the two from trying to kill each other. Finn took a slow calming breath, regaining his composer, eyes ceasing to glow.
Jimorgan kept watching the boy that was ready to attack him, not completely relaxing as Huntress calmed him down. He could just the feel the madness, bloodlust, and power just oozing off him and this stirred something he hasn't felt in a long while. Fear. This Great Spirit who has fought and hunted the greatest of beast and monsters, the most elusive of myths and the greatest of obscure legends yet nothing stirred that one emotion as strongly as this boy before him. This one BOY made him feel more fear than anything else he has face! He went toe to toe with the All Consuming Void Snake and survived a meal prepared by the Vulture of Rot without a second thought! It was invigorating, something that peeked his interest, something worthy of a hunt. 'Perhaps', Jimorgan thought ' I'll keep an eye on him, perhaps that forest nymph too. The two seem close, closer than they realized. The more devious and mischief of the spirits would have a field day with you two. Besides, these old claws aren't like they use to be and sooner or later something will take my place'
"Finn!" Jake yelled as he ran towards him, happy as all can be and forgetting puking up his lunch not to long ago, "Oh man what happened to you bro?! We been looking all over Ooo for you!"
Finn's eyes snapped at the running dog, watching his every move, reflexively tightening his fist. Jake stopped a few feet away from him, holding his nose and fanning the air in front of him. "Phe-ew Finn, your are definitely taking a shower when we get home! You smell worse than the Nightosphere if it went 5 months out of date. You are so taking a shower when we get home"
Finn chuckled at Jake, a haunted sound from his dried his throat he watched the talking dog move around with energy. He gently patted Jake's head with his bandage hand, causing him to shiver at the touch. " I would very much like to go home yellow dog. It has been a long while since I could enjoy a bath"
Jake's eyes widen, not believing what he heard from his brother." What are you on about Finn? It's me, Jake!" He slowly looked into Finn's face and eyes, truly seeing the scars and the haunted eyes. "You've been through the ringer a bit huh… My name's Jake, your brother. Remember?"
Finn slightly cocked his head to the side, staring down at the Yellow dog before him, Jake was his name, clicking his tongue in thought. Finn frowned, simply drawing a blank about Jake. He knew they were close and that he was a silly creature but everything else was blank. He felt terrible when he couldn't seem to remember more than that right now, Jake's worried look didn't help his mood. He dropped down to one knee and began to gently scratched Jake's head, trying to ease both his and Jake's feelings. He heard the beast inside start to cackle at this misfortune. Before, it was just a blood starved beast, raving and thrashing inside. It's grown smarter, more wicked than what it was since the beginning.
"Jake? That name doesn't ring a lot of bells so far, but I do remember that we were close. That and you were a little silly."
Jake didn't like the answer and neither did Huntress. 'He doesn't seem to remember much about Jake, yet he remembers me. She thought. "So why do you seem to remember more about me than?" She asked quietly. Finn looked at her sadly before sighing, looking down to the ground. He started to scratch his head as if thinking before he gripped it, a look of discomfort and irritation began to form. He angrily sighed before standing back up, looking up to the leaf covered sky,
" I would like to go now, if that would be alright" Finn requested. Jake nodded, concerned for his brothers current state, shifting into something large enough to carry Finn and Huntress. Finn seemed to have lost his memories or at least just a large chunk of them. He needed to get Finn home and away from here, give him some tasty food and R&R. Huntress seems to put him at ease so maybe he can talk her into staying over for a while. A hero was nothing without a wizard and a wizard nothing without a hero like it said in the Enchiridion.
Finn grabbed onto Jake's furry hide as he lifted himself up, offering a hand towards Huntress who grabbed his hand as she was pulled up. She hesitantly wrapped her arms around Finn's stomach, feeling the surprisingly soft fur pelt on his back and a more toned firmer core. The smell quickly got to her, not realizing just how bad he stunk till she was right up against him. 'Finn might be getting a dip in a river before they even reach their home', Huntress smirked at the thought before grimacing from Finn's smell, grabbing the hem of her cloak up to her nose to block the smell. He smelt of burnt flesh, sweat, something acidic, and stagnant blood as well as some other smells she couldn't describe. 'Might end up just throwing him into the nearest body of water we come across'.
Finn was use to the smells around him, going completely nose blind to it, growing use to it after so long. Gods he couldn't wait for an actual bath! Maybe he can eat some actual food too. He has grown a taste for blood, almost the only nourishment he could get reliably. he has come to describe it as tasty, addictive, but he wants something different. Fresh fruit sounds good, something really juicy or even a cooked hunk of meat with seasonings. Jimorgan rose up from his position, took a glance at Finn before leading the group out of the forest.
The group traveled though the woods, nearly reaching the edge of the woods before Finn smelled something very familiar. He knew that smell all to well. This smell belongs back in that nightmare, He reluctantly pulled Huntress's arm off of him as he slipped off Jake's back, landing quietly on the grass closely followed by Huntress.
"umm, Finn what's wrong? C'mon, we're about out of this stinking woods, hop back on and let's get out of here."
Finn ignored Jake, looking to Jimorgan, noticing his flames growing brighter in the gloom. "You smell them as well?"
Jimorgan nodded, the mist growing thicker and thicker as he followed the smells. They were slowly being surrounded. Finn lifted his right hand, blue mist forming inside his palm, quickly solidifying into a weapon, one the first weapons he got in his time in the nightmare. It had a long, slightly warped shaft made of wood, wrapped in yellow bandages as the blade was a large cleaver with wicked saw teeth on the the outer end. A lone latch connects the two parts together. He reaches into his satchel and pulled out a flint lock pistol, it's tarnished and beaten iron a testament to it's history.
Low, gurgling growls were heard around them from the mist. Dark shapes formed from the thick mist, growing larger and larger as bloody, diseased, and starved bestial forms broke through. They were like corrupted wolves, their black fur matted down and tangled in dark blood, their eyes pure white, filled with ravenous hunger. Their jaws dripped with saliva and blood as they puffed steaming air into the cool night air.
Finn had a wicked smile showing wickedly sharp teeth as he seen the beasts, the sound of his teeth grinding being heard over the growls of the beasts. His hair began shifting and whipping wildly through the air. Huntress knocked an arrow while levitating another one next to her, picking out a target behind them. Jake morphed back to his original size besides his arms, which he used to pick up a fallen tree. There were four of them and seven of the beasts.
Finn started to chuckle darkly, the sound echoing in the woods. He sounded more blood thirsty and cruel, putting everything in the area on edge as they watched him. All eyes were on him.
"A hunter's job is never done is what I've been told but I can't recall who told me that." Finn paused, looking thoughtfully up into the sky before shaking his head, the smile never leaving his face" Truth be told, I just want to forgot about beasts and death, to forget that damned dream ever happened in the first place!" His voice raised in volume, raving now. " I wanted to come back home, enjoy the sun, enjoy the people and piece my mind back together piece by piece! But NO! I have to deal with you mangy beast!"
The beasts before him kept growling at him, stepping backwards and away from him every time he stepped closer. A the smile on his face grew wider as he saw them move away from him, cowering before him! The beasts fear him now? Good! It's time to repay them and their ilk in kind with what he dealt with. He was going to enjoy this.
Finn started to laugh loudly, the sound twisted and broken before he dashed towards the closest beast, his eyes turning bestial and glowing once more as his fangs were now out in full display all the way towards his prey. He pulled back his Saw Cleaver and swung it in a sideway arc, cutting the beast's head clean off it's neck, blood cascading from the geyser of inky blood. It landed on Finn, covering him in its dark red gore. He licked his lips and cheek, enjoying the taste and the rush that this brought him. One down, Finn thought before he lifted his firearm at the next beast and pulled the trigger. A loud thundering boom echoed across the woods, the smell of gunpowder rose from the smoking barrel. The beast was sent reeling back with a pained yelp as Finn charged it, dashing towards the stunned beast to run it through it with his Saw Cleaver
Huntress quickly shot her arrow simultaneously firing the floating arrow into her beast's side. One arrow bounced off the matted fur of the beast while the other dug deep into a vital area. The beast didn't yelp, acting like it didn't noticed being shot. Her eyes narrowed at the beast. 'These beasts are like the ones that have been showing up lately, but these are tougher. I'm harder though.' The beast growled before unhinging it's jaws wider and wider apart reveling row upon row of razor sharp fangs. It rushes Huntress, attempting to bite her in half but she side stepped away from the attack as it's jaws snapped shut, sending saliva and blood flying through the air, she threw small seeds at the beast, landing and getting tangled in it's matted fur. They seed quickly grew into thick and heavy vines before they began to rot and decay, falling apart as quickly as they have grown. Huntress knocked three arrows and sent them flying, enhancing their power with her dwindling magic, the woods seemingly sapping her strength by the second. Only two of the three seem to stab into the beast, both hitting more vital areas yet the beast wouldn't go down. It didn't even acknowledged them as if they didn't. Huntress's eyes grew in shock and disbelief as her magic and arrows weren't doing anything to the beast before her! her magic was dwindling fast and felt cut off from anymore and her connections to nature were being more and more constricted to the point where she couldn't even grow a spout in the dirt.. She was starting to feel weak and vulnerable, yet she was still deviant, not giving up. Everything can be hunted, even you Bloody Mongeral!
The beast blank white eyes never left her, filled with nothing but hunger. Faster than she could react, it backhanded her, leaving claw marks across her midsection as it tore through her shirt. She was sent flying before slamming into a thick tree, the force of her landing shaking the whole tree as leaves began to fall. The air was completely knocked out of her, her lungs refusing to work like she wanted them to. Her back ached like the Nightosphere and she couldn't focus as here vision was shifting and blurring, making her feel nauseous. The claw marks the beast left her started to sting something fierce as she felt blood trickle out and coat the remainder of her shirt. She fought to stay conscious, fighting the darkness that was creeping around her vision. The beast stalked toward her, slowly opening it's mouth as if it was smiling at her as she was trying to get back to her feet using the tree as support. She gritted her teeth in anger as she pulled out silver skinning knife form her belt, gripping it tightly towards the beast, ready to stab and slice it when it got close enough. Is this the end, a small part thought 'No', She angrily pushed that thought out of her mind ' I'm not going down this beast. I'm hard meat! I hunt, I don't get hunted!'
She barred her own fangs at the beast, fighting off unconsciousness as she stared it down unwavering. Its shape began to shift and blur into a black blob that grew bigger and bigger before being tackled by a yelling Blonde and red blur.
The beast let out a surprised yelp before being slammed onto the ground. The blonde and red blur on top rained blows on the beast. The beast squealed and whimpered as it bit, slash, buck, and swiped at its assailant in an attempt to escape. Finn avoided most of the desperate struggle, only getting a few cuts from its sharp claws before grappling its arm with one hand before his hand began to shift and morph into something fitting of a beast as sharp and cruel red claws grew. He pierced it's shoulder with his other hand. The flesh and muscle parted as if it were wet paper before he pulled hard of the limb in his hand before throwing it with enough force to pierce the beast that was attacking Jakes tree he was using to defend himself with. The beast howled in pain as its arm was savagely torn from it, thrashing even more and more to get Finn off. It's struggle was quickly ended as Finn lanced his now bloody sharp hand right up through it's jaw and into it's skull sending blood, skull and brain yanked his hand out, a sickening sucking sound being heard as blood splurged from the decimated head.
Finn let out a growl not belonging to a human, but to a monster, steam rising from his mouth as he calmly breathed out. He slowly looked towards the next beast to kill, his eyes glowing bright in the gloom. The last beast dashed toward Finn, twisting its head sideways as it unhinged its jaw to bite him in half. Finn quickly grabbed the opened jaws of the beast, it's teeth piercing through his bandgages and into his flesh, glowing white blood dripping down onto the ground, causing white flowers to immediately grow and bloom. Finn started to chuckle darkly as he started to widen the beast's mouth further and further, the blood leaking from it's slowly tearing flesh and muscle. He continued to pull the jaws apart, a sickening snapping sound grew from the beast's mouth. It began to whimper and whine in pain, trying to escaped the human boy's vice like grip, failing miserably.
Wider and wider Finn tore the beast's mouth apart till he let out a savage snarl, grunting as he tore the beast in half down the middle, blood and gore flying into the night air before raining down, another layer of gore covering him. The beast inside his was egging him on his gory path. Telling him to go and rip and tear more beasts apart! Did the beast want more mindless slaughter? Oh no,no,no,no! It wanted Finn to make the beasts pay for harming the mighty green huntress. FOR HARMING HIS ISABELA!
Jimorgan threw the beast from his mouth, the beast being covered in green flames before turning into ash. Jimorgan quickly spitted and gaged from the taste the beast brought upon his mouth. By the Cycle. He thought as he continued to spit the hack, 'That was the most vile and sickeing thing I have ever had the displeasure to maul. The King of Scavengers food is like a nice chunk of prime meat compared to this. A loud roar got his attention, believing that it might be the alpha of this pack of beasts. The sound was from the boy, Finn. He watched him tackled the beast that has pushed the Huntress up against a wall, wounded but still fighting to the bitter end. The boy was a blur of blonde and bloodied hair as he came on top of the beast and rained down savage blow after blow, his hand covered in red blood and shifting into something more brutal and sharp. He heard the beast howl in pain as a loud pop and tearing flesh was heard before the beast's limb was sent flying into the beast Jake was fighting, though most would call it running.
Jake has shrunkened down and was inside of the tree now, the beast darting around quicker than the others, trying to rip Jake apart. It raked it's sharp claws upon the dead bark, revealing a tiny Jake. Jake punched it in the nose, sending it up onto it's hind legs to be impaled by the projectile through the center of its chest.
The beast under Finn was flailing more and more, desperately attempting to use any means to escape the boy. Jimorgan pitied the beast, like how one would pity a baby hair being devoured by a bear. Finn ended the beast by shoving his hand through it's mouth and out of it's skull. Now that's merciless, he thought, but has he gone completely frenzied? He watched as Finn slowly rise, breathing deeply and exhaling steamy air. A faint thump drew both his and Finn's attention. Huntress has collapsed against the tree her knife still held firmly in her hand. She had been wounded but the extent was unknown to him. Finn started for the downed Huntress, stopping for less than a moment as he watched the last beast fleeing deeper into the woods before continuing towards her. She had three gashes across her stomach that leaked a fair amount of blood, drawing Finn's attention. He moved his head closer to the wounds, the sound of flesh beign licked was heard. Licking her wounds is he. Is he doing so because he loves her or is he just thirsty for blood?
The sound stopped after a few moments as Finn lifted up his head, green blood smeared his lips before he quickly whipped them off with the back of his hand, the wounds completely heal now and leaving faint scars. Finn then began to gently place his fingers on her neck, specifically her spine. He slowly glided his fingers down, carefully moving Huntress as he continued to trail her spine checking for anything out of place. He placed his ear against her chest, satisfied with her breathing and heart beat. He removed the knife from her hand and put it back into it's sheath on her belt before he lifted her up bridal style, slowly and gently as to not stir her.
"We're leaving. Now." Finn commanded, leaving no room for debate as he walked up to Jake, scanning the woods for any more beasts. Jake quickly shifted into a large soft chair as her picked up Finn and Huntress and sat them down before moving towards the where the woods end. Jimorgan contemplated if he should go after the last beast and trying to find the rest of it's kin before deciding to follow the trio. When he was walking by their side he looked down at the unconscious Huntress in Finn's arm, causing a low growl to escape Finn's throat. Finn bared his fangs slightly at him, his hold on Huntress tightening protectively as his bloody hair began to erratically whip back and forth at random. Jimorgan shook his head at the display. Defiantly like me when I was young. Very protective of his mate.
Finn kept his eyes on Jimorgan before he felt Isabela shift in his arms, stirring awake to look at him with unfocused eyes. She quickly shut them, letting out a hiss of discomfort before she began to rub her forehead like she was trying to ease a migraine. She opened her eyes again to be greeted by Finn's blood covered face as he smiled down at her as he continued hold her close to him. She would've enjoyed the situation a little more if it weren't for a few things. One, he smelt something awful as if his stench got worse. Two, she didn't want to seem like the damsel in distress. Three, she didn't like to be seen like this with others around. Even with these current drawbacks, she still smirked at him, making a mocking noise of disgust as she pinched her nose. " You REALLY need a dip in a river!"
Finn chuckled in embarrassment as he gently freed his hand holding her legs, being as gentle as possible to as not to jostle her. He held up three fingers in front of her.
"Believe me, I want a bath more than you can know. Now, how many fingers am I holding up?"
Her sight was still a little blurry but quickly focused in on his fingers. "Three" she answered. Finn smiled at the answer as he moved his arm back under her legs and held her tightly once more. His gaze shifted to stomach, looking at he barley noticeable scars on her exposed stomach. She looked down as well, looking her green dried blood covering on her shirt. I was saved' she thought, not sure how she feels about it. 'I would've been prey if it wasn't for him. I was weak. No! I'm strong, that whole place was weakening me as if it was a giant flytrap. But how did Finn heal me?
She looked up again at Finn's face, noticing a bit of her blood on his lips before coming to her own conclusion. Finn must've licked her wounds, healing them. It was either that or Finn had Cyclops's tears in his satchel but one major fact blow that theory out of the water. Finn didn't have any to use.
"I take it that you healed this wound here," she asks as she points to the scars on her exposed stomach.
Finn nodded, focused on looking her over for any more injuries to be treated, " are you in pain anywhere else? I can probably ease it for you."
She was curious as to how he would do. "No, I'm fine, a bit sore but rest should fix that, but I do have a question."
"Shoot."
"How did you heal me so quickly, I may have been slightly out of it but those cuts would've taken a while to leave scars, let alone heal on their own. What did you use?"
Finn looked her in the eye, a blush on his face as he coughed before telling her." I simply licked them clean and the wounds healed." blue and grey eyes looked away from piercing green, a embarrassed tone being heard from him " Sorry, it seemed like the best at the time."
"No, no it's ok, animals do it for a reason y'know" she replied, lightly blushing to as he admitted to the act. Treating another's wounds was done only with those of complete trust, like mates or their young. It was a very intimate act for Hunters.
Finn was admiring the wide green plains before him in the night, feeling the warmth from Isabela. He breathed the clean air, the smell of grass and fresh air making him feel relaxed. Even the scent of Jimorgan didn't bother him as badly anymore. Maybe he could relax a little, enjoy the ride through the night with the beautiful and brave Huntress held tightly in his arms. Screw it, I'm going to enjoy this while it lasts.
"Finn" Isabela drew his attention, " Where have you been all this time and how did you wind up so scarred and injured?"
Finn could hear the concern in her voice as she asked the questions that must've been going through the others minds. Jake's anyway as Jimorgan seems to not care about who he was but more focused on the what. Could he tell her though? Could he dig up old wounds and revisit horrors that drove him mad for her? Did he want her to know what he's been through and what explain all the scars he suffered, both the physical and mental ones? He looked into those green eyes of hers and knew if he could or not.
He'll bear it for her. She doesn't know how much the thought of her kept him trudging onward through that hell.
He took a deep breath, attempting to answer her question. "Well-"
"We're home guys!"
Jake's loud announcement broke the two from the conversation, inadvertently saving Finn from sharing his gruesome time in the dream. I'll tell her, just not yet. Hopefully it'll be much later. Finn released a small sigh in relief.
Isabela seen the relief on Finn's face at the momentary distraction. Must be really bad then. Should I push or let him come to me on his own? "How about we get you cleaned up, then we can talk or hang out ...or... whatever" she told him as she was shifting her eyes about, growing quitter as she talked before going silent, unsure how to continue. She got settled in his grip, getting comfortable in his arms as she brought her cloak to he nose again.
Finn perked up at the mention of the bath before he seen the giant tree house, more a fort than a house, that he and Jake supposedly lived in. It looked like something straight out of child's book. It grew larger and larger as they moved closer and closer to it before he saw a collag of shacks up against the tree, a single door and a pair of windows facing them. The longer he stared at the giant tree fort, a itching in his head started before a memory flashed in his head. Something from years ago.
"What time is it?" a younger Finn yelled happly inside the tree fort striking a pose with Jake, pulling back his fist.
"Adventure Time!" Jake yelled as he and Finn fist bumped each other before taking off adventure the land of Ooo.
The memory jolts him like an electoral shock before he grins. A memory, something form he lost has returned! This memory showed that him and Jake were close, very close. They were brothers from another mother. Isabela noticed his grin, making her feel a spark of happiness at his sudden improved mood. She liked it when he smiled.
He looked around with renewed vigor, hoping something else will trigger another memory before his sights were set upon a large pond. Two blurs drawing his eye. Jake morphed back into his original shape, putting Finn on his feet as he started walking towards the door.
Isabela watched Finn as he stared at the pond, his fangs starting to poke out under his lips and his hair starting to twitch. She poked him on the nose, immediately drawing his attention away from the pond and redirected towards her. His fangs quickly receded quickly back to original shape, his hair calming down.
She smirked at him. " Not that I don't enjoy this" she moved her hands to show him her position, " But you can set me down now."
Finn grew flustered as he realized he was still holding her before chuckling with a goofy smile as he placed her on her feet, his hair moving back in forth like a tail as he scratched the back of his head and looked away. The blurs in the pound froze before completely disappearing in the water, completely forgotten by the wild looking human. Jake outstretched his arm and wrapped it around Finn's shoulders, which caused him to flinch at the sudden touch, moving his hands as if he was going to claw at the sudden limb before he notices it was Jake. Jake gently coaxed Finn towards the doorway as Isabela stood outside with Jimorgan. Jimorgan laid down and looked at her as she looked back. She sighed, dreading Jimorgan's price.
"Come on stinky, let's get you cleaned up for HW over there."
Finn blushed a little and smiled at his brother, anticipating that bath like child on Christmas. Hot water and soap inside of a safe home! He could actually smell nice to everybody and clean the grim and gore off of himself after all this time. He was going to enjoy ever last drop of hot!
"So what is it that you want?" Finn heard Isabela. He turned around and saw her and the beast talking, something about a deal. She was tense and he could see the dread in her eyes, even hear it in her voice. He quickly pulled Jake's hand off his shoulders as he strode towards the two, blue mist forming about in his right hand while his left dug around his satchel before pulling a long riffle, beaten and worn, with three barrels that twisted around each other. If you kill the contractor, the deal becomes null and void. Question is now is how many times will he die fighting the beast. Would he reset like the dream or does he have one life here? Only a few ways to find out.
He isn't going to play Russian roulette with his blunderbuss to find out though…. Again…
"Hmmm" Jimorgan pondered before seeing Finn stride up to him and stood close to Huntress. He cocked his eyes at him, mist floating around into different shapes and sizes in his opened palm. "Boy, this is between me and the young Huntress. Do you want to take over the debt?"
"Finn" Isabela hissed, "I'll handle this. I'm the one who call his aide and I can hunt whatever he wants. You go clean up." She pointed towards the open doorway where Jake was watching.
"That pelt" Jimorgan purred, " It does catch my eye. So dark yet dancing with lightning. Would you offer it to me to pay off her debt? Or should I ask her to retrieve me a Nymph's Antler.
She stiffened at the mention of the antler, making her freeze. She felt fear now, knowing that if Jimorgan wants them, he'll get them one way or another as he wasn't picky on whose antler he takes. She glanced at Finn as his eyes met hers, immediately growing protective from seeing her in distress.
He quicly threw the electrical pelt at Jimorgan's face, shocking him as he let out a surprised yelp. He opened his golden eye and growled and showed his white teeth. Finn just smiled wickedly, lips pulled back to show off his own sharp fangs to the beast before him, his pupils turning into slits as his hair started to flail around him. Finn could feel his inner beast's desire to rip Jimorgan apart. He wanted the same thing actually, tempted to show Jimoragna what a monster like him would do to gods and beyond.
Isabela felt the tension rising between the two thicken. The silence was deafening as the only sound was Jimorgan's flame and the sound of grinding teeth. Suddenly a new sound echoed in the silence.
Jimorgan started to laugh. A great belly aching laugh as he threw his head up and continue to cackled. Finn cocked his head to the side, now perplexed by his sudden laughing outbursts as the beast was whispering in his mind to devour him, to slaughter this prey. One moment they both were ready to tear into one another and now one was laughing hard and the other two confused.
"Boy", Jimorgan cackled, "I like you! No fear as you face me, no hesitation what so ever to fight me! It has been an age since I last met someone like you. I'll be keeping my eyes on you two. The deal has been completed so go and lick each other's wounds and rest up for the next hunt no? The boy seems good at licking doesn't he young Huntress!"
Jimorgan's words made her blush, Jimorgan wiggling his glowing eye at her then at Finn as he too start to blush crimson, the innuendo surprising not lost the once pure boy. He just chuckled at the two. " And one more thing young Huntress, I'll return that flute to you tomorrow. I'm feeling charitable tonight."
Huntress could feel the burning sensation at the tip of her antler again before soothing warmth flooded her senses. The contract has now been completed and she survived. She got pretty lucky with how things could've went. The thought of hunting down another Nymph to take their horn made her ill let alonethe possibility of loosing hers. the very idea of sawing off her own antler sent a slight tremor through her body.
"I'll be off now" Jimorgan told them before walking in a random direction, his fire fading before disappearing into the night. Finn looked to Isablea, really looked at her, and could see her slowly relax after Jimoragan left.
"Are you going to be ok Isa-" Finn was cut off as he felt her hand suddenly cover his mouth. Huntress mouthed 'not my name, not here' before letting go of his mouth. " Are you going to be ok Isa- I mean Huntress?"
"I'll be fine, but I think I would be better if you go and clean up?" she smirked at him. Finn nodded at her words before heading back to the doorway and up into the tree house as she stood there watching him leave. She stared through the doorway, trying to decide if she should return home or stake out here before Jake poked her shoulder. He gave her a smug look.
"C'mon Huntress, you know you want to catch up with Finn. I'll make whatever you want," he offered. " I may head to bed before you two though so you guys can really catch up"
Huntress was going to say something about that last bit but her stomach made itself known. She didn't realize how much energy they spent today, the only meal she had was breakfast as the game was nonexistent when they traveled to that woods. Jake smug smile grew as he moved both arms in 'after you' gesture to the open door.
Huntress sighed, a small smile on her green face. She sighed in mock defeat "Fine" she relented "I'll stay. Might as well stay the night here and leave in the morning"
She walked by Jake as she followed after Finn up the ladder, thinking of what she would get Jake to make her before focusing on Finn, planning on how to help him. She could sense serious emotions and pain and his eyes held a madness in them that she has seen in plenty of wizards. She never cared much about people in general but for as long as the two hanged out together and how close they got, he's the exception. She giggled 'an exception for an exceptional beast.'
Jake waited till she was up the ladder before looking towards the reader, breaking the forth wall and wiggling his eyes before shutting the door. An Idea to push the two closer together forming in his mind. Step one was to make a delicious meal after the day they had.
Author's notes
I hope that you like this chapter. I probably could of cut it in half but I was in the zone and wanted to keep writing it.
To ENDDRAGON369's review: I'm torn on how that little reunion should go. On one hand I want Finn to be very hesitant and guarded around her while the other is that he goes after her, as she would remind him of vilebloods from Castle Cainhurst.
So what did you guys think? Good, bad? To long or not long enough? Any advice you can give I'll listen.