The journey through Darkroot Basin is an unpleasant one, but no more difficult for it.
As usual, Priscilla charged through enemies and obstacles that would have taken Sær days to pass. He would stand by in awe as she would charge ahead, cleaving through enemies like butter. Over her time trapped in the forest, her hair had grown to her mid thigh, fanning out in a brilliant display when she twirls. Her coat had grown slightly thicker as well, with the fur on her forearm wings and tail just long enough to sway in the wind. She really does look like and angel.
Priscilla finishes her sweeping attack, her hair fluttering to a stop as the last gnarled tree-person falls to the ground in a shower of splinters. She pants slightly, her large chest rising and falling. Sær finally catches up to her, panting heavily. "What am I even here for if you don't leave any enemies for me?" He complains.
Priscilla gives him a haughty smirk. "You are my most esteemed bed warmer, stuffed animal, and groomer."
"Fine way to adress your husband."
"Not married yet, dear." She leans down, putting her face up to his and poking his chest with a small, nail-like claw. "And don't expect much to change."
"I should hope not," he replies. "What exactly does matrimony do in Lordran?"
Priscilla pushes against her chin with her tail, thinking. Vengarl chimes in from his place on Sær's shoulder. "Quarter ownership of each other's land and coffers, dowry, changing of titles, and so on. But none of those really apply to either of you, I should think."
"Well, I make out like a bandit. Quarter ownership of the archives, Ariamis, and the title of Crossbreed Sær." He smiles.
"You are not a crossbreed," Priscilla points out.
Sær snorts. "I could be. I have a wolfish appetite, and behold these canines!"
Priscilla leans closer. "They are not that big. With all the time we've spent kissing, I should think that I know how-OW!"
Sær nips her on the nose, then dashes for safety. Regaining her senses quickly, Priscilla's tail whips out faster than a snake's strike, coiling around his ankle and yanking him into the air. "Turnabout..."
She stretches her jaw, clamping it under his chin, her top row of teeth reaching his brow. "Ifh Fhawa pway," she says unintelligibly. Sær flails around, but Priscilla's bite is just tight enough to keep him from escaping. She licks his face, her long tongue giving him goosebumps as he sputters. She smells like cold winter air, along with a mineral-like scent.
She pulls Sær away with a 'POP!' and he hangs by his ankle, dazed. Priscilla pokes him with a claw, setting him swinging like a pendulum. "I'm not food," he says nonchalantly.
Priscilla titters. "That is what all humans say, yet they still taste divine."
"You're not serious? Y-you didn't eat any humans in Ariamis, right? Right!?"
Priscilla skips off, giggling while Sær dangles behind her, nervously wiping his face.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The mismatched group pad through the dense wood, weapons at the ready. Vengarl keeps a lookout to the southwest, while Priscilla and Sær cover the north and southeast, respectively. Enemy encounters have been increasing steadily as they near the center of the forest.
"Halt," Vengarl whispers. "Do you smell that?"
"What?" Sær and Priscilla say in unison.
"It smells of... Cat."
"Cat?" Sær snorts. "Here? Unlikely. If Priscilla can't smell it, then it probably isn't there. Her sense of smell is powerful."
"As is mine," replies Vengarl. "A century since I had a body last, and my senses are sharper than anyone's."
"Such a long time underground would sharpen your smell and hearing," Priscilla chimes.
"Nana's kitten disappeared..."
The trio look at each other, silently confirming they all heard the deep, gravelly voice. They drop low, ears straining to hear more.
"So her grandson carries a cage..."
The trees rustle, groaning and bending. The ground thuds gently underfoot, and Sær exchanges worried glances with Priscilla.
"He ever has his cage..."
The rumbling stops. The voice echoes out once more, barely more than a whisper.
"And now they're never coming back."
The trees explode in a shower of wooden shards, part of a trunk flying forth and hitting Sær. The breath is driven from him as he is flung into another tree, trapped. With effort, he is able to lift his head to scan his assailant. The creature is massive, easily twice Priscilla's size and terrifyingly disproportionate. It's head is misshapen, the extent of the disfigurement obscured by a tattered cap of fur. Large hands hang down to it's knees, each one dragging a cage attached to a long chain.
It is clothed in a patchwork of untreated catskin, too large to be a normal feline.
"SO COME INTO THE CAAAAAAAAAAAAGE!!!" A scream emits from the cage, and it is now clear that it is filled with emaciated bodies. A chill runs down Priscilla's spine.
The creature gives a roar of pure bass, lifting it's massive arm and yanking the cage into the air. Time seems to stand still as the cage reaches the peak of its arc, shifting momentum as it slows. With a flick of his wrist, the creature sends the cage hurtling towards Priscilla. She lifts up her scythe, catching the large cage in the crook of the weapon. Her bare feet dig through the dirt, and her tail pushes back to support her. The bodies in the cage writhe frantically, grabbing at the blade.
"Aaaaah!" Priscilla gives a terrified shriek, and with all her strength she heaves her scythe forward, launching the cage away from her. No sooner than she does so, the other cage comes flying towards her from the side. She quickly shifts her scythe to the side, supporting it with her forearm as it crashes into her. She blocks the brunt of the blow, but the force of the impact sends her flying. Priscilla twists on midair, tailspringing off the ground to get some distance from the massive monster.
"My lady!" Vengarl's voice echoes across the clearing. "Our weapons are ill fitted to deal with this monstrosity! We must retreat, NOW!" Sær moans groggily, stirred by the commotion. Priscilla looks to the creature, then Sær. Her mind made up, she dashes to him, using her scythe to pry the fallen tree off of him. Heavy footfalls shake the ground behind them, and chains rattle as the giant lines up for another swipe.
Her face red with exertion, Priscilla gives a mighty heave, pushing the log off of Sær and snatching him up, holding him in the crook of her arm. No sooner than she does so, both cages come down, slamming into the ground as Priscilla dodges one and blocks the other.
The impact rattles her bones, loosening her grip on her scythe. The emaciated bodies in the cage latch on to it, and the giant rips the cage away, pulling Priscilla's precious Lifehunt Scythe away with it.
Not even taking time to retrieve it, she dashes through the forest, weaving through the trees only for them to be toppled by her pursuer. The forest thins, and a cliff looms in front of them. Suddenly, a cage comes flying towards Priscilla, striking her back and sending Sær tumbling from her arms. The cage rolls and smacks into the cliff, and the rock shimmers. "Priscilla..." Sær croaks. "Illusory... Wall... Safe for us."
Priscilla nods, picking him back up. The strap fastening Vengarl to Sær is tattered and scuffed, and snaps from the movement. "Grab him!" Sær yells.
"No!" Vengarl is rolling down the slope, and his voice echoes up to the two. "Find me later! JUST RUN!"
Priscilla tightens her grip on her lover, dashing towards the newly discovered passage. Inside, a bonfire crackles, it's smoke of bone and ash warding off the monstrous gaoler. The two cross the threshold, seemingly safe.
While the giant cannot pass, his captives are still mere humans, unaffected by the repellant. The cage is flung forward, striking Priscilla's back once more and sending her tumbling into the bonfire. Priscilla shreiks, her long fur set alight. The tattered rags of the prisoners in the cage light as well, and the giant gives a roar, dropping the chain and fleeing the fire.
Priscilla's entire body is now wreathed in flames, and she flails on the ground as the smell of burning fur fills the air.
In the distance, a far off howl echoes through the forest.
To be continued...