It was an arm. One with an elbow joint, and one that was slashing blindly back and forth from the mouth of the Grimm.
"N-NO! I've never seen them do anything like that!" I heard her shout back, then continue. "Ugh, just look at that thing. I think I might be sick…"
It took a stuttering step forward, and I grimaced. The movement brought the sounds of snapping bones and cords of muscle sliding against themselves. It was grotesque, and the arm slashed widely from the unseeing face. It took another slow, unbalanced step, and everything repeated. I stepped back at the sight, and felt something latch closed around my ankle with force. My eyes snapped open as I cringed at the sharp feeling of a beartrap around my foot and my aura lit up around the area. I debated in my mind and decided to take my chances, and flicked my gaze away from the disgusting beast to see-
"YOUR LEFT!"
My gaze reversed and shot to the other side in combination with my shield, just in time for a black mass to ram itself against me. It hit like a truck against me and I was completely unable to change my stance to dig in against it with my ankle trapped, but I managed. Barely.
'Fuck!' I cursed, feeling the hilt of my sword slip from my fingers in the confusion. I stumbled, but held my ground against the impact. I heard it thump into the snow and forced myself to ignore it. A set of black and white wings flared to the sides of my shield but saw no bird skull peering down from above me. 'The one whose neck is broken then…'
A series of weak snips on the back of my legs confirmed it, and I accepted this with a scowl. I pressed my shoulder against the brutalized tower shield to brace it and checked on the mutated Grimm. It was still far enough away for now, limping slowly towards us with slice upon slice of its blade. My head tilted to look back at what snapped at my ankle, and my scowl deepened. It was the Snow Lark I'd thrown earlier, legless but still alive enough to clamp down on my ankle. I returned to looking at the freakish Grimm shambling towards me, quickly stabilizing the wobbling shield after it was bucked against.
"What am I, cursed?" I groused under my breath, leaning against my shield. I didn't bother going for my grounded sword, instead drawing up my gun that currently had one shot. Experimentally I attempted to yank my foot free, but it was useless. The only thing I got for my attempt was a series of rough yanks from the clamped beak, trying to take me to the ground. It held like a vice. "Nothing ever goes normal."
"eeeeeEEERRAIIIICLRG"
By now, I knew the sound. With overbearing annoyance on my face I glanced openly to my right and saw my missing Snow Lark, charging at me in all its spike-less glory. A sigh left my lips and I aimed, leveling my barrel with its single-minded path.
A deafening shot rang out, but my gun didn't buck.
The charging Snow Lark's head exploded in a spray of gore and bone shards, and two more bangs sounded off. The Grimm fell forward and skidded to a stop in the snow dead, and I saw two more ostrich-like Grimm collapse into heaps among the trees. I didn't show my surprise, and instead a mild smile was on my face.
"Unjammed." Jessie said. Even though she didn't shout out her mark, I could hear the confidence and playfulness coming back into her voice. Impressive what a faithful weapon will do for you.
"Good to have you back, Partner." I said, quickly readjusting my shotgun.
My arm tucked and brought the nose of the weapon behind me, roughly where I felt the snipping at the back of my legs. A trigger pull later and the slug was free, and the broken Grimm pressing against my shield became dead weight. I pushed the slab of metal harshly and the corpse of the Snow Lark fell away, leaving me considerably unburdened compared to seconds earlier. My weapon was cracked open and two casings were ejected into the snow, with the newly used one melting through the soft flakes. Two new shells were put into place and the gun was snapped closed before being holstered safely, and I kneeled down to snatch up my sword. Without a second thought I drove it through the head of the legless bird to the hilt, and shattered the beak around my ankle with the grip of my free hand.
The entire time, I kept my eyes on the approaching abomination.
"Jessie, nail it!"
She didn't bother with a response, as the bang of her rifle answered for her. In one moment the Snow Lark was advancing with wild slashes of the bladed arm, and in the next a hole tore open on its side. In the blink of an eye an explosion surged into existence from the point of impact, billowing flames engulfing. As surprised as I was to see it explode, I realized it was just another perk of having an explosives expert with you. The flash of fire receded shortly, revealing a deep chunk that was missing the left side of its torso. The bird stumbled to the right from the force of the explosion nearly falling, but managed to catch itself with unsteady legs.
I frowned.
The slashing arm paused, and I watched the thing freeze in place. It was disturbingly silent… until a series of muffled snaps and crunches began. The sunken torso of the Grimm bloated and bubbled, and the muscled legs shuddered. This was all a prelude to the mass of black that exploded from the hole in its side, tendons and fat strands that coalesced into a mass similar to the one that erupted from its beak. The abdomen withered as the arm extended from it, growing half again as long as the first and capped with a curved blade that was twice as thick. The thing moved a step, a sickly imitation of a Snow Lark that squelched and shivered when it moved. I choked down the disgust I felt at the sight with considerable effort, and glared at the monster.
From my crouched position I wrenched my sword free from the head of the legless Grimm and the ground beneath it and returned it to the sheath. With a smooth set of movements, I grasped the corpse by the neck and launched it at my mutated adversary, rising to see its response. The body sailed through the air, and the mutated Grimm stiffened and ceased the wild slashes. Its head was cocked awkwardly, and the clouded eyes stared unblinking off into the forest.
The second that the thrown Snow Lark got too close, the deformed arms jerked forward and caught it by driving their blades through the Grimm. The tips of bone pierced through until they poked out the other side. With morbid curiosity I watched the Grimm quiver and tense its new arms. The body was ripped apart savagely as the blades forced the flesh apart, and the two halves of the bird Grimm fell to the pure snow with a splatter of meaty shreds and blood as black as oil. Still, it didn't dissolve to ash or smoke.
A smirk graced my lips, and I brought my shield forward just as the grenades went off.
Shards of ice and bits of bone flew violently through the air as the pair of grenades attached to the fallen Snow Lark detonated, plinking off the warped face of my shield. A dusting of loose snow was kicked up and took its time to settle, during which two more shots sounded off from my partner. I didn't need to look to know that two more Grimm fell headless. Within a couple seconds the snow cover had returned to the ground.
"Strong thing, ain't it?" I muttered to myself, watching the monster disregard the trapped corpse and take a shaky step towards me as if nothing happened. It was obvious it wasn't unscathed. Its legs were lacerated and punctures peppered its body, yet it still hobbled towards me. The biggest thing I noticed was its second appendage. The heavy bone blade hung from the cords of muscle that made up the arm, a few important-looking ligaments severed by accident from shrapnel. The arm still slashed, but not with the same fervor. I narrowed my eyes at the sight. "I can work with that…"
"Reloa- RIGHT!"
Jessie's call came paired with a doppler effect of a grotesque screech from a Snow Lark. I hopped a step back when it was at its loudest and saw the Grimm pass right through where I stood, meeting head on with my weapon. My blade slipped through the partly-armored base of the neck like butter, and went on to bite through the tip of wings, feathers, and portions of back. Chunks of the bird plopped to the ground as the headless corpse tried to keep running, only to collapse and skip like a rock.
"Had about enough of that noise." I grumbled with a frown. "Shut up already."
"BACK! LEFT!"
I spun and came face to foot with a Snow Lark that snuck up silently from behind. One of the massive clawed appendages came at me from above with its leg stretched high, bearing down with speed. My sword slid free from my sheath and through the skin and sinew of the thigh, slicing smoothly through bone. The leg flew from the body of the bird like it was fueled, but I couldn't savor the moment. I tilted my sword and pivoted away. The moment the bird hit the ground with a squawk, a long white beak snapped closed around my blade. The edge that bit into the corners of its beak was the only thing stopping it from stabbing at me. I stared into the red eyes that glared at me, and the bird started to jerk its head violently with my sword clamped. The sharp yanks from the powerful neck put stress on my wrist, but I refused to budge. My hand moved like lightning and my fingers wrapped around the beak.
Now cemented in place, I slid my sword. The edge sliced through tongue, then beak, then flesh, then spine. My grip on the tip of the beak kept it together, but the second I pushed it away the top of the beak and everything up separated from the rest. Without a word I stomped onto the crown of the grounded bird and sent my boot through the skull. My heel grinded the brains and bones into the snow as it stopped struggling, and I extracted my foot and kicked what was left of the head away. I glanced at my armed enemy, letting my hand run over my grenade belt as I took stock.
'Two left. Better to save them in case we run into that giant again.' I thought, grumbling as Jessie called out again. I twirled 180 degrees and slammed my shield into the legs of the jumping Snow Lark. The long talons scraped my metal as I threw my arm up. The Grimm caught clumsily on my shield and tumbled over me hard, crashing flatly against the ground on its back. Snow white spines shattered on landing, and with my shield swiftly returned to my back I pulled the trigger on my newly drawn shotgun. The head was reduced to liquid and shrapnel which sprayed the snow black. I quickly slammed another shell into the gun and glared at the nastiest one in annoyance. "Let's get this over with."
I took off, packing snow with each footfall.
"RIGHT!"
My partner's voice was welcome. I offered a passing slash to the fevered-looking bird, and the neck and wing detached. I didn't stop.
"BACK-LEFT!"
I hopped and spun around, catching sight of the thing just a foot away from me. I lashed out strongly and the blade caught it behind the base of the neck. The unchipped side slid diagonally through, also slicing off a large chunk of the chest. Gunk poured from the open chest cavity as it separated, though by that time I had finished my turn and landed again. I continued to run.
Immediately I saw a Snow Lark from an angle straight ahead, but no call from Jessie alerted me. My eyebrows creased, and internally I wondered if it was because of how plainly visible it was, or if something prevented her. I huffed, steeling my nerves and raising my loaner sword to confront the ambush predator so I could steal a glance at my partner's situation. A loud bang answered all of my questions though, and I smiled as the Grimm died on the spot and stiffened.
"Reloaded." Her words were clear as day despite the distance between us, and punctuated by a storm of shots being let loose. I knew she wouldn't miss.
The Grimms hole-headed body slammed forward into the snow and slid, to which I vaulted over it and made my final push. A second of full-sprint passed, and I was finally head-to-head with the gurgling monstrosity.
Snow fell between the gaps of the trees as we met.
My fingers gripped wood and brought up the handle of my ranged weapon, and with a quick moment to aim as I ran, I fired. The slug that left the barrel flew through the arm that extended from the hole in its side, ripping the last of the ligaments that kept the wide blade attached. The beast gurgled horribly through the mass of tendons that occupied its throat, and twitched its long arm from its beak. The bone blade cut widely at me, slicing just shy of me through the air. To my shock the Snow Lark managed to lunge towards me despite its legs and the appendage slashed back through the same path. I dropped low to my knees and flashed my steel, slicing the blade off just where the muscle connects it. With instinct whining in my ears and my blood rushing I snatched the blade as it fell and lanced it, sinking it almost to the base in the chest of the Snow Lark.
I felt in control, high on the feeling of battle… at least until an arm tried to pierce me. A sharp splinter of bone soared towards me from the arm jutting from its side, and I recognized that with just enough time to lean right. The bone spearhead glanced off my pauldron, sliding off to the left. The relief I felt from avoiding that was great, and I thanked the Grimm by resting the tip of my shotgun against the perpetrating arm. A twitch of my finger, and the entire limb was sheared from the Grimm at the base. A lightbulb flicked on in my head looking at the arm, and immediately I acted on it. I let my gun drop and yanked my shield from my back before throwing it forward and driving it into the chest of the bird with force. The warped sheet of metal drove the bone blade entirely into the Grimm and sent the bird flying back 8 feet. Not a second too late either, as a sharpened tip of bone attached to the arm from its beak tried to lance through my eyes before it flew back. I got up, putting away my shield, grabbing my gun, and jamming two more shells into it.
"Of course it can make new bone." I cursed under my breath, watching as the monster managed to land on its feet. "Why is it always like this? Can't I just fight a Beowolf or something?"
I huffed, noting the dangerous new bone component of the first arm it grew. The Grimm shuddered as it stood there, I'd almost say it shivered. The chest heaved and the once-powerful legs were bowed out, a clear sign of instability. The red eyes were fully clouded over at this point, leaving no shine what-so-ever. Its torso seemed withered, being sunken in at odd places that displaced some of the white armor plating which left it jutting randomly. The thing writhed suddenly like it was attempting to fold in on itself and a sound I couldn't describe played in the packed throat of the creature. I looked at the disgusting excuse for a Grimm oddly… until I noticed the chest sink. My eyes snapped open and towards the stump at its side, and the familiar way the cratered wound ungulated threw up all the red flags I had. A scowl leapt to my lips and I glowered at its unseeing eyes.
"Not this time, freak! Grow arms on your own time!" I scolded it, and launched forward.
My feet slammed into the ground with each step, and I was before the monster in the blink of an eye. My grip was heavy on my loaner sword to the point it creaked. Like clockwork the bird lanced its new blade at me like a blur, but it did no good. I was already inside what little guard it had. I growled and jabbed, tilting my head to pass by the bone-tipped mass of muscle that aimed towards my eyes. They missed by an inch, close enough that I could feel the air displaced by the bundle of tendons, but the efforts of the Grimm were in vain. My loaner sword pierced the monster just beneath the shattered beak, traveling through the flesh, the corded mass of arm that threaded inside the neck, and the skull to come out the other side. The tip glistened like it was wet, but I refused to lose myself in the details. I planted my foot against its shriveled body and ripped my blade free, then letting loose two slashes that left behind clean cuts. The new arm and neck of the motionless beast hit the ground, just as quiet as the creature was in life. I watched patiently, just waiting for the thing to evolve even further than it had. This time, no limbs poured from the stumps.
'Died as it lived.' I thought, somewhat pleased with myself. 'In silence.'
Cautiously I glanced at my sword and had to swallow a sigh. The edge had chipped earlier, and though it was small for now it could lead to problems if I'm not careful. Guess that's what I get for not being more specific about the spare weapons the armory had laying around. Instead of worrying I just shook my head and turned, walking back to my partner. My eyes surveyed the area as I went, and no Snow Larks met the eye. As per the current usual the ones recently killed showed no sign of decay. I forced myself to ignore that particular detail.
"Not bad, big guy." Jessie commented once I meandered to the base of her tree. She sat comfortably on a thick branch, just finishing reloading her rifle and moving on to one of her pistols. I noticed deep claw marks along the base of the tree, but there were no Grimm. Whether they turned to smoke or simply disappeared when no one was looking, I couldn't be for sure.
"Meh. I probably could've done better." I shrugged, waiving off her words.
"You're just being hard on yourself. I thought ya did great!" She complimented, inserting a new magazine into her second handgun.
"Hm." I grunted noncommittally.
"H…"
I froze, stopping to glance around the section of forest we were in. Nothing jumped out as odd or alarming though, everything seemed normal. I furrowed my brow with a frown. Shaking off my concern, I threw a look towards my Partner who simply blinked at me.
"What's wrong? Something strange?" She ventured with curiosity written across her features. She smoothly holstered her pistols and secured her rifle before she hopped off her branch. The snow crunched when she landed, and she looked no worse for wear.
"I thought I heard something… it was pretty quiet." I admitted, running my hand through my hair. I paused briefly to bat the blonde locs out of my eyes. "Probably nothing. Hopefully."
"HeHeHaHaHa-!"
Silence fell over the two of us silently. Dreadfully, I managed to make eye contact with Jessie only to see hers opened wide. I froze. Eventually, I worked up the courage to break the silence.
"… did I just hear a laugh?" I hissed quietly, getting a hesitant nod. Her eyes flicked around the forest, much like mine had earlier.
"It sounded like a kid too." She agreed.
"In the middle of a frozen forest that's in the middle of a tundra. Right." My voice was as unenthusiastic as it could get as I stared half-lidded at the woman. She just rolled her eyes and crossed her arms to look at me.
"Puh-lease, weirder stuff has happened today. Not even two hours ago a giant hand ripped out of the ground, is it that hard to believe?" She harrumphed, poking my chest plate with each point while I looked at her blankly. "Besides, there's no way you're coldhearted enough to leave them if it is a kid. Don't pretend, tough guy."
"Well, you're right about-"
"HaHeHaHa-!"
"… it is kinda creepy, isn't it?" She admitted sheepishly with a smile. I snorted at her, shaking my head before tromping through the snow towards the laugh.
"You said it, Jess."
She caught up quickly, and the two of us walked through the snow together. Shards of ice, sprayed randomly across the ground from the fight, crunched as we went which added texture to the soft snow. I traveled with my hand resting on the handle of my sword as we followed the laughter that broke the stretches of silence. As there was no screaming or any sign of distress, Jessie and I agreed there was no reason to rush. The layer of ice coating the trees glistened as we passed, spiting the fact that the sun was blocked by cloud cover. Eventually we passed a thicker patch of trees, and a blotch of black stood out against the white forest. I made to draw my blade, but ignored the urge when the details of the blotch registered in my mind. My hand scratched my jaw for a brief second in thought before a hand slapped against my back.
"Well?" Jessie asked. I could practically hear the smarmy smile on her lips. "Don't keep them waiting, Jupiter."
I threw a silent glare at her, but went along with it anyway. The blotch of black I now walked towards was short, only a bit above 3 feet in height. The figure was turned away from me, leaning this way and that as they glanced around through the frozen forest in apparent fascination. They were covered head to toe in a leathery black cloak, one with a large hood and oversized sleeves that covered their hands. The only thing they seemed to have on their person was the ornate lantern held in front of them. A warm light bled through the crossed glass onto the person as well as the snow.
I went to speak, but I hesitated. It just didn't make any sense for a child to be so deep into Grimm territory. I wasn't confident in Jessie's reassurance… but I can't exactly attack this stranger if it turns out to really be some lost child. In the end I swallowed my hesitance.
"Hey, kid." I addressed, coming to a stop a couple feet away from them. Their head tilted back towards me, showing they heard me. Snow drifted lazily onto the untouched layer coating the ground around us. "We need to take you back to Mantle, this isn't a place for someone so young. We can call a search party for whoever you came with, but you can't stay out here in the cold."
The brat turned to face me, taking their time with each step it took to do so. There was no haste in any movement and the lantern swung squeakily as their weight shifted. I was able to see just how completely the black cloak enveloped them, and the hood was deep enough to cast a shadow over their face. If that wasn't enough, a loose collar stretched up and over their lower features. The pitch-black leathery fabric functioned as a loose turtleneck, obscuring their mouth and nose.
In fact, the only defining feature I could make out about the kid…
"HeHeHaHaHe-!"
… were their blood red eyes.
[AN - Another day, another effort. Glad everyone is enjoying themselves! Hope you like this one, I know I had fun with it. Enjoy!]