EYO hullo.
Moving along as usual, trying to push stuff along, haha. Enjoy.
"Yer certain it was CC?"
Despite being laid out on a sickbed with a lurid looking fluid draining fast down her IV, The Nurse found the energy to maintain a hot blooded and quarrelsome attitude. Just twenty minutes ago, she had been carried in by the Arms Dealer, vomiting and frantically hollering for one of the innumerable medications in her glass cabinet. Now that her condition had stabilized considerably (she was no longer of deathly gray pallor), she continued to hollar - and her ire had lighted on him.
"I fucking know agents when I see them, Dwarf! And it wasn't like she was trying to hide it either. She was flaunting that shitty King's insigna like it was the hottest fucking fashion! I'm not Resistance, but those bastards are chasing me too!"
The Demolitionist sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose as The Arms Dealer roused himself and tried to calm her down. Evidently The Nurse was quite rattled by her squabble with Yharim's troops; despite the bravado in her words, her voice shook and her hands trembled. The Demolitionist, as an esteemed officer of The Resistance, wouldn't have tolerated her yelling otherwise.
"Alright Nurse, I got it. Relax. So what happened next..."
"Well thank fuck nothing happened next! We rushed back here!"
It was three in the morning and all four of them (five, including the comatose pink-haired woman) were packed uncomfortably in The Nurse's mini-clinic. About half an hour ago, The Nurse and The Arms Dealer had rushed through the front gates, screaming and yelling for everyone to convene. Although everybody had been awake at the time, it didn't make the event any less disruptive. In fact, after a great deal of practice, The Demolitionist was finally getting the hang of 'advanced interrogation'. He was absolutely sure he and The Guide were about to reach some sort of breakthrough when he was called out by The Sea King at that critical moment.
Tch… this is a waste of time. It's gonna take forever to break The Guide again…
Yet despite his displeasure with the situation, the dwarf dared not voice his complaint with Amidas standing solemnly beside him. Why did The Sea King feel it necessary for him to be here? If one of their members got attacked by The Yharim's men, that only meant they needed to find a way out all the more urgently. The fact a CC Agent was patrolling meant Yharim would shortly discover them. As soon as Yharim knew The Sea King was here, there was no doubt the place would be flooded with troops … Right now, the most important thing was getting out. It was for this reason The Demolitionist was dirtying his hands. If The Guide was Yharim's overseer here (something The Demolitionist had yet to confirm) then there was surely a way out.
I bet I could've gotten an answer outta him by now…
The Sea King cleared his throat; perhaps he saw the displeasure on The Demolitiont's face and meant to justify himself. Although Amidas's expression remained as rigid and stony as ever, the spines that trailed down his back were rattling in an agitated fashion.
"Ehem,"
His voice was deep, booming and authoritative. It silenced all the chatter and pulled everyone's attention. Even The Nurse had the sense not to fuss as The Sea King toppled almost everything he brushed past, and likewise tracked water throughout her brightly lit and impeccable mini-hospital. Once he had shifted his considerable bulk, The Demolitionist found himself quite a bit less cramped; The Arms Dealer quite a bit more. There were certainly some downsides to being a twenty foot long sea dragon, but Amidas didn't show it. He enunciated carefully as he spoke, his voice grave and slow.
"The Nurse and The Arms Dealer have just discovered a method to pass through the barrier of this Compound. There is no need to poke any more holes through The Guide. He is no longer usef-..."
"What?! We've tried everything! How did-"
The Demolitionist's eyes widened in shock. Despite the respect he had for Amidas, he simply couldn't help but blurt out an exclamation. The Nurse matched his fervor in a shrill pitch.
"Well clearly you didn't fucking try everything, dwarf! I be-"
Amidas raised his tone. Clearly his vocals were designed to register higher volumes than humans (and dwarves) were capable of. He effortlessly shouted everyone back into silence.
"Quiet, time is short. Dwarf, I suggest you listen carefully and refrain from interrupting. Nurse, if you would elaborate on this - and, if possible, refrain from unnecessary profanity."
The Demolitionist fought back an eye-roll as The Nurse glared triumphantly at him. Surely such behavior wouldn't have been tolerated by anyone had she not been a genius doctor.
"... Thank you, Your Majesty. As I was saying, we were able to pass The Barrier because we brought The Slayer's arm with us. This was all The Dealer's idea,"
She turned to cough and wiped a foaming red spittle from the corner of her mouth.
"So you bastards can thank him later. Anyways, as long as that fuc-... that science experiment is with you in some way or another you're free to come and go. I suppose that's why The Guide's never had an issue with The Barrier. The Slayer follows him around like a lost dog."
The Nurse was subject to another bout of coughing. Amidas interjected to fill in the gaps. Clearly he had been briefed on this before The Demolitionist had arrived.
"And upon successfully passing The Barrier, you were attacked by a single member of Yharim's army - who has stolen The Slayer's limb from you and is now lurking the premises, badly injured. Is this correct?"
The Arms Dealer nodded and winced as he drew air to respond. From the looks of it, he had a cracked rib. A faint wheeze was audible in his voice.
"Yeah, A CC operative. She nearly killed both of us. Wouldn't be surprised if she were the same one who chased The Demolitionist here. I shot her in the stomach but couldn't kill her. She'ill probably show up tomorrow morning."
"..."
"..."
"Tomorrow morning?"
The Sea King found this bemusing. He blinked several times before speaking, his eyelids closing with audible clicks.
"It's incredible to me that a mere soldier could heal such grave injuries in such a short time… but even so, I would think a single, wounded soldier poses little threat. However, all your somber expressions tell me otherwise. Who are these 'Clandestine Corps'? There was no such group while I opposed the Tyrant."
The Demolitionist cut in to answer.
"They're Draedon's experimental super-soldiers. Lotsa people have gone into that robot bastard's lab and most end up either dead or horribly deformed. Some of them come out with incredible 'abilities. Dangerous that lot. I've lost lotsa good men to those freaks. The Spy that followed me? She'll be up and runnin' in a couple'a hours… not that it matters. Without the Monster Knight's arm, we're still stuck here. We'll need to lure her out and fight 'er."
"Hah!"
The Nurse lurched upright and sputtered a barking laugh. The Arms Dealer, who was seated on the cot beside her, reached out to catch her before she fell back down.
"And that's where you're wrong, you shitty dwarf. Look there!"
She pointed to the windowsill upon which a small beaker was placed. The glass had been partially wrapped in a cheesecloth, obscuring the contents. The Demolitionist walked over (carefully stepping over Amidas's tail) to pick it up. As he did, he was expressly conscious that there was something alive within. The Nurse narrated as he peeked in and twisted his nose in disgust.
"The Arm was actually quite well behaved until I chopped two of its fingers off. It got mad at me afterwards and was running around my house, destroying furniture. Anyways - I tossed the fingers in there. A bit crude but obviously it was worth it. The CC Agent can have the Arm… all we need to escape are those little guys."
The 'little guys' moved like two jointed worms squirming about each other, yet they were clearly human fingers that had been hacked off at the base. They were covered in small wounds from scratching wildly and each other - each with their singular fingernail. How disgusting, but between fighting a CC operative, fighting The Slayer, and walking around with a jar of fingers - 'disgusting' seemed quite welcome in comparison. The Demolitionist quickly handed the jar to Amidas (who was gesturing for it) and turned to address the group.
"Fantastic. We gotta leave as soon as possible. Best if we run before the CC agent recovers and begins to track us. Can ya travel, Nurse?"
The Nurse jabbed a nail at her IV and gave him an evil look. She opened her mouth to say something nasty, but The Arms Dealer cut her off and answered for her. The atmosphere was already tense. There was no need to further escalate.
"Demolitionist, she'll need at least until tomorrow. Hunker down for the night… we can spend the time packing provisions. Besides, we need to take this patient too," He motioned to the bed at the far end of the clinic where the Pink Haired woman lay, her breath soft and labored. "Me and you, we could probably pick up and go, but not the rest of us."
The Demolitionist sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. Now, he had a dilemma on his hands. He recalled Amidas's words to him only so a few days ago: The Demolitionist's only mission was to bring The Sea King to The Resistance as soon, and as quickly as possible. Every moment supposably counted, and The Demolitionist was permitted to make any sacrifices necessary to accomplish this goal… yet leaving his fellow prisoners here, when in just a single day, they could all be free? Was that something he wanted to live with?
The Arms Dealer fought off the CC Agent once… he could probably do it again, and especially if me and The Merchant support him…
"Alright,"
The Demolitionist cast a sideways glance at The Sea King as he responded. The fish-man's expression remained unchanged.
"We wait fomercave at the crack of dawn. Get some rest and pack whatever you need. Also gather all of the weaponry and prepare for an attack. We've got The Monster Knight and also The CC Operative in those woods. Make sure you can defend yourself. Finally..."
The Sea King raised a clawed had; The Demolitionist fell silent as Amidas completed his sentence.
"Finally, myself and The Demolitionist will ensure these," he raised the worm jar, "Are enough to allow us to cross the border. We will be back shortly. Please prepare as best you can. Come Dwarf."
"..."
The Demolitionist hesitated for a moment, then, with a backwards glance, he followed.
It was the smell that tipped him off.
He knew the area was going to be bad. A week ago, the fetid Crimson had already begun to creep past its boundaries - tearing into the lush green earth and revealing pulsing flesh beneath. The sky was shrouded in perpetual clouds, and everything vibrant had dulled. Silence and mist had been his constant companions since he set foot into The Crimson Borderlands, and although he knew the voyage to be dangerous, he had a promise to fulfill… and profit to make.
They had promised to keep the Slime Crown for me… well, not as if it's much use to a noble with a chest full of diamonds they're willing to give away… I wonder what family they're from.
For The Travelling Merchant had likely stumbled upon his most lucrative client yet. He had done some research on The Young Noble during his stay in the capital, and found there were records of neither him nor his family. This meant The Noble's wealth must have originated from outside of Lord Yharim's realm… perhaps from across the sea? Or perhaps he was the inheritor of the wealth of destroyed nations?
Likely, as his enemy is The Lunatic Cultist who played a great role during Yharim's conquest. If Yharim is also his enemy, then I can link him up to The Resistance to help fund the war...
So, with such noble intentions in mind, The Travelling Merchant persisted deeper into that putrid mists. He had already travelled five days, and his map indicated he was drawing close to The Compound where he had first met The Young Noble and his Slayer. On the way, he had encountered fewer and fewer refugees fleeing the area - yet he was sure The Young Noble would stay put. He had seen the glint of wrath in the young man's eyes. He wanted to kill The Lunatic Cultist, and would risk life and limb for a chance at revenge.
… what is that…
And so, here he was. Standing in a diseased clearing with his ears pricked and his palm on the base of his pistol. The smell of motile, rotting flesh had suddenly worsened tenfold and caused his eyes to water and his senses to go haywire. An itch began in the back of his brain. It was the itch of alien terror, like some great malevolent entity was staring at him from everywhere at once. He had frozen where he stood and carefully scanned the eerily silent treeline. He counted his heartbeats. He willed his breathing to calm.
… (*shuffle*)
Something was moving nearby. He could hear a labored but steady gait crunching through dead leaves and foliage, yet he couldn't tell from what direction it came - only that it was approaching. The Travelling Merchant squinted through the dim, early morning light and raised his torch higher. The zombies had already retired for the evening so he thought he was free to travel safely… but all of his nerves were telling him otherwise.
Should I run? But to where… where is it coming from…
He quickly stowed away his map and drew his pistol. He scanned about keenly, desperately trying to discern between the shadows of foliage and the dark shape of whatever was coming for him. Had a Crimson Monster wandered past its borders? Nobody had ever heard of such a thing… but then again, perhaps they simply didn't live to tell the tale.
*crunch… crunc-*
The footsteps stopped.
He felt eyes appraising him. Inhuman eyes. The gaze of an intelligent but unreasonable creature. He had to run, but to where? No. Anywhere was better than remaining here and waiting to be slaughtered. With his pistol still drawn, The Travelling Merchant pulled off his blue silken hat and carefully, silently turned and headed in the direction from whence he came. These Crimson Borderlands... he would traverse them when the sun was higher in the sky. He mustn't subject himself to undue danger. He needed to be alive to conduct business, after all.
*Crunch… Crunch*
But to his dismay, the moment he moved, so did The Creature. The footsteps were reminiscent of a man's, but the stink and that alien feeling it gave off assured The Traveling Merchant of his pursuers aberrant nature. Wait, he knew this feeling… It was unmistakable. He had felt this before, and in this very same place.
"Hello? I'm here to speak to The Young Noble… You're his friend, aren't you? Do you remember me? I gave you the Winter Cloak."
"..."
Silence, then the crunch of footsteps once more. This time, they were looming, rapid and purposeful. The Travelling Merchant gritted his teeth and desperately searched around with his torch held aloft, his pistol drawn and his palms damp with sweat. Had he been mistaken? Perhaps it wasn't The Slayer after al-
Ah!
Something stepped into the circle of his torchlight. Iron and flesh. Fabric and rot. It was in the shape of an armoured knight, but bright flesh spilled out from within it. Its appearance was like that of something once living, but had been torn asunder. Slow, half-living cilia matted the figure's cloak - staining the blue into a deep, heavy black. The horns of that familiar helmet had been soaked through and rusted. A lurid yellow ichor dripped from it; it left a trail of gore in its wake. The monster's walk was steady, but it held itself off-balance. The creature had drawn a sword, its glinting edge was bathed in putrid smelling blood.
The Crimson… it transformed him!?
There was no doubt it was him, the very same man who had single handedly slain the King Slime. His helmet was the same, a visor with forward facing horns and a flaring (now matted) plume. He was even wearing the same cloak The Travelling Merchant had gifted him! How terrible, and how incredibly dangerous. The Travelling Merchant pulled the trigger twice, burying two shots into that monstrosity before whirling around and fleeing as fast as his legs would carry him.
*Bang! Bang!*
He glanced over his shoulder as he ran, the monstrosity had fallen to its knees, gasping loudly and clinging to its wound. Blood spilled into the diseased grass from its stomach; it was then when The Travelling Merchant could see that it was hiding the stump of an amputated arm beneath its cloak. What was that strange flesh coloured scarf about its nec…
*fwoosh- shunk*
The noise of rushing wind. The Slayer flinched and vanished.
…
And that very same instant, The Travelling Merchant watched with horror as a blade sprouted from his sternum.
Slayer: I need my arm.
Guide: You need a bath.
NOTES: So I didn't know where to fit it in the first section, but The Arms Dealer told Nurse about how he got chewed out by Demo, adn that's why she's giving him all that snark lmao. Also T is using the Counter Scarf. Dash OP. Also RIP Slayer lmao. He be stanky. 2) Honestly Amidas is like four dimensions ahead of everyone else. I'm actually starting to like him. Did you know, originally I was gonna make him a really friendly character? Sometimes chars kinda do their own thing lmao.
GIBBE SKITS