Note: All right, finally getting the ball rolling again! We get to go to a new location and move the plot forward! Even if it's just a temporary stop, I want Beuca Island and all the places visited to be unique. Also, this will take some of Falchion1984's suggestions (you have no idea how grateful I am for you, dude), yet I'm also going to have a little fun with some of my own. I'll admit that a later part comes just because I wanted to play dress-up with the characters.
Also, the time I've spent these last few days has been editing the previous chapters. I am ashamed of how many mistakes there were. Of course, not everything is perfect, and I'm sure I missed some things, yet overall, the language is better, and words don't repeat themselves.
And there's been the change that, from now on, Angela's weapon will be referred to as a wand. I've made this change to the other chapters as well.
Oh, and while he was a minor character, I didn't forget about Matelo. He'll be mentioned sometime later regarding his fate.
Beuca Island
He was vaguely aware that the hot sun was beating down on him, the rays caressing and warming up his bare back. It felt terrific compared to the chill surrounding him; Duran moaned, sleep slowly fading away from him. He didn't want to wake up; the sun felt so nice and tried to lull him further into the darkened depths of unconsciousness. Ultimately though, his senses began to return to him, his eyes opening and temporarily blinded by the light of the excellent star warming the world.
He wanted to go back to sleep. "Hey." But his ears registered that someone was talking to him.
"Perhaps he needs more rest."
"No, the rest of us are up; he's getting up too. Hey, c'mon. Wake up." he released a low groan and turned away from the figure kneeling by him, wanting just a few more minutes of rest. "Do you want me to splash you? There's plenty of water right there!"
Water? Shifting around, Duran realized he was lying down on warm sand; he heard waves lightly kissing the shoreline. And if that wasn't enough, he saw a tiny crab scuttle its way by him, its small eyes gazing up at him for a few seconds before hurrying off, lest this giant creature takes a bite out of it. Then, seeing he was in a place that was not the Ghost Ship, Duran began to try and prop himself up, every joint aching and every sinew dreadfully sore. How that hadn't roused him, he had no idea. It was then that he realized four other figures surrounded him. He rubbed his eyes and found everyone had gathered around him; Angela knelt by his right and Faerie by his left.
"Finally, you're up." The magician said.
Duran was still groggy and had little idea of what was happening around him. "Ugh…where…" he looked around, seeing that they were all on a scenic beach, the sky blue, the sun high in the sky, and a light breeze in the air that carried the subtle scent of salt. "Where are we?"
Hawkeye chuckled. "Isn't that the million-lucre question." in the distance was a sea of palm trees and tropical plants, bright colors and patterns everywhere the thief looked.
"We appear to be on an island of some kind," Riesz observed, her blue eyes centering on a faraway mountain. A smoking mountain. She didn't exactly care for a sight like that at all. "Though an island 'where' is anyone's guess." Indeed, there was no way to gauge where they were, let alone how far any established civilization was. At the moment, they were quite literally stuck in the middle of nowhere.
Duran had many things he wanted to say, currently caught in a whirlwind of emotions. "You," he said, still somewhat groggy. "You're all here, right? You're all real?"
"I would think so," Angela said. "Otherwise, we're all dead, and Heaven's an island paradise."
"Don't count on that," Riesz said under her breath, eyes still on the mountain. She didn't like the look of it at all.
Duran coughed a bit, legs feeling weak still, but at least he could sit up. "How long was I out for?"
"Well, I guess that'd depend on how long we were out too." Kevin thought aloud. "Truth be told, I'd say it's around late afternoon from the sun's position," he noted.
The soldier was halfway torn between wanting to wrap his arms around everyone, thankful that they were still here and breathing, yet that also brought with it the horrid realization that they WERE just on the brink of death. Deaths that would've been on his hands. He didn't realize it, yet everyone could see his expression; it soon transferred to them. It was as if everyone just came to the same conclusion; frankly, no one wanted to.
So immediately, attention was drawn away from it.
"So, anyway," Angela started first, taking charge. "Uh, yeah. Now what? Riesz?" the violet-haired Princess turned to the amazon. "Riesz?" she asked again, only to receive no answer. C'mon…'Angela silently begged.'I don't want to think about it either. So help us not to, please!
Yet it wasn't Riesz that broke the increasingly uncomfortable silence, save for Charlotte. One peek down, and she immediately got upset. "Oh no!" she cried out, drawing everyone's attention. "My cwothes! They'we wuined!"
That got everyone to look at themselves, noting that they weren't in the best shape either. Everyone's clothing was soaked and stained with saltwater; some articles were gone entirely. Duran and Riesz had to discard most of their armor, Angela had a boot missing, and her hair was in a complete mess. Kevin's vest had been lost, and Hawkeye was reduced to having little more than the lower half of his attire left, his chest bare and hair looking as if it would come out of its long ponytail any second.
In short, they all looked like a bunch of castaways washed up from a shipwreck.
"Well…" Riesz shifted uncomfortably, sand in her shoes and socks. She sensed that this was only the beginning of the list of problems they had. And that that list was a long one indeed. "Does everyone have their weapons still?" better start with the important stuff, she thought.
Everyone checked and, thankfully, had them on their person. "Ok, that's one thing," Faerie noted.
"And...what else does everyone have?" Riesz asked. "Importance doesn't matter. Just what do you have?"
"Nothing but the clothes on our backs," Hawkeye stated, feeling the sun on his exposed skin. "Or at least a pair of pants." he noticed Riesz studying him, even if she was trying to make it seem her attention was elsewhere. He smirked and winked, the amazon's cheeks heating up.
"Wait." Angela then said. "Does anyone have the money?"
The money! Duran looked and saw, to his horror, that the sack full of lucre King Richard had given him was gone. All that had happened on the ghost ship completely escaped him, whether he'd even had it on his person during that nightmarish voyage. Everyone was utterly shocked at this revelation, rushing over to search Duran themselves.
"Hey, hey!" Duran shouted, his space slightly invaded, removing Charlotte's hands from his pockets. "I don't have it!" he called, then the realization hit him repeatedly. "I don't have it…I don't have it!"
Charlotte clasped her hands to her mouth, and Hawkeye bit his lip hard, a worried look on his face, very much unlike him. Riesz turned away from everyone, hiding her reaction, while Kevin was puzzled as to why Angela looked like she was about to have a heart attack.
"What do you mean you don't have it?!" Angela shrieked.
"It must've been back on the ship!" Duran answered. "Along with everything else…" he said.
This only seemed to upset Angela further. "Oh Goddess…" she brought her hands to her head, fingers digging into her scalp. "Oh, Goddess...shit. Shit, shit, shit!"
Funny she's using Her name given her distaste for Her. Faerie thought to herself.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it, son of a-"
"All right, that's enough. Calm down." Riesz spoke up, approaching Angela.
"No, I'm not going to calm down!" Angela shouted. "We've just been stranded here without money, food, or water; our clothes are in tatters, and, may I emphasize, we're STRANDED in the middle of nowhere! We have no idea how close any civilization is, let alone WHERE we are! We could starve out here or get torn to pieces by whatever Goddess-forsaken animals live here, and you're telling me to calm down?!"
Riesz was unmoved. "Are you finished?" Angela was left huffing and puffing, her body hot and not just from the sun beating down on her. She was still clearly angry about the whole situation, yet after her outburst, she seemed to be simmering down. "Look," Riesz began. "Yes, everything you've said is true. We're not exactly in the best of places right now," she admitted. "But the fact that we're all here, standing on our own two feet, must account for something. We're all alive, so we should be thankful."
An uncomfortable silence fell over everyone, even Riesz, no one exactly wishing to be reminded of such a thing. Angela looked back and saw Duran hide his face from everyone as if he were ashamed of something. She was about to say something but held it back, reserving it for later. "Well…" Angela sighed, still not entirely ok with what was happening right now. "Now what?"
Riesz looked around, noting the dense, thick foliage that resided a short distance from the shore. Indeed, their options were limited. But they had to do something, for staying here only meant wasting more time.
While they were deciding where exactly to go from here, Faerie turned towards the ocean, noticing how, even if it was just for a split second, something had emerged from the water only to descend before anyone could see. Yet despite this, she had suspected that this island held its fair share of secrets, especially given the presence she had felt when they first made it to the shore. What this presence was, she wasn't sure, yet given what had just transpired, she could only hope it was a friend and not a foe.
Elsewhere
He thought of the accursed sun, gazing hatefully at the massive star in the blue sky. The caped man would first request that the horrid thing be done away with when His Majesty gained ultimate power.
Currently, Malocchio was confined to the inside of a cave, the vampire hissing before he turned away from the small spot the sun's light got to from above. Damned humans and their need for sunshine. Thankfully, the rest of the cave was dark and much more accommodating for a being such as himself, though if he had to be honest (and he would), he would've preferred not to come here in the first place. Belladonna had assigned him to go to this horrid piece of land in the middle of the ocean to search for the Fire Stone, yet he suspected that she had sent him here simply because she already knew where it was. And wherever it may lie, it was far from this sticky flea trap. Thus, she could be the one to claim such for His Majesty.
"Tch. What does she think she'll get? A pat on the head? Or maybe some sort of sweet nothings whispered in her ear? Fool." he remarked aloud. "Still the lovestruck child she was long ago."
Truthfully, Malocchio's motivations were more self-serving than his dear colleague's, but even though she had desires that she wished to fulfill, they all related to His Majesty. On the other hand, he had natural cravings that needed to be sated. His methods of dealing with them were considered sickening and barbaric to the mortals of this realm, yet his kind had hunted in such ways for centuries, perhaps even millennia, he was unsure. Most knowledge regarding where he and other Mavoles came from was lost to time. For all he knew, they didn't come from "somewhere else" at all, but they were created in the same realm as the humans and other creatures that dwelt in the sun's light. Yet, if such were true, it would mean that that same sun forced them to spend most of their lives hiding from its searing rays. But to have the Goddess give such a place to mortals while his kind had to hide in the darkness, and not just out of necessity, made the undead man's cold blood boil. Such inferior creatures didn't deserve such privileges. And seeing as they were so easy to take and drain of their life, his kind saw it as the natural order: he was the predator, and they the prey. They killed what they ate, so what was the difference? Furthermore, they were allowed to savor the thrill of the hunt as they tracked down beasts and brought home trophies to display their prowess. So, as far as Malocchio was concerned, he was well within his rights to enjoy that same pleasure.
And it was also in his right to find enjoyment in it as well.
While he could feed on anything, human or creature, he greatly preferred the former—especially those of the opposite gender. Human women had a quality to them that he found to be most...intriguing. He didn't exactly know what it was, but whenever his fangs pierced their throats, their blood met his tongue...ooh, it was fantastic! Almost...sensually exciting. Such power and control over them. Mostly, he made use of his talents with his eyes, their ruby glow piercing through his prey's own, destroying their senses and leaving them completely unaware that their lives were being threatened. But when he had the chance, he preferred it when they struggled. Hearing their screams and pleas for mercy, though knowing they would receive none, it was then that they were perfect. Completely perfect. True, his hypnosis would have to be used to break down those with stronger will, yet his favorite method was to go somewhat halfway. To have their conscious mind, not all the way there, yet with just enough awareness to try and fight back. Panic trying to break through the haze of their trance, knowing that they were about to perish...it was wonderful.
If His Majesty succeeded in his conquest, then Malocchio would be free to go and hunt however he pleased without fear of the sun. And if it weren't His Majesty who accomplished this, he would find someone else. He had no emotional ties to his benefactor, unlike his 'friend' Belladonna, and he didn't intend to change that anytime soon. Still, he needed to ensure their plans stayed on course, especially since certain obstacles had presented themselves. And now that they had competition, they would have to act fast so they would reach the Holy Land first.
Though with that came tales of a group of certain youths that seemed to be getting involved in everyone's affairs, whether it be Belladonna's or someone else's. This drew Malocchio's curiosity, for, from what he heard, one of them came from Nevarl and another from Laurent. Ironic that they'd be fighting together. Belladonna informed him that the member of the guild she was to have executed escaped, and despite the trouble he would potentially cause, she was somewhat thankful for it. She didn't say why, but he heard her say that this twist of fate allowed her to find a different, better purpose for him.
But when he heard that three females were traveling with him, suffice to say, his intrigue rose. One was no more than a child, ugh. Not interested. If he had to, he'd simply drain her and leave her corpse out for the vultures to dine on. Yet he also heard a young magic-user, presumably from Altena, and the Princess, or the young Queen of Laurent. Belladonna didn't say much other than they would have to be accounted for along with the others.
He could only hope that when they would inevitably meet, he would like what he would see.
Elsewhere
Angela slapped her shoulder again, the damned bugs still trying to get some of her blood, even when she had swung and crushed however many of them. "So, where do we go?" the Princess asked.
"Well, for one thing, we need to get a marginally decent the lay of the land probably," Riesz responded.
"Maybe we can start by pointing out some landmarks," Kevin suggested. "This jungle looks like it twists and turns, so things like west or east might not be all that useful."
"Well, we need to do it quick," Riesz said, looking up. "The sun won't stay up forever." she then turned to Duran, Angela, and Charlotte. "You three go back to the shoreline. Hawkeye, Kevin, and I shall scout ahead."
"Huh?" Duran asked. "But I can scout fine." he protested. Granted, he had never done it before, yet simply staying behind and doing nothing wasn't exactly his forte.
"Well...do you WANT to come along?" Riesz asked. "I mean...I suppose it doesn't matter who goes along. It's just...well…" she didn't want to sound arrogant, yet she felt she had to speak the truth. "A thief would probably be able to figure out easier pathways we can use,"
"Oh, I'm useful to you, is that it?" Hawkeye asked.
"Yes, that's it," Riesz confirmed, biting her lip. Damn him and that smirk; it made her cheeks heat up every time. "And, well, I think we may be able to put your skills to use." she turned to Kevin. "Though…" she paused. "Tell me, when you...transform, how much control do you have over yourself?"
Kevin froze. "Oh, that. I…" he stammered, not exactly sure how to answer. "I don't know. The first time was-" he stopped himself. No, he wouldn't go back there. Never again. Never, ever, EVER again.
"Let me put it like this." Riesz back-peddled. "Your senses are moderately more attuned than a human's, right?"
"Yes, that's right," Kevin answered. It was common knowledge that a beastman's senses were superior to a human's, yet no one needed to ask why Kevin was concerned. The transformation…"Do you think the moon can come in through the brush?"
Riesz breathed through her nose. "I don't know," she said honestly.
"Hey, maybe it won't be that bad," Hawkeye suggested. "You regained control eventually. And nobody got hurt."
"They could've." Kevin lamented. Even now, his "ascension," which was allowing a primal, animalistic side to take the reins, both bewildered and terrified him. On the one hand, it had served him well. Smells and sounds came so naturally to him, far beyond his usually heightened senses, and he was bestowed with incredible strength that could take out any human if he so chose. Yet it was due to this sudden change that he had lost control and attacked those that were supposed to be his friends. He was just thankful that nothing had happened, unlike with Karl.
If it weren't for 'her,' then he surely would've…, but who was to say that wasn't just luck? What if next time, he couldn't be brought out of it? And then she would be-
"If that's what you'we wowwid about," Charlotte spoke up. "I can go with you."
Kevin looked at her, then shook his head. "No, I…I don't think that's a good idea."
"Hawkeye, you stay hewe." Charlotte said, completely dismissing the beastman's words. "I can go with Kevin and Wiesz."
Wiesz? The Princess mentioned above (Queen) was surprised by the girl's forwardness; the taller (yet not much older) blonde looked at Hawkeye, then Kevin. "Well…" Riesz was pondering on her options. "I must be honest," she began. "I don't know if one of your…" maturity levels? "Height would be the best choice for this task."
"Hey, I'm tough!" Charlotte protested. "I took on a whowe hoawd of zombies! Hawkeye wouwd've be hewpwess without me!'' She then turned to the thief. "Isn't that wight?"
Hawkeye shrugged. "Can't exactly argue with the little lady there."
"Exactly!" Charlotte said. "I've got magic, and even mowe," she drew out her flail. "I got this baby hewe!"
"Hmm." Riesz raised her hand to her chin, holding it. She still didn't think that Charlotte would be an ideal choice, yet she couldn't deny that, given the sun was setting, perhaps she would need someone to cool Kevin down if the situation called for it.
"Well, we're just wasting time here standing around," Angela noted. "So if we're going to do something, then let's just do it."
Despite being born out of impatience, Riesz couldn't deny that she was right. "All right." she then turned to Hawkeye. "You wouldn't mind staying behind, would you?"
The thief appeared to be sad at this news. "Aw, I was thinking we could have a nice walk under the moon."
"There are other matters at hand here…."
"Kidding, kidding." Hawkeye chuckled. "Although, now this is something I'm checking down for later."
Riesz rolled her eyes. "All right, Charlotte, Kevin, we'll begin our expedition of sorts." she then turned to the others. "You three shall stay by the shoreline."
"I saw a large rock in the sand," Hawkeye said. "How about we wait there?"
"Excellent suggestion," Riesz replied. "That shall be our rendezvous point."
"So, you DO appreciate my skills." the violet-haired young man noted.
"When they are appropriate, yes." the amazon once again rolled her eyes. "If everyone is satisfied with the arrangement, then I suggest we best get moving."
With that, the two groups of three split up, one heading further into the jungle while the other made their way back where they came. Though she tried to keep a calm demeanor, Riesz was just as anxious as everyone else. She could only hope that things didn't go even more wrong.
Beach
The waves ebbed in and out, the sky a canvas of smooth, violet clouds with a pink and orange backdrop. Hawkeye leaned against the rock set as a landmark while Duran and Angela were closer to the ocean. Duran sat on the sand, boots off and letting the waves soak his feet and ankles, while Angela had gone further out, standing in water that reached just below her knees. She had left her single boot sitting out by the shore, her bare legs lightly licked by the waves. Duran watched her as she stood, her violet hair caught in a light breeze. Her hair and attire fit right in with the landscape of the ocean and setting sun, her colors matching well with the world around them.
"Like what you see there?" Duran heard someone ask; he turned to see Hawkeye grinning at him.
"Just admiring the sun is all," he said, even if he knew the thief wouldn't buy it.
"That's not all you're admiring." Duran gave a low growl. "Hey, I'm only teasing," Hawkeye assured. "Whatever is going on between you two is strictly your business."
Duran sputtered. "D-Don't be ridiculous! I could say the same thing about you! I see how you look at Riesz!"
Hawkeye only reacted with a casual shrug. "Now that's no secret," he admitted. "I'm not ashamed to say it either." He sighed. "And even if I didn't," he paused for a moment. "Someone like her needs somebody willing to extend a hand, whether she likes it or not."
The young men were silent for a short while, yet the same thing was on their minds. It would be best if you weren't here. Duran thought. You should be dead. His eyes then fell back on Angela. You…and I would be…he didn't wish to think about it, banishing it from his mind. Or at least cast it into darkened depths it would have to climb out of. He just hoped that Faerie wouldn't bring it up.
Speaking of Faerie, the winged woman was perched on her host's shoulder, staring out into the ocean as if she were searching for something. "What's up?" Hawkeye asked.
Faerie was silent for a few moments before answering. "I feel a presence on this island," she said.
"Presence?" Duran questioned.
"It... its energy signature is like mine," she explained. "Only more ancient. As if it's been here forever. Or, at least, near forever."
Duran and Hawkeye looked at each other. "Well...is it friendly at least?" the thief asked.
"I can't say," Faerie admitted. "Yet whatever it is...it rules this island. What that means for us...I can only hope, for once, that it's in our favor." she then turned to Duran. "...I know what you're thinking."
"Please, not now." her host sighed.
It's bothering you; I know it. She communicated in his mind.
Well, I don't want to talk about it. Let alone think about it. her host responded.
It was then that another thought came to his mind, Faerie seeing that perhaps this doubt could be remedied. "Hey, Shade?"
The Element of Darkness then manifested before them. "Yes? How may I be of service?"
"Duran here has a question regarding the other young soul with us on the ship." Faerie explained. "A...Matelo, I think."
"FAERIE!" Duran hissed, fighting the temptation to grab at the smaller, winged woman.
I'm sorry, but these things in your mind give me a headache. It's not healthy for you to keep these things in!
Well, get used to it!
Faerie sighed, directing her attention back to the waiting Shade. "Sorry." Shade said nothing; he cast a knowing glance at her host.
"You know, I'm curious too," Hawkeye said. "What DID happen to that guy anyway?"
"It will be dealt with." The Element of Darkness blinked his single, red eye. "Though I control and house the darkness and all the creatures that reside in it, the Goddess has given me authority over ferrying the dead to their final resting place."
"Until Gova decided to take your place," Hawkeye noted.
"Indeed." the Spirit nodded. "Though...I was a fool not to see his plans sooner." He shook his head (or body). "He suggested that it would be beneficial for me to construct a ship to harness multiple souls at once instead of visiting them individually."
"You visit everyone?" Duran questioned. "When...well, you know…."
"Yes," Shade confirmed. "Everyone. Just as I shall one day visit you."
The two youths went silent. "Uh, Shade? Not exactly a good time." Lumina said, popping out.
"Ah, yes. Excuse me." the darker-colored Spirit apologized. "Regardless, Gova, my helper, suggested that we construct a ship to collect souls and sort out where they go. I told him you could not lump a million souls together like that. Each soul is unique and must be judged accordingly." He sighed. "Whether it was that, or perhaps he had always felt as such, I believe this made him feel insignificant."
"Hey, it's not your fault," Lumina said, gently caressing one of Shade's wings.
"Still…I wonder if all this could've somehow been prevented." he mused.
"So, then what?" Hawkeye asked.
"While it didn't start as many, the unrest currently going on in the world has led to unnecessary violence. Such as was the case with Astoria." Neither Duran nor Hawkeye needed any reminder of that. "Though many escaped, many were lost as well. The sudden influx of souls allowed Gova to consume them and gain power by channeling their innermost beings. I challenged him," Shade then paused. "But the power Gova gained from the souls was too great, and Mana is fading from this world. I was captured and held prisoner aboard the ship, watching as helpless mortals were being carted off to their doom." he then lowered his "head." "Many of these souls had yet to see their prime. The children were challenging to see."
Lumina was far from pleased to hear how his dear Shade was treated in such a way. "I wish I had gotten there sooner." The Light Spirit lamented. "I would've shown that Gova a thing or two."
"As you can see, I'm wonderful." Shade said. "In a sense, it all worked out for the better, for without Gova, I wouldn't have met the future wielder of the Sword."
Duran rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, well…" the truth was, he still didn't exactly know how to react to his acquired title. "Though, what do you mean by 'dealt with'?"
"Ah, yes." Shade said. "Matelo's judgment will be carried out. I must review his record."
"Record?" Hawkeye questioned.
"The record of his life." Shade explained. "While, indeed, his decision to serve Gova was not a good one, the events leading up to him making such a decision will be taken into account. His deeds, both good and ill, shall be laid out and judged accordingly." He then sighed. "As it shall be done with Gova."
"Well…what then?" Faerie asked.
"Rest assured, there is always hope, but as for the actual judgment," Shade faded away in a mist of inky blackness, dark but calming, almost peaceful. "The rest…is silence."
Jungle
The sun set, allowing the moon to rule the sky entirely. Kevin looked up and kept track of it, already feeling his blood beginning to grow hot. "It's coming soon," he said, not exactly pleased with this.
"How do you feel?" Riesz asked.
"It doesn't feel bad if that's what you're wondering. Actually...it feels kind of good. Right even. " Kevin answered. "But...knowing what comes next…"
"Hey, it's ok," Charlotte spoke. "We'we wight hewe."
Kevin smiled at her reassurance, yet it was short-lived as he suddenly felt his body seize up, the beastman falling to his knees. His muscles bulged and expanded, his face growing into a snout, and hair sprung up all over his body. His feet stretched out to where he had developed hocks, and they no longer resemble anything human. The beastman had hidden his face away from the two young women, growls coming out instead of words.
Charlotte steadily approached the transformed Kevin, coming to where she could see his face. He tried to turn away, yet she held onto his jaw, holding him in place. "It's ok," she said. "I'm not scawed. And wook," she gestured to Riesz. "Wiesz isn't scawed eithew."
Well...she had never heard "Wiesz" before, but the amazon nodded in agreement. This seemed to calm Kevin, though his eyes still had an uncertain look. His mind was still in a more animalistic state, yet for now, it seemed that it was in balance with the sounder half. Smells, noises, and even how he saw things all changed. They looked the same, yet he could just register and sense them much better. He could feel the night wind travel against him, dipping between the fibers of hair covering him. He could smell the various scents of fruit hanging around and the potent nectar and pollen of the large, budding flowers.
Then, his ears stood up.
"Kevin?"
He could also tell that they were being watched.
A Short Distance Away
Curses!
Perhaps he was too quick to believe that an opportunity such as this would simply be handed to him. The werewolf had looked in his direction, though Malocchio wasn't sure whether or not he was seen. Nevertheless, he retreated into a nearby tree, slinking into the shadows created by the branches and leaves. The furred beast neared the tree trunk, looking around, sniffing, surely catching onto the undead being's scent. He was being searched for. Cursing the animal, Malocchio slunk further into the darkness, yet his red eyes were focused and alert. He had been a bit careless, he would admit, yet that was only because he had seen...her.
It was brief; honestly, he didn't get that good a look at her. But one among the three, one of the young women there. Not the small, annoying one (who would've made for a light snack for the demons back at the fortress), but the one with the spear. The one with long, blonde hair and fair skin. With blue eyes and green attire. Upon seeing her, Malocchio just had to get closer and get more of her. And while it wasn't exactly a good look, it told him what he needed to know.
This young woman had piqued his interest. Along with...other things.
He would have to track these individuals down, if not just to get a chance to study her further. And then...when she was alone, he'd introduce himself...formally.
"What's taking Kevin so wong?" Charlotte questioned.
He just left. Riesz thought. For a granddaughter of a Priest, she's not well versed in the virtue of patience. Still, the amazon couldn't deny that she was beginning to grow a bit concerned. Yet she couldn't just leave Charlotte alone.
Then, she heard something, a muffled cry of sorts nearby. Then, when she turned, she saw that the more petite girl was gone.
"Charlotte?" Riesz called out, only to receive no answer. "Charlotte? Charlotte?!" she looked around, seeing no sign of the girl. "Charlotte?!"
"Hewp!" Riesz heard the girl cry out. She looked back in the direction Kevin had gone in, then where she had heard Charlotte's plea. She was conflicted on what to do precisely, for any course of action would potentially put Kevin or Charlotte in even more danger.
Just then, she saw a blur of grey with notable blonde hair race past her, having heard the girl being taken. Seeing as the decision had been made for her, Riesz followed in Kevin's direction, hoping that she could at least be half as quick.
Completely unaware that her observer in the trees was mere moments away from visiting her.
Note: Reference to Beast Wars-Code of Hero and my favorite character of all time (and ultimate husbando), Dinobot. While not precisely in the same context, I felt some parts could be reworded to suit better what Shade was trying to explain.
And yeah, Malocchio is a creep. A real creep. I'm going to so you just how much of a creep later.
I hope you've enjoyed this chapter, and I look forward to seeing you next time!
