Beast Within (IC)

KatSea

Skittish Beaver
Original poster
FOLKLORE MEMBER
Invitation Status
Posting Speed
  1. Multiple posts per day
Online Availability
Generally online in the afternoon eastern time
Writing Levels
  1. Give-No-Fucks
  2. Adaptable
Preferred Character Gender
  1. Male
  2. Female
Genres
Fantasy, mystery, magical, modern,
Delilah Wickerson



"Think it will be quiet tonight?" A gentle voice cooed into the crook of the young woman's neck, body rumbling with a earth-shattering yawn. Her back arched firmly into his, melting into his form without a single word of protest. She knew it wouldn't be a particularly pretty night. Never was. There was always something happening outside her front door, and as much as Delilah hated to spit out the words, she wanted the younger hunters to go handle the looming dangers. They were capable. Strong. Ambitious, yet, at the same time they were foolish, reckless. Children. The good ones die at Simeon's age, anyway. Might as well enjoy my time with...

"Hmm, well, what do you think?" The voice inquired again, nipping gently at Delilah's jaw. Delilah stiffened, allowing him to skim his callused fingers over her stomach. A gentle kiss to her neck. "Do I need to knock on wood, or are we going to pretend that the outside world doesn't exist for a while."

"You know better, Hiroki" Delilah mumbled, nails digging into the bedsheet. She didn't struggle as Hiroki pulled the cover to her chin, tucking her in firmly. He gently gripped her shoulders, rolling her onto her back and threatening to... Her hands met his neck. "Bethany told us she'd come check in on us. We can't do this right now..."

"Mm. What's Bethany gonna do...I've walked in on attempted Morgan one two and three before..." Hiroki smirked, hovering over her. He rested on his elbows, barely able to contain himself from fully encasing her in his form. Delilah began to click her tongue against the roof of her mouth. Steady beats.

Click. Click. Click.

Hiroki bumped his nose against hers. Delilah merely scowled her response, a sure sign of affection in Hiroki's book. "No. Stop. Don't give me those eyes." Delilah hissed through clenched teeth, crossing her arms along her stomach underneath the sheets. "Stop. Hiroki I swear to G-"

Hiroki silenced her the only way he knew how.

---

"Okay I didn't realize you had an open door policy with Fuller, sorry love." Hiroki chuckled without a hint of apology in his tone. Absentmindedly starting down at Delilah's hand, he began to prick at the delicate red ribbon wrapped around her wrist. He quickly worked to fasten it, forming a generous bow while he was at it. Delilah was more than red, her cheeks and eyes wild with rage and embarrassment. On the bright side, the only thing Bethany walked in on was them hitting each other with pillows and Delilah threatening to slice open her lover's throat.

"Mm." Sitting at Bethany's office with a rat's nest for hair and loss of any pride, Delilah huffed and crossed her legs. She bundled herself tightly, tapping her fingers against her forearm in irritation. "Maybe next time you don't try to start a war with me, Tamura." She leaned her head back into the miserable excuse for a board room chair, the gentle creaking of the chair legs reminding her with every heartbeat that there was a chance this would collapse beneath her and leave her to further humiliation.

It's eleven. I should be comfortably finishing the Great British Baking show with Tamura. No. No no. There had to be a fucking haunting. Then again who am I to complain...this is much better than the alternative. Besides...I could convince Hiroki to give me mouth to mouth ~

A gentle bump to her shoulder brought her back into the land of reality, the entirety of her strength being put into place as she bolted up from her slumped position. Her eyes met the arriving woman, a gentle blonde woman with a beaming smile that accompanied every piece of bad news. Delilah forced herself not to squirm in her chair, her hand desperate to shoot out for Hiroki's. However, she remained stiffened, eyes hard and thoughtless as they trained with her employer.

"Thank you two for coming. We just received two emergency cases from the local area, it's been requested that these are handled in the most appropriate and ethical..."

"And quick, I assume." Delilah mentioned, soft and composed. A smile touched at the corners of her mouth, which seemed to soften her employer's features. Bethany stared down at the desk before them, leaning forward and scrapping her nails against the wooden surface.

"Preferably. Two cases in the last fifteen minutes have made theirselves known to us. A haunting in Limestone. Sources confirmed that the details of the haunting appear to be from a demon, victim of the possession appears to be a twenty two year old college student coming home for the winter season. It's assumed he was consented in the possession, but it is preferred that the demon is exorcised and banished in the most efficient manner. Tamura, we are going to assign you a team in order to secure this victim and the demon inside of him. I know you aren't particularly used to..."

"Why a team, miss?" Hiroki's head tilted to the side like a lost puppy. Delilah would have found the confusion adorable in different times, but for right now irritation remained clear along her demeanor.

"It's a lower class demon, and while you and miss Wickerson make a wonderful team...we have more pressing issues for her to handle. We believe that it is best to safely secure the student to have more than one exorcist at the scene. Now, miss Wickerson. About a mile north from here there have been reports of what looks to be a Wendigo attack on several local hunters. Two missing, two confirmed deceased. Now, I know shapeshifters aren't particularly your area of expertise, miss Wickerson, but we believe that it is necessary to partner you up with a team of individuals as well..."

"Why?" Delilah inquired this time, brow furrowed in confusion. This wasn't like Bethany to place them in situations they weren't prepared to handle. There were plenty of hunters prepared to handle shapeshifters. Little Lucia always seemed to be eager to handle them, anyway...

"We think that this Wendigo was modified in someway, it appears to have caused a lot more mayhem than in recorded incidents...Beyond the four hunters, we believed it had also made itself known in a Jackman store. We do not know if the footage is real or not but...local security cameras point a bizarre figure attempting to crawl in through a rest stop's window. Again, it has not been fully confirmed, but we believe this Wendigo has a modification of some sort...perhaps by the actions of a witch or demon. Whatever the case, we are going to place each of you with a team. You are responsible for guiding them and extracting the monsters as quickly as possible. Hiroki Tamura, you are to be placed with Grayson Williams, Aaquil Cabrera and Mi..." Delilah's amusement threatened to spike as Bethany struggled with the hunter's name "Minakshi Panja. You will be transported by Selene Montgomery. Miss Wickerson, you will be placed with Adrian Lewis, Lucia Rivera, Brigid Ó Cathasaigh..." Bethany appeared to stumble over that name as well, causing Delilah to place her hand over her mouth to stifle any disrespect that threatened to bubble through. "And mister Kook. You will be transported by car. Hiroki, once at Limestone's HQ you will be guided to the victims home. Remember to place a memory charm to any involved. Delilah, if possible, recover the remaining hunters. They will need a prompt memory charm as well..." Bethany's lips pursed.

"I will call for them at once. For the mean time, suit up." A smile graced the owner's lips. "It is going to be a fun night."

@Mobley Eats @Kyatto
 
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Minakshi, or Mina as she insisted everyone call her as no one could really say her name, was currently in her room with several giant books resting on the wood of her desk. Papers cluttered the space with the help of pens and it just looked a-mess at the moment. Her arms rested against the desk while she read and took in the information those books offered her. Despite the state of her desk the room was completely clean and organized. Every door was closed. The bed was made. The bookshelf was organized in alphabetical order. The curtains were perfectly held back to let in sunlight from outside. The only noise that disturbed the mostly perfect room was the shuffling of papers and a knock that suddenly rang through the air. Her whole body turned and got up from the chair. Her caramel hand gripped the knob to open it which revealed a fellow guild member.

"Yes?" Her voice was sweet and kind like she could do no harm to anyone or anything at all. This was obviously not true as she was in the guild for a reason. Her long black hair hung over the white blouse that adorned her upper body. Blue skinny jeans hugged her leg like a clinging child and simple black shoes covered her feet. The guild member, or Willow as many people called him, was clearly intimidated by her beauty and even blushed.

"Bethany wants you in the briefing office-office!" Willow stuttered out while 'fixing' his blonde hair. Her brown eyes looked at him in curiosity before responding with a sly grin.

"Any particular reason why?"

"She didn't say, just said to get you!" He said quickly while nodded at her a little and excusing himself from her presence. Mina immediately left the room and headed to the briefing office which wasn't that far away. The halls weren't anything special, just grey on grey on some more grey. The only exciting place within these walls was the dining hall. It was still grey but something was always happening in there and there was never a day excited voices didn't spring from within.

Mina arrived at the office in a matter of minutes as she knew the place like her home land. Her delicate hand knocked on the door firmly, showing she definitely wasn't weak. A voice on the other side beckoned her to enter, which she recognized as Bethany's voice. Upon entered her chocolate eyes caught sight of several people. Some of them were recognizable and some were not. She definitely recognized Bethany as that was basically her boss but everyone else was as much of a mystery to her as she was to them.

"You called?" She asked immediately.

"You're being placed on a team of three other people to take out a, most likely, modified Wendigo." Bethany spoke while avoiding saying Mina's name even if she had stated to call her Mina and not Minakshi.

"Who's on the team?" Mina's voice was a bit hopeful as if she wanted a certain someone on the team. Her eyes looked at Bethany's in anticipation.

"Hiriko Tamura, Grayson Williams, and Aaquil Cabrera." Mina's face dropped just a tad bit when she hadn't heard the name she wanted to reach her ears so desperately. She soon recovered from it as she faced her teammate, Hiroki, who was introduced to her by Beth right after her team was stated. She looked the guy up and down before giving a warm smile despite the disappointment she felt.

"Good to be working with you."
 
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Trigger | Location: Broken Beast Guild, Conference Chamber/Office | Interactions: Kook and Mina @Kyatto



Smoke tasted damn good when it distracted you so well. At least, Trigger thought so.

"Yeah, so uh... The usual. Call me back."

A single click of the button and her cellphone was pocketed, a tad rushed, the motion colored with well-hidden frustration. She pulled another long drag from her cigarette, eyes lidded and lazy as the chemicals formed a new layer of tar within her lungs. Hell, she'd gladly take that over the one caking her heart any day... Heh. She was sounding emo again, wasn't she? Now that was a damn party pooper. She finished off her death stick quickly, flicking the bud through an open window, trails of smoke still rolling from her nostrils. Today hadn't been any more or any less successful than last. Or the day before... or the day before that. Didn't matter, she'd try again tomorrow.

For now, Trigger needed that final beautiful touch to go along with the nicotine. She was numb, now it was time to swim. Well, it'd take a little over a bottle to reach that magic point, maybe two if she was feeling lucky. But, regardless, it was the top of the day and even she had enough class to hold off until later in the evening. She hated being responsible sometimes, but considering the people she worked with... it was a necessity.

Just as the guild member teased with the idea of stretching across her bed and having those wonderful post-midnight thoughts in the middle of the day, a knock resounded. Curt. Straight-forward. Nothing like the overly upbeat knock of Aaquil. Or the erratic pounding and cackles of Kook. Or the playful softness of Lucy. This was an estranged member and nine times out of ten, they brought business. Greeeeeeat...

"I'm comin'," Trigger drawled tiredly. She opened the door, revealing a man close to her age, perhaps a year or two older. He was of average looks worn down and rugged from his time at the guild, brunette and flat brown eyes. That same gaze locked with hers, though its dullness withered in comparison to her own. Pure death--that was how Aaquil described the look in her eyes once; it was out of pure honesty and pity, she knew that, but it still stung to hear it. "Yeah?"

"You're needed in the office. There's a--"

"Great. I'll be there in five." The man's protests weren't nearly loud enough to reach Trigger's ears as she shut the door and it wasn't until several moments after that her blatant disrespect clicked. Ah...shit. She visibly winced and opened the door again; of course, the man was gone, but it didn't stop her from uttering meekly into the hallway, "Uh...sorry about that. Sorry, whoever you...were...Yeah." And then she was back inside her room.

It was time to suit up.

Getting ready was a damn ritual, even if it was brief. Its importance was akin to the ones that needed to be performed for high level exorcisms. First came the jacket. Always the jacket. "Ole reliable," she muttered after putting it on, hands running down the silver ridges sewn into the sleeves, a hint of nostalgia steamrolling her thoughts. Adoration. Then came the pain, and she was thoroughly done with traveling down memory lane. Next came her little twin babies. Two beautiful handguns, the best damn model she could've asked for. The barrel was a perfect size, giving her optimal vision for long range aim, and the slide was designed with a lightning cut, thus reducing the weight of it overall and giving her speedy reloading in likely cases of hunting agile creatures. And of course, there was the ammo. Her beloved sky iron bullets. Hell, Trigger could've kissed these things (like a mother would kiss their child) if she wasn't so pressed for time... Was that considered weird? Probably. Definitely.

Trigger's thoughts were a calculated hailstorm as she traversed the halls. The best ways to save ammo and take out her targets swiftly. The fastest way. The most efficient way. Whatever it took to haul her ass back to bed as soon as possible. Upon entering the office (with a speedy knock and not even bothering to wait for permission to enter), her gaze instantly fell on everyone in the room. There was no reason for it aside from instinct. She tuned out the bits that didn't concern her, but caught the gist of their mission--well, her mission. They'd be handling some modified Wendigo, led by Wickerson. Mmkay. Fair enough. Now what didn't sit so well with Trigger was one of the team members; she held a begrudging fondness for Lucy and worked well with Adrian's efficiency. However, the last member...

"GAHAHAHAHAAHHEHEHEHEHEEHHEH!!"

Fuck... Fuck!

Trigger's eyes rolled into the back of her skull. Oh, this day just got exponentially better. The gunman didn't even flinch as Kook collided into her from behind, hanging off the woman like a massive koala. He was six feet and three inches of pure madness clinging to five feet and ten inches of "Kill me now". Well, if there was ever a flicker of lightness in the dark, Trigger could at least assume safely that Kook was fired up. Excited. And when one sent out an excited Kook to the field... there was a tank to use. So yes, the woman just bared with it, ignoring the endless string of creepy cackles right next to her ear. "...Nice to see you too, Kook."

"Gah!" he screamed, almost sounding like a cartoon character.

"Sorry. Kook the Overlord."

Kook went back to cackling in satisfaction.

For the sake of her sanity and blood pressure, Trigger ignored him in purchase of shooting Mina a sideways glance. She was a good egg; proper, generally nice, but had a tendency to jump headlong into danger on the field and give the gunman anxiety attacks. She trusted her safety with Virtue and Preacher though, so it shouldn't be a problem. Shouldn't. He prayed everything would go over... somewhat smoothly. As smooth as a mission could be. She nodded at Mina, calling out to catch the woman's attention. "Oi, Mina. Be safe out there, lass." Short. Simple. Straight to the point. Trigger didn't have anything else left to say and it seemed that her team was nearly rounded up and ready to go. All that was left were Lucy and Adrian...

In the meantime, Trigger's hands rested on the guns in her holsters, fingers inching to put some smoldering shells between a Wendigo's eyes.
 
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Grayson Williams



"It's getting late, Gray. Perhaps we should halt our current activities and try to..." Grayson quickly scrambled to his friend's side, burying his face into his torso and wrapping his arms firmly around his waist. He growled lowly, a protest that was weak and feeble to his friend's much superior resistance. Adrian's fingers dug into Grayson's grasp, gently prying him off without further consideration of Grayson's desires. Adrian fumbled to his side, reaching for the remote on the other end of the bed. Grayson lunged, catching his wrist and nearly slamming his head into the surrounding wall. Adrian(by grace of his ridiculous otter Grayson had chosen to name Oscar), managed to catch him before he could administer any damage to his hollow head. "I know you like watching Skam but..."

"I need Isak and Even to get together already!" Grayson's pout mirrored that of an oversized balloon. Flopping miserably onto his back, he stretched his arms out, one weakly slouched over Adrian, the other dangling off the mattress. He scowled. "Sleep is for the weak, Adri. But fine. I'll put it on the back burner for now...but you have to get up to handle the lights..." He grumbled, waving his fingers towards the fairy lights that adorned the wall. Several dim beams of pink, blue, yellow, orange and red greeted the two young men, as per Adrain's request.


Adrian's brow furrowed as he nudged his elbow into his friend's ribcage. Grayson winced and scooted towards his edge of the bed, where he threatened to flail over the side. Adrian once again caught him by his arm, his eyes closed to hide any stray bemusement.

"I thought you liked Isak and Eva together." Adrian cooed lightly, although forced himself to sit up and nearly avoid the sharp inclined ceiling. Grayson wasn't sure how, but he ended up stuck with the corner dorm that had the most ridiculous excuse for a corner ceiling he had ever seen in his short life time. Even lying down, his static locks threatened to brush along the top. "It doesn't matter, I suppose. Sleep is rather for the weak, but I know you, Grayson. Fuller is going to barge in here in the morning and tell you you need to dress up as a priest to serve mass and save teenagers from a Ouija board. Damn things, allowed for a lot of poltergeists to..."

"Ugh, you are telling me!" Grayson was barely able to throw his arms up in exasperation, his arms forced to bend as his elbows brushed along the foundation. He puckered his lips in annoyance. "I always thought it was funny, the first time they asked me to do that. I had to remember my mother's teachings and books for that sort of thing. Poor dear thought I was actually getting back into..."

At that, Adrian threatened to cackle. He pressed his knuckles to his pursed lips to stop any rumbling. "Your mother and I both know you are the least holy man to walk the Earth, Preacher."

"I am so holy," Grayson protested, lowering his arms over his chest to cross them in his defiance. "God's perfect little angel ~"

"You are right. Angels tend to make people scream in fear when they see them." Adrian smirked, his lips thinning as he reached over to ruffle his friend's hair(which as Grayson might add took hours to perfect its chocolatey glory). In response, Grayson began to feebly push at his friend, hoping to get him to hop off the bed to turn on the lights. Adrian struggled to sleep in the dark, and as Grayson could attest, did much better knowing that someone he trusted was in the room. They didn't tend to share the bed, Grayson usually took position next to Cebbie on the small beanie chair, Adrian notorious for sprawling over the bed and encasing it with that ridiculous 6'2 height of his. God. As if he could redirect female's attention any more than that(then again Lucy seemed to be content to give them equal amounts of googly eyes, which he supposed was fine).

"Hush. Go handle the lights. Cebbie and I can..."

"Grayson, you do realize there is nothing wrong with sharing a bed." Adrian's eyebrow skyrocketed, seeming to forget that common culture referred to two men in a bed as a romantic endeavor. However, Adrian, didn't seem to handle this hint and was content sleeping with a fair gap between them. Grayson assumed this was so they could "watch each other's backs".

"I know, I know, Cebbie has just been really..."

Knock.

"I lied. Sleep was unnecessary." Adrian corrected himself, rolling off the bed with a gentle grace that accompanied a horrific mop of bedhead. Adjusting the hems of his messy shirt, Adrian brushed back his curls and made his way to the door. A long, bumbling corgi threatened to hop towards Adrian's shoes and begin nibbling at the laces. However, Adrian stared cooly down at the creature, watching it retreat back to its owners bed. Due to its short, stubby, and inefficient legs, it was barely able to hop up. Grayson rolled towards the edge of the bed, accepting the creature in his arms and glancing in confusion over to the door.

"Grayson, sweetie?" A gentle voice greeted from outside, which both men recognized immediately. Adrian spent no time hesitating in allowing their fellow guild member into the room, a young Selene Montgomery. Her shaggy blonde hair was messily tied into a bun, a gracious pink bow accompanying it. She was in her pajamas already, unlike the two men, Snoopy happily snoozing along her stomach. She didn't seem to be surprised that Adrian had chosen to bunk with Grayson tonight. She knew very well of his concerns at night. A gentle smile bobbed along her radiant, rose red painted lips. "Bethany dear wants you and Adri to go meet. We've got two big hitters."

"Two, eh? We gonna be working together?" Grayson beamed at the thought, nearly bouncing himself and the dog. Selene bit her lip, each movement delicate and soft. She shook her head.

"Come along now, sweethearts."

----

Grayson and Adrian took no time to clean up after themselves. Meaning simply they walked in in simple wear, Grayson's spell book in hand. Adrian was using his cane to navigate his way into the main office, his dark eyes skimming along all who were already there. Bri, Kook(who as much as Grayson loved seemed to give him the creeps) and Mina. Selene had told them on the way that Lucia and Aaquil were to be expected, which set the young man at ease. Both of them were exceptional hunters. Despite Lucy's size and cutesy behavior, Grayson had seen her take down a skinwalker before.

Little lady knows how to be brutal.

"Grayson, sir." Hiroki Tamura greeted warmly, taking Grayson's hand in his. His eyes skimmed the others, and once he was done with Grayson did the same action with Mina. Releasing her hand, he took a step and bowed his head. "Pleasure to be working with you. I assume miss Fuller has already..."

"Yes sir!" Grayson beamed, his eyes darting to the woman at the desk. She offered him a gracious smile, dark circles under her eyes from clear sleep deprivation. Having a six month old would do that to a person. "Demon, eh? Piece of cake!"

"Don't be so cocky." A gentle voice greeted Grayson, a woman decorated in red attire smiling at him. There was no humor or mirth present in her demeanor, although her eyes were soft and almost attentive. It took Grayson a second or two to recognize her as Delilah, who he had heard a variety of horror stories. Not particularly from hunters...She seemed to be a rough and tumble sort of woman, which he respected well enough. She turned her direction towards Adrian, Kook and Bri. She bobbed her head respectfully. "You are with me." Softly, Grayson could have sworn he heard "Fuckers."

For whatever reason, this mirage set a laugh at his tongue, which was barely contained. He could hear Adrian's gentle sigh from across the room.
 
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Lucia Rivera



"Ricardo ~ mi hermano favorito ~" Lucia took no time to hesitate as she took a running start, hopping onto her brother's back. Wrapping her legs firmly around his waist and her arms around his collar, she held herself firm in order to prevent a catastrophe of epic proportions. Ricardo was not phased by his much smaller sibling colliding into him, and was not shaken one bit. Rather, his hand came to meet hers. His body rumbled with uncontainable laughter.

"Deberias estar durmiendo amor." Ricardo scolded, light and without a trace of irritation. Blindly, he turned his head to kiss her cheek, his shades gently bumping against her nose. She giggled, happily burying her face into his mess of dreadlocks. She pouted.

"I am not the sleepy, hermano." She protested, her grip threatening to waver as he rolled back his shoulders and stretched his back in a desperate attempt to slip her off of him. She held on despite this, pressing her chin to his shoulder. "I cannot sleep. Dreams. Bumps in the night. My shadow, speak. Talk talk talk." She giggled innocently, finally dropping her legs from him and allowing him to lower her down very carefully. Once she was back on her feet, she slowly twirled her brother to face her. Taking his hands in hers, she lowered him so she could place her hand upon his cheek, adjusting his glasses. "You should not tell me what you need to do, either. No one needs you now, sleep." Her thumb pressed deeply into his cheek, the sigh resounding from him somewhat unnerving.

"I was about to leave, Lucy. You, yourself, appear to be as excited as ever. Who thought it was a good idea to give you coffee?" He chuckled, straightening out his back. He stared down at his sister, although the gaze was empty. Nevertheless, Lucia was fully aware that whatever affection Ricardo held, it was beaming through his entire being.

"Blame the men." She giggled, brushing stray locks of madness from her face.

"What is there to blame us for?" An added voice pipped in from the doorway, causing Lucia to whip around and face a young hunter, one around her age. His light, sandy blonde hair obscured most of his eyes and his scraggily form resided along the doorframe. Lucia recognized this young man as Rook. "You've been called for, Lucy." A smile graced the corners of his mouth, brushing back his slick hair to reveal beady, blue eyes. Ricardo's hand placed itself upon his little sister's shoulder.

"Allow me, sir."

---

Lucia had no conclusion for why Ricardo decided to lead her to Bethany's office, rather than Rook. Rook had more visual capacity than her brother, yet nevertheless the man insisted with an almost inhuman growl. Lucia merely beamed as she was dropped off, happy to see all of her favorite people there(minus one or two). She pipped up quickly.

"Hello, fine friends!"

"Yo, Lucy!" Grayson immediately brightened, waving to her with uncontainable excitement(despite the fact they had seen each other a few hours ago). Adrian merely remained quiet, acknowledging her with a nod.

"Glad you could come." Bethany greeted, gesturing her to sit and to acquaint herself with her team. Bri, Kook and Adrian. Oh, this was gonna be awesome! These people were so cool! She had to admit, she was a little intimidated by their experience(and height) but there was an undeniable excitement as she bounced visibly in her chair. She beamed like a newborn star, her head tilting from side to side as she hummed.

Wendigo is gonna be a piece of cake! I've never worked with Delilah either and she looks so nice!! Eeek! Oh, oh I know Adrian is gonna be a little jumpy around me so Ill be nice and cautious. Bri's got that killer aim and Kook...he's a dear. IM SO EXCITED!!

Translations -

Hermano - Brother

Deberias estar durmiendo amor. - You should get some sleep, love
 
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Minakshi Panja (Mina)
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Mina got a bit serious in response to what Trigger said but nodded nonetheless in response. She was only trying to protect people that she loved as her own family. She's be the first to give up her life for them. That was just how Mina was as her past wasn't the best one. Not many people knew of it as she preferred not to worry them but rather, worry about them.

"I can't guarantee anything, Trigger... Sorry!" Her plush lips formed a smile that was sweeter than sugar. After that conversation her chocolate brown eyes landed on the stranger that her mind came to know as Hiroki. He was really tall according to Mina's 5'4 self. His skin wasn't white but wasn't as dark as hers was. He definitely wasn't from America and their eyes matched in color and softness. Hiroki's eyes held kindness and despite his height he wasn't all that intimidating. He wore a white button up, red tie, and black pants, while his hair was well kept and black. After looking him over she came to find out he was Japanese and was almost tempted to request Hiro teach her, she was the linguist of the guild after all or one of them. Hindi and Assamese were her native tongue's while English was taught to her by her mother.

One out of three of her teammates was in the office. Now she had to wait for Grayson and Aaquil. As this thought passed through her beautiful head Grayson came bounding through the door with Adrian in tow. Mina's eyes took a second to look over Adrian's well toned body. He had brown hair that looked soft to the touch and chocolate eyes like most of the people in the guild. Before he could notice she averted her eyes and took Graydon's handshake with a smile. Despite what people may think her hands were not soft. There were so many scars only on her left hand. They were patterns too. This was a result of her Ritual magic. When the ink ran out carving the rune in her hand with a blade did just the same but it didn't always work. It hurt but she saved people if she could get it to work.

"Nice to be working with you, Graydon... Hiroki.." Mina nodded at the two of them while letting go of Graydon's hand. Most of the people seemed to be here and Lucia, a hyperactive girl with just as hyperactive curls that Mina loved for her energy. "When everyone's here I can transport us there!" Now all they had to do was wait for everyone else to show up which was Aaquil.
 
Virtue | Location: Broken Beast Guild Office | Interactions: Emily (NPC), Trigger, and Lucia @KatSea



Virtue didn't have anyone to currently cuddle. Or talk to. Or hang out with in general. It was always around this time of day in which his fellow guild members were busy with their own devices. Some binged their favorite TV shows like Adrian and Gray, while others indulged in more academic pass times, like Mina. As for Virtue? Well... he took naps, generally with all of the lights off. Lights. They were necessary to life all around, symbolic in centuries worth of literature and society as something... good. And yet, as he laid in bed, eyes taking in the comforting emptiness of darkness, he couldn't help but disagree. Politely, mind you.

Either way, Virtue was hauled from the realm of dreams by a knock at his door. He stumbled through the dark, hair a flowing mess of curls and pajamas ruffled, though he didn't dub himself as a crazy sleeper. Odd... Shaking the thought off, he finally answered the door, squinting a tad as light seeped into his room. He smiled softly as the woman standing before him, a guild member he never had the honor of getting to know well. She was average height, though he towered over her, and sported a short dark bob with piercing blue eyes. "Good day. Are you in need of my assistance, dear?" he asked.

The woman faltered at first, caught off guard by the greeting before clearing her throat and attempting to sound as professional as possible. "You're needed in the office immediately, Virtue. There's two missions awaiting you and the others." Her voice was a bit on the mousy side, but soft with a good-natured indifference. She seems lovely, he thought.

Which he decided to voice. "Ah, yes. I think you for delivering the news, dear. You're a lovely young woman, yes?"

The woman blinked. Once. Twice. "I... thank you?"

"You're the most welcome. Now then," without waiting for permission, he pulled her into a warm hug, patting her back for extra measure before pulling away. "Go grace another with your cherished presence, yes? I'll make haste to the office."

"Uhhh... s-sure. Yeah. Right." If she wasn't confused before, she was downright baffled now. However, she couldn't fight the ever so slight smile that pulled at her lips, strangely feeling at ease around the man. However, she was thrown off again when Virtue moved to close the door... only to stop in his tracks and look at her again, head tilted like a puppy.

"What is your name, dear? I'll be sure to commit it to my memory, yes?"

"Oh, uh," she fidgeted, "Emily. Just... Emily."

"Emily..." Virtue's smile softened. "A lovely name for a lovely soul. Be sure to no longer be a stranger with me, yes?"

Emily merely nodded, unsure of what to say let alone remember how English worked. Had she just randomly made a new friend? Or was this guy messing with her? Either way, she didn't have a chance to ask when Virtue finally closed the door, leaving alone in the hall once more with her thoughts.



"I am the here, my friends!" Virtue nearly tripped over his own feet as he stumbled into the office, but managed to catch himself before his face had a smashing reunion with the floorboards. He flashed honey-coated smiles for whoever was willing to accept one, taking note of dear Kook clinging to dear Trigger and dear Lucy bouncing happily in her seat. He plopped down next to her, beaming brighter than the sun itself. Juxtaposed, the pair were like a supernova of optimism. "Good day to you, dear Lucy," he whispered (not quietly at all) to her, as if they were sharing a secret, "Are you the ready to perform exceptionally today as well? I mean the extra excited for this... uh..."

Oh, wait. What was their mission again?

"You've got a possession to exercise," Trigger muttered, catching onto Virtue's silence, "College student. You're with Grayson and Mina."

"Oh." Virtue blinked. Then brightened once more. "Wonderful; I'm working with my favorite people~. Ah. Well. This is the conundrum, considering I love all of you very much. Hmm... I shall revisit that comment at a later date, yes?" He stood once more, approaching his teammates. "We're all ready to go now, yes?"
 
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Adrian Lewis



Adrian's grip on his cane fumbled as Grayson guided him into the briefing room, his entire body shaking for a moment as he adjusted to the lighting. His eyes scorched at the sudden increase in light, his cane wobbling beneath him. Selene would be furious if anything happened to that gift she had given to him. A beautifully carved cane, with a colorful rune placed over the cover. It stretched from the tip of the cane, up to the metallic's wolf head that provided Adrian's fingers a place to grasp, squeezing so tightly his rugged knuckles flashed a bitter white. He glanced down at it with admiration for the young woman, whose eagerness was both welcomed and concerning. She always felt obligated to serve Adrian one way or another, whether it was to gift him with beautiful pictures of him and the guild, mirror images of photos that had been taken. She could sketch with a pencil better than anyone Adrian had the pleasure of knowing. At least, someone who showed their work. For all he knew, Grayson could have been the next picasso, with pictures of Cebbie riding off into the sunset on a majestic eagle.

He wouldn't be surprised if that were the case.

Regardless, the woman's service was well appreciated, even if she insisted in panic. Adrian was firmly aware why she offered...He just dismissed it and pretended that it was merely for his own protection and well being. The young woman always meant well, but hell. She was skittish.

For a brief moment, his body stiffened at the very familiar feeling of being watched. Being trapped in a home with Luxfures slithering outside his window taught the young man when to feel the scalding stare of an individual. However, as he turned his head, he noticed nothing. He grumbled gently to Grayson. "Stop staring at my ass."

"What?" Grayson proclaimed, loud and booming throughout the entire room. Grayson blinked, gesturing his head over to Aaquil and Lucia. "I wasn't checking out your fabulous -" Adrian's hand shot to his friend's mouth before he could finish his sentence, his eyes cold and hardened. Grayson took Adrian's hand and lowered it back to his side. "If anything I was rooting for my boy Aaquil for admitting I'm his favorite person."

"Who doesn't consider you their favorite person?" Adrian hissed, sarcastic and with a roll of his eyes. His gaze darted over to Lucy, who seemed more than ecstatic to go on a mission. She beamed brightly(enough to damage Adrian's eyes even more than they already were.)

"I am so ready for all of us to be wonderful!" Lucy proclaimed, her hands balling into fists as she shook them near her chest, a full ledge grin consuming her features. She hopped to her feet, only to stumble like a drunken buffoon into her chair. Her arms windmilled behind her like a cartoon animal, her fall softened by Grayson's quick action of lunging towards her...

Only for them to both tumble to the ground. Lucia was firmly pinned between the floor and Grayson's heaving body. Grayson, sprawled over Lucia's nearly crushed form, quickly propped himself to sit, placing his hand over his chest. "Im so sorry Lucy!" For a moment, they locked eyes, their pants visible to each and every one in that room.

Their laughter was enough to make Adrian's lips threaten to curl upwards.

"Excuse me." A gentle voice greeted, Adrian's eyes flickering up to meet Delilah Wickerson. Her arms were crossed, no amusement to her demeanor. Yet, Adrian knew that he could see a hint of a smirk at the corners of her mouth. "Before one of you end up getting killed by mere stupidity, moments before an actual hunt, I suggest we get a move on. Adrian, Lucia, Kook, Brigid let's go." The woman picked anxiously at her choker, turning towards Hiroki and offering him a gentle wink.

"Anata o aishite, baka." Hiroki's cheeks grew as red as the woman's ribbon, his eyes darting towards the floor.

"Kimi mo" Chuckling, the woman turned on her heel, bobbing her head towards the door.

"I am driving, all of you are horrible."

Adrian didn't protest with this hypothesis. He figured this woman had more than enough evidence to confirm. He winked back at Grayson.

"Don't die while I'm gone, dumbass."
 
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Mina
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"We all know I'm Virtue's favorite, Grayson..." She spoke suddenly while crossing her arms in a playful manner. Although she was very kind toward her family she definitely wasn't one to back out of arguments... Even if they were petty.
Her mind seemed to lose itself for a few minutes until she heard Adrian accuse Grayson of staring at his ass which she raised an eyebrow at.

It seemed that whenever people got together in large groups within the guild crazy things happened. Things like Grayson saving the hyperactive Lucia from falling tended to happen when so many people from so many different backgrounds with some many different personalities got together. It was heartwarming though to know that people were capable of getting along to this extent. Adrian's lips curled up into a smile that could take down monsters on it's own. Her brown eyes couldn't help but stare as her mind reminded her not to for too long as she may get caught.

A small chuckle came from Mina as she watched her fellow guild members leave the room in memory of their previous actions. In her head she wished them good luck while closing her eyes tightly then reopening them. After Adrian's team left her team looked at each other as if in attempt to start a conversation. Mina's team seemed pretty crazy to her and immediately she thought she'd have to keep them in check. Grayson was excited and flamboyant about everything. Virtue was just as loud and clumsy. Hiroki seemed quiet but serious about his job. She only really knew two of her teammates as well which was Virtue and Grayson.

"I'm driving." Mina suddenly said into the dead silent air. How the others would react to this was unknown as she sort of had a track record when it came to driving... A convenient but also horrifyingly dangerous one.
 
Grayson Williams



"Hate to see him leave but love to watch him go ~" He chuckled to himself as he waved goodbye to Adrian, scooping Lucy in one final embrace(nearly lifting the small woman off the floor). Releasing her he waved goodbye, merrily and without a single care towards how others might have perceived him. He loved those dorks, might as well express it. No reason to feel an emotion and not allow it to blossom forth, right? Why feel something and not being able to say anything about it? Why feel anything at all if that is how you react?( Adrian would argue against this).

"Shut up!" Adrian called after, his hand hovering dangerously over the cover to his cane. Regardless, he shut the door behind them, leaving Grayson somewhat unnerved. Adrian and him tended to do several hunts together, despite their variation in speciality. Grayson was there if Adrian needed an extra creature to assist in the hunt. Adrian was there to protect Grayson from any spirits or demons that could threaten to attack him during the banishment. It just worked out for the best. Watching him go made him squirm slightly in his space. It was fine. He could work well with others. Hiroki and his water minions in action...it was wicked to watch. Aaquil he knew was a beautiful healer. Mina herself was also a ritual user. A rune writer. Runes were beyond tricky to master, something Grayson learned when Adrian insisted he learned a type of magic. The only rune writer he knew before Mina was Selene. Selene was a beautiful rune writer as well, and in fact he had seen note books filled with a variety of them, a language full. Selene was sensitive about Grayson seeing her book, though, and hadn't had the pleasure of seeing her beautiful hand writing again. It was no matter, just watching her at work was something else. Regardless, anyone who knew how to properly set a rune earned a place of respect in his magic spellbook.

"No need to drive to Limestone. Besides...It is going to be a crummy night for it." Hiroki commented, clearing his throat. Snow, most likely. Grayson knew from his childhood that regardless of where you were in the state, you were likely to get snowed in this time of year. It was a miracle that Delilah could even consider...

Dear God watch over them for me, please.

"Mina darling, do not feel the need to use any of your energy to make a transport chain. You are going to need it. Selene, darling?" Bethany called for the young, skittish blonde woman, behind the doorway. Her Snoopy PJ's threatening to slouch over her shoulders she pressed her knuckles to her lips in an exasperated yawn.

"Sure thing, sweetie!" Selene scuttled to the front of the room, fumbling for chalk in her pant's pockets, only to release five seconds later that the material was none existent. A blush creeped up to her pale cheeks, and with a chuckle, Grayson fumbled through his own and tossed her one. She missed miserably, nearly stumbling over herself. Brighter than the midday sun, Selene dropped to her knees and scuttled until her fingers grasped the precious stick of chalk. "Meant to do that." She stammered, beginning to draw a lard circle in the middle of the room. She drew two horizontal lines down the middle, directing several marks between. She divided the rest of the circle into three parts, a single pattern decorating each. Once again, Grayson noticed the caution and care that was put into the spell. What appeared to be a snake rested on one side, a cross on the other, yet decorated on each side with a variety of circles. The last mark was simply a large X, and on top of this figure she placed a small curve, gentle and consistent.

"Volo transferre. Itineribus ad salutem. Et incolumem custodiat. Tollite hostias." Selene hands brought before her, allowed a brief blossom of energy extend from her fingertips. Reaching towards her ear, she plucked an earring, hovering it over the circle. In one brief flash, the entire structure of the circle began to glow a grotesque, ghastly green, consuming the metal from her hand in a single, near blinding flair. Gasping, Selene fluttered back onto her back, propping herself on her hands as a portal was clearly consuming the edges of the floor. Beneath, Grayson could see clearly the dull walls of the Limestone guild. Selene panted, clearly tired from this exertion.

"Good to go guys! Good luck!" Pumping one fist in the air, Selene rolled onto her stomach, placing her head on the floor in content. She groaned and quickly curled up, seeming to forget the purpose of a bed in one foul swoop. Bethany chuckled from her side of the desk.

"Oh, don't worry. Just head on in and we will handle miss Montgomery."

"Geronimo, then?" Grayson questioned with a grin, humming gently as he slipped his jacket from his torso and placed it underneath the sleepy and rare species of Selene. He found his feet clearly guiding him to the open portal, green sparks flickering from the gaping hole. It was swirling, alive and strong with energy. The hell was her earring made from to make this so strong? Guess I'll have to give you a new pair, dear.

Swallowing, Grayson raised one foot and took a dive into a familiar(yet gut churning) adventure. Grayson landed gracefully, however, mind swarming as foreign eyes landed upon him.

"You Preacher?" A gentle voice called, and despite the fogginess, Grayson managed a nod. "I could have sworn you'd be bigger."


-----

Translations(roughly) - I require transportation on the road of salvation. Provide safety. Accept my offer.
 
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Panja, Mina
Mina watched as Selene did the transport chain spell. She felt a certain familiarity when Selene's voice spoke those words. Her body relaxed and a sigh came from her mouth but she was brought back when Selene's body rolled on the ground in exhaustion. The girl's blonde hear tangled a bit as her white lace shirt ruffled. Mina felt bad for her as she seemed so tired at the moment but still offered to help.

"Get some sleep, Selene..." Mina's sweet voice said as she jumped through the portal that she was so familiar with. Her body felt a rush of magic before stepping out into a different guild. It had the same grey walls but they were decorated with furs, pelts, trophies, and weapons. It was a sign of how much this guilt had accomplished. There was also different people, obviously. Some big, some small, and some looked like they hated just about everyone. It was a very interesting guild nonetheless.

"You mus' be Mina... Minak-" The stranger took an attempt at Mina's name but she interrupted them.

"Just call me Mina, please!" Her lips formed a smile as she shook the strangers hand. Pretty soon Aaquil and Hiroki followed through the portal causing it to disappear behind them... Now to go through routine checkups and disguises.

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Steele, Juniper
Juniper had been gone for a couple of weeks on a solo mission. It was a pretty simple doppelgänger hunt, which was what he was best at. Currently he was walking down a gravel path that was flanked by trees on both sides. His boots crunched the rocks were the only sound apparent right now.There weren't really any birds or animals out right now and if there were his intimidating appearance would surely scare them off. Despite this his green eyes still scanned the area for any threats as his ears listened for anything else. All of a sudden a pretty standard black car came driving in the opposite direction he was walking. It passed Juni causing his long brown hair, that was held in a high ponytail, to sway slightly. Unfortunately the car was going too fast for him to see who it was but he knew by the car they were from the guild.

Several minuted passed before he came upon a clearing that held a rather large cabin in the center. Cars were parked out front and several potted plants decorated the porch. It was a pretty standard cabin, just larger than average. There were pillars of oak to hold up the balcony and windows everywhere on it. Definitely had a homely feel to it. A small smile graced his lips as he was finally home but it soon disappeared. He knew this place well, he had lived here since he was a kid, so he just walked up to the porch and didn't even bother knocking on the door.
 
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Grayson Williams



Grayson didn't have a chance to be introduced to the man who insulted his size, a short, thin mister whose scowl appeared to have accompanied him since the day he came squealing into the world(or guild, Grayson knew many whose cheery demeanor dimmed after having to handled monsters). Nevertheless, with a snap of his fingers, a pair of younger hunters, at least juniors in college from what Grayson could identify, led them from the main briefing room. The journey wasn't well into its way when they reached their destination, a small, shoulder constricting closet in which Grayson was forced into first.

"Know transfiguration, boy?" The male of the pair, voice husky with what Grayson could have only assumed was nicotine abuse. Grayson bobbed his head merrily.

"Yes sir!" He claimed, scrambling through his pockets and plucking out one of Selene's favorite colored pens. It was a gentle, navy blue, and barely peeked out through the cloth of his shirt. "I assume casual clothes, yes?"

"Try to convince them you know the student. How would a typica-" Before the hunter could finish, Grayson popped the end of the pen and drug the ink along the side of his shoulder, a delicate and intricate process. However, once it was done, his jacket shifted into that of a patriot's jersey, easily one of New England's favorite casual wear. A grin grew over his face. "Smartass." The boy commented, rolling his eyes and deciding to turn his attention from Grayson to the others in the group. Before asking, he directed them to stand where he stood, inscribing a similar rune into each of their shirt's. Soon enough, all four of the team were adorned in casual clothing, most of them enough to hang off of their arms. Grayson had never felt so cozy in the shirt of the enemy.

Once again, names weren't taken majorly into consideration. Grayson only knew why they had called due to his observation towards the pair, who both seemed to mumble about the good hunters taking an expedition up in Vancouver. Grayson didn't receive much information beyond that, other than Limestone was less than appreciative to reach Jackman folk. Thus, Grayson graciously accepted his social cue, simply smiling and bobbing his head like the fool he wished for them to perceive.

Why so on edge, Limestone? Is it because you don't have as many pretty people here ~

He wanted to laugh at himself for such a silly thought. And indeed, it was meant to be silly. Somehow he figured this guild wouldn't take kindly to unwelcome jokes.

"Alright, victim's name is Isaiah Lafayette. From what has been reported, beyond irritability, depression, violent tendencies and...let's say deviancy, Lafayette showed some interest in the occult. Ouija boards, medium calls...hell...even tried to steal crucifixes from the local church...Bizarre behavior. We assumed he had welcomed the demon into him about two weeks ago, when his symptoms were first reported to a local hospital. His address is here, and you will be guided." The female of the pair claimed, her pale, lifeless hair pulled from her face by a dull, colorless band. Her eyes remained hooded in boredom. "Any questions?"

"Got any holy water?" Grayson inquired, the two guild members sighing at such a ridiculous question.

"We got the idiot demon hunter, I see. yes, we do."

Grayson grinned. "I was just going to mention, there is too much salt here for the water to remain pure."

----

The rest of the trip was made in well deserved silence. The hunters for this case were (un)happily driven to the house in question, buried in several layers of snow. Lafayette's home had been decently secluded, easily away from many of the stressors of the northern town. It was beautifully structured, two stories of brick foundation. No blinds decorated the windows, the front door was widely ajar, despite the cold night ahead for the family. "Isaiah lives with his father. We can assume his father is home and monitoring the young man, for he's brought quite the...health concern to the table. Your job is simple, convince the father you know him from college, and are there to check on him. If you cannot accomplish this, we will have you wait until the opportunity arrives to sneak into the home. We are going to park a block away, and wait for you here. Is that understood?" The female asked, receiving a simple nod from Grayson.

"Ready to go, sister!"
 
original.gif


Ronin didn’t want to admit how much exasperation he allowed to consume him when Bethany informed him that he was going to go on a hunt. Not for a killer succubus, not for a malicious demon, not even a creepy crawly. No. He had to go on a find and rescue mission for a hell-bound creature by the name of Galluem. Ronin had never even met the creature, but he was well informed that the beast was something of a legend around the guild. If a ritual user was lucky, Galluem would bestow them with affection and grace, and was able to drag most creatures back into the very depths of hell. It had an impressive track record…

For a demonic, overly friendly, capybara.

Yet, Ronin continued to trudge through the thick Maine snow and contain his heaving. It was too fucking cold for his liking, and the sting of the freshly fallen flakes had invaded the back of his neck. It just had to be the backwoods. Hell, it wasn’t the worst area to be in. South of Jackman, lumberjacks and rednecks. Yet, there was something soothing about the wilderness, even close to midnight. Ronin, while irritated and cold and having his clothes soaked deeply into his skin, felt somewhat at peace.

Snow slithered from the branch above him and plopped straight onto his back.

“Fuck this….so...hard…” He growled in a flinch, rolling the thick blanket off of his back and letting his entire body submerge into shivers.

“Don’t be so craaaanky, Ronin!!” Ro had her arms stretched out as wide as she could, her chin tipped back to catch snowflakes on the tip of her tongue. She hadn’t stopped bounced, dancing, wiggling, humming since they’d left, bursting with excitement for what had to be the absolute best assignment she’d ever received. Not only were they going after what had to be the most adorable creature they could potentially be tasked with rescuing, but it was snowing. Growing up in the bayou, Ro had seen harsh winters, but never one that came with the glittering, glistening majesty that was snow…

“This is so beautiful! How can you be cranky in all this prett--OOF!” As she spun in a circle, Ro’s feet tangled in the snow and she toppled, landing with a ‘whump’. With a laugh, she pushed her wool cap back up over her eyes, and shaking her own head, Mercedes reached out to help her to her feet.

“Let’s try to stay focused, Europa. We need to keep eyes open, yes?”

“I can’t help it, Ro.” He grumbled, brushing back his immaculate hair to its original state, puffing out irritably as his eyes scanned ahead of their designated trail. One again the new fallen snow had made it beyond difficult to trace any footprints that the creature or its possible attacker had left behind. A gentle scoff escaped him, although there was intention behind the notion. “Winter sucks up here, nothing but freezing cold and ridiculous lack of feeling in all of my toes.” Clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth, he closed his eyes and hummed. “Mercedes is right, stay on your feet for once, Europa. Let’s see if we can get back on the path…”

“Winter is pretty as a plum tree. Not to mention we got hot chocolate back home to get you all warmed up!” Ro continued, with a small pout that didn’t last once she’d managed to right herself, and a snowflake landed gingerly on the tip of her nose.

Mercedes shook her head, her eyes returning to the path. A small frown formed on her lips as she held up her hand, “...There’s tracks.” Squinting, the frown deepened and a soft swear in French escaped her, “...Not our hellbeast…”

“You are too much of a sugar plum to be out here.” Ronin mumbled bitterly, eyes darting over to Mercedes as she managed to point out a possible clue to where their demonic pet had wandered off to. Cautious and weary, Ronin trudged beside her and eyed the tracks. “No. No. Definitely not. These don’t look normal, and unless our little friend was taken by a lone wolf, I doubt that this is from a regular animal.” Placing his hands on his hips, he whistled lowly. “Come on, then. Whatever this thing was couldn’t have gotten too far.” Placing his hand on the holster of his weapon, Ronin made his way first, glancing back at the two women to make sure they were well prepared.

Ro grinned at Ronin’s comment, and opened her mouth to say something, when Mercedes suddenly exclaimed, and the redhead fell quiet, swallowing the lump that formed in her throat. Neither of them sounded particularly pleased about the prints, and she for sure didn’t feel good about that… “Y’all wanna… follow the tracks.” Ro murmured, and her fingers brushed the charm on her wrist as she blinked.

“Come along, Europa. You’ll be alright, now…” Mercedes added with a small, reassuring smile, before she picked up her feet to follow along with Ronin.

“You wanna save that damned thing, don’t you?” Ronin rolled his eyes, which began to ache and grow sore. His brow knitted as he actively blinked and scowled the feeling away. “Besides, Bethany doesn’t want us to come back empty handed.” Ronin made sure the women were safe behind him, miserably humming as his grip grew tighter on the handle of his katana. His eyes flickered up eventually, despite the decreasing snow, to realized the tracks stopped beside what appeared to be a small…

Burrow. Beyond their trail, in a small inclined hill, rested what Ronin could identify as a chimeras burrow. He held his hand up as his breath caught in his throat. “Alright, stay quiet, we need to get inside…”

The will to avoid whatever had made those tracks was superseded almost immediately upon the sight of burrow… Chances were, whatever they were after was probably inside there, and they were the line of defense between it and whatever had taken it. Ducking inside, nearly on tiptoe, Ro entered the burrow.

Mercedes followed close behind, moving cautiously… Roughly three steps in, Ro paused, and Mercedes could nearly feel the intense uneasiness coming off the girl. Stepping past her, she put her foot down and suddenly found gravity working against her, as she slipped in something slick, landing hard with a small cry that echoed through the burrow.

Ronin made his way last into the burrow, threatening to unsheathe his weapon as Mercedes cry echoed throughout the homely cavern. “Mercedes?” He hissed, concerned threatening to ooze the thick viscosity of his annoyance. However, he found himself caught upon the same patch of the slick substance, landing on his back and having to use his teeth to pierce back any yelp that threatened to escape him.

Scuttering. A gentle thump. Once Ronins vision cleared of the blurriness, he could make out two figures. One was slumped upon the main nesting ground, gentle brown fur decorated in splatters of maroon. It’s form was heaving, breathing still, yet Ronin could swear he heard whimpers emit from the small creature. Blocking the remaining creature from view was something that Ronin identified immediately as a chimera. Wolf, rat and...Ronin couldn’t make out the third animal. Regardless, his throat clenched and he swiftly unsheathed his weapon, holding it out threateningly before the creature. It’s eyes were a gentle yellow, gleaming in what could only be was confusion. Its ears perked up, gentle, mouse like tail flickering from side to side. It had to have been at least six feet tall, and missing a fair amount of patches of fur. It held its hands together across its chest, its tail curling around its feet. Swiftly it scuttled next to the bleeding creature, wrapping itself around it and peeking up its head at the intruders. It’s ears flared back dangerously, as if it were protecting its cub.

“I'm fine. Just watch the--” As Ronin slipped in the same slick ooze, Mercedes swore under her breath, and Ro gave a small squeak, which she buried under her hands. Her eyes had focused in the darkness as well, and as the creature scurried, her hear cinched in her chest.

“Oh, dear sweet baby Jesus… She thinks it's her…” She whispered, taking a step.

“Don't move, Europa!” Mercedes hissed, but her expression had shifted, eyes moving towards the entrance of the burrow and the sound of approaching footsteps.

Ro heard it too, coupled with a chant and her hands dropped from her mouth as she turned. Her eyes flickered back to the two on the ground… Mercedes was slightly shielded by Ronin, but the latter… Without thinking (because when was she ever much good at that?) Ro bolted for the much larger man and dove to tackle him from the path of the chanting.

Ronin groaned as a sudden shift in weight tackled straight into his torso, leaving him confused and disorientated. “Ro?!” He exclaimed, less than pleased to see that his partner had thrown herself onto him. However as she swiftly managed to leap away from his slumped form, Ronin put a hand to his head before feeling something sharp and thin enter his back, blood beginning to pool immediately from contact. Ronin, despite the initial shock, realized what was happening instantaneously, quickly out stretching his hand towards his right wrist, tapping twice before a bright flash flickered into existence. The next moment, Ronin held a small, iron shield against his forearm. There was a small rune etched in the middle, one he recognized as a good luck charm. Without a second thought, Ronin jerked his shield behind him, and despite the blind hit, was able to make direct contact with the creatures face. A sickening crunch invaded his ears, yet with a nearly mischievous grin he held up his sword, pulling himself from the claws clutches. In a blink of an eye, he spun back towards to face his attacker, bringing his sword straight down upon her crossed arms, clearly working to defend herself now. She was a woman, at least twenty five years of age, with silvery, white hair and the soft lips of an angel. Her claws, however, painted a different pictured, as her fingernails stretched at least a foot in length, and were glinting with the red of Ronins blood.

“Are you stealing my beloved pets, darling?”

The chimeras head burst from its hiding spot within the capybara’s fur, gentle eyes hardening at the sight of its mistress returning after a brutal act. Anger burned in its weak and trembling chest, and without a humane thought, the chimera ascended to full height, its ears brushing along the caverns ceiling. Lips curling back into a monstrous growl, it lunged towards the familiar witch, using its entire strength to pin her against the cavern floor. Taking a bite at her shoulder, the chimera flinched at the taste of her blood and took two major steps back, eyes darting back towards its friend. It began to whimper as the capybara struggled to heave.

Whatever was unfurling around her, in all the chaos, Ro noticed only the poor creature, curled in on itself in the nest. Ronin and Mercedes were more than capable, and she had, as far as she was concerned, one use… Moving swiftly, with a leap over the chimera’s nest, she skidded to a halt beside the wounded hell bound, and arms outstretched over it, frowned softly, “...It’s okay, sweetie… Gonna get you all fixed up… Easy now.”

Softly, she began the incantation under her breath, “Lux aeterna...colligabit vulnera...percuro....”

The witch, despite having been knocked to the ground, placed her hands over her wrists and hummed a gentle song, a gentle blue glow emitting from the palms of her hands. The claw marks began to diminish, and rather than risking the possibility of her missing an attack, she curved her head back into the soft dirt, her lips curling back in a horrific, bone rattling wail. Her beast was immediately sent to its knees in fear, knowing the familiar sound of its abuser to horrify it into submission. It placed its nearly broken claws over its pointed ears, whimpering. Ronin himself hadn’t been prepared for the sudden scream, his entire body tensing in what he could only identify as involuntary fear. His nostrils flared in irritation and he desperately attempted to turn his wrist, to get a handle on his weapon, but to no avail.

The witch had risen swiftly, and midstream of Latin, Ro had paused, frozen. She knew it was a mistake. A twinge of agonizing pain blossomed in her skull and she cried out, doubling forward.

“Ears!” Mercedes cried when the horrible woman opened her mouth, but it was too late for Ronin and the chimera. Ro, thankfully, had the good sense to cover her ears, leaning over the capybara like a protective blanket. Mercedes, covered her own, and when the shriek had died down, bent to scratch into the dirt. Unfortunately, between the darkness enveloping them in the burrow and the chimera’s thrashing tail, the symbol was destroyed before she could finish it, instead, swearing softly, she pulled a necklace from beneath her shirt and pressed the rune in the center, eyes focused, unshifting on the witch…and unleashed in the woman’s mind an unrelenting stream of angry French.

The witch, despite her head being flooded with obscure and seemingly lewd French, kept her gentle smile and allowed for her nails to transfigure into claws once more, setting her eyes once more to the man who had managed to get an attack on her. She shook off the distraction, approaching him and smiling, taking her time as he watched his eyes widened. She placed her thumb underneath his chin, guiding her claws down his shirt, slitting the cloth and sinking into the soft (yet oddly muscular) flesh beneath, cooing at him playfully as she hummed yet again.

The color slowly returned to her cheeks, her wounds patching up as swiftly as they had been created. “Oh, I’m sorry love.” She clawed his cheek next, leaving three distinct marks against his skin. The blood seeped unpleasantly against his pale skin, his fists shaking as he desperately attempted to overcome the trance.

As the witch moved again, Ro looked down at the capybara, eyes stinging, hands hovering over the desperate creature. Softly, she murmured, leaning in close, her words spoken swiftly, but sincerely… focused, “Lux aeterna… Colligabit vulnera. Percuro. Sospito. Mihi det gratiam. Da mihi indulgentia….Ope sanus erit lux….

She repeated the words, repeated them until a soft, golden circle formed over the capybara, radiant and bright.

As the light flooded the burrow, Mercedes ducked down again to write the Light Rune once more, but between the trashing tail and watching the nightmarish woman assaulting Ronin, there was no chance… Swearing, she focused instead on pushing the most irritating strand of a French nursery chorus into the witch’s mind.

Ronin wasn’t sure which god to thank as his muscles relaxed, eyes flaring with unadulterated rage. Once her thumbs rested at his cheek, tilting his head back to sink her nails deep into his throat...Ronin quickly thrust his weapon into the creatures torso, the surprise of the blade entering her body causing the woman to go limp against the katana. Ronin's initial thought was to pull the weapon upwards, dragging it straight through her rib cage and causing a gushing wound to pour open. However, the witch’s claws dug into his wrist, and to avoid major injury, he was forced to pull the plunged blade from its target. He was surprised to see that the once, slick, shimmering blade was now tainted by dark blood, clearly not that of a normal human.

Seeing the human return to his sense, the wolffish chimera found its own courage and returned to its feet, a growl at its tongue. Once again, it readied itself to pounce at its abuser, running its tongue over its stained teeth. In a split second, the creature sprung at the witch, burying its teeth deep within the woman’s shoulder. Tearing at her skin, the chimera crawled back on all fours. It’s eyes aggressively shot back and forth between the now conscious capybara, who appeared dazed and somewhat uneasy. Relief rested in the chimera and it bobbed it’s head in appreciate towards Europa.

Blood everywhere… Ro watched in horror as the witch attacked Ronin again, carving him up with the wickedly sharp nails. Her arms had curled around the capybara, cradling him carefully in her lap, but it didn’t feel like enough. It wasn’t enough. Her hand dropped to her side, curved around a smooth stone, and clutching it in her palm, she did the only thing she could think to do…

She hurled it at the witch…

The moment the rock made contact with the witches temple, the woman stumbled to her knees, hands pressed flat against her stomach where Ronin had administered his strike. Her mouth fell open, black liquid rushing out and trickling in globs towards her chin. Her eyes grew to large disks of pure white, and before her forehead could meet the ground, the woman’s body, limbs, even clothes, began to dissipate in a cloud of grey smoke, until the cavern was clouded in the remaining pathogen. Ronins first instinct was to cover his mouth and nose, but he felt a gentle touch from a dry, scaly palm. He turned his head to see the chimera shake its head.

Its lips curled back and for a moment, Ronin could have sworn he had heard a gentle “Thank you.”

Mercedes stared, awestruck, as the rock made contact and the woman dropped. Blinking, she looked from the space the witch had previously occupied, shifting her gaze to the chimera. The only way… the absolute only way, she was sure, they were getting out of the burrow with the hell bound in tow was to convince the chimera it was in the best interest of both creatures…

The communication rune was still active, and looking to the creature, Mercedes allowed her mind to connect with its, “We can help it… We have healers. You, too… Please. Let us try…

The chimera turned its head towards the noise, realizing it was all around it and beginning to whimper as it turned, eyes finally locking with Mercedes as her voice echoed through its skull. Slowly it propped itself down to its knees, curling onto its stomach and peering its rugged, scarred face towards hers.

It is my friend. She hurt me bad, for long time. Poke me. Weird metal pieces. Needles. It heard me. Scared her. But she hurt him. It is mine. My friend. My friend. It repeated, over and over again as it drug it’s claws against its muzzle, satisfying a gentle itch that plagued it. You can help. Help my friend. Don’t make me leave. Only good. Only good.

Ro curled over the capybara, her eyes squeezing shut as she fought a rush of tears… relief, fear… uneasiness. She knew well enough from her own experiences that witches couldn’t be so easily killed - not without finding their familiar, as well. Heck if they could ever make it easy, could they?

Come with us…” Mercedes continued, softly, “Come with us, and we’ll help you, too. This? This is what we do… Please?

The creature watched the bloodied man stumble over to the ginger and his friend, sheathing his sword and taping his shield in the center, causing it to flicker from existence.

“Glad to see you are alright, Ro. I might need some patches.” He claimed, gesturing his thumb towards his torso. The chimera tilted its head confused, staring down at its own torso, decorated in scars and several of its grey patches of fur...gone. Nothing more than ugly pink and red splotches. It’s head hung and a whimper resembling that of a sob took over.

Please help. For love of man in sky. Help me.

Frowning softly, Ro looked up as Ronin stumbled over, “Sit…” She patted the space beside her, using her free hand to wipe her cheeks, before returning it to rest on the capybara. She knew she had nothing left in her, but she was still gonna try… she would always, always try…

Mercedes, meanwhile, had moved closer to the chimera, and her expression shifted to a soft, gentle smile, ”...We will. But you may need… to be discreet. Do you know what discreet means?

On second glance, Ronin noticed instantly the change in energy. Ronin did as he was told, however, placing his hand upon Galluem and massaging his fingers across the creatures head. In return, a gentle tongue graced each one of his fingers. He grimaced as his thumb was licked last, and yet, he didn’t pull away. “You are drained, sugar plum. Don’t even bother.”

The chimera slowly moved its muzzle towards the young woman, its lips curling into a near frown. It shook its head. “C-cautious? Miriam...Woman...witch...told me to be...discreet? Quiet? Is, is that human? Correct?

“Now, you hush…” Ro murmured, with a small, tired smile, “I’m fit as a fiddle, and twice as loud… Just try you don’t wiggle too much, darlin’, or it won’t work.” Her hand rose again, hovering over Ronin, and softly she muttered the incantation, but as nothing occurred, even on a second run through, she frowned and her arm fell to her side again, fingers curling in the bristly fur of the capybara. “...Sorry, Ronin…” Her eyes turned to his, apologetic and misty, “Worn slap out, I guess.”

Mercedes looked to the others, and as the creature edged closer, she gave a brief nod, with an encouraging smile, “Yes. That is exactly right. Cautious. Quiet. So long as you do this, we should have no trouble bringing you along, as well.

“I told you, dumbass.” He muttered, although there was a hint of affection in his tone. He reached out and hesitantly patted her shoulder, his lips curling into a charming smile. “Wasn’t worth the energy, anyway. Ricardo or someone will patch me up when I get back. I’ll be fine.” Slipping his winter coat from his shoulders, he quickly worked to wrapped it around the thickest gash, gritting his teeth in pain. “Ah, that’s a bitch. I’m just glad you two didn’t have a crazy ass lady bury her over done nails into your chest.”

The chimera nodded, glancing at its friend, who was happily rubbing itself against the two conversing hunters. The creature hung its head “Friend...means world to me. I don’t want to lose. I will give you, my life. For my...joy? Joy is...human, yes?

Grimacing as he wrapped his coat around the wounds, Ro shook her head, “...Shouldn’t need Ricky to do it. I should’ve…” Frowning again, she pulled her hat off her head and pulled it over his, tugging it down over his ears, “Not one word, darlin’... You’ll freeze out there, no coat on an all… Can you take him?” She gestured with a nod to the capybara, “Don’t think he can walk the whole way…”

Mercedes’s smile grew at the creatures words, and she nodded fervently, “Yes! Yes, joy is human. It is… And we’re happy to help. I have to disconnect, now… Um… It means I won’t be able to communicate with you… Will you follow us?

“Ro, I’m telling you, you magic users have it hard. I’m surprised your spell didn’t sizzle out more on you, those spells are fickle bastards.” He patted the holster of his weapon in absolute pride, although any snark that could have invaded his tone was smothered by the gentle administration of a hat over his ears. The cold nipping at them was quickly vanquished, a snicker accompanied a blush at his cheeks. “I look like a fucking idiot, but thanks. I guess.” His attention was properly diverted towards the capybara, and despite the pain, he sighed and bobbed his head. “I think I can do it. He’s not too heavy, I don’t think.” However, as Ronin's arms wrapped around the capybara he could feel the deep gashes in his chest flare up in pain and he was forced to slowly and carefully placed the creature back down. “F-fuck. Ow…”

Yes. Yes. It is okay. It is okay” Slowly the chimera stumbled back to its hind legs, stretching out its torso. It slowly ventured on two legs, wobbling and clearly not used to this method of more humane travel. He approached her, and with a gentle sniff at her cheek, he gave her a gentle lick. “I owe you life

Ro laughed softly, shaking her head at Ronin’s muttered and oddly gracious complaint, “ You look cuter than a bug’s ear…” When he reached out the take the creature and protested in pain, flinching, Ro shifted, pulling the capybara close to her chest, “It’s okay. Y-you just worry ‘bout gettin’ back in one piece, darlin’...” Curling her knees under her, holding tight to Galluem, she pushed upright to her feet, swaying slightly as the blood rushed to her aching head, “...Sadie? We ready to go?”

Blinking, Sadie looked to the chimera with an amused expression as her cheek was dampened by its tongue. Her hand uncurled from the rune around her neck, and tucking it back, she smiled, “You don’t owe us anything…” She noted, though not entirely sure it could hear or understand her. Her gaze shifted at Ro’s question, and she nodded, “Yes. We’re going. Ronin? Alright? I can try a healing rune… if it’s urgent?”

“Shut up sugar plum.” Ronin grumbled, heat traveling to his cheeks as she spoke. Relief did over take him the moment she plucked the demonic capybara from his sore and battered body. “A little late for getting back in a singular piece; my pride is somewhere lost on the ground” He rolled his eyes, a practice stretch that was perfected after years of grievance.

“Don’t worry about it. Besides, I’ve been meaning to talk to Ricky about getting him a weapon or something. I know he’s not into the hunt idea but…doesn’t hurt.” He secures the beanie over his head. “Let’s go. And try not to get into trouble.” His eyes lingered over to the chimera; who seemed wildly excited about heading out of its makeshift burrow. It lingered close to Mercedes, yet its gaze was upon Galluem in Ro’s arms.

“N-no…” It stammered, placing its paw against Mercedes head. Ronin tilted his head at the gesture but shrugged and dipped his head underneath the entrance to the burrow.

Arms full of capybara, Ro made her way out after Ronin, tired, but relieved that at least for the moment, it seemed to be over. In her mind, there was lingering doubt… but there was always doubt. Cautiously, her fingertips trailed over her lucky bracelet, and she pulled Galluem a little closer to her. Overhead, a crow called, and she nearly leapt out of her skin, eyes pulling skyward, but the streak of black was gone, flying northward, alone… thank God, alone…

“Hey, Ronin?” she called after him, moving a little quick in the snow to catch up to the man, “...Can I ask you something?”

Mercedes left the burrow, smiling at the chimera and giving a wave, as she smoothed her fingers through her curls with a shake of her head, “Come along… It’s safe, now.”

“Shoot.” Ronin bobbed his head towards Ro, confused at her minor outburst towards the crow. He had almost forgotten how big of a skittish woman she was. She believed in a lot of bizarre superstitions and tended to...well, he had heard of some weird incidents. Grayson could never have his bed a certain way, from what he remembered. “Everything okay?”

Behind Ronin, the creature slowly outstretched its head beyond the cavern it was forced to inhibit most of its life. Slowly, it allowed itself to bathe in the pale moonlight, standing once again on its hind legs as it inhaled fresh, pure air. A gentle sigh escaped it.

“Y-yeah… I mean… I guess? Maybe? I dunno… It’s just… I been thinkin’ a lot...about things, and I… I’s just wonderin’... Do you think maybe, after you get all healed up…” Rubbing the back of her neck, Ro lowered her gaze to the capybara, before remembering walking with her eyes down meant inevitable tripping, “...Would you maybe… teach me to fight?”

Mercedes followed the creature out, and breathing in the air, herself, she nodded, heading after the other two with a nod.

“Teach you to…” Ronin paused as his feet crunched into the hardened snow. His brow furrowed and he simply bobbed his head. “I don’t see why not. Although your David versus Goliath tactic works well too, but it’s not gonna work on everyone. So just...I don’t know. Nudge me I guess? Just be a pain in my ass and I’ll want to fight you.”

Blinking, Ro looked over at him, before laughing softly, “David and Goliath… That ain’t half bad…” Shifting Galluem in her arms, she leaned and gave him a gentle nudge with her shoulder, before winking, “‘Cept when’ve I ever been a pain in your anything?” Wrinkling her nose, she grinned, “Yoooou love me.”

“Mother taught me well, Ro.” He smirked thinly, gaze glued to the blank canvas beneath him. He wriggled his toes against the top of his shoes. “You’ve been quite a pain all the time. Yet if there wasn’t a pain there I would assume the illness has taken over fully.” His brow raised as he shrugged yet again, eyes barely catching sight of the chimera clawing its paws into the snow and attempting to form a ball. It buried its head briefly into the snow, before collapsing into its belly and rolling around, outstretching its gaunt, long legs. Happily it stretched out its thighs to the world, tongue lazily leaking out of its mouth. Ronin blinked “No I don’t.”

“Yeah, she done good, Ronin.” Ro added, nodding sagely, before following his gaze to the chimera, rolling around in the snow like an overexcited puppy. She beamed, shoulders shaking with a soft laugh, “...Oh, if that ain’t cuter’n a baby’s butt in frills...Lookit’... Sadie! We gotta name it!”

Ronin continued, and looking back at him, Ro pinched her tongue between her teeth, shaking her head, “...Yes you do. Everyone does, silly!”

“What sort of baby bottoms have you been looking at, Ro?” Ronin inquired, blinking slowly in concern for his friend. Nevertheless, he shook off her twang and merely focused on the road ahead. “We don’t need to name it. It probably doesn’t understand what a name is.”

At that, the creature fell flat against the bank of white, its cheeks puffed out in a monstrous pout. It had apparently understood what Ronin had said, making the cold that nibbled at his skin vanish with overwhelming heat.

“Don’t make me fucking say it, Ro.”

“Oof, hey! They’re all cute’n you know it… Sayin’ otherwise just makes you look grumpy, and you know you don’t need that help.” With a wink, she returned to watching the chimera, her smile brightening by the minute.

“He understands well enough..” Mercedes noted, fighting a smile of her own at Ronin’s protest.

“I’m gonna name you…” biting her lip, Ro suddenly grinned a mischievous grin, “Ronin Junior… Onacounta he loves me so gosh darn much!”

“It’s a part of the charm.” He growled lowly, still plucking at the gentle fuzz of his winter hat. He almost didn’t want to take it off when he got back to the guild, but there was no way in hell he was going to admit it. Ronin did stiffen, however, at the mention once again of a name.

“Ronin Junior?” He echoed, pale horror consuming his already bloody features. Swallowing, he shook his head “Can’t we reconsider?”

“G...Grrrrr...Ouch…” The monster behind them protested, almost childishly as it rolled back into its stomach, crawling forward feebly.

“Mmmnope!” Beaming, Ro looked between man and beast with a shake of her head, “It's perfect! Can't you see the resemblance? And I think… I'm gonna call you Roro for short...” With a wink, she turned away and started along the path again, “C'mon Roro! Let's get you home!”

“How dare you compare that adorable beast t-“ Ronins half hearted attempt at a protest was cut off by the chimeras palpable excitement. It hopped to all fours, stretching its back out before springing forward, lumbering and foolish as it tumbled lazily through the snow.

“H...h…” it struggled to say, a gigantic yawn rippling through its muzzle.

“Ha!” Spinning, so she was walking backwards, Ro pointed a finger at Ronin, “So you admit he's adorable?”

“Europa… Sweetie… You're gonna--”

With a squeak, Ro tripped.

“I…” Ronin expected as much, and in one swift glide towards the young woman, he managed to catch her and the creature by her waist. Irritation threatened to die down in the corner of his eyes, yet a sigh escaped him nonetheless “Freaking klutz.”

With a laugh, Ro held on to Galluem with one arm, using the other on Ronin's uninjured shoulder to pull herself upright, nose crinkling sheepishly, “Whoops… Good catch!”

Rolling her eyes, Mercedes smirked, “Yeah. Good catch, Ronin. Can we get back now, please?”

“You could have caught her too you know.” He grumbled bitterly, releasing the woman from his grasp before making his way back ahead of the two. The chimera has begun to stick closer to him, then ran back to Mercedes, then back to Ro and Galluem. Ronin recognized this simply as an animal trying to keep its pack firmly together.

“Hm… I know.” Mercedes answered, with a smile, before her attention shifted to watching the chimera. Mission success… now all they had to do was keep anyone else from finding out.

Eternal Light
bind up wounds
HEAL
RESCUE
give me grace
Give me a favor
be healed by the light
 
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Five Hunters, One Wendigo - Collab, Kook, Trigger @Mobley Eats


Delilah Wickerson was going to cost Adrian Lewis his young life, and he knew it better than anything else in these slowing moments. Despite being an infamous yet beloved huntress, this woman was going to end his life before they even got to the scene. She had jerked the car several times along the snowy fields, eventually dragging them out into the main road. He clutched the leather of his back seat. Delilah had allowed Brigid to sit up front, having clear respect for the woman and refusing to back them into the back seat. Adrian was forced to be crammed between the door and Lucia, who was bouncing excitedly. Lucia’s hand had even dug into Adrian’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze as his paleness managed to shimmer beyond the darkness that invaded the car. Delilah knew better than to submerge Adrian in total darkness, leaving a variety of car lights inside. Still, staring outside the car door and looking into the Maine dusk...He swallowed, and despite the initial hesitation with Lucia, he squeezed her hand back.

“I’ve got a flashlight for you, cariño.” She reassured, offering him a beaming smile that seemed to scare away the dark. Adrian scoffed at the sentimental thoughts, shaking his head.

“Mm. No need, carino.”

“Carina!” Lucia corrected him cheerily, once again squeezing his hand and humming happily.

If Trigger hadn’t been so accustomed to years-worth of Riley’s suicidal driving, she would’ve been just as anxious as Adrian. However, that wasn’t the case at all. She went through the motions of the Delilah’s driving without a single instance of discomfort, opting instead to stare out the window and let her thoughts roll faster than the vehicle itself. She was focused entirely on strategy at the moment and how exactly a Wendigo managed to acquire modifications. It was an odd case and one that made the pit of her gut twist in suspicion. Well--as her stepfather always said, “Less gripin’ and more action, lass.”

They’d get some answers eventually.

Meanwhile, Kook wasn’t as calm. He held onto whatever he could, sticking to Lucia’s side like gorilla glue as he unleashed a yelp with every sharp turn. A “gah!” here, a “guh!” there, with some oddly satisfied cackles in between… then back to screaming. Loudly. He never had a volume filter.

Lucia visibly flinched as Kook grasped her side; and gently patting his shoulder, she attempted to quiet the screaming man. She should have been used to him by this point. He was a unique and beautiful soul, but he had a bizarre way of explaining such a thing. “Dios sea contigo.”(God be with you). Even with such words; the wheels slammed harshly over a major snow covered pot hole, but in no time Delilah swerved the car into functional gear. She seemed tranquil, despite the screaming man in her car. Lucia figured she had handled much weirder things than this.

“Here. We are going to park up ahead. If my calculations are correct, the hunters didn’t make it too far into the wilderness from here.” Delilah informed, placing the car into park in front of a seemingly abandoned pit stop. It appeared to be a closed down grocery shop, although Adrian didn’t want to figure a guess. Much like Lucia promised, she reached into the back of the car seat and dug out a thickly framed flashlight. She curled her friends fingers around it.

“Ready?”

“Mm. Sure thing, short stuff.”

Trigger squinted at the abandoned shop, taking in its condition with partial dread and relief. She felt the latter simply because an abandoned site and forest warded most away, meaning she could worry less about some innocent bystander getting in the way. As for the former sentiment, well… the overall aura of this place was damn creepy and she could imagine how rattled her nerves would be while scouting this area out. Adjusting her jacket and refusing to tear her gaze away, she said, “Oi, Kook. Shapeshifters are up ya lane--what’s the verdict on putting a bullet through their skulls? Yay or nay?”

Kook, who hadn’t really been reacting to Lucia’s shoulder pats, uttered another “Guh”, this one hitching with curiosity at Trigger’s question. He fell silent a few seconds before, suddenly, holding out a finger and imitating the sounds of a gun firing rapidly, shaking wildly as he did so. He clammed up the last gunshot with a dramatic “Gah!” and flopped back into his seat limp--dead, Trigger supposed.

The woman nodded, holding in a sigh. “Good, just checkin’.”

Soft cackles.

Trigger then retracted both of her precious handguns and stepped out of the car with everyone else, shooting a look Delilah’s way. “After you, lass,” she muttered.

“You can kill a Wendigo with a bullet.” Adrian confirmed, a little smirk perking upon his lips at the memory. It was a lucky shot, for certain. Against all odds, Adrian should have been eaten alive due to his lack of equipment and foolishness of his age. He got more than lucky.

“You are so smart you two!” Lucia claimed with an absolute beam of pride, guiding Adrian from the car and helping him settle his cane into the concrete. Adrian tapped his cane in response, his fingers delicately wrapping around the handle and unsheathing his sword. Tapping the middle of his outer casing, a gentle glow emitted from the carved pattern. In a matter of seconds, the case shifted and creaked, morphing and cracking until finally a metallic shield formed, several scratches along the side. It nearly encased the entirety of his forearm, glinting in the pale moonlight. He could already feel himself threaten to stumble.

“Stay close to me, don’t want to have to break Bethany’s heart.” Delilah smiled, hand at her hip, tapping what appeared to be a small metallic charm. It was about the size of the quarter, shimmering after its simple tap. It took no time for a slim, singular katana to appear in her hand. It glinted a gentle yellow, overflowing with what Adrian immediately recognized as magic that originated with a hell-bound artifact. Grayson had decided to express such hell-bound magic to Adrian to assure him in that in the battle-field that the creature was hell-bound, and certainly not a demon. However, Adrian hadn’t seen such magic on objects before. Realizing, however; that there was a rune carved into the handle of the weapon, that either Selene or Mina had to be responsible to binding such a magic. What it did, however, Adrian could fathom a guess. The hell bound could drag those meant for hell back.

Why in hell is she fighting a Wendigo, then?

Shaking his head, Adrian shrugged the thought off. He would have to ask Selene about that charm, later, considering how kind she had been to him regarding such requests. Flickering the switch of the flashlight , Adrian followed behind Delilah with Lucia in toe.

It took them no time to make their way beyond the simple town back into the snow laced nothing, each crunch of frost beneath their feet seeping cold water into their shoes. Adrian wiggled his feet against the tops of his shoes, grimacing.

“Oh, one more thing. If one of you hear your name be called, do not listen. Trust me, you’ll get eaten. Flesh from muscle and muscle from bone.”

“Keep that up and I’ll get hungry,” Trigger muttered, the tiniest hint of humor in her voice as she followed on light feet, the snow somehow silent beneath her feet. Personally speaking, she didn’t like how damn dark this forest was, but could at least see the advantage that lied within it. That just meant more cloaking for her. Kook seemed to be moving with at least a general awareness that he needed to be stealthy, though the faint cackles still resounded.

Adrian’s shield threatened to clack against his form, and despite his fear, he kept the flashlights beam close to the ground to avoid a possible give away. However, Adrian stiffened at a sudden crack!

His head swerved back to see that Lucia had caught her foot over a tree root, barely managing to catch herself. Delilah visibly tensed, swears emitting from her rapidly. And yet, despite the giveaway of position, there was no noise. No crackle of branches. No howl. Adrian stopped in his tracks.

Trigger threatened to stiffen up so intensely that her muscles would feel it for weeks, but she then exhaled herself to exhale in slight relief when Kook pounced, just barely catching Lucia around the waist before she came face to face with snow. He grumbled a bit while hauling her back to her feet, one hand palming the top of her head as if to make sure she wouldn’t do anything else. And yet, the relief was short-lived. They halted in tandem with the group, sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere. Trigger slowly rolled up one of her sleeves, exposing the charm inside of it and preparing to activate it at the first signal sent her way.

Lucia felt embarrassment creep up in her cheeks, relieved that Kook had managed to grasp her by her waist, pulling her back up and holding her back from any more clumsy actions. Blushing, bright and revealing in the dark, Lucia felt her breath catch in her throat. She heard a familiar whisper threaten to invade her ear…

And yet there was nothing. No noise. No ominous screams. Whatever they were tracking…

Then it came. A voice. Human. Gentle. From the edge of the brush stretching from twenty feet ahead. A small rustle emerged from behind the trees.

“O-oh God. H-help...help me. Please. Help…help me…”

Trigger’s jaw tensed, eyes narrowing at the brush ahead. That voice. It definitely sounded human, but hell if she would let a Wendigo pull the wool over her eyes. They were known for imitation human speech, weren’t they? She raised both guns now, leveling them in preparation to unload a steaming round of sky iron…

Crunch.

But then Kook was already approaching with the usual giddiness in his step, all thought of stealth tossed into the back burner. Trigger’s eyes widened. “Kook! Kook, I swear to god lad,” she hissed.

Adrian stiffened, knowing fully well that this creature was far more than capable of mimicking human speech. It was a bizarre creature, one that he was relieved he had looked over before going on this designated hunt. How in hell did Kook...but it hit him. Bethany had fully informed them that there was a possibility of hunters still being alive. Adrian held out his sword, approaching Kook and ready to hold the man back…

A flash of a being overcame Adrian’s vision, covered in grotesque, maroon stained fur. Several patches over took its being, its ribs partially exposed around its broadened chest. It’s muzzle was drenched in trickling red, a growl forming at its lips. It had already lunged for Kook before Adrian had a chance to shield him.

However, Adrian managed to gain a grip upon Kook and drag him back from the creatures teeth, holding his shield between himself and the creature. Several blows hit against his shield, but no damage came upon his own person. His heart threatened to hammer straight out of his chest.

The wendigo was infuriated, it’s deeply set, maroon eyes hungered for the flesh before it, its sickly purple tongue tracing along its torn mouth It took a cautious step back, a wolfish grin breaking out against its features. A howl rippled through its monstrous lips, shaking the entire area around the hunters. Lucia and Adrian were quick to recognize the oncoming wail, both placing their hands over their ears. However Delilah was caught off guard, her yelp of pain caught in her throat as she found herself unable to move, her feet firming buried within the snow.

The wendigo paid no mind to her, however, noting the menace’s shield was lifted. Raising its claws, it buried them deeply into Adrian’s chest. Pools of blood bubbled underneath, but before the wendigo was able to tear into his ribs, the man swiftly brought the shield up and ripped the monster from him. “Fuck me!”

“With pleasure Adri!”

“Lucy shut up and help me!”

Kook also slammed both hands to his ears as the howl threatened to shake his insides like a blender. The amount of fury radiating from this creature was on a cosmic level; it was a miracle in itself that he had managed to avoid its attacks so far (no thanks to him waltzing into the creature’s trap earlier… the same creature he supposedly specialized in). Trigger, on the other hand, wasn’t so lucky. Just like Delilah, the woman seized up, every muscle tensing with pain as her nostrils flared, completely immobile.

Huh… that wasn’t good. For them, anyways. But for Kook? Yis--this was going to be fun. He rummaged through his pocket and retracted a small stone; it was zircon and no larger than an average stone. He brought it close to his mask and muttered the chant, brief and perfectly clear but mostly hidden from the other’s ears. As soon as the last syllable escaped his lips, a faint aquamarine aura filtered from the stone and into his body, coating his nerves in a heavy and warm sensation. He suddenly felt much more grounded and sturdy, as if an entire mountain was compressed into the shape of a human.

Cackling, Kook set his sights on the Wendigo before falling into a crouch and rocketing towards it. His shoulder collided into the beast with the force of a freight train and sent it flying back from pure brute strength. Kook watched the creature soar, hopping from foot to foot happily while clapping. That felt good.

Watching Kook inspired a roaring fire within Lucia’s chest, a brightened grin overtaking her features despite the initial fear. A familiar voice began to buzz at her ear, lingering dangerously with its voice as slick as oil...yet as sweet as sugar. “You owe me ~” The shadow cooed, it’s fingers dragging along Lucia’s collar. She bobbed her head as it pointed towards the Wendigo, it’s chuckle gravelly and unsettling. “Tongue.” Lucia, despite the slight shiver that threatened to skyrocket along her spine, bobbed her head in understanding. It had asked for far more bizarre things in the past. A wendigo tongue seemed almost arbitrary in comparison.

“Yes.” Lucia conformed, her fingers soon clenching onto two newly formed daggers, the darkness solidifying against her very skin. It felt weird at first, the changing of its physical stage. Initially, it felt as if a puff of smoke was released against her palm, until it trickled down her flesh and bubbled like cooling lava until solid. She gripped the handle with great care, gaining a running start towards the collapsed creature. With grace that she never would have found on her own, she threw herself across the creature, gliding across its torso until she brought both of her daggers into its chest. Catching herself, she let the daggers dissipate within its body and landed on its other side, right besides its skull. The creature howled and barely managed to nip at her ankles in its fury. “Mean moose! Mean!

Adrian, despite the blood seeping into his shirt, pushed himself towards the being after Kook and Lucy attacked damn near mercilessly. It was on its back; and while it wasn’t worse for wear, it was hurting. It was a start. Gliding towards the creature, he attempted to swipe his sword along its chest as it was appearing to be prone, however, it’s gaunt, grotesquely long arm came to swipe the weapon away. Only after navigating to its side was he able to pierce the creatures side, its human mimicking scream causing his shoulders to tense.

The Wendigos fury radiated off of its cruel, bloodied body, and with one swift jerk of its head, it managed to grasp the nearest object. Lucia’s ankle. Sinking it’s teeth into her flesh; Lucia could have sworn she felt her own bone scrape against the creatures fangs. Attempting to scream and swipe at the creature before it could cause any more damage, the creature wildly drug her down into the ground, the woman’s front landing face first into the gentle white powder. The creature pinned Lucia; face hidden within the snow, and dug its teeth into her shoulder, attempting to tear a chunk of flesh straight from the back of her neck.

It’s hunger satisfied as she ceased to squirm beneath it, blood trickling in plentiful globs down the fur of its muzzle. Presuming she was close enough to dead, the creature climbed back to its feet and swung its claws towards the masked hunter, sinking them deeply into his torso before having the unfortunate luck in its second attempt to strike. Despite having been decently damaged, the hunter was swift enough to move out of the way for its next oncoming blow.

“Gah!” Kook staggered back as pain flared throughout his torso, his sweater shredded and soaking up a rivulet of blood. He had gotten sloppy. The unintentional breed of sloppy, not the kind that granted him a thrill in the heat of battle. It was a miracle in itself that he had anticipated the second swipe, giving him a chance to fully take in everyone’s condition.

Adrian was still standing, Delilah was stunned, and Lucy… Blood. So much of it, pooling from the horrific wound upon her shoulder. She wasn’t moving. “Guh…” Gloves clenching into fists, he bulldozed his way through the snow and pounced the creature with the fury of a lion.

Snap!

One of the Wendigo’s antlers resided in Kook’s grasp and as he slipped in closer, he seized the creature by the scruff of its torso and jammed several horns deep into its gut. Nobody messed with his guild members but him.

At the same time, Trigger could’ve sworn her world and heartbeat slowed down, time suddenly trapped in a thick pool of devastation and molasses. Lucy… Fuck no. No, no, no. Gritting her teeth, she flexed every inch of her being and soul and shattered whatever mental hold the Wendigo had over her. With a growl, her icy glare locked onto the beast. She retracted both guns. “You’re fucking dead.”

Lucia couldn’t breathe. She could feel cold seep into her blouse, melted snow trickling down her chest and some threatening to invade her lips and nose. Blood clumped into the white fabric of her shirt, weighing her down further and further into the white. She could hear the Wendigo behind her, howling in heart wrenching pain...someone hurt it. Someone hurt it well. She attempted to prop herself upon her palms, but within each movement pain shot up her back, a restrained yelp echoing out into the abandoned woods as she could feel the raw, ignited pain pulse against where her skin once was. She wasn’t sure how far it stretched, regardless, she wasn’t sure how she was still conscious. She couldn’t attack from here. No. But her shadow could.

“H-h...help.” She whimpered, resting her forehead in the ground and hearing the swift, gentle footsteps behind her. The silhouettes action was brief, yet there was a spark of anger laced behind it. The patch of darkness hardened considerably, placing its hands upon the Wendigos remaining antler and pulling, not quite snapping the remaining bone...and yet...Lucia could let out a sigh of relief.

Adrian’s blood threatened to run cold. This man was never particularly fond of dark magic users, and yet...Lucy had been one of the most annoying, most troubling, most bubbly and caring one that he had the pleasure of knowing. She gave him a goddamn light, all because she knew he was afraid of what went bump in the dark. She never laughed at him, merely smiled with the radiance of a newborn star. Anger boiled threatened to pile up.

Adrian didn’t waste anytime after Kook stabbed the thick hided creature, rushing up to the Wendigo and burying his sword deep into its center. Not waiting for the wail the pathetic bastard, he yanked out his weapon and slid(on his knees) over to Lucia’s limp form. “Ah fuck short stuff; I’m sorry”. Adrian let go of his sword, the clatter muffled by the thick blanket of snow. Raising his arm, he held the shield above, praying this would be enough to protect her still form. He slowly managed to peel off his jacket, using his free hand to press the cloth over her back. He wasn’t sure if he was relieved or heartbroken to hear a soft, conjured whimper from the young woman as he applied pressure.

Just like Adrian, Trigger refused to waste any time as well. She dashed over to the nearest tree to take cover and whipped around one side of it to empty a bullet from its chamber. The shot veered right, just missing the Wendigo’s shoulder and reducing the trunk behind it into an explosion of splintered wood. Fuck--she was shaky. The anger flowing through her veins was scalding. Blinding. She forced herself to inhale. Once. Cleansing. The wraith remained, but a blanket of determination honed that emotion into deep concentration. Like a sniper in waiting, she raised the second gun.

Aimed.

Bang!

Clean shot. Blood ejected from the monster’s back in a shower of crimson globules, painting the snow and foliage around it. It took the will power of a thousand souls, but she managed to tear her gaze away from the beast’s rightfully earned pain and slip back into cover.

The wendigo’s vision threatened to go blurry with pain as its own antler was struck deeply into the soft flesh of its belly, but this creature was nowhere near close to submission. Fury overtaking its unearthly, grotesque features, outreached towards the mask hunter with both claws, desperately swinging once, twice. Again and again, but with no blow in sight. Confusion overtook the rage, briefly, and once again, it could feel hunger settling into its greedy stomach. Red eyes darting up, the last woman recovering from her stunned state as her shoulders slumped, eyes wide and mirroring the emotion within the Wendigo’s. It made no hesitation to pounce towards Delilah, pinning her beneath it and sinking its teeth straight into her chest. By major inconvenience to the beast, it wasn’t able to pierce the delectable organ. Yet the blood was enough to satisfy it, raising to its feet with an almost gleeful appearance. There was something about guild member’s blood that was...exoctic. New. Delicious

Anymore thoughts the Wendigo head proceed to launch from existence as Kook’s fist cracked into its jaw. He unleashed a flurry of hyper cackles as he reeled back once more, aiming for the exact same spot. The masked man was about damn tired of it biting his teammates; there was so many easier ways to obtain protein anyhow. Another strike bashed the beast with the force equivalent of a hurtling mountain and yet, despite everything, its jaw didn’t quite dislocate like Kook hoped.

“Gah!” Huffing, he scrambled back until he was closer to Delilah, prepared to protect her in case the Wendigo attempted to sink its teeth into her once more.

Delilah’s entire form threatened to crumble as its teeth sunk deeply into her skin, and while she didn’t lose a chunk of flesh like Lucia, she could feel her vision grow blurry. Fuck. Fuck fuck. Her sword brightened a majestic yellow, and yet, despite her rage and determination, the initial blow of her weapon missed the beast. Swiping the sword back, she barely managed to skim across the creatures torso. It was enough to draw blood, however, and gave her a chance to jump back.

Something sparked within Lucia as she could hear the ongoing noise of the battlefield. Gathering her breath, Lucia’s back arched and she balanced all of her strength onto her hands. She wanted to scream out against the pain of her missing skin, wanted to fall back into the mirroring indentation in the snow No. By her God, no. She would not wait, she had felt worse. She had seen worse. She could hear Adrian’s protests, but the moment she felt his hand upon her arm she swatted him off. “I live.” She reassured, the two knives reforming in her hands as quickly as they had vanished. “Ojo por ojo.” (Eye for an eye). Lucia struggled at first, but soon pain was forgotten and she took the opportunity to approach the creature from behind, sinking both daggers deeply into the creatures right shoulder and striking downwards, ignoring its squirms as she drug her daggers horizontally along its skin...carving out a fair chunk of its meaty, decayed flesh. There was only one voice she could hear beyond the pain and dizziness in her throbbing head.

“Holy shit.”

Adrian had no idea that the small woman of sunshine and absolute joy could have carved out the flesh of a full grown, angry wendigo. Yet there she was, smothered in blood and snow wrangled in her mangled hair. Adrian felt a mixture of pride and fear for the young woman, and without wasting any more time lunged towards the wounded creature, slashing his weapon across its backside before hopping to its front and burying the sword deep within its chest. Adrian could begin to see the life threaten to drain from its already dead and beady eyes, but there was still work to do.

“Huh…” A faint smirk pulled at Trigger’s lips, overflowing with pride. That was her lass. It did nothing to quell her worry for the woman though, especially not with the condition she was in. This Wendigo needed to faceplant already. She emerged from her hiding spot once more, stepping fully into the open and leveling one barrel with the beast’s form.

Another round set off and as the reverberation of power rippled down her wrist, she had to bite back a smirk. “Bullseye.” This hole ripped through the monster’s skull, taking a large chunk of flesh and bone and matted fur with it. She quickly marched up to the fallen beast, taking in its struggle to hold onto a final shred of conscience. It was almost worth pity.

And then she recalled the image of Lucy taken a bite to the shoulder.

Bang!

Trigger holstered her guns and turned her back to the corpse, looking towards the others with visible concern. “Think it’s down for good.”

Lucia’s form threatened to buckle with each boisterous bullet. Blood from the Wendigos skull splattered onto her now maroon blouse, as well as adding additional freckles to her demeanor. She desperately attempted to stumble back, her torso seizing with pain as the adrenaline began to wear off. She could feel Adrian’s hands attempt to secure around her, but due to the slickness of the blood seeping through his coat...she bit back a yelp and prepared for the impact of the large creature.

In any normal situation, Trigger would’ve dubbed this unfortunate outcome as the moment her reflexes failed her. However, that wasn’t the case at all. Residual fury still pumped through her veins and with that came with a far larger dose of motherly “danger sense”. Her instincts registered Lucy’s predicament far faster than her brain or any other could. In the blink of an eye, she seized Lucy by the arm and hauled her clear of the falling corpse, supporting as much of the injured woman’s weight as possible. “Shit! Sorry about that, lass…”

And then Trigger realized something else.

She had yet hear a massive body meet the snow.

Glancing up, she was awarded the comical image of Kook hooking two fingers around the Wendigo’s antler while his other hand held onto a fistful of hide. He glanced at the beast, back to an apparently safe Lucy, then to an amused Trigger, and back to the monster.



“Guh.” He dropped the Wendigo.

Trigger shrugged. “It’s the thought that counts, yeah?”

Lucia flinched as hands grasped her by her arm and guided her from the line of the deceased beast, the adrenaline finally disappearing from her bloodstream. Shock settled back in and she threatened to buckle her own weight, relieved that Brigid was there to assist. “G-gracias. Amiga querida.” Lucia stuttered, turning her attention towards the monster. Despite the fuzziness, she could clearly make out that the monsters arms were beginning to shrink. Slow. Subtle. But still there. It was almost…

“No!” She exclaimed, brief panic threatening to settle in. She needed that tongue for...gritting her teeth, she gently wriggled out of her friends grip and stumbled over to the monster, dagger in hand. Lucia attempted to maneuver the blade between its jaw, attempting desperately to get a peek of an opening. How was it so tightly clenched after death? Her breath caught in her throat. “H-help?”

Trigger would’ve tossed up the observation to a trick of her mind, assuming it was brought on by lingering agitation and adrenaline, but Kook’s exclamation of “Gah!” in the back made her realize that yes--they needed to move quickly. She kneeled down next to Lucy and gripped the beast’s lower maw; it stung a bit, the razor edge of teeth biting at her palms, but she managed to help her open up its mouth just enough. “The blade, lass,” she rushed out before seizing Lucy’s knife and cutting out… not the entire tongue, but most of it. Hopefully it would be enough for her. She dropped the disgusting organ before stepping away from the Wendigo, still watching as its form shifted.

“Gracias...dulce amiga…” Lucia panted, her fingers curling around the muscular organ, the gentle purple pulsating against the tongue like a grotesque lava lamp. She grimaced, wendigo saliva coating the interior of her palm. “Come.” She directed, her shadow draping its arms around her collar before peeking over her shoulder, nuzzling its cheek against hers. There was a brief chant of thanks, before the shadow reached out for the chunk of meat. Grasping it in both of its hands, it reached down to kiss Lucia’s head before disappearing behind her. Lucia slumped in relief. “Dios Mios...Oh...oh thank God.” She grumbled, eyes fluttering down to the Wendigo. It was shrinking, rapid and evident. Soon, patches of fur shed off the form, leaving a nearly naked man in the frosty snow. He was short. At least five foot five and had a remaining jacket slouched over his shoulders, plaid. His face was horrifically scarred, and there was evidence that he had been prodded at along his torso. Other than that, there isn’t much to identify him.

“That...that’s not right.” Lucia breathed, knowing, despite the lack of specialty in this field, wendigos didn’t transform back into their original form. She swallowed hard, turning back to the rest of her team. She was surprised she was still standing. “W-w-who…”

Lucy was right--none of this seemed natural. Well, as natural as the supernatural could be. Kook neared the body curiously, standing over it before kneeling down. A pause, then he took an exaggerated whiff of it-- “Gah! G-guh…” Foul stench. When was the last time this ex-Wendigo had a shower? Probably a long time. The thought made him cackle, only to fall silent as another observation struck the masked man. His jacket--specifically, the camouflage design of it. With a grunt, he shot to his feet and faced the others. A series of frantic sounds escaped him, arms waving to grab their attention, before he pretended to raise a rifle and made a gunshot sound effect. Then pointed back at the body.

Hunter. If that was one of them, then the others couldn’t be far.

Trigger squinted a bit, at first not quite processing Kook’s signals. However, the shooting motion clicked fast enough and she squinted in suspicion, hand running through her hair tiredly. None of this shit made sense. “I need a drink,” she muttered.

“Gaaahahahahahehheheheh!!”

Kook sprinted ahead like a speeding bullet, completely ignoring Trigger as she yelled out to the man. “Oi! Kook! Where the fu… Ah hell!” Grumbling in annoyance, she shot an annoyed shrug at her fellow guild members. That man was such a loose canon--constantly.

“Gah!!! Guh! Guh!” Kook’s distant babbling echoed through the trees.

Trigger sighed. “Well… guess that means the lad’s calling us?”

Lucia’s head popped up, like a mole out of its burrow, her brow furrowed in confusion at Kook’s movements. The man always confused her, it was most certainly an affectionate confusion, but now she couldn’t seem to grasp what he was saying. Delilah however, placed her hand over her face and exhaled slowly. “Hunter. Wendigo was a missing hunter, is that-” For a brief moment, Delilah’s eyes sparked to life and flickered to meet Trigger’s. She shared a discreet wink her way, the sudden woman’s yell igniting her attention once again.

“Well, shit Kook, it’s almost like you expect for us to understand what the fuck you are blabbering on about.” Delilah grumbled, adjusting her collar and making sure her clothes weren’t stained with blood. Didn’t matter if it was hers. Pulling at her ribbon, an itch threatening to overwhelm her. Her brow pinched and she quickly tightened it, refusing to let it fall below its original spot upon her neck.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think I know what he’s trying to say.” That was a lie on Adrian’s part, but it didn’t really matter. He was going to follow that man due to the wisdom Grayson had bestowed upon him. If a guild member blabbered, it was for a reason. Adrian trudged through the snow, refusing to sheathe his sword until the rest of the perimeter remained clear. He doubted that there was another Wendigo in their mist, yet, the image of a Wendigo turning back to human...that didn’t seem good. No. Natural. Even in monster standards, this was bizarre. Wendigos, typically in his opinion, shouldn’t have even been marked down as shapeshifters. How in hell did this one manage to pull it off? “Let’s go.” Adrian suggested, pulling his feet from the snow and trudging miserably after Kook, keeping his shield in front of him just in case.

For all he knew there could have been yet another monster. He doubted it, Wendigos tended to be lone wolves, well...lone moose.

They followed Kook’s trail--literally. The man had left an actual trench within the snow in his wake, a side effect of the Unyielding spell and the massive weight it granted him. Upon walking alongside it, Trigger gave pause at the sight of Kook crouching next to what appeared to be another body. A human one. He pointed at the body, uttering a sharp “Gah!” before resorting to the erratic shooting gesture he had done earlier in the car. Another hunter.

Delilah’s eyes flickered down to what Kook had discovered in the snow. A body, decorated in plaid hunting gear and several scratches running up and down his torso. Delilah couldn’t tell if the man was alive, but beading red trickled down his arms. She knelt down in the snow, confused and gesturing for someone to assist her. She didn’t wish to admit it, but she wasn’t sure where to check for a pulse. She was told this once before, but something grew foggy in her head. She wasn’t sure if it was the adrenaline or…

Yeah. Adrenaline. Had to be. “I...I think he’s still alive.”

“Gah!” Shaking his head, Kook helpfully guided Delilah’s hand to the proper place… The tip of the hunter’s shoulder. Also incorrect. Regardless, he nodded to himself in apparently pride before crossing his arms. The motion finally brought attention back to his ruined sweater and the exposed, bloody flesh underneath, however. His flesh. With a muted gasp, he pulled the cloth together as much as he could, hiding his injury as much as possible. Aside from that, he switched back into the maniacal cackles, bouncing in place.

“Kook...silly billy…” Lucia slurred, blood seeping through Adrian’s jacket. Stumbling to her knees, she fumbled clumsily for the man’s ankle and held it up to eye sight. Pressing her thumb firmly against the socket, she pinched her brow in thought. “Oh my God! He’s dead! This poor man is dead! Oh my God!” She felt a heavy hand on her shoulder and her hand was guided away from the man’s ankle. He reached up to check the man’s throat, but misplaced his fingers.

“Um…”

Very gently, Trigger heaved a sigh before pecking the top of Lucy’s head. “Great job, lass. Close, but no cigar.” Then, she immediately whipped around to hiss at the others. “Get her patched up, stat. My kid’s fucking delusional.” God--she appreciated and cared for her team like her own family, she really did, but these guys… She would just toss it up to the recent Wendigo fight. Everyone was still recuperating. Slowly, she placed her fingers just an inch or so above Adrian’s, where she could feel… a pulse. “He’s alive, guys. We’re all good,” Trigger said

Warmth shot up through Lucia’s entire body, melting her internally from the inside out. A gentle, healthy blush settled on her features and for the first time in a long time, she felt pride. She heard a visible, sharp gasp from Adrian, who directed Lucia to her feet. Her head was swimming and she could barely register what Trigger was saying. The next thing she knew, the pressure grew tighter around her shoulder and she whimpered, feebly reaching out to scratch whoever inflicted the pain. A gentle hand grasped her wrist, and yet again she felt another kiss to her head.

“It’s alright, munchkin. Oompa Loompa. Just...just let me apply some pressure, okay? We have a kit in the car and some water there too. You did really good.” A gentle grasp snaked around her knees, and before she could register what was happening, she was firmly held within Adrian’s arms. His arm was closer to the middle of her back, being incredibly cautious of her wound. “Ah. I’ve got you kiddo. It’s like carrying a sack of potatoes…”

“Thank God.” Delilah muttered, getting to her feet and placing her hands on her hips. “Two things we can do. One, we call for back up and have help cleaning the joint, or two, we get this man into the car and the dead man in the trunk.”

“I was hoping we’d never have a dead man in the trunk.” Adrian commented with a scrunched up nose.

Apparently, they were going to have a dead man in that trunk today. With a cackle, Kook immediately reached out for the body’s ankles and pulled, trying to drag it through the snow… “Gah!”

His foot slipped.

Even with the thick snow cushioning the blow, a thud still rattled through his bones as he fell flat on his back. The masked man grumbled, though it still sounded incredibly amused, before scrambling free of his chilled prison and approaching the hunter again. Kook huffed. Did a few exaggerated squats and leg stretches. Then, rubbing his hands together, he hefted the body up with far more ease this time around and draped it over his shoulder like a massive sack of deadweight. He turned to the others expectantly.

Delilah didn’t want to admit that she was impressed both by Adrian’s and by Kook’s strength. Kook handled the wounded hunter(a bit unethically at first, but regardless) and Adrian managed Lucia well enough for her to nearly fall asleep against him. He made sure to bounce her head with his nose occasionally to keep her wide eyed.

Delilah’s shoe soon came into contact with the dead Wendigo’s now human hand. Delilah stared down at it with upmost disgust, trying her best not to grimace as she knelt down beside it. She reminded herself that Hiroki once told her that the best way to manage a slumped and unconscious body(if Delilah had gone to college, she figured she would have learned how to handle drunk girls like this). She pulled his arms around her shoulders, grimacing at the feel of his limp body against hers. Straightening, she managed to sling his legs across the other side of her torso and began trudging through the snow. She grimaced. “Bethany better give us some goodies.”

“All the goodies,” Trigger added as she and Kook followed the others back.

It didn’t take long for them to reach the car, and with a simple kick of the back, Delilah was able to pop open the trunk. Sliding the dead Wendigo into the back, she snapped it back into place with a sickening finality. Meanwhile, Adrian had safely tucked in Lucia into the back of the car, fumbling for the medical kit and swiftly worked on patching her wound more properly.

“Do..don’t...tell Ricky, kay…” She giggled, despite the shooting pain crawling up her back. Without another word, her eyes fluttered closed and she allowed Adrian to help patch her up.

Delilah would get to her side of the car and slide into the driver’s seat, ignoring the sudden sting in her own body. She licked her lips. She needed Hiroki.

Stat.
 
Who You Gonna Call? Collab - Aaquil @Mobley Eats, Mina @Kyatto

Hiroki had to admit it, he was impressed with how quickly Grayson filled into his role of a college student, slicking back his hair with the palm of his hand and putting on an award winning grin. He pulled gently at the hems of his winter jacket, refusing to allow a shiver of frost pass through his entire being. Hiroki’s eyes guided towards Grayson, who seemed to have adapted swiftly to the cool night’s breeze. In fact, Grayson appeared to be pulling at his collar in discomfort.

“Alright, my name is Shawn Spenst-”

“No, sweetheart.” Hiroki interrupted with a tilt of his head, a glimmer of a smile invading his features. “You go first, claim that we are merely visiting him while he is ill…”

“Is anyone gonna believe you are twenty one, Hiro?” Grayson’s head tilted innocently, although the young Japanese man took no offense to the question. He shook his head, rather, holding up two fingers to silence the bumbling boy.

“We will be fine. Just speak to the man. We have plan B.” Hiroki reassured, his feet digging deeply into the gravel of the refined driveway. His brow furrowed as he directed Grayson ahead of him, who merrily took the lead towards the front door, open for all to see the main entrance. Grayson seemed disturbed to Hiroki, his eyes darkening in rightful concern. Grayson’s knuckles raised up to the door and he rapped gently against it.

Grayson was greeted by a wall of torso, having to peer upwards in order to glance at the man directly. Lafayette's father was roughly the size of the door frame, his hardened eyes obscured by broken glasses. A mop of ginger hair hung over his forehead, yet it was quickly brushed back by his rough, meaty hands(that Grayson could have sworn could have encased the entirety of his face). “You Isaiah’s friends or something?” Grayson blinked. This man’s voice was a lot lighter than he had pictured, but nevertheless, it brought a warm smile to his face.

“Well, I wasn’t so sure if Izzy had even told you about us! We are his...uh…”

“Members of his retreat.” Hiroki claimed, a broad smile adorned on his face before growing solemn. “We have heard of his...illness. We all decided to stop our trip to Nova Scotia to come and check on him.”

“Members of his retreat? You mean professor, Professor Tamura? There you go again acting like you’re one of us!” Mina piped, she had been following behind Hiroki and Grayson the whole time quietly. Her brown eyes were looking at the house and studying it as she would a book. She turned quickly so she faced the red headed man with a smile. Her head tilted just a bit, causing her straight black hair to follow gravity, as her caramel hand lay on her hip. It was all about stance. “Hi! I’m Isaiah’s girlfriend, Mina! I was wondering if my friends and I could go see him? He hasn’t been to school in a while which is making me so worried for him!”

“I could have sworn that lad was gay…” The man’s bushy brow furrowed, although there was a hint of warmth in his demeanor. Grayson couldn’t help but crack a smile, recognizing the fathers exhaustion from anywhere. When Grayson was still an undergraduate and returning home after long weekend benders...his father shared a similar expression. Disappointed yet forced to love the trouble before him. “Ah, well, the lad hasn’t been telling me much of late…”

“Isaiah hadn’t been opening up to us, either, even as we were planning the retreats. I’m his friend, William. Do you mind if we come in, sir? We tried to call hours ago and he hasn't responded. We just really wanted to make sure he’s doing okay. He’s such a little rascal, but we worry about him, ya know?” The man eyed Grayson with a gentle eye, seeming hesitant at first.

“It is fairly late, wouldn’t you say?”

“We got caught up in traffic, sir. You know how it is, getting out of the city. Took us an hour longer than expected to even get us to Bangor. Then...well, I’d imagine you know the trip up north. Hell if there ever was one.” Hiroki claimed with a casual shrug of his shoulders. He plucked at his jersey, offering a gentle smile. “We will make it quick for you sir. We do not intend on keeping you up, we just wished to…”

“Take your time. I’m going to bed.” The man claimed, eyes drooping. Once again, Grayson could identify the behavior of a exhausted father. He remembered when Adrian first entered his life, having to be checked in on constantly during the summer time at his parents home. Adrian would just claim to spend some time with him, early as seven, and his father would simply plop on the couch. Grayson smiled and absentmindedly couldn’t wait to be an exhausted father of his own. Grayson bobbed his head in gratitude as the father let them through the door. That went a lot simpler than Grayson imagined, but he figured the casual wear and simple introductions were enough to convince the already exhausted man. Grayson watched with affection as the man hobbled towards the living room couch, clearly having set it up to sleep in case his son needed him in his violently possessed state.

“Little noise as possible, guys.” Mina nodded while watching Isaiah’s father lay down. Her eyes took notice of the homey feel but one thing was missing… A female figure. A mother. Instead of dwelling on it she walked up the stairs with haste. She made sure that she was in front with Hiroki and Grayson directly behind her. Maybe they noticed it or maybe they didn’t, but either way Mina planned on staying in front to protect them. They passed a few doors in the hallway, cracking them open to reveal a bathroom and a master bedroom. Paintings decorated the wall and a couple windows as well. It was a pretty standard house. There was only the door at the end of the hall to check… Mina knocked on it lightly while speaking.

“Isaiah? Can we come in?”

Our father who art…” Grayson started, recalling the prayer his mother would teach him to say whenever he felt nerves bundle up in his being. He wasn’t sure what he believed, but he knew fully well that the words brought comfort into his soul as trouble threatened to invade his bubbly demeanor. He said this every time he went to commit to a banishment, and every time he walked out okay. He supposed it worked to a point, which made a smile appear on his face despite the paleness pinching his cheeks. Grayson’s feet came to a halt as Mina knocked on the door, and much to his surprise, he heard a yawn. A bellow of a yawn. Natural. Anything you’d hear from an oaf or a roommate. Anything Adrian may have heard after a night of binge watching Netflix far longer than was naturally healthy.

“Who is it?” A sleepy voice answered from the other side of the door. Instinctively, Grayson grasped Minas arm, gentle yet firm in intention. He shook his head at her, a clear command not to reply or open the door. Demons were notorious for finding their way around a humans soul. About finding out what was important to them. The less personal interaction, the better. They needed to ambush him, as hard it could be. He inhaled and pierced his lip with his teeth. Last time he had banished a demon...they told him he felt emotions that he had never expressed to anyone before. Ones he didn’t even realize he had.

“Stay behind me, Grayson.. Hiroki,” Mina said a bit forcefully as she touched Grayson’s hand in comfort. She gave him a small smile while pulling out a brush pen and hiding it within the sleeve of her sweater. “I’ll be fine… Your safety is more important than mine. Now, I’ll lure him out… Hiroki, can you do an exorcism on him?” Mina’s sweet voice spoke as if her first statement was nothing.

“Exorcisms take time, dear.” Hiroki claimed, gently. His eyes flickered over to Grayson, who was plucking a large vial from the stomach pocket of his jersey. Holy water. The guild had consented into giving him quite a bit, and along with it came a mischievous grin. Instead of fully explaining, Grayson pointed to the vial, made a throwing motion with both of his hands, pretended to sizzle and let his eyes roll back into his head. He then straightened up, drawing the exorcism circle in the air with his finger, before giving a thumbs up to Hiroki. He blinked. “Holy shit. This is the second time someone is going to die because of this.”

“So pessimistic, Hiro! Let me see it Grayson, I’ll throw it at him.” At this point they were all having a full conversation by whispering to each other, which must have been strange for the demon. It had asked who was at the door, only to receive no reply.

“Who’s there?” The shuffling of feet was heard from inside the room, and it was growing closer and closer to the door. Mina moved over so she was right outside the door but nowhere in front of it. At this point she was ready to sizzle this bitch like some bacon.

Grayson hated having his back pressed against the wall as he observed Mina by the door. There was indeed the distinct sound of foot shuffling, but something else caught Grayson by his ears. Whispering. Behind him. In front of him. Around him. Taking a step back from the rest of the group, his hair on the back of his neck stood on end. This...this wasn’t right. No. No no no. Demons were never this ready to let others near them. There should have been screaming. Intimidation. Something. Something churned in his stomach as he took another step back. Another. Another.

The door creaked open...revealing a doorway with an empty room. No one. Nothing. Something. No. No. Nothing. N-

A hum. A gentle song. Grayson’s own mother singing…

You, and me, and the devil makes three...You, and me, and the devil makes three...Three is the holy number three is the thing, three is too much for me...You and me and the devil…” Grayson felt a trickle pop on to his head. Streaming down his forehead, curving down his cheek, he brushed his thumb against his skin. It was slick. Thicker than water. Sticky against his thumb…

Grayson looked up. He wish he hadn’t.

A boy Grayson could only picture to be Isaiah Lafayette hung from the wall, his head turned at a one hundred and eighty degree angle. His skin bulged miserably at his neck, eyes fully black and encased in malicious intent.

“Hello Gray.” It continued in his mother’s voice, cooing as Grayson stood, frozen in fear and his friends a good hallway down. Grayson’s vision was encased in darkness as the boy collapsed onto Grayson’s form, teeth ripping into a wide grin. Mina’s eyes widened as no one came through the door, her head snapped to Grayson and his bloody form.

“Grayson!” Her voice yelled as she did not hesitate to throw the holy water on the god forsaken demon. It hit. A loud howl came from the demon… Nothing but worry filled Mina’s chocolate eyes. These were the situations that made Mina reckless… The situations that caused her to get hurt… Maybe she wasn’t the one that needed to look after the group but rather the one to be looked after.

Isaiah’s face shifted into a gravelly gray before Grayson, it’s beady red eyes bulging out of its narrow eye sockets as it drug its once human fingernails into his torso. Grayson could feel the claws hardening inside of him, digging into his soft stomach and threatening to pull downwards. The demon’s tail swung behind him, reaching for Grayson’s neck and for a moment, was able to squeeze.

Hisssss

Pressure was released from Grayson’s neck, air rushing into his throat as his hand fluttered to meet where the bruise was threatening to form. The demon shrunk, once again curling into a male, human form. Placing his hands out in front of him, he tried to restrict a scream. Grayson, even from his wounded place on the floor, could see the water continue to trickle down his skin and leave a horrific, red burn in its place. It’s head swung up as it panted, Hiroki advancing upon the creature with no fear in his eyes. However, despite his attempted lunge, the demon rolled out of the way.

Grayson, however, calculated where the demon was going to land and shot upright, wrapping his arms around the creature’s torso and pinning its arms to its waist. “Guys! Someone...ow...ow...ow...someone excorize him!” He pleaded, the boy thrashing miserably in his grasp. His head knocked against Grayson’s shoulder, teeth threatening to nibble at his ear.

“Grayson…” It breathed softly into his ear, giddy, if not overall ecstatic. “Oh...oh sweet hunter...It’s so good to see you here...I can’t wait to dig into your gourmet body...sweet...delicious...I wonder...I wonder if the wendigo feasts tonight. Prime meat...straight to its lair. Sweet...decedent...I hope...I hope we can share such a delicious feast. You smell of lust...and of sweet, sweet fear.” It giggled as it attempted to thrust its jaw towards Grayson’s neck, but he managed to avoid the hit. “Oh...I bet you’d like to e-” Mina felt utterly useless at the moment.. She wanted to help but she wasn’t sure how as of yet. Hiroki jumped toward the demon but missed which startled her a bit and caused her to grip his arm tightly while looking up at him with pleading eyes. Her body wracked with fear which wasn’t usually her during missions but she hated it when people got hurt.

“What if you get hurt? I-” Her voice choked up in her throat as she spoke and her mind pretty much answered her, ‘What if Grayson dies?’

Aaquil hadn’t spoken much during their mission, opting instead to beam at whichever soul was willing to accept the expression. He knew of their objective and what creature to expect, of what his role in the group entailed. Healing and exorcising. Hopefully, he prayed, he would not need to perform the former for any of his dear friends.

And yet, fate had decided to toy with his anxiety. His heart had plummeted into his stomach the moment the demon descended upon dear Gray and breathing suddenly became a lost art. “Oh dear… ohhh dear, dear, dear,” he muttered nervously while gathering his wits. Exorcise. He must exorcise. But to do so on his own would be… Aaquil’s gaze strayed over to Hiroki. “H-Hiroki,” he called out, “I am in the need of your help for the exorcism, yes?” Despite the questioning lilt of his words, the desperation in his tone outweighed it.

“No! What if you two get hurt!?” Mina said in a scared tone, her eyes never left Grayson as he fought. Her hand still grasped Hiroki’s arm. She practically held her breath in complete loss of what to do.

Aaquil shook his head, pleading shining through in his eyes. “If we do the nothing, dear Gray shall be hurt.” Without waiting for further protest, he approached Grey and the struggling demon, shaky hands outstretched as he forced his voice to flow evenly. Perfect diction. He couldn’t afford to mess up but… hopefully… hopefully… “Lucem regno meo malo mederi vas purissimum. Purgantem huic mortalium censemus esse in aliena vi …”

“I have your back, good man.” Hiroki claimed softly, a gentle prayer bubbling against his lips. This shouldn’t be difficult. Beyond what had occurred with his brother, what happened before Delilah provided him a soft place to land, possessions were simple. Demons. Poltergeists and demons were simplistic creatures. Parasitic.

“Dear, back now.” He requested, resting his hands towards his center and inhaling peacefully. The prayer escaped him without hesitation in his voice. It mirrored Aaquil’s as he spoke, a gentle white glow emitting from both of the men’s hands. Gently facing his palm towards the young man, he snapped his fingers and watched the boy’s eyes roll into the back of his head. Grayson held the limp body in his arms, his own dark eyes widened.

“W-w-where…” He stammered, only to feel a flicker scuttle across his back. Pointed. A...A tail.

“Behind you, Gray.”

Something slick and thicker than rope wrapped itself firmly around Grayson’s neck. It was sudden, and it wasn’t a familiar attack that Grayson had come into contact with when demon hunting. Gagging on his own tongue, Grayson was forced to arch back and desperately scratch at the demon’s tail, the demon’s claws scraping against his jersey in a desperate attempt to draw blood.

“Jōshō.” A gentle voice called, releasing the pressure from Grayson’s neck. Once again, he was forced to catch his breath as his throat pulsated with dull, throbbing pain. He pressed his thumb roughly against the bone beneath his jaw(he wasn’t sure what it was called for the life of him, but he knew from his studies it was what was broken in strangulation victims). Fine. Fine. Everything was fine…

“Go, Gray.” He heard the same voice call from above, before his eyes were able to flicker up and noticed that Hiroki was maintaining a weak shield around the demon. He was desperately attempting to freeze the water encasing the demon, but Grayson could tell he was struggling. “Banish. Now.” With that command, Grayson’s shakily pulled a stick of chalk from his jersey pocket.

“Our father...our father...shit...sorry...sorry...father who art...art right...oh shit...sorry!” He muttered hastily under his breath as he dragged the chalk around the imprison demon, noticing that the man slumped on the floor was growing somewhat paler. His head turned, but he didn’t make much assumption due to the fear beginning to build up. Mina seemed to temporarily come out of her daze and rushed forward. She took a brush pen and wrote a rune on her hand quickly while raising it to Grayson.

“Sana!” Several of his cuts healed lessening the pain which relieved a bit of Mina’s worry. She was still disappointed in herself for even letting him get hurt. Without hesitation she smudged the current rune and wrote the one for banishment then started chanting in hindi. “Hamaare paramapita jo svarg mein viraajate hain, pavitr ho tera naam, tumhaara raajy aao, thay ho jaayega, prthvee par jaise yah svarg mein hai. hamen is din kee hamaaree rotee do.
aur hamen maaph kar do hamaare atichaaron, jaisa ki ham un logon ko kshama karate hain jo hamaare khilaaph atichaar karata hai. aur hamen pralobhan mein na le jaen,
lekin hamen buraee se bachaen. kyonki tumhaara raajy hai, aur shakti, aur mahima,
hamesha hamesha ke lie. tathaastu. (Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.)” At this point Mina’s breath was a bit labored as the banishment started it’s long process of getting rid of any being willing to do harm.

Aaquil briefly found himself frozen, his mind scrambling to figure out how he could be of use. All that they could hope to do was wait for the banishment spell to succeed, although reprieve was nowhere near guaranteed. He could try entering the demon’s mind, perhaps distracting it's thoughts with his own… but that required physical touch and nearing the currently imprisoned creature wasn’t an option. Chest swelling in regret and shame, all the man could do was draw as close to the demon as possible, his hands raised and prepared to seize the infernal being in case… in any horrific chance that things didn’t unfold as they hoped.

The demon was irritated, rather than horrified or even uneased. With a simple tap of its claws against the water, he ran the edges through the barrier and bathed in the water that cascaded onto him. “Re...refreshing.” It breathed, low and slow, a monstrous grin scarring its features. Its eyes darted towards Hiroki as, with a flick of its wrist, the water surrounding the demon attracted to his fingertips. Hiroki was calm as a man could be in the face of a malicious hell creature, a smile even threatening to grace his features. In moments’ time, a singular warrior of water formed before him, bowing its head respectfully towards the creature it threatened to attack.

Before Hiroki could even consider sending forth the small minion, Grayson’s voice became shadowed with a familiar overtone. “Begone!” His eyes shimmered briefly, a gentle milky white encasing his pupils. His hands pressed firmly into the chalk symbols, energy rippling against his skin.

That’s when Hiroki realized the spectacle wasn’t apart of the banishment ritual. Grayson’s eyes soon sparked, a gentle red trickling down his cheek. His lips parted, as if to speak, as if to scream...The blue encased him before any sound could escape him. Hiroki could barely comprehend the type of magic plaguing the young man, but soon enough, Mina was encased in the electrical field, both of the victims left within their prisons for less than a minute. However, when the field lifted, Hiroki witnessed Grayson’s eyes dull, collapsing to his knees and barely able to hold himself upright. His mouth remained parted, occasional sparks continuing to crackle along his arms. There were no words. No movements. Grayson simply remained, staring in horror at the creature before him. The same thing happened to Mina, she fell to her knees but instead of staying there her whole upper body followed as well. A loud thud came from her body as she collapsed.

“Hiroki… Aaquil… It’s not-” She gasped for breath a bit in pain. “A lower demon….” Mina’s brown eyes watched Isaiah and noticed he seemed almost sickly and pale. He seemed weaker than before and his blue eyes dulled… It was strange; even her smart mind couldn’t figure out what was happening to the boy- or demon. She wanted to know, for the others’ possible safety so Mina being Mina she attempted to get up only to yelp in pain and collapse back on the ground. It ultimately just caused her more pain than before.

Aaquil nearly hesitated when the demon broke free of its prison, taking an unconscious step back. This was horrific, one of the most intense missions he had attended in quite some time, and it didn’t help to see dear Grayson in such a condition… He needed to act. Quickly. Wasting another moment couldn’t be an option. He launched forward, weaving into the demon’s guard and dragging his fingers along the top of its skull; the feeling was… unnatural. Chilling. But he didn’t allow himself to linger on the thought for long. All in the same burst of motion, he let the momentum carry him to the other side of the creature.

He slapped both hands together into a prayer, eyes squinted and features scrunched up as he concentrated on penetrating the demon’s mind. If he could just gain access, then maybe, just maybe…

Backlash. Rejection. The vile miasma and sinister aura radiating from the monster crashed into Aaquil violently and his hold on the spell shattered immediately. Aaquil nearly cursed under his breath.

“It’s not a lower level demon! That won’t easily work on it!” Mina’s voice called while her body curled into itself in agony. It was starting to lessen but it still granted her no movement.

“Oh, how cute.” The demon smiled, eyes flickering back and forth between his victims, before the gentlest of nibs prodded at its empty skull. Eyes darkening, it thrust its claws behind him, not even needing to glance behind himself in order to land the blow against the hunter. Driving its nails straight into the hunters torso, he threw him to the side of the wall. Bored. Boring attempts. Oh, it would be no fun to kill these ones. He could tell. Foolish, underprepared…

His eyes landed towards the kneeling hunter, his entire, small body shuddering from the remaining electricity trickling down his arms and stomach. With great care, he clenched his fingers firmly around the young man’s neck and lifted him, his feet barely able to skim across the floor board. The man had no chance of struggling, his body limp in the demon’s grasp. Pulling him close to his chest, the demon tilted the human’s head back to reveal his vulnerable, bruised throat, and placed a single claw against it. “I will kill him. One movement and I will.”

Hiroki, despite the situation before him, found no fear overcoming his features. Demon’s had such a weird fetish for flare, and it always brought a grimace to his features. If Delilah had been here, she would have simply found a corner to lunge from. A smile graced his lips, but he shook out of it without much difficulty. “Alright...let’s go.” Snapping his fingers, he allowed his small elemental to move along on its own. The minion raised its small, stubby hands, turning its right wrist into a long loop, popping its thumb into the center. Two, large droplets formed in the loop, forming a homemade slingshot.

Any other day, Grayson would have laughed and laughed at the image of a foot tall minion loading a slingshot made of solidified water, but now all he could find was fear as he realized where exactly the creature was aiming. His jaw was tightly strewn closed, but from the fear or attack he wasn’t certain. Regardless, he knew a few moments later after the minion had released his slingshot, he couldn’t breathe. Water rushed into his lungs, and for a moment, he thought his muscles had loosened and he could try to struggle. His throat constricted, and after a brief struggle, his body recalled how to function and he coughed the remains from his lungs. The beast holding him appeared to be affected as well, however, his grip remained strong and Grayson could feel the claws threaten to pierce his flesh.

Mina was down. Dear Gray was in danger and choking down water. Hiro was forced to face the demon with his minion. And Aaquil… Aaquil had been useless. Painfully so. He had no idea what to do or where to do it. However, when his gaze fell on Isaiah once more, taking in the man’s pale features and deep fatigue… “Oh no… Oh dear, dear, dear.” The demon. It surely must’ve been the demon, draining Isaiah. Fast. At this rate, he could face serious damage, even death.

There was only one way Aaquil could see himself helping now and that was to severe the demon’s connection with Isaiah completely. That must’ve been it. Shakily, he raised his hands once more, focusing on the host as light shimmered against his palms once more. The chant flowed from his lips, voice even and steady. A wave of anxiety fluttered up his gut at the realization that he didn’t have Hiroki’s assistance this time around, only to clamp down on the feeling like the maws of a shark. He refused to buckle. He absolute refused.

With a determined grunt rumbling deep in his chest, Aaquil cranked more energy into the spell, watching… No, sensing a spiritual and physical evil completely evacuate Isaiah’s being, finally freeing him of his connection with the demon. Aaquil fell to one knee, exhaustion washing over him like an ocean. Two Purification spells in one day. He would need serious time to recover after that; well, after everyone else had a chance to do so.

The demon felt a brief stop in time around him. A gasp escaped its monstrous lips, its eyes dulling briefly but refusing to loosen its anger. Or it’s grip upon the hunters neck. Blindly, the monster advanced and unleashed its sharp claws towards the summoner, only to become drenched in water moments after. The minion became nothing more than a puddle on the wooden floor, the man managing to recover more than the monster had deemed desirable. Nevertheless, a smile graced its features at the red tint that was beginning to stain the false jersey that slung miserably from his shoulders.

Grayson, at the moment, could feel pins and needles striking his nerves. It began in the tips of his fingers and outstretched towards his palm until he was able to move once more. Gasping for breathe, both of his fist clenched and -with a new found determination of realizing the only way he wished to perish was by his own idiotic hands- he managed to slam the majority of his weight into the demons torso. Rather than damaging the beast, Grayson was released and promptly landed to his feet. Heroically, with one stoic fist raised towards his attacker and captor, Grayson proclaimed

“F-fuck...Ow!” However, spinning on his heel, Grayson realized there was a job that needed to be completed. Being closest to the demon was horrifying, certainly. But oh boy...Did Grayson know how to melee fight with the best of panics. Despite this humorous inner monologue, Grayson’s countenance darkened. Without a single word, he balled up his fist and took an opportunity to strike right beneath the creature’s chin, surprising both himself and the demon as it stumbled back, hoof like feet skidding across the wooden tile. Grayson shook his hand, splaying his fingers as a gentle but harmless bruise overcame his knuckles.

Hiroki, prideful of the young hunter’s ability to handle his situation with grace, turned towards his fallen puddle. Exhausted already, he knew the next summoning was to be his last, and any excuse for his spell casting would not be helpful in the situation. “Come on, buddy.” He plead, mostly to the audience of his own voice before flicking his wrist, gently bending the fallen puddle until it once again rose to form a small, more compact soldier. Hiroki eyes nearly watered, but he blinked away the slumber. If he got home, Delilah would be there. He had that to look forward to.

Mina still felt horrible. Her limbs ached and her chest heaved but she couldn’t just leave her teammates to fend for themselves, especially Isaiah, who finally had the demon out of him. The whole mission would be pointless if he died so she found a way to her feet despite the soreness and stumbled over to Isaiah’s pale form. The demon was distracted with Grayson and Hiroki so slipping past it wasn’t the hard part. Her hair was all over the place as she approached the unconscious ginger and sweat sat on her forehead. Instead of waiting, her hand immediately grabbed the brush pen that had fortunately tumbled in this direction, and wrote a rune for healing.

“Svaasthy!” Her breath came out in the form of a sigh while her brown eyes raked over the boy. “I’m sorry you got caught up in all of this…” Mina gently unzipped his jacket to help cool him down which revealed a patriots shirt. A dry laugh came from her but it also sparked something inside of her. She immediately stood up with her brush pen and faced the horrendous demon and Grayson. The ink formed the rune for light on her hand… Nothing happened though. Her body showered itself in exhaustion while Mina simply fell to her knees again. She felt so useless… Banishment failed… Lux failed… The only thing that worked was healing, which was useful but she wanted to be more useful. “I’m sorry…” She muttered to her teammates. The best thing she could do was watch after Isaiah.

“Do not the apologize,” Aaquil rushed out towards Mina, eyes softening briefly in sympathy. He understood her disappointment, her frustration with her inability to help more, but what mattered the most was that everyone did the most they could, no matter how little. As soon as he caught sight of Grayson finally freeing himself and striking the demon, Aaquil sprinted into the fray and slipped behind the demon, effectively flanking it with his teammate. He hadn’t used his bare fists in quite some time, as the man preferred to heal over harm, but this creature had wounded his dear friends one too many times.

“This, I do not the apologize for.” Muscles going taut and hands curling into fists, he struck twice in the demon’s side, the force rippling through flesh and driving his point home. It might’ve been primitive and old-fashioned, but he was willing to literally beat this beast into the ground with Grayson’s help.

The demon was caught off guard by the impact of his previous victim’s fist into its jaw. Two quick successions into its back nearly sent it toppling, however, it caught itself with ease and reached ahead of him, clawing a chunk of the human’s jersey from his torso, leaving long red streaks across his chest. The young hunter, while panting and eyes dull, kept a fire within his spirit and once again struck the beast, one fist colliding swiftly into the demon’s torso. The second blow came exploding across the demon’s cheek, yet he remained unfazed. Color was drained from its scaly, grey countenance, finally a hint of a gasp escaping it.

“A-aaquil! Let’s wrestle it!” With a grin, Grayson bounced(lumbering rather than graceful) away from the beast. Uncurling his fists, he tucked his fingers together and gestured towards himself, a smirk and wink sent the demon’s way. “Come on ugly...I want to grace you with my beautiful form before your pretty face goes back to hell.”

Once again pride pulled at Hiroki’s features. Mina was handling the victim swimmingly, while Aaquil and Grayson were handling the threat head on. Meanwhile, he approached the beast and attempted to throw a swing, only to be intercepted by his own creation. Filling its new slingshot, the minion unlatched its fury and managed to square its attack onto the creatures demeanor. Hiroki bounced back, heart pounding. The demon was still standing and didn’t look like it was going to collapse soon. Mina remained by Isaiah’s side, occasionally checking his forehead with the back of her hand. Grayson, Aaquil, and the demon were getting to close for her liking so she attempted to move the ginger back a bit but her arms were just to weak. Instead her chocolate eyes followed the fight with the demon and noticed Grayson struggling to conjure up any remaining strength with the wounds he had collected. Mina knew she was getting pretty close to her limit but decided to try healing him anyway.
“Svaasthy!” Her weak voice called as she watched some of Gray’s wounds disappear into thin air. She groaned a bit as her body only got weaker because of it. “I’m sorry… That’s all I can do.” She looked like she’d collapse as soon as all of this was over but was hanging in there incase things got worse.

Aaquil gnashed his teeth as the demon sliced into Gray again, only to let his jaw relax ever so slightly as he watched Mina heal him. Thank the gods. Neither words nor numbers could describe his gratitude. But, either way, his grip on the fire burning in belly remained firm and drew upon it to throw another punch.

The demon must’ve sensed his next attack, as it ducked his swing without sparing the man a glance, its sights still set on Gray… Fine then, if he wished to look that way so badly, then Aaquil would assist him. With a grunt, he leapt forward to scoop the creature up into a tight bear hug, squeezing with all of his might until he heard the damned thing gasp and contort in his hold. There was the faint click of joints giving; not enough to weaken it by much, but more than enough to keep it in place for Gray to go to town. “I have him, Dear Gray!”

The demon wasn’t well prepared to be lifted by the hunter behind him, but this was of no issue for the beast. Beating down on the hunters torso with its fists, the demon squirmed easily from its grapple and whirled around to strike the hunter behind him. A sharp pain constricting around its throat, however, stopped it in its tracks as Grayson wrapped his fingers deeply into its neck, pulling it back and striking him once, twice...the demon managed to pull back after its assault to its demeanor, barely managing to dodge the incoming water bullets that slung miserably from the small minion. The fight just kept inching toward the unconscious ginger and the caramel skinned female. It only worried her more as her body winced. Mina knew lux wouldn’t work and sitting the floor while healing them just felt worthless and useless to her. In her eyes she was nothing but a nuisance and an object that was in the way. Her white teeth grit to stop the tears from flowing.

“Not right now… Not right now…” Her lungs took in deep breaths to stop themselves from tightening. Chocolate eyes glanced at the freckles face of the victim before narrowing in determination. “I have to do this!” Mina’s body felt heavy as she rose from the ground. She somehow managed to get Isaiah’s body on her back despite him being about twice her size. The hall seemed to stretch forever while her shoulder used the wall for support occasionally. Opening the solid brown door to his room seemed to be the easiest part. Her eyes widened in show as his room met her mind. Pentagrams, ouija boards, candles, symbols, everything! A moose skull hung over the bed. This kid may as well have been a satan worshipper. Her tired body dropped him down on the bed. Mina leaned there for a second before pulling out several things of holy water and dousing the room. She broke the circles that belonged to the pentagram and smashed the moose head. With the last holy water vial she poured it over Isaiah himself. His green eyes didn’t flutter at all, he’d probably be sleeping until that demon was gone. “Why!?” Her voice gasped out while her body settled itself on the floor near the bed. “What made you do something like this!?” Her black hair was so messy while sweat drenched it. Her chic looking clothes were ripped a bit and disheveled. In her head waiting in the room was the best option… She didn’t even think that Aaquil, Grayson, and Hiroki would need further healing. Even if they did Mina gave into her exhaustion and closed her eyes with her head leaned against the bed. Her arms lay limply next to her while she practically huffed like a dog.

Aaquil’s body noticed the demon’s leaning into his range before his mind did and he cracked a fist into the creature’s temple, using its momentum against it. Its head snapped in the other direction from the blow, though it recuperated quickly and snarled. Gnarly claws flexed and arched like razor sharp daggers; if it wasn’t for the adrenaline coursing through Aaquil’s system, he would’ve flinched and shied away, thoroughly intimidated. However, as soon as the demon tried to lunge--

Crack!

His other fist nailed the demon right in the nose, hearing the sickening crack and feeling the force ripple down his arm. Aaquil tried not to focus on the thought of demonic blood staining his knuckles, but he knew it would come back to haunt and disgust him later. He shook the ache away from his fist, still holding up his guard as he bounced lightly in place.

The demon swayed, its vision darkening. He could almost feel the hellbound clawing at his feet, the dogs, the people, the utter animals clawing at its stomach. Punishment. Punishment. Punish...again. Again. Again. “Grayson...Williams…you and I...I will see you again. In your dreams. In hell.” With that vow, the demon swiped but ultimately failed to hit the young hunter. Reaching for his neck, the demon attempted to throttle the young man…

It only took one swing towards his jaw for the demon to collapse. Breathing the humans air felt like molten metal slithering into its withered lungs. Yet it grinned, revealing its worn yellow fangs. “See...you...in hell…” The demon stumbled to its knees, horns fading into dust. It’s yellow, beady eyes darkened into a sickly grey, and without another word, it collapsed to its stomach, liquefying into a dark, black oily substance. It looked around Aaquil and Grayson’s feet, soaking both of their shoes in the liquid. Grayson didn’t care. Grayson didn’t care about anything now. Gasping for breath, his whole body shook. Relief overtook his system, but adrenaline sped through his veins. One step. Two steps. Racing towards Aaquil, he wrapped his arms firmly around his friend and squeezed. He claimed giddily. “We did it! We did it! We street fought a fucking demon!”

Mina barely registered the yelling in the hallway. As soon as it reached her ears the muscles in her body relaxed, letting her revel in the exhaustion that hugged her eagerly. She would have fallen asleep if not for the wonder of how everyone else on her team was doing. Her body refused to move however so instead she just kept her eyes closed. Her body was so still she seemed dead…

Aaquil had caught Gray without strain or hassle, laughing jubilantly as he embraced him tightly, lifting the man off the ground a few inches. “That was! That was--What do the Americans say? Yes! Yes, yes! That was the EPIC!” Even with the injuries and bruises decorating his body, he could care less about them; the pain dulled into oblivion as success and pride washed over him. Unbelievable. He and Dear Gray actually beat a demon with their bare fists! This was the most wondrous of days!

He refused to let Gray go for the next handful of seconds; however, once the absence of a member and host clicked in his mind, he gave pause. Blinking, Aaquil shot an innocent gaze in Hiro’s direction. “Dear Hiro? Where did Mina and Isaiah the go?” he asked.

Grayson clung graciously to his friend as he was lifted off the slick, demon infested floorboard. Burying his head into his friends shoulder, he gripped the back of his shirt and let out a long laugh. “It was legendary! Legend…” he paused. “Dary!” Deflating into the form of his friend, Gray’s chocolate locks were only rustled as he brushed against Aaquil’s features, peeking up to glance over at a pale Hiroki. A grin overtook his features, but Grayson could not distinguish if there was something beyond the joy of victory.

“I believe Mina got the man to safety.” He pressed his knuckles deeply into his throat, counting each inhale and exhale until the color returned to his cheeks. Bethany had not informed their demon was beyond the typical lower class. Medium class demons...not common. At least, not in the area. “Are you two boys alright?”

“Fine.” Grayson replied swiftly, refusing to be coddled over the injuries decorating his body. Purple splots had encased areas of his chest and neck, but he denied doubling over into the demon’s gifts. No. No no. He was going to beam and say fuck it. Yawning, however, he brushed his hair back using Aaquail’s cheek.

“You two stay, just in case our demon has any more tricks up its sleeve.” Hiroki suggested, eyes darkening briefly as the water globbed into the demon’s remains, appearing to be engulfed entirely within the black, nearly sentient substance. Hiroki grimaced and turned his head, strolling into the room that he had previously witnessed Mina stumbling through.

“Holy shit.” He whispered, noting that some of the room had been trashed. A broken moose skull danced across the dark, black carpet. The white shards appearing to be sickening constellations against the fabric. Swallowing, he turned to find Mina slumped against the wall. Slowly, kneeling down towards her, he patted her cheek, once, twice, then again. “Mina. Up. Up. We need to clean this mess.” Mina barely opened her eyes or lifted her head to respond to Hiro. She felt so tired and everything hurt. All she wanted to do was sleep but she had to know.

“Are-Are they okay?” Her hoarse voice was barely a whisper as her lips moved. Chocolate eyes revealed just how exhausted she was but even then her hand somehow managed to softly grip Hiro’s wrist.

“Grayson and Aaquil are quite alright. Both need their wounds patched up, but they are perfectly stable.” Hiroki reassured, placing his hand over hers that rested on his wrist. He tugged gently. “Come on. I know you are exhausted, but we do have a job to finish, Mina dear.” Straightening up, he glanced down at the body of Isaiah Lafayette. His teeth pierced his lip. “He won’t remember anything. Luckily. The only issue is the demon guts...or...Um, I suppose residue all over the floor. Aaquil and Gray aren’t exactly letting go of each other.” A soft chuckle emitted from him. “Two little things to do and we can all head home.” She wanted to move. She really did. Everything felt so heavy even her eyes did but Mina wanted to help so somehow she managed to her feet with the help of the wall. Her vision was slightly blurry as she took a step and pretty soon she was leaning against Hiro for help.

“I’m sorry….” It was barely even a whisper. She felt so useless as she had barely obtained any wounds but was the one struggling the most.

“Don’t worry about it.” Hiroki shrugged, brow raising as her weight shifted to his body. He supposed it was in his best conscience to help her, eyes glued to his shoes as he directed her from the young man’s grotesque abode. Meanwhile, as he peeked up, Grayson was happily snuggled still into Aaquil’s form.

“I suppose I should try and call something to help clean up the mess, just in case?” Grayson suggested, peeking his head up once again. A stray clump of blood in his hair caught the young man off guard as he frowned. “Ah man, he ruined my hair.” On top of all the talking Mina started feeling kind of hot, so she removed the zip up jacket that adorned her shoulders to reveal a tank top. Healing so many times in just one hour took a toll on her body… Mina always made sure she was within a foot of Hiro incase anything happened and because he was big enough to focus on with her blurry eyesight. She didn’t really want them knowing just how bad her condition was either so she tried not to make it obvious that she was staying close to Hiroki, but it was probably pretty obvious.

“Grayson, I think if you wanted to summon a beast you should…” Hiroki attempted to call out towards the man, whose arms clung around Aaquil with an unshakable grasp. Grayson grumbled, briefly wrapping his legs around the man’s waist to support himself. Plucking a spare piece of chalk from the pocket of his Patriot’s jersey, he tossed it towards Hiroki. The piece of pearly white chalk flew above Hiroki’s shoulder, scattering across the hallway carpet. Hiroki blinked, catching the faintest sliver of a grin.

Hiroki’s vision turned to Mina briefly, but he knew that she would be fine for the moment. Strolling back, he kneeled on the carpet and plucked the chalk from the ground. A sharp pain against his head, however, sent the man reeling into the floorboard. A joyous laugh emitted from Grayson, despite the hurt present in his following cough.

“Sorry Hiro! Oh my God!” Hiroki, somewhat dizzy from the impact of the foreign object, turned his head to see a small, leatherbound book landing on its spine. “Turn to the last few pages! There should be a page marked hell hound.” Hiroki blinked, realizing that Grayson was fully expecting him to draw out the symbol for the summoning process. That slick, lazy, cuddly bastard. Despite his grumbling, Hiroki did as he was told and turned to the hellhound page. He blinked. There were several scribblings and corrections in red pen, although he wasn’t certain if this was going to work.

“I’ve got this, Gray.” Hiroki vowed, beginning to draw the medium sized symbol into the carpet. It was rather simple for a hellhound, a large oval with a variety of crosses and curved lines. A few dots on the edges, a few inverse shapes. “Does it look alright?”

“Yeah!” Grayson nearly bounced, a large grin splitting his bruised features. Hiroki could hear a faint chant humming against the young man’s lips. The white of the chalk soon glowed a gentle red, darkening around the edges as a successful spell was brought forth by the young man. A shape began to morph and grow within the pattern, each individual symbol rising from the circle and attaching itself to the growing creature…

A small, yapping dog formed from the circle. It’s tail wagged jovially, bounding up to Hiroki to lick his cheek. Sulfur. Sulfur everywhere. Next was Mina, where it ran by and licked her shoes, before it bounced towards the demons remains. A growl embedded itself in its throat.

“Good boy!” Grayson encouraged, the hellbound creature circling the liquid and beginning to clean it with each step of its paws. Mina barely registered the new being in the room as she was trying with all the strength left in her to stay standing. It was practically impossible to make out anything as she rubbed her eyes a bit and shook her head. Before she or anyone else knew it she collapsed to her knees and rolled on her side in exhaustion. Her body felt hot as it was at its limit.

Hiroki heard a small thump beside him, his blood running cold. Quietness overtook the area, excluding the small hellhound, who was happily running its back against the remaining demon. Hiroki pulled himself from the floor, spellbook in hand and chalk pocketed into the collar of his jersey. Turning to the fallen woman, he attempted many different variations of retrieval. First came the gathering, but he failed to secure her properly into his arms alone. Finally, he managed to secure her legs over one shoulder, supporting the remaining weight on his opposing side. “Alright. Car, now boys.”

Aaquil beamed at the adorable hound Grayson had summoned. It was so cute! He loved it whenever Dear Gray performed this spell; his circle never failed to bring about a creature that warmed every inch of his heart and darn near ripped a squeal from his lungs. However, he had to focus… On keeping hold of his friend. The healer was still riding on an adrenaline high. He waited patiently for Hiro to return with Mina and blinked somewhat in surprise when he saw her draped over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Oh dear… she seemed completely wiped out. Poor thing.

He nodded, flashing the older man a sunny smile. “Yes sir! Come, Dear Gray! We go to the car now, yes?”

“Yes please.” Grayson asked, much like a child asking his father to take him home. Grayson once again curled up into the man’s grasp, and with a whistle, gestured for the dog to join them temporarily. Grayson would be sure to send the good boy back to its own dimension in no time. Besides, as much as he loved Cebbie, he couldn’t care for another one around the dorm. Regardless, the dog happily made its way to Aaquil’s feet, giving the hem of his jeans a quick lick before bounding ahead. Grayson merrily rested his head into his friend’s shoulder, not wishing to admit how relieved he was that he agreed to carry him. While Grayson could still stand on his own two feet, exhaustion threatened to roll over him in waves. Adrian owed him a hug or two when they got back. The mere idea threatened to split his cheeks into two, even as Hiroki passed by them with the hell creature in tow.
 
Delilah Wickerson



Delilah found no struggle getting home. Her eyelids were increasing in weight, each bump in the road rocking her awake. A painful gasp lodged in her throat after a particularly bad pothole, the whimpers of Lucy causing a tremor to quake down her body. "Sorry love. Sorry love. Almost home." The promise wasn't difficult to keep, despite the eternity Delilah stumbled through to obtain it. There. The HQ...right there. Hiroki. Soon. Soon she would be able to go back to sleep. Relax against the soft mattress she thanked God every night for. A gentle breath skidded against her teeth as her hand came to rest on the shift. Placing the car into park, Delilah popped the seat belt from her body with a satisfying click. Rolling from the car, she directed the hunters to assist with the three major bodies of issue. Getting themselves to the infirmary, retrieving the hunter for memory charms and healing, and getting the dead man into Bethany's main quarters. Delilah's specialty wasn't particularly in Wendigos...yet, she knew better than this. She knew better than to expect that this was something natural or expected. Bile building in her throat, Delilah guided the remaining hunters back inside, once again taking post of carrying the dead man from the trunk. Delilah, despite the exhaustion, didn't find as much struggle in the action.

Guess my guardian angel was here with me tonight. Everyone's safe. Everyone's okay. Lucia...I am so sorry. Kiddo. You'll be alright. Your brother might kill you before you have a chance to recover, but, I know you are in good hands. You all did wonderful...even Kook...the maniac. Good man. Good fighter. He deserves respect where it's due, I suppose. God I just...if I can have one thing. Anything at all. A bed. Some blankets. Him. A smile blossomed on her lips. I don't think my prayer needs to include what else I want.

Clearing her throat, her eyes darted back and forth from the entrance of the guild to the people coming to assist.

"Oi! Lass, nice job!" A familiar, jolly, accented voice greeted from the hall ahead. Along with other hunters, a mister Shawn O'Connel came rushing to greet the hunters from their job well done. "All of ye, actually! Dea-..." Stopping in his tracks, Shawn's big brown eyes widened further than what Delilah thought was possible. "Is that a dead man, lass?" Delilah clicked her tongue against her teeth, nodding as she allowed for a variety of Bethany's higher ups to take the dead Wendigo from her arms.

"Wendigo." A pause between the men assisting her caused another shiver to travel down her spine. "Transformed back into a human. Think this was the modification Bethany mentioned. Makes it a lot easier for a Wendigo to hunt if he can turn back into a genuine human."

"Lass...that's not supposed to happen?" Shawn inquired with a dim tilt of his head. Delilah bit deeply into her lip to prevent a scoff from emitting, rolling her eyes at the younger man.

"No. No it's not."

------

"This...this isn't supposed to happen." Delilah breathed, hands pressed firmly to her neck as the pressure seemed to be tightening. Chest restricting upon itself, Delilah found herself placing the palms of her hands onto Hiroki's chest. Anything to support her. Breathing became a lost art as her eyes stung, arms trembling with an unstoppable force. Sweat gathered at her brow as Hiroki squeezed her, his chin meeting the top of her head. No. No no no. This wasn't happening. This couldn't have been H a p p e n i n g.

It was fine. It was all fine two hours ago. Fighting the Wendigo. Being in her element. Having the rush of the fight course through her veins. Everything was normal. Two. Fucking. Hours. That's all it took for this to go to hell. Hiroki's fingers laced through her hair. Unconscious. No thought. She could feel his own emotion burning in her chest.

"I know. Love. It's okay. It's okay." Hiroki placed a kiss to her head, tipping her head up to meet his eyes. "Um...I...I didn't think...This is so fucked up Del. I'm sorry. You...you know what we need to do, don't you?"

"We need to leave." Delilah mumbled, voice bitter and scorned. Everything hurt. Her head felt lighter than air. Lungs refusing to accept oxygen. Her own feet trembling beneath her. His fingers gently played with the bow wrapped around her neck, causing her entire body to stiffen. Despite the movement, no harm came to her. Kisses. Several kisses placed along an area she wouldn't dare reveal to anyone else.

"I will go wherever you will go. Just tell me where. I will be." Delicately retying the bow, Hiroki's eyes met hers. A smile. Saddened yet enlightened. "Watashi wa, anata o aishiteimasu."

"Kimi mo." Delilah whimpered, pulling him close to kiss him gently. Releasing him, she took one hand in hers. The window. What appears to be a horrid reminder of a prison now. A grin overtook her despite this, her eyes scanning her torn to shreds room one last time. Food. Water. Weapons. A single blanket. Rags. Her charm. Everything that was needed. She nodded to Hiroki, exhaling. "Come. It is no longer safe. We must go." No time for good byes. Not that...

Not that they would help in the morning. When it was too late to look back.
 
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He probably should've known better... But Gustavo rarely ever learned from past mistakes. His grandmother, Abuela Carmina would tell him time and time again that when you stick your head too far down the well, you have to expect the bull in the field will eventually kick you into it... It had never really clicked in his brain what that meant until the minute that woman from the bar turned out to be something less than a classy, sophisticated ginger, with pouty lips and pretty blue eyes.

Not particularly tied to the idea of discretion when it came to an expedited trip down the lane of physical interactions, Gus found himself in the ladies room at Paulina's, buttons of his shirt scattered like shrapnel, facing a damned Succubus named Jenny... or was it Ginny?

Pinned against the counter, Gus swore softly as satin-beige nails, delicately shaped into half-moons, and shimmering with just a touch of iridescence curved into wicked half-inch claws, razor sharp and not half as fashion forward. Miserably, he couldn’t help but admit that despite the horns and bat-like obstructions protruding from once slender, milky white shoulders, she was still not all that unappealing. But his Momma warned against forward girls, and as her nails raked a very definitively unsexy gash into his chest, he did the only sensible thing he could think to do... and headbutt the bitch square in the forehead.

As Gin-Jen-whatever stumbled back with a shriek, Gus whipped out a matchbook from his back pocket and from it produced a solitary strand of incense. Striking a match as swiftly as his nimble fingers could, he put fire to the incense, the subtle whiff filtering up through his nostrils, warm and heady...

"Espírito do Fogo seja meu protetor. Salve minha alma desta besta do inferno..." He spoke, voice echoing off the tile walls, reverberating above the demon's shrill and angry hiss. From the rising spiral of incense, a small figure burst... a shapeless willow-the-wisp of flame, curling, spinning, spiraling... As Gus looked from the fire minion to the succubus, the creature propelled from the incense, barreling into the demon...

Barreling into the demon, with about as much use as a kitten knocking yarn across the floor. Damned magic.

Muttering a swear, he stepped back as the succubus knocked the fire minion aside and moved, suddenly too fast, catching Gus off guard with an unexpected closeness. He expected pain... instead, he found lips. Full... warm... Damn.

Fingers, spindly and long, wound into his hair and yanked him closer, deeper into the embrace, and for perhaps a few seconds longer than he'd ever be proud to admit, Gus felt himself willfully sinking... Nails raked along his neck, and he kissed back with a ferocity. They pierced... and with a flinch, he pulled back, but she was on him again, dragging him back into the touch, the warmth.

Hell on Earth... if this was how he died, he'd never hear the end of it...

Along his chest, her claws dragged like steel and bit in, sharp enough to rend... pushing deeper... deeper.

"De jeito nenhum!!" This was a demon, and he was an idiot! Shoving against her, separating her insistent mouth from his own, Gus balled up his fist and with a muttered apology to his Mother, who would undoubtedly murder him herself, he swung at the demon. With a crack, he caught the edge of her jaw. Not enough to do much more than distract her... With a hiss, she swung her claws and caught him hard in the cheek. Blood splashed the counter as Gustavo spun, went down hard, barely catching himself on the marble sink, "Maria, Mãe de Deus, proteja seu filho!" He whispered frantically. In the mirror he could see her arm raise again, high over his head...

Before the door burst inward...

Espírito do Fogo seja meu protetor. Salve minha alma desta besta do inferno- ‘Spirit of Fire be my protector. Save my soul from this beast from hell’
‘De jeito nenhum!’ - No way
Maria, Mãe de Deus, proteja seu filho! - Mary, Mother of God, protect your child!

--}{--

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Shawn would never let him hear the end of it… he knew. Facedown on a public bathroom floor, face looking like ground sausage… They're finished off the succubus, but only just barely, and shortly there after, Gus found the blackness. He woke again to the bright lights of the infirmary, twinges of pain rolling over him.

“Try not to move too much…” Tipping his head, he caught sight of a familiar face, Brunette curls pulled back, blue eyes streaked with concern, “I've got the more serious injuries sealed… but it'll be a little while before I can do the next level.”

As he nodded, his eyes shifted past her, to the other beds, and with a jolt, he straightened, grimacing as his shoulder and chest protested.

“Easy! You shouldn't--”

“What happened??” He interjected sharply.

Mercedes followed his eyeline and a frown found her lips, “Missions went a little rougher than anticipated.”

His gaze lingered a little longer on one bed in particular, before returning to Mercedes, “They will be--”

“They're in good hands. Now, please… lay back down.” He gestured to the pillow, and Gus sank back down with a wince.

“Is Shawn alright?” He finally asked, pushing back his hair from his slick forehead.

“...Shawn?” Something shifted in the French woman's expression, and Gus might've sworn she lost some color to her skin.

“Yes, Shawn. He is, I think, who brought me in?” A brow rose, as she averted her eyes from his.

“I would assume… since he is not here, that he is fine?”

“Good, good. Thank you, Sadie…” He noted, with a smile that might've been charming, were it not for the gashes struck across his handsome features.

“Try to lay still…” Mercedes repeating, with a small smile of her own.

--}{--

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She'd woken before the knock, but in the fuzzy fog of the midnight hours, she couldn't quite recall what had driven her from her sleep. At the second knock, she pushed back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed, finger raking back the angry mane of ginger tangles. She was still dressed in yesterday's jeans and t-shirt, and spots of russet brown stood out on both, glaring reminders of the events that had unfolded...

"Up and at 'em! Needed in the infirmary!" A voice on the other side of the door called, and the fog shook from her mind as rational thought countered dazed weariness. Pushing up, she grimaced as pain lanced through her torso, shoulder and ribs protesting the motion, bruise tattered wrists tingling. Spurred by memory, her eyes shifted to find Ronin where she'd left him and blinking, she crossed the room, crouching beside the man. Poor thing was probably exhausted... And with a lingering glance to the spots on her jeans, she couldn't help but think... little wonder.

"The other teams are back, Ronin." She murmured, giving his shoulder a small shake, "I'm heading out to help Ricky. "

Those words drove a spike of anxiety through her, and as she rose to her feet, she felt her heart plummet into her stomach. If Ricky was asking for her... It was bad. Heading for the door, she slipped out into the hallway.

She found the fastest route to the infirmary ran through the atrium... And normally this was a path she enjoyed venturing. That morning, however, a fog of another kind had swallowed the earth in a deep pitch darkness. For a moment, Ro got the impression the entire guild manor had been translated, somehow, into the depths of space... Only the stars had all blinked out and there was no trace of radiance or warmth. Mind frayed on the thought, her gaze shuffled upward towards the domed skylights where something caught her eye. A perfect whiteness... Fluttering and soft... Streaked along the abyssal heavens. The spines of it's feathered wings stretched unnaturally long and wide, it's rotund body bearing up the stout, round head. Eyes gleamed, despite the lack of moonlight, bright orbs of pale yellow...

"Oh! No, no...no!" Sudden fury was lent to her steps and she raced from the glass enclosed underbelly of the atrium, feet like wings. She flew, nearly stumbling as she pushed through the door of the infirmary, streaking to a halt on the tile floor. At the sight of the occupied beds, the color bleached from her skin. Lucy... Gray... Gus. Mina... Faces blurred, as her eyes burned with tears and searching the room, she looked for Ricardo.

"I'm here, Ricky!" She called out, a little breathless and shaky, "W-where do y'all need me?"

But as she spoke, she'd already started towards Lucia, dropping into the chair beside the bed, gently plucking up her hand, "Oh, sweetie..."
 
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Steele, Juniper
Juniper walked around the familiar halls of the guilt. It seemed extremely quiet at the moment which was a rare moment so he enjoyed it will it remained. These walls usually contained excited screams with boisterous laughter that frankly annoyed him, though he said nothing of it half the time. His hand grasped the gold knob to his room while turning it to reveal a very boring room. The walls and bed were grey like everything else and the only remotely interesting thing in his room was a beautifully carved koto. It has delicate strings while koi fish swirling within reddish brown wood. Unfortunately it's beauty was hidden by the absence of light as that was how Juni preferred things. A brown bag that was slung over his shoulder got chucked on the bed. His long brown hair was taken out of it's ponytail and flowed to his waist while he attempted to comb his fingers through it to remove any remaining plant life only to grunt in pain. The wound dealt to his shoulder had almost gotten forgotten as it numbed soon after he lost enough blood. It was deep and started trailed crimson down his muscular tan arm slowly while also staining Juni's white shirt with a fresh red. Even for someone as stubborn as him he knew he'd need someone experienced to take care of this. Especially since it broke one of his summoning tattoos, which needed to be healed back perfectly so it'd work again. A sigh escaped his slightly chapped lips while he walked out the door he once entered.

The rather tall male wandered the halls but still found no loud noise or sound of his fellow guilt members. Usually someone tiny would come bounding around a corner and crashing into his chest. It was usually Lucy or Ro, occasionally one of the guys who was shorter than he. At least the air was dead with silence until he reached the clinic double doors. Moans of pain, worried voices, and just chatter in general came from within. Juni walked in to a grotesque sight. Blood pretty much coated everyone, especially Lucia who's skin looked like it had been ripped clean off. He winced at the sight of her a bit, even he would have trouble dealing with that. Juniper automatically knew that anyone that attempted to heal him would be told to focus on more injured people by himself, as he was probably the least injured. He simply sat in a chair near an blandly empty bed while letting his deep cut bleed through his shirt.

"What happened to all of you guys?" Juniper hadn't actually been at the guild for several weeks so the missions they were assigned were not of his knowledge. He preferred solo missions, much to the distaste of Bethany but he was stubborn so he got what he wanted, most of the time. On top of this Juniper wasn't close to many of his fellow 'colleagues' and he planned to keep it that way for as long as he could. Trust wasn't something he handed to just anyone despite knowing most of these people since the first day they joined the guild...
 
Trigger | Interactions: Lucia @KatSea & Ro @Elle Joyner | Location: Infirmary

Trigger didn't talk much on the way back. Aside from depositing the bodies for further research and following everyone to the infirmary, she wasn't in the chattiest mood. Wasn't to say that she was... hissy or confrontational. She'd never waste her energy like that. No matter how she felt, a team needed to be cohesive and support one another. Ruining that through something as childish as drama and petty hostility just wasn't her cup of tea. Hell--Trigger would rather put a bullet through her foot. Were there exceptions to that rule?


One. Only one. But she doubt it would ever get to that level.

Either way, she spent the next few hours in the infirmary, pacing back and forth restlessly. Worried. Worried out of her damn mind. It was always something instinctual that made her gut twist in concern for her team, especially the younger batch, but she'd rather not face the possibility that it all originated from... motherly instinct. Christ. Her chest jumped just thinking about it. It was just the instincts of a good friend. Yeah--she could work with that. But what she couldn't handle was the grotesque wound marring Lucy's back, neither the sight of it or the memory bouncing about her skull.


No one was able to convince her to leave until an hour later and even then, she made a vow to come back. Very soon.

She was supposed to sleep--no, nap, as that was the most her nerves would let her squeeze in--however, there was still some wine left. Less than a third of the bottle left, but not a single drop would ever be wasted on her watch. Sitting on her bed, her head seemed to be too heavy for her neck as she raised the bottle groggily. "Cheers... to all the lads and lasses out there." Then downed the rest in twenty seconds flat. Perhaps fifteen. She was usually faster than that--a true testament to the exhaustion rattling her system.

The next testament came in the form of her draped across the bed, completely unconscious and mouth agape as soft snores filled her room. The emptied bottle laid forgotten on the floor with the rest of its brethren.

---

She overslept.

"Shit! Shit, shit, shit!"

She had fucking overslept! By an entire hour! She couldn't have glared hard enough at the clock--3 in the morning, almost a quarter til 4. Trigger was supposed to be back at 3 o'clock on the dot. She knew that Lucy was likely okay now, up and kicking and beaming again like nothing had happened, but still... Still.

Shoving her arms through her jacket, Trigger paced out of her room and through the halls swiftly, not paying much mind to anyone around her (aside from a curt nod whenever necessary). Upon entering the infirmary, she was quick to spot Lucy and Ro, who seemed to be checking on her right then and there. Trigger forced her breathing to relax as she stood there. Calm down. Calm down. You're a fucking soldier. Act like one and get it together... With one more cleansing exhale, she finally relaxed her shoulders and neared the pair, though she remained a respectable foot or so away from them. She flashed both of them a small grin, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "How're you holding up, lass?" Then her gaze snapped to Ro. "She's in tip top shape, yeah? Nothing to worry about?"
 
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Kook | Interactions: Ricardo, Everyone in the Infirmary (kinda), Snack Machine, & Selene @KatSea | Location: Infirmary, Selene's Office

That mission was fun. They should fight modified Wendigos more often. Minus Lucy and Adrian and Delilah getting turned into appetizers and his favorite sweater getting sliced up.


But yeah, aside from that--definitely had to do that again.

He briefly wondered if the floor was always this shiny... Somebody cleaned. Recently.

Oh, he was in the infirmary. When? Didn't matter. But how? And why? Right--he was injured too. Eh, wasn't too bad. Just a few gashes that ran so deep that pain flared through his body with every step he took. This was good. Meant he was alive and still living. The rush. That adrenaline...

Where's Ricard...io. Gahahahah! A pun! He just made a pun! Was Ricardo a good runner? Everyone in the guild were pretty fast, some faster than others. Kook was pretty fast, if he said so himself. Faster than the clock on that wall. Last he looked, it had said 2:30 in the morning and now, with just a few blinks, it was 3:45 AM. "Guh!" he exclaimed, jolting in the middle of Ricardo's healing spell, though he remained where he was inside the circle.

All of the splendid light and majesty radiating around him, it was breathtaking, wondrous, and always, always, without fail... made his skin crawl. Light. It was just a version of whiteness that couldn't be touched or pushed away.

Kook was hungry. Oh! And healed! Where was Ricardo? Right, he was done. So he left. Good, Kook could go find something to eat now, but what... A healthy, well-balanced meal would surely suffice--

Candy it is.

Hopping off the bed, he made sure to pop his head over each individual bed holding a guild member. Lucy? "Gahah!" Finished. Then Gray? "Guheheh!" Complete. Trigger? "Guh..." She wasn't there--Mina? Yep, yep, she was there too. Sleeping. "Guhhhhhh...." He lurked a little at the edge of her bed, masked eyes roaming back and forth like a cartoony shark. Did he hum the Jaws theme song? No. You didn't have any proof--

He was hungry.

Without a word (that was a lie, his cackles literally echoed throughout the chamber), he sprinted out of infirmary and into the halls. Luckily, there was a snack machine near the atrium, all nice and free and stocked full of delicious sugar for him to indulge. He tapped his fingers and laughed once more like an evil scientist, eyeing the glass. Then he paused.

Two moments.

One moment.

Seven mo--

Pack!

"GAH!"

Kook cradled his throbbing fist. The glass didn't break. Stupid glass! How dare! But the candy, it was so close, but so. Far. Away. Dramatically, he draped himself against the glass, as if he was a fair maiden engulfed in a fainting spell. He peered through the barrier longingly, pitifully. Pity. Pity. Pity. Someone should walk by and pity him and give him money for candy. Or a bat. A bat was better. Forget the money. When did it run out of Doritos? Ruthless Dorito eaters in the guild, he guessed--

Why did ostriches have two legs and two wings? What made them so special? What did they do to earn both of those? Sucked to be a giant walking bird.

He kinda wanted to be one, now. It was a challenge. He loved challenges.

Like getting candy out of this infernal machine. "Guh..." Okay. He had this in the cubbie. Screw bags. Cubbies were cooler. Peeling himself free of the glass and taking a few steps back, he fell into a crouch, very much like an Olympics Runner at the start line.

"Gah." Ready.

"Guh." Set.

...Go. "GAHAHAHAHAHHHEEHEHEHHEHEHEHHEH!!"

Kook broke out into a mad sprint and rammed his shoulder into the glass. A sharp crack! pierced the atmosphere, followed by his excited giggles as he started filling his pockets with as much junk food as he could. Snickers. Honey Buns. Reeses. The whole shabang.

Bang! Like Trigger and her guns! Wait... she wasn't there. No. Wrong. He saw her pass him earlier, but she hadn't said anything--

Would Selene want some candy? And a bug in her office? Yes. Definitely. It was time to snack and smash things. In that order. Backwards. Inside out. OUTSIDE IN! Perfect.

But first, Ricardo.

There was glass all over the floor, by the wa--

All in the span of thirty seconds, Kook sprinted back into the infirmary and forced a Reeses into Ricardo's hands, before dropping a snack on top of the other guild members' heads. He didn't give any of them a chance to react and sprinted out of the infirmary once more, heading straight for Selene's office--

Oh. The door was already here. He ran fast... He was now Ricardio. He has earned this title gracefully and fairly and with a trusty cheat sheet in hand. Not his actual hands. They were full of candy...

He balanced the honey bun on his head and knocked. Rapidly. Over and over until Selene would answer. With every tap, he screamed, "Gah! Gah! Gah! Gah! Guh! Guh! Gah! Geh! Gah! Guh! Gah!!"

He could do this all day. But what time was it? Didn't matter.
 
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