Rise of the Beastmen [PG-13/Started/NOT Accepting]

[John A. Zoidberg]

Varrun shook his head, half-smiling.
"If you guys will excuse me, I'm gonna go to bed." he said, "We have a long day of travel ahead of us. We really should try to make it to Uncharted Worlds tomorrow." Varrun stood up, mockingly saluted the others, getting a brief chuckle, and walked inside, eyes red, watery, and tired.
Graemjor put the fire out with his foot and also stood up. "Xero, Track," he said, "It was a pleasure sitting by this fire with you." Graemjor rubbed his eyes, stretched, and started to walk inside. Before he was there, he called over, "Track, come with me. I'm sure Xero wants some time alone."
Track obliged and went with Graemjor, leaving Xero alone by the now-gone fire. There was a full moon that night, and the forest seemed only feet from them, despite being miles away. It was going to be a long day the next day. Walking, building, and worst of all, surviving. For the rumors, wivestales, and theories could barely exaggerate that which resided in the Uncharted Worlds, waiting for its victims.

[---------------]

[i]Alone[/i], Xero asked himself. [i]Why would they think I'd want to be-[/i]

That's when Xero noticed Graemjor and Track acknowledging someone coming towards him. It was Terra, who looked a little tired than usual. Looks like she couldn't sleep. Terra sat on the felled log Xero was sitting on. "Couldn't sleep?" Xero asked.

"Nah, just got really bored inside, and I thought I'd get some fresh air. And hang out with my favourite tiger." Xero smiled at her. "Yea, too bad he's going inside." She was talking about Graemjor.

"Oh, hey," Xero said disappointedly, "yea. Such a shame he went inside." Terra started laughing at him.

"Relax, I'm just trying to piss you off."

"Again with the foul language."

"Again. Lady-like?"

"Enough said." Xero and Terra laughed, and continued their conversation, moving from topic to topic. However, the whole time, Xero looked quite anxious, and Terra couldn't [i]not[/i] notice. She questioned Xero on his anxiety. "Nothing, it's just... I can't handle not doing anything for so long."

"So what do you do to pass the time?"

"I...uh... Well... Nothing really..." Xero said nervously.

"Let me guess: You go on heists?" Xero was surprised, and didn't know what to say. All Terra did was laugh. "I'm not stupid. I recognized your name when you first told it to me." Xero looked away from her, embarrassed. She told him not to worry about it.

"So... Yea. I'll just be going..." Xero said, preparing to head off.

"Wait," Terra said, grabbing his arm. "You're just going to leave a [i]gentlelady[/i] all by herself? I'll go with you."

"Okay," Xero said, "First off, what don't any of you get that I'M A THIEF AND-" Xero suddenly covered his voice, realizing he was a little loud. Fortunately, nobody heard him but Terra. "-I'm a thief and what I do is illegal. And second, I tried a tag along a while ago with Graemjor. Didn't turn out too well."

"Yea, well, I don't flail around like he does." The two laughed, remembering Graemjor in the lake.

"You'll be good?" Xero asked.

"Technically not." Terra responded.

"Good enough," Xero said. "How good are you at climbing?"

"I can jump." Terra answered.

"How high?" Xero asked. Terra walked over to a nearby tree. She jumped up a pretty impressive height, and landed on one of the branches. Xero clapped at her jokingly, and she bowed just as jokingly. She jumped down, and asked again. Xero pretended to think about it, then said "yes." And then, the two were off, climbing the rooftops in search of a place to hit.

[John A. Zoidberg]

Graemjor woke up sweating that night. He didn't know why, he just did, It was odd, but he looked out the window just as Xero and Terra headed off. "That kid's gonna get himself killed," Graemjor said to himself, "That really would put a damper on this situation." He couldn't tell why he'd woken up at that exact time, when a friend of his had just left to go commit a crime. Shaking his head, he felt almost... disappointed. But then, it hit him. "Maybe... Maybe Xero is more than just a friend. Maybe he's my... no. No. It couldn't be. My son died years ago when those soldiers took him away from me. I don't have a son anymore. It's not possible." Graemjor walked back over to his bed and laid down. In only a few moments, he fell back to sleep, forgetting everything.

[Asriel Dreemurr]

While Senak had since retired to his own room back in the Inn, he was far from asleep. As it should happen he didn't do much sleeping anymore at all; he was currently engaged in the preparation of a simple spell which would allow him to speak to a particular ally of his who had proven valuable in the past. A small bowl had been set in the exact center of the bed before him and half-filled with a clear liquid. The bowl itself was carved from a turtle shell and various magical runes of vision were carved into the inner surface; all it took was a slight pulse of magic for the liquid to suddenly become as a mirror. Senak, seated as he was upon his bed, stared down into the liquid as an image of a very tired looking Volekhannt stared back at him. Despite his obvious agitation at being awakened at such an hour, the ruler seemed to have a very real apprehension in his gaze as it fell upon the mage.

"What is it, old Wizard?" The human king asked, expertly hiding his apprehension behind a monotone, irritated voice.

"Good morning to you as well, Volekhannt." The Sorcerer replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice, "I am but a few days journey from claiming the Eye of Truth. Remain patient but a little longer and it shall be in your hands."

"My patience with you ran out long ago!" Volekhannt replied, very real anger coming to his face as a vein twitched uncontrollably on his forehead, "You promised the Eye to me well over three years ago and you have yet to demonstrate results." With that, the image of Volekhannt vanished from the bowl rather violently, likely because he had tossed over the bowl on his end. Senak could not help but chuckle as he imagined the searing pain of an arcane backlash upon the oh so impatient man. He simply brought the bowl to his lips, first unwrapping the scarf from about his neck to expose his lips. He drank deeply of the curiously clear liquid ,which did not seem to be water, as a few sparks of what seemed to be electricity launched themselves from the surface of the liquid and into the pair of three-inch-long fangs protruding from his upper jaw. A long and contented sigh followed this as he slipped the bowl into one of the larger pockets on the inside of his coat.

"Just a matter of time...just a matter of time."

[---------------]

Xero was actually quite impressed with how well Terra was keeping up with him. They were moving through the rooftops, heading deeper into the town. Soon it was almost citylike. The two continued like this until they came across a bank which was about to close. They jumped onto the roof of the bank. Terra was about to jump down, but Xero stopped her, and told her to wait. Soon enough, an employee walked out and locked the door behind him. After a few moments, he was long gone. Xero and Terra dropped down. "Watch my back," Xero said to Terra, as he began picking the lock with his claw. If anyone were to notice them, they'd surely compromise the groups mission for the diamond lens.

[John A. Zoidberg]

Terra stood there, watching out to be absolutely positive. It was all kind of exciting for her, in fact. Her very first heist, and with a criminal as famous as Xero, too! It was exhilarating! Or at least, it was until she saw a man start to walk around the corner. "Xero," she whispered, "Hide, I'll keep calm." Xero did as he was told.
The man walked by, "Lovely evening, we're having, miss," he said nodding and walking by. Soon enough, he was long gone, and Terra signaled Xero to go back to work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forjein had just arrived in Uncharted Worlds. "It's dark," he said to himself, "but not particularly scary." He had started to walk around and look for a place to camp out before Yggarus arrived, when he heard it. [i]Breathing. [/i]There was something there with him. Something alive. Something next to him. When Forjein looked over, he saw a pair of bright red eyes, and that was all he'd ever see again.

[---------------]

Soon enough, the lock had opened, and the two had access to the bank. They crept quietly across the main lobby, not making a sound, in case there were any night watches. They slowly made their way to the back of the bank. They had found the vault, but there was a guard blocking the hall that led to it. The guard was half asleep, but any noise would be enough to alarm him. Terra looked worried, but Xero was looking pensively at his surroundings. The walls and ceiling, he noticed, were made of sheetrock, aka drywall. He began to climb the wall, digging his claws in, then attached himself to the ceiling. He began to whisper instructions to Terra. "If the guard does anything that might cause trouble, distract him somehow. Don't attack him."

With the 'plan' set, Xero slowly made his way into the vault from the roof, literally passing over the guard. As soon as he was inside, he dropped down, and began filling his bag with coins.

[John A. Zoidberg]

Terra hid from the guard. It would be for the best if he had just thought the wind blew the door open or something. Then, the guard locked it. The problem with that was, well, he was the only one who had the keys, and she doubted Xero would be able to pick the lock for them to get out with a guard in plain sight. They needed a plan, but for the time being, Terra realized it would be more wise to just let Terra finish the robbery before deciding what to do about the guard. She knew it would probably boil down to violence, though. Then, she decided that she had to do what she had to do, stood up (not revealing her face the entire time) spun around and kicked the guard in the jaw, knocking him out. With him out of the way, she was free to speak however she wanted. "Xero, hurry up! I... I had to knock the guard out! We should get out of here before he wakes up!"

[---------------]

Xero looked out of the vault and saw the guard on the floor. "[b][size=1]DAMMIT TERRA. I TOLD YOU NOT TO ATTACK.[/size][/b]" Xero said softly, but his tone was still aggravated. He stuffed as much money as he could into the bag and ran out. He stopped for a moment, then grabbed the guard's keys. He grabbed Terra by the wrist and ran with her to the door. He quickly shoved the key in the lock and turned. The guard was gaining consciousness, but not in time enough to see Xero and Terra make their escape. The two returned to the roofs and began to make their way to the inn. On the way, Xero admitted to her that she did a much better job than Graemjor did.

[John A. Zoidberg]

Terra nodded and smiled. Then, as quickly as the heist began, it was over, and they were all asleep again. And soon enough, morning came. Graemjor was the first to wake up, walking around the inn, waking the others, already completely dressed in his thick, powerful armor. "Alright, all of you," Graemjor said, looking them each in the eye, "Varrun, Xero, Track, Terra, Senak, are you all ready?" Everyone nodded. "Good," he said, "Then let's move as quickly as possible." Graemjor bound down the stairs, followed by all of the others, left a generous tip on the inn desk, and ran west. To anyone in Korima, it seemed completely aimless, but everyone in the group knew that where they were going was far more than that.

[Asriel Dreemurr]

Senak simply took up his position towards the front of the group as they set out on foot, remaining silent as was his fashion in any situation. He moved with absolute silence, which was likely due to the fact that he was currently not wearing any form of shoes. If one were to look at the ground, they might notice how the Wizard's slate grey feet were perfectly clean, despite his stepping upon the dusty ground. Each time that he lifted his foot, the filth that would have clung to it remained upon the ground and left a perfect imprint which seemed almost too exact. Those who actually thought to look upon his feet might also notice what seemed to be an extensive mix of tribal tattooing across his skin in black, though none of them were of any identifiable as belonging to any tribe within the lands known by those composing the party. His hands simply hung at his sides, swaying ever so slightly with every step he took. He was still clad in his heavy cloth garments and the scarf he had worn the day before remained wrapped 'round his neck and mouth. Though his gaze was locked directly in front of him, he seemed to not be looking at anything around them or even at any of those that composed the party but rather that his gaze was locked on something a great distance past, or rather THROUGH, all of these.

[John A. Zoidberg]

Graemjor nodded to all of the beastmen to run on all fours, to make their journey a bit faster. Graemjor and Xero started to gracefully prowl through the open, fields. Varrun, however was moreso awkwardly charging head on. An hour later, they stopped, and Varrun fainted. "Damnit," Graemjor said, shaking Varrun, "Wake up! Oh, s***. I'm gonna have to carry him now." Graemjor picked up Varrun, and signaled to start walking. Then, it hit him like a wall. Graemjor realized that he was completely dehydrated. "D... did anyone bring any water or... beverage or something?" he said, panting, "I've I wanna go on, I'm gonna have to-" He then fell to the ground, completely void of what hydration he needed.

[---------------]

Xero stopped running and stood, as Varrun and Graemjor passed out. Xero himself was exhausted, and parched, but not so much so that he'd faint. "*pantpant* Tired out *pant* old men." Xero called them, and turned to Senak. "We'll rest here for a while, then continue when they've recovered. We can't be that far, anyways." Xero then addressed Terra and Track, who looked exhausted as well. "Keep an eye on them. I'm gunna go look for a source of water."

As told, Xero went off, on all fours again, searching the area for a pond or stream. Soon enough, he found one, only a couple hundred metres away from the group. He ran back and told them of it, and after a few minutes of tired dragging, they brought the old coots to it. Terra splashed the cold water on their faces, shocking them awake.

[John A. Zoidberg]

Varrun and Graemjor sprung to life once more with the cool refreshing touch of the fresh water. Graemjor shook his fur out, whereas Varrun just ignored it. "Alright," Varrun said, "We only have two miles to go if I'm looking correctly. If not two, three. If we try to run again, we should make good time." Varrun cracked his neck, let Graemjor finish shaking his fur, then took off. A few hours later, they had arrived by the edge of the forest. The edge of Uncharted Worlds.
Graemjor looked mortified at first, until he spoke up, "I... I'll go first!" The others agreed, and Graemjor took the first step into the forest, followed by all of the others. A few moments later, they were all of the way inside.
"Breathe it in, boys and girl," Varrun said, "This is the smell of my completely destroyed homeland. And death... in fact, it smells fresh..." Then, Varrun looked around, to find nothing but a corpse. However, it wasn't just any corpse, it was an eagle man, and the very same one that Varrun had led for years. "W... what was he doing here?" Varrun said, shocked, "He's been murdered. This wasn't natural."
Then, within only a few seconds, the corpse of Forjein began to rumble. From rumbling, it turned black and grew in size, until it was a large beast, made entirely of shadow, two thick ivory fangs hanging from its grotesque mouth, and two blood red eyes perched upon its horrid face. The beast shrieked at them.
"Die, foul beast!" Graemjor said, swinging his blade. His weapon passed right through the creature, as though it was made of a thick fog. "What's going on?!"
Varrun saw that they couldn't defeat it. They needed shelter, and a place to live until further notice. So then, Varrun yelled, "Everyone! Follow me!" Varrun charged to his right, towards a large mountain. To the others, it seemed as though they were headed towards a dead end, but Varrun knew the secret. When they got to the side of a mountain, there was a keystone. Varrun took his blade, thrust it into the keystone, and a door opened into the side.
"Hurry, get inside!" Varrun said, making sure everyone got in. Once everyone was in there safely, he entered himself and closed the door.
"Where is this place, Varrun?" Graemjor asked.
"This is my old master's home. This is where Furi lived," Varrun said, solemnly.
"Everyone," Varrun said, "Make yourself at home. I'm going to go look around." Varrun walked around the corner to find a shadow sitting in the middle of the room, meditating. "Show yourself, beast!" Varrun said, blade in hand.
The figure stood up and walked into the light. It was a Gankri.
"It's been awhile, Varrun. Too long."
"Furi, you're alive?"

[JonahHex125]

Stark thought to himself as he and Valefor rode the panserbjørn to the inn. Obviously, there was something special about this guard. To summon a bear with such ease? This one was different, indeed. "Now then," he started," I believe the first order of business should be how we take these damned beasts down. We both have experience against these ones, and they are tough. Not even a battalion of archers can take them. So...what's the plan of attack?"

[---------------]

"The 'plan of attack'," Valefor said, "is for you to stay here." The bear they were riding seemed to kneel, allowing both passengers to get off easily. Valefor then cast a spell on the panserbjørn. It was an extension spell; it allowed the bear to not dematerialize without constant use by Valefor. But, it can't be used very often, otherwise doing damage to the both of them. "I'm going to get information inside. Don't do anything stupid."

After a few moments inside, Valefor walked out, looking angrier than before. He approached Stark. "It appears are targets have grown in numbers. They left west of here with two humans, though no one knows specifically where. Get back on. We haven't any time to waste."

Soon the duo were off again on the armoured bear. Valefor knew the only thing down this way was the Uncharted Worlds. If the beasts [i]were[/i] stupid enough to enter, he hoped their bodies remained as proof for the king...

[hr]

Xero's heart was racing; the fur in line with his spine was standing. That beast, whatever the hell it was... Graemjor's blade went straight through it. Terra, next to him, had just as much adrenaline running through her. They soon calmed down, but they, or everyone for that matter, knew the beast would be waiting outside. What could they do?

Xero still seemed preoccupied, but Terra was the first to notice where Varrun had went. She entered the room, and saw Varrun standing with a strange man, or maybe a Gankri. She didn't hear what Varrun and the man had said before. "Oh, we're sorry for invading," she said, "We were attacked by a strange beast."

[John A. Zoidberg]

"That's quite alright," Furi said, smiling to the little human, "I know how rough it is out there. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Furi Goi, the old master of your friend, Varrun. So, what has Varrun told you all about this old wardog?"
"He's spent endless nights blubbering on about you," Graemjor said, smiling in the direction of the large, armored beast.
"It's perfectly natural to be stricken with grief when one does for you as I did for Varrun," Furi said, angrily staring at Graemjor, "So Varrun, I see you have humans in your group. I figured after years of living in Fang, you'd be completely against humanity."
"I, well, you know me, Furi," Varrun said, "I grew up in Valenine. It's the most neutral place known! Everyone is accepted, I'm no different. The only reason I didn't go to Arcania is to not betray my people. You of all people know that, Furi."
Furi Goi looked at his old student and smiled with a gleam in his eye that reminded him of Varrun's childhood. Furi practically raised Varrun. Varrun was the closest thing to a son he had.
"So," Varrun said, "Introduce yourselves, my friends."

[---------------]

Varrun went down the line of allies. He first introduced Graemjor as his best friend, then Terra as the kind girl who saved them. It was somewhat embarrassing to admit a woman saved them, but Varrun wouldn't lie to Furi. Which became a problem when introducing Xero. Xero, who looked scared and was shacking his head at Varrun, clearly did not want to be introduced as the thief that at first deceived them then became best buddies. So, instead, Varrun introduced Xero as the man that saved him and Graemjor from the villainous schemes of their former allies. Track was Xero's best, or rather, closest, friend, who was a mercenary. Things seemed to be off, though, when Varrun told Furi of Senak. That's when Varrun mentioned the diamond lens...

[John A. Zoidberg]

"Furi," Varrun said, "What of the lens?" Varrun looked right into Furi's eyes. They started for what seemed to be an eternity. "Surely you must still have it," Varrun continued, sounding nervous.
"Of course I do," Furi said, pointing to the large, jeweled chest in the storage room. "It is in perfectly safe condition. Is that truly why you came all this way? For that silly old lens?"
"You know damn well that it's more than that," Varrun said, getting defensive, "But no, that's not why we came. We came because of said villainous schemes of our former allies. One of them was killed somehow, though." Furi's eyes widened at the word killed. "Furi," Varrun continued, "He... he turned into some sort of shadow beast. Do you know what it was?"
"It was a Servant of Shadow," Furi said, "The very same thing that destroyed our entire country. They can't be killed by mere weapons. You need the one thing that no one else has. The Lens of Truth is the only thing that can reveal the true way to kill them. Otherwise, there is no hope."
"Furi," Varru said, sweating, "I can't believe I'm asking this, but I need that lens."
"Varrun," Furi said, looking saddened, "You know I would love to help you, but it's too dangerous. The lens is too powerful. If in the wrong hands, it could destroy the future. I can't risk that."

[Asriel Dreemurr]

While everyone else had run for shelter, Senak had remained out standing upon the cracked, dried ground of the dead lands. He was simply staring forward at the Shadow Beast who, for the moment, seemed confused as to what exactly was happening. A moment later, Senak shot his left hand out towards the creature and a spear of blood red light burst forth across the expanse, striking the beast in the exact center of the chest. The creature let out an inarticulate cry of pain as the light shot through its form in glowing veins which soon spider webbed outward across its body as if it were formed of glass that had suddenly been shattered. After only a few seconds of this, the creature exploded with the same volume as a mortar round crashing directly in front of one's face.

"This is much more than I expected..." Senak let his sentence trail off as he turned about to enter the home, just in time to catch them talking about the shadow beasts and the lens. He turned his blood red gaze over Furi's face, the slightest hint of familiarity reflecting off the surface of his eyes. Perhaps he was familiar with the man himself, or perhaps just with the race; either way he saw fit to explain the noise. "The creature is not dead, merely shattered. It will not reform for quite some time, but if they are to be eliminated then the source of this problem must be eradicated. And also, [i]honorable[/i] gankri, that lens was promised to me as payment for escorting this group into these lands. I should very much like to be paid." His voice had steadily become touched with a curious accent, one which was almost certainly foreign.

[John A. Zoidberg]

Furi stood tall, "I promised nothing. Therefor, I have no obligation to give you anything. I will give you anything other than the lens." Furi stared at the human. This one was familiar to him.
Varrun looked at Furi, pleadingly, "Please, Furi. We promised him. You have to help me, Furi. Honestly, what's there to lose? I mean, all it does is-" Furi was enraged.
"You don't know the dangers like I do," Furi looked disappointed, "Varrun, I cannot believe you. But, I will give it to you on one condition. Travel to the heart of Valenine, in Castle Werefeist, defeat the leader of the shadow beasts, and bring back what is in the leader's possession. This is vital."
"I can't do that, Furi," Varrun said, "These beasts cannot be killed."

[Asriel Dreemurr]

"Not. True." Were the next words emerging from Senak's mouth, despite the fact that his lips were hidden. Realization dawned on him as he recalled from whence he knew the Gankri, but he was quite secure in the knowledge that his form now differed so much from his form then that Furi could not recognize him. He now turned his crimson gaze to the anthropomorphic Rhino without a thought, a smirk crossed his face behind the black fabric of his scarf. "In fact, they are relatively easy to defeat if you possess the appropriate weaponry. A blade imbued with the element of light will shatter them as easily as a pane of glass, in the right hands. I suppose the only problem would be actually finding one of these weapons." Speaking the final sentence, he turned his gaze towards the Gankri, as if he knew that the armored entity either possessed or knew where to find a few weapons of the kind. In the mean time, the curious tribal tattoos across his body began to glow ever so lightly, and were likely invisible to everyone who wasn't looking for them. The color which they glowed was, surprisingly, a pale silver as if meant to contrast with the rather malevolent color of his eyes.

[John A. Zoidberg]

Furi shook his head. "Yes, I have something that can help you." He walked into his storage room, and emerged with five small, golden trinkets. "Each of you," he continued, "Attach one of these on to your weapons. Then, they will be imbued with the power necessary to defeat the creatures of shadow. With these, they will bow before you all."
Varrun, Graemjor, Xero, Track, and Terra connected one of the small trinkets to their weapons, and suddenly, their weapons began to glow with a golden light that made all darkness in the area cower in fear.
Furi looked down, "Now go. Do what I have told you and you will all be safe. Just don't get arrogant. These beasts will take every opportunity to kill you that they have. Just as well, don't underestimate their leader. Not only does it have an army at its command, it is also very strong. Don't go after it alone."

[---------------]

Xero and Terra received their gifts from Furi, but didn't know what to do with them. At least for Terra, the confusion was temporary. She got the creative idea to attach the trinket to the opening of her glove. Fortunately, since they were a pair, both gloves began emanating the same golden aura. Xero was not as fortunate. He didn't have a weapon other than his claws, and he figured he couldn't really attach the thing to himself. Graemjor saw Xero's dilemma, and approached Furi, whispering. "[i]What of him? He has no weapon.[/i]"

[John A. Zoidberg]

"I... I don't know," Graemjor said, "If you perhaps have a weapon of some sort he could temporarily use, it may help." Graemjor looked just as confused as Furi.
Furi disappeared back into the storage room. He was in for about five minutes before he emerged with a single glove, that had holes in it for Xero's claws. Xero accepted the glove and attached the trinket to it, creating another golden aura. "Use it well," Furi said, "Now all of you, be off."
Varrun nodded and was the first to leave. With gestures and looks of reassurance that they would arrive soon, Varrun lead the others towards the center of the city, where they came face to face with an army of the Servants of Shadow. There were hundreds, maybe thousands around Castle Werefeist, and in the center of them all was a beast, larger than all the others, made of pure shadow, wearing a mask of the bones of its victims, and most importantly, a large trinket dangling for its waist.