one hell of a town

[Reiko]

It was strange as Ki led her kits by the hand into the only tavern in town. The place smelled funny to the mother nine tails but her kits seemed ok. The smell was something like a mixture of boiling tar and in the shade of dying willow but then in a moment the smell was gone and replaced with sweet flowers.

“Hey miss, I bet you and your children are thirsty. Don’t worry for a lovely little motherly hero’s money isn’t good here.”

Ki felt shocked when she heard the bartender sweet-talk her like that to a cheer of many dark patrons. “I don’t know.” Ki said and then the kits started to whimper a little.

“But I’m Thirsty!” Ryo whined and followed by Chiyo going, “Please mommy, we’ll stop complaining.”

The two were definitely Ki’s soft spot and she gave in. “I’ll have lemonade for the children and some Sake for me.” She smiled politely though the nine tails were bushed up.

“Thank you mommy and thank you sir!” The kits said in unison while bowing.

Doji smiled at them for they were starting to learn some manners, at least when they got what they wanted. Then she sniffed the drinks before handing them to her kits. They had no foul scent and Doji’s keen nose would have smelled something if they were poisoned but something about the bar keep made her think he wouldn’t co so low.

It all seemed normal and yet strange as she looked about the rowdy yet calm tavern. Everyone seemed to tip a glass as she looked at them, from the basic drunk but happy loners to the happy couples that met this night over drinks and probably wouldn’t remember each other when they would lose scent of the sweaty covers.

“Everyone’s so nice.” Chiyo said to Ki as she wagged her tail and dragged a stuffed neko that her mother had finally bought. “I wish everyone was so happy.” The girl’s beaming smile had Doji wish the same since she and her children were furries and often scorned.

“Can I have a sip of your drink?” Ryo asked and Ki shook her head.

“When you’re older.” The vixen said when she was tapped on the shoulder.

“Enjoy tonight, there are going to be some other outsiders here tonight to enjoy the eve with you but remember that tomorrow’s always different and I suspect it’ll be difficult for all.” The barkeep said in a serious tone before turning jovial and moving on.

[Corvus MacCallum]

Grumbling like a child Corvus wrapped himself up further in a large black cloak, he had picked it up off some bandit that tried to man-handle them on entry.

"I dun like it..."

"Tough"

His back and side pressed into the corner of a tavern room, his travelling companions unfeeling nature towards his hatred of sleeping indoors illicited a growl from the proud Highlander warrior... who was having a bit of an off-day. From out of the left exit of the cloak flopped his fluffy tail against the floor, gigantic sword propped up against him and providing a bit of shade from the light provided by his friends candles.

"Damn things hurt my eyes"

"Hurt mine too... but they are, required, ah yes... hmm"

"Hmm?... I don't like hmm, hmm is usually followed by 'now this is interesting' and I'm not a big fan of that either"

"Well your wrong, it is not interesting"

"Goodie"

"It's worrying"

"I had an inkling"

"Turns out you may have to flex that sword around a tad more often tonight"

"I have never felt more fuzzy on the inside than when someone tells me I have to swing my sword more... git"

"mutt"

There was a mutual grumble of discontent between the two, one a slayer of monsters, one a slayer of demons. Corvus had been helping out this guy for the past few weeks and of course with such different natures accomodations had not been mutually agreeable... the one who practiced Demoncide was named Raxten and he did nothing but whine and grumble about the great out-doors... needless to say things got switched around when they hit a town. Had been something of an eye opening to see just how, well not common, but certainly numerous demons could be, were tricky blighters to take down too.

Taste weird too...

Shame they hadn't holed up here yesterday, yesterday was a good day, they had come across a coven of witches who specialised in seduction... bad minds but they got quite an eyeful before having to torch the whole bunch and then slay their mistress, the Lust Queen Slaav. For all his professional demeanour and knowledge of the etheral even Raxten couldn't deny that she had one hell of a rack. Looking up slightly to see Raxtens waist Corvus glowered from behind his hood...

"I know what your doing"

"I make my intentions obvious enough"

"Like a beast"

"like an honest beast thank you... how long until you stop your poring?"

"Oh I don't know, whenever the noise level gets too much perhaps"

"Meh... gonna do downstairs see if I can get something to slicken my throat"

A loud grumble and Corvus pushed himself up onto his feet, because of the cloak he had changed how his sword was carried for now... but once this little venture was finished he was ditching the damn thing. It was solid black, covering him from head to toe with a heavy hood that managed to hide most of those spikes, only a handful poked out. Since it blocked off his shoulder harness he had wrapped some chaining around his Slammer and simply carried it over his shoulder... damn noisy though, kept making a jingling sound with each step.

Raxten was dressed in a similiarily black attire, apparently some demons had equal eyesight to humans, which meant darkness could be confusing at times too. It was a fitted robe, large billowing sleeves which held all manner of little shiny bits and doo-dads... the skirt part as Corvus called it ended about mid-shin and gave way to leather pants and heavily buckled boots... apparently Raxten had met some guy who wore spurs and tried to recreate the sound without damaging his horse-riding talents. His natural features weren't all that unusual... to Corvus at least, but he did turn a few heads, very thick and rough looking white hair, yet he was only in his thirties... a cap of macintosh plonked messily on his head and several unusual little badges jammed into the material.

"See you when its last call"

"Toodles"

There was a highly visible shudder as Corvus fingered for the door handle... there was just something about the way Raxten said toodles that gave it the impression he was stating 'go fuck yourself' and it burned right through Cors wick.

Git

[Witchblade]

Of all the small villages she could have wandered into, Witch found herself in this one. By all appearance it was no different than any of the others ones she’d stepped foot in, but all her senses came to full alert the moment she walked into it. She didn’t know why but there was something odd about it, something that just didn’t sit well in the back of her mind. Occasionally she would catch the scent of death and rot lingering in the air but it would vanish before she had a chance to pinpoint where it was coming from and exactly what it was. Too many things could smell like rot, after all her sensitive nose may be smelling the rotting corpse of an animal not far from the village limits, but her instincts argued against that. It was the village itself. Something about it or even something within it made her guards come up and her fingers itch to wrap around the blades hidden within the darkness of her cloak. Yet nothing within the village spoke of danger to her.

All of the villagers seemed friendly, which in itself was rather odd to her. Most people did not look upon her kind with a smile and a nod of the head. They turned a blind eye and tried not to notice her, tried not to talk to her but she even had a few of the humans coming over to converse with her. She brushed them aside though; they were of no concern to her. She was just looking for a place to rest for a few hours before she continued her trek.

Meandering through the dirt roads and passed lines of houses that all looked the same. All built from wood, all one floor and all looking a little run down from the rain that beat against them, Witch eventually came to the central area of town. It was a small circular area that seemed to be the hub of activity in the place. People milled about between different shops and children ran around screaming, crying and playing like all children did. But Witch couldn’t shake the feeling that there were eyes watching her and they did not look kindly upon her presence here. Then again, being what she was not many people looked kindly upon her, so what did she care.

I don’t like this place…

Witch grimaced as the sound of The Malice filled her head and made it throb with a pain that only it could bring forth.

Yeah, well I don’t remember asking for your opinion.

I don’t remember needing your permission to talk.

Considering I can shove you to the back of my mind I would think it’s a good thing for you to keep your mouth shut unless otherwise spoken to.

Feeling the calm return to her mind and the pain no longer a constant pressure branding itself against her brain, the halfling relaxed. She couldn’t stand The Malice. Ever since that night at The Iron Fort it had once again become a prominent voice within her skull, trying to drown out all her reason and logic. But she couldn’t listen to it. It had the ability to take over her body and do as it wished, leaving Witch trapped within the cage of her mind. Seldom had it ever happened before but when it did she always woke up with devastation around her and once it had almost killed one of her allies. Never would she trust The Malice, but she knew that it had to look out for her well being too. Were she to die so would The Malice.

Making her way to the tavern, the halfling slipped inside into a room filled to choking with smoke as well as the smell of ale, sweat, blood and human. If there was any reason why she hated taverns it would because of the smells that always lingered inside of them. You could scrub them clean a million times but they would still smell of blood and sweat when the day was over. Not to mention ale and the other free flowing alcohols that were served. The place looked like any other tavern though, against the far wall was the bar with the typical barkeep standing behind it. Tables were set up in the middle of the room and booths on either side. The patrons within were already drinking their fill, laughing and talking amongst themselves. Few eyes turned towards her as she entered, which was fine with her. The less attention she received the better.

Sitting down in one of the booths, Witch slipped her rucksack from her shoulders and placed it gently on the tables before she rubbed her sore muscles. Daegun really needed to find another place to sleep because carrying him around for twelve hours straight really tended to strain her muscles.

“What can I get for you?”

Witch glanced up at the barkeep from the darkness of her hood, “A platter of meat, preferably raw if you have it and a bowl of water.”

The barkeep, “Raw meat?”

Witch nodded her head, “Yes.”

“All right…”

The burly man muttered something incomprehensibly as he wandered away from her. Bringing her hand up, Witch pushed her hood back off her head, revealing her face for all who cared to look at it. It wasn’t the best sight to behold what with her deathly pale skin, the purple markings she had on each of her cheeks, the scar that covered her right eye and cheek and of course her lips long ago sown shut. It would make any person wonder just how exactly she had spoken anything to the barkeep, but what the patrons in the tavern thought she didn’t care.

As the top of her rucksack opened up and a pure white baby dragon slowly crawled out from the warm confines he had nestle in, Witch glanced around at the patrons, her eyes stopping on what appeared to be a feline woman and her two energetic children. She didn’t exactly look like Leon--the cat-boy she had fought against and fought with--and she didn't smell like a feline either, but she was certainly not human.

Just as suddenly as he left, the barkeep returned with a platter full of raw meat and a bowl of water. Seeing the creature on the table, he hesitated before setting the platter down and quickly walking away. Smirking, Witch reached out and scratched Daegun under the chin, before allowing him to begin eating his meal.

[Reiko]

Ki found that as taverns go this one was quite dull, good thing since she had her kits along, an interesting tavern was no place for children even though it was the most affordable place that a woman even with children and Doji was always one to watch her purse.

But things started to pick up with a few new patrons. One a strange looking woman with a little dragon and the second was a fellow furry with the second biggest sword the fox girl had ever encountered. Those kinds of weapons weren’t well respected by Ki as they were brute strength weapons and a decent fighter could dance around them. When Ki was kit and the other half not even conceived the one tailed ronin had fought such a battle and the fighter didn’t stand much of a chance until switching to a smaller weapon and surviving a blade impaling the heart. That was definitively a lesson to expect the unexpected.

Still it was entertaining to see a wolf boy with a sword almost as long as he was tall. Still he probably was a decent fighter to just carry that thing and perhaps he would be smart enough to use something else when the competition proved too tough.

Ki snapped away from the other furry when she heard Chiyo squeal in delight and Ryo cry out. “Hey neat! That lizard has wings!” The two were staying close on the counters and on all fours like curious kittens seeing some strange animal that was smaller.

“Hey, don’t bother the other people!” Ki cried out and ran to the counter and grabbing each kit in an arm. “I’m terribly sorry for that. Sometimes it’s hard to keep tabs on children.”

[Corvus MacCallum]

Sometimes secrets were awkward things to hide, Corvus doing his best to keep his right arm straight, didn't help when he had occupied his left with carting about that gigantic sword. Sliding the chains around his wrist Corvus hefted the massive weapon to rest in front of him, leaning it against the bar, its weight pushing the slammer down and puncturing a rather stately floor-board. Throwing his hood back with a quick flick of his head, normally he detested being so bundled up and without all those many candles Raxten was so fond of he could discard it without any bother.

"Ale in a decently large tankard"

"Just give me but a moment sir"

But a moment?... who the hell gets that chipper over a free pint?...

He had been very wary of this place, not one bit of it smelt right, even the rotten rafters of a farmhouse on the way here stank of a decay much thicker than should be natural. Raxten had been aware of this to some degree but he was too oblivious to body language in order to see just how wrong these people were. Everything in their demeanour came far too easy, names were remembered instantly, hands were taken immediately... an old man had approached him for a hand-shake and didn't even bat an eyelid on feeling fur when he reached into the cloak.

With a dull thud the tankard came down in front of Corvus, reaching out slowly to wrap digit after digit around its shape. Making every attempt to hide the jewel embedded in his gloves palm, it had been very faintly glowing recently... ever since coming across Raxten in fact, but there were no other sensations, still a glowing jewel is not something to display at any venue. Raising the frothing mixture to his lips Corvus gave it a good thorough sniffing, tongue flicking out for a momentary lap in checking... this was what disturbed him the most, at the moment despite all this friendliness he couldn't find a single ulterior motive...

I'd be more secure if I was trying to take a dump over a Blood-fiends mouth, hmm?

Over-hearing excitable voices familiar scents were becoming apparent to Corvus, he hadn't detected them for a long time and was suprised a great deal on looking about him to find two Kimono clad children, those ears were a dead give-away.

Rheo and Cyo huh... ah theres mother dearest, haven't seen them for bloody ages, still Raxten did say not to draw much attention to ourselves, probably hoping if we stay a few days we won't be so easily recognized for outsiders... load of bollucks

Deciding to go against Raxtens advice Corvus kept a tight hold on the tankard and turned to press his back against the bar counter, removing a few fingers from the metal drinking vessel and giving a light wave in Kis direction. Was a tricky thing to keep the stuff from spilling but when you hung out for a long time with a rather gruff monster hunting group you learned a lot about pub etiquette.

[Witchblade]

Children.

Witch smirked and pulled at the strings that held her mouth closed. The children smelled nothing like the cat-boy Leon, but they certainly had enough animal within them to earn a small amount of patience with Witch. Even from their mother, a curious woman in a rather unique outfit Witch had seen rarely on her travels. She believed it was called a kimono but she couldn’t be sure. She had nine tails protruding from the robes that covered her body. It was enough to make the halfling wonder if the woman could control them all the same time or even make them do different individual things. They could be just like fingers and toes in a way, appendages to the body; it was only that she had more than humans and even others species.

“It’s fine…” The halfling said to her without moving her lips or even using her voice.

Daegun seemed as equally curious about the children as they were about him and she could read the disappointment on his face when the mother snatched up her children. There was nothing Witch could do about it, not every trusted a small, white winged lizard, especially if it was a baby dragon. After all, they did have a nasty habit of killing humans and other creatures. Or the lesser dragons did. Most dragons were extremely intelligent creatures that have nearly been wiped out by humans due to their arrogance and ignorance to the other species that live among them. Dragons may be large and fierce but they usually only attack when they themselves or what they considered theirs is threatened, like any other animal really and that was something the halfling could understand. Daegun was the same way really; he only attacked when someone attacked her. It was something she found interesting, the baby dragon considered her his and it was his job to protect her. Too bad most of the time he ended up rather hurt from those encounters.

“He doesn’t bite and they’re too big for him to try and eat.”

The last part was a bit of a jest, one she doubted the mother would find very much humour in but what did it matter. When the Highlander made his way over to the bar, Witch couldn’t help but follow him with her eyes. She’d heard him moving long before he came within her line of sight, after all with her sensitive ears the sound of clanging chains was an annoyance hard to ignore. And he smelled too, another animal crossbreed. Witch had never seen so many of these furry creatures before in her life and it made her wonder just what kind of animalistic instincts they retained from their better half.

Breaking her from her thoughts, Daegun nudged her arms with her head and made a few purring and growling noises she was supposed to interpret as speech. Dismissing him to do as he pleased, she watched him bound to the edge of the table, look at the three-foot drop to the floor, wiggle his tail a few times and then take the leap of faith. He landed on all fours and quickly ran over to the bar where the mother and kits were, looking to play with her children. At least he didn’t go for the brutish mutt that was standing not too far down from her. The children her familiar could handle, but some furry mix with a gigantic sword she would wish for him to stay away from.

Keeping an eye on him, Witch surveyed the few people in the tavern, wondering from just where her unease was coming from. Perhaps it would be best if she left this village as quickly as possible. Whatever hid behind the façade of their smiles and caring faces she didn’t care to know or get mixed up in.

[Reiko]

The wolf tailed lad waved at Ki and she wondered why for a moment. Was he hoping for a fun night or just a good talk but the wave made her think and she recognized the man with the overly large sword. It was Corvus, a man who proved that the big sword was definitely useful. No wonder Ki took a moment to recognize him since she liked to forget about that day, being stripped to half naked by fanatics was no fun at all.

Doji waved back and smiled, he could join her if he wished but she had to keep the kits from causing too much a ruckus. “Thanks.” The vixen said to the strange woman. She couldn’t move her lips but could speak through the mind. “You two can play with the dragon but don’t break anything or hurt each other.”

The two kits squealed in delight and giggled as they chased the playful reptile in a game of tag that seemed to end in a tackle instead of simple touches but it wasn’t super rough, just the way animals play and the kits were part animal too. Still Ki couldn’t afford to replace anything and she knew that when people claimed damage they would overcharge.

The mind speaking woman showed concern for Corvus and Ki couldn’t blame her since he still looked like a barbarian or worse and you never could tell but Ki had met him and he wasn’t the bad type, an adventurer and monster hunter that was full of surprises.

“Don’t worry about him, he’s not as bad as he looks. We saved each other a little while back when escaping from religious fanatics.”

[Corvus MacCallum]

Raxten was still poring through his mouldly tombs and almanacs, clutched in his fingers was a rod of brass with which he traced across the words in front of him, stabbing against his elbow was the edge of one of many codexs and translation aids surrounding him. So many things had been stirred up recently he couldn't help but do some cross-referencing, a seal against demons was now in his posession, along with the possible secret of the Highlanders glove... but for now, Raxten was remaining silent on all those details. Power was a terrible thing to balance and he really didn't see such balance in his travelling companion... nor in this entire habitation.

"Kanda, Nosferatum... Nic... hmm, Nickel... no Nictern, which page is Samorg again... bah, a curse upon your ink-stained pages!"

---

Giving a nod in Kis direction Corvus returned his gaze momentarily to the tankard in his hand, downing it in a single gulp and shunting it back onto the bar-counter, rattling itself to a halt. He had already began walking in the Kitsunes direction before the sound ended its jaunt through the pub atmosphere, half-way to them he made a quick hop and brought that sword up high, just avoiding the knee-high kits and a curious little dragon.

Wonder if he'll be a big bad cattle killer in the future... cute though hmm

Drawing up to the Nine-tailed samurai Corvus took notice of her current conversation buddy, it was a tad unusual... perhaps he had been jaded somewhat by his days with Raxten but she did not strike him as odd. The scent of death hung on her as did lingering traces of magical influence, she had probably been involved in somewhat similar hunts to himself lately. Stiched up maw, bit of an odd thing, particulary when the smell of metal and sheared leather was upon her... why not just simply slash at the threads and regain full movement?... oh well wasn't for him to question it, couldn't be arsed really.

"Heyup lass, Ki... what brought you to this grinning shit-hole?"

He wasn't much concerned with who answered him, just so long as someone else had, well their eyes open in order to see how wrong this place was.

[Witchblade]

Worry? About him? Witch wouldn’t waste her time. She just didn’t want her little pet to get too close to him, the mutt may turn rabid at any moment and try to bite off Daegun’s tail and that was the last thing she needed. Not to mention if he ever took one step close to Daegun that she didn’t like, she’d rip him a new hole to breathe out of and that giant sword he hefted about on his back didn’t worry her one bit. The good thing about not being human was that you were a lot stronger than them and faster and though she was certain—positive actually—that he wasn’t human either, she had no doubt she could best him. It wasn’t arrogance or pride, it was just that she’d had years of training and killing and she knew a battle she could win when she saw one, though more often than not she jumped head first into the ones she had a slim chance of winning as well. After all, where was the fun if death wasn’t clawing up your back?

He certainly had an odd way of talking though. Grinning shit-hole was something completely new to her and she’d travelled to places that most Althanians didn’t have a name for. It was a good way to describe it, for surely the people all smiled and nodded politely but there was a stench to it that tugged at the senses. Something that she couldn’t quite describe and…another thing.

The halfling hadn’t noticed it before, but now that the mutt was closer to her she picked it up with ease. There was a smell of death about him, death and demon. He was a slayer.

Shit…

Just what she needed a slayer, no, correction, slayers. There was another scent clinging to him, a human, another slayer. She hadn’t been followed into the town that much she was certain of. It was hard for any kind of creature to sneak up on her or ever follow her. These two had definitely not been doing so. It was just coincidence that she had wandered into the same town that they happened to be and her own bad luck.

Feeling the tension within her body rise, Witch clenched her hands into tight fists, feeling her nails dig into the flesh of her palm. Turning her eyes from the mutt, she watched as the woman’s two children chased around her smaller dragon, who seemed to be enjoying himself. His paws slid on the hard wooden floor, which couldn’t provide the same traction he was used to out in the wilderness. As she suspected, he lost his footing and slid right into a table leg. But like any good dragon, he picked himself up rather quickly and continued to lead the children around the tavern, enjoying this game of cat and mouse. Shame he appeared to be the mouse though. She would prefer it a little more if he learned how to be aggressive for once. What was the good of having a dragon if he never really attacked anything unless she was bleeding and dying on the ground?

“Daegun, we’re leaving.”

Her voice stopped him in his tracks, which meant the two kits ploughed right into her pet and became a mangle ball of fur and scales. Growling, the halfling watched as her dragon slowly emerged from the mess and came over to her, disappointment clearly marking his face. She didn’t have time to care though. Grabbing her rucksack, she threw some gold on the table to take care of the food for Daegun and turned to leave the tavern. If she was lucky neither of the hunters would ever notice what she was and she’d be able to move on without a problem. Even if she could win a fight with slayers, they were a crowd she preferred not to get mixed up in. Once they knew of your existence, they never stopped hunting you and Witch preferred being left alone.

[Reiko]

Ki was actually kind of glad to see Corvus again, he had a couple of things in common with her being a furry swordsman that liked to be around, reminded her a little of her self when she was young and didn’t know motherhood, although there was as many differences too. Still it was a nice coincidence to see someone like an old friend.

“Well we just kinda got tired while heading home, figured we’d want a rest.” Ki said with a friendly smile as she looked at the woman who’s mouth couldn’t move, she seemed agitated all of a sudden and called her dragon to come, giving the kits a reason to moan in disappointment.

Ki shook her head and went to her kits, their hair was messed up and their clothes with a few wrinkles, she would definitely have to wash them when she got home… Or maybe she could teach them to wash the clothes that would make things easier.

“But we…” they started to complain but Ki shushed them and picked them up and brought them to sit with her.

“Have to respect other people, she should be able to leave when she wants, she probably has important business to attend to.”

“How about we go with them, then we can keep playing?” Chiyo suggested sweetly wagging her tail.

“I’m afraid that we won’t be going the same way, and it’s late, I figured we’d sleep, maybe we could play and tell stories before bed.” Ki promised the children. They seemed happy with the promise. Ki and her kits waved goodbye to the odd woman and her pet.

“Sorry about that Cor. Being a mother means lots of interruptions.” She apologized with a smile.

[Corvus MacCallum]

"Hey no wucking forries lass, I recall how much of a handful they were heh"

Smirking Corvus brought his fuzzy hand down and ruffled up Chiyos hair to gain a bit of a silly pout.

Must have learnt that from mother dearest when she couldn't get her rice bowl heheh

Taking his eyes from that vertically challenged example of defiance Corvus looked to the leaving stranger, curious creature, at least in some way demonic or monstrous but what did that matter. Scent definately reminded him of something he and Raxten had come across a few towns ago, still not every demon was a killer, he had heard of one that once tried to live like a hermit but helped every wanderer and lost soul that arrived at his door, trying to make amends for what his species did.

"Leaving pretty sharpish aren't you?"

That kind of personality seems far too out there for her, but she dosen't seem all that interested in hunting down the first born son in the village or playing a fancy tune on plucked entrails

The Highlander shifted and ended up knocking his sword against a table behind, while it rolled on its single foot a vessel of inebreation spun off and clattered to the floor, spilling the contents to boot. But the owner just plucked it up and went back to conversing, very unsettling.

Alright thats creepy as hell, you spill some twats pint he would have a go at you... not smile and return to his chattery

---

"One pint... sure one pint is all he was after... and you, why won't you work in common?... I command you to deliver your secrets upon me!... "

Of course nothing happened, the irritable demon hunter simply gave one more glance to the insane scribblings upon parchment and slammed the book shut. He almost felt like apologizing, he disliked treating books rough but this one was being so very awkward and he didn't like awkward books, just like women with all their secrets and lies and double-meanings. Was no suprise he never had luck in that category, a codex had yet to be created to translate female-speak. Deciding to go with something a bit more forth-coming Raxten reached out for the Toban Spirit Guide and Zeggnons Gathering of Unholy Beings, some light reading for his walk down into the bar and back up again on finding Corvus in a heap.

Admittedly he has yet to wind up drunk but there is always the possibility

Around his waist hung a book satchel and Tobans lifes-work found itself bunged inside while the yellowed pages of Zeggnons rather colourful descriptions and 'facts' on demonity was laid out in Raxtens right hand. He gave no greeting or acknowledgement of the locals he passed, then again he didn't need the book to be so engrossed, he was generally unsociable. As he clomped down the steps he couldn't help but inwardly smile on the jingle jangle of his buckles, he wouldn't do it outwardly, never... some on-looker might take that as him wanting company. As the second floor rose past his head on the demon hunters descent he let his eyes wander over the crowd and noted the aberrations, some multiple tailed woman and tailed children, with that Salvarian wolf speaking to them... nothing of interest there.

Then he caught sight of the leaving figure, not to mention picking out Corvus' words. Leaving quickly, perhaps on the Highlanders presence, true he was rather lousy company for an educated being but she didn't seem that way... too slight in the build for him to have been the wolfs type, maybe, he was truly guessing on that.

No go through the possibilities, she leaves on his entrance, seeing the sword maybe, so she knows he kills things, people acting oddly here, her unnatural air... ah-hah, yes I cannot be wrong

He rushed down the steps, nearly twisting his ankle as only the scantest portion of his heel attempted to keep balance and keep his descent controlled. Normally he'd vault over the banister for this kind of thing but he was getting old these days after all the physical abuse. Instead he just ran down the stairs and pointed a finger in the stitched womans direction.

"HALT HELL-SPAWN"

Corvus froze on hearing that voice and looked round to Raxten, saw where the finger was going and just slapped his own fore-head, grumbling.

"You... fucking idiot..."

[Witchblade]

She froze.

She’d almost been out the door. Just a few more feet and she’d be away from this place and the damn fucking demon hunters that dwelled within. Just a few more fucking feet! But no, by some twist of fate one of them happened to of taken notice of her and just scream out the words Hell-Spawn. The dog boy had probably noticed what she was, God he’d have to be blind and scent deprived not to of, but he hadn’t said a word. No, it was his travelling partner, the human who couldn’t leave her alone. This was the last thing she needed. Fucking humans.

“Just kill him.”

I can’t.

“What do you mean you can’t? You’ve done it before countless times and you’ve enjoyed it. Watching the life drain from their eyes as you plunge your dagger through their heart or slice open their throats and feel the blood between your fingers.”

She clenched her hands into tight fists as she fought back against the urges The Malice was beginning to arouse within her.

He’s a hunter, I can’t kill him! Then they’ll just send more after me. It will be a never-ending battle!

“That will always end with their corpses as your feet and their blood spilled upon the ground. He’s not going to let you leave here alive, either you kill him or him and his mutt will kill you.

Her teeth ground against each other and her lips rose off her teeth just enough to show the fangs that were hidden behind them. Fangs she’d never used before. Not only did she hate the taste of blood but she couldn’t physically touch people and biting them would require that bit of physical contact. A halfling vampire she may be, but she didn’t act like one in any way.

Witch turned her head and pierced the human hunter with her crimson eyes, eyes that were filled with more hate and anger than one could ever imagine. A look that could kill as one might say and if she had that ability, truly this man would already be dead. As it was, he might yet breathe for another few minutes, she was still warring within herself on that one. He looked old for a hunter, one that had survived much with luck on his side, luck that had just run out. Stupid human should have kept his mouth shut.

“Hell-Spawn?” She snarled the words into his mind, letting him feel her anger, letting him feel the urge she had to rip into his throat with her claws and watch him choke on his own blood. “Pathetic, fucking human Demon Hunter!”

She leapt at him. Her body giving off the barest of signs as she moved. The muscles in her legs tensed and her feet shifted and turned her body around ever so slightly, but that was it. She used her speed as an advantage, after all being Hell-Spawn came with certain perks including being much, much faster than your average human. She hit him with her shoulder right in the centre of his chest. The air she heard and felt left his lungs in a whoosh that brushed against her face as she followed him down to the floor. Planks of wood groaned and creaked as he slammed into them and her knees quickly followed, one on either side of his hip, pinning him to the ground.

Her right hand wrapped around his throat and squeezed. Not as hard as she could. No, that would snap his neck and he was die too quickly for that.

“You humans are the spawn if you ask me. Pathetic creatures that destroy everything around them without thought. You deserve to die just like the rest of your kind.”

[Reiko]

Ki looked over to her disappointed children as they perked their ears towards the disturbance outside. The kits probably knew as much as their mother in that it was going to be a fight, the harsh yelling was a good enough hint even for those that hadn’t lived a long life. Of coarse being curious foxes, Chiyo and Ryo thought to take a look but Ki wasn’t going to have it. “You two wait here, where it’s safe.” Ki hated leaving her children like this but what she was planning wouldn’t take long.

“B, but…” Both kits protested but Ki shook her head.

“I need you safe.” Ki finished with a kiss on their cheeks.

She had to stop this madness, nothing good will would come of it. When the vixen left she was greeted with the sight of a hunter having the life choked out of him by a surprisingly strong woman, the same whose pet played with Ki’s kits.

“Stop this, there is no need.” Ki said as she went closer hoping for the fight to stop. Her command wasn’t enough though. Doji may be a nine tails and one of the best swordsmen in the land but they weren’t going to listen. “Please get off. I really don’t want to cut you off.” She asked the woman. “You don’t seem to be the type to play the murderer. I know he started it but if we don’t forgive, we’re as bad as any hunter that would strike us down where we stand.” Ki could empathize with the mute woman, she was hunted for not being human either, and there was always some group of punks that would wish the world free of furries.

“And she isn’t a hell spawn. You just made a mistake.” Doji had to have both their eyes on her, so she could work the fox magic by shifting her tails. Hopefully the charming magic would be enough for them to listen and stop. If not she might have to harm one of them. Also there was the fact that she was away form her kits, and there was a growing pit in her stomach about doing that.

Sure it seemed fine to leave them back a few moments ago but something about that comfort was wearing away into fear. Maybe the kits weren’t as safe as she thought. Doji felt herself turn pale and felt sick. Everything seemed normal but the smell, it felt acrid and just wasn’t leaving a good taste in the nine tails mouth. In the end she felt stupid.

[Corvus MacCallum]

Idiot, idiot, idiot, Raxten you are a fucking idiot... urgh...

This was one reason he detested journeying with Raxten, the bloke had survived so long he was cocky and born of dramatics that would make Witch-hunters stop and stare at his rhetoric. Now once again he would need saved from the grave carved out by his tongue and Corvus would do something reprehensible in order to acheive that objective. To be fair though, he was in no rush, Raxten was still breathing and likely getting a deserved sense of reality, want to survive, keep your mouth shut tight... or at least have the testicular fortitude to back that up, probably why Raxten did mouth off like that, he had the Highlander to solve the physical issues, he just had to impress the masses with some eloquence.

Didn't come as a suprise that Dojis pleadings fell on deaf-ears... technically at least, one was hate-hazed and the other was being drowned out by his paniced heart-beat. He waited for Ki to shift out of the road, nice clear run up, just a few chairs and tables in the way, no problem there. Lowering down the Highlander then took off in a brief sprint, his nose thankful that Raxten was made of pretty stern stuff as he approached, by Fenrir that man could sweat, on reaching the conjoined opponents he gave a sharp, loud bark, the stitched up strangers head turning just in time to see a clawed foot smash into her side. Keeping the force constant Corvus kept his body turning with the kick and sent the slender form hurling through a table or two, before coming to a halt on smacking the bar with her arse. Raxten was gasping for air the very second her fingers had been wrenched from his neck only to have that air brought forth in a loud yell as the Highlanders heel fell upon the Hunters nut-sack.

"Watch your fucking mouth from now on!"

Raxten was a learned individual, not a hint of common sense at times but intelligent and knew better than to argue... partly because the black furred wolf-man was correct, but mostly because the wolf had a large foot and could easily nail all three if he put some attention into it.

"...f-f...f-fine..."

With a sigh Corvus then looked to his recently air-borne oppo' and decided to clear the air, "He still has a mentality of all spooks being evil, despite evidence, now before you go trying to start something again keep in mind I didn't bear any ill will, only his tongue did"

He made no reaches for his sword, at the moment it would be pretty unweildly anyway, plus the repair bill would be massive once he got chopping this place apart.

[Witchblade]

The words of Ki fell on deaf ears. Witch was not interested in listening about how someone could empathize with her, it was a joke and a lie if she’d ever heard one. So what if she wasn’t human, that didn’t mean she understood or knew anything about what Witchblade had gone through in her life and the things she’d done. She didn’t seem the type to play the murderer? Oh, she didn’t play the murderer all right, she was the murderer and crushing the life out of this pathetic human was nothing to her. Just one less of his kind on the face of the planet and one less to slowly kill off her kind. Made a mistake, hardly. He’d chosen correctly, in a way she was exactly as he’d said, Hell-Spawn, of course that was just another human word used to describe something they feared. Humans viewed almost anything more powerful than them as something to be feared and in her case they were right. Too bad it was a little late for this one to run away.

Squeezing her fingers around his neck just a little tighter and watching as his eyes bulged a bit from his skull; the halfling bent her face down close to his.

“Should have kept your fucking mouth shut…” She actually spoke the words to him. The movement required of it pulling on the strings that bound her mouth and perhaps making a grotesque show of it, but she didn’t care. It was worth a pain she barely felt to see the look on his face.

When the sound of someone barking broke through the silence that had engulfed the bar, the halfling did the instinctive thing and looked up towards the noise. Her eyes widened for a brief second as she saw the foot coming right at her but her mind knew there was not enough time to react, even for her reflexes. The kick landed hard against her side, sending her flying through the air and crashing through a couple of tables. Broken boards and splinters rained down on the wooden floor as the halfling slammed against the bar and fell there herself.

She laid there for a second. There was pain radiated down her side her back and her left arm. She could also feel the slow run of liquid down to her elbow and knew that she was bleeding. Her ribs hurt like hell too, but they weren’t broken. If they were she’d be hard pressed to breathe and as she could still do that with only a slight wince, she knew she would be fine. Nothing that wouldn’t heal within a few hours.

As she began to rise onto all fours, the words of the mutt rang throughout the room. They were meaningless; she barely gave them any heed. Everyone just kept on assuming she wasn’t evil, which she supposed was fine with her, then they wouldn’t expect it when she stood back up and ripped their throats out. Straightening herself, Witch looked down at the four-inch spear of wood sticking out of the flesh of her left arm. Blue blood bubbled up from the wound and slowly spilled forth in a cascading line to her elbow, where it dripped onto the floor. With her right hand she reached over and ripped the object from her flesh, making the wound worse in the process. Nothing for her to worry over. Her healing abilities would stop the blood flow first and repair the skin second. Any small pieces of wood still in there would be pushed from her skin.

Daegun came bounding towards her, the little dragon forgotten about during the ruckus. He planted himself a few feet in front of her and growled rather menacingly for such a small creature in the mutt’s direction. She couldn’t help but smirk at his valiant attempt to protect her. It was unneeded for the time being, though.

She didn’t make a move for any of her many weapons, instead the halfling remained perfectly still as her crimson eyes caught a set of dark green and never wavered away. With her telepathy she slipped into his mind. There were no barriers to stop her, nothing to hinder her progress. It was like an open door, a waiting invitation that she took with great pleasure. To anyone watching her it would seem only as if she were merely watching him, but her concentration lay elsewhere. She was burrowing deep into his conscious, passed all the memories she didn’t give a fuck about and even through depths of his personality he might not know he hard. Once she reached an area she liked, she lashed out at his mind.

Like a hot knife, she cut through the layers of his conscious, relishing in the fact that this was going to cause him immense amount of pain. No, it couldn’t kill him and technically it couldn’t even wound him. It was only in his mind after all, but it could most definitely hurt him. If he was lucky, he’d able to think around it and maybe even stay awake.

[Reiko]

Ki should have known that she wasn't going to make a difference with the two. She waned to try reason but they ignored her, leaving her with one option left and she was tempted to try it, tempted to strike out with her blade. But Doji did not since it didn't seem to matter, one would kill the other so she needed not to get her hands dirty and anyways it would be better to return to her kits.

Doji turned away as Corvus joined the fray and broke up the fight in a violent manner. The nine tailed mother was no longer worried about the trio as she went, since the wolf boy left her children were alone in the tavern. It wasn't good the place smelled funny and soon Ki noticed the place was starting to reek of foul minds, and her kits were in the center.

Fears were answered with a pair of childish screams in terror. Doji had let down her guard and was going to pay for it. The vixen dashed into the tavern with her blade drawn, kicking open the door and growling as she saw a pair of patrons holding the children. Chiyo and Ryo cried and struggled though they calmed down when they saw their mother. "Let me Go! or Mommy will tear you apart!" Ryo Growled but it wasn't very intimidating to the villager that simply laughed.

"Let them go, now!" Doji demanded while the pair simply laughed and a third came forward. He was a fat man and stank like sour fish. half his teeth were missing but that wasn't the source of the stench, he was evil.

"now give us your sword and surrender and I'll let them go." The fat man, no creature, responded. "You're not fast enough to save any of them." It snickered and pointed at the struggling kits.

Doji shook her head and fanned her tails. What choice did she have. They were more than they seemed and they had Chiyo and Ryo at their mercy. Still Ki held her ground and wondered what she could do. If only she kept her guard up instead of getting involved in the triste with the demon hunter and the mute woman.

"Fine I'll give you my blade." Ki said in defeat as she held out the onitachi and took a step closer.

"No closer, slide it here." The horrid man replied.

Doji didn't slide the blade but threw it, a gambit but she had a feeling from the smell that they would kill the kits and kill her or save her for worse so what choice did she have. It was a gambit that payed off as the sword sailed and took the head of the demon that held Chiyo and embedded itself in the wall. Ki charged forward while taking out her wakizashi in iaijutsu and took the head of the demon trying to hold Ryo.

It wasn't over and the other patrons howled, they were content to watch in sloth as it seemed like a sure thing but then everything fell through. Soon all the patrons were changing, ripping off their faces to reveal their true selves. Chiyo hid her eyes and sobbed into Ki's kimono. The beasts were truly awful and everything stank even more to the nine tails.

"Stay behind me!" Ki ordered her kits and they did so, the demons keeping their distance.

"I don't want to die!" One demon cried out.

"Hey forget about her!" Another said.

The fat demon, now with a head of a butchered pig smiled. "Yes forget her, she's not what we need, take the sword."

Ki moved forward at those words but some demons gained some courage and attacked her but she jumped back and countered with her short blade but that one moment had some demons taken the Onitachi and left the room.

"Hey, stop!" Ki yelled as she tried to pursue but the same brave demons stopped her since they avoided to counter but the next one slashed one's face and cut into the brain and the other was pierced through the heart.

But in the end they still had the sword.

[Corvus MacCallum]

It hurt... it hurt like fuck in all regards and seriousness, a rather unique pain no less, was quite an unusual sensation when there was time to grasp it. Like a fire erupting inside the skull but its tongues of flame were solid blades of steel, hot steel and they seemed to be doing a fair job at sizzling his synapses. The only visual reward the stitched bitch got was further bared fangs from Corvus, along with a slightly closed right eye. Highlanders had many strengths, while small they were a powerful race... but one thing above all others, Highlanders had endurance, stamina and pain were both easily dealt with... so while it hurt, it simply didn't hurt him enough.

He had been forcing himself to glare at the strange woman, hate was good, hate was fuel and it served to keep him focussed to push past the pain and avoid the red pulling at the limits of his eyes. Things about him were changing, scents were becoming more truthful as did the general atmosphere, he had no time to dabble with the knived figure and certainly didn't feel like engaging in a staring contest with this kind of headache. Instead he built up a wad of something nice and sticky in his throat, letting it fly at his assailent, at the least it could break her stare and then taking a vice like grip upon his Slammers handle twisted his waist and shoulders around. The sword climbed high into the air, smashing through the flimsy stair banisters, fragments of wood just being removed from his interests... fleshy things were to be rended.

As the sword continued moving up its tip scraped at the ceiling... well that was the idea but instead it carved through that too, then down it came, all of the Highlanders weight and strength going into the downward smash. A demon caught it in the left shoulder, found himself twirling through the air while his body fell, another lost the front of its face, stomach and feet. Several more were amuptated from vital limbs. There was no defence the unarmed could really muster against a blade this size and Corvus was capitalising.

A loud bark shot through the crowd, one deciding to take the challenge and pounced from the mass, Corvus taking both hands on the blade and ripping it up into the air, as his opponent fell, the blade came up and on meeting one had to give. With his blood soaked blade free the Highlander dug his heels in and pushed against the momentum, smashing the slammer back down to tear the new arrivals asunder.

---

Raxten... well his nuts still hurt and he needed concentration for this sort of thing, plus he had no time to read up on what these demons were... so he took upon the vital, strategically vital mind, role of supervision.

"Uh yes... yes cut them down Wolf, yes thats the way"

[Witchblade]

He didn’t show pain. In fact, the wolf boy was rather good at hiding pain, but she didn’t need to see it clearly written on his face in order to enjoy giving it to him. Just because he wasn’t screaming in agony didn’t mean he wasn’t in it. She could tell that what she was doing hurt and hurt a lot. It was in the line of his muscles, the way they strained and flexed under the surface. It was in his eyes, for though they still continued to bore into hers, there was that edge to them that bespoke was what was going on just below the surface. It was just a shame he had such a high pain tolerance, she would love to see him squirm around on the ground on agony for a few minutes. Sadly, it was not to be.

Her thoughts and concentration were quickly interrupted though, when the humans around them began revealing their true selves. Fake, pale skin began to melt from their features and reveal the grotesque appearances underneath. Mangle faces, covered in thick, leather like skin, some blackened to the point of looking burnt and others colours one would never suspect to see on someone’s skin. Their bodies looked strange sticking out the normal everyday wear of humans, tunics and pants and boots, it was comical but they should not be wearing such things. With her concentration broken, the pain that was afflicting the wolf ceased and the spit he tried to throw in her face landed about an foot or so short. Lucky he was at that too, or she wouldn’t just be playing with mind games with him, she’d tear him a new breathing hole.

“Demons…”

Why does this always happen to me?

“They’re not after you, they’re after her sword, strange at that, I can even feel a demonic presence coming from within the blade.”

Great, just great, a demon possessed sword, just what every girl wants. And of course, every demon-possessed sword comes with a horde of demons desperately trying to get it back! Buy yours today!

Watching the wolf boy pull out that massive sword of his and begin cleaving some demon head in two, Witch decided it was about time for her to start doing the same. After her little tussle with that damn human she felt like killing something and these pathetic demons would be perfect fodder for her blades.

Reaching into the depths of her cloak, Witch slid her fingers around the worn leather wrappings of her twin daggers. Pulling them from their sheaths and hearing that familiar ting as the metal vibrated through the air, the halfling pounced. A quick tensing of her leg muscles and she jumped at the nearest demon., the force of her body coming at him forcing him to the ground and on his back. Her blade was in his throat, tearing through flesh and muscle and tendon before he could even think to cry out or defend himself. He wasn’t dead yet, no, but his windpipe was crushed and blood was slowly trickling down into his lungs. It wouldn’t be long.

Ambross…

The hands clenched around her weapons burst into a set of blue flames that licked at her skin, casting warmth along it’s otherwise cold touch, but it didn’t burn her, it never burnt her. With a quick thought she spread the flames to her weapons and stood up from her crouched position over the now dying demon. The wolf boy seemed to be doing fine, but the lady with nine tails, Ki or whatever her name was, seemed to be having a bit more trouble.

Hurrying over there, the halfling stamped her foot down hard on the wooden floor only to hear the sound of a blade being released. With a simple motion, her lent her body to the side and kicked up at one of the demons approaching the woman’s exposed back. The small blade sticking out of the tip of her boot dug deep into the side of the creature’s head, right through his temple. His eyes glazed over immediately and once she pulled her boot away he sunk to the floor. The second one seemed a little more cautious about attacking her, but still did none the less. As she lowered her foot back down to steady ground, the demon leapt at her. Claws on twisted, broken like fingers rent the air towards her and buried itself into her shoulder, slicing through her shirt and into her flesh.

Snarling, Witch stumbled back and quickly regained her footing. When he came at her again she faked out with a straight on attack from her daggers, only to turn her body to the left and kick out his knee. Losing his balance, the demon easily fell to his knees, only to receive a sharp kick in the face by a boot that still had a small dagger protruding from it.

[Reiko]

It was bad luck. Ki had turned around to see a demon ready to harm her and her kits but before she could react, the demon fell dead, killed by the strange woman. “Thanks, that one kinda snuck up on me.” Ki said with a blush. “I think the demons got what they wanted though.” Ki took a downcast look, but at least she and the kits were okay but then again what would the demons do with the blade, perhaps this town served the demon lord that once resided in the blade. She shook her head. “No I can’t let them get it.” Doji said to herself then to the woman who could not speak. “You wouldn’t mind helping me? I have to chase after the thieving cowards before they can deliver my blade.”

Part of Doji just wanted to leave the blade to whatever fate it would have but then again that fate seemed to be letting a demon lord rise to power. That could not happen and yet here it was in the hands of cowardly lesser demons ready to be sent to their master. Doji looked at Cor fighting his best. “Hey, these guys aren’t worth the time, w have to chase after the ones that stole my sword. If the lord gets it we’ll have some real trouble on are hands.”

Doji shook her head and realized that the Lord’s power has risen to command demons like these, and hopefully it was just low class ones but she doubted it. Ki ran to the exit of the tavern, pushing aside table and stools while the kits followed. Ki wished she had a safe place for them but there wasn’t. Once Ki came to the door she kicked it open, not even checking if it was locked for every moment counted.

Once outside, the place was different. The clouds were reddish purple and the ground looked like it was burnt, everything smelled like smoke and rust while everything was black as if burned by fire. In the center of town was a small tower, dull white. Ki had guessed it was made from bones. Ki ran towards the tower, seeing the cowardly demons running away. Even though Ki was a little faster she couldn’t catch them in time. But she had a bow and arrow she saw the demon with her blade and quickly aimed and shot, hitting the beast in the back and scattering his companions.

“Wow, that shot was like a million miles away.” Ryo praised Ki as he saw the demon fall. Ki had to giggled since she figured it wasn’t very far and that Ryo had started to get over his fear but Chiyo had not and was simply hugged her mother’s tails for comfort, she was going to get slowed down at this point. Ki really wished there was something to do with the kits but there weren’t any options.

[Corvus MacCallum]

"Umm, well Corvus my boy, if you'd well... be a dear"

"Oh fuck off"

Here he was, already shin deep in guts, gore, plus, considering a few demons had taken over the tavern whores a fair number of garter belts to increase the alliteration factor... but yes, here he was in all that filth of the literal and metaphorical sense only to have the bruise-balled demon hunter asking for samples of these clawing, wailing adversaries. Still he decided to comply in as subtle and gentle a manner as possible... this process entailed taking hold of one of the flimsier demons by the throat, making sure to puncture as many veins as possible before hurling the body sideways into the crowd surrounding him...

Oops lost a leg there

The spin complete, the herd thinned a tad he was able to then put this torn up body to the strain of challenging gravity, hurling him through the air to smash through the stair banisters and arrive at the landing beside Raxten.

"Enjoy!"

"... many thanks..."

Immediately after his gratitude came a stream of insults regarding Cors coarse mannerisms and lack of grace in so many things that any civilised being would never need to even think about, let alone display restraint. A job needed to be done however and he'd be damned if his duty was sullied by a hell-spawn, kneeling by the shredded corpse... a quick flick of Raxtens wrist solving one problem, that being the stench as a silken hankerchief was pressed to his nose and mouth. He laid one of those heavy tomes upon the ground and began gliding through pages, even when in a rush he refused to treat a book badly, taking attention to have every page rest against its brothers with perfect flatness, a swear uttering from his throat at each hint of a dog-earred corner or frayed fibre of paper.

As Demon hunters went, Raxten was not an insignificant force, his issue however was preperation, with his inability for physical combat he had to rely upon the magical and spiritual, which took time both to prepare and comprehend on what would effect each species of demon. This was what infuriated Corvus, after all it was a mutual dislike that kept them together, Raxten spent every possible moment researching, even in a current brawl of rather medium proportions.

"Hmm, they appear to be a low form of Grak'thul, hide wearers... yes... you have no worries Corvus these creatures do not regenerate, nor is there any specific part of their bodies that requires killing"

There wasn't a substantial reply from the Highlander in this regard, his teeth were embedded in one of the demons throats, not worth the time or not, they were trying to attack them and he would not be shivved by a bunch of demons while taking on the leaders. A quick tug with his neck and the enemies throat left in Cors maw, another was felled as his sword smashed open its skull with the rough surfaced flat of the iron slammer. The crowd was being thinned nicely... course the whole place wouldn't be serving people for some time but since the inn keeper was now a pile of loose skin peeled from a demon that didn't seem to be a troubling issue.

Each time that monster slaying lump of iron carved itself through the air a few more demons were felled, if Raxten didn't hurry... something he never did it must be laboured, there wouldn't be much for him to show off with. But he had found the article, he had glanced through most of the curious stuff, apparently they were not above eating fecal matter when desperate for sustenance, would explain the smell if nothing else... he rose up from the book and began to chant, arms folded in front of his chest. It seemed he was doing this just to infuriate Corvus, with a few small cracklings, like scrunching up old tree bark smoke trails rose from a handful of the demons, thickened... soon shoulders, limbs and other such body parts were up in a blaze, oh sure it hurt them but they were still alive. The Highlanders blade now cleaving through roasted flesh while the flaming demons tried to pull him to the ground. Still only a handful left now... that was one bright side to it... then he'd chase after Doji and find out what more there was to slay.

"Raxten you dick!"

[Witchblade]

Witch made no reply to the woman as she thanked her. It was pathetic in her mind that someone who appeared to be a competent warrior could not properly protect her own back. There were few things Witch respected in this world and one’s ability to protect and fight were one of those things. The woman had clearly just proven to her that she was less than capable in some way. Of course, there was the question running through her head of why she’d even bothered to help her then, but that was something she could mull over later. In battle, one’s instincts always took over and they drove a person to do things they might not normally do given the time of day to think about it.

“It appears I’ve been dragged into this situation anyway. There is no need to ask for my assistance, I will gladly give it.”

There was a twisted smirk pulling at the corners of her lips, one that spoke of just how much fun she was going to have tearing these demons to pieces.

Raising her brow as she watched the woman slam through the tavern door without even checking to see if it was open, the halfling turned back to the demons in the tavern. That stupid demon hunter was rambling on about what class of demon they were and their special attributes, which weren’t all that unique. Witch didn’t care one way or another. They were something to kill. The mutt had already taken care of quite a few of them and the demon hunter was doing nothing more than making them a little crispy so she decided it might be best to lend a hand before she ran out after the nine tails. A lesser version of the shadow flare should be good enough.

Turning back to them, Witch planted her feet in a bracing position about two feet apart and held her hands out in front of her. Immediately she began drawing of the dark energy all throughout the room, taking most of it from her demons and leaving her own energy alone. There was so much around that she didn’t need to worry about weakening herself in order to perform the move. Quickly, a large black sphere began to form in the space between her hands, though she never physically touched it herself. It just floated there. Three other spheres also began to form themselves around the outside of her hands, quickly drawing it the dark energy around her. She didn’t waste her time bothering to bring them up to full power; instead she released them at about half strength.

The spheres travelled the distance between her and several of the demons rather quickly. The moment they came in contact with anything, a table, a chair or one of the demons themselves they expanded. A large dome of pure dark energy that was roughly three feet wide that lasted for a few seconds before it slowly dissipated. Once the energy receded, nothing remained of the four demons that had been within the spheres but ash.

Smirking, the halfling quickly left the tavern to catch up with the woman. The sight that greeted her was not what she expected at all. The sky was filled with reddish purple clouds that looked like they’d come off of some sick, and twisted artist’s paintbrush. The ground was blackened and burnt, in fact everything around them looked charred as if a fire had ravished the entire village. And the smell. What she had detected before was nothing compared to the smell now. A putrid, disgusting stench of rot and death that nearly choked her sensitive senses.

Moving towards the nine tails, Witch realized that the woman still had her kits with her. There was no way she was going to chase down a group of demons with two kids following her every step, not unless she planned on using them for bait. She highly doubted that the woman would let her do such a thing though. So, there was only one thing to do.

“Daegun!”

She didn’t know where her dragon had run off to once the fighting had begun, but once she called him he came bounding through the front door of the tavern running towards her.

“We’re going after the demons, I want you to stay here and guard those two kids.” His large black eyes went from Witch to the kits clinging to their mother. His only response to her was a high pitched rumbling sound that she assumed meant he had no problem with that.

Her pet might not look like much, but she knew there was a lot of potential in his small body. He just might not know it himself.

“If you’ll let him, Daegun will protect your children so we can go on ahead. My name’s Witchblade by the way, most people just call me Witch.”

[Reiko]

Ki shifted her tails as she looked at the other woman for a moment, not sure what to think. Could the little dragon really take care of her kits. It seemed like any demon could squash the beast like that and the kits wouldn't put up much a fight either. But then again the lizard was really a dragon and so there was probably more than met the eye. "Okay." Ki decided as she realized that she would be going to a place that she couldn't protect her children. "Chiyo, Ryo! stay with the dragon, he'll take care of you."

"But mom! I can help!" Ryo whined as wanted to come with his mother and help her out.

"Come on Ryo, we can't help her, those monsters are big and strong. Mommy has to get her blade back. It's like her favorite toy!" The white tailed girl moved to Daegun to obey her mother's wishes.

"But!" Ryo's tail puff up as he raised his arms to make him look bigger.

"No, Stay with Daegun. This isn't a game and if you continue any further I'll have you do not only Chiyo's chores but mine too. I'm serious."

"o...." Ryo started but he stopped. "Alright."

"Thank you." Ki said to the child before she kissed them both on the forehead and then looked to the distance.

The monsters had all made a grab and wrestled for the onitachi as they all wanted to please the master and they were quick and Ki swished her tails and moved forward on the burnt ground. They all went into the tower before the vixen even got close.

"Damn, I guess it couldn't be helped. We have to go in that tower." Doji admitted as she looked at the pale spike in the world and thought about what would happen. The stench of evil just wasn't helping one bit. She had to tackle the tower quick. "Alright Witchblade. We're going in there; are you ready?" Ki asked as she drew her titanium sword and held it over her shoulder and forced a smile.

"I think it won't be too hard." Ki looked back to the minute dragon leading her children to safety. But who was she kidding, it wasn't going to be easy.

[Corvus MacCallum]

"God damn you feral!"

Raxten had made good his escape, the demons had continued swarming however thinned their herd got, but still the huge bladed wolf-man fought, as the brawl intensified... while his blade cut down swathes his mouth ripped his opponents from the ground and against the buckling walls of the tavern. As Raxten watched at the door huge timber poles smashed themselves down from the floor above, a cloud of shorn stone swirling through the air as the Highlanders monster felling blade smashed its length against one of the foundation blocks. The walls of the second floor began to buckle, nothing in the middle to support the weight of the floors and the supporting walls holding onto the roof, for every few demons slain the building crumpled in on itself. Finally it came crashing down, Raxten leaping back as he saw a dark form move through the masonry miasma, the huge solid shape he dragged behind him breaking apart a door-frame that just wasn't wide enough. With a shattering wail of defeat the tavern finally caved in, Corvus wasn't too fussed, not a demon survived before the roof fell, it was a tad eerie actually, a building collapsed, full of beings and yet afterwards not a scream, moan or yell of pain.

"... need to be so thorough?"

Straightening up Corvus was about to pat at himself before stopping, his clothing and certain parts of what little was exposed of his form was splotched in blood and then that powdered stone clinging at it, a simple pat and push wouldn't shift this even a little, would only make the grip on his sword slippery. A few quick glances and the clearing eyes of the Highlander picked out the three small critters, further ahead both of the women and with that he simply turned to them and started running, one of the planks had clocked him on the jaw and caused a few blood vessels to burst... in this state he could taste the adrenaline pumping through him.

"Yes now hurry up Raxten!"

He certainly wasn't as fit but the Demon Hunter decided best to be alongside such a furious fighter than await ambush by more of these creatures, he was not particulary enjoying the thought of meeting their masters. With Corvus however there was a great deal of excitement, a slaughter does not make his blood rise, nor peak his interest... mindless killing causes abhorrence in his mentality but these beings ripped the flesh off innocent, defenceless people and then pranced about them for an ambush, to kill these creatures... that he did enjoy.

Destruction of those that prey on the weak, a massacre of the manipulative, its not always honourable, but its always just... feels good too