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Post by Khornate Marksman on Oct 4, 2006 19:26:04 GMT -5
Death97 this is one of the greatest stories I've ever read, and I read alot.
Guess what EXALT!!
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Post by DEATH97 on Oct 4, 2006 19:35:16 GMT -5
Sweetness, I'll have to remember to threaten you with smite more often!! Seriously thanks
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Post by Khornate Marksman on Oct 4, 2006 19:39:06 GMT -5
Honor among writers or something to that degree.
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Post by DEATH97 on Oct 5, 2006 2:25:57 GMT -5
The darkness and fog has obscured my sense of direction it seems. I feel foolish that I never noticed I’d gotten turned around. The good news is I should be able to find my way back from here. The bad news is that I may still have something hunting me. I waste no time, and decide to run back towards town. I’ve seen some bad things out here, and need to get back, and let the count know that he should send someone for his fallen guards.
I run for several miles, and find myself fatigued. I stop a moment to catch my breath, when I hear something in the brush up ahead. A twig snaps, putting my senses on alert. My hand goes for the hilt of my cutlass, as the leaves before me begin to sway. I steady my breathing preparing for the beast to show itself at last. I loosen my grip on my blade, as the figure of a white stallion emerges from behind the brush. Her mane was tangled, and mud had gathered around her legs. Yet still she was majestic, and I had never been happier to see such a sight.
I remove several briars from my horse, and climb on to the saddle. I put my heels into her side as we head off for the exit to this swampland. I’m happy with our progress. At this rate we’ll be back in Leyawiin by dawn.
Its been an hour at least. I recognize where we are now, as the fog moves on, and light can be seen approaching the horizon. I’m close. “Not far now” I tell the horse. I feel bad that I’ve ridden her so hard, but it was worth it. We’ve made good time, and the end to this stagnant place is near. My bad fortune continues it seems as my horse rears up on her hind legs, nearly throwing me off in the process.
She twists and turns erratically. “Calm down… easy girl” I tell her. Its no use. And now I see why. Something rushes by the path ahead. I barely get a glimpse..Fast….Very fast. No way that beast kept up with me. This has to be something else. No… I hear that familiar growl again. “That’s it” I declare. I hop off the saddle and draw my cutlass. “I’m not running anymore” I’m going to see this thing. I’m going to see this thing, even if it kills me. Which it might do just that.
I’ve seen what it can do. I know its stronger than me. It kept up with me and my horse at full gallop. I know its faster than me. Still… I won’t run anymore. I raise my blade. “You want me so bad? Come and get me!”
My horse is nervous, as am I. Yet he holds his ground with me. I take a step forward to make sure, she doesn’t get hurt if the creature comes for me. The brush moves again.. But this time I’m not so lucky. I see a pair of sharp yellow eyes and a long grey snout. It appears to be some kind of wolf. The ears stand upward, as it takes a step forward. Its entire body is covered in grey fur. It opens its mouth slightly, bearing its large fangs and rows of teeth.
Its large, much bigger than any wolf I’ve ever seen. Suddenly it stands up on its back legs. Its amazing and horrific at the same time. Its movements are that of predator and man. It spreads its fingers showing me its razor sharp claws that extend several inches. I know what those claws can do…. I’ve seen their work. I’ve heard stories of Werewolves. Beasts that were neither Wolf, nor man, but some kind of twisted combination. My blood runs cold, as I tighten my grip on the handle of my Cutlass. Careful not to make any sudden movements, I slowly lower my left hand and unsheath my Dagger of Mourning. I’m going to need all the help I can get, and I have a feeling that’s still not going to be enough…
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Post by DEATH97 on Oct 5, 2006 4:44:13 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300] Updated!! [/glow]
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Valgaera
Inactive Member
I am the Light within the Darkness
Je suis le Lumi?re dans l'Obscurit
Posts: 124
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Post by Valgaera on Oct 5, 2006 5:50:37 GMT -5
Nice. A werewolf. Good twist!
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Post by Maliku on Oct 6, 2006 14:50:30 GMT -5
Death don't stop writing PLEASE!
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Post by DEATH97 on Oct 8, 2006 5:53:07 GMT -5
Death don't stop writing PLEASE! Never!!! in fact here's some more, for my few (but hella cool) readers.
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Post by DEATH97 on Oct 8, 2006 6:01:03 GMT -5
A stand off… It feels like an eternity, I stare the beast in the eye and his own vision penetrates my very soul. I know this is one time I shouldn’t be waiting on my opponent to make the first move, but still its as if I’m frozen in time. Maybe fear would be a more accurate description. It is everything in my power to keep my body from trembling. I must keep a steady hand, if I’m to have any chance at all in this fight.
He lunges. Caught me off guard. Caught me planning my next action, and I’ve paid the price. His claws cut my side, If I weren’t as quick, I’d be dead already. “ARRRHHH!!” I yell at the top of my lungs, as I bring my cutlass towards the beasts midsection in retaliation. I connect, the beast falters a moment, giving me time to regain a defensive stance. He won’t catch me off guard again.
This time I make the first move, I leap in the air with speed and agility I didn’t even know I possessed. My hand is steady and my blade is accurate. A light flash of red blood sprays the surrounding foliage as my steel cuts deep into the wolf’s shoulder. It lets out a nerve chilling howl. I’ve stunned him, blood pumping quickly through my veins, my sword seems to move on its own accord.
My reactions become instinct, as my feet hit the ground, I pivot stabbing the creature in the chest with my blade. I feel the steel separate the flesh, and hear the crunch of a shattered rib. The beast falls to one knee and favors his wound. I waste no time, and again as if guided by a force as natural as breathing itself, I roll over the creatures back, and slide the Dagger of Mourning along the wolf’s spine.
My breathing is steady, and for a moment I feel a rush of exhilaration as I feel victory is near. I look at the beast, I’ve run him through with my cutlass, the golden hilt protruding from his chest, almost a mirror image of the dagger sticking out of his spine. He remains slumpt over for a time, and turns, stumbling towards me. Wary I take a step back.
My horse it seems has retreated to a safe distance, but the wolf seems completely focused on me. It does its best attempt at fighting the pain and gives what I can only assume is a threatening grunt. I’m not afraid anymore. Suddenly the beast stands upright again, and grabs me by the arms pulling me towards him, jaws open. I have only a moment to react and grab the hilt of my cutlass, flipping backwards and kicking off the wolf’s chest. I twist in the air landing with my back to the creature. I turn swiftly with my blood soaked blade and bring its razor edge through the neck of the beast.
My heart racing faster now, I curse myself. I let it catch me with my guard down again. The wolf falls to the ground, and lies injured. It struggles to get to its feet, growling and snapping. Each attempt at both, spewing blood out of the torn red flesh from the gash in its neck. I look down at the beast in pity. This was no way for anything to die. Yet still I couldn’t think of a better creature that deserved such a death.
In the end, as I slowly walk towards the downed beast, and raise my cutlass high. I decide what I’m doing is not to end its suffereing, but to cover my ass and make sure me and this cursed animal don’t cross paths again. I grip the hilt of my sword with both hands, looking for a clean kill, with that one perfect strike. Then the wolf looks up at me, and just for a second I swear…. He grins
The back of his right clawed hand connects with my face, as I find myself off my feet, and flying several yards before slamming hard into a distant tree. The wind leaves my lungs. Weakened and hardly breathing, I find myself standing. Supporting my weight against the tree that both broke my fall, and may very well of givin me a broken rib of my own.
I need to collect my thoughts, figure out what happened just now. But the wolf is back on his feet and coming at me with speed of which I’ve never seen. It gains several yards in an instant, and I barely manage to sidestep dodging its massive claws as they shred several inches off the bark of the tree. I use what little is left of the tree as cover, keeping its base between me and the wolf. His eyes have lost all sight of the man that may of lived underneath. I didn’t kill him, I didn’t wound him….. I pissed him off.
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Post by DEATH97 on Oct 8, 2006 8:02:27 GMT -5
One step closer to the end!!
With that said, here's some more...
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Post by DEATH97 on Oct 8, 2006 8:16:29 GMT -5
The tree acts as little protection, and is quickly becoming splintered and reduced to sawdust, by the onslaught of the wolf. Its all I can do to keep the thinning tree between us. I am weaponless, and defensless. My cutlass left my hand during the impact, and my dagger still remained in the small of the werewolf’s back. His attacks come rapidly as I try to scan the area for my sword between each advance.
The split second of diverting my eyes was all it took, as the werewolf catches my right shoulder, spinning me around full circle and knocking me to the ground. He’s got me right where he wants me. My rib injured I hold my side, each attempt to regain to my feet, resulting in crippling pain. He stops his attack… He knows he has me now.
I look at the trunk of the tree, shattered and cracked. I lift both my legs and bring my knees to my chest. Screaming in both desperation, and in the pain that it causes me. I throw my feet outward, my boots slamming hard into the wood. The base cracks more. The beast stops, looking upward as the tree sways slightly. I kick the tree again, with everything I have left. It tilts slowly at first, before falling rapidly away from me.
The wolf uses his quickness to easily evade the bulk of the tree, but fails to dodge a large branch that lands across his side, pinning him to the ground. He’s down, but not for long. He scratches,and snaps at the branch, his hind legs kicking up mud as he growls in frustration. I only have a moment and use it to concentrate on getting on my feet. I push the pain aside and somehow manage the task.
The wolf continues to struggle on the ground, and has already almost gotten himself free. I move as fast as I can, pushing the brush away with my hands, searching the ground desperately for my cutlass. Then a sparkle of gold catches my eye. I hear the pounding feet of the werewolf approaching me from behind. He’s freed himself. I make a mad dash for my sword, grabbing the hilt and spinning to face my attacker. He stops his advance a mere five feet from me.
I throw back my arm and aim for his head bringing my cutlass around….. CLANG Unbelievable… The beast catches my blade in his powerful jaws and again forces it from my hand. He turns his head throwing the sword aside. He turns back to face me, that low growl as he looks at me with victorious eyes. He’s right… I’m out of tricks. He’s won. But then I’m reminded of the one skill that I’ve always had in abundance…. Luck.
Just when the werewolf rears back to make his move, two arrows slam into his left side. He turns his attentions to his new attackers, as do I. The search party. They might be late, but their also just in time. Two Leyawiin guards armed with bows, an Imperial Legion soldier, clad in full legion armor, sword and shield at the ready, and a Mage of some sort.
The werewolf, enraged that someone interrupted his hunt, rushes towards his new adversaries. The Mage lifts one hand and mumbles something in a language I don’t understand. The air around him lightens, and I feel a cold chill, as the very ground beneath the wolf’s feet turns to a sheet of ice. The wolf stumbles and looses his footing. The Mage lifts his other hand and I feel my hair stand on end as lightening shoots from his fingertips.
The werewolf is lit up in what could only be called an amazing display of sparks of light. The electricity travels through his body, which in turn convulses on the frozen ground beneath him. The Mage lowers his hands back to his sides, his blue hood covering most of his face. He addresses the others. “Check him”
The three soldiers approach the beast cautiously. His body lies motionless on the ground, but I wasn’t going to underestimate the creature again, picking up my cutlass just incase this goes badly. The two Leyawiin guards advance slowly on the wolf from each side, whilst the legion officer stands at the ready near the front of him.
The guards pull back nervously on their bows, as the Imperial soldier takes a step forward extending his longsword to the body of the creature. He taps the tip of the blade lightly into the hide of the creature. The wolf gives no reaction. “Well… Is he dead?” The mage asks his companions. The officer than looks at the other two soldiers and begins to extend his foot towards the head of the creature.
“I… wouldn’t do that, if I were you.” My warning goes unheeded, as the officer nudges the back of the wolf’s head. Immediately the beast opens its eyes and snaps the officer’s leg between his jaws. The wolf leaps backwards, dragging the officer along the ground, that in turn removes his helmet. The guards let loose their arrows, but the creature is too quick, as they land harmlessly sliding across the slick surface. The beast swings at the officers head, and completely removes his face from his skull in one massive devastating blow.
The Leyawiin guardsmen try to reload another arrow, as the wolf leaps towards the nearest threat. He lands just before the guard, sliding to a stop. Still injured and out of breath I try and get to the guards aid, but I’m not fast enough. He snatches the guards head between his teeth and whips him around, snapping his neck instantly. He throws the lifeless body at the remaining guardsman knocking him to the ground. He turns quickly and sees….me.
Our chance for a rematch is cut short as I hear that strange language again. This time I feel as if I’m being thrown head first into the pits of Oblivion itself, as my skin feels as if it’s on fire. I’m thrown back by a powerful explosion, as the werewolf is engulfed in flames. My sleeves ablaze, I roll along the ground, the ice that was previously there was now nothing but a large puddle of water.
Once I’m sure that I’m no longer on fire, I lift my head to see what’s going on. The whole immediate area of the forest was surrounded in flames. The heat from the burning brush around me stings my eyes, as I squint to peer through the black smoke. I cough, as the smoke enters my lungs. I can see the werewolf in the middle of all this madness. He whelps in pain, parts of his fur still on fire. I can smell the burning hair, even through heavy smoke.
The werewolf spins around rapidly a few times before running off through the woods. The smoke becomes thicker, and I find it harder to see. The crackling sound of tree limbs and twigs can be heard in all directions around me. Then the most unexpected thing occurs. I again feel the cold chill as the flames begin to die, as if they were smothering theirselves.
Then as quickly as it appeared it all vanishes. All that is left is the scorched black surroundings. I look up and find the Mage standing over me extending his hand. Thankful.. I accept his help. “Feel privileged Imperial. Not many have seen a werewolf and lived to tell the tale.” “Privileged?.... Ha…. I’ve been hunted, I’ve been cut, I may have a broken rib, and now I have a burn on my left arm. I may feel a number of things at the moment… but privileged, isn’t one of them.” “Still.” The Mage says, in a reassuring voice. “You’re lucky to be alive.” “Yeah.” I say, thinking to myself. Thank the nine, for my dumb luck.
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Raistlin
Beginner
I'm tired.
Posts: 2,451
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Post by Raistlin on Oct 8, 2006 9:24:40 GMT -5
love every bit
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Post by Maliku on Oct 8, 2006 9:56:18 GMT -5
Great job Death, I loved every single piece. +karma
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Post by DEATH97 on Oct 8, 2006 10:06:08 GMT -5
Thanks this story is becoming much larger than I expected. I think I'm not even quite halfway done at this point. I guess that is a good, or bad thing depending on how you look at it.
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Post by Maliku on Oct 8, 2006 10:07:58 GMT -5
I think it's good. I thought the werewolf part was incredible, so I'm wondering what he is going to do now.
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