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Post by karaikou on Aug 18, 2015 4:48:37 GMT
In a land of perpetual darkness that had been further tainted by a terrible evil for hundreds of years, it was no surprise that every still living, sentient creature had to stay on their guard. Especially when travelling along the abandoned dirt roads that once were a popular path used by both man and beast looking to make his or her way to their next destination.
But now the only travelers were four foolish men cased head to toe in leather armor and their cargo of which contained a dangerous beast, one with such high value that the men in charge of delivering it should never have been late in the first place. Now they were risking more than just money, but their lives. It was quiet for the hours of twilight, not a corrupted animal in sight, but that is what made the journey so unsettling, usually the crystalline creatures could be seen stripping the land of whatever life was left, but this time there was nothing. Just an eerie silence apart from the clickity-clack sound of the caravan and the oxen bull pulling it.
The men gossiped while their cargo had been sleeping soundlessly in a metal crate behind them, adapted to the comfy prison box and the long journeys but something made his nose twitch and his senses seize. Lifting his head and jumping on his hind legs to press his large front paws against the crate, Tyarnach could feel something, something that wasn't right.
Their caravan was being stalked.
It was suicide to travel along a main road, especially when the land was scarce of uncorrupted prey (their food source at it's lowest ever), apex predators would fight tooth and claw for even the slightest taste of human or animal flesh and from the skies above, two creatures seemed very prepared to do so. A long shadow was cast over the caravan followed by a thundering roar.
The oxen bull didn't even have time to panic before it was crushed beneath the thick claws of an undead dragon. It's gurgled cry cut off with the sound of a huge weight crushing the caravan behind the mercenaries. Fruit and other food exploded from the now crushed trailer. They almost seemed to ignore the humans that screamed with fear and attempted to escape the colossal beast's feud. But they didn't get far.
The pinked flesh 'zombie dragon's breath of magical energy roasted them alive, even if they were not it's target. Instead it attempted to attack the acid flesh dragon, their fight for the tiny bull creature left it scattered in multiple pieces and tossed between the two monsters like a rag-doll, their hundred-toothed-maw's splattered guts and gizzards to the dirt below.
Thrown around in the crate and cast to the side by an unintended tail whip, left poor Tyarnach dazed and disoriented, his yelp drawing the attention of the flesh dragon who was quick to pounce on the steel box, smashing it's teeth and claws against the small steel bared window, attempting to grab the meaty treat out from inside.
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Post by sparklemuffin on Aug 18, 2015 5:20:01 GMT
The forest trembled with the sound of the dragons not so far off, and the uncorrupted creatures dwelling inside the circle of cleansed land ran for the bushes and treetops in fright, knowing a predator when they heard it. Caomihe's ears twitched with the sound, her hands jerking as she fought the urge to jump up. There was no use in trying to get anything done with her companions now. They'd hide for a few hours, her hard work at acclimating them to the much darker continent having been a slow progress without the addition of ultimate predators sounding off so close to their tiny haven. She brushed stray grass off her lap and stood, wandering to the edge of the barrier that separated the twisted land from the pure.
If the roar had scared up her companions, it might have well done the same to any other lesser creatures living in the forest (and wasn't just about everything lesser than dragons?). The idea that they might pass over and mistake her for a tasty meal was a real risk, but one she was willing to take. Her efforts had been slow and she couldn't lose another day waiting for everything to return to normal.
As she moved to the edge of her camp her shape twisted, the short fur on most of her body growing thick, her arms becoming thinner and longer as she dropped forward. It could've been a brief but horrifying sight if there were anyone around, but the end product was a large deer nearly indistinguishable from a buck aside from its antlers and hooves. In addition to their pearly qualities they gave off a faint glow, which admittedly helped navigate the dark of the forest.
After a few cautious steps, wary of ambushes, she bounded off to the heart of the Ender Forest, casting a pale light as she went.
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Post by karaikou on Aug 18, 2015 5:56:12 GMT
Even corrupted creatures feared dragons, the same was said for the roost wyverns that usually perched in the trees around Caomihe's sanctuary waiting for tasty prey to wander out of the veils protection. The pesky scavengers scattered into the skies as the land rumbled. Corrupted trap spiders and shadow cats that would usually attack anything that wandered into their territory were nowhere to be seen as they hid from the dragons who could easily enter their domain, killing them without notice in a savage fight.
But these undead dragons weren't corrupted, and that's what made them far more dangerous, they were intelligent and savage. The acid undead dragon watched warily as the flesh one battered the steel crate into the ground, consuming the human corpses as quickly as it could before it's rival noticed. It knew that it was weaker, but it's desire to feed was stronger than it's desire to evaluate risks.
Growing exhausted with it's snack in the box, the larger dragon turned once again on the greedy, smaller dragon, attempting to pounce on it only for it to take off, making it into the twilight sky above with a fleshy body flailing out of it's maws in the wind, pursued by the dominant attacker.
Once the beasts were gone, flying away from the direction of Ender's Forest, silence and calm fell over the desolate land again. It was almost fate that the hatch on the crate door had broken and the door swung open after the dragons had vanished. Bruised and bloodied, Tyarnach limped his way out from the cage if only to get a breath of air.
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Post by sparklemuffin on Aug 18, 2015 6:38:09 GMT
Although she was certain that she was safe from the threat of dragon dive-bombing under the canopy of the trees, Caoimhe still used caution as she navigated through the forest. The pale light cast by her antlers and hooves was not enough to see more than a few feet before her.
Curiosity tempted her towards the sound of the dragons, but she forced herself to stay on track towards the forest's heart. Although she could hold her own against many individual creatures in the Ender forest, she was nothing more than a shinier version of a typical deer when up against a dragon. After a bit of sniffing at the air in the direction of disaster, she put her head down and carried on through the trees.
Early after her initial arrival she had found the shrine, and though it was not the ideal spot for her 'camp', it was the focal point of her efforts. If she could restore any portion of the forest for good, not simply as a temporary home, she would choose the heart and shrine. The issue was tactical - if she chose to live closer to the shrine, she was placing herself further in the heart of danger. If she continued her current process of cleansing the land starting at her little haven, it would be a long time before she reached the shrine, if ever. So far she alternated her time between the small haven and tending to area around the shrine.
Thus, when she arrived at the shrine, she began her usual tasks of clearing the meadow where the shrine rested. It was more an act of respect than a useful effort, but it kept her spirits up in the face of constant failures on this continent. Broken branches and piles of detritus were pushed away with her antlers, leaving spots of life that were overtaken by corruption once more the second they were shaken off among the trees. She rooted around in the dirt with said antlers, tearing up weeds and bucking her head to send them flying.
As always when she began clearing the meadow, it quickly turned into a game for herself. Although she kept an ear trained for sounds of predators, she amused herself by bouncing around the area, kicking sticks and branches, tossing clumps of grass, and uprooting pebbles and rocks.
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Post by karaikou on Aug 18, 2015 7:13:56 GMT
The safest locations were near the clearings of the forest, where Tyarnach limped close by. Instead of heading into the forest he did what he could to survive. Eating what limbs and gizzards that laid scattered around the disaster zone and avoiding the scorched ground that magic still burned in, and the pools of acidic drool left by the smaller undead dragon.
He had many things on his mind, how he'd get back to his master, if he should try and seek refuge somewhere near by or if he should wait around the caravan. He was too bruised to defend himself against against anything corrupted and so, after his small snack on human flesh, he dragged himself towards the forest. Desperate to find a better meal or a pool of clean water to recover.
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Post by sparklemuffin on Aug 18, 2015 22:37:11 GMT
Caoimhe's frolicking had just about come to an end and she was prepared to settle down by the shrine for a nap when the footsteps, for lack of better word, caught her attention. Her first thought was that an animal had been injured before the earlier fight between dragons and was now trying to reach safety. Her second thought was spiders and that she might be wandering into one of their traps.
Nothing seemed to change in the five or so minutes she spent mulling it over, so she headed towards the quiet rustling. Head pointed down, her antlers led the way both in an effort to shed some light on the ground and as a warning. Gentle nature or not, she wouldn't hesitate to spear an enemy at a time like this.
A little more time without ambush and she had the courage to call out, "Hello? Who's there? I won't hurt you." Not if she didn't need to, she added silently, swinging her head in a futile effort to shed light through the trees. All it did was make her dizzy, and thus when she tried to head further into the trees, she nearly ended up tripping directly over the wounded Tyarnach.
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Venison
Aug 18, 2015 22:50:03 GMT
via mobile
Post by karaikou on Aug 18, 2015 22:50:03 GMT
The fact a creature nearly double his weight almost tripped over him was startling and he was quick to let out a growl and a bark. "Watch where you're going, prey!" He snapped, white fur standing on end as he moved a foot or so away, aware that a creature with such big antlers could easily skewer him due to his current lack of mobility. At first he intended to leave her be, having eaten enough scraps to fill him for a few hours, despite having been starved for several days prior.
His heavy steel clad front claws and cuffs made his from paws ache painfully, far too much to consider perusing such a delicious animal right at this moment, but that didn't mean he was going to let her slip so easily. Wary and exhausted he attempted to move on but his nostrils sniffed the air subtly, trying to pick up her scent.
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Post by sparklemuffin on Aug 18, 2015 22:57:13 GMT
There was a bit of rustling as Caoimhe jerked her antlers free from a branch they had snagged on, swinging her head about to get a good look at the person or thing yelling at her. She might have been skittish, if not for her firm belief that anything that wanted to eat her wouldn't waste time warning her first.
She cocked her head and examined Tyarnach in the scant light, even extending her neck to try to sniff the armor. He was a predator all right, but more importantly to her, he seemed to be a fugitive of sorts. "What are you? You're not part of the forest. Are you hurt?" She wanted to help, of course she did, but she was feeling wary. Fancy hooves and antlers aside, she had the scent of a deer, if a deer had rolled in a field of flowers for days on end.
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Venison
Aug 18, 2015 23:06:14 GMT
via mobile
Post by karaikou on Aug 18, 2015 23:06:14 GMT
To him, hunting her later was going to be as simple as ripping the throat from a horse, she seemed clumsy and already the small horned, wolf-like creature was scheming. But when she asked questions he was quick to snap back. "Do I look like something that you should he talking to?" His own fur white fur gave off a faint glow, and his blue eyes were almost like beacons in the darkened forest.
"If I were in any better state you'd be dead now, deer, so I suggest you move along." Choosing to ignore the curious grass graser Tyarnach moved on, his tail dragged lightly in the dirt behind him.
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Post by sparklemuffin on Aug 18, 2015 23:17:31 GMT
Caoimhe stamped her hooves lightly and pranced to catch up. Being brushed off did not suit her well, not after struggling and failing for so long in this corrupted, half-dead forest. She wanted to be helpful, and it made no sense to her at all that she should be denied. "Just because you have sharp teeth doesn't mean I need to be afraid of you," She stated obstinately. "And if I were just a deer, you'd end up gored. Stags are territorial, they're not as timid at you think."
She couldn't stand to see him dragging along, looking so pitiful. So she bounded forward and stood face to face with him in hopes of getting him to stop, her head down to meet his gaze quite firmly. "You're about to walk right into the spider territory at this rate, and they'll eat you up without a second thought. If you stop snarling at me, I could help. I know a safe place, with clean water. You could rest. Or are you just going to threaten to eat me again?"
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Venison
Aug 18, 2015 23:28:47 GMT
via mobile
Post by karaikou on Aug 18, 2015 23:28:47 GMT
She was persistent, he hated that. It was so much harder to ignore something that continued to follow you, but he stopped in his tracks and rolled his eyes when confronted face to face with the nature spirit. Her offer however almost sounded too good to be true. He had no knowledge of the area or it's inhabitants which didn't help his preference to refuse.
"And why would a magic deer want to help something like me?" Tyarnach was bitter and guarded and did not like strangers. "I'm sure I can find my own way, I do not fear spiders and I do not fall for lures or traps."
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Post by sparklemuffin on Aug 18, 2015 23:34:59 GMT
"Because I'm not a magic deer," Caoimhe made a face a him that involved her black nose scrunching as if she'd smelled something foul, stamping her back foot and twitching her tufted tail. "I am a nature spirit, thank you, and you're not well. Are you really so very stubborn that you'd rather wander the forest and probably get eaten than to have someone help you, just because that person happens to be in a form you consider food?" She couldn't help but feel just a bit indignant. Creatures all over her home in the upper continent would come for her aid. She was a guardian and protector, so she was convinced. But he didn't want help?
"The forest is massive and full of predators bigger and stronger than you. That armor won't save you if they get hold of you. Be brave about the spiders all you like - they really don't care if you're afraid or not once they have you in their web." She snorted softly. Despite being a bit irritated by his refusal, she couldn't help but worry. If his stubbornness got him killed, she would feel a bit of the blame. "You'd really prefer wandering around in the dark, an easy meal for half the things living here, than to let me take you somewhere safe to rest?"
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Venison
Aug 18, 2015 23:47:17 GMT
via mobile
Post by karaikou on Aug 18, 2015 23:47:17 GMT
"Nature spirit, more like witch." He spat, moving around her with a push of his own horns. "Tell me if you had just been attacked, were lost and wandered into a corrupted forest then were encountered by talking deer with glowing antlers offering you water and shelter, you would just go along with that?" He asked. What could be considered 'armor' on him did not serve that purpose, the cuffs weighed a great deal to slow him down but put more force behind and pouncing or clawing that he did, with steel cased horns and claws to puncture like a iron stake through thick hide and bones.
"Should I encounter such a predator I will deal with it myself. My well being is none if your concern so if you'd prance back to wherever it is you came from it would be much appreciated." Tyarnach flicked his ears, held his head high in defiance and marched on... With a limp.
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Post by sparklemuffin on Aug 18, 2015 23:52:14 GMT
If Caoimhe rolled her eyes, though it was hard to tell. "I happen to be a little more trusting and a lot less rude to people who want to help me," She informed him bitterly. There was nothing else she could do, not yet. Stalking him was not much of an option - even if she could be silent, the manifestation of antlers wasn't something she could just hide. She had tried before, and the time it took to mask the glow meant he'd be long gone.
"I hope you know what you're doing. There's been enough death in this place," She told him with some sincerity, though she doubt her warning would be heeded. The shrine was close to the spiders' territory, and she reasoned with herself that should be truly wander into one of their traps, she would probably hear him. So, with a defeated sigh, she turned and bounded off towards the meadow she had been working in before.
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Venison
Aug 19, 2015 0:09:45 GMT
via mobile
Post by karaikou on Aug 19, 2015 0:09:45 GMT
It wasn't long after the two had gone their separate ways that Tyarnach did indeed find himself in a spot of trouble. Having limped directly into one of their cruel and hidden pitfall traps. His startled yelp was shortly cut off as he fell directly into the arachnids lair. What made these spiders so terrifying wasn't the way they trapped or consumed their prey, but the fact that after stumbling in through the many layers of webbing, victims saw the true networks of these giant eight eyed abominations.
Hundreds of underground tunnels, bones, eggsacks, husks and of course spiders littered the pits below. And all it took was a few vibrations in their webs to alert a Dragon eating spider like a dinner bell. Fortunately for Tyarn the web was able to support him before he fell too far deep, but that didn't mean he was safe.
Panicked at the sudden sight of three long slender hairy legs appearing from around the corner where he was trapped, poor Tyarnach was forced to call for help, "Witch?-- I mean Nature Spirit, if you can hear me up there I really would appreciate a little help!" He cried out nervously trying to wriggle free only to end up more tangled.
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