Not far from the temple of Eos does a small farming village lie.

When the group arrives, the small farm appears to be devastated. The hicks are hickier, the rednecks are redder, and the impoverished are eating wish dogs. Like a hot dog, but you wish there was more than just bread. At the end of the village they find the largest of the farms present, and it appears to be lacking both farmers and livestock.

Upon a picket fence does a very fat man sit, smoking from a pipe, while drinking cheap booze.

Trying to drink his demons away.

When the demon slayers arrive, he offers them a wave and a friendly smile.

"Those got daggum dae-min's keep pickin' off our people. Every night they show up, an' start killin' the watch dogs an' tha' chimpken's and the pigs. They even got Bessie last night. She was the biggest thing we had on this farm.

I miss my wife."

The farmer looks sad.

"Well, if ya' wait around 'till nightfall, they'll show."

With the sun beginning to set, the demon slayers had a short while to prepare for the wolves, should this mans words ring true.
(NARRATION)


A little settlement on the periphery nestled just beyond the horizon of the EOS Temple. There wasn't much to it, just stalls set up, people roaming the main streets, farmers, and people eating wish dogs.

Though, near the end of their journey through the small village, they come to a halt in front of the village's largest farm, which is surrounded by picket fences and is guarded by a fat farmer.

The stench of cheap booze filled the air, and it was clear he was drinking his demons away.

If only these Demon Hunters' lives were that straightforward.

Though responded with a wave of his own Ten Ino bows. "We received the complaint; don't worry, your problem will be resolved by sunrise."

He wasn't sure what it was, but whatever was hunting the little creatures couldn't have been that difficult, could it?

He began sharpening his newly manufactured sword after unpacking his belongings and placing it by his side.

"It appears that we will have to sit."
(Ten Ino)


Traversing alongside other members of the Demonslayer organization it would appear that they were not extremely far from the temple of Eos that belonged in Osronan control. A horrible appearing village looked as it had been ravaged by the likes to which she had seen more often than not through her time among the people of Esshar.

Words of an older farmer filled her with sadness, how these beings would seek to inflict such pain and anguish upon those that simply tried to make a living in this cold hard world.

"Even the chimpkens aren't safe anymore... Do not worry sir, we're the appropriate people to deal with the situation." as she walked around the area attempting to investigate the destruction it wasn't extremely clear as to where they came from.

"Is there a direction you know that they tend to frequent when coming to the village? A particular part of the forest or even general location where it seems they regularly come through?" it could be a challenge to get such information from a man trying to drink his sorrows away. But she was going to reassure him.

"We might not be able to save Bessie, but you can rest assured this will be dealt with swiftly and we will ensure that no future Bessie is taken away." that was her desire, her promise as the staff was removed from her back and vibrant green vines with glittering hints of gold rose from the ground.

"We do need to wait, but perhaps using some of the wreckage as fortification could be a wise decision? Plenty of broken things that could be reworked into a strong defensive position."
(Auriel Tabbris)


It wasn't too far of a trek but the distance was great nonetheless. Upon arrival, Finely looked around the village. There was definitely a disturbance around here which made the confirmation that they were at their destination.

Eyes dilute over to the supposed member of the village who had the most authority on the farm at the moment. As he waved, so did the Teraphim.

"Hello, sir!" Once he began describing the issues, Finely listened in. His smile diminished as the story of carnage was laid out to him and the others at his side.

"..That's terrible," she murmurs, looking at the others.

Ten suggested they sit and wait but Finely had a bit of an other idea. "Maybe we should investigate so we can prepare better and not get caught off-guard?

See where they strike most. Seeing as their wolves, maybe near the animal pens?"
(Finely Ghede)


"The smaller wolves usually come in from the sides. They scare and herd what they can towards the center of the farm, and then...

That's when the demon strikes."

Another long swig is taken from his bottle.

"Use whatever you'd like."

Most of the crops are withered, many of the gates have large openings from where they've been shattered. Most of the ancient farm equipment is broken and scattered across the fields, and the mentioned animal pens? Their cages and roofs are torn and broken.

It's a miracle that most of the animals haven't managed to escape.

"Feel free to look around. Use whatever you find, not like there's much left."

Without another word he walks towards the barn. It's doors are shut, and he locks himself within. With the sun continuing to set, they only had so much time to come up with a game plan, and put it to use.
(Farmer Joe)


As Ten Ino proceeded to sharpen his sword, sparks flew from the rocks falling against it. Slight bangs here and there, but as the farmer continued to speak, he quieted down.

He appeared to be suffering from wolf issues. What a rotten dog. "Small ol' wolves? Do you call that a demon?" Ten Ino began to laugh, which he found unusual.

The young Demon Hunter's brow furrowed at the suggestion of smaller ones... After all, there could be a demon here.

He took up the offer of a look around after being offered one, rising to his feet and examining what he could make use of. "I suppose we can relocate some of the shattered components to cover the holes?"

Though something catches his attention in the midst of his quest, something lying in the mud, what could it be?

Kneeling, he began to delve into the ground, perhaps in search of a gem of some kind?
(Ten Ino)


The words of the Farmer allowed her to have a basic understanding of what was going to be happening as the night continued to fall, wolves herding the animals into the central portion of the farm coming through the sides and allow the Demon to strike.

"We have to hurry otherwise we're gonna get caught in the night without any plan, sure we could wing and ding this without facticulating a motion to carry out... But we do really need to be careful about how we do this, nobody get caught out and none of us standing alone."

That would be the most important part of the entire thing, to ensure that all of them remained in once piece. For her, this was the most integral part for they could easily be ripped to shreds.

"If we had a terrmancer we could easily create spike pits that would consume the wolves... But I don't believe either of you have control such as that. Thus we will make due with what we can in the limited window, get to work. Make suggestions that you have and we need to be ready for when night falls.

Wolves first to herd the animals, then the big ones comes out to play." she was getting stepping, looking to fortify the farmers barn where he was locked inside, wanting to set a row of spikes around it with the broken pieces of wood if she had the time.
(Auriel Tabbris)


"Right.. they lure the herd towards the center so that the demon could get its fill."

But Finely was confused, it was mostly eating the farm animals rather than the people. Maybe it's animal instincts were also a factor in all of this.

Either way, they didn't have much time with the sun coming to a set so an idea had to be confirmed and passed around before the time of the hunt.

For now, Finely nods to the other two and began gathering any of the animals that weren't in a secured location. No use losing anymore of them. Once that's done, he turned towards Auriel that made a great suggestion.

"Oh, I definitely can do that. Not made out of dirt and stuff but out of crystals that is! We just need sectioned holes for now."

Yes, holes. Large enough for a couple of wolves. Finely would begin to do that while the others did some other preparing. They were deep and once that was done, Finely tossed into a few gemstones that would immediately grow into large spikes the moment they tossed the bottom of the pit.

With a couple of carefully placed haystacks, they were done. "There we go!" he exclaims, doing that in surprisingly quick effort.

Was it time to lay in wait now?
(Finely Ghede)


Ten Ino finds something shiny within the mud. When he grasps and lifts it, it appears to be...

A piece of a broken lock.

With Auriel setting up a row of spikes around the barn, the farmer within becomes relatively protected from the upcoming battle. He might even have an additional gift for the group, because of this.

With Finely saving the animals, and digging holes with crystalline spikes nestled within, the group is no longer defending a barren farm, but a fortified one.

As the sun finally sets, they can see dozens of yellow eyes in the distance. Like they had for many nights, dozens of wolves rush towards the farm, aiming to get their fill of meat. Yet, on this day, the hunt does not come without casualties.

Most of the wolfs fall into Finely's pits, and are impaled. They howl out in pain, forcing the survivors to rush towards the barn in a fit of rage...!

Only to crash directly into the wooden spikes set up around the barn.

As the wolf pack is bested by the fortifications of a few magi, it might seem as if the farmer were just an ill prepared man.

But...

A massive lumbering creature now lumbers towards the center of the farm. It initially appears to be confused, seeing no farmers, nor herded animals. As it approaches and sniffs the pits full of dead wolves, it lets out a terrifying shriek.

Then, the fifteen meter wolf begins to rush directly towards the barn.
(NARRATION)


Night fell as they finished getting the defenses situated, eagerly she worked to piece together the spikes that soon came into play as a wonderful deterrent for the wolves that rushed from the forests. The farm had been fortified to a good enough extent to ward off the basic beasts, they fell into the pits and even managed to crash upon the spike sets to die... Gruesome, but a necessary action to ensure the safety of those who would otherwise be torn apart.

But it was the instant a massive fifteen foot wolf began to lumber its way out of the darkness that she finally could see the truth of this farmers word, that there was in fact a Demon seeking to feast... "This is not the first Wolf Demon I have fought before, we need to be smart and careful. Avoid their maw, watch for any magics they contain." but the creature was starting to rush directly toward the barn... Thus they needed to act quickly!

"Divert its attention from the barn, we need to get its attention locked on us. Create a blockade and prepare for whatever happens next!" just saying that she cast forth a pulse of her mana through the earth to conjure forth a writhing mass of vines comparable to that an Ent could muster. Nearly ten massive vines sprawling across the area as she desired to utilize them as a fighting force to stop the creatures march.

"Put it down." there would be no mercy this day, not for the creature of Hel'heim.
(Auriel Tabbris)


"Silly lock..." Tossing the shiny broken lock to the side.

With everything coming together and the use of their magical abilities, it appears they've restored some type of life to the barn. What was once broken is now semi-fixed, and holes are now concealed.

Better suited to the impending war.

And when the sun sank and darkness descended over the fields, numerous yellow eyes could be seen in the distance, many of them moving just to get closer.

The howls to come... The stench that follows. Ten Ino was now aware of what was going on.

"Everyone assume position!" Ten Ino yelled, lifting his blade in preparation for the impending wave, but the wolves slammed against the crystal barricade proving to hold them off.

Though trees could be seen being knocked over and a rumbling to follow a massive wolf stood before them and with one howl...

"I'll slay this beast."
(Ten Ino)


Finely had never expected it all to work but they had carefully planned out the defense of the barn but now that they were used on the smaller wolves, there wasn't much left for defenses.

"Yes, it got them."

With the clearing of the pack now set, Finely approached but would halt his step when he heard the large footsteps of what was to come.

Out came the supposed Demon. It's size large. Finely has only fought Snakes so what would come of this monster was unknown but at least Auriel knew a thing or two about them.

The moment the wolf howled loudly, Finely covered his ears and winced. Before time, it began hurdling itself towards the barn. There wasn't much time to think here like he was taught and would need to begin acting. He got up and rose a hand. Crystal structures formulating in the ground and in front of the wolf.

Their object: To slow it down before it got to the barn. He didn't have the time to make them strong enough to halt it completely. But that's what their weapons for for.

"It's time to go down demon. No more will this farm be at the foot of your destruction!"

More defense. More offense. That was Finely's plan!
(Finely Ghede)


Perhaps the pride of this wolf would be it's undoing.

With the death of it's pack, it struck tirelessly against the group, a long demon facing three demon hunters. Try as it might, it was unable to best them. The swordsman was too swift, the teraphim, too capable, and the Auriel, too durable.

It struck at them, tooth, nail, and claw.

Yet, ultimately failed to best them.

In a frenzy it rushed towards the trio, aiming to kill even one of them before it was forced to bleed out and die, but it was incapable of even doing that.

Pieces of itself are scattered around the field as it fought, and fought, refusing to stop until it was forcibly put down.
(NARRATION)


And so would the battle begin, a flurry of bites, claws, all of it sent upon them as it sought to cleave through the trio while they remained stalwart in determination against this beast. A barrage of ethereal blades in tandem with her control over vines blocked its devastating path for others to land their strikes upon it, momentarily she was able to wrap them around the creatures feet while unleashing a horrific barrage of ethereal energies seeking to destroy the beast.

Alas, none of them were capable of falling in the moment as they worked in unison to beat it down! There were scratch's and superficial marks across her flesh from the Demon but it had failed in the greatest fit of rage she had ever witnessed, a being incapable of breaking down their walls.

"Together we can overcome anything." for these words carried the weight of her universe, the desire to see good spread through the world backed on the angelic embrace that wrapped around her figure. Great wings spread froth as she flew through the area unleashing a torrent of golden blades that sliced through its figure while the others sought to achieve their own damage.

In the end it crumbled, broken and dead with pieces scattering around the field for them to collect.

"Good work everyone, we did it. Make sure you grab anything of use and we need to check on the Farmer and let him know that the work is done." she grabbed one of the Claws, one seemingly fueled by the ethereal aspects and proceeded to seek out banging on the door to inform the farmer that they need no longer fear.
(Auriel Tabbris)


A well-fought combat; the enormous demon wolf stood no chance against the three demon hunters. They strike with a force that no one has ever seen before.

Ten Ino's swings were as quick as the air, yet his speed was beyond the speed of light, appearing wherever he could strike from any angle.

Crystal pillars advancing, and Auriel surviving any of its heinous strikes.

Though the Demon refused to give in, refusing to just fall and beheaded by them, it howled and flashed its fangs, even attempting to claw them to bits.

It would be pointless to launch attack after attack. "Perhaps in your future life, you filthy devil."

As they bring the bad wolf to its end.
(Ten Ino)


Finely lied in wait until the wolf was directly in range. Just before then his body would light up instantly and he'd appear at one of the crystal structures he'd placed right before the Wolf's front.

Just then, his sword came up and struck it just below it's abdomen causing structural damage to it's flesh. Finely did this all in tandem to the rest of the wolf giving it a run for it's money. All while the Teraphim was able to sustain himself when needed when the Wolf's crazed attacks would hit him.

They were trained and skilled but that didn't mean they wouldn't have just the itch of trouble. Everyone did.

"That we can!" he shouts, rushing once again to the Wolf's flank and laying his sword deep into it's flesh. This time, the blade holding large amounts of light mana burning it through and keep the flesh and wound from regenerating.

"Phew.." It finally went down. "That was tough.. Uh! I'll look around and make sure there's nothing else we hadn't forgot."

Finally..
(Finely Ghede)


With the wolf gone, the farmer exits his barn and notices that not only the demon, but the entire pack is slain. For a change, the npc was protected, and he approaches the group with a gift.

He didn't care which one of the trio claimed it, but it was his thank you to them for protecting his animals, his workers, and turning his farm into an anti-demon fortress.

"Here's your reward.

I'm going to clean up, now.

I miss mah wife."

[Bounty Cleared]
(NARRATION)


Edit

Pub: 27 Apr 2022 22:33 UTC

Edit: 27 Apr 2022 23:58 UTC

Views: 8