Oh fuck, I cannot believe I'm going to die like this. I always imagined I would face my death with more nonchalance and here I am, tears running down my face running for my life from some lion-headed guy in a suit. The thoughts went rapid-fire through Ben's mind as he raced down side streets and alleyways. “I wish I at least got to eat a decent meal before I go, oh god someone save me”.
The tall slender young man risked a look behind him and saw an eight-foot-tall man wearing a blood-drenched white suit with the head of a lion, black fur and antlers quickly catching up to him. Why does it have fucking antlers! "Please don't eat me!" Ben pleaded between gasps, "Seriously I wouldn't even taste good, I'm too lean, and I'm honestly not worth the effort."
Fortunately for Ben, he knew this part of the city better than anyone or else he would've been caught by this thing several blocks ago. Unfortunately for him while distracted by the look of the monster gaining on him he took a wrong turn into a dead-end. Oh dammit Ben, rookie mistake always know what's around the corner now your going to be eaten by the love child of Bambi and Shere Khan way to go. As the beast-man caught up to him Ben began to make peace with his death. The beast-man opened his maw and closed in on Ben to end his life. As Ben felt the teeth pierce his skin he heard a loud crack and saw a flash of dark purple light come from outside his peripheral vision and the beast was flung away from him.
Ben's eyes shot to where the sound came from and saw a tall lanky man with medium length blonde hair, and 5 o'clock the next day shadow. He was wearing a white zip-up hoodie with a tight gray t-shirt and dark skinny jeans and his hands were crackling with a dark black and purple energy. The man turned to Ben and spoke to him in a cheerful tone "Good morning mate, my name is Xander. I'll be back in a moment to explain some things but if you don't mind I need to see to our associate here." Ben only managed a quiet grunt in response. The frivolous new addition calmly walked forward and thrust his hands out towards the monster and a bolt of lightning shot out of his hand and struck the creature. Less than a second later Xander was standing over the monster holding a glowing curved dagger in his hand and quickly plunged it down into its chest. The beast-mans chest quickly bled into a thick black shadow leaving behind only a fang, some hair, and a vial of black and red liquid.
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Xander snatched up the limited remains of the creature and quickly pivoted to turn to Ben. "So, now that that's taken care of now to deal with you." Xander dusted himself off as he walked toward Ben and stowed his blade somewhere on his back. "You sir have been bitten by a Shaitan. Now, while public knowledge of them is limited and considered myth, I happen to know you have about 30 minutes until you succumb to the dangerous venom it injected into that bite. Unless you drink a potion made from this here vial and some very rare and expensive herbs." Ben's heart which had finally started to slow to a near-normal pace skipped a beat and then started to race. "Please, sir, I don't have any money or, well, anything really. I'll do anything, I don't want to die, please help me." Ben begged with all his might. Funny how little pride does for you when faced with the end of your life he thought. Ben would've laughed at himself if he wasn't too busy sobbing.
Xander looked at Ben and started giggling "Mate, I'm just fucking with you. Shaitan aren't venomous, well, that one wasn't at least, you'll be fine the bite didn't even break your skin anyway." Xander stuck his hand out and helped Ben to his feet. "Name's Xander, I hunt monsters. It's a pleasure to meet you." Ben shook his hand a quickly stammered out "Hi, I-I'm Ben, I run from monsters apparently thank you for saving my life.” Xander chuckled “Well hey, look at you, you managed to be funny things are looking good for your sanity. Let’s go grab a burger, I’m starved and I figure your life is worth at least that much” Xander promptly began wandering out of the alleyway and Ben sprang after him. “Well I would love to treat you to some food; the problem is I don’t really have any money to buy you anything.”
Xander stopped to actually look at the young man he saved for the first time. Before him, he saw a maybe eighteen-year-old with messy dark curled hair and sunken features. Xander took note of how dirty he was and how even though he wasn’t injured at all his clothes were torn. Xander said after a few moments, “Come on then mate a meal will do you good after such an encounter, you can pay me back some other time.” and started to stroll down the road with Ben following closely behind him.