Skarlet slowly reached for her sword, inching away from the beast before her. It growled and lunged as she leaped at her weapon. The second her hand touched it, she spun around, pointing it at the beast. She began circling it, wincing as she walked off her injuries. She had a few larger ones but mostly just a lot of small bites and scratches. She picked up her knife as she watched the wolf catch a rabbit and eat it in a couple ravenous bites. He was so damn big, Skarlet frowned as she pondered her chances. I could get stronger from this thing, I could die though, but either outcome would be ok right?
It turned its gaze to her when it finished its meal, growling menacingly, it didn't seem threatened by her sword. This beast wasn't known to her, it was not something that should normally be in this forest. It looked like a demonic wolf, however it looked like an evolved version. And there was an ominous feeling as she faced it. Demon wolves were pack hunters so the fact he was alone was weird as well. But he was so big that maybe he just ate his pack or something.
Skarlet leaped to the side as it lunged, Attempting to counter, however the wolf was faster. It dodged her attack and smashed it's tail into her face. Skarlet spit out blood as she tumbled to the side, barely holding onto her sword. It felt like she'd been hit with a steel pole. Her vision blurred as her ears rang, she squeezed her grip on her sword as an exhilaration began to rise up. Imma kill this damn mutt.
She stumbled to her feet as the Wolf came at her again. She was holding up her knife as it lunged, jaws wide. She barely blocked it, sliding back a few inches. The feeling of her weapon as it creaked filled her with dread, but fear was absent as she stared at the creature before her and almost managed to match it's bloodlust. It pushed down with it's weight causing her to fall onto one knee. She heard her knife make a noise that made her think it would break. It's so strong, can I really beat this thing? She wondered, but she shook the thought away. Who cares, of I'm gonna die let's give God a good show!
She felt pain like white fire burn through her side as it swiped at her, blood soaked her black shirt as the Wolf's claws ripped through her side. She lifted her sword and swung, slicing through the Beast's fur and chest. The Wolf roared and slammed it's paws on her shoulders. "Ahrg!" She exclaimed as it slammed into her, Shit my knife's gonna break!
Skarlet crumpled under the weight. Her knife shattered and at the last minute she rolled away, ripping herself from it's claws. She dragged herself across the dirt, leaving a trail of blood like she was some grotesque paintbrush. She pulled herself to her feet and lifted her sword. The Beast stomped it's feet angrily in response, blood dripped from it's belly.
"Didn't like that huh, damn beast!" It's yellow eyes locked onto her and it leaped. For a moment she wondered if it actually understood her. And a smile lit her lips for a moment cause it was kinda funny thinking about dying with that Dumbass remark as her last words. And only this beast would have heard them.
Skarlet dodged to the side, "Spirits of the fire, shape and come forth, Fireball!" a quick chant and a fireball scorched the side of it's face forcing it to release a pained howl. She felt satisfaction as it pawed at it's face. She leaped forward and stabbed it in the side, causing it to let out a whimper, It scrabbled at the ground, ripping itself from her sword. Spinning around, it gave her a viscous look before clawing at her, Skarlet couldn't dodge. "Fuck, stop that would ya," she winced as it tore through her leg, she brought her sword down, just barely missing as it leaped out of range. It howled as it's horn glowed, and it's wounds began to heal slowly. The beast began circling Skarlet as she panted. "H-hey, no fair. . . I-if I started healing right. . . ah fuck it."
Skarlet lifted her sword and dashed, the Wolf slashed at her, forcing her to block as it spun around and smashed it's tail into her gut.
"Ack! F-fuuucck." She doubled over and nearly puked, stabbing the sword into the ground. She forced herself to her feet and Blocked the coming slash of claws before following it up with another slash down the Beast's flank. It howled at her before backing up, Skarlet leaped forward and Slashed. It turned and avoided it, The Wolf seemed to be taunting her as it kept leaping in to do damage before leaping out to avoid her sword.
"Damnit, yo-ou, haaa, you bitch." Skarlet panted while leaning on her sword, blood pooled beneath her. She had too many wounds that would kill her in time, and as she took a breath she looked inward and realized she had no mana left. Her eyes sharpened as she looked at the wolf who seemed to be smirking at her while it healed it's wounds again.
That damn horn, hehe I'll cut it off!
Skarlet ripped her sword from the dirt and leaped forward, it was such a quick and sudden movement that the beast barely reacted. It defended her attack with its claws but lost a paw to it in the process. With a rage filled roar the beast pushed forward and opened it's jaws.
Skarlet had no chance to react as she was was mid swing, her sword was off to the side. Her eyes widened as the beast bit into her Left upper arm, a shock of pain stabbed into her shoulder joint as she stumbled. Blood began to drip and soak her shirt even more, but Skarlet didn't feel fear. Excitement bubbled up as she swung her right hand which held her sword and chopped the horn off.
The beast howled into her arm but didn't let go, instead it glared at her then with a spike of pain that coursed through her whole body like electricity. She watched with morbid curiosity as her arm detached from her body.
"Ah, holy fuck that hurts!" She exclaimed as she leaped backwards. Blood seemed to pour from the wound as she brought her sword back in front. She seemed to ignore her missing limb as she leaped forward once more.
The beast spit out her arm and swiped at her with his claws again, this time she didn't block or dodge, simply gritted her teeth as it tore through her side, where a wound already existed. Her leg was soaking wet from the blood coming from her side. She could feel it coming, the blood loss was making her dizzy. But like a mad demon she pushed into the Wolf's chest and stabbed it through, then she began to yank and turn and pull. The beast began to claw at her while screaming, it no longer roared with anger or pain no it wailed in agony as she tore it's insides apart.
Skarlet fell back, panting as she gazed at the dead corpse, Skarlet wiped the blood from her lips "H-how'd you l-like that?" A surge of energy filled her, she felt stronger. Though she couldn't really feel any of the muscles in her body, and she definitely couldn't stand. She fell to the side with her gaze staring at her missing arm. She began to drag her body over to it, a sense of determination to not die after winning rose up as she grabbed it and pressed it against her stub before beginning a chant for healing magic. She poured all her mana into it, feeling her consciousness fading as an immense amount of pain began to ricochet across her body. Like a mini war going on different amounts of pain rose and fell on many different spots across her body, like thousands of tiny people with little knives stabbing her in many different locations inside and outside her body. There were so many injuries and soon the pain flicked her brain's off switch and she hit the dirt.
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As Skarlet feel unconscious her magic faded and blood began to soak the ground once more. She was gonna die soon. Nearby, color faded from the wolf's fur and it began to flak and fade away, all monsters were like this. They didn't stay in this world very long after death. Silence blanketed the clearing, a single body lay their as it neared it's final breath a sound cut through the silence. It was a buzzing or vibration, coming from her sword.
No one was there to see as a black smoke rose from her sword and shot downwards. It filled her nose and pried her mouth open. The smoke faded inside her as she stopped breathing, leaving just a corpse.
Surprisingly, after a couple minutes Skarlet's finger twitched, she slowly pushed herself up and opened her eyes. She stared around herself with pure black eyes. An ominous aura wrapped her, she lifted her sword off her back and flipped it around. She stabbed it into her heart and blood gushed out. The sword ate all the blood that came out, revelling in it. After a few moments a sound permeated the surroundings, a heartbeat. A smile lit her face and then the sword was ripped out as black mana began to rise up. The mana washed over her body like water before disappearing like steam turning back into mana and returning to her body. All major and life threatening wounds were completely healed as the black mana passed them.
After healing herself the black smoke exploded out of her nose, ears, and mouth. Like a puppet with is strings cut, Skarlet collapsed.
About an hour passed and Skarlet stirred, she sat up and winced, still feeling some injuries although small. That was really lucky, I barely managed to complete my healing spell it seems. She tested her arm and was glad to see it was functioning again. She then got to her feet unsteadily and looked around, the wolf's horn was on the ground, and the clearing was bloody as hell. She approached the wolf horn and grabbed it.
She placed the proof of subjugation into a pouch on her waist, gazing at herself as she did. I should head to the stream and clean myself off. She was filthy, bloody, and her clothes were ripped and torn. For a moment her mind lingered on that feeling, the exhilaration of the fight. She realized she enjoyed it, which scared her only for a moment.
Her thoughts moved on again, she thought about the end when she decided to throw herself at her opponent with no regard for her own safety. And a chill slide down her spine as her hand touched her face, she was smiling. The thought of throwing her life into question, rolling the dice. It made her happy, she realized that it was fucked up but she pushed those feelings down and headed out of the clearing.
Not far away was a stream, Skarlet slipped out of her clothes and stepped into the water. A hiss escaped her lips as the water was cold and her wounds ached. She sunk into the water, watching as blood streamed away from her down river. She rubbed the dirt off her body and wet her hair, dunking her head beneath the water. I shouldn't stay too long. She thought as she floated a bit on the surface. Up through the trees above she watched the sky darken as the birds called to each other. Skarlet's mind wondered, I'm getting stronger, the sword wasn't a lie. Who was that man then, where could he have obtained such a weapon? This monster, the one he prophesized, wonder how strong it'll be. Can I even do this, is there a limit? Can I be a hero?
No, of course not, no amount of good deeds will overturn what you've done.
Yeah, you're right, I must redeem myself first right?
Redeem? Ha, Skarlet you are an irredeemable monster. Don't ever forget, don't ever get close to anyone, death awaits those who seek solace with the black cat. You bring death and misfortune.
Ah, yes, that's right. I must get out now, The sun has already set. She thought absently, unaware that her negative thoughts and emotions were beginning to sound more and more like her own voice.
Skarlet's feet touched the bottom and she pushed over to shore, climbing out and drying herself off with a quick low wind spell before wrapping bandages around her remaining wounds. She then slipped back into her clothes and left the stream behind.
Skarlet approached the guard at the gate, his eyes went wide when he saw her, ripped clothes and bandages. Then a scowl took over as his face twisted in annoyance and disappointment.
"Damn, still alive huh?" He asked in surprise, that's when she remembered the tears in her clothes. She wrapped her arms around herself while nodding quietly as he opened the gate for her. He avoided her like she was diseased, or dangerous in some way.
The guild loomed in front of her, and for once, she felt no fear or nervousness. She felt like she could do anything, Why is my head so fuzzy? She wondered as she pushed the door open. The guild was loud as usual, but as the eyes trailed to her, the words stopped, the noise froze like ice. Why is everyone staring? She noticed the boy who'd followed her awhile back, how long ago was that again, he was at the counter with a young noble-looking girl and a young fox Lithian.
Skarlet frowned and headed up to the counter, a different one to the boy. She dumped her proof on the table and glanced nervously at the receptionist, her green eyes were filled with worry, but She simply went through the items before pulling out the reward for the Wolf and the other miscellaneous creatures. Skarlet took it and left, wanting to be as far from the people staring as possible. Time seemed to swim in her mind as she moved though.
The world began to tilt, and for a moment she was confused as the sky came into view, her back hit someone and she felt an arm around her.
"Woah, hey told you she wasn't ok. Here you hold her Aiko. . . Hmmm what do you want to do the talking. That's what I thought." A one sided conversation played out before she was passed to a new set of arms and a face appeared in her vision. Skarlet felt annoyed, the way this person talked was immature, pure, excited. All the things that led new adventurers to their deaths, she wanted nothing to do with them. But she didn't have the strength to resist.
"Hey, you're name is Skarlet right, I heard you took down an evolved Demon Wolf that's so cool. Hey I got an idea why don't you join our team, we're the only non human party in Aguris as of yesterday. We kinda just got here." A young Lithian girl was talking to her, she had floppy dog ears and a bright smile. "Hey I'm Amethyst and the girl holding you like a lost kitten, hehe that's Aiko. She's quiet but is very interested in you, she won't admit it though. Hey I got an idea, why don't we walk you home!" Amethyst was excitedly talking away with no one to respond to her. Damnit, Skarlet thought as she was soon being walked towards the inn she stayed at, how do they know where I live? She wondered as they walked her in the front door.
The receptionist sighed as she sauntered in on the arm of someone else.
"God dear, you're multiplying." The lady at the counter commented as her gaze traced over the girl helping Skarlet to walk. It was another black cat Lithian with bright Green eyes.
Skarlet handed over the payment for another month of living. The lady took it gratefully.
"Thank you dear, have a nice night. You look like you went through hell today." The receptionist commented, Skarlet suddenly remembered that her name was Cherrille.
Skarlet nodded with a small blush as she felt a little like a kid that had been scolded for doing something dangerous, she avoided eye contact, but couldn't really do much as she was barely able to stand. She recognized that she'd over used her body multiple times over and probably was running on adrenaline and fumes till the moment even that ran out on the way here.
"Be more careful dear." Cherrille added with a soft smile, Skarlet gave a quiet "I will." and was then dragged upstairs, her guests, proceeded to let themselves in to her room and helped her to bed. The girl known as Aiko sat on the edge of the bed while Skarlet sighed and finally gave up. Her strength had come back somewhat so she refused further help.
She stripped out of her clothes and laid them on her desk, gazing at the tears and holes with a frown and a sigh. Skarlet unsheathed her sword and tossed it on her bed, she then sat down and pulled out a needle, thread, and some fabric she began to sew up the holes in her clothes.
"Are you two gonna stay the night or something?" Skarlet asked in despair, she knew she was being dramatic but it was so annoying to have clingy people like this come in contact with her. She knew first hand how hard it would be to disconnect afterwards.
"Yuuuuuup, ain't that right Aiko. . . No? huuuuh but I thought you were curious?" Amethyst went to respond but upon turning to her friend for confirmation the girl known as Aiko shook her head and got to her feet.
"She wants to be alone." Aiko finally spoke, it was quiet and hesitant as she headed for the door. Amethyst chased after her, chatting up a storm. The door closed behind them, Skarlet sighed as she listened to the chatter box disappear down the hall.