Sho Minazuki

The Legend of Zelda: Valorbrand Chronicles

Rorenville - Lumbermill

Night

@ChozoHunter@Jerkchicken@rawkhawk64

Night seemed to come quickly as the Valorbrands settled into hiding spots in the darkness of the lumbermill. The smell within was horrid, given all the viscera and corpses of various wildlife that littered the inside. Not to mention that of their poor victim, though all must be left untouched... For now. They were here to stake it out. Luckily, there was a roof that looked into the area, so those who could climb or benefited from a vantage point could stake it out there with the fresh air. It wasn't even guaranteed that their target would appear tonight either, so Afira had also asked that they be prepared to be in Rorenville for a little while.

The team had also setup some traps in the lumbermill's surrounding area too, expecting escape to be an option their quarry would take. Reasonable, of course. Just some obstacles such as hidden spikes and pitfalls. That was the best they could do given the somewhat open field.

Fortunately... It didn't seem they needed to wait long at all. The doors of the lumbermill creaked open. It can only be their target, as Lady Afira had explicitly asked the chief to not let anyone up to the mill until their business here was done. Unfortunately, however... Tonight was that of a new moon, and so the darkness was truly all-consuming. The sounds of whatever it is they were here for, were unusual... They did not suggest a large size. In fact... If they listened carefully, they could hear muttering, that of a person's even. Lady Afira herself could feel doubt entering her mind... She expected a beast of sorts, yet it was a man?... Or... Was it a villager? No, given the words being muttered, it couldn't be a villager.

"... pay... the..'ll... laugh at ... me... I'll...", well... If their target turned out to just be a man, then this would be much simpler than they thought. Something wasn't right though... Yet still, the noble lady could not in good conscience strike down a fellow man without showing her face. She grabbed at the torch she had prepared and lit it up with a spark of magic, walking forward and illuminating the man who had entered. The rest can stay hidden for now if they like.

"Good sir, stop right there, you are under arrest for the murder of various villagers within the northeast Hylian region, do not resist", she began. As soon as the light hit the man's face, he recoiled, as if in pain, screaming. His face was marred with small bulbs of flesh, and on further inspection he barely wore any clothes, only some rags around his waist, which exposed more of these red and black fleshy parts around his body. The man, also only had a single arm... So, this was Toltan?

"One arm... You're Toltan aren't you?"

"S-stay back! Stay back! No no no no no no no no! You're... Stop... Stop laughing at me! Go away!", he began to flail around madly, those listening closely could hear something strange with his voice. Like a growl.

"Calm down, w-we're not here to hurt you", which was of course, a bit of a lie. Still things had changed... Or so she thought. His eyes came into focus for a single moment as he looked at Afira, recognizing her armor, and any in Hyrule could recognize she was a Hylian Knight.

"Youuu! It's all your fault!", his demeanor changed, from recoiling away from the fire, to walking towards her, raising the one arm he had to attack. She stepped back and away, avoiding it, but as soon as it swung, the black and red bulbs on his arm grew in size, swinging again and striking her, causing her to stumble back.

"What is...?" No one present could believe their eyes, the torchlight showing them as the man began to transform. A blood red shroud surrounding parts of his body as they jutted and grew in various directions. "You'll paaaayyyyy! You'll pay! Accursed captain I'll kill yoooouuuuuu!", his voice was no longer that of a man's, but a beast's. It grew in size, rising more than several feet in height, and almost as much sideways, as a massive belly took form, with large, dough-like arms, and fat, thick, powerful legs, though short. The head was rocked back as it took form, but as soon as it's face came down to focus on Lady Afira, it's black dead eyes, stared directly at her, before smiling wide, showing thin rows of razor sharp teeth... Certainly answering how their victim had turned out they way they had. Was this what he saw, before he met his unfortunate end?

"To arms...! To arms!" she called, snapping back into reality, eyes wide with a mixture of fear and surprise, drawing her blade before jumping back, getting some distance, even though it appeared to simply stand there, staring. Waiting.

The Legend of Zelda: Valorbrand Chronicles

Rorenville - Village Square

@ChozoHunter@Jerkchicken@rawkhawk64

The group gathered back up in the village square by the well, in order to gather their information together. Figure out what was happening. Information from Nareck and Ghent, suggested that their target was Toltan, yet such a man who was crippled could not possibly do the kind of killings that resulted in what Rik and Afira had found. A few things did line up for them, that some sort of beast might be behind this, it seemed to always be at night, and that it seemed to target this village with animosity uncharacteristically, as there were other deaths before, but never found, or too old to follow up on. Everyone here had some experience fighting a beast, of course, particularly Ghent, who was a Hylander.

"Hmmm...", Lady Afira crossed her arms in thought... She felt uneasy, despite the supposed quarry being something they could handle. Her gut told her they needed more people... No, just more bodies might not be right. Her mind flashed back to the way some of the bodies were left. Those were rather large jaw marks, almost a whole body's... On the other hand... If the came back empty handed from a supposedly 'simple' job such as this... They'd never be taken seriously. This was their first outing, so their success was paramount. Plus, she doubted they'd send help off of just a hunch, or even for a good reason unless it lined some nobleman's pockets.

"We'll stake this out. All of you make whatever preparations you need, we'll be going up to the lumbermill once we're ready", she began. "I'll make a request to the village chief too for something flammable... It is most likely our quarry is fearful of light and heat to some degree. We'll hide out in the lumbermill, illuminate it when it comes in, and then kill it before it can do a thing", that was her plan, but if anyone could build off of it, now was the time to suggest something, before they all got moving.

Genshin Impact - Eikons [Current Chapter: Geo]

Zabar Ruins - Southern Region

@Rezod92

Garrick's skillful dispatching of the puppeteered pirates left them out cold, they'll be found in not too long by the other Radiant Suns, but for now he was hot on the trail and was not intent on letting it grow cold. Following the path he'd find himself encountering yet another challenge. The ruins in this section were rather desolate, 'ruined', one could say. Across a large floor, or lack thereof, were just a handful of places to jump, crumbling even, meaning without care they could collapse too. The bottom was barely visible, with water below based on the way the light rippled below. Knowing his quarry, they likely simply flew over these, though someone such as him may need another way.

Looking around, there were some crumbling walls, with suggestion of a hallway adjacent to this room, the way the pillars were lined up in front of him too if he could have them fall a certain way could make the way across easier, or... He could of course just try and make the jumps without doing anything drastic. The hallway may lead someplace else, but given the direction, the thief was also headed deeper into the ruin, and so doing that would achieve the same.

---

Underhull, Mayleaf Orphanage

@Letter Bee@Renose

Ms Mayleaf expressed some surprise to Kazue's arms changing into... Well, arms. She began to examine the wounds present on her, the gunshot wound, which she'd have to check thoroughly, the arrow wound, back wounds, and then the usual one would expect from a scrap. Bruises and scratches. Ken's offer was turned down though, "that will be quite alright, you just get some rest yourself", she said.

After a few minutes she'd have Kazue sitting at a bed as she began to clean her wounds and treat them. A medical pack opened up right beside her as she carefully removed the bullet after getting some of the bleeding under control. "Not a single bit of noise, even with all these wounds... You're a remarkably strong girl aren't you?" she tried to give comfort, but considering the way her eyes looked at those scars, she was getting some inkling of the kind of life she had. Still that wasn't important right now.

"One of you, prepare some hot water and a towel too, need to make sure these wounds are washed", she requested to the children, amidst the sounds of the kids talking amongst themselves and gawking at Kazue, amazed that her arms just... Transformed.... In not long they'd come back with just what she asked for. After a little while, the young and unusual elf would be cleaned up and covered in bandages.

"Now I just ask as a doctor that you get some rest. If you're hungry it's almost time for lunch, you're free to join us... Oh, you too of course", she added, looking over to Ken. With that, she was off, likely to prepare lunch as she had mentioned. For now, the two can relax just for a little while.

The Legend of Zelda: Valorbrand Chronicles

Rorenville - The Chief's House

@ChozoHunter@Jerkchicken

"O-of course my sirs... I... Suppose I'll start with Eidan", she said. She seemed to be a little nervous, her cheerful behavior breaking for just a moment, as if she was remembering something that perturbed her. Though, it would not have anything to do with Eidan, as she would give an answer about him that most in the village would. "He was respected here, and a bit of a bleeding heart, always trying to help anyone he could, even if he wasn't so well-off himself. I suppose it wasn't a surprise he wanted to help Toltan", she began, putting down her cup as she did after taking a brief sip and pause.

"Toltan, he's a beggar... Well, rather, a former Hylian Knight, discharged and sent back home due to becoming a cripple. Lost part of his good arm", she sighed a little, before continuing. "Always going on about his days as a knight he did, Eidan and I were the only ones who gave him the time of day, and then one day he just... Disappeared. Never showed up again after storming off and cussing out some folk around here", her expression changed, furrowing as if recalling what she could.

"This was... Many months ago however. When I heard Eidan had seen Toltan again just a week or so back, I was curious, and went out about looking for him. Of course, always came back before sundown. I'd known how dangerous it had become of late, never going far... Well, that was when I found poor Eidan, in the lumbermill... Or, what was left of him", she took a moment to compose herself, placing her hand over her mouth, taking deep breaths. The two here didn't know how grisly the site was, but it seemed she was holding back some measure of disgust.

"From... From what I understood... Eidan had been meeting with Toltan at night, and only at night. Bringing him some food or... Water, just supplies. And then one day he was just... Murdered. I'm... Afraid I don't know much more than that though... I thought it strange he only went out at night, full knowing the dangers. You know, a big beast had been spotted a couple times over the last few months, but only ever at night...", she sighed... "Perhaps it was simply this mad beast..." Well, the two here had already heard that other people in the village were killed too, but it's only now they got a body.

"Well, that ought to be all I know... Unless there is more you sirs wish to ask", she craned her head back up to face them again, taking a sip of her tea, which seemed to soothe her and her demeanor began to change back.

Genshin Impact - Eikons [Current Chapter: Geo]

Zabar Ruins - Southern Region

@Rezod92

The ruins themselves were rather plain, as in, there weren't a lot of markings, and any that could be found were too faded to be of any significance. No, it was the architecture that held any value here. Sturdy, pyramid-based structures, pillars that became thinner the higher they went, but also as Garrick might delve deeper into the ruins, some structures he saw outside would pierce into the ruins, becoming thinner the further down they went. Of course, they were expectedly dusty, what with all the sand and age, so finding the path he should take did not require much effort. There were portions that were a little less untouched than others, until finally, he found footsteps.

Two pairs of them, then after a little while, just the one, and the other had split briefly before disappearing onto a stone corridor. Before he could make a decision for where to go, he could hear some movement up ahead, as someone walked out. A sharp eye would recognize them as the Anemo thief, one of the duo he was here to track down. Before he could say another world, behind the man would be Radiant Sun pirates. For a moment, he thought he might have been setup or betrayed... But then, the way they moved was a bit unusual. A small orb was in the man's hand though... Perhaps that had something to do with it?

Any case, Garrick was now beset by some rather unfortunate Radiant Suns, the man sending them at the large cryptid, before turning tail and running further into the ruin. There were three Radiant Suns wielding scimitars, and two who had Geo guns. Were they of normal mind they might put up a sustained fight, but as they were, their movements held no thought behind them. Against someone like Garrick, they were only a time waster.

---

Underhull, Mayleaf Orphanage

@Letter Bee@Renose

"Elf? And Ken... Wonderful", along with the display before her, she could see the things Rajeev wanted her to help with. She pursed her lips... Looking at the elf's arms. Almost lost in thought for awhile, until Rajeev snapped her out of it, "Ms. Mayleaf, I will leave these two with you. I believe I have some duties I need to attend to", he announced.

"Y-yes of course... Now you two, come along inside, tell me more about yourselves... Get comfortable... Whatever you like" she assured them, letting them inside the orphanage while waving goodbye to Rajeev, who was off to likely join Garrick in some time. The way she spoke had changed a little, especially after examining Kazue just visually. When the two entered, she offered them tea, or juice, whatever their choice she would return to the table with them while the other kids either played, or watched the pair curiously. Particularly Kazue, who's metal arms were a most unusual sight.

"Now that we're all settled... There's something I wish to do first... 'Elf' was it? Is it ok, if I take a closer look at you? I promise, I'm not going to hurt you", she had picked up on her suspicion it seems. Perhaps from a place of knowledge... Or was it in her nature? Either way, she seemed to genuinely wish to examine her.

The Legend of Zelda: Valorbrand Chronicles

Rorenville - The Chief's House

@ChozoHunter@Jerkchicken

The walk over to the chief's house was slow, there were some other villagers around going about their day, or gawking. Particularly the few children that were still in the village. In not too long they would find themselves at the chief's doorstep, knocking upon it. They were first met with the voice of a young lady from within, "coming!" they would hear, uncharacteristically cheerful compared to the entirety of the village.

The door swung open for the two to be greeted with a young Hylian lady who maintained a rather cheerful demeanor, long, light brown hair and blue eyes, with dainty, angular features more typical of a city Hylian. Although one could tell such behavior was normal for her, the tired lines across her face would inform one she had been forcing it for awhile now. Just as they were greeted with her sight, she would be greeted with a question.

"Ah, yes! Father had told me to expect some guests, please, come on in. I'll serve up some tea", she said. Whether the two wanted to or not, they would have to filter inside, as she had already run off to prepare the promised tea. Without facing them, and putting hot water into the teacups, she continued to speak.

"The, murders have been going on for awhile now and everyone in the village is right glad you're here to... Do something about it", she began. "And guests, it's been some time. Truth be told, I used to live in Faron, but came here not too long ago to visit my father, and now... I'm involved in this whole mess too", she sighed a little as she spoke. In not too long she would come to the table with three cups of tea, and proceed to take a seat herself.

"So, please... What would you like to ask?", she seemed settled, and despite her somewhat tired expressions underneath, she seemed genuinely glad to have company.

The Legend of Zelda: Valorbrand Chronicles

Rorenville - Abandoned Lumbermill

@rawkhawk64

Lady Afira pressed her chin in thought to the Sheikah's words, who had decided to scout ahead, with her ready to assist if needed. Seems there was no need, fortunately. So the wilds around here were being wandered freely around here, even to be as comfortable as to hunt so close to the village... The possibility of multiple was also raised, which would certainly increase the difficulty.

"The more and more we investigate, the less likely it seems our quarry is a person... If it truly is a beast out here, we are not equipped for this I fear...", she thought to herself. Still... There was much on the line for this outing. If they returned empty handed, then it would truly all be over.

"We shall take another look around near the lumbermill, then head back to the village and hear what the others have found out", she settled on doing this. There was a slight fear, that if they were to find their target, they may not be able to handle it without all hands. Perhaps regrouping would be best...

---

Rorenville - The Rills House

@ChozoHunter@Jerkchicken

"I-it was... The dead of night, I fear. In my half-asleep state, I had not thought it strange he said he was going off to retrieve more wood at the time but...", there was some remorse and sadness in her voice, before she began to sob into her son's arms. There wasn't much else they could get out of them at this point it seems.

"Aight, he kept makin' excuses to go out at odd times, sometimes with food, or just because. I won't know much more than that though... P-please, speak with the chief's lass... She might know more", the young man had said, consoling his mother. As soon as the two would leave, they'd hole up back inside their little home.

Genshin Impact - Eikons [Current Chapter: Geo]

Zabar Ruins - Southern Region

@Rezod92

The trip on the sandcraft was quiet, only with the occasional crewmen chatter, and the hum of the craft's engine. It was sand and dunes, far as the eye can see, and after riding one of these it was easy to see why traversing these sands without a craft was near unthinkable. Eventually though, a mess of trees and shapes would begin to be visible on the horizon, especially as they climbed up some of the larger dunes.

"Ah I see, so our rogues have taken to a ruin. That would make sense", mentioned the driver. The hummed along for a little while longer as they got closer, and would soon see another craft just like theirs, also with the colours of the Radiant Suns. Though, it was empty... Reasonable assumption, it belonged to the scouts they were tailing. Soon as they spotted it, the driver would hone in on it immediately, drawing closer.

Within moments of stopping by the craft the crew jumped out, spreading out while some examined the craft, as it seems no one was here...

"This certainly belongs to us too...", it seems they were expecting at least one of the scouts to stay behind to meet up with them, but unfortunately that was not the case.

"Strange... Right, we'll have to take a look around these ruins then. See if we can find our scouting team", the one in charge of this little group after making his orders would approach Garrick.

"Garrick, was it? Me and my men will secure the area around the ruin, perhaps you could take a look at the ruin itself? Some of my men will be with you", he said, referring to the pyramid-like structure in the center of this oasis... Though, it would be called that, there was not a body of water in sight. Still, that was not a matter of importance at this time.

The Legend of Zelda: Valorbrand Chronicles

Rorenville - Abandoned Lumbermill

@rawkhawk64

By the time Rik'shath had returned to Afira with his finders, the fingers of one of her greaves were smeared with blood, it appears she had also decided to move the body around a bit, as well as some of the scrapped clothing were removed too. As she listened to the Sheikah, she too was at a loss... Though, not entirely for the same reason, rather, she pointed to some of edges of flesh where the torso was once whole, and ran her fingers along them.

"I have... Seen wolves bite flesh clean from people before and... These, look like teeth marks, not from a wolf, but...", she began. The teeth marks she was referring to were only obvious when pointed out, jagged and sharp, like a row of knives had sliced right through in uniform fashion. "I don't know... The marks are not familiar", she could not glean much more from that, but Rik'shath's note on the tracks was promising. She stood up, pulling out a small white cloth to clean her fingers as she continued to speak.

"Those tracks, follow them. I will be close behind", she ordered, ready to follow him. It wasn't unusual for Sheikah to be trackers and while this was not explicitly his job in the unit, it was a familiar role he was placed into.

---

Rorenville - The Rills House

@ChozoHunter@Jerkchicken

When the poor lady had finally calmed down, she introduced herself and answered their questions, tears being wiped from her eyes with her son holding her shoulders to help keep her calm. "O-of course, I am Eila, forgive my... Outburst", she took a brief pause to breathe. "No one works at that mill, not since it's been abandoned some many years ago but some folk used to go there to cut any wood the village might need, and no more. My dear Eidan was one of the ones who would be asked such of. Last I saw him was... Was...", she took a moment to cradle her face, before bringing her gaze back up. "I-it was... Maybe a week back, or two... I don't know anymore. He was also an agreeable man, no one in this village had hated him but...", she took yet another breath, looking down in contemplation.

"There was... Another man, many moons back, maybe seven or eight. His name was Toltan, and before Eidan had passed, he mentioned that man in passing, said he needed to get more firewood, and then I... Never heard from him again", there was a moment, where it seemed she might have it all together but... The howling continued. Well, this was decent information it seemed.

"A-about Toltan, was a beggar of sorts 'e was, lef' this small village all bitter like... dunno for whot, but I 'ear the village chief's lass talked to the man a lot", if there was anymore they could ask about here it wouldn't be immediately apparent. The young man and his mother stood there with him consoling her as the two awaited perhaps further questions.

Genshin Impact - Eikons [Current Chapter: Geo]

Al-Marabar, Sand King Arena - Throne Platform

"Then it is decided. Also I give you permission to accompany the elf, it seems to me she may be in need of some", which left Garrick to join the forward group to pursue the attackers. The Sand King after his proclamation would get up, and walk around behind his throne towards the building, "this meeting is adjourned, you know your tasks, I will see to mine", he said. One would presume it was to do with the inner workings of the city, though details of such for now would remain known only to Axom and his crew. The young looking Shaitan Rajeev would step forward now in place of Axom, and help direct Garrick to the hangar bay where some of the crew was going, and then turn to Kazue to take her to where he had intended, with Ken following close behind as he had decided

---

Al-Marabar, Docking Bay
@Rezod92
If he followed the instructions he would soon find himself in a large docking facility built into the city. Unsurprisingly, they arrived rather quickly, seeing as it was made to be connected to the Sand King's own headquarters within the city. A tactical structural decision.

"Garrick, sir, please board the sand skiff. Our scouts that had been tracking the two thieves, we'll simply be following them in tow as reinforcements. They've been told not to engage, so hopefully we'll end up meeting with them to coordinate an assault", the Radiant Sun member informed the cryptid, though with a little bit of nervousness. Afterall, Garrick to the untrained eye would appear no more than a monster, and he was quite large to boot.

---

Underhull, Mayleaf Orphanage
@Letter Bee@Renose

The young Shaitan led Kazue and Ken down into the Underhull, a shadowy underground part of the city, where some of the oldest ships that made up the city's architecture were. The darkness and maze-like nature of this layer of the city made it the ideal place for many to hide out, and for awhile it seemed as if he might lead the two somewhere unsavory. Those thoughts would be put to rest though as the darkness lent way to a warm light down the wooden narrow path, until it opened up to a dilapidated looking wooden building, or rather, it might be easier to call it an oversized shack.

As the group approached, the door would slowly slide open. Their eyes would look for someone, but not find them until they looked down, to see the eyes of a small child. After but a moment, they slammed it shut, and some shouting could be heard from within. "Ms. Mayleaf! Rajeev is here! There's some strange people too!"

After a couple moments, a lady would emerge from those same doors. She had dark hair, caramel skin, and was dressed rather modestly, warm even, especially for the type of nation that Al-Marabar was. Her eyes were a blue and purple hue, and there was a matronly aura about her. In short, she was a mature beauty. "Rajeev? My, and you've brought some friends too, how are the Suns? I notice the power's been out, is everything ok?", she asked much like how a mother would, as if he was her son.

"It is all under control Ms. Mayleaf, I am here to introduce someone to your care for a short while. You were also once a talented doctor and scientist no? Perhaps you can help her", it wasn't hard to figure out who he meant, the young elf girl with abnormal arms. While they were all talking, a few kids had come out to get a better look at her too, with such curiosity, especially since she appeared no older than a couple of them. Ms. Mayleaf rested her eyes upon Kazue, she pursed her lips, and her expression changed. Given her pause it didn't look like she knew what it all was, but she seemed rather concerned. Her expression changed back though as she addressed the Shaitan.

"Of course, I'll see what I can do", she said, walking forward, then kneeling in front of Kazue to have her eyes level.

"So what is your name? And you too young man", she asked, first looking at the young elf, and then to Ken.