[sub][sub][h3][i]Unknown Location - Test of the Faceless / Marcus Roman - 500HP - 6/6[/i][/h3][/sub][/sub][hr]
	Amid the competing sounds of clanging metal and chaotic garbles, a more subtle, almost articulate, gurgle bubbled from the faceless minion standing before Marcus. This particular creature stood apart from its brothers in stature and intimidation, slender limbs awkwardly grown from a disproportionate torso and an inquisitive sea of emptiness cocked to one side where a face would have been. It clutched a long, straight blade in one hand while the other hung lifelessly and it stood perfectly still as its would be opponent attempted to make sense of his foe. Having witnessed the previous offense, Marcus had a relatively good idea of how to dispatch the monstrosities, but a chill in his bones whispered that this one was different from the others; this one exuded a sort of intensely calm wrath wrapped within an inexplicable need to understand the situation - to [i]comprehend[/i] the purpose combative action served. In spite of his awe, the weight of Marcus' own blade reminded him that this was no time to lose himself to thought. It was just as well because he had run out of time in any case. 

	Snapping forward with unnatural speed, the unique faceless launched itself towards Marcus. Instinct enveloped the former knight and muscle memory shuffled his feet to the side while his body followed on the turn and his attacking arm sent the waiting blade into a preemptive stabbing thrust. Momentum betrayed the beast as it barreled forward against the air and impaled itself through the abdomen though it completely ignored the circumstance and seized the opportunity to swipe diagonally upwards towards its briefly bewildered opponent's face. An involuntary grunt burst forth as Marcus forced his head back and ripped his blade free from an organ-less body while propelling his own a few feet back with a stumbling hop and pivot. Blood dripped from the cut on his cheek and stinging heat gnashed at the skin around the wound while a cold stare dug into the visage of an inhuman being once again standing perfectly in place. Marcus slowly stood from his semi-crouch and let a small grin arrogantly take its place under newly brightened eyes. This was going to be a hell of a fight indeed.  

	Fiona's club-wielding foe simply gazed at the downward falling blade as the disciple cleaved its neck and sliced its head from the body. The now headless creature fell to its knees and slumped over, immediately melting into a black ooze that bubbled and steamed before the Order's most fiery Aspirant. Nicholas, now more aware of the danger that faced him, approached his own personal enemy with a more refined, yet savage, technique that also resulted in a severing of nape and skull that again melted into a black ooze though the two pools seemed to gravitate towards one another. Annalynne's acrobatic assault was met with an apparent suicidal sacrifice as the faceless monster plunged its neck into her thrusting dagger and viciously spun to allow the separation of its head and a newly formed puddle of black ooze to join the growing puddle created by the mercenary and the disciple. Ytone took a more cruel tactic with her combination of death dealers and literally squeezed and butchered the head clean off her opponent a flowing display of unforgiving mercilessness. Her trophy of ooze quickly slithered over to the now large body of steaming black substance that was beginning to rise and form [i]something[/i]. Erickson and Senua ended up attacking the same creature, but their efforts were rewarded with a creature that was not only cut in half, but also headless with the skull melting in two parts. 

	The combined matter left over from the defeated faceless fizzled and rose until it molded itself into a large humanoid shape. It stood a foot taller than Erickson and thick in torso and limbs. Though solid black had engulfed it, the being resembled a much larger faceless that now stood in front of the party with absolutely no weapons except fear and intimidation. It cocked its head to one side, but a bassy sound cut the air as its words became intelligible for the first time. "Your souls are tainted. You shall not live," It growled and decreed. Much like the individual creatures before it, the black faceless stood completely motionless after the utterance of its threat though an empty stare gazed at each and every one of the party members. Marcus shuddered when the thing spoke, but his attention had quickly returned to his own still waiting opponent. What the hell were these things and why did they always refuse to attack first was his immediate thought. 

[hider=Battle Summary]
Marcus was hurt during his exchange - Minus 50 HP
Everyone else slayed their opponents, but now face a creature composed of the oozing remnants of those same monsters.[/hider]