[center][color=darkseagreen][b][i]Annalynne[/i][/b][/color] and [h3]Erickson of the God Eaters[/h3][/center] [i][u]Unknown location-893 HP-2/4 Stamina [/u][/i] [color=darkseagreen]Unknown Location - 248 HP 7/8[/color] [hr] Annalynne stood motionless, jaw dropped and dumbfounded as the darkness of each beheaded faceless monstrosity slithered together forming a new deformity of pure evil. The stench was worse, as if the remnants of each corpse had been allowed to rot for centuries. It was the same, just larger, leaner. After a moment, her senses returned and she took a step back, minding her feet in the darkness. This couldn't be real... What in the 9 hells was this thing?! Erickson was so furious he was grinding his teeth, his pupils were mere pin-points in his fury. If he thought he could intimidate the big bastard he would have shouted and screamed and howled... but he guessed it wouldn't matter. "Everyone, stay back!", the fire priestess roared as she summoned up the power for one of her spells ... A plan that may have worked. Magical energies surged from the woman, but only seemed to be absorbed by what could only be described as a hulking mass of distorted dark matter.... absorb the magic, only making the beast more powerful... and It only served to make Erickson even angrier. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on edge, and like some animal his hair ruffled up in primal rage, [i]A beast that can absorb magic and it has no FLESH??!![/i] Lucky for Fiona, Nicholas had charged in right after her, ignoring any instructions to stay put. A foolish act, but one that probably saved her life. "You would decompose yourself in an attempt to smite your foe? Ignorant fool," The black faceless sighed in disappointment. ... it spoke, while these words were not the first to erupt from the inhuman beast, they struck her in a way she had not anticipated, they were indeed fools. Annalynne glanced down at her own weapons, her eyes lingered over the smooth edge as a singular though swept over her [color=darkseagreen][i]However are we to defeat this thing[/i][/color] The rogue slowly made her way through the field, her comrades seeming to all be in a similar state. The figure was transforming, gurgling and bubbling as if turning its insides out and forming new parts. A large shield and sword were formed, as if from the being's very flesh. Had the Priestess' magic done this? Regardless, this was going to be one hell of a fight. She glanced around at the leering eyes, assessing each reaction separately. Only one had truly caught her attention. Their large companion had a look upon his face, one that seemed all to familiar to her. It was a look of rage? Perhaps. Pure, animalistic rage. [color=darkseagreen]"I've seen that look before. What are you thinking, big guy?"[/color], she grunted under her breath, the question directed at Erickson. He was not intimidated by its bulk, for he was far to enraged for such trivial things as 'size' or 'logic' to reach him. He had learned long ago how to harness the anger in his heart in combat, even more than most soldiers or knights for the God Eaters were a savage and murderous bunch... a certain amount of untamed rage and fury was required for the cannibalism they practice. Now he needed an outlet, and the great magical bandit seemed just right. Erickson had barely noticed Annalynne come up beside him. The small woman had not spoken much, and all he had heard of her so far were biting words to her companions, however this time she spoke to him more tactically, and appeared to be ready to help. He looked at her, his face still in a snarl of barely restrained hate, his mouth drawn tight with disdain, making his words sound as if he had to strain to even speak them, [color=f26522]"I am thinking... I can hardly see... I am going to tear out its hamstrings... try to cripple it... then cut its fucking heads off."[/color], he was practically spitting with indignation, [color=f26522]"Now... you help me... I bring it to its knees, you try to behead it ... or chop of something... I'll try to cover your back as well. In?"[/color], his eyes... she could see in them something... disturbing. She may have seen the look of fury, but his eyes betrayed something else... something deeper and more... visceral? Primal? Something... it was not an ordinary fury... it was something different. Different but eerily familiar, it triggered something within her, something that she hadn't felt in ages. Her eyes darted away from him, as if the feeling itself uncovered something she had hidden away. Something so shameful or foreign, it nearly made her blush. The darkness, the rage, it overwhelmed her in that moment. As much as she didn't want to respond, there was something inside that was tugging at her, nagging at her, begging her to give in. Her eyes met his once more as something inside her unlocked. [color=darkseagreen]"I'm not sure how much help I can be, but"[/color], she nodded slowly, [color=darkseagreen]"I will try."[/color]. Her voice was steady, cold, yet with a bit of uncertainty. She looked around, eyeing the others. Nicholas and the Priestess had were unharmed, save for the scuffle as they tumbled to the ground. They were well enough though to get back up and charge another attack. This time towards a faceless that had been engaged in battle with Marcus. Annalynne hadn't even realized there was another left. There was something different about this one, but figuring they had it handled, she gave it no more thought. Pulling her second dagger from her belt, she took a deep breath, shaking lose any distracting thoughts left in her mind. Then offered one more nod to the God Eater, affirming her readiness. In spite of all his blinding rage, of all his hate for the fleshless beast, he saw... something. No, he didn't 'see' it, he felt it, from this woman. It radiated from her, it sat cold and deep in her veins... but he could feel it... a level of rage he had not felt in any but the Eaters... interesting... but for now it did not matter, it would have to be addressed later. In response to her nod, he took action and did what was necessary, he charged at the great beast. This time, he truly charged, his rage lending his muscles the strength and speed they needed. He sprinted at the beasts legs trying to draw its attention, but being too fast to hit... hopefully. It took almost everything within Annalynne to keep up with him, sticking to his side like shadows in the wind. If he made it between the creature's legs, with a great sweep he would bring the blade across the thick, dark matter, slicing right through what would've been it's hamstring, then spinning to hit its left. She slid into position as he swiped his blade across, attempting to bring the foul smelling darkness to its knees. If she had any faith in the gods, she just may have said a prayer, not just for her own safety but for his as well. Sure he was big enough and could probably take the hits. But this was no ordinary beast. Just like the others, there were no bones to cut through, which could've made it easier, so long as their attack worked. Now turned back towards where he came from he intended to move to take any hit meant for the woman... he could take more punishment than her, and now he really wanted to be sure she survived. He attempted to lock eyes with her ash she ran, wanting to see if the hate was really there, or if he was only seeing ghosts. She did everything in her power not to think about what just happened, if she could even admit to anything happening at all. She didn't even dare to look at him as he swerved around, stealing a glance her way. Whatever it was though, had exploded through her movement, so perfect and precise. An elongated tendril of darkness swayed, its back towards her. She took a running jump towards the thing, screaming out as the thrill rushed through her, her blades penetrating the back of a neck. She doubted the same action would work twice, but here's hoping. Her breath stilled for a moment just before she yanked both hands, her grip tight around her daggers, hoping to drag the tendril to bits. She was avoiding his eyes, clearly she had felt what he had earlier, or rather had felt his own rage similar to what she had... neither could truly tell what it was, but hers felt strangely cold to Erickson, as if the coals were all that was left of a once great fire. Despite their dampness, an ember somewhere had sparked, burning brighter even still. As he heard her scream, a loud red thing, he smiled. He was right, the rage radiated from the scream, the coals heating inside her... she could not die, no he had to speak with her now, her rage was too apparent... and he wanted to see it prosper. He could not stop himself from laughing again, though it was not a laugh bred from comedy, no, even the laughter felt enraged and hot, hot enough to melt the hardest metal ... for he had unlocked his own rage long ago, and in his trance even his laughter would elicit anger... The sound that erupted from within him echoed through her own screams, they fueled them as if egging her on, driving her daggers deeper into the darkness. Had the enchantments on them effected the faceless beast at all, she wouldn't have even known, or perhaps they wouldn't have even had the time to drip into the abyss of whatever this monster was. She whipped around so fast, slashing her daggers in a fury, lost in the embrace of battle. She was barely aware of her own actions, and completely unaware of her comrades around her. It was becoming a dangerous situation as her recklessness was leaving her open. She had to snap out of it, otherwise it would not only mean her death, but possible harm to any others around her. Unless of course she had become the perfect distraction.