[i]What's wrong little one?! FRIGHTENED?![/i] It spoke! Hells it SPOKE! What kind of beasts could speak?! It was a fool's errand to try and reach his weapon but some minute part of Kael's mind urged him to try, if he was going to die anyways he should at least try to fight back. Rolling over onto his stomach he got to his feet and ran desperately for his weapon, time seeming to slow as he heard a guttural laugh from behind him. Turning his head to see where the beast was it couldn't have been more than a yard back, one arm raised and claws flexed ready to tear him to ribbons. He couldn't make it, he'd fucked up. Turning his head away and looking at his weapon desperately he reached out for it, eyes widening as a yellow blur sped past his vision. What was that? Stumbling and falling over again as he came to his senses he rolled over and gawked openly at Edmund, using his blade to hold back the beast's arm. How... When? How had he been found? What was going on? His weapon, he had to get his weapon! Gasping and moving again he grabbed hold of it and sat on his hind, notching an arrow and trying to aim at the beast's head.

"Kael, stay back! You'll have no part of this beast!" Edmund shouted, grunting as he pushed the beast's limb back. Ducking under an errant swing of its claw he thrust his Chikage forward and drove it into the beast's gut, jumping back as both hands were slammed down into the ground. Dashing backwards with his Old Hunter Bone he withdrew his pistol and took aim, firing two quick rounds in succession and striking the beast in the eyes. As it howled in pain and thrashed about he dashed forward again, grabbing his blade and barely pulling it free as the beast swiped blindly for him. What was an Abhorrent beast doing this far inside the city? Were there more? As soon as they were through with this he'd have to make his rounds and inspect the gates and walls for holes. That would have to wait until this monster was slain however.

What was Edmund thinking taking that thing on alone? Veteran hunter or not that was no normal beast and teamwork ensured survival, that was one of the things he'd drilled into their heads from day one. As if he was going to sit back and watch his master take on such a dangerous foe alone. With an arrow already notched he took aim at a shoulder and let his projectile loose and couldn't help but feel triumphant as it took and buried itself in the beast's flesh. Edmund was quick to follow up as well and slice the beast's chest open, copious amounts of purple blood seeping from the wound and onto the bridge. They would kill it, no doubt about that. Notching another arrow he took aim for the beast's head and grinned, intending for this to be the kill shot. Nothing would distract him, he and Edmund were going to fell this beast.

"Kael! Behind you!" 

Kael had absolutely no idea another beast had appeared. Peering over his shoulder his eyes widened at the Scourge Beast rearing up to attack him. Turning and trying to fire at it instead he was pressed down to the ground, using the limbs of the bow to hold back the beast as its jaw snapped frantically at him, drool and blood seeping down onto his face. A Quicksilver round to its head forced it back and another two drove it over the side of the bridge, Edmund had once again saved him. Panting as his adrenaline surged Kael shakily grabbed another arrow and turned to rejoin the fight, paling as he watched the display that happened next. In saving him Edmund had to take his eyes from the Abhorrent beast and it took full advantage of that, swinging at his off-arm with its claws. Unable to move his Chikage in time Edmund rose his arm to block and had the tendons torn clean through, his limb hanging limply at the side as he dropped his pistol and it clattered towards the edge.

"No!" Breaking his bow into two pieces Kael tried to rush into the fight and help, desperate to even the odds. Noticing blood pooling at his master's feet however he threw his arms up to shield his face as a blast of blood knocked him off of his feet and back to the edge of the bridge, knocking over the Abhorrent beast as well. "Master! Let me help!" Trying to get his weapon back to its ranged form his heart sank as he saw Edmund begin to channel blood again and the man smiled at him. When did Edmund ever smile at him?

"You'll make a fine hunter someday, you and Josephine both. I'm sorry I couldn't finish teaching you two, please stay safe." Those weren't words that any student ever wanted to hear from their master. Those were words of resignation, accepting one's own demise and embracing the cold clutches of death itself. Edmund turned back towards Kael as blood fueled his blade and with one clean slice he cut the bridge right through, shattering stone and creating a sizable gap between himself and Kael. Ducking beneath the Abhorrent beast he repeated the motion on the other side until only a small strip remained, precariously teetering as the supports beneath it were destroyed. Edmund deflected another claw before stepping forward and thrusting his Chikage into the chest of the beast, holding firm even as its claws dug into his back.

[i]"You'll die human! And then I'll tear your precious children to shreds!"[/i] the beast laughed, its dulled eyes fixated on Edmund's blurry form. Grinning wildly as it pressed its claws into his flesh it paused when it heard the Hunter laughing as well, utterly confused as to why anyone on their doorstep would be laughing. [i]"Lost your mind have you?! Laugh all you like, you're finished!"[/i]

"Oh I'm well aware, and I accept that. I just think its funny..." Blood emerged from Edmund's wounds and began to swirl around him and the Abhorrent beast like a storm. Lifting his head he smiled at the beast, his hat falling from his head and down into the darkness of the sewers below. "I thought you were intelligent, but it seems you're as daft as any other beast. I'm taking you to hell with me..." The blood circulated faster and thickened, pieces hardening into projectiles as sharp as a blade. Closing his eyes and exhaling one last time Edmund let his blood run rampant and in the blink of an eye he and the beast were consumed, both of their bodies torn to shreds in an instant as the blood assailed them. When the attack finally ceased nothing remained, the bridge had a massive crater where they had stood and blood soaked the ground, a steady stream dripping down either side. Silence followed, a gut wrenching, blood chilling silence. Master Edmund had killed the beast, of that there was no doubt, but he had gone along with it.

"MASTER!" Kael screamed, dropping his weapon and crawling on his hands and knees to the edge of the bridge. Nearly tumbling off he caught himself and whimpered as he stared at the bloodied mess before him. He couldn't be dead, there was absolutely no way he could be dead. He'd pop out any second now and reveal himself and this as some ploy to teach him a lesson. Yet no one came, Kael stared in deaf silence at the bridge and never saw any movement save what the wind knocked around. Feeling his stomach churning he tried to take a deep breath and instead let out another scream, wailing as he leaned forward and buried his head against the bridge. "No! No no no no no!" Slamming his fists against the bridge with every utterance of the word, lifting his tear soaked face from the bridge and screamed as loudly as he could manage. "MASTER EDMUND!"