[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/TewxzG0.png[/img]
[i][h3][color=goldenrod]Ilya Muromets[/color][/h3][/i]
[i][sup]Shinto Outskirts with Master -> The Cavern[/sup][/i][/center]
[@Crusader Lord] [@Paradox Witch]
[hr]

What the [i]Hell[/i] was that?

That sinking feeling.  That feeling of flight.  Hope.  Despair.  Confirmation and contradiction.  Not human.

[color=red][b]Beast.[/b][/color]

Ilya felt it, the mere presence was an affront against the World.  His hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword and his eyebrows narrowed.  Another irregularity for the growing list.  Before he had time to speak, to mold his thoughts into coherence and hammer them into speech, his Master spoke.  Gave the order to find that thing and, with all the powers available to him and all the blessings that made up his body, see it fall before him.  Ilya's face was split by a wide grin.  He drew his [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/dragonsdogma/images/8/88/SavGrace.png/revision/latest?cb=20130108053955]sword[/url] and it leapt from the sheath, tip pointing in the direction of his target.  His lips parted.

[b]"We ride!  Come, [i]Karushka[/i]!"[/b]

In an explosion of wind and flexing space, the most noble steed in all of Russia appeared by her Rider's side.  Beautiful, mighty, powerful, the flying horse of Murom stood in her full glory.  Ilya looked back at his Master.  [b]"Order received!"[/b]  With that he climbed onto the back of his horse with trained ease and familiarity, settling onto the saddle with a single, fluid motion.  With something akin to a mental command, Karushka reared back, standing on her hind legs and letting out a brave whinny.  In the next instant, she leaped, ripping upward into the sky.  Ilya's heart swelled.  They duo tore through the clouds, through the air, zooming with purpose and conviction to their target location.  There was no need to fear.

Ilya Muromets is here.

They slammed down to the ground, causing rumbling and hoof-shaped holes in the ground before the cave that the Heroes had gathered before.  Ilya did not stop to introduce himself.  Did not pause to look at them, gauge their strength, or look for identifying features to their legends.  He did not stop to talk to the man who made his way into that cave.  He simply pointed that sword forward and gave the order.  Not verbally, but damn near telepathically.  A subtle shift of his weight was all it took and Karushka went sprinting headlong into the cavern where the end of humanity awaited.  On the back of a proud steed, wielding a magic blade, and wearing a grin of hope, determination and bravery, Rider went to appear before the Beast.

Because that's what heroes do.