[h2][center]Zeke von Genbu[/center][/h2]
Between his own punching, Hibiki's punches, and Magilou's aerial assault, the unruly mob was routed comparatively quickly. Without the need to use any Blade Arts, Zeke simply drew back once those who were in the immediate vicinity were rendered unconscious and took a deep breath. He didn't have anywhere near as much firepower as those who he was accompanying, but in this situation that might have actually been the best that he could have asked for.

"Well, they're people of [i]some[/i] sort, yes, but I was more asking if you thought we could get them to help in any way. There's a fine difference between panic and madness, and—"

As soon as his eyes drifted towards one of the villagers that had stayed conscious after their earlier assault, they seemed to be dragged off elsewhere. The look that Ursula had on her face immediately caused him to switch back to Pandoria in the interim, sparing the white-haired Blade the gory sight of what had resulted.

"Now, [i]that[/i] was considerably less friendly. What sort of madness are we expected to deal with here?" he asked, glancing at the man aiming at him with a rifle before dashing over and landing a kick squarely in his abdomen. "And that? That was just rude. One of your buddies gets mauled, and you're firing potshots at a guy. Listen well, you unruly lot! My name is Zeke von Genbu, known to some as Thunderbolt Zeke!"

With a flourish of his sword, the Driver pointed his weapon at the sky before shooting a bolt of lightning in the same direction.

"Hm. Not sure how that one felt. Well, whatever. We've no time to waste, Pandy; if that was one of the 'beasts' these guys keep ranting about, then we may as well go hunting tonight!"

And with that, he ran off in the direction of the gory mess, being careful not to slip and fall on all of the blood and guts on the ground as he went.

Hopefully, he wouldn't end up getting a bullet to the back as he went.

[@RolePlayerRoxas][@Raineh Daze]

[hr][hr]
[h2][url=https://gamepedia.cursecdn.com/darkestdungeon_gamepedia/4/42/Loading_screen_Cove.png?version=2fa0647fddf0a0d787877262cd64d8e9]The Cove[/url][/h2]
The decision to split up into pairs was made promptly, and with all due haste both groups had made their way off towards their given destinations. While Link and Suzuka had chosen to explore the ruins on the path up to the mountain, Youmu and Nanoha had, given their ability to fly, soared off to the bottom of the cliffside to explore the cove.

The caves themselves stank of rotting flesh and sea salt, with odd, unearthly carvings and coral lighting up the way further inside ever so slightly. Though faint, the sounds of things moving around further in the darkness could be made out over the waves crashing just outside.

A short push further inward would reveal the source of such noises; the bloated corpses of the drowned, wandering about aimlessly as they await the unfortunate few who might soon join them in undeath, and a creatures that seemed more fish than man, patrolling the caverns for intruders that might seek to remove them from their home in the depths.

[@KoL][@VitaVitaAR]

[h2][url=https://gamepedia.cursecdn.com/darkestdungeon_gamepedia/9/92/Loading_screen_Crypts.png?version=fdf5d92dd493508138797b65b3f6ee7f]The Ruins[/url][/h2]
The ruins, in comparison, were dank and musty, with the only accompaniment to the sound of the footsteps of those who dared to enter being the sounds of [i]something else[/i] in the distance. The ruins themselves were more crypt than not, though, with the tirelessly long hallways that stretched into the distance without light winding in a seemingly endless array of twists and turns. The occasional remnant of a bygone era—a chest here, a cabinet there—though ruined, show glimpses of what was once a far less ruined estate.

With that said, the sounds of things lurking in the darkness erratically cease, only to begin anew once again moments later.

[@Rune_Alchemist][@Crusader Lord]