[center][h1][color=92278f][b]Menzai Isanami[/b][/color][/h1]

[img] https://www.linkpicture.com/q/Cropped-Menzai.png[/img]

Time: Morning

Location: River Port beach

Interactions:  Isolde [@Blizz] Dante, Darius [@Alivefalling] [@FunnyGuy]  Aiden [@Potter]
Mentions:

Equipment: White Haori, Gauravian luck charm bracelet

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[center][h1][color=92278f] [b]Gaurav[/b][/color][/h1][/center]

Not long after stepping within the foggy marshes did Menzai take notice of the air being unusually thicker than normal with the heavy scent of blood lingering ahead. Each step ventured had his wolfen survival instinct stirred in intensity, but he accustomed it to nerves with the dangerous battle about to take place shortly. Yet, a warning that started like an itch at the back of his mind gradually worsened until they came upon the mangled corpse of the Kirouth. In the split second his eyes laid eyes upon the mishapened beast did his mind scream.* Run!* It echoed like a terrified growl as Menzai quickly dig his sharp claws into his palm to the point of nearly drawing blood, the pain quelled the overwhelming urge to flee that his bestial instincts assaulted him with and had to do so lest he ended up abandoning the humans under his protection.

It also aided in getting the whirring of his mind under control. A decision that possibly proved to be the very thing to offer the group the one chance at surviving whatever ominous evil that lurked just beyond the dead beast as any reckless act or panic would surely spell doom.

Once he attained control of his trembling body once more, the wolf demi-human shot his right-hand up signaling for the humans to stop and cease any movement. He allowed himself only a second to glance back to make sure they were still close behind and to scan the way back to make sure it was clear before turning his attention towards the grotesque silhouette waiting just out of view obscured by the smokey thick fog.

Whatever it was; to be capable of killing a Kirouth in such a gruesome manner was sign enough to show this creature to be immeasurably more dangerous. One that this group could not possibly hope to defeat at their current level. This left them only one option, but Menzai could tell it would be no easy feat and that timing was most important.

And then the horrid abomination stepped into view its visage absolutely monstrous and grotesque with a nauseating and powerful stench of death oozing from its very being like a foreboding smock that threatened to choke them.

Following its reveal came a strange pressure pressing down on each of them as if the air had suddenly grown heavier. Menzai could feel fear trying to rip through him as he peered at the hideous creature with a look of both disgust and queer curiosity. Again, he forced himself to swallow it down as he could not afford to freeze up; not when the group needed him.

Then he..it spoke in a vile and unsettling guttural voice that sent chills down the spine as he kept his body partially lowered and right-arm raised in a defensive posture.

 “[color=f7941d]Ah yes, the humans….. have come to me, mother…….. Less walking….. for me……[/color]” A  deep gutteral voice carried by a drawn out-of-breath cadence echoed through the fog. “[color=f7941d]Puny mortals…… you shall call me, Sloth……. Now kneel before me…. and die!.[/color]” 

The creature calling itself Sloth having confirmed its goal to be seeking and killing humans with what it said. The name Sloth sounded vaguely familiar and tried to recall if he had read of it from a book, but any and all thoughts left his mind upon seeing Dante being forced to his knees where two humanoid shaped tentacles were slithering towards him.

Without thinking or hesitation Menzai leapt towards Dante with as strong push of his legs as he was able to push through the increased pressure. The wolf almost vanished within the fog or seemed to glide with how fast he moved; bits of blood trailed from the soles of his feet hinting of the strength he forced upon himself to move at such a speed rush past where Dante was knelt grabbing hold of the back of his shirt and dragged him clear just before the tentacles could strike.

He had taken note of how heavy the human was as if he was dragging two of him and had nearly ripped the back of Dante's shirt in doing so. A hard shove pushing him back towards the others while keeping himself facing Sloth when his left foot suddenly kicked upward lifting a rotted log half his size up for him to snatch with a wide swing to push back the nearest tentacle sending bits of wood and mud scattering from the chunk that broke off though somehow still held together. It was at this moment he turned his head over his shoulder to look back at them."[color=92278f] RUN! Flee and make you way back to the village![/color]" He shouted the retreat with actual emotions in his voice for perhaps the first time since any of them had met him...fear.

Without another word he turned back to Sloth giving the log a testing swing before leaping towards the tentacles making sure not to remain in place for he saw how it pointed at Dante. Witnessing it had him surmise that moving around might make it harder to pinpoint with whatever strange ability it had used on the human. Menzai of course had no intention of actually fighting Sloth, the notion sheer ludicrous but he would at least distract and hold it in place long enough to allow the the humans to escape the marsh where they could run without being hindered and confused by the mud and fog.

Knowing too little of what Sloth was or what it was capable along with the tentacles left Menzai purely on defenses. All while pushing his senses to his limits and lithe agile body to leap and jump about with the use of any nearby trees to better propel himself around as he struck at any tentacle that tried to go after the fleeing group; each blow making the log splinter and crack until it shattered forcing the lone wolf to the use of his sharp claws. 

Menzai maneuvered and swiped with pure determination to protect them urging him on. Just when his strength was beginning to fail him did his ears flick to the sound of their footsteps no longer muffled and muddy indicating they were free of the marshes.

With a snarl, Menzai dipped down and swiped his clawed muddied hands upward sending mud and fog spraying and in the next instant he was gone having leapt up to the nearest tree where he fled jumping from branch to branch after the others.