Shard

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

Wanting to avoid as many interactions as possible, Shade made himself scarce outside the general store where his new ally had begun procuring a light source for herself and the archer. Shade was going to manage well enough without one, and it was becoming more evident with the morning light continuing to hurt his eyes. Growing up in a cave, and conducting most of his active training at night time, Shade had grown far too used to a lack of light. His sense of hearing was quite fantastic, and his ability to see in the dark was outstanding, but this left the boy with a handicap. He felt halfway blind on the bright surface. It was almost shameful to share these senses with something as despicable as goblins. Shade’s father had told him of the vile creatures, and their homes made in darkness.

Indeed, Shade had hunted goblins with his father on more than one occasion, and while the boy lacked much of what could be considered critical information concerning the monsters, he knew of their features. They saw well in obfuscating darkness, they had an amazing sense of smell, and apparently, they were all male, which explained the kidnapping of females. He had always wondered about that, why goblins displayed such a habit in bringing the fairer sex back to their lairs, where they would otherwise simply kill the men. They could evidently breed with any species, and the result was always another goblin.

Be that as it was, Shade shifted his attention back to his current quest. He had an opportunity to fight goblins once more, but it was a quest he had forsaken in favor of this far safer option. Some would perhaps consider it cowardly, but what differentiated an assassin from a knight, was that one of them operated through logic, while the other pursued passion.

Shade picked up his pace and followed the armored girl as the started towards the tavern. It was only when they reached the establishment that confirmations were made. There was indeed a manhole behind the structure, and Shade wasted no time in kneeling down next to the metallic lid. He did find it rather fascinating how human cities had developed so far. Sewers were not of a simple design. They were the underbelly of any city, and they harbored that of which people wanted to disregard and scorn. Considering how elves survived on fruits and vegetables alone, their biology was somewhat different from a human’s. Where eternal elves could indeed survive on a few apples a day, humans would quickly find themselves wanting.

The boy tugged softly at the metallic lid, before he tilted his head. Naturally, the path was locked. Officials would not have wanted anyone to actually slip into the sewers without proper permission. Shade was, however, not quite the law-abiding citizen one might have expected. As if a reflex, the elf produced his lockpicks and began working on the metallic lid possessing a large lock halting their path. A keen observer would have been able to count thirty full seconds before a click was heard, but Shade did not seem to consider the situation appealing. “I need to be able to do that twenty seconds faster,” he sighed. Half a minute on one lock? Unacceptable, but he was still learning. At the very least, he was willing to admit that.

Pulling the metal lid aside, Shade slipped down towards the ladder which led into their designated quest area. His movements were fluid and most certainly agile, and once he felt the moist, damp floor beneath his feet, the boy reached for his short sword and released the weapon from its scabbard.

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

One thing was growing abundantly clear in response to the archer's antics. Where Dark Elves as a whole did not represent Shade, neither did this girl spearhead the concept of humanity. Her demeanor, the way she carried herself, and the blatant oddity coating her like a blanket separated this young female from every other human in that establishment. Humans were quite unpredictable in their own right, but this girl was purely odd. Her cultural behavior stretched itself far from what the others were displaying, where she could be considered an obvious minority.

With wide eyes, Shade watched the girl disrobe amongst others, a scene which was performed in public. What the Steppe Archer had spoken of quickly faded into memory, in comparison. Indeed, the sewers were quite horrid, and the scent following their upcoming adventure was nothing a person would prefer. Even so, Shade was now exchanging looks with a girl who had placed herbs in her nose and undressed in front of an audience.

"Thanks..," the Dark Elf had long since halted his advance, and extended a hand to gently pinch the herb between two slender fingers. In regards to his profession, the boy was expected to brave through assignments such as these without sensual aid. He was an assassin, and disgusting venues were going to be frequented. If he couldn't sludge through the confines of a sewer system without sticking two branches into his nose, the boy's father would be sorely disappointed.

Shade slipped the generous gift into his pocket, and resumed a previous stride towards the exit. With a hand on the door, he pushed it open and stepped into the morning light.

A warm, pleasant breeze brushed past the youth's exposed skin, with a small if delighted exhale leaving his lips. Shade had made sure to scout parts of the city before entering the guild, which left the elf with a small headstart. Entering a city mimicked the scenario of stepping through the front door of a home. An assassin was supposed to know of every plausible exit and escape route. Anything could happen at any time, which in itself warranted vigilance.

If the elf recalled correctly, there was a sewer entrance close to one of the taverns. More precisely, behind the establishment, in a back alley. If anything spelled out 'unsavory', it was most certainly the business conducted in these shady corners. "There was a manhole over there, I think," Shade spoke, and pointed away from the guild.

It would have been foolish to claim that an open city such as this, despite its small size, offered any measure of comfort for the Dark Elf. His pointed ears were safely hidden beneath the shape of his hood, but every single inhabitant of this human venue was a possible risk.

With a slight sigh, Shade shook the thought from his mind. So far, things were going well enough, and no one knew of his true heritage yet. Hopefully he could manage this quest together with his party and then make himself scarce before they picked up on anything. He dreaded to think what a discovery would entail. The archer would perhaps not put any emphasis on it, as she appeared rather.., distant from other species. However, the armored girl clearly had elven blood flowing through her veins. That much was certain, after a single look at her ears.

"It's going to be very dark down there," Shade stated, "if you're not used to it, perhaps a torch is advisable." As for him, Shade was more comfortable in the dark, and his eyes found the lack of light soothing. Enough so, for the morning shine to leave a slight irritation in his obsidian orbs.

[closed]

“You best abandon that habit, Artemis,” Angelicus’ voice echoed throughout the boy’s mind, where a pair of slender fingers gently pinched the cigarette between Artemis’ lips. Removing the small, paper cylinder from his mouth, the soldier exhaled a long, smoky breath.

“It’s not like I’ve got my health to worry about,” Artemis returned and rose to his feet. He was an experienced young man, and he had seen war in frequent repetition. This was nothing new for him, but a quick analysis of his team left the young soldier wanting. This was it? One of these aspiring prospects looked like little more than a girl of fourteen winters. Of course, Artemis if anyone, should have known not to judge a book by its cover, as that very philosophy related to himself in high regards. He didn't appear older than a teenager, and was often called out on the fact by his fellow soldiers. 'Little Shit' was a nickname he had grown rather accustomed to.

However, where one of his teammates donned the appearance of a young girl, and another looked like little more than a thug, which Artemis could relate to, a dark-skinned man stood amongst them, as well. Out of the lot, he seemed the most orthodox, a position closely followed by the woman equipped with a scattergun. Two legitimate soldiers and three freaks, then? Artemis could work with that, as long as these misfits, including himself, could work together.

"Your health is of no consequence, Artemis," the spirit continued, "it is a distraction, and you are not on your own," Angelicus stated, appearing in his shape of bright, white light. A celestial knight among men.

Indeed, neither drugs nor alcohol had any effect on the boy's regenerating body, but they offered no advantage whatsoever. This also extended to performance enhancing injections. Artemis' spirit power rendered him immune to both benefits and side effects.

"Fine," the soldier rolled his eyes, and flicked the cigarette into a trashcan following its completion. He strapped the silver-colored round shield to his left forearm, and started towards the unveiled designation.

Loud sounds echoed throughout, with shrieking gates finally opening to reveal a path. One could spin tales about the Badlands and its horrors, but the vast mountains and breathtaking landscape were sights to behold. Indeed, it was as if a breathtaking painting, stretching its frames long and wide.

Even so, dangers roamed across the large, green stretch, and after his many ventures into the Battlefield, Artemis could not ignore previous experiences filling his thoughts in an unfiltered stream. Bloodshed and violence awaited them all. Hopefully this team was prepared for that. "Keep your guard up," Angelicus warned, "even you can be hurt, Artemis."

Stepping across the threshold which separated the city from a world of chaos, Artemis managed a small grin, shaking his head. "It wouldn't be fun otherwise."

"Battle is an exchange of power, and valor, but do not make the mistake of involving bloodlust," the spirit pitched in, his ghostly voice stern and assertive.

"You like seeing demons die as much as I do, Angelicus," the boy snorted, smirking at his spectral ally.

"But seeing you hurt holds no joy, so do not exchange skill for recklessness." Angelicus finished, before the knight vanished from sight. He had been the boy's mentor ever since their bond was sealed, and he would continue to maintain such a position within Artemis' life. A position the boy was thankful for.

[closed]

I have noticed how two characters have physically interacted with their spirit so far, even though you stated that this shouldn't be a possibility, xD.

Just an observation.

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

It would appear that either Shade maintained a heavy level of paranoia, where he expected the worst from everyone, and trusted no one, or the newly arrived girl was naive. It was faulty to blame the youthful elf of his disposition, however. He was fully aware that most people very much wanted him dead by virtue of his existence, which clearly bled into other matters, as well. Shade believed that everyone was capable of acting out in gruesome and in this case, unexpected ways. However, noting how his thoughts were discarded in disapproval, the boy decided to remain silent. His eyes still occasionally lingered on the man who had warranted this worry, but eventually, Shade’s attention shifted, and turned its gaze towards the receptionist. They couldn’t just leave, or else no one would know where they were headed, and the quest would not have been recorded.

The Dark Elf was unsure of how this process worked. So far, he had been equipped with minimal knowledge on the matter, and as nearly weightless steps brought the boy closer to the reception, Shade patiently waited for his turn to reveal itself. He decided to linger for a moment, seeing how others were conducting themselves in front of the receptionist and would echo their statements. “Hello,” the elf commented, once none other stood in front of him in the queue. “We’re a group of three,” he thumbed over his shoulder at the two girls joining him for this quest of pest control. Rather, it would be fair to say that they were joining the Archer. “Uhm, we’re accepting the quest to hunt down rats,” he tried.

The receptionist appeared to be a pleasant individual, indeed, and it did not take long for the woman to look over Shade and his two companions. This was what she did on the daily, after all. “Three of you, then?” The receptionist spoke, offering Shade a soft and most reassuring smile, “that seems reasonable,” she continued. “I’ve signed you off on the quest. Good hunting, and be careful!” She finished, revealing a bright smile. There truly were people cut from every cloth within these walls. From the deepest depths of depravity no doubt to saints made flesh.

Starting towards the door, Shade turned to the girls, “I think that’s it,” he stated, “let’s find a sewer entrance.” Not a glamorous job by any stretch of the imagination but there were people working beneath the city, people keeping the sewers clean and running. They were at risk, due to these monstrosities, even if the issue as a whole strayed far beneath the attention of more experienced warriors. Someone needed to deal with the issue, and so far, it seemed to have fallen to an assassin, an archer, and a soldier.

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

The girl's words caused Shade to feel a flush of heat washing over his pale cheeks. He smelled like a boy? This was the first time he had come across a human with a notable sense of smell. Raising an arm, Shade took the moment to sample his own supposed scent. A small nose gently tapped against the surface of his pale, smooth skin, but the result left him confused. Shade could not smell anything, much less a difference between himself and those around him, at the current distance.

The elf's gray, short sleeved tunic and black pants were both quite baggy on his scrawny body, and were undoubtedly coated in the scent of travel, with a hood draped over his features. It was attached to a short cloak extending down towards the boy's waistband, with a porcelain pin attached to it in the form of a clip. Anything longer would have hindered dexterous movements by an inconvenient amount.

Fingerless gloves following the theme of Shade's less than creative color-scheme donned the boy's dainty, slender hands. He could smell the handle of his blade on their surface, polished steel tightly gripped in response to danger.

The elf's thoughts would, however, travel elsewhere, and the heat in his cheeks grew all the more prominent. His father had once told him that females could smell their way to adequate prospects, especially during a specific time, each month. Whether this was a joke or not, the master assassin would not say. Many rumors surrounded the mystery that were womenfolk, and Shade knew not the answer to a single one of them. Asking his mother was far too embarrassing.

Shaking the thoughts from his mind, Shade shifted his attention to their new friend. She possessed a porcelain pin, which likely indicated that she had yet to accept any missions, on her own. Additionally, Shade saw her entering the building, and she had not examined the board. "If other adventurers are that hostile in here," he motioned towards the man who had left a memorable impression, now sitting with a mug of ale grasped between his fingers, "it's probably more dangerous outside." Every quest was, after all, a competition, and the reward warranted greed from many. This would not have been the first time experienced warriors preyed on those with less.

Gently tapping a small foot against the floor, Shade maintained a practiced gaze on the steel-ranked adventurer. He was certain that they had not seen the last of him. Shade did not understand the nature of women, but men were quite simple, and pride repeatedly made itself known as the most common of sins. When wounded, anger soon followed, which warranted action. "He might follow us into the sewers, and no one will notice if a group of new adventurers end up dead," Shade warned. Though a morbid disposition, the boy was taught since birth to be paranoid. He was a Dark Elf on human soil, and that in itself was an act of aggression.

"If you don't have a group, you should probably stick with us, until things calm down," the elf continued, his silent, soft voice trickling through a pair of thin, pale lips.

Catching the occasional glare from their previous encounter did not help in easing Shade's mind. Though the two women at the man's side appeared far less sinister than their partner, it merely meant that they possessed an advantage over him. "Those three might want to cash in on us," the boy continued, managing a quiet sigh.

[closed]

Sorry for the late reply.

[closed]

“What a fucking nuisance,” came a small groan from an equally small individual. The shape of his humble home was nothing to consider impressive, with little more than a living room attached to a minuscule kitchen. At the very least, one could commend the young man on his cleanliness, considering the eternal nineteen-year-old mature enough to maintain a reasonable outlook on his abode. Artemis crumpled the letter in his hand and dropped the parchment into a metal cup. What followed were the embers of a matchstick, complying with the instructions he had been given.

“It is an honorable assignment, Artemis,” a ghostly voice trickled through the boy’s mind, before a shape manifested itself before him. It was a shame, indeed, that none could witness the beauty of Angelicus, a spirit embodying the very concept of valor and chivalry. “You ought to make your way towards the gates. Do not cause your companions to linger, on your behalf.”

Rolling his eyes, Artemis reached for a pair of cargo shorts which he proceeded to slide onto slender legs, followed by a t-shirt to cover his scrawny torso. Truly, the gear of a noble warrior. “Dude,” the boy spoke, lowering himself to the floor as he began to tug his shoes on, “they likely don’t give a shit whether I’m there, or not.” Artemis wrapped a set of dainty fingers around his trusty sword, a shorter blade that functioned perfectly with the size of its wielder. He clasped the buckle around his waist and reached for a small round shield which had kept him safe since even the days before valor followed him closely.

“Mind your language,” the ghostly entity returned, a soft sigh leaving its inhuman visage, “whether your companions' desires maintain a want for your presence is irrelevant. You have a duty, and that supersedes an emotional response.”

With a moment of silence, Artemis raised a brow at his closest friend and ally. Angelicus was a wise entity, without fault, a creature of ancient worth. Though the boy had asked his spirit of a past long since brushed aside, Angelicus maintained that previous chapters of his existence were unimportant. He would have been right, of course, but curiosity lingered within the boy now bound to this ghostly entity.

With a hand on the doorknob, Artemis stepped out of his small apartment before starting down the stone steps in an empty stairwell. Battle, war, blood, and endless conflict did not bother the boy as much as it probably should have. Indeed, there were those fearing for their lives on the daily, those who embraced their loved ones in a desperate attempt to freeze time, if for just a moment, before being forced into the abyssal maw of the Badlands. Artemis did not fall into any of these categories. He was a lonely boy, and of that, there were no lies. Only Angelicus lingered at the young man’s side, and the spirit’s presence offered the boy an ability that Artemis had no control over. The very same ability which removed his worry, and rather replaced it with a desire to fight, or die in the process.

With a long distance traveled, and the lighting of a cigarette, an exasperated sigh escaped Artemis’ lips, along with a puff of smoke, following suit. Before him, there were three other spirit users, each one a sight to behold. However, the boy did not linger and rather approached the bench before dropping to the ground next to it. “‘Sup?” Came a quiet greeting, with all the enthusiasm of apathy, where Artemis leaned against the wall in a lazy fashion. He adjusted the beanie atop his head, preventing a messy mop of raven black bangs from covering a set of large, obsidian eyes. It was time to get going.

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

A slight yelp escaped Shade’s lips as he felt his chest suddenly squeezed, or rather, his lack of one. The boy’s scrawny shape was quite easily felt beneath his clothes, and the blatant vacancy of any female parts made itself abundantly clear. These people put the word ‘odd’ to shame, indeed. Never before had Shade been so blatantly grabbed, in a manner evidently.., impulsive. The boy was far from a prude and no boundaries had been crossed. However, the situation was unexpected and most certainly one to remember. Did humans interact with one another like this? The ones that he knew tended towards a more reserved disposition, perhaps considering their profession. Even so, the scene was not yet cast aside. Rather, as his new companion’s arm was grabbed, and that was oddly enough what she was, Shade’s hand immediately moved towards the hilt of his blade. None of this had played out smoothly, and every advantage the boy possessed by virtue of his appearance was dispelled by the archer at his side. She meant nothing by it, naturally. Very few people had a mindset like Shade’s, and those people were all a part of the same cult.

Countless thoughts passed through the boy, all at once. At the very least, no one was focusing on him, which allowed for a stealthy maneuver to be performed without risk of failure. However, he was not a fool, and knew full well where he found himself. In a room full of people. Perhaps if he possessed a hidden blade beneath his sleeve, he would have been able to perform a takedown without anyone noticing, but Shade had yet to achieve that rank within his own organization. Only seasoned assassins were equipped with the exotic weapon he had yet to earn.

Despite the chaos, Shade could breathe a sigh of relief, following the development of an unwanted situation. Another actor had entered the scene, and she fell into Shade’s vision before then. It was the very same individual who clad herself in armor clearly more useful in terms of seduction than impactful resistance. She had a personality strong enough to compete with two very large.., sections of interest for most men who undoubtedly viewed the girl, and it brought light onto a scenario which could have ended in disaster.

Shade lowered his hand from the hilt of his blade, where it remained sheathed above his tailbone. Fourteen inches of curved steel, well-forged and clearly smithed for one purpose, the assassin’s blade was of very simple design, and lacked adornments. A weapon of functionality, with a minimalist approach.

A pair of large, black eyes peered forward, analyzing the girl who had managed to disarm the situation through little more than the use of her voice. An impressive skill to have, where Shade lacked in social prowess. It was a feat he was somewhat envious of, indeed. “I’m okay,” came a quiet response, but it was clear that the boy had lost his appetite. He tossed the mostly-eaten apple into a trashcan, and shifted his attention back to the girls at his side. Most young men would likely consider themselves quite fortunate to stand between an armored maiden with features of beauty, and the exotic wanderer possessing an aura of grace. Shade was, however.., not quite like most young men. “Thanks..,” the boy continued, raising a hand to scratch the back of his head. “I think..,” he tried, looking towards the archer for a brief moment, before turning back to their savior, “we were hunting.., rats.”

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

It was an unexpected development, to say the least. Shade had not anticipated being approached, much less by what appeared to have been a newly spawned adventurer, much like himself. She seemed somewhat lost, which was a sentiment shared with the Dark Elf, and her attire hinted at a different venue, entirely. However, such was the case in an Adventurers Guild. Few locals made it their duty to delve into dangerous venues, and even less so the surrounding world where monstrous humanoids made their homes. Dark Elves fell into the category of those very monsters, as most would insist. It was a hatred that Shade had been warned about in a repeated fashion by both mother and father, which warranted a somewhat startled response as he turned to greet the girl who had approached him.

“O-oh, hey..,” the boy tried, nearly dropping his apple before regaining his composure. A rather embarrassing turn of events, for sure. He was, after all, supposed to be a practitioner in the shadow arts, someone who always maintained their balance and remained a step ahead at all times. At this moment, he had fallen woefully short. “Uhm..,” Shade tried, viewing the girl from beneath his hood, the boy’s ghostly skin somewhat visible beyond the shape of fabric. “Rats..,” Shade repeated, tapping his dainty fingers against the apple in his hands. It was better than cleaning ditches, that much was certain. He was also willing to admit that other than being an exercise in humility, taking on the role of cleaner warranted little in the pursuit of knowledge. Considering the girl for a moment, Shade would eventually clear his throat, and nodded. “Rats, yeah.., that sounds good,” he stated, clearly unsure. This was the first time he would work together with anyone outside The Moonshadow Cult, and it was a daunting prospect, to say the least.

However, it did not take long for the boy’s attention to snap towards someone else, entirely. Tension immediately rose to the forefront, and Shade raised his head somewhat to get a better view of the man who had made himself known with heavy, armored steps. Countless errors could be spotted in his choice of words, mainly when relating them to Shade’s gender. He was being mistaken for a girl, yet again. “I..,” the boy tried, unsure of how to approach this issue. The first lesson of a Moonshadow Assassin was to use what you had at your disposal. Being mistaken for a female could very well have been advantageous, and it was ironically one of the most effective measures in approaching a target. Women were generally prefered within close proximity, which in itself allowed for deadly executions. As was the boy’s reflexive measure, Shade immediately analyzed the man for weak spots. He was wearing scale mail, which rendered slashing motions useless. A strong enough thrust could very well break the links binding his armor together, but Shade had neither the strength nor the weapon for such a feat. Rather, it would require a routine approach.

Step one, focus on the hamstrings. His ankles lacked protection. Step two, maintain an agile maneuver, as the man’s upper body would still maintain its autonomy. Step three, seize the moment and strike at his throat when the man’s knee connected with the ground. It was one scenario that could play out, one of countless. The other was to focus on that heavy mace that hung at the man’s belt. Maintain patience, and wait for him to reach for the weapon, where a much faster draw would allow Shade to strike at the man’s hand, before the mace found itself in his grip. A steel badge hanging from the man’s belt indicated one truth more so than anything else. This man was far more experienced than the elf, and in a fight, Shade stood no chance. The boy’s father could have ended an aggressive exchange within seconds, with lightning-fast motions barely registered by an untrained eye. However, Shade remained far from that level. “Thank you,” the Dark Elf spoke, maintaining a polite approach. The second rule of a Moonshadow Assassin, always disarm the person you are interacting with, by making them feel at ease. “Your offer is appreciated, Sir,” Shade continued, “but I believe we’ll manage the feat on our own,” he finished, offering the man a soft, if tender smile beneath the boy’s hood. This less than desired guest was not the only man who made himself a source of attention, however. Shade needed only turn his head slightly for the boy’s eyes to widen. Never before had he seen an armor so.., exotic, in its design, as it was on a girl who had only recently stepped through the front door.