Forging Misanthropy

The sound of steel sword clanking against it's sheath indicated a certain smol and underestimated Neries was out in the streets again. Though he likely wasn't of any note to most who saw him, just a smol boy who looked like he didn't care.

Walking with an expression devoid of emotion he was headed to the training mat- that was until he suddenly collided with something-

Oof

Suddenly, his vision was engulfed in purple, and when he staggered back, he looked up at Gorandis really confused, still kind of groggy.
(Sathoth)

With Lucy dead, and without a suitable means to replace her- she finds herself dealing with the common folk once more. Back to micromanaging everything. While more than upset with the death of her favorite slave, she found solace in the fact that it lead to Dumuzid's perfection. At the very least, she could take pride in the fact that her pet died with honor-

She raised her well--

"Hm?" A small Ookami child. Last time one of those decided to bother her, it reminded her far too much of the dogs that used to plague the wychwoods. For a moment, she merely sneers. "Fine, you get one- make it interesting, and do not waste my time." Not a wise idea, to say the least.

"...and I have one for you as well, girl...you bow, so you know your place-...but tell me, are you dog, or wolf?" She raises a brow, curious to see the young girls response.
(Nahele)

A warning to stay away from Loranthis... Gorandis was usually one to heed Lorelei's words but recently... Recently she had become far too unhinged, perhaps even more so than he was used to. The town wasn't that distasteful... okay it was but he still had work to do there, things to collect and what not. People to harvest... that is if Nahele kept her word.

Gorandis' usual staff was slung on his back, strapped there sturdily and instead he seemed to be carrying a sword at his hip. He had never been the melee fighter before but it was always good to get the practice in. He never knew when he would be devoid of his magic after all. And even if he didn't have the proficiency for it, he did want to see just how he could carve people up.

Yet he didn't think he'd have to use it so early. The sound of scraping metal filled the air as the sword came smoothly out of its sheath. Gorandis' hand came out to grip at the collar of whoever dared to collide into him. The sword came up towards the person's throat as Gorandis glared from beneath his hood. The edge came to rest an inch before the Neries' neck.

"What do you think you're doing..." His voice came out as a growl and red sparks erupted along the blade's edge just barely missing the man's skin. "Who do you think you are to disturb me like this? Who do you think you are even touching me?"
(Gorandis)

Lucy was gone? At least the Vampire had not seen the woman for quite some given, which truly was an oddity given how strict Nahele was, but alas true care was not something Luna was capable of and as such, she would not even bother to question it.

Instead, having taken a seat at the top of the flat stone part of the fence, the sanguine eyes were laid upon everyone in the vicinity- Partly focused on Nahele and her conversation and partly on the Neries, Sathoth. There was still her promise to Nahele regarding them and even if the Queen had perhaps lost her care, she had yet to tell the Vampire otherwise. Luna did, after all, still wish for her reward.

It wasn't like she had anything better to do anyways, immortality gave her plenty of times to stagnate with such dull tasks like these.

"A dog or a wolf, huh..." A whisper was made under her breath, the Vampire not truly being loud enough for anyone to hear, though one could definitely tell she said something. Before long, the gaze fell back onto Sathoth and by extension Gorandis.
(Luna)

Sathoth tilted his head, then rubbed his eyes. His vision was still a little blurred by film that went over his eyes from being shut so long- after a moment he managed to make out Gorandis, and well, his jaw dropped.

"I.. I didn't mean to, sir!"

His hands lifted up and clasped together to show emulated regret. In times like this, not having fear or humility really could give the wrong message, so he's started to practice pretending.

"Honest.."
(Sathoth)

Melody would bow again towards the scary woman the ears on her head pointing straight up to attention. Unable to contain her excitement she waged her tail. One question yes! Along with another question.. That wasn't so bad!

Interlacing her fingers under her cloak she would try to avoid showing her fanged mouth to the important looking lady.”D-dom-dom esticated wolf.”she would say towards the older woman before her.”Im looking for.. The queen, I heard.. She has work for people who want to make a difference!”she would practically hop on her tiny feet.

Swinging her staff around tiny flower petals would materialise in the air around the little Ookami.”I heard.. There was a w-woman here who grew flowers. I-I wish to learn! My.. home is gone.. I want to get stronger!”Melody would say with pep in her voice, her hand raising into the air, overly energetic.

There was a few things that were left out but she didn't want to bother the important looking woman in front of her with her life story. Instead the girl would get on her knees and bow shamelessly towards Nahele. ”P-please, I need to see them. I'll do anything!”she shouts.
(Melody)

"I don't give a damn what you meant you petulant child." The sword withdrew but was still held in a hostile manner, the tip of it directed towards the Neries boy with a great deal of contempt. "I would suggest you apologised but that would not sate me. So, draw your weapon, boy. I wish to cut you down like a man. Perhaps then you shall learn to watch where you go."

Gorandis was deadly serious and took a few paces back before drawing his lightning sheathed weapon higher. "I've not seen you around here, child and you are far too young to be of any use. So let me help clean this place up, just a little. Or do you not think you can meet me in melee combat? Do you not think you can challenge me to the sword."

"But if you don't face me and fight then I shall simply run you through from behind. Nobody disgraces me with their touch. Especially not some lowly scum such as you. I don't care how 'honest' you are about this. You have made your mistake and now you must pay for it." He held the sword to his side and the red lightning arced out to his body, surrounding him in its embrace.

"Come, child."
(Gorandis)

Tail wagging.

"You aren't annoying. I'll give you that, but this-...this needs to stop!" She lunges, curling elongated black claws around the base of the Ookami's tail, snatching rather harshly. "Wagging...disgraceful...what you do in private is your own business, but you will not treat this gift like...a toy, like...some kind of animal." She sneers. "Impulsive behavior should be reserved for combat and the bedroom. Not in the streets. Have some DIGNITY!"

For a moment, she snarls. "It's likely that the woman you are referring to is dead...but we have more than a few nature magi within the city-...and Ookami using the forces of nature...it's rare, yet not unheard of. Perhaps..." There is the slight chance that this girl could become useful.

"Hmm...?" A brow is raised, staring at the fool who bumped into Gorandis. She had a law in place regarding honor duels, but this- with her presence, it would have been broken, but this is hardly a duel of honor--

A mere slave of Zurie's, while not on her 'to-eat' list, had no real rights within this realm.

"Luna, come with me, after...this plays out, I need to have a word with you-...and child." The grip on the Ookami's tail is tightened--

"You're coming with me."
(Nahele)

"I've learned from the Queen that you have to take responsbility for your actions, so we'll fight. I'll take it like a man."

Unsheathing his own blade, the gemless Neries warrior-child held it in one hand, even though the longsword was pretty much the same height as him, and the other seemed to begin to warp in shape and shimmer as the air around it started to bend to the boy's own mind's will. Cognitive manipulation of Reality was something that Neries were known to excel at, even without their gem in it's rightful place- however their reserves were much less when they could not siphon from the world around them.

His eyes, they didn't show fear, and it likely would be odd to Gorandis, in fact, they didn't behold any emotion at all- just.. focus. He was calm, his heartbeat was normal, no anxious fidgeting, no gulp in distress at this man's foreboding threats. Simply resolve.

"I accept yer challenge wif' honor."

Tink

The tip of the longsword clanked against the stone ground, and suddenly, the boy's body lurched forwards, and Sathoth used his weight to whip the length of the blade in an arc towards Gorandis, each swing was slow, but held a lot of power for his size- the indication being the crunching sound as his blade swung exaggeratingly into the ground, crushing up the stonework.

He reeled in his weight preparing to throw another awkward arcing swing of his blade.
(Sathoth)

Nahele: So the lying idiot -can- learn. Amusing.

The gaze still suck on Sathoth did nothing but bring a mischievous smile to the face of the Vampire- He was in quite the trouble, having bumped into the wrong type of guy. Whoever it was, he didn't seem particularly fit, but alas neither did the Neries, so the child was probably in for quite the beating.

"How intriguing." Sounded a simple sentence, eyes still remaining on the Neries- Soon enough he would be weak enough for her to prey upon! It wasn't like anyone truly dared halt the Vampire from merely drinking blood, especially not with the relationship she shared with the Queen.

- Speaking of the Queen, it would seem Nahele had spoken the name of the Vampire? Her attention shifted immediately, the gaze laid upon her Queen with her head tilting soon enough. One could almost hear the disappointing 'tsk' escape from her lips as she was told to come along, though no resistance was given.

With an immediate jump from the fence down to the ground, the Queen would have the Vampire's undivided attention. It wasn't like Sathoth stood a chance in the first place, so the outcome was obvious. "As you wish, M'Queen."
(Luna)

"I don't need your honour." The blade came down, leaving a streak of the red sparks to crash against the stone below, charring it and in some spots even melting the stone under the intensity. Gorandis was not holding back. There was no need to ever hold back. This creature was far beneath him, to the point where he did not even wish to truly try...

The hand grasping the blade tightened and the glare from beneath the hood intensified. Gorandis was by no means a swords man, hell, he had never even held a weapon like it in his life before. But what he made up for in physical grace or skill, he made up for in raw, overbearing power. The crimson aura around him expanded just slightly.

There would be little magic used here, he didn't even wish to summon his creatures from the spirit realm. Their presence would be wasted on this fool. No, this was going to be punishment pure and simple. Gorandis was perhaps over reacting to this. but he very much disliked when people he felt beneath him ever tried to have any sense of camaraderie.

Even something so simple as an apology.

Gorandis stood his ground until the last second before lunging himself. It was time to let off some steam.
(Gorandis)

And so Gorandis lunged awkwardly, clearly showing off his inexperience with the blade. His attacks often missed and when they did hit the sword barely did anything by itself. The only real damage came from his magic, the ever present sheathe of lightning that ran along the blade and across his own body. Where his physicality lacked, his magic more than made up for it.

And so he pushed the Neries back, harder and harder. He could barely match the child's bladework, but that didn't matter. The cascades of crimson continued to barrage him and even proximity was hard to keep with that sort of energy striking at him continuously. And Gorandis never ceased his assault, he never relented and he always pressed the attack.

While the first few moments had been uncertain, he had soon managed to overcome the boy and, he noticed with some glee, forced him to run, forced him to flee as he rightly should. Gorandis paused, letting the child get some distance before pointing the tip of the blade towards the fleeing child and struck him in the back with a single bolt.

"Face me, you dishonourable child. If you run you wont get far enough. Stand and fight."
(Gorandis)

The Neries girl walked out from the Barracks where she wa given room and board, a place to sleep, that wasn't just moving into a tree or under a rock to sleep. It was far, far more enjoyable than sleeping under said rock. Her eyes eventually caught Sathoth doing something... stupid again. He was being stupid again, wasn't he?

Still, she did not intervene. At least not yet. Her slave was important to her like any piece of property. To see someone else damage him... it annoyed her. And so she whispered to the Queen. Familar with the attire of this Hellstorm man, and wondering what exactly was well... going on.
(Zurie)

The damage he took was pretty obvious, each strike of Gorandis' blade was imbued with his raw power that he wielded even without trying to. It hurt, a lot. Every cut shredded his garments and managed to break the skin no matter how much of a graze it was.

However, it seemed the man mistook him literally being knocked back away from him as cowardice, whoops, gotta work on his balance, he guessed.

Every time he managed to get past the man's blade, it was reflected by his residual aura that lashed out, colliding with Sathoth's own strength, causing him to trade off damage with Gorandis' even when by typical swordplay, he would have made a one sided strike. It hurt, that burning red lightning singed his skin.

"I's not runnin'!"

He yelped out, as he was struck solidly by a bolt of red lightning that coursed through his body and nerves painfully- but he caught himself, remaining standing and still grasping his blade, he ran back into the man's aura, trading off like the man wanted him to- he'd stand his ground, not get knocked back.

He had to.
(Sathoth)

Again, Gorandis strode forwards slowly, his presence alone enough of a threat to cause opening where he liked. And against this boy's blade, he didn't even care to dodge, nor even block any of his opponents attacks. No, he was content with trading blow for blow. Something he now realised he would win at every interval.

So he forced it wherever he could. The red lightning bolted down from the sky but not to hit and damage Sathoth, no, Gorandis wanted to corral him, to direct him around. Like a rat in a maze. It was cathartic even if it didn't completely satisfy him. After all, he had been oh so wronged by the Neries. The Neries that had the audacity to simply touch him...

One final furious burst rolled out and flattened the boy onto his back. Gorandis wasted no time and planted his sword into the boy's midsection. He was not wholly aware of Neries biology, but he simply didn't care either. He threw his weight onto his weapon and pinned Sathoth to the ground, the tip of the sword lancing through the cobblestones beneath.

"Now then, what to do with you to earn my apology..." He spoke calmly and came around to lean on the handle of the blade, the red lightning occasionally arcing to the metal and coursing down, shocking Sathoth's body as it went. "What do you suggest, boy? Should I kill you? I already see that you've lost your gem so there's no point in me doing anything there."

He turned his head to face the gathered viewers. "How about you lot then. How do you think this boy should atone?"
(Gorandis)

"...despite being little more than a slave, and my previous thoughts- this idiot can learn, and this...was no duel of honor. I can't have casual slaughter within my streets- everything dies but there must be a genuine reason for one's final punishment, but-..." She licks her lips. The opportunity to dine on flesh and presented itself. Ever since her awakening, refusing to eat caused pain, refusing to eat caused suffering- something she would deal with only for those whom she finds deserving- this...is not one of those times.

"Zurie, from this moment on- keep a close eye on your slave. The idiot who denied me a meal is still alive, bent his knee and will now follow you around as a soldier- a bodyguard, as well. He's supposed to protect the both of you...but it seems this one still hasn't learned how to refrain from being a complete and utter fool-...and besides, I owe this man something."

Her attention briefly turns to the crowd. "Snow-white...wait, and Luna-...no need. She complied, I'll rid her of excuses proper...after...this...we can..."

Grumble grumble, the churning of a stomach begins--

"Tsk."

Depravity rolls from her body like a cascading waterfall- light-grey mana begins to wrap itself around her- something valmasia hasn't witnessed in hundreds of years, the signs of a sin of gluttony.

"His punishment- to receive your mark, and sacrifice a part of himself to appease my hunger! I think...a hand will suffice. Perhaps it will teach him to keep his grubby little mitts to himself."
(Nahele)

The pain that went through him was enough to actually bring tears from his eyes, it was ridiculous, he had just accidentally bumped into Gorandis while still waking up- what a horrible day to wake up..

As if the boy hadn't already lost enough, suffered enough, they spoke outwardly about how to make his life even more miserable, even more pointless. Without god, innate abilities, emotions, and now, personal freedom and soon limbs, he stared blankly into the sky. Tears rolled down the sides of his head and no expression was worn upon his face- as per normal.

Sathoth lay there, dumbfounded, broken, finally broken. It hadn't taken a lot, but these people had finally broke him.

His skin.. it grew paler, and the cracks that went up his hand spread even further, every horrifying moment, every bit of depravity that seeped into his form from the heinous magics used upon him by those who resided in this city had been warping him- whether he knew it or not.

The black spaces that appeared between his self-parting skin, dry in appearance, began to release a faint, barely noticable black wispy mist. His kind wasn't meant to be so constantly exposed to this kind of energy, this kind of power. It was changing him.

He didn't look at Zurie, or Gorandis, or Nahele, just.. the sky.

This is still a test from the Dreamer...

Right?
(Sathoth)

The lesser yokai lumbered towards the town, with a face contorted into a vicious glare from the lack of food in the outskirts.

Though famished, the yokai manages to grab one of the villagers from behind and clumsily bites into her neck.

Red, viscous fluid slowly seeps out of the wound from her neck as she collapses on the floor, drenched in specks of red and brown. The yokai, being further enticed by the idea of slaughtering an entire town of innocent people, nonchalantly walks towards a house but trips on a rock on the floor. The yokai falls face-first onto the concrete and its head splits open, revealing a black miasma that is then released into the air.
(Demous Nox)

Mercy... That was something that was nowhere to be found on Gorandis, not anymore. Any shred of kindness had vanished long ago and even the barest hint of it that he dared to show others... Even that often got snuffed out. This boy, this random child... he deserved none of it. No mercy for the weak, for the insolent nor the petulant.

"Fine, but remember to keep this one alive for a bit longer next time, I don't want yet another weak and flimsy essence. And this does not count to the one you owe me either... We still have yet to sort that out." His hand came down to grip the pommel of the sword. His palm covered the end before sending out waves of the crimson energy.

They rippled out widely into concentric rings that grew outwards, settling on the floor beneath Sathoth and carving the cobblestones with a deep, putrid burn. Symbols appeared, the runework required for such and act to happen. Deeply depraved within itself the thick, cloying sense seeped through the air. Gorandis' other hand moved to his robes and unbuckled them.

They fell open to reveal his own charred skin. On his chest lay the burning sigil of a fiery goat's head. beneath it lay an intricate network of runes. Runes that now began to glow a deep purple. A deep purple that began to claw its way outwards. A wide circle formed before him and from that a deep purple hand of energy crept through the air.

It slunk down towards the fallen boy and began to pour into the cracks that had formed. Like worms digging through soil the energy would wriggle into his flesh. Around the sword would be the worst as a thick band of the energy stretched his skin and crawled underneath before vanishing. Leaving the air with a very real sense of vile depravity. On the Neries skin, in the presence of Gorandis, deep purple blotches would appear to signify his mark.

"He's all yours Nahele... try not to kill him too early."
(Gorandis)

As time passed, it would seem even Zurie started to care less and less for Sathoth- Had Luna not been a being whose only ecstasy was the suffering of others, then certainly she would have felt sympathy even for someone like him.

But! It mattered little how she felt- The Queen had made her degree, she wanted her hunger sated, much understandable to a Vampire, and as such, Sathoth would have to pay with his hand. Thus was the punishment for losing- Especially against someone who held back to such a degree, anyone could tell that the man was by no means a swordsman and his true prowess lied within Magic.

"Poor boy, haha!" A little chuckle escaped her lips, sanguine eyes laid upon the now crying Sathoth. Oh how she enjoyed this! No matter how extremely obnoxious his lack of emotions were, it would seem that pain was, in the end, not something any living being could tolerate.
(Luna)

Before anyone could say anythign else, the Neries girl jumped forward, she saw what was happening to Sathoth and if rumors were true... she didn't like what was happening to him. Infact, she had grown angry by the sight of it. Very... very angry. Enough that the pudgy girl pounced forward faster than she ever moved before. Usually being a rather slow individual, physically. Both of her hands thrusted forward then.

And just as she saw the lines crack on his skin, as she saw the black seep through him, his neck would be embraced by both her hands. She'd attempt to pull his face to look at her own. "What the hell are you thinking... Sathoth?!" She yelled at him. Her voice louder than it ever was. He was... changing. Changing into the very thing she hated most. Or so rumors from her grandparents would say.

"Stop it. Stop it. Now. You're my property. Everything you do reflects on me. I can't have you doing this. No. STUPID IDIOT." And then her arms would pull him closer to her face, staring him eye to eye. "If you change I will have to kill you. I can't have any of them here... you know that right? You know that I willhave to snap your neck like a twig if you change." He was thinking something odd. So, so very odd. Was he abandoning the dreamer? Considering elemental magics? Giving up hope entirely? What sort of high-heresy was he thinking, that their deity, Nerebia caught wind of.

She didn't know. But him changing into something different could not be allowed. And so her arms, still tight around his neck, began to squeeze even tighter. If not stopped, the Neries girl would not only choke him, but try to bash his head against the ground as well; trying to force him unconscious! It was all she could think of in the spur of the moment, to stop his thoughts from being heretic. "GO TO SLEEP. GO TO SLEEP. GO TO SLEEP. STUPID SLAVE GO TO SLEEP!" Perhaps the ways of Loranthis were having an effect on her as well? Or maybe she was always some little savage underneath her bumpkin smiles.
(Zurie)

With each passing day, true control over her actions became nothing more than a pipe dream. The curse of sin, coupled with Saekanis' influence, it began to morph her into a monster...though, her sense of rationality with the depravity wolf's taint had been far from corroded. It gave her plenty of time to discover a means to combat the ill effects that raw depraved power had on her mental state...

"No, it doesn't, and less this one decides to be a complete and utter idiot- climbing directly into my mouth, then I won't be the one responsible for...a premature death." The intricate work of Gorandis is admired, and the sizable marking upon his chest- definitely something not noticed on the last morsel. Ah, but she couldn't be entirely to blame for that.(<.<)

Without remorse or regard, with only her hunger driving her instincts, the sin lunges. There is no need to savor this, the flesh of neries is foul. She opens her maw, slamming several jagged teeth down around the the wrist of the child- opting to take the hand in a single bite. The crunch of bone fills the streets, silver blood drips from her lips, trickling down her visage--

Gulp

"No need in killing him. Zurie- take better care of your pet. Less this boy proves to be something of worth, he is to be your slave. Don't...let him die too early-...and I'm aware that this one doesn't count. This...by right, is your prey. Not a repaid debt--- you've got to be fucking-...fine. FINE!"

Golden orbs fall upon the yokai that seems to lack a proper master. "These things, they aren't to devour my citizens. The ones who remained complied- they aren't food for useless wild animals- gah! Find- girl, prove that you aren't a dog, prove that you at least have the means to defend yourself..." She snaps, pointing a finger at the lesser-

"Beat that thing to a pulp. Kill it, remove it from my city, or find a kaor willing to control that idiot. I don't...care...just DEAL WITH IT!"

...Zurie's outburst is completely ignored and she eats the hand anyways, less someone attempts to stop her.
(Nahele)

Melody: Ill go look for it!
Melody: <*pants*> I .. must have.. scared it off! <* puts hands on her hips*>

He went out. All of this happening at once, it was too much. His body was numbed, and limp as a ragdoll, Sathoth lost consciousness. There was nothing more he could do- and only his faith in the Dreamer kept him from succumbing to death itself in this absolutely horrifying situation.

Even though his eyes were still open, it was obvious he wasn't 'awake'. Even as he was thrashed by Zurie, he remained unconscious, blood seeping from his stubbed forearm, depraved mana coursing through the left arm now missing a hand.

The last though he had before he went out was a question for himself, and the Dreamer, if he was listening..

Was it his time to die?..
(Sathoth)

The sword was grabbed and unceremoniously ripped from the body. The silver blood was flicked off the edge before being sheathed at his hip once more. Though as cold as Gorandis was being, he did seem to slip up just a little when holding the sword. He was far from a natural at it and didn't have the practice to recover for that.

He waved his hand dismissively as he turned. "He's learned his lesson at the least. He wont be bothering me again. And if he does then I suppose it will just be harvesting time... Just try to keep your pets on shorter leashes." The statement was announced to all in the vicinity, both Nahele and Zurie both. He turned to give the prone neries another baleful look before striding off.

He didn't go far, but far enough away to show that he didn't want to be bothered any further. His hand came to rest on the sword's handle as he leant against the fence, entering his own little world. Anyone that interrupted him would soon find far more anger than the boy had just been shown. Gorandis would likely not even give them the time to toy with them.

They would find themselves dead before they could wag their tongue.
(Gorandis)