[Hunt or be Hunted: Episode Two - A Helping Hand]

[18:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Hunt or be Hunted: Episode Two - A Helping Hand]
[18:21] <!Emilybroshoujo> Having left the Duchess' mansion you've finally gotten a chance to equate yourself with Delsia.
[18:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> It's a lovely town, you find yourself at an inn swarming with various characters looking for work.
[18:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> You hear talks of different jobs of exploring ancient ruins in search of treasure and such.
[18:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> That kind of work isn't for you though.
[18:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> A path clears around you as you move towards the "Extermination Requests" board.
[18:24] <!Emilybroshoujo> There's one set up in every capital city for freelance monster hunters.
[18:24] <!Emilybroshoujo> Most of the good jobs are taken by the guild, but for several reasons you never felt compelled to join the guild.
[18:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> Thus you sift through these meager requests too dangerous or not profitable enough for the guild to waste their precious time on.
[18:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> In front of the board there stands another person.
[18:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> A short one, about 4'8".
[18:26] <!Emilybroshoujo> She's clad in a green hooded cloak, but her large ears poke up far enough it does little to disguise her inhuman nature.
[18:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> She's an elf.
[18:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> One of the two non-human races, along with Dwarves, not entirely corrupted by Lillith.
[18:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> The similarity of these races with humans offered them a measure of resistance, in the case of the Dwarves they remained completely unchanged, their magic resistance protecting them from any negative effects at all.
[18:29] <!Emilybroshoujo> The elves however suffered a less complete resistance to the curse, many of them transforming into dark elves little more than non-demonic succubi.
[18:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> However the elves who were unaffected are still allowed in human cities though very few opportunities await them there.
[18:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> This girl was likely forced to become a monster hunter to eat... she doesn't look like much but...
[18:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Pull her hood down and make sure she's not a dark elf.
[18:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Ask her what job she's going to take.
[18:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Smack her butt and tell her to hurry up.
[18:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose
[18:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[18:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[18:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[18:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[18:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[18:31] <ants> [ ] Ask her what job she's going to take.
[18:31] <ants> I was so sure [x] pat on head was going to be an option
[18:33] <ants> everyone knows quests are easier in groups
[18:33] <ants> especially egg delivery
[18:33] <ants> Deliver 3 Harpy Eggs
[18:34] <ants> subquest: ?????
[18:34] <Imouto> [ ] Pull her hood down and make sure she's not a dark elf.
[18:34] <Imouto> Around elves
[18:34] <Imouto> watch yourselves
[18:34] <ants> nono, we have to shoot her first
[18:35] <ants> what is the medieval fantasy equivalent of skittles
[18:35] <!Emilybroshoujo> You walk up next to the girl and pull her hood down from behind.
[18:35] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her straw yellow hair is instantly visible followed by her pale ears and face.
[18:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> She looks around adorably trying to figure out who de-hooded her.
[18:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> She looks up at you and covers her ears, her eyes are a gorgeous blue.
[18:37] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'm not a d-" "I know." You interrupt her with a smile.
[18:37] <!Emilybroshoujo> She takes her hands off her ears and turns her attention back to the quest board.
[18:37] <!Emilybroshoujo> You watch her visibly flinch as she reads each quest description.
[18:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Do you have a job in mind?" you ask the small elf.
[18:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I could... probably do this one?..." She says as she takes one of the paper slips timidly.
[18:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> It's to remove a group of devilbugs from a condemned house.
[18:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Tease her.
[18:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Offer to help.
[18:41] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Wish her luck and take a quests suitable to your skill level.
[18:41] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[18:41] <ants> we could choose to bully the elf
[18:42] <ants> but by establishing trust between us, we could bully the elf for a lot longer
[18:42] <ants> [X] Offer to help
[18:43] <Imouto> [ ] Offer to help.
[18:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Would you like some help?" you ask with a smile.
[18:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> She looks up at you suspiciously.
[18:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> "It's not a very big reward.... why would you want to help me?"
[18:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> You twitch.
[18:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> You really don't like untrusting people.
[18:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Do you want help or not?" you ask again trying to be nice.
[18:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> She backs away.
[18:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Snap
[18:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Don't snap
[18:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[18:46] <ants> [X] Don't snap
[18:46] <ants> we must be strong for the eventual bullying
[18:48] <ants> guessing we gotta manage our rage meter sometime
[18:51] <Imouto> [x] Don't snap
[18:52] <!Emilybroshoujo> You sigh.
[18:52] <!Emilybroshoujo> You pat her head. "Suit yourself."
[18:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> You take all the remaining quests and tuck them in your vest.
[18:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> All of them.
[18:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> You get stares from everyone especially the little elf as you turn to leave the inn.
[18:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> You can feel her following you as you head down the street to the closest client.
[18:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Are you even gonna do all those quests or are you just being a meanie so nobody else can do them?" She finally asks.
[18:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Obviously you didn't intend to." you retort.
[18:57] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Rude." She says as she walks up next to you.
[18:58] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Are you actually strong?" She asks.
[18:58] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Not really, not strong enough."
[18:58] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Strong enough for what?" She asks.
[18:59] <!Emilybroshoujo> You look down at her and smile.
[18:59] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Intermission]


[19:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Intermission Out]
[19:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> You approach the house and knock on the front door.
[19:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> An older lady opens the door and looks at you with surprise.
[19:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Oh my..." she says as she looks you over.
[19:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'm here about the hunter requests you posted." You tell her trying not to be too intimidating.
[19:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I see, I see, come on in dearie." She says as she turns and motions for you to come inside.
[19:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> You and your elven tag-along enter the building and the woman begins telling you about her granddaughter.
[19:46] <!Emilybroshoujo> A young apothecary trying to create alchemical cures for the various blights caused by exposure to monsters, but her research has been denounced by the guild as too expensive to be backed.
[19:46] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Admirable work." You say as you choke back rage.
[19:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> The real reason the guild would have denounced something like that is because a cure for blights means less monsters to hunt and less profits, the same reason they don't go after Lillith.
[19:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> You grit your teeth and listen as the old woman continues, she tells her her granddaughter ran off by herself into the closed off graveyard outside of town.
[19:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> It's a quarantine zone filled with undead of various types and she's concerned for her safety.
[19:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> The request is only that her granddaughter be returned safely but the reward is meager and it's likely to extremely dangerous.
[19:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Accept Quest
[19:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Refuse Quest
[19:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose
[19:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[19:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[19:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[19:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[19:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[19:50] <ants> [X] Accept Quest
[19:53] <Sanzaru> [x] accept
[19:53] <Imouto> Accept!
[19:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Alright, if it's within my power I'll bri-" The elf stands up teary eyed.
[19:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> "We'll definitely bring her back!" She shouts.
[19:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> You narrow your eyes and watch as the elf hugs the old lady who showers her with thank yous.
[19:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> You stand up and turn to leave.
[19:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> When she hears the door open the elf chases after you.
[19:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Okay, let's do this!" She says excitedly as she runs to catch up to you.
[19:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Scold her.
[19:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] remain silent.
[19:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[19:57] <ants> [X] Scold her.
[19:59] <Imouto> Scold!
[20:00] <!Emilybroshoujo> You stop and the elf turns back towards you.
[20:00] <!Emilybroshoujo> "What are you waiting for we have to hu-" "She's dead."
[20:01] <!Emilybroshoujo> The elf freezes and stares up at you as you glare at her.
[20:01] <!Emilybroshoujo> She's completely frozen... you must look pretty scary.
[20:01] <!Emilybroshoujo> "That girl is dead and you just gave that woman false hope."
[20:02] <!Emilybroshoujo> "When we return you're the one telling her we failed to save the girl and collecting our pay."
[20:02] <!Emilybroshoujo> "W-WHAT!? How can you say that! She might be alive!"
[20:02] <!Emilybroshoujo> "She's not, even if she is she's infected and we'll have to put her down."
[20:02] <!Emilybroshoujo> The elf turns red in the face.
[20:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> "HOW CAN YOU BE SO NEGATIVE?! IF WE BELIEVE IN HER MAYBE SHE'LL B-"
[20:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> "LISTEN BRAT!" You shout at her causing her to flinch.
[20:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> "The princess is always eaten by the dragon. The heroic knight never miraculously survives against the horde of demons. People are fragile and weak, not heroes who can fight off a hundred undead without a scratch."
[20:05] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Miracles do not happen... and when they do you bow your head and whisper a silent thank you. Don't ever go into a hunt expecting things to go well."
[20:05] <!Emilybroshoujo> The elf starts to cry and you walk past her.
[20:05] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Go back to the inn... I'll deal with this." You say softly as you walk away.
[20:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> After a moment you hear her footsteps as she follows you.
[20:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> You turn to scare her off but she walks past you.
[20:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Let's go... we need to recover the body so that nice lady can have some closure at least." The elf says with the bitter cracks of choking back tears in her voice.
[20:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> You grab her shoulder and turn her towards you.
[20:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> She meets your gaze with a look of fierce conviction, tears draining down her cheeks left rosy and flushed.
[20:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> "What is it now? Do I have to fight you to prove I can keep up?"
[20:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> "... What's your name?" You ask her.
[20:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Elzia." She says as her expression softens slightly.
[20:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'm Ben... if we're going to work together we should know each others names." You say as you pat her head.
[20:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> With that the two of you head towards the target point.
[20:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> You walk ahead of Elzia and pretend not to hear her sobbing until she collects herself.
[20:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> So many questions... but talks like that are best saved for after the hunt.
[20:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> The target is a Human girl, likely deceased and corrupted.
[20:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> The enemy is an unknown amount of undead of unknown types.... this is the first time you've had a partner.
[20:12] <!Emilybroshoujo> Elzia catches up to you, her pretty pale face still tinted pink and her eyes slightly red around the edges.
[20:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> She's wearing a leather tunic over a suit of elven chain, and she carries a longsword, shield, and longbow as well as a pouch of what you assume are bombs.
[20:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her short hair is messy and poorly brushed.
[20:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> She's probably been living on the streets for most of her life if you had to guess.
[20:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> She was most likely abandoned by her mother in a human city when she realized she was becoming a dark elf.
[20:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> It happens a lot sadly, the act of conceiving a child can often lead to the corruption of the mother.
[20:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> If an elf has sex with a man tainted by another monster she'll turn.
[20:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> Like a disease.
[20:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> You force back all the questions and comments you have for Elzia and focus on the task at hand.
[20:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> The cemetery gates stand before you.
[20:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Intermission]


[20:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Intermission Out]
[20:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> You and Elzia enter the cemetery.
[20:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> Almost immediately you're ambushed by zombies.
[20:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> You draw your silver sword and murder them without hesitation.
[20:41] <!Emilybroshoujo> Elzia also fends them off skillfully destroying their heads with her sword.
[20:41] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'm glad to see you're no stranger to combat." You say attempting to calm her down.
[20:41] <!Emilybroshoujo> She's fighting well but already she's visibly shaken.
[20:41] <!Emilybroshoujo> You wonder if she's ever seen blood before.
[20:42] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I can handle it..." She says, sensing your concern.
[20:42] <!Emilybroshoujo> You move slowly through the cemetery looking for anyone not falling apart at the joints.
[20:42] <!Emilybroshoujo> You check each mausoleum you pass.
[20:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> When you open the fourth of them you're tackled to the ground and pinned by a ghoul who howls horrendously as she tears at your clothes.
[20:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> Elzia beheads the ghoul quickly but it's body turns and lashes out at her.
[20:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> You trip the elf so the attack misses and stab the ghouls body with an injector bolt filled with holy water.
[20:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> It bursts into flames and you dust the ash from yourself.
[20:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> Elzia lays on the ground trembling.
[20:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Never aim for the neck against undead." You say sternly.
[20:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Always destroy the head."
[20:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> You stomp the severed skull of the ghoul as it licks at your boots.
[20:46] <!Emilybroshoujo> "There's so many of them... is it always like this?" Elzia asks shaken as she pulls herself to her feet.
[20:46] <!Emilybroshoujo> "With undead it is.... but there are worse things."
[20:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> The elf chokes back her fear and follows you, sword drawn and shield presented.
[20:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> It doesn't take her long to get over her fear of the standard zombies, any armed man can fend them off easily.
[20:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> Your next encounter with a ghoul is much smoother, it lunges at you and you allow it to run past you at Elzia.
[20:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> She destroys it's head just as you told her.
[20:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> She looks at you and you nod to her.
[20:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Tell her she's doing fine.
[20:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Stay focused on the job.
[20:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[20:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[20:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[20:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[20:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[20:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[20:52] <Sanzaru> [x] ->Relax, you're doing fine!
[20:52] <Imouto> Tell her she's fine
[20:53] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You're doing fine, stay calm."
[20:53] <!Emilybroshoujo> She nods and takes a deep breath.
[20:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> As she does something lunges at her from behind a tombstone and you intercept it with your sword.
[20:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> The skeleton chatters it's teeth at you and draws back it's scimitar to attack.
[20:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> You draw your heavy iron sword and smash it's skull.
[20:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> "This density is abnormal... there has to be a greater undead around." You say to yourself.
[20:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Let's find the girls body and get of here before we run into it."
[20:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> Elzia nods and follows close behind you.
[20:57] <!Emilybroshoujo> You open another mausoleum and you're pounced on again, whatever pins you down immediately attempts to drive a knife into your chest but Elzia stops her with a tackle.
[20:57] <!Emilybroshoujo> You take aim and prepare to fire a crossbow bolt through her head but the elf screams for you to stop.
[20:58] <!Emilybroshoujo> You realize the girl that attacked you is fully clothed in an overcoat and is making decidedly human sounds rather than the sickly clicks and groans of the undead.
[20:58] <!Emilybroshoujo> She breaks free of Elzia's grip and runs back into the mausoleum.
[20:58] <!Emilybroshoujo> You enter and see her huddled in a corner pointing her knife at you.
[20:59] <!Emilybroshoujo> The girl has blue eyes and long blonde hair, messy and muddy.
[20:59] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her eyes are sunken and surrounded by dark rings.
[20:59] <!Emilybroshoujo> She's trembling and badly shaken.
[21:02] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Approach her very slowly.
[21:02] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] She's probably infected, put her out of her misery.
[21:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[21:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[21:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[21:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[21:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[21:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[21:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> ants Ausbro HyakkoF Imouto Sanzaru Taco_Hell
[21:04] <Ausbro> [X] Approach carefully
[21:04] <Imouto>  [X] Approach carefully
[21:04] <Sanzaru> [x] Approach Cautiously
[21:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> You move towards the girl slowly with your hands in the air.
[21:05] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Hello... my name is Ben." You say in a steady voice as you approach.
[21:05] <!Emilybroshoujo> She lowers her knife.
[21:05] <!Emilybroshoujo> "It's okay, I'm here to help you." You assure her.
[21:05] <!Emilybroshoujo> She nods and you reach out and place your hand over hers.
[21:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Are you hurt?" You ask her.
[21:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> She looks down at her legs, they're covered in claw and bite marks, her long pants have been ripped to shreds to be little more than a tattered skirt.
[21:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Do you feel cold?" You ask her when you see the wounds.
[21:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'm... not turning..." She says.
[21:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I injected myself with a drug to stop the infection... it only works on freshly infected women and it has really nasty side  effects." She almost whispers.
[21:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Does it contain wolfsbane? You ask as you brush the hair from her eyes.
[21:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> She stares into your eyes... you can see the fear and desperation fade from her face.
[21:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> "D-did nana send you?" She asks weakly.
[21:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> You nod.
[21:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> She reaches her thin arms around you and clings.
[21:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I was so scared.... please take me home." She says as she begins to cry.
[21:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> You wrap your arms around her.
[21:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> "What's your name darling?" you ask as you lift her into your arms.
[21:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Abigail." She says.
[21:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Abby huh? Let's get you home."
[21:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You did well surviving in all this, you're very strong." You reassure her.
[21:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> This drug of her's must contain at least a bit of wolfsbane, she's showing muted signs of wolfsbane poisoning but whatever else she has it it seems to stunt the terminal effects.
[21:12] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You're a very bright girl." You say as you carry her out of the mausoleum... she's so frail right now but you can tell she's a tough girl.
[21:12] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her normally toned body is atrophied... she's probably been starving in that stone prison for days.
[21:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> Elzia looks on, seemingly amazed by your compassion towards this girl.
[21:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> Your heart sinks as you see the figure standing behind Elzia...
[21:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> A curvy woman with flawless pale skin and a wicked smile.
[21:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Scream for Elzia to get away.
[21:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] drop Abby and dive at the creature.
[21:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] throw Abby at Elzia.
[21:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[21:18] <Ausbro> [X] Drop Abby, dive
[21:18] <Imouto> Dive.
[21:19] <Imouto> I think dive.
[21:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> You drop Abby to the stone floor, but you don't have time to worry about some minor injuries.
[21:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> you lunge at the undead throwing Elzia out of the way.
[21:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> The lightning loosed from the creatures fingertips courses through the gauntlet on your right arm.
[21:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> You feel your flesh cooking as you throw her into the neighboring tomb and drive a silver stake into her throat to silence her.
[21:21] <!Emilybroshoujo> The bones in your palm creak as you embed the stake in the stone wall with your bare hands.
[21:21] <!Emilybroshoujo> You turn back at the girls and scream.
[21:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> "RUN, NOW! THIS IS THE WORST CASE SCENARIO! INFORM THE GUILD THERE'S A YOUMA NEAR THE CITY!"
[21:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> Elzia stares in abject terror and Abby drags herself off the ground.
[21:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> "GO! NOW! I'M ALREADY A DEAD MAN!" You scream.
[21:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> The Lich smirks and giggles a sickening giggle as the blood from her throat wound gurgles up through her mouth.
[21:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> With a quick flick of her fingers, without any words of power, a flaming sphere streaks towards the stone building the two girls are in.
[21:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> You stare helplessly.
[21:24] <!Emilybroshoujo> The fire appears to envelop the entirety of the building.
[21:24] <!Emilybroshoujo> Rage boils inside you, but as the flames clear you see a faint light.
[21:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> Elzia's shield glows bright silver as she cowers behind it while standing in front of Abby.
[21:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> The tiny elf looks over her shield with despair in her eyes as if she's begging you to tell her what to do now.
[21:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> She's frozen with fear.
[21:26] <!Emilybroshoujo> Abby forces herself to her feet and grabs onto Elzia before running for the exit.
[21:26] <!Emilybroshoujo> With every step the wounds on her legs gush blood but still she runs.
[21:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> The sight of her panic footfall steels Elzia's resolve and the tiny elf lifts the considerably larger than her human girl onto her back and breaks into a full sprint.
[21:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> The Lich laughs as the two girls round the corner out of view.
[21:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> You slam your fist into her face.
[21:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Enjoy this while you can whore... even the scum at the guild won't tolerate a monster like you. You're already dead." You say before being blow backwards and crashing through a tombstone.
[21:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> The air crackles with magical power as you force yourself to your feet.
[21:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> That broke three ribs.
[21:29] <!Emilybroshoujo> your right arm is totally numb from the burns and your left hand is broken.
[21:29] <!Emilybroshoujo> You can't fight this thing.... but it's fine, you just need to keep her attention for a few minutes...
[21:29] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Intermission]


[21:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Interlude - Courage]
[21:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> You run as fast as you can.
[21:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> It's really hard to dodge all the undead with Abby on your back but you're not going to drop her even if it kills you.
[21:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> You need to get help before Ben dies. You can't save him yourself.
[21:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> Abby mumbles to herself as you run, she's starting to fade from the blood loss.
[21:46] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Hang in there." You say as you stop to catch your breath.
[21:46] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I can see a light...." she whispers.
[21:46] <!Emilybroshoujo> "D-don't go into the light!" you say as you shake her.
[21:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> "N-no... I mean over there... maybe it's because I'm so close to death..." she says as she cracks a morbid smirk.
[21:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I can see where all the souls in this place are gathering..."
[21:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> She drags herself to her feet.
[21:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I should be dead.... I should have died when I came here alone like a fool..."
[21:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> She starts to walk off.
[21:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> You grab onto her.
[21:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Please stop talking like that, I'm gonna get you home safe." You assure her as you restrain her.
[21:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> "What about him... Ben...." She says weakly.
[21:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> You swallow hard.
[21:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> "He'll.... he'll be okay to..."
[21:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Are you hoping for a miracle?..." Abby asks.
[21:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> You bite your lip and remember the scolding you got.
[21:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> "That way..." she points.
[21:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> You lift her onto your back again and run....
[21:50] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] ... for the exit.
[21:50] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] ... towards the light she sees.
[21:50] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[21:50] <Imouto>  [ ] ... towards the light she sees.
[21:52] <Sanzaru> [x] Light
[21:52] <Ausbro> I'll say Exit, but it's moot.
[21:53] <ants> [X] light, but just for a little
[21:53] <!Emilybroshoujo> You move as Abby tells you, it's difficult to fight while carrying her.
[21:53] <!Emilybroshoujo> There are so many und-...
[21:53] <!Emilybroshoujo> A ghoul leaps at you from your shield arm, but you're holding Abby with it.
[21:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> You're already mid-swing and can't evade it.
[21:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> !!!
[21:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> Abby throws herself at the ghoul shoving her arm into it's teeth.
[21:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> She tackles it to the ground and slams it's head repeatedly into the stone until it dies.
[21:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Y-you..." "I'm fine..." She interrupts you. "I can't get infected right now...."
[21:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> She pulls her arm free from the dead ghouls mouth.
[21:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> The sound it it's teeth un-sinking from her flesh makes you want to vomit.
[21:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> This girl is so insanely brave.
[21:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> "A little further..." She points and walks in a staggered gait towards a tomb with an open stone door.
[21:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> Now you can see the light too... a faint blue glow.
[21:57] <!Emilybroshoujo> As you push the jarred door aside you and Abby see the source of the light.
[21:57] <!Emilybroshoujo> A blue crystal swirling with magical power... it oozes corruption.
[21:57] <!Emilybroshoujo> "That's a phylactery..." Abby says weakly.
[21:57] <!Emilybroshoujo> She can barely even stand as she moves towards it.
[21:57] <!Emilybroshoujo> It discharges at her knocking her over.
[21:58] <!Emilybroshoujo> "We... we need to break it..." She says as she lifts a shovel leaning against the wall of the tomb into the air.
[21:58] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Th-then let me, if it zaps you like that directly you'll die!" you insists.
[21:59] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I know... but I won't turn." She says again with a macabre grin.
[21:59] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You'll be corrupted by it... you'll turn into a dark elf."
[21:59] <!Emilybroshoujo> Your heart drops.
[21:59] <!Emilybroshoujo> You switch your gaze between Abby and the phylactery as she moves slowly towards it dragging the shovel.
[22:00] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You'll die!" You shout.
[22:00] <!Emilybroshoujo> She's not listening anymore.
[22:00] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Let her smash it.
[22:00] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Grab her and run for the exit, leaving the phylactery.
[22:00] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] ... Do it yourself.
[22:00] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[22:01] <ants> [X] ... Do it yourself.
[22:01] <Imouto>  [ ] ... Do it yourself.
[22:01] <ants> only bad could come of this
[22:01] <ants> but LET'S GO
[22:01] <!Emilybroshoujo> You grab the shovel as Abby starts to swing it down.
[22:02] <!Emilybroshoujo> You easily take it away from her and push her back.
[22:02] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Get away... when I turn I might attack you." You say as you choke down the lump in your throat.
[22:02] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Stop... I can't escape anyway..." Abby attempts to dissuade you.
[22:02] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Shut up! you won't know if you don't try."
[22:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Besides... when I break this all the undead with turn back to normal corpses right?..."
[22:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> Abby nods.
[22:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Don't worry.... Ben will stop me before I can hurt anyone."
[22:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> You feel tears roll down your cheek.
[22:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'm not scared." you say as you turn and smile at Abby.
[22:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> You lift the shovel over your head and shout as you bring it crashing down on the phylactery.
[22:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> A brilliant light washes over you.... you feel... warm... then hot.
[22:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> It's getting dark...
[22:05] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Interlude Out]


[22:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> The Lich laughs as blood pours from your mouth.
[22:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You know if you just submit we can both enjoy this.~" She says as she steps forward.
[22:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> The area around you is in ruins.
[22:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> Just as you thought you can't even touch the witch.
[22:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> You don't have any counter measures to magic... that's always been your biggest shortcoming as a hunter, most of the other monster hunters have relatively docile monsters as their wives that provide them with a degree of magic.
[22:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> Fighting fire with fire so to speak... but not you.
[22:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> All you have is steel.
[22:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> You clutch your sword and deflect another lightning bolt.
[22:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> The discharge singes your already ruined hands.
[22:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Astounding... I bet normal monsters are fodder for you.~" The lich says seductively as she approaches.
[22:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> You don't have the strength to step back anymore.
[22:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> She runs her ice cold hand across your cheek.
[22:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Let's get to know each other. <3" She says as she leans in to kiss you.
[22:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> A sudden shockwave of light washes over the graveyard.
[22:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> The Lich clutches her chest and backs away.
[22:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> "They... didn't just escape?..." she says wide eyed as she drops to her knees and begins to dissolve to dust.
[22:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> "... damn..." She says with a look of defeated acceptance.
[22:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> As she crumbles you begin to grab your scattered equipment and move towards the source of the light.
[22:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> Elzia must have destroyed the phylactery... amazing.
[22:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> You really didn't give her enough credit.
[22:12] <!Emilybroshoujo> Your inner monologue singing the praises of your new elven friend is interrupted by the sudden feeling of dread from the realization that she destroyed a lich's phylactery, meaning she was caught in it's discharge as it exploded.
[22:12] <!Emilybroshoujo> You break into a sprint ignoring all the pain in your limbs.
[22:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> You start running through alternatives... maybe she used an arrow?
[22:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> No, that wouldn't destroy it, she'd need a sharp impact.
[22:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> A bomb?
[22:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> You choke on the blood in your mouth as that hope is dashed when you find her bomb pouch on the ground.
[22:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> Shit.
[22:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> SHIT!
[22:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> You reach the source of the light and collapse to your knees as you enter the building.
[22:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> Abby is laying there against the pedestal with the shattered shards of the phylactery scattered around it.
[22:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> In her arms she's holding Elzia tightly, with a needle injected into the elf's arm.
[22:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her breathing is gentle but steady... like she's asleep.
[22:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I've never... I've never used it on a non-human before... I don't know what will happen but..." Abby begins.
[22:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> You wrap your arms around both girls.
[22:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> Your heart is racing.
[22:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> It's so rare that you ever get to actually save anyone.
[22:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> You cling to them for a moment before standing and lifting them both onto your back.
[22:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> Blood trails down your leg as you stand.
[22:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> Abby whispers into your ear.
[22:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Doesn't it hurt?"
[22:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Not anymore." you say with a smile as you carry them from the cemetery.
[22:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> When you arrive back in Delsia it causes quite a commotion.
[22:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> You lose consciousness as the three of you are transported to receive medical attention.
[22:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Episode Two - End]