A encounter in the wild

What in Kraus' name was that gremlin abomination...

That was the first thing that struck the awaiting Deacon's thoughts as that orange mass of horrid flesh stumbled after the masked figure. It was unlike anything he had ever seen, but knowing they were in the Dreadwoods…

It'd be assumed that it was some sort of perverse creation conjured up in some experiment. Acacius would promptly come onto the two's paths to stop them on that regard.

The hooded visage of the Deacon rose slightly to allow for his golden gaze to lay onto the two with scrutiny, before an demanding finger pointed towards Belfanur.

"What is that creature ?" He'd ask in a demanding tone.
(Acacius)

In the middle of the dark night, the creature known as Panic stalks the woods around Novus - and consequently Promethia - in his old, traditional way. Robes flying all around, a ghastly mask covering his face and behind the eyes, a demon's stare.

Until a white visage stands on its way, a priest of sorts, he would guess. A hand is placed in front of the horrid Belfanur to stop him in his tracks, Panic does the same. And then, the golden hues of the Deacon find themselves staring at humanoid and... abomination respectively.

"Bone round in melody and word played in rain. Souls are draped in rotten tatters and Father dances in the dark. Trust me."

A gloved hand pets the creature's head...? Or what Panic assumed was its head.
(Panic)

Following the masked man around, the being jumped and crawled across the path - grinning and emanating a pungent odor, as well as a great amount of occult ether.

As expected.

And then, upon being stopped.. The being would stare the deacon, with its pair of white hues - its tongue would hang out of its jagged mouth, where it didn't take long for its gurgles to echo, "Gragin grongos." Clearly they weren't words, just extremely primitive sounds.

And he, too, didn't understand the question that was made by the church person - he was basically a small animal.. Both in form and mentality - at least, for now.
(Belfanur)

The Deacon bobbed his head a few times, as if he was contemplating both of their words. A hand raised underneath his chin, until he finaly delivered his stark response.

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."

Words that sounded nice together but held no meaning that can be deciphered, a random gargle of savage noises. They were meaningless to him.

For the only reason he'd stop them, was because of the unmistakable stench of the occult and Belfanur's disgusting smell that very well could hold the capacity to kill.

A simply glare was cast at that stupid big grin of it's. Those white bulgy eyes and it's misshapen mouth and body.

His hand rose in the direction of the little abomination that blatantly stared at him.

"In the name of Sae, let the blemish of your existence on this world be washed away forever."

Strands of rosegold light began weaving down his arm, coalescing out into his outstretched hand.

"Promethian or whatever you are, don't get in my way." A warning issued, but one that he doubt would be heeded with what he would do.

That build-up of cosmic magic suddenly brightened up, striking out in a noble assault with the intent to cut down whatever Belfanur was.
(Acacius)

Panic quickly stood in front of the creature, caring not for his statement nor the rosegold light emerging from him.

"You are far, far from home," the holes beneath his mask being to glow with a crimson colour, the hunger of a creature of the night. "It is not hunting season, but I guess blood is blood, after all."

On one of his hands, a knife is pulled, and the other is holding a revolver; and with this, blood beings to surround the masked menace.

"You still have time to run back home," he stated before a build-up of cosmic magic aims to destroy the demon once and for all, but alas it is met with one of Panic's rays of cosmic; the one and only protector of the little demon.

He had time to run, still. But if he stayed- Panic would surely run towards him, the hunger growing all too much inside.

The Beast coiled beneath the skin, clawing at his stomach.
(Panic)

The being couldn't even understand the holy warrior's words, but in the face of clear intentions of aggression against him - he shifted shape, his face set in a terrible frown as the occult was emanating in clear violent ways.

Thunder began to roar around his burly form as his claws were extended, sharp as ever - while razor-like teeth displayed and growls emitted.

"Heaaaaad!" This time he exclaimed a word that he had learned by listening to a 'distant cousin', an ogre which gave him some food.

And in that instant, he prepared himself for what would come.. In case, Panic didn't react.. Something he did! And so, the being stepped away, jumping backwards.
(Belfanur)

Panic aligned himself with a wicked creature, to join with such savagery was to make a statement to the Deacon that he thought himself to be as lowly and vile as it.

Yet, the Deacon also held the souls of mortals in high regard. And even if his foe would place themselves in league with the evil of this world, the Deacon would at-least seek to give them a reminder that they could repent, and the consequences of what would come if not taken.

But first, he'd have to deal with the masked figure first. Their magics, were entirely if not completely alike. Both called onto the power of vitae in blood, both drew upon the cosmos for their magic, and even dabbled in manipulating nature to aid them.

The only difference was their intent, and the Deacon believed whatever patron Panic drew from was of no great star of the constellation Leonaus.

"Forsake that malicious star."

Acacius declared as the energies of Sae's collided with Panic's cosmic magic, the rosegold energy beaming in a scintillating light as the Deacon's burst of magic overcame Panic's, embedding the guidance of his patron into his mind as crashed into him.

"Listen to the voice, let it guide you to repentance. Without it, every day you walk you risk damning your soul to Hel."

It'd be enough, he'd reckon to subdue or at-least drive off his assailant. His head glancing over to Dowain and Garfield, two aspiring squires.

"You're far too deep into the enemy's territory. I'd assume you two wanted to go out and prove yourselves?

Witnessing what our foes are really like, is a good lesson for any squire, I suppose. Better than being pampered."

Attention then swiftly turned to the abomination, now without it's defender. His full judgement would be unleashed onto it here.

No words were spoken as he delivered it, the bright magics of the stars racing to envelop Belfanur in their purifying flame!
(Acacius)

[ Panic fight against Acacius, loses ]

Perhaps the madness that lead Panic to roam around with a horrible, monstrous abomination was the same that lead him to stand against the Deacon.

Two hearts that, in a way, followed the same path - both aligned with a star and users of blood magic. What are the odds? Except one had a noble soul, guided by right action - and the other was thrown into the underworld, and now a pillar of fury and rage.

Vitae flew like a massacre, the blood hitting the grass and disappearing in minutes - just to be used again by the two magi; and needless to say, all of the blood flying made Panic all too vicious- his smirk growing more and more under the mask.

In response to the holy man's own magic, Panic used his own beam of cosmic energy, holding himself as much as possible. "Your star is no different than mine! You are blind--"

Before his phrase was done, Acacius' energy won the dispute; devouring and consuming the mana that once belonged to Panic and hitting him with his own.

The ghastly figure flew back to the grass, the blood aura eventually fading - an end being put to this battle. "G-Guhh...nnng..." he groans, getting up and staring at the man from behind that eerie mask.

The scarlet eyes tremble, not in fear or anxiety, but in rage. Yet... it was calmed down by a fatherly voice - forced to obey, to be *better* as it pulls the strings.

And on top of that, the surge of blood made the creature hunger for more... more... more. More blood was needed. The hunt never stops. The Beast is NEVER satisfied.

But now? Panic needed to be gone - turning into a mist of blood and disappearing into the woods.
(Panic)

Well..

His defense as he wandered around, was this masked man who fed him with things he found, but now? The being was vulnerable! And with Deacon's relentless advance..

It was time to act.

He leapt towards the church man, like a cornered wild animal, something that he was and so, is ready to defend itself! Following his most primal instincts in the act.

As expected.

While this, lightning bolts leapt from its thick, gooey mass of occult flesh.. And its claws gleamed in the little light provided on that side of the continent.

It was time.. to fight.
(Belfanur)

[ fought the Deacon, lost ]

A animal is how Belfanur acted. But Acacius considered the creature to be even lower than an animal.

Demons, whether they spoke or not were all abominations on this world. Ones that naturally sought to corrupt man into damnation, to make them their play-things.

And thus, they all needed to be exterminated. For they held no chance of redemption.

The little demon as quick as it was, was to undeveloped to keep up with the likes of the Deacon. Lightning burned at the advancing man, but none of it was at a potency to dissuade a clergyman wholly intent on acting in the name of his Faith.

He could only imagine how much trouble this creature could cause if it was allowed to develop further. To prevent the chaos it could wreak in the future, the Deacon would deign himself to purge it now.

A ball of burning cosmic magic flared up around him, circling him in an orbit before flinging out onto the ground, missing the demon the first time as it burst into golden flames.

The second meteor, found it's mark however. Set on a collision course that brought the burning ball crashing into Belfanur.

Given it's size? The Deacon believed it would be enough to burn it away. His look turning over to the two squires.

"You two, come along now. The dangers have been dealt with for now, but it'd be tempting fate for us to stay any longer."
(Acacius)

Due to the war that plague that land, this creature was born.. The negative emotions used in a ritual giving its form and to this world he was brought, stronger than most magi! But even so..

He was still a young being and therefore, he was not as strong as some of the great beings of his race - there was still a long way to move, a path to follow..

Even so, he tried to act, defend himself.. Trying to bite the Deacon, while shooting lightning in all directions like a super charged sphere of electricity..

But would he do any good? Be able to do much in this situation?

Of course not.

The holy power, the emanated cosmic ether of that magi - burned the flesh of the little putrid being and in the end, he was hit by an ether meteor! That sent him away.. But given his thick layer of fat, he would survive..

This time.

Weakened, wounded.. But due to the conflict, the rage against what he was.. Evolved a bit, growing in size.

Truly, his size increased as it fed on energy - from the combat that they had.. But only a little, not the adequate amount yet.. And in that, seeing that he was not hunted, after crashing against a tree - he would retreat, going to the city of Novus where perhaps, it could find some help.

At least, he was alive.
(Belfanur)