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nield -> RE: (DF) The Hero that Never Was. (5/23/2012 22:37:32)
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Chapter 2: ...And the Beast Within Arises, as the Red Veil doth Fall
Nield wandered the lands, hiring himself out as a mercenary, for there was not much else for him to do. Nield had never been particularly small, his height had always been slightly above-average, which, combined with his medium-solid build had always made him someone who wasn't underestimated. Since leaving Crowsglove in search of his rival, he has pushed his body to its physical peak, He keeps his head shaved, never letting his auburn hair grow past a single centimetre in length. His sky-blue eyes still bore hints of kindness, but this was mostly masked by a kind of blankness that was easy to mistake for sadness, and a measure of depression. Many people suggested he be a true Hero, but he always rebutted the same. “A Hero saves people before they come to harm. I couldn’t save the person most dear to me. A mercenary cleans up messes. That’s all I’m good for.” This was almost always met with sighs and mutters, or shakes of the head, but none could change a mind as made up as Nield’s.
For years he had lived as this. All the while he kept track. “Five years six months two weeks three suns...” Every so often he whispered to himself how long it had been since he held her body, limp in his arms, how long it had been since his rival ran off, off into the storm. He often cried himself to sleep, lamenting over his failure. Every night his waking dreams were haunted by her voice. “You couldn’t save me... What kind of hero lets the beautiful maiden die..? you failed... You Failed... YOU FAILED!!!!” and he would start awake, awash in sweat.
Stagrogarlyon fared little better than his rival. In the years since he fled Crowsglove, his nights too were filled with shrieks from Aliscyana. "Why Stag..? I loved you... but I just couldn't bear to break his heart... You murdered me... Murdered Me... YOU MURDERED ME!!!!" To escape his past life, Stagrogarlyon preyed on others with a gang of merciless bandits that he had handpicked to be by his side. His right-hand man, Crowler, was a very odd sort. On first glimpse he appeared as a jester, his face covered in white paints, with a variety of expressions all painted on, one on top of the other. He was a difficult person to take seriously, due in part to this, and his highly effeminate nature, and the fact that he preferred to frolic about in lady's wear. These are, however, in stark contrast to the ruthless man he truly was. He was as likely to politely ask directions in a ladylike way, as he was to sever several body parts, then proceeding to DEMAND directions. Crowler's slight build and shorter-than-average height made him quick, nimble, deadly and easily-underestimated. Stagrogarlyon stood tall, muscly and defiant. He had always been slightly larger than most, but since he fled Crowsglove he has further worked on his figure, leaving him very imposing. His flowing black hair falls to his waist as his cold, hard hazel eyes peer out from amidst a many-times-over scarred face.
It was inevitable that the two rivals would clash, but there was not a soul alive who could have foreseen the events that were to transpire.
The bandits lay in wait, on the lookout for unsuspecting travellers who presented an easy target. Unfortunately for them, a lone man walking the path caught their attention. They readied their weapons for what they believed would be an easy target. The first man jumped Nield, who had been fully aware of their presence. Nield brought Stagrogarlyon's blade up horizontally, easily blocking the man's attack, then, with a quick slash, the man's shoulders were relieved of their burden. The second man had already lunged at Nield, who raised his elbow and smashed it into the man's face, rendering him unconscious. The remaining two bandits were cautious of Nield now, but their caution brought them no reprieve, as Nield brought fire to his hands, and torching them both. As they died, screaming, Nield trussed up the man he had knocked unconscious, on a spit, over a small fire. Nield sat back and awaited the man's awakening.
The man came around slowly, the smoke keeping him slightly drowsy. "Whuh... Wh-Where am I?" the man stammered. "Take it easy there. I'll let you down from there, if you co-operate with me." Nield said smoothly. After a short silence, the man spoke. "What do you want?" the man asked cautiously. Nield smiled to himself. "All I want to know is where you're set up. Don't bother trying to tell me it was just you four, because I know there's a sizeable gang operating in these parts, and I doubt you'd stand in defiance of a group as ruthless as I hear these guys are." It was not long before the bandit told Nield the details and he was on his way. He left the bandit trussed up to cook slowly, ignoring the mans screams and protests. "He'll make a nice snack for some passing monster or other."
Once Nield was close to where the bandits were operating out of, he grabbed out his spyglass and surveyed the area. As he watched the bandits, he muttered to himself. "Let's see here... got about... fourty-odd bandits, too many to take on all at once... hmm..." movement caught his eye and drew his attention to a structure that was built into the hillside. Inside he could make out a man, by the size... but the man was covered in makeup and was wearing woman's clothing. "Oh, please tell me that isn't their leader... He's got makeup on... and is that a woman's dress??" He shook his head and began to make his way through the camp undetected.
When he was about halfway through the camp, more movement within the structure caught his eye, and he could barely make out the voices. "Crowler!" a voice said, forcibly, and the man in makeup jumped. "Ah, so he's not in charge... that's good." Nield muttered to himself. Crowler was between Nield and the second man, so he couldn't see who it was, until Crowler moved aside, and the man looked out the window. As Nield saw, and recognised him, his eyes went wide. "HIM." Stagrogarlyon was unaware that his rival was there, hidden and un-noticed. Seeing Stagrogarlyon, Nield's rage boiled and spilled over, until he was no longer in control of himself. Nield stood, his whole body bursting into flame, drawing the attention of everyone in the camp. A large blast of fire centred on Nield instantly incinerated a few nearby bandits. All onlookers gaped as Nield's form changed. He transformed into something more primal, and his humanity fled him. He roared, grunted, and groaned as his skin was replaced by a pitch-black armour-like substance which had blood-red 'veins' that trailed from a curious pattern on the top of Nield's head down his body, curling and twisting around his arms and legs. The front of Nield's head elongated, and his head changed until it resembled a dragon's head. His feet changed so that, while they still resembled a human's foot, they also resembled a dragon's claws, the same happened with his left hand, the fingers elongating into claws, his right hand however, became little more than a lump, as blades appeared from either side, these blades curved in a cruel, jagged manner, covered in the pulsing red veins. From his shoulders erupted long 'spines' that glowed orange, similar spines, though much smaller appeared al over most of his body. His eyes changed colour, from sky-blue with hints of kindness and sadness, to blood-red, emanating uncontrollable rage and fury. After the transformation was finished, Nield raised his head skyward and roared. This roar ignited the very air in front of it, and he roared again, this time pointed at Stagrogarlyon.
"Sir! Get down!" shouted Crowler as he tackled Stagrogarlyon to the ground, the two of them barely avoiding being roasted alive. Cautiously peering outside, they saw the beast that Nield had become slaughtering their crew. Many were granted quick deaths. Some, however, were not so lucky. One unlucky soul had his very guts EATEN while he was still alive, and far too aware of what was happening to him. "We must be gone, Crowler. And we must learn just what that... that THING out there is." As they exited into the system of caverns that lay beneath the hill, Stagrogarlyon triggered an explosive that sealed the entrance behind themselves, leaving the beast that was Nield to slaughter and feed on the men they left behind.
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