Chapter Five

Los continued to assist the moving of the man. It would be so much easier if they had taken the mans armor off. He wondered how the Imp could trust such a 'strange' stranger. The mans armor was heavy... the mans sword was huge, Los wondered how in the heck he had picked it up. [...]

"This man could be as much of a monster as the mage that chases us, yet they risk themsleves by trusting him. I suppose I should have noticed it strange that they offered me the same favor..." Los spoke his mind because if he thought it alone it wouldn't be there when he got back. Los suddenly didn't like Bitey much. Bitey's inexperience with matters of an evil world showed with each word he said. How could such an innocent being save those even more innocent from the evils that surrounded them even now. Los' mind wandered down a path which was filled with fog. Who would be able to examine the sword... Who could unlock the truth behind its fearsome power of bringing out memories so supressed. The other swordsman... there was one by the cart. Los had forgotten the man's name. [Ed. Note: To me, this is one of the funniest, most nonsensical passages in the entire story. It's always cool to leave the world of logic behind.]

It was clear to Bitey that Los was purposefully rejecting his aid, probably because he was hiding countless other things. Bitey looked the armored soldier over, thinking that Los was hindering his efforts more than helping. Outwardly, the man looked like he had little fashion sense. But all these humans dressed in severe, dark colors. It must have been that human angst. Or fear. To the muttering Los, he admonishes, "When one is not trustworthy, it is impossible to trust others." This had already taken far too long.

"Who was going to tend to our guest overnight... if he is as injured as he appears then somebody should," Los already knew he would be one of the people watching for the man to wake up but he got the impression that Bitey wouldn't leave the wounded man alone with him.

Bitey wondered how injured Los thought the man was. "Since we are doubling up on watch, each watch should be able to keep an eye on this man. However, if you are so afraid, we could triple the watch. It is impractical, but I don't want any of this group sleeping poorly because of night terrors."

Blaize simply sits on the ground a few yards away from the cart, half-asleep, half-strung out on some drug which he's never taken, rain drops falling one after another on him, watching Bitey, Serena, and Los try to move the unconscious knight with a distant indifference. It was a very short time between his talk with Slyde and the episode with Serena and he had not gotten but maybe a few minute worth of sleep. But what sleep he did get troubled him greatly. He remembered telling Slyde that he occasionally dreamed of his past, only to not remember what the dream actually consisted of. Ironic, isn't it. That that exact thing happened during the briefest of naps, he thought with a cynical type of humor. He was able to retain a few images, but these were mainly ones that he had already had. He saw himself as a boy; his father, wearing the amulet that Blaize now wore; and they were sparring, the father was infinitely better than his son, yet managed to act as though the son was winning. Some things happened after that that he couldn't remember, then he saw his father handing him the amulet, he was saying something too. What did he tell me? Why can't I remember? The next image was of him, still as a boy, looking down on his father's blood-stained corpse; then nothing. There had to be more, what's keeping me from remembering?

Feeling the first drops of rain Mort slides of his tree and onto the ground below. Slowly he slides one of his wings out and uses it as a shiled above himself before setteling down to sleeep.

Bitey is replacing the logs that are left at the man's feet and placing them up at the man's head moving him just as he had planned. The bottom of the wagon was coming up and it seemed as if the air had just gotten thicker around both Los and Bitey. Serena stood by and watched, offering her help, but not really getting a response she was hoping for.

The heavy armor did weigh significantly and would have made the move faster, but still, this man was injured, and no use contorting his body and such just to remove armor at the risk of hurting him even more.

Finally under the wagon, the man was covered from the rain. It had started to come down rather heavily, and the lightning lit the ground up with flashes of shadows and hills, nothing else.

It was not long until day break and it seemed that the shifts for watching the camp became a hodgepodge of everyone's own agenda. Still everyone was safe for now and as soon as daylight hit, it would be time to move on. The city of Inventors awaited them.

Bitey checked his patient over. "Thank you for your help, Miss Serena and Mister Los." He goes to Turbo and scratches him behind the 'ear', saying in common to him, "And thanks to you, my friend. Get some sleep now." He directs Serena to the point in the cart that he thinks would be dry. He sits nearby, waiting for her to settle in. He was curious about her state of mind again, but really didn't feel like asking about it.

Serena nodded to Bitey and took her position at the edge of the cart watching the camp carefully.

I wonder who that man really is. What is he doing out here and why is he so badly hurt? It looks as if he's been in a fight. Well he won.... Sort of... Her mind wandered as she continued her watch.

Sometime during the night Los scampers out with some vague excuse. Los makes his way over to Blaize and crouches before him. "Swordsman... wake up..." Los spends a few moments trying to get Blaize's attention. Once Blaize showed signs of Life Los continued. "That man that entered our camp... I disarmed him for fear he was one of the group that pursued us..." Los looked back making sure that nothing else in the camp was stirring other than Bitey. "My fears seem proven, his sword apears wrapped in magic it spoke to me of the past so violent that my body moved of its own free will in pain and terror." Los suddenly wondered just how much help Blaize could be... this other man was huge and if the sword was any indication he was probably wrapped in magic as well. "I need somebody else to examine the sword, somebody who knows about the weapons, You carry and maintain a sword so I trust you would know as much about them as I." Los looked back at the cart to make sure Bitey wasn't listening... and the man wasn't awake. "Can you examine the sword?" Los waited for Blaize's reply ready to lead him to where the weapon was hidden on the cart.

With the heavy rain and Bitey out on his route, Slyde decided he need to make sure that with this rain that the Imp would be safe. Sneaking under the cart and over the wounded man, Slyde dodged the gazes of Los seeing how his back is turned to Slyde and Los is concentrating on Blaize. And seeing how he is under the cart, Serena has or had anytime to register where he went. Exiting from under the cart, Slyde heads off into the tall grass and heads to begin a search route that Bitey took as well. However, Slyde begins to go out further and until the camp is no longer in sight at all.

Slyde is walking around the camp, further and further from his expected route. [...]It was hard to tell how long it was [until Dawn] with all the clouds in the sky. Between the flashes of lightning he can see the shadows of the land around him. [They] seemed to reach out from the corners of his eyes, reaching for him, wanting to grab him and pull him back into their dark bosom, suffocating him with the void of silence.

Slyde looks back to see how far the group is. He can only see the barely visible faint flicker of the fire. He admires how well the fire was made, no one would find them. Seems like this new member stumbled across them, but at least the enemy was not around.

Walking in silence the blades of grass brush against your thighs. The high grass rustled as he walked, but no other sounds were evident. He almost felt alone in the world, no one else is around, and the peace and quiet was more then welcomed.

Suddenly he felt something wrap itself around his ankle. Before he can pull himself free, he was yanked to the ground and dragged across the dirt. Reaching for the blades of grass as if they would stop him, he scrambled to see what had him. The grass begins to thin and he saw himself being pulled into a small crater. It's not a vine, but a living creature that seems to have other plans for him.

Reaching for his sword, he fought to free himself, but the rain is making the blade slippery. He looked up and the sky is just slightly covered with clouds and the thunder and lightning seem to make his muffled cries for help unheard.

No one hears a thing. As far as anyone is concerned, Mort and Slyde are [not] walking around the camp. Even with the awareness of the entire group, the rain is making it impossible to hear anything.

Blaize's contemplation was disturbed by Los. At first Blaize took no notice of him, just barely even realizing that he was being spoken to. Then after a few minutes, he slowly turns towards Los, shakes his head a few times, then asks, "Wha...? Could you say that again?" Los asks his question again and then Blaize replies, "Uhmm, yeah sure. I'll look at it."

As Blaize was about to go with Los to look at the sword, he feels a strange sensation wash over him; as if he were on fire. At the same time, he notices that the scroll is glowing very brightly underneath his cloak, 'What the Hell's going on here! God, this can't be good.' He pulls the scroll out of his cloak and quickly reads it to himself, momentarily forgetting that he doesn't know the language it's written in.

Los was talking to Blaize when suddenly the parchment begins to glow an ominous orange reddish. It surprises them too and Blaize stands up and the glowing just gets brighter. Everyone around camp can see the glowing in Blaize's clothing, and is suddenly drawn to the parchment that has come alive. Above the sky is thundering and flashes of lightning barely cover the brightness of the glow. Blaize knew it was up to him to pull it out and see what was wrong.

Kamis was still unconscious, and Serena looks at him until her gaze is suddenly grasped by the glowing of the parchment. It did not seem to matter how hard it was raining, she, along with everyone else, especially those that were awakened from their sleep in the wagon wanted to know what was going on.

Bitey traced his steps back towards the cart. He looked at Blaize and gasped! The rain had almost washed the man clean! There was also another matter of glowing, which seemed much less astonishing to the imp. "Mister Blaize, as much as I might like to know how you are doing that, you should probably... dim. We are maintaining a low profile." Or were, he thought to himself. He made his way towards the cart. Serena and the fallen soldier were waiting, but Slyde was not. "So Sir Slyde has come in out of the rain. It is about time." He stops at his waypoint and scans the area. Finally deciding to approach the subject, he says to Serena, "So... how are you doing this night?"

Serena's attention was drawn from the glowing scroll for a moment as Bitey spoke with her. She turned her attention to him for a moment.

"I'm... I'm ok.. Just had a bad dream, that's all..."

Twisting in the mud seemed to get Slyde nowhere. And holding onto objects seemed to do the same. With his sword still loosely in his hand, Slyde decided that it was to no avail to just try and get away without hurting this thing, , it was trying to eat him! Being careful not to hit his foot, Slyde attacked the thing around his leg while holding onto his sword with all his strength. So much for all is peace out here.

Slyde takes a stab at the tentacle of the monster. With one good whack the sword hits the tentacle, but instead of cutting it through, it only hurt it and the tentacle let go.

Still Slyde was close enough to see the beast that had attempted to take him to his doom. It was a creature that fed by dragging it's victims to it's death. It had not eyes, so apparently it felt vibrations. It had buried itself into a small pit and had three other tentacles flailing around. With sword gripped in hand Slyde attacked the monster swinging his sword through the air.

The mouth of the monster released a horrible growl with its teeth knashing for blood a tentacle came around and while he dodged it another came at his feet knocking him down again.

"Bloody creature, I know not what foul magics brought you to this plane of existence but I will make sure you leave this plane by this night!" Slyde cried as he got back up to his feet and made sure to keep his eyes on his opponent. Maybe if I focus on its arms more than its body... Standing still Slyde waits for one of the tentacles to lunge at him so he can take a swing at it.

With a mightly swing he strikes the third tentacle and makes a gash where green blood begins to squirt out.

The monster now growls rather loudly, and swings the third tentacle at you, but because of its pain, it weakly bounces off his shoulder.

Slyde sees the blood pour out of his fresh slash in the beast and judges that it would be best to continue to attack the tentacle until it lies limp, dead. Slyde goes after the third tentacle to make another attack at the same spot he hit before.

Above the lightning flashes and only then can he see the teeth hungrily chomping the air. Thunder boomed overhead shaking the very air around Slyde.

With a swing of his sword, Slyde lost his footing on the mud and almost fell down the crater.

The monster uses this to attack, and swings its tentacle at Slyd's leg, but as Slyde falls and stumbles, the tentacle instead hits Slyde with a thud.

Weather it is impeding my attacks. Slyde mutters as he grits his teeth and looks at the beast in its steep crater home. I better not chase after these tentacles, less I fall in and become a midnight snack. Slyde stands up and holds his postion firmly on the ground [...].

With just sheer momentum, tentacle three comes his way and he slashed his sword at it. The tentacle flies through the air and lands with a hard thud on the ground, still moving and squirting it's green fluid. The monster squealed in pain.

The monster, now angered, uncontrollably swings it's bloodied stub at him. Slyde now had green blood smeared across his armor.

", even after I severely wound the beast, it still attacks with the maimed limb. Guess I'll have to go for the beast itself." Slyde says as he continues to look at the crater judging how to attack the unusual beast. I just need to know where its main body is. Then I can attack the vital organs and kill this abomination. But with my luck it is down there. Slyde remains at the top of the crater and views down at it to see if there is any structure behind the tentacles and mouth.

Slyde looks down and sees nothing but the mouth and teeth. If he attacked the mouth he would surely fall into the pit. [...] Since the rest of it was buried, there was no choice, he had to fight the tentacles.

The stub of tentacle third finally fell to the ground dead, green blood oozing from the ends.

With a strike at tentacle four he swings only to knick the tentacle.

The monster only returned the attack with tentacle two.

"So you want me to defeat you the old fashioned way," Slyde says as he studied the now limp tentacle nearby, "Well I have no objections. En Garde!" Slyde takes a wide arc swing at Tentacle two.

Slyde rushes his swing for tentacle two as it pulls away from the previous attack. Not moving fast enough it caught the blade.

Growling and shooting saliva into the air and attacks with tentacle three. With all the anger it had, it swung but Slyde ducked it in time.

Slyde attacks tentacle two and swings his mighty sword through the air. With a heavy slash, he slices through tentacle two letting it fall to the ground. The limp stub fell to the ground twitching.

The monster wailed intensely flailing its last two tentacles through the air.

With an attack it hits him and barely knocks him off balance.

" tentacles, they appear to be able to attack even after death." Slyde says he dodges the tentacle that he previously slew. Looking at it now however, there appeared to be no life in it at all. In fact the color appeared to drain out of it. Almost unnerving. Slyde snapped back to attention and continued his assault [...].

"I'm not going to cut off two of your limbs just to be eaten that easily!" Slyde scans the battle and notices a tentacle that hasn't even moved to strike him once. Hmm, I wonder.... Making his way towards Tentacle One, Slyde stabs toward it.

Slyde goes in for an attack on the creature and just as the lightning flashed he felt a surge of energy rush through him.

Tentacle 1 flew off and landed on the ground. With just one more left, the creature seemed to be in fear, but it's anger kept it fighting on.

Lunging it's last tentacle at him in a desperate attack to kill him it hits.

"Well looks like you tried to eat something that was a little out of your usual range of meals. Looks like your day is numbered." Slyde mutters as he moves in for the kill on Tentacle four.

In Slyde's rushed attack for tentacle four, he slipped on the mud as it sloshes around his feet.

The monster gets angry and with three dead limbs attacks him. Swinging it through the air it hits him right in the face causing a severe wound on his cheek and some dizziness.

Suddenly the ground starts to shake and he is thrust through the air landing hard in the mud. The ground erupts into a shower of mud and grass and out comes the buried monster. Still no eyes and only using heat and vibration sensors it turns towards Slyde. It stands at almost 10 feet tall and its' mouth is circular and covered with teeth. It starts to walk towards him, growling and dragging its dead limbs at it's side.

"!" Slyde cried as he flew through the air and landed in the mud with a splosh. Getting up and shrugging off the pain in his cheek, Slyde glared at the monstrousity before him. "Well I guess I was wrong. You still got some spunk left in you."

The monster is badly wounded and seems to only have come out of the ground for a last attempt. Slyde had obviously angered it enough to expose itself. He was lucky there were no others around.

Going for its last tentacle, he dashed for it, his armor covered in mud, but the tentacle was raised in the air. Deciding it would be best to just go under the body, he ran and slid through the mud just as he goes on the side of the monster he digs his sword into its gut. As he slides he slices it through,[...] the monster growls and screams in pain just as thunder claps overhead. The body falls over with a thunderous landing and just as its last breath of air is expelled all he hears is the rain.

For a few moments he thinks it's over, but then the belly starts to rumble. The belly starts to shake and from inside he sees as if something is trying to claw it's way out. With a sudden explosion of blood and entrails the body of the monsters explodes and a dozen or so little monsters similar to what Slyde just killed, but smaller, rush out of the body. He remained still, but they seem to rush in the direction of the camp.

It seemed as if they had plans for his friends.....

At the camp with all the rain and lightning, the night air is suddenly filled with a roar.

With all the excitement of the glowing parchment of prophecy, and rain, and now this, the camp was thrown off guard.

The camp looks towards the growling and sounds, and suddenly the growls stop. The only sound beside the rain is the rustling of grass as if something were quickly zipping through the tall blades of grass.

Quickly looking over the monster Slyde sees some a pouch with gold. 'Must of been the poor unfortunate soul that it at a while ago.' [...] "! Why can't they just keep things simple! Argh!" Slyde yells as he heads towards the camp as fast as he can run.

"Ummm..." Bitey watches the darkness with a strange calmness. "Humans... there's something here." He looks around, hearing the movements. "Somethings. Yes, somethings." Bitey stretches his arms and draws both blades with one motion. "Brace yourselves. Are the children in the cart?"

Serena turns back to the glowing scroll. Her thoughts are brief however as she is suddenly more than aware of Bitey's emergancy cry. She runs to back of the cart, shaking it as best she can. Popping her head in the cart, she sounds an alarm.

"TARAN!!! WAKE UP!!! We've got trouble!! GET UP!!!!!!!!!"

She reaches for the knife given to her from Taran and draws it. She takes a defensive stance near the unconscious man under the cart.

Taran looks up from where he was just finishing his meal. "Trouble?? What kind of trouble??" He asked as he pulled a knife out of his sleeve. He rushed over to Serena to help the defense.

The man floated weightlessly. Darkness enveloped him. Sitting in the middle of nothing, black tendrils silently crept up to grasp his limbs and pull him deeper into the endless pits of inky pitch. He fought against their overwhelming strength and thrashed madly in an effort to break free. The darkness only fought harder as he struggled. Straining his muscles, he was finally able to twist and snap his way from their reach. As he shrank further and further away, the black screamed its rage at his retreating figure...

Kamis' eyes slowly opened to the sight of grained wood. The soldier looked around, slowly moving his head from side to side in order to register his surroundings before moving. His brow furrowed questioningly as he realized he was laying underneath some sort of wagon or cart. Four spoked wheels poked out from beyond his field of sight and Kamis smelled the scent of some sort of animal.

Moving slowly, he pushed himself out from underneath the cart. He didn't try to attempt standing just yet and remained laying in the mud. He remembered enough from the past couple of days to know that his injuries would prevent him from staying upright for long. Looking down towards his leg, the solider was amazed to discover that his injuries had been treated and wrapped in bandages. Fair workmanship at that Where was he? Why was he sitting under a cart, his wounds cared for? Kamis struggled to a sitting position and took closer note of the area around him. It was still dark out, but the first rays of dawn could be seen on the horizon. The smell of a campfire was heavy in the air.

Kamis sense movement on the other side of the wagon and painfully stood up, supporting himself on the cart's side. With his free hand he reached down for his weapon in case the being turned out to be dangerous. His gauntlet grasped nothing but empty air. The man looked down swiftly and scowled. Treated, but disarmed. Whoever's cart this was was taking no chances. Kamis smiled and nodded. It was just as he would have done. Still, he felt naked without the feel of his blade at his side. His hands reached into his pack and realized that some of his other possessions were missing as well. Perhaps he had stumbled upon a band of thieves. Noble thieves, but bandits nevertheless The familiar weight on his back told Kamis that his shield had been left in its place. At least he wasn't totally defenseless; the soldier had been trained in the use of a shield as a crude weapon just in case a situation like this occurred.

Kamis limped around the cart and saw a group of people gathered around a glowing light. One of them, an imp from the looks of him, stood with weapons in hand looking out over the surrounding grass. The others seemed oblivious to his presence. He cleared his throat and spoke loudly: "Qis de noe spas lo fand?"

Bitey caught a glance of the big soldier out of the corner of his eye as he tried to figure out what was stalking them. One less thing to worry about... or one more. It sounded like Serena was panicking. "Stay calm everyone; stay together. Back to back, leave no openings..." Inwardly, he doubted that any tactics would be effective with such an undisciplined group. Maybe something simpler. "Whatever they are, they're big and fast. Fall back; don't engage." He motions towards the cart. The soldier said something, but Bitey couldn't make out familiar words nor even measure the man's inflection... Bitey grit his teeth... If that blasted Los had turned over the sword like a sane being, then we would at least have the option of another sword arm... "Sorry Mister, proper introductions will have to wait."

Running as fast as his wounded legs could carry him, Slyde had no idea if he was close or far from the creatures that had just departed the larger beast. All he knew is that the camp was getting closer from the gradually glowing red dot present in the distance. "Hold on! You've just gotta hold on!" Slyde could feel the pain throb throughout his already sore body. Mud and blood entertwined on his armor began to wash away as the constant beating of water and wet grass cleaned it from the cold metal. This is all my fault, if I hadn't gone further than the standard route I would have never disturbed that creature, but then we might have ran into it if I hadn't found it. Ahh, I'm so confused. Slyde pressed the limits of his wracked body in order to make it back to the camp. You just gotta hold on!

A small beacon of hope seemed to come from the sky from a star high above the clouds. Slyde couldn't see it, but his soul felt this power and it energized him with the strength to keep going.

Viva was making his way slowly back towards the camp. He did not want others to see him returning, or they might ask questions which will be very awkward to answer. The rain wasn't bothering him as much as it originally did, and he emerged himself within the sounds and sensations during a rainstorm. Let's look around the camp to see if I can spot the people on guard duty... he thought as he tried to move stealthy along the 'road'.

Kobie, however, was awakened, and now holds on to the Tanto Viva gave her. She couldn't get up or else other people would hear her or find out Viva wasn't there. So she just hugged the package closer, as to make it look like she was still fast asleep, while listening for any signs of trouble.

Serena spun around in place. Her eyes transfixed on the man.

HE'S AWAKE!!! But he's in no condition to fight!!! She thought.

"Bitey, I'm fine. No time to panic now. Just thought we could use the help! I'll get our injured friend to the cart. Hopefully he'll be safe there."

Serena ran over towards Kamis. She grabbed his hand and looked into his eyes.

"Follow me. Something's coming fast, there's no time to argue and you're too injured to fight."

She tried desperately to lead him towards the cart. Carefully, she pushed him to get in.

"NNNNGG!! You're heavy!!"

Los snapped to attention as the chaotic goings on continued around them. He looked back thinking That man... if he dies now I may never get to question him When Los saw the man standing and awake he knew there were a few possibilities and probabilities about this. Could the armored man have summoned these grass creatures which could not be seen? On Bitey's command, Los filled any gap in the group making sure that his back was directly to Biteys. Los knew how to take orders just as well as he knew how to give them. In the sewers he had tried the same thing, The boy lives on dulled wits... I'm surprised he lives at all Los didnt have eyes enough to watch all the threats, the scroll was bright enough, the strange man was awake and the greatest threat surrounded them, an unknown enemy. Los took a quick head count, people were were still missing. Los hoped the missing faces were all in the cart.

Kamis, still a bit groggy and not really sure what was going on, could do nothing but allow himself to be drug back to the cart. He sensed a great deal of desperation coming from this woman. Looking at her face as she pulled him foward, Kamis thought for a moment that he had seen her somewhere before. Any further thoughts on the matter were interrupted as he was forcibly pushed into the cart. The seasoned campaigner knew that a battle was about to begin. The air was ripe with tension and everyone had the same look of grim anticipation in their eyes. Kamis sat down where he was directed. There was a rustle of cloth next to him and the soldier looked down to see a sleeping child. Ignoring him for now, Kamis turned and watched the approaching fight with deep interest.

Bitey began to accept the fact that some of what sounded like screams on the wind were just that. The pieces all seemed to be there. He was somewhat surprised to see Los, of all people, acting like a soldier. In a low voice to Los, "I believe I heard something on the wind. I fear that Sir Slyde may have gone to relieve himself and run afoul of what's out there. If the others hear he is dead, morale may truly break. They are waiting for us... intelligent. Most of these," he waves a dismissing hand at the cart and assembled group, "will probably panic if they hear. Do we stand, do we attack, or do we run?" He looks at the cart and shakes his head in disbelief, seeing Serena overpower the big man and stuff him inside.

Inside the cart, bright eyes shone in the dark. There was a stranger, and strangers were scary... but tempting. Strangers meant excitement. Strangers were vulnerable. That other one had been, anyway. The boys had the strange man right where they wanted him, looking the other way, unsuspecting. They carefully dragged the bag towards him. Closer. Closer. This was going to be good.

Los heard distinctly the Imp's questions, but was sure the Imp was only asking them to secure in its own mind the course of action. Los already had a plan but as his mind was only one third a leader, the plan was only one third feasable. "Nocternal predators... if they hunt us only at night there must be a reason. We should use the light to our advantage." Los didn't need to look back to know that the fire was still burning, even though majorly dampened by the rain. Los's voice changed to speak only to the few who stand near he and Bitey. "If one of us has strayed into their darkness then they have likely been cut to shreds already." He watched the rustling grass with more than a little loathing. "Though we may not live to see the dawn, There are children still in the cart who deserve a chance to grow. We must defend the cart!" Los started moving back towards the cart, keeping vigilant for the monsters. "Rally between the fire and the cart!" Los continued to move ready to stop at any protests from the Imp.

"Whatever you are nightstalkers we are ready for you! TO ARMS!" Los's voice expanded dramatically, filled with an air of authority present and an alterior motive. It's loud yet low words travel great distances, reaching out to see if the monsters can understand... and if Slyde is alive to hear them.

Los' expanded voice was so different from how he normally speaks. So different that its hard to believe it came from his lips. Though he hides in shadows the voice came out of him wasn't afraid to make himself a leader... a target for the greater good. [...] Los knew that Blaize's scroll was still glowing away but life comes before knowledge. Los had refrained from explaining the rest of his plan when he realized the rain had saturated the surrounding grassland to the point where it wouldn't burn. Where Sol came from... a circle of fire was the ultimate defense against nightstalkers.

Blaize soon realizes that he can't read the scroll and notices that almost everyone has drawn a weapon, , I've been so wrapped up in my dream, and then the scroll I couldn't even see that there's a battle about to take place! He quickly puts the scroll up, stands up, and draws his blade, ready to strike at the first enemy he sees.

The rain overhead fell relentlessly, there was no sign of it stopping anytime soon. The ground was soaked, and mud was gathering around the feet of all, as they prepared for what they heard. The group knows not what comes, but only that it sounds big, and it sounds like more then one.

Over the rain all that could be heard is the grass being zipped through, like a blade cleaving evenly through every blade.

Suddenly the ground starts to shake, and crack of thunder claps over head. In the flash of lightning the follows they finally see something

Standing a little over six feet tall is the ugliest monster they've ever seen. With two legs it stands like an egg with legs, but an egg does not have a mouth full of teeth and tentacles flying through the air. The first one to arrive jumps through the air and lands behind the first wave of attackers.

Another two circle in from behind trying to get the advantage, but instead, they run for the fire and put it out. The darkness now surrounds the party with only the light coming into the sky to aid you. The flashes of lighting fill the night sky with brief snippets of sight and of what they were fighting

A few other monsters seem to have surrounded the area and wait as if plotting an attack. They sit waiting for something, but what? Again the ground starts to shake and everyone is thrown into the air. With arms and legs flying wildly all everyone is tossed in the air and lands in the mud as three of the monsters blast through the ground. Their growls and screams fill the air to the point where the thunder is not even heard. Each flash of lighting gives a brief glimpse of a tentacle, of a mouth growling with teeth.

The boys had begun to heft the bag, beginning to giggle uncontrollably as they started pouring black powder out onto the boards under their feet. Unfortunately, the lights went out before they could reach the big man's shoes. {What you do?} screamed one at the other.

Viva runs into the camp in time to see the monsters having surrounded the camp. Slyde is still running hearing the screams of the roars of the monsters and his friends. The attack before dawn had come, and Slyde knew it was because of him. If only he had left well enough alone. Without the mother to feed them, these monsters would be out for a meal, and the campsite was the best place. Running through the grass he gets to camp coming up behind Viva.

Serena stood with her dagger held firmly. She was watching the creatures in front of her as best she could. Slowly, she walked backwards to the wagon pulling Kamis with her.

"Maybe... Maybe they can't see us either...." She said softly. There was a hint of worry in her voice.

Alouen was startled out of her light slumber to the sounds of someone screaming to arms. Reaching out, she nudges Mille, who, from the groaning, had apparently decided to slack off as well.

"I thought you were supposed to be on watch Mille?"

"Argh, I am Alouen...something's here!"

Jumping to her feet, she pushed Mille back to the cart, and stood defensively in front of her. She could still feel the rain, and her hair was soaked.

"Alouen, what are you...?"

Seems as she couldn't see anything, this rain must be hindering their companions as well. She might be able to do something about that.

"Hold on Mille. Stay back!"

Pulling her sleeves up, she takes a blind step forward, raises both arms into the air, and tries something crazy. Putting her whole mind to the task, she sets about trying to stop the rain from falling, at least on the camp. She grasped for something that might work.

Slyde broke through the grass just in time to see his companions with arms drawn and darkness coating the camp. Slyde could make out Bitey, Viva and Los no problem, but amidst the heat of the battle Slyde saw no one else. "I'm going to help Serena get to a clear zone so that she can be safe. We can't all be spread up and apart. Cover my back and don't let any of them after me." Slyde yells as he runs towards a Tentacle Monster and takes a jumping swing, hope to put a nice gash into it. "Mille get Alouen behind Viva and Los! I'll try and distract this abomination! Alouen I don't know what you're trying to do, but maybe you should do it in a clearer area!"

Blaize had just drawn his weapon when out of nowhere all broke loose, he couldn't see all of the monsters due to the rain, but judging that he had two of the things on him, he knew the others couldn't be much better off. Great, just great. I have to fight off two of them and the only possible help I get right now is the bloody chicken! Maybe the fact that I'm glowing will scare 'em a bit. Blaize lunges to his right to slash at the monster between him and Turbo.

Alouen, lost in concentration, can't hear the call for her to move, but Mille hears it just fine.

"It's too late Slyde! Whatever she's doing, she's doing it now!" Brushing water from her face, Mille looks at the large creature thing. "Besides," Mille yells out to Slyde, "She can't see anyway! I'm sure if that block was gone, she would have found a more secure place to do...whatever she's doing!" Mille looks over the direction that Alouen has taken to stand facing, and gives a meaningfull look to Slyde. "If she could see, do you think she'd be facing that way instead of THAT way?" She points easterly first, the direction Mille is standing, then northernly towards the monster. "She doesn't know what's happening!"

On that note, Mille thinks to herself,What IS she doing then?

Viva ran up to the camp to see these little tentacle monsters attacking everyone. [...]

Kobie, having been shocked out of the cart, quickly rolled and regained her footing. Looking for a stragic advantage, she decides that she should get on top of the cart, or maybe even use it as a shield.

Holding her Tanto, she drops back behind towards Mille and defends herself.

Kamis could now see the reason for everyone's worry. Roughly eight or so small creatures were making a mad rush towards the camp; tentacles waving frantically in the air above them. Fortunately, most of those in the camp were already preparing for battle when the creatures emerged. As he was busy watching those at the front of the wagon, Kamis heard a screeching next to him and turned in time to see a couple more of the monsters come crashing through the grass. Suddenly, the light of the fire was extinguished and he was left in darkness. Hearing the sounds of combat around him, the soldier began feeling more and more vunerable without his weapon. Even if his injuries prohibited him from moving around, at least he could remain with his back to the wagon and fight off any creatures that approached him. The woman who had shoved him towards the cart was still there; presumably to protect him from their attackers. Kamis grinned. The day he needed protection from a woman was the day he'd eat a chocobo. She had spoken to him in Maralian, a language he was only basically familiar with. At least that narrows down the choices of where I am Putting a gauntleted hand on the female's shoulder, Kamis yelled close to her ear. His speech came haltingly as he struggled for the words. "I..can..help. My sword....return to me."

Serena nodded to the man.

"Ok..."

"LOS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unless you want to become monster food return this guy's sword!!!!"

In one swift blow their semblance of defense was destroyed. These beasts were obviously predators that fought as a group. Something their own group was yet to master. Their circle had been thrown far and wide, Los could still see Bitey and Blaize though, this was a good sign. The light from the fire was gone but Los was ready for this, his eyes were already adjusted to the darkness (He had avoided looking at the fire all night.) Though this wouldnt help much. Serena yelled something which was Lost in the chaos of Los's mind before he could think to call something back. "On the cart!" He called back, which was only a small part of what he intended to say. On the cart was both the sword, wrapped protectively in his garb (though it had slid most of the way out)and his bag containing the two thick torches he had taken from the tunnel. Los was used to fighting in the dark, the others were not as far as he knew. If Los had seen Taran out there surrounded by the creatures his plan may have been different but now what he saw was a monster between them and holding the cart as a defensive position. The monster had to die. Los was not afraid, not of these things not of death but he was afraid of the darkness... where he still feared the serpentine demon of his nightmares may lurk. Los lunged forward after Slyde he stabbed both his tanto viciously at the creature between himself at the cart before jumping back... In Los's mind he thought the next ninja would take his place, he was yet to realize how alone he was.

Bitey watched the group began to scatter as the creatures burst up from the ground and out of the grass. He wasn't even really surprised at this point. "All right, now we have something to see..." If we had any light. He saw Taran to his left and the others behind and on his right. "All right! Double up! Look for vitals! Drive them out of the central camp!" He turned to Taran, "All right, lad, you're--" but Taran was already gone. "Lad, Taran!" he shouted, attempting to follow the boy.

With the camp thrown into an uproar and everyone screaming orders and such, the night air was filled with more then just thunder.

A monster goes for an attack on Blaize. The monster growls and swings one of it's tentacles right at Blaize's torso. It misses and all he hears is the whoosh of the tentacle as it flies over his head.

Another monster goes after Bitey swinging all four of it's tentacles wildly through the air. Two of the tentacles make a connection and knock Bitey off balance.

Another monster goes in for an attack on Turbo as the chocobo "WARKS!" in circles not knowing what to do without his master. With all four tentacles the monster lashes out at the bird.

Bitey is able to regain his balance from the attack and goes straight for the monster near Taran. He saw that Taran was running away behind the monster and that the monster had it's back turned to him. With both swords drawn, Bitey goes for an attack. The monster growls and turns his direction, giving Taran time to run wherever he was going.

Serena watched in the darkness as a monster approached. With a swing of her dagger she hoped to make the monster think twice about eating something so beautiful. With a swing she catches nothing but air.

One monster buries itself into the ground and disappears.

Alouen raises her hands in the air hoping to bring a wind shield to stop the rain from falling. As the dome begins to form blocking the rain below, she feels the dark taint again grasping her by the throat. Gasping for air she loses concentration and the shield collapses making a gust of wind that threw up mud and grass into the faces of her comrades and monsters.

Bitey's monster, growling in pain, goes after him. In its pain the monster is only able to put half the energy into attacking and misses its mark.

Blaize goes for an attack on his monster with his weapon ready for blood. Still glowing the little light he has from his pocket is able to guide him right to the monster. Suddenly a blast of mud hits him in the face. It seemed like a gust of wind had come and he lost his footing swinging his blade wildly through the air.

Blaize stumbled for a few seconds after his attack, and only barely avoided falling flat on his face. Where in the bloody did that damned wind come from? he thought as he wiped the mud from his face, It made me bleeding miss. Blaize turned to veiw the creature he had tried to attack earlier, which was faily easy since his scroll was still glowing. This thing's gonna *$&@^%# pay, NOW! With that thought Blaize unleashed his most advanced skill.

A monster near Alouen can feel the struggling person staggering around. It goes for Alouen who is unawares after having battled the darkness again that has tainted not only her but the earth as well. Something was watching them, or at least her. The monster came in for an attack and slashed the woman with two tentacles.

Los goes for the monster that has attacked Alouen. After it lunged for Alouen, Los realized he had slashed nothing but air.

Kamis goes for an attack on a monster near him. With blade in hand he takes a slash at the growling beast.

Viva lunges after the monster after Los has missed and Alouen is in pain from the wounds. Running faster and faster with weapon drawn the attack commences.

Without his master to guide him and after the severe hit it has just received Turbo is barely able to stand. The entire fight scene around him is insane. The chocobo starts to run away towards the wagon in direct line of sight of a monster. Using the charge attack as it runs for safety and cover it runs and kicks.

Kamis' monster goes to attack him after him having missed it. With a lunge it rams right into Kamis tossing him a couple of yards.

Kamis grunted in pain as the creature's surprisingly hard head rammed into his well-armored chest. With his leg injury it was impossible for him to stay his ground under the pressure and he flew backwards. As he hit the ground his entire body screamed out in pain. His bandaged wounds began bleeding anew, but the soldier attempted to stand again. Slipping in the wet grass, he fell back down and cursed. Trying again, Kamis slowly rose to his feet. He had landed too far away from the cart to depend on its support, so the fighter was forced to stand his ground and await the monster's next attack. He took a deep breath and focused his energy; drawing upon all the skills he had learned in swordmanship.

Taran has run behind Bitey's monster and runs through the high grass. He knows that wherever these beasts came from is out in this grass somewhere. What better place then to stop the monsters at it's source. As he runs through the high grass he can hear the battle behind him. A gust of wind suddenly blasts through the grass and almost seems to carry him. The rain still falling he hopes it lets up soon. As he gets to a small clearing he finds what appears to be the body of a monster similar to what attacked them, only bigger. Something had happened here, but he did not know what. This creature was killed by someone, or something, but who? Taran did not know, but with this monster dead, that meant that only the ones in the camp survived.

Something big had died here, it was obvious that it was no longer a threat. That meant what ever those little ones were was attacking camp!!! He had to get back there!!!

Slyde runs over to the hurt Alouen and goes for an attack on the monster that struck her. With a huge swing of his sword he connected, causing a large rip in the monster's body. The blood spewed everywhere and the monster yelled, but it was still not dead, just losing blood badly. One more good hit and it would surely die, he was sure of it.

Kobie only stood watching. The blood, the fighting, the yelling and screaming. A chill ran up her spine, but she stayed strong. She kept a defensive position and hoped that Viva would return soon.

More or less ignoring the monster after the attack, Viva continued the lunge until he was will past the monster, and heading towards the cart.

"Kobie!" He tried yelling over the wind. Reaching the back of the cart, he spots Kobie holding the tanto near her.

Kobie looked around and saw Viva. "VIVA!" She yelled, and ran towards him for an embrace.

Instead of an embarce, Viva passed her boomerang back to Kobie. "In battle. Later." he said, pointing to the monster.

Kobie nodded and tossed the Tanto towards the monster, whlie Viva concentrated on attacking.

"Serena! Stand tall! Don't let these beasts get the best of you!" Slyde yells as he continues his path towards Serena. Slyde begins to run and jumps over the now extinguished fire pit, just to land next to the second Tentacle Monster. Slyde notices that the wounded warrior is now awake and fending them off as well. "Good to see another arm in battle, but introductions will have to wait!" Slyde brings his sword around in a downward arc in hopes to put a nice gash along the beasts' torso.

"AHHH SHIZORA!!!"

The woman's curses were almost as foul as the creatures attacking them. She lifted her head briefly and shouted.

"Don't worry Slyde, I'm not going to die THAT easily.."

She took off towards where the warrior was knocked over. Carefully and calmly she moved with grace as if dancing her way over to the man to aide him.

Bitey had never seen such an inept group, but it was his group nonetheless. The bone-shattering thud and screech from the chocobo filled him with rage... and fear. I've never lost a soldier in battle; I won't start now. The urge to exact revenge on the chocobo's attacker passed... He warked, "Turbo, run away!" The commander's instinct took over. He shrugged off the blow from the monster over his shoulder and ignored the pain even though he knew he'd not last long at this rate. He looked closely at the wounds he had inflicted, and danced around to the creature's right. "You won't last long, either," he said calmly, again slashing with one blade and thrusting with the second.

Los got that sneaking sinking feeling. One moment they had almost seem organized again; the next there was nothing but himself, a wounded bird and the blind woman. The swordsman had run off somewhere shouting away. Los had caught glimpses of Bitey being assualted by the two other monsters and wanted to help, but doing so would leave these others without defense. "Bitey! get around here, don't let them cut you off!" Los believed that on their own they each had little chance of survival. Los moved forward again and began slashing wildly at the creature before him, his knives moving with the same prescion as before but now with more resolve.

The darkness grasped, and the shield failed. Just as suddenly, something smashed into Alouen. With her 'sight' blinded so, she couldn't even parry effectively, which made her quite the sitting swan.

She hated the fact that at such an important time, she was becoming more and more a burden. Maybe it would of been best if she had left. At least then she wouldn't be in the way here.

Mille was calling into her ear, asking if she was alright. Of course she was. Nothing was going to kill her. She intended to stay with this group as a breathing person, not a lifeless corpse. She let Mille pull her back.

"Come on Alouen, up here, they shouldn't be able to get us."

Mille pulled her up onto the cart, then up onto the roof of it, well above the battle. Maybe she could still be of help though.

"Mille, how far away is one of the creatures. Tell me direction, and distance."

Mille ums, looks around, finds the nearest creature, and gives a general idea of where it is in relation to her. If the darkness needed time to get it's hold on her, maybe short bursts of geomancy would slip past it's interference. One could only hope.

Setting herself, she released the Power of the Planet at the monster Mille directed her to.

Serena goes in for an attack on the monster now that she is with Kamis. With a swing of her knife she catches nothing but air.

Turbo, whose feathers were ruffled and still using its last ounce of energy goes for a powerful kick.

One monster still has it's eyes set on attacking Bitey. With a swing of all four of its tentacles Bitey is able to duck and avoid being hit.

One monster is still buried in ground.

Los is still hacking and slashing at his monster, since it is already cut severly, he goes right for the gash. It fell to the ground and died in a pool of blood.

Slyde goes for his own monster, and with blade in hand was not going to miss. He had run over because he wanted his monster. With a lift of his blade, he slashed down on the main body.

Kamis goes for the same monster that Serena had missed. WIth a powerful swing he is able to cleave a tentacle off of the monster.

Bitey responds to his monster's attack and swings his blades looking for a good hit. Swinging he knocks two of the tentacles off the beast.

Anther monster looks for a fighter and finds Los. Going in it runs for a charge attack but Los is too quick and dodges.

Kamis' and Serena's monster is hurt and goes for an attack on Kamis.

Another monster goes for Serena as she watches Kamis.

Blaize's monster has him in its sights and starts to attack. With a swing, only one tentacle is able to connect, but barely effects Blaize.

Viva goes in from behind Kamis and quickly slashes his monster.

Taran comes up behind Bitey's monster, but as it attacks Bitey he is only able to knick the monster.

The first monster feels movement and goes for Bitey, but as it charges it collides with Bitey's monster, killing it.

Blaize barely felt the monster's tentacle as it struck him. He continued his attack unfazed.

Blaize goes for an attack on his monster, and with a hefty move and attack, he is able to release his power on the monster for devestating hit.

He leapt and unleashed his attack with such a fury that more than made up for his earlier miss. After the attack, he moved back slightly to regroup.

Alouen reaches for her geomancy power and is again hit with the wall of darkness. Suddenly as if her magic was confused vines began to grow uncontrollably from the ground. Blaize's monster was entangled in the vines as it struggled it only choked itself. The other vines start to grow and almost tip the wagon over, and Turbo is also caught up in the vines as it fights for its life struggling to get free.

Kobie goes after Kamis' monster following Viva and is able to hit from afar.

Los hadnt even stopped slashing at the first one when a new one moved at him. Through instinct (More luck though) he had leapt back, wheeling over on one hand and back to his feet before it, managing to avoid its momentum. These things moved fast for being so bulky, he caught from the corner of his eye another one charging at Bitey but not the results. It was dark, would anybody see? Los glanced behind him and found himself close to the tall grass that had hidden their aproach, could more be waiting? The fighting raged on while the thing seemed to get its bearings. Were there still shouts? Los couldn't tell. It was loud, would anybody hear? Alouen's rampant growth gripped the cart, and the chicken along with a beast. The beasts were still too numerous for Los to think the battle was turned. Los was too caught up with the moment, he couldn't know which way to go, or how long until the sun would rise and send these night creatures fleeing. It was needed, would anybody mind? Los ducked back sheathing his tanto, he watched the creatures every move, waiting for just the right moment. Los held his hands out before him clasping something, small sparks of electric power glint about him in the air, but can hardly be noticed thanks to the rain and chaos of the fight. Los's breath became stale like that of a tomb he held his clasped hands out towards the monster, the sparks nearest to them arching in like tiny bolts of lightning. Los' body shook as the bolts increased, arching between his arms, he was certainly giving this his all. Sollos smiled, Los' face drawn into the same incredibly sinister twisted form. Quicksilver leapt forth from Los' hands as he let the energy flow, a glimmering point of flowing metal arching energy through the air behind it. Bound to hit something eventually the bolt would explode, leaving only the trace smell of molten metal in the air. Los remained kneeling down waiting for the monster to collapse or continue attacking. He didn't know if the others had seen... and hoped that that witch would cease her infernal castings.

Bitey dodged aside, seeing the first monster collide with his crippled target, killing it. He smirks, thinking the creatures less formidible than he had first surmised... They are... blind. They must be sensing motion... or heat. They did attack the fire... "Everyone, they are lunging for our heat... herd them!" He waves Taran towards the one before them, envisioning a perfect pincer maneuver when the struggles of the chocobo reach his ears... "Turbo!" He dashes to the bird's rescue.

Serena: "That's our que tal dark and handsome. Tell me where to go and I'll keep you propped up."

Serena yells bracing herself more. The man was getting a bit heavy, but deep down she knew she had to keep him alive.

Blaize had just finished his attack and was barely able to back away from the monster when it was suddenly entangled in some strange vines that had just sprung up from nowhere. Crap, I'm glad I got back in time to avoid that. The chicken wasn't so lucky though. He heard Bitey yell something about hearding them. What a fine example he is, he yells at us to group them together, but rushes right past one to do something else. Guess I'll clean up after him.

Kamis' anger at these creatures was growing steadily. If he had been at full strength he was sure he'd be able to beat back the monsters easily, but in his weakened state.......The imp called out something from across the camp that Kamis was unable to hear. Apparently the woman next to him did for she asked him to lead her.