(Ok, I'mma go for it.)

(Yee.)

_______________________________________________________
ONE MONTH LATER

{It has been a month since Christmas. Dianne had started her project and was working in a building down the street from the palace. She was in the middle of interviewing people to bring onto the project and had more to see today. Jerry seems to be doing fine, despite the events of the past few months. he has, however, been smoking noticably more often. Pythia has been continuing her self defense training and seemed to be getting reasonably good. This morning seemed as ordinary as any other, except for the guard. A sheriff from Opalway has requested presence from the guard, urgently. The comunication isn't clear, but it sounds like Opalway has a feral werewolf problem. The sheriff has requested fred's taskforce specifically.}

Whenever Dianne went to work, Armin cared for Esme. Often, he went into the countryside and rode Excalibur with her. He was also looking into buying a new car. Rex was back at work following the holidays and had been doing very well at not slipping into old habits.
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That morning, the request from Opalway had come in. Dubious about the lack of information, Fred had nonetheless gathered his associates - taking Ryder and a number of others, leaving just a few vampires to watch over Sovereign. As they were preparing to leave, he sent a text to Armin and Dianne, explaining the situation, and saying that he'd alert them if his group ran into any unexpected difficulties.

(Let me know if that fits what you wrote.)

(That's perfect.)

{Dianne texted back to show she received the communication.}

Dianne: //Ok, keep us posted//

{Upon arriving in Opalway, Frederick's task force would be directed to a crime scene in the northern part of the city. A house was police taped off while officers and investigators were coming and going. The door was smashed to splinters and blood led down the steps and into the street. Fred and his people were approached by a rattled looking sheriff.}

Sheriff: "Hey! Are you the task force I sent for?"

Fred surveyed the crime scene with a cool expression. //The blood is trailing away from the house. As if someone tried to leave while severely injured.// Behind him stood Ryder, Joey the mage, and a troop of vampires, all looking on silently.
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'Yes, we are. Can you explain the situation, please?'

Sheriff: "Gladly. This all started a week ago. A few bums were found dead. Ripped apart and partially eaten. We thought it was just some sicko, or a dragon passing by. We had patrols out every night and...they're saying it's a massive werewolf. Except, it doesn't look like one. It has horns, and it's grey with black and brown spots. Over the next few days, it continued to snatch people off the streets, right in front of officers, so we put a curfew in place. It's all we could think of, it was too fast to shoot. That worked to keep people safe, until last night..."

{He trails off, motioning to the house.}

Sheriff: "Family of five, wife and kids dead, husband missing. The bodies are partially eaten, like all the rest. We assume the man was dragged off into the woods."

Fred listened in silence while mentally running through a list of ideas on what this could be all about. Werewolves did not behave this way. //Mentally deranged or cursed, perhaps. Either that, or it's not a werewolf at all. Judging by that description it may not be.//
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He roused himself and spoke. 'Rather than waiting until nightfall and risking this creature harming more innocent townsfolk, let's try to find it now. If it's been coming here regularly at night, it's reasonable to assume that it may be sleeping nearby in the day. Has anyone been outside town to look for it?'

Sheriff: "I sent some rangers out to look. Nothing yet. Maybe you'll have better luck, what with your enhanced senses."

{He then looks around, proceeding to speak in hushed tones.}

Sheriff: "The townsfolk want the mayor to call hunters. They're terrified, and for good reason. But, I doubt the king or your...erm...resident necromancer would be happy with that. I only hope you can resolve this in a timely manner."

'I'm certain we can, and I aim to do so before anyone else is needlessly harmed.'
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He turned to survey the blood running out into the street.
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'If this man was dragged off, then that gives us a trail. Follow the blood. If it can't be seen, use scent. Weapons in hands, and be quiet once we're outside.'
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The vampires, with Ryder bringing up the rear, slipped off like a pack of tracker dogs. Fred hung back for a final word with the sheriff.
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'Did the victims have any shared characteristics, or do you believe this beast is attacking purely at random?'

Sheriff: "No. There's been no correlation between the attacks that we know of. Both paupers and aristocrats have been killed. If that changes, I'll let you know immediately."

Fred withdrew a piece of paper and a pen. He scrawled down his mobile number and passed it to the sheriff. 'Alert me of anything new that comes up.'
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Then, following his people, he slipped off down the street.

{The sheriff takes the number and wordlessly watches Frederick leave. The blood trail ended with the streets, but the scent led the company ever deeper into the woods.}

The vampires led the way. When the blood ran out, they relied on the lingering scent of what they guessed was the beast and its victim. As they entered the woods, Fred put his phone on vibrate. He pulled out a revolver and most of the other group members withdrew weapons as well. Ryder was wearing his armour.
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//Pay attention to the strength of the scent, and look out for other clues - broken branches, footprints, discarded prey.//

{The scent of blood grew stronger as the progressed, until they found a disembodied hand among some rocks. There were signs of the undergrowth being disturbed. Rocks turned over, shattered branches, massive footprints, larger than any werewolf. About a half mile out, they would see the rangers, with blood hounds walking back. The head officer waved to the group.}

Ranger: "You must be the task force the sheriff sent for."

'We are.' Fred swept a glance over the ranger group before returning his attention to the leader. 'You seem to be heading back. Didn't you find anything? The signs of this beast are everywhere.'

Ranger: "Yeah, the trail continues for another mile, then the dogs refuse to go forward. They smell something, and they're scared. We're going back for anti dragon rifles. Whatever this thing is, revolvers aren't going to cut it. Also, Mr. Perkin's lower half is right where we stopped. Gruesome stuff. If you think you're prepared, go right on ahead."

'We will continue. We have a dragon and a mage on our team, so that should give us the upper hand. Come back once you have your rifles, in case we need the backup.'
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The vampires started to advance down the path, gingerly looking out for the man's mutilated corpse.

Ranger: "Will do. Godspeed."

{With that, the rangers depart. The trail is very, very obvious, with flecks of blood and disturbed ground. About a mile in, just as they warned, was the lower half of the civilian. It looked like something tore him clean in half. Blood covered the surrounding trees and a clear trail led towards a thicket too overgrown to see through.}

Ryder grimaced at the bloodied corpse. Fred eyed it briefly, but determining that there was nothing noteworthy about it, didn't look again.
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//This foliage is too thick to see past,// said one vampire. The group had halted.
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//Joey. Use some fire magic to /slowly/ burn away the thicket until we can see through,// said Fred. //If anything comes charging out, cast a ward before anything else.//
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Looking nervous, Joey did as he was asked.

{As Joey burned away the brush, there was a hole behind it. A cave. It was too dark to see inside, and only big enough for one person to fit through at a time. The blood led inside. There was also the scent of something else. Something that had been present on the trail, but much stronger now. A musky, animalistic smell unlike anything any of them had ever encountered."

Joey looked back at Fred for guidance.
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//...Ryder, take the lead, as you're armoured. Joey, make a light, but keep it dim. Baydon, Corvi, take out those tranquilizer guns. Shoot anything you see move. As long as it's not us, obviously.//
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With everyone in position, the group started to enter the cave one at a time, Ryder in front. Joey conjured a tiny fire that floated beside Ryder, casting an eerie illumination.

(Are those side characters...important?)

(As they made their way through the low ceiling cooridor, the group could see that the cave opened up into a larger cavern, one they could stand in. There were entrances leading deeper into the cave system. The room they were standing in was littered with the bones of animals and people, some fresher than others. The blood trail led deeper still.}

(No, they're just names for Fred's team NPCs to make it easier to keep track of them. Only Fred and Ryder are proper characters.)
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//It smells awful in here,// one of the vampires quietly complained as they inspected the cavern.
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Fred didn't want to stick around. //Keep following the trail. Ryder, stay in front. Joey, keep the light up and be ready to shield us at a moment's notice.//

{Deeper in the cavern, it became clear that this was a labrinth od tunnels and coridoors. As they followed, the sounds of something messily eating could be heard in the next chamber.}

Fred looked back at his associates to check that they heard the noise. From their faces alone, he could tell they had. Ryder quietly edged towards the next chamber, with Baydon and Corvi - the vampires with the tranq guns - on either side of him. Joey stayed behind them with Fred, pulling up magic from the earth as they advanced.

{As they edged around the corner, they were met with the backside of a creature, feasting on human remains. It looked like a werewolf, except it was grey, with leopard spots. It had six ebony horns and a mass of brown hair that went from its forehead to its haunches. It was female, with bloody, stained wrappings around its chest and ratty, torn sackcloth trousers. It was covered with scars and old wounds from previous fights. As they came into view, the creature sniffed the air, then turned to face them. It stood fourteen feet tall and was extremely muscular. It let out an intimidating growl.}

???: "Karnraak!"

{It also had a necklace on. It was a strange, horned skull with jade beads.}

//Interesting... it only loosely resembles a true werewolf. And the fact that it wears garments suggests it isn't completely feral.// Frederick did not flinch from the creature's glare, though some of the others looked very nervous. Calmly gripping his revolver, he spoke up.
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'Do you understand us?'

{The creature snarled, getting on all fours, defensively backing off, it's yellow eyes sizing them up.}

???: "Karnraak!"

The two vampires kept their tranquilizers trained on the monster. Ryder lifted his revolver, but Fred made him hold his fire.
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'Let's try to bring it down without killing it. I've never seen something like this before. It must mean something. Bayden, Corvi, open fire.'
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The vampires shot a pair of tranquilizer darts at the creature.

{As soon as the pair fired, the creature leapt to the side at blinding speed, barreling into the adjacent room. The darts harmlessly hit the limestone wall.}

'Pursue it,' said Frederick. The group began to run after the creature, with Ryder staying in the lead. 'Joey. Could you use a ward to trap it?'
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'I-I don't know. It's so quick - I don't think I can set a ward around something moving that fast.'

{As soon as Ryder rounded the corner, the creature slammed into him so hard, it threw him into the far wall and toppling the group like bowling pins. Hard. This thing corner camped them, waiting for them to close the distance. It then grabbed Joey, picked him up, and sunk its teeth into his shoulder. As it bit down on him, the group could hear his ribs cracking.}

Joey screamed in pain and fright while the rest of the group struggled to get back to their feet. Somehow Joey found the mental focus necessary to cast a fire spell. He directed small jets of flame at the creature's hands and mouth; anywhere it was touching him.

{The creature yelped, threw him on the ground like one would when they see a bug on their hot dog, then ran off into the tunnels.}

???: "Kaaaaaaaaarnraaaaak!"

Fred examined Joey, who was bleeding from the shoulder and having trouble breathing. He pulled out a miniature medkit and started to clean and disinfect the wounds.
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'It may be unwise to continue at this point. Perhaps we should ask Dianne if she would be willing to help...'
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'No,' Joey protested. 'I can... Heal myself... And we'll keep going... I got it with the fire, I could get it again...'

{As they patched Joey up, they could hear the creature snarling and prowling around them, the sounds bouncing all over the cave system.}

Once Fred disinfected the wound, Joey healed them as much as he could. It stopped the bleeding. He gingerly stood up, wincing, unable to heal the damage to his ribs.

'Let's keep going...' he said.

Fred looked doubtful, but beckoned the group into position again. 'We cannot allow another ambush like that. Ryder, go in front. Joey, cast a ward around him so he can't be hit. Everyone else, stay a few steps behind.'

They started into the tunnels, Joey leaning on one of the vampires.

{The tunnel ahead was narrow, but soon opened up into a larger chamber. It reeked of the beast, but there was no sign of it, and the growling went silent.}

Ryder took a few steps forward into the cavern, looking around. The others stayed near the entrance. Ryder's ward was a transparent gold sphere that was barely visible.
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'Come out, come out, wolfy...' he murmured.

{Once Ryder was in the middle of the chamber, some dust came down from the ceiling, above the group by the exit. All at once, the creature leapt down at Frederick's group, landing on one of the vampires and toppling the others. The creature began to mercilessly maul the vampire it landed on, grabbing his whole head in its jaws.}

Everyone scrambled away as the caught vampire grunted and tried to aim his gun up at the creature's face. Corvi, meanwhile, rolled onto his back and swiftly fired his tranquilizer at the beast's side. He figured that it would either hit and stun it, or force it to dodge. Ryder turned around, growling and raising his revolver.

{The creature bit down with all its might, crushing the vampire's head to a pulp in its jaws, ignoring the dart. With a bloodied muzzle, it towered over them, brushing away the dart in its side.. This thing wasn't afraid of them anymore.}

The rest of the group had no time to dwell on their comrade's violent death. Fred started to draw Joey and the others backwards, into the narrow tunnel. Ryder was still inside the large cavern. He shifted to dragon form, smoke pouring from his mouth, and roared to get the creature's attention.

{The creature gave him a glance, before charging right to Fred's group, headbutting Fred and sending him flying into the tunnel. It then started to attack Joey, this time ripping its claws through his stomach, trying to disembowel him. At the same time, its hair began to become animated, twisting up and moving like tendrils.}

Joey could no longer focus enough to summon magic, he just cried out and grabbed weakly at the creature's arms in a fruitless effort to push them away.
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Seeing Fred thrown backwards, Joey being eviscerated and one vampire dead, Ryder lost his temper. With a roar that shook the tunnel, he blasted the creature with fire from behind, spraying flames at its back. The cavern was thrown into sharp relief by the crimson light.

{The creature shrieked at the flames, bolting down the tunnel in flames, leaving Joey. It ran fast and far, throwing itself into a subterranean pond a few chambers in to avoid burning to death.}

Ryder nudged at Joey. The mage was virtually unconscious, with bloody wounds in his stomach. Fred glanced at the dead vampire and swallowed with a look of disgust.
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'Enough is enough. Let's go.'
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He instructed Ryder to shift back and carry Joey, and with that, the group began to leave, as quickly and quietly as possible.

{As they approached the entrance, the growling returned, the creature was following from a distance, and it did not sound happy. However, the rangers had returned, looking into the tunnel.}

Ranger: "I think it's coming back, get up here, quick!"

Fred didn't need to be told. He and the group quickened their pace and ran out the exit, Ryder carrying the small mage with little effort.

{Two rangers kept their rifles trained on the entrance while the commander walked after Frederick.}

Ranger: "Oh, geeze. Kowalski, get on the horn, have a paramedic on site when they get back to town. What now, man? If you couldn't kill that thing, what are we going to do?"

Now that they were out of immediate danger, Fred took stock of the situation. His expression was grim.
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'We will proceed to Plan B, which is to summon reinforcements from the city. Dianne will be among them. I'm confident that with the right people, we can subdue this creature. But first, we are going back to Opalway to get help for my injured comrade.'

Ranger: "Ok. Everyone fall back! We're no match for this thing."

{With that, the rangers head back with Frederick's company. A paramedic is waiting once they arrive, along with the sheriff.}

Sheriff: "What happened? Did you kill it?"

'No. We wounded it at best,' said Fred. 'We are calling for more people from the city.'
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Ryder took the unconscious, bleeding Joey over to the paramedic.

{The paramedic takes Joey and gets to work.}

Sheriff: "Oh. Will, erm...ahem...the corpse weaver be joining us? And what even was that thing?"

'If you mean Dianne, then yes, I think her help would be invaluable,' said Fred coolly. 'The creature did not appear to be anything like a normal werewolf. I have never seen anything like that before. But rest assured, we will find a way to subdue it.'

Sheriff: "Better hurry. These people are in mortal danger. I hope you have a plan."

Fred didn't reply, but calmly walked off to a quieter spot beside a tree. Getting out his phone, he thought for a moment, then dialled Dianne.
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'Don:t worry, man,' said Ryder to the sheriff. 'We've dealt with armies of hunters before - we can deal with one ugly monster.'

{After a few rings, she picks up, sounding a little short.}

Dianne: "Yes, Frederick?"

{The sheriff nods, remaining silent.}

Fred didn't even bother with preliminaries. 'The creature terrorising Opalway is beyond anything we've seen before. We went to investigate. One of my vampires is dead and Joey almost died. We need backup if you don't want anyone else to die needlessly.'

{Dianne takes a moment to absorb the information, then sighs.}

Dianne: "One second, Frederick...Cynthia, cancel and reschedule all my interviews, I have to go deal with something...Ok, I'm on my way. What exactly is this thing?"

'It resembles a werewolf in some aspects, but it clearly isn't one. It's fourteen feet tall and horned, it's fast enough to dodge bullets, and it's unaffected by tranquilizers. It's been eating the townsfolk. It appears largely feral and doesn't speak aside from a single word.'

Dianne: "Odd. And what word is that?"

'Karnraak. That's all, aside from general growls and other noises.'

Dianne: "I have no idea what that means. Have you told Armin about this yet? He's not going to want to sit idly by as I fight dangerous creatures."

'No. I assumed that you would inform him yourself before leaving.'

Dianne: "Alright, I will. Anything else I need to know?"

'Nothing in particular. The creature is lurking inside a cave network with some very narrow sections, so it may be best not to bring any weapons that would be hard to use in enclosed spaces, like a giant mace.'

Dianne: "Noted. I'll be there within the hour. See you there."

{Dianne hangs up, dialing Armin.}

Armin was on horseback, trotting over the cold, frozen, but snow-free ground. He pulled up and answered his phone, casually holding the reins in one hand. 'What's up?'

Dianne: "Hey, I'm coming back. Frederick called, his task force got in over their heads and I need to help them out. some feral, werewolf thing is eating Opalway's citizens. I know you don't like me fighting these things on my own, so...what do you want to do?"

Armin watched Esme scavenge for pebbles nearby as he thought.
.
'I'll drop Esme off at Pythia's and fly down to Opalway to meet you. We'll discuss what we're doing once we get there. I'll help if possible, and if there's nothing I can do... I'd still rather be nearby.'

Dianne: "Ok. Put your armor on, I don't care if you don't like it. I need to gather some gear, then I'll head over to Opalway. Call me when you drop her off at Pythia, ok?"

'Alright...'
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Armin hung up and swiftly rode back towards Dianne's house. They had moved back in as the winter grew colder. With Excalibur stabled, he went upstairs and retrieved his enchanted sword. At some point, due to Dianne's insistence that he needed armour, he had bought his very own set. He put it on and headed back out the door with Esme.

At Opalway, Fred's team were simply standing around, waiting for backup to arrive. Fred and Ryder sat together, discussing ideas on what the creature could be. Fred was concerned about Joey, but hid it well.

{In about 45 minutes, Dianne arrives in full armor and with a curious looking pike. It was not the ghost pike. Walking over to Frederick, she looks the two over.}

Dianne: "Alright, Frederick, give me a sitrep."

Fred stood, dusting himself off. 'The cave can be found about a mile and a half into the woods over there. Ryder and I can lead you to it. Are you sure you're prepared to confront this creature?' He looked her over, scanning the pike.

Dianne: "I won't know until I see it. Wait, aren't you coming, or are you expecting me to fight this thing 1v1?"

'Of course we're coming. If an entire group of us couldn't subdue it, then I wouldn't leave you alone with it. However, Joey is out of commission, so we'll get no wards or healing magic.'

Dianne: "Great...Once Armin get here, let's head out there."

{She stops for a moment, eying their gear.}

Dianne: "Let me ask you guys something...When you went to fight it....Did you use low caliber revolvers rather than shotguns, or rifles, or...automatics?"

'Revolvers.' Fred raised his eyebrows, seeming to detect criticism in her tone. 'I'm aware that we could have brought better weapons, but we were told before coming that it was just a werewolf. Werewolves usually aren't a major threat.'

Dianne: "These people wouldn't know a werewolf from a wyrm. All I'm saying is, you knew it was fast, and you didn't bring anything to kneecap it. But, whatever, get some shotguns and rifles from local law enforcement and get ready to aim for the legs. If it can't run, it's as good a dead."

Fred sent a telepathic order to his people, who left to ask for some guns to borrow. Meanwhile, Fred's gaze slid to Dianne's pike.
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'On the subject of weapons... I told you this creature was fast enough to dodge bullets. Were you expecting an archaic weapon like a pike to give you the upper hand?'

Dianne: "Yes. This pike is enchanted with lighting magic. It's essentially a cattle prod, but much, much stronger. I stab it with this, it will seize up, allowing you to shoot it. I actually pick my weapons carefully."

Just then, a thick flapping of feathered wings filled the air, and Armin came flying down. He landed nearby and shifted to human form, glancing between them.
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'Fred. Is everyone OK?' he said with concern. 'What is this werewolf thing?'
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'Nobody seems to be certain. And if you're planning to go in there, you had better be careful. It killed one of my vampires effortlessly.'

Dianne: "I have no idea what this thing is. But, we need to kill it. Here's the plan. I'm going to stab it with this, while it's immobilized, everybody needs to shoot it. Legs to cripple it, then the head to finish it. Armin, I promised Rex not to let you die, so, keep your distance and cover me with projected strikes."

'Alright. Let's go and see it, then.'
.
Fred's vampires returned with some shotguns and a couple of rifles. Fred took one of the shotguns, coolly beckoned to Ryder, and started to head back for the woods. Armin immediately followed the small group.

{Dianne followed, keeping an eye out for the creature.}

Ryder led the way back to the trail. Passing the thicket Joey had burned, he carefully eased into the narrow cave mouth and continued on.

{As soon as they entered, they heard growling. The creature was crouched in the corridor leading to the next chamber, Fred's dead comrade in its claws and teeth.}

Dianne: "Holy f$*k, what is that thing?!"

Barnabas: "Oooooh, sh!t...that's a Tainted Relic...."

Dianne: "A what?!"

Armin seemed to catch on. 'Are you talking about those cursed werewolves or whatever they are? Like the thing I saw as a kid?'
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The vampires hung back, none too keen to get close to it again, seeing one of their own multilated allies being eaten by it.

Barnabas: "Exactly. See that necklace imbedded in its sternum? That's the relic, cursed by a divine. this explains why it's so strong. Divine curses are nothing to screw around with."

Dianne: "Wait, are you telling me, that this /thing/ used to be a person?"

Barnabas: "Yup. Poor girl probably didn't suspect a thing."

Armin shifted slightly, looking over Ryder to get a good look at the creature. 'Can it be... Cured? Or do we have to kill it?'

???: "Karnraak!"

Barnabas: "She's too far gone. Killing her would be the merciful thing to do."

Dianne: "I suppose we have no choice."

{Taking her pike, she begins to advance. The creature snarls and begins backing away.}

Ryder, Armin and Fred followed, while the others stayed behind, hands gripping their weapons. Ryder let off a couple of shots at the creature's leg.

{The creature retreated, leaving its meal and avoiding Ryder's shots. Dianne advances down the coridoor.}

Dianne: "Barnabas, when I get to the other room, try to hold her in place."

{As Dianne entered the next room, the creature rushed her, but found itself restrained by Barnabas's chain. Dianne lunges and stabs it with the pike, electrocuting it with a loud crackling.}

Dianne: "Now, shoot her!"

Ryder and Fred both opened fire, aiming mostly for the creature's arms and legs.

{The creature shrieked, struggling as it took the bullets. in a surge of strength, the creature broke Barnabas' chains, freeing itself.}

Dianne: "What?! How is-"

{She was cut off when the creature grabs her and headbutts her, the throws her into Ryder. Its hair then becomes a writhing mass, which forms into a crude wooden shield to try to block Frederick's shots. Backing away slowly and stuttering ly, it dislodges the pike from itself.}

Ryder grunted as he was knocked down by Dianne's weight. Fred and the other vampires were frantically shooting, trying to slip a shot past the shield. Armin spared a glance at Dianne, then swung his sword and projected a razor-sharp strike, hoping to cut through the shield.

The shield was rapidly deteriorating, so the creature bolted forward, barreling through the group. It then grabs a vampire and impales him on a stalagmite. Before it can finish the job, Barnabas jumps on its back, clawing and stabbing. Dianne began to stir slightly, while on top of Ryder. She seems to be nearly unconscious, reeling from the attack.}

Fred grabbed the back of Armin's coat and pulled him backwards as the creature charged. Stumbling slightly, Armin threw a strike at the creature's face. The vampire impaled on the stalagmite was trying to dislodge himself while blood splattered everywhere.

Ryder was groggily pulling himself up, head ringing from the impact. Finding Dianne on top of him and seeing her condition, he started to drag her back towards the cave exit.

{The creature screamed at being cut across the face, launching itself back first into the wall, trying to dislodge Barnabas. Barnabas blinks away, leaving the bloodied beast without a target. Standing, it turns to look at Armin and Frederick hatefully. As Ryder dragged Dianne, she began to wake.}

Dianne: "Hhhnngh...Stop, Ryder...The pike...They need us..."

Ryder eased her down to lean against the cave wall, glancing back nervously at the raging beast. 'Are you alright? Just sit for a second.'
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Armin and Fred backed up, with Armin putting himself protectively in front of his son. They continued shooting at the creature's legs.

{Dianne begins to stand up, shaking herself off.}

Dianne: "Yeah...it just stunned me, that's all..."

{The creature started forward, before one of its legs gave out form the gunshot wounds. Screeching, it leaped forward with one leg, tackling Armin to the ground. It's hair formed into crude wooden appendages, half trying to eviscerate Armin and the other half reaching for Frederick. However, Armin's armor held strong. Seeing Armin in danger, Dianne rushed for her pike.}

Frederick shifted into a small white cat and dived aside, slipping beneath the wooden limb that reached for him. The vampires behind him backed up frantically, concentrating their gunfire on the creature's functional leg. Armin growled and hacked at the wooden things with his blade. He knew that if they got through his armour, it was going to hurt.

{Feeling the gunshots, the creature posts up on three limbs, grabs Armin, and violently throws him into the group of vampires. With her pike, Dianne rushes forward and stabs the beast in the side, shocking it and keeping it in place.}

Dianne: "Someone shoot her in the head!"

Most of the vampires avoided being knocked down by Armin, since it was about the third time the creature had used this move. Armin landed heavily, smacked his head on a rock and struggled to get up.
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Frederick shifted to human form and, without hesitation, fired his shotgun at the creature's forehead.

{The creature looked up to snarl at Frederick, catching a face full of buckshot. the round destroyed it's face in a spectacularly gory fashion. The creature convulsed, then collapsed, dead. Dianne removed her pike, then ran to Armin, kneeling over him.}

Dianne: "Armin? Are you ok?"

Fred grimaced at the gory explosion. He wanted to make sure it was dead, but was too revolted to get closer. 'Lyn, check it's dead, please.'
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Armin was slowly sitting up, touching his head. 'I'm fine. Just took a small knock...' He started to stand, using Dianne as a crutch, wobbling slightly from dizziness.

Dianne: "Easy. Don't want you falling again."

{As Lyn inspected the corpse, it twitched. Then, the pieces of its cranium began to magically come back together. Its body began to rapidly regenerate and shrink. The fur and horns disappeared, and within thirty seconds, the creature had transformed into a young woman, lying face down under a mess of auburn hair. She, like the creature, was covered in scars. Dianne looked on, bewildered at what she was seeing.}

Dianne: "What the-?"

Barnabas: "Woah. That's not supposed to happen."

Lyn backed up when the beast began to transform, training her gun on it. All the other vampires held wary expressions as well. 'It's not meant to happen?' said Armin as he straightened up. 'Then why...?'
.
Fred glanced around at everyone, then slowly approached and - with the air of someone poking at a sleeping lion - rolled the figure onto her back.

{The woman was unconscious, but alive. Where Armin struck the beast, was a scar across her left eye. The necklace was clearer to see now. Its teeth were imbedded in her sternum, with black veins leading away, and rather than going around her neck, the necklace ends went into her neck. When her face came into the light, Dianne took her helmet off, staring in shocked disbelief.}

Dianne: "Oh my f&*king gods....Aava?!"

'What?!' said Armin. He hobbled forwards, looking between the unconscious woman and Dianne. 'No, it can't be. I thought only werewolves were affected by those relics?'
.
Fred looked a little out of his depth. He didn't know who Aava was and hadn't known the legend of the cursed relics. 'I assume you both know this person?'

Barnabas: "No, no, no, the relics will work for anyone annointed by the divine who made them. But if you take them without the annointment...."

{Dianne just seems bewildered, stuttering a bit before forming coherent words.}

Dianne: "I-I...I met her /500/ years ago, when the Northern Province was the Dinkerton Province! We fought in the Trident Rebellion together! This isn't possible!"

'Barnabas said that the tainted beasts were essentially made immortal by their curse, weren't they?' said Armin. 'So, I don't think the fact that you knew her 500 years ago matters. Maybe she's been like this ever since...'
.
Fred just gazed at Aava thoughtfully. 'She might turn back into that creature when she wakes up. Maybe we ought to put her somewhere secure.'

{Dianne rubs her face wearily.}

Dianne: "I need to talk to her when she wakes up. Let's put her somewhere that the creature can't break out of."

{However, the moment anyone made an attempt to move her, Aava awakens with a gasping breath. She sits up, looking around fearfully at the people around her.}

Aava: "....Uuummmm.....W-wait....please don't shoot!"

Half the group lowered their weapons, but the others, Fred included, kept them up. However, he ordered them not to shoot. Yet.
.
'Uh... What's the last thing you remember?' said Armin uncertainly, not sure if her mind would be intact after what happened.

{Aava seems too frightened by all the guns to respond. However, Dianne passes Armin to Ryder, then approaches her. Aava's expression lights up in recognition.}

Aava: "Dianne?! Is....is that really you?"

Dianne: "Yes, Aava, it's me. I nee-"

Aava: "I don't have much time, Dianne, I need your help. I need you to find a way to kill me."

Dianne: "What?!"

'Hold on a minute. Can't we all go somewhere and talk about this?' said Armin, looking startled. 'I'm sure that's not necessary...'

{Aava finally acknowledges Armin's presence.}

Aava: "You don't understand! If you shoot me, I won't die. I'll just turn back into that thing! And in three days, I turn again. This never ends! Dianne is a death acolyte. If anyone can end this, it's her!"

Dianne: "Aava, hold on. You're cursed. There has to be a way to break it, without killing you. Armin's right, let's just all calm down and go discuss this somewhere else. Somewhere safe."

{Just then, Aava looks down at herself, then wraps her arms around herself.}

Aava: "C-can I have some clothes?"

Fred silently told his people to put their guns away. //If she won't turn for another three days, then it's safe for now.// He then walked past Aava to examine the vampire who'd been impaled on a rock. He was unconscious, but had pulled himself free. He would survive.
.
Armin pulled off his winter coat, which he had been wearing over his armour, and handed it to Aava. It would be rather big on her.

{Aava pulls it around herself, getting to her feet unsteadily, with Dianne's help. She looks at the impailed vampire as she walks past.}

Aava: "I'm sorry... I...I don't have control when I'm that thing..."

'He will be fine,' said Frederick absently. 'Ryder, pick him up. I will lead out.'
.
As Ryder gathered up the injured vampire, looking curiously at Aava, the troop began to file out of the cavern. Armin walked just in front of Dianne. His head ached, but he was moving fine.

{Dianne stayed close to Aava, watching her carefully. As they passed the dead vampire in the cooridor, Aava grimaces.}

Aava: "Oh, gods...."

{Once they get to the main chamber, she sees all the remains.}

Aava: "Oh, gods!"

{Getting outside, she sees the half of the man left out there. She starts to cry.}

Aava: "Oh gods, I'm so sorry!....I didn't...I don't..."

Dianne: "Hey, hey, it's alright. It wasn't you."

Fred was trying to decide what he should tell the sheriff of Opalway. //Maybe I ought to say the monster is dead. Also... it don't think there's any reason to tell Aava that she killed a family of five...//
.
'It wasn't,' said Armin. 'You can't control that thing. It wasn't you who hurt anyone.'

{Aava nods, still looking despondent. As Aava walked, she kept wincing, as the forest floor wasn't too barefoot friendly.}

Aava: "I wish I had shoes..."

Dianne: "Here..."

{Dianne proceeds to pick her up and carry her as she walks.}

Aava: "Oh. Thanks..."

Dianne: "Frederick, after we get back to Sovereign, we need to see Luxia."

'Of course.'
.
As the edge of Opalway came into view, Fred continued onwards. Now that the mission of saving the townsfolk was done, his priory was getting home.

{Once they enter Opalway, The sheriff approaches Frederick.}

Sheriff: "Were you successful?"

'Yes. We defeated the creature, and I can promise that it will never threaten your neighbours again. However, with several injured, we need to hurry home. Can your medics release Joey Hardings into our care?'
.
The group halted, clustered around, Ryder supporting the unconscious vampire.

Sheriff: "Yes, of course. Thank you. And Frederick, you've done this town a great service."

{The sheriff puts his hand out to shake. Aava refuses to look at anyone, tucking her head against Dianne.}

Fred the man's hand only briefly before turning away. 'Can two of you go and get Joey, please.'
.
As the vampires dispersed, Fred addressed Dianne.
.
'Do you need us to go back and get a car, or can you carry her for the flight home?'

*shook

Dianne: "I can fly her. But once we get to the city, we'll need a ride. Also, can you ask Owel if she has some spare clothes? I don't want her walking around all day barefoot and half naked."

'Yes. I'll contact her once we get to Pythia's.'
.
The vampires returned, half carrying Joey, who was awake but pale and bandaged. Ryder shifted to dragon form and Joey was helped onto his back. He then picked up the injured vampire in his claws and took flight. One by one, the vampires took off until it was just Dianne, Aava, and Armin on the ground.

{Dianne gently sets Aava down, then shifts.}

Dianne: "Ok, you two, let's go."

{Aava begins to mount Dianne: She's very quiet, with a haunted look in her eyes.}

Armin climbed up as well, staying a few feet behind Aava. //Quiet, isn't she? Not as animated as Dianne described her, but that's hardly surprising,// he thought.

{Once Dianne took off, she looks back at Aava with concern.}

Dianne: "Aava, you feeling ok?"

Aava: "...Dianne, I have been trapped for gods know how long in the body of a creature that has a taste for human flesh, and in the few instances where I have been myself without getting immediately shot or stabbed, I hardly get anywhere. So no, I'm not ok!"

Armin winced a little, both at her response at the idea of living like that. //Sounds worse than death, honestly. I'm not surprised she immediately asked Dianne to kill her when she saw her. But there must be a way to stop it...//

{Dianne grimaces as well.}

Dianne: "I'm so sorry...But we are going to cure you. I will-"

Aava: "How?! /How/ are you going to cure me, when I can't even go three /days/ without turning into a mindless freak?!"

{Aava seemed very upset, breathing heavily and crying tears of frustration.}

Dianne: "We're going to see a witch. She may have something for you to keep you from transforming. And if she doesn't, I know an enchantment that will. Once you can stay in human form, then we can work on breaking this curse."

'There must be people out there who specialise in breaking curses. It's a spell, and spells can usually be broken. Or we could ask Lucci.'
.
Armin tried not to think of Luxia's niece, stuck as a mindless animal with no way to turn her back.

Barnabas: "I'm afraid it may not be that simple, Ar."

{Barnabas interjects, suddenly appearing.}

Barnabas: "I've been inspecting the necklace, and I'm certain it's Kynigos' doing. That means, this really is a Divine curse. It's not so easily undone."

Aava: "Can Divine curses be broken?"

Barnabas: "Yes, but, only by an acolyte of the corresponding Divine. We would need an Acolyte of Kynigos."

Dianne: "Weren't you one in life?"

Barnabas: "Mmmm, not an acolyte proper. I was a priest. I was not yet judged worthy to obtain the Aspect's blessing."

'Well, then, we need to track down an acolyte. There might still be some around.' Armin let out a breath. 'Why are all Divines such a pain in the ass?'

Dianne: "Tell me about it..."

Barnabas: "That may be a chore on its own...My first day in this city, I did some research on my old religion aaaaaaand...the cult of Kynigos has /severely/ declined. There are no active temples or monasteries in any city on this continent."

Dianne and Aava, simultaneously: "Well. f$*k...."

Barnabas: "Hold on, I wasn't finished. There are a handful of hidden libraries in the wilds that are not common knowledge. If the cult is active at all, that's where we'd find an acolyte."

'Then you'd better find out where those libraries are so we can pay them a visit. Or else, we might have to travel off the continent and hope to find one somewhere else.' Armin rubbed his head as he thought about it. This conversation was not improving his headache.

Barnabas: "I know where there's a map of them all on the continent but...You're not going to like where it is..."

Aava: "If there's even a chance I can get rid of this damn thing, I'll take it. Where is it, you ugly ghost dog?"

Barnabas: "The temple in my city. The araneo infested city."

Armin's ominously grim silence said everything about how he felt. //We have to go back to that city where we got ambushed by giant spiders? Wonderful...//

Barnabas: "The name's Barnabas by the way..."

Dianne: "So be it then. I will drive their entire species extinct if I have to."

{Arriving at the city, Dianne lands, looking around for Frederick and his people.}

Ryder was just outside the city gates, waiting by the country lane with the two injured. The rest of the group were nowhere to be seen.
.
'Fred flew ahead to get cars,' he said. 'Just give him a minute.'
.
Armin slid down from Dianne's back, jumping onto the hard, frozen ground.

{Aava dismounts as well, but immediately begins hopping about. The freezing ground wasn't comfortable for her bare feet.}

Aava: "Ow, ow, ow! Cold! Cold!"

'Yeah, that may have been a bad idea,' said Armin, eyeing her. 'You'd be better off staying up there...'

{Dianne quickly shifts back, scooping her off her feet.}

Dianne: "It won't be much longer now..."

Aava: "Thanks...Now that I have a bit of hope that I might not have to die to escape my torment...I'd like to know where I am, and who you all are."

'Vallis,' said Armin. He told her the current year as well. 'I'm Armin, and the stiff-looking blond guy is my son Frederick. That over there is Ryder, the Shifter Dragon, and the others are acquaintances of Fred. We all know Dianne, obviously.'

{Aava shakes her head in disbelief, her lip quivering as she came to terms with what was said.}

Aava: "...Five hundred years of lost time...I knew, in my brief bouts of consciousness that it had been a while, but...gods...everyone and everything I knew is gone..."

Dianne: "Not everyone...I'm still here. And I'm not going to run this time. This time, we'll stick together."

Armin quietly gazed towards the city, waiting for cars to appear. //She didn't know. Well, I guess it would be hard to keep track of time in that state.// Ryder looked sympathetic, glancing at Aava for a moment before looking away.

{Aava met Ryder's gaze momentarily, before looking away. She then looked the Joey and the injured vampire.}

Aava: "...I'm really sorry...I don't have control when I'm that creature..."

'It's fine. We know,' said Ryder easily.
.
'No hard feelings...' said Joey in a shallow voice. 'Though Fred will have to pay me double to do that again... Or he can find another mage...'
.
Joey's quiet grumbling fell away as two cars began to approach from the city. Frederick was driving one of the cars used by the royal guards. The other was driven by an unnamed vampire.
.
'Ryder, take Joey and Quinn in the other vehicle. They need to visit Pythia. Dianne - you said you wished to see Luxia. Are we doing that now?'

Dianne: "Yes, but, did you get Owel's spare clothing?"

{She asks, headed for the cars. Opening the trunk, she puts her pike in, then puts Aava down in the back seat.}

'It's in the back,' said Fred, as Armin climbed into the front with him. The clothes were in a plastic bag. There were no undergarments, but there was a warm brown sweater, jeans, socks, and a pair of simple boots. He must have told Owel that Aava had no shoes.

Aava: "Thank you..."

{Aava quickly changes, uncaring of the circumstances.}

Dianne: "Ok, to Luxia's shop then."

Fred set off into the city.
.
'I sure hope Luxia is having one of her better days,' Armin murmured, 'or you might not get any sense out of her.'

Dianne: "If she can't help, I know an enchantment. Only problem is, I can really only carve it in its completeness in a suit of armor, so Aava would have to permanently wear a cuirass."

Aava: "Well that sucks, but what could this Luxia have for me?"

Dianne: "Honestly, anti transformation magic is a bit outside my field, so I'm hoping Luxia has something....smaller and more comfortable as a solution."

'She is an extremely powerful witch,' said Frederick. 'Very respected and renowned back in her day. I believe she put special effort into studying transformation magic after what happened to her niece, although she never found a solution to that.'
.
'At least she might have something,' said Armin. 'Wearing armour 24/7 would suck.'

{Aava quietly pondered what could have happened to her niece, but didn't ask.}

Dianne: "I hope she has something. Although, I can't help but wonder what she'll want in return..."

'Sometimes she simply asks for money, which you have plenty of,' said Fred. 'However, she can and will ask for other things on occasion. Whatever she requests should not cause you any... permanent harm.'

Dianne: "So long as the end result will help Aava...I'm willing to give her whatever she wants..."

Aava: "Well...so long as she doesn't want like...a kidney....I don't think I'm worth a kidney..."

'I doubt she would request that...' said Fred.
.
After a bit more driving, they slowed down. Luxia's eccentric little apothecary shop stood out on the quiet street like a zebra in a herd of donkeys. Fred meticulously parallel parked between two other cars.

{Once they were parked, Dianne hops out wit Aava, leading the elf to the shop.}

Dianne: "Well, here we are..."

Armin followed, while Fred stayed behind, although he was probably going to eavesdrop.
.
The shop showcased its usual array of strange objects, relics, and seemingly random junk. Jars filled with neon liquids and drifting gases, threadbare plushes, tiny sculptures of animals. Behind the counter leaned a bored-looking Gail. Her flat expression flickered when she recognised them.
.
'Uh, you?'

Dianne: "Yes, it's me. I need to speak to Luxia urgently. Is she here?"

{Aava gazed around the shop curiously, but didn't dare touch anything. Dianne simply wanted to get down to business.}

'Uhh, yeah. She's in. Gimme a sec.' Gail slipped out of the room. Voices could be heard, and thirty seconds later, Luxia came shuffling in. She looked them over brightly, paying special attention to Aava.
.
'Why, welcome back, my dears. What can I do for you? No, Bob isn't here.'

Dianne: "Hello, Luxia. I'm not here for Bob, I'm here to speak to you. This is my friend Aava. She's afflicted by a Divine curse that causes her to transform into a ravenous, bloodthirsty creature every three days, and the only way to get her back to to kill the creature. Do you have anything that can help her? Maybe something to stop her from transforming entirely?"

Luxia rubbed her chin and stepped out from behind the counter. She eyed Aava even more sharply.
.
'Divine curse, eh... Well, that's no picnic...'
.
She mumbled something indistinct for an awkwardly long time before continuing:
.
'What might do the trick is a transformation ward. Special spell designed to stop anyone from transforming you. You can still shapeshift if you possess that ability, but since the curse is changing you against your will... This /might/ prevent it... I'd have to bind the spell to an item you can wear or carry...'

Dianne: "Can it be bound to something small, like jewelry? Maybe a necklace, a ring, or a bracelet?"

Aava: "/Might/ prevent it? So, this might not even work at all?"

'Watch it, young lady,' said Luxia, waving a finger at Aava. 'Divine magic isn't something most people get taught in school, you know! I'm using pure guesswork here!'
.
She then turned to Dianne, nodding. 'Yes, yes, of course. Not sure about a necklace, looks like she's got enough of that already, but mayhaps a ring or armlet.'

Dianne: "It's worth a shot. I can provide a bangle. Will that do?"

{Aava doesn't seem happy, looking more anxious than anything else.}

'Depends what it's made of. Wood and metal hold spells better than plastic, stone, clay, rubber, porcelain, play-doh, teddy bears or... Well, you get the idea.'

Dianne: "What about gold? Jewel encrusted gold?"

Luxia snapped her fingers. 'Gold. Mmmm. Lovely. Yes, gold is a metal, so it should be fine.'

Dianne: "Great. Barnabas, bring me a gold bracer. Alright, Luxia, how much for the spell?"

'Weeeeeeeell... You have something that could benefit my business much more than money, and it doesn't involve any nasty magic.' She grinned. 'Do you know how valuable the horns of your species are for potion making?'

{Dianne's expression drops at that. Aava looks nervously between them.}

Dianne: "...Counter offer...You give me the enchantment and help us while we track down a Kynigos Acolyte, and I'll give you enough gold to keep you in business for a decade."

Luxia cackled, seeming to find this hilarious. 'So you came here to save your friend but won't give up a chunk of horn for it. Vain, are you? Think all the other dragons will point and laugh? It's that horn superiority that's driving your species to extinction. Oh well, oh well. I accept your counter offer.'

Dianne: "I'm just trying to save myself some pain. My horns have nerves and blood vessels, you know."

{However, Dianne would have conceded if Luxia persisted.}

{Aava's well being was too important to her.}

Luxia snickered. 'Oh, just give me the item and I'll enchant it for you. You can pay me properly after I help you with your other tasks, but give me 50 squalls now so Abigail and I can afford to eat.'

Dianne: "Very good."

{As Dianne gave Luxia 50 squalls, Barnabas comes back, bracelet in hand.}

Aava: "Hey, after this, c-can I have some food? I haven't had a proper meal in 500 years..."

Armin thought back on the last thing she had eaten, or rather, the beast had eaten, and suppressed a grimace. 'We could probably go out for an early dinner. Once we pick up Esme...'
.
Luxia took the money and the bracelet. She looked back and forth between them for several seconds, then put the money away. A feeling of charged energy filled the air like a low storm as she pulled up magic, slow and powerful.

Dianne: "Yeah, anything you want."

Aava: "...What's a hamburger? Are they good?"

{She asks, squinting at a billboard outside.}

Whatever Luxia was doing seemed to take a lot of concentration. Her expression was serious as she focused utterly on the bracelet. The magic flare reached a crescendo, then slowly faded away.
.
'Here you go,' she said brightly. 'I have confidence that this will work, but the only way to find out is to wait three days and see if you transform.'

{Aava accepts the bracelet and puts it on.}

Aava: "I guess we'll see..."

Luxia clapped her hands. ' Very well then, be gone with you. Abigail and I are closing shop and going out to find some burgers of our own, I think. Cheerio!' She started to usher them all out.

{Everyone walked out as instructed. Aava was looking curiously at Luxia. Considering something, Dianne turns to Luxia.}

Dianne: "You know...If you're not doing well here....I could give you more in advance. We leave at the soonest in a few days, if you need money for food, I can provide for you."

'Oh, no, no. That's very kind of you, but those pretty coins are all we need for the next few days. We live a simple life. But thank you.'

Dianne: "Very well. We'll be in touch."

Aava: "Also...thanks...I really hope this works...I don't want to turn into that thing anymore...."

'That would be marvelous. Would be a shame to have to stay that way forever.' For a moment, something seemed pass across Luxia's face. Then it vanished and she smiled, stepping back. 'Farewell. And no, those socks weren't cursed.'

{Aava looks at Luxia, perplexed. Dianne gives a small sigh.}

Dianne: "Ok, we'll be in touch. Look after her, eh, Gail?"

Aava: "Socks? What socks? How come I didn't get any socks?"

{Chuckling, Dianne starts to lead Aava to the cars.}

Once Luxia went back inside, Gail was looking unimpressed at her. 'Why did you turn down getting more money?'
.
Luxia clucked her tongue. 'Hush, Abigail. Stop thinking with your bank account.'
.
Fred was waiting in the front of the car. Armin once again climbed into the front with him. 'We need to pick up Esme from Pythia's, then find a nice restaurant, I think.'

Dianne: "Yeah...Tomorrow, I'm going to need to tell the king that I need to put my project on hiatus for a little bit. Then we need to plan the trip up to Alacria, see who's going with us to fight the spiders."

Aava: "I always hated araneos, but if this is the only way to cure me, I guess I have no choice..."

Dianne: "Also, we need a place for Aava to stay."

Aava: "Preferably a place with a bath...I got leaves in my hair..."

'We need to bring some kind of spider deterrent,' Armin muttered. Then, more loudly, he added: 'Why doesn't she just stay with us at your place? It's big enough. Plenty of spare rooms, and a good bathroom. We've had Rex stay over before.'

Dianne: "Honestly, I was going to suggest that. I was just kind of thinking out loud."

Aava: "Yeah, Dianne, I'd rather stay with you. No offense, but I don't know any of you people. At least Dianne is a familiar face...And if I start to transform, I know she can kill me..."

Barnabas: "Actually, I recommend you sleep in a fortified cell on the third night. Just in case. After all, we still don't know if the enchantment will work."

'Barnabas, I think we all knew to take precautions. Luxia obviously knows what she's doing, but she doesn't know if it'll work.'
.
Fred said nothing, quietly driving his way to Pythia's house.

Aava: "I think that is ok...I don't want to endanger you all..."

{Blinking a little, she looks up at Armin.}

Aava: "So, Armin, what's your story?"

'Nothing very interesting. Dianne and I met when we were both trying to take down a psychopathic vampire who was threatening this whole country. She hated me back then, but over time, we ended up becoming friends.'

Aava: "A psychopathic vampire? What was his deal?"

Dianne: "He wanted to turn all the humans in Vallis into vampires and rule the province."

Aava: "...What? Why?"

'Because he was a power-hungry lunatic,' said Armin, and Fred made a small sound of agreement. 'He always talked about wanting to create a country where his kind could live without having to contend with intolerant humans, but all he really wanted was power.'

{Aava gives a quizzical look.}

Aava: "Are the humans here...that intolerant? Is this where the Gorlians went after we won the war? Was Sargon a Gorlian?"

Dianne: "No, Sargon was just nuts. And the Gorlians signed a treaty with the rebellion that basically said they get the entire Dinkerton province back and the Gorlians keep the northern reaches they had before."

Aava: "...Uhuh....and what's with these...horseless carriages?Who made them, and why do they beep at us?"

'They're cars. They're carriages that are powered by electricity so they don't need horses to pull them,' said Armin. 'The drivers usually beep when they're telling someone to get out of their way.'

Aava: "Wait, you've harnessed the power of lightning?"

Dianne: "Well, sort of...they also run on gasoline..."

Aava: "Gasoline? What's that?"

Dianne: "Umm...it's difficult to explain to someone with no frame of reference. It's a highly flammable fuel source made from oil extracted from the ground."

Aava: "Oil? Where does it come from? Is it a magic thing?"

Dianne: "No, it's....it's complicated..."

(I momentarily forgot that cars run mostly on fuel, not electricity)
.
'You can learn the details as you go along,' said Armin. 'The only important thing you know is that they work, and they are most people's main form of transportation nowadays.'

Aava: "What's wrong with horses?"

Dianne: "Cars can move much much faster."

Aava: "Faster than a horse?!"

'Much faster,' said Armin. 'Horses are more fun, though. Just a bit outdated.'
.
By the point, Pythia's house had come into view. Fred parked up nearby.

{At that, Aava began to look at the car mystified.}

Dianne: "Come inside with us, Aava. There's someone I want you to meet."

{Aava carefully climbs out of the car, following Dianne up to the house. Once they get inside, it seems Pythia had dedI aged a space to be a waiting room, so injured people wouldn't have to stand inside.}

Dianne: "Pythia? Have a minute?"

Pythia: "Yes, come in. Here for Esme?"

Dianne: "Yes, but...there's someone I want you to meet."

*dedicated

Autocorrect sux. :(

Armin had followed them while Fred stayed behind again, not having any desire to enter the house where all of Pythia's patients were.
.
'Hey, Pythia,' Armin greeted her quietly.

Pythia: "Hello, Armin."

{Dianne entered the room, followed by a nervous looking Aava.}

Dianne: "Hey, Pythia, thanks for watching Esme for us."

Pythia: "Of course. But, who is this?"

Dianne: "Pythia, this is Aava. Aava Ironwood. She's a friend of mine from a long time ago. Aava, this is Pythia, our local healer."

{Pythia walks right up to Aava, immediately inspecting the scars that were visible.}

Pythia: "My dear, what happened to you? Who gave you all these scars?"

{Aava flinches a bit as Pythia gets close.}

Aava: "It's a long story..."

{Dianne begins to recount the events of the day.}

Armin leaned against a wall and listened quietly, letting Dianne tell the story, since it was her friend that was being introduced. He mused over everything that had happened, the strangeness of him meeting Aava against all odds, and the reality of their adventure to come.

{Pythia listened intently, looking concerned.}

Dianne: "...And that's basically where we're at now."

Pythia: "You poor thing. But, how were you cursed in the first place?"

Aava: "...Shortly after Dianne left my company, I was reassigned. Orders came in from the general that there was a powerful relic hidden in the countryside and obtaining it would be crucial for our cause... I was assigned to the team tasked with retrieving it. We went to an old Kynigos temple and broke into the vault. This necklace wast the only thing in there, sitting on a pedestal in the middle of the room. I walk up, pick it up, and it all goes blank..."

'...That's strange...' said Armin. 'What did the general want the relic for? What use could it have? Nobody should ever go near those things; they're just dangerous.'

Dianne: "They likely didn't do their research. The didn't realize only the annointed could use them."

Aava: "...The next thing I remember...I wake up in rags...half my platoon is dead and...I have this thing in my chest...Gods, I'm sorry...."

{Aava starts to cry, wrapping her arms around herself. She seems to be recalling a rather painful flashback.}

Dianne: "Hey, relax! It's ok, it wasn't your fault."

'You didn't know it would happen. You were just doing your job. This is all the fault of whoever told you to go collect that thing.'
.
Esme poked her head tentatively around the door. She had been getting anxious from not seeing her parents in so long. Finding an unfamiliar crying woman with them, she hesitated, and sat back quietly in the doorway to observe.

{Dianne sat Aava down, sitting with her. Pythia takes her hand, kneeling to her level.}

Pythia: "It's ok, dear. Everything is ok now. Just breathe."

Dianne: "Hey, Esme. Come say hello."

Esme eased into the room. She sniffed, catching Aava's scent. She then continued forwards much more confidently, lifting a claw and curiously nudging the elf's arm. Armin smiled faintly as he watched her enter the room.

{Aava looks up to see Esme, sniffling. Raising a hand, she pets Esme's head.}

Aava: "Who's this?"

Dianne: "That's Esme, my daughter."

Aava: "You have a kid?"

'Dianne adopted her after her tribe was half wiped out by hunters,' said Armin.
.
Esme growled and bumped her head against Aava's hand in a friendly manner.

Aava: "She's adorable...She's lucky to have you looking after her."

Dianne: "Well, I wasn't just going to leave her out there. But I'm glad I have her."

Esme turned to nudge Dianne, then looked off towards the exit door, seemingly trying to politely communicate that she was ready to leave.

Dianne smiles at Esme, then pats Aava on the shoulder.}

Dianne: "Feeling better? Ready to get some food?"

Aava: "Yeah..."

{Standing, she looks to Pythia.}

Aava: "Thank you...and it was nice meeting you."

(posting new room)