Zion: Light of the New Moon, Ch 4.3 Shrad
Zion - Light of the New Moon Chapter 4.3
Shrad Sibling Revelry
Due to a tied vote between contributing readers, the author contributed readers weigh in. The end result is that the Shrad Caravan will kill all the Satyrs and anyone who is changing.
Majh had dealt with Satyrs before... not that anyone needed to know. She was relatively familiar with their habits and knew well enough of their curse... most folk did. The group sprinted back toward the wagons as flailing shapes fell off their mounts, out of carriage doors, and from the back of tail gates. The entire caravan was overrun by a hundred or more of the man-beasts and the guards were hard fought to hold their ground.
"Some people are already changing..." Tolen murmured, voice shaky with the realization. Majh glanced at him, and followed the line of his extended finger to a canine guard who had been stripped of his armor and clothes; several naked Satyrs, with members still erect, were laughing at the prone terrier as he writhed on the ground, blood and other fluids leaking out from beneath his tail. The dog's muzzle was broadening and nubs of horns forced their way from his skull, splitting his scalp open in a spray of blood. She didn't bother turning around when she heard the tell-tale sound of Tolen fleeing. The hyena sighed.
"Clarification?" Loric inquired, and several people glanced his way. "So..." he began, looking from person to person, "when these barbarians finish with their victims, the abused turn into more of them?"
"The Satyr inflict their curse on whomever they rape." Armenius stated flatly, "Men turn into Satyrs, and females become impregnated with a Satyr that matures so quickly that she ends up being torn apart before he's even born."
"I can't imagine that feels good." the fox offered.
"Not as bad as what I'm going to do to them." the bear answered, and stalked to the head of the group. He bellowed at the top of his lungs, "These are MY followers!" Several of the goat-men turned to face the group, talking amongst themselves in their Wild Land tongue as they stalked forward.
"Uh... they..." Nori noted, managing to stand his ground, "Apparently they like me, Tolen, and..." he glanced at Shadow, "You, for some reason."
"Flattering." the wolf responded, drawing his sword, "But I'm not really into that sort of thing."
"Being turned into a sylvan goat rapist?" the High Priest questioned, "I couldn't agree more." and, with that, he held a silver amulet high and proclaimed, "In the name of Tah'Aveen, Moon Goddess and mother to us all, you are judged, and found to be guilty of acting against her will." the closest half-dozen Satyrs fronze in place as their entire bodies were consumed by an aura of shadows, "There will be no mercy." and, as the light disappeared, so too did the Satyrs.. or at least their flesh; their bones crumpled to the ground.
Majh's ears swiveled, zeroing in on Tolen, who was still trying to get away. Unfortunately for him, he was being trailed by several Satyrs. Calling to Tah'Aveen, Majh spoke to the Pregnant Moon, asking the Moon Goddess to grant the healer the will he himself lacked, and to reinforce his courage. Moments later, the fox came to a stop, and turned around to face his pursuers, holding his staff resolutely. "I don't want to hurt you... but I will if I have to." he swore. He slowly circled around the now-cautious Satyrs, and the fox made the intelligent decision to fall back toward the rest of the group.
Back on the front line, Nori moved his hammer to a single paw and gestured with the other. A half-dozen Satyrs raced toward him, clawed digits extended as they eagerly rushed their prey. Nori drew his paw close to his muzzle and made an "o" with his thumb and first finger. Holding it up to his muzzle, the ferret exhaled powerfully into his paw, and an enormous cone of fire shot out from his palm, almost reminiscent of a blast of dragon's breath. Majh smirked at the Wild Lander's theatricality, but also at the three Satyrs that fell to the ground, their bodies burning from the impossibly high heat. They rolled around for a little while... but not too long.
The High Priest stepped up next to Nori as the remaining three Satyrs continued their charge despite the burns they sustained. Armenius raised his paw, calling up the little fires still present on the ground and forming them into a single, huge conflagration. Motioning with a single finger, the bear directed the inferno right into the path of the rushing Satyr, where it exploded amidst them like a fireball.
Although Shadow calling to the forces of Fayte was not unexpected, Majh was a little surprised when she felt the skein of destiny quiver beneath the quiet words of Gaerid. Looking to the rottweiler, Majh realized that he too was casting, and she understood that things were suddenly even more interesting-- which was entirely unneeded when she realized that more Satyrs were being born. Back at the wagons, several more guards and workers writhed in pain, bodies twisting and changing as they were consumed by the Satyr's dark disease.
Two women squirmed on the ground, moaning in pain, their naked bodies cut and bruised by what the rutting Satyrs had done to them. Even less kind, however, were the growing forms inside their stomachs, distending their guts in an almost impossible way. Almost impossible, however, ultimately became impossible as the Satyrs within them rapidly grew too large to be restrained, and the women let out their last screams of unbridled agony as their bodies burst open, revealing fully grown Satyrs. In all, seven new Satyrs rose up to join the ranks of the creatures... though numerous more travelers were still fighting the effects of the Satyrs' defilements. Majh was suddenly much less interested in "interesting".
Turning back to the caravan, Nori rushed one such newly formed Satyr. He let out a battle cry as he raised his enormous hammer high above his head. Still blurry from its 'birth', the Satyr had just enough time to look up before its short life quickly reached its end. As its crumpled, headless body fell to the ground, the entire creature shrank almost immediately, dwindling down until it was scarcely the size of a coin... and then disappeared in a wet sound reminiscent of a bubble popping. "Looks like the new ones aren't that hard to kill." Nori smirked.
Not too far from Nori, Gaerid of the Fang apparently decided to join the party for the fight with the Satyrs. Spinning like a dervish, the rottweiler met his first foe, a newly created Satyr with two quick swipes from his curved blade; the first hit the Satyr on the forearm, and the next came in at a different angle, hamstringing the goat-man. Falling to his knees, the Satyr was easy-pickings for Wyse, who tore his throat out.
Armenius, apparently more concerned with the fully grown Satyrs, waded forward into the mass of enemies rather than back toward the wagons. With his flanks protected by his twelve personal guard, the polar bear was able to focus all of his attention on the Satyrs directly in front of him. Using nothing but his fists, and a supernatural power granted from such a close connection with the Goddess, the High Priest waded into their lines, sending Satyr after Satyr flying; very few of them got back up. One of the few that did found Loric waiting for him, and the fox quickly dispatched the Satyr with a casual swipe of his sword; the creature fell to the ground grabbing at its opened throat.
Tolen, having recovered from his earlier route, ran to one of the newest Satyrs, one of the caravan's workers, and grabbed it by the shoulders "Fight it!" he shouted, "fight the change!" All he got for his trouble was a bloody nose when it lowered its head and butted him in the face.
Shadow, apparently unconcerned with Tolen's lack of success, charged another newly spawned goat-man. The wolf lowered his head, leading with his shoulder and caught the Satyr, previously a human guard, in the sternum. Not even bothering to slow, Shadow carried the Satyr for several yards until they impacted into a wagon. The wolf grabbed the Satyr by one of its horns and slammed the side of its head into the wooden panel of the transport, and let the unconscious body drop to the ground, "I'll figure out how to save you later."
Majh was able to admire how well things went during the first few dozen seconds of the engagement, but she was not surprised when the Satyrs recovered and launched their counter attack... and it was a painful one for many of their party. Although Armenius was set upon by several Satyrs, he successfully fought them all back, and even tore the jaw off of one of his attackers, returning it via the stricken humanoid's eye socket. No one else had quite as much luck. Not far from Armenius, Loric was holding off several Satyrs, but one plowed into him from the side, hurling him to the ground before leaping atop him. Loric, remaining cool and collected, merely brought his knee up between the Satyr's legs and tossed the squirming humanoid off of him. He got up and paused, looking down at the inflicted Satyr with a smirk, "So THAT'S what it feels like being on this side of the knee..." and, with a casual flick of the wrist, cut the Satyr's throat.
Majh was ready for the attack, but the sheer number of the Satyrs focused on her made defending herself difficult. She kept most of them at bay with broad swipes from her sword, but two slipped in beneath her defenses. The first grabbed for her, but she managed to bring her foot up and plant a firm kick into the Satyr's solar plexus, forcing him back. At that point, a second grabbed her from behind, raking its claws across her arms. Scowling, she brought one of her feet straight down onto the Satyr's human toes. His grip loosened enough for her to deliver a powerful elbow to his sternum, and she spun around once he let go. Grabbing hold of one of his horns, the hyena forced his head to the side and brought her muzzle to bear, tearing out the goat-man's throat. The rest of the Satyrs took a step back, and she spat out the hunk of flesh, cackling as only a hyena could.
Nori, who was closest to the group out of anyone near the caravan, quickly began fighting his way back as more and more Satyrs sprang up from the wagons. He had made it most of the way back before he was overtaken. The first Satyr sprang at the ferret, but he was deflected with a swift hammer-pommel to the muzzle. Nori backpedaled away from a second, but the third bore down on him almost instantly, pushing inside the swinging radius of the hammer and delivering a powerful body-blow to the ferret's ribs. Nori doubled over, and the Satyr laughed scornfully, grabbing the ferret around his midsection and hoisting him into the air.
The Wild Lander flailed helplessly, shouting at it in the wild tongue. Several other Satyrs quickly crowded around, laughing and jeering at Nori in the same language. With a disgusted face, Nori sighed, "I really didn't want a perm today..." and, with that, he brought his paws together. The other Satyrs quickly gathered around, saliva streaming out of their muzzles, members erect and ready as they closed in, reaching for Nori's clothing... but then a ring of fire erupted outward, and all every last foe was seared to a crisp. The ferret cursed when he landed on his head.
Further behind Nori, Tolen let out a cry of pain and alarm as a Satyr standing on a wagon grabbed hold of the fox's head fur, hoisting him up off the ground. Tolen grabbed at the Satyr's wrist, shouting as he was hauled into the air. Two other Satyrs grinned wide, stalking over to the hanging fox; his cries got louder as they began tearing at his clothes, but not quite as loud as when he was finally naked. Any view of the goings-on were mercifully blocked by the other Satyrs lining up for their turn.
"Tolen!" Shadow shouted. As the closest guard to the helpless fox, the wolf sprang into action. Launching a hilt-blow to the face of the Satyr nearest himself, Shadow sprinted toward the wagon. Two Satyrs moved to block his path, each reaching at him with bloody claws. Faking to the right, the wolf quickly changed directions and raced past the first one... only to get a straight-arm blow to the neck. Shadow fell to the ground, and was pinned as a Satyr sprang atop him. The wolf began struggling as claws digits tore at his pants. The second satyr knelt down atop his shoulders, pinning him even more firmly. The wolf coughed at the musky scent of the humanoid's groin, almost choking at the stench of blood and sex already permeating from it.
"Away!" Majh shouted, stalking toward the caravan. Raising her holy symbol, she pointed, praying to Tah'Aveen for righteous retribution. One by one, the moment her finger identified them, the Satyrs burst into silver flame, burning to ash in a matter of seconds. The Satyrs atop Shadow and Tolen were immolated by the holy fire, though neither the wolf nor the fox were harmed by it. Shadow quickly got to his feet, while Tolen slumped to the ground, paws covering himself as he collapsed, crying and shivering.
The Satyrs surrounding the High Priest, in the meantime, were smited; holy light shone down onto them and, as one, they fell to the ground, slain. He turned to regard the rest of the goat men near him, "Who else wishes to test my Goddess' resolve?" and, at those simple words, they fled. Laughing, the polar bear looked around the field of battle, "It appears we've overcome that setback."
No sooner had he said it that several more of the inflicted victims of the Satyrs began screaming as their bodies went through changes. A human woman squirmed helplessly as her stomach bloated. Her cries reached a crescendo as her abdomen burst open; a howling Satyr rose up, looking down at the convulsing woman as she went through her death throes. Almost gingerly, he knelt down, and cradled her in his arms. It spoke softly to her, stroking her face as Nori approached it, hammer at the ready.
It turned gazing at the ferret, and looked back to the woman, brushing some of her hair out of her face even as she convulsed, and pressed his muzzle to her lips... it was not a gentle sentiment; the Satyr lewdly sliding his tongue into her mouth. She gagged, squirming for another moment before the creature dropped her, and stood up, erection quite obvious as a wide grin spread across his muzzle. He turned to face Nori... but his eyes went wide once saw the airborne ferret flying toward him. Nori's hammer made a resounding crunch as it smashed through the Satyr's skull.
Tolen remained on the ground, shivering and sputtering, face contorting in pain even as his legs twitched, toes curling as the little white claws at their tips blackened. Shadow was there a moment later, bloody and beaten, rags of his clothing still attached. He grabbed the fox, restraining him, "Fight it." he ordered, "Don't give in." Shadow gripped both of Tolen's paws by their wrist with one of his, holding him around the neck with his other arm, "Don't change, Tolen... in the name of the Goddess, don't become one of them..."
Gaerid approached the wolf and fox, ignoring the Satyr rushing in from the side. With a nod of his head toward a Satyr charging him, the bounty hunter released his animal companion. The humanoid was intercepted by Wyse, who bowled him over and, despite the Satyr's thrashing arms, pushed through the defenses and tore his throat out; Gaerid hadn't even paused. "He's changing." the rottweiler noted calmly.
"He'll fight it." Shadow countered, keeping hold of the stricken fox, "He can beat it."
Gaerod shook his head, "Were you?" he asked.
"No." the wolf noted with certainty, "They'd have to kill me first."
Loric made his way over to the gathering, pulling out a hand crossbow as a newly spawned Satyr rose up beside him. The arctic fox aimed the weapon at the Satyr's chest and loosed the quarrel, calmly putting it away as he approached, "Well... what have we here?"
"The change has begun..." Gaerid pointed out, tapping Tolen's quivering feet with the flat of his blade; fur was starting to fall off of the healer's feet, "He'll be one of them before long."
"Well... I suppose we can just end it now then." Loric responded, brandishing his sword. He didn't get a chance to strike, however, as he was bowled over by a Satyr that jumped down from the top of an adjacent covered wagon. Rolling onto his back, Loric planted his feet against the Satyr's midsection, and continued his roll, straightening his legs at the last minute to send the Satyr flying into an adjacent carriage. It got back up, pausing a moment to shake its head, clearing out the cobwebs caused by such a collision. It didn't have a chance to do much of anything else as Majh lodged a double-sided battle-axe into the carriage door, having first sent it clean through the Satyr's neck.
"Do it, Gaerid..." Loric noted, standing back up as he dusted himself off, "Finish him before he turns into one of those things."
"No one is killing anyone." Majh declared, pushing past Loric.
"He'll change, and try to turn more of us." the noble stated flatly.
"Not if he's not yet changed." the hyena noted, kneeling down next to the fox. Shadow continued to restrain him as Majh reached up and opened one of the fox's eyes. His pupil was contracted to a pin-point and his iris was rapidly turning red. "Close... but not gone." she declared.
"What can you do for him, Priestess?" Shadow asked.
"Stop the change." she declared, picking up Shadow's sword where it was resting on the ground. With a decisive strike, she buried the weapon half-way down the blade into Tolen's gut. The fox went rigid, breath half-caught in his muzzle... and his struggling stopped.
"By the Goddess!" Shadow bared his teeth, "you--"
"Saved him." Majh interrupted, slowly pulling the sword back out. At the tip of the blade, a small, ichory, coin-sized ball of blackness quivered... and then disappeared with an audible pop.
"If he doesn't bleed to death." Gaerid noted casually.
"Less talk, more stabbing." Majh waved him away, "Go see who else you can run through... and take Loric with you... I'm sure he'll enjoy the irony saving peoples' immortal souls by stabbing them in the stomach." with that, she turned back to Tolen, more focused on administering healing than the random efforts of the bounty hunter and the noble.
* * * * * *
The Shradian Group has completed Chapter 4.
Even after being exposed to the horrific reality of fighting Satyrs, the group emerged victorious!
After respective healing, injuries now show thusly: Tolen survived the infection and it was cleansed from him. After Majh's careful healing the fox has 1 Lethal wound remaining.
All characters also lose 1 Major Fatigue and all Minor Fatigue. Fatigue remains as follows: Majh and Nori both have 1 Major Fatigue.
They may elect to spend 1 Willpower to remove their Major Fatigue-- if Nori does it will leave him with 0 Willpower. Majh elects to do so and now has no fatigue. This chapter marked matured due due to the violence involved.
The party did manage to collect the Cloak of Disguise... and now it's time to vote as to who gets it.
Cloak of Disguise: allows the user to alter his or her appearance slightly as if using a utilization 3 Divination ability with a 15 skill. If the wielder is a Diviner he or she may instead spread this ability to as many allies as s/he desires at the cost of 1 Minor Fatigue per target, including the user. Either ability can be used once per event arc.
This chapter marked adult due to rape... and all that other horrific stuff.
Please watch for upcoming contribution opportunities as Chapter 5 will soon begin. Congratulations to the Shradian party for surviving Chapter 4!