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Post by Vincent on May 8, 2018 17:10:00 GMT -6
Aster did not seem fazed by these 'revelations' which showed he already knew about it. Vincent frowned at his lack of reaction and watched the noble as he looked over the 'spoils.' He started with the arm, "This is certainly a terrifying change to a man." He ran his fingers along the length of the rotted and darkened flesh. It was dry and shriveled tightly around the muscle and bones. He gripped the large talon that was once a hand and tore it out. "I hope you don't mind me taking this?"
"No... not at all..." Vincent's voice failed to mask his annoyance.
"And you say that there were more of these creatures down in the crypts?"
"Yeah. There are a lot more monsters down there. That was the only one of its kind we saw but with how bad things are down there I wouldn't be surprised if there were more or something worse in there. Or heck, if something we saw could mutate further. If that was originally the corpse of a man? There is no telling what kind of nightmare can manifest."
Aster stopped and pondered his words for a moment. "I will need to appeal to powers higher than myself if we are to get a force together capable of clearing those crypts of threats but... I'll see who's collar's I can tug." He then looked at the head and seemed legitimately surprised by it. "Scalped? And you took its head?"
Vincent nodded toward Duma for that one. "Yeah, that was him."
"Right..." he had ignored the comments about the previous fighters though and Vincent had an unpleasant expression anytime his back was turned.
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Post by Duma on May 13, 2018 17:21:35 GMT -6
"Might.. a been.. the corpses of multiple... bodies mutated into one." He made a motion with his hands. He ramed them against one another until his fingers interlaced.
"Shame we couldn't.. cut the leg to go with it. But... hey no taking the sword though... I've got dibs on it." Duma spoke as he pointed a finger at the blade. Duma didn't remember if he mentioned that earlier. But, it was at this point he realized he was talking sort of normal. His chest didn't hurt nearly as much now as it did then.
"Scalped..and..beheaded. We.. had..to make.. sure it.. was.. really.. dead." The swordmaster added. Undead or not few things in this world survived without their heads. Chickens sometimes lived for a few moments without their heads. Duma learned that during his time with the nomads. Duma's head turned to Vincent then back at the man then back at Vincent again. Even if he was half loopy with medication he could tell that Vincent was clearly uncomfortable around this man. He had addressed him as a sort of lord. And Duma had to guess he was the one that gave them the job in the first place. Duma didn't meet him initially. He sorta jumped in with Vincent in the beginning.. right? Right? Maybe? Remembering things is hard. He'd question why things were such a blur later. But, right now he wanted some answers. Who was this man? Why was he taking Vincent's new walking arm? And how much were they going to get paid for their work?
"It might be the potions talking.. or.. the.. injuries... but.. I can't.... remeber.. Who are you?"
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Post by Vincent on May 17, 2018 13:22:30 GMT -6
"I daresay I would expect you not to know who I am if Vincent hired you on as an extra hand for the job. My name is Aster, I serve as overseer of this town. Not the most glamorous of roles," he admitted, "but I take my part very seriously. With the rumors of the crypts leaking out the dead I needed to make sure it was seen to, and with Vincent here being someone I trust to see a job through I thought who better to give the job to." ... "Oh yes, my name is Aster."
Vincent groaned as he shifted in his seat getting himself into a slightly more comfortable position. "Yeah, remember that shaman and acolyte that tried to kill me? They were related to a job I'm doing for him."
Aster looked stunned a moment as Vincent spoke of it and cast a concerned glance his way and a less than happy one toward Duma. "You told him of it then?"
"No, but we chanced a meeting at a very good time. Don't worry, I haven't given him all the details but if we can trust anyone its him." Vincent grinned at Duma apologetically. He was dragging him into some bigger mission whether that meant helping or simply keeping the secret would remain to be seen, but it would also give Duma his answers.
"I see... Duma, you may keep the blade, it seems you more than earned it but as for gold that will remain to be seen by Vincent's good graces."
Vincent was expecting that much. "Don't worry, I'll give you at least half the pay." But what about the others that failed before? "But, all that aside, Lord Aster, who are the people that left that blade down there in the first place?"
Aster hesitated to answer a moment looking lost in thought and distant, "I'm afraid I do not know. Perhaps a wayward soul or two realized the issue and thought to tend to it on their own accord?" He pitched the idea but Vincent was ill convinced. Still, he kept his mouth shut.
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Post by Duma on May 23, 2018 18:33:06 GMT -6
"I heard your name the first time, Aster." Almost immediately Duma did not like this man. Something about him rubbed the swordsman the wrong way. Perhaps it was due to the fact that he was a man in power and the swordsman was currently confined to an infirmary bed. The swordsman didn't have any problem with lords or lady's before so why did this guy seem off?
"Ah.. right.. I remember those two knuckleheads. Tweedle Dee and Dum." He remembered how miserable Vincent looked during that whole predicament. And how that duo tried to manipulate him with false words. They called Vincent a liar and told him that Mila was alive. He closed his eyes. He took a deep breath, regretted it, and exhaled. He chose to ignore the comment about gold for now. The swordsman didn't care much about payment at this moment. He was grateful to be alive and in recovery than dead. This lord was lying. Vincent may have been obligated to keep quiet. He was under Aster's contract after all.
"Vincent may be.. being.. polite.. but I'm not. I'm not... bound to you by contract..." That's it Duma be blunt.
"Way..ward.. souls.. my ass. The weapons.. upon the beasts back and body.. they were too many to be done by random strangers. Arrows littered it's backside as if it were hit by a barrage." Duma gritted his teeth slightly. Pain shot up his chest and into his throat. Ow. Don't overdo it. He took a slightly smaller breath and gulped lightly.
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Post by Vincent on May 25, 2018 14:28:20 GMT -6
"..." Aster went from a frown to a subtle grin. He stepped over to Duma and silently looked at him for a moment. He knew something about Duma, a great many things for that matter but he remained silent about it. "You asked me who I am and then insist you heard my name the first time, you are speaking very curtly with me and were I a less kind man I would not tolerate this behavior, but be that as it may I will let it slide this one time."
Vincent tried to keep quiet but this was strange to Phoenix Heart as well. 'Partner, this guy... I can feel something from him, something intense.'
'How do you mean?' last time Vincent saw Aster he had to leave his weapons behind so this was the first time Phoenix Heart came into contact with him and if they found something strange about him then Vincent had to listen, not that Aster was acting particularly normal right now anyway. "Lord Aster, if I may interject, Duma is right and you weren't exactly surprised to learn about what was found, so let's just stop dodging the issue and just tell us what really happened." Vincent could tell Duma was clearly struggling to speak still and it would be best if he did not need to.
Aster looked at Vincent then to Duma and back before sighing. "Alright, Vincent you are not the first hero I sent to deal with the problem. There was another team I thought had promise and were well equipped to deal with it, or so I thought."
Vincent's eyes flared with a pale light, it would seem Phoenix Heart was even angry. "What!? Why not tell me!? Or warn me then!? If I was alone, or with anyone less skilled than Duma, and let me just say I don't know many people that match his skills, I would be dead too!"
"But you won, my faith in you was clearly founded."
"Founded!? You got lucky!" Vincent wanted to hit someone but he could not stand up, infuriating!
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Post by Duma on May 26, 2018 20:19:58 GMT -6
"You said your.. name.. twice.. in the..same breath.." Duma replied to Aster's comment.
"I'm not.. afraid.. of you. I.. have.. no contract with you. Noble.. or not. You sent us on what..was.. a suicide mission. Now.. those.. things... know.. we.. can kill one.. of their own. If.. they.. are.." He coughed. His body did not like all this talking. But, he wanted to keep talking. He had to say what needed to be said.
"Ugh.. Intelligent.. then.. they.. will.. be.. more.. vigilant. You may have.. unwittingly put this entire town.. in.. danger.. merely.. to.. test.. one.. person. I..question.. your.. sanity.. sir." He closed his eyes. He was trying his hardest not to cough. But, the urge came and he couldn't fight it. He raised his hand over his mouth and coughed. A sickening sort of sludge came up from his throat and out onto his hand. The swordsman grabbed a nearby rag and wiped it out. He hated feeling this vulnerable. He decided to stop talking and quietly tilted his head back. He took several breaths in a futile attempt to relax. Vincent was going to have to do the rest of the talking for now on. The green-clad swordsman hoped that Vincent subtly understood what he was trying to say with all his bluntness. Duma did not trust this man. Though the circumstances for Vincent might be different. He was bound to this nobleman by contract. Okay. He sounds like he's already upset at the whole thing. That's good. He's getting it. The swordsman grabbed a mug of water mixed with medicine and took a sip. Ok. Easy.. now.. easy.. We won't.. be.. able.. to listen.. properly.. if.. we cough up.. a lung..
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Post by Vincent on Jul 24, 2018 2:55:30 GMT -6
He questioned Aster's sanity. Duma's words cut deep into Aster and it reflected as his face twisted and contorted like he had just tasted a sour lemon. Aster's right hand began to reach out reflexively for Duma's throat. How easy it could be to just crush his windpipe and let him choke. His eyes were intense but his hand stopped and lowered to his side. "Monsters and beasts are all the same. They have no intelligence to speak of. What occurred here tonight was a major victory and should be treated as one. To slay an entombed so mutated is no mean feat." Aster clenched his fist and began to pace the room again. 'Did I tell him my name again?'
"Lord Aster, we can discuss things more later but for now I believe we should all just take some time to rest. Whether or not these creatures are intelligent is merely speculation as of now and what we have confirmed is that in the catacombs below the city lie monsters potentially without numbers."
"Catacombs? That was merely a tomb I sent you to investigate, and I never said to enter it, just to look out for the creature that was roaming at night." Aster cupped his chin in thought. "To think that a single tomb could be so overran though... that is a concern to look into further. I will put out a request for a team to clear it out. If you two are recovered by then, by all means feel free to join on."
That wasn't quite what Vincent meant but it was a start. He looked toward Duma who was clearly still struggling. "I'll be there if at all possible. I want to see this to its end." 'If it's possible' he thought as his leg throbbed.
"There is much to do so I will be going. If you wish to speak to me more then come to my manor when you are feeling better and not to mentally strained by pain, yes?" Aster moved to leave with the Entombed's claw in hand.
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Post by Duma on Aug 9, 2018 19:20:16 GMT -6
Yes. A major victory. It does not feel like a victory. It does not feel right. This was nothing. The swordsman mused to himself. He watched as Aster's expression soured as if he had tasted vinegar. Good. Serves him right. Duma didn't particularly like the sudden movement towards his throat. Duma kept his gaze towards the man. He was in no condition to fight. He was weaponless. The daggers he used to carry were lodged somewhere in that entombed's body. If not on the ground somewhere around the tomb. His signature cloak hung on a rack nearby. His sword was close by but he could not move his arms well enough to get it. Duma doubted the lord would actually kill him though. Not while Vincent was in the room a few feet away from him.
"Twas.. no.. ordinary..." He couldn't even finish the damn sentance. The swordsman decided to give up talking for the rest of the day. He now knew he did not like Aster. Not one bit. Duma made no protest to Aster claiming the arm. The swordsman just laid there. He relaxed his body further into the bed and tried his best to keep himself awake. He felt something in his throat, that led to a particularly painful coughing fit. He covered his mouth with his hand. He closed his eyes and grimaced a bit. The swordsman did not want to know what sort of thing was oozing out of his mouth. He grabbed the closest cloth he could and bunched it up towards his mouth. He spat out what he could and rested his back on the bed. He couldn't fight it any more, his body demanded more rest. It was only when Aster left that Duma managed to wheeze out a few more words.
"Your.. boss.. sucks." He blurted out before closing his eyes.
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Post by Vincent on Aug 15, 2018 16:32:15 GMT -6
It was over now and Vincent and Duma could both rest at last. Aster's visit had bothered and outright disturbed everyone involved. The reaction of Phoenix Heart disturbed Vincent most of all but Duma's gut seemed just as reliable. "Your... boss... sucks." Duma blurted the words before passing into sleep. If everything that led the two of them here were less dire Vincent would have laughed, or at least chuckled. "Yeah, he really does suck, doesn't he?" Vincent leaned back into his own seat and stared at the ceiling above them. He wanted to rest but his despite his weariness sleep eluded him. 'Hey, Phoenix Heart? What exactly did you sense off of Lord Aster? He looked sullen and tired but I'm not really good at that sort of thing.' 'Magic, that man is stained and bathed in it. From within its as though his very essence is being replaced by nether and from the outside his body has come into contact with something very old, and very powerful.' Vincent hoped for answers from Phoenix Heart but in asking his question he was left with nothing but more questions. 'I don't know what any of that is supposed to mean though. His soul replaced by the nether? That sounds like...' Vincent's mind trailed off to Burt. 'I know what you're thinking but that is not quite it. He is nothing like that monster but there is something there that I cannot explain. Forgive me.' 'Woah, woah, woah, you're asking ME for forgiveness? Keep this up and I'm going to start thinking you were replaced. The snark is gone and that is strange to me.' Vincent smirked before letting out a heavy sigh. He wanted to tell Duma about Mila, but she needed to give him her blessing to do so first. He would see her again and ask her, but for now the two of them just needed rest, and maybe an extended vacation.
[End Thread]
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