Blood from Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"Get Don out," grunts Carver to his uncle. "I'll hold them here. Go!" 

[Tethras Clan]

Gamlen gives Carver a dubious look. "I know Amell women- if I come back without you, I best not bother. So you keep your hide intact, ya hear boy?" With that, he grabs a handful of salt and heads for Miki. As he passes by one of the Sons, he whistles sharply to get his attention, then tosses the crystals in his face. 

[NPCs]

The wizard stares a moment, then laughs. "Priest are you? All the better." His voice is soft, almost lazy. For those words at least. What he says next.. Well. "Mi postulas la servon de unu ĵuris al mia mastro!" The words themselves are alien. Sterile and unyielding, ruthlessly without compassion, generosity or forgiveness. Diabolic. A sharp crack echos in the room, followed by the stench of old blood, fire, dirty fur and piss. A head thrusts it way from a red glow next to the caster, which is quickly followed by a twisted version of a wolf. Bloodred fur, glowing red eyes, bleached bone colored claws and broken fangs in a mouth filled with drool. The hellhound takes a single step towards Miki, a deep rumble in its chest, when it's broadsided by a furious mabari. 

[GamesMaster]

Miki swallows hard. I am a fierce hunter! I am a warrior of the Tribe! I am not afraid of dogs! 

Then he rushes forward, fangs and claws growing as he helps Silence attack the canine. 

[Carver Amell]

Carver backs up, following Gamlen a bit, but only so he can chuck a stone at the caster. When he has the man's attention, he levels his sword at him, burning with the holy light of Vangal. 

"Oi! Leave my brothers alone, <catfolk>shitstain!" he says, as he feels the Smite settle on the man. Good. Figured he had to be Evil.

[NPCs]

"Vangalite!" A beat later, Pandias recognizes who said paladin is. "You!" His gaze sweeps the room, then relaxes as he doesn't spot Beth. "Well, well. This is a glorious day! The thief and the fool, both removed from my path!" He cackles once, then gestures at Carver, causing a twisting mass of black flames to pour from his hand. As it travels across the room, they squirm into the shape of a swarm of skulls. Just as it hits the first person- for the wizard doesn't seem to mind hitting his supposed allies- the jaws slam out and they begin to wail a chorus of the damned. The flames sear and char, but the screams attack the mind, driving everyone they burn mad with despair and fear.

[Carver Amell]

Carver cuts a swath through the skulls, letting the heat wash over him. Foolish, roasting his allies. Leaves him open to my attack.

He then rushes forward, trying to get close up in range. He won't be expecting my skill -- nobody is, only seeing my lack of formal training.

[NPCs]

And, true enough, the... wizard? Cleric? The man seems to be casting a strange mix of spells. Regardless, he was not expecting Carver to shrug off the sheet of cursed fire nearly so well as he did. The two Sons still upright and alive near the door seem more interested in being in pain than whatever Carver feels like doing, so the paladin-in-training but hero-already is free to move in as he plans. Don is.. well, curled up in a ball on the ground with Gamlen struggling to lift him, so he's fine for now. Probably. Silence and Miki are struggling a bit with the hellhound. Normally, the mabari would have little trouble with her foe, but she's tired, wounded and half blind. Miki is keeping her alive for now with his support but... not for much later really.

Scowling, the noble falls back as he begins to cast- not at Carver, but at Miki and Silence. "Are they are durable as you?" he calls out with a grin, hoping to divert the paladin with a threat to his allies.

[Carver Amell]

"Try it," he growls, trying to foul his spellcasting with his weapon. I only promised Don, not Silence, the analytical part of him offers, but he thrusts it aside. Family includes Mabari.

[NPCs]

The spell launches before Carver can get in range, another wailing mass of fire slamming into the cat and dog fight. Silence manages to body check Miki behind a crate, sparing him and herself most of the hit but they still get burned. The hellhound, naturally isn't harmed at all and lunges for Miki with a savage growl.

And then Carver is there, blade coming down to catch the caster in the shoulder. The greatsword sings in the air, the non-ferrous blade slicing the air. But not the caster, who defects the blade with his hand. His purple black, taloned hand that has erupted from his back. Grinning with pointed fangs, Pandis smirks. "Surprised, fool?" His voice echoes as if two speakers were using his throat at the same time, one a much deeper pitch. "You have no idea what I am, what I can do."

[Carver Amell]

Shit. Gamlen better be running with Don, he growls, then there's no energy for thinking, just for feeling his way through the fight.

[NPCs]

Using the two diabolic hands to parry and deflect the blade, Pandias- or whoever, whatever, the foe Carver faces should properly be named- is able to continue casting despite being so closely pressed. The fight is... savage and bloody. Pandias is clearly possessed by a fairly powerful devil in addition to his own power. Carver is no slouch, but... he's tired. He's already used his healing, he's been up since yesterday morning and he's already gone through a half dozen opponents. The fight is slowly turning against Carver when he gets a tiny miracle. 

Also a furry one. Miki, blood streaming down his face from a gash running from the stump of his right ear to his forehead, comes up behind Pandevil and tosses a blanket over his head. To the side, Gamlen has gotten Don upright and leaning on a limping Silence, leaving him to draw his dagger again. Not that he seems sure how to help, or even sure he wants to. Behind them is a pile of slowly vanishing charred fur and black blood. 

[Carver Amell]

Dammit, I said get him out of here! Carver smiles despite himself, to see Miki helping. "Go, get the wounded out," he calls to Gamlen. "Can't withdraw until you're out safe." 

[Tethras Clan]

With a snarl, Pandias reaches up to rip the blanket off, though not before Carver has gotten in a solid hit across his chest. Taking a step to the side, he glares behind him, then gestures sharply. Another swirl of fire starts to form, more than enough to kill the already wounded Miki, but he falters when a dagger hits him in the shoulder. Glances off, but it makes him look over at Gamlen, who is already grabbing a tin of preserved meat. "Come on, you ugly little shit. You must have those hands for more than jerking yourself off while you tortu-"

He never gets to finish, the wave of fire searing him down to the bone.

[Carver Amell]

Carver lets out a roar of pain and rage he wasn't sure he'd feel as he swings, taking the man's head off with one neat stroke.

And then it's over, just him and Miki and Silence and the still-blind Don, in the heart of the Keeper's Hall, with his uncle's corpse. 

How am I going to tell Mother?