Fantasy For my Family

[HilgenHoffer]

Rudd stepped forward with a cheery bounce. "I reckon! I'm one of them, after all. Erm, adopted, that is. I don't know this place too awful well, but I can at least getcha that far." He gestured for Jyttera to follow as he began marching briskly towards the large, homely cabin off in the distance. "So, what's got you so bustin' eager to get in on the tourney? Got a ladyfriend to impress or somethin?"

 

[Ixidor92]

Jaeger slowed as he walked down the street. He sniffed the air a couple of times . . . it was faint, but he could smell the taint of fell ones. His eyes narrowed as his nose located the source, except it was a man. Or at least he appeared to be a man. He stopped in front of the 'man' and glared him down.


"I will ask only once: be you man, or beast?"


---------------------------


Aatron was somewhat surprised to hear the voice of Odom from across the coliseum, though it was mingled with other voices, none of which Aatron recognized. His eyes narrowed as he closed and saw members of other families there.


"Odom."


His voice was simple, but authoritative , as he closed. He had taken the precaution of bringing his naginata, and loosened its strap slightly.

 

[HilgenHoffer]

Odom spun on his heel at the sound of his name. "Aatron! How fortuitous that the heir should arrive. Perhaps you, too, would like to mingle with the other competitors? I may suggest that it would be a better alternative than soiling your poor lady. Red is a lovely color, but she doesn't enjoy wearing it, I think." He glanced with something akin to sadness at Aatron's naginata, shaking his head as if in pity.

 

[Twizinator]

Ryrax grinned slowly, a crazed look in his uncovered left eye. "Good question," was all he answered, as he sniffed a few times. Something was very off about this man...even for a Xevren. As they stared each other down the crowd dispersed, as if a bubble had formed around them, roughly five meters in radius. The crowd flowed around the two, desperate to stay away from both of them. Ryrax unconsciously rested the palm of his right hand on the butt of his sword. "Which one do YOU think I am?" he said after nearly a minute of tense silence.


-----


Oliver looked over to the new arrival. He didn't recognize this man at all. Judging from the weapon, however, he was probably a Maveret. "Aatron, was it?" he said with a half-smile in greeting. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance! I am Oliver Montacus Layfaire III, the Chaos Hammer Monk! Will you be taking part in this tournament of champions?"

 

[Ixidor92]

"You reek of the fell ones. I would be just as inclined to believe you were one of them if not for the scent of mana twisted within it. What have you done to create such a fowl power?"


His eyes never wavered from the man's own in front of him. Some red started to seep from his back into the base of his wings however, stretching them slightly


-----------------------


"Valk!"


A booming voice rang over the estate as the young man came running to the head of the Trevastos family, dropping on one knee once he arrived.


"Yes father?"


"Ready yourself for battle, it seems there might be some excitement before I meet with the other family heads."


The older man turned slightly, looking seemingly off into the blank horizon . . . only there was a barely visible red cloud out in the distance


-----------------------


Aatron narrowed his eyes further at Odom, seemingly ignoring the boisterous man in Oliver.


"Odom, you should return to the Maveret estate. There is nothing to be gained by interacting with the other families here."


His glare passed over the different crests on the assortment, none of them were Maveret or Naejor, so he automatically assumed the worst in them.

 

[HilgenHoffer]

Odom frowned. "The estate? She is a boring and stoic mistress. The wind told me I'd find a better companion in the arena, and behold, there are multiple! All of them with happier eyes than yours, may I add. Oh, except for the one with the bird hair. His had rather a rude mouth on them." He turned to face the others. "You'll have to excuse my comrade; his smile has forgotten its residence for some time. If you find it, I do implore that you return it to him. He is badly in need of it."

 

[Twizinator]

"Ha! Foul?! We are not so different, Xevren!" Ryrax retorted. The air around him was heavy and cold as his aura slowly expanded. "We both gain power by discarding our humanity. Or have you already forgotten that night?" He chuckled darkly as his eye bore into Jaeger's own. "I know all about what happened to you and your darling little sister. Why don't you bring THAT out again?" He took his hand off his sword's end and tapped his index finger slowly against his right temple, right by his eyepatch. "You know what they say...show me yours, I'll show you mine."


-----


Oliver scoffed. "What's wrong with a bit of friendly camaraderie? I see no harm in chatting with members of other families, though we may soon be opponents in this tournament. At the end of the day, we're all on the same side against the Fell Ones, after all."

 

[Ixidor92]

"Odom."


Aatron's eyes bored into the man's own


"This is not a request."


He finally turned to look at the boisterous man so titled 'chaos hammer'


"There is no 'friendly camaraderie' to be had here. You turned away from the old arts, put aside the discipline that separates us from beasts."


---------------------------------


Jaeger's eyes narrowed even further, the corner of his mouth splitting as a snarl started


"That's not your business Vejta, that's not anyone's business."

 

[HilgenHoffer]

Odom laughed. "The heir to your line you may be, but superior of Odom you are not. I'm afraid that requesting is the only road at your arrogant feet, whether or not they choose to walk it. And as for camaraderie, is that not why we are here? I have no wish but to engage in amusing combative antics with the rest of the whisperers. Surely this is not a cause for your lips to tremble."

 

[Twizinator]

Rryax answered the snarl by widening his grin unnervingly. "Hahahah! How long ago was that...about ten years now, right? Wouldn't your sis be about fourteen or fifteen now...?" He licked his lips slowly. "I wonder if she'll be in this years tournament..." he said with an ominous laugh.


-----


"I don't know what you mean!" Oliver said to Aatron. "Everyone fights differently. What matters in the end is simply who wins!"

 

[Ixidor92]

Xevren's foot flew up into Ryrax's jaw, and crimson seeped into his iris'


"You touch her and you're a dead man."


His teeth grit together before a small voice behind him gave him a start


"Jaeger? What are you doing over here?"


Valera was standing behind him, a look of worry on her face at the sight of crimson over his features.


--------------------


Oliver found the blade of Aatron's naginata inches from his face


"That mindset is what drives people to fall. To ignore the old arts and discipline is to turn our back on what separates us from those we fight. I will not repeat myself."

 

[Twizinator]

Ryrax had taken a defensive jump backwards just before impact, but even so he grabbed his chin in his left hand. That kick hurt, but it would've been way worse if he hadn't reacted...


"Ah, speak of the devil, here she is!" he said over Jaeger's shoulder, taking in the young woman behind him. "She'll be quite the catch in another...four, five years I'd say." He turned on his heel to face away from Jaeger but immediately shot backwards with his TK power, stopping suddenly next to Valera. He turned to face her and bowed deeply, almost sarcastically. "A pleasure to meet you, girl. My name is Ryrax." He took her hand and gave it a respectful kiss like a noble would a noblewoman. "What is you're name, sweet cheeks?" he asked with his manic expression boring into her eyes.


-----


Oliver calmly placed his right hand on the back of the naginata's blade, forcing it down away from his neck. "And if you blindly follow the old arts and discipline it is impossible to innovate and improve. I'm not like you, kid. You're a slave to tradition, it would seem. I'm what you could call a one-man renaissance. I'll show the world the glory of my fist. The last and best Layfaire will give a show-stopping performance with the tournament as his stage. Look forward to it!" he said with a jovial laugh.

 

[Ixidor92]

Valera gave a sharp intake of breath when Ryrax teleported in front of her, pulling back slightly when he was finished.


"It's . . . Valera . . . why--Jaeger?!"


There were several screams from the street as people ran away from the sight. Wrapped around Ryrax's neck, and directly in front of his throat, was a crimson, clawed hand. Behind him, Jaeger stood with wings outstretched, and a tail twitching behind him


"You get your hands off her this instant. And maybe I won't rip your entrails out through your voice box."

 

[Twizinator]

Ryrax didn't even flinch; he didn't even look behind him as he addressed the man. "Now, now...Jaeger, was it? It wouldn't do to lose your head for such a trivial matter. I merely wanted to introduce myself, and this is how you react?" He sighed dramatically, closing his eye briefly. He opened it, still looking at Valera, and now addressed her. "So this is your brother, eh? A bit protective if you ask me. You'll never get a decent guy with him breathin' down their necks. Ah well. Do me a favor, doll? Tell him to leggo. I'd rather not hurt him, it would be a waste of his life and my time." Ryrax had put his hand on his sword's pommel again, and had pushed it down so that the blade's tip now pointed at Jaeger's heart. He hadn't even drawn his sword, yet with Ryrax's artes, he didn't need to: he could blast Jaeger with ice and freeze him solid. "Besides, if I'd wanted to hurt you, I could have done so already, with hilarious ease, I might add. You don't need to be scared of me, though. I wouldn't DREAM of hurting such a pretty face. You have such potential, too. I'd be a fool to kill you!" he spoke surprisingly gently, but he still had an unnerving expression of amusement on his face.

 

[Ixidor92]

There was a resounding *smack* that echoed through the street. Valera had in fact brought her hand to bear against Ryrax's cheek. Her eyes were slanted in a glare somewhat akin to her brother's


"Come on Jaeger, a beast like this isn't worth your time."


She didn't say anything more before turning around and curtly walking back towards the Xevren estate, her tail of crimson hair swinging back and forth as she walked. Jaeger couldn't help but smile as she turned around, and he slowly pulled himself back from the creature in front of him.


"Whatever business you had that night, my sister stays out of it--"


He walked past Ryrax, his tail and wings still very prominently crimson


"Or these claws will be dyed a deeper crimson than they already are."


-----------------------


"I do not look forward to your 'performance' so-called Layfaire, I will merely accept it for the brutish thing that it is. And when the time to release attack dogs is necessary, maybe I will seek out your talents."

 

[Twizinator]

Ryrax stood in silence for a few seconds as the two Xevrens walked away, but soon spoke. "That Fell One that slayed your family...it was A-Class, if I remember correctly." He closed his uncovered eye as he remembered. "Ten years ago I stood on a far hill, having followed the incredible scent of an amazing monster. As I gazed down at the chaos before me, I saw a lone boy turn into a demon. It was quite the sight, monster versus monster. You were still a snot-nosed brat at the time, yet you fought to a standstill. Very impressive..." He opened his eye and dashed in-between Jaeger and Valera, walking backwards so he could face Jaeger. He kept hands in his pockets but still gave off his chilling aura, and had a malevolent grin on his face. "You became a monster to combat a monster. Like I said, we aren't so different." His eye widened slightly, as did his grin. "However, unlike you, I don't hesitate. You could have killed me a few times now, had you not hesitated. That pause in your decisiveness will be the death of you...or your slap-happy sis." He chuckled darkly. "Speaking of," he said, backflipping to land about a foot in front of Valera, "I think I owe you for that slap..." he said as his grin fell, and he glared down at her and slowly licked his lips. His right arm flew towards her throat but about six inches before he reached her, he stopped dead. After a few moments he stuck his nose skyward and sniffed the air a few times. His eye widened slightly as he turned on his heel and bolted off away from the two Xevrens and towards a rather delicious scent...


-----


"Haha! It appears I'll have to educate you in the artes of a Layfaire! When the time comes for us to honorably battle, I'll show you the power of the Chaos Hammer Monk!" He laughed raucously once more while smiling ear to ear like a total idiot. Oliver didn't have even an ounce of uncertainty in his power.

 

[HilgenHoffer]

Meeting new people was good, but bickering was even more of a waste of precious time than watching the grass grow, so Odom took his chance and left. Chances were that the others wouldn't even notice his leaving, given his habit of quiet steps and opportunistic timing. He wondered if the kitchens were open. The thought of stacking his food set his mouth to watering, and he picked up his pace. Before long, he was laughing at the gawking faces far below as he flew haphazardly through the air towards the Maveret estate.


-----


Rudd's casual conversation with Jyttera was cut short as they approached the main gate of the Vejta estate, which was overflowing with an abnormal commotion. He searched for a moment until he picked out the head of his line, and wove a path through the bustle. "Is something amiss? There're as many swords about as a wolverine's got teeth."

 

[Ixidor92]

Jaeger had already pulled Valera away with his tail, but stopped in his Tracks as Rryax dashed away.


"Wha--what was that?"


Valera looked up at Jaeger, fear in her eyes


"A nightmare. Come on, let's get back to the estate."


-----------------------


A member of the Vejta family turned in response to Rudd's question.


"There's a massive horde of Fell ones nearby, the clan leader is gathering a troop to intercept them."


The atmosphere in the area had completely changed from what it was usually. Dead serious, cautious.


----------------------


Valk's eyes flashed briefly as he followed his father's gaze. His fists clenched tighter and he looked at the man's back.


"Father--"


"I know. Go."


Travestos' hair was ruffled briefly as an explosion rang out through the air. Other family members were coming, but Valk was already flying towards the horde.


---------------------


Aatron shook his head and turned around


"Wisdom is wasted on mutts like you."


Aatron turned around and walked back to the villa, ready for the coming of the horde

 

[Twizinator]

Oliver turned away from Aatron just in time to see one of the clan leaders of Trevastos appear in an entrance to the arena and beckon Oliver over. He strode over immediately. "Yes?" He inquired.


"Fell Ones, Oliver, and quite the horde of them too," the man replied. "We have plenty of people to serve on the front lines. I've come to request that you take up a position near the outer edge of the Neutral Ground to serve as a defensive buffer. Do not let a single Fell One through."


Oliver nodded and cracked his knuckles. "Not a problem! Those monsters won't take a single step into our land, I'll make sure of that!" he said and rushed out of the arena. He soon arrived at his residence and donned his battle gear. Once he was fitted he charged off towards exit of the Neutral Grounds and towards the crimson cloud on the horizon.


-----


Ryrax, meanwhile, had just arrived with a skidding halt to the front line of the few mana risers who had already gathered to fight this horde of fell ones. Ryrax could smell innumerable C-class fell ones as they swarmed down the hill in the distance. They would come crashing into this line of defenders in minutes. He grinned to himself as he drew his weapon: a single-edged, straight-bladed, black short sword. He flourished it in his hand lazily as he waited on the balls of his feet. He was like a hunter ready to pounce. The mana risers nearest him noticeably shrunk away from him. However, from behind, a young man with white hair was rocketing towards him with incredible speed...

 

[Ixidor92]

Front guard. Irrelevant. They would handle whatever was left. Valk dashed through the ground of people, hair and cloth bristling with the sudden influx of electricity in the air. There was a massive shout as he collided with the front of the horde, along with a huge explosion of electricity. C-class fell ones, some in the shape of apes, others rhinos, some even tigers, all flew from the force of the impact.

 

[Twizinator]

Ryrax couldn't hold back any longer: he charged with wild abandon straight into the fray. Fell ones were sliced and diced, as limbs flew through the air. Some were frozen into crystals of ice before they even hit the ground. He danced through the horde, eviscerating everything in his path.


"AAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" he laughed manically as he fought. He resisted the urge to feed; he knew he wouldn't get away with that in present company. Also, though he seemed like a wild animal, he had the wisdom to know not to overdo it: he was using his telekinesis only barely, augmenting his strength and speed, which took minimal effort. There was little sense in using it to fly or to fling objects around with so many enemies present: that would only serve to tire him out. He hacked through another fell one, this one almost like a gigantic boar, and continued his dervish dance of blood and ice. Another boar-like fell one charged him, and he grinned wildly as he brought his heel crashing down on its snout, stopping it dead in its tracks. He jabbed his sword through its skull to seal the deal. Inwardly he wondered when Rudd would get here, assuming he was coming at all. He hadn't gotten much of an opportunity to see the boy fight, so he wanted to see the kid's fighting style more in-depth.


-----


Oliver caught sight of Valk just as he smashed into the horde, lightning and all. Oliver grinned to himself as he launched himself into the air. "Fear not, my compatriots, OLIVER MONTACUS LAYFAIRE III HAS ARRIVED!" he exclaimed as he flew through the air, and came crashing down on a large snake-like fell one, crushing its skull under his hammer arm. He smashed and bashed each monster as they attacked. "Foolish beasts!" he said as he fought, "Do you truly believe that you shall prevail this day? Indeed, you might have had a chance until I arrived! Unfortunately for you, your defeat was assured from the day I could form a fist!" he finished as he bashed in the skull of a lion-like fell one, which crumpled to the ground, dead.


Suddenly, an elephant-like fell one came charging at him. "Oho! Quite the large one you are! Brazen too, seeing as you charge me with no hesitation. Admirable spirit! I will honor you with one of my signature attacks!" he said as he brought his hammer arm back, and started channeling fire mana. Flames soon enveloped his right forearm, swirling faster and faster around it. "Remember this attack in your next life! HAMMER OF HELIOS!" He shouted as he brought his flaming hammer arm crashing into the fell one as it reached him. A massive explosion rocked the earth, and smoke billowed from a new crater in the ground. Oliver now stood in the center of that crater, and the fell one he had punched was nowhere to be seen. "Haaaahahahaha! Who would like to test their luck next?!" he said jovially. Without waiting for an answer, he dove back into the fray.

 

[Ixidor92]

Valk leapt off different c-class fell ones, barely registering their presence as he charged towards his goal--one of the four B-class fell ones in the horde. This particular one was about the size of a five-story building, and seemed to be a pile of walking boulders with a red sheen. Valk saw his chance and bolted from the ground, leaving a small crater (complete with fell one remains) from where he leapt. There was a massive *crack* that resounded throughout the area as a flash emanated from the fell one's head. Followed immediately by it groaning back as a shockwave flew over the horde from the impact of Valk's attack.


-----------------------


"There's what heading towards the neutral grounds?!"


Aatron slammed both his hands on the table, eyes wide at his father


"You heard me right Aatron. There is a horde with four B-class fell ones headed straight for this area. The Travestos and Vejta families have already sent response team, as well as three of the minor families that have come to participate."


"So we are to--"


"You are to remain at the entrance to the neutral grounds. Should any fell ones make it through to the outside wall, you are our final defense."


Aatron clenched his fists slightly, but only slightly, before taking a deep breath


"As you wish father."


------------------------


Jaeger flew above the clouds, a few other Xevren family members capable of flight alongside him. They were to provide aerial support to the teams already sent out. He flinched slightly as a crack resounded through the area, looking down to find his source.


"Wait . . . is that man seriously taking on a B-class fell one by himself?!"


Jaeger shook his head and folded his wings, pulling into a dive that took him beneath the clouds.

 

[HilgenHoffer]

Rudd stared blankly into the mass. His eyes were too wide to tell, but he was looking at the seven-story tall gorilla with a trio of goat heads. "Sir, I respect your judgement and all, but that thang's bigger than the house I grew up in."


The old man chuckled at him, shaking his head. "I'm sure you'll think of something." With that, he gave the young farmer a gentle push towards the hoard. The kid had more strength than he knew, and the only way for him to test it for himself was to discover it firsthand. By now, the B-class was a suitable challenge.


Rudd paused, swallowed audibly, and started walking forward, eyes gazing upward at the impossibly huge monstrosity. He shook his head and slapped his cheeks a couple of times, speeding up to a jog and then a run as he steeled himself for the fight to come. If the old man said he could do it, that had to be the truth. There was no way he'd abandon his people after so short a time for such a petty thing as death. "Alright, you unnatural, uncivilized, stupid son of a filthy, no-account, muk-eatin' swine. I'ma gonna give you a taste of the men of Maasmechelen! Ah hope ya like em' country fried, ugly!" He didn't know it, but he was bounding in leaps faster and longer than most could ever dream to achieve as he threw his fist at the first elephantine creature between him and his mark.


-----


Jaeger's panic was replaced by confusion as he discovered the source of the weight on his foot. The blond man was pointing fervently down towards a massive redwood tree within the front ranks of the hoard.


"There!" Odom cried with anticipation. "Drop me there!"


Falling had always been a thrilling sensation. He cackled to himself as he spread his limbs, stabilizing his descent by cooperating with the wind. He asked it for a lift, and it took him to the top of the tree.


The tree that he would be asking to take a very long nap.


From above, the Xevrens watched open mouthed as the ancient tree let go of its roots and toppled, not only crushing fell ones but also sending cracks into the earth that swallowed yet more. Leaves began to fly out one by one, and hit lions, gorillas and rhinos with such force that they flew into their own pack, causing a tumult of grotesque dominoes.


Odom was positively thrilled. These games were the real spice of life. As he tossed leaves about as shuriken, he spun his head around, searching for the next tool in the chain of his destruction. A river? That would work nicely . . .

 

[Twizinator]

That country accent could only belong to Rudd. Ryrax shot over to the man in question, slashing through fell ones as he closed the distance. He looked up to the gigantic B-class that Rudd seemed to be yelling at. "That one's your quarry, eh?" Ryrax said as he pointed to the monstrosity. "This I gotta see. I'll clear a path, you just worry about smashing that B-class!" Ryrax said with a grin, and went to work. He ran just in front of Rudd, hacking and slashing to give the country boy a straight-shot to the B-class. Soon they were at the feet of the 3-headed beast. "He's all yours, kid!" Ryrax said, as he dashed around the feet of the B-class to keep clearing the area of C-class. Ryrax was interested to see how this farm boy handled a fell one of this size and caliber.


-----


Oliver had started working his way back towards the Neutral Grounds and now fought on the outside edge of the melee going on. His job was to make sure no fell ones made it to the Neutral Grounds and he intended to carry it out perfectly. Still, he inwardly wished that he could join the fray on offense, not defense. "Ah well," he mused aloud, "as long as the four B-class are taken care of, the rest of the horde will be easy pickings." He scanned the battlefield: Valk was engaging one of the B-class, and that boy from the Vejta seemed to be going after another. Two were left unchecked at the moment...

 

[HilgenHoffer]

Rudd nearly lost his cadence as he reached the feet of the lumbering beast. Bigger than his house? He'd been kidding himself; this creature was near as large as his entire farm. He fumbled in his head for a way to take it down. After all, he couldn't precisely wrestle something so many times his size . . .


Or, could he?


All three of the bearded heads bleated in surprise as the farmer's son wrapped his arms about its ankle and lifted. He made a face like a bear and a sound like a pregnant cow, and the creature, slowly, began to topple backwards. Rudd gave a final upward thrust with his legs, sending the grotesque abomination on a sure path towards the earth, and leapt up towards its knee, bounding up its body. Upon reaching what he judged to be the monster's solar plexus, he tapped his body and thought up the worst insult he possibly could.


"I bet yer' pies taste like horse shit!"


Now, Rudd had no idea if this thing even knew what a pie was, but he must have said something right (or something wrong?), because a fist the size of a silo began heaving towards him.


Heaving, that is, at the pace of frightened cattle.


Time to get out of dodge.


Rudd bounded up towards the beast's chin, racing at a breakneck pace, neck and calves bulging with an unreal strain. The monstrous fist came down so close to his heels that he felt fur with the texture of steel wool bite at his ankles. He flew a bit from the impact, but the beast had clearly hurt itself more than him, and he used the force to add to his momentum.


The titan had almost hit the ground by this point. With each foot it dropped, Rudd was that much closer to its center chin. He closed his eyes, centered his energy, and with a push from his feet he was lunging at a mass of goat beard. He extended his legs and twisted his entire form, turning himself into a flying bullet of wild kung-fu.


"YEEEEEEEEEEEE-HAW!!!"


The gorilla goat, only a few yards from the ground, went flying backwards through his own army, sending snakes and turtles flying at high velocity and landing with an awesome force.


Rudd slapped his hands together a couple of times. "How'd you like that, ya overgrown farm animal?"


The beast did not respond with words, but it rose to fist and knee with angry eyes and flared its six nostrils, whipping Rudd's hair with hurricane force. "Ah, yeah. He's angry. Uhhh . . ." he tossed his head about for a tactical advantage, and spied the ring of fell ones around the swirling mass of Ryrax. An idea struck him, and he might have smiled if he wasn't so busy marveling at the monster's terrifyingly foul breath.


-----


Odom hid himself in the branches of the tree, working out his next devious plan. Apologizing to his boreal friend, he ripped off a branch about the size of a bowstaff. Wedging it between the tree's several-meter-wide trunk and a large rock on the ground, he willed it to be strong, and thrust downwards with all of his might.


The tree, which he promised flight in exchange for its arm, gained about a yard of loft, and tumbled through the thinned ranks of fell ones towards the river. Its instructions were simple: make as big a splash as possible. And it did just that.


The waters soared above the riverbanks, rising to embrace the fell ones below. Rudd focused on the mana he had used to whisper to the tree, using it now to whisper from the tree to the waters in urgent tones. As he did, each drop of water became a bullet, each wave a hammer.


The monsters didn't stand a chance.


The plan had worked perfectly. Grinning wildly, Odom spun to face the horde closing in on him, whipping the tree limb about his body with the finesse of a true master. This was just getting better and better.