Fantasy Hunter's Moon: The Sin & Sentence [IC] [CLOSED]

[Dmaster]

It was unsurprising that Leakhena was so terribly offended to be within three paces of him, less so what she had been hiding beneath that mask she always wore. Any abject horror he might have experienced frim that grizzly visage had been weathered by the various other unnerving monstrosities he bore witness to over the years. Deapite that the... vacuous nature of her mouth dredged up a memory he hated to keep on his mind for more than a few seconds. It would just mean Hudson would have to look at the demon less, which was fine by him.

Hudson didn't even have it in him to draw his sword when the figure on the roof exposed her presence to them. On the one hand he had nothing to fear in the first place given her manner and conduct, it didn't really align with a demonic assassin in the least bit. Even still, he could not care less about her troubles when they were close to being on their way.

He finally got back to the conversation once this lady oni mentioned Takato's shadow chasing her. "What? You guys still have shadows you haven't killed? Fuck's sake... This was supposed to be the final stretch." he said with clear exasperation. Hudson didn't even bother introducing himself.

 

[Doomevil]

Senya turned to Hudson, "Gwen, Inari, Takato, and I haven't face ours yet. I'm assuming Shadow Takato is nearby according to the Oni." As she observed the small Oni village. It was different than the ones she encountered in Redonia. Most likely a different culture or clan. But Abahai is already making a first good impression to Senya compared to Kimura, the Black Terror. Senya tilted her head at Abahai and was curious about the village.

"Šun Abahai, my name is Senya Melgaeron. We all know the Abyss can make its inhabitants mad and hollow. Why aren't some of you that way in the north?"

 

[Damian0358]

"I don't know what's up, since all the times I've fought my shadows, it was always straightforward! They come to me, they wanna fight, we fight! If it ends in a draw, we lick our wounds, practice, and fight again. Repeat until the shadow dies. Wait until another eventually comes. But your shadow," Abahai said, bringing her head much closer to Takato's, "he always seems to have some sort of trick up his sleeve, setting up ambushes, figuring out my usual routes and routines... I've even had to move to a different cave!" she yelled out, "It's like he's not affected by whatever draws shadows to their originals!"

At this point, she lets go of Takato's collar, as he tried to muster a response. He considered how the only time he had seen his shadow so far was him getting harassed by him in a dream, and tried to think of something to say. Abahai meanwhile, continues: "It's annoying! Shadows are supposed to be simple! Hmph...."

At that point, Senya approached and greeted her. While she rolled her eyes at the mention of her clan name, she did raise her eyebrows at the question asked.

"Ah, hm, well... I'm not entirely sure myself!" Abahai began, rubbing the back of her head, "The village was here when I entered the Abyss ages ago, though at the time I think there were more demons than oni. The Canyon of Giants here's kinda wild, so a village at its entrance probably makes sense, especially considering the routes to here are stable enough. Also helps those coming to visit Vucrox, especially the pilgrims. Ol' Vixas here knows a thing or two about that," she said, pointing her thumb at the being.

 

[Infab]

"What? You guys still have shadows you haven't killed? Fuck's sake... This was supposed to be the final stretch."

"Its not over just because you got lucky enough to engage your shadows quickly." said Vincent, glancing to Hudson.

Vixas simply looked to Senya and Abahai, and answered Senya's question. "I believe their religion and focus gives them reason enough to not turn into hollows. They always have a purpose, and can travel from here to the Redonian Abyssal Gate where another village rests. As for why this village is here at Vucrox..." he said, before pointing is left hand up towards the massive statue on the right side of the entrance to the canyon. "A large portion of the Oni here consider the second Abyssal King Zazriel as the origin of their religion. The first monk...his teachings form the core of the Divine Order. The Dou is one of the many variants of the Divine Order, created by Oni in the mortal realm. They sometimes visit his tomb, which I am happy to show you inside the necropolis of Vucrox. He shares a massive tomb with Adriel, the first and most important Abyssal King...or rather Queen."

 

[Damian0358]

Takato wanted to respond to Vixas' suggestion that the Oni created the Dou, but someone else spoke up faster.

"Vixas, how many times do I have to tell you? It was the humans who thought of the Dou independently of Zazriel's Divine Order! Sometimes, great minds think alike!" Abahai spoke up in the response, before turning to the others, "Though that tomb is really cool, you guys should totally visit the necropolis!" she said, unaware that that's where the gang was headed.

 

[K0mori]

Again, Mariette found herself rather lost, trying her best to follow the conversation in search of context. Thankfully, Abahai's conversations with Takato, Vixas, and the others was very informative. Having concerned herself largely with with her own narrow affairs for most of her life, Mariette was admittedly ignorant of many aspects of Redonian culture and had only a vague awareness of many of its own varieties of the supernatural. Trapped deeply within the Abyssal crown territory for these last thirty years, this was the first lengthy interaction she had experienced with the Oni, but, despite Abahai's somewhat... combative nature, Mariette appreciated her zeal and amicability.

As they described the early queens and kings of the Abyss, the Countess found her imagination tickled. She was finally beginning to feel not like a prisoner of this inhospitable land, but rather as a traveler passing through, gawking at the oddities, and it did well to wash away the grief Hudson had inadvertently set loose on her mind. "Alors, what are we waiting for?" Mariette suddenly said with a toothy grin. "For once, I am looking forward to what comes next."

 

[Infab]

"Right...I always seem to forget that detail when it comes to Divine Order religions." said Vixas, lowering his hand to his side. Vincent spoke up afterwards. "Yes, we're going to the necropolis. One of my comrades has been trapped inside one of the tombs there, I believe, by Sazak."

Vixas straightened to an almost stiff posture. "Ah, yes...Sazak...Rather dreadful creature. He slips in every now and then...I did not know that he was actually keeping someone locked away in there..." Vixas looked back towards the Canyon for a moment, before turning his head to look at them. "Tariun has advised me to...assist you in other ways in combat, so a tour of certain areas of the necropolis will be needed. I believe you will enjoy what I...and the Kings and Icons of old...can provide."

"Alors, what are we waiting for?" Mariette suddenly said with a toothy grin. "For once, I am looking forward to what comes next."

Cassandra grinned as well. "Let's get this show on the road, ladies and gents."

 

[Damian0358]

Abahai seemed glad to hear that they were visiting the necropolis, though she hoped they could check it out proper whilst freeing their comrade. Hearing Cassandra's remark though, led to her intervention once more; "Now hold on there!" Abahai proclaimed, "the hermit here, he and I need to have a talk first," she stated, getting behind Takato and patting him relentlessly on the shoulders, "about that shadow of his, and I'll throw in a bonus of bringing him back fitter than ever!"

"...can this not wait, Abahai?" Vixas asked simply.

"You know that this is probably my only chance to talk it out with this boy right here, right? Tariun's probably gonna make sure they head over somewhere else, to deal with business, and boom, never seen again," Abahai responded, "Besides! It'll just take like, I dunno, around 6 mortal minutes?"

"...last time you said that, you returned an hour later."

"Exactly!" Abahai proclaimed proudly. Takato, meanwhile, was still trying to process Vixas' comments fully, on a Redonian Abyssal Gate, the tombs, and so on, as Abahai slowly stopped patting him. At that moment however, it looked as though she made a realization.

"Hold on, you! I know some of the newer oni that come down here can fly. Can you fly too?!" she asked, turning him around to face her.

"Y-yeah..." Takato replied as best as he could.

"Then that's perfect! If you can fly decently fast, then the canyon shouldn't be that much of an issue for you," she responded, before looking over to the others, "I'll finish up with your hermit here, and he can catch up with you soon after," she capped off with a toothy grin of her own.

Takato still looked somewhat overwhelmed by Abahai's sheer nature and boldness, but at the same time, one could see in his eyes a curiosity to see what exactly she had in mind for him. Despite how she is, she still has far more experience than he, and if she plans to impart some of it, then that's all the better for the rest of them. However, he still looked to the others; what were their thoughts on the matter?

 

[Infab]

Vincent glanced between Abahai and Takato before shrugging. "It certainly seems like she could help us. After all, we as a group don't know what your shadow is capable of. Maybe she can give you an edge over it too." He looked back to the others. "Guess we should load up. Best to get Valeria out of there while we can. Then we locate the artifacts."

With one last look and nod to Vixas as well as Takato, he moved over to the enchanted wagon and climbed aboard. Finding a seat up near the front. Riberta moved over and climbed in as well, with Cassandra motioning politely for Mariette to lead the way. The rest moved over and climbed aboard, till the wagon was fully loaded with everyone that was coming.

Vixas floated over to the wagon, motioning down to it with a finger. "Remember...hang on." he said, before snapping his fingers. Then, the wagon started rolling on its own, moving along the V shaped clearing towards the canyon opening. As it neared the opening, it began to pick up speed. "SEE YA IN A LITTLE WHILE, TAKATO!" called out Riberta from the wagon, as soon it moved pretty quickly.

Vixas soon turned to face Abahai and Takato. "I shall see you soon, then, Takato. Take care not to break something, Abahai." he said, before looking upwards. And with a sudden gust of air, he launched himself high into the sky as if he had been launched from a cannon.

 

[Damian0358]

Abahai gave the departing group a bow, as Takato gave them a somewhat shaky but still confident nod. As the wagon began to move, Abahai decided to play up to what Leakhena suggested, slapping Takato's ass as to get his attention. As the hermit straightened up in shock, she gave the gluttony demon a wink, before in general raising her fist in support of them. Takato could hardly respond to Riberta calling out to them before the wagon moved out.

Takato looked up to Vixas, as he greeted him farewell. The hermit bowed, saying "See you soon, sir." Abahai just put her arms behind her head, and gave Vixas a cheeky smile. Soon after, the two watched as the being launched itself high into the sky, impressing Takato with the speeds reached.

"Haha, love it when he does that! Seems like he could split someone in half doing that!" Abahai remarked with a chuckle, "He keeps refusing to entertain my thoughts of launching himself at me at full speed though... I wanna see if I can hold up against him!" she said passionately, further illustrating to Takato what it is she liked the most.

She straightened herself, before looking back at the hermit: "Come on, you cloister! Let's get going, otherwise it'll take more mortal minutes than it's worth."

Takato nodded, and began following his senior through the village.

 

[Infab]

Elsewhere in the Abyss...

Ralvas' Palace
Duzakh
The Land of Pride


Kellea quietly listened as Ralvas tore apart the room just beyond the door nearby, her hands clasped together behind her back as Ralvas' angry shouting could be heard through the thick wooden door. From what she had heard from the other pride demons, Taranoch was not happy. Not happy at all. Keggoth and Sagath were at each other's throats now, over the death of Zalmakul, and Thorgran was on the verge of death due to being severely poisoned. It was believed that the group that Tariun had brought into the Abyss was behind both, but that didn't stop Keggoth and Sagath from attempting to attack one another every chance they got. They simply tipped the anger over the edge when it came to that particular situation.

Kellea glanced to her left to see Wallace standing nearby as well, his arms folded and a wicked smile on his face. Well, whatever that expression could be called anyway with his hideous form. It was as if he was enjoying Ralvas' torment. She frowned at the thought. She needed to do something. Something to take the burden off her master's mind. Perhaps she could hunt them herself? She had a rough guess as to where they were going. With the direction that they had been moving across the Abyss, starting in the Hollowlands and moving clockwise through the central territories...either Keggoth's realm or the Land of Dead Kings. And with Keggoth already greatly disturbed, it didn't seem likely they would stop there.

She knew what was in the Land of Dead Kings. All the Icons did, as well as Taranoch. A Senior Inquisitor of the Vigilant Order, Valeria Witlock, whom Sazak had used to acquire Adona's ring and Velin's Executioner Blade. Two of the five divine objects that bind Taranoch and all of demon kind to the Abyss. They were going there likely to rescue Valeria. And that was a rather major problem, due to the nature of possessions without the consumption of the victim's soul. Instead of just killing Valeria, Sazak had locked her away to torture for eternity. It seemed he still bore a grudge against the bloodline that Valeria descended from. If they rescued Valeria, it would come back to bite Sazak. Valeria shared Sazak's memories, so she knew where the other artifacts potentially were in the mortal realm. And she knew the rest of Sazak's plans as well.

Kellea turned slightly, glancing to Wallace again. An idea popped into her head after a moment, and it was one that would solve several problems at once. She walked over towards Wallace, stopping just next to him. "...Wallace. Would you like to assist me in dealing with a problem?" she said, turning her head slightly towards the demonic general. "If we're successful, you would restore your favor with Lord Ralvas...and perhaps even gain favor with Lord Taranoch." Wallace's smile faded slightly, as his eyes darted to Kellea. "...I know where they're going." she said, before a smile creeped across her face.

------
​

Demon Hovels
Edge of the Necropolis
Vucrox
The Land of Dead Kings


A few hours passed, as the group rode along in the wagon. Either talking amongst one another or looking up at the various statues lining the wall of the canyon. Just how thick was this outer wall? Who made it? Who made these statues? It was a mystery, as Vixas flew too far above to ask. But soon the wagon began to slow as they reached the end of the canyon. The walls and statues began to thin out, and soon shifted to what looked like blackened rock walls. There were several holes in the rocks, with what looked like wavering lights inside. And movement. There were demons living here.

The wagon came to a stop, and soon the group disembarked as Vixas landed once more. He floated over to where the group was, stretching after the long ride, before speaking. "We are now in the outer edge of the Necropolis. This area is filled with hovels, where other demons choose to live. These are actual demons, and not Oni like in the village at the entrance to the canyon. Be wary of them, as they do not like to be bothered by outsiders..." he stated, motioning to the holes in the walls. There were also shacks and buildings scattered about, with activity inside. The odd thing was that it was almost deathly silent here. And cold.

 

[SniperComZero]

Even though Gwen had given the supposedly magical cart a thorough inspection, figuring it'd be the same as the metal carriages that had drawn them elsewhere in the Abyss, she wasn't quite prepared for just how fast it was. She was more focused on holding on for fear of falling off, than actually scouting for the cart. Even as she stepped off, there was a slight wobble to her step which took a few minutes to straighten out of. Her gaze turned this way and that, between the huts, shacks, and crevaces all manner of demons were hiding in. Rifle held tightly to her side. "So... the solution's easy, right? Just keep down the middle, and don't bother them as we go on our way, oui?" Her voice was quiet, by the mention of how the denizens here didn't like being disturbed. Even as she rubbed the side of her shoulder, she wasn't sure whether it was the chill itself, or the eerie atmosphere that they found themselves in which cooled her. And looking at Vixas certainly wouldn't help, something she made a mental note to do as little as possible.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"Vixas," Leakhena waves her hand around indicating she wants his attention. "If I'm allowed to ask, how is it that none of the icons have tried taking over this part of the Abyss? I mean, in spite of this land's... ah, 'unique qualities', I never thought it'd be enough to keep the likes of them away."

 

[Infab]

Vixas turned his head slightly towards Leakhena. "Taranoch ordered the Icons to make no attempts to claim this land. And if they should attempt to do so, they would be executed by Taranoch himself. Why he did so, I do not know. I do know that Vucrox is also the resting place of Lord Kaizen...his tomb is nearby if you wish to see it."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"And if they should attempt to do so, they would be executed by Taranoch himself. Why he did so, I do not know."

"Maybe they just can't handle it." she says to herself out loud.

"I do know that Vucrox is also the resting place of Lord Kaizen...his tomb is nearby if you wish to see it."

Leakhena lights up like a bulb and even a little bit of life is suddenly zapped into her as she sits up straight in her seat. Eagerly, she looks over to Vincent with her question ready. "Vincent, do we have time?"

 

[Infab]

Vincent glanced to Leakhena, before looking to Vixas. Vixas nodded. "It is on the way through to the true Necropolis. It will not take much time." said the tall winged demon. Vincent thought on it for a few moments, before nodding. "Alright. We can stop by his tomb for a few minutes. Then we need to move on."

"Of course. This way." said Vixas, motioning for the group to follow as he pointed forwards. The group walked a way, coming to a three way branch in the path and following Vixas as he went to the right. The path soon became an uphill climb, which shifted to a series of broken stairs leading a great distance upwards. Quite a climb, easily several stories upwards at an angle.

Soon Vixas looked back to the group. "When Taranoch rebelled against Lord Kaizen, their battle was rather incredible. Taranoch engaged Kaizen in melee combat, fighting first in vessel form before shifting into their massive demon forms. Tariun has told me that you have been to Sheol, the city in which Kaizen ruled the Abyss. You saw the state it was in, yes? A result of their battle. In an effort to save as many as he could in Sheol, Lord Kaizen tore open a portal and flung Taranoch through it to here...and their battle destroyed part of the Demon Hovels in the Necropolis. Taranoch was victorious, but he did not kill Kaizen. Instead, he used his environment. This area of the Abyss was still in the aftershock stage of an Abyssal shift...and so he trapped Kaizen for the rest of eternity..." The group continued upwards as Vixas explained things, untill they eventually reached the top of the stairs. They stepped onto a moderately sized platform above most of the hovels and rocks. A cold wind blew up here, making things feel a bit colder. But most of them ignored that to gaze upon what sat half emerged from the wall surrounding Vucrox a short ways from them.

Kaizen's massive rotting corpse was poking out of the wall, his upper torso, head, and arms exposed to the weather. His head had decayed so badly that it had caved in on itself. His flesh, blackened and falling off here and there. His hands were locked in a state as if he was still trying to get out. But obviously...he was far beyond dead.

"Behold...the tomb of my lord, Kaizen the Just. True King of the Abyss. Slain by the traitor Taranoch the Warborn." said Vixas, a saddened tone to his voice.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

The wind blew cold indeed, colder than it was when they first arrived at the oni village, but colder still was Leakhena's body; frozen stiff at the sight of Kaizen, or what was left of him. A surge of emotions overtakes her the longer she stares at the blackened and cracked remains, yet she can't stop looking away just in case there's the slightest twitch, the slightest tremble, the slightest sign that he might just be alive or simply dormant...

... But there is none. There's nothing at all. No turn of his head, no whispers coming from him, no sudden flick of his fingers, not even the smallest crack forms on the wall. Nothing. Dead. With where she stands, she can almost see the rest of the Abyss not too far behind him.

A slip of her foot over some rocks breaks her out of the stupor she's in. She had unknowingly crept closer and closer to Kaizen's body just to see if he really was gone. Now she's veering dangerously over the platforms edge. Rubbing her face, she takes a few steps back before taking off her helmet and kneeling; quietly cursing at herself for not showing proper manners or respect to the true king of the Abyss, not mattering at all if he was long dead. She also takes out a bottle of her personal label and a jar of her own food, and sets both down in front of her as an offering. It's the least she could do for Kaizen, especially how her father really wanted one day for her to serve him just as he did.

With her offerings out and her head bowed as she's on her knees, she holds her hands together and starts praying for Kaizen silently. Almost silently, as every now and then, an occasional gasp for air and bawling could be heard from her.

 

[Dmaster]

Hudson was indifferent to the Abyssal sights and history, but that was to be expected. While he was not particularly thrilled to stop by Kaizen's tomb he made no effort to object. At this point any whining on his part would just have them waste precious time they did not have.

The hunter looked up at the decaying corpse of the 'true' Abyssal king, noting Leakhena's strange reaction and prayer to him. The demon could even be heard sniffling as Hudson bundled up his cloak to deal with the annoying chill. Perhaps it made sense to a hold a demon in reverence when you were one of the beings under their heel, though they made it seem like things were better under this one's rule.

Even if the Abyss as it is now is the 'wrong' way to run it compared to the past, it mattered little to him. The way Hudson saw things was that despite the dressings it would always remain the land of the dead and deplorable. Demons would still find the means to breach the surface and cause chaos regardless of the behest of their monarch.

"Fascinating." he said aloud with the slightest amount of sarcasm. "Mind pointing the way to our destination from here, sir guide? I'm not much one to gawk at scenery or landmarks, I'm afraid."

 

[SniperComZero]

As the group climbed the platform, Gwen was filled with some form of awe and disgust. Mostly the second, though, given how decayed that the body of the former king was. "So, then we know that Taranoch is an underhanded, backstabbing dog. Nothing we didn't already know, then. Though, we should be grateful that he did this somewhere that the stench wouldn't be carried halfway across the continent."

She looked over towards Hudson with a bit of bemusement upon her face. "Come now, why so gloomy?" Gwen added a little snort to intersperse her sentences. "It's a dead demon! And a powerful one, at that. Isn't this the kind of thing you wanted to see down here?"

 

[Dmaster]

Hudson turned about to look to Gwen, shaking his head from side to side as the chilled wind blew his cloak about. "I suppose most members of Velin's Order would be extremely pleased, yeah. Though I'm not one to get excited about fresh kills or dead bodies. I don't find joy in killing - it's as gruesome as it can be painfully necessary at times." the hunter explains, a misty exhale from his helmet revealing his breath. "Demons manipulate, corrupt, and destroy. To express outward joy in their death is letting them win. The best hunters aim to grant their targets a swift death despite everything they've done, not slow, torturous ones for the purposes of petty revenge."

"Presently I would like to rescue Valeria, get those artifacts, then kill Sazak so I can get home to my family. As imposing as the corpse king is, I'd rather not be among the cold and rot for much longer when there's still more to be done."

 

[SniperComZero]

In contrast to Hudson, Gwen had her own cloak tightly bundled around her body. She couldn't help but roll her eyes even as he took the moral high ground even when killing demons. "Please. The swift, hunter's death should be reserved for the animal, and the soldier. I see it as a form of... respect. They're a simple pawn in the grand game of life, non?" She looked out towards Kaizen's corpse, contemplating for a moment, before back at Hudson. "But... demons, traitors... the truly evil. What do they deserve? A lot more than this 'swift death', I would argue."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

The bickering between Hudson and Gwen annoys Leakhena enough that she stops praying for a moment. While she doesn’t raise her head to look at them, her tone makes it clear she’s not happy about her kind once again being slandered and labeled ‘evil’, and in front of the good king Kaizen’s remains too as she’s mourning him. To say nothing about Hudson being half of it only serves to add further insult.

“Please, not here...“

She’s used to Hudson ranting and raving about demons, but the both of them could’ve at least had the decency to wait until later for their small minds to drone on about big things they do not and will not understand.

 

[K0mori]

Looking at the rotten remains of what was once the rightful king of the Abyss, Mariette's muted expression gave little indication of her feelings towards Kaizen. Then, oddly, she took out her grimoire and a vial of blood. Flipping through to a rarely-used page, she stood straight but calm and began to recite an incantation, her hand on the sigil. "Confound, frustrate, spirits of the land... let no fool disturb these bones... let the words of interlopers tie their tongues and break their minds... let them be chased from this place forevermore..."

Having finished her warding spell, Mariette closed the tome and bowed her head. "Rest in peace," she concluded.

 

[Dmaster]

"Call me a bit more... advanced than you... Countess? Princess?" Hudson honestly could not remember her title, but he shook his head to indicate that he didn't really care. "Death is all the finality that's needed, I don't need to keep a victim alive as I string them up by their bloody entrails to prove a point. You fight for the kill and that's that, no need to emulate the sadistic nature of what you hunt."

He adjusted his cloak yet again sighing wearily once Leakhena meekly begs them to not discuss this here. This place hardly seemed hallowed, and whatever Mariette just did to the site didn't seem to make matters any better considering it was cast with blood. "Yes, not here. Leaving is exactly what I've been trying to do." Hudson replied to the mourning demon.

 

[SniperComZero]

Behind her lips, Gwen grit her teeth. The hands that she used to hold her cloak tight to her body was balled up into fists. She so desperately wanted to lay into the hunter. She could only just stop herself under the impression that near everyone was gazing upon her. She wasn't going to split apart this convenient alliance once again. Not for some petty arguing. Not to mention how badly that would do for her image.

"Queen." She strongly retorted, turning about on her heel, the first one to abruptly head for the steps. "If you knew what I knew-- if you had a cause, like I have, you would know that the vengeance I fight for, is much more than just petty."