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

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

“And I am also guilty of something else... existing."

“Huh... We have that in common, I think.” responds Loque dryly as she takes off her helmet and lights up a cigarette.

 

[joshuadim]

"Perhaps. My own tribe saw me as a cursed omen when I was born. My own father wanted to dash me upon the altar rocks upon which they worshiped in order to satiate their gods. Tell me, what can a child be so guilty of that he is to be murdered at such a tender age? Destined to die at the hands of those that should be the ones to protect them?" Venextos spoke before placing his hands on his hood, revealing the extent of his horrific visage. "I was guilty of being born with such a blessed visage." Those last few words came out in sarcasm.

Once revealed, it was seen that one of his eyes was gangrenous and broken. His hair, what little remained of it on his head, was wiry and crooked. Part of his skull was caved in, as if it was empty underneath with nothing but a void. His nose was entirely absent, revealing nothing but the cartilage and bone underneath. Yet through all that, there were streams of orange magic flowing about about and through his head, constantly feeding life-giving magic to him. "Kept alive by the very magic I practice, I swore to myself that I would do as much as I could to help this world... even if it would cost me everything. My standing, my friends... all of it. I would gladly give it all away if it meant protecting the very earth I was born upon."

He then lifted his hood back up, hiding his visage under the shadows once more. "We all have a part to play in this grand stage. That includes you too. The difference is, what part will YOU play. The person who fled for nothing, or the person who fought for something?"

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

Good god...

The smoke from Loque’s cigarette manages to somehow lodge itself in her throat, sending her into a coughing fit upon the sight of Venextos’ face. He looked like a zombified leper, like if he had died and someone dug out his corpse months later. She often wondered what kind of face he was hiding beneath his hood, but never did she expect for him to look as diseased and horrendous as he does. A grumbling noise comes from her stomach. She starts feeling sick as it burned its way into her memory, even if she only looked at him for a brief moment.

"We all have a part to play in this grand stage. That includes you too. The difference is, what part will YOU play. The person who fled for nothing, or the person who fought for something?"

It takes a short while for Loque to regain her composure after seeing... that. As it comes back though, she’s finally able to speak.

“It’s... more than that. I... understand this whole concept of fighting for whatever ‘greater good’ there is, even with this gang of scum generously called a raid party, but make no mistake. This isn’t cowardice, Venextos, it’s something worse than that... May I show you something? I feel obligated to do so after... you know...”

She mimicked him taking off his hood.

 

[joshuadim]

Venextos nodded quietly in response.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

The army coat comes off, and so does the shirt Loque was wearing underneath it, showing off the beaten and battered state of her body. Up close and out in the sun, it appears much worse than when she first got undressed on the train. Chunks of flesh were missing here and there with teeth marks serving any sort of explanation as to what tore them off. Large patches of her cracked and fractured skin were burned black with gridiron marks deeply imprinted on them. Some of the burns were so deep that the veiny muscle underneath was clearly visible. It all told Venextos the story without her needing to say anything.

She had been cooked, and she had been eaten.

“Thorgran, as his chef... was cruel to me. Any time I left his hunger unsatisfied or waiting, I was ordered to be beaten, burned... And yet...”

Cautiously, she looks around to make sure Wesley or any of the others weren’t nearby.

“... Am I right to trust you to keep a secret?”

 

[Dmaster]

When Venextos drew near Hudson made no effort to remove his hand from his weapon. Despite the anger from the wizard being directed at him, Hudson felt nothing even as the wizard went to comfort Loque.

"Typical of you to go off consorting with a demon." he called out, shifting his stance slightly. "My eyes are on you too, wizard. You only do me favors by fucking off."

 

[joshuadim]

"Of course." Venextos spoke softly.

 

[Doomevil]

Senya stood nonchalant when it came down to all the arguing, still in her stance. From the sound of it, it looked like they wouldn't receive help from Tariun with the exception of supplies. She turned to Hudson, walking by him before saying "You'll think we'll manage without the demon?" She asked casually.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

Loque tightens her shaking fists in some sort of attempt to gather strength for what she’s about to say next. She stands up, looking around again one last time before fixing her eyes on Venextos. A finger is pointed towards the direction of the city.

“That... th-that...” Her hands go through her hair as she rubs her head. “Th-they’re worse.”

 

[joshuadim]

"Perhaps. But think of it like this..." Venextos said as he too stood up. "You'll be killing them. And killing their second-in-command. What we do here will change things for the better, I know it."

He then placed a hand on Loque's shoulder. "Just know that you are not alone in this venture."

 

[Damian0358]

Takato observed what was going on around, noting that Venextos and Loque had moved over to some boulders, though whatever they were doing he couldn't exactly see. Whatever they were doing, hopefully it would help calm themselves in this time of frustration. He looked over at Wesley, watching whatever he was doing, before noting Senya's approach towards the truck, and in turn, Hudson.

Taking the opportunity, still next to the front of the truck, Takato informed Vincent about Venextos having stopped Loque and how he was likely conversing with her, before turning his ears towards what was going to likely be another conversation.

 

[Dmaster]

The hunter turned his head toward Senya when she asked her question, not committing to shouting at Venextos any further. "If we can't, we'll just perish. Far better than living on borrowed time in a demon's employ." he replied with the same amount of conviction as before.

"If Tariun wants to make some big statement about me being 'ungrateful' may as well fucking let her." Hudson added. "I don't see her in the trenches with us. Maybe if she were risking her life on these pleasant excursions I'd be more inclined to trust her."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"Just know that you are not alone in this venture."

His hand touching her shoulder causes her to flinch in pain. It’s one of the spots not burned enough to the point where she can’t feel it anymore. She brushes his hand off gently so she can put her shirt and coat back on.

“It’s not about being alone, Venextos. It’s about being able to withstand the cruelty they’re all capable of... I couldn’t. That’s why I entered your world.”

 

[joshuadim]

"We all must face our own demons at some point. Jakob did... and the rest of us will at some point. And when you conquer them, I know you will become stronger than you can ever have possibly imagined."

 

[Doomevil]

Senya nodded casually, as Hudson bought up his own argument why he had no use for the demons. "Demons or no demons, we will need to take care of business in this Abyss. The shadows are still out there. The Detective's Shadow may be gone, but we still have a lot more to defeat. I think it'll be a great advantage once we take them out of the scenario."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

Loque exhales in defeat. He’s right and she knows it, but the fear of what might happen hasn’t changed ever since she accepted to go on this journey. But, at the very least, she could go out swinging as he suggested. There’s just one patch of ground she wants to cover first before she rejoins the others.

“I hope so...” Again she pulls out her handgun, but holds it outward by the barrel. “... Just promise me you will put me down if those sick fucks even so much as lay a finger on me.”

 

[Dmaster]

Hudson looked to the horizon at the mention of the shadow demons still lurking about, a reminder he didn't feel like receiving at this moment. The hunter didn't want to have to face that side of him, as it's one he has been trying to avoid for years upon years. "It would seem we don't have a choice. They'll come for us regardless of how far along we are in our own plans." he replied, almost with exasperation.

 

[joshuadim]

Venextos looked at the gun for a moment before gently pushing it back to Loque and giving only a nod in response.

"Come, let's rejoin the others."

 

[Damian0358]

Takato listened on to the conversation between Senya and Hudson, and felt the need to respond to the latter's comment, but he wondered whether it would be worth it. It wasn't as though the man would want to listen to him, even if he himself wasn't a demon. To his eyes, he was close enough. But against his better judgement, he decided to do so.

"How sure are you that she isn't risking her life elsewhere? Tariun had mentioned previously that ascended demons are often hunted down and slain due to their critique of the Icons' insanity. And she had just mentioned how other demons believe them to be abominations meant to be cast out or destroyed," Takato began.

"Kaizen's Chosen, however many of them are left, and of their associates like Xager, may have been struggling in their battles for countless centuries. They may even be fighting in their very own trenches right this very moment, seeing the advances in technology at the factories. Wishing for a return to a time when this realm, this plane of existence, was as Heaven is; structured, doing its duty," he continued.

"My words you may dismiss, or Tariun's words, or the words of any demon or demon-descent you suspect of ill-duty. But do not suspect her of doing nothing to involve herself in this conflict we have been brought into."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

Just like how they arrived, Loque puts Venextos’ arm around her neck to help him walk back to the truck. She still feels utterly terrified at what they’re about to do, but just a little less so. She can’t trust Vincent, she can’t trust Tariun, but at least Venextos appears trustworthy. That’s the only good part about this mess at least. That, and the prospect of Hudson finally being ousted and getting himself killed finally.

 

[Doomevil]

"No, afraid not." Senya stood silently while taking the time to retrace their steps. The group definitely had potential when it came to fighting towards a common goal. They killed the High Priest, defeated Detective Jakob's dark counterpart and they blew up the factories important towards Taranoch's plans. She lightly kicked the dirt on the ground. "I'd rather not deal with myself either. But I like to think I go down swinging whether I win or die."

 

[Dmaster]

Hudson eyed Takato as he tried to make a desperate case for Tariun, clearly not willing to see that side of the situation as he remained apathetic. "Hunted down and killed? Like us for being down here, you mean?" he said with an annoyed tone. "You're wasting your breath, I have little reason to trust you for the same reasons I refuse to completely trust her. At the very least you play the long game and stick your neck out for us now and then."

After that he nodded to Senya. "I'll be going out the same way. These demonic bastards can be damn sure of that."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

“Hudson?” asks Loque in a curious tone.

 

[Dmaster]

He swivels his head to Loque, surprised that the depressive demon was addressing him. "What?"

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

“Fuck you, Hudson.”