Chapter 8: Don’t Go Quiet

Ann woke and stretched languidly over what blankets Bren and Kat had spared her. It was light again, but she wasn’t quite sure if that was because of a polar night or if she’d slept long. Kat was still dozing lightly, rolling over and making soft noises, while Bren tended a newly stoked fire.

“A fine morning to you,” he called out softly as he placed a pot of snow over the flames.

“Mornin',” Ann grumbled back. “What time is it?” She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and moved over to sit beside the warmth.

“It is morning. Not overly late, no. However, it is not early either.” As the pot began to steam, he added a few leaves to it, tinting the water as they boiled. An herbal scent wafted across the camp and apparently roused Kat somewhat.

With a loud groan, Ann watched the fighter curl up into a bundle before stretching much as she had. “Mornin’ ye louts,” she yawned. She came to sit next to Ann, running a hand through her wild brown locks. “Tea smells amazin’ as always, Bren.”

“Thank you, as always, Kat. It will be finished soon. For now, we should eat.”

Kat went through her pack and unloaded a share of rations to each of them, along with an extra tin cup to Ann. “Ain’t much, but it’s fillin’. At least we’ll have good tea.”

“It’s that good?” Ann asked as she chewed on the hard bread. It was considerably easier to break apart with her new teeth, thank the Gods.

“Oh, aye. Bren makes a great cup.” Kat swallowed, then grabbed a handful of nearby snow to wash down the dry crumbs.

“It is not as fantastic as she makes it out to be,” Bren protested. “I simply have practised the art for a short while and found it to my liking. Ah, it’s ready.” He lifted the pot off the flames and filled each of their cups.

Ann took the cup and simply held it, basking in the warmth it spread throughout her. “Oh, that’s so nice,” she whispered, more to the cup than anyone. After letting the scalding liquid cool, she took a sip. It was a very nice herbal blend. Hints of ginger, she guessed, with an earthy taste that fortified and warmed her spirits along with her body.

After they finished their meal, Kat and Bren guided her through breaking down the camp. It was pretty easy work. Most of it was clearing up the fire pit and packing up the bedrolls. With Kat and Bren fully armed and armoured, they set out for the next day of hiking.

As they went, Kat and Bren talked idly about the woods. They had apparently been the home of Twinwolves and several other Warped creatures. Some were simple and harmless: squirrels with two tails, birds with extra eyes, nothing that really required new classification. Most of the more dangerous Warped came from predators or larger animals. There were Thorned Bulks, bears that had fused with elk, gaining their haunting cries and antlers growing out of their backs in a ridge. As if their claws and bulk weren’t dangerous enough, now they were a fucked up porcupine as well.

Kat took the time to describe the creature her party had run into right before finding Annita. Watching her, Annita noticed her steps grew heavier while she spoke of the monster that had taken Artyom, their previous rifleman and third. She made it clear it was not something native to the area and had caught them by complete surprise.

After hours of walking and listening, Annita heard paws in the distance once more. “I think I hear more Twinwolves,” she said, interrupting a particularly gruesome description of a snowcat with hooves and a split jaw whose muscles broke its skin when it exerted itself.

“How many do you hear?” Bren asked, readying his wand.

“Two, no, three? I think?” Ann responded noncommittally.

“If that is all, I believe this may be another opportunity for you to grow,” Bren stated, relaxing slightly. “Kat, I think we should let her deal with this one. We can be ready to help if needs be.”

“Aye, sounds good tae me. You all right with that, Ann?”

“Yeah, I think so. I’m going to need to get used to this, after all,” she sighed. “They’re coming from the North, just in case.”

“Roger tha’,” Kat replied curtly. “We’ll be over ‘ere if ye need us. Not gonna let ye die, but don’t take that tae mean ye can be all reckless. Don’t let ‘em flank ya, try to keep one down tae reduce the odds. Ye’ve got this.”

“Thanks.” Ann took a few steps over towards the section of the woods while Kat and Bren retreated a short distance. Closing her eyes, she listened to the approaching beasts. As she focused, she began to hear their strange guttural breathing rasping from their split necks. It was a disturbing sound, to say the least, but also allowed her to better count the number of those approaching her.

Soon they were close enough, and she opened her eyes, searching for the danger in the woods. Grey, ragged forms wove between the trees as she counted and confirmed she’d heard the three Twinwolves correctly. They were no less disturbing visually than audibly, with their slack tongues hanging out of gaping oral cavities, and being able to see the split in their skulls. Two of them were smaller while the centre wolf stood up to Annita’s waist at its shoulders. The smaller ones split off to her left and right as the leader approached from the centre.

Annita tried to keep track of her flanks, but with so much room for them to manoeuvre and slip behind trees, it was a difficult task. She kept her eyes on the larger wolf in the middle and tried to use her hearing to track the other two. It worked surprisingly well as she heard the steps of the left flanker quicken to a run. She turned her body slightly, facing front left, widened her stance, and drew back her left arm, claws at the ready. Bolting out from behind a tree, the smaller wolf jumped at her, its body sailing through the air. Annita met it with an extended hand, where she was used to a dog’s head existing, a mistake in this case, as her palm slipped between the slavering heads and down to where the neck split.

“Ah, shit!” Annita cried as she felt two sets of fangs sink into her shoulder and side, latching on and holding tight. Her left arm disabled, the pack leader moved in quickly, angling to take her right side. She’d also lost the third wolf. Desperately, she sank her claws into the exposed rubbery flesh on the inside of the left Twinwolf’s neck. A sickening squelch came from it as she forcibly closed its airway and punctured it at the same time. Panicking, the beast let go of the left side of her body, allowing her to re-focus on the centre wolf. Great timing, too, as the thing was already within arm’s reach.

Changing tactics, Annita swiped hard at the creature’s right half-head with her right hand. A satisfying crunch reverberated through her arm as claws met bone. She dug in and gripped the flesh, pushing hard to her left, trying to keep the two wolves she could track in front of her. A quick flick of her eyes confirmed the other Twinwolf was still gasping and recovering from the wound she’d dealt it.

Forcing the head held in her claw to the ground, Annita twisted to avoid the left one pinned down as well and shifted her grip to her left claws. Clomping sounds filled her ears as the other head desperately tried to bite at her. Suddenly, she heard paws directly behind her. The third had snuck around and was finally making its move. No time to pummel the Twinwolf. Too dangerous to let it go. Her indecision cost her a precious second, which the wolf behind her used to bite into her thigh and calf, immobilising her right leg. At the same time, the pack leader’s free head found her left shoulder.

“FUCK!” Annita screamed. She had to end this quickly. She’d be at half health now, or at least close, and none of the creatures were dead yet. “Now or never. Fuck it!” she yelled as she focused on a skill for her first time. Slamming the claws of her right hand into the grounded Twinwolf’s side, she focused on the concept of what she thought a Smite would look like. She felt a strange, ethereal drain from her head as her Mind was expended into a Smite of Orenous. Her claws glowed pink as she shoved them deeper into the writhing flesh of the beast before bursting with the light. A small space opened up around her hand as the holy force expanded, searing flesh and burning bone. The Twinwolf howled in pain and scrambled to back off from her. She let it go. Its shoulder was severely wounded, and its front left leg was limp.

Twisting around, Annita tried to grab at the necks of the Twinwolf on her leg. It was smaller than the other two, allowing her to more easily manipulate it despite the awkward angle. Grabbing its tail, she transferred it to her left hand and shoved her fist down its oesophagus with another Smite. It didn’t even sputter as it fell limp and released her leg. Warm blood covered her fur from the puncture wounds. It wasn’t a feeling she enjoyed whatsoever.

“One down,” Annita panted as she turned back to the other two, standing shakily on her wounded leg. The one she’d disabled first had recovered and was regarding her warily. The pack leader was struggling to its paws, eyes filled with equal parts rage and fear. “All right, you first,” she growled at the still mostly whole wolf, feeling her hackles rise in a show of aggression.

To its credit, even with most of its pack disabled, the wolf lowered its head and snarled at Annita the best it could with its mangled anatomy. It sounded like a horribly constricted gargle, but the pulled-back lips helped interpret the sound. Annita rushed it. It met her charge with its front paws, scrabbling at her while trying to bite again. She ducked to her left and under the snapping jaws, toppling the wolf on its back. She used the advantage to hold it down as it kicked at her, trying to shove her off, and clawed at its tender belly.

Annita tried not to puke as she felt her claws sink deep into the organs of the creature. It was different from when she did the same to its ribs or head. Less resistance made it feel more visceral. She grabbed something she hoped was important and pulled hard. Wrenching free with a sucking noise and a spray of blood, her hand returned with a length of intestine. Throwing it to the side, she shoved back in and grabbed more as the Twinwolf thrashed desperately, screaming in pain. Some part of her felt bad for it. She liked dogs, hell, she was part wolf now herself, but it was her life or it. Thankfully, whatever organ she punctured next, or maybe because of blood loss, the wolf quieted and went limp.

Standing and shaking her hand free of blood and gore, she returned to the wounded pack leader. “I’m sorry about this, pup. I’ll end it quick.” It whimpered back at her, but still bared its fangs.

Annita moved in as quickly as she could, taking the right head again with her injured left arm, and angled to use the hole in its side to pierce its heart. As she leaned in, she felt the left head latch onto her bicep in a desperate final stand. At the same moment, she felt warm black blood cover her claws.

It was quiet. All Annita could hear was the pounding of her heart and the panting of her breath. She’d won. She’d probably almost died, but she’d won. Annita sank back onto her heels, head hanging back as she closed her eyes, and let the pain of her wounds wash over her, exhaustion filling her limbs.

When she opened her eyes again, Kat’s face was obscured by another silver window. Wait, no, two windows.

Level Up!

Please review your Stat Screen for further information!

Annita dismissed the window quickly, returning her sight to just Kat.

“Hey girlie,” the brunette fighter said softly. “How’re ye feelin’?”

“Like a chew toy,” Annita groaned back.

A soft laugh escaped Kat’s lips. “Aye, and ye look it, too. Don’t worry, Bren’s fixin’ ya up. Ye’ll be right as rain in a tick.”

“Good. Oh, that feels lovely, Bren. Thanks.” Annita closed her eyes as she felt the healing magic wash through her. “I levelled again. Twice actually. I think,” she mumbled.

“Yeah, sounds about right considering that one skill ye’ve got. Anythin' good this time?” Kat moved and began shoving the Twinwolves into a pile nearby. Annita elected to keep her eyes closed and simply listened to the woman move.

“Not sure. Let me check.” Annita sighed. Focusing on her Status Screen, the ethereal window appeared behind her eyelids.

Congratulations! New Skill unlocked!

Please make your selection below!

Lustful Duelist

Cost: +20 Libido

Requires taunting your target.

Engage in a one-on-one duel, limiting your focus and allowing you to further exploit their weaknesses. While the duel is engaged, increase the damage done to your opponent 20% of your Dexterity. The duel is broken if any external interference occurs.

Predatory Sensuality

Cost: +40 Libido

Requires a display of sensuality to activate.

Your force of will and pure sensuality make you irresistible, lowering your opponent’s guard. For a single strike, lower the target’s Endurance by 5 points.

“Oh my Gods, can this get more embarrassing?” Annita groaned aloud.

“Oh, fun ones?” Kat chuckled as she returned to Bren and Annita’s side.

“Eh, not really? More useful, but with a big drawback,” she explained. “One’s a duelist skill. Pretty self-explanatory. Gives me a damage boost as long as I’m one-on-one with someone. The other is something that lowers an opponent’s guard and lets me do better damage for a single hit.”

“Huh, sounds like it’s anglin’ ye toward more of a rogue fighting style. Big single hits, lots’a damage, exploitin’ weaknesses,” Kat pondered.

“Yes, I agree. In our current situation, that type of fighter well suits our composition,” Bren said as he pulled back. “There, you should be restored to your previous state.”

“Thanks again,” Annita said as she opened her eyes, looking over at him. “I think I’m going to go with the second choice. It’s got a high cost to it, but if I’m going to be more of a rogue here, I might as well increase my capability in the role.”

“Aye, a good choice. What’s the cost if ye don’t mind me askin’?”

“Er, well, it’s a resource and an action. You’ve seen my skills already. It’s the one that none of my other stats use, and it adds forty of it.” Annita fought to hide a blush she felt colouring her cheeks.

“The stat you don’ ‘ave a use fo- oh. OH!” Kat pondered slowly before the pieces clicked. “That’s a hell of a cost!” She sat down next to them with a thump.

“Do you two deign me important enough to explain what you are talking about?’ Bren interjected.

“Er, maybe?” Annita blushed furiously.

“Yer gonna be blushin’ as hard as she is if we do. Ye want that?” Kat prodded the healer.

“Is it really that scandalous?” Bren asked, suddenly nervous.

“Oh, aye, an’ I’m not pullin’ yer leg on this one. She’s got a right nutter of a Path, she does,” Kat warned him with raised eyebrows.

“I-“ Bren began before being interrupted.

“Saucier than I like my biscuits.” Kat continued with her analogies.

“Still, should I not be incl-“

“Spicier than the peppers from the mines o’ Korvas,” Kat interrupted again.

“Fine, enough. I get the point.” Bren raised his hands in defeat.

“Tell you what,” Annita interjected in the banter, “I’ll show you once we get to Graven Peak. It seems like a hub, so if you’re not all right with what my Path entails, then we can part ways there, no hard feelings. Does that sound ok?”

Bren took a minute to think over the proposal. Annita watched his brows knit as he thought, and his hand rubbed his stubbled chin. “Yes, I believe that is acceptable. However, I doubt it will change my mind. This one is not escaping me that easily.” He poked Kat in the side.

“Oh, now yer actin’ the mother hen? Ye’ve been goin’ along with me antics for months now, an’ now ye’ve got a problem?”

Annita let their playful bickering fade into the background as she returned to her Sheet and confirmed Predatory Sensuality as her choice. She then moved on to the second level. This wasn’t as interesting. She was given a choice of a core stat to increase, as well as what seemed to be a standard increase to her other stats. She bumped her Dex up by two points and reviewed the updated information.

Name: Annita Kronforst

Age: 23

Race: Lupine (Warped)

Path: Warrior of Orenous (3)

Title: Chosen of Orenous

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Racial Skills:

Cold Resistance: Reduced damage from cold effects. Comfortable in colder climates.

Keen Hearing: Able to hear sounds from greater distances with greater clarity.

Natural Weapons: Claws and teeth are considered weapons for any skills that would affect weapons.

Endurance Hunter: +2 to Strength, +5 to Dexterity, +5 to Stamina

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Unique Passive:

Chosen of Orenous: The Bearer is burdened with a task from the divine. Growth of one’s progression is accelerated by a factor of 1.5 once a Path is chosen. Further benefits will be unlocked upon progression of the Bearer’s Path.

Additionally provides +3 to Faith.

Path Skills

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Passive:

Weapon Proficiency: Light weapons and small firearms.

Armor Proficiency: Medium Armor

Health Points: Stat has been unlocked.

Libido: Stat has been unlocked. Increases by 5/hour. Once full, sexual inhibitions will be greatly reduced until release is achieved.

Desire: Stat has been unlocked. Gained through relations with trusting partners.

Stat Increases: +5 to Faith, +10 to Mind, +2 to Endurance, +2 to Resilience

Compatibility: You’re a large lady, in more ways than one. This will help make sure things go smoothly in your conquests.

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Active:

Stoke the Flames: Consume 10 desire points to inflame the target, incensing a heightened emotion of your choice for 1 minute.

Smite of Orenous: Enhance an attack to deal additional Holy damage. Adds 20% of current Faith to the attack. Cost: 10 Mind.

Predatory Sensuality: Cost: +40 Libido. Requires a display of sensuality to activate. Your force of will and pure sensuality make you irresistible, lowering your opponent’s guard. For a single strike, lower the target’s Endurance by 5 points.

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Passive Stat Increases:

+30 Health

+30 Desire

+15 Libido

+2 Strength

+2 Dexterity