Fantasy Godslayer: Blood and Salt

[Breadman]

2

 

[Damian0358]

2

 

[LoriMahe]

2

 

[demytra]

2. Find Higher Ground - The trees nearby are bound to provide a good view to plan from...

You remember the stories all too well of young Saukkonens getting caught unaware to meet a grisly end, and this environment is all too inviting for such a fate upon yourself. You can see the trees nearby standing tall above the stalks and reeds, and so you dash forward for higher ground. The vines and warped bark provides good a good grip for you as you scale upwards, and in turn you start to get the whole picture from above. The reeds become small strokes upon a water canvas, and when you sit upon a branch some meters above your vision narrows as you scan your surroundings. The swamp remains deathly quiet - absent of almost all life save for your breathing and the beating of your heart - and this leaves you to your plan of attack. At water level, your hunt holds a great many advantages which includes being able to slink away at a moments notice. So even if you were able to wound it, it would retreat and leave you guessing as to where it would come from next.

One thing it can't do, however, is look upwards well - and so you can take it from above and hopefully deal a killing blow before its able to shake off the surprise in store for it. You bring the spear into a reverse grip and keep it by your shoulder as you wait for a sign. Moments pass, and you wonder whether or not the riverbeast has simply moved on. But then, you see the reeds rustle again and the waters grow more disturbed. A scaled figure swims in the shallow waters, prowling for the scent it has picked up and releasing a guttural hiss that rumbles in the air. It fills you with apprehension, as a primal fear shouts at you to scamper for cover. A feeling that has been imprinted upon countless generations since time immemorial, warning of the threats that stalked the wilds and in turn kept you safe.

But in these times, such fears had to be conquered. But you wouldn't be charging in reckless with a foolish bravery; rather, you approach the situation with a cool and level-head as you search for the perfect opportunity to strike.

You see glimpses to of the beast stalking in the reeds, though not enough to justify going in yet. You grit your teeth as the anticipation builds until it becomes almost unbearable - it forces you to shift in place as your body screams for the opportunity for action. Then, you see its body in full force within a thinner patch of reeds just below you. Without hesitation, you jump off your perch and leap downwards. You grip your spear in both hands with the tip pointed straight at its target and let out a shrill cry before colliding with the monster below. Your spear finds it mark to be true, as it digs through its natural defences thanks to your momentum and blood begins to spill out into the water below. The beast thrashes and lets out a pained hiss as it thrashes around and tries to throw you off, forcing you to hold onto the shaft of your weapon for dear life as it darts around the reeds in full force.

You try to find a better handle on the beast, so as to climb further onto its form and deliver a killing blow but you can hardly muster strength enough to keep yourself from being thrown away as is. The monster lets out another hiss as its thrashing grows more frantic, and begins to wiggle its entire body with force enough that it begins to dislodge the spear from its hide. Very quickly, you realize that you'll have to face it head on and - rather than risk keeping a failing grasp - decide to get away from its maws before it can snap back towards you. Water fills your vision for a moment as you tumble, before quickly getting back onto your feet to reorient yourself. The beast is a few meters away, with its eyes staring at you with predatory intent as you grip your spear tightly once again.

​

A monster like this would only have thoughts on charging ahead without any thought for what you can do, you think to yourself quickly. And you decide to use that against it as you hold your ground in defiance to meet its challenge. The riverbeast lets loose a roar that sounds throughout the swamp before storming ahead with lumbering footfall. Its form grows imposingly larger as it approaches, threatening to drown you in its presence, but you stand firm until the moment is just right. Its jagged maw snaps towards you as the monster expects an easy meal, seeing only a young otter frozen in place and unable to defend itself now.

Instead, you sidestep the attack and thrust your spear upwards into its form and strike it straight into its neck. You know that this is one of its weaker points, and so co-opted a plan to aim for its jugular as a killing blow. Your spear finds its mark, but to your surprise the monster continues to live as it swipes at you with the back of its arm and sends you flying. You feel blood begin to pool in your mouth from the impact as your insides rattle from the the strength of the blow. For a moment your vision doubles as you struggle to get back up, but when it clears you see what had happened: your spear is firmly lodged into its neck, but the shaft has been broken in half now which left only the metal impaled into it as well as some splintered wood jutting out.

More blood pools out, staining the water below into a crimson red as the creature thrashes in pain. Your weapon hadn't cut into its vitals, but it had done enough to weaken it greatly - the only problem now was that you were without a weapon. The riverbeast could still kill you just as easily now than it did before, which leaves you scrambling for a plan. The pain it feels would only buy you a few precious moments as you look to your surroundings for an answer...

---

1. Go for the spear!

2. Use the silt below!

3. Hide in the reeds!

4. Find a rock!

 

[dikdik]

1

 

[Breadman]

4

 

[turtwigwins]

2

 

[LoriMahe]

4

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

4

 

[Infab]

4

 

[Damian0358]

2

 

[K0mori]

1

 

[Iamhe]

4

 

[demytra]

4. Find a rock!

Your mind races for your next course of action, and between what immediately comes to mind you choose one within a split second that seemed dragged for nearly an eternity. You dive your hands under the water, scrambling to find a rock to use as an improvised weapon. The riverbeast nearby continued to thrash, disturbing its surroundings with its primal fury as it tried in vain to remove the weapon jabbed into its neck as you conduct your search; with how disturbed the waters and sands underneath are, it seems almost fruitless as you aim in the muddied waters. Your fingers then come into contact with something solid, and you grip tightly until you can feel your digits surge with pain. You bring forward a jagged stone that cuts into your fingers from the panicked grip you have it in and turn to face your quarry, which by now had returned its attention to you. It was likely to die here, but it would not go down so easily as its gaze pierces through you. Regardless of its own well-being, it will kill you if it's the last thing it does in this world.

But the same train of thought mirrors in your mind as well as you grip your improvised weapon harder and stare down the beast without any intention of backing down. There was nowhere to run or hide, and you were left with but a primal instinct to survive by any means necessary. A small trickle of blood streams down your hand, stemmed only by the pressure you wield the stone with as you charge forward; every drop stains the waters below into crimson wisps, intermixing with the blood of the riverbeast as it too charges towards you. You are much smaller and are thus afforded the opportunity to slink in between its grasp - and you do so as you slide into the water underneath under the creature's lunge. From there, you bring the rock upwards to try to stab at its exposed flesh and carve out another gash to its growing collection of wounds. The monster roars from this deception and retaliates with a swipe of its tail that connects directly to your side. You feel the wind knocked from your body as its muscular appendage thrashes you away from it and leaves you tumbling a fair distance.

Water clouds your vision only momentarily as your survival instincts remain on full gear, and you quickly regain your footing and your breath as drums fills your ears. Wordlessly you charge again towards the beast, which had little time to scout your position as you slink in between its guard and strike again. This time, you only connect with thick leathery flesh to little effect to its natural armour. In turn, the beast grabs you and slams you into the water below and pins you into the mud below. Struggle as you might, you feel powerless against its brute strength as it roars in triumph and begins to drown its prey. Bubbles escape your mouth as you struggle and punch and stab at its claws, but remain trapped nonetheless. Your breath begins to leave your lungs as you see the rippling form of the monster above staring you down in an animalistic rage.

Your vision begins to darken at the edges as your body struggles more and more for air, and fear overtakes your previous state of mind as you recognize that you're about to die. And there's nothing you can do about it. You want to live, it can't end like this. Yet your eyes darken and your grasp on reality grows ever weaker - your movements are now sluggish as life begins to vacate your form and you can do little to stop its relentless march. This is the end, and with what little will you can conjure now is entirely fixated on the futile battle to remain conscious. If you could cry, you would - but your tears are drowned in the ruthless marsh...

For any other unlucky Saukkonen, this would have been their doom. But something else stirred as you slipped between life and death; you still felt the rock in your grasp, despite the pain of drowning. And furthermore, you felt something fundamental stir within your very being: first a feeling, an overwhelming strength that seemed to stir like a freak tempest amidst the open ocean. Then, you feel it course through your arm. You manage to glimpse down in your haze and see the veins under your fur turn a bright, intense blue that positively radiates with power. And soon enough, it enters the very rock you wield and it begins to spark. You don't know why exactly, but with all your remaining strength you push it upwards directly towards the riverbeast and immediately after your world goes black...

---

You don't know how long has passed when you awake, but when you do your lungs are filled with fluid; your body hacks it up painfully as you cling to one of the many roots of the nearby trees and pull yourself further up from the water's surface. Light and colours return and the world is repainted again as you remember it amidst your fits to clear your airways. The sweet nectar of life fills your throat again as you take a moment to rest. You can hardly feel your limbs throughout all that exertion, and only barely manage to lift your head from its resting spot to see where you were.

Fortunately, you had unconsciously managed to drag yourself only a small distance away from the clearing you had fought in which provided a good view. Your eyes widen as you look upon your handiwork, having unwittingly unleashed something terrible upon your opponent. The beast's smoldering corpse lay lifeless, with most of its hide charred and blackened and its mouth agape to reveal its stilled tongue. The smell of burnt flesh hits you as more of your senses return, and you gag into the water below. It's only then that you then start to feel the pain radiate from your arm, and you look to see that the tips of your fingers had also been burnt horribly.

You can hear a familiar voice calling out in the distance in a panic, having undoubtedly heard the commotion of what had transpired. Your mind starts to drift yet again as your body only wants to rest, and darkness takes hold of you once more.

---

It is evening when you awake again, this time in the more comfortable setting of your own bed. And this time, you and feel everything as your entire body aches; you let out a groan as you struggle to move, only to be scolded immediately,

"Don't move!" your mother states with fear, "You need to rest."

"Akko be praised, you're alive..." your father states, also nearby and with a worried look.

"You put him up to this! I told you he needed rest!"

Your father remains silent, looking away in shame from both you and his mate. It needn't be said, as it was written on his face. He felt guilt towards everything that had transpired and in turn blamed himself for nearly getting you killed.

---

1. Console Your Father - "I was stupid," you manage to say to your father, "I had a plan, but then I... I screwed it up. It's my fault."

2. Reassure Your Mother - "I'm fine... I think." you groan to your mother as you manage to sit up, "I don't feel anything broken..."

 

[turtwigwins]

1

 

[Infab]

1

 

[K0mori]

2

 

[Breadman]

2

 

[LoriMahe]

2

 

[dikdik]

2

 

[Damian0358]

2

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

1

 

[demytra]

2. Reassure Your Mother - "I'm fine... I think." you groan to your mother as you manage to sit up, "I don't feel anything broken..."

Your mother looks at you skeptically, but you continue to reinforce your words: "Seriously, I'm fine. I'm just really tired. It took the wind out of me..." you say, remembering the scene you had barely glimpsed before falling unconscious. You quickly turn your head to your father - who remains averted from looked at you - with worry. "Did I-!?"

"Yes, you slew the riverbeast." he quickly interjects, though with a more defeated tone.

"Tch," your mother's tongue clicks with annoyance to your father as she snaps at him, "Is that all you can think of!?"

"I wanted to go." you protest to at least to try to soothe your mother's own rampant feelings on what had transpired. "I'm not a child anymore, I can make my own choices." Your words come out a bit harsher than intended, but it gets the point across as your mother leans back from you with surprise. She stays quiet for a moment, before shooting a glare to your father that summons him away. They both walk off and close the door behind them, leaving you to your own thoughts as you hear them faintly argue downstairs. Under the pale moonlight streaming from your window, you lift up your hand to find your digits wrapped in bandages - leaving you to observe the aftermath of what you had accomplished earlier in silence. Your father undoubtedly would have questions, as he would have come across the dead beast after rushing to fetch you.

But you too had your own train of thought as to what you had done; it was not anything you had ever seen before, at least from within the tight knit community that was Laketown. Magic was something reserved for grand tales and far off lands far from your home, and yet here you were smiting riverbeasts. And with thunderous power no less imbued into a simple rock. But how? Your mind immediately drifts to the most obvious explanation of this being Akko's doing, though this was purely speculation as you have little else to go off of in the moment.

...

...

...

I should ask him.

You clench your hand into a fist and take a deep breath, trying to focus amidst your lethargy with closed eyes. "Akko... please talk to me." you mutter as a half-hearted plea to the divine, though a moment passes with the usual silence save for the ambience of gentle lapping waves of the waters below and the occasional creaking of wood. It's disappointing, though not entirely unexpected, as you turn over to sleep, until you feel a presence in your room. You quickly shift back, sitting up at attention with wide eyes as you see that familiar figure sitting in the same chair your mother was in just moments before.

"Eventful day?" Akko asks in jest, his beak clicking as he watches you intently. You stare with mouth agape, incredibly concerned as to whether or not your parents would walk in at any moment to such a sight, but the god raises his talons to dissuade your fears. "You're asleep, don't worry."

You look down to see your body fast asleep, having almost immediately fallen to exhaustion the moment you closed your eyes again. You yourself are still tangible, though it's a strange experience to be outside your own body. You take a moment to get acclimated to this new reality before finally getting to the point. "What happened to me?"

"Seems the gift I've given you has started to awaken, faster than expected as well." Akko muses, and continues to elaborate before you can voice your confusion. "I've made you a sorcerer." The weight of this begins to slowly creep into your mind as the information settles, and you start to realize two things. First and foremost, you're probably the only Saukkonen to have ever wielded magic in such a manner. Second, you know practically nothing about magic whatsoever save for the tales that were recounted at the festival bonfires from both elders and travelers alike. Of men and women performing feats unlike any the world have ever seen, and by doing so changing said world with their very presence alone.

With that in mind you figure that now is the best opportunity to learn as Akko's head tilts, as if he's expecting a flurry of questions from you.

---

Dealer's Order - I will choose the best questions/responses from players and put them in an order that makes sense.

 

[Breadman]

"I'm sorcerer? Wait, when did this happen? How? What else can I do? Can I fly? Can I breathe underwater? Can you teach me more? Oh...can you teach me to breathe fire?" Your mind races with all the questions you can think of, never thinking about stopping until "Do you want anything in return?"

 

[Damian0358]

Your eyes squinted in confusion. "...and what does that mean??" Just because you know what magic means and what a sorcerer might be, you still weren't sure what that exactly meant here. Was there something unique to the Saukkonen when it comes to magic, or were things fairly universal? What makes a sorcerer different from a magician, if there is any difference? Does Akko know what you're wondering right now? Does he realize how confusing this all is??