Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

After the Wolves fled, it had become calm, allowing Maria a moment of respite. Even the crickets had stopped chirping, leaving nothing but the sound of the wind rustling the forest leaves. It was quiet now, but something could be felt nearby with a very oppressive presence, almost enough to make one sick with fear; a primordial fear. 

Maria's exhaustion made her less aware of the imminent danger, but whatever it was, it did not come any closer, not close enough to be seen by anyone in the area, at least. This mysterious presence lied in wait for the feline Qin to make her move, long enough so that she could get at least an hour or two of rest.

(You will be fully rested (more or less) and have all of your HP/STM back, but you must either look for the Amarok's lair or return to Drakestone and abandon your quest. The choice is yours.)

(2000 EXP earned for chapter completion)

Maria wondered aimlessly, searching every nook and cranny along the way, but to no avail. But one thing caught her eye: a giant tree that stood well above all the others. It stood over a mound that looks like it had been cultivated over the ages. And in the mound, was a large opening that looked like it went a ways beneath the ground without any signs of its structural integrity being compromised. This could possibly home to this beast that she had been searching for. Whether or not she wanted to come near the den was her choice, well aware of the potential danger.

She cautiously approached the small hill and inspected the burrow. A large gust of wind came blowing through, enough to almost knocked Maria off her feet. A strange warmth was emanating from the opening, as well as a stagnant stench. Still feeling brave, she ventured down into the subterranean dwelling. The entire inside had been carefully smoothed out by something and was free of most grooves and stones. 

When she arrived at the base of the dwelling, there were piles of bones set neatly next to one another in a row alongside the rounded walls and a messy bed made from dry grass, dead leaves and flowers. The ground looks like it's littered with bonemeal, perhaps made from an excess of bone matter that was too much clutter. As Maria snooped around, she felt a hot gnarly breath crawl from her neck and down her back. It was quiet, but a snarl could be heard just behind her. Whatever it was, it was smart enough to sneak up on her with her noticing.

When Maria turned around, she stood face to face with the Amarok she had been looking for. It was taller than any common man and was rippling with muscle underneath of it's mangy fur. Even though it has tried caring for it's hygiene, the smell of animal carcasses still lingered. The beast let out a loud roar to let her know who she's dealing with. The only way back out was through the tunnel behind the Amarok, so she would have fight it if she wanted to leave in one piece.

(Move to this thread to commence battle https://ffmsl.rpg-board.net/t719-chapter-4-maria-vs-amarok#14327)

Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

Wolfwood
The Black Beast "Amarok"



The battle ensued and Maria fought the terrifying beast one on one. Magic was Maria's primary weapon against the brutish feral creature, and for some time it had proven to be quite effective. However, the gap between her abilities and the monster's power soon showed. It was physically impossible for the tiny Nyanqin to beat the Amarok's strength. 

The Amarok traded blows with Maria. Every spell she cast against it, merited a counter of deadly swipes of it's deadly claws the size of a sword. It didn't matter if the Amarok was weak against the magical element Maria used, it's attack was still a lot more powerful compared to the Nyanqin's.

Another clear disadvantage against Maria is the Amarok's high speed regenerative abilities. No matter how much damage Maria's attacks did to the monstrous black beast, it's body seemed to quickly recover from it. Furthermore Maria was showing signs of fatigue, in fact she nearly ran out of stamina while the Amarok was barely using any.

Ultimately, Maria was defeated. She was brave enough to face the creature on her own, but not nearly strong enough to best it. The Amarok caught Maria with it's powerful claws, dealing several fatal wounds to her face and body. The blow was so powerful that it splattered Maria's blood and some of her flesh, three to five feet away. However, it does not kill her right away. The Amarok walked over and loomed above Maria. It sneered at her and gazed upon her like a carnivore staring down on a delicious and bloody pile of meat. 

Maria loses consciousness. But a some hours later she wakes up and it's morning. She finds herself inside a cottage in the woods. Her clothes were torn to shreds, revealing most of her naked body, but her wounds were miraculously gone. Was it all just a dream? Remnants of her dress suggested otherwise. It was covered in blood, her blood. 

A leafy delicious smell began filling the air. A noise of someone grinding something small and round could be heard from outside the cottage.

Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

Wolfwood
The Black Beast "Amarok"

The glare from the sun hit Maria's eyes sharply. Outside, there was a dark haired Qin woman, using a mortar and pestle to grind some herbs and spices. At first, it seemed that she didn't notice that Maria was already up and about. She wasn't wearing much except for some fur armor. A few seconds more, she acknowledged Maria's presence and said, "There's a change of clothes in the house. Get changed and go back to wherever it is you came from. If I see you in this woods again, I'll kill you."




The Wolfqin continued grinding herbs and spices. It looks like she was preparing for a feast with all the meat and vegetables she's prepared. But there were no signs of other people living with her in her small cottage. She wasn't very welcoming, but she did let her rest in her cottage. There's still the question of what exactly happened after Maria passed out and how did she survive her wounds.

Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

Wolfwood
The Black Beast "Amarok"

As soon as Maria stepped out, the woman's large ears twitched. The involuntary movement was small yet noticeable. Then she continued with her grinding. It was understandable that Maria had questions about last night, but what the woman didn't like was the girl's perseverance to stay in Wolfwood.

The Wolfqin got up from her sitting position, leaving her mortar and pestle on the wooden table, and furiously walked up towards Maria. She placed her mouth beside Maria's ear, growled and said, "And what exactly is it that you are looking for?" Her voice seemed to have changed in tone and there was a feeling of hostility in the air, like she was ready to kill Maria if she gave an answer she didn't like.

Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

Wolfwood
The Black Beast "Amarok"

"I healed you with magic. Well it doesn't matter. Leave now or I'll have to finish the Amarok's job for him." the woman said to Maria. The woman didn't seem to have anything else to say to Maria. Perhaps this was a dead end all along. But just as things were starting to come to a choke point, several other Qins arrived from the south. They were composed mostly of Wolfqin, except for their leader who is a Nyanqin.



TRIMIN: "What's this Lyka? Why are you letting out guest go so quickly? She hasn't had lunch yet. She must be very hungry!" Said the white and black Wolfqin with short, human like hair growing on his head and wearing the bone armor. 

RAURRA: "Trimin's right Lyka. Why the rush to shove away our young guest?" the Blue furred female Wolfqin added.

It seems like these were Lyka's party members. But they behaved more like a Pack. Their leader is someone Maria is very familiar with. The last time they saw each other was in Drakestone City. He walks up to Maria and says, J'ASHA: "Long time no see little kitten!" 

J'asha, was once Meera's personal body guard and her top fighter. Now that Meera is dead, he doesn't have to follow her around like a stray dog anymore. He's formed his own group of Qins, all Wolfqins, but not for the Pits or any other tournament. For what purpose is yet to be revealed. But one thing is for sure, they hunt down and kill Amaroks.

Chapter 4: The Path Ahead

Wolfwood
The Black Beast "Amarok"

J'asha nudged closer towards Maria, their obvious gap in height became apparent if it wasn't obvious before already. Maria was about half of J'asha's size in height. In weight, however, the gap was far too large. J'asha was a big cat, Maria was a tenth, maybe more of J'asha's weight.

Even before, J'asha had this tremendously terrifying aura around him. It was more prominent now than it was a few months ago when last they met. It seems that being set free has made him, more powerful and more deadly.

J'asha gives Maria a sinister smile. He looks down at her and says, J'ASHA: "Meera told me to kill you once you screw up, and boy did you screw up. Lucky for you Meera is already dead and I've already taken a liking to you. You remind me so much of your mother. She was a sweet little kitty cat like yourself. Did she tell you about that night we spent together in the mountains? I'm sure she must've it was a very unforgettable experience."

The other wolves seems to have picked up on J'asha's joke and they all laughed in unison, except for Lyka.

J'ASHA: "I understand you're looking for Amaroks. We are too, the wilds ones, in particular. Maybe you want to join our group. We're always open to NEW recruits."