CHPT 197: Unlikely Matchup.
The WereWolf in human form stood in front of the entry into the Raider base, close to his mysterious research as he watched the Gnoll's play a game of illusory cat and mouse with the Phantom Wolves.
His fearful scents and way of leading confused Ashe as she ran through the forest, only ever able to peer out of the forest at him every now and then.
The WereWolf watched her often. His body language spoke of fear and discomfort but behind his eyes something dark and dangerous loomed like a storm cloud. The man had an unsettling duality to him. It made him highly unpredictable. Dangerous.
While the monstrous commander in human skin continued to watch and stood by idly, a vengeful force in the distance worked its way through his ranks in silence. Unbeknownst to the WereWolf, the force had already removed one player from the field. How many more could it take before the WereWolf was alerted? Would it be enough to guarantee this force's survival in an all out face off?
Hopefully.
***
Deep inside the portion of forest behind the Raider base, the abundant amount of bushes, plant life, healthy trees and lively grass had been morphed into the damaged state of a battlefield.
The grass was torn and lined with deep scratches in the dirt where the Gnoll's humanoid paws raked across the ground in pursuit of its elusive and speedy opponents. The trees around them told a similar story with ripped twisted limbs and smashed potions of bark from the monsters powerful club impacting the natural structure repeatedly.
The two split from another recent series of missed and landed blows in a battle of speed vs power.
The Mastiff type Gnoll breathed heavily, showing a repeated rise and fall of its tree trunk chest beneath the thick armor it wore. Slimy strings of frothy saliva fell from its meaty jowls with every ragged exhale and its club shook in its right hand— showing the creature's loss of patience and rise of anger.
Claude stood a few dozen feet away, closer to the clearing than he'd like. His breathing was calmer than his opponents since he had less bulk to move— and the gift of wolven stamina. He'd followed Arne's instructions as much as possible through the fight, and in doing so hadn't been hit yet.
He'd also been able to get the Monster to unleash a number of missed full power swings that caused the weapon to smash into nearby trees, sending a volley of fractures down the base of the thick blunt force weapon. It was a dangerous tactic since he was sure the others could hear the sound, but the risk was worth it since one hit from the weapon was guaranteed to turn the current tide of this duel.
That was why he was still on edge. Despite the number of cuts along its exposed veiny arms and rippling muscled legs, he was not truly winning. Nothing changed. He still had to be incredibly careful for himself and Frosty, and the Gnoll still had to hit him— probably once.
He needed to change that.
His grip tightened on his blade and Frosty snarled from behind him.
The thundering footfalls of the hulking Gnoll signaled the returning of combat.
Claude and Frosty engaged, running in opposing zig zags that confusing the Gnolls maddened mind. The Monster's flapping jowls swayed like a cloak as it's head flashed side to side, deciding who to attack first before settling with blindly charging them both.
"RAUGHSHK!"
WOO!
Thump!
The Lupine and PitWolf split, feeling the smash of the club against the forest floor, reverberating under their feet like minor seismic waves.
The Gnoll was in a very compromising position that Claude didn't exactly catch, but Arne did— being an individual who thrived in duels and critical strikes. It was the duty of a man who used a Rapier to kill all forms of Monster's, and as a man with that kind of knowledge he was sure he could lead Claude to victory. A victory that could start with the next attack.
"[Back knee, now!]" He yelled to Claude as he glided past the Gnoll who leaned over the grass with its club to the floor— practically on all fours.
Claude understood the instruction and spun to face the back of the monster with his tattered cloak spinning like a black saucer in response to his sudden movement.
His eyes found the back of the Monster's exposed knee in milliseconds, and his blade followed.
Shlnk!
The sharp metal cut through the Monster's flesh and steel cord-like tendons, rendering the creature's leg useless and mind in a state of wild pain.
"AAARGHSHP!!" The Gnoll let out a demented sounding yelp before snarling and swinging it's club at his legs.
Woo!
It was a weak swing, obviously not full power but still aided by the Monster's ferocious response to pain. Claude jumped over the swing— but his tired reflexes failed him….slightly.
The cracked weapon connected with his foot, turning him on his axis mid air and sending him into a panic.
He flailed through the air widely before his inhuman reflexes took over, causing him to land in a push-up position next to the Gnoll.
Woo!
The sound of the club coming again caused him to push off the ground and roll out of the way of the big swing.
As he tumbled through the grass, he heard a fleshy crunching sound followed by a snarl and second intimidating yelp from the Gnoll. The smell of blood in the air strengthened immediately.
He bursted to his feet, looking at the Gnoll ahead of him. It rose from the ground on uneven footing due to the one leg simply not working. But something happened to the other leg as well while he was too busy avoiding his head being swung off his shoulders.
A chunk of its calf was torn from its left leg, bright red blood streamed from the wound like a river of crimson. Frosty stood in front of the monster, chewing the Gnoll's calf muscle while he eyed the 7ft tall monster fearlessly. It was oddly intimidating to see.
Suddenly, the monster took off after Frosty. Claude reacted quickly, calling on the Nature around the Gnoll to hold it in place.
In seconds, the Gnoll's legs slowly became caught up in vines and roots with every slow step until it's functionless leg was completely encased in greenery.
While the Monster flee'd from him in pursuit of Frosty, his Prey Drive took control of every inch of him, leading him after the Gnoll's wide back with his blade raised.
Woo!
He leapt in the air and aimed his sword for the back of the Monster's neck, hoping to rip through everything and end the creatures life before it could get further away or harm Frosty.
Shrip!
While he descended onto the back of the wolven behemoth, it ripped its arm from the rooted binds of Nature like it was made of string and swung back at the Lupine.
Claude had enough space between them to mutter a curse and bring up his guard in preparation for a hit that would probably rival the power of the Undead Giant's he faced.
Woo!
"Fu—"
Crack!
The wooden club smashed against his braced forearms and sent him flying backward with pain that rivaled anything he'd ever felt— except Full Moons.
He rolled and rolled until he lost any idea of what was up and down. The sky and green floor blended into a painful vortex of greens and midnight blues until he finally rolled to a stop in a cloud of dust and sea of pain.
[40% HP Remaining, (162/402)]
***
One reflexive hit. One hit that sent him out of the dark expanse of forestry. He could be found any second— if they weren't already searching for him after hearing the battle.
His odds were tripled stacked against him and his chance at revenge.
Less than half of his health remaining. Nature Element useful— but not enough, and one huge problem that dwarfed the rest.
One huge problem that got the steam rising from his skin like he was on fire as he breathed raggedly against the grass.
Frosty was fighting the Gnoll. Alone.