Big Game Hunting [Gan Ceann/Ellie Salem]

[Augustine]

Something strange was afoot in the Balkan Mountains.  The Protettore had been at work investigating a number of bizarre incidents within the Balkan Mountains.  In simple terms it looked like a string of devil attacks and sightings.  However the details were what made this confusing.  It wasn't just one devil.  Specifically as near as they could tell, each devil sighted was responsible for at best two, and very rarely three sightings or attacks, and then seemingly vanished only for another devil to be caught doing something else.  It was a full chronological order, and after a couple of incidents, that devil was seemingly never seen again.

One investigator floated the idea of a kind of 'demonic tourism' some powerful devil letting others briefly into the balkans to wreak havoc, but the devils that were sighted did not seem like the intelligent type.  They seemed to be of the more bestial nature, and when the Protettore managed to finally catch sight of the latest, this was confirmed.  The species of devil they'd found was not of the type to enjoy tourism, closer to something like an animal of the human world, but far more deadly.  They weren't able to kill it, but it didn't matter as the next incident reported did not fit the description of the devilish beast in the slightest.  It had vanished, and something seemingly new had taken its place. 

To make things stranger, the Protettore investigation had managed to find multiple different 'lairs' or 'nests' for Devilish beasts, and yet they all had the hallmarks of different species, and there seemed to be no pattern.  Was someone or something really just unleashing random monsters into the Balkans for a short time and then disappearing them?  Further investigation was needed, and so the Templar had the region put under a much stricter watch.  The first step to figuring out truly what the hell was happening in the Balkan Mountains was to actually slay one of these beasts.  If nothing else it would rule out several possibilities such as just some kind of truly bizarre shapeshifter.  The moment the next devil was sighted, two agents were deployed. 

The first, a specialist Protettore, Ellie Salem, more combat capable and better suited to hunting than many other of that part of the order.  Second, a Cavalieri to serve as body guard and additional muscle as was customary in the Templar.  A Devil named Gan Ceann, or 'Lilika Fairbrook' for a more public human name.  From the coastline of Montenegro the two were being flown by helicopter from a Templar ship, directly to the area the other Protettore had identified as the area the beast was roaming.  Their objective was as simple as could be.  Track the beast down and kill it.

'Lilika' found the tremendous roar of the helicopter somewhat stifling, but noisy machines were not unique to the human world.  She sat strapped into her seat, in the human guise she'd adopted.  Perhaps she'd drop it when the hunt began in earnest but it typically wouldn't do for a normal civilian to see the full glory of her Dullahan form.  Secured next to her seat was shield, lance and a curious, heavy glaive, her weapons obviously.  Her expression was as featureless as could be, looking out over the countryside as they flew into the mountains.  She did not know this woman she was partnered with.  Just before getting on the helicopter was the first time she had seen her, but hopefully they'd be able to work well enough together.

It was important that Gan Ceann did not merely do a serviceable job as Cavalieri, but truly excelled.

[Gaz]

Ellie #1

---

After hearing the many reports of what was happening in the mountains Ellie jumped at the chance to go on a hunting mission, one with such perils and potential for fun and mystery that it rivalled some of the bad action movies she kept in her room to watch. When she was handed the orders and told to prepare for her hunt she wasted no time, being in her battle dress with her face painted faster than ever. The only hang up on this mission was the fact that she had to be paired with a Cavarieri, or anyone for that matter. Ellie had always considered herself a lone wolf like her Mentor was.

She sat herself into the helicopter and placed her shadow steel sword across her lap, the length of the blade laying across the seats either side of her. The skull painted face was staring out of the window to the shifting countryside scenery, just as her companion on this mission was. They hadn’t spoken a word all flight and that was getting to Ellie now.

“Call me Ellie.” She spoke, tapping the headset that she was wearing to make sure that it was working so her companion could hear her. “What am I calling you, Cavalieri?” She asked, her gaze turning away from the fantastic views of the mountains to their side to her mission partner. They were going to need to at least have a base level of trust and knowledge of each other’s capabilities before this mission was to fully go ahead.

---

Ellie: f96157

[Augustine]

The redhead turned to look towards Ellie when spoken to. Her expression however didn't shift even slightly. No flicker of the eyes, no turning of the mouth in any direction. Only completely ordinary blinking signaled that it wasn't just a mask. "Ah, my apologies." Her voice didn't sound right either, it sounded human but...very bland and controlled.

"My real name is Gan Ceann, however it may be best if for some reason we come near civilians to refer to me as Lilika Fairbrook." She bowed her head. She'd done so when they'd met on the ship just before getting on the helicopter but she hadn't said a word. "As Cavalieri I am to be your shield and I humbly ask that you do not hesitate to use me as such. My true form is far from fragile, even should an attack pierce through my folded wings, my body shall withstand regardless."

She certainly had an...interesting manner of speech didn't she? It was hard to tell how earnest she was with that unchanging expression too.

[Gaz]

Ellie #2

---

The half devil raised an eyebrow to her partner and her manner of speaking, hearing the name and seeing the lack any sort of facial expression clued her in. A wary smile came to her lips. Of course, it was going to be a devil. One there specifically to take a few hits and be useful in a combat scenario and potentially to give some more insight into the minds of other devils that are causing this entire thing to happen.

“Ah, well then.” Ellie spoke, letting her thoughts change from needing to hunt the monsters in question and keeping someone alive to being able to go all out without being a meat shield herself. “Don’t worry yourself too much about my protection, I am surprisingly sturdy for a human. David thinks it is because of the Shadow Essence in my blood.” She spoke, pondering the reason for her natural regeneration and overall toughness.

“Looks like they sent two powerhouses to clear out this infestation, good to work with you Gan. I’ll call you Lilika when on the ground.” The young woman with a painted face smiled as softly as she could to indicate the fact that she was placing trust in this demon that was sat across the vehicle. The outer scenery had shifted and changed as they climbed and were passing through the peaks of the range close to the site of the last attack.

“Oh, and if you have anything to say that could help, don’t hesitate to bring it up. Just because you are here to be muscle, it doesn’t mean you are not able to lend your insight.” Ellie spoke, this normally lone wolf doing her darndest to make this whole team work shtick work to her advantage.

---

Ellie: f96157

[Augustine]

Gan Ceann nodded her head. Shadow Essence in her blood? Was she not fully human or merely...augmented somehow? Important information, information it might be necessary to find if this woman proved to be particularly capable. For now though there was no reason to pry any further. If things went well then time would see to her the things she needed.

"I will be sure to do so. Perhaps if fortune favors us the beast we hunt will be one with which I am familiar." Ah the woman was smiling. A gesture that was still foreign to Gan Ceann. Moving these illusory muscles, things she was used to not having, were such a vexing thing. Her lips twitched slightly as if attempting to smile but then sat still.

"Alright ladies, we're at the drop site. Happy hunting." The pilot spoke up and Gan Ceann nodded again, undoing the harness of her seat and standing.

"Pray allow me to drop first, Ellie." Picking up the shield she flipped it to her back with a gesture, where it's components unfolded, looking like a pair of furled wings upon her back. That and the lance she picked up were Templar weapons, but that glaive was clearly something she'd brought with her. With a casual kick, she launched the ladder downwards, but she wouldn't be stepping down it normally.

With both hands holding a weapon she stepped out of the helicopter, falling and stepping onto one rung briefly to break her fall, before stepping off again, hitting a rung near the bottom of the ladder, and then finally slamming hard onto the grassy soil. It made the helicopter rock slightly but nothing that a trained pilot wouldn't be able to handle. The Balkans were a beautiful place, sweeping tree covered mountains sheltering small grassy valleys and pleasant rivers.

[Gaz]

Ellie #3

---

That smile was fake as shit and looked entirely too forced. Either this Devil was one that didn’t have a face, or its natural face was all mandibles and lipless. Either way it gave Ellie a brief uncanny valley moment as her own smile wavered for just a moment before coming back. The fact This creature in front of her attempted to smile was for her benefit, she had to recognise that and carry on. Before she could say anything, the pilot called back.

With a nod Ellie grabbed the handle of her weapon and shifted to stand by the now opened chopper door. “Go ahead!” She called and watched as the humanish form of Lilika dropped from the sky and down to the floor with quite some style. A subtle impressed nod was done as the woman sucked in a deep breath and blew it out through her nose. Then she took a step forward and pushed herself out into the open air, the rope ladder being of no use to her.

The sensation of falling was always one that Ellie loved, despite the human fear of falling to ones own death. That exhilarating rush remained as she shifted her weight and swung the great sword around, the form of it shifting and changing like liquid shadow into that or an oversized scythe. At the apex of the swing the top of one of the taller trees appeared in the crook between the blade and the pole shaft. This caught Ellie and slowed her somewhat as she spun around the tree, the momentum from the fall shifting into a rotational as the scythe stripped away branches with ease. She hit the floor and pulled on her scythe, slicing through the trunk of the tree, and making it slowly tip to the side away from the now retreating helicopter.

Shadows were flaring around her legs like a soft fire, it seemed that her body had been a bit too stressed on the final landing than she had anticipated. With a cheeky smile she stood up tall, letting the shadows dissipate before walking over to Lilika. “So.” She spoke. “Shall we get started?” She asked as the tree crashed to the floor, kicking up dust, debris and leaves into the air around them.

---

Ellie: f96157

[Augustine]

Lilika turned to observer her 'partner' as they descended from the helicopter. It seemed pulling down the ladder with her wasn't necessary, ah well. Still that was interesting. Her weapon shifted, from sword to scythe, letting her catch a tree to break her fall and come spinning safely down to the ground. It didn't look like a mechanical shift either, something to bear in mind and observe for the future. Naturally, Lilika's expression didn't change a whit for the entire observation.

Shifting, she slung her lance onto her back, slung at an angle beneath her 'wings'. The glaive she kept in her hands, clearly the better weapon for a potential surprise response. "Yes, let's." With that simple acknowledgment she'd get moving. The Balkan Mountains were a beautiful place, very full of life and this was no different. Thick trees abounded, shrouding visibility. Plenty of room for prey to be stalked or a predator to hide. The birds were chirping though, and the native fauna did not seem shy about scurrying about on their business. A good sign? Perhaps more accurately a frustrating one as it seemed to indicate their quarry was not anywhere immediately near.

It wouldn't be a fruitless hike though, though it would be some twenty minutes or so, they would eventually find something. A great slanted tree in the forest, it's slant seemingly natural, but what were not natural was the feathered protrusions embedded onto one side of it. Neither was likely to miss it, Lilika hefting her weapon as she approached and scanned the area, leaving it to Ellie to actually examine the things, while she made sure there was no threat to try and pounce upon her as she investigated.

On first glance they could be taken for arrows with unusually large fletchings, but a closer look? These were some kind of solid, hollow type of bone, like a quill or spine from some beast somehow flung at speed. Not something a creature on Earth could do, especially not with this size, and a thickness like a finger, but a devil? Alas it was hard to tell how fresh they were, but they surely couldn't be that old. It might not be nearby at present, but it had been here at some point, it might have even left tracks.

[Gaz]

Ellie #4

---

With the landing the chopper began to pull away, the co-pilot pulling the unused rope ladder back up and closing the door. As it few away the sound of its spinning rotors died away leaving the devil and the hunter in an uncomfortable natural silence as they began their trek. The scythe shifted its shape into that of a spear and the battle Nun used it as a walking stick.

The next twenty minutes were the longest of her entire life! This uncomfortable silence was something the lone wolf hated; she was all for doing missions alone in silence but with someone else?! This was killing her. When they got to the slanted tree with unnatural bolt like protrusions the young woman finally let out a relieved sigh as she went to pluck one out of the bark and inspect it.

“Too big to be a porcupine or any sort of bird, and even if it was, they aren’t native to this region.” Ellie explained as she looked to Lilika, twisting the one quill she had picked up and raising it to her nose to give it a sniff. It smelled vile, like a mixture of rusting iron, vomit, and rotting corpses. It took all her energy to not gag on the spot. “Smells horrid.” She noted before running her fingers up and down the length of the fletched shaft. “Bone dry, so it isn’t poison tipped.”

Then in a flash of movement she snapped it in half and watched as a liquid dripped from the inside to the dirt below and causing it to fizzle. “Filled with a potent venom, that is still liquid.” The hunter looked over to her forced companion and cracked a grin. “This is very fresh, the last hour or so.” She mused, dropping the broken spine, and kicking heaps of dirt onto it.

“I’ll get a team out to clean this up when we are finished. We are getting close Lilika, let’s finish this and get home.”

---

Ellie: f96157

[Augustine]

Gan Ceann watched and listened as Ellie explained her findings. Poisonous, well that was rather convenient actually. She nodded, "Pray heed, when we find this beast do not concern yourself with my well being or strain yourself on my account.  Indeed, against a foe such as this I can form the role of shield most literally.  Attacks of this nature will do precious little to harm me. If this is all our quarry can do, then we can count ourselves fortunate." Another little tidbit about what kind of devil 'Lilika' was, given she seemed completely unconcerned about spines filled with poison.

From here they could look for tracks outright, the beast hadn't been that long gone, so there were good odds that somewhere in the soft mountain soil was some kind of trace. Indeed Ellie would be able to find tracks, and she and Gan Ceann could pursue the hunt once more. They'd find more, a tree smashed, leaning to one side against its brethren, bark scorched...it didn't look like flame though, this looked more like...electrical burns. Gan Ceann would be able to tell the difference if Ellie was not able to, and perhaps more pressingly?

As they followed these tracks, off in the distance would come the sound of gunfire, the crack of a powerful rifle, and a distant, animalistic shriek of fury, not a roar, too high pitched, but not the sound of something that was losing.

[Gaz]

Ellie #4

---

The pair started to make a move on the quarry of their hunt, the devil that was working with her offering herself up as bait and a solid shield. The more that was brought up the more annoyed Ellie felt with that notion, using someone as purely as cannon fodder for her own self protection just was wrong.

“I’d rather you fight with me as an equal than as a meat shield, Gan Ceann. You’re a devil but that doesn’t mean you’re relegated to that line of work.” Ellie grumbled as they continued, following the trail of snapped branches, broken twigs and scorched bark where there was no signs of fire. The smashed up tree was a big indicator that they were on the right trail. “I appreciate your offer but your my team mate and I have a responsibility to you as well as the people that we are doing the hunt to save.” The red head growled as she picked up the pace.

The gunshot rang out and the shrieking roar of the monster that was the target called. It was time to kick themselves into gear. The devil’s reaction was going to have to wait. Ellie shifted and when she was in her final stance the spear had again changed its shape into that of the sword that was originally on her lap in the helicopter. Then with all her energy, strength and patience (Of which there was none), she dashed as fast as she could towards the source of the sound.

---

Ellie: f96157

[Augustine]

Gan Ceann's expression didn't change of course but her mind was whirling. What had she said wrong? Why was Ellie acting as if the devil had just offered herself as a sacrifice instead of informing her that this kind of attack was of nearly no threat to her, and as such she could take such hits without concern? Was this a human thing or had Gan Ceann erred in her explanation and proffering of tactics?

"I believe there has been a misunderstanding. I do not-" The gunshot rang out along with that shriek and Gan Ceann's head snapped towards it. Immediately she was running as well, a long, heavy sprint. Really her steps seemed to have a lot more weight than one would think looking at her, but perhaps it was the weight of her weapons? Neither Glaive, Lance nor shield were small after all. As they ran they'd hear another gunshot, but no other shrieks...but they would hear a heavy stomping, a rapid rushing through the trees of something large, but far too agile for that size coming towards them.

Gan Ceann's left hand moved, retrieving her 'wings' which snapped together, locking into a shield as she kept sprinting. "The beast approaches us! Pray let me take the lead!" A request which ultimately wouldn't matter. They'd see it coming through the trees, a streak of blue, and serpentine eyes, weaving with surprising speed before giving a mighty leap to clear over the two of them and keep running...past them?

What they would have seen before it leaped, was a serpentine head, like a cottonmouth snake, scales all blue, and serpentine eyes red. Yet it had been quadrupedal, with thick heavy claws at the end of each limb, the underbelly a sparkling white, and with a long, broad flat tail, almost wider than the actual main body itself, but there had been a number of sharp quills? Barbs? The thing they'd found on the tree, sticking out to the sides of that tail, they'd have seen it as it leaped over them to try and continue running, and left in its wake? A trail of red, blood spattering on the ground behind it as it rushed off.

[Gaz]

Ellie #5

---

Ellie skidded to a halt as they heard the pounding beats of the beast running at them, her stance was perfect and she was poised to strike at the monster if it attacked them. That for some reason never happened as the monster had leaped over them and carried on running. It left a trail of red in its wake. Lilika had taken the lead with her winged shield and was completely ignored; the leap of the monster had cleared both of the hunters reach.

“S*#T!” The Protettore called before spinning on her heel to give chase to the monster. This scene can be investigated later, if there were survivors her own medical skills were insufficient to help. If anything, staying here would just make the situation worse than it was. “Lilika! We’re giving chase!” Ellie ordered as she dashed off to give chase to the oversized yet oddly dextrous being.

“Don’t attack, if it is running it may be running to the path it took to get here from the underworld.” Ellie explained, if they were to watch an animal that acted on instinct was sure to lead them back to its nest. If there were more civilians on the path then they would intervene and defend them, but for not chasing and finding the source of these incursions was best.

---

Ellie: f96157

[Augustine]

Lilika nodded to Ellie before taking off herself going into a heavy sprint, the sound of her feet stomping into the ground and pushing off oddly heavy for her appearance. The beast was fast for sure, faster than them, but even as it went out of view through the trees, they could still hear it, and it left an obvious trail. Not just in tracks, but in those splashes of crimson. It was obvious that the beast had been injured, but that thought alone would have been enough to make Lilika's brow furrow. Conventional human firearms were notoriously ineffective against devils. Even a common devil could take multiple rounds in the chest from something like a hunting rifle, and this was no common devil but a great beast the size of human pick up trucks at least.

It didn't look to her like it had multiple wounds, she hadn't even seen whatever wound was bleeding when it leaped over. They'd also not heard more than a single shot. Who was out there with a weapon strong enough to injure a beast like this badly enough for it to choose to flee instead of keep fighting? They'd known something strange was going on already but this? This made Lilika's plates scrape against each other in mild anxiety. Still she kept up the chase, but the beast wouldn't run forever, they'd eventually catch up. A section of the forest where trees had been toppled, branches gathered and formed into a clear nest with logs piled around it on three sides. There was the best, in a defensive posture staring at them with those red eyes.

Now they could see the beast from a better angle. The reptilian features were obvious, the blue scales, the snake's head, but along the monster's back ran thick blue fur all the way down its overly broad tail. As the two approached its nest, it let out a shriek, a high pitched threatening noise and all the fur on its back suddenly stood on end, arcs of electricity running along the fur as Lilika paused shield raised.

"I know I am your shield, and while the barbs do not threaten me. I would rather avoid getting zapped if at all possible."

[Gaz]

Ellie #6

---

The hunters came face to face to the beast and its nest as it took a defensive posture, fanning out tails and letting sparks or electricity dance along its fur in beautiful arcs. It caused Ellie to halt and shift to a better grip on her weapons sword form. Lillika announced her dislike of electricity-based attacks and Ellie subtly nodded with a chuckle.

“Yeah, it doesn’t agree with me either, but I should be able to take a few Zaps.” She spoke slowly taking steps to the side to try and get around the creature without provoking it to attack. It was not a case of killing it in one blow, a beast like this was going to be a fight… the plan was to get into a better vantage.

Ellie’s blood and soul were very good at retaining a healthy shape, so she should be able to out heal any lasting damage. “Let’s do this.” Ellie growled as she raised the sword high and as she started a twisting motion its shape became intangible as the mass shifted and shimmered, transforming into a spear that swirled above her head. She whistled a high and harsh note to get the attention of the beast and brought the pointy side of her weapon down in an overhead swing.

The chimera responded by shrieking and swiping the broad tail in Ellie’s direction. She responded by leaping up as the spear made contact with the creature’s fur, the electricity that was dancing over it instantly travelled up the weapon and into Ellie, causing her to seize up in the air and shake with a harsh grunt. Once the energy had been through her system the recoil flung the Protettore back and into the trees with a heavy thud.

Now the electricity was gone Lillika could act.

---

Ellie: f96157

[Augustine]

Lilika nodded, she would take Ellie's word for it. This woman was a strange one, or perhaps Lilika was the strange one? Perhaps they were both strange, musings for later. Lilika was already analyzing their prey. The way the electricity crackled, it ran along the fur of the beast, which appeared to be entirely isolated to its back, running from the nape of the neck along the back and across that broad tail. It made her wonder, was the entire beast electrically charged or was it isolated to the fur? The scales might actually be insulated to prevent it from zapping itself, or it could be entirely electrical, but the fact the sparking was only on the fur suggested otherwise, at least to Lilika.

It gave her a simple tactic to employ, but Ellie...apparently had other ideas. What was she doing?! She just charged the beast and rammed some form of magically conjured spear into the beast, getting herself zapped and knocked flying! It did seem to dampen the electricity on the beast's fur, but what kind of tactic was that?! Lilika couldn't afford to check on her either. It was obviously meant to give Lilika an opening, or at least she hoped that was the intent. With her glaive in hand she spun the weapon around and slammed it into the beast as it landed on the ground. Sharpened, blackened metal bit into the side of the beast's head as it let out a shriek of pain, head and body rocking from the powerful impact. Of course, devils were all naturally durable, what might kill a normal human merely injured them. The creature twisted, broad tail flying out towards her like a paddle.

Without hesitation Lilika turned, and the wings on her back snapped into shield form, the tail smacking into it. Despite her size she held her ground remarkably well, as if she were heavier than she looked, feet sliding across the forest floor but only a couple of feet as she turned, swinging Black Haft down and up, blade biting into the monster's stomach as it leaped towards her! A solid hit, but it was a large beast and powered through, bearing her down to the ground as its fanged maw descended to bite down and crush in on her head!

Crush in...way too easily, as if there wasn't actually anything there.

[Gaz]

Ellie #7

---

Lilika was left to fight the creature alone as Ellie flew through the tree line and embedded into a particularly sturdy one. The trunk groaning and straining to keep itself in one piece as it dissipated the force that the young woman hit it with. On impact the red head gasped for breath as she spat out a spurt of blood, darker than a normal persons and fizzing with a black shadow that sizzled away. The young warrior fell from the tree and landed on her hands and knees on the floor below.

That was a mighty electrical shock she had received, strong enough to launch her a few dozen feet, maybe further if it weren’t for the local fauna catching her. With a hacking cough Ellie pushed herself up as she felt the shadows in her blood forcing her ribs back into place and patching the hole one had punched in her lung. “Never getting used to this.” She groaned before spitting out one final mouth full of blood.

Her hand reached down and scooped up her Shadow Spear and she darted off at full speed, well as fast as she could go as her body repaired the damage from the electrical shock and the impact. She was still back to the clearing in a few moments, the shadows ebbing from her skin, to realign her body with her soul. The Protettore was back in the fight, her spear shifting its shape to form a wicket black scythe.

“If you can get an opening, I can finish it off!” Ellie called, her free hand moving to wipe the last drops of blood that had clung to her lips.

---

Ellie: f96157