Name In Progress (1x1 Fantasy RP with Krowe)

[Zeren the Morph]

The carriage's wheels creaked upon the cavern floor. Injured still laid within, with the human Zeren saw last night sitting next to him as the demon manned the controls. Nathaniel, was it? Not many human rangers. Anthros often had sharper senses and thus, fit into those roles a bit better. But listening to him claim about his range as they ventured deeper into the cave, Zeren felt compelled to believe him. He didn't seem like the braggart type.

"Five hundred yards." The human said.

"Bullshit." Zeren rolled his eyes jokingly.

"Alright, I'll prove it to you when we get out of this godforsaken cavern." He retorted. Zeren can tell the man was feeling much better. One of the medics created a compound out of common herbs that was supposed to numb pain and prevent infection. It seemed that it worked.

The ceiling got low, slanting inward as they ventured deeper. The demon's palm brushed a stalactite as he lurched the carriage to a stop.

"Why we stop?" Nathaniel asked.

"Cave's getting to small for her. We're walking." Zeren replied.

They spent the next several minutes unloading essentials and people who were in better condition to fight if necessary. The hawk as quick to disembark, where the fox staggered out, still drunk. It was too dangerous to leave anybody with the carriage, so the few that couldn't walked were helped. Nathaniel reluctantly volunteered to carry the drunken fox while Zeren slung a satchel full of supplies over his shoulder, watching the human wrap an arm around her as she leaned on him.

"Ugh... Well, you're cute for a human." She slurred.

"Stop breathing on me. You smell like a brewery." Nathaniel snapped, looking the other way.

She ignored him. "I'm Camila. What's you name?"

"My gods, she's wasted." He grunted, looking the other way.

Zeren chortled as he waved to the rest of the carriage's entourage, including the two twin lizardmen, forward. Hopefully, they didn't keep the rest of the company waiting too long.  

[Heavenly Kitten]

The conversation at the head of the pack was not near as light-hearted. A more somber, professional tone amongst the three leaders. Valeria took the middle, and was flanked on the left by Vlad, Gurta on the right. It had been quite the trip when one of them finally spoke up; Vlad was the one to break the silence amidst the three, the dark-skinned lamia looking forward to Valeria as he spoke, "So... aside from knowing that we're after something that belonged to Medusa... do you know, specifically, what it is we are after...?"

Valeria's gaze did not shift for a moment at the question, still leading the pack in long, serpentine motions of her tail. It took her a moment to respond, but she then reached into a pouch laid round her hip, reaching in and snatching out a blue crystal that had a string tied around it like a necklace, holding it out to show him as she moved, "This will tell us what we're after. I have seen it resonate when near objects of high magical potency... and Her Highness would have us hunt for nothing less than a legendary artifact with immense magical properties, as is her hobby." With that, she pocketed the crystal in her pouch once more.

As they talked, the group continued down a steep decline to a lower tier of this cavern, the water now visible as they had reached the bottom. However, the descent was far narrower than this expansive base level. Almost like they had traversed the inside of a teapot. Now that they had reached the bottom, however, came the task at hand of finding Medusa's private chamber, as well as the item they had come seeking.

Vlad did not question the validity of Valeria's tale, nor did he question the power of the item she bore. Gurta remained quite stoic through it all, not saying a word, or even flinching. He'd have been a stone were they not walking. Still, Valeria signaled for all to stop with the raising of an arm and the mass did so. She slithered out ahead and turned to face them, "Alright, people... this is what we came for." She reached into her pouch once more and grabbed three of the necklace stones, holding them up as she continued, "These stones detect the energy of highly magical items... what we are here for is one such item. Specifically what we are after is yet unknown... however, these stones resonate as you draw close. I shall hold one... the second..." She began, tossing it to the nearby boar, "Shall go to Gurta, who will lead a handful of you. And the third..." She then extended her arm before tossing it clear back to Zeren toward the rear. "Goes to that incubus there, Zeren is his name. Vlad will be staying with me, as well as Felicity the medic. The rest of you, group up at your leisure and begin searching! Dismissed!"

With that, Vlad and Felicity went to Valeria's side and they took off in one direction, guided only by the light from her torch for now, but she continued to light braziers she spotted as she passed them.  

[Zeren the Morph]

Zeren stared at the necklace, the stone glowing dimly in the light.

"Oh. Pretty. Just like my lovely little monkey." Camila said, swaying on Nate.

The human shot the demon a look of discomfort before speaking. "Well?"

The demon held the amulet up in the air, recognizing the element of the stone. He experimentally spun around slowly. The stone flaring slightly, causing him to stop.

"This way, ladies and gents." He said, waving to his small company as they followed him deeper into the cavern. He removed a lantern from his satchel and tapped on it three times. The lantern flared to life, burning brighter and more consistently than any flame, like a tiny sun. The corridor before them was illuminated, earning him gasps and murmurs of people impressed. They proceeded slowly, eying the water with vague suspicion.

"... This is a prime location for an ambush." The hawk suddenly uttered.

"Please don't jinx us, lady." Zeren muttered under his breath.  

[Heavenly Kitten]

As Zeren's crystal lit, so did the others as they split their separate directions. This place was full of magical items, it would be finding the ones with the strongest resonance that would be the tricky part. They would all likely have something to bring back to the cave's middle to compare. Might even leave with three artifacts instead of one. Not a problem, really... any unnecessary items would likely be sold off to a merchant for greater prosperity to the kingdom.

Valeria's unit had come to a smaller ante-chamber in their end of the cavern, moving inside quiet and careful. One inside, they lit a middle brazier the illuminated the entire room. It was impressive. Vast and decorative like it's prior owner. This was Medusa's bedchamber. Were they to find an important and valuable artifact, it could well be stored here indeed. As Valeria pulled out her crystal, it had already begun to glow a bright blue. However, it was obvious they were close, so this told her little. Rather, she held it out in one hand as she began slithering about the room to detect her prize, her two companions exploring the room and looking around for anything else of worth, unable to search for the artifact due to their only being the one crystal.

After a short time, Valeria had closed in on a jewelry cabinet. The crystal in her hand had begun to thrum gently with energy in her palm, as though it now held a faint pulse. She was close indeed. No surprise that Medusa would possess an artifact in the form of a precious gem or other jeweled piece. Sliding the drawer open, she began rummaging through it, laying out each item piece by piece. Once they had been set aside, she passed her crystal over top of each one, a strong resonance coming from a jeweled bangle. It looked valuable enough as it was, but it's properties made it far more so. Satisfied, a big smile on her face, she pocketed the bangle and slid the other objects back into the drawer. "I found what we came for... let us go rejoin the others in the central cavern." Quickly, the other two collected what few trinkets they could pocket and joined her as they made their way back to the main chamber.

~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, Gurta's group was not having as much success, only a dim glow from his crystal as they searched. However, it grew brighter as they approached a pool of water. They stopped at the water's edge, looking down into the liquid. It seemed normal enough. Perhaps they item they sought was down there? One of the officers that follower him, claiming to be able to hold their breath for an extended period, offered to go look. Gurta accepted and the man dove into the waters. After a time, the crystal began to glow progressively brighter, but they could not see into the deep waters. Only a shadow approaching the surface. Everybody ready to greet their comrade in his return, they waited at the water's edge. However, the water seemed to grow dark. Suspecting something was amiss, Gurta readied his lance, but the others only looked to the water curiously.

Then, in a moment's lapse, several creatures shot from the depths. Their man was nowhere in sight, just these... creatures. Certainly aqueous monstrosities from the looks, a large fin running the back and webbed feet, hands clawed and webbed as well, some carrying tridents. Gurta quickly identified them as, "SAHAGIN!!!" calling it out to his members as they scrambled to ready weapons, Gurta's voice booming throughout the cave walls so others might hear this warning. In moments, his squad was being outnumbered by the beasts. He and the remaining seven members of his unit retreating to the main section of the cave to regroup, some getting caught in the retreat and slain, Gurta trying to cover their escape with his massive lance.

Valeria had heard the warning, but was in the dry end of the cavern. She received no such ambush, but Zeren's unit would be likely to receive a similar attack. Valeria made her way quickly to the cave's center to join Gurta and his troupe, hoping she would not be too late to yet another attack on her detachment.  

[Zeren the Morph]

What the ******** is a Shahagin?

The demon's mental query was answered when what appeared to be a small army of bipedaled fish suddenly sloshed out of the water. Despite their monstrous appearance, some appeared to wield spears and knives.

Zeren was intrigued more than frightened. If only there was a chance to study them... Nevertheless, he sat the lantern down on the ground as his unit readied themselves, some shouting in surprise. Camila lurched herself off of Nathaniel and drew out a simple-looking knife.

"Cover me, hot stuff." She slurred, swaying a bit.

"Oh, hell no! You're not charging into the fray! Not while this drunk!" Nate said, unslinging his bow and nocking and arrow.

"Awww, didn't know you cared. Now, shut up and watch this!" She cried out, sprinting unsteadily forward and suddenly vanishing as if her form dematerialized into a cloud of black mist. The hawk rolled her eyes and withdrew her pair of hand axes and charged. Confused, the human ceased his delay and fired into the still-distant crowd. One shot landing upon a monster's head well over five hundred yards.

"Told you!" He shouted to Zeren as the demon prepared his automatic ********, good sir. You can gloat later." He replied calmly, holding down the trigger and firing a volley of bolts into the crowd.

The siege of arrows withered their numbers down, but the monsters still approached at platoon strength. Just as the charging hawk was about to meet head-on with the monsters, Camila reappeared behind the horde and commenced with an array of dirty tactics upon the group. By the time she had finished backstabbing and crippling monsters, the hawk was easily able to handle the remaining monsters, her axes singing a bloody aria as they sailed through the air, expertly chopping and cleaving the creatures.

"... Well. They're a good team." Nate murmured.

Zeren didn't immediately respond as another group surged behind them. The attack was a distraction! How fascinating that these creatures can plot such highly-advanced military tactics...

"To arms!" A solider shouted behind him. The demon merely swiveled around his placed lantern, gauging a rough trajectory.

"Gents. Please close your eyes. It's very important that you do." He said before he swiftly kicked the lantern. It sailed through the air, whistling as the two soldiers and Nathaniel looked away. The lantern crashed upon the floor, the small sun exploding violently into a brilliant flash of light.

Zeren opened his eyes. The amushers grabbed at their eyes and gurgled shrilly before collapsing in the ground. Their burnt-out eye sockets still smoldered as Zeren crossed his arms.

"... H-holy s**t." Nathaniel muttered. the sound of footsteps behind them indicated that Romaya and Camila had returned.

"Well? I told you to watch!" Camila snapped at Nate, slugging his shoulder. The human yelped and rubbed his shoulder.

"Hey! I did! It was very impressive." He said.

"You take a note of my flexibility?" She hinted obtusely, her intentions not changing despite of her sobriety beginning it's return. Also, the fact that she was covered in blood didn't seem to impede her advances much. The hawk, on the other hand, scoffed loudly.

"Dammit girl, stop flirting with the damn human! We got bigger fish to fry!"

Zeren lost interest in the conversation as he scanned for more enemies. From a distance, he heard the sounds of swords and what sounded like gurgling.

"She's right. We need to return to Valeria, make sure her company's okay. Everybody, come on!"

They hurriedly double-backed to where they originally were. After turning around the corner, Zeren saw Gurta's unit under siege. In good conscience, he couldn't abandon them to their fate. He waved at his detachment as they descended down, Nathaniel and the demon raining down arrows and bolts upon the boar's attackers while Romaya and Camila charged into the fray.