Post by Rhiath on Nov 24, 2008 3:19:12 GMT -6
Rhiath stopped at the edge of the Forest, holding a hand up to signal his followers to hold position behind him. The Humanforms and the Legions obeyed, but the Hellhounds were too stupid to be obedient. As soon as the scent of humans hit the mutts, they were off running, heading for the nearest home.
Rhiath swore under his breath. He made a quick gesture to one of the Legions in the group, whose body was made up entirely of a swarm of demonic bats, constantly flying around, their combined bodies giving the base suggestion of a humanoid form.
"Fang, I need to get rid of those dogs. I can get one in time, but the other'll be too far away. Take care of it."
The Legion tilted it's 'head' at Rhiath, visibly confused. However, the quizzical tilt turned quickly into a nod, and the swarm scattered, flying after the Hound closest to the town. Legions didn't question orders: they took them.
Catching up to the infernal beast, the bat's descended, ripping the dog apart before it could so much as bark. Once enough damage was done, the dog's form evaporated into thick black smoke, scattered to the winds by the flapping of the bat's wings.
Rhiath grimaced as he watched the Legion do it's work, even as he raised the scope of his rifle to his eye. He took a deep breath, lining up the target, adding just enough hellfire to make the shot count. One pull of the trigger was all it took, and the mindless demon burst into smoke.
Rhiath let his breath out, lowering his rifle. Looking over his shoulder, he noted the questioning glances from the other demons. He sighed, standing and shouldering his rifle.
"There are more of our kind in the human's world than there has ever been. But that does NOT mean it is no longer the human's world. The numbers are close, but we are not the dominant species yet. And there are just as many angels," he spat as he said the word, "as there are demons in this world. We cannot afford to broadcast what we are. Not yet."
"If you disagree, by all means, blow your cover. We'll see how long it takes before the angels take notice, and blow you away." Rhiath finished, turning back to face the town.
Over his shoulder, he spoke, addressing the Legions. He'd given them names, each based on the creature the larger demons were composed of. "Fang, Widower, Sting, the three of you wait until nightfall, then swarm-form to the bridge. Do. Not. Attack. The rest of us will find someplace to sleep for the night, and meet up with you tomorrow evening, at dusk. Everyone else, with me."
---Later that Night---
Rhiath lowered his mug to the bar with a loud thunk, enjoying his first good drink in too many months. He felt that, after everything with Inor, and Baalaose, and Inor again, he deserved it.
"So," the bartender spoke, re-filling the large glass. "Where did you say you're all from, again?"
Rhiath sipped from the mug this time. "Like I told you, we came from Rerden. New path opened up through the Forest, leads straight there. Weird earthquake last week, and the boarding house we were all in fell to pieces. Woulda stayed to lend a hand, but...memories, ya know?"
Rhiath tried to look saddened by the loss of his home, recalling human memories to deepen the effect.
"A path? Through the Forest of Shadows? Whoever made that musta been suicidal, or worse. Got family in Rerden, though...haven't seen 'em since the Shadowspawn infested the Forest...maybe I oughta head over that way, see if I can't lend 'em a hand..."
Rhiath shrugged his shoulders. "It's a pretty good-sized trail. Easy to walk. I'd make sure to take some protection, though. The Shadowspawn seem to avoid the trail, but that doesn't mean they'll pass up an easy meal, if ya know what I mean."
Rhiath took his mug, walking over to the large table where the other demons were seated. The bartender might have spoken again, but he'd lost whatever interest the conversation might have held for him.
Sitting with the others, Rhiath looked around the table. Himself included, there were 5 of them altogether. He was the oldest, by far. Most of the other 4 had been following Ardent due to his age; the oldest of them was barely 3 months out of Hell, the youngest, just over a week.
To his right sat Alyck, the youngster of the group. He'd managed to leave Hell just the day after his creation, though, which was impressive. The boy could teleport from place to place very quickly, as long as he had a clear line of site to his destination.
Next to Alyck was Kaily, the only girl in the group. Her ability to manipulate pheromones was both subtle, and doubtlessly effective. He himself could ignore the effects, but it took a good deal of effort on his part.
To Rhiath's left was Theryn, the oldest of the 4. He'd escaped from Hell 3 months before, but he'd actually been around since shortly before Baalaose's jailbreak. His ability was elemental, like Rhiath's, but focused on the creation and control of air currents and wind.
Finally, seated between Theryn and Kaily, sat Garrit. It was easy to assume he was the weak link of the group, due to his apparent lack of an ability. However, his true ability was immunity. He was, as far as Rhiath had seen, completely immune to the powers of other demons. He'd bathed the kid in hellfire himself, and he'd walked out moments later, not even warm.
Sitting forward in his chair, Rhiath began to speak, sharing their travel plans for the next evening. He kept his voice low, out of the range of human hearing, but perfectly loud enough for demonic ears.
Rhiath swore under his breath. He made a quick gesture to one of the Legions in the group, whose body was made up entirely of a swarm of demonic bats, constantly flying around, their combined bodies giving the base suggestion of a humanoid form.
"Fang, I need to get rid of those dogs. I can get one in time, but the other'll be too far away. Take care of it."
The Legion tilted it's 'head' at Rhiath, visibly confused. However, the quizzical tilt turned quickly into a nod, and the swarm scattered, flying after the Hound closest to the town. Legions didn't question orders: they took them.
Catching up to the infernal beast, the bat's descended, ripping the dog apart before it could so much as bark. Once enough damage was done, the dog's form evaporated into thick black smoke, scattered to the winds by the flapping of the bat's wings.
Rhiath grimaced as he watched the Legion do it's work, even as he raised the scope of his rifle to his eye. He took a deep breath, lining up the target, adding just enough hellfire to make the shot count. One pull of the trigger was all it took, and the mindless demon burst into smoke.
Rhiath let his breath out, lowering his rifle. Looking over his shoulder, he noted the questioning glances from the other demons. He sighed, standing and shouldering his rifle.
"There are more of our kind in the human's world than there has ever been. But that does NOT mean it is no longer the human's world. The numbers are close, but we are not the dominant species yet. And there are just as many angels," he spat as he said the word, "as there are demons in this world. We cannot afford to broadcast what we are. Not yet."
"If you disagree, by all means, blow your cover. We'll see how long it takes before the angels take notice, and blow you away." Rhiath finished, turning back to face the town.
Over his shoulder, he spoke, addressing the Legions. He'd given them names, each based on the creature the larger demons were composed of. "Fang, Widower, Sting, the three of you wait until nightfall, then swarm-form to the bridge. Do. Not. Attack. The rest of us will find someplace to sleep for the night, and meet up with you tomorrow evening, at dusk. Everyone else, with me."
---Later that Night---
Rhiath lowered his mug to the bar with a loud thunk, enjoying his first good drink in too many months. He felt that, after everything with Inor, and Baalaose, and Inor again, he deserved it.
"So," the bartender spoke, re-filling the large glass. "Where did you say you're all from, again?"
Rhiath sipped from the mug this time. "Like I told you, we came from Rerden. New path opened up through the Forest, leads straight there. Weird earthquake last week, and the boarding house we were all in fell to pieces. Woulda stayed to lend a hand, but...memories, ya know?"
Rhiath tried to look saddened by the loss of his home, recalling human memories to deepen the effect.
"A path? Through the Forest of Shadows? Whoever made that musta been suicidal, or worse. Got family in Rerden, though...haven't seen 'em since the Shadowspawn infested the Forest...maybe I oughta head over that way, see if I can't lend 'em a hand..."
Rhiath shrugged his shoulders. "It's a pretty good-sized trail. Easy to walk. I'd make sure to take some protection, though. The Shadowspawn seem to avoid the trail, but that doesn't mean they'll pass up an easy meal, if ya know what I mean."
Rhiath took his mug, walking over to the large table where the other demons were seated. The bartender might have spoken again, but he'd lost whatever interest the conversation might have held for him.
Sitting with the others, Rhiath looked around the table. Himself included, there were 5 of them altogether. He was the oldest, by far. Most of the other 4 had been following Ardent due to his age; the oldest of them was barely 3 months out of Hell, the youngest, just over a week.
To his right sat Alyck, the youngster of the group. He'd managed to leave Hell just the day after his creation, though, which was impressive. The boy could teleport from place to place very quickly, as long as he had a clear line of site to his destination.
Next to Alyck was Kaily, the only girl in the group. Her ability to manipulate pheromones was both subtle, and doubtlessly effective. He himself could ignore the effects, but it took a good deal of effort on his part.
To Rhiath's left was Theryn, the oldest of the 4. He'd escaped from Hell 3 months before, but he'd actually been around since shortly before Baalaose's jailbreak. His ability was elemental, like Rhiath's, but focused on the creation and control of air currents and wind.
Finally, seated between Theryn and Kaily, sat Garrit. It was easy to assume he was the weak link of the group, due to his apparent lack of an ability. However, his true ability was immunity. He was, as far as Rhiath had seen, completely immune to the powers of other demons. He'd bathed the kid in hellfire himself, and he'd walked out moments later, not even warm.
Sitting forward in his chair, Rhiath began to speak, sharing their travel plans for the next evening. He kept his voice low, out of the range of human hearing, but perfectly loud enough for demonic ears.