Vescrutia: Legacy

Steelhollow was a place where people came to disappear—a lawless frontier town clinging to the edges of civilization, barely held together by its own defiant spirit. Nestled in a barren valley between two jagged mountain ranges, the town was a haven for outcasts, criminals, and those who preferred to live outside the reach of society’s rules.

Its streets were narrow, winding paths of mud and broken cobblestones, lined with crooked buildings that leaned together as if conspiring. The air was perpetually shrouded in a heavy fog that clung to the ground, giving the place an eerie, ghostly appearance. Flickering lanterns cast long, distorted shadows that danced ominously on the walls of hollow structures, adding to the town's sinister atmosphere. At night, the only sounds were the distant howls of wolves and the occasional scream that echoed through the alleyways—a stark reminder that Steelhollow was a place where life was cheap, and death was always close at hand.

At the heart of this lawless town lay the Broken Blades Tavern, a low, sprawling building of dark, weathered wood reinforced with iron bands and incredibly powerful charms. The tavern’s sign—a pair of crossed, shattered swords—hung above the entrance, creaking ominously in the wind. But the establishment, known far and wide throughout Edo for its discretion, cheap drinks, and hearty food, was more than just a popular drinking hole; it was a marketplace for the unscrupulous, where deals were whispered over mugs of ale, and alliances were as fleeting as the shadows that danced on the walls. Here, mercenaries, bounty hunters, and other like-minded individuals looking for work that skirted the edges of legality amassed in droves. All under the watchful eye of the tavern’s owner, one Marius Blackthorne.

A former mercenary and sorceror turned shrewd businessman, Marius had accumulated his fortune through a blend of ruthless business acumen and deep connections within the criminal underworld. Now, he ran the Broken Blades with a firm but fair hand, maintaining a delicate balance between providing a hub and haven for some of the region's most dangerous denizens, all while maintaining order within his clandestine establishment.

Inside, the tavern was dimly lit by a handful of smoky oil lamps, casting a warm, flickering glow over the rough wooden tables and chairs. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, blood, and strong ale, mingling with the scent of roasted meat from the kitchen in the back. The walls were lined with trophies of past battles—rusted swords, dented shields, and the occasional monster skull—giving the place a grim, almost macabre feel. The floorboards creaked underfoot, stained with years of spilled drinks and splattered blood, and the low murmur of conversations filled the room, punctuated by the occasional shout or laugh.

A massive stone hearth dominated one wall, its fire crackling and popping, providing the only real warmth in the tavern. Above the hearth hung a large, battered board where job postings were tacked up each day, offering everything from monster hunts to assassination contracts. The board was a focal point for the tavern's patrons, who gathered around it to scan the latest listings, hoping to find their next big payday.

---

Khei Noh trudged through the dusty streets of Steelhollow, weary and battle-worn from her latest contract. She was wearing tatters of clothes to large to belong to her—covered from head to toe in a flim of grime, blood, and sweat. Her dark hair matted to her forehead like a wispy slime, dripped with the excess of her enemies. She left behind a trail of crimson footprints as she walked barefoot toward the shady tavern at the center of town.

As she approached the wooden doors of the Broken Blades, the familiar weight of exhaustion pressed down on her, but Khei couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at her lips. "Definitely should’ve charged double for this one.. I dont think I've ever been this tired before." she muttered to herself, her voice carrying a playful lilt, an accent that hinted at a far-off land—one that few in Steelhollow would recognize. ".. maybe even triple.. " She moaned as she wiped gunk and grime from her eyes, hair and and neck. "..I'll need an acid bath to get this shit off, ugh."

The tavern loomed ahead, its sign creaking in the wind. The building was dimly lit, the smell of stale beer and unwashed bodies assaulting her senses as she pushed open the heavy door. She was greeted by the usual clamor of voices, the sounds of clinking mugs, and the occasional shout as a brawl threatened to break out. But once Khei stepped inside, something changed. A palpable silence fell across the tavern as every pair of eyes fixated on her.

It was a stirring silence until the eventual chorus of hushed whispers began. Khei was accustomed to the attention her presence often commanded. She was an imposing figure, though not because of her size— she stood at a measly 5’9” with a slender, almost wiry frame—but because of her aura, prestige, and reputation. Hers was a familiar face among Steelhollow, due to the extreme contracts she'd been known to complete. However, this time, there was an edge to the silence that set her instincts on high alert. She could hear her name being murmured, but not with the usual awe or fear—but with a cautious apprehension that made her skin crawl.

"What?!" she spat at the closest pair of prodding eyes, igniting a fear within the unnamed patron that spread across the creaking wood floors of the Broken Blades like wildfire.

"The hell is going on?"

Ignoring the remaining glares, she made her way to the back of the tavern, parting the sea of patrons as she approached the job board. It was a familiar sight—a large wooden board covered in notices, requests for bodyguards, domestic and foreign bounties, and offers for protection details.

Khei had come to collect her pay from her most recent assignment—nearly three million units for the assassination of a warlord who had happened upon an ancient relic that granted him otherworldly power. She returned with the mystical remnant still clutched in the severed hand of the man who once wielded it. It was her literal ticket to her money, and she was simply trying to trade it in for compensation.

But as her eyes scanned the board for the coordinates to her client, she froze, her breath catching in her throat. "You have to be fucking kidding me."

Something new had been added to the wall. A poster, freshly pinned, caught her attention. Her tired hazel eyes narrowed into crimson slits as she recognized her own face staring back at her. A bounty notice, bold and clear, with a reward that made her raise an eyebrow. "Is this a fucking joke?"

For a moment, her mind struggled to process what she was seeing. But then, a wave of anger and confusion washed over her, banishing the exhaustion that had weighed her down.

"Who did this?" she muttered, her voice low and tinged with reserved fury. Her accent—a unique blend of clipped consonants and fluid vowels—added an almost lyrical quality to her words, a stark contrast to the tension seething beneath them.

She ripped the poster from the board, crumpling it in her hand as she scrutinized the details. The bounty was significant—enough to make any hunter think twice before taking on the job. Her thoughts churned as she stood there, staring at her own wanted poster until she subconsciously balled it into her fist. This wasn’t just some random bounty—this was personal.

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Current Energy Level: 5%
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Khei stood motionless for a moment, the crumpled bounty notice still clutched tightly in her fist. The low hum of the tavern had resumed around her, but now it carried an undercurrent of tension. Eyes continued to flicker in her direction, but no one dared approach or answer her. She could feel the weight of their stares, the whispers crawling up her spine like a bad omen.

She inhaled deeply, her senses sharp and alert. There was a distinct change in the atmosphere—a subtle shift that made the air feel thicker, heavier. Khei knew it wasn’t just paranoia; something was very wrong. She needed answers, and she needed them now.

With deliberate steps, she made her way to the bar, where Marius Blackthorne stood behind the counter, wiping a glass with a rag that looked as old as the tavern itself. The tall, broad-shouldered man had the hardened look of someone who had seen it all and survived to tell the tale. His face was a mural of scars. His dark eyes, shadowed under thick brows, tracked her approach– his own expression unreadable.

Khei didn’t waste time on pleasantries. She tossed the crumpled poster onto the bar, the paper flattening out to reveal her own face staring back at her, the bounty amount glaringly bold beneath it.

"Marius.." she began, her voice steady but laced with an edge of anger. "What the hell is this?"

Marius glanced down at the notice, his face remaining impassive. He didn’t flinch or show any sign of surprise, which only fueled Khei’s suspicion. He slowly placed the glass down, leaning forward on the bar with both hands as he met her gaze.

"It’s a bounty notice, Khei. " he replied, his tone calm, almost too casual. "Seems someone out there wants you dead, and they’re willing to pay a sultan's fortune to make it happen."

"I can see that.." she shot back, her accent thickening with her frustration. "What I want to know is who posted it. And why."

Marius sighed, his gaze dropping briefly to the poster before returning to her. "..well, I don’t have all the answers you’re looking for." he admitted. “As you can see here, the client has opted to remain anonymous. But, what I can tell you is that it was posted just a few hours ago. By someone with deep pockets and a lot of influence."

Khei’s eyes narrowed, her mind rifling through the extensive catalog of enemies she'd acquired over the years. However, something about this felt different—this wasn’t the work of some petty warlord or rival mercenary. This was organized, deliberate, and whoever was behind it had resources far beyond the usual players in Steelhollow.

"And you’re telling me this now?" Khei’s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "You didn’t think to warn me the moment you saw it?"

Marius shrugged, unphased by her anger. "Love, you've only just returned. I didn’t see the point in causing a scene until you got here. Besides, am I wrong in believing that you were more than capable of handling yourself? I figured you’d want to see it with your own eyes."

He responded with a flair of charm that curled his lips into a coy smirk. Khei bit back a retort, knowing despite his clear flattery, he wasn’t entirely wrong. Still, the thought that someone had the audacity to put a price on her head within an establishment that she frequents—and that it had gone unnoticed until now—was infuriating.

"I am not laughing, Marius," she warned, her tone icy. "If you are hiding something, or involved in this in any way..”

Marius met her glare with a cool, measured look. "Listen, I run this place because I know how to stay neutral. I’m not in the business of making enemies out of people like you. If I knew more, I’d tell you. But all I know is that whoever posted this didn’t do so ignornatlu. They know full well who you are, and what you are. And unlike most of the people here, they don't seem to be afraid."

Khei absorbed his words, her mind churning with possibilities. Whoever was behind this was powerful, and possessed a network of resources that extended beyond Steelhollow. But she needed more information, and she needed it sooner than later.

"Tuh, well they will be."

"Fine." she said finally, her voice hard. "But if you hear anything—anything at all—you contact me first. Yes?"

Marius nodded, his expression unchanging. "You have my word."

Khei turned on her heel, her thoughts a whirlwind of anger and suspicion as she headed toward the exit. The entire Tavern seemed tuned in to her conversation with Marius and upon its conclusion, the room shuffled in twisted chairs. But just as Khei started toward the door, she paused, something gnawing at the back of her mind. She turned back to Marius, her eyes narrowing.

"*Just a second— you said someone posted it a few hours ago– but, I noticing that you have a full house tonight. Why was it still up there? Why hasn't anyone else taken it down, try to collect? The bounty is higher than any I've seen posted on the board. So.."

Marius’ lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Oh.. because they know better, love.” He responded before reaching for his rag and another unpolished glass. “The people of Steelhollow have given you a name, ya’ know? The O'kasha, Vector of Ruin. " He regurgitated with a dramtic flair, one that left him smirking. " Anyone with half a brain knows what you’re capable of. But you are right.. Most of my patrons prioritize the opportunity to fatten their pockets well over the security of their wellbeing. If I didn't know any better, I'd say they were simply waiting, watching. None of these cowards wants to be the first to make a move."

Khei absorbed this, her eyes darkening with a new understanding. "So it’s a trap, then."

"Seems that way," Marius agreed. "But for who? That’s the question, isn’t it?"

Khei didn’t respond. Not immediately.. She held her tongue and took a calming breath. “I need the coordinates of my buyer." She said. She still needed to find the appropriate drop off spot for the magical amulet.. and the severed hand attached to it.

“Hmm, it's still on the board, Khei. I can see it from here. You must have missed it during your tirade.” Marius casually responded before turning to handle an incoming customer. Khei retrieved what she needed and pushed open the heavy door and stepped out into the fog-shrouded streets, her mind already working through her next steps. Whoever was behind this was either bold enough to piss her off, or confident that they could take her down. A feat that has claimed the ambitious lives of thousands of warriors.

But Khei Noh was not someone who went down easily. And she wasn’t about to let some shadowy figure dictate her fate. If they wanted a fight, they wouldn't need to look far– she would bring it to their doorstep.

“I need a fucking bath.”

And make them regret ever putting her face on that wall..

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Current Energy Level: 10%
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Khei stepped out into the fog-shrouded streets of Steelhollow, the cold air bristled her skin as she marched through the torch lit avenue, the filth from yesterday's battle still clinging to her flesh like a thin film. Her clothes, little more than tattered rags scavenged from fallen foes, did little to protect her from the damp night air. Her bare feet were caked in grime, each step leaving faint prints of dirt and blood on the cobblestones. Every muscle in her body ached with exhaustion, but her mind was still buzzing with the weight of her situation.

Someone had put a price on her head, and from the sounds of it, this was no small-time vendetta. This was a calculated move, one made by a party with a wealth of resources and influence– someone that knew exactly who and what she was, and apparently how to reach her at any time.

Khei paused, her sharp eyes scanning the darkness around her as she glanced down at the crumpled bounty poster in her hand, her own face glaring back at her with a dead expression.

"Vector of Ruin?" She muttered to herself, a hint of amusement threading through her voice. “..you people could really use a bit of imagination.”

The streets of Steelhollow were quiet, unnaturally so, as if the town itself was holding its breath, waiting to see what Khei would do next. The tension in the air was thick. Every shadow, every sound, seemed to carry a hint of danger. Khei knew that whoever had posted the bounty was counting on it to rattle her.

But rather than hide or retreat, Khei welcomed this new challenge with a twisted, exhilarated smirk.

She began walking as she took stock of the situation. First things first, she needed to figure out who her buyer was and where this amulet was supposed to be delivered. If there was a trap waiting for her, she wanted to spring it on her own terms. And if there was a chance to get some answers about who was behind this bounty, she wasn’t going to pass it up.

As she made her way toward the outskirts of town, where the fog hung thick and the streets grew narrower, she kept her senses sharp. Steelhollow was a lawless place, filled with cutthroats, mercenaries, and bounty hunters looking to make a name for themselves. And while most of them would be smart enough to stay out of her way, there was always the possibility that some idiot would get ambitious.

And today seemed no different..

Khei's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of soft footsteps gaining behind her. Which usually wouldn't bother her if she wasnt so exhausted. Her transformation was the only weapon she truly possessed, and following her last assignment, she was still utterly drained. The urge to rest was almost overwhelming, but Khei knew better than to succumb. She had no armor, no sword or gun at her side—just the raw, primal power within her that had saved her life more times than she could count. But that power came at a cost, and she was already feeling its toll.

Without breaking her stride, Khei clenched the bounty poster into a fist. Her body coiled like a spring ready to snap at a moment's notice. However, as the footsteps grew closer, she could tell they were far too light to pose a real threat. Still, she wasn't going to let her guard down while her Naten was so depleted.

“Whoever you are, you should know tailing someone like me into a dark alley isn’t exactly the brightest move.” she called over her shoulder, her voice carrying an edge of warning.

The footsteps faltered before picking up pace, more deliberate now. Instinctively, Khei pivoted sharply, her anticipation of an assassin or mercenary giving way to mild surprise. Instead, a small figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked in dark fabric, hands raised in a gesture of peace.

“I mean no harm.” a soft, feminine voice said from beneath the hood. “I've come with information that I believe you'd favor.”

Khei’s eyes narrowed, her instincts on high alert. “..well?”

The hooded figure hesitated, then slowly reached up to lower the hood, revealing a young woman with sharp features and intense green eyes. Her skin was pale, and her hair, a deep shade of auburn, framed her face in loose waves.

“My name is Seraphine,” the woman said, her voice steady despite the clear tension in the air. “And I know who posted that bounty on you– or at least what they look like.”

Khei’s relaxed her fist, though she remained cautious. “..and why should I trust you?”

Seraphine took a cautious step forward. “You have no reason to believe my words, but I speak sincerely. I am among the many employed to collect the bounty on your head, yet I've come unarmed. After hearing what they have planned for you, I simply couldn’t go through with it. I don’t want to be a part of this anymore, but I also can’t just walk away.”

Khei studied the woman for a moment, weighing her options. This could easily be another trap, but there was something in Seraphine’s eyes that hinted at genuine fear. And if there was even a chance that she was telling the truth, Khei needed to hear what she had to say.

“..were you going to catch me yourself?” She asked, mocking the idea of Seraphine hunting her down. A teasing smile playing at her lips. “..you can't be serious.”

“I am aware of your.. strengths.” Seraphine responded sheepishly, “But the reward..it.. it was simply too tempting to ignore.”

“..right, cue your miraculous change of heart.” Khei responded sarcastically. “Alright, Seraphine.. you have my attention. ”

The hooded woman exhaled a shaky breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “They’re not just after you for the bounty. The buyer you’re supposed to meet—they’re working with whoever posted the notice. This is bigger than just a payout. They’re trying to draw you out, isolate you. The job you're returning from was intended to wear you out.”

Khei’s jaw tightened. “Huh.. Well that did kind of work.. but why are they after me?”

“From what I understand.. they want the power inside you,” Seraphine said quietly. “They wish to control The Vector, and use it for their own ends.”

Khei rolled her eyes as she began to lean against a nearby building. “Ugh, what else is new?” She muttered, exasperated. “So, turns out this isn't about money or revenge at all. It's about power, and someone decided I was their key to unlocking it. Figures.. What a letdown.”

“That is what I understand to be true. They were a mysterious lot, but their intentions were clear.” Seraphine assured.

“Blahh—How boring.. but you claim to know who they are, yes?” Khei continued, her voice low and direct. “Well go on.”

Seraphine hesitated again, then finally whispered, “I-I only have drawings I made of what they wore, as well the symbols sewn onto their cloaks.” Swiftly she reached into her hooded cloak and retrieved a sketchbook, filled to the ledger with a portfolio of truly excellent portraits. There was no question that she was a proficient artist. However Khei’s blood ran cold as she stared at the unique sigil. Immediately, she recognized it belonged to the same tribe that had once sealed an eldritch nightmare within her, condemning her to fate worse than death. Laying eyes on the symbol after so many years shocked her.. it was a morbid reminder of her childhood, but it was also an impossibility that the Niyotomi Tribe was responsible for this.

“...”

Considering she was responsible for wiping them all out.

“You are mistaken..” Khei said flatly. She tossed Seraphine's sketchbook back to its owner and resumed walking down the narrow streets. Seraphine trailing closely behind her. “What!? No I'm not! and I know what I saw! I may not be too much of a warrior, but I am a prolific artist, and I possess an excellent memory.”

“Oh really, then why is a prolific artist with an excellent memory, hunting bounties in the slum streets of Steelhollow?”

Khei asked, unable to suppress a smirk. It was a fair question. But then again, artists weren’t exactly known for their wealth. Seraphine’s silence spoke volumes. And elicited enough pity from Khei that she tried to clean up her approach.

“Look, the crest you've drawn belongs to a dead tribe– so, you are either mistaken.. or that excellent memory of yours is fading.”

Seraphine's shoulders slumped in defeat “..I see.” she conceded. Her voice a mix of resignation and humility. Humbled by what felt like absolute certainty from Khei’s tone.

“Good, so you can stop following me now.” Khei said with a loose wave over her shoulder as she continued her stride. “I appreciate your warning, but I'm willing to bet whoever is chasing me won’t give a shit if they kill you in process.”

“Um, the thing is..” Seraphine words trailed off a bit as she continued to keep pace with Khei. “I believe my life may already be in danger from simply relaying this information to you.”

“And?” Khei retorted unmoved by the mysterious woman’s selfless act. “Were you expecting protection? Because I am nobody's savior.. trust me when I say that you'd be safer literally anywhere else.”

“That may be..” Seraphine responded, “But if it is all the same to you, I’d enjoy your company, at least until we are far, far away from Steelhollow. I noticed you were approaching the city limits.. so I was just hoping–”

“Ugh, fine.” Khei Noh grumbled. “Suit yourself.. but I still don’t trust you.”

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Current Energy Level: 15%
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Khei's bare feet pounded the muddy road with a brisk pace, despite the weariness gnawing at her bones. The town of Steelhollow was now a distant memory, drifting into the dense fog behind her. Seraphine still trailed her steps, her presence oddly comforting, yet there remained a nagging suspicion at the back of her mind.

“Forgive me.. it may not be my place to say, but you look exhausted.” Seraphine remarked, her voice soft but edged with concern. “And I think you need to rest.”

“I've seen worse.” Khei grunted in response, her accent more pronounced as exhaustion loosened her tongue. But even as she spoke, her vision swam, the world tilting dangerously beneath her feet. Seraphine moved quickly, steadying her with a gentle hand. “I do not doubt this..” she replied, her tone patient. “But pushing yourself in this condition won’t do you any good.”

Khei gritted her teeth, frustrated by her own weakness. She was used to feeling invincible. Yet, here she was, wavering on the edge of collapse. “..maybe you're right.” she muttered reluctantly, the words bitter on her tongue.

They continued walking, Khei's steps were slower, heavier. Seraphine's keen eyes spotted the small inn first, nestled between two larger buildings. The wooden sign hanging above the door creaked as it swung in the chilled night's chilled breeze, its letters weathered and fading. Yet, the soft glow of light spilling from the windows was warm, inviting.

“There,” Seraphine pointed out, her voice calm and steady. “We can rest there.”

Khei hesitated, glancing at the inn with a critical eye. It looked run-down, the sort of place that wouldn’t ask questions but also wouldn’t offer much in terms of comfort. She sighed, feeling the weight of her exhaustion settling in her bones. She was reluctant, but the promise of a warm bed, however worn, and the chance at a warm bath was too tempting to resist. “..alright..” she agreed, her voice low and resistant. “One night.”

“I’ll take care of it.” Seraphine said quickly, relieved that Khei was agreeing to rest at all. “Consider it a thank you, for letting me travel with you.”

They entered the inn, the warmth of the fire inside immediately contrasting with the cold night air. The innkeeper, a grizzled old man with a suspicious eye, barely glanced at them as Seraphine handled the payment for two rooms. Khei Noh eyed the transaction with mild interest, her tired mind too foggy to analyze the situation as thoroughly as she normally would.

Once they had their keys, Khei followed Seraphine up a narrowing stairway to their rooms. Hers was small, sparsely furnished suite. The bed looked old, but soft, and that was the only detail Khei cared about.. “One night.” she reminded Seraphine as she leaned against the door frame of room, trying to muster a semblance of resolve despite her fatigue.

Seraphine nodded, her expression patient and understanding. “Yes, of course. We’ll leave at first light.”

Khei gave a curt nod before turning and heading to her room. She shut the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment as the exhaustion finally overwhelmed her. The bed, though nothing more than a thin mattress on an old wooden frame, beckoned her. But she resisted the urge to collapse onto it immediately. Instead, she moved to the bathroom and splashed some water on her face, grimacing as the cold water met her skin.

The grime and dirt clung stubbornly, but Khei didn’t have the energy to scrub it away. She stared at her reflection in the cracked mirror above the sink, noting the dark circles under her eyes and the weariness etched into her features. “Not exactly your finest hour.” she muttered to herself, the words slurred with fatigue.

–After a quick bath, Khei finally moved to the bed, sinking onto the thin mattress with a groan. Despite her intentions to stay alert, sleep pulled at her almost immediately. Her last conscious thought was a reminder to herself: just one night, then back on the road to retrieve her reward. And get to the bottom of this bounty on her head.

But the peace of sleep didn’t last long. They came for her in the dead of night, moving with the silence and precision of hungry predators. Khei was in a deep sleep, so deep she didn't hear the creak of the door, or the soft footsteps of highly trained mercenaries slipping into her suite. Seven in total, their race and features hidden beneath helmets of high tech armor that gleamed faintly in the moonlight. Their leader, a hulking figure, raised a fist to signal his men. Three of them acquiesced in silence, blades drawn, their intent clear in their prowling movements.

Seraphine lingered anxiously in the doorway, her expression unreadable as she watched her plan unfold. She had done the hard part; luring Khei Noh here under the guise of an ally, and further sedating her senses through the use of her anthem. Seraphine possessed what is known as Pathokinesis, and was capable of psionically calming her target to the point of comatose. From the moment she made contact with her, Seraphine had been bombarding Khei with calming, psionic pulses in preparation for this very moment. Lulling her deeper into exhaustion and vulnerability. Now, all that remained was for her mercenaries to finish the job as she kept Khei unconscious.

The closest of the mercenaries closed in, their enchanted saber glistening through the darkness as it swiped at Khei's throat. A meticulous strike, one trained a million times over, against perhaps a million different necks. And while her blood splattered no differently than the others, Khei proved to be a far more resilient target.

Seraphine's plan, though meticulous and elaborate, hinged on the fact that Khei was powerless in her human form, and the assumption that she remained particularly vulnerable while asleep. But even now, as she watches the assassin's blade slide across Khei's neck– still fast asleep in her bed– Seraphine's heart was pounding with doubt.

She anticipated the “thud” of her bounty’s head sliding from her pillow and onto the floor. But that didn't happen. Instead, what she heard was comparable to the frequency of steel clanging against something ahundred times harder. The assassin recoiled during the follow through of his attack, his enchanted blade snapping from the impact with Khei's exposed jugular. Her blood sprayed against the walls, but the laceration was already sealing itself– her flesh knitting back together with unnatural speeds.

The transformation was swift, violent, and horrifyingly visceral. Khei's eyes snapped open, glowing with an eerie crimson light before the human softness of her gaze was consumed by something far more feral. Her body convulsed, muscle fibers bulging and rippling beneath her skin– the color of her which mutated into a ghastly ivory coat. Her bones cracked and reformed, her frame expanding as her humanity was stripped away, replaced by the malevolent entity that lurked beneath it.

Her fingers elongated, her nails stretching and sharpening into claws that glinted like daggers in the pale moonlight. Her jaw extended, teeth lengthening into jagged fangs, her breath coming in primal, animalistic growls. This process was brutal– each shift of bone and sinew accompanied by a grotesque symphony of snapping and tearing. Her skin, once smooth, became a vascular, armored shell of flesh. The mercenaries hesitated– their bravado faltering as the creature they'd been hunting fully emerged. The room, once dark and still, was now illuminated by a malicioue pair of glowing red eyes glaring at its prey from its 9” frame. Seraphine’s calm facade melted– her eyes widening in horror as Khei— no, as the O'kasha's cold gaze gored her from afar.

The largest of seven mercenaries sprung into action, desperation fueling his attack as he lunged forward. His weapon,’ a battle ax as large as he was, oscillating with mystical enchantments crackled as it collided with the creature's skin. The massive blade shattered on impact, leaving him defenseless before the unscathed giant. Its clawed hand reached out and snatched him by the throat in an instant. The beast lifted him effortlessly into the air despite his struggling, its grip tightening until a sickening crunch left the mercenary still and lifeless. His limp body was tossed through the wall of the suite like a ragdoll as the glowing red eyes found its next target.

Another mercenary, one wielding a pair of katanas imbued with electric energy, used his agility to flank the dwarfing monster. He managed to land a flurry of strikes into its back, but his assault left no discernible mark– and his target barely flinched. In a flash, its massive hand closed around his skull, crushing it with a single savage squeeze. Blood and bone leaked from the seams of his helmet as his body fell to the floor.

The remaining mercenaries panicked, their training forgotten as they scrambled to escape the room, but it was too late. The monster pounced a caliber of speed that defied physics. It moved with a predatory grace, claws tearing through metal, flesh and bone with terrifying ease. The air thinned beneath the chorus of fleeting screams, the wet thud of bodies hitting the ground, and the primal grunt of the reaper at work. Seraphine, frozen in the doorway, could only watch in terror as her plan unraveled. She had heard rumors, but to witness it was something else entirely.. ferocity beyond anything she'd ever seen.

Desperate, Seraphine attempted to magnify the influence of her Anthem, her hand reaching out toward the monster as her incantations began. It was clear her abilities had an effect on her, so she sought to pacify the monster by reaching out to Khei and assuaging her mind. But she was beyond reason, fueled now by a tempest of rage and betrayal. It was then that the crimson pair of eyes locked unto Seraphine once more, and for a moment, she felt her soul attempt to flee from her body.

The beast pounced, its claws outstretched, but its movements were sluggish due to Seraphine's assault. She barely managed to dodge, the force of the attack sending her barreling across the floor. She scrambled to her feet in a panic before fleeing down the halls of the inn. But soon the entire building would be reduced to rubble as Khei's monstrous form ripped through walls and supports, collapsing the structure in on itself in a matter of minutes.

–

When Khei finally awoke, it was to Vescrutia pair of blistering suns, beaming their light directly into her tired eyes. She opened them to find herself surrounded by the remnants of the inn— a field of smoldering debris and the tattered remains of those who assaulted her.. and the original patrons of the Inn. Her head throbbed mercilessly, and her legs trembled to support her weight. Still, she felt more rested.. but her transformation had drained her to the brink once again.

Groaning, Khei pushed herself to her feet, her crimson gaze scouring the ruins for the radiation emitted by the amulet. She found it thoroughly buried beneath a support beam and bed of rubble, its surface still glowing with the powerful charms that made it so valuable. From there, she began to scavenge what she could from the destruction before she departed– clothing, food, money, anything that the dead wouldn't need. It was how she caught sight of Seraphine, her lower body pinned under a sturdy wooden beam. The woman's face was pale and bloodied, her eyes swollen with fear as Khei approached.

“O'kasha, I..beg.. of you.” She pleaded, her voice reduced to a hoarse whisper.

“Damn.. I hate that name already.” Khei responded, as she ruffled through Seraphine's hood– taking what valuables that remained on her, including her scrapbook.

“Khei.. please.” Seraphine begged, her horse whispering fading further. “..honestly don't really like that one either."

Khei responded as she rose to her feet. "I already told you, I'm nobody's savior. If you survive, it won't be because of me.”

leaving the ruins behind her, indifferent to Seraphine's fate. Her mind was now set on the next chapter of her journey, the meeting with her buyer. She wasn't sure whether or not she was walking into a trap, but it didnt matter. She was certain they'd have answers, the only question is if she'd be able to get them answered before she killed them.



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Current Energy Level: 5%
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