Hunting Man Eaters

Manticores where thankfully a rare kind of demon, so rare in fact that they'd often been thought to be extinct. But Rayden had found them, hidden in the very city of station square. Dining on its inhabitants, picking off those who wouldn't be missed; orphans, Vagabonds and homeless people.

Manticores where near impossible to kill, they were powerfull predators with regeneration abilities that could heal the most fatal wounds. Their own venom slowed down this healing process and cutting of their head did the trick. But to do that you had toget close to them and they spat venom and their scorpion like tail could strike at lightning speed. Their venom deadly to anyone but their own, resulting in cardiac arrect withing 10 seconds.

More importantly, they moved in prides.

This last thing was something that Rayden had inconveniently forgotten. The young demon hunter was now surounded by no less then three of the creatures. He'd taken down a young one, a female barely out of her teens. He'd hoped to take them out one by one, but rather then fighting him, the creature had alerted the others before he could lop off her head.

Now the matriarch of the pride was fussing over her daughters corpse while the other three where circling him slowly. Two males, one female. One of the males was obviously an older manticore, having too much confidence and grace to be anything but. The other two where the age of the one he had just killed. They were his best bet for an escape.

His eyes lighted on the young female and she tensed, hissing a warning at him. Even though these demons looked very mobian they didn't have a lick of civility.

The young wolf groaned a little to himself"Should have braught back up..".

The commotion in the area seemed to be loud enough to attract attention. Few blocks away laid some abandoned apartments where two tigers emerged from out of one, groggy and confused.  Their ears twitched in several directions, trying to pin point what just happened.   Both were asleep when they heard a scream that jumped them from their slumber.  The female tiger look to the male tiger and nodded her head a bit, her face with the look of determination as she began to head into the direction of the commotion.

The duo walked ever so quietly down a few blocks and ventured into an alley, hoping it would provide them cover from whatever might be lurking ahead.  Keeping their backs to the wall, both slowly scooted along, careful of their footsteps until they were near the end of the building where it opened up to the streets and sidewalk.  The female peered out a bit to find the gruesome scene before quickly moving back a few feet while the male tiger repeated what she did.  After he glanced over to the scene at hand he walk toward the female tiger, “What are we going to do?” he whispered to her as he got closer.

She scratched her head a bit, “I’m not sure.” she muttered and as looked out towards the street.  “There’s a child lying dead in the street while what appears to be more of those ‘creatures’ are surrounding that wolf.” she spoke quietly.  “You think the wolf did it Fangs?” the male asked.  Fangs nodded her head a bit before slowly moving back to the edge of the building.  “I don’t like how they look though Berserker, those are some supernatural creatures there… maybe its best not to interfere.” She said as her ears sink down.

Fangs and Berserker has uncertain looks on their faces, conflicted on what to do as both peeked out again to look on at the scene unfolding before them.

"What I suggest you do, is remain quiet, and out of my way," a voice murmured from behind the two. If they turned to see, they would soon find the source of this mutterance.
Stood behind them was... not exactly a large man, but his build and presence still gave an almost 'hulking' impression of the individual. He was a middle-aged man, with tufts of long hair hanging between his horns to identify him as some form of highland cattle.
Adorning his figure were heavy robes - royal in design, but also quite thick, as if designed in some way to work as light defense against incoming blows. Across his back was a great sword - richly designed- whilst at his side he held one large book. He was here with intent.

Striding between the two, he stood before them now, putting himself between the two girls and the scene ahead of them. He didn't seem to be too perplexed or worried by the situation, instead giving out a low 'hmph' before lifting the book from his side and beginning to turn through the pages. He was looking for something in there, though what was anyone's guess.

The older males ears twitched, his head slowly turning towards the highlander and the two tigers, but they were well hidden in the shadows and even with its enhanced vision it wouldn't be able to see them. Still they must have caught his attention somehow. The male turned his eyes back to the wolf, though he kept an eye on where they were hidden from the corner of his eyes.

But his temporary distraction had not gone unoticed by Rayden and the young hunter dashed forward, barreling straight into the distracted male who yelped. If there was one thing the manticore had not been expecting it was for the wolf to go for him and to barrel into him head on. Which was exactly why Rayden had done it. They both went down. The manticore hissing agitatedl as his wings pinned awkwardly under him.

But Rayden didn't try to keep him pinned, not with three other manticores there. He rolled off and not a moment to soon as the younger male lunged at him, but since he'd moved the manticore now tripped over his uncle and went sprawling. Seeing his escape the wolf quickly made a dash for the nearest alley, not to far from the tigers and the highlander with the young female in hot pursuit.

Berserker watched on as the highland cow flipped through the book, tilting his head ever so slightly.  Something nerved him about this fellow; something just didn’t feel right but just couldn’t put his finger on it.  “Why would a fellow dressed in fancy robes appear out of the blue?” he thought to himself.  He glanced over to see what was going on with the manticores and watched as the wolf lunged out at the younger one and made a break for it.  Surprised he stepped back towards Fangs who also saw what just happened, just mere feet behind him.

The young female had different plans, rather than just being a witness, she rather get the answer right away.  Turning foot and heel, she bolted down the alley, hoping to catch the wolf bolting out of the nearby alley he went through. She gave once last glance back to Berserker whom was dumbfounded that his girlfriend just did something… rather rash.  He wanted to yell at her to come back but know that would draw the other manticores toward them, refrained from doing so.  “Go figure she would…” he muttered with an anger undertone as he stayed behind to keep an eye on the highland cow while Fangs went off to catch up with the pursuit.

The bull growled under his breath as the young hunter broke away from the group. That was irritating... he wanted them together, not all split apart like this. Now he'd got half the Manticores here, whilst another was chasing it's way through the back alleys with the hunter. Growling, he slammed the book shut, looking over his shoulder to the tiger behind.

"I suggest you pursue your girlfriend and keep her out of the way before she gets herself hurt," he muttered, before unhinging a small metal canister from his belt. He took a brief swig from it, before returning it and drawing the sword from his back. From there, he made his way into the Manticore's little den.

"I'm ready for you big guy..."

The young female manticore stopped when she caught fangs scent following, she dropped to all fours, obviously thinking she'd fallen into a trap with the wolf on one end of the alley and the female tiger on the other. Her short hair turned into spines with a dry rustling sound as she slipped from her mobian guise, wings extending further, scorpion tail lenghtening and thickening and two extra rows of teeth appearing in her mouth wich she gnashed angrily, tail weaving like a scorpion ready to strike.

Rayden turned too, now that the manticore had stopped and his eyes widened in surprise at the tigress"What do you think you're doing! get out of here, its dangerous!". There was another hisses and gnashing of teeth from behind fangs as the young male had caught up as well, trapping her between them.

"Uhm... ok... don't....move? no sudden movements... "Rayden raised his hands as if trying to caution Fangs. The male manticore rolled his eyes"oh please...like that will work..."his red eyes shifted to Fangs, narrowing a little"Verne stop spittin, I don't think the tigers with him.

The only two manticores left at the den now where the matriarch and the older male. The male growled deep in his throat as the bull entered, wings flaring as he dropped into a half crouch.

"Lucius..."Finally the matriarch spoke, slowly getting up from her daughters body. She was taller then the male, not to mention broader, with more then ample curves but not an ounce of softness to her. Blood red in color with thick black curls that reached down to her waist. She wore a strapless, short dress with a crusifix on it. Obviously a mocking gesture.

"This one is mine.."

With that she lunged at the bull, claws unsheeting to tear into him if she got close enough. The male hesitated but stood down uneasily, obviously recognising the female as the better fighter.

Fangs continued her pursuit of the female manticore and the wolf until she skidded in her tracks to a dead stop.   The female turned around and began to growl and swish her tail.  Taking a few quick steps back she realized that the young male manticore had also followed them and was growling at her too.  Chaos ran through her head as she watched the two manticore, almost not hearing what the wolf said before snapping back to reality, shooting a glare back to the wolf.  “I’m not with him!” she shouted as she posed herself to be ready to fight if the manticores were to strike at her.  Her eyes lowers more, give the wolf an intimidating glare, “Exactly WHO are you and why did you kill that child?!” she shouted to him, keeping her eyes on the wolf and the manticores that surrounded her.

The male tiger growled at the bull’s word as he watched him head out to fight the remaining manticores left behind.  Berserker was torn, he wanted to go and help Fangs, knowing her, she probably got in trouble but at the same time… he still doesn’t trust the bull either and doesn’t want to leave the scene.  “I wonder if…” he muttered and looked back down the alleyway, “He can’t be one of them…. Right?” he questioned himself as he tried to quickly figure out what to do.  After a few moments, Berserker moved a bit closer to the end of the alleyway, watching the bull and the female manticore battle it out.

The bull was frustrated - the fact Berserker was still hanging around after his direct instructions not to was infuriating. Still, he didn't have time to think on, or even directly respond to that. He wanted to tell him to move, to go find the woman he was with before she got herself killed. Unfortunately, it seemed that there was an aerial manticore hurtling towards him. And if there was one thing about aerial manticores hurtling towards you, it was that they didn't allow you much time for small talk.

Seeing the claws heading towards him, he lifted the flat of the sword towards those oncoming hands, hoping to use it's great breadth as a shield. If it stopped her as intended, the plan was to move forward to allow his leg to full extend without obstruction from the blade - the intent to kick upwards and land the very point of his foot into the great creatures throat.
It was a move intended on brutal efficiency. There was no want for savouring the battle.

A muscle in the young wolf's cheek twitched at Fangs glare and accusations, his hackles rising a little in annoyance. "Are you brain damaged? get the fuck away from those two before they decide you're a snack"he snapped back. But it didn't look like she was going to budge. That 'child' was older then you probably are"he snorted"ontop of that she's a man eating demon. She EATS people... or rather... ate~"

With a snarl the young female launched herself at the wolf but he side stepped her, something flashing in his hand like metal as he braught it down at her unprotected neck. 

There was a blur of black and dark blue and Rayden produced a howl of pain as the sickening snap of a bone breaking reverbrated through the alley. A huge male manticore was between him and the female, one that hadn't been with the group when Rayden had ran away from them. Dark blue in fur and wearing comfortably urban clothes he looked like he might fit in in society. Broad chested and well muscled without being bulky.

The Manticore narrowed his blue eyes at Rayden as the wolf panted and struggled before tossing him at the younger male"dinner...". He then turned to Fangs, his expression bland"so, tiger who is not with the wolf... who are you then?"he took a step forward, smelling faintly of cheap alcohol.

------

The matriarch hit the flat of the blade at full tilt, managing to put her hands infront of her to keep herself from being propelled to far forward but it was quite a weigth that crashed against the highland bull, but given his posture he could probably handle it.

His foot did not quite land on her throat as he kicked, the demons reflexes were excellent, but not so much that she could dodge the full blow when she was taken by surprise and off balance. she'd jerked her head sideways and instead the foot connecte with the side of her face and the curve of her horn, sending her reeling from the force of the blow.

She quickly leaped backwards, crouching on hands and feet, fingers splayed as she narrowed her eyes at him and shook her head to clear it from the fog of pain. At the very least she was going to have a splitting headache when this was over. Her scorpion tail danced over her head, ready to strike.

The tigress watch as everything seemed to happen so quickly.  She heard Rayden yelling at her but before she could respond to him, the young female manticore lashed out at him.  Fangs gasped as she saw the knife in Rayden’s hand, ready to take down another one but swiftly stopped by a newcomer, another male manticore, clearly much older than the two that surrounded her.  She watched nervously as he had the wolf in his clutches and when he tossed the wolf to the younger male behind her, she sidestepped out of reflex to avoid him colliding into her.  Fangs stared at the wolf one last moment before the older manticore spoke out to her, spinning back around in the same stance she was in, giving a slight glare at the manticore.

“Ughh, I can smell the alcohol on this fellow… he’s probably drunk.” she thought to herself as she watched him and the other manticores careful for a moment before she finally answered him. “My name is Fangs… I came out here with my partner after we heard a scream and well, stumbled into this mess it seems.” she responded, trying to be careful of her tone to not further anger them.


Berserker meanwhile continued to watch the fight with the bull and the female manticore.  He still refused to leave, still very much uneasy about the bull’s intentions.  In the back of his head he worried for his partner, she was always known to land herself in serious trouble.  But from his experience, unless she screams out, she was holding her ground well. It was that very reason he remained to watch the battle, hoping there would be answers soon and decide on if he should involve himself or not.  Berserker took a few cautious steps forward to peek out of the alley to watch the fight carry on.