ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

Monsters

by Ellianora

Violence disclaimer: As for disclaimers there is some mild violence but nothing too gory one would not see in normal action shows.

Subtext Content: Gen with some alt undertones, if that makes any sense.

      Ellianora reclined in the sturdy chair next to fire basking in the warmth within the confines of the cozy Inn. She viewed her lovely deceptively delicate
featured face reflecting off the highly polished tankard. The former rogue realized she was supposed to meet her companion Venom this eve in the adjacent town. However, she couldn't resist stopping at the roadside Inn situated on the borders of the moorlands for a nice hot spiced wine and warm her chilled slender form in front of a roaring fire.

      A slight smile graced her thin lips as her mind wandered to thoughts of her dearest companion. They had been through much together, enduring many hardships. Venom and her had separated for a short period. Her companion took care of business while Ellie relaxed enjoying a few days in her home Village in the frontier province of Weston.

     She noticed with some interest that the Inn was unusually crowded for such a small and isolated establishment. Odd considering though the business was quaint there was nothing indicating it to be so exceptional to warrant such gathering of travelers cloistered nearby sharing the warmth of the fireplace with her. Especially since the large trading city of Luzon was less then a days ride away. It appeared most people stopped here prior to completing their journey through the hinterlands regardless of the time of their arrival.

     "Would you like to order a meal?" The young plump serving maid asked with a wide eager smile interrupting her thoughts.

     "Thank you but no, I won't be staying much longer I need to be on my way." Ellie answered glancing up at the woman whose full rosy cheeks glistened in the flickering fire.

     At the comment, a burly man next to her in a canvas-covered chair uttered a rather disrespectful sound. Ellie's pleasant demeanor promptly switched to that of deadly concentration as she set her violet eyes upon the man. "Is there a problem?" She asked uncurling her legs lowering them to the floor.

     "I apologize," the man amended quickly. "I didn't think anyone would be foolish enough to travel the moorlands after dark."

     "And why is that?"

     "Because of the beast that haunts the land at night," the man continued as if he was stating an obvious fact.

     "What beast?" Ellie questioned. Upon hearing her query, the others around the fire moved their chairs closer. It was clear the tale of the beast was a favorite among the patrons of the Inn.

     "The beast," the man began, is a horrific monster that wanders the barren lands ripping anything in its path to shreds. No one who as ever seen the thing has lived to tell the tale but one can hear its mournful cry at night as it goes forth in its quest for victims."

     "Amusing story," Ellie replied skeptically draining her mug, "but I have friend to meet in the next town and no desire to keep her waiting."

     "Please," the serving maidens begged Ellie as she stood up from her chair while the men about the fire talked amongst themselves. "You seem to be the decent sort for an elf what they say about the beast is true. Many a brave soul as left here only to have their scattered remains found the next day. It seems that tragedy came two-fold to this dread land the day the beast arrived."

     "Actually I am not a full elf," Ellie corrected her giving a slight sigh. "Tell me what was the other tragedy?" Ellie asked.

     "Almost to the day the beast arrived the owners of the Inn lost here only a child to a horrible ailment. "

     "That is terrible," Ellie, replied sympathetically. "

     "He was a sweet child," the waitress said as a reminiscent smile grew on her lips. "He was not quite right in the head though I fear, never could speak and somewhat slow-witted but he was so nice. I think he saw things we couldn't. He used to spend the days sitting by this very fire drawing pictures, ones the like you have never seen."

     "He sounds like a treasure," Ellie agreed.

     "Here," the waitress chirped fishing in the pocket of her smock pulling out a small drawing handing it to Ellie."

     "It is quite lovely," Ellie replied appreciatively scrutinizing the simple but enchanting drawing. She had traveled throughout the land of Iamoore and had rarely seen such a work of art. It was too bad the child had died; the world had lost a great artist that day.

     "Grisella," a gruff voice bellowed behind them making the woman jump suddenly. "I pay you to work not talk. Take the woman's order and move on."

     "Actually I am not staying," Ellianora informed the proprietor giving the man a hard stare. He was a large person standing over six feet tall. His build was that of a man who had once been well muscled and highly toned, but had allowed his physique to be reduced to large fatty rolls. The exposed pate was fast losing its hair as well. The man's eyes were hard giving his face a cruel expression. Her initial reaction softened upon remembering the loss the man had suffered.

     "Only a fool would dare to cross the moorlands at night," the innkeeper remarked.

     "Possibly," Ellie answered irritably keeping her own anger under control,  "I have a friend who is expecting me in the next town over and I don't wish to keep her waiting."

     "Nothing is worth the risk of facing that wretched beast, "the man reprimanded her, "but then that is your business elf."

     "Yes it is," she replied leveling her own violet eyes at his. Despite this man's tragedy, she was finding it hard to muster any pity for him. "Besides you don't know my friend I'd rather face a dozen creatures from Maloch's realm then stand her up."

     "Please," an elderly woman with tired fearful eyes and a taut face pleaded hurrying out of backroom, "my husband is correct it is not safe out there."

     "I appreciate your concern," Ellie said sensitively, "but I will be fine.  I would like to say I am sorry for your loss. The serving maid told me about child."

     "Perhaps it was all for the best," she replied glancing down at the floor, her voice cracking slightly.

     "Enough of this foolishness," her husband exclaimed. "If she wants to get herself killed that's her affair and we have our own business to run now so get in there and start preparing the food for our paying guests." The woman bowed subordinately backing away into the kitchen.

      Ellie exited the Inn retrieving her faithful mount Ghost from the stable. The night's eerie events still plagued her riding away from the Inn. Prior to her involvement with her partner, she had been a thief and a spy considered by many one of the best. A good thief always had an internal instinct, warning them when something was quite right. Hers informed her something was amiss though she was at a loss to say exactly what that might be.

     The night air of the moorlands was still and cold, void of any sounds normally filling the night. Ghost looked a little skittish as they traveled further through the empty terrain as the heavy night fog hung thick the air. Ellianora began to wonder if perhaps she had made the wrong decision after all, not that this would be the first time or most likely the last.

     It was then the former thief heard the mournful howl like that of a wounded animal filling the dead night air. The sound caused a chill to run down her spine. It was almost like a cry of a lost frightened child filled with fear and dread but mingled with a shriek of some horrible beast.

     Then Ghost suddenly halted upon the trail refusing to go further. Ellie glanced about nervously her tapered fingers resting upon pommel of one of her twin blades. Whatever was out here it was very close.

     Suddenly before she could react, a thing rushed at her from out of the dark knocking her from her horse. Ellie caught a glimpse of the black talons as they attempted to rake across her as she vaulted out of their path.

     The thing turned and screamed in frustration. Apparently, it was not used to its prey escaping the first attack. Even the battle-hardened woman was shaken by the appearance of the thing before her. The creature was massive covered with black fur while the arms were heavily muscled with misshapen hands and long black talons. The creatures face was horribly twisted the left blood-shot eye slightly lower then the right. The contorted mouth took up most of its face and filled with jagged uneven teeth.

     It snarled at her as greenish bile oozed from its tongue. Ghost immediately turned and galloped down the road while Ellie turned to face the abomination."

     "Smart horse," Ellie thought to herself drawing her twin blades, smarter than his owner."

     Ellie flipped over the creature as it rushed her, burying her slender sword into its head when she flew over it. Twisting in mid-air, she plunged the heavy bladed dagger into the things back. The creature wheeled about squealing in rage.

     The gaping wound left by the sword on its head oozed black goo. To her amazement, the wound slowly began to close upon the grotesque head.

     "This is not good," Ellie muttered beneath her breath watching the wound slowly repair itself.

     Before Ellie could collect herself, the creature lunged forward, leaving the former rogue barely enough to time to evade the attack. She did manage to slash the beast's face as she flipped backwards away from it. She could see to her dismay that wound was healing as well.

     "Definitely not good," Ellie repeated while her agile mind desperately sought someway out of this dilemma.

     The beast's ability to recover from the attacks seemed to be increasing in speed as the conflict raged on. Ellie was forced to evade more assaults. The beast came closer and closer to seizing her as her endurance dwindled. She realized eventually the seemingly untiring thing would catch her and that would be the end it.

     Ellie crouched on the soggy ground nearly exhausted as the beast's black claws descended upon her. The former rogue prepared herself for the killing blow to come. Suddenly there was a silver flash as a sword flew past her severing the out-reached appendage. The creature lurched back in pain grasping the wounded limb.

     Ellie traced the path of the sword flying back to its owner a tall dark skinned woman dressed in silver. The voluminous crimson cloak flowed around her muscled form as her ice blue eyes flashed as if igniting the air with a cold flame. The woman caught the sword rushing to the aid of her companion.

     "Cutting it kind of close," Ellie remarked scrambling to her feet.

     " At least I got here. If I hadn't decided to investigate the stories about this thing haunting the moors I wouldn't be here at all" Venom replied.   What are you doing out here anyway?"

     "I was suppose to meet you in Lazoic remember?" Ellie retorted. "I didn't want to deal with another of your lectures and icy stares.

     "I don't lecture," Venom shot back, "I just speak my mind."

     "Can we talk about this later?" Ellie asked pointing her blades in the direction of the creature that was already growing a new hand.

     The sight mystified venom. She had expected the beast to retreat after such a wound. Before the tall dark woman could react, the creature wrapped its huge arms around her, slowly crushing her in its constricting embrace. Even Venom's legendary strength couldn't beak the hold as she felt her ribs starting to crack from the pressure.

     Ellie leaped up giving the creature two quick kicks to the head stunning the creature. Taking advantage of the situation Venom braced her legs for one last desperate attempt. Giving a loud shout, she managed to break free from the creature's grasp.  Venom spun about slamming both of her fists into the barrel chest of the thing propelling it howling backwards.

     "You okay?" Ellie asked nervously helping her partner off the ground.

     "I'll live," Venom grimaced placing a hand upon her sore ribs. "This could be a problem." She stated rising to her feet.

     "Did I ever tell you I hate it when you say that?" Ellie remarked as the creature rushed towards them.

     "Several times," Venom rejoined flinging her sword at the creature ripping a horrible gash into the things leg forcing the beast to topple over.

     "So any ideas on how we handle this?" Ellie asked

     "It heals fast," Venom remarked considering the circumstances and moves very fast too I imagine."

     "Very, "Ellie informed her.

     "I heard about this thing in Lazoic," Venom said. The people in the town say it disappears at dawn so I guess our best strategy is to keep it at bay till the sun rises."

     "That is the best plan you can come up with?" Ellie exclaimed incredulously

     "I am open to suggestions," Venom replied with a slight shrug preparing to meet the charging beast.

     So, the night passed with two women taking turns repelling the creature that seemed to get more frustrated at each failure. Slowly the apparent nonsensical whimpering and gibbering of the pathetic thing forced back repeatedly started to make sense. Gradually a picture began to emerge, a most disturbing one as the darkness gave way to light.

     The innkeeper Delgar busily prepared the tankards for the evening. They did not have nearly the same number of guests as usual this day since the advent of the beast of the moor. Still, it was better then it had been. His wife who was becoming an ever-increasing annoyance with her whining was in the kitchen with Grisella preparing the evenings fare for their hungry patrons who wisely halted their journey to wait till morning rather then risk being caught on the moorlands at night.

     Business had been very good of late Delgar had even been able to hire a few mercenaries to keep the more rowdy people in line as they waited till dawn. Things were going very well for him.

     The only one to dare traveling after dusk had been that half-elf last night and she apparently had paid the supreme price for her folly he concluded when her fine gray stallion came galloping back riderless. The horse was a fine animal; he would be able to sell him so at least there would be some profit in the breeds passing. Though it did seem strange that her tack was of much finer quality then one of her apparent station could afford.

     Just then, the door of his establishment flew open causing the few patrons gathered to scurry for their rooms. Into the building strode a tall dark skinned woman with raven black hair dressed in crimson and silver. Strapped to her left side was very finely crafted scabbard containing a massive blade. A shovel was clutched in her right hand within her firm grasp.  The woman's ice blue eyes narrowed as she spotted Delgar behind the counter.

     Following closely behind the woman was the breed that had been here the night before.  Neither of the women talked making their way directly into the room.

     "Didn't expect to see you alive," Delgar remarked gruffly to Ellie, "suppose you want your horse back."

     Ellie was about to answer his comment when Venom motioned her silent as she marched up to the large man throwing the shovel at his feet. Her icy glare never averting from the man's bulbous face.  Delgar stared down at the tool his eyes seething with rage.

     "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.

     "I want you to dig," Venom replied in a deep menacing tone.

     Before he could respond his wife followed closely by Grisella exited the kitchen to see what was all the commotion. As she gazed upon the face of her husband, and detecting the rage in his face her eyes became those of a frightened deer as it looks upon a stalking wolf.

     "You are alive," Grisella said joyously upon seeing Ellie. "I was afraid the beast would catch you."

     "He did," Ellie, confirmed, "we kept the creature at bay all night."

     "But you didn't kill it," the man said with a slight sneer.

     "No," Ellie replied fixing her deep violet eyes on the man, "we didn't kill it."

"Mainly because it is already dead," Venom added. "I understand you had a child die recently, I want to see the body."

     "Are you insane?" Grisella blurted. "What kind of monster are you?"

     "That's what we would like to find out," Ellie answered evenly.

     "How dare you come in here making demands," Delgar said indignantly. Grabbing up a mallet the incensed man struck a deep resounding gong. Immediately three men armored in chain rushed into the Inn. "We don't need to put up with people like you," he threatened.

     Ellianora placed a hand on Venom's arm as she started to turn towards the apparent threat. "Let me handle this," she said pleasantly, "every time you do we end up in a skirmish."

     "Be my guest," Venom replied glaring at the mercenaries now becoming suddenly very nervous.

     "My name is Ellianora Bladedancer," she began courteously, "and my tall dark companion glaring at you here goes by the name of Venom."The men stepped back recognizing the names of the legendary duo. "Now what you need to consider, "she continued, "does this man really pay you enough to enter into a fight you must know can only end one way. "In response they slowly backed out of the room."

     "See," Ellie said with smug grin, "told you no problem"

     "I could have done it with less talking," Venom criticized.

     "But with a few broken bones most likely," Ellie replied.

     "Perhaps," she admitted. From the corner of her eye she caught sight of the large man attempting to slip away from behind the bar. "Don't move," Venom warned, "and I don't like repeating myself."

     "Its useless to disturb my son's rest," Delgar exclaimed mopping the sweat from his brow with a soiled rag. "There is no reason for it."

     "Why?" Ellie demanded.

     "Because there is no body in the grave," his wife cried burying her face in her hands sobbing.

     "What?" Grisella shouted shocked by the sudden revelation.

     "It's true," Venom confirmed.  "As we fended off the repeated attacks of the creature through the night, we could listen to it's whimpering. At first, they made no sense. Then gradually a few words here and there started to fall in place. My guess is some mage came to you with a scheme where you could make a few good triones and it would cost you very little."

     "It was all his idea," the woman screamed pointing an accusing finger at her husband.

     "Shut up witch," Delgar shouted attempting to strike her hard across the face. But before he could Venom's powerful right fist slammed against his cheek sending him flying back into the stacked tankards where he and them fell clanging to the ground.

     "Don't interrupt," Venom reprimanded him.

     "What you said is true," the woman said taking a deep breath. "Our Inn was failing and we were in desperate straights. This man in a black robe said he could come up with a way to make more gold then we had ever seen. The only thing was it required a sacrifice."

     "It wasn't much of a sacrifice," Delgar scoffed spitting out some blood and a tooth. "The boy was a dullard, never right in the head. All he ever did was sit by that fire rocking back and forth drawing pictures. He was nothing but a burden and would be so the rest of his life. At least this way he could be useful."

     "I want to hear the woman talk," Venom hissed between clenched teeth wrenching Delgar up off the floor. "And if you don't keep your mouth shut I am going reach down your throat and rip out your tongue." The man was about to reply verbally then only nodded thinking better of it.

     "Continue," Ellie encouraged the woman.

     "The man gave Malcor a shiny bauble, he always liked things like that," the woman added with a melancholy smile. "He then gave us a dagger and told us to take Malcor out and," she paused slightly, "and plunge the dagger into his heart."

     "And did you?" Grisella asked still stunned by the horror of the story."

     "Yes," the woman confessed in a weak voice, "I didn't want to go but Delgar insisted. He said it was better to put the boy out of his misery than to allow him to lead a useless and unproductive life. So, we took him out to the moorlands. He hated that; he was kicking and screaming the entire time. I finally gave him his drawing stuff and he calmed down somewhat. Then, "she fell to her knees," Delgar plunged the dagger in his chest and he became that, that thing on the moors." Delgar looked as if he was about to try and speak but one hard icy glare from Venom silenced him.

     "But your own son," Grisella said in a confused voice, "and those people who died on the moors."

     "I swear I didn't know what the plan was," The woman answered. "I didn't know. "The maiden ran out of the room crying leaving the four alone in the main room of the Inn.

     "So what do we do now?" Ellianora asked her tall dark companion.

     "Tie them up," Venom answered.

     It was near dusk when the four had reached the center of the haunted moors. Ellie rode her faithful mount Ghost while Venom walked alongside leading the innkeepers along on a short tether.

     "What are you going to do?" Delgar jeered, "turn us in? We didn't know what the mage planned and the child was better off dead."

     "And who gave you that right to decide that?" Ellie demanded.

     "Either way it doesn't matter," Venom remarked with a cold edge to her voice.

     "What do you mean?" the woman asked her eyes suddenly bulging with fear.

     "You were both fools, "Venom explained untying the pair. "The token the mage gave your son turned him into revenant, an undead vengeful spirit that goes about seeking revenge for their murder. That is why you had to kill him with the dagger. It wasn't the dagger but the token that allowed him to remain on this plane."

     "Normally the undead seeks out its killers, "Ellie continued her companions explanation. "Unfortunately your son is unable to fully distinguish his victims, slaughtering everyone who comes close to him."

     "So what are you going to do?" Delgar cried grasping the gist of where the conversation was leading.

     "Your son is a revenant now," Venom stated, "Once he exacts revenge his tortured spirit will be able to rest.

     "Isn't there any other way?" The woman cried fearfully.

      "The only other way is to somehow get the token off his body then the undead is destroyed, "Ellie added as she and Venom turned to leave the shaking couple.

     "Can't you two get the token?" Delgar pleaded.

      "Probably," Venom answered over her shoulder not breaking her stride as she and her partner continued their trek towards the town of Lazoic. Behind them, they heard the guttural cry of a creature followed by the shrill screams of a man and woman, which ended quickly. The pair continued silently on. At least now, there would be a few less monsters in the world.

The End

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