[Ry-San] Ashcroft's Training

OoC: Alright Sis, let's see how this turns out... Ashcroft

IC:

"Are you Vallen? Vallen Ashcroft?"

"Perhaps..." Vallen's eyes narrowed as he beheld the figure standing before him. He positively reeked of a dark and sinister aura, and made no efforts to hide it, to Vallen's dismay. The great brute peered at Vallen from under a great brow; through eyes as black as a starless night, set deep in a face that was scarred irreparably by many a battle. His bald, sweaty dome shone in the noonday sun, most likely blinding many a bird soaring overhead. Tattoos depicting vile, pagan acts covered his body, from the neck down; each and every one an abomination, each one worse than the last. Upon his right hip was hung a large axe, chipped and worn, blackened by the uncleansed blood of centuries of victims, innocent and guilty alike. It dripped with an unspoken anguish, the wailing cries of every soul it had sent to the underworld pulsated and slithered over every inch of the weapon.

Vallen wrinkled his nose and looked away in disgust. The very presence of such a man, wielding such a weapon, filled him with rage. Kin, who apparently felt the same, bore his fangs and growled as he sat by Vallen's side.

"This thing" Kin spat, "is obviously up to something."

"I know, Kin," thought Vallen, "but I'm not about to start a fight in the middle of a crowded street." He glanced at a few passersby, who looked at him strangely for a moment and then hurried on their way. The chants of a merchant, peddling his wares, reached Vallen's ears.

"That's right sir! Icthius itching cream is guaranteed to relieve any redness, soreness, swollenness, itchiness, and all around uncomfortable-ness you might experience during those private moments! W-wait sir! Don't leave! Did I mention it aids in hair growth!?"

"Mommy? Can I have a piece of candy? Please? Please? PLEASE!?" resounded a young child's inquiry.

Vallen promptly turned his attention back the mercenary before him. The brute licked his lips and smiled, revealing a set of repulsive yellow fangs. Vallen was amazed they hadn't fallen out yet. "I have sought you for many nights, Vallen Ashcroft, Mythril Knight." He growled. "My employer has taken a sudden interest in you." The pungeant fellow reached down and grabbed his axe, removing it from the sling. "He has promised me a pretty penny for bringing him your head." He ran a dirt caked finger over the repulsive blade.

"Sorry to disappoint, but I happen to be rather attached to it." Vallen retorted as he cocked his head.

"Don't worry, I can change that!!" the ogre-like foe raised his axe above his head and swung it swiftly downward. Vallen crossed his arms and blocked the oncoming blade. The foul steel hissed as it collided with the mythril gauntlets. The darkness that saturated the axhead reached out with vile tentacles in an attempt to ensnare Vallen, but he quickly threw off his offender's attack and drew his own blade.

"People like you disgust me." Vallen spat, "Vile dogs with no sense of honor. You slay innocent people at the drop of a coin without giving your actions a second thought. You strike down anyone and everyone who gets in your way, whether they are your quarry or not! You commit despicable crimes for no other reason than to satisfy your own evil greed!" Vallen's eyes burned with a fury unlike anything his foe had ever seen. "You will not live to see another hateful day." Vallen spoke, "It is time to pay for your crimes."

His opponent broke out in a fit of hideous laughter. "I haven't laughed like that in a long time." the man said, "It will do my black heart good to see your head sitting on a silver platter!" He rushed at Vallen, swinging his axe from side to side. Vallen brought up his blade and blocked the attack in mid-swing, allowing the ax head to slide up his sword blade and stop at the claw-like hilt. He then flipped his own blade over, jamming it into a crack in the cobblestone. His opponent fell forward as Vallen reached back with his right hand and thrust forward, landing a punch square in his foe's face, sending him reeling.

The mercenary lay on the ground in a daze, his nose twisted and blood dripping down his chin. He had lost his grip on the devil axe and it now lay on the streetcorner, beside Vallen's own blade. Vallen glared at the vile weapon, and then, with a single thrust of his sword, shattered it upon the cobblestone street. The evil weapon cried out in agony with a scream only comparable to that of a banchee.

"A Souleater..." sighed Kin simply.

As the darkness dissipated Vallen turned to his attempted murderer. He brought his weapon up to his chest. "Your weapon is no more, and you are helpless. I will give you one chance. Will you repent?"

"Why the sudden change of heart? I'd rather burn in the pits of hell than take any mercy from a weakling like you! A warrior too cowardly to carry out his own threats." the fallen hunter retorted.

Vallen merely shook his head, "You have made your choice. I felt you would answer so. I will purge the world of your unrelenting darkness." He took a step toward the figure, and prepared to strike. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, but when he opened them his foe was gone. As was the town and the villagers. Vallen looked about anxiously, but the only other being present was Kin.

"What the hell is this!?" exclaimed Kin. He lowered his head and suddenly his hair bristled. He growled viciously and began barking uncontrollably.

"What is it Kin?"

"This place, I feel a strange presence. It's like the darkness is alive..." All of a sudden it was like someone had pulled a rug out from beneath Vallen's feet. He stumbled head over heels, falling for what seemed like forever. The darkness seemed infinite. No matter which way Vallen looked, as he fell, the darkness continued.

After a few minutes Vallen got used to the falling sensation. He loosened up a bit and enjoyed the ride. But, as fate would have it, just as he grew accustomed to the darkness and the weightlessness, it all came to an abrupt halt. His vision was filled with light again. Yet it was the sudden end of the falling sensation that caught his attention. He crash-landed on a squirming, groaning, complaining pile of bodies. Kin yelped as he landed hard on Vallen's cold armor. They had arrived in "The Dome."