Remnants of the Earth
TEINAR => Wastelands => Topic started by: Anonymous on October 10, 2009, 03:53:32 pm
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The monster lifted its head and snarled, lips rippling to show flashes of lethal white teeth. It swung its massive head from side to side and started forward on bowed legs, the wing-like growths sprouting from its temples scything through the air. It charged forward, tail whipping, and with another roar lunged for the muddy brown shape of the skinny wolf leaping in front of it.
A chuckle seemed to escape from the canine as he flipped his tail up for balance and dodged to the side, ears flattening as a grin overtook his face, and he snapped upward at the armored throat of the reptile, more of a mutated lizard than a dragon—for what would a dragon do in the wastelands of an enemy city? At any rate, the creature’s hide was a brilliant ruby sheen, odd for the dusty, monotone hues of the desert-like land surrounding the two combatants.
The wolf tipped his cream muzzle up to tug at one of the wings, managing to jerk the massive head down. Claws jabbed into the catlike eyes, and the monster screeched in frustration as blood ran down its cheek. It wouldn’t be enough to defeat the beast, but it offered a weakness. Quickly it began to favor the side that still had sight, causing Zain to easily overbalance it as it sidestepped. He fell onto the lizard’s side, slamming it into the dust, and grappled with its talons for a moment before retreating, licking a cut on his shoulder.
The hunter was bored. And, yes, he randomly fought thing while he was bored. It was in his job description that he would go out and kill beasts that posed a threat to the citizens of Teinar, but this oddly mutated animal had managed to mind its own business before the wolf was barking and leaping on its back. Business had been slow lately and without many friends to keep him partying in the streets, he had turned to wandering through the apocalyptic region and looking for something to toss a little risk in his life.
He stood listening, to the growls of the monster staring him down and the rumbling of motorbikes in the distance, and another cocky grin crossed his lips as he jumped at the beast once more.
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The air was calm today, but Terra still wore a protective mask just in case and dressed in long jeans and a jacket. The weather could change on a whim and it was best to be prepared, and she never left the Lower City dressed in less. Hell, she never left the Lower City at all if she could help it, and today it couldn't be avoided.
One of the spark plugs in her motorcycle had gone bad and no one else in the city carried any like that anymore. Outdated, they were, and her engine with it. Well dammit, she didn't have money enough to get a new engine so she had decided to try her luck at one of the outposts. Some Motorailers hung out there and they knew motorcycles better than she did, and she knew some were into the classic look. They might be able to hook her up.
They hadn't.
And that was why Terra found herself heading back for the city, grumbling in her head, long-furred tail lashing behind her as she went. This sucked. She'd walked all that was for nothing, she was dirt streaked and sweaty, it was hot, and it was all so pointless--but maybe it was her sign. New engine or new ride. Might as well get a new bike, with the rate it was falling apart at, and--
Roars and snarls cut through the silence and Terra froze, ears flattening back against her head and hand reaching for her firearm. She drew it and flicked the safety off, straining to see. Dust clouds rose in the distance--right between she and where she needed to be. Just bloody great! But whatever it was, it didn't seem to getting any closer.
But Terra also knew she couldn't just stand here and wait it out. Like attracted like in these parts. Others would be attracted to the sounds, and if blood had been spilled things could get especially nasty. She had to be quick and hope it was distracted enough. One or two was dangerous but manageable, especially if one was feeding on the other. A whole pack, though? Yeah, she did not want to get stuck out here.
Terra shuddered and fell into a jog. She was closer to the Lower City now than she was to any outposts. Keep going, don't let it know you're scared and most importantly: don't let it know you're there. Worse came to worse and she knew how to run and knew all the good hiding spots.
She was getting closer. She could see the thrashing limbs now--what was that thing? No stopping, though, not while it was distracted. Most of these things were dumb, it shouldn't notice her if--
...Dog?
Terra skidded to a stop and stared. She was still far from it, having giving it a wide berth, but the dust cleared a little and she could see some sort of...dog thing...licking its shoulder. Then it leaped at the creature again and Terra gasped. That was no mutant! The wolves that roamed these parts were hairless and mange-covered, but that one looked healthy, normal, and it might end up getting itself killed! Was the thing crazy? Or maybe it was someone's dog and was protecting its owner.
No time to hesitate! Terra checked her weapon again and then raced toward it, heart in her throat, and dropped down behind an rusty sheet of metal, half buried in the soil. It might have been a car hood once upon a time.
Then she aimed at the beast and fired.