Dripping wet the floor was, each pebble slathered in a thick coat of saliva and blood. Screeching could be heard from behind a thick wall of dust as the rustling of evil permeated the air. A nefarious pressure snuck its way through, condemning all that approached before it even made itself seen.
The runes lit up, and so did the dial on his hand – lighting up five of his knuckles, leaving only the light in the centre unlit.
[Puppet Master]
Leo's face went deathly pale, unlike the skeleton who was now staring down the monster unfazed. His breath caught in his throat, forgetting completely that he was unarmed.
'I- it's, here!'
His voice shook as its woolly mane emerged, and of course, trailing behind it not only did a beastly head come out, but also the grotesque appearance of a blood starved leech.
Graah!
It took a step inside the hall, ripping open the entrance walls as the last piece holding it up went flying into the roundtables standing by. Food splattered everywhere, staining the floor a brand new chrome.
Needless to say, the skeleton was not amazed. Even if it couldn't talk, its red turned eyes told him everything he needed to know.
'Wha– the sword!'
Leo couldn't afford to think, not after seeing what it was capable of doing. He dashed for his sword, turning back around as he tripped on his own legs, grazing his knees red.
Behind him, the action was about to start. The worm cleared its eyes immediately and surveyed the room, noticing the silver sword at the end of the table.
And despite the threatening butler right next to it, after a deafening screech, it hurled the broken door right at Leo. Missing him slightly but knocking away his sword.
'Fuck.'
Leo had to stretch his legs further now, if even that skeleton couldn't hold it back, then, well... he was absolutely doomed!
No need to fret though, because the butler took up arms in the next second, shifting its robes around to reveal a long slender sword hoisted on it's hip. A curved blade with a backbone engraved in draconic sigils and masterful artwork. It's shine was so blinding Leo almost forgot what he was supposed to be doing.
"Hold on for a bit! I'll help!"
Leo looked back, screaming out to the skeleton as it started engaging the monster.
He'd now have to go looking for his sword through the rubble it was buried under, but with a weaklings body it would take some time; even if a royal feast powered his muscle.
The great thing about this match up, though, was the fact that the Puppet Master could not use magic. The forest was the only place one could find this exact parasite, it was practically one with the forest, and so it only made sense that it couldn't carry anything magic related.
Unless it somehow got ahold of a magic body that is, like a human, or a werewolf.
'... that's not good.'
Werewolves weren't exactly magical maestros, but the sheer idea of one even using magic was just terrifying.
His searching for the sword got frantic, having the beast killer on hand would at least bring him some solace, even if he knew he couldn't make a dent in its skin.
On the other side, however, the battle had already begun.
The skeleton raised its fingers, letting out a flow of energy into his sword as it started floating beside.
Knowing Leo wouldn't be in the battle for a while the wolf shifted its body to the skeleton.
No words were exchanged, no confirmation, nothing. But the battle ensued anyway, a mutual agreement of destruction.
It started off light, with the worm throwing up a few punches, missing miserably of course as the skeleton either deflected the blows with its sword or just out manuvered it.
Cracks appeared throughout the room as the two continued, busting open every single table and chair once masterful crafted, killing off the light oozing from the lanterns – turning the place into the very same suite of unkept architecture the rest of the labyrinth boasted.
Their clashes were so destructive on the enviroment that debris from the other side of the room could hit even the crouching Leo, who at this moment in time was desperately trying to free his sword from ruin.
The two picked it up slightly, with the skeleton getting tired of running around its floating sword started swinging back, poking out through openings as it tried to penetrate the hardened skin of a werewolf.
Occasionally it tried aiming for the worm, but to no surprise, the wolf would not allow it. Its claws were too sharp and hard for that skinny sword to do anything of real meaning.
Down at the other side Leo's sword was nearly free, only a few more stones before it was dug up from the grave and he could jump in to help. Though, he was seriously contemplating to make a run for it when it's being distracted. But that could pose all sorts of problems. He used the time of searching to think about it strategically:
'I don't want to fight that thing... but if skelly can't kill it, then I definitely can't!
Should I run? When they're fighting I can sneak past where it came from... but then what if its done here and starts coming after me? If I fight it here could we even win? If I don't fight now then I definitely won't win next time!'
His hands were shaking as the sword finally came free, Leo would have to take his chances of beating the thing here.
'Hopefully it doesn't realise it has magic.'
An overwhelming red radiance hung in the air, to Leo, this was a sign that the skeleton was getting serious. But he'd soon come to find how wrong that though was as he slowly turned around, his heart nearly shut down at the sight.
What he saw was not the skeleton dominating the grim beast, but instead the worm pinning down the sword and robes of the skeleton with its foot, ready to launch a devastating attack out of the wolfs mouth.
During the time Leo stressed over strategy, the worm had severed the wolfs head completely, holding it in one hand and using it as a catalyst for its special sorcery.
The head was aimed straight at its skull, the wind created from it was incredible, sending out lashes through the marble and air. Immediately all the dust cleared, leaving a clean space where the strike was about to happen.
Swoosh!
With unprecedented speeds the energy released, sending forth a cross pattern right into the skeletons skull, pulverising its sword, robes and life, instantly. Nothing was left behind, only tiny ashes from the robe flying up into the air, being crushed by the atmosphere mere seconds later.
The ground around turned pure white, plastered with the skeletons flattened essence. The worm salivated at the mouth, a thick foam emerged as it wiggled in excitement. And for the first time Leo heard its grotesque voice, it was squirming with happiness.
He couldn't believe his own eyes, had they just tricked him? Was this an illusion? What the hell even happened!
His jaw stuttered:
'It — just... vanished.'
The worm didn't hesitate, it's flexible body turned around to face Leo, letting out another happy scream as it lunged for him.
'N-no!'
His breathing laboured.
"Get away!"
Leo held his sword up as it approached fast, stumbling back until he was backed into the same wall he landed in the room from.
With one hand occupied, the wolf used its detached head to bite the air. The worm infused magic all throughout its body as a pressure too vile to stand went rampant. They were face to face.
"Please!"
Leo pleaded with the beast as its head went in. Holding his sword up in desperation it miraculously parried away its fangs.
Seeing this opening Leo dashed right past, stumbling down to the ground as his legs tried finding the strength to run away.
Of course it wouldn't be that easy, the wolf twisted around and swung its free arm, sending Leo crashing through some tables, making sure he landed right below the grand painting at the side of the room.
Just like before, Leo was more than sure his guts had been re arranged, the only difference this time, however, was the absence of the astral light coming to save him.
But not all hope was lost.
Leo hurled up blood, holding his ribs tightly as he screamed in agony.
'Fuck!'
At the corner of his eye, from his arm, a faint glow resonated. The runes took off in a rage, quickly forming a shield around Leo's body as he lay beaten on the chaotic floor.
The worm was close behind him, its devastating claw deflected off the runic shield that bound Leo down. Then as if with worry, the runes displayed to him:
[Embrace the Ashen Paint]