"Okay, quick inventory to make sure we have everything then we're in the car and headed home." They sorted out the items, Luna returning the shields to Cass and the kids putting the miscellaneous supplies in the packs. Zavier checked that all the rods, sans the one lost to the ants, were still secured in their quiver as everyone stripped off their armor with relieved sighs.
Zavier popped open the back of the SUV with the remote and they all tossed their items and packs into it. They walked around to the side when Luna tripped on the curb, falling into a quick stumble just as a bullet fired past where she'd been, hammering Cass into the side of the vehicle with a large clang.
Cass instantly disappeared and Luna looked around with surprise and shock. There was a hole in the side of the van where he'd been standing moments before, blood splattered around the edges.
"INTO THE VAN!" Zavier yelled and dragged Luna around the other side to safety. He threw her into the door and ran to climb in himself when a voice called out across the parking lot.
"Woah, woah, woah," an oily voice filled with mirth called out. "There's no reason to be getting off so quick! We just want to talk."
Zavier turned slowly, both hands up. About 30 feet away were two motorcycles and their riders. The one that had spoken was a man of average height wearing a leather vest with no shirt underneath. Tattoos covered every inch of exposed skin and his hair was shaved at the side into a tall, spiky mohawk. He leaned casually against his motorcycle, his hands resting loosely on two wicked looking machetes with serrated edges.
Next to him was a thin, towering man in a long trench coat. He wore mirrored shades that didn't look out of place even in the fading light. He had a long rifle resting on the handlebars of his motorcycle pointed in their direction. Zavier could have mistaken him for a statue if he hadn't seen the barrel of the gun casually swing to follow him as he moved.
"What do you want?" Zavier's voice was laden with tension. Cass had dropped out of the party chat when he'd transported home, the distance just too far.
"That's easy," the man said and stood up. "We just want your shit."
"You could have asked," Zavier choked out. "You didn't have to shoot my son!"
The man shrugged like it was incidental. "That was me asking. You got another kid, no reason to lose them both."
Zavier was thrumming with rage and impotence. He didn't see any way out of this. There was nothing he could do. THINK! But nothing came.
The man could see his obvious distress and laughed. "Look buddy, it's not hard. Give us your shit and drive on home. You can always come back another day and get more. No sense in losing another kid over a bunch of loot."
Zavier was shaking. Never in his life had he felt so powerless. "Give it to you and we can go?"
The man was losing patience. "That's what I fucking said. I don't want to sit out here all night, so just give us the shit or Viktor here," he waved to the giant behind him, "shoots you all and we take it anyway. Personally, I'm a softie. If people do what we ask I say 'live and let live.'" He chuckled as realization hit him. "Well, mostly anyway."
"You're just going to kill us anyway," Zavier retorted.
The man had lost all his patience at this point. "Look, Fucktard, if we wanted you all dead you'd be dead already. You can shear a sheep 100 times but you can only eat it once. Give us your shit and live to give us your shit another day. Say one more fucking word and we might just decide you're not worth the effort and call this one a loss."
Zavier opened his mouth but shut it again when the long barrel of the gun swung up to point at his head. He just nodded his head and walked to the back of the SUV, slowly lifting the keys to show he wasn't a threat.
He popped the button and the hatchback swung open slowly, the man smiled and stepping forward with a jaunty hop. He pulled out one of his machetes and held it towards Zavier as he moved to the back of the van.
"See now, that wasn't so hard was-" then the side of his jaw exploded.
Blood splattered Zavier and he looked in shock to see Tess pointing a gun over the back seat. He looked down at the man and saw that he was alive, he just wouldn't be chewing out of the hole in the side of his mouth any time soon.
He leapt into the back of the van as a shot pinged off the wall behind where he'd just been standing. He crawled forwards in a mad dash and slammed the key into the ignition. The engine roared to life as bullets shattered the windows around them. Zavier didn't even get up, reaching down to press on the gas pedal with his hand while Tess reached over to grab the steering wheel. They bumped over curbs and dividers, Tess peeking over the dash with one eye to put them on a course for the exit.
"He's grabbing the guy you shot!" Luna yelled, reaching back to pull the hatchback shut. Zavier clambered his way into the driver seat and checked out the rearview mirror. The man Tess had shot had made it to his motorcycle and had wrapped a piece of cloth around the lower part of his face. They turned onto the street in a squeal of tires, jetting onto the highway onramp. Zavier redlined the engine as he pushed it to its max speed. Even pushing 100 miles per hour it wasn't enough as they heard the throttle of motorcycles advancing on them.
Remembering the rifleman's aim, Victor, I think, Zavier ducked his head low and to the side just in time for a bullet to send headrest stuffing into the air and punch a hole in the windshield. Tess climbed into the back and was digging through the bags.
"What are you doing?" the fear in Zavier's voice making it come out in a shout. A few moments later Tess crawled over the back seat and stood at the side door wearing Cass's breastplate, Boarcharge Boot, was sporting one of his shields on each forearm, and holding Claw and Shimmer in each hand.
"I hit level 10 with the tiger. I'm going to go see what level these guys are at. Get Luna home and check on Cass. Don't come back for me, I'll be fine."
Tess had read the skill as she'd left the tiger pen and was thrilled at the direction her skills were taking her.
Name: Bladestorm
Type: Combat Skill
Level: 1
Description: Harnessing your mastery of weaponry, you can unleash a rapid series of strikes that overwhelm your enemies. Your movements become a blur, and each strike is executed with deadly precision.
Ability - Whirlwind Strike: When activating Whirlwind Strike your attack speed is doubled, and each attack has a 25% chance to deal additional damage based on your Agility stat. This ability lasts for 60 seconds or until you flee.
Cooldown: 5 minutes.
Effect: All weapons you are actively wielding are hardened and their edges sharpened, increasing their damage and improving their durability.
She opened the door to the van and focused on the bastard that had shot her son, feeling the effects of Shimmer cloak her from his vision. Then she was out of the door and in the air, spinning like a bullet, blades extended on either side of her. The man she'd shot opened his eyes wide and tried to cry out but it was a gurgle of noise lost to the wind. She passed between them in a blur and the sniper's rifle fell apart in even segments, the metal pieces bouncing onto the highway, his eyebrows raising in surprise behind his glasses.
She landed in a skid, sliding down the interstate and pivoting to face the bikes. They spun in unnaturally tight circles that should have flung them off at those speeds, then they were riding back to her without even slowing. The sniper could see her now and had pulled out a pistol, its shots firing out faster than a machine gun. But Bladestorm was still active and she knocked them aside with barely a thought and activated the boots to charge back at them.
The bleeding one had pulled out a machete and swung it at her but she dropped to her back, sliding on the chest plate like a turtle on its shell and slashed at both of their tires. She missed one but managed to cut through the front tire of the sniper's bike, the spinning wheel ripping Claw out of her hand and hurling it into the shoulder.
She slid to her feet again and watched with satisfaction as the man flipped and rolled down the asphalt, his glasses shattering and bloody patches ripping through his clothing. Even as injured as he was he managed to roll to his feet and aim his weapon again. Not wanting to risk Shimmer she blocked with the shields, not even feeling the impacts as the bullets flew back towards their target. His body shook as it was riddled with holes and he stood in place, shock freezing him. By the time Tess reached him he was swaying in place. She skidded to a stop in front of him and craned her head back to look up into his eyes. A small amount of interest flickered across her mind at the crosshair pattern of his pupils before she sliced Shimmer across his throat hard enough to scrape his spine.
The other man had reached them, not seeing Tess behind this gaunt giant. As his head flipped backwards to rest between his shoulder blades the man gurgled out what could only be a scream and his bike toppled over, sending him rolling into the shoulder.
Tess didn't have eyes for him. The hunter part of her brain wanted to turn back and finish the man, but the threat had passed and she was a mother before she was a huntress. She just wanted to get home and check on Cass. She sprinted for the small guy's bike, scooping Claw as she ran past.
Tess roared into the cul-de-sac to see the SUV parked in the lawn, tire marks digging deep runnels in the grass. She dropped the bike and was at a sprint before it had even stopped skidding across the road. She burst into the room and almost collapsed in relief when she saw her family sitting on the floor together, looking Cass over.
She rushed to him and threw her arms around him, almost bowling him over in the process.
"Ow, mom! The armor!" She laughed as he pushed her away and fell back onto her butt, letting out a breath she felt like she'd been holding the entire trip.
Cass answered her unasked questions. "When I appeared here I didn't even realize what had happened, then I felt the pain. It was almost too much but then I remembered what dad said about pain not being the real indicator of injury anymore, so I checked my health and saw that I was down to 5%."
Tess gasped and Zavier reached out to squeeze her hand.
"I still had an injector in my pocket so I shot myself up then passed out."
Zavier continued. "When we came in he was on the floor, his shirt a bloody mess and him passed out. I almost had a heart attack myself!"
"But then I noticed his skin!" Luna said proudly.
"You did, my little scientist," Zavier said with a smile. "She noticed that the skin under his shirt was healed and that he was breathing. We couldn't add him to the party because he wasn't conscious, but he woke up a few minutes later. And here we are," Zavier finished with a wave of his hand.
"Hey mom," Cass said.
"Yes honey?" She leaned forwards and took his hands.
"Did you get a motorcycle?"
She started laughing, then the rest of them did, holding their sides until they hurt.
Creature Sheet Chapter: The Zoo
Name: Frost Penguin
Level: 5
Description: The Frost Penguin is a small, aquatic bird adapted to icy environments. Its feathers are dense and waterproof, providing excellent insulation against the cold.
Abilities:
Ice Slide: The Frost Penguin can slide on ice with great speed, allowing it to evade predators and catch prey.
Cold Aura: It emits a chilling aura that slows down the movement of nearby enemies, making it harder for them to attack.
Frost Blast: The Frost Penguin can shoot a concentrated blast of ice from its beak, freezing its target and causing significant ice damage.
Weaknesses:
Heat Sensitivity: The Frost Penguin is extremely sensitive to heat and can quickly become debilitated in warm environments.
Limited Mobility on Land: While agile in water, it is relatively slow and clumsy on land.
Name: Primatus
Level: 4
Description: The Primatus is a nimble, tree-dwelling creature known for its agility and cunning. These primates travel in packs, using their collective intelligence to outsmart larger predators. They navigate the jungle canopy with ease, swinging from branch to branch with remarkable speed and precision.
Abilities:
Pack Tactics: When attacking in a group, Primatus gain a significant boost to their coordination and damage, overwhelming their enemies through sheer numbers and strategic cooperation. Projectile Assault: Primatus are adept at throwing objects with incredible accuracy, using stones, branches, and other debris as makeshift weapons to disorient and injure their foes.
Razor Rending: These primates possess sharp claws and powerful jaws, allowing them to rip through flesh and armor with ease during close combat.
Weaknesses:
Weak Individually: A single Primatus is relatively weak and easily overpowered, relying heavily on the strength and tactics of the pack for survival.
Name: Fleetfoot Herd
Level: 6
Description: The Fleetfoot Herd is a swift and agile group of herbivores, known for their remarkable speed and coordination. They move in large herds, using their numbers to confuse and evade predators. Their sleek bodies and powerful legs make them adept at long-distance running and sudden bursts of speed.
Abilities:
Blinding Dust: The Fleetfoot Herd can kick up clouds of dust when threatened, creating a blinding barrier that disorients and impairs the vision of predators, giving the herd time to escape.
Evasion: Their agility grants them a high chance to dodge incoming attacks, making them difficult targets to hit.
Swift Kick: Antelopes can deliver powerful kicks with their hind legs, capable of knocking back and stunning attackers.
Fleetfoot Escape: When a member of the herd is attacked, they can trigger a rapid evasion maneuver, allowing them to instantly change direction and speed to confuse and evade predators.
Weaknesses:
Fright Prone: Easily startled, the antelopes can become disoriented in the presence of loud noises or sudden movements. When overpowered by a strong fear effect they may freeze in place rather than escaping.
Low Offensive Power: While capable of defending themselves, their primary strength lies in evasion and fleeing rather than direct combat.
Name: Meerkat Swarm
Level: 4
Description: The Meerkat Swarm is a group of highly social and cooperative creatures known for their vigilance and teamwork. Meerkats are small but cunning, utilizing their burrowing abilities and sharp claws to defend their territory and outsmart predators.
Abilities:
Sentinel Watch: Meerkats take turns standing guard, providing an early warning system that alerts the swarm to nearby threats, increasing their chances of evasion.
Burrow Ambush: They can quickly dig and create tunnels, allowing them to launch surprise attacks from below or escape from danger.
Frenzied Claws: When cornered, meerkats can unleash a flurry of rapid claw attacks, overwhelming enemies with their numbers and ferocity.
Weaknesses:
Low Durability: Individually, meerkats are fragile and can be easily overpowered by larger predators.
Limited Range: Their small size and lack of long-range attacks make them vulnerable to enemies that can strike from a distance.
Name: Thunder Titan
Level: 10
Description: The Thunder Titan is a majestic and formidable gorilla-like creature, imbued with elemental powers of thunder and lightning. Its massive frame and electrifying presence command respect and fear in equal measure. The Thunder Titan's fur crackles with static energy, and its eyes glow with a stormy intensity.
Abilities:
Shockwave Chestbeat: By beating its chest with thunderous force, the Thunder Titan creates powerful shockwaves that knock back and disorient enemies within a wide radius.
Ethereal Fist: When the Thunder Titan punches, an ethereal, electrified fist shoots forward, growing in size as it travels, capable of delivering devastating blows to distant targets.
Static Discharge: The Thunder Titan can release stored electrical energy in a sudden burst, stunning and electrocuting nearby foes.
Weaknesses:
Water Vulnerability: The Thunder Titan's electrical nature makes it particularly vulnerable to water-based attacks and environments, which can short-circuit its abilities and weaken its defenses.
Name: Gnashing Hyenas
Level: 7
Description: Gnashing Hyenas are terrifying pack predators with exaggeratedly large jaws, designed for crushing bones and instilling fear. Their sinister laughter echoes through the night, sending shivers down the spines of those who hear it. These hyenas move with an unsettling, jerky speed, making them difficult targets.
Abilities:
Fearful Howl: The Gnashing Hyenas' haunting howls induce fear in their prey, causing paralysis or confusion for a short duration, making it easier for the pack to attack.
Bonecrusher Bite: With their immensely strong jaws, these hyenas can crush bones with a single bite, dealing massive damage and potentially crippling their targets.
Quickstrike Ambush: Gnashing Hyenas excel at fast lunge attacks, striking quickly and retreating just as fast, making them elusive and dangerous in a pack.
Weaknesses:
Weak Alone: Individually, Gnashing Hyenas are much weaker and less confident, relying heavily on pack tactics for both offense and defense.
Name: Shadowstripe Tiger
Level: 10
Description: The Shadowstripe Tiger is a master of stealth and invisibility, blending seamlessly into its surroundings to become nearly undetectable. With its sleek, muscular build and striking, iridescent stripes that shimmer and fade into the jungle, this apex predator strikes fear into the hearts of all who enter its territory. Its preferred method of attack is to strike from the shadows, dragging its prey into the dense jungle before they can react.
Abilities:
Cloak of Shadows: The Shadowstripe Tiger can turn invisible for a limited time, allowing it to approach its prey undetected or escape from threats.
Silent Prowl: This tiger moves with absolute silence, making it nearly impossible to detect until it is too late.
Shadow Ambush: The tiger can execute a devastating surprise attack from the shadows, dealing massive damage and attempting to drag its prey into the jungle to finish the kill.
Weaknesses:
Light Sensitivity: The Shadowstripe Tiger's abilities are less effective in bright, open areas where there are fewer shadows to utilize for concealment.
Stamina Drain: Using its invisibility and stealth abilities continuously drains the tiger's stamina, forcing it to rely on quick, decisive strikes.
Name: Lumina Butterflies
Level: 4
Description: Lumina Butterflies are a mesmerizing sight, their wings glowing with a soft, ethereal light that shifts colors in a captivating display. They travel in large, swirling clouds, creating an almost hypnotic effect. Despite their delicate appearance, these butterflies possess unique abilities that can bewilder and disorient their foes, making them a dangerous presence in the jungle.
Abilities:
Radiant Swarm: The Lumina Butterflies can emit a dazzling light from their wings, creating a blinding flash that disorients and temporarily blinds enemies.
Hypnotic Dance: By flying in intricate, mesmerizing patterns, the butterflies can induce a trance-like state in their targets, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.
Pheromone Cloud: The butterflies can release a cloud of pheromones that attract predators or dissuade aggressors, manipulating the behavior of nearby creatures to their advantage.
Energy Siphon: The Lumina Butterflies can land on their mesmerized prey and silently siphon their life force, draining their energy and leaving them weakened or lifeless. The victim remains unaware of the attack until it is too late.
Weaknesses:
Fragile Wings: The Lumina Butterflies have delicate wings that are easily damaged, making them vulnerable to physical attacks.
Wind Vulnerability: Strong winds can disrupt their flight patterns and scatter the swarm, reducing their effectiveness in combat.
Name: Titan Elephants
Level: 15
Description: Titan Elephants are colossal, awe-inspiring creatures that dominate the landscape with their sheer size, strength, and ancient wisdom. Their thick, armored hide and enormous tusks make them nearly invincible. Despite their generally peaceful nature, when provoked, they can unleash catastrophic power, making them both guardians and titans of the jungle.
Abilities:
Armored Hide: The Titan Elephants' skin is nearly impervious, providing excellent protection against all forms of attacks.
Trample: With their immense weight, Titan Elephants can trample enemies, crushing anything in their path and causing massive area damage, leaving craters in the ground.
Tusks of Fury: The elephants can charge at their foes with their gigantic tusks, impaling and throwing enemies with incredible force, capable of piercing the strongest armor.
Thunderous Call: Their trumpeting call can create powerful shockwaves that disorient, knock back, and even deafen enemies, providing effective crowd control in battle.
Earthshaker Stomp: A powerful stomp that causes tremors and fissures in the ground, destabilizing the battlefield and causing enemies to lose balance or become trapped.
Ancient Wisdom: Titan Elephants can sense and predict enemy movements, giving them a strategic advantage in combat and making them difficult to outmaneuver.
Energy Blast (Tusks of Destruction): The Titan Elephants can channel and release a powerful energy blast from their tusks, capable of obliterating targets at a distance. This attack creates a beam of concentrated energy that scorches the ground and leaves a trail of destruction.
Weaknesses:
Slow Maneuverability: Due to their size, Titan Elephants are slow to turn and can be outmaneuvered by quicker, more agile opponents.
Sensitive Ears: Extremely loud, high-pitched noises can disorient and distress them, making them more vulnerable to coordinated attacks.
Vulnerable Eyes: Their eyes are less protected than the rest of their body, making them susceptible to blinding or precision attacks.