Good Timing and Lost Soul

JP with mdman, Redsword, Dumont, Lasersexpanther and Cindy

The monster turned at Cronk’s growl. Seeing the charging Orc, the monster let out his own growl and charged Cronk. The two met in a powerful collision, Cronk pushing the monster backwards only because Cronk had more speed from the longer run.

Cronk wasn’t used to grappling with one so big. It had been maybe five years since he wrestled Einar back home. The monster was able to grasp Cronk into a bear hug and began to squeeze the air from Cronk’s lungs. Gasping for air between his tusks, Cronk produced a powerful head butt, which dazed the monster for a second. Recovering, the monster tossed Cronk into barrels that were stacked, causing the barrels to fall onto Cronk.

Elizabeth used Cronk's distraction to get behind the monster. She saw Dumont and figured Sung couldn't be far, at least she was hoping, as she couldn't see him at the moment.

The monster threw Cronk into the barrels, Elizabeth knew now was her chance. Using crates not near Cronk or Dumont, Elizabeth used her magic to exploded them one by one. The monster turned and started coming after Elizabeth, but it was having a difficult time getting to her with the wood flying into its face. Minor distraction, which didn't last long as the monster swung at Liz. Now, Sung's training was kicking in, she was quick enough to duck several blows but the monster gained speed, until the gigantic hand caught her side. The sound of ribs cracking and and intense pain ran through the Eldren even before she went flying, landing behind Dumont.

Cronk was temporarily dazed from the barrels falling upon him. He was up on his hands and knees when he saw the Lady Elizabeth fly through the air.

This angered Cronk. “Not treat Lady nice!” Cronk roared, forcing himself up with his knuckles.

He charged the monster once more, tackling him from behind. Crawling up the monster, Cronk grabbed the back of its head and began to smash its face off the ground.

The monster got up on its knees and flipped Cronk over its head. Then the monster grabbed Cronk’s head and began to bang the back of his head.

With zero fanfare or warning a noise like the sky itself opening up rang out, it was enough to rattle the windows near by with it's deafening roar. A small chunk of the shoulder of the monster exploded yet it was mostly a glancing shot that served little more than to stop it pounding on Cronk's head and stagger it for a moment.

Sasha stood opposite of the rest of the group her large guns barrel smoking as she loaded in another massive round. Mumbling French curses to herself for missing as she flicked her wrist slapping the barrel back in place, and readying it to fire again.

Sung smiled and let out a sigh. "Great we will hear about this as the Ki built up inside of him. He had used some on his first attack now he is going to try something different a mix of Yin-Yang and Tamashiwara or Iron hand technique if it could damage a demon it should damage this Monster thought the Sung.

Sung came out from the shadows appearing out of nowhere. With a loud yell striking the other knee smashing it with enough force that the others could feel the shock wave from it. blood could be seen spraying from the other side of the inner knee as it splattered on the ground. The loud crack sound and the knee was crushed by the strike. The knee rippled from the force its leg claps as the Monster falls to one knee. The Monster roared in pain as its nerves and ligaments exploded form the attack.

The creature, enraged by the pain and audacity, roared in response, its focus now locked solely on Sung. It swung its massive fists, aiming to pummel Sung into submission but the man nimbly evaded the onslaught, his ki and agility saving him from the worst of the creature's strikes.

Despite the pain coursing through his body, Dumont maneuvered through the wreckage, placing himself between Lady Elizabeth and the abomination. He was thankful she turned up in the most impeccable moment. He couldn’t help but feel the urge and duty to protect the woman, though he knew she was capable. She was his new leader and the daughter of his employer.

Amidst the chaos and violence, Dumont has lost his flat cap, but not his resilience nor his revolver. Clutching it in one hand, Dumont picked up the lid of a barrel by the rope handle and used it as an impromptu shield.

His body ached, battered and bruised, but his resolve to defend the others remained unyielding. He approached when he saw an opening and fired his last round point blank. He knew it hit, but was unsure where as the beast thrashed. Then Dumont braced himself, ready for the predictable forthcoming blow. His makeshift shield exploded into splinters, leaving only the main rope plank and a sore arm. Then he dove out of the way to distance himself from another impact of either the beast or a possible, yet unintentional collision with Cronk’s wrath.

Sasha popped off another shot, filling the area with more thunderous noise, but the sound was followed but a clank. The force of the gun causing it to break, despite its power and usefulness the power of it could only fire a few times before needing fixed. The fired round slammed into the building nearby She forced the gun closed again before pocketing it and pulling out her revolver, and drew her Harpe. "C'est quoi ce truc?" Sasha shouted.

Elizabeth had the wind knocked out of her from the force of the landing but hadn't been knocked unconscious. She took a moment to regain herself, then felt her side. She couldn't really tell if her ribs were broken or cracked, but the spell required to fix something of the magnitude of broken ribs took longer than she currently had. Instead she used her body realm to dampen the pain, somewhat and to have enough to stand, which she did. *Metrix be with me when this ability wears off.* A short internal prayer, because she was going to be in a lot of pain when that happened.

Elizabeth heard the gun fire, but wasn't until Sasha yelled she knew it was the other woman. The demon was taking blows, but even the strike from Sung didn't keep down long as it went after Dumont.

Once Dumont ducked though the creature turned around, almost in a circle. It was difficult to be certain but it looked confused for a moment, then the creature went directly towards Sasha.

Elizabeth picked up one of the stronger and sharper pieces, drew her magic into it and sent it hurting towards the back of one of his legs. The creature fell down for a brief moment and then, quicker than anything that size should be able to, stood and continued going after Sasha.

Sasha let off a volley of shots from her six shooter. The lower caliber wouldn't likely to stop something of this size. But each of the bullets slammed into the thick hide of the creature. Quickly reloading she, started to back up, fearing that it might give chase. Not sure that she could out run it the monster did. Seperate from everyone else Sasha would be in danger if she had to run.

Cronk now stood, seeing the Masked One in danger. The creature was badly hurt and beginning to slow down. How much could this thing endure?

Cronk ran from behind the creature since Sasha had its attention. This time it was Cronk grabbing it in the bear hug, lifting the creature from the ground, squeezing with all his light.

The creature tried to throw an elbow at Cronk, but he was held too tight. Cronk slammed the creatures legs into the ground, knowing it would cause pain. It brought a huge roar from the creature’s mouth.

Cronk felt the creature weakening in his grasp. However, the creature ducked under once more, sending Cronk sailing over its head. Cronk tried to hold on but released his grasp to catch himself as he fell forward.

At the last second, Cronk was able to obtain a grasp again, this time about the neck of the creature. The creature’s blood was all over the orc. Cronk was too busy to fear any consequences of the blood being smeared on him. Cronk squeezed and twisted the creature’s neck as he fell to the ground. The was a loud cracking sound as he did so.

Cronk stood, turning the creature to its back. The creature was no able to move now, due to its broken neck severing nerves. It was still clinging to life, it’s eyes almost pleading Cronk to finish it. Cronk looked to Elizabeth, first to see if she were alright, and then to see her wishes. Cronk wasn’t sure if they wanted a live specimen.

Elizabeth looked towards the creature and was about to tell Cronk to put the poor thing out of its misery but then the creature just stopped doing anything. Not even a moan coming from it.

Elizabeth removed her broach and handed it to Dumont. She then looked around and saw Ansil, who nodded towards the creature, and another spirit of an old dock worker that had likely watched the incident.

The turning her gaze towards the creature her green eyes saw a spirit of a man, above it. "What have I done? What have I done?" The spirit repeated over and over again.

It was heart breaking, watching this lost soul float through the air, unable to comprehend what had happened.

"It is alright. It is not your fault." Elizabeth calmly spoke.

To those who were not gifted with the abilities to speak to the dead, it might seem like Elizabeth was talking to the air. However, most believed in spirits and knew there were those who possessed such powers.

The spirit stared at Elizabeth for several minutes, before speaking again. "I am so sorry. Forgive me. Please tell them."

Elizabeth looked around at the team. "He needs forgiveness from all of you."

Cronk brushed himself off. His muscles ached, especially around the ribs, where the creature nearly squeezed the life out of him. His head was bruised in the back, where the creature continually slammed it to the ground. Inwardly, he thanked the mighty Thor for the strength to endure such an onslaught.

He heard the Lady Elizabeth saying he needed forgiveness. At first Cronk thought the he deterred to himself, because it appeared the Lady was looking at him. Cronk was about to say that he didn’t need forgiveness, until he realized the Lady’s eyes seemed to focus at a point in front of Cronk, above the dead creature.

This confused Cronk, not knowing about these matters. Cronk reached out to the point where he believed Elizabeth’s eyes focused. His hand seemed to freeze, bringing a chill to the rest of Cronk’s massive body. The hairs of his arm stood on end.

Something was there. In front of Cronk. Something he could not see, but was there nonetheless. Cronk very quickly drew his hand back. The blood returned and warmed it.

Cronk lowered his head, heeding Lady Elizabeth’s words. “Cronk forgive.”

Stifling groans of pain, Dumont slowly hobbled over to Lady Elizabeth's side and looked in the direction that she was. If it had not been for her interaction with the spirit and its request, Dumont would have had little forgiveness or remorse for the hulk laying there before them. But here they were, alive, and successful in defeating it. And the man was dead and wanted their forgiveness.

"He is forgiven... Tell him... I am sorry. And I wish for his forgiveness in contributing to his pain and demise."

Sasha crouched down near by inspecting her broken gun. "Bien sûr, il est pardonné." she said with a small groan as she force her gun back open. She wasn't just saying it, Sasha did forgive him but she didn't see the situation as much different than any other like it. It was him or the team. And she chose the team.

Sung stood up from one knee breathing heavily. After a few deep breaths, he resumed his cool relaxed normal calm. He looked over the team and gave a small smile.
Sung started to walk to Elizabeth dusting off his ripped clothing.

Sung walked up and gave a small bow to Elizabeth "My Lady, you need to learn to duck," said Sung jokingly. He looked back at the monster "I am out of shape, I am afraid. I will be ready next time. I apologize for not protecting you better and our injuries My Lady." Sung said apologizing.

Looking back towards Cronk "Mr. Cronk you are forced to be reconded with, my friend. You all did a great job taking down the Monster" commented Sung.

Elizabeth nodded towards Sung, while the man didn't actually say it, she could read him well enough to speak for him.

Elizabeth focused back on the spirit, despite feeling the magic keeping her pain somewhat limited, was waning. "They all forgive you."

However the spirit didn't vanish, Elizabeth realized he couldn't really get forgiveness from the ones he had killed. She watched as the spirit of the old dock worker, floated towards the younger man, and put one hand on the man's shoulder. Guiding him away from his body.

Elizabeth shook her head slightly but said nothing, she couldn't help but feel paid for the soul who was now to spend eternity here, the solace being that he wasn't alone.

Focus back on the team, spoken through ragged breathing, "Everyone .... did... outstanding. Sasha, you have impeccable timing. Dumont...." The statement wasn't finished, as Elizabeth’s energy faded, and the pain to her rib came back suddenly and sharply. She turned pale white and wobbled, as if almost passing out. "I need to sit down." Holding her ribs. "And we need to do something about the b..."

Right before she could say "body" the sound of feet in boots could be heard on the warehouse floor.