3425/AToF - The Hunt part 2

AToF - The Hunt part 2
Date of Scene:	20 November 2015
Location:	Soul Eater World
Synopsis:	As Geralt is stuck in the forest once more, he seeks to help another person stuck there. But who will help him?
Cast of Characters:	22, 828
Tinyplot:	A Taste of Fear

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Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    It might not be clear to Geralt at first where he is when he seems to fade out of unconsciousness. The first he might notice is the scent of grass and trees, a smell of wilderness.

    Mood music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCKQgJ0Eqlg

    The wind brushes across his face, and above the moon is shining down through heavy clouds. But what might catch Geralt's attention even more is the large tree. The large tree that he fell from the last time he was in this place a long time ago.

    Just what is he doing back here in this forest again?

    There's no sound but the wind in the trees. No sound of insects or birds can be heard. It's as if he is completely alone.

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     The scent of the grass and trees isn't unfamiliar to him. The wilderness is practically his home, even if he hadn't spent a long day hunting down a pack of drowners. With the moon shining down upon him, for a few moments, Geralt isn't sure if he had even fallen asleep.

     It's the tree, though, that draws his attention. It's that place from the dream, or that nightmare, where he may have seen Ciri. Could this be the work of some dark spell? Maybe. In either case, he doesn't approach it.

     He listens for a second or two, letting his keen hearing catch anything - but there's naught but silence. His golden eyes slip left and right, seeking out anything that seems unusual.

     Beyond the fact that he's in this place again.

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    There's still no sound to be heard in the dead of the night. Neither is there anything to be seen in the darkness, no movement, no lights. As for unusual...

    When he had fallen from the tree, hadn't he crashed into some branches and broken them? Hadn't the large beast clawed at the tree as he had climbed it?

    Not a single mark remains on the tree.

    There are no footprints in this area either, no sign of anything having been here.

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     The beast, yes. Geralt remembers now. That's the thing about dreams, meaning and memory slips through your fingers like water. He's only slightly perturbed - the lack of any broken branches or large claw marks doesn't worry him. It's a dream, after all, and Triss had explained many times that they don't always make sense or have any meaning.

     But sometimes they do. Maybe there's meaning here.

     Geralt turns, white hair ruffled in the wind, and calls into the darkness: "Is anyone here?"

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    For several seconds, the darkness doesn't respond.

    Then in the distance, a lone howl rises to the sky. A howl that seems to even still the wind and bring forth the cold of the night even more. No, Geralt isn't alone in this forest after all. There's at least one more thing here with him. It's a bit hard to tell, but it seems to be coming from the hills that Geralt had travelled down the last time he was here. It's a long distance away, but the beast had been quick. Just how long will it take for it to make its way here again?

    Not too long after there is another sound however... a branch snapping not too far away in the forest.

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     Geralt doesn't scare easily. Some say Witchers don't have fear - or emotions in general, really. That's not the reason that he doesn't move, however. Geralt's hand goes to find his silver sword.

     And finds nothing. Hell. The idea of standing his ground immediately vanishes.

     Geralt steps back, getting closer to the tree. Maybe he needs to climb it, since he fell from it last time and ended up right at the base again. If Triss or Yen were here to help explain all this... dream meaning...

     "Hey, come out," Geralt calls in the direction of that snapping branch. He can't take too long, though - that beast will be gaining on him quickly if he doesn't get moving.

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    The moment Geralt calls out again, there's silence. For a whole four seconds before whoever made the sound begins /running/, twigs and leaves snapping underfoot as /something/ hurries though the darkness, the moon illuminating golden hair and white linen clothes that barely offer any protection against the cold night.

    So what will Geralt do? Chase whatever is running or climb the tree?

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     "Son of a..." Geralt murmurs. He breaks into a run - chasing whoever is now running. He tells himself that, after all, he hadn't managed to climb the tree last time. Maybe it's an impossible task here, in this place.

     Or maybe it was the prospect of rescuing a damsel in distress.

     He calls into the darkness, "Hey! Wait!"

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    On and on they run, though it's clear that Geralt is the quicker of the two, the stronger and more used to the wilderness. Gradually he catches up to whoever is running... and indeed, it's the girl from the last time. Her golden hair is partially tangled from the run, her clothes have dirt on them, and she nearly stumbles as she desperately tries to get away from the Witcher.

    "Stay away from me!" she shrieks in a panic, then reaches down to pick up a stone and throw it at Geralt. Her green eyes shine with fear, and she picks up a broken branch with quivering arms, wielding it like a club.

    There's no doubt about it; she's terrified.

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     She telegraphs her throw too much. Geralt slips around it like a breeze, letting it clatter somewhere behind him. "Easy," he says, trying to make his gravelly voice sound more reassuring, "I'm not going to hurt you. Just as lost as you are." He holds his hands up, showing her that she's unarmed - but his golden cats-eyes and his pale skin might make him seem like some kind of monster.

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    As he steps forward the girl raises the branch even more. "I said stay away!" she warns him again. "Who are you and why are you chasing me?!" she demands in a shaky voice, taking another step back. Now that she's not running it's easier to get a look at her. Sure, she might look familiar to Geralt... but it's not the girl he knows. It's not Cici.

    She's young, in her teens, scrawny... and she doesn't look like she is used to fighting and running either.

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     Luckily for Geralt, Witchers are without much emotional affect. The disappointment shouldn't show on his face. "I'm Geralt of Rivia," he tells her. "Chasing you? Well, was hopin' you'd know something about this place. I don't know where I am or what I'm doing here."

     For a man who had battled with magically-induced amnesia, that phrase is a familiar one to Geralt. "Mind tellin' me your name?"

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    "... never heard of you. Or Rivia," she mutters nervously back. When he doesn't immediately advance on her she lowers the branch slightly. Though she doesn't completely relax, it seems. Quite paranoid, huh?

    As for what she knows of this place? The girl shakes her head slightly. "I... don't know where this is either," she admits weakly. Her expression falls slightly, and she casts her eyes downward. "I'm... Anett," she finally shares after some quiet seconds.

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     "Then at least we can be lost together, Anett," Geralt replies, talking to her in the warm voice that he reserved for friends and family. "Have you seen anything? Any landmarks? Ones that aren't that tall tree?"

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    "I... want to be alone," she states, not looking directly at Geralt as he speaks. The question about landmarks earns a shake of her head. "Not many, this... forest is large. And I never get too far before..." Her voice breaks off, and she looks in the direction of the large tree behind Geralt. "There are some large stones, but no tracks, no roads... it..." Her expression is one of despair, and her eyes begin to well up.

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     "Might not be wise to be alone out here. There's some manner of beast that wanders these woods - chased me up the tree back there," Geralt says, searching for any sign of recognition in Anett's eyes.

     "You never get too far before... what?" Geralt asks. "Come, need to keep movin'. Too cold to stop."

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    It doesn't look like Anett is surprised to hear about the beast, and she clutches the branch tightly in one hand as she lowers it. "I... I know. It always gets me before I can escape," she says, her voice cracking. Then she turns and abruptly begins walking, hurrying past the trees without further explanation to her cryptic words.

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     Geralt's not too surprised by that. "Maybe we can make it together. I'll distract it if it comes back, okay?" Without a sword, it'd probably get him before he could escape, too, but better him than her. He falls into step behind her, keeping pace, and keeping his senses alert for any sign of anyone - or anything - else in the woods.

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    It seems that Anett prefers to keep quiet as she makes her way through the trees, not looking at Geralt during their walk.

    After a few minutes another howl echoes through the woods, and this time... it's close! Immediately Anett gasps, her eyes wide as she looks over her shoulder... and then she looks around in a panic. "None of these trees will do!" she half wails. No, the trees here are either too short, or too tall and impossible to climb. Instead she begins hurrying on, looking around the trees as if searching for somewhere to hide.

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     It's here.

     "Go, keep going!" Geralt snaps. While Anett looks for something to hide, Geralt looks for something to arm himself with. A heavy rock, a tough branch - anything. They can't outrun the beast and it will catch him if he climbs a tree - not that he can climb any of these ones around him. If he fights, he's got more of a chance of surviving - and it'll give time for Anett to get away.

     "Come on out, beast!" Geralt shouts into the darkness.

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    When Geralt snaps at her to move on, Anett looks startled. "B-but...!"

    There are many things around on the ground. Some rocks, all of varying sizes... small sharp ones, heavier ones... It's up to Geralt what shape and size he wants. There aren't that many branches on the ground, sadly. It's mostly twigs on the ground, and none of them seem to be useful against a large beast.

    Anett watches Geralt for a few seconds, then she continues running.

    All Geralt can hear for a while is the sound of Anett hurrying away, the sound becoming weaker and weaker. But just as silence has settled, a low grumbling can be heard from the darkness between the trees. And then a pair of golden eyes open as they /stare/ at Geralt, all while a massive maw becomes visible, sharp teeth gleaming.

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     Geralt settles for a heavier one. Easier to crush something with. With Anett gone, Geralt stares into the darkness, meeting the golden gaze of the beast with the steely stare of his own. It's not the first wolf-like monster that he's had to fight, but it's the first he's had to fight without a sword. This, on some level, is incredibly stupid. Geralt knows this.

     But this is also a dream, isn't it?

     It's not real.

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    Slowly, with the assured gait of a predator, the wolf steps out from the shadows, its large paws heavy on the ground. Its coat is dark, shifting with every fluid step. Despite the elegance however, there's power too behind every movement the beast makes. Slowly it begins to circle Geralt, eyeing him closely as it growls, sizing him up no doubt.

    Then suddenly, it throws its head back and HOWLS.

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     Geralt watches, testing the weight of the rock in his hand. When the wolf circles him, he stands his ground. When it howls, he holds still. He's not afraid, even if some part of Geralt thinks that he should be. It's a majestic creature to be sure, although one that could take his arm off if he let it. As it is sizing him up, Geralt is doing the same.

     "What now, you piece of filth?" Geralt spits back a the wolf.

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    The answer comes when the wolf lounges at him with a mighty roar, eyes wild as it opens its maw wide, as it indeed intending to bite Geralt's arm off. The wolf outweighs the Witcher by a fair amount, and it seems pretty quick for its size too!

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     Those teeth are sharp!

    They sink deep into the muscular flesh of Geralt's arm, ripping through skin and muscle, tendons and ligaments. Geralt swears, but he doesn't duck back - no, Geralt uses the fact that the wolf has him by the arm to swing that rock up and in, aiming to slam the heavy stone right into the side of the beast's head!

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    Teeth sink into flesh, and then the wolf begins to shake and tear, seeking to inflict even more damage on the man. Though it does let out a pained yelp as it's struck in the side of the head, letting go of the Witcher as it jumps back, licking its bloody muzzle.

    Then it growls again and leaps forward, this time seeking to slam both front paws into Geralt's chest and knock him back to the ground, its jaws snapping viciously at him!

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     Blood streams down Geralt's arm, dripping to the ground at his feet. A Witcher heals faster than a normal person but there's limits to the amount of damage he can trust his body to regenerate naturally. Maybe, if he had a Swallow potion...

     The wolf leaps on him, slamming him down. The blow is a jarring one, causing stars to burst behind Geralt's eyes. He grunts out another expletive as the air whoofs from his lungs, and Geralt raises that rock - aiming to slam it against the wolf's head once more!

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    Again the wolf whimpers when it's struck by the rock, though it doesn't get off and away from Geralt. Instead it growls before it opens its jaws once more, aiming to bite at Geralt's neck. It's clear that it's aiming for the kill!

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     It's no normal wolf, that's for sure, if a few sharp blows to the head haven't seen it off. It leaps for this throat and Geralt, on the ground, can't exactly evade. It's teeth find his neck and they rip into him, blood spraying.

     Geralt reaches up with his free hand, the one that wasn't savaged by the beast, and goes to jam his fingers into the wolf's eyes! Everything feels colder than it did just a few moments ago.

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    It's fortunate that Geralt acts quickly, as the wolf is just about to tear his throat open. But as fingers jab themselves into the wolf's eye, it lets go as it howls in pain and steps back, shaking its head in pain.

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     There! As the wolf howls, stepping back and disorienated... That's all the opening Geralt might need. Roaring - as best he can with a mangled neck, at least - Geralt takes up that rock again, and simply swings for the beast's throat!

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    The damage dealt to the eye gives Geralt an opening, and the wolf is still shaking its head when the Witcher swings the rock into the beasts throat. It lets out a wheezing sound of pain, though it seems to bring its focus from the pain and back to the man. With blood running down the side of its face, the wolf snarls viciously before it kicks off, its jaws going for Geralt's throat once more.

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     So, this is it. Very few Witchers die in their beds, after all. Geralt can't be too surprised that he's going to die like this - that's the fate of a Witcher, to die in battle. He's perished once before, when he was run through with a pitchfork. Death can be that simple.

     Still, if he can finish this wolf off, or even merely drive it away, that'd be more than enough of a victory. It's cold. His vision is going grey and the world swims in and out of focus. He wonders what Triss is doing, right now.

     He comes back to his senses, and goes to drive the point of the rock once more agains the beast's forehead! One final blow, as if to spite the beast.

Medusa Gorgon (22) has posed:
    The wolf crashes into Geralt, snarling and biting. The stone strikes its head, but it doesn't seem to do anything to stop the ongoing onslaught. Teeth find their way into flesh, ripping it apart as blood flows. Sickening sounds fill the air, and it becomes darker and darker as the pain grows, Breathing becomes difficult, and the last thing Geralt sees above him is the dark beast, blood dripping from its teeth, its one remaining eye gleaming.

    It almost looks as if it's grinning down at him.

    Then it's all gone. The forest. The wolf. The girl. As it it never happened at all.

Geralt of Rivia (828) has posed:
     Geralt awakens with a shout, arms ready to try and ward off the wolf for just one moment more. He's sweating, his white hair matted down over his forehead, his body aching - hopefully, just from sleeping on the hard Velen ground.

     He wipes his palm over his cheek and jaw, wiping sweat away. That... was one hell of a nightmare. The forest, the wolf, the girl - two times now. Geralt isn't one to really dream, much less have a recurring one. The visage of the grinning, half-blind wolf sticks with him, rendering any further attempt at sleep a hopeless proposition.