Cattle Hunting (Cow Herding)

After the ship came to port Aguya held Yuiisai close to him not wanting her to get off the ship just yet, there was still the matter of the request she had made of the other. "You must wear the mask or we go no further." it was clear from the tone that the taller male had used that this indeed was not up for negotiation if the other wanted them to help him gather the prize that he was after for the unseen, unknown client. This had the attendant on high alert anyway as this job seemed beyond shady but there was nothing he could do to countermand Yuiisai's wants or desires after all he was her attendant, he was just happy that she realised quick enough that such a task meant masks and that she had found away to keep the two unknown from Feitan had he taken the mask offered to him. "Where you believe that you are not associated with the trading company that is not in fact true, you are in the service of one of their employees meaning anything you do will affect there standing." he said hoping that those words alone would convince him if Yuiisai's pleading while they where moving had not.

Yuiisai hadn't even thought about fighting against Aguya's hold on her, he knew he was only like this when it was for her protection but her eyes wandered around the ship as the crew started to get the gangway moved out to allow people off and on; even making preparations for the unusual cargo they where expected to ferry back to the mainland. It was all a bustle which kind of made her more homesick as she remembered the festivals and parades when a new oiran was named. It was at that point she stopped thinking of home as she seen the deep dark forest nearby that gave her an unsettled feeling, she was nowhere near it and it felt like it was choking the air from her that made her shake a little in fear "A.. Aguya..." she whispered to her attendant whom had already moved to hug her for comfort feeling her shaking "There's nothing to fear my lady, I will protect you from the darkness. I swear." he promised her before kissing her forehead in the hopes to calm her.

Word Count: 393

Feitan smiled widely as he saw the island as they made landfall and were ready to get going with their mission. He had heard the request that was made to him about wearing a mask. As she handed him her plain mask he sighed rolling his eyes as he took the mask and put it on “This is stupid. When I use a full takeover, or even most of my partial takeovers I completely change clothing and appearance. In fact, all my full takeovers allow me to slide into their skins. I look like those demons I made deals or took the powers from. Still, I shall abide by your wishes. I will happily wear this silly mask. However, if I have to wear masks more often when we get together then I want a much better mask. This one is not very scary looking, and not very…you know, me?” He said as if he was happy to explain the obvious part as he put the mask over his face before he turned and looked towards the shoreline.

Feitan’s smile grew wide behind his mask and the swirls of madness in his eyes appeared glowing purple with his power. He didn’t take notice of Aguya or Yuiisai for a moment as he stood watching the island and smiling madly behind his mask at the island. He had been here before and explored a good section of it away from their current location. When the gangplank was down he glanced back at them smiling despite the mask hiding it “Please come along, we have to get going!” he said cheerfully in a sing-song voice. He danced down the gangplank enjoying the darkness and the madness that this island filled him with. He didn’t care about the darkness or the madness that was infecting him, in fact, he enjoyed it. Something was leaking into the shadow island and he was sure that if he could just find it, find where it was coming from then it would serve as his bridge into the netherworld. He was sure that it would be what he wanted where he needed to go. Humming and singing to himself as he walked through the first layer of foliage and into the forest of the Shadow Island.

WC: 379

Yuiisai pouted hearing his words that wearing a mask was stupid, but those where still the rules she had been told to follow when doing things that went against the trading companies ethics and morals. There where still non mages and civilians that worked there as well as clients whom wouldn't take kindly to finding out that not everything that was done above board as it was shown. "It's the rules and you're still a dark mage Feitan, so please..." her voice was begging him to do as she asked, her eyes watching as Aguya seemed to slip on a basic mask that had a blood red tear drop falling from the left eye. "That's a misconception my lord so please don't tell her that..." Aguya warned watching as he took the mask "What do you mean Aguya?" Yuiisai asked as she brought out a delicate looking fox mask placing it on of yet she hadn't found or designed one that was to her taste so her mask often changed from task to task and would continue to do so until one felt right. "What I mean was what he said earlier my lady, is just because something looks monstrous doesn't mean it is. It is all dependant on the person." he said smiling under his mask knowing he could get away with what he was about to do next as it was for her education.

"For example I believe that the lord here is a vile, uncouth, dishonourable monster of a male that has no right being anywhere near you, where you see a kind-hearted man that makes you smile and feel safe. Do you understand?" he asked her, her finger going to the cheek of the mask as she quietly pondered Aguya's words before nodding "I think so, it means what is true for one might not be true for another, but then they both might be wrong as the person or thing might be something completely different." her tone showing she had taken time to think on her answer, Aguya nodded showing that she had gotten it right in her own way which made her giggle. Her attention quickly moved back to Feitan as he said he would wear the mask but in future he wanted something more to his style if he had to keep wearing them "I can do that." she said clapping her hands gleefully as he accepted even putting the mask on, it wasn't like she had much choice in a mask for him the secondary mask was one Aguya always brought in case of emergencies due to one of their own masks breaking. Due to this it would mean they'd have to be extra careful as there was now no safety net.

Aguya hadn't even waited for an invitation as he escorted Yuiisai off the ship and onto the shore before taking his place slightly behind and to the side of her all the while making sure she didn't wander off as they waited for the madman to join them "Lets get this done quickly so that we may get doing something that isn't illegal." the taller male said with a less than impressed tone, he didn't like this, that was more than evident in his tone and posture. Yuiisai couldn't help but giggle in her normal way seeing Feitan dance merrily down the gangplank making Aguya groan all that much more.

Word Count: 570
Total Word Count: 963

Feitan’s eyes flicked to Yuiisai as he heard her begging voice and he sighed shaking his head as he rubbed the back of it “No need to be like that. I do not plan to not wear the mask. Please don’t beg like that, you are far too beautiful to beg.” He said before clearing his throat acting as if he hadn’t just said what he had said. With the mask on his face he glanced at Aguya frowning deeply behind it as he finished listening he shook his head again “Would you please stop that?! I’m not saying that it is a monster based on appearance. I am saying that it is a monster because it acts like a monster. From what I hear it eats everyone that comes to its island. Not to mention the two-headed dog that it's supposed to use to guard the herd. Please do not make assumptions. You don’t actually know anything about this job beyond what I have told you” Feitan said rather calmly as if he was explaining this every day of his life.

Hearing Aguya insult him like that only made Feitan snarl in anger as he heard and saw this. Snarling with anger he looked at Aguya. He was just like all of those vile creatures that looked down on him, those that stepped on him and insulted him. He was not going to let any of it happen, he wasn’t going to stand for it. Snarling even louder his body seemed to shudder and he trembled but he said nothing more on this. He hated Aguya, he wanted to kill him, rip him limb from limb dance in his blood, and decorate his house or rather the streets of a city with his organs. His hatred was snuffed out and he turned his attention to Yuiisai smiling at her from behind the mask “I’m glad to hear it. I look forward to wearing a much nicer mask for you in the future.” He said as he walked away.

Feitan danced and enjoyed the forest not to mention that he was enjoying being out on a new island. As he danced through the forest he inhaled deeply licking his lips “Can’t you hear it? The song of the prinnies! Oh, how long has it been?! Has it really been so long already!? Another year? The red moon! Oh, how I wish I could see the rebirth. It’s so beautiful!!” He seemed to suddenly understand something that Aguya said and he whipped his head around “This isn’t illegal! This is just a job! Nothing about this job is against the magic council’s laws!!! Shut your filthy mouth!” he shouted his voice shrill and completely insane filled. He whipped around and headed off into the forest again singing a song that was in a language not native to Fiore, or this plane of existence for that matter. He kept singing it as if it was the only song he knew, and he enjoyed it immensely.

It wasn’t long however before something struck him hard sprawling him into the dirt. The form was a wolf gaunt and sickly looking by all accounts, but it was clear that it was a wolf. Feitan kicked it off of him and leaped to his feet drawing his sword in the process. As soon as it cleared the sheath the blade took on its true form. Feitan began to laugh loudly as he took up his stance “So, so, so, it seems that there is something to this whole lovely island! Oh, how fun!” he said delightedly as a chorus of growls began to come from all around them in the forest.


WC: 616
Total: 995

Feitan looked at the wolf with a lick of his lips. With his blade in hand he was ready to fight. Of course, he didn’t mind a fight, and he didn’t notice that Aguya and Yuisaii were no longer with him. The wolves began to emerge from the foliage in front of him, but suddenly Feitan realized that there was a far nastier predator out there. His only warning came from the wolves themselves. Their growls weren’t those of anger, or hunger like he thought. The wolf that had collided into him was now running around him and trying to get away. The others seemed to take its lead and simply left Feitan behind.

He looked behind him at the wolves that had passed him, and he frowned “You cowards!” he shouted at them. As he turned around, he saw a much larger form emerging out of the foliage ahead of him. It was a hound, but not any ordinary hound that Feitan would’ve seen before. This hound had two heads, and they were both snarling at him. Not to mention the fact that the beast towered above him and he felt very small when compared to it. He was also sure that he could see a snake moving behind the canine, but he vaguely recalled a description of the beast which contained the information that the beast had a snake for a tail. The form made Feitan raise a brow and smile a wide madness filled grin “Oh dear, how delightful. This must be the guard dog.” He looked towards where Yuisaii was and his eyes went wide in shock as well as betrayal as he realized he was alone. Turning to the dog he said nothing and instead swept his blade in front of him with both hands. As he did so four great slashes of magic shot out and straight towards the beast slashing into it with all four of the attacks. These were part of the ability Kaze No Kizu and they were highly effective in what they did for damage.

Of course, these alone wouldn’t be enough to bring down the beast, but Feitan was quick to launch himself at the creature. He wouldn’t stay human long, however. His body began to glow with his sickly purple aura, and it began to grow at an alarming rate. Soon enough the wizard was nowhere to be seen and in his place was a great serpentine black dragon. He bellowed his great challenge at the giant hound flapping his wings rapidly. As he did so they buffeted the hound causing it to yelp, and flinch into each wing several times. He opened his mouth as wide as was possible and let loose with his breath weapon bathing the two-headed hound in the dark element of his form. It gave a yelp of pain as it was battered around. It tried to fight back by striking out with the whip-like snake tail that it possessed, but Feitan was too quick and being in front of the hound he was a hard target to strike. He sank his fangs into one of the throats of the hound, while his claws tore into the beast’s chest, and back clawing him viciously.

Holding on and tearing the flesh as best he could soon the big hound’s body began to grow weaker, and heavier. It gave several plaintive whines before it gave a deep groan of pain and dropped to the ground with Feitan beneath it. With the pair now entangled on the ground Feitan squirmed out from under the beast to use his large mouth to tear and rip out the beast’s throats front and back. His prey was dead, and he stood victorious panting heavily over the corpse ripping into the thing a few more times just to make sure it was dead. He heard however, the great sounds of footsteps approaching, and he lifted his massive head to see the massive herdsman making his way towards him.

Words: 679
Total:1674

(please note that from here on out Yuisaii is dropped)

Feitan whipped his head around to glare at the lumbering form that was approaching him. It was the massive cattleman Geryon approaching him. He towered over trees, and even Feitan in his new state. He was still smaller than Orthus had been, but he was still a very big monster now. He gave a low hiss, but let his form drop away. It wasn’t going to do him much good at this point, and there was little to no point in pretending otherwise. He looked up at the massive being in front of him, who looked down at him with his three heads. The herdsman leaned down nearly bending in a 90-degree angle to do so “You killed my dog. You must die, but first tell me why.”

The question caught Feitan off guard, he looked over to his hand work and then smiled slowly. Looking up to the beast and craning his neck to do so he put his hand over his heart “All is for my lord.” Letting loose a howl he became engulfed in moonlight that seemed to come from nowhere and soon stood before Geryon in the guise of the Demon Wolf Fenrir. He didn’t stop there however as he howled again a deep bellowing sound. Being engulfed in shadows, and moonlight soon Feitan stood 9 meters tall, still small compared to the herdsman, but easily as tall as his hound had been. Feitan was now a hound of his own. He was Fenrir the Unchained. With a snarl he launched himself at the surprised giant who was not quite ready for a 5-foot wizard to turn into a 27-foot-tall lupine monstrosity. He gave a loud grunt of surprise as Feitan sank his claws and feet into the armor that Greyon was wearing on his upper torso. The power of the dark regulus was flowing through Feitan’s claws on both his hands and feet which allowed him to pierce the armor and injure the behemoth.

Greyon suddenly pulled out one of the swords and swung it across his chest aiming the blade down towards Feitan. He was much faster than he had previously been however and easily leapt over to the blade to land on Greyon’s arm sinking fangs, and claws into the exposed flesh ripping as well as tearing as much as he could. The pain made Greyon bring his shield up to try and bash into Feitan, but he was expecting something of the sort. Using the giant shield as a jumping off point he jumped up onto Greyon’s shoulders landing behind the head on the left. In so doing he put himself in prime striking position and wrapped his arms around the beast’s head sinking his claws into the monster’s eyes.

The giant was unable to bare the pain, and he began to bellow in agony shaking his heads, flailing his arms, and working his best to get the beast off of his shoulders. Feitan wasn’t about to let go however, and instead he began to drag his claws upwards cutting deep grooves in the monster’s face until he managed to take the helmet off of his head with his actions. Greyon brought his hands up to swat at Feitan who took advantage of the agony of pain he had inflicted upon the beast to claw his way across the giant’s back and reach the head on the opposite side. Using his sharp claws, he pried the helmet up and exposed the back of Greyon’s second neck. Using his more powerful fangs, and claws Feitan ripped into the exposed flesh tearing into it as violently as he could slicing through the tendons and exposing the bone that held the head to the shoulders. The bone was far too thick even for Feitan’s new form to break, but the gurgling screams of Greyon’s second head was all he needed to know his plan to kill the heads individually was working. He was about to move when he suddenly felt the great monster move and the ground came up rapidly.

Yelping in his pain he was crushed under the massive size of Greyon, but he wasn’t dead. It would take far more than this to kill Feitan, but he was in a lot of pain. As Greyon began to get up Feitan did his best to hold on, but sadly he lost his grip and fell to the ground. This put him at the perfect height to do something more vicious. He sank his fangs and claws into two of Greyon’s six legs biting into the hamstrings and slicing through the achilies’ tendons. Using the legs to push himself off he leapt over to the next set of legs doing the same thing here. With two thirds of its support structure taken down Greyon couldn’t force himself to stand any longer. Collapsing down to his knees he groaned loudly “W-why?!”

Feitan slowly clawed his way up the monster’s back “Because I want your herd.” With that he sank his claws into the center head’s throat and pulled as hard as he could letting his body weight drag him down along Greyon’s back and soon the gore painted the island a thick deep almost black crimson color.

The herdsman was dead, and Feitan would be held up for several days. He climbed down and gave a deep bellowing howl holding it for a long time before he sent a dark regulus impact into the sky, which was one of the signals, he had worked out with the team that was supposed to help him gather up the herd. Undoing his form, he used his blade as a walking stick and made his way to the herd’s pen. The cows were all there and accounted for, but Feitan was weak. As he passed by a hill, he heard a soft growl which caused him to look towards it. Coming out of the depths was a very small (Only the size of a German shepherd) version of Orthrus. Feitan turned to look at the pup and made his way towards it “Well, aren’t you an interesting thing.” The pup growled at him and let its hackles rise. Feitan chuckled darkly as he looked at the pup glancing around “Well, I suppose I could come up with a plan for you.” He took his sword and carved off a piece of his arm wincing at the pain. He fed the flesh to the pup who seemed to take it up eagerly. Feitan then put a hand to his chest speaking “Beast Master of the Netherworlds bind this beast to my will and bind his life to mine. Let the beast and the man become as one.”

A voice that wasn’t of this realm emerged from the Orhtrus’ mouths “Very well, but only because I owe you a favor. Consider it done.” The pup shook its heads and approached Feitan nuzzling his leg. Feitan nodded his approval patting its heads in turn “Good, now come along.”

He moved towards the beach where the crew had just finished landing the ship and were in the process of guiding the entire herd of red cattle onto the ship. As he approached the captain looked at him “Uh, you did it. Congrats.”

Feitan waved him off “Shut up and get them on the ship. We are going to sail as soon as they are loaded up. I want the client to pay me for this nonsense and I have a hunt to start.” He made his way onto the ship and was ready to go. He waited until the crew was finished and when they were done with their work, they set sail back to the mainland. Feitan meanwhile rested with his new companion in his cabin yawning loudly.

WC:1,323
Total:2,997
Job done, Orthrus obtained separately but bought in here for story purposes.