Why is there a squid in the mountains?(Zack and Leonard)

The pair approached the tree quietly but they were halted by corrupted beasts. A large ape of which he had never seen before lead five feline creatures with fur waving like brilliant flame who were also mutilated in a strange way. The creatures proved rabid for they showed signs of aggression once they found the two. The best stood their ground, circling the tree not leaving its side. When Leonard last encountered these beasts, they weren’t fiercely territorial. They would often move to different areas of around the mountain. Now there is this one thing they cannot seem to live without. It made Leonard wonder, perhaps they are not as mindless as their mutation would lead one to believe. And for that, he didn’t want to harm them as much as possible. But there was no choice in the matter. They were on the way and they would be the ones to harm them instead. They must be disposed of, humanely.

Leonard stepped in to the green grass; he could breathe clean air again. With a sigh he drew his weapon of choice for the current situation. A thin massive long claymore light enough for his taste and devastating at the same time. He held it close to his head, almost as if his cheek was touching the blade, pointed towards the enemies, focusing on the ape.

The feline creatures were subordinates to the ape for they followed what seem to be orders, something common amongst apes. They would always try to subordinate other creatures even if they were stronger than them. It covers up their weakness in some way.

At the command of the ape, the cats charged towards the pair, with the ape following closely behind. It was at this moment that he replied to his companion saying ”Yes indeed. Stick close to me and clear up what I miss.” Afterwards, he charged at their enemies head on. Leonard ran low. And with the cats making patterned movements, pouncing up and down with speed, he knew he wouldn’t be able to block them all. Three came from above, which was much anticipated. He parried all three and countered with quick slices, sliding across their claws, heading for their chests and necks. The two other cats that pounced out unnoticed and they were able to claw his back and shoulder which delivered a quick stinging sensation of pain and annoyance.

He answered by shoving them back with quick gusts of wind making fly towards Zack so that he might deal with them.

Finally the ape came with his own slow attack and Leonard quickly stepped to the side to dodge it. The ape was dumbfounded at where he went, looking at both sides and even above for his target, until it turned around to find it at the side near his back.

When the ape found Leonard, he was holding two daggers at each hand that he threw at the ape the moment it found him. All four daggers found their mark at its chest, shoulder, stomach and head that brought the beast down dead on the ground. It pained Leonard to have done that but there was no choice in the matter. He simply looked down and closed his eyes for a moment before he headed towards the tree to concoct an antidote from it. I only hope there aren’t any more beasts around, this tree seems to lure them here. he thought.

As Leonard was just beginning to remove the necessary parts from the tree they need to concoct the antidote, he heard the sounds of steel and flesh, with a subtle gust of wind against him. It was surprising. Leonard paused to see what marvel there could be. And lo and behold, the man he is accompanying is a swordsman as well. He nodded as he placed his hand on his chin, watching Zack closely. Impressive speed and accuracy, interesting. Such a graceful swordplay. he thought to himself. It was indeed impressive. Leonard suspected that with more training, Zack would become one of the legendary swordsmen of his time. Leonard wanted to see more at this point and fortunately, it wasn't over yet. He could watch it some more. But his goal struck him, and as much as he wanted to see it, he had to go back to taking leaves and bark from the tree.

With a slight punch, he made leaves fall from the tree and caught five. Then with a dagger, scraped off its bark. Now with the important ingredients in hand, Leonard took his wine bottle from his satchel. It was quite full, and as much as he hated drinking on the job, he had to now. Otherwise, there is nowhere to put the antidote it.

With a sigh, he pulled the cork and drank the whole thing in three gulps. When he was done he burped and wiped his mouth. Afterwards, he crushed the leaves and bark and placed the results in the bottle. Then Leonard looked around as he knew the rest of the common ingredients would be around the tree. Leonard was literally running around like a crazy man as there appears to be not much time left.

Seconds passed and he had about half of the needed ingredients until two more monsters came by, attracted by the sounds no doubt. It was another Prime Ape, and a Baby Giant Squid? It was surprising, he didn't know that the giant squid was a mom. Which makes it harder because female beasts are actually more aggressive. This posed to be big problem, because if he killed the offspring, it would attract the mother, and Leonard had to finish the antidote now, he can't just leave it be, because some of the ingredients rot quickly. So he shouted to Zack "Zack! I'm going to need you to hurry up there and cover me! The antidote must be prepared immediately!" after that, he continued to run around and gather ingredients, crushing some creatures to because some of their parts were needed, whilst avoiding getting near the creatures that appeared.

As he ran, he tripped from a root of a tree, and lost most of the ingredients. That were of no use now as they were crushed under the feet of the Prime Ape that came. Leonard looked down with a grin as it pissed him off. There was a slight pause because he was holding his emotions back. If he annihilate them now, it might make a bigger problem, both literally and figuratively. The sounds they made were mocking him too. It pissed him off more to the point of breaking. This was the first time this happened because this was the only time, so far, he had to run around like an idiot.

Now with his hand forced, he placed his hand on the back of his head, and as he struck it down, a fierce wave of fire was shot out towards the Prime Ape, destroying it. The baby squid looked at its friend and then back at the swordsman. It saw a roaring Leonard with the Jigoku in hand charging quickly. The baby squid simply trembled in fear, to the point of it squirting black ink. Leonard slashed and diced, going through it with seven precise strikes. Nothing was left but a gored plump of flesh.

Breathing heavily, he went back to sanity. and withdrew the blade and stood up straight again.But his eyes widened as he heard crashing behind him and trembling below him. He looked down and placed his hand against his face and said "She's behind me, isn't she?"