tazix_gurgle
Tazix’s Last Gurgle
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[ Nynano(7) 16 1024]
Under a cloudless sky burnt orange with the setting sun a lone figure wrapped
in white cloth, stood. All around, the harsh landscape of the Scupi Badlands.
Small creatures began to hop, crawl, and slither out from their daytime
refuges. Would the cool of night bring out his quarry as well. Pulling up
the gauzy cloth that shielded his face he yelled a variation of what he’d been
yelling for hours.
“Tazix! Coward, mutant. Show yourself. Let’s settle this now, fight me! Or
are you too afraid?”
Ah, dammit it’s probably not even here he thought to himself. The air behind
him filled, solidified into the chimeric abomination that was Tazix the
Everchanging. Coiling it’s purple tentacle around his neck and pincering his
arm with a giant lobster claw it hissed.
“You’re the last, Ikase. The others begged before I slew them. Cried like
the fatherless whelps you left for dead. But today I, Tazix, do not seek
retribution on their behalf. No, I demand revenge for myself. How dare you
puny human! Raid my home, steal my belongings, and challenge me, me! For
these insults you will die now.”
“No, it is you who will die this day!” replies Ikase followed by choking out
the arcane words that will send bolts of arcane force shooting into his
assailant. But Tazix’s barbed tail pierces the flesh of his forearm
interrupting the somatic component and spoiling Ikase’s spell.
Ikase has been wrestling since a child and even though breaking free from a
four appendaged freak is difficult it is no problem for him. Ducking and
rolling out of it’s grapple he spins sword slashing out in a classic
counter-attack. But it is too late, Tazix the “ever disappearing” has already
fled to the ethereal and his stroke slices through nothing more than an after
image.
Ikase stays his taunt since four mists blow rapidly into the area. Barely
visible in dusk’s twilight. What has him on edge is the utter lack of wind
and his suspicions as to what they are. Suspicions born out when the mists
solidify into a High Priest of Creegas and three titanic Pelosian soldiers,
Juggernauts.
“Kirphis! This does not concern you.”
“Ikase, still deluded into thinking you matter. Your usefulness was that of
bait, no more. Now step aside and let real soldiers handle this nuisance.”
finishing with a few words of divine power that sends a ripple across the
rocky ground. Forced into the material realm by Creegas’ might Tazix fades
into view. It is surprised to find two of the Juggernauts moving to intercept
his attempted retreat.
“Yes, Tazix we see you. Stand now and face punishment for your crimes against
the Pelosian Republic. By order of the Scupi Council I am …”
“Noooo, I’m Tazix! I …” A Juggernaut’s kick interrupts and sends it flying
back towards the middle of their ring.
“Kirphis, please, ending it’s reign of murder is something I must do. Justice
for my slain comrades demand it.
“I don’t have time for this Ikase, step aside.”
“Tazix is my responsibility, let me finish my duty. You must understand a
soldier’s need to finish a mission.”
“Fine, just stop blabbering. You have 10min.”
Giving a nod of thanks he swings blindly at the expected charge from Tazix.
Instead it is slinking away towards a gap between the Juggernauts. Ikase
gives chase, sword held high. Unnecessarily it turns out as a circular wall of
spining blades about sixty foot in diameter is conjured by Kirphis. Another
boon for the favored of Creegas.
Tazix, crouching, trapped, turns to face its assailant. Springing up and
using its claw as a shield to deflect Ikase’s sword blow. It lashes out
wildly with suckered tentacle, a feint Ikase falls for. The true attack is a
staggering upper cut from one of its true arms. Followed by strikes with it’s
spiked tails that bounce ineffectually off Ikase’s muscled breatplate.
Too dependent on tactical retreats to the ethereal Tazix’s defense is no match
for Ikase’s aggressive assaults. Grasping with two hands he swings and
cleaves through that hated tentacle. Black ichor spurts from the flailing
stump as Tazix howls. Not so much from pain as realization of the
inevitable.
Ikase drives forward with attack after attack. Slicing arms, severing tails,
delivering a vicious slash deep across it’s thigh. Down on one knee Tazix can
do little but hold it’s claw up as a shield. Ikase mercilessly bashes into it
until chitin cracks and fleshy muscles protrude. Pointing with sword he
proclaims
“What arcane transmutations have wrought, Pelosian steel will sunder.”
Tazix lunges, taloned hands reaching for Ikase’s legs. Its final bid is cut
short by Ikase’s torso piercing thrust. Pinned to the ground it glares up
with rage. Blood and ichor clogging it’s mouth Tazix gurgles out final
words.
“I hate you most…”
After the blade barrier dissipates Ikase finds himself alone with the stars.
Left to find his was back through the dark by himself. Tieing a harness to
drag Tazix oozing corpse he thinks out loud.
“Kirphis, one day …” Waterdrop, bright and blue rises above the eastern
hills.