Metal boots moved over the stony ground of the mountains, keeping a steady pace, while its wearer moved his red eye over the ground, looking for something. His pants were dirty from days worth of walking as he tracked his target. His white fur was stained as well by that point, sticking with filth. As he kept on he stopped and knelt down, his hand scooping up something... a piece of leather. Worn out. But clearly not long there, given it wasn't blown away from the winds that rushed the place only hours ago.
He was on the right track and his eye lifted up at the ruins of an old temple at the end of the path... he had found them. And with them his target. Narrowing his eye he scratched with his finger close to his eyepatch. Of course he had to confirm his target was actually there and not just stopped by... but how to get close without alarming any posts about his presence?
Now that he thought of it... where were the posts? He saw obvious wooden constructs where people would be placed to keep out and watch but he could not spot anybody out. Perhaps still too far to notice them? Before he would get closer, he had to think about his approach and perhaps have a better chance to figure something out...
FURRY CROSSOVER ADVENTURES
Her arms were heavy, sore and protesting. That was their condition as the female just finished taking off her latest load. The wearing and climbing she did recently took their tool and she sat in the corner to take some rest. She came so far now, it would be idiotic to rush now, especially as she had got to a nice spot she could work from for a while. Peering over slightly, it seemed nobody had noticed anything yet... well, no surprise, given that the recent change of guards meant that nobody would take notice any time soon.
Taking a deep breath, she took out her water sack and took a deep sip from it before thinking over what she knew about the place she was working with. It was a decent fortified ruin... with the most obvious paths being either blocked off or having guards at the ready.
She saw though an opening... lines of ropes she could use to pass towards the next post and get a drop on the guard. Even if she had only moments to take out the next guard, that should work in her opinion.
Unknown to her though, she is not the only one who was going into this place in sneaking style.
FURRY CROSSOVER ADVENTURES
He was surprised as he got close enough to look at the tower... and saw no guards. No matter how close he got, even as he started passing by it. Though, after he did, he got down to move low and quietly... but stopped as he got to a weapons rack, with a bow and some arrows.
A small grin came to his lips as he saw those and took the bow and arrows and moved to a rock that was conveniently covering the sight of the next two guards. Nogging in an arrow he looks over the boulder and quickly aims at the guard, releasing the arrow. That guard never came to make a sound as the projectile pierced through his head and he fell backwards.
A chuckle came from him as he prepared the next arrow and aimed for the second guard... blinking of where he had gone to. Not questioning his luck there, he shrugged and moved forward.
FURRY CROSSOVER ADVENTURES
The female got up with a dagger ready to throw... and blinked as she saw that the other guard was gone. Where could he have gone in the time she dropped upon the first one in her way and slit his throat?
Tilting the head she shrugged her shoulders and dashed forward to continue her path in reaching her goal.
FURRY CROSSOVER ADVENTURES
As the two individuals continued forward, taking out enemies without ever noticing that they were helping each other in removing the guards towards the spot they were trying to reach... until they arrived at the last section of this temple...
FURRY CROSSOVER ADVENTURES
The female rushed to hide herself behind a pillar, having heard steps echoing in the next chamber. She took a silent deep sigh, relaxing her body and mind as she attempted to get a sense if it was a single individual or a group. It was a single person in the chamber, which would make her next strike easier if she timed it correctly. So to prepare herself, she went around the pillar and towards the next doorframe for a quick dash or throwing her dagger at the target... but she froze as she saw directly into the eye of a Zangoose. Wearing white pants and metal boots. As he was wearing no shirt, was she able to see the abs of his. His right arm was covered by a black armor and on his side was a white curved blade and he was holding a bow with a notched arrow in his hands. How could she have missed this one last guard?
Few seconds earlier
The male was behind a tent after he killed the last guard. Given what he knew, the next chamber should contain his target. So the only logical step he had was to get in position and shoot his last arrow... followed by going in with his blade to finish the job. He went around the tent but froze as from around the pillar, a Renamon stepped forward. The usual yellow fur the species is known from was of a light beige coloration on this female. A strong tone of yellow covered the usual white spots of a Renamon, those being the chest mane, belly, tips of ears and tail, paws and feet. Her gauntlets and thigh symbols were of a dark beige and brownish mixture. Her eyes were the only parts that had the same coloration of an usual Renamon, clear blue.
How could he have missed this one last guard?
FURRY CROSSOVER ADVENTURES
The two were staring at each other for several moments, however, the Zangoose was faster in recovering and quickly drew his bow and shot his single arrow at her. The Renamon was quick to roll out of the way and threw a dagger in return, which the Zangoose bat away with his armor covered arm. Both drew their respective blades and rushed towards each other, while mentally wondering why the other didn't call for reinforcements.
Their blades clashed. The Zangoose was holding his blade on his unarmored hand as he pressed forward, while the Renamon used both hands to do the same. Before they jumped back and went to exchange blows. The female realized soon that the Zangoose was using strong and well aimed blows to try to break through her defenses and either used the sword or his arm to block her own quick blows.
The male felt slightly frustrated that he had to deal with an enemy that was much quicker with the blade than him. Only his experience and the metal on his free arm allowed him to block each of her blows so far.
Getting some distance from her opponent, the Renamon sheathed her sword and jumped in the air, "Diamond Storm!'' she shouted and released the glowing leaves to rain them down on her enemy. The Zangoose simply took a deep breath though and unleashed a torrent of flamethrower to burn through them, causing her to air dodge the attack and then run to the side to avoid being burned. As his attack ended, he had to take some breaths, which she went to capitalize on. Rushing forward she jumped, having both hands on her blade and tried to land an overhand strike on him.
The male grinned to that, something her face revealed that she might have made a mistake. He twirled his blade into a reverse grip and caught her blade with his, forcing her swing to go sideways and with the movement he also built momentum to follow up with a blow of his fist. The metal hand met the Digimon's head. She was sent to the far side and stumbled before stopping and leaning herself on a wall.
She glared at him and said, „Decent punch'' and forced herself back on her feet, ready to attack him once again.
Just as the two were trying to jump again at each other a voice grumbled, „Who is interrupting my beauty sleep with nonsensical fighting?'' and a human like being stepped out from a door next to the two fighters. He had black wings and black horns on his head while in his hand was a two handed axe.
He looked at the two and blinked, „What the hell? Guards! Intruders here!'' and shifted his grip on the weapon to fight against the Zangoose and the Renamon.
The two looked at each other, realizing that neither of them were part of this gang, „Truce?'' asked the male.
„For now!'' returned the female and the two jumped back as the fallen angel was slamming his weapon on the ground, smashing a crater at where they just stood. He looked at the two with murderous intent while lifting his axe and went after the Zangoose, sensing with his experience would be a far more dangerous opponent.
Not taking his chances, the Zangoose jumped back on the swings, completely ignoring the Renamon... which was an error. The female jumped on the fallen angel's back and buried her blade into his back, who roared in pain, turning around in anger before he heard the Zangoose say, „Amateur,'' and the fallen angel roared in pain once more as suddenly a fire burned through his body, leaving a hole. And through the hole, the Renamon saw the metal covered arm of the Zangoose, the hand palm flowing in heat, with a ring in the middle of the hand glowing pure white before returning to black like the rest of the hand as it cooled down. Leaving her perplexed by what just happened while the angel was collapsing on the ground, dead.
The Zangoose looked then at the Renamon, „I take you were sent to hunt this guy down as well?''
„I was,'' she nodded. „I'm on a mission to retrieve a medallion he stole from a temple.''
„You look for your medallion,'' stated the Zangoose and went to take the angels axe from the ground. „I remove his head. As I am told to get it for my reward,'' but before he could reach the handle of the weapon, the Renamon lunged at him, forcing him to draw his sword to defend himself. The two of them were now struggling with their blades, their gritting teeth expression inches from one another.
„Why should I believe you? You could well have been sent here for the medallion as well, and I don't like competition,'' she stated, forcing her muscles to keep the blades struggling. „Who are you?''
„Raven,'' he answered, clearly annoyed that she caught him wrong footed enough that he cannot bear his strength properly against her attack. „Raven Ironclaw!'' the gritted his teeth, taking in a breath. The Renamon remembered that he knew Flamethrower and opted to backflip away and crouched down to avoid the flames by ducking before jumping forward with her blade forward for impaling.
Though she noticed something odd... Raven was standing sideways to her... his one arm holsted back for a punch... and his other arm going forward in a grabbing motion.
Time seems to slow down for the Renamon as she realized that she was played. His hand grabbed her sword arm and pulled it sideways and the moment his fist connected with her back. Then time resumes and the next thing her brain registered was the pain from a fist into her spine and her body being slammed on the stone ground hard.
Dazed she felt a pull and something wrapping around her sword arm and throat. Only then she realized that he was holding her in a choke hold, trapping her sword arm in this hold as well, cutting her off from air.
Her free hand tried to scratch and pull at the arm around her neck but here it proves that this Raven was a vetaran. No matter how much she scratched him he kept his hold. However her claws are scratching over metal... so her struggle on that point was with no avail. Raven had narrowed his eyes and whispered to her ear „Lesson number one... ensure that your enemy isn't feinting an attack to lure you to a trap,'' and as her fighting starts to loose up, he added „Lesson two... always consider twice how you fight somebody more experienced and stronger than you.'' and then her arm fell down and he finally let go of her, letting the body hit the ground.
He took a deep breath, „No wonder that people have bad opinions about Adventurers,'' and looked at her. „Or that only a small number of us get old,'' and shook his head.
FURRY CROSSOVER ADVENTURES
Loud groans came from her as she started to wake up. Everything was blurry... she felt somewhat cold and her arms were not moving. Slowly, her sight turned normal and she saw a fire... and by that fire, sat Raven, examining a diamond between his fingers before putting it into a bag.
Her senses came back like thunder and she snarled loudly, „You!'' and pulled on her arms. She looked at the side and saw she was tied up against a pillar, including her hands so that she couldn't use her own claws to cut the ropes holding her.
„You are awake,'' mused Raven as he looked at her. „I thought you would be out for a bit longer,'' and smirked. „And your temper is still up.''
„Set me free! Then I show you what I do with those who steal my jobs!'' she snarled at him. To which Raven simply raised up a sack from which blood dropped off while pointing at her... or more exactly slightly below her head.
„Check what you are wearing right now,'' which she did... and to her great confusion it is the medallion.
„If I wanted you dead... I would have broken your neck earlier instead of choking you until you stopped moving,'' explained Raven during her perplexed state.
"Then you are either stupid or an opportunist. You will have to set me free at one point or another,'' the Renamon replied dryly, trying to move her hands around to break herself free.
"As soon as I have your word you won't kill me,'' he stated simply. "I got the head, you got the medallion and those guys have a lot of stuff we can sell at a good price in town,'' while he got up and asked. "Soup?''
"Screw you and your soup. I know you are just doing this to humiliate me,'' she grit her teeth harder, her expression still of a fierce one.
"Then I will not set you free until I leave. And I only free you enough that you still have to work for your freedom. Giving me a nice headstart,'' and he took for himself a bowl of soup and started eating. „And for the record: I have not even a clue where this medallion comes from. So I have no way to turn in that reward.''
The Renamon remained in silence then, still trying to break herself free, but with no success. Suddenly, her stomach started grumbling loudly. `How long have I been out?' she wondered to herself.
„Long enough that the sun is setting,'' he stated as if he had read her mind while filling a second bowl, "So still not wanting the soup? It's the only meal you get before morning when I cut loose your bounds.''
"I'm not gonna let you feed me,'' she stated with a growl. "Either you free me now or you let me starve for the night, Raven Ironclaw,'' she spoke the name as if she despited it.
"Not without your word,'' he simply stated. "On your Adventurer Honor!''
She scowled lowly, „Fine, I give you my word.''
"Not that hard'' he chuckles and moves to the ropes and cut them with his claws "Your weapons are 20 meters left from you, with a sack of loot. I checked the building. It seems we indirectly helped each other by taking out those guys without getting caught... until we ran into each other,'' then he looked at her. "So it's fair you get a share of the loot of this place.''
"Yeah, I was wondering why there weren't that many guards as I made my way through the temple. It's just a big coincidence we got here at the same time,'' the Renamon stated, waiting to be cut free. Which soon happened, the only thing left for her was to push off what was still wrapped around her hands.
As she was being freed, she asked the Zangoose, "So, all of those `lessons' you were stating before, did you learn them by yourself or had someone teach you those?''
"In a way. Those two normally came later,'' he stated. "And my teacher beat them into me. She was VERY thorough in ensuring I understood this line of work,'' the Zangoose stated, standing in front of the Renamon.
"I see, but I guess she forgot to teach you another important lesson,'' and with that, she managed to break the last bind on her feet and kicked the Zangoose in his groin, causing him to fall on his knees. The Renamon was broke her hand binds and walked over to where her weapons were. "Lesson four, never let your guard down. And don't worry too much, I didn't kick you hard enough to cause any permanent damage,'' she called up, making sure all her stuff was in the bag.
He grunted loudly in pain and his single eye glared at her, "Bitch... don't you have any honor in you?'' while holding on his paining balls.
"Go talk with a knight or a paladin if you want to talk about honor,'' she adjusted her belt with her sheathed sword and dagger. She never minded the soup, since she could reach the town at the foot of the mountain they were at in short notice. The Renamon perched herself on an opened window, "Name's Laurie, by the way. Laurie Dawson,'' and she jumps outside, leaving the Zangoose by himself.
"Better not run into Charis then,'' muttered Raven. "She would punch you across the room for this statement...'' and slowly get up and huffed "A shame that such a terrible person is behind that pretty face...'' and continued the soup... while trying his best to ignore the pain he is feeling right now. Planning to spend the night here.
