The Wolfwoman groaned against a tree, feeling the softness of something up against her body. Slowly, her eyes flittered open to reveal a pair of auburn colours to the world, but from her own perspective, she saw two curious children's faces a tad too close. Her jaw tried to move as her features tried to scrunch with curiosity. However, she was overruled as one of the children, a dark haired Cat-kin shouted, “She's awake!”

“I am aware, Puella,” came the voice of a gruff, but soft spoken individual. Of whom appeared kneeling to her right and held a mug with some sort of pale, green liquid in it. “Open your mouth, please,” he spoke with the intent of a doctor treating a patient, “This is a cooled tea, and it'll help to lubricate your throat.”

'Tea,' her mind whispered as she tried to swallow, but to no avail. Instead, her lower jaw dropped a little, and felt her head being tilted back as the cooled liquid was poured in droplet by droplet. This was so, as he didn't wish to drown her, not knowing how long she was within the cell and what they did to the Wolfwoman. Therefore, it was best to move slowly until more information came to light.

The illusory Human kept a close eye on the woman before him, and had to lightly pat her hands away when she tried to reach for the mug several times. “You are unwell,” he repeated those times when she desired to drink more than a few droplets or small mouthfuls, “and judging by your desire, you've been parched for quite some time. Therefore, you shall drink slowly from this cup.”

Sia could do little, but nod as he continued to fill her mouth and throat with the small amount of liquid. However, as life slowly returned to her body, so too did her sense of smell and the dragon within her belly. Of which scented the aroma of cooked meat, and caused him to chuckle when a loud growl ensued from her body. Whereby causing her to become a little embarrassed, but could not flush her cheeks properly. Instead, her eyes were downcast and drifted off to the right from such a sound.

Chuckling softly, Karastak reached into the small pouch at his side, and pulled out a small, cooked fish. Whereupon he, with careful fingers, tore a small amount and held it close to her nose. Which led to her sniffing and licking the morsel with a soft whine before taking it into her mouth to chew and swallow.

“More?” she croaked out, her tail twitching with renewed energy as her eyes shone with a beggar's light.

“Of course,” Karastak responded, stripping more meat from the fish and placing it into her mouth as though she were nothing more than a young pup.

The Wolfwoman, on the other hand, thought that this action was demeaning. As though treating her like a babe in swaddling clothes who just learned about solids was beneath her. However, the food was too good, and she was too weak to fight his advances.

Once the fish was removed of most of its flesh, it was tossed into the woods for scavengers to take apart, whereas he reached back into his pouch to pull out a small roll. One that was steaming as though it came from an oven not too long ago. This was given to her, only after she was made to drink the rest of the tea, and he left her to enjoy the warm bread.

Sia's own eyes followed his progression as she nibbled on the roll, and widened her eyes from the sweetness of the bread. Of which widened still as a staff materialised in his hand, one that had a diamond spike embedded at the top. This led to her wondering how expensive such a thing was, but what is more, a pair of shadowy creatures emerged from the thicket with daggers drawn and blood coating the blades. Each strode to his side as though about to slay the old Human, but even as she was about to croak out a warning, her eyes spied the children just lazing about with food in their hands and mouths.

These two didn't see the danger that her mind purported, and when her gaze fell back upon his body, she noted the daggers were being cleaned with a rag before drifting away towards the outer recesses of the group. “It appears someone sent a few Rangers in our direction,” he muttered, turning back towards her person, “You must be highly sought after, my dear.”

Within his eyes was a coldness she had only seen from those who were natural born killers, or even the insane. However, this expression melted away as the Cat-kin- Puella?- approached his person with outstretched hands and the desire to be carried. Of which he allowed, as his body bent down so that she could crawl into the crook of his left arm before snuggling against his chest with a yawn.

“Do you desire to rest as well, Lupa?” his voice was calm, soothing, as his attention drifted towards a Wolfgirl who also yawned and nodded. “Very well. Then allow me to summon up one more Guardian before we have you both sleep for the eve.”

At her nod, the illusory Human pushed his staff into the soft earth, and held out his right as he called upon his energies in order to cast, “.” Whereupon a battle axe formed within, and was subsequently dropped so that he may attend to the placard which appeared before his very eyes.

Congratulations!

You have successfully created a Battle Axe!

Grade B

Durability: 35/35

This was swiped away from his eyes with a frown, as each of his weapons did not come with a damage ability. Even though they were sharp, and were just as effective in their use, there was still nothing to show for it. When he had asked Command about it, the voice of his System did not give a response. It was as though it could not, or even would not, speak of such a thing. However, the weapons outside of his System did have a damage ability.

Quite strange, to be sure.

Shrugging his shoulders, Karastak's hand hovered over the weapon which was lying on its side, and once more summoned his energy in order to cast, “.”

From the base of a tree, Sia's eyes popped as she watched something not of this world be invited into their own. Whereupon it reached down and lifted the weapon, spinning it in its grip before hefting the weapon upon what appeared to be its left shoulder. “Good,” came the voice of the creature's summoner, “Go join your fellows in protecting the four of us. You are allowed to slay any and all who would dare to come upon us until I say otherwise. Is this understood?” There was no answer, but it stepped away and into the shadows where the creatures' brethren were within with their daggers.

Lupa yawned once more as she approached his position, knuckling her left eye as she gripped his robe. Himself, on the other hand, sat next to Sia who stared at him with widened eyes. Whereas both Cat-kin and Wolfgirl snuggled up on his chest and lap, drifting off to sleep. He just smiled at this as his hands stroked their heads with the care and love of a parent for his children, despite not being their biological parent.

“What are you?” the Wolfwoman croaked a whisper, and flinched as his right eye swiveled in her direction.

“I am what I am, and what I am is me. Therefore, I simply am,” came his response with a sly grin. After which his eyes closed as his arms snaked around the children so that he could secure them against his body.

“Am what?”

An eye cracked open to peer towards her person just as he spoke once more, “Exactly.”

*****

“What do you mean, 'we can't find them'?” growled the fat Priest, who was being dressed by a pair of blind boys who had been “cursed” with such afflictions by another Witch several weeks ago. Their parents were told by him that only service through Riveene, the Lady of Light could their eyesight be returned. Which led to these two to perform many tasks set apart by the man.

“Master Reg,” bowed a lowly Farmer in scratchy linens, “We know where they are, but an'one who gets close dies through some sort of witchy magicks.”

“What?” the Priest's face scrunched up just as the boys bought out his white Sash of Office and Piety Staff with four gold rings embedded at the top.

“There are shadowy things in the woods, Priest Reg,” bowed a Guard wearing thick leathers and had a sword strapped to his right hip, “They attack with weapons of silver-steel in the forms of daggers and an axe. No one can get close, not even the three Rangers could discern their true locations, and they're each Level 8 in their class.”

“How did you know they fell?” The Priest was not at all pleased with this knowledge, especially if it involved Witch magicks.

“Ah, yes,” nodded the Guard, “The Gods gave us a way to know where another is at all times, but only if we're close. Otherwise, we'll know their general direction if they're too far. It also allows us the ability to know whether or not they're still alive and their condition.”

“You say the Gods granted this ability to us?” at the other's slow nod, he continued with eyes becoming slits, “Then what is it called?”

“They called it a 'Party Function', and granted it to a select few.”

“With you being one of them?” the fat man could barely fold his arms as he glowered down upon the other.

“No,” the Guard shook his head, “A few Heroes were at Stonewall, and taught us Guards and some Adventurers this ability. Here, I'll demonstrate it to you.” He lifted a finger towards the Priest, but just as he was about to speak, the Farmer next to him widened his eyes in fright before tackling the Guard. For the fat man had widened his eyes with the belief that his so called Guard was about to use his unknown magicks on his person.

Whereupon he began to stab the poor man with a rusted and dirtied man whilst shouting, “Help! A Witch is trying to kill Master Priest Reg!” After which the doors in their Priest's home were busted open, and in came half a dozen people in various clothing from harsh linens to hard leathers. These then witnessed the final and ragged breaths of the one who was professed a Witch, whereas his attacker stood tall with a shaky smile as he turned towards their beloved fat Priest.

“Remove the Witch,” he growled, paler in complexion at this revelation, “patch up his wounds as best you can. We've lost one Witch already, and now that we've another, we can proceed with the service of burning the wretch at the stake.”

Angered voices of, “Yes, Master,” and “Yes, Priest Reg,” were heard as they dragged the dying Guard away from his premises.

Whereas he, himself, turned to his saviour with, “I thank you, and know that my Lady Goddess Riveene also thanks you.” A hand was placed upon the man's shoulder, and the pair lowered their eyes and heads in a prayer of thankfulness for surviving that day.