The creature had large, serrated teeth, large ears, holes in the face that one can assume to be nostrils, and eyeless. The sockets were there, but no eyes. The skin on the creature was leathery, and especially thick on its upper arms. The hairless creature was oozing a mucus like substance that would seem to burn anything it touched. The Twisted had three tentacle looking legs that ended with a sharp point. The tips were of a bone like material that have been sharpened about a quarter of a meter each. There was an arm on the front of the body, having a thumb and two fingers it was nearly four times larger than a normal sized man’s leg. The muscles were clearly visible and corded. This creature was massive. Standing under three meters in height, it was a blurring of mass using its legs to keep back combatants while walking on them. Using its focus otherwise on Cal.

Cal never has been a looker by any degree nor was he unattractive either. His sharp and angled features were replaced by a smoothness that was inhuman. Almost as if he lost all the fat and muscled and even the bones were misshapen. His overall frame was about the same, but areas were larger or smaller. One area in particular was his right arm, not only was it larger but it was covered in thick leathery skin. He no longer had a hand, instead in its place was a mass of what looked to be rock. His other arm was also heavily altered. Instead of having one appendage, it looked to be split into three at the elbow and reaching out for grabs on the foe he confronted. Pulling himself in or pushing himself out he was able to glide easily dodging the larger creature. There were some minor alterations about him but with the way they moved, I am unable to see.

There were in all three people fighting the creature, while the others; 12 as far as I can tell, were keeping watch and enjoying the show. They hooted and made jests at the slowness of their fellow guardsmen. Looking around, I was unimpressed with their sentries. We had walked up with no issues and seemed like they had not noticed yet. This made me worried for any additional creature that stood before me. They could easily just walk right in and catch the lot unprepared. If they were caught, then I would be. Shrinking, I huddled even closer to the ground to go unseen. Small, stay small, make a break for it if I need to. Psyching myself out I can feel my legs quake, and I started inching back from where we came. A hand caught my arm “Do not move without my say so.” Looking at me finally Councilman Jorgonzilrye made certain he would not go unless I acknowledged his order.

“Yes Councilman Jorgonzilrye.” Sullenly I agreed, but with little delight.

Nodding he released my arm. “Now watch, they are a little sloppy, but it is not often they get to fight a category 3. You see how they are working together in tandem? This is a typical strategy to take down a foe larger and stronger than you. They have two supporting members disabling troublesome parts of a creature, for this one the tentacles. The third is the main opponent. He is meant to engage and fight for a killing blow; his role is typically the harshest and most rigorous due to having the attention of beast focused on him. They only switch when a creature disengages and focuses on another target, then he would go in the support role. This is to limit the amount of damage sustained and prevent deaths if it can be helped. Sensory types are staged in a circle to watch for other threats.” He was speaking low enough to not grab the attention of others around him. This further making me suspicious of the skill of the sentries.

“But they haven't noticed us yet. They aren't doing their jobs good enough it seems.” Again, spoke without thinking. As I finished that remark I got a glare from two different sentries, one was across on the other side of the fight watching the opposite way.

Chuckling the elderly man said, “No they noticed us a way back. They just knew we were not a threat. Do not be mistaken, they could hear a mouse scuttle at least a half of a kilometer away.”

I hadn’t not believed that there was no way possible to do that. Thinking this time before I spoke, thankfully, I started looking at the modifications of some of the others. Some had bat like ears, others yellow eyes, others having an even weirder transformation, a wolf’s face. Maybe there was some truth to what the old man said. Without realizing it, I started to relax. These individuals seemed to have everything under control, especially Cal. Looking back at him he was hammering on bear like face of the Twisted, his tentacles for an arm were wrapped around arm of the creature. He allowed himself to be swung this way and that and used the momentum to land devastating blows. Within the third or fourth yank of the creature, it was down. Disentangling himself Cal backed up wearily and got low. It was for naught as one of his supports stepped up and stabbed the Twisted through the skull. Still as a whole the three did not let down their guard. Only when a fourth man called all clear did they relax.

Without my needing to ask the old man answered my question “Some creatures move parts of their body around. So not all head blows can kill moving all the important contents to another location. Same goes for going for one’s heart, it can be somewhere else or differently shaped and protected. Cannot rely on normal intuition and senses to tell if one is dead. That is why one of the Sentries called it out.”

“Why can't Cal or the others tell?”

“Well, that is something we can go over another day. Just know that the power you see takes a toll and if used too much can lead to what we discussed earlier.”

“Like the children killing those around them?”

“Precisely, as a group diving up the roles and covering every base can we safely fight these creatures on their own terms.”

Finally, things began to click, but not entirely yet. Even if there are dangers to using these powers, why would hiding it from the rest of the village help? Surely, we could use that area to raise our young and yet benefit from this power. Not only benefit, but also thrive. I won't ask, but this is something I need to keep in mind. As I pondered the old man stood up when one of the other guards strode over to our location on the edge of the irregular circle the others had made.

“Councilman Jorgonzilrye, it is a pleasure and a surprise to see you. Any advice you can bestow from your vast knowledge on these lads who yet to show promise.” From the fluctuation of his voice, he was admonishing the group who just fought. “Clearly they are in need.”

Smiling the old man spoke, “Ahh, I don’t think anything I say can prove useful. My way of dealings of the Twisted is different from you. Any advice I can give may be do more harm than good.” He looked genuine, but I don’t know. So far, he does not seem like an arrogant person.

“So, they are at a level unworthy of your notice then!” What I can assume to be their captain, or something bellowed. “We are done here, head back to the barracks. You three, you owe me a Deadman’s Cry.” A moan and overall unhappiness were easily visible on the three in question.

“What are you doing here?” The voice was of course Cal’s. His unhappiness about whatever a Deadman’s Cry was soon passed, and he looked truly confused and of course, angry. “I thought you learned lesson from last night?” He hadn’t noticed or forgot that the old man was right next to me because he strode over to me and reached out with his mace like arm. He stopped but from either me stepping away eying it, or him realizing he couldn't accomplish because he didn't have a hand, was unclear. Looking at the old man, he had not acted like he noticed being ignored. Instead, he seemed pleased with the situation.

With a call from Cal’s superior that sounded between a dog and a bird, Cal froze. “Sorry Councilman Jorgonzilrye, I will rectify this lapse of my subordinate. He will be doing the Deadman’s Cry not once but two times.” What soon followed, was a whine from Cal.