Meeting of Fur and Scales

[Rafael]

Moving throughout the wilderness was something that Rafael had been growing accustomed to over the last few weeks and was actually rather enjoyable for the new Beast. This was something that he never got to experience while he was a human. His father had been abusive and never allowed him to do anything outside of attending school. Rafael had known nothing beyond the route to his school and the walls that enclosed his everyday life.

Now though in this second life that he had been graced with by either fate or some unknown deity he had the opportunity to live however he wished. He wanted to see this new world in it's entirety, to find out what was actually out there and live a life full of adventure. He had lived a life dominated by someone else ruled through fear and torment and now with this new body and a second chance he didn't ever plan on living that life again.

This entire new world was so amazing filled with beautiful sights to see and amazing lands to travel. Rafael had only been here for a few days and already he was enjoying himself and had met a few different creatures. One wasn't all that fond of an individual nor was he all that great of a memory or experience. The only good thing that had actually come out of it was the fact that Rafael had learned a few different things from that creature.

He now knew that he wasn't the only creature that looked like an animal, but could still walk on two feet and speak although speaking was much harder now for some reason. It meant that there were far more creatures like him that more than likely could be any type of animal. The mere though of it all made Rafael rather excited and seek to find them on his journey. The other good thing was he learned how to move faster than he actually seemed to be able to normally by using some type of energy within himself.

Now though it was the middle of the day as far as he could tell and yet he hadn't eaten or found anything to drink since he had awoken a few hours ago. He needed to find something to drink that much he knew. Over the next few minutes Rafael continued to walk throughout the tall grass eventually leading him up a hill. As he reached the top of the hill Rafael saw in the distance a rather large looking lake and decided that it would be the best source to get a drink.

So while it took him roughly another fifteen minutes of walking to actually reach the lake Rafael did and when he got to the edge of the lake he could see that the water wasn't exactly clear, but his thirst was overwhelming at this point. So getting down on his knees Rafael put his paws into the water cupping them together and bringing up the water from the lake into his mouth drinking it. It wasn't the best tasting, but was still refreshing. He continued to drink while wondering if he'd find anything else exciting today.

[Deleted]

Training for CTP

Silent as a gentle breeze was the doe that stood at the water's edge. Having lowered her head so that she could quench her thirst it would have seemed that her guard was lowered, but anyone with a keen eye would see those ears of hers flicking in different directions. Even when taking a drink an animal's guard was raised. Even with the overall lack of predatory animals in the Rukongai she still had to keep her guard up. Hollows, for example, had little trouble with preying on local fauna though it would barely appease their hunger. Even so those natural instincts must remain. They allowed her to survive in this world where things were not always what they appeared.

Her head rose suddenly at the sudden crunching of foliage, those eyes resting on the strange creature dragging itself from the forest. To a human it looked like a panther that was shaped like and looked like a man. To the doe it looked a potential threat, but her thirst was too strong to run. Her guard would be raised, she would pay attention, but she needed to satisfy this thirst before searching for her small herd. Lowering her head her snout met the water yet again, drinking until the point of satisfaction. Unfortunately for her that would not be a line she would ever cross.

It happened so fast the doe couldn't react. Rafael, however, being a safe enough distance away would undoubtedly bear witness to the commotion. The surface of the lake exploded abrubtly shattering the stillness. The doe let out a panicked cry, charging backwards into the safety of the woods instead of being crushed by what had been ejected from the lake. A creature, white as snow, with a large thick body and four limbs. It stood on its back two, but its front legs were apparently being used to defend itself with those long claws coming out of them. But, unfortunately, it seemed to be missing its right front arm. It looked as though it had been ripped off at the elbow.

The beasts face looked like a mask, and the hole in its chest made it very obvious what it was. The bear like Hollow let out a gurgling bellow, water ejecting from between its teeth as it began to hack and cough. But as it tried to catch its breath, the surface of the lake once again exploded. Like a bullet something shot out from the water, slamming itself right into the Hollow and sending it toppling over. The Hollow screeched in panic, rolling to its side and getting to its feet. What came shooting out of the water was something that might make Rafael jump with surprise. A beast covered in black scales. Two horns jutted from its head. A long tail extending out from the back of its hips. A black reptile that stood like a male. Feathers adorned its head, standing as straight as they could and trembling.

Snarling between pulled back lips, the reptile inhaled before letting out a challenging, deep, roar at the Hollow that caused the much larger beast to actually back up. But the Hollow chose to fight instead of flight. It rushed forward, swinging its one remaining arm at the black reptile in an attempt to seperate its guts from its body. But the reptile was fast. Much faster than the Hollow. And smaller. It ducked underneath the claw and dashed forward, swinging its own clawed hand across the Hollows torso and drawing thick streams of blood as flesh was ripped apart.

Screaming in pain, the Hollow tried to back up but was sent flying to its left when the reptiles tail came around and slammed itself into the Hollows torso. Its feet entered back into the lake, struggling to stay off the ground, before the reptile went back on the offensive. Like a black blur it was back onto the bear, leaping through the air and digging clawed toes right into its chest, clawed fingers and teeth right into the Hollows mask. They both went down beneath the surface, bubbles and waves being the only displays of the conflict beneath the surface. Only a few more moments later did the disruptions and bubbles finally stop. Calm was restored to the lake for a few seconds, before the reptile reappeared, with the Hollow clutched in one of his hands. It wasn't moving.

Victorious, he turned his head to the sky and roared out in triumph. Once his victory cries were done, he turned and grabbed onto the Hollows corpse with his other hand before suddenly throwing the body into the forest outside the lake. Breathing heavily, the reptile stood for a moment with a hunched posterior before rising to stand straight. His lips lowered, the feathers beginning to relax, and his tail ceased its waving. With a grumble, Umaroth began to turn around and enter back into the depths, until his bright blue eyes locked onto the newest visitor to his lake. His eyes wide, the reptile stared at Rafael for a few moments before his tail suddenly slammed into the water and a growl escaped his jaws. Another trespasser. "Who are you?"

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats and Skills}


Strength - 215 = 322 Points

Speed - 200 = 300 Points

Spiritual Pressure - 150 = 113 Points

Reiatsu Strength - 50 Points

Light Aura - 60 Points

Dark Aura - 40 Points

Instinct - 150 Points

Senses - 150 Points

Energy sensory - 0 Points

Healing Expertise - 0 Points

Total SP: 915 Points


[Martial Arts: Street-Fighting] {1}

[Battle Analysis] {1}

[Pain Tolerance] {1}

[Stealth] {1}

[Strength of Will] {1}

[Anti-Stealth] {1}

Skill Points: 6 / 15

[Rafael]

All he had been doing was getting some water from the lake to quench his thirst that had built up from traveling throughout the wilderness when Rafael felt strange for some unexplainable reason. He hadn't ever felt this sensation while he was alive or for that matter in the last few days of this new life. It was as if something was leaning against his spine or trying to tickle him by moving across his spine. What Rafael did know though was that he didn't like this sensation and in the next moment he realized that it was probably some sort of warning to himself.

He heard the sound of the water breaking apart as it splashed onto itself and the shore of the lake as some strange looking creature tried what appeared to be it's hardest to actually get out of the lake. The doe that had been right near where the water had erupted ran off and Rafael felt sorry for the poor innocent creature that had only wished for the same as himself a moment ago. This strange creature for a moment Rafael thought perhaps was another one like himself yet after a brief moment passed Rafael saw the white mask upon it's face.

He had no clue what this creature was, but could see that it was missing one of it's arms and blood was pouring from the wound like a broken water spout. This creature had been attacked by something and was trying to survive it seemed, but what had attacked it and what was this thing. Rafael's questions were answered in the following few moments as the water once again burst outwards from the normal peaceful appearance of sitting yet whatever came out from the water moved fast enough that Rafael was only able to catch a glimpse of black before hearing the sound of the creature that looked to be similar to a bear hit the ground.

Rafael was no longer kneeling over the water edge of the lake, but standing upon his bottom half watching the exchange between these two creatures carefully. He didn't know if either of them was going to attack him at any point or if perhaps both of them would depending on whoever emerged victorious in this exchange so for the moment he had to remain focus and prepared. The creature that had just burst forth from the water was now in plain view allowing Rafael to get a good look at it. It looked to be some type of lizard with black scales and feather on it's head along with a few horns.

Rafael watched as the lizard beast issued a challenge of might towards the strange white faced creature. Rafael realized what the lizard had actually done without realizing it which caused his attention to actually shift for a moment. He had for just a simple moment questioned himself not understanding how he knew that the roar was a challenge issued to the creature. The strange white faced creature actually moved backwards in what Rafael realized immediately as fear despite actually being bigger than this lizard.

In the following few moments the final moments of the battle between this strange creature and the lizard beast took place as Rafael watched from the distance. The white face creature swinging it's remaining arm forwards towards the lizard relying on the long claws on it's paw to cut cleanly through the scales of the lizard. Rafael could see though in the exchange that the lizard had far more experience than this strange creature which presented itself perfectly as the lizard ducked beneath the clawed hand of the creature.

It was in the following moment that Rafael witnessed the life of the strange creature end as the claws of the lizard sliced through the flesh of the creature causing blood and flesh to spill out onto the ground. The lizard then made use of it's body in a way that Rafael hadn't actually thought of since waking up in his new body. Using it's massive tail the lizard slammed into the side of the creature knocking it down onto the ground while it screamed in agony as death approached it faster and faster. Rafael thought that it would be over with that as it was obvious that this creature was no match nor would it survive much longer, but he was wrong.

The lizard beast charged pushing them both into the depths of the lake to the point that Rafael could only see the sight of blood sainting the color of the lake. The water of the lake was splashing all about while bubbles of air were obvious to see as the two of them fought below the surface of the lake. After a short time though everything seemed to stop at once and Rafael was left standing wondering which of them had been victorious or if both of them were now dead. He didn't have to wonder long though as the lizard beast emerged from the lake's surface with a roar of victory followed by the removal of the creature from the lake.

It seemed that the brutal exchange of death between the two entities was now over and that the lizard was going to return to whichever part of the lake the both of them had come from when he turned and starred at Rafael. At first Rafael wasn't sure what this lizard was going to do since Rafael had made no act of aggression against him, but when his tail smacked the surface of the lake Rafael knew that this lizard was once again in a position where he felt the need to claim dominance.

Rafael could hear the growl in the throat of the lizard despite the distance between the both of them. The lizard wished to know who he was asking nothing else, but that small bit. "Name Rafael. Like you . . I think. Just getting water." That was all Rafael wished to speak to this lizard for the moment. He had gotten the water that he needed in order to continue his adventure throughout this new world. This lizard wasn't someone that looked all that kind to strangers. So Rafael would take his leave from the lake no wishing to involve himself in a struggle between himself and this lizard beast.

It seemed though that fate had a different plan for the two beasts that had met by some strange circumstance of itself. As Rafael turned and began to make his way back towards the hill that he had come down from when finding the lake that this lizard seemed to be so defensive of a different entity was standing in front of him. This creature looked much different than anything else Rafael had seen so far in this new world. It was the only thing that was actually bigger than himself that he had to look slightly up in order to see the eyes. This creature was over nine feet tall and didn't show any sign of emotion on it's face as it starred at Rafael.



The large black feline didn't know what to think about this creature that out of nowhere was suddenly in front of him. He was about to just move around it when in an instant the next thing he knew Rafael felt pain all across his left side and everything that he could see was a blur. The lizard would have a much clearer view to see the large insect beast slam his right arm into Rafael's upper left side sending him flying several meters away until he slammed into the water of the lake.

Rafael as he hit the water of the lake felt pain spread across the majority of his body due to the speed that he actually hit the water's surface at while at the same time he knew he had to get out of the water. His left side though didn't want to move leaving Rafael to pull himself from the depths of the lake with only his right side while he had almost no air in his lungs to breathe. This was the worst situation that Rafael had been in since waking up in this new world with his new body and it seemed he was going to actually have to fight to survive or else even this second life was going to be taken away from him before he knew true happiness.

On the surface of the lake the large insect beast turned and looked at the lizard after knocking Rafael out of the way. It began to walk slowly up towards the lizard making no obvious signs of aggression despite just attacking another beast and potentially killing it for all the lizard knew. This insect it seemed was going to try and eliminate the both of them for what reason though neither of them would have a clue. As it got close to the lizard though roughly ten feet it would suddenly execute shunpo appeared right in front of the lizard with it's right arm swinging across just as it had a moment ago in an attempt to knock the lizard away by hitting him in the upper left side of his body.

Roach's Remaining Reiatsu: 950/1000
Shunpo: {-50}

SPOILER: Click to show

{Roach Stats+Skills}
1000 SP Fighter V1
Strength: 300 (450)
Speed: 300 (450)
Sppr: 100
RS: 40 (30)
Instincts: 200
Senses: 60
Energy Sensory: 0
Healing Expertise: 0


Learning: 2
Calm Mind: 2
Analyzing: 2
Imitation: 2
Focused Eye: 2
Anti-Stealth: 2
Lack of Fear: 2
Pain Tolerance: 2
Damage Recovery: 2
Battle Analysis: 2

[Deleted]

Water? A drink? That's all? The reptile could feel the adrenaline, anger, and fighting spirit still burning within him after fighting the Hollow, but when this creature spoke to him with words that he understood it worked to begin calming him down. All this feline like creature wanted was water? The black scaled reptile narrowed his blue eyes, inspecting the unknown creature for a few moments to get a better idea what it was. He'd never seen a creature quite like him before. It was OBVIOUS that this was another man-like-beast, but Umaroth hadn't seen one like this before. No, that wasn't quite right. Looking at this creature he was reminded of another one he'd seen a long time ago. A much, much, smaller one that walked around with people.

Umaroth was understandable tense. He'd just gotten done combating a Hollow that had intruded on his territory. Granted dealing with Hollows was no difficult task for him, but getting into fights awakened those primal, savage, instincts. But this man-beast? Umaroth felt no ounce of threat from him. Not in the manner that Rafael was some weaker being beneath him. No. It was that, as Rafael stated, he was not at all here to fight. Only to drink. Understanding that Umaroth began to relax slowly. His feathers began to lower themselves, his tails waving turned into small flicks, and his heavy breathing and puffed chests were reduced to silent inhales and a slouched over posture.

There was enough water in this lake that Umaroth didn't care if animals stopped to drink. It would happen regardless even if he didn't allow it. All animals needed to drink, so Umaroth had no issue with it. Rafael would take his leave, Umaroth watching him head back for the trees and wondering if he should have stopped him. It wasn't every day that he might another beast-man. But after fighting the Hollow he felt like taking a nap. Sleep was more important than learning in this case. But when Umaroth had begun to make a move to return to the murky depths, he stopped. He paused because something caught his attention suddenly. What caught his attention was Rafael stopping suddenly. What caught his attention was the sudden, oily, scent wafting into his nose.

Umaroths head turned slightly, eyes widening at the sight of yet another unknown creature making an appearance. But this one was different. This one was very different. Unlike Rafael who produced no threatening aura, no passive intimidation, that could not be said about what was standing before Rafael. What Umaroth sensed was...something foul. If he could produce them he would have goosebumps. Immediately the feathers on his head began to stand, muscles beneath his scales enlarged, pupils narrowing into fine slits. If Umaroth knew the words he might have just screamed for Rafael to get out of the way.

The insects right arm collided with the panthers body, sending the feline flying through air. Umaroths gave shot towards the surface skipping feline before it sunk beneath the surface, before his head swung itself back towards the approaching insect. Waves of water lapped against the two as Umaroth slammed his tail into water, creating a raining tower meant to intimidate the roach. Lips peeling back into a snarl, and fingers clenching together into fists, Umaroth released a tremendous roar that could have probably been heard on every shore of the lake and beneath the surface. And just like that the fight began.

Upon reaching a distance of ten feet the creature suddenly vanished, only to suddenly reappear before Umaroth. Needless to say the reptile was surprised. Was that what he thought it was? He barely had time to react properly, surprised as he was, and only managed to raise his left arm high enough for the creatures attack to collide itself with his forearm. Umaroth buckled beneath the strength, being sent back just enough to cause him be knocked off his feet and fall backwards into the water. But, perhaps defying the insects expectations, Umaroth did not surface. There was not much shallow water in this lake.

His left arm throbbed. It was strong. Whatever the hell this thing was it was strong. The twitching pain brought anger to Umaroth. This thing was physically stronger than him. No. No it was not. Umaroth would not be bested again. He wouldn't. Not in his lake. Not again. This would NOT be a repeat of that damn otter. Umaroth was alone. He had to fight. He had no choice. A sound in the water caught his attention. He turned his head, his eyes having no trouble seeing through the tea-colored water. He saw the panther struggling to make it to the surface. So he was alive? Umaroth was about to turn his attention back to the fight, but seeing the injured beast on the verge of drowning...damn it.

Rafael, undoubtly unable to see well in the water aside from the sun of the surface, would suddenly feel something grab him. And, if Rafael was like literally any other living being, the sensation of being grabbed in the water by the unknown was terrifying. But he would be pushed upwards until he broke the surface, and whatever had grabbed him had let go. Umaroth was being a bastard. Because when he let Rafael go, who would undoubtly cough and gasp for air, that would draw the creatures' attention to the panther. This gave Umaroth a very good chance. From beneath the surface he could see the creature, and using that Stealth he possessed within the water and the power behind his tail, Umaroth fired himself like a rocket out of the water just outside the creatures peripheral vision. Its eyes, while large, faced straight ahead.

This meant that behind the ear was the perfect place to launch himself from. Umaroth launched himself from that position, aiming to latch himself onto the back of the roach. If it was anything like any other creature, the back of the neck was his target. Or, if Umaroth could, he would get this overgrown bastard into the depths and drown him like he did anything else. If the reptiles attack was successful, the roach would feel two clawed feet slamming themselves into his head, aiming to send the creature down onto the ground. Umaroth landed, the water up to his knees, and let out yet another roar. He wouldn't be bested this time. He was stronger than when Ajraka crashed his world. Not this time.

[Rafael]

As everything became a blur of motion and pain overwhelmed all of the other stimulation sent to his brain the large panther couldn't keep his eyes open as they instinctively closed from the impact against his body. The sound of his left arm snapped clean in half seemed deafening to the large black cat as he flew through the air until his body collided against the water's surface. He struggled to get back to the surface of the water after a few moments of time had past and he was able to think once again.

The massive insect beast that had just attacked Rafael and seemingly killed him in a single blow was caught off guard by the fact this lizard beast was able to defend himself from the same attack that had just sent the larger beast flying. While Umaroth had tried to make a scene of dominance by slamming his tail against the water causing water to rain down upon the both of them this insect's gaze never shifted as it seemed to only see Umaroth and now nothing else.

It didn't seem to matter what Umaroth did to show his strength or dominance to this insect as his roar was seemingly ignored completely as was the aggressive mannerism of his lips peeling back to reveal his large fangs. This insect didn't seem to either care or even recognize any of the signs as a threat to itself. This was what actually seemed to surprise the insect for the first time though. It had executed Shunpo to appear immediately in front of Umaroth and the large lizard was able to defend itself by placing it's forearm in the path of the insect's fist.

Umaroth was pushing off his feet though and sent back into the water something that the insect had been expecting yet not the distance it was expecting. Umaroth hadn't been sent flying more than a few feet so now as the insect looked at the water expecting to see the large lizard reappear or attack from the water nothing seemed to happen. Beneath the surface of the water though surprisingly enough the lizard that had just a few moments ago been threatened or expecting a challenge from the panther was now aiding the larger beast by pushing him upwards and out of the water.

Rafael felt the grasp of something below him and at first terror managed to wrap it's icy clutches around his heart until he looked down in the dark water and could make out vaguely the blue eyes of the lizard. As he was pushed out of the water Rafael struggled to get onto his feet. He couldn't move his left arm as it stayed connected to his body yet was nothing more than a limp appendage as the bone itself was not only broken at the bicep, but disconnected as well causing him a rather excessive degree of pain.

Struggling to deal with the pain and keep himself under control and the sound of his pain under even greater control Rafael realized that he was still in great danger. The giant insect still standing in the position it had been met his gaze as Rafael looked over while he held himself up with his right hand and his knees on the wet grass surrounding the lake. If Rafael's eyes possessed pupils they would undoubtedly have dilated in fear of the beast in front of him. This was without a doubt the strongest thing that he had come across since awakening in this new world with this new body.

The insect began to walk slowly towards Rafael would began to tremble in freight of what was coming towards him. It had overwhelming strength as it had managed to break his arm in a single blow so fast that Rafael hadn't even been able to see the blow coming towards him. By the time the insect reached about half way though Rafael steeled himself. If he was going to die in this second life than he was going to die defending himself. He had been taught how to defend himself from others who picked on and bullied him while he was human and this beast was doing nothing different. It was time Rafael defended himself and did his best to survive this beasts onslaught.

Standing now on both feet at his full height with his left arm dangling at his side with no way to actually move it Rafael starred at the roach. His legs spread apart with the left foot in front and the right foot behind while his right arm was kept upwards yet behind his head almost as if he was trying to hide it from the insect's vision. This stance was the major stance of Muay Boran yet it was incorrect or incomplete and Rafael couldn't do anything about it. His left arm was broken and thus his style was crippled because of that meaning that even though he was now going to stay and survive he wasn't able to use everything he had learned while a human to achieve his goal.

As the insect reached Rafael it stopped about two feet away from him this time starred him in the eyes just as it did the last. Rafael played out the scene in his head just as it had been the last time. As the insect moved it's right arm forwards and across in an attempt to strike Rafael once again the massive panther stepped inwards getting inside of the insects guard as fast as he possibly could and then bringing his right arm forward delivered an upwards elbow to the chin of the insect.

It was at this moment that the water erupted once again as the lizard beast Umaroth shot out like a rocket striking the insect in the head on the right side with both of his massive feet. Umaroth possessed vastly more physical strength than Rafael yet the elbow strike to the base of the insects chin was enough to bring it's head upwards just enough that it was caught completely off guard by the lizards attack. In the following moment the insect would be sent toppling over to the grass caving in the ground and grass around it creating a small crater.

Rafael stood looking to the lizard for a moment. "Good attack." Rafael was going to say more or at least hope that the lizard was going to speak to him as he believed that the insect had been taken down when he heard the sound of the ground moving. Turning his head the panther once again was overcome with freight his ears moving backwards and the fur along his body spiked displaying his fear of the creature that seemingly couldn't be brought down. The insect took only a moment to stand back up on it's feet and turn to both of the beasts.

While it was back on it's feet and it seemed that Umaroth and Rafael's attacks had actually done very little there was evidence that this beast wasn't invincible. Green blood flowed down the lips of the insect dripping from his chin while a massive spread of cracks adorned the right side of it's face. It had been injured by the both of them which meant that it could be killed, but could they kill it before it managed to kill them. Rafael couldn't continue to stand in freight instead deciding that the best he could do was to give it everything he had as fast as he could and just continue until this thing was done for good.

So his feet digging into the grass Rafael focused his reiatsu to his feet and then in a flash disappeared. He'd reappear in front of the insect hunched downwards with his left side visible to Umaroth, but his right side hidden behind his own body. Rafael had used the speed gained from executing shunpo to deliver a powerful elbow to the center of the insect's stomach. The grass was torn apart as the insect had been pushed back by Rafael's attack a few inches yet still it stood. In fact it didn't look as if Rafael's attack had done anything to the insect.

Pulling his elbow back Rafael raised his right hand attempting to try and uppercut the insect to suddenly be sent crashing down onto the ground creating a small indent in the ground. The insect had slammed it's left arm down upon Rafael's hunched body preventing his uppercut from even getting close. In the following moment the insect kicked Rafael in the chest sending him flying backwards towards Umaroth only missing the large lizard by about two feet to his right. Rafael felt an overwhelming pain throughout his entire body now as multiple bones throughout his back and chest were now fractured or flat out broken.

The large feline now out of the picture the insect turned to stare at the lizard once again as the green blood continued to flow down it's chin. If Umaroth looked he would be able to see that while Rafael's attack hadn't done anything apparently serious it had indented the insect's stomach or whatever was covering it's stomach. He wouldn't have long to look though as the insect suddenly began to move it's stance changing from the seemingly untrained position to a mirror copy of what Rafael had used against it. In the next instant it moved forwards getting in close to Umaroth and then extending it's right hand in a straight punch directed at the lizard's face.

Remaining Reiatsu: 450/500
Shunpo: {-50}

[Deleted]

A surge of confidence and pride swelled up inside Umaroth when he witnessed his attack have an effect on this new enemy. Granted, Rafael had played a role in the success of the attack, but it seemed as though Umaroth's kick had been the one to have the most effect. The insect was sent flying towards the tree line, creating a ditch from where it collided with the ground yet had not quite stopped moving. Landing on his feet, causing the water he landed in to splash up around him, Umaroth raised his head with narrowed bright blue eyes at where the insect had landed. Rafael looked worse than when Umaroth had seen him last. The panther tried to speak to Umaroth, yet the reptile knew that this was no time for words. He knew the insect wasn't done yet.

His instincts did not lie to him. Sure enough the intruder began to rise again. Umaroth snarled, bending his legs and flexing his clawed fingers in anticipation, but it seemed that the panther hadn't had enough. He approached the insect and once in hopes of fighting it. Umaroth, though, stayed back. If Rafael wanted to fight then Umaroth wouldn't get in his way. In fact he would use this opportunity to analyze their opponent, learn his capabilities, and try to formulate a strategy around the best method of headbutting the hell out the problem.

The panthers primary fighting style was different than what Umaroth used. When it came to the lizard, he combined his speed with his power with, as a educated instructor would call it, his flailing. Umaroth didn't exactly have a martial art. He fought wildly, animal like, and it always seemed to work. He combined his tail with kicks, swipes, claws, and other sorts of attacks always keep an enemy on their toes. But what Rafael was doing was different. It was something far more...controlled. Manufactured. Human. Rafael wasn't fighting like a beast, and maybe that's why he was getting beaten down.

Sure enough, not entirely surprising Umaroth, Rafael was knocked back. He'd put on a good show against the insect, but in the end it was fruitless. The panthers limp body was sent flying past the lizard, those cold blue eyes remaining locked on the insect rather than turning to give a concerned glance at the other. Umaroth's eyes narrowed, however, when the insect began to make a stance imitating the same one that Rafael had just used. What was going on? Was this thing learning? Was it mimicking Rafael? Why? Umaroth found his legs bending at the knees, his tail rising up and slamming down into the water again.

Once again it approached, aiming to strike at Umaroths face with its right arm. While certainly faster than Umaroth, the lizard was not caught off guard like he had been before. So as that arm raced to meet his head, it would only scrap the right side of his head beneath his horn as the lizard ducked to the left, caused a string of blood to escaped from the torn scales. Dodging to the left so the insects arm was past his head and resting above his shoulder, Umaroth knew he only had one opportunity.

The fingers of his right arm clenched as the energy within his body was sent into them. The claws resting on the tips of each of his fingers glowed with a soft white light, before rapidly extending by a few inched. Steelfang. A technique that Umaroth mastered in his time in the white hell. A technique he mastered so he could best fight against the Hollows that lurked in the sand. But Steelfang was not all that Umaroth had planned. No, this was merely step one of a combo attack. What happened next was Umaroth deciding to reveal his own high speed technique.

Reiatsu flickered in his legs as he suddenly vanished for a moment, only to reappear practically slamming into the insect. Colliding with the insect at 3000 speed was surely to knock it off balance, but that was not the point of that attack. Umaroths arm, during the movement of the Shunpo, was lashed forward towards the insect. Using Shunpo was merely to close what was left of the distance. Umaroths Steelfang, being Mastered, increased the cutting strength of the affected bodily weapon by 25%. This meant that, for this attack, Umaroth had an offensive stat of 402. It put him on par with the insect. So it stood to reason that his clawed hand had no problem penetrating through the insects carapace and exiting out of its back.

Green and white mixed fluids dripped off of Umaroths hand and out the entry and exit wounds of the insect. It felt like Umaroth had slipped his hand through some disgusting wet puddy. Without skipping a beat, Umaroth decided to yet again use a Shunpo to backtrack. He aimed to go backwards, and in doing so rip whatever his hand could grab right out of the insect. Skidding across the water and creating some waves, Umaroth flicked his right arm and tossed aside the collection of gore and guts he ripped out of the insect.

Remaining Reiatsu: 980 / 1130
-100 for x2 Shunpo
-50 for Steelfang

[Rafael]

Slamming against the ground ocne again Rafael couldn't keep himself from gasping for air as his blood expelled from his mouth outwards onto the grass that was now torn apart beneath him. Everything that he could see was blurred at the moment and his entire body felt as if his father had been beating him throughout the night. He knew for sure that his left arm was broken yet that wasn't anything new as it had been the first thing this insect had succeeded at doing.

Now though after the second exchange between them Rafael could feel the damage that had been inflicted upon him by this insect. There was no doubt about it his right elbow was causing him a great deal of pain which meant that when he had been successful in striking the insect in its stomach he had also harmed his own body in the same instant. That was only the surface of the damage that his body had suffered in that last excahnge though as Rafael tried to move and could tell that at the moment movement was going to bring him pain that he couldn't even imagine.

He had been beaten throughout his entire life as a human and then killed yet even throughout all those years of abuse he wasn't ready to welcome the pain that was going to greet him if he forced himself to continue fighting for his new life. His chest felt as if it had been slashed apart and his heart was going to burst out of his chest. Not to mention that his back felt as if a car had fallen on top of him. Even trying to move his right arm was far more difficult then it had ever been as his shoulder was definitely fractured.

It didn't seem to make a difference though as Rafael looked out towards the lizard that was readily facing down the insect. Rafael was shocked to see the Muay Boran incomplete stance that he had just employed against the insect mimiced against the lizard. How was this possible? Muay Boran was a style that took constant practice and knowledge in order to employ correctly like manty martial art styles and yet the stance while incomplete was correct.

The exchange between both of the beasts then continued as the insect threw another punch towards the lizard that was evaded almost at the last second as it still grazed a fraction of his head causing his scales and part of his flesh to be torn off by the sheer strength of the insect. In the next instant though the lizard's body seemed to fade for a brief moment when in fact it had simply blurred so fast that Rafael had a hard time veiwing him. He was inside the guard of the insect now with his hand inside the gut of the insect.

Green blood flowing out of the wound that the lizard had just been abnle to inflict upon the insect utilizing the same method of attack that Rafael had done during his last attack. It seemed that this insect was finaly defeated and wouldn't be able to fight either of them or anyone else for that matter again. However, as the lizard would try to execute the movement technqiue that both he and Rafael had utilized against this insect so well he'd feel the flesh of the insect tighten around his arm with the insect's full strength virtually crushing the hand itself while it still remained in the insect and kept the lizard from moving backwards.

Umaroth would feel his hand being crushed by the muscle of the insect's gut that now surrounded his hand even as they were bloody and cut apart. If Umaroth looked at the insect's face he'd see the insect starring him in the eyes with a look of anger that hadn't yet been displayed. While Umaroth held the courage of an alpha this insect held the ruthlessness of a serial killer. Umaroth couldn't retrieve his hand from the gut of the insect at least not while he was flexing his muscles. The right arm was still upwards above Umaroth and now in the next instant that arm was moved downwaards as the insect brought his elbow down upon Umaroth's left shoulder.

The large lizard's shoulder would shatter breaking apart into multiple peieces leaving it virtually useless along with his left arm. He'd feel the full weight and force of the insect's arm coming down upon his body which would cause weakness in his legs as he'd struggle to stay on them. Umaroth's scales covering his shoulder were smashed practically falling off of his flesh. The insect didn't seem to finish his assault though as it quickly grasp Umaroth's head with its right hand and proceeded to toss him to the left towards Rafael with his full strength.

Unflexing his muscles only after his hand managed to grab ahold of his head Umaroth would be sent flying with the full force of the insects strength. This insect wasn't like any other Beast that either Rafael or Umaroth had come across throughout their lives and for whatever reason it wanted them dead. Trying to get back on his feet Rafael knew that the way things were going unless he and Umaroth worked together it didn't seem like either were going to survive.

Umaroth had managed to wound the insect much more than Rafael who had only dented it's shell and caused some minor damage to it's head while Umaroth had caused sever damage to the head and now the stomach area as well. The wound to the stomach was pouring with green blood down the lower section of its body as it slowly began to walk towards the both of them. This Beast wasn't dead yet, but without a doubt it should be dying which just meant that the two others just needed to stay alive.

[Deleted]

Pain. An explosion of pain struck him from multiple origins on his body. The torn flesh and scales on his head for one. And now his hand. When the insect tightened its muscles around Umaroths hand the reptile let out a roar of agony as the bones in his hand were crushed. However, that alone would not have deterred Umaroth. He would have continued the assault. He would have done something. But when that creatures hand came down on his left shoulder and the bones within shattered. Those cold blue eyes widened, and his knees buckled. Everything was flashing white for a moment. Umaroth saw stars and galaxies in his vision. He was dazzed. The pain left him dazed.

But the insect didn't give him a moment to recuperate. Umaroth felt his head being grabbed, and in what seemed to be the same moment was flung with substantial force through the air. Striking the ground with that shattered shoulder, Umaroth roared in pain when he landed. But despite how much he hurt, despite how agonizing it was to move, the reptile was back on his feet. His back too Rafael, both of his arms dangling limply, pulled by gravity. He wobbled for a second, his head still stuck in that daze of pain and shock. What was happening? Why wasn't it dead? An injury like that had to have been much more effective than simply angering the insect. Thick trails of blood dripped down the side of his head, from his shoulder were the scales had been ripped off from the impact of the insects strike.

He'd been in a situation like this before. Being on the losing end of a hard fight reminded him of something. It not only reminded him of that air headed otter, but it reminded him of that woman he met in that white hell. That woman he had challenged. That damn creature and its brambles. Umaroth found his jaws clenching together in anger, his body trembling as a result of the building ferocity. As he remembered that fight, the similar feeling of being backed into a corner, the words he swore to himself that day began to resonate within him once again. Those words he swore...remembering them was bringing something out.

Umaroth swore to himself on that day to never bow before another. He would rise to the top. He would not let another have any control over his life unless he allowed it. Umaroth would never have any other master but himself. It felt like a heat was coursing through his body. Something hot, something primal, something savage was crawling its way out of him in hopes of tasting the fresh air. Umaroths tail swung itself wildly through the air, before flicking backwards and slapping itself against Rafael and sending him further backwards away from Umaroth. Sure it might have hurt the panther, but for whatever reason Umaroth didn't want him getting caught up in what this fight was going to become.

Steam. It looked like steam rising off of the lizard. That ear shattering roar that produced waves of force was what came next, pushing away any loose gravel and even the water near his feet. It began with the sound of crunching bone. They'd see the reptile thickening, filling out, becoming larger. It may have only been by a few inches, but his tail grew by another foot becoming thicker as well. A second set of, smaller, horns grew out from the top of his head while his original pair lengthened, as did the set growing along his jawline. His feathers began growing and lengthening, stretching down further and reaching around his shoulders like a cowl. The scales on his body began thickening, enlarging and becoming a lighter shade than those on the rest of his body. It was almost like Umaroth had grown armor across his back, chest, face and neck.

That tail slammed itself through the air, slamming into the earth below and shattering the ground upon which he stood. Green, mist like, energy escaped from Umaroths once blue eyes that remained locked onto the insect. The reptiles Yaseishin had been released. Rafael, who would be behind Umaroth, would still feel it as strongly as the insect. The aura of intimidation that Umaroth possessed. It was no longer like they were looking upon a reptile. No, it was as if they were standing face to face with a full grown dinosaur. A king of the monsters. A growl escaped from Umaroth's mouth as he glared at the insect, before something strange occurred. His bleeding stopped. The insect, facing Umaroth, would notice it. The black and red substance that had suddenly covered the reptiles open wounds like a scab. Where did it come from? What was it?

Then came that mist. Umaroth was suddenly consumed within what looked like a particle-ly cloud. That cloud spread out five meters around the transformed creature. The reptile hissed, before vanishing from sight once again. Despite what both of the other Beast-Clansmen might think, he didn't suddenly appear in front of the insect. Instead he appeared behind the creature, a good few feet away, with his back to it. He used Shunpo to just...move past the left side of the insect? No doubt it would turn around to face Umaroth, perhaps in a state of confusion. Rafael might also be confused about what had just happened. But Umaroth wasn't. He may not have been able to use his arms, but he could still fight.

He inhaled before lifting his head high to the sky above him and roaring out loudly. As if on cue, the roaches form suddenly became covered in something. Like the black and red scab that had covered Umaroths wounds, the same material was suddenly growing all over the front and left side of the roach. Its torso, head, arm, leg, all of it was suddenly covered in this filth. And, when Umaroth roared, the growth made a hissing sound before it turned red. And exploded. The roaches body was torn apart, reduced to chunks of unattached guts and carapace, its bodily fluids being flung everywhere as a result of Umaroths Yaseishin ability.

The reptile turned to look at what remained of the roach. He turned to look at what remained of that corpse. He found himself making his way over to it, and planting that clawed foot on what remained of its head and pushing it further into the earth, before suddenly raising his leg up and stomping down on what remained, crushing and splattering it all over his foot. He did that a few more times, before letting out yet another roar up into the sky. As his victory roar neared its end, so did the changes to his body. The Yaseishin changes reversing themselves. The reptile lowered its gaze downwards to Rafael, looking at him for a few moments before beginning to make his way over to the beast. His tail flicking back and forth, Umaroth stopped a few feet from the panther and frowned. "You...still breath?" Umaroth asked, the exhaustion in his voice apparent.

Remaining Reiatsu: 720 / 1130
-200 for Yaseishin activation
-50 for Shunpo
-10 for Monitors Mold

[Rafael]

Rafael still laid upon the torn up grass of the ground that he had been flung down on by the insect that had seemingly defeated him with ease. He could barely move his body without feeling overwhelming pain that pushed him to his limitations on what he could handle. He wasn't even sure if he'd be able to stand upon his feet anymore. It wasn't because of the broken bones throughout his upper body although that was definitely a problem that would present itself if Rafael and the lizard that was also fighting off this insect managed to defeat it and survive. It was the sheer pain that he knew he'd have to experience that was keeping him from getting back up at the moment.

He had experienced pain throughout his entire known existence and yet knowing his limitations he knew it was more than likely that if he managed to get back up on his feet walking was going to be next to impossible and it was very likely that he'd pass out completely due to the extreme pain that would flood his consciousness. He couldn't help, but try though as he witnessed the exchange between the lizard that had been aiding him against the insect and the monster that was this strange beast. The lizard had appeared very strong from the first moment that Rafael had seen him and he had constantly proven that between the two of them he was much stronger, but this insect was proving that perhaps he was the dominant between them all.

Rafael watched as the insect managed to inflict wounds upon the lizard that Rafael knew would be causing him some incredible pain even if his body was different than what Rafael knew from his own body. However, the panther felt a surge of hope for survival as he witnessed the lizard successfully strike the insect managing to get his hand through the gut of the insect and seemingly defeat it. However, that hope was quickly extinguished as he was forced to watch the following moments of brutal pain. The lizard began to roar in pain for some reason that Rafael from the distance that he was currently at couldn't tell. Then he was struck with the elbow of the insect and even from the distance between them Rafael could make out the sound of the lizard's bones breaking apart.

How was this possible though? This insect was utilizing his limbs as if he was a practitioner of Muay Boran. Had he really learned how to utilize his body in such a way after only watching Rafael for a brief few moments? Such a thing didn't seem like it could be possible yet that was what Rafael was witnessing form the insect. In the following moment Rafael managed to roll over twice causing himself a grand deal of pain in order to get away from the lizard that was just thrown right towards him.

Rafael heard the sound of the lizard smashing into the ground right near him and figured that the lizard was going to be in a great deal of pain and suffer a great deal of damage himself now. Were they going to survive this insect or was it going to be able to kill them. Rafael didn't think he could do anything to survive anymore yet pushing himself he tried his best to stand once again taking much longer than the lizard to get back up. However, it didn't seem to do him any good as just as he managed to get back on his feet Rafael felt the tail of the lizard smack into him sending him backwards off his feet and onto his back.

Howling in pain from the broken back that he was suffering as it came smashing down onto the ground Rafael didn't have the chance to see the shifting change of the lizard that was in front of him. He was to busy coughing up blood as he tried to turn over onto his stomach once again and witness what was going on. Once he managed to though he saw that the lizard was much bigger and now as it disappeared he starred over at the insect knowing that if nothing else this battle between the both of them was one that he could no longer participate in.

The insect had been starring at the lizard as it released it's hidden power growing in size and releasing the green aura. However, for whatever reason the insect hadn't done anything and when the lizard disappeared only to reappear a moment later behind the insect as the mold grew upon the body of the insect it didn't seem like it was going to do anything. Yet just as the lizard began to roar once again causing the explosion of all the mold that had grown over the body of the insect something happened. The insect moved at it's full speed it's right arm moving backwards elbowing the lizard in his gut with his full strength.

Even as the explosion occurred and the insect was finally destroyed saving the both of them Umaroth the lizard was without a doubt in terrible pain as there was much more damage now throughout his upper body. That didn't seem to matter though as he walked over towards Rafael who continued to try getting back up onto his feet fighting the very intentions of his body. Umaroth then as he managed to reach a few feet away asked Rafael if he was still alive or not as it was fairly apparent as he was trembling as he attempted to get back on his feet.

"Me fine. . . . Just Hurt." Rafael spoke in a shallow voice filled with obvious pain as even speaking and breathing was now causing him pain as his organs expanded inside of his injured chest. He had taken far to much damage to actually be able to continue on his journey throughout the wilderness. He had been planning on adventuring throughout the wilderness experiencing so much yet at the moment simply standing was beyond his abilities. Rafael didn't really like the idea of asking, but it didn't seem he'd have any other choice. "Stay here . . . till better."

[Deleted]

Shitpost but progressive shitpost

Umaroth frowned. Rafael was able to speak at least, but even without a medical training Umaroth could tell that the panther was not in good shape. Granted, neither was the reptile. Blood continued to drip from the side of his head, free of the mold scabbing it up. Small red beads escaped between his jaws from where he coughed some up, the metallic taste still ringing on his tongue, from when the insect elbowed him. His left shoulder was broken, as was his right hand. Neither of them were in good shape. Only difference was...Umaroth was still on his feet. Umaroth prevailed where Rafael and the insect had failed. He blinked, those cold blues vanishing for a second as he focused on remaining on his feet. "You will die." Umaroth suddenly said, his footsteps being the only sound from him afterwards. Rafael would die if left like that.

So what the reptile did, in a uncharacteristic show of care, was wrap his tail around Rafaels torso carefully. The panther would suddenly be lifted off the ground, regardless if it hurt him or not, and in silence the reptile started walking. For whatever reason he didn't want to see this panther die. Perhaps it was because they had just survived such an ordeal together that caused Umaroth to want to make sure the panther lived. But there was another reason. A sinking feeling he had about what they had just encountered. So he walked with the other beast clan held tightly in his tail, heading across the lake towards the village of Rukongai spirits that lived along his lakes shore.

Needless to say, seeing the being these people referred to as Naga suddenly waltzing into the village caused quite the shock. People dropped their things, stopped what they were doing, and stared dumstruck at their guardian deity who was actively bleeding and carrying an unidentified creature in his tail. Laying Rafael down on the ground, Umaroth stepped away from him before looking at the collection of startled people. "Care for him. Let him rest and heal. When he heals, tell him...to look for Naga. So...says Naga." Umaroth told them, feeling a little weird using the name these people had given him to issue a command to them. Regardless of questions, Umaroth would turn away from them and slowly make his way back towards the lake.

The water lapping at his legs, he grumbled softly to himself before submerging himself entirely and vanishing into his lakes depths. Exhaustion, shock, and pain finally reached their limits as Umaroth collapsed into the bottom of the lake, eyes shut tightly. He didn't need his arms to swim, but he knew that it would be awhile for him to heal. Awhile indeed. The reptile passed out on the bottom of the lake, but had no fear of drowning due to his natural instincts taking care of him. He would wake up and surface for air when the need arrived.

--------

A week later, Umaroth finally pulled himself from his lake. Water stuck to him, pouring off of him like mini waterfalls as he emerged from the depths. He was sore. His shoulder and arm, as well as his torso, were annoyingly sore. He couldn't move either of those limbs properly yet, but was satisfied enough at his recovery to move. Walking by the totem erected in his likeness by the spirits, he dragged himself into the Rukongai village before sitting. The night air was cool, but relaxing. The reptile closed his eyes, waiting to see if after a week Rafael was capable of moving. If he was even still here. If the spirits did what he'd asked and took care of him.

[Rafael]

Rafael tried to stay concious above all else yet as the lizard wrapped his long tail around his chest Rafael felt the squeezing of the tail around his chest that would enable the lizard to lift him off the ground. From what he could tell at the moment this lizard was either going to kill him or move him some place else. For a brief moment Rafael tried to fight off the tail that was now around him, but as he was lifted off the ground he felt unimaginable pain throughout his chest as his bones were misplaced by the tail that now was wrapped around him.

The pain proved to be to much for Rafael as after a few moments the large feline slipped into darkness his mind submerging itself in order to protect itself from the pain. Rafael's body didn't move much after that simply remaining limp as Umaroth moved from the edge of the lake that he deemed his home to the Ruckongai district that was on the other side. There Rafael was left to be healed by the spirits that seemed to serve Umaroth either from fear or protection. Many of the people would tend to Rafael making sure that his injuries were at least put back into the rightful places.

----------

Six days later late in the dead of night Rafael would awake in one of the homes or rather shakes that the Ruckongai was formed from with a fire near him and two seperate bowl beside him. One bowl held water while the other had what was left of a soup. Rafael knew that someone perhaps the lizard had moved him to wherever he was currently, but he had no clue who had been taken care of him while he slept. His back and chest were still sore yet somehow the bones had reforgued themselves together while remaining fractured yet unbroken. His arm was much the same he could move it yet pain was still more than apparent as he did.

However, there was a problem that Rafael quickly realized. He heard what sounded like voices on the outside of the shack that he was currently in and after forcing himself back up onto his feet Rafael drinking the remaining water and soup in both bowls slowly moved to the doorway of the shake and peer outside. There they were humans two of them speaking to one another about something with their backs to the shack. Rafael although he hadn't seen a human since arriving in this second life didn't trust them.

In his experience humans were harsh and unforgiving individuals that almost never did anything for the good of it. He didn't know why, but his stomach felt hot as he peered at the both of them and realized that what he was feeling was the same sensation he got when thinking of his father. He hated them. Not wishing to stay in an area with them Rafael quietly left the shack and proceeded away from the lake and Ruckongai district back into the wilderness of Soul Society. He wished to continue his adventure and if he happened to come upon that lizard again he'd thank him.

[Johnwaluigi]

+485 CTP to both participants