[The Bizarre] The Hammer and the Snake (Bones)

[Arros Angerforge]

Timestamp: Summer 16, 511 AV Standing at the back of the inconspicuous forge in the that remained in a corner of the Bizarre, Arros was working, his muscles tensed as each pound thrown with his sacred hammer impacted the burning metal that rested on the anvil. He had been working here in this little blacksmith for a few days, a trial of sorts for the human owner that would inevitably flog Arros's makings to the people that wondered by. Kitrean Krafts was the main blacksmith here in Alvadas and the primary source of trade goods from the kingdom of Sultros, it also got the majority of the sales. Weapons, armour, even the very tools that was need to create such items was on sale at the popular Isurian forge. With a high demand for such creations, this gave an opportunity for young budding smiths to put there skills to the test but to Arros's luck it wasn't meant to be, being full apprentices, this forced Arros's to find another employer, the employer found however, just so happened to be the one that paided in peanuts, remained idle all day and let his apprentice, in this case Arros, do all the work that strained one's body and thought's to the limit. The forge that remained at the back of the shop was dirty and uncared for. Unclean tools and a vast amount of grime, littered ever nook and cranny that was there. This didn't bother Arros however, he loved the hard work that filled his days, he thought it as a good experience. He was the master of the forge in this place, the owner was concerned with only the profits that Arros's items could fetch. The day was around noon and Arros's just completed over half a dozen knives from dawn. Bashing the metal with his hammer to a fine point, sharpening the blades on the large grindstone and fitting the hilt, blade and guard together to create the weapons, is what comprised of his morning. The daggers weren't the best of quality, infact they were pretty bad, but they were dead cheap and still possessed a edge sharp enough to slit open someone's throat. "Isur!!" the fat, budgey owner screamed with strain to his piggish voice not bothering to call Arros by name. He stank of a mixture of cheap aftershave and sweat that was far from pleasant to ones nose, he wore elaborate silks of green and blue that did nothing to cover up his grotesque stomach that bulged from the continuous consumption of food and wine. "I'm going for a break!" he shouted as Arros revealed himself out of the forge entrance, muscles hard and pronounced from the labour. "You will remain here and look after MY.. stock, while tending to the needs of the paying customers! " the ugly man cruelly grinned showing his dirty yellow teeth. Arros starred expressionlessly as he saw at the obese pig waddle off around the corner. Sitting on a black wood stool just outside next to the weapons and armour for sale, he swung his hammer between his dense, hard Isurian hands, starting at the passers by with a cold gaze.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones slowly walked through the Bizarre, looking at the various goods. He did not often come this way, as he preferred to use what he already had, and to hunt for his own food. There was not enough around to make a living as a hunter, but there was enough to supplement his diet with some fresh meat. But know the city had led him to the bizarre, and he was not one to fight such a thing. Maybe he was to buy something, and see what he might need that the city knew before he did.... Or maybe e would meet another person, as it often through him into new acquaintances... He did like Alvadas, as people seemed a bit more understanding. In some places, and cities, just being a dhani would be enough to be followed everywhere he went... And if anyone mysteriously went missing, they assumed he was the one involved... But no so much here. The city was full of odd things and sights... And if someone disappeared from here, it usually involved wandering into a magical maze, or falling into a bottomless pit... Going by a small smithies shop, Bones looked at the wares. There were some cheaply made items, nothing he really found interesting. And his trusty gladius on his back was enough weapon for him... He self consciously darted out his tongue, tasting at the air, the mixture of coal from the forge, the sweat off peoples bodies... And the hint of metal in the air... His tongue was one of his few tells that he was a dhani, though even with that most would not connect that he was one. His eyes though... Anyone who knew of dhani would know from one look into his eyes. They were a distinct bright silver color, not normal in most... And he had a vertical black slit, also showing his animalistic nature... But how many people knew of dhani around here?

[Arros Angerforge]

Boring and a waste of time was just a few of the words that could describe what Arros felt, He wasn't used to the social side of the business, that part was left to the con artists and the liars that created false promises of unattainable feats and faith in there products, no.. Arros was a true worker, the one that would spend days in and days out, perfecting his craft, creating things lesser men could only dream of. Glimmering armour and deadly weapons was only the starting point of what Arros wanted to create, the pinnacle of his future creations was far off but it could change Alvadas, Kalea and possibly the whole continent of Mizahar itself and not for the better. In the Bizarre that day, there was a vast array of people, different races and different beliefs co-existed harmoniously that day. Ragged and dirty street urchin's played at the sidelines, keeping a keen eye on those that looked vulnerable and weak enough to be pick pocketed. Rich nobles wandered around with an autocratic posture, looking at the finest of wares, clad in the best cloths and adorned with gold, silver and the most beautiful jewels to grace the streets of Alvadas. Still swinging the hammer with his muscle-bound arms that complemented his appearance, Arros still kept a wary eye out for thieves or thugs. Arros was big for an Isurian but small compared to other races, however his physical appearance of muscle and power and hard expressionless facial features, still gave off an intimidating demeanour that could match, the toughest of men, despite his lack of height. Scanning the area of his post, he noticed one particular human, he was very strange, even more so strange that the weird place that was the Bizarre. This was the city of illusions but this was surely real. The weird human had the most peculiar eyes, a silvery colour like his own but it came with black vertical slit, not normal in anything Arros had seen before. Another weird instance that the human flick out its tongue almost like a snake. Every action this man made, emitted, to what Arros felt, a sinister and disturbing aura. A man with such a menacing atmosphere couldn't of been friendly. Arros was an unemotional husk of an Isur that was known for showing no feelings and no remorse, but this rare sensation chilled his blood. Gripping his hammer tight, Arros starred at the supposed man with cold eyes, closely monitoring his every move.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Walking amongst the wares of the smithy, Bones inspected the various things. He picked up a few things, looking them over, feeling there weight.... Though nothing really seemed to be finely crafted... Nothing to make a big deal over... It was mostly just done well enough to stay together... Probably mass produced by some smith who sat hammering away all day at the same form with his metal.. Making one after another... Not really the type of thing you wanted to use in combat. Though the blade he used was a bit odd. He did not really know were it came from, besides that his father won it as spoils from a battle. It was a bit odd, that the hilt was not as a normal one of its type. At first glance you might not even realize it was a weapon... For the hilt had been carved out of some odd type of dense bone, which was nearly as hard as if it were made of metal, and of the same weight as if it was... Obviously not just any common bone... Most likely taken from some monster or creature... It was shaped to look like a normal hilt, but the fact that it did not glint in the light showed that it was made out of another substance... Sometimes Bones wondered what beast it could have been taken from... What had such dense bones as that, to be nearly as hard as metal? Looking around, he noticed a smith who was eying him... He was not doing anything, so why was he so suspicious? Well he would just mind his own business, and try to ignore the man, quickly looking away... oocI think that should set you up pretty well to be angry at me... If you inspect that sword hilt a bit closer...

[Arros Angerforge]

OOCSorry if this is a bit confusing or rubbish, I thought it as it being made out of Isurian bone, I hope Thats what you were hinting at . Arros continued to watch the man as he lifted up the various items, a dagger seemed to catch the odd man's attention, lifting up it seemed he was inspecting the attributes, the weight of the blade, the balance and the sharpness was all crucial. Arros wasn't going to kid himself, weapons that are mass produced are very cheap but they quality is usual was so bad that only a measliest assassin would be desperate enough to by one. This man looked weird but he easily could tell what a good blade looked like and the dagger he picked up certainly wasn't good, the blade was crude and dull and the hilt had been hastily wrapped in leather. Arros wasn't paid well enough to create a spectacularly balanced weapon with a keen edge, that would cost someone extra. Paranoia settled in as he began to think of reasons for someone like this, acting as weird as he was around an Isur. Still keeping a weary eye on the man, he noticed the sword that was strapped tightly to him, a very good make of sword, he must of paid well to obtain such a blade. The only thing wrong was the hilt, not made of wood or metal, it appeared to be made of some kind of bone. Bone hilts being especially rare are not commonly seen on weapons, unable to withstand the impact from a blow, they would shatter. This bone however had an aura that felt different, it felt dense and hard much like his own bones inside his body. Isurian bones are known to be very dense and as strong, if not stronger than many metals in Mizahar and can withstand an immense about of punishment for not only the pressure from a strike but from the elements such as fire itself. Anger grew inside Arros, a process that became hard to stop. Anger became something of a trademark for Arros. When he was a boy, he used to have uncontrollable episodes of rage that caused devastation. Being ridiculed in Sultros for this didn't help either as it became easier and easier for these moments to occur. Arros quietly rose from his seat, gripping his hammer tightly, his eyes held a rage that almost seemed eternal, Arros knew that the hilt was made out of Isurian bone, his gut feelings conformed it, why else would a snake like man be strange around him and throw menacing glances? Maybe he had a taste for the flesh or just liked the sport, whatever it was though, Arros would see to it that it never happened again. Roaring in with fury, Arros swung his sacred hammer straight down vertically, aiming for the monsters head. Be it was Isurian bone or flesh he wanted, he'd have to fight for it.

[Ssafirsotibones]

OOCThat is what I was going for, I just did not want to be blunt about it. Though just so you know, Bones has no idea what it is made of. His father got it from a Myrian he killed in Falyndar on the field of battle, and his dad did not know either. As Bones walked along, he minded his own business, about ready to leave as there was not really anything here he wanted. However his attention was grabbed by a man coming at him screaming, getting ready to heave a sword down at his head. Well one thing was for sure, he had no care for stealth... Before he could even wonder what was going on, or what this was about, Bones dived to the side, narrowly avoiding the hammer as it dropped, leaving a large crack in the ground. If the shout had not warned him, that most likely would have been his skull! He had no time to plull out his gladius, and tried to put a display case between himself and the man, as he let out a dhani curse loudly, saying "Shashassen" Grabbing at anything in his reach, he started to pick things up, and chuck them at the man, using the most basic style of brawling most would ever care to see, things like a stool, some rusty daggers, and a horseshoe, a few of which actually ended up going near to the target. Though as this happened, the other man might notice how hard the things were being thrown. For even though he looked rather skinny and to be close to a human, he was actually much stronger than one, over twice the strength of a normal man... Not that a hit would do much if something did strike the Isur, due to what he was choosing to chuck at him. Really he was just using this as a distraction to put distance between the man and himself, and perhaps give him some room to pull out his weapon.

[Arros Angerforge]

Increasing the pace after his enemy, Arros started to grit his teeth. His muscles began to bulge showing of his pronounced, striking red veins that was present on his left arm. Arros was angry, there was nothing that could console him when he got into a rage state. Ignoring the items being thrown at a surprising speed and level of power. He swung wildly at the man, narrowly missing some onlookers that screamed with anxiety. Arros even managed to use his hammer to hit the dangerous items that had been dislodged at him out of his direction. "You think you can kill my people and flog your trophy to everyone!!" Arros roared uncontrollably as the fires raged in his eye. "I am going to shatter every bone in your body!!" he screamed as he chased after the man, running through and battering his way past the stalls. Again, he crashing his hammer into the direction of the man narrowly missing him, instead Arros hit the wooden stalls that littered the sides of the Bizarre, splinters of wood and merchants wares flew through the air as the hammer smashed the tables. The impact of the hits made a sickening breaking sound that resounded through the marketplace. Beggar and noble alike shuddered in fear as the furious Isur chased after the man that had lightning quick reflexes. Every attack thrown was evaded as the man dodged every single blow, vertical, horizontal and every other direction of attack was barely but skilfully evaded, it was almost as the man, taunted and humiliated Arros, this increased the Isur's anger to incomprehensible levels. The hammer that he had in his hand, was made of a rare stone substance, that was only found in Sultros, It was unconventionally made, as the hilt was made of cold iron and wrapped in a strange leather that reflected the light. It was used for all of Arros's blacksmithing and weaponsmithing endeavours, the most unique thing however was, it was used as a weapon as much as a tool, no other hammer like this existed, at least to Arros's knowledge. "You cant escape!! MY WRATH!!" Arros finished while fizzing with anger, still running after his adversary, hoping to avenge his Isurian comrade, whos bones presided in the hilt of the weird man's sword.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Another thing was for sure, this Isur could not control his rage, or himself when he got into a frenzy. That was a clear distinction between the two of them. When Bones got into a rage, he would frenzy, much like an animal, doing whatever it took to stay alive and be the victor. However this guy.... he just flailed around and tried to swing randomly... Most likely if he were to calm down, he would be a lot more effective. But luckily for Bones, he was not calm, but all worked up, letting his anger cloud his judgement, reason, and fighting. Though regardless of what happened, Bones was NOT going to be the one paying the bill to repair all of this damage... Bones though had no idea what was going on, all he had been doing was shopping, browsing a shops wares... "What are you talking about? Who did I kill? And what people? I have no trophy?..." The truth of Bones statement would be easily visible across his face, as he was confused over the entire thing. What exactly had he done to insight this rage? Though Bones did think it was a bit odd about the escaping the wrath thing, since the only reason he was escaping was due to the wrath... Finally he managed to pull out his gladius, keeping it between the two of them. It was not all that big, but he could still try to use it to deflect any blows, and to try to keep the wild isur at bay. Though in the temper he was in, there was a good chance it would have no effect, and he would charge on regardless of injury. This was yet another gap in the understanding Bones had for these humans... He just did not understand the way that there heads worked.... A dhani would never act this way... Though in truth a dhani would probably just come back later and kill him in his sleep... Maybe it was better it was not a dhani... For know Bones was not to angry, but if something did not change quick, he was going to start getting into a frenzy himself and have to start fighting back for his life. And when that happened, he usually ended up killing someone... Though in this case the other guy did start it... Though he still preferred to not go around killing people...

[Arros Angerforge]

Arros had cornered him, cornered him between a stone wall and the crowd of people that stood around, confused at what set this whole incident off. Mothers clasped they're hands around they're children's eyes to block out any gruesome occurrences that could happen between the two, even the merchants whose wares had been destroyed dared not intervene. Encircling the other man, Arros grunted, his anger subsiding but still a major presence within him. "You dont know much about Isur, do you?!" he shouted at his rival with his deep voice. "You really thing that blade can damage me?!" he threw down his hammer with a large thud to the ground. "Isur skin has the density and toughness to withstand more than feeble swords, We can forge with our bare hands!" he remorselessly laughed with a slight grin. This was one of the only times Arros had even grinned. "I need no weapon to rip you apart!" he roared, while slowly walking towards the snake like man, cracking his knuckles for the pain to come. Stopping just infront of his enemy, his eyes flared over with a sea of fire. Arros then quickly grabbed the blade of the strange sword that was trying to create distance between the two. With a quick yank, he threw it to the floor. No blood was present as Arros remarkably remained unscathed from tightly grabbing the keen edge that was the sword. This was something all Isur had, very tough resilient hides, that resembled there mountain homes in attribute, it took a very sharp blade and alot of power to pierce, cut or maim Isurian skin. "You made a weapon out of an Isur's bones, now im going to make one out of yours!" he crudely shouted while quickly getting into position. Picking up his guard with his hands, Arros going into a stance that he learned when he was boxing back in his younger years on the streets of Sultros. Pivoting his right foot to the left, he swung for his opponents head with a steel-hard Isurian fist. All the momentum moved through his legs, up his thighs and eventually to the point of his fist, this gave the punch alot more power than striking from the arms and ultimately far greater damage if connected. The fight with the weapons had ended, the fight with the hands and body begun.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones had had enough... He had tried to avoid a fight... He did not need to be in trouble for another death... But he was not going to let himself be killed either. As he was backed into a corner, he would drop off his robes, and kick off his sandals... Looking at the man, he stared him down, still holding out his weapon... Then he started to transform into his dhani form... Though unlike a kelvic, his transforming was not instantaneous, it took about 30 seconds... At first nothing would be noticed, though his features were becoming oddly wax-like and malleable... The isur said something about a blade, and then tossed down his own hammer... Then he yanked out the sword from Bones grip, tossing it aside... By then his body was expanding, a few stitches on his shirt tore... His legs were starting to extend, and get longer.... Still he stared him down, as his transformation slowly took hold... His shirt and pants ripped, as his neck elongated and his features flattened... His legs joined into one long tail, which continued to stretch out and get more and more narrow... Finally both pieces of clothing the shirt and pants were ruined as they ripped in half... He was obviously no longer human, and his snakelike qualities would be showing.... His face was completely flat... With two flat holes for nostrils... His eyes remained the same, though the skin around it... He now was covered mostly in silver scales, with a black and blue pattern down his back... He still had a human torso and arms, but he had the neck and head of a snake, along with the tail of one... From tail to snout, if stretched out, he would come to a bit over twenty two feet long... And the raw power... His arms were almost bulging with it... He looked like he could rip a man in half with nothing but his two hands... He had the raw strength equivalent to nearly five men... Which was surely much more than any man could muster... Possibly even an isurian... "I made no weapon, my fasser took this already made blade from the field of battle, from a myrian he killed... He gifted it to me when I left home... I have no battle with you..." Bones watched as the Isur readied himself, and he did the same. Though he did not have skill in boxing like he did, he was still skilled in fighting hand to hand. He had skills in both unarmed combat and wrestling, quite the useful combination... And his body was increased by working out with bodybuilding, along with his normally enhanced strength of a dhani. And one thing Bones did have over the Isur in this fight was range. And bones had much longer reach than he did. Bones would use one hand to push aside the mans blow, redirecting the punch instead of trying to stop it. And then he moved forward, trying to pounce on the man, trying to wrap his arms and tail around him, and constricting it. For he was a constrictor, and crushing things in there coils was what they did best... Though considering how dense the Isur was, he was in little immediate danger of being strangled or crushed... Though he would still have his movement hampered by the constricting force and weight. And who knew if his body would hold even hard as it was if Bones struck it at full force a few times... His head near the mans ear, he whispered some calming words into it... "I have no need to fight... I never wronged you..." Though his reasoning was slowly declining... As his instincts kicked in... Slowly Bones was losing control... And losing the ability to stop himself from losing it and giving in.... He fought the desire to rip out throats... To crush bodies and swallow there flesh whole... Trying to keep this fight from going to far... While he still could... Fighting as he always did to keep his dhani side in check... No one realized how hard he worked to do so...