Dark Path and Paradise Come to an End

[Ash]

In the thick of the forest, a clearing 30 yards wide, lay a mound of horrible stench. A large body of gigantic portion laid very still. Its arm twisted and crooked, and bloody sat motionless as if it were about to heave the large mass up once more. The ugly head, bulbous nose, long ears, mis-match shaped eyes frozen in fear, crooked teeth gritting still, and long dreadlocks of dirty hair, leaves, and branches gather loosely around the severed neck, sits a few feet away. The body itself was barely covered, missing its head, and both legs. Each leg was as thick as boulders and two stories tall, however one was cut at the knee, and one had been severed mid-calf. These limbs had fallen backwards where the whole body had fallen forward where it laid now, however 5 more legs and and an arm were scattered about around the forest up to this point. Marking the path Ash's battle with the troll had taken them.

On top of the massive corpse sat Ash herself. The tiefling was covered in the brackish gore, her mock royal dress torn half off her body by the troll's fist, the shreds of it still clutched in the severed arm waved in the light breeze as the shadow walked towards her. She had her comm's viewing device out, watching the last match in the Colosseum that had brought them out here in the first place, her tail swinging lazily behind her. The sun was setting already, the bright orange light warmed her bruised colored skin as it reflected off the gaping slashes in her side. Battle marked her body regularly, but these were freshly made from the thick of bushes she'd dove into to escape a hit by the troll's club.

By the time he reached her, Jaixe would be wadding through the suffocating stench of a dead troll, which was somehow worse than when it had been alive. He himself had taken care of the humans, their bodies cluttered up the beautiful surrounding area of this noxious place. At least he didn't feel like vomiting anymore, other than the troll corpse.

She didn't look up, but Ash knew her companion was there. Mostly because her connection to his cell was much deeper than he even knew. "We missed the tournament.." She said in a calm voice. "But I have it all recorded for you. I sent them to you already." He was quiet as he checked his phone, Ash glanced over and watched him as he did it. The wind picked up again, brushing his dark hair out of his face while the light of his device bounced off his unique orange eyes. The handsome heartless checked how many files there were, or she assumed that's what he was looking for, then pushed the communication device into the folds of his outfit somewhere out of sight.

"We should split up for a bit.. If that captain was important at all they will be investigating his disappearance. It's unlikely that we can actually blame it on the troll since it is dead as well. Either way.. I have other things to attend to it would seem. I already got rid of what was left of his platoon.." He meant to talk to them peacefully, but they attacked him on sight. "Try to get some information around this verse, anything relative to what we were researching in the libraries, and pass it to me. It was... Interesting working with you, Ash." With that he turned back around and began walking in the opposite direction he had taken to get to her. And then he was gone.

Ash watched him leave with disinterest deep in her face, but she was actually sad to see him go. Not many people meshed with her as well as he did.

The tiefling went back to her phone and finished the last fight, only because she had to to cut the line she strung with the other phones and devices at the tournament. She sent him the last video as she did the other's and then stood up. By this time the sky was the color of royal purples and neon pinks, stars dotting the sky, and the moon looming faintly in the atmosphere. It reminded her of the clubs she either frequently visited for entertainment, or danced on the tables as the entertainment. 

The half naked girl grabbed the rope to the hook, yanked it free of the cold dead body of her troll, and started to swing it. It whipped gently near her ear for a few seconds, the sun bringing light to her eyes and for a moment she looked to have golden embers for eyes. Then she tossed the hook to the nearest tree, tugged for it's stability, and then swung off her mountain and into the wilds of Camelot.

---

Days later Ash hadn't found any secret paths to the other verses, but she managed to find her horse and go into town. Even in her repaired clothing, royal purples, slimming blacks, and deep red lips. She still stood out far too much for their liking. Apparently the purplish blue hues of her skin, the horns sticking out of her head, pointed ears and teeth, and the devil's tail was off putting to humans no matter what era of time you are in. Despite her disturbing appearance, she found plenty of people who would talk to her and answer her questions. With the locals help, she found her way onto the floating island. She also found a place to leave her horse. 

Ash, now dressed in typical adventure gear of leather straps, gloves, and boots; all adorned with metal buckles or studs, she ventured towards her destination.