04-13-2017, 07:13 PM
Two Hours Earlier
The symbiotic relationship that had formed was wonderful. Between Zenith and the leopard, there was a perfect synergy, one that did not involve complex emotions or a drive to do anything. The run they had embarked on an hour ago was still underway, though the pace had slowed considerably. The she-leopard was panting, gulping down air filtered through the mask-like structure the slime had created. Zenith had lowered the adrenaline, and constantly reduced the lactic acid buildup in the beast's muscles, staving off fatigue.
Sudden stop; they had come to a road block. The path they traveled, in between two steep hills, was blocked by a solitary guard. The massive mound of meat had tusks, despite appearing mostly humanoid. Zenith had never met such a creature and the leopard did not know language, so it could not gleam much from her. They stalked from a distance, peering at the ugly monstrous man-thing. It did not look pleasant. Its face littered with scars, the numerous grimy furs draped over its shoulders and tied around its waist were filthy. The crude but massive club in its hand rested idly against the ground. The creature was clearly ready for a fight.
A moment of peering and a sudden urge rises from the leopard. She had taken notice of a particular pelt. It was that of a snow leopard. Zenith had been probing memories from the leopard, and it recognized from them the pattern on the pelt. It was one of her cubs. Through this symbiotic relationship, there was a feedback. Suddenly, the leopard remembered this as well. Rage filled the beast's mind. Zenith could not maintain the mental bond for long, lest it suffer mentally.
Enforcing her control, the leopard rushed the troll. She was not quiet, the adrenaline and dopamine running through her clouded the predator's better judgement. The troll spotted her immediately. Just as the massive feline leaps, claws bared, the troll lifts his mighty club and swings. The bulk of wood connects to the Symbiote's left side, absorbing most of the damage, but the impact sent it sideways. They slam into the side of the wall. The twin impacts leave Zenith's host veering. The Symbiote insisted they turn back, but all mental connection had been severed.
The troll comes in for a second swing, aiming straight down towards the leopard's head. As quickly as the battle had begun, a sickening Crunch ended it. The troll chuckled at the twitching mass at his feet. Reaching down, he attempts to clutch the odd creature by the throat. Still in shock from the situation and new injuries, the creature replied as instinct instructed. It slithered from the deceased host to the new potential candidate.
Grunts and a confused look were the troll's response to this odd slithering mass. He let go, but Zenith was already clinging to his arm. He goes to wipe it off, as if it were just splattered blood. The moment he does, after dropping his club, there is an instant wave of regret. The creature is now creeping up both arms. Confused, startled and not the brightest of trolls, he struggles. With all his might, the troll riped his arms free, one by one, before slamming the pitiful creature on the ground.
He grabbed the club from the snow and grips it solidly between two hands. The trembling ball of slime was still stunned as the club rose up, then came down with an arc. The troll laughed mockingly as the club dug into the snow, slamming into the Symbiote's side, and sending it rocketing away. The corpse of the she-leopard was left behind after the Troll's powerful line drive sent it sailing further up the mountain.
The symbiotic relationship that had formed was wonderful. Between Zenith and the leopard, there was a perfect synergy, one that did not involve complex emotions or a drive to do anything. The run they had embarked on an hour ago was still underway, though the pace had slowed considerably. The she-leopard was panting, gulping down air filtered through the mask-like structure the slime had created. Zenith had lowered the adrenaline, and constantly reduced the lactic acid buildup in the beast's muscles, staving off fatigue.
Sudden stop; they had come to a road block. The path they traveled, in between two steep hills, was blocked by a solitary guard. The massive mound of meat had tusks, despite appearing mostly humanoid. Zenith had never met such a creature and the leopard did not know language, so it could not gleam much from her. They stalked from a distance, peering at the ugly monstrous man-thing. It did not look pleasant. Its face littered with scars, the numerous grimy furs draped over its shoulders and tied around its waist were filthy. The crude but massive club in its hand rested idly against the ground. The creature was clearly ready for a fight.
A moment of peering and a sudden urge rises from the leopard. She had taken notice of a particular pelt. It was that of a snow leopard. Zenith had been probing memories from the leopard, and it recognized from them the pattern on the pelt. It was one of her cubs. Through this symbiotic relationship, there was a feedback. Suddenly, the leopard remembered this as well. Rage filled the beast's mind. Zenith could not maintain the mental bond for long, lest it suffer mentally.
Enforcing her control, the leopard rushed the troll. She was not quiet, the adrenaline and dopamine running through her clouded the predator's better judgement. The troll spotted her immediately. Just as the massive feline leaps, claws bared, the troll lifts his mighty club and swings. The bulk of wood connects to the Symbiote's left side, absorbing most of the damage, but the impact sent it sideways. They slam into the side of the wall. The twin impacts leave Zenith's host veering. The Symbiote insisted they turn back, but all mental connection had been severed.
The troll comes in for a second swing, aiming straight down towards the leopard's head. As quickly as the battle had begun, a sickening Crunch ended it. The troll chuckled at the twitching mass at his feet. Reaching down, he attempts to clutch the odd creature by the throat. Still in shock from the situation and new injuries, the creature replied as instinct instructed. It slithered from the deceased host to the new potential candidate.
Grunts and a confused look were the troll's response to this odd slithering mass. He let go, but Zenith was already clinging to his arm. He goes to wipe it off, as if it were just splattered blood. The moment he does, after dropping his club, there is an instant wave of regret. The creature is now creeping up both arms. Confused, startled and not the brightest of trolls, he struggles. With all his might, the troll riped his arms free, one by one, before slamming the pitiful creature on the ground.
He grabbed the club from the snow and grips it solidly between two hands. The trembling ball of slime was still stunned as the club rose up, then came down with an arc. The troll laughed mockingly as the club dug into the snow, slamming into the Symbiote's side, and sending it rocketing away. The corpse of the she-leopard was left behind after the Troll's powerful line drive sent it sailing further up the mountain.