The Howling

“Crap.” Biofao said as he clutched his stomach, him and Auron went to the Goblin shop in Lower Jeuno for some Goblin drinks. “You have that pain in your stomach too?” Aur asked as he looked at him. Bio nodded, whatever it was they were given, it sure was a bad batch of it. Paxxtix had asked them what would they like to drink, and he said give me whatever the Goblin special is today, and boy did they regret it. He felt as though he would hurl, and he couldn’t be sick, he had an appointment to help out a member of the shell tonight. Auron felt as though his insides burned, “They gave us crap.” He reported to Bio. “Are you still going to make it tonight?” Bio looked at him and asked, his voice was woozy. “I’ll try.” Auron nodded, he closed his MH door and decided to just get some rest in for tonight. He knew later on he would go with Bio and Fico to help get Kairos an item from a NM drop. He wasn’t needed at all, but he wanted to go. Camping NMs was his idea of fun, and he loved the excitement. Bio stumbled to his MH and locked the door behind him, he would just rest up until Fico came and woke him. He couldn’t deny the sick feeling in his stomach, but he decided rest would be good. If not he would go back to the shop and asked them what happened, but he decided it was best to just avoid drama altogether. Kairos looked down at his watch, he sat inside of Port Jeuno, waiting on his new linkshell members to get here. He would be patient, they were doing him a huge favor as seeing as how this NM would demolish him. He ran past Justcartilage doing his usual Auction House crafting, he waved to him and they got into small talk before Just had to run off. So Kairos sat… and waited. He was new to the shell, new to the adventure, he was enjoying getting to know some of the people in there, they seemed good and they caused him no problems at all. He wanted to make Mythic his home, and he was ready to do that. He saw a lot of Mythic members running past him tonight, Tone was on his usual journey to Castle O and Soul and Chell were prepping for a party. Battosai ran past and he asked where Auron was and he said he hadn’t heard from him all day. That’s when he spotted the Taru, Biofao stood next to Fico as they made their way towards him, Bio moving with a bit of uneasiness in his step. “Ready?” Fico asked, Kair twisted his finger due to his nervousness. He didn’t want to seem like a burden but it would be a joy to get this item. “Yes… very ready.” Kair shook his head. It was predicted to be a full moon tonight, and legend has it that the drop rates on monsters increase under the full moon. When Bio clutched his stomach in pain Fico finally asked him what was wrong. Bio didn’t have an answer for him, he just knew that his stomach ached. “Eat too much?” Fico laughed, Bio didn’t say a word to him. Fico looked over Kair, he smiled at him, he was a young Warrior. When Auron made his way to the Chocobo stables they finally departed. They were going toward the Mountains and that’s where this NM is. Aur moved with the uneasiness in his step as Bio, he had explained that they took a bad mix of Goblin drink and they were feeling lightheaded.

As they setup camp, the moon phase was starting to take over, causing their camp to be bathed in the moonlight. “You guys okay?” Kair broke the silence and asked, he didn’t want them to be here if they weren’t feeling well, he could postpone this for a later date. Bio nodded he was going to be okay, the pain inside of him started to subside and was almost gone. Even Auron started to feel just a little bit better, he seemed a bit chipper now than when he strapped on that chocobo and headed out. “What we doing?” Auron finally decided to ask. “A NM here drops an item I need for a quest, it can net me 45k the item I get from it.” Kair shook his head with eagerness. His eyes were glinted with joy, he thought about the gil he was going to gain. He liked making money, mainly because he got to buy new gear, weapons and items. Bio took a seat, his face flushed inside of the campfire, they had slaughtered the goblins that stayed there and moved into their camp, it was chilly out tonight. He took a look up at the moon and his Taru ears twitched. The warmth of the fire made him feel better, the hot glow on his face made the rest of his body heat up. “How we pop this thing?” Fico looked at Kair and said. “When I pop him.” He hesitated before he answered. “But I have to do it…” he finished. In the back of his mind he knew he was safe, but then there was always a chance they may die. Something can always go wrong, but he pushed that away. “What are you waiting for?” Aur turned to him, his eyes gleamed in the light. Kair couldn’t admit to them that this was his first Notorious Monster, he’s never fought one before, just heard tales of others who have. He walked to the spot on the ground where the Undead NM would rise once he triggered it, his face showed his worry and Auron made him feel at ease. The moon fully set itself into place, the full moon was in effect and now was the best time to wake the undead. He triggered it, it was time to fight. Skelatal Lord sprung ready for action. Fico was the tank in this fight as he didn’t have any info on his foe and he figured that Auron might not be a strong enough tank to manage. Blow by blow, they were about even, and Bio played the role as backup healer or as Fico called him, his personal life saver. SL seemed a lot tougher than Fico had expected, but Aur and Kair added some melee and Bio made sure to Stun as many of the big moves that he could. SL used Blood Saber, taking the blood from the weak. Fico examined his ls mates, they were still in one piece. Then Auron dropped to his knee, he fell to the ground, knee buried in the dirt, shield on the ground. “Bio cure him.” Fico yelled and Bio assisted, trying to revive Auron back to full health. He cured as much as he could, but Auron never got back into the battle. Fico delivered Rampage and dealt the final blow, right between SL eyes with his twin axes. “Crap.” Kair shouted when the item didn’t drop, that means that would have to fight him again, he brought enough spawn items with him to trigger him twenty times if needed. Fico went to Aur’s aid, he leaned over his shoulder, Aur’s breathing was irregular. “We won.” He relayed the message to him, as if Aur wasn’t paying attention. He didn’t say anything to him, but his ears twitched as if to say he heard him. Pain shot through his entire body, he didn’t know what was happening, but all he knew is that he wanted to scream. Auron felt a rage building in him, he felt stronger through his pain. His senses picked up, his hearing got better, and he could hear two pairs of hearts beating, his and Fico’s. Fico went over and pulled on Aur’s shoulder, with the moonlight shining on it, Fico backed away.

He readied his axes, and it took Kairos and Bio off guard. “Fico?” Bio questioned, he didn’t a word to him though, his axes trembled in his hand. His knees banged together and Bio wondered what the hell was wrong, Fico wasn’t scare of a thing. Aur’s spine tilted, he arched his back. “Bio…” Fico whispered. “…. Put him to sleep.” He pointed at Aur. His ears twitched, he heard him, and that’s when he stood up and showed the beast he’s become. “Jesus.” Bio gasped at the sight in front of him, he didn’t believe in werewolves. Aur’s entire Elvaan body became covered with dark red fur, his hands replaced by sharp claws. His teeth, pointed and looked sharp enough to rip him in shreds. He snarled in their direction. Bio decided to make sure he didn’t die tonight and used Elemental Seal, and then he cast Sleep II on Auron. It had stuck, but now they wondered what to do, how long will it last. “I say we run for it.” Kairos said as he took off running towards Tahrongi Canyon. Bio and Fico followed, rushing after him. Bio looked back as he ran, and that’s when he saw Auron shake his head as he woke up. He howled, even in the distance Bio could hear it, and then he saw him run. He moved fast, too fast for Bio’s Taru legs. He moved at a speed faster than a chocobo and he was heading right in his direction……