The tunnels were covered with thick green grime that Xion had come to recognize as edible in this vast tunnel. Hell, anything that pulsated was edible for him. Rats ran back and forth every few meters, some close enough for Xion to stomp on. But those were the least of his worries. Seven times now Xion had been jumped by some large creature, about one meter tall with terrible breath. He has slain them all, but not without wounds such as the pulled muscle in his arm and the tear on his side that was already festering. Disgusting Place

The yellow fangs were inches from Xion's eyes, greenish spittle dangling mere centimeters from his face. "Dear god. You are just the most vile things I have ever seen!" Xion commented as the beast screamed while his hand stuck up from his back. "As vile as you are, I am worse... You picked the wrong guy to screw around with" He whispered at the beast as his other arm grabbed its head and with a grunt almost tore it cleanly if not for the spin holding it together. The blood was a thick brown, smelling of fecal matter and copper, and easily as thick as molasses.

Xion stood and wiped off his hands, only to see five more surrounding him, each growling fiercely. "Oh geez, traveling in bloody herds I see... Well...I Will kill you all just as easily as that one, no matter your numbers." The beasts growled as if in reply, but with one quick motion Xion's sword was protruding from the ground and he was sending one beast flying through the air with a powerful kick. "OUCH!!! Hard as bloody rock! Blood & Ashes!!" He shouted as he clutched his foot and bared his teeth. Moments later the horde was charging him, but with on swift motion the dust from the ground filled the air in a thick cloud.

"AAIII" One of the beasts blood-curdling screams echoed throughout the cavern, followed by five more each in rhythm. The cloud was beginning to settle as Xion walked from the cloud, clutching his arm, his eyes glazed, he whimpered once before dropping, his sword sliding meters from his hand. One beast walked from the cloud. Growling at the sight of the man limp, it dove, but was instantly taken back by a shell ripping its shoulder.

"Dad! Is he alright?!" a girls voice whimpered from the dark as a large man with a gray beard approached Xion. Sighing loudly he placed two fingers on the man's throat. "He's alive... We will camp here tonight" The man said as a girl about 16 years old walked out of the dark with a large backpack and sword and laid out a tarp.

(460 Words)

These tunnels where like a labyrinth and a man could easily get lost here. Julian had decided to come and explore these tunnels and had taken so many turns that he was almost lost. Fortunately, Julian had thought of the dangers of being lost and had decided to use his sword to mark out his pathway. Julian had placed his sword on the stony ground and had dragged it along with him so that it made a nice line wherever he walked. This meant he could easily find his way out.

But he wasn't leaving anytime soon, infact he had no intention of doing so. There were tunnels to explore and lots of them. Julian wasn't sure where he was at the moment and opened the map he had brought from a man outside. Opening the map, his eyes squinted as he tried to make out where he was... unfortunatley, what the man hadn't told Julian was that the map was out of date by several hundered years and it was as reliable as a rusty cutlass. Julian attempted to make sense of the map but in the end, he didn't know where he was... well he did. He was lost.

Julian swore under his breath and ripped the map up, tearing it into little pieces before he decide that he would have to turn back. As much as he didn't want to leave, this place was a deathtrap unless you had a map. Perhaps the man was somewhere around the vicinity. If he was, then Julian would make sure he got a refund on his money. Turning back, Julian followed the trail his sword had made. However, when he got to a T-Junction... there was a problem. The trail he had made apparently branched off in all directions. Someone had been messing around with his trail and now Julian had no chance of remembering where he had been.

Julian threw caution to the winds and took a right, walking further along the path. After about a few steps however, Julian became aware of a scratching sound and before he knew it... the ground beneath him collapsed to reveal a long tunnel going further down into ground and deeper into these god forsaken areas.
Julian slid down the tunnel, and continued to slide for about 5 seconds before he came to the end of the tunnel. Landing on his feet, Julian looked around and saw that the only place to go now was forward.

Walking forward, Julian encountered a young man who was with a young girl (about 16 or 17 years old). On the ground was an older bearded man who was injured and unconscious. Wondering what a teenager, a young adventurer and a man were doing in these tunnels, Julian went towards them.

"HO friends, I mean you no harm. I am lost here, perhaps you could..."

But before Julian could finish his sentence, another rumbling sound came from beneath the ground and no more than 3 subterranean creatures emerged from the ground, snarling and growling through their horrible yellow teeth.
Julian could see that they weren't friendly and so he readied his scimitar for a fight.

(OOC: 580 words :P )

(OOC: Oh, trying to out-word moi? Iz'on now!)

Xion had awoken to find himself lying down in what appeared to be tent. On his first attempt to sit up he discovered an almost overwhelming dizziness, and quickly he lay back down before he vomited. A thick smell of mold and bat matter hung in the air and tainted his nostrils as he breathed his way into a better condition, fighting off the nausea that was overtaking him. Assuring himself that he was healthy enough, Xion sat up and at that moment he felt a need to throw-up so strong it almost took him over. Fighting his hardest he quickly threw on his cloak and ran to a dark spot, and dry-heaved. Xion wiped his mouth as he exited the shady spot, then approached the fire where two people were sitting. The people apparently hadn't noticed him run to heave.

"Who are you?" Xion asked, watching the man flinch before spinning and the girl just glance up at him. Not easily frightened, eh? Well...Such a bad habit should be cured, methinks. He held back a dark giggle at his own thoughts, so filled with pleasant suffering. If only the people could do something to make them earn it, all they have done is save me so far... The bandage on his arm itched, but he ignored it. "I said, who are you?" He repeated, anger starting to reveal itself in wisps of color flashing through his gray eyes. The man looked startled, but replied.

"I...I am nobody...Just a traveler and his daughter... We kept all your stuff in that tent," The man said as he pointed to a small yellow tent. "Don’t take that band-aid off for a week, otherwise it will fester and your arm with fall clean off the bone." The man told Xion, his whiskey breath hitting his nose from at least 6 feet away. Disgusting place with disgusting people, and strange people.

The mans daughter just kept smirking at Xion as he prepared himself off, but it wasn't until he was behind the yellow tent and out of view that she went to him. She approached him quickly, pulling him close to her with his cloak and attempting to kiss her. "Dear god, woman, refrain!!" He yelled as he latched onto her arms and held her back. Her lips still pouted expecting some action, but Xion was not one to give himself so easily. Baring his teeth he held onto her as her eyes filled with horror, and Xion's with rage. The red eyes glowed and his teeth grew before her eyes, she attempted to shriek, but failed, something was caught in her throat. "You will run back to your daddy, and when you get to the temple in that god-forsaken town you will get on your knees, and this time pray for forgiveness, you grotesque bawd. Now, run!" He dropped the girl and she simply stood for a moment, eyes glazed over, before turning off and whisking away. He hated to do things like that, but it needed to be done.

As Xion was preparing his last things to go, a loud noise erupted from behind the tent he was sleeping in. Spinning back quickly, Xion saw a man hit the ground just beside the tent, then witnessed as the man greeted them only to be replied by three beasts erupting from the ground. Those filthy animals, with the long teeth and the spit, those filthy, filthy, creatures. Xion lunged at the beasts with his now drawn sword, taking one out before glancing at the man's sword and sniffing loudly. "Suppose that will help." He thought out loud before being interrupted by 4 more beasts. Damn it all...

(622 Words :P)

(OOC: Time for a wager. Let's say, 30 gold pieces to the person who has the highest word count total.)

Julian could here distant sounds of rumbling and knew that soon, more of these underground horrors would be arriving to join the battle. Julian had heard of these beasts before. They were named Briskta because of the sound they made when they went into battle. And sure enough, when one of the beasts saw him it made a gasping sound which sounded like 'BRISKTA!'

Julian prepared himself for combat. Running forward, he gunned for the nearest of these beasts and leapt off the ground. As he was flying through the air, Julian launched a ferocious flying kick which connected to the Briskta's head. The beast was sent sprawling to the ground, screaming in pain.

Suddenly, something caught Julian's eye. A flash of white... A CLAW! Julian dropped onto one shoulder and rolled to the left and sure enough, he felt a claw graze his body. If he had remained still for one more second in that spot then the claw would have taken his head off in one clean swipe. As it was, Julian got back onto his feet and threw his fist into the Bristka's stomach.

For the stomach has the fleshy part of the beast... the part which was not armoured. The beast howled in pain as Julian's powerful punch completley winded it. Julian followed up by swinging on the heel of his left foot, bringing his right foot up for a powerful roundhouse kick. WHAM! The kick connected with the beasts' head and sent it sprawling.

Julian's sense of pride however was soon brought crashing down as he felt something heavy hit him in the back. One of the beasts had crept up behind him and had delievered a powerful thump to Julian's back. Julian fell to his knees as he screamed in pain. He knew his back wasn't going to be the same after this fight that was for sure.

Julian could hear the Briska get ready for another attack and knew he had only seconds to live unless he got out of the way. Again he rolled out of harms way, hearing a large crashung sound as the creature's fists hit nothing but ground. When he got to his feet, Julian drew his scimitar and snarled. His back was aching all over and was going to need some serious attention.

And that made him angry... very angry.

Julian ran forward, raising his sword as if to strike the Briska. However, at the last moment... he dropped onto one knee and rolled right past the Briska. After getting up, he slashed at the horrible creature not once, not twice but three times. He felt his sword strike the beast and knew it's days were numbered. That left one more Briska left to deal with. Or it would have but it appeared the stranger had dealt with that one already.

They were safe for now. But they HAD to leave immediatly. It was only a matter of time before more of these creatures appeared. Unfortunatley, that was exactly what happened as 4 more Briska's appeared. Julian groaned... he couldn't deal with this anymore. He couldn't keep on fighting... his back was aching and he knew it was only a matter of time before he collapsed under the strain.

The beasts were coming towards him... and there was only one thing to do.
Julian closed his eyes and concentrated with all his might. Focusing all his energy into his two fingers on his hand, Julian got ready to unleash a powerful attack.
He could smell the breath of the beast and knew he had to make an attack now...

Julian screamed a powerful battlecry and thrusted his two fingers at the Briska... where they hit it dead in the center of it's chest. He felt something... a thudding sound and suddenly there was a squelching sound. He knew that his attack had worked... the Briska's heart had collapsed and ruptured. The Briska coughed and spulttered red blood, some of it spraying Julian on the shoes.

The other Briska looked as it's comarade died a horrible death and suddenly, the started to step back, as if they were trying to wonder if it was worth attacking this stranger. As for Julian... the attack he made on the beast had drained him of all his energy. He sank to his knees and used his last remaining strength to say...

"Their stomach's are the fleshy bits... that's their weakpoint."

Julian then fainted to the ground, barely concious... hoping he would still be alive after this had all finished.

(774 Words :P )

((OOC: Thirty it is!))

Xion watched calmly as the man beat down the beasts. He gradually began to lose stamina, and this was fascinating to Xion. Every since he was young he has never know himself truly tired, but has always found sleep came easy, perhaps from the liquor, but no matter, he was intent on watching this man's stages of fatigue. He watched as the man thrust two fingers at the beast diving at him, then found himself amused with the fact that the beast died without having a finger laid on him. The man gasped for air, then mumbled something incoherently. Xion shrugged off whatever the man said before passing out and readied his sword as he felt the breath of more on his neck and smelt their stench floating in the air and polluting his lungs.

As Xion turned he quickly made work of the one beast that had dove at him. Using his hand to catch the creature’s head and break it's neck. The smell of their foul blood now joined the wretched stench of their breath. If Xion had not vomited before, he surely would now with the creatures disgusting blood on his face. Nausea was soon taken over by rage, though, a welcomed rage. Xion always found that rage helped him in matters such as this, and even if he didn’t need the help he didn't want to take chances. His eyes were enveloped in red from the pupil, his fingers soon arched out into claws, and long horns began to penetrate his forehead from his skull. This was his ugliest form, but it was his most sovereign.

With one violent scream Xion lunged, his claws tearing into one creatures face, ruining its eyes and sending it screaming into the darkness. Others lunged at Xion from the sides, only to have one land a blow. He growled as the beast dug its fangs into his flesh, the other was having convulsions on the ground from a powerful blow to the spine. Xion hated hitting things in the spine and putting them in complete misery, so he quickly stomped the beast’s head into the once-dry rock underfoot. The beast still latched onto his arm began to shake, trying to rip the meat from the bone, but with one quick blow from his sword he killed it, then unlocked its jaws from his arm. Damn things.


Xion was muttering to himself as he let go of his rage. He took a look around only to see a camp with 3 bloodstained tents, two bloody drag marks, and an unconscious body. the man and his daughter ware taken, but not as if Xion would care at all, she was but a bawd and a fool, he was more concerned with the one passed out before him. That was a fighter indeed, and He had respect for the man, so with one small grunt he threw the limp body over his shoulders and began a dash through the caverns. Luckily this time all he encountered were rats and large spiders, and a faint light began to become evident in the distance. Upon reaching the opening he laid the limp body against the wall and forced some cheap whiskey down the man's throat with no outcome. Sighing once more, he dropped to his butt, closed his eyes, and waited.

Hours passed with no outcome. The light coming from the outdoors slowly faded into night and a violent downpour began to send small streams of water into the groups resting area. Somewhat of a camp had been set up, with predictions of rainfall some rivulets had been dug out by Xion, and some massive leaves held by cut down trees acted as a shelter big enough for two, with tree stumps acting as seats around a blazing fire. The fire had a spit on it, and on the spit was two small creatures cooking, One looked to be like a rat, the other some form of hare with antlers. He had found time to do some hunting before rain, and had managed to catch two of those horned rabbits along with three rats and a sparrow, enough to last the rainfall. His canvas jug was emptied of all its liquored up contents, three quarters of it in Xion and the rest in the man who was still passed out by the fire.

The day was a tough one, followed by a tough night, and tomorrow it was to be followed by another tough day if the mass of flesh wouldn’t awaken. Xion shivered by the fire as it slowly began to die. All of the wood would now be wet, and he had forgot to plan ahead and get enough materials. Grumbling loudly, Xion approached one of the man-made rivulets and cupped a hand full of water. He sipped from his hand before throwing it over the man who was now burning up from a mild fever. Grunting again, Xion lay down by the dieing fire, shut his eyes, and thought about who was going to try and kill him tomorrow, and he thought about that poor girl. Sleep came slowly.


Xion found himself standing on a field of ashes. Some smoking, other swirling in small dust devils. He found it evident that it was a dream when an image of the girl flashed before him, but this time she in a chicken outfit. He arched an eyebrow before taking a step forward, launching him to some unknown mountaintop. He hated these dreams, mostly because he never knew what to do to get where he wanted, but closing his eyes one more he opened them to find himself inside a palace, facing a women in her elderly stages.

"Tiranoth Misun Dren Kalluf” The women whispered over and over again, each whisper overlapping the other before all just turned in one loud static noise, hurting Xion’s ears. A scream seeped from his lips. Awake.

The sun was shining in on the cavern. A crow was squawking away in nearby tree. The fire had died down, and Xion found himself in convulsive shivers, if he hadn’t let that passed out man have his cloak he would be warm. His eyes still focusing in, He stumbled to his feet and stretched.

((OOC: 1047 Lol))(((OOC: 2129 words over all for me so far)))

He could here the sounds of battle, and the screaming of creatures being slayed. But that made no difference, for he was wounded and didn't know if he was going to live through the day or even through the next through seconds... only time would tell.

Julian was laying on the floor... trying so hard to keep concious. But it was no use, his last attack simply took everything out of him and he needed rest. His eyes closed and the pain subsided as he was carried out into the lands of peace and tranquility. He didn't care that he could be killed at any moment by another creature, here he was at peace...

The sun was shining across the seas as a young Julian Matrez was gazing out into the lands beyond. He was upon his farm and the sun was setting upon the land. What laid out there? What laid past the seas that was waiting to be discovered by someone? Ahhh... if only Julian knew what was out there. One day he would make his name into the world. Julian Matrez, explorer and adventurer extrodinairre.

Suddenly, something snapped within him and he woke up. Without thinking, he sprang to his feet and adopted a combat stance. However it seemed that he had been carried somewhere away from the cave. It seemed the stranger had saved them all, and now he was sleeping. He looked peaceful, thought Julian. And he decided not too wake them up. Instead he took his journal and write a note on it saying that he was alive. Ripping the note, Julian left it on the ground and walked off.

Julian decided not to waste anymore time in the mines anymore. Instead he walked away into the darkness wondering where he should go next. It was interesting though, the tunnels definatley held many a secret that needed to be discovered. Unfortunatley he had no suppiles and no potions which means that another trip into the tunnels would be suicide.

Instead, Julian walked back to the nearest town and to his suprise was the man who had sold him the dodgy map. The man was still awake and when he looked upon Julian, his eyes widened in horror.

"YOU! You...You're still alive!?" the man stuttered.

Julian suddenly felt angry. So this man intended to send Julian to an early grave did he? Julian cracked his knuckles and got ready to make this man give him a refund. And if this man didn't want to... well... hopefully a doctor would find him before the beasts would.

The map seller must have known he was in trouble because suddenly he shouted out to the darkness, "ROY, JERRY, FRANK, WAKE UP YOU LAZY GITS!"
There was some grumbling and from the bushes came 4 burly men who looked like they were nothing more than men for hire. Julian grinned... these men were big but Julian was tougher and knew how to handle himself.

"I want my money back and I suggest you give it to me now... unless you want any problems of course."

The other men laughed as if Julian had told them the worlds funniet joke. But Julian wasn't joking. He started to walk forward calmly and ready to take back what was his in the first place. One thing was for sure, this wasn't going to be pretty at all.

One of the men attacked, his large fist coming down on Julian's skull. However, he was too slow and Julian managed to grab the whole arm in mid-air and swing him over his shoulder so that the attacker was thrown over Julian. WHUMP! He hit the ground with amazing force.

Another attacker came at him and Julian moved on the offensive. Before the man knew what had happened, Julian launched a powerful kick that connected with the man's chin. He was sent sprawling backwards on the ground, blood and a few theeth flying out of his mouth.

The final guy came charging at Julian like an out of control Rhino. Julian prepared himself and when the guy was about to hit him, Julian thrust out his palm so that it connected with the attacker's chest. The man was sent flying backwards as if propelled from a catapault. The Long Ranged Fist... that was the name of the attack Julian had used. It was a powerful attack that would definatley leave a mark on the attacker.

The mapseller looked horiffied but before he could run, Julian launched a flying kick which connected with the mapsellers body. The mapseller fell to the ground and groaned in pain. Julian didn't care, he simply bent down and took the 30 gold coins from the map seller. The 30 gold pieces that almost cost Julian his life.

"If I were you..." Julian said to the seller, "I would retire. If I here you've been selling dodgy goods to people again then I will hunt you and this time I won't stop until you lie there dead on the floor."

Julian heard a groan which he supposed was a yes. His job done, Julian walked off into the night. It had been one heck of a day and Julian was happy with the end result. Hopefully the map seller had learnt his lesson. If not, Julian would simply pay him a visit and teach the man a lesson he would never forget.

So what was Julian going to do now? Well he had heard alot about the Dragon mountains where a red dragon was supposed to have lived and infact, still lives. If he found the Dragon then it would be an achievement of a lifetime.

It was decided. Julian was going to Dragon Mountains and to find this dragon. Should be good for a laugh...

(984 Words. Grand total for me: 2338. Since my character has left the area, that means that the contest is over. I'll have my 30 gold in cash please... :lol: )