Hunted Part: 8 4/2008

As he stood stone still Lucian's mind raced.
Unable to move his body, his mind jumped from thought to thought. He knew the wizard wouldn't simply let the beast kill him outright. But that didn't mean he wouldn't let Dewach do plenty of damage before intervening. Should he use his new abilities or save them as a trump card? Should he trust his instincts and let the creature come?
As Dewach roared forward he swung the hefty poleaxe around his head again and again.
Lucian could hear the deep rush of air as the weapon slashed its huge circular path over the beast's head. He stared at the creature thundering towards him certain the wizard wanted further entertainment than a simple execution.
He was certain of it. The creature swung the massive weapon back in a lower arc.

He was certain...

Dewach was close enough to connect and he roared furiously as he brought the blade from behind him straight down at Lucian's skull.

...certain...

Lucian didn't even blink as the blade screamed towards his face.


There was silence.




Lucian thought for a moment that the weapon had connected. That his brain had simply...stopped in its final moment. He then realized that by thinking that...then in fact he was still living.
Suddenly there seemed a rush of sounds. A distinct gasp Devlin. His own breathing. The roar of frustration as Dewach realized that he was no longer able to move....
And then...the annoyingly light laughter of the wizard filled the arena.

"Ah Lucian," giggled the wrinkled man "The look in your eyes!! How I will cherish that after you are dead."
"I'm sure you've been wondering about the markings I've placed upon your flesh. Hmm? It's a new type of necromancy I've discovered and adapted to use with the living. Yes! Amazing I know."
"The markings allow one to control certain areas. I've had most of your body covered and you see how effective that is hmm? Now can you  imagine if your very bones were etched with those symbols?"

As if in response to the question Dewach moaned loudly. His weapon rose slowly though he obviously did not want this. He large legs moved back awkwardly step by thundering step.

"Now Dewach is in my complete control. Right down to his very bones." The wizard twisted his hand slightly and Lucian watched in horror as the large creature's forearm began to bend unnaturally. Dewach moaned in pain but could do nothing to prevent it.
"But that isn't what makes him so special. Oh no! He..." The wizard paused and slowly a dark smile peeled across his face. "...well why don't you just find out for yourself, eh?"

With that the wizard waved his hands. The ink covering Lucian began to crawl and melt down his naked body. It didn't leave a smudge or stain on him but instead trickled across his pale flesh like black mercury.
As it reached the dark soil at his feet it simply faded, either into the soil or away he could not tell.
It was at this moment Lucian became aware of his freedom. He was suddenly aware that the muscles he had been straining to back away...were able to now do so and he staggered backwards awkwardly as if his limbs were asleep.

"Now Lucian," came the wizard's voice " let us see how well you do in your current position against my newest play thing." With that he waved his other hand.

Dewach, now free of restraint slammed his blade forward into the ground sending dark soil flying explosively.

Lucian took a step back.

Dewach took a step forward. His mouth spread in a hideous sharp toothed grin.

Lucian stood there naked and unarmed.

His mouth spread in a cynical smirk.