{"id":30093,"date":"2026-07-10T03:25:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T07:25:08","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2026-07-10T03:25:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T07:25:08","slug":"plot-1488","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/2026\/07\/10\/plot-1488\/","title":{"rendered":"Blood and Salt(Elaine)"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n    .edgt-post-text-inner p {\n        margin-bottom: 35px !important;\n    }\n    <\/style>\n<p><strong>Date:<\/strong> 2026-07-09 15:08<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><span style=\"color:#008000\">               (<\/span>Blood and Salt(Elaine):Elaine<span style=\"color:#008000\">)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#008080\">        [<\/span>Thu Jul  9 2026<span style=\"color:#008080\">]<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In the lair of the Waste Hunter<br \/>This cavern is vaulted, the ceiling disappearing into the distance far above. Light playing off salt crystals sparkle like a thousand, tiny stars. The scene is almost eerie in its beauty, the pale formations that rise around the cave casting dancing light from their surfaces, the light itself coming from some unseen source far below the crystal floor. The beauty is, however, marred. Massive claw marks rake the ground, terrible impacts evident in the floor and walls. A massive gouge in the center of the chamber shows where a gargantuan form had rested for quite some time before. On the back wall, tucked away from salt, is a strangely lustrous formation of crystals, almost appearing to be made of metal rather than the salt of the rest.<\/p>\n<p>It is about <span style=\"color:#00ff00\">60<\/span>F(<span style=\"color:#00ff00\">15<\/span>C) degrees.  The mist is heaviest <span style=\"color:#c1f9fe\">A<span style=\"color:#c4f6f7\">t<span style=\"color:#c7f4f0\"> <span style=\"color:#c9f2e9\">C<span style=\"color:#cbf0e2\">a<span style=\"color:#cdeedb\">r<span style=\"color:#cfecd3\">n<span style=\"color:#d1eacc\">a<span style=\"color:#d2e8c5\">t<span style=\"color:#d4e6be\">i<span style=\"color:#d5e4b7\">o<span style=\"color:#d6e2b0\">n<span style=\"color:#d7e0a9\"> <span style=\"color:#d8dea2\">a<span style=\"color:#d9dc9a\">n<span style=\"color:#d9da93\">d<span style=\"color:#dad88c\"> <span style=\"color:#dad685\">S<span style=\"color:#dad47e\">i<span style=\"color:#dad276\">d<span style=\"color:#dbd06f\">n<span style=\"color:#dbce67\">e<span style=\"color:#dacd5f\">y<\/span\/span\/span><\/p>\n<p>Vanessa purses her lips, but whatever her gaze is doing is hidden behind her shades. <\/p>\n<p>Maren steps in, eerily silent as ever, save for a blade that seems comically large in her petite hands. <\/p>\n<p>This time, the mirror leads out onto a wide expanse of the Salt Waste. Small ruts and humps in the ground mar the area, where a fortification has been erected. Metal stakes are driven into the ground, forming a barricade against attack. In the center of the encampment, surrounded by a group of armed Vanguard soldiers, a cave entrance gapes. It is blocked by a thin rope, more as a symbol of &#8216;do not enter&#8217; rather than to keep whatever is in there in place. From deep within the darkness, a scrape can be heard, or the crunch of salt crystals, along with the sound of something immense moving in the vast cavern below. The group has emerged not far from this mouth, from a mirror flanked by more soldiers. <\/p>\n<p>Maren sweeps a glance across the gatherred soldiers, expression demurely polite. soon enough, her attention is captured by the scraping from the cave. <\/p>\n<p>Yukino makes to step over towards the Vanguard soldiers, her voice is largely even, modulated perhaps, and comes with &#8220;Operative. Sitrep?&#8221; Keeping it brief. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Vanessa&#8217;s<\/span> boots crunch quietly as she steps from the soldiers, toward the rope across the cave mouth, finger brushing along it, as she considers it, letting the group handle the weapons &#8211; given she doesn&#8217;t use one, ever if she can help it. <\/p>\n<p>The operatives by the cave entrance step to the side for Vanessa as she approach, one separating off by speech. &#8220;Dig Site 548b. The demon is inside. The weapons should&#8212;&#8221; The soldier is cut off rather suddenly, as the ground begins to tremble underfoot. The sound of metal thundering against metal roars through the air, eclipsing all other sound like a tidal wave. The clamor grows, as, a few yards in front of the soldiers, the ground begins to crack. A mouth yawns open, steel steps slamming down into place against the rim. The metal creaks, before an outer layer of molten metal floods up, forming a dark red surface. Then, from within the pit, a screeching thud sounds. Then another. And another. The sounds begin making their way closer, something enormous climbing up the steps toward the cave entrance from within the rift in the hellscape. &#8220;The forger is an ETA of now.&#8221; The soldier finishes, turning toward the hole. Along with the other soldiers, the operative takes a knee. Evidence as to why comes soon, as a pressure forms in the air. It is not dissimilar to that of an airplane, rising and pushing down on the ears. The pressure grows with each thud, as the source of that oppressive feeling nears. Soon, it is not just physical, but mental. The force of it grinds at the mind, demanding entrance, commanding fealty, ordering obedience. <\/p>\n<p>The operatives by the cave entrance step to the side for Vanessa as she approach, one separating off by speech. &#8220;Dig Site 548b. The demon is inside. The weapons should&#8212;&#8221; The soldier is cut off rather suddenly, as the ground begins to tremble underfoot. The sound of metal thundering against metal roars through the air, eclipsing all other sound like a tidal wave. The clamor grows, as, a few yards in front of the soldiers, the ground begins to crack. A mouth yawns open, steel steps slamming down into place against the rim. The metal creaks, before an outer layer of molten metal floods up, forming a dark red surface. Then, from within the pit, a screeching thud sounds. Then another. And another. The sounds begin making their way closer, something enormous climbing up the steps toward the cave entrance from within the rift in the hellscape. &#8220;The forger is an ETA of now.&#8221; The soldier finishes, turning toward the hole. Along with the other soldiers, the operative takes a knee. Evidence as to why comes soon, as a pressure forms in the air. It is not dissimilar to that of an airplane, rising and pushing down on the ears. The pressure grows with each thud, as the source of that oppressive feeling nears. Soon, it is not just physical, but mental. The force of it grinds at the mind, demanding entrance, commanding fealty, ordering obedience. (reposted for Maren <\/p>\n<p>even if she had wanted otherwise, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Maren<\/span> drops to her knees, as the pressure climbs, hands tightly gripping her blade. her eyes are narrowed to slits, trying to concentrate upon one thing as to reduse the assault upon her ears. <\/p>\n<p>As whatever it is approaches, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> lowers herself to her knees as well, hand coming to her chest as she presses it there, looking a bit green as she does. <\/p>\n<p>Vanessa lowers her head, respectfully, and settles, knees on the ground, gaze hidden behind her shades as she keeps an eye on that metal, waiting for him to arrive, and ensuring that should she need to get out of the way, she can. With haste. <\/p>\n<p>Yukino remains where she is, exhaling slowly and taking several steps back before her carbine lowers and is slung around herself. She mutters, &#8220;Fuck my life. Fuck this job. Jesus fucking Christ.&#8221; She curses, angry, now free hands balling into fists. <\/p>\n<p>The first thing to appear from the rift are a pair of barbed spikes. Next, a set of broad shoulders formed of dark red metal. The top of a face is next, as the behemoth climbs its way from the steps. It is thirty feet in height, four massive arms jutting from it, while two poles punch out of its abdomen, clanging weapons hanging from them. Its upper pair of arms appear to be human, though overly muscled, and sized for the demon. Each massive, dark red scaled hand has five fingers and a thumb, all tipped with a long blade, forged of the same metal as the colossus. Its second pair of arms consists of a massive hammer, and a set of barbed tongs. Its body is a mismatched amalgamation of red metal and red scaled flesh. Its feet, shaped like massive boots, are barbed on the bottoms, creating the screeching as it climbs. Its face, however, is strikingly handsome, masculine in appearance, with two orange eyes formed of magma. It is smiling, hooked fangs of metal revealed in the expression. As it speaks, its voice vibrates in the bones of all, the sheer power of its lungs enough to send the air to trembling.  <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our deal is complete. Vanessa. Elaine. Maren.&#8221;  <\/p>\n<p>Its eyes settle on Maren for a longer moment than the other two. Then, it lowers itself, sweeping off a group of long blades, each forged of a strange, metallic salt crystal. Then, its attention turns to Yukino.  <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Impressive. You are commended, for your will. If only I had time. Your bravery. Or perhaps foolishness, could be rewarded properly.&#8221;  <\/p>\n<p>The demon straightens, sweeping its human hands through the air.  <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I have paid my end of the bargain. The ties that bind us, are severed. Do tell, Kai Ashford. That he is lucky he has one willing to pay in his stead.&#8221;  <\/p>\n<p>The demon begins to turn, striding for the rift with heavy, resounding steps. <\/p>\n<p>Remaining on her knees, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> lowers her head. &#8220;Thank you, Milord. We shall do as is your command.&#8221; She keeps her eyes down, shoulders strained with tension. Almost seeming to pray for the demon&#8217;s departure. <\/p>\n<p>Vanessa pushes herself up, shakily, to her feet, as the demon begins toward the rift through which he came. Shaky fingers smooth her hair, and her body heaves as she takes a breath in, and lets it out slowly as Kai&#8217;s name comes from the creature. She shoves a hand into a pocket, if only to keep it still. &#8220;I&#8230; I will, m&#8217;Lord, when I see him after, fates willing.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Maren lightly springs to her feet, regarding the blades with an eerie stillness. on silent steps, she glides towards the blades, selecting the lightest of the set. whatever reservations the girl might have, she does not show, as she tests the blade&#8217;s balance. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;One offers her deepest thanks, my lord.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Maren<\/span> says, fingers settling over the grip, a faint tightenning around the eyes giving away any cracks in her expression. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Up, operatives.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Yukino<\/span> states, looking at the Vanguard soldiers. Not that whatever expression she may have is visible. &#8220;Rise, or you will be decomissioned to the crown for proper functionality in the future to Vanguard orders.&#8221; She claims, it sounding like it comes more from experience than just a claim. <\/p>\n<p>As Yukino speaks, the Vanguard soldiers are already in the process of rising, having started the moment the demon turned. Clearly their respect for the thing&#8217;s power only goes as far as its eyes are on them. <\/p>\n<p>emit The demon steps onto the first stair, then the second, descending into the abyss of its rift. As it goes, the ground shudders, metal snapping away and sliding down behind it. A wave of hellish smoke slams out of the pit, moments before it grinds shut with the clang of metal on metal, leaving a jagged, black scar in the waste. The cave entrance has grown noticeably quiet, as though, whatever resided within were acknowledging the presence of a threat, and only now emerging from hiding as the scraping resumes. The Vanguard soldiers, having regained their feet, step aside in a formed unit. &#8220;The demon is straight along the path. You will find your reward awaits you on your return if you are successful. If you fail to emerge or emerge without the beast&#8217;s blood as agreed, you will receive nothing.&#8221; The words are spoken by the same operative, as they lift a communicator in a hand, entering something into it. &#8220;Access granted. You may proceed.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>The demon steps onto the first stair, then the second, descending into the abyss of its rift. As it goes, the ground shudders, metal snapping away and sliding down behind it. A wave of hellish smoke slams out of the pit, moments before it grinds shut with the clang of metal on metal, leaving a jagged, black scar in the waste. The cave entrance has grown noticeably quiet, as though, whatever resided within were acknowledging the presence of a threat, and only now emerging from hiding as the scraping resumes. The Vanguard soldiers, having regained their feet, step aside in a formed unit. &#8220;The demon is straight along the path. You will find your reward awaits you on your return if you are successful. If you fail to emerge or emerge without the beast&#8217;s blood as agreed, you will receive nothing.&#8221; The words are spoken by the same operative, as they lift a communicator in a hand, entering something into it. &#8220;Access granted. You may proceed.&#8221;* <\/p>\n<p>Rising herself, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> steps over to claim a saltsteel blade herself, testing its balance in her palms before nodding. &#8220;Excellent.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Maren lightly steps to Vanessa to flank her, the girl appearing distinctly put upon at the sign of combat, yet after a foustian bargain, her pride proves sufficient fuel. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> similarly moves to join Vanessa after collecting a second blade to hand to Vanessa, murmuring a quiet &#8220;Just in case.&#8221; As she does, leaving only a single saltsteel sword behind. <\/p>\n<p>The seeming leader of the group lowers his communicator, stepping forward slightly. &#8220;Authorization code denied. We have orders. Your rank has been taken into account for the mission ma&#8217;am. You will find support inside.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Obviously, soldier.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Yukino<\/span> says, almost disapprovingly in her even tone. &#8220;You. And you.&#8221; She steps between two of them. &#8220;Accompany under authorization code S404-k-4-16.&#8221; She tells them and then gestures to the salt blades, as Elaine picks one up. <\/p>\n<p>The soldier&#8217;s response was to that, naturally. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We will discuss this in the after report, rookie.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Yukino<\/span> tells him back, moving towards the last blade to pick it up. Her head makes a little roll, and she mumbles something much more quietly. &#8220;Amateure.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>One of the soldiers side-eyes the speaker as Yukino walks away, but the operative only shakes their head, tapping a button on the communicator in their hand. <\/p>\n<p>It would be assumed a side-eye, the motion is right, though the face masks they wear make it difficult to tell. <\/p>\n<p>Yukino probably does not see it, being garbed up in a hazmat suit and the sides being covered. <\/p>\n<p>Reaching out, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> gives the rope over the entrance a tug, before sighing and, with a little more pressure, snapping the line to give them unrestricted access. As she steps forward, a glance back is given to Maren and Vanessa. Then, she walks forward into the darkness of the cave, white flames flickering into existence on her arms and hands. <\/p>\n<p>eerily still, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Maren<\/span> waits for the standoff to wind to a close. as the far more skilled Elaine takes the lead, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Maren<\/span> wordlessly steps by her side, vision attempting to adjust to the interior. <\/p>\n<p>Vanessa falls, in an instant, shifting as she does, staying as close to beside Elaine as she can, nudging her with the pig&#8217;s head. <\/p>\n<p>Gold begins to flicker in <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine&#8217;s<\/span> eyes as she walks deeper into the cave, a smile lighting her features at something. <\/p>\n<p>Maren makes a side tilt of her head at Elaine upon the woman&#8217;s smile, though doesn&#8217;t press the query immediately, instead choosing to focus her senses upon the sounds, or sights of the demon if she can make out any. <\/p>\n<p>Vanessa(Japanese boar) is about two feet too short to notice the look Elaine gives, using the woman&#8217;s glow to keep an eye out with her completely mundane vision, but more than anything, she&#8217;s just staying close enough to provide protection. <\/p>\n<p>pausing just a beat, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Maren&#8217;s<\/span> fingers lightly touch upon Elaine&#8217;s arm, the girl speaking up for practically the first time. &#8220;perhaps these may prove of interest to Ms. Elaine?&#8221; she herself observes the signs as part of the scenery, recognizing predator signs having not been a skillset of a proper lady. <\/p>\n<p>The concealed and masked <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Yukino<\/span> follows after, blade held in a low ready position, the masked gaze vaguely turned forward. <\/p>\n<p>The tunnel stretches down into the ground, walls ground down by the passage of some beast in the distant past. From further in, the stirrings continue. As one draws nearer, they sound more and more like something rolling in sleep, than a beast in its lair. Eventually however, the cavern opens. High above, crystal stars shine down on the expanse. Growths of crystal mar the ground, which is heated underfoot enough to be felt, a red glow emanating up to light the cave. In the center is a massive rut, where something must have lain, but now, that something has moved. And it is, a something. The behemoth is seventy feet long, with the body of, vaguely, a shark. Eight massive centipede legs allow it to lift itself, grogily at best. In the front, two massive arms flank its shark maw. They bear human like hands, each finger tipped in a serrated claw. Its body is sheathed in a shell, though in places it looks more akin to scales, of salt crystal. It has three bulging eyes. One on either side of its shark head, and one between. The eyes are cloudy, as if the monster were waking from sleep, though as the group arrives, its attention snaps to them, like a cat that&#8217;s suddenly spotted a rather delicious looking bird. Its movements are slow, lethargic as it pushes itself up, craters forming beneath its pointed legs as it comes to a standing position. <\/p>\n<p>(Preparations may be made, before the results are reported. The monster will not attack until after those results are determined.) <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;One finds she prefers to not become dinner.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Maren<\/span> remarks, her tone not shifting from a polite, genteel cadence. she lets her gaze alight upon the eyes however, stepping lightly under the shadow of Vanessa(Japanese boar) for cover if need be. <\/p>\n<p>The disguised form that is secretly <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Yukino<\/span> keeps herself in the back, until a hand goes up to a similar communicator as the soldiers at the camp have. She speaks into it. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> moves at Maren&#8217;s side, coordinating herself to interpose a body between Maren and a gargantuan, shark like behemoth. &#8220;Oh dear. That&#8230; is big.&#8221; She says, pausing to glance back to assure herself, that her battlepig friend is still there. <\/p>\n<p>Maren a smile, warmer than her usual polite expressions is shot to Elaine in way of wordless thanks, before her blade jabs out, aiming for any cracks near the bulbus eyes. <\/p>\n<p>From the sides of the room, a clamor of gunfire suddenly erupts, peppering the beast with bullets. It lets out a garbled roar as Vanguard operatives emerge from the shadows, surrounding Yukino in a defensive formation as they rattle off fire at the demon. The bullets don&#8217;t seem to do much. But they are holding it at bay. <\/p>\n<p>Vanessa(Japanese boar) is not dainty about this, even a little. The target has been acquired, and her one job, her one talent, is for this &#8211; tusking. She moves, at maximum pig speed, to drive tusks in, shuffling gracelessly to stay out of the way of those with blades. <\/p>\n<p>Stepping in, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> sweeps her blade out, slicing into the shell, before a swing of the monster&#8217;s arms sends her flying. <\/p>\n<p>Yukino moves forward when her own people are beginning to draw in, the saltblade raised to try and slice at a gargantuan, shark like behemoth, <\/p>\n<p>a small oof slips out of <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Maren<\/span> as light as she is, but the woman quickly finds her feet, moving to support Elaine and someone. <\/p>\n<p>a small oof slips out of <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Maren<\/span> as light as she is, but the woman quickly finds her feet, moving to support Elaine and Vanessa(Japanese boar) <\/p>\n<p>Rolling to her feet, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> springs back into the fray, sword lighting with white flame as she drives its point at the shell, the blow slipping aside to leave a crack as she flanks the demon with Maren and Vanessa(Japanese boar). <\/p>\n<p>Yukino orders &#8220;Kill it!&#8221;(Encourage) <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> begins moving to interpose herself between a gargantuan, shark like behemoth and Yukino. <\/p>\n<p>Vanessa(Japanese boar) oinks, quite loudly, at the creature. She&#8217;s not moving around it much, keeping attention where she can, as she drives her tusks in. <\/p>\n<p>Another boom rocks the cavern, the shark demon&#8217;s massive, scaled tail sweeping around to send bodies hurtling in all directions as its centipede legs piston the ground, powdering the salt beneath it. <\/p>\n<p>Maren yet again, the ground rushes up to meet the doll like vampire, a frustrated &#8220;Good heavens.&#8221; slipping out of the girl, as with the crack of bones rearranging, she finds her feet. <\/p>\n<p>Rolling with the impact, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> flings a knife at a gargantuan, shark like behemoth as she steps in to guard Yukino from the beast&#8217;s focus. <\/p>\n<p>Yukino puts herself closer to it again after being pushed back, together with her operative. <\/p>\n<p>Yukino orders &#8220;Hurry it up. I have a wife to get home to.&#8221;(Encourage) <\/p>\n<p>Claws slam into Vanessa(Japanese boar)&#8217;s shoulder, and, as the small wound is made, the beast roars, eyes bugging out as it smells blood in the air. <\/p>\n<p>Again rolling with the momentum of her brief airtime, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> advances, circling a gargantuan, shark like behemoth with the saltsteel blade. <\/p>\n<p>Maren looks even more disgruntled at the part where the beast looks like it is far more excited. <\/p>\n<p>As anyone watches, the cut knits, and <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Vanessa(Japanese boar)<\/span> grunts, deep in her chest, trying to keep her tusks in the creature as best as she can, opening cracks, bit by bit. <\/p>\n<p>Yukino commands &#8220;Good soldier. It&#8217;s belly!&#8221;(Encourage) <\/p>\n<p>As blows continue to land on the beast&#8217;s shell, it begins to grow more and more furious with its inability to kill the group attacking it, frenzy beginning to wake in its bulbous eyes. <\/p>\n<p>Poking in, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> attempts to lever a crack open with her sword, stabbing into the shell with probing strikes as she moves round and round. <\/p>\n<p>Maren remains crouched behind whatever cover she can find, the vampire&#8217;s wounds knitting, yet clearly taxing her. <\/p>\n<p>Yukino stays quite close, keeping her operatives right engaged with the creature. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Vanessa(Japanese boar)&#8217;s<\/span> energy is waning, with how hard she&#8217;s pushing her body, but self-protection is clearly not her forte. <\/p>\n<p>Slipping into place, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> plants herself between Vanessa(Japanese boar) and a gargantuan, shark like behemoth, lifting her sword as it lights with flame. <\/p>\n<p>Yukino tells &#8220;I do not have until tomorrow, soldiers.&#8221;(Encourage) <\/p>\n<p>seeing the shell crack, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Maren<\/span> blurrs forward, despite clear reluctance, her blade following the motion. <\/p>\n<p>As a last, flaming cut lands from <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine&#8217;s<\/span> saltsteel sword, the shell, cracks. Not a small crack. It shatters under the strange blade, opening the monster&#8217;s brutish body. It roars, fury filling its eyes as it launches forward, the ground cracking beneath its skittering, pounding legs. <\/p>\n<p>Maren a strike deliverred, the vampire attempts to retreat, having not wishing to be within striking range. <\/p>\n<p>Taking up a position between Vanessa(Japanese boar) and a gargantuan, shark like behemoth with a cracked and broken shell, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> calls out over the noise. &#8220;I would suggest, getting back! It looks, very unpleasantly angry!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;One hopes to indeed attempt such a maneuver.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Maren<\/span> calls back, pausing as 2 rapid swings from Elaine, and then from Yukino come down, killing the demon. <\/p>\n<p>But the beast doesn&#8217;t get the chance, to unleash that anger. Saltsteel blades pierce its body from all sides, crystalized blood flowing from a multitude of wounds as it lets out one last, earthshattering roar shakes the cave. Then an impact, powdered salt swirling up to engulf the area. with that, the shark demon spasms. And then stills, unmoving. <\/p>\n<p>Yukino monetizes on Elaine&#8217;s strike to stab into the same wound with the saltsteel blade that Elaine just opened. Whatever expression there is, or who she is, is concealed by her hazmat suit. <\/p>\n<p>But the beast doesn&#8217;t get the chance, to unleash that anger. Saltsteel blades pierce its body from all sides, crystalized blood flowing from a multitude of wounds as it lets out one last, earthshattering roar which shakes the cave. Then an impact, powdered salt swirling up to engulf the area. with that, the shark demon spasms. And then stills, unmoving.* <\/p>\n<p>Maren keeps her gaze straight ahead, hands coming to demurely be clasped at her front. yet her lips are pressed tight, eyes narrowed to slits as she carefully does not look at the pulses of the living, breathing group, nor the crystaline blood of the demon seems to register as appetizing, due to it&#8217;s, crystaline nature. <\/p>\n<p>The Vanguard soldiers that had protected Yukino lay battered and broken around the area, some still alive. Some not. The strange, crystaline powder flows from the shark demon. It is far too much to handle carrying out. But its evidence is likely enough to count as the bounty&#8217;s completion. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> lowers her blade, giving a small nod in Yukino&#8217;s direction as she moves to check first on Vanessa(Japanese boar), then Maren. <\/p>\n<p>A fair bit of panting is coming from <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Vanessa(Japanese boar)<\/span>, each wound crossing her hefty body knitting shut. She breathes out shakily, as she shifts back, and stands, wincing as she stretches. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll handle the paperwork for these&#8230; discarded operatives and ensure my identity will not be noted on reports and someone else mentioned in my place.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Yukino<\/span> claims, turning around to look down at the Vanguard soldiers, picking up some bandage from a pocket and beginning to bandage them up. At least those who still can be bothered to be saved. &#8220;You will be useful again.&#8221; She tells to one of them, her voice a matter of fact and not compassion. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That hurt,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Vanessa<\/span> mumbles, checking herself over for lingering injuries, and thankfully finding none. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I am only glad, it did not manage to strike us once it was truly awake.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> murmurs, disregarding the Vanguard in their entirety as she sheaths the saltsteel sword, then makes for the cave&#8217;s entrance. &#8220;I need a bath&#8230;&#8221; She can be heard muttering as she moves out. <\/p>\n<p>Maren eyes the corpses, and the blood flowing from several wounds, yet her gaze returns to focusing upon at a point in the distance. it would seem that sheer pride would not permit her to feed like a carrian, despite the vampire being in need of a topup. <\/p>\n<p>The groans of the Vanguard soldiers fill the cave, a few stirring from the treatment provided. The death count is more than the living count though. The monster&#8217;s legs and savage claw swipes having decimated most soldiers, even as they battered the group. <\/p>\n<p>Vanessa snags just a bit of that glittering, crystal blood, tucking it away in a container she&#8217;s definitely stolen. Perhaps a canteen, or something. She sneaks out after Elaine, like she did nothing suspicious. <\/p>\n<p>keeping the blood coated blade carefully from her finery, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Maren<\/span> glides towards the entrance. not a spec of the vampire&#8217;s injurries remaining, but the girl appearing even more fragile. <\/p>\n<p>As she works through them, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Yukino<\/span> just lets out a silent sigh and then takes out a little bone charm, hands it to one of the slightly more stable wounded. &#8220;Task: Activate it. Make each of yours activate it. Then we GTFO.&#8221; She states. The bone charm begins to glow whenever it is used while the hazmat suit woman herself turns away from the body mess towards the corpse of the shark creature. She takes out her white blade and begins cutting it apart, and then makes to try and burn the behemoth&#8217;s remains. <\/p>\n<p>The saltsteel carves through the creature&#8217;s body easily enough, spilling more of the crystalized blood onto the ground. The same can&#8217;t be said for the burning, however. The flesh of the demon simply refuses to light, smoldering for a moment before the fire dies out. <\/p>\n<p>outside, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Maren<\/span> finds a purch at the dreery plain, carefully, meticulouslly running a cleaning instrument over her blade which also helps transfer it&#8217;s congealed blood within a jar retrieved from her reticule. task completed, she glides over to join Elaine and someone. <\/p>\n<p>outside, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Maren<\/span> finds a purch at the dreery plain, carefully, meticulouslly running a cleaning instrument over her blade which also helps transfer it&#8217;s congealed blood within a jar retrieved from her reticule. task completed, she glides over to join Elaine and Vanessa <\/p>\n<p>As the bulk of the group re-emerges from the caves, they are met by a troop already moving in. In contrast to the armored and armed Vanguard of before, these look more like scientists, researchers, miners, and similar folk. Several carry barrels, while a few wield tablets of some strange crystal, which glow with arcane runes. The path to the mirror, at least, remains clear of the newcomers, a collection of briefcases stacked beside it, four in total. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This is going to be a problem if it can regenerate.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Yukino<\/span> remarks, perking up to look over at Elaine and the others, though she keeps cutting, and then retrieves some of the meat and whatever resembles and organ into containment bags marked with the label &#8216;Lab#ZT-54&#8217;. <\/p>\n<p>Vanessa yawns against the back of her wrist and murmurs, &#8220;I&#8217;m glad I&#8217;ll be home once we pop through this mirror&#8230; right across the street, at least. Wish I could put a mirrorgate in the loft, right in a torture room, in case anyone broke in&#8230;&#8221; She lifts a briefcase, holding it in front of herself. <\/p>\n<p>And when that is done, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Yukino<\/span> follows back after Elaine and the others. Bone charm left with the operatives for the moment. When it is scientists, she does not hand over the pieces she collected. <\/p>\n<p>Maren retrieves the second briefcase, that, gripped in a dainty hand. &#8220;One finds herself with a desire to visit the library.&#8221; she murmurs. to find hapless students, or for research unclear in her tone. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve got a drive.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> murmurs back, collecting a briefcase herself and rubbing her eyes. &#8220;I&#8217;m going to enjoy the bathing pool I commissioned&#8230; gods I need it.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>The pieces, fortunately, do not seem to be so inclined to regenerate. And of course, seeing as most of the soldiers are wounded, no one challenges Yukino as she collects pieces of the demon. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In your giant mansion?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Vanessa<\/span> asks, raising her brows at Elaine. &#8220;I&#8217;m quite fond of me and Kai&#8217;s little pool, I&#8217;m out there &#8230; way too often. Gari hates it, he gets so jealous.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Alright. I was never here.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Yukino<\/span> states and then moves past, towards the exit, not looking particularly interested in the briefcases. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine<\/span> says, a bit defensively, as she presses a palm to the mirror. &#8220;In my giant mansion, have you an issue with my residence, Swine?&#8221; Contrary to her words, there isn&#8217;t much bite to <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Elaine&#8217;s<\/span> words. <br \/><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Date: 2026-07-09 15:08 (Blood and Salt(Elaine):Elaine) [Thu Jul 9 2026] In the lair of the Waste HunterThis cavern is vaulted, the ceiling disappearing into the distance far above. Light playing off salt crystals sparkle like a thousand, tiny stars. The scene is almost eerie in&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[137],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30093","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-plotlog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30093"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30093\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}