The lycanthrope, standing in its primal Glory was impressive for sure, but the crowd went even quieter when a roar shattered the silence from the darkness behind a magic and iron banded portcullis in the far wall of the arena.That scream could almost be seen as it tore through the air, and wounded Shinra's eardrums.  Everyone, including the lycanthrope, stared as the rusted and thick iron of the gate slowly rose up into the strong stone of the arena wall.Nothing happened. Shinra stared intently through the black opening though, unable even to blink. His heart had trembled after hearing that sound, and he needed to know what sort of horror waited in the arena with him. Even though he was in one of the private boxes, and shielded by magic so powerful even a zombie could feel it, he was still afraid. Sardi whispered something to him, but Shinra couldn't hear anything.The anticipation, and fear, roiled around inside of him, dredging up a primal response. It

Seeing that giant fur god rocketing towards them, Shinra's vision went out of control. The rocketing motion slowed down, and he could clearly see a grid all around them with vectors showing the direction and speed of everything. He followed the projected path of the Lycan, and saw that he was going to land on Sardi. Sardi's head to be precise, if he didn't move.In this slow motion view, Shinra turned towards Sardi, and, without thinking, dove forward. The movement broke his concentration and everything happened fast. He hit Sardi high in the chest, bowling them both over into a rolling ball of limbs that hit the far side of the event box. They were still moving when the Lycan crashed right where they had been, splintering their seats into kindling under its muscled bulk.Some of the splinters shot towards Shinra and Sardi, but they were in too much shock to notice."Shit, shit, shit!!!" Sardi was saying, louder and louder. Shinra, seeing the monster start to look towards them,

"Thank you my dear," the big man said, as he plucked a flute of champagne from the passing tray. The young woman smiled and nodded her head, setting her dark ringlets into a gentle wave.  Aside from her smile, and the tray, she was wearing nothing else.The man reached out and gave her a gentle pinch, but otherwise ignored her after taking the champagne. He was an imposing man with iron grey hair cut severely at his shoulders.  Though he was wearing layers of elegant clothes, he was obviously well muscled, like a middle-aged boxer that could still get into the ring if he had to.  A very rich boxer. The party was a mix of elegance and crassness, with men and women dressed as well as any Lord in Tardel mingling with others in dirty linens and wearing well used weapons. And the naked serving girls; they made it seem like the whole elegant affair was happening in a brothel, which it was."You have nothing to worry about my Lord, I have f

"Are you ok Zombie?  That blast was mostly caught by my shield, but it isn't designed for 2, sorry" Sardi said, standing now with sword raised.'I need a freaking sword,' Shinra thought, pulling out his trusty folder.  It was matte black, and amazing as a hidden weapon.  It was also a little underwhelming in a head on fight with armed mages.  Not that he was great with swords. 'At least I could defend against another sword that way….,' as soon as he thought this, he shook his head.  It didn't sound right.  He was a hunter, a killer.  He didn't defend, he attacked.  He gripped his knife in the forward position, ready to stab an organ or slice an artery."I count 11, can you see anymore?" Shinra said. "I barely see the 11, some are hanging back in the dust and shadows.""Ok, have any ultimate spells that will take them all out?  Like the Breath of Bahamut?".Sardi's laugh came from dee

Shinra noticed something.  He was strong.  He knew intellectually that the stats the System showed meant something, but it was only after nearly tearing a mage's head off that it felt real to him. 'Was it the upgrade this morning that made this difference, did I break through a level?  Maybe I've just been holding back unconsciously.'  Whatever the case, it gave him confidence as he deepened his Fade into translucency and circled away from the dead attacker.  He positioned himself to come in behind the 3 mages running towards the corpse. He knew going invisible wouldn't last long, but he couldn't afford his prey to suspect he was still there. 'I need to hit hard and fast.  Will my blade work with their shields, or do I need to break all of their necks?'  Breaking three men's necks standing beside each other wasn't possible, so he needed to observe them. "Newmam! Why are you on the groun