Chapter 251: CHPT 251: The Slayer's Path...
Iron sharpens Iron. Pressure makes Diamonds. And Hell on earth creates Slayers...
Claude experienced Hell. He cut down member after member of its sick progeny. It too, cut him down. Mentally and physically, playing its sick games and feeding on his hatred. But he was able to prevail, he was able to avenge the humans that became collateral damage in their little war.
In return, the power of the HellSlayer was his to claim. And he'd make sure to use this newfound power to never let any of his friends pay the price for his weakness again.
The problem now was, to choose. What brand of HellSlayer was he?
***
Claude sat on the rock for a long time beside Ursula and his Wolves, just looking over the screen that hovered in front of his vision.
His tired mind was working overtime, playing back fights, remembering traits thinking of his own preferences that would ultimately result in the best option. The best power for him, to make him a Demons worst nightmare.
"[Well god damn! Are you going to choose? Your almost as bad as women shopping for clothing...]"
"Don't rush me! I'm tired....and all of these paths look good..." Claude snapped in response to Arne's voice.
"[…..Very well. Allow me to be of assistance. Let's just start by looking at each option, yea? Then we'll discern what they mean and how each would assist you in combat.]"
"Alright..." Claude replied while he continued to look over the screen, now being guided in mind by Arne.
***
[Choose your HellSlayer Power!]
[HellSlayer's Shield]
[HellSlayer's Slash]
[HellSlayer's Arrow]
[HellSlayer's Aura]
[HellSlayer's Hound]
[Each Skill has an Upgrade Requirement that must be met to further Empower it.]
***
"[Ok. Right off the bat. I think it's easy to understand that there's a HellSlayer power that synergizes with each kind of Class belonging to a Hero.]"
Claude nodded along, "Right. The Shield....is the Knight. The Slash is the Swordsman. Arrow is Archer....Aura is all Tank Classes...."
"[And Hound is Beast Tamers.]" Arne cut in.
Claude's black lips peeled back, revealing his shining white canines as he tried to pull of a confused human expression, "Then why do we even have a choice?"
"[Well, I think every option is viable to any class depending on how you use them. Think about a Swordsman-- a purely offensive highspeed class. Now imagine if one had a shield that could defend against Demons like nothing ever before. It would undoubtedly make that Swordsman an even larger threat-- without even considering what skills the Shield might come with. Just like if an Archer chose HellSlayer's Aura. Imagine firing off arrows cloaked in that Aura. This power brings a level of variety you don't see often.]"
"I see....these paths seem simple, but they can give each HellSlayer a new level of variety in combat. And who knows what happens to each Skill when it's upgraded...."
"[Precisely. So think about yourself, think about how you fight, where your lacking and where your strongest.]"
"Hm. I think I've got decent speed....."
"[Yes, yes I suppose that would be putting it lightly.]"
"I could build on that speed. Making HellSlayer's Slash seem like a good fit."
"[Very true. But think about your future. You are becoming a Spear user. You are a piercer and ripper before you're a slasher. I think having something that blends with your form of combat will make you that much more dangerous.]"
"Dammit. That's true....Ok, then we can fix my defense. HellSlayer's Aura would undoubtedly make me tankier in battle while also allowing me to empower my weapons."
"[Good point. The Aura seems like a strong choice. Not to mention, if the upgraded version aims for energy efficiency then maybe a form of Armor is in your future....hopefully Armor that shifts with you.....]" Arne agreed before adding, "[I'm not going to lie here. This option sounds quite nice and the possibilities for the most part work in your favor.]"
Claude was about to agree when Ursula coughed silently next to him, drawing his and the resting Wolves' attention.
He stared for a moment.
She barely even looked alive. Her once tan skin had paled, making the freckles that spread across her cheeks and button nose stand out more than usual. Even her dark brownish auburn hair looked less vibrant. All this dullness, contrasting like night and day with the red lines drawn haphazardly across her arms and stomach. Each injury, he remembered how she got each one like they were his own.
He couldn't look at her too long without beginning to feel sick, causing his eyes to pan over to the Wolves. Frosty at his feet, facing the cave entrance with Ashe beside him, spreading her black smoke over his back like an ethereal blanket. Shadow and the others framed Ursula while they slept silently.
Everyone was so tired. And their mission had only just begun.
"Shit...." Claude growled.
"[What's the matter? Have you made your choice?]" Arne asked.
"I think I have...."
"[Oh, great! Have you chosen the Aura? I think that's a very good choice.]"
"I thought so too." Claude responded before explaining, "You told me earlier to think about the future...for what the power could become and what I could do with it....."
"[Yes, yes. I believe I did...]"
"That's what you're supposed to do...under normal circumstances. I think for now, the present is just as important. We have someone to protect-- to defend. Someone who is completely defenseless and injured. The power of a stronger Aura sounds ideal and has many uses. But all these uses are for myself. I need a power that benefits everyone here in a more direct way. We need numbers. We need a heavyweight and we need to overwhelm everything that comes our way."
It didn't take much brainpower for Arne to understand what Claude was eluding to, "[Very well. I suppose your right. The present is of utmost importance as of late....and I must say. Strength is found in numbers more often than it isn't. Go for it, Claude. Choose the power that will not only benefit you, but your pack as well.]"
There was nothing left to be said.
DING!
[HellSlayer Power has been Claimed!]
[New Skill Gained! (HellSlayer's Hound), (Malevolence Tether)]
[HellSlayer Powerset Unlocked: (The HellSlayer), (Hell Sense), (Animus Nature)]
As soon as he made his choice, he expected an odd feeling of power to wash over him. Something intense that matched everything else tied to the HellSlayer power. Instead, there was silence.
As if the power were waiting for him to relax, as soon as his shoulders slumped something from the depths of his mind roared loud enough to make him think his skull would split. It was a horrible sound, a sound that made him think of a Crocodile trying to roar like a Lion.
By the time it was done, he was on his feet and holding his head with his hands. Frosty and Ashe surrounded him with worry.
"What the fuck was that?"
"[....I take it that was your H--]"
SHhHHHH!!
Before Arne could finish speaking, the sound of flesh being sizzled rang out through the cave.
Claude heard it as well-- but didn't understand it was coming from him until the incredibly hot searing pain began moving down his arm.
With a snarl, he looked down at his left arm-- just in time to see the thin trail of red fire spiraling down his left forearm.
He swung, swatted and patted the flames but they continued their seemingly predetermined route like they were following a trail of gasoline.
"AHHH DAMMIT!.....What the hell is this?!" He growled.
"[.....Turn your arm over.]"
Claude did as Arne requested, flipping over his arm to reveal the underside of his forearm that was covered in much thinner fur-- allowing them both to see his dark grey skin beneath. Skin that looked different than usual.
In the trailing flames wake, steaming markings ran across his flesh. Interlocking patterns that mimicked the appearance of chains-- lined with writings in a language he didn't understand, spiraling down his arm and around the back of his hand to border the Nordic tattooing on his palm that he used to spawn the Phantom Wolves from. It would've gone relatively unnoticed if it wasn't glowing a hellish shade of red that burned like the sun.
"Malevolence Tether...." He assumed as his forearm lit up the cave in a demonic red hue.
"[Oh for fucks sake....]" Arne suddenly said in a disheartened tone.
"What?"
"[It's a god damned glorified leash!]"
Claude suddenly felt uncomfortable as he remembered the thing roaring in his mind. "What does this mean...?"
"[Well, I believe the chain-like design of your-- rather cryptic tattoo, is a bit of symbolism, Claude. Chains. Chains are used to tie....or restrain. Even more so, they can be used to tame, reminding a creature that it's not as wild as it once was. ]"
"So....I have to Tame the HellSlayer's Hound?"
As if responding to his thoughts..
DING!
[Regain your HP and Stamina to attempt to control your inner HellSlaying ferocity and make it your weapon. Tame the HellSlayer's Hound.]
"Great.....the first creature I'll attempt to Tame....is a Demon Dog. Why has my luck gone to shit?"
"[Ohhh it's quite the contrary actually. The only reason you have this power is because that HellBreeder already had a foot....and arm in the grave. I believe by choosing this power, you've given yourself a unique chance to grow your skills as a true Tamer of Beasts. Now get some sleep, night will fall in no time, and you'll need to hunt for yourself and her.]"
So, Claude did just that. Arne was right, night would fall in no time. And when it did, he'd spend it roaming the sanded lands of the wild in search of food and working to hone his newfound power as a HellSlaying Beast Tamer.
Hopefully nothing would spin out of control…
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
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_Avatar0FFury_ Two chapters upon my return because why not. Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think of the start of Volume two so far!
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