The Birth of the White Death
#2 of Tails of the Teller
Ok here is a origin story on one of my forms. I hope you enjoy it... Mercilessly...
Your Bard, The Teller of Tails
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Many people have asked me about the White Death. "What is it? Where did it come from? I have never seen something like that." Well the time has come to relay the events that resulted in the birth of what many call a monster. It all started with me, in a local tavern finishing a comical story...
"And so the duchess killed the duke, and the duke killed the, prince and the prince, killed the duchess, but when they woke up it had all been a dream!" The whole room burst into laughter. I myself didn't find the story all that funny but the crowds always loved it. Every one in the room was either on the floor rolling around, or doing a spit-take with their beer. All but one elf. The elf stood and just glared at me as if I was some sort of demon. "Good, we have all heard many tales of others, but what about your own exploits?" This caught me by surprise. Few ever ask about my own tales. "Well I do have a lot of my own but a teller telling about himself is just bragging is it not?" "I see... Then is what they say about you true?" "It depends. In bed? Yes, but not with you."
The bar once again burst into hysterics, brought on by their drunkenness and my witty comeback. The elf placed his hand on his face and sighed. "Is what they say about your fighting skill true? They say you can change into any form and use it to the best of it's ability." Worry pulled at the back of my mind. I was starting to get the idea. "Tis true, but I prefer to avoid conflict when ever possible." The elf smiled in a devilish way. "I'm afraid you wont be able to avoid this one. I am Burees the Uncatchable, and I challenge you, great Teller of Tails to a duel."
The room when silent. Every one knew of Burees. He was legendary for being the fastest elf alive. No man or elf could catch him, and his bow was so fast and accurate that even if you came close you would be dead before you got ten paces from him. But I didn't have much of a choice. I followed the knight's code and denying a duel was dishonorable. I looked at the elf as the whole bar just looked back and forth as they whispered to each other.
"Vary well, I will duel you." The elf gave a silent laugh to himself then said. "Follow me." He lead the way out of the tavern and through the town. A small crowed gathered as we passed and eventually we all ended up in a small grove just outside of town. "To make things fair, you may only choose one form to use. No shifting in the middle of battle." I thought to my self on what I would choose. Most of my forms were too big or slow to even have a chance against this elf. No, I would have to make a form. Something I rarely do, but have done in the past, but they aren't always as intended.
I would need something fast, agile, and small, with quick reflexes with a Merciless personality. The elf only wore light leather armor so weapons would not be as needed. It had to be able to maneuver in the air and jump long distances, as well as having the keen senses of a hunter. I looked at the elf and told him I was ready, and he nodded. "Then let us begin!"
The Elf drew his bow and I started to shift. I normally only take half a second to shift, but this being the first time, and it being a creature of my mind, it took a little longer. The creature that stood before the crowed caused them and Burees to laugh. I was small, about 2 feet from head to tail, and looked a lot like a white cat, but It had no nose and it's large eyes were red blood. The odd creature looked more cute then menacing.
I could feel as the personality set in, and I started to feel angry that they dare laugh at me. I would show them all, what I could do... The elf finally stopped laughing and pulled out an arrow. "I'm sorry fuzzball but you are going to have to die!" He let loose and arrow and my senses kicked in. I could see and hear and hear the arrow as it flew through the are and towards me, and a quickly sidestepped.
The elf was shocked when he missed and drew back another shot then released. I dodged it again, easily. The elf now furious started a barrage of arrows and started the real battle. I smiled at the challenge and lunged into the air. Time seemed to slow as the arrows flew towards me, and I opened the hidden flaps of skin I had and used it to allow me to move through the air like it was water, kicking the arrows from their path, sending them to the ground before landing myself and charging. I moved so fast I became a blur and lunged at Burees. He jumped out of the way and loosed more arrows upon me, and I quickly move from their way by climbing up a near by tree.
I jumped from there with a twist and knocked more arrows from their path as I fell towards the elf. He lifted his leg and kicked my hard, sending me flying. I only recovered just in time to jump away from three more arrows. I jumped from tree to tree, just a white blur zigzagging towards the speedy elf. He drew his daggers, something he never thought he would have to do, and slashed quickly at demon Cat-Thing before him. I could hear the wind moving as the blades moved. I could see it moving towards me clearly, and made my move. I used the flaps of skin to raise in the air just a little to avoid the blade before I grabbed onto the wrist and jumped over his head.
The Dumbstruck elf watched furiously as the creature stuck out it's bright red tongue out mockingly at him as it flew over head. What he didn't know was because I had no nose, I had to smell using my tongue, but at the same time the evil little creatures personality enjoyed taunting it's foe. As I tried to land, the elf spun around and slashed again, this time with both at the same time right towards me. I quickly placed one paw on the blade above me, and another on the one below me as the approached. I used them along with the flaps of skin to turn sideways and flatten out as much as I could, slipping through the daggers, and hitting the ground.
I lunged at the elf, and pulled out my retractable claws and cut along the side of his neck. I just barely missed the artery that I had aimed for, and landed on the ground on the other side, before pouncing again, but this time Burees was ready, and grabbed the creature mid air and threw it back to the ground, ripping some of my fur out. I hit the ground with a thud, and quickly got up to avoid the stab of his dagger.
The creatures personality now was fully formed, and it was filled with rage because of the loss of it's fur. It jumped at a tree and then off it to the elf who slashed at the creature only to have it claw onto his hand and kick the blade from his grasp before swinging to his shoulder. Burees stabbed at me and I quickly kicked the blade down, changing it's path, and sending it strait into his shoulder. The elf yelled in pain, but the creature was Merciless and jumped to a tree before jumping back at him, and knocking him down. It lifted its paw to end it with a final blow, but something happened in it's mind and instead slashed across the elf's right eye.
I jumped off and ran away in a blur of white, as I knew my letting him live meant that I could not stay here. The towns people just looked at each other with mouths agape, at what they had saw the supposedly cute creature do. They muttered to themselves asking what it was, only to be turned to and be told "Its White Death, that's what it is."
The beaten elf sat there on the ground, humiliated and broken. His life my still be, but his existence would always haunt him, as he lost to such a creature, as that White Death. Burrees squeezed his fist, and felt something soft crushed within. He opened it to see the soft white fur of the creature. He smiled. He would get revenge on the one who had ashamed him. He would end the life of that Evil Creature!
He would be... Merciless...