"And that's my problem, how? I told you to leave and you're still here. And something like that." Brizman raised his hand, which began to slowly transform into roots, wood branches, and dry stalks, as well as sprouting from the new gangly mess of a limb. Claw like pieces of wood form around Dry Stalks and roots to form a gnarled hand.
"Kill 'em…"
In mere moments the 3 men around Brizman Unsheathed their swords and attempted to jump the Old Man! In fear, Lantis Stepped back, foot grazing against his travel back, and idea clicking in his mind. 'It'd take far to long to waste a shot on any of them…And I'm certain the kick back will put me out of commission…But Luckily…' Thrusting to the Side, Lantis snatched his trusty stave from the side of the pack, the very one that he'd fought off 20 ton monsters with in the prime of his life.
Made from a material known as Steelamboon, it was harder than steel at a fifth of the weight, when he'd first got it, the man said that he hadn't a clue where it'd come from, and had no reports in any botany encyclopedias except for a single passage in a 400 year old Book. Supposedly the Material had the ability to channel one's intent in some way. Excellent for Witchcraft or Magic, or so the man said. But Lantis Had no such affinity, all he had was Physical Strength, he always wondered if possibly the Steelamboon listened to that, and somehow boosted his physicality, or perhaps was just a really solid weapon. And even then, despite the Decades he'd had it. He never thought about inscribing it, at most he personalized the tip with a solid bulb of Sturdy steel and capped the end off with a metal tip for hiking
In a dash, Lantis whipped around the almost 6 foot long staff, and with the front end tucked under his arm, swatted the closet man across the face with it! Lantis could Feel his Bones and Joints ache and scream in pain as he exerted himself, but his years of instincts honed against the most ferocious of beast kicked in! Baboons with Claws the Length of an Entire Limb, Praying Mantis' that had near human-like hands that could wield weapons, Birds that could go faster than sound, he'd gone up against them all!
The First man fell back against the ground in a heap, Unconscious from the strike, the second coming up moments later only to be met with the Staff being shoved into his foot, staggering him and piercing his boot, then being attacked with the tip of the Staff. The Metal smacking into his jaw, Lantis then followed up the strike with a wide swing to the right of the mans skull!
The Third continued the fight only second later! In the middle raising his pistol! Only for Lantis to bring the end down, smacking the pistols aim off and causing the man to fire into the Dirt! Lantis' final attack was a Solid overhead swing! Just as he'd finished off many a beast before!
Spinning around, Lantis new that he wouldn't be able to start again if he stopped! With aches all through out his back, his hips creaking, Lantis Raised the Engraved Pistol right at Brizman and Fired! The Recoil was enough that it did just as predicted, he could feel his bones on the verge of breaking! Shoulder dislocating from its place! But it was do or die!
Brizman Moved in a Blur! Utterly out Pacing and closing the dozen meters in a few moments! By the Time he had Lantis by the throat, the Bullet finally impacted into the far tree! Utterly decimating it's trunk in an explosion of splinter before only stopping after going through three more!
"Not Bad Old man…But your best just won't do…" Brizman spoke, the Roots and Dry Stalks of his gangly arm wrapping around Lantis' wrinkled and leathery skin, lifting him effortlessly from the ground, feet dangling and attempting to kick at the man. "Such Vigor. Even for a geezer like you."
"I'm gonna have fun with this…" Lantis looked at the Mans face, seeing the deep eye shadow that the man wore around his eyes, the piercings in his eyes, and the mess of hair that he had atop his head, goggles around his neck. He knew that it was now or never to call upon his last option.
With one solid deep breath as he felt bark and spindly pieces of sharpened wood pierce his abdomen, he screamed as loud as he could.
"LEROY! ! !"
"Leroy? A savior? Tsh- No ones coming to your rescue This time geezer…" As Brizman spoke, a horrific event unfolded, his face seemed to take I'm the look wood, roots and dry stalks wrapping and knotting around each other, before growing another layer of what looked like a canvas, ragged and torn, leaving sharp wooden fangs exposed from the fabric like mouth, eyes igniting!
The sight sent chills down Lantis' eyes as he could feel the roots dig deeper into his guts, pain shooting through his body
"Ack!" Blood Began to trickle down his chin as his wrinkled brow furrowed in pain. 'I knew..I should've called for help…when i could've…' Lantis could feel his strength loosening as he continued his struggle
* * *
Leroy Jolted up from bed, Dezzi, who was lay at the end Of the bed with their captain, was Up as well, ears and nose twitching with eyes wide. "Captain…did You hear that too?" They said putting down the book they were reading