Hollow Artery (Mod)

[Nisha Dovickssen]

The depths of the catacombs were less scary and more unpleasant to Nisha. Perhaps it was that her strength had never exactly failed her when she was really in trouble. Perhaps it was just an innate lack of care for herself. Whatever the case, she didn't see the underground grave site as a fearsome place. Media always depicted these sorts of locations as terrible, haunted labyrinths, yet she found herself pretty much at ease, and that was with Shadows there. Or perhaps the Shadows themselves were the things that “haunted” other catacombs? In that case, she could understand why other places, like this one, would be considered terrifying.

That opened up entirely different doors for consideration. Humming to herself as she proceeded, the woman considered the implications of her new theory.

[ChromaticTruthsayer]

A very dangerous shadow has appeared. Be careful!

Randy Gigas

• Auto-Tarukaja
• Revolution
• Cell Breaker

Absorb: Repel: Null: Strike Rs: Wk: Elec

[Nisha Dovickssen]

As the woman passed into a three-way intersection, a fist flew at her. Crossing her arms allowed her to protect her torso, but it felt as though her arms were numbed. The opponent was powerful. Surprisingly so, considering the others she'd seen in the area. This one matched the threats she had in the hospital when she first awakened. Readying the crowbar, she charged in, swinging with all her might. While the crowbar broke the surface and peeled meat- if it could be called that- away, it didn't get stuck in the opponent like it did with the smaller Shadows. He was denser- that was muscle. It threw a punch, and she sidestepped. She swung the crowbar, and he blocked.

And then something clicked.

It punched. She swung. Their free hands grabbed the other's attacking arm. Both sides applied pressure and tried to twist, tried to force the other side to yield. It hurt. It hurt plenty, but she wasn't going to leave herself open to a direct hit. Instead, she considered the hall. She had enough room to drop back, but the opponent wouldn't have that leisure. Tugging back, she let her footing slide, drawing the Shadow atop her. Unfortunately for it, her legs had coiled against her stomach. Using them as a springboard, she slammed the Shadow into the wall behind her. Sadly, it seemed like the actual impact did little, but it broke them from that stalemate.

While it shifted upright, the woman closed in and slammed her crowbar into its head. The blow, with her bare hands, would've either incapacitated or outright killed a human. With the crowbar, it was a sure-kill for normal humans, and probably for most Shadows. This opponent, though? It continued to rise. She whirled and put the momentum together with her full upper-body strength and gravity, driving a forceful downward swing at the Shadow's head. It hit. And it stuck. The crowbar was lodged into the giant's head. Before she had the chance to retrieve it, she was forced to step back to avoid another punch.

Both stood straight. The woman had no weapon. Just her, her raised fists, the Shadow, its fists, and its new rockin' mohawk. She needed to verify if there simply was not enough force behind her original shove or if it was unaffected by impact-based attacks completely. It shot forward, as did she. Their blows crossed. The fists connected with their intended targets. The Shadow was unaffected. Nisha, however, was sent stumbling back. Impact was no good. The Shadow pointed at her, taunting. That was fine. Her brute strength wasn't the full spread of her abilities- not anymore. She reached for the card that would call Shango. It materialized, and she gripped it, shattering it. She stared ahead as the Shadow gave off a strange pulse.

The Persona materialized beside her. If her fists didn't work, then neither would Assault Dive. Their next choice was Zio. The taller figure's hands came together, and sparks materialized. Then, the bolts fired at the Shadow. The current, however, was redirected by the crowbar, the metallic object effectively becoming a lightning rod, which served to fry the contents of the Shadow's head. The woman rushed in while it was stunned and ripped the crowbar free, pulling a chunk of solid bone-muscle mass free of the head. Whatever it was, it quickly dissolved, leaving Shadow juices, and chunks, to filter through the new hole in its head.

Shango followed up with another bolt, and the blast slammed into the stunned Shadow, knocking the giant back. He stood, though shaky. The woman charged in. Gripping her crowbar with both hands and putting all her strength into the swing, she aimed for the head again. This time, the blow connected, snagged on the insides of its head, and effectively ripped a second chunk of the head away, leaving about a third of the surface content free for air exposure. Of course, after that second blow, the Shadow slumped forward, the ground shaking slightly as the Shadow's knees impacted the ground. Slowly, it dissolved into nothing. Nisha, breathing heavily, felt as though she had earned that victory. It wasn't like the others. That was a true opponent.

[ChromaticTruthsayer]

Success!

You defeated the enemy!
You also found: Damage Mod: Dark

[Nisha Dovickssen]

Nisha put her hands together in prayer. Her opponent had been fierce. Had it been reborn a human, would it have been like her? Ridiculously strong, and a threat to those around it? It was a worrisome thought. She wished for the Shadows she killed to have a chance at a proper life, not one filled with contempt. She sighed before lowering her hands. Once more, it seemed that there was an item. Was it the Shadows' way of thanking her? Or was it simply a coincidence? That had been the third time now that one had dropped something. Dismissing her thoughts, she crouched and pocketed the object, sliding it into a different pocket than the other item.

As Shango faded, the woman decided it was time to head home. Nothing more to do at the catacombs for the time being, and that last fight had been a bit more dangerous than she expected. It would be good to check her body, then get some rest. She made a note to keep her guard up, then proceeded towards the exit.