Blood Bound (OPEN)

[Dream Wolf]

Dream wasn't supposed to be here, he was supposed to be in the city, where it was safe, but he needed to Train his Forged in Blood ability, and he hated using it in front of people. He had a bucket of blood, fresh from the butcher, and he placed it on a stone. He had chosen the water fall, because despite the rumors it was just a myth, it really did give off an amazing energy, one that he could feel easily, and he knew that while it may not cure disease, it could give someone the strength to fight the illness. For him it was like being a solar panel on a planet with two suns and no night time, he could absorb huge amounts of energy, and keep using his power until his physical body gave out from the training, but he would not get tired from using his ability.


He stood next to the bucket, shirtless despite the cold, and wearing shorts. He held out his right hand and summoned the blood to him, it rose slowly out of the bucket, like a serpent coming to a charmer. It formed into a short blade that had no handle, just shot out from his hand, like an extension of his body. He began his movements slowly, as using his power while fighting was harder on his brain than just using a regular blade, because he had to focus on all the things a swordsman needed to do, plus maintaining the shape of the blade.


His movements picked up speed, and he was soon using his Razor Speed. Anyone who saw him would think he had more than two arms, as he left after images of his arm. He made things more difficult by making a second blade on his left arm and going dual wielder on his imaginary foe. He was so focused on his training he didn't hear the noise coming up behind him, he only avoided death when he saw a shadow fall on the water fall and jumped out of the way. The Brute let out a guttural roar, it was early evening, so it would be weaker than if it were night, but Dream was just beginning his actual combat training, and so far had only sparred with humans. He waved his hand frantically at the bucket of blood and seven spears of hardened blood lanced through the air, impaling the Brute, but making no real difference. The Brute was in the form of a Centipede with massive scorpion claws, and a tail that shot spikes of pure Darkness at the boy.


Dream avoided the attack and leaped into the water, the shock of cold took his breath away, but actually being in the water boosted his energy, he swam to the middle of the little pool at the base of the water all and stayed there, the water repelled the Darkness, so it was the only way to avoid a direct attack from the Brute. Thankfully the creature was pretty stupid, it shot at Dream with its tail spikes, but dream used the blood as a shield, not stopping, but deflecting the spikes. The problem was, it was pig blood, so it was pretty low quality for this use. Part of his ability was that the blood began to rot, depending on the species and the length of time the blood had been out of the body.


The Pig blood was from that morning, but the pig had been an old brood sow, so her blood was not the best quality, especially since she had been turned into meat for eating the entire litter she had birthed. The blood of Cannibals was very low in quality. If only he had a dog or two, their blood would have the quality he needed, the best blood would from a virgin, as cliché as that was.


He was doomed. He was resigned to that. He blamed himself, he had come to the waterfall, knowing the dangers, and he was going to pay the price.


'Let me fight. I am stronger than you, I can use the blood better, and I'm part Darkness, I wont be held back by your fear. Please let me fight, Dream. We may not get along, but we share a body, and I don't want to die any more than you do. Let me fight Curse you!' Fang was roaring in Dream's head, and Dream felt a part of his give way, the remaining blood in the bucket rose up like a thousand tiny daggers and shot towards the Darkness, the Brute roared in agony and rage. All the darts had done was make angrier. The two personalities were both doomed to die, if someone did not come soon.

[Verrat Hanssen]

Ahh. What a lovely day. The birds were singing. The sky was bright and clear. The weather was pleasant, if not a bit nippy. A cool breeze trailed in the air, wafting through the trees. Verrat couldn't think of a more wonderful time to be... well. Lazy of course! Sitting down on one of the middle branches of a strong tree, the man gazed out to his surroundings. It was a beautiful scenery. The mountains were absolutely gorgeous this time of year. The pines were bright against the more dead backdrop. The wilted grass littered with fallen needles, a mix of brown and green. If it wasn't covered in snow that is. Of course, spring was amazing as well, but there was something about Winter that made Verrat feel... alive. And it definitely wasn't how the cold numbed his noes and ears. No, that part he could definitely live without. But it was just the deceiving nature of winter. How it looked as if everything had died long ago, only for it to be just... biding it's time. Waiting for that right moment to strike. It was how Verrat imagined himself. He wasn't shirking off his duties by skipping that one meeting he was 'required' to go to. He was just biding his time. Or he was just lazy. Yeah, probably that.

Listening to the sounds of the waterfall not to far out, Verrat closed his eyes and sighed contentedly. It was nice, being all alone out here. It really cleared his mind, allowed him to relax. The stifling environment he lived in now was really cramping his style. Why couldn't people just let him take a day off? He knew he was one of the few Masters within the area, especially those capable of handling Darkness in mass, but still. A day off wouldn't kill anyone! Probably! Hopefully! Eh. Who was he kidding. If he took the day off and someone died? That would come out against him. Which would mean his vacation days at the end of the year would be shortened. Which would mean less of a break. Sighing, distraught, Verrat decided that just maybe, the meeting was somewhat worth going to. If his vacation days were on the line, at least. 

Standing up on the branch, Verrat groaned as he stretched, his tired muscles complaining about being used so suddenly. You see? Activity hurt him. He just wasn't built for this. Better retire while he still could... like they would let him do that though. Man. How depressing. Rolling his eyes, the man simply jumped down from the branch, landing on another below. And then another. And another. Soon enough he reached the ground, dusting imaginary dirt off himself. 

Turning back to where the city was, Verrat was just about to start heading on his way when a savage roar ripped through the air. 'Human! Territory! Mine! Kill!' That's the general impression the Chaser got from that obvious Brute's screech. Sighing at the annoyance, Verrat rolled his eyes. Really? Was this really happening right now? Right when he went on and decided to be responsible for once in his life? That's it! Never again! This is obviously the universe telling him to give up the path of virtue and continue being a sloth for the rest of his life! Groaning, the man executed an about face and high tailed it to the source of the cry. 

Lo and behold, it was a Brute. Wow... What. A. Shocker. And oh, look at that. There was a poor, unfortunate human being hunted by the giant centipede... scorpion... thing. Oh boy. Letting out the umpteenth sigh of the hour, Verrat reached down and pulled up his mask, securing it tightly onto his face. "Forgive me, my Lord. For I am about to sin." His voice became morbid, his tone dark as he surged forward, throwing daggers and stars appearing in his hands out of thin air. Hurling them at the beast, he aimed directly for the creature's sensitive and vulnerable eyes. The Brute screamed, flailing around as it suddenly grew blind. "All life is precious, even that of scum, and I am about to close the story of one who's tale is not complete." Jumping up, he spun, sending wave after wave of blades into the sensitive joints of the monster. The daggers and stars slipped through the protective armor, the beast gurgling with pain as it's precious mobility was immediately shot. "Please accept this creature into your arms and let them live on in the after life, happy and safe." Trajectory bringing him to the Brute's massive head, the beast had no idea what was coming. It was blind. It couldn't move. It was vulnerable. Scared. Verrat decided to put it out of it's misery. Bringing his fists towards the skull of the mammoth, two streamlined, long bladed katanas materialized from thin air, easily piercing through the exoskeleton of the beast. It cried out in pain and rage one last time, before crashing to the ground below. Quickly jumping off as it fell, Verrat landed safely and unharmed on the shore of the Waterfall. "Amen."

[Dream Wolf]

Dream gaped at the level of skill, one moment the Brute was going to kill him, the next it was dissipating into a gaseous cloud of shadow. Dream swam to the edge of the pond, and climbed out. he shook himself like a dog, getting most of the water out of his clothes and hair.

"Thank you sir, I thought I was going to die..." Dream looked at where the brute had been, the grass, already wilted by winter, was now completely dead. Dream wished he could heal, the plants in the area would suffer for a while, and without the plants the animals would go hungry, in winter every little bit of food was important. He raise his right arm and the blood spears returned to their fluid state and flowed back into the bucket. Most of it was unusable, but some of it was still viable. He sighed as he remembered now what he had forgotten before, there were iron deposits in the rock, if he had been more focused he could have used that iron to attack, with more effect than the blood.

"You're Master Hanssen right? Thank you again, I don't know how I can repay you, but I will. Do you need a sword? or knives? I can make all of that and the quality will be like nothing you've ever seen." Dream spoke slowly, the cold making his lips numb. The fact he was wet, and only wearing shorts and a tee shirt, did not help the problem. That was when he noticed that he wasn't drawing energy from Verrat. It was weird. He could sense the energy the man put off, but it wasn't being drawn in.

[Verrat Hanssen]

A solitary eye gazed at the boy as he climbed out of the little pond, shaking the frozen water off like a dog. The Chaser sighed, rolling his eyes as he smoothly removed the mask, the leathery fabric hanging from his neck like usual. The Ghost disappeared, replaced by a halfheartedly irritated Verrat. And ugh. The "Sir"s and the "Master Hansson"s from the damsel in distress made the poor man cringe. Formalities had no place with him. No way no how. 

"Thanks for the offer kid, but I don't really need any new weapons. Kinda got that taken care of and all..." Verrat drawled a bit, lazily bringing a hand up as a simple switch blade materialized between his fingers, casually twirling it around. "Thanks though. Oh, and the name's Verrat. Not Master Hansson. Not sir. Verrat. Formalities don't exactly suit me much, kid." That brought a small smile to the lazy man's face, chuckling a bit as the twirling blade disappeared. Putting his hands in his grey hoodie's pocket. Mmm. Warmth. Speaking of which, the poor boy looked like he was about to become a living (ish) icicle. Shifting the weight on his feet, the Chaser decided that the apprentice dying was sort of a bad idea. He'd be blamed after all. Thus, cut vacation time. No bueno. 

"But, if you're really that serious about repaying me, how about we get out of this stupid ass cold and into a burger joint. Grab some lunch. On you, of course." Verrat said with a grin, mischief shining in his eyes. Oh yes. He was starving.

[Dream Wolf]

Dream nodded. "Okay Verrat. Its kinda funny actually, most of the powerful people I meet don't like the formality, hehe." he grinned a bit, but in a half hearted way. He was freezing, and it was getting late, which meant more Darkness could be out there. He pulled his hands up and the Iron in the rocks came to him, flowing over him like a liquid skin, soon he was covered with a thin layer of steel, which was hot to the touch, but would keep Dream alive for the journey home, he also had a sword in his hand, the metal putting off steam in the cold air.

"I know a good place, best burgers in town." He flexed his armor covered arms, making sure he had free movement. "Hopefully we don't run into any more Darkness, I keep hearing rumors of Darkness acting weird up here, someone said they saw one playing with a pack of stray dogs, and someone else claimed their uncle had a Razor living in his house, and it acted like an oversized house cat." Dream pulled a last bit of energy from the water fall, making his body warmer yet.

[Verrat Hanssen]

Shrugging, seemingly not paying all that much attention to the boy's iron manipulating ability, Verrat hummed thoughtfully. "That's probably because we don't want to attract that much attention to ourselves. It gets rather... uncomfortable with the civilians if they found out we are Masters. Fan Clubs start popping up, raving fangirls start to attack you and demand that you marry them. It's just a hassle. Ugh." Even thinking about the amount of effort it would take for him to fight off the females made him shudder. Gross. Way to much effort. Screw that noise. "Plus, it makes me feel old. I'm only twenty two. I'm not a grandpa just yet." He quipped with a smile, snickering as he walked. "What's your name kid? I can't just keep calling you that forever, you know."

"A Razor acting like a cat at an Uncle's house, huh? Strange alright." His voice sounded distant as Verrat looked up, gazing towards the sky. Razors didn't act like cats. They lived to kill. That's all they ever wanted to do. An insatiable thirst for blood which was never quenched. If left alone, the Razors would slaughter the entire world, and then most likely turn on the other forms of Darkness. Razors were vicious. Unrelenting. Cruel. He knew that more than anyone else. A small huff of laughter escaped him, raven eyes flicking towards the teen by his side. "Speaking of that... there's something weird about you. Kid." He felt it. The Darkness seemed to ooze from the boy. Not outright, no. But in the background. Like life in winter, waiting for a vulnerable moment to strike. That, and he had felt something trying to pull at him ever since he arrived at the Waterfall. He could feel a psychic energy try to push past the Void, but to no avail. Obviously. Nothing could breach it's walls. Just the way he liked it. Judging from the way the kid first spoke to him and how he quote unquote "fought", the boy wasn't really experienced in their field yet. An apprentice for sure. Probably not in control of some sort of ability. It was annoying, but Verrat just let it slide. It wasn't a big deal. No harm, no foul. 

"This burger joint better be the best, man. You got my hopes all up too." Grinning at his new traveling companion, he laughed. The burgers seriously better be the most delicious burgers known to man. Going through that fight was a real hassle. Some good food would make it worth it. Some great food would make up for him missing his meeting. So. It better be some great food.

[Dream Wolf]

Dream nodded slowly. "Yeah, that makes some sense, to be honest, and it's probably my age, but I don't think being swarmed by a bunch of girls would be that bad..." He laughed a little nervously. When the subject of his name came up he almost jumped.

"I'm Dream Wolf, I've been in the care of the academy since I was eleven, but I just started my training this fall. I came out here to practice my manipulation of blood. It makes people nervous, so I like to do it far from people." He sighed as he pushed himself to keep moving, he was suddenly really tired, but not physically, mentally. He had absorbed a great deal from the Brute, not a huge amount, but enough to make him feel bad. "I also have a power called Absorb, it allows me to absorb power from the things around me. Twice I have absorbed a form of Darkness. Once when I was a baby, that one was a pipsqueak, and again when I was eleven, that was a Razor. That also scares people, that I have darkness inside me. The researchers are looking for a way to undo it, but they aren't having any luck. And I can't turn the Absorb off either, it's always working."

He looked at the older person when he mentioned the way Darkness acted. "That's what everyone believes but if Darkness was all about destruction, then when I absorbed that Razor I would have become just as bent on killing. Part of the Darkness lives in me and talks to me, its violent, but also feels fear. And I could feel the fear coming off that Brute. I have also come across pipsqueaks that play with children. And my old baby sitter met a Razor that was acting like a dog, she says she even pet it, and it didn't attack her, but she said it was very different from any other Darkness she had ever come across. She's a telepath, and she says it seemed like the Razor was part dog. She wasn't comfortable talking about it more."

He just grinned at the mention of the burgers though. "Debbi makes the best burgers, it takes a little longer to get them, but its worth the wait."

[Verrat Hanssen]

Huffing, Verrat crossed his arms. "You say that you wouldn't mind. But just wait until they somehow steal the underwear right off of you. Then it's suddenly a lot less fun." Shuddering from the memory, the lazy Chaser absentmindedly rubbed his butt, not liking the memory. That was one messed up day.

Glancing at the boy, no. Dream. Glancing at Dream as he told his life's story (or what basically equated to in his mind), Verrat sighed and stopped walking. Turning to the Apprentice, he had a serious look on his face. Bringing his hand up, the lazy Master's solemn features softened into a small smile as he poked the kid's forehead. "You shouldn't be ashamed of yourself, Dream." His hand moved up, ruffling his hair. "You can't change just... change the past. The sooner you accept it, both what has happened to you and what you can do, the better." Putting his hands back in his giant pocket, Verrat smirked a bit. "Just take it as advice from a lazy old Master." Huffing a laugh, he continued to walk on the path back to town.

Scratching his chin, Verrat thought about the new information. "So, you're saying that the Darkness is being... tamed? Or is calming down? How... interesting." He frowned at the thought, obviously trying to process the information. It wasn't that he was displeased at the little tidbits, but it was... weird. Of course he had heard the rumors, but it was just strange is all. Shrugging, he packed away the gossip for later. It was time to experience the now. And that included the food he was about to eat. Mmm.... he could taste it now. Made his mouth water in anticipation. Grinning at his new companion, he stretched out his shoulders slightly. "Man, the wait doesn't bother me. All the better, if the grub's as good as you say it is!" Laughing, his eyes twinkled at the very thought of good food. He loved that stuff. Tasty stuff. Mmm....

[Dream Wolf]

Dream laughed. "That would be difficult since anyone who comes into physical contact with me would suddenly find themselves unable to move, unless I lowered my absorb ability. Its why I was able to absorb that Razor, once I touched it with my full absorb power, it was frozen as I drew on its energy. I can't turn off Absorb, but I can control how strong it is, and depending on how strong I make it, it can leave someone feeling fine, if a little tired, or it can put them into a coma for a few days. For darkness its worse, because their body is comprised of shadow energy, a not an actual biological construction, if I absorb from them it actually makes them smaller and weaker, until nothing is left but a bad taste in my mouth. It's why I reduce my absorb when around darkness, I don't like how it makes me feel."

As they reached the bottom of the mountain Dream paused at a small shrine, he placed the bucket of blood at its base, and offered a silent prayer. The shrine was at the entrance to a place where people buried the remains of animals, out of respect. Dream always did this when he came to practice. He sensed now fewer than six pipsqueaks in the area, but he wasn't worried about them, this was far from any place where they could do harm, and while he hated darkness, these pipsqueaks were terrified of something. "Somethings out there, beyond where I can sense, but its got the lesser Darkness scared out of their minds. If they have minds...Let's get moving, what ever it is I don't want to get on its bad side."

Dream spotted the place with the burgers, it was just outside of the outer city limits, and was more of a house than a burger joint. Dream opened the front door and called out to the inhabitants.

"Debbi! Could you fix us some burgers? I've brought you another potential addict."


A middle aged woman came out of what was obviously the kitchen wit flour on her apron, looking like she had just stepped out of a commercial for home baked goods. "What ever you want Dream, and its on the house. You really saved us by fixing the plumbing, if we had been forced to pay a plumber it would have cost thousands. What do the two of you want on your burgers, and how do you want the meat?"

[Verrat Hanssen]

Verrat walked in silence as Dream went on about his ability. How it worked. How it effects others. It's strengths and weaknesses. By the end of the Apprentice's makeshift speech, the lazy Master could write a five paged essay on the subject. Single spaced. 12pt font. MLA format, of course. Glancing at the boy, he gave the kid a lopsided smile. "You know, sometimes it's bad telling people you've just met everything about you." Snickering, the slacker looked back forward. "The ladies love a good sense of mystery man, and you're telling everyone who dun it before the body's even been discovered~!" A few huffs of laughter through his nose later, and Verrat went back into his typical quiet wandering. And it wasn't an awkward silence. At least, not to him. There just really wasn't anything else to say. 

At the shrine, the Pious Chaser bowed his head, hands clasped together in front of his heart in a deep, silent prayer. He might not have taken a lot of things seriously, but his religion was a different matter entirely. Unlike some other faiths out there, his was based upon actual physical gods, ones that walked the earth along side the humans! And his chosen deity? He considered to be the most... magnificent. After all, the immortal had saved him when he was most alone. Shown him the light. Taught him all he knew. And he would never forget that, and his loyalty would never die. After his silent prayer, Verrat glanced up, locking eyes with a small Pipsqueak hidden in the shadows. It paused for a moment before squealing with fear, running off as fast as it's little legs could carry it. "Yeah... it's pretty dangerous out here. Good call, Dream." Standing up to his full height, he walked over to the apprentice and clapped him on the shoulder, grinning lazily before continuing on. 

And at the restraunt? Oh ho hoh boy. He could smell the burgers in the air. The delectable grease. The crisp veggies planted right between two toasty buns, on top of a disk of pure goodness known as grilled meat. He was drooling, alright. Smiling happily at the plump woman, he rubbed his hands together in quite obvious and unbridled anticipation. "I want the meat meaty, and everything you can pack in the burger on it! Oh. Except for mushrooms. Please. No mushrooms, ma'am."

[Dream Wolf]

"I'll have the usual Debbi, medium rare, extra seasoning, and no tomato or ketchup. And if I could have some of those awesome onion rings you made the other day too that would be great, make it a triple batch!" Dream was also drooling, Debbi was not the best known cook in the city, but she made her food with love, as cooking was everything to her. Dream had been coming here since he started living at the dorms, it was a homey place, where people relaxed without even realizing they had been tense to begin with.

"Alrighty, boys, You take a seat, the food will be out in about ten minutes. And Dream? Where were you? Gladus went looking for you and came here because she couldn't find you. You weren't doing anything to get in trouble again right? No more climbing the mountains in experimental armors? Or heading off to find rare ore deposits? Last time you almost died when that Razor went after you, if not for Chaser Candy, you would have been in pieces the perfect size for stew." Debbi looked at Dream who only flushed a bright red. "Judging be the wrinkles in your clothing, you got wet. You went to the waterfall again didn't you?"

Dream, who had removed his steel armor before entering the building, fidgeted nervously. "It's okay Debbi, there was a little trouble but nothing serious. See? Not a scratch on me." He grinned in an agitated way. Debbi gave up and went to cook the food. "Ah, if you could not mention the Brute, I'd really appreciate that..."

[Verrat Hanssen]

Chin resting on an open palm, elbow planted on his other arm that was laying down on the table, Verrat openly stared at Dream with the most amused look in his eyes. He watched the scene unfold before him with the greatest of interest, gaze flicking between the rather robust woman and his new-found acquaintance as they juggled their more than entertaining conversation. Her worry for the kid was well placed, definitely. Didn't make it any less hilarious though. Like a momma bear looking out for a little puppy. A baby chihuahua. The thought of a puppy chihuahua version of Dream being bear hugged by a Grizzly Debbi made him snicker. Now that he would pay to see.

Averting his gaze when Dream pleaded with him to not spill the beans, Verrat adopted a look of complete and utter innocence. "Why, whatever could you possibly be talking to, dearest friend of mine?" Cue the dazzling smile aaaaand... alright. Set. The definition of purity. Heck, if you looked in the dictionary for the definition of innocence, there wouldn't be any words. Just a picture of his face. Promise.

Now with the steel skin off the boy, Verrat could inspect the student more closely. He was rather... scrawny actually. With hardly any meat on his bones. A faceless waitress came by and delivered some drinks, the lazy Master absentmindedly stirring the coke with his straw as he scrutinized Dream. He was a bit pale. Dang. The kid needed a healthy dose of sun and plenty of meat. Protein man. Love it. Worship it. Helped ya get swole and crud.

Taking a casual sip of his soda, Verrat quirked an eyebrow. "So Dream. How long have you been in training for, anyways?" That Brute was really easy. The kid obviously hadn't had much training. That was unsettling. Debbi mentioned Candy before, and that peaked his interest. The girl was pretty cool, with what little conversation the two of them had done from their shared time as fellow Masters. If she was stressing over this troublemaker, then he would begrudgingly help out. If that meant giving a few pointers? By golly, he'd buck up and do it. No matter how badly he just wanted to eat his future burger and go back to lazing about. Sacrificing so much already. Dang. How great of a guy was he?

[Dream Wolf]

Dream blinked. "I was taken in by the academy when I was eleven, but I didn't start training until this fall, I had to learn to control my Absorb ability first, since before I absorbed so much from people it sometimes made them ill. I used to sometimes adopt temporary powers from other people too, but not much. Like when Candy used to Babysit me, I would turn weird colors if she held me too long. Even though she's only four years older than me, she's always been like a big sister to me. I used to be really jealous of her. I mean she can shapeshift and talk to animals, which is so cool, but I learned that my powers had their own perks. I mean even the best smiths in the world can't make feathers out of metal that feel like the real thing, but I can. Although Forged in Blood is not my favorite power. Being able to use blood as a weapon? I everyone knew about that, they wouldn't come near me."

He spoke slowly, a little sadly for the most part. But when he talked about Candy his eyes sparkled with happiness and humor. "Candy has always been there for me, when my parents died she offered to let me live with her, since she was a full chaser already. I chose to stay at the academy though. It's safer for others. I mean if I lost control of any of my abilities it could hurt people bad. I've never tried it, but I could probably control blood inside people and animals. Doesn't that sound scary? I mean I could control their bodies, or even kill them. And if I used Absorb on someone too long I could put them in a coma or worse. And the iron in our blood? I could make it solidify and turn it into little spines or needles which would rip people up from the inside...I'm a monster in the making. A couple of my instructors have said its just a matter of time, that the next Darkness I absorb could turn me into Darkness my self."

The teen sighed. He didn't usually talk so much to strangers, but he couldn't stop for some reason. He wasn't sure why, but he trusted Verrat in a way he rarely trusted anyone.