Ian walked through the forest. It was the early hours of the morning and fog still layed low upon the rather dark forest bed. Looking up, not even a slim hint of the arising sun could be seen through the treetops. Ian walked very carefully listening to the sounds of the nocturnal animals preparing for sleep, and the few early risers who were just beginning a day of work.

A few chirps from birds could be heard along with the low grumbling of the thieves of the night, raccoons. Ian spotted a raccoon and it's large yellow eyes darted off into various directions before glancing at Ian and stopping on him to see if he was any potential danger. Deciding that it would not take chances, the raccoon dashed off into the forest.

Ian continued his walking, closely examining each and every detail of what surrounded him. This technique being useful to traveler's since one often found themselves becoming lost or confused in un traveled lands. Also on a note of personal interest did Ian continue to study each and every animal as it passed on it's daily routine, whether it be waking up and beginning the day, or searching for food for it's hungry family.

After some time, Ian became rather suspicious and from what he had witnessed on other journeys, peace and solemnity never lasted much longer than it had right now. He was expecting for the peace to soon be interrupted by something of a sort whether it be common or uncommon for the given region. Soon enough, his theory was proven correct and a loud sheer noise sounded off. It seemed distant yet oddly close and seemed to combine the elements of a very sharp bladelike object and the form of something very fast speeding through the cold morning air.

Ian sprung up about 5 yards to the right landing back against a tree, but not in a sense of clumsiness whereas he would fall onto the tree causing harm to himself, but more of a sleek ninja like approach of landing up against the tree so as to conceal oneself from approaching danger while as to being careful and quiet at the same time.

Looking back to where he stood before, he saw a soft glimmering through the tall grass. he listened for a moment to make sure the setter of such a trap was not approaching from the tree he was behind. After a moment of relaxed silence, Ian slowly advanced on the foreign object laying before him. Upon inspection of the object, he could tell it was not meant for that of a human, but of a much larger and more powerful creature. Upon first though, Ian pictured a bear being caught in such a trap, but realizing the sheer size of the trap, it seemed like it had been built for a creature with enough stature to have a bear for breakfast.

Ian peered off into the distance slimming his eyes as to make out the finer details of the surroundings and surely enough, as to his suspicion, there layed more of these styled traps around him and he also became aware of a noise he had not picked up before. One that sounded like even though the target creature had not been trapped, it was still out for whoever had set off it's trap. Ian looked around him and noticed that not only was there one noise, but a few noises, maybe even a group becoming even more chaotic as they approached him. Being the laid back carefree person he was, he sat on the grass with his feet still stationary on the ground that way he could wait in relaxation for his opponent to arrive, yet at the same time he could provide ample escape from any sudden danger.

Blaire walked along the forest, whistling. He had a tough week and now, he will travel again, searching for answers. He noticed the traps set for something so he avoided them--he didn't want to get caught in any trouble.

"Such traps meant to capture or kill." he thought, "I pity the poor creature who gets caught, animal or human."

Suddenly, he noticed a man, sitting down on the grass. He was relaxing and Blaire was sure he knew about the traps.

"Hello there" he said, going near him, "Nice view, isn't it?"

He stared at the whole environment and back to the man.

"Are you responsible for the traps?" he asked, looking straight at him.

Ian heard a voice from behind him and it was to his utter surprise that the voice seemed to pay no attention to the resounding grumbles of whatever group of creatures were approaching. he had heard stories of cannibalism in these parts so the noises didn't surprise him and guessing that this person may be a local, he assumed maybe this person knew how to handle such people. The thing about cannibalism to him though, wasn't frightening, but more intriguing as to why anyone would be so possessed as to degrade themselves to that level of barbarianism.

"No, I am not." said Ian in response to the strangers query. "In fact, I almost fell victim to one." he said peering over at the trap that was clamped tightly shut. "You seem to pay no attention to the noises.." said Ian peering up at the stranger, "Do they not interest you in the slightest? Or do you already know what those noises are?" he asked extending his arm out to the forest as the silence was continually broken by the howling of the creatures approaching. Sure, it made tons of sense for this to be an area where the cannibals would be active, now it was beginning to make sense.

The voices seemed eerily close now like they could spring out at any moment. Ian hoped for the sake of them both that this adventurer for whose name he did not know could defend themselves, because he surely did not feel like defending anyone beside himself. Feeling as though there were a few moments left before any danger was to arrive, Ian figured he'd use these few moments to acquaint himself with this adventurer that way communication between them would come easier in case there was a confrontation with the approaching creatures. "You from around here?" asked Ian curiously, not knowing whether this person was a local, or a wanderer as was he.

Blaire already heard those noises but he didn't show any signs of worry. He thought to himself that whatever happens, he will just have to move on.

"I'm quite sorry." he said, looking at him, "I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Blaire and no, I'm not from around here."

He knew that this man was a wanderer and in any moment now, the creatures could attack them. He knew that they can defend themselves--their eyes show a calm soul and the courage of a fighter.

"My name is Ian." he said as he rose to his feet. He figured he could very well have continued sitting until the creatures arrived, yet he wanted this to be as quick as possible and standing would be the quickest way to respond to an attack. He smiled to himself, "Get ready." he said, "They are very close."

No more than a few seconds after saying that, about 15 or so cannibals jumped out from all directions around them. They held long spears that were almost longer then they were and the spears were topped with a tiny silver blade with a red cloth holding it tightly on the spear. The cannibals wore a sheer tunic like cloth over themselves and had many various designs over their bodies. Looking at their faces, Ian noticed blood dripping from the sides of their mouths which in turn probably meant they had recently eaten.

Better for them that these cannibals may not be as hungry now. Ian draw his sword and looked over at the adventurer to see if he had something of acceptable ability to fight with, but before getting his answer for certain, he was attacked. One of the cannibals lunged the spear at hi and it just lightly brazed his arm leaving a small gash from which a few drops of blood dripped.

As t he cannibal passed him, Ian spun and stuck his sword right through the cannibal's back. Blood spurted profusely from the cannibals stomach and Ian released his sword from the cannibals back. Sensing another one behind him, Ian duck, narrowly missing a blow to his back, and reaturned back swinging his sword around and planting it right on the neck of the cannibal, cutting easily though his neck like it was paper, as he head rolled off his shoulder and fell to the forest bed.

Blaire sighed as he unsheated his sword. He didn't like battles but if he must fight, he will. Being a half-demon sometimes helps him in battles but he'd rather fight without it. He ran fast, heading towards the creatures, slashing them one by one. Blood spilled on the ground and on his body as well.

"Please to meet you." he said, slashing a creature which was going to make an attack for Ian, "Let's watch each others back. Were outnumbered but we can defeat them."

He evaded every attack but moved in a late second just as one creature slashed his cloak. He jumped up on higher ground and went for an above assualt...He waited for the correct moment and dove down to kill the creatures.

"Sounds good." responded Ian over the screaming of the cannibals. One of them latched onto Ian's arm and sunk it's teeth deep into his arm. Ian dropped his sword and quickly pulled a dagger out and plunged it into the cannibals forehead. It let go of him and fell to the floor twitching and having cunvulsions as it drowned in it's own blood.

Ian looked at his arm which was bloody and torn open and he cursed the cannibal under his breath. He ran in a circle aroudn three of the cnnibals and watched them closely as he quickly circled. They stopped and trie to follwo him with their eyes and before they knew it, the sharp edge of Ian's blade had made it's way to their abdominal area ripping open the flesh and spilling their guts onto the floor in front of them. "There's only a few left." said Ian with a smile seeing how easy this fight was going to be.