Bashing bigots

You set aside your breakfast, looking at the man as he glares at you. “And what do you want? If you’re looking to rob someone, we’re a poor choice, all we have is tents and food.”

The man spits on the ground. “Rob you? No, we’re cleansing these woods. Too many filthy animals corrupting humans around here.”

He gestures at Naia as he says that, and the sounds of more men approaching rustles in the brush nearby. You sigh. “So you’re what, human supremacists?”

Julie touches your arm. “I’ve heard of these people, at least in the new world. They tried to attack this rich guy and his monster girls, but they got wiped out.”

The man snarls. “Quiet, girl! We simply left to fight the corruption at its source! These animals don’t deserve to be treated like people!”

Marin stands with a growl. “I’ve heard enough, little man. Crawl back into whatever hole you came out of, or you’re going to have a very bad day.”

The man laughs. “None of you are even armed! You don’t scare us.”

With that, he draws a short sword, though even with your inexperienced eye you can see he handles it clumsily. Three more men emerge from the woods, taking threatening stances.

You glance at the girls. “So, what do you think?”

Aisha laughs. “They don’t seem to be willing to leave. I guess we have to…”

Before she finishes her sentence, Naia springs from her seat. Her powerful legs propel her into the nearest man feet first, her clawed toes digging into his chest before launching him backwards. He crashes into a nearby tree with a sickening crunch, and doesn’t rise again.

As this was a signal, Marin takes one long stride towards another, swaying aside from an inelegant slash from his sword. Lightning quick, she grabs his sword arm and twists, and there’s an audible snap as his arm breaks like a twig. He drops to his knees, crying and clutching his arm, until the enraged tiger girl silences him with a heavy kick to his temple.

Aisha meanwhile, seems to be toying with a man wielding a club. She avoids his heavy but obvious swings, occasionally delivering kicks of her own with her clawed feet. Soon the man is bleeding from several nasty wounds, and Aisha decides to finish it. In an impressive move, she leaps clean over his head, landing behind him and smashing a thunderous kick into his lower back. The man goes sprawling into the dirt, and lies motionless.

Meanwhile, you square off with the leader. He’s a big man, slightly taller than you, but clearly more used to attacking terrified innocents rather than having actual fights. There is definite fear in his eyes as your companions systematically dismantle their opponents, and even for you, his inexpert thrusts are easily avoided. Finally, you find an opening, and grab ahold of his sword hilt, immediately exerting your power. The man’s expression goes to surprise and terror as the metal of the blade seems to run like liquid, flowing up his arm to encase it in an inescapable bond.

You release him, and he stumbles backwards in panic, clawing at his trapped arm with his free hand. Looking around, he sees the others approaching, and flees into the woods.

You sigh. “Well, that was unpleasant. Everyone ok?”

Nods all around, except Julie, who hugs you tightly. “That was scary! I’m so glad you guys are tough!”

You nod. “Good work, everyone. We should get out of here before that guy finds more friends.”