Gauntlet

Suddenly Ashley woke up, naked, beneath the man who had violated her. The man's dead eyes stared lifelessly into hers. With a sharp scream she pushed him off her, and scrambled away, glancing around the dim cavern.

The three men were slain by a bloody hunting knife, that had been discarded near the bodies. The girl they had been using had fled. It was likely her who had taken advantage of them while they were **** or distracted.

Feeling a tickle of power in the palm of her hand, Ash felt power welling up inside her. Following the thread, she pulled on it, and suddenly a metal gauntlet wove its way up her arm. The metal was a dull silver hue, flexible but incredibly strong. The gauntlet crawled over her elbow, and up to her shoulder, but seemed to be made of one piece of metal despite its **** flexibility. It didn't feel heavy, or annoying, in fact it felt almost just like wearing a thin glove. Black inlay ran the length of the metallic armor, with runes she didn't recognize mixed into the design. The gauntlet felt connected to her, like it was a part of her soul, and not just a weapon she happened to own.

Flexing her fist appreciatively, she smiled happily. It felt nice to have something to defend herself with. Opening her hand gently she watched as the gauntlet unknit itself from her arm, vanishing and going back to where ever it had come from. It felt like that place was deep inside of her, though that seemed a strange thought.

Turning to the bodies she began stripping their pants and boots. Putting on one of their breeches, she used one of the black leather belts to keep it in place, though it was incredibly baggy on her. Next she placed the smallest set of boots she could find on her feet. They were still two big, so she cleaned off the knife and cut apart the legs of another set of pants, and tied them around the calf to help stabilize them. Taking the last set of pants she cut one of the legs off and wrapped it around her large tits, tying it behind her. The leg wasn't big enough to conceal all of her flesh, so a vast amount of cleavage, and bottom boob was exposed.

Dressed and ready to go she followed the tunnel into a twisting maze. Careful to try to make sure she was always heading upward, she trekked through the confusing tunnels beginning to wonder if she might have become lost. Out of the blue the world began to shake, and she panicked, running full tilt up the tunnel. Rocks began to fall all around her and suddenly the ground before her sundered, leaving a large crevasse. Not slowing down the young half-elf leapt with all her might, barely landing on the other side, before continuing her mad dash.

Dashing up the tunnel she could see a light near the end, a signal of sanctuary from the impending doom that surrounded her. As she kept running she saw a shadow step out of the shadows to bar her path.

“Found you.” A masked bandit grinned pulling out a hunting knife.

Ash ran full bore toward the man, with no intention of slowing down. “Are you insane?” She screamed in frustration at the man's erratic behavior.

“Maybe, we can discuss that in the after world.” The man giggled madly.

Summoning her gauntlet, she threw up her hand prepared to defend herself. As she dashed near him, the man lunged for her. Blocking his knife with her steel armor, she was elated as it bounced harmlessly away, her skin unmolested. Swinging her metal hand out, she grabbed his shoulder and launched him into the cavern wall with a solid thud. She couldn't believe how strong the metal arm was. Not having much time to think about it, she dashed past him, heading toward the light, and salvation.

Suddenly Ash burst into the blinding light, just as the cave behind her imploded, burying the maze she had barely escaped. Doubled over, trying to find her breath, her heart was pounding a mile a minute.

Suddenly the man who had assailed her in the tunnel jumped on top of her, and tried to wrestle her to the ground. Slamming the back of her metal elbow into his face, she drove him off of her. Rolling forward she came up to her feet, and turned to face her adversary

The man grinned at her, his nose bloody, his eyes filled with madness. With a scream lost to the howling wind all around them, he lunged at her again, trying to tackle her. Using one of the throws Winter had taught her, she grabbed the man's arm and hip, and launched him past her. The man went sailing through the air and over the nearby ledge. Ashley gasped in horror and rushed to the lip to look down below.

She couldn't hear the scream over the storm, that seemed to still be raging all around the land mass they had landed on. Looking out over the bluff, she couldn't see where the man had landed down in the thick trees, but she was sure she had killed him. Dropping to her knees in horror, tears spilled through her eyes, joining the sheets of rain. She had just killed someone for the first time.

Ashley stared for what seemed like forever at the beach, before realizing she was looking at a life boat, one from the ship she had been on.

Pulling herself up the young half-elf began making her way down the treacherous trail, heading toward the boat. Before long she realized the storm was too strong, and that she needed to seek shelter for the night. Finding an overhanging ledge ripped into the mountain side, she slipped beneath it. Finding some branches that weren't wet, she made a small fire using an elven trick her mother had taught her. Sitting next the flame trying to get warm, Ashley watched the storm bluster just a few feet away from her.

Drifting off to sleep, the young woman was troubled by nightmares of the disastrous trip she had embarked on. Waking with a start, the young woman saw that day light had ripped the clouds apart, and the storm had passed. Ashley was hungry, and was hoping she would find food at the raft down below.

Making her way down the trail, much less dangerous now that high winds, and rains had relented for the moment, she came across a stream. Stopping long enough to get a good healthy drink, she then continued on her way. Less then an hour from her camp, she finally reached the beach, and found Doctor White leaning against the raft.

Doctor White was an archaeologist hired by her brother to help with the various myths, and superstitions surround the infamous circle. The busty blond was dressed white pants, and a pink t shirt. Her hair was in a pony tail, and her glasses had a thin steel rim. The woman looked pale, and was obviously suffering from a fever.

“Dr. White!” Ash yelped in joy, seeing someone she knew from the boat. “Are you okay? Where are the others?"

The blond opened her eyes, her brow covered in sweat. “Ashley?” The woman groaned softly, obviously delirious.

The woman was worse off then she had thought. Ashley didn't have any way of helping her, she didn't know how to cure a fever. This wasn't her expertise. Then again she wasn't sure she had one.