infinite nightmares [OPEN]

[depressionnap]

Who: Vincent Valentine/Galian Beast & whoever wants to deal with that
Where: Just outside of town in the forest
What: Vincent has long since received his sentencing, yet a man who is determined to suffer in his sins would not so easily ask for forgiveness. And so, the Galian Beast finally emerges the longer Vincent has delayed.
Warnings: Lowkey body horror, will add as needed.

Notes: This probably takes place around the last week of October, so Happy Halloween have a pseudo werewolf I guess. Also feel free to wildcard if neither prompt works for you.

Comments

[depressionnap]

[Oh, he hears the familiar ticking, Dante's "voice" as it were. He grimaces, his device translating the sounds for his ears.

Over his shoulder, he snaps in a deep snarl:]

Don't follow me!

[Because he can't guarantee Dante's safety, or anyone's. Whatever is forcing the Galian Beast out will not end well, and Vincent is determined to avoid as much destruction as he can.

Not that he can verbalize any of that beyond biting words.]

[followyourstar]

[This isn't like him. Or at least it doesn't seem like him. They can't say for certain, having known him for such a short time.

But... they feel as if they know enough to say that he's distressed. That something truly is wrong. That their intuition is correct. And after what Vincent's done to help them, no matter how small...

They keep up the pace, following behind.]

< Sorry, but I can't do that. >

[depressionnap]

[Fangs grit, a frustrated growl rumbling into his chest. Vincent doesn't slow down, but neither does Dante. Stubborn. A terrible time for heroics.

Vincent's head pounds, his body aching, and he trembles with effort trying to hold it back. For a brief moment, he whirls around to face Dante, gun in hand as he shoots at their feet. Not to actually do harm, but to slow them down for even a moment.

Anything to show that Vincent is serious about this.]

Turn back now!

[And off Vincent goes again, cape flapping in the wind.]

[followyourstar]

[For a moment, it works. The shot stops them in their tracks, and they wait for pain to blossom, only to realize Vincent hadn't hit them at all.

A warning shot. That's all it had been. Still, Dante hesitates.

They weren't there for whatever caused this desperation, and Vincent either won't or can't tell them what's going on. All they have on hand is a gun they only just started practicing with. If a fight broke out, they wouldn't win. Period.

But in that room of mirrors Yuri had said that people can come back when killed here. So... maybe the chance to find something that can help him is worth it. It wouldn't be the first time they'd felt the pain of death.

Once more, they follow. He'll notice--of that they have no doubt--but they remain silent, putting that moment off as long as they can, their gaze fixed on his back.]

[depressionnap]

[It's all he can do. If Vincent keeps pausing to snap at Dante and warn them off, it's more delays that he might not be able to handle. Time is running out, and he can feel it in the creak of his bones and the stretch of his skin.

Finally, he makes it just far enough to the outskirts of the city. Vincent stumbles forward and clutches his head.]

You fool.

[It's said almost fondly. For all that he's tried to keep Dante back, Vincent can still hear them running after. He can only hope that Dante will be smart enough to retreat once they see what's next.

Here, Vincent can finally feel the transformation begin to take place. Crimson mist seems to swirl around him, and he screams in genuine pain. Bones start to pop and snap in unnatural ways before he's abruptly changing from man to beast.

In a matter of seconds, the Galian Beast stands towering, letting out a ragged howl.]

[followyourstar]

[Dante starts forward when Vincent falls, and as skin stretches and bones pop they stumble back, only just managing to keep their footing.]

< Distortion...? >

[The word slips out of them before they can even think to hold it back, and yet even as its said they realize that that sensation accompanying a Distortion isn't present. Whatever this thing is--whatever Vincent has become--it's something else entirely.

And if it's not a Distortion... Can Vincent even hear them in there?

They hang back, hand drifting to where their handgun is holstered.]