<span style="font-style: italic">Hand meets quill. Quill meets ink. Ink meets tome.</span><br/><br/>A long time ago, in the place of stone faces, Humans sought self-preservation, selfishly sending others to serve as bait while they were all in fact meant to be the bait themselves.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">------ Combat Phase Begin ------</div><br/><br/>Olivia bounded down the slope, taking large strides over the cold, grey foreheads which stared upwards into the darkness above.  The stale air howled in her ears, freshly spilled blood flowed around the edges of the faces, some splashing as she missed her footing.<br/><br/>The snake was still. Like a statue as she approached it, watching her. It's head began to sway as she ducked around, wanting for it to throw its first move. Then it struck. Unknown to her, the snake had coiled itself up like a spring and when she was close enough, it unwound itself, the bladed end barely missing her. She felt it connect with the cloth she wore, leaving a dragging cut in the white fabric.<br/><br/>She lunged, intending to stab it where it's body enlarged in a grotesque imitation of a Human's torso. The attack bounced off the bladed end of the tail, sparks nearly blinding her as she was flung back, crashing against the ground, her head ringing from the impact. Her hair now soaked in blood, she struggled to her feet, her vision swimming.