The first indication that something was wrong was the feel of Lougias under the cloak. Lyncis should have been able to roll him over easily, but his body did not turn as smoothly as it should have. And when it did, it was all the battle-hardened Lyncis could do to keep from gasping in horror. Her eyes narrowing, Lyncis bit her lip to try to keep her head clear.
The black runes covering Lougias were extensive, but that was not all. They were thick, as though the runes were more natural to his body than his original appearance. But his original appearance was no more. In fact, if it were not for Lougias' clothes and distinctive accessories, Lyncis would have doubted that it was even him. Although she wanted to deny it, something in her remained certain that what lay before her was truly Lougias. Something about what Viers said confirmed it.
"...it was too late...they changed..."
The misshapen body before her bore no resemblance to the easy-going, whiny, light-hearted, loyal Lougias. The face had been drawn almost into a muzzle shape, with grotesquely sharp teeth. Much of the hair had fallen out, giving it a mangy appearance. What were once hands curled almost the way a charred body would, except for ending in cruel claws. The skin had roughened and hardened, giving it a hide-like texture. The majority of the rest of his body was hidden by clothes, but considering the way they poorly fit the form, it was clear it was far from humanoid.
Lyncis couldn't remember the last time she had wanted to retch, but the wave of nausea she felt now was unmistakable. Still, she could not let herself be sick; she had to find a way to save her mercenaries. She was the only one they could rely on now. But where were Reckhart and Duvorn? Viers said they had changed, so they must have been within sight at some point. Should she leave Lougias here and get Viers out of Wentos Valley first? Or try to move both of them? What about the creatures in the forest? If all the villagers turned--
Lyncis head was spinning with thoughts, which was why she did something totally uncharacteristic for her. She did not give her full attention to the threat in front of her. After all, it was one of her own. How could she consider him a threat? So in the instant Lyncis looked at Viers to assess the possibility of removing her from the forest, she missed the moment the eyes of the monster that was once Lougias opened and its breathing changed.
If it had been anyone else, the strike the monster lunged out with would have split them in half at the waist. It was only thanks to Lyncis' incredible reaction time that she was able to throw her body backwards in the split second the Lougias-monster came at her. However, even that was not enough. Although she thrust herself backwards with enough force to crash though the boards blocking the hovel entrance, Lyncis winced at the sharp searing pain that went across her belly. Three claw gouges appeared through the light leather armor she wore, and then blood began to seep out at an alarming rate. Although she had somehow managed to avoid being disemboweled, it was clear she had not escaped unscathed.
Despite her momentum carrying her backwards, Lyncis could see the form of the Lougias-monster getting closer to her, almost as though time slowed to a crawl. Even if by some miracle she managed to land properly, the effort she would need to expend to get away from the monster would probably ensure she would bleed out before she escaped the valley. It seemed hopeless.