The former companions instantly turned on each other, weapons drawn, and Kaoreish's mind failed to catch up.
Though conflicts between Orks were commonplace, this felt different somehow. There was more of a...
...stench of conspiracy.
"Stay close to me."
Ur rasped.
"I broke in there, that's true. There was a trap inside, but what we need is in that trap. Shrimp... it noticed us spying on it, and it ain't happy."
"Come here, Shrimp."
Sato took another step forward. He raised his free hand and beckoned to him as if provoking an enemy.
"Come here. Don't listen to him."
"Stay here. Don't move."
Ur gave a low grunt and straightened behind Kaoreish.
"Get ready to hide behind me. I'll protect you."
"But Sato—"
"Damn it, listen to me!"
Ur's hoarse voice was cut short by a burst of agonizing pain.
"Listen carefully! That thing noticed us. It didn't like being watched, so it attacked us. I pulled back right away, but I was too late... it escaped. That thing escaped. It changed into another shape, a face full of lies."
Kaoreish stared at Sato in terror and disbelief, but the priest took another step forward. A predatory rumble rolled from his throat.
His red eyes gleamed through the leather mask.
"You're that... Bloodseeker."
Kaoreish's voice was barely audible.
"Everything he said was basically right."
Sato replied.
"Except for one thing."
He moved closer, utterly unconcerned by the blade Kaoreish held threateningly toward him.
"That face can't fool anyone."
Kaoreish's entire body went rigid.
He listened carefully to the sounds coming from the badly wounded old acquaintance behind him. The short, painful gasps gradually became deeper exhalations.
He heard skin and muscle stretching and splitting, cartilage and joints clicking sharply.
He heard bones groaning as they twisted and reshaped, organs shifting