The Hunt

It was a warm morning in the city of Dawnbreak, the sun slowly peeking over the circular walls, their inner faces being assaulted by choking vines and vibrant foliage invading from the thick jungles outside.  The stone streets were busier than usual, a few ships had ported before first light, with much needed food and timber from the northern realms of Haven.

As a Spire City, it was larger then most of the various villages that dotted the land, but it was still small in comparison to many of it’s northern sisters.  It’s location made it difficult to sustain, but the citizens made due with what they had.

Near the docks, a dark and shaded figure stood to the side of the action, his large hand holding up a piece of parchment rolled tightly around a tuft of Lac'seed, a natural growing herb with narcotic effects, while the other held a crossbow tight to his hip.  Though he made little movement, many of the dock workers took great lengths to avoid him.  With one smooth motion he took a deep hit, inhaling the burning smoke and blowing it through his ragged nose.

“I am so bored...” He whispered under his breath.

“Just keep your eyes open, Jeffen.” came a voice from the other side of the pathway. Another figure stood, smaller and just as shrouded.  She wore a uniform similar to her companion, a simple crest adorning her breastplate, and an intricate glaive tight in her grip.  Her eyes gave a slight glow in the darkness.

With a glazed look, Jeffen took another puff, “You elves have more patience than a warwood tree, Jesana.” he laughed before peering up the street to the central square.  A gathering was forming in front of the central temple, the Wild Spire looming above, casting a shadow down upon them.

“Likely another protest.” Jesana mused, “My people have been causing a lot of problems in the farmlands outside for....”

Jesana paused as she looked at Jeffen, his now free hand raised into a fist.  He was peering down the dockway to a gathering of refugees that were exiting one of the nearby ships.  He looked to Jesana, who nodded quietly back to him, “Time to work.”

Down at the docks, the dock officer was taking census of the new arrivals.  A few looked haggard but healthy, a few sickly. and some were obviously brigands or thieves of some type.  Though not officially, the city had started to look the other way when it came to the more unscrupulous individuals that plagued the southern seas, as long as they kept such acts outside the city walls. “It is with great pleasure I welcome you all to our fair city, may the power of the Goddess shine down…” the officer bellowed until he felt a firm hand fall upon his shoulder.

As the officer looked towards the two figures now beside him, his face lit up with realization, before nodding and stepping back.  Jeffen took on support as Jesana moved forward, her glaive still tight in her grip.  “What is the meaning of this!?” one refugee blurted as she walked into the group, eyeing them all cautiously.  She peered deep into his eyes, “Just a quick check.” she assured him as she moved on, pushing further into the crowd. There were lots of refugees, mostly human, but a few elves, thikin, and skales filled the back of the group.

As she scanned them all, an oddity caught her eye.  A man far in the back, his own cloak covering most of his face.  He wore clothes slightly torn, woven with exquisite fabrics.  He peered up at her, his red eyes jutting from side to side, a bead of sweat pouring down his brow.

She stared at him, he stared back.  His breathing began to increase as he grinded his teeth. “You fucking bitch.” he suddenly screamed.

With one motion the human ripped off his cloak, his body shaking as it began to sever and crack, ripping his clothes to shreds.  His once pale skin turned red, and black crystalized growths jutted from his head, his jaw widening and filling with pointed, large teeth.  He grew nearly twice his size within a moment, and all those around him began to flee in terror, “Orc! ORC!” they all yelled.

Jeffen notched back his crossbow and fired a quick shot, attempting to end the beast before he could transform, but it deflected his attacks with it’s thick hide, “We have an elder one!” he yelled, trying to notch his crossbow again.  “Stop, monster!” came a cry from the dock guards, who attempted to aid the two hunters.  “No!” Jesana yelled, but it was too late.

With it’s massive strength, the orc struck all of the guards surrounding it with a single powerful swing.  The sound of shattered steel and snapping bone filled the air as they plunged off the side into the deeps.  Most of the civilians had evacuated, but now they had to make sure the beast didn’t reach the city.

Jesana sized up the demon orc as he began to charge, his steps snapping the dock wood below his feet, “I will enjoy bleeding you dry!” the orc roared.  Jesana saw an opening, and with one motion threw her glaive with great force.  It dug itself into the orcs side and for a moment Jesana smiled, but she then realized it didn’t stop his momentum.

“Shit!” she whispered as she tumbled out of the way, the creature slamming his fist so hard that half the dock disintegrated into splinters, knocked Jesana down to the ground. In anger the orc pulled the glaive from his side like nothing and slammed it down.  As Jesana attempted to recover, the beast was almost on her again. 

“No!” Jeffen jumped in, attempting to intervene, but the orc stopped and grabbed him tight around his neck and squeezed, “HURK!” 

Jeffen squirmed as his hood dropped from his head, revealing his own orcish features, and sickly greenish skin. The demon orc stared at him, and gawked, “Imperfect” he laughed, “Did you really think an ashen one like you could defeat me?  Your people are weak.” he goaded, squeezing tighter.  Jeffen wheezed, “Not… not at all… but I made you look.”, he smiled.

Realizing his mistake the orc gazed down, to find the elf was gone.  The next sensation that filled his mind was one tip of her glaive penetrating deep into his back and through his heart as she clung to his shoulders.  His hand gave up on Jeffen, who dropped to the ground, choking for breath.  Jesana groaned as she pushed harder, the orc now limply flailing to try and throw her off, but she held tight to his horns and continued to push.

“You… can’t… stop us.  She will… be ours.” it moaned, as dark black blood began to gush from its mouth.  Jesana gave it one last push, forcing the glaive all the way through and out his chest cavity.  With a thunderous crack, the demon’s dead body hit the floor.

“That was harder than expected.” Jesana mused, her breath heavy, sitting down on the orcs still bleeding corpse.  Jeffen laughed before choking again, “Ya... I could see that.”  

As the two stood up, they looked over the body one more time to make sure it was dead, it’s large protrusions seeming to disintegrate into the wind. “How did you know?” Jeffen asked, Jesana reaching down and pulling free what was left of the orc’s tattered garments, using it to wipe the blackish ooze from her glaive, “He was sloppy, outfit was made of rare fabric only tailored in Solus back before it was lost.” she continued, “My mentor showed me how to spot it.”

Jeffen nodded, “That is good to know.  Well, ready to go get paid?”

Jesana smiled and nodded, “They better throw in a bigger commission for this one.  Oh, and don’t tell Grok I was nearly pancaked, he would never let me hear the end of it.”

The two laughed, unaware of the figures watching them from a distance.  “She must pay!” growled one of the shadowy stalkers, “She will” came another voice from behind them.  One of the refugees, the one that questioned Jesana earlier, stepped forward, his eyes a tainted red, “Our brother served his purpose as was designed, and now, we shall carry out our god's desire”

With a wicked grin, the stranger looked out again at the two hunters, focusing his eyes heavily on the elven huntress, “They will all fall."