Seeker of Fate: Part2

[ Check Chapter 1 here ]

[…] Many voices were resonating from within the standing corpse. Echoes of crying children, wailing women, and men in pain. Zoran’s body took its head and pulled it in its embrace. Its heart was glowing like a green sun hidden by clouds. Its right hand was armed with that craftsman hammer. In the other side, the Huntress was on guard because it was something she never did face before.

« You… You?… Leave us alone! Leave our prince alone… And his vessel too! » The totality of voices were talking to the rogue. However, she did grin and laughed while saying: “That’s a pretty good spell you got! It should have been a very important page from the Book of the Dead. Fascinating… Your skull will replace this worn out blade of mine.”

She charged with her polearm aiming at the heart. However, the body blocked the attack easily with the hammer and with just one hand. She felt tremendous strength emanating from it and because of that, she became frustrated and madder.

“We know not the missteps which led you to us… But your fate lies elsewhere and our fates lie here…” The voices were talking to her again. She, however, felt as if she was insulted and shouted: “Are you toying with me, vile creature? Do you think you can deceive someone who have been hunting your kin for years? My fate? Ahahaha! My fate is to exterminate all of you! Hahaha!” She really was mad and wrathful.

Her left eyes turned from green to red and started bleeding too much… She started swinging around trying to break its defense but she failed. Each attack was deflected with ease and poise.

The physical strength of this Undead made her retreat a little and think about her next step. The voices were still pleading them to leave the body alone but she only cared about slicing it. Suddenly, she realized that she was facing a fusion of many Undead… Or this was what she understood. Such necromantic spells were horrifying and so thought about finishing the prey with her most powerful trick. She charged. The Undead took guard and tried to repel her, but instead, she threw it off by pretending to be attacking with her weapon. She instead was casting a spell from her other hand that summoned a Key made from the same material as her polearm and thrusted it into the heart and opening its bosom.

The body unleashed horrifying screams and screeches to a level that could drive an ordinary human into madness. Beams of mysterious energy convoluted around and instead of melting and evaporating like any Undead, the body turned into ash much to her surprise. All the bones faded away too expect for the skull. She took it and put it in her bag and searched every nook and cranny of this workshop. She was trying to find that page of the Book of the Dead. Any powerful Undead would have one in order to be that strong. The fight would have drag out too much if she did not use that key spell.

“Strange… The fight was unexpectedly easy… And I did not find a page! This is so wrong! Well, it doesn’t matter. At least, I pillaged a new skull and it will be an excellent blade I’m sure!” she thought while observing the skull.

“Ahhhh… Maybe we have met before…” she heard a fading voice. She turned around but she did not see any person. Her mystic eyes made her sure that no enemy was playing tricks on her too. That sound was indeed familiar to her but she did not seem to remember it. She was moonstruck for an instant but quickly forgot about it and continued her journey. She merged with the darkness of the forest, leaving behind flames that engulfed the workshop.

“I must be imagining things.”

A new day started in the village of Perun but with terrible news: they lost their handsome and hardworking blacksmith Zoran. Since the deceased was very important to the royalty itself as he was funding their army with excellent products, the tribal knights were investigating the matter and they spread their men everywhere around. Any foreigner or traveler was abducted and questioned. Even if you were innocent, you would never leave their hospitality unless you pay for their kindness.

Amidst this fuss, the Huntress was moving within the crowds making sure that she was not spotted by any Tribal Knight. This time, she was unmasked. Some plugs of grey and brilliant hair made her face look innocent. Her struggle was not evident at all and she seemed so human. But her eyes, her green eyes showed her soul. They were a deep graveyard of restless emotions, an ocean of hopeless grief.

“They are capturing anyone who is not from Perun, be it a wealthy merchant or an aimless wanderer.” One villager was talking to his friend. “Look at that fat and wealthy old man standing beside our Chief and the Bishop.” His friend answered: “Hey, watch your mouth… Do you want us to get killed?! That man is one of the King’s compatriots! He’s Sir Persolis and He’s living side by side with the royal family in the Capital itself!”

The Undead Slayer overheard them and moved quickly. She gazed at him while he was talking to some of his subordinates: the Perun’s chief Taru and the Perun’s Bishop Pylyp . Someone joined them. It was the Commander of the tribal knighthood, great knight Stribog. His men were moving supply carts to the Chief’s Hall.

“Thank You really for making sure that the shipment arrived safely.” Said Persolis.

“It’s an honor to serve one of the King’s friends.” Answered Stribog.

“But you know…because of the death of Zoran, we got more goodies.” Said Persolis.

“But will they prepare for the ceremony? I also suggest taking care of Zoran’s case seriously.” Added Stribog.

“Yeah, of course, of course. I already invited the Royal Executioner herself in case of any unwelcomed trouble. Will you be attending the Grand Festival of Perun?”

“Ahh…I do really apologize. The Captain of the Tribal Knighthood has innumerable duties to fulfill.” Said Striborg.

“This is really sad. But your effort is really appreciated. I will make sure that the True Festival will succeed at any cost.” Stated Persolis

Eventually, both Persolis and Stribog sensed intense blood lust not so far from them. But they could not detect its source.

“My masters?! Is there something wrong?! Is anyone from those rats annoying you?!” said the Bishop with unease.

“If there is anything to your displeasure, we shall get rid of it at once!” said the chief.

“No, that’s not it. Your people are actually very loyal and good-hearted. For a moment, I thought I saw a familiar face within the crowd but I think I was wrong. Perhaps, fatigue is affecting me.” Stated Persolis.

Persolis left them to go to his personal mansion in the village but the Great Knight followed him.

“Did you feel that, sir Persolis?” Wondered Stribog.

“It’s not a big deal. Hoda should be capable of dealing with it. Don’t be worried, Great Knight. As you said, you have more important duties.” Said Persolis.

A cloudy night rolled in covering the last of the twilight sky. Wintry air swirled around the forest and soon the rain started to fall.The Huntress was wrapping her arms tighter around herself, pulling her coat closed and tucking her chin downward into her garb. It felt as if she was freezing to death. She leaned toward a tree and slowly kneeled to the ground. Was she dying?

She stretched both of her hands and covered her face. A shadow aura appeared and it transformed into that exotic mask of hers. Suddenly, she regained her stamina and she could move with all vitality.

It was dark and the rays of the moon were barely escaping the grasp of the clouds. The Rogue Woman found herself in front of a small castle within the middle of the forest. The building layed like an old man of the hill, it was swallowed by the blackness and the once proud turrets had crumbled in places giving the impression of a lost glorious past. So, she did not give it much thoughts and entered the fort.

“Show yourself. You can’t hide from me with your pity trick.” Said the Huntress after stepping into the hall of the castle. She then heard someone clapping coming from the upper stairs.

“Welcome to Persolis’ Castle.” Said Persolis while coming down. The Huntress summoned her weapon and was prepared to battle. “You must be that infamous Undead Hunter from the north. The tales spoke of a masked grim reaper capable of annihilating the undying kin without much thought. That mask, I liked it and I have never seen one before. So I’m in the presence of the legend herself! Magnificent.”

“You know a lot about me but I know more about you.” Said the Huntress.

“That’s to be expected from a hunter. A predator must know well its prey otherwise how it could catch it?” Said Persolis.

“Ramon Persolis. An heir of the lost tribe of Dazbog which was conquered by the King of Crodon. He became a pupil of the Mad Sage Elymas and learnt dark sorceries in order to get revenge from the ones who crushed his tribe. And now he’s surprisingly a Noble who is so close to the royalty, ironic.”

The face of Persolis changed from confidence to panic as he did not expect his enemy to know his secret.

“Who… Who are you?!!! How did you know all of this about me?!!! It should have been forgotten by the death of Elymas! Who are You?!!” He shrieked strongly.

“Does it matter really? I even forgot my name because of this accursed journey. But first I think I have to finish off your minions. “She said that while observing her surroundings…” And she could detect my illusions… She really lives up to her nickname. My knights! Finish her off!”

Under the order of their master, many tribal knights emerged from the walls. They were red eyed and for sure the rogue realized that behind these helms were not the faces of ordinary humans but grotesque monstrosities. It was clear that they were mad from the way that they were standing and holding their weapons.

They charged toward her in one time but she swept her polearm around her cutting all of the in the process. It did not take her any effort to eliminate them much to the amazement of Persolis.

« You think you can defeat me with such primitive magic? It’s useless to count on the mindless husks. » She mocked him.

“You really are strong… It will take a lot to kill you …but I don’t have time to waste with you.” Persolis hurried and disappeared within the corridors of the fort. When the Huntress tried to follow him, she felt an imminent threat coming from above and so did dodge in the right time. It was a person who plunged at her and his impact on the ground was so powerful that it made the hallway vibrate.

“So he has better minions.” Said the Huntress while taking a defensive posture.

From the fog caused by the fall, someone stood up wielding an executioner sword. He was wielding a steel armor with a dense patch of thorns growing from its surface.

“A worthy criminal to execute. I shall praise you for killing all of these brainless knights with one swing. It’s rare to some people capable of such feats lately.” Said the executioner with a charming female voice.

“Interesting, you are a woman too.” Said the Huntress.

“I’m Hoda, the Royal Executioner of Crodon and the I’m quite enjoying my job. However, I got really bored lately because Justice had prevailed in the kingdom. You might be a fine enjoyment for now.” Said the Executioner.

“Justice? Huhuh … Talk about it when earth is cleansed from the likes of the vile being you serve.” Said the Rogue.

“Hmmmm… I don’t know what you are talking about but the clash of our blades shall settle the justice we like.”

To be Continued.