On the following morning you wake up earlier than usual, during the whole night the conflict inside your mind kept you from sleeping. Like everyday, upon sitting down on the edge of the bed to put on your boots, you stare at the wooden box with the silver insignia briefly, now questioning your decision to refuse Diana's proposition. Without wasting any more time you grab your coat and heads towards the village.
There, passing by the main gates – that are still bent and bloodied from last night – your eyes are opened to reality: Houses and structures are severely damaged; bodies piled in carts ready to be taken to the cemetery; there are people crying all over the place. With each step you take, louder the voices become:
- Have you see the creature from last night?! It was just like the demon from the fire!
- No way! The one from the fire was much smaller, and if it was really the same there wouldn't been survivor back then... Last night almost half of the village was killed. (Two farmers walk by you talking).
- My son! No! (An old lady holding the hand of a shredded corpse cries desperately).
- It was him, the musician! His cursed music spawned the demon back to our village! (The priest shouts madly at a guard that was questioning people about last night).
- BOO!
You jump back closing your fist ready to fight.... However, upon seeing it is Jean, you hold back.
- Haha! Got you!
- Now is not a good time...
- I know, I know... I was just kidding, the mood here is a little too heavy...
- You're alright? You look like you're about to make a bad decision. (he adds).
- I'm fine, it's just that I didn't slept much last night...
- After what happened, I don't blame you... Not even a madman would be able to sleep after last night.
- The Kingdom's Guard managed to find something new about the attack? (You ask).
- Hardly, and the priest over there isn't helping much either... Blaming the musician for what happened. Pff! Like the “demon” would even know what music is...
- Let's hope that next time this “demon” shows up they'll be able to do a better job in protecting the village.
- Do you think it is possible? The demon come back?
- … If people keep behaving like a herd of sheep, yes.
- Well good thing that those bounty hunters are still here then.
- Bounty hunters?
- Yes, the people that saved your life. The lady that leads them seemed to know you, she was asking around where she could find you. Do you know her?
With all the chaos present here, you had completely forgotten the reason why you came in the first place.
- Do you know where she is?
- Last time I saw her, she was at the tavern along with the others... Why?
- I must go!
- Where?
Before even starting to move, you look to your surroundings and say:
- Could you do me a favour?
- I think so... What is it?
- I'm going to be away for some time, could you go check on my family every now and then? Just to make sure they're ok?
- No problems, where you're going?
- Long story, I need to go now.
In a cold air of determination you begin heading to the tavern, along the way, it becomes clear to you that there are strains of fur, black as the moonless sky and puddles of blood, thick as oil, scattered all over the ground where the beast was hit by gunshots, only one thing doesn't make much sense to you... They look a lot similar to the ones of regular wild animals.
Once you reach the front of the tavern, Diana comes close:
- So, have you made your mind? (She speaks in a tone of whom already knows the answer).
- If we are to do this, we'll do it my way.
- You're the specialist, just tell us where to go and we'll follow.
- Right. As soon as we find the beast, we kill it.
- That's the objective. (She responds with a grin on her face).
- When do we leave?
- The others are in patrol right now but we'll regroup in front of the main gates at one o'clock.
- Ok, I'll be there.
As you turn around intent on returning home to grab your gear, Diana calls you:
- Orion!
- Yes?
- It's good to have you back.
Arriving home you silently head towards the bedroom, where, carefully trying not to wake Irene you grab two bags and immediately returns to the living room. There, with both of the bags open you start filling them with clothes, food, camping gear amongst other things. Given that you don't know how long it will take to down the beast, your mind convinces you to take enough for one week however you also decide to take an extra bow and arrows just in case.
In your belt you carry a hunting knife, its blade is sharp enough to cut even the toughest of hides as if it's made of butter and in your backs is your quiver filled with arrows and your trusty bow hung beside it, covered in scratches and marks which tell countless tales of glory and unpleasantly close encounters with death, this bow brings you great pride.
With both bags by the door and resenting that it there was to be a goodbye, it could very well be the last, you reach for the doorknob intent on leaving at once however the slow creaking of an opening door and the sound of a delicate yawn reaches your ears. Turning to the corridor that leads to the bedrooms you see Irene, up and still rubbing her eyes sleepily, upon seeing you're leaving, a confused expression occupies her face briefly being latter replaced by a worried one:
- Have you... decided to go?
Her words are gentle but direct, before you can open your mouth to answer she begins moving closer, holding your hands and staring at your eyes as if she already knows the answer, she proceeds in a tone of conformation:
- Of course you have, after all you're Orion, even if they asked you to hunt the guardian of the world below you'd still do it... With a big smile even.
With a heavy sigh and holding your hands tighter expressing her fear of losing you, she continues:
- Promise me that if things go south and the beast proves itself to be too dangerous you'll give up and come back.
- Yes yes, I promise.
You respond instinctively without hesitation but Irene pulls your face closer to hers and speaks in a more worried tone:
- I'm serious Orion! I know you miss the hunt but this is no time to play hero, let the Kingdom's Guard take care of this... If not for me, then at least for our son.
Your pride is offended by her words, sure it has been a while since last time you hunted and, that this beast differs from any other animal that you've seen before but your achievements are not to be ignored: Bears, lions, leopards... All have fallen before you and if it wasn't for the war against the Golden Empire, the Great Stripped Spirit of the Orient would have too... But these eyes of Irene, blue like the summer sky and bright like the sun undress you of your pride, cursed may be the day that you cause them to shed tears, therefore, reluctant but aware that you're making the right decision you kiss her passionately and say:
- I promise.
Leaving her with a light smile, you grab your things and heads towards the village.
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