As I entered the thru the main doors of the Hunters Guild, I felt calm and somewhat at home. After all that had happened the guild gave me a new home, a new purpose. I had found friends along the way.

We quickly made our way up the main stairs, taking a turn left, entering an office. It said "Manager of High Risk Affairs" on the door.

He opened the door and promptly went inside, I was following behind. We sat across eachother, he grabed a sheet of paper lying on the table and handed it to me.

I took a look at what was depicted on the sheet, a small map where a X marked a location, below the image was something scribbled hastly "Wanted Dead: High Council Member of the Imperial Doctrine", I gasped in suprise.

Clearly amuzed Xerxes responded "I had the same reaction, I hope you'll accept. But I guess that questioned had already been answered the moment you read that the target belonged to the Imperial Doctrine."

"You know me to well" I said, "I'll kill that bastard with my own two hands before the week has passed!"

Clearly liking my answer, he replied "I wish you luck, but still ... be careful." I nod in agreement and said goodbye as I left his office. I couldn't let this oportunity fall out of my grasps. I needed to get more information out of the target before he escaped!

I went home and packed some supplies, mainly food, water and some other usefull stuff.

Before I left my home, I made sure my sword was in perfect condition, I had heared that some higher members of the Imperial Doctrine possesed armors which were nearly impenetrable, but my sword wasn't normal either. On the outside it looked like any other metal sword, but the truth laid beneath the outer layer, Emperor Blood formed the core, the indestructible material was only reserved for the highest in the Imperial Doctrine, I got lucky when I found it after I had traveled to the Holy Capital, I saved it from rotting away in the piles of ash and mud that remained there. In return it had saved my times a couple of times, especialy when I fought against enemies whose strength granted them the ability to crack steel like it was nothing. Now I was prepared to set out and begin the hunt, excitement and adrenaline was coursing thru my veins.

As I walked through the village, I saw people walking around everywhere. "Still as busy as usual" I thought, while walking towards the exit of the village, the village had always reminded me of a beehive with bees buzzing around everywhere. I passed bakerys and countless shops selling all kind of wares. Reaching the edge of the village a gust of wind came from the forest, fresh air filled my lungs as I inhaled the smell of nature. While most people prefered cities and villages, I always had a burning desire for nature and its beauty of flora and fauna. 

I left the village following a trail into the woods, although it was noon, the thick forest with its many great trees didn't let thru much sunlight. "A perfect place to hide" I thought as I was following the forest path, the light slowly fading giving way to darkness. Which reminded me of a citation I had heared a while back "Light is temporary, when it fades the eternal darkness returns .", seemed quite fitting. I stopped in my tracks to rest for a short while and took a look at my map, "If I moved hastly, I could reach the location of my target in two or three days."

Continuing towards my target I was always on the lookout for enemies. Whenever I heared sounds, I instinctly gripped the hilt of my sword, ready to cut down any danger that was lurking in the shadows. As nightfall began and everything grew even more darker, I ajusted quickly, listening to every sound and movement the forest made. I didn't rest at night, instead walking slower and more weary of my surronding towards my targets location. A couple of times I almost stumbled on some rocks, but always managed to not fall to the hard dirt ground, continueing forward undesturbed, my target was the only thing on my mind.

Two days. That's how long it took for me to reach my targets location, without a single break to eat or sleep, I felt more and more energy and adrenaline rush into my veins the closer I came. Finally when I had reached the location, I spotted a small cave entrance and what I presumed to be the remains of a campfire in frot of the ominous dark entrance. I knew it had to be a trap, but I had no other choice. Either storm inside and overpower what lurked in the saftey of the darkness or wait outside for days on end, uncertain wether someone was truly still inside.