Death Seeker - Horizon: Zero Dawn

Chapter 2

Flames danced in the air as they neared. Their boots kicking up stones and earth as they ploughed through the dirt at break-neck speed.

They could hear screams, and the distinct clang of metal against metal. The dull thud of an arrow found its target, the charging braves praying it wasn't their kin that fell to the ground.

Those that remained at Mothers Vigil, including Darin, were fierce, hardened warriors. Braves that have stared death in the face many times, and come out smiling every time. They would never give up protecting their sacred lands. These lands belong to us, our laws. Braves would not be defeated, unless they couldn't...

Rost violently shook away the devils thoughts. This was no game, there was only one outcome in his mind, and that involved a group of slayed outlanders dead in a pile. Rost would ensure they regretted this attack.

No one enters Nora Lands and kills our people. No one! Rost panted through clenched teeth, an arrow ready nocked on his bow, his spear hanging lightly over his left shoulder.

Screams were louder now, from men, women and children. The braves couldn't think of that just now, their duty was to save as many as they could, but they needed to get to them first. Grata loosed an arrow, nocked a replacement from her pouch almost simultaneously. The first missed, alerting the attacker, the second burst through his shoulder as he turned. He screamed something inaudible, and stumbled behind a burning cabin. Two others, dressed in unknown garb with bloodied spears, were quick on his heels running north towards the border path.

"Alana!" Rost screamed, as he made his way to his home, noticing the wispy smoke billowing from the back as he neared. There was no flames, which encouraged him. He screamed out. "Alana!" His voice faltered, and emotions became evident. His mate lay motionless, draped over the threshold of the broken door. "No!" He leapt over a pile of wood shards and rubble to get to her, briefly noticing the splatters of blood outside. "Mother of mercy..." He knelt by her side, placing a hand on her broken face. He already knew her fate. Her clothes were torn, and she'd been stabbed multiple times.

He frantically scanned inside, observing the fight that must have taken place to create such a scene. "Alana! It's Father, are you here?" He searched the places he could think she would hide in, but she was nowhere. He paused at the door and looked down once more, "Goodbye...my love. I'm sorry. May All Mother receive you well. I will find our daughter and rescue her, I promise." He wiped a solitary tear from his upper cheek, then darted towards the others like a man possessed.

Grata was wailing, she cradled the head of Seth in her shaking hands as she searched for mercy in the sky.

"Kyo, what happened?" Rost asked.

The brave turned to Rost, releasing the tension on her bow string. "It was like they waited for you to leave, hiding in the shadows. Ten, maybe more, dressed in dark colours. Only their eyes visible. They attacked quickly, grabbing remaining children to take as hostages before they could escape, and threatening to kill them if the braves got close."

Mother save us.

"Seth pleaded with them, even dropped his spear. They took hostages, burned the settlement, and left quickly. The last three ran when you arrived." Kyo lowered his head. "We couldn't...stop them."

Rost put a hand on Grata's shoulder, calming her with a strong squeeze, noticing his own shaking hand. "It's okay, Kyo. Grata, there is work to be done. No one insults the Goddess on her lands." He stood firm, and began bounding north.

Zara, Kyo and the other remaining braves followed, stirring Grata into action. Rost had picked up their track. "Two groups, both heading east." He began striding along a path, reeds broken, disturbed earth. His head swayed as he ran, scanning his surroundings like one of the machines nearby.