Monster Hunter

Part 18

Jules: (sobbing) Hit me with another shot, please.

Bartender: (mixes and shakes a strong concoction) Be careful. This one is really strong.

Jules: I can take it. (Sips) Ah! Wow. You weren't kidding.

Bartender: I told ya, Miss...

Jules: Jules. Miss Jules Diamant.

The bartender watched the young Miss get off her chair. Jules wobbled on her feet. She tried to walk steadily. Her legs were moving in opposite directions. She was about to fall down when all of a sudden she felt a hand help her up. Jules thanked the kind stranger for her help. Then continued on her way.

Bartender: Sorry about that one. She must have been spooked about something.

Vanessa: What do you mean?

Bartender: She rambled about seeing a ghost demon or something. And that her friend- er... Fari, was killed. Yeah, I don't know what she took that made her say all that. I had to give her a strong drink to calm her down. (Grabs a towel and wipes the countertop)

Vanessa: Do you know where her friend was killed?

Bartender: (stops wiping the countertop) She said somewhere in the meadow or forest. Her Buddy was killed near a nest of colorful eggs.

Vanessa: (Places her hat on her head) Thank you. And here I thought there was nothing strange about this place. (Sighs).

Bartender: (Throws the towel over his shoulder) No problem Miss.

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The bartender may not have given the best directions, but Vanessa was able to spot a nest of colorful eggs in the forest.

Heya was still near the same area of the forest. She was keeping an eye out for Jules. Heya kept watch over the forest. Not wanting to see any humans taking advantage of the bountiful food and resources available.

Vanessa studied the tracks around the nest. There was a human's and a bird's tracks. The human must have been Fari. A bit farther away from the nest, Fari's tracks stopped. There were different animal-like tracks around his. Something pounced on him and killed him.

From behind a nearby bush, Heya was curious and wondered what this new human was upto. For some strange reason Heya felt like this human was not like Jules, or Fari. She had a pack of arrows on her back. And she held a bow in one hand, while her other hand was free. Heya felt disturbed and kept her gaze on Vanessa.

The monster hunter knew that whatever monster attacked Fari was still around. It may have been waiting to kill Jules too. Luckily, Jules somehow ended up without a single scratch or bruise from the monster.

Heya felt like the spirit's power was slowly leaving her body. The connection must have been wearing off.

Vanessa: (Chanting) Earth, wind and sky. O, great spirits of Ndori. Grant me the strength to face all evils of this place.

Heya could not believe it. This human even knew how to channel power from the ancestors. This being had to be stopped- whoever she was. Heya didn't want to go back to just being a human. The spirit that she had connected with gave her so much strength.

Vanessa saw a set of bluish eyes in a bush staring at her. It was not a monster. This was the case of a spirit beast channeling it's power in a human being.

Heya approached Vanessa. She circled around the Monster Hunter. Vanessa kept her eyes on Heya's every action. She placed her arrow in position. Ready to aim with great force & speed.

Vanessa continued chanting. She focused her mind. The arrow in her hand started to glow. Heya growled and jumped towards Vanessa. The Monster Hunter aimed her arrow. And shot it with all her might. Heya tumbled to the ground. The arrow had landed right on her heart. Vanessa quickly reached for another arrow. The spirit of the monster moved out of Heya's body. Leaving her in her human form. Heya failed to get back up. Vanessa checked Heya's pulse. Heya was still alive. Vanessa took her away from the forest. And placed her in a group health center.

Heya woke up in a strange place. She wasn't in the forest. There were health professionals all ready to take care of her. This was a nightmare. Heya cried out loud. This was not over. She would find a way to get back to the forest and have the spirit's power once more.

#MonsterHunter

#SpiritArrows.