Fursekai: Volume 2

2

"Fuck!" Hunter says, looking around him furiously. But nobody was there, Ruriko and all the others had completely vanished!

They had ventured into the Eastern Green as a group and had gone to great lenghts so as not to get lost. And yet they not only got seperated but also got lost. 

Hoping to find his bearings Hunter looks for the sun. But the tops of the trees are so dense that barely any light even gets through.

He screams in frustration just as a group of masked individuals resembling ninja's drop from the trees.

"I'm really frustrated right now so I won't be going easy on you." He tells them.

The men charge. Taking a deep breath he goes into the same trans like state from when he fought Eudoros. The first one swips from over head. Hunter moves out of the way of the swing while also puanching at his face. The same black energy leaves his fist, destroying the man's head. But, there is no blood. Instead he sees scorched wood where the neck should be.

"Dolls huh?" He says as another one stabs at him from behind. He swiftly avoids it and grabs the doll's head. Pulling of the mask he sees that it's a faceless manequinn. He crushes it's head. One by one he destroys the dolls that try to attack him. 

Their lifless attacks are not only sloppy and weak, but slow. He has no doubt that a person would pose more of a challenge if not a threat. After he's done dealing qith the dolls he looks around to see if he can spot their master. 

While he doesn't spot anybody, he does notice a difference in the scenery. Now there was a pathway leading through the forest where there had once been nothing but dense brush. With no other option he takes the path. After some walking the feint sound of people reaches his ears. A short distance later he leaves the forest and finds himself in a clearing. 

Built there he sees wooden huts as well as gardens. But it's the people that draw his attention. They are all seemingly human while also having ears and tails of animals! 

"Welcome Hunter. I must say it is a pleasure to see you again." A familiar voice says to him. Turning in it's direction. 

In front of him he sees Robert and Willliam! Behind them are Ruriko and the others! Even Hayato is there!

Trying to say something Hunter's voice catches in his throat.

"You must be very confused. But come, let me explain." Robert says, leading them to a large tree in the middle of the clearing. In front of the tree was a statue of Esmeralda.

The story goes like this:

Esmeralda had arrived in this world several hundred years prior as a young girl. She had arrived in this clearing where a small group of locals lived. These locals revered her as a goddess. At first she was very withdrawn, believing her loved ones would come for her. But they never did.

As she grew up she started a better life here. Reversing the custom of the people she took several husbands. Though she never forgot about Robert. 

She would teach these people about the world she was from and about the people who should have come with her. Through the generations these people passed on those stories as others would stories of their gods.

While she was here she had discovered a technique that allowed her to utilize something she called aura as that was the closest thing to it she could think of. Her people practiced these techniques ritualistically.

And then she passed on. Her people erected a statue in her likeness so as to never forget their goddess.  And they never did.

Just under a hundred years before Hunter arrived, Robert arrived in this clearing. He had arrived a young man, barely a teenager. The people immediately took him to the statue and told him of his long lost wife. After he had explained to them who he was they had elected him to be their new chief.

And so he too began a life here. Then, in the same year Hunter arrived, he had a dream. In the dream he saw his children as well as their locations. He also saw their comrades. And so he began to move. He sent men to get Jen and William while also leaking his location to Ruriko's men. Then he brought Hayato to him. All he could do further was wait. Till now.

"I see. You must've known I'd bring Maria and Elaine. But what about Johnny?" Hunter asks.

"I'm sorry. I looked for a way to save him. I did my best. But my gentle boy has become a monster." Robert replies, his voice conveying his anguish.

"But, he'll be coming soon." Robert tells them.

"What?" The siblings ask in unison.

"Johnny was here a few nights ago to scout out the area. Father then had a dream that he'd be bringing an army. And leading them would be the hooded man who brought us here." William explains.

"What will you have us do?" Ruriko asks, stepping forward.

"We need to prepare. If they get their hands on the heart of this forest they will have the power to reshape this world to their liking. Or, return to Earth and conquer it." Robert tells them. 

Meanwhile Johnny is concersing with his master.

"I need an army master. It need not be a large one, but the forces you assigned to me are not sufficient." William says. The woman from before is once again disgruntled that she didn't hear him approach.

"That is fine. There have been a change of plans anyway. I will be taking my entire force to conquer them." The man says.

"You must be joking?! Why would you need a force that large?!" The woman asks, jumping up.

"A hunch. I believe your daughter is there as well. Her and the welp you wish to punish." The man replies, still calm.

"I see. Then my clan will follow you into battle." She says, bowing her head to him.

A war was coming and even the birds felt anxious.