Awakened

The Hunter

"Make sure you have your money by sunrise tomorrow or else your village is being burned to the ground!" A lord of the country shouted, riding on a horse while he glared down at a bunch of demi-humans. He was in a village full of demi-humans that also happened to be on his land, meaning that the demi-humans were a part of the land he owned. "I am tired of being merciful to you freaks, you should be lucky you all still have homes."

"W-We'll get you your money, S-Sir! Please, just give us some t-time." A cat girl in the village pleaded nervously, looking to the lord. "You better, or else I'll make sure you all are shipped off to slave camps." The lord snapped before he and his men began riding off on their horses, leaving the village of demi-humans in their dust.

Hiding behind one of the houses in the village, watching the commotion going on, was a unique-looking man. He was white with long, grey hair that went down to his shoulders. His hair had bits of black throughout it and he also put it up in a small man bun. He wore a white and black coat that had holy crosses on it. He wore white gloves, and he had a belt around his waist that was full of kunai as well as a pouch full of unknown items. He also had two piercings in one of his ears.

This man had two major features to him though. One was the black bandages that covered both of his eyes. The other was a katana that was on his belt. Once The Lord had left with his men, the man stepped out from the back of the house and walked over to the cat girl who had been pleading before. The cat girl was on her knees crying, obviously scared like the rest of the village.

"Luna... That lord... I'll deal with him." The man spoke in a flat, emotionless voice. The cat girl, Luna, turned to the samurai-like warrior with a look of fear in her eyes. "Koa! You can't! He'll kill you!" Luna shrieked, looking at Koa. She had brown hair, brown eyes, and tanned skin. "Please! I don't want t-to see you hurt."

The samurai, Koa, put a hand on the hilt of his sword and began walking in the direction of the lord and his soldiers. Luna let out a wince before calling after Koa. "Please! Come back alive, Koa Aiken!"

Koa Aiken turned and looked at Luna, with no emotion on his face but he just nodded before continuing to walk down the path, in the direction The lord and his soldiers had gone.

-

"Can you believe those demi-humans? They seriously believe that we're going to let them stay around in that pathetic village of theirs on my land? I can't wait to see their faces when we come in the middle of the night tonight and take them all to the slave camps we've got set up." The lord laughed, putting a hand on his belly while he rode his horse. He was wearing a Shakespearean-like outfit, one that the high-up citizens would wear. He also had a judge wig on and wore a moustache with twirls at the end of it. "Honestly, demi-humans are so stupid."

"They are, Lord Bartelot." The captain of the guard unit nodded as he rode beside the high-ranking man. "But if I may be so bold to ask, what use are those demi-humans? Why not just kill them?" The captain asked curiously. Lord Bartelot scoffed, looking to The captain. "The answer to that question is simply, Captain. Those demi-humans might be freaks of nature, but they have some uses. They can be used as slaves to build monuments, used for entertainment, and even become sex slaves." Lord Bartelot laughed cruelly. "They have no other purpose in this world but to serve as our slaves and then die. It's as simple as that."

"I see, my lord." The captain nodded. The Lord and his soldiers kept traveling through the path in the woods in a peaceful manner. Everything was going smoothly before the two horses who were in front stopped suddenly, rearing on their hind legs. "What the devil is going on up there?!" Lord Bartelot called, scowling up front at the soldiers. All of the other soldiers were trying to figure out why the front guard had stopped... And that's when they saw him.

Koa Aiken was standing right in front of the group, his hand casually resting on the hilt of his katana. He wore a calm expression on his face. Although neither of his eyes was visible, the soldiers were able to see the composure on his face. He stood silently for a good minute before he eventually spoke. "Lord Bartelot, I wish to speak to you," Koa spoke calmly.

The chubby lord blinked with disgust and shock at the figure in front of him before he then looked closer, to which he grinned once he figured out who he was speaking to. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Koa Aiken; The Hunter." Lord Bartelot chuckled as he scratched his chin. "From what I hear, you're wanted in many cities due to the mass murders you commit with that sword of yours. But I have to admit, I've heard the rumours that even the celestial Artemis would be jealous of your hunting skills." He laughed.

"I'm flattered. But I'm sure such rumours are just as you said. Rumours." The blindfolded samurai spoke calmly, tilting his head down to the ground. "But enough of that. I've come to make a request to you; Leave the demi-humans of that village alone, and we won't have problems." Koa spoke in such a collected voice.

There was silence from the lord and his men... But then laughter erupted, breaking the silence.

Lord Bartelot was laughing as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world, he was gripping his stomach and even struggling to breathe because of how much he was laughing. His soldiers weren't too far away from laughing to a similar degree as him. "Me!? Leave those demi's who are on my land alone?! You must be pulling my leg!" The lord laughed. "Please tell me that you're pulling my leg. You are in no position to be making demands with me, Aiken."

Koa Aiken watched as the group in front of him laughed at his words. He then sighed and gripped tightly onto the end of his katana, pulling it out of the scabbard and holding it in front of him with two hands. The blade of the weapon was black with a galaxy-like color going through it. The hilt and handle were both like it. Just above the hilt of the weapon was an engraving of the moon. "You leave me no choice then," Koa spoke, getting into a readied stance.

Lord Bartelot let out a scoff before waving his hand dismissively. "I've had enough of this. Kill him." He waved to the two guards who were upfront. Once the order was given, the guards both pulled out their swords and charged at Koa. Even when the guards were charging at him, Koa did not leave his stance or lose his composure. The warrior took in a deep breath and stood completely still as Lord Bartelot laughed, preparing to watch his guards run down Koa.

... only to watch them both get sliced in two at lightning speeds.

Koa stood still, letting out his breath and slashing his sword to get the blood off of it. The two guards he just cut in half both fell off their horses, their rides running off the second their riders were killed. "Whose next?" Koa asked calmly. These actions and words just pissed off the big lord even more. "Kill him! Somebody kill him!" He ordered.

The remaining guards pulled out rifles they had on them and aimed right at Koa, opening fire. The grey-haired samurai took in another deep breath before charging at the guards. With unexpected accuracy, he dodged and sliced up bullets that came his way, eventually reaching the shooters to which he cut them all down as quickly as they were able to shoot. "Damn you!" The captain of the guard growled, pulling out a sword and jumping at Koa, slashing at him.

The captain's strikes were better than the previous attackers. Koa was faster and more skilled though. Each attack the captain made on him was blocked by Koa's katana. "This can't be possible! You can't even see!" The captain shouted. He then made an attempt for Koa's head- Only to have the samurai duck and then pierce right through the captain's heart with his katana. Koa pushed off the now lifeless soldier from his sword, turning his head to all the different corpses that were on the ground.

This was Koa's mistake, he got so distracted and didn't see Lord Bartelot pull a flintlock from his belt and fire at Koa. The bullet grazed Koa's arm which made him wince. With that, Koa then lunged at the lord, slashing his katana across his chest at high speeds and forcing him to fall off of his steed. The lord fell to the ground, gripping his hand over his bloody chest. Koa was standing right over him, his katana raised up high to slash down. "W-What the hell are you!?" Lord Bartelot screamed.

"I thought you already knew that... I'm a hunter." The samurai spoke, and after that, let's just say that Lord Bartelot was no longer screaming.

-

"Koa!" Luna shouted when she saw the samurai return. He had walked back to the village, a hand over his bleeding arm. The injury wasn't bad, he'd heal so he wasn't too worried. That didn't stop Luna and the other villagers from acting like the wound was fatal. "I told you, I'll be fine." Koa groaned slightly, trying to convince the villagers to stop babying him. "You scared us all half to death, you idiot! Don't go off on a killing spree and come back not thinking we won't heal you!" Luna pouted, her tail wagging furiously.

Eventually, the villagers eased off, letting Koa return to his room in the village inn. He set his katana down on his bed and sat on the edge of it, looking at the wall. "Another one down... These people will now be a little safer." Koa sighed, shaking his head. After a minute, there was a knock on the door and the cat girl known as Luna opened the door slightly. "Koa? Can I come in?"

"Sure." Koa nodded, watching the cat girl come in and sit on his bed. She sat there awkwardly for a moment before speaking. "So... I was speaking with the village leaders and they thought it would be nice for you to stay with us. We know you can fight so you can stay and be our village protector!" Luna smiled, "Wouldn't that be cool?"

Koa kept quiet for a moment before looking forward once more. "I appreciate the offer but... I'm leaving after tonight. I still have a mission to complete." He explained, looking at the wall. "There are many villages like this one that is being persecuted by the lords of this world. I will not stop till each one is free." Koa murmured, turning his attention to his sword beside him. "I will not stop using this sword till that mission is complete."

Luna seemed upset about that fact but she knew he meant well. "I... Understand. I won't try and convince you to stay because I know you won't." She murmured, her cat ears lowering. "Where are you going to go next? There are so many cities and villages." Luna tilted her head.

"Well... The first thing I need is money. I've done some research and the nearest city is the city of Wale." Koa explained, returning his blindfolded eyes to Luna. "That's where I'll be going next." He added on. The cat girl nodded before she then stood up, holding her hands in front of her crotch. "Okay. Well, you should get some rest. You've got a long journey tonight." With that, Luna left the room.

Koa watched as the door to his room closed before he lay his head down on his bed and got some rest for the night ahead.

-

"Wake up, Mr Zalvedir! We're here!" Mr Wakefield called to the back of his carriage, where Apollyon and Violet had been resting for their journey. Apollyon blinked and looked toward the massive city they were approaching. "Wakefield. This the place you were talking about?" He asked.

"Yep! Welcome to the city of Wale! I'm sure you'll find some good things here!" Mr Wakefield explained. Violet blinked awake and looked up at the big city, gulping at the sheer size of it.