The demon huntress (unedited)

The bear and the huntressfair

Loud voices were echoing inside my head, a murderer, a lunatic, a whore and so much more, I was trapped in the circle of fire, not just my body but even my soul was trapped in the damn flames. I looked for Tam and I found her shouting at the elders, but the whistling of my ears made all the sounds mix together in my head like a dark cloud of poisonous mist.

"I want to challenge the murderer" a harsh sound erupted through the crowds above, making the entire haul come to an abrupt silence. It was a deep voice that I couldn't register where it came from. The elders looked above and when I trailed where they were looking, I found a huge man with a face hidden in the shadows. He was a justice knight wearing the black iron armor shining in the dim light. And when he came forward through the rows of onlookers, I glared at a face as such I've never seen. Even though he seemed in his early thirties his hair was completely white. He had a scar on his right eye, no not a scar exactly, it was a mix of a scar and a burn as if someone ripped his eyes slowly while burning the skin at the same time. The empty eye socket was ruby red, and his functioning eye was glaring at me with such hatred I've never seen in my life.

"This murderer killed two of my sisters your highness while I was in the south fighting, this murderer killed my only left family and the only justice that can stop the flaming burn in my heart is to give me the chance to avenge the death of my sister with my sword" he said with such venom that made my stomach curl. "Are you deaf as you are blind, I told you killed no one, I was minding my fucking business doing my fucking work for god's sake people do you think from your asses why would I kill elites the only elite I know is my best friend if I had a grudge on you why would I have a best friend from one of the most prejudiced families in Azadur" I snapped cursing colorfully not caring for anything in the world I've had enough, if I'm going to die I would burn the whole castle with me. Sounds became louder "filthy fresh blood" "insane girl, look at how she speaks in front of the elders" "Tamara Nevan is not what you call a proper elite with her behavior anyway" murmurs and mutters came from everywhere like rogue arrows, but if they did one thing wrong it was saying shit about my Tam.

I looked at the elders who sat quietly through the mayhem and said "I accept the challenge of the half blind man your highness, a trial of combat, but if I win I want an apology from everyone in the hall for tarnishing my friends name can I have that at least" people cursed in rage, but finally the silent elders spoke with a voice that echoed through my bones "SILENCE" the whole arena became as still as the dead and the elders spoke "we accept lord Keenan as he is the first one to draw the challenge and as he is the leader of the justice knights of the state of Azadur, and as every circle knight has the right to live an honorable life we decided to give Lady Samir her wish if she won in the trial and proven her innocence everyone who tarnished her name or her friends name shall apologize publicly as the sin of hatred is the enemy of justice, no further words shall be spoken in the sacred hall, let the fire of soul tell us the truth"

The fire widened, and I found the half – blind man inter through the fire unharmed. He didn't blink as he stared at me and I didn't break the stare either, we hated each other and one of us will die today. I have vowed not to kill a human since I killed my stepfather and since then my sword has never touched a human or a circle knight or even an animal, my thoughts raced as I thought about the idea of killing someone to survive but the hatred in his face and the way he spat on the floor in disgust made me almost forget my oath, almost.

"In the fire of souls a knight only relies on their strength no circle power can be used, and only one weapon can be held, now bow and when the flames turn blue you may begin" the elders spoke as one

We only nodded heads before reaching to our backs for the weapons tattoo on our skin. I reached to my flesh beneath the leather jacket, seeking the cold feeling, the tattoo turning to steel by my light touch. Keenan's weapon was an emerald sword as long as he is with a sharp point leering at me waiting to take my soul. In seconds, the red blaze around us turned to blue and we jumped.