The Prince's Bounty

Prolouge | The Beginning

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The bodies all fell around Selene chaotically and chillingly, reminiscent of the spine-tingling opening scene in a horror movie. The dim candles above her flickered sporadically, creating an eerie atmosphere that seemed to both warn and chide her to escape while she still had the chance. However, Selene found herself unable to leave just yet, as the fallen men surrounding her were none other than highly trained killers – the formidable bodyguards responsible for protecting Paolark's most significant figure, Prince Kairlan, the rightful heir to the throne.

Cursing internally, Selene felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins as she cautiously spun in a circle, carefully assessing the casualties strewn across the floor before her. However, upon closer examination, not a single body could be readily identified as either the prince himself or anyone of significant importance. Disappointment momentarily overshadowed the perilous situation as she realized that these particular bodies held little value or worth to her agenda.

Selene's appearance was a stark contrast to the gruesome scene that surrounded her. Her skin was pale and unblemished, almost as if she had never known the touch of the sun. Her long, jet-black hair was pulled tightly back into a severe bun, leaving her angular features on full display. Her eyes, a piercing green, seemed to glint with an unnerving intensity as she surveyed the scene before her.

But it was the blood that caught one's attention. It was not her own, yet it clung to her like a second skin, staining her clothes and skin in a macabre display of violence. The crimson liquid seemed to flow from every direction as if it were alive and pulsing with malevolent energy. Selene's face remained impassive, however, as if she were used to the sight of blood and death.

As a bounty hunter, Selene had once been a respected member of society. However, her methods had grown increasingly ruthless over time, and now she was known more for her ability to eliminate important people than for her skill in capturing them. She would kill her targets and then sell their bodies to the highest bidder, often doctors or scientists who could use the corpses for research purposes. It was a lucrative business, but one that left a trail of death and destruction in its wake.

Despite the moral ambiguity of her profession, Selene carried herself with an air of confidence and authority that commanded respect. She moved with a fluid grace that belied the violence she had inflicted upon others, and her eyes held a steely determination that left little doubt as to her capabilities. In this moment, surrounded by the lifeless bodies of her latest victims, Selene appeared both ruthless and calculating - a woman who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals.

Selene's journey into the dangerous world of bounty hunting had a painful origin. It began years ago when she was just a young girl living in a humble village on the outskirts of Paolark. Her family was everything to her - her parents, and her siblings - they were the pillars of love and stability in her life.

But one fateful night, tragedy struck when a group of marauders descended upon their village. Chaos erupted as the attackers pillaged and burned everything in their wake. Selene, paralyzed by fear, could only watch in horror as her family was mercilessly slaughtered before her eyes. That night, she lost everything that mattered to her, and the flames of vengeance ignited in her heart.

With a newfound determination, Selene vowed to avenge her family's deaths. She sought out the guidance of a legendary bounty hunter, a grizzled veteran named Roderick. Under his tutelage, she honed her skills in combat, espionage, and tracking, channeling her pain and anger into becoming a formidable force to be reckoned with.

Her initial motivation was driven solely by the desire to find her family's killers. But as she delved deeper into the world of bounty hunting, she discovered a sense of purpose and justice that extended beyond her vendetta. Seeing the rampant corruption and endless injustices in Paolark, Selene realized that she had the power to bring balance to a world that seemed to bend toward darkness.

With each successful bounty she claimed, her reputation grew, attracting the attention of those seeking justice, revenge, or simple resolution. She became known for her unwavering determination and her unyielding pursuit of her targets. Yet, beneath her hardened exterior, Selene carried the weight of her family's tragic demise, a haunting reminder of why she had chosen this path.

However, when Selene set her sights on Prince Kairlan, her motivations became muddled. Captivated by whispers of his enigmatic abilities, she veered off her original path of vengeance, finding herself questioning whether her pursuit of justice and her growing fascination with Kairlan could coexist.

Haunted by the ghosts of her past, Selene faced an internal struggle between her duty as a hunter and the emotional turmoil that unfolded within her. Her heart yearned for answers and connection, yet her training as a bounty hunter drilled into her the cold reality of her profession - that she was to bring death, not compassion, to those she pursued.

With a steely resolve, Selene dragged the bodies one by one towards the door, her heart pounding in her chest. The dimly lit inn floors creaked beneath her feet as she made her escape, the cobblestone roads outside beckoning her with a promise of freedom.

The candles flickered ominously above her, casting eerie shadows across the floor. She could hear the muffled whispers of the patrons outside, their curious gazes following her every move. Selene knew that she couldn't afford to be caught, not now, not when she was so close to achieving her ultimate goal.

As she reached the door, Selene paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before pushing it open. The crisp night air hit her like a slap in the face, and she quickly pulled the bodies into the waiting carriage outside. The sound of hooves clattering against the cobblestone road filled her ears as she urged the horses forward, leaving behind the chaos and destruction that had once been her life.

Selene's heart was heavy with regret as she thought of all the lives she had taken and all the pain she had caused. But she couldn't dwell on it now; there were more important matters at hand. She had heard rumors of a powerful figure who could grant her every wish, and she was determined to find him before it was too late.

As the carriage rattled along the winding roads, Selene closed her eyes and allowed herself to drift into a deep slumber, haunted by memories of her past.