The Dark Order

1.7

Maggie's the perfect mixture of embarrassed and upset, "You're unbelievable."

She sizes up the hunters. The one farthest left stands out the most, due to his feral presence, clearly starving, his skin is practically gray. His facial structure has lost its mass. His lips are severely chapped. He licks them exposing his partially rotted teeth.

The blue glow in his eyes grows brighter.

The hunter farthest right is the youngest. He looks like a young man caught up in a situation he doesn't belong in. He's a six-three, malnourished, White male. He's timid. He has a slight tremble, a constant flicker of his eyesight, unable to focus properly.

He looks at Jubilee who's barely able to stand. He and Maggie lock gaze. She can sense that fear. He can tell. He subconsciously steps back. The blue glow in his eyes is barely visible.

The one in the middle. He's cross-eyed due to a cancerous tumor just behind his right ocular. Pressed against his right eye, it pushes its view inward, though, he'd be blind either way, "We aren't interested in a drunk, we're here for the bounty." His voice is hoarse.

He steps forward.

"Claiming this bounty will get us promoted."

He and the feral heathen get a laugh out of this. "And you just made it easier for us, old man."

"Is that right?" He moves Maggie behind him, "Well then." He motions for them to attempt, gladly accepting the challenge, "Come and claim it."

The two men look at each other with endorphic smiles. Maggie's still looking at the younger hunter, "Alexis, let me help."

"I've got this."

"You're in no shape to be fighting!"

"What did I tell you?" He smiles at her, his pupils green. She steps back. "Gentlemen." Turning his attention back, "Why don't we-"

A flame of blue magic BLOWS him to the ground. His chest burns and his clothes are smoking. He goes still.

"ALEXIS!"

The feral fiend cackles, "This power is unreal!"

The middle man, their leader, he steps forward. Before Maggie can pull her blade, a blue mana  rope entraps her, she struggles to break free, "Get off me!" She looks to Alexis, who is still lying there, "Alexis!" The hunter walks over to her. "You said you wouldn't let anything happen to me!" 

He's right up on her, caressing her cheek as tears run down her face."There, there- We aren't going to hurt you too much." He continues his manic laugh, "We'll play with you first then- Well, you know what they do to witches" He shrugs.
"It'll be--"

BLOOD SPLATTERS ALL OVER MAGGIE'S FACE.

THE HUNTERS EXPRESSION AND SMILE DIE AS AN EXSAPERATED GASP ESCAPES HIS LIPS. 

MAGGIE'S VISION IS SHAKING, SHE'S IN SHOCK AS SHE LOOKS DOWN AT A SHARP-EDGED BRANCH PIERCING THROUGH HIS CHEST CAVITY. 

Behind her, Jubilee stands to his feet, wiping himself off... His shirt is ruined, "Dammit- This was my favorite shirt." Without acknowledging the action, he swipes his hand and the now-deceased hunter's corpse is thrown away. The body crashes to the ground, lying in a pool of blood. 

As the magic holding her CRUMBLES away, Maggie struggles to wrap her head around what's happening, "H- How?..." 

Jubilee steps up beside her, "Are you okay?" She nods 'yes'. 

"Good." He watches the other two hunters panicking, backpedaling, hoping to escape but it's too late, they back right into a WALL OF WOVEN ROOTS.

They watch as the feral hunter scrambles for an escape. He deserts the young man as he runs over and kicks in the door of the building to their right, vanishing into the darkness.