Duck. Jump. Dive. Roll. These were all the thoughts that ran through August's mind as he tore through the forest grounds. If he wasn't fast enough, he would be caught. That's why his thoughts were fast and flowing. He held his dagger, firmly in his hand, in preparation for any danger that might occur. Alice was running a bit behind but he knew he couldn't wait up for her.
Alice was lost. She knew she was lost. She had lost August quite some time ago and she was worried. Alice was too brave to show this fear though, so she trudged on, throwing blades in hand, preparing for the worst.
Ali was lost with Kai and Daniel. Ali and Kai had been butting heads for a while, figuring out who should lead the lost party. Daniel stood back, avoiding an argument and scanning the surrounds for any Nobles in the area.
The rest of the group had stayed behind in the village, to help defend against potential Noble attacks. The worst day of the year had officially begun. The Noble Hunt Festival. The day of the year where the Nobles of the upper class cities raided villages and hunted the poor, as if they were helpless game. The day of bloodshed amongst men.
Despite the odds, the Forest Runners were determined to save the people they loved from being slaughtered, one after the other.
August stayed hidden, crouched in the waters of the shallow stream leading down the slope of the hill. He drew his sword, knowing that it would be much more effective than his dagger. The smooth, well forged red steel shone under the light of the moon. August was was the second best swordsman of the Forest Runners, Konnor being the best... but Konnor wasn't here. Now would be August's chance to prove his worth. He heard the sound of soft footsteps approaching and he prepared his battle stance. The footsteps got closer and closer and finally, a Noble dropped into the stream to face August. The young Runner wasted no time in going for an overhead slash. The noble flawlessly repelled the attack with a swift block. He then followed with a kick to August's gut. August stumbled back and tripped on on a rock. He fell over but quickly recovered himself. The noble thrusted his blade forward. August swung his sword downward and crashed it onto the Noble's blade. Finding an opportunity to attack, August ran his blade up along the Noble's, attempting a decapitation. The Noble lifted his blade, causing August to swing into the sky. Wasting no opportunity, August immediately swung around and slashed at the young Noble's chest. The attack landed and managed to knock away the Noble, who was now clutching his chest in pain. August took the opportunity to flee, in an attempt to find Alice.
"Damn it," grunted Alice. "Someone's going to find me and I doubt it's gonna be someone friendly."
Just then, Alice heard the sound of a snapping twig, and placed her hand on top of one of her many daggers. She threw the dagger, purposefully missing as a warning shot.
"Eek!" A shrill shriek came from the shadows. Alice recognised the voice as Emelia, her younger sister, whom she immediately rushed over to.
"Emelia, what are you doing here," Alice whispered as loudly and furiously as she could.
"I wanted to help," Emelia replied, grinning brightly.
"But you're not supposed to be-," Alice's words stopped immediately. "Don't. Move."
Emelia stood in silent fear, not budging an inch. A pair of red eyes glared at the two girls from within the dark cover of the trees. A low growl emerged from the creature's prowling spot. It took a step forward.
"Three," said Alice.
The creature took another step.
"two," came the second number.
"One," came the final count.
Alice snatched Emelia's hand and bolted through the trees. Alice could only hope the two of them would be fast enough...
The trio was still in dispute. Ali had knocked Kai quite a few times with her Ice Gauntlets, in order to earn the right to lead the small group. Kai had taken the punches like a man but was getting fed up.
"We're running around in circles," Daniel sighed. "I've placed a landmark rock here. See?" Daniel gestured towards the rock.
"If I was the leader, this wouldn't be happening," Ali remarked.
"Well, you're not, so shut up," Kai retorted.
"I will freeze you again," Ali threatened.
"Will you admit your undying love for me again, this time around?"
Daniel was the most agitated of all at this stage.
"Both of you should just stop behaving like kids!" He yelled. "I shouldn't even have to tell you that."
Suddenly, Alice rushed passed the trio, Emelia by her side.
"Dark Hound!" Alice screamed.
"Run!" Daniel said as the beast appeared under the moonlight before them, it's thick coat of bloodstained, black fur adding to it's already tremendous size.
Kai seized the opportunity and rushed towards the beast. The creature pounced upon the young warrior, whose face was only separated from the beast by handle of his axe. Emelia, who had begun to feel brave, broke free from Alice's grip and ran towards Kai. The Dark Hound raised his enormous paw and brought it crashing down on Kai's face, rendering him unconscious. The beast then layed eyes upon the small girl standing before him. He growled, showing his marvellous teeth to Emelia. The young girl stepped back but only managed to fall over.
"No!" Alice screamed. The young girl charged in to aid her sister, despite her friends' protests. She would never allow her sister to die, even if it were an errand that would cost Alice her own life.
Alice dived over Emelia in an attempt to save her sister's life. The creature slowly ran forward and leaped at the girls. Before teeth met flesh, however, Ali's fist had already met the creature's snout, sending the Hound rolling into a tree.
Daniel rushed to aid his fallen friend, who seemed to be coming to.
"Get up quick!" Daniel aided Kai in getting to his feet. "We need to kill the Dark Hound!"
"What the Hell is it doing here anyway?" Kai demanded.
"Probably the Southern Witches working with the Nobles," replied Daniel.
"As if things couldn't have gotten worse," sighed Kai. "Okay, you'll need to do a shadowkill. I'll get the others to distract the Hound."
"Okay,"Daniel said, readying his dagger. "Let's go."
Kai charged in, full of zeal, prepared to decapitate the beast at a moment's notice. Daniel began climbing a tree in preparation to drop down and force his wakashi's blade into the skull of the beast.
Kai swung his axe and the beast narrowly avoided it. Ali immediately punched the creature a second time. He only staggered back slightly, giving Kai the chance to drive the butt of his battle axe into the side of the creature's skull.
The Dark Hound fell over but regained stability quite quickly. He charged once more, bashing into Kai. Ali attempted to attack but was met by an enormous paw crashing into the side of her face.
Both of the most physically powerful members of the group were down and things looked grim. The creature then turned it's attention onto Alice and Emelia. Alice rushed in, throwing a dagger at the Hound. He narrowly avoided it and immediately sunk his teeth into the shoulder of Alice's dominant arm. She was doubled over in pain, clutching her shoulder, restraining any urge to howl in agony.
The creature rushed past Alice and made a beeline for Emelia. The creature's massive frame was outlined in the light of the moon as he pounced, Emelia's 12 years of life flashing before her eyes.
As all seemed lost, rocketing from a tree, Daniel plunged his blade into the skull of the Dark Hound, who then crashed into Emelia.
Blood slowly began to form in a small pool around the Hound. Unfortunately, there were two sources... and one belonged to Emelia.
