Hunter

XIV

Aric kicked the pebble, sending it flying into a wall.
The book tucked under his arm seemed to burn him through the sleeve of his jacket.
It wasn't like he hadn't stolen before. You kinda had to the way he lived.
Aric sighed. But he had never stolen like this before, only out of necessity.
But he didn't want to depend on other people. Even if he had no money. He could take care of himself. He could be strong.
He leaned against the wall, taking a breath. The book felt heavy, like its weight was weighing him down.
He twisted the metal band on his wrist, feeling it heat up.
What? But there are no monsters-
"ARIC!"
He flinched and pushed himself off the wall.
Jade walked over to him, irritated.
"Where the hell did you go? You can't just leave like that! I've been calling you for the past five minutes and-"
She cut herself off, looking at the book under his arm.
"Aric? What- Did you pay for that?"
Aric didn't say anything, shifting on his feet. His face was blank, but his lips were colorless, like he pressing on them.
"Aric." Jade's voice was hard and brittle. "I have money. If you wanted that book, I would've payed for it-"
Aric cut her off, putting a hand over her mouth.
She cried in outrage and Aric looked at her with pleading eyes. "Please. I'll return the book, I promise. Please be quiet."
Jade looked at him, her brow furrowed.
He backed up, looping an arm around Jade, pulling him back with him. He backed up them against a wall.
The band was searing his arm.
He leaned next to Jade's ear, his voice barely audible.
"Lusus naturae."
Jade's eyes widened in understanding and she pulled Aric's hand off her mouth.
There was a monster. And it was dangerously close by.
Aric could smell it, its damp, musty smell flaring his nostrils.
His body tensed and he slid in front of Jade, pushing her behind him.
She glared at him and he shrugged.
Sorry he mouthed.
The monstrum was closer now, Aric could feel his wrist band starting to vibrate.
The monster was almost directly in front of them, and it was getting closer by the second. He could hear its lumbering footsteps. The book slipped out from under his arm.
Aric thought to himself, slipping the bands off his wrists.
If that thing doesn't see us and it's close enough, I could shoot it. But if it attacks...... I don't know if I can fight it. Damn, I should've tried to sleep yesterday.
He grit his teeth, pushing his hands together.
The bands melded together, forming a gauntlet. It's emblazoned surface glistened with gold and silver. Aurum and Argentum.
Aric slipped it onto his right hand, muttering under his breath so Jade couldn't hear.
"I am the Hunter, the venator. Gimme a bow and arrows."
The gauntlet glowed, blazing with heat, feeding him energy. A silver bow formed itself in Aric's fist, golden arrows forming in his other one.
Jade stared at them wide-eyed.
He winked and lifted the bow, nocking it with an arrow.
The monstrum walked into view, a 8-foot mountain of fur, sharp claws, and massive horns. Its black eyes stared at them hungrily. It had a bull's head, its torso covered by a ripped red shirt. Its bulky legs are muscular and covered in scabs. Ripped denim jeans covered...... Not much.
Aric squinted, aiming the arrow.
He let it fly, straight into the monster's chest.
It roars angrily, snorting steam out of it's snout.
Its clawed feet scrape the ground, and Aric nocked another arrow.
He aimed and let it go, the arrow sinking into its arm.
The monster roars again, charging forward.
Jade shrieked, gripping the back of Aric's shirt tightly.
He whirled around, grabbing her around the waist and spinning them both out of the way.
He let go of Jade and murmured to his bow. "What is this thing's energy level?"
Numbers float above the monster's head. Aric cursed under his breath. "Damn, this thing just ate! It's freaking super charged."
He hefted his bow, charging.
"Give me a blade!"
A sword formed in the bow's place, glowing harshly. The leather hilt for perfectly in his hand and he gripped it, grinning.
He flipped on his feet, slicing the sword's silver blade into the monster's neck.
It fell to its knees and roared.
Aric closed in on it, stabbing it.
It turned its head, its horns swinging, slicing into Aric's stomach. He tried to spin out of the way, but that made it worse.
He gritted his teeth, pushing his hand over his stomach.
The monster got back on its feet and charged. Aric jumped out of the way, sending waves of pain through his torso.
He crashed onto his feet, turning just in time to see the monstrum running straight at him.
He vaguely heard Jade screaming behind him and he turned his head,  managing a grin. "I'm fine!"
The pain from the cut throbbed, making it hard for Aric to think straight.
Aric screamed at his sword. "Gimme a war hammer!"
Aric ran forward, jumping up, and smashing the 5-pound silver hammer into the thing's head.
It fell, black blood dripping from its mouth.
It breathed heavily, glaring at Aric.
He gripped the hammer's metal handle tightly, whirling it over his knuckles.
He jumped, caught it, and drove it into the monster's skull.
It collapsed onto the floor. It pushed itself on to its arms, black bile spewing everywhere.
It roared in anger, and sent plumes of monster breath into Aric's face.
He glared at it, irritated. Die already!
He backed up a few paces, muttering. "Gimme a blade."
The monster started standing up, and Aric jumped forward, stabbing the thing straight through the chest. He screeched, "DELEO!"
Monster guts exploded everywhere, splattering Aric's face. He backed up, staggering, exhausted. The pain felt dull.
Jade rushed forward, catching him as he fell.
Aric smiled, dazed.
Then he passed out.