Team SMKK

Chapter 4: Old Wounds and New

Chapter 4: Old wounds and new

Present: City of Vale

At night the streets of Vale were bustling with nightlife. Streets were well lit, bars and restraints were either just closing or just opening, and all walks of life traversed the sidewalks. The two Huntsmen blended into the crowds, all unaware of their true profession as monster slayers.

"You have been having those dreams a lot, dude. You want to talk about it?" asked Marcus

"I didn't know you were a shrink?" answered Kole

"I mostly psycho-analyze the women I bang. They always open-up to me and they have a lot of things crammed inside of them" he said with cocky laugh. Even Kole couldn't resist laughing at his jokes. "Anyway, judging by your constant ploys to change personal conversations about yourself and your gruff demeanor, I would diagnose that you are a pathological douche-bag."

"Wow. You really hit the nail on the head there, asshole."

"Come on bro. I would think that after four years you would at least open up a bit. You know, be a little less dark and brooding and just drink away your problems like the rest of us."

"Sorry Marcus, I'm just not that kind of girl. You're going to have to buy me a couple drinks before I open up to you." He said jokingly as they walked into the Broken Wheel Bar.

"Hey why do we even come to this greasy place, I'd expect something way more classy."

"Close by, cheap drinks, hot babes. What can I say. I'm a guy of simple taste."

"Okay. You had me at hot babes"

Over a bottle of whiskey, the two reminisced about their days at Beacon, insulted and joked with each other, and unfortunately scoped-out chicks with some luck.

"Check out the blonde, over there. The one in the red top" Said Marcus, pointing with his glass in hand.

"Damn. Bro, good luck with that one, she's way out of your league." declared Kole as he poured himself another glass.

"I make my own luck." He replied leaving his seat and moseying his way to the woman. "Hey baby. Do you have a mirror in your pocket? Cause I can see myself in them." said Marcus with his usual cocky smile.

The Blonde threw her drink on him in disgust and produced a dagger from a sheath, near the small of her back. She slapped him across the face and placed the blade at crotch level "All I got in my pocket is just this here knife. Now why don't I do all the other girls in Remnant a huge favor and just cut off this pathetic excuse for what you call a manhood?"

"Well... Miss. I am very sorry for what I just said." Marcus said trying to stay calm "And you are absolutely right, ma'am. My "manhood" as you put it, is very huge."

The woman snarled at Marcus's remark, but before she could use her dagger; she felt something touch the back of her head and a heard a slight metallic click. She turned around and saw Kole, standing there, glass in one hand and his pistol in the other, aimed at her head. "Kole." she said with a slight nod. The Huntsman acknowledged the nod with a sip from his whiskey and waved her off with his gun.

The woman re-sheathed her dagger and walked out of the bar in a hurry. Marcus took Kole's glass and swallowed the rest of his drink, ice included. "You know that bitch?" he said gasping for air

"Long story, I'll be sure to tell you never" he said returning to his seat.

"Com' on bro, do you know every crazy chick in Vale or something?"

"Just don't tell Kate, she gets pretty jealous when I threaten other women."

"Deal!"

With their drinks finished Marcus and Kole decided to call it a night and return to The Loft. A stomach full of whiskey and the cool summer night air was the perfect recipe for a good night's sleep.

"I don't know about you man, but that chick was hot" said Marcus as he staggered along the sidewalk

"Yeah! Here's to the crazy ones." Kole said toasting with an invisible glass in hand "You know them Black Lotus chicks, they may be pretty, but you never wanna piss them off.

"Black what? Never heard of them"

"That blonde was with the Black Lotus. She had the tattoos and everything."

"Hmm tattoos eh? I wonder if she'll show them to me, if I show her mine" he said with that same cocky grin

As they walked, Kole began to feel a little uneasy. Not from half a bottle of whisky, but from a suspicion that they were being followed. His paranoia grew when he heard a third pair of footsteps from behind them, but no source.

"Hey I'm gonna take a little walk. Don't wait up for me."

Marcus waved him off and Kole continued on down the dark streets, and the stranger following him. He placed one hand on his pistol and walked into a nearby alley-way. The figure pursued him close-by and was ambushed by a large growling, spectral, wolf. The figure leapt back and drew a familiar dagger. The dagger hacked and slashed at the wolf, but prevailed as much striking air. A shot rang out from the darkness and the dagger flew out of the attacker's hand. Once disarmed the wolf dissipated into thin air.

"Well, well. Now I see why they call you the Lone Wolf. And here I thought it was cause you were sad, pathetic, loner." said the figure as she starred towards the darkness.

Kole emerged from the shadows and carefully lined up a perfect headshot at the woman. "Here's what you are going to do. You are going to return to your boss tell 'em nothing, and forget that you ever saw me here." He said approaching the woman.

"And why would I do that?" she said reaching for a small push dagger on her belt "Do you know what the price is in your pretty head? I'm sure my boss would love to see you again, Kole. She misses her little lap-dog" the woman drew the small knife and rushed towards Kole, intent on collecting her reward.

The second shot echoed through the empty streets like thunder. The woman fell to the ground wailing in pain, clutching the left side of her head. Kole walked towards the woman and leaned over to pick up a small piece of flesh and a blue gemstone earring from the ground. "I don't think you heard me." He said to the ear "Return to that whore, of a boss and tell that bitch nothing. Say you were, robbed by the Datura. She never needed an excuse to go after them" The crying woman at his feet, shook her head in compliance. "Now hand over the other earring." He said placing the barrel against her blonde head.

The woman fumbled to remove the gold and sapphire stud from her right ear. Her blood drenched hands made it difficult to quickly remove the earring. Once it was free she handed it to Kole as an offering to make amends for her previous remarks.

"Thanks" he said looking at the small sapphire stud earrings. He wiped the blood from the deep blue gemstones and placed the jewelry into his pocket. As a gesture of good faith towards his attacker, he handed over the severed ear. "Now what are you going to say?"

"Nothing, sir" she said lowering her head in fear and respect as she cupped the ear in her bloody hands.

"Good." With that said, the Huntsman holstered his gun and he helped the woman to her feet. "Since we are making amends, I would also like to apologize for my friend he may be an asshole, but he is my friend after-all."

With their peace made, Kole pistol-whipped the blonde in the back of her head, rendering her unconscious. The drunken Huntsman holstered his pistol again, lit a cigarette, and wandered back to the Loft.