The wind howled like a banshee. Lightning cracks the sky so often you almost get used to the strikes, almost. From atop her sisters old building Eve watched from a distance the unfolding events atop citadel hill. From almost a half kilometer away, the clouds were dark as night for as far as she could see.
Questions swirled without answers like flies harassing her mind. Did Taylor join the hunters? Did he mean what he said? Why could she no longer come to his dreams? Why did the Hunters choose today? Why citadel hill? When would the protectors arrive? Too many questions if you ask her.
Using the binoculars that Mel had in her apartment Eve could see her mother tied to some kind of stand left to brave the winds and lightning while the Hunters gathered with all their men.
A late coming Hunter walks up to the stand and places his glowing weapon with the rest and draws a standard steel weapon from nearby. Whatever was special about those weapons was about to be revealed and clearly her mother was at the center of it.
Her ringtone startles her from her overwatch and Eve scrambles to answer. “Mel?”
“We are finally here and getting out of the trucks now. We are almost ready to make our stand. Where are the elders?”
“The elders are gathered in the lobby of your building waiting for you.”
“Great I will join them shortly.”
- - - - - - -
“You could still stop this you know. It is not too late to turn back.”
“You sound like her.” Michael snorts.
“Right, I forgot. No matter how many people say differently your right.”
“Why is it that you take until you're final day to get this?”
“We will stop you.”
“You mean that ridiculous army of peasants up in New Brunswick? By now those ghoulish elves are licking their claws clean. There is nothing left that can stand before us.”
“Yet you wait for word, interesting.”
“I really do hope this ritual does separate us. I can't wait to rip your throat open.”
“Sir! The trucks we sent to Gagetown are here.”
“Fantastic! Now we can complete the ritual.”
“Uh sir, the trucks are unloading subs not hun-ack!” the messenger is interrupted by a spear driven through his throat.
“How is that even possible?” the First Hunter yells. “You! Gather every man we have and prepare for attack, the subs are here.”
The Hunter laughs at the order. “No sub has any chance against us, let them come.”
Michaels face turns a deep red as his rage overtakes him. He pulls the man from his spear and throws the body at the Hunter. “Form ranks or your next!”
The Hunter scrambles at the threat and begins barking orders to gather up all the troops.
Taylor sniffs at the air. “Is that desperation I smell?”
- - - - - - -
Nothing in her life has ever scared her as much as this. Everything else was in place, it was now on her shoulders. She raises her snout to the air and takes a long breath. “This is the moment that will define the rest of your life. Over there is the people who have subjugated and slaughtered our people since before anyone alive can remember. Today is the day it changes. No more hiding. No more living in fear. No more pointless deaths. Today we stop the Hunt!”
The assembled army roars in excitement. The now almost two thousand strong group was as ready for this as you can be. Most have already tasted blood, all were hungry for it.
Before her stood a growing formation of hunters assembling for a charge. No doubt they believe this an easy win. Kei knew this was the day for subs, not an easy day, but it was hers to seize or lose.
As the last of the hunters form up their numbers appear at almost four to one of the subs. Still Kei stands her ground.
The majority groups start their march march across the commons unaware of what waited for them. Still Kei held firm.
The ground rumbles as the ogres form behind her. The incoming mob begins to charge sealing their fate. Kei stands firm raising her right hand and double blade.
The ground quakes around her and the mountain Kitsune raise the walls to funnel the charging hoard towards her. The mob crashes against the walls climbing over each other eager to be the first to draw blood. Still Kei stands her ground and raises her left hand to match her right.
The clouds above her ripple with lightning gathering a charge. The sky lights up as it lets loose its charge directly into the hands of Kei and finally moves. Dashing forward as a bolt of lightning she reappears directly in front of the hoard and thrusts her hands forward.
The spray of lightning is devastating as dozens of hunters are consumed by the spray and killed instantly. Kei dashes back to her original position and watches with her good eye as the enraged mob crawls over their still quivering fellows and presses onwards.
The ground quakes as the first of the charging mass meets massive fists. Kei grins as the rest of the protectors rise on the ridge of the walls and begin raining fire ice and lightning on the now panicked mob. As Kei strikes down another hunter she wonders if this is going just a little too easy.
- - - - - - -
“Worthless peons!” the First Hunter screams watching the complete failure from atop the hill. “It’s time to even the odds”
“Oh Michael, I never stopped loving you. You can still choose a different path.”
Michael levels a spear over her heart with a menacing smile. A final thrust plunges the spear through the Queen’s heart.
With the stopping of her heart the wind, the lightning, even the fierce battle below stop.
- - - - - - -
Time itself ripples as the sky parts with a strange darkness. Every hunter screams in agony as they collapse to the ground. The protectors watch in confusion as their enemy suddenly falls before them.
A darkness escapes from the gaping mouths of those hunters left alive and is drawn towards the massive hand in the sky. Left behind are withered corpses and a stunned army of protectors.
“Stay calm and come with me to the hill.” Kei orders to those around her.
