God Hunter

Chapter 21: The Summoning

The wolf Servants danced fast and the drums beat louder. The wolves howled loudly at the moon above. The flesh and bone hanging off the tree began to fly into the fire. Inside the flames, a creature began to form. It had exposed bones which could be seen from gaps in its flesh. It formed sharp claws from the hooves. As a head, it was a deer skull with antlers and red eyes could be seen. The creature was tall, its antlers reaching the upper branches of the trees. It then stepped from the fire.

"Shaman!" the beast said with what sounded like hundreds o voices simultaneously. "Why have you summoned me?"

"Oh, Great Beast!" the Shaman said, bowing with the others following "We have requested a portal to Master Xuhyir's realm. We have captured the Elf."

"Show me."

Illya looked up at the creature. She struggled but two wolves grabbed her and picked her up. They lead her to the front of the Great Beast. He knelt to look at her.

"So, this is Lady Re's daughter? I have heard you have been quite the thorn in the side for us, but it was only a matter before you fell into our grasp."

Illya gritted her teeth but then smirked.

"You can try, but I have some good people who will not let this succeed."

"Enough. Very well Shaman. I will grant you the portal you desire," spoke the Great Beast.

"Thank you oh Great Beast," replied the Shaman.

Earlier in the day.

The team departed from the vehicle and stepped into the nearby foggy woods.

"Tracker, Kydaana, you have fought these things before. How do you find them?" asked Anastasia.

"My sense of smell is quite powerful. The air smells of these beasts but there is also a hint of fresh kill. I will lead the way," said Tracker.

"I feel something in the ground too. It is the movement of the forest. However, because of how much wildlife there is it can be difficult. I will do what I can to find vibrations in mass," said James.

Anastasia nodded and the group continued further and further into the woods. Soon, night was upon them.

"We have been walking for a long time. How close are we Tracker?" Anastasia asked.

Suddenly, the howls could be heard.

"Close."

After the Shaman communed with the Great Beast, they sat Illya down in her same spot. Despite her importance, she was relatively hidden, being in the dark away from the fire. Illya struggled and she struggled the tanto out of her belt. It fell to the ground. Illya gently stepped on the sheath and pulled the weapon out. She then started cutting her restraints and she broke free. She then reequipped the sheath to her belt but kept the knife at the ready. There were some guards around the camp. She hid behind a tree, seeing a wolf Servant staring out into the woods. She snuck up behind it quietly and stabbed it in the throat. She looked back at the fire. The Great Beast's body was now beginning to break apart and began forming a arch shape out of flesh and bone. Illya continued to sneak around the outskirts of the encampment and assassinate any wolves she came across. She then snuck back closer to the camp.

"How am I to get my katana? He is completely surrounded," thought Illya.

Suddenly, the pained cry of a wolf could be heard. A wolf Servant readied his spear only to be blast through the chest with a fireball.

"Where is my sister?" called Anastasia.

"What? How, could you have found us?" the Shaman raised his staff.