Chapter three

(Warning: This chapter contains a scene that may disturb or make readers feel uncomfortable. it is relevent to the plot but I thought putting a warning in would be best so that there isn't any confusion. that being said, please enjoy the chapter - Author )A small child is in a mining cave, pickaxe in hand, other faunas ranging from children to adults with a man in a Schnee Dust Company uniform patrolling back and forth, keeping a watchful eye over everyone. The child was dressed in well worn rags just like all the other slaves, he was picking his way at a red dust crystal, putting them in a create and then putting them into a nearby minecart. The child's body was screaming in pain, his eyes were bloodshot, his knees buckling as well as just the overall feeling of exhaustion.

He falls to his knees as he starts coughing, the man in the uniform spots him "You faunas brat, get up and get back to work!" the man demanded as he stood over the child. The child's eyes widen in fear as he tries getting back up but his body just wouldn't allow him, the man grew furious as he forcefully grabbed the child by the back of the shirt and drags him out of the cave. The child could not move or scream because he did not have the strength to do so, the others all look at him in silent terror as he and they knew what was going to happen.

The child knew what was going to happen because this was not the first time this has happened to him and he knew it would not be the last either. As soon as he was hit by the blinding daylight his eyes began to adjust to the brightness, there he saw two more men in the same uniform. He was dragged into a warehouse, he heard screaming, cries for help and the sounds of them being snuffed out followed by men and women laughing as another sound echoes around the child. The sound of people getting beaten, whipped, branded and much worse.

The child was held down over a table by the two other men that he saw outside the cave. The man that dragged him stepped in front of him with a branding stick with the letters S.D.C at the end. The child's eyes filled up with tears as a look of pure terror strikes his face. The man's hand glows a red hot as he puts the end of the branding stick onto his hand and heating it up to a molten looking red.

The man grins as he looks at the child "This is what you get for being what you are. Every time you look into a mirror you will not forget this day. You will never forget what happens now nor will you forget what happens after" The man licks his lips as he stares at the child like a predator looking at it's helpless prey. "You'll be reminded of who owns you" The man says as he jams the red-hot branding on the child's cheek. The child tenses up in pain as tears roll down his cheek, after a few seconds the branding stick is removed from the child's face leaving a permanent branding not only on his face but also on his mind.

All three men laugh as the one with the branding stick walks behind the child "Hold him still fellas" then the child hears unzipping from behind as the child screams out. Alister's eyes shot wide open as screams out, he never forgot just like the man said nor will Alister ever forgive. He takes off his mask and looks around still seeing that he is on the cargo plane. Alister's face twists into anger as he punches the wall beside him with enough force to put a huge dent in the wall "If I ever find that bastard, I'll kill him for what he did" he said with a growl.

A few hours pass, the aircraft lands, he puts his mask back on and he is let outside to see Mistral. It's Oriental style of architecture matches with the mountains, people going about their lives selling all kinds of things from dust, food and weapons complete with it's lush forestry. Despite it's beautiful scenery Alister puts his hands in his pockets then nods at the pilot as he walks off the landing pad "This place is so much worse than Mantel, sure it looks nice on the surface but some real shady shit happens here" he said to himself as he looks around. He decided to find a local bar if there was any place that has information that would be the place, Alister walks into town and asks as to where to local bar is. A few people did not even respond to him as they were freaked up by his mask but eventually, he found an old lady that points him to the nearest bar. He kindly thanks the old lady and heads to the bar, Alister looks at a sign that was out the front of the bar "No faunas allowed" He scoffs "Typical assholes".

He walks into the bar and instantly everyone in the bar looks at him some confused, some disgusted. Alister stares back at them "Don't worry everyone, I'm just a huntsman passing through. I won't cause any trouble" He even shows off his huntsman license and points to it. There is nothing but silence as he quietly sat down on a nearby barstool as soon as he sat down everyone returned to their drinking.

The Bartender walks in front of Alister "Can I get you something to drink?" The Bartender asked while wiping down the bar with a cloth. Alister looks at the bartender "Yes, I'm looking for this man" Alister takes out his scroll and shows the bartender the picture of Dimitri for the bartender to get a good look at the photo. "According to this guy's father. He was sent out on a mission or something and has gone missing somewhere around here. I was wondering if you seen him or if you have heard rumours about a huntsman by the name of Dimitri aka "The Bloodhound"?" Alister asked as he put the scroll back into his pocket.

The Bartender shrugged as he shakes his head "Can't say I've seen him, all kinds of folk come into my bar. But I heard about some guy getting drunk in my bar and harassing one of my girls" The Bartender points to a waitress serving some customers with mugs full of mead. She was extremely attractive wearing a basic waitress outfit and an apron with long, flowing magenta hair and a warm and comforting smile as well as being tall and slender. "That guy in the photo matches the same description that she gave me. She gave him quite the surprise when she threw his ass out onto the street" The Bartender laughs as he puts the cloth into his pocket. Alister chuckled as he looks over at the waitress "Really? Well do you mind if I ask her about what happened that night? It could be help me out" Alister asked as he turns back to the bartender.

"Hey Maggie, there's a huntsman that wants to talk to you!" The Bartender yells out at the waitress. Maggie's head perks up then she looks over in the direction of the bartender "A Huntsman?" She gets excited as she rushes over to Alister and shoves her face inches away from Alister's mask. Alister was not prepared for this woman's excitement let along her willingness to completely disregard his personal space "Um hi, I-I'm Alister" He was overcome by nervousness. His hands were shaking a bit as he turns his head away from her, Maggie picking up on this, blushes out of embarrassment takes a few steps back.

��Sorry about that. Its just I get a little excited whenever a real huntsman or huntress comes through these doors" She said with a cute chuckle as she found Alister's nervousness quite amusing. Alister coughs to clear his through and get rid of his nervousness, He looks back at her then he chuckled as well. "no need to apologise ma'am, I'm looking for a man that has the same description as the man who harassed you" Alister takes out his scroll and shows her the same picture of Dimitri. "Was this the man?"

Maggie inspects the picture then she nods "That's him, he was being loud and drunk. I asked him to leave but he didn't instead he groped me. I'm sure my boss told you what happened next" She said as she plays with her hair. Alister puts the scroll back into his pocket as he nods "yeah he did. So, when did this happen?" he asked. Maggie put a finger to her lip "hm, about a week ago or something. Why do you ask?" She looked curious as she grabs a dirty glass and a cloth to clean the glass. "Well" Alister sighed "He has gone missing and it is up to me to find him. His father approached a uh, Business associate of mine and I have been hired to find him" Alister replied.

"I was looking for a bar to try and get some information. Guess I got lucky as I came to the right bar. After you threw him out, did he say or do anything that could point me in the right direction?" he asked as gets off the barstool. Maggie thought for a bit "it was pretty late at night when I tossed him out. There is a hotel just up the road and he started walking off in that direction. That was the last time I saw him. He was a jerk but I hope he's okay" Maggie finished cleaning the glass and puts it back on the bar with a concerned look on her face "Sorry I can't be anymore help as after that I finished my shift and went home". "I see, thanks for the information" Alister folds his arms then he walks out of the bar. Alister stops at the door "Oh!" he turns around "If you find out or hear anything please let me know. I want to find him quickly"

just as he is about to open the doors to leave he is grabbed by the shoulder by some drunkard "Oi, yeah odd lookin' freak" The Drunkard turns Alister around "Were you chatting up my girl?". "No I wasn't bud. Though you might have had a bit to drink. Maybe you should go home and have some water" Alister said though he clearly wasn't thrilled about this situation. "I'm not your girl!" Maggie yelled at the drunkard. "What? But I asked you to marry me" The man stumbles towards Maggie "And I said no" Maggie replied as she glares at the drunken fool stumbling towards her.

"Ungrateful bitch" The drunk raised his fist and swings at Maggie, Maggie flinches and closes her eyes. Alister catches the drunk's arm in a vice like grip before it hits Maggie's face. "Leave her be, scumbag!" Alister throws the drunk to the side without any effort, The drunk slides across the floor then he grunts in pain as he slowly gets up "Why you little punk" he drunkenly charges towards Alister with his fist raised. Alister sighs as he turns towards the drunk and as soon as The Drunk swings at him, Alister grabs the arm of the drunk and flips the drunk over by using the momentum of the drunk against him "You need a nap pal" Alister said as he puts his free hand over the drunk's mouth and nose and fires a small but potent amount sleeping gas into the drunk's mouth and nose.

It knocks the drunk out instantly, Alister picks the drunkard up off the ground and slings him over his shoulder. Everyone in the bar looks shocked, Alister turns to the crowd looking at him "Don't worry, he isn't dead. I'll drop him off and the local authorities and he'll wake up in a few hours" Alister turns around and walks out of the bar. Maggie's Eyes widen as she puts her hands over her mouth to cover her huge grin "Another fun one" she said with a giggle.