1. The Hunter

It was night time, a minor storm had just struck the city, giving it the taste of extreme winds, rain and lightning strikes. There was no one on the streets, on the roads. People were cowering in fear within their homes, praying to the gods to save their life and the life of their loved ones.

But there were three who weren't afraid of the storm as much as they were afraid of the person following them. They went to the docks, thinking they might lose their hunter.

"What should we do now, Rana?" said the one standing in the right . "If we don't lose him, he will kill us all."

"We should split up, we can't risk being captured and interrogated by him." Rana said with a grim voice. "We need to deliver the package by any how, if he gets his hands on it, he might gets a whiff of what our boss is planning. Atlee, you go to the south end, Vinsat you go to the east end. I'll try to escape using one of the boats."

After their conversation, they split up. Trying to avoid their pursuer. But, little did they know, that their pursuer was right behind them, concealing himself within the shadows. Waiting for them to split up, so that he could get to them one by one.

Atlee, who was going to the south end of docks, suddenly stopped in his tracks. He got the feeling, that someone else was there with him. At first, he thought it was Vinsat, then he realized it was the hunter. But he couldn't see him. Suddenly, he felt a chill in his spine, coming from the freighters, as he got close to the dark shadows of the freight containers, a set of glowing eyes popped open in front of him. The glow in the eyes was of tearing red, it was as if the eyes were burning from within. Within an instant, a blade approached to slice Atlee in half, he barely had the time to dodge it. Yet, somehow he managed to move a little, but the blade made the contact with his lower belly, slicing a few centimetres deep. Pain spread throughout his body but he managed to look in the direction the blade went. There was a man standing, his face was hidden in a black hood, only showing his glowing eyes. Atlee was now facing his hunter and now he chose to reveal his true self.

He started transforming himself, his height grew to 6 feet, his scrawny slim body turned into the body of a wrestler. His face transformed with little spikes coming out of his cheeks. His eyes were pitch black and his teeth were like of the piranhas. With a loud grunt he advanced towards his Hunter. But, The Hunter was quick and far much stronger than Atlee, He simply moved in a little grabbed his arm and slammed him in one of the freight containers. He then, punched him in the face with his right arm and punched him in the ribs with his left, another punch right in the middle of the chest with his right. Then, he lifted him over his head and slammed him on the ground, took out his blade and stabbed him right in the heart. Instantly, Atlee started to burn from within, fire engulfing him, soon he turned into nothing but ash.

At this moment, the others were unknown about the incident that happened to one of their mate. Vinsat who was going to the north end of the docks continue advancing, without stopping even once. Suddenly, someone grabbed his neck from behind, lifting him a little and threw him backwards, slamming him into one of the containers.

Realising, that he has no other option he transformed himself, his transformation was rather quick than Atlee. He was a little over 7 feet and he had a rather bulkier body with pitch black smoke releasing from his head. Seeing this the Hunter said, "You are a little stronger than the other one. Interesting, well it doesn't matters, you're going to burn as well.". The hunter advanced towards Vinsat, within an instant he was infront of him and punch him right in the middle of the chest. Vinsat's entire person flew backwards slamming in the freight container once again.

Haaaah.

He bellowed with pain in his voice. Afterwards he too started fighting back. He was a little faster than Atlee, he started throwing punches and kicks towards the Hunter. But, the Hunter blocked everyone of his punches and kicks effortlessly. Suddenly, the Hunter took out his blade and started cutting Vinsat, every time the blade made contact with his body, a red burning glow appeared on that place. He screamed with pain, with every follow up slash. Finally the Hunter passed the blade through his heart. Fire engulfed his entire persona turning him into ash.

By this time, Rana found a boat and was trying to start the engine. When he heard footsteps behind him. He knew that the fight has come to him and it depends on him now whether their plan turns into a failure or not.

His heart was beating fast, he didn't know what to do anymore. He was feeling helpless, but he had no other choice left. He could only go forward now. So, he turned back and faced his Hunter and said, "Man, do you have any idea what kind of mess you're getting into. I know you're powerful and strong but your strength is limited when it comes to the show that is performing on a grand stage. And trust me when I say this, you'll not be able to stop what's coming."

The Hunter interrupted him, "Have you said enough. It's your turn to turn into ashes now, so why blabber so much nonsense. I don't have time for your stories or your threats. All I know is you came on my turf and broke the rules. That information is more than enough for me. So you see, I don't need your bullshit and whatever. All I need is for you to burn. That's it". Saying this he took his blade out and got into battle stance.

Rana hearing all this smiles and says, " He He He, your ignorance amuses me Cursed One. But don't worry, you'll see everything with your eyes. As for me, I always wanted to have a go with the infamous Cursed One, Hunter of the damned. Let me see what you've got." Saying this, he started to transform. But unlike others his transformation was a little unique. He didn't grew tall or become bulkier, instead scales started to grew on his skin, his nails became bigger & his ears became pointier. His eyes were pitch black and his entire body was releasing plumes of black smoke, as if he was burning form within.

"Well well, you're not bad. You've almost assimilated their gift unlike your companions. But it's not enough." The Hunter said in a relaxed manner.

"We'll see." Rana said as he jumped towards his pursuer with an inhumane speed.

The Hunter intercepted his attack with the same pace and ferocity as Rana. They both hit each other, one with claws and one with blade. Rana got a 2 inch deep slash across his chest and his pursuer got 1/2 inch claw mark onto his chest. Ones wound is bleeding while others fuming with burn. They attacked each other once again, this time The Hunter dodged Rana's attack and hit his face with his left elbow, then hit him with his right on his chin. Then a punch to chest and Rana fell backwards still in pain of the earlier slash. The Hunter stabs his blade towards his heart which he blocks with both of his hands.

Rana says, "I know I was never a match for you Cursed One, but my job was that of a distraction. All I had to do is keep you busy with me, which I have already done. Now, as I'm leaving, I'd like to give you a tip in advance. Destruction is coming on this world Cursed One, one which you can't stop. He he he." Smiling he pulled the blade towards his heart stabbing himself. He started to combust right away and in a short while he turns to ash.

The Hunter remains there standing, shocked and confused. In the end all he could say is, "What the fuck is going on."