The Hunt begins

"Come on! Stand up straight!" Grazer the Centuar demi demon roared, "Of course!" I answered, I quickly stood upright, chest out, the booze still gave me wobbly legs but I can handle it. I look around and see the others still with their laid back attitude. Bradley was leaning against the wall, Pedro was studying some hunting trophies on Grazer's shelf, Arthur adjusted his spectacles while jutting down something in his notes, Vince and Sir George were talking about something.

I could see a vein popping on his split head, Grazer yelled something in a language I didn't understand and everyone quickly got their act together. Grazer sighed and began debriefing us "I summoned here for one purpose, one of my head hunters was tracking down one of the fools who attempted an escape yesterday!" Grazer said, "unfortunately the escapee made it to the other teleporter, the one connecting to the 'tainted mercy' lunar site 2, I need you to find him for me!" he continued.

There was silence for a moment but it was quickly broken by Vince "Isn't that why you have the bloodhounds exist? we alre-" Vince stopped mid sentence, The Glare Grazer gave him was spin tingling, even Bradley was afraid! "what our Vice captain meant was, we put a request to use the ponds on the mercy, a request which you approved, mind you" Sir George said cooly, he was scared like all of us but it seemed he wasn't going to allow Grazer do as he liked.

Grazer's face softened for a bit but there was still malice in his eyes, he hated us, all of us for some reason, ".... If you're going there already, why are you so scared to accept my request?" Grazer replied, his booming voice sounded even more menacing, he was getting ready to lunge at us at any given, he was just waiting for a reason.

"We'll accept the request but we need so incentive, request or not tracking down a man in that place is gonna take a week minimum, especially since he's got the headstart, I want the best gear for my guys, the best! and I want unrestricted access to the Mercy next month, that's only fair!" Bradley boomed.

"You must be mad if you think I'll accept that, If you don't have a better request to make then just shut up and do it Already!" Grazer yelled, this talk was going no where, a sigh escaped my mouth, and everyone turns to me. "who is this one?" Grazer asked, did he already forget my face!?

"He's our new recruit, he was sent here yesterday, you gave him a brief tour before the incident, remember?" Sir George spoke, "....oh, EX-316, that reminds me, did you take that foolish tarrot game before coming here?" Grazer said, Tarrot card? oh that stuff the stupid Jester made us take, "Yes sir!" I replied, "well what was it then?" "Daemon's eternal chase!"

There was silence again, then laughter filled the air, First surprisingly enough was Grazer, it sounded like two rocks crashing together, then Bradley, then Vince, the only one silent was Sir George, there was pity in his eyes, he looked saddened, what did the card mean?

"You know what EX-447, I'll accept your request, you'll need it!" Grazer said, with that we left his office. We made our way to a locker room, "Over here! Warden Grazer said you could use these!" a greasy haired Halfman yelled, he looked frail and tired, I guess that's a trait most Halfmen had. The equipment laid out in front of us were standard issue M-16 assault rifles as well as strange looking belts.

"I'm fine with my Crossbow!" Bradley boomed, he grabbed a belt just his size and clicked it, he shone for a moment but when the light dissipated, he was decked out In heavy Armour, it looked like a cross between Dr Doom's Doom Armour and a standard US military attire, it was bizzare to say the least, I got one belt and did as Bradley.

"It feels light" I muttered, raising my arms up and down, the same with legs to get A feel of the Armour. "Sir George, what does The tarrot card mean?" I asked, he studies me for a moment, the look on his face says 'are you serious?' I guess it's a weird question to ask, since he assumes I'm from here.

"They're a way to tell what path a person takes in life, they were created by the Caival empire eons ago, most people don't use them, not willingly anyways, as they have a 96% accuracy, whatever you get is what your life is going to turn out to be" he said, I'm guessing from their reactions it's pretty bad then, the one I chose.

"Daemon's eternal chase, the person who draws this card is destined to always suffer from defeat, not the physical kind, no something worse, that of a broken dream, they will never fulfill they're deepest desire, on the bright side most end up living a long healthy life albeit a crushed one." he continued.

A broken dream huh..... does this mean my whole journey moving forward is already pointless? wait he said it's 96% accuracy, so there might be a chance I'm the exception to that.... I hope.

"what does the Mummur's Gambit mean?" I asked, he had a doey expression, "This one is tricky, it means the person would turn the world upside down wherever they go, causing disorder and chaos everywhere, it also means they're a jack of all trades, capable of learning a great many talents!" he said proudly, does someone he knows also have it, Cece I hope you'll be alright. I'm about to question him more when someone grabs my shoulder, "Come on let's go!" Vince ordered.

We move to a teleporting station, the same one that brought me here a pair of robed men direct us into the circle, a blinding light baths us and we're teleportded immediately. "Hmmm it's not as bad as the first time" I comment, maybe my body's use to it now? Before I could come to a conclusion we at the new area. The first thing I noticed was the thick misty air, I swear it had a green tange to it I try to remove my helmet to get A better feel, "DON'T! ITS TOXIC HERE!" Vince yelled, I hurriedly remove my hand from my helmet.

"Let's start over-" Bradley was giving his orders when he were interrupted by a defeaning shriek, a few moments later a flock of the biggest, ugliest ducks I'd ever seen surrounded us, their cries were violent and their eyes filled with bloodlust! the nearest one grabbed Barnabas's left arm with its beak, he deftly sunk a battle axe into its skull! but the creature didn't let go, it kept dragging him, Sir George stepped forward and slashed at its beak with his long sword. "Georgie Georgie, what would I do without you!" Barnabas cheered, the other creatures were wary of us now, seeing how quickly their brethen was dealt with.

They charged at us, all 33 of them charged at us! the closer they got the bigger they appeared! This things were full on 4 metres, and they were relentlessly, "I'll cover you!" I yelled, The majority seemed to be heading towards Vince and Bradley for some reason, I whip out my M-16 and point it at the ones swarming Vince

RATATATATATA

Two were gunned down from that, the kick from the gun is stronger than I anticipated but It's no problem! I point at my next victim! "Don't use it! Preserve the bullets!" Arthur cried, Damn it, with no choice I return it to my side and ready myself. I pop out my Claws of from my gauntlets! the Sux long sharp blades shone brilliantly even in this mist! somehow the suit incorporated them into itself and even improved it, I lunge at the ones facing Vince and go wild!

"Men that was something! at least we don't have to worry about dinner tonight! Wahahaha!" Barnabas laughed, well he was right, I look around at the site, we did it we managed to defeat the ducks, believe me it's more impressive than it sounds, this things were relentless! I slump down to catch a breather. "Oy newbie, don't get tired now" Said Vince, "Yes, the hunt has just started!" Bradley bellowed, pointing his Crossbow at an emerging boar.