Con

We're going hunting today!

I met with Amari outside the city just near the forest with dangerous beasts!

We're going hunting today!

But the beasts aren't what's got me excited, I can smell it, I can smell Them in the air.....

"Humans! I've never been so glad to see you!" I yelled gleefully, Seriously it's been one long boring week.... I've been yearning for something more.... thrilling, the siege really messed me up and I don't think I mind it...

Amari she gives me a quizzical look, "Barker.... are you feeling well? Your face is.... flushed,"

"I've never felt better! you didn't tell me we we're hunting humans today!"

"The pale ones.... are here?" She said, her eyes wandered abit, "Are you sure?" She asked.

"Yes I'm sure... I can smell them! at least 20, I smell metal and that vile Wolfsbane!" I retorted.

She sniffed the air and tilted her head, "I smell only stone Serpents and poison trants...." She came closer and put her hand over my forehead, "Are you sure you're all right? We can go back if you need rest,"Her face was still but Her blood red eyes gave away her concern.

"I'm fine!" I said swatting her hand away, "..... I can smell them Amari.... do you not believe me?" I asked, she looked away.... my heart sunk.

"It's like that huh...."

"Barker...."

"No.... it's fine let's just go, we'll do this little trip and get back before midnight...."

"Okay.... lead the way,"

"Me?"

She nodded her head, "If you say you detect the pale ones.... I'll take your word for it...I lead us with your nose... I trust you completely," She said, her lips curled into a faint smile.... I looked away in haste, she chuckled lightly.

We braved through the labyrinth of a forest, twigs snapped, the ground shifted and our surroundings looked.... stranger with each step with took, I didn't trust this place, I didn't trust my eyes, I always wondered why we avoided here growing up, the poison trants were terrible.... but this place has a different kind of feel to it than the tales our hunters told.

"Over there.... the smell is stronger here...." I muttered, she looked at the direction I pointed and.... nothing, she didn't see anything, well neither did I.... but I could sense something off....

without thinking further I lunged at the space in front of us!

"!? ch-"

SLASH!

Blood exploded from the apacenim front of me, the wails of a confused man could be heard, the blood fitted an arm in front of me... whatever it was, it was humanoid and I hit a vein I think, it was bleeding profusely, the being cursed as it drew out a weapon, an axe to attack me.

SHRIINNN

Amari slashed at him with her long sword before he could do anything, he collapsed to the floor with a wet thud.... the space shifted and revealed a man wearing a fiery red cloak and brown leather Armour....

".... I guess you were right...."

"So you doubted me? I'm hurt!" I pouted, she rolled her eyes and sighed.

"I'm sorry for doubting you..."

"Apology rejected!"

".....What?" She said incredulously, I nodded my head, "I don't like that, you know? I don't like it when you doubt me..." I said, I kept a still face, I'm not too hung up about it but I want to try something...

"It's like you don't feel the same way about my decisions at times..." She shot back, her eyes flared up, did I touch a nerve? I glance at the sword in her hilt... it's Sweets, the first gift I ever gave her... It had the generic look you'd expect from most long swords save for the Emerald Wolf head at it's pummel, A hand me down from Mother's parents. It's more like a dagger in her hand now that she's all grown up.

"I trust your decisions wholeheartedly.... even the one about the temple...."

"Barker...."

"I'll select the team, no need beating around the bush with it, but before that I want Felecia to cast the Night Terror on our little Abomination.... the spell should be complete by now," I explained, "Also.." I lean in close all of a sudden.

"!" She doesn't expect this so she steps back abit, I put my hand on her cheek and....

"You've got blood on your face...." I said cooly while Rubbing it off her, she seems disappointed that's all I do.... I lick the blood of my hand.... for a moment I catch something in her eyes, Arousal? Desire? Hunger? she gulps down hard and stares at my hand...

"Pfft!" I laughed at her, she opens her mouth to say something but I dash off before she could, I hear her curse as she gives me chase.

"What about the body?" She asked.

"Leave it.... There will be others,we'll have a feast by the time it's sundown!"

SLASH

"Gwak!?" We encountered another invisible human, this one had explosives on him, the poor fella threw them in a panick, he missed but ended up angering a nearby trant, it grabbed him with its massive trunks and pulled him into it's belly, I tore his right arm off and began to feast on it, his dying scream was music to my ears as I enjoyed my marvelous snack.

"Hmmmm, so it was raw meat I desired afterall...." I muttered in-between bites, Amari stared at me jealously, I offered her some fingers but she scoffed and pushed them aside.

"I'll have my own lunch, I don't need your pity," She spat, I laughed at her and she seemed even more agitated.

We hunted down 5 more invisible humans, they were concentrated In the same location, near a rock with a peculiar trait.... it was shaped like a leaf, an honest to Fenris leaf! We heard them chanting something near said rock, we didn't give them the chance to finish though.

I crushed one of their heads with my bare hands, her brain matter stained my dark hands, Amari chopped one into bloody ribbons, One tried to flee but I had Ekaterina hunt him down, she came back a few moments later with his severed heads....

".....Do you think we should have asked questions before butchering them?" Amari asked Absent-mindedly, I shook my head, "Look, they have Wolfsbane on them, Only one reason why they'd have that this close to our territory, plus they're dressed like Albert, Likely his allies coming to storm our city,"

"or gather information?"

"Any difference?"

She shook her head before stabbing her sword into one of their skulls, he gasped as the blade tore into skull! The fella was playing dead hoping we wouldn't notice him, too bad.

We search the forest for a bit, encountering the occasional Trant, or Wild bore or Stoney Serpents, we fought, killed and avoided those we didn't Deem worth the hassle.

"Any signs of the pale ones?" Amari asked as she charred a fresh thigh over a fire pit, she didn't enjoy them raw like I did.... she's missing a lot I'd say.

"They're a little further into the forest.... we can catch them if we continue at this pace, maybe by tonight?"

"....No" She said whilst closing her eyes, "There's no need to rush.... They're here for a reason.... surely they'll come to us sooner or latter, let us conserve our strength..." She explained.

She had a stiff look on her face, her eyes showed a flurry of emotions, "Not the romantic trip you wanted?" I sneered, She flushed and stared at the charred thigh, She snatched it and tire her fangs into it.

"Too bad... you can't blame me for this now, Can you?" I laughed, She grumbled as she tore some more into it.

"Well as much as I loved hunting the pitiful humans... this adventure has left us looking Haggard and Filthy hasn't it?" We inspected our clothes, We wore the same fashion choice as always, A pair of brown fur boots, brown leather trousers and a black shirt.

"I spotted a small pond over there.... let's go have a bath!" I shouted, she choked on her thigh and stared at me wide eyed, if she kept popping them out any further, I'm afraid they'd pop out!

"What?" I sneered.

"W-we haven't.... we... we... we should, I think we should go in one at a time, for, for safety! Can't have the two of us-"

"Coward!"

"What!?"

"Coward..." I cooed, "All this lovey dovey talk this past few days and the moment I suggest something braver, you give excuses!"

"Excuses!?" She stood up all of a sudden, she tried to intimidate me with her height.... but she looked kind of underwhelming really, she looks kinda smaller than usual, I think she sensed my judging eyes because she starting acting nervous.

I take off my shirt and walk towards the pond, She flushed and opened her mouth to say something but stopped.... this is a bit extreme but I'm gonna try Maxie's advice, Foolish as he can be at times.... he was right! I needed to be bolder!

I took of my trousers and boots and dived straight into the pond in front of me.... Something jumped inside with me.