Hunting Season!

The week had come to an end and all three students were united for one final meal with Welsher, Onyx, and Mauve. Sitting across from their pupils each one was enjoying their meal. The silence was cut short by Mauve.

"I can't believe you have grown so much in such a short time. If I had to guess it was due to my awesome teaching abilities!"

Nyssa laughed as she drank sweet orange juice. "Well you did almost kill me a few times." 

Mauve waved it away and started laughing "Yea well, you're not dead so it's a win in my book!"

Onyx chimed in. "Skia was not bad either, She had a slow start but once she picked it up she really went with it."

Skia silently ate her food feeling like she had learned the least of the three and was the most left behind.

Welsher scarfed down some venison and looked at Doric. "My young student probably learned the most, he picked up things like they were second nature to him."

Doric sat patiently as he watched everyone eat. Sometimes being a floating skull had its downsides. "Well you did kill me at least a dozen times this week when I failed the lessons so you know, had to learn quickly and all." He said casually.

"You weren't actually killed, right?" Skia asked quietly worried about her training for the next week.

"Yea no way he was killed, If he was he wouldn't be here, he must be exaggerating," Nyssa responded with a little hesitation in her voice. "Right?"

Doric looked at them and though he could not show expressions he had a very dour look on his face. They both seemed to be nervous now. Eating their food quickly and not talking much.

The Welsher and Mauve laughed and Onyx raised a hand to Skia. "Don't worry Skia, our lessons will not involve death of any kind." She tried her best to comfort Skia but she was not really selling it well.

Mauve patted the table. "Ah come on Nyssa, no way would I let my star pupil die now."

Doric looked at Welsher with a twinkle of hope in his eyes. Welsher looked away whistling as he took another bite of food. Doric looked defeated. "I knew it, more death awaits me in my future…"

The dinner was finished up and they all went with their respective teachers to continue learning their crafts. It was a fairly peaceful day and as they were winding down to relax in their rooms they heard a knock at the door it was loud and demanded attention.

"The Zolgos are on the move again, quickly now we need to get to the main chambers!" No one in the group knew what a Zolgos was but it sounded like the person was terrified or excited they could not tell. They quickly gathered their things and headed to the main hall. 

Waiting for them were many sprites and Welsher all dressed in warrior equipment. Bows, Swords, chain armor and some had staves and wands. The party looked confused and Doric finally spoke up. "What's going on?"

"Oh, perfect timing, its the time of year when the Zolgos migrate north. We are about to go on a hunt to gather some of the pack in order to thin their numbers down. We do this every year to keep the balance of the ecosystem in this area the sprites of the northern forest appreciate the help as well."

Doric and the rest relaxed a moment as they realized it was not an enemy attack of any kind but just a hunting ceremony.

"You know, actually, the training you guys had would be great to test out on these creatures. If you can catch a couple for us we could call that training for the week and let you guys take a break the rest of the week. How does that sound?" Welsher exclaimed as he looked eager to get out there.

Nyssa and Doric both looked excited and nodded their heads. Skia on the other hand looked nervous. "I've heard of Zolgos migration season and they tend to get more aggressive during this time don't they?"

Mauve waved away their worry "Don't you worry your pretty little smoky head little Skia, We will be here if you need any backup. 

Skia nodded and kept the rest of her concerns to herself. Doric and Nyssa were excited to test out their new abilities on these Zologs. They all headed out and made their way deep into the forest. The three teachers and students were in their own group and the rest split into hunting parties. 

All of them bragged and made bets about how many they would capture. Doric was starting to enjoy this. He did not need to run for his life but instead have a fun hunting session with friends. "I wonder if this would have been my life had I actually gone out and made friends in my previous life…"

The six of them made their way deeper and deeper into the forest before Welsher stopped them. "I see one up ahead. It looks like a young one."

They looked ahead to see if they could catch a glimpse of the creature, and sure enough, they saw the thing. It was towering over the bushes and making a meal of what looked like a deer. Its claws were about as long as a dagger, and its wolf-like body was contorted to look almost human in nature.

The creature stood about 8 feet tall standing and it was at that moment that Doric and the other two realized something.

"We are supposed to hunt these things?" Nyssa said with a quiver in her voice.

"Don't panic little one, they look ferocious but they are easy to handle just do as I say and we will be back home before you know it."

Nyssa gulped and nodded slowly. She was terrified of this thing. Doric on the other hand quickly cast his magic monocle and looked at the creature.

Symbols- Nature, Poison, Beast,

Tags- Nimble, Young

Wow this thing has multiple symbols and Tags just for existing. This thing is no joke. Doric steadied himself and prepared for Welshers orders. Except they did not come, instead a cry of pain reached out through the forest as Welsher felt a sharp slash across his side.

This was an ambush.