Category : Stories

Sub Category : Romance

“Even unconscious these two have provided a vast amount of knowledge.” The white robed figure reports.  “We now have a general understanding of how this power works, once we wake them up we will have an even better understanding.”

“That’s good, I have only two questions then.  When will this be weaponized?”

“In a day, no more than two. We will know everything we must to affect the construction of a device that can mimic their power.  From there it is only a matter of hours to have one in your hands.”

“It’s a start, now, why are these disgusting little bitches naked?  Are you living out some kind of perversion with them.” The First Hunter was now bearing over the researcher with rage in his eyes.

“It was necessary to fully expose their tails sir.” the researcher backs himself up against the wall terrified of the powerful man standing over him.

“Keep them covered.  If I get wind of anyone touching these ’things’ for something other than their job I will personally hang you by your small intestines.”. He pauses for effect leaning in until he is millimeters from the white robed mans face.  “Have I made myself clear?”

“Y-Yes sir!” he stammers.

“Good.” The First Hunter finally relents his intimidation and begins to walk away.  “Oh, and Dr. Livingstone, keep up the good work.”

Dr. Livingstone turns to his staring assistants, “Well? Wake the bitches up! Someone get a fucking blanket on them now!” he barks.

- - - - - - -

He was proud of the way things were going.  Soon those subs would provide the means to not only harvest their abilities but to wipe themselves off the earth.  That wench will finally understand what a massacre really is. When I have slaughtered the lot of them-.

His train of thought is suddenly interrupted as he walks into the grand entrance of the manor.  Around the room stood a lot of men, a thousand by estimate. Leading the angry looking lot stood Joba, the Second Hunter.

“Joba, this looks like more than a hundred men.” The First Hunter says approaching the challenger.  “Your breaking the rules.”

“I don’t care about your rules. After today I will make the rules.” he says taking a defensive stance.

“So, you would take my place and make the rules by breaking the rules?  That sets a bad precedent don’t you think?” he asks still approaching.

“That’s far enough.” Joba places his hand on the hilt of his weapon.

“So you have decided then.”

“I have.”

The room falls silent.  In the moments between breath a hidden word occurs and weapons draw.  The swords cross twice in moments as the First Hunter strides past the Second and the Second past the first.  A moment passes between breaths. The room falls silent.

A collective gasp fills the room as Joba’s weapon hits the floor.  The First Hunter turns to face the crowd. “I need 100 men, the last of you still standing get the honor.”

Joba collapses to the floor as shouts rise up in the room.  Bedlam takes over, but the First Hunter just stands stoic in his patience.

- - - - - - -

“What do you think they did to them?”  Kei asks in whispered tones.

“Judging by the fact that their nude and strapped to tables I would rather not speculate.” The young elf responds.

“Speculation breeds anxiety, without facts we can only guess blindly. All we do know is the hunters are behaving vastly different than they used to and this is our first clue as to why.” The older elf amplifies his apprentices observation.

The kitsunes eyes turn white and her tails twitch.  Her anger amplifies as the electrical currents surge through her body.  “They won’t feel a thing Master Jordan.”

“But you will when the Hunters capture you for being reckless.” The Master criticizes her brashness.

“Hey!” The apprentice jumps in with an idea. “You can use that in more than just lightning bolts right?”

Her eyes return to their normal yellow. “Yes, why?”

The two elves exchange knowing glances. The younger gestures the group in close “I have a plan.”

- - - - - - -

The two elves speed down to the exam tables with the unconscious foxes and immediately set to opening the restraints.  A split second later a flash of electricity erupts in the air leaving behind Kei. The fox stands ready to wield the writhing electricity surrounding her.

Alarms ring out as soon as the first restraint is released.  Lightning arcs from the fox at the first sign of defence, killing him instantly.

“Sub attack, Sub attack, activate defence systems.” sounds the loud speakers.

“They have defence systems?”

“Focus Adrian! Finish the restraints quickly.”

More lightning arcs as robotic systems attempt to articulate from their concealed locations.  The lights flicker as the fox recharges from the power systems.

“Cut the power, cut the power.” the loud speaker barks.

“Alright big guy, your turn.  Kei you have done your part, return to the rendezvous point.”

She nods and disappears in a flash of light and sparks.  A rumbling sounds in the building followed by a shaking foundation.

“Did she do that?” Adrian asks releasing the third restraint.

“Focus!” The Master reminds him releasing the fourth and final restraint.  “We don’t have much time now.” Looking up he sees the shadow of wings through the windows above.  The roof smashes open with debris falling around them.

A heavy crash announces the arrival of his old friend.  Rippling muscles and a huge hulking frame becomes visible in the rising dust. “Hold them back, we’re almost free.”

The Master sweeps up the fox he freed and turns to his apprentice waiting impatiently now for completion.  A sudden flash of movement catches his eye and he ducks just avoiding the swinging tail. “Impossible!”

The big man grunts as he is hit bodily with a slam from the owner of the tail.  Its wings flap and the dust blows clear revealing itself fully for the first time.  

The ogre reaches up and grabs the maw of the creature and holds them pried open while the beast tries to bite at his throat.

A shadow casts over the scene as another enters the fray.  Large white wings flap as talons grasp the base of the beasts wings.  The bulk of the creature is pulled up and the ogre is able to push the creature onto its back.

Adrian sweeps his fox up in his arms and finally gets his first glimpse of the scene. “I thought they were extinct!”

“So did everyone else.  Ava, Todd, targets acquired, it’s time to go.”

With a ferocious roar the ogre gains the advantage and slams the creature onto its back. “Ava, I have to stay back.”

The Avian stops herself mid air. “No, I am faster than that thing.”

Still savagely beating the massive beast the ogre knows the piper must be paid. “Not carrying me.  Live or die, this is going to be one hell of a fight.”

The Master nods and races from the scene, Ava pauses, a tear rolling down her pronounced cheekbones. “I won’t forget you!” with a flap of her huge white wings she lifts herself away from the fray. She takes one last look at the scene below and her dearest friend.

Her teardrop falls from her face and falls back down towards the fray. Light reflects gently as it picks up speed and rushes like a final message of goodbye to an old friend. The drop shatters on the shoulder of the ogre while it brings a final massive blow to the giant manticore.

The silence of the air is stifled with tension. The manticore is silent and unmoving, but there is another threat around. “I can smell you Hunter.”

“Strange, I had a shower this morning.” the First Hunter says calmly while stepping over some debris. “You’re ancestors would be proud of you. Single handedly mauling my pet manticore, why, I almost want to let you go for how impressed I am.”

“We both know one of us will die a good death this day.” The hulking man barks in challenge.

“Do we? Todd, is it? What about the rest of these guys? Do they know it? I am pretty sure the standing order is capture, not kill.”

The hundred blood crazed and battered men surround the ogre, one in three with taser in hand.