CHAPTER 3

The blue blood was just about to say something sardonic when the rift burst open with a bit of lightning display. Lightning which cut into his men that was poorly placed. Aye, probably was trying too hard to circle us and not being aware of how the hunters situated themselves.

Poor blokes ended up being crispy for no good reason. Sadly what came flooding out of that damn rift left me thinking about the fool who trampled through the wild in summer clothes. The wounds he had look very similar to what these things depicted.

I toss my bow and quiver into Bella's hands. Passing her the dagger for up close and personal, while the men around me spread out. I wasn’t used to fighting in a group and never bothered to do any training to fix this weakness. But I did know how to hunt and that I could do better than others.

I threw one glance at Bella before leaving her in the midst of the other women. They were warriors, not as trained as I wanted but they could hold their own.

Slipping out of the ring of comrades into the enemies cluster, was easier than I expected. I didn’t even have to exert myself. A quick slice from across my body, left a head flying into his compatriot. My body followed the movement and my left arm brought my battle axe out. I felt a tugging sensation as I powered through, pulling my arm taut. However, the axe cut through after a little effort.

Dark liquid sprayed my face for my efforts but I ducked under a wild swing. My blade entered from his back and I quickly reversed grip as I spun to swing my axe and pull my sword out. I felt like a monster as I weaved and cut down these amateurs. I couldn’t understand why they even bothered to attack. They were slow, clumsy, and to top it off, I think they didn’t even have a conscious thought.

As fear should have set in by now, definitely when I jumped into a clump of fodder and now met up with one or two of my fellow hunters deep within their midst. To make it worse…

“Ja-mes!” a scream tore my heart out.

I cut down the fodder I was playing with and turned to see my Bella with a hand clutching her chest. Red flowing around her fingers. I couldn’t make sense of what hit her. There was no arrow protruding from her chest, no bolt as all those with crossbows weren’t near or aiming her way.

My feet carried me towards her and I heard it. A loud roaring noise before I noticed her body jerking forward as if she was pushed. Red blossom forth, spraying my face as I caught her in my arms. She sunk into me as I stared past her shoulders at a human holding some kind of crossbow at us.

I saw him pulled back on the lever and raised it up again. I saw it in his eyes, the intent to finish what he started. Even as I spun my woman to the side while flinging my battle axe, I couldn’t help but hear the roar. See the small bolt furrow through the wind, flow right past my shoulder before landing in another female.

The human eyes widened as the axe slammed into his chest. His body bowing backwards as the force carried his feet off the ground and into a wall that appeared closer than it should have been.

No, I didn’t feel the bite of the cold nor the cold winds whipping against my face. This felt like summer compared to the winter we just fought in. My eyes couldn’t help but look at the wall that the human crashed into. Couldn’t help but scroll up the white brick wall to a large smooth surface that stood higher than many of the redwood trees native to our lands.

“J-a-mes!” a soft voice cried out, pulling my attention down from the tall buildings back to my woman bleeding out in front of me.

I sunk to my knees as I pulled her up onto them. Pushing her hands out of the way to study the wounds. But from the color of the life blood, I knew she wouldn’t make it. Not without an experience healer and..

My eyes looked around as the hunters finished off these petty little humans with their weird crossbows. Only a small percentage of us weren’t on the ground, groaning, crying. None of them were the kind that knew the ways of healing. Even I only knew the superficial stuff and I tried to study with the bloody healers but they only spoke of their craziness.

I spotted a white garb but the bastard was crawling towards me like I could save him. Blood leaking out of his mouth worse than my Bella. How was I supposed to save him?

Fuck!

She noticed the despair in my eyes as she pulled my face down to hers. There wasn’t a word of complaint in her expression. Aye, this was the fierce bear I bonded too. Even in death, she displayed a scowl. I touched her forehead with mine and sat with her as she prepared to meet her ancestors.

There was nothing but silence that separated me from my grief. I have no idea how long I knelt there, staring into her serene eyes as blood leaked from the corner of her pale pink lips. I couldn’t help but let the coward in me finally out, my head turned to take in the surroundings.

First thing I noticed was the buildings again. They were built so close to each other. No cracks between some. They all stabbed high into the sky like towering walls that keep us from some of the more vicious beasts. Yet, they have these buildings on both sides of the street.

Talking about the street, what is this road made of? It is uncomfortable to kneel on. It felt stiff, rugged and yet, I couldn’t crumble it with a slight pressure. Which took me to the survivors, mostly the women and children. Some old managed to survive, somehow. I guess that saying that even if the young dies, the wrinkly tree will still be standing.

Only five hunters still stood alive and they were killing those left, too wounded to recover on their own. Which took me to those rising after dying, what in the nine hells is that? I tore my eyes off those and threw hate filled glare at the three surviving blue bloods.

That damn commander, of course, had to survive but he should have let that fool die as well. He is the reason my Bella died. I should…

Something was moving in my arms, my head slowly turned as one of my hands gripped my dagger. I couldn’t help the tear that trail down my eyes as I slid the blade into the back of her head. Ending her life for a second time, I swear on the sun that rises eternally. That something in my soul tore free.

Like chains snapping and links flying everywhere. I didn’t feel liberated, I felt like that chain was holding me. Keeping me from falling into the abyss and now I was free falling.

Struggling to my feet, I carried my woman towards my axe. Kneeling down to detach it from the corpse and adding it to my belt of weapons. I didn’t see where I was going so much as just knew that I should get off the street before the puny humans with their crossbows show up en masse.

Not even ten steps into the journey with my nose stuck into the air, did I hear steps following behind me. I didn’t even need to look back to tell from the distortions of the wind and the smell, that almost all of the survivors were following me.

How annoying.

I followed my nose to a location several minutes away without much traffic by any of the risers or humans. Plus there was a gate and most importantly, there was a strong smell of dirt. I walked up to the metal gate and it swung open before I could touch it.

It was odd. Weird, but I kept walking on. Strolling to a small circle of grass where a fountain probably was before. The moment the tip of my boots touch the dirt as I was preparing to kneel down to lower my woman. The grass and dirt parted as stairs led downward.

I hesitated for a second like any reasonable person would but I felt this irresistible feeling that it was safe for me to go down. I was more than used to listening to my own instincts, so I sucked back down the fear that tightened my chest and took the first step downward. Twenty-six steps later, I hit hard ground in a pitch black area.

However, I felt as if I knew exactly where to go. What was around me and what to expect when I arrived. Inside of a square room, rested a stone coffin in which I laid the one woman I cherish in my life. I fixed her clothes and hands as I placed two gold rounds on her eyes. Honoring her in death as I would in life.

I don’t remember my feet retreating or leading me back up to the surface but I found myself facing a number of wary eyes. A quick glance behind me let me know that the tomb was covered once again. Like the dirt was never disturb before. I cleared my throat and took a second to understand where I let my senses take me.

While there were towering buildings inside the gated area, it seemed someone wanted to have the freedom of walking between them without being entombed. The square white brick buildings look unlike the ones in the cities. Definitely at the last fight zone, where the windows had merely shards residing within the frames. But one of the things I noticed was that there was this weird smell that was bugging my senses. Worse than when I hunted a flying beast I managed to wound in the mountains.

I didn’t know what made me think of that beast but I turned my attention to the skies to see these winged creatures flying towards us. My hand snapped back for my bow but it grasp nothing but others spotted the creatures from following my head movement.

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I watched two of the surviving hunters targeted the bird-like creatures. Picking them off with two shots each. The women added in their own support but their aim wasn’t as accurate but the horde of bird-like creatures dropped out of the sky and those surviving fled.

The hunter, that didn’t shoot, joined me in ensuring the flying creatures didn’t get up again. It was natural teamwork that spoke of experience, something that distracted me for a second. Then the grim work was done and I was back to facing this new place with a bunch of women looking at me like I was a God or something.

“I don’t know why you are staring at me but I will not be leading you. I am not your caretaker. If you want something from me, you will barter for my services with something of equal valued.” I said as I stalked towards the nearest building.

I already caught the scent of a human. The flapping of the wings must have caused them to peek out and that momentary lapse of judgement allowed me to hone onto them. Before I made it to the door, a round of hurried almost silent footsteps brought me to a stop and grabbing the body of my spear.

“James, we don’t need a leader but a council. This is a new land and as one of the five surviving experienced hunters. You will benefit just as equally from helping our people thrive in this new land of stone jungle.” Powell said as if he was catching my heartstrings with the way he subtly gestured at the women.

However, only a fool believes having a bedroom full of women was what made them a man. One woman could already control a man giving time and even if we proclaim some Alpha male shit. As long as she is good in bed, then your Alpha’s Will will be draining faster than a pack of starved wolves catching scent of freshly down prey.

These women were used to a certain level of attention and living arrangement. They trained to be useful and probably had an independent mind. Trying to rope someone in with them was like trying to rope in a castrated bull with a pen full of fertile cows.

Of course, I could understand where he was coming from. He was young and probably survived because of his pops protecting him. I could tell how inexperienced he was due to his stances and expecting eyes. Which was why I turned to the actual experience person in their group of three. The eldest and former Chief son, well still Chief’s son.

“I suggest you give up on trying to be like your old man. Focus on surviving for yourself and one other. Taking on a group in an unknown situation is a burden. A burden that no man in his right mind would volunteer to take on. If you are trying to impress the blue bloods then you are wasting your time. The women aren’t like that weak blue blood woman you managed to trick. Their husbands trained them to handle most weapons, to hunt most creatures, and to defend themselves from fools like yourselves.”

I ran a hand through my hair, my own annoyance reaching a high level. I took a step away from these fools but then turned back as my words might not have reached their ears.

“I suggest you not side with the blue bloods. I will kill them once I secure information.”

Spinning on my heel, I vanished into the front door of this building. Stepping into a dark expanse of a room where I could have sworn I smelled a dense scent of some city lad using scented soap. It was strong here. So strong that I didn’t even have to see to find a perfect route through the room to a door that my hands smacked into.

Fumbling for the doorknob, I instead found a bar that depressed as I gently pressed upon it. Pressing a step harder, opened the door and my feet found a step a second later. I carefully threaded up the stairs, pulling my dagger off my belt as my free hand guided me up. Along with my nose and ears standing to catch a hint of my prey, I eventually made it to a floor where the scent was extremely strong.

Strong enough to tickle my nose hairs and almost make me sneeze. I could pick out from the three difference scented soaps that there were at least four girls here. How I came up with four instead of three? Because of the smell of sweat that lingered in the stairway.

I eased open a door and listened for sounds but found that it was oddly quiet. Not quiet like night time hunting but quiet like someone trying to limited their breathing to show they weren’t there.

As my feet silently walked down the hall, I could almost perfectly see the stain on the floor from where the five girls moved in and out of the hall. The sunlight coming through the window gave everything away. I didn’t even have to go through these many doors but it was amazing to me how stabled this building was.

We could never get something this high. Even castles of great men weren’t this tall. It just hugged more land than normal but these things took up space of normal manor. Yet, shot high into the sky as if they were born this way.

Whispers snapped my attention back to the task.

“I don’t think they will choose this building. The one further back is much better and the lights are still on. So they might send their group to that one.” a not so silent whisper sounded out of one of these rooms.

I turned to the sound and moved at a faster but more silent pace. Putting my axe back on my belt, removing one of my ropes instead.

“Look, nine of them are moving towards that building. The rest are just standing around.”

“I wondered why they dressed up like cavemen when it’s so hot.”

“You worried about their clothes but look at their cold weapons! You saw how easily they took out those harpies! We should have moved a long time ago! Now we risk becoming property of those creeps!”

I slowly opened the door and stepped into their room. I had to cover my nose as a deep scent of pheromones and thicker aroma slapped into my nose. They were going a bit overboard with the soap.

I scooted down the hall that was longer than I had expected. I caught my first sight of these girls hovering behind three windows with thick fabrics blocking out much of the sunlight. However, they had candles littered around the room. Two girls were sitting on a bench looking at something with a bright screen.

At first, I didn’t understand what the thing was saying but then I heard the roar that was almost familiar.

The crossbow.

Crouching low, I shot across the floor. Taking one of the girls off the bench and over its back before she could utter a cry. I had her mouth stuff and arms tied as I came up and out of a roll. Legs bent beneath me to springboard me at the next girl who managed to get a cry out that ended quickly as I tied and muffled her.

I stood up slowly as I caught a flash of sunlight that sent a wide ray through the room. The other three girls turned to me. One of them with black hair said something loudly while reaching for the slender crossbow beside a skinny table. I flicked a dagger to pin her hand to the wall behind her as I moved to take out one of the narrow girls.

I couldn’t help but smirk as I lazily tied up the other girl before chasing the one I stabbed in the hand into a bedroom. I kicked the door before she could close it. I heard her hit the floor more than saw as my attention was attracted by a thick scent of someone's moon time.

Clicking my lips, I took two fast steps and pinned the girl down before tying her up. I moved her into the other room and tossed her on the bench and then did the same to the other four. I sat on the table in front of them and listened to the noise coming from a box. Trying to see if I could understand their language but I was failing.

However, I remember one of those girls downstairs had a talent for understanding new tongues. I sent a desire through the air and hoped one of them would respond to my pack message.

I was barely with the prisoners for a minute when I heard feet running up the stairs. Clicking my tongue, I ignored the girls moving like they had scorching hot coals under their asses. Of course, if only their muffled noise made sense, then this would have been a great moment to ask politely for information.

Yet, I just watched the scantily dressed girls while waiting on a possible translator. I didn’t have any high hopes as our tongues were different. That was clear when I couldn’t pick up a single syaballe from the voices on the box but I had a slim hope that someone else could. As I said, I wasn’t the smartest brute around.

I turned my head as I smelled a different kind of scented soap. A more subtle blend of an earthly smelling flower. A pair of bright grey eyes peered into mine, her thin lips parted as if that brief exercise was tantamount to full fledged sprint with your life on the line.

“You called for help?” she asked while panting lightly.

I gestured at the prisoners, “Can you understand what they are saying?”

Her long brown hair swayed to the left as her head tilted sideways. Like she had to do the whole head tilt just to listen to somewhat loud voices coming from a box. Though it was amusing to see her eyes widen as she turned to the box. Her feet took her to it as she watched the moving pictures.

After ten minutes had passed and the prisoners realized they weren’t getting out of the bindings. I realized with emphasis that my helper was beyond distracted.

Clearing my throat was a lost effort, tapping the table I sat on was a failure, and I was pretty sure that anything other than physical violence would move her from her new fascination. I had no choice but to smack her bottom which rocked her forward. She spun around with a dagger in hand but upon only seeing it was me, did the dagger disappear into whatever sleeve she had it in to begin with.

I was mildly impressed by her reaction and how she rolled with the attack before it made contact with her. Definitely daughter of some old hunter.

She blushed while moving a strand of hair from her face.

“Sorry, I got distracted. But I understand what they are saying and can translate for you.”

My eyes widened in eagerness and I grabbed the slender crossbow while removing the black hair girls mouth covering. She didn’t curse this time but her eyes showed the fear and wariness of an intelligent creature.

“Ask her what they call this weapon in their tongue.”

My girl repeated the question in that tongue, I didn’t bother to try hard to understand. The black haired girl responded in a clip tone. I raised my eyebrow at this hunter girl who turned to me with an eager to impress smile.

“She called it a gun. My ability says that guns are weapons that shoot out projectiles similar to bolts but smaller and more deadly. It can have a function similar to crossbow where it shoots one before having to recharge it or as many as sixty.”

I rubbed my beard as I hefted the gun to eye level. Studying the design of the weapon before I tossed it to the hunter girl. She would probably be able to learn to use it a lot faster than me on average.

“Ask them what they call this place? Outside, not the building we are standing in.”

My partner made a few short responses followed by a kind of snappy response from the target who spoke more than I expected for such a simple answer. For a brief moment, I considered killing one of the girls just so the questioning went smoother but then I felt too lazy to clean up after. This room was already prepared with everything I needed to survive.

The kitchen area was already laden down with supplies. Definitely if those round small objects were anything like jar fruits. They were basically overflowing part of the kitchen including the little cabinets or storage area. The beds look comfortable and with this summer weather, I didn’t really need blankets.

This place also seemed to have an abundance of predators, so meat wasn’t hard to gather. Which left the minimal requirements of water and something entertaining to do. Well, just water, I had five things that could keep me company.