SHADOWBANE
CHAPTER 1: THE HUNTER OF NOCTIS
Year: 1367
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The city of Noctis was dark, a shadow of its former glory, where even the moon seemed hesitant to shine. The plague had claimed nearly all its citizens, and now it was a haven for creatures that only thrived in the dark. The air smelled of rot and decay, the streets empty but for the occasional scavenger.
On the walls that once defended Noctis from the world, Kaldur stood alone, eyes scanning the desolate landscape. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword, an ancient weapon that glowed faintly with an otherworldly light.
He muttered to himself, voice quiet, yet sharp. “They never rest, do they?”
The sound of scraping metal echoed faintly in the distance.
Kaldur’s eyes narrowed. A demon. No rest for me either.
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Kaldur dropped from the wall with ease, his boots making no sound as they hit the cobblestones below. The city streets were eerily silent, the sound of his own breath too loud in the quiet.
Moving through the deserted streets, Kaldur’s sharp eyes scanned every shadow, every nook and cranny. He had hunted demons through these same streets before. They always came the same way—slow, deliberate, seeking out weakness, and feeding off the fear of the living. But this time, Kaldur wouldn’t allow it.
He crept closer to the source of the sound. Behind a half-ruined door, something stirred.
With a quick motion, Kaldur pushed the door open slightly. His hand rested on the hilt of his blade as he peered inside. There, crouched in the shadows, was a demon, its twisted form hunched like a beast waiting to pounce. Its red eyes glowed menacingly in the dark, and its foul breath filled the room.
The demon hissed, its voice low and mocking. “Another hunter. How quaint. Do you think you can defeat me, little human?”
Kaldur’s jaw clenched. “I don’t think. I know.”
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The demon’s claws scraped against the stone floor, sending a chill through the air. It lunged at Kaldur with terrifying speed, its talons aimed for his throat. Kaldur barely had time to react, rolling to the side just as the claws missed by inches.
“You’re quick, but not quick enough,” the demon sneered, its voice dripping with malice.
Kaldur was already on his feet, his sword drawn in a fluid motion. He rushed forward, his blade slashing through the air, but the demon was too quick. It swiped at him, knocking the sword from his hand and sending him stumbling back.
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“You’re strong, I’ll give you that,” Kaldur said through gritted teeth, eyes flashing with fury. “But it won’t be enough.”
The demon’s laugh echoed in the alley. “Enough? You think you can win against a being like me? I’ve killed stronger men than you in an instant. What makes you different?”
“I’m not just a man,” Kaldur growled, his eyes narrowing. “I’m the one who ends things like you.”
The demon hesitated for a moment, something flickering in its eyes. “End me, then. Prove it.”
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Kaldur grabbed the hilt of his sword, his muscles screaming in protest as he stood up. He moved faster this time, his steps more calculated. With a swift motion, he dodged another swipe from the demon’s claws and grabbed his sword. He thrust it forward, aiming for the demon’s heart.
The demon screamed, but Kaldur twisted the blade with brutal force. The demon’s body bucked and writhed, but Kaldur didn’t relent, pressing harder.
“You... you think you’ve won?” the demon spat, its body crumbling around the edges as it began to disintegrate. “You think this is over? It’s only just begun.”
Kaldur’s face remained stoic. “The hunt never ends.”
As the demon’s form turned to ash, Kaldur stood still, watching the last remnants of it vanish into the air. He wiped the blood from his face and sheathed his sword, his mind racing. There was something about this demon… something more than just a random attack.
Before he could turn to leave, he heard footsteps approaching—slow, deliberate. He spun around, drawing his sword once more, only to see a woman emerge from the shadows.
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She was cloaked in tattered rags, her face mostly obscured, but her eyes… her eyes burned like embers in the dark.
The woman smiled faintly, almost amused. “You fight well, hunter. But you should know, this city is not free from the things that haunt it. Not yet.”
Kaldur kept his sword ready, wary of this new figure. “And you are?”
“Someone who knows what you’re dealing with,” she said softly, her voice like the wind whispering through the dead trees. “The demon you killed? It was just a scout. The ones who truly control Noctis are much worse.”
Kaldur didn’t lower his blade. “Who controls Noctis, then? Who sent that thing after me?”
She tilted her head, her eyes flashing with a strange light. “The Order of the Fallen. You’ve heard whispers of them, no doubt. They are the true masters of this city. They pull the strings in the shadows, controlling the demons, the vampires... the very heart of Noctis.”
Kaldur narrowed his eyes. “And what do you know of them?”
“I know enough,” she said cryptically, stepping closer. “I know that the blade you carry isn’t just a weapon. It’s a key—a key to a door that should never be opened.”
Kaldur’s gaze darkened. “And what happens if I open it?”
The woman’s smile faded, and she stepped even closer, her presence filling the alley. “The world will burn, hunter. And you will be the one to light the flame.”
Kaldur’s grip tightened on his sword. “I didn’t ask for prophecies.”
Her eyes met his, unblinking. “But you are part of it. Your fate is already sealed. The only question is whether you will choose to embrace it—or be consumed by it.”
He took a step back, trying to make sense of her words. “I’m no pawn in someone’s game. If there’s a prophecy, I’ll destroy it.”
The woman nodded slowly. “You may try. But remember—some games are already over before they even begin.”
Before Kaldur could respond, she vanished into the shadows, leaving only the faintest trace of her scent—a mix of herbs and something ancient.
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Kaldur stood still for a moment, his heart pounding. He wasn’t one to believe in prophecies or fate, but something about her words lingered in his mind.
The Order of the Fallen. The key. The door.
He shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away. He had work to do. The demons would never stop, and neither would he.
“I don’t need fate,” he muttered to himself. “I need to kill.”
He walked away from the alley, disappearing into the shadows of Noctis, ready for the next hunt. But this time, the city seemed even darker, more dangerous. And Kaldur knew—there were things at work in Noctis far worse than anything he had faced before.