Tales of magic: legends

Chapter 0

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Opening Arc- "Crow and Quill"

Chapter 0 - "Hunter"

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April 24, 1886

Pridon

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Skilled warriors have weapons.

So do brave hunters.

Feral Beasts too have fangs and claws, much like weapons. Weapons forged for the express purpose of killing their target.

William also possess a weapon.

One that performs it's purpose exceedingly well.

His enemies had weapons as well though, and they are far more numerous than he was.

His full name is...

"Hunter" said a female voice from behind him.

The tall man turned his head towards her.

What he saw was a voluptuous lady wearing a red gown and carrying a bag that looked heavy standing beneath the shade of a tree a few feet away from him.

"Who are you and why do you know that name?" His voice was stern and serious, but betrayed no emotion.

"What do you mean? Does the word 'Hunter' mean anything special?" She said coquettishly.

"Stop playing stupid. It doesn't suit you."

'The Crown is so secretive about the Book so much so that information about the Book is known only to a select few high ranking members of the Court, and the Mages themselves. If this woman knows my Title, then she must also know about the Book, so she has to be either a noble trusted by the Crown, a Mage like myself or a Mage's associate.'

"Who are you really?"

'She has black hair and skin, she doesn't look like she's among the Court of Pridon. Her clothes look nice, but aren't really all that expensive.

She's either not rich, or she's pretending to be less affluent than she really is....if I could take a guess on her age, she'll be in her early twenties..not married I see, no ring.

She doesn't appear to be wearing any other ornament other that her cheap-looking earrings and that pendant hanging from her neck.

Wait! It appears to be a time piece. What a good-looking make it is.....so good that it can't be normal. On closer inspection with my Eyes, the truth is revealed. It isn't normal. I see. Magic, huh?'

'She must be Clock.' William concluded.

"Are you done staring?"The woman asked frowning.

'She seems upset, I wonder why?'

"Oh..well, sorry. It's just that, you're so beautiful"

'If she discovers that I know her Title, the ritual of the Book dictates that the deed be done. I'm not in the mood for this, I have far more pressing matters to attend to. She doesn't look like she's about to attack me either.Regardless, I shouldn't let my guard down. She's already spoken my Title though. I'm worried.'

"Thanks for the compliment.. even though it's very boring."

"I don't understand what you mean by boring"

"I'm just saying that's not a proper way to flatter a lady"

"I wasn't trying to do that.."

"You were just giving an excuse for staring at me?"

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"What is wrong with that?"

"You tell me, you apologized."

'Is she always so impossible? You came here to say something, so just say it and get out already!'

William approached her, avoiding thorns and thick bushes to reach her.

"Fine, I will introduce myself, my name is William Sharpside. Fair lady, would you be so kind as to give me your name?" He said this while standing right infront of her, facing her and almost bowing his head.

"I'm not exactly fair, and I'm not a queen either, Mr.prince. Drop the act, so we can get to business."

'Says the person who has been wasting my time from the start.' He was angry, but he let her speak.

"The Crown has a message for you. The Seer has realised the existence of two souls fated to join. These two, bearing the Title of Quill and Crow shall come from the town of Weidson. Right now, they are still there. No more results can be provided on their abilities or Power."

"Fated, huh? So no matter what, they will join the Ritual. I certainly feel sorry for them."

"So do I. By the way, I'm not ready to fight you, Hunter. That's why I'm hiding my identity."

"And you're doing quite the good job"

"Thanks, finally a proper complement!"

She looked quite happy.

'I was being sarcastic you fool! I meant the opposite of what I said! Your pendant is right in the open. It's obvious!'

"You're exactly who they say you are. For a moment, I thought you aren't, but you're quite the gentleman."

'And you're quite the idiot. I'm nowhere close to being a real gentleman...I'm....

I'm being too distracted, I have to focus on what's important. Why did the Crown give me this information. And even more importantly, how did she find me?'

"How did the Crown contact you?"

"She sent a proxy. Told me she could kill me with a single word and sent me on my way to find you. Said she would know if I disobeyed her. Strangely, I believed."

'The Seer must have some kind of watching magic. Damn, I just don't have a better name for it.

The Seer must be capable of tracking my and her location. The Crown probably sent her here because she's the closest to my current location, and they aren't ready to waste resources on fast movement magic.

The Crown is just as persuasive as always.'

"Thanks for the information, I'll be on my way now!"

"Wait, it should be obvious, right?"

"Your Title, no no it's well hidden. In fact it's the most closely guarded secret I have ever encountered. Of course I don't know it"

"I'm not talking about that. You really love to talk, don't you? I'm talking about what the Crown wants you to do."

"I understand... I have to go to Weidson and eliminate the threats the moment they pop up.The problem is I don't know who they are"

"But you're Hunter though. You are too good at finding people, especially enemies you can cut down."

"You are right. But I need more information on my would-be targets."

"I knew you'd agree. You're afraid of the Crown too.."

"Don't call it fear, William Sharpside fears no man..or woman...You could say, I'm vary wary of someone who can kill men without even standing up from that throne of hers. Now, I'm assuming you have more to say?"

"Yes. Their names start with J and L respectively. Both are commoners and J is an aspiring novelist, while L is a pianist, both of them are related. Oh, I almost forgot, there are actually three Mages in that city, or rather there will be when the other two awaken."

"Which mage is it?"

"It's either Beast or Sword. Those are the only ones unaccounted for by the Crown."

'Sword is most likely Ein. I don't want to face him, crossing swords with him is a pain.

On the other hand, Beast is just who I want to kill. It's a monster that deserves nothing but suffering and death for the tragedies it has caused.'

"Why is the information on the fated so cryptic?"

"I don't know. It's probably restrictions on Seer's abilities. Or divination is probably just obscure like that. Anyways, that's all the information I have to give you. I've done my part now.. Time to go home."

"Wait... You shouldn't go at this time of the night. It's almost midnight. Come on, let's spend the night in the town"

"That's, exactly what I wanted to do, minus the 'let’s' part. There are a few nice inns here in Rimus. You should get going towards Weidson, if you start your journey now, you'll get there in about 2 days."

"What if i say, I'm too tired to go travelling across the nation throughout the night."

"You don't look tired. Also, you're supposed to have night vision amongst your list of abilities, travelling at night is convenient for you."

"Ok. I just remembered something. I have an important matter to attend to. Now that I think about it, you should join me."

"What kind of important matter?"

William kept silent, and instead of making his way towards Rimus, he went deeper into the woods. Clock grumbled, but followed.

The woods were much more lively at night, than in the day. The owls were making their usual noises, the rats were far more active, and all the nocturnal animals were busy.

Throughout their breif journey into the woods, Clock was complaining on how cold it was, and how the insects were eating her alive. William, for the most part, just ignored her.

'Is this the first time she's gone hiking?'

"I don't need noise, okay. If you make too much, you'll wake it up" William spoke quietly.

Her face went pale.

".....What do yo mean by 'IT'?" She whispered almost inaudibly.

"To clarify, my little damsel-in-distress, I speak of a monster when i say the word 'It'."William was amused.

"I will kill you for dragging me into this when all of this is over.."

"That's if you live long enough to get the chance..."

Clock went silent.

William almost laughed.

'There it is.'

Ever since he became Hunter, his eyes had become far more sensitive. He also gained the ability to see in the dark, and see much further to the distance than a common man. His Eyes move and follow his enemies, so he cannot lose sight of them. His Ears can detect truth from lies. His hands can wield any weapon made for killing animals, and body was strong enough to let him walk, run or climb for days, without pausing or stopping to rest, as long as he is on a hunt for prey. These abilities expend Power, though. The greatest improvement to him however, was his spellcasting ability- his Knowledge.

William stopped abruptly. In front of him lay a massive beast that appeared to be a two-headed lion. It was sleeping peacefully.

"Meet my friend Lion!"

"Stop talking so loud, it's going to wake up" Clock cried quietly.

"It sleeps like a log. It won't wake up even if I was clapping and stomping my feet."

"You lied to me."

"People lie to get what they want, it's not personal. I just wanted you to shut up...Oh and, I don't remember actually lying to you, it's just a misunderstanding on your part"

William smiled at her. She shrinked back in disgust.

"You sicken me."

"Thanks."

William proceeded to crouch infront of the beast, producing his dagger from his jacket. He slit the fiend's to throats one by one and watched it flail around for a few seconds before going limp and dying.

"Rune of blood, flesh and bone, in exchange for Power, connect my words to the spirits of blood,flesh and bone and command them to strengthen my body with the spell known as"(These words were not spoken in English but in the Words of magic no one other that Mages and Spirits could understand.)

William paused for a second to catch his breath, as a complex symbol drawn on his chest beforehand, hidden by his clothes, started to glow deep crimson.

"Muscular enchantment- Strength of 10 men"(Words of magic)

The glowing stopped. There was no noticeable change in William's body though.

The hunter wasted no time standing around after casting his spell. He effortlessly hauled the carcass of the fallen beast and balanced it on his shoulder with his left hand for support.

"That's done."

William smirked as he turned to look at Clock.

"Why did you drag me along then?"

'Why does she keep on saying that. Well, I guess I owe her an explanation.'

"It was for your protection. It should be past 12 already, the full moon is out. The REAL danger still lurks within these woods and I can't let you roam free."

"You're not making any sense. What do you mean by real danger. And how are you protecting me"

'I have to explain everything, it seems.'

"As far as you are with me, the Wolf will avoid you and go it's own way. It's afraid of me, okay?"

"A damned werewolf is afraid of you?" She didn't sound convinced.

"Yes. He is. Now, I'm done with this, let's head over to the town, shall we?"

The two of them went on their way towards Rimus.

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