Chapter 71

We broke from the jungle treeline in time to see Quill, bent over, gasping for breath. Shadow was beside him, the large hunting dog offering its back to Quill, helping the hunter stabilize himself. My lungs burned, and beside me my peers were all gasping for air as well. I saw a figure moving quickly towards us, as we all caught our breath.

“Quill,” Pren’s voice called as she neared us. Looking past her, I saw she’d set up a small camp, from which I had no doubt she’d been monitoring the status of her hunting parties. If it worked anything like the Farmers, then she’d have the ability to see the status of all of her Hunters, as well as the assigned Climbers to the job today. “What’s the matter?” Her tone shifted as she took in Quill’s state. I moved closer to better hear, though each step was slow, and I continued to gulp down air. I was covered in mud and blood. My clothes torn from the fights as well as the mad dash.

“We need to,” Quill had to stop as he coughed, spitting up blood. He’d pushed himself to his limit running out of the jungle. “Evacuate everyone.”

Pren’s gaze shifted from Quill, to me, and then to the rest of our group. At the same time, there was another loud crash from within the jungle. I looked back and saw a mass of birds flying out of the top of the tree canopy, moving in our direction, away from the crashing sound.

“Don’t tell me,” Pren’s fingers were at her lips as she let out a shrill whistle. The sound was superhuman, and I winced as it assaulted my ears. It echoed into the jungle, seeming to gain in pitch and frequency as it did. At the same time, I saw her massive eagle soar into the jungle at breakneck speed. Once she was done with her whistle, her eyes gazed off into the distance, unfocused, for a long moment. Quill took the time to steady his breathing a bit, and Nyle, Lyn, and Alax all came to stand beside me, watching the strange event unfold.

After an uncomfortable minute or so, Pren’s eyes refocused, and she looked from Quill to the rest of us. “Which one of you idiots did it?” she asked, an edge to her voice. “Which one of you pissed off the Tower?”

Her gaze shifted from me, to Lyn, to Alax, and then Nyle. Then it moved back to Alax. “You.” she said coldly. “What did you do?”

“What makes you think it was me?” Alax started defensively. Lyn slapped him on the back of the head, causing him to cuss. But what really got him to talk was the way Pren’s eyes narrowed. There was an intensity there. She was a Master Hunter, and Alax was but prey beneath her gaze.

“I didn’t know it would anger the Tower,” Alax muttered, “I didn’t even know that was a thing. It was an honest mistake.”

“What. Did. You. Do.” Pren pressed. “Out with it.”

“I killed a baby gorilla.” He said, defeated.

“How?” She asked. “Details.”

“I threw my spear at it, and impaled it… to the chest of a larger gorilla.” The last part was practically a whisper. Pren took a deep breath, sucking the air through clenched teeth.

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“Were you not informed we were hunting the adults? The ones with the silver fur on their backs?” She looked at Quill, who was just now able to stand properly.

“We were.” Nyle was quick to respond.

“Then why would you spear a baby?” Pren’s statement made the whole action sound even more ridiculous. “Are you a Climber? Or a monster?”

“I, er,” Alax faltered, looking away from Pren’s gaze.

“He had a traumatic experience against the gorilla during the Reaping.” I began, feeling Alax’s gaze on my back. I ignored it. Now wasn’t the time for privacy. Pren’s attitude made that extremely clear. “His anger took hold of him, and he made a mistake.” My voice dropped, “he didn’t know, none of us knew, it was a taboo.”

The Master Hunter’s anger faded, slightly, at that. She shook her head, muttering. “Freaking Coals. I swear, every year its something with them.” Pren let out a heavy sigh. “Well the damage is already done. No use crying over that fact.” She turned back to Quill. “Did you reach your quota at least?”

“No,” he sighed, “we managed three, before Alax told me what he’d done. The moment he told me, we abandoned our camp and rushed here. You needed to know. Everyone, needs to know.”

More crashing from the jungle. It felt closer now. I thought I heard shouts from within the jungle, but I couldn’t be certain.

“Shame, but it can’t be helped.” She put a hand on Quill’s shoulder, “still, three gorilla is not a bad day. And you made the right call in a swift manner. That’s the type of decision making it takes to be a Master Hunter. You’ll get there, soon enough.”

“Yeah, just not today.” He sighed.

“Not today,” she agreed, “but you’ll live to see another day.” She looked into the jungle, her eyes piercing into the darkness. Then she looked towards us, her expression grim.

“I’m going to need you,” she pointed at Alax, “to go back in there, and try to stay alive as long as possible.”

“What?” Alax said, panic in his voice. “What do you mean, go back in there? I thought everyone was evacuating.”

“It’s going to take time, and you’re the one that’s being hunted. You’ve the blood of the innocent baby on your hands. The Tower’s punisher is coming for you. It’s rampaging now, but in your direction. I need you to lead it away from here, to ensure the others can evacuate safely.”

“What makes you think I’ll go willingly back in there?” he asked, shaking his head. “They already told you, I was traumatized on this floor. Quill said I have Tower Lock. I’m not going back in there.”

“You are,” Pren said dangerously, “and I’d prefer you do it without me having to further convince you. You’re a Climber. This is your job. You are to keep us safe, first, and foremost. And your sacrifice, your pain and death, will be temporary. But your actions, saving the lives of my Hunters, is something that is forever.”

“I…” Alax was fighting for words, and I could feel Pren’s patience was fading. Another set of loud crashes came from the jungle.

“I’ll come with you,” I said to Alax, turning away from Pren and Quill to look him in the eyes. His face was pale, and I could see fear there. “The two of us have a better chance against whatever that is anyways.”

“Well, the two of you can enjoy going off to your death,” Nyle said, “but don’t expect me to follow. I’ve already been killed by your life choices enough for a lifetime.”

“Yeah, I think I’ll stay out here and help ensure the Hunters are safe outside of the jungle,” Lyn added, “no offense Ash.”

I looked at them and chuckled, though my heart was pounding. “None taken,” I said, trying my best to keep my tone light. “I’ll see you guys soon enough.” I motioned towards Alax, trying my best to give him any ounce of courage I could. “Lead the way Alax.”

He looked at me, and I could tell he wanted to protest. However, as he looked past me, looked at Quill and Pren and the others, he set his jaw and took a deep breath. “Alright,” he said, his voice shaking. “I’ll do it.”

We began moving into the woods, and as we did, Pren called out, her voice following us. “When you die,” she said, not if, but when, “hurry to Climber’s Rest and post an emergency D Rank job for me, will you. Tell them the Jungle Titan has been summoned.”