Rastha Marsh (Hira 11th day of Jade 603R.T)

The day has reached its peak a few minutes ago. The sun of Hira now shining brightly on top of the sky. The sky was clear with an occasional appearance of thin layered cloud. Rastha Marsh is a complete different compare to its late evenings and deep nights. The marsh now filled with lives. There are bugs flying everywhere and the sun reflected on the surface of the waters. The buzzing of the bugs are so intense that the sound constantly humming in your ears even though you kept on swatting the bugs away. Lsyn was frozen still without making any movement hiding in one of the tall grasses. Beads of sweat already decorating his forehead. He wouldn’t dare to wipe the sweat fearing for the sudden movement could chase his prey away. His eyes staring at the placed bait; the leftover of the Migor’s meat that was injected with numbing poison extracted from Sulur pufferfish. He also keep watch for his surrounding for any movement indicating an approaching creature. Silent. The air stood still for a moment. The faint smell of the marsh still lingering in the air as the air stood still.

After what it seems for hours, Lsyn finally stood up from his hiding place and went straight to check on the bait. The bait was still intact and no signs of anything chewing on it only a few small bugs hovering around the meat. After carefully placing a few poison dart trap around the meat, he carefully retraced his footsteps to avoid triggering the traps he set. It’s already noon and it’s time they have agreed upon to meet again at their camp. The agreement as instructed by Gon was Lsyn is to set up bait to lure the giant beast out from its lair meanwhile the other three split up in new directions to check for new creature tracks.

They have set camp the previous night at one of the small island of the marsh located at the centre of each of the directions they’ve tracked yesterday. There is not much of an encampment actually. Due to their thick skin, they don’t need anything to help them sleep on any ground providing the ground itself is not wet or filled with spikes. They have taken turns guarding that night to prevent any uninvited attacks towards them while they were sleeping. Once Lsyn had reached the camp, he saw Gon was lying down sharpening his broad axe using the black wheat stone he had brought along.

“What the fuck are you doing? I thought you said you guys are going to find new tracks.”

“What? I’m sharpening my axe. Yes, I did said that this morning. So what?” Gon sheathed his axe and standing up to greet Lsyn. His face shown content to the small demon’s return in the hopes of bringing good news about their hunt.

“Then, what the hell are you doing here?” Now instead of questions filled his head now he was seething with anger. This retard was wasting his whole morning here idling around the camp. How arrogant is he with his strength. Arrogance breed carelessness and that will lead to a certain death when hunting. He clenched his fist trying to remain calm as his rage was almost reaching his limits.

“Like I said I’m preparing my axe for the hunt. Are you deaf?” Gon said with a harsher tone towards Lsyn. He had detected a hint of anger from the small demon. He don’t know what to make of it but the seething anger from the small demon send his spine tingling. However, he was confident that he could take on the kid if he had to as displayed before the hunt started.

“Oi, what are you guys doing? I’ve found nothing in this direction. Not a single footprint. I found it very weird with the buzzing of the bugs everywhere.” Drim emerged from one of the tall bushes with a faint smell of the marsh coming from him. He came just the right time to stop both of the demon fighting each other. After a few seconds, Cruff shuffled from the water canal and trod towards the camp. He also found a dead end on his search for the tracks. He was a little bit wary of the fact but he refrain himself from telling the group.

“Well, I’ve been setting up traps around our bait and stalked it for the whole morning. Nothing came. Not even an arf beast which the elites remark are abundance in this area. I found it’s quite weird as well. Also, the smell of blood is getting thicker in the air. No more new tracks but I can feel something is watching us. Hunting us.” Lsyjn presented his report to the group after manage not to bulk Gon’s head to the ground. His report are received with different reaction from the group.

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s kill that thing. Cruff drag your coward ass here. After this hunt we can go home.” Cruff delighted with the prospect of getting home that he managed to somehow forget the fact that they are hunting a very ferocious monster. Lsyn just stare with a blank face and started to guide the whole pack to the place where he had set up the bait.

Upon reaching the place, he hold his hand signalling that they should stop as they secure the perimeter. Much to their surprise, the bait was already gone. The traps set was either sprung or destroyed with heavy footsteps trampling all over the place. Lsyn was checking for any unsprang trap before he signalled the other three to meet him.

“What the fuck Lsyn? I thought you already set up all your traps here. What happen?” Drim asked angrily at Lsyn.

“I don’t know. Apparently this creature is bigger than what I’ve expected. See here, the paw prints is deeper and the ground dispersed more on its back leg. It means it walks with its hind legs supporting the upper body. The smell of blood is somehow doesn’t change from the morning and I am very convince that this beast knows about the traps and sprung all of them. Also, it has immunity to Sulur pufferfish poison judging by it can walk away after devouring the bait.” Lsyn started to analyse the scene. He was challenged by the hunt and the fact that all of his traps and trickeries are foiled by the beast make him submit that they have to hunt it the usual way; full frontal confrontation.

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“Well, can you track it?” Gon asked impatiently.

“Yes. It’s moving north upwards. I saw an elevated clearing earlier when I was canvassing the area. We can get a better view there.” Lsyn suggested to the group. His suggestion was answered with a resound agreement. Cruff already taking out some Gonya leaves and churned it in his mouth to temporarily boost his physical senses. His eyes; originally browned now stained with red signalling the effect of the leaves already taking place.

“Let’s go.”

Thirn (Hira 11th day of Jade 603 R.T)

Two caravans being pulled by Zaracals was charging towards the village gate of Thirn. The watch man was a grey demon with his inward horns holding his large axe watched as the caravan come to a stop.

“Who is it?” The watchman asked to the caravans’ passenger.

“Igur you stupid oaf!!! It’s us you idiot!!” Kunika shouted as he peered through from inside the caravan.

“Yeah, now open the bloody door, my friend!!” Hrutt shouted a few second after Kunika. He peered outside the caravan with a smile on his face. The watchman; Igur returned the smile with a grin of his own before disappeared into the watch tower. The gate then open slowly with the sound of people heaving it open from behind it.

“Thanks.”

The caravans enter the vicinity of the village and stop at the empty space right in the middle of the village. Around 10 demons walked out from the caravans and gathered before Igur some of his man came and lead the zaracals to their barn.

“Okay guys! Listen here! No one. I mean no one should know what we’ve discussed on our journey back from the palace. When I mean no one, I mean not a soul! Get it!” Hrutt said to the group with Kunika standing by his side making a stern look. His warning is greeted with an unanimous agreement from the demons in front of him. Satisfied by their answer Hrutt hold out his hand and share a handshake with each of the demons before dispersing he group. Walking slowly towards his home, Hrutt was accompanied by Kunika along the way.

“Are you sure we’re gonna do this?” Kunika once again ask Hrutt with a serious facial expression on his wrinkly face. He had considered everything however he just need one more push to solidify his resolve towards Hrutt’s insane plan.

“I’m sure.” Two words came out from Hrutt’s mouth. These two words were the only thing that Kunika need to hear to reinforce his resolve. Now he put up a calm face as he can clearly see who was waiting Hrutt in front of the house.

“Welcome back!!”

“I’m bac…” Hrutt couldn’t manage to finish his sentence as Ashia running towards him and planted a deep kiss on him. He returned the kiss as passionately as he could. He really missed home after being two moons away from it.

“Ehem…..” Kunika interrupted the couple with a slight cough signalling that they’re not alone in the proximity. Kunika a bit ashamed with the sight in front of him like he was 60 turns years old again. Ashia quickly loosened her hug over Hrutt neck and searched for the direction of the cough originated. He face changed from a wide smile welcoming her husband home to a low scowl after turning her head to see Kunika.

“Oh, it’s you, Kunika. Didn’t see you there. My gods you’re getting older every time I see you.” Ashia said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. She really hates the guy.

“Hahaha…..you’re right my dear. I’m getting older but you’re still the same child that playing with snot under her mom foot that I used to know. Please act your age Ashia. For God’s sake you have a husband and a child.” Kunika said with a chuckle at the end of his sentences. He’s quite offended by Ashia’s words but he managed to make a comeback for himself. Ashia turned red hearing the insults and started about to attack Kunika before she was stopped by her husband.

“Stop it you two. By the way Ashia, where’s my boy?” Hrutt were asking for his son. Usually, Lsyn would greet his father safe return with his mother but today he was nowhere to be seen.

“He went hunting with Gon.” Ashia said answering Hrutt’s question. Hrutt raised his eyebrow in suspicion. The usual hunting ground for the boys are right in the middle of their way home but there were no sign of anyone hunting or greeting them along the way. He started to suspect something was off. It couldn’t be. They wouldn’t dare. He keep denying himself before he speak to both Ashia and Kunika.

“Ashia, stay here till I’m back. Kunika, gather Igur and Mora. Meet me at the village’s gate as soon as possible. I need to check something first.”

As soon as Hrutt given the command, Kunika knew something was wrong. Without making any witty remark, he straight away left the couple and went to search for the aforementioned demons. Hrutt facial changes brought a sudden panic inside Ashia. It was normal for the boys to go hunting but this unusual expression on Hrutt’s face determine that something was off.

“Hrutt, what is it? What’s happening?”Ashia asked trying to contain her panic.

“The boys are not in their usual hunting ground. I bet they are at some place far. Far and dangerous. So, stay here Ashia and I promise to bring the boys home. They sure need a lot of beating once they get home.” Hrutt said leaving Ashia to take care of the house. He just got back. Ashia, like a good wife just watched her husband left and stay back. Her instinct are telling her that the boys should be fine because the gods are watching over them. However her heart is in turmoil as she heard that the boys might be in danger. She was torn between following her husband and stayed at home as her husband ordered. Somewhere far and dangerous. It can’t be. Ashia gasped as there was only two possibilities came across her mind.

“Please Gods, protect my family.” She prayed by herself to the gods for protection to her family.