Hunter

"You're the Hunter?" Zima asked. She had expected something much different than this. In fact,t he trolls were much closer to her original expectations.

"I imagine I am not the only creature you seek?" The Hunter asked. Zima and Yae exchanged a glance. If this really was the Hunter, she could possibly be their only help in finding Zuri.

"It's my sister Zuri. She's lost, and I've been told you might be able to help me."

"It is true that I am known to find things which are lost, but I think your situation may be out of my jurisdiction." The Hunter said. She looked away from the pair, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. Zima's heart fell.

"What do you mean?! We came all this way!"

"There are certain places where even I cannot find things. It seems as though your Zuri has been brought to one of these." The Hunter's gaze met Zima's, a ferocity to it that made Zima's skin crawl. "I believe your sister has been brought to the Beyond Lands."

Hunter

Zima refused to be intimidated by the strange Lunemara and bravely put herself between the Hunter and Yae.
"Can you help me find my sister?" The young Vulnyx asked, barely fighting the urge to take a step back when the Lunemara focuses its dark gaze on her.
The Hunter regarded Zima for several minutes, searching for something deep in the kittens eyes. "I can," the Lunemara said after finding what it was looking for, "but it will cost you."
Zima felt like the whole world was against her at that moment, of course there was a cost. Would she be able to afford the Hunters help?
"Whatever you want I'll find a way to get it."
"What if the cost is you? Are you willing to switch places with your sister?"
Not one to back down, Zima stepped forward with a look of determination and declared without hesitation, "yes."

Hunter

Hunter

Hunter

"You're the hunter in the shadows?!" Zima exclaimed, azure eyes wide in shock. The deep blue lunemara smiled lightly before saying "Why so surprised, little one?". Yae frowned and squeaked "Yeah, why so surprised Zima? Don't think lunemaras can be strong?". Zima looked away, guilty of her words.
"Do not be guilty little vulnyx. I am not physically strong. My powers only exist in the mind. A certain... mental strength, you might say...". Yae shuffled about and glanced at Zima, bewilderment clear in her eyes.
"What do you mean mental strength?" Zima queried. The hunter simply smiled secretively before flitting a few feet away and whispering "Be swift, little ones. The judgement day is nearly upon your dearest Zuri. A single hour could push her already teetering fate to the side of blood and death. Follow me...". The black and blue lunemara led the way down a shadowed tunnel, out into the unknown.

Hunter

"But a better question is, what are two little ones doing scurrying around the woods. Being chased by trolls no less." The hunter asked as she fluttered around the pair.

"We- we were looking for you. My litter mate, Zuri, she was taken by Blood Cascade Coven. We were hoping you could help." Zima stuttered out as she squared her shoulders and focused on the rather large Lunemara above her head.

"Ah yes, your sister. I am aware of her disappearance little Zima, but is she worth risking both yours and little Yaes lifes?" She asked, stopping in her circling to hover in front of Zimas face.

"YES! Of course... she... is. H-how, I never gave you our names." Any bite Zima had faded as the eerie dark glow of the hunter pulsed, and her unwavering eyes never even blinked.

"Well, dear" That same eerie chuckle fell out the Lunemaras mouth as she fluttered down the path, further into the village. "I am the 'Hunter in the Shadows'. They, are my element." With another chuckle, the shadows collapsed on the pair like a tidal wave.

"Yae! YAE! Where are you!" Zima was at a loss, first her sister, now her, and she just had to go and get her friend mixed in with everything as well. She was desperately holding back tears as she tried to look through the abyss of darkness.

The Hunters voice echoed back from every angle "There is a challenge ahead, if you cant beat that to save your friend, you would never have stood a chance against the Coven to save you sister."

Hunter



Zima, frozen a minute ago, sprang into the air.
"Yae we did it!"
Yae started giggling, "I told you! I told you the Hunter in the Shadows was real!"
"I know, I KNOW!!!"
The two friends were too excited to see that the new Lunemara, being extremely uncomfortable, started to drift away. She was not used to such bouncy young ones.
Zima was the first to notice, "Hey! Where are you going?"
"I don't like loud noised or excitement. Why do you think I call myself the hunter in the Shadows?"
"Oh," said Yae, "I apologize, you see we are looking for someone, and we got lost and chased by trolls."
"It's been a long day for the both of us. I'm sorry too."
The Lunemara looked down at them,"Who did you say that disappeared?"
"My sister Zuri, do you know where she is?"
The Lunemara sighed, "I may, but you can NEVER tell any one. Promise?" Zima and Yae both nodded vigorously. "Fine follow me."

The trip from the road to her hut was a short one. It looked just like her, dark colours, but giving off a faint glow. She opened the door and the friends gasped, middle of the room was a large cage with...
"A Ferrikki?"
"Yes, this is Magoliar. It may be able to find your sister."
"Magoliar?"Zima tentatively approached to cage. "Do you know where the Vulnyx cub, Zuri is?"
The Ferrikki's glance shot up too Zima's face, it glowing green eyes held hers. It nodded.
"Where?" Yae came bouncing over.
It sighed. "It will be a long Journey."
"Anything for my sister."
"She is being help captive in the Lost Grove."

Hunter

I didn't know if I should ping you or not, so...

Zima shook her furry head in bewilderment. "You're the hunter?" She asked.
Yae was gaping at the strange lunemara, transfixed.
"Why do you ask? Do you not think we lunemaras are not capable enough?" The dark moth-like creature rumbled.
Zima paused, mouth open for a comeback, but her throat felt dry. Yae broke away from her trance.
"I don't believe it," Yae said simply. "In all the stories I've heard, the heroes had to travel far and wide to save their village, or something like that. We haven't traveled far at all and have not faced any fire-breathing ny'venes!"
"This isn't a fantasy, is it?"
That silenced the two.
"I believe you've been looking for someone?" The Hunter questioned, wise truthfulness in her eerie gaze.
"Yes! We are looking for my sister, Zuri. She is gone and I have been blamed for her disappearance by the Vulnyx Umbra Forest Council!" Zima burst. "Will you help me find Zuri and clear my name?"
"No," The great lunemara answered. The two youngsters opened their mouths in shock.
"B-but I was told-" Zima started. Her voice wavered as she spoke. She couldn't believe. Maybe this was a fantasy after all, and they'd just encountered the evil villain.
"But I know someone who can. Follow me." With that, the Hunter fluttered her wings and took off into the air, followed by Zima; Yae on her back.
"Where are we going?" Zima panted.
The Hunter glanced back while in midair, considering the question. "You'll see."

Exactly 250 words!

Day 8 Prompt

Thanks everyone for the super participation! Keep it up! :)

Please put the word Shadow Lands at the top of the post so I know that you are replying to the current version of the story.

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By Lostwords13

"You're the Hunter?" Zima asked. She had expected something much different than this. In fact the trolls were much closer to her original expectations.

"I imagine I am not the only creature you seek?" The Hunter asked. Zima and Yae exchanged a glance. If this really was the Hunter, she could possibly be their only help in finding Zuri.

"It's my sister Zuri. She's lost, and I've been told you might be able to help me."

"It is true that I am known to find things which are lost, but I think your situation may be out of my jurisdiction." The Hunter said. She looked away from the pair, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. Zima's heart fell.

"What do you mean?! We came all this way!"

"There are certain places where even I cannot find things. It seems as though your Zuri has been brought to one of these." The Hunter's gaze met Zima's, a ferocity to it that made Zima's skin crawl. "I believe your sister has been brought to the Beyond Lands."

Shadow Lands

"Tell us more about the Beyond Lands." Zima demanded.
"Very well, if you insist on this foolish journey I have something to show you first." The Hunter replied firmly.

The pair looked at each other and began following the Hunter. She had guided the young syelstis towards the top of the mountain that housed the Lunemara village. From the top of the mountain they could see the vast landscapes of Umbra Forest and Viridian Meadows.

Zima turned to the Hunter. "What was it that you wanted to show us?" She enquired.
"Firstly let me give you some history about the Blood Cascade Coven." The Hunter explained.

Zima nodded and the Hunter began her story.

"The Blood Cascade Coven is an ancient group that has been around for centuries. They have a history associated with slaughter and sacrifices, including their own members." She paused, gazing off into the distance. Zima looked over to Yae, who was trembling with fear.

"See that volcano over there?" She pointed a fuzzy finger to the south. Zima nodded.
"The Coven is based in the Beyond Lands and the volcano is on the far side of it." The Hunter explained.
Zimas eyes widened. "I must go there immediately; I need to find my sister!" She exclaimed.

"Not so fast young one, I do know someone who can help you on your journey. He's a fierce warrior and you'll find him in the mountains by the river on the way to the Beyond Lands."