Saber1
#4 of Word of Warcraft
Short story about pets, and how bigger, is not always better.
The sounds of battle raged through Ungoro. Deafening roars of fury were echoed by shouts of "HA" and "Steady!", A lone blood elf slid through the foliage, watching another of his race attempting to tame one of the great Devilsaurs that ruled the crater. It's dark hide was a magnificent mirror for it's heart, the pure malevolence within it's gaze something that would send chills down your spine. It's monstrous jaws opened wide, and the fool elf barely ducked out of it's reach. The silent watcher perused the situation, and wondered if he should do something, or let the events of nature play out. Movement to his left decided the matter. He silently strung his much loved bow, lighting a feathered arrow upon it's glossed ebony surface. With practiced ease he drew back the arrow and sighted upon it's line. The raptor poked it's head past the foliage, it's green hide blending in almost perfectly. It let out a shriek, charged, then fell over, dead. The lone elf's arrow cracked with the sheer power that single shot had held.
The hunter trying to tame the great beast before him looked up in fear at the shriek, then barely missed getting eaten by the great lizard. The lone elf nudged a piece of frond away from his eyes, and stepped before the two's titanic struggle.
"You know, you should always clear the area of uninvited guests before trying to dominate another's will. Though with big ugly there shouting so much I'm surprised you haven't been swamped by every Devilsaur there is." He squated, watching the two with cool, calm eyes. His bow never left his right hand, his quiver just barely over his left shoulder. The hunter's hair got into his eyes, and he rolled upon the ground, mucking himself and removing the offending strands without removing his hands from their focused state. Apparently he was too absorbed in his work to even speak. The lone elf shook his head at his fellow's ignorance, and set about making camp. He carefulyl dug a pit and quickly set a fire, watching the sky darken slowly. He set a steak upon a stick and put it against the flames to cook. The bag he'd grabbed the meat from offered a slight chill, no doubt enchanted to stay cool regardless of outside temperatures.
A low moan of defeat was uttered by the great beast, and he looked up. The dark skinned reptile was bowing before the blood elf hunter, it's electric blue eyes glossy with it's loss. The lone elf shook his head, whether in disgust or denial is not sure. The blood elf hunter joined him after a moment, grabbing the steak and giving it to the recently captured Devilsaur. Not a word was said. The lone elf's brows furrowed slightly, the hunter turning to him with a look saying 'Whatcha gonna do?'
"Lack of etiquette. Did your parents raise you to take what you wanted without concern for others? That steak was for my pet." The hunter gawfawed.
"Pet? You filthy rogues don't need pets. I'm a Beast Master! I take whatever I want and there's NOTHING you can do about it!" Again, the lone elf showed no expression, then a single eyebrow quirked.
"Why did you choose to tame that creature?" The blood elf's face turned arrogant.
"Because it's OBVIOUSLY the biggest, strongest creature. It makes meals out of anything that crosses it's path, and only a true hunter can ever make one their companion!"
The lone elf's brow levels out, his face turning thoughtful. Shockingly, he did not raise to the other's arrogant strutting, seeking a calmer facade.
"Surely you had a companion before this brute. What happened to him or her?"
"Feh, I ditched that waste of flesh days ago. Now that I have this lunk I don't need any other stupid beasts." The forest grew still. Birds and animals of all natures grew quiet, as though a large predator had just awoken.
"Oh..? Is that so.... You ditched your companion... The one that had shed their blood for you... so you could get this useless beast..." His voice turned soft and silky, a soft purr entering it. He didn't move, yet he appeared to be like a viper poised for the strike. Quick as lightning the hunter pulled his rifle, aiming it at the lone elf. His Devilsaur reared upwards, it's eyes turning crazy with bloodlust. It's entire body flared red, it's size doubling with the hunter's spell rippling through it.
"Who are you to say anything about what I do? They're just tools! When a tool becomes useless, I destroy it." The lone elf showed no reaction to the hostile situation, his gaze turning to the lone, ragged looking elf covered in dust and debris. The hunter's rifle shook under that cold, emotionless gaze.
"Did you kill your previous companion?" If a volcano could be wrapped in silk and sent as a present, that's how the lone elf's voice would be. Pure rage conceiled in thin fabric.
"What's it to you? I said they're just tools. Every hunter knows this!"
The elf stood, and dodged the twitchy hunter's shot. His eys blazed with hatred and rage, his calm face the only thing conceiling his murderous aura.
"You do not deserve the right to call yourself a hunter." The Devilsaur roared and attacked him, responding to it's master's shot. The lone elf stood in place, staring down the hunter with his rifle aimed at him. It was over in an instant. A shadow ripped apart the great beast, roars muffled by the sound of entrails splattering upon the ground. The great lizard stumbled, shuddered, then keeled over. The cause of it's death, no where to be seen or found. The lone elf dodged a second shot as the hunter grew enraged at the death of his companion.
"You fucking asshole! It took me weeks to track down that bastard!" He dodged a third shot, barely moving. His agility was so great that it almost looked like he hadn't moved.
"You who care not for the lives you take upon yourself, I hereby judge you lacking in all forms of honor. Saber, he's yours." The hunter fired a fourth shot, this one nicking the elf's shoulder pads. A low growl issued behind the hunter and he turned, his eyes wide as nothing could be seen. He fired a flare high into the sky, yet still nothing could be seen. Bodiless eyes stared at him from inches away. He screamed, and that scream turned bloody as his throat was taken by the invisible cat. Her eyes blazed with a fury held by her trainer, and her claws were sharpened to the point they ripped through steel. The lone elf turned and faded into the forest, his Ghost Saber eagerly teaching the former hunter how wrong his choice in life was.
"Sorry Saber, I need to get you another steak, that idiot knew nothing about the true bond."
Demon,