FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Subchapter 1:

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The words echoed in Randall's head as he read the dusty yellow parchment again. "We have your wife. The cemetery, midnight, bring no one."

The wolf clenched his paw, letting his claws dig deep into his palm. Something warm trickled down his hand. It dripped down, onto the cracked and faded tombstone below. Blood. But it only made him angrier. He couldn't wait to get his claws on the scum that kidnapped his wife. Oh, the things he would do.

The world around him was nothing but an empty black. And he was just another shadow caught in the middle. A burst of wind blew by, shuffling leaves on and off of graves, not that he could see it. It was just too black. His cloak flapped against the breeze, the studs of bronze on the dark brown leather glimmered, small pieces of safety, of light. The moon was all that shone in the dark sky, not a single star in sight. But it was far from enough. Alone, the moon couldn't light up the sky, just like himself. The swirling nothing only grew darker and darker until it reached its peak, or maybe it's bottom. It was midnight.

A twig snapped in the shadows ahead. Randall's tail shot up, each piece of dusty brown fur seemed to reach for the abyss above. He could smell it, the enemy closing in. No, his enemies. They reeked almost as badly as the monsters. The brown wolf crinkled his snout in disgust.

Dammit! There were at least five of them. Skill and experience were one thing, but five against one would be suicide. Maybe if he used his... No, his body was already drained from hunting. There wasn't enough left in him to use magic that strong. It wouldn't only succeed in tearing him apart, from the inside out, as if he were weaker than leaves. He had no interest in death, at least not his own.

His claws dug deeper into his skin. More blood came. It seeped out, letting the pain and the warmth mix together. His fur turned a patchy, dark brown that looked almost black in the glint of moonlight. He could feel the insane pound of his heart, desperate for a fight. A fight he couldn't win.

This feeling, it wasn't fear. It was pure hatred. He wanted to charge the enemy, and attack. He wanted revenge for his stolen wife. Most of all, he wanted to kill. Maybe killing would numb his pain. But he couldn't. There were just too many.

What did they want with him?

The putrid smells drew closer until they became a small army of shadows, accompanied by another army of tombstones. The five silhouettes spread out, and before he could make a move, Randall was surrounded.

His blood stained paw swept across his waist and strangled the hilt of his first sword. He refused to die here. Not without getting a few clean strikes in first.

The largest shadow stepped forward. Black hooded robes rippled against it's body as he went. The figure's only color were two golden yellow eyes, piercing through the blackness, directly at Randall. The eyes of a another wolf.

"We did not come here for a fight"

The shadowy wolf said.

"Then what is it you seek?"

Randall demanded as he tightened his grip. The droplets of deep red blood ran down the swords hilt and disappeared into the leather sheath.

"Payment..."

The wolf spoke out again. Though his face was hidden in shadow, Randall was sure the wolf was smiling. But it didn't make him angry. He chuckled. If these crooks had come to him for a ransom, they would be far from their goal.

His grip released from his blade, letting his hand delve into his pocket. It searched about until it closed around three solid objects. Pieces of silver. Not even enough to buy a mug of rum. He fished the pieces out of his pocket and grinned.

"Here you are," he said, tossing the silver onto the ground just a stride shy of the wolf.

The shrouded figure growled in disgust and stomped forward. He unsheathed a dagger from his waist and lunged forward.

Instinct took over. With unnatural speed, Randall ripped his sword from it's sheath. The long line of steel met the tiny blade inches from his throat with a familiar clang.

He would sooner eat dirt than let some thug get the best of him. His smirk transitioned into a wide smile that bared his sharp fangs.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, did you forget who..."

A blunt pain erupted against his back. He tumbled to the ground, his muzzle slammed into the pebbles and dirt below.

The shadows behind him snickered in delight.

Before he could lift himself back up, something struck his side, taking all his breath with it. He coughed for air but only filled his lungs with dirt.

"The capital is hosting a combat tournament two days from now. You've already been enlisted. You will compete and win the prize money. Only then can you have back wife."

The hooded wolf said as he loomed above. Those eyes still burned into the back of Randall's head.

"And don't try to run, we'll be watching."

Randall coughed up a small storm of dust before rising to his knees. Each breath was a freshly sharpened knife, slicing him in the side and continuing up to his throat where the pain finally subsided. He spat the taste of iron from his mouth, more blood, and looked up. His grey irises crossed fire with the shrouded wolf's rays of gold.

He wanted now, more than he did all night, to grab that mutt by the throat. He wanted to watch the life leave those sharp yellow eyes. But the pain that coursed through his nerves told him otherwise. He clenched his paw again, ignoring the blood that flowed out and onto his claws.

"And what if I lose?"

He said, never breaking away from those terrible eyes.

"Fight until you can see the gates of the underworld. I expect no less from you, monster hunter."

With that, the group of shadows dispersed back into the night. All they left behind was that foul stench. The smell of death.

Randall took a deep breath in and rose to his full height, but it felt like their was nothing filling his lungs. There was no air around him, only blackness. His gaze shifted upwards, to the land's star splattered sky that no longer seemed as bright. He wondered if his wife could see the sky. If he could just see her, and know that she was alright, then maybe the sky wouldn't be so dull.

With his blood-free paw, Randall clutched the pink gemstone that hung around his neck.

" Im coming, Lana..."

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