"...and just as the step is taken, Heartcutter swings a full force elbow into the bridge of Mark4's nose."
-YourRoleModel
|
| A Hunter's Tale, Part 2 | | | Author: | | | IP: | ool-182fXXXX | | Date: | 07/20/02 08:07 | | Game Type: | Other | | Labels: | none | | Report Rating: , # of Ratings: 1, Max: 7, Min: 7
Lifetime Rating for Epoch71: 6.0000 |  |
Well, this is Part 2. Many people liked Part 1, but it was somewhat flawed. I didn't have enough character development, the font was flawed at best (o.O)and the alt-text 'ruined the mood'. So, I have tried not to make any of those mistakes in Part 2. Enjoy.
-Epoch.
Shadowfury,
You will not know me by name, but I owe you my life. I wanted to thank you for it, but you had left by the time I had awoke. So, thank you. Maybe when I pass my trials, and I am sent to the front lines, we could meet each other in person.
My thanks,
Kathris Starsong
Shadowfury carefully refolded the piece of paper, and tucked it away. Odd, someone giving thanks to a Demon Hunter, He thought. For all their existance, Demon Hunters were segregated for their ways... Yet this Night Elf didn't seem to care what he was. Perhaps she finds no reason to pregidous us, and me... I wish more Sentinels would think like that.
* * * * *
Kathris Starsong stood silently at one end of a great field. At the other side of the field, nearly a mile away, she saw a target. And, she was supposed to hit it. Of course, the other two Priestesses-in-training were supposed to do the same, so if they all missed she still had a chance.
At the signal of the observing Disciple of Elune, the first future Priestess in line stepped up to the line of sticks in the grasses. She readied an arrow, and carefully, she aimed... and fired. The arrow soared high into the air. Kathris tracked its path closely, and watched as it plunged down... It looks like it will hit the target... She thought nervously. However, Kathris's luck somehow held up, and the arrow landed just a few yards short of the hay-filled circle. The arrow's firer stepped back, hoping noone would be able to beat her shot.
Kathris watched the next one step up. The lightly armored woman didn't take long to aim before letting the arrow fly. It ripped across the blue backdrop of the sky, and plunged down, hitting on the ring just outside the center, and Kathris swore silently. How am I going to beat that?
She silenced the voices of doubt in her mind, and stepped up to the row of sticks. She focused on the arrow as she drew it back, and tilted the bow skywards. Suddenly, she felt confident. Of course I won't miss. Kathris let the arrow fly. It soared high in the air, streaking towards the target. Life seemed to be moving at half speed for Kathris as she watched her arrow plummet toward the target. It went closer, closer.... And missed completely. She stared in disbelief, How could I have missed? She stepped back, and didn't bother listening as the Disciple of Elune declared the second Priestess-in-training winner. There are still two more tasks to prove my worth...
* * * * *
Shadowfury spun his blades, decapitating a Ghoul. He watched as the body fell back and crumbled, curiously lacking in blood. He was reminded of the stupidity of watching something idly in a battle as another Ghoul dove at him from behind. He just barely dodged, ripping into the Ghoul's chest as it passed. The defiled human hit the ground and rolled, ripping into two halves. Shadowfury fought on, ripping through Ghouls left and right. They were easy prey... Until you found yourself in Shadowfury's position, with ravenous Ghouls closing in on all sides. The Hunter wasted no time in igniting himself with the Immolation spell. The Ghouls that didn't falter at the sight of the blue inferno were set aflame, sending them to the ground where they desperately tried to smother the blue fires consuming their bodies.
Well, I wanted action, and I got it... Thought Shadowfury. He had yet to see any Demons, which was a good thing, he hoped... The Undead forces began to retreat, and the Night Elves cried out victoriously, running in their pursuit. As they ran, a blue flash engulfed most of the Undead army; their leader had wisely teleported them away. The tired Sentinels gathered their few wounded, and made their ways back to the nearby encampment to refresh themselves.
The Sentinel armies had scored a major victory that day, pushing the Undead forces back. Finally, the armies of the Night Elves had gone on the offensive. The Demons had seemed to had dissapeared from the Undead ranks after the Demon Hunters were brought to the front, and without demonic support the Undead were easily defeated.
* * * * *
Kathris stood in the center of a great, grassy plane. Nearby were the other 2 Priestesses-in-training. None of them had been told what they had to do that day. It was a few minutes before the Disciple of Elune that would observe them rode over on her great white Tiger. "Your task," She spoke, "Is to find the Helm of the Moon hidden somewhere in this field. You may use any means to accomplish this goal." A smile tugged at the edges of the Disciple's lips, "I'll see you all in about a day."
As the Disciple rode off, the three got to work. Each began a search pattern across the field, but soon gave it up for just wandering. The field was huge, miles wide and miles long. How will I EVER find that Helm... thought Kathris, desperately scanning the ground around her. The three foot tall dry grass concealed everything... It's impossible to see anything, unless you're right on top of it! Thought Kathis frustratedly. But that thought lead to an idea... And she called a particular Owl, one she had befriended long ago. It flew up to her and landed on her outstretched arm. The Owl hooted questioningly.
"I need you to fly over the field, and find the Helm of the Moon for me." The Owl hooted in affirmation, and took off. It quickly gained height, then spiraled around the field, searching. It returned after just under a quarter of an hour before returning to Kathris. The Owl hooted happily, then gestured with its beak. Kathris looked to where it was pointing, and the Owl hooted again, then flew away. Kathris headed in the direction the Owl had specified, and after walking for quite a while she literally tripped over something. At first she thought it was just a rock, but when she looked, she found an ornate light-purple helm. She picked it up, and looked over it. This must be it... The Helm of the Moon... She heard a rustling behind her, and saw the Disciple of Elune ride up on her white Tiger.
"Well done, young one," Said the Disciple. Her mount leaned down. "Climb aboard, I'll give you a ride back to the temple."
"What about the other two?" Asked Kathris as she slid on to the great Tiger.
"We'll let them find their own way back," Said the Disciple with a quiet chuckle.
* * * * *
The Night Elf and Undead forces charged at each other, meeting in the center of some poor farmer's grain field. Ghouls screeched as they were cleaved in half by the Moon Glaives of the Huntresses, and punctured by the arrows of the Archers. Crypt Fiends hurled their spiderlings into the fray while Night Elven warriors were dragged down and slaughtered by the waves of Ghouls. Shadowfury's whirling blades mauled Ghouls in mere moments, and the blue flames coursing across his body charred anything that tried to get near him. Once again, the Night Elf Sentinels had a the advantage over the Scourge. It was a matter of minutes before the Undead were pushed back, with very few casualties on the Night Elf side. This is too easy... thought Shadowfury as he chased down and destroyed a fleeing Ghoul. They were ridiculously easy to defeat... He thought as he slashed apart another of the foul creatures.
The Undead forces began their retreat up the side of a great hill that continued for miles. As the Undead reached the top of the hill, the truth suddenly dawned on Shadowfury... "IT'S A TRAP!" He shouted, as the Undead dissapeared over the top of the hill. He was soon proven right as thousands of Undead warriors poured over the crest of the hill, letting out a horrific battlecry as they charged the Sentinels. The Night Elf forces, halfway up the tremendous hill slowed as they saw the advancing tide of death... The smarter Sentinel warriors made an about face, retreating from the Undead legion. The Undead poured over the few who did not fall back, like a huge, unstoppable wave. The Ghouls piled on top of the Night Elf warriors as the stampeding army flowed around them, and dragged the valiant but stupid Sentinels down to the ground, where they met their death at the feet of a thousand Undead.
The sky darkened, and roiling red clouds collected above the fleeing Sentinel army. Great winds and brutal rain plunged from the clouds, turning the wide open area into a mudland in mere minutes. Then, the skies rained fire as the Burning Legion's warriors plummeted into the world. Infernals smashed into the retreating line of Night Elves, hurling them through the air. Damnit, why... Why didn't I see this before! How could I have been so naive! Thought Shadowfury as he fled the advancing wall of Undead and Burning Legion forces. The Night Elf legion was thoroughly decimated by the time they reached another great hill... They would never make it over in time. The Night Elf forces turned to face death. They were Sentinels, and they wouldn't die without a fight. Then... As the Undead warriors closed in on the Sentinels, a single line of fire from beyond the hill behind the Night Elves traced a path across the sky to the center of the Undead ranks.
A massive fireball consumed dozens of the Scourge's warriors. A low rumbling from behind the Sentinel forces quickly grew into a raging cheer as Human forces poured over the hill, eerily similar to the entrance of the great Undead army. Footmen and Knights skidded down the side of the hill and charged for the Undead as hardy Dwarves with rifles and mortar tubes alike blew away Undead from the crest of the hill. The combined forces of the Night Elves and Humans engaged the Undead and Burning Legion together.
* * * * *
Kathris and the two others of her group stood in the center of a flat dirt field. It wasn't very large; maybe 30 yards across. A great wooden palisade wall surrounded the field, preventing entry and exit. They had been informed of their task this time around, and Kathris wasn't sure she would enjoy it. Three white Tigers, the traditional mount of a Priestess, would enter the field. However, these Tigers were not quite as tame as the mounts of the Disciples... They had been trained in the ways of war, but they were still feral creatures. The task of the Priestesses-in-training was to get one of the animals to trust them. The first one to do so would be the winner. However, the Sentinels had been left without armor. One swipe of the great Tiger paws would put an end to them.
Kathris watched as the three doors in the walls opened simultaneously. Looking through the doors, Kathris saw only shadows. And then the shadows moved, and the Tigers emerged. They calmly strode up to the Priestesses, and sniffed them; Kathris desperately wished she knew what they were thinking. One of the tigers nudged up against her and she had to focus all her will into preventing herself from flinching. The Tiger's touch was not unpleasant, but... It was somehow frightening. She knew she must not show fear, the Tiger would never trust her then. The Tiger that nudged her looked right at Kathris, and she met the great cat's gaze. The Tiger stared into Kathris's eyes for a long time, then nuzzled her. She likes me, Thought Kathris, who allowed herself to smile. She cautiously rose her hand to stroke the Tiger, and was just about to do so when a loud, squawking Owl's hoot caused the Tiger to jump away from Kathris and eye her cautiously. The Owl flew down and landed on Kathris's arm, and hooted excitedly.
"What are you trying to tell me, Owl?" Asked Kathris. The Owl hooted excitedly again, then it turned its head to look directly into Kathris's eyes... Suddenly, Kathris could see what the owl had seen... She saw a great battle, Night Elves, Humans, Demons, Undead all engaged in one huge melee... She saw the Night Elves and Humans falling, the Undead and Demons slowly but surely gaining the upper hand... Kathris blinked.
"Oh no..." She thought out loud... She turned to the Tiger, and walked over to it, fearless. She gently wrapped her arms around the Tiger's neck, and whispered urgently into its ear... "Please, Tiger, you must help me. The armies of the Night Elves are in danger, and all could be lost. Please, help me, so I can help them."
The Tiger gazed into Kathris's eyes for what seemed like an eternity, then let out an affirmative growl as it leaned down, allowing her to mount. Kathris quickly slid on to the Tiger's back, and they turned to face the door opening in the palisade wall. The Owl took off, and circled above them as the great door opened, and the Disciple of Elune walked in. "Congratulations, Kathris Starsong, you have pass--" Kathris never gave her a chance to finish as she rode her Tiger out the wide door, slipping by next to the Disciple. "Wait, where are you going!" The Disciple shouted after the Priestess.
"Sorry, but I don't have time to explain!" Kathris shouted back. Carried by the great white Tiger, she swiftly arrived at the Barracks, the Owl landing on her arm as she entered the great building. The Tiger let out a roar, and Sentinel warriors ran in from the various entryways to see what was going on.
"Sentinels, our sisters in arms are engaged in a great battle with the forces of the Scourge and Burning Legion! They are being crushed, even with the help of the Human army! We must go to their aid!" Said Kathris. By Elune, I hope they believe me!. The Night Elf warriors paused for a second, long enough to put doubts of their belief in Kathris's mind... But then, in one great burst of activity, the Sentinels rushed to ready themselves for battle. In just a few minutes, Kathris exited the building, hundreds of the Sentinel's Elite following her. She was met by the mounted figures of the Disciple of Elune, and several other Priestesses.
"What is the meaning of this," Asked the Disciple, her voice raging.
"I think my Owl can explain better than I."
* * * * *
The Undead were winning. It was obvious. The Night Elves and Humans had been surrounded, seperated into many little groups. They wouldn't last long. Shadowfury chopped through Ghoul after cursed Ghoul as his Immolate spell raged on. He could feel himself weakening, and he could feel the sharp pains from the slashes on his sides even more. There was no way he would live through this, and he knew it; But he fought on valiantly. Shadowfury knew it had been a losing battle from the moment the Burning Legion had appeared. The Humans had needlessly wasted their lives, and they had probably known that that was what they were doing coming in. There was much to think about, but no time to do so.
Shadowfury found himself fatigued, unable to go on. He sensed everyone around him felt the same. He turned around, and sensed death coming for him in the form of a massive, horrible creature, an Abomination in every sense of the word. He readied his blades, for one last fight.
The Demon Hunter charged forward, hurling himself high in the air. He sensed the Abominations rusty metal hook cut through the space below him, so close that he felt the breeze. He landed on the Abomination's shoulder, and swiftly severed one of the creatures smaller appendages. The Abomination shook the Hunter off, spraying blood from it's stump of an arm. It half roared, half gargled at Shadowfury before hurling itself at the Hunter, entrails dragging across the ground. The Demon Hunter dodged to the side, cutting the Abomination's flank as it passed. The Abomination ignored the pain, even enjoyed it... Shadowfury readied himself for the Abomination's next charge.
The Abomination never got a chance to even turn around, as a great blue flash of light swirled over the battlefield, materializing into hundreds of Sentinel warriors, led by a line of Priestesses. A hail of arrows bombarded the Undead ranks as the Huntresses charged forth, hurling their Moon Glaives with devastating effect. The Undead forces began to thin as the Night Elf reinforcements tore them apart. The end of the Undead's chances of victory was marked when the blood red clouds slowly brightened, and the brutal rain softened into the sheer beauty of the Keeper of the Grove's Tranquility spell. The Night Elf warriors found themselves refreshed, and took on the Undead with a vengeance. Seeing the hopelessness of the situation, the Undead forces were consumed by the swirling blue light of a Teleport.
Shadowfury dropped to his knees, breathing a sigh of relief. I'm... I'm alive... The Hunter tilted his head back, and sensed the clouds above clearing. For just a moment, nothing mattered... Then he just felt very, very tired. He collapsed on to his back, and drifted off into a quiet sleep.
* * * * *
Shadowfury awoke, and immediately sensed a somehow... familiar... presence beside him. He slowly sat up, and turned his head to face her. He somehow couldn't remember who she was, though... "Who are you?"
"My name is Kathris Starsong," She spoke.
"So, it's you..." Commented the Demon Hunter. "Could you explain to me why I am alive?"
"I brought reinforcements from Hyjal when I found out that you were fighting a losing battle."
"If you felt you were indebted to me for saving you from those Gnolls... You can consider your debt repayed."
"Of course."
A Disciple of Elune walked over to Kathris before any more was said. "Kathris, I must speak with you." The Disciple lead Kathris out of earshot of everyone else.
"What is it, Disciple?"
"I myself objected to this, but it is what is ordered..." Spoke the Disciple, frowning, "Although your actions saved the Sentinel army, you broke atleast a dozen of the laws and codes of the Night Elves in the process. Thus, you have been called back to Hyjal to be tried for treason. For the victory seen here today, I doubt they will convict you. But if they do, the consequences will be dire."
Well, now that I've created a cliffhangar to provide some curiosity over the future, I'll end this Part of the fanfic. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you have any comments/criticisms/recommendations/ideas/whatever I'd be glad to hear them.
|
|
|
|
|
Home
Forum
Starcraft Tournaments
