The Beast in the Shadow of Man

The Beast and the Hunter

I was running, fast, faster than I ever had before. I didn't understand why, the trees were zooming by, ground moving quickly beneath my feet. Why am I running? I can't remember. Why can't I remember? A river rapidly approaches me, its too far apart, my feet picked up the pace, I'm going to jump. I can't jump over that, it's too far. But I keep going, the river approaches and I leap...

It had been storming all day. The old two-story tavern rattled when it thundered, there would be no attacks tonight. Village people had been mulling around the inside of the tavern. Sitting at tables or the bar, not wanting to go out into the rain. The Barmaid was cleaning some glasses humming to herself. A bard sat at the bar, taking a break from playing.

Everyone looked to the door with startled expression when its slammed open, a tall figure emerged from the door. A man, he shook off the rain that clung to his blood-red cloak and walked over to take a seat at the bar, Blond hair hung in his face, darkened from the heavy rainwater. He breathed out before talking in a low gruff voice, "I need a room and a map of the town and woods." He left no room for chatting as he reached for a pouch on his hip. Pulling out a few gold pieces and putting them on the bar top with a little too much force. The barmaid, Azora, nodded and took the gold. She pocketed it and turned around getting the room key and map. The villagers eyed the man wearily, having not seen him before. He turned his head towards some of them, giving a glare and low growl. Azora stood in front of him once again and cleared her throat. He looked back to her as she held out the key and map. "The huh, room is upstairs," she said as she pointed towards the stairs in the far side of the tavern. He took the key and map, standing up forcefully and headed towards the stairs. Keeping his head down, hair covering crimson eyes. "Who are you?" Azora called out from behind him, with a surge of courage. The man stopped in his tracks but didn't look up, the entire tavern held their breath, waiting for him to respond or attack.

"Alakay, Hunter of the red flower." He answered shortly, gruff voice echoing in the tavern "Why are you here?"
He turned around only for a moment and looked her dead in the eye.

"I have a Beast to Hunt", that's the last thing he said before he turned back around and walked up the stairs.

-

Two weeks had gone by. And Alakay still hadn't found the beast that had been killing the village people for the past few months. Two people have died since, unfortunate souls who left the safety of their homes in the night. Alakay spent most of his time in the tavern or Forrest, learning, watching. Trying to learn how they're being taken without anyone hearing or seeing.

Alakay sat at a table booth in the back of the tavern. Having just come from mapping out the wood, trying to learn them with little luck. He kept his gaze hard, observing the people mulling about. A figure obscured his vision, a man. Probably in his early twenties, stood before him. Shaggy black hair hung in his face, a red bandana tied around his forehead. Alakay glared at the man, brows pinching, "What?" He says short and harsh, the man noticeably flinched, looking quite nervous. He moved slightly, extending a hand across the table "Huh hi, I'm Ryo." He said, voice weary.

Alakay just continued to glare, looking down at his extended hand and back up to Ryo, not saying a word. Ryo got the message and returned his hand to his side, "I heard you are here to hunt the beast? I huh.. may be able to help"

Alakay perked up at that, sitting up straighter, one brow raised. He motioned for Ryo to sit, moving over in the round booth. He did, sitting down quickly. He then pulled out a rolled piece of paper, "I know the forest better than anyone, I have this map. But I'm the only one who can really read it" His voice, filled with more confidence and a little pride at his map.

Alakay stared at him for a moment, taking in his appearance that he didn't pay much attention to before. He has a lean frame but looks sturdy, his black hair is messy and uncut. The most notable thing is his golden eyes and the large scars running down the left side of his neck. They look like claw marks. Alakay moved his hand up to Ryo's neck lightly touching the scar, he could feel Ryo's body go rigid. "What's the from?" He questioned, removing his hand.