The Bodies Of the Bulwark

Chapter One

A Fate Lit Night

Freshly polished armor gleamed in the late afternoon light, every detail from the red sigil riveted onto the right shoulder to the intricate etchings of blood on the gauntlets and boots. Virsi had adjusted quickly to the night life of a Hunter, joining the day as it began to slow. She made a habit to clean and polish her armor before and after every hunt. She couldn't say the same for her cloak, the pelt from her first kill, its head mounted on her left shoulder. A symbol of her worthiness, to be amongst the Executioners was a privilege most only dreamed of. She tried to maintain it but with every night filled with conflict it is hard to maintain something as fragile as a beast's hide. But that was years ago now, when she first was put through the trials. 

The wooden steps of the barracks creaked under the weight of her and her armor. Virsi looked out into the city, the only city, the home of all humanity. But also the home of a plague, a plague that turns the mentally corrupted into bloodthirsty beasts. These beasts usually took the form of a pre-cataclysm fairytale known as a werewolf. Virsi could only imagine a world before the gods fell into their civil war. But that was besides the point, she always told herself, no point in thinking about a bygone era especially when she had a job to do. Her plate clicked and clattered as she walked down the cobbled street towards the Executioner's Hall. Every day at 5 pm every Hunter gathered at their respective hall to receive their nightly duties. It ranged from patrols to Hunting any beasts that had escaped, the night prior, to the slums. This night Virsi was tasked with checking up on a couple of nobles who showed signs of possible change and corruption.

Heavy boots treaded the moonlit street. "Just one more to check and then I'm done." she inhaled sharply. The night had been long for her, too long almost. She shook that feeling off and trudged on towards the last one. Rounding the street a hulking shadow blocked out the moon ahead of her, she could see a smaller shadow engaging it. Clunk. Clunk. Clunk. Her boots hit the stones in perfect timing until the last hit launched her into melee with the beast and the other Hunter.

Steel and bone met multiple times as the two Hunters battled the beast. One could say it was a dance of death, every swipe was elegantly deflected or dodged, parried and countered. Virsi had barely any time to take in the looks of her new found ally except for the poncho of feather like scalemail and leather bound bird mask. In only a few minutes the beast was dispatched and Virsi doffed her helm releasing her brown hair to fall loose and to get a better look at her now defeated foe and new friend. Her eyes fell upon the monster on the ground, its limp body was covered in wounds, scraps of cloth and pieces of armor barely held on by stretched leather straps. The sound of panting brought her attention to the warrior next to her, heavy breaths muffled by the mask still sounded loud in the now quiet night. Between gasps of breath they spoke "Thank" inhale "you" exhale "for the" inhale "help." exhale. The warrior looked down at her gut, lifting her hand to reveal a wound across her abdomen, looking back up to Virsi she fainted.

Glancing around she grabbed some cloth from the beast and tightly tied it around the unconscious warrior trying to stem the blood loss. Virsi fumbled to remove the mask, her adrenaline suddenly hitting her again. Once removed, underneath the mask was a dark haired woman, Virsi leaned in close, she could hear breathing. "That's a good sign." she mumbled to herself, she had never been given any medical training. Knowing that the Hunter was safe she dragged her over to a building and leaned her against it, "Stay with me, I'm going to get help, you're going to be fine." Virsi whispered before standing and giving a smile. Clunk. Clunk. Clunk. She ran down the street towards the Legios Hall. It was still over a mile away but it was the closest one, she had left her helm and weapon behind to lighten the load, she was now starting to regret that. A feeling of eyes followed her as she got closer to the Hall, it felt like whatever it was, was getting closer to her.

She could see the Hall now, its torches lit and red banners flying in the night. She finally gave in and looked over her shoulder, she once again wished she hadn't, right behind her was an emaciated beast and it was almost on her. A loud bang ringed out and the smell of blackpowder filled the air, turning her attention back towards where she was going, her eyes locked with a Hunter aiming a rifle at her. "Duck!" He shouted, she hit the cobble as another shot rang out and the smell of powder hit her again as the beast yelped tumbling to the ground. "All clear." the Hunter called. She got to her feet, before she could even say thank you he spoke. "Where's your weapon Hunter? Are you insane!" It was a weird combination of reprimand and concern. "Too heavy had to leave it behind, now do you have a medic on standby? It's urgent." She was finally able to catch her breath. The only response he gave was a nod before giving a whistle towards the hall, the Legios had developed their own vocal signals for simple yet important things like medics or ambushes to name a couple. 

A few moments later an older scraggly man came running out carrying all sorts of bags and supplies. "This here is our Dr. Vetris, he's been a Hunter for 30 years now, he can help you." Dr. Vetris gave a smile "After you madame." gesturing out his arm. Rounding the corner she was happy to see that the Hunter was still there. "There." Virsi said picking up her pace, she wasn't sure how much time they had left. The Doctor knelt down text to the dark haired Hunter, taking a quick glance at the wound "I need you to back up, this could get a bit messy.". Stepping back, the doctor began his work. "Alright that, should, do it!" Virsi snapped back to reality, she had slumped against a wall and dozed off once the adrenaline wore out. "Thank you so much sir, I can take it from here you must be exhausted." She bolted up, reaching a hand out to shake his. "No problem my dear, do you know her?" He fixed his glasses as he glanced up at her. "Uh no actually, I found her fighting that beast and aided her. She must have been wounded in the fight." She lifted her sword pointing to the Corrupted behind him. He simply nodded, giving a wave as we walked back towards the Legios Hall.

The sun was beginning to creep over the buildings when the other Hunter woke. She groaned as she tried to sit up, Virsi was able to find enough padding to lay her down instead of just leaning against the building. "Hold on I got you, don't move." Virsi stood up from the sidewalk where she was sitting, she had been hoping to find a carriage willing to bring them to the Crow Hall. Picking her up bridal style she was able to get the Hunter to her feet. "Oh I'm Virsi Delraise by the way." She stuck out her grime and dirt colored gauntlet. "Thank you Ms. Del-" "Just call me Virsi!" she cut her off, she was never one for formal titles. "Oh, ok Virsi. Well Thank you for saving my life. You can call me Testuda." She gave a small smile to Virsi.