Prologue - LY1 (Previous entries). The survivors pressed on with hatred in their hearts and Mindy leading
the way. Armed with the directions provided by the scout, they quickly arrived
at the scene of the massacred hunting party. Although the monster had moved on,
fresh territorial markings were evident seemingly everywhere and little skill
was needed to follow.
Along the way, Mindy spotted a dark man-shaped figure in the distance
and approached without caution. She pulled its crossed arms away from its chest
and without warning, it detonated. Her outstretched limb was shredded though
she gave no cry of alarm. As if divorced from the realization that it was her
own hand, she gingerly wrapped the mangled stump in cloth and secreted several scraps
of flesh away.
As they continued on, the survivors passed caves of such unfathomable
darkness that none dare enter. As they rounded the borrow, they spotted their
quarry.
The lion, having recently gorged on a hefty meal, lay lazily near a
mound of tall grass. Eyes wide and without hesitation, the survivors descended
upon it with axe and sword. The initial blow severed the beast from its manhood.
It bellowed with fury; its depthless eyes never leaving Zira and the prize she
held aloft.
It remained on the defensive, lashing out with blunted claw at any who
would press the advantage. Mindy was backhanded again and again, spitting teeth
through her ravaged grin as her attacks were countered. Distracted and unfocused, the monster slowed before a dart sank deep between its eyes. The
survivors were victorious.
The survivors returned home to welcoming arms, painted in the blood of
their prey. The settlement gathered around a collection of lanterns as Mindy
regaled them with an account of the battle and a flask of juice distilled from
the lion was passed around.
Afterward, Morsey walked quietly toward Markus. Still recovering from
the mental trauma suffered during his awakening, he grimly looked up. Their
eyes met and an unspoken truth was shared. They grasped hands and walked silently
into the darkness with Mindy following in the shadows. Mindy returned alone shortly
thereafter, secluding herself at the far end of the settlement, a laden sack at
her waist. No one dared approach.
A new hunting party was formed and a bow, charms and various tinctures
prized from the lion were handed out.
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