Fiction:Angels of the Hunting Isle

New Team of Hunters
The sun shone in the skies of the Tropical Lands of at another day of 32 New Age's summer. Waves hit the shores as a boat carrying multiple individuals docked into the small port of Olimarius Hub, the one and only city of the Mikmik fairies located next to the sea. In this ship, tourists, merchants and hunters all talked among themselves about what they planned to do in this elusive and mysterious place, hidden away from civilization yet so full of interesting things to be explored. This was Hyperion Island, located several kilometers north from other more known islands such as Sprak or Khrokar, yet still a vivid place full of life and magic few were familiar with.

Amongst the convention of hunters and poachers that sought trophies, experience, and personal accomplishment, one garnered many looks from a great number of eyes from all around; the wild elven mistress - the Aithrena known by formality as the Outcast Huntress - had appeared upon the isle of Hyperion, bow and arrows in hand alongside her hunting blades. As one would have come to expect from such a figure, she had come with the intention in hand of seeking only the finest and most challenging of prey native to these far-off lands. Landing a near distance from the port was a surprising sight: a, one of the violent brethren of the Fire Drakes of the east. Such creatures were not common to this region, but by the saddle n its back, it was obviously domesticated. And climbing down from it was an elf of Erylian origin, her long brown hair flowing with the wind as she took a look around the village, a stoic look on her face as she did. By her stance and uniform, it was clear she was from the military.

The sight of the colossal wyvern had caught the eagle eyes of the Aithrenan elf, and while a curiosity within her bosom was invoked at the mere thought of a person coming to ride such a graceful and elegant harbinger of ferocity, she had not convinced herself to act upon it so soon. Instead, she merely waltzed through the crowds of hunters, to catch a more detailed glimpse at the spectacle that had unfolded before her. Olimarius Hub was a beacon of activity, with men, elves and beasts alike all interacting with the natives: the blue-skinned mikmik fairies, who displayed a very welcoming attitude toward all of them, with an almost child-like glee. Commerce was also clearly a thing here as several stores of miscellaneous items could see seen everywhere, as well as more specialized buildings such as smiths. The Erylia Elf saw herself welcomed by the fairies as her wyvern growled at them, only for the small creatures to retaliate by gushing water at its face from their apparently invisible mouths, causing the dragon to yell out in surprise and the fire elf to shake her fist at the fairies as they ran away giggling.

While the Erylian and her pet became acquainted with the natives of the isle of Hyperion, the Outcast Huntress stepped closer, glancing towards the wyvern and watching both it and its owner with a thorough analysis. Soon enough, shoving aside a beastman hunter as she strolled through the crowds, the Aithrenan concluded her approach by stepping at the Erylian's side, arms at her sides, with her head tilted upon its side, displaying an expression of interest in both the wyvern and its rider - her eyes were drawn especially to the rider's uniform.


 * Khadya - That is a big wyvern.

The fire elf's gaze turned to Khadya with a raised eyebrow as she cleaned her uniform, while the wyvern behind her narrowed its eyes as it glared at the Aithrena Elf, a low growl coming out of it.


 * Filonan - I recommend not getting too close, lest he decide to make you his snack.
 * Khadya - My experience with wildlife tells me that despite his domestic status, he retains the fierce nature of all wyverns. But he is a fine spectacle nonetheless, utterly commendable. ... Does he carry a name?
 * Filonan - Does it really matter to you? You're most certainly not the Mikmik chieftain, and he's the one I'm here for.
 * Khadya - Well is that not a coincidence? I was also on my way to pursue the Mikmik chieftain until I caught a glimpse of your... pet.
 * Filonan - Shouldn't you be on your way to find him then?
 * Khadya - I could ask the same, I do not see why anyone interested in the cheiftain would waste their time around these parts when there is hunting to be done. ... I would ask if we could go attend together, but your hospitality is clearly as lacking as my patience today.

A mildly annoyed groan came out of Filonan as she turned around, taking a step toward her dragon in order to reach for her weapon, which was being held in a belt around its back: her valued spear, the same used by the warriors of the 's Wyvernrider Legion. The wyvern barred its teeth to Khadya as it glared at her. Khadya huffed with irritation as she turned and brushed various strands of hair out of her face and over her shoulder, walking away from the Erylian and her wyvern mount although not before glancing towards the weapon that Filonan wielded; the manner in which it was structured, the materials it was constructed from, the method which Filonan used to wield it. She could tell that behind the uniform was an experienced veteran of conflict.

And it irked her to think; what was a veteran doing here when one could be spending their time elsewhere lest they be a thrill seeker much like the Outcast Huntress herself? In a close distance away was the largest building in the village, the chieftain's hut, and next to it appeared to be some sort of board with several pieces of paper, each holding what appeared to be a request in it. Taking care of the board were a pair of cheerful Mikmik girls, while next to the entrance of the large hut was an older looking Mikmik, who looked around lazily as he sat down on a chair, his eyes nearly invisible beneath his hat. Standing beside the board, eyes looking over the sheets of paper that were pinned unto it and attempting to read each request and offer that happened to be accompanied with a picture. was a figure of considerable size; a beastwoman - an, specifically - with a halberd grasped loosely within her left palm, her hair braided and armour worn. She had placed a hand upon her chin, rubbing it as she appeared in thought.


 *  - Huh. I can't read.

Striding past the Oevrumine with little concern, Khadya strolled barefoot across the trail that led towards the large hut occupied by the chieftain, her irritation from the prior meeting with the inhospitable Erylian having calmed itself by the time she walked passed the board. Making an approach for the hut, Khadya eyed the Mikmik that adorned headwear and sat outside of the entrance of the hut, and she called towards him with an inquisitive tone.


 * Khadya - Can I speak to the chieftain?

The Mikmik tip his hat up in order to reveal his eyes, and as he eyed Khadya, he spoke.


 * Mikmik - That'd be me. Who are you, girl?
 * Khadya - The Outcast Huntress, Khadya. The Grotesque. You heard of me?
 * Mikmik - Grotesque? My my, I wouldn't call you that, that's for certain... And indeed, I've heard of the Outcast Huntress more than once. Apparently an admirable, well, huntress.
 * Khadya - Some say admirable, others say intimidating. Depends on the one you happen to be asking, but thank you. Would you be so kind as to inform as per the rules established for hunters upon this isle and where I may find... worthy prey?
 * Mikmik - You plan on hunting? All by your lone self? I'm afraid you shouldn't do that.
 * Khadya - And why would that be?
 * Mikmik - The island is becoming... slightly dangerous. Dangerous enough for us to consider not letting people go out there alone.
 * Filonan - That is the reason I'm here.

Filonan walked up to the Mikmik chieftain, bumping into Khadya as she forced herself into view, carrying her spear on her back.


 * Filonan - My superiors have detected a source of dark power emanating in this location and I've been sent to investigate and eliminate it, depending of its nature.
 * Khadya - And here I was, standing and wondering as to why a veteran of the Sovereignty would be here to simply hunt animals and garner trophies. I knew that one dressed and fitted as a soldier was no real hunter.
 * Mikmik - Well, aren't you an eager one! You want to hunt too, hm?
 * Filonan - ...What? I'm here on official business.
 * Mikmik - Don't be shy, young girl. I am Chieftain Louihar and I'm more than eager to let you be Khadya's partner!
 * Filonan - ...W-what!?
 * Khadya - ... Whoa, hey now. I have little to do with the Erylian, we did not even arrive upon the isle by the same means. Plus I much prefer to work alone.
 * Louihar - Ain't that too bad.
 * Khadya - ... Well this is simply perfect.
 * Louihar - You might not know, but I'm a fairy. A tough fairy full of magic! And you know one thing I can do with this here leaf antenna on my head? Detect good synergies, good potential partnerships. To survive Hyperion Island, one must master not just hunting skills, but also cooperation and companionship. Miss brownie, I'll be more than eager to have a chat with you about the dark presence, after you prove yourself to me by participating in hunts.
 * Filonan - But... but... agh. You're lucky my superiors told me to comply to your culture.
 * Khadya - And this is why I live without superiors, I think you shall find. And considering that I have much more experience traversing the wilderness than you - presumably - I guess that I can be considered your superior, hm?
 * Filonan - Go get dressed before addressing me like that.
 * Khadya - Tone down your bitch-o-meter and I might allow you to leave the wilderness without having lost more than a single finger or toe.
 * Louihar - Boy, that attitude'll make you amazing meals for the Poison Drakes!
 * Khadya - ... The fat fairy thing is right, to survive traversing the wilderness and stalking prey, you must understand three things; yourself, your target, and your allies. And standing around doing little more than arguing shan't really be considered a step in the right direction.
 * Filonan - ...Right, right. You're correct.
 * Louihar - I'll let you know I'm not fat, I'm big boned! Regardless, two is still not enough. We'll need a third person if you want to survive out there... Oh! I know!

Louihar grabbed his cane and pointed it at the board, and most especially, Saranhreia.


 * Louihar - You! Minotaur! You'll hunt with these two elves!

The Oevrumine woman's ears perked as Louihar called towards her, and she brought herself to turn away from the board to glance at the Mikmik chieftain and the elven duo standing ahead of him. Looking over the two elves briefly and swiftly without much consideration as per their equipment the might Saranhreia tilted her head, looking on in confusion.


 * Saranhreia - What's this about elves?
 * Louihar - You. Hunt with them. Team of three.
 * Saranhreia - ... Cannot see why not.
 * Khadya - By the gods please no.
 * Filonan - O-Oevrumine?
 * Louihar - Perfect! Now be friends, the three of you, or you're not gonna last a single hour out there! Now, allow me to explain how we Mikmik operate.

Getting down from his chair, Louihar walked over to the board Saranheia was failing to read from, pointing his cane at it.


 * Louihar - This is the request board, where the island inhabitants report about possible hunts or events. We Mikmik grow from the flesh of monsters' tails, and your goal is to bring us monsters so we may carve their tails and create more Mikmik seeds, and of course, food for us and yourself. If you do this, we'll be glad to give you rewards which may involve precious metals or whatever else you may be into, and if you get us carves from particularly powerful beasts, we might even be able to craft great weapons from them.
 * Saranhreia - ... Holy shit a talking salamander.
 * Khadya - So you wish for us to go and carve trophies from our foes in order to bring them back so that rewards can fall into place? A worthy incentive if I have ever came across one. ... I am still wondering as to what you saw in the Oevrumine, however.
 * Saranhreia - Hm? Another Oevrumine, where? ... Oh.
 * Louihar - Yup! Now, let's see a good way to getr you started. Hmmm...

Reading through the letters on the board, Louihar eventually reached a hand and took one of them, before his face showed satisfaction.


 * Louihar - Ah, yes. The perfect beginners' hunt. The Great Raptouros.
 * Saranhreia - What's so great about it?
 * Louihar - The Great Raptouros, the golden lord of Hyperion's raptors! The alpha male of the Raptouros race! Small, nimble and not very strong, but their numbers can make any unprepared hunter beg for mercy. Raptouros hunt in packs, initiates! And you will get past these packs and bring me the corpse of their alpha male!
 * Saranhreia - I'm worried about how enthusiastic this guy is about killing those things. ... Can't say I blame him though.
 * Khadya - Packs, hm? A definite challenge, to be sure, but nothing that the three of us should not be able to handle. As long as you all allow me to remain in charge, that is.
 * Saranhreia - Who are you again?
 * Filonan - Well, as we've been forced to work together, I suppose the least I should do is present myself. I am Filonan Aerember, and my wyvern is Daggis.
 * Louihar - No wyvern allowed in the hunts. That's literally cheating.
 * Filonan - Oh, come on!
 * Saranhreia - Hehehe, who needs a wyvern when you have an Oevrumine?
 * Khadya - Rather, who needs stealth when you have an Oevrumine? Ugh. Well, I am Khadya the Grotesque, the Outcast Huntress of the Western Forests, and--
 * Saranhreia - Saranhreia. They call me the Nomad Juggernaut. ... Well, they call me a lot of things really. Not many of them are nice things.
 * Louihar - Well then. Filonan, Khadya and Saranhreia. Each of you will receive a map to the island's regions which'll include your target's location. Now, chop-chop! Those tails won't get themselves!

Khadya nodded, eyeing her two new comrades with a degree of discomfort as she drew her bow and arrow; it took much of her willpower simply to not pull the string and launch the arrowhead into her own face as she gave the Oevrumine sentinel a second glance, watching as she took a brief moment to enjoy the pictures on the requests documents nailed to the board. Saranhreia looked down at the two elven women, smiling in their direction and exposing her sharp, intimidating canines as she did so, attempting - and failing - to appear hospitable.


 * Khadya - Kill me.
 * Saranhreia - Cheer up, it'll be fun. Besides, I do not get to travel with people often, and by the looks of it neither do you two, K-Kh-Kh.... K-Kh... White and Brown.
 * Filonan - This is gonna be a long mission.