Chronicles of Absolution: A Hunter's Vision

Chapter 1

It is time.

Those were the only words that had been spoken by the medicine man. He didn't mean that it was time for them to go. It meant that they were of the age to start seeking for the time to go. It just happened that this night felt right for the both of them and yet there was trouble for the tribe.

The creature that had plagued their tribal lands for years had returned and it seemed that it was out for vengeance. Years ago one of the hunters sought to kill it and thus ending its reign. In the end it seemed the creature was further enraged. It continued to come and prey upon the People but mostly taking what was considered precious, the children.

Other hunters were sent, the ones that had been given the sign and the blessing but few returned. Those that went had the shadow upon their faces, as if they couldn't contemplate what they had seen. Only one was able to say that the creature had the appearance of a man but it wasn't a man and not of this world. It had the other hunters worried if they were to be sent next to deal with this though some boasted that they weren't afraid.

So in effect it was a bad time to go on this journey but every hunter and warrior, everyone no matter their station went on this quest in their own time and marked the passage from child to adult. It was why she was out here with her brother. They were going on their vision quest to find their spirit that would guide them into the people they were to be and define their purpose.

It was dangerous to split off but a quest was done in private even though they had always done things together. The quest was to provide a deep understanding of their purpose in this life and possibly into the next. She was ready to go and so was he. The medicine man gave his blessing even though there were apprehensions within the tribe and yet they were viewed on in awe.

It would be a journey that would last as many days as it took to find their spirit and they had to be prepared in both mind and body. She looked at her brother and they shared a look of understanding as they continued their journey up into the mountains. At the big boulder, they separated, each wishing the other luck and continued on their own.

The forest was dark and the perfect hiding place for the creature. The shadows provided the cover needed to spring any traps that would just tickle the creature to their fancy. It was also a night for hunters. If the hunters were to be sent, they would have a benefit on their side. The hunter's moon was always a night for a successful hunt especially when the warriors went with them to do the duty that few others in the world knew about.

She looked around the forest, she remembered the lessons she had been taught by the elders. They were the lessons passed on through the generations back to the beginnings of the People and all part of the sacred duty established in order to protect humanity. It was a great honor and a burden that couldn't be carried lightly and only by the hunters and warriors that had received their spirit.

Looking around and shouldering her bow, she trudged on to find the place where she was to wait. The journey was a personal one and it did scare her a little. Mostly it had to do with the gift that she had been born with and the People had a wary respect of. She had dreams and they weren't just any dreams, they were dream visions.

She had started receiving them since she was a little girl, about when she was six. She saw when the elder's son would suffer a severe injury to his leg after being thrown from his horse. She told one of the women and she was dismissed. When it happened, it wasn't made an issue of but when she said that the tribe was in danger and described the enemy… When it happened, people started noticing her and that started the whispers. They also noticed her brother who had other talents that emphasized the ideals of the People.

They hadn't been treated any different from the other children. They were all raised by the entire group and were taught how to care and fight for one another; that the tribe's survival was dependent upon everyone's contribution and attention to their jobs. Of course they were given extra lessons into developing their talents.

A noise brought her to attention to the moment at hand. She held her bow ready at hand just in case the creature came for her. Lately it had been after the younglings, the ones who were just about to be declared ready to meditate for their time. A few bodies had turned up and the hunters had been dispatched and a few of them turned up mutilated.

Her thoughts turned to the dream that she had that determined it was time for her to go on her quest. It had come two nights ago and at first it had scared her. Yet when she had the same one the next night, it became clear to her that she was to go on her vision quest and the one who walked the ages would come to her.

She was walking through the forest, on the trail that led deep into it. Sitting on a boulder was a hawk. It was beautiful with dark brown feathers. The tips seemed to be tinged with blondish tips. The eyes though were unique. They were not typical eyes of a hawk since they were of golden amber. It was like they were fiery orbs but they held warmth despite the gaze of the hawk.

It looked at her and took off flying down the trail. She followed, drawn by its flight. She ran through the forest, her speed cutting through the brush until she came to the great lake. She had never been there before but had heard the stories of that place from the hunters that dared to venture near it but they didn't hold to the sight before her.

It was a beautiful sight with the mists curling over the water as smooth as a mirror. The trees were tall and spoke of their old age. The only thing marring the beauty was the sound of battle. She followed the sounds to the clearing.

It was a sacred clearing judging by the markings on the rocks and trees. The creature was there and she was surprised and terrified. She had never seen it before but it was there. She knew what it was by the loo of it. She watched as it battled with its foe and sent him flying. Another came out of the woods with a sword and swung it at the creature. He too was thrown aside and the creature roared in anger as it turned to look at her. Then she saw it.

She heard it then, the cry of the hawk. She turned to see the hawk looking from a boulder. Then it flew towards the mist and towards a hooded figure standing with the wolf. She blinked as the figure stood there but the hawk was gone. Only the hooded figure was there and it was holding a blade. It was not like the ones she had seen before and there was a marking on the hand that wielded it.

She watched as the figure ran forward. The creature roared as if to accept the challenge. The two collided like two boulders forced together. She saw the blade glint in the light even though there was no sun. She had never seen a blade like that before as it struck the creature and it cried out in pain. The hooded figure then turned and she was able to catch a glimpse of the face. It was mostly in shadow but she could see the eyes and they were like the hawk's…

When she had awoken she was certain that she was to go on her vision quest and she would meet the figure who was guided by the hawk and the wolf. It was a puzzling image since warriors and hunters were guided by one animal. The witches called them familiars. The ones that were physical manifestations were the ones that followed the witches and warlocks. The spiritual ones remained with the warriors and the hunters.

The idea that the figure was her spirit vision was a bit absurd but she knew that she would meet her true spirit familiar along with what she saw in her dream. That she might meet the creature was also a given and she was prepared to do that. She had been trained to hunt and kill the things that threatened the People and humanity.

A rustling caused her to look. She was near where she was to begin. She could feel it. The wind was still and it looked like it was going to be a quiet night. Still she didn't relinquish the bow from her hand. She held it ready to bring up just in case.

There was a soft growl and she turned. Quietly she withdrew an arrow and held it ready to fire. She looked around, relying not only on her eyes but her other senses. She turned slowly and in an alert posture. She continued but slowly and with rapt attention to anything that seemed out of place. Her feet crossed over each other as she advanced.

The growling seemed to get closer and she paused to listen. It was something out there. Whether or not it was the creature was something she would have to find out. She had only heard sparse descriptions of what it looked like in its beast form. Her vision showed her the creature to be a man of sorts.

Aside from the creature, the forest was home to other creatures aside from the usual animals. They just wanted to be left alone. Not all creatures that were of the night attacked humans. There were those that just wanted to live and found ways to coexist. The hunters left them alone and in return some provided good advice to the new hunters. Unfortunately their views weren't as compatible with the views of the hunters that passed through.

Looking around, she saw nothing out of the ordinary but her instincts were on full alert. Something was coming. The rustling of the brush told her that. When the moon cleared, she saw a glimpse of something. It had been stalking her and it was growling. It might be the creature. She drew back to be ready. She fired when she saw it lunge at her.

The arrow whistled through the air. It must have hit because the growl turned into a dull roar. It charged and straight at her. She readied another arrow and took the time to aim. She released it and it hit the shoulder… at least she thought it was the shoulder. It just made the thing angry and it continued to charge. There was only one other option in this situation since she was stuck in the forest until she received her vision and that was probably the oldest tradition and training methods of the hunters. That tradition was to run.

She turned and ran and the thing gave chase. She knew that she couldn't outrun the thing so she made do trying to lose it. At one point she thought she lost it since it grew quiet but she couldn't just rely on the obvious. She looked around and studied her surroundings. She listened and looked around.

Suddenly something broke through the brush nearby and she saw it. It bared its teeth at her. All she said was, "Very clever," and it broke through the brush in a charge.

The table crumbled under the weight as the body landed on in with a hard crash. The wood splintered and clattered on the ground and few odds and ends fell down and crashed on the ground. The body writhed in pain from the collision on the ground.

"Sam!"

Dean looked at the one responsible for his brother lying on the ground. His eyes contorted with the rage that always came when someone hurt his brother. He took a breath to control his temper since he knew better in that being angry led to stupid and reckless maneuvers. He held his gun in his hand and looked at his foe, "So you want to try with someone like me?"

The man standing there looked at Dean and gave a slow and wry grin. He was as tall as Sam which was why he started laughing. "Take your best shot little man," he replied.

Dean brought his gun up, prepared to shoot. He wouldn't mind shooting this bastard. Not at all since this warlock was the one who had been killing people in that town and all the bodily fluids… Dean cocked his gun and his finger rested on the trigger.

Suddenly Dean was knocked aside and he collided with the wall. It was automatic for him to mutter, "Sonofabitch."

The warlock laughed as he said something in some language and his eyes flickered when he motioned towards Sam. Sam slid across the ground and collided with a wall or rather the base of the bookcase and the contents and the shelves fell on him. The warlock grinned with glee at the prospect of getting on up on hunters. They were an annoyance in his work.

Hunters always came around trying to hunt him but they never succeeded. Some left with their tails between their legs to tell the story and some didn't come back at all. Only the bravest and foolish dared to come after him and it looked like the Winchesters were in that category and so he aimed to have fun with them.

The warlock turned just as Dean leapt forward and with a motion of his hand, pinned Dean to the wall. The force was so great that Dean's body made a dent in the wall. The warlock advanced towards Dean saying, "You know I never thought that a Winchester would be so stupid to take me on. Surely you've heard the stories?"

Dean grunted from the force. That hurt like a bitch and being pinned wasn't helping either. He gritted his teeth and managed to reply, "Yeah about your ugly mug killing people."

The warlock laughed at that. "You are amusing. You must be the comedian. I'm not killing people. I kill criminals."

"Yeah that kid you just offed was a criminal. What he do? Trampled your grass?" Dean gritted his teeth as he looked over where Sam was unconscious. He looked okay but it was hard to tell from his pinned position.

The warlock laughed a deep chortle. He took a few steps closer so that he was close enough to spit into Dean's face if he wanted to. "That kid was a druid that was taking a walk on the dark side. Within a few years he would have been after your innocent people. Oh and that old broad? She was a witch who deserved to die for her indiscretions."

"And I suppose the fact that they were all members of your family doesn't matter to you?"

The warlock turned to see a woman standing in the middle of his messed up living room. She was dressed in black except for the chocolate brown jacket. She had dark hair that fell just past her shoulder blades. The locks curled naturally in a wave on the tail and seemed to float. He noticed the tattoo on her right hand and there was something on her wrists but the cuffs of the jacket were covering it. All in all she was beautiful and the tawny eyes made her look exotic. He said, "Well maybe I did get a little overboard but I guess some good came out of it. I get to see one of Charlie's angels."

"Bout time. Where the hell you've been?"

The warlock looked at the woman who was standing there. She was unarmed and wondered if she was one of the stupid hunters that came by. He looked at Dean and added just a little bit of pressure and said, "I wonder that myself though I don't know you sweetness. Are you one of those stupid hunters to come in here unarmed?"

Dean perked up when he heard that. He glanced over at Angela who was standing there. He didn't see any of her usual arsenal she carried on the job. There was nothing. What was she thinking? They were dealing with a warlock and not just any warlock but a powerful killer. The guy had killed people over a span of twenty or so years in different towns and some were in the most grotesque manner possible. It was stupid to go in unprepared but then again…

Ever since that siren case, Angela had been a bit on a John Wayne attitude. She was subtle about it though and that was a sort of good thing since Sam would sure have been griping about it. Then there was the thing about being late when they went in for the kill but she always was there. This was the first time she came right in the middle of a job and they were in trouble. He and Sam were in trouble and it looked like she was going to be in trouble soon enough.

Angela looked at the warlock and replied, "I've been called a lot of things. Stupid was probably sometime in 1930 or something. Then again you learn things."

"Doesn't answer the question about your reason for being here unarmed," the warlock replied as he started to walk towards Angela. "What tricks to do you have up your sleeve?"

Angela pulled back the sleeve on her left to reveal her watch. With a deft hand movement she pulled out a card that was the ace of spades. She did a finger movement and showed the one eyed jack of the same suit. "Just a bunch of card tricks. You know sleight of hand," she replied. She made a flashy movement with her hands to emphasize her dialogue choice while she took a step forward. "Nothing else."

"Don't screw around," Dean muttered, knowing that she would hear every word he said even if she pretended not to. She had that way of doing that.

Both looked at Dean. The warlock said, "I don't think anyone gave you permission to talk flea. Maybe I should consider having you cool it?" He raised his hand and said the spell chant. His eyes flickered but the desired effect didn't occur. He frowned at that. "What the…?"

"The funny thing about spell chants is that there is almost always a counter chant somewhere in there. It depends on what you find."

The warlock turned to see Angela standing there. She was standing with her hands to her side as she looked at him. He then glanced at Dean who was looking just as stunned as he was. He didn't know that Dean had seen her do something similar to him with the eyes flickering. "That is usually the case. And how does a hunter know that?"

"An enlightened one?" Angela offered the answer in the form of a question. She gave a questioning look designed to annoy and infuriate by pretending to be stupid.

The warlock gave a wry chuckle at that. This one wasn't stupid. That he was sure of. "You tell me." His features then contorted into one that was serious. He said a spell chant and had his hand out and pointed at Angela.

Angela slowly smiled and dodged the intended blow. She rolled along the floor and popped up in a crouched position and made a motion with her hand. Her eyes flickered and she watched the warlock fly back. She then popped up and charged forward to pounce.

The warlock hadn't anticipated that and wasn't able to get a spell chant out but he did manage to block the incoming strike. He hadn't been in a good fight in a long time. This was going to be fun. He countered with the moves he had learned over the years. He liked the fact that she was able to counter with the moves he gave. It was like a little dance of hands and feet colliding with each other in blocked punches and kicks.

At one point they locked limbs and the warlock grasped the forearm of Angela. He grunted but he couldn't help but chuckle and smile, "You are good. Most would have been down for the count by now."

Angela grunted a bit as she tried to move to get an upper hand on the warlock. She ended up getting pushed away but she landed on the ground in a crouch position. She had one hand down to support her fall but her eyes never left her opponent. Her eyes flickered their fiery look as she eyed her opponent. She replied, "Looks like there are a few rounds left in me. Wanna go another round… sweet thing?" She moved her head like she was being sarcastic and coy at the same time.

"Most assuredly," the warlock said. He then said something and his eyes glowed.

Angela moved around and avoided the blow mostly but it clipped her on the shoulder. She ended up colliding with a shelf on the edge. She felt it in her back but her adrenaline was up. The time for games was over. She responded with a spell chant and her orbs glowed brighter. She caught warlock full on and it was clear that he didn't expect that attack. It allowed her to move to get right into his face but he was good.

The warlock didn't expect the attack and it was clear that magic wasn't going to work. So he went with drastic measures and pulled a knife. He slashed with a wide arc and Angela jumped back to avoid the swipe. She used her forearm to block the weapon wielding forearm but he ended up getting a slice in on her shoulder. That only spurred her on to fight back.

With a lightning quick move she dodged the last swipe and charged forward. She used a spell chant to knock the blade out of his hand and she came up and got around behind the warlock. She got him in a headlock and held tight.

"Seems like things are drawing to a close," the warlock said. "Well I guess I had a good run and proved that the family is getting soft and got a few criminals off the street." He then muttered something in a language that was old.

Angela heard what the warlock said and understood what it meant. She hesitated just a moment as if to think about it. Then without hesitation she twisted her arms and broke the warlock's neck. She then said, "One less with you off the street."

The body dropped to the ground with a thud just as Dean's feet hit the ground with a thud. He took a deep breath and walked over to where Angela was standing over the body. He then went over to help Sam up who was trying to clear his head from being knocked around. He glanced over at Angela who was still looking at the body and said, "Glad to see that you could make it, Angie. You have somewhere more important you have to be?"

Angela didn't look at Dean but said, "Yeah, trying on learning spells to counter what a seven hundred year old warlock could do and they aren't easy to learn especially since they are as old as…" She made a slight gesture to indicate the age of the spells. "I guess it's a good thing that I did my research on this guy." She looked up at Dean.

At that moment, the world seemed to fade. Angela knew that she was having a vision since the room of the house filtered away. She was standing in the middle of a forest and in a clearing. She could see a few boulders and they had symbols on them. She was not familiar with them but they did look Native American. The mist was flowing upwards and she could hear the faint sound of the warlock's words in her ears.

She just stood there in the clearing and watched as a young girl came in. She had dark, long straight hair, dark eyes and was dressed like a hunter. She carried a bow over her shoulders and she seemed to be looking for something.

Hey are you going to just stand there?

Angela focused on the girl. She had war paint on her face consistent with the Native American tribes. She heard her say something and then something moved through in the mist but was in shadow. It was fairly large and the girl was alert. She raised her bow with arrow drawn…

Angie… Angie!

Angela looked up and saw the boys looking at her. They looked like they were a bit shocked at something and it was in her direction. Looking around there was the mess of the room but when she looked down she noticed the tattoo on the underside of her right wrist along with Orion's belt gem glowing. Oh crap.

A/N: Welcome to A Hunter's Vision and looks like things have kicked off to an interesting start. Angie seems to have gotten more physical. Something going on? Keep watching for next time, same channel...