.Chapter 10.

The Hunt

The night was progressing slowly; far too slowly for Link's taste. The sun had gone down well over two hours ago and they had to wait until well after moonrise before they could set out on the hunt. That didn't mean he had to stay put in one place so, after some time prowling the caves and getting better acquainted with those he shared it with, he decided he needed a walk outside to settle his nerves.

The trip down the rocks was a bit trickier than the climb up but he'd pull it off without incident and he'd soon emerge from behind the falls to the forest beyond. He'd draw a deep breath and was instantly soothed by the familiar air of pines, flowers, and rich earthy aromas that rode the warm night wind. This breeze could be a good thing for them; it gave them the opportunity to stalk their prey from downwind so that they couldn't be detected easily. If they truly were to take on a predator it would be wise to use such tactics. Link still wasn't entirely sure how well he could fight while in this body.

Link would walk among the trees, trialing his claws lightly across the bark as he did so. Upon a closer look it appeared that there were several claw marks already here. Some cut in diagonal slashes while others were vertical and deep. Interesting. Was this a way he could train; a non-combative way to test the newfound skills in his previously human hands? Someone else seemed to already have the jump on him in this idea and he'd place one hand against the bark. He'd flex his claws so that they'd bite into the wood and he'd feel a hint of satisfaction as it easily splintered under his touch as he pulled backwards. He really was stronger than before, wasn't he?

"Don't look so smug. That tree can't even fight back."

The feminine voice caught him off guard and he was a little surprised to see Linda standing a few yards away as she watched him coldly from the bushes. Straightening up and pulling his claws back to himself, Link would return her gaze unflinchingly and kept his temper in check. Already it simmered; her tone had not been a kind one.

"We have a higher power now; haven't you ever tested your new abilities?"

At this her eyes grew even colder and she'd snort, all the while starting a path around him in the trees as if afraid to get too close. She was stubbornly silent with her arms drawn up against her chest and a deep frown etched to her lips. Link would frown as he watched her, hardly recognizing this bitter woman as the listless one he'd seen just last night at the feast. And her husband, Shane; wasn't she normally in his company? She'd been by his side when they all awakened just mere hours ago and had functioned more like his detachable shadow than anything else ever since.

And yet now here she was; alone.

Link would tilt his head now as she tried to move back towards the caves after taking such care of giving him such a wide berth only to stagger and quickly double over. A few small items would drop from her hold and, growling to herself, she'd quickly try to snatch a couple back up. What on earth was she carrying? Was that…?

"Berries?"

The scent was unmistakable and Link couldn't help but sniff a little more towards them out of curiosity. Why would she, a fellow Infected like himself, want to gather something that she couldn't eat? Fruits were sickly sweet to his taste buds now; surely she was no different? However just as Link took a couple steps closer she'd growl with earnest and show off her fangs, her disgust plain in her eyes.

"Yes, berries," she'd snap, "because unlike you I am not a monster. I refuse to be like any of you!"

She practically spat those last words and her voice carried harshly through the trees in testament. Such words would not be kindly taken, he bet. She must have realized her mistake too because she'd flinch and crouch down just seconds later; looking far more like the insecure woman he'd figured her for. Nervously she'd scan the area to ensure that they were really alone and, for a moment, Link almost pitied her. Was everyone here that unforgiving that she would be afraid to speak her mind? When no one else came forward her fear dropped away as quickly as it had come and she'd glare at Link again, hate in her eyes.

"The Goddesses will have you, all of you, burn in hell."

With that she'd abruptly turn away and carry her armload of berries with her, not once bothering to glance back to see the effects her words had on him. Instantly anger flared within him, causing his lip to curl and his arms to flex. He had done nothing to deserve that sort of statement from her and, more annoying, he hated how close to home it really did hit. However confused or irritated he was with her outburst all Link would do was frown after her as she walked quickly away. The anger started to seep from his stance and, puffing out a breath to regain a sense of calm, he'd begin debating her words carefully.

"Link! Here you are."

Veshte would come loping over from the opposite direction of the caves and he was in good spirits judging from that broad grin on his face. Once closer he'd give Link's arm a brotherly nudge, his eyes alight with eagerness, and he'd motion towards the far end of the clearing closer to the river. "It's time to get a move on; our scout returned early and our quarry is not as far away as we predicted. Ready?"

With the other man's arrival it would chase away the foreboding feeling that Linda had left behind and Link was suddenly filled with more anticipation than dread. His return smile was a bit weary but, nodding, he'd fall into step as Veshte began to lead the way. "You seem excited; I take it you enjoy the hunts?"

Veshte would chuckle, ducking under some low branches as they walked. "Well a bit; it is always a good feeling to know that you've provided for your family." He'd give Link a glance as they straightened back up, a hint of seriousness there as his words took on a far more anxious edge. "You do realize that our group is stronger than any pack, clan, herd or whatever other gathering you can think of, right? It's important to look out for each other. That's why the hunts are so vital."

"I will do my best." Link did his best to ignore a sudden sense of doubt after Veshte fell silent and they drew closer to the main hunting party. There was something besides cheerfulness and a sense of duty in the other male right now. Something that made Link's skin creep and his senses sharpen. Who had Veshte been trying to convince with all that talk anyway; Link or himself?

Darus's gaze was cold as they neared him and, with little more than a curt nod, the brute would turn to lead them out. Besides himself, Veshte, and the hulking leader there was only Nelia, Shane, and that bear-looking fellow Link had seen the first night. Odd. He'd almost expected something of an army from how Darus had gone on about how their prey would not come easily. Shane would fall into step nearly beside Darus, taking up his flank and silently asserting his authority here. He did seem to hold high esteem in Darus's eyes. Was he something of a captain then? That would explain why he took the duty of guarding them all during the day. Link sure hoped he didn't serve as an advisor; Shane got under his skin almost as much as the larger male himself.

Whatever his role may be he'd take pride in his place and, jogging to keep up, Link would keep pace with Nelia and Veshte while the bear type male took up the rear. It took only a couple of minutes before they fell into a steady pace and moved as a single unit rather than the seven individuals they really were. The night seemed to become all that more intense around him and he felt a mounting sense of delight rising in his chest as they ran. They were pack on the hunt; providers of food for the rest who wait behind with hunger gnawing their bellies. Last night's food was already long since forgotten and, his nostrils flaring, Link would keep his focus on the power in his limbs and the panting breaths of his fellow hunters. A fierce pride filled him then, pleased to be part of this task. Why had Darus wanted him to come so quickly after joining their ranks? Perhaps Darus knew of him too. Perhaps he already sensed the potential within.

He wasn't sure how long they ran for but by the time Darus slowed their group down Link's legs felt the first twinges of fatigue. It was nothing though; he'd exhausted himself to greater extents and still managed to pull of his duties in the past. Panting, Link would creep with Veshte and Nelia flanking him as up ahead Darus gave a small signal for all of them to halt.

For a moment Link couldn't hear anything over the drumming of his heart or the pant of his own breath as they all stood motionless in the cover of a small outcrop of trees. They were perched mildly up atop a small crest that opened up to a small clearing and on the far side near a small copse of brush and saplings Link could smell something very alive.

He'd fell his muscles tighten as he tried to catch sight of this elusive predator, finding that the scent wasn't entirely foreign to him after all. He must have smelled this beast before when he'd been a wolf, it was so distinct. So memorable. And yet it also came with that ill sense of doubt in his gut again. It felt like his stomach was trying to tie itself in a knot and he'd frown now, glancing to Veshte and Nelia while they waited for Darus's command. They didn't seem the least bit worried though they did wear a rather steely expression; the face of a predator ready to strike.

Still something nagged at Link's subconscious and, as Darus gave him and Nelia the signal to wait there, the bear type male and Veshte would circle one way as Darus slunk out of sight the other. The silence was only broken by the song of crickets and Link would squint towards the shadows at the inner edge of the clearing as he wait. But try as he might he still failed to pick out any sort of familiar shapes; he couldn't even see anything moving out there. That smell though, it was so close to his memory that it was almost maddening. He knew he'd smelled it before…

All at once he'd hear a blood-curdling roar shatter the silence and, right behind it, he'd see the massive form of Darus charge into the thicket. Veshte and the other male would enter just a few seconds from the opposite side and another scream would rip through the air filled with terror. It was a scream that made Link's blood run cold and his heart stop. He knew that sound better than the scent and, finally, the mystery victim for their feast was revealed. Humans.

Instantly Link was on his feet and, his heart pounding, he heard Nelia stir restlessly beside him as she kept her eyes glued on the clearing. "Stay here, Link. Darus will be unhappy if we rush out now and straggler gets away."

He didn't grace her with an answer much less a glance and, snarling in challenge, he'd break cover and run into the open grasses.

"Darus!"

Rage fueled that cry just as much as it did Link's steps and as he closed in he could hear more of the commotion now. There must have been more than one traveler in the thicket because he could hear the scuffle long before he broke into the campsite and, skidding to a stop, he'd pause a moment before the horror of the scene that greeted him.

There were already two dead and four more were fighting; men who looked desperate and clad in simple armor unbefitting any royal guard. Try as they might, however, Link would notice that they were losing ground as Darus advanced, his muzzle slick with blood and a hellish grin showing off his many teeth. Veshte and the other male did their jobs to step in and attack, snarling and barking as they did, clearly trying to disorient and terrify the men into a mistake. Their swords were still deadly, after all.

Link would draw a deep breath and, spurring forward, he ignored the men who still battled for their lives and he'd bellow his challenge again. "Darus! Stop this insanity!"

The large male barely had the time to turn towards Link when he flew at him, claws poised and fangs bared. He wasn't entirely sure how to fight in this form just yet but, by damn, he wasn't going to just idly stand by as these innocent men were slaughtered like lambs.

Link wasn't sure how long he really fought with Darus; everything seemed to turn on its head as soon as he latched onto flesh and began to make his foe bleed. He clawed and snapped as the coppery tang of blood became harsh on his tongue and in his nose. Pain erupted in his side as Darus began to fight back but, with this adrenaline rush, Link hardly noticed it and continued to wreak havoc on the mountain of muscle below him. How dare he?

The scuffle went on and on as blood spilt from more than one wound and tempers became white-hot. However, despite his ferocity, there was something Link lacked in this battle. Something Darus already had plenty of; experience and practice in this form of combat. Before long Link felt himself being helplessly pulled free at last and for a terrifying moment he found that the vice like grip on his spine was well enough placed that he couldn't break free.

But it wasn't over yet. The world became but a blur as he was yanked with such force one way and then other. It was on that second tug that he was sure he was airborne; he felt the exact moment the jaws released him to fly across the ground and, with a sickening series of snaps, Link felt himself collide with something that splintered and gave away. The saplings? He'd gasp for breath while his line of sight dangerously faltered and blurred, already dark at the edges. Instinct told him to roll onto his feet and continue the fight but, as he forced himself onto his hands and knees, he found himself quivering with weakness and pain burning through every inch of his body. His rush had worn off by now and he was feeling each wound anew.

Get up, Link. Now!

Yet he'd meet with the ground again as something heavy forced itself onto his shoulders and, growling into the dirt, he struggled to focus on the figure before him.

"Should I kill him, Darus?"

"No, Shane." The return voice was cold and it made anger rise in Link all over again. So the bastard still had enough strength to move and talk, did he? He couldn't see the brute but he heard someone get closer and, adding to the weight, Link felt the air forced from his lungs as Darus sneered. "He will have to pay for his damages before the rest of our brothers and sisters."

A new voice joined the conversation; a gruff and deeper one Link didn't recognize."So how many got away?"

Link found himself struggling to stay awake, a combination of stubbornness and eagerness to know that maybe, just maybe, he'd helped one or two of them escape. But Darus's smug voice would fill his ears and, not for the first time, Link would feel the bitter bite of failure snap hard and strike true as the world faded to black around him and he learned the horrible truth.

"None, Brutus. We got them all."