III The Hunter and the Barbarian
Introduction:
What is this? Why am I spinning? Am I floating in the air? Who is that? Sparen? Who are you fighting? Sparen hold on! I'm coming. I… I can't move. Sparen watch out! Can't you hear me?! (Her voice has been silenced, but she hasn't realized yet. Then there's an explosion and she screams.) No! Come back! (She feels a heavy blow, and everything turns black)
Ugh! What happened? Someone is carrying me. Who the heck are you? Where are you taking me? What do you want with me? What the heck are you doing?! I can't move! (A dark hand covers her face, and everything turns black again)
Minerva opens her emerald eyes slowly. She feels heavy and tired as if she had been fighting an extraordinarily powerful opponent. She yawns and stretches like any ordinary human would after having a heavy sleep. She was lying on a stretcher. The room was dark, and it only had the dim light of the security system. She sits up slowly feeling slightly dizzy. "My head is spinning. Where am I? What is this place? I can't see a thing." She remembers that she and Sparen were pulled by someone or something into the portal. What happened after was just a puzzle inside her head. She could only remember bits and pieces of events that made no sense to her. It was more like a nightmare.
She stands up carefully, testing if she had enough strength on her legs. Once she felt it was safe enough, she takes a few steps. She was walking blindly around the room. She stumbles into something and reaches out to touch it. It was a table, and it had many things on top of it. She takes one of the objects and noticed it was a jar made of glass. She puts it back and takes another object. It was a tube made of glass as well. She keeps on taking things from the table and testing until she stumbles into something that looked familiar. It was her backpack. She takes it and quickly straps it on her back, but when she did, she noticed that something particularly important was missing. The Supreme Sword was not there. She remembered that she was holding it in her hands when they got trapped into the portal, so maybe she'd drop it and it was laying on the floor somewhere, but it was strange that the scabbard was missing too. Now she was feeling a little worried. Suddenly she remembered that someone was carrying her and maybe that person had taken the sword and the scabbard. She quickly takes her backpack again and takes a small lamp out of it. She lights it up and she could see where she was, but the place was unknown. The room was not that big, but it had many things and gadgets she has never seen before. Minerva didn't let the novelty drive her attention away from what was important though. She begins looking around the place hoping that the sword and its scabbard are there.
Meanwhile, outside the building, a new day was beginning. The Sun was bathing the mountain slope. Everything was quiet. Only the sound of the wind could be heard. Soon, the galloping of a cyborg horse that was rushing over to the mountain top breaks the silence. Its solitary rider hits the reins, and the cyborg horse seems to be flying over the rocky road. The handsome dark rider mutters something as he gets closer to the laboratory facilities, "We are getting close. I can still feel traces of His presence." Another voice replies to the rider, "Why are you always prompt to die, especially when He is involved?" The rider remained silent. "I see, you won't answer as usual. So, those travelers you were hired to seek got lost somewhere near these mountains, and He suddenly appeared. What a coincidence. It's like killing two birds with one stone. How convenient… but for who?" The rider doesn't pay much attention and keeps going at full speed until he finally sees the building. There he makes a stop. He gets off the horse and checks for traps. Once he has cleared all the traps, he enters the dark place, but to his dismay the one he wanted to meet there was already gone. So now he focuses on his job and looks for the lost travelers.
Back into the experiment room, Minerva grows desperate after searching for her sword on every corner, without success. Now she looks for the door, so she can go out and keep searching, but when she finds it, she is unable to open it. There was no lock and no padlock. "Could there be a magic lock? I hope there's not," she says to herself. She keeps on looking for a possible hidden lock. She becomes impatient, so she decides to do what she does best, wrecking things. She lays the lamp on the table and walks over to the door again. She clenches her gauntlets as if she was getting ready to fight. Then without any second thought, she begins to punch the door.
Outside the room, the handsome vampire hunter had walked into a hall full of zombie-like creatures. He swings his sword gracefully, giving the final rest to all those who were cut by it. The creatures that once were human, and have been waiting for so long for someone to put an end to their misery, have finally met their merciful angel of death. Amongst the zombies, he could identify some that were wearing clothing that suited the description of the travelers he was hired to seek. Their fate was unfortunate, but sometimes he doesn't get hired soon enough to bring back the victims alive. He had to pick some evidence to show his client that he did find the missing travelers. He collects watches, chains, and other pieces of jewelry from the victims. Suddenly, the hunter feels strong vibrations and a thud coming from below. He opens his way through and finds a door that leads to the stairs. He kicks the door open and walks in. He heads downstairs wondering what he'll be finding down there.
-I hope you know what you're doing-, says the Left Hand, but again it has no answer.
At the end of the stairs, there was another hall. It was dark, but the hunter knew he was not alone. There were many of those creatures down there, even more than those upstairs. The same sound that brought him downstairs has brought them too. Without wasting any more time, the hunter begins clearing his way with his sword.
Meanwhile, the barbarian woman was busy trying to bring down the door. It was made of an extraordinarily resilient material, one that was hard enough for even the strongest warrior. Even though she could damage the door, she was unable to break it or to blow it open. She stops and stares at the door. "Damn, I've never seen such resistance. Am I losing strength? Maybe that door really is protected by magic. Let's give it another try." Minerva gives a couple of punches to the door, but the results were the same, so she loses her patience and begins wrecking the room. She threw everything she could find, like chairs, jars, and some gadgets, at the door. One of the flying objects hits the panel that controls the opening mechanism of the door, damaging it. The door miraculously opens. She couldn't believe her eyes. The woman wastes no time, takes her lamp, and steps out of the room. She was unaware of the commotion outside. There was a swarm of ugly creatures scattered around the place. Now that she has left the safety of the room, she has also become their target, as the vampire hunter.
-Whoa! -, she says unsheathing her dagger, as one of the zombies jumps over her. She slashed the first one with not much effort, but many more were coming. She lays down the lamp and lets the sounds guide her during the fight, just like when she trained to fight blindfolded. It was then when she realized that not too far ahead, there was someone else fighting, and whoever it was, he/she was getting closer. She wasn't sure who was about to join the party, but she hoped it was Sparen.
The hunter also noticed the presence of another person fighting the zombies, but he was cautious. He didn't know if it was friend or foe. As he comes closer, he sees the person was wearing a combat suit or armor. He/she was having a tough fight because he/she only had a dagger, and the zombies were too many, but it seemed the fighter was rather good with his/her fists and legs too.
The dim light of the lamp that was lying on the floor allowed Minerva to see the silhouette of the other fighter, but she couldn't see the details. The dark cloak, the hat, and the size of the fighter were enough to create confusion. Even though deep inside she felt that something wasn't right, she just let her emotions talk.
-Finally! You showed up Sparen. What the heck have you been doing? These things have no end. They multiply like rabbits-, she says.
The hunter heard her talking in a foreign language, one that he has not heard on Earth, but he could understand what she was saying. He remained silent and kept on killing the zombies with his sword.
-I hope you are satisfied now that you have seen what was on the other side of the stupid portal. Now let's get the hell out of here! -, she says, feeling more confident now that her "partner" was there fighting by her side as he usually does. She joins the hunter's slaughter by crushing and tearing the zombies with her fists and the dagger.
The hunter was now certain that the woman came from another world through a portal, so that explained the foreign language. Now that they have finished the horde of zombies that were roaming around the hall, he believes that getting out of there was not a bad idea. He moves back to where he came from and makes signals for her to follow. Minerva catches on and picks up her lamp and quickly follows.
-So, you got rid of those pests. You know I hate magic, and I don't like wizards, but sometimes you can make yourself useful, – she says waiting for her partner to reply as he usually does when she bitches about magic users, but she had no answer. The hunter remained silent as he walked upstairs. "You are too quiet, something is not right," Minerva thought. She steps a little closer to the man and brings the lamp near to see the steps. Now she noticed there was something wrong. In the dark, his cloak, his hat, and his long dark hair looked the same, but there was something different. The one who was walking ahead, had a belt for a sword strapped on his back, and her partner carries his belt and sword on his waist. She remains silent and keeps on walking right behind him.
Once they reached the upper floor, she stopped walking. With her dagger in her hand aiming towards the man, she breaks the silence and says:
-Thank you for showing me the exit. You've been very kind, but you are not Sparen. Who the heck are you? Are you the one who brought me here?
-You threaten me with a dagger on my back, that's not very polite-, the hunter replied. He makes a quick turn with his sword, trying to make her lose her grip on the dagger.
Minerva's reflexes are good, but the man's speed was outstanding, so she could barely move out of his reach. The blade of his sword clashed with the blade of the dagger, but the woman could manage to parry with her weapon.
-Not bad. You are fast and strong, - she says now looking at the man. She can't see the details, but overall, he looks much like her missing partner. -I'm not acknowledged for having good manners, but you have not been very polite either. So, are you going to answer me? Or should we let our blades do the talking?
The hunter stares at the woman. From her movements, there was no doubt that the woman was a warrior. He noticed her armor protected her from the attack of the zombies, and maybe it would give her some protection from his sword. He wouldn't mind doing a few swings with his sword if he had the time, but he has a job to complete. There's something that has been troubling him though. First, she said she came through a portal, and then she asked him if he was the one who brought her there. He remembers that he felt the presence of the Sacred Ancestor before coming inside the building. Was he the one who brought the woman there? And if he did, what was his purpose?
-My name is D, and I'm not the one who brought you here, – D answers. -Now the question is, who may you be and where do you come from? – the hunter asks.
-Just D? No title? No land? No family?. Heh… I guess simple is better. – the woman says. She was surprised because she was used to hearing those long and annoying introductions from all the nobles on Finisterra. -I'm Minerva of Barbaria-, she answers.
He nods and says going straight to the point, -You were saying something about a portal and someone who brought you here. Can you tell me more about it?
She nods and says, -But first, I would like to get out of this place.
-All right-, he answers. -Follow me-, he says and leads her out of the building.
The hunter walks out of the building and waits for her to step out. Minerva follows, and once she steps outside, she covers her eyes. The Sun was bright, and her eyes needed time to adjust to the light. She realizes they are in a mountain. She can see the rocky road from where the hunter came. The cyborg horse was not so far. She thinks there's something strange about the horse. Maybe it has one of those stylish armors some rich men use to protect their horses and to show off. She takes off her helmet letting her long red hair flow down. Her emerald eyes now look at the hunter with her piercing stare. Now she could see clearly the difference between the hunter and her partner. The man is young, perhaps a little younger than Sparen. His pale complexion is much like her partner's, but his face looks more normal. He doesn't have those beastly long fangs. Even though she can't see his eyes very well because of his hat, they look normal to her, not demonic like Sparen's. Overall, she thinks the man is handsome, but not like the men of her land. He looks like those of the other kingdoms. As for the way he dresses, she believes he and her partner share their bad taste for clothing. Maybe he is also a wizard. She's a barbarian, so she thinks that a man should wear clothes that show his musculature. She also does not like the way men dress in the other kingdoms of Finisterra.
The hunter looks at the woman. She looks young, in her early twenties. She is also tall and athletic. Her armor looks like those used in ancient times long forgotten by humans. Only the Nobility still posses' those, so her world must be primitive. He is not one to judge people by their looks, but he believes the woman has been a warrior her whole life. Her piercing stare and the rough and serious look on her face make him think like that. Obviously, she has that tomboy attitude most female warriors have, but still, her traits are feminine. She possesses wild and natural beauty, and maybe that's one of the reasons the Sacred Ancestor set eyes on her, but then, why did he leave her behind? That's one of the things he wants to find out, but first, he must make sure the woman has not been infected.
- Can you tell me about the man who brought you here? How does he look like? -, the hunter asks.
-I'm not sure. It all happened so fast. I just remember a tall dark figure with glowing red eyes. I also remember he pinched me with a needle and took some blood from me. I couldn't move, so I couldn't do anything to avoid it. Then he put his big dark hand over my face, and everything turned black. I can't remember anything else. Then I woke up in a room I had never seen before, and the rest you already know – she answers.
-I see- the hunter says.
-Do you know him? – she asks.
-He's a vampire. The strongest of them all. You're lucky to be alive. – he says.
- A vampire? That's not usual. How can you tell with such a poor description? – she asks. Vampires are not common on Finisterra and most of them dwell on the Fifth Realm, the Dark Realm. High Priests of the other four realms keep them away, but that doesn't mean you won't be stumbling with one of them when you travel at night.
- Because I'm a vampire hunter – he replies. -Tell me, did he bite you? – he asks.
-A vampire hunter? I've never heard of that. Are you a special type of demon hunter? - she asks. – About your question, I don't know. I don't feel any pain - she answers.
-Perhaps you could say that-, he answers her question. Then he says, -I must make sure you have not been infected. I need to check your neck for the kiss of the Nobility- He steps closer to the woman.
Minerva steps back. She lets go of the helmet and touches her neck with one hand and still holds her dagger with the other one aiming at the hunter. -I don't feel anything on my neck and you're getting too close-, she warns him. She's not one to trust other people so easily.
D is aware that the woman has been wary around him since she found out he's not someone she calls Sparen, but he just can't leave behind anyone who could be infected. As a hunter, he must take care of anyone who could become a threat to others.
-There's nothing to fear if you have not been infected-, he says.
-What if I have? What are you going to do about it? -, she challenged him.
-Then I will have to kill you before you turn into one of them -, he says with his usual composure. He knows that killing the one who infects the victim will cure her, but since it is the Vampire King the one involved, the woman really is in trouble.
-Huh? As if I'm going to let you do that. You look too confident vampire hunter. Tell you what, if you can beat me in hand-to-hand combat, I'll let you check my neck -, she says.
-You don't seem to understand what it means to be infected by a powerful vampire like him. What happened to those inside the building is nothing compared to what will happen to you when you turn. You'll wish to be dead -, he says seriously.
-Do you mean that those ugly things used to be human? -, she asks.
-Exactly -, he replies.
-Then that will just make my challenge more interesting. If you beat me, I'll let you check my neck. You'll also earn my respect. If I'm infected, I'll accept my fate and I'll be honored to die by the hand of a worthy fighter. If you lose, I'll take your horse and your sword. Honestly, it won't replace the Supreme Sword, but I can make good use of it until I get my sword back from that vampire. So, what do you say? -, she asks.
-That doesn't sound fair enough, but I understand you won't take no for an answer -, he replies. He thinks about what she just said, but it doesn't make sense to him. Why would the Sacred Ancestor steal a sword? Things are getting more mysterious.
-You bet I won't -, she replies with a grin on her lips. She enjoys fighting, but it's also the way she knows other warriors and gets their respect. She has seen him fighting with his sword, and now she wants to know how strong he really is. -You are starting to know me, vampire hunter. Now let's get down to business -, she says.
-All right -, he replies.
Minerva sheathes the dagger and removes her backpack. She clenches her gauntlets and takes her fighting stance. She studies her opponent briefly, and then she makes her first move throwing a punch to the hunter's chest. D makes a quick move and blocks her punch. Minerva was a little surprised because no ordinary man could block her punch like that, but she reacts quickly and tries to punch him again with her other fist. Once again, the hunter blocks her punch, but this time he quickly grabs hold of her arm and traps her with an armlock. The barbarian woman turns a little and tries to hit him with a hammer fist on the side of his head. The hunter blocks, and so she immediately gets herself free and resumes her fighting stance.
-Not bad, vampire hunter. You are stronger than you look. Let's see what else you've got -, she says.
-I guess that means you are not satisfied yet -, he replies. D doesn't enjoy fighting without a cause, but the woman doesn't seem to think the same. He has no other choice, but to continue.
Minerva grunts as she attacks the hunter again. This time she makes a combination of punches and kicks. Her movements are now faster, stronger, and more accurate than before landing a couple of blows on her opponent. D, on the other hand, responds with his own fast movements, blocking and landing a couple of blows himself. Both fighters could feel the effects of their blows, but neither of them wanted to give in. Minerva looks very excited. She hasn't had such a formidable opponent in a very long time. D noticed the barbarian's armor was not ordinary, maybe it was enhanced by magic, and that's why the woman was having such strength and resistance. He believes he must do something, or their fight will last more than he's willing it to. He still has to report to his client, and he's wasting too much time on this. He thinks about three options: first, he uses all his vampire strength and knocks her out for good. Second, he gives up and lets her win, which means he'll have to give her his sword and his horse. Or third, he allows his partner to take care of it. He decides on the third option. When he gets the chance, Left-Hand shows up and uses his sleep ability on her. Minerva was taken by surprise. She sees that mysterious face on the hunter's hand and feels something strange. She feels numb and confused, but she doesn't fall asleep. The hunter takes advantage of her current state and subdues her.
-This is over, just give in -, the hunter says pressing her hard on the ground.
-I don't understand what had just happened, but you are right. You win -, she says and stops struggling.
The hunter lets her go. He stands up and offers her a hand. She refuses and stands up on her own even though she is still feeling dizzy.
-That was a good exercise vampire hunter, I'm grateful -, she extends her hand as a sign that she acknowledges him as the winner, and that the quarrel was over.
D extends his hand and shakes hands with her.
-Now is time to keep my word. Since you are the winner, you have my permission to come closer and check my neck -, she says staring at the hunter. -Don't worry, I won't bite you- she comments and chuckles. She didn't realize that comment was not the most appropriate thing to say to a dhampir.
He's not very comfortable with her sudden change of mood. All the same, he approaches and leans some to take a look. He doesn't let his guard down. Minerva stands still and allows him to do what he has to do. She tries to look at his hands, but it is hard, so she waits for him to finish. Once he was done, and before he could step away, she quickly moves and grabs hold of his hand. The hunter tries to pull away, but she doesn't let go.
-Just show me what you got there. I'm sure you are hiding something -, she demands. She stares at him with curiosity in her eyes. She looks totally different now, like a curious little girl trying to discover something new. Her childish reaction has the hunter rather confused, thinking how could someone change like that so fast? He just opens his hand and shows her. He had nothing there, first because it's the wrong hand, and second because his friend doesn't reveal himself to anyone.
-Um?! There's nothing, but I swear I saw something -, she says looking puzzled. -All right, show me the other hand. You do have something -, she demands again with the same curiosity in her eyes.
D opens his left hand, but again, there was nothing there. Minerva stares at his hand wondering. She takes his hand and takes a closer look. The hunter doesn't like to have that kind of interaction with a stranger, but the woman's childish reactions are rather amusing even for someone like him.
-It can't be. I know I saw something back then, when we were fighting -, she says looking dumbfounded.
-You are just imagining things -, he replies. He's not one to enjoy lying, but some secrets shouldn't be revealed. He was expecting the woman to fall asleep and forget about everything when his friend used his ability on her, but for some reason, it didn't work as it does with others. She was numb and dizzy, making it easier for him to subdue her without having to harm her, but she didn't lose her consciousness. That makes him wonder if she really is human.
-I understand -, she says letting go of his hand. She makes her own conclusion. -You must be a wizard too, a very good one, just like Sparen. I know I saw something, and I know you tried to put me to sleep, but those spells don't work on me.
-I'm not a wizard -, the hunter clarifies.
-Ok, never mind that. This place is new to me. Would you mind telling me where I'm? Which kingdom is this? Are we on the Fifth Realm? I need to go back to the kingdom of Albior as soon as possible -, she asks. She still hasn't realized she was in another world far, far away.
-The kingdom of Albior doesn't exist here. The portal you were talking about earlier has brought you to another world. This is planet Earth -, he explains.
-What?! -, she was surprised. She remembers Sparen was saying something about another world before they got trapped into the portal, but she didn't pay much heed. She just wanted to destroy the portal. -So, it's true... what he said is true -, she says mostly to herself. She kneels on the ground and clenches her fists. The lines on her face are more noticeable. The combination of anger and frustration was obvious. -Damn! I should have knocked that wizard and destroy that stupid portal. Just how the hell am I going to return to Finisterra?! -, she was shouting and punching the ground. -Now I'm stuck in this world, he's nowhere to be found, and the Supreme Sword has been stolen! Damn you Sparen! How could you get me into this mess?! You damned Hell Sprite!
D watches her in silence and just lets her deal with her frustration. Now he was actually feeling sorry for the strange woman and he was considering giving her a hand. The woman is certainly not the ordinary damsel in distress, but she surely needs help, not just because she's lost and alone in a strange and dangerous world, but because the Sacred Ancestor might have business with her. He didn't kiss her, but he let the woman live and allegedly took her sword. That was strange, and solving that mystery is reason enough for him to offer his help. "Don't tell me you are considering getting involved. She's a stranger and a woman from an alien world. She has nothing to do with us. And she showed you she's not a delicate flower either." says the Left Hand. The hunter remains silent. "Ah... I know, this is just the perfect excuse to get on His nerves, isn't it? You really want to die, don't you?" The hunter doesn't pay much attention to what his partner says. He looks at the woman and decides to break her tantrum.
-Hey, cursing and punching the ground won't solve anything -, the hunter says to the woman.
Minerva stops punching the ground when she hears the hunter talking. She has serious issues controlling her temper, especially after having to deal with the spirit of the berserker within her. Her special armor and Crom's blessings have helped her to keep the violent spirit under control, but her bad temper still needs to be worked with. She stares at the hunter with her piercing eyes, like a wary cat staring at a dog, but suddenly she lets out a sigh.
-I let myself be driven by anger and frustration, and for that, I apologize vampire hunter. You are right, cursing and punching the ground won't get me back to Finisterra -, she replies. -For the first time, I just don't know what to do or where to go.
-I understand, you can travel with me if you want to. I will find you a way to return to your world -, D says trying to comfort her.
-I accept your offer vampire hunter, but my situation is more complicated than just having to return to my world. If I can't find the Supreme Sword, then there's no point for me to return to Finisterra. My world is in grave danger. An extremely powerful enemy threatens the existence of everything and everyone. The only way to put an end to his dark domain is by killing him with the Supreme Sword. That is my mission, along with the other four adventurers. Therefore, I can't leave Sparen behind either because he's one of the chosen and because a good leader leaves no one behind-, she explains.
D listens to her story and now he feels more compromised. He's determined to do whatever he can to find the Sacred Ancestor and Minerva's sword and also her missing partner.
-It won't be easy, but I will help you find both your sword and your partner -, he says with determination.
-Are you really going to do that for a stranger from a distant world? -, she asks not believing all that generosity.
He nods. -We must go now. I have some business to finish.
-All right, - she says standing up –but there's something else I must tell you before we go.
-And that is? -, he asks.
-My partner is not human. He is a demon. I'll understand if you don't want to help me now that you know that, but I'll be grateful all the same if you give me a ride to the nearest town. I'll deal with the rest myself -, she says thinking that he might be just like the others. -No reasoning person on Finisterra would go searching for someone that comes from the Fifth Realm, even less if he's a demon.
D thinks about what she has just said. He has no like for those of his kind, but it seems that the woman is not willing to leave her partner no matter what. She seems to have that military determination of not leaving anyone behind and that's admirable to him.
-I have no problem with that, but also there is something you should know about me. I am a dhampir -, he says.
-What's a dhampir? -, she asks not really knowing what the term means.
-A dhampir is the result of the union between a vampire and a human -, he explains.
-I see, so that means you're a half-breed -, she answers. -If this world is a little like mine, then you must be having a tough time dealing with people. Honestly, I don't care much about those things. Only cowards and idiots make my blood boil and you have just shown me you're not one of those.
The word half-breed is one he doesn't like to hear. It feels like a cold knife stabbing his heart, but he has learned to get over it. Those of his kind, along with mutants and other creatures are not well looked upon by both humans and the Nobility. The first see them as abominations, the second as scum. Apparently, the woman doesn't mind about those things for she has a demon as a partner, so that eases up their companionship.
-Let's go. We have a long ride -, he says and heads over to the cyborg horse.
-All right -, she answers picking up her stuff and follows him.
D gets on the horse and offers her a hand to ride on. Minerva takes his hand and gets on the horse. When she first saw the horse, she thought it had armor, but now that she has gotten on it, she realizes the horse actually has parts made of metal. She is curious about the ride as much as she is about its rider, but she remains silent, they'll have time to talk later. It is more important for her to take a look at her surroundings and getting used to that new world.
-Hold tight -, the hunter warns her and then he hits the reins.
Minerva holds on to the saddle, but as she felt the sudden pull of the horse, she lays a hand on the hunter's shoulder as a reflex. D looks at the woman's hand slyly, but now that he knows she's ok and that she won't be falling, he rushes the cyborg horse even more. The woman keeps her hand on the hunter's shoulder for he didn't seem to mind about it. She enjoys looking at the scenery and discovering new things like a child that has just entered into a fantasy world. The hunter noticed the woman's ecstasy and he just let her enjoy the ride. The Sun was still high as they rode down the mountain and so their journey begins.