Hey guys and girls back again (I know so soon!) the first chapter was kind of rushed, it was my first time and I was just kind of happy to get it out there to you. However I noticed that there was a little lack of context about what was happening and hopefully this chapter will solve that. I know most prolong chapters suck and this kind of interrupts the flow of the Yang v Highlander fight but I thought it might by important to give you a reason to care about the other characters. As always comment below and give me some feedback!

10 years ago

The smell of smoke was nauseating it and filled the small village that she stood in. It irritated her, this was supposed to be a simple raid. The village was a known trading and refueling post in northern crest of Anima used for commerce between the continent and the city of Atlas. She had hoped that the supplies gained from this raid would sustain her tribe for many months, however the many fires engulfing the village made that doubtful. She would find and deal with the arsonist later.

It was cold, snowing still in what should be the beginning of spring. It and the bountiful amount of grim made the people hardy and well accumulated to the hostile environment. She would have been impressed with the culture and the sturdy nature of the clan and yet the clan had grown weak. The village was one of trade and it bred the feeble into its walls. The village relied on the strength of the market to protect the village against tide of the grim and bandits. She felt pity and disappointment.

"M-ma'am" came a voice from side.

"What is it? Have the men breached the second gate," she ask

The village was well built. They had layered their defenses in the hope that if one of the outer walls was breached that they would be able to fall back and tuck in.

"No ma'am we have seem to come over into a bit of resistant from the locals. It seems like there was a hunter within their midst. H-he is becoming a problem. Georgy is still throwing his fire bombs over the walls hoping to cause some panic, but the smoke is blinding and we can't find any weakness in the second wall. There snipers also have found cover in the smoke we can't get close to the gate without them picking off some of the men.

She noted the name for punishment later

"Bring Me and William to the gate. Show me this Hunter."

-/-

"Sir, it seems like they have stop trying to scale the walls. The smoke has given our riflemen enough of a screen to cover their firing positions.

"Good Nathan, it seems their use of fire has finally backfired on them. The burning of the fire dust depo has blinded them," the grizzled warrior said. "Take a squad of men a check the walls we don't want them squeeze in through a small hole in our defenses like the vermin they are. We need to hold out for support from Minstral."

"They finally responded," Nathan said a smile crossing his soot covered face. "Finally this nightmare will be over. Also sir the men have found Ualan and Catilin they should be moving them to the Mess hall now."

Relief filled him briefly then refocused "Good now get that squad moving" quipped back

"Yes sir Sir!" running off to find his men

Seamus MacNill watch his subordinate as he stepped down from the wall leaving him and a few of his men at the lookout covering the gate. Out of the courner of his eye he saw the enemy reforming at the gate one the bandits using his sembalance to shield their approach.

What are they doing? The gate is blast shielded they know this from their last attempt, they know they don't have a hope to make it through with that approach… what are they planning? Seamus thought nervously. He scanned the group looking for explanation. He found it in a black haired women a long katana at her hip. She looked young perhaps in her late 20's striding across the battlefield with a confidence usually only found in those more seasoned in combat. Though that made sense, she was a member of a bandit tribe.

"As soon as the gate is down run towards the next gate we don't want them turtling in again," She shouted

"The commander as well it seems." He then shouted to his men "Brace yourselves they are trying to blow the gate down again!" he grabbed his shield pulling his sword from the sheath within it

The woman brought her hand up, palm facing the reinforced gate. She looked at him, eyes bursting into flame.

-/-

The ground was cold thought Seamus as he came back into conscious. Picking himself up from the ground Seamus shook his head dismissing the ringing in his ears. Looking around he saw the bodies of his men, dead in the snow. Bandits running pass them towards the last gate.

"So you are the hunter that have been giving my men so much trouble," the black haired women spoke

Seamus chose to ignore her to instead to raise his shield to cover his face. He squeezed the trigger inside the shields grip releasing six pellets of a combination of unstable fire and lighting dust. They exploded in a flash of blinding light.

Now! Seamus thought seeing her disorientated. He jump rushed her bringing his sword down toward her head. A blade caught it mid swing the woman's eyes red but focused. However she was unprepared for a flaming helmet meeting her forehead in the following attack. The warrior made quick jab with his sword at her midsection biting into her aura. He made for a shield bash, it alight with his semblance. She side stepped it, her blade making it under his guard. She smiled as he backed away grimacing from the blow.

What was that strike? That was much stronger than anything her other men could generate. That blast, her focus, her strength… she is a huntress. Damn her, this just became much more difficult

. Their fight became more ernest the two trading blow as they moved down the streets and back alleys of the village. Fire once again surrounding them. Homes that had once stood for decades turning into ash and smoke.

Seamus stopped breathing hard at the far end of an alleyway. Not too far from market and the next gate if he remember correctly. He hoped that his remaining men were able to close it before the bandits had reached it. He needed to hold this women here till the reinforcing hunter arrived.

"What is your name hunter," the woman said suddenly.

"What?" said Seamus.

"I asked for your name hunter."

"Why would I ever given bandit trash like you my name. You have destroyed my village and killed my men. Why would I gave anything!"

"I asked for you have fought well. I would like to know the name of the only true warrior within this village of sheep"

She dared speak ill of men and woman of his troop. The brave people of this village whom have repelled her tribes raid for nearly two hours. SHE DARED! He spoke quietly "My name is Seamus MacNill of the Broken Blade Clan, son of Tamhas MacNill and father of Ualan MacNill. Know it bitch for it is the name that will carve out the black heart from your chest" he finished in a thunderous roar. He brought his shield up beginning a new attack before a hand came down on his shoulder to stop him. He turned to the face one of his militia men, Nathan.

"Sir, the bandits have made it pass the last gate" Huffing out of breath. "They are looting everything and setting fire to anything else. I and my men will hold her here. You need to protect the mess hall" Nathan said bringing his militia rife to his chest.

"W-what of Catilin and my boy, Nathan?"

"I'm sorry sir but in the confusion they could be anywhere. But they are most likely somewhere within the last gate sir now go the people need you!

Seamus turn looking at Nathan and his men in sorrow. "I am sorry for I have failed you," before breaking into a sprint.

Nathan turned to the black haired woman shouting at his men "Spread out, find cover, and kill this whore. FOR THE CLAN!"

-/-

After battling the blooded warrior his men were no challenge to her. It took her only minutes to find and kill the militia men. At least they had the strength of will to face their deaths with dignity. They had held till the very last man. She knew many of men whom would have fled in the face of her overwhelming power. Calling her names was uncalled for though.

She walked past the last gate, it undamaged. Her men had followed her orders it seems, though the arsonist was still at large. Burning away at anything flammable. Georgy would pay for this. Burning the village down held no purpose in fact it was detrimental to the tribe. It would mean that they would not be able to raid this village in the future. THe lost of a trading post like this may be felt later down the line.

She had made it to the center of the village a large building burning the doors bared from the outside.

Many of her men her men laid dead around it. A single figure kneeled down in front of the doors lines of tears running down his face his sword and shield lay thrown a meter away. She felt pity for the man. This should not have happened.

She looked at the building then at him. Picking up his sword and shield she walk over to the broken warrior setting the weapons at his feet. Then spoke "Are your just going to lay there as the dead burn or will you fight to avenge them." She move a distance away drawing her katana.

Seamus looked down at his weapon almost confused before picking them up. He stood rage building in his eyes before he roared pain and hate filling his voice. But before he could move to attack a small katana burst through his back and out of his chest. Someone had killed the noble warrior before their duel had even started.

The assassin spoke "Thought you had killed ole Georgy did ya? Huge mistake big guy, last one you will ever make. HA!"

Seamus MacNill died with pain and sorrow in his heart. Calling out to his people and family asking them for forgiveness. He had failed them.

Raven looked at the warrior as he slid off of her tribesman's blade, disappointment filling her once again. To be brought so low. The great fighter killed before he could honor his dead.

"HA! Skewered that prick like a pig, Huh boss? Wonder if he had any family in that shack before I burned the fucker down cause he was crying like a bitch before you got here," Georgy snarked

It was the last thing Georgy ever said before his head was removed from his shoulder. His face contorting into one of horror. She had heard that the brain remained conscious after decapitation. A fitting fate for the one who had ruined her duel.

She walked away from the warrior toward a group of her men in the distance, looting the surrounding houses.

At least the night was almost over

SO what did you think! This part one of the prolog in the next part will be meeting out main cast as they are brought before Raven. I know prologs aren't that popular but I hope that this create a good foundation for the rest of the story. Any way hoped that you guys had a nice time and that you give some feedback in the comments!