Flashback Hunter or Hunted? A Harsh Lesson Learned

[Umbra]

Hunter or Hunted? A Harsh Lesson Learned Fall 13, 509AV The warm night wind teased loose black strands of hair, tickling behind the ears of the young Myrian girl. She stood still as can be, every nerve of her body on end. The words of her mentor ringing in her brain, "The shadow of night is a gift from Akajia herself, recognize and respect it and it will become your ally. Remain ever vigilant and always know your surroundings, never be taken by surprise." Moments earlier a strange sound, a strange mix between a growl and a sort of purr, had stopped her in her tracks. Still remaining completely still and creeping unease fell over her as she felt the eerie sensation of being watched. Remembering her task, Umbra took a slow step forward, her feet gently disturbing the underbrush. After a few steps her bare foot fell upon a small twig, before she could correct her balance a small crack rang through the still night air. Taking a few moments to pause and listen, her breath held as she wiped a bead of sweat from her brow, hoping nothing had heard her. She slowly pressed forward, staying low and crouched below the tips of the underbrush as to remain unseen to any but the bottom dwellers of the forest floor. "Okay Umbra, just find the dumb animal and you can call it a night." No sooner had she whispered to mock words of encouragement to herself did she find a sign that instantly brightened her mood, a small ray of moonlight fell upon what could only be a small pool of blood glinting teasingly from the remnants of a broken trap. She was further out from her mentors cottage than she had ever been alone and wasn't sure if it was one of the old womans design or not. Anticipation rising at the knowledge of her preys injury, Umbra's pace quickened slightly yet steadily growing faster as the blood pools became more frequent as well as large. Once again sliding to a halt, her perceptive eyes picking up on the stuggling figure of medium sized creature moving slowly through the vegetation. Drawing the khukri kept on her hip she readied herself to move in for the kill but before she could even lift her foot the same cracking of a twig snap sent a shock up her spine. Snapping her head around she raised the blade, curved edge out, ready to strike. Her fears were confirmed as she heard the rustle of bushes off in the distance, something else had caught the scent of her prey. Not knowing what could be following her or if it knew she was even there, she wasn't taking a chance. Quickly scanning her surroundings hoping for an easy hiding spot she was severely disappointed to find there was none, only trees. "The trees!" she gasped, her free hand covering her mouth as she cursed her own outburst. She needed to move and she needed to move now. As silently but quickly as she could she covered the distance to within a few feet of the injured animal, not waiting to study it she grabbed a slightly elongated snout and brought the curved blade of Nox, her khukri, across and thick throat that gave way with ease. The crimson lifeforce poured from the creatures open veins, splashing across the ground. "Oh man," she gasped nervously as she tried to hastily climb to a height she hoped was safe. "Oh man, oh man, oh ma-" she froze yet again as her eyes picked up what looked like a moving shadow. It wasn't until it stood almost directly below her when she could make out its feline figure. At least as big as her she contemplated her options, let it take her food and possibly starve, or take action and claim her meal. Pride welling up she knew she was not about to let a kill escape her and disappoint her mentor, most likely earning her another harsh punishment on top of going hungry yet again. Gulping nervously she waited for the beast to take an interest in the fallen creature still bleeding among the clutter of the forest floor. Just a few feet from the prey and no more than 2 from the base of the tree she crouched in, the rough bark of a tree branch in her left hand, the familiar leather hilt in her right as she drew in a deep breath and turning her head to the sky. "Myri guide me," she whispered to the sky before turning her head back to the shadowy feline below and letting her body fall into the wind descending upon the dark creature just as it came to a pause to lap at the blood of the slain prey.