Canceled Version

Hunter stopped sharply, as a beautiful Dracoman woman approached them, smiling sinisterly, "Welcome, oh mighty Hunter Wilds." Bending at the waist to show herself off at him.

Hunter turned away for her, "h.e.l.lo General show to much." Kyle"s gla.s.ses slide at his rude behavior to her. "You seem well."

Kyle fixed his gla.s.ses before looking at Hunter, who was uninterested in Erin"s h.e.l.lo. "How rude, not even a nice insult from you. Its been ages since I last saw those- "

Hunter tilted his head towards her. "I came for info, not a sappy reunion, Erin!"

Erin stood straight as she could see it was very urgent, she crossed her arms in disappointment. "Very well meet me in my office later. I have other things to take care of first." Waving at hunter as she toddle off, Hunter growled as she went out of view. One of the soldiers escorted them to the guest chambers.

Kyle sat at the edge of the bed, turned his gaze to Hunter, still irritated, "So, umm, you two knew each other?" Kyle"s cracked as he tried to break the ice, Hunter Stared out the window as he nodded. "Well that explains a bit."

"She used to tamer than she is now in her appearance till she meet me." Hunter"s growling was very tiring to Kyle, "Oh, and before you ask, she always found a way to subdue he opponent with her feminine charm." Hunter stiffened in rage as the words poured out.

Kyle scratch his cheek. "Well, I was going to ask how you were not affected and how you to meet but ok." He flopped onto the bed. "So, how long till she will be done you think, knowing you? You want the info as fast as possible right?" Kyle turned his head towards Hunter.

Hunter closed his eyes, letting out a sigh, "She"ll be done by dark. Erin always like the idea to be fashionably late to anything, and I mean anything." Hunter moved to the other bed and sat down resting his hands under his chin thought, "If she has his location then we leave tomorrow."

Kyle stared at the ceiling, "And if she doesn"t?"

Hunter sat up as a knock from the door caught their attention. A messenger told them she was waiting for them and that he would escort them to her office. Hunter looked out the window, the sun still in view. Kyle remarked that it wasn"t even dinner time yet. Hunter found it suspicious that she had finished early. As they enter, the messenger closed the door behind them. Hunter watch as he did, Erin made a groaning noise, turning his attention back at her.

Finding a spring in her step, Erin leaned over her desk, "So, what is it that I could help you with Hunter." Her s.a.d.i.s.t grin made Kyle shiver. Hunter moved up to her and slammed his knife in her desk. "Now, now let"s not kill ourselves Hunter. Though I am curious why you would come for any help?" Hunter"s face stiffened, Erin felt she had to pull back. "I get the message, its serious if you ask for any help."

Hunter lifted his knife, "I"m after someone who looks a lot like me, but his name is Lovell. The last info I got is that he was in Grand Dale, after that nothing. Know anything about where he might be or where he might head off too?"

Erin leaned back in her seat, "Now there is a question I do have answers too." Hunters put his knife away as he head to a chair. "He was last seen heading to an elvish kingdom, which one I don"t know but I do know he might head back to Marewood city. Head there you should catch him some where close, or so my sources say." Reverting to her playful manner. Hunter go up to leave as Erin stopped him. "One other thing Hunter, Marewood is also the home of another quarry of yours, so watch out for him that tails her."

Hunter exited the room, while Kyle stumbled out after him. "So, we leave tomorrow?"

Hunter stopped, "No, this time we leave tonight." Kyle sighed as he went to get the supplies, "Just wait, I will find you Lovell and kill you, well if you not his grandson that is." Hunter grinned in antic.i.p.ation of finding him.

Hunter hoped on his bike as Erin walked up beside him. "What will you do if you find him, Hunter?"

Hunter looked up at her, "If there"s no struggle I"ll bring him here. Kyle will be staying behind till I return."

Erin leaned in, "And if he gets away? Will you return still for your mechanic?"

Hunter put his goggles over his eyes, "Yes, and not because he"s my mechanic." Revving the engine before taking off. Erin stood back as he watched him ride off.

Kyle sitting at the window as he watched he friend leave to Marewood. "Don"t do anything stupid, Hunter. We cannot mess this up." Hoping his words somehow reached Hunter.

Hunter reached Marewood to see a festival going off. The people were cheery folk, Hunter didn"t want to do anything with them. "So, where does the Humbly family live, Lovell?" Hunter overheard the some saying Lovell"s name.

Hunter heard another voice answering the other person. "To be frankly honest I don"t know. I was six the last time I was here before being taken by the Goanna Mercenaries.".

Hunter ran to the voices, stopping short to enter an alleyway, "so, then let"s ask around!" the first voice spoke childishly as Hunter peered around the corner, "we all go off and ask everyone where they live and then meet… meet up at…" Hunter notice that there were three altogether, and one was Lovell. The other two he didn"t can for but knew if he was going to succeed. He needed to get the others out of the picture. "There at the fountain?" They Looked over nodding at the suggestion. "So, see you in two hours?"

"Make it five." The last one spoke giving more time to capture Lovell. "that way we can cover more people before we find something to eat at six."

The sound of ringing from Hunters pocket enraged him as he answered. "What Kyle?!" He gritted through his teeth.

"I"m guessing you found him?"

Hunter rolled his eyes, "Yes but he has company."

"Ok, give me a moment here," Hunter Looked back to were he saw them, just to see he lost him thanks to Kyles call. "Sorry, I just did some fortune reading on when you should nab him, and it seems he has some real anger issues just- "

Hunter gripped the phone, "So, I should wait till when to s.n.a.t.c.h him?!"

"Oh, that"s easy wait till he cracks, his mental state is fragile when it comes to things, the cards say he"ll leave them willingly overnight, either tonight or tomorrow night. Just follow him you will see the right opportunity." Kyles voice irritated over the phone.

"Thank man, see you in a while." Hunter grinned as he waited for their return so he could follow them. "Well I do have time to kill till they return." Hunter began to ponder on what he was going to do for next five hours. Then it hit him, he would find the very thing they where searching for. Hunter knew he would have disguise himself. Looking around Hunter casted a spell to change his appearance, turning himself into an old man, Hunter checked over himself, making sure there was no way they would discover him.

Hunter walked down the streets asking if they knew where the Humbly"s lived. Till he came across a house. Hunter noticed a man leaving the house walking up to him. "You lost sir?" The man kindly ask.

Hunter ready to tear him apart, "Well I was looking for a family, and the only thing I have is the last name to go by." Hunter tried not set any suspicions of who he might be.

The man gently grabbed his shoulder, unaware that he was not what he appeared, smiled, "What"s their last name good sir, I might be able to help?"

Hunter acted as if he was trying to remember the name. "I think it was Humble or Humbly, my memory isn"t as good as it used to be, sorry."

The man leaned back, "Well there is no Humble family but I"m mister Humbly," Hunter felt overjoyed that he found them before they did. "Why are you looking for me good sir?"

Hunter seeing his suspicions rising. "I"m looking for my granddaughter, you see, and a friend said that a family with the you last name had adopted a little girl. I was hoping that she was here for me to raise her amongst family?" Hunter nervous at the fact he said that. "I hope he buys it, or else I"m in trouble." He thought to himself. Sweat ran down Hunters back, waiting for the man"s response. He could hear his heart in his throat throbbing away.

"Well we did, but she left about two years ago, do you know what she looks like?" Hunter shook his head at him. "What about her name?"

Hunter pondered on a name acting like an old man that had a hard time remembering. "I think her name was Maria. She would have been six when her mother pa.s.sed." Looking up at the man his heart still racing.

"Sorry, we didn"t raise her but hopefully you find her. She"s lucky to have a grandfather like you." The man walked by Hunter, "Well I"m off, and good luck in your search sir."

Hunter nodded as he walked the other direction. "That was to close," grabbing his chest. "Why was I so nervous?" Looking at his hands his phone went off, scaring him, Hunter answered. "Y-yes?"

"h.e.l.lo sweet fire, its Erin here." Hunter pulled his phone away to end the call. "Hold your horses their Hunter I have some info for you."

Hunter put the phone back to his ear, "What is it Erin, you caught me at a bad time." Hunters face red in embarra.s.sment.

"Well, I found out that Marewood is part of a dispute with the Faremin forces and the Gold Heart Empire for this village, and if I were your prey, I would do everything in my power to stop the Faremin Kingdom from getting my childhood home. So, look up the barracks of our forces and wait there." Hunter surprised by what she dug up. Looking around he did see that something was going on.

"So, is this festival part of it?"

"Bingo, sweet fire, and here is the kicker they will decide at the end." She playfully answered. "So, go blend in and wait. Check by the place they are staying in the morning okay."

Hunter pulled the phone away, "Got to go sorry, Erin." Erin trying to ask what was going on before Hunter hung up. Hunter noticed one of Lovells companions heading down the street. Hunter gone ahead towards him lowering his head as to make a scene.

Hunter b.u.mped into him, "Oh, sorry old man, I didn"t see you walking there." He looked over Hunter. "I didn"t hurt you did I."

Hunter looked up at him smiling, "No, no I am at fault here young man." Hunter clenching at his words. "May I ask, why are you in such a rush?" Hunter knowing that they were search for the very info he now had.

Lovells friend sighed, "Well I"m looking for a family by the last name of Humbly. Do you know them by chance?"

Hunter smiled, "Yes, they live just a little out of town, the only house nestled on a hillside." Pointing towards the Humbly house he just came from, His friend thanked him as he rushed off to their meeting point, Hunter sneered as he watched. "Well that was very convenient, now Erin did mention same barracks around here." Making his way there as he dispelled his disguise, smiling ear to ear in glee.

Finding his way to the Faremin barracks, Hunter walked up to the gates before being stopped. "No citizens allowed!" Hunter looked at the guard. "That an order- "

"Stand down soldier that"s one of ours." The Captain walk from the shadows. "Nice to meet you Hunter Wilds."

Extending his hand to Hunter, grabbing it. "Likewise Captain Vail." Vail showed him to his office.

Vail pour some tea, "What brings you hear Hunter, the best killer in all of the Faremin Kingdom?"

Hunter sat back as he grabbed the tea, "A mission from his majesty." Taking a sip before noticing Vail"s taste in décor. "Some taste you have, all rare beast of the world?"

Vail looked at one of his prized mounts, "Yes, but they are for show here till we full establish ourselves here. Marewood will either join us and live or join Gold Heart and be destroyed, simple really." Taking a sip, "Oh, by the way Hunter did you find your target here in town?"

Hunter put the tea down. "Yes, but…"

"But what?" Vail became curious in Hunters motives.

Hunter leaned back, growing concerned. "But he has company. Getting him away from them willingly will be hard, for one I want to convince him to join us before killing him." Hunter turning away from Vail"s gaze.

Vail leaned forward as he sat on his desk. "And why have him join us. It does seem to me that not killing him will be beneficial to use." Sitting back up, Vail took another sip. "Besides killing is your specialty, isn"t it?" Vail placed his tea down.

"He might be Azoths son, that"s why?"

Before Vail could say anything a knock at the door caught his attention. A soldier told him that the preparations for Marewood not joining was done, Vail dismissed him, "Sorry Hunter but our wonderful chat is done for the day. Take rest in the officer corroders for the night. Hopefully he has left town by then?"

Hunter got up, "I"ll be leaving in the morning to check, my ally is good at telling the future. If they scramble, I"ll send Void after his sent." Hunter smiled, "And thank you for your time Captain." AS he left to the door, "Oh, one more thing, that tea? It was very good choice in taste."

Vail looked at Hunter"s cup; he noticed that he never drank a drop, even after seeing him take a sip. The guard escorted him the room before leaving. Hunter looked out the window, feeling uneasy about something. "What am I feeling right now?" Grabbing his chest, Hunter couldn"t shake a strange feeling that he was doing something wrong. Hunter stared at Juna"s surface as a feeling of guilt seemed to wash over him. He tried to shake it off, but it remained. Hunter started to think on his achievements over the years to distract the unwanted feeling. He remembered his first kill as an emotionless person, the same day he was brought into this world. Hunter found he was changing into a real person, from a mindless clone of a grieving grandparent to something he couldn"t understand the meanings. Tears started running down his face; Hunter wiped his face confused in why he was now crying. "Get a grip Hunter; this is not you. You"re a coldhearted killer." His thought turned to how Lovell was to his friends and how those who knew him were kind to him when he talked with him. Others have done the same, but why them? What did they do to make him feel what he was feeling? Hunter got up and washed his face trying to collect himself before heading to bed himself.

Hours before dawn, Hunter got ready. As he exited the room Vail walked past not even noticing him. Hunter still distraught from his inner conflict, shook it off before getting Vails attention. "Hey, Vail got a moment?"

Vail"s tired eyes turned to Hunter, looking at Hunter, he noticed something different in Hunter that wasn"t there yesterday. "What happened to you last night after our chat?" Vail trying to rip the scab off Hunter.

"Hunter walked up to Vail. "Is it that noticeable that something is happening to me?" Vail nodded, Hunter sighed, "I have no idea but that"s not the point any word on the you know what?" Noticing Han walking up to them.

Han towered over them, Vail yawning as Hunter tried to walk past him. Han grabbed Hunters shoulder, "Wake up Vail, your late as it is," Turning his attention to Hunter, "Where"s that four-eyed companion of yours? He was supposed to make sure things were caught up back at the castle clone."

Hunter turned to Han"s face, rage building up at him. "Making sure thing run smoothly on my mission!"

Han burst out laughing, "You mean babysit you, clone? What a joke? How was it who gave you the mission, your mommy? Oh, wait you have no mother! You"re just a lowly clone!"

Han continued laughing at Hunter, "Kage!" Hunter growled, a black fire erupted behind Hans forming a h.e.l.l hound. Hunter glared into Han"s eyes, "Now either let me do his majesty"s task that was given to me or die here and now!"

Hans let Hunter go, "Well if its serious you really needed four eyes." Hans clearing his throat. "Well I will be on my way then." Kage growled as he watched Hans walk away.

Vail, now fully awake, looked at Hunter, "Well, that took care of him, Hunter, you and Kyle became friends am I right?" Hunter nodded, "It seems that that might be changing you as well as something else. Try and not to be to be attached to Kyle." Vail touch Hunter"s shoulder, "because if dies you might lose yourself altogether." Walking off, Hunter stood there for a moment as Kage walked up to him.

Hunter rubbed Kage"s head, "Am changing for the better or the worse?" Hunter pondered to himself as Kage left. Turn on his heels Hunter wondered off to the Humbly home. As he approached the sun had risen high in the sky. Hearing some commotion from within, "What"s going on?"

Hunter moved to the kitchen window to hear what was going on. "Are we going after him?" The words echoed out of the house. Hunter knew that Lovell had left and no other reason to stay. As he reached the entrance Hunter noticed two figures entering the town. Ducking to the nearest alleyway, Hunter watch as they pa.s.sed by.

It was Fang and Luna, Luna ran in front of Fang. "It Feels Like forever since I"ve been home, right Mr. Krisnik?" She smiled at him.

Fang sighed, "Luna, just remember why we are here for?"

Luna pouted at him. "I know, and this time he feels really close. I know we will find him soon as well as the others." Hunter heartfelt as if something was tearing it apart inside him as he watched them go by. "But… my home is about to be part of either Gold Heart Empire or the Faremin Kingdom." A sad look has drawn across her face.

Hunter stepped out of the shadows, "Either they join the Faremin, or the will be killed, which would you want ma"am?"

Luna turned to Hunter, surprised of his appearance form the shadows. "You scared me, but to answer your question… I would be fine if they joined the Faremin…." Her eye"s stared at Hunter. "You seem lost inside mister? Is something wrong?"

Luna leaned towards him; Hunter stepped back, his face turned red. "It"s not your concern, ma"am."

Took a closer look at Hunter drawing his sword at him. "Your Hunter Wilds, of the Faremin Forces! What are you doing here fiend!?" Fang was ready to strike as Hunter stepped back, a cold sweat ran down his back. "Answer!" Luna stepped in front of Fangs blade. "Luna this not the time! For all, we know he"s here for you!"

Luna shakes her head, "No, he"s not, but he isn"t a bad person either. So, what if he is the enemy, it"s better to show kindness in times like this anyway." Hunters heart began to hurt even more as he fell to his knees. Fang lowered his blade in dismay, as Luna use healing magic on him.

"How the might falls?" Fang grabbed Luna"s are. "Let"s go; it"s something that can be healed with any form of magic what he has." Luna looked at Hunter, her face showing how helpless she felt being unable to help him. The pain was worsening as his braced himself off the ground. "Let"s also hope we never cross blades Faremin sc.u.m." Fangs glare piercing Hunters soul.

Once gone Hunter felt relief as the pain subsided. "What did I just do and what happened?" Hunter confused why did what he did, stood up as he headed off. "KAGE!" Kage appeared before him, as he regains his senses, "Track Lovells sent, it"s time we finished this mission!" Kage howled as he sniffed the ground for Lovell"s sent, Kage found the sent, Hunter mounted Kage as he took off towards Lovells sent.

Kage followed his sent to an old cabin deep in the western woods. Hunter jumped off, searched around to find any clues of Lovell"s location. When he stumbles upon Lovell lying on the ground unconscious before him, Hunter walked over to Lovell"s lifeless body, noticed he was in a deep dream of some sort grabbed some rope and tied him up. Kage shook himself of before letting Hunter place Lovell in his back. Hunter felt that same feeling of guilt wash over him, grasped his heart and shook it off himself. Jumping back onto Kage"s back as he readied himself for the trip back, called Kyle to Let him know he would need to go back for the bike after dropping off Lovell. Kyle yelled at him, barking off why Hunter didn"t use it to bring Lovell back with him. Hunter explaining where he was and the situation, Kyle realize something was wrong and waited till his full return before asking what was going on.

As Hunter settled down, Kyle walked over, "What"s going on Hunter?"

Hunter realized that this friend caught on he was battling something. "Not sure my self but I will not let it hold me down."

Kyle ran up to him, grabbed his shoulder. "You know that"s not what I mean." Hunter stood silent, "Hunter you don"t seem yourself, and something is very wrong. If… if this go on whatever is hurting you it will destroy you before you destroy it." Hunter remembering Vails words shook Kyle off. Kyle stood back as his friend walked away in pain.

Hunter found a quiet place as he punched the wall, the pain raising once more. "You seem to be fighting yourself their Faremin?" Hunter looked over as he noticed a now awake Lovell sat staring at him. "Do you feel guilty for kill Morris or are you finally growing a real heart because of some kindness you have yearned for was too much for you to handle?" Lovell staring in pure hate towards Hunter. His eyes filled with a desire to kill Hunter when he had the chance.

Hunter stood up as he walked up the prison bars. "Well you act a lot like him."

Lovell stood up, walked over to the bars. Not letting gazed turn away from Hunter, "You mean Morris?" His anger building as he watched for an opening to strike Hunter.

Hunter rested his arm on the bars staring at Lovell intensely. "No Azoth Wolf also known as Terrance Krisnik!"