The sun stood high atop the mountains that loomed in the far distance, its rays having just crept past the safety that the mountain chain brought, and covered the entirety of the landscape around her in its golden glow. Few clouds dotted the sky during this late morning, and the grass still carried the dew of dawn upon it, reflecting the light even more. It brought about a beautiful scenery for the static blonde that slowly made her way through the fields. The dark forest behind her had left her with little chance to rest up or sleep, and she’d refused becoming a target for nature’s shenanigans by taking the risk of letting down her guard and taking a nap. Years of wandering had taught her a hard but valuable lesson about that, and she cared little about having said knowledge become voided by making the mistake. Kitalpha grunted and turned her head, having her long blonde hair swing around almost simultaneously before it draped itself over the long black trenchcoat like golden silk. A hand provided shade for her deep-blue eyes as she rose it towards her forehead, having them scan the horizon with an utmost keen expression. The young woman sighed rather relieved; despite having been horribly lost, seeing this scenery surely made up for it. Plains of wavy grass as far as the eye could see, with the mountain chain in the far distance acting as a silver lining between the emerald sea of grass and the sapphire sky. Yet, however much she liked the scenery and nature, she despised the fact she’d gotten lost again. It was just supposed to be an easy job; escort a man to Beanstalk Village and then return back to Clover to report. The man knew his way so Kitalpha had not bothered being the guide, only the guardian, yet when she was supposed to return to Clover on her own, she’d somehow wandered off the road and ended up in a large forest. Dead trees, darkened and odd, or covered in vines and vegetation you’d normally not find in forests; they were all present in said forest. Sun barely broke through the leafy roof, making the usual bushes and thicket become lacking, while the wind and shadows played tricks on the minds of the weary. Kitalpha, not really one to be scared or tricked by such menial things, just cared to get out fo the forest somehow, someday. She’d rush about it but knew how many times that had helped her before, said times could be counted on one hand, and thus decided to take her dear time. She was already lost enough like that, and her luck as a pathfinder was far below zero… after all, on her way from Clover Town to Beanstalk Village, she hadn't even passed a forest.
After another while of walking, Kitalpha had reached the forest somewhat more, to a point where there was only a short distance of about a mile between the forest and a field filled with crops… or rather, what remained of it. The corn that was supposed to grow there was either eaten, squished or torn to shreds by beasts… their scent lingered there, and the blonde with cursed wolf blood sniffed in disdain for the foul smell the footprints scattered all over the fields gave off. She proceeded through the field, the broken crops crunching softly underneath her laced leather boots. Her red combat dress and hair alike fluttered menacingly as she halted midway the crops, where the beast’s scent seemed the strongest, but the crops were left unharmed. Unconsciously she bore her fangs, who grew sharp and fiercesome once her lips curled up into a snarl; shortly a wolf-like spectre appeared behind her, largely towering above her, but only visible up till its waist. It snarled similarly as his vessel did, but died down right away as the rustling of nearby crops cracked her focus and made the blonde look up. Wolf-like eyes flickered slightly before returning to their ice-blue color as she felt the scent taking off post-haste… she felt the same foul scent came from whatever was running, similar to those the traces of destruction left. She growled softly as her fangs retracted, shaking her head shortly before making a scowling face.
”You should stop doing that when I’m trying to concentrate, knowing how much I hate it.” The wolf-like spectral figure appeared behind her again, its growl almost sounding like a chuckle that accompanied the grin on its fanged face. ”Heh, I forgot you don't give a damn about that, as always. Whatever, just don't pull that off when we’re somewhere more civilised, or I swear by Fenrir I’ll tear your throat out once I get the chance.” Kitalpha said with the calmest face she could muster, her voice sounding almost uncaring as she spoke. The spectral wolf giggled eerily before dissipating again, finding it most entertaining to agitate his host like that. It were all empty words she said… and it knew that. They’d been together for too long to actually bother with one another’s shenanigans, even if these shenanigans were only one-sided.
Not much later Kitalpha picked up the scent of food, which steadily lead her unto the road to a nearby village. This village looked all but what Clover Town looked like, the blonde woman was already pleased enough with the fact she’d found this humble village instead. Better than to roam about with nothing but nature’s gifts to feed her… although she’d had no issues with that. Over the years she’d grown to become quite the cook, being able to prepare splendidly tasting meals with almost anything, even the fewest of ingredients. She didn’t count herself as an actual chef, but had been given compliments that her skills nearly rivaled those of chefs. Kitalpha carefully treaded down the road and halted near a stall with freshly-made venison. As she gazed upon the meat the wind once again swept up her long blonde hair, giving her a rather dramatic air as she stood and watched. The guy behind the stall looked at her rather concerned, and Kitalpha looked back while her hands tried to tame her hair. ”Forgive me, the wind doesn't seem to be on my side today.” she gave the man an apologetic smile, which immediately lessened his nerves. As she watched his baking skills they started talking, all about trivial matters until the subject of vulcans got mentioned. Kitalpha frowned and made some gestures towards the way she came from. ”You mean the foul-smelling beasts that ruined the crops right outside town?” The man nodded, but to her surprise pointed in the opposite direction she pointed at. ”Exactly, although the only crops we have are over there… either way, these Vulcans have been harrasing Hunting Village and the neighbouring villages quite a while. Damn monkeys have become rather brave lately… I wonder how much longer it’ll take before they grow enough guts to enter the village.”
Kitalpha sighed. ”That’d be rather troublesome indeed. Why don't you do anything about these… vulcans? Truthfully, she already knew where this was heading towards, but hoped she wouldn't be pulled into this mess. There were other things she had to do. More pressing matters for her dear brother, for example… ”The village head put out some requests and send them to all available guilds and inns in the hope people would come. But we haven't had much reply just yet, aside from a few wannabe hunters… they say there’s a beastly Vulcan among them, one far bigger than a regular adult vulcan. God knows what’ll happen if one of the kids comes across one breaching the village. Surprised, Kitalpha looked the main straight in the eyes. ”Children? I wouldn't expect a hunting village to house children...“ she said, more alerted now. If the safety of children were involved… well, that changed everything. The man nodded silently. ”Sadly enough. Some hunters settled here permanently with their families, some of the kids here have lost their way or their parents in Spooky Forest and have been staying here ever since. We’d send them off to their families in nearby cities, or a proper orphanage in Clover or Magnolia, but alas, with these vulcans roaming about… we can't.” Kitalpha nodded understandingly and remained silent for a few moments, then made up her mind. ”Alright good sir, since children are involved and their safety is currently questionable, I’ll help you to get rid of these pesky vulcans. The stars may be my witness that I shall succeed.” Determination sparked from her blue eyes as she spoke, crossing her arms before her chest as a light engulfed her entire body, and requiped herself with the golden armor of the King of Heroes. Her pupils turned crimson upon donning the armor, while crimson lines drew patterns over her bare skin. A brave grin crossed her lips. ”I, Kitalpha Aurence, swear solemnly that I throw down these pesky beasts’s rebellion.” For a short amount of time her magic flared up, causing the tension she created to send a chill down his spine.
The man’s eyes gleamed happily at the unconscious display if her power, and called out for someone somewhat further down the road. A kid with messy brown hair came running and stopped next to the man. ”Jason, can you bring this lady towards the meeting point for hunters?” The kid nodded, made its way to her side and grabbed her by the hand, pulling her along through the crowds. Not suspecting the kid’s liveliness pulling her off balance for a moment. Quickly finding her footing again she nodded at the kid to lead the way and ran behind it as if she was playing tag with it. Unaware of most people, she accidently bashed into a tall man clad in red with white hair. The kid hadn't seen anything happen and kept on running on, giving Kitalpha little choice regarding a proper apology. If she did take her time apologising she’d lose sight of the tyke, which she couldn’t afford right now. So Kitalpha glanced at the man for a mere second, unconsciously tapped the man’s arm briefly and uttered a quick ”I’m sorry!” as she continued pursuing the child throughout the streets. Several minutes later she arrived at a hunting shack. A man casually sat on the porch, munching on a chunk of licorice as he stared off into the distance, down a path that lead into Spooky Forest at the horizon. He glanced only briefly at the armored blonde and the kid beside her. ”You here for the request?” he said without changing his expression. Kitalpha nodded. ”What else would I be here for, old man? I’m certainly not here to sell flowers.” Her face cracked into a grin. ”So tell me about the details of this job, ‘cause I’m raring to go.”
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