Chapter One

“Do you really think the rumors are true?”

Asked a gruff, curiosity filled voice.

“What, about the so-called demons? Of course they're fake. If god was real, he would have abandoned us when the old world fell.”

whispered a slightly higher pitched voice, in a matter-of-fact tone.

“But Thomas, you never really know do you? If this demon stuff is real, it would be huge! We can’t ignore a hefty bounty like that either.”

“Listen to me Terry. I came with you on this bounty so you wouldn’t get yourself into trouble, which you seem to have no problem doing.”

Terry let out a disgruntled sigh.

“Whatever. Look, we’re almost there.”

He pointed towards a vast set of lights shining over the collapsed and dilapidated buildings. Thomas reached into his backpack, loaded his crossbow, and looked towards Terry, nodding as a sign to move up. Terry knew this was almost a guaranteed suicide mission, but he needed the money to pay for food. Why Thomas came along though, was a complete mystery to him. Maybe he actually cared about him, or he knew something he did not. Either way, he was there with him. Prior to this though, he had not seen his brother in years. And now of all times, he shows up before him saying it’s his duty to protect him? The whole thing seemed odd. Nevertheless, that did not matter, he was here now. Terry looked into his backpack and saw his dagger. He rubbed his thumb along the engravings that read “The Hunter”. The name echoed in Terry’s mind as he gripped the protected end and moved up to catch up with Thomas.

“Terry… do you know how armed these guys will be?”

Terry shook his head.

“Alright, stay behind me.”

Terry nodded in a worried state. Terry and Thomas moved up slowly, scaling the walls of what looked to be a old industrial factory.

“Wonder what they used to make here.”

Thomas whispered as he crouched slowly and moved methodically towards an opening in the gate surrounding the plant. They both stopped to catch their breath and go over the plan once more.

“So you loop around the west side of the building, and i’ll flank around the east. No matter what happens, we keep moving.”

Terry nodded and followed the directions given by his brother. Right as they split up, Terry saw an arrow whistle in front of him. It hit his brother in the torso, spurting blood onto the pavement. Terry screamed and threw down his pack onto the ground rushing to his brothers aid. Terry rolled Thomas onto his back and tried to put pressure on his chest where he was hit. Terry looked down onto the ground where the blood began to pool as the life slowly drained out of Thomas’ eyes. Terry realized that there was no saving him, and before he knew it, his own brother died in front of eyes. As quickly as the first arrow had struck Thomas, more and more started to follow and bombarded Terry. Helpless, he sprinted along the fence line towards the gap refusing to look back at the brother he feels he failed so miserably, tears streaming from his eyes as he sprinted. There was a rage burning inside of him, as hot as a burning coal. He took short puffs of air, weaving left and right to avoid the arrows.

As the entrance to the factory came into view, Terry sprinted through the hail of arrows that peppered the area around him. He felt terrible about having to leave his brother, but what choice did he have? If he was captured trying to tend to him, The Dark Ones would have captured them both and torture them. And if those rumors of human sacrifices and weird rituals were true… It would not have gone well. Terry reached the front door of the factory, somehow avoiding the archers on the roof. Making It to the factory was a hard enough challenge, but that wasn’t even the bounty. He had to go and investigate the rumors of these so called “Demons” with superhuman powers. He knew it sounded absurd, but part of him was curious and wanted to believe in a heaven and a hell. It made his past work seem more justifiable. As if killing someone for the highest bidder was somehow justifiable. He shook all stray thoughts from his mind as he opened the door to see a living nightmare. People hanging from chains on the walls, severed limbs lying around. His stomach churned in disgust. He had seen some terrible things when he was accepted into the family but this… no human being could do this to another. He felt the hairs on his neck stand straight up. Clearly something was awry about this place. The poorly drawn symbols, the blood on the wall, the daggers… something horrible was going on here. Before he had time to gawk at the situation more, three figures rushed him from the side door leading to the roof access panel. Terry had his dagger gripped, ready to spring and kill the men who had murdered his brother. The first man had an old baseball bat ready to swing as he sprinted towards Terry. Terry jumped to the left to narrowly avoid the strike, and dug his dagger into the man’s ribs. The second man staggered back in shock, expecting his ally to strike Terry down with one swing. Their eyes met as Terry dashed towards him with fire in his eyes, his mind focused on one thing: Avenging his brother. The dagger made its way through the skull of the second man, and Terry charged toward the third and final man he saw, leaving behind him a trail of blood and bodies. Knowing he was facing an impending doom the third man attempted to flee, but Terry threw his dagger through the heel of the man, stopping him dead in his tracks. Terry approached the third man who was writhing in pain, knelt next to him and barked

“What the hell are you sick a******s doing here?”

Before the man could respond, Terry kicked him in the mouth.

“You talk when I tell you to talk. So right now, what are you going to do? You’re going to shut the f**k up and listen.”

This sort of behavior had always come as a second nature, ever since the family adopted him and his brother. In fact he wasn’t even sure if Thomas was his real brother or not, he never really knew his parents. “All these sacrifices, rituals… and god knows what else… what are they for? What purpose is there in murdering people who have done no wrong?” The man spit blood on Terry’s face, before grinning like a mad man as he replied.

“Power, boy. I’d gladly sell my soul if it means i get power. Nothing is without cost in this life, and you will be quick to learn that.”

The man sighed and shook his head. He started to laugh. Terry was about to slit his throat, when suddenly a massive burst of air blasted through the room. It was a hot, burning air scorching everything in its path. In a blinding flash of light, the room went from just Terry and the man to at least seven men and Terry. His mind raced, trying to find a rational explanation for what he had just seen. Before him were six men in dark robes, all hooded and huddled in a circle shrouded by a dark essence. As he reached out to touch one of them, they disappeared just as fast as they had appeared. Terry looked back at the third man on the ground as he was inching towards the door, a trail of blood coming from the wound on his leg. Terry walked towards the man, removed the dagger from is heel, kicked him and the head and stabbed him through the back. The rumors were true. Terry sat on the floor, with tears forming in his eyes. His thoughts raced. This could not have been what the old world was like. He grew up having  heard the stories, and they were nothing like this. Beautiful, extravagant cities filled with people willing to help each other. Nothing like he had ever experienced. Had humanity always been this far gone? He shook his head and started his way back to the town. When night fell, he had dreamt about his initiation again. It was a vivid nightmare always recurring in the deepest recesses of his mind. The face of his first kill haunted him, the man had done no one wrong. He was only killed because of a jealous ex girlfriend that was twisted, but the family couldn’t say no to a contract. Terry woke up in a cold sweat, just at the break of dawn. He packed up the tiny camp he set up, extinguished the fire he set and made his way north to the town of Adornia. As he reached the front gates of the town, one of the guards screamed from the tower “Where’s the other one of ya?” Terry stood silently.

“What, are ya deaf now too?”

The guard laughed.

“Just open the f*****g gate!”

Terry screamed.

“Fine, but you don’t gotta be such an a*s about it!”

The gates swung open and Terry headed into town. He walked past all the trading posts and hagglers, through the slums of the town and into what was known as the “industrial” area. A man was standing at the opening to his shop with a smile, but that faded when he saw it was only Terry that had returned.

“We told him about the dangers of the bounty. He knew that so many had gone and not returned. He did it for you Terry, so the least we can do is try to make sure his loss isn’t in vain and not mope around.”

Terry felt empty.

“Listen Gears, thanks for the pep talk but words will do nothing for him now.”

Gears had always been the optimistic one; he always had a great outlook on life. Terry always wondered why he tried out to get into the family; he could have made it perfectly fine in life working on his welding and weapon forging. Maybe it was because they had  been friends since they were kids back in the orphanage.

“Come here, I have something to show you. I promise it will cheer you up!”

Gears gestured toward the door for Terry to follow as he headed into his workshop. The heat from the forges blasted the front of Terry’s face like sandpaper as he walked by them, as sweat to start dripping from his forehead. Gears looked back and saw him wipe away the sweat. Laughing, Gears exclaimed,

“You think it’s hot now? I have to stay in here most of the day!”

It was painfully obvious that Gears had a way with forges and his exterior complex really showed it. He was covered in burns and sweat, scars leading up both his arms and a black bushy beard to complete the look.

“Ah, he we are!”

Gears walked into his personal workshop, showing a table with something covered under a blanket that was long and thin.

“You always have had a flair for the dramatic Gears. You should consider being an actor.”

Terry laughed as he walked towards the table when Gears stepped in front of him and said

“We need to keep this between you and me, ok? If anyone asks, you found it on a scouting mission. God knows I don’t need all the townspeople on my doorstep asking me to make them one.”

“Ok Gears, I’ll keep it quiet, but I’m not sure what the big deal is. It can’t be all that…”

Terry’s voice stopped as Gears lifted the cloth to reveal a sniper rifle lying on the table.

“How the hell did you manage this? That’s…”

“A fully functioning, bolt action sniper rifle.”

Gears cut off Terry.

“Like I said, we need to keep it quiet that I made it. I can make ammunition as well, but we are keeping this for you and me alone.”

“Jesus, Gears. If the family find out about this they will execute us both.”

Terry peered behind him nervously.

“Oh, f**k the family. You got out of it alive didn’t you?”

“Well, yes but…”

“But nothing. Terry, you of all people know those rumours are true. You saw it with your own eyes.”

Gears looked down onto the table admiring his work.

“I call it the Dark Repulsion.”

“That’s… actually pretty badass. Wait a minute, how do you know what i saw?”

“How long have we known each other Terry? Something like twenty years? Did you really think i couldn’t see it in your eyes the minute you walked to my door?”

“I never saw any powers. I saw something very odd though…”

His voice trailed off. Gears looked up at Terry from the table; his eyes filled with excitement and curiosity, as if he was a child told he could pick out a candy at a store.

“What did you see? Tell me! I have been so excited to hear, but the fact that Thomas didn’t make it back had dampened my excitement.”

Terry let out a sigh and looked at his boots. “There were archers on the roof, and one hit Thomas and I had to leave him. It hit his lung; there was no hope of saving him, even if the best surgeon in the province had gotten to him. When I went inside, it was like a scene of a horror story. Blood, limbs and what i think were satanic symbols… the whole works.”

Gears’ face went from excitement to pure disgust.

“Jesus… what the hell could they hope to achieve by slaughtering innocent people?”

“I’m not sure. One of the archers survived my dagger and I made him talk. He said it was all for power. Then out of nowhere six hooded and robed figures appeared in the middle of the room, huddled.”

Gears’ eyes lit up with excitement again.

“Holy s**t! You did see something! I knew it!”

“I’m going to head over to the trade centre and talk to the person who put up the bounty. Why don’t you stop by my place tonight, I’ll treat you to dinner and we can talk some more. Bring the rifle tonight. I’ll catch you later, Gears.”

Terry waved as he made his way through the boiling hot room filled with men working on daggers and swords. A rifle? Only the richest and most important people have guns, and even those have little to no ammunition available and are remnants of the old world. This was a completely new and functioning one. How did Gears manage to make it? He had no blueprints or references… and yet it’s in fully working condition. Was he lying? No, Gears would never lie to about this. Or anything, for that matter. The thought burdened Terry. He made his way past the slums back into the trading centre, where he walked up to the counter of the bar where the bounties were redeemed and picked up. He glared at every patron in the bar to find the one who put up the bounty. In the back of the dilapidated bar waved a hand, and Terry knew that would be the man he needed to meet. He walked over and rested his backpack on the floor, but within arms reach in case the man tried to skimp on the payment.

“Ah, so you’re Terry! Allow me to introduce myself, I’m Marcus. My friends call me Badger.”

“Frankly I don’t care what your name is. My brother died because of this so I had better get my money. There was all sorts of fucked up things happening in that factory.”

Marcus looked at the table and took a sip of his drink.

“So the rumours are true then. Look, I’m sincerely sorry for your loss. I am. But i really can’t tell if you’re being honest with me. I’ll give you some money, but lower than the five hundred we agreed on.”

Terry sat silently, stunned that Badger was going to rip him off.

“Does the name ‘The Hunter’ ring any bells for you?”

“Wait, you’re… No. You can’t possibly be him, he died years ago.”

Terry pulled his dagger out of his boot and within the blink of an eye had the cold steel pressed against Badger’s throat.

“You know, people would pay good money for Badger meat.”

Terry’s eyes met Badger’s. The fear in his eyes reminded Terry of his first kill.

Badger swallowed hard.

“Ok,ok. Here’s the five hundred we agreed on.”

He dropped a bag of coins onto the table in front of him.

“Smart man.”

Terry smirked as he put the money into his bag. He pulled the dagger away from his throat, threw his bag of his shoulder and walked out of the bar.

As Terry passed through the slums, he was hit by a constant reminder of others despair and how others had suffered. The Old World was long gone, but Terry was sure they had this issue Back then. He could only imagine how the Old World was; He had heard the stories of cities that had millions of people, Neon lights and lively noises. Instead, though, he was born to this dreadful waste. A land of no law. The bandits keep raiding the main gate and damaging it, and it is only a matter of time before they broke in. The slums had no guards, they would be slaughtered. The thought was too overwhelming, he could not bare the thought of these people dying, or becoming subject to even worse fates. Terry looked up at the sun and noticed it was on the horizon, soon to be setting. Gears would be by his house soon for dinner. Terry, with a spring in his step, made his way to the trade center. Between the hagglers and regulars that were there day in and day out, there was little silence. Terry made his way through the crowds to the local butcher and ordered some deer, as it was the best food to have when expecting company, and was inexpensive. After paying for his meat, Terry headed towards the housing district in the south of the town. He made his way through row after row of trashed and battered buildings and stopped at a run down wooden building. He fished his key out of his backpack, unlocked the door and dropped his bag besides the door. He groaned while taking off his boots, throwing them aside on the wooden floor with a thud. No one lived in luxury here; everyone was in the same boat. He walked to his table and set the deer meat on the center. As he headed off into the kitchen to grab utensils, a sharp knock rang across the house. Before he could answer the door, Gears was standing in his hallway.

“You know, you’re lucky I don’t call the guards on you Gears.”

“Ah, you would never do that. Besides, it’s not breaking and entering if it’s a friend’s house, right?”

They both let out a chuckle as Gears’ smile faded.

“Ok, so you told no one about the rifle, right?”

“No, you’re being paranoid again. I know it is a huge deal, but I got your back. The family could do all they want to me and I would never sell you out.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Nevertheless, listen; that factory you went into, the one with all the weird s**t drawn on the walls? I found an old book that says they produced ammunition in that very place.”

“That would explain why they are guarding it. And I only did see the lobby area.”

“Exactly! Who knows what kind of things have been laying around that no one has found?” “Yes, but it’s at least a days trip Gears. It’s a pain in the a*s, not to mention…”

Before Terry could finish his sentence, a loud knock came from the front door. Gears and Terry exchanged worried glances and nodded. He was not expecting guests, and especially not at this hour. Terry slowly opened the door, and standing there was a thin, stocky messenger boy catching his breath.

“Terry?”

“Uh… yes?”

“I’ve got a letter for you. No idea who it’s from, when I asked their name they threatened to kill me.”

Terry looked over at Gears with a sickly look as Gears blurted out a quick thank you and slammed the door closed. Terry glanced at the letter in his hand, completed with a blood red seal on the envelope.

“Oh, s**t.”

Gears exclaimed while slamming his hand on the table.

“These b******s really think we are gonna work for them again? F**k that!”

“Alright, calm down Gears. Let’s see why they want first. It could be about an open contract, I still get those from time to time.”

Terry slowly opened the envelope while Gears watched on from behind. The top of the page had the words “To Terry and Gears”. As Gears saw his name, he said

“Wait, me? They only ever want me to make their daggers and swords. I’m no killer.”

Terry read the letter aloud.

“To Terry and Gears; You may not remember me, we spoke only but briefly. My name is Axel, and i want to help you. Meet me at the old scouting camp to the east. It seems our old ‘friends’ want you dead.”

Terry slowly placed the letter on the table next to him and looked over at Gears, who looked like he had seen a ghost.

“Gears… it’s going to be ok. We’ll meet this guy and see what he has to say.”

“Meet this guy? Are you insane? Terry, what if it’s a trap?”

“Well we don’t really have much of a choice here. We both wait here and die, or we take our chances and meet this guy.”

“God d****t, fine. I’ll head to my place and pack my bag. We’ll leave at sunrise, meet me by my shop.”

Gears walked towards the door in a grim fashion and shuffled out of the house. Terry looked around before realizing Gears had not brought the rifle as he said he would. But that doesn’t matter, he would go by and pick it up in the morning before they left.