Anthony was drowning in mana, completely unaware of his surroundings. Meanwhile, in the clutches of those nasty Chulahans, I was waiting to act. Overall there were seven Chulahans. I took note of each of their positions and made my move.
"Zakera." I called. After a few seconds, the Chulahan holding my left arm was blown in the air. Jade was here. Jade gave me an orb that I hid inside my cloak. 'Zakera' was the call that allowed Jade to know when to come. And he came right on time. I grabbed the arm of other Chulahan, I kicked his leg and pulled his arm backwards slamming it on the ground. I immediately mounted the Chulahan and started punching its face. The Chulahan grabbed my shoulders and pinned me down. The Chulahan desperately tried to dig its huge jaws in to my neck but I grabbed them. I kicked the Chulahan's chest, summersautling it over me. I then dug my fingers inside the Chulahans mouth and ripped the jaw right out of its face. The Chulahan was lifeless, blood gushing out of its mouth. Meanwhile, another Chulahan attacked me. Slashing at me with monsterous speed, however my inhuman agility enabled me to dodge each one of the attacks.
The Chulahan was gaining on me. As it slashed its razor sharp claw at me, I spotted an opening and took it. I ducked dodging its huge claws, punched the Chulahn in its ribs and then in the face. The Chulahan flinched. Meanwhile, I saw Jade facing the other Chulahans. Jade looked at me and passed me my sword. The Chulahan came back to senses and advanced at me. Before it could make a move, I unsheathed my sword and struck it in the Chulahan's big hairy chest. While Jade and I were busy sweeping out each of his minions, Anthony commensed with the spell completely oblivious to what was happening. After a while, the transfer of mana halted. Anthony opened his eyes levitating in the air and manically laughing. A great measure of mana was surrounding him.
He looked at us and tried to use his powers. However, suddenly the huge surge of mana around him disappeared.
"Case! Shoot him!"Jade called throwing the crossbow at me.
I caught it and pulled the trigger. The arrow spinning in the air like a drill, hit the necklace Anthony was wearing. The arrow pierced through the necklace and struck Anthony in the chest. The mana stored in the necklace bursted out. Anthony screamed in agony and fell on the ground. Smoke rose from his body. Both Jade and I approached him. He was still breathing. Before he passed out, I interrogated him. I put my foot on the arrow's tail and pushed it deep inside Anthony's chest. Anthony screamed in pain.
"That relic was destroyed a long time ago. I know that you did not just find it." I said. "Somebody gave it to you. Tell me who he is Anthony."
I slowly pushed the arrow further. Anthony screamed but refused to answer. Instead he started laughing. From his reaction I took away my foot from the arrow.
"Don't....worry Hunter. You don't need to know who he is. Because he is coming to you."Anthony said stuttering and coughing blood."Very....soon."
Anthony took his last blast breath and died. His last words left me with many questions in my head. Something was going on. There was someone very dark at work. However, I decided to let go of the matter for the moment and helped the imprisoned people of Bolville. Jade teleported us straight to the city, using his magical orb. We got rid of Anthony's nasty ghouls guarding the dungeons and freed all the prisoners. Thankfully, most of the people were alive, including Jeffery and Cassandra. I was relieved to see that.
Jade stayed back at the city along with Jeffery and Cassandra to help with the repairs. The pace of work was much faster because of his magic. Meanwhile, I thanked Jade for his help and took my silent leave. Two weeks later, Adam visited me. He came to give me my payment. Adam placed two sacks full of gold coins on my table.
"This is more then what was decided." I said seeing the payment sent by Jeffery.
"Jeffery said the rest is a token of thanks to you by Cassandra." Adam said.
My master taught me a long time ago that money should always be in your head not in your heart. Neither take more nor take less then you deserve. So I returned the other sack.
"What will I do with this?" Adam asked.
"Do whatever you see fit. But I won't take it. I already got my payment." I answered.
"Okay. If you say so." Adam said and left.
After he left, I decided to make an entry in my own diary. Master said that even after death, our hunts could prove to be very valuable for many future hunters. So I took a very good care of not only his diary amd mine but all the books stored in his enormous library. His knowledge is all I am left with. So it is quite precious to me. While I was making an entry in my diary, I recalled what Anthony told me. And his words made an enormous pile of questions inside my head. Who was behind all this mayhem? I had to find out quick and stop him before he causes anymore damage.
"Venator In Sempiternum"