In the depths of the East Leaf Wilderness, the uneasy silence that took hold of the forest region was more pronounced here. It was so silent in fact that not a pin-drop could be heard.
The leaves did not sway or rustle, the birds did not cheer nor chirp and even the light that filtered through the canopy dimmed strangely.
Under the cover of a towering ancient oak, a hooded figure clad in dark navy attire lazily scanned his surroundings. He stifled a yawn as his eyes flitted from tree to tree, attempting to find whatever he was looking for.
This continued for a few minutes, to where the concealed figure turned his back ready to return to where he had originally journeyed from.
Evidently, he had just wasted his time.
"Why did I have to be the one to draw the short end of the stick," he grumbled under his breath, uncaring that he had broken the silence that enveloped the entire forest.
Beneath the hood, a silver flash glinted brightly from the area around his mouth, as a crooked set of teeth became partially visible.
Suddenly, the sound of a twig snapping resounded.
The hooded figure whirled around, his hands clutching for the dagger tied to his belt. Once he saw the source of the commotion, however, his hands relaxed.
His crooked grin widened as he licked his lips, "And here I thought you would never show up."
The newest figure who stood opposite the figure clad in navy-blue, wore a pristine brown cloak. The fabric was unblemished and unmarred by the wear and tear of time. Beneath the hood of the robe, a set of cold scarlet eyes stared unflinchingly at the shadow across.
He ignored the other man's provocative tone.
"My master would like to strike a deal with your…" The figure clad in brown paused as if to find the right word, "group."
Endless disdain was laced into his tone.
The first figure frowned and bit back a snarl, "And who is this master of yours?"
The second figure calmly rummaged through his cloak, before he produced a medallion made of some shiny alloy.
Once the man with the silver teeth gazed upon that medallion, his eyes widened into saucers. Engraved on its metallic surface was the image of a bird with a five-coloured plumage and wide wings covered perpetually in flames. It resembled something akin to a pheasant.
'The Vermilion Bird.'
The navy-clad figure's gaze narrowed. Only one family bore that crest, and nothing good ever came out of dealing with them. His face quickly turned serious, "What are the contents of the deal?"
"Are you even qualified to be privy to my master's demands?" The scarlet-eyed man replied indifferently, an expressionless facade plastered beneath the hood of the cloak.
"The 'Boss' sent me here. Of course, I'm qualified enough!" the first figure bristled, obviously offended by the other party's blatant disregard. "Now tell me the contents of the deal."
"You're in no position to make any demands," The second figure who had arrived late, responded coldly.
Just as the man with crooked teeth was about to fly in a rage, he saw the mysterious shadow clad in brown opposite him, sigh.
"The deal is quite simple: All you have to do is attack a certain location and ensure the death of a few people."
"What's in it for us?"
"Wealth and opportunity for protection. I've heard a particular rumour that the local authorities are preparing to deal with your group once and for all. Complete this mission, and not only will we compensate you generously, but we will offer you the opportunity to work under my master. I'm sure you understand there is no greater honour than that for people like you…"
The navy-clad figure ignored the obvious jab at his social standing before his grimy hand vanished under his hood. He rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
Seeing that the other party remained unconvinced, the second figure retrieved a small pouch from the pockets of his robe.
"Half right now, and the other half once you complete your side of the deal," he jiggled the leather pouch, and a crystalline sound rang out.
If one were to peer closer, one could spy many iridescent crystals.
"Well, why didn't you start with that sooner?" The man with the silver tooth cackled and hastily agreed.
A greedy light bloomed in his eyes.
***
"Ugh, blast this crazy mission," Henry whined as he leaned his back on the trunk of a tree.
Beside him, Nico and Leon did the same. Currently, it was the third day of their hunt for a Shadow Fang Leopard. The previous day was just as unsuccessful as the first.
The only thing that broke the monotony of their endless walking was coming across another beast. This time a horned rabbit.
When he approached the creature, Nico had put his guard down after sighting its cute and harmless appearance. Pity surged through him once he thought of the rabbit's difficult plight for survival in such a harsh environment.
Instead of accepting his kindness and mercy, that damned creature had headbutted him, its horn striking his chest. If not for his quick reaction, he was sure he would have suffered far worse at the hands of that small, but unassuming devil.
Nico rubbed his sore chest with a resentful expression.
'Damn rabbits.'
Nico shook his head with an aggrieved sigh and placed that shameful incident to the back of his mind. It didn't help that Henry couldn't stop laughing and poking fun at him once he realised the danger had passed.
The brown-haired boy shifted his neck and said, "Patience, Henry. As the adage goes 'the two most powerful warriors are patience and time', or something like that…"
The raven-haired farmer blinked, before his lips curled up into a provocative smirk, "Ah, yes. You and your warrior talk. Yet a mere rabbit defeated you!" Henry sniggered and clutched his stomach as he tried his best to suppress the urge to laugh.
Nico glared at his companion. His eyebrows twitched, "Stop laughing, otherwise you might just become Phantom's newest hen…"
Henry choked and immediately ceased his mucking around. He stared at his friend's serious expression and paled.
"Heh, that's what I thought." With a harrumph, Nico turned his face to the side to hide his satisfied smirk. He softly hummed a merry tune to himself, pleased to have had the final laugh.
A couple of minutes later, the trio was on their way again… travelling through the brush with a measured speed. Every so often, they would stop and strain their ears, attempting to detect any signs of movement nearby.
With the compass in hand, the trainees made some steady progress as the now tedious scenery passed them.
Sometime later, as Nico, Henry, and Leon passed a particular set of trees, the sounds of a large commotion made their way into their ears.
They halted in their tracks, silently glancing at each other. Each of the trio quickly donned sombre expressions.
They moved forward after some hesitation; the disturbance becoming me louder and louder until Nico could eventually make out screams of fear, as well as urgent shouts and instructions.
The youngsters' slow crouch turned into a quick jog that then turned into a straight dash. If it was another group of trainees that were being attacked, then they had an obligation to lend a helping hand.
As the trainees from the third hut dashed through a bush, they burst into a small clearing. The screams and shouts reached a deafening crescendo.
Their eyes widened.
A scene of chaos was playing out in front of them. A sizeable group of people tried their best to take down their lethal foe.
The sturdiest among them wore plate armour that resembled one worn by a Knight. Behind the Guards, a small group huddled together behind a middle-aged man with greying hair.
His bulging midsection, neat attire, and a cart filled with many goods spoke volumes of his profession.
The only sign that the old merchant was somewhat troubled by what was currently happening, was… the slight furrow of his grey brows.
Nico took all this within a split second.
He shifted his gaze as the source of the commotion appeared within his vision. The beast had turned into a hazy blur, suddenly attacking one combatant from the shadows.
Yet, Nico could instantly identify this creature.
Inky-black fur as dark as night, sharp claws, dark fangs that curled forward menacingly from its maw.
Nico's eyes widened for the second time.
They had found their target…
…the Shadow Fang Leopard.