"Fuckin' holes in the goddamn path." Studying my palm I carefully picked a small piece of bark out of it while still cussing at the hole I had just stepped in. From behind me a rhythmic chuffing sound preceded the lithe, scaled form of Artemis, one of the many native predatory animals of Olympus IV. "You laughing at me?" Not sparing me a glance Artemis stepped nimbly over the hole I had just pulled my leg out of. Shaking my head at the fact that I was talking to an animal, again, I adjusted the strap of the pack I was carrying and continued on.
Soon enough I stepped out of the treeline and into sight of the massive walls that surrounded what most would call home. The walls were implemented soon after humans first colonized Olympus IV due to the stampede of Trumpetodons that destroyed most of the early buildings and injured nearly half the population of what is now called the Bulwark. Reaching up I flicked on the electric lamp that hung from the side of the pack.
Each Hunter had a similar lamp, it's how they let the guards on the wall know to send someone to open the small door to let them through, and each lamp cast a unique color when turned on. As I approached the door it slid open to reveal Sven. "Come. Quickly." Noting the absence of his usual smile and the serious tone I hurried into the tall corridors with Artemis on my heels. "What's wrong? What happened?"
"A small party of Sirens was spotted in the nearby lake. You are needed for the hunting party." Lengthening my stride I soon found myself at the Gathering Hall where hunters gathered before and after hunts. It's also where hunters delivered the Bulwarks due from their kills. "Finally. The great Shadowstalker and Beastamer joins us. Please do regale us with the tale of the harrowing reason you are late." Ignoring the pompous ass that was Connor I slipped off my pack and pulled out several wrapped packages and handed them to the record keeper's aide.
Pulling out a smaller, but no less important package I turned and made my way over to the infirmary. Looking around my gaze landed on Jackson, the Chief of Medicine. Walking over I handed him the package without a word. Opening the wraps he looked inside before his shining eyes met mine and he signed 'Thank you' with one hand. Nodding I turned back to the gathered hunters and took my usual spot near the back.
"As you all know a group of Sirens has been spotted in the nearby lake, Lake Heracles. That is well past the agreed upon boundary set by the Accord. Now we're not going out there to kill but don't take any unnecessary risks." The Accord is the peace accord that was made when the war between the Sirens and the human settlers ended due to the massive loss of life on both sides. I walked over to the table where Connor, an older guy with gray in his beard named Mike, and Jantzen all leaned studying a hologram. It depicted at least five Sirens of similar size on the shore of Lake Heracles. "Which camera was this pulled from?"
"The one up on the leaning boulders." Imagining I was standing where the camera was I got a rough feel for how big the Sirens were. "They are juveniles. Except that one who is on the cusp of adulthood." Pointing to the Siren that was slightly apart from the rest and seemed to be watching over them. "Howā¦ Ya know what I'm not even gonna ask. So this went from a possible breach toā¦ what?" Looking over at Mike I answered his question. "More than likely they don't even realize where exactly they are. Probably just an outi-"
"I don't care how old they are. They broke the Accord. They will be warned." Not liking the way Connor said that I opened my mouth only to close it again when Jantzen shook his head slightly. Not long after that the Party was working its way through the forest near the lake in three groups. As we got closer the sounds of splashing and laughter started to float up to us. A warbling whistle came from my left shortly followed by a similar whistle from my right. Responding in kind I gestured for everyone in my group to stay but Jantzen who followed close behind me.
Normally related hunters aren't allowed to work together, some bullshit about being blinded by emotions, but me and Jantzen, my brother, proved that we worked well together. Meeting up with both Mike and Connor along with the two they picked to accompany them we all exchanged looks and stepped out of the treeline. Almost immediately the Sirens all bunched around the oldest who placed herself between us and the others. Holding out a hand I motioned Jantzen to stay back. I imagined the fact that five armed humans approaching them would be scary enough without a sixth human who is six foot eight, nearly three hundred pounds of pure muscle.
Stopping ten feet from the frozen Sirens, Connor spoke up. "You have broken article three-four-one of the Peace Accord. This is your one and only warning. Leave." Furrowing my eyebrows I looked over at him for a moment before going back to studying the Sirens. They were still frozen in place. The oldest was scanning the six of us and the trees behind us with eyes that seemed to take everything in. "I said leave!" Snapping my head over I saw Connor swing his rifle up. Darting forward I grabbed the barrel and pushed it up just as he squeezed off a shot.
Ignoring the slight ringing in my ears I stepped into him and wrenched the gun from his hands while knocking him to the ground. "They fuck was that? You wanna start another fucking war?" Glancing at the water I saw nothing but ripples as the surface settled. Good. No blood in the water. "They ignored my-"
"They are children! They were fucking terrified!" Stepping closer Connor glared into my eyes. "They are Sirens! They are our enemy!" Taking a breath I felt my mind clear as my body thrummed with energy. "You really do wanna back up." Not moving he bared his teeth in a feral looking smile. "If I don't?"
"You really wanna do this? Here? Now?" Seeing the intent in his eyes I dipped down under his arm as he swung his knife. Coming up I grabbed his wrist and slammed my knee up into his elbow. Kicking the knife away I slipped around behind him and slammed him face first into the dirt. Standing I held out my hands as both Mike and Jantzen rushed forward. Turning away I called out to the hunters I could see in the treeline. "Time to head back. Medics, please stabilize Connor's arm."
Glancing back at the water I saw a faint ripple near the rocks at the base of the leaning boulders. Turning away I made my way back towards the Bulwark.