The Hunter and The Assassin

Snow-white hair flounced gently on the bare but tinged shoulders. The figure was a womans, lithe and fit from healthful exercise. A very short skirt hugged her, thus emphasizing her shapely legs and calves. A sharp pair of gray eyes scanned the sky for the sight of the faithful falcon.

Signy Brynhild was not your ordinary Hunter. She was one of the very few female Archers who won the right to be Hunters in the hard-fought battle at Payon. She even ousted Pierre, former Guildsmaster of Asgard Inc., Payons Hunter association. Signy won the hunting contest by killing the Caledonian Boar single-handedly, and by taking the Sharpshooter test by a storm. Pierre finally challenged her to a duel in setting landmines. It was dangerous and she nearly died, but she saw that her footing was right and her bombs at the nearest possible place to her target. Pierre lost his title to a woman.

The Hunters were reluctant to have a female leader. It hurt their pride. But whether they liked it or not, Signy was now the Queen of their guild. Her power was absolute; her reign was of steel. Nobody could protest. They could find no fault in Signys governance.

Asgard Guildsmasters was supposed to stay put in Payon, but Signy would have none of it. She was part of Firnheild, and Firnheild people went out as they pleased. Hunters criticized her for it, but she shrugged them off. She was no fooland certainly there was no way shed isolate herself from a world of pure excitement and adrenaline rush.

Gray eyes left the sky. Signy sighed deeply and sat down on the edge of Izludes fountain. She dislodged her bow from her shoulder and checked the tightness of the string. Her bow was always in a superb condition, but it became her habit to check it every now and then. When she could find no mess whatsoever she returned it to its place.

"Odin still not around then?"

Signy looked up and met the veiled face of Sibyl. For an assassin, Sibyl was the remarkable one. Her face was veiled so only her eyes showed. There is no clear information about her past except her achievements as a Thief and Assassin. Like Altair, Nerva, Theodoric, Signy and Wealthow, Sibyl entered and left Midgard Academy at a young age and fulfilling both job classes with impressive performance. She was one of the precious gems of Morroc. And she was the only female Assassin to have made it in the Elite Circle.

"No he isnt yet." Signy answered. "Boy, are they that far away?"

Sibyl sat down beside her comrade and checked her katar. "What do you think of Nerva alThor? Hes going to be part of us now. Or so we think."

"I cannot tell what I think of him until I see him." Signy replied. "Personally I think hes a double-edged sword. Wizards provide the highest damage points alongside Knights. And hes Geffens pride. He did great things, this Nerva, but his being involved in the Byalan Incident is a bit dodgy. Seriously dodgy, if you ask me. He can attack us anytime. Wizards, like you Assassins, have high capability for stealth and cunning."

Sibyl laughed. "I think Nerva is hot."

Signys eyebrows shot upward. "Hot? What do you mean hot?"

Sibyl winked and threw back her long, ponytailed hair. "I mean he can be a total darling."

"I cant believe you." Signy burst out. "You havent even seen him!"

But Sibyl was on her feet and was laughing heartily. Then something caught her eye. "Look, its Odin!"

Signy looked around just in time as Odin perched himself on her shoulder. She immediately retrieved Wealthows reply note.

"Whats it said?" Sibyl inquired.

"Theyll be here in four hours." Signy reread the note. "That meansumm, a lot more time then."

"Is Nerva with them?" Sibyl pushed on.

"They wouldnt be leaving Geffen early if Nerva alThor isnt with them, are they?"

Sibyls grin widened. She turned on her heels and started to walk away from the fountain, leaving Signy behind.

"Where are you going, Sibyl?" Signy called.

"Shopping!" came the shouted answer as Sibyl vanished into Izludes crowd.

Signy rolled her eyes. "Shopping" for Sibyl usually meant stealing away some other persons money and loot. Sibyl wasnt exactly a kleptomaniac, but then, she was an Assassin and a former Thief. Thieves and Assassin do some Stealing for the fun and risk of itand also to earn some extra zeny. No wonder theyre rich like Albertas Merchants and Blacksmiths.

"What would you like, Odin?" Signy asked as she stroked Odins silky feathers. "Go out and Hunt, my love. I shall send my call to the wind when we need you."

Odin spread his great wings and took off. Signy waved him good-bye.

A Merchant pulling along a very full Kafra cart stopped before Signy. The girl, about seventeen years of age, smiled shyly.

"UmmI wanted to ask, do you need anything at the moment, maam?" she inquired. "I have collected some rare items from Mount Mjoinirand all of them make nice gifts."

"Do you have a Mighty Staff?" Signy asked as she opened her purse and counted her zeny.

The Merchants face brightened at once. She moved through her merchandise, moving parcels, boxes and packets aside. She had a wide collection of weaponry. She rummaged some more until she took out a very magnificent and rare Mighty Staff from her lot.

"How much is it?" Signy asked.

"I was thinkingabout 500 k, because this is really rare." The Merchant replied. "Is that okay with you?"

"Ill take it." said Signy, handing over 500,000 zeny to the awestruck Merchant. She took the Mighty Staff in her hands and twirled it. "It is beautiful and very new, but I shall have Altair to look and refine it further. The person whos going to receive this is rather special, if you understand what I mean."

"Thank you very much." The Merchant bowed. "Youre my very fist customer for the day. Allow me to give a free gift"

The Merchant gave her a small golden falcon.

"It is said that it protects the Hunter who has it. Please take it as my thanks." The Merchant bowed once more.

"Thank you." Signy smiled, placing the golden relic close to her heart. "I shall treasure this."

The happy Merchant walked on with a wider grin on her face. Signy whistled and examined the Mighty Staff. Boy, Nerva alThor would surely like this one.



"All right! Goblin attack!" Altair screamed excitedly as he swung his hammer and whammed it hard into the pumpkins sneering face. The monster gave a howl of pain and fell back. Three more popped up from the shrubs and meant to help, but Theodoric was there.

"Magnum Break!"

Nerva, wanting to show that his years in the Tower didnt rust his skills, performed a spell.

"Sense!"

"Whatre their stats, Nervy?" Altair asked. The Goblin he was fighting spun its cane and thrust it hard into his stomach. Altair wheezed in pain. "Ow, bugger!"

"All threes lives are reduced to half!" Nerva replied.

"WEALTHOW, BACK UP! I NEED SOME DEFENCE!"

Wealthow obliged. "Angelus!!"

Theodoric was blasted off his feet and slammed into the ground. The Goblins, cackling madly, walked toward him. The Knight retreated and tried to retrieve his lance, but it was too far away.

"SOUL STRIKE!"

Ten ancient spirits responded to Nervas call and finished off one of the Goblins. At the same time Altair killed the one attacking him, and he ran to help Theodoric stand up. Wealthow gave him his lance.

"Bash!"

They heard the goblins skull crack. It fell dead at once. Theodoric whistled nervously.

"Bugger, Theodoric, whats happening to you?" Altair asked incredulously. "You can finish of two Golems and these Goblins blasted you off your feet? Are you losing your touch?"

Theodoric didnt answer. Nerva was sure the Knights hands were shaking like mad.

"Are you three all right?" Wealthow asked. "Who needs Heal?"

"Im fine." Altair answered. "Dont need any for now."

"So am I." Nerva replied.

"Yeahandand Im fine as well." Theodoric stammered.

They walked on. A few Mandragoras greeted them, but Theodoric finished them off with a Spear Boomerang. Sometimes Nerva fed the pesky plants with a shot of Fire Bolt. A little while later and Pronteras massive walls loomed into view.

"Ahh, Prontera, the Capital." Altair sniffed. "A whole lot of selling. Goodvery good."

"Are we taking a break here, Wealthow?" Theodoric asked. "Altair needs to sell, obviously."

"I suppose so." The Priestess answered.

"All righty! YAHOO!" said Altair before breaking into a frantic dash toward the northern gate.

"Merchants and Blacksmiths." Nerva said under his breath. "Love money so much, dont they?"

"Love?" Wealthow giggled. "Altair worships it!"



Altair was sitting by the fountain when they found him. He had a great banner above his head that read, BLACKSMITH HERE! A long line of Novices, Thieves, Mages, Assassins, Archersand almost everyone else, was waiting upon Altair. Most of the people in the line had their weapons out; a few had ores, Phracons and different stones for refining.

Theodoric rubbed his hands together as he stared at a very pretty Acolyte sitting a few meters from Altair offering a full Heal for 100 zeny. The girl had long, blue hair and eyes bound with long lashes. No need to say what Theodoric was planning.

"Im going to try my luck today." He said before walking toward the said Acolyte.

"And where do we go?" Nerva inquired nonchalantly.

"Anywhere you like." Wealthow shrugged. "Theodoric and Altair will take on thirty minutes at least, and thats a lot of time free for us. Do you like to eat? You havent eaten anything yet."

"Excuse me"

Nerva and Wealthow looked up. A young swordsman of about eighteen years of age came to a stop before them. One of his eyes had swollen so much that it closed. His left shoulder looked badly dislocated, and his face was covered with deep cuts. Dried blood was visible on his clothes and handsand also on the blade of his Falchion.

"I need Heal, please." The swordsman said, fumbling with his purse. His grip failed him and his money spilled on the ground. Nerva quickly stood up and helped to pick up the scattered gold coins. "Please, I need it badlyIll pay you 500 zeny just Heal me."

Wealthow touched the Swordsmans face with no hesitation at all. "Oh dear, what have you been doing? This looks like a Metallers attack. Have you been fighting monsters that are far too strong for you?"

"I only want to be a step closer to Knighthood." The swordsman grumbled.

"You wont be a Knight," said Nerva. "With recklessness like that one. Youll die faster than you can say Peco-peco."

The Swordsman looked at him curiously. Nerva was careful to bow his head and let his red hair hide his face. The Wizard obviously didnt want to cause another hysteria.

Wealthow gave a small smile. Nerva was a concerned man after all. She returned to the poor Swordsman. "I shall give you a full Heal for free. I do not feet like charging you. Save your money for a better weapon or some potions, okay?"

"Thank you, my lady." The swordsman said passionately.

"Heal!!"

Nerva watched as every single damage was repaired. The dried blood was vanishing, the swollen eye was shrinking, and the dislocated join returned to its original location with a slight pain that made the Swordsman wince. A little while later and even his clothes were fixed. Wealthow surveyed her job contentedly and bowed as a sign of gratitude.

The Swordsman left like nothing ever happened to him.

"You know what makes us Acolytes and Priests feel good after each Healing?" Wealthow asked Nerva. When he shook his head she continued. "We love to see that even for one tiny bit of wound repaired, weve been able to help and keep life going on. It is very fulfilling that we help people hang on their lives, knowing we can only live this life once. If that Swordsman hadnt found us, he would have been dead after twenty minutes."

Nerva couldnt see Wealthows point. Isidore kept flashing in his mind, and how the way the Priest died in his arms. If Priests really helped keep life going, why did Isidore didnt Heal himself and let Nerva die for him in the first place?

Nerva looked away and spotted a nearby ice cream stand. He stood up, rummaging through his pockets for some zenies. Years ago, when Swastika was still alive, it was always his job to treat his friends to ice cream. Now he was doing it again. The ice cream vendor greeted him brightly.

"Anything from the scoop, young master?"

"I want the four largest cones. Throw in everything you have, and top it off with a cherry for each." Nerva said casually as he placed fifty zenies on the counter.

"But young master, all fifty flavors?" the ice cream vendor blinked.

Nerva flashed his yellow eyes at the man. "You heard me. Throw in everything you have."

"V-very well. If it is what young master wants." The ice cream man answered.

Nerva kept his hands in his pockets as he waited for the four towering cones of ice cream. He was looking around Prontera. Merchants, Novices and Blacksmiths were busy selling, Swordsmen and Knights were bragging about their deeds to one another and Mages and Wizards were showing off at the fountain by casting Thunderstorms and building Ice Walls. Very few Archers could be found, and Acolytes, Priests, Thieves and Assassins were busy looking for Healers or else selling some other good theyve picked up somewhere.

"Here you go, young master." The ice cream vendor said breathlessly as he gave Nerva his tottering cones of ice creams. "Would you like me to help you?"

"No, thank you." Nerva replied, deftly holding all four cones and 200 scoops of different flavors in two hands. "I can manage."

Nerva walked easily, the huge tower of ice creams attracting the peoples attention to him. Wealthows eyes widened with amazement before she laughed and went to help him. Nerva gave her a cone before giving Altair his. The Blacksmith was dumbfounded.

"Bugger, Nervy! This iswell, huge!" Altair grinned broadly. "Oh bugger, now how am I going to eat this?"

"Thats your problem." Nerva said before setting off to find Theodoric.

Theodoric was sitting outside a shop, his right cheek swollen to the size of a grapefruit. His expression was glum, but he brightened up when he saw the giant ice cream cone Nerva gave him. Theodoric started licking off his cold food and patted the ground beside him. Nerva understood and sat down cross-legged beside the Knight.

"Sorry if I did anything bad to you before." Theodoric said. "Just worried."

"And I am sorry if I had been rude." Nerva replied as he threw the tip of his cone into his mouth.

"Whoa, you finished it off in just five minutes?" Theodoric gasped. "What are you?"

Nerva shrugged. "When Swastika was still alive, Isidore, Matilda and I lived off every free time in an ice cream eating contest. The name of the game was to eat the tallest pile of ice cream in the fastest time. Isidore always won because of his impressive technique; he doesnt even allow a single drop to fall. Oftenest Matilda and I were bankrupt because of this."

"Wow." Theodoric blinked and took a great mouthful of choco-mint. "Dash ish amashingh!"

"What happened to your face?" Nerva inquired.

At this, Theodoric frowned. "Little miss perfect Acolyte was too bad. I just touched her butt and she struck me with her Mace. Can you believe that?"

"Oh." Nerva raised an eyebrow. "She must have seen you as a pure pervert."

Theodoric choked and spluttered. He punched Nervas shoulder playfully.

"Im not pervert, man!" he said. "I was just complementing her for having those gorgeous behinds!"



Izlude. The city of high winds and sharp blades. Home of the Swordsmen Association of Midgardand political seat to the House of Thor. Izlude was like your mini version of Prontera. The citys central had a teeming bazaar, and a beautiful fountain modeled after the capital citys, although it was a little smaller. Izlude, like Alberta, lived off trading by sea. But recent worsening weather from overseas forced the ships to stay home at the docks. It was a lot safer.

Nerva didnt want to be in Izlude. In fact he had never been in the place ever since he was ten years old. Izlude, although his birthplace, it was far from being home. Sir Tiberius and Lady Cornelia were too busy with their political affairs to look after their sons. They forced on the familys tradition of producing Swordsmen and Knights to their children if it was against their will. Only Nerva and Alexander had enough sense to go their own wayin exchange for their expensive courtly life. But what about life if you had parents who never cared about you?

"Signy and Sibyl must be here." Wealthow told the three of them. "Only Izludes too crowdedwhere can those two be?"

"We can wait by the fountain." Altair suggested. "Signy might be there drinking some cappuccino or something."

But they didnt need to wait any longer.

"THEODORIC! WEALTHOW! ALTAIR!"

The three spun around to see Sibyl running frantically toward them, arms outstretched, and zenies clanking happily in her moneybag. The Assassin kicked off from the ground and whammed into Altair. Sibyl and Altair rolled on the ground for a few circles before finally dislodging from one another. Altair looked pained and winded but extremely happy. Sibyl removed her veil and planted a kiss on the Blacksmiths cheek.

"Glad to see you, cowboy!" said Sibyl. "Still spiffingly handsome, I see!"

"Sibyl!" Theodoric said, stepping forward. "Come here, you sly old fox!"

Sibyl stood up and gave the Knight an armor crunching bear hug. Then she turned and embraced Wealthow in a sisterly fashion.

"Oh boy, its so nice to see you." Sibyl sniffed. "I was lonely in MorrocI was alone; your company was better"

"Bugger, Sibyl." Altair smiled. "Arent you going to greet Nervy?"

"Nervy?" Sibyl repeated blankly. "Whos that?"

Wealthow beckoned a handsome but rather starved-looking Wizard to join them. "Nerva alThor, Sibyl. Our new partymate."

"Oooooooohhh" Sibyl breathed as she took on Nervas physique.

Nerva nodded and tried to smile, but found that his facial muscles didnt know how to do it anymore. His lips managed to twitch at the corner, though.

"So you are Nerva alThor, Geffens pride."

"Signy!" Altair jumped excitedly. "Oh bugger, Signy!!!"

Signy joined them, her beautiful smile in place. They hugged and kissed her except for Nerva, who just extended his gloved hand. Signy took it and shook it.

"So!" said Signy. "I see that Firnheild is whole and kicking again!"

"And we have a new one in too." Sibyl giggled shrilly. "Gifts first then!"

"Oh, yes." Signy remembered. She took out a magnificent Mighty Staff from her arrow case and handed it to Nerva, whose astonishment couldnt be denied. "Thats for you. But allow Altair to check it though. We can never be sure."

Altair only needed to look at the staff once to check it. "Its one of the finest Ive ever seen. You havent been cheated."

"Thats good news." Signy answered.

"I havent brought anything." Sibyl spoke hopefully. "Would a kiss be fine, Nerva?"

Nerva gave a start and shifted his eyes to the Assassin. "No, thank you. Id rather a potion if you please."

Sibyl blinked a few times. How did Nerva found out that she had a bottle of potion hidden in her backpack? She gave it to him anyway.

"Neat Vision you have there, Nerva." Signy smiled. "Youve been trained partly in Archery?"

Nerva shook his head. "Its one of the powers of Sight."

"I see now that we are complete and ready for our task." Wealthow spoke importantly. They all stopped and looked at her. "Our task will start tomorrow morning."

She held out her hand. Theodoric put his hand on hers. Signy, Sibyl and Altair followed suit. Nerva didnt extend his hand. Theodoric inclined his head, inviting him to do the same. Nerva did, although reluctantly and hesitantly.

"Firnheild is back in action, people." Sibyl said ecstatically. "Make your way, coz were going to take you by storm!"

Theodoric smiled, but his grin vanished in a flash. "I still have to get a new Peco-peco, though. Ill be back real soon."

He turned on his heels and dashed away with a swish of his cape.

"Where are we heading tomorrow?" Signy asked.

Wealthow looked intently at Nerva. "To the place where it all started. Byalan Islands."

Nerva felt his chest tighten. His mind clouded very rapidly, obscuring all thoughts except for that horrible day seven years ago. Images flashed like sharp photographs in his mind

The Shadow. A creature of infinite black and dark power. The very Ragnarok, end of the world. A creature that can kill you with just one swipe of its grimy and skeletal arms. It was your worst fear given life. Its breath was colder and sharper than ice. Death was emanating from everywhere on its body.

Death.

Faces of dead comrades came next. Richard, Isidore, Matilda, Kiara, Octavian and Haja. Dead, all dead. And Nerva couldnt do anything to help them. All he did was cry as they died protecting him. No matter if he was the best in magic, he was still helpless.

Let the dead Past bury its dead, Nerva

He was in the Present. It was no use sulking in memories.

He looked at the faces of his new companions. Wealthow, Theodoric, Sibyl, Signy and Altair, all glowing with the warmth of life, not the icy coldness of death. Their blood was not yet flowing.

Nerva made a vow, staking even his soul. Nobody of Firnheild will die. Only one person will die, and it was him.

But he was not going to die until he seals the Shadow into the underworld, where it belonged.