Servanus
By MisterEbony



Prologue

No one knows when the conflict started. No one even knows who struck the first blow. But for 400 years now, a war rages on Earth.

Not this Earth, mind you. The Earth I speak of is not found on any chart. It is in a different dimension, where humans coexist with a race made up of walking and talking animals, particularly cats, dogs, mice, squirrels, and other mammals. The collective term for them, in our language, is Fursons.

And it was with them that humans were at war. 

According to ancient text, renegade Fursons struck a blow against humanity by assaulting a large town. Many died as a result, and there have been many renegade bands ever since. To fight them, and elite group of warriors, clothed in chain mail and trained from their youth to use deadly bows and crossbows, was formed. They are called Furhunters, an accurate term. To some, they are heroes. To others they are murderers. 

This is the story of a young hunter who learned the truth, and, as a result, changed the history in this Earth forever.


Chapter 1: Darek

He was born Servenus Darek Miguel. But he hated his first name, taken from his grandfather.

"A fine hunter he was." His mother told him. "Killed hundreds of renegades, taking their fur for our children to wear."

He found this hard to believe, since the name Servanus, in the hunter language, did and does mean coward, weakling, and traitor. To be named Servanus by the high council was considered the ultimate dishonor. But to be named that by his own mother...

So, as he grew, he took the name Darek, and his first name was forgotten.

He grew up in a hunter community on the edge of the Seraphim Forest. The community was made up almost completely of hunters and trainees. His schoolmates were all hunters, and his parents were hunters as well.

His father was the captain of the hunter group after all, and his wife second in command. Both were highly honored by the council. The Slayer himself especially honored them.

The Slayer! Leader of the hunters, master of the council, commander in the war against Fursons. A war that seemed never to end. How Darek longed to meet him one day as he grew up. 

"One day my son." His father told him when he turned five. "When that day comes, you will be a captain like me. I see great things for your future as a hunter."

"But when?" he would reply. His father just smiled and did not answer. 

When he turned seven, he enrolled in the training all young hunters receive. But he showed an unusual skill. Like all hunters, he showed he was good with the bow and crossbow, and had a talent for making traps and staying hidden.

What made him stand out was a natural skill with the sword. Something no hunter dare try from the times of old.

"Horribly messy swords are." His teacher scolded. "Stick to the bow. The only blade you need is the skinning knife."

But Darek did not listen. He learned to fight with not one blade but two, each a small sword about the size of his arm. He showed a natural talent that made him stand out, even at his young age. By the time he was ten, he was a master of the blade. This was something that had not happened in over 200 years.

And so the boy got his wish: he met the Slayer.

Compared to him, all other hunters seemed like peons. This one, the Slayer, was clothed in green armor made from leather and furskins, with a long cape made from an unspeaking bear. His face was handsome, with age showing in it. His beard was gray and his head bald, but it gave him the presence no king could attain. He looked to Darek and smiled.

"Young Darek, your teachers tell me you have defied the standard teaching, and learned the way of the blade. They say you cannot use the bow like the others." He said, his voice low and fatherly.

"But I can sir, let me prove it!" Darek argued, but the Slayer shook his head.

"Not at this time. In two years, at twelve, you will have your first hunt. I have a challenge. Go out at that time with a crossbow. If you bring back a fur pelt, then you have showed your skills were not damaged by your love of the sword." He smiled and reveled his present for the hunter to be. "And you will receive these at that time."

Darek stared in awe at them. They were jet-black blades, with handles made of bone. They seemed to curve at the end, like the moon at its tip. Adorning the handle, at the end, were two green emeralds, each as large as the boys fist.

"Behold before you the blades of the first Slayer." He said, his voice seeming to give off an air of pride. "Since his time there has not been another who could wield these. Perhaps the time has come again. I present these to your father, to give to you upon a successful hunt."

Those who were watching him cheered. Was Darek the reincarnation of the first Slayer? Darek smiled with pride as he imagined him holding those blades, renegade furs falling left and right, his community safe from them forever.

It would be the last time he would have this thought. Because, when first hunt occurred, everything changed.


Chapter 2: First Hunt

Time went quickly until then, and Darek learned much. He learned especially how to hunt, where to aim the crossbow, what to track, and all the other skills a potential hunter would need.

When he turned twelve, he was truly an image. He stood at just over four feet, a greenish cape covering his chain mail all trainees wear, which still was shiny and new, the indication of a new hunter.

"It's time father." Darek told him that very afternoon. He gazed at the twin blades, crossed over the fireplace in the main room. "My first hunt."

Darek's father nodded, handing him the crossbow and several bolts in a quiver. "Head upstairs and prepare my son. Today you will not be hunting targets. Today, you make your first kill."

"I understand father." He smiled proudly, and went upstairs to find his boots and hood, among other things. In his home, these would be in the main armory on the second floor. That was next to the door that he was never to open.

He had tried before, and was promptly scolded. But he had looked into it beforehand. It didn't look like much, just a simple room, with a large picture of his grandfather on the far wall. Why was he not allowed in? He never knew nor did he care to know anymore. It was forbidden, and for a hunter that was all he needed to know. And he was a hunter now. It was time for his first hunt.

A hunter. The word seemed to bring a status symbol with it. He was no longer a trainee. He was going to fight at last, like all in his family had fought the fur menace. He headed to the armory room and got his supplies.

They were simple, as this was his first time. A simple sack like a purse, inside containing a ration, the skinning knife, a sightscope to see long distances away, and a small canteen to get water. He knew if he needed more food, that the berries in the Seraphim Forest were almost all edible, so he had no trouble that way. He then put on his boots and a belt to carry the bolt quiver on. Finally, he attached the medallion of his family.

It was a simple silver medallion, attached to his chainmail through magic he did not understand. Only the Slayer and his aides were able to use magic, as it was something that had to be earned through kills. On the medallion was the crest of his town (A knight holding the severed head of a wolf, underneath bearing the words "defenders at the frontline") and his name in ancient script. It was silver, not gold, to indicate this was his first hunt. He would get the gold one upon presentation of the fur pelt from his kill.

"And it will be a Furson." Darek told himself. "A big one, with snarling fangs and giant claws, eager to tear me apart. But he won't get to put me in his pot. I'll shoot one and down he will go!" He smiled and started down, getting the crossbow from his father, and attaching the bolts.

"Good luck my son." He told Darek. Darek smiled and exited the home.

Outside, the hunters stood at attention, saluting Darek as he started for the forest. A cheer was given as he turned.

"Today, I become a hunter!" He cried out. 

"Today, you become a man!" The crowd responded. It was the traditional call, the sign that the boy was a man now, but only if he caught the fur.

And he was off to do just that.

************

Were it not for the fur threat, the Seraphim Forest would live up to its name as a forest for angels. Darek smiled at all the exotic flowers and plants, almost all of which edible. He smiled as he picked a bluish berry from a nearby tree and sampled it.

It tasted sweet, like candy and not one seed to it. Darek took another, then remembered the other purpose for these berries. He picked a few and splatted them against his armor. It began to turn a sickly green color, camouflaging him in the surround wood.
As he did, he heard a loud roar. A fur!

"Ah, earlier than I thought! I'll be home by nightfall!" He headed in the direction of the roar, seeing an usual sight.

It was a giant bear, unspeaking, but he was chasing something. It looked like another hunter! But it is not custom for two hunters to go out, except as hunting parties. Perhaps one from another village?

"Hang on!" He called, aiming his crossbow for the bear. The bear turned, growling and snarling. He stood up on two legs and roared out.

"Thanks for the bigger target." Darek said, and fired. Bigger target or no, his shot was wide, slamming into the tree. 

"SHIT!" He screamed, as the bear charged at him. He heard the voice of the one the bear was chasing.

"Look out! He's hungry, and we are on the menu!" The voice screamed. The bear got close, and raised a paw. Darek grabbed a bolt and threw it at him. It did not pierce him, but it hit his eyes, stunning him.

That was all the time he needed. He loaded his crossbow again and fired at close range. The bolt shot through the bear and out the other side, stained permanently red as it flew though his heart. His eyes froze then glazed over.

Then, he staggered, took a step back, and fell. Darek stood up. It wasn't a Furson, but a kill is a kill. He was a hunter now.

"You saved my life!" The voice said. Stepping from the shadows. But when the two saw each other, they realized the problems were not yet over.

For it was not a hunter or villager that Darek had saved. He had jet-black fur, feline paws, a long tail, and a catlike face.

It was a Furson. A cat Furson.


Chapter 3: Ebony

Unusually, the cat seemed just as surprised as Darek was. And he was no adult either, he looked like either a midget or a...

No, monsters don't have children, do they?

"Aren't you a little young to be a murderer?" The feline asked. "Well, you got your pelt. So I will go."

Darek figured this was a trap. "Why, did you boobytrap the body? That's what you Fursons do. You set up traps to catch us, then you eat us alive!"

The feline chuckled. "I have tasted human before. Yucky meat. I prefer mice." he chuckled. Darek went white as he said that. "What? I'm a cat! I eat mice!"

Darek pointed at himself. "And me!"

The feline laughed. "Oh hardly. Humans are far too hard to prepare, mom says. She likes when they are willing and reforms them afterward, like all our meals, but it really isn't worth it when they are unwilling."

Darek was confused as to what he should do. He had a nice large pelt, but if he didn't do something this cat would eat him, he was sure of it! So, he opened his bag and reached for the skinning knife.

Then the fur did something he did not expect.

"Hey, you hungry? I have some extra fruit, and I can share." He took out an apple, slicing it in half with a small paring knife. Darek was confused. Monsters don't eat fruit! At least, that was what he was taught. He dropped the skinning knife back in and took the apple.

But he was cautious. Was it poisoned? His fears were unjustified thankfully, as the feline bit into the apple.

"Ahhh... fresh Macintosh apples. Deeelish!" The feline said. "Wish I had a mouse sandwich though. With mustard and onions..."

Darek chuckled some as he said this. "I thought Fursons ate their meat raw or as a stew."

The feline chuckled. "Nah, we like burgers and pies and cakes... my mom, she makes a wonderful mouse and squirrel pie that EVERYONE would love. Uses fresh berries and nuts too!"

Darek was about to reply to that when he went wide-eyed. "What am I doing?! I'm talking to a Furson! You're the enemy, you want to kill us all!"

The feline laughed loud and long, and kept laughing. Darek finally had to ask. "What's so funny?"

The feline nodded. "Forgive me, but we have no real weapons, so how can we attack and kill anything! You hunters are the killers! Then again, you are not like I imagined hunters to be, so...." He purred some. 

"True... you are not exactly how I saw Fursons either." He decided that, perhaps, not all furs were bad. Maybe it was just a few that were evil. "I'm Darek, a Trai...um... no, I'm a hunter now. This bear was my first kill."

"Good thing too!" The feline said. "He thought I was lunch, and me without my reformation potion. Mom always told me to take one in case of such a thing, but me I couldn't. My name is Ebony."

"Excuse me..." Darek said, just catching the name. "Reformation potion?"

Ebony smiled. "Passed down from the alchemists of old, my mom said. It allows us to reform if we get eaten. Not much good if we get shot though." he sighed. "Many in my village found that out, so we try to stay out of the woodlands this close to the human settlements. But I got lost."

Darek sighed. "You are a kid then."

Ebony nodded. "Just turned twelve today."

Darek was wide eyed. "Me too!"

"No kidding? Well, happy birthday!"

Darek chuckled. The two talked like this for a few minutes before Darek remembered that he needed the skin of that bear. He got out the knife and set to work.

"Hope this doesn't gross you out." Darek said. Ebony chuckled.

"Nah, let me help. Least I can do for saving my life." Ebony drew his claws and began to help with the skinning. For Darek it was hard going, but for Ebony it was a easy as tracing fingers across one you loved. Together they skinned the bear. 

"Now, what to do with all the meat." Ebony said. Darek tilted his head.

"In training we are to leave the meat. It is useless."

"Rubbish!" Ebony said. "The ancient text states: no part of a creature is totally worthless. I will find some fellow villagers and take it back with me."

Darek looked at him. "Well... I better go then."

"Will I see you again?" Ebony asked.

"I don't know. Furs are shot on sight at the village, and I doubt I'd be welcome among Fursons."

Again, Ebony laughed. "Wrong! Humans are always welcome!"

That was the biggest shock Darek had so far! "What?!"

"We get lots of humans from the other villages who visit us, but they do it in secret, so the hunters don't find us. You won't tell them about us, will you?"

The boy was unsure. If he found a fur village he would have to tell. It was his duty. But he had experienced some things just now that turned everything he believed about Fursons on their head. But...

"Yeah... I'd have to. I'm a hunter now."

Ebony nodded. "Tell you what. You and I can be a team. We can track down the unspeaking bears and wolves that threaten those in the wood. You keep the pelts, I get the meat. Deal?"

Now that Darek could agree too. "Deal. We will need a meeting place though."

"No problem. Just look for this sign." Using some berries, he painted a symbol of a yin-yang. "This sign stands for two opposites working in harmony. When you see it on your hunts, speak my name. I will not be far away."

Darek nodded. "I will use the same sign, just in case, but with strawberries." The two laughed some and smiled.

"You know, for a hunter, you are pretty cool. Maybe we can be friends?"

Darek pondered. He was still unsure. "Well.... maybe. I make no garuntees just yet." 

The two shook hands, and gathered their share of the catch. "Well... nice talking to you. Thanks again for saving me."

Darek nodded. "I have a feeling I was meant to, somehow." He lifted the large pelt, and set off back for the village. He then wanted to ask Ebony something.

But when he turned around, Ebony was gone!

Was it a dream? Or a vision? 

No, because he had a pelt but no corpse left behind. It happened. 

And for the first time in his life he began to question the ideas of Hunters and Fursons.

It would not be the last.


Chapter 4 Unreasonable Questions

Returning to the village, Darek met a crowd of happy hunters, cheering and chanting his name. It was like he was a war hero! As he entered the village, his parents and the village council stood there to honor him.

Darek presented the bear pelt and the blood covered arrow, as proof of his hunt. On seeing it, the crowd cheered. All but his teacher, who seemed to cry. He came to him and hugged him.

"Forgive me." He said. "It was wrong of me to discourage you from taking up the blade. You ARE the Slayer incarnate. Furs will fear you, be they young or old."

Darek was about to say something when he remembered Ebony. He remembered he had done it to save a Furson's life. He was about to say it when his father presented Darek with his reward.

"Behold, Darek, the medallion of a hunter. Your crest is upon it, carved by your soul. And here also is the blades of the Slayer, yours to use as you will now, for all time. No longer are you a low lever trainee. You are a HUNTER!"

The crowd cheered. And Darek took the plain medallion.

As he took it, the symbol of his own began to form. It showed him holding the swords, shouting in rage. Underneath, it said it bold script, two words.

"Avenger, Destroyer"

The father looked at it. "Unusual emblem, my son." He said. "But fitting for a future Slayer. For Fursons will fear you. You will appear to them and use the blades to win a great victory. Yes, you may be the one who will lead us to the Furson camps.

"But now to a sadder matter. There is a traitor among us."

Darek looked, and saw one of his classmates’ cringe. The father motioned him forward.

"Jonathan. You have attempted to destroy our society."

"I only wanted to know why peace is impossible!" Jon retorted.

"By giving away our position to Fursons?! You got them all killed! YOU!"

The crowd stared angrily. Darek watched Jon. His eyes told him that they were lying.

But that was impossible! His father wouldn't lie!

"Jonathan, I rename you Servanus, the title of traitors. You have gotten your hunters killed by a band of Fursons. Behold the pelts of the killers!"

Three large hunters threw down a trio of Furson skins, all wolves. Then the bodies of the hunters were thrown down, cut by swords.

Swords? Wait a second...

"Father..." Darek said. "Perhaps the traitor is not Jonathan. What if a hunter, another who could wield swords, did this?"

Everyone gasped.

"Son, you know not what you speak. No hunter would purposely kill another hunter, unless he had betrayed the village."

"But..."

"Say no more son, this is an unreasonable explanation. Fursons killed these men. We have those who saw it."

Darek was going to speak, but he knew that if he spoke too much out of turn, it would be the same as betrayal.

But, Ebony had no sword on him! Not even any armor or any form of weapon!

Confused, Darek just stared. "Servanus." His father continued. "You are hereby stripped of your hunter rank. You will be sent to the prisons until such time you admit your guilt. If you cannot, then we must purify you.

The crowd nodded in agreement. Jonathan shook his head.

"But I didn’t do anything, I swear it!"

"Take him away. The prisons are the only place for those who betray the Hunters to our enemies."

Darek watched as his classmate was taken away, crying and protesting. But the cheers resumed for him. He did not understand how they could cheer for him in light of this.

Moreover, the deaths of the three hunters confused him. In the woods he saw or heard no others, and from what he saw on Ebony he had no weapons. 

If he believed him, NONE of them had weapons!

As the ceremony of his Huntership ended, he had many questions he wanted to ask his father. But all would be seen as unreasonable in light of these events. And he knew now that his friendship with Ebony was a dangerous one.

Yes, it was a friendship. He said that to himself. He would not deny it. 

But, as a hunter, he was supposed to kill Fursons. 

He did not know what to do, and had trouble sleeping that night. When he did, he had nightmares that he cut apart Ebony, or that his father would behead him, calling him Servanus. 

But by morning, he made a decision. He would say nothing for now. As a child, there was little he could do.

He would keep his friendship secret from all that would call him a traitor, and use it instead to learn about Fursons. He would learn about Hunters as well, as much as he could, from both sides.

And he would keep it all hidden from his family and his home, until the time was right. 


Chapter 5 Assault on the Hunters

Darek did his best to remain silent about his friendship to a Furson, and to his credit he did very well. But over the next few years he questioned his place as a hunter, why they hunted furs, and, most importantly, the war altogether. 

It did not help that Jonathan, renamed Servanus, and never reappeared. Worse, whenever he wanted to go to the dungeon to see him, he was refused. With the only entrance to the dungeons guarded, there was no way he could get down there.

At least his time with Ebony was better. He would go out on a hunt twice a week. Each time, He would look for the yin-yang symbol on a tree, then call for Ebony. The two would share lunch, then go hunting the local animals that troubled the villages around the forest. 

But Darek was puzzled at Ebony's reply about Jonathan.

"You are sure it was swords that killed the hunters?" He said.

"Yeah, but when I asked dad if hunters might be behind it, he said it was impossible."

Ebony nodded. "He is right in that respect. Hunters will only attack other hunters for a reason. My dad watched them a long time, and the only traitors he saw were those who wanted peace. Then again, I never heard of Fursons wielding swords before."

Darek was more puzzled than ever, but he did not let it get to him. In time, he forced it out of his mind. For awhile, it was business as usual. No Fursons had been killed lately, and the only furs brought back were of local animals. For four years life went on as usual. He grew to a handsome man, his face one like a king, his stance tall and strong. Many of the ladies of the village liked him, but seemed dissatisfied that he had not killed more. That seemed to hurt Darek more than anything, and made him question his village, of which many were becoming hunters to fight the Fursons.

And then it happened. Darek was about to head out to meet his friend when he saw a villager appear. She was in bad shape, her one arm cut into, her dress tattered.

"Hunters... they attacked again!" She called. "The Fursons attacked!"

The elder of the town sounded the alarm bell. "Send out the hunting party. We shall skin these Fursons for this!" He shouted, and the hunters grouped. They took up the bows and crossbows, donning chain mail suits, and heading for the woods. Darek was about to follow when the Elder stopped him. 

"No Darek. You must not go. Our elite force will take care of this."

"But elder, something isn't right! I do not think the Fursons did this!"

The elder looked at him. "And how do you believe that, Hunter?"

"Well, the Furs I have seen had some weapons, spears mostly, but none wielded any form of blade. They don't need to! They have claws, right?"

The elder nodded. "I share your feelings, but your father, as leader of the hunters, dismissed this theory when I gave it."

Now the boy was confused. If he was the elder, why did he take orders from the hunters? Didn't they serve the people?! He remembered his old friend Jonathan. "Sir... what happened to Jon...er... Servanus?"

The elder turned away. I wondered that myself some time ago. It was two years ago I began to question the acts of the hunters. This is the third village attack this year, but the pattern suggests that it was not done the way Fursons did it in the past. They would eat their captives, after all, and not cut them and leave them for dead. So I decided to get some answers.

"Son, I went too deep. The only reason I am still elder now is because, if I am executed, the people will wonder why. I never did anything wrong, but find out some of the truth. Hunters who betray are not always imprisoned or banished or dishonored... they are more often killed.

"Jonathan died shortly after the incident where he was named. I found his remains in the dungeons."

Darek was in shock. "No... No you are lying! My dad is NOT a killer!"

The elder shook his head. "Then ask your friend in the woods."

Darek was wide eyed. He knew! "You... you know about... Ebony?"

The elder nodded. "Of course...  I know is father very well. Go to him. If you really want to learn the whole truth of this matter, more than even I learned over the years, you must first learn the past. Then, perhaps, we can plan a way to end this. A way for peace."

Darek nodded. "But, if you are caught..."

The elder shook his head. "I am an old man, and I have had a good life. You must go where I cannot. What I have learned now cannot hurt me, but I can dig no deeper. I know the attacks are not what they seem, and that the name Servanus is not what it appears to be, but that is all. I do not know what the Slayer's plan really is. I leave that to you Darek. I believe you can end this."

Darek nodded. He went and got his blades, the two swords now his best weapon, and donned his hunter's garb. "I will go to the Fursons then." Darek told the elder at the outskirts of the wood. "I will learn the truth."

The elder nodded and waved goodbye, hopeful that what he learned would help revel a way to save them all.


Chapter 6: A history lesson

"Ebony!" Darek called out. He waited by the tree for his friend. He was glad when he saw the black furred teenager reappear. He was still jet black all over, but he now sported a red vest, and had become somewhat muscular.

"About time slowpoke! Been waiting awhile!" Ebony joked, pushing Darek playfully. But Darek was in no mood for play.

"Ebony... the elder knows. He knew all along."

Ebony nodded. "I see... and the hunters?"

Darek shakes his head. "Still in the dark. The attacks on villages are increasing. I try to find out from my father any information but... he tells me nothing anymore."

Ebony pondered this. "Well, the attacks were not made by my people, unless they were rouges. We have had to deal with rouge wolves, who feel humans should be on the dinner plate again, like the old days."

"That's just it." Darek said. "The dead are left, and blades are used on all of them. Blades and arrows I believe."

Ebony was wide eyed. "Impossible! If that is the case, furs are NOT behind it. We only make spears if that. We have no wish for war."

"But there was a war... wasn't there?"

Ebony smiled. "I think the time has come for you to meet OUR elder. He will answer that better than I can my friend."

Darek nodded. He went to disarm himself, but Ebony shook his head. 

"No need for that my friend." Ebony said. "I trust you."

****************

The journey into the woods lasted the better part of a day. All the while Ebony was silent for once, leaving Darek to question what was happening. But he kept his mouth shut as well.

And then, the trees parted, and before them was a large village, with huts made from logs and paths leading deeper into the woods. Large flowers like Darek had never seen before grew all over, and all about he saw Fursons.

And not a one was armed.

They were young and old, male and female, and acted very much like his own... no, they were having more fun here. Back home lately it was like an army camp more and more each day. 

And there, at the far end of the village, sitting on a large seat, was an enormous bear, dressed in a purple robe. He was no doubt the elder. He smiled as Darek and Ebony approached. On each side of him were two felines, one a male, with tiger stripes in black and gray, and the other a white female, with a large apron on and a sweet smile. It had to be Ebony's mother and father.

They were beautiful.

"Come forward, Servanus Darek Miguel, Grandson of Servanus Anderson Miguel, savior of the Red River." The bear said in a voice that both boomed with power, but was sincere and kind. The Slayer's voice seemed like a baby cry to this. "I am GreatPaw, elder of this village."

Darek bowed low then remembered how he was addressed. "Wait... I was always told my grandfather was a killer!"

The bear shook his head. "On the contrary, Servanus Darek. At Red River, which flows through this very forest, he saved our children from a hunter group, over 100 of them to be exact. As a result, he is revered in our village as a great hero and protector, unlike his son, who betrayed him."

Darek was wide eyed. "You mean?"

"Yes Darek... your father."

Darek was speechless, sitting on the ground hard. Ebony came forward. "Elder, Darek has come to learn the truth about the war and the hunters."

The bear nodded. "Of course, I would not deny that to an honored guest. But first, let me introduce Edward," He indicated Ebony's father, who bowed, "and Ashura." The female cat also bowed." Though this is your first meeting, They have not forgotten the deed you did, not only saving their son, Ebony, but also your aid in feeding our families."

The hunter smiled again. "I am honored."

The mother smiled. "It is you who honor us. If you wish, I have some pie ready. Perhaps, before we begin the lesson, you would like something to eat?"

Darek smiled. "Thank you ma'am, but I have little time."

The elder nodded. The two gathered up Ebony and left, leaving elder and hunter alone. "You are confused, Darek. I do not blame you. In the past few years the world you accepted as the way it was has been turned upside down."

Darek nodded. "You could say that."

"Darek... all you know about hunters being protectors and saviors... is a lie."

Darek was wide eyed. "What?!"

"This is the truth. Our races, yours and ours, have one thing in common: the coming of the alchemists long ago. These humans and furs, who could make potions that could do anything you could imagine, travel through dimensions, and even become immortal, had also had a history of causing numerous wars. They resented this fact, and one day abandoned their world, coming to ours.

"No one is sure why they picked here. But they did. The humans, your people, rejected many of them as witches, and yet they kept some of what they had been given by them. Our race also rejected them, it is fair to say. 

"Then, our ancestors, Ebony's especially, did the unthinkable: they married one of the alchemists. A human alchemist.

"This was seen as heresy by both sides, but they did not care. It was right for them not to. The alchemists, especially the furs, came to us, and the humans to the humans. Those that blended both were welcomed on all sides. It was a peaceful time. 

"It was then we learned about vore."

Darek stopped him here. "Vore?"

"The consumption of others. The alchemists had discovered it themselves on another dimension, and used it for their benefit, making it so that food would last longer. But they improved on it using a reformation potion, allowing the consumed to regenerate. But to do so the body must be completely digested. For some reason, only digestion can cause reformation based on the potions they still had left."

"What do you mean had left?" Darek asked, wanting to learn.

"Most of their potions they left behind, because there was a chance they could be used for war. All they kept with them were three potions: to survive being cooked, to reform after being eaten, and a third potion to be used in the last days." He reveled a black vial, with a mark alien to Darek on it. "This potion, according to our ancestors, would not have a purpose until the time had come. 

"That time is almost upon us."

Darek wondered what the potion would do, when he remembered why he was here. "Elder... was there a war then?"

The elder sighed. "That is a question I hoped you would not ask, because the answer will not be easy for you. The answer is yes, there WAS a war. It began when one of the alchemists, whose name is Hitler, decided that humans were the only race fit to live. He led several alchemists into a rebellion against Fursons and those who sided with them, killing at will.

"But then the Hunters came. Back then, they were our allies. For they were Fursons themselves: mainly wolves. Humans also joined them, wielding blades and bows to face the magic that Hitler possessed.

"I wish I could say that we won the war. But we did not. We wiped out all the alchemists loyal to Hitler... but he survived. The hunters persued him, and vanished.

"Years later they reappeared... but all were humans. And they had new orders: kill and skin the Furson menace. We were forced to flee into the woods, far enough in they could not track us. That was 400 years ago.

"You see Darek... the war was over by the time your people say it began. We lost. Hitler survived to make hunters in his image. I know this because of the garb you wear, once worn by our wolves, and by the swords you carry."

Darek looked at them, remembering they were from the first Slayer. But that meant...

"These are Hitler's blades?" He asked, his face white, his hands trembling.

"Yes."


Chapter 7: A plan for peace

Darek weeped as he realized the truth. The war was phony! It was all just an excuse to kill Fursons! And the blades... HIS blades... they belonged to the worst of them all.

"My God..." Darek choked out. "I'm a murderer."

The elder shook his head. "No Darek. Humans are NOT murderers. Not even all hunters are evil. You cannot generalize good or evil. Life is not black and white, but very very gray.

"Even now, many humans want this war to end. They send peace offerings to us, only to be killed by hunter elite: the true villains in all this. The same ones kill hunters who want to join us, like your friend, Jonathan.

"But not all are killed. Many survive. In fact, if you considered how many want peace and how many want war, it is about even."

Darek nodded. "Then let's end it. Have the furs come out and declare peace once and for all. And not just furs, but all who support them, hunters and villagers alike. I'm sure that is how we can end this war."

The elder shook his head. "A noble idea, but unfortunately naive. We have tried for peace before. But it failed."

Darek stood up. "But you didn't have a hunter on your side then. The villages believe that Fursons are large monsters. Let the kids go, with their families. I am certain that will convince many of them that the time for peace has come."

The elder pondered this. "I will not make them go, mind you. But your plan does have some merit. Children may just be the answer. After all, humans seem to like cute cubs."

The duo laughed at this. Indeed, most of the young furs were very cute, and it would be very hard to kill them. "I will talk with the villagers of my plan. Then, I will go back to the village and plan for peace. Maybe we can together stop the rebels who attacked the village."

The elder nodded. "Agreed. I myself am curious who they were, since they were not of our village." He stood up. "But I caution you, Darek. If your plan fails, and it may do so, I ask you do not revel our home to anyone. Do you swear?"

Darek nodded. "On my life blood." The two shook hands, and Darek went through the village. As he left the elder, the bear picked up the bottle. For the first time he was able to understand what it said. 

And the first words were: "Let the events to come run their course."

*************

Darek was able to convince several families to go along with his plan. They numbered no more than 100 in all, but it was enough. And among them was Ebony's family as well, an added bonus.

"I will show them that a friendship between us is possible." Ebony said, a paw on the shoulder of his friend. "We will come bearing gifts, fruits and potions that show our intent."

"All that remains is for me to work with the elder and my father to finalize the plan. One way or another, we will meet at the symbol. I will send word to you then about the treaty."

Ebony nodded. "Right. Good luck my friend."

Darek smiled. "I do not think I will need it. There are still many on our side." With that he departed. He had to arrange peace after all.

He started back for the village, the sun low in the distance. He sighed as he realized how long he was gone. Perhaps he could use that to his advantage. Better still, the elder was on his side, so the council may very well be as well.

He hoped his plan would work. He knew most of the truth now, enough to end this stupid joke of a war. 


Chapter 8: The Secret Room

"Outrageous! You expect us to believe that they want peace?!"

A hunter was shouting at the teen hunter, who stood his ground. He was not about to let this whole thing slip.

"Yes. You see, they came to me as I went into the woods. I wanted to help find the furs responsible."

"How do you know it was not them then, Darek?" A villager said.

"Two reasons. One, the furs before me had no blades or armor. Even if the attack had occurred an hour or so before, they could not remove their armor. Second... these were not adult Fursons."

The villagers were shocked. "You mean... children?!" One said, a little girl.

"Yes. Children. We became friends, I admit it. I broke the code and became friends with a fur. But they want to help us fight those who cause the attacks. They wish to make peace."

He looked to his father, realizing that what he just said condemned him. But he had hope there was some good in him. They are kids, after all!

Finally, he spoke. 

"We will allow them to come. Perhaps it is time to end this once and for all." The father nodded to the others. "Yes... we have been fighting long enough. Send message to the Fursons. We will meet with them at noon, tomorrow. I will contact the Slayer himself. He should be present at this, the end of our war."

Everyone cheered, including those who had not for a long time. Darek smiled. He knew his father was not a killer! He knew it! Better still, he saw the glow in the Elder's face. He was happier than he had ever been. Darek had done it at last!

*****************

But when night fell, after he had delivered the message to Ebony, he became suspicious. His nightmares were stronger than ever tonight. He was startled awake to the sounds of screaming. He did not know who was screaming in his dream, but he had heard the voice before, briefly.

But where was it?

Worse, his father was more secretive than ever tonight, meeting with a couple hunters. Darek had a feeling something wasn't totally right. But he knew that he had to trust his father.

But there was something about him he did not know. It was that room on the second floor, the one he never could enter, no matter how often he tried. He realized he had to go into it, to see what it was. he started for it, and even had his hand on the door.

"Darek, I told you about that door." His mother said. "You are not to go in there."

Darek turned and looked at her. "But... why?"

His mother became red faced. For some reason, what he just said was a bad thing to say, something he never had before. He wanted to know why. Clearly, this was something his mother did not tolerate. She pointed to his room, her face a mask of anger for some reason.

He turned and walked to the room, now more suspicious than ever. But he knew that, if he wanted to know the truth about hunters, it had to be in there. For some reason, even with talk of peace coming, the hunters still had something to hide. That room was a secret room then, where his answers would be found.

And he would find them. Tomorrow. He had to, or else peace could not truly happen.

******************

As the day dawned, everyone headed for the center of town. Hunters were in full uniform, Darek included, and the villagers were looking their best. It was early that morning, but the Slayer was due to arrive.

And arrive he did, riding on a pale horse, his father riding out to meet him on one of black. The two shook hands, and shared secret words, before they joined the crowd. Then, the Slayer gave a salute, one that Darek had never seen before, with his fist hitting his chest.

But the elite hunters knew it, and gave the same salute in reply, as did Darek's parents. Out of habit, Darek mimicked the salute.

"Today, hunters and townsfolk, marks the end of an era! Today, the war ends, and a new age begins, one where order shall reign! Today, we will purify ourselves of the problems we have, and begin anew, and a glorious age shall follow!"

The people cheered, but Darek did not. He knew that if he wanted to know the truth, the time was now. He slipped away to his home, careful not to be seen by the hunters. As he left, he heard the Slayer continue his speech.

In his chest, he felt butterflies. Why was he suddenly so afraid?

He pushed it aside and headed for his home, entering slowly. He looked about. No one at all. For the first time in his life, the home was empty.

He knew where he had to go. He headed upstairs to that second floor door. He checked to make sure he was truly alone, and, with a deep breath, he opened it.

Something was wrong though as he looked in. The room was plain, with a couple chairs and simple furniture, but at the far end of the room was something totally out of place: a picture. it was as large as a door, and bore upon it the picture of a Slayer. But his face was not one he had ever seen before. It looked cold, demonic. His eyes were yellow, and in his hands were those two blades, covered in blood.

He knew who he was gazing at: Hitler.

Darek entered in fear, closing the door behind him, then approached the picture. It seemed totally out of place in this room. The hunter approached the picture and examined it, careful not to damage the picture. By accident, his hand scraped across the front of it.

What he felt was not fabric, but wood. The picture was not a painting, it was hiding another door! It had to be! Darek knew now why he was to never enter here. He might find the door.

And after some searching, he found the handle, hidden by one of the to swords. He pulled on the handle, struggling as the door opened, clearly  quite heavy. But after some time, it opened.

He was horrified by what he saw. 


Chapter 9: The awful truth

There, hanging from the ceiling, were fur skins. But they were not of full grown furs. They were cubs, the look of sheer horror forever frozen on their faces, the heads kept with the skins. Worse, on the far end of the hidden room, was a table. It had shackles to hold down something, and was stained with blood.

The furs were brought here and skinned alive! Darek felt very sick by this, and turned some, to see a worse sight: Jonathan.

His body was decayed and rotten, and the stench from his bones was horrible. But it was him. The crest was there. And on him were these words: "Death to the imperfect."

By him was another table, upon it were papers. Darek picked them up and read them. What he read horrified him even more. It was a list of names, many he recognized as fellow villagers who had been attacked by furs. But they weren't according to this list.

It was a death list. The hunters killed these people. Not just for treachery either, but for imperfections as small as a broken leg or dark skin. And there, at the bottom, was a signature permitting it all.

It was his father's name. and his mother's was right below it.

"No..." Darek whimpered, the papers fluttering to the ground. But it got worse. As he backed away, he ran into more fur skins, wolves all, but these were different. They were of several wolves, and by them was a marker, indicating that they were to scare the local people. worse, Darek recognized three of them.

The three furs used to kill Jonathan.

There were never any rebels! The hunters used these wolf suits to scare the people and encourage the war! They used it as an excuse to kill all that opposed them!

All he saw was made worse by a haphazard drawing he saw on the floor, left there by accident no doubt. It was of the town square, with several hunters marked in the houses. There was a circle around the center of the town, and under it was written "Where the end of the war occurs."

Below it, in blood, was the word noon.

"No..." Darek said, tears in his eyes. He saw all he needed to in order to know the truth. There would be no treaty. There never was a war after all. The hunters were low life killers, who did not just kill Fursons. They killed all that did not meet the standard of their life. 

Hitler. That was why the picture of Hitler. To remind the hunters why this was to be done. Darek looked at that death list one more time, and saw the last piece of the puzzle.

His name.

The reason he had to die: Because he used the swords too well, and because he made friends with the furs.

"NOOOOO!" Darek screamed. It couldn't be! His father, his mother, the hunters...

The meeting at noon.

He had to warn them!


Chapter 10: The medallion speaks true

As he ran out of the house, he saw what he feared. In the center of town was a party, with the villagers and hunters and the Furson families, just arriving.

Darek knew he had little time, and ran to warn them. Then, he saw them.

Emerging from several homes were hunters, wearing black armor. The elite. And among them was his own parents. It was true, they were killers. They took aim at the crowd and looked to the Slayer, himself standing on a tall building near the edge of town.

"EBONY!!!!" Darek screamed, but he was too late. The Slayer raised his arm, and they opened fire on the crowd. Normally, if the people in the center of town had been armed, they might have beat them. Also if those crossbows were normal ones. But they were not. They fired multiple bolts at once, killing many with each blast, and already loaded for another right away.

Ebony, his parents, the other furs, and the villagers who were  with them had no time to react before the first among them fell dead. Screams of horror went out, and the hunters charged. Darek watched as a little girl charged one of the hunters.

"Dad no!" Was all she said before three arrows impacted her, the hunter he spoke to stepping over her like she was a piece of trash.

Ebony himself watched as kids and adults were cut down by bolts, just as many of them furs as humans. He then saw Darek's father. 

He had just killed Edward, Ebony's father, using at least 30 arrows if not more.

"NO!" He screamed, brandishing his claws. He was suddenly pushed to the side, just missing another bolt.

His mother had saved him from Darek's mother, but she herself was hit in the heart.

"Imperfect swine." The hunter woman said. "Such is the fate of all who are not chosen. They must be purified."

The elder approached her. "This is madness! Stop! There are children here!" He then let out a cry of surprise, an arrow piercing his back. 

"The only things we see are creatures unfit to live. Even the children must die and be purified."

Darek heard this. He saw this. And his anger grew. His face twisted in malice. He had been deceived by his own parents... no, he had NO parents. These monsters were killers.

"ENOUGH!" He screamed, brandishing the blades. "MURDERERS!!!!!!!" He charged into the clearing, the hunters taken by surprise.

Now, if the elite had been trained in swordfighting, not just using those blades to murder but to defend the people, they might have had a chance. After all, they outnumbered Darek at least 20 to 1. But this was not the case. So taken by surprise by the attacking hunter, they turned and faced him. It was enough of a distraction to allow many of the survivors to run for it. 

But Darek was not out to simply distract the hunters. He wanted to kill them. To shed their blood the way they had shed the innocent blood of the kids and families. His hate for the hunters was in control of his actions now, his fury growing.

And he let loose his fury.

Two hunters were killed right away, their throats slit, the heads almost cut completely off by the black blades. Another group of hunters charged him, firing their crossbows and swinging them like clubs. But Darek dodged the shots, the elite not used to targets that didn't cower in fear as they were murdered.

Nor did they suspect those blades to cut through chain mail like a hot knife through butter, slicing several of the hunters in half. 

On seeing this, the hunter elite turned to flee... right into ANOTHER angry creature. But this was a Furson. They learned quickly that he didn't need swords. He had sharp claws to cut skin, claws thin enough to go into the mail without worry.

It was Ebony, and he too was driven by a need for vengeance. His was the vengeance of his parents.

Against not one but two of these creatures, the elite had no chance. One by one their throats were slit and their bodies mauled. They fought back, but against the two they had no chance.

But Darek's parents were not among the fighters. They were fleeing with the Slayer, their part of the plan complete for now.

"They're getting away!" Ebony said. Darek nodded.

"We can catch them if we hurry. There is a bridge not far from here. It leads to the other villages. If we stop them there, they will have to go through the woods to get to the other towns and continue the murders."

Ebony looked to the survivors, fleeing into the woods. "You go. I'll lead the others to my village, where they will be safe. If the hunters did not find that place as well."

Darek nodded and headed out to find his father and mother. Not to join them.

But to bring justice upon them.


Chapter 10: Winning the battle...

Darek ran for all he was worth. He knew that if the Slayer escaped, there would be other murders, other massacres like what had just taken place. 

He knew it, but he did not care at the moment. He was driven by hate and vengeance. He anted to kill those who had deceived him, and wanted him dead. He would have been dead too if he had stayed in the town, and not gone to learn the truth.

Ahead of him lay a large bridge. It was a standard rope bridge, with wooden planks underneath. He could see his mother and the Slayer, but his father was nowhere in sight. He heard a twang behind him and turned. There before him was his father, who had just fired an arrow.

But Darek was not the target. In the distance, Darek saw the bridge tip, one of the ropes supporting it cut away. The Slayer made it, but his mother fell screaming into the ravine, to land on the rocks below.

"That completes the mission." The father said. "She was imperfect as well, far too loyal. She did what she did out of loyalty to me. That is an imperfection, as she must be like I am, loyal to the Slayer. You cannot catch him now my son, and even if you did, it would make no difference."

Darek looked at him in disbelief. "What do you mean?"

"Our town was not the first to be purified, nor the last. It was but a part of the purification. All over the world, as we speak, the Hunters are assaulting the imperfect, those loyal to furs and those who are not perfect in every way."

Darek scowled. "Like you, I suppose."

The father shook his head. "No, I too am imperfect. But many of my men are. They will go on to rule this world, and create a new army for the Slayer from the prisoners we have taken, and from the hunters in our ranks. A new age will dawn, free of these animals you befriended, and free of those who shame our race. As our leader, Hitler, once stated: 'A clay jar must be broken and stripped of its impurities before it can become the vase it was meant to be."

Darek's face twisted in hate. "So, you killed innocent lives to make the perfect world?!"

The father laughed. "Innocent? They are not innocent, they committed the worse crime of all." He brandished a blade of his own. "They were born. They were alive, to corrupt our people, and give them these stupid ideas that all are the same. Well, we are the masters now. Hunters are the master race, and all others will serve them or die."

"ENOUGH!" Darek said. "I will fight your hunters until my dying day, fight until your so called master race has nothing left to it bust dust. And I will begin with you, you who I admired all those years, but who really meant to kill me!"

"Of course." The father said, his sword at the ready. "You are so like your grandfather: imperfect, a dreamer, and a disgrace."

With that, Darek charged. But his father was not a weakling with the sword. He parried his blows, blocking each one, laughing all the while as if this was a game. But it was no game, it was a fight to the death.

Darek slashed and cut with the two blades, but each blow was blocked by the sword his father carried. He then cut at Darek, one of the blades sent flying.

"You see, my son." The father said, knocking Darek to the ground with a sharp kick. "You are imperfect because you use your blades against our purpose. You use them to defend creatures who need to be slaughtered like the lowlife animals that they are. Only their skins are worth saving, the rest is a waste."

Darek got up, but suddenly smiled. "No, they are no waste. I learned that YOU are the waste. All you want is death and slavery to all who are under you. Well, that makes you as low as the devil." He charged again, his attacks this time more focused. His father still dodged them, but only barely. As he fought, he was driven closer and closer to the cliff.

And then Darek stabbed forward with the blade. This time it sang true. it went into the hunter commander, his eyes wide in surprise.

"Now you will see him." Darek said, looking at his father. "I just want to know why. Why did this have to be this way?"

The father stumbled back, the blade covered with blood slowly pulled out of him. He spoke a final time. "Because you were NEVER my son. You r... mother... cheated on me... you are the... el...el.d..a..r..." His eyes were wide open, and he fell backward, off of the cliff. Darek looked over and saw what was left on the rocks below.

He cried softly, realizing he was never a hunter. Yet he had been turned into a murderer himself, killing the elite... no. It was not a murder. He did it because he had to, to avenge his mistake. He knew now that there would be no peace between furs and humans. 

He looked over and saw Ebony, holding the other blade. "Is it over?" He asked.

Darek nodded sadly. "Yes. We won the battle... but we lost the war. If what my father said was true, then... everyone..."

They said no more. Nothing more needed said, as Ebony embraced his friend, who weeped long and loud.

"Come. We are no longer safe here. We must go."

Darek nodded sadly, and left with his friend into the woods, his past left behind him, the sounds of screams in the distance confirming his worst fear.

Chapter 11: Flight

Darek and Ebony headed for the fur village, where the survivors had gathered. Of all that had gone into the village, and all those who had sided with them, only about 80 survived. Darek approached the elder, who sat there with a knowing look.

"Peace is impossible." Darek said sadly. "They only want death."

The elder nodded. "It is as I feared. News from all over the world has reached me. Millions are dead, and many more enslaved."

Ebony stood up. "Then it is over. We lost."

The elder shook his head. "No. Not yet. We will if we stay however. Our time to leave this world has come. The potion has made it's purpose known. We must go from here to where the survivors will gather.

Darek tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

The elder pulled out the potion once again. "Behold the prophecy, not made known to us until too late. All that occurred was foretold. And if we stay, the hunters will be victorious.

"But, there need for destruction will drive them to kill one another. They will destroy themselves, if they have no one else to destroy. So, we will win a victory by removing the targets from them. 

"Already, I can sense the other survivors using the potions they were given. Those potions will transport them to a mountain about a days journey from us. That is where we must go."

Darek sighed. "We would not have to go if it were not for me."

The elder shook his head. "No my son, that is not the case. You see, this happened everywhere. The villagers in many towns throughout the world were tired of war, and ready for peace. The Slayer needed that ideal removed, so he made his plan to kill all who wanted peace.

"All you did was save a few more than was hoped. And you dealt the hunters a mighty blow. You did not cause this Darek. You merely was a part of it. A part you had to play, like it or not. It was as your medallion stated: Avenger. You avenged those killed today. As for the other part, you being the Destroyer, That part did not yet occur, because we are still here. I believe that part is yet to come. Remember, you are still young.

"Now, I will say no more. Gather the survivors and other villagers, and we will begin the journey. Take only enough to get there. I feel that fate has something in mind for us when we get to the mountain."

Darek nodded, and went to round up the others, seeing a sight as he walked by: human children, cuddled by massive furs, some begged to be devoured like in their stories, and end their suffering, others just held on. Oddly, the opposite was happening as well. Orphaned furs were holding human adults, who comforted them as best as they could. Even hunters, those who sided with the furs, were setting aside their bows solely to comfort the mourning. Darek realized that, in a way, he did do one thing right.

He brought them together.

*************

The march through the wood was more pleasant than Darek had hoped. As they went further and further on, they saw things of such beauty that they could not be from his world. He learned that was exactly the case. The path they were heading on was bringing a legacy full circle. But what legacy? And then he remembered the lesson he received not two days before, of the alchemists. Had they done all this? 

As he walked, he saw others joining in. Darek realized more had survived than he had thought initially. As they went further, he was seeing at least a thousand about him, traveling with the other survivors. They walked on, not knowing where they were heading no doubt, but heading on nonetheless, as if drawn to the mountain.

When night fell, they found a massive clearing, as wide as a lake. For some reason, tents were already here, and looked as though they had been here for years, but yet the fabric had not worn away. Darek wanted to ask why this was here, but was too tired to. He bedded down in one of the tents, surprised he would get some company. It was not Ebony, but a pretty skunk Furson he had never seen before.

"Mind if I stay here?" She asked in a sweet tone. Darek did not deny her. He scooted over to make room for her, and he laid down, using her tail as a blanket. Darek did not ask her name or anything, but just laid to sleep. Oddly, his dreams were of this fur he had never seen before, of starting a family with her, and one day, returning to this very spot where they met. It seemed crazy, so he just smiled.

Crazy, but he liked the thought. After all, she was cute.

****************

Further and further they went the next day. Darek lost sight of the skunk, but found Ebony. 

"Ebony..." He said, coming over to him. "Will you be all right?"

The black feline nodded. "Yeah. But don't call me Ebony anymore. I'm Edward Ebony. I will take my father's name, so he will live on inside me."

Darek chuckled. "And for a middle name?"

Ebony smiled. "Broa'd. (Pronounced bro-ADD)"

Darek chuckled. "Unusual name, was does it mean, may I ask?"

Ebony smiled. "It means Catman."

Darek shook his head some, not asking why he chose such a name. "I wonder what it will look like, the mountain?"

Ebony pointed ahead of them. "Wonder no more, for we are there."

As the trees cleared, the duo behold a massive mountain, large and brown in color all over, with snow high up on it. But the massive mountain, in all it's beauty, was not the biggest sight in the great field. All around it were thousands upon thousands of people, humans and Fursons, young and old, male and female, all discussing and eating fruits and breads they had brought. And into this group Darek and Ebony went, watching as the way parted for the elder. Once he was at the foot of the mountain, he spoke. Oddly, he did so without moving his mouth. He spoke right into their minds, so all could hear. 

"Mindspeak." Ebony said. "So, that was how he knew all this had happened."

He said no more, listening.

"Friends, strangers, parents, children, and all who are here. You have come because of the tragedy that has befallen our world. I say now my apologies. But the ancient alchemists, who came and gave us their power, somehow knew this would happen, and when. They even knew the exact number of those who would come: 144,000.

"You can count each other if you wish, but that exact number has come as predicted. You survivors were chosen by the powers that be. We mourn now for those who did not make it here with us, for I wonder why so few of good heart were able to live. Yet you all share a similar ideal: you all believe in peace. 

"I tell you now, we cannot have that here. The hunters have ensured that, their numbers great now. Even as we speak, they hunt for those of us who are left. But they will not find us. Because we are not going to be in this world anymore."

He withdrew the potion, smashing it to the ground. Smoke rose up from it, and began to circle. The circle widened, and energy crackled within it. After it had reached the size of a large hut, the center of the circle let out a great flash. When people could see again, the smoke was spinning slowly, having a blue color to it. within the smoke was the picture of a massive city, with buildings made of material they had never seen before, and beautiful forests and rivers.

"Behold. A portal to the alchemists world. It is empty now, save for those who dwell within the seas, for the alchemists abandoned it years ago. Here we will learn of technology, and of alchemy, and we will find a new peace. Here, in the Alchemist's World, we can begin again, but this time not as enemies. Furs and Humans will not be enemies anymore. I will not force you to come with me to this world. But I ask you to. Will you come with me?"

There was a silence as he finished speaking. Ironically, it was a pair of young children, a mouse and a little girl, who went through first, holding hands. Others followed, at least twenty at a time. None decided to stay, finding comfort in the friendships they had formed in so short a time.

"Darek, Ebony, come to me." The elder said. The duo left the group, and approached the massive bear. He looked sadder now, but regarded them both with a smile.

"You two must not forget one another, for the time will come when the hunters must be faced again. At that time, you two will need to hold to one another. Darek, you especially must not forget what happened here. Promise me that."

Darek nodded. 

"Ebony, dedicate yourself to alchemy. I know you already wish to find out more about it, maybe to bring back your parents. I tell you know, there may just be a way to do so, but how is not known. You will have another responsibility however, one that will be made clear very soon."

Ebony nodded as well.

"Both of you need to embrace your destiny. It is yours to make from here on, for it is at this point that the prophecy of the alchemists ends... save that I must remain behind to close the portal."

"What?!" Darek shouted. "No! You need to come too!"

"No Darek. I am old, and near death as it is. I will stay to ensure that the Hunters are dealt many horrible blows for what they have done. They will burn this world, and themselves, in a fire that they themselves will make. But if they find a way to leave this world, the war will not end here. Other worlds will meet hunters, and those with their ideals will embrace them.

"That is where you may come in. You two, born the same day, having the same prophecy of Avenger and Destroyer. Better still, you two are like brothers. I have a feeling you will meet the hunters again. But not here, and not yet. Live a happy life, but be ready for the day when your paths cross again. I will say no more to you. Save one thing: Lillibell."

"Huh?" Darek said. 

"That was the skunk girl's name. Lillibell. Remember it." He winked and went off, leaving the two. When they turned, they saw that they were some of the last ones to go through the portal. They looked to one another, and stepped through to the Alchemists World, to begin their lives again. 

And behind them, the portal closed. Forever.


EPILOUGE

It is important to state that little record is there for what happened next, but some is known.

The elder did close the portal, but was found by the hunters not two days later. He was killed brutally, the hunters still having their war. But they did not believe him that there were no others. They set fire to the woods, and burned every hidden area. By the time it was over, the world was a burnt out husk of what it once was, villages becoming military camps, and prisoners working day and night to provide for the hunters they revered, and were deceived by.

But they did NOT stay there. The Slayer found a record of alchemy, and began to learn. He knew there was a way the Fursons had left, but where, and how?

Where was the Alchemists World, where the 144,000 thrived. They learned of our modern technology, and of alchemy. They even learned of vore, which became a game for the young, and a way of romance for the old. They then found a device that was a mixture of both: a dimensional key. Using it, they learned of other worlds including our own, and many decided to head to these worlds, eager to find their homes.

Edward Broa'd (Catman) Ebony was not one of them. He went away from the others, but kept one of the dimensional keys to explore the dimensions and find others like himself: alone, and in need of a new start. Many of these were kids, who were eager to get into vore. Mr. Ebony, or Catman as some called him now, learned how to make this possible, mastering alchemy with ease. He developed potions that could do anything, and cataloged the dimensions, even the Hunter's World, as the ruined world came to be known.

As for Darek, he removed his name as well, making it Darek Servanus, in honor of his Grandfather. He left the Alchemists world to find one where Furs and humans live in peace, and connect it to the one where Catman now lived. He found it... with a pretty skunk. Yes, he met Lillibell once again, who was searching for that very thing. Their friendship eventually turned into a romance... and a marriage.

But no one forgot what happened that horrible day, when the Hunters seemed to win their war. In actuality they might have lost it, because their hate was countered by love. No one is sure what happened later in life, but some believe the hunters destroyed themselves, while others believe that they live among us as well as the humans who survived that horrible day.

Perhaps some day someone will record what happened next. But it may be that what happened next is hard to record.

All that is known is that Darek and Ebony lived. Maybe not happily ever after, or even as possible in the worlds they lived in, but they lived, and that, sometimes, is enough.

THE END

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Not exactly my usual writing is it? Vore is only mentioned, never actually occurring, and the ending is not happy, more of a bittersweet. There are several things I have to say now. First, the hunters were based on real people. No doubt you guessed who from the name of the first Slayer. Yes, the Hunters represent the Nazi SS, who killed millions without even the smallest regret. They also represent furhunters of today, who breed and trap animals solely for their fur. To me this is cruelty. Imagine if it was us that was being skinned? Since there are other materials we use, and other animals we make more use out of then just fur, the fur trade should not occur. 
This story also has a few lessons. I hope you got a few of them, but the key one I want people to realize is the same as the one in My Pet Tigress: it doesn’t matter who or what we are, if there is love involved. So often I see people who think they know it all judge others about this. I myself have done this, I admit. 
Incidentally, this story is dedicated to those I role-play with, particularly Kaijou, who helped to bring the Hunters to life. I left this story open because of those I role-play with: in a sense, I made it open for others to say what happened next. In my opinion, the idea of role-play over the Internet is a form of storytelling in its own right. And not just in vore either. Many stories can be written through the use of collaborative role-play, and several of these role-plays inspired my work in the past. That is why I dedicate this story to those I role-play with.
Well, I guess that about covers it. I am not planning a sequel, But I hope others will take the story up where I left off. Does this story mean I am leaving vore? No. I am still writing vore, but this is a tale I needed to write as well, for many reasons. Hope everyone liked it.

Sincerely,
MisterEbony