A Hunter's Path: A Tale of Blood and Gold

"Hold on kid, one more day." Yule muttered, spurring his warhorse Talon to go as fast as he could. He wasn't worried about excusing the steed, as he'd ridden him for longer in more stressful situations. "Were almost there, I promise."

Zeke's condition had worsened, his skin taking on a sickly green color, and he was mostly unconscious now. A storm was brewing on the horizon, and Yule cursed the more he thought about it.

Soon enough, the dark and foreboding clouds boredown on the pair, drenching them with rain. We'll, untill Yule wrapped Zeke in his cloak, keeping him warm. The thing he had been cursing about also came to fruition: The Wall.

At a certain point on the journey up Mount Wraith, the path stopped. This wasn't due to a troll blocking the path, or a river cutting it off, rather it was because a sheer wall stood as the only viable path to reaching the top.

Originally, it was used as a right of passage for any aspiring Huntsman, but in this case that right would have to be broken. Hauling the kid on his shoulder, Yule hitched Talon into a stables that had been built for them, hosuing all their horses while they returned to the mount.

At first glance, the wall looked as smooth as a baby's bum, but if you came closer, you'd see cracks in the wall. Putting his fingers in the hole, Yule started the climb, going as fast as he could so the journey he had taken wouldn't be for nothing.

Small crack go crack, he hauled the two of them up, reaching the second level of the climb. This area has much more holds, but that could also be a detriment. An inexperienced climber might relax too much when grabbing a hold, unknowingly grabbing onto a loose rock face. Luckily, Yule had plenty experience climbing here, even if he hadn't been here for nearly ten winters.

Rock after rock, pinch after pinch, Yule rushed up the wall, showing a physical prowess that no man should ever be capable of, even though he made it look simple. This climb was supposed to last at least half a day, yet Yule dragged himself and the dead weight on his shoulders to the top in less than an hour. Only, it had been harder with the rain weighing them down.

Pulling himself over the top, Yule quickly got up and started running towards the looming castle grounds ahead of him. Mount Wraith's top was a sheer flat surface, like the finger of a stone titan reaching to the skies, only to be chipped off at the tip.

No one knows how this happened, even the inhabitants themselves, but many assume that it had been a great battle that had happened there, defacing the majestic mountain.

Ahead, at the stone walls, stood two guards, peering out boredom in the dark. Taking notice of Yule's approaching figure, they stood at attention. "Stay your feet or die a gods death!"

It was clear that they were nor friendly to newcomers. Ignoring them, Yule continued his sprint, making them go to unsheathe their weapons until Yule did something that shocked them.

On his next step, his foot glowed a bright orange color as he slammed it down, causing a ripple to echo outwards and collide with the wall. Drinking in the energy, strange pathways lit up along the walls, leading to a unlit torch and lighting it.

Fwoosh

The torch itself was majestic. The kind of decoration you'd expect inside an emperor's halls. The flame itself lit up the same vibrant, but burnt orange that Yule had sent out, only this time the flickering image of a reptiles eye opened within it, proudly displaying its domination over everything in its sight as Yule's own voice rippled out.

"I am Yule of Woren, Dragon's Heart, and I have returned." The very sound of his voice caused something deep within the guards to tremble, causing a repressed memory to dise to the surface. The imposing image of Yule, standing atop a dragon's head, the pair of them flying down from the sky with such speed that it caused the air itself to call out in pain.

This was Yule, Rider of Dragons, and they had no right to halt his pace.

Stepping aside almost mechanically, the both of them pulled on a latch, tearing thr massive stone walls open with a speed that left even them surprised.

As Yule ran last them, they could feel their hands shake as they held the door open for the living legend, using everything inside them as to not show fear in his presence.

Other huntsmen that were nearby watched with a mix of glee and faint horror as Yule rushed past, remembering the great things that his man had done.

Finally reaching the castle, Yule ignored the stunned faces of everyone present as he rushed directly towards the medical wing, pushing past men and women alike in an attempt to get this kid to their doctor on time.

Bursting through the door, Yule retracted his presence, realing itself back to its rightful spot in his chest as he stopped his rushed steps and called out. "Gene? I have a kid for you, Druid's Bane thirty percent."

A beautiful woman appeared from behind a cloth separator, dressed in a regal white outfit that had a vibrant red collar. Gene(Jenny) had heterochromia, a condition that made her eyes have separate colors, blue and green respectively, and she also had a set of three menacing scars that ran over the blue one.

"Yule? Why are- nevermind that. You said Druid's Bane?" She asked, going into work mode.

Yule nodded worriedly. "A week ago, stomach wound around 4 inches deep. Minimal initial exposure, but the Druid is still alive."

Gene raised a brow absentmindedly, undoing the kid's bandages to reveal a branching network of parasitic roots, reaching as far as his chest and lower abdomen. Taking out a black vial, Gene made a small incision above the thickest vine, which held what would become a Druid's heart, before pouring the vicious liquid into it.

Immediately, all the roots began to riot, causing Zeke immense pain. Yule helped Gene hold the kid down, making sure he wouldn't injure himself even more. "So, why are you back after so long?"

Yule stayed silent, thinking of a good answer before sighing. "Troy."

Gene's eyes darkened, her mind going back to a distant past, an event that shook the very foundations of the school. Luckily, a young hunter knocked on the door, calling attention to himself.

"Hmhm, The head is calling for you, Y-Yule." He said nervously, sweat running down his brow.

Gene gestured for the young hunter to come by her side, having him take Yule's place in assisting her. "Go. The kid will be fine."

Yule nodded, rising from his knee and taking a deep breath before marching off to his next destination. He was about to have a very long night.