Chapter Text
Hallar leans back on their brilliant kavu, an arrow resting on their bow, relaxed. Their markings have changed, now red lines displaying skill as an emissary and a warrior. They drink in the sun’s warmth through the trees. Hallar watches a roc swoop up and down over the treetops. It’s closer to Marwyn’s village than comfortable, but there’s no reason to hunt it down simply for existing. No, Hallar was out to hunt rumors of the increasingly bold Cabal appearing south of the human settlement.
They’re in luck tonight, as a pillar of darkness briefly rises above the treetops, wisping like smoke before it appears to pull itself back down out of view. They speak a silent command to Serahane. Hallar weaves through the trees as it lopes forward. Soon they are at the edge of the Llanowar, a ring of skin-witches midway through some summoning ritual visible below. A dark being appears to be forming at the center.
Without missing a beat Hallar pulls back an arrow and fires. A line of dark red burns straight through the unfortunate skin-witch. A sharp ‘pop’ goes off as the arrow impacts the ground behind her. Hallar’s fire builds as they release more searing arrows, downing another and then a third, great booms echoing as the arrows impact. One witch has had time to fling a spell at them, but Hallar sees the dark shape coming. Hallar swipes at the air, and the curse burns away as they duck out of its path. It leaves a sick warping feeling by their ear. Serahane bounds forward and crushes the witch, fire flickering across its skin as it crosses the air between them. Hallar pulls back one more arrow aimed at the shadowy creature’s center, the very air around them aflame. By now both Hallar and Serahane appear to be twin beasts of fire. Hallar releases the arrow.
Roar.