Hunter

The Hunter looked over the glowing embers at the girl. She was objectively attractive, she had to be, otherwise all of this would have been for nothing. He had left behind such concerns long ago, but something of his former life stirred within him, a recognition of the quality he had chosen her for. The fire cast a shadow on her face, highlighting her angular features, her slim brows, the faint spread of freckles across high cheekbones. She responded to his scrutiny by folding those brows and frowning slightly, her expression nervous, but not afraid.
For jobs like these it usually took The Hunter more time and effort to convince them to come along. Too many girls held their fears in their chest and let it change their heart. This one... she was different. She took up the mission with something akin to the pride a soldier feels when he serves his king or queen. She was ready, resolute, not pleased, but willing. Recognizing her strength, he had given her an old sword of his, nothing that would actually do damage, but enough to give her something to do; enough to make her feel like she was contributing more than her face.
Looking around, The Hunter studied the gnarled trees around them, the orange moon above them, the dark, star-speckled sky, and wondered when it would show. Sometimes it would be immediate, coming like a strong wind and nearly knocking him off balance. Other times it came too late, gave him too much time to prepare, but he knew his Hunt and he was successful every time before now. The girls didn't always survive... but they willingly paid the price to protect their towns and families. The hairs on the back of his neck began to rise as he felt a change in the atmosphere, and as he looked over at the girl again he could see she felt it too. Paranoia often visited him, but this was no such thing, this was the oncoming whirlwind.
Standing slowly, he drew the silver blade from his hip and nodded to her to ready her weapon as well. A few tentative spins in the moonlight produced a slight rushing noise and a strange blue glow in the air around the both of them, a protective ward to fend off the first attacks. It wasn't a moment too late as a fell gust scattered the ember sparks into the air, but was parted by their shield. Another gust, another spray, but still it held. His charge looked at him with fresh worry in her eyes, unsure of what to do, the fear creeping in but not overtaking her. With a raised hand he settled her, and spun his sword another couple times, pointing silently to a gap in the trees.
As she turned to look into the space a ghastly form rushed out of the trees on the opposite side of the clearing, sensing it's movements he turned quickly to slash in the air at it, missing the girl's head by only a few inches, but causing the creature to pivot quickly in the air and fly straight up instead. A foul cackle filled the night air and they both look up to see the foul vision before them. A mess of robes draped over a bone-thin and gnarled form, their tattered edges revealing withered feet and grasping hands. A dark hood barely conceals a wisp of grey hair, broken and blackened teeth and eyes dark as pitch, drawn up at the edges at the glee of having found fresh prey. It's hooked nose sniffs the air, eyes widening in delight at the freshness and quality of it's prize. It flies away into the trees to prepare another assault.
The Hunter stands ready, reaching into his pouch to draw out a vial of some faintly glowing green liquid, which he smashes in his hand and, ignoring the burns, spreads over the edge of her blade, showing her the boils so she knows not to touch it herself. She nods resolutely and sets her feet, taking a few steps away from him, holding it before her in readiness. Another rush and another flash of his blade and she swings wildly as well, nearly catching him in her haste. He nods in approval and turns back to the trees, watching the perimeter for it's next attack. A bottle of *something* flies out of the dark and impacts him directly, releasing a cloud of noxious green smoke and blinding him. All is dark as he hears the cackle again from somewhere nearby. There's a muffled scream, some shuffling, then he clears his eyes and finds the girl missing. The rushing wind of the creature somewhere in the distance.
The Hunter sprints off into the forest, following a path of broken branches and spattered blood. A tense few minutes pass as he approaches what sounds like a struggle, screeches meeting grunts and cries of pain. Pushing through a half-broken thicket amidst the loudest shriek yet, he finds the girl, now alone before a pile of ash, her sword dripping with the acid and some black ichor. He approaches her with a questing gaze, eyeing her for wounds, trauma, or rage. What he finds is nothing but cold steel in her gaze among scored cheeks and torn clothing.
She holds the sword out to him and, working quickly, he captures the blood of the creature in a vial, then wipes the blade clean with one of the rags in the ash. She continues to hold it out, expectant that he will reclaim his blade. He shakes his head, instead closing her hand around the hilt anew and handing her something else from his pouch, a coin with a Hunter's insignia on it. She eyes it intensely for a moment and gives him a smile of silent thanks before collapsing on the ground, her exhaustion, relief and nerves finally catching up to her all at once.

---

Two days later the Hunter wakes, her hand still clutching the coin she was given, a new purpose trapped under her fingers. She stands, pushing aside her doting family, and goes to her table, where her blade lies. It's been sharpened, polished and given a new grip. Despite her family's protests she takes up the blade and walks out the door, in pursuit of a new life, a lonely life, but one she's always been waiting for.