In the country of Devandia where many lands are flourish with life and growth all around the entire country. But in one of its many forests there is smoke emerging from the forest. Perhaps it was cause by an knight wearing full armour and every part of their body is covered by the amour and cloak as they carried a great sword and shield. And a dark skinned archer more resembling a Druid with markings on her face, along with her green short cloak and musty teal skirt. They were quickly running to capture a Smog Hound a beast that can create smoke to get away from predators, as they are chasing it in the middle of the night in a forest.
"Do you think we should think about this bounty, Ralian" the knight almost tripped over a branch but the archer quickly vines to grab the knight and allow them to keep running as the archer gives the knight a stern look.
"Not now Gale, we just need to capture this smog hound, then we're good as much as I don't like harming another animal. We do need the gold after all." Ralian Thorner and Gale Night are bounty hunters and they has received there next target to capture a Smog Hound with a bright white streak onto its left eye, because it killed a civilian's dog
"We just don't want it to release its smoke, keep chasing it, I'll make the trap" Gale quickly nodded in agreement. Ralian soon split with Gale to set up the trapped as Gale continues their chase.
"Maybe I should've ask Ralian where the trap is?" Gale can put a lot of trust into Ralian considering they've been travelling together for so long. However Gale soon sees glowing seeds signalling them where the traps are placed "alright Ralian good thinking" Gale soon starts leading the Smog hound toward the trap, and once in the right place.
"Now Ralian!" Gale shouted, Ralian heard and soon activates the trap, and successfully traps the Smog Hound "great job Ralian" Gale praising Ralian's work "thanks Gale, now grab the bag"
Gale soon grabs the bag but suddenly the Smog Hound starts producing smoke "that's not good" suddenly it burst, surrounding the area in smoke. And it allows the Smog hound to slip out through the nets. But Ralian react enough to stab the smog hound with atropa belladonna on the tipped arrow before it can really do harm for the both of them "wow quick thinking Ralian" the smog hound seems to be paralyzed, Gale soon started tiding the smog hound placing it into a bag, and the capture was a success and soon heading back to a near by village to get there bounty reward.
However, onto a distance tree a stranger wearing a light brown coat, but his feet are a bit exposed wrapped with black bandages. He was watching them at their every move soon after Gale and Ralian left the area the stranger descended down from the tree to inspect the whole area where they caught the Smog hound. "These bounty hunters sure love to make a mess when their finish" observing each part of their area that shown their work. As he started going further into the forest he sees many slashes and arrows scattered everywhere that were from Gale and Ralian.
"These two are very sloppy with their work" suddenly he senses someone behind him, and sees another smog hound, he tries to add sympathy towards the smog hound even lending out his hand awaiting for it to respond. Soon the Smog hound responds and appreciates the stranger's hostility "it's alright I will make sure to return your friend safely." Then starts to head the same direction where Gale and Ralian are heading towards with one big leap the stranger vanishes.
Later as the sunlight soon approaches in the country of Devandia, a village called Rawardia the town for rewards and is a bounty hunters settlements and is ready for a new dawn to shine. Gale the wandering knight, and there trusted ally Ralian the Druid archer travelling through the village with a bag containing the Smog hound last night at a forest and are heading towards a tavern to get their rewards.
"Hey Ralian, once we get our reward you think we could have a drink in celebration" Gale leaning towards Ralian "that's 'once' we get. Don't celebrate too soon Gale, otherwise we would find ourself trouble".
However the bag starts wiggling, Gale notice the smog hound the effects has worn off "uh-um Ralian, it is moving again, what should I do" Gale ask nervously.
"Don't worry I got this" as Ralian tries to add another poke of atropa belladonna, suddenly smoke starts to rapidly emerge within the bag then a strong black claw cut bag into ribbons, and the Smog Hound in the bag started running, "hey get back here!" Ralian shouted and they begins to chase the creature as it had a bounty on his head for 2000 gold coins.
Quickly they chase it through the village until they suddenly lost track of it, so they decided to split up to get better ground, and a better change to catch it, hastily they run. Gale is the one to quickly approach the creature "get back, here you mutt" slowly and hastily catching up to the creature, until someone stops by near the creature running away.
"Do not fret, fleeing, young smog hound" said the stranger, he slowly approached the Smog hound, kneeling down and firmly lowers his hand towards the hound, "it's alright" said the stranger while petting, comforting it. As the stranger was comforting the Smog hound, Gale was able to catch up to the both other them, then the Smog hound, begins to growl at the near presence of Gale.
"Hey what are you doing with our bounty!" Gale demanded an answer though did tries his best being serious. But the stranger ignored Gale and continued to comfort the smog hound, Gale wondering what to do next. They quickly think how Ralian would act in this situation as Gale was then about to fight the stranger unsheathing their sword and started to charge at the stranger. The stranger pulls out a long sword and with one swing shatters Gale's sword as they starts to shrivel in fear.
"Hm... as I suspected" Gale having trouble to give the confidence to fight back but Gale suddenly senses this strangers blazing heart of courage ten times greater than their own courage preventing from retaliating. "I believe that you were being hunted, and captured by this fool and their companion" said the stranger, "uh... yeah? Why do you ask" Gale said in a nervous tone.
"It is because, the bounty you carry on this Smog hound, that you were supposed to give to a humble owner is a lie, and you are giving him away to a disgusting butcher, you Tin-headed Bafoon" said the stranger in a serious tone.
Shocking as it may seems to Gale, as they and Ralian thought when accepting the bounty from a sobering women that she was missing her pet, but was only putting an act. "How do you know she would butcher the Smog hound" Gale replied the question of his decision.
"Haven't you notice that the Butcher's shop had a great sell from these last few months"
"I mean...yeah the prices were high, but you didn't need to call me a Tin-headed Bafoon"
"Then that is all I have to say. We are done here now". The stranger began his leave with the Smog hound.
"Wa-wait, before you got what is your name" the stranger stopped with his back facing Gale, he sighs in tiredness "for the sake of your curiosity Gale Night, I am Ezrael Fendrick, and I am only a wandering warrior adventuring the world"
"Wait how do you even know my name?"
"I been eyeing the both of you two for months"
"Why?" Gale asked
"That is the only information I will share with you, thus I bid you farewell" Ezrael soon leaves Gale, with the Smog Hound. Gale shocked in awe by the encounter with Ezrael Fendrick, Ralian came by looking for the knight.
"There you are, did you manage to capture the beast" said Ralian.
"N-no, it got away" Gale shook their head, but Gale does not want to tell Ralian about Ezrael, that they have encountered knowing, Gale and Ralian would've gone after them but is willing to tell her about the bounty they are supposed to collect.
"Hey Ralian, remember when we met a certain owner that said she that smog hound killed her dog" Gale said "yeah what about it" Ralian asked, Gale quickly explains to Ralian how a butcher would have killed the smog hound if they claimed the bounty, but the smog hound uses its smoke, and quickly gets away from the knight.
"Ugh of course it would get away, but hearing how we were tricked, it's kinda hard to believe that smog hounds almost went extinct, if we handed it to that butcher... but good call on not chasing it even further, good work Gale" said Ralian, Gale feels comfortable, after having been complemented by Ralian.
"However I guess we should pick the next bounty while there's still light ahead" said Ralian, Gale nods and they towards the Tavern to grab the next bounty.
Gale, and Ralian heading to the Tavern to meet a friend Miguel Dommis who gives information towards them about the next bounty. "Ah theres my favourite clients, how's its been, Gale, Ralian" said Miguel as he tips his hat to respect the both of them "are you two looking for another assistant again" "yes we do" "ahh, luckily for you two, and as your favourite gatherer, here are the options" Miguel handed out three flyers, that are worth a lot of gold, and are very dangerous to face alone.
The first one, being a strong warrior, who fights with honour, and is wanted 520 gold "this one is wanted, because he single handedly killed a battalion of soldiers, approximately 150 that were killed by his hands" "yeah maybe we should skip this one" they both nodded and Miguel chuckled a bit.
The next one, being a thief who is quick on his toes, blew to escape the guard very quickly, and some say he's a changeling, and is worth 120 gold "that feels too cheap to catch don't you say?" Said Gale "Well if you want to go higher, then okay. Can you show us the next one" said Ralian.
The third one being a... "to be honest their is no further intel on this one, all it say here, is worth 1020 gold? It only has the person's name" Miguel says with a confused look. The flyer say "Jin-sae Akakumo"
"I think, I recognize him" "really?"
"Yeah, he's a well known wind-caster, not only that he does not use a blade, so this should be easy right"
"I guess we can take a breather on this one, we'll take it"
"Alright sold, many safe travels my friends, the best place should be the forest of mud water"
"We'll take note of that, Gale lets go" Ralian, Gale began to leave the Tavern and head towards to the forest of mud water. Heading toward the gates they first needed to prepare to capture Jin-sae Akaumo. Gale first grab a new sword to replace the one shattered by Ezrael, and Ralian stocks on some arrows and other resources.
"Do you have any insight for a wind caster like Jin?"
"No but the rumours says, if they over use their magic they lose the majority of their energy"
"So we just need to distract him long enough to overload his magic?"
"Probably not since he would've mastered his power over the wind"
"Well if there's someone who can find any weaknesses, its you"
"Thanks Gale, I'll be sure to remember that" the path to the forest of mud water is only seventy miles away from Rawardia and it will be a long journey before they can make their way, but thankfully Ralian being a Druid, can cast a spell and use a near by tree with specific Druid markings to fast travel anywhere around to world making travelling easier. Once Ralian opens a tree rift, they went into the portal and are head towards Forest of mud water to face Jin-sae Akaumo the wind caster.
(end of prologue)