The House Of Hunters

CHAPTER 01: THE OBSERVER

His dull green eyes scanned through the foggy field, while swaying behind a series of tall, robust trees. Damilare swung his scarred hands slowly, hoping to grab something not yet visible.

Though hindered by the fog, he wasn’t bothered by the dire consequences of losing his way in this fear inducing forest, bordering one of the most dangerous places in Africa.

He was instead worried about a battle, he desired to see.

″ I hope they haven’t started yet.″ He thought tilting his head side to side in search of hope - a sound, a silhouette or their presence.

But all within his sight was the distant silhouettes of trees emerging from the fog below, reaching for the blinding light of the afternoon sun above.

Panting, he commented Impatiently,

″ Where could they be?″

″ Couldn’t they do it in the usual spot?″ He lamented, disregarding the truth of the matter. He was the sole reason for their unexpected change of location.

Taking a moment to rest his restless mind while enjoying the cold moist wind. He heard a faint sound from the distance. ‘Thud’. It was abrupt, but meaningful. Taking it as a clue on where to go.

Was it wise to trust this sound? Only at the end, will the answer be known.

With a few more steps, he arrived at the source. A spot with fewer trees, fit for swift movement and lesser fog that could serve as a challenge but not enough to completely hinder sight.

A good enough spot fit for their combat training, after deliberation.

With a smile visible on his face,

″ Finally! I have found them.″ he whispered, as he gripped the nearest tree and pulled his way up like an African drill monkey, wishing for a better view.

But his vantage point, brought about an issue. It was too loud, for the sneaky observer. the branches creaking sounds and the rough tree bark on his hands and buttocks forced him to move. As he won’t entertain the thoughts of being discovered due to a stupid branch that refused to remain silent.

″ Luckily, they haven’t started.″ He muttered in anticipation as he sat and watched.

At the distance, slightly shrouded in fog, two figures stood still like statues while engaging in a tense stare down.

These were Damilare’s brothers. They came deep into the forest to train their bodies and hone their supernatural awakened abilities in a simultaneous effort of furthering their understanding on its mechanism.

But what could Damilare have done to drive them this deep within this terrain?

His presence was the answer. As a curious younger sibling, driven by a burning curiosity to learn about the supernatural. Damilare followed and observed their abilities up close as references for his research, in order to hopefully obtain something, he so desperately lacked.

The fog slowly danced alluringly around them, while producing a soft ′ Swoosh ′ sound. The two brothers meditated in preparation for their eventual clash, while Damilare monitored their subtle details, like the faint sounds if their roaring heartbeat that rang ′ Thump-Thump’ as their chest arose and fell in a rhythm.

With each heartbeat, the brothers unique light glowed brighter, piercing through the fog.

The one that shone of a crimson glow, bore the name Akinfemi and the other that shone of a vibrant Azure blue, a hue exhibiting his power path, bore the name Abayomi.

A distinct trait prominent with all aspects of the supernatural.

With their serene, meditative state ending, they opened their eyes engaged in a profound competition of evaluation and their posture projected an imposing vigor filled with resilience which was perceptible to even Damilare.

With this display, one could confidently claim them to be close to the master level in their respective power paths.

Although it was just an exciting and insightful training to Damilare, it felt different to the awakened two. This was a vital moment that could serve as a pathway to the comprehensive advancement of their awakened abilities or at least a platform to enhance their close combat techniques.

As the intensity of their aura grew ever more visible, Damilare’s anticipation rose, and the distorting properties of the fog around them seemed to fade.

Racing through Damilare’s mind were a series of interlocked questions,

Who will engage first?

how were they going to?

would it be a sudden attack, a wise maneuver or a tactical retreat?

Sitting quietly, he used their previous training as a study reference to predict their actions.

While his two brothers were focused, flexing their muscles and tendons with each inhale of the dashing cold moist wind, which blew through the quiet field, rustling the soft leaves as it blew.

Abayomi with his blue glowing aura took action, vanishing like dust into the wind and reappearing a mere feet away from Akinfemi with a swift blur of motion. As though, he was propelled through the fog, by the wind like a speeding arrow. Launched with accelerated speed as it plowed through the little distance between them. Abayomi’s fist shot out like a launched cannonball, aimed honestly into his brother’s ribs.

‘Pow ’

Recoiling from the pain of catching the punch in his hands with his reflexes, Akinfemi glowing of a crimson aura stepped back with bloodshot eyes, as he further wrapped his fingers tightly on the fist like a python.

Initiating his second attack while losing his balance, Abayomi swiftly and ruthlessly swung his feet through the wind

′ Swoosh ′

towards Akinfemi ribs.

Although a bit to slow, Akinfemi adjusted his hands into a defensive pose, receiving the attack

′ Pow! ′

consequently, enduring it with ease while Abayomi capitalized on the moment to regain his footing.

Both ready, they then charged with fluid movements as though it was as easy as breathing. Their fist flew fiercely and their kicks created powerful slams while their auras danced in a bright magnificent flutter with each clash.

It was a spectacular and horrifying display of the supernatural. Though they appeared like mundane humans, they were far from the mundane; they were Awakeners, superhuman beings capable of growing stronger, faster, smarter and in few occasions wilder.

These were advanced humans born from evolution due to the intense demand to adapt to the chaos that the world bore.

But even with this much progress, further advancement was necessary, like now; as their will, endurance, and intelligence sharpened with each blow thrown.

Interrupting this flow, a loud sudden ′ Thud ′ stole their attention away.

" What is that sound?” Abayomi wondered, unaware of the creative plan set in motion.

As Akinfemi once again created another sudden but louder sound with the stump of his left foot. Resulting in the violent vibration of the trees, the ground, and the unearthing of the lush plants both near and beyond his feet.

Leaving behind a broken imprint and a violent shockwave that dispersed the fog while sending dust and rocks flying randomly like a series of aimlessly shot arrows.

The air rippled with the loud force of the impact, while the blasted rocks dashed through the wind, embracing the concealing veil of the repelled thick fog.

Reacting swiftly, Abayomi leaped backwards in shock, as his and Damilare’s eyes were opened wide from bewilderment.

Although, Damilare couldn’t see their fluid movements or how each attack connected, he could see the results of their actions, using the fog all around them.

Piecing together the various sounds of their clashes, the fog’s surreal dance that followed their movement and the information he had of his brothers.

He made an educated guess. Akinfemi was the Originator of the sound, blasting stones as projectiles towards Abayomi, whom was depending on his awakened ability to accelerate the reflexes of his body, to dodge with the speed of a cheetah and the maneuverability of a gazelle.

Seizing the moment without hesitation, Akinfemi launched his hands, charged with his red crimson aura, in a refined, gradual motion.

What could his slow punch do?

Actually, it did a lot, as his punch unleashed a devastating shockwave of destruction upon the once tranquil terrain.

His movement was seemingly simple, yet it was precisely this openness, that made it so absurdly powerful and overwhelming for Damilare to comprehend.

" How a single slow punch swung into the air could have such a profound impact. ” He wondered, questioning the mechanism of his brother’s actions.

The swing, sent the wind swirling into a razor like vortex, propelling both the rocks and dust sand forward with the fog, like a deadly storm on a path of destruction.

Understanding that it was more than he could handle; as his awakened abilities weren’t suited to defend against such a force. Abayomi played to his strengths, accelerating his movements and thoughts while dodging through the shattered projectiles

But even with his success at evading, the fight had reached its climax due to Akinfemi’s ingenious plan.

At the junction of success, Akinfemi utilized the whirlwind of debris as cover, closing the distance between them, while navigating through the fog with speed, difficult to achieve with just his awakened ability only.

Though not fast when compared to his brother, he was fast enough to accomplish his actions.

He was like a predator embracing the veil of the terrain while zooming in at his preoccupied prey. With his left fist that shot out in a perfectly aimed strike, Abayomi’s face was struck, Causing his loud crash against the tree behind.

Upon impact, a loud grunt escaped his lips “Ugrraaah!” Before falling on his knees in pain.

The impart of the destruction was jolting; as the jungle reverberated with the aftereffects. The strike of the soundwave smashed and tumbled a few trees, while leaving a loud echo through the forest like a simultaneous crack of thunder.

‘Crack!’

‘Bang!’

AUTHOR: DAVID QUILL.