Before the Negotiations

Kill him.

That was the King's order to me. 

And yet, I never thought I would fail this miserably.

And now... I must pay the price to the Lycan King with my own heart.

___________________

A village on fire.

"Tch. Typical." I grit my teeth and nonchalantly walk among the blazing fragments of planks that were scattered across the muddy floor.

The heels of my boots sank every step and I rolled my eyes in irritation as these boots costed two bars of silver and a bronze. I always knew that the merchant was a shady man, and yet- I still bought these bad babies.

They look damn great on me after all.

I could see the silhouette from a distance. I lowered my crimson hood and cracked my fingers before pulling out my favorite cobalt flintlock. I place my thumb on the trigger- ready to shoot whatever would come to me.

I could hear the screams of the anguished villagers who were devoured by the nightly and inhumane beasts. I look up to the sky and fixated my viridescent orbs on the bright, yellow moon.

"It's the full moon," I whispered to myself. "Great. What a time to be alive."

I slowly closed the distance between the only house that was standing. It was dilapidated, but at least- its foundation was a little bit intact.

The wailing soon came to a stop.

"Please help me..."

"Don't worry," I speak to no one. "I am here now."

I hardened my thighs and abruptly swung it. My legs hit the wood and it immediately exploded from behind, dust was everywhere. I kept my composure– but I was near to sneezing, I wasn't immune to the dust after all.

The piece of feeble wood drops to the ground and the creature behind it was revealed. It turned its head to me and I licked my lips in excitement. Finally, something that can entertain me for the next few minutes.

It's growls.

A smirk tugged from the ends of my lips. "What?" I taunted. "Are you just gonna let me watch you, or you'll come and get me?"

The beast snarled at me, baring its huge, sharp canines- which were filled with that familiar red substance.

Blood.

Its thick liquid dripped to the floor and the beast tossed the woman from its hands, behind him, slowly making haste toward me.

I do not flinch.

Flinching means being scared, and I am not even a single bit close to that.

It sniffed the air and sauntered close. I took a few steps back, making sure that I had sufficient space to take him down. I sniff the air too, mimicking him- but my intentions were different. I wanted to know if there were more werewolves around, ready to pounce at me, while I am in battle.

Counting the accurate toll would weigh me less, and the trouble wouldn't be as difficult.

All I could smell was that smoky fire, the murky smell of rotten blood, and the stench of this creature's fur.

Ugh. They smell so bad. I wonder if they even spared a moment to wash themselves on the stream nearby. It would've been so convenient.

"Who...are you?"

I blinked my eyes, bamboozled.

Oh my, what a coincidence. And here I thought I was challenging a creature with no intelligence.

"You can speak." I crossed my arms, the index still on the trigger. "How rare."

"Rare..?"

I chuckle for a bit. Does he really not know anything in this world?

I raised my wrists and checked the strap of steel which displayed familiar alphabets of Roman numerals. I looked back at the creature and smiled deceivingly.

"I don't mind explaining everything to you. I still have a few minutes left, fortunately. Is there something you'd like to know before you die?"

"Who are you...?"

"Ah, my name?" I chuckled bitterly, once again.

How dare these sick bastards forget my name? Do they not know who I am and what I can do?

"It's Ruby Vermillion," I replied, introducing my identity.

Why are you telling your name to a beast, you may ask? I don't mind it. He won't be coming out alive anyway.

"Ru...by..." he repeated. "Ver...million."

"Indeed. That is my name, are yours?"

"Jugger."

"Jugger." I smile at him and place back my favorite flintlock pistol to my belt. Too bad I won't be using you today.

Instead, I drew out my grey dagger, unsheathed it, and proceeded to point it towards him. "Ah, Jugger. Perhaps slitting your jugular vein would be the best way to slay you. I am a woman with standards of the method I slaughter, after all. Would you like it?"

Jugger did not seem to like my statement. He proceeded to make a stance and snarled at me with those wet fangs and growled.

"Don't... come any... closer."

I stepped closer, taunting him. I love making my prey flustered. It makes them easier to mess up, stumble, and die.

All of a sudden, the beast lifted his head onto the hair and howled.

'Damn it. Is he going to call his friends?'

I backed away for a minute and thought of my situation well.

Underneath my red cloak, I have two flintlocks, and a musket, each with only 3 bullets. I have nine shots and it usually takes at least four shots to immobilize him with the poison. I have two blades- the dagger I am holding and a sword that was given by His Highness.

I might be able to take two wolves down with my guns, but I would have to combat with the others.

The beast looked at me with his measly silver orbs, and he found out that I was distracted, he sprinted away.

"Crap!"

I immediately prepare my knees to go after him. I leaped to the branches and trailed after him by hopping from branch to branch. It would've been easier for me to stay and run on the ground, but that would be an open space for his friends to pounce and I am not letting that happen.

I glided across the wind and I was thankful for the currents. They made this chase, even more, faster for me.

In a matter of seconds, I was able to catch up. The beast was running below me, frantically- to save his life. I heard noises from the thickets and soon enough, the werewolves– who he might have called, reunited with him as they ran.

Three werewolves, ready to meet their demise.

"What's the problem, Jugger?!" one of them asked him, with that sappy, husky voice.

"She is... here."

"Who?"

"Little Red Riding Hood..."

So they knew me after all. I smirked for a moment, readied my pistol on the other hand, and aimed. I pulled the trigger.

The bullet pierces one and the other werewolf immediately falls to the ground he stands up, limping, and then runs, once again– but he is slower than the other two.

"Hurry up Mob!" the talkative one yelled at him from behind.

"She shot me!"

I aimed at him again, and then shot twice, making that three pellets pierce his tough fur. He crashed to the ground and was not able to get up again.

I lunged from the trees to his immobilized body. I stood on top of him and felt his breathing against my feet. I took the other gun and then shot the talkative one from behind. I wasn't gonna let him go any further. As long as one bullet hits them, they're boned.

Jugger was the only one who I hadn't shot. I didn't care. He'll meet his demise once I'm done with his fool underneath me. I looked down and gritted my teeth. I yanked its thick fur and he grunted in pain.

"Hello, hello." I smiled at him and placed my dagger underneath his neck. "How many have you killed today?"

"No... no, please! The full moon did this! I cannot control myself once I shift!"

"So you're blaming the moon? Did the moon sink its teeth at the people's flesh?" I raised an eyebrow. These creatures could be so stupid.

You commit it. You sin it.

"But the full moon-"

"How old are you?" I asked him, while tightening the blade on his neck.

"Twenty-seven."

"Twenty-seven and you do not know how to control your form during the full moon? You must be a complete amateur."

"I-"

"Shut it." I cut him off, my eyes dilating in rage. "I don't want to hear any stupid excuses that come out of your mouth again. It would've been understandable if you were around the age of thirteen and went all loose, but you're twenty-seven and you still haven't gotten used to it? Don't play dumb with me."

I yanked his head and made it face mine.

"I know that you werewolves gain the ability to shift when you become thirteen and it takes a couple of months to master it. You must be a complete idiot or an impotent oaf."

"No, no, please..."

"Will you really allow your begging to be your last words?"

These filthy, pathetic creatures. I would never forgive them. I would never show mercy to them. I would never allow one to live as long as they remain in my sight.

They better watch out. Because these emerald eyes of mine as twice as clear as theirs.

"P-Please spare me!"

"Spare you?" I contort a mocking laugh. "You should've thought of sparing those poor people before you devoured them. And here you are, begging at me like mere fools. I really like the shamelessness, but I'm afraid that I am not patient enough to linger around. You're filthy and your stench, ugh. Repulsive."

The beast struggled, but its poisoned body won't move. And even so that it did- I wouldn't allow him, anyway.

The smirk on my face faded and it was replaced by a blank expression, my vision darkened as the murderous intent continued to rise from within me.

My blade sinks against his throat and the werewolf skittered like a fish out of water. For a moment it moves, but then it stops. Its eyes were wide open and his head fell to the side. I reached out to his eyelids and closed them.

Standing up, I dusted my clothes and watched as its darkish-gray to red blood seeped from his neck. I withdrew the dagger and swung it around, splattering his blood to clean my blade.

Black blood. Werewolf blood.

Shows how impure they are. Tch.

I leap back into the air and I spot them from the distance, limping. I blocked their paths and smirked.

I fixed my eyes on the distance and went for the other two, they looked back at me with terrified eyes and tails between their legs. Jugger seemed to be helping the other one to escape.

What a fool.

He must have used this opportunity to leave while he still can.

But instead, he chose to help his endeavors. How noble.

"I hate to break it to you, but I think this is where everything ends."

"No!" he shook his repeatedly. "No, I am sorry please!"

"Sorry?" I scoffed. "Did you ever feel sorry after ripping everybody's hearts and quenching your thirst with your blood? Don't get too groovy on me."

I dashed towards them. Jugger stood up firmly, attempting to protect his friend, but I was no fool. He will be brought down just like the other one.

I evaded his forceful claws and fought my way closer. When the distance was settled, I drew my sword in the air and slashed him.

I was strong enough to behead him if were- then I would've done it as soon as I could. But the poison of my blade will do the trick just fine. All I needed to do was to pierce my blades against their hearts or make them bleed to death.

Jugger fell down on his knees and fell to the ground. He felt his knees start to numb and his body set on fire.

"No, don't kill him!"

But it was too late. I plunged the blade against his thick fur and felt it sink against whatever was inside. Jugger screamed in agony and in a matter of seconds, his consciousness faded away.

I turned my back to the last one and frisked closer.

"Beg."

"No, please..."

I scoffed. "You even do a proper beg? You lowlives just can't do anything right can you? Instead of growing a farm of cattle- you chose to mess with us, humans. This is what you get for sparking our wrath."

He shook his head. "No... please."

I laughed again.

"My grandmother said the same words too, back then. 'No, please! Don't hurt us!'" I mimicked. "But you guys just don't listen."

All of a sudden, a strike of pain surged inside my head.

'Damn it, here we go again.'

I didn't have the time. If I couldn't finish this bastard before I fell unconscious, then things would become very bad for me.

I walked towards him and threw my sword, like a lance, and it directly pierced his chest. He let out an obnoxious wail before his voice faded.

"Ugh..."

I placed a hand on my head. I heard shuffling in the thickets, but I wasn't alarmed at all. There was no scent of blood, and therefore I am sure it is nothing of that sort.

Two figures appeared out of nowhere and sprinted towards me.

"Captain!"

I look up. Ah. There they are, my lovely apprentices. Though they are much older than me, I was still regarded as their chief.

It was flattering, yes.

After all, a nineteen-year-old like me should not be receiving such titles. I may be proud of my skills as a wolf-hunter, but I am not proud of my title as a captain. Something about it seemed so off.

Imagine being in command of dozens of wolf-hunter interns before you, as a kid.

"Yeah..."

"You don't seem to be injured, but your breathing has become uneven. Have you taken your medicine this morning?"

I scratch the back of my nape. "Ah, crap. I'm sorry. I may have forgotten it."

My apprentice sighed. "Very well, let us return to the palace, immediately. We'll have to take your medicine first and then, we can meet with the King."

I raised a brow at him. The King? What does he want to do with me this time?

"Why? Is it urgent?"

"I think so." he looked at his hourglass and smiled. "Let's go, Captain. You'll need lots of rest."

I nodded at him. The two approach me and they place an arm on my shoulders to help me stand.

I swore to the heavens I wasn't this weak back then.

"By the way, have you asked them why His Highness has sent me?"

"He must have another mission for you, Miss Ruby."

"A mission?"

Something felt incredibly wrong. I wonder what my next assignment would be?