Emerging swiftly from the dense undergrowth, four shadowy figures moved with lightning speed. Their movements were almost imperceptible, blurring against the foliage until they finally stepped into view.
Each of them wore a distinctive animal-head mask, lending them an eerie and formidable presence. The first figure bore the head of a bear, a grotesque visage with three piercing eyes, its massive frame towering at an imposing 198 cm. The second figure sported a wolf's head, its elongated, razor-sharp teeth gleaming under the moonlight, standing at a more moderate 170 cm. The third figure, eerily silent, wore a bird’s head, its elongated, hooked beak exuding an aura of sharp precision, standing 193 cm tall. The fourth and final figure donned the head of an ape, but unlike the others, it had only a single, glaring eye that burned with intensity, its stature measuring 169 cm. Despite their differing appearances, all four carried an undeniable air of strength and discipline, their robust frames hinting at the raw muscle concealed beneath fur and feathers.
As the group gathered, two of them removed their masks. Ferdinand, the taller of the two, revealed a rugged face adorned with a stubble beard, sleepy yet sharp eyes, a straight nose, and a bald head with brown skin that gleamed slightly under the dim light. Beside him, Henry appeared much younger, his long black hair framing a face marked by small eyes, a crooked nose, and thin lips, exuding an air of quiet cunning.
"Wow, Ferdinand, you caught an alpaca!" exclaimed the ape-masked figure, his voice carrying a mix of astonishment and youthful excitement.
"You’re incredibly strong, Ferdinand. You should take the trial to become an elder," suggested the wolf-masked figure, his sharp teeth adding to his menacing grin.
Ferdinand shook his head, his tone modest but firm. "No, I’m not at that level yet."
"Don’t be so humble, Ferdinand," the bear-masked figure interjected, his deep voice carrying both amusement and encouragement.
Ferdinand changed the subject. "Have all of you finished hunting?"
"Yeah, we’re done. We already brought our prey back to camp, but… well, nothing as impressive as your catch," the bird-masked figure admitted, a hint of regret in his voice.
"Don’t be discouraged," Ferdinand reassured them. "With enough practice, you’ll be able to hunt just as well as I do."
Before the conversation could continue, Henry suddenly spoke up, his voice cutting through the chatter with a smirk. "Enough small talk—did you all forget something?"
Ferdinand’s eyes flickered in realization. "Right. We need to get these alpacas to the camp before other creatures catch the scent of blood."
"Let’s hurry and carry the creature," ordered the bear-masked figure, his voice turning serious.
"Henry, stay alert. Keep an eye out while we lift the alpaca. Signal us if anything approaches," he added, his three eyes gleaming under the mask.
"Don’t worry," Henry, now wearing the bird-head mask, reassured him with a confident smile.
The alpaca was massive—far too heavy for a normal group of men to lift. In most cases, at least ten people would be required to haul it. However, for these five warriors, each with bodies forged through relentless training and combat, it was a manageable task.
"I’ll carry the head," Ferdinand declared. The others nodded in acknowledgment.
"I’ll take the front legs," said the bear-masked Simon. Then, turning to the wolf-masked Anthony and the bird-masked Rony, he instructed, "Anthony, Rony, each of you take a hind leg. Be mindful of the tail—it’s highly poisonous."
"Understood," Anthony responded with a firm nod, exchanging a glance with Rony before positioning himself.
Simon then turned to the ape-masked Lok. "Lok, you help Henry keep watch. If anything approaches, let us know immediately."
"Got it," Lok affirmed, his single eye scanning the darkness ahead.
"Henry, let’s divide our attention—cover both sides," Lok suggested, his voice calm yet commanding.
Henry gave a subtle nod, his expression sharpening with focus. "Agreed."
Without another word, Henry and Lok moved into position, their figures seamlessly fading into the shadows. Their movements were practiced, almost supernatural in their silence, as they took their posts to guard the group.
"Alright," Simon’s voice rumbled. "Let’s move out!"
"YEAH!" responded to the group in unison, their voices filled with determination and anticipation. As the hunters embarked on their journey, Lok and Henry remained vigilant, their senses alert to any potential threats lurking in the wilderness.
As they carried the alpacas to deliver them to the camp, the forest seemed to come alive with the rustling of leaves and the faint sounds of unseen creatures.
Lok and Henry, standing guard, exchanged knowing glances as they heard the subtle shifts in the forest's symphony. With a quick exchange of whistles, they alerted the group to the potential presence of nearby creatures, their keen senses attuned to the slightest hint of danger.
Abruptly, a strange noise came from the bushes, making Lok become vigilant. He gestured and used a whistle to alert Ferdinand and the group.
Ferdinand and the group heard the whistle and simultaneously became cautious . They put down the alpaca and took out their weapons.
Lok whistled again, this time as a warning sign. He and Henry dashed back to the group.
"Lok, what happened?" Rony whispered to his ear.
"That bush made a strange noise," Lok said pointed at the rustling bush.
Anthony and Simon exchanged glances. Farther away, they saw the bush moving on its own.
The group waited for danger, clenching their fists and holding their weapons tightly, ready for someone or something to emerge.
After a couple of minutes, the strange noise in the bush continued.
"I think we need to move," Ferdinand said. "Let's leave it be."
Henry took out an arrow from his back and drew it, releasing it with a splash. The arrow hit the bush, and a strange cry was heard.
"What the fuck, Henry?" Ferdinand said. "It's better to leave quickly than to provoke whatever is hiding in the bush" He added" But unexpectedly, you provoked it."
"What are you doing?" Simon exclaimed, along with Lok.
After a couple of minutes, no strange thing came out of the bush. The movement stopped, and the bush became mute.
"Hurry, we need to move," Ferdinand commanded the group.
"Wait, I need to get my arrow," Henry said.
"Henry, you are fucking reckless. Leave the arrow," Anthony said, and the group agreed with Anthony.
Henry rolled his eyes. "Why are you all always so serious?"
"Maybe it's just a wild beast, and it's already dead. I just need to get my arrow. It's simple," he said, striding toward the bush to retrieve his arrow.
"Henry, wait!" Ferdinand called.
"Leave it. He's too stubborn," Simon said.
"Rony, go with Henry," Anthony said. "Even if he's stubborn, he's still one of us."
"What will you say to Elder Gido if something bad happens to him?"
Rony followed Henry. "Wait, Henry!"
Henry turned and waited for him. Upon reaching him Rony took out his knife and got into a ready position.
"Rony, why so serious?" Henry said, striding toward the bush.
Upon reaching the bush, Henry took out his knife as well. Even though he seemed reckless, he hadn't forgotten to be cautious. Slowly, he opened the bush.
Henry was shocked to his core. A pungent smell of decay washed over his face, making his eyes squint. The arrow had hit the head of a bird, a featherless creature with red talons. He knew that bird—it was a scavenger, known for eating dead beasts. But the most shocking thing was beside the bird: the carcass of a beast. Its head was that of a fox, but its body was almost unrecognizable.
"Henry, what did you see? Let me see," Rony said, quickly approaching the bush. When he saw it, he muttered, "It's a Hound Fox."
He knew that kind of beast. Even elite hunters would have a hard time defeating such an animal.
"Right, it's a Hound Fox," Henry said.
"How did this carrion bird hunt the Hound Fox?"
"It's not them. Look at the body of the Hound Fox. Its chest and ribs are broken apart by something."
"Who or what kind of beast can beat a Hound Fox?" Rony asked.
"Who knows?" Henry said, picking up the arrow from the dead bird.
"Hey, what did you see?" Antony shouted behind them. He dashed over and reached the two.
"It's a dead Hound Fox," Rony said.
"Oh! Did Henry kill the Hound Fox?" Anthony exclaimed. Someone who could kill a Hound Fox would be extraordinary.
"No, it was already dead before," Henry said.
"Oh, I thought you killed it," Anthony said.
"Anyway Let's go back before it gets dark," Rony said.
Henry nodded in agreement with Anthony, and together they strode back toward the group.
"What did you see?" Ferdinand asked.
"Nothing, just a dead wild beast," Henry replied casually.
"Hurry, we need to get to camp before it gets dark," Anthony ordered. The group lifted the alpaca and began moving swiftly, their pace quickening as the daylight faded.
Unbeknownst to them, two glowing eyes watched intently from the bushes just a few meters away, hidden in the shadows.