The Wild Hunt

[Swiftkusura]

Word was quick to spread through the masses, magi and non-magi alike watching a particularly clothed individual of the nameless circle making rounds throughout Meranthe. Never did he seem to draw the weapon that remained clung to his side, but did never the expression of his soften as golden eyes scanned and sought for something.

Over time blood began to become that much more present in the woods, small game seemed to be the start of this hunt, violently maimed in a way that signified no intention of survival but to kill. Their corpses were splayed out amongst the cities, torn open with their once beating hearts visible and their flesh wholly turned to stone, catatonic and marred with suffering.

Talk was all there was, whispers stretching out as it seemed a select few non-magi were made aware of the depth of the occasion.

With a shaken breath, the words were likely to be heard as the following.

"It won't end, not until he sees the world suffer- I'm... I'm certain he only left me alive to share this message."
"A hunt...It's begun, for anything and everything."

Though the message was brief it was clear, the markings and message painted an image of the Gorgon responsible when collaborated with the sightings.

There was no time, no set date for action, but instead a warning for all parties faint of heart.

The hunt had begun.

[Slump]

The scene of carnage painted the forest clearing in shades of horror that even seasoned magi found difficult to witness. Stone-turned flesh held testament to a cruelty that transcended mere violence , transforming living beings into monuments to suffering. A truly sickening sight. The air itself seemed to carry the weight of malice , thick with the promise that this would... only be the beginning.

It was into this tableau of despair that the tap-tap-tap of a walking cane announced an unexpected arrival. The figure that emerged from the treeline appeared unremarkable at first glance , just a man in simple clothes , dark sunglasses hiding his eyes, a crown of wilted flowers sitting askew on his dark hair. 

But there was something in the way he moved through the scene of destruction , unhurried steps carrying him with purpose toward the lone survivor who trembled against a bloodstained tree. A hand extended, to the wounded : 

"It's alright now, you need not to worry about it..."
"I will stop them. First, let's take care of you, mh?"

The thorns-turned-vines around their heart pulsed once, cosmic songs whispering at the edges of consciousness as stellar fire prepared to answer a different kind of call than conquest or domination. It is said the man stayed to help and escort the wounded back to Dal'thala before returning to the woods by themselves...

A hunt begins.

[Swiftkusura]

A warning not taken lightly as naturally a challenger had stepped forth to cease the suffering at its root.

Date: Today.
Time: 1:30 pm EST
Where: Gulfdors Peak (The ruins of Monolith)

[Swiftkusura]

An exchange of far more than simple weaponry was had, but the beliefs of man once redeemed and one whose mind cannot be swayed. Lives of lesser significance, but important all the same, which had been caught in the haste to draw out the ire of the lands were left disheveled, but fortunately thanks to Felsen only one human life was truly lost in the end of it all.

Despite the evident lust for blood and hatred that spilled from Mantis he was extended open arms seeking change, for the second time since the fall from grace with which he took so openly.

Scorched by starlight, burdened by the luminescent glow of Frauhl, yet in no way was he burdened enough to truly let go of the weight which he believes he carries.

In the midst of the moment, the final words left nothing hopeful for redemption of the broken man.

In the distance the Gorgon could clearly be seen making his escape towards the south such that he may lick his wounds and live to fight another day, even if it may well cost him everything eventually.

The Hunt was stopped.
For now.