Granite Flats

  South of Granite City

  Across the river and past the tree line, a flat expanse of wild grasses was soaking in the late evening rays from the red giant. The last of the Adventurers from Safe Zone had returned to safety, leaving the Monsters and Magical Beasts to their own devices.

  This was no less true for a particular Elite, Stone Ranked Monster Cat who lounged in the tall grasses. His languid body rippled as he stretched. The beast yawned, it's sharp, ivory fangs exposed to the world. His deep blue and grey, nearly black, fur glistened in the dimming light.

  After shaking his body and fur out, the Monster Cat strutted forward through the tall grasses of the Granite Flats. Multiple smaller and weaker Monsters that sensed the big Cat Monster coming scattered before him. With a soft snort, the Monster approved. The weaklings had finally learned who the Alpha was.

  He approached a rocky outcropping that stood tall amongst the wild grasses. Being the tallest place in the area, he had claimed it. Many, many bloody and savage fights were won to stake his ownership. With a single, mighty leap, he landed on the flat top.

  Sitting tall and regal, the Monster Cat looked around at his miniature kingdom. Countless battles and many deaths of Monsters and Magical Beasts alike had garnered his control over everything the light touched from his perch.

  Now all he needed was breakfast. A small twinge of hunger coursed through him, the reminder had him scanning the tall grasses. His sight zoomed in and allowed the Cat to see much further than he ever could as an average stray.

  Just beyond the mound that used to be a Dog Monster Lair that the Monster Cat had cleared on his own, the grass rustled. His meal had arrived.

  Unlike when he made his home in the tall, metal box of stink and filth, the only safe place he could find from the monstrous two legs, food had become plentiful. He just had to take it. With three more mighty leaps and a deadly pounce, the Monster struck.

  His serrated claws tore through the Monster Spider's carapace with ease. A quick bite to the many eyes and the Monster died with a single screech. He managed to eat his fill long before the body broke down and disappeared. While he was not fond of the crunchy insectoid meat, it made for a decent first meal of the night

  With a small swagger, the feline Monster slinked away from his flatland, mini Kingdom and entered the patch a trees leading to the river. Only stopping to take a large drink of the cool water, the Cat leaped across the waterway and landed elegantly on the other side. The moment his paws made silent contact with the soft soil, his ears perked and he became alert for enemies.

  The Cat Monster landed in a clearing he had never been to before. He took in every scent and scene he could. As the wind changed direction, he caught a very familiar smell.

  Unbeknownst to the Cat Monster, at least consciously, scent was one of the strongest ties to memory. This smell, which was multiple moons old, drudged up a sharp pain in his chest, sharp teeth on his neck, and a two leg with a glowing club and vicious dog companion. An emotion he knew but was nearly forgotten resurfaced. Blinding rage filled him.

  The first time he fought that particular two leg, he received the scar on his chest. Many smaller scars from the many battles he had as a small cat had faded when he had become one of the stronger ones after the strange lights came. Yet, that large mark had remained. It was an ever-present reminder of the only time he had lost since the world changed.

  Losing himself in the rage, seeing nothing but red, the Cat went on the hunt. He followed the scent along the river, through the wooded countryside and back again. Some places, the scent of that two leg and his dog was more prevalent, blood having been spilt on the ground. In other places the scent faded almost completely.

  Skidding to a halt at the edge of the treeline, the two legs' wall rose up in the near distance and made some of that blinding rage dissipate. It wouldn't do him any good to get shot to death by the two legs that prowled the top of the wall.

  Based on how dense the enemy's scent was in the area outside the two legs' den, it was clear he emerged to hunt often. All the Cat had to do was wait. He could do that. It was patience and timing that had allowed him to claim his own den.

  The Cat backed up slowly, letting his mind, which was all the sharper since he became more powerful, spin around what would work to eliminate his enemy. That's when the ground shook. Then it shook again. He had learned what that meant through multiple battles outside of the wooded area. Something large was coming and there was only one thing large enough to make the ground shake in this area.

  A shadow descended and the Cat sprang backwards. As the Cat landed on a fallen tree, another tree crashed into where he had just been standing. He leaped backward again and his gaze moved up the length of tree to see a green paw gripping the end.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  The worst of all two legs, the green giant one, was looking back at him. They stared at each other for a long moment. He hissed at the giant. The giant hollered back.

  To end the stalemate, the Cat did the only sensible thing. He fled. Internally, he was beating himself up. He had allowed his rage to bring him into the green giant's territory. And, while he did want to feast on the green one's power, he knew that he couldn't win that fight. Not yet.

  Now he had two targets. The green giant two leg, and the enemy and his dog. How was he going to do that exactly? By becoming stronger, or course.

  As he returned to his own territory, he considered which Lair or Den he was going to assault first. It would either be the one with the snakes or the one that spider he had eaten for breakfast had come from. Decisions, decisions. He was starting to like having to make decisions beyond what he was going to eat that day.

  Radiance, First Floor

  Slatewell Safe Zone

  Katherine Cammy sat in Radiance, waiting for her date to arrive. She sighed internally. Why did Adam want her to target this particular Crusader?

  She understood that the shorter, non-human was more likely to be lonely and yield information the easiest. That was clear to begin with. But, why couldn't it have been the blonde one? She'd even have settled for the Auburn haired one. Then again, from her initial conversation with this Daniel Digsby, their Guild's leader was almost more nerdy than the Minotaur.

  Katherine realized her mask wasn't on and schooled her expression into the anxiousness of a young girl waiting for her potential suiter to arrive.

  "Not as excited to be here as you made yourself out to be, huh?"

  The sudden voice made Katherine jolt. Sitting across from her was a short, dark furred Minotaur. He had a septum piercing with a Stone Metal ring. Past that and his horns, his face was human. He had a skeptical look that crossed those human like features. How had he snuck up on her?

  Busted. She hadn't been caught on an assignment since she was a rookie. She needed to save her cover. She decided to start with something casual. She tried her best to make her face light up with the excitement she should be feeling.

  "It's not that. I wouldn't have invited you if I wasn't. Work is just...rough. It's hard to see all empty space at the academy and what it means." She let her expression fall into a gentle sorrow.

  Watching carefully, but not so closely it was obvious, she mentally sighed again, this time in delight, when his hard look softened. He shrugged.

  "Yeah, Roxy was telling us about that. That's the problem with these System buildings. They are a set size. We had the opposite problem right after the Lock Down with the graveyard. It wasn't designed to host that many cremations all at once. At least, not at its current Rank." Daniel shrugged again. There was deep emotion under his gesture. He gave her a soft smile. "How are the children Granite City has doing with the new building anyway?"

  Katherine may be an assassin and spy, but she was also a teacher. It might have been her day job and cover, but her passion for it was real. So was her smile as she responded.

  "They love it. It's so nice, what with all the tools we have for them and everything. Not to mention, almost all of our knowledge from before the Initialization is accessible. We can cater to each child's needs without issue."

  While they spoke, a waiter came over and took down their orders. As the conversation flowed, Katherine caught herself genuinely laughing and Daniel was actually interesting to talk to. He was smart and very outgoing. More than once, she had to remind herself what her true assignment was after he said something smooth or funny.

  The food arrived and the two dug in with gusto, the conversation continuing on easily.

  Don't get swept up in him. You have a job to do, Kat.

  You always did prefer the men who weren't typical. I say have some fun with him. Just because you are one of...those...doesn't mean you have to forgo a real relationship.

  Ever since her grandmother became her Spirit Guide and discovered what she actually did for work, she had been getting judgmental comments and subtle jabs like that.

  I know, grandma, but this is different. I don't mix work with play.

  Maybe if you started, you wouldn't be alone all the time. Our family line is doomed to die out with you.

  As usual, Katherine was unable to to respond because the chat window disappeared. When she looked back at Daniel, he was examining her face.

  "Having a private conversation with you guide and getting some attitude?" Daniel's look was smug and knowing.

  Katherine rolled her eyes. "Unfortunately, yes. My Guide is my granny. It's like I never get any privacy and she is always judging me."

  Daniel snorted. "I know that feeling. My Guide is my Cousin. He can't help but throw in his own two cents all the time. 'Are you really going to drink that?' 'what would your mother say about that?'" Daniel's voice changed and was lighter as he mimicked his cousin. He sighed and rolled his own eyes. When he noticed they were both nearly finished with their dinner, he rose. He dropped a few coppers onto the table and waved to the waiter who scurried forward to clean the table. Daniel turned to Katherine and offered her his hand. "Have you seen the Vixen's Vigil yet?"

  Katherine tipped her head. "No. I haven't had the time to go. Not to mention, I am not on a Combat Path. I've heard it's a relatively safe walk, but I didn't want to risk it." She could easily take care of herself, her path choice statement being a lie, but it was good for her cover. She considered taking his hand but hesitated.

  "Want to?" Daniel asked challengingly. "I'd say I'd protect you, but I am sure you could make it on your own. You seem tough enough. However, the view is killer."

  Katherine froze for a moment. As this was her assignment, she decided to see what the Vigil was all about. If he tried to get handsy, Katherine felt she would be able to do something about him easily enough. She reached over and took his hand.

  "Okay. Sure." Katherine gave Daniel a small smile. His return smile was warm and and made hers a little more real. "Just don't push your luck. Taking a girl out to a good view all alone won't automatically get you laid, Daniel."

  He smirked as he pulled her standing. "Please. Call me Diggy. And it never hurts to try."

  Katherine had to school her face into a small smile instead of the grin she felt. She knew she couldn't do anything for the blush that crept up onto her face.