Crimson Vengeance

The Huntress Heart

It is a crisp Autumn morning, and the air is filled with the scent of burning leaves. Amahisa wakes up early, her eyes still heavy from the night’s training. She stretches her lithe, dark-red-scaled body and yawns, revealing her sharp jagged teeth. Her black, bat-like wings rustle as she prepares to take flight. Amahisa, now at the age of 20, is given her first task, her first mission. Today, she has to track down and kill an angel that has been wreaking havoc in a nearby village.

As she takes off, the cool breeze caresses her scaled skin, making her feel alive and powerful. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape. She flies for hours, following the trail of destruction left by the angel. Her eyes scanned, following all the clues she could spot. Until she spots a figure, darting gracefully between the treetops, making it difficult for Amahisa to keep up. She has trained since she was young, so it did not take a lot of power to push herself to stay on the Angel’s tail.

The night leading over to morning was thick with the scent of blood and fire. The clash of steel echoed through the shadows. Amidst the chaos and destruction, Amahisa moved with a deadly grace, her ebony wings unfurled as she lunged at her prey with lethal precision. Each strike was a symphony of death, a dance of darkness that left nothing but silence in its wake.

“Die, you no good piece of trash!”Amahisa voice rang out in a chilling scream as she plunged her blade into the chest of the white-robed figure, the fallen enemy's final moan mixing with the cacophony of the battle surrounding them. She stared at the unmoving corpse, disgust showing on her face. “Now look at what you have done. My sword is dirty.” Amahisa leaned to wipe the ends off her blades on the open-eyed angel’s face. She leaned down to whisper against the angel’s ear. “Your blood is not worthy of staining my blade.”

“Ama, be careful!” Aynaera’s urgent call cut through the fray, her own wings gleaming in the sun as she fought by Amahisa’s side. Amahisa twirled just in time to s***h an angel's head clean off. The two young hunters moved as one. They were a perfect balance, their bond unbreakable even in the face of battle.

Amahisa glanced at Aynaera. The siblings had been inseparable since their mother's untimely death, and they had trained together tirelessly, honing their skills to become the best hunters they could be. As the battle raged on, the air grew thicker with the scent of blood that it was enough to choke on, but they pressed on, their determination unwavering.

As they stood amidst the wreckage of the village, Amahisa heart remained hardened, her focus unwavering on her quest. Her mission. The gratitude of the villagers fell on deaf ears, her mind consumed by thoughts of the one angel who continued to elude her grasp. The one face engraved in her skull since she was a child.

Aynaera, ever the compassionate soul, offered solace to the grieving villagers, her kindness a stark contrast to Amahisa's icy resolve. Their differing perspectives stem from a shared tragedy that has shaped them in profound ways, yet driven them on divergent paths. As she stood off to the side, Aynaera approached, her eyes searching for any remaining enemies. She handed Amahisa a piece of cloth and a vial of a special cleansing liquid. She took the items, dipped the cloth in the liquid and wiped her blades clean, its shine was restored immediately.

Some of the villagers came with tears in their eyes asking how they could ever repay the sisters. Amahisa stared off to the side as her sister took care of them, telling them that she was just doing it to take care of those around her. She didn’t care for them. She didn’t do it to help them because where was help when she needed it? All she wanted was to bring the head of the angel on a stick and place it in front of their mothers' grave.

Her sister, on the other hand, actually did care for everyone. Even though she knows of Amahisa’s plan and never actually tried to stop her, Aynaera always says “I know you have had a heart of ice since our mother’s death. But I wish you cared more about the people around us. We wouldn’t have a village if it wasn’t for them. Or food. You should be grateful.”

Aynaera wasn’t there though. Amahisa was the one who caught everything. The fear in her mom's eyes when she hid her, telling her to stay hidden no matter what happened. While her older sister was away during training, Amahisa watched everything burn. Aynaera would never know the depths of anger she was feeling. It is the only thing that drives her.

Aynaera tapped her on the back, causing her to come back from her thoughts. “We’re done. Let’s go report back to the lord. “

Amahisa nodded, turning around to follow beside her sister. The only emotion she has is love for her sister. But she just doesn’t have that drive to get their mom killer. As Amahisa and Aynaera made their way back to report to the lord, the weight of their recent battle hung heavy in the air between them. Amahisa mind churned with the thought of the angels they had just slain, the lingering scent of blood and fire still fresh in her nostrils. It was so embedded in her skin that she could taste it. Despite the victory, a gnawing emptiness tugged at her, a reminder of the gaping void of her mother’s death. They don’t know their father, but since he’s been absent since they were babies, they just assumed he was dead.

Aynaera walked beside her, her steps light yet purposeful, her wings folded neatly against her back. She glanced at Amahisa, concern etched into her features. “Ama, are you alright?” She asked softly.

Amahisa nodded, her gaze fixed ahead. "I’m fine Ayn. Just tired.” She replied curtly, her voice betraying none of the turmoil raging within her. Aynaera hesitated, her brow furrowing with worry. “It’s okay…to feel angry, you know. To feel... is okay.” She said gently, not wanting to push her sister too far.

She continued. “Letting that anger consume you, eat at you, will only lead to more pain and destruction.” Amahisa’s jaw tightened, her grip on her sword hilt tightening with every step. “I know what I’m doing Aynaera.” She snapped, her tone sharp and defensive. Aynaera sighed, her expression pained, knowing she was never going to convince Amahisa to lose it. “I’m your older sister and the only family member alive. Of course, I’m going to worry about you. I don’t want to see you lose yourself to this obsession. I can’t lose you either." She said quietly, her voice tinged with sadness.

Amahisa's chest tightened at her sister’s words, a small pang of guilt nagging at her. She knew Aynaera only had her best interest at heart, yet the burning rage, the pain, seemed to drown out reason. “I won’t lose myself, Ayn. “ She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “Not as long as I have you to bring me back if I do. “

Aynaera reached out, placing a hand on Amahisa’s shoulder, her touch gentle but firm. Even though she didn’t say anything this time, Aynaera words through her touch were more than enough. The silent support spoke volumes, reassuring Amahisa that she had her sister. That her unwavering presence beside her is a reminder that no matter how dark the path gets, or her soul, Aynaera will be the one the guides her back before she heads down a path of no return.