My Last Hunt

Quest For Three Stones (22)

Zunal;

Leaf city or trap

The greenery usually calm the stretch nerves but here Qiao could feel the ringing bells of threat. Who would not get impulses to see the sudden changes. It was just that he can only bat his eyes cautiously at the development and wait what was coming up next. The place which was actually bizzare to look at; now it turned an all leaf city, there were leaves all at his feet and real pathway was nowhere. At least he couldn't see it yet. There were leaf all around the building leaving only some transparent windows to make believe that the building still exist.

Soon the wind started to blow and the green leaves which were part of some unknown boughs started to storm around. Bundles of them were moving along the wind while the possible bridge, a winding road, a small cottage which appeared when the wind started to blow and some other fascinations came into being slowly. It must have been nice view for a person who was tired of carpeted roads, concrete accomodations and glasswork buildings yet Qiao was looking at them suspiciously, just like an elephant who was hungry and served greenery as meal in the middle of the deserted place out of nowhere. 

No doubt the presence of a cottage and the whole setting was bit off nevertheless it was all illusion created to betray him so he cannot bother himself to get distracted unless he has a reason for it. The wind was still blowing and the leaf city was giving off the signs of piece and susceptibility. "I wonder where the monster is that dragged me here?" he put a face of tiredness and asked to himself. The monster was the real villain for him not this place full of illusions. If he could find it and hunt then he could think a way to take the monster along and leave. 

It was what he witnessed under the barrier so he thought that he could perhaps use the same method to reach back the barrier. He was quite right and the monster has the capability to drag him again out of this place but the question was whether this Phantasm would allow both to end up in front of each other? Of course not; why would it let the target runaway? And Qiao was presently the target. "Shall I go and take a look at the cottage?" he probed while deciding to move.  

He cannot stand still and wait for the things to proceed in front rather he would take a look at the changes in the place. Since the infinity level stone was quite powerful it has the complete control on its territory, the whole place under the influence can change at the will of the stone and the ground could also open itself to transpire the changes. It was the second level of control which was not common in most of infinity level stones or these stones were under the control of the beasts so they have less influence at the will. 

It was unknown; just like hunter swank about their own horns to express how powerful they were, the same way the infinity level stones swagger if they have their territory. It was called demonstration of power. So the present make over was done by the strong stone to show how mighty it was. Well, it was haughty display but not mighty at all. It can attain the mighty power once it reached the requiem level, the last level in the lifespan of a stone. At this level: the stone could display the real power almost matching to the peak level hunter king. As for the stones shredded by the rare monsters; their requiem stage were astonishing and can match with the hunter monarch but it was rare occurrence. 

"This cottage is beautiful, no doubt." Almost all the construction beauty was put in line to design it. "Whoever possesses control of this place must be very picky or ingenious." Until now Qiao has only clue that the hunters who possess strong stones could use them extraordinary ways. The hunters always covet for such stone that could bring opulence for them but only lower level hunters look for fortune. 

Qiao knew that higher level hunters cannot bear to lose the stone because they were familiar how precious it could be in hunting but how it could render help was still mystery for him. According to him some introvert hunter might have found a better stone and then he started to study it some way and created this personal territory but if it was real then why he was unwilling to let go or it was not under his control? His thoughts were turning into mess with the time his consciousness constantly was trying to decipher the place. 

All the possible clues were leading to nowhere. When he reached near the cottage; he felt that the cottage was calling his name very affectionately; it was warmer than the sweetest lullaby. Unexpectedly the voice seemed familiar; it was the cutest voice which always makes him feel that the world was not much cruel, his circumstances were not tough; he could still fight and win, and he has someone very adorable by his side. The voice belonged to his younger sibling. Though initially he did not plan to walk inside the cottage but the voice was enough to pick his curiosity. It has been many days since he last look at the chubby cute face and he was missing the younger one. He cannot help but walk straight. At the corner of the cottage; the light was not sparse and could see a small figure facing the leaf wall of the cottage. He took deep breath and stood there. He wished to rush and talk to the figure but it was pity that the world was not real or does the figure. It needed him to keep control on his senses despite his heart compelling him to move forward. The small figure again voiced his name with the same sweetness. 

This cottage was actually the real hidden place of the stone and the figure was none other than the actual stone of illusions. After failed attempts; the stone put this gamble to lure the hunter and when he would rush to face the small figure; Qioa would directly be exposed in front of the strong strength of the stone and it would blast the stratums of the consciousness without ado. The stone planned this trap especially for this hunter whose self-control has reached to the level of a hunter king; if it could spawn the command over this hunter then it would be able to devour all of the consciousness of this hunter. 

Taking away the whole consciousness was unheard but this stone was much ambitious to leave the hunter at the verge of insanity where he would no more be able to hunt or live like a normal human. It was the planned vengeance of this stone. Since Qiao offended this stone now it would show the real beast power which was residing in it. 

….

The hunter king who was able to leave the phantasm called some of the hunter king elders in the main hall and spoke with solemn expressions pasted on his face, "That phantasm is growing stronger; we went after preparations still it has learned how to tackle those attacks." The faces of other fell to see that they sent three hunter kings yet this only one came back. "Where are the other two?" an elder asked out of concern. He was wearing the special fleece which was only designed for a retired hunter king who has much influence in the Hightown upper decisions. The shiny pearl which was decorated on the shoulder was actually the mark of achievements when he was in service. 

"Cough, they are still trapped inside the phantasm. I thought to come back and inform and get the opinion of elders." He was not embarrassed but to show that the task appeared suddenly difficult he has to pretend discomfit. The elder shook his head; he cannot give concern toward the shamelessness of this hunter king because he has grown accustomed to it until now. "Cha Li, you were supposed to work along with them; how come you got separated?" the elder blinked helplessly. The peak level young hunter kings were decreasing because most of them were retiring with the time and cannot accomplish missions. 

"I was fooled by the phantasm." The hunter king lowered his head. At his answer the elder shook his head thinking in his mind that there was no need for phantasm to waste energy on fooling this hunter king who was already master of fools. "Alright; I will personally talk with other elders what to do or what exceptional stone they could trade for this problem." He waved his hand gesturing the hunter king to leave now.