Hunters

Majestic creatures that claim the air. They devour their food with fierce precision. And they never are far from others of their kind. A small gathering of the creatures landed in the center of a park.

This park like most was filled with activity. Children happily ran away playing games. Identifiable flying objects soared through the sky and were caught by mighty canine teeth. Couples were huddled together under their own trees. No wonder the mighty pigeon would frequent this place.

These mighty birds dove to the earth. They did this for they sensed their salvation was at hand. That their once starving bodies could be filled with glorious food. Their watchful eyes spotted a bench overflowing with bird seed.

The grand birds made their way to the bench surrounded by bird seed . Hungrily did they snatch up the seeds. Their red eyes looked at the man on the bench who was eagerly throwing the seeds. The man smiled.

The man’s dark gray hair was tied into a tight ponytail it flew as the wind blew by. Scarlet eyes scanned the area watching the park goers enjoy themselves.  Hands, of a peachish hue, covered his mouth as he stifled a yawn.

The view of the other park goers put him at ease. It was rare that he got a moment’s rest. Plus he got to feed the adorable pigeons. What more could he have asked for?

He wondered if he could lead some of the pigeons back to his home. Then he could keep a few. He’d give them their own names. He’d take them on walks. And he’d tuck them in at night.

Abruptly did the pigeons flock to the sky abandoning their meal. With a brow raised he shot up out off the bench. He threw a few more seeds down. Yet the birds refused to come back.

“I would have named that one Toriyama,” the man sighed.

Defeated, the man sat back down on his bench. He noticed someone else had sat down while he was preoccupied. The person wore odd clothing. They were dressed in a trenchcoat. Atop their head was a fedora.

“Hello.” he said with an inkling of hesitation present in his tone. He tried to give a wave. He stopped when he realized he was not facing the other person.

The figure nodded in response. The discomfort of the awkward situation threatened to ruin the enthusiastic bird feeder’s day. The air of menace this new figure offered made that outcome more likely.

“Nice day, isn’t it?” the man said as a desperate attempt for conversation. He hoped it’d make the situation less unnerving.

The silhouette of a person before him offered no reply. And the silence made the situation even more difficult for the man.

“Did you want something?”

“Yes.”

“You want some bird seed?” he chortled.

“I wish to speak with you, Jaeger.”

“You know my name. So I take it you know what I am as well.”

“Indeed. Which is why I want to hire you.”

Jaeger’s muscles grew tense. Jaeger turned his head. His eyes were intently focused on the figure beside him. “What is the job?”

“I have some items I need recovering. These items have unfortunately made their way into the hands of others. I want them back. By any means necessary, of course. That is why I am hiring you.”

“And these ‘others’ would be who?”

“Does that matter?”

“Very much so. I won’t take any job that could potentially get me or my men killed. Unless you give me a name in the next few seconds this conversation is over.”

“Celestia and Scorpan.”

Jaeger’s eyes shot open. His body jumped out of his seat. The figure looked unfazed by the sudden action. Even the glaring daggers directed at it seemed more of an inconvenience than anything.

“Are you mad?!  Why would I ever risk angering people like that?!”

“Because I can give you anything your heart desires. And all you have to get me is a measly two items.”

“You expect me to believe that?” Jaeger scoffed.

“Shame about the birds. I mean you were going to take care of all of them.”

“What?”

“And you were right about this park. It is very peaceful.”

A lump took form in Jaeger’s throat. He was sure he hadn’t voiced these feelings before. How did this mysterious man know these things? How could he?

“Pity about that dog over there,” the man pointed at a nearby dog. It was eagerly bringing back a frisbee to his owner.

“What about it?” Jaeger questioned tentatively.

“Its going to die. And the boy has no idea. His mother can’t bear to tell him.”

“You’re lying.”

“Oh? Well just look at her. She right over there,” the figure said pointing to a nearby bench. Sure enough it was occupied by a woman.

Jaeger grunted as he studied the aforementioned woman. Bags upon bags hung under her eyes. Her skin was a sickly pale. Her hands were wet. Ironically her lips were cracked and dry.

“O-okay. So she looks worn out, but that doesn’t mean a thing!”

“Well then how bout that couple under that tree?”

“What? Those lovebirds? What about them?”

“Look at the man’s hand.”

“There’s a wedding ring. So what?”

“And now look at the woman whose face he’s been sucking.”

“She has no ring. Maybe she just forgot it or something.”

“Possible.”

“Then how does that prove anything?!”

“Because that other couple over there mirrors that one. The woman’s hand has a ring and that man has none.”

“So you’re suggesting they’re the married couple?”

“Their rings hold too many similarities. It is unlikely two married couples would have the same specifications of-”

“Fine! They’re cheating! What’s your damn point!?”

“You’re wondering how I knew this. The answer is simple. I can look into the hearts of mankind.”

“Hearts of mankind?”

“I can give you what you what you desire most. All I require is you retrieve those things of mine.”

Jaeger paused to think. It could have been mere coincidence. He was aware of telepathic magic, it had it’s limits. Yet this man had read the minds of six people in such a short time. There was no way this could be telepathy magic.  It was simply too powerful.

He found himself becoming quickly frustrated by this man. There was only one way he would be sure of the man. He opened his mouth.

“That is a noble desire.”

Jaeger stared in awe.  His jaw dropped.

“Yes I can read your mind. The only reason I allowed you to respond was for your own comfort. However it seems you require further proof of my power. Which is why I will not allow you that comfort any more.”

Jaeger gritted his teeth. He thought they break from how hard they were grinding against one another. Absentmindedly he roughly grabbed the man by the coat’s collar. Jaeger narrowed his eyes.

“What the hell are you?” Jaeger growled.

“A man with waning patience. I need an answer now, Sir Jaeger.”

Jaeger’s grip loosened somewhat. This felt like something out of a nightmare. Jaeger was stuck with a wild torrent of contradictory thoughts. All of them were put on display for this man. Heaving a sigh of defeat he released the man.

“What’s your name?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Because I prefer to know what to call my employer. And if I’m somehow captured I have a bargaining chip.”

The shadowy figure smiled. The gleam of its teeth was bright enough to act as another sun. That wasn’t what caught Jaeger’s attention. It was the sharp swords someone could mistake as teeth.

“You may call me Phantasm.”