Forgotten paths hidden in plain site, ancient ones that have existed since The Black Dragons reconning. Kingdoms never heard of, powers unknown to the world. Whole maps uncharted unmeant to be marked in the history books for the sole reason that the unforgiving nature they pose shrouds them. These were the things that I sought and you can be damn sure I left my mark. The Hunters Mark.
~ The Drunken Hunter, On proving merit.

Her dark brown hair swayed low almost completely to the ground, now to say it was long would mean more if her height didn't factor in. Standing a mere four feet two inches. She was smallest of her tribe, but despite all this she was a fierce warrior. She was an Alf belonging to one of the most notorious bloodlines said to descend from The Ancient Ones. They were powerful beings, rumors spread that they had the blood of monsters running through their veins. Uncharacteristic strength stamina and speed for any sentient being. She flew through the tree's on her way to one of her favorite spots. Her dark green eyes scanned the forest as she lept from one branch to another, one of her favorite ways of getting around. Second only to where she was heading.

The brown leather gear she wore was sleek, a soft padded undershirt with a corset style mid guard. Two broad pads covered her shoulders drapping down slightly front and back. Shorts made from a thicker cloth were wrapped at the knee to prevent snaring. Brown leather boots went almost up to her knee acting as foot and leg protection. A simple set for sure, most hunters would believe her to be a novice but one quick look upon her back would beg to differ. Scales that almost shined in the light shone from her sword and shield. The blade was double sided only a foot in length lined through the center in a weaving pattern with the glowing scales. Her Shield was a large contrast to her sword, and quite literally so. It's massive circle frame covered her back going all the way from the top of her neck down to her waste. The same scales were embedded in the center forming three circles closer to the center, the edge of the shield was a lined with a tough leather hide to prevent the metal from rusting.

She had taken to wearing a large straw hat to protect herself from the harsh desert climate that she had just come from, Her tanned exposed body had fared well but the extra protection helped immensely. Reaching down she pulled a leather drinking pouch from her hip, taking a swig before continuing on her way. Hours later making it to the base of the large twin mountain that she had come to know as her favorite ride. Gazing up she noticed something out of the ordinary at the top. Taking out her binoculars she was baffled at what she saw. Probably one of the largest humans ever was at the very top, although with her height judging tall people was difficult. To top it all off the guy had to be doing some of the most bizarre training she had ever seen. He was at the center of a rope spread between the two highest peaks. Balancing on one of his hands with what looked to be a hammer held atop his feet, and if her eyes weren't playing tricks on her she could swear he was doing push ups.

A bit of climbing later and I had reached the top. The man from before had switch to doing pull ups, the hammer still there now tied to his feat to create and anchor weight. His shirt was off and his tanned upper body was covered in sweat. At least I assumed he was tan, the hair that covered his arms and chest was a bit immense. His muscles were large but he was by no means disproportional, the body of a fighter. Long black locks made their way down to his broad shoulders. He stopped moving rather abruptly turning to face me and giving me the first good look at his face, strong jaw and a warriors expression. His deep red eyes were piercing, like this man had seen the world burn and couldn't care less. The strong will held me in place for a moment. His voice breaking me free. "Are you just going to stand there and stare at me all day?"

His question threw me off and made me realize how long I had probably been there. "Oh.... Um sorry bout that. I had seen you training from below and since I was already on my way up here I decided to get a closer look." I gave a small friendly wave before introducing myself. "Nice ta mecha! My names Sol'trabem."

He pulled himself up back onto the same peak I was on, undoing the rope from his feat and standing up. Towering over me I had to crane my neck to just look at him. Reaching down and picking up a small cloth from his belonging's near by, drying his hair a bit and draping it over his shoulders. "Interesting name."

"What do you mean?" I tilted my head.

He thought for a moment before replying. "Where I had grown up that translated to Spell. And the land I lived in after had a dead language that translated it to The Sun Beam. My name actually is quite the opposite of that last one. It's Sombra, or Shadow in that dialect."

"Oohhh that's really cool, do you know a lot of different languages? " I loved learning about different places, it was part of the reason I traveled so much.

"A handful, once I had learned one the others became easier. With a love for adventure it helped me out a lot. Besides I couldn't hear so many great stories if I didn't understand them." His smile when he said that made my heart freeze. I had heard words very similar from my father. Sadness gripped my heart the echo rippled through my mind and my vision blurred, when it cleared again It was nearly ten years ago. My father stood before me his strong jaw brought with it a calm smile, in his hands were the weapons I held so dear. He spoke but I could not hear the words. I remembered them well though, 'The clan is in your hands, I love you Sol.' "Sol?" The sound broke me out of my memories. A single tear found its way to my cheek. "You okay?"

I could only imagine how I looked, so I stuffiness my upper lip and gave a calm smile looking at this new face. It seems I had gotten myself back onto the path of trouble. This vibe I got shook me to my core and my smile almost became mad. Before I could stop myself I attacked, lunging forward drawing my blade and throwing my shield into the air. His reaction was spectacular, hammer to far away and the most confused face imaginable. I couldn't have asked for a better surprise attack. I brought my blade down with both hands straight toward the ground right in front of him. His hands hadn't move an inch 'tch' disappointing. Right as the tip struck ground the pattern on the blade shone and I released a torrent of air propelling myself straight up, twisting my body with my feet toward the sky. I immediately made contact with my shield crouching and kicking off. The scales in perfect sync, a stream of air propelled me even faster.

The entire sequence of events only transpiring in the time it would take to blink once. My blade swung back and I guided it in a sweep aimed right for his neck. Not even half an inch away from making contact I heard the sound of a small explosion. His whole body turned, my attack no longer coming from behind but now from in front; the blade almost digging into his throat. In that fraction of a second I caught a glimpse of his eyes. Unbiding, powerful, and for some reason full of happiness and excitement. A complete turn around from his look a moment ago. My senses heard the faint sound of hissing air and my instinct told me to run. The flow of power changed and my sword was batted away. His stance changed again so quick that I could only barely catch it this time. His right fist was curled at his side his left hand an open palm that had knocked away my weapon. "I apologize" My eyes darted back to his face a cocky grin spread across his cheeks. "I haven't really learned how to hold back yet, please don't die." It was the last thing I head before his stance changed again. His left hand came back and his right extended, again another explosion. His right hand stopped a moment before impact and for a moment nothing happened. Then the power and air followed...

I blacked out for a moment but when I awoke I was souring through the air the ground hundreds of feet bellow me, over the wind I heard Sombra yell. "Hey you! Catch!" Looking for the source I saw the twin peaks and my shield in his arms, he was getting smaller by the moment as I got further and further away. With a quick motion he spun my shield throwing it, sending it flying my way. With no other choice I waited for the moment it came by, with all my might I reached out grabbing the handles on the back. I spun several times but eventually came to a stop and not a moment to soon the ground was coming in fast. I aimed the scaled at the ground slightly turning toward where I was flying, with all my might I let out a blast of air to stop my decent and gritted my teeth as the shield slammed back into me. Dust and sand flew everywhere and when they cleared I was laying on the ground sprawled out but most defiantly alive.

Standing up my knees were shaking bad and I was sore all over. "What in the Rath shit was that!"

Author's Note

Icebornes awesome almost forgot to post this, hope everyone enjoyed.