A Hunter's Path
By The Drunken Sailor

Chapter One
The Horror of Lindenhoof

The sun had just begun to dip behind the hills and the small village of Lindenhoof was swiftly grasped by dusk, the last blood of the day spilling red light across the land and casting long and twisted shadows. The autumn leaves stirred in the cool wind and the trees of the woods rustled as the couple strolled along their favourite path that was headed back towards their village and home.

Silver Cloud and Honey Bunch strolled casually, with Honey's head rested on Silver's neck, both had contented smiles on their faces as they came to a stop in a small clearing, Silver Cloud taking his wife's lips in his own.

“I can't believe you won't be here for the birth,” Honey said, rubbing her swollen belly.

“I know love, but I've been ordered back to the front, we're going to need every able-bodied stallion, and I ain't no exception,” Silver said.

“Well you should be,” Honey pouted. “Especially if you're going to be leavin' your pregnant wife waiting at home and miss your own child's birth!”

“I know, I know,” Silver said soothingly. “But I promise that I'll be home before next Hearths Warming and then you and I can raise our child together.”

“Promise?”

“I promise,” Silver Cloud said, pulling Honey into a hug. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Honey said.

They stayed like that for a while, held in each others embrace as the light slowly faded from the world. It didn't appear either of them was going to move until suddenly the wind stopped in it's entirety, leaving the woods eerily quiet except for the rustling of leaves and a strange sound; gurgling, cooing, not unlike a newborn.

“Do you hear that?” Honey asked, pulling away from Silver.

“It's probably just a fox,” Silver said.

“It didn't sound like one,” Honey said in worry.

“Oh come one, nothing to be afraid of, look,” Silver walked over to where the bushes were shaking and knelt down. “Come out little fo... what the F-”

Without warning something leap out of the bushes with immense speed and force, toppling Silver Cloud onto his back and landing on top of him. Silver had only the time to shout in surprise and horror before the thing bite down hard on his throat and teared the flesh to pieces, blood splattered onto the grass and Silver let out a gurgle of pain as his body convulsed violently before lying limp. Honey Bunch stood in abject horror as the creature, indescribable to her eyes, began to feed on the flesh of her husband.

Honey shrieked like a banshee, so loud that it echoed throughout the village which was already preparing for sleep. People poke their heads out of windows and doors to witness Honey Bunch running for her life and screaming her head off. Green Basket, the grocer, went out to meet her, having to grab her rather roughly to keep her in one place.

“Sweet Celestia, lass, you shouldn't be runnin' in your condition, what happened is.. is that blood?” Green Basket asked.

“In... in the woods, Silver, Oh fucking Celestia why...” Honey gasped for breath as tears began to fill her eyes and sobs built in her throat.

“Breath girl, and speak, what happened?” Green asked.

“A... monster...” Honey Bunch sobbed. “A monster took my husband!”

In the morning they found what was left of Silver Cloud and buried him with all the proper rites and traditions, and not soon after a meeting was called in the local tavern as to what to do. A company was put together, mostly old men and younger colts just entering stallionhood, they marched into the woods the next night with armed torches, pitchforks, and a few rusty old blades between them. The woods echoed once more with screams and it wasn't long before the party came running back, having lost two of their number and another badly hurt. No one dared go into the woods after that, signs were put up at every entrance and locals would warn every stranger what passed through there; death lurked in the woods near Lindenhoof.

It wasn't long after that the Hunter came.

He walked into Lindenhoof from the north just before midday, immediately drawing the eye of the locals whom were going about their business as usual. Travellers were already rare in Lindenhoof, but this one stood out more than most, his coat was a faded grey and his mane and tail bleached white, a large wide-brimmed black hat rested atop his head and was drawn rather low over his face, he wore a thick jerkin with chainmail underneath, a light steel cuirass was strapped to his chest and was riddled with scratches and dents. Over his back were two longsword's resting next to each other. Around his waist hung several small bags and pouches along with bottles and vials containing unknown liquids.

Seemingly not aware of the amount of eyes on his the stranger walked up to the town's notice board and peered at the largest poster; a large piece of parchment upon which was scrawled out the words; BEWARE THE HORROR OF LINDENHOOF DO NOT TRAVEL INTO THE WOODS AT NIGHT.

The stranger grabbed the poster before walking over to the nearest home, outside of which a young mare was sweeping the front deck. She looked up and jumped in surprise at the sudden appearance of the rather intimidating stranger.

“Excuse me miss,” the stranger asked with a soft voice, and showed the poster. “But whom might I speak to for more information regarding this so-called horror?”

“Depends who's asking under that hat,” the mare said suspiciously. The stranger's hat suddenly glowed with light blue hued magic and was lifted off his head to reveal a young unicorn stallion's face, he had piercing blue eyes with were surrounded by an array of scars, thin stubble lined his sharp features. The stranger offered a friendly smile as he held his hat to his chest and gave a short bow.

“Spirit of Midica, at your service,” Spirit said. “I'm here to help.”

The young mare directed Spirit to Warm Hearth, the innkeeper. When Spirit walked into the inn he grabbed more than a few looks from the patrons, but he paid them no mind as he approached the bar and sat down, removing his hat and placing it on the table. A large older stallion with a bald head and large grey beard stood behind the bar.

“You Warm Hearth?” Spirit asked.

“That's right, want something to wet your tongue stranger?”

“Schnapps if you please,” Spirit said, tossing a coin onto the counter. “And also I'd like to ask for a few things.”

“What about, can't say there's much for gossip in our little town,” Warm Hearth said, pouring Spirit his drink.

“Really, you'd think there'd be plenty of talk about the local attraction as it were,” Spirit said, pulling the poster he had grabbed earlier from his pocket and placing it on the counter. “What can you tell me about this?”

“Now you listen here, son,” Warm Hearth said fearfully. “Ain't no good to come from gettincurious about that horror.”

“Don't think you understand, I'm not an empty-headed tourist, I'm a Hunter, a hunter of monsters and unnatural things that pray on common folk such as yourself,” Spirit explained. “I heard tale of this horror of yours from a vagabond I passed by on the road, I believe I can deal with this creature or yours and free you of it's presence.”

“We sent a group of lads into those woods to kill it before, what makes you think you can do it in alone?”

“Well not to disparage your lads and their efforts, but I doubt they went about it properly, I've studied for years, trained for just as long to hunt things like this, spawns of the dark,” Spirit smiled. “It's my trade you see, and I'd like to offer my services to you.”

“Well... if you think you can help that be appreciated,” Warm Hearth said.

“Wonderful, now we can discuss my fee,” Spirit said happily.

“Fee?” Hearth asked, taken aback.

“Well yes, I am to provide you with a valuable service at great risk to my health, I'm not about to do it for free,” Spirit said.

“Listen, we ain't exactly swimming in bits here, you want to take care of that thing in the woods fine but don't expect us to pay you for it,” Hearth said stubbornly.

“In that case I wish to the best of luck,” Spirit said, downing the rest of his drink and donning his hat. “I'm sure whatever's in the woods will stay there... at least for now.”

Spirit made his way towards the door and was opening it slowly when...

“Wait,” Hearth said. “How much?”

“Two fifty bits,” Spirit said, turning back.

“Two fift- I can't afford that!” Hearth exclaimed, Spirit merely smiled and tipped his hat before once again making for the door.

“Wait!” Warm Hearth called again and Spirit stopped and turned. “...Two thirty.”

“My dear innkeeper,” Spirit smiled. “We have a deal.”

Spirit removed his hat and returned to his seat where Warm Hearth regarded him grumpily.

“Now, tell me everything you know about this horror,” Spirit said, leaning forward.

“Well it first appeared just about a month ago, Honey Bunch and her late husband, Silver Cloud had been taking a stroll through them woods while Silver was back from the front, that's when that thing attacked,” Warm Hearth shuttered. “Found him dead the next day, but we could barely recognize him.”

“How wold you describe his wounds? Where were they? How deep? Straight cuts or ripped?” Spirit pressed.

“His throat had been torn out and his face scratched to nothing,” Hearth said, looking green in the face. “There wasn't that much blood though, that was the strange thing, like the thing had drank him dry.”

“I see,” Spirit said thoughtfully. “And you said that some of your neighbours tried to kill it, did any of them make it back?”

“Two did, another two died in there and the fifth, Tree Breeze, died of his wounds two days later.”

“Where can I find the survivors, I would like to interview them both, along with Miss Honey Bunch,” Spirit said.

“Spark Cloud lives towards the west of the town, right next to Honey Bunch's home, the other survivor, Night Tail... well the incident weighed heavily on his mind, too heavy, cold codger wasn't long for the world anyway but we found him hanging from his own ceiling,” Hearth said sadly.

“I see, well, I'll be off then, thanks,” Spirit said, grabbing his hat and standing up.

“Good luck,” Warm Heart said as Spirit left the inn.

Spirit made is way to the westward end of town to find two humble houses right next to one another, he spotted a mare in the window of one and figured that ought to be Honey Bunch. He approached the door and knocked, Honey Bunch answered promptly, a tired looking mare with a honey-coloured mane tied up in a bun and plump from pregnancy.

“Miss Honey Bunch?” Spirit asked, tipping his hat. “My name is Spirit, I'm a hunter, I wanted to ask you a few questions about the night your husband died, do you mind if I come in?”

“You mean to kill that... thing?” Honey asked.

“That I do, miss.”

“...Come on in,” Honey Bunch said, opening the door fully for Spirit who entered and removed his hat, he followed Honey into her small kitchen where she offered him a chair. “What some tea, just took the kettle off the fire.”

“Thank you, that sounds lovely,” Spirit said, h sat silent for a moment as Honey Bunch poured them both tea. “What can you tell me about that night?”

“We... we were out for a stroll, me and Silver, I heard some strange noises... Silver thought it was just some animal, be checked the bushes and then that... thing, it jumped out and it... out sweet Celestia.”

“What did it look like? Can you describe it?” Spirit pressed.

“I... I only got a quick look but it was small, no bigger than a dog, red naked flesh with not fur nor hair, it's eyes were huge bulging things and it's mouth... opened up like the gate to Tartarus itself, rows of teeth inside and a tongue like a snake hanging out... I see it every night in my sleep, I doubt I'll ever forget it,” Honey Bunch stared at her untouched cup of tea.

“Where did this all happen?”

“In a small clearing just off the main trail, can't miss it.”

“I see,” Spirit leaned back and took a sip of his tea. “Hm, how far along are you?”

“Oh, two months now, it was Silver's...” Honey Bunch sighed as he rubbed her belly. “Poor thing won't ever know his father now.”

“Well, I do believe that's all I need,” Spirit said, standing up and retrieving his hat. “Thanks for the tea.”

“Hunter?” Honey Bunch said, looking up. “Show no mercy to that demon.”

“I'll do my best,” Spirit said, tipping his hat in farewell.

Spirit left Honey's home and crossed over to the next small house next door, he approached the door and gave three sharp knocks. No answer, he knocked gain, still no answer. The third and hardest round of knocks finally got an answer, the door opened just a crack to show a stallion peering out at Spirit.

“What do you want?” the stallion asked.

“Good evening, I'm looking Spark Cloud,” Spirit said.

“Yeah, and he's asking what the fuck you want,” Spark Cloud said in anger.

“I just wanted to ask a few questions, about the night you went into the woods and saw the monster there,” Spirit said and was met with a door slammed in his face, he immediately began knocking again. “Just a few questions, I mean to hunt that horror!”

“No mortal pony can face that monster and live!” Spark Cloud shouted from inside his house.

“Just a few questions, what harm could come of it? I just need to know what the creature looked like!” Spirit called out, no answer came for a long while and Spirit was thinking of leaving before the door cracked open once more.

“It was hug,” Spark Cloud said, not meeting Spirit's eyes. “Bigger than a fully grown Gryphon, long arms, mouth like a pit and filled with teeth, tore us apart.”

“And where did this happen exactly?” Spirit asked.

“We found it near the stream that runs through the woods... the bodies are probably still there unless that thing ate them.”

“Thank you, that's all I need,” Spirit said, he left without another word to be shared and made his way towards the woods which supposedly held this horror. The sun was begging to take it's dive towards the horizon and the shifting autumn leaves of the trees were basked in a warm orange glow as Spirit entered the woods. A rough trail split the trees and lead northward, Spirit followed the winding path until the village was just barely in sight, that's when he came across a small clearing just off the trail; must have been the spot that Honey Bunch mentioned.

Spirit walked into the clearing and looked around, it seemed normal at first glance but Spirit knew a closer look would reveal more. He removed his hat and knelt close to the ground, there, feint tracks, something had been through here at some point, the tracks were rounded and long, like whatever was here was dragging itself more than walking. Yet it was the shape that interested Spirit, round, no obvious markings that would indicate claws or any sort, strange.

There was nothing else of interest that Spirit could find so he retrieved his hat and went back to the trail, continuing to follow it deeper into the woods. The sun was gone now leaving everything shrouded in a heavy dusk, so Spirit cast a light spell which pawned a small orb of white light which floated near him and cut through the shadows. It was just a moment longer of walking before a foul smell reached his nose before the sound of rushing water reached his ears, and then the light from the spell illuminated the body of a stallion lying on the ground. Much of the flesh had rotted away and the corpse was quickly becoming not but the bones, still Spirit wrinkled his nose and knelt down to take a closer look. After so long it was hard to tell much about it, yet one thing did strike Spirit as odd: most of the bones were still intact, meaning the creature hadn't eaten much off the stallion, yet Spirit remembered that when Silver Cloud was found he was drained of blood, interesting. Spirit left the body where it was and continued on to the stream, it was rather deep, almost a river and it flowed with a fast and strong current. Spirit rested there for a moment, mulling over his thoughts. Honey Bunch said the creature was small, and the tracks reflected that, yet when the stallions from the village came it had somehow grown huge in just one day, it didn't eat it's victims only drained their blood. Something didn't fit.

Then the realization came suddenly. “Honey Bunch is pregnant.”

Spirit raced back into Lindenhoof and rushed right towards Honey Bunch's door where he began knocking hard and rapidly. Honey opened the door looking tired, with red around her eyes as if she had been crying.

“What do you wa-”

“Is this the first time you were pregnant?” Spirit asked urgently.

“What? What does this have to do with anything?” Honey Bunch asked, confused and clearly upset but Spirit pressed anyway.

“Is this your first child? Were you pregnant before? Please it's important,” Spirit said.

“I... no, I was pregnant before,” Honey Bunch couldn't meet Spirit's eyes.

“What happened to the first child?” Spirit asked, almost in excitement.

“Miscarriage, the poor thing was born dead, I was so ashamed I tossed the thing in the river,” Honey Bunch eyes teared up. “I never told Silver, Celestia I'm so stupid..”

“Yes, a Botchling,” Spirit said, an excited smile in his face as he turned and raced away. “Thanks!”

Spirit ran to the inn and burst in, startling the patrons trying to enjoy their drinks. He pushed his way past everyone and approached Warm Hearth.

“Don't tell me you've slain the thing already,” he said.

“Not yet,” Spirit replied. “About to, but I need a few things, I need a large pyre built at the edge of the woods and a bag of salt placed next to it, as much as you can give me.”

“What fo-”

“-and after that I want everyone in the village to get inside and place lines of salt on their doorsteps, oh! And strong rope, I'll need that as well,” Spirit listed, not even noticing Warm Hearth's dumbfounded face.

“Is that all?” he asked sarcastically.

“Yes, I believe so,” Spirit said, oblivious.

“Fine,” Warm Hearth sighed.

With what help could be gathered a large pyre was soon built at the edge of the wood and a sack of salt placed next to it. Spirit awaited for everyone to retreat inside, running a sharpening stone over one of his swords, the blade glittered silver under the pale light of Luna's moon. The last door slammed shut in Lindenhoof and Spirit was ready, he couldn't help the small grin that graced his features as he entered the woods with only Luna's light to guide him now. The night was quiet, devoid of wind or the chirping of birds, only the sound of Spirit's hooves pierced the silence; that was until the river came into earshot and then into sight. The rushing water glowed in the moonlight as Spirit stopped before it, looking around.

“Come out little Botchling,” Spirit mockingly called out. “Make this easy for the both of us.”

There came the sound of rustling leaves nearby and Spirit turned to see his theory confirmed; coming out of the woods appeared to be a small Pony fetus, red bloated flesh marred with swollen veins and arteries was stretched over under-formed bones, two large glassy eyes bulged out of a large head which held also a big gaping maw lined with teeth and a large tongue with lolled out of the mouth. A slimy tentacle protruded from it's stomach and wrapped around the torso, the remains of the umbilical cord.

“Alright you just sit there,” Spirit said, unsheathing his silver sword and slowly approaching the creature. “So I can kill you easy.”

Spirit lifted his sword and pointed down towards the Botchling's neck, the creature not doing much ins repose but rasping and cooing. Yet just as Spirit stabbed downwards the Botchling flung itself backwards with incredible speed, Spirit looked up and fully smiled as he watched the horror begin to change. It's bones cracked and splintered as the thing grew four times in size, it's flesh bubbling and skin stretching over an ever growing skeleton; more teeth shot out of the Botchling's gums as his offered a gurgling growl.

“And here I thought this would be boring job,” Spirit laughed. “Come on then.”

The Botchling lunged at him, mouth open wide yet Spirit ducked swiftly under and slashed directly to the monster's side, leaving a deep cut. The Botchling let out a pain filled wail as it backed off, the wound Spirit had left hissed and burned, increasing in size and clearly causing the monster a lot of pain.

“You like that silver?” Spirit taunted, hefting his sword. “Come get more.”

The Botchling seemed less eager to attack now so Spirit lunged forward and stabbed forward towards the beats eye, landing the hit and pulling backwards to deftly remove the eye right out it's socket. Black blood spewed out out of the Botchling's face as it screamed not unlike a child may scream, Spirit didn't waste any time in flicking the eyeball off his blade and deftly stabbing the other eye, this time dragging his sword straight through the side of the monsters head as it convulsed in pain. In desperation the Botchling began to swing it's grotesque hooves in wide blind arcs to keep Spirit away from it, yet Spirit dodged the first few swings before cutting up savagely and severing deep into where the shoulder met the arm on the left side, then as the Botchling collapsed onto that side Spirit delivered a hard blow to it's right arms, nearly severing it cleanly off. Now unable to stand the Botchling writhed on the ground with violent convictions and eerily Pony-like screams.

This was when Spirit sheathed his sword and retrieved the rope he has requested from a bag on his belt, using his magic Spirit tied a secure knot around the Botchling's head and pulled it tight. He then threw the rope over his shoulder and began to drag the writhing monster back towards Lindenhoof, the monster's screams pierced the night and echoes for leagues in every direction as Spirit dragged it with some difficulty to where the pyre was waiting. He jumped on top of the pyre and dragged the Botchling up there with him, then Spirit jumped off and secured the rope to the ground with an iron spike. Wiping his brow Spirit took hold of the bag of salt and levitated it over the Botchling where he then began to pour the salt all over the monster, as the grains touched it's flesh it would burn and sting, smoke arose from where the salt touch and massive blisters formed in an instant. The Botchling's screams only got louder yet Spirit kept pouring until the sack was empty, then he took a moment as the minster reeled in before lighting his horn.

“Go back to Tartarus,” Spirit said, lighting the pyre ablaze.

The Botchling continued to scream for a few minutes after that until it eventually fell silent, that's went Spirit doused the flames just enough for him to hope up and cut off the thing's head with a large knife. He let the pyre continue to burn as he hefted the burnt, bleeding head of the Botchling back into Lindenhoof.

Spirit entered the inn where most of the patrons still remained, their faces stricken in horror no doubt from the sounds they had heard throughout the night, Honey Bunch was there too. Spirit was given a wide berth as everyone recoiled from both him and the severed head he was carrying, the Hunter carried the head and placed it directly on the bar counter right in front of Warm Hearth.

“Sweet Celestia's graceful ass, what the fuck is that!” Warm Hearth shouted.

“Head of a Botchling, your local horror is dead, I'll take my money now,” spirit said, out of breath. He wiped his forehead and realized he had blood all over his hooves.

“W-what is a Botchling?' Honey Bunch asked. “You mentioned that earlier, but what is it, and what does it have to do with my... miscarriage?”

“Botchlings are created from miscarried fetuses that aren't given a proper burial,” Spirit explained. “Your pregnancy must have summoned it, Botchlings grow jealous of the living fetus and if it had the chance it would have drained both you and your unborn baby dry of blood, but it git your husband instead which gave it the taste for stallion blood and then when you all sent those stallion in to kill it you only provoked it; Botchlings will grow in size to defend themselves, it's actually really fascinating.”

Honey Bunch didn't look impressed, she looked horrified and sick. Warm Hearth just kept shaking his head like he couldn't believe it.

“Luna deliver us...” he mumbled.

“I do believe you owe me some payment,” Spirit pressed.

“Right,” Warm Hearth said, snapping out of his trance and retrieving a hefty sack of bits. “That's most of this months profit but worth it be rid of this thing I suppose.”

“I thank you kindly,” Spirit said, taking the bag. “Though I wouldn't mind using some of these for the room here.”

“I think it's better if you just leave,” Warm Hearth said, frowning.

Spirit's smile faltered just a tad but he maintained it and tipped his hate in farewell.

“As you say, good evening,” Spirit said and left the inn and the village of Lindenhoof to receive from this horror. Soon merchants and travellers would visit the town more often and the locals would tell them of the Horror of Lindenhoof and when the Hunter named Spirit came to town and slew it for a sack of gold. As for Spirit, his path would lead him elsewhere.

Author's Note

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