Harcyses (Script), Chapter 2: “Hunting” (Patreon)

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Chapter 2: Hunting

Original (ukr) / Translation (eng)

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Lar: — Now, where could she be hiding? Maybe here… or here? (slowly glances around) — Or was it just my imagination… and I didn’t hear her heavy breathing? Those quiet little sighs?

    Anit blushed. Just a little, at first.

Lar: — Oh, and especially… that final, uncontrollable moan full of unmistakable pleasure~ (a smug, sly grin)

    Anit’s face flushed completely red.

Lar: — Could it be that the little sorceress couldn’t keep her greedy fingers to herself? How strange. Is that why she’s on the run now, with a bounty on her head? (Anit’s sharp shock reaction) — Funny, if true. But the reward for bringing her back is quite generous. So… stop hiding, Anit, the witch from Kenzil.

Anit (inner monologue): He wasn’t supposed to know that…

Lar: — Or should I say… the witch of Setzu?

Anit (inner monologue): How? Who told him? Did someone betray me?! No… no, this can’t be happening. I can’t let this happen. I have to— (her gaze grows panicked, magic begins to stir in her palms) It’s not working! My mana’s still drained from that damn— (suddenly, a small magical orb sparks to life. Her eyes light up) It worked!

    Anit suddenly lunged forward and hurled a magic orb from her hands. Lar dodged just in time, and the blast struck the wall, shattering something among the scattered tools and junk hanging there.

Lar: — Well, that was unexpected! And here I thought you were—

    A sharp hissing noise cut him off. From the point of impact, glowing threads began to slither outward like a web. They lit up with a pale blue hue, spreading across the wooden surface like an ignited magical trap.

Lar: — Don’t tell me that’s— (the glow flared brighter) — Oh shit—!

    They both realized what was coming. Lar lunged to the side, almost at the same time as Anit but not fast enough. An explosion. A blinding flash of lightning and glow. The shockwave ripped through everything: boards, tools, dust, terrified chickens  all spiraling into chaotic mess. Both were thrown in opposite directions, struck hard by flying debris. Anit lay stunned for several seconds. Everything trembled, a high-pitched ringing in her ears. She clenched her jaw and tried to stand but a sudden stab of pain in her arm sent her crashing back down. A few meters away, Larikon lay on his side. A dark patch of blood was spreading beneath him.

Lar (gritting his teeth): — So, turns out you’re a suicidal type. I underestimated you...

    He slowly pushed himself up on one knee. Anit took her chance she pressed her palm to the ground. The spell triggered almost instantly: a glowing magic circle flared around Larikon.

Lar: — Oh, come on… again?!

    He tried to jump back, but his strength failed. From the circle, several shadowy, flickering tendrils burst out one grabbed his ankle mid-move and yanked him down. They coiled around his arms and legs, pinning him in place. His body was lifted into the air.

Lar: — Whoa, whoa! I feel like this kind of spell is… a bit questionable in our situation. Couldn’t you cast something else? Oh, wait—right, you’re the one who was mastur— Khak! (chokes as a tendril tightens around his throat)

    Anit was already back on her feet. Barely, but standing. One hand glowed dimly the spell’s magic sustaining. She tried to lift her other arm a pained cry escaped her lips. Her eyes clenched shut. Blood dripped down her shoulder. She’d been hit too.

    But then… her face relaxed. Her eyes reopened empty. The spark had vanished. It was like someone had flipped a switch no pain, no emotion. Anit raised her injured arm— steady, confident now. Her palm flared with magical light.

Anit (calm, almost cold): — Don’t move.

    Lar froze. Or did he?

Lar (mocking): — Or what? You’ll kill me? smirks You already botched your first try, kitten.

    A warning shot hit the ground just inches from him.

Anit: — That was a warning. Answer my question, and I might spare you. Who else knows I’m here?

    Lar’s face darkened, clearly not amused anymore.

Lar: — Hmm… That’s two shots and two misses. Your aim’s clearly off. narrows eyes Just like back in that alley when we were heading to your so-called “apartment”…

    At that very moment, another shot rang out and this time, there was no “miss.” The beam pierced straight through Larikon’s leg. He clenched his teeth, barely stifling a cry, and groaned in pain. Anit had fired without hesitation no warning, no remorse.

Anit: — The only one with a problem here is you. Don’t test my patience.

Larikon (grimacing, speaking through the pain): — Didn’t know emotionless mages had any patience.

    Anit, who until now had appeared composed, suddenly gritted her teeth. A flash of fury ignited in her eyes.

Anit: — Who else knows about me?! Who hired you?! If you knew everything, why didn’t you turn me in to the guards when you had the chance?!

Anit (inner voice): “This city was supposed to be safe. How does he know I’m wanted? I have to find out— …before I—” (a shock flashes in her eyes) “—kill him?”

    A sudden jolt of pain in her shoulder snapped her out of the rage. She winced, groaned, struggling to keep her trembling arm raised but it was no use. Her vision blurred. Just barely staying on her feet, Anit noticed a droplet land beside her boot.    She froze. Black. Blood. It was flowing from her nose. The magical circle around Larikon flickered. Its runes dimmed and he felt the tendrils around him begin to loosen.

Lar: — Oh? So, you’re finally waking up... Your current state is the answer to your question. You brought this on yourself — with your own little hands. Not mine~ (he coughs, voice rasping) — Obviously, a mage full of mana can’t be taken down by a few armed guards — or a simple apothecary. But draining your reserves? That’s the smart move. Tell me... how much longer can you hold me like this? A minute? Two? …Less?

Anit: — SHUT UP!

    Anit fired without thinking. The shot wild, emotional, bursting with rage and fear hit Larikon straight in the head. Blood sprayed through the air. His body went limp, like a puppet with its strings cut. His head slumped forward, messy hair hiding his face. Only the blood kept moving sliding from his forehead, dripping softly to the floor.

    Anit froze. The magic dissolved. His body collapsed with a sickening thud.She just stood there, breath ragged. Her vision was blurry, her head spinning. Time seemed to stop. Everything felt… unreal.

    Too quiet. Far too quiet. She took a step. Then another. Slowly, carefully, she approached. Larikon lay motionless. His blood was pooling, dark and still. Terror flashed in her eyes. She had seen this before…

** (Scene shift) **

    Suddenly, she wasn’t in the shed anymore. Anit blinked. Larikon was gone and in his place, another body. Then more. Bloodied corpses scattered around her. The scent of metal clung to the air, thick and choking.

???: — Anit…

    She turned. Sharply. A dark silhouette was approaching, slow and deliberate, leaving a trail of blood behind.

??? (softly, almost gently): — Why aren’t you sleeping, my dear?

    Glowing violet eyes pierced the dark. The figure loomed like a shadow given form.

??? (whispering): — You didn’t listen to me again… (bloody hands gently cup her face) — What a shame… Such a pity…

** (Snap, back to reality) **

    Anit gasped a sharp, broken breath. Everything was gone. Back to the half-collapsed barn. Back to Larikon. Her face was drenched in cold sweat, her fingers dug deep into her own skin the exact same pose she had just seen in that vision. She didn’t say a word. Just turned away…took a step…ready to walk out.

    Suddenly, her ear twitched a warning. And just in time, Anit noticed: Lar, who had been lying motionless on the ground just a moment ago, suddenly rolled over. His leg swung toward her, aiming to knock her down. Anit barely managed to leap back before a second kick came right after. She raised a magical shield  but it was too weak. The impact shattered it like glass. She was exposed. The third kick landed squarely on her wounded shoulder. A burst of pain, a choked cry and she was sent flying. Her body slammed against the shed wall. The wood cracked, splintering. She broke through the thin planks and was flung outside, crashing hard into the damp earth.

Lar (hissing through clenched teeth): — Aghhh... my fucking leg… (he doubled over, clutching his injured leg)

    There was a gash on Larikon’s face deep, bloody. It had all been a performance. The blood was real his but not from what Anit had thought.

Lar (grinning slyly as he wiped the blood across his cheek): — My turn now…

    Groaning in pain, Anit rolled onto her stomach and tried to push herself up — but Larikon was already beside her.

Lar: — Stop resisting, kitty. Another move like that and you'll kill yourself. And in my plan — you were supposed to survive. (he leaned closer, his hair casting a shadow over her face)

    He reached for her shoulder, starting to turn her over when suddenly a flash of light hit his vision. Anit hissed like a furious cat and slashed upward with all her strength. Her claws tore into his face, leaving four deep gashes.

Lar (screaming): — AHHH!! Shkyrt your damn mother!! I’m blind! I’m blind!!

(a moment of comic relief / chibi-style exaggeration)

    He fell to the ground, thrashing wildly from side to side in pain.Then suddenly  he stopped. Hands dropped from his face. Four perfect claw marks ran from his forehead to his chin. He blinked.

Lar: — Oh. Nope. I can see.

    Anit stubbornly kept trying to escape  or rather, crawl away as far as possible. But the effort was in vain.

Lar: — You really should just… (He casually stepped on the tip of her tail. Anit let out a startled squeak  like a cat  and flopped flat onto the ground.) — …rest for a bit. (He nonchalantly sat down on her lower back.) — Oh? Quite the soft seat~

Anit (struggling, bewildered): — What the—?!

    Lar placed his foot on her head, pinning it down with little effort.

Anit (furious): — You bastard! Get off me! You’ll crush me!

Lar (smirking): — Who, me? Impossible. I’m light as a feather~

Anit (hissing like a cat): — Arghhh! HSSSSSHAA!

Lar: — You’re a stubborn one, huh. Must be that *** blood in your veins. (He sighed, reaching behind his belt and pulling out a cigarette.) — Got any fire left in you? Oh, right — your mana’s gone. Heh… (Another heavy sigh.)

Anit: — A smoking apothecary? How ironic… (She took a deep breath.) — If you kindly remove your stinking boot from my head, maybe I will give you some fire.

    Lar narrowed his eyes at her, then glanced at the cigarette. You could see him weighing the pros and cons. Finally, he sighed again, lifted his foot, and handed her the cigarette. Anit snapped her fingers a small flame sparked to life in the air. The cigarette caught. Once the flame vanished, only a faint orange glow remained the only source of light.

Lar: — Honestly, I thought you’d try to roast me. (He took a deep drag, giving her a half-amused look.) — Didn’t expect there was still a spark left in you~

Anit (tired, but with a flicker of sarcasm): — Nice idea. I’ll try it right after I catch my breath.

Lar (snorts, takes another drag): — Don’t buy it. Maybe ‘cause you were scared shitless after almost killing me?

    Anit tensed at his words her nails dug into the dirt. Lar said nothing, watching her in silence…

Anit: — Are you seriously thinking this is the time for chit-chat? (her voice trembled slightly)

Lar: — Why not? In our duo, you're the brooding mute, and I'm the dramatic darling. Balance. (smiles lightly, takes a drag) — Usually, after a wild night, I whisper a few sweet nothings. Don’t want to break tradition~

Anit: — If you don’t shut up, I’ll restore the balance with your broken nose.

    Lar chuckled, clearly pleased with the reaction.

Anit: — Crazy... (weary) — But seriously… What’s stopping you?

Lar (stiffening, voice quieter): — …What?

Anit (coldly, directly): — Have sex with me. You planned that from the start, didn’t you?

    Lar froze for a moment, jaw slack, not even noticing the ash falling from his cigarette.

Lar (chokes on the smoke, coughs): — Are you fucking insane?! — Don’t twist it, kitty. You’re the one on the wanted posters — I just wanted the gold. There’s a difference between mutual desire and rape. I didn’t sign up for that shit. And I’m the crazy one here? Hah! (angrily sighs)

Anit (calmly, but sharp): — It’s either going to happen now, with you — or in prison. I’m not twisting anything. Just stating facts.

    Lar stared at her tensely, then exhaled a sharp breath through his nose, eyebrows twitching in frustration.

Lar: — Fuck this.

    He muttered, annoyed, getting up from her. Lar tossed away the cigarette and crushed it underfoot. Anit looked at him, surprised. As Lar mumbled something under his breath, she slowly, cautiously sat up. She couldn’t stand, her legs had no strength.

Anit: — I… I have to find someone… That was my… (searches for the word) — My goal. I was set up… (ears droop)

Lar (skeptical, harsh): — Oh great, here we go.

Anit: — I’m innocent… I’ve never killed anyone. Ever…

Lar (turns away): — Yeah, yeah, I get it, I believe you… (Suddenly spins around, jabbing a finger at her) — No, seriously! I don’t give a shit about your tragic little drama — magical conspiracies, who killed whom, who betrayed whom — not my fucking problem. But you! You seriously think no one’s gonna catch you if you just prance around taverns with no disguise?

Anit (whispers): — I…

Lar: — Doesn’t matter who you are — you’ll get caught either way. And if it’s not me, someone worse will. And then? No more chitchat. No more cigarettes.

    Anit lowers her eyes. Everything he said was true, and that only made it worse. From the side, she looked completely worn down.

Anit: — I… I understand…

Lar: — And another th— (Cuts himself off, biting his tongue)

Larikon (internal monologue): “She looks like a mangy kitten. Which… she kinda is. Literally. Wait—shit, I’m all beat up too. No room for pity.”

    While Lar is lost in thought, Anit suddenly slumps to the side and collapses to the ground.

Lar (surprised): — Huh?

    Immediately leans down and touches her neck, checking for a pulse. A beat of silence… then a faint throb under his fingers.

Lar: — Phew… just passed out.

    He stares down at her. In his eyes: a mess of contempt, pity, frustration… and just a hint of concern.

Lar: — That's shit… Now what the hell am I supposed to do with you?..

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Gag Page (bonus page)

The tentacles wrapped tightly around Larikon. — WAAAH!! This is a battle, dammit! What the hell are tentacles doing here?!

Cut to Anit, calm. — It’s a binding spell, meant to restrain you. But I should warn you — my mana’s completely drained, and I can no longer influence them in any way.

Lar: — Don’t tell me that—

Anit: — Which means I’ve lost control, and now… you’re completely at their mercy.

Lar (panicking): — What do you mean "at their mercy"!? WAIT— Where the hell are they going!? Aaah!~

Anit blushes slightly, but keeps watching him intently.