#kettol

Pride Troopers? More like Freak Troopers

A VERY awesome Universe 11 collaboration I hosted! Featuring various friends and followers from Twitter ^^

I...am a druid. I am a beast of nature, the walker between worlds, born of the forest and the great chains of life. I am a beast, prowling for prey. I am the target, hiding from hunters. I am something to be feared.

“STEM!”

Feared, damn it.

I turned and forced a smile (bared teeth, a threat) to my all-too-human mouth. Not elven enough, not the beast forms I love. “Yes, Leader Toppo?” Not Archdruid. I am not among the Circle here. I am more free, not restricted by their damn rules.

The man, easily twice my height, ran a hand down his face like he was desperately searching for tact. I already knew very well what he was trying to say, so I took pity on him. Since he was not an Archdruid, I respected him well enough to not be too difficult.

“Is this about the plants I left around the Vanguard Commander’s door?” I asked, pitching my tone towards innocence. “They’re not dangerous. Just annoying.”

“He tripped three times trying to get out of his room,” Toppo deadpanned. I watched his rather impressive mustache twitch as he spoke. I was, frankly, quite jealous of it – being part elf meant I had no chance of such impressive facial hair, even if my human half would have made it possible. “It’s a safety hazard. I understand that this base isn’t fit for your abilities, but if you could avoid antagonizing Dyspo while we’re stationed on this mission, I’d appreciate it.”

So genuine. It almost made me feel bad for the rivalry I had with the speedy rabbit.

Almost.

I tucked my hands behind my back and straightened my shoulders, as I’ve seen the high elf soldiers do. “I will relocate the plants, sir. Any updates on our mission?”

I saw the tension leave his shoulders. Damn, did I really stress him out that bad? I made a mental note to not cause more undue stress to my leader. “As a matter of fact, yes. Kettle believes that our targets have retreated into the wooded areas of this planet. That was actually the primary reason I came to find you.”

My heart soared. Finally! To touch the trees, to travel as only a half-elven druid could through the dense foliage. “Excellent. I shall prepare to track them immediately.”

“I know you will. But I need you to promise me that when you find them, you’ll come back for backup. Don’t try to take them all on yourself,” Toppo pleaded. His voice was thick with concern. It was touching, how he worried about me.

I smiled. More genuine, less teeth. “Of course, sir.” With that, I was off, tracking my quarry.

I am a druid.

I am the hunter and the hunted.

And none shall escape me through the forests, no matter how alien they may be.