The Crucible Hunter (Fantasy, M/M) - Chapter 3 Available

[Viperbound7]

CHAPTER 1

The famous, or perhaps infamous swordsman bounty hunter was hot on the trail of the bandit with a bounty on his head. Twigs silently cracked under the black boots of Zela Taren, his short but stylized blond hair, his striking blue eyes and clean shaven almost boyishly good looking face, white black and yellow tunic, tight white trousers with sheathed sword on his belt all looking fabulous as usual. The hunt had led him here, and up ahead was a campfire presumably belonging to his target. The bounty poster said his name was “The Panther” or something like that but his name didn’t really matter to Zela, what did matter was the section of the poster which said there was a reward of 5,000 xen if dead, 10,000 if alive. Naturally, Zela always snatched his prey alive.

The bandit sat at the fire counting gold and silver xen coins he had stolen from a shopkeeper back in Crucible City. Simple rags and a tattered tunic adorned him, and a simple sheathed dagger on his belt. He was clearly not expecting to be found as he snapped to attention and unsheathed a small dagger upon hearing a twig break nearby.

“Well well, the Panther I presume?” Zela said with a smooth cocky tone. “I could’ve snatched you up quite easily without you noticing just now, but I’ve been kind of bored today so I thought I’d let you have a fight first~”

The bandits hands shook as he heard the bounty hunters voice and got a glimpse of his face and raised his shaking knife. “You’re…Zela aren’t you? I heard about you from the others. They say that you can turn your blade into fire or ice with magic and that you’ve never lost. I’m warning you, don’t come closer!”

Zela chuckled silently to himself. “So you have heard of me! Those others probably mentioned how I bested them pretty easily huh? You know that I’m bagging you one way or another, with or without a fight. Why don’t you make it easy for yourself and just surrender? Maybe I’ll make your bindings a bit more comfortable for the trip back~”

“Fat chance! Die!” the bandit yelled as he lept at Zela, thrusting his knife forward in a desperate attempt to pierce the hunters chest.

*Clang!*

In less than a tick of time, Zela’s blade was out of its sheath and effortlessly knocked the dagger out of the thief’s hand, sending the blade flying off. It was only visible for a noticeable moment but a bright trail of flame followed the blade as Zela slashed it through the air. The dagger planted into the ground harmlessly on the other side of the campfire.

“Oooof, that’s it? My my, that was so clumsy that I had to struggle not to cut your hand off along with the dagger” Zela mused. “Afterall, I want my target pretty and in one piece when I bring him back all tied up to the bounty collection office!”

The bandit turned to flee but in no time at all he felt Zela’s arm snake around his stomach and pull him backward against their chest. The bandit started to cry out.

“I-mmphh!!”

Zelas gloved hand clapped tightly over the bandits mouth, reducing his cry to a quiet muffle. Zela whispered into their ear.

“Shhhh~
Let’s not have you alerting any of your possible allies nearby. Or have any of my rival bounty hunters trying to take you from me. You’re my prize and to the victor go the spoils~”

The bandit was pulled effortlessly into the darkness, Zelas hand keeping him hushed.

—

Some time later in the woods the thief lay on his stomach as Zela pulled the rope tight which looped several times and bound the thief’s arms and wrists tightly behind him. Zela then go to work looping the rope around his knees and ankles. The thief angrily grunted as he struggled and growled at Zela.

“Gah! You better hope I never get out of this or-mmmphhh!”

A large knotted cloth gag was pulled tightly between his teeth, hushing his mouth mid sentence. Zela calmly and teasingly tied it behind his head and pulled it tight.

“Shhhh don’t talk with your mouth full. I prefer it when my prey isn’t complaining the whole way back so get used to being gagged, my hushed little dove~”

Zela gave the thief a taunting kiss on the forehead and ruffled his hair before pulling the ropes one last time and standing up. Effortlessly the bounty hunter picked up the bound criminal and slung him over his shoulder, the slim build Zela being much stronger than he might’ve initially looked.

“Back to Crucible City to collect my money and get you where you belong. I’d say you fought well but, yknow, I wouldn’t have bagged and gagged you so easily if that were they case, heh~”

Zela’s gloved hand gave the bandits bottom a taunting pat as they disappeared down the trail back to the city.

[Viperbound7]

It’s been awhile since I’ve written a story, thought I’d jump back in with something of a fantasy adventure flair!

Might update with more chapters soon.

[KidnappedCowboy]

Always love it when a captor slings his tied-up prey over his shoulder and gives

a taunting pat

to his

bottom

.

Gives new meaning to booty!

Nice fantasy flair! Welcome Back! And I look forward to more...Just hope Zela Taren does not get filled too much with hubris, or else it will be his prized booty that will get

a taunting pat

.

Come to think of it, I hope Zela becomes filled with hubris!

[Viperbound7]

Aww thanks! That detail was a bit of a last minute add haha.

It could indeed happen, in my headcanon I imagine that Zelas bottom looks rather nice in his white trousers!

[Viperbound7]

CHAPTER 2

The ornate structures of Crucible City rose and pointed at the hazy amber always night sky above, filled with other floating isles like the one Crucible City sat upon amidst a sea of stars. Some of those other floating isles had cities of their own, the more paradisal cities closer to the heavens than the den of crime that Zela resided and served as a bounty hunter in.

Zela strutted through the city market with a proud smile on his face, his restrained and gagged captive still over his shoulder.

“Don’t fret muffle mouth, we’re almost to the bounty collections commission. Then they can show you to a nice cell to be your new home while I get my money~” Zela taunted.

“Mmmph…” the captive grunted. It was all he could do.

Once they reached the bounty collection, the bookkeeper looked up at Zela and his prize.

“Bound up tight as always eh Zela?” He said, sliding a contract torward Zela to be signed, along with a bag of golden xen coins.

“Of course! I wouldn’t have it any other way. My captives need to feel the part yknow, nice and helpless while I’ve got em!” Zela smugly proclaimed as he handed his captive over to two burly guards to be taken away. But not before Zela had one last bit of fun with him.

“Be good for your new caretakers, try not to miss me too much~” Zela said, giving the bandit one last pat on the gagged cheek before they were taken away to be imprisoned. Zela signed the contract, took the bag of coins, and gave a click of the tongue as he winked at the bookkeeper before leaving out the door.

The bounty hunter paused outside a moment to enjoy the air and count the coins in the bag he was given. All in a days work.

“Well well, another successful catch of the day I’m guessing” he heard familiar voice say beside him.

Zela turned his head and saw a warrior of the Crucible Guardians, a slender man with stylized short black hair and brown eyes wearing purple and teal armor, about Zela’s own age carrying an ornate spear.

Niyon Quistas.

“Of course Niyon, and unlike you I get paid per catch! But I guess you get to proudly proclaim that you’re selflessly keeping the peace” Zela quipped.

Niyon smirked and crossed his arms as he leaned against the wall of the structure behind him next to Zela. “Of course! But I imagine you probably don’t need to be paid to nab your captives. You do it all for fun.”

Zela smirked back and looked bemused. “As if you’re any different! Nab any rebellious trouble makers in the city today? Or making arrests as I’m sure your masters prefer to call it? I see you escorting a new tied up prisoner every day!”

“Nah, slow day today. Any crimes you’d like to confess to? Nabbing you might give me some joy today, heh.” Niyon said, causing an ever so slight rosy blush to appear on Zela’s cheeks.

“Ha, as if you could. I’d beat you in a fight any day. You guardians aren’t as creative in your fighting style as a guy like me” the bounty hunter retorted playfully.

“Yes because we have something known as discipline. If we fought I’d have you overpowered and bound up in no time.” Niyon snaked an arm around Zela’s shoulder and playfully put a hand over his mouth. “And that loud mouth of yours gagged up at long last!”

“Mmmph mmmhmmhmm” was the sound of the muffled laughter Zela let out as he rolled his eyes. He didn’t get defensive, in fact Niyon was one of the few that Zela would trust enough in that situation.

Niyon took has hand away and returned to his crossed arms stance. “Good boy. Now then, do you want to come with me on a mission? I could use your help, even with your lack of discipline. I’ll make sure you’re compensated well.”

Zela’s eyes lit up. “Of course! How can I pass up an opportunity to do your job for you and get paid for it? Let’s go!”

The two headed off deeper into the city.

[gag1195]

Loving this so far! Zela is a very fun protagonist, but I suspect he's about to find some trouble... It isn't lost on me that Niyon said "compensation" instead of "payment" or "coin"... I wonder if Niyon has any immediate plans to actually try and subdue the bounty hunter...

[Viperbound7]

Hmmmm perhaps that will play a part in things at some point

Gradually working on the next part, it’s turning out to be harder to write than I thought…

[AgentIanChroma]

“Shhhh don’t talk with your mouth full. I prefer it when my prey isn’t complaining the whole way back so get used to being gagged, my hushed little dove~”

This line perfectly summarizes what has made me instanfly love Zela. "Don't talk with your mouth full" is a phenomenal teasing line and the affecfionate pet name and just-shy-of-villainous tone of "get used to being gagged" is jusf all-around awesome.

Great stuff!

[AgentIanChroma]

“Nah, slow day today. Any crimes you’d like to confess to? Nabbing you might give me some joy today, heh.” Niyon said, causing an ever so slight rosy blush to appear on Zela’s cheeks.

And I love their relationship IMMEDIATELY. <3

Looking forward to seeing the trouble these two get into together! Thanks for all you've shared so far!

[Viperbound7]

CHAPTER 3

The two fighters walked alongside eachother, down the market street lined with burning lamps on either side. Zela had his hands clasped behind his head while Niyon walked rigidly, keeping his eyes forward.

“So what’s the job?” asked Zela.

“Small band of troublemakers in the Iron Burrow. The captain told me there’s about three goons congregating, one of them is their leader. Like you I prefer to handle things without bloodshed, and it means we get to ask them questions later. I figured it might be more enjoyable if you helped me snatch them up” Niyon responded.

Zela smiled. “Sounds like a plan.”

Niyon continued, “You can keep the bounty for the capture of their leader. The other guardians tell me his name is Xavien, a nuisance in Crucible City. He and his two goons shouldn’t be terrible difficult to subdue but it definitely is a multi-man job.”

“Ahhh Xavien. That name rings a bell from the wall of bounty posters. I think I remember seeing a couple zeroes beneath his name, heheh.”

—

In the heart of the dilapidated Iron Burrow of Crucible City, the gang of bandits tossed the bags of coin from their latest stick ups in a carved pit wall of an abandoned temple.

Their leader Xavien wore tight black clothing and had messed short black hair with a sheathed short blade on his belt, his two minions wore more common tunics and gray colored trousers.

“Not bad for a days work eh?” Xavien said, with a commanding tone over the other two.

“What’s the step Xavien?” One of the two henchmen asked. They seemed eager for another hunt.

Xavien eyed the spoils of their recent endeavors with a grin. “We ought to lay low for a little while. The Guardians of the city likely are on the hunt at this point. Let’s hold the fort and make sure no others try to take our treasure.”

“Aww that’s no fun. But as you wish.”

With that, the other one of Xavien’s two henchmen stepped out of the abandoned temple out of sight and earshot of the others to stand guard and look for any trouble.

It didn’t take long before it found him.

*clap*

Only a faint muffle could be heard from the thief minion’s mouth which was sealed tightly by Niyons hand. A dagger in Niyons other hand gently pressed against their neck.

“Keep your mouth hushed little prey. You might then just make it until morning” Niyon whispered. A heavy and huffy breath escaped the thief’s nose but he complied.

A gloved hand ruffled the thiefs hair, coming from the blonde bounty hunter. “Don’t worry pal, I’m sure Niyon will be nice and gentle as he bags you up. But who knows if I’ll be as courteous to your little friends, heheh~” Zela taunted in the form of a whisper.

A slight whimper escaped as the thief was pulled into the darkness around the corner by Niyon. Moments later the sounds of ropes being cinched and grunts being muffled could be heard before Niyon reemerged with the hogtied and gagged minion, who was tossed aside for now.

But their stealthy approach ended up being cut short.

“Boss, we’ve got company!” shouted a voice from the doorway of the abandoned temple.

Zela let out an audible sigh as he unsheathed his blade. “Guess we gotta do things the hard way with the others.”

Niyon cracked his knuckles before extending his retractable spear.

[Viperbound7]

“Nah, slow day today. Any crimes you’d like to confess to? Nabbing you might give me some joy today, heh.” Niyon said, causing an ever so slight rosy blush to appear on Zela’s cheeks.

And I love their relationship IMMEDIATELY. <3

Looking forward to seeing the trouble these two get into together! Thanks for all you've shared so far!

Aww you’re too kind!

[AgentIanChroma]

My goodness, getting soft little teases from TWO handsome boys while handgagged? What a lucky day for that bandit!

Ah, but now we get to see how well Zela & Niyon handle business when stealth is out the window - I'll get the popcorn ready! <3

Another great one, Viper!

[gag1195]

oooooo Yes! loving these two! They have a very fun energy! I wish them luck, and hoping they don't end up on the receiving end of the ropes (definitely not secretly wishing for their own capture...)