Hunt for the Night cursed Crone

Malakai never did manage to catch those two strangers who cursed him in the Sunless Jungle. After chasing them for what felt like several days. The thick fog began to dissipate and with it, the vines that had entwined themselves beneath his skin. Once the vines were gone, his flesh seemed to regrow over his left arm, covering the once exposed bone. He rubbed the arm that was normal once again, yet felt oddly new. “Remind me never to talk to strangers again, Enoha,” he murmured under his breath. Though his faithful Utahraptor still chirped in response. 

They had just cleared the trees when he felt a surge of magic, like a silent explosion, pass over him. He looked out across the hills just in time to see the sky rip itself apart. Darkness descended on the small towns as darkness ripped a hole in the otherwise sunny sky. Tendrils of darkness slowly drifted down as the hole began to grow, despite already being massive. “Oh, what now?” he growled. 

“Another one so soon?” a feminine voice spoke from the trees behind him causing Malakai to jump and grab a small slate dagger. 

“Woah there, I’m not here to cause any trouble. I was just passing through when I felt the wave of magic and had to come see what it was.” A woman in a simple, earthly green dress and large red mushroom hat stepped out of the trees with her hands raised. Her green eyes lingered on his for only a moment before shifting to Enoha and widening. Slowly and cautiously, she stepped out, making sure to keep plenty of distance from them. 

Slowly, Malakai lowered his hand with the dagger, though he still gripped it tightly, just in case he would need it. “You would be cautious too if you had just been through what I had. I’m done with strangers popping up in the jungle.”

The strange woman just raised an eyebrow and looked him over skeptically. “You seem just fine to me, plus you aren’t the only one who has been through it lately.”

“Whatever, I have stuff to do other than make small talk with a stranger.” He turned to walk away and motioned Enoha to do the same.

“Wait! Where are you going? Something is happening down there and if past experience is anything, it’s probably another monster. Those townspeople are going to need all the help they can get!” She grabbed his brawny, tanned arm to stop him, but he simply shook her off. 

He turned around and stared into her large green eyes. They shimmered with both fear and determination. “Yes, I’m sure there’s a big scary monster at the center of that thing which is precisely why I am leaving. That place is going to be swarming with the Order soon enough and I really don’t need to be there for that. Besides, sweetheart, I doubt they’ll even need me.” He drew out the word “sweetheart” with a sarcastic edge, earning a glare from the woman, before again turning to leave.

“Coward.”

Stopping in his tracks, he stomped back towards the woman, his 6’4” frame towering over her, but she stood her ground and stared up at him defiantly. “Listen lady, you do not want to test me. I have had enough of weird magic these past few weeks and would like to be left in peace! Unless you have a really excellent reason for me to help, then I will be going.”

“Look buddy, if that thing isn’t dealt with, you’re probably going to have a lot more to worry about than a little weird magic. There are people down there who need help and you look like someone who can help.” She retorted, shoving a finger into his broad chest.

“This is above my pay grade lady. I hunt little creatures and only when there is a reward for it. Otherwise, I could care less.”

“Fine. If you help, I can keep you and your creature fully healed AND give you one of my most potent tonics after the monster has been vanquished.”

Malakai eyed the strange woman wearily, wondering why she was so insistent on his help. “Tonics huh? Make it 3 and I’ll think about it.”

“Two. And I’ll guarantee a poison strong enough to kill with only a few drops.”

“Deal,” he said, holding out a hand. “Name’s Malakai by the way.”

“Amanita,” she said, grabbing his hand with the firmest handshake she could muster. Though by the way he practically crushed her own hand, she doubted he had even felt hers.