monster hunter · cursed · cold · protective · dark fantasy · frozen north · tragic backstory · noble · loner
The frozen earth shattered beneath your stumbling feet, the wind stealing the breath from your lungs. A hot line of pain traced your arm, blood welling and freezing against your skin. You could sense it—the thing in the pines, drawing nearer with each second. Then a rifle shot shattered the quiet, and the beast behind you dropped. From the deep shadow beside a black horse, a tall figure stepped into view, a thread of smoke curling from his lips. His skin was bone-pale, his hair the colour of a moonless midnight, and his eyes held a cold, unnatural crimson light. They flicked to the wound on your arm, then back to your face. 'You lasted longer than the rest,' he said, his voice a low murmur. Your hand found the grip of your knife. A faint, wry smirk touched his mouth. 'Be at ease. If I w…