the Hunter, part I.

Porfirio Zapata. is a famed knight who obeys the will and command of the royals. he is known as the sword of the crown.

the Zapata family used to be of royal recognition. then an incident almost caused the annihilation of the Zapata name. it was Porfirio who took the responsibility of becoming the loyal dog of the crown in order to keep his life and the life of those he loves.

Porfirio was sent to capture and execute few criminals who are a menace to the crown. from all those criminals there is only one name left to capture. the man in question is wanted for multiple crimes all over the kingdom of Spain.

Porfirio is riding a black horse. at his right is his most trusted ally, Roberto Santino. a man who is skilled with the bow and arrows. "Wind-eye" is his nickname. there is not a single arrow that haven't hit its target. the most acclaimed sniper in all Spain.

at Porfirio's left is his lover. Izabel de Casillas. she is the only daughter of a fallen noble family that in a moment of crisis in which selling her body for less was the only option. Porfirio came in as a hero and saved her. he gave her a job to feel proud about.

now the three of them are riding around the kingdom seeking a criminal. this will be their final mission before retirement. the infamous "Phantom." has robbed from the aristocracy and even from the royal family. a simple mission to finish.

the trio gets ready to raid the secret base of the bandits led by the Phantom.

Izabel and Porfirio are having some personal time. they enjoy of a meal together. Roberto is by himself practicing some exercises. there are another five members to their little group of bandit hunting dogs loyal to the crown.

the raid goes down according to expectations. most of the bandits are killed. some of them are taken as prisoners. Miguel, a member of the team died in action.

most of the bandits are taken down. but the Phantom and his sadistic direct subordinates are nowhere to be found. a mission that should be short is taking years to end. a name that should be no trouble for the crown's dogs. is hard to kill or find.

Roberto Santino takes a carriage with two of his partners. the three of them are eating and talking around the colorful journey. Roberto brags about being the best shooter. he presents his bow as if it is some sort of trophy.  he starts talking about the famed criminals he has taken down with a single arrow in the entirety of his journey.

the carriage becomes silent. Roberto starts to feel nervous. then a rain of hundreds of arrows hits directly the carriage killing instantly one guy. the other guy stands with arrows all over his body and face gasping for air. wounded so badly he tries to leave the carriage. then an arrow goes through his cheeks. he turns around and falls dead.

in a single instant both Jesus and Jose Maria had died. it was just Roberto left to defend himself against the mysterious attackers. Roberto holds his bow. his hands are sweating. Roberto looks around hoping for anything to come out. Roberto hopes for safety.

then the door to the carriage falls off. the Phantom stands in front of him. the Phantom is a muscular tall man in his mid-forties. the Phantom is holding a spear. Roberto tries to react on time as he holds an arrow midair. Phantom kicks him in the stomach. as Roberto falls on his back unable to fight back. he feels immense pain in his arm.

the Phantom had already cut off his left arm. the man screams in horror. the Phantom stands in front of him breathing loudly. his eyes are bloodshot. his features seem almost animalistic in contrast to his ferocious behavior. he then steps on Roberto's right leg multiple times until it makes a loud sound as it breaks.

"Curse you. damn be your legacy. nobody would remember you once you are cut down as the rotten tree that you are." screams Roberto loudly as he shows no fear.

the Phantom mocks him. he then turns around and walks out. Roberto screams in rage asking him to finish the job. Roberto begs him to be done with it. Roberto's rage becomes louder and clearer as his enemy denies him a merciful death.

"You cursed coward." screams Roberto out of sorrow as he cries silently.

after the events of that day two more members were targeted. Manolo, another loyal dog was murdered in the streets this time. in plain daylight he was stabbed in the streets. nobody came to his rescue and was left to bleed out.

then there is Aureliano, another loyal dog who was at home with his family. someone poisoned his cup of tea and died bleeding out in front of his entire family. it was something gruesome and brutal that for sure traumatized his family.

now Porfirio and his lover, Izabel stand in front of a hospital bed. the usually happy and talkative Roberto is now tearful and silent. there is a shadow printed in his eyes. there is a profound shade touching his shoulder, her name is depression.

Porfirio holds his friend's hand. he promises to find him. Porfirio vows to end the Phantom's life with his own hands. Porfirio is boiling up with rage. he won't stop. he won't give up. he won't die until the day he brings the Phantom to his knees.

Izabel holds Porfirio's hand with warm. she looks with a playful smile at her lover. she knows that he is a persistent person. she wonders how difficult would be for him to live if she is no longer there at his side. that is why she wants to be there. always there for him.

the visit to the hospital ends short. Izabel and Porfirio are walking around the streets talking about multiple things. Izabel can notice that his mind is elsewhere. absent. 

"You don't have to carry the world on your shoulders." whispers Izabel.

"I know, but I want to. my responsibility has become my legacy. my duty has overcome myself as my ego is fused with the commands I am given. you, you are the only person I need to remind me of who I am." said Porfirio with conviction.

the two of them keep walking around the streets. Izabel wants to hold to her lover. and even when she knows that eventually there would come a day in which she would stay behind. she hopes to enjoy to the fullest whatever time they are given together.

on his part Porfirio keeps thinking about his mission. he keeps thinking about the man, no. about the beast he needs to put down. he then pictures the friend who is all broken in a bed begging for his suffering to end. the friend who is no longer his cheerful self.

as the couple is walking around. at the distance stands the Phantom. he observes their every movement as he questions if he should attack them or not. maybe he should let them live to tell the tale of the Phantom. or maybe he could just snap their necks.

every coldly calculated step counts. every breath is heavy. every sound is alarming. every person that makes eye contact is suspicious. every conflict in color as contrast with the shades of darkness that are a personification of the ego. everything is dangerous. that is the way the Phantom has manage to survive for so long in a world of treason.

eventually the Phantom walks away. unnoticed. undetected. unseen.

Porfirio returns to the hospital. he holds Roberto's hand. he makes a simple promise. Porfirio promises to stay at his friend's side until he recovers. and he also promises to hunt down the Phantom together as a team.

Porfirio walks out of the hospital writing down something in a piece of paper. he then sends a messenger pigeon away with the note. Porfirio is going to contact every person he knows in order to find the Phantom. he would use any means necessary to end this game.

Izabel jumps on his arms. she is kissing him. she hugs him. Izabel is basically begging for attention and love from him. Izabel asks if they could ever have a simple life. she wonders if maybe they could find a peaceful land away from conflict and grow old. Izabel prefers the idea of dying as a calm old farmer over dying as a young resentful knight.

Porfirio doesn't answer. he is calm. he knows that deep down even if he is given any false freedom by the crown. he won't find peace in a calm life. blood and iron had become the core of his ego and self beyond anything else.

"I am sorry. I don't regret becoming a sword for the crown nor becoming human by your touch. but you have to know. this is what I am. this is me." said Porfirio forcing a smile.

"I know. and it is fine. I love you either way." whispers Izabel smiling.