We’re on our fifth Hunter! This week is Renata D’Marco, a religious zealot whose murderous impulses have been harnessed for divine purposes. Renata’s story is a bit longer than the others have been, so I’ll be dividing it below a cut. Be sure to click ‘Read More’ to finish her story!
The game itself will be available for sale one week from tomorrow! We’ll have one more story before that, then the official announcement. Why yes we ARE excited around here! 😉
Renata D’Marco
Playable Character
Renata stepped inside the old white clapboard building, inhaling deeply that special “empty church” smell. Though she’d never been inside this particular one, she was home. Peace descended on her, prickling her skin like a warm hand, as she walked down the nave toward the sanctuary. Stopping in front of the altar, she knelt, clasping her hands around the large white cross on her chest, and whispered a brief prayer.
“Holy Father forgive me…” She had so many sins, past and future to confess, and too little time to list them all. The shadows were gathering, and she had a Mission to complete.
Where is the Priest?
There should at least be an acolyte somewhere about, going about the business of lighting candles and keeping an eye on visitors. She had neither seen nor heard another soul since she’d entered the church. Her neck prickled, all the peace of the place evaporating for her.
“Father? Are you there?” Her voice echoed in the vaults, small and alone.
No answering patter of feet or swish of robes met her straining ears. Only a strange clicking sound. Renata pulled her crossbow off her back, loading and cocking it in one smooth motion and whispered an apology for bringing arms into a holy place. But she was not fool enough to wander this town without means of defense. Hell’s tendrils were coiled too closely about the town to make that a safe course of action for any Hunter who wished to continue her holy mission.
She strode up the aisle back toward the narthex, bow pointed ahead. Throwing open the door, she stopped, eyes narrowing. The small antechamber was filled with scurrying, skittering things. Part spider, part nightmarish assortment of misshapen bodies, they crawled over each other in their eagerness to get to her. Renata took aim, her finger drawing the trigger back in one smooth motion while her other hand slapped another arrow into the groove. The fired arrow glowed deep blue as it arced through the nearest spider-monster, and the three behind it. The next arrow took out four, and the third arrow exploded into a blinding flash of light, leaving only ashes behind it.
Forgive me, oh Lord, for shedding blood in your Holy Place. Guide my hand in banishing these Hellspawn forever from your Holy Presence.
She whirled, coat flaring, and snapped another glowing arrow into the face of a sickly-green spirit emerging from the wall. It passed harmlessly through the ghostly monster, but the thing’s claws did not pass harmlessly through her arm as it swiped at her. Blood welled out of her torn sleeve, and she clenched her teeth. Pain is weakness leaving the body.
Renata clenched her cross in her fist, lifting it in a warding gesture and muttering in latin. She bit off every word as if she might bite pieces out of the angry Spirit itself. The last word rose in a shriek which mingled with the pained cry of her foe. Dark blue bands wrapped around the amorphous thing, squeezing until it exploded into green sparkles, dissipating harmlessly into the wooden walls.
A hollow chuckle echoed around the nave. “Bravo, Madam D’Marco. Quite an impressive show.”
Renata frowned, her finger tightening reflexively as she peered into the wavering shadows cast by the candles. A slight movement beyond the altar made her swing the crossbow in that direction, and elicited more laughter.
“Better put that thing away, girl. Before you hurt yourself. The Shadows are rising, and soon I will be indestructible.”
Renata squeezed the trigger, moving toward the shadowy figure. “You’re not indestructible now. Filthy Demonspawn, you defile this Holy place! I abjure thee, flee before the wrath of God and His Holy instrument.”
Rustling behind her, then a voice murmuring seductively in her ear. “You’re feisty. I like you. Maybe I’ll turn you instead of just slaughtering you.”
“I’ll die before I join your filth!” She spun, skirt swirling tight about her ankles and ponytail whipping across the face of the cadaverous figure behind her. She looked into his laughing red eyes, and swung her balled fist directly at the fanged smirk below. He caught her wrist languidly, twisting easily until the bones in her forearm twisted about each other, then broke with a grinding snap.
The Hunter grunted at the pain, and pulled away. The vampire lord let her go, slouching provocatively against a pew. She was entirely unmoved by the sight of his pale, naked chest or the “sexy” pheromones assaulting her senses. Devotion to her God flowed through her veins, muting such things. She continued to back away, muttering another incantation-prayer under her breath. The Vampire frowned, as if sensing her immunity and moved toward her again. The blast caught him full in the face, washing him in blue light. His chiseled face melted and ran, like a wax model.
“Naughty morsel,” he hissed. He launched himself at her in a blinding display of speed, fangs extended fully.
Renata threw out a hand, catching him in the chest with another ball of holy energy as he latched onto her neck. Her strength flowed away like water, but she twisted weakly in his grasp anyhow. I will NOT be Turned.
She managed one final blow, a clumsy swipe with an arrow clenched in her unbroken fist that connected with his neck, opening a jagged wound infused with Holy Power. The light faded from her eyes, and the world receded in a jumble of slamming doors, shouting voices and screams of pain. Turning toward the light, she followed it away from the pain and darkness of her earthly body.
At last, I will join you, oh Lord. I come to the place prepared for me at Your side.
~~~ (more…)
Roan Arts 