Hunt Race

"The first step of every hunter is taken with a heavy heart."

The roar faded into the distance.

Silence returned to Ashvale.

Every hunter remained on guard, their eyes fixed on the Blackwood Forest.

Several moments passed.

Nothing came.

Captain Darius slowly lowered his sword.

"It left."

The younger hunters exchanged uneasy glances.

"Should we pursue it, Captain?"

"No."

Darius slid the massive blade back into the sheath on his back.

"If you chase a beast you don't understand..."

"...you become the hunted."

No one argued.

Kael stared at the forest.

Whatever had made that roar...

Even Captain Darius had refused to fight it.

That thought unsettled him.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the remaining villagers gathered for one final farewell.

One by one, they placed flowers upon the graves of those they had lost.

Kael stood before his father's grave.

The unfinished iron spear rested beside the weathered hammer.

"I'll keep my promise."

He lowered his head.

"The next time I return..."

"...I'll be strong enough to protect everyone."

A gentle breeze swept through the cemetery, carrying ash into the evening sky.

It felt as though the village itself was saying goodbye.

A hand gently ruffled Kael's hair.

"Hey, kid."

Kael looked up.

Captain Darius stood beside him.

"Once you leave..."

"...there's no turning back."

Kael nodded silently.

Darius stepped back and began walking toward the village gate.

"It's time."

Behind him stood five hunters dressed in black cloaks, each carrying weapons unlike anything Kael had ever seen.

A woman with silver hair rested twin blades across her shoulders.

A giant of a man carried an enormous battle axe with one hand.

Another hunter held a bow crafted from dark wood that shimmered in the fading light.

They all looked at Kael.

None of them spoke.

Kael took one final look at Ashvale.

The home where he had laughed...

Trained...

Dreamed...

And lost everything.

Without another word...

He followed Darius beyond the village gate.

The journey had begun.

Hours later...

The group traveled beneath towering trees.

The forest seemed endless.

Not even insects dared to make a sound.

Kael finally spoke.

"Where are we going?"

"The Hunter Guild."

"What is it?"

"The place where hunters are made."

Kael nodded.

After a moment, another question escaped him.

"Can anyone become a hunter?"

Darius glanced at him.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because not everyone survives."

The answer sent a chill through Kael.

Before Kael could ask another question...

The silver-haired hunter suddenly raised her hand.

"Captain."

Darius stopped walking.

"What is it, Lyra?"

She knelt beside the trail.

Fresh claw marks scarred the roots of an ancient tree.

"They're watching us."

The hunters immediately reached for their weapons.

Kael's heart began to pound.

A low growl echoed through the darkness.

Then another.

And another.

Dozens of glowing crimson eyes slowly opened between the trees.

Darius sighed as he drew the enormous sword from his back.

The blade gleamed beneath the rising moon.

Without taking his eyes off the creatures, he called out.

"Kael..."

"This is your first lesson."

He took a slow, deep breath.

Then a faint smile crossed his face.

"Watch carefully."

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