It's here! The second chapter that has literally taken the whole school year to make. I suck, I know…. _
So, here it is. I hope this story will be to your liking, because I spent a long time on its outline!
Chapter 2: Here Comes the Hunters
Leon's pov
The halls echoed with the rain outside, filling the hunter's headquarters with a sense of dreariness. The headquarters lay on an outcrop of rock, at least 20 miles from any nearby town or city. The rocky face it rested on overlooked the entire lower valley; a perfect watchtower. The marble halls where old and rugged; obviously it had seen and faced the throes of time and battle.
Faint footsteps sounded farther down the hallway as a young man walked towards the heart of the hold. His layered hair fell down towards his shoulders, brushing lightly against his upper cheeks. His face was unmarred, and his eyes shown with apprehension. As he walked, his shadow fell against the walls, making eerie figures dance across the marble.
Finally he made it to the doors of the inner keep, where the council dwelled. He paused, eyes narrowed as he kept his hand from touching the handle. His news might not be the greatest; it may unsettle and anger the councilmen. He wrapped his gloved fingers over the handle, giving into his fate.
'Those that bring bad news are usually shot…'
This thought appeared to amuse him, as a faint smirk lifted the corner of his mouth. He entered the torch-lit room, and came to stand in the middle. He looked down at the insignia beneath his feet, focusing on its patterns. He knew it very well, since it was the Hunter's mark. It consisted of a circle separated into four parts. Starting at the upper right, it showed a burnished sword, a spiral of magic, a silver crossbow, and a healer's potion bottle. As he stared at it, he began to finger his medallion, which also bore the same symbol.
He raised his head after this brief moment of thought, and bowed his head to the shadowy figures of the councilmen. One of the figures raised his hand, and the lights seemed to dim even more so than they had been before.
"Hunter Leonhart, what is the news you bring."
The head councilman's words were no question, but a demand towards the brown-haired hunter. He looked up at the councilman, and willed his voice to speak the words in mind.
"The reports of activity in the northern city of Atlantis were true. We found and captured a young Werewolf in the outer part of the city. It is currently being held in the lower dungeons."
He and the rest of his four man team had been shocked to see a wolf-child in the city. Really, he would have been shocked to see one anywhere; they hadn't been seen since the Great War where they were nearly eradicated. Even the Rouge Wolves were rare to find. He looked back up towards the council, sensing their curiosity. One of the members on the far right leaned forward, earning a nod from the main councilman.
"This wolf, does it have anything of worth? Information?"
Leonhart frowned, and shook his head, "No, M'lady. It is but a child, at least in appearance."
The main councilman sighed, and then clapped his hands. The sound resounded across the room and caught everyone's attention. "If it has no use, then dispose of it. We do not need the Wolves to cause trouble."
Leonhart nodded, then slowly got up. He bowed again to the council, before making his way to the door, grabbing the carved handle. He stepped out, narrowing his eyes at the brightness in the halls. He blinked to adjust his eyesight, then turned a left, making his way towards the dungeons where the other hunters waited. He felt a sense of sadness at the thought of killing this Wolf, but quickly shut it out. This was a threat, just like a rouge. In fact, this seemingly innocent Wolf might be a rouge as well. Those shadowy Wolves and Vampires where the evil side of the two races, and existed everywhere. They looked normal, until they unleashed the monster inside. The Wolf they had caught could very well be one of them. His steps slowed as he came face to face with a young woman, garbed in hunter gear such as his. She gave him a small smile, then fell into step with him. They walked together, making towards the dungeon's staircase.
"What did the council have to say, Leon?"
Leon glanced to the huntress before returning his gaze to the steps they were now descending.
"They have ordered its execution."
The huntress missed a beat in her stride, but quickly recovered. She looked troubled, but didn't say anything to Leon. After a minute, she looked back up to Leon, her eyebrows scrunched up.
"It is but a child, Leon. A girl as well. Are we really going to kill something that innocent?"
Leon stopped, making the woman stop as well.
"Aerith, that Wolf is not innocent; nothing that is immortal is innocent. That 'child' is probably decades, maybe even hundreds of years old. Don't let your heart get in the way of duty."
He began to walk again, feeling like a complete hypocrite. Every hunter has had their moment of doubt, he was no excuse. He looked towards Aerith, feeling pity for her. The young healer had a good heart; a sweet personality. How she became a hunter he could only guess. They came to a door made of old cast iron, with a blackened iron handle. Leon opened the door, allowing Aerith to go in first before he too followed. Inside a throng of eyes met his, curiosity and wariness showed on their faces. A young woman, perhaps 18 at the most, stood up and made her way to Leon. Her wild brown hair was gathered into a low ponytail at the base of her neck, and her hunter garb was looser than normal.
"Leon, what's the news?"
She looked up at him with her blue eyes that reminded him of the blonde across the room that was also waiting for the council's orders. He mentally berated himself at the thoughts of her. She didn't belong in his mind at the moment.
"The orders are to dispose of the Wolf before it can become a hazard, Sora."
The girl blinked, before her expression became sad. She sighed and scuffed the ground with her foot.
"That's too bad, this Wolf looked really interesting."
She made her way back to her seat, next to a silver-haired boy of similar age. Leon looked at their group, noticing the sad looks their faces had now adopted. He opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a girl that came running into the room. She looked out of breath, but her purplish eyes held excitement.
"T-The Wolf is awake! Oh, Hey Leon."
The group stood up, ready to make their way to the Wolf and its inevitable death. Some faces where still marked with curiosity though. These were from the one's that had not been on the mission that resulted in the Wolf's capture.
One of the hunters, an old man whose beard fell to his waist, muttered under his breath, obviously not happy at the council's decision.
"Hmph, oh yes, go kill the Wolf-child. It's not like it may be the last of its kind. Fools."
The purpled-eyes girl bounced down the halls towards to cells, slowing down after a while to stand before a rune etched door. The runes were made to imprison and detain; a foolproof inescapable jail. Leon and the other ten stepped in, careful not to disturb the many runes. In the middle of the room, surrounded by the almost glowing carvings, was the Wolf from the day before. Her blonde hair was almost as messy as Sora's and her clothes looked worn-out from travel. A small twitch of her hand showed she was awake and knew they were watching. Slowly the Wolf lifted her head, directing her glare at the hunters.
Merlin gave a sound of awe, pulling at his groomed beard.
"Look well, fellow hunters, for a Werewolf has not been seen in more than a century."
Leon took Merlin's words to heart. Even though this creature looked normal, he could not ignore the sense of wildness that emitted from her. He memorized this feeling, putting in the back of his head to use later. A hunter never knew what he could encounter.
End
Sorry that I haven't posted for almost a year. I could blame it on school, friends, life; but really I was just lazy. Thought I do have a reason for not posting a month earlier as promised :D
I was in Africa until sometime last week. I left on May 2nd and returned May 18th. So yes, I have a very good excuse. For most of my uncalled for Hiatus. Hahaha. Next chapter should be out soon.