Hey guys sorry for the long absence. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I was mostly story building in this one as a cliff-hanger to the next chapter. For all those who are wondering about his absence, I just wanted o let you know Endymion is going to come in the next chapter and the story really takes off from there. I have already started the next chapter, hopefully I will have it finished typed out by tonight. Let me know how you think the story is progressing. Review!

Chapter 3 – The Coming Hour

Serena was almost finished packing. It had taken her a really long time.

Now there was only one problem. Where was she going to put her clothes?

"Hmm, this is going to be a tricky."

"It wouldn't be if you would leave some of those at home" Dana Cherwell suggested.

Serena turned around to see her mother in a fit of laughter by the door. Serena looked down at her suitcases and couldn't help but smile herself.

"Well I guess I could leave my claymores at home" Serena complied.

Her mother came in and sat on her bed. "Serena you do realize that your father left a room full of weapons in that house, don't you?"

"I know but I like my own weapons and what if something happens on the way there?" Serena questioned.

"I don't think anything will and besides what are you going to do if something does happen, say hold on a minute I have to get my weapons from my suitcase?!"

"Mom, I don't really appreciate the sarcasm" Serena replied.

Her mother walked over to her and started to smooth her hair.

"Serena, apprehension leads to worry and then if we allow it it turns into fear. You'll do fine Serena even if you do decide to leave the armoury at home."

Serena smiled weary at her mother "Dad always said a true warrior only needs his most reliable weapons. I guess I had forgotten. It has been a while since we've hunted."

"It'll be fine besides Rick and Adam will be there and I've seen you fight, no matter how strong they get you'll match them" Serena's mother encouraged.

"Thanks mom, well I guess I'll only take my short swords, the ones dad gave me. By the way, are you finished packing?"

"Yes"

"Wow that was fast, the taxi is supposed to pick us up around noon tomorrow."



"You mean its going to pick you up"

"Umm"

"Serena, I'm not going" Dana Cherwell replied simply

Serena sprung around "What do you mean your not going?"

"I got this letter today, it came by messenger" her mother pulled it out of one of her pockets and handed it to Serena.

"It is from one of your father's old friends, I recognise the handwriting.

"It says here that he wants to meet with you."

"Yes and I am going."

"What! Wait a minute. Mom, you can't really be serious. Who knows what type of friend he is? " Serena questioned.

"He is an informant, your father met with him often. He might have some information on the Bestia's movements."

"Mom ..."

"I can handle myself, don't worry. You just worry about yourself. You are heading out into a battlefield, so be careful."

"I will. So when are you leaving?"

"The taxi is already on its way. I know its fast, but as you see from the letter, I have to meet him tomorrow."

"Are you sure about this?" Serena replied.

"Yes ... I think I hear a horn downstairs." Serena walked over to the window and looked out. "It is your taxi."

"Ok, I got to go. I'll come straight there when I am done." Dana Cherwell walked over and held her daughter in embrace. "Do what you can honey."

"I'll do what my father taught me to do. What needs to be done."

"Bye Serena."

"Bye Mom, keep safe."

"You too."



When Serena walked through the iron gates and up the walkway of the Cherwell estate a nostalgic feeling overcame her. This is the same path her father took, one she had taken many times. She could still remember running up this path several times throughout her training. The front door opened just as she reached the front step and before she knew it she was in a tight embrace.

"Welcome home."

When Serena pulled away she could not stop a giggle from escaping her lips. Adam was as handsome as ever, his blonde hair was unruly giving him a rugged look, his green eyes were bright and his smile was even more dazzling than before.

"My goodness Serena! Since I last saw you, you've gotten even more beautiful."

She laughed this time.

"I could say the same for you."

The two of them went arms linked, laughing into the house.

"You two seem to have caught up fast".

Rick Donsfield walked forward and hugged Serena.

Serena respected him wholeheartedly. He was like a second father. Rick is Adam's father and a close friend of the family. He was with her father the same night he died. They had gone hunting what they thought to be only Pessums but it had turned out that they were accompanied by Medius. They had caught them off guard and five of them jumped Sam Cherwell at once. Maybe he had been their target all along but nothing was for certain.

Rick took over Serena's training where her father had left off. Her father had originally started training her so she could protect herself but after showing such talent it was decided that like her ancestors before her was meant to be a Percussor, a type of Venator that hunted down and killed the monsters. It was also Rick who had decided that Serena should leave Calloway for a while but he always made sure he checked in on her and kept her up-to-date.

"I knew we couldn't keep you away for long."

"Never." replied Serena giving Rick an affectionate kiss on the cheek."

"Your mother just called, she said she is fine and that she will contact you at a later date."

"But she told me she would come right after."

"I know but she probably had to extend it seeing that her business is not done yet."

"Serena, don't worry about it because tonight you are in for some excitement." Adam stated.

"Why?" Serena asked.



"Tonight we are going on a hunt. That is unless you want to get settled in first."

Serena smirked, "I can get settled later."

Serena changed into her black shorts that reached just above her knees, a red short sleeved shirt under a black collarless jacket and a pair of black calve high boots. The belt around her waist kept her short swords and a dagger her father passed on to her. She was trying to decide if to take a gun but decided against it. This war couldn't be fought with guns. The little puncture holes the gun made on those beasts only worked for about a second and only succeeded in making them angry but weren't very effective. Guns only slowed them down when the bullets were inscribed but if there weren't it wasn't any use at all. Hand to hand combat was the best. Besides, Serena considered it a waste to use a couple of bullets that did nothing than weapons that could be used all the time. She didn't know how hard it was to inscribe a bullet but it sounded tedious.

She was almost ready but there was one more thing she needed.

As soon as she slipped it around her neck she felt complete. Many Cherwells had worn it before her and she would continue too as well. From now on she wouldn't take it off not even when she slept, not until she could rid the earth of these beasts. When Serena went downstairs Rick and Adam were already by the door. Rick smiled at her, "are you sure you can keep up with us?

"Of course"

"Really now"

"Yup"

"Ok, but if you get tired let us know"

"Believe me I won't be tired"

She was dead tired.

Although Serena was getting back into the swing of things, two weeks of non-stop hunting, late nights, early mornings and only a few hours sleep was starting to wear her out. Even Adam had admitted to feeling tired. But it couldn't be helped. Attacks and sightings had increased lately and in unusual patterns, it was as if they were playing a game with them.

"Serena were going to circle round to Brown's Cross"

"Why? Shouldn't we be looking in some of the denser areas?" asked Serena

"No. Tim Lundy mentioned that he saw two strange looking guys around the Brown's Cross area"



"And...? he just assumed they are Bestia"

"Serena give the people of Calloway some credit. They have practically lived and breathed this stuff"

"What are you trying to say that I haven't?"

"Serena, don't put words in my mouth" countered Rick

"Ok, Ok you guys calm down. This is not the time to have a Father-daughter type fight ok. We are all tired and our tempers are a little bit on edge so take it easy." Adam soothed

"Fine, what I was trying to say Serena is that these people are the closest thing you can get to experts and it is very unlikely that they would mess this up." Now listen carefully, Tim said he saw two strange gentlemen at Brown's Cross who quickly disappeared but he did manage to notice they flaming red eyes. He warned the others to stay clear of area. Tim and some of the others were going to scope the sight but I told him we would handle it so. We both agreed that this was more up my alley.

"Cool. So where are they going to cover?" Adam said

"Near the creek and somewhere along the edge of the forest" Rick replied

"But don't you agree that they had the whole day to move" asked Serena

"Yeah but we can't take the risk of them tracking back. We'll start where they started, so let's get moving."

"No!"

"Pardon...Serena!" Rick demanded

"Sorry that didn't come out right, so please stop giving me that look Rick. I just meant to say that you two should start at Brown's Cross and I'll meet you guys over by the path that leads to the field"

"Serena don't even think about it" Adam cut in

"It will be fine, besides you two will probably catch them in no time. I'm just staying here as a precaution"

"Don't try to sugar coat it" Adam scolded

"Rick, you know I can take care of myself"

There was a brief moment of silence as Rick and Serena stared at each other. "Fine, but Serena I trust you to stay put, don't be like your father, heavens know I can't take anymore accidents"

"I promise" Serena vowed

"Dad wait! No! This is Serena we are talking about here. Mischief follows this girl. And her first hunt alone with Medius on the loose. That's just crazy." Adam argued

"Adam lets go"



"What little faith you have in me Adam" chided Serena while making a face at him

"She's right son, she might surprise you"

"Yeah surprise me by doing something totally crazy and getting herself killed!" Adam complained

"Relax, weren't you the same person minutes ago telling us to calm down."

"Dad that was different!"

"You have to let go sometime you can't always be there to protect her"

"Shouldn't I be saying that to you dad!"

"Let's go Adam and stop making that face. Serena it shouldn't take that long, we'll meet at the path in an hour."

"Ok, I'll be there

Serena wasn't there when the hour came.