Rayne Ames and the Hunting Season

The Divine Visionary of War strode onto the Adler Dorm of Easton Academy. Presenting an air of complete confidence and indifference.

His slightly hunched posture made him stalk the room, casting an image of a bird of prey. Ready to strike at any moment.

Nobody dared bother the newly minted Divine Visionary on a mission, students and teachers alike practically throwing themselves out of his way. His two-toned hair of black and yellow makes him easy to spot.

It didn't matter that he was still technically a student himself, it didn't matter where he came from or his relatively young age. Everyone knew that when a Divine Visionary walks, you move out of their way.

Rayne Ames himself didn't have any strong feelings about his alumni. It was a place that helped him hone his skills, yes. But it was just that, a place. A place filled with superiority complexes as big as buildings, and egos as fragile as the ear of a bunny.

An uninterested gaze fell upon his old dorm, compared to the two other dorms it was the least hostile to those less privileged. That wasn't saying much as the Lang Wolves and Orca Whales were more alike than they might think.

Lang may think themselves superior because of bloodline but Orca thought themselves superior because of intellect. Both of them had little time for those they thought were inferior.

The Adler Eagles at the very least didn't care about status since most of them were peasants themselves.

It certainly gives context to the look of the dorm, Rayne thought as he set his gaze upon the interior of his dorm. One could only describe it as home-like. It felt more like the interior of a large house than a prestigious academy.

Sofas, warm fireplaces, and modest kitchens certainly built a cozy image.

It made Rayne almost sick, all the coziness of a bonfire with none of the warmth. It made Rayne think of home, and the brother he had to leave behind.

Running a tired hand over his face, Rayne gave a quiet sigh. He wasn't here to relive memories, he had a missing student to find.

"It brings you back, huh Master Rayne." A spider lowered himself onto his shoulder.

"It's been less than a year, there is no nostalgia." His cold yet soft voice carried itself throughout the empty dorm room, just next door was his next destination.

"Aw, don't be like that!" His companion swung around him, looking around the lavish walls covered in old paintings of dead people. "In spider years, that's a hell of a long time. It's been so long, I feel like a cobweb!" He cackled at his own spider pun.

"Not your best work."

"I'm just warming up my blood, oh wait, I don't have any!"

Rayne let out a more good-natured sigh. If his puns were still terrible, then all was right with the world.

If only he could believe that.

MSHL

Finn Ames sat nervously on the recliner across from Daut's very own seat that was bought from him. Who knew Emerald Splash tea could smell so good…

A faint smile graced his freckled features, before dropping. He sat in the seat Lance usually reclined in, sweeping his jittery gaze to the kitchen Mash loved to bake in. It was still unused since he last baked his very first batch of creampuffs.

Unused and spotless, just like Mash taught him. Mash always cleaned up after himself dutifully, never missing a spot. Finn wondered if his friend would be proud of the way he kept his kitchen clean, just like how he was proud of him before he… left.

...pausing briefly to wipe the tears from his eyes Finn sat there, waiting. Surrounded by the memories of his friends.

The clock ticked and tocked as Finn did his best to keep it together. It wouldn't do for him to give in to his sorrow, he's cried enough tears.

Besides, he couldn't answer questions while babbling like a cowed little lamb. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Keeping them shut and just focusing on his breathing. In and out, in and out.

It's been a while since he did this routine. He hadn't had an outburst in a while so he hadn't needed it. Now he was meditating to calm a different emotion this time.

Eventually, he centered himself enough to calm down. Opening his eyes, he came face to face with his older brother silently staring at him.

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!" Jumping so high out of the place he was sitting, he swore he grazed the ceiling with his forehead. He began to fall back down, eyes wide with terror before stopping.

Cold metal greeted him as he lied down in midair. An ornate sword broke his fall and caught him before he could hurt himself.

Gently lowering him down, Finn slowly peeled himself off the magic-made weapon and gingerly sat back down. Head bowed in shame.

"I see you're keeping up with your meditation." His brother's calm and composed voice echoed through the quiet room. Only the light cinders and sparks of the fireplace answered him.

Rayne unknowingly sat in Daut's chair, folding his fingers and crossing his legs as he tried to get comfortable in the awkward atmosphere.

"Aww, he's just adorable as always! I just wanna eat him up!" Finn twitched as the Arachnabus landed on his shoulder, sharp fangs jutting in a facsimile of a grin.

"H-Hello to you too." Finn really didn't want a giant spider on his shoulder but it would be rude to throw him off. "I can answer any questions you have."

His brother nodded, "Where were you at the scene of the crime?"

"I-I was hiding behind Daut, then the portal started to suck everyone in. I was hanging onto the floor near Daut before Lance grabbed him in a panic. They all disappeared into that portal…"

"I see, the portal stopped and disappeared as soon as those three entered?"

Finn nodded shakily, "Yeah, they all just vanished at the same time… even that Portal Master." He closed his eyes and looked to the side, ashamed of himself. "If I was any closer, I can't help but think I could've been the one Lance grabbed. It should've been me, they all had a future! Why wasn't it, me!?"

"Enough." Rayne stood back up to his full height, looking down on his hysterical little brother. "It should've been no one, do you understand me?"

He said nothing, only the shaking of his shoulders gave away he was listening.

Rayne stared before he hesitantly put a hand on Finn's shoulder. "The only one who did anything wrong was the Portal Master. I will find him, and I will make him regret being born. I promise."

"...okay. I can answer some more questions if you want."

Rayne was silent for a moment, before nodding and taking his hand off Finn's shoulder. He sat back down, "I apologize for making you relive these memories but I don't understand something."

"What?"

"I can see why they would take Mash and the Crown Scion, but why the Barrett kid? From what I understand he is nothing special." Rayne asked, not unkindly.

"I may be wrong, but back when we were fighting the Magia Lupus I saw Daut defeat a second-liner really easily."

Rayne nodded, "That's impressive for a one-liner, first year, but not anything too noteworthy."

"No, I know! But when he did it, I saw his forehead glowing!" Rayne's eyebrow shot up, could it be? "I couldn't see too well, but I could swear there was a cross on his head. Weird, right? It gave him a pretty big power boost though, his voice was weird too…"

"How weird?" Finn twitched, he forgot about the giant spider on his shoulder. "Was he putting on a voice? I know I can sound pretty dusty when my blood gets flowing, oh wait!" He cackled right in his ear.

"H-He sounded pretty deep, too deep. Like a… demon or something. That might just be the adrenaline talking."

Rayne sat up abruptly once again, "Thank you for your time, that will be all." He bowed at the waist once before making his way to the door.

"Brother!"

Stopping at the door, with his hand on the handle Rayne looked back. Finn bit his bottom lip and lowered the hand he raised. "It's nothing." He bowed his head. "Godspeed."

Rayne paused, before closing his eyes. "Next time we meet, it will be with your friend in tow. Goodbye, brother." With that said, he left closing the door behind him with a soft click.

Finn collapsed in Lance's chair, bonelessly slumped. Tired beyond belief. "You better…" He sat surrounded by the memories of his friends, and the unspoken promise from his brother.

Just one more to add to the pile.

MSHL

Rayne shook his head walking the streets of the kingdom, the bustling activity parting wherever he stepped. Honestly, it was a strange feeling going from getting ignored or ridiculed to having others metaphorically bowing at his feet, sometimes even literally.

"Those were some good talks, ya think so Master Rayne?"

"They were informative, if strange." Finn gave him some useful information but seemed to be taking the events hard. It was why he made that promise to him, he needed some hope.

Lemon Irvine, was next on the list. When he got to her room she was nowhere to be seen, apparently, no one has seen her ever since her friends disappeared. That was both disappointing and concerning to hear.

The Magia Lupus members who were also witnesses weren't much help, but it helped to get a different perspective on things. Apparently, this 'Chellington' was after Abel the entire time. Mash, the Crown Scion, and the Ira Kreuz were simply collateral.

Love, the Tornado magic-user who recently joined Adler, was especially distraught when she found out that her favorite 'body pillow' was still missing. Rayne didn't need the wisdom of Athena to tell that he did not want to know.

Shuddering, he focused on his next stop. Since he was given charge of this case due to his previous job of keeping an eye on Mash, which he technically failed, Rayne received an owl letter from Brad Coleman. He also happens to be the one who sponsored Mash for Easton in the first place. The letter stated they found one of the Portal Master's lackeys and are currently holding him behind bars, apparently the man was just as confused as them on how Chellington made them disappear.

How lucky he was, getting a chance to interrogate some poor little bunny. Very lucky indeed, how he gets to claim his prize.

Striding onto the scene, forcefully opening the station's doors, the Sword Cane made his way to the prisoner cells.

Getting there he was greeted by Brad Coleman, who looked as grim as him. Strange, why was he so invested in this? Ah yes, those who sponsor future Divine Visionaries get prestige and recognition for 'discovering' divine talent. His ticket to success was missing, that was all.

Rayne still nodded, no words needing to be said. They both knew what was going to happen. Following Brad, as he gestured for him to follow him, Rayne prepared himself for his meeting with the prisoner.

Meanwhile, Brad lamented over his shattered ego as he had to bow his head to a kid who's still in school. Brad forced himself to remember that the kid he was taking orders from was the Divine Visionary of War himself, a prodigy among prodigies. Who could skewer this building and everyone in it with a wave of his wand? So he swallowed his pride... and opened the interrogation room, bowing his head to his superior in both skill and God's blessings. "The prisoner is just inside, Lord Rayne."

Rayne once again nodded his head in gratitude, not that Brad could see, and walked in without a word. Brad shut the door as the Divine Visionary entered, breathing a sigh of relief. This was a long day, maybe now that they have some divine assistance they can actually get somewhere with the criminal, he was tough safe to crack.

Shaking off his thoughts Brad walked away from the interrogation room, knowing Lord Rayne would want his privacy. He ran a tired hand through his face… "Hope the brat is alright."

The prey didn't need to look up from where he was taking a nap to know someone entered the room, looking up he saw a famous two-toned hairstyle attached to the scalp of an uncaring face. He chuckled humorlessly, "Do my eyes deceive me? I should be honored that a DV came to visit little ol' me."

Rayne took in the prisoner, chained to a cool, metal table, and dressed in a stained lab coat? "Apologizes for interrupting your nap, I need some information and when you give it, you can get on with your day."

The prisoner slapped his hand against the table, laughing all the while. "Apology accepted! You know, I can't believe I'm still alive. Word on the street is that..." He snapped his finger towards me. "You sir are very, what the kids say 'trigger-happy' against criminals."

"You're already in front of me, there is no need for me to unleash this 'trigger'."

"Good luck, you little mutt. Hope they don't take away your treats when you come back empty-handed."

Rayne chuckled, a single chilling breath that was grim and without any humor. "Oh? Well, this mutt happens to be on a hunt." He slowly approached his prize. "And you are the trapped little bunny I've been looking to play with…"

The prisoner growled, "I'm right here, give it your best shot you unholy dog!"

"Oh, you poor thing. I think you'll find…" The hunter summoned a sword in his outstretched palm, pointed straight at his head. Glimmering with divine retribution.

"That I never miss, little bunny."

His screams went unheard of, echoing uselessly in his blood-soaked ears.