"Tell me you love me."

"I love you."

"I know."

"Then why-"

"Because I'll never get tired of hearing you say it."

" … "

" … I know that look. What are you thinking?"

"I'm worried."

"Why?"

"Times are changing. Political attitudes are shifting, people are becoming restless. And you can't really blame them, I mean look at how many threats humanity's had to deal with in the last decade alone. I feel like we're fighting two wars; one with the Darkness, and one with the City."

" … "

"And this rising cult, this 'Trinary Star' group. They're growing bigger and bigger by the day. What if everyone starts following them? If the Light becomes just as abhorrent an idea to them as the Darkness? What happens to us then?"

"I don't know. None of us can know, these are answers that I hope we never get. I wish we didn't even have to ask these questions, but it's the reality of the world we live in."

" … "

"Hey, look at me. No matter what happens, no matter what we go through, we'll always have each other."

"You got that right."

"I'm always right."

"I love you."

"I know."

Everyone around the courtyard was abuzz with excitement. Some laughed, some spoke in whispered tones, and some were just silent with awe. At long last, there was definitive proof to the Last Hunter's existence, and everyone here had been a part of it.

Dirk walked numbly back to Clara, and took his faceplate off. Underneath the mask was a grizzled beard and a slightly open jaw. Evidently, he was in shock of what had just happened.

She looked at him seriously. "You alright?"

He closed his mouth, then nodded slowly. "Yeah, I just … wow."

Ghost flitted about happily. " 'Wow' is right! I can't believe it, he's real! He's actually real!" He stopped for a moment, and faced her. "And he looked at us, his Ghost looked at me! It's so much to take in!"

His comment gave her pause. Why did he look at them so strangely? He hadn't paid attention to anyone else in the courtyard but her and Ghost. Was it because they reminded him of himself? According to the stories of those Guardians after all, they were people and Ghosts who formed bonds with each other. She didn't think that Ghost and her had that kind of bond, but maybe the Hunter had wondered.

That was another thing. "So if he's real …" she slowly spoke, "does that mean that Guardians were real? The Warlocks, the Titans, everything?"

Dirk let a whoosh of air escape his lips, dumbfounded at the stunning realization. "I mean … I guess they'd have to be. But that doesn't make any sense to me."

"How so?"

He furrowed his brow. "Well, apparently a 'Guardian', or at least this one, can live for quite awhile. I mean, the last sighting was forty years ago, and these sightings have been stretching back to as far as two centuries ago."

She still didn't get it. "So?"

"So," he explained, "if they're so damn resilient, then where did they all go?" He shook his head. "I can't believe logically that so many warriors and individuals like them would just disappear … unless something made them."

That thought was a disturbing one. "If something made them? But what could do something so big like that, without anyone knowing the truth?"

A roar of engines caught their attention, and they looked skyward to see a large dropship approaching. It circled around the area, searching for a proper place to set down. On its side, she could see some kind of emblem painted onto it. It was a gold skeleton of a deer standing upon a similarly colored upside-down triangle. Behind it, there was just a large splotch of blue to make the gold stand out.

Dirk's mouth set in a thin line. "I'm starting to get a good idea."

"Who is that?" she asked, getting the idea that this dropship was of importance to him.

"That," he muttered, "is the mark of the Trinary Star. They wouldn't be here unless they got the news somehow." He looked around at the mass of people in the crowd. "I'd be willing to bet a few of these people belong to one faction or another."

"You mean the Seven and the Star?" she whispered.

He nodded. "Yeah. I think things are about to get pretty hairy in here." He motioned to her. "You stay behind me, alright?"

She crossed her arms. "What, you think I need protection in a fight?"

"Yeah," he blatantly stated, "I do. If you really did wipe any knowledge of these guys, then it means you don't know how bad they can be."

She didn't like the tone he had in his voice; it was one of fear. She decided that maybe it was wiser to listen.

Slowly, the dropship lowered itself until it was roughly fifteen feet above the courtyard's entrance, right where the bridge ended. As she watched, several individuals materialized from thin air below. They wore monotonously colored armor, white and grey only. The actual shape of it seemed to mirror that of Dirk's, bulky and giving off the appearance that they were strongly built. But the design was different, theirs seemed more artificial and streamlines than his rough 'n tough style.

In each of their hands, they held automatic rifles. Whether they shot energy or ballistics, Clara didn't know. Either way, they'd probably be more than proficient enough at their job.

Beside her, Dirk gave a growl. "Those aren't Keepers, they're enforcers of the City. They're only supposed to look out for the City's own interests, they have no business being here … unless their loyalties are really to someone else." He gave a sad sort of sigh. "I can't believe that it's so clear now, that this is actually happening."

"What do you mean?" she asked worriedly. He sounded like a man who had resigned himself to something horrific. "What's happening?"

He looked at her utmost seriousness in his eyes. "The Seven are probably not far behind, and things are going to get complicated. No matter what happens, stay safe. Don't do anything stupid, you hear?"

Nervously, she gave a small nod of confirmation that seemed to satisfy him. "Alright then. Here we go."

One final man materialized below the ship, and she could see instantly that this person was the leader. They wore a heavy black cloak that covered all of their back, and most of their front. But it split at a seam in the center of their chest, and she could see gold and blue colored armor beneath, the same colors of the Star's emblem. There was no hood to this cloak, but they didn't need one; for a helmet, they wore an intricately crafted model of a deer's skull sans the antlers. Its black eye sockets seemed to stare deeply into Clara's own eyes, judging her.

They walked forward, accompanied by the rest of their guard. Dirk gave a deep breath, then moved forward to meet them. Clara followed closely. Ghost had disappeared completely, and she expected that he was hiding from the Star.

Hopefully he'd be safe from whatever happened next.

—X—

The form in front of him had finally taken shape. A glowing humanoid figure, shining with blue light. Their features weren't visible, just hazy approximations. But that was more than enough for him.

Finally, the Hunter spoke.

"It's been awhile."

The entity had no reaction other than a sad sigh. Every time I see you, you appear more broken.

He nodded, accepting that. "I was tired a long time ago. Now, it just doesn't matter." He looked at it. "I've given up."

I've known that for a while now.

He said nothing, he just lowered his head and sat there. Most times, he looked forward to these meetings; the one constant light in his dreary existence.

But now, even the joy of them had been sucked out of him.

The being gave a small hum. You are tired because you haven't just given up on yourself, but on the world. You don't see any foreseeable outcome where anything changes.

He scoffed. "Am I wrong? Look at how they fight, how they treat one another. Don't you remember when everything fell? Accusations were fired from every direction, and they all struck us. It's impossible for them to change."

Shaking his head, he looked away. "I've gone and done it. This time wasn't going to be like the others, where maybe a handful of people vaguely see me. I walked in front of everyone, hundreds of people, they all saw me. I just … whatever happens, happens. But I don't care anymore."

The voice sighed. Fortunately, one of us is able to see every branching path of a choice. And right now, you have one such decision to make.

He looked at the entity curiously. "And what would that be?"

I've set the destiny of another in motion. It was no accident that she found herself here.

He was taken aback. "Her? But she's-"

There's more to her than you think. Watch, and see.

Moving aside, the blue being moved aside to provide room for him to move up. Hesitating only for a moment, he walked over to the ledge's lip and looked down.

—X—

The leader of the group stopped in front of Dirk, those soulless black holes for eyes boring into the Keeper.

Dirk took a blunt approach to defusing the situation. "There's nothing for you here. You are not welcome here."

They tilted their head slightly. "On the contrary. It would seem that there is something of interest to us here."

Their voice was male, one of silky tone but with veiled threat within. She knew that they intended to have their way here.

But Dirk wasn't budging. Crossing his arms, he planted himself firmly in place. "I'm a firm believer in freedom, in the eradication of tyranny. And it would seem to me that this 'Hunter' you seek has suffered a severe lack of that. I don't know of your quarrel with him, I didn't even know he existed as of half an hour ago, but I know that he deserves the privilege of peace if he wishes it."

The leader wasn't so easily brushed off. "I don't believe I was asking for your permission. This is simply a notice that we will be performing business here."

Dirk's eyes widened with anger. "No, you won't. I'm the head keeper of this Temple, so I maintain the peace. And I'm of the opinion that there won't be any peace if you roam here. So, in a simpler way you can understand; get out."

Clara was impressed with Dirk's bravery in the face of clear opposition. It seemed that the majority of the crowd was similarly watching the exchange, pleased with Dirk's stance on the situation. Apparently, the Trinary Star wasn't too popular of a group in these parts.

The leader gave a snarl, something she hadn't expected from the cool and collected voice she'd heard a few moments ago. "You've entertained me for a few minutes, but your novelty has worn thin."

With a move so quick that she couldn't properly see what happened, they seemed to shove a fistful of fire into Dirk's chest. The Keeper was immediately blown backwards into the air, and landed in a heap several feet from Clara. He uttered not a sound.

"Dirk!" she cried, and moved to examine him. She froze as soon as she saw what had happened, and why he wasn't making any noise. It seemed as though a hole had been burned right through his body, an aperture torn directly through the core of his stomach. Dirk was certainly dead.

The leader looked around at the crowd and screamed angrily, "WHERE IS HE?! WHERE IS THE HUNTER?!"

They seized up in fear at the sudden outburst before them. Whoever this individual was, they seemed quite unstable.

In a beat, their voice returns to its menacingly low tone. "If you do not reveal him, we will be forced to find him ourselves. And I can assure you, none of you will like that." The implication behind the words was subtle, but not entirely hidden. And judging from his reaction to Dirk, she had the feeling that they wouldn't be against killing everyone here just to get to the Hunter. Someone had to step up, and defend him just as Dirk had.

Moving away from the body, she stood firmly a few feet in front of the leader. They seemed pleased by her behavior. "Ma'am, I applaud your choice to step forward. Where might we find the Hunter?"

She tensed herself up, gathering her courage, and spoke loudly so that everyone could hear her. "You won't. As my friend said, he has earned the right to peace from you."

Their voice fell, obviously not expecting the response that she'd given. "Did you not see what happened to your friend? I urge you, do not tempt me into joining you with him."

Her body shaking ever so slightly, she managed to maintain her composure. "I will not bend to your will. With me, you'll find that fear is not an effective weapon in your arsenal. So fight me or kill me, what have you. But I will not be intimidated by you, nor will I stand aside."

She could hear a collective murmuring from the the masses behind her, marveling at her actions. Evidently, the man before her could hear it too.

"So be it," he spat.

With a quickness she could not have predicted, his fist came free from the folds of his cloak and struck her in the face. It was gauntleted with metal knuckles, and she felt it dent her cheek as it impacted against her. She was knocked to the ground, before standing up and taking her own swing at him. '

Easily dodging her attack, he grabbed her arm and lifted her into the air before slamming her down onto her back. Lifting his foot high off the ground, he drove it down into her midsection and caused her to buckle with pain.

He leaned down as she lay limp on the stone floor, and hissed at her. "Look at what you defiance has rewarded you with; a premature death. What a pity." Standing back up, he held a fist ready to cave her head in-

A white object suddenly flew in between Clara and her attacker. "If you want to kill her, you'll have to kill both of us!"

It was Ghost. Ordinarily, she would have appreciated his misplaced act of bravery; but it had accomplished nothing here besides guaranteeing himself a death as well as her.

Unexpectedly, however, the man froze at the sight. "A Ghost … ? With you … ?" He seemed completely nonplussed by the situation before suddenly chuckling and lowering his fist. "Has he taken on an apprentice? It's of no wonder that you defended him-"

This man thought she was the Hunter's trainee? She had to correct that perspective.

"I'm no apprentice of his," she spoke as toughly as she could while gritting through the pain, "I just know that I'm no friend of yours."

Now, the man seemed even more confused than before. "If you have no relation to him, then why do you defend him so vehemently?"

"Because," she groaned, "it's the right thing to do."

At that, he scoffed in disgust. "What would he know of the right thing, if you're so convinced he's the victim here? In fact, let's put your faith to the test!"

Reaching down, he gripped her by the throat and held her in the air. He was surprisingly strong, and she could feel him slightly choking her windpipe as her feet were lifted off the ground. Ghost hovered frantically around, obviously in distress but without any real ways to help her. Ghosts weren't equipped for combat, it seemed.

He drew a knife from within his cloak, and held it tauntingly close to her face, scratching the metal of her features as he did so. "Do you think he'd do the same for you? Defend you from the likes of me?" He laughed. "Let's see."

Looking around the entirety of the area, he yelled, "HUNTER! IF YOU TRULY ARE AS VALIANT AS THIS MISGUIDED FOOL BELIEVES YOU TO BE, THEN SHOW YOURSELF! COME TO HER AID, IF YOU DARE!"

—X—

He clenched his fists.

"Why did you lead her here? She doesn't deserve this!"

Then prove it.

He was shocked by the entity's response. "You … this is the choice?"

You claim that this is not justice. If you are truly not at fault, and everyone is incapable of change, then there should be no question that her death is of no consequence to you. The voice pressed on. But if you see the truth, that there is hope and perhaps you just refuse to see it … then prove that you are still willing to do what's right, as she has done.

He was stunned into silence by the revelation that the being was presenting him. This ultimatum was beyond anything he'd expected, but there was no question that he had to make a decision quickly.

I will not appear again.

He spun around in surprise. "What? But-"

If you have still given up, then there is not a need for me any longer. You will find a way to meet your end in your own way, I will not help you. And if you decide that perhaps there is a chance after all for change … then it will be time to accept the past and move on.

He said nothing, too stunned for words. Everything was happening too fast, he hadn't wanted any of this.

Without waiting for a response, the humanoid head bowed towards him. Goodbye.

With a small flash of blue light, the anomaly disappeared.

Staring where they'd been a moment before for just a second longer, he returned his attention to the scene unfolding below him. He'd been called out, challenged by him.

He pondered what they'd said, wondering if maybe he truly was the same person that he'd thought himself to be. All those years ago, back when he wasn't a disheartened man, what would he have done?

Remembering a saying from long ago, he turned it over in his mind; it is when people are at their breaking point that you discover the nature of their character.

To find out who a person was, you had to examine them when everything wasn't convenient for them, when life was at its most difficult point; did they fall apart, did they change who they were? Or did they stick to their morals, to their beliefs in spite of opposition?

With a final sigh of resignation, he made his choice.

—X—

The man remained silent, waiting for a response of any kind. Unknown to him, Clara also waited for an answer to her plight, for the Hunter to defend her as she had done for him.

But no one came.

A cruel laugh escaped from beneath the skull-helmet. "You see? He does not care for you, or anyone else. He never has."

She felt her metallic lip trembling, but held steady as she resigned herself to her fate. "I didn't defend him expecting a reward; I did it because it because it needed to be done."

He shook his head, tightening his grip around her neck. "Your fault was that you do not know him."

At this, he leaned close and whispered to her. "But I do."

She hung there in shock, momentarily forgetting her situation. He'd known that the Hunter existed?

"I know above all that he's a selfish coward, hiding behind the backs of greater men to protect him! He sees you all as being beneath him, insects to his paradigm of superiority. And hell will freeze over, preferably with him in it, before he lifts a finger to help you-"

He was cut off as the sound of something slamming hard into the stone behind her caused everyone to gasp collectively. The man holding her suddenly lost his grip on her throat, rendered temporarily speechless. As she landed on the ground, and Ghost flitted around her to make sure she was okay, she lifted her head to see what had happened.

He was in a kneeling position, his left leg forward and his right knee flat on the ground. His right arm was stretched to the ground, bent with the task of absorbing such an impact as the one created by falling from the height of the peak. His head was hidden from view as he stared at the ground; but as she watched, he slowly lifted his gaze up to meet her own, and she saw that wicked helmet beneath the cloak once again.

The Hunter was here.