Three modest clippers were enough to carry the Hunters and their cargo across the Common Sea. The average hunter didn't carry much to their name, owing to the prevalent risks of a nomadic lifestyle. It was always difficult lifestyle to inure. Sometimes they stopped at a place long enough to put down roots, to ease into routine, to find a lover. Then the inevitable happens and they have to leave again. It had been that way for a very long time.

200 years ago, the Hunters Association had risen from dust and ashes alongside three other companies during the Anarchy Wars. Wizards had joined hands against soldiers and politico. They fought for honor, for freedom, for independence, for truth, for all the trigger words that painted them as the heroes of an era lost to war and bloodshed.

Then peace came and the companies became obsolete. The other companies dispersed and quietly died without fuss. The Hunters wouldn't go down so easily though. To survive, the Association shed its labels. They were no longer self-proclaimed saints, nor self-proclaimed villains. They were only a regiment of minions, fighting for money and the remains of an indefinable pride. The morals, the ethics, the politics, had long became irrelevant to them.

They docked in the city of Old Roses where their new employer was sojourning. Not sure if their services would be used in this city exactly, the Hunters didn't alight their ships. Some went into town to resupply, while Dollface and Ox engaged with the new patron.

They returned in the evening to give the rundown on their new assignment. Doll called a quick assembly and all 412 wizards crowded onto the deck of the main ship. Though, there wasn't much to say.

"Our new employer is an enigma," Ox said gruffly, voice carrying out across the audience. "She's a strong wizard herself but she still requires our aid. Boys, keep vigilant. We don't know exactly it is that we're accomplishing for her."

"Then why are we?" someone called out.

"Gold."

Heads turned. The crowd stared at him in joint disbelief.

"Lots of it," he added. "Enough to keep us afloat for months. Hell we might even have extra enough for a vacation."

It was no secret the hunters were heavy in debt. Being mercenaries was an erratic occupation and there was never any guarantee of money often for months at a time. This was helping neither reputation nor morale. To boot, gold was a rarity these days. Most of it had been looted and destroyed in the Anarchy Wars and never recovered.

"So this lady's powerful and rich? How come we've never heard of her before then?"

Ox shrugged. "Like I said, an enigma. Doll?"

Doll explained the exact mechanics of the job.

"She goes by the name Clairvoyant, and once we wear her badge she'll take us under full confidence. Four of you will be the core group travel with her personally to the out country. She'll explain the finer details of your task to you. The rest of us will follow and when they reach their destination. We'll set up a perimeter to contain any magical shockwaves or residues after our core group's done. "

"That big?"

She nodded. "Yes, that big. Any volunteers?"

Doc grunted.

"Good. Chains?"

"Of course." He and Doc were a package.

"Okay, if no one else is volunteering, then I'm assigning. Fisher, congratulations. This is your first mission as a Zodiac. Claws, you too."

"Wha-?" he started to protest. There were several other outcries as well, but mostly out of skepticism than actual disapproval.

"She requires three wizards. You're acting as back-up in case of a mishap. Consider this your inauguration."

There were a couple of snickers. Kurapika internally scoffed. She was just taking advantage of his strong mental walls. It was actually ironic.

Doll concluded. "Good that's wrapped up. Fisher, Doc, Chains, Claws. Get a good night's rest. You're meeting her at first light tomorrow."

The crowd shuffled away. Kurapika saw Fisher weave through the mass of retreating people to get to Claws.

"Hey! I didn't get to introduce myself to you earlier. I'm Fisher!"

Poor Claws had been taken by surprise and he jumped about a mile high. Kurapika watched amused as he had to stammer out a greeting before he could compose himself. The professional killer was obviously not a people-person.

The two looked about the same age and were the same height. But Fisher was made of tougher stuff, clearly better fed, and practically emitted joy with every step he took. Tanned and dark-haired, he always wore a sleeveless shirt, which bared the well-built muscles of his right arm. All that he had to show of his left arm was a stump that ended just above where his elbow would've been. Kurapika hadn't yet gotten well acquainted with him in the months he'd been here, and had never heard the story of how he lost his arm. Despite it, Fisher was never seen around without a smile on his face.

Claws was his complete antithesis, pale skin and silver hair. His dark, sombre clothes draped over him like curtains and he kept his head low and hands firmly in his pockets.

The two standing side by side was quite a poetic sight. Claws was clearly uncomfortable, shifting his weight and looking anywhere but at Fisher while he exclaimed how great it was to have someone his age to have around.

"Fisher, for fuck's sake, give him some room to breathe," Doc came up from behind Kurapika. He was carrying a six pack.

"Oh nice!" said Fisher turning his attention towards him. Kurapika amusingly noted Claws' relief. Fisher and Doc found a spot on the deck for the four of them to break ice. They sat around a hastily made fire, each with a bottle in hand. A cool night breeze from the sea blew over their heads, and the flames flicked and jumped between them. The stars twinkled amenably above them.

"So, kid. How's the Zodiacs?" Doc asked Fisher, who was biting his bottle open.

"I haven't even done anything," he said as he spat out the cap.

"Next time, just ask for the bottle opener."

"The Zodiacs?" Claws prompted. He gestured for the opener and Doc handed it to him.

"They're the 12 strongest wizards of the company," Doc explained. "Unlike the captain, they're not voted. Whenever a Zodiac steps down, they choose a successor for their position. Or they can be contested for if someone thinks they're better. It's a good system. Me and Chains have been part of them for a while. Good boy Fisher here just joined us after Canine left."

"How'd you two get it?" Claws passed the opener to Kurapika. He almost turned it away but decided magic was not worth the menial task. He pushed the opener under the metal cap and it came away with a satisfying 'pop', and tuned back to the conversation at hand.

"I took Boar's place when he became Cap'," Doc was saying. "Goldeye gave his to Chains when he became vice. Fisher, what did ya do to bribe Canine?"

"Nothing. I swear."

"C'mon, let us in on your secret." Doc winked conspiratorially.

"There is no secret," Fisher insisted.

"Really, Doc," said Kurapika. "What on this planet could bribe Canine? She was invincible even to the wiles of Goldeye and Boar combined."

"Good point. But really, Fisher. How'd you get good so fast? You're like the youngest here."

"I've had practice. I began when I was six, ya know."

Claws whistled, sounding genuinely impressed. And rightfully so. Magic typically manifested only when a person hit puberty. Before that there was no way of knowing whether you're a wizard or not. Genetics usually helped but even then it was always incalculable. Child wizards were practically unheard of.

"It's so sad that Canine had to leave though. She was our greatest strategist."

"She'll be back," Kurapika said with certainty.

"Boar, Goldeye, Canine. We've lost some strong members recently." Doc lamented and took a long swig. He finished his bottle and opened another one.

Out of the corner of his eye, Kurapika noticed Claws suddenly look very uncomfortable. The response was natural of course. The last two had sort of been his doing.

"So, Claws. What were you doing before you joined?" Fisher asked, eagerly trying to start conversation.

"Odd jobs. Here and there."

"No real job?"

"No."

"Any family?"

"A sister. These two met her."

"Oh! She was the Healer singing that night! Yeah, she looks like you. Were you there too?"

"Yeah."

"Is that when you joined? Why did you?"

"Seemed good."

"You don't talk much, do you?"

"Not really."

Fisher didn't look disheartened. "You've been sleeping out on the hammocks, haven't you? Wanna bunk with me? There's a spare bed in my dorm."

"No thanks."

Kurapika and Doc had been exchanging looks throughout the whole conversation. Fisher liked to push hard and Claws was standing his ground exceptionally well where most people would cave in to the persistence. Kurapika nudged Claws with his elbow.

"So um –"Claws tried, understanding the hint. He awkwardly motioned to Fisher's arm. "What's the story behind that?"

"I'm sorry, you must be a level four friend to unlock my tragic backstory. You are barely a level one," Fisher huffed dramatically, taking no real offense.

"That's too bad. Hey Doc, got a cure for crippling disappointment?"

Doc laughed. "Sorry nope, that's something you have to deal with on your own. Any news, Chains?"

"On what?"

"Magician? Ninja?"

"Ninja hasn't reported anything new. Magician's coming to meet us when we land."

"Giving up so soon?"

"Nothing new is surfacing, and there's no point in him following a cold trail. " Kurapika saw Claws and Fisher looking lost. "Magician is one of our members who we sent out to investigate Boar's death," he explained mostly for Claws' benefit.

"I thought all Hunters were in Opal for the election," said Claws.

"Magician's an anomaly when it comes to the rules. Just keep that in mind," Doc told him.

"So we still don't know what killed him," said Fisher, uncharacteristically mellow. He took small sips from his bottle and didn't look at either of them.

"Not a fucking clue. Sorry, Fisher. We know how much you idolized him," said Doc.

"It's alright. I know Magician wouldn't let it go if he thought he could find something."

"Oh no, he's not giving up. Now that elections are over we can put other Hunters on the investigation. He's going to let us know what he found," Kurapika said.

"Didn't the new employer hire the entire company?" quizzed Fisher.

"What's one nobody going to need four hundred wizards for? Sheesh, talk about over the top." Doc stood up and yawned theatrically. "Well, I'm going to hit the sack. Claws, I suggest you take up his offer. If we're travelling to out country then it'll be a while before you even see another bed."

He walked off. Fisher looked at Claws expectantly, who yielded with a sigh and a nod.

"Woohoo! Sleepover!"

"Fisher," Kurapika chided. "You want to be rested for tomorrow. Don't get too excited."

"Yeah, yeah, Mom, I know. C'mon." He doused the fire with the last of his drink. He got up and tugged Claws up with him and pretty much dragged him to the sleeping hall below, leaving Kurapika alone to clear away the bottles.