There is yet another wonder that fills this world. This one is only believed to exist in fiction and deception.
There is no record of this in the history books, but there once was a time when humans were just starting to make their place in this world. The world was new and primitive. Survival was hard to come by. This was also the time humans became aware of a force in nature that is later called magic. Magic then began to play a role in evolution.
Humans who adapted to the magic ruled by nature began to change physically to new forms to survive. These became the first monsters. Many variations were born and continued to evolve and change into the creatures we have come to know today. The humans who do not evolve like them were usually victimized for survival of the strong.
Those who learned to adapt to the magic within themselves obtained greater power. These strong, ageless beings maintained their humanity; they sought to protect and care for their weaker brethren from the monsters who would kill or exploit them. These are the first Hunters to exist. They later learned how to make normal humans like them. To keep the safety of humanity, hunters carefully choose certain humans to play the role as protectors. Despite they no longer age, the battles fought made it so that no hunter or monster can live forever.
Venice was a beautiful place to leave behind. The neighbors' goodbye party was such a bash. The two hunters, Ritsu and Shiro, will surely miss Italy. Born in Japan in the Edo period, these two served humanity and their clan for almost a century. However, the conflicts they were forced to endure just became too much. So, the next two hundred years were spent exploring the world to make a difference in their own way.
A point came in time that these two wanted something different than the life placed on them. They felt there was something else they wanted –– a normal life. It felt now was the time to come home and rest. No more hunts. No more battles. Just no more.
The sunlight was already working its way on the landscape at 7:47 a.m. The quiet rural road between Tokyo and the far off forests of Hinohara was long and empty. A strange form of vehicle walks onward on the dusty roadside. Its body was two enormous storage trunks locked together by metal frames. The bottom four sides has metal panels protruding out to act as foot rests for the two passengers sitting atop. Under the bottom, nine-foot tall mantis legs sprouted out fashioned with pulleys and gears. It walks steadily slow. Not the best form of transportation for hunters, but it is the best way to carry all their stuff.
Ritsu sits at the rear facing back with no attention of where they are going. The cold morning air already worked through his tan trench coat, blue jeans, and blue-white sneakers. Light brown hair blows around with the wind. Ritsu's coat fit to his slender frame. His green eyes stay on the book he has been working on for the last week. The Italian writing made him think of the home he had for four years. This is a really big change. I wonder what time it is in Italy by now. This thought only lasted a moment since thinking about the old home will only bring him down.
A sound comes from in front of him that broke his train of thought. He instinctively brings out one of his guns with a flick of the wrist. Ritsu's twin guns, Belladonna, are black .44 Magnum revolvers with long barrels; the gun hammer on each one is shaped like a leaf and the barrel has white etching designed with the blossoms of its namesake. A car was forty meters away and oncoming. Ritsu then releases a wave of magic. This void magic transports them, usually when fighting, to a void dimension where the world has a white glimmer over it and all living things are represented as faint apparitions. Here, they can fight without endangering lives or leave collateral damage. It passes over everything leaving the void's glimmer. The car came to the distance where the passenger could see them if they were in the void as well. Now passing them, the white apparitions in the front seats bare no resemblance to people. Ritsu carefully observes until the car was too far to notice them appearing back into the physical world. He gave a deep sigh as he drops the void.
Who would be driving out of town this early in the morning? The car was now a blur disappearing into the forest that was their own destination. Looking down at the lids of the trunks, something irritating was brought to his attention. Someone was sprawled out with the map laid out on top of his face. Ritsu, gun still in hand, banged it down beside the guy's head shouting, "SHIRO, WAKE UP!" The man's dangling green sneakers flung up to his body from the side of the trunk. The man's guns were already in his hands. Each gun, Autumn Crocus, were long barreled Beretta M9 pistols with oddly angled-out grips. It was decorated with autumn shades of brown and yellow in the same manner as leaves.
Shiro was now standing up taking his aim in every direction."What's the problem!? Are we under attack!?" After a moment, he finished scanning the area and looked to Ritsu. "That was just mean." He was close to a head taller than Ritsu. He wears a lime athletic jacket with dark blue jeans. Messy rust colored hair fills his head to shoulder-length. The front bangs lay over his eyes. No one ever sees them, so people have wondered how he can even see anything. Like Ritsu, he is slightly lean; however, his build was more muscular.
"You're supposed to be guiding us to the house."
"We just need to follow this road right now. There is no steering needed for this part… I'm just a little worn out." Guilt hits Ritsu upon hearing this. Shiro used the void for almost an hour while they were getting through Tokyo. He even went so far to hold up multiple cloaking spells. Because of him, not a single creature knows that two new Hunters are in town.
"I can take over. Rest if you need to." Ritsu tries to avoid eye contact.
"Don't worry. A little nap was all I needed." Shiro drops back down sitting in front. He straightens out the map and sees the road is still long. "Hey. There are a few twists and turns in the road; but if we head straight west by northwest, we will be there by eight." There was no response, so he looked to find Ritsu was just staring at the scars on his palms. After walking along the side panels, he lays his hand down on Ritsu's shoulder. This causes him to turn. Serenity could not be seen from his hidden eyes but in his tone saying, "It will work out. This is a good change for us. Our clan may not be in Japan anymore, but it can still feel like home. You're going to become the great editor you always wanted to be. We'll also get to see Chiaki in person."
Chiaki has been writing to them since he was little. First, they made friends with his grandfather in 1953 during their secret visit home. This friendship survived many years after he found out what those two were. No matter where Ritsu and Shiro were in the world, they made sure to write letters and share stories. This practice later passed onto Chiaki's father. Then finally, Chiaki was passed the torch. Chiaki was the very few who are aware of the crazy things that exist in the world. Hell, he wrote that he is even in a relationship with one of them.
Ritsu in higher spirit asks, "Chiaki did tell Hatori about us, right?"
Shiro takes a short pause. "Uhhh. Maybe we should strive to make a good first impression." It sounds like Chiaki to leave out important details.
Shiro then stands up on top of the front trunk's lid and clicks his heel on it a few times. "Let's pick up the pace." The trucks' legs are now treading even faster. They are at least going thirty-five miles per hour now. Not much of a change, but it will have to do. The road begins to meet with the forest, and they leave the road to go on Shiro's shortcut. Worry stays in their thoughts. There is no telling how long they can stay hidden. But compared to warfare and survival, this is hardly anything to sweat. Shiro just stands up front enjoying the morning light now encasing them and the beautiful trees. Ritsu, at peace again, returns to the chapter he is trying to finished. Both carry the fear and excitement of their new life as their home comes closer.
Note from Author: Hello. I want to thank you readers for reading my first story. I know this chapter is rough around the edges, but I promise I'm going to put a lot of time and effort in these chapters.
Also, please leave reviews. Your opinions will help make this story great, so constructive criticism is welcomed. And those who are sticking with this story, be ready for the next update. The four finally meet, but there are some misunderstanding. I'm talking all-out battle! Til then.