Chronicles Of the Ren-Ky Warriors (Book 1)

Chapter 12

Hunter walked towards Lovell’s companion and bumped into him. The young man turned to look at Hunter.

“Oh, sorry old man, I didn’t see you walking there.” Lovell’s friend apologized to Hunter. “I didn’t hurt you, did I.”

Hunter looked up at him, smiling. Hunter knew that he would be able to follow Lovell once he left the premises.

“No, no, I am at fault here, young man.” Hunter clenching at his words. “May I ask, why are you in such a rush?”

 Hunter knowing that they were searching for the same information that he had acquired earlier. Lovell sighed as he shrugged his shoulders.

Lovell’s friend sighed, “Well, I’m looking for a family by the last name of Humbly. Do you know them by chance?”

Hunter smiled, “Yes, they live just a little out of town, the only house nestled on a hillside.”

Pointing towards the Humbly house, he just came from. Lovell’s friend thanked him as he rushed off to their meeting point; Hunter sneered as he watched. Hunter decided to keep his disguise a little longer.

“Well, that was very convenient, now Erin did mention the same barracks around here,”  Hunter asked himself before walking off.

Hunter walked around, trying to find signs of the Faremin base. Hunter sighed as he began to give up hope when he noticed some men walking down a larger alleyway. Hunter made his way down to see two Faremin soldiers guarding the gates into the compound. Hunter smiled as he undid the spell and walked up to the gates before being stopped.

“No citizens allowed!” One of the guards barked. Hunter looked at the two of them as an elven man—with black hair—walked over. “That is an order—”

“Stand down, soldier, that’s one is one of ours.” The man barked. The two guards saluted the man as he walked up to Hunter. “Nice to meet you, Hunter.”

The elven man extending his hand to Hunter; Hunter reached out and grabbing it. “Likewise, Fifth Council seat Vail.”

Vail nodded as he showed Hunter to his office. Hunter nodded as he followed Vail. The men stopped to salute as they walked down the halls before reaching Vail’s office. Hunter sat down while Vail started a kettle and prepared tea. The room eerily quieted as Vail finished the tea.

Vail walked over to see Hunter waiting patiently. Setting down two cups, Vail poured them tea before placing the pot down and sitting down himself.

 “What brings you to hear Hunter, the best killer in all of the Faremin Kingdom?” Vail asked, wanting to understand Hunters' motivations.

Hunter leaned forward and grabbed his cup of tea. Before sitting back and smelling the brew. It was an earthy yet fruity scent that Hunter could smell as he stared at Vail.

“A mission from his majesty,” Hunter answered as he took a sip. Hunter noticing Vail’s taste in décor. While he glanced around the room. “Some taste you have, all rare beast of the world?”

Vail looked at one of his prized mounts, “Yes, but they are for show, here until we fully establish ourselves here. Marewood will either join us and live or join Gold Heart and be destroyed, simple, really.” Taking a sip, “Oh, by the way, Hunter, did you find your target here in town?”

Hunter put the tea down. “Yes, but…”

“But what?” Vail asked, seeing Hunters destressed demeanour.

Hunter leaned back, growing concerned. “But he has company. Getting him away from them willingly will be hard. As for one of my options, I want to try and convince him to join us before I decide to kill him.” Hunter turned away from Vail’s gaze.

Vail leaned forward. “And why have him join us. It does seem to me that not killing him will be beneficial to use.” Sitting back up, Vail took another sip. “Besides, killing is your specialty, isn’t it?” Vail placed his tea down.

Hunter closed his eyes before turning to Vail. Hunter stared deep into Vail's eyes as a severe tone filled the room with tension.

“My target might be Azoth’s son, that is why?”

Before Vail could say anything, a knock at the door caught his attention. A soldier told him that the preparations for Marewood not joining was done; Vail dismissed the soldier before turning his attention back at Hunter

“Sorry about that, Hunter, but our wonderful chat is done for the day. Take rest in the officer corridors for the night. Hopefully, he has left town by then?”

Hunter got up, “I’ll be leaving in the morning to check. My ally is good at telling the future. If they scramble, I’ll send Void after his sent.” Hunter smiled, “And thank you for your time, Vail.” As Hunter walked to the door, “Oh, one more thing, that tea? It was an excellent choice in taste.”

Vail looked at Hunter’s cup; he noticed that he never drank a drop, even after seeing him take a sip. The guard escorted him to the room before leaving. Hunter looked out the window, feeling uneasy about something. “What am I feeling right now?”

 Grabbing his chest, Hunter couldn’t shake a strange feeling that he was doing something wrong. Hunter stared at Juna’s surface as a feeling of guilt seemed to wash over him. He tried to shake it off, but it remained. Hunter started to think about his achievements over the years to distract the unwanted feeling. He remembered his first kill as an emotionless person, the same day he was brought into this world.

Hunter found he was changing into a real person, from a mindless clone of a grieving grandparent to something he couldn’t understand the meanings. Tears started running down his face; Hunter wiped his face, confused why he was now crying.

“Get a grip, Hunter; this is not you. You’re a cold-hearted killer.” Hunter inquired to himself.

Hunter’s thoughts started to turn to how Lovell was to his friends and how those who knew him were kind to him when he talked with him. Others have done the same, but why would they affect him? What did they do to make him feel what he was feeling? Hunter got up and washed his face trying to collect himself before heading to bed himself.

Hours before dawn, Hunter got ready. As he exited the room, Vail walked past, not even noticing him. Hunter, still distraught from his inner conflict, shook it off before getting Vail’s attention.

“Hey, Vail, got a moment?”

Vail’s tired eyes turned to Hunter. Looking at Hunter, he noticed something different in Hunter that wasn’t there yesterday. “What happened to you last night after our chat?” Vail trying to rip the scab off Hunter.

Hunter walked up to Vail. “Is it that noticeable that something is happening to me?” Vail nodded as Hunter sighed, “I have no idea, but that’s not the point—any word on, you know what?”

A man with dark hair and light skin walked over as he towered over them. Hunter recognized the man as Sixth Seat, Hans. Vail yawning as Hunter tried to walk past him. Before Hans grabbed Hunter's shoulder.

 “Wake up, Vail, you are late as it is,” Hans then turned his attention to Hunter. Hans looked over Hunter and glanced around. “Where’s that four-eyed companion of yours? He was supposed to make sure things were caught up back at the castle, clone.”

Hunter turned to Hans’s face, clenching his fists tightly as rage building up at him. “Making sure things run smoothly on my mission!”

Hans burst out laughing, “You mean babysit you, clone? What a joke? How was it who gave you the mission, your mommy? Oh, wait, you have no mother! You’re just a lowly clone!”

Hans continued laughing at Hunter. As Hunter grew irritated with him. Hans keeled over as He laughed at Hunter.

 “Kage!” Hunter growled.

Black flames erupted behind Hans, forming into a hell hound. Hunter glared into Hans's eyes. While Hans looked back to see the hell hound, Kage. Hans smiled as he turned to look at Hunter once again.

“Still using Azoth’s pets, I see?” Hans grinned as Hunter raised his hand at Hans. Pointing at him in rage.

“Now, either let me do his majesty’s task that was given to me or die here and now!”

Hans stepped back as he lifted his hands in defence, “Well, if it is from the King himself, by all means. But it seems to me you really do need to have four eyes helping you hear.”

Hunter stared at Hans as he turned around and started to walk away.

“Well, I will be on my way then,” Hans announced as Kage Grownled in Hunter's defence.

Vail—now fully awake—looked at Hunter, “Well, that took care of him. Hunter, you and Kyle became friends, if I am right?” Hunter nodded while Vail looked down the hall at Hans, “It seems that that might be what is changing you. With the possibility of something else. Just try and not to get to attached to Kyle.” Vail touch Hunter’s shoulder before walking away. “because if he dies, you might lose yourself altogether.”

Hunter stood there for a moment as Kage walked up to him. Pondering on Vails words as he walked out of sight. Hunter Looked down at Kage as he whined. Hunter began to rubKage’s head.

 “Am changing for the better or the worse?” Hunter pondered to himself as Kage left.

Turn on his heels, Hunter wondered off to the Humbly home. As he approached, the sun had risen high in the sky. Hearing some commotion from within. Hunter raised his brow at the fuss before walking closer to listen to what was going on.

“What’s going on?”

Hunter moved to the kitchen window to hear without being seen.

“Are we going after him?” The words echoed out of the house.

Hunter knew that Lovell had left and no other reason to stay. Fleeing to the streets to find Lovell.  Hunter walked down towards the southern entrance before noticing two figures entering the town. Hunter rushed to the nearest alleyway. While he watches as the two people walked past.

Hunter’s heart sank upon, seeing that it was Fang and Luna. Luna ran in front of Fang Before turning to stop Fang. Luna clapped her hands together as she stared at Fang.

 “It Feels Like forever since I’ve been home, right, Mr. Krisnik?” She smiled at him.

Fang sighed, “Luna, just remember why we are here for?”

Luna pursed her lips at Fang as Hunter watched from the shadows.

“I know, and this time he feels close. I know we will find him soon as well as the others.”

Hunter’s felt as if something was tearing it apart inside him as he watched them. Hunter began to hatch a plan as he watched them quarrel.

“But…but my home is about to be part of either the Gold Heart Empire or the Faremin Kingdom.”  Luna pleaded

A sadness dragged across Luna’s face. As Fang coldly turned away as he started to walk away. Hunter could not compel himself to smile as he walked out facing Fang and Luna.

“Either they join the Faremin or the will be killed, which would you want, ma’am?”

Luna turned to Hunter, surprised by his appearance from the shadows. Fang stopped to turn and see Hunter standing out in the open.

“You scared me, but to answer your question… I would be fine if ‘they’ joined the Faremin…” Luna stared deep into Hunter as she tried to figure him out. “You seem lost inside, mister? Is something wrong?”

Luna leaned towards him; Hunter stepped back, his face turned red. Before turning away from Luna. Unsure what he was feeling.

“It’s not your concern, ma’am,” Hunter answered as Fang drew closer.

Fang narrowed his eyes as he stared intensely at Hunter, drawing his sword at him. Hunter closed his eyes, knowing he had screwed up. Luna gasped at Fang’s actions.

 “Your Hunter Wilds, of the Faremin Forces! What are you doing here, fiend!?” Fang was ready to strike.

 Hunter stood still as a cold sweat ran down his back.

“ANSWER!”

 Luna stepped in front of Fang’s blade. As she held out her arms to stop Fang.

“Luna, this not the time! For all, we know he’s here for you!”

Luna shook her head at Fang as she touched his blade.

 “No, he’s not, but he isn’t a bad person either. So, what if he is the enemy? It’s better to show kindness in times like these, anyway.”

Hunter’s heart began to hurt even more as he fell to his knees. Fang lowered his blade in dismay as Luna tried to use healing magic on him. Fang stared at Hunter to see how the mightiest soldier had fallen.

“How the mighty falls?” Fang grabbed Luna’s arm, pulling her away from Hunter, “Let’s go. This is something that can be healed with any form of magic for what he has.”

Luna looked at Hunter, her face showing how helpless she felt being unable to help him. The pain was worsening as he braced himself off the ground. Fang glared at him as he pulled Luna in front of him.

“Let’s also hope we never cross blades Faremin scum.” Fangs glare, piercing Hunter’s soul.

Once Fang and Luna left, Hunter felt relief as the pain subsided. Hunter lifted himself off the ground before bracing himself off the wall.

“What did I just do, and what happened?”

 Hunter stood confused as to why did what he did. Hunter could feel his senses returning

 “KAGE!”

Kage appeared before Hunter as he stared at Hunter. Confused about what was wrong with his master's tool. Hunter lifted his head as he stared at Kage.

“I need you to track Lovell's scent; it’s time we finished this mission!”

Kage howled as he sniffed the ground for Lovell’s sent. Kage found the scent. Kage grew in size as Hunter mounted Kage. Kage growled before took off towards Lovell’s scent.

Kage followed Lovell’s scent to an old cabin deep in the southern woods. Hunter dismounted Kage before the hell hound rested ran off to get Hunters hoverbike. Hunter started to search the grounds for clues of Lovell’s whereabouts’.Hunter walked closer to the cabin when he came across a lifeless body lying on the ground within the house's doorway to the home.

Walking closer, Hunter noticed the body was Lovell, unconscious before him. The closer Hunter got, then he noticed that Lovell was within some sort of dream. Hunter looked around and found some rope and tied him up.

Kage returned with Hunters hoverbike. Hunter thank Kage as he dismissed him. Gently, Hunter placed Lovell on the back of the bike before revving the engine. Hunter shuddered before gripping his heart once more.

Hunter could feel that same feeling of guilt wash over him; grasping tighter, Hunter tried to shake it off. Hunter pulled out his phone and called Kyle. Letting Kyle know that he would be arriving in three days and that Kage had brought him the bike. Kyle yelled at him, barking off why Hunter didn’t use it to get Lovell back with him. Hunter explaining where he was, and the situation; Kyle realize something was wrong and waited till his full return before asking what was going on.

Once Hunter returned, Erin had her men take Lovell to the dungeons. Before trying to flirt with Hunter once more. Hunter glared at her as Kyle walked over to see his friend acting strangely. Hunter brushed past as Kyle grabbed his arm.

 “What’s going on, Hunter?”

Hunter glanced at Kyle as he pulled him away from Erin’s ears. Kyle felt confused and concerned as Hunter glanced around.

“Not sure myself, but Vail and Hans were at Marewood. And Vail told me to keep my—our friendship from growing. He said that I am changing because of our friendship. Besides that, I feel it is more than just that.”  Hunter explained.

Kyle stared at Hunter in dismay as he started to walk away. Kyle reached out to Hunter and grabbed his arm. Stopping Hunter in his tracks.

“Hunter, you know that’s not what I mean.” Kyle pleaded while Hunter stood in silence, “Hunter…Whatever Vail said is not true. Besides, you are your own person.” Hunter remembering Vail’s words shook Kyle off.

Hunter tore Kyle from his arm before glaring at him. “You know nothing, Kyle. I am a puppet. That is my purpose. I am starting to see that our friendship is doing more harm than good.”

Hunter growled coldly as Kyle watched him walked away.

“Hunter, you might be a clone, but I have never looked at you like that. Nor did Azoth. Please understand that our friendship will make us stronger!” Kyle yelled out to Hunter.

Hunter paused for a moment before continuing to walk away from Kyle. Hunter’s chest felt heavy once more before he grabbed it once more.

Hunter made his way down to the dungeon and slammed the bars as he felt frustrated about not knowing if Kyle or Vail were right. Hunter began to pace for a while before stopping to punch the wall. Unaware of who’s cell he was standing before.

“You seem to be fighting with yourself, their Faremin scum?” a voice called out from the shadows of the cell.

 Hunter turned to see Lovell chain in his cell, staring at him with eyes filled with hate. Hunter did care as he turned away once more.

“Do you feel guilty for kill Morris or are you finally growing a real heart because of some kindness—that you have yearned for was too much for you to handle?” Lovell crowed.

Hunter whipped around to argue with Lovell but noticed the pure hatred towards Hunter's very existence. Lovell’s eyes pierce the cold air as Hunter walked over and leaned against the bars. Lovell shifted his weight, waiting for Hunter’s remark. Hunter stared at Lovell and could see the resemblance between him and Azoth.

“Well, you act a lot like him.”

Lovell stood up, walked over to the bars. The chains dragging across the stone surface. Making sure not to turn away from Hunter as he approached.

“You mean Morris?” Lovell remarked that he could feel the anger grow within.

Hunter rested his arm on the bars staring at Lovell intensely. Hunter smiled smugly at Lovell, knowing the truth.

 “No, I mean Azoth Wolf, also known as Terrance Krisnik! Your father.”