Chapter 2 - The Hunt
986 Words
The screams were closer now.
They bounced off the stone walls, mixed with the clang of steel and the sickening crunch of bones.
Elira struggled to keep up with Alejandro as he pulled her through the twisting halls. His grip was strong, his steps precise—like he already memorized every dark corner of this cursed university.
“What’s happening?” she gasped, her lungs burning.
Alejandro didn’t answer. His sword gleamed faintly, dripping with the blood of the monster he had just killed.
The bell tolled again. Slow. Heavy.
Each ring meant another death.
When they reached the courtyard’s edge, Elira froze.
The Hunt had begun.
Students—dozens of them—were fighting for their lives. Some wielded swords that burned with fire, others summoned shadows, lightning, even spectral beasts. Blood splattered across the walls, pooling at their feet.
But not all of them were human anymore.
Elira’s breath hitched when she saw one girl’s face twist unnaturally, her body convulsing until her skin tore apart, replaced by scales and claws. She shrieked, lunging at the nearest student, ripping his throat out with her teeth.
“Oh my God…” Elira whispered, stepping back.
Alejandro’s voice was calm, too calm. “Those who fail the Hunt become what you see.”
Her eyes snapped to him. “You mean—monsters?”
His gaze flicked to her. “Do you still want to stay?”
Before she could answer, a figure dropped from above.
Catalina : Pov
Her heels clicked against the stones as she landed gracefully, blood spattering across her cheek like a scarlet mark. She looked at Elira, then at Alejandro, her smile sharp as ever.
“Que interesante…” she purred. “The new girl survived the first strike. Maybe she’s not as weak as I thought.”
“Get out of the way, Catalina,” Alejandro warned, his voice sharp.
But Catalina only laughed, tilting her head, her curls falling like a dark halo. “Why so serious, Alejandro? The Hunt is supposed to be fun. Don’t tell me you’re babysitting now?”
Her gaze slid to Elira, and her lips curved. “Or maybe… you like her.”
Elira’s chest tightened, but she refused to show weakness. “If you want to fight, then fight me directly.”
Catalina’s laughter rang out, cold and mocking. “Ay, how brave. Cute. But trust me, darling…” Her eyes flashed. “You’re not ready.”
Before Catalina could strike, the ground shook.
From the shadows, more creatures emerged hulking figures with glowing veins and twisted limbs. Their mouths opened unnaturally wide, saliva dripping, claws scraping the stones.
The air filled with the stench of blood and rot.
Alejandro immediately stepped in front of Elira, raising his sword. “Stay behind me.”
But Elira clenched her fists. Something inside her stirred—a heat, a burning in her chest that spread to her fingertips. Shadows flickered at the edges of her vision, twisting like fire and smoke combined.
Her breath caught. “What… what’s happening to me?”
Alejandro’s eyes narrowed, recognizing the glow in her hands. “Control it… or it will control you.”
The first creature lunged.
Alejandro met it head-on, his sword flashing red as he cut through its torso. Another clawed at him from behind, but Elira’s instincts flared—her hand raised, and suddenly, fire laced with black shadows burst from her palm, slamming the monster back into the wall.
It screeched, writhing as the flames devoured it.
Elira staggered back, staring at her own hands in shock. “What the hell… was that?”
Alejandro slashed another creature, blood spraying his cheek. He glanced at her, his eyes unreadable. “Your power. Finally awake.”
Catalina laughed again, clapping once. “Magnífica! I knew you weren’t ordinary.” Her smile widened, wicked and hungry. “No wonder the Crown University wanted you.”
Elira’s heart pounded. “The c Crown University… wanted me?”
But before she could demand more questions, three creatures charged at once.
Alejandro moved like a shadow, his blade cutting two of them down in a blur of crimson. The third lunged at Elira. She raised her hands instinctively—and the fire-shadow burst out again, engulfing the creature’s head until it crumbled into ash.
Her chest heaved. Her skin felt like it was burning from the inside, but the power didn’t stop flowing. It wanted more.
Alejandro grabbed her shoulder roughly. “Stop. You’ll lose yourself.”
“I—I can’t,” Elira gasped, her eyes glowing faintly now. “It won’t stop!”
Catalina tilted her head, fascinated. “How delicious… If she loses control now, she’ll burn the whole courtyard. Even Alejandro can’t stop that.”
Alejandro’s grip tightened. His face was close, voice sharp but steady.
“Listen to me, Elira. You control it. Don’t let it control you.”
For a moment, their eyes locked. His calm steadiness grounded her, cut through the chaos.
Elira exhaled, forcing herself to focus. Slowly, the shadows receded, the fire in her veins dimming.
But the Hunt wasn’t over.
A horn sounded from the tallest tower. The mist thickened again, swallowing the battlefield. The bell tolled once more.
And through the fog came new figures—students dressed in black, masks covering their faces. Their weapons gleamed, dripping with fresh blood. They weren’t monsters.
They were hunters.
One of them raised his blade toward Elira. “The new one dies tonight.”
Alejandro stepped forward, sword ready, his presence radiating danger. “Not gonna happened while I’m still breathing.”
Catalina smirked, stepping back into the shadows. “Now this… is going to be entertaining.”
High above, in her tower, Marquesa Estrella De Alcaraz lifted her goblet, crimson liquid shimmering against the candlelight.
“Dance, my little pawns,” she whispered.
“Bleed for your crown.”
- Writer
