"That actually makes sense!" Gabriel exclaimed pulling the string of his bow back before an arrow appeared.

Just after Gabriel released the arrow it made direct contact with one of the Trancemirage's tentacles, making it give a earsplitting shriek.

"Nice shot!" Hazel exclaimed before successfully cutting of one of the Trancemirage's tentacles.

"Hazel get down!" Matthew exclaimed before pointing his staff at one of the Trancemirage's tentacles, "Tine!"

Just after Matthew's staff produced a ball of fire it immediately burned one of the Trancemirage's tentacles.

"Hazel what are you thinking!?" Gabriel exclaimed as Hazel jumped on the Trancemirage's back.

"Just shoot an arrow already!" Hazel replied before stabbing the Trancemirage's upper shoulder.

Gabriel only gave a groan before pulling the string again and summoning another arrow, "You might wanna hold on tight!"

Hazel rolled her eyes before gripping the Trancemirage's neck a little tighter.

Gabriel released the arrow just in time to prevent the Tracemirage from bucking Hazel off.

"Are you alright!?" Matthew exclaimed in worry as the two ran up to Hazel.

"I'll be fine." Hazel replied as she got her dagger out of the Tracemirage's shoulder.

"That was a really risky move Abernathy." Gabriel sighed as Hazel got up and sheathed her dagger.

Hazel rolled her eyes with a small smirk on her face before the three of them continued walking.

"So, what's you plan in getting Josh to help us with the weapons?" Hazel asked.

"Well Monster Hunters that own birds have this special instrument which they call a Claist that they use to call them, whenever they are separated for long distances." Gabriel explained, "So all I have to do is use my Claist to call Josh."

"Impressive and also, we're here." Hazel said as they reached the town's border.

"'Welcome to Stone Hall Village.'" Gabriel read.

"Follow me." Hazel said sulkily leading the way, head lowered.

All around Matthew and Gabriel could hear murmurs from the crowd as they weaved through the bustling crowd.

"What are they whispering about?" Gabriel whispered.

"Their talking about the three of us." Hazel replied.

"Why?" Matthew asked.

"People here think Monster Hunters are bad omens." Hazel explained as they entered the forest.

"Is that why you and your aunt live near the forest?" Gabriel explained.

"Yes, now can we please hurry up?" Hazel asked impatiently.

The two nodded before they were a good distance away from Hazel's house.

"Here." Hazel said giving her sheathed dagger to Matthew.

"Take care of this okay?" Gabriel said giving his bow to Matthew.

"Be careful you two." Matthew said gently smiling at the two brunettes.

The two nodded before they started to walk again. After a few minutes of walking, they arrived in front of Hazel's house.

"Here goes." Hazel sighed before knocking on the door.

"Coming~!" Molly exclaimed from the other side of the door.

After a few seconds they were greeted with Molly's smiling face.

"Gabriel, Claws nice to see the two of you decided to come back." Molly said opening the door wider.

"Hey Auntie." Hazel said rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly, "I'm sorry for running away."

"Its fine Claws, you only wanted to know about your parents after all." Molly said as the two entered the house.

"Thank you, Ms. Abernathy." Gabriel said smiling.

"Your quite welcome dear." Molly replied, "You'll be sleeping in Hazel's room."

"What!?" Hazel exclaimed, "Why!?"

"It’s the biggest room in the house dear." Molly said still smiling.

"Don't worry." Gabriel assured, "I got my sleeping bag."

"No need for that." Molly replied, "The spare mattress is already in your room."

"Thank you again Ms. Abernathy." Gabriel thanked as he and Hazel headed for her bedroom.

As Hazel opened the door the first thing, she saw was a mattress with a blue bedspread and white pillows.

"Your aunt works fast." Gabriel said sitting down on the mattress.

"You might want to call Josh before Auntie comes." Hazel said.

"Alright." Gabriel said pulling out his Claist from his backpack.

"Pretty." Hazel said looking at it.

"You might want to cover your ears." Gabriel said putting the instrument to his lips.

"Why would-Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Hazel said quickly covering her ears.

Hazel had never heard such a blood curdling scream like it, she could nearly feel her eardrums about to break. Once Gabriel stopped Hazel collapsed on her bed.

"You okay?" Gabriel asked.

"Never use that thing ever again." Hazel said sitting up and glaring at the Claist.

"Sorry." Gabriel apologized.

"Well let's just hope that Josh heard that, cause if her didn't-" Hazel said before looking at Gabriel, "I will lose it."

Just a few meters from the house, in the forest Matthew immediately heard Gabriel use his Claist.

"Let's hope Josh heard that." Matthew said uncovering his ears.

*

"Please don't be seen. please don't be seen." Hazel kept mumbling to herself while pacing back and forth.

"What's wrong with you?" Gabriel asked watching her pace.

"You think my aunt heard it?" Hazel asked worried.

"She couldn't have." Gabriel replied fixing his pillows.

"How couldn't she? It wasn't exactly hard to miss."

"Hazel calm down, only Monster Hunters and their birds can hear the Claist's tune." Gabriel explained laying down.

It was almost sunset when Josh came in and was flying around them.

"About time." Gabriel said while standing up and out stretching his right arm, in which Josh perched on, "Alright Josh, I want you to go to Matthew, understood?"

Josh flapped his wings in response before flying out the window.

"Claws could you please open this door." Molly said from the other side of Hazel's bedroom door.

"Coming Auntie." Hazel said walking towards the door.

Once Hazel opened the door Molly came in with a tray of food and water.

"Auntie what's going on?" Hazel asked confused looking at her aunt's clothes.

"I just have an errand to run, so I thought I'd bring your food up." Molly said placing the tray of food on Hazel's desk.

"Um thank you Ms. Abernathy." Gabriel said.

"Your welcome Gabriel." Molly said before looking at Hazel sternly, "You know the rules Hazel, No going outside."

"Yes, Auntie." Hazel replied.

"Good, I'll be back in about three hours." Molly said as she closed the door.

"Going on an errand? Wearing a dress and heels?" Hazel said walking to one of the book shelves and pulling out 'Wild Magic' and started reading it.

"How about a game of 'Forbidden Island'? That is if you play." Gabriel said.

"Oh, you are so on." Hazel said putting the book down.

"Let the games begin." Gabriel announced excitedly as he pulled out 'Forbidden Island' from his backpack.

They were nearly done playing when Josh landed on the cards with Gabriel's bow.

"Took you long enough." Hazel said removing the bow from the bird's leg.

"Couldn't you have come fifteen minutes ago?" Gabriel asked annoyed.

"Your just angry he stopped you from winning." Hazel said as Josh took off again.

"Anyway, I think we should eat that food your aunt brought up." Gabriel said as they cleaned up, "Its already 8:00pm."

After they ate Hazel brought the dirty dishes to the sink and washed them. After she was done, she headed back to her room. Once she opened the door, she saw Gabriel looking at her album that her parents had given before they died.

"Gab, what are you doing?" Hazel asked snatching the album from the boy's hand.

"Sorry Hazel, I didn't know." Gabriel replied rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Its fine." Hazel assured giving him a small smile.

At those words Josh flew inside with Hazel's dagger.

"Thanks Josh." Hazel said untying her dagger as well as a piece of paper, "What's this?"

"That's Matthew's hand writing." Gabriel said as Hazel read the note.

Dear Hazel and Gabriel

Please send in some food.

- Your friend Matthew

"Well, if the old man needs food then we'll give him some." Hazel said leaving the room.

Hazel came back eight minutes carrying enough food for Josh to carry. She laid it on her desk and began wrapping it. After she was done, she walked over to Josh.

"Please take this to Matthew and come back here." Hazel said tying the package to Josh's leg.

After the package was fully secured to Josh's leg, the black bird took off.

"Josh do you have it?" Matthew asked as Josh landed on his shoulder.

Josh stretched his leg and Matthew hastily started to remove the package from the bird's leg. Once the package was removed from his leg, Josh quickly flew back to Hazel's house. After a few minutes Josh landed on Hazel's window sill exhausted.

"You poor raven. I'll get you some food and water and let you get some rest before you go back to The Hideout." Hazel said carrying Josh to her desk and letting him rest there.

*

"Can I ask you a question Hazel?" Gabriel asked after Hazel came back from the kitchen carrying two pieces of bread and a bowl of water.

"Of course, you can." Hazel said laying the food and water for the black bird to eat.

"How are you so good with animals?" Gabriel asked watching Josh.

"Why are you asking?" Hazel asked sitting down on her bed.

"Just wondering." Gabriel replied.

"Back then I never had friends. So, every day I just go to the forest and play with the animals. They were my friends back then." Hazel explained, "Anyway, what should we tell Chancellor Nevermore? That we haven't gotten any idea to where the missing Monster Hunters are?"

"That seems like our only option for now." Gabriel replied taking out a piece of paper and a pen from his back pack.

Dear Chancellor Nevermore

We still haven't found any clue on where the missing Monster Hunters are but we'll report to you once we find something.

- Gabriel and Hazel

"Done." Gabriel said putting his pen down.

With those words a snowy owl came and outstretched its leg to Hazel.

"That's Matthew's owl, Snowstorm." Gabriel said as Hazel untied the letter and the owl took off.

"Wonder what Matthew wants now." Hazel wondered as she unfolded the note.

Dear Hazel and Gabriel

You don't be needing me, so I'm going back to The Hideout. Take care of each other.

- Your friend Matthew

"He's what!?" Gabriel exclaimed as Hazel finished reading.

"He said that we didn't need him." Hazel replied.

"Well, this is just fantastic! How are we going to get inside The Hideout now!?" Gabriel asked slapping his forehead in frustration.

"Gabriel calm down. We could just I don't know-" Hazel began rolling her eyes before snapping, "Send him a letter!"

"Sorry, I just never been anywhere without him supervising me." Gabriel said sitting down on the mattress.

"Its fine." Hazel said standing up.

Suddenly the two of them heard the front door open. Hazel could hear her Aunt Molly's voice along with another pair of footsteps.

"Quiet, my niece and her friend are sleeping." Molly whispered.

Hazel could have sworn she heard delight in her Aunt's voice. Just as she was about to open the door another voice spoke.

"Well then my dear Molly I do hope this visit will be quiet and if not, well they could always join the other Monster Hunters." The other voice spoke.

Hazel froze she recognized that voice anywhere.

"Gab don't say a word." Hazel whispered quietly turning off the light.

"Hazel who was that?" Gabriel asked whispering.

"That was my father's rival when he lived here." Hazel hissed as she took the letter for Chancellor Nevermore and started rewriting it.

Dear Chancellor Nevermore

We found where the missing Monster Hunters are and we're planning on bringing them back to The Hideout tomorrow.

- Gabriel and Hazel

"We better hurry." Gabriel said as Hazel handed him the letter.

"And be quiet." Hazel replied as Gabriel tied the letter to Josh's leg.

After seeing the raven off the two brunettes packed their bags and sneaked out of the house via Hazel's window sill.

"Got any idea where the Monster Hunters are?" Gabriel asked as the two arrived at Town's square.

"There's only one place I know that can hold that many people." Hazel replied before leading Gabriel to a tavern named 'Bleeding Goblet Tavern.'

Gabriel tried the door but failed, "Locked."

"Stand back." Hazel said before kicking the door down, "I always wanted to do that."

"Well, that worked." Gabriel said as they went inside.

They searched for about 10 minutes before Hazel found a secret tunnel behind a bookshelf behind the bar.

The two stared at the tunnel before going inside.

"Somebody help us!" They heard a voice yell.

The two made it down the tunnel only to find about 34 Monster Hunters trapped in a cage.

"Is everyone alright?" Hazel asked as she and Gabriel ran to the caged Monster Hunters.

"We're alright." A man with black hair said as the two reached the cage.

"Hang tight." Gabriel said looking at all the trapped hunters, "We're going to get all of you out of here."

The Monster Hunters smiled before Hazel found the cage's lock.

"Who has the key?" Hazel asked.

"The person who locked us in here, Max Dark." A boy with red hair said eyeing Hazel, "I know this probably isn't the best time but, why do you look familiar?"

Hazel sighed before looking at the caged hunters, "My names Hazel Abernathy and this is my friend Gabriel Pasi."

"Abernathy?" A girl with green eyes asked, "As in John and Rose Abernathy?"

"The very same." Hazel replied smiling before looking back at the cage's lock, "Just give me a sec and you'll be out."

The other hunters smiled before Hazel started picking the lock.

"Come on Hazel." Gabriel said glancing at his watch, "Its nearly four o'clock."

"Got it!" Hazel exclaimed as they heard a small click.

The moment that the last Monster Hunter was out of the cage they all bolted out of the tavern and into the forest.

"That was a close one." Hazel sighed as they were far enough from the village to breath easily.

"Tell me about it." Gabriel replied before glancing at all Monster Hunters, "But why did Max Dark lock them all?"

"Beats me." Hazel said following Gabriel's action.

It's been about forty minutes of walking before they arrived at the foot of Mt. Bedgami.

"Is everyone here?" Hazel asked turning to the other Monster Hunters who nodded.

"Alright then." Gabriel said before he inserted the nock of his bow into the crack, "Mahan jvalamukhi main tumase poochata hoon mere liye apne rahasyon ko kholane kay liye."

"Hazel! Gabriel!" Matthew exclaimed seeing the two young Monster Hunters and the previously captive hunters, "Is everyone alright?"

"Yeah, but we need to talk to Chancellor Nevermore." Hazel said before Matthew opened the white door.

"I was just thinking the same thing Ms. Abernathy." Chancellor Nevermore said as they all entered the Great Hall, "Everyone except Abernathy, Pasi and Matthew follow me to my office. The others go to the infirmary."

Everyone nodded before Hazel, Gabriel and Matthew followed Chancellor Nevermore to his office.

"I want to know every detail in how you've managed to save the others in less than 24 hours." Chancellor Nevermore said as they all took their seats inside his office.

"We were in Hazel's bedroom before we heard her Aunt Molly talking to Max Dark." Gabriel began.

"We were confused on what they were talking about before Max Dark said 'well they could always join the other Monster Hunters.' and that's when we suspected he was the one who's been kidnapping Monster Hunters. After that we found the captives caged underground." Hazel finished, "Stone Hall Village isn't safe anymore, now that my Aunt probably already knows that we broke them out and already told Max Dark."

The two older Monster Hunters looked at each other before turning to Hazel.

"If what your saying is true then its best if Hazel live here." Matthew said, "Hazel?"

"I would love to stay here!" Hazel exclaimed.

"We can show you your room tomorrow." Chancellor Nevermore said smiling, "But for tonight you can sleep in Gabriel's room."

"If it’s alright with Gab." Hazel said standing up.

"'Course you can." Gabriel replied before standing up and opening the door.

Hazel, Gabriel and Matthew were walking to Gabriel's room when a girl about Hazel's age appeared from the shadows.

"Hey Gabriel." The girl said.

"Hi Isabella." Gabriel said cautiously.

"So, Gabriel, you want to hang out?" Isabella asked, "Like right now?"

"Uh, sorry Isabella but I'm busy." Gabriel said.

"With what?" Isabella asked hands on her hips.

"He's busy uh, showing Hazel around." Matthew said eyes flickering from the two girls.

"That'll be me." Hazel said folding her arms.

"So, your Hazel." Isabella said looking at her top to bottom.

"I guess." Hazel replied rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly.

"Well then Hazel." Isabella said glaring at her, "You better watch yourself, because I really don't want a rookie like you ruining my reputation or be my Kumppani."

Hazel and Isabella glared at each other before Isabella went back into the shadows.

"We better hurry to my room before she comes back." Gabriel suggested.

"Take me with you, please." Hazel sighed rubbing her temples.

The three of them glanced at where Isabella once stood before running to Gabriel's room.

"Somebody please tell me why that Isabella girl rubs me the wrong way." Hazel growled as they walked in Gabriel's room.

"Maybe because she's related to Max Dark." Gabriel said quietly as he sat down on his bed.

"She's what!?" Hazel asked shocked.

"So that's why she thinks, she's a better hunter than Chancellor Nevermore." Matthew said leaning on the wall.

"But why was she so nice to Gab?" Hazel asked sitting down on the chair.

Matthew glanced at Gabriel before he sighed.

"Something wrong?" Hazel asked.

"The two of us used to be friends." Gabriel said avoiding Hazel's purple eyes.

The three of them sat there in silence before Matthew left.

"What did you mean by 'used to be friends'?" Hazel asked.

Out of all things she said to him, that simple question was the one that surprised Gabriel the most. He expected her to be yelling at him, but there she sat calmly looking at him.

Hazel sighed before sitting down beside him, "If you don't want to tell me, I won't force you to."

Gabriel chuckled before resting his head on her shoulder, "Maybe for another time."

"Alright." Hazel chuckled.

"You wanna play Chess?" Gabriel asked sitting straight up as Josh flew inside.

"Where did you come from?" Hazel asked as Josh landed on Gabriel's shoulder.

"Probably here to convince me to try and make you my Kumppani." Gabriel said stroking the bird's black feathers.

"What's that?" Hazel asked.

"Basically, it's someone who helps you kill monsters." Gabriel explained, letting Josh fly around his room.

"How do you get one?" Hazel asked laying down.

"You have to be below Level 3 to get one." Gabriel said before giving Hazel a smirk, "So Isabella's just as much of a rookie as you."

Hazel scoffed at her friend's statement before sitting back up, "So when are we getting our Kumppanis?"

"Matthew said we'd be getting our Kumppanis tomorrow." Gabriel answered.

"Who do you think is going to be your partner?" Hazel asked.

"Hopefully not Isabella." Gabriel said, "How about you?"

"Same answer, how do you choose your Kumppani other than your level?" Hazel asked.

"Matthew said that Chancellor Nevermore will explain how we're going to choose but people say that you do it on an island." Gabriel replied shrugging.

"Who do you think Isabella wants to be her Kumppani?" Hazel asked.

"Me." Gabriel replied laying down.

"Well let's just hope that somebody wants to be her to be their Kumppani." Hazel said smiling at him.

Gabriel chuckled at her before Josh flew out of the room.

"You still awake Hazel?" Gabriel asked noticing the absence of the girl's voice.

Gabriel turned to Hazel's direction only to find the girl sleeping soundly.

'Night Hazel.' Gabriel thought laying down beside her and quickly falling asleep.

*

Hazel woke up the next day from somebody shaking her awake.

"Alright, alright I'm awake." Hazel said sitting up and noticing Gabriel sleeping on her left side.

"Matthew why in the world would you wake us up at 4:30 in the morning?" Gabriel asked before noticing Hazel beside him.

Matthew smirked at the two as they both gave a faint blush before saying, "Hurry up lovebirds, you’re getting your Kumppanis in about an hour."

Both the brunettes' eyes widened as they both jumped out of the bed and grabbed their weapons before running out the room with Matthew slightly laughing as he trailed behind them. Once Hazel left the room, she saw kids of all ages packed in The Great Hall from the railing of the second floor that gave a clear view of The Great Hall.

"Come on Hazel." Gabriel said as the three of them went down the stairs.

Once they joined the crowd Hazel could heard whispers like "Isn't that Hazel Abernathy?" and "I heard she rescued the kidnapped hunters only in a day."

Hazel smiled at the fact that her fact that her parents were still remembered but felt the pressure of as well as the question, "How am I going to live up to them?"

"You alright Hazel?" Gabriel asked noticing Hazel's silence.

"How did you get used to it?" Hazel asked.

"It's the whispering, isn't it?" Matthew said smiling.

"Of course, she is." Abbey said emerging from in front of Hazel, "It’s hard not being related to two amazing Monster Hunters and not hear whispering."

Gabriel chuckled at this while Hazel rolled her eyes while giggling a little as Matthew and Abbey merged in the shadows.

"Don't worry Hazel, after today nobody will be talking about you." Isabella said as she stepped out of the shadows.

"Why would they stop talking about her?" An unfamiliar voice asked.

The three of them turned around to see a boy and a girl leaning on opposite walls.

"Because when she takes this trial and fail, everyone can and will see that she's a failure." Isabella said before glaring at Hazel, "Just like her mother and father."

"Leave her alone Isabella." Gabriel growled putting a protective hand in front of Hazel.

Isabella looked shocked for a moment before giving Hazel a final glare and disappearing into the shadows.

"You mind?" Hazel asked noticing Gabriel's hand still in front of her.

"Sorry." Gabriel said flushed as the two figures walked to them.

"She's quite a handful." The girl said folding her arms as they stopped in front of them.

"You have no idea." Gabriel sighed rubbing his temples as Hazel rolled her eyes.

The two laughed before the boy introduced himself and his companion, "The name's Ace Oliviero and this is my sister Rachel Oliviero."

"Hazel Abernathy and this is my friend Gabriel Pasi." Hazel said introducing them.

"We should get to the Estad before the trial starts without us." Ace said checking his watch.

"Let's go then." Rachel said before the four of them started to walk to the Estad with Gabriel leading the way.

As the four of them were halfway to the Estad, Hazel started to smell flowers.

"You okay Hazel?" Ace asked noticing the confused look on the girl's face.

The four of them stopped for Hazel to sniff the air.

"You guys smell that?" Hazel asked.

"If its flowers, then yes." Gabriel replied.

"Call me crazy but it smells sort of relaxing." Rachel added.

"Sorry, you must be smelling my perfume." A girlish voice said.

The four of them turned around to see a brown haired girl appearing from the shadows.

"Who are you?" Hazel asked clutching her dagger's handle.

"Whoever she is, she must have sneaked in here. Nobody can kill anything in that." Gabriel said pointing his bow at her.

"Well then let's knock her out." The twins said.

Hazel glanced at them and saw both of them holding sleek swords.

"Woah, woah calm down, I'm Chancellor Nevermore's niece." She said calmly even though four weapons were pointed at her, "Eve Nevermore."

"How can we be so sure you're only saying that to get our guard down?" Ace asked still clutching his sword.

"If you wanted to know if it was true or not, you could've just called me." Chancellor Nevermore said appearing from the shadows.

"So, she is your niece?" Rachel asked as the four of them redraw their weapons.

"Yes, now you four should get to the Estad." Chancellor Nevermore suggested.

The four of them nodded before they ran to the Estad.

*

"Where are they?" Matthew asked for the 7th time as he looked around for the two brunettes.

"Don't worry about it, they'll be here." Abbey said as she leaned on her seat beside Matthew in the Estad's stands.

"They should've been here five minutes ago." Matthew said sitting down beside her.

Anxiousness rising up inside of her, Abbey looked anxiously at the giant clock on the opposite wall.

"Don't worry you two, they'll be here." A familiar voice said from behind them, "Matthew, Abbey glad to see the two of you made it."

"James Snow, I swear I'll feed you to the next monster I see if you continue to annoy me." Abbey said looking at her partner.

"Well sorry." James said as he sat down beside his partner.

Abbey rolled her eyes before they landed on two certain brunettes and black-haired twins before she nudged Matthew.

"Their here." Abbey said pointing at the four young Monster Hunters before Matthew released Snowstorm from her cage.

The snow owl flew to Chancellor Nevermore before landing in front of him. Chancellor Nevermore nodded before he stood up.

"Dear Monster Hunters we are gathered here today to see these young hunters find their Kumppani who will help them be the Monster Hunter they were meant to be." Chancellor Nevermore announced.

"It's a good thing they don't start the trial until all the Monster Hunters are here." Gabriel whispered as the four of them panted.

The other three nodded while heavily panting.

"Now some of you may know the rules. You'll be under a spell that will make you dream that all of you woke up on an island that’s filled with monsters, once two people have killed a monster together, the spell that you have been victim to will be broken." Chancellor Nevermore explained.

"So, the rumors are true." Hazel whispered.

"But as you all know, if two people have already killed a monster before they were named Monster Hunters, don't have to participate." Chancellor Nevermore continued, "May the trail begin!"

"We wish you two good luck." Ace said as he and Rachel made their way to the stands.

"Thanks." Hazel and Gabriel said before turning to Chancellor Nevermore.

"Now is everyone ready?" Chancellor Nevermore asked.

Just after everyone nodded their eyes grew heavier and heavier until everyone was fast asleep.