“How long am I going to be here for?” he said in a monotone, seemingly uninterested tone of voice, as he sat there in the middle of a pitch-black room with no windows or doors, the persons’ face wasn’t even visible as light was nowhere to be seen…

He could hear heavy breathing that was so loud it pierced his eardrums, no matter how much he covered his ears.

Was there someone there with him? Or something?

He wondered, as he just sat there, for what felt like an eternity. …

“Where am I? How long have I been here? Who put me here? What is this place...” Round and round these questions spun around his head and he kept asking them out loud in an attempt for someone to hear him… and possibly rescue him?

He kept asking all kinds of questions, some weren’t even related to his situation. This has become his state of being, but he had no choice, for through clinging to whatever fragment of rational thought, he could retain his sanity.

However, as soon as the guy asked a question he had not asked before “Who am I?” A ray of light enough to render a normal person blind appeared in front of him.

Illuminating the room was a door that appeared in one of the walls of what seemed to be a small prison cell that was made of smooth black crystals; when exposed to light it emitted a beautiful fluorescent blueish light that bounced off the walls of the small room.

The man now could be clearly seen as he was hunched back and sitting on the floor. He had sticks as arms and legs, with his ribcage clearly showing from his back and sides.

The man was shacking and heavily breathing, as if he was terrified or struggling because of some sort of pain.

It took him sometime before he noticed the light, as he had his eyes closed, and once he lifted his face there he was, Grey-shade grasping for what seemed to be his last hope, as he tried to get up, but it has been so long he had forgotten how to do so…

Grey-shade’s eyes slowly adjusted to the light and he noticed three silhouettes of some people beyond the door and the shining light; two of whom were farther inside as opposed to the third one.

“Ag…Agh…” he struggled to speak at first, as his jaw felt like it was dislocated…

But slowly he forced his mouth to move and finally, he uttered “Grandfather?”

The obscured person extended their hand towards Grey and then…

Grey-shade fell of his bed and hit his head with a loud thud…

“Quiet down! I’m trying to get some sleep here.” Almond shouted at Grey before he covered his face with his blanket.

Grey-Shade: Huh, why am I crying.

What was that dream…(He mumbled to himself)

Then he proceeded to get up wipe away his tears and go about his day…

After a month of getting accustomed to the academy, Grey-shade and Morrigan had both started to show glimpses of excellence in both physical and academic aspects of school respectively.

Each one of them was more talented in different areas; Grey-shade preferred to fight up close and personal with his opponents, as his Grand-father Olaf’s training made him physically fit to take on anyone, while Morrigan excelled in decision making and Rouh manipulation...

That morning specifically was when the new professor was supposed to introduce himself/herself to everyone, and it was mandatory for every student to be present…

While the Venatores academy was only a school for future hunters, it was by no means small in size.

The academy looked like a decently large town to the uninformed, with its own walls and living quarters for all; from students to teachers and staff members, making it close to entirely isolated from Brand-Jord, even though it was located towards its outskirts.

Next to the campus facilities was a very large open area that incorporated a forest and a field.

The area was used as a spot for physical and battle training; professors were encouraged to push their students every way they could and this place was one of their favorite spots to do so…

the new professor had instructed staff members to tell the students to run laps around the field awaiting his/her arrival.

Grey-shade was running and taunting Almond to compete with him, who was completely uninterested, while Morrigan and lylia were casually running and talking in the back.

Suddenly one person approached the students, and from the uniform he was wearing you could guess that he was a staff member …

The staff member whistled loudly using his hand and began addressing the students who started coming towards him.

The staff member: Students, I see you followed the instructions given to you.

Once the students gathered around him he continued…

The staff member: The new professor still had some business to attend to but he told us to make sure you practice hard today.

So today you will all be training with Rouh tools of your choice…

Many students were extremely happy at the prospect of handling live weapons as they were prohibited from doing so outside of strict and regulated environments.

Grey-shade to Morrigan: That’s great, now we can practice effectively, I can’t wait to try out the new techniques I learned in class.

Morrigan: I agree, I also want to try out handling Rouh more…

In the midst of the joy, Grey-shade suddenly felt his heart sink, as a bad feeling sprung up from the pit of his stomach…

Grey-shade: What in the hell? (He thought to himself)

Grey-shade: Why do I have a bad feeling about this…

The staff member: All students in each class:

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

will split in groups of four or three and start practicing on their own as they wait for further instructions.

If you want you can add a student from another class, and with that I leave the group compositions to your discretion… (After saying that he immediately left ignoring any questions from students.)

Grey-Shade: Well that certainly is a way to do it.

…So, what should we do about our group? (he said looking at Morrigan and Lylia)

Morrigan: Well we can form a group you and I. What about you Lylia?

Lylia: Well, I am in a different class but I guess I don’t mind, let’s do it.

Grey-Shade: How about you Almond?

Lylia: Wow, hold on a minute… (She then grabbed both Morrigan and Grey then pulled them to the side, far away from Almond))

Lylia: You sure this is a good idea? “Whisper”

Grey-shade: Well, he is a loner and He is very good in class.

So, he’s perfect, since no one is going to take him in their group “Whisper”

Almond: Well, are you finished with your conspiring over there? What are you even talking about?

Grey-Shade Then pulled back from Lylia and faced Almond saying” Well we were talking about adding you to our group.”

Almond: What?! I would rather perish then be in the same group as you.

Grey-Shade: Well, I know no one likes you so no one is going to invite you to their group. And since you’re my room-mate, well let’s just say

You don’t have much of a choice. So just accept it.

Almond just stood there, staring at Grey bewildered by his answer and although he tried, he could not come up with a good response.

Almond: Alright, let’s do it.

Grey-Shade: And with that our group is made, now let’s get into it.

After that Grey-shade and his fellow students started practicing, training and sparring, while giving advice and pointers to one another.

It was like that for all other students as well and they kept going at it for an hour or so, when Grey-Shade finally noticed something strange.

He noticed a tall hunched back and bulky man watching from a distance.

Grey-Shade: What the hell?

As soon as their eyes met the man started approaching the students, all of which also noticed him and stopped training. They started to get worried, as the man had an intimidating aura even with his face obscured from the shade of his large round hat…

He stopped once he got in front of Grey-shade, who just kept looking at him.

Grey-Shade: Are you…?

The man then smiled so wide his teeth would sparkle, then took off his hat…

Grey-Shade: Old man Olaf?!

Olaf: Yep, I’m back, so are u happy to see me kiddo.

Grey-Shade: But what are you doing here specifically?

Olaf: Violin kind of asked me for a favor, so now I’m gonna teach at the school as a professor…

Olaf and Grey-shade kept conversing while the students were confused as to what was going on. When Olaf noticed the whispers and looks of confusion shared between the students, he pushed Grey-shade aside and stepped forward…

Olaf: We’ll talk more later… (He whispered to Grey)

He then stood firm, straightened his back and spoke as loud as he could for all to hear.

“Students My name is Olaf and I am here to teach you how to actually fight using what you learn in this school. I called you out here to see what you got before we move on to more advanced concepts and styles and that’s what we are going to do…”

“I trust you’re all warmed up.” He said while looking around at the students…

‘well then let’s get into it’ He then picked five random students and told them to use their Rouh tools and attack him with all they’ve got.

At first the students were confused, as they didn’t know what to do with those instructions, but the confusion quickly faded when Olaf rushed at them and soon turned into surprise.

They were like sloths watching their predator come closer without being able to so much as move way. Olaf took out two of the students, knocking them out before the rest started to act…

The students gave each other quick looks and nodded, like they were aggreging to some sort of plan. Then they quickly surrounded Olaf from all sides.

Olaf: Clever, always surround an enemy who is stronger, but is that truly enough!

Right after, he directed all his attention towards one student and quickly blitzed him. When he got closer the other two students attacked Olaf from behind, then he suddenly pulled back and turned around towards the two students behind him…

Olaf: See, only this much and I can easily bait you into coming to me…

He then grabbed both students from their faces and slammed them on the ground rendering them unable to continue, after doing so he took a glance at the student that was still standing and smirked at him.

Olaf: Well, now you are all alone against a much stronger enemy. What are your best options? (He said before starting to walk towards the student.)

The student: Ummm… Call for reinforcements?

Olaf: A good answer, but how do you do that when I’m right in front of you and you have no way to contact a faraway squad?

The student: I…. uuaahh…

Olaf: You run away kid… Run away as fast as you can…

He turned around towards the students watching to lesson…

Olaf: If you find yourself facing a demon or an enemy much stronger than you on your own, look for a way to escape and call for backup.

“Do not try to be a hero otherwise you will die just like those you were trying to save; for the exception of very few people never try to fight on your own.”

“This is my first lesson to you, and from what I’ve seen it looks like you will all need a … thorough training…We should probably start from scratch”

Grey-shade who heard everything felt a chill down his spine, this is why he was having a bad feeling earlier.

Grey-Shade: No way, the old man is going to be training us seriously…

Olaf then called out to all the students and made them start doing physical training for the rest of the day.

While he was being dragged away by two cultists, Killian Auschwitz felt extremely angry and embarrassed. He could only think of ways to screw over Gale once he went back to his family…

While the three were crossing different alleyways heading towards an exit from the bastion, they were stopped by one man standing in their way.

The man looked a giant, but instead of a bulky and stocky body, he was sleek and fine looking; especially with the long leather coat covering most of his body and the fur towards the neck area. But even though the man was well dressed, he looked extremely imposing with how he covered the majority of his face with a scarf and a military hat.

The ominous man just kept looking at the cultists who proceeded to drop Killian and step forward towards him.

Cultist n 1: You there, can I ask you what you are doing in such a deserted alley? (He said while holding a Rouh tool behind his back)

At that moment, the second cultist started slowly moving towards the man in front of them.

Cultist n 2: Yes, pray do tell.

The man: Well of course, ‘cough’ because I received quite some interesting information…

You see, I heard that there would be…’cough cough’ ‘snort’… Demon worshippers coming through this way.

As soon as he mentioned “demon worshippers” the two cultists lunged at the man with their tools activated…

Cultist n 1 & 2 in unison: Our god is not a demon!

The ominous man: Yes, your loyalty is so predictable…

He said and directly after, he softly brought his hands together as if he was clapping. In that moment, both cultists fell down head first into the ground…

Cultist n 1: What in Abaddons’ name… What… Arghh

The cultist then started screaming…

He then proceeded to inspect his foot and found that his leg was completely broken from the knee down, as if it was twisted by some sort of external force, the same happened to his comrade.

The ominous man: I apologize for being so rough with you ‘cough’, but then again you are a demon sympathizer so you had it coming…

…You traitorous scum…

And I wasn’t done with you yet “Bishop” …’Cough cough’ He said as he slightly raised his voice, before pointing towards Killian who was trying to stealthily escape the scene.

Killian: Wha…

Before he could even say anything, he noticed that he was surrounded by unknown people behind him and on top of the rooftops of the houses near them.

Killian: huh… Well shit.

The ominous man started pointing towards the men and women surrounding Killian and the two cultists, and with just one command “Grab them” all of them moved as quickly as they appeared putting blindfolds on them and taking them away, …

Killian who saw nothing but darkness the whole way could only rely on his other senses to make out what was happening, as he heard how they were transporting him on a carriage, and felt how tough the terrain was from all the shacking. But the closer they were getting to their destination the more terrified he felt at the prospect of him taking his last breath…

Suddenly the carriage stopped and Killian’s heart stopped, it was over for him. Some people grabbed him from the carriage, got him down on land and took off his blindfold. It was nightfall and Kilian’s’ eyes were accustomed to the dark so he could make out where he was to a certain degree, but he was still extremely terrified and he kept shacking uncontrollably as two guards carried him to some kind of ruined manor…

Inside was surprisingly well maintained for an abandoned building as in contrast to the outsides’ moss and wild brush; it was well furnished and had a cozy feeling to it as each room was well lit. This surprised Killian as he was being carried passed this this long hallway and towards the end of it was a door and the two guards stopped in front it waiting, then the door suddenly opened from the inside.

The room was small and well-lit with one table and two chairs in the middle of it. On the first chair towards the door sat the ominous man with his back turned; he was not wearing his coat this time, only a light shirt with leather padding on the joints and silver buttons. But he still wore the same scarf and hat, as if he slept with them on…

He turned around towards the opened door and Killian, sparing only one glance before turning to his original position.

Ominous man: Have a seat, Bishop.

The two guards then carried Killian once again and made him sit down in front of their superior, they then connected the chains of Killian’s shackles to a slot on the table making it impossible for him to raise his hands.

Ominous man: Good work…’cough’ ‘cough’ (He said while struggling to waive his hand, as a gesture to leave)

The guards: Yes, captain-commander Volt, we’ll be on our way.

After the guards left the room and closed the door behind them the two people in the room just kept staring at each other for five to ten minutes before Killian steeled himself and went ahead to break the ice…

Killian: So… what do you want from me.

He was met with utter silence…

Killian: You know I’m a bishop, so as we speak the cult and my family are looking for me…

Yet again, more silence.

Killian: You and your subordinates will be met with the most brutal deaths imaginable! Let me free damn you!

Volt kept staring at Kilian’s eyes and said nothing still. The latter started to get nervous, perhaps he was not in a position to demand a release…Suddenly Killian got even more nervous and started shacking like earlier.

Killian: Please do free me, my family has a lot of money I can definitely pay you extremely well…I can even…

And before he even finished what he wanted to say Volt interrupted him saying “Where are they taking the demon gods’ descendent.” With a chilling and authoritative tone of voice, as if he was not asking him to tell him but commanding him …

Killian when he heard that stopped shacking, calmed himself down and started smiling.

Killian: So that’s what you wanted; well you could have simply asked before you brought me here… But let me tell you, we can certainly help each other out…

---Chapter End---