The days pass, like his tail, Bjørn seems to always be right behind the Jacqawin; following him on whatever quest he embarks on, annoying the warrior who wishes he would not be so stubborn, the nuisance of the boy a battle in its own way as he no longer watches his own back, but the son of the man who saved him, keeping him from getting killed in these missions of strange happenings that rattles his mind; learning habits and skills from the one he watches do his work, and getting rid of goblin nests. These days, the boy seems to always go home feeling like he's attained a greater accomplishment than the last, yet a little frustrated he grows, as it seems he has made no true progress, never really getting to the real point, wanting to connect with the hunter, wanting to set himself free from his darkness, wondering if it's too late. But out with these negative thoughts, he jumps out of bed for the new morning rouse.

***

Within the adventurers guild, sighs sound the Jacqawin in disappointment, as this day too, he will have to babysit a nuisance, looking at Bjørn having a lovely time with Fleura, their hands locked together in a game of arm wrestling that excites the other adventures, the battle so tense it seems they may even break the table and form a crater in the floor, the lips of Bjørn folded as he's determined to win with Fleura being surprised at how strong he is, her other hand gripped at the edge of the table as she begins to put her all into it, Bjørn bringing out all the strength he can muster as he watches as his hand begins descending nearer and nearer to the touch of the wooden table, bringing himself back up from near death, his teeth gritted in a grin in showing her he's no pushover.

"Huh? Jacqawin!" An adventure from the audience calls, hearing as one moan as they have lost, seeing as Bjørn has been defeated by the lady orc who chugs on some beer, celebrating her victory over the boy who was distracted by the warrior's name being called. "Aw! I was gonna tell you to come and watch!"

"Damn it!" Bjørn sighs, shaking his head as he accepts his loss, hailing one of the waiters by their side as the audience disperses. "Alright! I lost the bet. Well, what is it that you want to eat?"

"Hmm...one beer and I'll have," She sings, taking up the menu, grinning at the boy as she's made a choice. "Lapstauk"

"Alright, okay, traditional, huh," Bjørn smiles, confirming with the waitress on the order, turning to the Jacqawin with his hand in the air, waiting for a high five. "Good morning, my friend!"

"Aww, don't be like that," Fleura chuckles, the Jacqawin ignoring Bjørn's high five, breaking his heart. "You know, this is the first I've seen someone get to you this much. I can tell you're annoyed under that helm of yours. Keep it up, lad"

"Huh?" Bjørn questions.

"Keep doing what you're doing, this may get interesting," She winks, Bjørn quickly understanding what she means as the both of them begin laughing, with the Jacqawin standing in total confusion. "So, what is it for today, Mr.Jacqawin?"

"Oh! Is it another disguised enemy, a monster, maybe a legendary creature this time??" Bjørn excites, his grin shattered by the Jacqawin's back turned. "Ngh-come on!!"

"Don't walk away. Look at how adorable he is," Fleura gets on Bjørn's side, hearing as the Jacqawin sighs, shaking his head as he knows this is something way out of his comfort zone.

"...I've been tracking some goblins for a while, and I've found their hideout. It's possible they may be holding captives," The Jacqawin reports to him.

"Huh- U-Understood! Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go at them already then!" Bjørn declares, shocked at the start as he had not expected the Jacqawin to update him, as the waiter comes with the meal they have ordered.

"Well, I'll be off as well. My friend, put this in something suitable for the road," Fleura tells the waitress.

"Wait, what are you gonna do today, Lady Fleura?" Bjørn asks her.

"It's been a very sensitive time these days, kiddo. And as Adventurers, we must do all we can to help out our nation," Fleaur nods, Bjørn happy that the nation is more unified than ever against this darkness that attacks them, his eyes more open to the meaning of soldiers coming to the guilds these days as they work with adventurers in clearing away the enemy and finding the kidnapped day by day, with priests and priestesses also joining in on the frontlines, finding and expelling demonic forces that were set free on their country.

"Yeah, let's go kick some ass!!" Bjørn declares loudly, the others cheering on to a day that shall be successful.

And on their journey, the Jacqawin and Bjørn embark, travelling among others who set out in hope to the people, the galloping of their horses sounding like the march of an army riding into war, all travelling their own way, Bjørn waving goodbye to Fleur as she heads off with another group. The time of noon arriving, to their destination, the duo reaches, and a dark cave they peeve into, the Jacqawin kneeling with his palm set on the ground, analyzing the scene to where he sees a marking on the wall of the cave, a symbol he's seen before, but is unsure of what it truly means.

"Huh? What is that?" Bjørn questions seeing it as well.

"It's from the language they communicate in. Wherever they occupy, this is always marked there. It seems to be a message conveying to their friends that they're allies, or that they own this property and to keep out. Who knows," The Jacqawin explains, taking from his storage a stick he wraps with cloth, lighting it afire.

"Why don't we just use a flashlight? Won't it be more efficient, since it's brighter and all?" Bjørn questions.

"You can't do much with a flashlight if a monster attacks you. Every creature has a fear of fire. It's safer this way"

"Makes sense," Bjørn nods, another curious thought coming at the tip of his tongue, going for it with hoping he doesn't annoy the man. "So, I've always wondered, but how come you seem to always know where the enemies are?"

"Every creature has a rhythm. people too," The Jacqawin explains, giving Bjørn the torch to hold as he pulls a sword as short as his, minding the low ceiling of the cavern they step through.

"A rhythm, what do you mean?"

"Every creature falls into an archetype, depending on the texture or colour of their skin, how large and small they are, the things they eat and so on; A white wyvern often means it's an elemental of ice, meaning they also occupy colder regions. And because they inhabit colder areas, once they do find food, they tend to stock up whatever it is they catch because they understand it is hard to find it in colder areas, only leaving their home high in the mountains to hunt a couple of weeks or so. With understanding a creature's motives and habits, you can begin to see a pattern, and then you will know when it is right to intercept and strike," The Jacqawin explains, Bjørn awed by his intellect as a hunter.

"Hmm, you surely are the ultimate hunter, huh?"

"Being a Jacqawin has its perks. But all my knowledge is from all the experience and research I've done since I started out"

"Ah," Bjørn nods, looking up at the hunter, the light of the torch casting onto his armour seeming darker than usual, wondering if he's been like this his whole journey, off to himself. "...How does it feel being a Jacqawin anyway"

"...I don't know," The Jacqawin tells him honestly, pondering at the question he has never been asked before. "I believe...it's strange. Wherever I am, most times, especially in a fight, I can feel her presence on me; the darkness. The stronger my emotions towards something, the more apparent her presence. It feels like sharing my body with somebody else, it's unsafe, and if I get too into it, I'll lose myself"

"Hmm, weird," Bjørn nods, understanding his words, knowing these emotions to be anger and hate, stopping to his movement before him.

"Look," The Jacqawin tells him, turning to a dark spot of the cave, puzzling Bjørn who ponders on what he sees as there is nothing special about it. "The eyes can be deceived by many factors if you're not careful...like light"

He suddenly strikes the spot, taking his time pulling back his sword, slowly stepping back, surprising the boy who hears the sound of dripping from his blade, seeing as blood leaks to the ground, next to seeing as a figure steps into the light of their torch, its belly cut open as it gargles on blood, its hand raised with its knife pointed at them, dropped to the floor a dead goblin.

"Oh my god," Bjørn blinks rapidly, the Jacqawin striking the goblin a second time, making sure it's down for good.

"Let's keep moving," The Jacqawin orders.

With the hollowed sound of the wind passing through the cave, its presence cold, moist and gentle, the Jacqawin perceives there's larger space within, with a water source, killing every critter of these goblins he catches hiding in the darkness, Bjørn also getting his chance striking them down, learning, adapting more from the hunter himself, bashing the torch against one of them in a close call, seeing as the Jacqawin's words were true about this very tool. And seeming like they were walking in endless darkness, behold to them a whole other setting, looking down on an ancient structure now occupied by a small unit of goblins who bear decent weapons and armour, some even carrying guns as well, not knowing that above is the Jacqawin watching down on them.

"Cool, it's a dungeon" Bjørn whispers, looking at its structure built with a water source underneath, the Jacqawin counting the amount of goblins present, counting three who are equipped with rifles.

"Only three of them carry rifles," The Jacqawin says, looking as all the others only have swords and shields. "On my mark, we'll take out the gunners first, then take care of all the others"

"Got it," Bjørn says, as the Jacqawin moves into position, facing the boy, both above two of the gunners standing beneath them.

And on his mark, goes off a stun bomb he throws in their midst, and like predators from above, they strike their prey in one kill, the hunter quickly throwing his short sword into the third wielder who drops into rushing water, just before their sense of alertness return, the goblins comprehending that enemies have invaded, quickly drawing their swords with hastening against them, their swings wild, not having any discipline, easy picking for the hunter and Bjørn who faces them, Bjørn quickly ending two in quick succession, with the Jacqawin like a ghost as he suddenly appears and disappears, striking absolute fear into the monsters who glance and glance to know where he is, one's life flashed against its eyes as they feel their head spinning, looking at its body falling beside it as all they see is the blur of his armour and his cape a curtain of darkness, with his helm of a beast being the last thing they see as one by one they're taken out, the room coming to silence as they've all fallen, their blood washed away in the water below. Then set is the eyes of the Jacqawin on a corpse he grabs an item off of, a key he inspects, figuring out its purpose, as he then looks towards a door, Bjørn also finding a key to another as well. So he tries it, locking it in within the door, hearing the hints of moans, slowly pulling to the sight of women, their eyes frightened, looking up to the helm of his armour, some of their skin barely dressed with some having none at all, bruised and cut up like they were played with, and their hair messy.

As a helping hand, the Jacqawin take them from their prison, the women coming to see that the goblins were all massacred, the image cruel, a smile formed across most of their faces as they see the sight before them, laughing, one muttering to themself with continuous nods.

"It looks like they're all women," Bjørn tells him as from the door he opened, only women were present as well, saddened by their state.

"Seems so. And the goblins couldn't control themself, or it seemed they waited too long," The Jacqawin figures. "Let's go"

The Jacqawin taking the lead, with Bjørn behind them, formed is a line in leaving the mansion, the group jumped into a stage of shock as halted is that progress, the boy turning around to see a goblin still animated, quickly drawing his sword, frightened as sounds a loud thump in their ears, the boy swiftly reacting with blocking with his sword, hearing the sound of a pop, feeling as the bullet shot from the goblin contacts with his sword. Then scream the women, the boy hearing a heavy thud hitting the ground, quickly striking the wounded goblin before it does more damage, lopping its head off, turning around to see that he had failed to be careful, his action costing another a heavy price, to one of the women on the ground as she bleeds from the ricocheting of the bullet hitting her belly.

"I-I thought I killed it..." Bjørn mutters, as he sees the Jacqawin quickly go to her aid, taking from his bag a splint he uses to slowly go into her wound.

"Hold her down!!" The Jacqawin orders, Bjørn quickly grabbing hold of her legs while another woman grabs her arms, watching as she goes crazy with her head dripping from heavy sweat, gasping to escape the pain dealt, the Jacqawin grabbing hold of the bullet, carefully as he takes it out, erupting blood from the wound, hastily giving her a potion to drink that heals her, the boy exhaling a sigh of relief, now face with the consequences of his action. "...I told you to always strike more than once to make sure they stay down"

"I-I...damn it," Bjørn holds his head, looking to see as the Jacqawin lifts the woman still affected by the shock, having no more words for the boy as he moves on.

So they exit the cave, and silent their journey back into civilization, these women clothed by the Jacqawin who came prepared, making their down with them now in safer hands as soldiers carefully lift them into trucks, the eyes of these women dazed, with a crooked smile on their faces as they're driven away, an image burnt into the mind of the boy, looking to the Jacqawin who still hadn't said anything to him.

"Hey!" He calls him, the Jacqawin stopped by his voice seeming demanding. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I thought for sure I killed it"

"You think you killed it, that is not enough. Someone could've gotten killed," The Jacqawin disciplines him, his back turned to the boy.

"So, you don't even want to turn and talk to me properly, now?" Bjørn challenges. "I said it was an accident!"

"Your accident wouldn't have happened if you had followed instructions!!" The Jacqawin turns in a fit of frustration.

"You expect me to follow everything you say like I'm some robot?? Unlike you, I was more focused on saving these people, while you were excited about killing monsters," Bjørn argues. "You aren't in this because you're worried for them, you're using this as an excuse to kill and hurt all you want"

"...We are done here," The Jacqawin simply states. "Go home. Your anger is getting the better of you"

"It is because you want me to listen to everything you say, but when I try to talk to you, all I'm met with is your back turned to me as I'm being ignored!!" Bjørn expresses, his finger like a needle as he cusses out the hunter, shaking his head as it feels as if his thoughts are moving really fast, trying his best to calm down. "All I wanted to do was to check on you...do you even know what happened to my dad after he went there? Did you even check to see if he was even alive?"

"Bjørn...I" The Jacqawin stops, a wave of guilt rushing through his body, to Bjørn palm set towards him.

"You're a bastard! This is why people are afraid of talking to you. And when someone does try, you push them away because you're wrapped in believing that everybody else is a dumbass! We both lost something because of that psychopath, and they're still out there, in this coming war! I thought we could have stuck together and helped each other out because you lost your family, and in a way, I feel like I've lost my dad, that part of him that people are always talking about that I'll never see because I was a stupid little baby to even remember!! You are lost, man. This darkness you cover yourself in isn't good, and you know it! But you don't need me around, right? You don't need anybody! You want to be left alone, fine with me! Have it your way..." Bjørn declares, his feet turned, wishing it wouldn't have become this way, never wanting to give up, hesitant, yet still he walks away, the Jacqawin watching as he goes, with his hand lifted, reluctant in telling him not to go.

Days it's been since they've split up, the silence returned, the Jacqawin back to his normal schedule of tracking down holdouts and the victims. But these days, to him, it feels like something has gone missing around him, he knows, no longer having to be watching another's back, no one to tell his tactics to, no one to teach, even growing a bit sluggish, seeming to be making mistakes all over the place, but quick to correct them, feeling like those days with the lad has been longer than just that, with even going to the guild, where Fleura and others ask for the boy, the Jacqawin only telling them they have part ways, not going into details. And atop a hill, from it all, he sits, his horse by his side as they watch the sunset, the animal startled by his sudden outburst, almost as if it begins worrying, hearing as its master chuckles to himself like a madman.

"Stupid kid..." He only mutters, sighing as his eyes go the mountains in the distance, considering something that waves like the clouds of the sky but in his soul, looking into his palm in the wonder of what he could have done better, sensing this feeling of something truly lost, feeling regretful.

"You are a hard man to catch, Jacqawin," He hears a familiar voice, and on his feet he quickly gets to, he turns around, standing steadily as he's greeted by a smiling old man. "You really should look into getting a phone, lad"

"Commander Vernon?' The Jacqawin calls, puzzled as to why a man such as himself would need to find him, making way for the commander to stand beside him as he too begins viewing the mountains.

"Hah... it's a beautiful sight, how these clouds hang by the mountains, hmm?" Vernon grins.

"Yes, sir," The Jacqawin answers, respectful in his tone.

"How have you been?"

"I've been doing fine, sir"

"Good. And what of finding missing civilians in your region?"

"Yes, sir. I've been able to track them down pretty easily. And I've shared how with the others"

"Good, good," Vernon chuckles, the pondering of the Jacqawin grown stronger in his presence.

"Is there something you need, sir?" The Jacqawin asks him, Vernon turning to him with an expression like he's about to tell him something, wondering how the warrior could take it, the Jacqawin observes, seeing as the old man reaches into his jacket, bringing out a file he gives to the hunter. "What is this?"

"Aliyah Carter...she's still active," Vernon states to him, the Jacqawin shocked to hear this, now knowing why Bjørn was saying the same thing. "Couple weeks ago, a unit of captains of Vestland ran an operation to cease a drug ring. I'm sure you've heard of kalf, it was his doing. Anyways, after he was defeated, they discovered he was hiding more than we thought"

"I see," The hunter simply answers.

"That file contains everything you need to know. I thought it would be best if I let you in what will be happening in the coming days. There's a war coming, and we'll need every great warrior we have on deck. Including you," Vernon tells him.

"Yes, sir," The Jacqawin only answers, Vernon turning to him with a smile.

"Alright, enough of that. I hear you've been hanging around with the lad as of late, Bjørn that is," Vernon says, that feeling of regret waving through the Jacqawin's soul once more. "He's a good kid. You keep hanging around him, and who knows what funny thing may change about you. And...you boys could do good to watch each other's back. After all, you are both connected to the case that happened those years ago. In that chaos, his father was able to save some of you, but in exchange, he lost himself but...I guess you already knew that too"

"Yes, sir," Jacqawin slowly nods.

"I'm deeply sorry about what happened those years ago. That psychopath was never caught, we failed you. And now she's joined the enemies in hurting even more. But this time, we can change things, this time we will put her to justice. More than ever, we will need the monster who eats other monsters. As our Jacqawin, this nation needs to see greater hope," Vernon tells him, the Jacqawin looking into his palm once more. "But, don't you dare face this alone. What kind of a man would I be to tell you that? What I'm saying is you should lean on others once in a while. You see, You've been mostly alone your whole life since that day, now things are changing. Give it a chance. Let it take it course, Magnus"

"..Thank you, sir," The Jacqawin says, the only thing he could do, seeing as the old man begins looking into the distance, sharing that view with him once more, feeling somewhat grateful, as it's been a long time someone has called him by his real name.

"See you later, kid. Be safe out there," Vernon smiles, leaving the man at the hill considering his words.

***

Ready to set on a quest to find missing civilians, in the region of Strongcastle, the lad polishes his shoes, preparing himself for a long search, remembering all the tricks he may use to find the enemies, halting with looking into himself. And still he goes, shaking his head, then placing his items in his bag. Now geared up, exiting his home, locking up by himself as his mom and dad are off on a date, seeing Arwyn already there on the outside waiting, surprised to see another as well.

"Hey kid, your friend is here to see you," Arwyn smiles, the boy greeted by the presence of the Jacqawin, surprised as this time he was the one found.

"Bjørn...there is something I need to show you," He tells the boy, Bjørn looking at Arwyn, sighing as he contemplates.

"Oh, don't worry about me. You go ahead, we'll team up again tomorrow," Arwyn grins, nodding for the boy to go. "Have fun. Don't have too much fun without me though...alright, this is kinda making me a bit lonely"

And by his side, he travels from out the city with the Jacqawin, the sun still in the sky, to the mountains where they pass a calm lake, to a place Bjørn sees no life in, empty and left behind, an abandoned village, cold and broken down, the boy seeing signs of a large fire that happened long ago. Then he sees it, that this place truly means something, the origin of the Jacqawin.

"This is...." Bjørn sounds, looking at a burnt toy laying by his feet.

"Yes. This was the village I was born in," The hunter tells him, taking a knee as he sets his hand upon a structure, where he wipes his hand over, a tablet consisting of all the people who once lived in this village, the Jacqawin remembering all the faces of those listed here, seeing his family's as well, then pointing in a direction as he gets up, at a burnt down house. "That's where I lived. My father ran a shop as well and I was his assistant"

"This is where it all happened...?"

"Yes. This place is where your father became that way," The Jacqawin states to him, startling the boy who prepares himself, as he knows there is more to hear. "Your father was able to capture some of the criminals that night, but her, she slipped through his hands. From what I heard, as they fought, they must have been evenly matched, but her allies came to her aid, and that is when it happened; Rushed by so many, he must have been unable to keep up, and his head was damaged as the result of it. It wasn't until a while later, his subordinates found him going in shock. He was just left there in the cold till they eventually did. Yes, Bjørn, I did go looking for your father, it was some months later, at the same time I found out what had happened, and was too ashamed to see him. I didn't want my presence bringing anymore pain to your mother, I thought. While he was charging into battle, knowing he may never return home, I ran like a coward, a damn weakling," The Jacqawin breathes heavily, his fist clench, these memories like a hell he will forever be in, a purgatory he can never escape. "There isn't a day that goes by where I don't remember it; the fear, the anger, the weakness, the guilt. I ran and left my family and friends to be tortured and killed by these monsters. I failed to protect them. And if I had done something...then I might have saved your father from his faith"

"No!" Bjørn stops him, shaking his head. "No...you can't blame yourself. You aren't the cause for what happened. My dad was a hero, he knew his risks, and I'm happy he helped you. And I'm sorry about what happened to your family, I truly am...I didn't know they had suffered so much. Tch...but I don't want you to use this as an excuse to shut out the hope of finding new light. I know how you feel, I'm telling you. When I was a little kid, I used to be bullied a lot because of how my dad is. I was always alone and sad at the playground. Until I met truly amazing people who really care for me, and I love them and would do anything to protect them. Commander Vernon, Vice Commander Gunnar, Arwyn, Victor, Arnaldo, Nora, Adrian, Li, Edris, they all showed me that I didn't have to let my pain get the better of me, and I don't want you to be controlled either. So, let's be friends; friends who will look out for each other whenever times get tough. Because that's what they do. Watch each other's backs!"

"Hm," The Jacqawin sighs, the heavy burden on his chest feeling like it has been lightened, slowly nodding to the boy. "Yeah"

"And, I'm sorry I called you a bastard, and that I said those things too," Bjørn scratches his head, his face blushed, a bit embarrassed of that outburst feeling like it was just hours ago.

"It's fine. You were angry. It was understandable"

"So, what should I call you?"

"Hmm?"

"Well, since we're friends, I can't be calling you 'Jacqawin' all the time. That's that devil's name," Bjørn argues.

"Hmm," The Jacqawin sounds, his lips feeling like they're ceasing, but out of the darkness he wishes to come, moving forward. "My real name is Magnus. You can call me that''