The Hunters Call

Rain lashes against the small, worn hut, mirroring the tempest inside Dante. Three years. Three years since the demons came, three years since Lyra fell. He stands at the window, silver hair clinging to his forehead, eyes like chips of obsidian, reflecting nothing but the storm. The scars on his hands, old battle wounds, throb faintly, a ...

Rain lashes against the small, worn hut, mirroring the tempest inside Dante. Three years. Three years since the demons came, three years since Lyra fell. He stands at the window, silver hair clinging to his forehead, eyes like chips of obsidian, reflecting nothing but the storm. The scars on his hands, old battle wounds, throb faintly, a constant, dull ache that reminds him of everything he’s lost. A sharp rap at the door tears him from his reverie. He doesn't bother to smooth his hair or straighten his tunic before wrenching it open. Mason stands there, blonde hair plastered to his forehead, purple eyes bright with urgency despite the weather. Beside him, Ender, face impassive as always, fiery red hair barely ruffled by the wind. "Dante," Mason begins, his voice pitched high to be heard over the storm. "We need to talk." Dante sighs, running a hand through his wet hair. "About what? I made it clear when I left, Mason. I'm done fighting your battles." "This isn't about my battles, Dante. This is about Elysia. About…Earth." Mason steps inside without invitation, Ender following close behind, his gaze sweeping the small room with a practiced eye. Dante scowls. "Earth? What in the seven hells are you talking about?" Ender speaks for the first time, his voice a low, steady rumble. "A portal, Dante. It appeared near the capital a few weeks ago. People are coming through. They call themselves…Hunters." "Hunters?" Dante raises an eyebrow, a flicker of interest igniting within him despite himself. "What do they hunt? We've already culled most of the wild beasts near the city." Mason shakes his head, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a grim seriousness. "They're not hunting beasts, Dante. They have strange weapons, strange powers. They claim to be from another world – Earth. They're powerful, Dante, more powerful than anything we've seen before. And they’re… lost. Confused. They speak of objectives, completing some ‘scenario’." Dante leans against the window frame, arms crossed, listening intently. The rain continues to beat against the glass, blurring the world outside. "And what does this have to do with me? Surely the Royal Guard can handle a few lost travelers." "They're not just lost, Dante. They're dangerous. And they're asking questions. Questions about Elysia, about its history, about its connection to... other things," Mason hesitates, glancing at Ender before continuing, "Things best left buried." Ender nods in agreement. "We need someone who understands combat, someone who can think outside the box. Someone who isn't afraid to get their hands dirty." He looks directly at Dante, his gaze unwavering. "We need you, Dante." Dante stares back at them, the ghosts of his past swirling within him. He sees Lyra's smiling face, hears her laughter. He remembers the feel of her hand in his, the warmth of her presence. Can he truly leave that behind? But Elysia… his home… is threatened. He pushes himself off the window frame. "What do you need me to do?"

Mason and Ender exchange a relieved glance, a silent communication passing between them. Mason is about to elaborate on their plan when a voice cuts through the tension. "Well, well, well," the voice drawls, laced with a strange accent Dante doesn't recognize. All three men whirl around. Standing in the doorway, seemingly out of nowhere...

Mason and Ender exchange a relieved glance, a silent communication passing between them. Mason is about to elaborate on their plan when a voice cuts through the tension. "Well, well, well," the voice drawls, laced with a strange accent Dante doesn't recognize. All three men whirl around. Standing in the doorway, seemingly out of nowhere, is one of the Hunters. He's tall, clad in strange, dark clothes unlike anything Dante has ever seen, and his eyes, narrowed and calculating, seem to take in everything at once. The Hunter smirks, a flash of teeth in the dim light. He mumbles something unintelligible under his breath, then straightens, his gaze settling on the group. "Greetings," the Hunter says, extending a hand in a gesture that seems almost mocking. "Name's Kael. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, even if it's under such…dramatic circumstances." His eyes gleam with hidden amusement. "Didn't expect to find you here, though. You look way more different than the one in the game." He pauses, his gaze flickering over Mason and Ender before returning to Dante. "Seems I stumbled into quite the little pow-wow. Don't mind me, just passing through. Though, I might be able to…assist." Kael says while hiding his true intentions and objectives. His intentions were clear however, as he is trying to befriend Dante on purpose to gain his trust and lead him to his trap. Dante stares at Kael, suspicion warring with a strange sense of curiosity. The Hunter's words are laced with hidden meanings, his posture radiating an unsettling confidence. He glances at Mason and Ender, their faces mirroring his own wariness. There is a heavy silence hanging in the air between them, filled with tension and uncertainty. Dante steps forward, his voice rough, "What do you want, Hunter?" He asks, his eyes observing Kael. "And what do you mean 'game'?"

Dante's question hangs in the air, unanswered for a beat as Kael's smirk widens, "Oh, the 'game'?" He says, tilting his head slightly as if considering how much to reveal. "Well, let's just say life is boring enough, so people make it interesting by turning it into one." Mason steps forward, his brow furrowed, "What are you implying?" K...

Dante's question hangs in the air, unanswered for a beat as Kael's smirk widens, "Oh, the 'game'?" He says, tilting his head slightly as if considering how much to reveal. "Well, let's just say life is boring enough, so people make it interesting by turning it into one." Mason steps forward, his brow furrowed, "What are you implying?" Kael raises his hands in a gesture of mock surrender. "Whoa there, your highness. No need to get your royal panties in a twist. I'm just saying things aren't always what they seem, are they? Especially when you're living in a fantasy." He pauses, letting the words sink in before continuing, "But that's not important. What is important is that I know things. Things you need to know." Ender steps closer to Mason, his hand subtly moving towards the hilt of his sword. "What things?" he asks, his voice tight with suspicion. Kael chuckles, a low, rumbling sound. "Patience, my friends. All in good time. First, I need to know if you're willing to play ball. I can assist you if you want." Dante stares at the Hunter, weighing his options. He doesn't trust Kael, not one bit. But the Hunter clearly knows more than he's letting on, and that knowledge could be crucial. He glances at Mason and Ender, their faces unreadable. They're leaving the decision to him. He sighs, "What's the catch?" Kael's smile turns predatory. "Everything has a price, doesn't it? My price is simple. I want to be your friend, Dante. And I expect you to answer honestly with my questions." Dante's eyes narrow. "What kind of questions?" "Oh, just…innocent things." Kael says, feigning innocence that fools no one. "Like, what do you know about the portal? What do you know about the history of Elysia? What do you know about…magic?" Mason speaks, his voice firm, "We are not at liberty to disclose sensitive information to outsiders." Kael shrugs. "Suit yourselves. But don't come crying to me when you realize you're in over your heads. This 'game', as you call it, is bigger than you can imagine. And you're just pawns in it." He turns to Dante, his gaze intense, "So, what's it going to be, Dante? Are you in, or are you out?"