Only a few monsters were creatures driven solely by bloodlust or savage madness. Most of them acted either like ordinary beasts or tried to find ways to gain power through various means.
In this, they were similar to humans, each with their own goals, but sometimes their paths crossed, leading to clashes between the Awakened and monsters.
Step. Step. Step.
Under the moonlight, Garet and Korona descended from the peak, moving toward a hill that looked as if it were split in two by a great sword many years ago.
"So, are you some kind of hunter? From your question, I gather that you're not from the Iron Gate," Garet asked his unexpected but much more experienced partner.
Korona nodded, looking around carefully. The night forest was no place for carelessness.
"You're right, I was born in another city, far to the north — Fohreyg. Not the biggest city, with all of Singe-Peaked Thornspire, but when I was still a child, my city fell."
The story was similar to Garet's, at least until his next question.
"Monster Wave? Was that the reason for the fall of Fohreyg?"
"Hmm?" She glanced at him. "No, that's not what happened! If something like that had happened, I wouldn't be here now, but deep underground."
Korona waved his hand.
"Typical staff for weak cities. Our Energy Core was completely depleted, and there were simply no resources to recharge it, let alone replace it with a more powerful one. So, I had a rough childhood, I can say that. Although who am I making excuses to?"
She snorted, glancing at his black and gray coat.
"You're from the Iron Gate, a good city with a powerful Thornspire. I don't think you can understand me. By the way, why did you even mention a Monster Wave?"
In response, Garet shrugged.
"Because my city, the Pit, was wiped off the face of the earth by hundreds of monsters just 24 hours ago. I had to flee my home just like you, Korona."
A gust of cold wind swept past Garet, ruffling the black tips of his thick hair.
Korona's lips trembled, she wasn't ready for such a revelation. Now she looked like a fool.
"The Pit? I've heard about it... Monsters destroyed the city and didn't leave a single piece of metal scrap untouched. Shit."
She touched her head, confused, but then pulled herself together and clenched her fist.
"Don't expect me to apologize, however, I'm kind of glad this happened to you. I mean..." Korona faltered, realizing how that sounded. "Just that you're in the same situation as me! Very similar! That's what I meant!"
Seeing her agitated expression, so different from her steadfast gaze earlier, Garet smiled.
"I understand you, and I won't be lying if I say that I share your view."
Korona smiled, then snorted.
"Yeah, I'm sick of those jerks who were born not only in powerful cities but also into rich families. They think they're better than everyone else! I can't stand them!"
After a few moments, Garet asked:
"You didn't mention where you are now. You hunt in the Bloom Forest, but you don't live in the Iron Gate. So... Are you part of a faction?"
The cities and the Thornspires weren't the only places where the Awakened gathered. Often, wishing to achieve large-scale goals and sharing a common ideology, the Awakened could create their own factions or join existing ones.
Factions couldn't build their own cities, but they could have a hideout or stronghold, or even several, depending on the strength of the faction, their leader, their numbers, and the resources at their disposal.
Either way, the Thornspire served as the government for both the common people and the Awakened of the city. It was not a place where the Awakened could call home or even family, which the factions became for some.
"This..." Korona bit her lip, deciding whether or not to tell Garet about it.
In the end, she took a deep breath and pulled her sleeve up to her elbow, revealing a tattoo of a cat's head with burning eyes and a sly grin on her wrist.
"I wouldn't call it a faction, but after I left Fohreyg, I wandered around villages for months, struggling to find a way to feed myself. Life was difficult, and the solution for me was to join the Hollow Cats, a band of mercenaries."
"I don't hear any optimism in your voice." Garet stared at her tattoo.
Korona sighed heavily. "Because the last few years have been nothing like before. Not that it was ever a good place, but thanks to them, I was able to survive. Come on... let's not talk about it, we have more important things to do. You found out what you wanted to know, didn't you?"
"Yeah, but there's one weak point in your story." Garet's voice turned cold.
"Agh?"
"By the campfire, you mentioned that you went through the awakening at the Thornpire like everyone else, but you had to flee your city as a child and have been part of a gang ever since, a mercenary earning money by hunting."
Garet looked around as if pointing to the forest.
"There aren't many Thornspires here and in other areas outside the cities, are there?"
He figured it out - that was everything Korona could be thinking about back then.
However, at that very moment, Garet's story flashed through her mind again, causing her pupils to narrow.
"You... You became an Awakened yesterday. So when did it happen? Right before the Monster Wave, and it took you less than a day to recover from it all and not even flinch at the mention of it? It's as if you don't remember the fear and pain that most at the Thornspire go through."
Korona's eyes widened in realization.
"Well, it's simple, because in your case, there's nothing to remember, is there?"
Garet stared at her.
"Just like you."
That night, the two Wild Awakened realized that they faced each other with different goals but similar origins and a difficult trial behind them that changed their lives forever.
In the end, Garet smiled bitterly.
"Isn't the forest the best place for the wild ones? It's time to go hunting, isn't it?"
His eyes blazed.
"Stone Groug - an excellent choice!"