Six months had passed since Hunnt first discovered the true potential of his fists. The days had been filled with sweat, drills, bruises, and countless repetitions, but each sunrise showed their steady improvement. Hunnt's muscles had hardened into lean cords of strength, his movements sharper, his stamina nearly unending for a boy his age. More than physical strength, though, his tactical awareness and confidence had matured, making him a natural leader of the group.
[Every day has brought us closer. Step by step, strike by strike, we're no longer children fumbling with sticks. We're hunters in the making.]
The clearing rang with the sounds of practice. The sharp thwack of arrows striking targets, the heavy thud of a hammer smashing logs, the blur of claws against bark, and Hunnt's own fists pounding against reinforced dummies. The air carried the heat of effort and the scent of earth and sweat.
A blur of golden fur streaked through the underbrush. Pyro leapt onto a mossy rock, tail flicking as his sharp eyes scanned the perimeter. His SnS gleamed faintly in the sunlight, the weapon practically an extension of his body now. "Nyahaha… Master," Pyro called with his usual mischievous tone, his whiskers twitching. "Training's going well, nyaah. But the knight over there looks distracted."
Hunnt smirked but didn't answer.
On the far side of the clearing, Corwin stood motionless, hammer resting against his shoulder. His build had grown taller, broader, and stronger over the months. His stance was steady, economical — no wasted movement, no hesitation. Every swing of his hammer cracked against wood or stone with bone-rattling force. When the weapon wasn't in motion, his eyes often drifted toward Elara. He never said a word about it, but Hunnt noticed.
[Silent as ever. But I see it. He's not just watching her technique — he's watching her. Even he doesn't realize how obvious it is.]
Elara knelt at the edge of the clearing, her bow resting in her hands, arrows laid out in neat rows. Over the months, her progress had been steady and determined. Under Hunnt's guidance, she had begun learning advanced bow techniques — not mastery yet, but the foundation was strong enough that she could execute the forms without faltering. Her stamina had grown, her shots more precise, her rhythm smoother.
She nocked an arrow, drawing it back with deliberate care. Her breath steadied, her shoulders relaxed, and she loosed the shot. The arrow hissed through the air and struck a reinforced target with a dull thunk, embedding deeper than before. The shaft quivered with power.
Elara exhaled, brushing stray hair from her face. [Hunnt's right. Every detail matters — stance, breath, release. No shortcuts.]
But she had grown in more ways than archery. Under her grandfather's stern guidance, she had trained in the forge, learning the subtle art of integrating monster materials into her ammunition and weapons. Arrowheads laced with hardened scales, bowstrings reinforced with sinew — her hands had become skilled and sure, her craftsmanship feeding directly into her combat.
Hunnt stepped closer, drawing his own bow for demonstration. His movements were smooth, each action deliberate. He planted his feet, shifted his weight, drew back with power, and loosed in one flowing motion. The arrow struck center. "Watch closely," he instructed, lowering the bow. "Every movement counts — feet, hips, arms, release. Timing and balance are everything. Without them, power is wasted."
Elara nodded, mimicking the motion. She repeated the sequence several times, her face set in concentration, until the string hummed naturally in her grip. The shots weren't perfect, but each one was better than the last.
From the sidelines, Pyro crouched low, tail flicking with glee. "Nyahaha… Master, look at the knight watching her again. He's guarding her with his eyes more than his hammer, nyaah."
Elara's cheeks flamed red, and she quickly averted her gaze. "I–It's not like that!"
Corwin, catching her glance, allowed a faint smile to tug at his lips — not mockery, but encouragement. Silent as ever, but steady.
Hunnt ignored Pyro's antics, though his smirk betrayed amusement. [Some things never change. He only teases them during training, but maybe that's for the best. Keeps the mood light.]
The training continued. Corwin's hammer smashed through another reinforced dummy, splinters scattering. Pyro darted between strikes, claws flashing as he practiced his role as distraction, his nimble movements weaving like smoke. Hunnt adjusted Elara's stance, his sharp eyes catching every detail. Then he turned to Corwin, correcting the angle of a swing, and finally barked encouragement at Pyro, who nearly overextended on a feint.
When the sun was high overhead, Hunnt finally called a halt. Sweat dripped from their foreheads, muscles burned, but the clearing was alive with progress.
He stood in the center, arms crossed, eyes sweeping across the group. "Six months," he said, his voice calm but firm. "And look how far we've come." His gaze lingered on each of them:
Hunnt — lean, powerful, confident, and ready to lead.
Pyro — agile, mischievous, a scout and distraction unmatched.
Corwin — silent DPS, hammer precise and devastating, always striking at weak points.
Elara — at the beginning of advanced bow mastery, skilled in monster-material integration, balancing forge and field alike.
"Alright," Hunnt said at last, lowering his arms. "Training's done for now. But remember — this growth isn't just for show. Soon, we'll face our first united hunt. Monsters won't wait, and neither will our skills."
Corwin tightened his grip on the hammer, his eyes narrowing with determination. Pyro flicked his tail eagerly, scanning the horizon. "Nyahaha… bring it on, nyaah!"
Elara adjusted her bowstring, her lips curving into a faint smile. "We'll be ready."
Hunnt looked at them — his companions, his team. [Together… we'll survive. Together… we'll hunt.]
The forest stretched before them, full of hidden dangers, yet they no longer felt like children standing at its edge. They were stronger, sharper, and united. The time for their first real hunt was near, and the wilds would soon learn that Ravenshire's hunters had awakened.
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📖 Final Fantasy: The Unwritten
Step into the vast multiverse of Final Fantasy—where heroes, destinies, and untold adventures intertwine in ways you've never seen before.
⚔️ Renegade: Arsenal of War
Follow the journey of a relentless tech soldier who forges groundbreaking weapons to end the war once and for all.
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