The morning sun spilled through the small windows of the rustic cottage, its golden light cutting across shelves of tools, worn parchments, and the scent of iron and wood. In the center of the room, Hunnt stood stiff and nervous, his fists clenched so tightly that the leather of his gauntlets creaked. Beside him, Elara and Corwin shifted quietly, each carrying the weight of the moment.
Up above, perched on one of the heavy wooden beams, Pyro dangled his tail with barely contained excitement. His golden eyes glinted as he leaned forward, watching the tension unfold. "Nyahaha… Master, this is it… nyaah," he whispered under his breath.
Hunnt drew in a deep breath. His chest rose and fell, and for a heartbeat, he thought he could hear only the pounding of his own heart. [This is it. If they say no, everything we've worked for these last six months will be for nothing.]
"Granma, Grandpa," Hunnt began, his voice small but steady despite the tremor behind it, "we want to go… hunting."
The words seemed to split the air.
Grandma Mel froze mid-step, the warmth in her brown eyes replaced instantly by alarm. "Hunting? Out in the wild?" Her voice quivered, hands clutching her apron so tightly that her knuckles whitened. "Hunnt, you're just a child! Monsters aren't—" Her voice caught, trembling as though speaking the truth would make it real. "…they aren't forgiving."
Grandpa Dom's heavy footsteps echoed as he moved forward, his broad frame filling the room. His brow furrowed like storm clouds gathering, and his voice was deep, edged with iron. "Do you even know what you're asking, boy? Monsters aren't toys. They don't care about training or practice. One mistake out there…" His hand clenched into a fist. "…and you could be seriously hurt. Or worse."
Hunnt's throat tightened, but before he could answer, Corwin stepped forward. He shifted the weight of the hammer resting on his shoulder, his calm gaze locking on Dom. "Village Chief," he said firmly, "I will take responsibility for Hunnt's safety. Nothing will happen to him while we're out there."
Hunnt blinked, startled by the certainty in Corwin's voice. [Corwin…]
Elara stepped beside him, her bow slung over her back. Her voice was softer, but steady. "And I promise to protect Hunnt as well. We've trained, we're prepared, and we know the risks. Please, trust us."
The room fell into silence.
Hunnt felt his chest constrict — everything balanced on this fragile moment. If they refused, their first hunt would vanish like smoke. He stepped forward, his small fists tightening as he met Mel's worried gaze.
"Please, Granma," he said, voice earnest, almost pleading. "I've trained for this. Corwin has taught me. Pyro's been helping me. We're ready. And I'll be careful, I promise."
Mel bit her lip, her eyes darting between Hunnt, Corwin, and Elara. She shook her head, torn between fear and pride. [He's grown so much… but he's still just a boy. Am I sending him to his death… or letting him take his first true step?]
Finally, she exhaled, her shoulders slumping. "Oh, Hunnt…" Her voice was filled with sorrow, but also reluctant acceptance. "Alright. Fine. But you listen to every single word from them. Every word. Understand?"
Hunnt's heart leapt. His eyes lit up as he shouted, "Yes, Granma! Thank you!"
Pyro clapped his paws together, tail flicking wildly. "Nyahaha! Master, we did it! Nyaah!"
But Dom remained still, his face shadowed with something heavier. Without a word, he turned and disappeared into the back room. The cottage was silent but for the faint crackle of the fire.
Hunnt's excitement dimmed with worry. [Grandpa… does he still not believe in me?]
Moments later, Dom returned, holding a worn piece of parchment. The edges were frayed, ink smudged in places, but the writing was still legible. He held it out to Hunnt, his gaze grave.
"This," Dom said, his voice carrying the weight of generations, "was meant to be submitted to the hunters' guild. A quest form."
Hunnt's breath caught as he carefully took the parchment. His eyes darted over the words:
Target: Emberclaw Raptor.
Habitat: Forest outskirts.
Appearance: Red-scaled, claws glowing with heat.
Behavior: Hunts in small packs. Agile and aggressive.
Weak points: Head, legs, and tail.
His hands trembled. The ink seemed to burn into his mind.
Dom's voice continued, steady and stern. "If you can defeat this monster, then you, and those who fight alongside you, will be recognized. You'll be able to hunt monsters anytime without guild oversight." His gaze sharpened, locking onto Hunnt. "But hear me, boy. This creature is no simple quarry. Its claws burn hotter than steel, its speed faster than your eyes can follow. If you falter, even for a second, it will kill you."
Hunnt swallowed hard, fingers tightening around the parchment. [So this is it… our test. Our first real challenge.]
Mel stepped forward and pulled Hunnt into a sudden embrace, her arms wrapping tightly around him. Her voice was soft, trembling against his ear. "Be careful, Hunnt. Your grandfather is stern because he's afraid to lose you. I am too. But I trust you. I do."
Hunnt blinked rapidly, his throat tightening. "…We'll do our best, Granma. I promise."
Dom's eyes lingered on him for a long moment. Finally, he gave a single sharp nod. "…Then go. Prove yourselves. But come back alive."
Elara reached back and tightened the strap on her quiver, her face steady despite the nervous flutter in her chest. [The Emberclaw Raptor… this will test everything I've learned.]
Corwin shifted his hammer into place, his grip firm. "We'll succeed. We'll protect each other."
Pyro leapt onto Hunnt's shoulder, his whiskers twitching with excitement. "Nyahaha~ Master, the hunt begins! Nyaah!"
Hunnt looked at each of them — Elara, Corwin, Pyro — then down at the parchment in his hands. The words burned with promise and danger, but his resolve solidified like forged steel.
He clenched his fists, lifting his head high. "Then it's settled. We're ready. Let's go find the Emberclaw Raptor."
The four of them — the young leader, the agile scout, the silent hammer-wielder, and the precise archer — stood united. Outside, the forest loomed, full of hidden dangers and the promise of their first true trial.
And though none of them spoke it aloud, they all felt the same spark in their hearts: this was not just a hunt. This was the beginning of their legend.
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✨ Hi amazing readers! ✨
I'm beyond excited to share not just one, but two epic stories with you!
📖 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.
Your support means the world to me—every read, comment, and share helps bring these stories to life. 🌌🔥 Together, let's explore the unwritten and fight through the arsenal of war!
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