***KNOCK***

***KNOCK***

“Step out of the carriage, please.” An authoritative voice calls after a couple knocks on the carriage door. “I won’t ask twice.” He says.

Frey opens the carriage door and walks outside with Elizabeth and Siyu following behind. They had arrived at the Demon Hunter base. It was just one large building on the edges of the Fortitude Forest and surrounded by wild nature. It was quite a beautiful scene; civilization humbled.

“Name and reason for your business, please.” The soldier guarding the front gate states.

“Major Frey Asheile, reporting for duty. I have been transferred to the Demon Hunters by order of the King.” Frey reports with a salute.

“Ah, the new blood. The prince.” The soldier says with what seems to be a hint of schadenfreude. “Very well, go on in. Someone inside will lead you to Colonel Reyle. Oh, and just remember; have fun. Haha!” The soldier says, patting Frey on the shoulder before letting his laughter break out.

…

…

They were led to Colonel Reyle’s office. After entering the office, Frey offers a salute. “Major Frey Asheile reporting for duty.” He says.

A muscular, grey-bearded man gives their entourage a look with disinterested eyes. “Your companions?” He asks, picking up his pipe and lighting a match to rekindle it.

Siyu steps forward and announces himself with a bow, “Siyu Grey. Frey’s advisor, appointed by the King.”

The man does not look up, taking a puff out of the pipe to confirm that it was lit. “Very well. And the girl?” He asks.

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Elizabeth’s face flashes a look of annoyance. “Don’t call me girl.” She says sternly.

Seeing that his pipe was lit, Colonel Reyle takes a big puff out of it. “Very well. Never mind the girl.” He says exhaling a cloud of white smoke. “Go outside and find my dear assistant, Shayla. She will lead you to your rooms and bring you a meal. Rest for now and we’ll pick this up tomorrow. And send your soldiers back; they won’t be needed here. Don’t worry about the paperwork; just send them back to the capital and I’ll make sure they’re re-deployed from there. That will be all.” He says, his pipe still in his mouth and his hand waving them off.

Frey offers another salute, and walks out of the room. Elizabeth gives a harrumph of dissatisfaction before following. Siyu offers a bow and follows.

After a large meal, they settle in their rooms to rest...

…

…

Siyu awoke to a canopy of leaves and the smell of earth. Although aware of the unusual situation, he takes a deep breath, immersing himself in the environment. “Feels like home,” He couldn’t help but express.

Siyu stands and examines the situation. He was in what he assumed to be the depths of the Fortitude Forest, and from the groaning of his stomach, he had most likely not eaten for a very long time. He was in a small clearing, and on the edges were four stone pillars enclosing the clearing. “Monster wards,” He says, recognizing the pillars and their role.

Siyu gives Frey, who was sleeping peacefully next to him, a nudge with his foot. After he saw him react and struggle to open his eyes, he did the same to Elizabeth who seemed to be having a blissful dream, which could be seen from the obscene expression on her face and the drool leaking out of her mouth. Her eyes open abruptly and she sits up to examine the situation on reflex. “Where am I?” She asks, wiping the drool with her hand only to see Siyu looking down at her. “Ah?” She says with a blank look, before anger shows on her face. “What!? Must I look pretty when I sleep too!?” She asks threateningly.

Siyu simply raises his hands, takes two steps back, and turns around. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I saw nothing.” He says, denying what occurred.

“Humph! So you do have some sense.” Elizabeth exclaims before getting up and cleaning herself up.

Frey also manages to struggle awake and get up. “Where are we?” He asks with sleepy eyes.

Siyu explains to his companions his understanding of the situation, “From what I can gather, this seems to be a sort of initiation by the Demon Hunters.”

“To what end? What are we supposed to do here?” Elizabeth asks with annoyance.

Siyu points next to one of the pillars to a piece of paper held down by a stone. “It appears they have left a note.” He says.

Frey walks over to the piece of paper and lifts it from under the rock, before reading it.

Dear Initiates,

We don’t just let anyone into the Demon Hunters. To join us, you must prove that you have the qualifications; you must prove that you can survive.

The world isn’t as you know it, but hopefully the forest will shed some light on that truth.

By the time you wake, your bodies will be severely lacking sustenance. Your task is simple; survive, and find your way back.

Sincerely,

Colonel Reyle

“The world isn’t as you know it?” Frey echoes, a puzzled expression on his face.

“Let me see it,” Siyu says, receiving the paper from Frey. “The world isn’t as you know it, eh.” He echoes, with a knowing smile. “It seems the Demon Hunters are not simply a military organization.” He says.

Elizabeth receives the paper from Siyu and also reads it over. “The world isn’t as you know it…” Elizabeth mumbles, mulling over the words, before giving up and letting the note fall to the ground. “Whatever; that’s not for me to worry about.” She says without a care.