“Scatter!” Alexi screamed, pushing herself off the ground just as the daemon leaped into the air, crushing the tree it had thrown at her as it landed in a shower of splinters. It opened its jaws and let out an earth-shattering roar, beating its chest wildly.
“Are they trying to kill us!?” Lacey cried, reaching behind her back to unclasp something, producing a wicked-looking sickle that was connected to a long, iron chain. She was shaking violently as she looked up at the daemon attacking them, taking a step backward.
“Well, this is an exam,” Nathan replied as he took a low stance, spinning a pair of curved daggers in his hand before settling on a reserve grip. “Wouldn’t be much of a test if they didn’t give us a challenge.”
What is this? Alexi thought to herself as she reached for her revolver, her hand trembling slightly. A wave of unease washed over her as she stared at the daemon, trying to bury the fear rising up inside her. This isn’t fear, I am not scared of a daemon. Alexi drew her revolver and aimed it at the daemon’s head, swearing silently as she was unable to keep her aim steady. She remembered the first time Joshua had taken her out on a hunt, remembered how icy needles of fear had pierced her spine. It’s going to kill us.
The daemon turned its piercing gaze onto Alexi, thick, steaming saliva oozing from its rotting fangs. Snapping back to the present, Alexi gritted her teeth and released three shots in quick succession, burying her bullets into the daemon’s forehead. The daemon’s head snapped backward, and she took the opportunity to charge forward and draw her blade, slashing at its ankles. She was met with a crushing blow from the back of its hand, the daemon seemingly unphased after being shot in the face.
Gasping as the wind was knocked out of her, Alexi rolled across the forest floor, throwing her arm out wildly to try and stop herself.. This thing is on a completely different level to any daemon I've killed before. Her left arm burned as she came to a stop, coughing violently as she breathed in dirt.
“Alexi!” Lacey cried as she rushed towards her, kneeling down to help Alexi into a sitting position.
“Need…to catch….my breath.” Wheezed Alexi, eyes glued to the daemon as it stepped towards them. She had lost her grip on her weapons, and she didn't put much stock in Lacey being able to defend them against the beast. They were defenseless.
“Hey, you're gonna hurt my feelings if you keep ignoring me like that!” Nathan called, leaping up towards the daemon, slashing at its neck with his daggers. The beast snarled in irritation as it attempted to swat Nathan away as it had with Alexi, but the Half-Elf was already on the move again, darting between its legs, slashing them as he narrowly avoided being crushed underfoot.
“Lacey, get my sword.” Alexi breathed, pushing herself up to her feet. “I'm going to kill that thing.”
“What!?” Lacey cried, incredulous. “That daemon just sent you flying, you shouldn't-”
Alexi was too busy trying to calm her nerves to even register Lacey’s words. Every fiber of her body was screaming for her to run, to survive. For the first time she felt like she was facing death, but she refused to back down.
“You didn't listen to a word I just said, did you?” Lacey groaned as Alexi began to walk forward.
“No.” Alexi reached for her fallen weapon and readied it. She inhaled deeply and remembered the promise she had made to herself. I'm going to kill as many daemons as I can until one kills me. If this was where she died, then so be it. She charged, only for movement at the corner of her eye making her stop.
Alexi had all but forgotten about Vincent until he moved towards the daemon, still occupied with trying to catch Nathan, a look of boredom written all over his face. He was fast, faster than Alexi had seen anyone move before, leaping into the air and slashing the back of the daemon's neck in one fluid motion, the blade of his sword already returned to its sheath once he had landed. It took Alexi a moment to realize, as the daemon fell with a thunderous crash, he had severed the thing’s spine. He killed it, just like that.
Dead weight
Shame and anger coursed through Alexi's veins as Vincent’s words echoed inside her head. Useless. She had been absolutely useless.
“So, can we all agree that travelling together is a good idea now?” Nathan asked as he pocketed his daggers.
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“So you’re telling me you sew armor between layers of fabric?”
Chatting enthusiastically behind her, Alexi couldn’t help but note how quickly Nathan and Lacey had become friendly. The moment she had spun her sales pitch towards Nathan, he was caught in Lacey’s web. Good Alexi thought, staring daggers into Vincent’s broad back. At least someone will listen to her.
“If you have something to say, say it.” Vincent spoke without even glancing back at her. It made Alexi bristle.
“Yeah actually. You killed that daemon like it was nothing. If you could have done so from the start, why didn't you?”
Vincent remained silent, telling her everything she needed to know. She had done nothing but prove him right. Alexi clenched her hands, piercing the skin of her palms with her nails as she called into question the last ten years. Why had she never encountered a daemon like that until now? If she had been alone, had it been any other job, she’d surely be dead.
“I thought you wanted to die?”
Catching the sight of flowing, crimson hair from the corner of her eye, Alexi snapped her gaze in that direction, only to be met with nothing, only trees. She felt her heart skip a beat, the tips of her fingers growing numb. Focus. Just focus. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Alexi pushed her down as far as she could, and pushed forward, towards the end of the exam.
The sky had turned a fiery orange by the time the group of four pushed through the other side of the forest, finding themselves joining a group of other successful applicants at the base of the Mountain range, a group with far fewer numbers than it had originally started with. Alexi counted twenty in total, including them.
“I welcome you all, successful applicants. You have all made it through the forest within the time limit, and as a result, have passed the exam.” Standing on a nearly identical stage to the one from that morning, their announcer smiled down at them, giving off the impression he was proud of them. “My name is Jerard Crestfall, Headmaster of Lostvail. Buckle in Ladies and Gentlemen, you’ve just entered three years of hell.”
Stepping away from the podium, Jerard motioned at the empty stage space around him. “I think you’ll all be fine though, don’t get me wrong. From what I’ve been told, you all gave quite the show.” As the Headmaster spoke, a dozen figures joined him on stage, and when Alexi caught sight of Joshua she knew that these were to be their Instructors. “My talented staff here were keeping a close eye on you during the entire exam, ensuring you all followed the rules and didn’t die.”
Alexi’s throat felt like sandpaper at the thought of Joshua having witnessed the display she had put on against the daemon in the forest. Her body shook with confusion and anger as she burned her mentor with her gaze. She needed answers.
“Now, those of you who were injured in the forest, please report to the medic tents to the side of the stage. You will then be escorted with the partner you met in the forest to your dorms, where your luggage will be delivered for you. Those who do not require medical attention will be escorted directly. You are all dismissed. Your schedules will be delivered to you within the hour. Classes start tomorrow.”
Alexi watched as Joshua filed off stage with the rest of the instructors, moving to chase after him when a gentle hand placed itself on her shoulder. “Alexi, maybe you should get checked out? You were hit pretty hard by that daemon, weren't you?” Lacey’s tone was gentle and filled with genuine concern, but the look on her face made Alexi wonder if she even had a choice in the matter. “It’s better to be safe than sorry, don’t you think?”
Nathan nodded in agreement as he stepped towards them. “Vincent and I are gonna head over to our dorm now, but I’d listen to your partner. My Dad always says the secret of a healthy relationship is listening to your partner.”
“Wise words indeed.” Lacey giggled before pushing Alexi in the direction of the medical tent. “Oh, and I’ll make you my model yet Nathan!”
“Not in a million years!" Nathan responded with his trademark boyish grin, as Alexi rolled her eyes.
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the end, Alexi had no major injuries to worry about, just some bruises and a few strained muscles that would most likely heal quickly on their own. With the check-up over, Alexi and Lacey were escorted out of the tent and towards a sight that made Alexi’s sour mood lighten, even if only a little. “Wyverns…” Alexi whispered, her eyes growing wide in disbelief as she took them in. The pair of Wyverns were both coated in brilliant feathers, one with deep navy that made it blend into the darkening night sky, and the other with hot orange, like the center of a fire. They used their long, down-coated tails to keep themselves balanced, their wigs folded tightly against the sides of their body.
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“The best mount a Hunter could ask for. A horse is fine and all, but they can’t cover the sheer distance in the amount of time a Wyvern can. Besides, there’s no animal out there more loyal.” Beamed Lacey, coming up beside Alexi.
Alexi stepped closer to the draconic mounts. The final Dragon species to have not gone extinct on Deigradus, Wyverns had long ago been tamed and bred as mounts by daemon hunters. Alexi had always known this as it was common knowledge, but whenever she asked Joshua why he didn't have one for them to use, he always changed the subject. Always.
“Have you ever ridden one?” Alexi asked, glancing in Lacey’s direction. The other girl had already mounted their Wyvern, looking down at Alexi with a curious smile.
“My Dad taught me how when I was a little girl.” Lacey giggled, before reaching out a hand towards Alexi. “Here, hope on.”
The trip to their dorm was an experience unlike anything Alexi had ever felt before. Soaring through the air, Alexi had thousands of stars peppered throughout the night sky above her, while beneath her were the spires of the academy. The cool night air kissed her skin as she gazed down at the sprawling grounds beneath them. Up in the sky, Alexi felt something she’d long since forgotten the sensation of. She felt free and, subconsciously, she craved more. The feeling only lasted as long as their ride did, Alexi’s heart sinking as they landed in the abandoned courtyard.
“Your escort will arrive momentarily to show you to your dorms. Welcome to Lostvail Academy, you earned your place here. Walk proud knowing that.” With those parting words, the Wyvern handler flew off on his mount, leaving the two young women alone to wait.
Alexi turned to look up at the ominous statue in the center of the courtyard, shrouded in darkness as the stars above them were blotted out by passing clouds. She could just make out the statue, a large nondescript mass with numerous pairs of red and yellow eyes, representing the daemon horde. Below it was a single figure clad in heavy-plated armor, representing the original line of hunters that rose up to defend humanity against them. Alexi supposed the statue was meant to represent hope and inspire the next generation of hunters to never forget what they were fighting for. In her eyes, it felt more like a reminder that humanity was woefully outnumbered in a never-ending war.
I did earn my place, no matter what that arrogant prick thinks. I did…right?
Glancing back in Lacey’s direction, Alexi could tell from the expression on the other girl’s face that she wasn’t the only one questioning their position here, and suddenly regretted how harsh she’d been towards her earlier in the day.
“Alexi Ira, Lacey Flos, I would like to officially welcome you to Lostvail.”
The sound of Joshua’s voice, sudden and sharp, cut through the silence of the night and made Alexi’s skin crawl. A fresh wave of confusion and pain coursed through her veins like fire as she turned to glare at him as he materialized from the darkness.
“Of course they’d send you to be our guide.” “Alexi drawled, not bothering to hide the venom in her words. She noticed the look of confusion in Joshua’s eyes, though he tried to hide it, and she didn’t even feel guilty. Good, now you know how it feels.
Lacey, seeming to sense the tension between the pair, looked deeply uncomfortable, taking a step back as she played with one of her curls. “Uhm…I’ll just wait over here.”
“Stay within eyeshot,” Joshua said before Lacey could even move. She only nodded stiffly in response before moving just past the statue.
Joshua let out a long, hard sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and index finger. “And here I thought we’d be celebrating this moment after all these years.”
“Celebrating?” Alexi growled through gritted teeth. “You knew that daemon was in the forest, you had to. You and the other instructors were scouting the forest yesterday.” She was shaking, the back of her eyes stinging as the weight of everything that had happened during the day became too much. She was exhausted, humiliated, and questioning every decision she had ever made since the day her life went to shit. She couldn’t hold back.
“Every daemon I’ve killed up until now has been a joke compared to that…thing. None of them would have shrugged off three fucking bullets to the brain at least.” She began to pace, trying to take deep breaths to suppress the panic attack she could feel creeping in. “What have I been doing up until this point Joshua? What was the point of me going out and killing daemons if they weren’t going to prepare me for this? Why am I not prepared for this!?”
Joshua didn’t answer her immediately, instead sitting down on the edge of the statue and pulling a pack of cigarettes from his jacket. His expression was hidden in the shadow of his hat as he flicked his lighter on, the smell of tobacco filled the air. A sure sign she had royally pissed him off.
“You have just as much skill as the boy who killed the daemon. I watched you charge in widely without a plan, despite everything I’ve taught you. You fight like someone begging to die-”
“SHUT UP!” The words violently ripped from Alexi’s throat as her body moved before she could even register what she was doing. Before she knew it, she was pinned down on the ground, her arm painfully pressed against her back after her failed attempt at punching Joshua in the face. After a few seconds, he let her go.
“If you want to live long enough to actually make use of your chance here, then I suggest you do something about that anger inside of you. You have raw natural talent, and years of training, actually put it to use.”
For a long moment Alexi just lay there on the ground. She was exhausted in every definition of the word, and every muscle in her body was screaming in protest at even the thought of moving. Despite it all, she silently pulled herself up off the ground. Without a word, she flipped her hood up and shoved her hands into her pockets. She was finished talking.
Joshua, noticing Lacey peering over at them with a mix of concern and curiosity on her face, let out a sigh and turned back towards Alexi, who had shut down. “Alexi, just please think about what I’ve said.” With that, he motioned for Lacey to join them and within moments they were on one of the winding paths that lead out of the courtyard, snaking their way through the grounds.
The dorms were simple, if not efficient in design, not taking up much space with its vertical design, stone painted a soft creme color, with balconies jutting out of the sides of the building. The front doors were made of silver gilded glass. Inside were polished chequered floors, and a pair of cage elevators. Their new home.
“This is where I leave you ladies.” Joshua said as they gathered in front of the front door. “Just tell the receptionist your names and they will give you your room keys. Once again, I officially welcome you to the academy. Your personal effects as well as your timetables have already been delivered to your dorm. I suggest you get some rest, you’ll be expected to be in fit physical and mental condition for your classes tomorrow.”
Without another word to Alexi, Joshua walked down the stone steps and was soon out of sight, leaving the two girls standing alone in front of their shared home for the foreseeable future. Lacey glanced nervously at Alexi, who had remained silent and still since Joshua’s departure. “Uhm.” She said softly, as if she were talking to a frightened animal. “Should we go inside?”
“Yeah.” Alexi said softly, her voice coated in her exhaustion, but mixed with something that almost sounded like determination. “I’m beat. Let’s get some rest.”
_______________________________________________________________
“Michael Avlin, age 28. Last seen leaving for his Final Exam Mission.” Joshua frowned as he looked over Michael’s profile. Skilled with a hand axe and a flawless mission success rate. “This doesn’t make sense.” Joshua said, placing the file on the rich mahogany desk that stood before him. Sitting behind the desk, looking at Joshua intently, was Jerard.
“That’s exactly why I called you back here Joshua. This is the fifth student to go missing like this. No reason to drop out, too skilled to be killed by the riff-raff daemons that are left out there. Someone is behind this. I want to know who.”
Joshua collapsed into the lush seat on the other side of the desk, rubbing the bridge of his nose between his thumb and knuckle. He was exhausted, mentally. It had taken every fiber of self-control he had to not get involved during the exam when Alexi had been injured by the Daemon. He took it out on her tonight. He couldn’t help the nagging feeling at the back of his mind that he had gone too far. He couldn’t even focus on that because now he had this to deal with.
“I honestly don’t know what you expect me to do here Jerard. What am I supposed to find that you couldn’t? I don’t exactly have a lot to work with.”
Jerard leaned back in his seat, regarding Joshua thoroughly before letting out a long exhale. “I asked myself that very question after I contacted you. Then I saw you brought her with you.”
Joshua felt himself tense at the Headmaster's words, instantly recognizing the look in his old friend’s eyes. They had known each other since they were teenagers at the academy together. Jerard was fiercely intelligent, with the mind of a strategist. It was what made him the strongest hunter, but it also detached him from his humanity on some level. Right now Joshua knew Jerard was studying him as a subject and not his old friend.
“What do you mean?”
Jerard snorted. “Don't insult My intelligence Joshua. You quit on me the day of the funeral, you spend ten years travelling the continent taking jobs far below your skill level. Then when I ask you to return, you bring with you a girl so just so happens to be the same age that Brutus and Haven’s oldest daughter would be. You went against their wishes and raised their daughter as a daemon hunter.”
“I wasn’t trying to hide it.” Joshua said defensively, leaning back in his seat. “I was preoccupied raising a traumatized child.”
“So you admit to raising her to kill the very thing that traumatized her?” Jerard asked in response, eyebrows raised.
“You act like I had a choice in the matter.” A mixture of shame and indignance stabbed him at Jerard’s words. He wasn’t wrong, and even as he spoke he knew he was justifying his actions to himself just as much as he was Jerard.
“You weren’t there Jerard. You didn’t see what I saw. What she saw. She begged me to train her!” The moment the words had left Joshua’s mouth, he knew he had fallen right into Jerard’s trap.
“Exactly. The girl has drive, fueled by revenge. Someone like that is bound to be the perfect target for whoever is going after the-”
“YOU WILL NOT USE ALEXI AS BAIT!” Joshua roared, rising to his feet as he slammed his hands down on the desk, before pointing directly at the headmaster’s face. “I forbid it.” This had been a mistake. Coming here was a mistake. Caving into Alexi’s plea had been a mistake. All he had ever done was put her in danger, and now he had done it again.
“I don’t need to use her as bait. She has drive, natural talent, and she he does have her Father’s blood in her veins after all. I’m sure all of that will naturally draw the attention of the culprit.”
Confusion replaced Josua’s anger for a moment, but it was quickly replaced by a cold fear as realization dawned on him. "Wait, you don’t mean-”
“I’ve always been of the opinion that the attack on Brutus and Haven wasn’t random. It never felt right. No, I believe they were targeted because of Brutus specifically. If I’m correct, then I have a feeling the two culprits may be one and the same.” Jerard slowly stood up to match Joshua, staring right into his eyes, his gaze hard and methodic. “Don’t you want the chance to bring whoever killed our friends to justice? Especially if they're now targeting the next generation of daemon hunters?”
Joshua collapsed back into the seat, overwhelmed by the information Jerard had just dumped onto him all at once. He rubbed his jaw, a numb feeling washing over him.
What have I gotten Alexi into?