In the wake of the Blood Moon's ominous ascent, the Wolfe House stood like a fortress shrouded in shadows. The crimson glow of the moon still lingered in the horizon, casting an eerie hue over the world that now knew only perpetual winter. Within the hallowed walls of the mansion, Lilith's young figure paced restlessly, her eyes ablaze with newfound resolve.
"I won't be a burden," Lilith insisted, her voice quivering with determination. "I want to become a hunter. I want to fight alongside the hunters of this house. I want to be of service!
Her words echoed through the corridors, reaching the ears of the elders and the seasoned hunters who had gathered to discuss the night's events. The hunters of the Wolfe House were gathered in the mansion's grand dining hall, some seated, some too anxious to remain still. Among them was Doctor Faust, who regarded Lilith with a mixture of concern and admiration.
"You're but a child," Isaac interjected, his tone stern. "This path is perilous, and you have only just lost your mother. The life of a hunter is not one to be taken lightly."
Undeterred, Lilith met her uncle's gaze head-on, her young features set with unwavering resolve. "I know the risks," she asserted. "I've seen the darkness firsthand. I can't let my mother's death be for nothing! I will become a hunter, and I will make Bloody Mary pay for what she's taken from me!"
Her words hung in the air, heavy with conviction, as the seasoned hunters exchanged glances. Doctor Faust stepped forward, his alchemical tattoos glinting in the dim light, and regarded Lilith with a gaze that seemed to pierce through her very soul.
"If you wish to walk the path of a hunter, you must understand that it's one of sacrifice and suffering," he said in a voice tinged with wisdom and sorrow. "You must endure grueling training and face horrors that will test the strength of your spirit. Are you truly prepared for such a thing?"
Without hesitation, Lilith nodded, her fiery determination unyielding. "I am ready," she proclaimed. "All of us have seen the blood moon, felt the evil in the air. The good doctor said himself that things are stirring in the dark. I may not know much, but I can sense that this world is going to need as many hunters as possible."
At that moment, Lilith's fate was sealed. The elders exchanged glances once more, silently acknowledging the fire that burned within the young huntress.
Isaac rose from his heat, hands folded across his chest as he nodded at the girl. He looked about the room, at the many hunters that looked up to him, that pledged service in hunting the horrors of the night.
"Very well. Then allow me to introduce you properly."
Isaac cleared his throat.
"The girl you see before you is none other than my niece, Lilith Wolfe, daughter of Aurelia Wolfe. My sister had served the noble Wolfe House all her life, and gave us countless years of service. She saved countless lives, and slew many creatures of the night. However, she recently met her end at the hands of Bloody Mary."
The crowd was deathly silent as the leader of the house spoke, grief heavy in the air as the news was finally delivered. Lilith couldn't help looking amongst the crowd, seeing clenched fists, expressions of fury, some wearing masks that covered their visage entirely. Did this many people know her mother? Or rather, knew of her feats?
"Standing before you is Aurelia's only child. As I am sure you can see, she is not like most mortals, but I know you are aware of our stance on demi-humans. As long as they can control their abilities, as long as they can stand and fight, then they too may serve the Wolfe House."
It was at that moment that the girl suddenly became acutely aware just how different she was. Crimson eyes, glowing tattoos, the tendency to burst into flame, her heightened senses, and her mouthful of flames. Just what was she?
Isaac turned to the girl, amber eyes burning with determination.
"We begin your training in the morning. Forget everything you learned before, as we shall start with the very basics and work our way to the more advanced subjects. We shall hone both your body and mind. Rest tonight, Lilith, as your journey begins in the morning. And to the rest of you: keep your wits about you! I sense that the appearance of that blood moon is darkest of omens..."
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It is only in fiction that one wields a sword as though they born to do so. Lilith had engaged in light sparring sessions with those at her mother's hunting party, but it became incredibly apparent that her previous partners were merely playing with her.
Isaac tasked a young huntress named Evelina to train the girl in swordplay. Her Uncle was busy organizing a hunting party to be sent on a mission in a town someplace, and was unavailable at the time. And, as he mentioned before, it gave Lilith the opportunity to get acquainted with her fellow hunters and their apprentices.
"Your weapon is an extension of your body," Evelina explained.
"A hunter's weapon is typically tailored for them by a trusted forgemaster, as precision and perfect balance is key."
Evelina dashed toward Lilith with a wooden training sword, slashing at her with precise and controlled attacks and backpedaling every time Lilith attempted to counter. On more than one occasion did Lilith get struck in the belly, ribs, her face, and even her wrists as she attempted to parry. At one point the older girl swept Lilith's feet out from under her, giving the girl a rather nasty wallop upside the head.
Lilith spat blood upon the floor, rising on shaking knees before Evelina approached and extended a hand, Lilith snarling and slapping it away before completely returning to her feet. Evelina showed no emotion as this interaction, taking a few steps backward before looking the girl up and down.
"You put too much power into your strikes, and your footwork needs improvement. Your reflexes are sound, but dodging is simply not enough. There will be attacks you cannot dodge, and there will be times where going on the offensive will be the only thing keeping you alive."
Evelina rushed forward again, rapidly striking Lilith with her wooden sword. Lilith parried, and parried, and parried again, but the young huntress always managed to find an opening, and her attacks were brutal and merciless.
"Do not give your opponent a moments reprieve. Remain on the offensive, and attack with the full intention of killing. Remember, you are the predator, and they are nothing more than prey."
Evelina struck her across the face, Lilith's head rocking backward as blood flew from her open mouth. The younger girl fell hard, her wooden training blade skittering across the floor.
"You pigheaded bitch!" Lilith snarled, spitting blood upon the floor.
"I am so sorry about her, young one. Evelina has been known to push people's buttons."
This was a voice she'd never heard before. Sweet as honey and smooth as silk. She hadn't even heard him enter the training hall but here he stood, a mere few feet away, picking up Lilith's fallen training sword.
The young man who approached her was simply...beautiful. His ageless features, marked by porcelain-pale skin, were framed by raven-black hair that cascaded in silken waves around his shoulders. His eyes, concealed behind round spectacles with darkened lenses, shimmered like pools of amethyst, betraying a depth of wisdom and mystery.
His supple and graceful figure moved with fluid elegance, evoking a regal air that set him apart from his peers. Despite not being of noble lineage, the newcomer possessed a natural magnetism that hinted at an untold past. His allure lay not only in his physical beauty but in the captivating aura of the enigma that surrounded him.
Attired in a cloak of deep velvet, its dark hue a stark contrast to the paleness of his skin, he exuded an air of both nobility and secrecy. Underneath the cloak, he donned a fitted ensemble of deep crimson, tailored for both comfort and mobility during hunts.
"I used to spar with her often. Evelina was just as brutal to me as she has been with you... I think. Regardless, her heart is in the right place."
He kneeled beside her, and offered his hand. The girl took it without a second's hesitation, immediately noticing how rough the skin felt. Despite his regal appearance, this hunter no doubt had far more experience than he was letting on.
"My name is Arden. You must be Lilith, correct?"
She simply nodded, before turning away and spitting out another mouthful of blood.
"Ah, Evelina," he sighed. "Must you be so rough with the girl?"
Evelina merely shrugged.
"I mean no offense, but this world has only grown more dangerous. The snowfall has never ceased since the blood moon, and we have received news from across Eldengard that is most concerning."
"What news?" Lilith asked as she rose to her feet with a groan.
"The dead do not stay dead, Lilith." Arden replied.
"Ever since the blood moon, the population of night creatures has increased significantly. The dead rise from their graves and attack the living. There are many towns and other settlements that have been overrun. Just last week I had to defend a traveling caravan from a group of Bone Reavers and Necroshades. While on the subject, do remember to study the bestiary, Lilith. Knowing your prey and how to hunt them often spells the difference between life and death." Arden explained.
"Tis also common sense." Evelina stated.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"What I am trying to say is, as grueling as training is, you will need it. After all, Bloody Mary has established a castle far up north, and has already amassed a frighteningly large army."
Lilith forgot all about her aches and pains at that moment.
Bloody Mary had resurfaced, and had now amassed an army?
"Tell me more!" Lilith nearly snarled at the young hunter.
"Bloody Mary has been sweeping through northern Eldengard, murdering all the while. Where bustling towns once stood are now mass graves infested with undead. I heard rumors that she even murdered all the local virgin girls and bathed in a pool of their blood. Each passing day I hear tales of her cruelty and brutality, not just from her, but from her cohorts as well."
"Cohorts?" Lilith inquired.
"She's assembled a sizable party of elder vampires. Some of them are supposedly as old as time itself, not unlike their queen. We don't know what they're planning, but we can assume that she wants control of the country, given how her undead army has been claiming entire territories."
Arden did not show a shred of fear during his explanation, describing the events as though they were nothing more than a minor annoyance.
"It is for this reason that I cannot afford to hold back, Arden." Evelina replied, gesturing to the bruised and battered girl before them.
"Brutality must be met with precision, savagery, and a willingness to endure pain."
Lilith gritted her fangs, snatching the wooden sword back from Arden and assuming a combat stance.
"If it allows me to kill that unholy bitch, then I shall endure whatever is necessary. Enough talking. I'm ready to try again!"
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Combat training with Evelina was brutal, especially in the first several weeks, But as time passed, there was gradual improvement. Lilith was still brutally beaten, but her reflexes and footwork were growing sharper. She was able to land more attacks. While not perfect, Lilith was still making progress.
When not training with Evelina, Lilith met with the Wolfe House's resident forgemaster, Magnus Caelum; a gruff fellow who spent most of his time tinkering in his workshop, developing weapons of all kinds and even designing marvels of technology. His workshop reeked of oil, metals, and gods knew what other potentially dangerous material. He was often covered in soot and gunpowder but always confident in his creations.
Lilith received lessons on weaponry, technology, and even history from the older man, who despite his inability to sit still, was an incredible well of knowledge.
Surrounded by intricate machinery and arcane contraptions, Lilith marveled at the mesmerizing display of gears, cogs, and ethereal crystals that powered these wondrous devices. Master Caelum's round spectacles gleamed with knowledge as he began his lesson on the interplay of magic and machinery.
"Lilith," he began, his voice a gentle cadence, "you see, in our world, magic and technology dance in harmony, each complementing the other to achieve marvels beyond mortal comprehension."
With a knowing smile, Master Caelum guided Lilith toward a blueprint of a magnificent contraption—a train—a marvel of land transportation that traversed vast distances in unimaginable speed.
"Here lies the heart of the industrial revolution—the steam locomotive," he explained, tapping the blueprint with reverence. "By fusing magic-infused steam engines with the technological precision of gears and pistons, we have birthed the marvel of land travel. A force that defies the very limitations of time and space."
As Master Caelum continued his exposition, Lilith found herself drawn deeper into the seamless fusion of magic and mechanics. He revealed how the mystical essence of Aetherium, a rare magical mineral, coursed through the locomotive's engines, propelling it forward with uncanny speed and power.
"In the heart of these machines resides the essence of enchantment," Master Caelum continued, eyes alight with passion. "We harness the very energies that shape our world and meld them with the craftsmanship of the finest engineers. It is a symphony, Lilith, a symphony of invention that defies both the mundane and the arcane."
As the lesson progressed, Lilith's understanding of this magical technological age deepened. She marveled at the symbiotic relationship between magic and machinery, a profound dance that fueled the industrial revolution and shaped the world around her.
"I've heard stories about the capital city," Lilith began.
"A city that has established train tracks through neighboring cities and towns."
"Ah, you mean Vapora, my home." Maser Caelum replied.
"You...were born in the capital?"
"Yes, young one. Vapora is marvel of technology. It was the first city to establish trains as a means of transport, and has been a leader in the development of other technologies. Once I finished training under my own master, I made the journey here to lend the hunters my aid. The weapons and designs I've managed to put together have made all the difference in the fight against the night's horrors."
He walked over to a seemingly random workbench and picked up a bronze lantern holding it before the girl who tilted her head in confusion.
"A seemingly ordinary lantern at a first glance. However, if I turn this this dial..."
Magnus turned the dial and an incredibly harsh beam of light burst to life from a contraption within the device, a concentrated beam of light hitting a nearby wall.
"A powerful concentrated light beam that can keep creatures such as Lycans and Duskwraiths at bay. Many night creatures live in fear of the sun, so I created a handheld replica with enough energy to burn even some undead to ashes. The only problem is that prolonged use at a single time can overheat the lantern, requiring precious time to cool down."
He turned the dial once more, and the light beam faded.
"As you are now, young one, it will be a few years before you're able to embark on a hunt, and put these tools of mine to use. However, what you should know is that a hunter's own skills and the tools they employ work hand in hand."
Magnus paused, setting the lantern down before heaving a sigh.
"I have seen many hunters come and go from my workshop. Seldom to they live to see happy endings. I've crafted some truly marvelous weapons only for their wielders to be slain by the night's horrors. While hunters should be capable of adapting to any weapon, their primary armament should truly be their own. Come with me, Lilith."
Magnus led the girl deeper into the workshop, passing through a set of doors to reveal a massive room unlike the others she'd seen within the mansion.
As Lilith stepped into the armory, she felt an overwhelming sense of awe and reverence. The air itself seemed to crackle with the accumulated history of countless battles fought and won. Torchlight flickered along the towering shelves that stretched towards the vaulted ceiling, revealing row upon row of weapons forged with meticulous craftsmanship.
The armory was an arsenal of untold power, and an embodiment of the Wolfe Family's legacy. Ancient swords, gleaming axes, and wickedly sharp daggers adorned the walls, each bearing the scars of battles long past. The blades seemed to whisper haunting tales of the hunters who wielded them, their stories etched into the very essence of the steel.
Racks of rifles and crossbows stood proudly alongside more archaic weaponry, their barrels glinting in the warm glow of the torches. Each weapon was unique, a testament to the ingenuity of the Wolfe House's forges and the alliance of magic and technology that defined their craft. Sitting in a rather ornate display case was a beautifully crafted greatsword. It's pommel was wrapped in fine leather and words Lilith couldn't understand were etched into the guard which was a brilliant gold. The blade was its most beautiful aspect. The five foot long blade looked as if forged recently, it's pure silver surface having runes etched into its center.
"Whose sword is this? Does it belong to someone? Who made it?" Lilith was bursting with questions, to which Magnus was happy to provide answers.
"This, young Lilith, is the Blade of Amadeus, the first hunter of the Wolfe clan. It's the bane of existence for every creature of the night. The sword before you slew countless horrors, including many, many vampire lords. The blade was forged from aetherium, an incredibly rare metal with holy properties. I've never had the opportunity to work with such an ore, and truth be told, I may never have the chance, given its rarity. Even should I find myself in possession of it, it's a notoriously difficult material to work with. Only one with true absolute mastery of the forge could work with such a metal and produce something as profound as this blade, and that man died a long, long time ago."
Lilith approached the case, staring at the magic blade in awe.
"Who forged it, Master Caelum?"
"She simply went by the name of Thalia. Daughter of an equally genius forgemaster, Thalia pledged her loyalty to the first hunters of the Wolfe clan. See, in the days of the old hunters, the vampires waged a war that could have easily spelled the end of humanity. Amadeus mustered forces of his own, and fought back against their armies, inflicting devastating damage as he targeted their leaders. As the story goes, Thalia was born and raised in a mining town that specialized in producing the finest of craftsmen. When her home was attacked by the horrors of the night, she swore vengeance, using her immense knowledge to fashion weapons that would put everlasting fear into the minds of those that preyed on mortals. The Blade of Amadeus was her greatest creation by far."
Lilith paced about the armory, closely examining each weapon proudly displayed on the walls. Rifles, pistols, swords, axes, whips, and so many other weapons of varying designs. There was even a collapsible shield meant to be worn on the wrist of the user.
"If I recall correctly, you'll be receiving targeting practice from Isaac along with the other apprentices," Magnus continued. "He's one of our many sharpshooters, and learning to operate firearms is one of the many skills a hunter will need. I do wish you could meet hunter Cassidy. Alas, he is currently on a hunt."
Lilith turned away from a double-barreled gun displayed on a wall and faced the forgemaster, brow raised at the hunter's name.
"Who is hunter Cassidy?"
"Silas 'Deadshot" Cassidy," Magnus said with a smile. "One of the few hunters around here with better accuracy than Isaac. He is what you would call a mercenary; serving not one, but all who need the services of a hunter. Working with him has only served to help me in my gunsmithing. After all, who better to test out new designs than with someone who specializes in guns?"
Lilith turned her attention back to the row of guns before her. The Wolfe family, her family, was quite famous. Whether she spoke to other hunters or simply gazed at the weapons surrounding her, all were real instances of the legacy left behind by her predecessors. A legacy that she'd inherited, whether she wanted it or not. Lilith knew in her heart of hearts that she wanted to be a hunter. Needed to be one, but could she be a hunter worthy of the Wolfe name?
"You'll find your way, young Lilith."
Magnus stood beside her then, one of his large hands upon her shoulder.
"Legacies can be difficult to live up to, yes. However, it's during trying times such as these that push us to our limits, making us stronger, more capable of doing things that we simply could not achieve before. Continue your training Lilith, and always remember that this is your home, and that all of us stand with you."
Magnus turned his attention to a nearby workbench where a several booklets and large pieces of paper, schematics, were lying.
"Now, off with you! I'm working on a new project, something I think you'll find interesting once its done."
That night, as Lilith finally lay down to rest, she knew one thing for certain.
With fire in her heart, the girl realized that for once, she looked forward to her next eventual throttling in the training arena.