They stayed Taambervol that night. Alice shared a room with Liz, while Paul took the couch, and Levi was on a cot, wedged into a walk-in closet off the hall. Tired as he was, he couldn’t sleep.

I can’t believe I was such an idiot, he thought, laying in the dark. Of course she can handle herself, why didn’t I stick up for her, or at least keep my mouth shut. I can’t believe I let her down like that. He punched his pillow till he was too tired even to do that anymore. Not that that took long, he was beat; but still he couldn’t sleep.

He almost got up a couple times to go talk to her, but stopped himself. She was probably asleep already, it had been a long, terrible day. Even if she wasn’t, Alice was there anyway, and that would be awkward. Eaten up by guilt and regret he lay there, listening to that rhythmic thumping from off somewhere. What was that anyway? Sometime past midnight he finally passed out.

Even his sleep wasn’t an escape. In dream after dream he was chased down endless hallways by creatures with blazing eyes and gleaming fangs. Half the time they looked like Liz. He woke when it was still dark, feeling tired and sore. Even then, he had no intention of trying to sleep again.

“Being asleep is worse than being awake,” he muttered.

To distract himself he pulled open his guide. Out of habit he flipped to the last unlocked page and stopped, surprised. The page before him was nothing like what had been there before. None of his challenges had changed before they were completed, but this time it had. There was no illustration, no subtext but in bold, flowing strokes of fiery red were written the words:

Perform Your Vigil

He blinked, taking a second look, thinking maybe he was still half asleep. The words remained. What on earth? What was a vigil?

###

The next morning when he had a moment with just him, Alice, and Paul, he brought it up. He would have included Liz too, but she was still mad at him. Well, him, her parents, and well everyone. At least she shot that burning glare at anyone who tried to talk to her. Even Alice was avoiding her.

"She spent like an hour griping to me about everyone. Sorry Levi, even you. Then she started in on a punching bag. Did you know she has a punching bag in her room? She beat up on that thing for like an hour before she finally just passed out. I didn't dare say a word, I just tried to pretend I wasn’t there. Tonight I'm taking the other couch."

"Woah," said Paul, "She seemed so sweet too. I pictured her room full of stuffed animals and unicorns and stuff.”

“That’s exactly what it’s like, but it only makes things creepy. Well, kinda creepy, cute.”

“What? How’s that?”

“Paul, the punching bag. It’s shaped like a teddy bear. She spent an hour beating up a teddy bear.”

“Yeah, that is kinda creepy, right Levi?”

Levi didn't want to talk about it. He was still upset about the way she'd chewed him out last night. He changed the subject. "Hey, so what about this vigil thing? I mean it's weird that my challenge changed just like that, right?"

"I'll say," said Paul. "I'm lost, but I bet I can find something on the good old world wide web that could help. They’re not all old world down here, they’ve got great wireless."

"I thought we weren’t supposed to get online or anything.”

“I’ll stay off my accounts, I promise. It can’t hurt just to search the web.”

“Whatever. Anyway, I might have an idea what it’s talking about,” said Alice. “You know I'm into European folklore?"

"Yeah, sure. What about it?" Asked Levi.

"They talk about vigils sometimes in the stories with knights. It’s done before being raised to the knighthood. I don't recall the details, but it involved going all night without sleep and praying a lot, mostly it sounded really boring. Anyway, the idea here was to focus the mind and reflect on what it meant to be a knight."

"Hey, I've got it," Paul called over his laptop, "Yeah, let's see, middle ages, knights, yep, so Alice, the internet says you're right. Good call."

"Thanks," she said, "I'm so glad I've got the internet's approval."

"The internet says you're welcome."

"Shut up Paul."

"Ouch, I was just relaying the message. But seriously, if I shut up I can't tell you what I found can I?"

"So? What is it?" Levi asked.

"Right, at least someone appreciates me. It says here that a vigil's basically what Alice said. For the knight thing they wash and dress in ceremonial clothes before spending the night in prayer and meditation. After that they swear to uphold the knight's code and lots of other stuff. Sounds dull, but there you have it. None of the other examples really seem to fit, unless you’re watching over the dead, or celebrating a religious holiday."

"Well, that's great," Levi said, slumping down in his seat. "So I have to sit up all night again? What does that have to do with anything? Aren't there other things going on that are just a little more important?"

"Heck if I know, I'm just reading what's on the website. I can keep looking though."

“No, I’ll just ask Ravea. He was pretty helpful before.”

“Is that alright?” Alice asked. “I mean, he and Melanie, and well everyone all seem so busy since the, well you know.”

“I know, I know, but if Baldr’s putting this here now, maybe it’s important right? I almost ignored him once and that almost killed me. I’ll just have to find a time when Ravea’s not that busy.”

###

Finding Ravea not busy was harder than even Levi thought. He tried Melanie too, but each time he saw either of them they were neck deep in reports, or behind closed doors with any number of strange folk.

He was out walking around the underground neighborhood when finally he saw his chance. Ravea was taking his own walk; inspecting vents, drains, and shafts. Likely making sure no one can get in unannounced, Levi thought.

As Ravea drew near, Levi gathered his courage. Despite how friendly he’d been, Liz’s dad was intimidating. Short as he was, that man had a presence about him. Wherever he was,he somehow towered above everyone else in the room. Well, everyone but his wife, but that was something else entirely.

“Hello sir.”

Ravea looked up from inspecting a sewer grate. “Eh, hello there. What is is boy?”

“I don’t know if this is all that important with everything going on, but I saw something in my guide.”

“Eh, what’s that? What’s a guide?”

“Sorry, I mean the book Professor Connolly gave me. We call them guides.”

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

“Good name as any I suppose. Well, what is it?”

“It says I should perform my vigil. It was something else before, but it changed last night. I thought it might mean something.”

“So, your adjutor thinks you’re ready for that eh? That’s a big step there. Liz made it sound like you were still on the fence about the whole Hunter thing.”

“I am. I mean, I don’t know, I’m not sure I’m qualified, especially after last night. But what exactly does this have to do with being a hunter?”

“What does that have to do with being a hunter?” The man looked surprised. “Connolly really lets you figure it all out for yourself doesn’t he?”

Levi hesitated, not wanting to speak ill of the dead. “Well, I know there was a lot going on, but.”

“But he didn’t tell you anything about anything.”

“No sir, not really.” His face burned as he said this.

“Well,” Ravea said, stopping from his work to stand in front of Levi, brushing his short beard thoughtfully. “Sounds like he really was neglecting his duties. Maybe he didn’t think you’d make it.”

“Yeah, I’ve thought that too.” He felt his heart sink as he said it. It was one of his nagging fears.

“Hey there, don’t look so down. That man’s been wrong about plenty. Remember, you’ve lived through a good deal already, and handled yourself better than most.”

“Thanks, that makes me feel a little better, but what about the vigil?”

“Right, of course. Do you have any idea what one is?”

“I know it’s what knights would do before their knighthood.”

“Not bad, so you know a little at least.”

Levi made a mental note to thank Alice for that bit of info.

Ravea continued. “Hunters have been around quite a while, and they’ve had many different names. It turns out they were some of the first true knights. Back then though people were quicker to believe in monsters and magic, so they didn’t have to hide the way they do now. There was even a city ruled by hunters, a long time ago. You may have even heard of it. Nowadays they call it Camelot. It’s not its real name of course, but that’s all that remains, that and a few terribly inaccurate stories. Still, that’s where the real idea of knights and their vigils came from.

Now for what it really means. It’s when an apprentice like yourself decides to cast aside doubt and truly devote themselves to the calling of the hunter.”

“Wait, what?” Levi didn’t know what he’d expected, but it hadn’t been that.

“Yeah I thought as much. That Baldr always was ambitious.”

“No, wait, I didn’t mean I won’t, but I’m not ready. You heard about last night. Liz did everything and I just got in the way. There’s no way Baldr or anyone else wants me to be a hunter after that.”

“Boy, don’t you think you’re being hard on yourself, comparing yourself to my Lizzy? She’s been training since she could stand.”

“She was amazing, but that doesn’t change the facts. I would have died if it weren’t for her. How am I supposed to be a hunter? I really don’t think I’m ready.”

Ravea looked at Levi with what looked like pity. “No? If that’s how you feel then likely you’re not. Remember though, even the most common of ore can become the sharpest sword when forged by the proper master.” He reached up, ruffling Levi’s hair. “Now excuse me, I have a great many things yet to do.”

Levi watched him go, feeling like he’d let the man down. But really, how did Baldr think he was ready? He’d ignored Baldr’s warnings and almost gotten killed. Almost gotten Liz killed. Then he’d been defenseless against that barghest while Liz saved him. Before that, in the forest, he’d been useless when those gremlin things came after them, saving himself instead of looking for Paul. He really was useless, and now Liz was mad at him and Ravea was disappointed.

Sighing, he went to look for the others.

###

By the next day, reports began to filter in from Ravea and Melanie’s network. While there were a number of attacks against folk like Ravea and his family, ‘old worlders’ they called themselves, there was enough random violence mixed in that the rest of the city was starting to take notice, as was evidenced by the local news. An upswing in violent crime they called it. Still no one had heard from the hunters, whether alive or dead. With all of this, Liz's sour mood had turned bitter.

Levi had been avoiding her ever since he’d tried to talk to her, not long after talking with Ravea, but his timing couldn’t have been worse. She’d just ‘talked’ with her parents and apparently it hadn’t gone the way she wanted.

"I'm an adult. I’m trained for this. There's no reason I should be stuck here like a child."

“I know, you did great at the school. I would have been dead without you.”

“You didn’t think so the other night.”

“I was tired, and we’d almost died. Your dad was right about it being dangerous though.”

“So you still don’t think I should be allowed out?”

“I didn’t say that, I just think it’s dangerous for anyone right now.”

“So what? We should all just hide away while my friends are being hurt? I can’t believe you. I thought you were going to be a hunter and wanted to fight against things like this.”

“Well, I…” He trailed off, thinking of how the conversation with Ravea had gone.

“Seriously, you’re not thinking about giving up on that are you? Not with everything that's going on? I can’t believe you.” The look she gave him burned like acid.

“But, Liz it’s not like that.”

“No, get away from me. I thought you were better than that.” Then she stormed off, leaving him confused.

“What just happened?” Alice walked up, eating an apple, watching Liz stomping off.

“I don’t know but I think I just made things worse.”

“Yeah, maybe. Hey, this is good though.”

“How is any of this good?”

“Well, everyone’s got some level of crazy. I’ve dated enough losers to know. It’s better to find out before things get serious, trust me. Turns out crazy Liz is downright scary. I hope you can handle her.”

Levi couldn’t handle her. Just being in the same room with her death glare made him so uncomfortable he ended up hiding inside the house for the rest of the afternoon. After attempting to study for a while, he lay down on his cot in the closet and tried to take a nap. It wasn't that he was intimidated by Liz, he thought. It's just that he didn't sleep well, and needed to rest; that was all.

He lay there for quite a while, unable to sleep, but must have finally drifted off because he was woken by heavy feet coming along the hallway. The voices that came with them were urgent.

"The Giurdi's too?"

"Yeah, that and Cope's place in Midtown, not sure but I think they took him. They're barely trying to hide too. I ran across one down by Doc Gillam's, tearing the place apart. He was fully turned and in broad daylight too."

"And Doc?"

"He was long gone by then. Probably out of town when this all hit. I think he’s visiting family in Florida."

"Well that's something," there was relief in the voice; Levi thought it was Melanie's. "Too many people haven't been so lucky." There was a pause, then the first voice started again.

"There was something else."

"What?"

"I took the ogre out, but before it died it smiled. They don’t smile like we do you know. Then it said 'Surtr's coming for you.' That's it. I wish it was just messing with me, trying to get under my skin. But the way it looked at me, I’d bet anything it really believed it."

"You sure that's what it said?"

"Word for word, not the sort of thing you'd forget."

"Alright, don't tell anyone yet, let me think on it for a bit. If what it said is true, then things are worse than we even thought. If you're right though we might have a chance. You know May 1st is coming up right?"

"Ah, Beltain, you think that will help?"

"It's got to, things are out of hand. Here now, get that door will you."

Anything else was cut short as a door closed with a click.

###

It was the fourth day since that first attack, and temperatures were running hot. Liz had taken to snapping at anyone who came too close. She'd actually singed the eyebrows off one of the neighbors. Bragh was a vulfnar, a massive barbarian of a man, with a mane of hair down his back, and more covering the tops of his arms and much of his legs, with clawlike nails, sharp pointed teeth, and yellow eyes, he looked like some wild beast. Once you got past the looks, he and his brother Gunr were a lot of fun. They were pranksters though, constantly teasing Liz and her siblings. Levi figured they were like a pair of fun uncles, but that day Liz didn't see it that way.

Liz had just been told off by her mom and she'd stormed out of the house, a grenade waiting to go off. He'd been sitting on a nearby bench and heard the whole thing. All of Taambervol probably heard the whole thing. Bragh was coming toward their house, whistling as he went. Bragh said something in passing, Levi couldn’t tell what, but Liz screamed at him and the air between them burst into flames.

Ravea had laughed when he heard about it, but Melanie chewed her out, grounding her to her room for the rest of the day. After that pretty much everyone kept their distance.

It was probably a good thing the younger kids weren't there, Levi thought. He could only imagine what could happen then. He knew from experience how younger siblings can get under your skin on the best of days. Fortunately they'd been shipped off the first day, sent out of town till it was over.

Liz wasn't the only one taking the wait hard; Paul had drawn in on himself again, the shadow once again growing around him. He’d sit there, off in the shadows behind the house, staring at something. It seemed like wherever he went, the shadows deepened, but Levi figured that was likely just his imagination.

Levi too was affected, jumping at anything and everything; doing his best to stay out of the way of all the strange folk that were coming and going at all times of day and night. Alice was the only one who kept her head. She could be found wherever she was needed; cooking, cleaning, taking a turn guarding the exits, or if nothing was to be done she was busy poring through her guide and the extensive library, looking for something that might help.

The news they were getting was conflicting and patchy. Some reports had ogres and goblins running wild in the streets, though nothing like that was on the news.

"Though," Alice said thoughtfully, "in New York something like that might not even make the news."