The pair strolled through the desolate streets, heading toward the ever-present wall, of their abode. "Alkir, I will say, I recommend you get some sleep, the morning will come either way, but the more strength you have, the more you can do."
"Yeah, uh huh." Alkir barely listened barreling through the door and shedding his extra equipment, heading straight for the impromptu room that had been made from the living space. God, never listens...never, listens...
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"God damnit! Move!" A rumble reverberated through the bones of a duo, each barely keeping their footing on the grey sand beneath them. "Move!" The left silhouette struggled to reach its partner...
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Jace rubbed the base of his neck. Damnit. That's not here. Not now. He looked into the ajar door to his home. This, this is now. He stepped into the threshold, taking off his boots and plating, giving a momentary glace into Alkir's space before heading into his room. "Night!"
"Ditto!" Jace smiled for a second, closing his door.
At the foot of a large bed stood Jace, he stared down a large reflective surface, its ebony-tinged metal edges showed heavy wear, it was old, quite old. He shed the tunic he had on, turning to get a decent view of his back. What a pain... Jace collapsed onto the bedding, closing his eyes, yet staying wide awake.
A quick rapping assaulted the heavy wooden door. Jace rose, feeling revitalized, and donned another tunic before opening up.
"Hey, Let's get a move on, I want to register already!" Practically bouncing in place Alkir Stared at Jace, filling his eyes with a pleading air.
"Yeah, figures, let's get going then, gather your gear together." Alkir shot off like a rocket, and a distinct clatter was terminating from the main area. Jace stepped out and walked leisurely, emerging to see Alkir already ready and wearing his equipment, minimal armor plating over an ashen-colored leather jerkin.
"Ok then, you ready?" Jace sighed, nodding and heading for the door, and by extension his armor.
"No time like the present, yes?"
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The armored duo strolled through the busy main street, the maze of bodies not impeding their journey, Jace only gave a slight pause upon reaching the front of the prominent brick building. "Now, Alkir, again, you're sure?" The boy nodded. Of course, you are. Jace trudged forward and pushed the double doors open, Alkir on his heels, and stepped into the main room. It was a 20x20 or so, with multiple doors along both the back edge and the walls. Stood behind the familiar counter was the same slender man from what felt like years ago.
"Ah, Jace, it's been quite some time, glad to see you weren't eaten!" His jovial attitude was obvious, and he quickly turned his attention to the boy behind Jace. "Oh? A new face I see?"
"Indeed, this is Alkir. Consider him my, trainee, we're here to get him registered with the Hunter's Association." Alkir smiled and waved, stepping forward slightly.
"Right then, let's get started on that, I assume you are acting as his Nominator?" Jace nodded. "That settles that then, you couldn't have a better recommendation young man" The man smiled at Alkir, beckoning him to the counter. "This is just some basic paperwork, fill it to the best of your ability, but the unmarked sections aren't required per se, yet they do add invaluable information." Alkir hunched down and began slowly looking over and filling in the paper packet before him. The man stepped out from the counter and walked over to Jace. "You should know, the kid is safely in Westgate, they'll be taken care of plenty." Jace breathed a light sigh of relief.
"Good, that is good... Thank you Tariah."
"I'm done!" Alkir raised his voice slightly, holding the packet in Tariah's direction, who grasped its edge and returned to being behind the counter.
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"Right then. Let me look this over... Ah... Okay, okay... That's all good, great!" He fished around the counter's inner cupboards, pulling out a box of black cards, taking one, then returning the box to the counter's confines. "Once you imprint this card you will officially have completed the Association sign-up, you'll be a junior Hunter." Alkir plucked the card and stared as if trying to burn a hole through its sleek face. After a few moments, Jace blinked and branded into the card's previously blank surface was golden lettering.
Hunter's Association: Junior Member. Alkir
Jace smiled. "Well then, that settles that, we best be on our way, yes?" Hard to believe it's been two decades...
> ----------------------------------------
>
> "Well done, let's be off!" A young man, donning a basalt-hued cloak faced a slightly younger person, clutching an obsidian card in their hands.
>
> "You're the best Jace!" The individual turned and smiled, their features indecipherable, their entire being almost fuzzy, incoherent.
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He rubbed the back of his neck again. Not. Now. "Come on Alkir, We have just a bit more to discuss before you should go off."
Back at Jace's home, the two were seated at the craved wooden table. across from one another. "Alkir, as you will recall, I was sent to guide you, yes?" The boy nodded. "And you are now, capable is the word, capable of surviving on your own, you have the equipment, you have the training, so, my job here is finished." Alkir looked on for a while.
"Are you kicking me out?" Jace couldn't keep the mortified expression off of his face.
"Good god no! Quite the opposite, when you return from your first hunt, I will disappear... This small abode and a starting sum of money will be yours, so do use it wisely."
"Sorry, what?! You want me to take your home and your money! Fucking insane!" Alkir stood, a look of shock painting his face. "What the hell! What are you going to do, and what do you want me to do!"
"You should live life as you see fit. You are a more than capable human, and by extension, a Hunter, you'd find it hard to buy housing in this city, and you have no money anyways."
"So then why not just have me stay like I am, why disappear!"
"Alkir..." Jace laced as much sympathy as he could into his next words. "You have to live life as you, without me or anyone watching from your shoulder. You can do it, I have no doubt."
"I, I don't get it..." Alkir sat back down, sounding defeated.
"Don't worry, it'll work out. Before your hunt today, I have one final gift, aside from those mentioned before." Jace pulled out a metallic cord from behind his back, attached was a strange pendent, looking like a jagged half-moon. "If you ever truly need someone, if you truly need me, use this, and I will come, I will help. Although I am going to leave, I will not abandon you." He slid the necklace across the table, Alkir gingerly picked it up and slid it around his neck. Still looking defeated. "Well, I do hate this, however, you should get moving. Don't forget those weeks of instruction, and you'll be fine, I guarantee it." The boy stood, walking out to the landing silently, giving only a slight glance and wave to the sorrowfully smiling Jace, stepping back out into the world, and shutting the door. I am NOT letting that happen, never again. Jace stood, and walked into his room, staring at the old mirror his reflection peered back. He tapped the surface of the mirror, keeping his finger there and closing his eye. A tingling akin to a wildfire spread from his hand to his arm, then to his chest, enveloping his whole body.
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True to his word, when Alkir returned, sweat covered and worn, to the small residence Jacde had vanished, nearly all trace of his existence removed, the main room empty, all except for a small leather wallet, a rectangular piece of paper, and a longsword, left leaning against the dining table in its scabbard. He was gone, as quickly as Alkir had met the mysterious guide, he had disappeared.
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Lenaas, 258. 1st of the 8th.
I have returned to Rueka, my travels have ended, they have yet to contact me, and I remain vigilant. No calls have been made, and the hunts have been uneventful. The bastards in blue haven't appeared in a while, I am still looking, but no clues are available. Hopefully, Tariah and Tennan are still around, it's hard to think of how long it's been... But I am making a short stop, perhaps a week or two, and the most anticipated part of this city has got to be their company, I feel a bit bad about not telling them anything...
A younger man sat against a tree, just one trunk among many in the sprawling forest, a dark scabbard rested beside him, the protruding crossguard seemingly made of a blue stone, wrapped beautifully in ash-colored leather strips around the hilt, adorned with a black prism at the absolute end.
He stood, closing the small bound book he had been holding and tucking it in a punch along his back, wrapped around at the waist. He lifted the scabbard and mounted it alongside his left, situated on his waist belt. Best be off I suppose. He began walking through the unremarkable forest, disappearing into the shaded grove's innermost sections.