“We hope you enjoy you’re stay.” A kind woman said as she gave a key to Rachel.
“I’m sure you will.” Rachel said smiling at her before she walked back to the group who were waiting in the lobby, “Got the room, said that the bedroom keys were already inside.”
“Great.” Ace said as he and the others stood up from their seats, “Let’s go then.”
∞
“Nice place,” Hazel commented as Rachel unlocked the door to their common room.
In the middle of the room, there were eight chairs all surrounding a large circular table with a midcentury sofa and fireplace behind it that had four doors on either side, above it all was a large rustic chandelier lighting the entire room.
“Everyone get settled.” Hazel advised, “We’ll be staying here for a few days.”
The others didn’t need any more reassurance before they all went inside a room each, leaving only Gabriel and Hazel – Phoenix, Luna, and Josh had already settled in the common room.
“Hey, Gab…” Hazel said quietly to which Gabriel only hummed in response to show that he was indeed listening as he turned to her, “Can we sleep together?”
Gabriel looked at her for a moment before something dawned on him, “Nightmares?”
Hazel only nodded before Gabriel let out a laugh before he grabbed the girl’s hand, “Come on Hazel, let’s get settled in.”
∞
“I never thought I’d say this but I’ve missed having my own room.” Rachel said as they all gathered in the common room; all showered, dressed, and well-rested.
“I feel betrayed.” Ace said with a hand over his heart.
“Come on you two I’m starving.” Hazel said as she opened the door, “You got the key Rachel?”
“Yep.” Rachel said showing the small silver key to their common room that she fished out from the skirt’s pocket.
Once they left and started to walk to the dining area for a much-needed lunch Rachel had asked, “So what do we do now?”
Hazel let out a sigh before she answered her friend’s question, “We get our answers. If Chancellor Nevermore is working with Dark then that music box and my parents’ message is fake, so first, we need to check that out.”
“Okay.” Ace said understanding the goal of Hazel’s plan, “How do we do that?”
“If that message was a transmission from the mountain, then we’ll need to check out my family’s cabin – at Cloud Mountain’s summit,” Hazel said as she opened the door to the dining area.
“Did you say Cloud Mountain?” A blonde girl around their age asked as she walked up to them.
“Yes, is something wrong?” Hazel asked.
“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but when I heard you say Cloud Mountain, I thought I should tell you about the rumors.” The girl explained.
“Oh no, it’s not a problem,” Rachel reassured her as a small blush dusted her cheeks.
‘I cannot be the only one who sees a potential couple here.’ Hazel thought before she shook her head before she turned to the girl, “You said something about rumors?”
The girl nodded before Rachel smiled kindly at her, “How about you tell us over lunch? My treat.”
“If it doesn’t bother any of you then I would love to.” The girl said smiling shyly.
“It’s no problem.” Eve said smiling before she turned to the others, “Right guys?”
“Of course.” Hazel agreed.
“Fine by me.” Ace said with Gabriel nodding.
“Now then, we didn’t quite catch your name.” Rachel said her smile never leaving her face.
‘Is she flirting?’ Ace thought his brows furrowing at his sister’s actions.
The girl let out a small giggle before she answered, “Addison Jacquier, it’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
‘Jacquier?’ Hazel thought her eyes widening a little, ‘Auntie never told me she had a daughter, that or she’s one of her cousin’s daughters.’
The next few minutes were spent with the group deciding their food and sitting themselves.
“So, Addison you said something about rumors?” Gabriel asked bringing up the reason for their encounter, “What are they about?”
“Well,” Addison began in a quiet voice, “I’m not completely sure if they are real or not but I’ve heard some of the hunters say that there are shadow monsters on Cloud Mountain.”
“Shadow monsters?” Gabriel asked his eyes widening, “Why haven’t they called any Monster Hunters? Even if they are only rumors a branch should still make sure that it’s safe so one gets hurt or worse killed.”
That was all Hazel had to hear for her to abruptly stand up with her hands still on the table, “Alright guys after this get your weapons, we’re going on reconnaissance.”
“But the monster-” Addison tried to argue.
“Let us worry about the monsters Addison.” Rachel said with a reassuring smile on her face.
“But-” Addison began trying to argue back again.
“Just let us worry about them, Addison,” Eve said smiling at her.
Addison looked at them all doubtfully before they all gave her a determined smile. Sighing at her defeat she reluctantly nodded but not before she offered to accompany them to the mountain in which they agreed. Once they all finished their lunch the hunters made their way to their room, retrieved their weapons and a few other necessities, before joining Addison just outside the inn waiting for them. The walk to the mountain was a peaceful one with only Addison and Rachel’s conversation being the only source of chatter amongst the group.
Ace glanced at his sister who was still in deep conversation with Addison before a small smile appeared on his face and whispered, “Seems like Rachel found herself an admirer.”
Gabriel hearing this whispered the message to Hazel who passed it along to Eve before they and Ace turned back to look at the two girls who were still talking; Phoenix, Luna, and Josh only watched the scene unfold with great interest and amusement.
“This is it.” Addison said as they reached the foot of Cloud Mountain, “All you need to do is follow the path up, good luck.”
“Thanks.” Rachel said smiling at her as the others started to walk up the mountain, “I’ll tell you how everything went later.”
“I’ll tell you how everything went later.” Ace said teasing his little sister causing him, Rachel, and Eve to lightly laugh.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
“Alright you three, now that Addison is gone, we can talk.” Hazel said before she turned to Gabriel, “I think you know what I’m talking about, yes?”
“Unfortunately, so.” Gabriel said quietly before he dropped to a low whisper, “We need to be at the top of our game right now.”
“Guys, what are you talking about?” Rachel asked worriedly.
“Shadow monsters are A-Class monsters,” Hazel said simply after she let out a loud sigh.
Eve and the twins’ eyes widened in shock before Rachel quietly asked, “Should we get help?”
Gabriel was about to say something before his ears picked up a faint noise from a few feet away from them, “We need to get somewhere safe; we’ve got company.”
Ace and Eve looked at each other before nodding, “We’ve got a spell that could help.”
“And we’ve got a safe space.” Hazel said after talking to Luna and Phoenix, “We’ll have to be quick though.”
“Lead the way then,” Rachel whispered before they all ran as quick as lightning.
They ran for a few minutes before they all stopped at a rather large clearing, “Ace, Eve whatever spell you plan on casting I suggest you do it quickly.”
“On it!” Ace and Eve exclaimed before they started casting the spell as their eyes glowed, “Gfevhikz jfox hf palg uz hwiz qalliik uss jlohiwx hwovi uhpalgir.”
Then with a flash of lightning, a light purple dome had surrounded them.
“Woah.” Rachel awed, “You’re really improving with your spells Ace.”
“Thanks, Sis.” Ace said before he turned to Hazel, “So what’s our next move, Hazel?”
“We’ll need help if we’re going to go face to face with A-Class monsters.” Hazel said before she turned to Eve, “Luna said Abbey, Cairo, James, Kade, and Matthew know about Chancellor Nevermore, do you think you could contact them?”
“I could try but without a mirror-” Eve began before Rachel took out a mirror from one of her pockets, “Never mind.”
Without another word Eve quickly and expertly painted the crest with the two swords, bow, and dagger with the small paintbrush and pot of ink that Hazel kept in her pouch. Once the ink glowed a bright pink and faded in, the group huddled closer with bated breath hoping one of their friends would answer their call.
∞
“Boys someone is calling!” Abbey exclaimed calling the twins and their cousin.
“Who is it?” James asked urgently as the four of them crowded into Kade and Cairo’s bathroom and stared at the frosted mirror, “Cairo where’s the brush and ink?”
“Got it.” Kade said as he rushed out of the bathroom and returned with the items at hand, “C’mon I want to see who it is!”
As the boys talked Abbey wasted no time in painting The Hideout’s coat of arms. Once she pulled away the insignia glowed a bright turquoise and faded in before being replaced with Eve’s face.
“E!” Abbey exclaimed relieved to see her younger friend, “Where are you!? A friend of mine from The Society branch told me that you ran away with-”
“Gabriel, Hazel, and the twins?” Eve interrupted before she showed the four hunters, “Yeah, I know. I’m literally standing beside them right now.”
“Kid, where are you?” Cairo asked looking at Gabriel, “And you’ve got some explaining to do when you get back here.”
“Yeah, yeah keep your pants on Old Man.” Gabriel sneered.
“Why you little-” Cairo began his temper rising.
“Alright, you two enough.” Hazel said sensing a fight, “You two can fight later but right now we need help.”
“Where are you?” James asked worried for his inferiors.
“Cloud Mountain.” Rachel said quickly, “Please come soon.”
“Agree- somethings coming!” Ace exclaimed before the connection broke.
The older hunters looked at the mirror for a few seconds before Cairo snapped out of his trance, “Alright everyone pack up! Clothes for a week hot and cold! We’re going to Cloud Mountain!”
That was all the three hunters had to hear before they had started to pack in record time. Once they all finished packing Kade started to draw the ritual circle.
“Everybody on the circle!” Kade exclaimed before the other three stepped inside the drawing on the door, “Jal aur bhoomi ke davata, main tum se praarthana karata hoon, haren aage le aao Cloud Mountain!”
∞
There was a flash of bright light before the Wraiths that Hazel and the others were fighting let out cries of pain as the hunters and Phoenix instinctively shielded their eyes.
“Gods above and below!” A familiar voice exclaimed.
‘I’d recognize that voice anywhere!’ Gabriel thought before opening his eyes and seeing his superiors, “Abbey! Cairo! James! Kade! You’re here!”
“Of course, we’re here!” Cairo exclaimed throwing his axe and killing six Wraiths, “Where else would we be? The Mess Hall!?”
“The library more like!” Gabriel playfully sneered back as he shot an arrow, killing seven Wraiths while also redirecting Cairo’s axe.
“Quit it you two.” Hazel said as she dodged a wraith's attack before killing five of them and catching Cairo’s axe, “Heads up Gonzales!”
“Thanks, Girlie,” Cairo said catching the axe and dodging an attack.
∞
After what felt like hours the group stood heavily panting as they had finally defeated the horde of Wraiths. As Hazel scanned the group for any injuries, she noticed Gabriel lightly gripping his side.
“Bullet wound?” Hazel asked quietly as she walked up to him and knelt down.
The boy only nodded before Hazel had stretched her palm out to him.
“I heard Eve’s mom giving you something before the two of you left her office.” Hazel explained, “Give it here.”
Gabriel only chuckled at her behavior before he reached into one of his own pouches and gave her the small bottle that Amelia had given him.
“They’re all finally gone.” Eve said as both she and Rachel abruptly sat down, “I’m exhausted.”
“That makes-” Ace paused as he looked around the group, “all of us.”
“I second that.” Hazel said as she lifted Gabriel’s shirt a little and applied the bottle’s contents on his wound, “I can see why only chancellors are qualified to take on A-Class monsters; that was tough.”
“Aye.” Gabriel said as Hazel finished tending to his still recovering wound, “I haven’t felt this exhausted in years.”
“I’m anxious to find out what happened the first time.” Kade said chuckling, “So what happened for the five of you to end up here.”
‘Here we go again.’ Gabriel thought before he, Hazel, the twins, and Eve started to explain their current situation and what happened at The Society.
“Chancellor West really did that?” Abbey asked her eyes widening in shock.
“Yep.” Hazel said nodding as she sat down, “And with the possibility of Chancellor Nevermore being a traitor none of us really have that many options.”
Abbey hummed in before she looked at Hazel, “There any room for four more Monster Hunters.”
Hazel looked at Gabriel, Ace, Rachel, Phoenix, Luna, and Josh who nodded – whether recognizable or not – before she smiled at the older hunters, “So are you four going to help us or-”
The group burst out laughing before they all sat down to rest for a moment. Once they all gathered their thoughts and caught their breaths, they all separated to cover more ground.
“So did you and Hazel finally get together?” Cairo asked as he, Gabriel, and Josh scouted the east side of the mountain, “You seemed a bit disappointed when she and her animals went with Abbey and Eve.”
“And why would I tell you?” Gabriel asked as a slight smirk graced his features before he turned to look at his raven who was perched on a nearby tree, “Josh scout ahead, see if there are any monsters ahead.”
“As you command Master,” Josh said before he flew off.
“Oh, come on Gabriel I was the one who had to endure you’re seemingly endless rants about her,” Cairo argued.
“I do NOT rant about her.”
“Yes, you do.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Yes, you do.”
“No, I don’t.”
“No, you don’t”
Gabriel looked at him for a moment before he folded his arms, “Did you really expect me to fall for that?”
“Worth a shot.” Cairo said shrugging, “But seriously Kid I deserve to know. Do you even know how many hunters wanted the two of you to get together?”
“Hunters?” Gabriel asked cocking a brow, “Who?”
“And why should I tell you?” Cairo asked a teasing smile on his face.
“Fair enough.” Gabriel said turning back to look at the path ahead of them.
The two walked in a comfortable silence before Gabriel said, “I confessed first.”
“That’s nice.” Cairo said before he registered what the younger hunter said, “Wait, what!?”