“Been awhile since it’s just been the two of us,” Rachel commented as she and Ace scouted the west side of the mountain.
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right.” Ace said as he smiled at her, “The two of us are with Gabriel and Hazel most of the time. Although the time you and I spent together back at Ms. Cassidy’s branch did bring some rather fond memories.”
“Remember that one time when the triplets ripped a hole in Father’s favorite suit?” Rachel asked chuckling softly at the memory.
“And you and Maliyah had to sew it back before Mother and Father came back from their party?” Ace said a smile on his lips, “I remember how scared all of us were at what Father would have done if he ever found out.”
Rachel laughed at this before she looked up at the sky, “I wonder how they are all fairing with the two of us gone. Maliyah’s probably dancing her heart out. Callen, Kaysen, and Tyler are most definitely still getting scolded by Grandmother.”
Ace chuckled at this before his eyes fell to the ground, the smile on his face gone, “How I miss them…”
Rachel’s smile saddened at this before she quietly said, “You didn’t have to come with me you know.”
“Rachel we’ve talked about this.” Ace said looking at his sister, “I wanted to-”
“I know, I know you came with me at your own will but that doesn’t help me NOT feel guilty.” Rachel said folding her arms and looking away from the boy walking beside her, “You could’ve had a better life. You’re the heir to The Oliviero Empire if I-”
“Rachel that’s enough.” Ace said firmly putting both his hands on his sister’s shoulders, “I could care less about the empire, no matter what status we’re born into you’re my sister and no matter what happens that will never change. I made you a promise remember? I promised you that I’d stick by you no matter what this crazy world throws at us and I plan on keeping my word.”
Rachel could feel the tears starting to come out before Ace added, “Besides if we stayed there then I’d still be studying etiquette.”
The girl chuckled heartily at this before she wiped away the few tears that escaped and smiled at her older brother, “Thanks for always being there for me Ace.”
“It’s no problem, Rach.” Ace said smiling at his younger sister before he led her away by the hand, “Come on, we’re supposed to be hunting for monsters, not family drama.”
Rachel let out a laugh before she smiled, “We’ll get them back, right? Maliyah and the triplets?”
“Of course, we will Sis.” Ace said a determined look on his face, “We promised them, didn’t we?”
∞
“Come on Hazel I need details,” Abbey begged.
“About what?” Hazel asked jumping over a fallen tree trunk.
“About Gabriel’s confession!” Abbey and Eve exclaimed as they followed her.
“Why would you want to know about that?” Hazel asked before she stopped and turned to Eve, “And I thought Ace already told you what happened.”
“He only told me that Gabriel confessed first.” Eve explained, “I want details on HOW it happened.”
“Oh,” Hazel said simply before she started walking again.
“Aren’t you going to tell them, Mistress?” Phoenix asked as he ran to Hazel’s side after checking behind some bushes.
“I don’t know Phoenix.” Hazel said sighing, “You know Gabriel’s my first-”
“Lover?” Phoenix asked seeing Hazel’s hesitation.
“Everything’s just moving too fast for me.” Hazel admitted after she let out another sigh, “One day he’s my best friend the next day he’s my-” Hazel stopped herself before folding her arms and dropping her voice to a whisper, “boyfriend.”
“Have you talked to the Half-blood about this?” Phoenix asked.
“Yes.”
“And what did he say?”
“That we could take it slow.”
“But?”
“I don’t think I can handle more thing changing.”
The fox looked at the girl walking beside him before he shifted into his human form and side hugged her, “You’ve really grown up, haven’t you Claws?”
Hazel chuckled at the old nickname before Phoenix patted her shoulder, “Just try not to think too much of it Claws. I’m sure Half-blood’s having the same doubts as you are.”
“You sure?” Hazel asked.
“Of course.” Phoenix said smiling, “Now chin up, you aren’t going to kill any monsters with your eyes on the ground.”
The two shared a chuckle before Abbey exclaimed, “Hey, I still need details!”
∞
“So, you’re telling me-” Cairo began as he processed what Gabriel had just told him, “That you confessed to Hazel… in the middle of an argument.”
“Yep,” Gabriel said letting out an exasperated sigh.
“I never thought we’d ever be having this conversation.” Cairo said folding his arms, “What are you even worried about?”
“I don’t want to lose her alright!?” Gabriel admitted, “I want her to feel comfortable but something just keeps making me want to kiss her!”
“Maybe it's your wolf side?” Cairo suggested in a questioning manner, “You did say you were an alpha.”
“Sure, my feelings are SO attached to my Wolfen side that my hormones just turn into an inferno every time Hazel so much as looks at me,” Gabriel said sarcasm dripping off of his every word.
“I mean, why not?” Cairo asked shrugging his shoulders.
“If that really is the case,” Gabriel said entertaining the idea for a moment, “then THIS would’ve happened the exact moment I laid my eyes on her. Nearly a year ago.”
“Maybe you were just in denial,” Cairo said as the two jumped over a fallen tree trunk.
“Why would I be in denial?” Gabriel asked, “Hazel ‘s stubbornness back then was unchallenged but it didn’t get to the point where it was annoying, quite the opposite actually it was spellbinding at the time and it still…”
‘Here we go again.’ Cairo thought a smile on his face as he watched the boy rant about his purple-eyed lover as they walked, ‘This guy is lovesick.’
∞
“So, you asked Abbey out yet?” Kade asked as he and his brother searched the south side of the mountain.
“No,” James said simply.
“Dude, what the heck are you waiting for?”
“The right moment.”
“You’ve been her Kumppani for seven years!”
“Alright, so?”
“I feel like you’re stalling.”
“…”
“Gods above and below you are.”
“I don’t know how to ask her, alright!?”
“You’ve liked her ever since we were ten…”
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“So?”
“I give up on you.”
James looked at his brother in disbelief before something caught his eye, “What’s that?”
His younger brother gave him a confused look before he pointed to something behind a thick cluster of trees. The two brothers looked at each other before they carefully stalked to what James saw. Upon closer look, the two brothers saw that it was a rather large cottage made of cobblestone with smoke coming out of the chimney.
“We should tell the others.” Kade said, “It’s odd that we haven’t seen any wraiths yet though.”
“Calm before the storm Kade.” James said as the two of them walked away from the cottage, “We should tell the others before that storm comes though.”
“Agreed,” Kade said nodding before he threw a Starspark.
∞
“Seems like James and Kade found something,” Gabriel said before he and Cairo followed Josh to the south side of the mountain.
The two ran for a few minutes before they joined the others.
“Did you find something?” Cairo asked.
“And is James there?” Abbey asked worriedly.
Kade nodded before he motioned them to follow him. The others quickly exchanged glances before they quietly followed Kade to the cottage.
“Nice of you to join me,” James said as Kade and the others positioned themselves on either side of him.
“Is that the cabin you were telling us about Hazel?” Rachel asked turning to the girl beside her.
Hazel nodded before she looked at Gabriel, “Think you and Phoenix could get a closer look?”
“Come on Foxie,” Gabriel said before he and Phoenix shifted to their more animal form and quietly stalked towards the cottage.
“Why do I feel like they’ve done this before?” Ace asked whispering.
∞
As the others carefully watched them with bated breath Phoenix had motioned to the left side of the house before Gabriel nodded. As Gabriel carefully and quietly stalked the right side of the house his ears quickly picked up a conversation inside the house.
“The girl and her minions escaped.” A male voice said in an annoyed tone.
“Seems like we’ve overestimated the chancellors.” A more female vice said, “And underestimated those brats!”
“Calm yourself Yunaba.” Another female voice advised, “This could be an advantage.”
“What are you proposing Lizum?” Yet another male voice asked.
“With the four of them far from any Monster Hunter branch capturing them will be more than effortless.” Lizum explained, “and with them arriving in a few days…”
“No one will be able to find nor rescue them.” The first male voice finished.
“Precisely my dear Dasoga.” Lizum complemented.
“Get a room you two.” The second voice said in a disgusted tone.
“I would say the same about you and Yunaba, Gorclar,” Dasoga argued back.
“How dare you associate me with this commoner!” Gorclar exclaimed angrily.
‘That guy needs to calm down.’ Gabriel thought before he spotted a small crack on the wall, ‘Time to see what we’re dealing with.’
The hybrid wasted no time in running to the small hole and looking inside.
‘Shadow Elves…’ Gabriel thought his eyes widening as he saw four figures inside made entirely of shadows, ‘I need to get Hazel and the others, we need a plan.’
The wolf turned and ran towards the group with Phoenix soon following closely behind.
“We need to leave,” Gabriel said after he quickly shifted back to normal.
“Gabriel what did you-” Hazel began before Gabriel grabbed her hand.
“We’ll explain everything back at the inn.” Gabriel said quickly, “But right now we need to leave. Rachel tell Addison that the rumors are real and that no one can come up here until we’re done.”
The entire journey back to the inn was in silence with Gabriel and Phoenix occasionally looking over their shoulders.
∞
“Gabriel what did you see?” Hazel asked as they all entered their inn room.
“Shadow Elves, Hazel.” Gabriel said sitting down on the couch, “That’s what I saw, four of them.”
“What?” Hazel asked in disbelief.
“I saw four Shadow Elves.” Gabriel repeated in a depressed voice, “We need a plan if we’re going to kill four of them.”
“Then we’ll make one together.” Hazel said encouragingly as she put a hand on his shoulder, “But until then-” she then turned to look at the other Monster Hunters in the room, “no one leaves this room without somebody with them and absolutely no one is allowed to speak or even mention our plans to anyone, do I make myself clear?”
“Yes ma’am.” The other hunters said straightening themselves.
Hazel gave a firm nod before she turned to the Oliviero twins, “Rachel, you and Ace tell Addison that Wraiths are on the mountain and that no one should go up there until we sort this out.”
∞
It was an hour after they had dinner when Hazel found Gabriel silently sitting down in the common room’s couch staring blankly at the embers in the fireplace while the others slept.
“You, okay?” Hazel asked quietly as she sat down beside him, making the werewolf hybrid jump a little.
“Just thinking.” Gabriel admitted, “Things are just a little too overwhelming at the moment.”
Hazel chuckled at this before she leaned into him, “You want to talk about it?”
“Part of me wants to.” Gabriel admitted as he put an arm around her shoulders and a hand on hers, “And the other part doesn’t want you to worry too much.”
Hazel grimaced at this before she turned to look at him, “That alone MAKES me worried.”
Gabriel chuckled at this before he lightly kissed her forehead, “Can’t say I didn’t try.”
“Well?” Hazel asked gently pressing the subject.
“I lost my grandfather by the hands of a Shadow Elf.” Gabriel confessed quietly, “I was three when it happened…”
Hazel’s eyes widened at this before she hugged him, “I am so sorry Gab.”
“It’s fine Hazel, I’ve made peace with it a long time ago.” Gabriel replied returning the gesture, “But thank you for the concern.”
“Is that why you seemed so worried earlier?” Hazel asked as they pulled back.
“Yep.” Gabriel said smiling sadly before he gently caressed Hazel’s cheek, “I guess I couldn’t handle the thought of losing another love one by a Shadow Elf’s hand again.”
“Gabriel…”
∞
“I told you they would’ve got together,” Kade said happily as he and the others watched the two brunettes.
“I think that’s the second time they’ve kissed.” Ace said, “Mouth to mouth that is.”
“Seriously?” Abbey and Eve asked their mouths open slightly.
“Nice job Kid,” Cairo said smiling at the blue-eyed boy.
∞
‘They could at least TRY to be quiet.’ Gabriel thought smiling as he and Hazel pulled away from the kiss, “Come on Hazel, we should get some sleep; we’ve got a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”
“Fine by me.” Hazel said before they stood up and entered their room, “Goodnight… My Alpha.”
The next four days went by like a blur spent with the repeated routine of reconnaissance, killing, planning, eating, sleeping, and the occasional light banter. It was the night of the fourth day when Hazel and the others were finally satisfied with their plan of attack.
“You guys think this will work?” Eve asked as they all looked at the various maps on the table for what felt like the millionth time that day.
“If we follow the plan perfectly then yes.” Ace said before he turned to his purple-eyed friend, “Right Hazel?”
“Of course, it will.” Hazel said giving a determined smile before she pulled the music box towards her, “I suppose its time to put the first step of our plan into action then.”
“We’ll all be right here Love.” Gabriel said encouragingly putting a hand over hers, “Don’t stress yourself out too much, okay?”
Hazel let out a breath before she smiled at him, “Thanks, Gab. I needed that.”
‘He’s really getting good at that.’ Cairo thought biting back a smile as he folded his arms before he cleared his throat, “Come on Lovebirds, we got a plan to execute.”
“Sorry.” Hazel and Gabriel said, blush dusting their cheeks.
∞
‘Alright Hazel, you got this.’ Hazel thought as she softly laid the music box on the desk inside her and Gabriel’s room, ‘Just calm down and breath.’
Without another thought, Hazel let out a breath before opening the music box. Taking in the calming sound of the simple mechanism Hazel braced herself for what was to come.
“Hey, Mom and Dad.” Hazel said the holographic versions of her parents appeared in front of her, “It’s been a while.”
“Hey, Sweetie.” Rose Abernathy greeted her.
“Hey, Mom.” Hazel said quietly, ‘Yunaba, Gorclar; wish I could say it was a pleasure to meet you but I’d be lying.’
“Something wrong Hazel?” John asked, “You seem quieter than usual.”
“Oh, I was just thinking about something,” Hazel said getting a bit flustered.
“Care to share?” Yunaba asked teasingly.
“The others and I are at Cloud Mountain.” Hazel confessed forcing a small smile, “We just got here. The six of us are planning on going up tomorrow.”
“Wait, really!?” Gorclar exclaimed smiling.
“Yeah,” Hazel said smiling lightly.
∞
“Now!” Gabriel exclaimed quietly.
Rachel nodded before she loudly knocked on the door, “Hazel come on! The others and I are starving!”
∞
‘Oh, thank the gods!’ Hazel thought relieved, “I’m sorry I have to-”
“Don’t worry Hazel.” Gorclar reassured, “We waited nine years, I’m sure we’ll survive the night.
“Thanks, Dad.” Hazel said smiling a little, “I’ll see you both tomorrow, love you.”
“We love you too Hazel.” Yunaba and Gorclar said smiling before their holographic images disappeared.
Hazel sighed as she looked at the spot where the holographic images of her fake parents once were before she let out a deep breath and joined the others outside, “So begins.”
“So, it begins.” The others repeated.