The winter passed as it always had, in a fury of snow that disappeared just as fast as it arrived. The village was fed and though some succumbed to the unforgiving winter months, it was a much better beginning than the last.

A few months had passed since the hunt. And though significant events had transpired for Kai during that hunt, for everyone else, life had continued in much the same fashion.

Kai’s relationship with Mera hadn’t really changed in essence, but now they were much more physically attached. There was no more embarrassment in the loving looks nor the caring touches they gave each other, and all in all, Kai felt blissful.

His Cultivation had slowed down however. He’d only been able to assimilate enough Energy to make it 75% of the way to Stage 4. Hunter had told Kai that at each successive rank, the amount of Energy needed would increase exponentially. And even after using the other core, he still hadn’t been able to reach Rank 4.

However, Kai wasn’t worried at all, as there wasn’t a pressing need for him to gain strength. He cultivated and trained because he loved it, and though a small part of him remembered an old life, where he only remembered weakness, his drive to become more powerful than everyone else had faded as he’d finally set his own roots.

He wanted to join the Hunters, but was unable to officially do so until he turned sixteen, the age where the village considered one an adult. This was unfortunate as Kai needed a gem at least more valuable than the one he’d had set into a bracelet for Mera for a ring when he did become an adult. It was strange to him, as customs a lifetime away would abhor marriage at such a young age. However, it was just the way things worked here. By sixteen, you were expected to start looking for a partner, and by eighteen, everyone was joined to another.

It was fortunate that Mera’s parents approved of him, though it was mostly because of his Cultivation potential. Yet, it mattered to Mera and Kai that they approved. And of course, Hunter had just grunted in acceptance when Kai had told him, as if he’d known all along.

It was a day a few weeks after winter had broken and spring had started to make its appearance that everything changed.

The day started as it normally did, a bright sunny morning that introduced the sound of two swords clashing. Training, as always was still an essential part of Kai’s day. After hours of back breaking exercise and Cultivation thrown in between, Kai was free to go down to the village.

It was around this time that Kai felt a deep foreboding feeling, one he hadn’t felt in a long time. Yet, as there was nothing he could think of that could be dangerous, he shook it off and continued the rest of his day.

He spent the rest of the day with Mera down at the village, first with her showing him what she’d learned and then with her telling him stories and other things she’d learned from some books she had recently bought.

All in all it was a normal day, and it was with a smile that Kai set off for home as the sun was setting. Unfortunately, as he entered the forest and walked towards the house he shared with Hunter, that foreboding feeling came back in full force, even rising as the minutes went on.

After a few minutes, it had wired Kai to the point that he felt anxious enough to start running home. A few minutes later, he burst out into the clearing of his home and sighed in relief as he saw Hunter standing there, unharmed.

However, after a couple seconds, he tensed up again as he saw Hunter had unsheathed his sword and was gripping it tightly, to the point where his hands had turned almost white.

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His eyes flashed towards Kai, and he slowly walked over to the boy.

“Master, something’s wrong,” Kai said to him, as he gripped the hilt of his own sword that was attached to his hip. “I feel something I don’t know how to explain. Something dangerous.”

“I know,” Hunter whispered back. “Stay alert, my disciple.”

They stood there, as the moon slowly started to shine its light to brighten the clearing.

Suddenly, Hunter flipped his head to Kai and grabbed him pulling him roughly away from where he’d been standing. Kai was thrown to the ground, and all he heard were the sounds of metal being deflected.

Kai recovered quickly flipping himself on the ground to where he saw the last of the knives thrown from the shadows with utmost precision, be deflected by Hunter’s sword.

The speed of the knives and the warning glance that Hunter gave Kai told him that this fight was severely above his power and so he stayed put on the ground where he’d been thrown.

“Show yourself!” Hunter bellowed into the otherwise silent forest.

Three shadows detached themselves from the surrounding gloom and made their way into the clearing.

The three assassins, for that’s all they could be, were cloaked in black so dark that it seemed even the moon did not want to gift them its light.

There were no words spoken, no questions exchanged and Hunter was unable to ask why they were there before all three rushed the man with incredible speed. They were so quick, in fact, that Kai was only able to see blurs as they moved.

He felt fear for his Master that was then instantly quashed as he saw Hunter finally move. His sword became a blur as he fearlessly took on the attack of the three hooded figures, using his formidable strength and speed simultaneously to almost flawlessly block all of the attacks.

However, some of the flashing daggers were able to get through Hunter’s defense, though they were only able to scratch him. However, for some reason, Hunter’s eyes widened and his sword started to glow, evidence that he was using as least the Sword Earth mastery, if not higher.

With a reckless move that would’ve left Hunter open to other attacks were there any more attackers, he swung his sword faster than Kai had ever seen him swing before and decapitated all three assassins in one quick motion.

Kai went to sit up then, but Hunter quickly flung a hand out, stopping him as his Master hissed, “Poison.”

Kai didn’t understand but suddenly, he heard a clapping noise as another shadow detached itself from the forest and slowly walked into the clearing. However, this time, it wasn’t a hooded figure and instead was a man wearing a green robe.

The man looked to be in his late twenties, though that could be deceiving when dealing with Cultivators. The robe was of expensive quality, or at least much finer than Kai had ever seen, the silky green fabric wrapping itself around the tall man. There was nothing on it except for a black raven right on his heart, one that looked like a noble crest.

The man’s face was flawless, a strong jawline paired with piercing blue eyes and blonde hair that any woman in the village would find irresistible if not for the cruel smirk that twisted his mouth.

The man was clapping as he entered the clearing and finally stopped around ten paces from Hunter.

“I’m surprised,” the man said. “Black Raven’s Poison is extremely subtle and hard to detect. The fact that you recognized it on the blade of my hired men is commendable to say the least.”

Hunter did not answer for a second, but instead tilted his head and narrowed his eyes at the sight of the insignia on the other man’s chest.

“You’re from the Revanian Kingdom, House Landon if I’m not mistaken. Why are you here?”

The other man had a surprised expression as he said, “Oh so you barbarians do have some education out here? That’s good. It would’ve been boring to fight a complete idiot. As to why I’m here, well, killing a group of our slaver partners fifteen years ago did cut a significant amount of our profits for a few years. And of course, our house must have some type of recompense for that situation.”

“Slavery isn’t legal in the Kingdom. If word reaches the Royal family…”

The man cut Hunter off. “Therefore why it is profitable. And that fool that sits on the throne is too naive to consider any of this. Come on, old man. Make this a fun fight and I’ll make your death quick. I’ve got to finish quickly so I can help those incompetent fools finish taking the village.”

Kai felt panic hit him at those words and he quickly sat up. Hunter snapped his head to Kai and yelled, “Go!” before turning back to get ready for the difficult fight ahead.

Kai made a split second decision and stood up, turning quickly towards the path that led down to the village. He started to run, hoping with all of his heart, that he wasn’t too late.