The next morning, Estelle awoke to the sound of faint murmurs and the distant clatter of activity in the shelter. The burn on her arm throbbed lightly, but she dismissed it as a minor inconvenience. She had faced far worse injuries in her time, and the idea of resting while everyone else continued to work didn’t sit well with her. Determined to stay useful, she quickly dressed and made her way out of her quarters. The bandages on her arm were hidden beneath her sleeve.
As she wandered through the shelter, looking for something to occupy herself with, she caught snippets of conversation that piqued her interest. A group of resistance members were huddled together in one of the larger chambers, their expressions tense as they discussed something in hushed tones. Curious, Estelle moved closer, straining to hear what they were saying.
“…scout just reported in,” one of them was saying. “There’s a massive wave of monsters moving in our direction. If they find the shelter…”
“We can’t take that risk,” another member replied, his voice grim. “We need to organize a team to head them off before they get too close. If they attack the shelter, we won’t be able to defend against a force that size. And if we’re careful, we might be able to extract the monsters we need.”
Estelle’s heart quickened. A monster attack of that scale could be devastating, not just for the shelter, but for everyone inside it—including her siblings. The mention of extracting monsters caught her attention as well; it was clear that the resistance was planning to turn this threat into an opportunity to gather the materials they needed. Without hesitation, she stepped forward, drawing the attention of the group.
“I want to volunteer,” she said firmly, her eyes meeting theirs with determination. “I can help subdue the monsters and assist with the extraction.”
The group exchanged uneasy glances, and before anyone could respond, Iris and Dante appeared, having overheard Estelle’s offer. Iris’s brow furrowed with concern, while Dante’s expression was a mix of worry and frustration.
“Lily, you’re still recovering,” Iris said, her tone firm but gentle. “You need to rest. We can handle this without you.”
“I’m fine,” Estelle insisted, trying to keep the frustration out of her voice. “I’ve fought monsters before, and I’m not going to sit around while everyone else is out there risking their lives.”
“Lily, this isn’t just about fighting,” Dante added, his voice low and serious. “You’re injured. If you push yourself too hard, you could make things worse—not just for yourself, but for the entire team.”
Estelle felt a surge of irritation, though she knew their concern came from a place of care. “I can still fight,” she argued. “This isn’t the time to be cautious. If we don’t stop those monsters, we’ll all be in danger.”
There was a tense silence as the group considered her words. Estelle could see the hesitation in their eyes—no one wanted to put an injured member at risk, but they couldn’t afford to turn down help, either. Finally, one of the more seasoned fighters, a grizzled man with a scar running down his jaw, spoke up.
“If Lily thinks she can handle it, we should let her come,” he said, his rough voice breaking through the tension. “We need every capable fighter we can get, and she’s proven herself before.”
Iris looked conflicted, clearly torn between wanting to protect Estelle and recognizing the need for more fighters. Dante, too, seemed to be weighing the risks, his gaze flicking to the bandage hidden beneath Estelle’s sleeve.
“Fine,” Iris finally said, her voice tinged with reluctance. “But you stick to the plan and stay with your team. No taking unnecessary risks.”
“And no holding back if things get bad,” Dante added. “If I tell you to fall back, you do it. No arguments.”
Estelle nodded, relief and determination flooding through her. “Agreed.”
With the decision made, the group quickly began finalizing their preparations. Estelle could feel the tension in the air, the weight of the task ahead pressing down on everyone. As she strapped on her gear, the adrenaline began to kick in, sharpening her focus. And when they moved out, Estelle couldn’t help but notice the lingering concern in Iris and Dante’s eyes.
The early morning sun cast long shadows across the landscape as the team moved, the air crisp and cool. The mission had been carefully planned, and the group moved with the practiced efficiency. Dante led the way, his presence commanding yet calm, a steady hand that guided them through the terrain.
Garrick, the grizzled man, walked alongside Estelle as they neared their destination. He glanced at her, noting the way she carried herself with a quiet confidence that belied her recent injury.
"You’re still good, Lily?" he asked, his voice a deep rumble that matched his imposing figure.
Estelle nodded, keeping her pace even. "I’m fine. And you’re Garrick? Thank you for earlier."
He gave a short nod in return. "Heard about what happened with Dante’s flames. Not many would jump into a mission after that kind of hit. Shows you’ve got guts." He eyed her with a mix of curiosity and respect, as if trying to gauge the depth of her resolve.
Estelle offered a small smile, appreciating his straightforward nature. "I’ve had worse. Besides, we’ve got a job to do."
Garrick gave her a sidelong look, his scarred jaw twitching slightly. “You remind me of someone I used to know. A fighter, through and through. She didn’t let anything stop her either.” He paused, then added, “But don’t let that wound slow you down. We’ll need everyone at their best today.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Estelle nodded, appreciating the advice. “I won’t let it.”
As they reached the outskirts of the designated area, the team spread out, forming a loose perimeter as they prepared for the hunt. The terrain was rough, a mix of jagged rocks and dense underbrush, perfect for hiding the creatures that had become all too familiar in this world. The plan was simple: subdue the monsters before they could pose a threat to the shelter and, if possible, extract the needed samples for research.
The first sign of the monsters was a low, guttural growl that echoed through the trees. Dante raised a hand, signaling the group to ready themselves. Estelle tightened her grip on her sword, her eyes scanning the shadows for movement. The tension was palpable, each member of the team poised for action.
When the monsters finally emerged, they did so with a sudden, violent rush. Hulking, twisted creatures that seemed to be a grotesque blend of animals, charged at the team with a feral intensity. Estelle moved with a speed that surprised even herself, her sword flashing in the early morning light as she met the first creature head-on. Despite the burn on her arm, her strikes were precise, each one delivered with the lethal efficiency of someone who had been doing this for years.
Garrick watched with narrowed eyes as she fought, his own hands raised to manipulate the earth beneath their feet. With a grunt of effort, he summoned jagged spires of rock from the ground, impaling several of the monsters and creating barriers to funnel the others toward Estelle and Dante. The ground trembled slightly with each of his movements, a testament to the power he wielded.
Estelle danced through the chaos, her blade cutting through the monsters with deadly precision. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, heightening her senses, and sharpening her focus. The others on the team couldn't help but notice her skill. Whispers of surprise and admiration passed between them as they saw how effortlessly she dispatched the creatures, despite the injury she bore.
Dante, leading the group with fire in his hands, watched her closely. He had seen many skilled fighters in his time, but there was something different about Estelle—something he couldn’t quite place. She moved with the grace of a dancer but struck with the force of a warrior. It was as if the monsters were nothing more than practice dummies to her, each one falling before they could even get close.
Garrick, as he creating obstacles and barriers, glanced at her between his own attacks. "Damn, Lily," he muttered under his breath, a hint of a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "How long have you been fighting these things before?"
Estelle, breathing heavily but still focused, her attention fixed on the last few creatures. "Been long enough, I guess," she replied. The instincts she had honed were serving her well here, guiding her movements with a precision that felt almost second nature.
As the last of the monsters fell, the team regrouped, taking a moment to catch their breath. The area was littered with the bodies of the creatures, their twisted forms already beginning to disintegrate back into the Essence from which they had sprung. The air was thick with the smell of blood and decay.
Garrick approached Estelle, giving her an appraising look. "You’ve got skill, no doubt about that. We could use more fighters like you."
Estelle gave a small, tired smile. "Just doing what I can."
Before Garrick could reply, a faint sound of approaching footsteps echoing through the trees. Estelle’s instincts flared, and she immediately knew something was wrong. Before anyone could react, a mocking voice cut through the silence.
“Well, well, didn’t expect to run into some rats as we went out to hunt.”
The voice was smooth yet laced with a sadistic edge. Estelle’s heart skipped a beat as a figure stepped out from the shadows—Vayne. His tall, lean frame moved with a predatory grace, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement as he took in the sight of the resistance fighters.
“Perfect,” Vayne continued, a twisted smile curling his lips. “This is even better than what the higher-ups sent me to do. Consider yourselves lucky—you’ve just become my new entertainment.”
Estelle’s blood ran cold as she recognized the man before her. Memories of their last encounter flashed in her mind—the brutal fight, the sheer terror of facing someone so merciless. And how they had only managed to capture him thanks to Alaric’s meticulous plan. Vayne wasn’t just dangerous; he was a nightmare made flesh, a Dark Hunter infamous for his speed and lethal precision.
“We need to fall back,” Dante muttered, his eyes darting around as more regime soldiers appeared, flanking Vayne. But before they could retreat, Vayne gave the order.
“Capture them. Or better yet,” he added, his smile widening, “kill them if they resist. It’ll be more fun that way.”
Estelle knew she couldn’t let Vayne have his way. Without hesitation, she leaped forward, putting herself between Vayne and the others. She could see the recognition flicker in Vayne’s eyes as he focused on her.
“Oh? A brave one,” Vayne said, his voice dripping with mockery. “How adorable. A cute little rabbit thinks she can take on the wolf.”
Estelle didn’t respond, her grip tightening on her sword. She knew what Vayne was capable of, and the only way to protect her team was to confront him head-on. She lunged at him, her blade aimed at his chest, but Vayne was faster. He sidestepped with inhuman speed, his clawed gauntlets flashing as they met her sword with a sharp clang.
Their fight began in earnest, a deadly dance of steel and speed. Vayne moved like a blur, his enhanced agility allowing him to dodge and counter with terrifying efficiency. Every strike Estelle made was met with equal force, the sound of their weapons clashing echoing through the battlefield.
“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that,” Vayne taunted as he parried one of her attacks. “But you’re out of your league, little rabbit.”
Estelle gritted her teeth, refusing to be intimidated. She pushed harder, her movements growing more desperate as she tried to find an opening. But Vayne was relentless, his clawed gauntlets slashing through the air with lethal precision. One strike caught her on the shoulder, the claws ripping through her clothing and grazing her skin. She winced but didn’t falter, using the momentum to spin away and avoid his follow-up attack.
Dante, busy fending off the other soldiers, could only watch in growing horror as Estelle faced Vayne alone. He wanted to help, but he knew that if he turned his back on the others, they would be overwhelmed. His flames roared around him as he held the line, desperately trying to keep the soldiers at bay while casting worried glances at Estelle.
Vayne, sensing her determination, seemed to grow more amused. “You’re not bad, but I can see you’re holding back. Why don’t you show me what you’re really made of?”
Estelle didn’t respond, instead focusing all her energy on one final push. She feigned a retreat, drawing Vayne in, and then, with a burst of speed, she launched a powerful strike aimed at his head. Vayne barely had time to react, his claws coming up to block, but the force of her attack sent him stumbling back.
It was the opening Dante had been waiting for. Seeing Vayne off-balance, he unleashed a massive wave of fire, creating a towering wall of flames that separated them from the soldiers. “Fall back, now!” Dante ordered, his voice urgent.
The team didn’t hesitate. Estelle, still catching her breath from the intense fight, quickly fell in with the others as they began their retreat. Vayne’s laughter echoed behind them, the sound chilling Estelle to the bone.
“Run, little rabbit! This isn’t over!”
The flames roared, creating a temporary barrier, but Estelle knew it wouldn’t hold him for long. They needed to move, and fast. As they fled into the forest, a chilling realization hit her—Vayne was even stronger than she remembered, more dangerous and unpredictable. This time, he wasn’t just toying with them; he was playing a game that was far from over.