*One week after the events of the previous chapter*

*4/28/90*

Rose led the others into the woods. Her fist wrapped tightly around the shaft of her weapon. The unauthorized werewolf hunt had been Hunter's suggestion. He guessed correctly that such an excursion would help bring Rose out of her depression. Her quiet, dead expression desperately needed the excitement and vengeance a hunt would offer. It wouldn't bring Coraline and Emma back, but it would at least grant their souls some satisfaction.

Garrett took the lead. He had always been the second-best tracker out of all of them, even with his special glasses on. After Coraline's death, he became the best overall.

They followed him for an hour before he slowed down, finally spotting something. He knelt in the grass, eying the slightly damp ground. "Deer tracks," he muttered. "They go for a little while before suddenly turning. They started running as if they were spooked by something.”

"Werewolves or Shadows?" Hunter asked, glancing around apprehensively. While Huntsmen were trained to fight both Shadows and cursed beasts of the wild, it was generally an easier fight when facing ordinary beasts. Shadows could kill a band of Huntsmen in a heartbeat if they are old and experienced enough.

However, if a werewolf was involved, the survivors would likely become werewolves themselves. Werewolves were a cursed blend between the civilized world and the evil realm of the Shadow Creatures. They were an unholy mix of the two, and everyone knew they had to be killed just as surely as any other creature of the night.

A quick inspection of some brambles revealed tufts of fur. "Werewolves," Garrett replied. "Though we should also be on the lookout for any Shadows." With the lingering sadness they were all feeling, any Shadow Creatures in the area would be attracted to them.

"I packed several vials of Stone Dust for each of us," Jade said. "Since the ground is wet, I thought it would be for Fire." She quickly passed out the tiny vials. Everyone immediately tucked them into their pockets. Stones gave humans an edge against Shadows. More importantly, the slightest amount was lethal to werewolves.

The group fell into formation with Garrett, Brianna, and Rose at point, Hunter and Jade flanked on either side, and Mason kept an eye behind them. They felt Coraline's absence. Rose was usually on point with Coraline. Garrett would flank with Hunter, and the others would keep an eye on the rear.

After a few more minutes, Garrett noticed more fur. "They were heading North," he checked the ground. "Strange. The ones we tracked after the attack went more to the east."

"If that was the case, these weren't the ones that attacked the village. Not that that mattered. They'd have to die, anyway." As that thought went through his head, Hunter felt a familiar pang as a memory from his childhood surfaced. He remembered that night when he let the werewolf pup go free. He recalled the intelligence in the creature's gaze and how it had nodded in response to his demand that it wouldn't attack his home. Had the beast kept its word, or was it partially responsible for the deaths of Coraline, Emma, and countless others? “If it did kill them,” he thought grimly. “I won't make the same mistake twice.”

Eventually, they reached a torn-up deer carcass. Garrett wrinkled his nose. "This has been here a few hours. They're pretty far ahead."

"Should we turn back?" Hunter asked. "They usually run pretty fast after a hunt. We might not catch them, even if they're in their human forms now."

"That's probably best," Garrett sighed. "We shouldn't wander too far from the village."

"Can we at least find some Shadows to kill?" Rose asked, clenching her axe's shaft. "I'd like to fight something today."

"We could try the clearing," Hunter suggested, suppressing a sigh of resignation. Truthfully, he would have preferred to go home. What was the point in looking for another fight if they couldn't get revenge? But he couldn’t tell the others, especially Rose. She needed this.

"Good idea," Jade said. "There's usually a Charger or two there."

The group fell back into formation as they approached the clearing. They heard the Shadows before they saw them. To everyone's relief, there were no Mutts or Teddy’s, only a few young and inexperienced Chargers, deer-like Shadows with lance-like antlers. They made short work of their prey. Rose personally punched a few in the face with her special spiked gauntlets so that the others could get some hits in.

Afterward, they walked back. The usual exhilaration after a battle was muted. The excited banter that normally would have followed such a fight was absent. They focused on their formation and eyeing for more monsters, some of them hoping that some would appear.

~o0o~

A thick blanket of dark clouds smothered the sky. Deep, steady rolls of thunder echoed throughout the damp, electrified air. The wind picked up dramatically, and the distinct scent of rain was in the air.

After they reached the town border, Hunter and the others met a patrol of albino men and boys. One of them was Michael. He looked nervous and terrified, wanting nothing more than to go home.

Though their excursion was technically forbidden, Hunter only nodded once before watching the other group go. "Kenny should be letting them focus on rebuilding their homes," he shook his head. "Actually, he should be doing it for them. His stupid anti-albino talk caused Kevin and his men to burn those houses."

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Rose huffed. "Since when has Kenny given a damn about albinos? If normal people hadn't been killed during the attack, he probably would've brushed over the whole thing or used it to preach some nonsense."

Brianna averted her eyes. She wished she could do more to help without risking revealing her identity.

Rose noticed her friend's expression. "Sorry, Brianna. I know you're taking your people's treatment hard." Nobody bothered to voice how more albinos would have stood a chance if the Albino District had been given more protection.

"I think… I'll go to the Temple for a bit," Hunter announced.

"Do you want one of us to come with you?" Mason asked.

"No. I'm fine. Good job on the hunt today. Let's do it again soon," Hunter nodded at the group before walking toward town.

Mason watched him go, frowning slightly. His frown deepened when Rose said goodbye and made a beeline for the nearest pub. He looked at Jade, Garrett, and Brianna, who all shrugged wordlessly. "I knew Hunter was a mess behind that brave face. I just wish we could do more to help them."

"People find comfort where they can," Garrett rationalized. "Rose takes comfort in doing things that keep her from thinking about her feelings, while Hunter takes comfort in the Maidens."

"You can't pray and drink your life away, though!" Jade protested before pausing thoughtfully. "Wait…You probably can, huh?"

"I say we let them do whatever works for now," Brianna said. "Let's see if they get better on their own. If it gets too obsessive or life-threatening, in Rose's case, we'll try talking to them. For now, as long as they can hunt, there's no real issue."

"Still, one of us should accompany Rose to make sure she gets home safely," Garrett pointed out. "Strong as she is, I'd feel better if she had company while intoxicated.”

"I'll take care of her," Mason immediately said. "I think I have the best chance of carrying her home if she gets drunk enough. You guys should head home."

When Mason opened the door to the pub, he was immediately aware of the loud, boisterous talking coming from the bar. At the center of it all was Rose, who seemed to be in a drinking contest with a large, burly man. She was already halfway through what looked like her third tankard of mead.

Mason groaned and rolled his eyes. "This is gonna be a long night…"

~o0o~

The Temple of the Four Maidens was always open, no matter the time. That was the way of things. No matter when people needed guidance, they could always find it. There was always a priestess awake and ready to receive visitors.

A tall orange-haired priestess in her mid-fifties dressed in traditional white and yellow robes was tending to the decorations on the spring shrine, which was more in use than the others due to the season. She paused as she heard someone come in through the doors. "Welcome," she said calmly. She carefully placed another yellow candle near the offering urn beneath an oil painting depicting the Spring Maiden holding her arms out over a field of flowers.

The painting of the Spring Maiden and the other three Maidens were looking down at the Temple’s entrance, smiling lovingly, welcoming all who enter. Every Maiden had a shrine decorated with colors and materials from their respective seasons.

"Hello, priestess," Hunter paused at the end of the aisle and bowed to the four shrines of the Maidens before approaching the priestess.

"What guidance do you seek?" The priestess asked, straightening a candle holder. She noticed the look of grief on his face. She walked over to the pews and knelt, pulling out a box from under one of the seats, and withdrew two sage sticks before handing them to him. "Would you like to light these?"

"Yes, thank you," Hunter nodded as he accepted the sage sticks. He followed the priestess to the winter altar, picked up a light blue candle, and held it out. He used the candle to light the first stick before placing the candle back into an empty glass holder. He then placed one of the sage sticks in front of the Spring altar.

Traditionally, Sage lit for the dead were placed on the Winter altar. Coraline had always reminded Hunter of the Spring Maiden the most. He knelt before the sage and closed his eyes, whispering a prayer for his beloved sister's soul. Images flooded his mind. He saw Coraline on their first day of combat training, hiding behind Rose but seeming eager to talk to the other kids. He remembered bumping into Coraline and the explosion when some of her dark red Stone vials had fallen. He remembered how innocent and childish she was, always trying to cheer everyone up, even in the darkest hours.

Hunter blinked, realizing that he was crying. He wiped the tears from his face before standing up. The priestess stood a few feet away, watching calmly. She then led him back to the Winter shrine, where he lit his other sage stick for Emma, who had always reminded him of the quiet, solitary Winter Maiden. Well, at least back before the train crash happened.

Hunter prayed, asking the Maidens why he felt no better after killing the Chargers. He honestly shouldn't have expected to. He was looking for justice and found only a temporary distraction, a poor one. He prayed, asking the Maidens why someone like Kenny was allowed to rule any village, especially when saying that the albinos were the ones attracting the werewolf attacks. He acted as if he sympathized with the loss of life, saying what a shame it is that normal humans must associate with such dangerous lesser beings. He played the part of a kind elder while blaming the albinos for everything. He hasn't even punished those for burning down homes in the Albino district.

Hunter looked up at the oil paintings and remembered a story his father told him when he was young. How the Maidens and their kindness warmed the heart of the dying god of this world and was gifted their powers. That story, though told differently by different people, remained the same. However, many doctrines concerning the Temples were written by people. Flawed, confused, biassed people.

Hunter, his crew, many others, and even Mason don't think the albinos are to blame. The beasts that attacked were to blame. No one else.

After finishing his prayer, Hunter stood up and placed an offering near the winter maiden's urn. He bowed to the four shrines before turning to face the priestess. "Thank you." He left the Temple, finally feeling better for the first time since seeing those two pools of blood.

~o0o~

It was late at night, and Mason struggled to keep Rose upright as the two walked home. The blonde, despite her high alcohol tolerance lurched and hiccupped with every step she took.

"And then -hic- y'know what I said? -hic-" Rose slurred, grinning goofily up at Mason.

"What did you say?" Mason asked patiently as he steered his friend away from an alley.

"I said -hic- 'Aren't ya a little old' -hic- 'to be wearing naughty clothes?'" Rose giggled. "Aw, that was a fun night."

"Sure, Rose," Mason let out a sigh of relief when their house came into view. "Okay, Rose. We're home."

"Aw. Already?" Rose pouted. "I didn't even get to the part where I grabbed his -hic-!”

"Tell me about it tomorrow," Mason said as he shoved the door open with his shoulder. "Everyone! We're home!"

Hunter sat at the dining table with a lantern nearby. He sipped on a lukewarm cup of coffee. His face grew slack with relief when he saw Rose and Mason. He stood up and walked over, picking his sister up. "Thank you, Mason."

"Always happy to help," Mason said as he rolled his shoulder back now that he didn’t have his friend's weight on it. “Um, how are you holding up?”

"I'm doing as well as one can. Don't worry about me, though. See if you can steer her away from the pub next time," Hunter shook his head. "One family member drinking himself to death is enough.”

Mason thought about Hunter and Rose's uncle Joey, a regular barhop. "I'll try to help."

He went to bed as Hunter looked down at Rose. Her eyes were half-lidded, and she was humming. Hunter approached the pallet Rose shared with Coraline and placed her down gently. He drew the covers over her and sat down on the edge of the bed, petting her short golden hair.

Ten minutes later, falling rain began to beat against the roof. Thunder rolled every few minutes while lightning flashed throughout the sky. Rose's eyes fluttered open, and she smiled at her brother sitting beside her. “Hey, Hunter.”

Hunter smiled. "Hi, sis. Rough night?"

"Nah. I -hic- beat three guys at drinking mead. Drank 'em under the -hic- table!"

"Uncle Joey would be proud," Hunter muttered.

"Hey, Hunter?"

"Yeah, Rose?" Hunter looked down at his sister, feeling a pang in his heart when he saw her grin gone, replaced with h a sad, vulnerable look.

"I feel like shit," Rose's voice was heavy, and her eyes were wide as if pleading for her brother to give her a solution.

He couldn't offer one. He could only choke back a few tears and whisper: "Me too, Rose. Me too."