The sun bathed the clouds in a golden hue as its rays broke through, casting a warm glow over the garden. Butterflies fluttered among the blooming roses until laughter and chatter echoed, startling the delicate creatures into flight. At the heart of the commotion, Hades and Lily sat at a wooden table, each holding an ear of corn.

“Remember when Bon proposed to one of our teachers?” Lily asked, her voice lilting with amusement as she bit into her corn. “I’ve never seen him so furious before.”

Hades smirked, his eyes fixed on his own ear of corn as he twirled it in his hands. “You can’t really blame him. She had eyes for Jin, and Bon had to challenge him to a duel to win her over.”

Lily burst into another fit of laughter, nearly choking on her bite. “Classic Bon. Always the dramatist.”

Hades sighed, taking a reluctant bite. “You know I’m not a fan of corn. Why force me into this?”

She swung her half-eaten cob at him with mock indignation, her cheeks puffed from chewing. “Oh, no, no. You owe me after all these years. Today, we’re talking and feasting, nonstop. Consider it your punishment.”

“Talking with you isn’t a punishment,” Hades said casually, sinking his teeth into the corn again. He didn’t seem to notice the faint blush creeping onto Lily’s cheeks.

She froze for a moment, then reached over to ruffle his hair with a wide grin. “Well, aren’t you just a smooth talker? When did you get so charming, you devil?”

Hades shot her a sidelong glance but stayed quiet.

Lily leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. “By the way... you finally said it.”

“Said what?” he asked, feigning innocence as he turned his gaze elsewhere.

“Don’t play dumb with me. You know exactly what I’m talking about.” Lily crossed her arms and turned her head, her voice softening. “Or... did you not mean it?”

Hades set down his corn and faced her, his expression resolute. “Of course I meant it!” he yelled, his voice ringing across the garden.

A sly smile curled on Lily’s lips. “Gotcha,” she whispered, her grin downright mischievous. “For all your demon bravado, you’re still such a cutie. You haven’t changed one bit, Hady.”

“Don’t call me that,” he said, sinking his teeth into the corn again.

“Oh, no, we’re not done yet, you still haven't said it” Lily stood, clapping her hands. “Let’s hear it again. Come on, you can do it! Hady! Hady!”

“Not now,” he whispered, his face half-hidden behind the corn. “When all this is over.”

Lily’s teasing softened as she leaned over the table, pressing her lips softly against his. “Fine. But if you die before then, I swear, I’ll drag you back from the dead and kill you myself.”

Hades nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he took another bite of his corn. Oddly enough, it had started tasting better.

Lily chuckled. “We’ve got so much to catch up on. So how was your trip with Bloodborne—?”

“Horrible!” Hades said, his frown deepening. “You left me alone with a monster, Lily. The worst experience ever! Can you imagine? He made me fight every bandit and beast that crossed our path while he sat up in a tree laughing without a care in the realms. And then—”

She crossed her arms, watching him with a mix of amusement and quiet wonder. Is this really Hades? she thought as he continued ranting. He’s never been much of a talker but now look at him go. I could listen to this forever.

Her smile faded, tears threatening to spill. But he has his duties. It’d be selfish to keep him here… wouldn’t it? She clenched her fists. I don’t care if it’s selfish. I just want him here. But those siblings deserve better.

“What’s wrong?” Hades stopped mid-sentence, his voice softer as he leaned closer to her. “You’re crying.”

Lily wiped at her eyes, standing. “It’s nothing. It’s just been so long, that’s all.” She cleared her throat, forcing a grin. “Now, time for business. You’ve got things to do, don’t you?”

Hades lowered his gaze. “Yeah… but…” His voice wavered. “I’m no match for those Hunters, Lily. Especially those two. How could I possibly save them?”

Lily tilted her head, studying him for a moment before sitting back down beside him. “I knew something was wrong; you're not Hades, are you?”

“Huh? Of course, I am.”

“The Hades I know is confident in his strength. He’s no spineless swordsman, that’s for sure.”

He sighed. “You weren’t there, Lily. Those two Hunters… they’re unreal. Their strength is—”

“When I became a disciple, I met countless strong warriors. And you know what I thought back then? ‘Hades is unstoppable.’” She cast him a sidelong glance. “Turns out I was wrong.”

“Wow. Thanks for the vote of confidence,” he whispered.

“Sorry, but it’s true,” she said, a small laugh escaping her lips. “I had to work my butt off to get a top position among the disciples you know. You’ve seen how our leader is, haven’t you? Kind and gentle, sure, but also an undefeated warrior. Even the strongest fighters want a crack at him. And don’t forget the Demon King or the Dragon Emperor. Hades, there will always be someone stronger.”

Her voice softened as she placed a hand on his shoulder. “But that’s okay. You just have to grow, step by step, without comparing yourself to others. As long as you’ve reached your dreams, why does it matter if someone else is stronger when you’re happy?”

Hades looked into her glittering eyes. “You… really think that?”

“Absolutely,” she said with a firm nod. “Your gift is unmatched, and your swordsmanship? No one in this realm compares. Sure, you’re a little heartless and terrifying sometimes, but deep down, you’re just a normal guy who enjoys the simplest moments. Like when we were at the Demir of Grandeur, and you carried that little girl on your back just because you felt like it. You can't hide these things from me, Hady.”

Hades cracked a smile, shaking his head. “So you noticed, huh?”

“Of course I did.” Lily grinned. “Now cheer up already. If you want to get stronger, then work for it. Don’t waste time sulking when those siblings need you. And for the record, those Hunters aren’t the only strong ones around here.”

He met her eyes. “What do you mean? There are more strong hunters”

Hades straightened, narrowing his eyes. “What do you mean? There are others?”

Lily’s expression turned serious. “Haven’t you noticed, Hades? There’s been a major decline in monster activity lately.” Her voice dropped, laced with tension. “It’s all because of one Hunter. The one with the blue mask.”

*

Six months ago, the people of the Third Realm bore witness to a monstrous mechanism lumbering across the endless deserts, its scale dwarfing the legendary pyramids of the North. Towering pillars jutted from its form, spewing crystalline smoke into the arid sky, while its colossal feet crushed the sands beneath, leaving behind footprints as large as entire buildings.

Days passed.

In a remote village nestled within the desert, Dain strolled through its narrow pathways, flipping a coin. The houses, modest and weathered, were built from sand bricks. Whispers rose from every corner as he passed, their tones heavy with disdain and rejection. The masked ones—killers who revelled in the suffering of innocents—had no place in this world.

Ahead, a group of adventurers caught his eye. They stood over a trapped creature—a grotesque monster trapped in a cage. Its leathery wings cocooned its trembling body, and its legs, resembling those of a pelican, thrashed against the metal. Dain approached, a sketch of Darius clutched in his hand.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

The adventurers turned to him, their eyes narrowing with unspoken hostility, daring him to speak. Before Dain could utter a word, the creature let out an ear-piercing squawk, thrashing violently. Its cries became sharper, more frantic, as its claws tore into its own flesh. The adventurers, startled, turned their attention to their captive, trying to discern its sudden madness.

The monster’s gaze locked onto Dain, who stood unmoving, his masked face betraying no emotion. With a final, desperate screech, the creature drove one of its massive claws into its eye, ending its own life. Blood seeped through the cage, staining the sand below.

Dain sighed, slipping the sketch back into his coat. He turned his gaze to the horizon, where a plume of dust rose. A stampede of monsters surged across the desert, their varied forms and sizes blending into a chaotic mass. They ran in frantic unison, their panic palpable, each desperate to find shelter.

“What did you do to our beast? It costs a lot, you damn hunter!” the adventurer yelled, clenching his fist.

The second adventurer frowned, gripping the hilt of his weapon.

“Hey, what’s going on over there?” another adventurer called out as he leapt off his camel, his expression tense. “I just felt a strange sensation.”

The commotion quickly drew the attention of more adventurers, each curious.

“I don’t know what this hunter did to our monster, but I was planning to sell the thing!” the first adventurer said.

“Apologies,” Dain said, his tone calm, as he brought some cash from his pocket. “If it causes trouble, I’ll pay. However, I don’t have the currency used here. Can you wait?”

“Wait? Give us everything you’ve got, hunter!” the adventurer said. “And didn’t your hunter mother teach you to apologize properly when you’re wrong? Get on your knees!”

Dain was silent for a moment before speaking, his voice colder now. “I can’t do that.” He raised his head, his gaze behind the mask sharp enough to cut through steel. “And my mother isn’t a hunter. She’s a hardworking woman who is currently ill. I would ask you to retract your words.”

The adventurers laughed.

“This hunter forgot his place,” one said. “Try anything here, and we’ll have every right to beat you to a pulp and throw you in chains. After that, no civilisation would welcome you”

Another adventurer, larger and more imposing, stepped closer to Dain, his shadow looming over him. “Now hurry up, little man. On your knees.”

“What’s the problem, boss? These guys giving you trouble?” Falcon stepped into view, towering over the adventurer. His white mask was adorned with crimson wing-like markings and streaks resembling blood. “Do you want to leave, or should I handle this?”

“You think you can just walk away?” the adventurer said, drawing his blade.

Dain sighed, his voice carrying a weary edge. “Is every fighter here a swordsman? Does no one have a shred of originality anymore?”

“You’re lucky the laws keep you safe,” another adventurer hissed. “Otherwise, you’d both be dead by now.”

“Is that so,” Dian whispered, reaching for his mask. “The law forbids us from removing our masks. Doing so brands us as outlaws. And fighting you would mean declaring war on the world.”

His hand stopped just shy of the mask, and the gathered crowd stilled.

“So I won’t be breaking the rules, completely if I only do this,” he said, sliding the mask off to reveal a face so striking it was almost inhuman. Fair-skinned and calm, his expression carried a quiet lethality that sent shivers down spines. “Now, the stage is yours, gentleman.”

They all froze, their hands trembling. Fighting him now was in their favour. If he fought back, he would declare war against the world, but if he didn’t, he would die here. They understood this, yet their feet remained frozen in place.

The atmosphere grew suffocating, the raw energy radiating from Dain like an invisible force pressing against them. One adventurer’s eyes widened as realisation struck. This man… he’s ready to fight the world itself. This isn't some bluff.

The adventurers sheathed their weapons and began retreating. One of them turned back, his face pale. “We’ll pretend we didn’t see you remove your mask. Just leave,” he muttered, glancing at the sketch in Dain’s hand. “And no, we haven’t seen that man.”

Falcon faced him. “You’re being reckless again. One of these days, your little tricks won’t work.”

Dain slipped his mask back on and started walking. “I had a backup plan in case they attacked this time.”

From a distance, Astria crouched atop a dune, her bow drawn at Dain's position. Rising to her feet, she returned to the main path, her boots kicking up sand as she hurried to catch up with the others. “It's only been some days, and I'm already sick of this kingdom,” she whispered. "I wonder how long it'll take"

*

Darius stood at the crest of the snow-laden hills, his gaze locked on the mesmerizing aurora that danced across the night sky, its vibrant colours rippling over the frozen lake below.

“We should continue moving,” he said.

Darius stepped forward. “Yes we do,” he said turning back to Zephyr, Ryder and Bastian. "Listen well—you’re not to kill them. Hurt them just enough that they won’t be able to move.”

Zephyr frowned, crossing her arms as her sharp eyes narrowed. "Who exactly are they? If they’re truly your enemies, shouldn’t we eliminate them? Isn’t that more efficient?"

Thorne growled low, flexing his clawed hand. "They’re hunters," he said. "Not just any hunters. These ones are close to Darius and me. Their leader, Dain Locke, is no ordinary man. He’s a prodigy—a boy who grew up slaying monsters before most even knew how to hold a weapon. By the time he was a teenager, he’d carved a path soaked in the blood of beasts, killing so many that his aura reeked of their fear. Now, wherever he goes, monsters flee at the mere scent of him, no matter how massive or vicious they are. Even I as a half beast feel his overwhelming aura ever since he stepped foot here in the nine realms"

Darius breathed out the cold air. The energy around them seemed to thrum, growing denser by the second. "He’s here to speak with me," Darius said, his voice low. "But I suspect this will end in a fight."

“You’re afraid of him?” Ryder asked.

Darius glared back at him, his eyes faint yet brimming with restrained power. “He is my son after all”

Zephyr and Ryder's eyes went wide.

“You have a son?” she asked, “Why didn’t you tell us”

“The son of the strongest man in the world. The Butcher,” Thorne said. "You’d better not hold back against his hunters. Jinni may command thousands, but Dain leads just seven," he scratched his beard. "And those seven? They could bring entire realms to their knees if they chose to."

“You seem to know a lot about them, old man,” Ryder said.

"Dain’s my nephew, after all. I make it my business to stay informed." He raised a hand, ticking off names on his fingers. "First, there’s Astria. An elf, and the finest archer of her time. She’s won countless tournaments, though she lacks a gift. Her energy manipulation alone rivals mine. Our last fight with her was nothing but a passing storm of arrows and flames. A deadly opponent she is"

Zephyr shivered, her earlier confidence waning. "And you’re telling us to go easy on them?"

Thorne barked a laugh. "Astria’s just the beginning. Then there’s Falcon. A thief so bold he once stole from the Supreme Being himself. I don't know the details of his gift but it involves flight. And that’s not all—there are others, though they’re not in the kingdom right now. Oh, and let’s not forget their newest member. She joined about a year ago. Her name is—"

*

Tori walked, glancing over her shoulder at the others as the forest loomed around them. “So, they’ll be waiting for us?”

Dain kept his head low, his voice firm. “They’re already there.”

Falcon growled, yanking off his mask in frustration. “This is what happens when you let your personal feelings get in the way, Tori. Now we’re walking into this mess without Astria.”

Tori frowned, her tone defensive. “I said I was sorry. I promised I’d do my best to make up for it.”

“You can’t cover for her, Tori,” Dain said. “Astria is a skilled archer with incredible precision and speed. Being an elf gives her greater control over the elements than we humans have.” He sighed. “I hope I get the right answer from Darius; otherwise, this entire realm may face dire consequences from this battle.”

Tori hesitated, her voice softening. “Maybe she can still make it. The hunters have seemed restless for a while now,” she said, stepping closer to Dain. “And... thank you. For sending her to help my friend. It wouldn’t have been possible without you.”

Dain sighed. “You told me they saved you from the volcano. It was the least I could do. Once she returns the girl to her brother, we’ll leave this kingdom for good.”

Tori lowered her gaze, her boots kicking at a loose stone.

“What is it?” Dain asked. “You’ve already visited your grandfather. You have no other business here, right?”

“Right,” she whispered, nudging the rock away. “But I heard there’s going to be a war... between the hunters and the lords.”

“That has nothing to do with us,” Falcon said. “You should forget about those siblings and that swordsman. Focus on the fight ahead.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she said. “But why did we leave our factions behind? They could’ve helped with the fight.”

Dain crossed his arms, his expression dark. “Knowing Darius He’d either wipe them out or force them off the battlefield just to toy with us. I can’t protect all of them. This was the smarter move on his mood. I can’t protect all of them, so this would be better”

“Exactly,” Falcon said. “But tell me, how do you plan to take on five of them with just the three of us?”

“It’s simple,” Dain said. “I’ll handle Darius and Thorne. Falcon, you’ll take Ryder and Bastian. Tori, you’ll deal with Zephyr. Killing him won’t be easy so we have to handle his subordinates first”

The three turned, their focus shifting to the sharp, unmistakable energy slicing through the forest.

“What a pathetic attempt to mask one’s life force,” Falcon sneered, his voice low. “An adventurer or mercenary, no doubt. I’ll take care of it.”

Tori stepped forward, her baton changing its form to a long scythe. “No,” she said, her voice steady. “I’ll handle this. You two go on ahead. I’ll catch up.”

Sliding her mask over her face—a sleek, purple design with spinning mechanisms—Tori drew her weapon, the blade glinting in the dim light. “I’ll scare them off. No need for complications, right?”

With a burst of speed, she lunged forward, the force of her movement toppling trees around her. Since the life force belonged to a fighter, he wouldn’t die from something so simple, she thought.

The wheels on her headphones spun causing the edges of her scythe to radiate.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Kabal roared, his massive axe clashing against her blade with a thunderous crash that splintered the surrounding trees. “I let my guard down for one second, and this happens?!”

Tori reeled back in shock, ripping off her mask. Her gaze locked on the man before her. “Wait... aren’t you one of Pasta’s friends?”

Her words faltered as she turned, noticing Pasta standing to the side, his sword dangling loosely from his hand. His eyes were fixed on her mask.

“Tori,” he whispered, his voice cold. “You’re... a Hunter?”