Nathan closed his eyes, feeling the sharp pain in his head pulse relentlessly. He pressed his fingers against his temples, seeking respite from the pain. Gradually, as if granting his plea, the pain began to lessen.
"That felt worse than usual," Nathan murmured, his eyebrows furrowing with discontent. He tried to shake off the discomfort but to no avail. Accepting the persistent ache, he prepared to move on.
As he looked up, he found himself standing atop a grand flight of stone steps, elevated nearly twenty feet above the ground. With a glance over his shoulder, Nathan's eyes locked onto the portal he had just walked through. It was identical to the one situated within the tower, guarded vigilantly by a pair of Sentinels. He observed as a few hunters approached, exchanging hunter cards with one of the Sentinels before entering the tower. The portal itself was seamlessly nestled within the tower's massive walls, fashioned from ancient stone that stretched skyward, reaching thousands of feet high. In the daylight, Nathan could fully appreciate the dizzying height at which it stood.
Jutting out from the tower’s exterior structure were many different patterns, some resembling windows, while others formed archways. This intricate pattern remained consistent throughout the entire exterior. It was truly a magnificent structure.
“I never thought I’d be back here.” Nathan thought to himself with a sigh.
With careful steps, Nathan descended the stairs, his eyes sweeping across the area below. The exterior of the tower was surrounded by a chain fence covered with black wooden panels. Crowning the fence were strands of barbed wire. Within this fortified enclosure, sentinels and hunters traversed the grounds, moving about their tasks, while vehicles dutifully ferried essential materials. Scattered throughout were modest buildings, their stature limited to a mere two floors. Hunters and sentinels weaved in and out of these structures.
The entrance and exit to the compound bore an unmistakable semblance to the gates of a military base, guarded by a vigilant group of Sentinels. Uninterested in talking to anyone, or staying here any longer than he needed, Nathan swiftly walked to the gate. With a subtle gesture from a Sentinel, the gateway opened, granting him passage. Without a backward glance, he stepped beyond the confines of the fortress.
Outside was a vast open park teeming with conversations and groups of people walking. Although not on the same grand scale as Central Park, the park emanated a similar ambiance. Nathan wasted no time as he maneuvered through the many groups of people and hunters adorned in armor and carrying weapons, crossing the street that encircled the park, and walking homeward.
The city unfolded around him, its streets filled to the brim with people and cars. Storefronts showed vibrant displays, restaurants emitted wonderful smells, and cheering could be heard from the multitude of bars. The sun hovered high in the sky, casting its midday glow.
“I guess I was in the tower longer than I thought,” Nathan mumbled, his steps steady as he traced the familiar path leading him back to his home. Along the way, he could not help but notice the occasional disdainful glances directed his way from regular people and hunters alike, but he paid them no mind. Minutes slipped by, and soon he found himself descending into the subway. Amidst the constant flow of people entering and exiting, Nathan managed to secure a seat next to a woman and her child.
With a grateful sigh, he settled into the cushioned seat, allowing his exhausted body to sink into its softness. Finally, he had a moment of rest after hours of running and fighting, yet, just as he began to drift into a state of tranquility, the voice of a child jolted him from his relaxation,
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"Mum, look! A hunter!" The child's voice rang out with enthusiasm, perched on his mother's lap. Ignoring any need for a response, the child's words tumbled forth with no sign of stopping,
"What's it like inside the tower? Do you get to battle super-strong monsters?" The child's face was alive with a smile, seemingly unfazed by Nathan's appearance. "I wanna be a hunt-" Before the child could finish his sentence, his mother swiftly intervened, covering his mouth with her hand and redirecting his attention. In a hushed whisper, she admonished him, "Don't talk to hunters like him."
The mother's eyes bore into Nathan with disgust and anger before she turned away, desperately attempting to divert her child's attention elsewhere. Nathan released a sigh.
“I get that I look like shit, but the child didn’t care…well, whatever. I guess the discrimination against us low-rank hunters will never change,” Nathan thought.
Nathan, used to the treatment, gently shut his eyes, choosing not to pursue the matter further. Patiently, he awaited his stop, disembarking the train when the moment arrived. He resumed his walk toward his apartment, undeterred by the lingering glares that continued to assail him along the way.
“They don’t usually make it that obvious, but I am covered in blood and dirt, so it kind of makes sense,” Nathan mumbled, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone judging him as he walked.
A few minutes passed, and at long last, Nathan arrived at his apartment building. It bore all the familiar hallmarks of a typical New York City dwelling, a tall building crafted from sturdy bricks, and fire escapes cascading down the front.
“Home sweet home,” Nathan let out a satisfied sigh.
A subtle smile began to form on Nathan's lips, anticipation stirring within him as he envisioned the simple pleasure of sinking into the embrace of a cozy, comfortable bed. Eagerly, he stepped inside the building, hastening up the stairs that led to his small apartment. Retrieving his keys from the wallet attached to his hip, he unlocked the door, revealing a small but meticulously organized apartment. The scent of lavender wafted through the air, instantly soothing his senses. Directly in front of him was a modest living room, its centerpiece a worn-out couch, and a TV on a clean wooden stand.
To the left was a kitchenette, bathed in the sunlight bestowed by numerous windows. The natural light streamed in, casting a warm glow on the room. A few plants adorned the space, some large and some small. Against one wall, a slender wooden table stood below a sizable mirror.
Before attending to any other task, Nathan gravitated toward the table, his hand reaching out to grasp the solitary object that rested on it—a photograph encased in a gray frame, its back propped up by a supporting leg. Gently lifting the image, he fixed his eyes on it, a tender smile forming on his face.
The photograph revealed a younger version of himself, wearing a simple blue shirt and black pants, standing between a man and a woman. The man possessed brown eyes with short black hair, while the woman boasted lustrous brown hair complemented by piercing black eyes. Wearing lightweight leather armor, their faces radiated warmth and joy, and sword hilts peeked over their shoulders. Each of the figures sported a wide smile, capturing a moment of cherished memories.
Emotion welled up within Nathan, his voice quivering. "Mom, Dad, I think I might finally be able to fulfill our dream," he whispered, a solitary tear tracing a path down his cheek. With tender care, he gently placed the photograph back on the table.
Nathan immediately began walking towards a door adorning the same wall as the table. Fingers gripping the doorknob, he swung it open, revealing a sight that caused his eyes to sparkle. The bed.
Succumbing to his exhaustion, Nathan quickly shed the weight of his armor and empty sheath, dropping them to the floor beside the doorway. With haste, he made his way into the bathroom, his movements quick as he rubbed water on his face, removing the dirt and blood that covered his skin. However, as he looked at himself in the mirror, he noticed something strange, instead of black eyes, dark purple irises stared back at him,
“Purple eyes?...whatever, I'm too tired, I'll think about it tomorrow,” Nathan yawned and began drying his face.
Returning to the room, he immediately launched himself onto the inviting mattress, and within moments, he was asleep.