It was the first day of December. All the houses of Stone Hall Village were filled with joy but in a few moments, one of these houses was about to be filled with sadness and sorrow. Hazel a seven-year-old girl was playing with her toys waiting for her parents when she heard somebody knocking on her bedroom door. To her surprise, it was her parent's partner Matthew behind him Hazel's aunt Molly crying.
"Auntie where's Mommy and Daddy?" Hazel asked looking for her parents.
"Hazel your parents aren't coming back." Matthew said sorrow in his voice.
"What do you mean?" Hazel asked not wanting to know the answer.
"Your parents are gone." Matthew replied.
Hazel felt like she was going to numb. Her parents brave, strong Monster Hunters weren't coming back.
"I'm so sorry Hazel." Matthew said tears in the corner of his eyes.
"Claws your parents were brave Hunters." Molly said using Hazel's nickname as she knelt down to her.
*
After that day Molly wouldn't let Hazel out after sunset. 'I don't want you to get hurt.' she would tell her every time Hazel asked her why she wouldn't let her out. Hazel didn't have many friends either since everybody in her village thought that being a Monster Hunter or even having contact with one would give you and your family bad luck. Now Hazel came home before sunset and helped Molly prepare dinner as usual.
"So how was your day Claws?" Molly asked with her usual smile.
"Same as yesterday and the day before that, and the day before that." Hazel drowned on.
"Well, then you should get some sleep." Molly suggested.
"Night Auntie." Hazel said kissing her cheek.
"Night Claws." Molly replied.
Hazel closed the door to her room but didn't go directly to her bed. Instead, she waited for Molly's door to close. Once it did, she waited three minutes to make sure the coast was clear, then crept down the stairs and headed for the door. Once she stepped out, she was smiling inside.
"This is wicked!" Hazel exclaimed as she headed for the forest.
Hazel walked around the forest for a while when she heard a cry. Now instead of running away like most girls her age, she headed to where the sound came from. That's when she saw it: a boy her own age fighting a ten feet monster, with arms and three eyes. Hazel could plainly see that the boy was a Monster Hunter and was losing the fight. Hazel backed away feeling something behind her, she spun around to see a rock. Without thinking she threw her hood over her face and stepped out of her hiding place, tightening her grip over the rock.
"Hey ugly! How 'bout you try and kill me!" Hazel cried.
"What are you doing!? He'll kill you!" The boy shouted.
"Let him try!"
The monster came closer with every step, then it broke into a run.
"Get out of the way!"
Hazel waited then.... slash! The monster's blood felt like ice-cold water. Hazel opened her eyes and could see that she stabbed the rock through its heart.
"What the Hell did you do that for!?" The boy cried angrily as he ran up to her.
"Excuse me, but I just saved your life!" Hazel shouted.
"I didn't need your help!"
"What's your name?"
"You’re asking what my name is now!?"
"Yes. Now, what's your name?"
"Gabriel."
"Nice meeting you."
"You know my name, now tell me yours." Gabriel snapped.
"Hazel, Hazel Abernathy." Hazel answered quietly before she crossed her arms and said, "At least now I met someone who doesn't freak out about my name."
"Abernathy?"
"Yep, and I take back about the not freaking about my name part."
"Y-your related to John and Rose Abernathy?" Gabriel asked amazed.
"Yes, I mean they are my parents." Hazel replied.
"Y-you’re their daughter?"
"Alright, yes we're related, and my parents." Hazel said impatiently before asking, "So what?"
"So what? so what!?" Gabriel repeated annoyed, "Oh nothing, it's just that you’re the child of two of the greatest Monster Hunters of the century!"
Just as Hazel was about to say something, she quickly realized that it was nearly sunrise.
"Oh God." Hazel said worriedly.
"Something wrong?" Gabriel asked.
"Nothing....um I'll see you around!" Hazel shouted before running to her house.
Hazel quickly bolted through the forest. Hazel hadn't stopped running before she reached her house's front door. She was back in her room right before the sun was completely out.
'That was a crazy night.' Hazel thought.
Then suddenly out of nowhere a raven landed on her balcony.
"Hello there." Hazel said before walking up to the blackbird and opening the door.
Once Hazel reached the big, blackbird, she noticed a note tied to the bird's right leg.
'What's this?' Hazel wondered as she untied the note from the bird's leg.
Just after Hazel untied the note from the bird's leg, it took flight once more.
"Well, I wonder what that was all about." Hazel said as she unfolded the note.
Dear Hazel,
I think we need to talk about what happened last night. Meet me in the forest at midnight at the same clearing.
- Gabriel
Hazel read the note about three more times.
'He wants to talk?' Hazel thought before she thought, 'I guess everybody deserves a second chance.'
"Claws are you already awake!?" Molly called.
"Yes, Auntie!" Hazel replied.
"You better get ready." Molly replied, "I'll be gone for a while, so you’re going to be staying inside, your breakfast is already on the table."
"Alright!"
Just as she has always done while her aunt was away. She ate her breakfast and cleaned the entire house. But since she was awake all night she mostly slept. Molly arrived just before sunset.
"So how was your day Claws?" Molly asked.
"Fine." Hazel replied before mumbling to herself, "And for once not like yesterday."
"Well, then you should go to bed." Molly said standing up and saying, "I'll clean up."
Just as she did last night, she bid Molly 'good night', and closed the door to her room. Hazel quietly changed into her black hoodie and waited until she heard Molly's door was closed and waited three minutes to make sure that the coast was clear, then snuck out of the house and into the woods. After ten minutes of navigating her way through the forest, she arrived at the clearing just after 11:59.
"I thought you might show up." Gabriel said emerging from the shadows with a man holding a staff.
"Hazel?" The man asked.
"Yes." Hazel replied folding her arms before asking, "Who're you?"
"You don't know me?" The man asked.
"Should I?" Hazel asked.
"You should." The man said putting his weight on the staff before saying, "I was your parents' partner after all."
"Matthew?" Hazel asked.
"So, you do remember me." Matthew said smiling.
"Of course, I do." Hazel said smiling at the man before explaining, "I just didn't recognize you."
"Can we get back to why we're here!?" Gabriel asked angrily.
"Correct, we better get moving." Matthew said standing up before saying, "We better hurry if we're going to make it before sunrise."
"Hold on!" Hazel exclaimed before finally calming down and saying, "You said we were here to talk. You didn't say anything about going anywhere."
"Fine then!" Gabriel exclaimed impatiently before saying, "Just tell your Aunt that you're off to visit a friend."
"That won't work at all." Hazel muttered.
"And why won't it?" Gabriel asked even more impatiently.
"Well first of all; I don't have any friends." Hazel said once again folding her arms before explaining even further, "And second of all: I can't go out after sunset."
"The first one we have to fix." Gabriel said thinking out loud his impatient posture disappearing before saying, "The second one we already have covered."
"Actually..." Hazel said quietly.
"What?" Gabriel asked his impatient mood coming back.
"I sort of." Hazel said lowering her head before saying, "Didn't tell her I'd be here."
"You sneaked out of the house!?" Matthew asked shocked.
"Yes." Hazel answered quietly.
"What are we supposed to do now!?" Gabriel asked frustrated as he slapped his forehead.
"I think I have an idea." Matthew said smiling a little.
"Spill!" Hazel explained excitedly.
"You go back home and when it's mid-morning I'll come to your house and tell your Aunt that I'm bringing you on one of my adventures." Matthew explained.
"I guess that could work." Hazel said thinking.
"You guess?" Gabriel said in a rather rude tone.
"Excuse me." Hazel said finally tired of Gabriel's attitude towards her, "What did I ever do to you?"
"Both of you be quiet!" Matthew shouted.
"Fine." Hazel said backing down, "I'll go back. It's almost sunrise anyway."
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Hazel bid Matthew goodbye and made her way back to her house. The sun had barely risen by the time Hazel was safely back inside her room.
"Claws time to get up!" Aunt Molly shouted.
"I'm already awake auntie!" Hazel replied.
"Alright!" Molly shouted back, "You better get ready! I'm going to the market! Do you need anything!?"
"No!"
"Alright! I'll be back at 12:00!"
"Okay! I'll see you later!"
Five minutes later after Molly left the house the raven that Hazel saw yesterday came back.
"Back again I see." Hazel said as she walked over to her windowsill and untied the note from the bird's leg before asking, "Did the guys need anything?"
Dear Hazel,
We saw Molly going out. Tell us when she'll be coming back by return raven.
- Your friend Matthew
“I guess that's why you're still here." Hazel said looking at the raven.
Hazel made sure to keep the message understandable but confusing in case it would ever be intercepted.
Dear Matthew
Auntie will be back by December.
- Hazel
Hazel hoped that Matthew would figure out that December was 12:00.
"Hope this will work." Hazel said as she tied the reply around the bird's leg.
Just after the reply was fully secured to the bird's leg the blackbird took flight.
*
"Why do you trust her?" Gabriel asked after they sent his raven, Josh for Hazel's house.
"Her parents were my friends Gabriel." Matthew explained while leaning on his staff, "It’s the least I can do for her."
"What do you owe her!?" Gabriel exclaimed angrily, "And what's so special about her that you had to leave The Hideout!?"
After those words, his pet raven landed on his right shoulder.
"About time you came Josh." Gabriel said as he began stroking his bird's feathers as Matthew untied Hazel's reply.
"What does she mean by Molly coming back in December?" Matthew asked after reading the note, "That's still three months away."
"Unless it’s not actually on December." Gabriel said thinking.
"What are you talking about?" Matthew asked confused.
"I think it’s a riddle."
"And why couldn't she just write down the time?"
"Unless she thinks the message would be intercepted."
"You like her."
"Whatever!"
"So what time is Molly coming?"
"12:00."
"That's only two hours away." Matthew said sitting down on a rock.
*
Just as she heard Molly came back right after 12:00. After she helped Molly unpack, they had lunch, but after they finished eating there was a knock on the door. Hazel saw Matthew's face before she hid.
"Who could that be, nobody's ever visited us before." Molly said opening the door.
"Matthew!" Molly said opening the door wider, "It’s been too long. Come in!"
"Nice to see you again Molly." Matthew said walking inside followed by Gabriel.
"And who is this?" Molly asked looking at Gabriel.
"This is Dave and Lila's son, Gabriel Jonathan Pasi." Matthew said, "Anyway, I was wondering if I might have a little chat with Hazel since I haven't visited in the last five years."
'Pasi?' Hazel thought to herself, 'Where have I heard that name before?'
"Hazel you can come out now." Molly said before Hazel crawled out of the table.
"Look how big you've grown." Matthew said just after Hazel came out.
"Hazel this is Gabriel." Molly said introducing them, "Anyway, you and Gabriel can go to your room while Matthew and I talk."
"Alright, Auntie." Hazel said as she and Gabriel went to her bedroom.
"Your aunt seems nice." Gabriel said as they entered Hazel's bedroom.
"I suppose." Hazel said sitting down on her bed.
Just then Gabriel's pet raven came inside through Hazel's open balcony door.
"You look like you’re having fun." Gabriel said as the blackbird began to circle the two of them.
"Who're you talking to?"
"Josh."
"Where is he?"
"The raven, of course."
"He's your pet?"
"Yep."
"And there goes myself thinking he was Matthew's."
"Well then you’re wrong."
"Well then I'm so sorry."
"Claws, Gabriel can the two of you come down here for a minute?" Molly called from the living room.
"Claws?" Gabriel asked smirking.
"Shut up." Hazel said as they headed for the living room.
*
"Matthew was thinking of bringing you on one of his adventures." Molly said as Hazel and Gabriel took a seat on the sofa.
"So, can I go?" Hazel asked.
"No." Molly said plainly.
"What!?" Hazel exclaimed standing up,
"You’re not going Hazel." Molly said sternly, "I don't want you getting hurt."
"You always say that!" Hazel exclaimed, "How much longer are you planning of keeping me in here!?"
"Hazel go to your room now!" Molly shouted angrily, "Matthew, Gabriel it’s time for you to leave!"
Just after she said those words Hazel stormed up to her bedroom and slammed the door shut. When she turned around, she saw Josh standing on the windowsill.
"Your still here." Hazel said grinning, "I have a message for you to deliver, my friend."
Smiling still she sat down on her bed and made sure for the message to be confusing if it was ever intercepted.
Dear Gabriel
I'll meet you and Matthew at the forest on December 45.
- Your friend Hazel
After Hazel tied the letter to Josh's leg the raven quickly took flight. Hazel watched until she could no longer see the black bird before grabbing her backpack and quickly started packing.
*
"Where is he?" Gabriel asked.
"Who?" Matthew replied.
"Josh. I have to send a letter to Chancellor Nevermore saying that we won't have a new recruit."
"Why don't you look on your shoulder?"
"Josh where have you been?"
(A/N: Josh and Gabriel are telepathic so I'll be putting "these" for Josh's voice inside Gabriel's head.)
"At Hazel's house Master." The bird said.
"What's that?" Matthew asked pointing at the letter tied to the bird's leg.
"Looks like a letter." Gabriel said as Matthew unfolded it, "What does it say?"
"Says Hazel will be meeting us here on December 45 but that doesn't make any sense." Matthew said massaging his temples.
"Unless it’s another riddle." Gabriel said smiling a little.
"So now you like her."
"Shut up."
"So, when is she coming?"
"12:45, give or take."
*
'It’s time.' Hazel thought.
Molly was already in bed and it was already 12:40. Just like the last two nights she crept down the stairs and quietly opened the door and sneaked out of the house. Only when she was on the edge of the forest Hazel looked at the house and sighed.
"Sorry Auntie but I need answers." Hazel said before running off.
*
"So, you came." Matthew said as he saw Hazel arrive.
"I only came for answers." Hazel said folding her arms as the two males stood up.
"Well, I promise that you'll get your answers." Matthew promised, "Now we should get going."
"Where are we going exactly?" Hazel as they started walking.
"Well, I can't say much, but let's just say we're going to a place that has the answers to all your questions." Matthew said.
"Well, I'm glad you solved my riddle about the time." Hazel said.
"Actually, Gabriel's been the one solving your riddles." Matthew admitted.
"I'm impressed." Hazel said looking at Gabriel.
"Thanks, my mom and dad would always tell me a riddle every time they came home." Gabriel replied, "Well, before they died anyway, but they would've been impressed by your riddles."
"Did you just complement each other?" Matthew asked.
"No!" The two exclaimed.
"Alright then." Matthew said.
*
"We should stop here." Matthew said as the three arrived at a clearing.
"How come?" Hazel asked.
"Some of us need to rest." Gabriel said sitting down on a rock, "Don't go out much?"
"Can you really blame me?" Hazel asked angrily, "I haven't been on an adventure in five years."
"Can't the two of you just get along?" Matthew asked.
"Do we have to?" Hazel asked hand on her hip.
"It’s a long way to where we're going and on the plus side the two of you can be friends since you both are children of great Monster Hunters." Matthew said smiling, "And both of your parents died fighting the same Corpsataur."
Hazel hadn't felt this way for five years. Her eyes were tearing up and there was a lump in her throat.
"Don't-don't ever talk about them." Hazel said willing herself from tearing up.
"Well, we should get going if we want to make it there before sunrise." Gabriel said getting up.
Hazel could tell that he didn't want either of them to see his sadness, but he painfully showed it due to how much he was shaking.
"Sure." Hazel said as they left the clearing.
"Let's hit the road then." Matthew said as they started walking again.
Once they started walking again Hazel relived the pain, she felt the day she found out her parents were dead, she also knew another person who lost his parents by the mercy of the same monster: the very boy who was walking behind her.
"So, your parents were Monster Hunters." Hazel said trying to start a conversation with the boy.
"Yeah, they were." Gabriel said.
"What was it like?"
"I thought you'd know. Your parents were Monster Hunters too."
"I only know my opinion. I'd like to hear your opinion."
"I forgot I was ever in danger, but I felt like I was always alone."
"Must have been hard growing up like that."
"Seems like the two of you are becoming friends." Matthew said smirking.
"Ha, ha, ha." Hazel said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes, "Very funny."
Once sunrise arrived the three reached yet another clearing on the edge of a cliff.
"We should stay here for the meantime." Gabriel said sitting down.
"Alright." Hazel said tired from all the walking, "And I will be taking a much-needed break."
After Hazel took a much-needed sleep she woke up a little after seven. At first, she didn't know where she was but last night's events slowly replayed in her mind again.
"I see your up." Matthew said seeing his young companion awake.
"Guess I am." Hazel said, "Matthew can I ask you something?"
"Fire away." Matthew said grinning.
"A while ago you told me and Gabriel that both our parents died fighting the same Corpsataur." Hazel said looking at the man.
"That I did."
"So why didn't you die?"
"The truth was that I ran."
"You told me they were dead!"
"I was ordered to."
"You were ordered to!?" An angry voice asked, "You told me my own parents were dead because you were ordered to!?"
Hazel and Matthew turned around to see Gabriel standing with balled fists, Hazel even saw a glint of grief in the boy's eyes.
"Both of you calm down." Matthew said before taking a deep breath. "Let me explain."
Hazel and Gabriel looked at each other before facing Matthew again and nodding.
"As the two of you already know John, Rose, Dave, Lila and I were sent to kill this Corpsataur but I finally had enough. So, when we were on our way to the village I ran as fast as I could back to The Hideout. When I heard that your parents were dead, I was heartbroken. So, I vowed to kill the Corpsataur myself." Matthew explained.
"Did you kill it?" Hazel asked.
"Yes and no." Matthew said, "The first time I saw it I killed the thing with ease but it somehow split into two, both of them were about ten feet tall, had four arms and three eyes."
"But that sounds like the Corpsataur that I-" Hazel began before realization dawned on her.
"Yes." Matthew said smiling, "One of them was the monster you killed the other was the one that Gabriel killed the first time we met. Believe me when I tell you that killing that Corpsataur not only gave you vengeance for your parents but made both of you Monster Hunters."
"So just because I killed a monster, I automatically become a Monster Hunter?" Hazel asked in disbelief.
"That Corpsataur was the very one that killed our parents?" Gabriel asked in union with Hazel.
"Yes, for both of your questions." Matthew said, "And now the three of us should start walking once again."
The entire walk was quiet since Matthew was in his own thoughts and the younger Monster Hunters were too busy trying to let the information Matthew gave them sink in. Everyone didn't make a sound before arriving at the foot of a volcano.
'Mount Bedgami.' Hazel thought looking at the volcano, "Looks like it’s about to blow."
"Don't worry about that." Gabriel said following Hazel's action, "It’s been extinct for over 2,500 years."
"Stand back you two." Matthew said before inserting the tip of his staff in a crack on the ground.
"He's just lost his mind." Hazel whispered to Gabriel.
"Just keep watching." Gabriel whispered back.
"Mahan jvalamukhi main tumase poochata hoon mere liye apne rahasyon ko kholane kay liye." Matthew chanted just before the volcano shook.
"You said the volcano was extinct!" Hazel exclaimed angrily looking at Gabriel.