Varix waged his tail in glee. 'Nice to see you again, even for a brief blip in time.'
Hunter struggled to sit up. "What do you mean, Varix?"
Varix lowered his head. "You see, I ready to leave this world and head to my next life.' Hunter stared in confusion. 'Do you remember Vann?'
"Of course, why?"
Varix leaned his head against Hunters. 'That's good, but I want you to know what I am.' Hunter stared at him as his yellow eyes glowed in the dim light. 'I am called a guiding spirit. I help those who are needing my help. My kind usually helps the young find happiness, but for you and Vann, it was to find who you are inside. Vann never found that, but you did. Even if you don't know it.'
Hunter touched Varix's fur. "Then all I can say is thank you for being there for me, but what am I going to do where am I going to go. I feel I need you more than ever, Varix?"
Varix began to disappear into particles of light. 'Hunter, find your friend Kyle then find the answers yourself.' Varix turned into a human boy, his eyes filling with tears. 'Never forget all those who have helped you and the bonds you forged. They will only make you stronger, even the ones that betrayed you. Learn, grow and live your life, Hunter.'
The last of Varix dispersed before Hunters' eyes. Tears streamed down his face as the sun crept into the room. Hunter found the strength to set himself up to see his surroundings. He could see the walls were old, with missing boards here and there. His attention then turned to the open door; Hunter tried to stand but to no avail. He looked over himself to see that he was clothed in weight clothes. Hunter knew that his caretaker knew what they were doing when it came to healing people. He sat there, trying to remember the events leading to him to this point.
He remembered the battle and Azoth killing Ark and Harpoons' final moments before leaving him. Tears streamed down his face remembering that his friend was waiting for him back at the castle. Hunter sobbed, wondering if Vail had known all along, he would have to leave, and that Azoth would leave him behind. The words that Azoth said back at the castle, that he would never have true freedom, were right? Hunter felt a cold shiver run up his spine. They sound of footsteps caught his attention.
A woman entered the room with a plater full of food. Hunter sighed at the sight of her, as his stomach growled. He turned beet red, as she chuckled. "You seem to be doing better, young man." She walked over to him, handing him the meal she made him. "Tell me what happened to you to make you practically starve yourself on the streets of Springrain?"
Hunter shifted his gaze, "In reality, I felt everything I care about was gone and that I could never go back to them after betraying them, I did many terrible things and hid my true nature to even my closest friend. Although I did hide it for everyone, even myself, I know that I will never be truly free because once I'm found, they will come to kill me." Hunter turned to the woman, remembering that she gave him her name. "Kana, was it?"
The woman smiled, "Yes, I am glad you remembered, now, can you tell me your name?"
Hunter knew he had heard that name before but could not place when or where he had heard it. "It's Hunter; my friend gave me that name when I did not have since in a clone."
Kana stood in shock. "Your Hunter!?"
Hunter nodded, "If I did something to you in any way, I am sorry, and I know I can never…never take them back, but please, I am –" Before he could finish, Kana drew a dagger to his throat. Hunter could see the tears streaming down her face. "I have hurt you in some way. Trust me, as much as you want to kill me something—no, the world is telling me that I am needed." He grabbed her hand and lowered it away from him. "Please understand I was a puppet following my puppeteer's demands."
Kana closed her eyes, pulling away from Hunter. "You and Terrance—no, Azoth now—killed Ark." Hunters eye widen hearing those few words. He decided to tell her everything he knew and about his role in the attack to give her some closure. Kana listened to him realizing that he was a discarded pawn sent to die in that battle she looked up at him. "What was your friends' name?"
Hunter looked her in the eyes, "Kyle, Kyle Longfeather."
Kana sat in shock, "Your friends with Kyle?" Hunter nodded. She smiled, "Kyle is okay and had left the castle around the same time as you. He has not returned since then and probably doesn't know you are not there anymore." Kana grabbed Hunter's hand, "Head to Vailrose, it's a small city to the east, once there you will need to find a man name, Aragon. Ask him for eight loaves of bread and one sweet bun for the child. He will know what it means." Kana leaned back. "But for now, rest and recover. I may not like it, but I can see that you have changed. You will set out after you have recovered." She got up to leave. "Oh, by the way, you have been gone for six months since that day."
Hunter sat in shock with the last of her words. Looking at his hands, Hunter started. "Six months, there is no way I was missing that long or travelling without food or water either." Confused by the matter, Hunter looked over to see his old clothes tattered beyond repair. "It looks like I will need a new wardrobe as well." Hunter smiled at the thought he was saved by someone Lovell knew made him chuckle.
A few days past and Hunter regain his strength. Kana helped him out by gathering any niceties, including a new outfit and a hair cut. He twisted at his new hairstyle seeing that it was a short warrior's cut, typically found on soldiers to keep fresh in the summer. His outfit was simple but made of the highest quality material for hunters. Hunter turned to Kana. "I cannot thank you enough miss Kana for all your help."
Kana smuggle stood up, grinning. "No problem, I am just glad that you changed sides just like the rest of my old comrades and me—well most of them." Hunter laughed at her. "To be honest, I never thought you could laugh or have enjoyment in life. I have seen many things in my life, but the way they treat clones appalled me. I am glad you found meaning in life and wish to change your fate in some way."
Hunter nodded as he lifted his bag. "But remember I may have changed does not mean some of the habits have left me. I can still change for the worst. For now, I know that I have to get my friend then after that—I do not know—who knows what will happen?" Hunter smiled softly at Kana
Kana smiled. "Let's hope revenge is not one of them or blindly following orders that you know are wrong." Waved Kana good by as she gripped her sides, watching him leave. "You and Lovell are so alike it's uncanny. The way both see yourselves belittles you of your true potential." She leaned on the door frame. "I hope you find out the truth about Kyle being our ally within the Faremin forces or the fact that he was the one helping you grow after this Vann person Kyle's told me about." She laughed softly before entering her home and closing the door behind her.