Chereads / Hunters: The Prequel / Chapter 35 - Hidden Cloak

Chapter 35 - Hidden Cloak

The Dark Kingdom. An organisation that had terrorized Zandorians for years now. There was very little information on this organisation. This band of terrorists had plagued the Planet of Zandor for centuries. No one knew where they originated from. Information on their leader was scarce. Any information on their ranks was as rare as a dragon's tail. It was an organisation that stalked from the shadows, striking when a weakness was realised. That was the most terrifying enemy to have, one who could see you yet was unseen.

This dark force was in constant battle with the Wielders Association for centuries now, the reason for the conflict unclear as a fog clouding a major street (the Wielder Association was no Saint. One would be naive to believe that the conflict was for the protection of the commoners). One thing was certain though. The Dark Kingdom had a depraved habit of capturing geniuses and brainwashing them. They then incorporated them into their ranks and had them fight those they were previously sworn to protect. It was a disgusting habit had earned them the ire of all. They were a rampant group that feared no one- until three years ago.

They say every person has a weakness, and every being- no matter how powerful- has a bane. The Dark Kingdom was the bane of the Wielders Association. An enemy hidden and concealed in darkness, one they had lost countless advantages to. The Dark Kingdom had the Wielders Association looking over their shoulders with extreme caution, not wanting to lose out any longer.

Over the past few decades, the activities of the Dark Kingdom had reduced. However, this did not bring any relief- only more trepidation. For although their activities had reduced in number, the scale of the attacks had increased. Initially attacks were centered on weaker territories, abductions performed when security was at its minimum. Well, not anymore. Even behemoths such as the Western Empire had all fallen prey to attacks from the Dark Kingdom. This formerly containable enemy, was not so containable anymore.

It was clear that the Dark Kingdom was growing in power. Whatever it was that caused them hesitations in their movements before, was no longer a factor. They were no longer restrained. Now, why don't we return to our story.

As I was saying, every person has a weakness and everything under the Sun has its restrainer. This principle is the very basis of the popular game- rock, paper, and scissors. Rock breaks scissors, scissors cuts paper, and paper wraps rock. Just like this game, the Wielders Association restrained the untamed forces of Zandor, and the Dark Kingdom acted as the restraint for the Wielders Association. For years they had no restraint, a gap in the natural order- until three years ago.

No one knew who he was. No one knew where he came from. Like the Dark Kingdom, his very existence was a mystery. It wasn't even known whether he was really a 'he'. The people called him, "Hidden Cloak". He made his first appearance three years ago, covered entirely from head to toe with a dark cloak that concealed all his features. Like a beacon of hope, he appeared in Zandor. He was a rogue, and people like that were usually not accepted. Nor were they appreciated. Unless your specialty was hunting down the members of the Dark Kingdom.

The Wielders Association could finally catch a breather, all because of this mysterious character. Where they had failed, he succeeded beautifully. No matter where the members of the Dark Kingdom appeared, Hidden Cloak was there to stop them. Well, stop was an understatement of what he did. He spared no member of the Dark Kingdom. Every member that was sent out in the last few years was killed. Even when they picked multiple locations, he was there. No one knew how he did it, or why he did it, but everyone was grateful he did. It was obvious that he had a vendetta against the Dark Kingdom. But no one really cared for what it was.

When you spend your entire life trapped in a well, you would be grateful to whoever got you out, regardless of who it was. That was how the people felt. The nakedness they had felt under the terror of the Dark Kingdom was fully concealed by Hidden Cloak. Now the Dark Kingdom will also know how they felt, being afraid to step out because there's someone watching your every move.

As for Hidden Cloak, he was like a god to them. To them, he had done what even the Wielders Association was powerless to do. He had appeared when all thought the malignant tumor in the form of the Dark Kingdom was going to be the ruin of the land someday. This bane to the Dark Kingdom was who they needed. Whilst the Wielder Association maintained and restrained the criminals of the land, the Hidden Cloak was responsible for restraining the Dark Kingdom. With the Dark Kingdom on a leash, Zandor was definitely safer now.

It was justice, karma, life. Balance had been restored and the laws of the world re-established. For even the greatest of predators had their predators. Cobras were hunted by mongoose and sharks gunned down by orcas. The Hidden Cloak may have appeared mysteriously, but he was definitely at the top of the food chain now. And it didn't seem like he'd be done anytime soon. Unless he could kill off the Dark Kingdom so quickly.

The people were wrong about something though. The Hidden Cloak was not one person. In their blind worship and adoration for him they had ignored pretty telling evidence of the Hidden Cloak being a group, not an individual.

Firstly, Hidden Cloak was able to foil the plans of the Dark Kingdom at multiple locations. Even with a cloning technique, with such long distances, one would have to be at the Nobility Realm to pull that off. Zandor was a planet of the lower realm, there was no way such an expert existed on it. Maybe in the near future, but not now.

Also, there was no way the Hidden cloak was able to read into the plans of the Dark Kingdom and foil them all on his own. It seemed like something only a well worked organisation would be capable of.

And right it was. Only this organisation was not a large one. And it was filled with kids.