January 1st 1830
-Huntsman Guild of Great Britain
Personal Journal of Leon Wagner.
Third Entry.
It is done. No longer am I a humble student. The hunt has at last begun.
I now stand in the armory with my other graduates writing as we prepare to venture out into the world tonight. Benjamin and Noriko have already said their heartfelt goodbyes and left early, unable to wait any longer. We hugged and all wished each other the best of luck in the long road ahead of us. I shall miss them greatly, but have put my worry to ease knowing I shall see them again soon. If any are certain to succeed in their first trial it certainly my two friends. We have all chosen our sigils at last the three of us. And they are certainly fitting to who we are and who we have become. Noriko the swift and cunning red fox. Benjamin the strong brown bear. And I the proud black eagle of my homeland that is no more. Beloved Prussia. May she rest in peace.
The ceremony was simple and short. But I will never forget it.
Fifty of my comrades from around the world waited eagerly outside the chamber, sharpening their weapons, and observing the walls along the hall of the hunted lined to the brim with the stuffed heads of thousands of past monsters slain by the masters of new and old. We grinned. For those among us who were worthy would be adding to this vast collection very soon.
After waiting for many hours the doors finally opened to let us enter and obtain what we had fought to earn for so long. We all entered swiftly into rows of four in perfect trained discipline. Headmaster Archevald and Van Helsing were among the six remaining masters standing above us on pedestals. Front and center like the ancient greek gods of old. Each with their own personal huntsman crest stitched across their uniform.
Archevald the red falcon from Scotland and the Empire of Britain. Master of hunt and longsword.
Van helsing the blue wolf from the Netherlands. Master of science and crossbow .
Aanya Khatri the black tiger from Colonial India. Master of pursuit and chakrams.
Jacob Meadows the tan stag from North America. Master of arms and armor.
Olga Sokolov the green owl from the Empire of Russia. Master of scroll and hammer.
And Hu Liu the gold crane from the Empire of China. Master of diplomacy and keeper of castle keys. Trusted with Archevald's most well kept secrets.
My how powerful the six of them looked. We must have seemed like children in their eyes when compared to their vast wisdom and experience. Each representing a core mastered aspect and basic pillar of being a successful huntsman. Swordsman. Scientist. Tracker. Smith. Knowledge seeker. And enforcer of Law and order. To master all six is a trait only one in history has done. The very first huntsman. Though Arechevald has come close many times if only he had more time. In their adventures of youth. Each had traveled the farthest reaches of the world and fought side by side in the vampiric war. And now upon each becoming a master during relative peace time. All had given up such adventurous pursuits to stay at the huntsman keep full time to train the next generation and pass on what they had learned. Eager for us to make good of all their hard work by accepting the honor and burden of the mantle of their responsibilities by being their soldiers in whatever coming war against the night we may yet face. But first we must see who among us are worthy.
Archevald kept a straight face through his thick grey and white beard, not looking at any of his students for he knew not who he would see again in the coming weeks. But Van Helsing glanced a quick nod and smile to me for all my hard work. I paid no heed. I kept my attention focused and composed in this vital moment. After a few minutes Archevald finally spoke to his students. His words enthralling and powerful.
"Students. I need not tell you of what perilous threats you will face in your final trial alone. Many brave men boast of being unafraid, but how few of us truly are? Tonight you will go out into the world to face the worst horrors the world has to offer. Not only to prove yourself worthy of being one of us, but also in being able to serve humanity till the end of your days unwaveringly."
The whole room remained silent as we stood in place eagerly and utterly captivated. Both fearful and excited beyond reason He continued.
"You shall not abandon your mission under any circumstances. You shall not delay in your mission despite whatever nightmare made flesh you face. If you fail. Do not return. For you do not belong among those of us who are willing to go to the ends of the earth and do whatever it takes to rid the world of such filth that still plagues the shadows of humanity."
Archevald then turned to his old partner Van Helsing, who then opened an ancient chest and set it atop his pedestal. Reaching in for an old degraded parchment and ivory bowl filled with assigned contracts for monsters sent from throughout the world. The old doctor put on his glasses, unrolled the ancient scroll, cleared his throat and began.
"You have but one month to track down each of your first randomly assigned quarry. We shall not inform you of what kind. For that is for you to discover on your own. By using your training and deduction. You will learn of your assigned enemy on your own. Where they hide. What they're strengths and weakness are. And how to kill them quickly and efficiently without harming innocent bystanders. No heroics. These are horrors you can scarcely imagine that will kill you so much as look at you. They are stronger than you. So do not face them with brute force or firepower alone. You must be smarter in order to survive. Only then will you triumph and return alive with a trophy from their remains to prove the success of your hunt. Only then will you be true huntsman."
Van Helsing then handed the floor back to his comrade Archevald and rolled up the aged scroll to stand in silence. The Headmaster then decided to finishing his speech with a few comforting words of wisdom before he sent us out into the world.
"Most of you will not return. Either from your own fear and cowardice, abandonment of your duties, or death itself. But this is a good thing. Only those skilled enough as to not die will be allowed to join. For this is an age of change and scrutiny against our guild, and we need only the best and craftiest among you to continue on and prove our worth and value in the world as defenders of humanity in the coming decades. You will have one year to track down and eliminate all twelve of your contracts. Best of luck to you all...."
"And may your return be swift."
As we were handed our guild badges and equipment. Van Helsing then came around with the large bowl to send each of us out into the world. I looked inside and saw before me thousands of small pieces of paper. Its amusing to think that a single piece of parchment would decide my fate. Van Helsing nodded and wished me luck in my choosing as It came to be my turn last.
I reached in slowly.
I unraveled the crumpled paper not knowing what monster I had chosen to become my future foe. I read the name of its exact location aloud both nervous and full of excitement.
My heart racing as I stared right at my future held in the palm of my hands.