The sun shone in the sky, the birds chirp while the tree sways along with the wind. The searing heat of the sun touches the blonde's skin as he stood in the field.
His hair was shining like a pile of gold under the brilliant sun, his pale skin glowing in each ray of light. His well-kept clothes and proper manners made him appear almost like a prince looking for his princess.
"He's too good looking it's kind of annoying," Brennan scoffed as they watched Alexander train Feli.
Darius only chuckled at Brennan's behavior, "It almost sounds like you're jealous of him."
Brennan laughs, "It was you who said it."
The wind blew once more, Alexander's golden hair swaying along with the gentle breeze. A smile graced his pink lips, emerald green eyes shining under the sun.
"I can't stay any longer, my insecurity my swallow me." Brennan shook his head before the two of them started laughing.
All the while, Alexander was looking around as he searched for Feli.
Satisfied he clapped his hands twice, "Well done!" He complimented the young griffin on his progress.
After all, it only had been two days when they started training.
Concealment and reinforcement magic were their focus at this point.
Because concealment magic will help Feli travel a lot easier. Since he won't have to worry about being seen while flying.
Reinforcement magic, on the other hand, will allow him to strengthen his talons. Making his weapons sturdier and sharper.
Feli took down the magic layer that was concealing him, it was like a veil that flows around him. Reflecting off the light and copying the images around him. Making an illusion that there was nothing there.
"You did a wonderful job as always Feli, "Alexander petted the griffins head while giving him bread.
"Are you two done training today?" Darius asked as he approached them.
"Yes, in fact, this may be the last time we will train. I think I've already taught him all that I can teach him." Alexander smiled. "I have to say, he's a quick learner."
"Well I suppose griffins do have great talents," Darius smiled at Feli who had been watching them intently.
"Alexander, Darius…" Brennan called. "The twins are here."
"We'll be there in a bit," Darius said. "Hey, Alexander before we go."
"I want to thank you for teaching Feli."
Alexander smiled, "Anytime."
"Prince Charming!" one of the twins greeted as soon as Alexander entered the room. His loud voice and odd nickname for him made the blonde cringe.
"I told you not to call me that," Alexander lectured.
Needless to say, the twins had been a pain to be with. They were Alexander's main source of headache.
Alexander sighed, "This is Loki and Luke. They are hunters trained by Miss Ruby." He introduced them.
"Loki," the boy with long hair said.
His hair was the color ashen brown, tied in a small low bun in his back. He has stubbles on his face, a pair of light brown eyes, and a smirk saying 'I'm a trouble maker.'
Luke on the other hand was different, he has a neatly shaved face, a pleasant smile like those of a lamb, gentle brown eyes, and well-kept hair.
"Good day, my name is Luke." He shook Brennan, Darius, and Oraculi's hands. As he greeted them.
After a quick rest, the meeting began.
"What we know for certain is the Balor has inhuman strength and a third eye that shoots fire whenever it is opened."
"In addition, he had taken full control of the town. The knights, unfortunately, abandoned and boycott the place. Rendering the rescue to be as a helpless endeavor, in their defense…" Alexander shook his head.
"They are not trained for such situations."
"Why? Because all they do is mug merchant and capture alley rats?" Loki laughed at his own comment while his brother snickered.
Alexander sighed while pinching the bridge of his nose.
"That's not true," Brennan protested. As a young man that once trained to become a knight, he felt the need to defend their honor.
"Oh yeah? Wanna bet?" Loki challenged.
"Enough!" Oraculi said sternly. "Go on Alexander."
"R-right." The blonde nodded.
"The town of Snares is surrounded by thick forest. It was fairly hidden, which is the reason why it was so easy to hide the truth and abandon the place."
"Now, upon reaching snares. We must separate into two groups; one group that will distract Balor and another that will prepare the trap."
"And to familiarize with each other, Darius will go with the twins and I will go with Brennan."
Darius didn't like to sound of that; while Luke seemed tamed his twin brother looks like someone who had to tie up just to behave.
"Is that alright?" Alexander asked.
He wanted to say no but Alexander had a good point. The blonde knows of Brennan's archery but Darius has no idea how the twins fight.
While Brennan can easily adapt since he only provides support from the backlines, Darius had to familiarize himself with the team because he will be a part of the melee.
"Sure," Darius nodded.
'If you have to break their leg, break one.' He heard Ravana say.
'How come you suddenly appeared?'
'The smell of the serum was just too enticing to ignore.' Darius could feel her strong desire still lingering.
'You do realize that I had been meaning to ask you something right?'
'About the world tree? You don't have a choice so why bother. Besides, maybe Cliodhna was right, it can help you achieve your goal faster.'
Darius did not reply, everyone around him is telling him the same thing, that he has no choice. That he should just accept his role.
"-rius"
"Darius?"
"Uh pardon?" Darius blinked as looked at Alexander.
"I will be explaining the plan now."
"Oh go on," Darius cleared his throat. He was too focused on Ravana that he forgot about the meeting.
"Giants are not quickest in terms of wit, they usually have the mental age of a six-year-old. Which is why they are very destructive. The thing about them is once they started throwing pits of rage, they can't think straight. This is why I want to use three of you as a decoy and draw Balor into the trap."
"What kind of trap Alexander?" Oraculi asked while he and Alexander have known each other for a very long time. He doesn't want to gamble his students' lives over a half-baked plan.
"It was massive vine trap magic. The magic circle will be drawn on the ground, it will require the target's blood to activate but I have that covered by Luke." Alexander looked at the young man, knowing he was the quickest one among the crew.
Luke in return, smiled before giving Alexander a salute.
"The only thing needed is for them to draw Balor to the trap and finish him off while he's still trapped." He said those words, Alexander met Darius' gaze.
Passing an unspoken message, 'I will leave that part to you.'
"Seems easy enough," Brennan chimed optimistically.
"It's manageable." Darius nodded to agree.
"Then we can leave tomorrow morning. That's if everyone here agrees to join the mission." Alexander looked at them.
"You know we'll lay down our lives for you Prince Charming," Loki said with a grin.
Alexander smile but the twitching in the corner of his left eye, is telling the others that he's trying to be nice.
"I'll help." Darius simply replied.
"I will too," Brennan added.
Oraculi stared at the young men as they interact with one another. Hunters usually work in fairs or more often alone. They are not the most socializing bunch since they all have their own problems to worry about.
But these young men managed to form a group, big and bold enough to plot against a giant and he has a feeling that they can do it.
They can work together to make the plan a success.
Alexander does have the talent for leading people.
He also has an eye for finding the most useful and trustworthy men.
'Maybe with his help. They can make something bigger in the future. Something grand, something that can even change the world.'
The table was silent when Alexander announced that he and Brennan will head out first. The Darius and the twins will follow suit.
In that way, they can avoid too much attention in the places they will pass. After all, the last thing they want is to appear like a group of bandits.
"Then we will meet outside the last village?"
"Yes, just once we passed Twin Lake. But we will separate again in the Snares' forest, the giant had good senses. He can definitely figure out our number if we go together. That's why we need to be divided into two groups. Your group will go around and enter through the north, while Brennan and I prepare the trap in the south." Alexander explained.
"Then it's all set." Darius nodded.
"Then let's have dinner together, young huntsmen." Oraculi smiled.
"Huntsmen?" Luke looks clueless.
"Why aren't you hunters?" Oraculi asked.
"It's just odd to hear that because it almost seemed like we're members of an order or a brotherhood of sort." Luke laughed.
"That's true," Oraculi agreed.
"Order?" Loki muttered.
"Order of Huntsmen!" He beamed.
The room when silent, considering what Loki just said.
Brennan and Darius turned towards one another, they had this conversation before. The formation of a group for hunters, a recognized united representation that will help hunters work more easily.
Maybe… just maybe, this is what they needed to do that.
The dinner was loud and chaotic, the twins as it turns out are way more troublesome than they initially thought.
They kept feeding Feli with meat, which the young griffin loved. But Darius didn't think it was right.
So it became a series of the twins sneaking meat for Feli, and Darius getting annoyed because of it.
The twins reasoned that griffins are supposed to be carnivorous.
But Darius was still hesitant because Feli had been eating more bread than meat in the past. But eventually, Darius gave in, after all, he tried from stopping them but he only failed miserably.
Brennan on his side of the table ate peacefully, somehow…
While Alexander and Oraculi are discussing some things. But the others were too caught up in their little worlds to listen. Which was probably for the best.