Sez awoke to the gentle rays of the morning sun streaming through his bedroom window. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, he stretched and yawned, feeling the last tendrils of his dreams slip away. With a surge of energy, Sez swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. He crossed to the small mirror hanging on the wall and ran a hand through his thick, dreaded hair. His hazel eyes stared back at him. The weight of his decision from last night had not faded with sleep; in fact, it had only intensified.
He swiftly donned his customary ensemble: an off-white shirt with cuffed sleeves, gloves, black trousers, and concealed boots, all concealed beneath a flowing black cloak. Sez headed out of his room and down the narrow hallway of the inn he shared with Elara. The wooden floorboards creaked slightly beneath his feet, a familiar sound that added to the comfort of his surroundings.
He descended a narrow staircase, the wooden steps protesting softly under his weight. The common area of the inn greeted him with a chorus of aromas – a warm blend of morning stew, freshly baked bread, and herbal tea. The place was a hub of activity, with guests and innkeepers moving about in a dance of routines and conversations.
Sez's eyes found Elara, her distinctive auburn hair catching the light like a flicker of flames. She sat at a corner table, engrossed in a worn map spread out before her. With a determined stride, Sez crossed the room and joined her.
"Morning," he greeted softly, taking a seat across from her.
Elara raised an eyebrow, a hint of concern flickering in her green eyes. "Good morning Sez, you slept well?"
Sez nodded, his voice steady. "Yeah. Alright, let's be on our way."
Elara stood up, confused, she exclaimed "But wait, how will we even find the monster…"
"We'll have to go to your home country to do some investigation, the presence of a grade 1 vampire would have been reported, and there'll be talks about it in the streets" Sez explained,
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Sez and Elara stood together, the weight of their decision binding them in a pact. The journey ahead was uncertain, but they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, united in their purpose.
They embarked on a journey to the land of Buntrow, the very country that housed the Brayde residence. Although Sez usually relied on his shadow travel to reach their destination, this time he couldn't employ that ability in the company of another. Thus, they undertook the entire voyage over land. Buntrow lay a vast 12,645km from the Torian empire. Elara's initial arrival in the Torian empire had been accomplished with the aid of a Cyborg Pegasus—a winged horse with cybernetic enhancements, a luxury usually reserved for the affluent.
Sez and Elara departed from the border shortly thereafter, quickening their pace as they embarked on the journey across the Avare—an expansive desert encompassing over half of the expanse separating the two nations. Elara's mount soared at a relatively low altitude, swiftly maintaining its maximum velocity. On the other hand, Sez opted for the on-foot approach, effortlessly matching the mechanical pegasus's swiftness. In fact, his agility even surpassed that of the mighty automaton steed.
"Elara," Sez called into question, "could you tell me what you know about Kata and the genesis of the hunter's guild?"
Elara appeared perplexed before responding, "Well, um... as far as I understand, Kata refers to the skill of harnessing one's life energy(KiChi) to achieve a range of effects."
"For individuals born into one of the 13 great clans, mastery of this art enables them to conjure innate techniques and refine them through years of dedicated practice. The Hunters Guild, on the other hand, is an establishment that caters to those who have truly honed their skills, offering opportunities for military support, bounty hunting, assassination, and more."
"And have you ever wondered why the 13 great families possess this inherent ability to wield these techniques?" Sez questioned, adjusting his straw hat.
"Many decades ago, our forefathers—13 individuals—undertook prayers and sacrifices to an all-powerful entity. Their devotion bore fruit in the form of 13 unique gifts: a profound comprehension of life itself, accompanied by distinct abilities. These very first Kata techniques were essentially woven into their very DNA, destined to be passed down through generations," she detailed.
"Elara, while you capture the essence, some finer points have been omitted. Your understanding isn't entirely amiss, though," Sez responded.
"What? Hmmm, where did I miss the mark?" Elara inquired, seeking clarification.
"Elara, let me clarify. To begin with, it wasn't a single entity. Our ancestors prayed to 13 distinct beings, each bestowing upon a clan leader a unique technique, subsequently passed down through generations. Take my family's shadow technique, for instance—a kata skill that grants us an array of methods to manipulate darkness, facilitating travel and the creation of shadowy entities," Sez explained.
"However, there are specific terms and conditions governing their usage. For instance, we must never completely deplete our KiChi, as doing so would undoubtedly result in death. This is a particularly crucial aspect to be cautious of, given the constant utilisation of KiChi to enhance our physical abilities," he added.
"I see," Elara said,
"There are alternate applications of KiChi, such as infusing it into various objects. However, these applications come with their complexities. Yet, let me delve into a specific Kata concept," Sez explained.
"Intriguing. What concept are you referring to?" Elare inquired.
"It's called 'Hell's Exchange.' Essentially, it involves making a pact with the ruler of the underworld himself, sacrificing something valuable to gain tremendous power in return," Sez elaborated. "The act of summoning this entity for such an exchange demands surrendering something of profound emotional significance."
"What!? That's utterly insane! How is this not more widely known?" Elara exclaimed, in disbelief.
"Considering your circumstances, the lack of awareness might not be as surprising," Sez replied cryptically.
Elara sighed, feeling a weight within, and turned her gaze away.
Sez continued "It's not something openly talked about anyways, in fact, I've only seen it used once, a vampire used it against my brother Toka 2 years ago"
"Oh my, how did it go?" Elara asked
"The vampire sacrificed both its fangs and went from being incomparable to Toka to matching him blow for blow" Sez replied, but then a subtle, enigmatic smile curved gently to the left on his lips, "Toka is the strongest man I know, he eventually won that fight with just one attack"
Elara's perceptive gaze caught a glint of profound pride illuminating Sez's countenance. It was as if the very essence of his being swelled with an unspoken reverence for his older brothers' might. The curve of his lips and the gleam in his eyes hinted at a silent admiration, a testament to the indomitable spirit that ran through their shared bloodline. At that moment, Elara glimpsed the unbreakable bond that tied Sez to his kin, a connection woven from stories of valour and legacy.
"Anyways, I suspect the vampire that killed your father did the same, and if that's the case, depending on the stipulations of the deal he made, he could be weaker than he originally was" Sez added
"Marvelous!" Elara exclaimed, a radiant smile gracing her face as hope surged within her, elevating her expectations of victory.
"We find ourselves drawing near to the conclusion of the Avare," Sez remarked, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. "At our present pace, we ought to arrive in Buntrow by evening."
Elara's admiration was evident in her words. "Your agility is truly remarkable, maintaining such a nonchalant stride. It's astounding how effortlessly you lead the way on foot. Rumour has it that you stand among, if not atop, the swiftest hunters throughout the expanse of the Torian empire.
"Toka's the one who filled your ears with that, wasn't he? Truth be told when he truly puts his mind to it, he outpaces even me," Sez admitted with a half-smile.
Elara's curiosity was piqued. "What gave it away that it was Toka?"
Sez's response was laced with a touch of pride. "Wasn't a tough deduction to make. While I might have my strengths, I'd wager you sought him out first. But his hands are tied with an ongoing inquiry, so he graciously pointed you in my direction."
With a determined pace, the travellers successfully went across the vast expanse of the Avare desert. Emerging from the confines of the desert's embrace, they found themselves at the edge of a sprawling woodland. Towering trees, their branches interlocking to form a natural canopy, welcomed them to the shelter of the large forest. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground below. The air was alive with the melodies of unseen creatures, creating an enchanting symphony that surrounded them.
Through the dense undergrowth, they forged a path, the ground beneath their feet covered in a rich carpet of fallen leaves and soft moss. Streams trickled by, their gentle babbling providing a soothing backdrop to the journey. The forest seemed like a realm frozen in time, a place where magic and reality intertwined in a delicate dance.
After hours of navigating the labyrinthine trails, crossing quaint wooden bridges over meandering streams and encountering glimpses of elusive wildlife, the travellers emerged from the depths of the forest. As they stepped onto the outskirts of the country Buntrow.