*Back in the kingdom of Gladius*
The King of Gladius and his adviser, Phoebus were conceiving a plan...a plan to eliminate both Ryder Sonnet and Benedict Astaroth, seeing the two of them as obstacles towards their goal.
"We should get rid of those two annoying pests, before they become an even greater threat to us." The King of Gladius said.
"Indeed you are right sir, but how do you intend to do it though?" Phoebus asked.
"Hm that is a good point, what do you suggest, Phoebus?" The King of Gladius asked.
Phoebus suggests to the king that they should hire a mercenary...or a bounty hunter in specific terms to track and eliminate the two.
"I mean that is a good idea, Phoebus..." The King of Gladius said.
"I know, but it feels like you have something else to say, my king." Phoebus replied.
"But who are you suggesting that we send off to go and do the job for us?" The King asked.
"Well, if all else fails, we are going to recruit the one man who is most suitable for the job..." Phoebus stated.
"Wait...you're telling me..." The king said in surprise.
"Yes...I'm suggesting that we recruit him...the legend himself...Hugo Grimm..." Phoebus stated.
As they were talking about Hugo Grimm, they suddenly heard a knock at their door, both of them wondered who it could be and as Phoebus approached towards to open the door, in front of him was wearing a brown hat, wearing a long trenchcoat, he wore a formal suit and tie, he had messy, curly brown hair with a cold and menacing glare and a smile that strike terror into his enemies soul. He is a notorious bounty hunter who is known to be cold and snarky.
That person was none other than the man himself...Hugo Grimm...
"My my, isn't this quite a surprise?" Phoebus stated.
"Look, I'll get straight to the point here..." Hugo replied, entering the room and sitting down at one of the chairs to make himself comfortable.
"I'll agree to do the job...but..." Hugo stated.
"But what?" The king asked.
"I have two specific conditions before I take on this job, Your Majesty." Hugo replied.
"And what would those two specific conditions be, bounty hunter?" The king asked.
"Number one, you must give me a royal pardon once I complete the mission, understood?" Hugo stated.
"And what would be the second condition?" The king asked.
"You pay me, 100,000 gold coins." Hugo stated.
"Now do we have a deal?" Hugo asked.
The king ultimately agrees to his terms and let's Hugo off to fulfill his task.
"We have a deal indeed, Hugo Grimm." The king stated.
*Meanwhile back to Benedict and Ryder*
Ryder and Benedict eventually seeked refuge after being chased by the enemy scouts.
"That was a close one." Benedict sighed.
"Yeah I can agree with you on that..." Ryder said as he laid down on the ground.
"You know, this did remind me of something..." Ryder stated.
"About what exactly?" Benedict asked.
"It reminded of me that one time where me and my friend Lucien outran a group of enemies, and this was our exact situation...hehe." Ryder chuckled.
Benedict was curious to get to know more about his rival and contemporary.
"Um, would you mind if I ask you something Rapier?" Benedict asked.
"Sure what is it Securis?" Ryder asked, waiting for his response.
"Mind if I get to know more about you, like about your history your past, Rapier?" Benedict asked.
"Hm interesting, sure I guess I wouldn't mind telling a little bit about myself." Ryder stated.
"Well it all began when I was a young boy known as Ryder Sonnet where I was abducted by the kingdom's soldiers and was forced to be a soldier at a young age, but I assured you that it wasn't all black and white, amidst all that, I was able to found a friend in that area, and that friend of mine wanted me to become the strongest in the kingdom." Ryder stated.
"Let me tell you one thing, Securis..." Ryder continued.
"I have a goal for why I fight, which is to find the whereabouts of my family that was separated from me when I was a child." Ryder concluded.
Benedict was touched by Ryder's words and he had realized that both he and Ryder had suffered similar tragic pasts themselves and that they aren't as different as he originally thought.
"You know Rapier, you and I aren't so different as I originally thought." Benedict stated.
"What do you mean by that?" Ryder asked, waiting for his response.
"You see, in my kingdom, I was known as Benedict Astaroth, from a noble family who lived peacefully but everything changed, when your kingdom Gladius, attacked my kingdom, and lost my parents and my little sister was taken away before my very own eyes." Benedict stated.
"I too, have a goal as well Rapier, my goal is to find the "evil monsters" that took and separated me away from my little sister." Benedict concluded.
Ryder was lost for words, he was taken aback by Benedict's tragic past and placed his hand over his shoulder.
"I know what it's like Benedict, it must have been difficult for you as well, so I assure you this, that I am willing to help you in your goal to locate the whereabouts of your sister." Ryder stated with reassurance.
Benedict was touched by his words and let out a little smile.
"I too am willing to do the same for you Ryder, I'll help you in your goal to be reunited with your long-lost family." Benedict said, placing his hand on Ryder's shoulder with reassurance.
"Then it's settled then, we are allies now?" Benedict said as he stood up, extending his hand.
"We are allies, you and I, we got each others back with this one." Ryder said with reassurance, shaking his hand.
The two of them went ahead to rest and prepare for the next day that waits for them.
*Epilogue*
Down a forest path, a whistling sound was heard across the forest, it was the whistle of Hugo Grimm...
"Man...those two heroes are really hard to locate..." Hugo said to himself.
"But no matter, I cannot wait to fight them...just you wait...to face my wrath!!!" Hugo exclaimed.