The wooden door groaned as it swung open, revealing a dark and cold interior. Alucard led the way, stepping cautiously into the stone structure. The air inside was stale, thick with the scent of mildew and old magic. Faint glimmers of light from cracks in the walls illuminated dusty stone pillars, casting long shadows that danced on the floor.
Seraphina and Jasper followed close behind, their weapons drawn. Alucard could feel the tension mounting; the silence was unsettling. If Garret was here, he was hiding well. But Alucard couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching them from the darkness.
They walked further in, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The room ahead opened into a large, circular chamber. At its center stood a massive statue, its stone features worn by time. It depicted a warrior, his sword raised high as if guarding the room.
"This is no ordinary hiding place," Seraphina whispered, her eyes scanning the chamber. "It's an ancient sanctuary. These statues are said to protect the resting places of powerful warriors."
"Garret must have chosen this place for a reason," Jasper said, moving toward the statue. "He wouldn't be here if it wasn't safe."
As they ventured deeper into the chamber, Alucard's gaze drifted to the walls. Strange runes and symbols were carved into the stone, some glowing faintly in the dim light. His fingers brushed one of the carvings, and a jolt of energy shot through him, making his hand tingle.
"Careful," Seraphina warned, noticing his reaction. "These symbols are old magic—powerful, and not to be trifled with."
Alucard nodded, stepping back from the wall. There was something deeply unsettling about this place, as though it was alive with ancient energy. The shadows seemed to move on their own, curling and shifting around the edges of the chamber.
"Garret!" Jasper called, his voice echoing in the cavernous space. "If you're here, we need to talk!"
Silence followed, heavy and oppressive. Alucard strained his ears, listening for any sign of life. For a moment, he thought they were alone. But then, a faint shuffling sound came from one of the dark alcoves on the far side of the chamber.
"There," Seraphina said, pointing toward the alcove. She readied her bow, her eyes narrowing in concentration.
Alucard drew his sword, the familiar weight of it grounding him as they cautiously approached the source of the noise. The alcove was dark, but Alucard could make out the shape of a figure crouched against the wall, hidden beneath a tattered cloak.
"Garret?" Jasper asked, his voice filled with both hope and caution.
The figure shifted but didn't speak. Slowly, it stood, revealing a man with a grizzled beard, his face worn with age and battle. His eyes, however, gleamed with a fierce intensity.
"Who are you?" the man rasped, his voice rough as though it hadn't been used in a long time.
Alucard felt a surge of recognition. This was no ordinary hunter. The man before them was Garret, the legendary leader of the southern hunters. Even in his disheveled state, there was an aura of power and command about him.
"We're hunters," Seraphina said, lowering her bow slightly. "We came to find you."
Garret's gaze flicked between them, suspicion clouding his features. "And why would you do that?"
Alucard stepped forward, his voice steady despite the weight of the moment. "Because the sorcerer is growing stronger. We need your help to rally the hunters. Together, we can stop him before it's too late."
For a long moment, Garret said nothing. His eyes studied Alucard, Seraphina, and Jasper, as though weighing their words. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh.
"You're fools for coming here," he muttered. "The Blackwood is no place for the living. But if what you say is true…" He trailed off, his eyes hardening with resolve. "Then perhaps it's time I stop hiding."
Alucard felt a flicker of hope. They had found Garret. Now, the real fight could begin.