The longhouse was dimly lit by a fire burning in the hearth, casting flickering shadows along the stone walls. Alucard, Garret, Seraphina, and Jasper stepped inside, shaking off the chill of the mountain winds. Eldric closed the door behind them, his broad frame blocking out the faint light from the village.
Inside, several other figures sat around the fire, their faces grim and weary. These were the remnants of the northern hunters, their eyes hardened by years of battle and loss. They watched as Garret and his companions approached, their expressions unreadable.
"These are the last of us," Eldric said quietly, his voice heavy with resignation. "You see now, Garret. We're not what we once were."
Garret's eyes swept over the group. Though their numbers were few, there was still strength in their eyes. They were tired, yes, but not broken. "We don't need an army, Eldric. We just need warriors willing to fight."
One of the hunters, a woman with a scarred face and steely gaze, stood up. "And fight for what, Garret? We've been running for years. Every time we stand our ground, we lose more of our people. We're not like you—we don't have the luxury of legend."
Alucard felt the bitterness in her voice, the same bitterness he had once felt after losing his family. He stepped forward, speaking before Garret could respond. "I know what you've lost. I've lost it too. My village, my family—they're all gone because of the sorcerer. But hiding won't bring them back. We can't wait for the darkness to consume the rest of the realm."
The woman's eyes flicked to him, narrowing. "Who are you to tell us what we should do?"
"I'm Alucard, a hunter from the southern lands. And I'm not asking you to fight because it's easy. I'm asking because if we don't, there won't be anything left to save."
The room was silent for a moment, the crackle of the fire the only sound. Alucard could feel the weight of their stares, the skepticism that hung in the air. He had to make them believe—not just in the fight, but in themselves.
Garret took a step forward, his voice calm but filled with authority. "I know what you're thinking. I know you've fought and lost more than most. But this isn't just about survival anymore. It's about reclaiming our future. The sorcerer's forces are spreading, and if we don't act now, there will be nothing left to fight for."
Eldric crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. "You think the few of us here can stand against the sorcerer's army? That's madness."
"We're not alone," Jasper said, his voice strong and steady. "There are other hunters—scattered, but still fighting. We've already found some of them, and together, we'll find more. But it starts here, with you."
The scarred woman looked at Garret, her eyes softening slightly. "And you, Garret? You're ready to lead us again?"
Garret's jaw tightened, the burden of leadership visible in his expression. "I've made my mistakes. But I'm ready to fight, and I'm asking you to fight with me."
For a long moment, no one spoke. The tension in the room was thick, the decision hanging in the air like a heavy storm cloud. Alucard's heart pounded in his chest, knowing that the outcome of this moment could shape their entire future.
Finally, Eldric let out a long breath. "If we do this, we're doing it because we believe in each other. Not in legends, not in revenge. If we fight, we fight for our people, for the hunters who are still out there. We owe them that."
Garret nodded. "That's all I'm asking."
The scarred woman stepped forward, her gaze meeting Garret's. "We'll fight. But this time, Garret, we fight smart. No more sacrifices. No more losses we can't afford."
A weight lifted from the room as the decision was made. Alucard felt a surge of hope. They had the northern hunters on their side now, and with them, the first spark of unity. But he knew this was only the beginning.
"We leave at first light," Garret said, his voice firm. "The sorcerer won't wait, and neither will we."