The dawn broke over the snowy peaks of the northern mountains, casting a pale golden glow over the village of Frostfall. The cold, biting wind swirled through the narrow streets as the hunters gathered outside the longhouse, their breath rising in clouds before them. Alucard tightened his cloak around him, feeling the weight of the task ahead.
The hunters of Frostfall were fewer in number than Alucard had hoped. Eldric, the scarred woman named Kael, and three others stood with grim determination. They weren't many, but they carried themselves with the air of survivors—fighters who had faced the worst and lived to tell the tale. These were the people who would help shape the future of the hunters, the last remnants of a dying legacy.
Garret stood at the front of the group, his sword gleaming on his back. He looked over the gathering with quiet resolve, his eyes betraying a mix of anticipation and responsibility. This was his moment to lead once more, to reclaim the mantle of a hunter commander.
"Today marks the beginning of something greater," Garret said, his voice firm but not loud. He didn't need to shout to command respect from those around him. "We've lived in the shadows long enough, hiding from the sorcerer's forces, hoping for a miracle. But miracles don't come to those who wait. We are the only ones who can stop this darkness from spreading."
Eldric shifted his stance, his arms crossed over his broad chest. "So where do we start, Garret? We're not exactly an army."
Garret nodded, understanding the doubt in Eldric's words. "We don't need an army, but we need allies. There are still other hunters out there—broken, scattered, hiding like we were. Our first task is to find them and unite them."
Kael stepped forward, her sharp eyes glinting with interest. "And where do you suggest we find these hunters? The sorcerer's forces have taken most of the realm."
"There's a group in the Ironwood Forest," Jasper said, stepping up beside Garret. "They've been fighting off the sorcerer's scouts for months. They're isolated, but they haven't fallen. They could be valuable allies."
Alucard nodded, recalling the stories of the Ironwood hunters. They were known for their resilience and their refusal to submit to the growing darkness, even as the rest of the realm fell to the sorcerer's influence.
"Then that's where we'll go," Garret said, his eyes locking with Eldric's. "The Ironwood hunters are strong, and if we can convince them to join us, we'll have the foundation we need to gather more."
Eldric grunted, his expression still skeptical but resigned. "Ironwood's not an easy place to reach. The roads are dangerous, and the sorcerer's patrols are thick in that region."
"Danger is the only certainty now," Alucard said, gripping the hilt of his sword. "We face it head-on, or we fall back into the shadows forever."
Kael smirked at Alucard, her voice sharp as she spoke. "For someone so young, you've got a lot of courage. I just hope it's enough to get us through this."
"I've had enough of fear," Alucard replied, meeting her gaze. "It's time to fight."
Garret turned to the group. "We leave now. The longer we wait, the stronger the sorcerer grows. We move quickly, stay sharp, and find those who still stand against the dark."
As the hunters began to gather their gear and prepare to leave Frostfall, Alucard took a deep breath. The cold air filled his lungs, but he felt a warmth inside. For the first time in years, he wasn't running from something—he was running toward it.
The sorcerer's darkness was vast, but Alucard had something stronger to carry him forward: hope. And that hope, fragile as it was, would be their weapon against the overwhelming odds.