The last day passed in deep meditation, with Erenyx drawing Essentia continuously, her power swelling with each passing moment. As she finally opened her eyes, a radiant glow danced within her gray irises, reflecting a moonlit determination that filled her with resolve. She readied herself for the Beast Hunt, feeling more prepared than ever. "Ain't shit stopping me from making this," she declared to herself, brimming with confidence. Today was the day of the hunt, though she had yet to uncover the full extent of what lay ahead, aside from the obvious task of hunting down formidable beasts.
As she stepped into the bustling town center, Erenyx was taken aback by the throngs of Essentials gathered, all buzzing with excitement and anticipation for a chance to participate in the illustrious Tournament of Dawn. Conversations swirled around her like a lively tapestry, but the chatter quieted when a powerful-looking young man approached. He appeared familiar, yet his name eluded her grasp. His shoulder-length twisted locs cascaded with an effortless grace as he closed the distance, drawing Erenyx's attention to the two shackles adorning his right arm, one clasped just above his wrist, the other higher on his forearm, connected by a chain that hinted at a history of struggle.
"Ra… Didn't think I would see you here again. My name is Erenyx; it's nice to finally introduce myself," she said, offering a polite smile, thankful that she could at least recall his last name before he could speak.
"Your name is quite pretty, but you can just call me Loretta. No need for formalities," he replied, his tone confident yet warm, a relaxed smile gracing his features.
Before their conversation could deepen, an immense aura washed over the crowd, a wave of power so potent that it threatened to bring everyone to their knees. Eyes turned toward the source, an imposing figure, a man with medium-length gray hair tied in a ponytail, his skin pale yet radiant, and his well-built frame suggesting a life of discipline and strength, despite his seemingly advanced age. His presence commanded attention and respect, drawing the crowd into a reverent hush.
"Ahem! Excuse me, Essentials!" His voice boomed through the city, powerful enough to echo for miles. Erenyx's eyes widened, the force of his presence reminding Loretta of his own father.
"How strong do you think he is?" Erenyx whispered to Loretta, her expression reflecting childlike curiosity.
"Definitely as strong as one of the four major clan leaders," Loretta replied, casually shrugging his shoulders.
"Really??" Erenyx gasped, eyes sparkling with intrigue.
"Yeah, and honestly, he looks quite familiar." But before they could delve deeper into speculation, the man continued, his authoritative tone cutting through the air.
"I am Agheel Ceto, former military leader. This year's Beast Hunt will be different. You will need to form groups of four and retrieve the core of a five-star beast."
Gasps rippled through the crowd at the mention of five-star beasts, legendary creatures capable of decimating entire amateur knight squads, a feat far beyond the abilities of most of the Essentials present.
"If you know you cannot complete such a task, I advise you never return to another Beast Hunt," Commander Ceto warned, his serious tone cutting through the buzz of excitement like a knife. Many Essentials turned and left the town square, disheartened by the challenge. Yet, a determined core remained, including Erenyx and Loretta, their resolve unshaken.
Erenyx glanced around, her mind racing with possibilities. She needed a team, and fast. Loretta turned to her, the urgency clear in his voice. "It seems we'll need to form a team. Do you have any allies here?"
Erenyx shook her head. "Hell no, I came here alone. But we should be able to find others willing to join us."
"Agreed," Loretta replied, and they set off in search of teammates.
As they scanned the crowd, a pair of Essentials approached, a tall woman exuding an air of calm confidence, alongside a young man with pale, scaly skin and a mischievous grin. "We couldn't help but overhear," the woman said, her voice smooth as silk. "We're looking for a team as well. My name is Nala, and this is Kaku Roux."
"I'm Erenyx, and this is Loretta," Erenyx introduced, a spark of hope igniting within her. "We're in need of allies for the hunt."
"Then it's settled," Kaku said, his smirk widening. "Let's see what we can do together, dear teammates."
"Ah, it seems you all have found team members," Agheel remarked playfully from a distance. "For those of you remaining, you may set off whenever you see fit. You have three days to return to me here with a core. Good luck!"
With that, many teams dashed toward the outskirts of Arystel, while others hurried to shops for supplies or better weapons. Erenyx, Nala, Kaku, and Loretta opted for a more measured approach, walking calmly through the streets.
"Strategy," Nala stated bluntly, her demeanor shifting to one of focus.
"Agreed," Loretta affirmed, and as they walked, they began to share details about their abilities. Loretta was guarded, only revealing that he wielded fire and could engage in both close and long-range combat. Kaku explained his unique abilities, detailing how he could stretch his limbs in serpentine ways, with an Essentia nature that encompassed lightning, earth, and water. Nala shared her prowess as a long-range archer, crafting arrows from her Essentia-infused materials, all while revealing her water-based abilities. Erenyx, however, chose to remain vague about her own powers, only mentioning her expertise in summoning and close-range combat.
The group decided that Nala and Kaku would provide support from the back while Erenyx and Loretta took point in front. As they ventured into the forest, they scouted the surroundings for nearly forty minutes before Kaku suddenly alerted them.
"I sense a group of weaker beasts approaching with great speed!" he announced, his expression shifting to one of urgency.
Loretta raised his hand, conjuring a ring of fire around the team, creating a protective barrier while still allowing them to assess the approaching threat. With his arms crossed, he inquired, "Can you discern the type of beasts?"
Kaku shook his head, a playful smile dancing on his lips. "Not yet, but I can feel them closing in!"
Before Loretta could express his frustration at Kaku's vagueness, a spider-like beast suddenly charged toward them, leaping over the ring of fire with a menacing shriek. Erenyx didn't hesitate. With a swift kick, she intercepted the beast mid-air, shattering it into a cascade of limbs and ichor before it even touched the ground.
"Nice one!" Kaku exclaimed, his mischievous grin growing wider as the rest of the group settled into battle-ready positions, adrenaline coursing through their veins. The remaining beasts, emboldened by the scent of battle, advanced towards them, ready to test the mettle of this new team.