The next few days passed in a blur. Lucas trained harder than ever before, pushing his limits in the guild's courtyard. His body ached, but his determination was unwavering. The mark on his hand, the sigil that had appeared after the Wraith Commander's defeat, still lingered in his mind. What did it mean? How could a mere E-rank hunter like him be chosen for such power?
"Focus, Lucas," Elena's voice cut through his thoughts. She stood across from him, her arms crossed, watching him carefully. "You can't just rely on that mark. You have to train your body and mind just as much."
"I know," Lucas grunted, wiping sweat from his brow. "But every time I think about that sigil, it feels like there's something more to it. Something I'm missing."
Elena didn't respond immediately. Instead, she motioned for him to follow her. "Come with me."
They walked through the guild's main hall, the sounds of busy hunters preparing for missions and cleaning their weapons filling the air. Elena led him to a secluded room in the back of the guild, its walls lined with old tomes and scrolls.
"This is the guild's library," Elena explained. "It contains records and knowledge passed down through generations. If there's anything about the Crimson Hunter, it might be here."
Lucas looked around at the ancient books, their covers worn with age. He felt the weight of history in the air, and for the first time since the sigil appeared, he felt a flicker of hope.
Elena handed him a dusty scroll. "This is one of the oldest records we have. It mentions the Crimson Hunter, but not much is known. I'll leave you to read it, but be careful. Some of the stories can be... unsettling."
Lucas unrolled the scroll and began to read. The text was faded but legible.
"The Crimson Hunter is a chosen one, marked by the gods. Only those who possess the potential to surpass all others can bear the mark. Those who are chosen are destined to walk a path of blood and sacrifice. Their power grows with each trial they face, but the price is steep. No hunter who has claimed the mark has ever emerged unscathed."
Lucas frowned, his heart racing as he continued to read. The scroll described the trials that the Crimson Hunter must face—challenges that tested not only physical strength but mental and emotional endurance. It spoke of a power so great that it could reshape the very fabric of the world, but with the caveat that those who bore the mark would become targets of powerful enemies.
"Sounds like a lot of danger," Lucas muttered, rolling up the scroll.
"That's because it is," Elena's voice answered from behind him. "But if you truly are the Crimson Hunter, there's no turning back. The trials are designed to weed out the weak, and only those with the strength to endure will succeed."
Lucas turned to face her. "So, what now?"
Elena gave him a small smile. "Now, you start your journey. The first trial is not far from here."
The next morning, Lucas and Elena set out to a nearby forest, the dense trees creating a canopy that blocked most of the sunlight. Kai had insisted on coming along, but Elena had told him to stay behind, believing the trial should be something Lucas faces alone.
The air grew colder as they ventured deeper into the woods, and Lucas couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. The trees seemed to close in around him, their gnarled branches twisting like the fingers of some ancient creature.
"Do you feel it?" Elena asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lucas nodded. "Yeah. It's like the air is thick with something… dangerous."
Elena's eyes narrowed. "That's because it is. The first trial is always a test of awareness. It's not just about fighting—it's about understanding your surroundings and recognizing danger before it's too late."
As they walked deeper, a sudden rustling in the bushes caught Lucas's attention. His hand went instinctively to his dagger, but Elena held up a hand, signaling for him to stop.
"Wait for it," she whispered.
From the underbrush, a creature emerged—half man, half beast, with glowing red eyes and claws that could tear through steel. It was a werewolf, its fur matted and wild, its body rippling with muscles.
Lucas stepped back instinctively, but Elena remained calm, her hand on the hilt of her sword. "This is your trial, Lucas. Take it slow. Observe it, learn from it. Don't rush in."
The werewolf snarled, its eyes fixed on Lucas. It circled him, testing for weaknesses. Lucas's heart pounded, but he focused on its movements, studying the way it shifted its weight and tensed its muscles.
It lunged suddenly, but Lucas was ready. He sidestepped, barely avoiding its claws, and struck with his dagger. The blade grazed the creature's side, but it wasn't enough to stop it.
"Focus!" Elena called out. "You're too hesitant!"
Lucas gritted his teeth and tried again. This time, he anticipated the werewolf's movements, dodging and striking with precision. He moved fluidly, his instincts taking over. The sigil on his hand began to glow faintly, and for a moment, he felt an unfamiliar surge of power.
With a final, well-aimed strike, Lucas plunged his dagger into the creature's heart. It let out a deafening howl before collapsing to the ground.
Elena stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with approval. "Not bad, Lucas. You've passed the first trial."
Lucas wiped the blood from his blade, his mind still racing. "That was… intense. But I still don't understand. Why did I feel that surge of power? What was that?"
Elena smiled softly. "It's the mark. As you face the trials, your strength will grow. But so will the challenges. You've only just begun."
Lucas looked down at the sigil on his hand, a sense of determination flooding his chest. The path ahead was uncertain, and the trials would only get harder. But one thing was clear—he wasn't going to back down.
To Be Continued...