Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 314: Ana, stay

Chapter 314: Ana, stay

Cinderfall, popularly known as the Citadel, was the only city located in the south of the empire, otherwise known as the Southern Ruins, a place that suffered an incident so horrible that the atmosphere was permanently tainted by the aura of the Abyss, causing it to be a hotbed for potential Incursions.

Like the other cities owned by the D.O.D, Cinderfall had also received news of the uprising in the Eastern Highlands but due to the situation in the south, they could hardly spare any forces for the cause though there was hardly a need considering there were already 6 Saints stationed at BlackWatch, and in any case, this wasn’t the Dark Ages any more and the Vampirekin no longer had the boons that allowed them to once be titled as the most dangerous Cryptids in Ra’as.

At least, that’s what the man in charge of the Citadel thought.

With short dark hair and unblemished skin, he looked quite young though his demeanor seemed to suggest otherwise.

He walked with a certain gait, his expression relaxed as he made his way through a hallway lit up by gas lamps.

Occasionally, an Enforcer would pass, greeting him with respect though he barely registered their greeting as his mind drifted away.

He soon stepped out of the building, finding his way to the training yard where several Enforcers busied themselves with training, with an instructor watching over and yelling out instructions when needed.

However, upon noticing the entrance of the man, the instructor immediately tried to say something only for the man to raise his hand, causing him to shut his lips.

The man walked over to the sword stand where a few wooden swords were kept, his gaze still transfixed on the training Enforcers.

Once he got close, he picked out a wooden sword and slowly made his way onto the training field, taking a few steps before stopping before one of the trainees.

It was at this point, the Enforcers noticed the man’s presence with several involuntarily growing tense as they shifted their gaze away to avoid eye contact.

Of course, there was hardly a need for that as the man had already singled out his target.

The trainee in question was a young man with a slender physique and standing at close to 6ft, looking no older than 25.

Compared to the man who was barely 5ft, the trainee towered over the man, giving off a rather unfortunate impression.

"Sir..."

"Tell me, what do you think is the most important thing for an Enforcer?"

"Sir?"

"Should I repeat myself?"

"... We should follow the rules, sir." The trainee immediately responded for fear of getting on the man’s nerves.

The man nodded. "But apart from that, we also embrace fluidity. If not, it would be difficult to adjust to situations that arise when on the job."

"Yes sir."

"I can see from your movements that you’re predominantly a gunner, as a gunner, you have rules, aim and shoot. But when using the sword, you must understand that you aren’t just swinging. No, you are dancing, you are moving in rhythm, continuously switching from one tempo to the other. Remember, you aren’t just a gunner, neither are you a swordsman. No, you are an Enforcer and you must learn to be both and none at the same time."

"... Understood."

"Good. Now come, I will test your skills to see where you can improve." The man remarked as he raised his wooden sword, an act that quickly caused everyone else to back away while feeling quite sorry for the trainee that was picked.

Those that knew, knew that the trainee, though on the path to improvement, would be made to suffer PTSD for the rest of his life.

The trainee hesitated before slowly raising his wooden sword, realizing that he was currently on the path of no return.

Taking a deep breath, he immediately tried to move only to notice that the man was no longer focused on him, his expression unreadable as he seemed to be in deep thought.

Seeing this as an opportunity, the trainee rushed forward and swung his blade diagonally only for the man to disappear, and the next moment, the trainee’s wooden sword split in two.

Immediately drenched in sweat, the trainee remained in place for several seconds, contemplating just how close he was to immutable pain.

***

Alex, Ana, Alejandro, and Victoria emerged from one of the numerous cracks that dotted the Southern Ruins landscape.

Taking deep breaths, Alex was the first to speak, "We made it." his tone filled with joy at having survived the tumultuous journey from the Abyss.

"I must thank you, human. You have done me and my people a great service." Alejandro remarked with Alex gesturing in response.

Victoria said nothing but let out a sigh, relieved to return to a more familiar terrain.

Unlike them, however, Ana didn’t seem to be as happy as she quickly got to her feet, surveying the landscape with keen eyes before intoning softly, her words laced with a hint of worry. "Alex, we should move."

"Hah, what is it?" Alex inquired, still exhausted and unwilling to leave so quickly.

"Because we can’t be here." Ana continued with a hint of underlying urgency.

Furrowing his brows, Alex glanced at her. "What happened?"

"This is the Southern Ruins."

"And?"

"He is here."

"Who?"

"Aiden Creed," Ana replied.

Alex blinked a few times, still not following what Ana was getting at.

"Damn it, I don’t have the time to explain, let’s just go."

"... Hmm, alright then."

"Wait." Alejandro suddenly interjected. "If Aiden Creed is here, I see no reason why we should leave. Though eccentric, I have crossed blades with him and consider him a real man, quite different from most humans. So I see no reason you should be afraid of him."

"You don’t understand, he..."

"Ana."

Ana immediately froze as her name was called, the voice originating from a place not too far away.

The group all turned to face the owner, all gazing upon the black-haired man who looked a bit too short and held a bit too many boyish aspects to be considered a man at first glance.

"Uhmm..." Alex was unsure of what to say only for Alejandro to speak up.

"Lord Creed, it’s great to see you again."

Shifting his attention to the Rey, the man... no, Aiden replied. "Oh, Rey Alejandro. I didn’t expect you to be here."

"Even I did not expect to be here. Regardless, it’s a story for another day. We will have to depart as we have a long road ahead of us."

Nodding in acknowledgment, Aiden replied. "That’s fine, you may leave. Please send my regards to your people, I will try to make time to visit whenever I can."

"Alright then."

Seeing as the exchange was quite amicable, Alex glanced at Ana seeking to question why she was so worked up only to discover that she was still flustered, a state that got him even more curious as to what was going on.

Regardless, he got to his feet and made to leave with Ana only for Aiden to speak up once again.

"The three of you can go, Ana, stay."