The Alpha Hunter: The curse of the Hunted

The air was thick with the stench of wet earth and damp wood as Viktor trudged through the forest, his heart pounding with anticipation. He was about to embark on the most important trial of his life, the rite of passage that would mark his entrance into the ranks of his family's monster hunters. Viktor's family, the Schneider clan, had been hunting monsters for generations, and it was a duty that he had been raised to take on with pride and honour. As he approached the clearing, Viktor could see the flicker of oil lamps in the distance, casting an eerie glow across the trees. As he drew closer, he could hear the low growls and snarls of caged werewolves, their eyes glowing red in the dim light. Viktor felt a shiver run down his spine, but he knew that he couldn't show any fear in front of the other cadets. The damp forest was lit by the flickering light of oil lamps, casting deep shadows over the group of young hunter cadets. On a wooden stage at the centre of the clearing stood a priest, his scarlet-golden robes billowing in the wind. His eyes scanned the group, his expression severe. "Listen well, young hunters," he said, his voice echoing in the quiet forest. "You have been chosen to be the last line of defence between humanity and the blights that infest our world. You are the ones who will bring the light of truth to the distorted creatures that roam our lands." He raised his arms, and his voice grew louder. "You are the ones who will cleanse the world of their taint! You are the ones who will eradicate the evil that festers within them! You are the ones who will save humanity!" The cadets shifted uneasily, some of them looking at the ground. But one among them, a young man named Viktor Schneider, stood tall and proud. He wore a confident expression, his arms crossed in front of his chest. The priest's eyes fell on Viktor, and he walked down from the stage to stand in front of him. "You, Viktor Schneider, are a true hunter. Born into a family of legendary hunters, you have already proven yourself in battle against the monsters that roam our lands." Viktor nodded, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. He knew he was good, and he was proud of it. "You have been chosen for a special mission," the priest continued. "A mission that will prove your worth as a hunter and as a member of the Schneider family. You will face the Alpha of the werewolf pack we have captured, and you will bring back its ear tags as proof of your victory." Viktor's smile widened. He had hunted werewolf grunts before, and he had never failed. But taking on an alpha is something even seasoned hunters would think twice about. The thrill of the hunt excited him, and he could feel his chest tightening.  But as the priest spoke, some of the other cadets looked uneasy. They had seen the caged werewolves with their red eyes and foaming mouths, bashing against the bars of their cages. They knew this trial would not be easy. One of them, a young woman named Emily, spoke up. "Father, isn't this trial too difficult for us? Killing an Alpha is not something we can do easily." The priest's expression turned cold. "Difficult? Killing an Alpha is a holy task given only to true hunters! You should be grateful for the opportunity to prove yourselves!" Viktor looked at Emily with a raised eyebrow. He knew this trial would not be easy, but he was confident he could handle it. As the priest walked away, Viktor turned to his fellow cadets. "Don't worry," he said with a smirk. "I'll take care of this. Killing monsters is just another day on the job for me." Emily took a sigh of relief from his confidence boasting, and she took back her objection to the difficulty of the trial. As the priest walked away, Viktor looked around at his fellow cadets. Some of them seemed nervous, while others wore expressions of determination. Viktor thought about his family's legacy of monster hunting. His grandfather had told him stories of his ancestors who had fought in battles against dragons, demons, and other creatures of the night. His father had trained him since he was a boy, teaching him everything he knew about hunting and tracking monsters. Viktor's mind was filled with thoughts of his family and their proud tradition of hunting. He knew that he had to succeed in this trial not only for himself but also for his family's honour. The priest walked back to the platform and continued his fanatic speech. Viktor surveyed the group, noticing the two smaller werewolves cowering behind the Alpha, who was keeping guard over them. He turned to Emily and whispered, "Did you see that? I think there are two smaller werewolves with him. That's interesting." Emily looked at him in surprise. "What does that mean?" Viktor shrugged. "I don't know, but it could mean trouble. Werewolves alone are trouble enough, but in a large enough group they can be deadly. We have to be careful." As the priest ranted, the cadets began to murmur amongst themselves. Some were clearly intimidated by the challenge they were about to face, while others, like Viktor, were eager for the hunt. "We're really going to do this, huh?" one of the cadets said nervously. "Of course, we are," Viktor replied, his confidence unwavering. "We're hunters. It's what we were born to do." The group fell silent as they made their way to the cages holding the werewolves. The Alpha growled as they approached, his eyes locking onto Viktor's. The two smaller werewolves whimpered, pressing themselves closer to their leader. Viktor took a step forward, meeting Alpha's gaze head-on. He could feel the beast's power radiating off him, and he knew this would be his toughest challenge yet. But he also knew he was ready for it. As the priest finished his speech, a murmur of discontent rose among the cadets. They knew that with only a handful of werewolves to hunt, the competition would be fierce. "This is ridiculous," one cadet named Greta from the Mardook family exclaimed. "How are we supposed to prove ourselves as hunters with such limited prey?" A cadet from the Sarvanta family named Jaxon spoke up. "We should have been given more targets. It's unfair to have so many hunters vying for the same few kills." The priest raised his hand to silence the murmurs. "Only the best hunters will be able to claim the ears of the werewolves. The challenge is not only to kill, but to kill skillfully and efficiently. This is what separates the true hunters from the mere hunters." Viktor smirked at the challenge, confident in his own abilities. He had trained his whole life for this moment. The priest continued, "Now, let us begin the trial. The houses of the Mardooks, the Gorgons, the Sarvantas, and the Schneiders will compete against each other to see who can bring in the most ears." A loud gong echoed through the clearing, signaling the release of the werewolves. The cages opened, and the Alpha let out a deafening howl. Two smaller werewolves cowered behind him, while he stood guard over them. The cadets watched as the beasts rushed out of the clearing and disappeared into the dark forest. The next gong would signal the start of the hunt, and the cadets would have to track down the werewolves. Viktor turned to the cadet next to him, a young woman named Isla from the Gorgon family. "So, are you ready for this?" Isla nodded, determination in her eyes. "I've been training for this my whole life. I'm ready to prove myself." Viktor smiled. "Well, may the best hunter win." As they waited for the next gong, Viktor looked around the clearing, taking in the other hunters from the different families. Each family had their own unique methods and techniques for hunting monsters, and it was always interesting to see how they differed. He noticed a cadet from the Sarvanta family named Kira sharpening her blades with a stone. Kira was known for her expertise at throwing knives and Viktor had heard that she had a near-perfect aim. He also spotted a group of Mardook cadets huddled together, discussing their strategy. They were known for their brutal tactics, and Viktor knew they would stop at nothing to claim the most ears. Soon after, the second gong rung deep in the clearing. Now, it was the time for the young hunters to spring into action and bring down their mortal foes. In a split second, the forest cleaning emptied of the eager cadets lunging after their prey. But Viktor stood still, his gaze fixed in the direction of the Alpha werewolf. The Schneider family were renowned for their mastery of sorcery, which allowed them to take on monsters several times larger and deadlier than themselves. Unlike other hunter families who relied on blades and traps, the Schneiders preferred to use their arcane arts to track and hunt their prey. Viktor had learned the basics of sorcery, like tracking and ensnaring his prey, but he was a far cry from the true geniuses of his family. Still, even with his limited skills, he made up for it by being extremely resourceful and observant to even the minutest of details. It was because of this confidence and pride that led him to reject any notion of teamwork with his fellow cadets. Emily, his childhood friend, tried to persuade him otherwise. Emily turns to him, surprised. "Viktor, why aren't you moving? We need to go after the werewolves." Viktor stands still, looking towards the forest where the werewolves had disappeared. "I have a different plan," he says quietly, almost to himself. Emily frowned, confused. "What do you mean, a different plan?" "I mean," Viktor turns to her, determination in his eyes. "I have a way to track the werewolves using sorcery. I just need some time to set up the spell." "Are you sure that's a good idea?" Emily asked, looking around at the other cadets who had already disappeared into the forest. "We need to work together as a team. We can't afford to waste any time." Viktor shook his head. "I appreciate the sentiment, Emily, but your family's poison arts are not compatible with my hunting strategy. I work alone." Emily sighed, knowing there was no changing Viktor's mind. "Fine, but just remember that the trials are not just about hunting. They're also about learning to work with others to take down bigger prey." As Emily rushed off to join her fellow cadets, Viktor remained still, observing his surroundings. He could see the other cadets racing towards the forest, eager to get their hands on the werewolves. But Viktor knew better. He had studied the forest and knew where the Alpha and its pack were most likely to be found. He decided to take a different route, one that would allow him to flank the werewolves and catch them off guard. With that, Emily leaves Viktor alone in the clearing. Viktor closes his eyes, focusing his mind on the spell. He begins to chant softly under his breath, drawing upon the power of sorcery to create a magical link between himself and the Alpha. Such a link would only be possible if the anchoring magic of the monster is considerable and within a certain range. The alpha fulfilled both conditions for a successful anchoring. Moments later, he opens his eyes, the spell complete. He grins, feeling a surge of excitement and anticipation as he takes off after the Alpha, determined to catch him before anyone else does. As he made his way through the forest, he couldn't help but marvel at its beauty. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting a pale glow over everything. He could hear the distant howls of the werewolves and the rustling of leaves as the other cadets made their way deeper into the forest. Despite the danger that lay ahead, Viktor felt alive. He had been born into a family of hunters and had been trained for this his entire life. It was in his blood. He felt a sense of purpose and pride, knowing that he was continuing the legacy of his family. Viktor tracks the Alpha to a small clearing on the edge of a cliff overlooking the dark forest below. The clearing was bathing in moonlight and he knew it would make the perfect location for the monsters to rejuvenate prior to the start of the trail. He uses his arcane magic to draw runes into the hard ground, laying the foundation for a magical snare powerful enough to capture the Alpha for a few minutes. When he is done with the runes, he removes all traces of himself from the clearing and waits in silence for the Alpha to arrive. It isn't long before he hears the sound of howling and low panting running towards him in the distance. In just a few moments, piercing scarlet eyes emerged from the shadows of the trees. It is the Alpha werewolf. All color fades from Viktor's face when he sees Emily's body in the claws of the beast, its mouth still dripping with fresh blood, and her favorite poison dagger stuck in its left eye.  Viktor unsheathed his silver dagger, the only weapon capable of hurting the beast. His eyes kept glancing over at the motionless body of his childhood friend. He slowly circled the beast, never breaking eye contact with the Alpha as he kneeled down beside Emily. He breathed a sigh of relief upon feeling a slight pulse, but it was weakening. Time was the greater enemy now. If he wanted to save Emily, he had to take her to the Alpha now. But the two smaller werewolves guarding the Alpha snapped and growled at every attempt to reach the Alpha behind them. The spell that bound the Alpha was coming undone, and Viktor had no choice but to kick and s***h away at the werewolf grunts. His attacks threw the smaller one over the cliff's edge, which threw the Alpha into a wild frenzy. The Alpha howled in rage and pain as the purple chains around him crackled and dissipated into nothingness. The werewolf's scarlet eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, and he attacked Viktor with the intent of killing him then and there. Viktor dodged the Alpha's claws and retaliated with swift slashes of his silver dagger. The blade glinted in the moonlight as it bit into the Alpha's flesh, but the werewolf's fury only intensified. Suddenly, Viktor unleashed a burst of arcane magic, and the remaining werewolf grunt fell into the dark abyss with a howling echo. This seemed to drive the Alpha into an even greater frenzy. He roared in agony and fury, his silver fur bristling with energy. Viktor knew he had to act fast. He charged at the beast with all his might, his silver dagger glinting in the moonlight. The Alpha let out a deafening roar, its scarlet eyes gleaming with fury. It charged towards him again, its razor-sharp claws tearing through the air. Viktor dodged and weaved through the Alpha's attacks, his silver dagger glinting in the moonlight. The Alpha was relentless, swiping at him with its massive paws and snapping its jaws dangerously close to his face. Viktor knew that he couldn't hold out forever, but he refused to give up. With a burst of energy, he launched himself at the Alpha and plunged his dagger into its side. The beast howled in pain and staggered back, giving Viktor the opening he needed. As he backed away, trying to put some distance between himself and the Alpha, Viktor's foot caught on a loose stone, and he stumbled backwards, falling towards the edge of the cliff. He tried to regain his balance, but it was too late - the Alpha was on him, its jaws clamping down on his shoulder and dragging him towards the edge. With a sudden burst of strength, Viktor swung his dagger upwards, plunging it deep into the Alpha's neck. The beast let out a deafening howl, but it was too late - the wound was fatal. As the Alpha collapsed to the ground, its body convulsing in its death throes. But even then, his scarlet eyes remained fixated on Viktor. In a last desperate attempt, the Alpha grabbed his leg and threw his body over the edge.Viktor tried to pull himself free. But it was no use. The wounded Alpha was too heavy, too strong, and Viktor knew that he was doomed. As the beast's body went limp, Viktor felt himself being dragged over the edge of the cliff, hurtling towards the jagged rocks below. With one final breath, Viktor let go, allowing the wind to carry him away. And as he tumbled down towards the waiting rocks below, he knew that he had given everything he had to protect the ones he loved. To him that was a good ending. Viktor's silver dagger plunged into the Alpha's chest, but the beast's claws found their way into Viktor's flesh as well. In the final moments of the struggle, Alpha's scarlet eyes glared into Viktor's, and he heard the beast's dying breath escape in a guttural language that Viktor could barely understand. The wolf's lips curled into a snarl as it cursed Viktor's soul, promising to haunt him even in death. Meanwhile, Emily rushes to the edge of the cliff and looks down, desperately hoping to see any sign of Viktor. But all she sees is darkness and hears the faint sound of the alpha's agonized cries as it falls to its death. She collapses to her knees, tears streaming down her face, as she realizes that she may have lost her childhood friend forever. As Viktor's vision fades, he hears the sound of Emily's frantic screams echoing in the distance. The world around him fades to black, and he feels the warmth of his own blood spreading across the ground beneath him.  As she looks up at the moon, she can't help but feel a sense of dread wash over her. The werewolf clan had always been a dangerous and unpredictable force, and now with Viktor's fall, there was no telling what they might come next. Emily knows that she must be careful, but she can't shake the feeling that something terrible is coming. With a heavy heart, she begins to make her way back to the clearing, hoping to find some answers and perhaps gather enough of her clan to find a way to save Viktor.