Chapter 3 – Fallen and Found (v1)

The Hunter’s Path

Cyrus’s POV

The air was crisp as I navigated through the dense Romanian forest, my senses heightened and my sword ready. I moved with the silent grace of a predator, each step calculated and precise. I’d been tracking demonic activity for days, following a trail of dark energy that seemed to pulse and weave through the land. My training as a demon hunter had taught me to recognize these patterns, the subtle signs that marked a place touched by the demonic. The signs were all around me now, an oppressive heaviness that clung to the air and whispered of danger.

I had received a tip from a trusted contact that something significant was happening in this region. The ancient ruins the archaeologists were exploring had a history shrouded in mystery and power. It was no surprise that the demons were drawn here. But what worried me was the frequency and intensity of their appearances. Something—or someone—was acting as a beacon. I felt a sense of urgency, a gnawing anxiety that drove me to push harder, move faster.

As I moved silently through the underbrush, I kept my focus on the energy signature I was tracking. It was stronger than anything I had felt in years, a beacon that was impossible to ignore. The closer I got, the more I felt the oppressive weight of demonic presence. My thoughts churned, trying to piece together the puzzle of why the demons were so drawn to this place.

The sun had set, casting long shadows across the forest floor. My eyes adjusted to the dim light, and I saw a faint glow in the distance. Moving closer, I realized it was a campfire. The archaeologists’ camp. I observed from a distance, noting the movements of the people. They seemed blissfully unaware of the danger lurking just beyond their tents. I felt a pang of guilt for not being able to warn them, but revealing myself too soon could jeopardize everything.

Instead, I stayed on the outskirts, watching and waiting. That’s when I saw her—a woman with chestnut-brown hair and striking blue eyes. She seemed different, her energy resonating with the same frequency as the demonic presence I had been tracking. She was the beacon. My heart quickened as I realized she was the key to everything. Protecting her now became my top priority.

She wandered away from the camp, her steps hesitant and her gaze distant. I followed, keeping to the shadows. The forest grew darker, and the sense of foreboding intensified. I could feel the demonic energy closing in, drawn to her like moths to a flame. My mind raced with questions. What was she? How did she come to possess such power? And most importantly, how could I keep her safe from the dangers that hunted her?

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. The usual forest sounds fell silent, replaced by an oppressive stillness. I quickened my pace, staying just out of sight. Every fiber of my being was on high alert, ready for the confrontation I knew was coming.

Then I heard it—a low growl that sent chills down my spine. The glow of red eyes pierced the darkness, and I saw the creature emerge from the shadows. Massive, with claws and fangs that gleamed menacingly in the dim light. It was a demon, and it was closing in on her. My pulse quickened, and I felt the familiar rush of adrenaline. This was it—the moment I had been anticipating.

The woman stumbled, falling to the ground as the creature advanced. She was frozen in fear, unable to move. My training kicked in, and I moved swiftly, drawing my sword as I stepped between her and the demon. The weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders. Failure was not an option. I had to save her.

The battle was intense but brief. The demon was powerful, but it was no match for my training and my weapon, forged with magic to combat creatures like this. With a final, decisive strike, the demon dissolved into a foul-smelling smoke. My heart pounded as I watched it disappear, a sense of relief washing over me. But I knew this was only the beginning.

I turned to the woman, extending a hand to help her up. „Are you hurt?” I asked, my voice calm despite the adrenaline still coursing through me. My concern was genuine. She was at the center of something much larger than she realized, and her safety was paramount.

She shook her head, still too stunned to speak. I studied her, noting the confusion and fear in her eyes. Her vulnerability tugged at something deep within me. „My name is Cyrus,” I said, my gaze intense. „You’re not safe here. There are more of them, and they’re hunting you.”

„Hunting me?” she finally found her voice, though it trembled. „Why?” Her fear was palpable, and I wished I could offer her more comfort.

„Because of what you are,” I explained, knowing this would be difficult for her to understand. „You have powers, powers that they want. And they won’t stop until they have you.” I tried to convey the gravity of the situation with my tone, hoping she would understand the urgency.

Her fear turned to anger. „What are you talking about? They are hunting me because I’m an archaeologist?!”

„No,” I said quietly, „you’re much more than that.” I saw the disbelief in her eyes, and I knew I had to tread carefully. The truth was overwhelming, even for someone like me who had seen so much.

She looked at me with a mix of fear and disbelief. „I have no idea what you are talking about. And I don’t even know you. Why should I trust you?”

„Because if you don’t come with me, you’ll die,” I said bluntly. „Your powers are like a beacon to them. They can sense you, and they will find you. You’re not safe here, and neither are the people around you.” I could see the realization dawn in her eyes. She glanced back toward the camp, the thought of her friends and colleagues filling her with dread. Staying here would put them all in danger.

„They’ll be safe as long as you’re not there,” I said, noticing the concern etched on Kate’s face. “The demons can sense your powers and are drawn to you. They have no interest in regular humans. But if you return, you’ll lead the demons straight to them, and they might become collateral damage in the attack.”

„Look,” I said, softening my tone, „I know this is a lot to take in. But you have to trust me. I can help you learn to control your powers, to hide your presence from them. But we need to go. Now.” I could see the internal struggle on her face, the battle between rational thought and the instinct to survive.

She looked around the darkening forest, the shadows seeming to close in on us. I could see the internal struggle, the rational part of her mind fighting against the instinctual need to survive. Finally, she nodded. „Okay. I’ll go with you.” Her decision was a leap of faith, and I admired her courage.

As we left the forest behind, the campfire’s glow distant and unreachable, I felt a sense of determination. This was only the beginning. I had to help her understand her powers and protect her from the forces that hunted her. My mission was clear, and I wouldn’t fail. The weight of responsibility pressed down on me, but I welcomed it. Protecting the innocent was my duty.

We moved quickly through the dense forest, my senses alert for any signs of danger. The leafy trees gradually gave way to towering pines, their needles carpeting the forest floor and muffling our steps. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional rustle of branches and the soft thud of our footsteps on the forest floor. Each step brought us closer to safety, but I knew the journey was far from over.

After what felt like hours, we arrived at a secluded cabin nestled deep in the woods. It was rustic but sturdy, with smoke curling from the chimney and the soft glow of lanterns illuminating the windows. I pushed open the door and gestured for her to enter. Inside, the cabin was warm and cozy, a stark contrast to the dark, menacing forest outside. The familiarity of the place brought me a small measure of comfort.

I motioned for her to sit at a wooden table near the hearth. Moving to the small kitchen area, I poured a cup of tea and handed it to her, my eyes never leaving her face. She took a sip, the warmth of the tea grounding her somewhat. I watched her closely, noting every detail of her expression and body language. She was still in shock, but there was a strength in her that I admired.

„What’s your name?” I asked, sitting across from her. It was important to establish trust, to make her feel safe.

„Kate,” she replied, her voice still shaky.

„Tell me what you know, Kate,” I said, my tone gentle but probing. I needed to understand her perspective, to piece together the events that had led us to this moment.

She frowned, trying to gather her thoughts. „There’s not much to tell. I’m an archaeologist working on the site near the camp you saw earlier. I was just going on a walk when this… thing… attacked me.”

I leaned forward slightly. „Has anything odd happened recently, before this incident? Anything that seemed out of the norm or even magical?” I had to get to the bottom of this, to understand the source of her powers.

She hesitated, her mind flashing back to the strange events of the past few days. „We discovered and have been studying a tablet with unknown writing and symbols. It was like nothing we’d ever seen before.”

I nodded, urging her to continue. „And after that? Did anything unusual happen?” I could see the pieces starting to come together, the connections forming in my mind.

She took a deep breath. „Yesterday, one of my colleagues cut his hand pretty badly. I… I put my hands over the wound, and it just healed. It doesn’t make any sense.” Her voice wavered, a mixture of fear and confusion.

My expression grew serious, my gaze intensifying. „Kate, that means you’ve awakened powers somehow. Your encounter with the tablet might have triggered it. Healing is one of the abilities tied to saintly powers. This is why the demons are after you.” The gravity of the situation settled over us both.

She looked into my eyes, searching for any sign that I might be joking, but my expression was earnest. „So, you’re saying I have magical powers because of an ancient tablet? That sounds… insane.” Her disbelief was understandable, but I had to make her see the truth.

„I understand, Kate,” I said softly. „This is a lot to take in, but it’s real. Your powers are a beacon to these demons. They can sense you, and they won’t stop until they capture you. But with training, you can learn to control and hide your abilities.” I hoped my words would offer some reassurance, some sense of control.

She shook her head, still in disbelief. „This doesn’t make any sense. How can I have powers? I’ve lived my whole life as a normal person. How am I supposed to just accept this?”

I leaned forward, my expression earnest. „I know it’s a lot to take in, Kate. But you’ve already seen what you can do. The healing—it wasn’t a coincidence. Your powers are real, and the sooner you accept that, the better we can protect you and those around you.” I could see the doubt in her eyes, but also a flicker of acceptance.

She took a deep breath, trying to process everything I was saying. „So, what do we do now?”

„First, you need to learn to control your powers,” I said gently. „And we need to figure out how to protect you from them. Your powers make you a target.” The path ahead was clear, but it was filled with potential dangers.

She nodded slowly, the reality of the situation starting to sink in. „This is a lot to handle. But if it means keeping my friends safe, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

I gave her a reassuring look. „We’ll take it one step at a time, Kate. You’re not alone in this. We’ll figure it out together.”

My resolve was firm. I would protect her at all costs. As Kate sat there, the weight of my words sinking in, I could see her grappling with the enormity of what she had just learned. Her life was on the cusp of a dramatic transformation, whether she was ready for it or not.

I watched as she took a deep, shaky breath, clearly overwhelmed but trying to stay composed. She had no idea of the dangers that lay ahead or the strength she would need to face them. This was the beginning of a journey neither of us could predict, but one thing was certain: we were in this together. And I would do whatever it took to ensure she survived.

“We should get some rest,” I said finally, breaking the silence. “Tomorrow will be a long day, and you’ll need your strength.”

Kate nodded, still looking somewhat dazed. I stood and gestured for her to follow me. We walked through the small cabin, the wooden floors creaking under our weight. The main room was cozy, with a large hearth, a wooden table, and several chairs. Shelves lined the walls, filled with books on various subjects—mostly about magic, history, and demon lore.

I led her down a narrow hallway, pointing out the small but functional kitchen to the right and a modest bathroom to the left. At the end of the hallway were two doors. I opened one, revealing a simple bedroom with a single bed, a nightstand, and a small wardrobe.

“This will be your room,” I said. “It’s not much, but it’s safe and comfortable.”

Kate stepped inside, glancing around. “Thank you,” she said softly.

“I’ll be in the next room,” I continued, opening the door to the adjacent room. My room was similar to hers, but slightly more cluttered with personal items and weapons. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to wake me.”

She nodded again, looking more at ease now that she had a place to rest. I watched her for a moment, making sure she seemed alright before heading back to the main room.

I banked the fire in the hearth, ensuring it would burn slowly through the night. The soft glow cast long shadows across the room, adding to the rustic charm of the cabin. As I made my way to my room, I mentally reviewed my plans for the coming days.

First, I needed to assess the full extent of Kate’s abilities. The healing was just the beginning; there could be other powers lying dormant. We would start with basic training, focusing on control and concealment. It was crucial to teach her how to mask her presence from the demons.

Next, I needed to gather more information about the tablet they had found. There was a chance it held clues about why her powers had awakened and why the demons were so intent on capturing her. I’d reach out to my contacts for any leads on ancient artifacts with similar properties.

Finally, we had to prepare for the inevitable confrontations. The demons wouldn’t stop hunting her, and we needed to be ready to defend ourselves. I’d have to fortify the cabin’s wards and perhaps relocate if the danger became too great.

As I lay down on my bed, the weight of responsibility settled heavily on my shoulders. Protecting Kate was now my primary mission, and I couldn’t afford to fail. With these thoughts swirling in my mind, I closed my eyes, determined to face whatever challenges the next days would bring.