Chapter 4 – Fallen and Found (v1)

Night’s End

Cyrus’s POV

The next morning, after a restless night, I woke early to prepare for the day ahead. I stepped outside, the cold morning air filling my lungs. The forest was peaceful, the sounds of birds and rustling leaves a stark contrast to the chaos of the previous night. I knew we needed to start Kate’s training immediately. The cabin was well-equipped for this purpose. It was protected by ancient wards and enchantments, making it an ideal place for her to learn and hone her powers without interference.

When I returned inside, I found Kate awake and sitting at the table, her expression thoughtful. “Good morning,” I greeted her, noting the contemplative look on her face.

“Morning, Cyrus,” she replied, her voice still heavy with the remnants of sleep. Her eyes were puffy and there were dark circles beneath them, signs of a restless night. “I’ve been thinking about everything you told me last night. The fact that I have these… saintly powers and that demons are after me is overwhelming. But I need to understand what this means for my future. What are the next steps?”

She clasped her hands tightly on the table, her knuckles white, yet her eyes were steady and focused as they met mine. “We’re going to stay here for a while,” I explained, sitting down across from her. “This cabin is protected by strong magic. It’s a safe place for you to start learning about your powers.”

She nodded slowly, taking in the information with a measured breath. “And my team at the dig site? They’ll be worried if I just vanish. How do I explain my sudden disappearance without causing a panic?”

“I get it,” I said. “We need to go back to the campsite to get your things and leave a message. It’s important that your team doesn’t come looking for you. I can help you come up with a plausible excuse.”

Kate drew in a long breath, releasing it in a quiet sigh. “Okay, that makes sense. But I have so many questions. What exactly are these saintly powers? How do they differ from what people typically think of as magic?”

I leaned back, considering how to best explain it. “Saintly powers are rare and ancient. They are bestowed upon individuals who have a natural affinity for healing, protection, and communication with spiritual entities. Unlike regular magic, which can be learned and practiced by anyone with the right knowledge and talent, saintly powers are innate and often tied to a person’s lineage or destiny. They are inherently good, meant to combat dark forces like the demons you encountered.”

She took a moment, her fingers tracing patterns on the table as she processed the information. “So, what does that mean for me? What happens now?”

“For now, we train,” I said. “You need to learn how to control your powers and understand their full extent. It won’t be easy, but it’s necessary for your safety and for the battle we’re facing.”

To plan our next steps effectively, I needed a clear picture of her personal life and who might come looking for her. “Tell me about your family, Kate. Is there anyone who might cause problems if you suddenly disappear for a while? Do you have a boyfriend?”

Kate shook her head. “No boyfriend at the moment. My dad raised me after my mom disappeared when I was fourteen. She was pretty normal, not involved in anything supernatural as far as I know. She just vanished one day when she went to visit a friend. We never found out whether she ran off with some guy or if something terrible happened to her.”

“That must have been hard,” I said gently. “And your dad?”

“He’s an archaeologist too, but he’s been on a dig in Egypt for the past few months. We don’t have any other close family,” she said, shrugging slightly.

I nodded, understanding. “That makes things a bit easier. You can call your dad and tell him you’re going on a trip with a friend. That should keep him from worrying too much.”

Kate looked thoughtful, biting her lower lip. “Thanks, Cyrus. It’s a lot to process, but I’m starting to understand.”

“What about you?” she asked after a moment. “Do you have family?”

I hesitated for a moment, then decided to share. “My parents are both demon hunters. They trained me from a young age, preparing me for this life. It’s a family legacy. I have an older brother, Adrian. He’s a warrior like me, but we’re not on the best of terms. He believes in a different approach to our mission.”

“Do you ever wonder what your life would be like if you weren’t a demon hunter?” she asked quietly.

“There are times I think about it,” I said honestly. “But I’ve come to terms with it. This is the path I was given, and it serves a greater good. Protecting the world from dark forces is something I believe in deeply.”

Kate nodded, her expression contemplative. “It’s a lot to take in. I always thought my life’s purpose was to uncover ancient civilizations and their secrets. Now it seems there’s a whole different layer to explore.”

“We’ll handle this together,” I said, giving her a reassuring look. “You can count on me.”

We sat in silence for a while, the weight of the conversation settling over us. I was surprised by how much I was starting to enjoy Kate’s company. It was refreshing to talk to someone outside the demon hunter circle who could relate to my experiences.

“Let’s get ready,” I said finally. “We need to head back to the camp and make sure your team doesn’t worry.”

We made our way back to the archaeological campsite as the sun was just starting to rise, casting a soft light over the tents and equipment. The camp was quiet, most of the team still asleep. Instead of sneaking around, Kate walked confidently into the camp, heading straight for her tent.

I followed at a discreet distance, keeping an eye on our surroundings. As she entered her tent, I stayed back, blending into the early morning shadows. Moments later, I noticed a woman with dark brown curls tied back in a messy bun approaching her.

“Wow, Kate, up at the crack of dawn! What’s going on?” the woman asked, clearly surprised to see her so early.

Kate looked up and smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Good morning, Elena. I know, I didn’t get much sleep last night… Something urgent came up, so I need to take care of some personal matters and will be out of reach for a while.”

The woman’s eyes flicked to me, standing a little way off. She raised an eyebrow and gave Kate a sly grin. Does this ‘urgent business’ and sleepless night have anything to do with your hot new friend over there?

I raised an eyebrow slightly but kept my expression neutral, not wanting to draw more attention to us.

Kate glanced at me, then back at her friend, her cheeks flushing slightly. “No, Elena, this is serious. He’s… helping me out with something important.”

Elena nodded, though a hint of her grin remained. “Alright, just checking. Be safe, okay?”

Kate nodded and gave Elena a quick hug before heading toward another tent. I followed at a safe distance, ready to step in if needed.

Kate approached the tent and called out softly, “Dr. Petrescu, can I have a word?”

The man inside looked up from his notes, his expression one of mild surprise. “Of course, Kate. What’s on your mind?”

She took a deep breath before speaking. “I have to leave for a while to take care of some urgent personal matters. I can’t go into details, but it’s something I need to handle immediately.”

Dr. Petrescu studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly. “I see. Is everything alright?”

“It’s a… family matter,” Kate replied, not wanting to elaborate further. “I promise I wouldn’t leave like this if it weren’t absolutely necessary.”

Dr. Petrescu sighed, his concern evident. “I know you wouldn’t, Kate. Your dedication to this project has always been exemplary. Your father and I go way back, and I trust you. Take the time you need.”

“Thank you, Dr. Petrescu. I’ll try to be back as soon as I can,” Kate said, relief washing over her face.

He nodded again, giving her a reassuring smile. “Family comes first. Stay safe, and let us know if you need anything.”

Kate nodded gratefully and then headed back to her tent to gather her belongings. When she emerged, she carried a backpack stuffed with essentials and a few personal items. “I’ve told them I’ll be away for a while. That should give us some time.”

“Good,” I replied. “And don’t worry about your team. As long as you’re not with them, they should be safe. The demons are drawn to your presence, not theirs.”

She nodded, still looking worried but reassured by my words. The forest was alive with morning light as we made our way back, the sun climbing higher with each step.

Demons rarely ventured out in daylight, and if they did, they clung to the shadows because the sun weakened them. This meant we were less likely to encounter an attack on our way back, but it wasn’t entirely risk-free. The cabin’s wards would ensure our safety, but we needed to get back while the sun was still high to use the remaining daylight for training.

We walked in silence until the cabin finally came into view. We reached it just as the sun was at its peak. The wards shimmered faintly, a sign of their power. It was the perfect time to begin the day’s training.