"The Crimson Secret"

Night fell over the Hunter’s Realm, a blood-red moon hanging ominously above. Nero stood alone atop the training cliffs, his eyes lost in the horizon until the soft footsteps of Ezren approached.

“Master Nero,” Ezren’s voice was calm but carried a weight. “There’s something… I need to show you.”

Nero turned, his expression unreadable. “Speak.”

Ezren hesitated, clenching his fists. “You asked me once… about my cursed bloodline. It’s time I tell you the truth.”

Nero’s eyes narrowed. “I’m listening.”

Ezren took a deep breath. Slowly, he sliced his palm open with a small blade. Instead of dripping, the blood hovered in the air, swirling unnaturally. It pulsed, alive—crimson threads weaving together until they formed a sharp crimson spear.

“My curse… is my power,” Ezren whispered. “I can control blood. My own… others. I can forge weapons, create barriers, manipulate the flow of life itself. But… every time I use it, it takes a piece of me. That’s why I hid it.”

Nero’s eyes gleamed, not with fear, but interest. “Blood Manipulation… that’s rare. Dangerous. Most who held that power burned out… or became demons themselves.”

Ezren nodded. “I know. But if I don’t learn to control it, I’ll die… or worse, become what we hunt.”

For the first time, Nero placed his hand on Ezren’s shoulder. “Then we’ll control it. Together.”

Ezren’s eyes widened, surprised by the rare show of trust. “Thank you… Master.”

The next morning, the Academy summoned Nero’s team. The mission was simple, yet the air was heavy with dread.

The Elder stood tall, his voice grim. “Nero Valtore, Kain Argos, Lena Faye, Arden Holt… and your disciples. You have your first real mission.”

A scroll floated into Nero’s hands, sealed in black wax. As he broke it open, the words sent a chill down his spine.

“Your target… is Igris. The lowest of Demon King Beru’s disciples. A scout… but dangerous enough to slaughter a battalion of hunters last week. His location—Shadow Gorge.”

Gasps echoed through the hall. Shadow Gorge—known as the Graveyard of Hunters.

“Beru’s disciple…” Kain muttered, his grin sharp. “Guess it’s time we test our strength.”

Lena’s eyes darkened. “A scout strong enough to kill dozens… what are we walking into?”

Nero closed the scroll. “It doesn’t matter. We kill him. Or we don’t come back.”

Ezren’s fists clenched. “I… I won’t fail you.”

Nero glanced at him. “You’ll show me what that blood can really do.”

Preparations were swift. They armed themselves—steel, magic, and will sharpened like blades.

As they marched out of the Academy, whispers followed. They’re being sent after a demon’s disciple… they won’t return.

But Nero’s team walked forward, heads held high.

By sundown, they stood at the edge of Shadow Gorge.

A land cursed by darkness, the sky here forever crimson. Bones littered the ground—remnants of hunters who came before.

Kain whistled. “Lovely place. Bet he’s watching us already.”