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"I was awoken from my slumber by the sounds of screaming. I didn't know from who these were coming from but they came from a place of terror. I slowly got off of my bed only to feel a sharp pain causing me to sit back down. I have almost forgotten about my injured ankle that was sustained from running away from the werewolves that were out to hunt...For blood. Soon enough I decided to suck up the pain and go outside. Gradually I made it out the door only to see what the people were screaming about. Fire"
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Today was like most days in the kingdom. The leaves were swirling in the autumn wind. Dogs were barking and people were working. The farmers were harvesting their crops before the harsh winter. The clanging of hammers was heard as the blacksmith carried on making swords and armor. Since the war has started the blacksmiths couldn't catch a break. They had to keep working. Though today the feeling was more grim than usual. Not just because of the war but because today was the day. Selection day.

Today the king will select ten young boys and girls to find the Wizard's heart. Legend says the Wizard's heart is more powerful than all magic combined. This as most people know is just a legend. There is no proof that the Wizard's heart is really out there. Many have searched for it and all have come back empty-handed. With the war, the monsters are more on high alert. At this point in time, this is a suicide mission but if they could get the heart they could win this war. It was a risk everyone was willing to take.

The Kings Guards started to knock on people's doors. This was what told the people of this town it was time. They started making their way to the castle for the king's announcement. None could escape. If they tried the guards would drag them to the castle. They were threatened with prison and even death.

None of this mattered to a young girl named Susan. She was an eighteen-year-old female with red eyes and dark blue hair she mostly keeps in a ponytail. Odd look for a human most would think looking at her. Some question if she's even human at all. After being caught with an elf she was sentenced to join the hunters or she'd be executed. She knew she was one of the ten and knew the only reason she was standing outside the castle right now was to see who else she would end up working with. To make sure she didn't escape she had two guards beside her, one holding one of her arms as the other guard held the other. She sighed softly to herself. There were guards everywhere so even if she tried running she would just get caught. It was a death wish.

"Hey, could you let go of me?" She mumbled glancing up at the guards who were holding her rather roughly. The guards said nothing and didn't even look at her. She knew they weren't going to let go of her anytime soon.

Soon enough the space in front of the castle was filled with people. Everyone was touching shoulder to shoulder. There was barely any air to breathe. This became a problem for Melody. She is a rather slim girl with long brown hair and bluish-green eyes. She was rather uncomfortable having all these people around here. Her mother put a hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her but it was clear her mother was just as anxious as she was. Melody hoped this will be over soon and that she wouldn't get picked.

In a situation like this normal people would probably be nervous but not Keith. At the moment he was searching around the area for any hot ladies he could potentially talk to. Let's just say he's rather hot looking...or at least that's what he likes to say. He ended up spotting a lady and after a bit of pushing and shoving, he finally got to her. "Hey beautiful I hope we both get picked so I can see more of you around~" He said with a slight smirk on his face. Apparently, his tactics didn't work as the lady quickly got away from him.

Day sighed quietly to himself seeing that all go down. He already knew he was going to be chosen and would rather not have Keith as someone in the group. He would only get in the way. He already didn't want to do this. Not only would he have to work for the king who he doesn't have the fondest opinion of but he'll have to work with people who may or may not have experience in this field. He just wants to get this over with. For a moment he thought about saying something to Keith but figured it will only be a waste of his time.

Everyone started mumbling to one another wondering when the king will show up. Unfortunately, Ollie isn't exactly certain what's happening. He isn't the only one but when he tried asking people about it they all dismissed him. The browned-eyed boy with glasses started to get annoyed. "Hello? Will anyone answer me?!" He huffed. That's when he spotted a guy who looked a little older than him with jet black hair and dark eyes. 'Maybe he will answer me!' Ollie thought to himself before going up to the guy. "Excuse me do you know what's happening right now?" Ollie asked the male. The male Aka Victor turned to Ollie with a small smile. "Ah sorry I'm actually trying to figure that out myself," He said with a sheepish smile rubbing the back of his neck. Ollie sighed slightly frustrated by all this. "Hey no worries I'm sure the king will explain soon and we'll both know what's happening" Ollie looked at the older male with a small smile and nodded.

Corodite stood there waiting for the king's announcement. He wasn't exactly nervous but he wasn't too happy either. He was rather engrossed in his usual tinkering habits when suddenly one of the king's guards dragged him all the way here. He looked around and noticed a rather nervous woman next to him. He felt bad as she looked pretty uncomfortable in this crowd. Melody glanced at Corodite for a moment before looking back at her shoes. "Hey are you—" Corodite started to ask her in a soft voice but then was interrupted by the sound of another voice.

Everyone looked up at the castle balcony seeing the king standing there. His gray hair was slicked back almost reaching his shoulders. He was rather muscular and covered with scars from his many battles. His face held the grim expression everyone was feeling. As he spoke his voice boomed through the kingdom so that all could hear him. "Citizens of my kingdom! Now is the time we shall choose our champions to lead our kingdom to victory! As you all know the magic of the other species has become too powerful for our armies to fight alone. They need the power of the Wizard's Heart if we have any chance of winning! The ten chosen today will retrieve that. If they succeed they will be hero's to all humanity but if not—" The king paused for a moment. It seemed in that one second everything in the world was silent. The only thing anyone could hear was their own heartbeat. "—We will be doomed and at the mercy of the monsters"

The King then cleared his throat as a man came beside him handing him a single piece of paper. "This piece of paper I hold here will decide who will be the ones to be a part of a group of people who will search for the Wizard's heart. When I call your name you will step away from the crowd and head to the castle door. A guard will escort you to a room where you will be explained everything. Oh and I'd advise you don't try and run. I have guards everywhere" Everyone started to turn their heads only to see a guard at every corner.

"Not like I could run even if I wanted to" Susan mumbled to herself hearing the king's words. Her arms were still in fact in the hands of two guards.

The King then looked at the paper in his hands as all became quiet once again. "First off is...Melody!"

As Melody heard that her name was called it felt as if her heart stopped. Her eyes widened in fear. Her mother looked at her and whispered "Melly run now!" Melody made a run for it. She pushed through the crowd of people as they gasped and started to mumble amongst themselves. She almost made it. She could see a space with no people. That's when suddenly she felt a hard grasp on her arm. "Where do you think you're going," A guard said. She tried to break free but the guard has no intention of letting her go. Her mother quickly ran up to them scared for her daughter.

"Y-You got it all wrong you must have meant someone else" Melody's mother pleaded

"I'm sorry ma'am but your daughter's name was called so she must go to the castle door and join the group" The guard said in a rather monotoned voice as he dragged her to the castle door.

"And that's what happens when you try to run" The king said. The people knew they had no chance to escape. All they could do was pray to whatever God they believed in to save them from the horrors that await them out of town. "The next person I shall call is...Corodite!"

Corodite didn't say anything but made his way to the castle door. He looked at the girl he saw from earlier with much concern. "Hey excuse me but could you let her go? You have a rather tight grip on her and you probably don't want to be hurting anyone before the mission now do you". The Guard stayed quiet for a moment before throwing her to the ground. Corodite quickly caught her before she hit the ground and helped her onto her feet. "Are you okay?" He asked in a calm voice. Melody nodded still not looking at him.

"Now to hurry this up I'll be calling two names at a time! The next ones to come are...Daniel and Keith!" Day frowned as he didn't want to be called that. Not only that but the guy who seemed more interested in flirting than actually doing something productive was going to join him. It's like the king is targeting him specifically. He quietly made his way to the castle door standing away from everyone else.

Keith simply made his way to the castle door with everyone else. Looking at the three of them he decided to say something to break the awkward silence. "Three guys and one girl huh. Now that's a recipe for disaster am I right?" He joked. Though no one said anything simply looking at him.

"Good try buddy" Corodite said to Keith with a small smile.

The King then called out the next two. "Victor and Ollie!"

The two boys looked at each other. "Guess we're both going to be a part of the group" Ollie said. Victor nodded. "Yeah, but at least we both know someone in the group...well sorta" Victor smiled as Ollie smiled back. They both made their way to the castle door.

"And last but not least...Sebastian and Susan!"

The guards dragged Susan to the castle door before finally letting her go. She had red marks on her arms from where the guards held her. Sebastian soon made his way to everyone giving them all a quick glance. The brown-eyed male sighed. "Well, this is going to be a disaster" He mumbled to himself.

"Hey what's that supposed to mean!" Ollie huffed.

Before Sebastian could say anything back the castle door opened. The guards ushered them inside as they were led down this rather long hallway.

They all looked around when suddenly Corodite noticed something. "Hey aren't there supposed to be ten of us?"

Some people looked around as they realized there were only eight.

"Maybe there's a reason for that. They'll explain everything soon enough I'm sure." Sebastian said looking around at everything.

Day looked at the guards and noticed one of them had a sheath with a knife it it. Unfortunately for Day, he wasn't able to bring his knives with him before coming here. It was simply for a safety measure but Day felt rather naked without his knives. He was planning on fixing that. Without the guards knowledge he took out the knife from the guards sheath and put it in his shoe. He simply continued like nothing happened.

The guards soon led them to a rather interesting-looking room. Every wall was pretty much a bookshelf and there were books scattered here and there around the room. In the middle was a refectory table with enough chairs for all of them. Though it seemed someone was already sitting there.

Celeste looked at them all with a wide smile. Her pinkish eyes were filled with excitement and curiosity. "Hello everyone!" She said and stood up. Once everyone was in the room the guards slammed the door shut.

This caused some of them to jump. Keith looked at the princess and smiled. He was desperate for anyone at this point but if he was able to get with the princess that will be a huge plus. Not only is she cute but it'll make him king once the old king dies. "Hello there m'lady~ Might I say today was getting pretty boring until I saw you~" He said to her as Celeste let out a small giggle.

Day was sick and tired of this already. None of these people are worth his time and besides, he could be out training right now instead of wasting precious time standing. He went to open the door only to realize it's locked. "D@mnit" He mumbled to himself. Sebastian noticed the door won't opened and then turned to everyone.

"Hey how about instead of wasting our time just standing here and flirting—" As he said that he glared at Keith for a moment. "We try and figure out why we're locked in here and if we can figure out anything from these books." Sebastian said to everyone crossing his arms.

"Excuse me princess perhaps you have an idea why we're here? After all you do live here and probably know the kings plans exactly" Corodite asked looking at Celeste.

"Hmmm maybe I do but I want you guys to figure that out yourselves" Celeste said with a small smile.

"Oooo what if there's a secret passage here!" Ollie suggested as he started to pull on books to see if anything happened. Victor went ahead and helped him out. They started to drop some of the books on the floor.

"No you idiots! Do I have to do everything myself" Sebastian exclaimed going over and picking up the books they dropped putting them back where they belong.

While this was happening Susan and Melody were in two separate corners quietly watching everything. Melody would rather not talk to anyone at the moment. She was still rather upset she was taken away from her mother and now she was stuck in a room with strangers she didn't know. It made her really uncomfortable. Even though Corodite made her feel slightly better, overall she didn't like what was happening.

Susan on the other hand simply didn't trust anyone. Why should she? She doesn't know anyone and no one knows her. She just assumed they all were monster killers anyways. Not like she'll be any different after this. She was starting to regret not picking the execution option or at least attempting to run earlier.

Everyone ended up doing their own thing minding each other's business when suddenly the door finally opened...

(Lol I really just finished this chapter in one night. Honestly I apologize to everyone who has to read this. This is probably the worst thing you've ever read in your lives. Pffff I tried my best though I'll say that. This should have taken longer but I got too excited lol. Anyways for everyone who made a monster OC do not worry! They will show up soon! This chapter is mainly to introduce the hunters and all that. Sorry if this doesn't make sense Btw. If you have questions or suggestions let me know. Thank you for the people who decided to lose brain cells reading this I really appreciate it ❤️❤️❤️)