6 Hunters (1/2)
The cathedral stayed silent for a few seconds, the faint haze numbing the senses and eliciting prayer from those within.
”What kind of arrangements you have for me, father?” Garett promptly asked, appearing really forthcoming.
If I appear intent in going with the arrangements, maybe he will give me a more favorable position… Garett thought while fighting to have his eyes appear as sincere as possible.
”You are a scholar, right? And you seemed very interested in the studies about occultism… Maybe you should become a member of the Hunt, it would suit someone with your… capabilities.” The priest nodded as if pleased with himself for coming up with this arrangement.
”Becoming… a hunter?” Garett's eyelids twitched.
”Do not misunderstand, the hunters affiliated to the church use their knowledge to hunt wild mutants; it's a very noble duty. If you accept, I'll forward you to one of our most experienced veterans.” The priest continued to nod, his eyes shining as if he was a child who found a new toy.
Why do I feel like this would not end up well? Actually, this seems very fishy to me... Garett bit his lips, a little apprehensive.
”I-I don't like violence, father. Maybe it would be best if you gave me time to think about it?” He tried hard to come up with some excuse, but everything seemed to get stuck on his throat.
BONG!
Then the church's bell tolled, announcing the middle of the day had come, and with it a wave of believers started to enter the church.
”There's no need to rush, child. I'm sure everything that happened seems like a lot to take in, but everything will come into place, eventually.” The priest then took a small token from the insides of his vests, engraved on it there was a figure resembling a three-tailed snow fox, its eyes shining mysteriously.
”Take this thing to the captain on guard duty when you're ready, he should be an easy man to find; always training new recruits near the gates or drinking in that filthy pup, what was its name again? Oh yes, 'The Gravebear Lounge', you should be able to find him there as well.”
While Garett was feeling dizzy about the sudden influx of information, Father Charles forced the token in his hands and directed him to the exit.
”I eagerly await your decision.” These were the last words he heard from the priest, who forced him out through the side exit.
Being chased out in such a fashion, it took a few moments for Garett to snap out of his daze; the blinding sunlight shone down hard on his eyes, aggravating the stupor.
What just happened!? Was there really a need to chase me out like this? You could just tell me to leave… Garett scratched his head, unsure of what to do next; the strange token glistening in his hands.
”Maybe I should find the guard captain? Even if I don't plan on becoming a hunter, it would be beneficial to meet with important people in the city.” Muttering to himself, he heavily walked in the direction of the gates
…
The area near the gate was obviously one of the most crowded areas of the city, a great number of merchants and wanderers could be seen, each one engrossed in the most distinct types of activities.
This is also one of the most dangerous places in the city. A lot of thieves come here to look for new victims… Garett quickly made an inventory of his possessions, taking note of anything that could make in a target.
”It's not like a poor wretch like me has anything of value.” Chuckling to himself, he made way to the main gates.
While walking, he started to actively practice the control of his newfound powers. Focusing on extending his senses, even if the Perception ability seemed more like a passive one; he figured that acting actively should help, even if just a little.
Slowly extending his senses, he realized that something akin to a bubble encompasses his surroundings, it's not like everything inside this bubble was detected by Perception; but everything that concerned him was.
There are a few beggars looking at me, probably eyes for the underworld gangs? Do they register everyone that enters the territory? Maybe they're looking at me because I don't come here often… His confidence in his new ability grew, while he couldn't magically hear the contents of other people's conversations or the like, he felt a lot more confident.
Maybe the underworld bosses are Marked people as well? It would explain how they came to have enough power to rule one of the sides of the city… Coming to a conclusion like this, Garett slowly realized a terrifying possibility! Most probably those people in positions of power should be mostly Marked who held a ritual to some kind of entity!
Lost in his theories, Garett eventually reached the square near the main gates. A bunch of jobless tramps wandered this area, as the factories often looked for cheap labor; the smog mixed itself with the mountain mists, creating an environment somewhat difficult to breathe.
”When I was a kid, I remember the air wasn't rough like this; the mists were the domain of the goddess, calming… soothing.” Garett let out a sigh, thinking of the long lost years of his childhood. His mother and sister occasionally pop up in his mind whenever he thought about it.
”Talking to yourself, Garett?” A familiar voice came from behind him, taking him out of his reveries. Garett turned, already matching the voice with the face behind him.
”It's a good way to take note of your thoughts, I wasn't expecting to see you here, Hilren,” Garett said with a smile.
I was thinking of how to find you yesterday but I didn't know where to find you. Now that's convenient, you seemed very talkative… Pleased with this turn of events, Garett approached the young knight.