PHOENIX RISING (Book One In The Phoenix Hunter Series)

★CHAPTER 36★

    He reached into a drawer, pulling out a thick, leather-bound folder.  “I have a proposition for you, Lucas,” he said, his eyes gleaming with a hidden agenda. 
He opened the folder, revealing a series of intricate drawings.

“This is the League of Elites Association building here in the city,” he said, his voice filled with pride.  “It’s a new institution, a training ground for the most powerful hunters in the city.  We’re starting a new intake soon.  And we want you to be one of the first.”

He gestured towards the drawing of the institution, a towering structure of glass and steel.  It was a breathtaking sight.

“It’s an incredible opportunity,” he said.  “The best trainers, the best resources, the best training.  It’s everything you need to reach your full potential. And then you'll be given a chance to join a special group, a secret elite squad within the league of elites.  It’s a rare opportunity.”

I just nodded to let him know that I was following.  I had seen historical books and articles about the League of Elites, a world-wide force with the most talented hunters around the city, a force where legends could be found.  But I never thought I would be invited to be one of them, But just as I thought....

“But there are some conditions,” Guild Master Kass said, his voice turning serious.  “This is an official secret program, Lucas.  We can’t let anyone know about it.  It’s dangerous, and we need to protect you. You’ll need to keep a low profile, Lucas,” he said. 

I nodded, I understood his concerns.

I nodded, my mind buzzing with questions.  “Uhm, I don't even have any, but what about the details of the contract?”

He smiled, a rare flicker of amusement in his eyes.  “That’s the best part, Lucas.  You’re already an official Hunter, so all you need to do is join my guild.  We just need to make sure you’re ready for what’s next.  We’ll pay you 100,000 gold bars for your time, and all you need to do is become a hunter for a year, climb the leaderboards”

He looked at me, his eyes filled with a glint of confidence.  “It’s a fair deal, Lucas.  We’ll be doing everything we can to protect you, and help you achieve your full potential.”

“But what about the special training?” I asked.  “How will I learn to use my skills, my powers, to their full potential?”

He nodded, his eyes filled with a mysterious light.  “We’re working on that, Lucas.  We’ve got a unique skilled craftsman, a master of his craft, who is developing a special skill upgrade program.  He’s already designed a custom training program, a series of special exercises and challenges to help you hone your skills and master your powers.  It’s a program designed specifically for hunters like yourself.”

He paused, his gaze intent.  “The craftsman is from the dark lands, Lucas.  He’s a ranked-up craftsman. I'm sure you must have heard about ranked individuals.  He’s the best in the world at what he does.”

  I was being offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a chance to train with the best, to learn from the masters, to unlock my full potential. It was a tempting offer.  I couldn't help but feel a sense of ambition, a hunger to learn, to grow, to achieve.

But at what cost?

I was fully aware of the risks.  The Guild Master was a powerful man, a man with a hidden agenda.  I didn’t know what kind of world he was preparing me for, what kind of secrets he was hiding.

I needed time to think, to consider my options.

“I’ll need time to think about it, Guild Master Kass,” I said, my voice calm and composed.  “It’s a lot to process.”

He nodded, his eyes filled with a mixture of understanding and anticipation.  “Take your time, Lucas,” he said.  “We’ll be here when you’re ready.”

I walked out of the room, the air buzzing with energy, the sound of whispers and conversations filling my ears.  

As I left the Guildmaster’s office, the air felt heavy, a sense of unease hanging in the air.  I had expected him to be impressed, to be intrigued by my skills, but there had been something else in his eyes, a flicker of something darker, more unsettling.

The Guildmaster was a powerful man, a man with a hidden agenda, and I had a feeling that he wasn't just offering me a chance to improve my skill, he was playing a much bigger game.

I couldn't get through his mental defenses but the 100,000 gold coins and the way he had offered it so casually, without hesitation, as if it was nothing.  He had even increased the offer, raised the stakes, as if he was trying to convince me, tempt me, to accept his proposition.

He was playing a game, and he wants me to become his pawn.
Else why was he so eager to get his hands on me?

I felt a chill run down my spine, a sense of unease that wouldn't leave me. 

The receptionist was waiting for me outside the Guildmaster’s office.   “What did he say?” she asked, her voice low and urgent.

“He has a proposition for me,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

“The League of Elites,” she whispered, her eyes filled with a mixture of awe and excitement.  “That’s incredible.”

She gave me a sly smile.  “Don’t you worry, Lucas.  We’ll make sure you’re ready for this.  You’re going to do great.”

I nodded, my heart pounding with excitement, a mixture of fear and exhilaration running through me.  I had a lot to think about, a lot to decide.

But one thing was certain.  My life was about to change.

With a final nod to the receptionist, I walked out of the guild,  

As I left, the Guildmaster’s words echoed in my mind, "You'll do great, Lucas."  But they felt like a promise, a warning, a threat, all rolled into one.

He was waiting for me.  He was watching me.  He had a plan.

And I had a feeling that I was about to become a part of it.

....

*Kass's pov*

A satisfied smirk played on my lips as Lucas left my office.

The League of Elites institution was my creation, a secret training ground for the most powerful hunters in the world.  I had chosen him to be one of the first members of this elite group, a group that would be loyal to me, a group that would serve my purpose.

Lucas was exactly what I needed, the key to unlocking the next phase of my plan.  But I needed him to be on my side, to become a part of this grand design.

His Skills had been hidden from the start and they're both amazing and powerful skills. King's Command, with its telepathic abilities, was a rare and powerful skill, a skill that could be used to control, to manipulate, to dominate.

And His second skill Phoenix Rising, makes him an indestructible soldier. I knew he wouldn't resist that kind of wealth, not when he was just starting out, a young hunter with a bright future. That's why I'd offered him the spot at the League of Elites.  It was a tempting offer, a way to secure him, to make him my own.  The 100,000 gold bars were a small price to pay for such a rare talent.

He would be my weapon, my champion, my tool to take over the city.

And I was going to make sure it happens.
...