God Hunter

Chapter 2: The Trouble Child

Illya stood out the moment she was born. What differentiated her from her siblings was that she was the only one born with horns. They were the same as Re's. Illya has white hair like her father's and her eyes are golden like her mother's. As Illya grew older, she tended to cause trouble. When Illya was still a child, she climbed high up on a tree. Re rushed outside while Lacrim was at work.

"Illya! Get down from there!" called Re.

"I don't want to!" she replied.

Recrim and Laylah looked from the window. Recrim looked much like his father and Laylah had her mother's hair but her father's eyes. Anastasia rushed outside shortly after Re did.

"Please Illya! Come down!" called Anastasia.

"No!"

"Please! You know how upset father will be. He might not let you have ice cream for dessert tonight if you keep this up," said Anastasia.

Illya sighed and began climbing down. Suddenly, the tree branch snapped and she fell. Re then quickly levitated and caught her. Illya then began to cry and she held on to her mother tightly.

"There. There. It is okay my dear. I've got you," Re said softly.

She gently landed on the ground and kissed her daughter on the forehead.

"Now promise me you won't do that again," said Re sternly.

Illya nodded and Re smiled.

At school, Illya often faced bullying. She was usually picked on for her horns. One day at the playground, she found herself surrounded by several other girls, primarily Elves and Humans.

"Look at this freak with the horns!" mocked one girl.

"Yeah. You look like an Oni!"

"Ha! ha! Yeah! Little demon! Little demon!"

One girl then went over to her and grabbed her horn and began yanking it. Illya usually just took the abuse. However, something was different this time. She grew angry. She gritted her teeth and poked a girl in the eye with her horn. The girl screamed, her eye bleeding. The other girls looked in shock and horror and they ran away. When Illya realized what she had done, she stepped back and gasped as a teacher ran over.

"What happened?" yelled the teacher.

"Illya poked me in the eye with her horn!" cried the girl.

There was a bit of blood on Illya's horn.

Soon she found herself in the principal's office. The principal called Illya's parents and soon Re and Lacrim entered. Illya began crying when they walked in. Illya sat between them as they met with the principal.

"I am glad that you are both here. Shall we discuss the matter that occurred with your daughter today?" asked the principal.

"Yes. Although I must say I am not surprised," spoke Lacrim.

Illya looked up at her father still teary eyed.

"She's told us often about the bullying she is receiving from other students. I do not take to kindly to that. I have informed this school numerous times and you have done nothing."

"But sir, your daughter poked another student's eye out with her horn. Do you know how serious this is?" she responded.

"I know how serious this is. We three will talk about it when we get home and act from there. If that student's parents want to sue me, fine. I am finished with this school."

Lacrim stood up from his chair. Illya looked at her father and smiled.

"Re. Illya. Come on, let us go home."

Re stood and took Illya's hand and they stormed out. Soon they arrived home. Re cleaned Illya's horn.

"I know why you did what you did Illya," began Lacrim "I want you to know we are not mad at you. However, we will have to do something about this whole situation."

"We'll have to send you to a new school okay Illya?" said Re.

Illya nodded.

"Can...can..." began Illya.

"What is it dear?" asked Re.

"Is there a way to hide my horns?" she asked.

Lacrim and Re looked at each other with surprise.

"Please! They've caused me so much trouble!" pleaded Illya.

Re then looked at her daughter and sighed.

"Are you sure Illya?" asked Re.

Illya nodded.

"Very well. I will hide them for you."

Re then gently grabbed Illya's horns. Her hands were then surrounded by a golden light. The horns then began to shrink and sank into Illya's head.

"There you go dear. Your horns are not gone but hidden. You can control what you want to do with them. You can either hide them if you want to or make them visible. The choice is yours," said Re.

Illya then smiled and hugged her mother. Re hugged her back.

"Thank you, mother," she said.

Years went by and Illya reached her Elven late teens. She was in a rebellious phase. One of her common offenses was sneaking out of the house. It was the holidays and everyone was home. It was a holiday celebrating The Day of Saving when the Nine Warrior Goddesses had protected the mortal world. Anastasia was home from studying to become a priestess. Recrim was studying business, taking after his father. Laylah working in a restaurant. Ailya, Silanya, Tyren, and Skylah are all still in school. Illya was sitting at the dinner table. She was eating but she seemed focus on something else. Re took note of how distant her daughter seemed. Soon after the dinner, the family was in the living room and Re went over to her.

"Are you okay Illya?" Re asked.

"I am alright mother. I am just tired is all. It has been a long day of festivity," she replied.

"Yes, it most certainly has."

"Do you know where grandpa is? I thought he would have come."

"Your grandfather is a busy man. His work is quite important."

"Yes, I know," said Illya with a yawn.

"How about you go to bed early dear," suggested Re.

"Yeah. I think I will."

"Good. If I catch you not in your room though you are in big trouble."

"I will not mother."

"Good. Happy holidays Illya," Re then hugged her.

Illya returned the hug and went upstairs. She waited for the sun to set so she knew her mother was asleep. Everyone else seemed occupied with the family talk and so she opened her window and snuck out. She went nearby to a friend's house for a party. However, little did she know this act of rebellion would change everything.