The Hunter

Untitled Part 3

He was running. He was running like his life depended on it, which it actually did. He lost his sword long ago and, recently, a hellhound broke his bow. He heard the beast roar not far behind him. He was running faster than he thought he could and soon was out of breath when he reached a chasm. He could feel the well known metallic taste of his blood from a wound on his upper lip. The beast’s roars were closer than before and, distracted, he slipped and fell into the chasm.

Alphonse woke up with a gasp, panting and sweating.

It was just a dream. A really weird dream. Calm down, Alphonse. he thought. What did it mean? He sighed, then ran a hand through his messy raven hair. He looked out the window and realised it was very early in the morning, probably 4. He couldn’t go back to sleep, so he decided to train a little.

Yesterday, after Angus agreed to be Alphonse’s master, he asked his childhood friend if she wants to come with him at the Hunter’s Den. Of course, only if her mother let her, since Angus didn’t have any problem with her presence. Alphonse hoped that her mother would let Maya come with them, it would make him less nervous. He can’t lie, he likes Maya. Maybe more than a friend or a sister, but his feelings were complicated and he has no time for a little crush. He wants with all his heart to find his missing father.

“Couldn’t sleep?”

He jumped three meters in the air at the sudden voice. He turned around and pointed his arrow at the intruder, only to lower it right away.

“Maya! You scared me.” he sighed.

“Sorry…” she said with a hint of sadness in her voice. Alphonse noticed this and began to worry immediately.

“Maya? Is everything alright?”

“Actually? No, not really.” she answered, remembering her little chat with her mother.

“Mother! Mom!” Maya yelled, running in the house and startling her mother.

“What is it, darling?” asked Trisha, curious about her daughter’s outburst.

“Alphonse found a master to train him on becoming a Hunter!” she said grinning. “He asked if I can come with him, so can I-“

“No.” Trisha said calmly. Maya’s smile faded.

“B-but… but why?” she whined, sadness and confusion clear in her voice. She could feel tears in her eyes, threatening to fall.

“Maya, I do not wish to upset you, but it is the best for you. If you go with Alphonse and his master at the Hunter’s Den, they will find what you are sooner or later. And you know that the Hunters are not very fond of us, even tough not all of us are bad.” Trisha stated.

“I know, mother.” Maya replied looking down, still not liking the idea of staying behind.

 

“My Mom doesn’t let me come with you.” she said clearly upset by her mother’s choice, but she understands her reasons perfectly.

“Oh…” Alphonse whispered sad. He let his bow fall to the ground along with his quiver, then rushed to hug his best friend. She hugged back and Alphonse could feel wet tears staining his shirt, but he didn’t care. He tightened the hug, while the beautiful blonde in his arms silently sobbed.

***

After breakfast, the two men prepared their supplies for the long trip to the Hunter’s Den. Emma, Maya and Trisha were saying their goodbyes to them and wished them good luck, only to be cut of by Angus with a sarcastic remark such as “Hunters do not need luck as long as they have their dragon and weapon.” of course, without being rude. Emma hugged her son so tightly that he couldn’t breath.

“M-mom. C-can’t breath.” he managed to say.

“Oh, sorry dear.”  she said breaking the hug with tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Oh, mom. Don’t be sad.”

“I am not sad, honey. I am proud of you.” she smiled at him. “I am sure you will be a great Hunter. Maybe better than your father.”

“It’s a long way to become a Hunter, boy.” Angus interrupted. “Come on now, Alphonse. We have to go if we want to arrive in the next village by sunset.”

“Yes, sir!”

“No need to be so formal.”

“Yes, s- I mean, okay.” Alphonse said a bit confused. Angus just chuckled at his expression and bit farewell the ladies.

“Are you coming or not?” Angus called when he saw that Alphonse didn’t move from his spot.

“Uh, yeah, of course! Bye Mom! Bye Maya! Bye Mrs DiAngelo!” he said running to catch up with his master.

After 10 minutes walking in silence, Alphonse decided to break the ice.

“So… you said that every Hunter has a dragon. I assume you have one, too, haven’t you?”

“You got that right.” Angus said then made a weird noise and stopped walking. After five or so seconds, Alphonse heard wings beating and felt a strong wind pushing him from behind. When he turned around, he couldn’t his eyes. A white dragon with golden eyes and spikes and two sharp hornes on it’s head. The dragon tilted it’s head, looking curious at the shocked wide eyed young man that allowed his jaw to hang.

“Close your mouth, Al, or you’ll possibly eat a ghost. Gods, that is nasty.”

“Uh, umm… Angus?” Alphonse said with an octave higher that normally.

“Yes?” the older man turned to face the younger one. “What is it?”

“I-is that your dragon?” he asked pointing with a shaky finger the white winged creature in front of him.

“Yes. This is Stormfly, my dragon. Now get up. We do not have all day.”

“We’re gonna fly on a dragon? Your dragon?”

“Yes, Alphonse, we are-“ Angus started a bit annoyed, but was cut off by Alphonse.

“That’s so awesome!” he yelled, hurrying to get on Stormfly’s back. The dragon was quite entertained by the cheerful attitude of the young boy and seemed to smile if it is possible for dragons to smile.

Alphonse couldn’t restrain his excitement anymore when Stormfly lunched in the air doing some flips and sudden turns feeding the boy’s happiness, so he started howling of happiness. The experienced Hunter chuckled to himself, amused by his apprentice’s actions.

“Hey, Angus?” Alphonse asked grinning, the wind messing his hair even more.

“Hmm?”

“Do I get my own dragon?” he asked smiling even wider, excited like an excited toddler on the Christmas Morning.

A/N: The next week I'll be on a school trip so I won't be able to uodate, 'cuz my parents don't let me take my laptop (last time I spilled juice on it xD). Well, I hope you liked this chapter and tell me, what do you thing Maya is? Eh? :>