Inside a modest RV parked at the edge of nowhere, Leora sat at the small table, her blonde hair catching the warm glow of the setting sun streaming through the curtains. Her gaze was fixed on the laptop in front of her, replaying the footage of Reynard’s recent match.


    Between her fingers, she idly twirled a tarot card, its illustration depicting The Lovers. The card spun gracefully, catching the light with each rotation, as if mirroring the thoughts turning over in her mind.


    The Hunter Association’s broadcast finally came to an end, the screen fading to black. With a soft sigh, Leora shut the laptop and turned her attention to the small miracle across the room.


    Two-year-old Leon, her son, was utterly engrossed in his latest discovery: a small orb of fire. It danced and flickered between his tiny hands, moving with remarkable precision. His intense concentration was broken only by his occasional giggles of delight, as though the fire were a friend he was learning to understand.


    Leora leaned back in her chair, watching him with a mix of pride and trepidation. The child’s manipulation of aura was instinctive, almost effortless—a gift, no doubt, probably inherited from his father and her affinity with aura itself. Yet it was far more advanced than anything she’d ever seen in someone so young.


    For a moment, she let herself smile. Leon’s progress was astounding, the kind that promised a future filled with potential and glory. But that same promise carried weight.


    Leora folded her arms across her chest, the tarot card still in her grasp. Her smile faded into a pensive frown. She had left the life of a hunter behind—or so she’d hoped. She had made that choice for herself, but what about her son? Could she deny him the very thing he was born to do?


    Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, but the words hung heavy in the air.


    “If only it was that easy…”


    Leon giggled again, the fiery orb reflecting in his bright, eager eyes, completely unaware of the burden of choices that lay ahead.


    The weight of the Elsewhere Cult''s relentless pursuit of her son bore heavily on Leora’s mind. She still didn’t know why they were so desperate to find Leon. Reynard wasn’t telling her everything, likely out of fear that sensitive information might slip. That secrecy frustrated her to no end.


    He needed a good talking to, she thought bitterly, but every time she tried to confront him, he deflected.


    When, exactly, had he become a hunter? Did he know she had been a hunter too?


    Again, those thoughts knocked at the back of her mind.


    Guilt weighed on her as she considered the secrets she’d kept from him. She’d hidden the truth about her past life as a hunter because she believed Reynard was a mundane, a normal human outside of the hunter world. It wasn’t until recently, when he tracked her down and assigned her babysitting duties, that she realized how wrong she’d been.


    Her train of thought was interrupted by a subtle shift in the air—a faint, almost imperceptible spike in heat. Leora’s Seeker Eyes kicked in instinctively, analyzing the fiery orb in Leon’s tiny hands. It was getting hotter, dangerously so.


    In a blur of movement, she scooped up her son, activating her superhuman speed. With a single bound, she dashed out of the RV into the open desert beyond. The blazing heat from the orb pulsed against her, but she didn’t falter.


    Once outside, Leora gently pried the orb of fire from Leon’s little hands. Her son giggled, completely unfazed by the intensity of the moment.


    “Let’s see how you like this, little troublemaker,” she muttered under her breath.


    Leora concentrated, her aura flaring as she manipulated the orb. Fire wasn’t her specialty, but through countless repetitions, she’d mastered the delicate art of converting flames into harmless heat waves. It cost her a significant portion of her aura pool—a frustrating drain on her reserves—but the danger was neutralized.


    With a subtle shimmer, the fiery orb dissolved into a harmless ripple of warmth that dissipated into the air.


    “Whew,” she exhaled, brushing a strand of hair from her face.


    In her arms, Leon let out a delighted cheer, his little hands flailing.


    “Who~oooz!” the baby exclaimed, mimicking the sound of the rushing wind.


    Leora could have turned the orb into a dazzling display of fireworks, but the thought of drawing unnecessary attention stopped her. Out in the desert, the last thing she needed was to light up the sky like a beacon for anyone—or anything—watching.


    As she returned to the RV, her baby boy had drifted off to sleep in her arms. Leon looked so peaceful now, but Leora knew better than to trust that serenity. His adventurous streak, so much like her own, could easily lead to disaster if she didn’t keep a close eye on him.


    Gently, she placed Leon in his crib—a specially made construct of ore from the Forbidden Region. The metal severed aura control, making it the perfect barrier for a toddler with an affinity for chaos. To an experienced aura master, the effects could be bypassed, but for Leon, it would hold. At least for now.


    As Leora adjusted the crib’s blankets, a knock at the RV door startled her. Her instincts flared, and she reached for her katana, which rested within easy reach, unsheathed. With her free hand, she opened the door cautiously.


    Seeing Stefan’s familiar face, she relaxed. He was as close to a father figure as she had, and his presence was always reassuring.


    Stefan stepped inside without hesitation and dropped into the nearest chair with a practiced ease.


    “Your tails are either dead or they’ve withdrawn,” he said without preamble, his gruff voice filling the small space. “Your husband did excellently in the exams. Chairman Bob himself is looking forward to having him join the Hunting Dogs.”


    Leora froze. The Hunting Dogs?


    Her anger flared. “What? The Hunting Dogs?”


    Stefan’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes held a flicker of something—amusement, perhaps? “Whose idea is it?” she demanded, her voice sharp.


    “Oh…” Stefan leaned back slightly, his tone casual. “So you don’t know. I thought he’d already told you. Or maybe Selena? She didn’t mention it either?”


    Leora’s grip on the katana tightened.


    “It’s your husband, Reynard,” Stefan continued. “I’m banking on the idea that he plans to use the Hunting Dogs’ resources to go after the organization targeting your family.”


    Leora’s eyes narrowed.


    “No wonder he told you it would take roughly three years,” Stefan added, his voice taking on a rare note of admiration. “That’s some dedication.”


    Leora remained silent, her thoughts spinning. Reynard’s secrecy, his relentless determination, and now this revelation about the Hunting Dogs—it all painted a picture she wasn’t sure she liked.


    Her husband’s motives might be noble, but the path he was walking was dangerous. For the first time, Leora wondered if their family’s survival would come at the cost of the man she loved.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Leora''s thoughts drifted to her own time in the Hunting Dogs. The memories were raw, vivid, and steeped in blood. According to Stefan, the organization had become "tamer" since the last time he had been involved in their operations. But Leora knew better. The Hunting Dogs didn’t do “tame.” There was no quitting them—not unless you found yourself at the end of a blade or were lucky enough to receive a rare, gracious retirement. And even that required all ten directors to agree, with the chairman’s blessing.


    She had walked away only because of the blood she had spilled. Her contributions had bought her freedom. Yet, they’d also earned her a reputation as a psychotic monster, a label she’d carried for a long time before she managed to fade into obscurity.


    Steeling herself, Leora pulled out her phone and called Selena. Her best friend, her partner in chaos, and the only person she trusted like family. She put the call on speaker, allowing Stefan to listen in.


    The moment the line connected, the first sounds were unmistakably not what she’d expected—or wanted—to hear.


    From the phone came sultry moans accompanied by faint, rhythmic slapping and absurdly cheesy background music.


    Selena’s unmistakable voice followed. “Awww~ rail me, Rey! Do it! Shoot it!”


    Then Reynard’s voice joined in, slightly breathless. “I am about there… huff…”


    Leora’s eye twitched, her patience thin but steady. “Stop with the pranks, Selena.”


    A snort of laughter came through the speaker, followed by a dramatic sigh. “So boring…”


    Selena''s antics were relentless. Her shapeshifting abilities, ventriloquism, and penchant for chaos made her a natural at espionage. But her greatest skill was sowing discord wherever she went.


    Leora had grown resistant to Selena’s games over the years, but that didn’t mean she was entirely immune. Stefan, sitting nearby, was doing his best to suppress a chuckle, his shoulders shaking as he grinned.


    “Get serious,” Leora said, her voice sharp. “We need to talk about Reynard.”


    “Ugh, fine,” Selena replied, her tone mock-dramatic. “Way to ruin my fun.”


    Leora sighed, her exasperation growing. Selena, for all her skill and charm, was hopelessly obsessed with the idea of “love at first sight” and finding her soulmate. It was a fixation that bordered on absurdity, but Selena swore it had to do with her bloodline’s secret technique. Somehow, that strange philosophy of hers made Leora grudgingly trust that she wouldn’t let Reynard come to harm.


    Leora pinched the bridge of her nose and asked, “Is it true? Reynard is joining the Hunting Dogs?”


    Selena''s playful tone turned slightly more serious. “Don’t worry about him. He’ll be fine. I planned to join too. And, for what it’s worth, I entered a formal contract with him. You can trust me to have his back.”


    Stefan scratched his head awkwardly. “Sorry, I might’ve slipped up about the Hunting Dogs part.”


    A familiar voice came through the phone, one that immediately made Leora’s breath hitch. “It’s fine, Stefan,” Reynard said. “Leora deserves to know.”


    Her heart skipped a beat. “Reynard? Is that you? Or is Selena trying to mess with me again?”


    Selena huffed indignantly, but Leora pressed on. “Can we do a video call?”


    Stefan interjected, “No can do. This is the best we’ve got right now. The cult that’s after you has competent techies, and we can’t risk them intercepting anything.”


    Leora narrowed her eyes at the phone. “Reynard, prove it’s really you and not Selena playing some elaborate prank.”


    There was a brief pause before Reynard replied smoothly, “You have a mole under your left breast.”


    Leora’s face turned crimson, and she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest. “Damn it, Reynard!”


    Stefan coughed awkwardly, pretending not to notice her reaction, while Selena burst into laughter on the other end of the line.


    “Oh, he definitely knows his way around you, Leora,” Selena teased, her tone filled with mischief.


    Leora buried her face in her hands. “I hate all of you right now.”


    After the teasing subsided, Leora’s momentary relief was shattered when Leon let out a loud wail, followed by a fireball forming in his tiny hand as he tossed in his sleep. The fireball sputtered weakly against the magical crib’s aura-dampening metal, dissipating before it could cause any damage. But the close call made Leora’s heart nearly leap out of her chest.


    Stefan glanced at the crib, shaking his head. “That super baby is outgrowing his crib, Leora. You’ll need something a lot stronger soon.”


    Leora sighed, brushing her hair back in frustration. “I know. It’s just… everything all at once.”


    She turned her attention back to the phone and spoke firmly. “Can I talk to Reynard alone?”


    Selena''s amused voice answered, “Sure thing. Reynard, take it.”


    Leora didn’t waste any time. She stepped out of the RV, activating her light attribute. In a flash, she ran far from the vehicle, stopping only when she was confident she was completely alone. The desert wind swirled around her as she brought the phone back to her ear.


    “Reynard, clear?”


    “Yes, clear,” Reynard replied, his voice steady but tinged with concern.


    Leora’s voice trembled, but she forced herself to stay composed as she spoke into the phone. “I am desperately finding it difficult to match you with the Reynard that I know. The hunter version of you... it’s too foreign to me. You are ‘Reynard,’ right? Not some shapeshifting cryptid? Not some long-lost twin? Not some amnesiac guy who recently remembered his hunter life?”


    Reynard’s reply was calm, but there was a trace of warmth beneath the steady tone. “Yes, I am Reynard. And no, I am neither a cryptid, a shapeshifter, a long-lost twin, nor some amnesiac guy.”


    Leora exhaled slowly, relief and frustration mingling in her chest. “You have a lot of explaining to do, so don’t die out there.”


    “I promise,” Reynard said, his voice firm. “I will come back as soon as possible. I’d like to tell you more about myself, and I’d like to know more about you. I’d love for us to be together again. Don’t get me wrong—I’d love to fall in love all over again and tell you about the hunter version of me, but I can’t. Not yet. But we can talk about Leon.”


    Leora bit her lip, a mixture of emotions swirling within her. His smooth words and eloquence still had that disarming effect, even after everything. She couldn’t help but feel a flicker of gladness that some things about him hadn’t changed.


    “Oh, that boy is a super baby, alright,” she said, her voice softening slightly. “You should’ve seen him set his third RV on fire.”


    “That bad, huh?” Reynard’s tone was laced with amusement, and she could almost see the wry smile on his face.


    Leora chuckled despite herself. “That bad. He’s definitely your son.”


    “Sounds like he’s taking after you,” Reynard teased gently.


    She rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the small smile that crept onto her lips. “Just make sure you come back, Reynard. No more secrets, no more deflections. You owe me that much.”


    “I’ll come back, Leora,” he assured her, his voice resolute. “I promise.”


    Leora’s grip on the phone tightened as her voice turned sharp. “Do you know why the hell this cult is hunting our boy?”


    Reynard’s reply was measured but tinged with wariness. “Where did that come from?”


    “I’m not stupid, Rey…” Leora’s tone softened, but her words carried weight. “Initially, I thought the hit was for me. But after taking care of Leon these past few months, I’ve realized… they’re after him. They’ve been after him all along.”


    Reynard sighed heavily on the other end of the line, as though the weight of the truth was pressing down on him. “Because Leon will grow to become a powerful hunter in the future. At some point, the cult will clash against him, and Leon will burn them until they are nothing but ash.”


    Leora frowned, struggling to process the enormity of his words. “I… I don’t understand.”


    “It’s hard to believe, I know,” Reynard said quietly. “But the two of us… we’re meant to die at some point, ten years after Leon was born. We’ll leave him all alone.” His voice cracked slightly, betraying the pain he was trying to hide. “I don’t want to see that happen, Leora. That’s why I’m resorting to the extreme. Everything I’m doing… it’s to prevent that future.”


    Leora’s heart sank. “Is it… a definite future?”


    “I don’t know,” Reynard admitted. “But I’m working hard to change it.” He hesitated, then added, “I promise I’ll tell you everything when the time is right. I know it sounds unbelievable now, but trust me on this—our boy will grow into someone strong, dependable… and, well, a chick magnet.”


    Leora let out an incredulous laugh despite herself, the absurdity of Reynard’s last comment cutting through the tension. “A chick magnet, huh? Of course, that’s where your mind goes.”


    Reynard chuckled softly, a hint of his usual charm slipping through. “It’s not hard to imagine, is it? He’s already got the Bright family charisma.”


    Leora’s laughter faded, replaced by a bittersweet smile. “You better come back, Reynard. For me. For Leon. Don’t you dare leave me to raise this ‘chick magnet’ alone.”


    “I will, Leora,” Reynard said firmly. “I promise.”


    “Leora… I might not be able to contact you for the next few years.” His voice was heavy with regret. “I’ve been meaning to tell you about my decision to join the Hunting Dogs. It’s the only way to secure your and Leon’s safety. To protect you both, I need the power of one of the Seven Extremes or the backing of the entire Hunter’s Association. I’m sorry for being so unfair to you.”


    Leora’s chest tightened as a mix of emotions surged within her—anger, fear, sorrow, and pride all at once. Her hands trembled as she gripped the phone, knowing that her reluctance, no matter how deep, couldn’t outweigh the love she bore for her family.


    “When the fighting gets tough,” she whispered, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her heart, “you call for me, okay?”


    There was a smile in Reynard’s voice, bittersweet and knowing. “I will. That’s what the tarot card is for… isn’t it?”


    Leora bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes as she glanced down at the Lovers card in her hand. It was unexpectedly worn at the edges, yet it held a strength that mirrored their bond. Her own aura method having battered it time and time again to reforged it as part of her arsenal. She held it close to her chest. It was the symbol of their connection.


    “You better keep that promise,” she said softly.


    “I will, Leora,” Reynard replied. “I swear.”


    That was the second time Reynard had consecutively made a promise. The first promise was not to die out there. The second was to promise that he wouldn’t hesitate to call her if it was a ‘fight’ that needed fighting. In the silence that followed, Leora stared into the night, holding onto these fragile promises with all her might. For their son. For their future. For the fight that was only just beginning.