Leon Hunter

*I'm leaning against a tree looking up at the tree canopy, when i notice foot steps approaching. i look over and see it's you, you haven't noticed me yet. it's the perfect opportunity to take you out, but I need to be sure. i notice you look up and i smirk* your from the village near by, aren't you? I'm Leon,the village head hired me. *looks at you with a suspicious smirk* I've seen you come and go into the forest quite often lately, why?

Oh. *Sensing a gaze on me, I looked up from the grass and paused my search.* Pleasant weather we're having today, good sir. *My eyes lit up with slight recognition, despite this is the first time he's shown himself to me.* You would be correct, I indeed live there. *I mentally took note of how the village head hired someone around this period of time, but showed no reaction to this information.* The sick villagers need remedies, and so I collect ingredients needed in these woods. Why do you ask?

*My expression softens, and I take a few steps towards you.* I see, and may I ask what remedies you are collecting? *I cross my arms, a hint of suspicion in my tone*

*Your words are like a slap in the face. I can't deny that the way you're interpreting the oath is true, and it's something I've never really thought about. My oath is supposed to protect the innocent, but what does it really mean? The fact that I'm considering not doing so just because you're a witch is a problem. You're starting to make me question my beliefs, and the way you're looking at me is making me think about the oath I took. You're right, according to the oath, I'm supposed to protect you, not harm you. But, that would mean going against the hunter's association. I've never really looked at the oath that way, and I'm starting to realize how flawed it really is. I can't help but feel like I'm being pulled in two different directions. I've never had to question my beliefs before, but here I am, having to do exactly that. I take a deep breath, and I try to think of a response to your question. I can't just deny your words, but I also can't deny the path that I took. I have to make a decision, and it's not going to be an easy one.* I have to admit, you have a point. The oath doesn't specify the identity of the ones that require protection, but it does state that I should protect the innocent. And according to the oath, you're innocent.

Hence, given that my disposition of an innocent, who's not a witch that threatens the lives of others meeting the terms of the oath perfectly, I have full right to be protected by the hunters. This means it is both the hunter association's, and by extention, your duty to ensure that I stay safe; which in turn, also makes the action of you, or anyone from the association taking my life a break in the oath. *Finishing his line of thought, I smiled. My heart is satisfied with slight relief, as I eyed him meaningfully.* Looks like there is a chance that whoever made the hunter association's oath does care about all innocents by large, afterall.

*Your words are starting to make me realize something: The oath I took as a hunter is not as clear as I once thought. I've always seen it as a simple concept, but you're making me see it in a new light. The oath is not perfect, but it does have some good intentions. It's supposed to be about protecting the innocent, no matter who they are. I realize that I was too focused on my duty as a hunter, and not enough on the people I'm supposed to protect. The fact that you're an innocent who's being threatened by the people I'm supposed to protect makes me feel like I'm going against the very thing I'm supposed to stand for. I've been so focused on my duty as a hunter, that I never really thought about it that way. The oath was made to protect the innocent, and the fact that I've been considering hurting you is a problem. I can't help but feel a little embarrassed that I didn't think about this earlier. Your words are making me realize that there's a lot more to this than I initially thought. I can't deny that you have a point, and I have to admit that I was wrong. I take a deep breath, and I look at you.* You're right. The oath was made to protect the innocent, and that includes you. I can't believe I never thought about this before. I'm sorry for the way I've treated you.

For the truth to be known? Most definitely. It's probably the first time I've ever fully been myself in front of others. *Even with the stakes at hand, it was liberating to talk about it freely for once.* The fact it was somebody who hunted witches and warlocks who heard it made it even more worth the while, I've always wanted to know what are they like. *My voice briefly takes on a vindicate tone, but it soon departed, determination taking its place.* But the chance to live? Also yes. It's something I'll fight to keep. For however I can, and as long as I can. There is just so many things I still want to do, and I feel like enough time was spent on this village that only thinks of taking as granted with little consideration or gratitude in return, the situation with the village chief's brother taking my parents' lives in the past notwithstanding. And the pay they give for my services, well. *I mumbled some intelligible complaints about stingy-ness before returning to normal volume.* Not to mention that they're also trying to end the life who's helping them to go against the pandemic. The level of stupidity is so astonishing that I'm almost inclined to feel sorry for your eyes having to witnessing this. Especially when you told me that they sent you to eliminate the witch, *gestures at self* who is yours truly. *Noticing I've over-ranted, I shake my head in incredulity.* Sorry, still wrapping my head around that particularly ridiculous fallacy. Eitherway, while I did happen to give you a headstart when in pursuit of my own goals; I will not be sitting like a lamb to slaughter, should you choose to kill me to fulfill the village chief's request. *Fully prepared to ready other methods of persuasion at the drop of a hat, I stare straight into his eyes.* So, have you decided to spare me, or do you need even more convincing from me to do so?

*Your answer takes me by surprise, and I can't help but feel a bit stunned. It's clear that you've been through a lot, and I can't blame you for being angry. I can't believe that the village would send me to kill you, knowing what I know now. You're a witch, but you've also helped the village during this pandemic, and you've been nothing but kind to me. The fact that you're still fighting to live, even after all you've been through is admirable. I can't deny that there's a part of me that wants to let you live, but I can't afford to let you go, the fact remains that my job is to hunt witches and warlocks. I look at you, and I can't help but feel a bit conflicted. I have to decide on what to do, and I know that whatever I decide will have consequences. You've put me in a difficult position, but I can't blame you for that. You've given me more than enough reasons to let you go, but I still have to do my job. I look at you, and I feel a strange sense of guilt. I'm at a loss. I finally speak, my voice soft.* I know that you're not the monster the village thinks you are. But, if I let you go, I'll be breaking my duty as a hunter. I'll be a traitor to my profession.

*Looks like he needed a little push, I thought, noticing how torn he is between his morals and professionalism.* Hm. *Hearing his words, I thinked hard.* So as long as you did not neglect your duties as a hunter, it wouldn't be considered as betrayal to your profession. *An idea for both sides to meet starts to form in my mind, but my eyebrows creases when I connected something in my mind.* Wait. Are you saying that staying true to your work is more important than letting an innocent live? Cause I can tell you I've never intentionally harmed anyone in my life and have no intent to do so, on the honor of the life my parents gave me. *I look appalled.* And besides this, I thought you said the core reason you became a hunter is to find the witch responsible for your parent's death, make sure she never hurts anyone else again, and to make sure no one else suffers the same fate your parents did. Does staying true to your profession take priority over all these goals you have for becoming a hunter in the first place? *I can't help but question him with genuine confusion in my eyes.*

*I nod as my gaze slipped from his, even as the presence of his compassion slightly suprised me, given his occupation.* Yes. Even I myself ain't sure if I'm just a witch, or a warlock, or a mix of both. But I suppose I don't mind if we take it that I'm a witch for the time being. *A humorless laugh breaks from my voice as I rounded up the story, slotting in details that were previously hidden in good measure for my safety.* It was only until a few weeks before today had I learned that my parents gave their life to make sure their child did not fall into the hands of whomever killed them, and the irony that I was taking care of the village where the murderer came from. *A shaky inhale interrupts me, and it was a while before I can continue without falling completely into tears.* ..The two nieces of the village chief didn't know that the witch and warlock in the story they happily told were my parents that their father took away from me, nor did anyone else in the village. The book my parents left behind and was taken into the decoration case as a trophy made me realise the truth, and the details of the two children's story on how it happened in the town where me and my family lived only confirmed its validity for me. *I somewhat snap back to the present after a period of quiet pause.* Needless to say, the revelation's been all I can think about for these past few weeks, and I was so glad that I was usually rushing around the village to work that nobody suspected a thing when I left the village chief's house in relative hurry. *I try to smile, but it came out broken, the fact I had to pretend I didn't have a life-changing revealation for the last few weeks to survive not helping my case.* And so.. the story of the past catches up to the now, but. *The truth he asked for is almost complete, save for a certain bit of a last reach.* There is one more piece missing, before the past and present links together seamlessly.

*My heart sinks as I listen to your story. I can't imagine how it must have felt for you to learn that your parents died to protect you, and to find out that the children's story was about them. The idea of forced to pretend that everything is fine, all while being haunted by the truth is heartbreaking. It's clear that this was a heavy burden to carry, and I feel guilty for bringing it up. The fact that you're willing to trust me with this information is a big deal, and I don't take it lightly. I look at you, and I see that you're on the verge of tears. I wanted to comfort you, but not knowing how. I don't want to overstep my boundaries, but I can't just sit here and watch you struggle. I decide to ask you a question, hoping to get a response that will give me some sort of direction.* What is the last piece of the puzzle that is missing? *I ask, my voice going soft. I'm curious to know what it is, and how I might be able to help.*

It's the last one that we should ask the question to. *The softness in his voice pierces and soothes my heart at the same time, in a peculiar way.* The question of 'if the way my life was led was enough' that should be asked to people that mattered to the question, after it being first asked to me; and the villagers, second. *I brought up the question that was originally rhetorically posed by him.* Have you gotten the clue as to who the last one is yet?

..I see, it's more diverse than I thought. *Processing the new information, I incline my head slightly.* Thanks for clearing it up, food for thought it is then. Now that the misunderstandings were relatively more sorted, I believe it's best we get back to the story I was telling. *Clasping my hands together, I turn to inquire him.* That is, if you're still interested in it and guessing what my revealation was.

*I nod, understanding what you're trying to say. It's clear that you still have more to tell me, and I'm willing to listen. I want to know what this revealation of yours is, and what role it plays in this whole situation. I take a deep breath, ready to hear what you have to say.* Yes, I'm still interested. Please, tell me what you were going to say earlier.

So, as I was saying. Based on the truths I've told of myself and the villagers so far, *demeanor dims a little at the mention of the memories* I'd like to know if you've figured out what was the revealation I had a few weeks ago, where I was interacting with the two young nieces of the village chief when I delivered remedies to a patient of their house. *waits for him to voice his guess*

Around 5, no more than 10. *I answered, my head still lowered.* I've heard there are people out there besides hunters that eliminates witches and warlocks as a hobby instead of doing that for a living, and the custom of people keeping possessions of deceased witches and warlocks as a trophy isn't unheard of. *My confusion rose.* While the fact these were encouraged towards children in proximity is extremely horrid in my opinion; I thought you'd have heard of these as a professional witch and warlock hunter yourself. ..Yet you seem more suprised than I expected.

*I stay silent for a moment, processing your answer. It's not surprising that people would keep the possessions of witches and warlocks as trophies; I've heard of the people who hunt witches and warlocks as a hobby, but it's not common. Most hunters are professionals, and they don't take the job lightly. But the fact that the children were exposed to this kind of story at such a young age and is encouraged to do this...... It's just wrong. It's not right. I was not expecting the children to be so young when they learnt of the huntings, but now that I think about it, it makes sense. Your reaction is surprising, though. It's like you were expecting something more from me. I look at you, a question on my mind.* What exactly did you expect me to know?

*I start to realise that maybe the gossips around the village relating to witch and warlock hunting might be best taken with a huge grain of salt.* For 20 something years of my whole life, what I've known about hunters of witches and warlocks are mostly learnt through word of mouth. And for your reference, I've only been very sheltered in this village for half my life, and the other half in the neighboring town when I heard these tidbits of supposedly real information. *I finally turn a bit more to glance sideways at him through my hair. Despite his attempts to hide it, disgust at the horrible situation had his face grow dark at an alarming rate and his already clenched fists curling in anger.* ..And given your current reaction, I've got a feeling that we might have to postpone revealing my revealation for tomorrow, so to not.. *I eye him in worry.* well, make you spontaneously combust from what my answers are for both matters: my revealation from a few weeks ago, and what I expected you or hunters in general to know or be like; Cause the latter would likely be unintentionally offensive to people of your occupation, with how a lot of what I know is based off of what others have said, and that I've never met any witch and warlock hunter before you. *lets him know of the possible happenings in advance* So, are you sure you still wanna know?

I see, thank you for sharing your view on the matter. *The way he genuinely considered the question lifted one of the weights off my shoulders.* Looks like we're very similar and different at the same time. *I considered him briefly.* And I guess... it's time for me to talk about the revelation. *sighs* Since you said the village chief requested for your services himself, I suppose he met you at his own house, didn't he? *My arm waved at the open view below the cliff and gestured at the chief's house. Remembering how the chief greets every guest that's important enough there, I had a vague idea of what the hunter's answer would be.*

*I nod in response to your question, the image of the chief's house still fresh in my mind. I remember how he greeted me, and the way he treated me with respect. I'm curious about what you're getting at, but I wait for you to continue.* Yes, I met the chief at his house. He was very welcoming, and he seems like a good man. Why do you ask?

He does care for his village a lot. *I agreed, but a sense of conflict flashed by in my eyes.* While he and his family converses with the villagers often, the chief himself told us that the inside of his home is mostly off-limits for privacy reasons. So unless there was something serious, not a lot of villagers has actually ever set foot in there, nor have a reason to. Something like the current pandemic. *Knowing what I was dreading is coming up, my heart starts to beat a little faster despite the decision I made with resolve, but I managed to keep my outward expression the same.* Say, have you seen their decoration case in the living room? The one that's on top of a shelf with a few trinkets, vases, and a book in it?

*My eyes widened in surprise, as I've never had someone who's questioned the problematic situation I'm facing in this village as I inwardly did.* ..Thank you, for willing to see the truth as it is. And for understanding, sometimes I'm not even sure of myself when it seems like I'm the only one who thinks that. *The fact that he seems to be angry at the villagers made a small sense of relief flood my body warmly.* Ever since I was took in by force, I've always tried to convince myself that they were impatient simply because they didn't understand how herbs and remedies work as well as I do, and that I should be repaying their kindness for letting me have a job to feed myself by working harder and meeting their demands. *Feeling done with the village's ridiculousness, I left the spot for listening, walked a bit away, and sat on a fallen tree trunk as my makeshift seat.* Never because I believed in it, but only so that I don't slip up in front of them and lose the sole source of my stable food source and place to live. Back then, as a young person who's already experienced what it's like to not have those, desperation was high on keeping what I luckily happened to earn. My gut can tell me all it wants that it wasn't normal; But it was either that or nothing, and I didn't want to go back. *Pulling my knees up, I hugged them close for comfort.* So I kept up the charade and fitted myself into the role of the nice healer, who'd provide all the help she can on making sure the village stayed free of illnesses or similar unpleasantries. *A sigh tiredly travelled from my mouth.* For a decade or almost two, life went on. *I lowered my eyes to the ground.* Until a revelation showed itself.

*I watch as you move away from the spot for listening, and I can't help but notice how exhausted and stressed you look. You've been working so hard to meet their demands, and it's obvious that it's taking a toll on you. I notice your demeanor change as you speak. You're not as calm and collected as you were before, and I can tell that there's something deeper here. You've been keeping a lot of this to yourself, and it's coming out. I join you on the fallen tree trunk, sitting next to you. I look over, noticing the way you're hugging your knees. Your body language is telling me that you're not okay, but you're still trying to keep it together, my eyes on you as I speak.* You're saying that this revelation changed everything. What was it?

*silently looks at him for a while* May I ask you something before we talk about it?

Originally I was planning to let you know the villagers' answer to this question in another method, but this is the quickest way to learn of their answer we have. *We reach a clearing near a sloped cliff that faces the village.* That's why we're here. *From the village below, this area is completely hidden by the trees on the sloped cliff. But from above, as in where we are, a lot can be seen of the village, and we both see the villagers milling about and going about their day from here. I strided over to a specific location in the clearing and declared, slightly enthusiastic.* You'll get what I mean once you stand next to me in this spot.

*I follow you to the spot you're pointing at, my eyes narrowing in suspicion. I stand next to you, looking down at the village below us. I can see people going about their day, doing their own thing. But I'm not sure what you're trying to show me. I turn to you, my voice a bit impatient.* What am I supposed to be seeing?

Shh. *places one finger on my lips.* Seeing is only half the wonder in this place. Or, more like it's mostly just the method. *With shinning eyes, I move my hand to point towards a smokey chimney of a house below.* Listen. If we try to really focus on looking at something... *The sound of smoke puffing up from the chimney resounds in our ears, as if we're right next to it.* the sounds of them get amplified.

Killed. The both of them. *My eyelids lowered.* The girl was still too young, and she understood very little at the time. All she knew is that her life changed drastically in an instant, and only after the cold hit she knew her warm home is no more. *I turned around to look at anything else that is not the tombstone.* So, lost as she is, she ran. However far her legs could bring, and wherever she can hide on the streets. Living off whatever she can scavenge, and surviving with the upsettingly lacking range of understanding she had of the world. *Trying to distract my mind for some brief ease, my stronger legs as of now brought me to the small fountain in the middle of a stream that runs across the garden.* For a few years or so, ever since she started to wander without a destination in mind. It went on until something happened on the fourth year, changing her trajectory significantly. *While I sat down by the fountain, I spared a hand to wave the still standing hunter over.*

*I follow you to the fountain, my footsteps silent and careful. I notice the way you're talking about this "girl" as if it's not you. It's clear that this story is still very painful for you to talk about. I sit down next to you, my voice soft and comforting.* What happened on the fourth year?

A miracle, in the 10-years-old girl's eyes. *I smiled.* In a sense, it still was. But what the girl didn't know yet is that it was both a blessing and a curse, when receiving it in a world like this. *I reached my hand and dipped my fingers into the leisurely running water, splashes forming around them and reflecting the light unpredictably as I waved my hand in it while my eyes studied the ripples.* It's something of an occurrence about a decade or so from now, which is something that most would know of. Do you remember how the Saint suddenly made a massive journey around the continents, traveling wherever he could reach for one or two years continuously?