Requiem Of A Failed Hero

The icy landscape stretched as far as the eye could see, a expanse of glimmering white broken only by jagged, frozen peaks.

Nestled amongst the frigid terrain was - a city arising. Towering cranes swung through the crisp air, hoisting steel beams and panels of glass to the skeletons of skyscrapers in progress. Though unfinished, the sheer scale of the buildings-to-be was staggering, destined to dominate the skyline when completed.

Surrounding the construction hub was a lawn of emerald grass, impossibly vibrant against the greyscale backdrop of concrete and steel. The lively blue of the grass matched the cloudless sky overhead. Scattered throughout the lush grass were frosted fountains, their waters sparkling as they caught the bright sunlight.

The people milling about wore modern attire, with sleek lines and fabrics suited to the arctic climate. There was a sense of progress and innovation about them as they went about their days in this vision of the future. The occasional vehicle puttered by - a handful of cars, trucks and motorbikes that seemed dwarfed by the towering feats of architecture taking shape around them.

Workers marched along the unfinished wide roads between construction sites, even as bulldozers and cement mixers continued to expand the transportation infrastructure.

Amongst them they were several people who could be recognized, some had changed, either added weight or became taller, or grown beards and mustache. A familiar figure, tall with wide shoulders, kind blue eyes and a smile permanently planted to his faced even as he talked with the construction worker with a large paper in his hands.

His distinguishing change was his mustache. His beards was scruffy and would amount to something very soon.

"Yes sir. We shall take to note the changes." The construction worker replied with a respectful bow.

The man bid his hand into his pocket, turned back and looked up, his eyes narrowing with hints of concern.

"Hmmm… worrying about it won't do anything you know?" A cold crispy voice came from behind him.

The man turned around, "I'm sorry Shin-Hye. It's just that I'm scared."

The lady with a pale skin wrapped her hands around his waist. Her touch was cold, as if there was no drop of blood in her body. Some parts were too pale and looked like they would rot anytime soon, her lips was out if color, her eyes deep and hollow. Even with all that, there was a zombified beauty that she exuded - a kind of beauty that has this man head over heels for her.

"We will figure out a way. Trust in Lady Maria. She is actively looking for something to do." She uttered and looked up.

Then she looked back to his face and continued:

"The Hunt Force just came back. They have finally been able to clear the northwest area. We can expand the city."

"Wow… that's some great news. The monsters in that area gave us a lot of hard times. If not for Balam, Bastien and Billy many of us wouldn't have survived the last time we went."

"Funny how all their names start with B" Shin-Hye chuckled.

Both of them slowly began to walk forward, talking.

Shin-Hye lingered for a while then a smile crept up her lips.

"I think Hunter Raven would be proud of you."

Mok Jae-Hwa frowned slightly. "I don't know about that babe. If Hunter Raven was the one in the position, I'm sure the town would have developed farther than this. I'm not the best leaders and I have made too many mistakes of trusting people I shouldn't."

He paused and looked around, "and many people have also left."

"You can't help them guy. That's how people are. See even if Raith the figure who saved them was to be the one leading them all these while, you think people won't lose faith in him, and decide to go fend for themselves."

She chuckled sarcastically, "Not even when they are awakening with incredible powers and are hearing of the benefits that hunters enjoy. But still some have stayed, they still believe in you. Draear, Amber Rose, Douglas, Dimitri, Shanky, Leonhart, Andre, Curtis. Damn their so many of them I'm our Hunt Force."

She paused, looking at Jae-Hwa's face before continuing, "All these guys are hunters that have grown over the past few years, each of them can be compared to a disaster rank or catastrophe rank with the might they now possess. Yet they all respect your leadership and never for once undermine your decisions."

She moved her to his shoulders, warmly staring into his eyes, "Don't look at the things that didn't work out. Look at the great things you've managed to pull together."

Suddenly two pillar of lights exploded into the air, shooting through the clouds.

Both of their eyes widened and without wasting time, they ran towards the light. On getting there people had surrounded the entire place. Mok Jae-Hwa and Shin-Hye squeezed their way to the front to see what was going on. The two sources of light were different so they first had to go to the one closest to them.

Mok Jae-Hwa's eyes shook.

'...what in the world?'

Slyvia was wrapped in a blinding radiance, her whole body was floating helplessly in the pillar of light and a few seconds later, she dropped and the pillar of light slowly faded. As it did with her, so it did in the other location.

Mok Jae-Hwa frowned his face slightly, stepping out of the crowd to go closer but someone appeared in front of him, her eyes were closed and a genteel expression settled on her face but she gave the vibe of an insane slaughtered.

She wore a revealing pink kimono, specially styled for their kinds. It was something worthy of a female ninja if to be put in a way. Her thighs were revealed, so was her cleavage and arms, but a purple scarf was wrapped around her neck.

"I'm just concerned Hana."

"It is fine. We'll take it from here."

Several ladies appeared behind her. The crowd slowly began to pull back as they saw them. Mok Jae-Hwa looked over to Slyvia for a few seconds then he sighed and pulled back.

The other location was the same thing, but they were little crowds there as it was farther and deeper into the forest. Maria was surrounded by the ladies in pink and three ladies that gave off the same vibe as she usually did.

Their clothes were made with green leaves and their ornaments were carved put from woods and vines. They stood beside her with a worried expression.

Currently she was recovering from whatever just happened, breathing hard. But strangely, a wide smile was on her face –

which worried them.

Just a few minutes ago she was groaning like she was going to die. However now she was smiling.

"Lady Maria…" one of the dryads with black wavy hair and slanted eyes called softly. She lingered for a second and asked: "are you okay?"

Maria didn't stop panting for a while but she calmed herself and lifted her eyes gleefully.

"My Master… Lord… Lord Raven… he's alive. He is alive and he is even getting stronger!"