From Small Things

Hunter's Dream

The Old Hunter took a breath before delivering the news to the man in front of him. As he spoke, the Old Hunter couldn't help but envied the position that the man in front of him had.

"Good Hunter, you've done well. The night is near its end. Now, I will show you mercy. You will die, forget the dream, and awake under the morning sun. You will be freed…from this terrible hunter's dream…"

The Good Hunter didn't say anything in return shortly after that. He supposed that makes sense; the news must've shocked him. After all, it…

"No."

The Old Hunter stopped his thought. That…was a surprise, he had to admit. For as long as he knew the Good Hunter, he wasn't the type that would enjoy the things that he had went through.

But, it wouldn't be the first time that the Old Hunter takes the wrong conclusion.

"Dear oh dear, what was it? The hunt?" The Good Hunter shook his head. "The Blood?" Again, he shook his head. "The horrible dream?" Yet again, he shook his head. "Then…what? What makes you decide to remain in this horrible place?"

"Because I want to show you mercy. Gehrman, for too long, you reside in this terrible hunter's dream. I believe…it is time for you to rest."

Had he not been limited by his wheelchair, Gehrman would take a step back. Ever since his first fight with the hunters that refused his mercy, none of them refused because they want to free him.

Well, maybe. Many of them remain silence and he didn't particularly about the reason.

Being freed from the Hunter's Dream has been something that Gehrman seek for eternity. However, if he's freed from the Dream, other would have to take his place. In this case, it would be the Good Hunter.

He couldn't let that happen.

"I am sorry, Good Hunter. This burden is not one that I wish to bestow upon you." Stated Gehrman as he slowly stood up. "You must accept your death. Be freed from the night…"

The Good Hunter took out his weapons; a Saw Cleaver in his right hand and a Hunter Blunderbuss in his left hand. Neither could be said to be powerful weapon, but they could do the jobs of the Hunters.

Gehrman prepared his weapons as well; the Burial Blade, a curved sword that can be turned into scythe, and a special variant of the Hunter Blunderbuss.

"Tonight, Gehrman joins the hunt…"

An hour later…

Gehrman used the Burial Blade to prevent himself from collapsing. His heavy breathes made sure that complete silence didn't occur in the hill.

In front of him, the Good Hunter was in his last strength. He has exhausted his supply of Blood Vial and Quicksilver Bullet.

It was quite unfortunate. One more attack and the Hunter would have freed Gehrman.

"I am…sorry…Gehrman…I have…failed…you…" Said the Hunter between his breath.

"You failed…none, Good Hunter. This…is something…that I inflicted…upon myself." Replied Gehrman, trying to calm the Good Hunter in his last moment.

Slowly, Gehrman approached the Hunter. He could see that he finally accepted his fate. He raised the Burial Blade and was about to swing it down…

If it didn't appear without warning. Without moving his Blade, Gehrman looked towards the moon. The Hunter looked at the same direction.

"Oh, dear. What business does it want?" Asked Gehrman to no one in particular.

Unknown Forest

The last of the beasts was slain. Upon seeing her weapon, she decided to discard it, seeing that it has been broken beyond repair.

Not that it would do her any good, what with being heavily wounded.

As she walked through the forest, her blood slowly but steadily dripping from her wound. At this rate, she would die due to blood loss.

"No, I can't. My family…they're…waiting for me."

When she heard that howls of those beasts, she immediately suppressed her thought. It was the kind of thought that will attract creatures like them. Then, she heard a gunshot, followed by a pained howl. More howls soon followed. She noticed that they were becoming smaller. Either they were being killed or going towards the opposite direction of her.

"A chance!"

She immediately sprinted towards the opposite direction of the howls. However, not even five minutes and she already fell to the ground. She tried to stand up but found out that she no longer has the strength to get back to her feet.

"I…don't want…to die…"

To be honest, she found her words highly ironic. She knew the risks that her profession would bring. But when it finally happened, she found herself not ready to face it.

Her thought was interrupted when she saw a pair of boots suddenly appeared in front of her eyes. Last thing that she knew before loosing her consciousness was the wearer of the boots picking her up.

Village

The Hunter wiped his non-existing sweat as he looked at the woman that he has just rescued. The villagers have taken her to some sort of clinic where the doctors were now trying to save her life.

The Hunter took a seat at the ground near the clinic's door. He took out some kind of food and ate it as he waited for the doctors to finished their duty. While he didn't know exactly what he ate, he knew from the smell that it wasn't something dangerous to him. It was also a good thing that the merchant that sold this food accepted his coins, even excited upon seeing the "real, 100% gold."

After several minutes, someone came from the clinic with a bottle of water. He drank the content and almost emptied the bottle. From his clothing and the sweats in his forehead, the Hunter guessed that the man was one of the doctors.

"How is her condition?" Asked the Hunter suddenly as he stood up.

The doctor got surprised but nonetheless answered the question.

"She's fine. We manage to stabilize her. But with her wounds, she will need to go to the hospital in Vale."

"I see." The Hunter dropped his head.

The doctor, perhaps misunderstood the meaning of the gesture, tried to assured him.

"Worry not, young man. Vale is only an hour away from here and there's actually a Bullhead here, carrying supply. She'll make it."

"Then it's good."

As the Hunter thought about his next action, the doctor noticed the weapons that he carried. The doctor raised his eyebrows upon seeing them. They look…quite strange and primitive if he had to be blunt. Looked nothing like the weapons used by the Huntsmen and Huntresses.

Still, a weapon is a weapon. As long as it could do the job, nothing else need to be said. That's what his grandfather said.

"Excuse me, young man." The Hunter raised his head and looked at the doctor. "But your…gears make me curious. Are you a huntsman?"

Several seconds of silence fell upon both of them before the Hunter answered the question.

"Yes, I am a Hunter." He waited for the response.

"I see. Good luck with your endeavor, then."

As the doctor returned to the clinic, the Hunter couldn't help but feel surprised – and actually quite touched – by the response. Never as a hunter – except other Hunters and the Doll – common people blessed him. All of them either told him to go away or attacked him on-sight.

With that in mind, the Hunter went away from the village and continued his journey in this new land.

Or was it?

Years later…

Hunter's Dream

Upon the hill where a battle once occurred between two hunters trying to save each other, Gehrman and the Doll looked as the Hunter as he went towards the tombstone, intending to continue his task after getting preoccupied by another Hunt.

"Good luck, Good Hunter. May you find your worth in the waking world." Said the Doll as she prayed for him.

And the first chapter is done.

If you have question or suggestion, feel free to tell me.

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