Chapter 6: The First Steps

Dante sat at the long wooden table in the guild hall, surrounded by veteran demon hunters. The room was cozy, lit by a crackling fire in the hearth. The air smelled of burning wood, and the sounds of quiet conversation filled the space. Despite the warmth, he couldn't shake the nervousness that gripped him.

The man who had greeted him earlier, Marcus, leaned back in his chair and looked Dante up and down. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and had the air of someone who had seen many battles. "So, you want to join the Demon Hunter Guild?" Marcus asked, his voice calm but serious.

Dante nodded. "Yes. I've already started hunting demons on my own, but I know I can't do it alone forever. I need training, and I need allies."

Marcus exchanged glances with the other hunters at the table. A few of them murmured quietly, clearly sizing Dante up. Finally, a woman with short black hair and a scar running down her cheek spoke up. "You're brave to face demons alone, but bravery isn't enough in this line of work. It takes skill, experience, and a lot of luck."

"I understand," Dante replied, his voice steady. "That's why I'm here. I want to learn."

The room fell silent again, and Marcus studied him carefully. "What's your story, kid? What drove you to hunt demons?"

Dante hesitated, unsure of how much to share. He didn't want to tell them about Lilith or the strange connection he felt with her. That was something he still didn't fully understand himself. But he could at least tell them part of the truth.

"I lost my family to a demon when I was a kid," he said quietly, the pain of that memory still fresh in his mind. "I've been hunting them ever since. I've trained myself, but I know it's not enough. I need to be stronger if I'm going to stop what's coming."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "What's coming?"

Dante hesitated again, unsure how to explain the sense of impending doom he felt. Lilith's warnings echoed in his mind, but he didn't want to sound paranoid. "There's something big happening," he said finally. "I can feel it. More demons are showing up, and they're getting stronger. I don't know what it is, but I have to be ready."

The hunters exchanged glances once more, and the woman with the scar narrowed her eyes. "He's not wrong. We've been seeing more activity lately. Something's stirring in the underworld."

Marcus leaned forward, folding his arms on the table. "Alright, Dante. We'll give you a chance. But joining the guild isn't just about killing demons. It's about protecting people, working as a team, and following orders. Can you do that?"

Dante nodded. "Yes. I'm willing to do whatever it takes."

Marcus studied him for a moment longer, then stood up. "Good. We'll start your training tomorrow. For now, you can stay here at the guild. We've got a few spare rooms upstairs."

Dante felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had been accepted. He was finally going to get the training he needed. "Thank you," he said, standing as well. "I won't let you down."

Marcus smiled faintly. "We'll see about that. Get some rest, Dante. You've got a long road ahead of you."

---

Later that night, Dante lay in a simple bed in one of the guild's guest rooms. The room was small but comfortable, with a window that looked out over the quiet streets of the city. He stared up at the ceiling, his mind racing with thoughts of the day's events.

He had taken the first step toward becoming a real demon hunter, but the weight of his decision was starting to sink in. He had been hunting demons for years, but always on his own terms. Now, he was part of something bigger, and that scared him more than he cared to admit.

As he lay there, his thoughts drifted back to Lilith. He hadn't seen her since their last encounter, but he could still feel her presence lingering at the edges of his mind. What was her endgame? Why had she taken an interest in him? He didn't have the answers, but he knew one thing for sure—he couldn't let her control him.

Dante rolled over, trying to push the thoughts of Lilith out of his mind. He needed to focus on his training. Tomorrow, his real journey as a demon hunter would begin.

---

The next morning, Dante woke early. The sun had barely risen, casting a soft glow over the city. He quickly dressed and made his way down to the main hall of the guild. The air was filled with the smell of breakfast—freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon. A few hunters were already sitting at the long table, eating and chatting quietly.

Marcus was there too, standing near the hearth with a cup of coffee in his hand. When he saw Dante, he nodded in greeting. "Morning. Grab some food and meet me outside when you're ready. Your training starts today."

Dante didn't waste any time. He grabbed a plate of food, ate quickly, and then headed outside where Marcus was waiting for him. The morning air was cool and crisp, and the streets were still quiet. Marcus led him to a nearby training yard behind the guild. It was a simple space with wooden dummies for practice, sparring rings, and a few racks of weapons.

"First things first," Marcus said, turning to face Dante. "I need to see what you can do."

Dante nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. He had trained himself for years, but he wasn't sure how he would measure up to the seasoned hunters. Still, he was determined to prove himself.

"Show me your stance," Marcus instructed.

Dante stepped forward, positioning himself in the fighting stance he had practiced countless times. His feet were shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and his hands were raised in front of him, ready to strike.

Marcus circled him, observing his form with a critical eye. "Not bad," he said after a moment. "You've got the basics down. But your stance is a little too rigid. You need to be more fluid, ready to adapt to any situation."

He demonstrated a more relaxed stance, his movements smooth and controlled. "Like this. Try it."

Dante adjusted his stance, mimicking Marcus's movements. It felt different—looser, but also more balanced. He could see how it would allow him to move more freely in a fight.

"Good," Marcus said with a nod. "Now, let's see how you handle a blade."

Dante summoned his ethereal blade, the familiar weight of the weapon settling in his hand. The blade glowed faintly with a soft blue light, its energy pulsing in time with his heartbeat.

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Interesting weapon. Where'd you get that?"

"It's part of the system," Dante explained. "I can summon it whenever I need it."

Marcus nodded thoughtfully. "Useful. Alright, show me what you've got. Attack that dummy over there."

Dante stepped toward the wooden training dummy, gripping his blade tightly. He took a deep breath, then swung the blade in a wide arc, striking the dummy with a powerful slash. The blade cut cleanly through the wood, leaving a deep gash in the surface.

Marcus watched, his expression unreadable. "Not bad. You've got strength, but you're putting too much force into your strikes. That'll tire you out in a real fight. Focus on precision, not power."

He stepped forward and demonstrated, striking the dummy with quick, precise blows. Each strike was controlled and efficient, hitting the target with pinpoint accuracy.

"Try it again," Marcus instructed.

Dante took a deep breath, focusing on his movements. He swung the blade again, this time aiming for precision rather than brute force. The blade struck the dummy cleanly, leaving smaller, but more controlled, cuts.

Marcus nodded approvingly. "Better. You're learning."

Dante felt a small surge of pride at the compliment. He had a long way to go, but he was already starting to see the benefits of training with a professional.

For the next hour, Marcus put him through a series of drills, focusing on his footwork, blade work, and overall combat technique. Dante's muscles ached, and sweat dripped down his forehead, but he pushed through, determined to improve.

By the time they finished, the sun was high in the sky, and Dante was exhausted. But despite the fatigue, he felt a sense of accomplishment. He was getting better, and that was all that mattered.

"Good work today," Marcus said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You've got potential, Dante. Keep this up, and you'll be a real demon hunter in no time."

Dante smiled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Thanks. I'll keep working hard."

Marcus nodded. "Rest up. Tomorrow, we'll start working on some more advanced techniques."

Dante watched as Marcus walked away, his mind buzzing with everything he had learned. He had taken the first steps toward becoming a true demon hunter, and he knew that the journey ahead would be long and difficult.

But for the first time in a long while, he felt hopeful. He wasn't alone anymore. He had the guild, and soon, he would have the strength to face whatever darkness lay ahead.

As he headed back into the guild hall, Dante couldn't help but feel