A New Ally

The morning sun rose with a cold chill in the air, and the forest around us was eerily quiet. My muscles screamed with every movement, a reminder of yesterday's grueling training. It didn't matter how many times Kol had pushed me to my limits; my body always felt like it was on the verge of collapse. But every time I thought I couldn't go on, I remembered why I had to keep going.

I had to become strong.

As Kol prepared a simple breakfast over the fire, I couldn't help but notice something different today. The usual silence between us was broken by the sound of footsteps someone was approaching. Kol didn't react, but I knew he had sensed the presence long before I had.

I stood up, wiping the sweat from my brow, and turned toward the sound of the approaching steps. My hand instinctively reached for the sword at my side, but I quickly forced myself to relax. Kol was calm, so I should be too.

The figure emerged from the trees, stepping into the clearing. A young woman, no older than I was, with long dark hair tied back in a practical ponytail. She was dressed in simple but well-worn clothing, a sword strapped to her back.

She eyed me with a mixture of curiosity and wariness, before glancing at Kol.

"Kol," she said, her voice steady and confident. "I'm here as you requested."

Kol nodded, not even looking up from his task. "Good. You're right on time."

"Is this the boy you mentioned?" She tilted her head toward me, sizing me up with an experienced gaze.

I bristled at the idea of being called "the boy," but Kol spoke before I could. "Lora Khol. He's new, but he's serious about becoming a Demon Hunter."

The woman raised an eyebrow. "Serious enough to survive the training?"

I met her gaze, trying to convey my determination. "I'll survive."

She seemed to consider this for a moment before stepping forward and offering her hand. "I'm Alys. I'm here to help with his training."

I blinked, caught off guard. "Help?"

She smirked, folding her arms. "Kol's methods are brutal. I'm here to show you a different side of the training. One that involves more than just physical strength."

I was confused, but at the same time intrigued. If anyone could show me another way, it would be her.

"Alys is a skilled tracker and a master of stealth," Kol explained, finally glancing up from the fire. "She'll teach you the importance of patience, observation, and strategy. You need more than just brute force to kill demons."

I nodded slowly. I'd learned a lot from Kol, but I knew there was more to being a Demon Hunter than what he had taught me so far. Kol's style was direct fight first, think later. But I needed to know more, especially if I was going to survive in this world.

Alys smiled at me. "It's good to see you're eager, but don't think you'll get away with just swinging your sword around. We'll start slow and build up."

Kol looked satisfied with the arrangement. "Good. Lora, today you'll learn the art of tracking. Alys will show you how to find your enemy before they find you."

I nodded, ready to start. The idea of learning how to track demons excited me. It was a skill I hadn't thought of, but it made perfect sense. Demons could attack at any moment, and if I couldn't track them, I would never be able to defend myself.

Alys led me deeper into the forest, her footsteps light and almost inaudible. I struggled to keep up, not used to moving so quietly.

"You're too loud," she said without looking back. "Every step you take should be measured, calculated. If you can't move quietly, you'll be spotted by your enemy long before you have a chance to strike."

I gritted my teeth and tried to slow my pace, focusing on how she moved. She was graceful, barely disturbing the leaves or branches as she moved through the dense underbrush. It was like she was a part of the forest itself.

"This is about awareness," she continued, her voice barely more than a whisper. "You need to understand the terrain, the signs of life around you. Watch the birds, listen to the wind, and look for signs that something has passed through the area."

I nodded, trying to absorb everything she was teaching me. It wasn't just about the hunt it was about understanding the world around me and using it to my advantage.

We continued walking in silence for what felt like hours. My eyes darted around, trying to pick up any sign of movement, any change in the environment. Alys led me to a clearing, where she knelt down to inspect the ground.

"This is what you should be looking for," she said, pointing to a series of disturbed footprints in the dirt. "These are from a demon. They're heavier, more deliberate than animal tracks."

I crouched down beside her, my eyes narrowing. I hadn't noticed them at first, but now that she pointed them out, I could see the marks clearly.

"What kind of demon makes these?" I asked, leaning in closer.

Alys's expression darkened. "These tracks are from a small demon nothing you can't handle on your own, but they're still dangerous if you're not careful. Keep an eye out for their claws; they tend to leave deep gouges in the ground when they move."

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my nerves in check. "I won't let them catch me off guard."

Alys looked up at me, her eyes sharp. "Good. That's the first lesson. Never let your guard down. Always be aware of your surroundings, and always be prepared to strike when you see the signs."

We spent the rest of the day tracking through the forest, learning how to spot and follow different types of demons. By the time the sun set, I was exhausted but determined. I had learned more in a single day with Alys than I had in weeks of physical training with Kol.

As we returned to camp, Kol gave me a rare nod of approval. "You've learned something important today. There's more to being a Demon Hunter than just brute force. You need to think, plan, and outsmart your enemies."

I nodded. The training was tough, but I knew it would make me stronger. I was one step closer to avenging my family.

Alys walked up to me with a smirk. "Not bad, kid. But remember, this was just the beginning. If you want to survive, you'll have to learn more. Stay sharp, and you might just make it as a Demon Hunter."

I stood straighter, determination burning in my chest. "I won't stop until I do."

Alys gave me a nod of approval before disappearing into the trees to rest.

Kol turned to me. "Tomorrow, we'll start with your swordsmanship. But remember, Lora, being a Demon Hunter isn't just about the kill. It's about the journey to get there."

I knew what he meant. The road to becoming a Demon Hunter would be long and difficult, but I was ready.

I would do whatever it took to avenge my family and to become the best Demon Hunter the world had ever seen.