Awakening A New Generation of Hunters

"My baby. Babi, I promised myself I wouldn't cry." 

Her dad, ever the dramatic one, clasped her hands tightly, while her other father stood behind him, radiating protective energy. No one in her family dared to whisper about her past. Her parents made the subject of her disappearance was off-limits, a silent agreement among them all. She knew her parents weren't ready to let go, not until they were sure she'd find someone worthy of her love—a partner who could shoulder the weight of her broken past and a reputation she felt was irreparable. 

But deep down, she doubted. Who would want a woman like her? Damaged and bruised by life? Still, she had faith in her family. If she ever fell again, they'd catch her, as they always had. 

With her departure to the Ivy League School of Potentials—a place steeped in her family's legacy—she could only hope her younger brother would grow up under the same loving guidance she had, despite his rebellious streak. 

"Father," she said softly, her voice tinged with worry. "Tell him not to overexert himself." 

Her dad smirked. "It's only been a month." 

Her other father interjected, his voice calm and reassuring. "She's right, love. We raised her to learn the world's lessons on her own. Now, let's trust those lessons will mold her into the warrior she's meant to be." 

She nodded, trying to hold back tears as she met their eyes. She knows he doesn't want her to be a prisoner to her temptation back home but she also gets why his also reluctant, they lost time. Her dad was Rapanzel— if she was an avatar prince with overprotective parents he refused to become. Her dad warned her of her decisions then when he let her go but he did not stop her reaping the consequences. And now, her dad is letting her go again to bloom like he got a chance to after he met her father. She knows it's hard for them as it is for her but no one can do anything about it because her fate has been written.

The balance of the world was shifting, and a war loomed on the horizon. Forces she barely understood threatened not just her but the earth itself. The weight of it all pressed down on her, but she refused to be crushed. If demons sought to disrupt the fragile peace of this world, she would stop them. She would kill every last one if it meant protecting the life her family had fought so hard to give her.

As she stepped into the unknown, her heart ached for what she was leaving behind, but her resolve was unwavering. No matter how hard the journey, she would face it head-on—not just for herself but for the world she vowed to defend before her fall.

 Thankfully, she wasn't entirely alone in this new world. Her childhood friends, Cain and Abel, had also enrolled at the academy, though in different majors and they would be a grade above her own. She will be completing her last year at the academy— She's nineteen and in matric.

The realization sank deeper into her chest: she was nineteen and still in matric, stuck while the world around her moved forward. The thought made her stomach churn. It wasn't that she wasn't proud of them—she was. More than anyone, she knew how hard they'd worked to get here. Yet, she couldn't help but feel the pang of regret gnawing at the edges of her pride.

What had she done with all those years? If only she'd stayed focused, if only she hadn't made those impulsive decisions, maybe she'd be standing alongside them now, not a step behind.

It hurt. Watching them progress, knowing they'd soon be tackling the challenges of university while she was still grasping at the pieces of her own fractured journey. She wanted to cheer for them, to support them wholeheartedly, but the sadness lingered like an unwanted guest. What if they left her behind? What if this gap between their lives and hers grew too wide to bridge?

She shook her head, brushing away the thoughts. Cain and Abel were her constants, her anchors, even in her darkest days. Instead of dorms, they'd purchased a house nearby—a wild decision that felt entirely in line with their chaotic personalities. 

"I know," she murmured as she helped carry her things into her new room. The space had once belonged to her father decades ago when he attended this very school. 

Standing in the room, she allowed herself a moment of awe. "First day as an official student in the Ivy League School of Potentials," she whispered. 

This wasn't just about her; it was about honouring her father's legacy and proving to herself—and her family—that she wouldn't let her past mistakes dictate her future. 

.

"Goodbye. Have a safe trip back," she said, her voice breaking slightly as she hugged them both. Her father, ever the tease, ruffled her hair. She batted his hands away, trying to fix her braid before giving up and letting her hair fall loose. 

"You took all the fun out of my hairdo," she huffed. 

"It's going to be a while before I see my favourite daughter again," he replied, grinning. 

"I'm your only daughter," she shot back, laughing. 

"Hence, my favourite," he said, his tone turning serious. "Are you sure you want to be here?" 

"Yes," she replied with conviction. "I want to be far away from Chicago. If there's even a chance I can start fresh, I have to take it." 

Her dad pulled her into another hug. "Honey, whatever you decide, we'll support you. Your heart will never steer you wrong." 

"Thank you, Dad. That's why you're my favorite," she teased. 

"Hey, I'm also your father!" 

"Hence, why I said favourite dad," she quipped with a wink. 

As they prepared to leave, her father handed her a small object. It felt both smooth and rough against her fingers, the contrasting textures oddly comforting. Zuria's emotions were a torrent of awe, gratitude, and a deep yearning for connection as she held the ancient band in her hands. Its smooth edges felt like a piece of her history, the rough texture a symbol of the battles she had yet to face. When it seared its way onto her hand, her breath hitched, and a surge of energy pulsed through her, connecting her to something greater than herself. 

"What is this?" Zuria asked, her fingers tracing the intricate, smooth, and rough textures of the object. Though she couldn't see it, she felt its power hum through her fingertips, ancient and alive. 

Her father smiled, his voice low and deliberate, carrying the weight of generations. "This is a gift from your grandfather, entrusted to you alone. It is ancient dragon magic, tied to your light and your essence. A weapon, yes, but far more than that—a companion and a key to realms beyond sight. It will respond to your will, moving as an extension of your mind, just as you guide yourself through the earth's vibrations. It knows you, and only you. No other hand may wield it." 

Zuria tilted her head, absorbing his words. Her father continued, his tone steady but reverent, as though he were revealing a sacred truth. 

"It is part of you now, as vital as breath or heartbeat. When the earth sings beneath your feet, this will resonate with it. When danger looms, it will answer your call. And when the time comes to bridge worlds or protect what matters most, it will guide you. Trust it, as you trust yourself. It is bound to your destiny, just as you are bound to the earth that steadies your path." 

Zuria felt the object shift against her palm, wrapping snugly around her wrist like it belonged there all along. Its energy pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat, and for a moment, she felt something deeper than connection—an awakening. 

Her lips parted in awe, but her father only chuckled softly, pride and reassurance in his voice. "You may not see its brilliance, my warrior, but it sees yours. It will serve you well." 

Tears welled in her eyes, spilling over as she hugged her father tightly. His arms wrapped around her with the kind of love that made her heart ache. "You and grandpop always know what I need, even before I do," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. 

Her dad joined the embrace, and she felt their strength envelop her like a fortress. It wasn't just a band; it was a lifeline, a tangible reminder that no matter how far she strayed or how dark her path became, her family would always be a beacon to guide her home. 

"I don't deserve this," she said softly, her voice trembling. 

Her father kissed her forehead, his voice firm yet tender. "Zuria, you deserve the world. You've fought so hard, and you've carried so much. Let this remind you that you're never alone." 

Her dad added with a playful smirk, "And don't worry—if you try to run, this will bring us straight to you." 

She laughed through her tears, swatting at him gently. "You two really can't let me go, can you?" 

"Never," her father said, his tone resolute. "You're our daughter, our warrior, our light. And no matter where you go, we'll always be here." 

Feeling the weight of their love and belief in her, Zuria nodded. "Thank you. I'll make you proud—I promise." 

As she hugged them once more, the ancient magic of the band warmed against her skin, as if acknowledging her vow. For the first time in years, she felt something she had long thought lost: hope, tethered to the unbreakable bond of family.

As her parents departed, Zuria felt the lingering weight of her past but also a spark of something new: adventure. The band on her wrist pulsed with energy, whispering of untold possibilities and urging her forward. Tuning into the earth's vibrations beneath her feet, she embraced the promise of the uncharted chapters ahead, determined to claim her own path despite the challenges that lay before her.