Chapter 517: Chapter 517 - 517 Silent Prayer

517 Silent Prayer

The first lesson hunters knew to always keep in mind was ‘Never let your guard down,’ and yet this woman was now relaxed, checking her nails even.

Anthony was about to ask her what she was thinking when a breeze blew past him. His eyes only caught a glimpse of white as something devilishly fast darted past him and onto the humans they’d surrounded.

The new arrival skidded to a stop right in front of them, facing a teenage girl clutching her stomach in pain, “Make it stop!!!”

The white-haired woman, gripped by the plea, placed her hand on the girl’s forehead. It will be over before you know it,” she said before the girl’s eyes rolled to the back of her head and her knees went weak.

‘I know that voice,’ Anthony’s eyes widened. He’d heard it before. Today it sounded richer and more composed but it was undoubtedly the same as he’d remembered it. The white-haired woman before the was Katie Sirius.

Katie caught the girl and placed her gently on the ground before turning to another person. “What did you do to her?” a man asked with a trembling hand.

“It’s sort of like a Prometheus evaluation. It’s harmless and once it ends, you’ll be in complete control of your wolf side,” the white-haired woman explained.

The man narrowed his eyes at her for a bit before his eyes widened in recognition. Tears welled up in his eyes, “You’re… You’re Katie Chase.”

With the odd outfit, white hair and glowing blue eyes, it wasn’t easy to recognise her… but without a doubt, he could tell who she was.

.....

“Yes, I am. I’m glad you remember me,” the princess smiled brightly.

The man’s shivers came to an end and he stepped forward, closing his eyes. Katie silently placed her hand on his forehead. The symbol of a wolf appeared on the man’s forehead before he lost consciousness as well. The girl proceeded to do the same with everyone else regardless of their situation.

Those who were starting to feel the pain of the first shift collapsed with the beginning stages reversed while those that halfway through collapsed with the first shift proceeding uncontrollably, only coming to a stop when the grey forms of their wolves were left on the ground, a glowing symbol on their foreheads.

A few minutes later, the crowd of humans was all passed out in the compound of Brigadia’s Hunter Agency. Katie sighed when she was done with the last one before turning around to face the exhausted hunters.

The Luna gave a bow, “Hi! It’s been a while.”

Kenneth was the first to break out of his trance, lumbering over to her with a limp in his step and engulfing the girl in a heartfelt hug, “Thank Prometheus, you’re alright!” the man whispered.

“I’m in much better shape than you, Kenneth,” Katie giggled, returning the hug.

After that, the hunters crowded the girl, each of them getting a chance to hug her and thank the gods for returning her safely.

Anthony was the last to approach her after Samantha.

After staring at her for a bit, he pulled her into a tight hug, “Anth—Anthony, need air,” the girl tapped the man’s back, straining to get free.

“A little suffocation’s never killed you before,” the hunter replied in a sombre tone.

“We don’t have to test that now!!!” she argued before managing to peel him away from her.

Anthony didn’t want to mention an observation he’d made to the girl. But he could feel it. Even as he hugged her now, it felt like she was going to vanish in the next moment.

All while the hunters had crowded her, the girl had stayed fixed to the same spot, refusing to move or approach them. They were the ones to approach her and even then, she made no sign of moving from that position.

“You’re not here to stay, are you?” Anthony asked quietly.

The girl gave him a weak smile, “I like you better when you’re yelling.”

The Director scoffed, “Did you see what happened out there? It’s…”

“I know, Director Anthony, I saw it… I saw it all,” Katie choked, “And you’re right. I can’t stay.”

“Director Anthony, could I borrow a car? With a full tank if that won’t be a problem,” a female voice suddenly interrupted.

‘There she goes again… Ordering everyone… Wait, she requested?’ Anthony turned to the female brute, ‘Can’t you see that I’m having a moment with my long-lost self-appointed niece? The nerve of this woman.’

“What for?” he asked grumpily.

“I’m escorting Her majesty on her mission. We are in need of transportation means,” the woman said with a slight bow.

“Manners look odd on you, Brunhilde,” Katie giggled.

“You’re not helping, my Lady,” Brunhilde sighed.

Katie covered her mouth and looked away, “Sorry!”

“You know each other?” Anthony asked, raising a brow at the princess. This pairing was not even in the least bit compatible.

“Yeah, I know her. She might look like a hulking brute who likes to smash everything in her path but she’s a softie at heart,” Katie giggled.

“Luna Kat—”

“If you’re helping her, then I’ll come too,” Anthony announced, cutting Brunhilde off.

Katie stopped laughing at this, “I’m not against you coming, Director but you can’t. Look around you, Anthony. The people here need you. Besides, you’ll slow us down. Brunhilde will barely be able to keep up on her own as it is.”

Anthony narrowed his eyes at the Luna. Katie wasn’t known for being disrespectful or boastful. The hunters of Brigadia had raised her and knew all her mannerisms, including her tendency to always be transparent.

Katie meant no disrespect with what she said… Then again, that had other implications.

“Are you saying she’s stronger than me?”

“Yes,” the girl nodded.

Blunt and simple. Katie didn’t beat around the bush when the truth was clear. It was one of her qualities. One of the new traits she’d gained, however, was… her empathy. It made sense for someone that had gained their wolf side but Katie seemed to always be thinking of others now.

Anthony wasn’t complaining but the girl had just appeared… only to ask for a vehicle to leave. There was a lot he wanted to tell her… his eyes darted to one of the wolves laying on the ground and spotted the blue ethereal symbol.

“What about the rest of the wolves in the town? You haven’t taken them through Prometheus evaluations like these ones.”

Katie sighed, “Anthony, I do remember saying that I’d seen it all. That’s how I know they will need you.”

Anthony was going to insist on Katie joining them for a meal at least. However, he’d noticed her restlessness long since the hunters started welcoming her back.

“Hey, I’ll be back when all this is over. We’ll catch up on everything,” Katie said, finally turning her feet to face him completely for the first time.

“It’s that bad, huh?”

Katie nodded silently.

If something like this had happened in a remote town, the situation was bound to be exponentially higher in other towns and cities all over the world.

Knowing the girl, Anthony could tell just how much she wanted to go.

“Very well! Let’s get the vehicle ready. Kenneth and Samantha, fill the car with supplies for her journey. And Katie… You better come back here when all this is done,” Anthony said firmly, balling his fists.

A few minutes later, a fully-fuelled armoured truck roared to life and left the compound, leaving the hunters of Brigadia. Most of them were wounded, weak and tired. The number of people that had died was too high to count and the result of the chaos was a nightmare to put into words.

Nonetheless, there was work to be done. Everyone had to be accounted for… and Brigadia had to find a way forward.

Anthony watched the car leave and murmured a silent prayer. Her life was going to be significantly harder than theirs. Anthony was responsible for Brigadia. Katie was responsible for two empires… She was, in every way, worse trouble than he could comprehend.

‘May the gods be with you, Katie.’