They drove back in silence, even though Joe had told Will he could ask him anything. The Hunter kept an eye on the boy the whole drive back, observing him — on the verge of saying something. Something. But in the end, he refrained.

  This always happens: the first few days, the companion is stunned, confused, and angry. Mostly angry. It was no different with Will. He did have a thousand questions but was unable to elaborate on any. And Joe knew that.

  They went their separate ways after Joe dropped Will off at the gas station, where it all started. Still no questions.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Not that Joe could have offered too much information to the boy back then. It still baffles me how little they know about themselves. Even with so many centuries of knowledge, they haven’t figured out their own nature. Their reason to exist.

  The Hunter was the one who knew a tad more. It was part of his role, after all. Sometimes I believe it’s their human part that causes this ignorance. They get used to just existing — and do not question the reasons.

  Although humans do question their existence a lot, at the same time, they can get used to anything. Even the putrid smell of a landfill. Enough to call it home.

  They call it resilience. I call it surrender.

  One is gone. The others wait. Unaware, as he was.

  The trial had just begun.

  Crown of Ashes. This story means a lot to me, and I’m excited to share more of this strange, mythic world with you. If you enjoyed it, consider leaving a comment, sharing it, or simply letting me know what you thought — it helps a lot more than you’d imagine.