Noir

As I walked down the hall toward Noir, the soft sound of my footsteps echoed against the floor. Curiosity mingled with a hint of apprehension, tightening my chest with each step closer to him. I couldn't help but wonder why he had suddenly chosen to grace me with his presence, especially since we had barely exchanged more than a few words all week. *Probably because he wants to lay into me again about my getting distracted*, I snidely thought, the bitter taste of his words lingering on my tongue-even though I knew he was right.

A sudden surge of shock sent a jolt coursing through my body. Instead of reprimanding me for my previous training session with Thorin, his words took an unexpected turn as he calmly stated, "From now on, you'll be training exclusively with me."

My heart thudded against my ribcage as I stared at him, unsure if I had heard him correctly. "What?"

Noir's gaze remained fixed on mine, his expression unreadable. "From now on, you'll be training exclusively with me. I'll take you out tonight, and we'll get started." His tone told me there was no room for argument.

I felt a mixture of confusion and fear churning in my stomach. "Okay..." I managed to choke out.

Noir's expression softened for just a second, before resuming the mask he had been wearing lately. "Thorin can't train you in what comes next. I can."

My brow furrowed in confusion. "But why?" I ventured cautiously. "I mean, you already know I can handle myself."

Noir's eyes narrowed as he studied my expression. "You can handle yourself, but that's not enough. There's more to being a Hunter than just surviving. You need to be able to control your emotions, to think strategically, and to work with others. Thorin has helped you gain strength and speed, but you still aren't prepared for what's to come."

I swallowed thickly, not liking the change in our training arrangement.

Noir's lips curled into a small smile, one that held no warmth. "Be ready at midnight."

With that, he turned and disappeared down the hallway, leaving me standing there alone with my thoughts. I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in my stomach. Something about this whole situation didn't sit right with me. But I knew better than to argue with Noir.

As the minutes ticked by, I busied myself with preparations for the night ahead. I changed into my usual black combat attire, ensuring that every weapon was sharpened and in working order. I even took the time to braid my hair into a tight braid, securing it at the nape of my neck. The last thing I wanted was for it to get in the way during a fight.

When the clock struck midnight, I made my way to the meeting spot Noir had assigned. It was an abandoned alleyway, dimly lit by the faint glow of streetlights. The smell of garbage and urine hung heavily in the air, making it difficult for me to breathe through my nose. I shivered slightly, wishing I had brought a warmer coat.

As I waited for Noir, I took the opportunity to stretch and loosen my muscles. I had no idea what he had in store for me tonight, but I knew it wouldn't be anything easy. Just as I was about to turn around and head back inside, I heard footsteps approaching from around the corner. A figure emerged from the shadows, his features obscured by the hood of his cloak.

Noir stopped in front of me, his hands clasped behind his back. "Are you ready?" he asked coolly.

I nodded, trying to hide the nervousness in my voice. "As ready as I'll ever be."

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Noir raised an eyebrow, seemingly unimpressed. "Very well. Follow me."

He turned and began walking down the alleyway, his steps silent despite the cobblestone ground. I hurried to keep up, wondering where he was leading me. As we rounded a corner, I caught a glimpse of a small, dimly lit parking lot ahead. It was surrounded by tall, imposing buildings on all sides, their dark windows like empty sockets.

"What is this place?" I whispered, feeling a shiver of unease run down my spine.

Noir paused beside me, his eyes scanning the area before turning to meet mine. "This is where you'll face your first test." His voice was cold and impassive, as if he were discussing nothing more than the weather. "Tonight we will be facing three opponents: a vampire, a werewolf, and a sorcerer. They are all powerful and dangerous creatures, but we have the advantage of surprise. We must take them down quickly and quietly."

I swallowed hard, my heart racing. "How soon?"

Noir gave me a mocking smile. "They'll reveal themselves soon enough." He gestured toward the lot. "Now, let's go. Show me what you got."

I nodded, feeling a mix of fear and determination course through my veins. We silently made our way across the parking lot, staying close to the buildings for cover. As we neared the center, I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

I'd never had the opportunity to go into a fight with Noir, and part of me was excited to see what *he* could do. Though Noir had trained me in my younger years, he'd never allowed me to see the lethal side of him.

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We paused at the edge of the clearing, crouching down behind a parked car. Noir gestured to the car next to us. "We'll take out the sorcerer first. He's the one with the highest magical defense. You stay close to me, and follow my lead." I nodded, my heart thundering in my chest. The three figures were gathered in the center of the clearing, their backs to us. They seemed to be arguing about something, their voices low and tense. The vampire was the tallest of the three, her long, dark hair flowing around her shoulders like a veil. Beside her stood the werewolf, a massive creature with fur as black as night. And in the center was the sorcerer, his robes swirling around him in the gentle breeze.

Noir reached into his cloak, withdrawing a pair of daggers. He handed one to me, his grip firm but not unyielding. "When I say the word, we'll strike simultaneously. You take out the sorcerer, I'll deal with the vampire. Understood?" I nodded, my heart pounding in my ears. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves as I gripped the dagger tightly. I didn't want to disappoint Noir.

The three figures continued to argue, their voices growing louder. The vampire gestured sharply, her long fingernails glinting in the dim light. The werewolf growled in response, his muscles tensing beneath his fur. And the sorcerer, his eyes darting this way and that as if he could sense our presence, even from behind.

Noir gave me a nod, and I felt my heart race even faster. This was it.

As if suddenly sensing our presence, the werewolf raised his head, sniffing the air.

Noir's hand shot out, clamping down on my shoulder. In the same motion, he leapt forward, his daggers flashing through the air. I followed suit.