Draco had achieved the Prodigy state, the deepest connection hunters shared with past Alphas that allowed the prodigies house their power. In other words, it allowed an Awakened to possess the speed, strength, and even memories of the past hunters for a period of time, the period shortening with the gap of power between the hunter and his Alpha. It was incredibly rare, one in a hundred could even be trained to house the Alphas, and those who could use it naturally dwindled even further, serving as one of the greatest assets to the DHA.
However, Draco's prodigy state was also a threat. The reason was quite simple; the Alpha Draco had connected with was none other than Tarago, the Alpha of the bloodhounds, and one of the most powerful to ever exist. However, he was a bloodhound, and for fear of how powerful he could become, he was betrayed by his allies and exiled from Nixara. Seething with malice, Tarago swore off his allegiance with DHA, and killed demons his own way, along watching other hunters die at their hands with a cold, hardened resolve. He was on no one's side but his one, and if he had shared his memories with Draco- who would be even more fueled by his own betrayal- then they might have another, powerful rogue on their hands.
This led to the second, more pressing issue: the boy was under Tarago's protection. The simplest solution would be to dispose of Draco. After all, Alphas could only connect with prodigies of the same race, and Draco was his only suitable vessel in the DHA. But Tarago wouldn't let his vessel die so easily, and even if they managed to kill him, his story would become the perfect fuel for other bloodhounds to join Tarago's rebellion, and become perfect vessels for the vengeful nightmare of both hunters and demons.
They were in a true dilemma: deal with Draco discretely, and deal with the loss of another powerful ally, and the wrath of a vengeful Alpha, or find a way to convince Draco to join their side once again. The last was more favourable, but seemed even more impossible; how do you convince someone that you want them back right after kicking them out, from a pure change of heart?
Out of nowhere, Jacob raised his hand up, raising looks of confusion. "Jacob, what are you doing?" "Isn't it clear? I'm vouching for the boy?" he replied, pointing to Draco to make it clearer. Confusion turned into shock for the Awakened, and shock turned into silent rage for the Elites, Felise generously expressing it with an unseen kick to the shin. "What do you think you're doing? You could get us all in serious trouble!" "Think about it Felise," he muttered, fighting the numbing pain in his leg." this boy is too great a boon to pass up because some rascal got a well-deserved beating. We're in the middle of a war, Felise. Too many lives are at stake already, we can't risk more for one individual with a petty agenda. Besides, I'll just sugarcoat my mess with the news that Draco's is Tarago's vessel, and everything will be right as rain." Sedex let out a small realising smile; the giant could be really smart when needed. "Sedex, you said if anyone vouched for him, his case will be lifted. So let me do it. Draco, I'm vouching for you because of your potential and gutsy," he announced with a noble air. "... and because anyone who can piss off Sedex earns extra points in my book," he chuckled silently, only to recieve another kick from an angry elf. "Granted," he continued, his voice growing serious. "I'm not in the full position to forgive you your crimes, especially with the fact that you lashed out at your seniors. With this in mind, your sentence has been reduced to one year of suspension. We will discuss your matter and inform you if your service is required sooner. Draco nodded in silent approval; one year was a long wait, but it was better than getting expelled entirely.
Soon after, the session was ended, and Draco found himself packing the little he had, his mind in turmoil; what was their real goal by allowing him come back? He doubted it was out of pure benevolence, especially since it was right after he awakened his prodigy state. But to what end? As a weapon?A threat? Everyone seemed to be using him: the Elites, his comrades, even Tarago. Just how valuable was he that the big shots seemed to search him out wherever he went. With a sigh, he put that aside; it could wait for later.
Draco looked forward, heading for the portals,and was met with different looks; some compassionate, some wary. He could accept the wary; at least they were honest. But Draco felt his blood seethe with cold fury as he stared at the greatest liar of all: Zoe. Draco stared in untold horror as she had the utter nerve to look in him in the eye... and laugh. Laugh... with the same mouth that had denied him when everything they shared was put on the line. To look at him at him with such happiness, with the same eyes that looked away when the world stood against him.
"That was close. Didn't see you after the trial. So I guess this it. For a year as a hunter anyway. I-" "Get out." The words came out hard and cold, and hit her like a slap in the face. "Draco look, I'm sorry about what happened at the court, but I did all I could." "Liar," he spat in disgust. "All of you, shameless, worthless liars, and you're the worst of them. You know why? Because I thought I finally had a friend who would stick by me through thick and thin. I was wrong." "Draco, I thought I was doing the right thing. The scientists, Hector, you were out of control, I had to do something!" "Like what? Sell me out as some wild animal? Because you thought I would the scientists, would hurt you? You never really trusted me, did you? I'm still just the freak who follows you around, huh?" She remained silent. " I thought I was doing the right thing," she sobbed, her words choked by tears. " I thought I had a family," he whispered quietly, and turned to leave; he was done talking, and was too hurt to care. Zoe reached out to grab him, but his body was coated in frost, and she pulled back as the cold bit her fingers. Draco reached the portal, then turned back and said the most painful words she had heard in a long time: "It's been fun, Zoe. You're a great hunter, but we're better as teamates, because I doubt I'll trust you enough to be your friend." With those words, he walked into the portal and didn't turn back.
Zoe stared at the debris, the past merging with the present, and guilt gnawing her heart all the same. Her lack of trust in him as a hunter had cost him his honour as a hunter, and her lack of trust in Draco as an ally had caused his death. She was the real horror. And no friend to the man she had everything but killed.
Dash's hammer felt heavy in his hand, and Derek stirred at the gathering clouds with a silent sigh
Jasmine's voice came through, heavy with sorrow but firm. " We have to keep moving. There's one more left. And it's strong". Zoe looked forward, her eyes burning with resolve. Draco was gone, but she would carry on his will as a hunter; by slaying every demon that stood in her way, starting with this one. "Come on guys," she ordered, her voice set ablaze by an unseen flame. "We've got work to do."