"But why? What’s the purpose of all this? He already has an army. He already has followers. Why does he need us, or the academy?"
Ashlem remained silent for a long moment, his gaze lost in the small window of the cabin. Finally, he took a deep breath and replied:
"Because he knows that the INTACT HUNTERS are different. We’re not just trained to kill. We’re trained to think. To act with strategy, with purpose. Nero wants to use us as pawns in a bigger game, but he’ll never understand what truly drives us."
Tony stepped closer, his expression more serious now.
"Then we need to stop him from finishing what he started. We need to find Jack and the others. Recover our memories fully. And… deal with Irrugay."
Ashlem looked up, his eyes burning. Tony recognized instantly. It was the gaze of a leader.
"You’re right. But first, we need to understand how far Nero has gone. We need to find answers. And I have an idea of where to start."
"Where?" Tony asked, visibly interested.
Ashlem stood up, ignoring the pain in his shoulder, and began rummaging through the cabin as if looking for something.
"There’s a place, an old hideout we used during the early years of INTACT. It’s possible Nero left traces there. If he’s using our memories against us, maybe we can find something that helps us turn the tide."
Tony nodded, already preparing the folder he found in the cabin.
"Then let’s go. We can’t waste time. If Nero is manipulating our memories, every second counts."
"Exactly. But one thing, Tony." Ashlem paused for a moment, staring at his companion. "If we find Irrugay, he’s mine. This betrayal—I’ll deal with it myself."
Tony simply nodded without protest.
Suddenly, Ashlem cried out as an impossible headache struck, accompanied by a vision. In that vision, he saw a Dunkoy on a table and a weathered notebook. The place in the vision looked very familiar. He focused and realized it might be his old hunter academy — though he wasn’t sure. The most interesting part was that he always followed his visions, believing they led him to something of great importance.
"What is it, Oyer?" Tony asked, concerned.
"It’s nostalgic to hear that title again, my great apprentice."
"I know, but I think it’s been a long time since I should still be called an apprentice."
"Well, you’re absolutely right. I’m sure your hamfoys have evolved significantly — actually, I saw your progress during the fight against the soldiers," Ashlem said. "I’m fine. I just had a vision that will lead us to a significant destination."
"Well spotted, my Oyer. What does the vision bring?"
"We need the Hunters’ Bible and a notebook."
"The Dunkoy and your father’s notebook?"
"Yes, Dunkoy. As for Carhumy Ashlem, I believe it’s his notebook."
Tony found a map on a table in the same folder. Ashlem’s disciple immediately realized they were in a forest where some kind of base, maybe military, had been built.
"Looks like we’re in a forest," said Doughton, pointing at the map.
"We have to get out of here as soon as possible."
"Oyer, you’re not in condition to leave yet. Let’s stay a bit longer so you can recover."
"That’s not necessary."
"I insist, my Oyer! We need to be in shape to face any obstacle during our escape."
"Okay," he said quietly.
...
Two days passed in the cabin, and they were lucky that the area was forgotten. Ashlem and Tony took turns caring for the shoulder wound and trying to regain strength, but hunger began to eat away at their energy. With no supplies and no conditions to wait any longer, they decided to leave on the morning of the third day.
In the distance, the rising sun bathed the surrounding forest in a pale light, and the silence was broken only by the rustling of leaves beneath their steps.
"It’s not ideal to leave now, but starving to death isn’t part of the plan," Tony commented.
"I agree. We need supplies. And answers," Ashlem replied, his voice firm despite the evident weakness.
The road to the nearest city was long, but both moved in silence, eyes alert for any movement. The initial calm was soon interrupted by voices and heavy footsteps. Among the trees, soldiers in black uniforms, armed to the teeth, appeared like shadows.
"Nero never rests, does he?" Tony murmured, preparing for the fight.
Ashlem raised his hand, signaling for silence.
"Let’s do this quickly."
Before they could be noticed, Ashlem and Tony advanced like predators. The first soldier didn’t have time to scream before being taken down. The second tried to react, but Tony’s punch silenced him. The battle was fierce. Quick blows, precise movements. Even weakened, Ashlem was lethal, and Tony, with his experience, matched every move.
The soldiers’ bodies lay on the ground when the last one tried to flee. Tony caught him, grabbing him by the collar.
"Where is Nero?" he demanded.
The soldier hesitated, fear evident in his eyes.
"You… will never reach him. He knows where you are… always." He laughed before Tony silenced him with a punch.
"That’s not very helpful," Tony grumbled.
Ashlem wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked around, alert.
"It doesn’t matter. We have to keep moving. They already know we’re here."
Before they could go any further, a peculiar sound rang out. A very audible and hypnotic song echoed through the trees. Ashlem and Tony turned at the same time, eyes fixed in the direction of the sound. From behind the trees, a tall, curvy, and sensual figure emerged.
"Singla," Tony whispered, his face hardened.
She walked calmly, as if the scene around her were a show staged for her and she was on a runway. A wicked smile grew on her lips.
"Did you really think you could run for long?" she asked, her voice full of malice. "Oh, how I’ve waited for this."
Ashlem stepped forward, fists clenched.
"Singla. We’ve been through this before. You know how it ends."
She laughed again, drawing two curved blades from her back.
"Oh, Ashlem… This time will be different. This time, I’ll make sure you never get up again."
The confrontation was about to begin. The tension was palpable, like a rope about to snap. Ashlem and Tony braced themselves.
To be continued... 
Glossary
Hamfoys – Skills (hunters’ terminology)
Poweroy – intrinsic energy, extremely intense