Located in the middle of a forest, next to a large mountain, a large fort stood with men and women walking around. Many of them were pacing the walls of the fort, while others were working on large clock-work machines. Jets of steam shot from their tools as they worked. While some looked like normal people, there were some who had horns, others who had scales, and even those whose only defining feature was their feline looking eyes. However, amongst the sea of adults was a young boy who was waiting on someone.

He looked to be near ten summers old, his hair a deep chestnut brown and his eyes a sparkling blue. He had a short rifle on his back and was wearing overalls over a red shirt and was wearing small brown boots. The boy was pacing outside of a door when a young scaled woman stopped next to him and knelt down.

"Ryan, what are you doing now?" She asked fondly as she ruffled the kids hair

"I'm waiting on Uncle Lyndon so we can go hunting together!" Ryan shouted in delight as the door opened and outwalked a man with a five-a-clock shadow and a large bolt action sniper was slung across his back "Uncle Lyndon!" Ryan shouted as he hugged the older man

"Woah there little deadeye" Lyndon says as he puts a hand on the boy's shoulder "Come on, lets get out of here before Sarah makes a big issue of you having a rifle" Lyndon finishes as he leads Ryan out of the for with the woman shaking her head amused

The rest of the day, Lyndon was out shooting with Ryan, teaching the young sharpshooter how to spot his target and to take it out in a single hit. When the day was finished and Lyndon told Ryan to pack up his rifle, the older man kneeled next to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Now remember Ryan, it doesn't matter how righteous your cause may be, always remember your targets. Just because you take their life, doesn't mean you should forget them" Lyndon said calmly and Ryan nodded

The two walked back to the fort and turned in for the night. However, their peaceful sleep was interrupted with a loud explosion. The sound immediately woke Ryan from his bed and as he rolled out of his covers, gun shots were starting to echo throughout the fort. Ryan quickly threw on his overalls and his boots before he grabbed his small weapon and went outside to help when Lyndon burst into his room, his face bloody and his clothes were soaked in his own blood.

"Ryan, run!" Lyndon commanded as he took Ryan's small weapon and replaced it with his own "Take my rifle and run, don't look back, don't fire that weapon unless you absolutely have to, understand?" Lyndon asked as Ryan nodded slightly "Then go!" He finished as he led Ryan to the front door and pushed him out as he ran towards where a bright light was currently at, using Ryan's small rifle to wound enemies allowing his comrades to finish them off

Ryan bolted towards the main gate, on the way Sarah grabbed onto his hand and helped him push the door open. When Ryan and Sarah exited the fort, several more large explosions went off behind them. Ryan closed is eyes knowing deep down his Uncle was in one of those explosions.

"Ryan, dear, we must keep running!" Sarah yelled as she led Ryan towards the forest line

However, as they reached the forest, a stray bullet hit Sarah's knee causing her to cry out in pain suddenly.

"I heard one over here!" A voice called out nearby

"Ryan run!" Sarah hissed which caused Ryan to hide behind a bush "Run!" she shouted as several men in black military outfits came into sight and open fired on Sarah

Bullets pierced through her neck, torso and head, killing her instantly. The sight of her death caused Ryan to turn and bolt into the forest, his eyes closed as he only focused on one thing. To keep his legs moving, faster and farther away from the only place he knew as home.

Ryan kept running, only stopping for a quick break before he would go and push himself again. Sarah's last order before her death was seared into his mind. His legs continued to carry him through the rest of the night and when the sun began to rise, one of his uncle's teachings.

'If anything should happen to me or to this fort Ryan, walk into the rising sun, there you will find sanctuary' His uncle's voice sounded in his ears, finally quelling the screams and gunshots he had heard just a few hours before 'Remember Ryan, to be a hunter you must keep calm, do not allow your emotions to overcome your logical thinking. Emotions are good, but if you allow it, they will cause you to make hasty decisions. Take a deep breath and calm yourself before you make your next choice'

Ryan took a shaky breath and held it for five seconds before he released it. He felt his mind, despite still being on edge, calm from the breathing technique. Ryan then looked toward the rising sun and started walking in the direction. His uncle's rifle still firmly in his grasp, his knuckles white from holding it so tightly. As he walked a new objective entered his mind, revenge.