The city outskirts were quiet now, the fog beginning to lift under the pale light of dawn. Hunters moved cautiously through the abandoned warehouses and overgrown lots, their boots crunching against frost-crusted debris, rifles at the ready, and senses stretched taut from hours of tracking enhanced animals. The dangers were ever-present, unpredictable, and intelligent, and Marcus Vael's amber eyes constantly scanned every shadow for threats.
But amidst the coordinated hunt, one figure's behavior had caught his attention again: Joren. The young hunter had demonstrated bravery—but also recklessness, and a troubling tendency to ignore orders. Marcus could not allow such behavior to compromise the mission or the safety of the team.
As the others fanned out to maintain observation of the target creature, Marcus gestured for Joren to follow him. The young hunter hesitated for a moment, anxiety flashing across his face, before moving toward Marcus. The rest of the team continued the hunt, unaware of the intense discussion about to unfold.
"Joren," Marcus said quietly, motioning for him to step behind a collapsed warehouse, out of sight from the others. "We need to talk. Now."
Joren swallowed, avoiding eye contact. "Yes… sir." His voice quivered slightly.
Marcus's amber eyes bore into him, calm but unwavering. "I've been observing you since the last encounter. You have skill, potential, and courage. But you also have a tendency to act alone, to disregard orders, and to think that personal bravado can replace discipline. That is dangerous. Do you understand?"
"I… I thought I could handle it," Joren muttered, voice low. "I didn't want to… I just wanted to—"
"To prove yourself?" Marcus interrupted sharply. "To show that you're brave? That you're capable? Joren, courage without control is nothing but recklessness. One mistake, one moment of impulsiveness, and it could have cost lives. Not just yours, but the team's. Do you understand that?"
Joren nodded, though his hands shook slightly. "Yes, sir… I understand. I just… I wanted to do what was right. I wanted to make sure we didn't let the creature get away."
Marcus exhaled slowly, amber eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "I appreciate your intent. But intention alone is not enough. Discipline, patience, and adherence to orders are what keep you alive and keep your team alive. You cannot act alone, ever. Not in this field, not in this line of work."
The young hunter's shoulders slumped, a mixture of shame and frustration evident in his stance. "I didn't mean… I didn't want to jeopardize anyone. I just… I thought I could do it."
Marcus's gaze softened slightly, though his tone remained firm. "That thought could have cost lives, Joren. I will not allow carelessness, even with the best intentions. You're part of a team. You act as one, you follow orders, and you trust your fellow hunters. Everything else is reckless. Do you understand the seriousness of this?"
"Yes, sir," Joren whispered, barely audible.
Marcus's amber eyes held him in place, unwavering. "Do you know what could happen if I catch you acting independently again?"
Joren's brow furrowed, anxiety rising. "I… I could be… sent home?"
Marcus nodded slowly. "Yes. Not as punishment, but as a precaution. The field is unforgiving. Recklessness has consequences. One solo move, one moment of disobedience, and I will send you home. You may have potential, but potential without control is dangerous. It is not courage—it is liability."
Joren swallowed hard, his hands clenching at his sides. "I… I understand, sir. I won't… I won't do it again."
Marcus stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Joren… listen carefully. This is not just about you. It is about every life in this team. Every decision you make, every step you take, affects everyone else. The enhanced animals we hunt are intelligent, strategic, and dangerous. They will exploit hesitation, fear, and impulsiveness. If you cannot control yourself, if you cannot follow orders, then you are a danger to everyone, including yourself. Do you understand that?"
"Yes, sir," Joren said, voice firmer now, though still tinged with nervousness. "I understand completely."
Marcus exhaled, his gaze sweeping the distant city outskirts. "Good. I don't want to see you acting alone again. Ever. You may think you're ready, but the field does not tolerate ego, impatience, or impulsiveness. Survival is not about individual heroics—it is about teamwork, strategy, and discipline. Remember that. If I see you acting outside orders again, I will not hesitate to send you home. Do you understand the gravity of that statement?"
Joren nodded firmly. "Yes, sir. I understand. I… I won't disappoint you again."
Marcus studied him for a moment, amber eyes scanning for sincerity, before nodding. "I hope not. You have potential, Joren. I don't want to lose that. But potential is useless without discipline. Now… return to the team. Observe. Follow orders. Trust your fellow hunters. The mission continues, and we need every hand focused, not reckless."
"Yes, sir," Joren said, relief mixed with resolve in his voice.
Marcus watched as Joren moved back toward the rest of the team, then turned his gaze to the foggy outskirts. The hunt was far from over. The enhanced animals were still active, intelligent, and dangerous, and the rest of the hunters were methodically continuing the operation. Marcus knew that a single lapse in discipline could mean disaster—but he also knew that leadership was about teaching, guiding, and preparing hunters for the harsh realities of the field.
Over the next several hours, the hunters maintained formation, observing, containing, and documenting the creatures' behavior. Joren remained close to experienced hunters, following orders, learning patterns, and contributing in measured ways. Each time he acted with restraint and coordination, Marcus's amber eyes flickered with approval.
Elias moved beside Marcus, voice quiet. "He's learning. Slowly, but he's absorbing the lessons. Discipline is hard, especially for those eager to prove themselves."
Marcus nodded, amber eyes scanning the shadows. "Yes. Fear, adrenaline, and the desire to act alone are natural—but controlled action is what saves lives. Joren needs to internalize this before he's truly ready. We all do. The field doesn't forgive mistakes."
As night fell again, the hunters set up a temporary containment zone for the enhanced animals. Nets were reinforced, talismans activated, and weapons secured. The creatures had tested the hunters' patience and coordination repeatedly, but careful planning and teamwork had maintained control.
Joren moved cautiously, following instructions, assisting in securing the containment barriers, and observing the creatures' behavior. Fear still lingered in his eyes, but it was tempered with understanding, focus, and a growing respect for discipline.
Marcus addressed the team quietly, amber eyes sweeping over the hunters. "Tonight, we learned again why orders matter. We survive not through ego, but through coordination, observation, and adherence to strategy. Each of you contributes to that survival. One misstep can end the mission, or worse, lives. Discipline, Joren. Precision, everyone. Knowledge, control, and patience—these are the hunter's tools."
Torin added, voice low, "He'll remember this. We all will. Lessons like these stick… sometimes painfully, but they stick."
The city outskirts remained quiet under the cover of night, fog curling through abandoned streets and overgrown lots. The enhanced animals lay contained, observing the hunters warily. The team settled into rotation shifts, maintaining vigilance while keeping the creatures under observation.
Marcus exhaled, amber eyes flicking to Joren, who was assisting with securing the final containment nets. "He'll survive," Marcus muttered quietly to Elias. "But only if he truly internalizes what I've said. Potential alone is not enough. Discipline saves lives. And he must learn that before we face something that won't forgive mistakes."
Elias nodded, understanding the gravity. "We all must learn it. Every hunter, every day. The creatures get smarter. The field is unforgiving. Joren's lesson is ours too—constant vigilance and discipline are essential."
Hours later, as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the fog, the hunters continued their patrol, observation, and containment operations. Joren moved more confidently, following orders, coordinating with teammates, and assisting in monitoring the enhanced animals.
Marcus remained on the outskirts, scanning the horizon, amber eyes unblinking. Leadership was not just about issuing commands—it was about guidance, discipline, and ensuring that every hunter understood that survival depended on unity, patience, and control.
The enhanced animals stirred occasionally, testing boundaries, but containment held. The city beyond remained oblivious to the dangers at its edges. And for Marcus, the mission was clear: guide, teach, and maintain control. Mistakes were costly. Ego was dangerous. And Joren—like every hunter—needed to understand that the field required discipline above all else.
As the hunters continued their careful operations through the day, Marcus reflected quietly: potential alone could not save them. Precision, teamwork, and discipline were what allowed them to survive encounters with the intelligent, unpredictable, and dangerous creatures that lurked at the edges of the city. Joren had been tested—and he had learned, under the watchful eyes of a leader who would not tolerate recklessness.
The hunt continued, and the city outskirts remained a fragile battlefield, a proving ground for hunters and prey alike. But for Marcus Vael, the lesson was clear: leadership was not just about strength—it was about teaching, guiding, and instilling discipline in every hunter who walked the dangerous line between life and death.