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Chapter 29 - Chapter 28: hunter family

At the taco food court, four men sat devouring tacos like warriors fueling up before battle. They looked strong—ridiculously masculine—like they just walked off a protein powder commercial.

Encinto: "So... where we go after this?"

Zayn: "Home."

Encinto (surprised): "Your antique home?"

Alex: "Yeah. That old wooden museum he calls a house."

Jogo: "So I have to follow you guys now too?"

Encinto: "Of course, you're family now."

After they finished their tacos, Zayn went to pay, while the others strolled to the car like a retired boy band.

At the counter:

Zayn: "Hey, young lady."

Lady: "Hey."

Zayn: "You look beautiful."

Lady (smirking): "Thanks. So, all of that is twenty... plus a hundred."

Zayn: "What?! A hundred? Why?!"

Lady: "Because you flirted with me."

Zayn: "Maybe I can't give you a hundred dollars... but I can give you something better." winks

Lady (laughs): "Whatever. Just pay twenty."

Zayn grinned, handed over the cash, and walked out like he just survived a boss battle.

He hopped into the car, wiped the window, started the engine, and turned on the radio. The road was empty, the sky dramatic.

Encinto: "So Jogo, how's it feel hanging out with us?"

Jogo: "Still awkward. I don't really know what happy feels like."

Alex: "Oof. Sorry to hear that."

Zayn: "So Alex, want to hear a story?"

Alex: "About my ancestors again?"

Zayn: "Yes."

Encinto:groans "Here we go again..."

Zayn: "But I'll tell it tonight."

Everyone groaned louder, slumping into their seats.

Zayn turned up the radio. Avicii's The Nights came on. All of them sang along, laughing as they cruised down the highway.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Miguel sat in his car, waiting. His son Sean got in, his face set with determination.

Night fell. Encinto and Jogo were already asleep.

Zayn: "Hey Alex."

Alex: "What?"

Zayn: "Want to hear that story now?"

Alex: "What kind of story?"

Zayn: "The tale of another assassin—Amilano."

Alex (perking up): "Oh, yeah!"

Zayn: "So... Amilano joined the Portuguese army. He had left behind his sword, his past, his life as an assassin. Just a normal man. Peaceful. Groceries and housework kind of guy. He even trained as a soldier to protect, not kill.

But one day, after coming home from training, he saw blood on the steps of his house. Then he saw his wife—dead. Her lifeless body on the floor like a broken promise.

But then... a sound. A cry. His baby son. Still alive.

Rage filled Amilano. His oath of peace shattered. He grabbed his sword, carried the baby to safety, then went to an underground bar. Behind the counter was a secret armory. He chose a small but deadly weapon, suited up in his old assassin clothes—scarred body, muscles bulging, face full of pain.

He hunted. He interrogated. He found the killer—an old enemy from his past.

They met in a silent place. The man stood waiting.

Enemy: "How are you, Amilano? Long time no see."

Amilano: "No more talk. Bare hands."

They fought. One hour. Then two. Then rain. Then sun. They fought for a week straight—pure rage and raw strength.

Finally, Amilano locked his enemy's head and—CRACK. One dead assassin."

Alex: "Whoa. That's horrible... but cool."

Zayn: "Right?"

Alex: "How do you know all these stories?"

Zayn: "Back when the Hunter family was the richest in the world, we lived in a mountain mansion. Our library had every record of our ancestors. I read them all. I remember every detail."

Alex: "So where's the castle and the books now?"

Zayn: "The castle's in England. The books are safely hidden by our family. Only a few can access them. You'd need to go to the banker."

Alex: "Wait. You said my dad had brothers out there?"

Zayn: "Yep."

Alex: "You also said you had to rescue the books? From what?"

Zayn: "Something terrifying."

Alex: "Like what?"

Zayn (cold stare): "You'll know when you go to the banker."

Alex: "...Okay then. Good night."

Zayn: "Yeah."

The next morning, Alex woke up and saw Zayn still driving. He looked like he hadn't blinked in 12 hours.

Alex: "How long have you been driving?!"

Zayn: "A long journey."

The sun set beside a wide ocean.

Alex: "This isn't Lago di Scanno."

Zayn: "I know."

Alex: "So... where are we going?"

Zayn: "Today, we have a Hunter Assembly. Only Hunters invited."

Alex: "What about them?" (points to Encinto and Jogo)

Zayn: "They're family now. Special invitation."

Alex: "So should we change?"

Zayn: "Not yet."

They drove into a tunnel. But it wasn't any tunnel—it went underwater.

Alex: "Whoa."

Zayn: "The assembly is on an island."

Alex: "Is it luxurious?"

Zayn: "We'll see."

Encinto and Jogo woke up, eyes wide.

Encinto: "What is this? Mama mia!"

Jogo: "Is this an underwater tunnel owned by the Hunter family?!"

Zayn: "Yes."

They emerged from the tunnel and pulled into a grand parking lot. They got out and walked to a crowded counter. A familiar man approached.

Lazon: "Zayn! What's up, brother?"

Zayn: "I'm good."

Lazon: "Heard your son died."

Zayn: "Yeah."

Lazon: "Sorry I didn't visit."

Zayn: "It's fine. After he died, I got a new delivery."

Lazon: (points at Alex) "This the new one?"

Alex: "Yeah. I'm Alex. 20 years old."

Lazon: "So Zayn, who are those two following you? Servants?"

Zayn: "They're my team."

Lazon: "Still playing agent, huh?"

Zayn: "Sometimes."

Lazon: "Maybe invest in something. You got money from Dad, but—"

Zayn pulled out a knife and pressed it to Lazon's neck.

Zayn: "Never speak about Father in front of me."

Lazon: "Okay! Okay! Sorry!"

Mazolo: "Hey, relax big brother."

Zayn: "Mazolo, what do you want?"

Mazolo: "Just saying—cut Lazon some slack. He can't help talking."

Zayn: "Whatever. I need to check in."

Caspen: "No need. I checked in for you."

Zayn: "Uncle? What are you doing here?"

Caspen: "It's a family reunion. Everyone's coming."

Zayn: "Bye."

Caspen: "Zayn, people respect you because you're disciplined and dangerous. Not because of money. We all know you've got a trillion in the bank. Don't act like trash."

Zayn walked off with Alex, Encinto, and Jogo. They entered the elevator.

Alex: "Who were those guys?"

Zayn: "My brothers. And my uncle."

Alex: "They look like mafia."

Zayn: "Alex, our lives... are long."

Alex: "Yeah, you're a hundred, right?"

Zayn: "No, I mean massively long."

Alex: "Like... vampire long?"

Zayn: "Exactly."

Alex: "Wait—why can I survive gunshots with no scars?"

Zayn walked into the hotel room.

Zayn: "Encinto, Jogo—this is your room." (hands them keys)

Zayn and Alex walked to another room.

Zayn: "Come in."

Alex: "I'm sleeping with you?"

Zayn: "No. I need to tell you a secret."

Alex: "Okay."

Zayn: "I found a book in the banker's library. It said that thousands of years ago—maybe even Stone Age—our ancestors discovered a plant. It gave them power. Immortality. Eternal life. They performed a ritual and passed it down the bloodline. Tonight, you'll meet some of them. The oldest—maybe 200,000 years old."

Alex: "Will I meet Roberto?"

Zayn: "Remember I said some Hunters live in power, politics, wealth? They're still assassins. Just smarter—and they survived."

Alex: "Why couldn't our bloodline survive?"

Zayn: "We lived dangerous lives. You saw my brothers. You felt their aura. We've survived hell. Your father... he was the unlucky 1%."

Alex: "So my dad had no brothers?"

Zayn: "He did. And I've had many sons since your grandmother died."

Alex: "Ew."

Zayn: "I loved her. But I had to continue the legacy."

Alex: "Do I have brothers?"

Zayn: "That's the strange part. You're the only one from your dad's... contribution."

Alex: "So I'm the first only child in our history?"

Zayn: "Yep. Hunter families usually have at least ten boys and ten girls. Our testosterone is off the charts."

Alex: "Okay... I need air. Going to my room."

Zayn: "Bye."

Alex walked to his room, opened the door—and there she was. A gorgeous girl in a swimsuit.

Alex: "Uh... hello? Who are you?"

Lynx: "Name's Lynx."

Alex: "Oh. You're a Hunter too?"

Lynx: "Yep."

Her body was basically sculpted by the gods.

Alex: "Why are you wearing a swimsuit?"

Lynx: "Just came from a swim. Thought I'd stop by to meet you."

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