The Astral Dogma

The chill of mid-November signaled winter's approach, and with it came the season of relentless activity for the Phoenix Guild Hunters. The guild halls bustled with preparation as members armed themselves for their next task: raiding a newly emerged gate in the eastern wilds. Among the hunters preparing for the journey was Cassidy, a seasoned leader known for his sharp instincts and steady hand, and Troxil, a hulking man with a bald head and muscles that seemed to strain even against his reinforced armor. 

The gate they were targeting was a peculiar one. Unlike most, which shimmered with otherworldly energy, this one was shaped like a small rectangular square, its unassuming appearance belying the danger within. Cassidy had seen gates like this before, and his expression was grim as he led the group eastward. 

As they approached the gate, its dimensions began to shift unnaturally, stretching and expanding into a massive rectangle that pulsed with malevolent energy. The hunters exchanged wary glances, each silently steeling themselves for the battle ahead. 

"These rectangular gates are parasites," Cassidy explained to the newer recruits, his voice steady but edged with caution. "They're like weeds. If you don't destroy them as soon as they spawn, they'll grow stronger, feeding off the land. Worse, the creatures inside are mindless, driven only by bloodlust. Keep your focus, and don't get careless." 

The group nodded, their resolve firm as they stepped through the shimmering threshold. 

The other side of the gate was a twisted landscape that resembled a decaying forest. The air was heavy with a metallic tang, and the ground beneath their boots felt spongy and uneven. They didn't have to wait long before the creatures attacked. 

Screeches tore through the air as winged beasts descended upon them. The creatures were grotesque, their four wings fluttering with unnatural speed, and their extendable claws slashing wildly. The hunters moved as one, forming defensive lines and striking back with precision. Troxil was a force to be reckoned with, his massive hammer crushing the creatures in single, devastating swings. Cassidy, meanwhile, moved with an eerie calm, conjuring water arrows from the air and releasing them with deadly accuracy. 

Despite the chaos, the hunters fought as a cohesive unit, their training and experience evident in every move. After what felt like hours, the final creature fell, its body dissolving into a fine mist that disappeared into the oppressive sky. 

The gate trembled, signaling that the main challenge was over. At its center, a door materialized, glowing faintly. It was the treasure room, a lure for hunters and a deadly trap for the unprepared. 

One of the newer hunters stepped forward eagerly, his eyes wide with anticipation. "The treasure! Let's grab it before the gate closes!" 

"Hold it!" Troxil's deep voice rumbled like thunder, his massive hand stopping the younger man in his tracks. "That treasure room isn't what you think it is." 

The group turned to him, puzzled. 

"These rectangular gates don't just have hearts; they *are* the heart," Troxil explained. "That glowing door is its mouth. Step inside, and it'll swallow you whole." 

The younger hunter's enthusiasm waned, and Cassidy nodded in agreement. "Troxil's right. The real heart of the gate lies beyond the treasure room. Destroy it, and this place will collapse. But," he added with a small smirk, "there are still treasures scattered in the area. Take what you can, but be quick about it. We don't have much time." 

While the others scoured the surroundings for valuables, Cassidy turned his attention to the heart. Drawing a deep breath, he conjured a water arrow, its form shimmering as he pulled it from thin air. He stood at the entrance to the treasure room, aiming with practiced precision. 

With a sharp whistle, the arrow flew true, striking the heart of the gate. The effect was immediate. The ground beneath them quaked, and the twisted landscape began to crumble, the gate's energy unraveling. 

"Move!" Cassidy shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. 

The hunters sprinted toward the exit, their loot clinking in their packs. Exhausted and depleted of energy, they emerged back into the real world, the gate collapsing behind them in a brilliant burst of light. 

Relief washed over the group as they began the trek back to the guild. The atmosphere was lighter now, their banter reflecting the satisfaction of a successful raid. 

But as they approached the guild's territory, their respite was cut short. 

A shadow flitted through the trees, moving faster than the eye could track. Before anyone could react, it struck. In a blur of motion, valuables were snatched from packs and belts, leaving the hunters stunned. 

"Not again," one of them groaned. 

This wasn't the first time the guild had been targeted by a thief. For months, a cunning bandit had been ambushing hunters after raids, stealing their spoils and disappearing like smoke. The thief was fast, clever, and nearly impossible to catch. 

Nearly. 

Cassidy, who had been at the back of the group, had caught a fleeting glimpse of the bandit. His golden skin glowed faintly under the moonlight, and his cyan hair flickered like fire in the wind. He didn't hesitate. 

"Stay here!" Cassidy barked, his tone leaving no room for argument. 

He took off after the thief, his long strides devouring the distance between them. The bandit was quick, darting through the forest with an agility that bordered on supernatural, but Cassidy was relentless. 

The chase was grueling, the cold night air biting at his lungs, but Cassidy's determination didn't waver. His eyes locked onto the thief, his every move calculated. 

Finally, he saw an opening. With a burst of speed, Cassidy lunged, his hand grabbing the bandit by the collar of his ragged cloak. He yanked the thief back, pinning him against a tree. 

For a moment, there was only silence as the two locked eyes. Cassidy's sharp gaze took in every detail—the thief's dark caramel skin, the thin frame, and the wild, defiant look in his eyes. Then he noticed something that gave him pause. 

The bandit wasn't a man. He was a beast-man. And not just any beast-man—a child. 

Cassidy's grip slackened slightly, his brow furrowing as the realization hit him. "You're just a kid..." 

The boy snarled, baring sharp teeth. "Let me go!" he growled, his voice filled with a mix of fear and anger.