Disclaimer: Hi everyone. This is my first Huntik fanfic. I thought I"d try something new for a change. As the main disclaimers go, I have no ownership of any character(s) concerning the show Huntik. The main ones I claim are of my own. I'm looking forward to seeing how this one turns out since it'll be a different genre than I usually write. Enjoy!

Venice Italy Foundation Hospital 11:45 pm

Ever since he heard the news, Dante hasn't been himself. 'How was it possible they found her, but not me? I did everything possible to keep both of us off of their radar. Why didn't Mez contact me sooner? Even if it was a rumor of the Society poking around again. He should have told me. But instead, I've been here at the hospital by her side day in and day out hoping things would turn out better. But so far, it's still the same. I know I should have informed the others, but no, this isn't their fight.' Dante thought to himself as the torment of his decision kept him up at night. Keeping a secret like this from the others he knew was wrong, but it didn't concern them. It was a private affair. Dante Vale stared out the hospital window as he waited for their return from another round of tests. Announcements over the PA systems were nothing more than garbled and muffled sounds playing in the background. The people who walked past the room were nothing more than a blur to him. Whenever his phone or holotome would call out for his attention, he would ignore them and let whoever was getting through to leave a message. He'd get back to them, maybe.

"Here we go. Sorry, we're late."

Dante turned away from the window as he watched them transfer their patient from the wheelchair to the bed. Reading the doctor's expression he could see nothing has changed. He walked over to the bedside and sat down in the chair.

"Dante..."

"It's alright doc, I can guess what you're going to tell us."

"Even with the Foundation's healers, they agree the procedure in mind will be a great risk. But ever since you started coming, and working with the patient, her spirits have become stronger."

Dante gave a small nod, "Thanks doc, I'll let you get back to your rounds."

The doctor followed the nurses out of the room. Before turning to go down the hall, he stopped at the doorway and glanced back at them. "If you're planning on staying tonight. I can have it arranged."

Dante glanced at the doctor for a moment, "I don't..." Dante stopped when he felt her grip on his hand. Turning his attention back to the one in the bed. "On second thought, I think I'll take you up on your offer."

The doctor gave a nod, "Right, I'll inform them when I go past the reception desk. One of the nurses will come in after a while and make up the other bed for you."

Dante gave a nod and listened as the doctor walked down the hall. "Aurora..."

"I've missed my last counseling session. I overslept."

"It's probably for the best anyway. I'm betting you were exhausted from our training session earlier today." Dante replied as he squeezed her hand.

Aurora squeezed back, "I didn't mind missing. The one I've been going to seems to be a bit cold in his responses. I don't feel comfortable around him."

Dante frowned as he thought over a different solution. "I can find out if we can have you go to a different counselor."

"You've done so much since you came here and started working with me."

"It's the least I could do Aurora. You're my sister after all. I'm sorry we didn't find one another before you were blinded. I promise you, I'll do whatever it takes to help you cope with your blindness. I'll also find the ones who did this to you."

"Dante..." Aurora's voice started to get a little quieter. The medication was starting to take effect. 'I wish he wouldn't blame himself for this.' Her grip started to loosen, "We are both seekers. I understand it's dangerous living. I accepted the risks when I took my vows with the Foundation. Besides, whose butt am I going to kick if you do it for me?"

Dante chuckled a little when he watched his younger sister go further to sleep. He continued to watch her when a nurse came in and did a quick makeup of the other bed. 'She is most definitely a Vale. Her stubborn nature almost rivals my own. I should have set up a better system of watching over her. Listen to me, she'd try and kick my butt if she knew what I was thinking.'

The nurse cleared her throat to acknowledge her presence. When she saw him turn around, she informed him his bed was ready when he wanted to sleep.

Dante thanked the nurse and watched her leave. He stood and took off his duster. He laid it down on the chair between them. Glancing at the clock, he noticed it was close to midnight. Dante stretched a bit and then climbed into the other bed. He laced his fingers behind his head and stared up at the ceiling.

Across the way, a small group of people gathered together and glared into the room. "He's staying. We won't be able to go through with our mission."

"It can't be helped. We'll have to wait for him out for us to strike."

"You know as much as we do our superiors won't like our report."

"They'll understand. If they want their revenge, then they will have to wait a little longer. We'll get our chance."

One of the men growled low in his throat. "Our superiors don't like to wait. They'll take us off the mission and will replace us with others who they believe will do a better job."

"No one can do this job better than us! We will succeed! The Vales will suffer, one way or another."

"I agree. The Vales will suffer. But we need to do this right. Otherwise, everything the Society has worked for will crumble into dust."

A quiet beep interrupted the small group. One of them nodded to an empty room and walked over to a bed. A holotome was pulled out and placed on top and answered the call.

"Report."

"Sir, the Vales are still at the Foundation hospital. It will be a while before the sister will be able to be discharged."

"Did you complete your mission? Did you find what you were sent to search for?"

"No, sir. It wasn't in her personal effects. She must have hidden it somewhere."

Their superior on the other end of the holotome growled low in his throat, "Then force her to tell you by any means possible! I don't care what it takes! I want it! I want it now!"

"Yes, sir! Of course, we will retrieve it. You have my word."

"If you fail me, I'll have your life!" The holotome went black after his threat.

The collectors glanced around at one another. Their stomachs churned a bit as their breaths were caught in their throats for a short time. Their complexions became ash as they remembered the last group of collectors who failed the Society.

"Tonight we strike! Collectors! We have a mission, and we will see it through or we will die trying!"

The leader of the collectors secured the holotome and motioned for them to leave the room. Once they stepped out, the small group went into different halls.

"Dervish! Come out and serve your master!" A four-legged titan with insect type abs and a bestial head with horns stood in the center of the hospital hall. It charged towards the nurses' station and slashed at the security personnel with its barbed spines which ran from its head to its toes.

Security tried to dodge but as they did, the dervish breathed a green mist and the guards became paralyzed. The sight made the medical staff scream and run for cover.

A second dervish was summoned and ordered to scout out the Vales. The titan sniffed the air and locked onto the scent of a different titan. The scent was familiar, it was Caliban. The dervish picked up speed as Caliban's scent became stronger. It didn't wait for its summoner. When the dervish arrived it snarled at Dante who stood alongside his titan.

Dante glanced back at his sleeping sister. Relieved the medication she was given kept her asleep. It would make it easier to defend her. He looked back at the dervish and then saw its summoner. "I should have known you would pull something like this. It's why I decided to stay for the night."

The collector narrowed his eyes at the seeker. "It doesn't matter if you planned to stay or not. We will make you Vales pay, and we will take your sister!"

Dante clenched his fists. He shifted into his fighting stance. "Caliban and I won't allow you to take my sister anywhere! You'll need more than one dervish to get past us."

"Then what about a dervish and a red cap!" Another collector replied as he and his titan burst through the sidewall.

"Power bonded Caliban! Power Attack!" Dante yelled as he had his titan fight against the dervish while he jumped back and landed in front of Aurora's bedside. "Overshield!" He brought up his protection spell just in time to deflect from the red cap's assault.

Redcap roared when It was deflected and then was flown back when it was hit by Dante's dragon fist. The titan disintegrated and returned to its collector.

"Damn you, Dante Vale!" The collector snarled as he charged in the seeker's direct path. "Darkfog!"

Dante stepped back as he braced himself for the attack. He couldn't see where his opponent was attacking. Nor could he see how Caliban was doing against his opponent. 'This isn't good. Caliban! We don't have enough room to fight! We need to take it outside! But if we do, then my sister will be defenseless.' Dante communicated telepathically to Caliban. 'Looks like we don't have a choice. We have to take our stand here.' The seeker felt his energy starting to drop a little. They must have gotten lucky on a hit or two because Dante felt his energy go down once more. "Caliban! Power bonded kindle strike!" A high powered beam of blue energy, along with a boost from Caliban's power shot towards the two collectors and the dervish. The dervish disintegrated and returned to the amulet as the collectors ran from the room.

The blast also made the dark fog disappear, Caliban returned to his amulet. Dante glanced out the door and saw the medical staff helping security to their feet and checked them over, he saw they were getting back to normal. Dante frowned when he felt a cold chill coming from behind. Dante whirled around and saw Aurora's window wide open. His sister was gone. 'How, when?' He raced to the open window and looked around. Not a single sign of her. "Hyper-stride!" It didn't take Dante long to reach the ground. "Aurora!" No answer, he called out for her a few more times. Still no reply. Dante felt more of his power drop. His legs gave out from under him as he crumpled to the ground on his knees. His breathing labored a bit. Dante sat back on his legs and closed his eyes. "Ever-fight." The seeker concentrated on healing the best he could for the time being. 'Aurora, I'll find you. Once I do. We'll make them pay for everything. I swear it.' Once he finished, Dante stood and started his walk back home.

Venice Italy Dante's House 1 am

"Lok, what do you think you're doing? Do you realize how late it is?" Sophie asked as she walked towards him.

Lok gave a small shrug and then motioned through the kitchen door. "Sophie, shhh. Zhalia is still sitting there watching the front door." He replied.

Frowning, Sophie looked towards her and then back to him. "You mean Dante isn't back yet?"

"No. I think Zhalia is worried about him. He hasn't answered any of our calls either."

"Come on Lok, I'm sure Dante is fine. He can take care of himself. Besides, if something happened, he would have sent word."

Lok gave a nod, "I know, but lately Dante hasn't been himself. He's been way more distant than usual. Almost distracted like the time Mez was sick."

Sophie placed her hands on her hips, "I'm sure if Dante wanted us to know what's going on he'd tell us."

A deep frown played upon Lok's face as he shook his head. "I'm not so sure this time. It seems different, personal even."

"Whatever Dante is dealing with, I'm sure he'll tell us in his own time. It's best not to push him to talk before he's ready." Replied a voice from behind.

Sophie and Lok whirled around and saw a small flying titan hovering behind them. "Cherit!"

The tiny titan shrugged his shoulders, "What?"

"Where did you come in from?" Lok asked as he looked at him as he glanced around the kitchen. He didn't see any open windows or anything.

"Through the back window. Zhalia left it open for me so I could get in without bothering anyone." Cherit landed on the kitchen counter. "But if it makes you feel better. I did spot Dante coming this way before I flew inside. Though, he did seem distraught about something."

Sophie was about to ask Cherit to explain until they heard the front door open. She, Lok and Cherit left the kitchen and entered the living room.

Zhalia stood when she saw Dante enter. She was going to say something, but Zhalia stopped herself when she saw how he was. Frowning in concern, she studied him, "Dante, what happened to your duster?"

Dante snapped out of his thoughts and looked towards them. "I must have left it at the Foundation hospital."

"What were you doing there?"

Dante studied Zhalia before he answered, "I was visiting someone and I lost track of time."

"It looks like you were doing more than just visiting. Your shirt is torn as you've been in a fight. Did you run into anyone from the Organization or Blood Spiral?"

Dante narrowed his eyes at her, "For your information, no. I didn't run into any of them. What I do on my own time is my business. If I did get into a fight, I can handle myself just fine."

Zhalia clenched her fists by her sides and narrowed her eyes back at him. "I'll ask again. Just who were you visiting and who were you fighting?"

"It's personal. This is my business! You don't need to be concerned so back off!"

"Not be concerned? Dante, you haven't been yourself for the last couple of weeks. We're concerned about you. I'm concerned."

Just then a message from Foundation headquarters showed up on the screen. "Dante..."

Dante whirled around and relaxed a bit when he saw who it was calling him. "Mez, you're calling late."

"Sorry to bother you so late Dante. But we have serious business. I thought you'd like to know after our investigation at the Foundation hospital. We figured out who launched the attack."

"I'm sure I know who it was too. I thought after all this time, they would have forgotten about their vendetta."

Sophie walked further into the room joining the others. Concern was evident in her eyes as she studied Dante, "What vendetta are you two talking about? Why was the Foundation hospital targeted?"

Mez studied Dante, "You didn't tell them I take it."

Dante shook his head, "They didn't need to be brought into this. It's a family matter, not a Foundation's."

Lok glanced around at Sophie and Zhalia. They were just as confused as him. As far as they knew Dante didn't have any family... Well, none he didn't mention anyway. "Dante, let us help you with whatever you're dealing with. You helped me find my father and Sophie with her family. Let us return the favor. It's the least we can do."

Cherit flew over to Dante and landed on his shoulder, "I think it's time for them to know Dante. If you don't tell them, then they'll find out on their own and try to help anyway."

Dante sat down in a chair and thought over what the titan said. Giving a small sigh, he caved, "Fine, I've been visiting Aurora at the Foundation hospital. She was blinded during one of her operations. I've been trying to help her recover. The doctors and healers have been having a hard time restoring her vision."

Sophie gasped as she looked upon Dante in concern. "We're sorry Aurora. Was she a friend or something?"

"Aurora, she's...She's my younger sister, and she's also a Foundation seeker."

The three looked at one another in complete confusion. Not once has Dante mentioned anything about having any type of family. Let alone a younger sister who is also a seeker. Why keep her a secret? They turned their attention back to Dante.

"Why have you kept Aurora a secret from us?" Lok asked, "Didn't you trust us to know about her?"

"Trusting you was never thought about when it came to Aurora. I trust all of you. It's just I'm not the type to talk about myself or my family. Now I think about it, none of you except for Cherit had asked."

Everyone looked at the tiny titan. Cherit gave a sheepish expression. "Heh, ah Mez, you found some information with your investigation?"

Mez gave a nod, "Right, it seems one of the security cameras picked up the group who attacked."

Dante narrowed his eyes, "I know who they are. They call themselves the Society. This group is a cross between the Organization and the Blood Spirals. Society is wealthy. They only care about the thrill of the hunt. They'll do anything to get what they want. Society was unstoppable until my family came into the picture. They wiped out most of the Vale family except for me and Aurora. I was already with the Foundation. But my sister barely started her training. SO I asked them to keep her in hiding until she was ready to be a full-fledged seeker."

Mez picked up where Dante left off, "About a month or so back. Aurora was on a mission. She finished her search and was on route to come back. But she was intercepted by the Society. We lost contact with Aurora when they caught up to her. She was outnumbered. But she put up a heck of a fight. In the end, she was caught and questioned. Aurora never told them anything. So when they figured Aurora wasn't going to tell them what they wanted to know, the Society somehow caused Aurora to become blind. They figured she was no longer a threat and left her. WE found Aurora a few hours later. She was brought to the Foundation hospital and Dante was contacted immediately."

"As soon as I found out, I have been going there and trying to help my sister recover the best she could. Try to regain her strength, and to go through some new training."

Lok frowned deeply when he noticed the screen acting crazy, "Mez! Your transmission is starting to cut out!"

Dante stood and faced the screen. His eyes went wide and then narrowed as he saw the ones responsible for Aurora's condition. "You..." An angry growl escaped his throat.

"Dante Vale, so good to see you after so long. My collectors and I had a pleasant visit with your sister. Well, until her stubborn side came through and not be cooperative. I guess her stubborn nature comes from you."

"Just who do you think you are attacking them this way?"

He laughed, "Ah, well I suppose introductions would be in order. I am Baron Hunter Sangrey. The leader of the Society. The others with me are my top collectors. Emma Delacroix, Jacques Kane, and Riley Kane. We all shall meet formally soon enough." Each collector took a step forward as they were introduced by Baron.

"What do you want? I highly doubt this is a social call."

"You are so right Dante Vale. As you have already figured, I have your sister. She is unharmed for the moment. She'll stay safe as long as you and your team bring me what I want."

Zhalia glanced at Dante and then back to the screen. "What is it you're looking for?"

Baron smirked, "Aurora hid something I was searching for. Either she told her big brother the hiding place, or she might have sent it to him. I suggest you find it and bring me what I want sooner the better. It would be in your best interest to hurry because both Dante and Aurora understand how little patience I have. My collectors and I will track down you and your team to see if you have the package. Make sure it's secure and then contact us. We'll send you the coordinates to meet with us."

Dante glanced around at his team. He could see their concern and determination. He gave a slight nod and turned his attention to the screen. "I need proof of life. I want to see my sister."

Baron leaned back in his chair and mused over Dante's request. "I suppose I can allow you to see her." The image switched to a barely lit room. It was hard to focus, but then they could see someone secured onto an alter of some type.

"Aurora!"

"Dante!"

"I'll find you, and I'll bring you home. Hang in there! I'm coming! I swear it Aurora!"

"Dante!"

The feed was cut back to Baron and his collectors. "Satisfied?"

"You.."

"Careful Dante Vale. In a day or two, the Foundation will receive a package from the Society. Inside will be a communication device to use to contact us once you found Aurora's package. The clock is ticking." Baron taunted as he laughed when the screen changed back to Foundation headquarters.

"Mez! Tell me you were able to track the transmission!"

Shaking his head Mez gave Dante an apologetically look. "Sorry Dante, we hit a dead end. Don't worry, we'll do everything we can to find your sister, and to find a way to put an end to the Society."

"Mez, before you go. Ask the other Casterwills to see about finding a way to bring back "Aurora's sight. I'm sure they'll be able to find a way." Sophie offered as they watched Mez sign off.

Dante dropped into the chair behind him. He studied each one in turn, "This is going to be dangerous. The Society as I told you before are not to be taken lightly."

"We got this Dante! We're not going to back down! We'll figure this out!" Lok stated as his eyes gleamed in determination.

"Thank you, all of you. I think we'd better try and get some rest first. It's late." Dante replied as he pushed himself up from the chair and started walking to the stairs.