We moved deeper into the forest, step by careful step, Vaela leading without hesitation. The farther we went, the thicker the undergrowth became and the darker the canopy overhead grew, branches tangling together until sunlight filtered through only in thin, fractured strands. The air carried sharper scents now, damp earth, crushed leaves, moss, and something faintly metallic that made my instincts tighten.
More than once, I caught glimpses of movement between the trees. Hulking shapes with too many limbs. Eyes that reflected light unnaturally before vanishing again. Silhouettes that radiated quiet danger without ever fully revealing themselves.
As we walked, I tested my senses again and again, quietly experimenting as I moved. Each time, I slowed my breathing and let my awareness spread outward, just as I had during cultivation. The faint flow of nature energy around me responded subtle, elusive, but real.
It wasn't perfect, not even close.
The sensation weakened quickly with distance, thinning until it became little more than a suggestion. The farther I tried to extend it, the more the details blurred. I couldn't distinguish shapes or sizes, couldn't tell one creature from another, only vague impressions, life here or movement there. A ripple in the flow that didn't belong to wind or falling leaves.
Still, it helped, just a little, enough to give me a sense of the forest's pulse.
Whenever that faint disturbance sharpened, whenever something dangerous moved nearby, Vaela would stop instantly, raising a single hand. Each time, her timing was precise, as if she had sensed it long before I ever could. I fell silent at once, realizing just how far I still had to go.
"Skra-no," she whispered once, eyes narrowing as a massive shape shifted behind a cluster of roots. Another time, she gently pushed my shoulder down as something slithered across the branches above us. I understood quickly, these weren't things I was ready to face, even with Charlie and Vaela beside me, some battles were simply unwinnable.
We didn't linger. We observed, memorized, and moved on.
After a long stretch of silence, Vaela slowed again. This time, she lifted a finger and pointed ahead.
I followed her gaze.
Near a fallen log, partially covered in moss, two beasts lay resting. They were boar-like, thick-bodied with dark, leathery hides that looked almost armored. Two short but vicious horns curved forward from each head, and even lying still they radiated a stubborn strength. Each stood about half my height, their flanks rising and falling slowly as they breathed.
"Skra-hunt these," Vaela murmured, her voice barely disturbing the air.
I swallowed and nodded, my gaze fixed on the beasts ahead. Understanding settled in quickly. She had chosen them deliberately, creatures dangerous enough to demand focus and resolve, yet manageable for a first hunt.
We moved without another word, slipping behind the wide trunk of a nearby tree. Its bark was rough and thick, broad enough to conceal all three of us completely. From there, the boars were clearly visible, unaware, vulnerable in their stillness.
Vaela reached over her shoulder and drew out two arrows in one smooth motion. There was no hesitation in her movements, no wasted effort. Every action flowed into the next, refined through years of experience. She glanced at me then, her sharp eyes meeting mine for a brief moment, not to reassure, but to remind.
"Skra-ready," she said softly, her voice barely more than a breath.
I tightened my grip around the sword's hilt, the leather pressing into my palm as I lowered my stance. My knees bent, muscles coiling with restrained tension, weight balanced carefully on my feet.
My heartbeat thundered in my ears, loud enough that I worried it might give me away, but I forced myself to breathe slowly, evenly. I focused on the ground beneath me, the angle of my blade, the position of my feet. anything to keep my nerves from taking control.
Vaela held her aim for two long seconds.
Then she released.
The arrows flew true, burying themselves deep into the bellies of both boars with sickening precision. The beasts squealed in pain, bodies jerking violently as they scrambled to their feet. Blood splattered against the earth as they tried to flee in opposite directions.
That was our cue.
Charlie moved first and stepped out from cover in one smooth motion, his hand already glowing with gathering heat. A compact burst of fire tore through the air from his palm, striking the nearer beast squarely in the side. Flames blossomed on impact, licking across its dark hide. The boar let out a hoarse, broken cry, its legs buckling as it staggered a step, then collapsed into the dirt, the fire fading as its body went still.
I didn't have time to look.
I lunged for the second boar.
My sword came down in a sharp arc, guided by instinct more than thought, but at the last instant, the creature twisted with desperate agility. The blade sliced through empty air, close enough that I felt the rush of displaced wind.
The boar bolted.
It crashed through the undergrowth, snapping branches and tearing through ferns, its hooves pounding the forest floor as it leapt over fallen logs with surprising speed for something so thick-bodied.
I didn't hesitate and chased it.
Branches whipped past my face as I ran, boots pounding against uneven ground. The boar vaulted onto another fallen log, trying to gain distance.
I gritted my teeth and pushed harder. The log loomed closer, slick with moss, but I used it as leverage, planting a foot and launching myself forward with a desperate burst of strength. For a heartbeat, I was airborne.
This time, my blade found its mark.
The sword drove into the boar's back with a sickening jolt that rattled up my arms and into my shoulders. The creature let out a piercing shriek and collapsed forward, its legs buckling beneath it. I stumbled as I landed, barely managing to keep my footing, but instinct had already taken over.
I raised the sword and struck again... and again.
Each thrust sank deeper, hot resistance giving way beneath the blade as the boar's movements grew weaker, more frantic. Its struggles slowed, the powerful body shuddering once… then twice… and finally went still.
Silence followed.
I stood there, chest heaving, blood splattered across my hands and a streak across my cheek. My legs trembled as the adrenaline drained away. Slowly, I wiped my face with the back of my sleeve and let out a shaky breath.
I did it.
Footsteps approached from behind. When I looked up, Vaela and Charlie were already coming toward me. Vaela's sharp, assessing gaze lingered on the fallen beast, then shifted to me... her expression softened into something rare and genuine.
"Skra-did good," she said simply.
Charlie gave a small nod, his eyes carrying unmistakable pride. "You did it, young master."
I nodded back, a faint but honest smile touching my lips. Only then did my gaze drift downward, settling on the boar's lifeless body sprawled across the forest floor. Its dark hide was still warm, the weight of what had just happened sinking in slowly.
You're the first life I've ever taken, I thought quietly.
…I'm sorry.
The words stayed unspoken, heavy in my chest. I closed my eyes for a brief moment... when I opened them, I straightened my back, resolve settling in once more.
This was the path I had chosen.
Following Vaela's instructions, we moved without delay. She showed us how to bind the beasts properly, looping the rope around thick limbs and torsos, tightening each knot until there was no chance of them slipping free. My fingers worked stiffly, still numb from adrenaline, but I followed her steps exactly.
When it was done, I hefted one of the boars onto my back. The weight settled heavily across my shoulders, forcing a sharp grunt from my throat as I adjusted my stance. The rope bit into my palms as I secured it, making sure it wouldn't shift as we moved. Behind me, Charlie lifted the other beast with practiced ease, his expression unchanged as if this were just another routine task.
The warmth of the dead body pressed against my spine, unsettling in a way I hadn't expected. Every step reminded me of what I was carrying. No matter how I shifted the rope or adjusted my shoulders, the discomfort lingered, crawling beneath my skin. I told myself to endure it and moved on, but the sensation refused to fade.
Vaela turned without hesitation and started walking again, but not in the direction of the village.
"Skra-come."
I frowned and shifted the weight on my shoulders, exchanging a quick look with Charlie. He met my gaze, a faint crease forming between his brows. The same question was clearly on both our minds.
"Sister Vaela," I asked, keeping my voice low, "aren't we heading back to the village?"
She turned back slowly, a small, amused smile tugging at her lips.
"Skra-hunt not finish," she said lightly. "Skra-kill only two low beast."
I blinked. "Only two?"
"How many do we need?" I asked.
In answer, she raised three fingers, holding them up clearly before pointing—one at herself, one at me, and one at Charlie. "Skra-three people."
The meaning settled in.
Before I could say anything else, Vaela turned forward again and continued walking, her steps steady as she led us deeper into the forest.
I adjusted my grip on the rope and followed, understanding dawning slowly as we moved on.