Marilin's smile was gentle as she gazed at her daughter, Aris. "I don't know," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "Maybe you can give him one." Aris's eyes sparkled with excitement, and she bounced up and down in her seat. "Really? Can I?" Marilin nodded, and Aris's face scratched in thought as she scanned the surroundings. The coach creaked and groaned, the horses' hooves pounding against the earthy path. The scent of blooming wildflowers wafted through the air, sweet and heady.
As the coach emerged from the trees, Aris spotted the pendant on former Jaden's arm, reflecting the sun's rays like a tiny star. "I think I know a name that would fit him well," she said, her voice filled with conviction. Marilin raised an eyebrow, her expression curious. "What's that?" Aris hesitated, looking up at her mother with a curious expression. "First, let me ask you a question."
The forest seemed to hold its breath as Marilin waited for Aris to continue. The rustling of leaves and chirping of birds filled the air, a soothing melody that underscored the tension. "Are we still using our last family name?" Aris asked, her brow furrowed in thought.
Marilin was taken aback by the question, but she realized the sense in it. "No," she replied, her voice firm. "From now on, this village will be our home, and its name will be our family name." Aris's face lit up with understanding, and she nodded enthusiastically. "And what's the name?" "Ranon," Marilin replied, a sense of finality in her voice.
Aris smiled, her eyes shining with excitement. "In that case... It's Nice to meet you, Cyan Sayl Ranon," she said, gazing at the baby. From that day onwards, Jaden became known as Cyan.
Marilin chuckled, her eyes cr crling at the corners. "It's a wonderful name. But where did you pull Sayl from?" Aris's smile grew wider, and she leaned in, her voice filled with importance. "Here in the south, middle names are crucial. That's why I added his middle name as Sayl. In the north, it means moon."
Marilin's eyes softened as she looked at her daughter. "Moon, huh? It suits him well." The coach continued on its way, the sun beating down on the forest, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
As the years passed, the villagers grew to accept the Ranon family. Randell and Cyan made new friends, and Aris blossomed into a confident and compassionate young girl.
Ten years later, a figure in black hid in the bushes, bow drawn and aimed at a majestic deer with one blue and one red horn. The figure's eyes narrowed, focusing on the shot, their breathing slow and steady. The deer's ears twitched, and it sensed danger, but the figure was too skilled. The arrow flew, but just as it was about to strike, it veered off course, hitting a nearby tree with a loud thud.
"Damn it, I missed!" the figure muttered, frustration etched on their face. The deer bounded away, and the figure whistled a signal that echoed through the forest, clearly translating: "Cyan."
As the sun beat down on the forest, another figure sprinted through the trees, their movements fluid and precise. Cyan, a very young, yet skilled weapon master, chased after a majestic deer, his eyes fixed on the target. With a swift motion, he drew four arrows, placing two on his bow and two in his mouth. The deer's ears twitched, and it sensed danger, but Cyan was relentless.
The first arrow struck the deer's stomach, the second its leg. Though the deer slowed, it refused to yield. Cyan leapt into the air, drawing two more arrows as he soared. Time seemed to slow as he released the arrows, which flew towards the deer with deadly precision, striking its head with a sickening crunch.
As the deer collapsed, Cyan approached it, his mask removed, revealing his black hair and piercing red eyes. The forest was silent, the only sound the deer's labored breathing. Cyan placed his hands together in a prayer-like gesture, his voice firm and collected. "Forgive me for making it painful. I should have ended it in one shot from the very beginning. Please rest in peace." The words were a gentle whisper, a soft lament for the creature's demise.
Randell, who had been watching from a distance, yelled out, "Cyan, you did it!" His voice echoed through the forest, shattering the silence. Cyan turned, a confident smile spreading across his face. Randell, in his enthusiasm, launched himself towards Cyan, intending to use him as a landing cushion. However, Cyan dodged with ease, his movements fluid and precise. Randell face-planted into the ground with a thud, his body bouncing off the earth.
Cyan chuckled, offering Randell a hand up. "Cal, you no better than to jump on someone like that." Randell rubbed his sore cheek, looking sheepish. "Sorry." The apology was mumbled, but Cyan's smile never wattered.
As they stood up, a whistle pierced the air, and Cyan swiftly drew his bow, shooting two arrows into the sky. The sound was like a crack of thunder, sharp and commanding. "Let's focus on the signals, Cal. We need to get back to work before it gets dark." The urgency in Cyan's voice was unmistakable, and Randell nodded, his expression serious.
The day wore on, with Cyan, Randell and another figure, working in tandem, their movements practiced and efficient. The sun beat down on them, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Ryan, their friend, joined them, and together they stood before a massive pile of dead animals, their faces flushed with excitement. "What a catch!" Ryan exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder.
Cyan grinned, his eyes cr crling at the corners. "Yeah, though it's smaller than yesterday's." Randell's expression turned serious, his brow furrowed in concern. "We could have caught more if I wasn't getting distracted, sorry about that." Cyan placed a reassuring hand on Randell's shoulder. "Don't beat yourself up over it, Cal. It's not your fault. We've all been having doubts about the hunts, but every time we go out, those doubts seem to be turning into fact."
Ryan nodded in agreement, his eyes clouding over. "We're catching less with each passing day." The forest seemed to grow quieter, the only sound the distant call of a bird. Randell's eyes widened as realization dawned on him. "They're right," he thought, his expression changing to shock.
The silence was palpable, the tension between them thick and heavy. Ryan broke the silence, his voice light. "You know what? Let's just leave it at that for now and focus on our current task. We wouldn't want to attract any unwanted attention." Cyan nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "Truth be told, you're right."
As they began to gather their gear, Cyan instructed Randell to bring their coach. With a nod, Randell leapt into the trees, his movements silent and precise. The forest swallowed him whole, leaving Cyan and Ryan to their work.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Cyan and Ryan lingered behind, meticulously carving the sellable materials from the monster corpse they had hunted. The fading light cast a warm orange glow over the forest, and the night winds began to whisper through the trees. The scent of damp earth and decaying leaves filled the air, a rich and loamy smell.
Ryan's gaze was fixed on his hands as he worked, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Have you noticed something?" he asked, his voice low and curious. Cyan's hands moved with precision, his eyes locked on the task at hand. "Notice what exactly?" His voice was a gentle rumble, a soft counterpoint to Ryan's question.
Ryan's eyes met Cyan's, a hint of intrigue in his expression. The forest was silent, the only sound the distant hooting of an owl. "From the very first day you picked up your bow, no one in the village has ever craved meat." Cyan's response was laced with skepticism, his brow furrowed in doubt. "I think you're exaggerating a bit." Ryan's smile was unwavering, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "No lies, pal. I know, because I too haven't craved meat for the past two years. My father mentioned it too. Just how do you do it?"
Cyan's shoulders shrugged, his hands never faltering in their task. The sound of scraping flesh and the smell of raw meat filled the air, a pungent reminder of their hunt. "I still think he exaggerated, but if you want to know how I use the bow... I just trust my instincts, then bam!" Ryan's laughter echoed through the forest, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Bam? You're the worst teacher I've ever had, but I'm glad you're my best friend." Cyan's face flushed, and he muttered, "Thanks, dad."
The sound of laughter was short-lived, as Randell arrived with the coach, the lantern torch casting a fiery glow over the surroundings. The smell of smoke and oil wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of the forest. "That was fast," Ryan said, as they finished collecting the sellable parts. Randell grinned, his eyes gleaming with pride. "I rode as fast as I could. I can be an excellent coach-man when I feel like it."
Cyan's expression turned serious, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "You two can brag about your talents later. Let's load up and get out of here. The smell of blood will attract unwanted guests soon." The urgency in his voice was unmistakable, and Ryan and Randell quickly set to work.
As they loaded the coach, Randell asked, "Guests? How can you call those mongoro's guests with a straight face?" Cyan's response was matter-of-fact, his voice low and even. "Think about it. They're just creatures trying to survive, like we hunted these animals for food. To them, we're the main course. Just try not to be delicious."
The three of them exchanged a look, their faces a mix of amusement and unease. As the coach moved, the sound of creaking wood and clattering hooves filled the air. The three friends kept their guard up, their senses on high alert.
Suddenly, Cyan's head snapped up, his eyes locked on something in the distance. "Cal, stop the coach!!" The coach halted, and Ryan asked, his voice muffled by the cloth covering his mouth, "Is it them?" Cyan's response was tight-lipped, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "Don't know. Let me check."
With a fluid motion, Cyan leapt onto the coach roof, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Randell peered into the darkness, his grip on the reins tense. And then, Cyan saw them – eyes glowing in the dark, their growls audible. "Cal, go!" Cyan yelled, as Randell whipped the horse into a frenzied gallop.
The wolves gave chase, their growls echoing through the forest. The battle was intense, with arrows flying and daggers flashing in the moonlight. Amidst the chaos, Cyan, Ryan, and Randell fought in perfect sync, their movements a testament to their training and trust in each other.
"Guests, huh?" Ryan and Randell yelled in unison, their eyes locked on Cyan. Cyan's response was dry, his voice steady. "Can we all agree this is not the time?" The fight raged on, the sound of growling and howling filling the night air, as the coach careened through the forest, pursued by the snarling pack.
As the coach careened through the forest, Cyan's voice rose above the din. "Someone remind me why we don't finish the hunt during the day?" Randell's response was laced with amusement, his voice breathless. "Because we enjoy it; time just flies by." Cyan's dry tone was unmistakable, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "Ah, yeah... We're morons😑."
Ryan chuckled, his laughter echoing through the forest. "I'm not going to disagree with you there." Randell joined in, his laughter mingling with the sound of the wolves' howls and growl's. Suddenly, Cyan's voice turned urgent, his eyes locked on a wolf lunging at Ryan. "Watch your six!" A swift shot took the wolf down, and Randell quickly tied the rope used to control the horse. "Take us home, buddy!" he yelled, his voice hoarse from shouting.
The horse neighed in response, its hooves pounding the earth as it galloped towards safety.
As Randell leapt onto the coach, he shouted, "Cyan, cover me!" A wolf jumped onto him, but he delivered a precise round kick, connecting with one of the wolves. The sound of the impact was like a crack of thunder, and the wolf yelled in pain as it tumbled to the ground. Cyan provided cover, taking out another wolf with an arrow. The arrow flew true, striking the wolf with a sickening crunch.
Randell swung himself back onto the coach, grabbing a short sword from beneath a cloth. The coach continued to move at breakneck speed, the three boys fighting in perfect sync. With only one arrow left, Cyan's focus intensified. He began to analyze the wolves' movements, spotting patterns and calculating trajectories. His eyes locked onto a specific wolf, and he drew his bow, his voice barely above a whisper. "So long, fuckers."
As Cyan released the arrow, it flew straight and true, striking the targeted wolf with deadly precision. The wolf's body crumpled to the ground, and the others faltered, momentarily disorganized. The coach continued to speed through the forest, the horses' hooves pounding out a frantic rhythm. Randell expertly controlled the vehicle, dodging low-hanging branches and leaping over roots.
Cyan and Ryan fought off the remaining wolves, their movements fluid and synchronized. The wolves, however, seemed relentless, and it seemed like they would never end. But as the coach burst through a thicket of trees, the landscape opened up, and the boys caught sight of the village in the distance. The lights of the village shone like a beacon, and the sound of the wolves' howls grew fainter as the coach drew closer to safety.
The boys breathed a collective sigh of relief as Randell guided the coach towards the village entrance. As they approached, the villagers emerged from their homes, concern etched on their faces. But as they saw the boys' triumphant smiles and the coach loaded with game, their expressions changed to ones of admiration and gratitude.
The villagers cheered, and the boys grinned, exhausted but exhilarated by their successful hunt. As they drove the coach into the village, Cyan leaned back, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He knew that the hunt wasn't over yet – there were still secrets lurking in the shadows, and he was determined to uncover them.
Marilin, emerged from the crowd, a warm smile on her face. "I am proud to well come you back home but considering that you brats decided to go behind my back and proceeded with an unofficial hunt. I am very desapointed," she said, Ryan, cyan and Randell faced the other way, avoiding eye contact.
" Sigh, Any ways You've brought back a fine haul. But I sense that this hunt was different. What happened out there?"
Cyan's eyes met Randell's, then back to marilin "It's a long story," he said, his voice low. "But we'll tell you everything, if it's going to help us avoid punishment that is"
Marilin's eyes narrowed as she spoke " I will see what I can do for you but in return I want a full report" Cyans expression turned skeptical as the thought "Lier!" his expression a smile. Followed by a calculative moment of silence. Suddenly, the tension turned serious and Cyan's eyes met Randell's, then his eyes Surveyed their soroundind's. Noticing the crowd he knew that they had to tread carefully. They couldn't reveal too much, not yet. "We're just glad to be back safe and sound," Cyan said, his expression neutral. His eyes hinted "Later" to Marilin.
Marilin's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze intently focused on Cyan. The flickering torches cast shadows on her face, accentuating the lines of concern etched on her forehead "Okay then, I will see you at the council" she said as she walked away, the sound of her footsteps echoing through the night air.
As the night wore on, the villagers began to disperse, their faces lit up by the stars above. The boys, exhausted but exhilarated, made their way to their homes, their hearts still racing from the thrill of the hunt.
But as they walked, Cyan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that unblinking eyes were trained on them from the shadows. He glanced around, but saw nothing. The darkness seemed to press in around him, the silence thick and heavy. "Let's get some rest," he said, his voice low. "We've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow."
Randell and Ryan nodded, their faces set with determination. As they parted ways, Cyan couldn't shake off the feeling that their lives were about to take a dramatic turn. The hunt had been a success, but it had also brought forth answers he'd been seeking for so long.
As he strolled through the village streets with Randell by his side, the night breeze gently rustled his black silky hair, carrying the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers. The soft chirping of crickets and the distant hooting of owls filled the air, creating a soothing melody that seemed to lull the world into a peaceful slumber.
Cyan's lips curled into a gentle smile as he absorbed the tranquility of their village. The villagers, who had become like family to him, greeted them with warm smiles and goodnight wishes as they passed. Randell's gaze drifted towards Cyan, his eyes cr crling at the corners as he noticed his friend's genuine smile.
"It's nights like these that make you forget the brutality that lies beyond our walls," Randell said, his voice low and contemplative, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if searching for something. Cyan's smile widened, and he nodded in agreement. "Yeah," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
As they walked, the sound of soft footsteps approached them. Two children, a boy and a girl, emerged from the crowd. The girl, Lyra, was dressed in a simple yet elegant dress, her blonde hair tied back in a ponytail. The boy, Kyle, wore a white t-shirt and shorts, his blonde hair messy from play. Both children had piercing blue eyes that sparkled in the fading light.
Lyra's eyes shone with excitement as she gazed up at Cyan. "Cyan, Randell! We saw the whole thing! You're so brave!" she exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper. Kyle nodded vigorously, his eyes wide with wonder. "Yeah, and you killed like a million wolves! Can you teach me how to fight like that?"
Cyan chuckled, ruffling Kyle's hair. "Not a million, Kyle, but I'll teach you some moves, okay?" Randell grinned, scooping up Lyra in a gentle hug. "And I'll teach Lyra how to dodge like a pro."
The children's faces lit up, and they skipped alongside Cyan and Randell, their laughter and chatter filling the night air. As they walked, the darkness seemed to recede, and the village felt like a haven, a place where they could be safe and happy.
END OF CHAPTER 2