The "lands of the ancient" also known as the human continent. It was A gigantic mass of land past the "Wayrin" sea. Most of the land consisted of grassy plains and towering forest. There were even large chains of mountains scattered about some stretching for thousands of miles.
On the western coast of the continent In valley deep within the vast "DragonSpine" mountain range, laid a river that led all the way into the Wayrin sea. Opposite of the river was A forest right at the edge of the valley going up the mountain side. Directly in the middle of the area in between the forest and the river was a small village, it was a rural place made up of wooden shacks and mud brick house with a population slightly under a hundred.
A slight breeze blew through the air carrying the smell of nature. Singing could be heard in the shabby rundown houses as the housewives began their evening chores. Children bustling about the village learning crafts from their fathers or cultivating in seclusion.
It was a simple life compared to the outside world were war and sieges waged daily, here only the occasional wild beast came to stir up commotion from time to time.
Inside a rundown shack towards the edge of the village. There was a handsome young boy resting peacefully on some beast furs. He seemed to be in stark contrast with the bustling village. A small smile could be seen on his face. He had striking short black hair that went down to his broad shoulders. His jade white skin glistening from the sunlight spilling in from the cracks in the shack, he had sword shaped eyebrows, and toned muscles. All his characteristics made him seem like a prince from a noble land not some rural farm boy from a small village.
"Uhhhhh Kuma you lazy scoundrel how dare you stand me up again!! You promised to go pick berries with me."
cried out a female voice from outside the shack. the owner of it sounded like she was on the verge of tears
"Banmm" shorty after the door was kicked in hitting the side wall with a bang. Rattling the small shack.
The boy Kuma was startled from his sleep as he jumped up in fright. Confusion and panic filled his dark eyes. he stared at the entrance of the shack shaking uncontrollably.
"S-sh-Shuri calm down look I can explain." Stumbled Kuma as he glanced around frantically looking for A escape exit.
In front of the entrance stood a plain looking young girl, no older than 13. Her dark brown hair maintained wildly. She had a flustered face, tears and anger could be seen in her pure eyes. Dropping her basket, she strutted over to the frightened Kuma.
"Whap" "puhf" two sounds rang out as Shuri smacked Kuma across the back of his head. ignoring his pleas of explanation.
"This is the fifth time this week you've stood me up. How are you ever going to take care of your self if all you do is lay around all day? She began scolding.
"So violent ...like a beast in human form... what if those two hits would of knocked my poor head off!!" Kuma grumbled.
"Want some more" Shuri flared up, rolling up her sleeves.
"Ah no no ... Have mercy!" Kuma jumped around in fright trying to avoid the angry Shuri.
"Heaven's save me my future wife's trying to murder me" Kuma screamed dramatically as he dropped to his knees.
"Hmph you scoundrel w-wh-who wants to marry a bum like you" Shuri snorted blushing a little.
"Hehe we already swore a promise to each other." Kuma chuckled smiling like a madman.
"Humph" Shuri replied turning to look the other way. Her face bright red as Kuma shamelessly mentioned their promise to marry each other from when they were kids.
This was a regular routine between the two. She was Kuma's only friend in the whole village. During the tragic events of the last "Beast raid" they both lost there relatives. Leaving themselves only able to rely on each other. It was a cruel world even in the isolated village it was no different. Only the strong survive.
Remembering the past Shuri gently sighed as she began to calm down.
"You need to go out side more. Staying in this dusty room all day is detrimental to your health and future cultivation" she said softly gently brushing over Kuma's hair.
"I know.. you can sleep in tomorrow I'll take care of everything." Kuma spoke turning serious for once.
The young girl's face lit up in anticipation. Only after pestering Kuma for a bit and making him promise to make her a gift did she let him off.
She grabbed her basket from the entrance than lightly sat down on the beast furs next to Kuma. The two began to snack and talk for hours until nightfall. It was only in the moments like this when they were together could they slowly forget their problems.
The next day the sun slowly rose into the sky. the villagers started to move about their normal routine of chores and cultivation. Everyone keeping to themselves trying to make it through another day.
In Kuma's shack the handsome young boy opened his eyes. Before slowly getting up and lightly moving Shuri off of his arm. He quietly got dressed. Grabbing his daggers, necklace and some supplies before heading out. He promised to let Shuri sleep in today so he set out early so he could come back Before she woke up.
Shortly after he left, the sleeping young girl opened her pure eyes. Looking towards the door she whispered "be safe Kuma." Before quickly drifting back into her sleep.
A few hours later, miles away from the village was a male figure soaked in blood. He breathed heavily as exhaustion radiated from every bone in his body. urgency and desperation filled his dark eyes. His clothes were torn and ragged looking. The two blades in his hand had large cracks in them seeming like they could break with just the gentlest of breeze's. ignoring the corpses around him he dashed in the direction of the village. Whispering to himself over and over if you listened closely you'd hear him say "please be safe... please I'm begging you ... be safe."
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That figure was Kuma!!!