We are all in the Sunset Peak and camped in the base of the mountain while large woods were being prepared for a bonfire in the middle of the camp for tonight's celebration of the winners.
Granny left last night after she gave me the weapon, and Regin woke up surprised and immediately called my name to see if I was alright. The maids teased him since he was snoring when they entered.
I wore pants that they specifically tailored for today's trial. I looked like a hunter with the outfit of black cloth.
I was in my tent doing a warm-up, and good thing Aiven was able to go with us. But he brought another person with him, another being as beautiful as him, Prince Arias Winnow Horne, the heir of Echo Kingdom. When I saw him go out of the carriage with Aiven, I felt as if anime came to life. Aiven's white long flowing hair and red eyes were majestic, while Prince Arias' electric blue eyes and blonde hair shone blessings to my eyes.
Aiven said that Prince Arias wants to talk to me personally as soon as he can because they'll have to leave tomorrow, that's why he has no other choice but to bring him.
Even the other brides and other ladies were struck by the beautiful men, and now that Prince Forest was with the two, the grace of god's before us. Lili and Lala were the ecstatic ones while suppressing their shrieks. Even I can't help but be breathless, they look like the boys in anime that I love.
We left early before the sun even wakes up, it was cold, but the mountain air was the best thing I had and the thing that I didn't know I needed.
Aiven was having tea while watching the sky, our location was perfect to see the view of the sunrise, while Prince Arias was with Prince Forest. The maids were preparing for any emergency that may happen, while Regin was patrolling outside the tent.
"Hey," I called Aiven, "What do you think of this?" I asked while I pulled my bow and arrow from the case I put it on.
He stared at me with wide eyes, then he moved to me with awe all over his face, "Where did you get this? Only the best warriors of the Foxtrot Kingdom have this," he said as he carefully took the bow from my hand then he analyzes the workmanship of the bow.
His eyes glance every inch and details of the bow, he must really love archery this much.
"Well, it turns out my father was one of the best warriors," I proudly said, but then I suddenly remembered our conversation last night. My chest grew heavy while I felt a pang of panic, "I have something to tell you," I whispered to Aiven, but Regin suddenly entered and called my name.
"Miss Amelia, the trial will start," he said then he looked at me, "Is something wrong?"
Aiven gazed at me, "Why do you look like you're about to die?" He asked.
I furrowed my brows, "What?" Why are they acting like that?
Lulu went beside me and wiped my eyes, "Why are you tearing up?"
I shook my head and wiped my eyes with my hands, it's true, I'm crying. Since when? And why?
"I'm sorry, I'm just scared," I said then I took my stuff and went out. I was shocked by my reaction earlier too. It must've been because of what my father told me last night about the Prince, and speaking of my love, he suddenly popped out of nowhere and started walking with me to the middle of the camp.
"Good morning, Amy," Prince Forest smiled warmly at me.
I saw Prince Arias walking to Aiven inside my tent.
But suddenly my father's words about him suddenly appeared, but I still managed to smile back.
"Are you ready?" He asked as we started walking slowly.
The other brides still haven't left their tents, and only me and some guards are outside with the Prince. The cold morning left a thick fog over the peak of the mountain, and I can even feel the moistened air.
"Yeah," I held my bow tightly, "I told you I'll win."
We stopped near the woods for the bonfire then I faced him, "So, any good luck charm?" I asked.
He looked around and when he was sure no one was looking, he leaned and gave me a quick peck on the cheek, "There, now bring me three boars." He smiled and moved a bit farther from me, then a few moments after the brides were all around him except me and Sia who was busy tying her hair.
I pursed my lips and tried to hide my blush. My cheeks are still burning from his kiss, and Sia saw my face and she threw me an arched brow, "Why are you blushing?" she asked as she went beside me. Her light mint colored outfit fits perfectly with her. Now she looks like a child model, unlike the dress she wore in the ball that only made her look like a hanger with the flat-shaped attire.
A few more inch and this kid will be taller than me. I remembered whenever I enter a class some people thought that I was a little sister of a college student, when in fact I am in my second year. I know I'm not far from the average height, but still, some people still think that I'm a kid.
Prince Forest opened the trial with the same gesture he did before. He raised his sword and pointed it on the kingdom's flag and a few statements after, we were on our feet, ready to enter the mountain.
They told us that we have to pour our paint on the boar that we kill and they'll take it, I was given a black paint which Regin put on my belt behind me which I can easily grab if I had a kill.
I saw the maids, Aiven, and Regin smiling at me as a cheer before they opened the trial. Even Prince Arias who I still haven't spoken with cheered me with a thumbs up.
I turned to Sia who smiled at me and gave me a proud smile, "This is nothing, we'll win," she told me, and then we heard the butler say that we can enter the mountain.
They didn't give us any map, but they said there are marks that we can follow when we have to go back. And the moment I stepped into the woods, I saw red arrows that pointed back to the camp on the trees.
Everyone was rushing to the middle of the mountain where they said the boars are all located.
I can hear some ladies complaining, while some looked serious. And then I saw Sia, she was running fast, and that's when I felt the eagerness to win.
I wanted to use my power, but I have to get away from these ladies first. They said we can use our powers, but we can only kill the boar with arrows. I know they'll know that I am a human if I suddenly use my speed, they'll be suspicious.
I walked on the other side of the mountain, and as I get farther, they all slowly all vanished from my eyes, and that's when I ran like hell.
And as expected, I was the first one on the scene. I saw a group of five boars walking not far from where I am.
Three. I have to hit three and I'm done.
I hid behind a tree and prepared my arrow and I was about to aim when I that the group went rampage as the voices of the ladies grew louder and louder which scared the boars.
I clicked my tongue and watch where the boars are going, I followed them while running at the same speed, then suddenly they went different directions.
I decided to follow the smallest one, and when he came to cease, I hid behind a tree, prepared my arrow, and aimed.
It was eating grass peacefully, I don't want to hurt that little animal, but I have to.
I released the arrow, then I heard the animal's cry for a second then it went silent.
I'm so sorry, little guy.
I stood up and saw that it's dead. I felt so proud of myself that I jumped for a few seconds before rushing towards the boar, but the moment I was near the dead animal, yellow paint was poured on its black skin.
I looked at where the floating paint bottle was going back and I saw a voluptuous woman wearing yellow clothes. She smirked then began to walk away.
"Hey," I called as I ran to follow her, "This is my kill."
I raised my brows while pointing at the boar on the ground with its blood spilling from the wound.
The lady looked back and gave me a glare. Then she stared at me from head to toe, "Sorry, but my paint's on that creature."
I shook my head in anger, "I killed that boar," I said under my breath while grinding my teeth in anger, "You better take that paint off."
I never felt to irritated before that my bones feel as if they're shattering. Who the hell is she? She just came in with her floating powers and took someone else's kill.
"Oh, aren't you that little human?" She mockingly chuckled then she waved her hair, "Shoo away girl, you don't belong here."
I felt my head heating up from anger, this chick is getting on my nerves. I glared at her while I take a deep breath, I feel my whole body burning, as if I'm a match about to fire up, but I heard a rustle from the bushes.
I saw a boar.
"Go now, I'm done here," the lady said as she floats midair with her legs crossed.
I'll remember your face, lady. I gave her the last gaze then I ran towards the bushes where I heard a noise while she flew away.
Two boars who seem to be a mother and child were drinking by a small puddle amidst the forest. I took a deep breath to relax and get rid of the anger.
It's only a boar, I shouldn't let myself get tense up. There's plenty of time. It's still morning.
I stretched my bow, aimed for the young animal, but another bride got to hit my target first.
"Oh my," Sia looked at me with wide eyes, "I didn't see you there, Amy," she looked devastated as she turns her gaze to me and the boar.
I sighed, "It's fine," I waved my hands as I stand up, "You hit it first."
At least she didn't steal my kill unlike the lady earlier. I was the slow one here.
"Did Lady Zemira killed that boar?" Sia pointed to the boar I killed earlier that's painted with yellow not far from our spot.
I shook my head and cracked my knuckles, "She stole it from me," I said.
Now I know her name, I'll definitely tell it to Prince Forest. Sia raised her brow and her gaze went sharp, "Stole? That woman knows nothing but steal," Sia rested her hand on her hip, "She was a noble's mistress before, then she took someone else's fiance, and now she's here. I can't believe she's really from the Echo Kingdom. We better tell this to Prince Arias."
I chuckled with Sia's reaction to what happened to me, she looks annoyed that my kill was taken.
"I'm going to be fine, Sia. Paint your boar then you can go back to the camp," I pat her head then I turned in the opposite direction, "I'll handle the thief later, just rest."
A branch suddenly moved towards me with a couple of apples hanging, "Take it, " Sia spoke, "You'll get hungry with all the running you do."
I picked the apples and hid them in my clothes, "Thank you," I said.
Sia smiled at me, then I sprinted while looking for a boar to take.
Surprisingly, the other ladies were having a hard time using a bow, and I have only seen a single boar that was painted with violet. I saw a lady with short hair from the Foxtrot Kingdom wearing a violet outfit, it must've been her.
I stopped when I reached a cliff, below was a smooth river with plants growing beside it, and there I saw numerous boars. The ladies will not see this since they're all gathered in a single spot, and I guess they wouldn't make it through the mud I passed by.
I look for a way to go down, but only the steep's the available way.
I took a deep breath and I climb down, holding unto vines, roots, and rocks that I see while I carefully put my foot down. Then I thought about a gravity-defying idea.
If I am fast enough, I can run down the cliff easily like Flash. I've seen him do those on buildings when I watch the series.
I changed my position and had my back on the cliff while I face the horizon where I can see endless trees. I looked down and prepared myself.
I hope this goes well.
I counted while breathing in, then I let go of the vine and rock I was holding and felt myself falling down. But the moment my feet touched the cliff, I started running.
And my experiment was once again right, I smiled while feeling the wind against my skin.
I want to scream while going down the cliff and within a few seconds, I was on the river.
I hid behind a huge rock before the boars can see me, and now my shoes and my pants are drenched in water.
I shook myself from the excitement I felt earlier, and I just noticed how fast my heart is beating.
Small fishes swam around me; the river was clear and cool. The boars were peacefully drinking water, and some were splashing. The water shine with the sun's rays, I never saw something so lively before.
The wildlife will always be beautiful.
"Okay," I whispered to myself as I fix my bow and arrow, then I aimed at a boar and swiftly, I released it. I hit it.
The boar cried as it falls on the river, and now the water's turned red with its blood.
And I just realized something I shouldn't have done, the boars are all rampaging now towards me. They got shocked by what happened and now they're running.
I hid behind the rock as the peaceful scenery earlier changed into chaos. The river's flow was disturbed and now there are waves coming from the boars.
I saw them pass by me, but I still have to catch the other two. I bent my knee, then I aimed again for another boar.
They were all running so fast that aiming even becomes impossible. I decided to stand over the rock behind me to get a better view. It was a bit wet and slippery, but I still managed to climb and when I was on top, I released the arrow.
It hit another one, and the boars distant themselves from the boar that's still trying to run, but doom's already before it.
I smiled as I take another arrow, but I stepped on the wrong side and the world went upside down. I slipped. I clenched my arrow tightly as if it can even stop me from falling.
And before I knew I was down, my head hit a rock, and the world came to a spiraling unconsciousness.