A young man around the age of 18 wakes up from a sweat ridden nightmare. His dreams had slowly started turning into nightmares after he turned 10. He rubs his eyes before opening them and stares up at the roof of the cabin. His eyes were red with a single tear the dripped from his right eye.
"Another nightmare?" A voice across from him asked. A large burly man with short red hair and a thick beard stood leaning against the door.
"Yeah… Since you guys took me in that day, they've been getting worse…" The young man sits up runs his hand through his Snow White hair. "Since Vincenz allowed me to stay… All I could dream of was my old village burning…"
"I still cannot believe no word had been sent to either the Frost Wolf or the Moon Wolf clans." He walks over and places his hand on the young man's shoulder. "For now, get bathed and dressed. It's time for you and Terek to take your trials. We need to be prepared for what ever is to come that hit your village then."
"Thank you Connor… I need to be stronger so nobody else dies for me." He looked down at his empty palm.
"And you will, Jayce. In due time my boy. Gregor and the other Hunters tried their best to bring you back here." He pats his shoulder again then makes his leave, leaving Jayce to his thoughts for a moment. All he could think about was how he and Terek were cursed. I'm his old village nobody cared for him. His father abandoned him when he was born and his mother died before the massacre.
"Thank you Gregor for this chance…" He mumbles to himself then gets up to wash up.
Outside Connor's cabin, the village was quiet as everyone had been gathered to the training yard. Snow lightly falling into the ground and the log cabins within the village. Two men now stood outside Connors cabin waiting, a large Dire Wolf sat beside he young man. Vincenz was built similarly to Connor and looks like he hasn't aged a day. Beside him stood Terek, the other young man who like Jayce has red eyes and hair as white as snow. He was thin but his main focus wasn't strength compared to his friend. Having spent eight years together, Terek and Jayce became friends and helped each other through the years. Beside Terek sat his companion, A large Dire Wolf with black fur and brown eyes sat next to him. She was still young but she suited Terek best.
"Jayce will be out in a few moments." Connor called out, stepping outside of his cabin, sitting down in a wooden chair outside the door.
"Still having nightmares I take it?" Vincenz walks up the steps of the cabin and takes a seat beside his friend.
"They're getting worse, I fear. He still hasn't forgotten the sacrifice Gregor and the others made." Connor seemed pained now that he was talking to a friend.
A sigh came from Vincenz as he looked down to the floor. "The three of us did grow up together old friend."
Terek didn't mind waiting but he was beginning to grow bored. "I'm going to go on a walk with Timber." At the sound of hearing his name, Timber stood up, her head now at eye level with Tereks.
"Alright Terek. I'll call for you two when it's time." Vincenz called out as the two companions left.
Connor chuckles "Timber really has grown. I didn't realize she was that big until she stood beside Terek."
Vincenz smiles and looks down. "I think she's the biggest of the pack. Not even our Alpha is that large."
Connor scratches his head as the door beside him opens up. "Sorry it took me so long." Jayce stepped out of the cabin and stood beside Connor. He wore black leather pants and a thick shirt and iron plated chest gear. "I had to clean my armor real fast."
Vincenz looks over to the young man. He was dressed for the cold but he made sure to wear armor from his old village. He felt bad for him, having to live a life he never had but at the same time as living a life as the last of his village. "We should head out to the training grounds. You and Terek are the only ones going in for the trial today." He says standing up.
"I won't be able to join you as once Luc and I are on guard duty but we won't be too far." Connor stands up as well, placing his hand on your shoulder.
"Where is Terek anyway?" Jayce asked curiously. "I was hoping to see Timber before we began the trial."
"Don't worry, you'll see her at the training ground." Connor spoke softly smiling. Timber was Terek's companion but she had a soft spot for Jayce. Anybody else would get a growl before she warmed up to them.
Vincenz and Jayce begin to make their way to the training grounds, which was on the edge of the village and up close to the Gate. At the entrance to the training grounds stood Terek leaned against the wall with his eyes closed and beside him laid Timber. Laying down she was up to Tereks side. She lifts her head and sees the two walking toward them.
"You're almost late… Father." Terek smirked. "We better hurry before we're late for our own trials, Jayce." He reached down gently rubbing Timber's ear. Timber leaned into the head rub at first before seeing Jayce. She kept her eyes on him for a moment until he walks up to her. "I still like how you're the only other one she'll let near her."
Jayce rubs her head as she leaned into it. "I know… I'm sorry girl but we gotta take our trials now." He tells the Dire Wolf and stands up.
She had grown up with the two friends and learned with them. She knew she wouldn't be able to accompany them through this but she wanted to. She stood up, nudging against Terek for a moment then walks over to his father. "We'll be at the end waiting for you two boys."
"I know father…. We'll try to show them what we've got. Won't be Jayce?" He smirks and turns around."
"Right." Jayce turned around and began to head out to the training grounds with Terek. The two walked out into an open field. The snow covered the field as they walked farther out, the cold brisk wind hitting their cheeks. Jayce still couldn't adjust to the cold weather while Terek was used to it. This was how he trained with Timber.
Terek's grandfather stood in the center waiting for them. Nobody would be able to watch this due to the prophecy and having two who bore the eyes and hair being up for their tests. "Terek. Jayce. Today is the day you take your trials. Terek, you have been trained since you were a young boy to endure this test." The old man looks over to the Jayce, almost unsure of what to say at first. "Jayce. You have survived something none of us could have foreseen. In taking this test, you will prove you not just to everyone here, but to yourself, that you are ready."
Jayce and Terek both look at eachother and nod, then look back to Terek's grandfather. "We are ready for our trials."
And with that the old man smiles. A brisk breeze blowing hard into their uncovered faces. "As you may know, our guardians patrol the forest around our village. For your trial, you must enter the forest and survive for three days."
Jayce stood there for a moment thinking to himself. There is no backing out now. "I may be from a village that once was in the desert, but thanks to everyone here in this one, I have a home that I want to protect." After saying this, he felt an arm in his shoulder.
"Let's do this together then…" Terek told his friend.
"There is no rule in our trials against teamwork, that is what makes the Guardians and our Hunters unique. You two must survive together in the harsh weather that is to come. Now, goto the Main Gate once you two are ready and I will see you both off." The old man watches as the two young men walk out of the training grounds. Once they leave, he hears footsteps behind him, not of a man but of a Wolf.
"Are you certain they will awaken the god?" A gray Dire Wolf stood beside his old friend. A scar sat across his right eye leaving three marks going down to his cheek. "There should be one, Viktor."
"The prophecy isn't very clear as to how many were born, you should know better old friend." He places his hand on the Dire Wolf's shoulder. "Their trial is only just beginning."