Deep in Forrest of the Great Tree two men were combat training by the riverside. "Ha… hiya! Ha… uuuwwaa!" A lot of strenuous grunts and huffing and other random outbursts occurred as the sound of their effort to defeat one another during their sparring session.
Raheem sat and watched. All he could do was appreciate one of the few forms of entertainment in the village of Gripa as the two men clashed.
Raphael, the village chief was sparring with his youngest son; Gilgamesh. A loud thud could be hurt as a victor had emerged.
The older man, looked to be about in his early 50s. About 5'10" in height with a lean build. One could say he would be an ideal Ranger, but this man was well known as Raphael the Giant Slayer, a giant great sword wielder.
Raphael looked at his son who lay sprawled on the ground. Wheezing from having the wind knocked out of him after being shoulder thrown into the dirt.
"Huff… no… huuu… no fair… huff huff" Gil was absolutely gassed.
He was officially zero wins and 4000 losses versus his father in their sparring sessions. For the last 15 years Gill had challenged his dad nearly every day and every day was a loss.
Raheem was snacking on a few seeds when he leaned over Gil. "Had enough of getting your ass beat yet? I still don't know how you can do this for so long and expect a different result."
Gil could only smile in pain "I.. need to.. at least… try" as he was still winded from his fight. The Ring-tailed Fox that was pestering Raheem for his snacks dismounted his shoulder and skittered towards Gil.
It searched Gils face as is giving him a once over to make sure he was ok. Gaining some air in his chest Gil could finally speak normally. "May-may I'm fine" He sat up and the beast sat in his lap, peaking her head up to scan the area looking for any potential threats.
"I swear it's like you have two moms dude" Raheem teased. As a beast masters apprentice he could befriend most animals in the forest like the Ringtail. This beast in particular was very fond of Gil due to their history.
Gil when he was little had gotten separated from his mom in the woods of the great tree. He was not gone for very long but being lost in this area as a child is still very dangerous.
Soon he was found in a nest. This nest belonged to the ring-tailed fox eventually named "May-may". She earned her name because of her fondness for him. As even his own mother was in awe of how attached she was to her son. "She is also your protector" she would say.
Gil stood and rubbed his aching back " ooof… dang Dad did you really have to hit me with the shoulder throw the day of the ceremony? I'll be lucky if my sacred name isn't "Brokeback Gil".
Both young men only heard Raphael chuckle at his remark. "Ha! My son you really should have learned by now how strong your father is!" as Raphael gave Gil one of his heavy back slaps, nearly sending him into the dirt again.
"I'll tell you what boys. Why don't you head down the the springs and get cleaned up for dinner later. Because tonight we party!!"
…
The village of Gripa was a small community of roughly 1,000 people. The village also had a sacred history. Before being officially established a few warriors took part in the Ancient war that happened nearly a millennia ago.
A simple group of hunter gatherers back then, the group head and his heiress were in the party that had slain the Troll King. To this day Frost Slayer Vivian was well known even amongst other groups in the Forest.
Gil walked back to town with Raheem and his father looking at all the preparations being made for him. Today wasn't just any day, but it was his coming of age ceremony. As the chiefs son and next in line to take over, this was a big day for Gil.
Yet Gil also felt a pain and sorrow in his heart as this day, even though was his, he could only think about Monty, his older brother.
Monty disappeared the night before his very own ceremony 15 years ago. All anybody knows is that he spoke with father and the elder the night before.
The next morning he was gone. No note, no goodbye, nothing, not a word.
Seeing his sons face a bit gloomy, Raphael thought of the perfect thing to cheer him up. "Gilgamesh! My son! Why don't you go to the springs and bathe. Take your mind off whatever is bothering you. Today is a special day for you. Relax and come back. Enjoy the view while you're there.."
Gil did perk up a bit. He rather did enjoy the view from the hot springs as you could see the Smokey Mountains connect with the Great Sea of Atalanta as the Forest of the Great Tree Shared it's borders with The Realms of Fire and Night.
The view always left him dazzled and made him think a lot about the world. Gripa was not so remote that it never heard of the many wonders of the world, but he would always try to imagine what it would be like to see them with his own eyes. The food especially, Gil was a know glutton among the other villagers. His only match was his father as they both had insatiable appetites but even in eating Gil always lost.
Raheem tried to warn Gil, "Wait aren't the wom.." a smile was seen upon Raphael's face, a few blood vessels were starting to bulge out. But Raheem quickly got the message and did not make a further sound.
Somehow Gil had not noticed that all the women were not in the village. Definitely not the brightest star in the sky to say the least. It's what he usually had Raheem for.
…
Walking up the trail to get to the springs, Gil reminisced about his time with Monty. Being so many years his senior Gil saw him as an idol. He was clever, more so than Gil, very strong in combat, only losing to their father 3000 times.
He was smart enough to know he should stop after so many loses.
He would be stern with Gil when needed, remembering the time he was lectured for surprising one of his friends, Rebecca, with one of the biggest stink beetles he had ever seen. The event still made him chuckle to this day.
The village loved him too, recounting how literally every father would murder anyone who approached their daughter, unless their name was Monty. "Sigh.. ha ha. Brother I really wish I could show you how much I've changed since you've left. Father and Mother miss you…I miss you… Gil felt a tear start to well up but he quickly wiped it away.
Gil finally returned to his senses after being lost in thought as he realized that it was a bit warmer all of a sudden. He heard splashing and girls chatting and giggling.
He quickly ducked behind some shrubbery and inwardly cursed. "Shit.. shit shit.. dammit. Dad you freaking pervert!" The bush he hid behind rustled as a brunette woman peaked over the bush and glared at the soon to be deadman who thought they could catch a glimpse.
Gil could feel that stare, he knew it all to well growing up whenever he royally messed up. "H..hi m-mom". The woman only frowned in disappointment. "Gilgamesh". Gil knew when his mon said his full name that he was in deep shit.