Kane perched on a high branch of tree, hidden within the thick canopy. In long distance , the Bauk and the Psoglav clashed in a feral frenzy. The massive bear-like Bauk, with its thick black fur, curved horns, and terrifying fangs, swiped at the Psoglav, whose wolf-like head snarled in defiance, its single eye gleaming with raw hatred. Kane watched, his heart pounding with a strange mixture of fear and excitement. He had never heard of either creature being sighted in this part of the kingdom, neither in his present nor his past life.
As he observed the monsters, a memory surfaced—the three days before exam,soldiers had been abruptly dispatched near the forest village. He remembered the tense atmosphere, the hurried march of soldiers, and the stories of a strange, powerful beast that had forced the royal guard to act. It took them two days to defend against that monster. But Kane recalled only one monster being reported back then, which meant that one of these creatures was destined to die in the fight, and the other—wounded and enraged—would likely make its way to the kingdom, wreaking havoc.
Kane's gaze hardened as he considered his options. He was too weak to take on either creature now, but if he could strike when one was already injured and exhausted, he might stand a chance. He had six days before the exam—a test that would draw nobles and commoners alike from three kingdoms, hosted this year in Alderon. It was a chance to prove his worth. He decided he'd have two days to prepare and then take his shot at killing whichever beast survived.
He climbed down from the tree and returned to the kingdom. The atmosphere was different now—charged with anticipation. In the wide tournament field, construction was underway for the arena, its seating arranged to accommodate thousands of spectators from across the kingdoms. The area buzzed with activity, as workmen and soldiers hastened to complete the preparations. At the training grounds, the noise was louder than usual—candidates of all skill levels sparred and practiced. Some were new aspirants; others were trying again, desperate to gain fame, for some, doing good in tournament is not for get imperial school but a chance to serve nobles. Kane walked past, almost invisible, with his worn clothes and quiet demeanor.
As he approached his chamber, he was met by Julia, who stood with her arms crossed, an expression of impatience on her face. "Where have you been, Kane?" she demanded. "I haven't seen you in days! Father's been asking about you, and I'm tired of covering for you."
"I was training," Kane replied tersely.
"Training?" she scoffed, her voice laced with sarcasm. "No one seen you in training ground , your instructor also didn't have any clue ? Seriously?" She shook her head in disbelief. "Look, at least come to lunch for once. Father's getting impatient ."
He listened to her. But when he entered in dining hall , he found only his father seated at the far end of the long, polished table. The usual presence of servants, his mother, and Julia had been replaced by an unsettling silence. "Come closer," the king commanded, his gaze sharp and unyielding.
Kane approached, his heart hammering with unease.
"Are you avoiding me, Kane?" The king's voice was calm, but it carried a dangerous edge.
Kane was silent.
"Stop hiding behind your mother and sister," the king continued, his tone growing harsher. "You're a grown man now, not a child who can run away from his duties."
The king's words were a reminder of every failure and disappointment he had been to his family.
The king's voice softened—just a little. "Do you even have a plan for this tournament?"
Kane remained silent.
The king sighed, rubbing his temples. "I didn't think so. But I won't let you embarrass the family. I've arranged for a supply of medicinal herbs that will at least give you the strength to fight. You understand, don't you, that gaining entrance to the imperial school is more than just a matter of pride,do you know what is in that place?"
"Yes, Father," Kane managed.
"Good," the king replied, though his expression remained stern. "I'm not expecting miracles, Kane. I'm not asking you to win tournament . Just don't disgrace yourself. Prove that you're at least capable of standing against a commoner who's never had the luxury of royalty, now go."
Kane nodded and left, his heart heavy.
Over the next two days, Kane focused on preparing for his hunt. He acquired a powerful bow, crafted with reinforced limbs for accuracy and strength. The bow's dark wood was smooth and firm in his grip, and the string hummed with potential. He spent hours practicing with it alone near forest , learning the precise motions, and refining his aim. Along with the bow, he obtained a quiver of arrows, their tips glistening with a dark, poisonous coating, made to kill quickly and efficiently. The poison would slow the beast's movements, sapping its strength before it even knew what had happened.
When the second night fell, Kane slipped quietly out of the castle and into the dark forest. The air felt thick with danger, and the deeper he ventured, the more he could feel the scars of the battle that had already taken place. Trees were uprooted, the ground torn up as if massive claws had dragged their way through it. The sound of the trees seemed to echo with the tension in the air.
Following the sounds of snarls and roars, Kane drew closer to the battle. The Bauk and Psoglav were still locked in a brutal struggle, each beast battered and bloodied, but neither was willing to yield. The Bauk's thick black fur was matted with blood, and its body trembled from exhaustion. The Psoglav, its fur ragged and its one eye narrowed in fury, staggered as it prepared to strike again.
Kane climbed a nearby tree to get a better vantage point, bow in hand. He positioned himself high above, careful to keep hidden among the leaves. Kane's heart raced, but his hands were steady. He drew an arrow from his quiver, nocked it with practiced ease, and drew back the bowstring. He waited for the perfect moment.
The Bauk lunged at the Psoglav, but the wolf-like creature dodged, twisting its body out of the way with surprising agility. The Psoglav retaliated, swinging a clawed paw with deadly force. Kane's fingers tightened around the bowstring. This was the moment.
He released the arrow.