It had been a few days since Hiro's second ritual, and he was now focused on strengthening the shape of his soul.
In truth, the training wasn't particularly difficult—it was more about focus than effort. All he needed to do was envision his soul core as a shifting dune of sand, its grains spilling out and dispersing into the world. Then, with deliberate concentration, he imagined the scattered sand swirling inward, spiraling into the center. Slowly but steadily, the grains formed a whirlpool, tightening into a smooth, circular shape.
He dedicated at least an hour every day to strengthening the shape of his soul, always following his physical training. Today, however, his schedule was different—he had his first hunting lesson ahead.
Zenith had told him that hunting would make him stronger and build his self-reliance, so he complied, even if he wasn't particularly excited. It was a skill he knew would be invaluable if he ever found himself without food. Clad in his leather armor, there wasn't much to prepare.
"I'm done with my training! I'm ready to go!"
he called out as he walked back to the cabin.
Zenith emerged from her room holding a few items, placing them carefully on the table near him.
"What are those?"
"They're your new hunting tools, a hunting knife and a bow with arrows. I also made you quiver."
Hiro stepped closer to examine the items. The bow was compact, clearly designed to match his stature. It was crafted from a dark wood, painted a deep blue, with metal reinforcements on the ends and a taut string stretched between them. The quiver matched the bow, made of the same dark material, and held at least twenty arrows crafted from a lighter wood.
The knife was straight-edged, with a sleek, single blade. Its wooden hilt was intricately decorated with black metal accents. Hiro was once again amazed by Zenith's craftsmanship.
"Thank you! They look amazing!"
"You're welcome. Now, put on the quiver. It has a latch designed to attach to your waist. It'll be more practical there than on your back,"
"Okay."
Hiro picked up the quiver and secured it to his belt, noticing that the knife had a similar attachment. Without hesitation, he fastened it to his belt as well.
"You're observant to notice the knife's attachment,"
Zenith said with a slight smile.
"As for the bow, you can wear the string over your head and carry it like that."
"Got it."
"Well then, let's head out,"
Zenith said, gesturing toward the door.
Hiro nodded, gripping the bow tightly as they stepped out into the open.
Hiro and Zenith walked quietly through the forest that bordered one side of the cabin. The silence between them was palpable, but Hiro didn't mind—it gave him time to reflect. He wasn't sure how Zenith was going to teach him to hunt. He had only seen her hunt from a distance and had no prior experience with hunting or using a weapon.
Suddenly, Zenith stopped in her tracks, startling Hiro. She raised a hand and pointed toward something in the distance.
Hiro followed her gaze and spotted a deer-like creature grazing peacefully near a tree. It had a sleek, slender body and antlers that branched elegantly upward.
Zenith looked at him, then motioned for him to step forward.
Hiro hesitated but eventually moved in front of her, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
"Take an arrow and place it on the string,"
she instructed quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"See the slight indentation in the middle of the bow's limb? That's where you rest the arrow. Hold it steady—one finger above the arrow and two fingers below it ."
Hiro did as instructed, carefully placing the arrow on the bow's rest.
"Since you're right-handed, use your left hand to hold the bow just below the arrow rest—that's the grip, don't hold it too tightly; ease up on the tension. Keep your hand at a 40-degree angle."
Hiro adjusted his grip, trying to steady his shaking hands. He took a deep breath, determined not to let his nerves get the better of him.
"Now, use your left pointer finger to steady the arrow on the rest. Imagine you're pointing at your target. Extend your left arm out fully, and with your right hand, pull the string back until it reaches your chin."
Following her instructions, Hiro felt the bowstring grow taut under his grip. The tension was unfamiliar but exhilarating.
"Now, breathe in and out slowly. Point the bow at your target and keep both eyes open. Focus."
Hiro steadied his breathing, his gaze locking on the deer grazing peacefully in the distance. He tried to relax his body, allowing the tension in his muscles to melt away as he aimed.
"Now, shoot,"
At her command, Hiro released the string. The bow snapped forward, and the arrow flew from his grasp. The tension vanished in an instant, but so did the arrow. It zipped through the air and landed several feet away from the deer, missing its mark entirely.
The deer froze for a brief moment, startled by the sound, before darting off into the safety of the trees.
Hiro sighed, lowering the bow. He hadn't expected to hit the target on his first try, but the sting of failure still settled in his chest. He frowned, feeling the weight of disappointment.
Zenith stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's your first shot, Roro. Missing is part of learning. We'll keep practicing, and you'll get better. Just be patient with yourself." A
Hiro nodded, resolving to try again.
Hiro and Zenith continued walking through the forest for what felt like the better part of a day. He had five more chances to hit his mark, and though most of his arrows missed their targets, his aim was improving steadily with each attempt.
Finally, Hiro struck his first target—a rabbit. The arrow hit its neck, killing it instantly. A mix of pride and relief swelled in his chest as he followed Zenith to retrieve it.
"Well done,"
she said, handing him his knife.
"Now, I'll teach you how to use this properly. Skinning your kill is just as important as making the shot."
Hiro nodded, watching closely as Zenith demonstrated the technique. Then, under her guidance, he carefully skinned the rabbit himself. The process was messy and unfamiliar, but he managed to do it without ruining the hide.
Later, he secured another rabbit, this time using the knife. Sneaking up on the animal as quietly as possible, he stabbed it cleanly in the head. The act felt primal and surreal, but it also made him feel capable in a way he hadn't experienced before.
When they returned home, Zenith used their catches to prepare a hearty rabbit stew. As the warm, savory aroma filled the cabin, Hiro couldn't help but smile. The taste was nostalgic, reminding him of the first meal Zenith had ever made for him.
As he savored the stew, Hiro reflected on the day.
'Hunting was nice. I think I'd love to hunt again.'
- - -
It had been a month since his first hunting trip, and Hiro had made great strides in both his core training and his hunting skills. He had gone on several solo hunts, each one sharpening his instincts and abilities. Today, he was expecting a particularly fruitful hunt.
After finishing his training for the day, Hiro gathered his gear.
"I'm off to hunt!"
"Okay, be careful, Roro."
"I will."
With that, Hiro left the cabin, the familiar weight of his leather armor settling on his shoulders. Zenith had taught him how to track prey, and it didn't take long before he was following the trail of a few deer.
It was a successful hunt—he found two deer and three rabbits. Hiro felt a surge of pride, especially since he had learned how to hit moving targets. Even if he missed his first shot, he was quick to line up another.
After collecting the meat from his prey, Hiro prepared to leave the area and head home. But then, a sudden chill swept through the air. The atmosphere around him seemed to shift, and a foul, rotting smell hit his nostrils, sending a shiver down his spine.
Hiro immediately went on high alert, his senses heightened as he scanned the surroundings. He was ready to defend himself—whether it was a wild animal or some hostile human. He drew his knife, the blade gleaming under the weak light.
Then, a massive shadow loomed in front of him. Hiro froze, recognizing the creature instantly. It was the same one Zenith had told him about many times, the one whose hide had made up the leather armor he wore—the Black Lumber Wolf.