I am finally starting to get ahead on chapters. Hopefully soon I will be able to schedule several days ahead. Here is the next chapter, please enjoy.
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By the time Grey woke, he felt the soft weight of a pelt tucked beneath his head. He was lying at the edge of the room, his body resting against the cool stone wall. Blinking the haze from his eyes, he scanned the chamber. The room, once torn apart by the chaos of the ritual, was now orderly again. Villagers moved carefully, returning bundles of herbs, glass vials, and tomes to their places on the shelves. Through his unique vision, their faint red glows shimmered softly—but one figure stood out.
Keen's silhouette pulsed with a pale orange light, faint yet distinct against the subdued reds of the others. The glow barely clung to him, fragile and flickering, but it was unmistakably there.
Serene noticed his stirring and called out, "Grey's up!"
She quickly approached, her eyes full of concern. "How are you feeling? Can you stand?"
Grey stretched his arms overhead, yawning. "Actually, I feel... great. Like I've had the best sleep in years."
Serene smirked, her relief evident. "Good to know you're not falling apart."
Grey glanced at her, his face turning faintly red as he remembered her voice guiding him through the storm of Keen's trial. "Um... thanks. For earlier. You know, for... everything."
Serene grinned and gave him a playful shove on the shoulder, nearly toppling him over. "Don't mention it. If you weren't around to cause trouble, I'd probably die of boredom."
The others in the room had finished cleaning and were now gathering their things. Keen approached, his movements slower than usual, giving the two a moment, but his smile warm. "Good to see you up, kid. Thought we might've lost you for a moment there."
Grey smiled back, but before he could reply, Elder's voice cut through the air. "We need to go. Everyone, head home. Let your families see you, let them know you're alright. Keen, Brawl—stay a little longer. We have to tend to Bark."
As the others began to shuffle out, Grey hesitated. There was something he had been delaying for too long. He stepped closer to Keen, his voice low. "Keen... I know this might not be the best time, but... could Tear—"
Keen interrupted, his voice steady yet firm. "Kid, I heard you talking with my daughter already. And don't you even think about making a deal with me. You've done more than enough. When the Grand Hunt arrives, you'll see just how much you've helped us all. Just send Tear to my house. I already had Patrona informed. She'll start as soon as she gets there."
Grey nodded, gratitude clear on his face. With that, he and Serene made their way to the door. As Serene pressed her hand to the stone surface, the ancient mechanism ground open with a deep rumble. She flinched slightly at the noise, her body tensing.
Grey laughed. "You're one of the best hunters in the village, but you still jump at a stone door?"
Serene shot him a glare, her face flushing. "I'm not scared, okay? I'm just... not used to it. Torches lighting themselves, doors opening with a touch—it's all unnatural. Honestly, you're the weird one for being so calm about it."
The two stepped outside, and the sharp winter air greeted them. The sun hung high above the horizon, shining weakly through a veil of gray clouds. Snowflakes drifted lazily to the ground, their fragile shapes glimmering in the light.
"I'll walk back with you," Serene said suddenly.
"I'll be fine—" Grey started, but Serene cut him off.
"I haven't seen Tear in days. I'm going."
Grey chuckled and let it go. The two walked side by side, their boots crunching softly in the snow. After a few moments of silence, Serene spoke again, her voice softer.
"I'm glad you're okay, Grey. When I saw that wolf... when I realized you three were out there alone... I couldn't believe..." She trailed off, her voice catching.
Grey reached over and gave her shoulder a light pat. No words were needed after that.
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When Grey's home came into view, he cupped his hands around his mouth and called out, "Tear, I'm back!"
A crash came from inside, followed by quick, scrambling footsteps. Moments later, Tear burst through the door, her face lighting up at the sight of him.
"Where have you been? Shot barely told me anything before she left!" she huffed. But when she spotted Serene standing behind him, her eyes lit up even brighter. "Serene!"
Tear launched herself into Serene's arms, and Serene caught her effortlessly, spinning her once before setting her down.
"I haven't seen you in forever!" Tear said, nuzzling into Serene's shoulder. Then, with mock anger, she pointed at Grey. "Can you believe him? Gone for two days and not a single word!"
Serene smirked, playing along. "Yeah, he's been pretty awful, hasn't he? I think we should come up with a punishment."
Grey sighed dramatically. "She's like this because you spoil her too much, Serene."
Tear crossed her arms, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "You could've just said you two were together. I wouldn't have worried so much!"
She leaned close to Serene's ear and whispered something inaudible to Grey. Whatever it was, it made Serene's face flare crimson.
"No!" Serene exclaimed, her voice high-pitched.
Tear giggled and hopped down, scampering over to stand next to Grey.
"Alright, that's enough mischief. Go get your things, Tear. You're starting today," Grey said.
Tear's eyes went wide, realization dawning on her face. "You mean... really?"
Grey nodded. "Hurry up, we're already late."
With a squeal of excitement, Tear bolted back inside to gather her belongings.
"I should go too," Serene said softly. "My parents are probably worried sick by now."
"Thanks for coming, Serene. Tear was really happy to see you," Grey said.
Serene smiled warmly before jogging away, her figure quickly fading into the snowy haze.
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Tear returned with her pelt bag slung over her shoulder and a small carving knife in her belt. The two set off toward Keen's smokehouse, chatting lightly along the way. Grey told her bits and pieces about the hunt but left out the parts about the wolf and Bark's death, sparing her from the heavier truths for now.
When they arrived, Grey paused at the smokehouse entrance. The stone structure loomed ahead, its dark frame cutting against the snowy sky.
"Patrona? It's me, Grey. Can we come in?" he called out.
"Come in, Grey!" Patrona's voice called back warmly.
Inside the living area of the smokehouse, Patrona stood near a wooden table while Stilra played with a young boy—Stone, Bark's son. Tear's face lit up at the sight of her friend and the young child.
"Go ahead, Tear," Grey said softly. "But be ready—you'll both start work soon."
Tear nodded eagerly and darted forward, dropping to her knees next to Stilra and Stone.
Patrona turned to Grey, her expression calm yet tired. "Thank you, Grey. Truly. These kids, you... you're all our future. We can't afford to waste time. The dangers have only been growing these past years."
Grey nodded solemnly. "I'll stay for the day, if that's alright. I want to keep an eye on Tear."
Patrona smiled faintly. "That's fine with me. I need to take Stone to Heart's place anyway, so I'll leave you three here."
With gentle hands, Patrona scooped up the boy, murmuring soft words of comfort as she carried him out the door.
The smokehouse carried the rich scent of smoked meat and herbs, mingling with the faint tang of animal hide. Inside, Tear sat cross-legged on the floor, a ruined pelt stretched out in front of her. It was patchy, unevenly stretched, and riddled with mistakes—clearly something meant for practice. Stilra knelt beside her, a small bone knife in hand, demonstrating the correct way to trim the edges.
"Tear, you've got to hold the knife like this," Stilra said, carefully angling her grip. "You're trying to scrape—not stab! Otherwise, we'll end up with a pelt that looks like it got chewed up by a Hooded Horn."
Tear squinted at the pelt, gripping her knife tightly. "Scrape, not stab. Got it."
Her first attempt went surprisingly well... until the knife slipped sideways, leaving a jagged gash in the hide. Tear gasped. "Oh no! I messed it up again!"
Stilra bit her lip to hold back a laugh. "It's okay, it's okay! It's still better than your last one. I think this pelt might've stood a chance in a fight this time."
Grey, who had been leaning casually against the wall, chuckled and approached. "Are you two interrogating that poor pelt? What did it ever do to deserve this treatment?"
Stilra immediately perked up at the sound of Grey's voice, her cheeks pinkening faintly as she turned to face him. "We're... we're working, Grey! Some of us don't get to just stand around being lazy all day."
Grey raised his hands in mock surrender. "Lazy? I'm observing. Observation is very important for hunters, you should know, you're training under your dad too."
Tear giggled, pointing her knife at Grey dramatically. "You're not observing, Grey—you were half-asleep."
Stilra covered her mouth with her hand, trying to stifle a giggle. "Yeah, Grey, even I know how to stay busy."
Grey smirked, stepping closer. "Oh, I see how it is. The two of you have teamed up against me. Fine, I'll just go back to leaning on my very important wall."
Stilra's face lit up with an eager grin. "Wait, Grey! You can't just leave yet."
Grey paused, eyebrow raised. "Oh? Why not?"
Stilra glanced at Tear for backup, then blurted out, "Because... because... I bet you can't even do this!" She quickly grabbed a nearby pelt scrap and pretended to work on it with exaggerated focus. Her hands fumbled slightly as she scraped at the hide, clearly trying to show off.
Grey crossed his arms and grinned. "Are you challenging me, Stilra?"
Stilra froze mid-scrape, her face going pink again. "N-No! I'm just... showing you how it's done."
Tear snorted with laughter. "Stilra, you're supposed to teach me, not impress Grey."
Stilra let out an embarrassed squeak and turned her attention back to the ruined pelt in front of her, her face now glowing pink like frostbitten cheeks. "Tear, focus! We're working!"
Grey chuckled, crouching down to their level. "Alright, alright. Show me what you've got, Tear. I want to see your best scrape."
Tear, tongue poking out slightly in concentration, made a slow, careful cut along the edge of the pelt. This time, the line was surprisingly straight.
Stilra clapped her hands excitedly. "You did it! Tear, that's perfect!"
Grey leaned closer to inspect the cut. "Look at that—a clean line. Well done, Tear."
Tear beamed under their praise, holding the pelt up triumphantly. "Do you think I'll get to work on real pelts soon?"
Stilra nodded firmly. "Definitely! You'll be way better than me in no time."
After a moment, Grey stood, stretching his arms behind his head. "Alright, you two keep at it. I'll... supervise. From over here. Where it's safe."
Stilra giggled behind her hand again, her eyes following Grey briefly before she turned back to Tear.
"Okay, Tear, one more time. Small strokes, light pressure. Show me you can do it again."
Tear nodded eagerly, her focus sharpening as she returned to her task.
Grey leaned against the wall again, watching them work with a faint smile. Tear and Stilra remained focused, there small knives gliding steadily across the pelts.
Grey settled himself into stillness, his breathing steady as the world around him faded away. The chatter of Tear and Stilra dimmed, the smokehouse walls dissolved, and he drifted into the familiar vastness of his inner world.
The golden pool still shimmered at his feet, its surface calmer now, carrying a quiet sense of purpose. Above, countless branches of golden light twisted and danced among distant orbs—stars of crimson, orange, and faint yellows glowing softly against the void. Everything felt familiar, yet a thread of tension crackled through the stillness, like the hum of a bowstring drawn taut.
Grey stepped forward, his translucent red form reflecting in the pool below. His voice echoed softly in this infinite space.
"Stilra."
A single golden branch descended and reached for a faint orb of moderate size glowing a steady red. The branch coiled around it with a gentleness that surprised him, and with only a flicker of golden light, the orb pulsed slightly brighter. It barely took any energy from the pool.
Grey's focus sharpened. He hesitated before speaking again, as though he sensed something on the edge of understanding.
"Tear."
A golden branch shot forth, reaching for a tiny, flickering orb on the edge of his sight. The moment it made contact, the golden pool beneath Grey's feet erupted. Its surface rippled and boiled, spilling golden liquid upward in massive arcs, droplets scattering like liquid stars across the mirrored void.
Energy surged violently into the branch, feeding into Tear's orb. It expanded rapidly, its glow deepening, flickering, then stabilizing into a pale crimson. But it didn't stop. More energy poured from the golden pool, the liquid draining at a shocking speed.
Grey felt a deep, instinctive urge to stop it—but something within him resisted. This felt right. Necessary, even if he didn't fully understand why.
By the time the golden pool had drained to barely a quarter of its original size, Tear's orb had transformed. It was massive—an imposing sphere wrapped in countless golden vines, pulsing faintly with a fragile crimson light. It dwarfed every other orb Grey had seen, including his own translucent form.
Grey stepped back, his breath catching in his chest despite the lack of air in this realm.
"What... what does this mean?" he whispered into the silence.
No answers came, only the soft glow of Tear's orb and the dim light reflecting off the shallow remains of the golden pool.
After a long moment, Grey turned back to the pool. Its remaining golden surface stilled, waiting, expectant. There was no time to dwell on questions he couldn't yet answer. He lowered himself to its edge, dipped his hands into the warm light, and began to draw it into himself.
The red glow of his translucent form deepened with every passing moment, pulsing rhythmically like a heartbeat. His edges became sharper, clearer, more defined. Whatever had happened with Tear's orb, whatever it meant, he knew one thing for certain—it was just the beginning and he had to get stronger.
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I thought really hard about glazing past the event here in order to increase the tension and action more, but to me, it feels really important to include these character moments. The story is made up of them after all. These dialogue rich slice-of-life moments help break of the long descriptions of the world I am trying to build here. I guarantee though, soon the Grand Hunt will begin, and with, comes brand new dangers.