In the verdant expanse to the south of Nev’rene, a two-day journey by horseback, lies the mystical realm known as the Tianin Forest. This enchanting woodland is named in honor of the Tianin people, a tranquil race residing in the southern reaches of Gongoria. These earthbound beings live in harmony with nature, their existence intertwined with the rhythm of the land, setting them apart from the other races that inhabit the world.
Within the heart of this forest, a young Gongorian named Enai makes his home, living in peaceful coexistence with his mother, Akilah. Enai is a hunter of exceptional skill, revered among the Tianin people for his contributions. His prowess in hunting provides the Tianin with the majority of the skins they require to endure the harsh winters. On this particular day, Enai sets his sights on a formidable beast known as Di’joube, the mightiest male Ki’ov bull in the region. This colossal creature, intelligent and cunning, has earned the name Di’joube, meaning ‘the wise one’. The Ki’ov bear a resemblance to earthly wildebeests, albeit with a trunk akin to an elephant’s. Their size is thrice that of a typical wildebeest, and Di’joube, the titan among them, is four times as large.
The hunt for Di’joube demands strategy and agility. Every step in the dense forest is fraught with danger when tracking this gargantuan beast. Di’joube may be wise, but Enai is cunning, his skill with a bow unmatched in the entire Tianin Forest. His hunt begins on the forest floor, a darkened world teeming with life. The Gongorians are blessed with exceptional low-light vision, making them formidable hunters. Enai adopts a combat hunting stance, his bow drawn back, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. He stumbles upon a clearing just outside the forest, where he discovers droppings far larger than those of a typical Ki’ov. Squinting, he inspects the droppings closely, hovering his hand over them to gauge their warmth. “Fresh,” he murmurs to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. Suddenly, a loud crashing sound echoes through the forest.
Enai’s gaze shifts to the distance, where he spots another hunter sprinting into the forest, away from the clearing. A snort of anger escapes him as he recognizes the intruder. “Zacarya,” he mutters under his breath. With a burst of speed, he gives chase, darting past the underbrush and deeper into the forest. Zacarya is an Ice Elf, a member of the Li’livian tribe that dwells in the mountainous region of Li’livia. As Enai plunges into the forest, he spots Di’joube about twho hundred yards ahead, injured and fleeing in panic from the Ice Elf. Enai eventually catches up with Zacarya. The elf glances to his side, spotting the Gongorian, and his face contorts in annoyance as they both set their sights on the same prize.
With the agility of forest felines, both Enai and Zacarya vaulted into the treetops, their bodies a blur as they darted from branch to branch with lightning-fast reflexes. However, after a mile or so of this high-speed pursuit, the silhouette of the mighty Di’joube began to dissolve into the encroaching darkness. The two hunters descended to the forest floor, their gazes locked in a silent standoff. Enai arched an eyebrow, breaking the silence with a calm assertion. “I had him in my sights, Zacarya. If you possessed the skill and the will, you should have felled him with a single shot.” With a dismissive toss, he slung his bow over his shoulder and began to retreat towards the outskirts of Tianin, where he and his mother resided.
Zacarya scoffed at Enai’s retreating figure, his voice laced with a hint of arrogance. “You should know, Gongorian, I’ve been hunting these lands long before your kind sought refuge with the Tianin.” Enai paused, turning back to face the elf. His voice was serene, a stark contrast to the tension that hung in the air. “Perhaps you are right, Zacarya. I do know your name, and I choose to use it out of respect for a fellow hunter.” The elf looked taken aback, surprised by Enai’s wisdom and humility. He retorted, “I too know your name! It’s Enai, and I’ve been observing your pursuit of the beast for some time.”
“Perhaps we should collaborate on this hunt. We can divide the meat, and one of us can claim the pelt, the other the head as proof of the hunt.” Enai considered the elf’s proposition, nodding in agreement. “Perhaps that would be in our best interest. The beast will heal, and he will live to fight another day.” With a newfound respect for each other, the two hunters parted ways, their paths destined to cross again.
The forest floor beneath the canopy was a world of its own, teeming with life. Enai, with his keen eyes that could pierce through the darkness, was always astounded by the vibrant ecosystem that thrived in the forest. His journey home would consume the remainder of the day. His home, a modest hut nestled in a clearing just beyond the Tianin forest and south of the Faukland, which was the capital Tianin city. Upon reaching home he was welcomed with the tantalizing aroma of his mother’s cooking. The scent of freshly caught fish being cooked wafted through the air, causing him to inhale deeply. “Ah, mother’s cooking,” he murmured, a contented smile playing on his lips.
He left his bow at the entrance of the hut, ducking down in a playful attempt to surprise his mother. He was known for his playful antics, often pretending to be a monster to startle his mother. He crept around to the back door, slowly pushing it open. His mother, Akilah, was oblivious to the surprise that awaited her. As he prepared to let out a loud roar, his mother, seemingly aware of his presence, raised her hand and pointed a finger in the air. “You’re not as sneaky as you think, Enai. Perhaps you should have stayed upwind from the droppings I smell on you!” Enai rolled his eyes at his mother’s comment, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “So next time, I’ll remember to cover the entire home in droppings so you won’t know the difference. HAHAHA!” His laughter echoed through the hut, a sound that could awaken every Ki’ov in the vicinity.
“Oh, my sweet son,” Akilah said, her voice filled with affection. “There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t admire what I’ve brought you into this world. You’ve become the Gongorian I’d always hoped you’d become.” She paused for a moment, spooning some of the fish and Kimya onto a plate.
Kimya, a vegetable akin to the earthly potato, was a staple in their diet. Enai, observing his mother, noticed a shift in her demeanor. His head lowered in concern, he broke the silence. “Mother, what troubles you? I can sense your distress.” She collected the plates, her movements mechanical, and returned them to the wash bucket. Taking a deep breath, she began to speak. “A Gongorian visited us today, seeking you. His face was unfamiliar at first, a stranger’s face I have not seen since we fled Nev’rene.” Enai squinted at his mother, confusion etched on his face. “Why is this man of importance? It’s been years since we’ve heard from anyone in Nev’rene. I still don’t fully comprehend why we had to flee.”
Akilah set the dishes down and moved behind Enai, her hands resting on his tense shoulders. She began to knead his muscles, her touch soothing his stress. “You will soon understand why you are so unique. I knew it from the moment I brought you into this world. We were branded as the villains, and now their prejudiced views are coming back to haunt them.” She took a deep breath, her voice steady as she continued. “You need to converse with this man. Initially, I feared he was here to harm us, but that is not the case. What he has to share with you will have you seeing things differently my son."
Enai rose to his feet, a look of distress clouding his features. “I don’t want to be this ‘special one’ you speak of. This is my home, my life. I refuse to speak with this man.” He closed his eyes for a moment, shaking his head before slowly retreating to his bedroom. Akilah raised her voice, her words echoing through the hut. “You cannot alter fate, Enai. You will see, you're meant for more my son.” She whispers to herself as the sound of a door slamming echoed in the distance. Akilah says to herself as she closed her eyes. “Oh, my son, you will soon understand the true essence of being a Gongorian.” She then slowly moved to the corner of the stairwell, retrieving her fur coat before heading out the door. She muttered to herself, “I need to go for a walk.” She flipped up the hood of her coat and gently opened the door, careful not to alert Enai of her departure.
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She ventured straight into the woods, seeking solitude and the comforting embrace of darkness. She made her way towards her favorite part of the forest, a place known as Tial Falls. She always felt a sense of tranquility when surrounded by water. The Gongorian people held many superstitious beliefs, some of which suggested that their connection to certain elements was a gift from Axiel himself. She climbed to the highest point of the waterfall, settling on a rock at the very top. Surrounded by the four suns, which the beings of Salaria referred to as the birth of Avalon, she drew her knees together and leaned forward, her hands cupped together. She closed her eyes, struggling to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. She spent hours there, gazing at the crystal-clear water, reminiscing about the times she brought Enai here to swim, play, and fish. She had done her best to raise him on her own, and she had done a commendable job.
After a few hours, she glanced at the lake into which the waterfall flowed. At the base of the climb, she noticed the man who had visited her earlier. She took a deep breath, knowing she would have to confront him at some point. She carefully descended, mindful of each step. When she reached the base of the climb, she looked at the man and simply said, “I was right, wasn’t I?” The man, clad in a black cloak and adorned with furs and skins, his iron helm cradled in his right arm, responded, “I believe so, Akilah. What we did to you was deeply unjust and hurtful, and for that, I sincerely apologize. But you know why I’m here.” The man knelt, placing his weapon and helm on the ground, his hand resting on the helm. “You know why I’m here, and I cannot follow the orders given to me. You have three days to flee from here yet again.” The man headed to his horse and opened a black saddle bag. He pulled out a clear stone orb about a foot in diameter. Within the stone, there was a swirl of colors, and one color that defied explanation. “What is this?” Akilah asked, her voice filled with interest and a bit of excitement.
“That knowledge is for your son to bear, Akilah, not you, and for that, I apologize,” the man said, his voice echoing in the silence. “I need to converse with him as soon as possible; is he willing to speak with me?” Akilah lowered her gaze, her voice barely a whisper. “No, he wants nothing to do with the Gongorian royal guard or anyone from Nev’rene. In fact, I’m fairly certain he wants nothing to do with anyone from Gongoria.” The man straightened, his gaze meeting Akilah’s. “In that case, I’ll impart a piece of information for you to relay to him. Tell him what I have for him could be the salvation for us all. There’s a shift in the balance of both worlds. Ulumbria has always been steeped in dark magic. They have a formidable warrior named Salvarion, who plans to find a way to open every portal into Salaria. These past few months have been confusing due to the fact that the youngest son of the king will be rejected by the god of the dead Tarum. It seems the sins of the father have come back to haunt the son.” Akilah turned to the Gongorian, her voice trembling. “Adwin, you’ve been the captain of the Royal guard for so long. Why would you risk it all? Why should I trust you after what happened to me and my son!”
Adwin stepped closer to her, his hand resting on her shoulder. “I’m asking you to trust me because I was sent here to kill you both. This is something I cannot and will not do. Now tell your son what I told you today. If he is willing to talk, tell him to meet me here tomorrow when Avalon is at its highest peak in the sky. If he refuses to meet, I would suggest leaving these lands and seeking refuge elsewhere.” Akilah nodded in agreement, her breath hitching in her throat. She turned around, lowering the hood of her cloak, her voice barely audible. “I will speak with my son and I will make him see the truth.” She retreated into the dark forest, making her way back to her home. When she finally arrived home, she quietly entered the house and made her way up to her bedroom. The room was decorated as if by a medicine woman, adorned with feathers of various birds and unlabeled elixirs, giving it a rustic feel.
She settled down on her bed, her voice barely above a whisper as she began to pray to Axiel. “Oh my god. Please, hear my plea, for I love my son with all my heart. A great trial is coming our way and I need him to be prepared.” She then laid her head down and drifted off to sleep. The next day, Enai awoke with a big stretch, rising from his bed. He let out a loud yawn as he stood up, heading out into the kitchen where he knew his mother would be. As usual, his mother was there, cooking up some delicious food and getting things prepared for the day, her multitasking skills on full display. She plated some food and brought it to the table. "Enai, I need you to reconsider your answer to me. The man I told you of. His name is Adwin and he is here to help us. He showed me something; something so amazing I cannot explain it. All I know is that it is your time. Your time to do what it is you’re meant for. I'm not sure if we can trust him and we may need to leave our home yet again. But our choices are limited at this time. Do you understand the importance of what it is I’m telling you?
Enai picked at his food as if not interested in eating. “Mother I need time to think about this. I’m going to go wash up at Tial falls. Once I return you will have my answer.” He then finished up his food and grabbed his trusty bow and quiver full of arrows, a satchel full of cleaning supplies and headed out the door. When he arrived at Tial falls, he stripped down, grabbed a homemade bar of soap his mother had made and hopped in. He lathered up his chest and his head and rubbed it all in. He then dunked himself beneath the water to rinse his body clean. While he was underneath the water, he could see a dark figure when his eyes opened after the soap was cleared from his face. He lifted his head from the water in a swift defensive reaction. “Who are you??? Wait, you’re the Gongorian. You’re the Gongorian my mother had spoken of. You’re from the Gongorian royal Guard back in Nev’rene. I know what you’re here for and I’m not sure if I want any part of it.”
The man placed his hands upon his helm and removed it, cradling it within his right arm. “I’m here because you are meant for great things, Enai.” He reached around and grabbed the same black bag he had grabbed when he showed Akilah the great stone. “I want to show you something. Something that can change the entire course of history of Salaria. The ripple can either change it for the good, or for the bad.” He then reached into the satchel and pulled forth the beautiful clear stone orb. Within it, Su’cran swirled around. The sacred element, which not many get to see, was right there before Enai’s very eyes. Enai looked at it in awe, the amazement expressed on his face was incredible. “Now do you see why your mission is of great importance?” Enai looked at Adwin and asked him. “May I? I’d like to hold it.” Adwin then stepped closer to Enai and handed him the stone. As Enai grasped the stone, he walked toward a deeper end of the grotto staring at it with squinted eyes with amazement. As he reveled in the sight of the orb a jolt of energy surged through him. A blue beam of light came from the clouds and struck him in the chest. His body began to elevate off of the ground, with his arms outstretched. The Su’cran began to swirl around in the clear sphere. With one final surge into his body, a shockwave let loose from him, knocking down Adwin. Enai was pushed further into the deep waters of the lake. Adwin stood to his feet and immediately dove in after him.
In the heart of the Lake, he began his descent, swimming deeper and deeper into the center. The world around him grew darker, the pressure increasing with every stroke. His destination was Enai, who was sinking to the depths of the lake.
When he finally reached Enai, he found him glowing like a sunken treasure, radiating an intense heat that seared the skin. The touch was a fiery brand, a heat so fierce it felt as if it could melt the very bones in his hand. But he steeled himself against the pain, his grip tightening around Enai as he bore the scorching heat.
With a powerful kick, he propelled them both back towards the surface, breaking through the water’s surface like a phoenix rising. He swam with determined strokes towards the shore, Enai’s heated body resting heavily on his shoulders. As he reached the shallows, he flung Enai onto the sandy beach, a cloud of steam rising from his body as if he were a meteor fallen from the sky.
Adwin, his hands blistered and smoking, immediately plunged them into the cool ocean water, hissing as the relief washed over him. “It seems Tarum has made his choice,” he declared, his voice echoing across the deserted beach. “The King has no authority here. The gift has been bestowed upon this young Enai.” He says to himself.
He dragged Enai further up the shore, away from the lapping waves. “I will return, and I will bring you home,” he promised, his voice a solemn vow in the quiet night.
With a determined look, he set about gathering branches and lush green leaves, crafting a makeshift gurney with practiced hands. Once completed, he carefully loaded Enai onto it, then began the arduous journey back home, the stars above their only company.