Selerim took a long drink from his canteen, then poured the rest over his head. The cold water ran down his neck and torso as he stood there, watching as the river rushed by. As he leaned over to fill his canteen, a quiet voice called out from behind.

“Could you fill this, too?” He turned to see Lila standing there, a large jug held in her hands. “Sure,” Selerim agreed. He set the canteen down before taking the jug for her. “Is this for Corvus’ home?” He asked as he dipped it into the river. She nodded silently, kicking her sandals off before sitting at the river’s edge. “I’ll carry it back for you. I need to see him, anyway.”

Lila dipped her head in acknowledgement. “Thank you.” She kicked her legs back and forth in the water.

“Do you mind waiting for a moment?”

“Sure. Do you have the stopper?”

She handed him the small rubber puck. Her long black hair dangled into the river as she kicked her legs back and forth. Like everyone else in Cress, she had pale skin, but her black hair and crimson eyes marked her as an outsider. After a few minutes of silence, Lila stood, kicking her feet dry before slipping back into her sandals. “Thank you,” she said quietly. Selerim hoisted the jug up with both hands and followed as she walked off. Though he tried to keep his eyes on the ground, he couldn’t help glancing up. It was hard not to feel intrigued. Lila and her father had arrived in the village nearly two years ago. Supposedly it wasn’t uncommon for outsiders to seek refuge in their settlements, but given Cress’ distance from everything else, their arrival had sparked rumor and suspicion alike.

They’d handed a letter to Corvus; who, for his part, had accepted their arrival with no more than a shrug– and offered them a room in his own home. Selerim shook his head to break the train of thoughts. If Corvus had no issue, neither did he. Or anyone else, for that matter. The village head’s home came into view after a few more minutes. Passed down with each generation, it was nearly three times the size of his own, and built exclusively from silver-hued oak.

Corvus stood just outside, speaking with a small group that he waved away upon spotting the two approaching. “Verad!” He shouted. His voice carried through the mid-day haze. “Come get the water!” He smiled as Selerim and Lila came to a halt. “Thank you,” he said to Selerim before addressing Lila. “Your father is waiting for you out back.” With a brisk nod, she ducked inside just as Verad emerged. His short crimson hair was messy and unkempt, and quirked an eyebrow upon seeing Selerim. “Don’t tell me we’re going on another hunt,” he complained. “I’m still sore from the last one.”

Corvus smiled. “Don’t worry, sleepyhead. He’s here to talk to me.” Verad eyed him dubiously before taking the jug from Selerim. He effortlessly placed it over his shoulder. “Last time you told me not to worry, I woke up face-down by the river.” When his grandfather smiled deviously, Verad shrugged. “See you later, Sel.” He disappeared back into the house. Corvus' smile faded as he turned back to Selerim. “Are you ready?” He asked seriously. Selerim hesitated for a moment. “I think so,” he said slowly. “There’s not exactly much for me to prepare. That’s what I came to ask about.” The smile returned. The most important thing to prepare is your courage.” He clasped one of Selerim’s hands in his own. “If you’re not worried, then I made the right choice.” With that, he stepped away. “Don’t worry– you’ll be fine. But do be careful, Selerim.”

image [https://i.imgur.com/T7fdvjj.png]

Auvun’s consciousness returned as a small ember, at first. Taking a deep breath, he stoked the dying spark. His body and mind came roaring back to life; and with them, the poison. He held back a cry of anguish, writhing in pain as the vile substance burrowed deeper into his body– into his very being. Flames flickered to life as he took another breath, threatening to set the surrounding forest ablaze. His Heart flickered to life as he took a third, cloaking itself in a veil of essence and flame. The smaller, weaker tendrils of the poison vanished, burned into nonexistence. The rest of it recoiled from the fire’s touch.

He could feel its greed for the essence, and he knew that the flames wouldn’t keep it at bay forever. Eventually, it would consume the flame. And with it, the last of Auvun’s now-meager existence. He sighed in relief as the pain subsided.

The surrounding forest looked alien. The leaves were a silvery, calming blue, as opposed to the angry crimson of his homeland. And the sky, instead of a purplish-red, was a deep, dark violet. Questions swirled in Auvun’s mind as he took it all in. How far had he flown? In what direction? Where was he? And, most painful of all: where was he supposed to go now?

A harsh grow sounded over the firebird’s whirling thoughts. He turned to see a large bear-like creature stalking towards him, hunched on all fours. Fire spurted from its nostrils as it snorted, and crimson flames danced over its dark pelt. Auvun nearly laughed at the sight– at any other time, the situation would be comical.

Sensing his apprehension, the creature circled him cautiously, trying to decide whether the prey before its eyes was worth it. Auvun, in turn, watched wearily as he considered his options. He could run. Flame was of no harm to him, even in his disheveled state, and the creature appeared incapable of flight. Or…

His stomach grew ill at the thought, but deep down, he knew it was the only way forward. With an unspoken apology, Auvun struck. A single beat of his fiery wings brought him on top of the creature. It snarled in pain as flame-clad talons seared into its hide. A wall of crimson fire roared to life, crashing down towards Auvun. With a second beat of his wings, he summoned his own. As they clashed, the beast’s flame resisted for the briefest of moments– proof of his pitiful state– and then burned into nothingness.

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He gave into feral exhilaration as he struck again, raking his claws against his prey’s throat and burying his beak in its thick hide. For the first time in his life, Auvun surrendered to his baser instincts. He consumed the beast from the inside out, draining its heart of essence and greedily feasting on the desperate flames that flared to live. None went to waste. He savored the feeling of foreign essence flowing through his veins. Even as he pulled it to his deeper, the poison, too, feasted; only to recoil a moment later.

Auvun grinned bloody as he tore the beast’s Heart free. Its death throes stilled as the deep blue crystal was ripped away. A visceral mixture of anger, guild, shame, an ecstasy tore through him as the creature died in his claws. He crushed the Heart, swallowing it whole.

He had no choice– but he had reveled in the act of taking a life all the same. Auvun curled up as exhaustion stole his newfound strength. As his mind flickered, he swore that he would never fall to the same folly as his former peers.

But for now, he would do what was necessary.

image [https://i.imgur.com/T7fdvjj.png]

Selerim idly flipped through his sketchbook. He stopped as the weathered pages opened to his father’s likeness. He propped the leather-bound book upright on his desk as he leaned back in his chair. “I’m scared…” he started, then trailed off. He took a deep breath before starting again. “I’m scared,” he admitted quietly. “Not of the Feast. Or the hunt. I’m scared of leaving Cress…”

Selerim trailed off as he imagined his father’s look of concern as he reached for his weapon. He ran his fingers over the glossy blue surface. He’d watched his fathers fingers do the same so many times before.“I promised you that I’d watch over Mom and Gwyn. And I will,” he added hurriedly. “I always will. But… what about everyone else? What if something happens to Verad and Saya? Or Corvus?” Selerim’s chest tightened, and his voice dropped to a whisper. “What if something happens to Senri, and I’m not here for it?”

Gritting his teeth, Selerim wrapped the chain around his arm, careful not to bind the blade too close. “I don’t want to leave Cress,” he said softly. “But I don't want to leave Mom and Gwyn, either. No matter how much I hate the city.” He took a deep, shaky breath. “What would you do?” Feeling his unease, Nyx jumped from her perch and glided down to the desk. Her talons clacked audibly against the wooden surface. She waddled over to Selerim’s hands and butted her feathered head against his palm. It was an odd sight, seeing a Reaver vie for attention in such a way. Selerim laughed and cupped his hand, lowering his head to the desk as he stroked Nyx’s inky feathers. The duskwing closed her eyes as she tilted her head, visibly leaning to one side. “Thanks,” Selerim whispered.

image [https://i.imgur.com/T7fdvjj.png]

For the second time that day, Selerim was roused by the sound of someone knocking. Nyx jumped awake first, pulling the room’s shadows over her as she trembled. “Easy, girl,” Selerim whispered, stroking her head as he stood.She landed on his shoulder as he steadied himself; left sore by the poor sleeping position.

Selerim rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he looked outside. The sky was a deep, dark navy. Nighttime. The knocking intensified. Who…? Selerim wondered groggily, unsure of who could possibly need him at this time. The ceremony! He realized with a jolt. Panic rushed through his mind as he slammed his notebook closed. He nearly sliced his hand open as he checked for his weapon. Selerim tossed the sketchbook haphazardly into his satchel before slinging it over his shoulders and running to the door.

“Sorry! I–” he stopped. Senri stood there. Her breathing was heavy. “Did you run here?” Selerim asked. “Of course I did!” She snapped. “I just sprinted half–” Her eyes narrowed as she took in his disheveled hair and stiff posture. “You were asleep, weren’t you?” Selerim nodded awkwardly. Senri shook her head. “Do you have everything?” She asked.

“Yes.”

“Then come on!”

Senri grabbed his hand and pulled him into a run. Nyx squawked in protest as he stumbled forward, forced into sudden flight. It didn’t take them long to reach the center of town. A large crowd greeted them as they arrived. Corvus stood on the dais, as did Verad and Saya. “Ah! There you are.” He exclaimed as the two stepped up to its base. He paused. “You were asleep, weren’t you?”

Senri answered, deadpan, before Selerim could say anything. “Yup.” Corvus let out a hearty laugh, as did most gathered. “I’d expect nothing less.” He leaned over and offered them each a hand. “Get up here, you two.” They each grasped his hand, and Corvus lifted them effortlessly onto the dais. “I asked your friends to be here with you, as your mother and sister are currently absent.I trust you have no issue with that?” He smiled as Selerim shook his head. “Good.”

He turned to address the crowd. “As you all know, Selerim is only fourteen years of age. Despite that, he’s already formed a lifelong bond with his Wyrd, and served this village as a hunter for two years now. On top of that, he stepped up in the wake of his father’s death.” Whispers started at that, and Corvus waited for them to subside before continuing. “While Seon’s death was, no doubt, a tragedy, it’s part of what has forged Selerim into the fine young man you see here today.” He paused. “And so, I would like for Selerim to have his Feast.”

Whispers spread once more, and this time, Corvus silenced them with a raised hand. “I may be the head of Cress, but I was entrusted with this position by all of you.” He paused, giving them a moment to consider his words.

“And so, I ask: does anyone object?”

Selerim’s heart pounded, but from atop the dais, no matter how he strained his ears, he couldn’t make out a dingle word. Time seemed to stretch, and for a moment, Selerim thought no one would step forward– until a lone figure pushed its way to the front.

Silence fell as Levin stepped forward. His silvery hair was iridescent in the dim firelight. “I will challenge Selerim for the right to Feast.” His words were steady amidst the din. Up on the dais, Verad groaned, pushing his head back with one hand. “Seriously? Last time you two had a match, you lost so f–” He yelped in pain as his grandfather smacked the back of his head. Levin’s face reddened, but his expression remained stony. “It’s my right,” he said defensively. “I would have been next. It’s not personal,” he added, nodding to Selerim. “I trust Corvus’ judgement– but I have no desire to wait longer than I must.

Corvus nodded, much to Verad’s chagrin. “Very well. What say you?” Selerim took a deep breath. “I accept.”