The adults had not stopped arguing. The more the nobility spoke, the more frustrated Kaara became. Didn’t they care about their children? Shouldn’t they have been looking to see if their child had survived the ordeal? What was wrong with them surviving? Especially since the power they gained here was only a drop in the bucket according to Shiira.
“They’re trying to wedge their way into a position of power with the Tibur.” Amaro said, seeming to notice her frustration, “I doubt someone like my father actually cares that we did not get as big of a power boost as we possibly could. It’s more likely they’re using this as an opportunity to regulate the Tibur and involve themselves in some sort of oversight for the tribe.”
“Why do they want to do that?”
Amaro’s jaw clenched, “Anything that cannot be directly controlled is something they consider a threat.”
“But the Tibur would never go against them. We’re just here to hunt Malaki.”
“And imagine the power one could wield if someone could decide who the Tibur helped and who they didn’t? Nobles who want to conquer could just wait for the Malaki to destroy their foes, only to sweep away the Malaki once all is said and done.”
“That’s horrible! Why would they want to do that? It would only risk the Malaki getting too strong.”
“I’ve grown up around these kinds of politics. They don’t care if it’s a risk. Each of them is blinded by a constant pursuit to grow the power of their soulmark. It’s only after facing the Malaki myself I understand how important it is for the Tibur to remain their own independent faction. If anyone had control over them, it would be utterly disastrous. Not only that, but it would open the tribe up to being attacked by other xiozians too.”
Anger boiled in Kaara’s gut at that thought. She looked on at Shiira who stood strong against their opposition. There was a glimmer of hope watching her deflect the outrage of the nobility. By the way Amaro talked about it, this was not a new thing for the nobility to do. Shiira was probably used to it by now.
Amaro’s siblings approached them. Anitus was leaning on Tulos’s shoulders. He looked worse than Amaro, but alive nonetheless.
“So what now?” Tulos asked looking to Kaara.
“Now- after the adults finish arguing- is the final stage of this ritual. We’ll get a choice to pursue the mark of a Tibur, or to return to society.”
“The mark of a Tibur? Like the soul mark?”
Kaara nodded, “Yeah.”
“Wait, so you don’t have a soul mark?” Amaro asked.
“No? Why? Are you surprised?”
“A little. I thought a soul mark was the catalyst to much of our power.”
Kaara thumbed her lip, “I’ve not really known too much about those things. The way I understand it, they let any fallen Tibur find hunters and unite their power.”
“That’s more or less what soulmarks do. Anyone with a mark will be a beacon to the spirits of their ancestors and deceased clan members.”
“Knowing how Ux works, it’s probably related to that, huh?”
Amaro nodded, “Yeah, I never understood how spirits made us stronger, but with Ux it makes a bit more sense. I always figured we were stronger than most because of our soul marks.”
“You have soul marks?”
“We do. We are marked when we turn five years old.”
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“I always heard that soul marking was dangerous. Maybe it’s different for other nobility?”
“I always heard soul marking is what made us more powerful than other children. And yet there are Tibur children on par with us,” Anitus chimed in, “The more we live, the less we know.”
“I always thought it was because we ate Malaki. Maybe it’s just different methods to achieve the same outcome?”
“Maybe…” Amaro muttered, looking on as the crowd’s ire seemed to die out a bit, “Seems like we’ll get answers sooner than later, though.”
The rest of the surviving children were gathered to face the adults. Kaara’s father stepped forward, “After much deliberation, we have decided to move forward with our rites. Congratulations to you all for surviving the night. Even if you were rescued by those who have interfered in our traditions, our Grand Elder has deemed this group to be an exception. The chieftains of the Tibur tribe have also come to an agreement that this is an exceptional group who is strong enough to take on the future rites of passage to become Hunters of the Altix. So now we stand before you all, no longer as parents or adults, but as fellow warriors who recognize your right to choose your own destiny. From here onward, you may either return to the safety of society with your newly awakened power, or you may pursue the Tibur’s mark to become an honorable hunter of the Altix.”
Anitus raised his bloodsoaked hand, “Does this pursuit of a Tibur’s mark bind us to the same responsibilities of a Tibur? Does it assimilate us into your clan?”
“Good question. Yes and no. The mark of the Tibur would grant you access to the power of our ancestors, but it will not bind you to our clan. Our mark can be held simultaneously with all other clans. However, in gaining this mark, you are honorbound to destroy Malaki wherever they are found. And in death, Malikala will return a fraction of your soul to the Tibur tribe for our own use.”
“And how does this power of death and souls function?”
“I cannot give more of an explanation than that to those who have not been marked by the Tibur. There is much which must be held secret and away from those who may abuse this power.”
Kadmus stepped forward, “To put it succinctly, the Tibur’s mark is a bridge to nobility. A trade in exchange for their independence from other noble clans. Any nobility may earn it, just as any Tibur may earn the sponsorship and mark of a noble clan. Those nobility who remain, I ask that you think carefully about your colleagues during these rites. You will each be given an opportunity to choose a fellow Tibur to exchange your mark with. Though the Tibur remain independent, we all stand together against the Malaki.”
“It is the duty of the hunters not only to defeat the Malaki,” Septis continued, “but to communicate with the lords and ladies of the land. Should you pursue the mark, you will be sent on a two year long journey to earn your way as a hunter. Only the best of the best will return successful. Your journey will be your own to conduct, but you will be asked to complete certain tasks within the next two years to prove your worthiness.”
“And if we refuse?” Tulos asked.
“Then you may return to your lives within the safety of society.”
“What if we’re Tibur?” Kaara said.
There was a glint of worry in Septis’s eye, a crack in his stoic poker face which he quickly repaired, “The Tibur children will be transported to new homes provided by nobility. You will be allowed to live under your sponsors as indentured servants until you reach adulthood.”
“What are we meant to do on this journey?” Deka spoke up from the crowd.
“You are meant to hunt and destroy Malaki wherever they are found. You will also deal with Magakos who pose threats to nearby villages and cities. For all intents and purposes, you will be hunters in training, and your worthiness will be determined by your deeds. We will send you on missions to gather experience, notoriety, and strength from your hunts. When the two years are over, you will undergo one more trial. Should you fail, you will wander the Altix for an additional year before retaking the trial. You may only retake the trial three times before you are outcast from the rites.”
“That’s if we survive the Altix in the first place, though, isn’t it?” Deka said, “The Tibur will be giving us contracts, but they will not be protecting us, nor overseeing our actions, is that right?”
“That is correct. You will all be given independence to venture where you please. The Tiburs have networks which can be accessed. You will also be given regalia to denote your status as a hunter in training.”
“Who can we travel with?” Kaara asked.
“You may travel with anyone you desire to travel with. Your journey is your own to make. You have two years to gather enough strength and experience to pass. The method with which you do so is up to the individual.”
“How long do we have to think about this?” Amaro said.
“You will have until sundown to make your decision. For those who wish to proceed towards earning their mark, you may find myself or any of the other chieftains. You will be assigned a chieftain who will oversee the collection of your contracts and your progression as a hunter.”
Kaara stood still, looking to the rest of her friends. This night, she had gotten lucky. No one she knew as a good friend had perished. But now that the ceremony was over, she was being presented with a new choice. One which her friends would follow her to. Still, even if she knew it was dangerous, did she truly have a choice?