Nearby citizens moved out of the massive man's way as he led Melly through the dense city streets.

Yet again Melly found herself involved in an unwilling journey while following a strange man.

Melly, Melly, Melly how on Fanswald do you keep getting yourself into these messes, she thought bitterly. At least she had her bow. If her hairy guide tried anything funny, she would send an arrow right between his eyes.

Melly inspected the myriad of pelts draping off the massive man’s coat as he walked ahead. Most were fox or wolf skins but others were pelts of mysterious creatures she had never seen before. Each animal skin had been perfectly sewn into a fluffy mess. The colossal coat gave the man a visage only a bear could love.

Melly wasn't particularly happy following the stranger. Clemiticus had tried to reassure, but that did little to calm her rising anxiety. The bear like man had yet to speak even a single syllable. When she first introduced herself and her request, the only reaction she received was a grumble and a nod.

After following the bear for a time, the sight of inner-city buildings became sparse. They were replaced by larger town houses that had been built further apart. Greenery sprouted between the houses, and soon Melly found herself surrounded by thriving vegetation and wide green fields. The locals grew many varying fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables. The soil must have been rich, for most of the produce was far larger than what she thought possible.

Not long after, the fields widened to reveal wide, grassy meadows filled with animals. Melly turned her head and couldn’t suppress a look of amazement. No matter how far she looked, the gigantic white wall that surrounded the city also continued around them, enclosing the entire land within a safe border.

The city and land beyond were completely safe and independent from the outside world. There even appeared to be a large forest within the gigantic walls to the south. When they had travelled for about half an hour, they came upon a solitary green hill. Mounted atop it sat an immense wooden house. A timber sign outside read:

Ye Old Hunters Lodge.

The bear-like man looked down at her silently and indicated she go inside. Melly gave him an awkward nod and preceded him through the threshold.

“Yes?” a squeaky voice echoed from behind a tall counter.

Melly had to stretch her neck and stand on the tips of her toes to see where the voice emanated from. Behind the counter sat a diminutive individual. The figure wore a massive leather hat and thick glasses, obscuring any discernible features.

“If you're here to sign up for today's trials you're just in time,” said the figure.

Melly stared in confusion, then looked up at her bear-like guide who was no help. Then she spotted a smaller wooden sign to her left that read:

Today’s trials to learn hunterness thingys.

Test conditions inside.

The bear pointed towards the sign as Melly nodded politely.

I can read it you dolt, she thought. She left the two weirdos at the counter and walked into the test room.

There she was met with a small army of battle-hardened archers. They turned to the newcomer and eyed their competition.

“Alright, alright,” a young woman in front called out. “Everyone, take a seat. We are about to begin our testing process to learn how to become a hunter.”

The young woman was pretty with long raven hair, darker makeup and an obnoxiously yellow jacket. Melly smiled and bowed, then found a spare seat right in the front row. She nervously took her place, feeling herself shrink in her own seat as a multitude of eyes watched her every move.

“The test process is in three simple parts,” the young woman continued. “And only those who pass all three can join us in becoming a hunter.” She turned towards a large blackboard. Grabbing a stick of white chalk, she wrote her name.

“I am Mistress Maim, and I have been a hunter at the lodge for many years. Most of you will learn to hate me and maybe one of you will become a hunter.”

Melly nervously looked at the battle-hardened archers seated around her. They came in all shapes, sizes, genders - and to her amazement - races as well. There appeared to be a few Elves, Frogmen and even a Goblin. Melly mentally berated herself when she realised, she was staring. It was the first time she had seen any of these races, for they rarely travelled into her homeland.

“Pay attention!” Mistress Maim swatted the board in front and glowered at Melly. She nodded in response and the Mistress’s expression softened.

“Now the first test shall be written.”

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Melly flinched as the bear-like man bust through a side door with a stack of papers.

“Oh, right on time.” Mistress Maim said cheerfully. “Everyone, this is Brian. He may look like a fuzzy nightmare, but under all that fur, he really is just a sweetie.”

Melly fought back the urge to roll her eyes at the notion that in any world, Brian the bear could be anything close to sweet.

Brian stumbled between the chairs as he handed each of the applicants a sheet of paper and a pencil.

“You have one hour,” Maim informed them, “And… Go!”

Melly looked down at the test paper and instantly felt her brow furrow. What the hell is this?

The test read:

What is your name?

Do you want to become a hunter?

Are you sure?

After completing the ‘test’ she looked towards the other applicants. They all seemed to be furiously struggling with their answers. Seriously? Melly yelled inwardly. She raised her hand and waved to the Mistress. The young woman strode forwards and looked down at Melly’s answers. A look of genuine surprise flashed over her features.

“Oh, my!” Mistress gasped. “You can wait in the next testing room.”

Melly awkwardly shuffled out of her chair and left the room. As she departed dozens of envious eyes watched her leave. After waiting the required hour, only ten others had followed her.

The second testing room was fitted out as an indoor archery range complete with three round colour targets with red bulls' eyes.

“Well done contestants.” Mistress Maim said cheerfully, “You have proven that you all have the mental fortitude to join us at the Hunter's Lodge. Now you must prove your skill!”

The mistress pointed to the targets and smiled.

“You must take aim and hit a target. Ten arrows we shall allow!”

One of Melly’s eyebrows went dangerously high as she asked, “How many times must we hit the target?”

“Yes, ten arrows to hit the target,” Maim replied. Her tone sounded more than just uninterested.

“Where on the target?” Melly asked. “The middle?”

“Just the target,” Mistress Main replied with a dismissing wave.

A short Elf pushed his way to the front and with a pompous swagger pointed towards Melly. “Well, aren’t we all high and mighty?” the Elf spat, then laughed. “Think pretty high of yourself since you aced the written test.”

A few chuckles echoed from the small group.

“You’ll soon see that in the real world - where only the strong survive - it’s adventurers like us who come out on top.”

The Elf quickly grabbed a bow and arrow then loosed his first shot. He promptly missed. Undeterred, he continued to miss again and again. Each time he let an arrow fly he did with a “Ah ha!”

Finally, on his eighth shot he struck the target's outer most edge then cheered. “Ha! See that. In the real world, it’s true unrivalled skill that keeps you on top!”

Mistress Maim yawned and clapped slowly then said monotonously, “well done examinee, you can now move on to test room number three.”

The Elf then swaggered out of the room with his head held high, ready for the third and final test.

Melly thought that if the bar was this low that it wouldn’t be worth her time.

Since Melly was the first to finish the written test, she ended up being last in line for the second test. Out of the eleven total contestants, only six before her had passed. Each took around seven to ten shots to hit the target, and the others failed spectacularly. One contestant, the only Goblin even managed to send every single arrow in the wrong direction, which Melly felt was an impressive feat.

“Ok last one.” Mistress Maim pointed at Melly. She was now the last contestant in the room.

Melly rolled her eyes drew her bow and without really looking at the target, lazily shot the bull's eye with a single arrow. This was all child’s play compared to the undead tide of the Coral Desert.

The Mistress stared awestruck at the single perfect shot as Melly continued to the third and final room. There she was met with the smug expression of the Elf who stood waiting with crossed arms.

“Well, aren’t you lucky?” He said with a smirk. “I was sure we would lose you in that room.”

A few more chuckles echoed throughout the thinning crowd.

Melly nodded politely deciding silence would better suit rather than throttling the short smug ass.

“Yes, yes!” Mistress maim said while entering the room. “Time for our final test!”

The raven-haired woman clapped as sections of the roof lowered to reveal six metal cages. They all were of differing sizes with a unique animal within each.

“Ok, we will now test your compatibilities with animals as companions,” she instructed.

Since Melly was last at the archery range, it was her turn to go first.

“Ok, move toward cage number one.”

Melly nodded anxiously as the others watched her approach the first cage. Inside was a grey mouse that took one look at her and squeaked in panic. It raced to the other side of the cage and sobbed, leaving a trail of droppings as it fled.

“Hmmm, interesting.” Mistress maim said. “Okay! To the next cage then.”

In the second cage was a small orange house cat that reacted almost identically to the mouse. The sudden fear in its eyes reminded Melly of all the times during her childhood when cats and dogs ran every time she tried to pat them. They were all absolutely petrified of her. A sudden weight filled her stomach as she understood the test. Instinctively, Melly knew she was going to fail.

“Next!”

The third cage was a small fox. Its tail quivered as it scampered as far as it could away from Melly. The small crowd snickered as they watched Melly fail for the third time in a row. The fourth cage held a whimpering weasel and the fifth a petrified pig.

Melly sighed and approached the final cage then spotted the gnashing teeth of the animal who was responsible for the precarious adventure she was on. The wolf growled and lunged at the cage, biting the bars in a frenzy.

The examiner scratched her chin and approached Melly with a look of disappointment.

“I am sorry, it seems animals do not like you one bit.”

The other examinees all burst out laughing as Melly hung her head. She knew her fate as soon as the test started. All throughout her life she had put animals on edge. Even Skittles the parrot treated her with a vitriol only reserved for bitter enemies. Then suddenly a soggy image filled her mind. Dog the magical whale had never treated her with disdain.

Boom.

A door swung open revealing the bearish figure of Brain entering the room holding a pink orb.

“Ah good timing.” Mistress Maim said with a sparkle in her eye as Brain set the crystal ball in the young woman's open palms. The orb instantly changed to a brilliant golden shade.

“Ok, no time to waste examinee,” she said while striding towards Melly. “Hold this!”

She threw the crystal ball towards Melly who caught it instantly. The ball was surprisingly cold and smooth to the touch. The orb's golden glow vanished as dark smoke billowed. Within the smouldering plumes were scorching flames. It looked almost volcanic.

“Great!” Mistress Maim cheered. “You pass! The rest of you can piss right off!”