Kanu entered the plains before the other boys. Today was the right of passage. When boys reach the age of sixteen they are to enter into the Sacred Plains and stay until they’ve killed an animal. That animal will represent them for the rest of their lives. Kanu was there early because he had no one to give him words of motivation, familial weapons or even a sack of supplies. He didn’t need to meet with the other boys and discuss plans to work together or what animal he wanted to chase. Kanu was alone, he had been alone his entire life. His mother died during child birth and he never learned of his father. He lived in the village because they were his mother’s people but he had never been accepted. He lived alone on the edge of the village, surviving on his own but never thriving.

“The boy, carries bad omens,” the words that were spoken so often throughout his life. Words that both belittled and motivated him. He thought of the words over and over again this morning when he prepared for the hunt. He arrived early, and expected the elders to explain the tradition to him as they had done to groups every year; but he is Kanu, he is not of the people. The elders gave him a solemn nod and pointed to the plains. He returned their nod, respectful, but full of hate. Hate that they had doubted him, hate that they had allowed him to be ostracized, hate was the only thing that filled his heart for Kanu had never felt any type of love.

Kanu removed the old and tattered clothing that had been draped over his torso; the bright colors would be a disadvantage out here. He dug his fingers deep into the hard soil, digging a small hole. From the leather sack carrying his water he poured some into the hole, mixing it with the dirt he had removed. He covered himself in the mud to mask his scent. The others had not discussed what they were hunting with Kanu, but he had debated it in his mind for years. Several years ago, a boy named Jamba entered the plains a victim of the other children’s antics. He was gone for days longer than the others. When they had given up hope, Jamba returned. He carried with him one of the wildcats of the plains. One of the deadliest creatures to hunt the plains. Jamba had killed a duma, the fastest of the cats, small, its golden fur dotted with black spots. When Jamba returned he was made one of the generals in the army, given his choice of wife from the village’s women and first choice of any captured woman as a concubine. Jamba was an inspiration, he went from outcast to leader. Kanu hated the village, but he desired their love even if he could not say it or even give words to what he felt.

Kanu strapped his sword to his waist and gripped the assegai in his hands so that he may throw it in any direction. He had never been to the Sacred Plains before, but the plains they hunted to the south of the village had become a second home for Kanu. Many times, he would have starved if he could not contribute by bringing back some creature for the village to devour. He had no talent for working the pastures to the east or west so he had no choice but to become a great hunter. This would be no different. His first objective was to climb a rock, view the plains and gain an understanding of where his prey might be waiting. He scanned the grasses, river and watering holes, looking for the orange striped fur of his prey. Instead he spotted a group of boys eight in total, working together to hunt no doubt. One of the boys pointed to Kanu and they made their way towards him.

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“Trash, come down,” Reth demanded as the other boys stood behind him.

The village had never been kind to Kanu, but Reth had been a persistent source of torment for Kanu since they were children. He would rally the other children to torment Kanu but he no longer had to endure that. Today they would enter into manhood and it was expected that some may not survive. Kanu was much bigger than Reth, height, muscle, speed, anything physical he could dominate him. He could best Reth in combat any day; today would be different because there would be no one to stop him. No one to say he harbored an evil spirit inside. Kanu leaped from the rock landing without fear in front of Reth.

“Can you not see that I am hunting,” Kanu asked.

“If you cross the river, we shall not kill you,” Reth smiled.

“What,” Kanu asked in confusion.

He had thought of killing Reth but it seems that there was already a plan in order to kill Kanu. Without waiting for a response Reth launched a fist towards Kanu’s face. It was easy for Kanu to sidestep Reth landing a fist into Reth’s ribs. The rest of the boys wasted no time entering into the brawl. Kanu could fight three with no problem, but eight was simply too much. It wasn’t long before he was outnumbered. As the boys gained an advantage on Kanu he did what was natural to him, he survived. His sword left his waist and quickly spilled the blood of two boys. The group stepped away, encircling Kanu. An arm wound for one of the boys and a leg wound for the other. Kanu was trained on Reth as the others drew their own swords. The thought of death entered Kanu’s mind for the first time.

“Hit the leader and run, you are not yet willing to kill so you cannot survive,” a serpent like voice spoke in Kanu’s head.

“Not now,” Kanu responded out loud.

The voice had come to him many times before over the years. Rarely had the voice come to him during his waking hours. More often than not the voice came to him in dreams. No, nightmares that would paralyze Kanu, driving him to the bring of madness. It had spoken to him during the day only once before when he needed to escape a fire. The voice was another tormentor; one trapped within his own body. Yet it was a guide as well, and now he had no choice but to obey the guide. Kanu rushed forward, swinging his sword wildly at Reth. Unsure if he drew blood Kanu continued to run. He made his way towards the river. He turned to look behind him, only to spot an assegai speeding towards him. Kanu dived to avoid the spear but his vision went red as it sliced across his face. Kanu closed hid right eye, the blood obscuring his view. He was unsure if his face or eye had been cut. He simply knew he needed to keep running. Another assegai slashed at his left shoulder, but he kept running. He wanted to stop and throw the assegai strapped to his back but knew it would do no good.

The river was the edge of his tribe’s land. Very few had gone beyond that point and returned to tell their story. Kanu’s mother had went beyond this river and returned, but none since her. Would Kanu follow in her footsteps? He didn’t have time to consider as the cold water rushed across his legs washing away the mud. Kanu continued, swimming when the water became too deep to walk. The blood and mud dirtied the river. He fought against the current until he was once again on solid ground. Reth and the others watched from across the river, threatening him. For now, there was no way back, but he would find one. The hatred in his heart, the rage filling the wound beneath his eye, they would lead him back. For now, Kanu had reached the unknown.