-Break-

One year ago

Placing a group of large leaves over the hole, I say, “This is perfect. With this trap, I will be able to catch and kill a boar.”

Standing a little distance back from the boy Nero, one of the three kids named Claudia says, “I think you should reconsider this stupid plan.”

“No way, if this works and I am able to hunt a boar they will have to let us start going on the hunts with them. They might even let us go after wonderbeasts.”

“But.”

“I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT.”

As Claudia screaks, another child Aurelius, walks up to Nero and punches him on the head, saying, “DON’T RAISE YOUR VOICE AGAINST WOMEN!”

“DON’T HIT ME YOU BASTARD.” The two boys start to fight falling to the ground as they continue to hit each other over, and over again.

Claudia says, “Please don’t fight.”

Standing beside Claudia, the last of the four children Lillian says, “Don’t bother trying to stop them, being stupid is built into their heads.”

Aurelius stopping the fight says, “Please don’t say that my beloved Lillian.”

With absolutely no change in expression, Lillian says, “You should watch your back.”

Turning around Aurelius is hit in the face by Nero, who screams, “THAT’S WHAT YOU GET.”

As Nero dances in victory, Lillian says. “Wipe those tears out of your eyes before you start acting like a big man, crybaby.”

“Shut up!” Nero screams.

“Oh sorry I should refer to you by your nickname, Nero of the wet pants.”

“That’s it Lillian woman or not you’re getting hit.”

Screaking Lillian says, “Aurelius save me!”

In an instant Aurelius raises and smacks Nero right into the ground. Then with a demonic voice, he says, “Don’t touch Lillian.”

On the floor holding my cheek, I say, “I forgot how stupidly strong you get in regards to that dumb bitch!”

“Bleh,” Lillian says sticking out her tongue towards me.

But before I can react to that I am hit by Aurelius who says, “Watch what you say about my future wife.”

Holding my head in pain, I say, “Did all that empty space in your head make your muscles stronger?”

“The only reason I am this strong is because of one simple thing; LOVE!”

“Love?”

“YES IF YOU WANT TO REACH THIS LEVEL YOU MUST SHARE A DEEP MUTUAL LOVE, isn’t that right Lillian!”

With a completely opposite attitude to Aurelius, Lillian says, “Yeah definitely.”

“YOU SEE!”

“Sounds like Lillian is lying.”

“Stop being idiotic, you won’t understand until you give it a try.”

“Give it a try, huh,” I say as I look around.

While looking around Nero's eyes land on Claudia who blushes profusely, then moments later he starts to drool.

Lillian says, “Oh you animal Nero, drooling as you look at Claudia, does this mean?”

With incredible energy, Nero says, “Her brown hair reminds me of the eat we ate yesterday, the feeling that gives me must be love.”

As Lillian and Claudia start to get angry, Aurelius sticks out his hand in front of Nero and says, “Now you’re starting to get it.”

Taking his hand, I say, “So this is the power of love, I think I can use this. Now let’s get to work.”

Claudia says, “I still don’t think this is safe.”

Lillian says, “Just let them go at it, regardless of whatever we say they will still do it, so it is better to help them and make sure it all goes well.”

“I guess.”

“And if this goes well it will send Aurelius down a path to become the village chief.”

Looking at Lillian, Claudia says, “Lilly you really care for him.”

“Of course, I do, he is my ladder up to becoming chiefess, if so I will be set for life.”

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Sighing, Claudia says, “I thought you had a heart for a moment.”

I say, “Expecting Lillian to have a heart is like asking a goat to fly, impossible. Now let’s get on with the plan.

Claudia will use her tree climbing skills to spot the boar, Lillian being the fastest runner will lead it to the trap, and when it falls in me and the Aurelius will deal the final blow with the spears.”

Claudia asks, “Where did you guys get spears?”

Aurelius says, “We stole them.”

Shaking, Claudia says, “You really have nothing going on in your head.”

I say, “Right now let’s go.”

-Break-

Φ Hanging from the top of a tree, I see a boar in the distance, and then say, “Lillian he is northwest from you.”

“Ok then, I will be back in a moment.”

Φ Following Claudia’s instructions I move close to the boar, and when I see it I throw a rock near it then instantly turn around and run through the forest back to the spot where we set the trap up.

I am certain that I can outpace it in this short distance. But behind me I see it catching up to me, so I scream, “IF I DIE I AM GOING TO BECOME A DEMON AND COME FOR YOU NERO.”

Seeing the trap, I run with all my might and when I get in front of it I jump forward over the group of leaves. With this, the boar will run directly into the pitfall.

But to my surprise, the boar jumps over it as well. Shocked I say, “You can’t be serious.”

Frozen in terror, I stand still as it charges at me, but then I am pushed out of the way as Aurelius says, “MOVE!”.

In place of me Aurelius takes the hit and is stabbed by one of its tusks.

Φ Seeing the sight that is unfolding in front of me, I stand there in silence. But then while holding the boar still Aurelius screams, “NERO NOW.”

Instantly I run forward and prepare to stab it with my, but when I pierce its skin, it goes berserk. “It was too light.”

The boar freaks out and pulls its tusks out of Aurelius then it knocks me backwards. Then laying on the floor I see the boar charging at me.

I am going to die!

From the side of the boar, I see a spear run right into it, and then moments later, I see my father.

As tears fill my eyes, I say, “Father!”

But then he says, “NERO WHY THE HELL DID YOU GUYS GO SO FAR.”

Feeling timid, I say, “I just wanted to catch a boar.”

“You should have known you were not capable of such a thing.”

Φ Looking down at Aurelius on the ground, I say, “DON’T DO SUCH STUPID THINGS YOU IDIOT.”

“Are those tears I see Lillian, I guess your love must really be unstoppabl-.”

Irritated I hit him in the stomach, and said, “I hate you!”

Walking up behind me, chief Victor says, “Let’s get him patched up, and head back.”

“But chief the sun is setting will we be able to get back in time?”

“I already accounted for that and cleared out a little cave over there, so we will camp there for the night and meet up with everyone the next day.”

Φ Turning around and picking up the boar, my father says, “Nero, Claudia, come here let’s move.”

Jumping down from the treetops, Claudia says, “Alright.”

And behind them all I follow with my spirit crushed.

-Break-

A few hours later

In a cave, three of the four kids sleep with their bells full of boar meat, while the last of those four kids sit outside with his head buried in his knees.

In the dead of night, I mutter, “Again I needed someone to come save me, yet again I failed. I will never prove my father's name proud like this.”

“So that’s what this is about.”

Turning around, I say, “Father!? How did you find me?”

“Just like how I found you earlier. But never mind that come for a walk with me.”

“A walk?”

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Behind my father, I walk behind him upwards, and as we do he says, “The reason you failed today is because you hesitated, and struck the wrong side of the boar.”

“I am sorry.”

“You’re trap was also poorly thought out, you didn’t take into consideration the abilities of your opponent. Against wonderbeasts with countless other forms of attack your plan would have meant emanate death.”

“I am sorry.”

“Is that all you have to say, after almost killing your friends!”

“I AM SORRY.”

“WILL THAT BE ENOUGH WHEN YOU HAVE TO TELL EVERYONE YOU KILLED THEIR FAMILIES!”

“I KNOW MY PLAN WASN’T SMART BUT I HAD TO TRY. I HAVE SEEN HOW THEY LOOK DOWN AT YOU BECAUSE OF ME, SO I HAD TO PROVE I COULD FIGHT AS WELL. BECAUSE YOU'RE MY HERO AND COULDN’T LET THAT HAPPEN.”

With tears, falling from my eyes, I say, “I am sorry, so sorry.”

Picking me up, my father places me on his shoulders, and then says, “A real man admits to his mistakes.”

With speed, even beyond the boar, my father takes me to the top of the mountain in mere minutes, then when we reach the top I look out at the distance in awe and reverence.

My father says, “They say our people used to live in the northwest of the world but had to leave after a calamity struck and were forced into Terrafide. I am sure our people struggled a lot to get used to these harsh lands but they did and travelled overcoming it all.

Their blood runs in our veins, and mines does in yours so don’t fret and believe in the greatness that created you.

With a smile, I say, “RIGHT! But still, I don’t think I can ever become as strong as you.”

Turning around and going down the hill, my father says, “One day you will understand how to use the flowy stuff.”

“Flowy stuff? What is that?”

“It is hard to explain so just wait till you’re older, you’re still merely a child of 12 years.”

“NO TELL ME!”

“Don’t make me throw you down this hill!”

-Break-

8 months later

Smelling something burning I open my eyes, and head out to see what it is, and to my shock and horror, I see the forest on fire and my people being killed.

Taking a closer look I see the people who are assaulting my loved ones look similar to animals, they are monsters. “What is going on?”

Being grabbed from my side, I see Claudia scream, “WE HAVE TO RUN!”

As she pulls my body, I see my father with spear in hand pierce the bodies of some of the monsters.

I break free of Claudia’s grip and scream, “FATHER!”

But then in the moment with speed that surpasses my father one of the monsters lunges directly at me. It is too fast, I am going to die.

Seconds after closing my eyes preparing for the impact, I feel a liquid splash over my face.

Opening my eyes, I see Claudia’s body impaled by the monster's hand, and then seconds later, he rips her body in half, then is pierced by my father’s spear.

Unable to understand what is even going on I just stand there. That didn’t happen, that didn’t happen, no way Claudia is de-.”

Grabbing me my father shakes my body and says, “NERO!” Which snaps me back into reality.

As tears fall from my eyes, my father doesn’t even give me a moment to speak and says, “I need you to run away right now, and if they catch you my son, play along and do what they say, do not fret we will come and save you. NOW GO!”

With those words taking control of my body, I run all the way into the forest. And say, “Don’t think about it, don’t think about it, don’t think about it.”

After a little bit of running, I find another group of people, including Aurelius and Lillian, being assaulted by another group of the monsters.

As they attack and take us, Lillian Screams, “SAVE ME AURELIUS”

With Aurelius screaming, “LILLIAN.”

Seeing them both, I run out to help but am grabbed and pinned to the ground by a monster, and as I try to move I am struck on the back of the head.

Feeling my mind fading, the last thing I am able to see is everyone screaming and crying as they are being taken.