Kaelen followed the gnoll hunting party back to the village, still hauling the weight of the Bighorn he'd defeated. His muscles ached, but the sense of accomplishment made the burden lighter. When they arrived, Zharaith wasted no time. She snapped into action, barking orders to the off-duty gnolls, her voice carrying authority that demanded swift obedience.

Before Kaelen could even catch his breath or wipe the sweat from his brow, the Bighorn was already taken from him. The gnolls moved with a well-practiced efficiency, and in what felt like moments, the beast was skinned, butchered, and roasting over an open flame. The scent of searing meat filled the air, mingling with the desert winds, and Kaelen’s stomach rumbled in response.

He watched the gnolls work, their sharp tools flashing in the firelight, and couldn't help but admire their unity and skill. Zharaith, ever in control, oversaw the process with a sharp eye, ensuring nothing went to waste. Kaelen found a seat nearby, taking a moment to rest his weary body. His mind wandered as he stared into the flames, reflecting on how far he'd come in just a short time.

Vessira fluttered down from her perch on his shoulder and hovered in front of him, a smug grin on her face. "You did well today, Kaelen. Guess you're not completely useless after all."

Kaelen smirked, too tired to respond with anything clever. "Thanks, I think," he muttered, leaning back against a nearby stone.

The gnolls moved around him, setting up for the evening feast. The village buzzed with the sounds of laughter and conversation, a strange contrast to the harsh desert beyond its borders. Kaelen felt the weight of their unspoken expectations settling on him. He wasn’t just an outsider anymore; he had proven himself, at least for today.

Zharaith approached him once the preparations were finished, offering a nod of approval. "You’ve earned your place at the table tonight, Kaelen. But don’t think that means you can slack off tomorrow."

Kaelen chuckled softly, already knowing there would be no rest for him as long as he remained in the village. "Wouldn’t dream of it," he replied, already feeling the fire in his muscles. He knew he was only scratching the surface of his potential, and he had much more to prove—not just to them, but to himself.

As Kaelen watched the meat being brought out, a sudden wave of hunger hit him, sharp and overwhelming. He hadn’t realized just how starved he was until now. The exhaustion of the fight, the adrenaline—it had all masked his body’s needs. But now, as the scent of roasting meat filled the air, his stomach twisted painfully, reminding him of how long he had gone without food.

His legs weakened beneath him, and before he could catch himself, he dropped to his knees. The world seemed to spin slightly as hunger gnawed at him, making him wonder how he had even managed to fight at all.

Kaelen sat at the table, feeling the jealous stares of the other Gnolls who coveted the honor he'd earned. As the freshly roasted meat was placed on his plate and the feast began, he found himself doing something he hadn’t done in a long time—he prayed.

His whispered words were a quiet offering to Shan'karu, the god his mother had worshiped. Once a devoted follower himself, Kaelen had only prayed once since her death, turning his back on the deity he blamed for his misfortune. But now, in the midst of the feast, with the weight of survival and success on his shoulders, he realized that his current situation felt like a blessing. For the first time in years, he gave thanks.

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As he finished his prayer, Kaelen grabbed the large slab of meat and took a bite, savoring the rich, smoked flavor. The taste overwhelmed him, and tears welled in his eyes—tears he quickly wiped away. He had never eaten meat before, only stale bread and watery porridge. The warmth of the meal stirred something deep inside him. He wasn't even sure how he'd grown so strong on such a meager diet, but now, for the first time, he felt nourished in both body and spirit.

as the feast finished and the moon hung high overhead Kaelen heard a hushed voice behind him. It called him by name and beckoned him. He tried to ignore it at first but the voice grew louder and louder until he finally followed it. it led him just to the outskirts of the town and a humanoid figure stood in the distance he approached cautiously his hand on his weapon.

The figure towered over Kaelen, standing two heads taller than him. And Kaelen himself stood nearly eye-level with a bear when it reared on its hind legs. The man before him had glowing red eyes, the whites of which were an unsettling pitch-black. Despite sharing the same skin tone, the man was clad in brilliant, almost glowing silver armor that contrasted starkly with his menacing appearance.

"Who are you?" Kaelen finally asked, his voice unsteady. The man simply raised his hand in response. As his arm lifted, a whirlwind of sand erupted around them, spinning in a furious storm. Kaelen glanced around, bewildered. Then the man spoke, his voice deep and commanding.

"You know who I am, child. I came in response to your prayer."

Kaelen’s eyes widened. "You're Shan'karu? How am I supposed to believe that?"

The man smirked. "You know I speak no lies, child."

Kaelen steadied himself, sensing the truth in the god's words. "Then why are you here? Why now? Why didn’t you save my mother?"

Shan'karu's expression turned serious, and with a wave of his hand, the swirling sand vanished into stillness. His tone darkened. "What did a slave woman and her bastard son have to offer me back then?"

Kaelen looked confused. "And what do I have to offer you now? I can’t even read."

The god chuckled. "You offer me nothing now, but I am more interested in what you will become. I see greatness in you, and this is an investment. Of course, I expect a return."

Before Kaelen could respond, Shan'karu stepped forward, placing two fingers on Kaelen’s forehead. A surge of energy shot through him, powerful and overwhelming. Dizzy and disoriented, Kaelen collapsed into the sand, consciousness slipping away as the world faded to black.

Kaelen awoke with a jolt the next morning, still lying in the sand where he had fallen. Dazed, he pushed himself up and made his way back to the village, eventually finding Zharaith, who greeted him with a mix of surprise and concern.

"Where did you go last night? We searched everywhere for you," she asked, her brow furrowed.

Brushing sand from his hair, Kaelen shrugged. "I went for a walk after the feast. I guess the food made me tired because I just... collapsed in the sand and fell asleep right there." He pointed to the spot outside the village.

Zharaith eyed him suspiciously but didn’t press further. "Next time, don't wander off without telling someone," she said sternly, though her expression softened slightly.

"Well, regardless, go find Nirathi. You'll be hunting with her from now on. She took quite a liking to you and even requested you specifically. Who am I to turn down my best tracker and a valuable recruit?" Kaelen nodded in response and as he walked through the village a familiar fluttering sound came close and Vessira landed back on his head.

"Hey, Kaelen, your eyes are glowing more than usual! What happened to you?" the small woman asked, her voice brimming with excitement.

"I have no clue what you're talking about. Nothing happened," he replied dismissively. She scoffed and laid flat on his head.

"Keep your secrets, then."