The world is filled with legends of immortal warriors and monsters. Battles that change landscapes and shake the heavens. One such battle reaching high enough to destroy the moon, permanently leaving a scar on the heavens.

True or not, these stories are nothing more than a way to pass the time for a village hidden away in a valley. Sen’Shi village only has three events the people treat as important.

Your birth.

Your marriage.

And your death.

“Grandpa Gin!”

A small dark haired boy raced down the street. The frantic waving of his arms threatening to throw him off balance and send him crashing into tables, post, and even other people.

An ancient looking man finished filling a barrel twice his size before turning towards the commotion.

“What’s this? You’re still a little small to be reacting to the smell of my booze like that.”

Grandpa Gin let out a wild laugh and embraced the wheezing boy.

“I can’t breathe Gramps.”

“My apologies, you must have ran quite a ways.”

He put down the boy, only for him to be pinching his nose while trying to catch his breath.

“No, you smell as sour as one of your barrels. You should make some that smell better like Grandmother’s.”

The furry creatures that were Grandpa Gin’s eyebrows looked like they were about to fly away as he laughed.

“Mareus, what would you know about good booze? A child like you doesn’t have the experience to understand the way different flavors can tickle the tongue.”

“Stop it, you’re going to make me smell too.” Mareus fought back against the weathered hand messing up his hair. “I don’t have to be an old man to like the fruity smell.”

“Alright, alright. Now, what were you so excited to tell this old man?

Mareus’ eyes lit up, “You won’t believe it! It’s huge! I don’t know how they brought it back!”

Grandpa Gin took a seat while he waited for the boy to get to his point.

“The boar Shou is as big as a hill! It’s enough for the whole village. Do you think there will be left overs?”

“I suppose if they don’t let me eat my fill.” He laughed. “I suppose I should break out the good stuff. It wouldn’t be right if the others showed me up at my little Mai’s wedding.”

“When will you stop talking about me like I’m some child?” A young woman stepped out of the tavern that doubled as their family home.

Where Grandpa Gin looked like a dried out fruit that shrunk in the sun, his granddaughter still had some of the pudge of youth. Her reddish hair looking like the persimmons they grew in the garden.

Gin stroked his beard in mock thought.

“When your hair is as gray as mine, although, you’ll always be my little Mai.” He laughed.

“If you live that long,” she muttered. “Mareus, ignore this elder. He’s already senile and only thinks of booze all day.”

Mareus eagerly clasped his hands together and gave her his best attempt at a martial artist’s salute.

“Yes, Big Sis!”

“Hey!” The old man started.

Mareus quickly turned and ran back up the street. “Sorry! I have to go see Elder Wei now!”

“Little brat, you dare abandon me like this!”

A cold air slowly filled the street behind him as he raced off.

“Come, Grandfather. We need to discuss your contribution for the wedding.”

Grandpa Gin’s yelps could be heard halfway across the village.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Sen’Shi village wasn’t large, but also wasn’t small. Mareus once raced against a burning incense and it took him the full fifteen minutes to cross the full village. Getting to the Wei compound would take a fraction of that. In fact, crossing their family grounds would take more time than a round trip back to Grandpa Gin’s.

Elder Wei had spent a lifetime building up her family as one of the most respected in the village. Originally she was from another village and joined a caravan before deciding to lay her roots in this valley that reminded her of home. Her doors were always open to everyone and quickly she began taking in those with no family or land and built a place for them.

“Good morning.” Mareus saluted the guards at the entrance.

The only person her guards revered as much was their teacher, Elder Hua Gongzhu. Mareus’ grandmother. Despite every family having their own paths and techniques, she was responsible for teaching the younger generations how to apply their martial arts and cooperate with one another during battle. The most dangerous of which being the Shou hunts.

They dipped their heads in acknowledgment and spoke in practiced unison. “Good morning to you, Young Master.”

“You’re letting this wild thing wander in here?” A hardy voice called out.

“Big Bro Ganju! Congratulations!” Mareus saluted with a grin.

He gestured for Ganju to come closer and bend down for a secret. Cupping his hands around Ganju’s ear he eyed the two guards until they turned away.

“It took you long enough.” He whispered.

Wei Ganju stumbled back. “Who taught you to say that?”

“Big Sis told me to the next time I saw you. But, you’ve been out hunting for too long.” He pretended to rub tears from his eyes. “I thought I would never see you again.”

“Don’t play cute, you’re a man aren’t you?” Ganju regained his composure and dusted himself off. “What brings you here so early? Besides to tease me.”

“Did you tell Elder Wei about it yet?”

“Hmm? Oh, the hunt. Not yet, I was on my way when I saw you sneaking in.”

“I wasn’t sneaking!” He stomped his foot.

“Yes, yes. Would you like to tell her with me?” Ganju added with a whisper. “She may not look like it. But, she really enjoys when you come to visit.”

Mareus beamed, “Okay!”

Before he could plant his first step the ground fell away from him. With a twist he was tossed over Ganju’s shoulder. The world now upside down.

“Careful, Little Bro. I don’t want to drop you.”

“What? You said that I’m a man, don’t treat me like a little kid.” He kept resisting without success.

Ganju laughed with enough force to bounce the boy on his shoulder.

“You’re a still a small man then. Why don’t you let me carry you some more before you get too big?”

“Fine… Only to the entrance though!” He resigned.

“Of course, we still have your pride to think about.”

“I’ll tell Big Sis that you tried sounding cool again.”

Ganju tripped over a loose stone.

The Wei home was decorated with silvery whites and purples more vivid in color than anywhere else in the village. And yet everything was carefully arranged so that no one area stood out more than another. The design naturally drew guests attention to the platform at it’s center.

“Mother, I’ve brought a guest you’d be happy to see.” Ganju took a knee as he announced their arrival.

“Mareus, have you come to tell me about the hunt?” Her dark eyes bore through him like ice picks.

Several breaths passed before he recognized that she spoke to him.

“Y-yes Elder. The warriors captured a powerful Shou that is perfect for the wedding. I would be jealous of Big, I mean Elder Brother if I was older.”

A bead of sweat trickled down the side of his face and stung his eye.

Ganju choked back a laugh.

Elder Wei shot a glare towards her son.

“M-mother, if you’ll excuse me I’d like to prepare thank you gifts for the guest.” His back darkened with his own sweat.

“Go.” She waved her hand.

“Right away.” He bowed again before turning to the only guards. “You two, can you give me a hand?”

The three rushed out wordlessly with only the slam of the heavy door following them. A muffled panic could be heard from the other side.

Elder Wei let out a sigh as she stepped down from her platform. “It’s more often than not that you show more maturity than my fool of a son. Come, let’s have some tea.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” He trotted after the elder.

Her private office was a whirlwind of smells, with something overly sweet standing out against the backdrop of bitter medicines. It modeled the same design as the main hall, though on a more muted scale to better fit the intimate spacing.

“-preference?”

As the wave of curiosity passed, Mareus realized he didn’t hear the question. He quickly glanced around for some hint without having to ask the elder to repeat herself. Her stone expression doing little to help.

“The tea?” She clarified.

“Oh,” he silently thank the heavens. “I’m not sure.”

A rare smile cracked her mask.

“Silly child. Gongzhu is like a sister to me. That makes us closer than that old drunk. There’s no need to be so polite when it’s just the two of us.”

Elder Wei opened an ornate pot and added several bitter smelling leaves as she spoke. Mareus hoped she didn’t want him to drink that as well.

“You’re always so busy running errands. You should let me spoil my Little Turtle every now and then. In return, I’d love to hear about what you get up to around the village.”

Mareus relaxed and made himself more comfortable as he shuffled closer to the table. “Can I have some sweet licorice tea?”

She returned a smile as she made his drink and listened to his gossip. Apparently the warriors like to brag about some rather unsavory things once they’ve had a couple of drinks. She’d have to remember to talk to Gongzhu when she got the chance.

Elder Hua Gongzhu wasn’t one for taking advantage of her position like Elder Wei did. Instead, she only cared about her students and living a quiet life with her grandson.

The village insisted on her taking the single story home on a cliff side overlooking the whole village. It wasn’t as grand as the other elders felt she deserved. At least the location gave the people a sense of security with her watching over them.

Although, she wasn’t home often enough to do that. If she wasn’t out on hunts or at the training hall, she could be found around the village helping with miscellaneous task or exploring with her grandson.

Preparations for the wedding have kept her busier than usual. Not only did it take a full day to haul the giant carcass; it would take another for an entire group to help her dismantle the creature. These were the sort of task that were best to start with the sunrise.