Several days passed after Jake's first evening with Elana, with the pair spending them hardly beyond each other’s reach. With few obligations getting in their way, and with Jake's Auntie oddly absent, the pair indulged in one another’s company as if they were intoxicated. Night after night, even between meals. Whenever either’s libido flared up, their bodies inevitably found the others.
However, their unwithering passion was not to last forever. Inevitably, their daily lives slowly returned to normal. Jake’s Auntie returned to the tent, saying nothing to provoke either youth as she played the fool. Elana returned to her family’s tent to continue her Magi training. Jake aided his Auntie with housework in the morning and then spent his days training or assisting in Dunebeast hunts to keep the surrounding sands protected. Having developed into a capable warrior, he was an additional asset who proved invaluable to the few hunters the village had. So much so that the Hunters pleaded for Jake to remain in the village as a permanent addition to their ranks.
Yet, he was already planning his next move and politely declined. Jake would spend only as much time as necessary in the village to prepare for his journey before leaving again. He had a few obligatory visits to make to destinations well beyond his home. The sooner he made those trips, the sooner he could return to Elana and his Auntie. However, he needed supplies for such a trip. Clothes, food, a sleeping system he could use at night, and a permit to travel beyond his village. In order to obtain such an item, he first needed to partake in the Ceremony of Kuu’hash.
Still a child in the village’s eyes, Jake technically was not supposed to leave the village gates without escort. As someone who could hold his own against the Dunebeasts, and any of the fighters within the village itself, Jake didn’t particularly feel to the need to abide by such a rule. Nor would the guards uphold it. It wasn’t like they could stop him in the first place. Having developed skills well beyond their capabilities, the fighters within the village understood that Jake’s following of the village’s rules was out of kindness and respect. Nothing else. The Ceremony would simply be done for tradition’s sake. Afterwards, Jake would be given a talisman allowing him free passage through the sands and then he would be off.
The Ceremony was planned for a week after his discussion with his Auntie and Elana. During that week, when not entangled with Elana, Jake made his rounds through the caravan and shops to acquire the items he needed for his eventual trip. He ordered two pairs of new pants, a thicker top for potential cold weather, and a waterproof tarp to keep him dry should it rain. He also found a sack to sleep in. It wasn’t thick or anything that would keep him warm should the temperature drop too far but it would at least keep him out of the elements. Which was fine in his case. Jake could create simple shelters using his Rock magic. With a small flame also formed with his magic, Jake could warm the shelter. In his search, Jake found a compass he could also use. The object wasn't accurate due to its age, but it would at least give him a general sense of direction. Good enough to keep him from getting too lost.
On the morning of the planned Ceremony day, Jake went out with the Hunters again in the morning. Reports of Dunebeasts lurking nearby came in from scouts and the Hunters were summoned to deal with them. Six beasts in total with a pair suspected to be mates. The small squad was composed of ten fighters, four Magi, and Jake. It was a typical unit with Jake acting as an additional Magi rather than as a fighter. He remained at the rear of the unit, only assisting when necessary. Or that was the intention. Over the course of the week, Jake had stepped in a few times to test his new skills against the creatures. After watching him so easily dispatch the Dunebeasts, the Hunters tried to coerce him to play a more active role. In exchange for payment, Jake was steadily moved up to the vanguard for a few outings when their numbers were thin.
He didn’t complain. So long as he was compensated well enough to cover the cost of his updated equipment, he didn’t mind taking out a few minor threats. Jake was grateful for the opportunity as the experience enlightened him to an unexpected fact he would have to deal with in the future; his magic wasn’t as potent on the surface as it was in the Ravine. He could still conjure the same spells he used beneath the surface.
However, the cost was much higher, as the mana in the air around him was not as dense and weaker. Unable to utilize the natural mana in the air in large quantities, Jake found himself forced to rely more on his internal mana reserves. It made him appreciate all those hours he spent cultivating in the thicker, denser environment. The availability of mana within the Ravine allowed him to increase his mana capacity significantly and he had developed a high level of control over it. To the point that he could maintain a comparable level of strength in more standard conditions for far longer than if he hadn’t trained in the austere environment.
For once, he was thankful for the experience.
“Good hunting!” Captain Ada waved as the group of fifteen stepped out of the gate. Jake returned the gesture with a wave of his own. A few family members came to see the team off but the departure was largely made in silence as the prayers for a safe return were offered quietly.
The hunting unit was spread out in a loose diamond formation with six in a wedge at the front. It had two on each side at the limits, and four in a wedge at the rear. Jake stood in the center, his Sensory magic spread to cover the unit in every direction to ensure they wouldn’t be ambushed. The unit didn’t know of this capability, a trick he hadn’t shared with them. He didn’t want them to rely on him for everything. He let them conduct their work, track down the Dunebeasts without his assistance, and left the unit organization to the commander. Jake maintained his detached stance, reminding them that he was only a temporary helper. They still needed to handle the bulk of the effort. Jake didn’t even allow them to lighten their supplies, forcing them all to carry their own water, food, and packs. He carried his own as well so as not to be the odd man out but he kept quiet about how much lighter his pack was.
After nearly twenty minutes of walking, the lead hunter held up a fist. The unit lowered to a knee as the man scampered ahead to check a track. He oriented himself, caught sight of the next track, and returned to the unit to notify the leader. "The first one is nearby.”
Without having to consider any options or make difficult decisions like one might in the Ravine, the response here in the desert was instant. “Good. Follow it.” The leader gave his prompt order and the team began moving to find their first target. The sun was out, the sand was clear of storms. They could see for miles atop the taller dunes. There were no walls here. There was nowhere to hide.
They crested two dunes and as they rounded the third, the first Dunebeast came into view.
By the light brown color of its armored body and small clawed hands, it was determined to be an adolescent. The lack of scarring on its main carapace also showed it didn’t have much fighting experience. Dunebeasts weren’t exactly territorial but if two males bumped into one another they typically fought. Though for unknown reasons as regardless of the fight’s outcome, the Dunebeasts would continue to wander aimlessly through the desert. Maybe it had something to do with dominance but even when it was mating season, males would fight regardless. Except those fights actually had purpose to them.
“Let’s go.” The unit leader drew his curved blade and motioned for his team to maneuver on the Dunebeast. The team split in half with five fighters and two magi rounding off to the left. The other half moved straight in to engage the Dunebeast. Jake attached himself to the frontal unit, falling in with the rear two Magi as they ran forward.
One Magi, a fire-user, chanted loudly and conjured a large fireball over his head. The spell grew to barely larger than his head in diameter. He attacked first, striking the Dunebeast in its side and burning its thick armor almost clean through. The second Magi was a water-user and attacked once they were closer, conjuring a crude arrowtip-shaped blast that cracked the Dunebeast’s center armor plate after it turned to face the approaching threat.
The fighters dashed in to keep the Dunebeast’s attention, taking a loose formation in order to attack it from three angles. One fighter stood in the middle, with the remaining split to two per side. All to keep the Dunebeast off balance and unable to put its full strength on any fighter in particular. It was very overwhelming for an inexperienced beast and the creature was forced into a defensive posture from the start. It swung its heavy claws at the hunters, snipping and trying to catch one of them in a powerful pinch. The hunters parried the swipes or rolled out of the way, blunting and evading the attacks. After each sweeping attack by the Dunebeast, the hunters struck out at the joints and splits in its armor. Limbs were sliced open, armor was cracked by magic, and the Dunebeast was forced to backpedal as it struggled to keep up.
Then, the second half of the unit joined the fray. Attacking from the rear, the fresh fighters targeted the Dunebeast’s legs and the gaps in its thick main shell. Their blades found the armor seams and quickly brought the Dunebeast to its knees. Pincered and unable to move, the unit brought the young Dunebeast to the sand. The team leader buried his blade through the opening in the armor at the creature’s neck. With a twist, the armor popped loudly and blood gushed from the wound. The Dunebeast fell limp, dead from the fatal blow.
The fight was quick and effortless as the hunters proved their skill again. However, they were lucky. The Dunebeast's lack of experience made it easy prey and its shell wasn't tough like the adults. The Magi spells made quick work of the Dunebeast’s defenses and the fighters’ movements were too coordinated for the beast to keep up. Things would be different if the next target was an adult.
“Quickly. We’ve got a busy day ahead of us.” The leader called out to his team and they began stripping the Dunebeast of usable resources. Its shell would make excellent armor. Its meat was delicious when fresh and could also be made into jerky. Some of its organs had medicinal properties and could be sold to other villages that might need them. Jake found the organ removal a bit weird, however. He never quite understood medicine but something always seemed off about harvesting a corpse in such a crude manner.
In minutes, the team stripped the Dunebeast of what they could use, spread the burden among the team’s packs, and then broke the remaining shell open so the beast could be feasted on by other scavengers in the area. They left the body behind and quickly reformed their diamond formation to continue their hunt. One down, five to go.
The hunters didn’t just wander the sands to find the Dunebeasts. They kept to a specific area surrounding the village and only walked out a certain distance to various placed markers. If the Dunebeasts wandered beyond those markers, they didn’t give chase. It was only the Dunebeasts that continued to loiter within the village’s territory that the hunter’s tracked down. So long as the beasts didn’t pose a threat, they were left alone. For today, however, the primary targets were the pair of Dunebeasts found nearby.
Mates were dangerous. They were highly defensive and attacked anything that moved. If the pair found a space to nest, the Dunebeasts would orbit the area for two days, attacking anything and everything in sight ferociously until they deemed it safe to breed. Then, they would lurk at the nesting site until the female gave birth. Once the eggs were laid, the male patrolled the region to protect the female until the eggs hatched. Then they both would hunt, kill, and bring food back for their children to eat. When the children were old enough to walk, grew protective shells, and could hunt on their own, the collective would disperse into the sands in every direction.
The process took almost three months in total from mating to dispersal. During that time, the area where two Dunebeasts nested was considered highly dangerous. If other male Dunebeasts came close, they would be attacked. If forced into submission, those males would become guards for the mates and add to the patrolling numbers. Very strong males were known to actively seek out other weaker males to become guards and their scents would attract other willing females. Creating packs of roving submissive males and several birthing females. With each female capable of laying a dozen eggs in a single lay, a packs’ numbers could grow exponentially.
The largest known pack ever formed was twenty Dunebeasts in all, with a single male named Tyan’mor. Tyan’mor ruled over his pack for several mating cycles before adventurers were hired to kill him. The battle was gruesome, with six adventurers meeting their end and several hunters being injured.
Killing mates in the early stages was key to keeping them from becoming dangerous, so hunter units generally made it a habit to kill them immediately when they were spotted too close to a village. Dunebeasts were still vital to the ecosystem, so hunters and travelers understood not to disturb mates if eggs had already been laid, or if mates had nested in the desolate regions of the desert. It was only when they wandered too close or were still searching for a nest that they tried to either push them out or kill them. It was preferred to displace the pair rather than kill them outright, but sometimes it was impossible. Especially if they’d already settled in.
“We’re on.” After searching for another hour for the next target, one of the hunters picked up a pair of tracks. The pair was found and their tracks led closer to the village, rather than away. Thus, the hunters began their task of finding them.
The team opened its formation and swept the desert in a rush, kicking through the sands and avoiding a few Sandworm burrows before coming upon a rocky outcropping. The tracks led the unit directly to the rocks and specifically to a split where it was possible for the beasts to have entered through. Fanning out, the unit waited for a few moments to try and use sound to track down the mates. Though it was possible they could have gone inside, it was also possible they had simply passed through. The unit commander signaled for silence and the group waited, listening keenly for any sounds of howling or clicking.
Hearing nothing and not wanting to rush into the rocks unprepared, the unit split into two groups. The individual teams circled around the perimeter of the rocks, checking for tracks at each of the exits to try and identify if the beasts had left. Jake took that moment to separate himself and entered the outcropping on his own, letting the hunters do the boring work.
Using his Sensory magic to keep himself from being ambushed, Jake crawled over the rocks and climbed up over a few large boulders as he tried to find their targets. The Dunebeasts weren’t known for their agility due to lack of natural boundaries. However, they were very capable climbers, making easy work of large walls with their claws if they were determined enough. The rocks here wouldn’t be too difficult for them to get over either. And it seemed that they weren’t. Jake’s decision to climb over proved to be the answer as he eventually found his prey.
The rocks were oriented in a large, jagged circle, with a slightly depressed central area spacious enough for the two Dunebeasts to nest in. Naturally, the rocks surrounding the middle made for perfect cover to protect the pair from the sun’s heat and dangerous storms. Along with the shade and rocky barriers, there were only three passageways leading to the center that they could use to flee into or easily defend should the nest be attacked. Though other Dunebeasts could just as easily climb over the rocks, like they had themselves, the high angle wasn’t exactly ideal for the bulky creatures. The more desperate Beasts would hobble into the passageways rather than risk climbing over the top. Going over was also a lot noisier and would act as a natural alarm for the female should she be isolated.
For the much smaller Human, the height advantage was perfect. The Dunebeasts didn’t even notice him before they were assaulted by a barrage of Fire and Rock Spears. Jake didn't want to wait for the Hunter squad to climb the rocks or run through the fatal entrances into the claws of the Dunebeasts, as the arena-like circle would be the end of the lot. Especially with two enraged mates fighting together and little room to maneuver as a unit. So, he made the executive decision to handle it on his own. He had other things to do today than carry back corpses.
The Dunebeasts were pummeled from above, their jaws releasing terrible screeches into the echo chamber of the area. The loud popping of their armored bodies followed quickly. Their thick hulks were turned black from the flames and shattered by the heavy impacts of the stone spears. Their exposed innards were then scorched and their bodies crumbled together as Jake stole the future of their love. As they burned, a few of the Hunters found the entrances and stepped into the arena in time to see the aftermath, and smell it.
Jake hopped down from the rocks to douse the flames with his water magic. Unfortunately, the bodies couldn't be harvested due to the damage. While it earned him some negative words from the unit’s leader, words Jake brushed off, the job was done and the threat was handled. The team recovered what they could before continuing their mission. Thankfully, the remaining fighting was minimal. Only one of the final three Dunebeasts remained in the surrounding area near the village. The other two had wandered beyond the boundaries. One was spotted close by and there was potential for it to turn back around, but the likelihood was low. Dunebeasts rarely backtracked after passing through an area. The team paused for a break, ate a small meal to recover some energy before making the return trip to the village.
Captain Ada met the team at the gates, his hands on his hips and a broad smile on his face. Several guards were also in view, leaning on the wall’s upper battlements or the wall itself as the hunters approached. “I see no injuries and heavy packs. Good hunting today?”
“Yes, Captain. Nothing crazy to speak of and Jake was very helpful with the mates.” The team leader turned and motioned towards their additional asset, but Jake waved him off.
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Jake’s role was minor in the scheme of things. The space was disadvantageous to the Hunters and he knew they would incur casualties if they attacked. Intervening beforehand was the appropriate course of action at the moment. “Just lending a hand, is all.” Jake stepped past the group and continued walking towards the gates. “I’ll stop by the hunter’s tavern later for my payment.”
Leaving the hunters behind to debrief Captain Ada, Jake stepped into a few stores to collect food for his personal trip and checked in on his pants. The seamstress inside had finished them but only needed to ensure the pants were tailored properly. Jake put them on, verified the fit, and she made a few marks on the second pair as they were longer than what Jake found comfortable. But, she affirmed that they would be ready in the evening, so Jake made a mental note to return later. He paid for them anyways up front to expedite the process later and then carried his pack and fresh goods back to his Auntie’s tent.
To his surprise, the tent wasn’t empty when he stepped inside. “You’re home early.” Hearing the rustling of the flap, Elana perked up from the table, her eyes blinking as she stared at him. Kneeling in front of her were two young girls, both with their backs to her and their hair in various stages of preparation. Jake didn’t ask.
“Light hunt today. Nothing difficult.” Jake removed his boots and huffed as his feet settled into the warm sand. He dropped his pack and carried his basket of food over to the table so he could prepare it.
“I wonder what you might consider difficult,” Elana mused, giggling faintly to herself.
Along with the three girls, Elana’s mother was in the kitchen area with Auntie Rayne. Both were engrossed in their own conversation, laughing and smiling like the sisters they had grown up to be.
Elana let out a hum and returned to her work. The girls peeked up at Jake, their small eyes flicking back and forth between each other, the sand, and the man who loudly sat down across from them. “You’re leaving soon?" Elana asked.
“I am.” Jake nodded.
They had discussed already that he would be leaving but Jake had not specifically given an exact timeframe. Mainly due to him not knowing how long it would take to gather everything he needed. Now that his pants were finished, there wasn’t much holding him back from leaving. With a long trip ahead of him, he was anxious to get moving. The land of the Elves was far, far off to the north with a busy world wedged between him and their forest. The sooner he started, the sooner he could get back. He wasn’t exactly sure where he was heading either, but he figured he could find out on the way. So long as he continued north, he would eventually reach his destination. Hopefully.
“I see.” Elana tried to keep a neutral tone but the downward curve of her lips gave her dissent away.
She’d tried quite a bit to get him to stay, to change his mind if only for a little while. However, Jake wasn’t fond of sitting on his heels. Not anymore. He had a job to do, a message to deliver and weapons to return. The blades in his pack were not his own, they belonged to the family of his fallen companion. He would see that they were returned so that they could grieve for him. In his travels, he also hoped to come across another type of family but he would likely need to travel at night for that.
"I'm sorry, Elana." Jake didn't look at her as he sorted the food he’d collected. He prepared sandwiches, cut fruit into chunks that could be easily organized into small jars and then he cut large slabs of jerky meat into strips for snacking while on the move. The young girls watched his meticulous work. Their large eyes full of curiosity and many withheld questions.
Elana sighed and shrugged. “You don’t have to apologize, dear. I know you well enough by now. Just come back in one piece, would you?” She paused and glared at him. “And actually come back, or I'll fetch you myself.”
Even though he didn’t see her face, Jake shivered. “Of course. I don’t plan to veer too much, so I should be there and back. Not sure how long it will take, though. So uh… don't wait up at night for me.”
Elana scoffed. “Who would wait for you?”
One of the girls flinched. “E-Elana…”
“Oh, sorry.” Elana loosened her grip on the girl’s hair and reminded herself to be gentle.
Auntie Rayne and Elana’s mother approached from the kitchen, setting down a few plates and bowls of fruit, nuts, berries, and fresh paias for an afternoon snack. Tea was promptly served as well.
“Are you prepared for this evening, Lyaha?” Auntie Rayne sat beside Jake, her eyes peeking over at him as she indulged herself in her curiosity.
Jake nodded and finished wrapping up his sixth sandwich. “Yes, Auntie. I have my robes and Derna will apply the markings.”
“Derna? That wench?” Elana’s eyes narrowed deeply as she hissed.
Her mother reached over and tapped her head. “Knock it off. Derna is a powerful Magi. Much better than you are right now. If you applied his markings, the Gods would be pissed.”
While Elana and her mother began to argue, Auntie Rayne placed a hand on her nephew’s shoulder. “Are you prepared?”
Jake nodded quietly in answer, his eyes scanning the stocks in front of him. It was enough to last him only a few days. However, based on what he’d learned, the next town was well within range of his preparations. If he hunted along the way, he could extend his travel distance significantly. Yet he couldn’t rely on that, not until he crossed the Ravine into the forest.
“Why do you not pack water?” Auntie Rayne asked, pointing out how she didn’t see any containers for the liquid.
Jake furrowed a brow and stared at her. “Auntie.” He raised a finger and, with barely any effort, conjured a small ball of water at its tip.
“Ah…” Her question answered, she quietly nodded. Across the table, however, the two young girls and Elana’s mother all stared at him with wide eyes.
“A magi…?” Elana’s mother muttered, clearly surprised by what she had just witnessed. “And without an incantation? How did you…?”
Jake ignored their expressions as he collected his food and put it into his pack. He organized it all near the top for quick retrieval while moving. However, he was wise enough to distribute it within the pack itself as well. He organized the items based on daily usage and priority should he come across poor weather. “Practice, Man’na. Lots and lots of practice.”
“Man’na?” Elana’s mother blinked and huffed. “You two are not married yet, boy.” She grumbled, rolling her eyes as Elana giggled.
Man’na meant mother-in-law and was typically spoken by the daughter’s husband to show respect for his wife’s mother, as speaking their names directly was seen as showing too much familiarity and disrespect for their position within the family hierarchy. Fan’na was the father-in-law. However, unlike the mother, the father was typically addressed by their name.
“How long will your trip be?” Auntie Rayne ignored the interjection, focusing on her boy as he worked through his final preparations.
Jake sighed and relaxed onto his heels, staring down at the items in front of him. Everything was largely in order and his gear was organized as he needed. The only missing piece was the travel totem. “I don’t know, Auntie,” he answered the repeated question in a patient tone, but the constant prodding was getting to him. “I don’t even know exactly where I’m headed so it might take a lot longer than a straight trip might. Just know that I’ll come back when I can, okay?” He turned to face her, offering up as much of a settling answer as he could to calm her worries. From the soft look in her eyes, it didn't do the trick.
Auntie Rayne crossed her arms and raised her brow. “You don’t even know where you’re going?” There was a brief pause. “Are you an idiot?”
Recognizing what he’d said, Jake immediately scrambled to explain himself. “Now hold on. I know where I’m going, just not where I’m going.”
The rigid stare remained unbroken.
“Please stop staring at me like that.”
“You’re as stupid as your father.” Auntie Rayne rolled her eyes and shook her head. She turned away to take a sip of tea.
Being compared to his father incited a bit of heat in Jake’s face. He flinched. “What? Wait a minute. How? Don’t compare me to that moron.” The boy retorted with a bit of a hiss on his tongue, only for his Auntie to shake her head again.
“Boy, you have a plan to leave but no idea how to reach your destination. It sounds to me like you plan to wander the sands until you fall into it.” She set down her cup and glared at him. “You’ll trip over your own two feet before that happens.”
Jake opened his mouth to argue further, yet the words stuck in his throat. She wasn’t wrong. His plan sounded ridiculous, but what else could he do? Helena left long before him. The Dragonkin were gone and Jake didn’t have a map aside from the one in the Library. All he knew was that Darius was from the north. Exact details were never shared so Jake would have to search and seek out information as he traveled. To start, he would need to cross the Ravine and then find a village or something beyond it. From there he might find someone with more information. He wasn’t just intending to outright wander around aimlessly. He’d walk until he died if he did that.
“I’m hoping to figure it out along the way, Auntie.” Jake huffed and returned to the finishing touches on his pack. “I have a general location, direction, and destination. So long as I ask nicely, I figure someone will help me at some point.”
Auntie chuckled as she took another sip of her tea. “I see that you still have faith in people. Never lose that, my boy.”
The rest of the afternoon, Jake finished his preparations and ate lunch with the women. The two young girls left with Elana’s mother after a few hours, then Elana left as the sun began to set. Afterwards, Jake changed into a loose skirt and promptly left to take a bath to cleanse his body from the filth accumulated during his hunt. At the bathhouse, he found himself surrounded by several other young men. At least fifteen of them would also participate in the ceremony to come. When he stepped inside, his appearance drew several eyes. Not many were happy to see him.
One individual who stood barely a fraction taller than Jake stepped forward to block Jake’s path. The other boy positioned himself between Jake and the bath. He had dark skin, short brown hair that was neatly cut, and bright blue eyes. Several freckles dotted his nose and cheeks along with a few scars on his body. Scars only earned from sword training and sparring, likely not actual combat. He had a muscular frame but those muscles lacked density. Judging by his participation in the upcoming ceremony, training was all he’d ever known. Going beyond the village walls to experience true battle wasn’t typical. Even for the more highborn villagers.
“Exile.” The boy spat, glaring at Jake.
Jake sighed and stared straight ahead, unphased by the name. “And? Anything else?”
The boy scrunched his face and curled his hands. However, as his arms flexed and his mouth opened, Jake raised a finger.
“I warn you. You won’t touch me before you’re stuck in the ceiling. I recommend steppin-”
“-Shut up.” The boy cut him off, partially spitting in his face. Jake shut his eyes, controlled himself, and wiped off the discharge. “You left the village on your own, breaking our Elders' rules. You abandoned your family, Exile, and now you return thinking you’re better than us? I should take Elana for myself!”
Jake shifted his weight, rocking back onto his heels boredly as he observed the room. The majority of the eyes staring at him were filled with disgust, others were indifferent. Traditions were important here but they were only meant to keep the peace. The general population wasn’t brainwashed enough to let it control them too much. The fanatics, like this one, were the problem children.
“I don’t think I’m better. I know I’m better. You’re all children. You haven’t seen a single moment of hardship in your life other than the bothersome orders and directions of your parents, teachers, and masters.” Jake stepped back to create some distance and walked towards the water, standing at the edge of the bath. The aggressive child turned as Jake strolled by and clenched his fists, ready to swing at a moment’s notice it seemed, but not quite up to the task of swinging first. “But, hardship doesn’t make me better.”
The boy held up a hand and controlled the water. A small whirlpool formed beneath his hand that rose upwards in a spiral. “It’s everything else. My sword skill. My magic.” As the water touched his hand, he cut off the main pool from what he’d gathered and condensed the collected spiral into a tight spear. “You’re all weak. Worthless youth that have no idea what it means to learn what you are told. How important it truly is to learn how to swing your swords or cast your spells." The spear tilted, its tip pointing towards the boy who’d contested him.
“You’re in the way. That is what you are, and I want a bath. Don’t bother me again.” Jake fired the water spear and it zipped through the air in a blink. The tip was dull and its composition was loose. Thus, upon impacting the boy’s chest, the water acted as a hammer instead of a spear. The boy was knocked off his feet and shoved backwards against the wall with a fierce impact. The loud smack of meat on stone echoed through the bathhouse. His mouth opened as all the air in his lungs was forced out. The impact knocked him to the edge of consciousness, his eyes rolling and spit ejecting from his throat. He slid to the floor in a twitching head and several others rushed to check on him.
He wasn’t dead. Jake wasn’t stupid enough to commit murder but the message was clear. Any others who thought of bugging him or harassing him quickly averted their eyes. With that settled, Jake was able to bathe in peace, cleaning himself off before sitting down in the hot water to soak. After choosing his spot to sit, the others gave him a wide berth. Just as he liked. He didn’t want to mix with them. Their innocent minds and boring conversation topics were nothing more than adolescence at its peak.
“That must happen to you a lot.” A voice perked up from Jake’s right and drew his attention. Another boy was sitting close by. Out of arm’s reach but he seemed unbothered by Jake’s presence. His eyes were covered by a wet cloth.
Jake shrugged and closed his eyes. “More than I’d like.”
The other boy laughed. “Burden of the strong. You lot always attract unnecessary attention. Have you tried being subtle?”
The desire to roll his eyes came naturally and Jake grumbled. “It’s not that easy.”
Another laugh. “Sounds to me like you’re just lazy, but I wouldn't know anything about it.” The other boy rose from the water and stepped out, plucking his towel from the edge of the bath. “I’m just a simple man without special traits, myself.”
Something in Jake told him to doubt those words. However, he remained silent as he listened to the soft sound of shifting sand fade. Silence filled the air and Jake was finally able to relax. He sighed heavily and stared at the sky overhead.
Since returning home, barely a blink of time had passed compared to his underground time in the Ravine. Yet in that brief time, he had become more and more restless. The knowledge that there were places out in the world waiting to be explored, countless potential people waiting to be encountered, and dangerous creatures like the Maedra lurking in the dark, all drove Jake to near uncomfortable levels of impatience. He desired adventure. He wanted to see what else the Overworld had to offer. Though the pain of his recent memories lingered, and the scars were still fresh in his mind. Sitting idle felt… wrong.
It wasn’t that he sought war. He never wanted to experience the loss on the scale of the Ravine again. He never wanted to endure that grief or lose himself to that rage ever again. Yet, even so, he was fond of his adventure. It had been his first and he had learned far more than he ever could have imagined. The experiences gained fighting the Maedra, dealing with the Oryx, and meeting all of his companions were the foundations of his current self. His mistakes, his decisions, his challenges. The accumulation of that experience would aid him in his next adventure, guiding him like stars in the night. Learning and growing from his failures was key.
He survived the Ravine. He had defeated the vile Maedra. No matter what he faced next, he would be sure to do the same.
Staring at the distant sky, Jake frowned. “Did I do alright, Chul?” He muttered, speaking to the friend who had long since left him alone. “It’s hard, you know. Not knowing what to do. Not knowing what’s right and what’s wrong. Never quite sure if my choices are the best ones…” He lowered his gaze to the water and raised a hand from beneath the surface. He poked his fingers through the slightly clouded veil of the steamy water. “I still don’t feel like I did enough. Like I could have saved more people if I had been better. A little faster. A bit stronger. Maybe I could have saved Yae. Maybe I could have saved that village. If I had acted quicker and not been so focused on helping them. If I had just killed the Maedra sooner, then maybe I could have stopped that whole mess.”
His jaw tightened and his fingers sank below the water, the chilled tips warming again. “I wonder, what would you have done? Would you have waited?” Jake stared at the blurry reflection of himself, his mind wandering as he tried to think of what Chul might say.
“Is this what you meant when you told me to struggle?” Jake grimaced. “Is this the burden you meant?"
Not even the wind answered his questions. Aside from his breathing and the distant noise of the village, there was only the silence of the quiet night.
Beneath the water, Jake’s hands curled loosely into fists and his head drooped as he looked toward the water. “I wasn’t strong enough, Chul. After all of that training, all of that talk, I wasn’t strong enough to save them.” Tears fell from his cheeks. The air in front of him blurred for reasons other than steam. “I wasn’t there for her, Chul. I wasn’t there for them."
He breathed, his lips quivering. “I hesitated, Chul. The one thing you told me never to do. I second-guessed myself and hesitated. Now I’m here. I survived, but part of me wishes I hadn’t.”
For a long moment, Jake’s thoughts tumbled as drops fell from his face. It wasn’t until he heard footsteps that he finally pulled himself together. An old man pushed aside the curtain at the entrance and stepped inside. Jake splashed the bath water over his face before getting out. He bowed his head politely to the elder before drying off and leaving.
Never again. He wouldn’t hesitate again. Whether he was right or wrong, he wouldn’t wait for the world to choose for him. Regardless of the outcome, he wouldn’t let his enemies ever have the advantage of time over him.
Jake bit down on the inside of his cheek, hard, as he put on his skirt. He added his towel to the unclean basket and left the bathing area. His steps were as heavy as his thoughts, but his eyes were sharp. Brimming with determination to never experience the failures within the Ravine again in the future.