Alo awakens to the sound of horns signaling the day of the hunt, today is the day he and Liv truly become one. He leans over gently kissing Liv on her cheek, his black hair falling over her red like the dark of night covering a grove of red maple. As he stands and begins to dress he feels her soft hand touch his and hears her say “Swear you will find me.” As he secures his unruly black mane into a knot but one word escapes his lips from the depths of his being “Always”.

Emerging from his dwelling and walking the street to the square, Alo was struck by a strange sensation, a sense of calm amidst the chaos of the village. Even the usually overpowering stench of the grotto seemed muted as if the grotto itself held its breath in anticipation of the day's events. The short walk to the square felt like an eternity, each step holding the weight of his very destiny. The murmur of the distant crowd roars yet Alo barely hears them instead only hearing the thunderous rhythm of his own heartbeat, a constant reminder of the gravity of the task ahead.

Taking his place amongst the fellow men of the village, Alo felt a surge of determination coursing through his veins. This was not just about proving his worth as a man; it was about securing a future with Liv, about ensuring their love remains unbroken.

As Merwan, the village elder and Liv's grandfather, addressed the gathered crowd, his words carried the weight of centuries of tradition and wisdom. Alo listened, his gaze fixed on Merwan's weathered face, his words of guidance in the darkness brought a feeling of hope to Alo’s pounding heart.

“These young men that have gathered here today take on the great hunt. Not to hunt any beast but instead eternity, this is the greatest time of our people for when the many become the few we become stronger. Our young men and women shall become one, their unions create strength and with that we grow. On this day so many hunt for their love including my own granddaughter, I pray that you all find whom you seek by the days end. On the sound of the horn of Galfor the men shall enter the wood, then one hour later on the sound of the horn of Lughan the women shall enter. Go with caution, may Carmina guide you.”

With the sounding of the horn of Galfor, the crowd surged forward, a tide of bodies rushing towards the forest like the waters of the River Ko. Alo's footsteps were purposeful, each one a calculated step toward his objective. Beside him, the other men were no longer his friends, but obstacles in his path, standing between him and his ultimate goal.

As the darkness of the forest enveloped them, Alo's senses sharpened, and his every movement becomes deliberate and controlled. He was not here to fight with these men; he was here to eliminate them, one by one, until he reached his target. The air was thick with tension, the only sound the steady rhythm of his breathing and the footsteps of the men around him.

As the horn's echo faded into the dense forest, chaos erupted among the men. Alo's senses sharpened to a razor's edge. The air crackled with tension as hands grasped blades and fists tightened, each man ready to strike or be struck.

Without hesitation, the first blow came, a poorly aimed swing coming at Alo's head. With lightning reflexes, he ducked the attack, his movements fluid and precise. Rising in one motion, he came up with his blade slicing the man’s stomach, spilling his guts on the forest floor.

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Blood sprayed like crimson rain as his opponent stumbled backward, clutching his sliced belly as he fell. But there was no time to revel in victory as another assailant lunged forward, a glint of steel flashing in his hand. Alo rolls from the thrust with ease.

With a savage roar, he launched a barrage of strikes, with both fist and blade. Bone shattered, flesh tore, and screams echoed through the forest like a symphony of destruction. It was a brutal dance but not a dance played out on stage, this one is played out amongst the tangled undergrowth of the forest Alo knows better than anyone.

The forest floor becomes treacherously slick with blood, the coppery scent hangs thick in the air. Alo's vision is blurry from the blood on his face, his every breath a ragged gasp as he fights to stay one step ahead of his foes. But with each opponent he takes down, two more seem to take their place. The sheer number of men proved too much to handle all at once.

With a desperate effort, Alo slipped away from the main battleground, proceeding deeper into the shadows of the forest. The sounds of battle fade into the distance, replaced by the rustling of leaves, the distant cries of wildlife, and the screams of dying men. Here, amidst the solitude of the woods, he could catch his breath and collect his thoughts.

Leaning against the gnarled trunk of a twisted ancient oak, Alo closes his eyes, his racing heart begins slow. He draws in deep, ragged breaths, and remembers why he is here.

As the adrenaline began to go away slowly, Alo felt a sense of calm descend upon him. He focused on the rise and fall of his chest, letting the sounds of the forest place him in a near meditative state. In this moment of calm, he found peace amidst the chaos, a brief break from the brutality of the hunt.

But even as he sought refuge in the tranquility of the woods, Alo knew that he could not stay hidden forever. The hunt continued, and he knew that Liv’s life also depended on his success. With a passion like he has never felt, he pushed himself away from the tree, ready to once again face what lies ahead.

Emerging from the relative shelter of the oak, Alo's heart fills with fierce determination. With each step, his movements became more precise, his senses regained their edge. There is no room for hesitation, no mercy to be given. He has to become a force of nature to ensure he can protect Liv.

Drawing his knife with a newfound determination, Alo returns to the heart of the battlefield, his every movement one of deadly precision. With a primal roar, he launches himself at his adversaries, his blade piercing through the air as it meets flesh and bone with devastating force.

The forest echoed with the sounds of death, screams of agony, and the sickening sound of bodies hitting the ground. Within the chaos, Alo remains an unstoppable force, a lone warrior cutting a path of destruction leaving countless bodies in his wake.

With each opponent he faced, Alo's attacks grew more savage. Limbs were cut from their bodies, throats were slit, and bodies stacked at his feet like wood. There was no time for mercy. There was only the brutal reality of survival of the fittest and Alo would do whatever it took to ensure he was one of the last men standing.

And as the last of his adversaries fell beneath his blade, Alo stood victorious amidst the wreckage of battle. His chest heavy, his hands sticky with the blood of his enemies. But there was no time for celebration. He knew that the hunt was far from over, and the true test of his strength and resolve still lay ahead. With a slight smile, he sheathed his blade and pressed on into the darkness, and awaited the sounding of the horn of Lughan so he might find his Liv