Liv stirs awake to the sound of horns signaling the day of the hunt, this day is one she has feared her whole life, for on this day she knows she must battle the very women she considers her friends. She lays still, eyes still closed when she feels Alo gently kissing her on her cheek, his hair tickling her nose. As he stands and begins to dress Liv reaches out her hand to him and whispers “Swear you will find me.” Alo continues to get ready and says but one word yet it calms her like no other, “Always”.
As Alo leaves Liv begins to ready herself working quickly to braid her hair and get dressed. As she dresses, the roar of the crowd and the booming sound of her grandfather's voice echoes through the street and into her home. Upon hearing the sound of The Horn Of Galfor Liv closes her eyes and silently prays for Alo’s safety before returning to her preparations.
Her armor is light but strong, the very same jacket her mother had worn so many lifetimes ago in her hunt. It’s once tan color permanently stained with the blood of those fallen, a grim reminder of what is to come. Her blade, a gift from Alo brought back from one of his many trips beyond the walls of the grotto. A truly magnificent short sword made of the finest steel, etched with runes with a yellow flower in layers on the handle. She fixes her blade to her side and enters the street to begin her walk towards the gathering point.
Liv's nervousness is building but she is determined, she must do this, the man she loves is waiting on her. As she arrives she sees her grandfather, addressing the gathered crowd. She laughs slightly and thinks “Gods the old man loves to talk.” She slowly works her way through the crowd all the way to her grandfather taking in his every word because she does not know if she shall ever hear his voice again.
“These young women 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. As you know the men entered an hour ago to the sound of The Horn Of Galfor now soon the horn of Lughan will signal the women’s entry. Go with caution, may Carmina guide you.”
After he finishes Liv takes a step forward hugging her grandfather tightly. His grizzled face streaked with tears as he whispers to her “ Be safe please.”
When their embrace ends the sound of the horn of Lughan pierces the air and the crowd rushes forward. Liv runs like she’s never ran before and is among the first to enter the wood. Behind her, the other women follow, no longer her friends but her enemies.
The darkness of the forest is numbing, Liv finds her senses dulled the instant she enters. The air was thick with tension waiting for someone to make the first move, the only sound to be heard was the steady rhythm of her own pounding heart.
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Soon it started, a symphony of screams and metal slashing erupts behind her. Liv hesitates slightly before entering the edge of the fray drawing her sword. Her senses sharpen as the adrenaline continues to build. Soon the first blow comes her way.
A well placed strike from a hunting knife bounces from her jacket, with a scream she bashes the hilt of her sword into the head of the woman attacking her. With a subtle grace Liv takes a step back and swings her blade towards the woman’s throat.
Blood sprayed her face like a nightmarish rain as her opponent fell to the ground. Liv’s hands tremble as she sees the woman’s lifeless body on the ground but there is no time to stop now if she is to escape this hell. A movement from her left side catches her eye and with a back step she dodges the would be assailants attack.
Upon facing the woman Liv stands poised for battle, both of their swords glinting ominously in the dim light. Their breaths hung in the air like mist as they circle one another. Looking for the moment to strike
With a sudden surge of movement, Liv lunges forward, her sword slicing through the darkness with deadly intent. But her opponent was swift, sidestepping the attack with agility and desperation.
The battle around them seems silent at this moment. Their swords clash, the sound echoing like no others.
As the duel rages on, they move with elegance and grace, their swords flashing in the darkness like twin streaks of lightning. They dance among the trees, their steps guided by instinct.
As the battle continues Liv sees the woman falter, her movements growing more sluggish with fatigue. Sensing her opponent's weakness, Liv presses her advantage, her sword flashing with an unbound volly of well placed blows.
With a swift strike, Liv disarmed her adversary, sending her sword clattering to the ground below. With the woman now weaponless, Liv advances, her eyes hard. There's no room for mercy in this moment and she knows it. In a swift and calculated move, Liv delivers a final decisive strike, driving the tip of her sword into the woman’s chest.
Now turning her attention back to the other women Liv finds her every movement to be one one of precision. The forest echoes with the sounds of death, soon only one shall remain and Liv is determined to be the one.
With each opponent she faces, Liv’s attacks grow more precise. Her blade always hitting the perfect mark to dispatch her foes as painlessly as possible . This was but a small mercy but it was one she felt required to give in this moment.
And as the last of her adversaries falls at her feet, Liv stands victorious amidst the carnage of battle. Her heart heavy, body sticky with the blood of her friends. She falls to her knees and lets out a primal scream as tears stream down her face. She has succeeded but at what cost