“Big Brother it’s time for your big day!!!” screams a young boy as he leaps for a large lump in the bed.
“Ughh…” with a low moan and grumble the lump begins to slowly shimmy to the light. A tan boy suddenly emerges with a slight frown and directs his gaze at the young boy who had just pounced on top of him.
“I...didn’t…” unable to speak from the frightening glance from his older brother the boy began to panic, knowing what was to come. Without hesitation the two made a mad dash, one for the door, and the other for the young boy. Being just a few footsteps away from the door the boy found himself sprawled on the floor with what felt like a hard rock driving into his skull. “Ow ow ow, I give Eli, I’m sorry I was just excited.”
Controlling his anger Eli slowly removed his knuckles from the crooks of the young boy’s head. “I’m not who I used to be, Mark, I am now an official student of Zeka’s hunters institution. I will finally become a standup hunter just like dad.” As Eli said this his eyes began to have a certain luster and longing to them. That’s right he was now 10. This was the official age of becoming a student of Zeka’s prestigious hunter institution, known around the world for the sheer quantity of hunters produced year round. Following Eli’s claim came hurried footsteps to the door in front of them.
“Mark my baby what happened?” An elegant woman draped in an oversized azule robe abruptly appeared at the door. “Eli, how could you be so cruel to do this to your baby brother. Are you hurt anywhere baby?” Picking up Mark and gently placing him upright in front of her. Mark, slightly embarrassed by his mother, doesn't utter a single word and bolts out the door. “So cruel to your younger brother, any other day and I would already have the belt in my hand. But today is your big day. I’ll meet you outside, our guest has arrived.”
Those last words were like a lightning bolt to Eli. Without any delay he ran to his window only to see a horse drawn carriage with a dark green exterior that had a dull shine. The scenery behind all the more alluring, with lush grass as far as the eye could see with a dense forest that lays beyond. Excited, Eli runs to get changed, putting on the uniform he had laid out the night before.
A stout looking burly man leaped off the leading horse, inwardly sighing to himself, “So this is the place? To leave this type of life for hunting, what a waste.” The man, loaded from neck down in shiny silver armor, wore a blatant envy on his face after looking around.
Waiting for the arrival of the new hunter recruit the door swung open. “Ahh you must be Kyle, please come in, my son has been waiting eagerly for your arrival.” The woman offered sincerely as she saw Kyle pacing around outside.
As soon as Kyle was going to answer hurried steps came from behind the woman. “Mom, he's here, can I go, can I finally go?” The brightness from the boy’s eyes never left as he looked at his mother with determination and a hint of sadness.
“...” It hadn’t hit until that moment, but when Eli blatantly asked that she froze. This was one of her two treasures in the world leaving to pursue a path like many others. Those few seconds looking into her child’s eyes felt like an eternity with all previous emotions welling up ready to burst. All she could say to the innocent child was, “Yes honey, mommy loves you very much and...daddy will watch over you as you hunt. Make sure...not to get into any trouble...and if you ever get scared it is ok to run back to mommy.” Saying these words did not ease any pain but she had become rather restless with tears welling up and choking on her words.
Kyle, used to seeing different scenes unfold in front of him, did not utter a word. Once Eli gave a smile to his mother he looked onward to face Kyle beside the carriage. “I’m ready to go.” With those few words Eli did not turn around but could hear the faint cries of his mother.
Standing a few steps away Kyle opens the door and gestures for the child to come in. The interior of the carriage was not as elegant as the outside but looked rather shabby with rotted wood on the edge of one of the bench rests. Stepping into the carriage Eli spotted two young boys who were wearing slightly torn clothing both looking quite grim not even catching a glance in his direction. Across from them sat a girl who did not look any better, but greeted him with a gentle smile. The girl patted the hardwood beside her offering Eli a seat beside her. “Hello, you can call me Alice, and I am from a nearby place called Feyr.”
Eli looked quite shocked after hearing those words, but quickly regained his cool. “I am Eli. It is nice to meet you.” Eli, being quite the history buff, naturally knew the local villages and cities located all around Canol, the land mass they were currently located, through the books he had read. First, the major city of Zeka located at the north-west part of Canol where wild life often grew rampant going from seemingly endless lush plains to dense forests. This is where he would start his journey to becoming a great hunter. Around Zeka there were villages nearby including his tiny village, Miro, and a few slums further outside the lush forest. The most notorious of the slums was none other than what Alice had just mentioned, Feyr. Now notorious for being a criminal activity hive with human trafficking groups, prior hunters who have fallen ill, and constant waves of random beasts.
After taking his seat Kyle’s voice could be heard from outside the carriage. “Now that everyone has picked up we will make our way to the capital.” A loud cracking from a whip could be heard pairing with a quick jerk of the carriage slightly throwing all of the passengers backwards. As time passed Eli couldn’t help but feel his eyes start drifting off, seeing vague images of his future achievements flash in and out of his dimming vision.
Gently opening his eyes Eli first looked ahead seeing both boys curled up against each other fast asleep. To his right, Alice stared off into the distance while twirling the ends of her hair. Intrigued how far they have gone Eli looked out of the side door seeing clean leveled grass and few trees along the path. Just when Eli was admiring the scenery, “We have arrived.” Looking forward it was true, he could see the silhouette of what looked like a castle sitting atop a small mountain with houses spread out throughout the land below and a massive wall blocking the path. Just a few minutes after Kyle had spoken up they arrived at the gate.
The colossal stone walls were finally seen in full standing 40 feet tall with a fortified wooden gate directly in front of them, at the signal of Kyle the gate slowly started to ascend. The guards upon seeing him all greeted and acknowledged him as the horses went by. Once completely past the gate the houses and street markets could be seen. The houses architecture was impressive to say the least and the street vendors could be seen either sitting on the ground with cloth and an assortment of items or in a stall with hanging ornaments and relics.
“This is the outer part of the city, those who look to trade and sell their goods come here due to the high demand of different materials and the high population.” Kyle didn’t stop there and acted like a guide to the dumbfounded kids, “There are popular places that are helpful to visit when you’re a full fledged hunter around here, Marco’s shop being the most beneficial. Well you’ll eventually meet him so there’s no need in explaining too much.” Beginning to laugh he stopped himself and carried on. “The school is located in the middle portion of the city, only qualified individuals, hunters, and nobles are able to pass through.” Just when he had finished his sentence another gate, less guarded and imposing than the previous, came into sight.
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“Halt, Identification” Unmoving, as if a robot, the guard said these words. Kyle, not saying a word, pulled down his chest armor revealing his undershirt which had an emblem with a swirl of green and black with a golden border. “Oh brave hunter, apologies for not realizing please do come through.” The soldier said these words and with a hard 90 degree turn stepped forward and pushed the lever opening the gate.
Upon entering plentiful houses were not seen but a well kept grass field stretching a great distance. Even paths could be seen laid out leading to large buildings 3 stories high to their right and left with a central building oddly shaped in a cylindrical form standing more than 5 stories tall. Some individuals could be seen walking these paths or sparring in the open grass. “The middle ground of Zeka is known as the hunter’s plateau. I will guide you to your living quarters and show you the auditorium room that you will report to in the morning.”
Slowly moving in the direction of the odd shaped 3 story buildings they arrived at the main door. “Alright it’s time to get out, this is where you all will be staying for the next 5 years until your hunter coming of age ceremony.” Each kid walked out of the carriage following behind the man still dressed from neck down in silver armor. Arriving at the main door there can be seen a huge number on top of the entryway ‘1’. They headed inside to be greeted by a man at the reception desk that had two banners on either side of the desk, both the same emblem, a spiral mix of green and black.
“Welcome back, I assume your trip went well seeing as how you came back with them all alive this time.” The man behind the desk started to laugh, but Kyle didn’t acknowledge his comment.
“I’m here for the check-in of the new hunter recruits to their rooms, I need three room cards.” Kyle knew if he finished this he could finally go home and rest, the hunter’s dream, but now his time was being wasted with useless jokes and provocations.
“So cold.” The receptionist handed the room keys over to him making sure to write the room number on the back.
Distributing the card keys to the young boys he gave information about the living quarters. “These are the living quarters until you have become a full fledged hunter. The four digit number on the back of your room key dictates what room you will be staying in. For obvious reasons male and female hunters are separated, with males composing the majority of hunters buildings 1000-7000 are given to them. The females are given the left over two buildings, 8000-9000. As you may have noticed there is a number outside each building indicating its respective rooms.” After making sure each kid understood this, Kyle finished off by stating, “Now if you will follow me to the auditorium this will be our last stop until we part.”
Leading the pack back into the carriage they moved towards the most central building in the hunter’s plateau. Upon arriving each kid steps out of the carriage and looks at the spectacle in front of them. A tall tower stretching several hundreds of feet tall with uniform features on either side. Eli takes notice of the ‘0’ located on a sign located in front of them.
“In here houses the auditorium, each of you are to report here in the morning. If you go through the front doors and continue straight it will lead you to the auditorium.” As Kyle continued to explain he handed each of them an emblem with a green and black swirl with a bronze border. “This is your proof of recruitment, you cannot get into any building or walk around the hunter’s plateau without this on you. Make sure at all times this is in your possession. With that, each of you is free to do what you want here. When searching for your rooms all even numbers are on the right and all odd numbers are on the left.” Without letting the children speak he hurried back to the horse and carriage and headed off in the direction of the lower gate.
Eli still holding his excitement finally was let free, looking at each of the other kids with expectation of wanting the same. “So now that we’re all here why don’t we all go take a look around together?”
Both of the boys ignored his statement and started to walk in the direction of the left buildings. While Alice still standing there finally spoke up, “that ride was so tiring I don’t think I could visit anywhere I’m just going to find my room.” When she finished her sentence she was already beginning to take off to the right.
Eli, saddened by each of his newfound friends' actions did not deter him from still exploring. After pinning himself with his emblem he puffed his chest out and started to look around.
While exploring his home for the next few years, Eli realized that the hunter plateau was barren of any common attractions and just contained what looked like living quarters. Each building he passed ‘1’... ‘3’... ‘5’... ‘7’... Then he reached the other side wall. Besides the four living quarters he had just passed, the central tower, and the occasional passerbys, nothing. With his excitement nearly diminished Eli turned around and walked into the building labeled ‘7’.
Walking in while dragging his feet, Eli couldn’t help but feel he made the wrong decision. Reminiscing on how he had just left a few hours ago he began to tear up. Just then he was greeted by the receptionist, “Where would you like to go?”
Hearing a sudden voice invade his thoughts he jumped suddenly and pulled out his room key. “Room 7558, ple-” unable to even be courteous to the man he had just met Eli’s vision scrambled and then reassembled in what looked like a bedroom. Dazed he looked around, a bed, desk, closet, bathroom, and a night stand with a clock that read 7:30. No window or even a door. While inspecting his room further there were clothes prepared in the closet, and where he stood previously seemed to have what looked like a doorbell on the wall beside him. His curiosity wandering, without hesitation he pressed the button. The same disassembling scene, followed by reassembling, then he found himself at the front of the reception desk again.
The receptionist this time said nothing and just looked through Eli. Having all sorts of questions he didn’t know where to start, “Excuse me, what was that just now?” The clerk just as before stared right through him. “I didn’t see a place to eat here, is there somewhere I can get food?” This time when he had finished asking him the same scene unfolded and what he saw was what looked like a buffet style layout with large tables spread out evenly.
Before he could collect his thoughts a man’s voice behind him shouted, “Hey, this is after meal hours, trying to pull a fast one here aren’t ya.” This prompted Eli to turn around and he saw a large obese man who towered over him. “There ain’t no food you’ll have to wait properly like the rest of em.”
Eli panicked at the greasy man’s sight, but was still able to muster up the fews words he could, “N-No I was just t-trying to see where I could eat.” Clearing the lump out his throat he continued, “I just got here and was seeing where I could find anything to eat.”
“So just because you’re new you think I’ll give you some grub?” The intimidating man looked straight at Eli just like a predator would stalk his prey. “Take this and scram I don’t want no hunter thug stealin my food.” After grabbing a piece of paper beside him, he pushed Eli away with the paper in hand passing it off to him.
“Alright but sir how do I leave?” With clear confusion written on Eli’s face he asked the man innocently.
“Ugh dealin with you youngins is so annoying, that button over there, press it” Pointing towards the end of the hall after the seemingly endless buffet line.
“Thank you, sir” running off in the direction in which the man pointed, Eli found a small button and pressed it immediately, and found himself at the front desk again. Starting to understand the rules of the living quarters he didn’t ask any questions, instead just said, “Room 7558.” Finding himself in his room again he took a look at the paper that he was holding. ‘Breakfast 0400-0500, Lunch 11-1200, Dinner 1700-1800, Snack bar 2200-0200’. Placing the paper on the nightstand Eli decided to crash on the bed and finally get some rest.