The Bond

I stagger back from ramming straight into some giant arm. My eyes quickly scanned upward to meet Gen're's smirking face, the very person who had claimed the top spot in the ranking and the person I was praying most to avoid. However, he doesn't look like he's about to kill me- there's this playful glint in Gen're's eyes that makes me think something else is going on here. What's his game?

"Well, well, Leigh. Didn't think you'd be the one charging into the woods like a wild boar," Gen're chuckled, withdrawing his arm.

He's... joking? I assumed this guy was all bite no talk. I assumed Gen're, with his fierce demeanor, would be someone to watch out for in the beginning- one of those who try and take out the competition before the culling. There are no rules between hunters before they get their ritual weapon. Now I feel less tension, replaced by a growing curiosity about what this guy wants and why he stopped me that way.

"Why are you here, Gen're?" I asked cautiously.

Gen're's smirk faded, replaced by a more serious expression.

"I figured you could use a partner. More accurately I wanted you as a partner. You could use someone who knows the lay of the land, and let's be honest, two heads are better than one out here- and lets face it you had a good duel, not everyone can outwit Keel's speed. Kid is a demon in his own right. I need that kind of brains out here."

I narrowed my eyes, skeptical of Gen're's sudden change of heart. Why does he even need me? Brains doesn't mean much when you can shake the earth with your punches.

"And why would you want to help me? But more importantly, why should I help you?"

Gen're's gaze softened, revealing a hint of sincerity. He almost looks... vulnerable?

"Because I've been watching you, Leigh. You've got something that sets you apart. I want to see how far you can go, and I don't mind helping you get there. Especially if you being on my side helps land me a better beast in the end. Brute force can't get everything done by itself, there are limits to what I can do- and I need to make my grandpa proud."

I hesitated, the weight of his trust pressing on my shoulders. After all that happened with the reveal of my lineage, the way I was treated by my so called parents, and my brother leaving me- trust doesn't come easily to me, especially here in this deadly competition. The way he is opening up feels vulnerable, and I can feel the sincerity in his words, but why now? Can I really trust him with my life? One swing from him while I'm asleep and I could be paralyzed or even dead. I need to see if he has any other motive before believing him, there is too much at stake.

"Alright, Gen're. Let's say I believe you. Why now?"

Gen're sighed, that hint of vulnerability creeping into his monstrous features again. "First of all- it's Gen, Gen're was my father's name I don't prefer to use it. Secondly, look, we may be competing, but we're also all in this together. We'll face dangers that none of us can tackle alone. And besides, family means something, right? And all of us from the village are a family you heard gramps. Especially here, you know that going alone means one bad run-in with kings army troops, bandits, or even a beast you can't handle and you're dead. No need for that now, if you want to compete fine, but lets do it at the culling on even ground. Not here. Here we survive and go back to the village with honor, with pride. If we die in the culling so be it, but dying out here would be a disgrace."

My mind raced, contemplating Gen're's words. Family. Honesty. Vulnerability. The very concept that he has had this level of thought all along is mind numbing, I stereotyped him as soon as I saw him. Now that I think about it, I remember seeing this look in his eye when he spared his rival in the duels. Could Gen're be more than just a competitor?

"Fine, Gen. I'm still cautious for now, but I agree working together to come out of this alive is our best bet. Now we need to get a move on. We can't trust everyone who is going to come out here."

A shadow moved through the trees to our left, and both Gen're and I instinctively tensed for a fight. However, instead of an impending threat, Keel emerged from the foliage, a sly grin on his face. What was he doing here now? Did he want revenge for our duel? A chance to prove himself?

"Well, well, if it ain't the two contenders I was hoping to find," Keel remarked, crossing his arms.

I shot Keel and Gen a questioning look. "What's going on here?"

Keel chuckled. "Gen and I had a little chat before the rankings were announced. Figured we'd better off teaming up than killing each other. And from the looks of it, hopefully you're on board too, Leigh."

I sighed, realizing the intricacies of alliances forming in the midst of competition. Of course Gen would have a backup plan, it would be stupid to rely on just one person for an alliance. It gives us all a better shot at survival anyways, the odds two of the three want to kill off any one of us are less than one on one with that behemoth.

"Fine, but let's be clear. We watch each other's backs, but we don't let our guards down."

Gen're extended a hand towards me. "Deal. We all come out of this alive or die trying."

I hesitated for a moment before firmly shaking Gen're's hand.

I smirk, "Are there any more surprise members before we get going?"

"HAHAA no L, just us. Glad you got a sense of humor about you now it'll make this journey a lot more tolerable if you're not a stick ass."

Keel begins laughing too as we begin to move out. We already wasted enough time standing around chit chatting we need to move before others come. The new trio, each of us with our own motivations and secrets, set out together towards the eastern woods.

"How did you know I would come to the east?"

"Keel here said that's what you would do since it was the only logical choice, I just trusted his gut. He's the one who fought you after all so he knows best how you think."

"Well Keel glad you understood something during our fight besides flailing about like a shuntri out of water."

The echo's of Gen's laughter echoed through the woods as we made our way deeper, hopefully this trio can last. It's nice having other people for a change, it has felt like it was just me and Lira against the world for so long. I forgot what talking to people as friends was even like, this turned out much better than being ambushed in the woods.

Little did we know, the challenges ahead would test not only our strength but also the depths of our newfound alliance.

...