The Calm

I walked back towards my house with a new found fire, eager to get started with my training. The knowledge that Ja believed in me made me feel as though I could press on to become like him and hopefully reunite with him one day soon. 

"Where have you been brat we have to get a move on for that order. Don't you remember anything, you bastard?"

"Sorry sir I just needed to get some air. I'm ready now."

...

Two days later

...

I can still hear the screams from Minotus in my head from late last night. I still don't know what smithing practices landed Pa under the watchful eyes of the capital, but something happened last night with the ritual. Typically the ritual goes one of two ways: The first is if the beast is dead then you take the blood, mix it with the metal as it is being strengthened for the last time (the act of placing the completed weapon into the fire to strengthen it one more time before dousing it in oil) by having the oil mixture used in the douse as two parts oil, one part blood- then allowing the weapon's first strike being piercing the beast's heart, this process infuses whoever does the first strike with a portion of the beast's powers which are enhanced when holding the weapon which equates to around 20% of the beast's overall powers. The second way is if the beast was captured alive and the beast's blood is drained while it is still alive for the same process of dousing as if it was dead- however, the first strike is done with one strong hit to the beast's heart to infuse it with not only a portion of the power of the beast but also its very soul. This allows its user to harness much more of the beast's power without the weapon, and even more so while wielding- almost 50% of the beast's overall powers. An alive beast is better, but sometimes you can't catch a beast alive and stay alive yourself. But what I heard last night? That was nothing short of endless torture. There was screaming, grinding, crunching, and what sounded like Minotus being drowned. I can't shake the feeling that Pa's connection to smithing and why he had to leave the capital is a lot more terrifying than I can handle right now. Besides I was shaken by the last comment Cai'l said to me as I right outside the shop before they began the ritual-

"So boy, did you figure out your drive yet?

"I did, I am going to surpass my brother and claim a beast even stronger than his."

"Well good someone's got to pass on the family name- if I see your brother at the culling, he's a dead man."

"I- sorry?"

"I can feel the drive in you now, but it's not nearly enough to entertain me. Know that unless you can surpass me you will never avenge your brother who might as well already be dead. That and only that will give you even more of a reason to work and become strong enough to give me a fight worthy of knighthood- anything less would be to boring."

"..."

"Well till then, good luck boy. You are going to need it. Find the best beast you can, I am hungry for a challenge."

- There is no way Ja'el would be stupid enough to piss off a guy like Cai'l so I doubt they will even run into each other at the culling... but still, I will surpass him. No matter what. No matter the cost. No one threatens what's mine and gets away unscathed.

...

With the newfound determination burning within me I was dead set on becoming stronger than that smug son of a bitch, and even stronger still than anyone who would prevent me from learning about my life. I spent hours upon hours in the smithy, grinding away and honing my skills under Pa's watchful eye. As the flames of the forge roared and the rhythmic clang of hammer against metal echoed through the air, I felt a sense of purpose taking root within me growing stronger and stronger with each strike.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. My physical strength and stamina for working in the confines of the forge grew steadily. Pa began pushing me to my limits, whether or not it was due to him seeing my 'passion' for weapon's crafting, or the free labor I am unsure- but I threw myself at the opportunity regardless.

As I immersed myself in the training, I found solace and focus. The pain of the betrayal by my adoptive parents began to fade as I channeled my emotions into each swing of the hammer and endless training at night behind their backs, the sound ringing like Cai'ls last words in my ear. The dagger Ja'el had given me became an extension of my arm, a constant reminder of the brotherly bond that transcended blood. I worked every night after Ma and Pa fell asleep, putting my all into killing one of the straw dummies we used for testing the sharpness of a blade.

Pa unfortunately began to see glimpses of the strength that had made Ja'el a formidable hunter as I could not hide the changes all the work had started to do to my body as I grew. The village started buzzing with whispers of a new contender for the hunt. I knew Pa would never let me enter of my own will, but as long as the village didn't know that I would be ready.

As I honed my skills, I sought guidance from Lira, who became my confidante and source of support. She taught me how to use a dagger, the same dagger that he had used to teach her how to fight. I studied the basics and continued to practice when I could. She also has been getting reports of Ja's journey from the older cadets as they came back to the village after their own hunts. She shared tales of Ja'el's adventures, providing insight into the challenges and dangers that awaited me for finding a strong enough beast to help me win the culling and be worthy of becoming a part of the kings forces. Together, we navigated the complexities understanding a beasts potential and trying to predict its powers before it predicted mine.

In the quiet moments when the forge's fire dimmed, I delved into my own past, seeking clues about my true lineage. I scoured the house in secret, hoping to find remnants of my mother's life or any connection to the mysterious circumstances that led me to Euclidicies. Unfortunately I could never find any, Pa seemed like he had completely cut the idea of her out of his life.

As I continued to grow older and approached my third year since learning of my past, I created a plan to join the hunt with Lida's help. I felt ready, well as ready as I could given what I was going to do in a few months. The usual age for joining the hunt was 16-17 so I had to make my move before then so my adoptive parents would never suspect anything was going on.

...

Finally, over three years after Ja'el left, on the eve of the hunters ceremony I was ready. All the piece's were in place. So, I waited for my guards to fall asleep, and as soon as I heard Pa's snoring I was off to the center of the village. I stood before the shrine dedicated to Ja'el in the smithy. The painted pictures of mythical beasts and the memories of my brother's dreams fueled my resolve as I stood surrounded by my prison for the last few years. The dagger in my hand bit into my hand, showing the ground my resolve and reminding me to get a move on. The column of fire was already burning in the town square with smoke overtaking all the scenery in familiar sight after all my years in the forge. It's finally time.

...