Chapter 1: Hwedo Clan
Chapter 1: Hwedo Clan
It was midday; the sun was beginning to take on a dusky appearance; a coppery scent perverted the sweet natural fragrance of the forest as two men battled a demonic pack of wolves that they tracked down for the better part of the month. The wolves were strangely hunting near kings road.
Many would-be travelers perished to the insatiable demonic beasts. Usually, the legionaries would have handled the issue. Still, a backwater village with mere lower nobility wouldn't garner much help nor attention from the legion. Thus a bounty was issued, and men and women of the surrounding area took upon the quest.
"Congratulations are in order," growled the lithe archer as he notched another arrow. The two-person party is sworn, brothers. The Archer was Jakob the latter was Heiro, the future Hwedo clan head.
"Thank you, brother."He replied, eyes shifting rapidly as his large Claymore danced in a swirling salesmanship and strength display.
Heiro, a man of great stature, hummed loudly as he waded through the pack of demonic wolves, arrows needling around him as his brother backed him.
"Watch me," roared Heiro as he stepped back gracefully and abruptly moved forward fluidly. His mysterious footwork on display, mist emanating around his feet as far more enormous of the wolf's jowls slammed shut in quick succession as the pack alpha attempted to split its foe in two.
"Amazing! Is that your clan movement technique?" Queried Jakob a hint of wanting in his tone.
"Indeed! Father gave me leeway to learn it, finally." He replied as the side of his meter-long Claymore slams into the demonic wolf's massive skull, staggering the enormous beast.
"Brother, I'm going to sponsor you to become a guest elder. Father shouldn't deny me, not after this hunt and the birth of my son. What say you? Added Heiro as he sensed the wanting in Jakob's voice.
"I accept. I accept!" Jacob announced as he fired straight arrows around Heiro and the alpha dispatching its kin. This would be a boon to Jakob's much smaller clan; his daughter could learn and practice with the younglings of Hwedo and vee for better resources than what his clan could hope to offer.
"I still can't believe I'm going to be a father. It's surreal." Said Heiro.
"It's not so magical. Have you not heard of the birds and the bees?" His friend responded, sending a quick succession of resplendent arrows into the wolf's flank, Eliciting painful whimpers from the demonic beast as each arrow pierced throw the rough hide.
"Sure did. Your mom and I had many discussions when you slept," Heiro joked back at his friend. The two broke in boisterous laughter, the battle dangerous but not deadly to the two experienced hunters. Heiro's blade arched downward; there wasn't an abundance of skill or tact in his technique, just muscle, and sharpness; nevertheless, the beast's wailing ceased the head was lobbed off.
Bodies of beasts were left strewn about the area, earlier deaths of the once large bag that cooled against the mossy ground surrounded by magnificent trees. This was The Deep Twilight Wood, a semi-forbidden region on the outskirts of kingswall.
"Catch Heiro," Jakob, the man with the bow and quiver, said as a crystalline fragment landed in the sword-wielding man's hand.
Heiro's brows scrunched together in concentration as he stared at the hand gripping the fragment, his face twisting and turning as his eyes calculated many things.
Facial features relaxing he spoke. "Jakob, this is too much; we should split this; your family is just as important to me as mines! Let's auction it; it's only fair." He said firmly; his mind made up.
"No, brother, you did me a service when Tara was born; now her little brother is in need. Plus, I'll be a guest elder in the formidable Hwedo clan soon; I'll be able to get better resources then." He said resolutely.
"Take the fragment; hopefully, the little rascal's martial spirit will be awakened with it; if he can't, then there's still the possibility of absorption and him obtaining a demonic forest wolf as a spirit." Jakob said as he waved his hand around the clearing, "Imagine if he can use the pack forming ability of alpha, his survivability will multiply, and schools will look at him intensely. You can't tell me my nephew and your son won't be a genius."
Martial spirits we're spiritual beings, these spiritual beings came in a multitude of forms and power, each uniquely suited for the holder of the soul. Increasing one attainment and natural affinities to the fundamental laws. Not everyone possed a soul inherently, but most humans had them at far alarming rates compared to the other races. Martial spirits were deeply rooted in the individual progression of the brand Dao.
Heiro nodded at Jakob's reasoning. "True friend, very true. A Forest Ranger is just what the clan needs. The resources the capital would expend would undoubtedly increase tenfold."
Jakob said. "They could breathe new life into the clan, especially if the nobility became interested. Forest Rangers are sought after by aristocratic factions for a reason." He finished, laying out his hopes and reasoning.
Rangers, men, and women were the first line of defense against the encroachment of the bestial fiends of the dense woodlands that threatened to devour the lands occupied by many human settlements. Humanity was once said to be creatures of the world, unlike elvenkind, who were safe guardians of nature. Humans' expanding proliferation angered a great nature spirit long ago, forever banishing humankind from its embrace.
On their trek back to the city, they would sell their kills, turn in the quest, purchase anything they could afford, and hopefully make it home by the week. Still, it was fate that the man came into contact with another group; it was uncommon to run across others, especially during the night on the road.