The journey began. No fanfare, no goodbyes—just the steady rhythm of hooves striking the worn stone paths of Thavra and the rustling of leather armor as the warriors adjusted to their saddles. Jaya rode her white mare, Asherah, the beast proud and tall, her silver mane braided and flowing like a banner in the wind. Jaya's own outfit matched her mount: white, gold, and bronze tones, layered in practicality and elegance. She wore twin sabers strapped across her back, her dark hair braided into a single tail that flowed behind her like a shadow.
General Rami Malik led the group, his black steed moving at a steady, commanding pace. Around him, young warriors rode in clusters, some whispering with excitement, others casting uncertain glances toward the looming forest that stretched beyond the city's borders. Most of them had never left Thavra before. This was their first taste of what lay beyond the walls.
The trees welcomed them like silent sentinels. Towering trunks, thick with moss and shadow, stretched high into the sky, branches laced tightly above to filter the sunlight. The deeper they rode, the more the sounds of the city faded, replaced by bird calls and the distant growls of unseen beasts.
Whispers floated through the group.
"I heard someone saw a rank five beast here last moon…"
"My brother said he lost three men on his last hunt."
"Do you think we'll see a Nightcrawler?"
Jaya ignored them. She had spent years on the periphery. None of this was new to her. Her eyes were already scanning, watching, calculating. She didn't want stories. She wanted to go deeper.
They rode for hours, stopping only when the sun had started its descent. They came to rest near a small river with clear, cold water. Smooth stones lined the bank, and the flow was gentle but constant. General Rami raised a hand, signaling the group to stop.
"We'll rest here," he announced, voice deep and commanding. "Water your mounts. Stretch your legs. One hour only."
Jaya dismounted and led Asherah to drink. Rami approached her not long after, his expression stern.
"You've done well," he said, folding his arms. "But don't get reckless, Jaya. I know that look in your eye. You're thinking beyond the periphery."
Jaya smiled faintly. "Am I so easy to read?"
"You are, to me."
She shrugged. "I can handle myself."
"This is not the practice ground in Thavra. This forest... hides old things. Dangerous things. You're not invincible, Jaya."
She gave a respectful nod, but inside, her resolve only deepened. This time, she would enter the core—whether her uncle approved or not.
An hour passed in a hush of wind and the occasional splash of water. Then they moved on again, their journey winding deeper into the forest's outer ring. The trees grew thicker here. Even the younger warriors could feel the difference.
Beasts began to appear.
Small ones at first—rank one and rank two creatures—beasts with hard hides and strange cries. The young warriors sprang to life, some eager, others hesitant. Jaya moved with grace and control, her sabers slicing through fur and bone with effortless precision.
A spike-tailed drakar leapt from the underbrush.
Jaya spun, dodged its swinging tail, and slit its throat in one motion.
Another beast, a horned crawler, charged from behind.
She didn't flinch—just turned and impaled it cleanly through the eye.
The other youngsters gawked, barely able to land blows on their own prey.
Captain Jed, a grizzled hunter who had seen more forest than most, let out a whistle. "Remind me not to spar with that one."
Jaya ignored the looks. These were nothing but toys to her. Her eyes kept straying deeper, where the trees darkened and the sounds shifted.
As night fell, they halted again.
Camp was made in a wide clearing surrounded by dense trees. Firewood was gathered quickly, and a large fire was built in the center of the camp, crackling to life with heat and light. Skinned beasts were being cleaned and sorted—some for food, others for materials. The blood of the slain creatures was collected, some of it valuable for poultices and salves.
General Rami stood by the fire as the group assembled around.
"We'll rest here for the night," he declared. "At first light, a small party will move into the core. The rest of you will stay here in the periphery to continue your training and gain more experience. Captain Jed will remain with you. If you have questions, ask him. He's older than some of these trees."
A few chuckles rippled through the group.
Rami's tone turned serious. "But remember this: the rules of the hunt are not suggestions. Anyone caught breaking protocol will face consequences—regardless of name or blood. Understood?"
A chorus of nods and murmured acknowledgments answered him.
The fire burned bright. Spitted meat roasted, sending savory scents into the air. Hunters shared stories, some true, others exaggerated. Healing salves were applied to small wounds. The younger ones crowded around Captain Jed as he pointed to the horns of one beast and explained how they could be used to craft small daggers.
Jaya sat apart, sharpening her sabers. Her gaze remained fixed toward the line of trees where the periphery ended.
She would not stay here.
Not this time.
---
As Jaya sharpened her twin sabers near the dim glow of the fire, the rhythmic scraping of steel against whetstone was the only sound around her—until she heard soft footsteps crunching over dry leaves behind her.
"Hey Sama, I thought you didn't come with us," Jaya said without turning. "I didn't see you earlier."
"Yeah, I just arrived," Sama replied, his voice light and familiar. "I couldn't afford to miss the fun. I begged Master the whole day. Told him I'd refine the remaining pills when I get back. He finally let me come."
He stepped closer, his arms casually folded, eyes narrowing as he studied her face.
"I know those eyes," Sama said with a half-smirk. "You're thinking about breaking the rules again, aren't you? Come on, tell me—what do you want to do this time?"
Jaya looked away, a flash of guilt crossing her face.
---