Two months passed like dust carried by the wind.
The sun hung low, bathing the village in shades of gold as the last day of preparation came. Everyone knew that the competition was the line between being seen as children and being recognized as true contenders. That night, the village was quieter than usual. No laughter, no idle chatter. The air itself seemed to hold its breath, knowing tomorrow would decide who will stand tall and who stumbled.
And above it all, the mountain loomed in the distance, its shadow long across the land waiting.
On the edge of the training ground, Mei moved like a shadow. Her daggers spun with precision, every slash and twist flowing into the next, her moments sharp and controlled if only skill was taken into account she could have beat all her peers. There was no hesitation in her strikes, no wasted breath. The wooden post before her was already scarred with deep cuts, splinters breaking away with each blow. She had chosen daggers just like her brother's slim and quick weapons that fitted her speed and sharp instincts.
The sound of footsteps echoed behind her. Shen entered the training hall, arms crossed, he said.
"Mei, it's late. Why are you still here?"
"Can't you see? I'm practicing."
"I can see," he replied evenly, "but the competition is tomorrow, you should be resting you've already pushed yourself enough".
Mei paused, her blades still in her hands, chest rising with quiet breaths. Finally, she lowered the daggers and set them aside. Shen's expression softened as he stepped forward. "Let's go home, Mei" he said in a warm voice.
Later that night, Mei sat cross-legged outside their house, her daggers resting across her lap . Shen sat beside her, tightening the straps on the sheathes, making sure they would not slip in the middle of a fight.
Their mother approached, carrying a tray of food, two maids trailing behind. She placed it down and looked at her daughter with a gentle smile she said "Eat well, Tomorrow is a big day for you" she waited for sometime and then said with concern in her voice " But always remember if it becomes too much, you can leave at any time, you don't have to prove yourself to anyone".
Mei didn't answer. Her eyes stayed on the blades resting in her lap. Her hands curled a little tighter around the hilts.
Same time At night in Tarak,s house
Tarak, stood nearby with his arms crossed, gave a small approving nod.
"You've done enough," Tarak said softly. "No more practise tonight, your mind and body needs rest more than your bow ".
Ryan looked up, hesitation in his eyes "What if I freeze out there?"
Tarak smiled faintly and set a hand on Ryan's shoulder. "Then remember no one expects you to be a champion anyways That's your strength. Let them look past you. Let them underestimate you, and when the moment comes…" His smile widened, sharp and confident. "Strike with full force ".
Ryan exhaled slowly and set the arrow down as he slowly knelt down near his arrows. He rolled each shaft along his palm, inspecting the wood, checking the feathers. Tarak crouched beside him, pointing out the slightest bends, reminding him that even one crooked arrow could mean the difference between hitting the mark or missing completely.
AT Aspen's house
Further down the clearing, Aspen throwed his axe, then hurled it with a grunt. The weapon spun once, twice, before slamming into a tree trunk with a thud that echoed through the air. He strode forward, yanked it free, and threw again — faster, harder. His shoulders glistened with sweat, his eyes sharp with determination. For Aspen, there was no elegance, only raw force.
Not far away from him sat his father "come here sit with your father" his father called him.
Aspen came and sat down with his father near a small fire. The axe leaned against the ground between them. His father was a broad man, Aspen clearly took after him.
"You've trained well, your attacks are truly powerful" his father said, staring into the flames. "But power alone breaks against patience, Don't just swing mindlessly , make every strike count".
Aspen nodded once, silent. His eyes didn't leave the axe, the firelight flickering across its steel as he himself felt a bit nervous too.
Vayu's house
He came back home early today then sat by the old well, his one dagger resting across his knees. He sharpened the other one with steady strokes, What should be my strategy? he wondered. One thing he was certain of he would take down at least one wolf as the beast was also a wolf because of that he hated wolves . That would be his first mark, his prime target. But his mind didn't stop there. He wanted more. He wanted to shut Aspen's mouth once and for all his boasting, and he wanted to prove himself by breaking into the top twenty. Too many goals swirled together, pressing down on him all at once.
A hand suddenly touched his shoulder. He flinched, pulled out of his thoughts.
"Vayu, I've called you so many times why didn't you answer?" his mother asked with concern in her voice.
"Ah—sorry, I didn't hear you," he replied quickly, setting the dagger down.
She gave him a small smile, brushing his shoulder gently. "Don't worry. And don't burden yourself with all these thoughts, Go with the flow, If you trust yourself everything will fall into place."
"Mm" Vayu murmured.
"Now come inside," she said warmly. "Your father is home too."
Because the competition was overseen by the hunters, his father and the other men had returned a few days early from their hunt. Tonight, the house felt fuller, Vayu shared a quiet meal with his family, exchanged a few words with his father about training, and after some laughter that lightened the air, he finally retired to his room.
The sun rose slowly, spilling golden light across the rooftops of the village. Smoke curled lazily from the morning fires, but no one cared for breakfast today. The competitors were mostly nervous so no one wanted to eat, as they re-checked all their weapons and defensive gears.
One by one, they arrived at the village center. The square, normally bustling with children's laughter was now filled with a different kind of energy. Every villager had gathered, forming a wide circle around the competitors. Eyes followed them with equal parts pride and expectation. The village was alive with preparation. Parents watched silently, some with pride, some with quiet fear. Elders murmured among themselves, eyes sharp as they weighed the youths one last time.
Mei walked in first, her daggers strapped tight at her waist. She kept her chin high, but her steps were light, almost soundless. Her mother stood at the edge of the circle, her brother standing beside her as they both waved at her.
Aspen strode in second, axe resting on his shoulder and with his usual smirk on his face his father stood behind the crowd, arms crossed, giving a slow nod of approval.
Ryan entered later, his bow slung across his back, quiver full and secured. His movements were quieter, uncertain at first, until Tarak clapped him on the back and walked him forward.
Finally, Vayu appeared. His expression was calm, but inside his heart pounded like drum. He looked at the mountain in the distance the place that would soon become a battlefield. His fists clenched at his sides.
The five village elders stood upon a raised wooden platform. Their voices silenced the murmurs at once. The 1st elder stepped forward. Her voice rang clear:
"Today begins the annual trial. For three days and two nights, you will survive inside the mountain. You cannot take anything except the weapons you carry. Food and water will be found by your own hands. You may fight, you may hide, you may hunt, you may steal the choice is yours. But remember this if you leave before the third day's final call, you are disqualified. If you attack after the final call, you will be disqualified and if you fail to return within one hour of the call, you will be disqualified".
A younger elder stepped forward, voice sharper: "This is not just a test of strength so killing is strictly prohibited and I hereby declare the competition to BEGIN".
PS: Final call is a sound to mark the end of the competition.