The elder's voice had barely finished echoing when bodies surged forward. Some hurried, some held back, but one figure tore ahead of them all Aspen. His stride was long, powerful and unhesitating.
While the others paced themselves, Aspen didn't waste a single breath. To him, this wasn't a slow climb it was a hunt, and his prey was already chosen, The leopard.
Vayu? Mei? They weren't even worth a thought, just like flies buzzing in his ears, that can be easily swatted whenever he wanted to, his real hunt, the true prize, was the predator of the mountain.
He reached the base of the mountain he saw two guards standing at the entrance he swiftly passed through them and began scaling the rough incline without pause. His boots scraped against stone, loosened gravel that clattered down behind him. The air got thicker as he ascended, the earthy musk of damp soil , the sharper tang of pine resin and cold stone. Aspen's chest rose and fell, as he felt the thrill inside him and he started laughing .
After reaching a certain height up the mountain, he crouched low, scanning the terrain. His eyes moved sharply, picking out details he need to find the leopard, scratches in the bark of a cedar tree, faint but deliberate; a paw print pressed into damp soil, edges blurred but still distinct, his lips curled into a grin.
So you're close.
The leopard's territory would not be at the base. It was a hunter of heights, favoring vantage points and steep paths. Aspen knew this , this was a basic knowledge he knew from his lessons that hunters gave in past.
Felling excited by his discovery he pressed on, even though his legs burned he continued climbing, never slowing down his pace. The forest here was different quieter, no bird songs, no rustling of leaves as if even the wind felt hesitant. Aspen stilled, axe in hand, that silence meant something, he knew he was close.
But before he could seek it out further, a movement caught the corner of his eye, a mountain goat leaping between rocks. Reflex took over, In a single fluid motion, Aspen's arm snapped forward. The axe spun, silver gleaming briefly in the filtered light before burying itself into the goat's neck. The animal collapsed with a dull thud, legs twitching before falling still.
Aspen strode forward, knelt down he yanked his axe free with one tug, blood spraying across his forearm. To him, the kill was nothing just practice.
He crouched again, wiping the blade against the grass. His gaze scanned upward, more scratch marks.
He adjusted the grip on his axe, shoulders coiled tight like a predator himself. Every step he took was measured and slow, his ears strained , his eyes ready even for the faintest moment in the forest.
The hunt had begun.
But, after thoroughly searching for half an hour he found no clue and nothing in his sight "I have to go higher" he thought and started climbing again.
Halfway up, Aspen crouched low, eyes flicking across the terrain. Here the forest here was older, denser and streaks of sunlight passed through the trees a perfect place to hide. He scanned for signs of the leopard, scars on bark, disturbed soil but what he noticed instead was the ground itself. Patches of earth turned over, as if plowed by force. The undergrowth trampled flat.
A sour, musky scent hung in the air. Aspen's grin faded .
Its was not a leopard but a boar. Rage burned up his throat, hours of tracking, wasted. He slammed his boot into the cedar trunk nearby with full force this sound caught the attention of the boars.
These boars were captured by the hunters angry, untamed and hungry were now drawn to Aspen's as he kept stomping his feet the first boar burst from the bush, tusks glinting and slammed full force into Aspen's back he fall face first but got up as quickly as the boar reaches him again without even looking back he swung his axe , a squeal split the silence of the forest, as more shadows came charging towards him.
Aspen didn't hesitate.
His threw his axe, splitting the skull of the leading boar with a crunch. Blood sprayed across his face, hot and metallic the second boar dropped, legs kicking in the dirt as he swiftly recovered his axe in one pull.
Another came from the side, slamming its tusk into his ribs with bone breaking force. Aspen grunted, stumbling but twisting to bring his weapon down again, driving his blade between the boar's shoulders then cutting its neck swiftly, that was three.
He barely had time to free his axe, before the next hit came, tusks raking across his thigh. Pain flared sharp, he roared as he turned to attacks he saw many more coming in.
He could fight five, but a herd was a total different story? Even he wasn't arrogant enough to think he'd last long against them.
So he ran with all his might, boots hammered against the earth as he ran through the forest, weaving between trunks.
Ahead, the sound of clashing steel rang out. Two contestants were dueling, blades sparking as they fought with each other. Their heads turned toward Aspen as he ran towards them.
Watching someone big and broad like Aspen running towards them with full force, one shouted, panic breaking through his voice "You can't attack us! It's against the rules!"
Aspen didn't even look at them and ran past them, the herd right behind him.
The herd of boars hit a moment later.
Screams tore through the trees, loud and painful, drowned beneath the roar and squeals of the boars. Aspen didn't stop, didn't turn. He dived behind a big rock high up on the slope, pressing against it, gasping for air as the ground shook with chaos.
Minutes later, silence returned as the boars passed through him only then he let out a sigh of relief.
Aspen leaned out, peering through the trees. What he saw made his lips twitch into a smile.
Two limp figures were being carried down the mountain by hunter squad their bodies broken, groaning in pain, their faces white as chalk.
The first to be disqualified, barely two hours into the trial. Aspen let out a short laugh, Aspen pressed his back against the rocks, chest rising and falling in ragged bursts. The clash with the boars had drained more strength from him than he expected as he rested he notice this was a good place to rest and hide "This will do" he muttered, "Base for the next three days."
After the rest he pushed himself back into the forest. The mountain was silent except for his footsteps. After long time of searching he found nothing except a lone goat crossed his path, Aspen raised his axe but lowered it just as quickly, the scent of blood drew predators with a grunt he let the goat live and returned to his rocky hideout empty handed.
By evening, hunger gnawed at him. He retraced his steps to the battleground where he had fled from the boars. Their carcasses lay stiff beneath the trees, untouched. Aspen hacked a strip of meat free, slung it over his shoulder, and made a clearing some distance from his base.
He worked quickly. A small fire, shielded by stones, the meat roasting above it. He climbed onto the branches of a nearby tree, waiting while the meat sizzled. Smoke rose, faint but enough to attract attention. His eyes scanning the forest.
After sometime bushes stirred.
A figure crept from the undergrowth, the youth's eyes darted left and right before fixing greedily on the fire. Thinking that the camp was left abandoned, he reached for the roasting meat.
Aspen dropped from the tree hitting his neck with the back of his axe, sending him sprawling. Aspen stripped him of his short blade and quickly took his water then knelt down to check the meat, the meat was half cooked but he knew the more he waited the more attention it will attract, tore into the flesh, and ate until nothing remained.
The unconscious body lay nearby, helpless. Aspen wiped his mouth, glanced once, and turned away. Without weapons, without water, he won't last the night. Already out of the game.
As he moved back toward his rocky base, the soft tramp of boots reached his ears. Two members of the hunter squad emerged from the shadows, lifted the limp body, and carried him down the mountain.
Aspen watched them disappear before vanishing into the rocks once more, alone, his eyes gleaming in the twilight, and laid down he will start the search again tomorrow.