The courtyard was still buzzing from Vayu's shocking score when the Second Elder rose from his feet. His voice, deep and commanding, silenced the crowd at once.
"Competitors" he declared, "the first trial has ended. You have proven your strength well in the wilderness".
He paused, letting his gaze sweep across the remaining twenty. Some stood tall with pride, others shifted nervously under his stare.
"Tomorrow You will be allowed to rest, after one day of rest, the second trial shall begin. You will face each other directly, one on one—until only ten victors remain."
A murmur of excitement and fear rippled through the competitors.
The Second Elder raised his hand again. "But once the ten winners are chosen, one on one duels will happen again until last five remains" he paused again " After that the challenge will change, that will be decided at a later date "
Gasps echoed. Some clenched their fists in determination, others swallowed hard. The idea of facing different opponents, possibly stronger than themselves, sent a chill through hearts of many.
"Rest well," the elder finished.
The courtyard exploded into whispers, and soon everyone started leaving.
That evening, the competitors returned to their homes, their families rushing to greet them. Tonight, the village was alive with chatter about the competition.
At Aspen's house, however, the mood was far from celebratory.
The Third Elder's face was dark with disappointment as his grandson came in he thundered "You fool! I specially told you to crush that girl but you got beaten by her" his grandfather slammed his fist against his chair.
"Grandpa I'm really sorry" and aspen old him about the boars he had slain but left them behind, hearing that his grandfather got even more angrier "Three boars you killed, and yet you left their tusks behind? Do you think victory comes so easily that you can waste such spoils?"
Aspen clenched his jaw, shame burning in his chest. He had wanted to boast but instead, he found himself shrinking beneath the weight of his grandfather's fury.
"You let arrogance blind you" his grandfather continued, voice sharp "This same overconfidence will cost you your life someday, Do not underestimate anyone again!"
Aspen lowered his head. He wanted to protest, to say he had fought courageously, but hearing his grandfather voice full of concern for him he stayed quiet. Soon he went back to his room there the assistants carefully treated his wounds, binding the cuts and applying herbs on his bruises. Aspen said nothing, lying back as exhaustion weighed on him and soon he was asleep.
************
At the residence of the Second Elder, the atmosphere was far brighter than at Aspen's home.
The elder's eyes gleamed with pride as Mei stepped inside, her clothes still torn from battle but her posture was steady. "Well done" he said in his stern voice "You've exceeded my expectations".
He immediately ordered the attendants to treat her injuries. Mei had already done what she could in the wild to aid her wound. To everyone's astonishment, the gash on her shoulder had already closed nearly forty percent due to her first aid.
"With a day or two of rest, you'll be fully recovered" the physician reported after applying fresh medicine and wrapping her arm.
As the attendants withdrew, Shen entered quietly "You've done better than I gave you credit for," he said, his usually calm voice carrying a trace of admiration. "Don't hold back in the second round, Give it everything you have".
For a moment, Mei was caught off guard. Shen, the one who had always told her to stay satisfied and not to push too hard, was actually told her to give it her all and he really seemed impressed by her. She smiled faintly, feeling a sense of recognition she hadn't felt in a long time.
After he left, the house grew quiet. Mei lay down to rest, her thoughts still replaying Shen's words. For once, instead of pressure, she felt joy, she felt happy after a long long time.
That night, she drifted into the most peaceful sleep she had known in years.
**********
When Ryan returned home, word of his performance had already reached his family. His older brother burst out laughing the moment he saw him.
"I can't believe it, you scored so high!" Tarak was very happy with his brother's performance.
Ryan smirked, shrugging casually. "What can I say? I've got my ways".
Unlike the others who returned battered and bruised, Ryan had almost no injuries. His calm approach and careful planning had spared him from the worst of the dangers and hard work.
That night, the house echoed with laughter. Ryan's elder brother, Tarak, wouldn't stop grinning as he sat cross-legged across from him.
"So tell me" Tarak urged, his eyes shining with curiosity, "what happened there in those three days?"
Ryan leaned back with a sly smile and started telling him the whole story and as he finished Tarak burst into laughter, slapping the floor. Ryan chuckled then Tarak shared his own tale of the annual competition he had just gone through, over exaggerating his own struggles. They ate until their stomachs hurt, sharing food, jokes, and stories, the air filled with joy instead of worry.
For Ryan, the trials felt far away. There were no rivals, no dangers, no looming battles only family and laughter.
It was late into the night before they finally drifted off to sleep, their hearts light and their bond stronger than ever.
***********
When Vayu returned home, he went straight to the courtyard. Without a word, he stripped off his mud-soaked, bloodstained clothes and tossed them into the fire. The flames crackled, swallowing the fabric until only ash remained.
His mother rushed to him, alarm flashing in her eyes.
"Vayu, what are you doing?"
He didn't answer and she kept staring at him at last, she softened her tone and said "Still… My son won the first place." A small, proud smile crossed her lips, though worry lingered beneath. "But why did you take such a big risk?" looking straight in his eyes, her own eyes moist "those five wolves could have killed you".
Vayu looked at her then finally he spoke. "It wasn't me, I didn't fight… those wolves. I was just lucky" he explained "I saw someone fighting and they both collapsed and when I searched them, I found those wolf claws".
His mother blinked, still not believing him "Are you telling me the truth?"
"Yes" he said firmly. "I swear, I didn't even lift a finger."
She searched his face for a long moment. Then, with a quiet sigh, she believed him.
Her eyes drifted to the faint mark near his temple, a bluish swelling that stood out against his skin. She reached out, her voice tightening "And this? Where did you get this bruise, Vayu?"
"I fell, I will be careful next time" he answered.
She frowned but said nothing more. Instead, she gave him gentle advice, her voice laced with care. "You must watch when you walk, keep your head down and be careful next time" she knew Vayu was not telling her the whole truth but it didn't matter to her, as her son was safe, that's all she cared about.
Later that night, his father returned. Unlike his mother, he carried no doubts, only pride. He tapped Vayu on his shoulder with a broad smile "Haha, first place! You'll become the greatest hunter in this village, mark my words."
Vayu's mother's face clouded with sadness at her husband's words.
Still, they sat together for dinner. While his father spoke with pride, his mother was quiet with worry, while Vayu ate in silence.
When he finally lay in bed, his mother came softly into his room, carrying a small clay bowl of herbs mixed with oil. Without a word, she sat by his side and gently rubbed the cool paste over his bruises and cuts.
"These will heal in no time" she whispered, more to comfort herself than him.
Soon after, she left, and the house fell silent. Vayu's eyes grew heavy, and at last, sleep claimed him.