The hooded figure steadied his arm, drew his bow, aiming for the head of the boar.
Breathe.
In, out.
Release.
The bowstring snapped. The arrow punched straight through the boar's skull.
The beast dropped, quick and clean, the wooden arrow landing in that spot between its eyes.
Xaden sighed in relief, drawing his black-tattered hood down to reveal silver-blonde hair and blueish-green eyes in a thin, pale face, then brought his overused bow down before giddily rushing towards his next meal.
He hoped it was more than an average wild animal.
He stared at the boar for a minute, with dead eyes and tusks as long as his arm, its skin a deep shade of red. He used the knife he wore around his waist to cut it open from the middle. His father probably would've said a prayer of thanks to Celeste after he had killed the Boar, he realized, but his father was dead, and Xaden didn't owe some stupid goddess crap.
After rummaging inside the beast's bloody carcass for a while, his expression softened, and satisfaction appeared on his face.
It had a crystal.
"I knew it!" He sighed, even more excited, cleaning the crystal with a rag he kept in his pouch. It was small and unclear like uncut stone, which meant it obviously wasn't of a high-tier beast or even medium-tier... But it will do. At best, a couple of copper drachmas.
He tied the limbs and head to a large stick and slung it over his shoulder after field-dressing it. The weight caused him to stagger a bit.
The excitement of some cash was almost enough to make him forget about Threshing.
Almost...
The woods were dark and almost quiet, save for the chirping of crickets and the whirring of mosquitoes. Faint veins stretched across the ground, both big and small, like cracks on their planet Terra's skin, casting a light-blue lthat ledding to the wall of blue, or,ange and, reminiscent oflike the northern lights Xaden had once rabout onk at Earth.
The Vale, brightest at this hour.
Xaden paused.
He had heard movement.
Branches snap, footsteps...
Quickly, he dropped his load and grabbed an arrow from behind him, knocking it in his bow. He drew it and waited, aiming the head towards the cluster of bushes where he had heard the movement.
A ball of fire swung out of the bushes, burning the leaves and twigs in its path, Xaden ducked out of its way.
A figure jumped out of the bushes, causing him to jump, almost releasing his arrow before realising who it was.
The guy who had just jumped out let out a laugh.
"What the hell, man?" Xaden exclaimed, releasing a sigh of relief as he lowered his bow.
"I swear, dude, you should have SEEN your face!" Leo laughed, hands to his chest, his red hair sticking up in every direction. "You looked like a frightened little Kitten."
"I nearly shot you, you know." Xaden rolled his eyes, grabbing the boar from the ground and slinging it back once again as the two of them continued along the woods.
"But you didn't," Leo replied with a wink. He was dressed similarly to Xaden torn cloak and worn-out black leather pants with high-end combat boots. They were around the same age, 17, old enough for Threshing that day...
"Cool loot." Leo gazed at the boar at the back. His usual mischievous smile alight. "Family of yours?" He snickered.
Xaden rolled his eyes.
"Not just any beast." He replied. "A savage beast."
"Holy sh#t dude!" Leo nearly jumped from excitement. "Let me see it."
Xaden handed him the foggy beast crystal; the boar he had killed was definitely not a high-tier at all. Perhaps it had just even become a savage beast not too long ago, which would explain why it was so easy to kill with just a simple arrow.
Leo rose it so it glinted off the rising sun.
"This could get you enough money to pay for a new cloak..." He held the crystal down as a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes, "Or even a night at the brothel."
Xaden smiled and shook his head at Leo.
"What, come on, don't tell me you're not even a little curious what it feels like to have_."
Xaden cut him off with another shove. Leo let out another playful chuckle.
The wooden area eventually broke into the grey of Sector 45. A patchwork town with broken-down metal buildings trying to be skyscrapers, scattered about, overcrowded slums, and marketplaces, yet buzzing with activity.
That was where the two of them were heading.
A soft cry reached Xaden's ears. He turned to see an aged woman sitting on the floor, clutching a wrapped bundle in her arms. The wrapping parted a bit to reveal a small, pale head, its lips so blue they were almost purple-
Leo grabbed his arm and quickly yanked him away, making them fall into a heap on the metal ground, just as two men wearing white armour and a silver cape behind them crossed the street.
One of the men glanced towards the boys; a white mask covered his face, but Xaden could see the disdain written in the space where his eyes were.
Leo quickly looked away-he was never easy around the Valeguard.
Xaden stood up first, sneering towards the guards, although that simple action could have his arms cut off, along with bumping into the Valeguard, whether a mistake or not.
He stretched an arm out to Leo, who took it and rose, before they proceeded towards the marketplace.
"A$sholes!" Xaden muttered under his breath so only Leo heard
.
"I hope,' Leo snickered, "their stuff falls flat when they need it most." They exchanged a glance before bursting out in laughter, which carried on till they reached the crowded marketplace.
A wide range of items were sold there, mostly raw materials like beast crystals and metals to make armour and supplies for the higher sectors.
Xaden successfully exchanged the savage beast crystal for 12 copper Drachmas, then he and Leo headed for the butchers and sold the Boar for 5 Drachmas, earning him a total of 17 copper Drachmas, out of which he treated himself and Leo to breakfast at a tavern.
Threshing would begin soon, Xaden realized, as soon as he finished his meal, the creeping sun illuminating the modest surroundings. Leo must have noticed the look on his face.
"You're gonna be fine, you know that." Leo began in a rare moment of seriousness.
"Easy for you to say." He grumbled. "You already know yours."
Leo smiled and extended his arm. Red flames danced in his palm from between his fingers. He picked up a piece of bread and pressed it in his palms, soon watching as the ash fell from his hand.
"Show of." Xaden scoffed.
Leo laughed, a small glint of pride shining in his eyes.
Xaden was happy for him, too. With elemental abilities like that, he could certainly be able to get into the military, or at least get considered for it. Which meant a chance to move into higher sectors.
While he, he only hoped that he could at least manifest something not totally useless. He had no faith that he would possess a strong ability.
"Dude, I know that look." Leo began, interrupting Xaden's thoughts. "You're thinking you won't get into the military. That you'd be stuck here forever." He arched a brow.
Xaden shrugged.
Leo picked a fork from the table and pointed it towards him, "I didn't raise you to be a quitter." He picked a line of bacon with it.
Xaden parted his lips to respond when a loud trumpet was heard, so loud it possibly shook the entire tavern.
"The 567th Threshing ceremony will begin shortly," a clear female voice announced in his head.
Xaden exchanged a look with Leo, who bit his lower lip. He had heard it too.
"All eligible citizens in each sector, please make your way to the central arena."