Chapter 0 - Prologue

A bone white arrow cut through the air at breakneck speed, whistling through the air as it travelled. Announcing to the world that it is here. But, it didn’t matter. It’s mark, a boar, could not react in time. It punctured the skin and punched through the skull, and tore through brain matter until it reached the other side of the skull. Unable to go through, the remaining momentum pulled the boar’s already lifeless carcass across the ground. A solid thunk echoed as the carcass was pinned against the trunk of a tree.

From a distance, grass shuffled as feet quickly strode across it. It was Klaus, “I should find it against a tree.” He thought, moving closer and closer. High above, another made hunter, Aurora, made her way towards the kill. The branches creaked and groaned softly, as she wove herself around the abundant foliage, dodging every last one. Below, Klaus, too skipped, leapt and ran around various roots, fallen trunks and rocks dotted on the forest floor. Until, one of his feet was caught underneath a root. Eyes wide, mouth open, “Ah!” Shock coursing through his face. His vision now filled with nothing but the ground.

Aurora turned towards Klaus, his back facing upwards towards her. “That clumsy boy.” A soft smile spread. Her bowstring pulled back, and particles of magic gathered. At the apex of the draw, a white arrow was fully formed. The bowstring snapped forth, and the arrow flew through the air. It landed behind Klaus, flashing white and exploding, releasing a burst of wind, unhooking his feet, and threw him into the air. “Thanks!” He yelled, before rolling across the floor.

In due time, the siblings reached carcass. Klaus saw the carcass in greater detail. Only the arrow’s nock was visible. Moving closer to the carcass, “Woah.” The flesh around the impact sunk inwards. “Is the skull crushed?” Frost crept up his right palm, encasing it completely. Sinking the ice covered hand into the skull, shattered pieces of cranium squeaked against the ice. The arrow’s shaft was quickly found, his fingers wrapped around it. His hand jerked back, “Mhm!” The arrow loosed from the carcass, and the carcass slid down. “It even got pinned against the trunk?” Glancing at his hands, he noticed scratch marks on the ice. “Good thing I protected my hands.” Turning towards a soft thud, Aurora moved towards him.

“Looks like it did.” She said and sat down beside him. The carcass was picked up, and handed to her. “Falling three times in a day,” a smile formed, “that’s some luck.”

“Hey!” Klaus replied, slapping her shoulder. “No one told you to count!” His gaze fell onto the green forest floor.

Aurora chuckled, “Come on, let’s get started.” Particles gathered around her empty palm, gentle flames crawled along and enveloped it. The flame-wrapped palm, glides across the boar’s skin, from the head to the belly, singeing off any fur. An ice-knife was given, a single long cut from the base of its belly to the front legs. A flap was pulled out, revealing the red, glistening internals of the kill. At the seams, gooey blood oozed out and made its way towards the floor. “Here you go.” A stomach was handed over to Klaus. “This one’s pretty fat. Definitely have enough for everyone now.”

“Didn’t he tell you to not bring any to the dinner?” The stomach was encased in ice, preserving it for the coming event.

Two more cuts were made, “It’s just good manners.” The intestine was now free. “Flush it will you?” She asked of him.

“Sure.” Klaus took the organ, found an opening and poured water into it. “But, that’s for us. These are merchants, they have a different standard.” The boar’s meal for the day spilled out into the grass. The intestine was lifted away from it, and then preserved. Wouldn’t want that in the food.

“You do have a point.” Aurora set her hand down, and stared up at the trees. Her eyes laid upon the sun. “We’re behind schedule.” She commented. “Good thing the party isn’t until tomorrow night.” Her hands resumed to the task at hand, processing the kill. “How many will be present?”

“Five in total.” With earth magic, a thin sheet of earth grew into the air. “Three boars is a lot.” Klaus said, leaning against it. He accepted a liver from Aurora.

“So, why the sudden change?” Her arms stretched behind her back. Klaus leaned over, and started scratching her back. “A little to the left, yes. Right there.”

“Is there a problem with me going to a party?” He said, still scratching her back.

“Of course not!” Aurora said with a satisfied smile, “Going out… Is a good thing. Can’t… Just be with Demitri all the time. Yeah, I’m good, thanks.”

“Welcome,” returning to his original position, “and, I’m not always with Demitri. I’m around Elaria too.”

“Exactly! You’re around her.” The boar’s legs were severed, “All you do is go to the shop, read and then leave.” The knife was then encased in earth, turning it into a blade. Aurora began to saw away at the boar’s neck.

Klaus leaned forward once more, holding the carcass steady. “You do realize that’s literally, mhm, the only reason I’m there right?” He strained to say, as he put his strength into keeping the boar in place.

“That’s fair!” The boar’s head has successfully been removed from it’s body. “But you could spend to actually get to her. When was the last time you had a decent conversation with her?”