Universe

Elentiya breathed in the cold air around her as she walked quietly through the snow, making sure her feet didn't crunch, thus scaring anything around her. This would be her last time breathing in the wintery air of the North for a long time, or even forever. She was going on a journey soon, one that would take her far from her safe haven; her hunting hut, and to warmer and more... Crowded places.

She paused in her walk and closed her eyes, listening to the sound of the nature around her. As soon as she heard the snap of a twig in the distance, her bow was off of the resting spot on her back, strung with a beautiful steel tipped arrow and poised in the direction. She smiled softly at the creaking sound the sting and the black wood of the bow made as they tugged and pulled at each other. It was a beautiful sound for her. She brought the string to her cheek, aimed, and shot. She sighed at the squeal of the doe she heard fall. She never missed her mark.

The silver haired woman began to make her way over, frowning at the deer who's blood was staining the pure snow. Right in the killzone. She leaned over it, pulled the arrow out and got to work on skinning and cutting the deer. She never much enjoyed this part, but it had to be done. Once she was finished, she used her reserves of salt on the meat to keep it fresh and packed it in her bag. She took the skin to sell to the market before she finally left, but left the entrails, bones and extra meat of the deer there. It was almost like her thanks to the predators of the forest that she had hunted in so long. A final gift to them.

She blew out a low whistle and soon, trading through the snow, came a beautiful black mare. On her was a saddle and a few bags filled with Elentiya's things. Elentiya smiled at the big beast and patted her nose. "Looks like its time to go Shadow," she hummed to the horse thoughtfully. The horse blew out a breath from her nose, making the air steam. Elentiya nodded and mounted the horse, jerking the reins, and off they went. As they left the forrest, her home, and her birth town behind, she couldn't help but think she would never see it again. So as they left, she slowly whispered, "Thank you."

Aldous let out a soft breath as he rode slowly along a beaten path. He was almost to one of the most dangered villages. He could feel the sweat rolling down his cheeks from beneath his helmet. It would be worth it once he arrived. This village was his final stop for a month. He narrowed his eyes as the bright sun beat down on him. Usually these parts were more cloudy.

He directed his horse to a nearby river bank and slid off, his armor clinking against one another. He pulled out his helmet, wiping away all the sweat that had gathered there. He pulled a canteen off of his side and took a slow sip. He had to ration. He watched his horse drink from the flowing water slowly and let out a soft breath. He would have to break here.

He led his horse to a shady tree and tied her up gently, stroking the soft brown nose. He looked down the Horizon, seeing more foliage and signs of civilization not far from his temporary camp. He leaned back. He would rest here for the evening, reach the village by afternoon.

Aldous steeled his jaw as he thought of the memories that gave him this goal of purging all of the evil spirits from the town. He took in a long breath of the air around him. His parents, slain. His two baby sisters, tortured endlessly before they were finally killed. He could have protected them. He shook his head slowly. It would not be good to get himself worked up. He needed to keep a clear head if he wanted to have any chance of fighting against the spirits.

He stood and gathered enough wood to make a small fire, making sure to get it far enough away from his horse to keep her calm. He used his flint and hurriedly got one going, settling down into the grass. He closed his eyes and let out a breath. It wouldnt be long until he would have no peace at all and the bloodshed would resume.

The village was buzzing. It had never been this busy. Then when the sound permeated the small attic that Kiyoshi called home, it made him slightly irritated. But he shook it off, dressing in his thin leather armor and packing his heavier armor for when he needed it. It was cool outside. Cool enough to need a jacket of sorts. He lugged his bag over his shoulder and went outside to get to his stallion, Majesty. He was a great horse, a lovely Clydesdale horse. He packed up Majesty, putting his armor on there and any meat or rations he would need plus extra for anyone else.

The wind through the air bristled against his skin, making the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. he exhaled and his breath took forms of large white puffs, dissipating only seconds after it left his lungs. He pulled his coat on and then pulled his hood over his head. It was going to be a long ride Serserus. He mounted his horse and almost as if on cue, the towns people crowded the sides of the streets and flocked to their windows. The ones on the street put nonperishable food in his pack and one even stopped to give him a few extra coats and even a blanket. He waved good-bye to everyone and then flicked the reigns and Majesty galloped along. This was it, headed to Serserus.

Serserus was a long journey, northeast from her town. Serserus is known for being a fisherman's town. It was a peninsula and sea life was abundant there. It's always warm in the day and cooler at night.

The Terra Forest was quiet. Day was quickly turning to night. It would be a good idea to start setting up a camp site before it gets too dark outside to gather some resources. Pulling back the ropes of her horse, she was able to stop Char from his gallops. She tied his bridle to a tall oak tree and removed the tarp from his back. Gathering some sticks, she was able to make shift a small tent for the night. All she needed was a log and some dry grass for fire and she would be all set.
After a while, she was able to gather up a log, some sticks and dry grass. Now comes the relentless task. Starting the fire. She knew it took patience and the right technique. So, she sat down with her back to the oak and began to rub the stick on the log, hoping for the best.
Her father was never the survivalist, considering he was a priest ,adventures was never his thing. Starting a fire was something Rinoa had only read about in her books, but have never actually attempted until now.

Elentiya decided not to make camp for the night, but instead to continue onwards, leading her horse by foot. She had good night vision from years of weathering herself in night hunts. It was easy to find her way around. She continued on for a few hours before her visions was lit up with a blinding light from far away. It appeared in the sky, casting a soft glow over the path she was walking. She wondered what the matter was, but wasn't curious to check it out. The ride seemed to be a few days away and she didn't have that time. She was still heading to Serserus.

She did use the light to gain her a bit of quicker travel, by mounting her horse and riding while the light still lasted. Once it faded though, she was left a bit hungry. She found a small clearing and easily made up a campfire. Kindling first, then stronger sticks and stronger logs. Then she strikes her flint and steel, caught embers and blew on the kindling to raise the flames. Simple as that. Survival skills were second nature to her. She had been taught such simple things when she was still in training years ago.

The white haired woman took her raw meat from a satchel, stick a long poker through it and used it to roast the meat over the fire. Hot food was much better for you and gave better nutrients. When you were a huntress, you needed to know these things, especially when off on a long hunting trip. She happily bit into the meat once it was finished cooking, letting Shadow graze as she did.

With a huff, she laid back in the grass and looked at the sky. The moon was beautiful here, but up North, in Orrina, it was stunning. Back home the moon had been the very focal point of the sky, the stars seemingly exploding outwards from it. Here though, more southern, there was less stars than she thought there would be.

Elentiya watched for a while longer before backing up, snuffing out her fire and moving on. Serserus was still a days journey away if only she made good time and no stops. She was surprised it had taken her such little time considering how far away the town was. Looks like when she had a mission, she stuck to it.

Aldous was jolted awake as the sky illuminated in his sleep. His hand flew to his sword before he let out a low breath. It wasn't an attack. He glanced around the starry sky, the moon and stars visible beside a soft glowing light. He narrowed his eyes softly. It was in the direction of Serserus. He sighed. Maybe that was signal to get moving. He kicked out his fire before slipping his helmet back on.

"Come, Ember. It's time to move.." He murmured to his faithful mare. He stroked her nose slowly before gathering his supplies and saddling up.

He mounted the strong beast easily and gently nudged her side, encouraging her to move. She let out a soft whinny before he felt the strong muscles beneath him move. He stroked her mane softly as they began the rest of their journey towards the village.

Aldous let out a soft breath. It was still a ways away. He prayed for a peaceful venture before snorting. That was merely a fantasy. He sighed and let the rhythmic footfalls of Ember soothe him. He needed to be ready at the drop of a hat.

Aldous briefly contemplated the meaning of the light still illuminating the sky. Was it their distress call? Was it simply a trick of the eye? A thing from nature? He shook his head. No matter. It was more motivation. He needed to arrive as quickly as possible.

The cold air permeated every part of Kiyoshi's body, numbing it cold. He was used to this though. Immense training on surviving against the elements. The puffs of his breath rose into the air then disappeared like they were never there. Majesty's white mane flew back in the wind and occasionally tickled his nose. Once he got a blanket out and laid it over Majesty's neck to keep him warm and then he grabbed an apple. It was juicy, probably from the local fruit orchard. He had no time to think about that now though.

Majesty's hooves clomped against the ground and then they were airborne yet again. His strides were so large but that was normal for a horse of his size. He patted his horse's neck. "Alright boy. Just a little farther then we can stop." He whispered to the horse, it neighing in understanding. The always seemed to have a connection even from when Majesty was a foal and he had chosen Kiyoshi. He shook off the thought and went back to watching ahead on him. He saw a figure in the distance. He pulled on Majesty's reigns slowing him down to a stop about 10 feet away from the figure that turned out to be a horse.

He dismounted his horse slowly, careful not to startle the beautiful mare. He tossed the rest of the apple he was holding to Majesty and approached the horse with his hand out. "Shh... ch... I'm not here to hurt you. Were you abandoned?" He asked, seeing no human in sight. No sign of a fire either. He looked on the horse's side seeing a small bag. Well, it had to belong to someone....

Elentiya paused while she was pulling herbs from the ground when she heard a horse approaching from down the road. Her eyes narrowed and she stood swiftly, climbing up into a tree quietly so the person wouldn't see her. She watched carefully as she cocked her bow with an arrow.

The man approached, and Elentiya could see the silver hair he had in the moon. That was a trait from Orrina... She frowned, but kept her bow poised just incase. Her horse was down there, and she would shoot if she needed to. Surprisingly though, the man calmly walked to Shadow, her horse, and whispered softly to it. Though she could hear, of course, she didn't care much for the mans kindness. She didn't like people encroaching up on her territory.

She aimed carefully and then let the string go. She smirked as it landed at its target, right between his feet. "Get away from her." She called out to him. She put her bow back and pulled out her two knives. She didn't have much trust of people now a days.