《Valour Sect Chronicles》 Chapter 1 Julius Calendar 879 Month Of The Weeping Angels 18th -- Upon the outskirts of the great expanse of forest know as the Great Axe sat a small hamlet called Little Willow, merely twenty ramshackle houses clustered together. On this particular evening in Little Willow a palpable tension could be felt in the air. A woman''s weak agonising cries resonated throughout the hamlet, mingling with the drifting snowflakes that meandered through the nights sky. Alongside the woman''s cries was a softer wail that was especially heart wrenching. The weeping voice of a loving husband. The woman''s cries grew weaker and weaker whilst the mans wailing grew louder and louder. Eventually only a distraught sobbing could be heard throughout Little Willow, muffled somewhat by the blanketing snow. Until suddenly a second voice rung forth, mixing with the first to create a despondent chorus. A high pitched wailing alongside a deep crying. A heart broken man and a new born babe crying together amidst a snowy evening. -- Julius Calendar 879 Month Of The Weeping Angels 18th Jasper Valour is born Hilda Valour passes away in childbirth -- Julius Calendar 890 Month Of The Brightest Solaris 3rd -- Jasper stealthily stalked through the dense Great Axe forest. In his gaze past a few ancient tree''s was a white hart bathing in the warm summer sun. Upon the hart''s head a fantastic pair of antlers arrogantly stood tall, eighteen twisting tips fanned around the beasts skull like a natural crown announcing the creature as a monarch to all. Licking his lips Jasper greedily swept his gaze over the fantastic antlers and luscious white pelt, imagining how grand it would look displayed over their meagre mantle. His family that lived in Little Willow was currently starving. Just as was the twenty other families that made up the population of the hamlet that bordered with the Great Axe forest. Nearly all of its denizens made their living through farming, however the Valour''s and Rockfall''s put food on their plates by hunting, the only families who did so. Not without reason however, they were just the only families hardy and strong enough to brave the Axe. And so it was that a ten year old Jasper Valour clad in ripped pelt shoes and cloth rags felt every ounce of the pressure resting on his shoulders as he pulled an arrow from his wicker quiver. Loading his munition he pulled his roughshod oaken bow taut and fluidly brought it up to eye level. Staring down the arrows head he narrowed his eyes, intently staring at a pulsing vein on the great white harts neck. Breathing out through his nose he went still. His finger loosed. The taut bow snapped and the arrow flew. Soaring through the air the arrows feathered tail revealed itself to be unbalanced. Swerving to the left the arrow violently buried deep into the harts shoulder, many inches from its intended lethal mark. Loudly braying the proud white creature took off into the surrounding bush. "Ah damn it" A crude curse that contrasted with the gaunt boys tender age was let loose as he donned his bow upon his back and bolted in pursuit of his prey. Sprinting forward deeper into the Great Axe''s depths the boy followed the crashing ruckus of the wounded harts clumsy escape. A few minutes of shaky pursuit ensured. Gritting his teeth and wiping a few forming beads of sweat from his forehead Jasper couldn''t help but curse to himself again. For a poverty stricken hunter like him letting quarry run off with an arrow still imbedded in it was a disaster. To make a arrow that flew true was no easy feat, no one in Little Willow was capable of it. No they''d have to go to the fletchers in Brackenborn to buy more, which Jasper knew they couldn''t afford. As he ran along his near empty quiver shook, two lonely arrows rattled about within. It was because of his poverty that Jasper steeled himself and continued chasing after both the frantic hart and his arrow. Deeper and deeper into the Axe. The chase continued for another few minutes as the hart continued to rashly plough deeper towards the heart of the forest. As the undergrowth and surrounding trees grew thicker and older Jasper slowed to a trot, straining his ears for the sound of his quarry that seemed to of come to a halt. Uneasiness was apparent on the young boys gaunt bronze face as he peered about at his gloomy surroundings. From six he had hunted in the Axe under his fathers wise guidance. Guidance that had kept him safe and alive for the past four years in this dangerous place. The number one taboo his father installed into him, don''t go in deep. Beasts lurk deep in the Wild Axe. Hunter and hunted might flip if you stray in to far. Observing the thick ancient trees that were barely visible in the gloomy light Jasper knew this was far deeper into the Axe than he''d ever been before. Normally he stuck to hunting upon the many worn trails that would safely bring him back to Little Willow within at most twenty minutes. But prey seemed to be getting sparser and fewer along the beaten tracks and so he was forced to venture deeper to find his quarry. Quickly doing some mental navigating Jasper decided he was currently at least thirty minutes from the deepest but closest section of trails. Taking a shaky breath he calmed his nerves, adversity and poverty had forged him harder than most boys his age. If he didn''t procure food for him and his dad the eventual result would be the same as meeting a ferocious beast in the Axe. Death. With a slightly steadier head and redetermined resolve he once again quietened his breath and listened for the wounded hart. Off in the distance a twig softly snapped. Reacting like the creatures he so often stalked Jasper¡¯s head whipped round to a thick bush to his right, his long matted chestnut hair flayed about from the sharp motion. Slightly smiling he crouched down and tentatively stalked forward. As he entered the bush the little light that had permeated the area was choked out by the thick undergrowth. Proceeding forward in the darkness Jasper heightened every one of his senses. His fathers warnings about numerous Valour''s and Rockfall''s alike going missing in the Axe resounded in his head. His breathing was becoming increasingly heavy as his eyes nervously darted about the convoluted dark shadows about him. A young boys active imagination created creatures in the darkness that did not exist in reality but seemed very real in his minds eye. After nearly thirty yards that felt a lot longer, he could vaguely make out what seemed to be light breaking through the bush ahead of him. Cautious and fearful Jasper slowed, tense and ready to turn tail and flee for his life at any moment.Stolen novel; please report. His fathers warnings now rung even louder in his head as he eyed the shining light that didn''t seem to belong in the deep gloomy Axe. Coming to what seemed to be the last of the undergrowth Jasper slowly pulled the thorny bush aside. An audible gasp rung out as a beautiful discovery greeted his cautious entrance. A small sunlit glade sprawled before him filled with radiant flowers of all colours. Deeply inhaling through his nose Jasper realised the thick musky stench of decay that had occupied him throughout his hunt had been chased away by a fragrant soft aroma that uplifted his spirits. The iridescent multi coloured blossoms gently swayed in a breeze that seemed only to exist in this isolated glade. Crouching the other side of the clearing was the injured white hart who upon seeing its aggressor turned and swiftly limped away into the dark depths of the Axe. However Jasper didn¡¯t notice his quarry. His attention was captivated by a great black stone tablet that stood proudly on a daises occupying the centre of the meadow, the black stone was magnificently basking in the suns warm rays. Luscious green moss grew up over the four metre tall tablet giving it an archaic air. Rising to his feet the skinny young boy clad in rags stared in wonder at this seemingly ancient find. The Great Axe was of an immeasurably vast size and it was often heard of great treasures and mystical items being found within. But of course would be peasant treasure hunters were put off by the innumerable dangers that resided alongside the good fortune. Without sufficient strength delving into the Great Axe''s depths was tantamount to suicide. His smile soon turned into a frown however as he turned hjs head about scanning the glade for the long departed hart. Finding himself alone in the wide medow his frown deepened and contorted his innocent features. As mystical as this relic was it wouldn''t feed him and his father. Sighing Jasper kicked at the soft grassy ground as he resigned himself to a failed hunt and a lost arrow. Shaking his despondent emotions away he raised his eyes and marvelled at the great black tablet he had stumbled upon. A glitter began to form in the young lads eyes as he thought about the ancient ancestors who had left behind such a curious legacy. Being a young child his mind was often occupied by thoughts of those higher beings that controlled immense powers at their fingertips. Sometimes when the pain of hunger got exceptionally bad he would escape into a fantasy world where he too controlled forces that could render the skies and carve mountains, there he would battle foul creatures of dark origins and without fail he would triumph over the enemies time and time again. So it was that Jasper lost himself to thinking of those ancestors of times long past who had left this curious black stone tablet that sat upon a similarly black foot high daises. His eyes devoured the contours of the jagged tablet, it seemed to of originally been fashioned in a rectangular shape but the ravages of time had chipped and dulled the once finely carved edges into little more than a jagged mass. The daises itself was square and had seemed to of worn better than the tablet over the years, it''s form still intact and solid. The tablet was set towards the back of the daises whilst the front was bare much like a platform. Smiling with boyish curiosity Jasper moved across the glade to the foot of the tablet. Without thinking he stepped up onto the daises to better inspect the jagged mass of black rock. However as his foot fell his entire body went rigid and a dazed expression befuddled his sallow innocent features. From beneath his feet he could feel numerous channels connecting down deep into the earths bowels and within those channels was a bright energy pulsing vibrantly. With a dumbfounded look plastered across his impoverished boyish features he stepped off the daises, gasping as the connection was brutally snapped. Shock and wonder soon filled his eyes as he stared at the daises that seemed to posses some mystical properties, his eyes scoured the black rocks surface searching for any physical traces of the channels he had just felt. However no matter how he looked it only appeared to be a regular stone platform. Jaspers chest was rising and falling rapidly from the shock of what he had just experienced. Hesitantly he bent down and slipped of his ragged fur pelt shoes, then tentatively he once again stepped up onto the daisies. As before from his feet he felt an immeasurably vast system of small channels burying away in all directions into the ground. Wiggling his toes Jaspers clear laughter filled with wonder and excitement echoed about the beautiful glade. The energy pulsing in the channels seemed to react to his enthusiasm and pulsed all the more vibrantly. The energy was like a tide gently lapping at the bottom of his feet. It rushed all the way up to the surface of the platform, tickling the soles of his feet before hesitating and retreating back before repeating itself over and over. Sensing the energies apparent hesitant nature Jasper closed his eyes and concentrated. As the energy tide came in and once again lapped at the bottom of his feet Jasper beckoned it in his mind. As soon as he beckoned it to enter so it did. In a single great motion it blasted up his legs all the way to his thighs, covering a great distance in but a breath. As if he has just been doused in a bucket of freezing water Jasper gasped for air and his eyes snapped open. Looking down he was horrified to see that upon his legs glowing vein like patterns had lit up and were pulsing in time to the earths channels below him. Where the glowing veins spread on his legs they carried with them an intense tingling sensation. With every pulse the glowing veins ascended slightly further up his youthful body. Aghast at the seemingly unnatural transformation Jasper let out a shocked shrill and fell backwards off the daises and scrambled away from the tablet and daises. Trying to get up he found his legs to be completely unresponsive and numbs so turning to his front he crawled away not resting till he reached the edge of the glade. Panicking he lowered his shaky hands to touch his legs that had seemingly returned to normal aside from a deep numbness. Sweat beaded his forehead and his eyes were wide as he gasped deep breaths wondering what he had just experienced. Slowly minutes crept by. Shock was soon replaced with fear witch eventually turned to despair as his legs remained unresponsive. Worry and gloom knitted his brows together as he pondered on whether he was destined to be crippled for the rest of his life because of his curious nature. But such morbid thoughts were quickly dispelled as under his insistent urging his little toe twitched, prompting a great sigh of relief from the skinny boy. Vigorously wriggling all ten of his toes it was only a matter of minutes before he shakily rose to his feet. Jasper stood there at the edge of the glade trembling, mind numb and shocked by the what he had just experienced. He took a step forward. Then frowned. Something was different. Beneath his bare feet was moist grass and soft earth which of course he could feel. However beneath the grass and dirt he could feel something else. Something more. It seemed intangible and ethereal yet at the same time it was most assuredly there. Creasing his brows Jasper stood still in the warmly lit glade and once again closed his eyes. Concentrating on his feet and the earth below him he tried to figure out what it was that felt different to him, felt new even. Silence reigned as the boy stood still and felt his body and the ground below him. His brows twitched. There it was. A soft pulse. Slow but consistent. The earth beneath him wasn''t pulsing of course but it felt like something below was slowly breathing. Concentrating harder he focused on the pulse and eventually after nearly ten minutes of silently standing he felt more. Once again he felt the channels leading to the tablet snaking underneath his feet. He felt their pulse. Slowly opening his eyes that were overflowing with wonder and nervousness his young voice echoed out brimming with fascination and bewilderment ¡°What have I done and gone stepped on?¡± -- Julius Calendar 890 Month Of The Brightest Solaris 3rd Jasper Valour discovers what will later come to be known as the Jasper Lodestone -- Chapter 2 Julius Calendar 894 Month Of The Withered Man 28th -- A decrepit wizened hand lay loosely within Jaspers firm grip. His bronzed hands whispered tales of a strength that wasn''t present four years ago. Like his hands his face which had once been gaunt and bony had now been properly filled out and was bursting with vigour, his skin however was still as sun worn as it had been. Currently contrasting the strength that was now found in his face was presently a deep sorrow. Two translucent streams of tears ran from the young mans shimmering brown eyes before dripping down his chin onto the weak pigeon chest of his father whom lay in a shoddy bed tightly wrapped in numerous animal hides. His chest fluttered delicately and frailly, seemingly threatening to stop its motion at any moment. Four years this winter ago Rorin Valour had contracted a terrible illness. Within two months of the initial cough he had become entirely bed ridden. A racking hack that sat deep within his lungs saw the man often spitting up great clots of black blood. His original hearty appetite had shrivelled and withered much like himself and within four years he had turned from a strong middle aged strapping hunter into a emaciated skeleton. His chestnut hair that had once been long and flowing now was white and limp, covered in a thin film of sickly grease. His vitality had withered and after battling his plight for four years he now lay upon his deathbed. ¡°Jasper my boy. I won''t be eating tonight, give those rabbits-¡± The weak seemingly elderly voice paused for a moment to shakily cough, a deep chested bone rattling cough, before continuing. ¡°- the Rockfall¡¯s. They struggle to eat¡± Although the mans eyes were clouded and misty the kindness that sparkled within them was still clearly visible. Breathing in deeply through his nose Jasper held back his tears ¡°Don''t worry pops, I''ll give them the deer carcass. But me and you are having those rabbits in a soup tonight you hear me? Gilda came over with a handful of carrots for us, I''ll make a good job of it pops I promise¡± By the end of his reply his voice was breaking as he looked upon the sunken ill face of his father. Sorrow engulfed his heart as he contrasted the wizened features of today with the tenderly smiling face the father of his memories had. Jaspers reply bought a small smile to Rorin¡¯s ragged face ¡°She''s always kept an eye out for me and you that Gilda. Used to keep you with her whilst I went into the Axe¡± Rapidly the lifted edges of his dry and cracked mouth sank down again as he turned his unfocused eyes onto Jaspers young face. ¡°Jasper you¡¯re a good kid you know that?¡± His shaky voice contained volumes of emotion. Softly smiling through his tears Jaspers grip tightened around his fathers bony hand ¡°You ain''t always said that pops.¡± The weak man started to chuckle but it quickly turned into a wheezing hacking fit. Gasping for air he took a moment before wryly replying ¡°you ain''t always given me reason to say it is why son¡± Pausing he carried on ¡°You got so much of your mothers blood in you Jasper.¡± Tenderly his clouded eyes swept past Jaspers face to the rickety wooden ceiling above. Adoration and love flooded his expression as his old eyes played benevolent tricks on him, hallucinating about an individual only he could see. ¡°Your mother¡­ Hilda. She was beautiful. Did I ever tell ya Jasper? God was she beautiful.¡± A single moist tear spilled down his wrinkled face, slowly flowing through the deep creases of his skin. ¡°She had the brightest red hair Jasper. It fell thick and long like. And her eyes. Oh Jasper her eyes. Not a good thing in a person she couldn''t see with those kind eyes of hers¡± His frail chest rose and fell quicker as he described his sons mother to him, all the while tenderly staring at the ceiling, seeing things only he could see. A sob broke free from Jaspers throat ¡°Pops.¡± He grabbed ahold of his dad''s loose weak hand with both of his own and held on tightly as if he was afraid he''s dad would slip away if he let go. He dropped his head as rivulets of tears streamed down his face. Smiling softly the ill man continued his smitten narrative ¡°Jasper son, when your mothers belly first started showing with ya I can''t even tell you how happy the both of us were. A child. The two of us were having a baby.¡± More tears began flowing from the mans misted eyes. ¡°Then the baby was born¡± Jasper couldn''t hold back any longer and started sobbing, deep shuddering sobs on his fathers chest. Bone deep grief surfaced on Rorin¡¯s pale wrinkled face as he kept talking but quieter now ¡°Jasper you don¡¯t know how much it hurt losing her¡± His voice slipped even lower. ¡°Without me even knowing, my world had centred about her. Losing her was how I realised that.¡± Rorins soft crying grew in volume. As two voices had cried together fourteen years ago when Jasper was born so those same two voices cried together now. Shakily sobbing the old man continued his narrative ¡°Jasper you were all I had. My only family in this hard world¡± As he reached this point his crying voice once again dropped a note. ¡°And you know what. I buried it deep down away but¡­ but there was always a part of me that thought life woulda been better if she had never gotten pregnant you know?¡± Hearing such a cutting sentence from his dad Jasper could only sink his head onto his fathers chest and cry out in reply ¡°I''m sorry pops, so so sorry¡± Taking a deep breath Rorin¡¯s eyes regained a small portion of clarity, his unseeing gaze directed at the ceiling was broken and he peered down his nose at his distraught son whom sobbed across his chest. Smiling gently the old man weakly returned his sons tight grip back and slowly raised his trembling one free emaciated hand. With a great struggle he placed it upon the head of his child. ¡°Don''t be sorry son. I lost a part of me with your mother I''ll admit, but you''ve gone a long way to getting it back Jasper. I said before didn''t I, ya have so much of your mother in ya. Maybe not to look at, but she''s in ya. Where it counts. She''s in ya. You''ve a place in ma heart right besides your mum son. But I do miss her Jasper. I miss her so much¡± Smiling the little clarity that had descended was once again enshrouded by fog. ¡°Jasper¡± The already quiet voice once again dipped in volume and strength. ¡°Yes pops¡± The sobbing young man replied. ¡°Look after Little Willow for me won''t ya?¡± ¡°Always pops¡± ¡°Good boy. I do love ya y¡¯know¡± ¡°I know pops¡± A slight smile rested on the seemingly old mans tired face as he gently nodded in confirmation to his sons reply. Then his clouded murky eyes slipped shut. Jaspers wailing rose to a crescendo as his father whom had taught him, reared him and loved him closed his eyes for the very last time. Jasper stayed beside his fathers bed for sixteen hours without moving. His dad''s weak heart kept beating for as long as it could, struggling to fight the illness and live on for just one more minute. However eventually the inevitable came. Rorin Valour passed away in his sleep beside him his only relative, his one son. Upon the corpses lips lay a tender smile. His unseeing eyes finally seeing a woman whom he had yearned to be with for fourteen long years. ¡°He¡¯s a damn fine son Hilda, let me tell ya¡± -- Julius calendar 894 Month Of The Withered Man 28th Rorin Valour succumbs to an undiagnosed illness Jasper Valour¡¯s only relative dies -- Julius Calendar 897 Month Of The Weeping Angels 18th -- An aromatic scented breeze wafted through the frigid air. The breeze danced about the outskirts of the limited confines of the glade before playfully rushing back into the centre, softly brushing against a jagged black tablet and a young man whom peacefully sat cross legged upon the daises the tablet was erected from. Two trails of steam could be seen blowing from his nose at regularly spaced intervals. The young man was bare chested, wearing only a pelted loincloth despite the near freezing temperatures. His chest was streamlined and slim, well defined and a deep bronze in colour. The playful breeze gently swatted at the mans shoulder length brown hair lightly buffeting it. If one were to compare the skinny gaunt boy who stumbled upon this very glade and tablet eight years ago to the striking young man that sat here presently one would find little similarity. Only the bone structure could be called somewhat alike. The boy from yesteryear was ropey and gangly, his face carried hints of hardiness however overall there had been an unhealthy sallowness to his face. Famine had sunken his eyes and he appeared similar to a starved wild animal in both appearance and air. The man of today however bore none of those qualities. His jaw was set and determined and across his brows was a faint trace of bravery. His cheek bones still slightly protruded, however it was clear this was naturally so and not because of starvation. The biggest contrast of course would be between the two frames of the individuals. The boy was little more than a skeleton, his dirty skin had weakly hung from his bones. Whereas the man of today, although he didn''t posses a overly burly physique, was very well muscled. Every part of his body hinted at power and speed. This was of course a stark contrast to the child who had appeared nothing more than skin, rag and bone.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Deeply exhaling through his nose Jasper conjured a great cloud of steam in the cool environment before he slowly opened his eyes. For an instant something ethereal seemed to flash within the depths of his deep dark hazel pupils. However unless one was observing closely they would dismiss it as whimsies of the light. Sighing somewhat helplessly the young man looked down at his smooth palms that rested upwards on his crossed thighs. Vigorously clenching his palm into a strong fist his brows creased in frustration as he bitterly muttered to himself ¡°It''s been nearly two years since I unlocked the sixth Gate and it isn''t even half full yet.¡± Jasper spoke of abstract concepts only he understood. A distant far of light reflected in the mans eye as he reminisced about the past eight years and all he had come to discover and realise about the daises and his own body over that time. Ever since he had stumbled upon this clearing as a ten year old and stood atop the daises he had been changed. The day after his discovery and initial interaction with the daises he realised he had changed. Everywhere he went he could sense the pulsing energy that lay beneath his feet. Not only that but he was stronger and faster, his hearing and sight both elevated. His body had reacted fluidly to his commands in ways that it hadn''t done before, ways normal people''s bodies didn''t react. After the first encounter Jasper had left shocked and scared but upon noticing the changes the curious ten year old boy eventually came back to the glade and the daises for a second time. Once again he stepped onto its cold black surface. This time he didn''t pull away. Instead with a belly full of nervousness he welcomed the overbearing beating energy into his body. He could still remember how he had shook and sweat as he observed a glowing network of veins spread throughout his body, pulsing in rhythm to the earths beat below him. The terrifying process thankfully only lasted for a mere five minutes because once the glowing veins had fully permeated throughout the entirety of his bodies exterior they then burrowed deeper into his interior. He could faintly sense the expansive networks inside of him that the energy was unlocking and it terrified the young boy. But it excited him more. After an hour the energy had apparently entirely unlocked a great network throughout the interior and exterior of his body. Having finished its task the aimless energy then proceeded to pulse along the network it had just excavated slowly making its way towards the left side of his chest. It was a slow process as with every beat of the Earth the energy would only move a slight fraction through his body''s recently excavated pathways, not at all like the rapid motion it had displayed the first time he had stood upon the daises. That time in but a single beat it had spiralled throughout his legs all the way up to his thighs. Eventually the energy arrived at the point it naturally was attracted to in the boy''s body. Thin channels filtered out into a small spherical pool that was nestled deep inside of the left hand side of his chest. It was this pool that the energy converged to. The boy became somewhat uneasy however as he realised the energy that was deposited in this pool started pulsing discordantly to the earths energy below him, adopting a somewhat unharmonised rhythm. Jasper decided upon calling the chambers Gates due to a later event. After being deposited in the first Gate the energy that was discordant with the earths energy didn''t stay idle instead it proceeded to climb upwards through a single wide channel to a second slightly smaller chamber that was buried in-between his collarbones at the base of his throat. This journey took substantially longer as the energy that was pulsing chaotically travelled far slower than the energy that was harmonised to the earths beat. Eventually the energy reached the second Gate where it then proceeded to trickle through six other similar chambers that were positioned at regular intervals in a perpendicular line down the centre of his chest. Each successive Gate was smaller than the last. Curiously as the energy traversed through the eight Gates Jasper could feel small threads of energy break away and flit off on its own accord, nimbly bursting out of the chambers and into the wide network of pathways like a fish darting through water. After randomly travelling for a while the energy would seep out of the channels and into his muscles and bones, a soothing tingling warmth would always be transmitted to Japer from the place the energy seeped into. This meant that the end amount of energy that came to a halt in the ninth and final chamber that sat just below his navel was vastly reduced from what had set out from the first chamber. Once the energy completed its arduous journey it came to lazily rotate within the ninth final Gate. As the energy passed through each Gate Jasper noticed the somewhat chaotic pulsing started to harmonise to a new beat. Once deposited in the ninth Gate it seemed to of once again found a steady tempo to pulse to that was significantly quicker than the beat of the earths energy. Jasper had a vague suspicion at first however it was only after taking his own pulse that he confirmed his own shocking assumption. The energy pulsed to the beat of his heart. Harboured within the ninth Gate was an extensive number of small channels that were interlinked to the entire network that spread the expanse of his body. The ninth Gate was like a great dam with many tributaries flowing from it and when Jasper so willed it the dam was opened and the energy would flood along the paths he wished it to travel. With but a thought Jasper could circulate the energy to any part of his body, having done so he found that the energy significantly empowered him. For instance directing the energy to his knuckles enabled him to easily strike trees as hard as he was capable of. Of course it still hurt somewhat to hit a tree. Trees aren''t soft. But nowhere near as much as it should of. Once dispensed outside of the ninth Gate the energy would eventually return to the first Gate where it would be once again be distilled back to the ninth Gate, a harmonious cycle. The distilling process for energy that was synchronised to his heart however occurred at a much faster pace. There was a maximum capacity his body could absorb when it came to the earths energy that slowly and gently filtered into him through the daises. The first Gate was quickly filled by the earths energy, the rate at which it distilled the energy to the second Gate was far slower than the rate at which it was filled. Cold sweat would still bead upon Jaspers forehead as he thought of the the time the first Gate was saturated and yet still he remained on the daises. The steady beat of the earth continued to compress energy into the first Gate without relent. The feeling of the chamber being stretched out was excruciatingly painful. The ten year old Jasper had flown of the daises onto the ground and lay on the meadow for many minutes gasping and clutching at his heart which felt like it was about to tear and rip open. Never again had he repeated that mistake. So it followed with the amazing discovery of the daises secrets that the routine of Jasper¡¯s entire life was formed. From the time his father first fell ill Jasper would delve into the Axe every day under the premise of hunting. However instead he would directly come to the secluded glade and sit upon the mystical black daises. It took just short of two hours for the first Gate to completely fill. Once full Jasper would quickly depart and search for quarry. Of course utilising his newfound strength and heightened senses prey fell to his arrows all the more frequently. It would take an entire day for the first Gate to completely distill the collected energy into the ninth gate, a process which naturally occurred without Jaspers supervision. He could so chose to oversee the process if he were to pause and concentrate upon it, allowing the distilling process to slightly quicken. Obviously the ninth gate came nearer and nearer to full as he diligently practiced on the daises every day. Eventually three months after Jasper wounded the white hart and stumbled upon the daises he completely filled the ninth gate. The sensation was unlike anything he''d ever experienced. A roaring that started off softly but quickly rose to a crescendo loudly echoed within his mind, his entire body felt flooded with power and a jubilant feeling that originated deep within his soul left him grinning for multiple days on end. His entire body became drastically different, muscles that contained great strength developed overnight and he grew a few inches over the next month. If he had to describe it he would say it felt like he had become something better, like a part of him he didn''t even know existed had been unlocked. And so it was he came to name the chambers Gates and when he filled a Gate he came to say he had unlocked it. After the first unlocking Jasper¡¯s entire life began to revolve around chasing after that ecstasy of profoundly raising ones entire being to new heights. The gates were staggered in size. The ninth being the smallest and the first being the largest. It took him nine months of persistence and diligence after unlocking the ninth gate to unlock the eighth Gate. Then the seventh Gate took a year and seven months to unlock. He had half filled the sixth gate when his father had passed away. After his father died four years ago he had resolutely moved out of his old home, instead opting to live a semi secluded life in the glade, sleeping in a rough wooden lean to under animal hides. All for the sake of achieving the next unlocking. Two years after he buried his father he unlocked the sixth gate. Presently Jasper unclenched his fist and the far off glaze that had shrouded his shimmering brown eyes disappeared as his thoughts returned from the past to the present. Gently inclining his head his eyes gazed at a thick tree that stood at the edge of the meadow, proudly defining the border between forest and glade. Upon the ancient barks surface many tally marks could be seen scratched. It was these crude inscribirngs Jasper now looked at. Softly he spoke. His voice sounding light and unrestrained like a floating cloud, not a single hint of burden present. ¡°Eighteen today eh. I guess I should go say hey to Pops and Ma as a man then.¡± So saying so he gently stood up and casually stepped forward. As if lighter than air itself he soared over five yards from the daises before gravity once again staked its claim on him. Gently landing as if he weighed no more than a leaf the bronze young man clad in no more than a pelted loincloth during the coldest most frigid time of the year casually strolled out the glade. Looking at his back that was broad and unencumbered one couldn''t help but sigh, for though he seemed truly free there was a trace of loneliness that hung in the air about him. On that day in the Axe as well as the usual jovial chorus of birds there sounded softly a freshly turned mans humming. ~Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me~ -- Julius Calendar 897 Month Of The Weeping Angles 18th Jasper Valour turns eighteen -- Chapter 3 Julius calendar 898 Month Of The Grazed Lamb 12th -- Three boisterous young children clad in dirty rags played and laughed amongst themselves in the centre of Little Willow. Ambling by was a little woman whom appeared to be rapidly reaching her later twilight years. From head to toe she was tightly wrapped in numerous animal hides. Upon her greying head was a skilfully knitted bonnet, emanating from her was a soft aura of benevolence and warmth. Her kindly elderly voice cried out to the three children who were creating a ruckus outside of a few small ramshackle wooden huts ¡°Now now you three please do try and keep it down.¡± The eldest of the three, a skinny young blonde boy who looked in his very early teens gave a toothy grin and loudly cried out in response ¡°Sorry miss Gilda. I''ll get these two to be quieter¡± Two indignant young voices cried out in protest to the blame that had been placed upon them by the grinning blonde boy. ¡°Eric what in the Axe are you talking about? you¡¯re the loudest voice in Little Willow¡± Gilda gently chuckled a bemused reprimand. Grinning sheepishly Eric scratched his head innocently before nodding his head at his two little compatriots. On cue all three of them turned tail and bolted away giggling and laughing as they scampered off. Watching the exuberant display of youth Gilda couldn''t help but gently smile, her eyes forming crescent moon like creases. As she followed the three youths with her eyes she saw them run past a few fields with crop that were slowly turning golden under the ever increasing temperature of the spring sun toward the boundaries of the Great Axe. As she tracked them with her gaze a frown formed upon her brow as she saw the three youths come to a sudden abrupt halt. It looked as if they were peering into the forests depths as if they had caught sight of something. Suddenly the oldest young blonde lad gave an unruly squawk and quickly turned tail and ran back the way he had come, directly towards Gilda. Not wanting to be left alone to face whatever it was that had spooked they''re older companion the two younger children also followed suit. Frowning Gilda watched the three children all directly barrel back inside of their houses as fast as they''re immature legs could carry them. Shaking her head softly the kind ageing woman sighed to herself. She was well aware of what was approaching from within the Axe that would provoke such a fierce reaction from the children. Or more precisely whom. Just as she predicated from out of the Axe strolled a seemingly wild young barbarian. Clad in nothing more than a animal hide loincloth he moved with a fluid grace through the densely packed trees and foliage. The man was an impressive height standing at around 6¡¯2, his frame was perfectly proportioned and boasted of a slender powerfulness. A great mane of chestnut hair fell wildly about his face and bounced upon his strong chest in time to each of his large strides. Slung across the mans back was a dead deer of a great size, yet he moved as if he was seemingly unhindered by the large weight. As well as the deer a brace of ducks and a large rabbit swung from his right hand. A slightly aggrieved smile played on Gilda''s face. It pained her to see the children of Little Willow that she knew and loved react in such a way to the approaching man, whom she also held dear. To Gilda the man wasn''t even a man he was just a slightly grown boy. She could still remember the days like they were only last week where he would sit upon her lap as a babe and bawl and bawl at the top of his lungs until he was fed. They were cherished memories of fond days. But to the children who were only but a handful of years younger than him this man was Jasper the wild hunter. A man who lived in the Axe. Anything that lived in the Axe terrified the children. They themselves would go into the Axe of course but they made sure that Little Willow never ventured out of their sight. The outer thirty metres were all they would ever explore in their lifetimes. Since Jasper¡¯s father passed and he moved out of his home and into the Axe he had become something foreign and strange to many of the people of Little Willow. There was a sharp stark contrast between a denizen of Little Willow and a denizen of the Great Axe in most people''s view. Not the entirety of the sparse population of Little Willow felt this way of course. The Rockfall''s and Gilda both still looked upon Jasper fondly. Gilda had near enough been his foster mother and the Rockfall''s knew that the Axe wasn''t really the dark twisted place the children thought it to be. At least not in the outer regions anyway. Besides the Rockfall''s and Gilda a few other individuals could put aside their misgivings because of the constant supply of fresh game Jasper provided to Little Willow entirely for free. The only request he had ever made of the hamlet in return for his hunting was that they procure him twenty cheap arrows. In the end everybody agreed it was a fair request in return for his services and all chipped in a small amount of coin, after which one of the Rockfall''s underwent the journey to the Brakenborn fletchers for him. Every other day Jasper would trounce into town for just five minutes with freshly shot game. Mostly he let the villagers divide the meat amongst themselves, however one individual he did favour a little. These days the only time anyone from Little Willow saw Jasper was when he was delivering them dead animals. Or visiting two well kept graves that sat side by side in Little Willow¡¯s peaceful cemetery. He spent a lot of time in the cemetery. Placing aside her musings Gilda slowly turned and made her way over to the man striding through the growing crop toward her. Gently smiling she called out to him as he came within earshot ¡°Jasper my dear pay no heed to Eric and the bunch, just children being children¡± A rare tender smile broke out onto Jaspers face as he heard Gilda¡¯s soft crooning voice ¡°Gilda you know I''m not one to mind children''s antics.¡± Hearing his reply Gilda''s smile became wider and she wryly responded ¡°You say that like you aren''t a child yourself Jasper.¡± Hearing her belittling response Jasper chuckled slightly ¡°In your old eyes there aren''t many people in Little Willow who are still children¡± Gilda¡¯s eyes widened slightly as she was taken aback by Jaspers cutting reply. Her eyes quickly narrowed again back to slits and she snatched the brace of ducks out of Jaspers strong grasp, giving him a brisk pinch on the back of his hand when he resisted. Turning around on her heel¡¯s she walked ahead of him through the small fields back to Little Willow grumbling to herself ¡°Same as all the bloody others round here. No respect for their elders¡± Gently chuckling to himself Jasper easily followed the now slightly grouchy little Gilda with long strides. Turning her head back slightly the greying lady eyed the now smiling man behind her. Turning her head back round a small glimpse of a tender smile could be seen playing at the corners of her mouth. After a moment she spoke up again ¡°You''ve missed out on a fair bit of excitement these past few days. Boric spotted two riders over the western fields, bandits he reckons. And obviously you don''t know that Janice finally popped early hours this morn¡± Jaspers brows lifted, with traces of concern in his voice he replied ¡°Did everything go alright?¡± Chucking dryly Gilda couldn''t help but let a hint of pride seep into her voice ¡°Of course, I was helping her deliver. Although my goodness was I shocked when the second one started coming out.¡± Jaspers response was dripping with surprise ¡°Twins?¡± Smugly Gilda responded ¡°Aye two Grace¡¯s, one boy and one little girl. First twins in Little Willow since, well who knows. Old Gareth reckons last twins we had were the Cleary¡¯s nearly a hundred and fifty years ago. But well I don''t know about that. Gareth likes to pretend he knows a lot more than he really does.¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Nodding Jasper helplessly smiled at the harmless old lady chattering away in front of him ¡°I best go give my congratulations.¡± Pausing mid stride Gilda hesitated before nodding, speaking in a softer tone she gave her agreement ¡°Indeed you best.¡± A touch of warmth slipped into Jaspers eyes as he turned away from the ambling little lady ahead of him who was making a bee line for her house in the centre of the hamlet. He was now heading in another direction ¡°Goodbye Gilda.¡± Gilda glanced at the young man striding away from her out the corner of her eye before shortly shaking her head and carrying on her way ¡°Goodbye Jasper.¡± Listening to the somewhat downtrodden tone of the little lady''s voice Jaspers footsteps paused. Turning back he called out ¡°Gilda.¡± The little bonnet stopped bobbing up and down as she stopped and looked back at the wild young man. Smiling at her Jasper carried on ¡°The season for ducks been good this year. I''ll come drop some more off to you next time¡± The one individual he favoured a little, Gilda. Swiftly a gentle smile blossomed on the little lady''s face. ¡°I''d like that very much my dear.¡± With a smile and a nod Jasper turned about and headed towards the Grace household. The gentle smile hung on Gilda''s face as she watched the broad back of the man walking away from her. Buried within her eyes was a slither of sadness strongly contrasting with her still smiling face. The mans back looked so strong from the little lady''s view, he carried the large deer carcass across his back so effortlessly. But to Gilda''s mellow eyes that had seen many a tough painful year it seemed ever so lonely. -- Julius Calendar 898 Month Of The Grazed Lamb 12th Grace twins are born -- Julius Calendar 898 Month Of The Weakest Solaris 29th -- Weak sunlight filtered through the thick green canopy of foliage overhead. It did little to illuminate the dank gloomy floor of the Axe where Jasper was currently crouched. His eyes roamed over the decaying leafy ground underneath him, a deep frown creased his slightly damp brow. Despite the little available light Jasper could easily make out the sinister prints that vandalised the hard ground before him. The print consisted of six splayed toes each one sporting a savagely elongated claw. The lethal weaponry concerned Jasper however what truly captured his attention and worry was the depth and size of the print. Judging from the area of the four prints, the depth of the indentation and the firmness of the earth Jasper¡¯s twelve years of experience hunting led him to a worrying conclusion. Whatever the creature was that had left this print it was a good portion heavier than even himself. Since Jasper moved into the glade he had only once ventured further into the heart of the Axe. He had only done so after he unlocked the fourth gate and felt relatively confident in his ability to preserve his life against whatever ferocious creatures lurked in the Axe¡¯s depths. Of course as a hunter the entire time he was plunging deeper into the Axe he was closely observing the surrounding forested environment for indications of any of the monstrous beasts that were rumoured to reside within the deep Axe. He wasn''t disappointed. After cautiously advancing from the glade for nearly an hour he occasionally started seeing tracks identical to the one he was currently crouched over. In addition to the six pawed prints he also frequently came across hoof prints the size of his head, their depth indicated the animal was of a gargantuan size. Along the hoofed animals tracks Jasper found branches that had been snapped from trees three yards high. Further evidence of the exaggerated size of the beasts in the deep Axe. He had called an abrupt end to his expedition a year ago upon finding a certain large print. The print of a snake. The detail that bought a cold sweat to Jasper¡¯s brow just reminiscing about it was that the track the snake left was a metre wide. When he first came across the print he thought he was looking at a small dried up stream, wondering where the water originated from in the Axe he followed it uphill. It was only upon finding a reptilian scale the size of his palm further along the track he had realised his disastrous error of judgement. Remembering the size of the track brings him out into a cold sweat to this day and thinking of the fact he was foolhardily following the track still sends a violent shiver down his spine. After realising what he had been unwittingly tracking he had hastily backtracked to the glade. Presently the sinister tracks Jasper knelt over caused him far more concern than the tracks found deep in the Axe. The reason being this set of prints lay in between Little Willow and the glade. A week ago he found the exact same prints twenty minutes from his hunting trails. Jasper was only mildly concerned at first, he knew most animals were migratory in nature and liked to roam although it was rather odd for this creature to venture so far out of the depths of the Axe. However he did start to monitor the area closely due to his cautious nature. Because of this monitoring he quickly noticed a second set of prints just half an hour from Little Willow two days ago. Today the set of prints he was crouched over was but a mere ten minute walk to the edges of the golden fields of Little Willow. Flicking away a small forming bead of sweat from his brow Jasper intently stared at the prints, pondering. His mind strayed to his father whom had often told him tale of a particular summer month when he was just a young boy. During that hot month three children went missing from their beds in the middle of three successive hot nights, the only reason the parents knew they hadn''t run away was the bloodstained sheets. Along with the morbid story his father would softly whisper to him an old lullaby, but it had been long ago and all he could recall of it was a soft melody. Lyrics evaded the reaches of his memories grasp. Deciding that the creature was moving closer to Little Willow with what appeared to be purpose, whilst remembering the old tragic horror tale his father would whisper to him as a young boy Jasper decided he had sufficient reason to be concerned. Gritting his teeth and furrowing his brows he clenched the bow in his hand tightly and drew a well worn arrow from his wicker quiver. Once his arrow familiarly sat upon the string of his bow he felt somewhat more reassured. With his trusted weapon loaded and in hand he set off after the distinct tracks. He knew as a certainty that the prints he were currently following could be no more than half an hour old. When an animal leaves its print it breaks through the dry topsoil of the earth leaving an indentation in the moist soil below. In dry hot conditions like the weather presently that moist soil below will quickly dry and crack becoming just like the crusty top soil above. The entire print will become dry and cracked. Fresh tracks however will retain some moisture from the soil below that was damp. It because his father had taught him this logic that Jasper had readied his bow. The tracks he currently tracked were still moist. Steadying his slightly tense nerves Jasper steeled his resolve. If the creature had stayed well away from Little Willow Jasper most assuredly wouldn''t be stalking its tracks like he was presently. Provoking the notoriously savage creatures of the Axe was something he didn''t relish doing. Although he had unlocked the fourth gate he was still at most a secluded strong hunter. His expertise lay in shooting unsuspecting ducks and deer. Not battling with the dangerous denizens of the Axe. However this creature was potentially seeking to feed on the corpses of the children of Little Willow. The last thing his dad had asked of him still rung clearly in his mind. ¡°Look after Little Willow for me won''t ya?¡± It was because of his father that Jasper forged ahead after this predators tracks. Ever since he had stepped upon the daises eight years ago he had never once used the strength it had given him for anything great or profound. He just ambled onward wth his own life only hunting and seeking to unlock the next gate, merely to satisfy himself. Jasper knew this was his chance to change that. This was his chance to keep his promise to his father. To make his dead dad proud. He knew that if his father was in his position now even if he didn''t know of the existence of the gates and was just a mere normal man he would set after this beast that threatened the sanctity of his beloved hamlet. Thinking of the kindly face of his father and the great love he had had for Little Willow Jasper reaffirmed his resolve and picked up his pace. His jaw set with grim determination, eyes sparkling with a proud feeling of justice. Slowly he broke from a trot to a walk before he came to a complete halt as his eyes flooded with attentiveness and alertness. The tracks in front of him had come to an abrupt stop. Slowly sweeping his gaze left and right about the undergrowth around him Jasper¡¯s nervous heart started pounding marginally louder. Slightly unsteady he crept over to the last set of four prints viable. Removing the arrow from the bows string he hooked his weapon across his shoulder before cautiously crouching down, he kept each of his senses strained to their limit as he observed the tracks. Placing his hand in the shallow front tracks he paused. Then placed his hands in the slightly displaced deeper back tracks. Puzzlement flashed through his eyes. The animal clearly was in motion when it left the tracks but why such the disparity in weight displacement? Raising his gaze his bright eyes came to rest on the oaken tree only three yards in front of him. Realisation hit him like a heavy hammer. His heartbeat quickened, sweat began beading on his brow and his breathing grew heavier. Those sickle like elongated claws have more uses than just tearing at flesh he realised. Ever so softly it would''ve passed his notice had he not been straining his ears a noise that solidified his dreaded suspicions softly echoed out. The sound of a twig snapping in the shining green canopy above. -- Julius Calendar 898 Month Of The Weakest Solaris 29th Jasper Valour tracks a stray Aroncole -- Chapter 4 Julius calendar 898 Month Of The Weakest Solaris 29th -- Jaspers entire body froze rigid as he heard the minute noise above him that signified motion. A moment passed and Jasper remained frozen, keeping stock still crouched over the tracks. He dispensed a thin thread of energy from his ninth Gate to his ears bolstering their listening capabilities, straining his hearing to detect any further noises that would confirm whether or not there was a beast lurking in the green canopy above him. The reverberating sound of his pounding heart was all his attentive listening could detect for the moment. Moving with the utmost slowness and care Jasper began to crane his head upwards to visually confirm his horrified assumption. The thick oaken tree directly in from of him that he was intently staring at was cast in a beautiful light by the high noon sun, the bark glowed an iridescent yellow. As Jasper¡¯s gaze slowly traced the tree trunks length upwards his heart somewhat settled as he thought maybe he was being overly paranoid and jittery. The tracks were fresh, true, but not overly so. However his settled heart once again started beating extremely erratically as his gaze finally finished sweeping the entire truck of the tree. Eight yards up the trees body, fully illuminated by the noon light sat a midnight black furred beast. The creatures large sinister yellow eyes glistened with a cold callous intelligence as they bored into him. It''s entire body sat parallel to the tree trunk, the great grim head facing directly towards him whilst a strong long luxuriously coated tail wrapped about the trunk above it, rooting its body in place. The paws that were guilty of leaving the chilling prints were even more sinister in the flesh. Six long scythe like talons extended from large contorted paws, paws that were scaled like a birds feet. Only the lower portion below the knee of each leg was scaled, the rest of its lean body was hidden in a flowing coat that was a glossy black. The head that was intently glaring directly at him terrified Jasper the most. Its head was canine like in nature but apart from the two twitching furred ears and the general skull shape the rest of its features were entirely different from a dogs. In comparison to a canine counterpart its eyes were set in the same place however beside that there were no further similarities. The beasts eyes appeared more like an owls. They were an intelligent bright yellow and sparkled with a cunning that sent a shiver down Jaspers spine. The most prominent facial feature however wasn''t the plotting yellow eyes but instead the horrifying curved beak that protruded from where a maw would be present on a canine. The curved beak ended in a dangerously vicious hook that left no room for questions upon the creatures dietary preferences. That same sinister beak was currently slightly agape as the creature that was pressed flat against the trunk facing towards the earth let loose an irritated growl upon being discovered by its prey. Acting instinctively Jasper flooded his energy out of the dispensary ninth Gate, blasting the energy through his bodies vast network of pathways and into his legs. In almost the same moment he acted the creature suspended from the tree trunk above launched itself forward, hurtling through the air towards Jasper. Bursting forth Jasper utilised the energies reinforcing effect upon his legs and dived off to the side. The surrounding world was a tumbling blur for a few moments as the great force of his propulsion sent him skidding nearly twenty yards along the leafy forest floor. The creature heavily landed where Jasper had been just moments before, it''s sickle like front claws accurately rendered the air where his throat would''ve been had he not detected its presence. Jaspers inelegant and impromptu escape from death was ended as he roughly tumbled into a tree. Scurrying to his feet he quickly turned and faced his deadly adversary. The creature stood on all fours at a majestically impressive height of just over four foot, it''s body running a length of near seven foot whilst it''s tail playfully swished in the air at another four foot. The top of the beasts head and back were parallel to one another, giving the creature a sulking slinky look as it slowly stalked towards Jasper. Despite its great height the creature was rather slender and more obviously built for explosive speed rather than excessive power. Watching the beast slowly prowl towards him Jasper felt his heart contract weakly with a deep fear. Staring into the beasts callous cold eyes that were so strikingly yellow and indifferent he knew he was being viewed as nothing more than a slab of meat to be fed upon. And that scared him. Taking a deep shaky breath without removing his gaze from the incoming creature Jasper instinctively reached for his bow that he had placed across his shoulder earlier whilst examining the prints. He paused mid action. He could feel that the familiar weight and rough texture of the bow wasn''t across his shoulders anymore as it should''ve been. It must''ve fallen as he initially scrambled away. The raving fear that he had been keeping at bay took ahold of his mind as he realised he was without his most trusted asset. As if sensing the flood of panic that assaulted him the beast that had been slowly slinking towards Jasper opened its stride up into a great bound that rapidly devoured the twenty yards that divided them. Fear latched its icy cold fangs around Jaspers heart as he saw the beast begin accelerating towards him. Without thinking he turned tail and pelted off through the forest in the other way as fast as he could. The physical prowess he was endowed with from unlocking the sixth Gate was significant to say the least. Jasper had often taken great relish in chasing after wild deer on bare foot for the thrill of it when he was younger during the period after he had unlocked his eighth Gate. Although he was a good margin less nimble than the deer he was still able to keep them in his sight for a few minutes before they eventually evaded him. Now he had unlocked the sixth Gate it was needless to say that Jasper flew across the forested floor rapidly, trees were little more than brown and green blurs caught momentarily within his peripherals. In fact he was so quick that after a mere ten seconds he had began to widen the distance between him and the chasing predator. After just less than half a minute of instinctively dashing forward the burning fear that had latched hold of his heart was doused by a freezing bucket of water from a heavy realisation. The realisation he was running towards Little Willow. He had originally set out after the beast because of his desire to protect his hamlet of birth. Because of the great love his father had held for Little Willow. Now here he was leading the beast to the doorstep of the na?ve and unaware people of Little Willow, the very people he had set out to protect. Fury at his own meek pathetic actions finally flushed away the last hold that fear had held over him. A cutting steeliness washed over his previously panic stricken face as his pounding footsteps slowed their tempo, his heart beat wildly as he came to a halt. Reaching behind his back he swiftly and deftly drew two arrows from his full wicker quiver. He wasn''t entirely unarmed. Turning he resolutely faced the beast that was barrelling towards him, resolutely faced the threat to Little Willow. His mother and fathers hamlet. His own hamlet. With an arrow grasped in each strong bronze hand he eyed the frenzied furred creature that rapidly bounding toward him. Nervousness bubbled and clawed at the firm resolve he had just rapidly constructed. He blindly suppressed it, paying it no heed. Gritting his teeth he blasted energy from all four of his Gate¡¯s throughout his body''s entire network of channels. As the energy reached his eyes his vision momentarily blurred then suddenly enhanced in a crystal clear focus. In an instant he took the beast in its entirety. He watched its foaming spittle fly out from within the wickedly hooked beak. Observed the little red worm like veins that extended throughout the creatures diluted frenzied eyes. Noticed the patches of dried blood that decorated the creatures scaled legs and talons.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. This creature was ferocity incarnate, born to kill those weaker than itself. A primeval instinct screamed at his now shaken resolve, telling him to turn and flee once again. But he didn''t. Instead he screamed back at that frightened instinct inside of him silencing it. Then he burst into a run directly towards the bounding beast. His heart was pulsing faster and harder than it ever had done before as the ground that separated the two of them was voraciously eaten up. Prompted by his hearts rapid rhythm the energy inside of him flooded into every single channel throughout his body''s network, hurriedly circulating and fuelling his body with a burning strength. The energy was pulsing rapidly, always matching the tempo of his fluctuating frantic heart. Gritting his teeth and clenching the arrows in his grasp he watched the black beast that was no more than ten yards away leap high into the air. Beak agape and talons outstretched it soared towards him seeking to sink its lethal weaponry into his vitals. Jasper just continued running, he poured every last ounce of energy he could channel into his legs. As the two collided toward one another on a impact course and were just about to crash Jasper viciously let loose a bestial roar and thrust both of the arrows in his hands forward. Seeking to puncture the base of the beasts throat. With a wet crunch the two hit. The overpowering momentum of one party completely swept the airborne figure away. Turning into a black blur it was catapulted through the sky backward from whence it came. As they hit Jasper felt his arrows plunge into something soft and wet, knowing he had pierced into the creature he then burst hid bubbling energy into his arms and exploded forth with all his might as he ran forward. The airborne beast only managed to lacerate him with a single outstretched talon upon his left cheek before it was viciously flung backwards by Jaspers assualt. Following the collision Jasper tumbled to the leafy forest ground. Rolling a few times he rapidly came up into a lowered crouched position ready to continue the fight. Quickly checking his Gates he realised he had just wantonly emptied the entire ninth Gate into that one explosive motion. He deftly drew another arrow from his disorderly wicker quiver and alertly scanned the area for the creature whom he still considered a threat. He remained ready to channel energy to his legs should the situation require a deft dodge from any sudden unexpected attack. The wariness present on his features increased in thickness as he failed to find traces of the beast in the immediate vicinity. Shortly the wariness was replaced by a stunned bewilderment as he scanned his gaze further afield from the point of collision. Among the forested floor nearly twenty yards from where they had clashed was the weakly struggling black beast. Two arrows were imbedded deeply in the front of its chest, they still quivered somewhat from the remnant great force that drove them into the creatures body. The midnight black fur surrounding its injuries had been dyed a bright crimson and a small puddle of the creatures viscous blood was rapidly forming on the forest floor. The outcome left Jasper rather bewildered and shocked, he remained half crouched staring somewhat dumbly at the fatally wounded animal. He had never expected it to be felled so easily, every scenario he envisioned involved a drawn out battle that ended with him sustaining multiple grievous injuries. After all he waged battle with but just a few arrows to hand. Gently Jasper started laughing. The laughter quickly increased in volume until it reverberated throughout the Axe, causing numerous colourful birds of different shapes and sizes to take flight and leave the disturbed area. Both pleased and proud of himself Jasper got up and quickly trotted over to the black beast that had somehow weakly struggled to its feet. The animal pathetically tried to peck at the arrows sunken into its slim chest, struggling to try and tend to the lethal injury. Solemness replaced the joyful giddiness upon his face as he neared the black creature. The beast was still a threat and Jasper recognised that, as a hunter he was well aware off the great amounts of strength a dying animal could drag from the depths of its body. A will to live was an undeniably powerful thing. He''d once seen a deer take an arrow through the neck and still manage to frantically flee for more than half a mile. Until an animal was dead it wasn''t to be underestimated. That was but merely a single reason for the now solemn expression Jasper wore. During his twelve years hunting in the Axe he had come to form a deep appreciation for the animals of the forest. He respected them greatly. Jasper didn''t enjoy seeing any animal suffer, he would kill, but he would kill quickly. It was for this reason he adopted a serious manner as he neared the suffering black furred animal. Somewhat cautious in his approach Jasper observed the beast that retained little of its previous vigour and ferocity, now it instead appeared pathetic and pitiful. It stood upright however it was woozy and wobbly on its feet. The head that until only recently had been carried high with pride and grandeur was now limp and drooped, its eyes unfocused while staring blankly at the two arrows protruding from its chest. Yellow eyes that had once been cunning, filled with an incise sharpness and focus were now disorientated, confused and scared. Hunter and hunted had flipped. Without a shred of mercy or remorse present upon his face Jaspers hand flashed out and snatched ahold of the base of its long black tail. Feeling the contact the animal livened somewhat. A small portion of clarity and vigour resurfaced within its eyes and it turned its head to Jasper innate ferocity reawakened, viciously snarling. The guttural snarling was silenced by an arrow that fatally bore through its raging yellow eye. He''d never hesitate to kill. A small smile resurfaced on Jaspers face as he crouched over the body of his adversary. In the end the creature wasn''t anywhere near physically a match for Jasper. The strength that coursed through his body after the he had unlocked the sixth Gate was immense. However due to his weak inexperienced mentality in the face of a creature that sought to take his life his fortitude had crumbled. He had turned and fled despite his far superior strength. It was only due to the danger the creature imposed upon Little Willow as well as the final promise he had made to his father that Jasper had reasserted his resolve and once again found his bravery, throwing aside his weakness. The end result being he had easily slain this feared creature from the depths of the Axe. Triumphantly besting his own weakness alongside the formidable beast as he had done left Jasper feeling proudly exhilarated, eutrophic even. Hence why he was grinning now and had burst into jubilant laughter earlier. Had it been a regular hunter who had faced the beasts vicious assault even if his mentality was fortified and bravely determined he almost assuredly would''ve fallen victim to the beasts scythe like talons and insidiously hooked beak. This wasn''t a beast a mere normal man could easily slay. It was fortunate Jasper was a far cry from being just a mere normal man. Exuberantly Jasper slung the creatures large corpse across his broad shoulders and set off back to his home. The glade, not forgetting to recollect his trusty birch bow on the way of course. In his joyful mood he had completely forgotten about the semi deep gash upon his left cheek. In fact even when he got back to the glade apart from cleaning it he left it be. He could''ve easily requested Gilda to stitch it up for him but instead he chose to let it naturally heal To scar well. He yearned for something to remember the lesson he had learnt today by. The lesson being, you''ll never know if you can prevail over a trial if you don''t even try. Who knows, maybe its easier than you thought it to be. It was only a week after Jasper had slain the beast that he had come to know of its name. He had decided to skin the creature and don its pelt upon his back as a cloak. Of course the next time he paid a visit to Little Willow children and adults alike had been terrified by the ferocious looking raiment. When old Gareth saw Jasper he could only stare slaw jacked and point stupidly at the pelt of the beast, loudly buzzing in his head was an old nursery rhyme he had long forgotten that his mother would tell him after he''d misbehaved. Gareth didn''t hang around for long he rapidly turned on his wrinkled heels and wobbled back to his hut as fast as his frail old legs would carry him. The entire way back he stupidly mumbled about how wrong he had been to assume that his old hag mother only had a mouth full of manure, apparently there was some crystal truths mixed within the muck as well. Before he had raced away however he managed to shakily stammer out a single word to Jaspers face. ¡°Aroncole!¡± -- Julius Calendar 898 Month Of The Weakest Solaris 29th Jasper Valour Slays a Aroncole that strayed out of the Axe¡¯s depths -- ~Watch for the nasty beast my sweet~ ~His fur is midnight black~ ~Watch for the nasty beak my dear~ ~He uses it to attack~ ~Play not in the Axe my sweet~ ~For that is where he settles~ ~Do be wary of the bush my dear~ ~He''s lurking in the nettles~ ~No you won''t run free my sweet~ ~My goodness oh he is so fast~ ~Stay in at night my dear~ ~If not it may be your last~ ~Yes your safe with me my sweet~ ~Just follow all my rules~ ~His name you ask my dear?~ ~His known as Aroncole~ -- Chapter 5 Julius calendar 899 Month Of The Birthed Lamb 22nd -- Throughout the Axe fresh life was budding. The past winter had been a frigidly cold one, all the weak and old denizens of the forest had suffered greatly. But as is the way with nature after such a hard winter comes a blissful gratifying spring that sees new life burst into being. A delicate balance is struck. In the glade many fresh blossom shoots had begun to slowly bud their way up through the frozen earth basking in the suns warmth for the first time. The chittering sound of fledgling birds could be heard from nests up high as their parents diligently flitted about fetching fresh food for the mewling young. In the sky for the first time in a few months the warm sun was framed within a bright blue canvas, not a cloud in sight. Unseasonably lovely weather. Jasper was presently perched cross legged upon the black daises. His Aroncole cloak magnificently sweeping down the length of his broad back before fanning out behind him. Whilst skinning the Aroncole and fashioning his cloak he had kept the top portion of the skull and beak attached to the skin. This allowed him to pull its head up like a hood, when he did so the top portion of skull resided atop the crown of his head whilst the base of the hooked beak snugly rested upon his brow. He wore the cloak like that now. If one were to see Jasper presently and merely judge from his exterior appearance they would think him some type of boorish tribal chieftain. Upon his left cheek was a jagged scar that ran equal with the corner of his eye down to his nose. Matching that with his overall strong physicality, pelt loincloth and Aroncole cloak he truly did fit the image of a formidable forest savage. The picture was a quaint yet tranquil one. A strapping bronze young man whom wore an Aroncoles fierce head as a hood and clad the same beasts pelt as a glossy black coat was seated motionlessly upon a black daises before a jagged tablet within a softly sun lit glade. Gently in the background life could be heard scurrying about tending to their newborn young. Truly picturesque. Forcefully exhaling through his nose Jasper broke his own stillness. Opening his eyes a formless light could be seen flashing through his shimmering hazel pupils. Despite being ethereal it seemed more prominent and corporeal than it had been two years ago. Rising to his feet Jasper stepped off the daises and like he had always done he seemed to effortlessly float through the air before gently landing seven yards away. Maintaining a steady fluid stride Jasper sauntered across the glade to the forest line where a small wooden lean to rested against a broad oak. Inside of the crude lean to was nothing more than a few deer hides spread across the ground as bedding upon which lay a birch bow and a wicker quiver. The quiver was bristling full with rather well worn arrows. Deftly reaching into the lean to Jasper scooped up his bow and quiver slinging them both across his back in a single easy motion. He then turned and swiftly disappeared amidst the dark forest backdrop of the surrounding Axe. Strolling along a faintly worn track Jasper mused to himself about the serenity of his life. Since he had slain the Aroncole nearly a year ago he had reverted to his regular routine of living. Hunting and seeking to unlock the next Gate. He was pleased with the good amount of headway he had made over the past year, he knew he was constantly encroaching upon the threshold of unlocking the fifth Gate. Exuberance flashed in his eyes as he anticipated filling up the sixth Gate, to say that Jasper was addicted to the blissful feeling of unlocking his Gates wouldn''t be overly exaggerating. He was so devoted to his cause that he had left the small amount of civilisation that he had always known at the age of fourteen. Instead opting to live a secular lifestyle nestled away within the Axe so he could properly concentrate and dedicate himself to his grand task. The devotion he had committed to unlocking his Gates was immense. Ever since he had unlocked the ninth Gate he knew what his life''s purpose and goal would be. To unlock every one of his Gates. When Jasper dreamt of the strength he would have at that point it sent butterflies aflutter in his stomach. No matter the time it would take or the means he would have to resort to he would persevere, it was quite literally his sole mission in life. He didn''t overly lust after the physical power and strength that it would endow him with, although the thought of it did entice him. No instead he was striving for the feeling of fulfilment and satisfaction he knew would engulf his body and soul as he finally completed a mission that he had already dedicated years to. Dreamy lights glazed Jaspers eyes as he allowed his mind to wander and muse. They were quickly flushed away however as Jasper reached a stream that ran with excited white waters, flowing through the Axe. Occasionally nimble fish could be seen darting past. Some of them swum lazily letting the streams flow do most of the work for them. The waters ran rapidly for a forest stream and the other bank was nearly twenty yards across. It was the largest flowing body of water Jasper knew of in the area. Once when he was younger he had followed it downstream for a few days but it had quickly left the domain of the Axe. Standing at the Axe''s boundary he had seen it stretch far away across the rolling plains to the west, he had no interest in anything that lay in that direction. Crouching to one knee Jasper scooped up a handful of crystal water and splashed it across his slightly grimy face and hair, cleansing a few stray bits of mud from among his chestnut coloured mane that swung about his shoulders. The water was still cool from the harsh winter and felt blissful across his face. Having washed he then proceeded to remove his Aroncole cloak and birch bow and quiver before he waded out into the streams centre. The bubbling white water flew rapidly atop a shallow pebbled bed. At its deepest it only just rushed past Jaspers knees. Squatting slightly Jasper cast his minds focus inside of himself to his Gates. Feeling his ninth Gate that was completely saturated with a lazily rotating energy Jasper lightly smiled to himself. With but a slight thought on his behalf a small thread of energy nipped free from the rotating vortex and agilely slipped out of a certain channel leading upwards. The ninth Gate dipped down in energy levels however it was naturally rapidly once again filled by the three Gates above it, the sixth Gate itself was the one that eventually suffered the energy deficiency. Jasper had come to realise over the last ten years that the ninth Gate functioned efficiently as a dispenser for his body''s host of energy. It had an extensive system of pathways leading from it that connected to every single part of the labyrinth like network that existed within his body. Although he could dispense energy from the eighth, seventh or even sixth Gates if he so chose to because of the lack of pathways exiting from those Gates he would be forced to circulate it through a long cumbersome route before it arrived where he needed it. Instead it was easier to utilise the ninth Gates large system of passages and just naturally let the Gates above refill it. It was his dispensary Gate. The small thread of energy he had just beckoned darted upwards through his inner pathways quickly and in but a moment was where he willed it to be. His eyes. Utilising the energy upon any of his sensory organs greatly increased their capabilities. Channeling the energy to his eyes resulted in what Jasper thought to be a rather wondrous effect. For a moment his vision blurred then once again came into focus. An incredibly sharp focus. He could easily make out the shapes and colours of the pebbles that lay on the bottom of the river bed or the individual floating tiny bits of debris that bobbed by him. If anyone were to look at Jaspers eyes currently they would be rather stunned and assume him partially blind. Within his pupils was a slight foggy greyness. Any half skilled medical practitioner would announce it as the beginning of cataracts. Summoning more energy from the ninth Gate to his eyes Jasper¡¯s pupils rapidly turned even more opaque and clouded. The extra energy had no effect on the clarity of his vision but it did produce a spectacular effect Jasper found remarkably useful as a hunter. The living creatures that had occasionally flashed by him were now giving off a glow. Each living being had nine small glowing dots within them, brightly illuminating them to Jaspers foggy eyes. The dots were always in the same proportion to the animals size. Softly grinning Jasper looked about him observing the immediate environment with his muggy eyes relishing the new view. On the opposite bank of the stream was a small water snake that was lying in wait for an unsuspecting vole that trundled along towards it, earlier he had been oblivious to the pair of them that appeared so blatantly visible to him now. The sparkling green canopy overhead now appeared brighter and all the more dazzling, numerous birds that were perched or flitted about were all softly lit up by nine small glowing dots, beautifying the leafy branches above him. Smiling brightly Jasper marvelled at the wonders the daises had bought to his life, he was profoundly thankful he had found it. Turning his sharp gaze back to the stream he was crouched in he slowed his breathing and stilled his body. After a few minutes of such stillness his left arm flashed out in a strike and plunged into the flowing white waters without warning. A high arc of crystal water was splashed into the air, glimmering in the bright suns rays. Jaspers hand resurfaced and tightly grasped within it was a wriggling green fish. Nodding to himself he casually flicked the fish ashore to the bank beside his bow and cloak. The foot long green fish gasped and flipped about within the grass for a few minutes before finally yielding to its doomed situation and lying still. Jasper continued fishing in this unique manner for two hours. When the sun climbed to its apex in the sky he waded back to the bank where there were eighteen fish scattered about his bow and cloak. All the fish were at least a foot in length, there was little point catching the smaller ones. Eighteen fish would be enough to feed a few families, he was satisfied with the mornings hunt. Re-donning his cloak, bow and quiver he deftly drew two arrows. He then proceeded to nimbly skewer nine fish through their tails upon each arrow. After doing so he pulled a small vine from a nearby oak tree and looped it round either end of both arrows, forming a rudimentary handle. Grasping his mornings labour in hand Jasper strolled away from the stream and made his way back to the trail that would lead him to Little Willow.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. As he meandered through the Axe he quietly listened to the chirping birds and squeaking wildlife, bustling to attend to their newborn young. For six years he had lived by himself in the Axe and for better or worse he had become adjusted to the solitary lifestyle. Although he had grown up in Little Willow, he had always spent great swathes of time in the Axe even when he had resided in the hamlet as a child. To him the glade was where he felt at home and could relax. Now when he went into Little Willow it felt similar to when he had first ventured into the Axe, everything was uncomfortable and foreign. Admittedly however it was pleasant not having to worry about whether an Aroncole was lurking at you amidst the bushes. Jasper had spent his hungry early youth in Little Willow alongside his father, for those reasons the hamlet occupied a very special position in his heart, regardless of the foreign feeling. As Jasper neared the edges of the Axe a small slither of discomfort wormed its way into his chest, a restlessness even. His bronzed brows slightly creased as he dismissed the strange feeling that had queerly come over him. A soft breeze danced towards him from the west. Jaspers footsteps paused upon the trail. Upon the breezes back should of been carried the fragrance of grass fields and freshly tilled earth. However instead it delivered a rancid arid aroma to Jaspers sensitive nose. The smokey smell of smouldering wood. Worry burst into his heart as he broke out into a light trot, intending to shorten the remaining five minutes of the journey. Nearing the edge of the Axe the bountiful wildlife that had been so energetic and exuberant by the stream and glade was far more withdrawn and subdued. All the animals seemed wary and frightful. Types of birds that had been chirruping joyful songs in the glade were hunkered quietly within their nests here. Jasper being a man of the forest read this subtle change, it further concerned him. As he neared Little Willow the smell of smoke and smouldering charcoal got stronger and more domineering, fanning the flames of worry burning in his chest. It wasn''t overly common for the wooden huts of Little Willow to set ablaze however that didn''t mean it didn''t happen. A wide range of scenarios involving fire and grievous injuries coursed through his mind as he neared in on his hamlet of birth. As the trees of the Axe slowly became sparser and the shrubbery became thinner the western fields of Little Willow gradually came into view piece by piece. A sore sight was slowly drawn together before Jasper¡¯s worried gaze. Instead of the shin high green wheat and oats that should''ve decorated the fields expanse there was now only blackened clumps of stubble, the fields outer edges were still smouldering. Beholding the tragic view Jasper slowed from his nervous trot back to a walk and let loose a heavy sigh. Such a blow was a substantial one for the farming folk of Little Willow. This would put the Autumn harvest back by a month and a half by the time they had tilled the lands again and resown the seeds. A bitter smile surfaced upon Jaspers gloomy face as he realised he was going to have his work cut out for him this year. If he didn''t account for the lost grain by hunting then the recent blooming prosperity of Little Willow would regress back to the days of famine Jasper remembered as a child. That was something he didn''t want to see. Within the swirling downcast emotions buried inside of his chest there was also nestled a small bud of relief. Jasper would rather see the fields razed to the ground than have someone sustain injuries in a hut fire. That''s the type of individual he was. It was with a pungent gloomy air that he resumed walking forward on the hunting trail. As more and more of the damage to the crop was revealed to him the gloomy cloud swirling about Jasper thickened considerably. Suddenly having caught sight of something Jasper shot still, rigid. His gaze had breached through the Axes border past the last of the bushes and trees to Little Willow. What greeted his eyes made his blood run colder than thousand year old ice. The sound of the fish he had been carrying wetly hitting the floor rung through the eerily quiet forest. He stood weakly sagged upon the same spot for a whole minute. The Aroncole cloak that fell across his broad back developed a tremble. After what seemed an age he began trudging forward. His feet dragged and each step was listless and limp. It took him a few minutes to clear the last twenty yards of forest to reach the boundaries of the charred black fields. Once by the fields and out of the forest he''s legs gave way and he slowly sank to his knees. Jaspers strong jaw currently hung slack, his eyes were wide open in disbelief and horror as he took in the morbid sight before him. Little Willow had been torched to to ground. Smoking black foundations were all that remained of the quaint little hamlet he had grown up in. All the surrounding crop fields had been razed to the ground as well. But it wasn''t this that so utterly devastated Jasper. As he looked at the twisted mound of flesh that stood where the centre of Little Willow had been he felt his stomach turn. Then he vomited. Two streams of tears freely fell as he threw up again and again on the black burnt ground. The sun that had felt warm and cherishing earlier in the day now seemed glaring and unforgiving. Gasping and retching he stumbled up onto his shaking legs, his proud cloak fell from stopped shoulders. Shakily stumbling onward his mind was in a twisted mess trying to process the gruesome scenery before him. He was oblivious to everything apart from the gory mound that stood in the centre of his burnt hamlet ahead of him. Denial resounded loudly in his head drowning out any other potential thoughts. From lips flecked with spittle and tears he whispered a confused and heartbroken sentence. ¡°It can''t be.¡± As the man walked across the burnt black earth into the smoking remains of Little Willow the realisation that this was reality and was truly happening struck him. It struck him so heavily he fell again. This time to his hands and knees. His entire body was wracked with an intense trembling as emotions exploded inside of him so intense and overwhelming that he felt his chest was compressing. Gasping he struggled to draw the oxygen he needed into his lungs. He raised his head and lifted his gaze from the blackened ground. What he saw was burnt into the deepest reaches of his memory. It was a sight that would stay with him for the entirety of his life, a searing brand that would haunt him till the end of his days. In the centre of the smouldering remains of Little Willow was a great mound of corpses. Crows and ravens decorated the macabre pile pecking at bodies and faces he was all to familiar with. Each face was a face he had grown up with, faces that were now twisted into agonisingly pained expressions. Most had dried tear marks running down their faces, horror was still clearly reflected in their cold murky unseeing eyes. Old Gareth whom used to tell him the grandest tales of immortals and gods lay face upwards upon the pile. The right side of his face had been viciously cleaved at the cheek, his entire lower jaw was just attached at the left side and a raven pecked and pulled at his long tongue that hung free from the open right side of his face. Boric the wise old farmer who had taught Jasper the names of the months and the corresponding stages of grain growth lay face up at the top of the pile, his legs and head dangled downwards. Three rusty decrepit pitchforks proudly stood erect from his, pierced into his stomach. Three crows cawed amongst themselves atop the handles of each fork. Eric the loud innocent child who had been beginning to turn into a fine young farming man lay amongst the pile face down atop his own entrails. His bright blonde hair was dyed a filthy rusty red by his own crusted blood. Shuddering sobs shook Jasper as his blurred teary eyes slowly travelled from familiar face to familiar face trying to remember each of their last expressions accurately, burning the fear, horror and sorrow he saw conveyed deep into his mind. Knowing it was pointless but listening to the tiny voice named hope that whispered just what if inside of him Jasper summoned two threads of energy upwards to enhance his distraught vision. His bloodshot eyes shimmered a moment before turning from hazel to a misted opaque. Looking at the mound in new light nearly turned his stomach out once again as he became aware of all the insect life amongst the dead mound that was the population of Little Willow. Abruptly without warning Jasper flew forward. Like an arrow from a bow he quickly bolted from his hands and knees scrambling forwards to the left side of the pile of dead. One moment he was upon his hands and knees on the black dusty floor the next he was protectively crouched over a dead woman. A burning blaze of hope and joy swirled within his grey misted eyes. The corpse he hunkered over was sat upright against the dead behind her. Across the breadth of her neck was a vicious red gash, her opened throat had stained her green blouse crimson. Jasper knew the woman as Janice when she had lived. Janice''s corpse had its slightly stiff arms wrapped about a large bundle that sat upon her lap. The bundle was wrapped in a white cloth that was stained with numerous flecks of crimson. Trembling and shaking Jasper reached out and prised the large bundle from Janice''s tight death grip. Even in death a mother was hesitant to let go. Taking the large bundle into his arms he removed the white outer cloth to expose a large wicker basket with a lid. It was from within this basket that Jasper¡¯s murky eyes saw two bright little light sources, each one composed of nine glowing dots. Tears still freely streamed down his cheeks whilst his hands trembled violently. Jasper delicately lifted the lid of the basket and peered inside. He found a pair of quietly sleeping year old twins, both of whom had dried tear marks staining their little chubby faces whilst their eyes were puffy and a glaring red. Unsurprisingly it looked as if the pair had cried themselves asleep within the basket that was embraced by their dead mother. Tears cascaded in an unbroken stream from Jasper¡¯s murky grey eyes as he cherished the glow of light the twins radiated, slightly illuminating his current surroundings that were so so dark. Closing the baskets lid he pulled together a margin of decorum, the twins desperately needed attention and care. Breathing deeply through his nose he tried to stop the shuddering of his chest and flow of his salty tears. However as his eyes alighted upon a head that poked out from the rest of the bodies just above Janice''s corpse his body sagged to the cold hard ground again. He couldn''t see the face of the body. All that was visible to him was a bloodied well knitted bonnet that the corpse wore.The decorum he had just been trying to muster together completely collapsed under the heavy weight of a woeful sorrow and grief. A lone haggard howl sung out from the ruins of Little Willow raising flocks of carrion birds into the blue sunny skies. It continued for a moment before it crackled and died away. The din of two babies bawling rose up to replace it. -- Julius Calendar 899 Month Of The Birthed Lamb 22nd Jasper Valour finds Little Willow incinerated and its population murdered From the mound of dead he retrieves a pair of twins -- Chapter 6 Julius Calendar 901 Month Of The Horned Lamb 14th -- From within a glade nestled away inside the vast Axe the resplendent charm of young children''s laughter echoed around. The laughter was crystal clear and laced with the innocence of youthfulness. The birds and beasts of the Axe sounded their songs in unison with the children''s laughter, creating a melodious chorus on a sunny blue day. It was a pair of three year olds a little boy and a little girl that currently chased one another in circles amongst the glade, giggling as they tumbled and rolled atop a colourful spectrum of flowers that decorated the grassy ground. The pair were both similarly clad in grey rabbit pelt shirts and shorts. The young girls hair already danced about her shoulders and was a striking blonde, a few sticks and twigs were matted in her locks however she paid them not the slightest heed. The young boy was a tad stockier than the girl however they shared the same general build being such a young age. The little boys hair was shaded near jet black and wildly fell about his eyes in tangled locks, the dark colour contrasting with the bright head of hair his sister wore. Any observer couldn''t help but allow a soft smile to tug at their lips as they watched the shining blonde girl clumsily dart and chase after the slightly more agile black haired boy. From among the forested outskirts of the glade a large dark shadow slowly encroached upon the small island of serenity within the Axe. Eventually the shadowed form stopped just shy of the sunlight that filtered onto the grassy floor, instead preferring to rest within the darkness offered by the old trees cover. The shadow revealed itself to be a savage bronze man clad in nothing but a hide loincloth and the skin of a beast. He stood at an imposing 6¡¯4 and anyone who gazed upon him would feel oppressed by his thick presence. Within his powerful right hand was clasped a dead foxes neck. Atop his skull was the ferocious looking head of an Aroncole, it''s sinister hooked beak arched menacingly from his brow. The creatures black pelt fell from his shoulders down his back as a deep voluminous robe. The fur that had once in time been glossy and lustrous now seemed bedraggled and dishevelled, a few holes had been worn into the pelt. The mans body was becoming thicker with age, his frame that had been slender and streamlined in his youth was slowly gaining more muscular mass. A thick chestnut mane fanned behind him and from his jawline a somewhat small brown beard had sprouted. Running the length of his left cheek was a smooth long scar. Jasper followed the two youths playful antics with his sharp gaze. His hazel eyes that had once upon a time been youthful and shimmering with exuberance now seemed reserved, withdrawn and cold. There was a darkness swirling within them, a shroud of negativity that cloaked his eyes from the things that shone bright and warm. However as he watched the little girl finally catch the young boy and let out a crystal like triumphant laugh a small amount of warmth could be seen stirring within the depths of his deep pained eyes. Moving forward he stepped past the forests border into the glade and the light of the sun towards the children. As he approached the little girl who had been trying to wrestle the unfortunate and somewhat miserable boy to the ground turned and caught sight of him. Immediately her cheerful greeting burst out to ring throughout the glade ¡°Jasper!¡± She extracted herself from atop the black haired boy, who perked up considerably without his sister sitting atop of him. The euphoric little girl then clumsily trotted over to the ground beneath Jasper. The young boy followed suit and trundled across the glade in his sisters wake a great beaming smile filled his teething mouth. Seeing the adorable pair barrelling over to him and feeling the warm caress of the sun across his face the shroud of darkness that had been ominously hanging about him was somewhat dispersed. Squatting down and laying his dead trophy to the side he opened his arms wide as the little girl careered into him. There was a tender warmth present in his tone as he greeted the little girl whom was tightly hugging him ¡°Talon.¡± He turned and looked at the little black haired boy whom stood a yard away sheepishly grinning. Jasper let a small smile tug at his lips as he beckoned to the boy ¡°Fang.¡± Without needing further encouragement Fangs toothy grin widened and he plunged into Jaspers open embrace. The two children cherished the feeling of the big strong arms that were wrapped about them. The hug lasted for a moment before Jasper gently rose to his feet shaking the children off him. Staring down at the two bright pair of eyes that craned their necks upward to look back at him with adoration Jasper felt warmth stir in his aggrieved heart. For the past two years he had fostered the twins in the glade. It had been a brutal struggle for the first six months, it was one of the hardest things he''d ever had to do. The crushing grief and sorrow that he carried with him every day mixed with the worries and dilemmas of acting as a parent to the twins had tolled Jasper heavily. Every time he went hunting he left the twins locked in the basket and was gone for no more than twenty minutes but even still the crushing worry of whether the twins would be safe and sound once he returned was one of the heaviest weights he''d ever have to bear. As the the twins got older and Jasper became adjusted to the new way of life he adapted to the routine that had once been so alien and foreign. Of course there was one major problem that Jasper had been faced with. He had gotten on with the Grace¡¯s in Little Willow however apart from delivering hunted game to their doorstep he had no further real interactions with them. As the twins were born after he had moved into the glade he wasn''t really aware of much about them. He didn''t even know their names. And of course neither did they. After being hesitant with the matter for a few months it was when the children first started making noises and trying to talk he had decisively made his decision. He would rename them. So in true hunter fashion the bouncy energetic little girl became Talon and the reserved clever little boy became Fang. ¡°Fox?¡± A curious squeaky voice asked Jasper. Fang had suddenly taken an interest in the dead fox that lay by Jaspers feet. It was the same size as him and he had grasped it by its crimson bushy tail before questioning Jasper on the name of the animal. ¡°Fox. Food¡± nodding his head Jaspers slow smooth voice confirmed the little boy was right. Reaching down and taking the dead animals tail from Fang he turned and made his way over to two little wooden teepees that sat at the back of the daises sheltered by the jagged tablet. They were constructed from wooden sticks and fastened together with vines, appearing discordant with the stone structure they sheltered behind. Jasper considered sleeping out in the open glade with the tablet to their backs safer than sleeping within the Axe¡¯s forest and so he had abandoned his old oaken lean to and fashioned these two small conical huts for him and the twins. The two huts with a small stone campfire between them painted a quaintly pleasant picture that was framed by the black tablet they were constructed against. Sitting down within the open teepees entrance upon the layers of multi coloured cured hides and skins that served as his bedding Jasper retrieved a large knife from within the wooden construct. The knife was crude and rudimentary, it''s wooden handle scorched an ugly black. He had scavenged it from the charred remains of Little Willow. Another layer of grief and gloom was coated across the dark shroud that lay over his eyes as he deftly played with the knife in his hands looking at its ugly burnt handle, remembering. ¡°Fire for food?¡± His dark momentary reprieve was broken by Fangs little voice who sat side by side with Talon in the opposite teepees open entrance. The two teepees were made facing each other across a small circle of stones that held within it ash, a fire pit. The twins eyes glittered with youthful lights as the pair watched in detail every move that Jasper made from across the fire pit, observing and learning. Somewhat impressed by Fangs ever growing vocabulary and quickening mind Jaspers voice slowly softly replied ¡°Yes. Sticks for fire first.¡± Talon and Fang shared a look at Jaspers reply, then knowing what it required of them the pair of twins clumsily leapt to their feet and ran away giggling as they raced to see who could find the most small sticks. No doubt the pair would end up getting side tracked by something insignificant and return half an hour later with empty hands and big grins. Jasper had firmly drilled it into the two they weren''t to go too far from the glade. If they couldn''t see the black jagged tablet then they had gone too far away. Aside from that the only other rule he strictly enforced was that the twins were to never go near the daises. Jasper himself was unsure of what would happen if a young child were to be invaded by that initial great torrent of energy he had experienced nearly eleven years ago. He wasn''t willing to find out either.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. As his thoughts turned to the daises a shining gleam appeared within his gloomy hazel eyes. The one constant in Jaspers life was his devotion to the daises. Even with the twins around he still easily found time to sit upon the daises for two hours a day and fully fill his first Gate. It had become his rock amidst the seas of life that had suddenly become so stormy without warning two years ago. Trace amounts of jubilation gently fluttered within his chest as he remembered what he had achieved four days ago. After unlocking the sixth Gate five years back, four days ago he had finally unlocked the fifth Gate. For five years he had been chasing after the feeling of unlocking a portion of his body and mind and when he finally grasped ahold of it again it didn''t disappoint him. For the first time since he had found the twins on that dark morbid day two years ago he had laughed. It was an unrestrained wild laughter that erupted from deep within him as he felt himself becoming better. The twins of course had been horrified by the sudden loud outburst from the man they knew to be so quiet and reserved. It took Fang an entire day to work up the courage to speak to him again. The gloomy aura that swirled about Jasper today was vastly reduced from the thick cloak of darkness that surrounded him in the immediate days after he had taken the twins in. That dense air of darkness and sorrow had been whittled away by the pure nature of the twins and the focus and devotion he had towards achieving his next unlocking. Raising his head Jaspers gaze fell upon the twins who, much to Fangs dismay and Talons joy, were once again tumbling about wrestling among the fragrant flowers of the glade. A rare smile that was being seen more frequently these days played on Jaspers lips as he turned his gaze back to the fox he had effortlessly caught without assistance from bow and arrow. -- Julius Calendar 901 Month Of The Horned Lamb 14th Jasper Valour tests himself after the fifth unlocking by catching a fox bare handed -- Julius Calendar 903 Month Of The Burdened Man 3rd -- Autumn had well and truly sunk its claws into the Axe. Vivid oranges and reds painted the forest as the leaves of the numerous types of trees withered up and lost their spark of life. A soft biting chill was present in the air, it was easy to feel the changing of the seasons. It was within this slightly frigid colourful environment that the wide shouldered and deep chested Jasper led two excited youths. Jaspers Aroncole cloak was now ragged and torn, but it had value to him and so it remained draped upon his shoulders despite the wear. His brown beard had thickened considerably and was now becoming a bushy affair. The thick beard only further solidified his image as a barbarian. His hazel eyes were no longer wholly dominated by a dreary gloom but instead hosted a softness that was buried just above the coiled darkness, obscuring it from immediate view. Moving like a spirit he gracefully floated through the brightly coloured trees unencumbered by the forested floor or surrounding bush. Behind him scrambled two children, a boy and a girl both five years of age. The girl had a head full of long shimmering blonde hair that swung about her waist the occasional stick and twig could be seen submerged in its flowing length. The girl was remarkably slender and lean resembling the branch of a willow tree, her head just barely reached Jaspers navel midriff. In Jaspers fluid wake she agilely leapt and scurried. Her face was scrunched in tight concentration as she carefully picked her path, trailing behind Jasper her bright blue eyes reflected his broad back. Her features were small yet the vibrant changes of her facial expressions gave her an energetic and boisterous air. Tightly clasped within her left hand was a freshly carved birch bow and in her right a single worn arrow. Keeping her protected from the slight autumn chill was a pair of hide shirt and shorts, her feet were bare. This was of course Talon. The young boy barely reached Jaspers waist in stature, his frame was stocky and he had trouble navigating the surrounding bush to keep up with Jasper and Talon whom were jogging ahead of him. His tangled locks of jet black hair had stopped growing long ago swinging across his eyes and bouncing upon his brow. His features were strong and well proportioned, it was clear that once the baby fat melted from his face he would be a handsome young man. Within his deep green eyes sparkled an intellect and mind that was impressive for his tender age. Clad in a pelt loincloth he wore a scarlet fox skin as a cloak, somewhat reminiscent of the man who ran in front of him. He too was carrying a freshly carved birch bow in one hand and an arrow in the other. This was of course Fang. Jasper led the twins through the Axe''s bush and undergrowth down into a small naturally formed bowl where he abruptly came to a halt. Motioning his bronzed hands to his lips he signed silence to the children. Slowly and gracefully he ascended the opposite side of the bowls lip, merely peeking his head over the side. Satisfied with what he saw he fluidly and quietly dropped back down to base of the bowl returning to the children''s side. Facing the two so different silent twins whom had anticipation and excitement plastered over their youthful faces he spoke in a hushed tone. ¡°The herd¡¯s still there and they''re well scattered. The both of you can take a shot¡± Excitement flashed through their shining young eyes as they enthusiastically nodded in response. Jasper turned and led the way up the bowls bank, this time the children followed. Reaching the bowls lip Jasper lay flat on the ground whilst the twins took up position either side of him. Three heads poked out of the bowl gazing onto the flat colourful forested ground that stretched away the other side of the bowl. Loosely scattered amongst the forest were eight deer that nudged aside the decaying leaves upon the ground rummaging for vegetation to graze upon. The nearest was just thirty yards away whilst the furthest was nearly fifty. Ever so softly that it was only just carried to the twins ears Jasper whispered a single word. ¡°Target.¡± He gave them a moment observing how their immature gazes nervously roamed from deer to deer. After a breath had passed and while the twins had yet to choose Jasper silently snaked both of his hands around their shoulders before gently touching the far side of their necks with his middle finger. Both Talon and Fang trembled from the unexpected touch. They understood the message. Talon turned and nodded to him signalling her readiness. Her small features were plastered in a gritted determination. Fang turned to him a moment later and signalled he too was ready. Nervousness was apparent in his crystal clear green eyes. Jasper nodded. Having received the silent go ahead the pair of twins loaded their arrows before rising above the edge of the lip like two silent ghosts. Everything was still. A breath passed. Then the twang of a bows sinew string reverberated. Talon loosed first her eyes bursting with confidence as she tracked her arrows flight, watching it soar through the air before burying itself deeply into the muscular neck of a young buck deer. The seven other deer startled and bolted as a cohesive whole scattering amidst the surrounding forest. Fang gnashed his teeth and was forced to readjust his aim, his arrow slowly traced through the air following the frightened flight of his deer. He loosed his finger. The bow snapped and his arrow flew. A moment of heavy silence followed before the resounding sound of an arrow sinking into wood was heard. Even as Fang was letting his arrow fly Talon had scrambled down the other side of the lip onto the flat colourful forest floor. In her clasp was a decrepit knife with a burnt handle that Jasper had pressed into her hands as she let her arrow lose. Jasper had known it was a successful shot as soon as her finger slipped from the string. Sprinting forward Talon quickly devoured the distance that lay between her and the deer that thrashed upon the vibrant leafy floor. Without a hint of hesitation she reached the struggling deers side and thrust the knife into the deers neck. This resulted in the loudly braying young buck to become even more berserk and Talon was caught by a lashing hind leg sending her stumbling. She reeled backwards and was just about to collapse to the floor when a firm hand gently pressed upon the small of her back, supporting her. Craning her head upwards she saw the familiar contours of Jaspers smiling face, he had kept her upright. His smooth voice sounded out praises ¡°Fine shot Talon, the dull knife does make finishing the job tricky.¡± Saying so he blurred then disappeared from Talons shocked wide gaze, arriving by the side of the frantic braying deer in an instant. Gripping the knifes charred black handle that was still embedded in the deers neck he twisted it so the blade pointed towards the animals windpipe and slashed out, cutting open the deers throat in a single second. Having completed such a rapid motion he slowly bent down and picked up a handful of colourful leaves and wiped the knifes blade clean. Turning back to Talon and Fang who had just hurried over he spoke in a smooth steady voice. ¡°I''m impressed Talon, a successful first hunt is a rare thing. My own first shot at a deer was rather similar to Fangs.¡± A soft smile played at his lips as he looked at the young girl whom wore a beaming smile standing next to a more glum Fang. ¡°Uncle Jasper it wasn''t fair! Talon had the easy shot, my deer was running away¡± Hearing Jasper praise Talon annoyance creased Fangs brows and he sourly interjected. ¡°Hmm that''s true but tell me Fang which bird is it that gets the worm?¡± Hearing Fangs complaint Jasper turned his warm somewhat bemused gaze onto him and replied. Fangs glum face turned a shade sourer at Jaspers question. Without answering he turned about and went to collect his arrow, kicking out at a fallen tree on his way. His mood only sunk lower as he listened to the smug Talon gleefully shout out behind him ¡°The early bird Fang! it''s the early bird!¡± Chuckling at Talons excitement at her first kill Jasper turned and scooped up the now dead deer onto and across his shoulders. ¡°Come, let''s go back. Well go past the stream on our way, I''ve seen plenty of squirrels down there recently. Fangs got time to make a kill yet.¡± A young girls laughter echoed about the Axe shortly followed by a young boys indignant shout. -- Julius Calendar 903 Month Of The Burdened Man 2nd Jasper Valour begins teaching Fang and Talon to hunt -- Chapter 7 Julius Calendar 904 Month Of The Fleeing Angels 30th -- Winter had descended with a tyrannical icy grip it had clenched ahold of the Axe within a tight frigid fist. The world had turned an all encompassing white, sound was muffled and everything had become silent bar the ever raging snowfall. Within the glade things were no different, the previously vibrant green meadow had now become a monotone world of dull white. At the heart of the glade a small stand of resistance crackled against winters raging reign. A flickering fire buried below the surface of the snow. The fire was steadily burning inside of a conical wooden hut that had been wholly engulfed by the falling snow, small wisps of black smoke filtered out through an icy chimney that had been crafted atop the hut. Across from the gently flaming fire in the hut sat two small forms whom were shivering violently underneath many layers of hides and pelts of all colours and sizes. The two shivering individuals were Talon and Fang. They huddled alongside one another savouring the warmth that the fire gave them as well as the body heat of their other twin. Great clouds of steam would billow from their mouths with every breath they exhaled, a testament to the below freezing temperatures the two children were currently subjected to. No words were exchanged between the twins they just sat huddled beneath layer after layer of fur trying to ignore the biting cold that viciously invaded every region of their small bodies. It had been cold throughout the entire year of 904 and as winter slowly encroached the temperature only dropped more and more severely. Now amidst the very middle of the coldest season of a cold year this had quickly become the worst winter that either the twins or even Jasper had ever seen. The grey heavens had opened up and started snowing only five days ago but the drifting downpour hadn¡¯t stopped since. A constant cascade of white fell from the heavens in a never ending stream. If it wasn''t for Jasper hurriedly reinforcing the huts original flimsy structure the two small wooden constructs would haven quickly given way to the great amount of snow heaped atop of them and collapsed on maybe even the first day of snowfall. Off the black daises and jagged tablet all that could be seen was a small half a foot high mound across the white plains that signified were the worn tablets tip stood. In front of that mound lay a deep hole that appeared to have been caused by a collapse in the snow below. It seemed like it had sunken recently however it was hard to judge as the snow was slowly but steadily re-levelling it. Silence fell upon the scene. The holes depth was gradually lost as the snow continued floating down. Abruptly the snow at the base of the hole shifted. As if something below it was stirring. Promptly a head with a thick mane of hazel hair burst out of the snow and lightly shook his head to clear the snow attached to him. Reorienting himself Jaspers head looked about miserably observing the ridiculous amount of snow that had fallen since he had last checked. His helpless voice rung out but was swallowed by the thick snowfall before it could travel far ¡°Ah this goddamn snow.¡± Sighing glumly his head twisted and turned slowly sinking back into the white ground it had emerged from. The small impression his lonely head had left behind was soon filled by the peacefully falling flakes of snow. Below the surface of the snow Jasper wriggled his body down through the icy passage he had just forcefully fashioned. After descending for a while he eventually reached the cold ground where he manoeuvred and twisted his body round before he eventually emerged into a small dark chamber. The icy igloo like chamber was five foot in height and ten foot in diameter, from the centre of its ceiling sat a great mound of snow that had clearly just caved inwards. It had been this collapse of the ceiling that prompted Jasper to go and observe the weather situation above. He was presently in a foul mood as he sat upon a small pile of snow upon the edge of the ice chamber. Despite the frigidly freezing temperatures he was bare chested clad solely in a pelt loincloth, he had lent his Aroncole cloak to the two children. They needed the extra layers desperately more than he did and even without it he was only mildly cold, it was bearable. As he sat upon his snowy seat he glared at the great white pile of snow that obstinately sat in the middle of the chamber that he had laboured for two hours to craft. Jasper gritted his teeth in vexation, it had been no easy task to fashion such a large chamber. He had been quietly sitting upon the daises savouring the earths warm energy that had been soothingly seeping into him when out of nowhere the snow chambers ceiling had caved in directly above him. It had given him quite a fright and took him longer than it should of to extract himself from the mound. Hence the vexation. Originally when the snow began falling Jasper had chosen to plough through it to get to the daises however as the snow piled higher and higher Jasper realised he needed a change of tactics. So it was during the evening of the second day after the snow had piled high enough that he tunnelled out of the huts compacting the walls into ice as he went and constructed this chamber round the side of the daises. He had only cleared a minimal amount of the daises itself, just enough for him to happily sit upon. The cave in earlier had completely hidden it once again contributing to his sour emotions. Shaking his head helplessly he left the task for the time being, he had been nearing the end of his session upon the daises anyway. His first Gate was only a margin off full and it was happily distilling warm energy through to his fifth Gate. Crouching low Jasper turned to a short tunnel that ran from the side of the daises to its back and into a single hut. As he traversed the tunnel and neared the hut orange and red flickering light from the fire began illuminating the darkness of the surrounding environment. Jasper stopped just outside the hut and used the flickering orange light to check upon five deer carcasses and a large stack of sticks and logs that were buried in the snow but visible from the tunnel. It had only been due to a subtle ominous feeling that prickled from his first Gate that Jasper had prepared a stockpile of the required resources. The uncomfortable feeling began a day before the snow began falling and sharply spiked in intensity as the first flakes floated from the grey sky. He was relieved that he had acted upon the feeling accordingly. Thinking about the perilous situation the twins and, to a smaller degree himself would be currently facing without the stockpiles they now had made his heart run cold. Thankfully he had trusted his instincts, for the time being the twins were safe and secure. The flickering flame cast an orange light that eerily danced about the wooden huts interior as Jasper entered the teepee hut. A frown creased his smooth bronze brow as he saw the thick black smog of smoke that lazily curled in the stagnant air, trapped within the teepees roof. He had implicitly told the twins to make sure they kept the chimney clear. As he opened his mouth to chastise the two twins he noticed they were curled up to one another lightly sleeping under many layers of hides and furs. His frown melted as he saw the sleeping children instead morphing into a softer expression. Softly sighing he reached across the huts interior and grabbed ahold of a long straight stick that stood upright to the side of the teepee. Positioning it at the entrance to the small wooden hole he had made just beside the teepees tip he slowly worked the stick upwards rotating it as he did so, clearing the makeshift chimney of the powdery snow that had fallen in and blocked it. Watching the thick black smoke slowly disperse up the icy chute Jasper slightly nodded to himself and gently drew the stick from the sheath of the chimney before replacing it in its previous position. Having resolved the potentially fatal problem Jasper left the hut to retrieve some more kindling to feed to the fire. The source of warmth in this freezing habitat was essential to the twins survival. They would suffer dearly without its gentle warmth, for five days now it had been burning continuously. As he was retrieving a few of the smaller logs from the ice tunnel suddenly a fierce hissing and spitting sounded from behind him, originating from within the hut. Dropping the few logs in his hands he quickly turned and flashed through the short small tunnel into the teepee in a heartbeat. His face fell as he saw what had just happened. His earlier clearing of the chimney had disturbed the structural integrity of the surrounding snow, a small portion had been dislodged and fell through the hole in the teepees roof landing on the already weak flickering flame. The result was that now in the centre of the hut instead of a warm gentle source of heat was a hissing mass of snow and ice. As the last of the alight embers were extinguished the teepee fell into darkness. The temperature seemed to drop a few degrees. Blearily blinking their sleepy eyes Talon and Fang both awoke and sat upright, queerly looking through the darkness to where the fire had just been burning. Shaking his little head slightly to wake up Fang seemed to set off a shivering deep inside of him. But a mere breath after Fang started trembling Talon followed suit. ¡°Uncle J-jasper?¡± Talons voice was a shaky shrill, more than a hint of panic was laced within her call. ¡°I¡¯m here Talon¡± Jaspers voice was as smooth and steady as it always was. The grounded answer significantly calmed the rising flames of panic that had been brewing within the children''s chests.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°What h-happened to the f-fire?¡± Fangs shaking voice sounded out in the dark teepee. ¡°It went out Fang¡± A calm reply. Although the answer was an obvious one the steady and level way it had been stated further calmed both of the panicky children. Jasper fluidly moved across the pitch black teepee navigating his way over to the twins side. Feeling the great mass of warm muscle moving toward them the two shivering children shuffled apart for him without a word. Softly sitting down in between the pair he wrapped both his burly arms around the children enfolding them into his warm embrace. The pair said no more and just huddled within their hide blankets against his warm bare chest. Their shivering grew more intense as the surrounding snow continuously permeated coldness into the teepee that no longer wielded a fire to guard against it. Jaspers mind was rapidly racing as he contemplated his current options. Without a doubt the two twins needed an external source of heat besides the hides they shivered within. He could only hope that his own body heat would be enough. Of course he could try and relight the fire but all of the wood that was available was stored within the icy tunnel outside, wet and soggy. He would first have to dry it with his own body heat before he could relight the flame, even with completely dry wood in such cold conditions trying to give birth to flame would prove fairly testing. However Jasper was a skilled huntsman and was quite confident in himself. The only dilemma with drying the wood was that the freezing lumber would for an extended duration of time come into a close proximity with the twins who''s shivering grew all the more violent by the minute. Jaspers brows creased as many minutes passed, he was continually wrestling backwards and forth with the problem. He knew from the children''s increasingly violent tremors his body heat wasn''t doing enough. He was warm however he didn''t radiate heat and defend against the cold like a fire did, they needed a flame. But to start a fire he would have to dry the wood which would freeze the children. Therein lied his dilemma. ¡°U-uncle J-j-jasper¡± Fangs voice meagrely rung out sounding weak, his stuttering a clear indication of how badly the poor young boy was suffering. ¡°Yes Fang?¡± A stilled calm remained dominant in his reply however concern was also laced in fair amounts throughout his voice. ¡°I-I-I can''t-t m-move my f-f-inger-rs¡± Fangs voice was frail, pathetically so. As he slowly stuttered out his sentence a large bank of steam was exhaled from his mouth dissipating into the chilly air. Concern bubbled up within Jaspers chest. ¡°Here put them under your armpits like this.¡± So saying so he gently reached down and grasped ahold of Fangs hands. As his large hands clasped Fangs hands that seemed so little and delicate in comparison a shock that quickly turned to a deep rooted worry was expressed upon Jaspers face and hidden by the dark. The little boys hands felt like literal ice, Jasper couldn''t feel a single iota of heat emitted to his touch from the boys cold stiff flesh. Without allowing him to notice his concern and worry Jasper guided Fangs hands underneath his own armpits and pulled the little boy in tighter to him. In the dark Jaspers expression was contorted. Beckoning a thread of pulsing energy from his ninth Gate upwards, his pupils slowly clouded becoming misted and grey. Softly he craned his head down to check on the little boy in a new perspective. To Jaspers muggy pupils the boy seemed a bright beacon of light within the deep cold darkness of the teepee. Fangs nine Gates illuminated through his body and shone with a resplendent light. As well as the nine bright balls of light Fangs entire body also softly glowed with a more subtle light, only obvious because of the pitch black environment. Gently Jasper reached out and pulled one of Fangs hands free from underneath his armpits. The boy didn''t question Jaspers motives, he just lay there in a cold induced stupor and continued violently shivering. Jaspers gaze traveled to the little boys fingers that he tenderly held in the palm of his wide hands. His grim expression grew increasingly dire in the dark. He could clearly see that the ambient glow of Fangs body grew dimmer at his wrist, by the base of his fingers it was almost non existent. The top half of the boys fingers weren''t visible to Jaspers misty grey eyes, they were four pillars of darkness against the bright backdrop of his own warm hand. Turning his stare he looked at the little boys other hand and two feet, then repeated the process with Talon. The results were similarly disturbing. Jasper was well aware of what frostbite was, despite never encountering it his father had equipped him with much knowledge he thought he may one day need. He knew that''s what the two children were being set upon by now. His mind was rapidly whirling trying to think of the ideal solution to warm the two up, however no matter how he attacked the problem he couldn''t think up a feasible solution. In the darkness the creases upon Jaspers forehead grew increasingly deep and furrowed as he watched the black areas of the children''s small limbs slowly spread with each passing minute. Inaction was now his worst enemy. A few more moments passed and Jasper racked his mind but failed to draft up any kind of solution. Unless¡­ but no that was far to risky. He wasn¡¯t aware of the detrimental effects it could have on the two very young children. Of course he clearly remembered he had been subjected to to an intense warmth fourteen years ago when he had first accidentally activated its mystical properties. But he had been older than they are. As the minutes rolled by the notion that he had immediately dismissed became all the more viable, in Jaspers pained gaze the numbing blackness continued to slowly devour the children''s fingers and toes. It seemed like the only solution. Finally a flash of decisiveness flew across his features in the darkness. He had to do something. He gently moved the two children aside and rose from the frigid hut floor. The two shivering forms barely seemed to register the motion as he placed them together side by side. Jasper left the hut. After he exited the sound of two young children''s violent shivering and shaky breaths hung heavily in the absolute darkness. Faintly from somewhere not so far away the sound of snow rapidly being shovelled aside travelled into the interior of the hut. The noise continued for a few minutes before it ceased. Jasper entered the hut less than a moment later. Gently he bent down and picked up the two children hide pelts and all, within each of his strong arms. Turning he left the hut carrying the twins in his embrace. Following the icy tunnel that lead away from the huts entrance he emerged within the icy caved in chamber. Jaspers evacuation of the collapsed ceiling was what had sounded out only movements ago, the chamber was now partially cleared. In the centre of the chamber inset into the snow was a portion of the black daises that Jasper had just laboured to reveal. Gently gazing at the twins in his arms he hesitated. But as his gaze travelled to Talon and Fang¡¯s hands which were quickly losing the faint glow they had and merging into the jet black backdrop a decisive glow surface within his misty pupils. Inaction at this point was equivalent to sacrificing the twins fingers and toes and if the snow continued falling maybe even their lives. Jasper couldn''t let that happen. So it was with a steeled determination he unwrapped the shivering six year old twins from the multiple layers of hides they nestled within. Having stripped them to just their clothes he then proceeded to gently place the two upon the daises. He stepped back but remained tensed and taut, ready to snatch the two back if anything outside of his expectations happened. Nervousness and worry bubbled within his chest. The twins lay upon the daises curled into foetal positions completely unresponsive even their shivering had stopped after he had removed the hide blankets. Worry fanned the beginnings of panics flame as two slow breaths passed. Maybe the daises didn''t work upon everyone, or maybe it wouldn¡¯t work with two people upon it or perhaps the twins were to young. Numerous thoughts raced through Jaspers mind as he became increasingly nervous and fidgety. After five more breaths Jaspers tight chest couldn''t allow him to sit still and wait any longer, he stretched his hands out intending to take the prone Fang and Talon back into his warm embrace. Just as his bronze hand was about to touch upon the children''s still bodies his first Gate twitched. He paused. And reluctantly pulled his hand back. After another breath suddenly light burst forth into being illuminating the dark chamber. Jaspers misty fogged eyes squinted and he looked away from the daises that had lit up with a bright white light. As he turned his gaze back his breath caught in his throat. Sparkling crystal white light was refracted all about him within the snowy chamber. Everywhere he looked the white icy walls had been decorated in shimmering lines of light that vibrantly flowed and energetically danced. Turning his attention back to the two twins whom lay upon the daises a tension was uncoiled from within his chest. The pair of them remained lying down curled up and they still remained still. White glowing veins spread throughout their small bodies from where their skin was in contact with the daises. The glowing veins were pulsing in time to a slow beat, Jasper knew the steady beat to be the one that was beneath his own feet pulsing within the ground. It was these glowing white veins that had illuminated the darkness and painted the resplendent pictures of shimmering crystal lights upon the ice walls of the chamber. Still slightly apprehensive but considerably less worried than he had been Jasper closely monitored the twins, savouring no time to enjoy the thoroughly dazzling display that danced upon the ice chambers walls. After two minutes Talon and Fang both slowly seemed to awake from their cold induced slumber. Blearily looking around their eyes rapidly filled with wonder and awe as they saw their glowing other twin. ¡°How do you both feel¡± Jaspers smooth voice turned their attention to him. He was still bare chested and solemnly sat cross legged upon the icy floor his attentive eyes were hazel again and watched every move the twins made. The shining lights from the twins pulsing veins wriggled across his powerful body casting him in a beautiful light. Fang looked down at his fingers that like the rest of the exterior of his body had warm pulsing veins running through them and vigorously wriggled them. His face lit up into a boyish smile and he replied with wonderment stark in his voice ¡°I''m really really numb¡­ And really warm too.¡± Talons head bobbed up and down signalling her agreement with Fang. A soft smile graced Jaspers face. He tenderly replied ¡°Good. I''m glad your both okay. Really glad¡± -- Julius Calendar 904 Month Of The Fleeing Angels 30th Talon and Fang begin cultivation -- Chapter 8 Julius Calendar 908 Month Of The Weakest Solaris 21st -- A young boys exasperated voice echoed within the dense foliage that nestled amongst the depths of the Axe. ¡°Talon that''s the third set of Aroncole prints we''ve seen, I think we''re deep enough.¡± There was a more than a hint of uneasiness weaved within the chords of the youthful voice. Amidst a gloomy forest scene a ten year old Talon was crouched down upon the rugged leafy floor observing something that was partially illuminated by the strong sun rays that sparsely filtered through the dense canopy overhead. Blonde hair that shone the same striking colour as the golden sun tumbled about and pooled on the floor below her as she crouched. Sporadically dotted throughout her blonde locks were fragment of twigs and leaves that cast her in a feral manner. She was clad in a pair of deer hide shorts and shirt that clung to her slender lithe frame, her feet were bare and dirty. Within her dainty dirty hand was clasped a birch bow, upon her back a shoddily crafted wicker quiver host to three roughshod arrows. Blue eyes that hosted a spirit of adventure and shimmered with vibrant excitement were currently tracing the contours of a set of tracks upon the ground, desperately trying to fathom the secrets that they told. The tracks were of a great size and sported six elongated claw marks that cut sinister imprints into the ground. As if having fully analysed the tracks secrets her delicate face that was tight with concentration relaxed and flowingly morphed into a shining grin. Fluidly rising from a bent crouch her slim frame revealed itself to be of a tall stature. Turning about and glancing across to her brother whom was currently in the process of awkwardly navigating a bush seeking to catch up to her, her small features crinkled deeper as her exuberant grin grew. ¡°Fourth set Fang, we¡¯re on our fourth.¡± Her voice was loud and bright, overflowing with vigour and spirit. Fang who had been endeavouring to cover the ground his sister had so effortlessly put in between them stumbled then paused as he heard her reply. Raising his head from the surrounding bush he glumly glared at the grinning blonde girl whom he had gotten to within fifteen yards off. Fang wasn''t as tall and slender as his sister instead being of a far more compact and stocky build. Moving through the dense forest her lithe frame and agile and deft nature gave her a clear advantage over the stout little legged Fang who forever seemed to be following his sisters lead. Following her lead and then pulling her back just as she was about to unwittingly dive nose first over a cliff edge. His expression that was currently shrouded by an unwilling glumness was slowly growing to become defined and handsome, his curly black hair was like a disorderly birds nest atop his head. He was clad in nothing bar a pelt loincloth, similar to his sister he had bare calloused feet. Strapped across his back was a bow and quiver near identical to his sisters. Before the beginning of the unpleasant impromptu expedition he had worn a crimson fox skin as a cloak however just a few minutes ago it had gotten caught in a bramble bush and his damned sister wasn''t waiting about for him. So here he was in nothing but loincloth chasing after his reckless twin. ¡°Talon you know we¡¯re in way to deep. What¡¯re you gonna do if an Aroncole finds us huh? Have you even thought about that?¡± Fangs tone was sharp and cutting, in his opinion his sister most assuredly hadn''t thought about it. In his opinion his sister didn''t really think about anything. Talon gave a nonchalant slight shrug of her slender shoulders and turned about fluidly weaving through bushes deeper into the dark dangerous bowels of the Axe. As she departed she left behind an answer and a crystal clear laugh. ¡°If an Aroncole finds us I''ll run of course, run a lot faster than you will.¡± Fang gawped at the audacity of the reply as he watched his twin disappear. He knew she wasn''t wrong ether. She would run a lot faster than him if an Aroncole came chasing. Nervously looking about him Fang lipped his lips. His green eyes flitted from tree top to tree top, niggling nervousness tickled his belly as he thought about the truthfulness that lay within his sisters joke. Softly cursing that he was born Talons twin he hurriedly set off in pursuit of her rapidly disappearing slim figure, tempted to shout at her to slow but far too worried about what the noise could potentially attract. Five days ago the twins had simultaneously unlocked their seventh Gates. Since Jasper had placed the two of them atop the daises during the freezing winter four years ago they had continued to diligently commit a few hours each day to sitting upon the daises absorbing the earths gentle energy that pulsed below them. Despite the lack of physical features the two twins shared it seemed the sizes of their Gates were identical. The three Gates the pair had unlocked so far had been achieved practically simultaneously. After recently unlocking her seventh Gate Talon had become somewhat more restless than she normally was. She intrinsically felt a burning desire to roam and run free, her personality was boisterous and adventurous. Confident in her own recently enhanced physical attributes whilst uncle Jasper was away hunting she had flown off to explore the depths of the Axe. By her very nature she lusted to try and unearth some of the Axe¡¯s many mystical secrets that uncle Jasper had told them tale off. Fang was just an unwilling, unfortunate and unenthusiastic accomplice to his sisters dangerous antics. That was something that had turned into a regularity as the pair had grown up. In some ways it was a testament to the bond that existed between the twins, no matter what dangerously stupid situations his sister leaped into Fang was at her side. Well, either at her side or desperately trying to catch up. So it was that the pair scrambled and flew further into the Axe''s heart. The leading Talon leaping and bounding across the forested moguls whilst the trailing Fang scurried and scampered across the same ground after her, his knitted brow clearly conveying his unwillingness to continue venturing onwards. But venture on he did. Abruptly the slender form in front caught sight of something, gracefully she halted her tracks before fluidly dropping to the floor onto her stomach. The creases upon Fangs brow deepened as he observed from afar his sisters unexpected stop and concealing tactics. Fang slowed his pace and cautiously crept through the bush, clearing the remaining forty yards to his sister. Jasper knew the fickle Axe to be a place of many hidden subtle dangers and many obvious ferocious dangers. So he had tried to instil a cautious nature in the twins from a young age. It had only really developed in Fang. As Fang stealthily crawled to her side and lay beside her Talon pointed out a tree about fifty yards from their current stationary prone position. Squinting for a moment Fang quickly noticed what she was pointing out. About twenty yards up a great gnarled oak was a large spherical ball fashioned from sticks and dried dirt. It took an extended moment for Fang to realise what it was he was looking at. Turning he fixed his deep green eyes that swum with nervousness and fear upon his sister whom was beaming as if she regarded her discovery the most spectacular thing ever to be found. Not even daring to make a noise he silently mouthed ¡°Aroncole nest.¡± Talon beamed and nodded an exuberant confirmation back at him. The shocking aspect of the construct was its titanic size, it looked as if it could easily accommodate both the twins and even uncle Jasper with all his great burly bulk. It was built about two large sturdy branches that sprouted from the twisted roughshod main oak trunk. The twigged nest was built in an exceedingly intricate manner. It rested atop the thicker of the two branches whilst it was built about and around the second higher branch. The lower branch took the weight of the great structure and its occupants whilst the second branch firmly rooted it in place. The nests ravenous black entrance led out onto the jutting lower branch which was parallel to ninety degrees to where the twins lay, the pair could only just make out the side of the nests deep opening. Fascination and youthful wonder sparkled within Talons eyes as she marvelled at the architectural feat concealed up high within the trees. Turning to Fang she softly whispered no louder than a breath ¡°Think there''s baby''s up there?¡± Fang contemplated the question for a moment calculating the passage of the seasons in his head before he slowly gave his answer ¡°Yeah I think so, it''s the right time of year for young and I don''t think Aroncoles are the type of animals to make nests unless they¡¯re having kids.¡± It was a well thought out reply. Thinking more about the implications of his sisters question and her massively impulsive nature Fang suddenly turned on Talon who was still grinning brightly. ¡°You¡¯d better not be thinking of going anywhere near it Talon.¡± He growled out a hissed whisper. Rolling her crystal blue eyes at her brothers nagging she didn''t even bother paying him a glance as she answered, instead keeping her fascinated young gaze firmly affixed on the nest nestled amongst the tree tops. ¡°I don''t want to get that close to an Aroncole.¡± She paused before softly adding ¡°maybe if it was a baby...¡± ¡°Talon!¡± Fangs voice was still whispered however markedly heavier than it had been, panic raised it a note. Glancing out the corner of her small tender eyes she watched her twin whom was intently glaring at her, seemingly ready to pounce and drag her away if she made the slightest of moves towards the nest.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Reminiscent in noise of trickling springs her gentle giggling bubbled forth at her brothers irate actions, she found him so easy to wind up. ¡°Fang you know how strong we are after we unlocked our seventh Gates! We can get away from any slow Aroncole. Besides how great would it be to actually see a wild one¡± Fang sized up his sister quizzically wondering if they were really twins or whether his entire life was just one big hoax. Personally ¡°great¡± was very near the bottom of the long list of words he''d use to describe the experience of seeing a wild Aroncole. He''d be more inclined to use ¡°traumatic.¡± Shaking his head free of the numerous negative and dark words that bounced around his young mind Fang irritatedly whispered to his sister ¡°Uncle Jasper keeps one back at the glade, let''s go have a look right now¡± Talon narrowed her shimmering blue eyes at her brothers snappy response. ¡°A breathing Aroncole, not some dusty old skin. Your like a scared little rabbit always hiding away in a burrow.¡± Fang softly scoffed at his sisters cutting remark before replying slightly smugly ¡°The rabbit that hides in his burrow lives a lot longer than the one that climbs into the nest of an Aroncole.¡± Talon¡¯s fierce glare quickly deflated into a rather deadpan look. Turning her gaze from her smug brother she spoke in a flat tone ¡°you sound like uncle Jasper, Fang.¡± Fangs smugness crumbled and a look of horror surfaced as he realised she was entirely right. ¡°Tch no I do-¡° before he could finish his sentence Talon quietly and suddenly tightly grabbed ahold of his shoulder. Her dirty hands had flushed white from the strength with which she grabbed him. Turning to look at his sister he found her small crystal blue eyes had widened to the size of saucers as she stared at the distant nest. Talon was transfixed in a fascinated terror as a gargantuan leg that was scaled like a birds stepped out of the nest onto the branch. Fang followed her gaze and his rosy face drained of blood as he saw the insidious claws that effortlessly gripped into the robust oaken wood below its paws. A second forelimb emerged and but a moment after the Aroncoles insidious head came forth from the interior of the twigged nest. From the side view the twins enjoyed they could easily appreciate the full size of its viciously hooked yellow beak that radiated a wicked air. A large pair of chilling cold yellow eyes swept across their general direction as the Aroncole turned its head toward them. Talons hand that remained upon Fangs shoulder unconsciously tightened into a clench. Both of them had started to inhale heavier as soon as those yellow callous eyes had swept over them. Remaining stock still like a pair of frightened rabbits the twins strongly wished the beast away back into its nest. Another layer of fear was cloaked over the dense shroud of terror that swirled about within the two pairs of glistening young eyes as the great Aroncole agilely pulled half of its body from the nest. Seeing the luxurious coat of black fur that hid the hunters muscled body a soft scared whimper escaped from Talon. Displaying a powerful flexibility the Aroncole turned on itself. In a single smooth motion it drew it''s back half out and lazily leapt and grabbed ahold of the main thick trunk below the nest with its powerful scaled limbs. The back half of its body stretched out of the deep dark nests entrance in a lazy feline like manner. After but a breath the Aroncole drew its long back legs round and rapidly began descending the tree beak first. It''s movements were fluid and lithe only taking a few seconds to traverse down the twenty yard stretch of trunk to the forested ground. Seeing the natural powerful hunter stand upright upon the ground amidst its natural habitat the twins couldn''t help but allow the cold chilling shiver that had taken them within its grip to intensify. The Aroncoles were a matriarchal species. The females were the formidable hunters and larger animals, equipped with weaponry that was all the more lethal compared to their male counterparts. Of course the two children weren¡¯t aware of this. All they were aware of was that the Aroncole that lazily stretched just fifth yards away from them was far bigger than the skin uncle Jasper was so dearly fond of. The beast towered an impressive five foot tall, equal in stature to Talon. It''s sinuous body was near nine foot in length and combined with the lazy six foot long tail that sashayed in the air made it a breath taking terrifying size. Satisfied by the fulfilling stretch the Aroncole turned and began slinking away from its nest. Because of its great head that sat parallel to its back its appeared to be fluidly prowling. Prowling straight towards the two cowering twins. Watching the encroaching creature that seemed to have no inclination they were lying directly upon its path Talon and Fangs young little hearts jumped in horrified fright. Neither of them dared take their eyes off the sinister beast that unknowingly slinked towards them but if they were to take a moment to glance at their twin they would find a look of aghast horror that identically mirrored their own. Talons trembling hand had slipped to the bow strapped across her back, the familiar feel of birch within her grasp comforted her slightly. A tense two breaths passed and the Aroncole had already come within thirty yards of the cowering two. Talon couldn''t bear the heavy suspense that sat upon them any longer and frightfully whispered a panicked squeak ¡°Fang!¡± Fangs mind was a whirling blur as he juggled their best options. The beast was unhurriedly prowling straight for them and it was just a matter of breaths before it recognised them as living breathing prey with soft flesh that it could sink its claws and beak into. They couldn''t stay on the floor and wait to be noticed and the idea of fighting was dismissed as a death wish. In but an instant he decisively made his mind and under his breath hurriedly whispered to his panicked sister ¡°It can only go for one of us, we split, you go left. Straight back to the glade get uncle. On three. One. Two. Three!¡± Before he had even started whispering he had circulated warm frantically beating energy from his ninth Gate into his legs. As soon as the breath that the word three was carried upon had passed his lips Fang burst from the leafy floor and tore away to the right. Shaky panicked breaths ripped air into his gasping lungs as his stubby legs explosively pumped his body forwards fuelled by his surging energy. After but a few seconds of such frenzied flight morbid curiosity brewed within his frightful heart and he turned his head over his shoulder. What met his gaze made his knotted stomach drop like lead. The Aroncole hadn''t wasted time acting surprised. Acting surprised isn''t what successful hunters do. It was bounding away from Fang towards Talon, the one who had reacted and fled just marginally later than the counting Fang. Fang watched Talon as she too glanced over her shoulder past her flying wild blonde hair and saw the snapping beak attached to the frenzied beast that was rapidly bearing down upon her. Her already pale face drained of what little colour it had held. Her gaze caught her brothers fleeing form and for a brief moment two distraught and despaired stares intertwined. Looking at the panic and fear saturated in her glistening blue eyes Fangs heart wrenched into tangled knots. Nearly exactly ten years ago Jasper had been similarly chased by an Aroncole. The difference being that he could''ve fled from it on foot with a bit of effort had he so wished. At the time he had been an eighteen year old who had unlocked his sixth Gate a good portion of time prior to being chased by the male Aroncole. Talon was a ten year old who had only just unlocked her seventh Gate five days ago being chased by a stronger more agile female Aroncole. She was fleeing rapidly but the beast behind her was eating the distance up, it was just a matter of mere moments before its beak would be clamped about her delicate neck. Fang could easily envision the inevitable outcome of the chase and his heart hesitated for a moment. Only a moment. Then he resolved himself to a rare course of reckless abandon. He veered from his original path of escape and moving faster than he had ever done so before he careered after his terrified sister. The birch bow on his back was useless as of now, things were unfolding far to quickly for him to take time to stop, load and shoot. Talon would''ve fallen victim to the snapping hooked beak by then. Fang had only moved just twenty yards from his original cowering position before he resolutely made his brave choice. Yet again Fang found himself chasing after Talon. Talons little heart was frantically trying to burst out of her chest as she glanced behind herself again only to see that the Aroncole was rapidly closing in. Terror was balled into a tight knot that sat heavily within her stomach. Had she not been desperately gasping as much stagnant forest air into her constricted chest as she could she would be shrilly screaming. A loud roar that ripped free from a young boys throat crashed and echoed about behind her ¡°Talon duck!¡± Hearing her twins cry she acted instantaneously without thought and catapulted herself off to the side. Six incisor like claws slashed where the soft nape of her neck had been not even a second earlier. Instead of sinking into tender flesh they ripped into the bow and quiver upon her back wrenching them away from her. Watching Talon barely dodge the Aroncoles lethal leaping dive Fang felt his heart slightly loosen as she escaped what had seemed like a certain imminent death. Seeing his sister scrambling forward upon the floor whilst the Aroncole rapidly stalked after her Fang who was just fifteen yards away let loose the turbulent emotions that raged and toiled inside of him as a hoarse roar. It was a shout composed of a twisted mixture of crazed bravado, terror and a budding crimson rage. He desperately wished to draw the creatures attention away from his vulnerable sister whom thrashed upon the forested floor. Terrified tears cascaded down his face and spittle flew from his open mouth as he watched the Aroncole pay him no heed and sink its claws ahold of Talons slender shin halting her crawling escape. A shrill girls scream echoed joining a young boys raging roar. Fang had no intention of slowing down at this point and was committed into hurtling across the last ten yards that lay between him and his sister into the Aroncole. His green eyes glistened with tears, as well as a frenzied resolution. The Aroncole swiftly stepped forward and pinned the screaming Talons back down with its free forelimb before slightly opening its wickedly hook beak. Yellow callous eyes intently bored into the writhing little girls neck ready to clamp its beak down and relish the hot squirting of fresh blood. Fang was frenziedly pouring every last ounce of energy he could beckon into the channels that flowed to his legs, ramming his pathways full with reckless abandon. He was summoning every bit of speed he could coax from his stubby legs so he could hit the Aroncole as hard as he could. He was but five yards from the beast. Faintly he felt disassociated from the entire situation. His sisters shrill screaming and his own hoarse shouting softly rung within his ears as if it was coming from far far away. Fang closed his eyes. -- Julius Calendar 908 Month Of The Weakest Solaris 21st Talon and Fang are attacked by an Aroncole -- Chapter 9 Julius Calendar 908 Month Of The Weakest Solaris 21st -- Fangs vision went black as his eyes snapped shut and he braced himself for what he knew was going to be the greatest impact of his pitifully short life. To Fangs ears the howl that erupted from his own lips didn''t sound like it originated from his own throat. It mixed with his sisters shrill scream creating a cacophony of terror that sounded far away and remote. Disassociated. The one noise that heavily resounded within the darkness of his shut vision was the frantic beating of his young heart. ¡°FANG!¡± A reverberating roar ripped forth behind him tearing apart the disassociation and viciously striking his ears. The massive shockwave of sound hit him physically like a blow from a hammer. Fangs head throbbed and his closed eyes blearily opened to a spinning pitching world. Multitudes upon multitudes of colourful birds within half a mile took flight as the imposing roar rampaged within the Axe. The midnight black Aroncole visibly flinched as the great sound blasted into its finely attuned ears. Fang was moving far too rapidly to come to a halt and now as his ears throbbed and his vision swum from the still echoing earth shaking roar he tripped and violently pitched forward. Slamming into the hard leafy ground he slid upon his belly across the rugged forest ground as his great momentum refused to allow him to gently stop. He eventually ungainly came to a halt face down. Raising his scratched face that was stained with blood, snot and tears his frenzied gaze that had regained a portion of clarity caught behold of the imposing black Aroncole that was standing atop his sobbing sister no more than a yard away from where he now lay prostrate. The beast was all the more insidious to his gaze from such a close range. It''s yellow eyes flickered with a calculated cunning that flushed the remainder of the frantic rage from his system. He lay paralysed on the rugged forest floor as he realised what he had just been about to career head first into. A monstrously wicked Aroncole that stood taller in stature than even he himself did. He had quite literally been running to his own death. The horrifying realisation was utterly sobering. As his terrified green gaze examined the beast from such a personal vantage point his fear fogged muggy mind noticed that it seemed guarded. The wailing Talon clasped within its sinister claws was entirely disregarded as its malicious eyes cautiously sized up something behind the prone Fang. Then to Fangs fazed minds complete bewilderment the Aroncole did something so unexpected his jaw fell agape. Instead of sinking its vicious beak into his sisters unprotected feeble neck it slowly turned its long sinuous body so it was facing directly towards Fang then whilst hunching lower than it had been before it slowly slinked backwards. As the beast retreated from his sobbing sisters form upon the ground it never once removed its intense intelligent glare from something that lurked behind Fang. As Fangs mind reeled in shock at the unexpected turn of events something rough and powerful suddenly grabbed the back of Fangs neck in a tight grasp. Crinkling his dirty boyish features from the surprising pain he yelped as he was hauled upwards. Hauled up to his feet. Once standing the iron grasp about his neck loosened then moved to his right youthful shoulder roughly pulling him backwards. Fang was in a stunned stupor as he stumbled backwards. His befuddled mind was reeling and he had no idea as to what was happening. Whilst he stupidly teetered backwards a large shadow on his right glided past him moving directly in front of him. Blocking his confused and scared gaze from the insidious Aroncole. Fangs terrified green eyes grew wide as he realised what the shadow that had just slipped in from of him was. It was the broad back of a tall imposing man. Across the mans shoulders was draped a dirty worn black pelt adorned with many holes that led upwards into a hood that obscured the entirety of the mans thick back and head from Fangs gaze. The young boys scared expression froze for a moment then wiping the mud, tears and blood away from his terrified eyes he blinked a few times as if making sure he wasn''t hallucinating. As he confirmed his sight was truthful tears of a radically different kind to the frightened ones that had just been flowing once again spilt from his eyes cascading down his ragged and worn face. Turbulent emotions swirled within him as be viewed that strong back that steadily advanced forward. Relief, joy and a deep rooted reassurance that they would all walk away alive flushed away the terror, rage and anguish that had only moments ago been constricting his stocky chest. As the man took a steady step forwards the Aroncole took a steady step back. There was a deep rooted wariness within its intelligent gaze as it glared at the domineering figure that stood before it. It seemed to be of the same species of the two creatures it had just been hunting but the Aroncoles finely honed instincts whispered to it, telling it to turn tail and flee in the face of a predator deadlier than even itself. For a short moment Talons sobbing and the crunching of two pairs of heavy footsteps were the sole noises that filled the environment that was rife with tension. Talons sobbing soon stilled as the man reached her prone form and towered over her. Talon felt the crushing weight of the beast atop her disappear. Her little eyes were screwed shut tight and her choking wails were pitifully despondent. Her befuddled terrified mind grasped at vague straws as she tried to guess at what was happening but a thick fog of fear kept screaming at her that at some point soon she was going to die. Any second now the Aroncoles wickedly hooked beak would clamp around her frail little blonde head and that would be it. She''d die. It was because of this deep rooted despair that the girl stayed curled upon the floor with her eyes balled shut, her only motion the shuddering shaking of her chest as she sobbed and wailed. But as the fate that she thought was inevitable continued be delayed some of the thick fear that blanketed her sense of reason dissipated. She felt the slightly warm sun rays on her face. For now she was still alive. Sucking a deep breath into her lungs she fought back against the overwhelming fear and terror of imminent death and opened her eyes. Blearily looking around she took in the muddy forest floor she lay upon. Craning her head she peered behind her. No Aroncole. Abruptly the gentle warm light of the sun that had filtered through the dense canopy overhead was robbed from her frightened form. Glancing upwards Talons terrified sobbing caught in her throat. Looming over her like a great pillar stretching to the blue heavens was a domineering bronzed man. He wore only a hide loincloth and old Aroncole cloak. His frame was burly and muscular, his biceps alone similar in size to Talons tiny torso. Upon his face was a thick bushy brown beard that grew many inches from his obscured but strong jawline. The beard concealed the lower portion of a faded scar than ran the length of the left side of his face from his eye downwards. A great mane of hazel hair fanned out from underneath the Aroncole skull he donned as hood. Within the mans glimmering chestnut eyes a darkness that normally stayed coiled and buried was revealing its full depth fanned to life by a smouldering rage and worry. Talons distraught sobbing caught in her throat and her heart was doused in an overwhelming flood of relief and warmth. It didn''t matter that the the ferocious Aroncole was assuredly still in the area. Right now she was safe. Now this man was here she was safe. Her youthful voice that was normally filled with vigour and energy sounded out cracked from fatigue and crying. ¡°Uncle Jasper.¡± There was bone deep love wrapped within her hoarse voice. Looking down at the ragged injured little girl he had watched and cared for throughout the years Jasper softly smiled. ¡°Get up Talon.¡± His voice was as smooth and as steady as it always was, reassuring both of the tense terrified twins. He extended a strong bronze hand down to her however his gaze that was wrapped in a smouldering darkness never left the Aroncole whom was cautiously crouched only but ten yards away. The Jasper of today was far removed from the individual who had similarly exchanged glares with a smaller beast ten years back. The boy of yesteryear had been overcome with fright and had turned tail before facing his fears for his father and hamlet. The man of today was barely suppressing the dark desire that burned hot within his stomach to rush forward and tear apart the animal before him. Ever since the day he had extracted the twins from the mound of corpses that the was Little Willow a sinister cluster of darkness had taken root inside of him. It influenced him daily. Before that day he didn¡¯t have a single reservation about killing his prey but afterwards he found a sliver of satisfaction was to be had by hunting an animal down and ending its life with his bare hands. Obviously such deep dark blackness and wretched emotion was kept locked up by a warm affection and blissful tenderness when he was around the twins. But now he found the root of the warmth and affection that he cherished and used to chain his darkness away threatened Jasper was seething. The berserk fury was bubbling inside of his stomach with greater and greater intensity and just as he could contain it no longer and was about to burst forward and engage in a slaughter a small shaking tender hand grasped his own. The boiling fury was chained rapidly by a deep concern as he felt the trembling little hand within his own. With an effortless motion Jasper pulled Talon to her trembling legs. His sharp gaze noted that Talon stood beside him with a slight limp on her right leg. Compressing the wrath away deep inside of him Jasper dismissed the notion of slaying the Aroncole for now. The twins immediate safety was his greatest priority. ¡°Get behind me and back away slowly¡± Jaspers voice was slow and steady, it didn''t convey a single iota of the rage that coiled within him. He didn''t want to alarm and spook the crouched beast that was still and cautious before him. The Aroncole was tentatively eyeing up Talon who was now feebly limping backwards, however it''s cunning yellow eyes drifted back to the imposing form of Jasper and its instincts quivered putting an absolute stop to any wicked intentions it had been having. The Aroncole was at base a creature of instinct, it would pay their wise council close heed. Jasper warily observed Fang slowly dart forward and wrap an arm in support around Talon before they stealthily and slowly hobbled away from Jaspers broad back who was acting as an impenetrable barrier between them and the scared Aroncole. A few breaths passed and the two steadily got further and further away. Jaspers bronze brows creased deeply. The Aroncoles sharp yellow eyes were irate and worriedly fixated upon the twins who were limping in retreat. The long graceful tail began swishing aggressively through the air whilst it''s hooked beak opened and closed somewhat. Jaspers many years as a woodsman let him easily read the animals behaviour. He knew it was getting increasingly nervous and agitated. Agitated and nervous animals do dangerous things.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Suddenly the Aroncole moved, it turned and began pacing side to side in front of Jasper all the while intently glaring at Fang and Talon who were now near fifty yards away. Jasper was glaring at the Aroncole far more intently. His mind was rapidly analysing the situation trying to ascertain as to what it was that was agitating the beast. Perhaps his own close vicinity? He could think of no other reason so Jasper took a small step back. Fangs glistening green eyes never once left the strong broad back of his uncle Jasper as he steadily moved further away from the ferocious Aroncole. The pair of them were moving in a heavy cloaking silence bar their deep breathing. He had Talons slender right arm wrapped over his own shoulders and was supporting her as she hobbled backwards. She was quickly regaining her agile mobility. Although the beast had grasped her shin within its lethal grip it hadn''t inflicted any severe damage, it had merely wanted to hold her in place not injure her. They were now nearly fifty yards from uncle Jasper and the Aroncole suddenly turned and started pacing to and fro. Nervousness fanned to life within Fangs heart, the last thing he wanted to watch was uncle Jasper mauled by the very vicious beast they had provoked. The Aroncole that was slinking about before him was far bigger than the skin he wore as a cloak, Fang knew he had received the scar upon his left cheek in retaliation for killing the smaller beast. Worry wormed its way into Fangs chest in force as he thought to there. He trusted uncle Jasper implicitly but having faced the beast personally he knew of its grand sheer size and the debilitating terror it inspired within one. Fangs green eyes went wide as he watched Jasper softly take a small step back. Then his hurried breath stalled in his throat as he watched the pacing Aroncole burst into explosive motion. With a few bounding leaps it careered off to the right of uncle Jasper ripping through any resisting undergrowth at a rapid speed before angling directly towards himself and Talon. The terror that had only just been extinguished once again frantically fanned to life as he stared slack jawed at the great predator that raced towards them. Every single motion it made was powerful and the way in which its callous yellow eyes bored into the twins suggested it had devoted itself to hunting them down. A breath hadn''t even passed and Fang could only weakly stare at the encroaching loping beast. A small portion of him screamed that he should turn tail and run with Talon however his body would only weakly stand and watch, the great fatigue of the last few minutes had taken a heavy toll on the young boys mind. Instead of fleeing his eyes devoured the contours and shape of the incoming Aroncole searing its ferocious frenzied form into the deepest recesses of his memory. Within Fangs vision that was centred upon the powerful Aroncole a black shadow flashed by his peripherals then burst into his direct line of sight. It moved like an enraged bolt of lightning tearing through thick thorny bushes as if they were duckweeds bursting towards the moving beasts side. In less than a heartbeat the shadow reached the unaware Aroncole. A wet crunch rang before eerie silence returned to the Axe after the sudden burst of movement. Fang blinked in daze. From the Aroncole initially moving to the wet crunch ringing forth no more than four seconds had ticked by. His boyish green eyes were awash with a aghast shock and surprise. His gaze had captured the sudden happening of the events and he was now entranced by what he saw. The flashing shadow had been uncle Jasper. Both hunter and hunted were now motionless, frozen still. Uncle Jasper stood serenely to the side of the great black beast that had now become limp. The Aroncoles body lay prone on the floor it''s back right leg still weakly thrashed and kicked. Uncle Jaspers right robust hand was extended outwards and had taken within its grasp the top of the beasts midnight black head. The Aroncoles skull had been utterly crushed within his encompassing grasp. Large shards of white stained an iridescent crimson jutted through the black fur of the remnants of the Aroncoles head standing tall through clenched fingers. Brain matter and blood stained uncle Jaspers bronze hands crimson and grey. An aghast shock and queasiness bubbled into being within Fangs stomach. Rapidly flushing away the revulsion was an overwhelming sense of relief that uncle Jasper was alright. Then came a wave of profoundly deep respect for the indomitable strength uncle Jasper had just revealed. There was a small thread of fear mixed in within it. Fang himself was entirely aware of the ferocity and power the Aroncole had at its grasp. Yet the death it had just suffered resembled a rabbits within the jaws of a wolf. Fang was overwhelmed. Jasper released his clenched bronze hand and let loose a sigh of release. His body that had been tightly wound up slowly relaxed. Within his hazel eyes the shroud of darkness that had just now surged upwards with a spiralling howl retreated to the recesses of his gaze as he fluidly bent down and wiped his hand upon the forest floor cleansing it of brain matter and scarlet blood. Looking at the large corpse that still twitched with remnant life a trace of puzzlement creased his brow. Why had the Aroncole that had obviously been frightful of him acted in such a rash forced way? Turning his gaze towards the twins who limply stood still his gaze roamed about until it came to rest upon the twigged nest that was nearly directly above them. For a split moment Jaspers hazel eyes that were fixated upon the nest turned a muggy grey before rapidly returning to normal. Jasper sighed. There was no satisfaction within his answer just a strong sourness. Jasper gently shook his head causing his thick hazelnut mane to roll and wave. ¡°The things a parent will do.¡± Gracefully rising to his feet he fluidly traversed the forest to the shocked and battered Fang and Talon who had both sunk to a seat upon the leafy floor. As he neared them his voice scathingly rung out. It was cutting and unsympathetic. ¡°Talon. Not only did you nearly get yourself killed you nearly killed your brother. The reckless stupidity needs to stop. Today.¡± Talons pale face fell and she dropped her head in obvious shame her long blonde hair hiding her forlorn features. Her reply was weak and feeble and softly emerged from within the waterfall of hair. ¡°Sorry.¡± Jasper opened his mouth to tell her it wasn''t him she needed to apologise to. ¡°Fang. I was stupid and you suffered for it. I''m sorry¡± But as Talon continued his reprimand caught in his throat and his slightly agape mouth closed. Talon lifted her heavy head and pathetically stared at her brother. Her shimmering blue eyes had once again grown tearful. Seeing the weak look that Talon cast at him that contrasted so bitterly with the normal energy she exuded Fang smiled softly. Warmly he comforted her. ¡°Hey you didn''t ask me to follow you. That¡¯s something I chose to do.¡± Seeing her weakly smile but still remaining plagued by negativity he continued. ¡°And it''s something I''ll always choose to do Talon.¡± She paused as she heard him then the tears in her shimmering blue eyes began freely flowing as she savoured her brothers tender words. Jasper remained stony faced however a smile could be seen floating within his eyes at Fangs response. ¡°Uncle Jasper. Were you following us this whole time?¡± Fangs tired voice sounded out again this time laced with a deep curiosity. He wanted to know why they had been rescued, surely it wasn''t a coincidence that Jasper had just been hunting in the area. Pausing for a moment Jasper turned his head to gaze out at the surrounding gloomy forest appreciating the odd rays of light that pierced the overhead canopy and softy filtered down to the ground. Silence reigned for a moment before he replied without looking at them, his voice as steady and smooth as always. ¡°Whilst out hunting I suddenly had a terrible feeling. Straight away I went back to the glade to find you were both gone. So I set out tracking after the pair of you. I struggled but luckily caught up in time¡­ Very luckily.¡± He paused for a moment to let the twins digest his narrative before fixing his sight on Fang and continuing somewhat more softly. ¡°It''s a good job you went with her Fang. If it wasn''t for your obvious tracks I wouldn¡¯t of covered the ground as quick as I did.¡± A sheepish smile flickered on Fangs face from the somewhat underhanded praise. Jaspers solemn face grew increasingly grave as he turned his gaze towards the large nest up within the oak above them. ¡°Wait here for a moment. I won''t leave a child to suffer after killing its parent.¡± Talons tired pale face turned and followed Jaspers iron gaze. When she caught sight of the nest and realised his meaning a deep sorrow surfaced within her glistening blue eyes. Struggling to her feet she hobbled in between Jasper and the oak before whispering softly. ¡°Uncle Jasper¡­ Please don''t.¡± Jasper turned his icy gaze onto the little girl. ¡°Would you rather the baby starve to death waiting on a mother that isn''t coming back?¡± His voice was steady but the cutting intent wasn''t concealed. Talon bit her lips. ¡°No¡­ I can look after it¡± her voice was quite and hesitant, lacking any firm resolve. ¡°Why? Why would you want to look after a wild Aroncole Talon? They''re animals ruled by instincts. You yourself would need to feed it daily, I hope you wouldn''t expect me to hunt for a beast. When you feed it your only repayment will be scratches and bites. When it''s older the small amount of prey in the outskirts of the Axe won''t be enough. Preys far and few in between for us as it is. It''s an animal of the deep Axe Talon. The day you can''t feed it or food runs short it will turn its yellow eyes upon you as its next meal.¡± Jaspers answer was smooth, well thought out and entirely true. Talons blue eyes wavered for a moment as she listened to each valid point Jasper made. But after he finished she once again turned her gaze to the nest up high. Thinking of the innocent child nestled within that was to be killed because of what she had done her wavering resolution was reinforced by iron. Silence reigned for a breath before Talon spoke slowly and far more surely than before. ¡°Uncle Jasper the baby''s mother died because I came to close to the nest. It''s my fault I know that. It may be hard but I don''t want that baby to die because of my stupidity. No matter what it takes I''ll do it.¡± Her voice softened ¡°Please uncle Jasper.¡± Jasper turned to Fang who sat quietly upon the ground. Sensing Jaspers gaze Fang knew he was being asked for input. Jasper was right it was a matter that affected all three of them after all. Turning to look at his sister who stared intently at him he looked back at her. Recognising the resolution he found within her eyes he helplessly sighed. ¡°As long as I don''t end up as a midnight Aroncole snack I don''t mind.¡± His reply was weak with fatigue and some reluctance but he would concede if his twin truly had her heart set. Besides if the beast grew too unruly he knew uncle Jasper would be the first to act. Talon stared at Jasper imploringly begging him to agree with her glimmering blue eyes. Jasper stood firm and still for a moment before he slowly turned and walked away. His solemn voice hung in the air behind him. ¡°If you want it you can get it. Get climbing Talon.¡± A young girls delighted giggle resounded in reply. -- Julius Calendar 908 Month Of The Weakest Solaris 21st Talon takes in an Aroncole pup --