"Remember who you once were. Remember what you have done. "This", is your punishment, and you shall pay for your darkest Sin." A loud ominous voice rang out in pitch darkness, reverberating from all directions, as light began to shine through, making the voice disappear.
A girl in her mid teens shoots her eyes open, as if she awoke from a nightmare. She was panting softly, taking a few deep breaths to calm herself. ("...That same dream again? It is becoming more and more frequent nowadays…")
The girl had long hair as white as snow, along with bright crimson irises. Something about her image seemed somewhat beautiful yet haunting, having features which are not typical for her own race.
The girl got out of bed and began getting dressed out of her white nightgown and into her hunting attire. She grabbed her dagger off the oaken nightstand and slipped it through her belt, and slung her bow on her back as she began to walk downstairs.
As the girl walked downstairs, she saw her parents sitting at the table eating their breakfast of eggs and boar. The girl spoke to them before heading out, telling where she was going, "Mother, father, I'm going out into the forest."
Her father was the first to respond, looking up at his daughter from the table, "Going out this early? Don't you at least want to have something to eat first?" Her father's voice was soft and relaxed, though it was likely because he was a gentle and mellow individual.
"I'll be alright, father. Besides, the wildlife is quite active during the early dawn, so I should leave as soon as I can." She replied to her father's question, pouring herself a glass of water to drink before she heads out.
Her father let out a small sigh, replying back, "Just be careful then. There has been word of a giant boar running amok in the forest. Even the village may need to send several hunters to bring that beast down."
It was then her mother spoke up, replying to her husband, "You mean a mother boar? If it is one, then you have to be extra careful. They will always be close to their young, so be safe out there." She turns back to her daughter, telling her to be careful if she spots a group of boar.
"Don't worry so much. I'll be fine, I'm the village's best huntress after all. I heard of these rumors as well, so I've come prepared just in case." She tells her parents to stop worrying so much about her, pulling out a few small vials containing a bright red liquid out of her pouch.
Her parents looked at the vials she pulled out, as they showed a face of surprise. "Where did you get these? How did you get these?" Her father looked back up, asking her. It was very uncommon to see these in the village; they were healing potions.
"Oh, I got these as a little gift from Boris for always having good hunting trips. As a butcher, he is quite reliant on us hunters after all, so he considered it as a thanks." The girl puts the vials back in her pouch before walking towards the door. "I'll be back in a couple hours. I'll see you two until then." She exits out the door before her parents could say another word.
As the girl walks out of her house, she begins walking on the dirt road, making her way to the forest to the west. On the way, she hears a familiar voice call out to her.
"Oi, well if it ain't lil' miss Sela!" The voice was quite gruff, but also friendly and welcoming.
The girl, who was called "Sela" turns around to the voice which had called out to her. "Oh, good morning Boris. Setting up the shop?"
Boris was a strongly built man in his late 40s. Reaching well over two meters in height with a thick beard. Despite his intimidating presence, he was a very friendly man with a heart of gold.
"Why, of course! Bein' late on the job ain't good for business you know. What 'bout you lil' miss? Headin' out into the forest for some huntin'?" Boris replies energetically.
"Well, yes I am. It's pretty fun hunting, plus it gives the village plenty of food, as you're well aware." Sela replies back.
"Haha! That I am lil' miss. Just be careful, I'm sure you heard the rumors already, but there's a big ol' boar out there that could even rip me to shreds." Boris drops into a more serious tone, warning Sela about how dangerous this boar is.
"Yeah, I heard about it. I'll be careful, but maybe I can get lucky enough and bring that beast back here." Sela responds half-jokingly, she knew this beast would be dangerous no matter how skilled the hunter. One misstep could lead to a fatal injury or even death.
"A'ight then, I won't be keeping you now. Good luck, and may you have a bountiful catch." Boris grants his farewell to Sela and continues setting up his shop.
"Thank you, Boris. I'll come back soon after my hunting trip." Sela begins to walk towards the forest once again, but soon overhears something.
"Madam, You know I don't make the rules. It's a requirement all civilians under the jurisdiction of the kingdom have to serve in its militia for at least a year once they reach eighteen."
Sela looks over to the road over to the left. She had seen an argument between a female soldier and a woman about drafting her son in the kingdom's militia. ("Tch, is it that time of year already?")
Once every year, the kingdom sends in soldiers to draft new recruits who are healthy enough to join the militia. This recruitment cycle lasts a month in the middle of the year. It is under the jurisdiction of the kingdom to rule that "All healthy civilians of the nation over the recruitment age must serve at least one year in the militia, regardless of sex and social status."
("Damn, it'll only be two more years before I get drafted as well...") Sela wasn't particularly fond of this rule the kingdom had created, and she knew it would only be two more years before she was drafted as well.
However, she knew she wasn't able to change the mind of the kingdom. She could not do anything except accept the kingdom's powerful rule.
She does not get involved in this matter, as she knows nothing good will come out of it; quite the opposite really. So Sela just ignores it and leaves the village to go into the forest.
