Northern Village

The village was dark and quiet during this night, a contrast to its usually busy population. The only light visible came from a lone wooden cabin infront of the large wooden gates that was its entrance.

Inside an elderly man could be seen at his desk, slowly writing away in a parchment. Taking a swig from the bottle next to him he gave a grunt and continued writing with a frown. The only sound keeping him company being the snowy winds outside and the gentle tapping of his pen.

A soft knock came to his door, 'that better be them' he thought and raised his voice.

"Come in!"

The door gently opened and revealed a brawny man with hair white as the snow outside.

"They're not back yet elder" The man gently said

"I know shiro, if they were Tatsumi would have woken the whole village just to show his latest catch" The elder spoke and a soft chuckle could be heard from them both.

"Yeah, well, going at this rate I doubt they'll be back until sunrise. I'll keep watch, you better let those old bones rest"

"Nothing old about me yet except these gray hairs in my beard. Why don't you take a seat, maybe help me with this letter."

Shiro took his seat across the elder with a short grunt.

"Is it finally time?" Shiro asked

"Yes I do believe it is, they are no longer children."

"I don't think sixteen is old enough for the capital."

"Maybe, maybe not, but they are strong enough to take care of themselves, and us for that matter."

"It was never a question about strength, it was a question about maturity. Tatsumi in particular, that boy has a nasty habit for violence."

"What sixteen year old doesn't? And besides, he's going to need it to survive the military."

"Yeah yeah no need to tell me twice."

A silence fell between the two only to be broken by a distant howl a few seconds later.

Shiro tilted his head slightly towards the noise. "Seems like the danger beasts are coming back."

"Yes, without the partas clan to hunt them they are starting to become a real problem again."

"Partas clan huh? You know there was a girl from there that joined the army just before i left. Didn't catch her name but she's probably dead at this point or worse so it doesn't really matter does it?"

The elder stood up and slammed his desk with his palm. "Look shiro, you were the one who fed them the idea to join up from the beginning and even if they don't, this village will starve by the end of the year!"

They stared intensely at each other, neither wanting to give ground.

a few seconds passed and shiro averted his eyes. "Yeah I know, guess I just grew attached at some point."

The elder gave a sigh and sat down again. "Look it's not that I don't know what you are feeling but we will all starve if we do not send someone, and they are the best that we got."

"Yeah they are, I was the one who trained them after all." Shiro said proudly with a smug smirk.

"Great, now will you please sign this letter? Not much of a recommendation if you don't."

"Yeah yeah." Shiro said as he took the pen and scribbled down his name.

Sayo

"Hey Leyasu! Can't we atleast wait outside the forest for him?"

"What? In this freezing cold? I'm not too keen to die yet but if you are then go ahead."

"ugh, fine, if you don't want to wait for him lets go back and get him."

"Nonono me and Tatsumi had a gentlemans agreement. The prime cut Sayo think of the prime cut."

"If you don't go with me then I will make you into a prime cut."

"Oh yeah and what if I'm into that sort of thing huh? What you gonna do now?"

"ugh just shut up and follow me. I'm going back for him."

"Fine fine, whatever you say princess."

Trudging through the thick snow was no easy feat, less so with Leyasu's constant comments about everything. But quickly we found our way back to the track we originally followed.

"Alright, this is where we left him he can't be that far" I said through laburous breath.

"Let's hope not, I don't wanna do more cardio than sensei makes us do."

"Stop being weird and just call him teacher like everyone else."

"Aww but then I won't be irritating to you anymore."

Rolling my eyes I look to the path ahead once more. Animal tracks that have started to disappear due to the falling snow and deeper boot imprints next to them.

"Come on let's keep goi-" Something cracked close by.

"Sayo did you hear th-"

"shh" I spit out while signaling with my finger.

Looking towards the sound it was hard to make out anything. The falling snow and dense trees coupled with the dark of night made it nigh impossible to see ahead of you much less something in the distance.

Another crack then another and soon a humongous shadowy figure could be made out in the dark.

Gripping my bow tighter and tighter I awaited for the thing to show itself. Notching an arrow I took aim towards it and held.

The figure came closer and closer. Then a humongous bear could be seen, and underneath a brown haired boy carrying it.

"Tatsumi!" I cried out as I dropped the bow and ran forward.

"Hey sayo, thought you guys were going back?"

"We were but sayo threatened to gut me if we didn't turn back for you."

I turned quickly around and gave Leyasu a sharp glare but was only met with a wide smile. The glare only grew fiercer.

"Huh, well I'm glad you did. This thing is heavy." Tatsumi said as he put it down.

Only then could I see the state he was in. The claw marks on his chest and leg. The multiple bruised parts on his body.

"Tatsumi we need to patch this up right now. You're bleeding more than Leyasu during his time of the month."

"Hey!" I heard from behind me, not bothering to turn around.

"haha yeah I kinda didn't bring any bandages with me, so I hope you did." Tatsumi said while stroking the back of his head and with a smile on his face.

Sighing I reach into my leather pouch and fish the bandages up.

"Yeah of course I did. Now stay still and let me help."

An even wider smile and a chuckle was the only reply I got.

Shiro

Outside leaning against the elders cabin I stare at the gates waiting.

Taking a second to look down on the letter in my hand it fills me with a sense of dread and pride.

The capital huh? Once a haven for everyone, now nothing more than a slum pretending to be a palace. The memories of the last years of my service flashing through my mind. Whore houses, dying children in the street, bribing politicians, sometimes it happened in that order too.

I wager tearing the letter up and making them stay but the elders words ring through my head. If they don't do this we will all die, them included. But then again, if they do do this, what then? Just another mindless soldier for the fat bastards at the top? Or perhaps the saviour that came to get rid of the infestation.

Looking up again i see three small figures and one large one.

"Looks like they made it back" I say outloud

I looked at the letter again before moving forwards.

"Lets hope for the second option."

Looking up again I see the proud smile on Tatsumi's face in the distance as he waves at me.

"A saviour of millions" I say to myself with a growing smile as I take my steps forward to greet them.