We were guided into an encampment which featured a gathering of hide and cloth tents. Most of the bloodhorn were corralled into a sturdy cage made from fallen trees and logs. I rested within the center of the panicked Bloodhorn who let out aggressive cries, breathing wildly as fear and panic took hold.

‘Could you all be quiet for a while?’ I wanted to ask.

My intent earned me a few moments of silence and they turned to stare at me, instantly making me regret it.

My eyes looked toward the humans outside of the makeshift pen they made for us and I was relieved to see none had noticed the brief occurrence. They were too busy celebrating the spoils of war so to speak, I could hear the enthusiastic tales of how each man wrestled with the Bloodhorn they caught.

Scratches, scrapes, and bruises were like trophies, a testament to their bravery and endurance while those without injury boasted of their strength in subduing the large elk with little issue. I watched as children ran around the camp, giggling excitedly.

I watched several bonfires were lit and large iron cauldrons were brought forward.

‘Delightful.’ I thought, with the idea of being cooked confirmed by their preparations.

Regardless, I settled myself and entered a state of meditation. Even as it grew darker and the smell of burning wood became more prominent, I hardly let my concentration slip. My connection with the wind grew stronger with each moment and I could feel that my chances of escape shot up exponentially.

“Is that Jorgun?” said a clueless child, his eyes aimed elsewhere.

His innocent question was followed by low exclamations and hushed whispers as the mood grew serious.

To gain a beginners insight into the understanding of elements, the following is needed:

-99/100 hours of meditation (Air)

-15/200 hours of meditation (Wood)

-7/200 hours of meditation (Earth)

-0/500 hours meditation (Water)

-0/1000 hours of meditation (Lightning)

-0/5000 hours of meditation (Fire)

-0/5000 hours of meditation (Metal)

Necessary hours are based on your current affinity with each element. Locations that are related to a specific element will drastically increase the rate at which you gain insight. To commune with Spirits, you must gain insight into at least 2 elements.

‘The exact number of hours,’ I thought, watching as the letters and numbers shifted before me.

-99.7/100 hours of meditation (Air)

I was nearly there.

“Hear me!” A bellowing voice broke through my thoughts.

Turning to the source revealed a towering figure wearing pelts of animals. I could even smell the dried blood he used to paint himself with. A brutish smile hung on his face as he surveyed over the hunting tribe. I heard a few of the hunters refer to him as a boy, but he was obviously a full-grown man.

“While the elders and my father attend to other matters, I seek to challenge the best warriors from the bog tribes further south. This tribute you have delivered to me will grant me strength and I will take the heads of any tribe which seeks to overturn the rule of my father and elders. Begin the slaughter!”

His shout spurred dozens of men into action as they surrounded the cage and tugged at the robes, slowly retrieving bloodhorn one by one. The design of the cage was ingenious as its entrance was just big enough for one bloodhorn to fit at a time. It ensured that none could rush out in an attempt to be free, but I wasn’t worried.

I closed my eyes and returned to my meditation, feeling that insight toward the element of air was within my reach.

Minutes flew by as the stench of blood became heavier, sharp cries of beasts being slaughtered echoed through the night.

“What’s with this one?” Jorgun asked, having approached the cage at some point.

I could feel his intense gaze on me, but I ignored it. I only need a few moments more.

“Ah, that one? Yer’ not gonna believe it, but it didn't put up a fight at all,” one hunter snickered while another tossed a small stone at me.

The wind felt clear as if glided through my fur and dug into my bones. An epiphany struck me harder than any rock could and I could feel it. I could feel the air within several meters of my body. Sometimes it was calm and others it grew turbulent or faded altogether.

“That true?” Jorgun asked.

“Sure is, Jorgun!” Someone quickly replied.

“Then I want that one, I want to know if it taste of cowardice.”

I could hardly hear them as my fur rippled, a current of air was generated as I focused on my intent toward the building storm inside of my mind.

You have unlocked insight into the element (Air). As the Bearer of the Spirit of Nature, you are the most in tune with natural elements. Gaining insight allows you to wield aspects of nature in whatever way you wish for a time.

A basic understanding allows you to offers increased sensory, increased speed, and even the ability to conjure brief but powerful gales.

To further advance your insight into the element of air you will need to meditate for a greater period of time.

-100/500 hours of meditation (Air)

My gaze was focused as they tried to pull me out of the pen. I was confident now, the wooden confine looked weaker in my eyes so I called the wind to me. I felt a surge of air erupt from underneath me as I kicked forward.

My body shot forward as I put my horns to the ground, with a burst of speed, I charged forward.

“Ahk!” A brief scream entered my ears as whoever was pulling the line around my neck was thrown forward.

I felt the impact travel through my horns as I burst through the wooden walls enclosing me, setting not only myself but also the remaining bloodhorn free.

“Hey!”

“Spear them!”

“Bows, grab your bows!”

The hunters panicked, never expecting a sudden escape to take place. Meanwhile, I didn’t run immediately. Feeling unexpectedly brave, I charged the hunters before they could react.

Bones were snapped as I hit like a truck. A crisp impact filled my ears with each hunter I struck. I searched for those who taunted me so I could settle my grudge.

“Beast!” A shout rang out as a spear whipped past me, just barely missing my head.

Jorgun glared in my direction, his eyes spilling over with rage and shame at the disrupted feast that was in his honor. Armed with a short sword and a wooden shield, he bashed them together as if to goad me.

I kicked the ground, but I wasn’t dumb enough to risk being stabbed. I conjured up a gale, experiencing a new sensation as the wind howled and pushed Jorgun. The moment his footing became unsteady is the moment my antlers gored him.

The astringent scent of blood covered my snout as I felt added weight on the horns attached to my head. Jorgun writhed around in shock as he was pierced through, but I flung him upward without mercy.

‘Greedy bastard,’ I wanted to say to him.

To even attempt to slaughter 50 bloodhorn elk for a stupid feast was taunting nature itself. It would far less insulting to stand in the middle of a thunderstorm wearing a suit of copper.

I watched as his body crashed into the ground before I delivered a series of rapid hoof kicks at him, battering him into the dirt with as much force as I could produce. Bones cracked and his body stopped moving before long. Even then, I didn't relent until his bones were visibly broken and that's when I finally ran off. It didn't take long, in fact, it was a little surprising to see how fragile he was in comparison to me.

Arrows sailed toward me as several hunters, tried to pursue me while the others rushed over to him. The fear plastered to their faces wasn’t from me. From what I gathered, there would be hell for them to pay once Jorgun’s father or the elders who doted on him found out, but that wasn’t my problem.

I wasn’t sure if I killed the pelt-wearing hunter, but one last glance revealed and unmoving body. I faced the horizon and sprinted deeper into the woodlands, aiming for nowhere in particular.