Blood poured from the young Nulzan’s many wounds. The fluid spilled relentlessly, joining its brethren as it began to soak the soil below, punishment for his weakness. Yet, his focus was pulled far from the ever-present pain and injury.

He was nameless, having yet to earn his Hunter’s name. A failure, despite the opportunity that he could grasp. Whereas most others had thrown themselves into their newly-developed Seeds in order to increase their power - and thus have greater ability to empower themselves further - he had been unable to do so. Each time he approached the memories recorded within his soulseed, he shied away, unable to face them. Unable to allow himself to feel the same fear again, the same abject terror that had gripped the whole tribe as they faced their imminent destruction.

Though they had managed to salvage the situation with the numerous powers and abilities granted by their collective Awakening, that sense of helplessness would never change. Each time he delved within his seed, he would have to face it once more. And each time, he would have to suffer its grip. No matter how strong that he became.

Due to his expendability, he had been sent to accompany the light-bringer in his hunt for the young Sky Serpent that had plagued their territory. Though the chieftain held a great duty and responsibility for the tribe, enough that he had even Awakened, it was that very same duty that compelled the chieftain to send him in particular. His potential loss would not be overly troublesome for the tribe.

And it was an expected loss. The light-bringer had been sent to defeat their enemy, but it had been a far-off chance that he would succeed. At best, the hope had been that he would injure the beast enough that a team of Nulzan Hunters could finish it off.

Yet, he had won. He had not only defeated the Sky Serpent, but he had done so irrevocably, instantly, and with overwhelming strength.

It was a strength that he couldn’t help but wish to possess for himself - a strength that stoked the flames of admiration within him.

Yet, many of the other Hunters were not so appreciative. Perhaps it was due to delving within their own soulseeds, as he had been unable to do, forcing them to experience the combined assaults of the light-bringers and the Sky Serpent helplessly - over and over, unceasingly.

And, unfortunately, his vocal laudation of their new ally had drawn their ire. Ikzchl was at the forefront of these. A strong Hunter who had recently been one of the first of the newly-Awakened to achieve their second Boon, after his brother. His brother, who had been killed in an assault on a group of light-bringers - his head smashed to a pulp from behind by a warhammer.

He watched as the two clashed, the light-bringer narrowly dodging Ikzchl’s furious claws. Yet, as time dragged on, none landed a blow on their target. The light-bringer was not just strong - he was more agile than even Ikzchl.

Suddenly, the light-bringer loosed a blow of his own, the impact letting out an audible crack. Having witnessed his strength previously, he had no doubt that bone had been shattered by the attack.

His suspicions were confirmed a moment later, when Ikzchl fell back in shock. A venomous aura began to gleam around the injured Nulzan’s claws. He could only watch in horror, as he knew what would soon come. After the death of his brother, he had achieved his second Boon. Having witnessed it himself, he could verify its strength. Fever Dream - it sent Ikzchl’s target into a realm of nightmares, trapping them within their own mind. Yet, the damage suffered was very much real. When exposed, he had been unable to break free. It was only due to Ikzchl ending the effect that he remained alive.

The light-bringer froze, twitching slightly as Fever Dream began to take effect, an unstable smile appearing. In the next moment the light-bringer disappeared, and a demon formed of shadows took his place. It shrieked powerfully, the sound of fear itself piercing the air, cutting through the sounds of the surrounding Nulzan.

He felt his body weaken as his mind was assaulted by the cry, an unnatural fear pushing against him.

Startled into stillness by the sight of his Boon’s effects being shaken off so easily, and afflicted by the same effects of Fear’s Cry, Ikzchl froze.

The demon looked around, meeting the gaze of the watching Nulzan hunters confidently. A tinge of fear had pervaded each of them as it howled in fury, roiling their blood with its intensity. Black miasma coalesced from within the crowd, coiling its way towards the darkened figure, hovering slightly over the ground as it traveled.

Though each individual Nulzan hunter felt only a small amount of fear, the sheer number of affected entities present amounted to a breathtaking volume. It flowed towards its master, twisting around the shrouded form as if eagerly dancing with a long-lost lover.

The smog wisped around the figure lightly, blurring its motions. As it did so, it flowed inward gently, and the demon’s movements began to change - becoming inordinately graceful.

It looked back at Ikzchl and stepped forward.

A stronger haze began to grow around the injured opponent, and the shadow grasped it - consuming it as well. Though the source of Fear from the surrounding Nulzan had begun to slow, he knew that it had already gained more than it needed.

Despite the unfortunate turn of events and the fear that assaulted his mind, Ikzchl broke past his fear and charged. Defiance spilled forth from his bearing, his unwillingness to be broken and beaten. He rushed forward, heedless of his right upper arm flopping uselessly as he did so, pain forgotten in his determination.

Determination was not enough.

He barreled towards the approaching demon, swiping with poisonous claws. At the same moment that he began his attack, the figure had already begun to sidestep the blow. Claws ripped through empty air, rending nothing but the wind itself.

A sharp crack split the air once more as the shadowy figure lashed out with a devastating kick, shattering the hunter’s right leg. The Nulzan dropped to one knee, his shattered leg unable to bear the weight of his body. As he fell, he grunted in pain, slashing out once more - and once more, meeting only air.

The demon stepped past, grabbing the Nulzan’s tail in his hands. He whipped it through the air, sending him barreling over the earth before coming to a sliding stop through the soil.

Casually, the shadowed figure followed in his wake.

It strode through the ruined earth that had been left in Ikzchl’s wake, before reaching the collapsed Hunter. A shadow-cloaked foot pressed against the Nulzan’s vulnerable throat.

Though the remaining dark miasma continued to flow, the obscuring cloak wisped away, revealing the light-bringer’s form once more. He kept his foot to his defeated opponent’s throat, a hard glint in his eyes.

“I am your enemy no longer. Do not make the mistake of turning me into one.” He raised his voice. “Your chieftain and I have come to an agreement,” he announced. “What you may not know are the details. Together, we will scour the jungle and quickly increase in strength - while beating back those who seek to invade you. And then, when the time is right, the strongest among you will be chosen to return with me - to the light-bringer’s stronghold itself.”

The unnamed Nulzan felt a surge of excitement at his words. Perhaps he would gain the strength to face his Seed after all. He would need to, if he wished to be among the chosen.