Chapter 56: First Mark
Content Warning: This Chapter contains a scene involving the mercy killing of an injured animal.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
Crouching behind the reeds and tall grass of the marshlands, ignoring the ickiness of mud squelching between her toes, Nova watched in awe as Atia’s usual light-hearted grins and charm fell away, eyes sharpening on the hunt before them. It was like a storm passing over a sunny field as his eyes locked on his target. His focus was so steely that not even the loose strands of his plaited hair brushing against his cheeks could pull his attention away from his prey.
Nova had stopped breathing. The air was still, broken only by the chirr of crickets and the wind stirring the leaves. Atia’s bow was drawn, the curve of the string held steady between his fingers as he slowly pulled it back, the arrow glinting like vapour’s fang under the sunlight. His lean frame was coiled and taut. Not even a tremor passed through him as he took aim at the prey grazing ahead.
Nova’s heart pounded in her ears, her gaze flicking between Atia and the deer beyond the tall grass. This one had strayed from the herd in need of water. Though it had been cautious at first, wary of the dangers lurking in the shallow depths of the marshlands, it relaxed somewhat, deeming it safe enough to drink.
Hidden among the bushes elsewhere, Aiyana lingered. So quiet was the feline that even her presence had vanished. With one slow, measured breath, Atia released his arrow. It sliced through the air and hit its target with a thump. The deer grunted, and then its legs buckled beneath it, splashing murky water around.
The sound of its distress caused the others to flee. The arrow stuck out from its neck, and it tried to move away. Aiyana leapt out of thin air and tackled it further to the ground. Nova released her breath as her heart twisted at the pained sounds the animal was making.
Atia lowered his bow. "I will teach you how to shoot with a smaller bow," he murmured, his hand going to Nova’s back, guiding her gently to walk ahead.
Nova’s fingers clenched tighter on the blade held between both hands. Her palms grew sweaty as she approached the deer, now lying on its side. Its breathing was ragged, legs slowly moving like it was still fighting to survive, but its opponent held it down firmly.
"I don’t know about this," Nova whispered, her voice trembling as tears pooled in her eyes. She couldn’t look away from the deer. Her hands shook, the grip on the knife almost slipping.
Atia’s large hand wrapped around hers, tightening the hold on Firstmark. His expression was softer as she forced her gaze away from the animal. "This is part of the rite. It will get easier," he said calmly and crouched into the murky water, placing his large palm on the deer’s side. In that steady voice, he stared at the deer. "Thank you. You may die so we can live on."