I. A Gift of Blood
Today was to be a big day for Baku as it was going to be his first hunt. He was sleeping in his hut with his sisters, Cora and Poli. Cora was the oldest of the bunch, the big sister who has kept an eye on her younger siblings since the loss of their parents in years before they had come to be welcomed into the Bone Herd. They did not speak of the story, it was something that always caused them to shut down when anyone ever brought it up.
Not only was it the day of Baku’s arrival to the Bone Herd, but it also marked the day where he has now been with The Bone Herd longer than he was with his mother and father. He was going to embark on the rite of passage to becoming a man much like Yavin, the warrior he admired most..
Baku awoke with a startle as his older brother G’an’n decided to wake him in one of the meanest possible manners…by throwing ice water all over him as he was asleep.
The jolt of freezing water startled him awake. Yavin, standing by the entrance could no longer contain himself and began laughing.
“G’AN’N” Cora yelled at Yavin and G’an’n, angry that Baku wasn’t the only person who was woken in such a manner as the water had also splashed onto her as well. Cora’s was auburn hair covered her ears so as not to draw attention to the sight that she did not have both. She has never spoken of the subject and always is quick to change the subject when anyone’s gaze lingered for even a second too long. One wouldn’t notice it from afar, but it is there and it causes her to have insecurity and secretly believe that she is ugly, that no one could ever love her, how could they…but only mostly she thought of it.
“Oh shit! I’m sorry Cora!” G’an’n laughed as Cora sprung up and slapped he and Ganon repeatedly while pushing him out of their dwelling. She turned to Baku who was shivering with anger. She put her hands around his shoulders and helped to warm him up.
“Poli, hand me some of G’an’n’s furs.”
Poli was one year older than Baku, but she didn’t speak. She couldn’t speak. At least, she hasn’t been able to speak since she arrived with her siblings at the Bone Herd encampment. Poli did as Cora requested and grabbed G’an’n’s sleeping furs, handing them to Baku who used them to dry off.
Cora wasn’t so much concerned for herself, as she was angry at G’an’n and Yavin. They were both men, but often acted as boys. She was mostly grateful for Yavin, as he was a positive presence in G’an’n’s life, apart from the occasional mischief which often made Baku’s life hell.
They could hear the laughter coming from the outside. G’an’n was quite pleased with himself, and although Yavin did find it equally hilarious he had an ulterior motive to this action. Yavin made his way back inside the hut as G’an’n continued laughing outside.
“Yavin, why do you have to be that way?” Cora asked him as he entered. “It’s not like that, Cora” he assured her.
“I’m sorry, Baku…” Yavin offered a half-hearted apology as Poli glared at him angrily, Baku was still startled and shivering.
Yavin crouched down in front of him while wrapping his own fur around him to help further warm him up. “…and yes, your brother does it because he finds it funny, and to be honest, so do I, but I want you to be prepared for anything. You can’t be afraid and you can’t be scared, anything can happen at any moment out there.”
Baku listened intently to every word. He looked up to Yavin, more than he did his own brother who often made Baku the butt of whatever prank he was playing that day. “I understand…”
“Good,” Yavin continued, “I have a gift for you. I’ve been working on getting this ready with Bimm the past weeks…”
Yavin unsheathed a bone dagger stained red in the blood of beasts felled in previous battles and hunts.
“…it is the bone of a Wendigo bathed in the blood of the most fierce beasts. As the last man, Elora wanted to give you a special gift for your birth.” He handed it to Baku who looked upon it in wonder. It was a dark, dull red with a curved blade made of bone. Despite its composition, the blade was surprisingly durable and sharp. Baku grasped it as he made excited slashing motions through the air with it.
“Now careful with that”, Cora warned but Baku was in his own world.
Poli watched as he cut the air pretending he was taking on a giant arachnid. Cutting each leg off, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight…and when it was incapable of moving he’d finish with a stab to the head, piercing the brain and finishing it off. It was as if she could see what he was seeing. He held it before himself and stared at the detail. It mesmerized him.
“It seems like he loves it, Yavin. Thank you.” Cora assured him.
“He should have something special on the day he becomes a man. Now finish up, we leave shortly.”
Yavin looked on for a moment, before turning his attention to Cora, “I was wondering if I may visit you after the hunt?”
“Yavin, you make me blush,” she smiled at him, “but as I often tell you, you are too young for me.”
“I am a man. You are a woman.”
“There’s more to it than that.”
“Like what?”
Cora began to speak but stopped as she saw Poli and Baku looking up at them.
“Now’s not the time, Yavin. Now go, you must help Baku on his journey.”
Yavin looked at Baku and signaled for them to go, he left without saying another word.
“What was that about?” Poli asked Cora.
“Yavin often leaps before looking.” Cora laughs, “Now come, let us clean up this mess with G’an’n’s things.”
II. The Decision
Yavin, G’an’n and Baku made their way from the hut and started towards the Hall of Mammoths. They walked slowly as it was still early, not too early to be a disturbance to Elora, but the day was just beginning to dawn. Baku continued to slash the air, still too mesmerized by his gift to be bothered with anything else other than following Ganon and Yavin.
“He loves that thing.” G’an’n acknowledged to Yavin.
“It seems that way.” Yavin watched Baku who was still completely occupied. “There’s something I wanted to talk to you about…”
“What’s that?”
“My father told me I’m guiding the hunt today.”
“That’s great news. This is your first time yes?”
“It is.” Yavin stopped walking.
“And?” G’an’n stopped as well.
“I know you want to be there for your brother today, but we need you to stay here.”
“Why?” G’an’n protested.
“Part of it is because we need some men to stay behind and help protect everyone else.”
“What is the other part?”
“…honestly, Baku needs to focus and you can be a distraction to him…but we do need you to protect the others.”
“It’ll be different now.”
“He’s still your little brother.”
“He’ll be a man.”
“”Like you are?”
The words stabbed G’an’n, wounding him deeply…he began to speak “…” but could not find the words.
“I didn’t mean it like that…it’s just, I know how dangerous it can get out there…you know my story. I don’t want anything to happen to Baku. I don’t want…”
“I understand.” G’an’n gave in to Yavin. “Just promise you’ll keep watch over him.”
“I’ll guard him with my life if I have to.”
G’an’n and Yavin parted ways. G’an’n returned to his hut and Yavin led Baku towards the Hall of Mammoths.
“Why’d G’an’n leave?” Baku asked after having come to his senses from imaginary bloodshed.
Yavin stopped and crouched down to be on the same level as Baku.
“Today is about you Baku. You don’t need any distractions once you’re out there…and G’an’n…”
“He can be distracting.” They both watched as G’an’n walked home sullenly. “Come now, Elora wishes to see you” Yavin offered as they made their way towards the Hall of Mammoths.
III. Red
Yavin led Baku inside the Hall, it was the first time Baku had ever been allowed inside. He looked around in amazement at the husks of beasts he heard stories about from over the years littering the inside. Elora walked towards holding a red liquid inside a carved mammoth horn, “Yavin, I must ask you to wait outside.”
“Yes, Elora.” Yavin exited the Hall.
“Now, young Baku, I will take you on a journey through your mind and interpret your dream. Now drink.” She handed him the horn with the red liquid.
Baku sipped the liquid, it was bitter to the taste.
“Drink!” Elora commanded.
Baku gulped down the rest of the drink.
“You will be out in the wild today young one, but you will not be alone. Your tribe will be there to support you like it was with Yavin on his first hunt. You need to be aware of your surroundings and not stray from the group or bad things will happen. Do you understand?
Baku nodded his head, he started to feel slightly nauseated and dizzy. “What…did I drink?”
“You should not worry, just embrace the feeling and accept what comes next.” She assured him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Baku fell to his knees and began to writhe in spasms, he was no longer present with Elora.
…
His mind transported him into an endless void. His body was still with Elora, but he could see nothing beyond the horizon, nothing but Red.
The land.
The water.
His skin.
Endless seas of Red.
Dripping from his hands.
Raining from the sky.
Crashing wave after crashing wave.
Red.
He thrashed around in Elora’s presence, but in his mind he was at peace.
Elora held him as the spasms gradually subsided.
Baku had grown warm to the touch, hot, almost burning Elora’s hands but it waned…his body began sweating and he slowly came back to the world around him
Elora held him for a moment, she could sense the journey he had experienced was unlike any journey she had ever guided any other on.
“What did you see?” Elora inquired.
“I don’t know…”
“Yes, you do.” Elora assured him.
“…I saw a Red world. Everything…all of it, the land, the water, the clouds, my body…Red.”
Elora let go of Baku and began washing her hands. “Young Baku…when you return you will never be the same.”
“Because I will be a man?”
“No…” Elora dried her hands and grabbed a black paste, marking his forehead. “…you will be more than a man…what you will become…”, Elora thought about what to say next, trying to choose her words carefully, but she couldn’t bring herself to let him know…”I’m sorry, but I wish for you to remain unknowing…it is better for you. Now go, Yavin awaits.”
Baku looked at Elora for a moment as she had turned her back to him to clean up the materials for the ritual before leaving. Elora could only shake her head sadly knowing Baku’s fate.
IV. (Not so) Useless
Baku made his way out of the Hall of Mammoths in a somewhat bewildered state. He wasn’t sure what to make of his guided vision or lack of one…and he was curious about the words she shared with him.
“What did you see with Elora?”
“I didn’t see anything…just red.”
Yavin didn’t quite know what to say.
Baku continued, “She told me my future is written in blood. Anyone who crosses my path shall fall to my blade. I shall never know fear. My name shall be spoken in hushed whispers. Even the greatest and most fearful warriors will tremble in my presence.”
Yavin shoved Baku by the shoulder and laughed, “well, it’s a good thing I know you.”
“Yeah…good thing.”
Baku laughed back, unable to tell Yavin the next part but her voice echoed in his mind, “You will never know another friend as you do now.” He considered Yavin a friend, perhaps the only person in the entire Bone Herd. Even if he was younger and didn’t quite have the bond that G’an’n had with Yavin it didn’t matter to Baku. He admired and respected Yavin and he found himself often under the training of him even if it entailed being part of a joke being played on him.
“Should we gather the rest of the men?” Baku asked Yavin.
They started walking away from the Hall of Mammoths.
“Of course, after we stop by Ifko’s.”
“Why Ifko? He can’t hunt.” Baku said coldly.
Sometimes kids can be cold.
“Why Ifko? Why Ifko? Because, why not Ifko?! He’s the greatest man who has ever lived!”
“If you say so.”
“You aren’t able to remember. You were too young.”
“I’ve heard the story. Many times.”
Yavin stopped walking and pulled Baku aside.
“You don’t remember how he was…”
“He is of no use. He can’t walk. He can’t hunt. He can’t fight.”
Yavin reflected on the words Baku spoke, wanting to take care in his choice of words next.
“One’s use or purpose isn’t determined on their ability to hunt or fight, but their ability to lead and offer guidance. I want you to realize that everyone has a purpose even if you believe they don’t.”
“But he fulfilled his. He saved you. For him to go on is just sad.”
“You have much to learn yet, Baku. He is alive because he has purpose even if you determined he has none. Come now, listen more and speak less, it will serve you well today.”
They entered Ifko’s hut.
Ifko was already awake. His hut had several additions to it, including several wooden bracers around his space allowing him to maneuver. While his legs were useless, his upper body had only gotten stronger as he was still surprisingly agile, all things considered.
“Hey guys! About to go out and make men of yourselves?” Ifko bellowed.
Baku watched in slight wonder as he had never seen Ifko this mobile before as he had never in fact been inside of his hut. “Still a cripple” he tried to assure himself.
“Today is young Baku’s day.” Yavin patted Baku on his shoulder.
“Yes it is, and I have something for the occasion.” Ifko reached under his sleeping fur and pulled out a bone spear. “I made this for today. It should be perfect for one such as you.”
Ifko handed him the weapon.
“May this help you in your journey…now don’t let me delay your hunt any longer, off you go.” Ifko responded.
Baku gazed at the spear in awe, he thought “perhaps I was wrong about Ifko” before Yavin and he departed to join the other men.
As they stepped out of Ifko’s hut, Yavin and Baku were greeted by Badan.
“The rest of your group have gathered on the edge of camp. They’re awaiting you. Be smart, stay together and stay safe. I’ll see you when you return.”
Yavin and Baku made their way to the group.
Farin, Dhiig and Li were awaiting their arrival. They were the three most accomplished hunters and fighters in the village besides Badan. Farin was a smooth fighter, he went with the rhythm of the battle embracing the ebbs and flows that came with it, his goal was to use the momentum of his enemy against them. It was an unusual tactic that led to many victories against mindless barbarians whose only move was to relentlessly attack. Li relied on speed and nagging attacks, he wouldn’t try to debilitate his opponent in one move, he preferred to wear them down by striking their vital joints and muscles, gradually incapacitating them until they could no longer fight, though he would give them the opportunity to live should they see reason as he was not a killer unless he absolutely needed to be. Dhiig rarely ever took the forefront, he preferred to lay in wait and observe his opponent from afar, studying for an opening, and almost without fail he would figure it out, although when he had to he could stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone equally in battle.
They made their way out of camp as the rest of the Bone Herd waved them off on their journey.
V. The Forest
“I’ve seen a saber stalking the area recently, they normally don’t come this close to our home, but perhaps it was separated from its pack. That is when they are their most vulnerable, but also their most dangerous” Dhiig informed the group as they moved together deeper into the forest.
“They are a vicious beast, not something to be careless around.” Farin offered.
“Didn’t you come across a saber before your arrival, Farin?” Yavin asked.
“Yes, I speak from experience,” Farin nodded and revealed a scar from a saber claw on his arm “but I got the better of our encounter.” He points at the fur on his back indicating it was repurposed from vicious beast to warm clothing.
Dhiig laughs and Li smiles and shakes his head.
Farin continued, “If we find it keep in mind Baku, you must not let it near you. To do so would be almost certain death. It was more luck than skill that helped me to gain my trophy.”
“I’m not afraid of death.” Baku replied.
“Look at the man, he is braver than any of us were at his age!” Dhiig chuckled.
“None of you had Elora to guide you.” Yavin added.
“That is true, she sets everyone on their proper path in life.” replied Dhiig.
Baku thought about his vision again, but all it did was anger him.
Yavin placed a hand on Baku’s shoulder as they continued tracking the saber, “You okay?”
“Yes.” Baku shot back coldly.
Yavin thought back to his first hunt, they had gone this way before they were separated. He thought about Ifko and his remorse for what happened and swore to himself that it would not be the same for Baku, this hunt would be successful and they would all come back unharmed.
“Yavin, the trail ends here. What would you like for us to do?” Farin inquired to Yavin.
Yavin crouched down and studied their surroundings, the snow in this area had fallen recently and obscured the tracks any further. He looked around the forest to see if there were any markings on nearby trees or the landscape, but there was none.
The heavens above thundered loudly followed by a strike of lightning.
A stray bolt struck the forest and ignited one of the trees.
Yavin saw the fire in the distance, “We go there, warm ourselves and regather ourselves.”
The group did as Yavin said, they moved cautiuously and remained on the lookout for the saber, though it was for nought. They arrived at the flaming tree and waited there as the sky above continued to boom loudly.
“Why are we waiting?” Baku asked Yavin.
“We wait for another sign.” Yavin responds.
“This is a blessing Baku, these hunts sometimes freeze your will, enjoy the warmth while it lasts.” Dhiig adds as another errant bolt of lightning strikes nearby.
“That way.” Yavin points the opposite direction from where the lightning hit. “We’ll find Baku’s monster there.”
They continued moving away from the storm, as they did the wind began picking up and the temperature dropped, the cold pierced through their coverings.
“Close formation men. We will need to keep warm.” Dhiig commanded.
Baku looked at Yavin as if to say “I thought you were in charge”, but before he can Yavin nods and acknowledges to the group, “Do as Dhiig says.” This was meant more for Baku than the group as they had already bundled closer together, as they all trusted Dhiig and knew he was right.
They had been moving slower but remained shoulder to shoulder, huddled together as they finally managed to find a fresh track now that they had moved away from the storm.
Li crouched down and observed the dirt below and the impression and slight scraped of a claw left behind, and nearby several more impressions in the ground,
“The storm startled the beast here”, Li points out the scraped ground “and jumped here” showing the group where he believed the path led.
“Even beasts may be frightened when nature bears down on it” Farin offered.
“Baku, take the lead. Farin and Li, protect his sides. Dhiig and I will watch your backs.” Yavin instructed.
The group moved in unison in the formation specified by Yavin.
It was not long before they could hear a roar from the beast warning them to stay away.
Farin advised, “Keep your weapon ready Baku, it shall not be long until you are face to face with the beast. You must not be too quick to attack as you may not get a second chance.”
“Wait for your moment and strike” Yavin responded.
They continued forward and were able to see the Saber through the trees. Maybe another twenty paces.
“Dhiig, let us spread out cast a wider field around the beast.” Yavin added as he and Dhiig made their way to the flanks of Li and Farin in an effort to prevent their preys escape.
The group cautiously approached, weapons at the ready.
Baku gripped the spear Ifko had gifted him tightly, ready to thrust it into the beasts heart and become a man.
“I do not want your help when we reach it. I am going to take it down myself.” Baku stated boldly.
The men were surprised by Baku’s confidence, but were willing to give him the first opportunity at the beast
Dhiig and Li looked towards Yavin as if to say silently, “We will be ready to step in should we need”, as Yavin nodded acknowledging the men without a word. Years of hunting have lended to this form of communication, able to know what another thinks due to gaining knowledge and trust of the others abilities, the words they are able to speak through simple looks and expressions and posture.
As they approached the beast Baku stepped forward.
“Beast, I, Baku of the Bone Herd challenge you.” Baku stated strongly assuming a posture he had seen Badan take during many stories. He was greeted with a deafening roar from the Saber that made him take a step back. The reality of the situation had struck him, much like the bolt had struck the tree earlier, booming and out of nowhere. He raised his spear and took a defensive posture but left his weapon too far out as the Saber swiped and disarmed him. Baku fell backwards in surprise as it looked as though the Saber would pounce. Before it could Dhiig and Li rushed forward as Farin and Yavin circled around the beast.
The quickness and power of the Saber took Dhiig and Li by surprise as it struck their spears and broke them in one motion. Yavin and Farin looked at one another in surprise. They were not ready for the beast to be this fast or strong, they underestimated their prey and were left in a precarious situation. Dhiig and Li drew their backup daggers and wielded their broken spear to keep the beast at a distance. Baku was seated as he gripped his bloodstained dagger. Yavin and Farin took the lead on the attack but the beast dodged their strikes. The situation was perilous…the best hunters of the Bone Herd were seemingly outmaneuvered by the Saberbeast. How would they manage to come out of it unscathed they wondered.
VI. The Bounty
The men returned to their camp in a jovial mood. Farin had Baku hoisted upon his shoulders, they were both cheering along with Dhiig and Li who were carrying the sabertooth.
“You should’ve seen the boy” Farin boasted, “more animal than man.”
They dragged the carcass near the fire and began gutting and cleaning it.
Badan approached Yavin, “It looks like things went well.”
“Without a problem.”
“Then why aren’t you celebrating?” Badan asked.
“It’s hard to say…but what I saw out there…it scared me. Baku…was possessed. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“What happened?”
“We were in the forest following tracks. The saber roared and…we formed around it as it pawed our weapons and broke a couple, then Baku jumped onto its back and started stabbing it in its side…as the saber whimpered he cut its head off, one slash at a time. He made it suffer…needlessly suffer…he enjoyed killing.”
“He can still learn the right way to hunt. Today was just about becoming a man.”
“That wasn’t a man I wish to know.”
“Not even if he has your back in a fight?” Badan inquired.
“No.” Yavin stated bluntly. “He was consumed by it and almost injured Li, had he not been quick in his response, we would have come home without one of our party.”
“That is concerning…but I believe Baku will grow into a better man. We will show him there is another path. Another way. That there is no joy in causing suffering to another living being.” Badan assured Yavin.
“Thank you, father.”
They stood there for a long moment watching as the tribe collectively worked on dissecting the saber before joining them.
Baku was now a man, the Last Man of the Bone Herd.
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