A Scarf Blowing in the Wind

Walking through the snowy woods, Coraline was walking through her best friend.

Coraline's shoulders were slouched as she spoke. "I don't know Amanda… College has just been so tough recently, it feels like each time I try and do better. It just, it just comes out worse."

"Are you sure you're not just overthinking things, Cora?" Putting a hand on her friend's back, Amanda smiled. "Your smart, capable. I mean, sure you're bad at sports, but only jocks are good at sports."

Coraline could feel herself slightly smile as Amanda spoke.

"Look, all I'm saying is if you believe in yourself, then you can do anything." Walking further ahead, Amanda turned back to wink at her friend. "Anything except sports, that is."

Watching Amanda hurry further ahead. Coraline pulled her scarf higher to cover her mouth, and to hide her smile.

Coraline could hear the sound of running water as she followed after Amanda.

Walking out of the trees, Coraline and Amanda stopped in front of a river.

"I love this." Amanda absent-mindedly spoke.

Flustered, Coraline quickly turned to her friend. "Wha- what do you love?"

Crouching down, Amanda gestured to the river. "I love how the water just glistens. How it feels like the snow amplifies its beauty." Turning to look at her friend, Amanda cocked her head to the side. "What do you think I meant?"

"Uh…" Hiding in her scarf, Coraline looked away. "Nothing." She quietly mumbled.

"Mhmmm." Amanda quietly hummed as she looked at her friend. "Come on." Grabbing Coraline's hand, Amanda pulled her upstream.

"What, where are you taking me now?" Coraline groaned. "First you drag me out to a forest in the dead of winter and now whatttt."

"Well, I wanted to ask you something, but before I'm able to do that. I need to take us somewhere nice first." Stopping in front of a trail of stepping stones, thirteen stones ran across the river, forming a path. Amanda gestured across it. "We just need to get to the other side."

Stopping, Coraline watched the river. "Amanda, I don't know about this."

"What? Why?"

"The river is going to be freezing, it could be dangerous if either of us falls in."

"That's ok." Patting Coraline's back, Amanda hopped onto the first stone. "We just won't fall in."

Coraline was silent. Watching Amanda repeatedly hop across each stone, Coraline could feel her stomach lurch each time Amanda moved. As Amanda reached halfway across the river, the stone she landed on shook slightly.

"Amanda!"

Regaining her balance, Amanda waved to Coraline. "I'm fine, Cora, I come here all the time." After a few more moments, Amanda reached the other side of the river. Cupping her hands to her mouth, Amanda called across the river. "Ok, Cora! It's your turn!"

Coraline looked at the river, it was by no means a small river. The usual calm waters were rapidly moving due to a recent storm.

"If I fell in the middle of it, who knows where the current would take me." Swallowing, Coraline was about to back down.

"Come on Coraline!" Amanda cheered. "I believe in you!"

Coraline looked to her best friend on the other side of the river. "She believes in me," Coraline whispered.

Hopping onto the first step, Coraline felt sure of herself.

Coraline landed on the second step with no issue.

Then the third, three steps down.

Four, five, six. Coraline's confidence rose with each step.

Seven. A thought crossed Coraline's mind.

"Which stone did Amanda almost slip on?"

Landing on the eighth stone, Coraline felt it shift beneath her feet. Not only was she moving with too much speed to stop, but this stone was unlike any of the others.

The eight stone was covered in ice.

"Coraline!" The last thing Coraline heard before hitting the water was Amanda, her best friend, calling her name.

The first thing Coraline felt, as she landed with a splash into the frigid water, was all the air escaping her lungs.

~~ Eight weeks later

"This place is so nice."

After being sent away by Savina. Rio and Iseul were wandering around the Elven capital of the Eastern Oaks, the City of Leaves. "Honestly, this place is such a breath of fresh air from Ruoroa's towns, sure they're just as bustling. But at least the people aren't trying to pick a fight with you when you look at them wrong." Walking past an elven woman holding some loaves of bread, Rio waved at the woman. "Good morning." He happily smiled.

The elven woman stared at Rio for a few seconds before turning her head away, picking up her pace she speedily walked away.

Now that he thought about it, the elves were actively moving around Rio and Iseul. "Maybe I spoke too soon." Rio tutted.

Iseul wasn't paying too much attention to Rio's words, keeping his head down, Iseul was trying to get a handle on his Hunter sense. Due to his increased hearing, Iseul could hear every conversation happening around him all at once.

This would usually not be a problem for Iseul if he was able to acclimatise to the noise, but Filiea had dropped them directly into the bustling city centre.

Seeing that his friend was struggling with his hearing. Stopping, Rio lightly grabbed Iseul's shoulder. "You struggling buddy?"

Wincing, Iseul nodded.

"Okay ok. Let's find somewhere quiet for you to sit whilst you get a handle on your hearing."

~~ After a couple of minutes, Rio and Iseul walked to the edges of the City of Leaves

"Here you go." Sitting Iseul on a bench, Rio

Come on, there's a bench over here. Take a seat till you are able to manage your hearing."

Slowly nodding, Rio guided Iseul to the bench. Sitting down, Iseul intertwined his fingers. Resting his elbows on his knees, he rested his head on his hands.

"M'kay, you just stay here." Looking around, Rio created a small portal. Reaching into it, he pulled out a few coins. "I'm going to try and find something to eat." Starting to walk away, Rio turned back. "Don't go anywhere."

Iseul felt Rio's footsteps disappear into the crowd.

Trying his best to reduce the effects of Hunter Sense, Iseul achieved nothing. "Damn super hearing." He thought. "It's always on, I hate being able to hear so much. Why couldn't Var have given me something nicer? Like the ability to see." Slowing his breathing, Iseul leant on the bench.

Suddenly, Iseul heard faint footsteps approaching him.

"Shit, someone's coming. I must have not heard them because of all the noise."

About to stand up, Iseul heard a small voice coming from the direction of the footsteps. It was the voice of an equally small girl. "Excuse me, Mister, are you ok?"

Sitting back down, Ilya turned his head to face the girl. Shaking his hand, Iseul gestured for the girl to go.

"Mmm." Pouting, she moved closer to Iseul. "You don't look ok Mister. My mommy always told me I should help people where I can." Sticking a hand into her pocket, the girl brought out a piece of bread. Holding it up to Iseul, she smiled. "Here Mister." Receiving no attention from Iseul, the girl doubled down on her kindness. "Please don't worry about me, Mr, I don't need the bread."

Letting out a sigh, Iseul reached out to take the bread.

Iseul's ears perked up as he heard something moving within the forest. Reaching past the bread, Iseul grabbed the girl by the collar.

Alarmed by his actions, the small elf squeaked. "Mister, what are you-" Pulling the girl out of the way, a shadowy figure emerged from the treeline.

The jaws of a beast snapped around where the girl's head had been moments ago.

The beast was a Splitjaw. Similar in size to a grizzly bear, this beast boasted large claws made for rending flesh. Its namesake, the beast's lower jaw, was able to slit in two, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth intended for tearing.

Pushing the small girl back, Iseul landed a punch into the Splitjaw's face.

Reacting, the Splitjaw brought a clawed paw up. Not fast enough, Iseul brought his arms up to shield himself. Batting Iseul away. The Splitjaw turned to the girl as Iseul was sent flying away from the bench.

Coughing, Iseul knew he had to pick himself up. Standing, Iseul took a step forward, staggering, Iseul fell to one knee as he felt a sharp pain shoot out from his right arm.

Clutching his arm, Iseul grit his teeth, feeling warm blood run down his fingers. Whilst attacking Iseul away, the Splitjaw managed to claw Iseul's arm.

Iseul could hear the cries of the elves who resided within the City of Leaves. "This beast wasn't alone." Iseul tried to stand. "There aren't many, there must be nine at the least. How am I supposed to fight that many when I'm struggling with just one...."

Iseul's attention was brought back to his current situation. The little girl screamed as the Splitjaw pushed her around.

The system screen appeared in front of Iseul. Although he was blind, Iseul could perfectly see the screen in his mind. It was a message.

Var: The beast is playing with its food. The girl will die if you lose focus now.

Waving the message aside, Iseul's passive ability, Hunter's Resolve activated. Iseul was able to stand again as the orange aura of Hunter's Resolve washed over him, the abilities effects slightly reducing his pain.

Readying to run at the Splitjaw, a second message appeared.

Var: This is a Splitjaw Alpha. It is strong, but you are stronger. Go for its lower jaws.

Running through the system screen, Iseul planned on putting Var's tip to good use.

As the Splitjaw was toying with the girl, Iseul slammed his left shoulder into the Splitjaw's side.

Knocking it away from the girl, Iseul quickly motioned for her to move away.

Turning, the Splitjaw's moved to attack Iseul again. This time Iseul was prepared, with the speed granted by Hunter's Resolve, Iseul ducked under the Splitjaw's attack.

Having no clue what to do now, Iseul grabbed each of the Splitjaw's jaws respectively.

"If only I had my swords and my armour. This wouldn't be anywhere near as difficult." Struggling against the Splitjaw, Iseul pulled the beast's head lower. "How am I supposed to kill a beast without them… " A thought crossed Iseul's mind.

Pulling his head back, Iseul slammed his own head into the beast's skull, the resulting force caving the Splitjaw's skull in. Dropping the corpse, Iseul staggered. Holding his head, Iseul felt slightly nauseous.

"Maybe that wasn't the best idea." He thought.

Pulling at Iseul's pant leg, the girl looked up at him. "Mister, are you ok?"

Patting the girl's head, Iseul nodded.

Iseul's mood suddenly changed upon realising, he could no longer hear the roars of the other beasts. Now all Iseul could hear were the rapidly approaching steps of the other Splitjaws.

"Why were they coming here. Is this one special? No matter." Grabbing the girl, Iseul pulled her to him. "They'll have to go through me if they want to hurt this girl. I will protect her with my life."

Clenching his fist, Iseul picked the girl up. Within moments, six Splitjaws appeared from out of the streets.

These were smaller than the Splitjaw Alpha Iseul just had killed. Each around the size of a jaguar.

"Less than I expected." Putting his fist up, Iseul smiled. "Better for me."

As the Splitjaws circled Iseul, a person's voice echoed down to him from the rooftops. "You're a brave one, kid."

It was a human woman, a spear in one hand and A Scarf Blowing in the Wind. Holding the spear aloft. The surface of the spear rippled like water in her hand, the lady threw it. Upon leaving her hand, five copies made of water split off from the spear. Each spear flew towards one Splitjaw.

Faster than the lesser Splitjaws could move, each spear landed with a thud into the heads of the six Splitjaws.