The Ultimate Hunter: The First Nexarri

A Good Day

Sagax stepped forward, already moving toward the fallen deer.

Kelvin followed close behind, his eyes still on the animal. Up close, the size of it made the shot even more impressive.

Sagax crouched and checked the wound before giving a small nod. “Clean.”

Kelvin let out a quiet breath. “I saw.”

Sagax glanced at him briefly. “You’ll do it next.”

Kelvin raised an eyebrow. “You sure about that?”

“Only one way to find out.”

They worked together to secure the deer, moving with practiced efficiency. Once finished, Sagax stood and looked deeper into the trees.

“We’re not done yet.”

Kelvin adjusted his grip on the bow. “Good.”

They moved on.

Time passed as they tracked through the forest, the sun climbing higher above them. The air grew warmer, but the shade of the trees kept it bearable.

This time, Sagax slowed and stepped aside slightly.

“Your turn,” he said quietly.

Kelvin’s focus sharpened.

Ahead, something moved through the undergrowth. Smaller. Faster.

Kelvin took a breath and raised his bow, drawing the string back carefully. He held it there for a moment, steadying himself.

Then he released.

The arrow flew, but not as clean as his father’s.

A rustle followed. Then silence.

Kelvin frowned slightly. “I missed.”

Sagax shook his head and stepped forward. “Not completely.”

They pushed through the brush and found it a short distance away. The animal had fallen, though not instantly.

Kelvin exhaled, relief showing on his face.

Sagax looked at him. “Good enough. You’ll improve.”

Kelvin allowed himself a small smile.

Later, on their way back, they stopped by a series of simple traps set earlier along the path.

One of them had caught something.

A rabbit, caught cleanly.

Kelvin crouched to free it, holding it up slightly. “That makes three.”

Sagax nodded. “A good return.”

They continued walking, the weight of their catch steady between them as the trees began to thin.

By the time they reached the edge of Ashvale, the sun had begun to lower, casting a warmer light across the village.

Sagax shifted the load slightly before glancing at Kelvin. “Seems your birthday has some use after all.”

Kelvin looked at him. “Oh?”

“We’ve had a better hunt than usual.”

Kelvin smirked. “So you admit it matters.”

Sagax gave a small shrug. “Don’t get used to it.”

Kelvin let out a quiet laugh.

By the time they reached their home, the light had softened, the warmth of late afternoon settling over the village.

Nyx was outside when they arrived, arranging a few bundles of herbs on a wooden surface.

She looked up as they approached, her eyes briefly scanning what they carried.

“A good hunt,” she said.

Sagax lowered the load. “Decent.”

Kelvin stepped forward, holding up the rabbit slightly. “Caught this from one of the traps.”

Nyx gave a small nod of approval. “Then it served its purpose.”

They brought everything inside, setting the catch down on the table. Nyx moved closer, inspecting each one carefully.

“We’ll keep one,” she said after a moment. “The rest can be sold.”

Sagax agreed without hesitation.

Kelvin watched as his father separated the deer from the smaller game. “I’ll come with you.”

Sagax glanced at him briefly, then nodded. “Fine. Carry the smaller ones.”

Kelvin gathered them without complaint.

It didn’t take long before they were walking through the village again, heading toward the row of small stalls and shops near the center. The place was more active now, with villagers moving between traders and exchanging goods.

They stopped at the butcher.

The man stood behind a wooden counter, thick-armed and broad, with a stained apron tied around his waist. He looked up as they approached.

“Back already?” he said.

Sagax set the deer down without ceremony. “Take a look.”

The butcher leaned forward, inspecting the catch with practiced eyes before giving a short nod.

“Clean work.”

Kelvin set the smaller animals down beside it.

After a brief exchange, the butcher handed over a small pouch.

Sagax took it and gave a slight nod before turning away.

Kelvin followed.

On the walk back, he glanced at the pouch. “Good price?”

Sagax replied calmly. “Enough.”

That was all Kelvin needed to hear.

When they returned home, the smell of food greeted them before they even stepped inside.

Nyx had already begun preparing the meal.

They ate together again, quieter this time, the weight of the day settling in.

Once finished, Kelvin stood.

“I’m heading out.”

Nyx looked up. “Don’t stay out too late.”

“I won’t.”

Sagax didn’t say anything, but his eyes followed Kelvin for a brief moment before he looked away.

Kelvin stepped outside, the air cooler now as the day slowly shifted toward evening.

He knew exactly where to go.

The village square was quieter than it had been earlier, though a few people still lingered, finishing their work or talking in small groups. The fading light gave everything a softer tone.

Kelvin spotted them near the old well.

Dorian was the easiest to notice first, already laughing about something as he leaned against the stone edge.

His wiry frame never seemed still, his hands moving as he spoke, energy practically spilling out of him.

Beside him stood Garrick, taller and broader, his posture relaxed but steady. His dark hair fell loosely over his brow, and his sharp blue eyes shifted as he noticed Kelvin approaching.

“You’re late,” Dorian called out, grinning.

Kelvin rolled his eyes slightly as he walked closer. “I had things to do.”

“Important things?” Garrick asked.

“Very.”

A third figure stepped forward slightly.

Alistair.

Kelvin’s eyes settled on him for a moment. His best friend stood as straight as ever, his expression calm but attentive, as if he had already been thinking about something before Kelvin even arrived.

“You look pleased,” Alistair said.

Kelvin smirked faintly. “I should be.”

From the side, another voice joined in.

“So what’s the reason this time?”

Kelvin turned slightly.

Nora stood there, her long dark hair tied back loosely, her sharp green eyes fixed on him with quiet curiosity. There was always something observant about the way she looked at things, like she noticed more than she said.

Not far from her stood Jill.

She hadn’t said anything yet. She rarely did at first. Her gray eyes rested on Kelvin, calm and quiet, her presence softer but no less noticeable.

The light caught in her brown hair as it moved slightly with the breeze.

Kelvin glanced between them all.

Then he spoke.

“It’s my birthday.”

There was a brief pause.

Dorian blinked. “That’s it?”

Kelvin gave him a look. “I’m sixteen.”

That changed things.

Garrick straightened slightly. “So it’s time.”

Alistair’s expression shifted, just enough to show he understood.

Kelvin nodded. “Yeah.”

Dorian pushed himself off the well, suddenly more focused. “You’re serious?”

“Of course I am.”

Garrick crossed his arms. “Joining the army.”

Kelvin looked at him. “You’ve been thinking about it too.”

Garrick didn’t deny it.

Alistair spoke next, his tone steady. “If we go, we go properly. No turning back halfway.”

Kelvin met his gaze. “I know.”

Nora glanced between them. “And your parents?”

“We tell them,” Kelvin said. “Tomorrow.”

Dorian let out a breath. “That’s going to be interesting.”

Garrick gave a short nod. “Better than staying here forever.”

There was a quiet moment as that settled in.

Then Kelvin spoke again. “We head to the capital after that.”

Alistair nodded once. “Together.”

“Together,” Kelvin agreed.

For a moment, everything felt certain.

Simple. Clear.

A quiet pause settled after the boys spoke, the weight of their decision hanging in the air.

Then Dorian glanced toward the girls. “What about you two?”

Nora raised an eyebrow. “What about us?”

“If we’re leaving,” he said, “what are you planning to do?”

Nora crossed her arms lightly, thinking for a moment. “Same as always. Help where I can.”

Kelvin looked at her. “With the healer?”

She nodded. “There’s always something to do. Herbs, patients, injuries. Someone has to handle it.”

Garrick gave a small nod. “Makes sense.”

Dorian looked at Jill. “And you?”

Jill didn’t answer immediately. Her gaze shifted slightly, as if she had been thinking about something else entirely.

“Same,” she said quietly. “I’ll stay.”

Her tone was calm, but final.

Kelvin studied her for a brief moment, then nodded.

“Someone has to keep this place from falling apart while we’re gone,” he said lightly.

Nora gave him a faint smile. “We’ll manage.”

Dorian stretched his arms slightly. “So that’s it then. You all run off to become soldiers, and we stay behind and do the real work.”

Kelvin smirked. “Exactly.”

Garrick let out a short breath that almost sounded like a laugh.

For a moment, the tension eased, replaced by something familiar.

Normal.

Kelvin looked around at them.

Same people. Same place.

It felt like nothing had changed.

“Tomorrow,” he said.

Alistair nodded. “Tomorrow.”

Kelvin took a step back. “I should head back.”

Nora gave a small nod. “Before your mother comes looking for you.”

“She won’t,” Kelvin said. “Probably.”

Dorian grinned. “That doesn’t sound convincing.”

Kelvin shook his head slightly, a faint smile still on his face as he turned.

“I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow,” Garrick replied.

Kelvin didn’t look back as he walked away, his steps steady as he left the square behind.

One by one, the others began to drift off as well, each heading in different directions as the evening settled over Ashvale.

The village grew quieter with each passing moment.