The Firstlings

Opening his Gift, Aaron stared at the Runes with a grimace. He consumed all the cores given to him and still hadn’t reached the next stage.

[Greater core]

“Beast shards: 536/1000”

The Alpha's gave him more, as expected, but the majority were basic cores, so he hadn’t quite reached the threshold. Shrugging, he dismissed the Runes, leaving his tent to see Bently marching into the camp with a wild look in his eyes.

Aaron had sent for the big man, as it was time to part ways.

Bently strolled forward, dodging through the bustling crowd, as the entire camp was packing and preparing for the trip. As he closed in, he called out with worry in his voice, “Aaron, what’s happened? What’s going on here?”

“We’re leaving.” He declared, his voice firm.

“Wha… what happened?” Bently asked, clenching his teeth. He could see the look in Aaron’s eyes and knew something was wrong.

Aaron told him what happened to his brother during the night, causing Bently to roar with horror and rage.

“We will find them! They will pay for what they have done!” He bellowed, his eyes bloodshot with anger.

Aaron smiled, enjoying Benty’s reaction. It was nice to see a human so steadfast in their defense, especially after everything they had been through. "We can't stay here any longer," he continued, shaking his head at the man's suggestion.

“You don’t have to leave; we will find—”

“We are going. It’s final,” Aaron cut him short, holding a look of burning certainty in his golden eyes.

“I’m coming—”

“You’re staying,” Aaron said, shaking his head, his look of sternness turning to sorrow. “I will not take you from your people. They still need you, and you know it.”

“To hell with my people!” He roared, breathing heavily. “I will not leave your side and will fulfill my promise!”

“I know, but I need you to stay and be my connection to the humans and... to watch over Karla,” Aaron explained.

Bently looked at Aaron skeptically, knowing about the argument with the women. He knew that their relationship was deteriorating.

Aaron chuckled, seeing Bently’s expression but he refused to back down. “Your staying.”

“But—”

“I know… but it’s for the best. Stay and continue to help, and who knows, maybe one day we’ll return,” Aaron spoke, knowing they would never be back.

They would find a home.

A home away from the world as they forged their own path and decided who they were and what they wanted to be. Factions were already appearing, and Aaron could see a type of council forming. His heart raced at the thought of a Firstling city bustling with activity, built by their own hands.

“I will follow orders... but, Aaron," Bently said, looking into his eyes. “When you find this home, I’m returning to your side.”

Aaron agreed, smiling at the man. He was the best kind of person to have by your side, and he couldn’t say he wouldn’t miss him a little. Bently promised to search the city for his brother's attackers, and Aaron nodded with a heavy heart as the man left to mingle with the others.

Aaron walked to a ledge overlooking the deeper forest as his siblings continued to prepare for their long journey. He had always felt something, assuming it was a sense of mystery and adventure, but now he wasn’t so certain.

It felt like something was lurking out there, in the deep jungle, and it made him a little uneasy. Aaron turned away, heading towards the hunter’s guild to see Foster, before leaving entirely.

Reaching the hunter’s guild headquarters, he found Foster was on a mission, so he left a message with the receptionist and headed towards the slums. He had one final stop before giving up on this rotten place.

Aaron ran swiftly through the outskirts, trying to keep his distance. The humans were on the move, so even the slums were bustling with activity. He wanted no part with any of them, so he kept the hood of his cloak up as he dashed around the encampment.

Winding the long way around, he soon stood before a small cozy cabin, feeling the Vassal Bond becoming clearer as he neared. With a little excitement, he walked to the door and knocked softly. The door opened quickly, surprising him as a girl dove at him, almost knocking him over.

“Aaron!” Orla squealed, wrapping him in a hug.

Aaron chuckled at the girl's enthusiasm. He was impressed when he looked at her closely, as she wasn’t the sickly girl he had seen before. Her blue eyes were now full of life as she smiled. Her dull red hair was now bright and fiery, and even her pale skin appeared smooth and unblemished.

She was still too thin, however.

Though the race upgrade could refine her body, it couldn’t fill her belly.

“Why are you here?” Orla asked, pulling back from him.

Aaron looked up to see the girl's father, James, in the doorway and her mother, Cathy, behind him. Orla stepped back with her head down and a look of worry. Aaron froze, unsure what to say, as the man stepped forward slowly.

“Y...You're the cause of this?” He fumbled, his eyes going wide as he came closer.

Aaron didn’t know how to respond, so he just stared, trying to gauge the man’s emotions. He couldn’t tell if he posed a threat or how they felt about any of this.

“What have you done?” The man hissed, a look of grief and worry passing through his eyes. “They told us it was her awakening, but... an awakening doesn’t bring changes like this. Just like that man, it was you!”

James walked up to him shakily as Aaron stood his ground.

“What have you done to my daughter, you bastard?” He shouted, grabbing Aaron by the collar.

His eyes held nothing but love and worry for his daughter, so Aaron took the scolding as he should. They had every right to be concerned, as it was their daughter's future. It was his blunder for not including them in his decision, so he accepted the man's fury.

“James!” Cathy pleaded, trying to pull the man back.

“No!” James roared. “What did he do to our little girl? What right?”

Aaron smiled his most friendly smile as golden sparks danced in his eyes. “Hope is what I gave, friend. Nothing more.”

James let him go as he stepped back with fright in his eyes.

“Keep her safe,” Aaron mumbled quietly, turning to leave.

“They are taking her to the cathedral,” James whispered, a hint of fear in his voice.

Aaron stopped looking back at the couple. He could see they were both worried for her, which caused him some alarm. Why would the cathedral be bad? He knew the girl’s class was something special but didn’t know how much that meant to the humans.

She could easily be swept away by some power grab, which didn’t sit well with him, but all he could do was inform Bently and hope for the best. Looking at her parents, he gave the only help that he could.

“If something happens or you need help, contact Karla. If not her, then Captain Bently,” Aaron explained, reassuringly. “If needed, help will come.”

They both nodded with a look of fear and uncertainty. Aaron knew things were moving too fast for them, but if they had survived, they would have faced it one day regardless of his decision. As he started to leave, Orla called out, stepping forward, still trembling from his encounter with her parents.

“Are you leaving?” She whispered, her voice sullen and shaky.

Aaron smiled as he replied, trying to ease the girl's worries. “We will see each other again. Me and my siblings are leaving to find a home.”

“When you find a home… can I… see it too?” Orla asked, her look of concern holding a hint of wonder.

“Sure, one day,” Aaron chuckled, waving farewell as he turned and left.

Heading into the outskirts, he considered everything that had happened, hoping for the best for the family. He knew nothing about the church, so Orla would have to find her own way. Coming back to the camp, he sent a call to his siblings.

It was time to leave.

They bid their last goodbyes to humanity as they took their first steps into the deep forest. Aaron could feel the excitement in his siblings, as this was the first time they were going to a place of their own choosing.

The forest became denser as they walked, seeming to come more alive with each step. He sent ripples through the bond, sending scouts ahead and teams to the left and right, moving swiftly through the thick foliage.

They had trained with the rangers and were no longer out of their element, traversing the forest easily. Armed with bows, spears, and swords, they were ready to take on the world, or at least from their hoots and shouts, willing to try.

Cornelius stepped beside Aaron as they walked, watching Damien and his gang attack bushes like madmen. “These morons will—”

Aaron cut him off as he darted forward with a shout, helping hack at bushes with his battle-crazed siblings. Cornelius shook his head, muttering under his breath, as they marched into the forest with hope in their steps.