- As soon as the commanding voice echoed through the clearing, everyone — the two warriors and all those present — turned toward its source.The voice belonged to Acat, once the strongest warrior of the village and now the protector of the current chief, second only to him in authority.
Although his body had grown frail and hunched with age, standing close to two and a half meters tall, his presence still radiated an intimidating force.His long white hair flowed with the breeze, and his ocean-blue eyes burned with a fiery intensity.
As Acat stormed toward Katara and Nakon with heavy steps and a thunderous aura, even the silence around them seemed to bow before his power.His voice, sharp and imposing, rang out as he demanded answers from the pair who dared provoke conflict.
ACAT:What do you two think you're doing?
- Despite appearing to be in his fifties — which, for Voidkind, translated to around 280 years — every line on Acat's weathered face told the story of countless battles and heavy decisions.His hair, reaching his shoulders, was a dull white, and the deep creases beneath his eyes showed the wear of time.Yet his gaze remained sharp enough to make even young warriors shudder.
Along his arms and shoulders were runes and markings, similar to those on Nakon — silent witnesses to their past.Strapped to his back was a massive black steel sword, its faded scars whispering tales of blood-soaked history.
KATARA:…
NAKON:…
- Acat paused, giving them a moment to answer, but neither warrior spoke.They only stared back at him with cold, unreadable expressions.Their silence added weight to the already tense atmosphere.
Acat's glare hardened.A flicker of rage sparked in his eyes.He raised his voice again — this time even more threatening:
ACAT: Answer me! You both know it's forbidden to draw weapons within the village grounds.What gave you the audacity to defy this sacred rule?!"
-Still, not a single word from Katara or Nakon.They stood their ground in stony silence.
Acat's patience waned.But rather than unleash his fury, he steadied himself with a deep breath.Stepping forward, he addressed them with firm command:
ACAT: Very well. If you're not going to speak, then you'll face punishment in silence, too.This isn't merely a warning — it's an order to protect the peace of our village.Until further notice—"
UNKNOWN VOICE: Wait, Acat.
- Just as Acat's sentence echoed through the air, a softer, older voice rose from the direction of the chief's home.Though weaker, its calm authority easily cut through Acat's anger.
The sound of wooden steps creaked beneath the approach of someone descending.The footsteps were slow but steady, each one carrying years of wisdom and the weight of a leader.
At the top of the stairs appeared a small figure…
- This figure was none other than the chief of the village — a man known by all Voidkind as the "Master of the Forest."Though he stood barely a meter and a half tall, his presence was larger than life.
His long, snow-white beard reached down to his chest. His back was slightly hunched, his steps slow and heavy with age.In one hand, he held a blue staff, carved with ancient runes and mysterious symbols. Upon his head sat a ceremonial headdress, adorned with long green feathers.
His exact age was unknown, but it was believed he had lived for over 700 years — an unimaginable span, even among the Void.
- With a soft smile, the old chief surveyed the scene.Then, in a calm but unmistakably firm voice, he turned to Acat, his eyes filled with quiet questioning.
CHIEF: Acat... why are you being so harsh on the young ones?
- Hearing his voice, Acat immediately knelt on one knee with deep respect.Katara and Nakon followed suit, lowering themselves without hesitation.
Then Acat spoke, reporting the incident in a stern voice.
ACAT: My lord, these two were moments away from drawing weapons inside the village.I was about to discipline them appropriately for such reckless behavior."
- As the chief descended the wooden steps with the help of his staff, his face held an expression of tired wisdom.Stopping on the fourth step, he looked down at Acat with a mix of amusement and concern, answering in a surprisingly light tone:
CHIEF: There's no serious violation of village law here, Acat.Just a bit of friction between young blood. That's natural. Let them be.
-The chief's words clearly did not satisfy Acat. Rising to his feet, he responded with a much firmer voice:
ACAT: With all due respect, Chief… these two are not ordinary villagers.They're elite warriors— examples to all others.If we don't discipline them now, it could set a dangerous precedent for the entire village.
- The chief paused, clearly reflecting. A thoughtful expression crossed his face, as if distant memories had resurfaced.After a moment, he sighed and replied — still gentle, but with deeper meaning.
CHIEF: Order, Acat? Yes, we need order.But a village is more than rules. You, as my successor, should understand that better than anyone.
ACAT: I do, Chief. But without structure, chaos spreads.
Narrator: Realizing Acat wouldn't back down, the chief sighed again and turned to Katara and Nakon, still kneeling nearby.With a resigned and slightly sarcastic tone, he continued:
CHIEF: No matter what I say, you won't budge, will you? Fine then.Katara. Nakon. I will issue your punishment right now. Your punishment is... let me think… Ah, yes! For the next week, you are both banned from hunting.
- Katara and Nakon exchanged puzzled glances.Meanwhile, a faint smile played on the chief's lips — but Acat was clearly unamused.
He stepped forward with frustration.
ACAT: What kind of punishment is that, my lord? Please reconsider and issue a more suitable penalty.
CHIEF: That's enough. Let's talk about why we're really here.
ACAT: Are you just going to ignore this?
CHIEF: Katara. Step forward.
- Still kneeling beside Acat, Katara inhaled deeply and slowly rose to her feet.She walked calmly between the others, stopping just before the chief's staircase. Her posture was firm, her expression unreadable.
The chief eyed her for a few seconds — as if sensing something different in her. But he said nothing of it.Instead, he looked into her eyes and spoke with quiet command.
CHIEF: Tell me, Katara. Why have you brought a human child into this village?
- Katara met his gaze, unwavering.
KATARA: Yes, Chief. I'll explain.
- And so, Katara recounted everything from the moment she encountered the human child to their arrival at the village.(Though she chose to omit the woman of light and the female human's memories.)
Her story stirred unrest among the villagers. Whispers and murmurs rose throughout the crowd.
ACAT: SILENCE!
- Acat's thunderous voice instantly silenced the uproar and turned everyone's attention back to Katara and the chief.The old chief stroked his beard thoughtfully, deep in contemplation. After a moment, he addressed Katara again.
CHIEF: Hmmm... Mandarks, a human camp, and now an Uttu near the village?Something doesn't add up here. Hmph. Still, you did well."Katara. Miana. Bringing a human child violates our rules, but I'll overlook it this time for the sake of your report. Take the child to the nearest human settlement. I'm granting you temporary leave to exit the forest.
- As the chief finished speaking, some villagers let out a sigh of relief, while others still looked uneasy.But before the decision could settle, Katara — her expression still unreadable — raised her head and addressed the chief with a cold, firm tone.
KATARA: Chief, I have something I wish to speak about.
MIANA: (Here we go... Please don't let this end badly.)
- The chief raised an eyebrow. Katara wasn't known to question orders — she had always followed every mission without protest.
CHIEF: This is unexpected… You want to speak? Very well. I'll allow it.
KATARA: I refuse the order regarding the human child.
- Gasps spread like wildfire. The chief blinked in surprise, and Acat stepped forward, visibly furious.
His brows furrowed, teeth clenched, and his voice thundered through the clearing:
ACAT: Insufferable! How dare you defy the chief's command?!Just because you're the strongest female warrior doesn't mean you can act as you please!"
- Before Acat could say more, the chief raised his hand to quiet him.Then, turning back to Katara, he spoke with measured curiosity.
CHIEF: Katara... what does this mean?"
KATARA: Chief, I have decided to raise the human child myself."
- Her words exploded like lightning through the crowd.Even Miana, who thought she had heard it all, was stunned.
Acat's eyes widened in disbelief.
ACAT: What?! Raise a human child?! Have you lost your mind, Katara?!
- The chief's lighthearted expression vanished.He had noticed Katara's strange behavior lately, but he hadn't expected anything like this.
His voice turned serious, authoritative.
CHIEF: Do you realize what you're saying, Katara? You want to raise a human child?I'm sorry, but I can't allow that. As much as I hate to say it, our village has strict laws. No outsiders are allowed to live among us.
- Despite the weight of the chief's words, Katara answered without hesitation.
Her voice was steady, calm, and resolute.
KATARA: I know what I'm saying. And I also know how great a request I'm making."That's why... I wish to invoke my Warrior's Right.
- Katara's statement stunned the entire gathering — even Miana.The "Warrior's Right" was a sacred tradition, passed down from the village's founding.
To earn it, a warrior had to complete eight near-impossible missions given by the chief.Few had ever succeeded.Those who did were granted one request — any request — to be fulfilled by the chief himself.
Katara had once completed those missions, not for the right, but to grow stronger.Back then, she hadn't cared about the reward.But now, that forgotten right had taken on a whole new meaning.
ACAT: Your Warrior's Right?! Katara, have you truly gone mad?You're going to waste such a powerful privilege… on this?!
- As Acat's outrage echoed across the gathering, Katara didn't flinch.Her gaze remained fixed on the chief — calm, unwavering.
The chief, now fully understanding her intent, sighed deeply.
CHIEF: This child... is that how much he means to you?
- His voice was soft, but firm.And Katara — with a spark in her eyes that had never been seen before — answered without pause.
KATARA: Yes, Chief. He means that much to me.
- The chief looked into her eyes — the eyes of a woman who had once lost everything, now burning with new purpose.He gave a long, thoughtful pause, then exhaled heavily and nodded.
CHIEF: Then... I shall hear your request. But be warned, Katara. If your wish violates our laws, I won't hesitate to revoke your right. Don't make me do that.
- With those words, the chief lifted his staff and struck it firmly against the ground.The sound thundered across the forest, echoing like a command from the heavens.
Then, turning to Katara, he raised his voice for all to hear.
CHIEF: Now! The time has come to grant the Warrior's Right — a reward given only to our strongest fighters since the founding of this village. Speak, Katara, mightiest female warrior of the Void. What is your wish?
- Katara stood tall, voice clear and unwavering.
KATARA: In answer to the privilege granted to me…I request to become a Passive Warrior — to leave the village and live alone in the forest.
- Another shock passed through the crowd. (A Passive Warrior: someone who does not serve full-time, but is summoned only for special and critical missions.)
The chief narrowed his eyes and stared at Katara, then murmured under his breath — more to himself than anyone else:
CHIEF:(thinking) Hmph... Strange things keep happening lately. But I think I understand why she's asking for this."
- He cast a sidelong glance toward the human child nestled in Miana's arms.
But Acat, standing nearby, was visibly displeased.His face twisted with disapproval, his fists clenched.Even the other Void could feel his growing rage.
Finally, he stepped forward, unable to hold back.
ACAT: This is outrageous! You can't accept this, Chief! A Passive Warrior? Living outside the village?!She'll just use it as an excuse to raise that human!You can't possibly—"
-The chief closed his eyes, thinking carefully. The murmurs of the crowd swelled again. Then, opening his eyes with resolve, he spoke:
CHIEF: Very well. I've made my decision. Katara — your wish is granted.
ACAT: But Chief—!"
CHIEF: However— there will be conditions."
-The crowd fell silent.
CHIEF: First: you may only enter the village twice a month.Any more than that, and you'll be exiled as an enemy of the village.Second: you are not a typical Passive Warrior. Though you'll mostly live alone, as our strongest fighter, we reserve the right to summon you when needed. Do you understand?"
KATARA: Yes, Chief.
- With that, the chief turned to Acat, who looked ready to burst.
CHIEF: Well, Acat? Any objections?
- Acat took a breath to speak—
ACAT: Yes, I—
CHIEF: Oh, look at the time.Dinner's almost ready!This meeting is now adjourned." Everyone — return to your duties. And Katara, gather your things and leave the village as soon as possible.That's what you wanted, wasn't it?"
KATARA: Yes, Chief.
- And with that, the chief turned and began climbing the stairs to his home.
Acat followed in protest, trying to speak, but the chief ignored him, quickly disappearing inside.
As the crowd began to disperse, the tension in the air slowly faded.
Only Katara and Miana remained.
Katara walked toward her, gently taking the child into her arms.With steady steps, she headed back to her home to prepare.
Miana, still overwhelmed by everything that had just happened, stood motionless for a moment.Then she ran after Katara, concern in her voice.
MIANA: Hey, Katara! Wait for me!
🟢 TO BE CONTINUED…