Far north of Solthar Keep, where the dense forests swallowed the last remnants of civilization, Chase and Selena stood at the outskirts of her tribe’s settlement. The journey had taken them through unforgiving terrain - winding mountain paths, river crossings, and days of travel beneath the open sky. Now, the towering trees of the northern wilds loomed over them, their canopies filtering the dying light of the sun.

  The Lion Tribe - Entrance

  The air carried the crisp scent of pine and damp earth, mixed with the distant hum of village life just beyond the tree line. Marking the entrance stood massive totems, each carved with the fierce visages of great beasts. Selena’s gaze lingered on them, her usual confidence shadowed by something more hesitant.

  Chase: You sure about this?

  Selena: (Exhales Sharply) We’re already here. So, yeah… I’m ready to face my tribe again.

  Despite her words, her stride faltered. The weight of her return pressed down on her, though she refused to show it.

  As they entered the village, the murmur of conversation faded. Beasts of various forms - each sharing feline traits similar to Selena’s - turned their heads, their expressions shifting from curiosity to recognition, then uncertainty.

  A broad-shouldered warrior stepped forward, arms crossed, his piercing gaze locking onto Selena.

  Fenrik: Selena? After all these years, you’ve returned… and with a human at that.

  Selena: Yeah…

  Selena pauses and steadies herself.

  Selena: Where’s the Chief? I want to reconcile for leaving the tribe.

  Fenrik’s ears flicked, his expression caught between skepticism and amusement.

  Fenrik: Is that really you, Selena? I never thought I’d hear those words from you.

  Selena’s gaze sharpened, a quiet warning flashing in her eyes. Fenrik knew that look well and quickly dropped the teasing.

  Fenrik: (Clears Throat) The Chief’s out monitoring the northeastern borders.

  Selena: Northeastern? The panthers again?

  Fenrik: Not sure yet. But Priestess Yalara is in her chamber. You can talk to her instead.

  Selena: (Nods) I see. I’ll speak to my former master then.

  Fenrik’s eyes flicked to Chase, his posture still tense.

  Fenrik: And the human?

  Selena glances at Chase briefly, then back to Fenrik.

  Selena: This is Chase. He’s with me. Don’t worry, he’s good I guarantee you.

  Fenrik let out a low hum before stepping aside. As Selena led the way toward the Priestess’ chamber, Chase followed close behind, sensing the tension in her movements.

  He knew better than to say anything now - this was Selena’s moment. But as they walked deeper into the village, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this place held more weight over her than she let on.

  The Priestess’s Chamber

  The Priestess’s Chamber lay ahead, its entrance marked by carved wooden totems that bore the symbols of the tribe’s ancestors. A lingering scent of incense drifted from within, mingling with the crisp air of the northern woods.

  Selena came to a stop just before the threshold, her tail flicking once in thought. She turned to Chase.

  Selena: Wait here.

  Her voice was steady, but there was something beneath it - an edge of hesitation quickly buried. Without another word, she stepped inside.

  The chamber was dimly lit, the flickering glow of lanterns casting long shadows along the walls adorned with ceremonial carvings. At the center, seated upon a raised platform, was Priestess Yalara. Draped in flowing robes of deep earthy hues, her presence commanded quiet reverence. Her piercing gaze settled upon Selena, studying her with calm scrutiny.

  Yalara: So… the wayward huntress returns.

  There was no hostility in her tone, only quiet curiosity. Yet, beneath it lay something else - caution, perhaps even doubt.

  Selena: It’s been a long time, Priestess.

  Yalara: It has. And yet, here you stand once more. Tell me, child… why have you come back?

  Selena inhaled, her ears tilting back slightly before she straightened.

  Selena: I want to resume my training. I want to learn the tribe’s spiritual arts.

  Yalara’s expression did not change, though her eyes seemed to darken with old memories.

  Yalara: You wish to follow our path? After all these years?

  The words carried weight. Selena met her gaze head-on.

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  Selena: I do.

  A moment of silence stretched between them. Then, Yalara stood, stepping down from her platform with slow, deliberate grace.

  Yalara: You left because you refused to change. You were too ferocious in battle, too extreme. Every strike, every motion - it was as if you fought not just to win, but to consume.

  Selena’s claws flexed at her sides, but she forced herself to remain still.

  Yalara: Our ways are not merely about strength, Selena. They require balance. You rejected that balance once. What has changed?

  Selena exhaled through her nose, her tail flicking once before stilling. She hesitated - just for a moment - then spoke.

  Selena: …Someone protected me. I should’ve been the one to do it, but I couldn’t.

  Yalara’s gaze sharpened, sensing the weight behind those words.

  Selena: He almost died shielding me from something I couldn't stop. That moment - it wasn’t about strength. It wasn’t about winning. I was just… powerless.

  Her jaw tightened.

  Selena: I swore that wouldn’t happen again. That’s why I’m here. I don’t care about redemption. I don’t care if the tribe forgives me. I just want to learn.

  Silence hung between them. Then, finally, Yalara let out a quiet sigh.

  Yalara: Hmph. You always were stubborn. Perhaps that is still your strength. But words are not enough. If you truly wish to walk this path, Selena, you must prove it.

  Selena’s ears twitched, but she nodded, her voice firm.

  Selena: I understand, Priestess. I’ll prove myself.

  Yalara studied her for a beat longer before turning away.

  Yalara: Then we shall see if the wild huntress can learn the way of the tribe.

  She paused, then added,

  Yalara: In three days, we will raid the dungeon to the east. It’s owner has returned, and it must be dealt with before it grows too powerful. You will join us.

  Selena’s tail flicked up, her eyes gleaming with something between excitement and determination.

  Selena: Consider it done.

  Outside the Chamber

  Selena stepped out of the chamber, her expression unreadable at first until her tail flicked with excitement. She turned to Chase, a rare grin spreading across her face.

  Selena: I got my chance, Chase! She’s giving me a trial to prove myself!

  Chase: What trial?

  Selena: Three days from now, the tribe will conduct a dungeon raid. The priestess is asking me to join the raid.

  Chase: Really? A dungeon raid, huh? Never done that before. Can I join you?

  Selena: You know this is my trial, right?

  Before Chase could respond, the chamber doors creaked open behind them. Yalara stepped out wanting to know what’s the commotion outside her chamber.

  Yalara: Selena! I can hear your voice piercing my doors.

  Her keen eyes landing on Selena first before shifting toward Chase. She studied him for a long moment before speaking.

  Yalara: And who is this?

  Selena: Uhm… Priestess, this is Chase. I met him during my journey. We became... friends.

  Yalara’s gaze lingered on Chase, her expression unreadable. There was something in the way Selena said it - hesitation, maybe, or something else entirely.

  Yalara: A human friend? Hm.

  Chase: Uhm… Priestess…?

  Yalara: Yalara! You may address me as Priestess Yalara, human. Now, speak!

  Chase: Priestess Yalara, if it’s not too much to ask - would it be possible for me to join the raid?

  Selena’s ears twitched in irritation as she turned to him.

  Selena: Chase! This isn’t some ordinary adventure. It’s my trial!

  Yalara, however, seemed amused. A silent understanding flickered in her gaze. She wasn’t just testing Selena’s strength - she wanted to see if Selena could work alongside another, if she had truly grown past her solitary ways. After a moment of thought, she gave a small nod.

  Yalara: Very well. If you are willing to fight alongside Selena, you may join.

  Selena: Wait, what?

  Yalara: You will still have to prove yourself, Selena. And if this human is important enough for you to call him friend, then let us see how well you stand together.

  Selena exhaled sharply. Chase, on the other hand, gave a confident nod.

  Chase: You won’t be disappointed.

  Yalara gave a knowing look toward Selena before turning away, heading back inside. As she disappeared into the chamber, a single thought crossed her mind.

  Yalara (to self): Perhaps she did change.

  Selena’s Home

  As Selena walked through the village, the quiet rustling of the trees and distant murmurs of the tribespeople accompanied her steps. Chase had gone off to find an inn for the night, while she made her way toward the home she had left behind. Standing before the familiar wooden structure, she hesitated, her tail flicking with uncertainty. It had been years, yet the house remained unchanged, as if time had not moved since her departure.

  Taking a breath, she stepped inside. The scent of dried herbs and burning wood filled the air. Her mother, Maelis, sat near the hearth, skillfully weaving a basket, her movements slow and deliberate. She glanced up as Selena entered, her gaze settling on her daughter without a trace of surprise.

  Maelis: You’re back.

  Selena: …Yeah.

  She expected something more - some acknowledgment of how long she had been gone, perhaps even relief or anger. Instead, Maelis simply nodded and continued weaving. The warmth Selena had unknowingly braced herself for never came, leaving a hollow feeling in her chest.

  Selena: I thought you’d be… I don’t know, happy? Surprised? Anything?

  Maelis: I am neither disappointed nor overjoyed. You are an adult, Selena. Your choices are your own. That is how it has always been.

  Selena’s ears twitched, her claws instinctively flexing. There was no resentment in her mother’s tone, no bitterness. Just simple, unwavering acceptance.

  Maelis: Your father is out on patrol. He will likely hear of your return soon enough. He will not question where you have been, nor will he ask what brought you back. That is not our way.

  Selena: And if I leave again?

  Maelis: Then you leave. Our duty was to raise you until you could stand on your own. We fulfilled that duty. What you do beyond that is yours to decide.

  A quiet settled between them. Selena’s mind churned, the beasts way of family feeling strangely distant now. Before, it had made sense. Independence was natural, necessary. Parents nurtured their young until they could survive, and then the bond shifted. It was how it had always been.

  Yet, standing here now, after everything she had been through - after everything Chase had taught her, shown her - she felt something missing.

  She swallowed the lump in her throat and stepped back.

  Selena: I… I’ll be staying at the inn. Goodbye, mother…

  Maelis gave another nod, unfazed.

  Maelis: Then rest well, Selena.

  The conversation ended, and Selena stepped out into the cool night air. The weight in her chest remained, heavier than before. She clenched her fists, shaking her head at herself.

  Selena: What was I expecting?

  She turned on her heel and made her way toward the inn.

  The Inn

  Chase heard a knock on his door, it was firm but brief. When he opened it, Selena stepped in without a word. Before he could ask, she wrapped her arms around him in a quick, fleeting hug before pulling away and dropping onto a chair, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

  Chase: Uh… What was that for?

  Selena: I decided to stay with you here instead.

  Chase blinked, processing her words. He could see something in her posture, something restless, but he knew better than to press.

  Chase: Alright. You know I don’t mind.

  She nodded, gaze flicking to the side. Chase considered asking what had happened, but instead, he simply sat down across from her, offering the quiet presence she seemed to need.

  For the first time in a long while, Selena felt at ease.