Prologue: The Arrow and The Call

Konri Petre of Preena stood upon a wooden platform with his pale white hair blowing behind him. His icy blue eyes flashed on seeing two bears be led into the center of circular wooden spikes. He turned to look at his ten-year-old daughter Korak Lelena. Today, she would show her worth to the people.

Her pale blonde hair was braided into an intricate design upon her head as small wisps loosely danced around her like a halo. She turned her light blue eyes to meet his as she adjusted her jacket's brown fur color. His wife, Konra Brina, stood on her other side with slightly darker blonde hair and stern blue eyes. She stared straight ahead with a small smirk upon her face.

"We should start," Konra Brina whispered without turning to him.

Konri Petre nodded, motioning for the two men on either side of the platform to sound their horns. After three blows, the crowd had lulled into silence with eyes upon the leaders of Preena.

"Preena is built upon strength. Our great Konri Ender showed this when he vanquished the great white bear and took its power for his own. Today, our daughter, Korak Lelena, shall show her own strength and worthiness to follow in the line of Konri Ender," Konri Petre announced to the crowd upon his wooden platform.

They had builders construct the arena for just this occasion. An event her mother, Konra Brina, hoped to become a standard to inherit the throne. On the tenth year of life, the heir must partake in the War of the Bears. Two bears would fight in the pit until the young Konrik or Korak chose a victor by shooting the weaker bear with an arrow.

So, a ten-year-old, Korak Lelena, stood above the pit on a wood platform in the cold. In preparation, her mother provided a new fur and bow. Mother believed that, though they did not have the title of king or queen, they had a status to maintain. They had a duty to uphold.

"I—" Korak Lelena started, but her mother provided a hard shake of her head to indicate she should not speak any further.

"It is your duty," Konri Brina hissed into her daughter's ear while pushing the bow into her chest.

Lelena's hands trembled as her hands clutched onto the wood. She turned towards the pit and adjusted her hold upon the bow while retrieving an arrow from the holster.

Below, the two beasts growled and rose on their hind legs with wood spikes surrounding them. Cheers echoed around them as the bears took swipes against each other. Lelena did not see how it would be possible to choose between the two. They both fought with the same passion and ferocity for survival. To shoot one out of sheer preference of their coat made her feel unjust. Shooting the smaller bear would be too easy and not display her ability to assess the situation fully.

Lelena's hand trembled slightly. I must display my wisdom and strength. The people must trust me to lead them.

Her heart pounded within her ears as a haze began to overwhelm her thoughts. In a moment of doubt, Lelena dropped her bow slightly.

The sound of her father's made her instantaneously stiffen. "Hold your bow steady, Lele."

Lelena knew better than to speak while readjusting her hold.

"Be patient, my dear. We can be here as long as you need to choose a victor," Konra Brina whispered. "Eventually, one will show enough weakness so you can discern which bear is stronger. Then we will mount the head in your room as a reminder."

Lelena's eyes widened at the thought. She would need to find a way to hide the head. Lelena did not need to be reminded of the day she killed a beast, but her mother would think differently. Mother always had strong opinions.

Konra Brina did not believe in simply choosing power based upon size. She believed a leader must be patient to analyze a situation before acting. To prepare Lelena for today, she had her spend hours standing at the ready in their garden to shoot twenty rabbits. The exercise numbed her soul and the nerves on her fingers.

"You are doing well, Lele," Konri Petre soothed.

Lelena exhaled slowly. The sun moved steadily overhead as people began to show their own lack of patience in the process. Cheers slowly became jeers as the beasts' battle became less fierce. The once ferocious swipes and bites now became small raises of their paws and circling walks around the pit.

They do not want to do this anymore. Lelena felt a small pull on her heart while watching the bears. This is not—.

Konri Petre interrupted her thought. "It is almost time, Lele."

"Oh shush, Petre. Be patient, Lele. Eventually, one will show weakness."

In unison, she exhaled with her parents watching the smaller beast stumble over an object a spectator threw into the pit, falling hard upon the ground. The larger bear moved quickly to attack. The audience gasped as the smaller bear bared its teeth in defense, continuing to push its larger aggressor back. The two tumbled across the floor until the smaller bear was once again on its feet.

I cannot stand this anymore.

A small amount of regret left her with the arrow as Lelena closed her eyes. She thought of the soft fur near her neck instead of the larger bear's heart being pierced. Her eyes opened when the cheer rose unanimously when the beast hit the ground. The smaller bear walked towards its fallen comrade and nudged it before walking away.

"Well done, daughter," Konri Petre whispered before turning to the crowd to address them.

Lelena did not hear anything her father said. She let her gaze transition between the larger and smaller bears below her. Soon, the larger beast's head would be put upon her wall as a reminder of what weakness brings. But, she could not help but feel a spirit move within her. A soft gasp left her lips when a deep male voice filled her mind.

They do not understand true wisdom and strength. You must guide them to a better path for true enlightenment of the spirit. There will be a choice between two natures. Without a sensible understanding of the pneuma, pride can lead to bigotry, and what Konri Ender united will be destroyed. You must seek numinousness.

Lelena dropped her bow as a soft chill ran down her arms. She looked between her smiling mother and father, who seemed unaware. Lelena took a deep, shaky breath before nodding her head.

I will.

Good. We will send the messengers. We must transcend.

***

Hey!  I'm excited to be back with the sequel (FINALLY).  This scene might seem familiar, but I thought it did better here as it sets the tone for what is to come.

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