Something to Prove

Aresenn stalked ahead, his muscular form moving with calculated precision through the towering redwoods. The ancient trees loomed above him, their trunks so massive they seemed to defy comprehension. He scanned the dim forest floor, his piercing orange eyes probing the dappled shadows for any sign of their quarry. He had previously scouted, meticulously planning every detail of Araxina and Dracun's khalif trial. The memory of spotting the mother black bear and her two adolescent cubs was fresh in his mind.

As he understood it, these trials were generally done solo. But of course, he didn’t feel this was a standard opponent- and he was certainly not going to send one of his kids by themself to face this challenge alone. This may have been bending the rules a little, but afterall, these were not his family’s customs- nor were they Absinth. This was the way the Saxe brought up their kids … and well, when in Rome.

Araxina and Dracun followed close behind- he could hear them back there. He was pretty sure he had done an okay job at conveying the significance of this rite of passage, and to do so without scaring them. He didn’t want them cowed, he wanted them confident. Cautious. Prepared. And gods, they were prepared. They had trained and trained, and trained some more. But you could only train so much. At some point … you had to be tested. And that was the point of this.

Aresenn's mind raced as he led his children deeper into the woods, strategizing and anticipating every possible scenario. He had scouted this area thoroughly, memorizing every rock, every hollow, every potential advantage or pitfall. The image of the mother bear and her cubs was seared into his mind, a formidable challenge he had hand-picked for this pivotal moment. He wasn’t sure who would be home in the den. The cubs were probably three seasons old- as old as Araxina and Dracun. And just as his kids were capable of fighting for themselves … he was sure the adolescent bears would be as well. "Keep your wits about you," Aresenn murmured over his shoulder, his deep voice low and gravelly, resonating through the stillness of the Redwood Forest. "This is not just a trial of strength; it’s a test of your instincts, your willpower, and your ability to think on your paws."

The stench of bear den was overpowering, they were close. Close enough, that he chose this moment to turn and face his son and daughter. “Failure is not an option.” He said quietly, holding each of their gazes for a moment. It wasn’t that he would be disappointed- or even that they would be punished. He wasn’t allowed to help them here- or a far worse death would befall them all. But the gravity of his words weighed heavily in the air, wrapping around them like the thick mist that clung to the forest floor. Aresenn’s fiery orange eyes burned with a fierce intensity, urging them to grasp his meaning. He watched Araxina and Dracun, their expressions reflecting the very traits he held dear: resilience, courage, strength. They were ready; he had ensured that much through grueling days of training under the watchful eye of their parents.

“Remember your training,” he continued, his voice low yet steady. “Trust your instincts above all else.” With a swift motion, he gestured toward the terrain ahead, where the ground began sloping gently downward into a clearing cradled between two ancient redwoods. It was a strategic spot—open enough for freedom of movement but surrounded by trees offering potential cover should they need it. It was just outside the mother black bear’s den. And before he sent them on, he cuffed Dracun on the shoulder, offering him a stern nod in encouragement. And then proceeded to press his nose in Araxina’s forehead. “I will wait here until you have claimed your victories.”

With the scent of damp earth sharpening his senses, Aresenn stepped back, allowing the weight of anticipation to settle as his children prepared for the challenge ahead. The clearing beckoned, framed by the towering redwoods. “And don’t forget to take proof of your success when you are done.” He finished, his voice a sharp whisper, as if the words themselves could stir the very essence of the forest.

And with that, he sent them on. To their victory, or to their demise, he did not know. And the pang of anxiety twisted in his chest like the blade of a knife. He watched them both move into the clearing, unfurling their potential as they navigated the uneven ground, the leaves crunching softly beneath their paws.

"Aresenn Praetor"