The wilderness of Gongzhu was never quiet. The cicadas buzzed like a chorus of restless spirits, and the river that snaked through the exile lands carried the weight of blood and ashes. Xian Lee sat on the edge of its stony bank, hugging his knees, watching his own reflection ripple and break apart with the current.
His stomach growled. Again.
He hadn't eaten anything since being cast out of the village. His small bundle of seeds, wrapped in cloth, was the only thing left of the world he once called home.
The elders had said, "A clanless child has no right to stand among us."
Their words still cut sharper than hunger.
As he tried to calm his trembling body, a sudden splash echoed from downstream. Xian froze. His wide eyes darted toward the sound.
A boy—no, more like a beast draped in human skin—emerged from the water. His shirt was shredded, skin torn by claw marks, face stained with blood that trailed down to his jaw. He bent over, scooping water with both hands, washing away the crimson. His wounds looked fresh, as if he had just fought something—and survived.
Xian's breath caught. He wanted to hide. He wanted to run. But his body refused to move.
The boy's presence felt like a storm. Rugged, dangerous, yet undeniably alive.
Xian's hunger gnawed at him again. His fingers fumbled at his pocket until he pulled out the small cloth pouch. He untied it, staring at the seeds inside.
"If only you could grow into food right now…" he muttered.
On a sudden whim, he tossed a few into the soil near the bank, pressing them down with his trembling fingers. A mocking act of hope.
A shadow passed overhead.
WHOOSH!
A massive bird swooped down, its talons piercing the earth where the seeds lay. Xian yelped, scrambling backward. But before he could react further, the bird twitched, convulsed, and collapsed, dead within seconds.
Xian's eyes widened. His breath hitched.
"…W-what?"
The boy by the river stood, dripping wet. His sharp gaze fell on the lifeless bird. Without hesitation, he walked over, grabbed it by the wing, and dragged it back to the water. He dunked it, scrubbing the blood and dirt off, as if this was just another chore.
Xian could only stare.
The boy didn't seem surprised. He didn't seem grateful. He didn't even glance at Xian. He simply worked.
He killed a beast with nothing… just seeds? No, that's impossible.
The boy plucked green leaves from a nearby bush. Then, shockingly, he arranged them carefully around the bird.
Xian's mouth fell open when the boy muttered something under his breath, pressed seeds between his palms, and then hurled a stone into the pile.
FWOOM!
A flame erupted.
Xian jumped, nearly falling backward into the river. "W-WHAT THE—?!"
The boy ignored him, calmly placing the bird over the strange fire. The smell of sizzling flesh soon filled the air.
Xian's stomach howled again.
The boy's hands were scarred, dirt-caked, and trembling with exhaustion. But his movements were precise, practiced.
Xian swallowed hard. He's not normal. He's not… safe. But… he knows how to survive.
He edged closer, timidly. "U-um…"
The boy finally looked at him.
His eyes were sharp, feral, like a predator. But behind them, Xian caught something—something soft, buried deep.
"You…" the boy muttered. "Are you staring for fun, or do you want to die?"
Xian flinched. "I-I'm just… hungry."
The boy gave a short, cold laugh, as if amused by his weakness. He tore a piece of half-cooked meat, tossed it onto the dirt in front of Xian.
"There. Eat. If your stomach doesn't burst, you'll live."
Xian hesitated. The meat was bloody, undercooked. The smell… it was unbearable. He bit into it, his hands trembling, the taste both revolting and heavenly at once.
The boy watched him in silence, chewing on his own piece of meat with far less hesitation.
After a long silence, Xian finally whispered, "How… how did you do that? With the fire?"
The boy didn't answer.
"Are you… are you from the Fire Clan?" Xian's voice carried a strange, hopeful lilt. "I-I've always admired them. If I could choose a clan… I would pick Fire without a doubt!"
The boy froze mid-bite. His gaze darkened instantly.
Without warning, he stepped forward—and punched Xian's face.
Xian yelped, falling backward onto the dirt, clutching his cheek. His eyes watered in shock and pain.
The boy's voice was low, dangerous. "Never. Ask me that again."
Before Xian could respond, the boy turned, snatched the rest of the meat, and walked into the forest without looking back.
The fire crackled softly, the only sound left in the silence.
Xian sat there, stunned, his lips trembling.
"…Strange boy," he whispered. His cheek throbbed, but somewhere deep in his chest… a flicker of curiosity burned brighter than the fear.
Who are you…? And why do you hate the Fire Clan?
The night fell heavy, and the wilderness of Gongzhu grew colder. But for the first time since exile, Xian felt something other than despair.
He felt… suspense.