Spirit Warriors: A clan shall rise

The last to arrive was Yelena, and much like the elders had anticipated, she too had obtained the favor of a spirit and received its runic markings. The villagers wanted to hold a banquet, but the Thane had delayed the event as they would wait for the last remaining member to arrive.

And it has already been two days since. 

Most of the villagers began to return to their work and homes, sighing sadly as they left. Hope began to diminish as the group vanished, and for a while, a heavy atmosphere once more arose. Now, only three people stood at the entrance of the village.

A burly young man, almost bear-like in stature, stood alongside two men. A tall broad broad-shouldered man and one that seemed significantly older than the other.

The aged man watched the entrance with a dispirited gaze before sighing, "Hjarn… maybe it's time."

He began. It's been days since the rest had gathered in the village, and concern had long since vanished. They believed that Eirik must have met his end in the trial, and the thought was further validated once they thought of the man's injury. An injury that would severely affect his combat abilities, even if he was good with a sword.

"It's almost time for the Roaming, we should close the gates before the Eldbeasts wander in," the aged man continued, his voice soft and… listless as he spoke to his friend.

Hjarn took his time, said nothing for a moment. "Just… give me more time. If he doesn't arrive by dusk, then… I will close the gates myself." 

"Very well." the aged man said, giving his friend another glance before leaving. Saddened and disheartened.

Torvin listened to the conversation between his elders, and although he wanted to lash out and even run into the woods and find his friend, he knew he couldn't. He knew his friend would need to reach the village himself, but he also knew his friend's condition best.

Thoughts raced in his mind, anger, sadness, and fear all rushed through his mind and body. He wanted to cry out and deny his friend's death, to shatter the thoughts of those around them, but he too knew.

He hoped his friend would arrive, and he prayed for his safety.

Both men stood together, staring out into the woods. Nothing was said, but as time began to pass and the time of dusk swiftly approached, Torvin spoke, "Are we really about to close the gates… what if…"

"I know," Hjarn interrupted. His voice seemed to crack, and for the first time since they stood, watching, waiting. Torvin could hear the sorrow in the man's voice. "But the roaming is approaching, and we should seal the gates."

Hjarn began to move, slowly and listlessly. Torvin stood and watched as the figure he grew up to respect seemed to crumble as he began pushing the gates shut. And he too felt it, the immense sorrow. When the gates are sealed. They would only open up a year later, and surviving in the Crag was nothing short of a nightmare.

His head dropped slowly, and for the last time, he began to whisper and pray, "Please, if you are still alive, please appear! My brother!" choking slightly as he spoke the last words.

As he silently cried out Eirik's name in prayer, the sound of the gate being pushed closed halted. He raised his head, expecting to see the gates closed, but to his confusion, there stood Hjarn. His body quivered slightly as he stared into the woods.

"Torvin! Quick go get Lysa! Hurry!" Hjarn hurriedly turned around and shouted at the young man.

Torvin gazed at Hjarn in bewilderment, before his expression froze. Behind Hjarn, in the distance, he could see him. Eirik, appearing from the dense foliage, limping and bleeding. The sadness disappeared, and joy overtook him, but seeing the injuries, he hurriedly turned around and ran through the village heading for the herbalist's hut.

Meanwhile, Eirik reached the village entrance and stumbled into the small village, caught by his father, "Eirik! Don't worry, your mother is on her way!" 

He reassured, relief washing over him as his son had returned. He quickly scanned his son before his brows furrowed in response. "What creature did this to you?"

Eirik lay in his father's arms, and for the first time in weeks, his heart and body could relax. He knew he would be safe. His journey back to the village had even been more treacherous than to the stone, and along the way, he had to fight many beasts. Much more beasts than there were when they departed.

He had gotten wounded and never had the chance to properly heal before he was attacked by more beasts.

"Bone-Billed Raptor" Was all Eirik could muster to say, hoarsely, before falling asleep. He had been sleep deprived for days since he started his journey back, thanks to the increasing number of beasts, but now that he knew he was safe, his worries disappeared, and he fell asleep.

Hjarn smiled, relieved that his son had just fallen asleep, and he quickly picked the man up before instructing the guards to close the stone gates further.

A day and a half later.

Eirik slowly opened his eyes. A ceiling much familiar to him appeared. He was in his room, "Father must have brought me as soon as I fell asleep." 

He whispered quietly as he pushed himself up. A flare of pain from his back echoed through his body as he winced. Gazing down at his body, Eirik could feel what felt like bandages wrapped around his body underneath his clothes.

"So you finally decided to wake from your sleep," a voice drifted over. And Eirik saw his father leaning against the door frame with a smile on his face.

"How long was I out for?" Eirik asked, curious.

"Mhmm, not too long. About a day and a half." His father answered steadily. "Were it not for your mother and the healers bandaging you up, I reckon you would have slept longer."