THE ANCIENT HUNT

I'M HERE FOR YOU

There was no training as it was announced the previous day but that was indirectly telling them to train on their own. They trained hard with the help of the soldiers they begged to help them so they could prepare for the evaluation. 

While Ahiga was training hard not to lose, Aditsan was just doing the little he could so he can be eliminated and his friend noticed but just chose to ignore, he was the one that forced him here after all.

“can we take a break?” the soldier training with them asked 

“Sure! Thank you for your help” Ahiga said with a mini bow before the soldier left them

“You are trying to lose and you are making it too obvious” he said to Aditsan who scoffed

“as long as you know, I will be getting eliminated so why should I bother myself” Aditsan replied resting his back on the wall

“I’m sorry for forcing you here against your will, come to think of it, you have nothing to fight for so I understand your frustration” he told him with a sober voice

“I’m glad you know I have nothing to fight for, I don’t understand why I’m going through all these” Aditsan said with a sigh

“But you were the one that brought the idea of enrolling” he eyed him and he lost the battle

He was truly the one that brought the idea because of the price attached but it seems the work he has to do instead is too overwhelming when he’s not even sure that he will win the hunt 

“I know I was the one but I want to drop out of it now” Aditsan stated firmly

“Good luck then, let’s meet at the evaluation” Ahiga stated and stood up from the place he sat down

He was passing through the long corridor made with the finest of the woods, it was shiny as if it was polished every minute when he heard someone yelling from afar, he looked to the side to see someone of royal status yelling at another one who seems to be a royal status too judging from her outfit but she will be below her for her to remain still during the yelling

The queen was passing through the narrow bridge connecting the palace with the concubine’s section when she saw Shael passing by with her Erhu. Shael and Mica greeted her with a bow as they saw her and went on their way but the queen was bent on picking a fight

“Is that how to greet your elders? Just because the king has been up and all about you, does that means I don’t deserve your respect?” the queen lamented as Shael passed by

“I’m sorry my queen, I greeted you but if that was not enough then I’ll do it again” she replied with another bow but the queen scoffed in response

“Do you not know how to greet properly? Should I teach you?” the queen stated and Shael rolled her eyes a bit before opening her mouth to reply

“I’m sorry my queen but the king has instructed me not to bow more than this for anyone except him, I will never disobey my king just to please anyone below him” she remarked softly and that stung the queen hard

“You worthless harlot! How dare you open your mouth to say rubbish?” the queen growled with rage and raised her hand to slap her when the king’s escort announced his arrival

He was coming from the meeting with the officials and decided to visit Shael when he walked in on the drama between her and the queen

“My king, what are you here in this lowly place for?” the queen quickly asked with smiles plastered on her face while pushing Shael aside as she ran to the king’s side

“What else would I be looking for in this place if not for my treasure? Ah I can see her here” the king said fixing his gaze on Shael who sneaked a smile at the king’s word towards her while the queen glared at her

“I’m sorry I made you come all the way here my King, I was on my way to meet you so I can soothe whatever sadness with my precious baby” she said pointing to the erhu with Mica 

“Can you come soothe it sooner? This King can wait no longer” the king answered and she bowed with a smile

“For as much as you need my King, I am at your service” she said and went to meet the king who turned and led the way to the pavilion while the queen was dumfounded at how she was left on the spot

“I will make sure to break those wretched fingers one by one” the queen cursed as she watched them go before stomping to her chamber angrily

“Wait! Isn’t that the lady I saw the other day?” Ahiga muttered as he watched Shael disappear at the corner with the King

“Which lady?” Aditsan asked over his shoulder making him jump in fear

“Can you please make some noise when you walk? How can you startle me like that?” he gritted at him before leaving

“That’s strange, I marched loudly here though” Aditsan titled his head in confusion before calling out to him

“Wait for me!” he said as he ran to close the gap between them

*** 

The evaluation day came in and they were told to carry out different missions to test their strength and abilities. They were divided into groups and told to compete against one another, thankfully the two friends were both in the same group.

They first had to stay under water for some minutes but some people failed and they were disqualified straightaway. They were made to run, climb things and also play some word games.

In the last round, the number targeted for the disqualified people was reached and strangely, Aditsan was not among, he had passed all the tests mindlessly and he also was surprised that he wasn’t disqualified as the sounded the final gong

“did you change your mind overnight? How come you worked hard to the extent of not being disqualified?” Ahiga asked raising his brow

“well I guess the universe is telling me something, I decided not to drop out after making it today, I will win and make the prize mine so I can be free from the shackles of the orphanage and also live a good life” Aditsan said with a smile and his friend smiled too

“I guess you now have a driving force but don’t forget that you gave a rival and that’s me” Ahiga stated pointing to himself

“Dear friend, you better prepare yourself, you know that once I want something, I get it by all means right?” Aditsan asked with proud shoulders

“You should know who you are dealing with too” he said and they both laughed before someone familiar passed by with a basket filled with clothes attached to her waist 

“Isn’t that Morgan?” Aditsan exclaimed pointing to her and he quickly looked at the direction to check and it was really her

He ran to meet up with her and smile happily as he stood in front of her

“Ahiga?” she exclaimed as she scanned him from head to toe

“Yes that’s me” he confirmed trying to catch his breath

“what are you doing here in the palace? You are even putting on a uniform” she said with shock still written all over her face, he was the last person she thought she would ever run into

“I’m here for you” he said with a smile as Aditsan caught up with them