Hunnt stirred in his bed, blinking sleep from his eyes as the distant sounds from the forest reached him — the faint clatter of boots, the hum of carts, and something deeper, sharper… a roar carried by the wind.
He sat up, small hands clutching the thin blanket, heart pounding. Curiosity outweighed fear. Slowly, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and padded quietly toward the window.
Outside, villagers moved through the streets, their faces focused and busy. Hunters, clad in worn armor, sharpened blades and inspected weapons while others carried supplies toward the forest edge. Hunnt's eyes followed them, noting the precision in their movements, the way they handled each tool as though it were an extension of themselves.
"Hunters… they're real," he whispered to himself, his voice tiny but steady.
---
The wooden steps creaked under Hunnt's feet as he made his way downstairs.
The familiar scent of stew and freshly baked bread lingered in the air. Grandma Mel was already bustling near the stove, humming softly, while Grandpa Dom sat at the table, his morning tea steaming in front of him.
"Good morning," Hunnt said, his small voice carrying through the room.
The old couple turned to him, warm smiles spreading across their faces.
"Well, good morning, Hunnt," Mel replied, setting down a wooden ladle.
Dom gave a low grunt of acknowledgment, his usual version of a morning greeting.
Hunnt hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Grandma, Grandpa… can I go outside for a bit?"
The couple exchanged a quick glance and chuckled softly. Mel wiped her hands on her apron and smiled at him.
"You don't need permission to go outside, dear. You can go whenever you like," she said gently. "Just… don't interfere with the hunters. And don't leave the village. It's still not safe yet."
Hunnt nodded firmly. "Yes, Grandma. I'll be careful."
---
Outside, the village was already alive with activity. The rhythmic clatter of carts, the soft murmur of villagers exchanging greetings, and the distant thud of hammers filled the air. Hunnt walked slowly through the dirt paths, taking in everything with quiet curiosity.
When he reached the edge of the square, his gaze drifted toward the hunters. They were preparing for another day, their movements sharp and precise. From a safe distance, Hunnt watched them — their practiced motions almost hypnotic.
As he looked closer, his eyes scanned the variety of weapons they carried — a small sword paired with a shield; a massive bone-shaped weapon that looked like a hammer; and a bow with a quiver of arrows slung across a hunter's back.
Recognition sparked like a quiet ember in his mind, subtle but undeniable.
*I've seen those before…*
The thought lingered on the edge of memory, teasing him, though no full recollection surfaced.
---
His thoughts were interrupted by a low, guttural growl that rolled through the air from beyond the village walls. The sound sent a strange thrill down his spine — not fear, but familiarity.
*This sound… I've also heard this before… a thousand times… I know this roar…*
The same sense of déjà vu tugged at him when he glanced at the hunters again, at the way they handled their weapons with practiced precision. His mind struggled to place it, fragments of memories brushing at the edges of thought, like half-forgotten dreams.
And then it clicked. He remembered something — something from when he first came to this world.
*No… it can't be…*
A passing villager slowed their steps, offering him a gentle nod.
"Be careful out here, Hunnt."
Hunnt blinked, forcing a nod. "Yes…" he whispered, voice small but steady.
Inside, his thoughts swirled. *Why… why does all of this feel so familiar?* The hunters, their weapons, the roar — it all struck chords deep within him, threads of something he couldn't fully name.
He stayed rooted there for a while, observing, listening, committing every motion and every sound to memory. The strange mixture of recognition and uncertainty left a spark of excitement stirring in his chest, hinting that this world — terrifying and strange as it was — might hold secrets he was destined to uncover.