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Reaching for the cold weather of Alaska, two figures would peek out from the woods as a village no so far away would be spotted at the distance.
"'We're here."
The empty shell announced her partner who was doing her best to get used to chilling temperatures.
"A-are you sure we didn't brought any more jackets? Aren't you cold?"
Asked the brunette with a shivering voice, but the empty shell could not feel hot, nor cold. She did disguised for the event no wanting to stand out and give away their location. But she had no need for a shelter from the odd and unforgiving weather.
"Misty, if you truly wish to serve Scarlet sama you must prove your value. You must earn 5 souls from this village. Steal them, earn them. Have it your way but you mustn't let the hunting season end before you get those 5 souls with you."
Misty was confused.
"Why don't we just wipe out the village?"
Asked curious, especially coming from Belle since she didn't seem like the type to care about other people at all.
"Life is a bet. You must honor the game. Take what you can. But right now, you are useless. You've been private from your previous souls so you have to start from zero. Scarlet sama is always being wanted. And as such we, as underlings could be used as lures or maps to reach her. To prevent that we mustn't be captured. And to prevent being captured we must move cautiously. Wake your instincts. This is a place were death is a daily issue. So people dying wouldn't rise any suspicion. Even more since the predators of the zone would clean up the bodies. This is a gold mine that can be exploited over, and over and over again. Do not let it go to waste because of a rash action. Here no one would pursuit you unless you are stupid enough to reveal yourself as an enemy."
Explained the empty shell as she proceeded to walk down the hill towards the village.
"Come, I'll show you around."
Misty Nodded as se observed with curiosity how Belle was starting to apply some weird make up on their way.
"Prepare yourself with something tribal. Anything would do."
Misty did not understood most of what she was asking so she tried her best to copy Belle's make up.

Misty was each time more and more confused about this mission. Why was food greeting them? Why were food preparing meal for them? Why would she had to see food as human beings. This didn't seem like anything Scarlet had taught her before. As both Maidens were given some time to get to her positions in the shrine, she takes this chance to get near Belle and ask.
"I don't get it. Why must I treat them like person. they are food, they aren't customers. They are humans and they are useless."

She replied with a pout as if that would move Belle to compassion.
"Misty, look closely. They understand life is a precious gift. Every single soul in this village is for Scarlet to be taken and none of them would object. They know their place. And as soon as you learn yours, your training shall begin. Otherwise, you'll remain even more useless than the people you call useless. They give up their lives for Scarlet's sake, to feed her with pure souls. And now Scarlet sama is sacrificing part of her harvest this year to help you grow stronger. She know's you can't take an enemy on your own so we are starting from the basics. Which is already enough to drag us back a long way. So, better be grateful and respectful to others. Every soul you take. Is a gift from Scarlet who had let you live up to this very moment."
Misty jaw dropped, se didn't expected that kind of answer, especially from Belle who saw clients like something even less worthy than a cockroach. Was she really dragging back all of them. The "maiden" looked troubled. But before she could realize, the first person to enter the shrine was one of the elders from the village.

"Ahh, good day to you young maidens."

Greeted with a kind smile. Belle greeted him with a smile of the same value.

"Good day to you elder one."

"U-uh... G-good day to you elder one!"

"Hahaha... Belle sama, you seem to be bringing a new apprentice this year. I feel blessed to have witness it with my very eyes."

Said the elder as both, Belle and himself laughed at each other as if it were two old friends greeting each other and joking about trivial things. Misty was embarrassed feeling out of place at every moment but Belle's words were still engraved in her soul.

-"D-do I not comprehend Scarlet sama then?"-

She was just minding her inner thoughts when the elder's violent coughs caught her attention. Turning over she would see how the elders rested on a bed in front of the altar. Belle would smile lightly while comforting the man who seemed to be on his last moments.
Belle gave a warm smile to that man until the very end, where the light of his eyes left his body along with his soul. Belle held onto the soul for a second smiling gently before handing it to her.

"Well that's four to go. Come on, you can have it"

"Didn't you said I would have to work my way to earn them?"

"You don't want it"

"W-ell yeah but -"

"Then stop wasting our time and take it."

Misty took the soul in her hands, it looked so precious, so fragile and delicious. This was her first time observing a pure soul. One that was equal as her. Was this the way Scarlet looked at her? There were many doubts and questions in her head. But in the end, she closed her eyes, thanking the elder for it's sacrifice before devouring the soul. It was a different sensation. Her whole body was feeling lighter than before, but there was something weird going on inside her, but she couldn't figure out what that was.

The image of a strong man leading the people came to her head, alongside him there was a girl, an adorable girl that looked just like...Belle? Misty Napped out of that vision, realizing the elder's body was gone as well. Belle would stare at her with a light glare.

"Well? Do you feel stronger now? You can't just spend all day sleeping we have work here to do you know?"

Misty's eyes were filling with tears.

"He... he was your father!"

Belle rolled her eyes and carried her back to her place. The rest of the afternoon they would greet the maiden which represented the spirit of nature and the maiden who cried for the souls of the departed. It would seem their job was done for today, and so they headed for their tent to spend the night.


Achievement Unlocked: [ KISHIN EGG ]

Chapter 2: Antler Hunting (In construction)



The next morning the brunette would have a painful awakening. Her back felt sore as if she had been drive over by a truck. Memories of last night were limited to her last chat at the table with Belle. As she tried to move she found it difficult. Her whole body was still at it's limit which scared her.
"W-what's going on?"
She asked loudly, She found herself on top of Belle again which no longer put a blush to her cheeks. Rather she was even scared to know the answer to her question. The empty shell would open her eyes slowly as she smiled looking at the brunette.
"Are you awake already? It's still 3 am, we have some time before the day starts. You should get some sleep."
Answered the empty shell, wrapping her arms gently around Misty, being extremely careful while handling her back. Misty soon realized it was more than a sore spot but rather the most sensitive part of her body at the time being since she slightest caress would release a pain through her spine.
"AH - !"
The girl was just screaming when Belle sealed her lips with her index.
"There there dear, today you might want to stay in the ceremonial hall. I'll take care of today's event."
Misty shivered in pain before settling down, Belle would try once again to get her hand on the brunette's back. removing carefully the bandages that covered her body while comforting the weapon in pain.
"W-what happened yesterday?"
She was already on top of Belle, so there wouldn't be a way for the empty shell to pass her without answering.
The empty shell paused for a moment, but then that warm smile of hers made act of presence once again. Belle continued removing the bandages until Misty was finally released from them.
"Well, I told you not to over do yourself. But you never listen, and this is what it happens when you don't listen to your superiors."
Said Belle without explaining much or running into detail of what actually happened. Carefully placing Misty back on bed, Belle would go for the new bandages to cover the wounds in her back. Taking a jar with some ointment, she proceeded to apply some ointment for the pain so she could wrap her up once again with new bandages.
Misty would had to call it a day earlier than she thought. She barely did something.

The next morning however, her body felt relieved, way better than yesterday at least. Finding herself cuddling against Belle, she sighed daring not to ask, perhaps she did all this while asleep and Belle was just okay with that.
"Are you feeling better now dear?"
Belle asked smiling gently as she leaned over the brunettes forehead before pressing her lips against it. Giggling as the flustered brunette nodded.
"Yeah, think I can move on my own now."
Belle seemed to be satisfied with that answer.
"Could I take my body back now?"
Misty negated with her head before cuddling closer.
"You are too comfortable and it's still to early to start."
The brunette decided not to mind all this until she was feeling better. During that time she would most likely go with the flow. Belle chuckled petting her head lightly.
"Alright, just a little longer."


Once the pain was bearable, she took on the mission of following the group back to Hunting grounds. Today they were after their main source of food of the village. However, they would also had to compete with other predators since the caribou was a usual prey. Apparently because of Black death they weren't able to keep the caribou in the village and so they were forced to hunt for it in the wild.
The dark waters of the lake were turn into white roads of ice in which the small caravan could travel through.
The very thought of falling into the waters meant certain death if warmth was not applied within the next 10 minutes.
The cold air and the silence in it, broken only by the shivering sounds of cracking ice and flowing water made it even worse.
For they say when the woods are silent a predator's hunting.
Steady and looking back every now and then. The caravan crossed the white road into black death's domain. The hunting grounds.

"There was a time where the forest was filled with life and chirping birds would still sound regardless of the cold weather. Deers and elks crying in the distance. Yet the day came when this beast rose from the darkness, with a thunderous roar said to strip your flesh out of your bones. He who's heart knew no remorse, mercy. The one which tainted the snow black in the night and crimson in the morning, Black death the bear.The villagers soon learned they couldn't keep much animals to farm here for they lured him in the night. And from now on, they fear every time they step out from the village or to be even outside the halls at night."

Belle's words bounced in the brunette's head. She had just remembered her talk with the empty shell before parting ways. After all Belle had to stay and tend the ceremonies in the village.
Looking back at her group she could see the fear in their eyes. None of them felt safe which made her share the feeling of vulnerability.

Few minutes into the open fields she spotted something at the distance. Something was calling for her.
With little to no option the rest of the caravan had to follow the brunette through the the fields as they spotted nothing. But a single soul.
As she took it and ate it. She started having visions of the owner's past life.

He was desperately running from something. He couldn't rest, nor sleep. Wherever he looked, black snow always followed. He tossed himself into water to loose the scent. Whatever was looking for it left and so he started running back to the village. The poor man ended covered in snow and died minutes later as he couldn't move a single muscle. Buried just bellow her.

By the time the vision was gone there was a strange cloud covering the sunlight as a fearsome roar carved the snow out from the trees.
On the other side of the plane was Black death.
The man began screaming trying to get back into the caravan to start their retreat, but they had nod expected Black death could cover the distance in such little time. And one by one they were all dying in front of her eyes.
Shocked as she revived that man's memories just before her. She was slashed on the torso during the struggle. With her blood leaving her body she panicked and went into weapon form. Falling into the snow and slowly being covered by it.
The white snow then stained with a deep crimson before everything blacked out. Despite that, Misty wouldn't sleep for she feared the very moment she closed her eyes her body would become normal, and the black death would feast on her flesh as well.
A day had passed and without any rest, the poor weapon would shut her eyes and call it a day.



Not too far away from there, another caravan was approaching the crime scene. It appears that the Cabraret company happened to be on a tour by the region but somehow got lost in the mountains.
The lead had got asleep as they entered an open field. He trusted blindly the goats that carried the carriage. And the warm Brew he enjoyed last night had took a token onto him in by the morning.
Resting with a cozy mantle around his body, he had the ties hold onto his hands yet the goats knew better than to remain in the woods.
And so they stumbled upon Black Death's crime scene. The goats however did not seemed to be intimidated by the scent of blood and continued on their way passing through as it was the quickest route.
The scent of blood didn't look to pack the punch to wake the lead but the frown in his face could tell it was enough to give him nightmares.
The caravan continued on their route until one of the wheels bumped onto something, with enough bounce to wake the lead up, startled and aware.
-"What was that?!"-
Asked the half asleep lead while looking at the goats that halted upon command. As the leading carriage bumped and suddenly stopped, the rest of the caravan did so as well. And happened to get a better glimpse of the horrid scenario Black Death had mounted in the crimson snow.
Jumping down the carriage the lead would be alarmed, as the body of a young brunette bleeding was laying bellow the carriage.
-"By the beards of my grand father! Gertrude quick! Warm up the brew again, we are taking a girl into the cottage."-
Truth is, that while there was a merciless cold air around the hunting grounds, not even the bear's roar could froze the warm and gentle heart of the Cabraret's and so, taking her under their wing… or goat?
She was placed in the brew carriage where the hot pots would fight of the cold while the Lead would carry the girl with blood in his hands.
-"Oh my, is she going to be alright?"-
Asked Gertrude, quite concerned, after all, despite Misty's age she was but a young child in the eyes of the Cabraret.
-"Quickly there is no time to loose. Warm cloth and wool and some mantles as well!"-
Said the lead while he took a knife and began tearing the girl's clothes apart to reveal the wound that caused such blood lost.
The Lead frowned as he raised his head in Gertrude's direction while the was warming up the cloth and the wool.
-"Tell Brunhilde to prepare a bath. Hot water and lot's of warm milk. Get the cheese ready and some brew for this might be a long night"-
As soon as he did so he turned to the cottage's exit where some of his men awaited. thinking it was just a hunting ground where the villagers peeled the skins to keep the animals away.
-"On your guards Boys, we've got ourselves a bear and it looks like it grew a taste for human meat."-
With those words the men would brace their knuckles and understood. All that blood wasn't animal but human.
Taking the girl's soaked clothes off,right after the lead attended to her wounds the better he could. She was taken by Brunhilde and Gertrude to place some warm wool over the wound and wrap the cloth around to secure the wool before taking her in one of the thugs where Brunhilde used one of the spices and plants to create a healing bath. Entering along with The Misty, Brunhilde was the one who knew about therapy the most, and thus examined the rest of the brunette's body condition. Relieved hours later that no bone was broken other than a few ribs. The arms, legs and neck seemed to be fine. And with that the Caravan cautiously continued on their way to seek for the girls village.
-"Do you think we'll find her home?"-
Asked Gertrude, thinking the girl's parents and family would be worried about her.
-"Do not think so little of me goats dear. Those two may not give milk, but they can the scent of grass in the coldest winter. I'm pretty sure Brum and Toten can find the girl's village. With the ruthless storm like this they couldn't get far away from it."-
Said the lead while hasting the rams to seek for the girls village. With just a piece of the girl's clothes, the rams caught the scent of the fabric. and thus tried to rebuild the trail in the white storm.

The Caravan would travel for two days since the storm messed up with the trail and the white road was treacherous to even try it with a single carriage. But the crew knew better than to stand there and wait for the storm to calm down.
-"A'right boys pick your weapon of choice, we building a bridge. Bring saws and hammers for it will take us a whole day. Drink and grow strong for the water is surely cold."-
While being the thoughts of a mad man or not. The people the laughed. Before Stripping their jackets and coats to show the pride of the man of north.
-"A breeze like this? Nah, I could build the bridge alone with me hand as a hammer and my teeth as saw"-
The crew laughed as the second man stood from his sit.
-"Why a bridge? Le's build a large boat I'll drag you myself from one side of the river to the other."-
The crew laughed before getting their hands on the meal. Eating and drinking they grew stronger before venturing outside the caravan and begin with the bridge's construction.
With laughs and strength of 5 to 10 men each, they made it look so easy. As if there was no cold or storm around.
By the end of the day the bridge was ready. And the crew laughed and cheered. But they had to rest on the other side and take turns in the tubs and brewing since none of them wished to get a cold.

Misty on the other hand remained asleep the entire journey, having Brunhilde to be by her side at all moments.

By the dawn of the fourth day, Brum and Toten would finally get them to the village where the inhabitants would welcome them. The lead would them proceed to tell them what they saw. And just as soon as they mentioned Misty's location, Belle ran into the cottage to meet up with the sleeping brunette.
-"You idiot! You had me so worried about you..."-
Belle told with a faint voice, holding onto Misty while Brunhilde giggled turning to Gertrude.
-"These two must be sisters of good friends."-
Gertrude didn't answer but rather smiled in relief. After all they could bring the little girl back to her people.

The Cabraret caravan would stay at the village for a few days. Sharing their share of brew, milk and cheese with the village as they in return shared their hires and clothes.
The peace didn't last long, as a roar at the distance would froze the bravest villager.
A bear charged towards them, fleeing from it was a villager that went to get some wood from the forest.
The Cabraret were quick to answer as they charged with axes and hammers, while the lead would release Brum and Toten.
"A'right me boys get the beast and make it quick haha!!"
The bear charged, but even the bear couldnt stand the raw force of the rams which aimed at the same leg. A diversion to keep the bear's sight from the first Hammer that would then maw on it's skull and the charge of around 15 men of the Cabraret. The beast had no chance to retaliate. And soon was skinned and offered to the tribe as a sign of peace.
With the bear now exhibited in the main cabin. The villager's celebrated the end of Black Death's reign of terror along with the Cabraret's

With the business done, the Cabraret would depart from the village to continue their travel, not before sharing with them a final gift, a young goat from their company. Saying that she would bring them good luck.
Days have passed and with the provisions brought by the caravan the men and women had no need to hunt, and so they repaired their village with renewed strength and hopes While Belle waited, hoping that Misty would woke up from her slumber.



- Reaching home