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Living in the high mountains of ancient Norway was seen as an almost impossible mission, rarely did one see sunshine or green grass. Food was scarce, and hunting was seen as something only for the big men of the village. Every man who was born there, from a young age, grew up with the desire to become a great hunter, to cross the black forest that never absorbed light and go down the mountain where the game was abundant and return home a hero.
If this were so easy, many would return with glory, the glory of not having let their family starve and feed on snow and dead wild fruit. As much as many had dreams and hopes, they were cursed to have been born in such a harsh land, where nothing seemed to be alive, few things sprouted, but did not live for long.
A great black forest surrounded the place, it was so extensive that no one has ever been able to calculate its size, legends tell that it arose as a prison for those people, and that God had created countless creatures to inhabit it, and not let anyone leave. There were only two people to see what those creatures were, but so many years passed and they never dared to mention them, rumors said that God took away their memories, others that the scenes they saw were so horrible that they went mad, being unable to tell, it was so many things they invented, that in silence those who knew the truth, disdained those conversations.
The night intoxicated the vision of the girl at the window, the fire torches going out showed that people were already preparing to sleep and wait for the blizzard to fall on the roof once again.
The man who caught the eye of the woman at the window, began to place numerous weapons on top of the old table, which roared with the weight.
- That's tomorrow isn't it?
- Yes, we will leave as soon as the smoke rises to the sky. - The man with blond but gray hair took his daughter's hand.
- How many will go?
- Twenty-three.
- How many do you think will return?
- If I can protect them, they all will.
The blue-eyed woman, lowered her gaze, it was always the same conversation, every year, for as long as she could remember its existence.
"How many will go?" "How many have returned?" And soon after he began to hear the countless cries of mothers and fathers who lost their children. The hunting season was about to begin, several moons without news, and the many prayers at night, that they would manage to return as many men as possible. Even knowing that it would never be different, only less than half returned with the hunts, the main one being the oldest and most experienced, Agnar Arendelle, the head hunter and one of the only ones to have contact with the creatures that ravaged the forest.
- I thought it would take longer this time. - An older woman in her worn dress appeared, pushing open a flimsy old wooden door with numerous holes in it.
- We had a meeting today, we will go before the sun closes, I feel that this winter will be the most intense of our lives, we had better prepare ourselves well for it.
The younger girl's attention went from her mother, who had just arrived, to the weapons spread out on the table, they were made of very old iron, but seemed to be resistant, crossbows, sticks and swords.
- Don't touch that, honey, you could hurt yourself. - The older girl pulled her daughter's hand away from them.
- Leave her Iduna, she will need a sword one day. As soon as I return, I will give you one. - The older man went toward his daughter, taking her blond hair and kissing it. - Follow your sister, and go to sleep, we have to wake up as soon as possible tomorrow.
- Do you really have to go? - As much as every year she asked the same question, and received the same answer, she still hoped that her father could stay.
- It is my duty, and true men never run away from their duties.
❆
The next day the snow already covered a good centimeters of ground, the whole village gathered in the square, where there was a small chapel, which was crowded with people praying.
- We will return, with food and cotton, those who still believe in us, let them continue to believe, despite so many disbeliefs and disappointments, we will bring hope for a harsh winter. - Agnar carried a large sack with his weapons, and looked at his family, approaching.
- I will clean all your shoes, Papa, for when you return.
He looked at the young redhead, giving her a long smile.
- I know, Anna. I trust you to clean them.
- Please come back! - Her blue eyes twitched at her father's touch, it was a warm hug, to dissolve the longing that was already building up in her heart.
- I will come, I promise.
Elsa, never liked goodbyes, she felt that people would never return, and she would be alone.
The older man planted a kiss on his wife.
- Every year we live through this, I always come back, you know. - He smiled.
Agnar turned away, turning his back on his family, Elsa waited for him to turn around one last time, but he didn't. The men followed, some looking at him. The men followed him, some looked back hopefully, hoping to fulfill his promise to return home.
- One day it will be me in my brother's place. - The blonde felt a hand on her shoulder, seeing a tall, red-haired man.
- Why do you dream so much of going on a hunt? - Deep down Elsa understood why, it was the glorification it would bring for a long time, what young man wouldn't want to be recognized in his village as a hero, for helping to feed so many people.
- I don't know, next year I'll be old enough, I'll be the first to explore this forest and bring back the heads of all the creatures, so we'll be free to come down and go up whenever we want.
- You are presumptuous Hans, I hope you can get us out of here one day. - The woman took the man's hand off her shoulder, walking away and leaving the redhead behind.
- Elsa? - He called out to her.
- Yes?
- You look beautiful today, winter is good for you. - His cheeky smile didn't convince her to smile, but she tried to be nice.
- Thank you, Elsa.
The red-haired man walked away, running a hand through his hair, which stood out against the gray and white backdrop.
- He hasn't given up on you yet? - His sister appears, grabbing his arm.
- I don't think so. But that doesn't interest me.
- Hmm.
Going towards her house, Elsa looked at the beginning of the huge forest and the tracks made by the hunters, which were beginning to fade by the fine snowfall.
The day was always like this, cold and always snowing, everyone who lived there was extremely pale from never getting enough sun to awaken their melanin. The air was hard to breathe sometimes, freezing the lungs. Not all the fire they produced was enough to melt the ice that cursed the place. Besides, they never had many things to do, the women stayed at home, sewing warm clothes, with the materials brought from the hunt. The young men, chopped wood nearby for fire and charcoal. Elsa usually just stood by the window, with her notebook and drawings made of graphite, she watched the black forest in the distance and wondered what was behind so much darkness, the trees were closed and nothing moved, it seemed that even the ice did not fall, it was a dark aura. But she didn't feel fear, but, curiosity, however a person like her couldn't survive mere hours in situations like that.
The drawings made on a makeshift paper, featured castles, trees, stars and large aurora borealis in black and white.
- Drawing again, daughter? - Iduna came over to her eldest daughter, handing her a plate of food, not containing much, a piece of hard bread and some wet broth.
- Yes.
- You are very thin, you need to eat. I'm meeting Jolin at church, I don't know if I'll be back before evening. - It was common for the mother to go to church and spend the day praying, faith was the only line of hope for people so unbelieving about life. - You won't be alone, Anna is sewing in her room, and when you go out, take some herbs for your grandmother, she is sick.
- All right, goodbye.
She didn't turn to her mother, and continued to stare at the drawing in her room, a strong wind blew in through the window, ruffling her hair. Her blue eyes stared at the view outside the window, feeling as if she were being watched, watched by the forest. Her hands dropped the plate of food and her notebook, closing the window. She had never felt this way before, the loneliness was eating away at her brain.
She looked at the food in the corner and then ran her hands over her body, she had lost many kilos in the last days, it was common, food would be scarce and more and more meals would decrease, she left the room, which was next to the kitchen and an old bathroom.
- Anna?
She dragged open the door, finding her sister creating dolls with straw and cotton waste.
- Another one?
- Yes, I found these things stored in the trunk, left over from last winter. I didn't want to throw it away or burn it, and it will keep me company in the cold. - Her sister liked to sew and create things, especially dolls, which she put on her bed for warmth.
The artifact this time was red, such a rare color to obtain.
- I'm done with this one, actually, you can have it. It took me a long time to find bark in this color.
- Did you leave the village?
- No, Hans gave it to me as a gift. I think he wanted me to give it to you.
- It's beautiful. - The blonde smiled at her sister, running her slender fingers through the dyed cotton.
- Mom separated these herbs for Grandma, I'll take them. Be careful, I won't be long, Anna.
- I can manage on my own. - The redhead planted a kiss on the older woman's cheek. - I'd like to get together with Joanna, so we can talk.
- That's fine, just don't stay long. I'll be back soon.
As they went outside, the snow was still falling, small flakes blending in with Arendelle's platinum hair. Her grandmother, Agnes, lived far away from civilization, up the mountain a little further, having a view of everyone below. Some said that because of the life she led, she might be a witch, but Elsa didn't believe those things they made up about her family.
The climb was steep, with many rocks, and the snow didn't help the process, when she looked back she could see the icy immensity, and the houses covered with whiteness.
As soon as he reached the top, he spotted his grandmother's house, it was small enough that no more than two people could fit inside. There were some dead plants on the ground beside the door.
- Grandma, are you there?
The door was soon opened, with the older woman appearing.
- Elsa, dear, come in, come in! - The woman's smile was sweet, the younger one remembered when she used to come to that house with her father, to help them cook moose meat, when the hunt was over.
- How is your father? Has he left already?
- Yes, this morning. - He answered and went inside.
- I'm sorry I couldn't make it. My health has been fragile, I don't know if I'd be able to come up here again.
- I understand, Grandma. Mom sent this, it's the herbs.
- Oh dear, so hard to find around here. Thank her for me.
- Don't worry, you have to take care of yourself.
- I kept something for you, I was sure you wouldn't be long in coming. - The old lady began to rummage in a trunk, which was under a pile of coals. - Here, come and see!
It was a red winter coat, made of linen and cotton.
- I have nothing to do at this age, this was my project that lasted for years, I hope you like it.
- It is beautiful. - The younger girl looked carefully at every embroidered detail.
- I'm sure it will match your eyes. Go on, try it on!
The fabric seemed to be coated, it was comfortable and warm.
- It looks amazing. - Elsa put it on, twisting her body a little, watching the movement she made. It covered her arms and body, and one had a wide hood.
- Made for you.
That outfit brought her a cozy feeling, it was doing her good.
- I'd better go, I'll take the herbs. Send my regards to Anna and her mother.
- I will, thank you Grandma, goodbye.
- Goodbye, dear Elsa, don't be long to come back.
- I won't. - The blonde nodded and smiled at the older woman, leaving the house and starting down the steep hill.
The snow continued to fall throughout the day, and with each passing second the weather grew darker, the birds that were rare to be seen, flew over the village, and some of them crashed into the sky, making a shower of black feathers. With that some people went outside, observing the strange phenomenon.
Elsa arrived at the square, with some people commenting on what had happened.
- It is so difficult to see these animals here.
- Crows don't fly over this height.
- They don't like the cold.
She listened to the people around her talking, and the birds continued to dance in the sky.
She walked past the people, heading toward her house.
- Did you see the birds? - Her sister was sitting in front of the house, cotton thread in her hands.
- Yes, it looks like they are at war. - She sat down next to her younger sister, her long cloak dragging on the ground.
- Crows announce some event. They bring bad omen. - Anna whispered to her older sister, as if she didn't know.
- I wonder what they are trying to warn us about?
❆
The night around the forest was totally unlike anything that existed, the smell was of dead animals, but there were none.
- Don't spread out and don't make too much noise. We can't attract attention.
- Agnar, would it be better to make camp around here? - One of the men, Helix, grabbed his sword, looking at the black vastness on the horizon.
- This is not a safe area, we are close to entering the gap in the forest. We are in danger if we stay here. Let's cross over, we have to get to the other side as soon as daybreak.
- There hasn't been a trace of light here for hours. We don't know if it is the beginning or the end of night or the beginning of day.
- Our tracks are already fading, the snow is already high, in my experience we are in the middle of the night still. - One of the hunting veterans, Gai, stooped down with his torch in hand, not even as the fire approached, the ice was able to melt.
- Be careful that the fire doesn't go out, Gai, we need to go faster.
The faster his steps went through the dense snow, the air seemed to thin out. The younger ones had difficulty breathing, but did not show it, they wanted to be strong and show courage.
Agnar looked with difficulty at the trees, they all looked the same, dead, but he had good eyesight to realize, that not only did they look the same, they were.
- We have passed this way before.
- Are you sure?
- Yes, the snow covers our steps, that's why we didn't notice it before.
- Do you think we have been here long?
- From the hard air, we are still up high. We haven't left the place since we entered.
No one dared to say anything, Agnar was trying to find some solution to get out of this situation, this had never happened before.
- What are we going to do?
- I'm not sure, Helix.
- May God help us. - Gai addressed the heavens.
The silence was atomic. No one had a complete vision in the midst of so much darkness, lay the things that lived in pure pitch. But in the midst of all this they were observed, tacit steps, and the only ones capable of walking with such clarity and lucidity in the penumbra.
- I feel that... We are not alone... - Gai, was one of the first of that group to go on all the hunts and survive, he has experienced many things similar to that, but not everything was the same as in the past.
The circle was getting tighter, without realizing it, they were all trapped.
- The air is warmer. - Agnar would feel happy, with warm air entering his lungs, but he had already experienced this, and it was not a cause for happiness, but for warning. - Hold the torches, light them all.
- How? These are the few we have.
- We are not alone, Frederick.
The red-haired man's eyes narrowed, and his hands trembled, making the fire narrow in his trembling hands.
- Grab your weapons. We have to stay alert. If we were going down, we have to go up, to the south.
The men formed themselves into a circle, being lit by the fire.
Their vibrant eyes lit up, the light from the flames reflected in the various fawn eyes that peered at the hunters.
- Oh my God. - Frederick looked on in terror.
- Keep calm. - Agnar pulled his crossbow from his back. He knew who owned those eyes, but he had never seen so many together.
The red-haired man dropped his torch on the ground, groping around his waist for his weapon.
- Don't attack yet. Our vision is too impaired, we are at a disadvantage.
The sound of the hunters' breathing made it difficult for Agnar to hear the noise the creatures were making. However every year he experienced this, and was not always able to save everyone. He didn't expect the attack to happen so soon, it was always at the end, he knew that maybe this would be the end for him after so many years.
- AGNAR! - The red-haired man felt the impact and his body fell to the ground in the snow.
The blond man took up his sword, attacking a huge wolf, which was above Frederick. But the animal anticipated the attack, roaring and showing its huge fangs. The great beast struck a blow with its hind paw, throwing him meters away, separating him from his weapon. The beast turned its eyes on the red-haired man, running its claws across his throat, causing blood to spurt out into the white snow.
The hunters watched the scene, the veterans Helix and Gai, were preparing a joint attack, but were surprised by another wolf, which attacked them, tearing their skin. But before it fell to the ground, Helix fired his crossbow, hitting the animal's rear paw.
- Die, you bastard!
The wolf, which had a dark coat, and could camouflage itself in the darkness, howled loudly, from the pain that hit it.
Agnar hurriedly got up and went to meet his partner.
- Hurry, we have to go back.
- Are you crazy, Agnar? We're not going back, our family depends on it. - Gai had a huge cut on his arm, which was sprouting blood, which fell to the ground where he stood.
- We won't have a family to depend on if we stay here.
- AHAH - The sound of Helix's bones breaking filled the ears of even those who screamed, running around trying to save their lives.
There was no time to help him, the same wolf that had hit him severed his limbs, tearing his head off.
The ice that couldn't be melted by fire, but mixed amidst the blood.
The scene was one of complete chaos, Agnar had seen so many companions killed, but not with such brutality as he had witnessed.
The wolf that had killed Helix, ripped the arrow from its leg with its mouth, running off into the darkness, its blood mingling with that of the men. But before he left, there were several of them left, the blond could feel their presence.
Gai fell to the ground, holding his arm.
- Come down ... and finish the hunt. - He begged in pain.
Agnar would never run away, he would fight to the end. Even if it meant dying to save his own.
A single torch still remained lit, he picked it up, seeing even more bodies. They were silent creatures, killing and making no noise. He no longer knew where his sword was, so he grabbed his dagger, which was in the corner of his boot, hidden.
He ran upstairs, hoping that it would get him back to his home.
"Please come back."
He wanted to go back.
"It is my duty. "
He turned around, Gai was already dead, but a cut was landed on his chest the moment he turned around. The warm feeling cooled, they were already leaving.
- COME BACK BEASTS! YOU FORGOT ONE! COME BACK AND USE YOUR STRENGTH TO KILL ME, YOU MISERABLE BEASTS, I WILL FIGHT TO THE END! AND I WILL KILL YOU ALL, UNTIL THERE ARE NO BONES LEFT! - His tears rolled, he held his dagger tightly, this one carved in a fang, big and strong, the fang of one of them.
- I'VE KILLED ONE OF YOU BEFORE, AND I DON'T MIND KILLING AGAIN!
He heard nothing, nothing but the silence and the slimy blood dripping from the bodies of his companions. The smell of iron was nauseating to his body.
He couldn't understand why he was still alive while everyone else was dead.
He leaned on the ground, feeling the ice turn purple in his hands.
When he lifted his head, he could see a terrible pair of red eyes staring at him. It was a large beast, frighteningly large, it was as if he saw the five largest men in the shape of a beast.
In the back of his mind, he seemed to know what the wolf was talking about.
- "Help yourself to the sight of everyone being killed."
- What's happening?
- "Everyone is going to be killed, you, your family members, your children and your wives."
Agnar stared in terror into those crimson eyes, which saw into his soul.
- You have been cursed, the time has come Agnar Arendelle, to see your end. "
The wolf looked at the dagger with fury and growled.
- You recognize it, don't you? That's what you want, revenge!
The blond clutched his weapon tightly, moving towards the white beast, trying to fight, but because of the huge difference in size and strength, he had no chance.
- Even if it is worth my life, I will fight for my family.
- It will be the last memories you will have of your life."
The beast struck him numerous times, causing him to become unconscious, in a state of near death.
The big wolf's bones began to twist, making his size and strength diminish, turning him into a human