Noir easy Proving

It took several days of travel but i finally reached the Embrace. The journey wasn't without its challenges. I had to take down a few machines along the way. Nothing i couldn't handle though. Each encounter was a test of skill and the satisfying hum of a defeated machine always made me happy.

Climbing that dam mountain again was no small feat. The sharp incline and loose rocks made every step a battle against gravity.

And then there it was, my old home. Weathered but standing it greeted me like an old friend, a silent old friend but still a friend.

"Nice." I muttered to myself, pushing open the door. "No one's been inside."

I set my gear down letting the weight of my journey slip from my shoulders. The silence of the house wrapped around me comforting. It was strange to be back after so long but there wasn't much time to linger on nostalgia.

Descending into my first base, the air grew cooler carrying a faint metallic tang.

I opened the storage crate there revealing rows of carefully preserved gear. I selected a few grenades and explosive arrows enough to secure my victory in the Proving.

Albedo's record loomed over me, a silent challenge that i couldn't ignore. I wasn't just going to win the Proving, I was going to beat her time.

The thought of her confident smirk fueled my resolve. Gripping the weapons tightly i made my way back upstairs. 

Before i could leave my focus crack to life Albedo's familiar voice breaking through.

"Hey, finally back at the Embrace?" she asked.

"Yeah." I replied, strapping on my gear. "Feels strange to be here again. Any updates from Mother Forge or Mother Garden?"

Albedo's voice softened slightly, shifting to her strategic mode. "Mother Forge is standing strong we reacue a few people this days, don't worry so much we doing fine."

"That's good news." I said, nodding to myself. "And the Garden?"

"Fully operational, the farm is a success and almost all the non fighters move there and Rhea is back, Kael is now the temporary leader." she replied.

"Good to hear." I said. Then with a smirk i added. "Speaking of success, i'm planning to beat your Proving time."

A short laugh came through the focus. "Good luck with that. Just remember who set the bar."

"I won't forget." I said smiling as I grabbed my pack. "And I won't hold back."

The focus clicked off leaving me alone with my thoughts. Albedo's confidence was infectious.

The trek to Mother's Heart was straightforward, the terrain more forgiving than the climb to the Embrace. Along the way i passed familiar landmarks, the twisted tree at the crossroads, the ruined metal carcass where i once found shelter during a storm. The memories were comforting though my focus remained on the Proving.

As i approached the gate i spotted two guards standing at their post.

"Who are you?" one barked, his hand hovering over his weapon.

The other guard's eyes widened slightly. "Oh, it's you. You're here for the Proving, right?"

"That's right." I replied, noticing the other guard's face twitch at the mention of the event.

The second guard said. "Go on in, we don't need another Albedo incident."

I raised an eyebrow. "Albedo incident?"

The first guard cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. "She… uh, she gave us a bit of trouble last year. Beat us both in a sparring match."

I smirked, unable to help myself. "Sure, sparing match, sounds about right."

The second guard muttered something under his breath, clearly still nursing his pride. "Just don't try to pull anything like she did."

"I'll behave." I said, though the thought of their bruised egos was amusing.

They stepped aside allowing me through. The gates creaked open revealing the heart of the village that was my home for one day.

I made my way to the Matriarchs' Hall, where the three elder women were seated in a semi-circle their expressions a mix of fake wisdom i couldn't stand, at least that old Lansra its not here.

"You've returned." Matriarch Jeeza said. "Are you prepared for what lies ahead in the Proving?"

"I am." I replied confidently.

'They don't have a chance. This is just a formality. Might as well give me my boon now.' I thought to myself.

"Then prepare your lamp, we're about to get started." she commanded.

I nodded, a silent acknowledgment of her yet authority, and moved toward the others already gathered they knelt in solemn prayer. I lit my lamp and closing my eyes i joined the prayer my lips moving in unison with theirs though my heart burned with defiance rather than supplication.

"For the Kingdom, for the North." I whispered under my breath, a smirk curling my lips. 

In the early morning we woke up from our lodge ready to face the trials. These trials were the same of the ones Albedo had conquered before, they posed no real challenge. After all i had faced and defeated and killed countless men and machines alike, this was just to easy for a King like myself..

As soon as the signal was given i sprinted forward with all the speed i could muster. The climb that followed was steep. Hand over hand i scaled the cliffs with practiced efficiency the summit drawing closer with every pull.

When i reached the top i didn't resort to the grenades Instead i use my new weapon a spear of unique design and power i created similar to the one of the forbiden west.

Spotting a herd of machines charging i hurled the spear with precision. It hummed as it cut through the air and upon impact it unleashed a shockwave that rippled through the herd. The blast knocked down the entire group of machines their mechanical forms collapsing like dominoes from the shock damage.

Wasting no time i went quickly to claim my trophy from among the wreckage. Just in case i left a smoke grenade behind, got to respect traditions i guess.

As i crossed the line i planted the trophy firmly into the ground.

The matriarch cast me a wary glance, her expression betraying a thought she didn't voice aloud "Not this again... I just hope no one died."

We waited in tense silence as the rest of the participants struggled to finish the Proving. It dragged on longer than i anticipated. But with my training and skills no Nora kid could truly stand as my equal in this contest and i had beaten Albedo time.

Finally the matriarch stepped forward, her voice steady as she recited the same boring ceremonial words she always did.

"I want to be a Seeker." I declare my voice filled with determination and inpatiance.

And just like last year we find ourselves traveling to Mother Heart for the ceremony and after all was done and said i ready myself to go back home, my kingdom, my Proving was nothing more that a kids run.

'what a waste of time, well at least i could see that realy nothing changes around here witch is good for us i guess.' I thought to myself while making my way to the Kingdom.