Chapter 3: The Warrior’s Trial

Amador led the way, his broad frame moving with effortless strength as he guided Joshua and Maydee through the large wooden structure. The scent of burning wood, roasted meat, and something unfamiliar—almost metallic—filled the air. The hallway was dimly lit by torches, their flickering flames casting elongated shadows that danced across the wooden walls.

Joshua tried to remain composed, but his unease grew with each step.

Then he saw them.

The walls were lined with grotesque trophies—the heads of creatures so monstrous, so alien, that his mind struggled to comprehend them.

A skull with six empty eye sockets, its mouth stretched unnaturally wide, jagged fangs protruding in chaotic angles. Another, a massive reptilian head, but where scales should have been, there were instead writhing tendrils, frozen in place as if still attempting to ensnare prey.

But the worst was a twisted amalgamation of bone and flesh, its elongated jaw unhinged, revealing rows upon rows of needle-like teeth, some still embedded with rotting flesh.

Joshua's stomach twisted.

"What in the actual hell…" He swallowed hard, forcing his gaze forward. These things weren't animals. They were nightmares given form.

Maydee, walking beside him, let out a soft chuckle.

"You look terrified."

Joshua shot her a look. "You're telling me you're not?"

She smirked. "Why would I be? Even our younglings can hunt some of these."

Joshua nearly choked. "I… what?"

She gestured at one of the smaller trophies—if something with three mandibles and translucent flesh could be called small. "That one? Killed by a fifteen-year-old boy last season."

Joshua stared at the grotesque thing. A fifteen-year-old killed that?

"That's insane."

Maydee shrugged. "Only the weak fear the hunt. The strong thrive in it."

Joshua had no response to that.

They reached the makeshift receiving room, a large chamber with high wooden beams, its centerpiece an enormous chair—almost a throne—carved from dark wood and reinforced with metal.

But Joshua barely noticed the chair.

His gaze was locked on the colossal head mounted above it.

The behemoth's skull was unlike anything Joshua had ever seen. Horned, plated, and so massive that if its body was proportional, it must have stood over 15 or even 20 meters tall. Its eye sockets were deep voids, empty and endless.

Joshua shuddered at the thought of such a creature roaming the wilds.

Amador took his seat beneath the monstrous trophy, his expression unreadable. He gestured for Joshua to step forward.

"What are your plans, outsider?"

The question was simple, but Joshua felt the weight behind it.

This was a test—a moment that would determine how they perceived him.

He took a slow breath.

"I… want to stay here. To learn." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "If my memories don't return, then I need to understand this world. This village. Its people."

Amador leaned forward slightly. "And?"

Joshua met his gaze. "And I want to train. To become a warrior."

There was a beat of silence.

Then—

Laughter.

Deep, booming laughter erupted from Amador's chest. The massive chief clutched his stomach, shaking his head in pure amusement.

"This skinny thing wants to train as a warrior?" Amador looked to Maydee, as if seeking confirmation that he'd heard correctly.

She, to Joshua's dismay, was also smiling—but there was an undeniable glint of interest in her eyes.

"Yes," she said. "That's what he said."

Amador's laughter subsided into a low chuckle. He studied Joshua once more, his sharp eyes assessing him in a way that made Joshua feel exposed.

"Fine," the chief said at last. "You will eat. You will rest." His voice darkened slightly. "And at first light… your training will begin."

Joshua gulped.

Something about Amador's tone made him dread whatever was coming.

The evening meal was held in a long communal hall, where hunters and warriors gathered to feast.

Large slabs of roasted meat were served on wooden platters, accompanied by what Joshua assumed were local vegetables—some brightly colored and unfamiliar, others resembling mushrooms but giving off a faint bioluminescent glow.

Maydee sat across from him, watching with amusement as he hesitated before taking his first bite.

"It won't kill you," she teased.

Joshua sighed. "If you say so."

He bit into the meat—and his eyes widened.

It was… delicious. Savory, slightly smoky, and impossibly tender.

"Not bad," he admitted.

Maydee smirked. "You should eat a lot. You'll need it for tomorrow."

Joshua hesitated. "Yeah… about that. What exactly does 'training' involve?"

Maydee's smirk widened.

"You'll find out."

Somehow, that only made him more nervous.

The next morning, before the sun had fully risen, Joshua was shaken awake.

A rough voice barked, "Up."

He groaned, his body still sore from sleeping on what was essentially a wooden cot.

As his vision cleared, he found himself face-to-face with Amador.

"Your training begins now."

Joshua forced himself up, his stomach already churning with dread.

They led him outside the village, into a clearing surrounded by thick trees.

A group of warriors had gathered, some watching with mild interest, others openly smirking.

Amador stood before him, arms crossed. "You claim you wish to become a warrior. We shall see if you have the heart for it."

Joshua took a deep breath. "I'll do my best."

Amador grunted. "Your best won't be enough."

Then, with a sharp gesture, he pointed to a stack of logs—each one as thick as Joshua's torso.

"Carry these. Run the perimeter of the village. Ten times."

Joshua stared. "You're joking."

Amador's expression remained stone-cold. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

Joshua gulped.

The first lap was… hell.

The log was heavier than he expected, and with each step, his muscles screamed in protest.

By the third lap, his breathing was ragged, and sweat poured down his back.

By the fifth, his legs trembled, barely supporting his weight.

By the seventh, his vision blurred, and the world spun dangerously.

By the ninth, he was moving purely by sheer stubbornness.

And then, finally—the tenth lap.

He collapsed the moment he crossed the finish line, the log slipping from his grasp.

Panting, he lay there, staring up at the sky, feeling like he was about to die.

A shadow loomed over him.

Amador peered down, arms still crossed.

"Not bad."

Joshua let out a weak, half-delirious laugh.

"Not bad?" he wheezed. "I think I just saw the afterlife."

Maydee appeared beside her father, arms folded. "This was only the first test."

Joshua groaned. "Of course it was."

Amador nodded approvingly. "You did not quit. That is good." He clapped a massive hand onto Joshua's shoulder—which hurt like hell.

"Rest for now. Training continues at midday."

Joshua let his head fall back onto the dirt.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?