The forest was calmer now, the sounds of small creatures rummaging about were the most noticeable. This forest was huge and the foliage made it easy to get lost in, every tree looked the same, each bush reminded one of the last. It’s said that at least fifty travellers go missing in the forest each year. For as long as Mia remembered she always overheard parents telling their children about it. The forest of the void, such a vast place with such an ominous name. When Mia was a child it always sent chills down her spine thinking of being lost here. Calling out, crying in hopes someone would find you, and the inevitable fact of dying alone leaving your body to the residents of the trees.

“Where exactly are we going?” Mia asked. 

Gurren looked back, with a slight smirk, “we’re gonna meet up with someone and i’ll tell you everything”. He returned to guiding Seshi through the dense brush. “HYA!” Seshi picked up the pace into a full gallop. He raised his nose, sniffing the air, “kid can you smell that? I’m not sure you’ll be able to but there’s a faint scent ahead of us”. Mia squinted ahead and sniffed, “smells like… Meat?”. There was silence for a few seconds. “So you can smell that far huh? This is good, really good”, Mia looked confused, but disregarded any thought regarding the matter. 

For the next twenty minutes Mia and Gurren rode in silence, they soon arrived at their destination. The smell of meat and other ingredients filled Mia’s nose and her mouth watered, after all, it had been some time since she’s eaten. The time for Mia's eyes to be opened would be soon at hand, she felt nervous, but also calm. 

Seshi came to a slow halt, the forest sounds persisted as bugs could be heard chirping in the background. Owls hooted high in the trees and critters scuttled about. Mia descended from Seshi’s back and hopped to the ground, the mossy floor squished under her. 

“The ground sure is soft, It must’ve taken a toll with you going so fast Seshi”. She patted and stroked his mane as she spoke. He neighed and clopped his hooves. “Gurren”, Mia looked up to him who was still getting off the mysterious horse. “What exactly is Seshi? He obviously can’t be a real horse since he came out of that pouch, so what is he?” Her face puzzled, today was filled with things she’s never seen before, Mia was in an emotional haze and could barely put anything straight. He plopped onto the ground and looked to her, “he’s exactly as he looks, a horse… Well, a SPECIAL horse”. Gurren crossed his arms and grinned, “Seshi is made from my blood, I said when we get here I'll explain everything, so just wait a few minutes”. A slight frown crept on her face as she begrudgingly accepted his response. 

Gurren turned to Seshi and ruffled through his coat pocket, pulling out the same pouch that Seshi came from. He held it up, and touched Seshi with his left hand.

“Return”.

Seshi was slowly sucked into the pouch like a person sucking water out of a straw. Gurren tied the pouch tight and placed it back into his coat pocket. Mia stared in awe and bewilderment, at the sight unfolding before her. She thought at first that it was simply a magic trick, but as she remembered from the previous hours, creatures of mysterious origin and many other outrageous things had transpired. 

“Oh boy is your world gonna be rocked when I explain all this to you”, Gurren snickered as he wiped blood off his face and clothes.

…

Rustle Rustle 

“So you’re watching huh… Hikaru”. Gurren and Mia looked up at a shadowy figure standing on a branch. The figure jumped down, dirt sprinkled from his landing. 

“Yo captain, it took you forever to get back”, he said. The man or- maybe not the boy looked towards Mia. 

“Now who is this… Hmm?” He said curiously. “You seem rather short and a lot more dirty than the women the captain brings back with him”. He looked Mia up and down, “And rather young”. 

Gurren looked over to him, an annoyed look on his face. “Ahem! This is… This is… Uhhhh, hmm..” He paused. “Kid… What’s your name again?”. An awkward air fell around the three of them. “Now that I think about it I don’t think I ever asked your name”.

“My name is Mia Sanju. How can you go through so much with someone and not even ask their name..?” Her face showed a tad bit of disgust and annoyance as she talked. 

“Ah ah, yes Mia, good name”. Gurren sighed; “Anyways, Mia, I’ll reintroduce myself”. He stood tall, his vibe grew to be serious and composed. “My name is Gurren Yakusuke, captain of the second division in the Huntsmen covenant”. He looked over, “And this is vice-captain Hikaru Shiki”. Hikaru stood forward and bowed.

Mia looked at him, this Hikaru Shiki. He stood there, wearing a garb similar to Gurren’s, white military uniform, black boots. Unlike Gurren's, he was missing the overcoat, Mia assumed this was due to rank. Hikaru had short blonde hair and black glasses atop his nose, his piercing brown eyes seemed like daggers as he stared at Mia. He must’ve been at least 6’2”, he towered over her. He didn’t seem to have any specific discernible features other than a small mole to the right of his upper lip. 

“So if you aren’t one of the captain’s many conquests then who exactly are you? Mia Sanju?” Hikaru stared at her impatiently waiting for her response. He had his arms at his side as he waited. 

“I’m from Ako Village, just outside the forest. We were attacked by beasts, they came and- Oh god”, Mia fell to her knees holding her mouth, her eyes darted back and forth. For a moment she relived Aira’s death. Hooooohmmm hooooohmmm, she began breathing exercises, which quickly calmed her back down. “We were attacked. Th-they killed everyone and destroyed everything”. She looked down at her hands and kimono, both were stained red with blood. Mia’s guilt enveloped her, that much was apparent to both captain Gurren as well as vice-captain Hikaru.

“I see you're from that village huh”. Hikaru furled his brow and continued staring at her. “We were initially sent here to survey that village, but it seems we were too late to help”. He shook his head in disappointment, “you’re lucky Mia, not many see their villages get destroyed by beasts and get to tell the tale”. He looked over to the captain, “well, I assume you two are hungry after all that, I made some stew and there's a lot, so have at er’ “. Hikaru continued to walk over to a tree trunk lying on the ground to use as a seat.

Gurren spoke up; “Alright, then after we eat, I’ll explain everything to you Mia”. Gurren raised his hands and removed his coat, as well as his sword. 

The stew smelled great, a mixture of an abundance of ingredients and spices. Mia, now sitting on the same log as Gurren and Hikaru, was looking down at her hot meal. She noticed carrots, potatoes, and chunks of meat swimming in the thick broth. The smell reminded her of that year with Aira. A taste, with one single taste umami came flooding through her taste buds. The stew was warm and soothed her soul, it came with a bit of spice but not too much. It’s been a while since she’s had such a filling meal, In the past a meal such as this would be rare to come by, near impossible. 

A tear ran down as she continued eating. Gurren took notice and smiled, Hikaru doing the same, but with a more stern expression. 

It only took minutes for the three to finish their meal. With their stomachs full it was time, the moment where Gurren would explain everything. Mia sat silently, a race of thoughts crossing her mind each second. She had no idea what he’d say, she didn’t have a single clue what to even think. 

Gurren stood up, “ahhhhh”. That was good Hikaru, I knew it was a smart idea making you my vice-captain. You were always a great cook. Gurren patted his stomach while Hikaru rolled his eyes, visibly annoyed that all he was good for was cooking. 

“Alright… Mia”, I’ll now explain everything to you, starting with this”. Gurren took a step over to a tree, his sword resting against it. This is a blutklinge(blood blade), I use it for hunting beasts”. He continued; “This sword is made from my blood, as well as a small mixture of beast blood. As you’ve seen, beasts are incredibly strong, so our way of retaliation is to cut them down with these”. He looked at his blutklinge then over to her, and proceeded to put it back down against the tree. “I guess that’s not the main thing you’re wanting to know huh? I’ll repeat myself then. “My name is Gurren Yakusuke, Captain of the second division in the Huntsmen covenant, and behind you scowling is the Vice-Captain of the second division; Hikaru Shiki. We hunt beasts and protect those that need us. It’s our duty”. 

Gurren stood prideful, “You see this uniform? It’s the uniform only supplied to huntsmen, It’s made out of a specially made fibre that provides slightly more protection than standard military vestments. He walked a few steps toward Mia and looked down at her, “soon enough I plan for you to wear these as well”, he said with a smile. “We were sent out here to intercept a beast attack, that was our mission. But it seems that we were given  incorrect information on what time the attack would commence”. Gurren had a serious glare in his eyes as he pondered. 

Mia stood up in a frenzy, “me?! You want me to become a huntsman? Why? Why would I ever want to face those things ever again?” She stomped her foot in disagreement, aggravated by Gurren. “I’m not doing anything like that! I just barely escaped them… I don’t want to see a beast ever again”... Her voice trailed off.

Hoo Hoo, in the distance an owl was hooing. 

“Ah, I figured that’d be your response. Hikaru”, Gurren looked over and nodded. For a few seconds it was silent, even the sounds of the forest ceased. The air was tense around them. 

“You think you have a choice?” Hikaru walked over to Mia, an angry expression on his face, his demeanor was completely different from the minutes prior. She looked up, “You don’t get to decide, if the Captain says you’re gonna be a huntsman then that’s what’s gonna happen!”. Hikaru looked both furious and calm. “You survived that attack, that means you can be useful. Right now you’re a broken shell, your home and any family is gone. Your opinion means nothing, your complaints won’t be heard”. Suddenly, Hikaru’s tensive vibe dissipated, “You, who was once Mia Sanju of Ako village, is no more. From now on you’ll be Mia Sanju of the second division. We’ll be your new home, and that’s final”.

Hikaru walked back over to the log and sat down. To Mia’s left, “well you heard him, what he said is true. The second division is the home to many wild characters, we’re known throughout the covenant as the ones first into battle. Though sadly, we’ve also had the most casualties when it comes to hunting beasts”. Gurren looked happy, Mia could see under his sturdy and serious look that he had a positive emotion inside him.

Mia, who was frozen in shock, had no idea what to say. Her once jumbled thoughts seem to have settled, and her face returned to its now commonplace expressionless expression. 

“Understood, I am glad to be welcomed into the second division of the huntsman covenant. I will be sure to work diligently under Captain Yakusuke as well as Vice-Captain Shiki”.