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Rave woke up early. Yawning, he got out of his self-made bed, constructed from the furs of the creatures he had killed. Rave was a 21-year-old boy who had been exiled from the castle he once called home.
He had been banished because of his curse.
In this world, very few people are cursed. Most of those who are, are born with it, so the absolute authority takes care of them. But in Rave's case, it was different. He possessed a curse that didn't harm him—but harmed the people around him. His curse was:
**"Everyone he loves will die."**
He was originally going to be executed, but since the curse wasn't his fault, they decided to let him live—on the condition that he would be exiled from the castle.
Rave was heartbroken, of course. He had been cast out for something he was born with.
Now, he lived alone in the middle of a forest. His house was made of wood, leaves, bones, and fur. It was small and dirty, but Rave didn't really care. He had stopped caring about hygiene after he left the kingdom.
He walked up to the table to eat the only kind of food he had: meat.
He ate his breakfast. He really liked living alone.
After eating his cold but tasty breakfast, seasoned with only salt and pepper, he let out a loud burp, not caring about anyone's judgment. He stood up from his chair and walked to the door, which was made from wood, bones, and skin. He picked up his bow, arrows, his dagger, and a bag to store whatever he planned to collect that day.
He stepped outside and took a deep breath, relishing the clean air. Then he began stretching his body to avoid straining his muscles—like he had on that one day. The jungle around him was vast and unpredictable. After stretching, he set off into the wilderness. His goal today: get some meat.
After an hour of searching for prey, he saw a Shadow Wolf. The Shadow Wolf was a rare species, usually found in muddy habitats. They tended to hunt alone, making them easier targets. They had dark skin and were about the same size as regular wolves, though slightly taller. Known for their speed, intelligence, and cunning, they were not to be underestimated.
Rave crouched down and pulled out his dark bow. He assumed the proper stance, nocked an arrow, and drew the string. He waited for the perfect moment to release it. After about two minutes, his chance came.
Just as he was about to shoot, he felt a hand on his shoulder. The sudden touch startled him, causing his arrow to miss. A shiver ran down his spine. The wolf ran off.
Rave, reacting instantly, grabbed his dagger with his free hand and spun around, stabbing the man behind him.
But his dagger passed right through the figure.
His eyes widened in shock. The man wore a mask that concealed his face, but Rave recognized him the moment he saw the mask. Slowly, the man lifted it.
Rave grimaced at the sight. The man had dark hair with a few white strands, a thin beard, and a scar on his forehead. His facial bones were sharp and pronounced, giving him a rugged, masculine look. His expression was cold.
The man standing before Rave was his... teacher?
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**Back when Rave still lived in the castle**, his teacher, Wil, had been one of the few people Rave truly liked. Wil had been kind to him and had taught him how to survive.
But when he learned about Rave's curse, he was one of the first to suggest his execution.
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