Zero to Hero (Prequel/prototype)

Chapter 21. Feelings

When Lovetta opened her eyes, instead of hugging Ken, she was now alone in the middle of nowhere with nothing but enormous trees as far as one could see.

Without hesitation, Lovetta walked towards the base of one particular giant tree that looked no different from any other but once she arrived, she was able to walk into the tree trunk and disappeared from the view outside.

From the inside of the giant tree trunk, it's clear to see that there was a small opening that was camouflaged with an artifact and in the middle of the hollowed-out trunk, was a simple staircase craved out from the tree itself and goes up hundreds of feet.

As Lovetta climbed the stairs, she ignored many platforms that led to openings outside and kept going up until finally, she decided to take one platform that had a small, concealed mark where only someone with the knowledge would be able to notice.

From the ground level, one could only see gigantic trees hundreds of feet tall covering the entire area with branches and leaves so thick that it's hard to tell if it's daytime or night with barely any sunlight able to penetrate through the thick covering. If someone had wings and flew from above, all they could see was a forest of green.

But when Lovetta walked out from the platform, in-between the two layers of branches and leaves that camouflaged its secrets, there is a totally different world where bridges woven together from tree branches connected the entire area into a large maze where many paths lead to dead ends but when you do take the correct path, you will eventually reach an settlement hidden within the thickets of the forest.

"Lovetta! Welcome home. The chieftain is waiting for your arrival." After Lovetta reached her tribe, she was greeted by the two guards who started tracking her movements the moment she stepped out of the tree and on to the platform.

Feeling indifferent that she was home mostly due to the fact that Ken wasn't here with her, Lovetta walked nonchalantly between the trees and on top of platforms and bridges towards her house where the chieftain of their tribe, who also happened to be her father, was waiting for her arrival.

"Hi Dad, mom, Zeev, Tina. I'm home." Lovetta said casually as she entered her home.

The three-bedroom house that the Wulric lived in is one of many that's partially craved into the tree and partially built on top of the wooden platform. Decorated simply with mostly items carved from or into the trees, the tribe lived a simple and primal lifestyle.

Consists of only about 2000 families, the entire population of the tribe is only about ten thousand. Even though Lovetta's father is the current chieftain, unlike any kingdom where royals are crowned based on bloodline.

The winner during the tournament that's held every 5 years gets to have the title and Lovetta is simply the daughter of the current chieftain and doesn't get treated any differently compared to the others in the tribe.

With that said, Boris Wulric, Lovetta's father is by far the strongest warrior in the village. Tall, brawny, with a full thick gray beard and wild long gray hair and sharp yellow eyes like Lovetta, he has kept the title of chieftain for the past 20 years and most of the tribe has come to the same conclusion that eventually, it will be one of his three kids who will be the one to take over due to their natural born talent.

"How did you enjoy the academy life and first time been away from your family for so long? I am glad to see that you finished first in your class on the physical enhancement but your fight against the elf princess has much to be desired." Boris asked his daughter while also commenting on her performance during the tournament.

"Are you not feeling well honey?" Asked Lovetta's mother Anita.

"Yea, I am fine. Academy life is fine. The classes are too hard so I am having trouble and might not pass but I am trying my best because I don't want to get kicked out." Lovetta answered absentmindedly.