Beatz's beginnings

Rumors...

It's been many days in Nibel, the winter is rolling, and many animals are going back into hiding, but there are some that don't rest, even in the harshest of weather. And words on these forests spread fast like a leaf on the wind...

A new spirit has risen! Rumors of a child of the spirit tree that needs guidance, many won't answer the call, most being busy with their own tasks to worry about another lost soul, but some are willing to answer.

On an illuminated part of the forest lands a spirit after a long search, with blue marks on his body and ears shaped like lightning, his name is Arcan. He is exhausted from his search for that lost spirit. The details of this spirit are vague, with not even a name given, just a direction, vast from the starting point of the Spirit Tree.

He sits down near a rock, trying to catch his breath. He questions if these rumors are true or if it is just another false gossip? His thoughts are quickly interrupted by distant chatter. He looks in the way of the noise. Four spirits appear from the dark of the forest and the bushes around them, among them is Canfatia, his hat still pristine despite his actions performed a few minutes ago...

They look at the resting spirit. He looks like he has seen action before, definitely stronger than the victim they have been torturing.

Arcan looks back, a cold expression in his eyes, wary of the unfamiliar faces. After an intense stare down, Canfatia finally steps in front, approaching Arcan with the other three behind him

Canfatia: Hello there, mister! *huff* quite the frigid day today, isn't it?

Arcan: That it is... what are you all doing out here?

The group of four look between themselves. They can't tell what they have been doing, or they'll be in big trouble. Canfatia, quick on his feet, clears his throat.

Canfatia: *ahem* We were just hunting down pests, so they don't disturb our crops, not even winter seems to slow those things down, say... are you from further in, near the Spirit Tree?

Arcan: Well, yes, I'm far from the spirit tree because I wander around, but I was born here just the same as you four.

Canfatia: That's good...

The tension in the air is palpable, an awkward pause sees in, with the four members of the group looking around with nervous glances, Arcan, more experienced in these interactions, looks at the group... the four of them have stains of blood on their fur, lazily cleaned, or rather... hastily.

Arcan speaks once again.

Arcan: What's with the pause? Am I making you uncomfortable?

Canfatia: Oh no, it's just... it was a hard hunt... as you can see, we are not exactly fighters, but we do what we can.

To further emphasize this, Canfatia takes his guitar out, bladed on one side, it is clearly bathed in blood, and the others also take out their weapons to show the blue marked spirit. Arcan, not fully convinced, questions the group.

Arcan: Then... why did you even go? You could have asked for spirits better at fighting. Like myself.

Canfatia: We are a small community, far away from any other civilizations, so we must rely on each other. Isn't that right, boys?

The others nod, looking around, hoping to drop Arcan's suspicions by pretending to look for threats.

Canfatia: Well, if you need any supplies, our community is over there, past the trees, over a small hill, and can't miss it. What's your name?

Arcan: Arcan, you seem quite tense.

Canfatia: It's the cold climate, I assure you, and my name is Canfatia, we wish you well in your travels.

Canfatia extends his hand to Arcan, and with a firm handshake, Arcan shakes his hand, Canfatia does his best effort to not show weakness, Arcan is strong, really strong

The four spirits start walking back to their community, trying to appear nonchalant from this encounter. Once they are out of sight, Canfatia speaks once again.

Canfatia: He is going to find the cave.

One of the spirits, younger than the rest, speaks up.

Young spirit: How do you know?

Canfatia: Because he was eyeing us up and down like a book, Plowde, he doesn't trust my words one bit... Coo, stay here and send one of your clones to the cave, make sure you're not seen.

Coo: Aye, sir! Hahahaha.

Back with Arcan, once the group is out of sight, he notices small stains of blood on the grass and soil, becoming more prominent in the direction of where the group came from, he gets up and goes to investigate.

The trail becomes increasingly noticeable, after a few minutes of walking, Arcan sees an entrance to a cave, with various carvings on it, "Do not enter" "Monster inside" "He's lying to you" and others, on the left side of the entrance, a small note is stuck to the wall with a knife.

Arcan takes the knife and throws it away. Being much more interested in the note, he reads it.

"To anyone who reads this, the one inside is not a spirit. He is an abomination created by a scientist that almost killed his own. The moment you try to set him free, he will attack you and kill us all. If you aren't here to weaken him. LEAVE HIM"

Arcan crumples the note and tosses it aside, determined to investigate further, after stepping in the cave, he notices his footsteps are no longer making noise, in fact, nothing inside the cave is making noise... his guard is now up and decides to continue further in.

After properly entering, and the inside becomes visible, Arcan sees a horrifying scene, a spirit, one hand pinned to a wall by a light spear, deep cuts, some even making bones visible. Their legs broken, their tail holding one of them together, and blood all around, like a creepy painting.

He looks shocked, one thought on his mind...

What the hell happened here?