Ava, The Huntress of Hammerlocke.

chapter II: firestarter

Bo's lips curved into a gentle smile as he heard the name of the girl - Ava. "It's a wonderful name, Ava," he said. Ava returned his gaze with hopeful eyes. "Thank you. It means a lot to me," she said with a bittersweet smile. Bo reached out and took Ava's hand, helping her to stand up. "I'll take you under my wing if you want, young one," he offered, "just until you're ready to be on your own. Is that okay for you?" Ava looked at Bo with a worried expression, unaware that her father was still dead, as thoughts raced through her mind.

Ava's eyes filled with worry as she asked, "But what about my dad? He's alright, he has to be..." Bo let out a heavy sigh, his expression uncertain as he struggled to find the right words to explain her father's passing to a child.

"Listen, I-I don't think he is going to..." Bo's voice was filled with worry, carrying a heavy concern and sympathetic undertones for Ava's reaction. The weight of his words hung in the air.

Ava's young face twisted in anguish, her distress evident. Despite her age, she understood the gravity of the situation. A silent sob escaped her lips as she struggled to contain her emotions. Bo, feeling out of his depth when it came to comforting children, simply embraced her. To his relief, the gesture seemed to offer some solace as Ava quietly cried onto Bo's shoulder.

After a brief moment of distress and pain, Ava withdraws and nods with a sense of sorrow. With a strained voice, she says to Bo, "I appreciate your honesty, even though it must have been difficult for you." Ava understands that Bo struggled to convey his thoughts, but she is grateful that he made the effort.

After careful consideration, Ava decides to start a new journey with Bo instead of returning home. She feels prepared to leave her familiar surroundings and begin a new chapter in her life. After two uneventful days of travel through vines and deep forest, Bo and Ava stop at a small rock pile and decide to make camp. Bo decides to learn a bit about his new companion.

Bo: "So, Ava, what was your home like? If you don't mind me asking, of course." Ava gazes upward at Bo, her lips curling into a warm, radiant smile, offering a delightful diversion for her to center her attention on.
Ava: "Well? Hertia was nice, it was a small town. With people like me!" Ava lets out a small, playful giggle before carrying on with what she was saying. "Me and my dad, would always go to the bakery and buy fresh bread. The baker liked to give me a free piece whenever I came in." Ava's face lights up with a smile as she fondly recalls the warm and uplifting memories she has of her home.

Bo smiled, feeling a deep sense of warmth and empathy as he witnessed Ava's happiness, fostering a strong feeling of camaraderie and protectiveness toward her.
Bo: "That sounds nice. The town I grew up in wasn't so friendly," Bo remained silent, leaving his meaning unexplained. Out of curiosity, Ava tilted her head and gazed at Bo.
Ava: "What do you mean? Was your home not nice?"
Bo couldn't help but smile at Ava's enduring innocence, a glimmer of light amid everything she had witnessed.
Bo: "Unfortunately, it wasn't. I grew up in the land of greed. It is a treacherous waste.. the locals there wouldn't spare extra food for kids. The locals fought in a fit of unending anarchy, hungrily feasting on the materials of others." Bo explains with a hesitant expression as he looks at Ava with a small smile.

Bo: "Have you ever made a campfire?" Bo changes the subject, Ava looks at Bo with wide eyes
Ava: "No? My dad never let me." Bo let out a small chuckle and handed Ava a knife and a small rock that seemed to have been struck before. Bo puts Ava's hand on the knife handle, wrapping her fingers gently around the hilt.
Bo: "Now, put the knife against the rock and scrape it as fast and hard as you can. Like this."
Bo demonstrates the motion with the knife, a few sparks fly off of the rock and onto a small pile of sticks and leaves he compiled earlier. It doesn't light, so he lets Ava try.

Ava, who was new to the task, initially struggled to create a spark. However, she persisted and after several more attempts, she successfully generated some sparks. With continued effort, she managed to ignite the leaves, starting with a small ember that gradually grew into a substantial blaze. Ava gazes at Bo with a mix of pride and excitement, while Bo returns the gaze, filled with pride for Ava's successful mastery of an essential skill that will be valuable in the future.

Ava: Bo! I did it!" Ava giggles slightly. "See?" She asks Bo, looking to him for guidance.
Bo: "Yes, yes, Ava. I'm proud of you." Bo says with a small laugh. Ava lays down on the dirt; she winces slightly from the wound on her eye; she seems to have almost forgotten about it.
Bo: "Are you okay, Ava?" He asks, worrying about her wound.

Ava nods and slowly drifts to sleep, while Bo watches over her for the night. The fire burns throughout the night, Bo hears rustling in the bushes and sees a strange glow. He quickly stomps out the fire and pulls out his dagger. A man wearing a demon-like mask emerges from the forest. He is clad in armor and cultist robes with leather pads, And holding a torch.

Bo: "Back away, I won't refrain from hurting you."
Cultist: "Thy soul is cursed; you endanger the god of darkness.. hallow curse you." The cultist says and charges at Bo with the torch to attack. Bo plants his feet as the cultist swings at him; Bo perfectly times a kick directly to the cultist's chest. The cultist falls to the ground, his torch rolling away. Spreading a line of fire where it trails. The wind knocked from his body.
Cultist: "S-spare me, sire! I beg you!" The cultist begs for his life, Ava stirs in her sleep. Only to see Bo holding his blade to the Cultist's throat.

Ava: "Bo... What are you doing to him?"
Bo turns as he hears Ava, then he turns back to the Cultist. Torn between keeping the man alive, and making sure Ava is safe. Bo sighs and looks at the Cultist once more.
Bo: "Leave. If you come back. Then you won't be so lucky." The cultist looks to Ava, fear replaced with thankfulness, and hope.
Cultist: "Th-thank you, child... May Hallow spare you..." He thanks Ava graciously and runs away.

Bo sighs, thankful he didn't do something he'd regret. He turns to Ava.
Bo: "Ava, young one..." Bo takes a knee, to be at eye level to her. "You must understand that this is the world we live in... One day, you will see things. Things that you wish you didn't." Bo puts his hands on Ava's shoulders, his eyes reflecting hesitance.
Bo: "And when that happens, you need to be ready for it.. alright?" Ava nods
Ava: "You can teach me to be ready, right?" Bo smiles slightly and nods.
Bo: "Yes, I will."