Before

Chapter 3: The Hunt

On Ambra's planet, she was seen as both the goddess of death and the sun. Her presence was said to be felt in the warmth of daylight, but she was also a guide for those on the brink of death. Many claimed to see her in their final moments or in close calls, her radiant light offering peace. Others, however, whispered of Lux, a cold, distant god who appeared just before wicked souls passed, casting them into the distant stars to reflect on their cruelty for eternity. The people began to believe that Lux represented punishment and judgment, while Ambra embodied life and compassion. Under the vast night sky, the stars became a constant reminder of the punishment to all who were wicked . The good would be drawn into Ambra's sun, while those tainted by unnecessary cruelty were cast out by Lux, shining faintly from space as distant, cold stars. Because of this belief, the people learned to live with care, taking only what was needed, fostering life instead of destroying it. Three beings, each of different species, embodied this belief more than most. They were brothers—not by blood, but by bond: Arex, a cunning fox, Fos, a gentle rabbit, and Phal, a thoughtful human. The three lived together in the forest, valuing life in all its forms. But they weren't always such believers of this path. Many years ago before the 3 became brothers, Arex had been chasing a rabbit in a clearing, hoping to show his skill in the hunt. Unbeknownst to him, the rabbit was a friend of Fos. Nearby, Fos watched in horror from a bush, and Phal, perched in a tree enjoying a meal. As Arex finally caught his prey. The rabbit let out a final, anguished cry, and as its life faded, a figure emerged from the light. Ambra descended, radiant and warm, to collect the essence of the fallen rabbit.The three froze, their breath caught in their throats as they watched this divine being. Ambra noticed them and, for a moment, seemed surprised. "You can see me?" she asked, her voice soft with wonder.The siblings nodded, speechless in her presence. Ambra, though delighted by their gaze ,she had a duty to fulfill. "Excuse me," she said, gently taking the rabbit's essence. "I must go." With that, she disappeared in a dim fading of light, leaving the siblings alone in the forest."Did... did we just see Ambra?" Phal whispered, still in awe. But before the conversation could go further, Arex and Fos fled, now aware of each other's presence. Phal, however, returned to his village, proclaiming he had seen the goddess Ambra. No one believed him. A week later, Phal couldn't resist the urge to return to the spot where they had seen Ambra. When he arrived, he found Arex chasing a small rodent, just as before. From a tree, Phal quietly observed, while Fos, ever cautious, hid in a nearby bush. This time, however, when Arex made the kill, the air grew cold, and a different being appeared.His presence chilled the air, and the three instinctively knew who he was. Phal, trembling, could barely hold back his fear. "L-Lux..." he stammered, his voice barely audible.Lux turned his cold gaze on Phal and grinned. "Well, well, well... You've returned. Come on out, all three of you. I know you're here." Reluctantly, the three stepped forward, standing before the god of judgment. Lux eyed the dead rodent and then the fox. "You thought that by killing again, you could see my sister? Too bad this one wasn't worthy of her light. It was evil," he said, his voice filled with amusement. "So, thank you for ridding the world of it."Arex, ears flattened, stammered, "N-no, sir. I was just hunting to eat."Lux's eyes narrowed. "Lies won't work on me, foolish fox. I know why you killed." His gaze shifted to Fos. "And you, rabbit. You just stood by and let it happen again. You should be ashamed." Lux paced around the trio, his eyes gleaming coldly. "You hoped to summon a goddess with death, but my sister's light doesn't work like that. Life is sacred to her. If you want to truly honor her, you must foster life, not seek to take it in vain." The 3 trembled before the god. Phal, gathering his courage, spoke up. "But how can we live without taking life? Even Ambra must understand that survival requires death." Lux's grin faded, and he sighed, his form flickering in the dim light. "You still don't understand. It's not the act of killing itself that condemns or redeems you. It's the intention behind it. My sister and I, we watch and judge the heart, not just the hand." Ambra, glowing softly, appeared behind her brother. Her presence calming the forest. She looked at the trio with compassion. "I know the cycle of life can seem cruel," she said gently. "But cruelty without purpose, without need, is not part of the natural order. When you kill out of necessity, that is the way of things. But when you kill in the hope of invoking us, or out of curiosity, you've stepped outside the cycle.There is a lesson in this. Death is inevitable, but life should not be discarded thoughtlessly. Cherish each breath, each heartbeat, and act with care toward others." Arex, bristled with guilt. "I didn't think about the meaning behind my actions. I just wanted to see you again." Ambra gave him a sad smile. "You will see me, my child , but not in the way you expect. Each life has its time, and when your time comes, I will guide you to my star . Until then, honor life." Lux, his patience running thin, crossed his arms. "Enough coddling. You've been warned. The next time you seek death for no reason, it won't be Ambra who greets you." With a wave of his hand, Lux turned and vanished, his presence fading. Ambra, however, lingered a moment longer, looking at the three with tenderness. "Remember," she whispered, "life is a gift, even in its end. Honor it while you can." As she disappeared, the trio was left standing in the forest, the weight of the gods' words heavy on their shoulders. They knew now that every action, every decision, had consequences, and that life was not something to be taken lightly. From that day forward, the three became brothers who vowed to live with purpose, treating every life no matter how small with respect. They told no one of their encounters with Lux or Ambra and continued to live peacefully in the forest, upholding their reverence for life. When the time came for the three siblings to face death, they welcomed it without fear. Each of them, now old and weathered, lay side by side, prepared to meet the end. They believed deeply in Ambra's way, and the thought of rejoining her in the light of the sun brought them peace. Yet, Ambra herself was not at peace. As she watched her three devoted children, ready to embrace death with open arms, a deep sadness stirred within her. They had lived by her principles, embodying everything she cherished: the balance between life and death, taking only what was needed, nurturing the world around them. Over time, she had grown fond of them, and the thought of losing them weighed heavily on her heart. Ambra remembered the story of how Alia ascended to godhood. Inspired by this, she sought out her father, None, Hoping for a way to preserve the siblings. When she found him, she begged . "Father, I need your help," her light dimming slightly. "These three mortals... they truly embody my vision of life. They live with such care and respect for the world. But when my children look at me, they see death." She paused, her voice softening. "If they could become gods, they could help the preservation of life itself. They could carry on the work I believe in." None smiled at his daughter. "I understand, Ambra," he said kindly. Without hesitation, he took a knife and cut deeply into his palm, allowing his blood to drip into a goblet. "This blood should be enough, though Alia had a special gift that allowed her to consume a part of me and ascend to godhood. I cannot promise this will work for them." Ambra nodded, understanding the uncertainty, but grateful nonetheless. "Thank you, Father," she said, With the goblet in hand, Ambra disappeared from her father and reappeared beside her three dying children. The brothers, lying weak on their deathbeds, smiled when they saw her, their goddess, their mother. Phal spoke first. "Our time has come, brothers," he said softly. "Let us go to the sun." The three closed their eyes, awaiting Ambra to take them to the afterlife. But Ambra, though touched by their devotion, could not let them go so easily. She knelt beside them and spoke gently, her voice laced with sadness and hope. "Before you go... I want you to drink this," she said, holding out the goblet. "It may... turn you into gods." Her tone was uncertain, knowing this gift might not work, but she could not bear to see them fade into the beyond without trying.The three brothers, though surprised, did not hesitate. They trusted Ambra so they drank from the goblet. A moment of silence followed before a deep green light began to glow from within them. Slowly, their withered bodies began to transform, their aged bodies regaining youth and vitality. Ambra watched in awe as the three brothers were restored. Arex, Fos, and Phal had now become gods of the hunt, who with their vitality being restored would now guide hunters, foragers, and anyone who took life or from the land. People would soon worship these 3 as the new gods as there were. Arex became known as the god of the killing action and skill part of the hunt. People would pray to Arex for good, successful hunts. Fos would become the one who people pray to before they take life. If someone would take life even if it was just a plant or a bug they would give a small prayer to Fos. Phal would be the one people give thanks to for food from hunting. Every good celebration or feast needed at least a small nod to Phal.