The fire whispered low, embers drifting into the night, carrying the faint scent of scorched wood and pine. The air was crisp, cool against their skin, and somewhere in the shadows, an owl hooted. A distant howl echoed across the forest, a reminder of the wild creatures that prowled these lands — some harmless, others deadly. Hunnt broke the silence first, his voice cutting softly through the night.
Hunnt: "I've been meaning to ask… what's your name?"
Kael smirked faintly, brushing soot from his sleeve. His eyes reflected the firelight, sharp and questioning.
Kael: "It's Kael. Why?"
Hunnt: "Because I'm starting something — not a guild, not an army. A path. I call it Eternal Wanderer. Or just Eternal, for short."
Kael tilted his head, curiosity flickering across his features. His gaze swept the fire, the shadows of the trees, and then Hunnt again.
Kael: "And what makes this path different?"
Hunnt's gaze held the firelight like a quiet flame of its own, unwavering and steady.
Hunnt: "We don't slay every beast. Only those that threaten villages, families, or the world itself. The rest we leave alone. The hunt isn't for glory. It's for balance. To act without thought is reckless. To wait too long is deadly. Every choice has weight."
Kael studied him a moment, letting the words sink in. The shadows of the fire danced across his face. It's not glory he seeks… it's purpose. Protection. This path feels like the only right one.
Kael: "So… you want to protect, not conquer. Not bad."
Hunnt reached up and traced a faint mark on the back of his gauntlet — a black circle, a triangle pointing upward, a subtle fist at its center, and spirals along the edge. Each line seemed to carry meaning, each curve a promise of action tempered by wisdom.
Hunnt: "This is our sign. The triangle points upward — a silent promise to rise against threats. The fist reminds us that action without thought is meaningless. The spirals… they trace eternity, the endless path we walk. Each of us carries it differently — etched into a weapon, carved into armor, even as a small tattoo. Outsiders see decoration. Drifters see the path. It's how we find each other, quietly. No announcements, no fanfare. It's not just a mark. It's a commitment."
Kael's eyes followed the emblem closely, memorizing every line and spiral. He flexed his fingers, feeling the leather of his bracer against his skin, and traced the emblem with his thumb. The black circle and triangle glinted in the firelight, the faint fist at the center seeming to pulse with intent. He murmured softly, almost to himself:
"I walk the endless path.
I hunt not for glory, but for balance.
No master binds me, no chain holds me.
I strike only the beasts that threaten life.
I am a wanderer — eternal and free."
Hunnt said nothing, but his nod was firm. The oath needed no witness. Under the stars and the glow of the flames, Eternal Wanderer had taken its first true breath.
A rustle came from the shadows, and Pyro stepped forward, his sword sheathed and shield slung across his back. The firelight glinted off the faint emblem etched in the corner of his shield — the same black circle, triangle, and subtle fist. The placement suited him perfectly: on his shield, the symbol faced outward, a quiet promise that he would protect those who could not protect themselves.
Pyro: "You didn't think I'd miss this, did you?"
Hunnt's lips tugged into a small, approving smile.
Hunnt: "I see you've already chosen your path."
Pyro's eyes lingered on the fire for a moment, watching the shadows twist, imagining all the creatures lurking just beyond the circle of light. He murmured the oath in the same quiet tone, letting each word settle around them like the smoke curling into the night sky:
"I walk the endless path.
I hunt not for glory, but for balance.
No master binds me, no chain holds me.
I strike only the beasts that threaten life.
I am a wanderer — eternal and free."
Hunnt leaned back slightly, studying Kael.
Hunnt: "You've proven yourself, Kael. I want you to take the next step. As the first member, I approve you as an elder of Eternal Wanderer. I need you to find others like us — scholars, artisans, healers, logistics specialists, even merchants — people willing to serve the path without recognition, willing to die for others if necessary."
Kael raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Kael: "So… you just want me to do the hard job, don't you?"
Hunnt's smirk widened, almost mischievous.
Hunnt: "Exactly. I'll handle finding drifters and survival specialists in the field, while you seek those who build, heal, and support. You're the best for this, Kael."
Kael sighed, but there was a glint of determination in his eyes. They're the people I've been looking for… this makes sense.
Kael: "Fine. I'll do it. But you owe me a good laugh for this later."
Hunnt chuckled, the sound low and approving.
Hunnt: "Right. You are perfect for this job, Kael. Haha."
The three of them sat in silence for a moment, the firelight dancing across the three subtle marks. Each emblem was unique in placement, yet identical in spirit — a quiet, unspoken bond that only Drifters could recognize. The stars stretched endlessly overhead, mirroring the path they had chosen. Nothing promised the road would be easy. The dangers ahead were unseen, and some might not be faced alone. But for the first time, the word Eternal truly meant something.