It was Aros.
The charming one. The one everyone liked.
But to Ardis, he was simply the most annoying of the four brothers.
They argued constantly… yet were always partners in trouble.
Aros grinned the moment he saw her and pulled her into a tight hug.
Ardis stiffened immediately, her face scrunching. She felt slightly suffocated.
Without hesitation, she punched his arm.
"Let go."
Aros only laughed. Despite being the most playful among them, he was also the strongest.
Ignoring her protest, he lifted her like a sack over his shoulder and carried her inside.
"Ardis is here!" he shouted loudly, finally setting her down.
From inside, the others emerged.
Sora, Savin, and Aren stepped out, all with messy hair and sleepy expressions. Though they looked similar, each carried a distinct presence.
In the next moment, Ardis was surrounded.
Questions came one after another, warm, overlapping, full of concern and curiosity. Hands reached out, patting her shoulders and back.
One particularly strong pat from Savin nearly made her stumble forward.
Ardis winced. It genuinely felt like something might have cracked.
Sora, the eldest, quickly stepped in. "That's enough," he said gently, giving Savin a look before guiding Ardis to sit.
He brought over some dried meat for her to snack on, along with soft furs for both her and Astra.
Ardis relaxed slightly, nibbling on the food.
"So?" Aren asked, leaning forward with curiosity. "How many eggs?"
"Three," Ardis replied. "And… I heard it might take around three months for them to hatch."
"That long?" Savin muttered, surprised.
"Guess we'll have to wait," Aros said casually, stretching.
Soon, the conversation turned lively.
They laughed, teased each other, and talked as if no time had passed at all. The distance that had slowly formed between them seemed to vanish in an instant.
Ardis found herself smiling more than she had in days.
She cherished moments like this.
Because she knew… they might not last.
Soon, she would move to the snake tribe. And one day, her brothers would find their own partners, build their own lives, take on their own responsibilities.
Things would change.
They always did.
Later, they made their way to the river.
The water shimmered under the sunlight as they tried their luck at catching fish.
Ardis, however, was completely untalented at it.
No matter how hard she tried, her hands came up empty every time.
Her brothers, of course, didn't miss the opportunity.
"Still as bad as ever," Aros teased.
"Not even one?" Aren added, clearly amused.
Ardis frowned, crossing her arms. "It's harder than it looks."
"Sure it is," Savin laughed.
Despite the teasing, when it was time to leave, none of them said anything.
Instead, they quietly placed some of their fish into her basket.
Ardis noticed.
But she didn't say a word.
On her way home, she carried the basket carefully.
Her steps were light, her mood softer than before.
A faint tune slipped from her lips, something unfamiliar, something she didn't quite remember learning.
Yet it felt comforting.
Time passed quickly.
Before Ardis could fully grasp it, the moment to make her choice had arrived.
She sat quietly, almost in a daze, her thoughts distant and unfocused.
The world around her felt muffled.
Then—
The door opened.
Astra hurried in.
"Sit still," she said gently, though there was a hint of urgency in her voice.
Ardis blinked, slowly returning to herself as Astra moved behind her.
With careful hands, Astra began braiding Ardis's hair, weaving in fresh flowers. Their soft fragrance filled the room, light and calming.
Ardis wore garments made from her own shed skin, delicately stitched together. It shimmered faintly under the light, giving her an almost sacred presence.
Ardis lowered her gaze, her fingers curling slightly in her lap.
"Don't think too much," Astra murmured softly, finishing the braid. "Just follow your heart."
Ardis gave a small nod, though her chest still felt tight.
Outside, Varon and Aeron were already waiting.
The others would meet the chosen one later, on the day of the bond.
Astra gently turned Ardis toward her, adjusting a loose strand of hair.
For a moment, she simply looked at her.
Then she smiled.
"You're ready."
Ardis stood slowly.
Ardis walked toward the snake tribe, her steps slower than usual.
Her heart pounded hard against her chest. Her palms were damp, fingers curling slightly as if trying to hold onto something steady.
Beside her, Varos gently patted her head, his touch warm and reassuring. "Don't overthink it," he said with a small smile.
Aeron walked on her other side, unusually quiet. His gaze lingered on Ardis, a faint heaviness in his eyes.
Time had passed too quickly.
He could still remember the day she first hatched small, fragile, barely able to lift her head.
And now…
Now she stood here, making a choice that would shape her future.
Ardis gave a small nod, though the tightness in her chest didn't ease. The path felt short, far shorter than she would have liked.
Soon, the tribe came into view.
They had arrived.
Many were already gathered. The atmosphere carried a subtle weight, anticipation hanging in the air.
Averin spotted her first.
"There you are," she called gently, waving her over with a warm smile.
As Ardis approached, Averin reached out and took her hand. "Feeling nervous?"
Ardis nodded quickly.
Words refused to come out. Her throat felt tight, as though something was lodged there.
Averin's smile softened. She squeezed her hand lightly. "It's alright."
Without rushing her, Averin guided Ardis forward.
They entered Sissira's room, leaving the others outside. Though they remained beyond the door, their sharp senses ensured they wouldn't miss a word.
Inside, Sissira was already seated, clearly waiting.
Her presence was calm, steady.
She gestured to the space beside her. "Come."
Ardis and Averin sat down on the soft fur near her.
Up close, Ardis could feel her nerves rising even more. Her breathing grew shallow, her hands resting stiffly on her lap.
Sissira gently patted her back. "Don't worry."
Ardis nodded again, though the pressure in her chest only grew. She hadn't felt this anxious before—now it was overwhelming, like something caught in her throat, refusing to let her speak.
A brief silence passed.
Then Sissira spoke, her voice calm but firm.
"So… what is your choice?"
The question hung in the air.
For a moment, Ardis froze.
Then, gathering what little courage she had, she spoke—
"Tharion."
Her voice was soft, almost a whisper.
But it was clear.
Averin smiled beside her, her expression brightening as she gave a small, approving nod.
The choice had been made.
Averin stood up quietly, giving Ardis one last reassuring look before stepping out of the room.
The moment she exited, the air outside shifted.
Whispers spread quickly.
The village chief listened, and a pleased expression crossed his face. Without delay, he straightened and began walking, others following closely behind him.
They were heading toward Tharion's hut.
The spiritual bonding would take place tomorrow.
Tharion would be called today, so the two could meet, speak, and prepare.
Inside, Ardis sat frozen.
Her thoughts spun rapidly.
He… can be called now?
She hadn't expected things to move so quickly.
Her heart began to race again, faster than before.
Outside, her grandfathers moved quietly, their expressions calm but their actions precise.
Without drawing attention, they placed a white flower at the entrance of the one who had not been chosen.
A silent gesture.
A respectful ending.
No words were needed.
Meanwhile, the Snake Chief walked ahead, his pace steady and purposeful.
He did not hesitate.
Step by step, he made his way directly toward Tharion's hut.
The decision had been made.
And now… everything would begin.