The Rise of Nix
Chapter 2

Early morning sunlight filtered through the tiny slits of the small wooden hut. The light splayed over a sleeping Nix's face, a look of pure bliss on her face. Life in these dark and unpredictable times is hard on most, especially Nix, but the world could be better with a bit of faith and kindness. That is what she believed, but the last few years have taken a toll on the innocent and their protector.

In the distance, nature began to wake with the rising sun. The cheerful chirping of birds sounded in the crisp air as the light breached their nests. Insects crawled out from beneath the damp ground, eager to search for what nature provided. Mothers rose from the warmth of their hay beds, longing for the animal fur wrapped around their bodies as they fell back to sleep, abled to dream about a better time. But the world is cruel to those lesser, so the ladies pushed their hopes away, replaced instead of the day ahead; heat and food. The huts lined the massive fire pit in a circle, its size needing almost five women to start it. As the red flames sparked to life and smoked pillowed, dragged away by a gentle wind, did people slowly emerge from their huts. Children rubbed the sleep from their half-open lids, hair disrayed, only focused on replaceing their mothers to demand food. Men proudly stepped out from the huts they built; their chests protruded in a sign of alertness, spears in hand as they gathered by the heat from the fire, talking about the day ahead and the hope of what animals might be caught today.

As life in the small village sprang to life, the sounds trickled past the circle of huts and straight into one hidden behind the rest.

Nix's eyes slowly opened as the light blinded her. Shading her gaze with her hand, she sat up, tossing her legs over the side. Moving slightly to the right to avoid the harsh rays, she gazed about her small hut, proud of what she had accomplished so far. As a woman without a man or a family, she had to provide for herself what usually the men would. Of course, the whispers about her reached her tucked-away home, the words crone and freak among them, but she did not care. Her life proves that one can do what one pleases, but the village was yet to follow suit.

Releasing a huff, Nix pushed aside the ugly world, instead focusing on what she had built on her own so far. Straightening the deer fur over her hard straw bed, thoughts about creating a softer resting place came to mind. Her whole life, she has had these crazy ideas about ways to improve her and others' lives, but alas, the world and people were not ready for her mind. Straightening a few stuff around the hut, Nix thought about her day ahead and what she had to accomplish. With a confirming glance at her dried meat, she realized a hunting trip was in order. Those were the worst days for her since she had to go and kill. How ironic, a woman who dislikes the idea of letting a man run her life hates the fact that she had to murder another living being. Sure, it is a necessity; without it, she would die, but the thought of looking into the innocent eyes of a deer or rabbit before you end them sat horribly in her consciousness.

Maybe I can trade something? Nix thought to herself, searching the small space for something one of the men would perceive as equal to their hunt. Coming up empty, she huffed again before wrapping her fingers around her pendant. With her eyes closed and breathing under control, Nix counted to ten as she focused on the future. Daily pressure from the leader about marriage and disproving glances from the other females became her norm, but she refused to back down from their forces. She would do it herself if she did not want a man to care for her. As their faces and words vanished, Nix opened her eyes again to scan her small hut. Pride and happiness warmed her soul as she focused on every corner, knowing she built this all on her own; even though it was complicated with a rough road, at least Nix was free to do what she wanted and to help those who could not help themselves.

She was pulling on a pair of pants she molded from material that would have been thrown away. Nix approves as she gazes down at her form, mentally ready for the slur of her controversial choice. In this little village filled with nearly eighty people, only the men wore pants. Females wore fur skirts, for why would they need the comfort and safety of pants if they did not hunt or provide for their families like the men.

Moving aside the fur that acted as her door, Nix exited the safety of her space. Moving around the huts in front of her, she despised the leader, Khan, for his rules of hut placements. Only families were allowed to embrace the heat of the fire, for he stated children are fragile, and since she does not have any, she does not need the heat.

Of course, he said it, for he despised Nix, and she knew it, but he could not send her away without reasonable cause. And the fact that she acted as a healer for them made his hatred grow daily. Last few weeks, she caught the troll of a man eyeing her, sometimes as they gathered around the flames telling tales, the other times as she washed her clothing by the river. And every time his gaze sent shivers down her spine and warnings to her head. The days of her living harmoniously with them were numbered, and it was about time she made a plan.

"Did you see them? They are gorgeous." a voice murmured from behind a hut as Nix rounded the corner.

"And so strong. Their females must be well provided for." a female replied.

Two heads popped out as Nix stepped past a hut, the roaring fire before her. The women sat in front of a cabin, facing the fire while cutting up meat. Walking softly, Nix crept up on the two women, already knowing them by just their familiar voices.

"Do you think he has a woman?" the first asked.

Without waiting for a response, Nix's arms shot out, grabbing the girls by their shoulders and whispering, "Gossiping is bad, ladies."

High-pitched yells shot from the woman as they spun around to face Nix, their throats pilling up as they recognized a familiar face.

"Don't do that." the dark-haired woman puffed out, shaking her body to shake off Nix's hand.

Letting out a giggle, Nix said, "I am sorry, but you asked for it. How many times have I told you to be aware of your surroundings?

The redhead rolled her eyes as she turned back to her task, cutting up the meat for tonight's meal. "That is what the men are for."

Dropping down on the space left on the log, Nix glanced at her friends, glad to have someone but disappointed in their way of thinking. "And what if the men are away and something happens?"

Anna, the dark-haired, gave Nix a puzzled look before answering. "Why are you so against having a husband? Don't you want someone to look after you and give you little ones?"

Nix's eyes shot down to Anna's bulging belly as she caressed it before looking back at her friend. "It all sounds wonderful, but I want someone I can also look after and provide for. Not someone I need to rely on."

"You are one strange woman," Mary said, brushing back a red lock that fell over her cheek, smearing a trail of blood over her pale skin.

Grabbing the cloth laid over Mary's legs to protect them from the wooden block used for cutting, Nix wiped away the red liquid, leaving behind enough to make it seem like her friend is blushing. "At least I can do everything a man can."

"Maybe one of the new men from the other village might change your mind." Anna googles, sneaking a glance at Mary before they burst out laughing. The thought of a man taming their wild Nix sounds just as absurd as they imagined.

Nix looked confused, "Who are you talking about?"

Mary indicated towards the sky, and Nix followed her arm before looking at what she pointed towards. White smoke pillowed the sky in the distance, its size meaning it was at the end of the woods.

"There are new ones?" Nix stood up as she watched a light breeze play with the smoke in the distance. This might be the sign she was looking for. Another group she could join. One that might be more accepting of her ways and not break her down for her beliefs.

The day progressed as she had hoped. With a bit of faith and tricks learned from watching the hunters, Nix proudly strode into the camp; a dead rabbit tossed over her shoulder. Setting a trap had been easy, especially if one knew exactly where. The tricky part came when she had to kill it. Sharp rock in hand, Nix had slowly lifted the self-made lid of her trap, and before the rabbit could dash to safety, her fingers had wrapped around its soft neck, lifting him. A mixture of colors in its fur caught her attention, the brown, white, and black coat soft in her hands. Tiny feet kicked out as the frightened animal fought to get out of her hold, knowing what was about to come. Its black pearl eyes gazed up at Nix, a silent beg behind them, and before her heart forced her to let the animal go, she closed her eyes and slit its neck. Warm liquid gushed over her arm and into the ground as the animal gave a final squirm for life before becoming unmoving.

Peeking out from her lashes, Nix watched the lifeless rabbit for a second, ensuring he was dead. Nix silently prayed for its soul and hers after what she had to do, hoping the innocent creature did not suffer much. For all her knowledge, the one thing Nix found hard to believe was the Gods. Stories about their heroics are told around fires and traveling villagers. They all have their versions and names, but the one thing she realized they all have, is power. A power to change the world for the better, yet she has not seen them. How could one be so powerful but not do anything to help? Her praying responds to what the villagers taught her, but her belief in them is lacking. After all, she has seen and experienced so much, but a higher power was not one. Tying the rabbit's legs together, Nix pulled it over her shoulder and walked back to camp. Tonight she would cook a piece for food and the rest to dry out. God knows when she will eat again.

Walking through the familiar woods, Nix wondered about her future, particularly the new village. Word around the group is that the men in that village are big and robust, with looks to marvel. But what makes the females around her hyper is that most of them are unmarried, with only a hand full of women in their circle. They are most likely looking for a partner, and the women in their village are already lining up. But Nix was not thinking about that. She wanted a way into their group, but not through marriage, never marriage.

As the trees thinned to reveal the huts, Nix relaxed. There is safety in numbers, and her mind was alert whenever she went hunting alone. Unfortunately, lonely travelers are known to be in these woods, and an unarmed female is their ultimate prize.

Dodging past running kids and busy females, Nix reached the center of their village. Just standing and observing the bustle, Nix lavished in the heat from the fire, enjoying not only the warmth it provided but an atmosphere of familiarity. This place and these people are all she knows; they are the ones raising her after the death of her family. At a young age, her mother and father were killed when their hut caught fire, nearly destroying half of the others. She had barely made it out alive, but more than the rest of her family. Being a child familyless and hutless, the group had banned together to raise her, which had seemed reasonable initially. Still, Nix realized it was also the reason for her strange behavior. Information had come from all sides as each thought they knew different, forcing Nix to rely on herself, which led to her current situation. But she would not have it any other way.

"Get to work, woman." shouted a deep voice.

Twirling around to face the intruder, Nix involuntarily stepped back at sight before her. Khan, the leader, a humungous man more fat than muscles, perched hands on his hips, eagle eyes scanning Nix, a frown on his rough face.

"I am sorry." Nix stuttered. The shock of seeing him scared her, but she recovered fast. With shoulders back and head high, Nix aimed to look powerful and not show her actual fear to this man. "I was just admiring this fire the women build."

"Pft," Khan blew. "Not all women, I see."

Nix replied to his verbal jab, fighting back the urge to roll her eyes. "I would be happy to help, but they seem to have it under control. Besides," grabbing the rabbit, Nix swung it between them, "I had better things to do."

Khan zoomed in on the fur, his bushy eyebrows drawing together. "That role would be suited better for a husband," his eyes shot to Nix's. "Don't you think?"

"True, but why let a man do something I can just as easily accomplish," announced Nix.

The already tanned skin of Khan turned red as he eyed Nix, a muscle in his jaw clenching. Seeing him angrier, Nix backed off slightly, not putting it past him to strike out with a fist, for he had done so before.

"You might be a help to the village," Khan spouted, pointing a finger in Nix's face. "But one wrong move, and you are out." Turning around, the man stormed off with his hands fisted by his side.

Nix watched the bulky man as he left, releasing the breath she held onto for fear of moving. Sweat gathered on her bow from the heat of the flames. She had backed up too far, almost tumbling into it, so she turned to admire the fire, not for its warmth but its freedom.

"Nix... Nix.."

Turning to search for the one calling her, Nix saw the red hair first before the rest of her body followed. Mary was short, more so than the rest, but with curves for miles. Her bosom nearly spilled from the fur as she jogged to Nix, her wide hips swaying. For a woman, having children is the only reason people think they are there for, with Mary a prime example. When she had come of age, the woman had grown overnight. Fat crowded her hips, a sign of fertility, which had guaranteed proposal from a multitude of men in the village. Mary had to choose, with her choice shocking Nix and the group. The strong hunters usually got the females they desired, for the women wanted security, not Mary. No, Mary had settled down with the man she loved. A man not great at hunting but a forager. There are no berries or edible plants James could not replace. Sadly, he was looked down upon but still, Mary did not care. For she followed her heart, and Nix was proud of that.

"What is it?" asked Nix as she kept walking to her hut, an out-of-breath Mary stumbling along.

"My young one sure took the last of my energy." groaned Mary, dropping herself onto Nix's bed as they entered her small hut.

Dropping the rabbit on the table, Nix turned to watch her friend. The woman's chest heaved up and down as she dragged air into her lungs, her red face covered in sweat. Seconds passed before she slowed down, looking at Nix with wide eyes and a smirk as big as her face.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" asked Nix, a sliver of suspicion tingling down her spine. Mary always tried to set her up with the unattached males in the village, once even a boy barely into adulthood, but Nix always talked her way out of those situations. She knows her friends are just trying to help, but at a certain point, it just becomes annoying.

"You need to take a bath," said Mary.

"And why would I do that?" Nix smelled her pits, "Do I smell?"

"We all smell, but that is not the point." Mary shot off the bed, grabbing Nix's hands in her own. "We are having a feast tonight for our esteemed guests."

"Who are...?"

"The new village and all of their fine men."

Nix's heart dropped into her stomach at the mention of the new group. She wanted to make an excellent first impression so they might see her as a great addition to them, but less than a day of planning would not be enough.

"Can't wait," whispered Nix, faking a smile at her ecstatic friend.