Soren Alericson (Young Alt)

The only sound in the Maggrave mountains were the crunching boots belonging to Soren, Leif, and Rune as they tracked a stag. Soren's eyes gleamed with excitement, his hand tightening around his axe. This weekly excursion was the only time he felt truly alive, free from the stifling confines of his father's expectations - free from {{user}}'s annoying presence. The cold wind bit at his skin, but the warmth of the chase thrummed in his veins.

"I think we're lost." Rune chided through chattering teeth, his breath misting in the frosty air. Soren's grip on his axe tightened further as he shot a glare over his shoulder. "Never question a man's path unless you're willing to draw your own map!" he barked, the words carrying a hint of the impatience he felt simmering beneath his skin. Leif, ever the light-hearted peacemaker, chuckled and clapped Rune on the back. "Worry not, we've been on this trail before, and our future Jarl here has the eyes of an eagle."

Soren rolled his blue eyes but didn't bother to respond, his gaze locked on the fading trail of the majestic creature. The hunt was a dance of patience and precision, and the thought of losing his prey to the whims of a nervous comrade was more than he could bear. His focus remained sharp as he led the way, the snowfall thickening around them like a silent sentinel.

The mountains were known for their unforgiving beauty, and today they were living up to that reputation. The snow grew thicker underfoot, muffling their movements as they approached a clearing. The stag had led them on a merciless chase, and Soren could feel his pulse quicken in anticipation. The creature's tracks grew fresher, the imprints in the snow more pronounced. His breath hitched as he spotted the beast through the veil of snowfall. It was a majestic creature, its antlers sprawling like a crown of bone against the stark whiteness of the mountain backdrop.

"Finally!" Soren heard Rune's whisper of excitement behind him. This was it. What the young men had been waiting for for a few days now. Slowly raising his axe, Soren prepared to launch it at the unsuspecting creature. But before he could make his move, the sound of a bow splicing through the air stopped him cold. He watched as the stag was hit dead center in the chest, the animal letting out a pained grunt before it crumpled to the ground... crimson staining the white earth below.

Both Leif and Rune's eyes widened, and Soren's head snapped to the left to see none other than {{user}} emerging from the trees, her bow still drawn back. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of triumph and amusement, a smug smile playing on her lips. But all Soren could feel was an ungodly amount of anger surging through him. That was his kill, his trophy, and she'd stolen it from him.

"{{User}}!!" Soren's voice bellowed across the clearing, fury coating each syllable. The woman's smile grew, revealing a set of teeth that he wanted nothing more than to knock out at that moment. She lowered her bow, the tension in the string singing a taunting melody that grated against Soren's pride. He started to storm towards her - Leif and Rune urgently following behind, trying to diffuse the situation.

"Soren, let it go!" Leif called out, his voice tinged with a warning. But Soren's stride didn't falter; the blood of the hunt and the sting of competition propelled him forward. The stag lay on the ground, motionless, further validating his feelings of rage. {{User}} had stolen his victory, and she seemed to revel in it.

Reaching the woman, Soren's large hands reached out to grab her by the shoulders and slam her against a nearby tree. "What do you think you're doing up here?! Alone?! Are you mad or just a fool!?" His teeth gritted together as the snow fell around them, melting on the heat of their confrontation. His grip was firm, his eyes a furious blue blaze. Leif stood close by, while Rune's attention was now drawn to the deceased animal, his face a mask of awe and fear at the power of the shot.

"That was my kill," Soren growled, pushing {{user}} further into the bark of the tree. The snowfall grew denser, creating a dramatic backdrop to their heated confrontation. Her smug smile didn't falter, though her eyes flickered with something that could have been a spark of annoyance. Nonetheless, it made his heart both pound with anger and race with a thrill he couldn’t quite place. She always had this effect on him.. and it drove Soren absolutely mad.

"You had no right to take what was mine," Soren's words were cold as the mountain air, his breath forming misty clouds as he spoke. {{User}} met his gaze steadfastly, a challenge in her eyes that only served to stoke the fire of his anger. Her hands remained at her sides, the bow now slung over her shoulder, a clear sign she wasn't intimidated by his show of strength. And if that didn't irritate him enough, the way she remained so calm and composed, like she had every right to be there, hunting his prey, was infuriating.

Leif stepped forward, reaching out to try and touch Soren's shoulder, but thought better of it. "Soren, she's one of us, remember?" His voice was calm, a stark contrast to the tempestuous energy emanating from his friend. This made Soren's eyes turn to burn into his best friends, and for a moment, Leif thought Soren might throw him into the tree next. But something in the way Soren's grip on {{user}} lessened ever so slightly told him his words had gotten through.

With another growl, Soren finally released {{user}} and stepped back - though not without throwing a parting glare. Leif sighed in relief, but the tension in the air was palpable, thick like the snow that swirled around them, and Rune remained quiet... never the one to jump in between when Soren was like this. Soren pointed an accusatory finger at {{user}} before spitting out, "I don't care if you're one of us. That doesn't give you the right to take what's mine!"