For my Wildcard, I chose to publish my short story I wrote as a final project in a creative writing class. It is written with reference to, and with respect for my culture as a Haida. This story takes place on Haida Gwaii in the time of the Supernaturals.
The Hunt
By: Gitsga
As Kaa’juu crept closer, he could hear the baby softly babbling to itself. He had hoped that what Xuuya said was true and that he would be able to scoop the baby up if he was quiet enough. Though Xuuya is said to speak in half-truths and riddles so, his word should not be trusted. Kaa’juu had crept as close to the baby as possible, ensuring the woman hadn’t noticed him. Unfortunately, as Kaa’juu got closer to the baby, everything fell deadly silent. Before Kaa’juu could react, the woman had turned into an otherworldly creature, pitch black as the sea during a winter storm. With arms ending in razor-sharp claws, the creature tore toward the invader- Kaa’juu. With whatever courage the young warrior could muster, he sprinted toward the baby, hoping that he could scoop it up before the creature could rip him apart.
***
On a normal day, Kaa’juu would be training with his uncle, learning the ways of the Haida warriors. Today, however; he had to go out to gather more food from his clan’s territory. The young man was still untested, but the other warriors in the clan agreed that he had the spirit of a warrior and had since he was a child. Having completed his task, he made his way back home in his canoe. As night fell, he saw it, the red glow of fire in the direction of his village. Paddling as fast as he could, his fear was verified; his village was destroyed. A raid? Lighting? No, the sky was clear all day. He hurriedly dragged his canoe up the beach, and already the heat was intense. He could hear the screams of his people and saw some running away from the burning longhouses. Kaa’juu ran towards a group of survivors and the only thing any of them could say was: “Ham.mayuu”.
When morning came, the survivors were able to congregate, and the outlook was grim. Kaa’juu made his way toward the group and asked where the Chief was, he was ushered toward the badly injured Chief.
“The Ham.mayuu must be stopped”, the Chief said. “You’re the only one left to kill it Kaa’juu. You must find the Beast’s den and stop it before it can do any more harm”.
“All the other warriors couldn’t stop that Beast, how am I supposed to do it alone?” Kaa’juu exclaimed.
“Find Lady Luck. Only Skil Jaada will be able to tell you how to kill Ham.mayuu.”
“I thought she was only a legend”
“She is as real as you or I,” the Chief strained, “But she hasn’t been seen in many years. In times like these, a guide shall make themselves known.”
“How will know I’ve found my guide?” Kaa’juu inquired.
“Your guide will find you, young warrior. One of the clan’s spirits will help you. Now go! Find Skil Jaada, ask her how to slay the Beast, and kill it.” the Chief commanded.
Kaa’juu then made preparations for his quest. Most of the weapons and armour in the village had been destroyed in the fight, but he had his knife and club with him when the village was attacked. He would have to go without armor, not that it would protect him from the Ham.mayuu anyway. He gathered what provisions he could and made his way to his canoe, when he spotted a raven perched on the wooden craft, larger than any he’d seen before, it was the size of an eagle. He tried to shoo the bird away when it snapped at him.
“Is that any way to treat your guide? Ungrateful creature!”
Startled, Kaa’juu fell onto the beach.
“Awaay.ya! Now you’re falling around! Clearly, you’re not the warrior I’m supposed to guide. Now, where is he? You must be his apprentice, no?” the Bird asked.
“I am the last warrior of this village, the rest were killed or injured by the Ham.mayuu. My name is Kaa’juu.”
“Well then, little hunter, I am your guide. You may call me Xuuya. I will guide you on your journey to find Skil Jaada and kill the Ham.mayuu. Although… I doubt one as young as yourself has much chance of slaying the beast.”
“I must try, I’m the only one who can fight.” Kaa’juu said.
“Very well. Let’s get a move on little hunter, Skil Jaada is a fickle spirit.”
While under way, Xuuya told Kaa’juu how to find Skil Jaada, and it would require luck as she took on many faces. Lady Luck could only be found if she wanted to be found, and there were protocols to follow. She would appear with a baby, however, Kaa’juu would need to be careful. As sneaking up to get ahold of the child would be no easy task, but it would be a necessary risk to get the information he needs. However, Xuuya was known as a trickster and according to the legends, he would often speak in half-truths and riddles. Kaa’juu would need to be vigilant to keep from being deceived.
“You will hear her before you see her,” Xuuya started, “She likes to listen to herself that one.”
“You know her?”
“When you have been around as long as I have, you get to know the other spirits pretty well.”
“How long have you been around, Xuuya?”
“I’m the one who found your ancestors in the Giant Clam shell, and I’m the one who gave you light.”
“The creation story is true?”
“Who do you think told that story, little hunter?”
Having made camp for the night, Kaa’juu’s mind was on the task of finding Lady Luck, it had been weeks of searching and he wasn’t sure Xuuya was leading him in the right direction. As he slept, he had dreams of a song, not one he’d heard before, but it was eerily familiar and totally foreign at the same time. He awoke to Xuuya pecking his nose.
“Wake up little hunter! She’s near, listen!”
Kaa’juu quieted his mind and listened, it was faint, but he could hear the song that had invaded his dreams. It was a woman singing in a hauntingly soft voice. He slowly approached the source of the singing, he felt uneasy. He felt unwelcome, a cold sweat started to drip down his back. This was it; this could only be Skil Jaada; he had finally found her after so long! Kaa’juu got as low to the ground as he could and made his way closer to where he could hear the singing. Getting closer, he started to hear a baby fussing, grabbing the baby before Skil Jaada heard him would be a harsh test of his stealth. He edged closer and closer to the baby wrapped in furs and cordage, hoping to grab it before Lady Luck would realize and strike him down. As he got nearer the child, it stopped making noise and the whole area fell deadly silent. Skil Jaada turned around to see the warrior near her child and in an instant, she transformed into a monster unlike anything Kaa’juu had seen. In a last desperate attempt, he lunged towards the baby and barely scooped it up into his arms before Skil Jaada could kill him.
“Impressive,” she said calmly, having returned to her human form, clad in a blanket that looked as though it was woven with the stars themselves. “I was sure I would catch you first Kaa’juu, it is not often I am bested.”
“You- you know my name?” he asked.
“Of course, I know everything child. My knowledge is what many before you sought, and few have claimed. So, go on child, ask me all that you would know. But remember: Should you fail to give me my baby before the sun rises, your life will be forfeit.” She spoke.
“I need to know how to find and kill the Ham.mayuu that destroyed my village.” Kaa’juu declared.
“Of course, you seek revenge. Like many before you, all you seek is death. However, I do not blame you child, you were hurt, your family and friends unjustly taken from you. I can tell you exactly what you want to know, but you must know this: Death begets death. Should you kill this Beast in anger, your own death will be just as terrifying, for the cycle will continue.”
“What cycle? What do you mean Skil Jaada?”
“The Ham.mayuu was once a warrior not unlike yourself. For you see, it is a sickness of anger and grief which begets the Ham.mayuu. This Ham.mayuu sought revenge on the one before him, and killed it out of anger, and he soon became the Beast he sought to destroy.”
“You’re telling me that if I kill the Ham.mayuu, I become a Ham.mayuu? That Beast destroyed everything I love and now there’s no way to stop it unless I become one myself? That’s not right. That can’t be it. How do I stop the Ham.mayuu and break the cycle?” Kaa’juu asked.
“That, my child, is the right question.”
As the night wore on, Kaa’juu asked more questions of Lady Luck, and she happily obliged. She went on to tell him of the Medicine he would need to stop the Ham.mayuu and where he could find the Beast. The Medicine required a test of Kaa’juu’s virtues, his courage, wisdom, and strength. He needed to have a pure heart, or he would fail his trials. Lady Luck informed him that upon completion of these trials, he would find the weapons and armour needed to slay the Beast. She informed him how to find the trials and where to find the Beast upon completion of them. The most difficult task was yet ahead, Kaa’juu would need to forgive the Beast for what it had done to strike the killing blow. It wasn’t long before the ravens would call, signaling the coming of dawn.
“The ravens call child, the Sun approaches. Should you value your life, hand me my baby and begone.”
“Thank you, Skil Jaada, I think I know all I need, I will give your baby back.”
Holding the baby toward her, Lady Luck snatched the child from Kaa’juu’s arms.
“Thank you, little hunter.” Skil Jaada whispered as she disappeared.
As Kaa’juu walked back to his camp, Xuuya was waiting for him. Kaa’juu explained all that Skil Jaada had said, and Xuuya simply nodded, knowing where they would need to go. First the trial of courage, Kaa’juu would need to would need to make his way to Pillar Rock. Upon reaching the structure, Kaajuu would need to climb to the top in order to find the armour Skil Jaada had told him about. This seemed simple enough, as he’d heard stories that Pillar Rock was tall, but not so tall that he wouldn’t be able to scale it with much difficulty. However, on arrival, the duo would appear to pass through a wall of mist. On the other side of the mist, the pair met with Pillar Rock, but it was many times taller than Kaa’juu had heard it would be. It would be a difficult task to climb, not to mention getting back down again.
“It’s so much taller than I thought it would be”, Kaa’juu lamented.
“What did you expect little hunter? Your trials are to take place in the spirit world!” Xuuya exclaimed.
“The spirit world? How did we end up here?”
“The mist allowed us to travel here. The spirit world is a harsh place for mortals and is a distortion of the mortal realm.” Xuuya explained, “You didn’t think you would find the equipment you need in your world did you little hunter?”
“I… I suppose that makes sense, but what am I even supposed to be looking for Xuuya?”
“I have only heard stories of the treasure hidden at the top of the Rock. You are looking for a Knife, said to have belonged to a great warrior chief of ages long forgotten.”
“You don’t know? Can’t you just fly up there to check?”
“I cannot. Only those permitted to take the trial may see the top of the Rock. I am afraid I cannot help you little hunter.”
Kaa’juu looks up at the Rock, “well, nothing to do but to climb.”
Kaa’juu began to climb the massive formation, every inch of height gained was a struggle for the young warrior, it felt to him like the Rock was fighting his every move. It would take all the strength he had to make it to the top of the Pillar. Xuuya stayed with his ward along the way, only able to fly as high as Kaa’juu was able to climb. After what felt like ages, the pair finally made it to the top of the Pillar. To greet them was a blade driven into the top of the Rock. The “knife” looked like it had been made for a giant. It was nearly as tall as Kaa’juu, and made of what looked to be razor sharp obsidian.
“That’s a knife? It’s huge Xuuya!”
“The Chief was a large man.” Xuuya said matter-of-factly.
“Great. Now, how do I get down?”
“Well, I will fly you back down of course.”
“Xuuya, you’re a big bird, but you’re not THAT big.”
In a storm of feathers, Xuuya became the size of the mythical thunderbird and was as white as fresh snow. Kaa’juu could only stare in awe of Xuuya’s majesty.
“I do not show my true form to just anyone, my little hunter, now I may carry you back to our canoe.”
In a flash, the two were at the base of Pillar Rock next to their canoe, and as soon as they did, Xuuya reverted to being simply, a large raven. With that, the two made their way to the next trial in the spirit world, the home of the Black Slate. It was here that they young warrior was to find his armour, said to have been made from the hide of Waasgo, the Sea Wolf. Kaa’juu would have to make the perilous journey up the mountain to the source of the Black Slate, all the while carrying the heavy blade, and there he would find an ancient wooden box containing the armour. Upon donning the armour, it became like a second skin, forming itself to the young warrior’s body. Xuuya explained that the armour would protect Kaa’juu from most any blow, but his head and neck would still be vulnerable. Finally, the duo arrived at the balancing rock, the site of the final trial. Here, Xuuya explained that Kaa’juu would learn to wield the Obsidian Blade, to strike the killing blow to the Beast. Teaching Kaa’juu how to wield the Blade, Xuuya instructs him to cleave Balance Rock in two, for it was in the rock that the warrior would find the Light. Upon splitting the rock with a mighty swing of the Blade, a surge of light erupted from the halves of the rock and was absorbed into the Obsidian Blade, giving it a dull glow.
“The light is a measure of your heart little hunter, and with it you will be able to break the curse of the Ham.mayuu. Be warned, little hunter, you must deliver the final blow only when the blade shines brightest, only then will you dispel the curse. Should you strike the Beast down without the blessing of Light, you will become Ham.mayuu.”
“I understand Xuuya, thank you. I was afraid that you would try to trick me this whole time, but you’ve proven yourself a trustworthy guide.”
“I would never lie to you or your people, little hunter. I am the one who found you, and I am the one who stole the light of the heavens for you. My love for your people is that of a father for his children. I am only known as a trickster to the other spirits for these deeds.” explained Xuuya.
Upon returning from the spirit world and finishing the trials for the Medicine, Kaa’juu made his way towards the lair of the Ham.mayuu with Xuuya guiding the way. All the while, the thought of becoming a Beast lingered in his mind. He would have to somehow forgive the Ham.mayuu for the damage it had done, or his fate would be the same. His mind was full of thoughts of his loved ones, and the village that had been destroyed. He wasn’t sure that he could find the strength to forgive the Beast, but the Medicine wouldn’t work without a pure heart. Conflicted as he was, he had no other choice but to face the Ham.mayuu. Ready or not, he couldn’t risk the Beast attacking another village and perpetuating the cycle of destruction. He made his way to the lair of the Beast and with no choice left but to face the Ham.mayuu, Kaa’juu steeled himself for the confrontation.
The Ham.mayuu made its lair deep in the forest, there it had its nest deep in a cave. As Kaa’juu and Xuuya approached, Kaa’juu could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, and a cold sweat dripped down his back. Although he had everything which was needed to slay the Beast, he was still wary. The duo made their way ever closer to the lair of the Ham.mayuu, silently, they did not need to alert the Beast to their presence any sooner than they needed to.
“Once you engage the Ham.mayuu, I cannot help you any further little hunter. You will be on your own. I believe in you, Kaa’juu.”
“That’s the first time you called me by my name Xuuya, thank you.”
“You have earned your name now Kaa’juu. Now go, slay the Beast and break the curse!”
With that Xuuya flew through the opening in the treetops, while Kaa’juu entered the clearing. The Beast had been waiting, having smelled the warrior long before. Kaa’juu drew the Obsidian Blade, now glowing more brightly than it had before. In a flash, the two engaged in battle. The hide of the Ham.mayuu was harder than anything Kaa’juu had known, any attack he’d made would simply glance off the Beast. Meanwhile the Beast was landing effective blows against the warrior, the hide of the Sea Wolf was barely able to protect its wearer. All the while the Obsidian Blade was losing its luster, as Kaa’juu’s spirit waned. Suddenly, the Beast was able to grab Kaa’juu and with all its might, threw him across the clearing. Hitting his head, Kaa’juu fell unconscious. He opened his eyes, he wasn’t in the clearing anymore, he was in a memory. He saw himself as a child being trained as a warrior by his uncle. He saw himself fall and cry, telling his uncle he couldn’t do it anymore, he wasn’t meant to fight.
“Kaa’juu, you are right where you need to be. The best warriors aren’t the ones who want to fight, but the ones who want peace.”
The words remembered rang in Kaa’juu’s head as he woke up, his Blade shining with near blinding light. The Beast was stunned by the light just before it could land its killing blow. With strength he’d never felt before, Kaa’juu leapt into the air before bringing down his full might on the Blade, cleaving the Ham.mayuu in two. For a moment, all was silent. Then the Beast started to split apart before disintegrating into light. As Kaa’juu stood, victorious, the Obsidian Blade and the armour of the Sea wolf vanished in a similar fashion, their purpose fulfilled. Through the trees a raven could be heard calling, heralding the dawn of a new day.