Once there is a woman who travels with a cart around the world of Teant that goes by the name of the Head Chronicler. A recent strange figure who has many stories to tell for only a single coin or an equivalent exchange. Most of her stories are from the many heads that she collected for trade. It will cost extra for a story from her personally. The heads she collect are from many odd places that are rich with stories around the world. Maybe you would like to hear some of them.

...

One day, there was a boy from Hilvania who was swinging a stick as if it were a sword. Bored out of his mind ever since the country of Barthorne invaded. He was wondering around the deserted village that used to be rich with people and friends.

"Wish I was older," the boy said.

"Now why would you wish that?"

The boy held his stick in defense and said. "Who said that?!"

"Behind you."

The boy turned around only to see a beautiful woman with majestic raven colored hair and a cloak of many colors separated by thick black lines. The woman had a strong warm smile clashes with the mature look that she is going with. Behind her is a cart that she appears to be pulling herself rather than using a horse.

"Now then, answer my question little one and I'll offer you something in exchange," the woman said.

"Well I... I want to be older so that I can be a soldier like my father!" the boy said.

"Ah huh. Let me guess. All to avenge everyone who died here and you lost your parents," the woman said.

"Geez, no need to be harsh about it. Even if you are spot on," the boy said.

"I been to many places little one and there are many boys like you out there. In fact, I know a specific person you can relate to," the woman said.

"Now hold on, I forgot to tell you my name. Did not mean to be rude. I am Shay," the boy said.

"Well, better late than ever," the woman said. "I am called the Head Chronicler. You will see why I am called that in a moment. Since you did answer my question and showed your politeness, I can tell you a story in exchange."

The Head Chronicler went into her cart for a moment and pulled out something that was hairy. She then showed Shay the thing and it turned out to be a disembodied head of a girl.

The head in question has silver hair tied in a pony tail. She looked to be around Shay's age which baffles him and yet she looked as if she has fought many battles in her life. All of that from her face and confidence despite having no scars from her pale skin.

"AHHHHH!" Shay screamed.

"Hi there! I'm Eerika and I am one of the bravest heads out there!" said the head. "Will you man up?! You put even the cowards back home in shame!"

"You see why I'm called the Head Chronicler?" the woman asked.

"Yes, of course," Shay said.

"I'm gonna tell you my story on how I got here! Now listen up!" Eerika said.

"Of course," Shay said.

...

I'm from Parathi, a place for strong people! We don't need papers like those other nations, we handle everything through fighting! It's only complicated when other nations get involved. Everyone is a hero in their own right unless they are cowards. Even the weak are heroic!

"How is that admirable?" Shay asked.

There is a difference between being weak and being a coward. The weak might not be strong but they still fight. Cowards don't even try at all or cheat.

Anyways, we kids train and play from the very beginning to be like our parents! Everyone has something to brag about their family. Like my own father once hunted a bear and only had to scare it to kill it! Then there is my older brother who rode on a buffalo with no hands! There was also...

"Please get to your story Eerika, dear," the Head Chronicler said.

Fine! As for me, I was still in training. The only thing I ever did in my life so far was slaying a Mama Bear and injured the Papa. The Mama Bear was enough meat for the night so the Papa got off lucky. Sadly a coward took advantage of that and took my kill! I took care of him later but it did not feel like a victory. A chore at best.

I usually spend my days training with my father whenever he has some errands to work with such as hunting or play with other kids in brutal games. Most of the things I do often revolve around the woods and it makes us stronger since it has harsh environments. Things changed one day after a certain visitor came to our village.

"Oi! The Lord Commander offers any able warriors to prepare a front against the idiots from Barthorne!" said a messenger.

This only mean one thing, there is a war coming! I never been to one before but my parents have been through three of them. All of my siblings been in one in some shape and form. I was excited for it because it will be my first war. Sadly, our family has to consider who gets to go and who needs to stay.

"I have to go since I miss those days," my father said as he stroke his beard. "I'm getting tired of just defending the house."

"As do I. Lief needs to stay this time. Especially since he just got married. It could be good practice for him to be the man of the house once we go to the Hall," my mother said.

"There's always next time, but it will be Sif's turn next time!" my older brother said.

"Oh please, that will take a while. No one met my standards yet," my older sister said.

"Come on sis, I need something to brag to my own children soon," Lief said.

We might be a family that argued loudly but in other countries standards, it's our way of family. It is all in light fun and how we talk. Even I get carried away with this.

"I want to come too!" I said.

"Oh ho... think being able to do dad's work is gonna cut it?" my father asked me.

"Nope because I want to do much more when I get there," I said.

My father laughed hard and said. "Well said! Wise and strong! Perhaps this is a good learning experience. You be hunting men instead of deer, the most challenging beasts to hunt!"

"Besides, you have to start going to war at some point," my mother said.

"Hoo hah!" I said.

"Hoo hah!" my father said.

"Hoo hah!" my family added.

"Aren't you afraid of what war entails?" Shay asked.

Of course not! Even if I die, I at least will have a place in the Hall. That's where strong people go after being murdered. As long as we got the guts, we can spend an eternity in a fruitful land to prepare and train for a holy war that might bring an end to this world.

"May the founders bless you with sanity," Shay said.

"Funny from someone who wants to do the same thing," the Head Chronicler said.

"Well I... I needed the training and experience first off all. Can't just rush into battle as much as I want to," Shay said.

Anyways, Shay! After planning over half the family to go, we marched to the city. As we traveled, we were given a simple plan that we will wait outside of the Arena in Artox as the Lord Commander used "diplomacy" with those Barthornians. When the signal rings, we will charge in and attack any soldiers if things don't go well.

This is one of the few times I've been to the city. It is like the villages except bigger and everything is made of stone. The city is mostly for those who are willing to deal with political affairs or gain fame in combat. Think of the villages outside of the city as a training ground and the city as an arena.

"But there is already an arena there," Shay said.

I know but the city is for the truly strong people. Not for riches in money but glory. Being able to survive there is a task on it's own. There is no shame in not being able to live there because we all have our own ways of getting strong. The woods are a perfect place for training while the city is for bragging.

The Lord Commander is the strongest of us and must constantly prove it. The riches he gain were not from taxes like in other nations but from his own merit. He earned the title and position. He even has to fight in the arena sometimes to remind people of his strength.

"He must be a scary person," Shay said.

Oh no, he is only scary if you fight him. To be a Lord Commander, you need to be able to not only be strong but wise and merciful. It is said in our legends that all of the Lord Commanders have these traits. It really does show if you look into our history. Our current Lord Commander is someone who likes to help the weak and make them stronger as well.

"That is different from what I heard about him," Shay said.

We might be tough and hard but we are not heartless. Though maybe our form of kindness might be different from yours.

"Sorry," Shay said.

Upon reaching our destination, I was order to stand in the back with the other children. Apparently, sending kids in the front line will show that our country are filled with cowards.

"This is ridiculous! We're not as strong but still!" I said as I was sharpening my blade.

"I heard it's due to how other places expect kids to be weak," said a boy as he stretched.

"Whatever! I'm going to bring glory to my family in this war once we get fighting!" I said as I put on my leather armor. "I ain't letting those other nation kids be an excuse to back down."

"Hoo hah to you too," said the boy. "Not unless I do that first!"

"Oh you're on," I said.

"That assuming the adults don't hog all of it first," said another kid.

"Oh right," I said.

Suddenly the horn rang which means that it's our time to fight! We all immediately charged right into the arena, shouting out battle cries, and stabbing a bunch of men. I was very hyper as I was looking for my first kill, but I haven't gotten a chance to find any men.

As I charged in, I see a bunch of corpse of those in Barthorne with their blood sprayed onto the walls. Thought the oddest thing is that I did not find anyone in my side dead, at least in terms of blood.

At first I assumed that we were winning, but I noticed some body parts from our warriors laying around. I stopped for a moment and noticed that they were moving on their own. In fact, one of the arms grabbed my leg.

"Damn this arm? What is going on?!" I asked as I kicked the arm away.

After looking at the arm, I saw no blood. There was only smooth skin of where there should be gushes of blood be spilling out.

I managed to reach to an upper level of the arena as I had a good view of the center. The very sight shocked me as I saw a bunch of headless bodies and heads surrounding the Barthornians. That's not all, they were alive from their twitching and screams.

This disgust me. None of my people were allowed an honorable death! To add salt to the wound, I see warriors of my age being grabbed away rather than engaging in combat. I was so angry that I just yelled and ran towards the center of the arena.

"Bastards! ALL OF YOU!" I cried.

I did not pay any attention of my surroundings except for the people who I wanted killed. Besides the soldiers, I noticed a woman gaining dominance over the Lord Commander and the soldiers. I assumed that she was in charge of the Barthornians here.

As I reached closer to the center of the arena, I managed to stab one of the soldiers from jumping down. I stabbed him multiple times to make sure that he stayed dead. The sight of my first kill caused panic among the soldiers. They clearly did not expected this but it also meant that they underestimated me.

"This girl is crazy! Milady, what should we do?" asked a soldier.

"Calm her down like the rest! We do not harm children! Especially these kids," said their leader.

I grew more angry over that comment as I decided to go after the woman. Instead, I felt myself being grabbed by my hair and arms. I was forced into a position where my face was near one of the soldier's blade.

I immediately used my mouth to unsheathe their sword and tried to use it against them. As expected though, the blade was too heavy for my mouth. I thought it would work but more of the soldiers panicked as they could not restrain me that easily. All of this was then followed by feeling a sharp cut on my neck.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry!" said a soldier.

"What?" I asked before having this odd feeling of falling down.

I found myself on the ground afterwards, unable to move as I got an idea what happened to me. I was only a head. I can only watch my people being decapitated like me and more children restraint. These people... they call us savages and yet they step on our honor.

"Hey! HEY! Put my head back on my body and fight me one on one!" I cried. "Don't dishonor me like this, lady!"

"Hide the body!" said the leader of Barthorne, "You soldier, you will have to deal with me after this! This looks bad! If word gets out, my reputation will be ruined!"

Never have I felt so invulnerable and embarrassed in my life. My anger was ignored by these people because I was young. This person who was in charge, I wanted her blood.

"You!" I called out. "How dare you disrespect me like that! I rather you kill me instead!"

The leader looked shocked and worried as she approached closer to me. She picked up my head with a woeful look.

"Children should not be even be here! Honestly, this country is twisted in making kids do the fighting for them," the leader said. "You poor little girl. If only you had a better life."

"That's not true! I wanted to be here!" I said. "I wanted to be stronger than anyone here!"

"Probably you were forced to believe that. Your father must have abused you and you had to be this macho warrior," the leader said.

"You don't know me!" I said. "Nothing you said was true."

"I might as well return you to your family," the leader said as she made a look of disgust. "Especially away from here."

The leader was referring to the sight of the Lord Commander doing the fertility technique with his head off. I looked confused as this leader act as if this was something I should not be seeing.

"You find that normal?" Shay asked.

What? You are not familiar with fertility techniques?

"Well... that's adult stuff isn't it?" Shay asked.

Where I'm from, it's perfectly normal for adults to do and everyone to be aware of! I even had this same conversation with that Barthornian leader! You other country people are weird.

"Me being weird, you are too young to know these kinds of things," Shay said. "I only heard about it through small talk from the grown ups."

Anyways, to hide the fact that I was decapitated, I was sealed away in a box. There was an argument on whether I get my body back and it was decided that I remain this way for my actions. Cowards! They don't want to fight me fair and square!

It was dark in the box as I grew sleepy. I ended up closing my eyes with everything going blank. At least until I opened my eyes and found myself in the woods. My box was close to me but I was stuck there laying on the ground by the side of my head.

"Uh... hello?" I asked.

My head was stranded on that spot for a long time. Even to the point where I lost track of the time. As a head in the woods, I spent most of the time eating whatever I find as long as it's not poisonous, biting on nearby animals for meat, and watching the stars.

Sometimes I felt water coming from my eyes and I use that to stay hydrated. It was better than nothing but it feels horrible. I never felt anything like that before.

"That is how it feels when you cry or feel sad," the Head Chronicler said.

Cry? That's what it was? The only time I get to cry is out of joy or after an awful defeat! Tears are meant for us to vent out weakness, not dwell into it. I can't believe that I turned weak at the time.

However, I did get better one day when I felt a certain chirp from a friend. It was when I woke up and saw what appears to be a bird that flew to me and was curious.

"Careful now! I might bite! I'm pretty hungry as well," I said.

The bird chirped as she flew off quickly and found a worm to feed me. I did not decline the offer and ate it gleefully. I was curious as to why this bird is willing to be so kind but I simply accepted it.

"Wait, you ate worms?" Shay asked.

Yeah so? There's nothing wrong with that.

"But you ate worms!" Shay said. "Without a stomach no less."

Besides the point, I named the bird Loki since sometimes I wonder if this is all a trick. Each day the bird would take care of me as if I were it's child. Could it be a blessing or the bird is capable of kindness? I was curious to this day. However, I accepted its kindness and paid back by being it's protector and home.

Loki have set a nest on my head and the box that I was sealed in. I grew to not mind it since it provided shade. I even provided protection against predators as I used my father's technique in scaring animals away with intimidation. Loki and I lived in harmony but I noticed that she never laid any eggs.

I don't recall her bearing any children so I considered myself as her own. I even considered calling her my new mother. Since we can't speak to each other, we mostly just assume what we want.

"Chirp chirp," I said just to get Loki's attention.

The bird replied and fed me worms. I kind of trained the bird certain commands that should be simple to follow. Mostly for to feed me or saying hello.

Though one day, Loki was right in my face and was looking weak. I was concerned but there was nothing I can do since I'm only a head. I had to watch Loki fall and die right in front of me.

"Loki? LOKI? Chirp? Chirp chirp? Please wake up!" I cried.

I forgot how long was it since I met Loki to her death, but it helped me pull through my disembodied state for a while. It felt so quick yet so much time has passed. However, not much time has passed when I met the Head Chronicler herself. I think she can take it from here.

...

Oh I remember just minding my business in my travels again when I spotted Eerika's head here. At first, I really thought it was some weird bushy nest on the ground until I noticed her silver hair. I stopped the cart and went towards the head as she was just sitting there and looking bored. Since I was the Head Chronicler, I might as well collect her to see what story she may offer.

"Hello little one? Need some help there?" I asked.

"Excuse me?" Eerika asked.

"I am the Head Chronicler and share stories from the heads that I collect," I said.

"Some kind of head thief?" Eerika asked.

"Oh no. Just any stray heads who needs help and have a story to tell. Something tells me that you have a story to share," I said.

"You're not wrong," Eerika said.

"Please enlighten me then on how you got here," I said.

So Eerika here told me her story just as she has with you. It was so sad that I decided to take her in with the others. She seemed happy to belong but she does miss her old life. Since she is the youngest head in my collection, I guess I'm technically her third mother at this point.

...

"Huh, thank you for the story," Shay said.

"You're welcome," the Head Chronicler said.

"So what do you think of my story Shay?" Eerika asked as her head rested on the Chronicler's lap.

"A bit rushed and distracted here and there. But I enjoyed it," Shay said.

"Eerika is not the best story teller but it is a tragic Parathi tale," the Head Chronicler.

"It sucks that I had to go down into history like this, but I did gain some fans for being a brave head," Eerika said.

"I think you are. You were brave enough to go through all of that. Even if you did fail," Shay said.

"When you put it that way, I guess I still got that courage. Even without my body," Eerika said.

"Now then little Shay, I hope you do grow up stronger or figure something with your life," the Head Chronicler said. "Until we meet again and be sure to have payment ready for another story."

...