The Beast of Conviction

From a young age, Gorpus knew he was different from everyone else. He was stronger, smarter, and more capable than anyone he had ever met. But for all his gifts, his greatest adversary wasn’t a man or a beast—it was the suffocating traditions of his people. Born into the Hawe tribe, Gorpus was taught to obey unyielding rules and customs that dictated every aspect of life. From what he could eat, to whom he could speak, to lines he must never cross, the teachings of the elders were absolute.

These traditions had ensured the tribe’s survival for generations, forming a rigid framework of order and security. Breaking even a single rule could mean death. Gorpus's father, a wise but unyielding man, had impressed upon him the importance of these customs before his untimely death. And so, Gorpus obeyed.