Chapter 10: A stranger watching

Back in Bear Wolf Village a spiritual ceremony is currently being held to ward off the bad omens brought upon by a strange light falling from the sky. The tribes people gathered at the center of the village praying before a crudely carved statue surrounded by offerings of exotic fruits, fresh meats and handmade trinkets.

Magbo, the chieftain of the Bear Wolf tribe, mingled among his tribesmen, they drunk poorly made booze made from a particular sour fruit. With his deep voice, his booming laughter echoed through the air as he enjoyed the feast.

"Gabo, my son!" Magbo called out, his voice cutting through the lively atmosphere of the tribe. "Son! Come here! Forget those women you'll have plenty of time to make love later!"

Gabo, standing with a group of young tribesmen and sharing their feats, heard his father calling for him, he laughed and approached them, he greeted his father and the tribe's elders. And while on the way, he snatched a wooden makeshift cup of booze from a young kin and took a hearty sip.

"Father, I've been feasting with you for over an hour and I've prayed for our tribes prosperity at the altar," Gabo said with a grin. "So if you'll allow it, I'd like to head back to the house. Lina is probably asleep by now, and I could slip into her bed unnoticed," he added, his tone dripping with malice.

Magbo laughed heartily, clapping his son on the shoulder. "Alright, alright! Go ahead! But don't break her too much, we will need her intact for the offering to the forest deity tomorrow at noon."

Gabo chuckled, barely able to contain his excitement. "Of course, Father. I'll be extra gentle with her." With that, he excused himself and strode toward the chieftain's house, already imagining the night ahead.

He turned to a group of tribesmen and ordered few of them, "You, follow me. Guard the house. Make sure no one disturbs me, and no matter what you hear don't enter without my permission."

The men exchanged knowing smirks and took their positions outside the chieftain's house and chatted with each of them instead. Gabo's obsession with Lina was no secret to the tribe.

"I bet he's going to embrace her tonight," one whispered to the other.

"Yeah. She's the most beautiful woman in the tribe, there's no one here who would be able to resist her," another added with a grin. "Too bad she's so young, it's such a shame we wouldn't be able to see her bloom more maturely. Well, maybe when he's done, he'll share her with us."

They laughed quietly, as they share their lewd remarks, but it was cut short by the sudden sound of someone thrashing inside the house.

"Hmm… it Sounds like she's putting up a fight," one remarked.

"Raghh! Woman!" Gabo's furious shout rang out.

The guards froze. "Is he… really enjoying himself?" one asked hesitantly.

"Bastards! What are you standing around for? Get in here and help me find her!" Gabo cursed at them, as his voice was filled with frustration.

The guards exchanged uneasy glances with each other. "Didn't he say not to disturb him?" one muttered before they all rushed inside the chieftains house.

"She's gone!" one of them reported after searching the house.

"she's not here either," another added.

Finally, one of them found a hole that was dug beneath the wooden wall. "Looks like she escaped through here," he informed Gabo of his find.

Then a tense silence filled the house until one of the tribesmen knelt before Magbo, he suddenly appeared at the doorway. The chieftain's gaze was cold as he scanned the messy area. "What is all the commotion about, explain to me Gabo?"

"She's gone, Father," Gabo said, his tone sounding bitter. "I already told her to come earlier, but she decided to run away again."

Magbo sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "She's probably hiding in the clearing patch where she always lies. Just leave her be for now. I'm going to rest." He waved his hand dismissively then turned towards his quarters.

As some of the tribesmen left to search the clearing for Lina, Magbo's furious shout shook the house. "Where is the ancestral knife?!"

Gabo froze, his anger replaced by shock.

"She has gone too far this time," Magbo growled as he stormed out of his room. "Not only has she tried to run away again, but now she's stolen the ancestral knife that the forefathers have left us! That blade is meant for the next chieftain, it's a sacred relic passed down to our line! And without it, you will never inherit this tribe, Gabo. If you don't bring her and the knife back, I'll disinherit you and choose a new heir myself!"

"Father… no, Chieftain, I'll find her and bring the ancestral knife back. I swear it," Gabo said solemnly.

He turned around and went to the center of the village to gather some tribesmen, Gabo shouted, "Prepare yourselves! We'll retrieve the relic and find her, then we shall offer her to the forest deity!"

Back in the mountains far from the village, Lina has covered a considerable amount of distance between them, she then carefully made her way through the rocky terrain. Each of her step was a struggle as her fragile body bore the toll of her journey.

"…It's getting colder," she murmured while rubbing her hands together, then biting into a fruit to replenish her energy.

After a short rest, she then packed her belongings and continued her trek. The mountain loomed ahead, this is where the crimson light that had fallen from the sky is located, her only beacon, was now getting closer. Hours passed as she climbed the jagged paths, her determination, the need to survive and her prepared provisions are the only things that's keeping her to move forward.

"…It's getting warmer," she whispered as she noticed the temperature changed. She smiled as she knew she was getting closer. Everything she had endured would be worth it once she reaches the place.

Even if she didn't find what she was looking for, she wouldn't regret this journey, since even if it's just for a short time, it allowed her to feel free.

When she finally she reached a slope that offered a clear view of the path she had taken. She felt proud of herself since this was the farthest she had ever come.

Turning back to the mountain, she gazed in awe at the destruction the crimson light had caused. The ground was cracked and scorched, and the steam rising from the earth.

"…Amazing," she breathed. "How is this possible?"

She approached the ruined landscape, while the ground was slightly hot beneath her feet.

Grumble~

The sound of loose earth made her freeze in place. Her heart raced as memories of earlier landslides flashed in her mind. She had narrowly avoided falling to her death just hours ago, she was saved only by a protruding root she had grabbed out of desperation.

The impact zone is still farther away as this is only one of the effects produced by the falling light.

As she moved ahead, someone was watching her from afar, hidden in the fog, a pair of sharp yellow eyes emanating with mana is watching her move.

End of chapter