Shout whenever

The once orderly Toquiri camp had descended into controlled chaos. Warriors moved with urgency, their faces grim as they sharpened weapons, checked tools, and prepared for an extended watch. The usually steady rhythm of life—the sound of children playing, elders weaving, and the crackling fire—was replaced by tension-filled murmurs and the sharp clang of stone against metal.

Rice watched the shift with wide eyes, his usual humor subdued by the weight of the situation. Nearby, Jarik sat on a log, wincing slightly as a healer tended to his claw wounds. Despite the pain, he wore his signature grin, though it was clear even he was shaken. A monster so close to the hunting grounds was no small matter.

Arika stood at the center of the activity, her voice cutting through the din like a blade. "This is no accident," she said, her gravelly tone filled with anger. "We already let the monsters take Haan'tor" She spat the name like it left a bitter taste in her mouth. "And now they're here, at the edge of our hunting grounds."

The name Haan'tor seemed to carry weight, and Rice noticed how the warriors stiffened at its mention. This place, he quickly gathered, must have been a key position, perhaps a forward base in the forest. Arika's anger was palpable, her sharp movements and clipped words reflecting her frustration of perhaps losing another key spot in their territory.

In the corner of the camp, Darius sat silently, his expression thoughtful as he held a stone spear in his hands. The usual noise of the camp seemed to fade into the background as his focus sharpened. His fingers traced the smooth wood of the shaft, his eyes narrowing as an idea began to take shape.

Nearby, a pile of crafting materials—twine, animal sinew, flexible branches, and flat stones—sat unused. Darius's hands moved instinctively, pulling items from the pile and arranging them in a careful order.

It started with a long, slightly curved branch. He shaved it down with a knife, smoothing the wood until it was light but sturdy. Next, he lashed a loop of sinew to one end, twisting it tightly until the material hummed with tension. His movements were deliberate, every cut and knot made with practiced precision.

When the tool began to take shape, Ryden wandered over, raising an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to be?" he asked, folding his arms.

"A spear thrower," Darius replied without looking up. "Something to make a spear fly farther and hit harder."

Ryden snorted but watched with growing interest as Darius finished the weapon. Finally, Darius stood, holding the completed spear thrower—a simple but elegant device with a hook at one end for the spear's base. He hefted it in his hand, testing its weight, and gave a small nod of satisfaction.

Darius approached Arika, who was busy conferring with several warriors near the fire. She turned as he stepped into her line of sight, holding the spear thrower in one hand and a spear in the other.

"I made something," he said simply, holding the device out for her inspection.

Arika raised an eyebrow, her sharp eyes narrowing as she took the strange tool from him. She turned it over in her hands, her expression skeptical. "This?" she asked, her tone faintly incredulous.

"Let me show you," Darius said, motioning toward a clear area just outside the camp.

Curiosity won out over skepticism, and Arika followed him, along with a small crowd of warriors and onlookers. Once there, Darius set up a target—a large tree trunk marked with a rough circle of charcoal.

He slotted the spear into the hook of the thrower, raising it into position. With a quick, fluid motion, he launched the spear.

The weapon flew with startling speed and power, cutting through the air and slamming into the tree with a loud CRACK. The spear buried itself deep into the wood, far deeper than any hand-thrown spear could have managed.

The gathered Toquiri stared in stunned silence. Even Arika's usually stoic expression faltered, her eyes widening as she approached the tree to inspect the embedded spear. She ran her fingers along the shaft, then turned back to Darius, her gaze unreadable for a moment before it softened into something resembling admiration.

"You made this?" she asked, her voice quiet but firm.

Darius nodded. "With more of these, you can keep the monsters at bay from a distance."

Arika tested the thrower herself, mimicking Darius's movements. The spear she launched struck another tree with equal force, her usually controlled expression breaking into one of pure surprise. Slowly, she turned back to her warriors, holding the thrower aloft.

"This," she said, her voice carrying authority, "is power."

She handed the tool to Jarik, who was still bandaged but eager to try. He let out a low whistle as he sent a spear flying, the weapon piercing through layers of bark like butter. The warriors exchanged murmurs of amazement as one by one, they tested the tool.

Arika stepped back, pointing to Darius with a commanding gesture. "Make more," she ordered, her voice resolute. "Every warrior will carry one before the next hunt."

By dawn the next day, the camp was alive with anticipation. Warriors moved in tight formations, each carrying a spear thrower strapped to their backs along with their usual arsenal. Darius had spent much of the night crafting, aided by several Toquiri who quickly learned to replicate his design.

Arika inspected the warriors with a critical eye, ensuring every tool was secured and every spear was sharp. Her usual stoic demeanor had shifted into something fiercer, a fire burning in her eyes.

Rice stood off to the side, leaning on a crude staff he'd picked up, his expression half-nervous and half-impressed. "You really flipped the script, huh?" he said to Darius, his tone light but genuinely admiring.

Ryden nodded, crossing his arms as he watched the warriors. "Not bad, big guy. Let's hope it works as well on that monster as it does on trees."

Arika approached the trio, her spear thrower slung across her back. She gave Darius a single nod of acknowledgment, then addressed the group as a whole.

"We hunt today," she said, her voice strong and unwavering. "For food, for safety, and for our land"

The warriors raised their spears in unison, a chant rising from their ranks as they prepared to set out. The forest awaited, and this time, they were ready.