A stranger on the rock road

The road stretched as far as the eye could see, a seemingly endless path of dust and gravel beneath the merciless sun. A wagon, drawn by two weary horses, trailed along the uneven terrain, its old axles creaking in rhythm with the steady beat of hooves. The silence of the wilderness was accompanied only by these sounds, a melody of travel that echoed through the vast, empty landscape.

Inside the wagon, Kartia lay on her back, staring up at the tattered roof. Sunlight pierced through the small holes, forming tiny scattered beams that flickered across her face. She reached for her leather water sachet, uncapping it with a swift motion. Tilting her head back slightly, she lifted the sack to her lips and took a deep sip.

Gulp.

A few moments later, the last drop trickled down her tongue, and the empty sack let out a hollow wheeze.

"Ah, damn it. The water's out too," she groaned, frustration evident in her voice. With a lazy flick of her wrist, she tossed the depleted sachet toward the front of the wagon.

Bon, seated at the reins, caught it mid-air. His sharp eyes flickered toward his companion before shifting to the path ahead.

"Then we better find a place with humans soon," he said, his tone casual despite their predicament.

Standing up, he secured his own empty water pouch at his waist. He then turned his whole body forward, extending a finger toward the distance.

"If we follow this path, we might find some food."

His words, while hopeful, carried little certainty. He hadn't even realized that what he was saying didn't fully align with what he meant. Kartia, however, didn't seem to notice. Whether it was the exhaustion dulling her senses or the sheer desperation for food, she let it pass without question.

The journey continued, the wagon's wooden wheels grinding against the rocky road as time slipped by. The once-blazing sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows across the land. The sky was now painted in hues of deep orange, wrapping the world of Pangaia in a warm, golden embrace.

Bon glanced at Kartia, his expression dull and fatigued. His body, drained by hunger and thirst, lacked the usual energy that made him so animated. Kartia was in no better shape—her lips were cracked, her cheeks hollow. She looked as if she had lost weight overnight, her cheekbones now more pronounced.

Bon wasn't much different. One could say the two were perfectly in sync.

The air was thick with exhaustion. The rhythmic creaking of the wagon and the horses' labored breathing were soon joined by the unmistakable growling of two empty stomachs.

Then, suddenly—

A scent drifted through the air, distinct and tantalizing.

A smell so divine it almost seemed like an illusion.

The rich, smoky aroma of roasting meat.

Kartia's nose twitched. Her body stiffened as she inhaled deeply, savoring the scent like a predator catching the trail of its prey.

"Bon, can you smell that?" she asked, her voice barely containing her excitement.

Without waiting for an answer, she clambered onto the top of the wagon, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon. Within moments, she spotted the source—a thin trail of smoke rising between the trees.

"There—"

Before she could even finish, Bon had already leaped off the wagon.

"Come on, don't just sit there!" he called over his shoulder, already sprinting toward the scent.

Kartia blinked, then wasted no time in following.

The two dashed through the underbrush, their weakened bodies suddenly brimming with newfound energy. They weaved through the trees, ducking under branches, their movements swift and precise despite their fatigue.

As they drew closer, the outline of a lone figure emerged near the fire.

They slowed their pace, their instincts kicking in as they observed from the cover of the trees.

The man sat on a rock, his posture relaxed as he tore into a skewer of roasted meat. He was dressed in khaki trousers and a khaki shirt, a bow-and-arrow emblem etched on the left side. A black handkerchief hung loosely around his neck.

Beside the fire, chunks of sizzling meat still cooked over the flames. The creature it had been carved from lay nearby, resembling a warthog but significantly larger, with four protruding lower canines.

The scent was intoxicating.

The hunger in Bon and Kartia's eyes was unmistakable.

"In a forest like this, hiding behind trees and watching a man eat isn't exactly the best manners," the stranger remarked, his voice carrying amusement.

Bon and Kartia remained still, not yet revealing themselves. They had no way of knowing if this man was truly alone, and they weren't about to take unnecessary risks.

The man let out a small chuckle.

"It's hard to enjoy my meal when you two are staring at me like that. Come, have a bite instead."

That was all the confirmation they needed.

Without hesitation, the two stepped out of the trees, making their way toward the fire. They didn't bother with introductions or pleasantries. The moment they reached the food, they dug in, devouring the meat with reckless abandon.

The man watched them, an amused smirk tugging at his lips.

They ate as if they hadn't seen food in years.

Minutes passed in silence as they gorged themselves. Eventually, the bones were picked clean, the last bits of marrow sucked dry.

A sudden chuckle broke the silence.

Kartia and Bon turned toward the stranger, who was grinning at them.

"Thank you," Kartia said, wiping her mouth.

"You saved us," Bon added, both of them speaking in unison.

The man simply waved a hand dismissively. "It's nothing. Actually, I'm glad you two showed up. I had too much meat, and it would've gone to waste otherwise."

"You must be from a neighboring village," he continued. "Drop by sometime, we can have another feast."

Bon shook his head. "Sorry, we can't."

The man raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

Bon's grin widened. "Because I'm on a journey to become the King of the Jungle."

Kartia, now somewhat full, leaned back. "By the way, how far is the next city?"

The man shrugged. "Which one?"

"Any city is fine."

"If you keep heading west, assuming you came from the east, you'll reach Criter Cove in about a quarter of a day."

He stood up, dusting off his coat. As he adjusted the cap on his head, he flashed them a small smirk.

"Well, I'm off. Safe travels."

Bon watched as the man turned away. "Hey, meat guy! What's your name?"

The man paused for a brief moment before chuckling.

"Let's leave it at that," he said, disappearing into the trees.

Bon and Kartia exchanged glances.

"He's strong," Bon noted.

"Very strong," Kartia agreed.

Meanwhile, high above in the canopy, the stranger perched on a thick branch, gazing out toward the horizon.

His smirk deepened.

"So, they're headed to the Great Jungle, huh?" he murmured to himself. "Looks like things are about to get interesting."

And with that, he vanished in thin air.