The Seeds of Leadership

Arun, now nine years old, carried himself with a confidence that belied his age. Though small and wiry, his frame had grown stronger from years of moving around the tribe, observing, learning, and tinkering with new ideas. His dark, slightly unkempt hair fell just above his sharp, thoughtful eyes, which always seemed to be calculating or plotting his next move. His skin, tanned by the sun, bore the marks of an active outdoor life—scratches and bruises from his adventures were almost badges of honor to him.

His clothing was simple yet practical, made from animal hides softened by careful preparation. A short tunic, held at the waist with a crude leather belt, allowed him the freedom to move easily. Around his neck, he wore a necklace of small beads and carved stones—a gift from his mother that added a slight touch of individuality to his otherwise standard tribal attire. His feet were clad in basic sandals, cobbled together from toughened strips of leather, sturdy enough to endure his frequent explorations.

Arun's self-proclaimed status as the "future tribe leader" was a title he held with pride, and his circle of friends—or as he preferred to call them, his "future subordinates"—reflected this playful ambition. These companions, though young like him, had grown to admire Arun's wit, ideas, and knack for getting them into (and out of) trouble.

1. Kiran: Kiran was the tallest of the group, with a lean, athletic build that hinted at his future as a capable hunter. His hair was always tied back in a messy braid, and his piercing gaze gave him an air of seriousness that he rarely lived up to. The son of one of the tribe's best trackers, Kiran was already learning the ways of the forest, his sharp instincts making him a valuable asset during their adventures. Despite his skills, he often found himself roped into Arun's schemes with an exasperated sigh.

"Why do I feel like I'm always cleaning up after your plans, Arun?" Kiran would grumble, though a small smirk often betrayed his enjoyment.

"Because you're my second-in-command," Arun replied with a grin. "Every leader needs someone dependable to fix things when they go wrong."

2. Mira: Mira was the brains of the group—aside from Arun, of course, as he liked to remind everyone. Short and stocky, with a cloud of frizzy hair that framed her round face, she had a sharp tongue and an even sharper mind. The daughter of the tribe's weaver, Mira had an eye for details that others often missed. She spent much of her time crafting small tools or experimenting with ways to improve their clothing and gear, a hobby that aligned perfectly with Arun's ambitions.

"Are you sure this plan of yours won't end with us all getting yelled at?" Mira asked, arms crossed as she studied Arun skeptically.

"Of course not," Arun replied, waving a hand dismissively. "And if it does, you'll come up with a clever excuse, won't you?"

3. Tavin: Tavin was the joker of the group, a wiry boy with a mop of unruly hair and a mischievous grin perpetually plastered across his face. The youngest son of a farmer, Tavin had a knack for finding humor in even the direst situations. His quick wit and endless energy made him both a handful and a source of constant laughter for the group. Though he was often the first to tease Arun about his "future leader" aspirations, he was also fiercely loyal.

"Alright, 'Oh Great Leader,'" Tavin said mockingly, bowing low with exaggerated flourish. "What's the grand plan this time? Will we be building thrones out of mud or teaching chickens to fly?"

"Neither," Arun said with mock seriousness. "Though the throne idea isn't half bad… I'll consider it for later."

Their Conversation On this particular day, the group was seated around a small clearing, the remnants of a half-eaten snack of wild berries scattered between them. Arun was sketching something in the dirt with a stick—a rough map of the tribe's territory, with lines and circles marking important spots.

"So," Arun began, pointing at a spot on the map. "I think we need a way to channel water closer to the village. Carrying it from the stream is too much effort."

"You mean, for us to carry," Mira interjected, rolling her eyes. "Your plan is clearly so you can avoid fetching water when your mom tells you to."

"Details," Arun said with a shrug. "Anyway, if we dig channels here and here, it could work."

Kiran peered at the map, furrowing his brow. "And what happens if it floods? You're going to drown the whole village."

Arun paused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "I'll think of something for that. Maybe a wall or a ditch. That's what smart leaders do—we adapt."

"Or we just keep carrying water like normal people," Tavin said, tossing a berry into his mouth. "But where's the fun in that, right?"

The group laughed, the easy camaraderie of close friends filling the air. Despite their teasing, there was a mutual respect among them. They each brought something unique to the table, and together, they formed a bond that would undoubtedly shape the future of the tribe. Arun, ever the self-proclaimed leader, felt a surge of pride. These were his people—his team. And while the path ahead was uncertain, he knew he wouldn't face it alone.

Arun sat cross-legged on the cool grass, casually carving shapes into the dirt with a stick as his three friends lounged around him. The midday sun filtered through the forest canopy above, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow. They had gathered for one of their usual talks—an informal council, as Arun liked to call it, though his friends found the name unnecessarily dramatic. Tavin had already cracked a few jokes, Mira was tinkering with a small woven tool she was making, and Kiran kept glancing at the sky, probably thinking about where the best hunting spots might be.

But Arun's mind was elsewhere, drifting through memories that had been haunting him lately.

"You know," Arun began, his tone thoughtful, "I've been thinking about the elders. You've noticed how some of them are... different, right? Like Rihal and Vedan."

"Different how?" Tavin asked, popping a berry into his mouth. "You mean grumpier? Because I think Rihal invented grumpiness."

"No, not that," Arun replied with a smirk. "I mean their strength. Did you ever notice how Rihal sometimes carries those enormous beasts back to the village by himself? I saw him and Vedan once—they were hauling this massive creature, bigger than anything I'd ever seen. It made no sense. It should've taken ten people, minimum."

Kiran raised an eyebrow. "You sure they weren't using ropes or something? Maybe they tied it to a log and dragged it."

"That's what I thought too—at first," Arun said, poking at the dirt with his stick. "But they weren't dragging it. They were carrying it. On their shoulders. Like it weighed nothing."

Mira frowned, finally looking up from her work. "How's that possible? They're old. Strong, sure, but not that strong. Maybe they used some kind of trick?"

"Exactly!" Arun said, his eyes lighting up. "I've been trying to figure it out. It can't just be raw strength—humans don't work like that. Back in... uh, never mind." He stopped himself before referencing his past life and continued, "Anyway, humans shouldn't be able to do that. Not without something else going on."

Tavin leaned back, tossing a berry at Arun, who dodged it with an eye roll. "Alright, Mr. Future Tribe Leader, what's your big theory? Are the elders secretly part beast themselves? Or maybe they're magic?" His grin widened. "Oh no, wait—they're maybe those GREST-ONES our parents always talk about."

Arun snorted. "I'm being serious, Tavin. Don't you remember that time the elders kept saying the word 'Awaken'? They always use it in that hushed, important way, like it means something big. What if it's tied to their strength?"

Mira tilted her head, intrigued now. "Awaken... yeah, I've heard that too. Like when they were talking about Kaelan fighting that Second Tier Beast a while back. They said only someone who's Awakened could handle it."

"Exactly!" Arun said, his excitement building. "And what about those 'tiers' they keep mentioning? First Tier, Second Tier—what does it all mean? Back where—uh, I mean, in other places, people don't have 'tiers.' You're either strong because you trained for years or because you've got some advantage, like weapons. But this? This feels... unnatural."

Kiran rubbed his chin, his expression thoughtful. "What are you saying? That the elders have some hidden power they're not telling us about?"

Arun shrugged, leaning back on his hands. "It's possible. Or maybe it's something they gain from fighting those massive beasts. What if killing one of those creatures gives you... I don't know, strength? Or some kind of energy?"

Mira's eyes narrowed. "If that's true, then Kaelan must be ridiculously strong. He's the only one who can face those Second Tier Beasts, right? He doesn't just fight them—he wins."

"That's what I'm saying," Arun replied, gesturing with his stick. "Kaelan isn't just stronger than everyone else. He's... different. The way he moves, the things he does—it's like he's operating on an entirely different level."

Tavin, always the skeptic, grinned. "So let me get this straight. Your big plan is to figure out how to 'Awaken,' become stronger than Kaelan, and then boss us all around as the tribe leader?"

"Obviously," Arun said, smirking. "But don't worry. When I'm in charge, I'll still let you call me Arun. I'm benevolent like that."

The group laughed, but Arun's mind remained focused. He didn't mention how much this had been bothering him—how he lay awake at night, replaying those moments in his head. Rihal casually carrying that colossal beast, Vedan cutting into it with almost eerie precision, the tribe leader's name being spoken in awed tones whenever strength was discussed. And always, always, that word: Awaken.

"I'm going to figure it out," Arun said quietly, more to himself than to his friends. "Whatever it is, I'm going to find out. And when I do, this tribe won't just survive—we'll thrive. We'll dominate."

Mira raised an eyebrow at his tone. "You're muttering again. That can't be good."

"Just thinking," Arun replied, shaking off the moment. "Anyway, let's get back to the map. If you three are going to follow me into greatness, we've got work to do."

"And there he goes again," Tavin teased, earning a shove from Arun. But behind the jokes and banter, Arun's thoughts were racing. The secrets of the elders, the whispers of strength beyond strength, the strange hierarchy of "tiers"—he would uncover it all. It wasn't just curiosity driving him anymore. It was ambition.