New Adventure
In the early morning light, while the three youngsters still slumbered, Aries awoke, driven by a sense of urgency. With the sun yet to rise, he began his preparations, a habit formed during his time in the forest. His stay in the village had been brief, but it had left an indelible mark on him. Despite his parents' aspirations for a better life in the central region, Aries had developed an attachment to the village. This newfound connection was largely thanks to one person—the leader. It was the leader who had motivated him to commit to the village's growth and prosperity. But now, thoughts of his impending journey stirred stress within him. Regardless, contributing to the village required his presence in the forest. This uncharted territory held myriad secrets yet to be unveiled, a veritable paradise where the mysteries of beast waves were yet to be encountered.
As Aries readied himself, he observed the still-sleeping forms of the three youngsters. A month was all he had to fulfill the chief's task—a precious resource he couldn't afford to squander. He distributed equipment among them; each would play a role in their expedition. First, endowed with strength, received a stone spear. Its handle was crafted from sturdy wood, and its tip mirrored Aries' prized stone knife. Aries assigned First as their guardian, entrusted with their safety. Second, possessing combat-worthy physique, wielded a stone knife similar to Aries', though he intended to fashion her a long-range weapon like a sling or bow. Lastly, Third—fond of food—carried their sustenance, while Aries aimed to impart his foraging, farming, and cooking knowledge.
The synergy of their combined efforts energized Aries. In the past, he had toiled alone, his two hands his only allies. Now, joined by three sets of hands, he envisioned the potential their teamwork held. He couldn't help but speculate about the possibilities if the entire village united. Such aspirations, however, rested on earning recognition, making his current task crucial. Beyond personal goals, Aries yearned to create wheels, possibly from stone or wood, to improve transportation. The village sledges, fashioned from twigs, were insufficient for their needs. Yet, crafting wheels posed a challenge due to a lack of suitable wood and sharpened stones. Dry land offered solid ground for wheels, a convenience that could revolutionize their methods.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the village vanished from sight. The youngsters' expressions transformed, mirroring their newfound distance from the village. A mixture of worry and exhaustion clouded their faces, symptoms of venturing beyond familiar grounds. "Is this your first time leaving the village?" Aries inquired, sensing their apprehension.
"Yes, we began learning and training from infancy. There were also rumors of slave traders nearby," First responded.
"Slave traders as well?" Aries continued to be astounded by the revelations. "Do they capture villagers?" he inquired.
"Yes, some villagers have been abducted by them. This, coupled with failed hunts, has left the village unsettled," First explained. Aries acknowledged the heavy burden of requesting three villagers, considering the village's challenges. While fewer mouths to feed eased the strain, Aries recognized the chief's wisdom in accepting his offer, given that he would soon provide supplies.
Their journey, guided by Aries' instinctual memory, proceeded uneventfully. Despite having only traveled once, he seemed to possess a mental map of the forest's safe passages. This unconscious navigation astounded the youngsters, who were yet to encounter any predators. Unbeknownst to him, the forest's labyrinthine beauty was imprinted upon his memory. Rumors suggested survival beyond a day outside the village was near impossible, yet Aries defied the odds. Although he appeared childlike, the village's newfound hope recognized him as extraordinary.
Three days of travel brought them to the forest's entrance without incident. Aries' understanding of the path made the journey feel effortless. Upon seeing the lush expanse of trees, the youngsters' faces lit up with awe. "So many trees!" Third exclaimed, her excitement palpable. First and Second, though quieter, radiated enthusiasm as well. Their expressions reflected their lack of regret in embarking on this journey. However, they temporarily forgot the forest's dangers, absorbed in its natural beauty.
"Exercise caution. We don't want to attract unnecessary attention," Aries cautioned, tempering their excitement.
Suddenly, Second hurled her stone knife into a bush. The motion was so swift that Aries barely comprehended it before hearing a whimper from within the shrubbery. Rushing forward, Second uncovered a lifeless wolf. Aries marveled at her intuition, struggling to understand how she had sensed the creature's presence. "How did you know there was a wolf there?" he inquired. Second maintained her silence as she retrieved her stone knife from the carcass.
"Forgive Second's actions. She's not the talkative type, but her sight and reflexes are unmatched. I may possess physical strength, but her agility and finesse surpass mine. In a duel between us, I doubt I could land a hit on her," First explained, offering insight into Second's demeanor. "A silent yet deadly presence," Aries mused.
In this area, only wild wolves and boars roamed, thankfully separated into distinct groups. Deeper in the forest, Aries had encountered more dangerous creatures, wisely avoiding them. After a brief moment of respite, the group indulged in a hearty meal, courtesy of Second's skillful hunting. Satiety washed over them, reinvigorating their spirits as they prepared to press forward. With their hunger sated, they resumed their journey, the forest once again enveloping them in its embrace.
As they trekked through the forest, their keen eyes detected a patch of herbs nearby. Aries recognized the significance of this opportunity, as he had left much of his potion-making supplies back in the village. The chief's decision to seize most of his tools and leather had left Aries without the means to brew potions as effectively as before. His hesitation to request their return stemmed from a mixture of respect for the chief's authority and a desire not to stir further conflict.
While traveling, Aries also took the chance to gather more herbs, utilizing his familiarity with the forest's flora to distinguish between the useful and potentially harmful plants. His adeptness at identifying various species at a glance left his companions in awe, their perception of him shifting from a mere child to a knowledgeable forest dweller.
To the youngsters, it appeared that Aries was simply plucking plants at random. Third, brimming with enthusiasm, eagerly joined in the gathering effort. However, her lack of knowledge in discerning edible from inedible was evident. Aries intervened before she could unknowingly jeopardize her safety, explaining which plants were safe to harvest and which to avoid. He emphasized the importance of accurate identification, underscoring that consuming the wrong plant could have dire consequences.
Aries' guidance was met with gratitude, and Third absorbed the lesson with a mix of disappointment and understanding. It was a reminder of the forest's untamed nature, where every decision carried consequences, both pleasant and perilous. With Aries as their guide, the trio was learning not only survival skills but also the nuances of nature's delicate balance.
Their gathering complete, they resumed their journey toward Aries' camp, a place that held both memories of solitude and the promise of collaboration.
As they approached the camp, a disheartening sight awaited them. Chaos reigned—a testament to a recent beast wave that had swept through.