The Extinction Era

1-1

The locals call the valley "Ephedra Valley", which is covered with knee-high, greenish grey shrubs with hard pointy tips. A few men came here to perform a ritual, as it is a custom to come to the valley few times a year for the sake of this ritual. They were arguing about something.

-I don't want to go there.

-No. It doesn't matter if you want it or not. It's already decided that today is your turn to go, so you will be going there.

-I'm begging you, I'm one hundred percent certain "they" are there. Who is going to raise my children if I'm gone? There is no one, except me.

-"The community" will raise them. I'm pretty sure our group is able to feed two little boys. Ganji... we wagered. You lost, therefore you're the one going there.

Ganji was a frail man in his forties. He was tall, thin, and his hair started balding from the top. The hem of his pants was folded 2 or 3 times because it was too long. Instead of a belt, he tied his pants with a rope. Five men stood in front of him, the first of them a young man with a strong body and a fierce look on his face looks at Ganji as if he were a burden. Behind him stood short and bulky two men, who looked exactly the same, one may think they are twins or brothers. It's weird that they're in the same pose, even when they're just standing. The last two were an young boy and an old man. The boy was probably sixteen at most, and the old man was obviously in his fifties. Out of these five men, it is clear that only the young boy felt sorry for Ganji. If his father or brother had been in Ganji's place, he would have hugged him tightly and ugly cry. Young boy was standing there biting his lips, because he could have been in his place. Just about thirty minutes ago, they each pulled out one stick from six sticks, and the short one fell on Ganji's hand.

-Ganji, face your destiny like a real man. I will take care of your two sons as like they were my children. But you should stop only looking at the bad side. There is a possibility that you can come back safe and sound.

-But... but... But no one has ever come back before.

-Maybe you could be the first one to make it happen. Come on man, be positive. Who knows, maybe people who didn't come back ran away because they encountered better living conditions or something good for them.

-How do you know that? Have you been there before? I love life, I don't want go anywhere. He said while staring at the fierce-looking guy named Bochi who was standing at the front of the five men.

- Ganji, while we are all trying to be polite and kind to you, you're barking like a dog toward us. You know what happens to the people who act like this. If you return to the community, Shaman will accuse you of not following the rules. And then punish you. Both you and I know that punishment has become more harsh and severe in recent times. What do you want to do, Ganji?

Those words came to the poor man's ears like thunder strike. Even if he escapes from these five, he would be caught by Bochi in no time. Even if he fights with a knife attached to his back belt, Ganji was no match for Bochi's strength. Considering he is lucky enough to return to the community, the only thing welcomes him will be a terrible death. And his two sons are sure to see him dying. This last thought hit him hard. How would his children live in the future after seeing their father's agonizing death? Can they become a functional member of "The community"? Or will they get swallowed up in the darkness? I can't allow that to happen, but my sons would be proud if their father bravely went to his death and knowing he won't come back. With that thought, Ganji knelt before his fate. Behind the forest and the thickets, he sees an empty valley. Valley is covered with ephedra bushes. I shall cross that valley, he thought to himself. As he took a step forward, -"Hold on, take an oath and drink it" said Bochi, while handing him a bottle of musty smelling liquid. Ganji,

- "There will be no footprints behind me, there will be no community or my descendants I belong to from now on. Comrades, I'm going to courageously follow my destiny," he said then swallowed the musty smelling liquid. Suddenly he stopped and said to Bochi, "-Raise my sons to manhood, can I count on you?

-A promise is a promise. I will keep my words.

Ganji calmed down hearing those words. His face stretched, and his eyes blazed, as if the liquid were beginning to affect his brain. Holding a sharp knife in his hand, Ganji slowly began to comb the Ephedra valley. After crossing the valley, he turned around one last time before his figure vanish from the five men's sight, and then he disappeared into the forest behind him.