Bonds of Beast

STATUS WINDOW!?!?!

The next morning, the jungle stirred to life around us, the air crisp and fresh, with a light mist still hanging in the early morning sunlight. The smell of earth filled my lungs as I stretched, stepping out of the small wooden hut we had hastily built with whatever materials we could find. The hut was rudimentary, made of interwoven branches, large leaves, and wooden beams tied together with vines, but it had served its purpose—shelter from the unpredictable jungle weather.

Khan was already awake, as usual, seated near the campfire, his broad back slightly hunched as he stoked the embers to prepare breakfast. Ayesha sat across from him, her face calm but alert.  The fire crackled gently, and the smell of roasting roots and dried meat filled the air. We had been getting more comfortable with each other, a sense of routine forming between us. 

I moved toward them, feeling the soft earth beneath my bare feet. The jungle had a serene, almost comforting vibe this morning, with the sounds of birds echoing through the trees and the occasional rustle of leaves as small creatures scurried about. The sunlight filtered through the thick canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

As I approached, Ayesha glanced up from her task of cutting herbs to season the food. She flashed me a soft smile.

"Morning, Innana," she greeted.

"Morning," I replied, sitting down next to her and pulling my hair into a messy knot. I looked over at the hut we had built and then back at Khan, who was focused on his task, his dark eyes watching the fire intently.

"You know," I started, "this hut... it's not bad, but it's not going to last long if the weather turns. We should think about building something more permanent, like an actual house."

Khan looked up from the fire, his expression curious. "A house?"

I nodded, picking up a stick and drawing a rough outline in the dirt. "Yeah, a house. Where I come from, we build with stronger materials—stone, wood planks, something that can stand the test of time and bad weather. We could make walls, a roof, maybe even rooms. Imagine having an actual door you can close. It'll be warmer, safer. Especially during the rainy season."

Khan tilted his head, looking at my drawing. "It sounds... strange, but effective. We've always lived with what we could build quickly, but your way sounds better for long term."

Ayesha chimed in, her brow furrowed in thought. "It would take a lot of effort and time, though. Do we have the right materials?"

"We have enough wood around us. We could use stones for a foundation, maybe clay if we find a good spot," I said, tapping the dirt. "I can start mapping out a plan today."

Just as we were getting into the conversation about construction, Khan's head snapped up. His eyes narrowed as he stood abruptly. Ayesha followed his gaze, immediately tense. I felt it too—a shift in the air. The soft padding of footsteps approached our camp, careful and deliberate.

Within seconds, I saw them—Namda and Liam stepping cautiously from the brush, their hands raised in a non-threatening gesture. They were shirtless, dressed in simple hide pants, their bodies lean but strong, covered in dirt and sweat from the jungle. Namda's tan skin seemed to blend into the forest, his hazel eyes sharp and calculating. Liam, with his striking grey eyes and a mane of dirty blond hair, looked equally weary but determined.

Khan was on his feet in an instant, a hand on the hilt of his blade. Ayesha moved closer to me, her body poised in readiness, while I stood and raised a hand to calm them.

"They're here," Khan growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Namda and Liam stopped a few feet away from us, their faces cautious but earnest. "We came to apologize," Liam began, his voice steady but laced with nerves.