Wayfarer

Providence Arc 1: Hesitation

Koakiran returned with empty hands, an empty stomach, caked in dirt, and covered in cuts and bruises. His eyes held equal parts shame and determination as he walked hunched over, a sack carried over his shoulder, bowed by its weight.

The forest was alive with noise as the dawn sun rose. The Great Arc glinted softly in the sky as Koa saw his family home. The ornate entrance, a gate carved from the wood of the impressive gigantea, detailed the history of a people who had lived and shaped these lands for generations. From Mountain, who had sheltered and carried this family to a new home, to a crumbling island amidst the clouds. The gigavix who prowled these forests, the obo whose hide gave us warmth, and the strange beasts that lived deeper within the forests below. Beyond that, he could see the small, separate sleeping house where his adoptive parents lived. Each house was carved with expert skill, and the boy couldn't help but admire the work, as well as the stories of the tribe's lineage in each entry.

The valley at the mountain's center was peaceful and secluded, serving as their summer home away from the heat. The forests surrounding the mountain were bountiful with food that Koakiran was taught to find.

Hunting had never been Koakiran's strong suit, but the boy would have thought that he could at least manage more than just a single Lepu. His mother would have to make do without much meat, only the eggs and some roots. The rest of the contents were to hopefully appease them and distract them from the lack of prey.

The pale-haired boy waved to his cousins, who were setting up a game with loose logs.

"Care for a rematch?" One of his cousins, Topo, called to him. The game was one of his favorites; it involved standing on unsteady logs and wielding staffs to knock the opponent off. The staff were often wrapped with thick hides at the ends to prevent injury. Koakiranpaused for a moment, as if scared to answer before a grin spread across his face and he nodded.

Koakiran saw them get excited as he neared the gates to his family's village. He stopped, noticing his older cousin, Ina struggling with stringing a bow. He greeted her with a wave, then wordlessly knelt to help her, adding his own weight to her arm as the shaft bent further, allowing her to loop the bowstring around it.

"Finally," She panted, wrapping her arm around Koakiran, "Thank you Toako, uncle had asked me for help with it. Hey, will we see you tonight for another round?"

"I thought I was too rough last time."

Ina scoffed. "You won, my brother was being a sore loser. We will have plenty of practice for when you play with us again."

"If I win, do I get berries again?" He said, turning towards the village buildings.

"Topo found twice as much as last time."

Koakiran whooped as he broke off in a run. His mom, having heard him, called out.

"Well met, Koakiran, the little Founder!" Isa called, welcoming her son with a smile before staring at his injuries. "Are you alright?"

His parents stood under the entryway to their sleeping house, seemingly mid-conversation. The boy shied away from meeting his father's scrutinous gaze as he approached them.

"I'm fine!" The boy greeted his mother in their tradition, touching his forehead and nose to hers as she leaned down to him. "Is there any breakfast?"

Hota grabbed the single Lepu, giving it a thorough look over before looking to the boy.

"Only one?"

"Yes, sir," Koakiran swallowed, his mouth dry. "The trap broke."

"Did you check it before you set it?"