Odyssey Of Survival

Nate stood before the old man, his expression unreadable as he studied the elder's face. There was a sense of quiet respect in the way the old man regarded him, though Nate couldn't tell if it was genuine or merely a result of whatever Ka had told them. Either way, something had shifted. The air in the gathering space felt different. Even the guards standing nearby, their hands resting on their weapons, watched him with wary eyes, as if unsure whether to fear him or simply remain on guard.

The old man finally spoke, his voice slow and measured. "Ka told me about your situation."

Nate remained silent, waiting.

"As for information about the beasts," the old man continued, "we don't have much more than what Ka has already told you."

A flicker of disappointment passed through Nate's eyes. He had hoped for more—something that could give him a deeper understanding of what he was up against.

But just as he was about to push aside his frustration, the old man spoke again, and Nate's eyes widened.

"But if you truly wish to see one of these creatures for yourself," the elder said, his voice carrying an ominous weight, "if you want to find the truth about them, then there is a place where you might find the answers you seek."

Nate's body tensed slightly. "Where?"

The old man met his gaze. "Kemet-Ra."

For the first time, Nate's expression broke into genuine confusion. He stared at the old man blankly. "...Kemet-Ra?"

A wave of murmurs swept through the gathered people. Everyone around him—Sera, the guards, the other villagers—seemed shocked that he didn't know the name.

The old man sighed, nodding as if confirming something to himself. "Perhaps we will have someone take you there."

Before Nate could respond, a familiar voice cut in.

"I'll take him," Sera said.

The murmurs grew louder. People turned to look at her, their faces filled with surprise. It was one thing to let Nate go, but for Sera to volunteer to guide him? A stranger? It was unexpected.

Yet, before the shock could settle, another voice spoke up.

"I'll go as well," User said.

The crowd's reaction was immediate. Silence fell, then whispers erupted, spreading through the people like wildfire.

User—the same man who had stood with murderous intent against Nate, the best friend of Tati—was volunteering to accompany them? The very same man who had openly despised Nate since he arrived?

It didn't take long for the villagers to piece together their own conclusions.

Some whispered that he was going for revenge.

Others speculated that he was going to protect Sera, whom everyone knew he had feelings for.

A few even suspected that he didn't trust Nate and wanted to keep an eye on him, ensuring that he didn't do anything suspicious.

The old man turned to Nate. "Do you accept this?"

Nate's lips curled into an amused smile. "Why not? The more, the merrier."

User's brows furrowed slightly, clearly taken aback. He had expected Nate to reject him, to question his motives—but instead, the young man welcomed him without hesitation.

User lowered his gaze and muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible.

"Your ego will cause your downfall."

Nate turned to Sera and took a step closer, lowering his voice slightly. "Hey," he said, nodding toward the robe she was wearing. "Can you get me one of those?"

Sera raised an eyebrow. "A robe?"

"Yeah." Nate glanced down at himself, taking in his bloodstained clothes. His outfit stood out like a sore thumb among the simple, earth-toned garments of the people here. "If I walk around dressed like this, I'll attract more attention than I already have."

Sera studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Wait here," she said before turning on her heel.

Nate watched as Sera disappeared into the distance, her robe swaying slightly as she walked toward one of the larger tents. He had barely taken a deep breath when he suddenly felt a light tug on his pant leg. His brows furrowed as he looked down, only to see a small child—no older than three—clutching his trousers with tiny fingers. The boy's dark eyes stared up at him with curiosity, his round face slightly dirty but filled with innocent wonder.

Nate arched a brow, surprised by the sudden approach. He had barely seen any children since he arrived on the island. He bent down and scooped the little boy up with one arm, holding him at eye level.

The child blinked at him, then suddenly burst into a fit of giggles, as if Nate's serious expression was the funniest thing in the world. A small smile formed on Nate's lips, involuntary but real. He didn't know why, but something about the kid's laughter softened something in him.

"Hey, kid," Nate murmured, raising an eyebrow at him.

The boy only giggled louder, reaching out his chubby fingers to touch Nate's face. He patted Nate's cheek twice before giggling again, kicking his little legs in amusement.

Nate chuckled, but before he could say anything else, a few more children hesitantly approached. They were older, maybe six or seven, their small frames clothed in simple, loosely wrapped tunics. At first, they kept their distance, their wide eyes flicking between Nate and the baby in his arms. But after a few moments of watching their little friend laugh without fear, their curiosity won over their hesitation.

One of the boys, who seemed slightly braver than the rest, stepped forward and tilted his head. "Are you a monster?" he asked innocently.

Nate blinked. Of all the things he expected, that question wasn't one of them.

He smirked slightly. "Yeah," he said, lowering his voice dramatically. "A big, scary monster."

The children gasped, eyes widening in exaggerated fear. But before Nate could continue playing along, another child—a girl with her hair tied into small braids—asked with a dead-serious expression, "Do you eat people?"

Nate narrowed his eyes playfully, nodding. "All the time," he said. "Especially little kids who ask too many questions."

The children squealed, then suddenly burst into laughter, pushing at each other excitedly. They clearly knew he was joking, but it didn't stop them from pretending to be scared. One of them even ran behind another, peeking out from behind her friend's shoulder like she was hiding from him.

Nate let out a small chuckle. "You guys are way more fun than the adults around here," he remarked, shaking his head.

One of the girls giggled before her eyes widened as if she suddenly realized something important. She stepped forward, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Wow, you're so handsome!" she declared. "I'm going to tell my sister to marry you!"

Nate nearly choked on his own breath. "Wait—what?"

Before he could process what she had just said, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the distance.

A group of women appeared, looking around frantically. Their faces were filled with panic as they scanned the area, searching for something—or rather, someone. "Where are the children?!" one of them gasped, gripping another woman's arm. "They were playing nearby just a moment ago!"

Another woman's eyes widened in alarm. "Could it be… did that man take them?!"

The moment those words left her mouth, the fear in the group heightened. Murmurs of panic rippled through them, their gazes darting around frantically.

Just as their anxiety reached its peak, the old man—who had been standing nearby, watching everything unfold—raised a hand. "Calm yourselves," he said firmly, his voice steady. Then, he turned slightly and pointed toward the open field. "There. See for yourselves."

All the women turned in the direction he indicated, their expressions still tense. But the moment their eyes landed on the scene before them, their panic transformed into sheer disbelief.

Nate stood in the middle of an open field, surrounded by a small crowd of giggling children. He had one hand raised as the kids eagerly jumped up, smacking his palm with their own in what looked like an improvised game. "High five!" they chanted with every successful slap of his hand, their laughter filling the air.
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The women exchanged stunned glances. Was this really the same man they had feared just moments ago? The supposed outsider who had killed two warriors? The way Ka had described him made him sound dangerous, but here he was, playing with children as if he had always belonged among them.

Sera had just returned, carrying a neatly folded robe for Nate, when she heard a familiar voice call out to her excitedly.

"Sera!"

She barely had time to react before a small figure launched itself at her, arms wrapping tightly around her waist.

Sera looked down and instantly recognized the little girl in her arms. "Cleo?" she said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Cleo, her younger sister, grinned up at her. "I was playing with him!" she said happily, pointing at Nate. Then, she leaned in closer and whispered loudly, "He agreed to marry you!"

Sera's entire body froze.

"What?"

Her voice was flat with shock, her brain struggling to process the words she had just heard. She turned her head sharply, locking eyes with Nate, who looked just as confused as she did.

Before she could say anything else, a new voice suddenly cut through the moment.

"Enough of this nonsense."

The familiar cold tone sent a small shiver through the air.

Sera's brows furrowed as she turned her head, only to see User stepping forward. His expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of irritation in his eyes as he looked at Cleo.

"Stop saying ridiculous things," he told the little girl firmly. "You don't know what you're talking about."

Cleo pouted. "But it's true! I heard him say it!"

User exhaled sharply before turning his gaze toward Nate. His lips curled slightly, his tone thick with disdain. "I don't know what tricks you're pulling, but don't think for a second that you belong here," he sneered. Then, with a sharp glance at the children, he barked, "Go! Get out of here!"

The children, sensing the sudden change in atmosphere, hesitated only for a second before scampering away.

User stepped closer to Nate, his voice lowering. "Don't infect them with your vile aura," he muttered darkly.

Nate's gaze didn't waver. He simply watched as User turned and walked away, his tense shoulders betraying the rage he was barely holding back.

Sera let out a quiet sigh, shaking her head slightly. "You'll have to excuse him," she murmured. "He's… not exactly the most welcoming person."

Nate exhaled through his nose, shaking his head with amusement. "Yeah, I got that."

Then, with a small smirk, he added, "But tell your sister I appreciate the offer."

Sera blinked in confusion. "What offer?"

Nate's smirk widened. "To marry me."

Sera stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter.

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