Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Hunters Return With a dull thud, the massive wooden gate was slowly yanked open by 4 strong men, and the first thing that came to view was a carcass.... massive carcass, like about 12-15 feet tall. its jaw gaping like a split boulder. Blood trailed in dark threads, teeth like knives glinting coldly in the sunlight. The visual spectacle of blood, gore and its massive jaw was really overwhelming. Then almost immediately the smell of iron, damp fur and something unexplainable but disgusting hit the nose. The smell was so overwhelming that for a moment he wanted to retch, but seeing the people around him, not caring much about it, he managed to control it, looking down from the massive carcass, a dozen men came into view probably hunters, their bodies lean and muscles popping out, and faces were smeared with something red and dust. "Look at the size of it!" "By the spirits, its head alone could feed us for days!" "The hunters! The hunters are finally back!" "See the teeth, they are definitely sharper than stone blades!" They dragged the carcass with makeshift vine ropes, lashed around the beast’s body, as its legs flopped on one side, guts half exposed, with various innards popping out, its whole body was riddled with small and large wounds, and spears. Even though the hunters also had various levels of injuries and exhaustion etched on their face, but it still couldn’t conceal the feeling of pride. For a moment, silence blanketed the tribe. Then— "AAAAAHHHHH!!!" Then a moment later people broke out in overwhelming cheers, some even cried out on the spot, as the crowd moved forward to see the body closer, some even touched the beast, as if to feel if it was real. "What... is that thing? But he was still focused on the massive carcass, he tried hard, but still didn’t recognize this massive beast. Just then the sound of horn came again, but this one was clearly different, if the one before was loud and warning, then this one was low but majestic. Hearing this the crowd suddenly went silent, and almost simultaneously turned their heads behind him. "What now?" Sol murmured. He naturally turned around and saw a somewhat handsome and majestic middle aged man walking with a few strong men, contrary to common people their bodies taut with thick muscles, wearing only beast hides around their bodies. But in front of that handsome middle age, they paled in comparison, like comparing a common man to a bodybuilder, the difference was staggering, he almost instantly recognized the man, he was the chief of osari tribe, Tharun, and undoubtedly the one strongest. The whole damn place folding around him like a shadow. He walked like he owned gravity. Tall, wide, bones that looked like they were carved from raw timber. Tattoos curled up his arms and across his chest, some marks white with age, others fresh. His face was neutral, with no smile and no fanfare. Just that presence that made you stand straighter without even trying. "...What the hell? Why do I seem to hate him?" But he didn’t know what seeing him, an intense feeling of disgust rose in his heart, as if he wanted to punch his smug face hard, he searched his memories and soon found out the reason, as his eyes glinted with intense hatred, but he took a deep breath and calmed himself down. Meanwhile, seeing the tribal chief, the crowd parted in two sides, as he strode forward, dull echo of his feet the only sound in whole tribe at this moment. His eyes lingered on the carcass... the torn hide, the shattered jaw, the spears jutting like thorns... and a slow smile spread across his weathered face. He raised his hand high, the carved bone bracelet on his hand catching the light. "Hunters," he said, voice carrying above the noise, "you have done what few could dream. You have brought down a beast that will feed us, clothe us, and remind our children of your courage. Tonight, the tribe will remember your names." The hunters bowed their heads, pride burning through exhaustion. The chief turned to the gathered villagers, his voice swelling into command. "Prepare the fires! Bring out the drums! Salt the meat, hang the teeth, and let the blood mark our victory. Tonight, we celebrate not only the hunt, but the strength of our people!" A roar of approval surged through the crowd. Women rushed to fetch pots and spices, children darted to gather wood, and elders began chanting the old songs. The air shifted from awe to frenzy... laughter, tears, and the pounding rhythm of drums echoing against the walls. The beast lay heavy in the dust, but already it was becoming more than flesh. It was a story, a triumph, a promise. The chief’s command rippled through the crowd like fire through dry grass. At once, the village moved. Children raced to gather wood, their laughter sharp against the heavy silence that had hung moments before. Women hauled out clay pots, filling them with water and herbs. Elders struck flint, coaxing sparks into flame. Soon, smoke curled upward, carrying the promise of feast. Drums began... first a single beat, steady as a heartbeat, then more joined, weaving rhythm into frenzy. The sound pulled bodies into motion: feet stamping, hands clapping, voices rising. The hunters, though weary, were lifted by the crowd. Children touched their arms, elders pressed hands to their shoulders, and the chief himself raised his staff again. "Tonight," he declared, "we dance until the stars burn low. Tonight, we honor the hunt, the fallen, and the living." Even though the whole tribe was celebrating around him, Sol remained silent as he watched everything around him with a calm look, as if the whole thing didn’t have much to do with him. Suddenly something...no more like someone caught his eyes, it was a girl, he had seen her from a distance before and thought "pretty." But seeing her up close, he immediately discarded that because she wasn’t just pretty, she was simply breathtaking. Unlike the people in whole tribe with tanned skin, her skin was pale, so pale that it seemed to suck the color out of nearby things; white hair braided with tiny bones and silver eyes that looked at everything around her with indifference, as if the whole triad didn’t matter to her, her face was cold and indifferent.