The settlement came into view, vibrant and alive with laughter and celebration. The air was filled with the mingling scents of roasted meat and exotic spices, and the distant sound of music and dancing reached Aron's ears. The Kolieans, adorned in their dull garments, moved with an energy that seemed to defy the hardships of their existence.
Aron surveyed the scene with a mixture of awe and confusion. The bustling atmosphere seemed at odds with the gravity of the situation they had discussed earlier. He turned to Harald, his expression questioning.
Harald chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "It takes more than one attack to faze our people," he explained, his voice filled with a deep sense of pride. "We've endured hardships throughout the ages, and yet we find solace in celebrating life's fleeting moments."
As they made their way through the jubilant crowd, the celebrating Kolieans noticed their presence and cheers erupted in their direction. Aron couldn't help but feel a strange mixture of intrigue and discomfort as he noticed some of the female Kolieans looking at him with hungry gazes.
Harald, ever perceptive, handed Aron a wooden cup filled with a drink and said, "Drink! You think too much, pup."
Aron eyed the contents of the cup suspiciously, recognizing it as a toxin that induced lightness and relaxation. He took a sip, feeling the warmth spread through his body, easing the tension in his muscles. The drink offered a temporary respite from the weight of his responsibilities.
Together, they made their way to the central hut, where the atmosphere was more subdued. Inside, Harald's partners, children, and Aron's people were gathered around a large, makeshift oval wooden table, adorned with an array of mouthwatering food.
Sigrid, Harald's partner, greeted them with a warm smile. "Harald, it's good to see you back," she said, her voice filled with genuine happiness. "You seem more lifted in essence."
Harald's face softened, and he placed a hand on Sigrid's shoulder. "It's good to be back," he replied, his gaze filled with gratitude. "The journey was helpful, to say the least."
Aron observed the exchange, silently acknowledging Sigrid's gratitude with a stoic nod before he walked over to his own people. The sight of familiar faces brought a mix of relief and determination.
Evanora, one of Aron's most familiar companions, caught sight of him and lifted a large piece of meat triumphantly. "Look, Evanora found meat," she announced in a hollow tone. Aron's response was a simple nod, his gaze still filled with the weight of his thoughts.
Scarlett and Jin, were engaged in what appeared to be a drinking contest. They stared at each other fiercely, their faces flushed with alcohol-induced euphoria. Jin claimed, "I can still go on!" while Scarlett hiccuped and replied, "I'd like to see you try."
Aron sighed, shaking his head at Jin and Scarlett's inebriated competition. He chose not to comment on it, instead turning his gaze toward Claudia, who stood nearby with Mrah and Khalel, both of whom lowered their heads in his presence.
"Where are Jagu and Rose?" Aron inquired, noticing their absence from the gathering. Claudia shifted uncomfortably, her disappointment masked behind a composed expression. "Rose mentioned she preferred lingering in the fresh air, and Jagu went off to stretch his limbs," she revealed.
Aron nodded, saying nothing more. Claudia couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment at his lack of interest. As Aron turned his head away, his attention shifted elsewhere. He made his way towards the exit of the hut, "where to?", prompting Harald to inquire about his destination.
"I won't be long," Aron replied vaguely. "You can start without me."
Harald sighed, watching Aron leave, and called out after him, "Bring your sister Eira back with you. She's probably run off somewhere vexed." As Aron disappeared from view, Harald muttered to himself, "I miss the days when he would cling to me all day."
Curiosity sparked within Claudia, and she turned to Harald. "What was Aron like as a child?" she asked, hoping for an insight into his past.
Harald's partners let out simultaneous sighs and exchanged looks of displeasure. The children, on the other hand, perked up with excitement. Sigrid rubbed her temples and shook her head. "This meal is going to be a long one," she muttered under her breath.
Meanwhile, Aron didn't have to venture far beyond the hut's foundation before he found Rose standing at the edge, her gaze fixed on the distant celebrations below. Her curiosity was evident in her expression.
Aron approached her from behind, releasing a sigh. "You're making a habit out of staying alone lately," he remarked. Rose cast a glance his way and stated, "You've also made a habit out of interrupting me."
Aron raised a curious brow, acknowledging the truth in her words. "I'll leave you be then," he said. Rose, however, continued, her voice laced with a hint of defiance, "I don't dislike your interruptions, though."
Amusement danced in Aron's eyes, and he advised her, "You should be more honest with your words."
Rose narrowed her eyes, her tone slightly challenging. "You couldn't handle my honesty," she retorted. Aron shook his head, a smirk tugging at his lips. "It can't be any more challenging than your attitude," he replied, reveling in their familiar banter.
As the dark sky enveloped the settlement, casting a blanket of strange stars overhead, Aron and Rose stood together at the edge of the hut's foundation. The distant echoes of laughter and music filled the air, mingling with the gentle rustling of the wind.
Rose turned her gaze back to the celebrations below and shook her head. "It's funny how we can yearn for the most simple of things when we don't have them," she remarked, her voice soft and contemplative.
Aron agreed, his eyes still fixed on the festivities. "That's precisely why we strive to attain them," he replied. "And we will. But for now, hold onto what you do have."
Curious, Rose asked, "And what is it that I have?"
Aron just shrugged his shoulders ever so slightly. "That's for you to figure out," he said cryptically, and with that, he turned and walked away, leaving her to her thoughts.
Rose watched him leave and muttered to herself, "Maybe I should indeed." Before looking back at the celebrations with less interest.
Meanwhile, Aron ventured outward from the settlement, drawn by haggard sounds and heavy breathing. Soon, he stumbled upon Jagu, relentlessly punching his furry fists into a large tree, sending bark flying in all directions.
Approaching the scene, Aron said, "You should be recovering, not pushing yourself like this, it's counterproductive."
Jagu refused, shaking his head. "I need to get stronger," he said, his voice tinged with frustration. "I can't keep feeling like a burden, like one of those helpless humans in our group."
Aron stepped closer to Jagu, reaching out to hold his wrist and bringing his assault on the tree to a halt. "You can't rush growth," Aron advised, his voice firm. "There's a limit to how quickly you can get stronger."
Jagu lowered his head, sighing heavily. "I'm just tired of feeling like this," he admitted. "I want to be useful, to contribute more. I want to be as strong as you."
Aron's tone hardened, and he didn't mince his words. "You can never be like me," he said, revealing the stark truth. Jagu's ears drooped, feeling somewhat defeated.
"But you can be a close second," Aron added, offering a glimmer of hope, even though false. Jagu, unaware, raised his head, his eyes filled with desperate curiosity. "How?" he asked.
Aron then replied, "I'll show you once you're fully recovered. But be prepared for the hardships and expectations that come with it."
Jagu stood tall, determination in his eyes. "My life already belongs to you," he declared. "I'll do everything I can to make it a long and useful one. That's my clan pride."
Aron simply nodded, acknowledging Jagu's resolve, no matter how meaningless he truthfully felt it was, before wandering back to the settlement.
Aron had intended to return to the central hut, seeking a respite from the festivities. However, on his way, he caught sight of Skar lingering nearby. Curiosity piqued, he approached the old warrior, his voice laced with a touch of concern. "Skar, are you here seeking my father?"
Skar's eyes met Aron's, relief washing over his weathered face. He shook his head, a hint of worry in his voice. "No, Aron," he replied. "I'm actually looking for Astrid. There's something she needs to know."
Aron arched an eyebrow, his interest growing. "What is it?" he inquired.
Skar sighed heavily before continuing. "It's about your sister, Eira," he revealed, his tone tinged with a mix of disappointment and worry. "She's been trying to convince males at the celebrations to mate with her. Including me."
Aron's expression turned to one of incredulity and annoyance. "That's the problem?" he scoffed, a hint of frustration in his voice at the sheer idiocy of the problem.
Skar nodded, his concern evident. "For now, most of us are ignoring her advances," he explained. "But with the influence of the drinks, I fear some might succumb to her persuasion."
Aron's patience wore thin, and he cut Skar off, his voice stern. "Lead me to where she is," he commanded.
Skar nodded, grateful for Aron's intervention, and led the way towards the area of celebration where Eira was dancing wildly and provocatively. The crowd around her was either cheering her on or absorbed in their own revelry.
As Aron approached, he released his mana fluctuations, causing the atmosphere to grow heavy, and the people to halt their movements, their attention drawn to him.
Eira noticed her brother's arrival and the sudden change in the atmosphere. She looked upset, her voice filled with defiance as she yelled, "Why are you here?"
Aron's gaze locked onto her, his expression hardened. "Shut up," he retorted, his voice carrying a weight of authority. "I have no time for your childish games."
He stepped closer, his eyes burning with a clear intent that sent a shiver down Eira's spine but she remained defiant. "You can't tell me what to do," she warned, her voice low.
Eira, stubborn as ever, tried to add onto her word, but Aron cut her off. "Don't annoy me any more than you already do by existing," he uttered, his tone heavy with disappointment and frustration.
Fear gnawed at Eira, her defiant facade crumbling in the face of her brother's intense gaze. Without another word, she turned and ran off into the night, seeking solace in the shadows.
Skar watched her retreat, shaking his head. "I wish Harald was more stern with his children," he muttered, a hint of regret in his voice.
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦