Chapter 30: Chapter 30: The Forbidden Waters
"I have decided that we will build our home in the lowlands, right near the edge of the Great River," said Kellar.
Maya and Mila’s mother froze mid-step, their bodies locking up in terror. Mila stiffened as well, her fingers tightening around Kellar’s waist, but as she glanced up and saw the snow-white kitten resting on his shoulder, a strange wave of confidence washed over her. That small beast was proof that Kellar operated on a different level; he wasn’t a fool, and she refused to panic.
It wasn’t that the lowlands were ugly. In fact, the area was beautiful and peaceful, looking more like a crystal-blue lake than a standard river. But beneath that serene, shimmering surface hid nightmares. The waters were infested with predatory fish capable of tearing a grown man to pieces in mere seconds, and beasts measuring over five meters long breached the surface. Those leviathans were just the ones visible near the top; nobody knew what terrors lurked in the abyssal depths of what was, more accurately, a massive inland sea.
The real reason the tribe abandoned the area was the nighttime disappearances. For generations, anyone who dared camp near the banks vanished without a trace. The only clue was a terrifying campfire tale passed down through the centuries, told by a pair of traumatized children who claimed to have seen a massive, humanoid fish walk out of the water on malformed legs, snatching their parents before dragging them back down into the dark current.
Because of those lethal legends, the clan maintained a strict, one-kilometer safety buffer from the shoreline. That vast expanse of fertile land had no owner, and nobody was willing to fight for it. If the rest of the tribe found out about Kellar’s plan, they would brand him a suicidal madman, just like every other arrogant hunter who had tried to settle the banks before him and ended up as fish bait.
"Let us go take a look at the area right now," said Kellar.
The four of them began the long trek toward the forbidden lowlands. As they stepped out of the village perimeter, the heavy winter sky shifted, and the very first feather-like snowflakes of the season began to drift through the frozen air.
"We need to hurry this walk up, boy," said Mila’s mother, pulling her thick fur cloak tighter around her broad shoulders. "Once the heavy snow starts falling like feathers, the real freeze sets in. If we are out here when the blizzard hits, we are dead."
"We will not be freezing," said Kellar. "Just trust me. I know what I am doing."
As they walked, Mila’s mother pushed for details about their time in the thick woods, asking how they had survived the brutal night and managed to hunt down their impressive yield. Kellar kept his answers practical, describing their movements and how they used the terrain to ambush their prey, keeping the supernatural strenght of the snow-white kitten a secret to avoid terrifying the women.
Mila walked close to his side, her sharp hunter’s instincts picking up on his vague answers. The moment she realized her man was withholding information about the beast, she resolved to guard his secret, keeping her mouth shut and offering no further details to the older women.
"You still haven’t told us where you found that strange little thing," said Maya, pointing a finger at the white kitten still resting on Kellar’s shoulder.
"It just followed me out of the deep thicket," said Kellar. "I think it was just looking for warmth."
"A wild beast doesn’t just ride a hunter’s shoulder like a lazy hound," said Mila’s mother, her eyes narrowing as she studied the creature. "Are you sure it isn’t poisonous, boy?"
"It is harmless," said Kellar. "It has the strength to chase a snow mouse. It just wouldn’t leave my side after I skinned the first carcass."
Kellar deflected their questions, steering the conversation back to the logistics of the wood they would need to harvest for the new house. Maya and Mila’s mother exchanged skeptical glances but dropped the subject, distracted by the changing scenery as the thick forest began to thin out, revealing the massive, shimmering expanse of the forbidden blue waters in the distance.
Dotted along the landscape were the remnants of several old, abandoned homesteads. Kellar walked over to the nearest structure, running his hand over the heavy wooden beams. Despite years of neglect and the harsh weather, the timber remained solid and strong; it was clear the previous hunters had put immense effort and craftsmanship into building this place before they met their dark fates. The setting itself was breathtaking, looking like the perfect location for a massive campaign estate or a beautiful lake house.
Suddenly, the tranquil silence of the valley was shattered. A massive, gold-scaled fish resembling a monstrous carp breached the surface of the crystal-blue water, its body measuring over six meters long. It arched into the freezing air before crashing back down with a deafening splash, sending thick ripples across the vast expanse.
Kellar watched the heavy waves expand impressed. It was clear the memories of the previous Kellar hadn’t been an exaggeration at all; this beautiful inland sea belonged to aquatic monsters.
"Are you certain you want to live here, boy?" said Mila’s mother, her eyes fixed on the dark ripples left by the monster fish. "This place is terrifying at night. It is far too dangerous."
"This will be the place," said Kellar. "You two should go back to the village and rest. I am going to stay here for a while and start working on the construction."
Maya and Mila’s mother offered to stay and help him haul timber, but Kellar shook his head.
"It is better if you go gather food for the evening," said Kellar. "If you want, you can bring some back here later."
The two older women agreed, realizing they would only get in his way if he was planning to do the heavy lifting. They turned and began the trek back toward the village, leaving only Mila standing by his side. She looked at the abandoned structures, then turned her sharp eyes to Kellar.
"I am not as strong as you, Kellar," said Mila. "But I will not be a burden to you out here."
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