Elias shuddered as he made a dire realization. He had no choice but to fight and no choice but to win. He was on a tightrope, with any misstep could be his last and anyone could push him.
Somewhere else in a different era, another figure was in a similar predicament. However, that person was something Elias had yet to become — a young demon.
***
"One of the strongest tribes, the Moon Tribe, is nearby," announced a young tamer as her blond hair fluttered in the wind. Her ape with lustrous golden fur grunted as Flieday stood on its shoulders,
"We will find other remains of tribes and form an alliance with it." Flieday's expression was solemn, her face expressionless while her voice was filled with determination. However she did not feel any determination in her heart.
For her this was not any different from running around the jungles to find a prey or simply walking — why would it be? After all, Chinen are not inherently more valuable than ants. The world does not care for ants, then why would they matter?
All she was doing was to finding an excuse to live longer and find her true ambition.
She continued her speech, promising a secure future and low casualties. While it did raise the group's morale, it was merely a small array of light of hope for the distant future.
Dawn was always watching her, standing just within view but out of it. When the speech came to an end, Flieday climbed back to the ground and started walking away.
Dawn's deep black eyes studied her for a few seconds before asking. "What do you want?"
Flieday looked at the ground. It was covered with snow, but some blue ants were still walking on it. She raised her head and looked at the vast sky. It was full of darkness and light, a dance before the light escapes and darkness prevails.
She saw some birds flying in the dim sky as she stopped walking.
"What is the second phase?"
Dawn looked taken aback, her eyes showed a glint of confusion before it was swallowed by understanding.
"It is completion," she paused.
"The first phase is to find one's goal, the other is to achieve it."
Flieday turned back, staring into the two orbs of darkness some may call Dawn's eyes.
"I simply want to achieve the second phase of life… I am foreign to this world unless I desire to do something in it."
"…"
Flieday may want to have time to ponder about her goal, but I refuse to believe that. Her actions, as empty as they are, still convey the determination she feels.
Soon the group surrounded the two young tamers. Dawn was staring at Flieday as the crowd slowly started splitting up.
Three elders made their way to So Flieday and bowed deeply. Their heads were at waist height before they rose back up.
"I am Obel Yue of the Obel tribe." The elder's wrinkled skin moved and turned into a smile as his white hair fluttered in the wind.
"Thank you for helping out our late tribe in this predicament. We shall do our best to help you!" continued Obel Yue as other elders paid their respects.
"Is there anything we can do to help you?" The question was asked by Ryu Kai from the Ryu tribe.
"Yes, of course. I will need your assistance for a smooth journey. We will only act as defence, so I would like to borrow your expertise."
Flieday gave them sufficient tasks such as distributing food and controlling the group; after explaining each role she paused and looked at Dawn.
I have to make sure that I am essential to this group's development. If I am of no use then Dawn will definitely kill me. I have to stealthily kill a member of this group and go to the bedrock tree while making sure that Dawn does not get suspicious.
"And none of you will be reporting to me; Dawn is the stronger of us two, and thus she will be the true leader." Flieday's voice was stern and left no room for further argument.
Interestingly, Flieday is giving me the responsibility to grant herself freedom. She definitely harbours evil intentions! Dawn thought.
Ordering people made So Flieday remember her sister. She had been forcefully neglecting such memories and bottling them in, but she could not help but recall the sweet smile of her sister.
What was her name again?
The sky darkened as the elders left Flieday and Dawn. Flieday climbed the golden ape's back and ran towards the rear as a blue tentacle rose beneath Dawn.
Before they parted their ways, though, Dawn looked Flieday in the eye and said.
"Inky will be watching you. It will kill you if you do anything rash."
…
If one looked from above, they would see a diagonal square made of small ant-like dots. Flieday was stationed in the rear. She could clearly see the bottom left and right sides of the square, thus was supposed to protect it
Dawn was in front of the group with her authority on the front left and right borders of it. Inside the cube, the elders were procuring medical treatment and cooking food while walking. It was only possible due to Dawn's squid or octopus — flieday did not know what was what.
A low humming sound followed by the stopping of the group could be heard. A tentacle rose from the ground and made different shapes in front of So Flieday.
A new member was joining the group.
After making sure it was not a Graded beast the group continued their journey before taking a break near the anti gravity creature.
Flieday had to kill someone in this break without dying in the hands of Dawn.