Chapter 15: Winter

It’s been three weeks since the start of the mine project, at first the initial enthusiasm for the change and evolution, then became a reason to protest the other problems:

It takes a lot of resources.

People get tired.

And it doesn't yield as much as everyone expected.

Nothing was wrong in what they protested, wood was dried by packs and the forest was starting to disappear. And for hunters needing to walk longer to get something from the constant movement of people. As for predators?

“Kill him! Kill him!” Gasped a warrior fighting a raptor, this was the last one of the group. Usually, they run away when overpowered but they made it clear: ‘No predator should live near the settlement’ It was the only way to help things to go without too much problem.

With those fights, some warriors lost a finger or two, and most of these injuries were healed by Gordak’s and Lucina’s magic playing a crucial role. With the help of Gordak, no one had died, but he couldn’t be everywhere and warriors were trained for problems like that.

Finally, after minutes of fighting with a spear with the new bronze head, the creature died. It didn’t make the fight easier, but they were still solid. As for Luna, she had helped in some fights, making a real difference from the first fight.

Like any other day, while cutting wood for the growing need, not everything would dry before winter. Wood was dried at low temperatures in a special building made for it, and bucket were ready against any problem. But there is still one problem:

‘Today it’s starting to get colder.’

Wind came from north and west with its tempest and cold wind. People kept repeating it would be winter and they didn’t lie. Creature from the south part of the island goes north not for its coldness but for the microbiome not far from the village. The dense forest made a good habitat for winter for creatures sensible to winter.

Like wolves in region northern region, raptors on this island are the main predators, but they are not the small size one. With alpha and beta, you get a creature the same size as a grown adult and the other two heads bigger. Groups of 4 to 10 individuals made any exploration and fight a real dangerous threat to the local warriors. And this is only on this island, the mainland would be more dangerous if you think about the ecosystem.

Everything added up, and you found yourself fighting with them in a cyclic event every year. Fighting back against the group of predators made people nervous and it’s understandable. When your life and well-being are on the line you fear dying or being the one who lets other people die.

That day she made her way with Clone 3 with danger around she heard a creature lurking in the forest, a tiny creature most of the time, and two heavier sets of footstep it was a group split by a precedent fight. This time they made another chance to pass by near the settlement, they continued to walk for another six kilometers and they become a danger to people. Hearing them approaching, she stopped her current task without anyone near them they could take bows and arrows. Spears were ready inside her inventory ready to be drawn out. Making their advance while hearing them approach, looking around the sea of trees had slightly grown up in this part of the forest and some broken trees were on the ground. This is where they had heroically fought the Big Wild Board… or tried. A bitter memory that would be cleaned from her consciousness.

Lunging herself to climb a tree for an ambush was the best option at hand. She knew when they would arrive and knew how far they were. Climbing on two different trees with her claws and strength, she made it at the level of two adults’ height. She felt safer like this and her clone would help her with problems from afar. But in case of an unforeseen situation another clone is called, she’s hidden near her ready to fight with her.

Without further ado, they were nearly 50 meters, already in view. Raptors are patient and slow hunters, always on guard against other dangers. Humans or most likely bipedal being wielding tools became their main rival on this island. But they would not be ready if the other party had already drawn their bows. It was tiring, but being ready to release at the perfect time is more effective in ambush. They are big enough to be young adults in their species, their skin is still soft, and this is why young ones are easier to kill.

The next moment they were clearly in plain view, two arrows flew at them when they would lift one leg each at the same time. Hearing it doesn’t mean they could dodge and two arrows pierce their neck. The tinier one was violently pushed backward, its body falling heavily on the ground.

Blood poured like water while the second one a scar on its left eye was resisting. Its neck thicker made it difficult to kill it in one go. Feeling threat for his life he ran faster between trees passing near Luna. Losing him would become dangerous for people and Clone 4 jumped with agility and grace a spear in hand, this time she wasn’t fleeing or fighting to survive.

She’s the Hunter.

Landing her spearhead on its back, the raptor made a quick jolt of pain, and with strength shook his body. Clone 4 jumped from its back next to him spear in hand, the blood was flowing from the spear tip. Her opponent finally looking at her bared its teeth, growling in a menacing way she didn’t need to know he wanted to tear her apart. And she needs to practice.

“Come at me you monster!”

It was provoked, it reacted fiercely while taking the bait. It lunged head first and it was stopped by the shaft end used like a combat staff. Its blunt damage wasn’t high but it made it change direction while losing teeth at the same time.

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Falling limply on the ground, it had already loosed too much blood to fight back. Its gaze was defiant but it had already accepted its fate and with a last dealt the fatal blow to its heart.

That day, she knew something had changed.

She no longer felt weak like she had against her first enemies; she was now biting back with everything she had learned.

Her clones being always her extension could fight for her. But it was still terrifying to die as a clone. The pain was not simple information it was always transferred to her. Tolerance doesn't mean she accepts it, and death still scares her.

It's more bearable to fight with her clone than herself alone. This is why she fought back without fear, she didn't feel immortal but as someone who could learn from her mistakes.

Clone 4 disappeared and it was time to work again. With two corpses, it was easy to know what to do with them, extract everything needed, and throw away useless things like the digestive system. Like alligator tails, they store excess fat in their tails and fat is useful for survival, lanterns, and things unknown to her.

This is how a usual day collecting wood became another day of fighting. The other factor is the early migration of creatures was already strange, but what made things worse was the direction they fled from the unknown aura Grandpa had sensed.

As always, he claimed that the creature wasn’t moving an inch.

‘What could be this dangerous to make predators migrate earlier in their usual schedule?’

But this is not the only problem, the northern wind made the air colder, for now it was just a little difference. But for someone else, it was a world apart.

“It’s cold!”

Shivering, she could only growl at the abrupt change in temperature, from a cool autumn day to a cold winter day. Her clothes added a coat to her usual clothes, being something fluffy instantly. At first, her body looked incredible; she felt no problem with anything except temperature. She uses what she eats, and her body needs a lot of energy to be active, making her body lean and athletic. But fat and clothes were the usual way to survive outside in the harsh winter.

Luna had thought that maybe she’d become accustomed to the change and had done her usual work, well the clones were doing it. And she felt so cold without the coat that her clones had started to show signs of hypothermia when inactive. Shivering, hands starting to become numb, and face becoming pale, it became tolerable when in activity. She had even developed another trait like this.

[Thermobalance (E)]

With it, the coldness becomes more bearable, but it won’t help when it’s colder. Her body temperature felt more regulated in hot or cold temperatures, and her muscles could cool off a bit faster. An active option that uses mana to enhance its effect is really useful when fighting and cooling off.

There is always something in common when gaining traits; it’s a mix between repeated action and specific objectives. For pain tolerance, it’s something like ‘having pain so unbearable and surviving’; every talent has something like that. There is no sure way to know what traits exist, their limits, and how to get them.

It was the night of the 28th day here when something was strange, not from the usual movement of people around, but a different presence in the village.

Without waking anyone, Luna slipped outside.

Looking back, she saw Lucina sleeping among her clones hugging one of them like a doll in an odd position that looked uncomfortable.

A cold wind passed by, shivering at it, grateful for the coat protecting her.

It was a full moon night, a truly beautiful scene.

This moon, different from Earth's, had a small satellite orbiting it. It was a smaller moon with a blue color reflecting the bigger one.

Only visible during the full moon, it made the view incredible.

The smaller satellite glowed faintly in red, adding a fantastic touch to the night sky.

Strangely, the red wasn't eerie, it calmed her mind. And she was the only one who could see it.

Everyone talked about the white and blue hue, but never the red.

A long silence passed before she started searching for the intruder. His steps had a different sound, and something about his scent was off, unlike anyone else here.

It was the smell of a stranger, someone not from this place.

Yet something told her she knew him.

By the forge, a similar man stood, looking like a tourist admiring the newest building.

Without turning around the man talked with his usual charming voice.

“Good evening Kitten, I hope you had an eventful month.”

[In another part of the village]

Priam was praying with all his soul, to a goddess whose name could not be spoken.

Not because he didn’t know it, but because mortals simply couldn’t hear or pronounce the names of gods.

Only through pure faith, directed toward specific divine entities could reach them. Each god ruled over a distinct domain of authority.

Each authority gives power to gods. That goddess's domain was mental manipulation.

Why would anyone pray to such a being?

That was the true problem: she could manipulate her follower's minds.

The more faithful they became, the more lunatic they grew.

And Priam… was already far gone.

In his mind, his faith was directed to the goddess of Humanity and Water, her public identity.

The mumbling of faith had never ceased.

Day after day, year after year his devotion hardened into something unbreakable. An oath, bound in madness.

“Ô goddess of humanity, protect this humble soul from the corruption of the other races. Please watch over your people and guide them to a golden era, where humanity will rise above other creatures. I will never yield to those half-monsters who serve the gods of beast and chaos.”

He paused in silence, mumbling his mantra, a mental shield against outside influence before continuing.

“Ô goddess, please protect us. Since the day those creatures appeared, you have not answered my prayer. Is it a trial of faith? I can’t feel your presence… I am waiting for your guidance.

This poor lamb doubted you when you disappeared but that was their goal!

I won’t fall for their lies again. Not a second time.

I will wait until the day you show me the way.”

Not far from his house, Gordak had heard the prayer. Even silent ones, this wasn’t the first time.

And once again, he felt lost.

For years, he had tried everything to save Priam’s mind.

But nothing had worked. The corruption had taken root deep. Gordak's hesitation chained to his thoughts.

He couldn't bring himself to kill him.

After all: Priam is the true grandson of the old chief.

And yet, the title of chief had gone to him.

When the chief died, his final will named Gordak as his successor. A stranger, yes, but a protector of the tribe for many years.

Not the perfect leader, but the one who could protect them. The old chief had not hesitated not even on his deathbed.

Giving the future to the man who had once come as an enemy, with a choice for them all: Subjugation or Death.

It was from an old time, his objective had changed. Protecting his people as the chief.

If needed he would fight the world to protect everyone and his grand-daughter.

Feeling a familiar presence not far from here, he could only guess why he had come.

‘So you’ve come again.’

From his perspective, a monster that could destroy a world with a flick was walking in the skin of a man.

He’s the only reason why he’s still alive today.

‘Nox Vael’.