Chapter 01: Rassa

The day began as any other for the people of Navah. They awoke early and picked fruits from the trees. They washed and hung their clothing and fed their livestock.

The tribe leader's son, Gaia, was fishing, a peaceful activity he enjoyed. He had sharpened his spear that morning and slung his bag of bait over his shoulder. He pulled the row boat after him before climbing in, his pants rolled up.

And as the wind gently rocked the boat, he heard a whistling noise from afar. The birds of the jungle sang gleefully, enjoying the peace the secluded jungle gave.

Gaia took a deep breath, closing his eyes and enjoying the day.

"Gaia!" A voice called from the shore, alerting the leader's son. He opened his eyes and looked, sighing when he saw Narvaa, his friend.

"Your father is calling for you!" He delivered, his hands cupped around his lips to help project his voice.

Gaia turned the boat back to the shore, annoyed his fishing was cut short. He waded through the water and tied the boat up again.

"Why?"

Narvaa looked troubled. "Everyone's restless. We've found a strange person lurking near the barracks!"

Gaia's eyes widened as he rushed to the homes, his heart beating loudly.

He arrived in no time and saw a large crowd of their people, huddled together and whispering amongst each other.

"Father?" Gaia called, joining his father before staring at the supposed intruder.

He blinked a few times, taking in the appearance.

He was unlike anyone Gaia had ever seen. Skinny and small, nearly the height of a woman. His hair was cropped above his shoulders, and his eyes were almost orange in the sunlight. He looked harmless and weak, but most of all, he looked confused. Not afraid, or guilty, but merely clueless.

"This... is the intruder? He looks like a branch..." Gaia raised his brows. His father silently agreed with him but shook his head.

"He could still have a weapon, or there could be more of them..."

Gaia exhaled before taking a step forward. "Shall I speak with him?"

"Yes... but don't provoke him or be provoked. He refuses to say a word to any of us, so be gentle."

Gaia drew closer to the smaller male, observing his every move. But the man didn't seem to be afraid. His big eyes remained on Gaia's the entire time.

"What are you doing here?" Gaia asked, his voice stern and gruff, despite his father's orders.

The male stared at him blankly before opening his mouth, much to everyone's surprise.

"I- I.... don't know....." His voice mirrored his confused face. "Who are you?" He asked, catching Gaia by surprise.

"I should be asking you that. You're on our land..." Gaia's low voice made out, his eyes searching the foliage behind him.

"I.... am? I'll leave." The confused man turned around, right into the jungle.

Gaia looked at his father, confused. "He's... leaving...."

"Let him. This could be a trap." His father exclaimed, pulling his wife into his arms protectively. "For now, just keep watch. All of you." He gestured to the boys, who all nodded, determined.

Gaia stared at the direction the boy walked into, his heart aching. He knew what hungry animals lurked. The boy stood no chance. Sure, this could be a trap, but he would feel guilty to see a harmless and weak being destroyed.

He bargained with himself for a moment before deciding to wait it out. Just in case.

His mother stared at him, concerned. She walked to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Your heart is too big... don't seek him out when your life can be at stake."

Gaia shook his head. "I am a hunter. I'm not afraid of him or anyone like him. They're weak to me. But he seemed lost. I don't want to see a young man like him become a meal for the beasts out there."

His mother sighed, picking up her youngest daughter, Enya.

"Then do what you think is right. You're a

man of your own heart."

Gaia nodded, never looking back as he entered the jungle, never looking back.

The man couldn't have gotten far with his frail body, so Gaia began to track him, using footsteps and his strong ears to his advantage. He heard distant rustling and raced to the noise, spear in hand.

He stared at the scene in front of him, surprised. The man was on his knees, using his hands to claw at the dirt. He looked up, blinking as Gaia neared him.

"What... are you doing?" Gaia asked, confused.

"Searching..." was all he said, using a rock to dig at that spot.

"For....?"

"Mushrooms. The grow here, right?"

"Mushrooms?"

"I'm hungry..." the boy admitted, his face clearly embarrassed.

Gaia stifled his laughter as he shook his head. "Is that why you were searching near our barracks? You were looking for food?"

"Yes..." He admitted. "But I don't want to cause trouble."

"There's nobody here with you… Right? And you don't know where you are. How did you come here?"

The man seemed restless as he scratch at his arm. "I- I don't know-"

"Hey, Calm down... do you remember your name?"

"name? Oh.... Rassa. I'm Rassa."

"I'm Gaia. So you don't remember where you came from?"

"No. I just woke up in the middle of here. And I don't know where I am."

Gaia thought about it before offering a hand. "Come back with me to my village. We'll take care of you until you get your memories back. You'll be safe with us, if you're innocent and telling the truth. Otherwise, I'll have to kill you."

Rassa hesitate, his eyebrows furrowed together. "Of course I'm telling the truth. But I don't want to be threatened."

Gaia laughed. "Okay, Okay. So come back with me. I'll protect you."

"From what?" Rassa asked, suspiciously.

"The animals. You don't stand a chance out here alone."

Rassa glared before sighing. "Fine...."

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