Rose continued to watch and stand guard over Polemos even as the two moons were high in the sky. Rose was even still trying to gently hiss to try and comfort him as he was still laying in the sand looking at the sky with absent eyes. Rose wasn't alone the entire time when she was guarding and watching over Polemos. There were multiple monster and beast corpses that lay scattered around Rose as she would kill anything that came close, then went back trying to comfort Polemos.
Polemos had no idea what Rose was doing as he was still looking at the sky with absent eyes until life started to return very slowly.
The first thing Polemos heard was a very soft and gentle sounding hiss that actually felt soothing. The only thing he was able to remember before things went dark was watching Captain and the others leave then it went dark.
"Ro-Rose, wha-what, th-this is so comfortable." Polemos spoke but, in a weak tone as he felt exhausted from everything that happened but at the same time was very much enjoying Rose's gentle hiss as the sound felt relaxing. Like a waterfall in the distance.
"Please if you're watching Elder Spear, know that I'll remember everything you taught me, know that even though you wouldn't ask, Alyan will die. And I'll take your fishing technique to untold heights. Thank you for your kindness, knowledge, wisdom, and." Then Polemos smiled a warm smile. "For never letting me win once. Thank you Elder Spear."
Polemos didn't know when he started to cry again but he didn't care as he even had a small smile on his face, as he reached out and touched Rose.
Rose continued to hiss as she relaxed and slowly sunk in the sand around Polemos, and fell asleep.
"Get some sleep I'm sorry for being selfish, and I'm sorry I couldn't introduce The Old Man to you Rose, he would have liked you. I'll take care of the watch, and when you wake I'll have already started breakfast and I'll make as much as you want, then will finally make camp at my old spot."
Polemos spoke very softly as he started to make a campfire but, before he could start he looked around and a very warm and soft feeling embraced his heart. As he looked back towards Rose who was already in a deep sleep.
"I don't know when I'll be able to repay this Rose but I promise I'll repay it. Gods, that's such a cheesy line." Polemos had a wry smile on his face as he finally started to prepare a campfire, and looked over all the monsters and beast corpses.
Polemos continued to clean and take whatever he was able as, some looked like they were already starting to rot or were rotting.
Polemos was alone the entire time he cleaned and burned the ones he couldn't, he wasn't even attacked the entire time.
It was quiet the entire time Polemos was watching and guarding Rose as she was still soundly asleep. Polemos was meditating on a slab of hardened sand, but still left enough awareness to watch over Rose, with the only sound being the cracklings of the campfire and the wind across the dunes.
Polemos started to slowly rise to his feet and open his eyes as he saw the sun slowly start to rise on the horizon.
"I'll only work on my basic weapon technique. I'll just make it slightly longer, then start on making breakfast." Polemos smiled as he unsheathed his axe and started his practice. Polemos didn't stop his practice until the sun was up in the sky and it's warmth embraced the desert sands.
"All done let's start making breakfast, I'll make a nice feast, yeah that's good I'll even take out the remaining Special Elite Desert Anaconda meat." Polemos smiled as he spoke. "She'll like that. I need to definitely see if Carl has anything about spices. I'm a little tired of using salt, I need spice dammit."
Polemos smiled as he shook his head and started to bring out everything he needed to make his breakfast feast.
Rose slowly was starting to stir the moment she was able to smell what Polemos was making. When Rose started to smell what Polemos was making she let out a small hiss to show that she was awake.
"Ssssss."
When Polemos heard her he smiled and spoke with a bright and cheerful voice.
"Good morning Rose, don't worry breakfast will be done soon, just give me a few more minutes and then I'll be done and we can indulge ourselves in some food. After we're done with that then we can finally make it back to the tribe."
Rose slowly got up from the desert sands as she slowly headed towards Polemos as she reached out with her antenna to touch and pat Polemos very clumsily.
When Polemos felt Rose try to touch and pat him, a smile grew on his face as he reached out and grabbed her antenna. His heart was also getting warmer again.
"Thank you Rose, I'm ok now and I'm sorry that happened, you worked hard the entire night so I made a big breakfast feast to thank you." Polemos spoke with a smile on his face as he continued to hold onto Rose's antenna and get closer so he could give her head a hug.
When Polemos reached Rose's head and he embraced her while Rose just hissed a very gentle hiss to show how happy she was. Polemos continued to embrace Rose until he started to smell the meat start to burn a little.
"I'll take that one for breakfast. I've already prepared everything else for you so enjoy, after we're both done then will be heading to the tribe. Hopefully you'll like my original camp when we get back. There's a small forest as well as a medium sized water source to enjoy, just let me introduce you to the other slaves, for now."
Polemos spoke the last part in a low voice as he released Rose from his embrace as he went back to the campfire to pull the slightly burnt meat off the fire. When Polemos headed towards the campfire Rose followed right beside him as she reached out with her antenna to poke Polemos.
When Polemos felt Rose poke him he was a little confused.
"What's up Rose?"
Then Rose tried putting her antenna near his hand.
"You want me to hold it? Sure." Polemos had a soft and warm smile on his face as he knew when he got back to the tribe the time for him to smile like he is now would be very rare. The only time others saw him smile was when he smiled with his devil-like smile as it would spread fear rather than bring one warmth.
Polemos and Rose enjoyed the morning as they ate their fill. Once everything was cleaned and put away Polemos jumped atop of Rose's head.
'Alright let's head back to the tribe and finally return. Alyan you better wash your neck as when it is time you'd wish you really would have me killed.' Polemos thought as he patted Rose's head as she took off towards the direction of the tribe.
It didn't take Rose that long to get close to the tribe, as she got closer Polemos told her to stop.
"You can stop for now Rose." Polemos then jumped off her head and landed on the sand, then pointed towards the trees in the distance. "Can you see the trees, that's where my original camp was? I'll meet you there later. I have to go and see Carl first and I'll see if I can get him out so I can introduce you guys."
Polemos rubbed his chin as he stood in the sand looking at the tribe, then shrugged his shoulders as he looked over towards Rose.
"But, if you really want you can also just join me when we head to the tribe as I'm already certain that you'll make a big scene…." When Polemos said the word 'scene' he stopped as an evil smile started to take form on his face. "Shit, you know what that actually sounds like a great idea Rose let's head into the tribe together it'll be a great way to re-introduce myself and introduce you to everyone. They'll really think I'm a curse then, I mean mostly everyone does anyway so no harm no foul."
When Polemos finished, his evil like smile was still on his face as he jumped back atop of Rose's head as she hissed in glee.
Rose slowly headed towards the direction of the tribe with Polemos sitting cross legged atop her head with a devil-like smile on his face as he propped his head on his right fist. He couldn't wait for one of the members of the tribe to do something stupid or freak out. He was especially hoping that Alyan might cause a scene.
Polemos was able to get his answer pretty quickly as multiple members of the tribe on the outer edge screamed in terror as they saw a Giant Centipede slowly heading towards the tribe.
"AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
"Get the Tribe Leader! Get the First Hunting Captain!! There's a monster coming to attack and kill us all. RUN!!!"
The moment the first scream came then came the others as some of them even pushed and ran over the other tribe members all in order to save their own lives and protect themselves. Polemos just continued with his devil-like smile on his face as he saw everyone panic. Then he started to laugh through his nose.
When Polemos was finally at the outer edge of the tribe he stood atop of Rose's head as he announced his arrival to the tribe in a loud boisterous voice.
"Hello everybody!! It's me, your favorite purple eyed Cursed Devil, Polemos. Ah I'm sorry, where are my manners?" Then Polemos pointed down with a large grin on his face as he gestured to Rose. "This lovely centipede is my partner, Rose."
Polemos's only answer was the continuous screams and yelling of the tribe. But Polemos ignored them and continued to speak.
"I hope you all missed me because I know I missed all of you. Who am I kidding? I've never missed any of you except; Elder Spear and Carl, everyone else not so much. But enough about that." Polemos then took a deep breath.
"I'VE! RETURNED!! HAHAHAHA….!!!