Hours went by and Micheal is currently thrusting his spear. From the outside he looks like he is focussing on every thrust but, in his head, Michael could only think of Pike's words. About how the Boniha island will sink in 6 mouths.
"How?"
Pike didn't tell him anything however, Michael have a feeling that the man knew more than that, and he didn't want to talk. Before long Michael has finished his 1000 thrust and was kicked out of the dark space.
This time he did it a lot faster so he could be in time to swap shifts with Layla. The rain has already settled and the only thing left is to wait for the water level to drop. As he watches the night sky, Michael notices something odd. The moon position tells him that it was his shift an hour ago but, Layla just came to swap with him. Why? She must have dozed off during her watch.
Michael smiles and keeps watch for 3 hours.
------
Layla is losing her mind pacing back and forth within a cave. . Micahel couldn't blame her for acting insane. They awoke to another downpour. Three days in a row have seen rain. The island must have been experiencing some kind of problem.
Now they had to make another plan. Do they go up and steal the alma fruit again? or risk swimming in the water? Both options sound very bad, they only survived going up there because of the bird that randomly appeared. And swimming in the water would get them nowhere.
While Michael is still thinking a wooden sound could be heard from in front of the cave. Layla and Micahel look at each other and slowly approach it. Maybe this is the rescuer?
They peek their head out to find a small figure on a boat. In the rain they could hardly make out who it is but, but Michael recognize the equipment on the figure's body.
"Brava?" Michael called out hoping he was right.
"What? Micahel? Why are you here?"
"Help! Can you get us out of here?"
Michael is a relief. He didn't recognize Brava at first glance because of the rain hat that the boy is wearing. The first thing that came to mind was how he could leave this place so Michael speak it out first before greeting him. Yet, Brava and Layla both have surprised expressions on their faces. for various reasons.
"You know him?"
"That's not the time to ask that. Brava could you help us? we're stuck up here and my legs are cut! I also have Layla up here with me. she also hurt her hand and can't climb very well. If we could get some healing herb that would be amazing."
Brava doesn't talk for a while. He looks around the boat and grabs a big green bag.
"OK, wait there I'll go help you!"
The long hair boy climbs up the hill with a big bag and greets them.
"Hello, nice to meet you I'm Brava"
"Hi, Layla, an elite hunter"
"Wow" Brava's eyes glitter with admiration "You're pretty good at hunting right? could you teach me how to hunt?"
"Sure as long as we could survive this rain." Layla size up Brava, the boy looks around their age and has a normal build for a Boniha kid. However, what's weird about him is that the boy doesn't look familiar to her at all.
The Boniha village is not that big with around a thousand to two thousand population. She should have seen the boy somewhere before but, She can't remember seeing someone like him. The Boniha village gives free education to facilitate next-generation hunters so, there is no reason for someone not to go to school.
Sensing Layla's gaze Brava knows what to say.
"You've properly never seen me. I'm home-schooled. My mom taught me at home and prohibit me from going to school."
"Why?"
"Well, my family circumstances are special, anyway here is the healing herb." Brava reaches into his big bag and gives Michael and Layla a bottle of healing herbs. Michael applies it to his leg wounds while Layla smears it over her arms.
Their injuries heal at a visible rate but, they also got a deep sense of hunger. Brava is prepared for this so he reaches into the big bag again and pulls out smoked meat. Michael and Layla eat like hungry hyenas.
"Why are you here?"
When he finishes the meals, Michael asks Brava.
"Well, I'm here to collect something..."
"In the rain?" Layla is shocked. Who in their right mind would be here in the rain?
"Yeah, it's a little complicated but, I'm sure it's here somewhere. And it is very important."
"In the Apex predator territories? Do you have a death wish?"
"You don't have to worry about me. I know what I'm doing, however, now's not the time to ask questions. We have to move before nighttime if we don't want to be eaten by water predators. Follow me to the boat."
Layla and Michael can't wait to get out of there so they quickly follow Brava to the boat. The rain hit their body and made them quite cold. Seeing his two friends shivering Brava offer them a Ulya. A board hat that is used to hide you from the rain.
"Are you sure this is safe?" Layla look around and couldn't shake off a feeling of fear when entering the water. Michael is also in the same boat as Layla.
"You don't have to worry, look this is an item that could ward off the monster." Brava gets out a Square cube that looks black in color. Its surface refect Mciahel and Layla and this thing looks quite sinister.
"Don't worry, the item isn't bad" he shoves it into his pocket "The thing uses bad energy to ward off monsters so it might look like a bad item. It's an heirloom of my family so, it's completely safe! "
"Really?" Layla still doubts the claim. She has never seen an item like this in her life.
"Brava never lies." He smiles after the words.
Brava grabs the paddle and steers the boat through the stormy water as soon as everyone gets on board. Brava tells a tale about how Michael and he met while they travel. Since Michael initially believed that Brava was a ghost, he felt embarrassed throughout the entirety of Brava's narrative.