Gathered around a crackling fire, the two tribes had become one. Beside Alex stood his group leaders, advisors Martins and Marcos, the named of Scar, and the elders.
Positioned at the forefront, Alex gazed out at his now united tribe. The division between the two groups was evident. Some remained wary, especially those from Scar's tribe who had yet to fully accept Alex. But none of that mattered now. They had reached the end of this leg of their journey.
Their destination: the sea.
From the moment Alex awoke in this world, he noticed how similar it was to Earth, even its stars. But after everything he had encountered, this world seemed more like a patchwork—a Frankenstein version of Earth, blending eras and locations into one. He knew reaching the sea was critical. It would open a path to exploration when their maritime technology advanced, allowing them to uncover more about this mysterious place.
And now, they could take another step toward that goal.
"Today, we are finally all together," Alex began, his voice firm yet warm. "With the merging of our tribes, our numbers have grown. Many of you don't know one another yet. Some may even feel hostility. But in time, I believe we will stand united—not just as a tribe, but as one people."
His words stirred something in the crowd. People glanced at unfamiliar faces, reflecting on their shared future. It wasn't common for them to think beyond the present, but for the first time, they felt a spark of anticipation for what could be.
"Now, enjoy the night," Alex added with a grin. "Celebrate!"
That night was unforgettable. The air was filled with laughter and conversation, and Fred worked tirelessly to capture the moment in a drawing that would come to symbolize their unity.
As the days passed, preparations concluded.
The journey continued, but this time, it was different. With newly built carts pulled by pilus and the domesticated bovines, travel had become more efficient. Comparing this to their early struggles—when they used their own strength to pull carts—was humbling.
"Ha, it's so nice to sit and be carried," Joe remarked, leaning back in a cart.
"Indeed," Martins agreed. "Compared to what we endured, this is a luxury."
"Hey, Chief, where are we heading now?" Fred asked, curiosity in his voice. "The newcomers said even they don't know this area."
"We're going to a place where we'll stay for a long time," Alex replied.
"A place to settle, huh? Feels like we've been traveling forever," Fred mused.
"Don't worry," Alex reassured. "It won't be much longer."
A week later, they arrived.
Before them lay a vast expanse of water, stretching endlessly into the horizon.
The sea.
For a moment, silence fell over the group as they took in the sight. It was more than a destination—it was a promise of endless possibilities.
They had reached the shore of a new beginning.