The two cavemen stepped out of the cave in the Evil Forest, the portal behind them closing with a faint shimmer. The dense, ominous trees loomed over them like silent sentinels." We need to find the new leader".
"What is he looking at?" Jajwok asked, squinting toward a figure in the distance.
"Maybe he's mad, like you," Kit Mi Kai replied with a smirk, not taking his eyes off ahead.
Haruto, seemingly oblivious to the tension, looked up from whatever had captured his attention. "Oh, sorry, guys. I was reading something. You haven't introduced yourselves yet," he remarked casually, as though noticing them for the first time.
"My name is Kit Mi Kai," he said with a nod.
"And I am... grrrr..." Jajwok's stomach growled loudly. "I guess I'm hungry," he said, rubbing his belly with a sheepish grin.
Haruto chuckled. "Oh, is that so? Well, my village is nearby, just outside the Evil Forest. I could treat you guys to a meal, and you can meet my family. They're a lovely bunch."
"Yeah, I could eat," Kit Mi Kai replied, his hunger evident. Jajwok nodded in agreement, his eyes lighting up at the thought of food.
The three set out toward Haruto's village, winding their way through the dark, towering trees of the forest. The journey was quick, but as they approached the village, Kit Mi Kai and Jajwok stopped in their tracks, staring in awe.
The village before them was unlike anything they had ever seen. The gates were large, with intricate carvings that hinted at both tradition and technology. Beyond the gates, the houses had a futuristic design, but their architecture carried the elegance of something ancient. The village seemed to be a blend of the old and new in perfect harmony.
Haruto, unfazed, stepped forward and spoke a single word as if it were a key. "Arigato."
The gates slowly creaked open. Inside, two guards stationed at the entrance straightened up when they saw him.
"Kipkemboi! You're back!" one of the guards called. "How was your journey?"
"My journey was good,"Kipkemboi replied with a warm smile. "Thanks for asking. How's the village? Any trouble while I was gone?"
The guards shook their heads. "No trouble at all. The village has been safe."
"Good to hear. Say hi to the kids for me. I'm heading to see my parents now. Keep up the good work," Kipkemboi said as he gestured for Kit Mi Kai and Jajwok to follow him.
The two newcomers were still in awe of the village's appearance as they walked deeper inside. The houses resembled traditional Japanese homes, with wooden beams and sliding doors, but the materials used were far more advanced than anything they'd ever seen. And there was something else—the villagers walked with katana swords sheathed at their sides, a sight that surprised both of them.
Knocking softly on the door of one of the larger houses, Haruto called out, "Mom? Dad? I've brought visitors."
The door slid open, and an older woman with a bright smile greeted them. "Oh, Kipkemboi, my lovely son! Welcome home! And you've brought friends! How wonderful. Please, come in, boys."
Jajwok immediately sat cross-legged on the floor, looking around the room. Haruto knelt down, sitting by his knees in a more formal manner. Kit Mi Kai hesitated before sitting, unsure of the customs.
"Wait, are we supposed to sit like that?" Jajwok asked, looking at Haruto.
The older woman chuckled softly. "No, dear. Sit however you're comfortable. Haruto, my son, comes up with all sorts of things. Sometimes I believe he was sent to us by a god. The day he was born, a god visited our village, you know? Since then, he's been our blessing." She spoke with warmth, but then quickly caught herself. "Oh, I'm talking too much. Let me get you boys something to eat."
She hurried into the kitchen and soon returned with steaming bowls of ramen. The rich aroma filled the room, and she handed each of them a bowl.
"Have you noticed how our village looks different from others? That's all thanks to my son," she said proudly as they began to eat.
"Moooom," Haruto groaned, clearly embarrassed.
"What? It's true!" she insisted. "Long ago, our village was bullied by others. They took our goods and animals in the name of protection. Our village had blacksmiths, but they were forced to make weapons day and night with no trade in return. That was until Kipkemboi taught us how to make those long knives... What do you call them again, dear?"
"Katanas," Haruto corrected with a sigh.
"Yes, katanas! He taught us how to make them and even trained us how to use them. Ever since then, no one has dared to bully us. We've lived in peace, and it's all thanks to him. My son is truly a gift from the gods." She smiled warmly as she spoke, proud of every word.
Kit Mi Kai, quietly eating his ramen, lowered his gaze. "You're lucky. I envy you... my mother doesn't exist anymore."
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of his words hanging in the air. Haruto's mother offered him a soft, sympathetic smile. "I'm so sorry to hear that, dear."
Haruto, sensing the mood, clapped his hands together, breaking the silence. "Alright! Let's change the mood. How about a trip to the hot springs? It's nearby, and it's a perfect way to relax after a long journey."
Kit Mi Kai and Jajwok nodded in agreement, grateful for the shift in conversation. The three of them headed down a narrow path that led to a natural hot spring, steam rising gently from the water's surface. The air was warm, and the sound of bubbling water filled the tranquil space.
"Be careful," Haruto said with a grin. "The water's hot, but trust me, it's worth it. And, don't forget to take off your clothes."
Kit Mi Kai paused at the edge of the water. "Yeah, I'm not doing that," he muttered, stepping into the hot spring with his shorts still on.
Jajwok snickered and leaned closer to Kit Mi Kai, whispering, "He's got a small wiwi."
Kit Mi Kai's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Say that again, and I'll break your jaw."
"Okay, okay, grumpy!" Jajwok laughed as he stripped off his shorts and slid into the hot water.
As they relaxed in the warm water, Kit Mi Kai turned to Haruto. "So, is it true? Were you really blessed by a god?"
Haruto leaned back, gazing at the sky. "Well, it's a long story, but yeah. I'm not from this world. I died once, and a god saved me. She brought me here, and I got to keep my memories from my old life. The deal was that I have to get stronger."
Kit Mi Kai's expression grew serious. "I want to get stronger too. I've realized recently that strength is the only way to avoid being bullied."
Haruto nodded thoughtfully. "The quickest way to grow stronger is by going into the Evil Forest. That's what I'm doing. If you want, we can go together and get stronger as a team."
Kit Mi Kai smirked, determination gleaming in his eyes. "Count me in."
Jajwok raised his hand, grinning. "Me too! Let's all get strong together."
And so, their journey for strength was sealed with a promise, in the warmth of the hot spring.