"Come on!"
"It worked!"
"Marvelous!"
Amid these jubilant exclamations, the humans roared with excitement. They had successfully hunted a massive giant elephant, a bounty that would sustain their tribe for many days. Remarkably, no one had perished during the hunt.
"O supreme god!"
"Thank you for your protection!"
"Thanks to the Supreme God!"
The humans kowtowed respectfully to the ground, their eyes brimming with unwavering loyalty. This display evoked a strange feeling, indescribable yet profound, as if it marked the essence of humanity's existence—afraid of everything, they looked to the divine for blessings that allowed them to survive.
"Humanity..."
From her elevated perspective, the goddess observed the scene below. She had a perfect face, but her thoughts seemed to drift. After a moment, unable to comprehend it fully, she decided to step down and investigate further.
"What a joy!"
"Yes!"
"It's simply amazing!"
Gathered around the bonfire gifted by the gods, the tribe's people savored the grilled food, their hearts filled with genuine joy. Unbeknownst to them, a young girl had blended seamlessly into the group. Born to this environment, she was one with them.
"Spring!"
"Here's your food!"
"Hahaha"
As the patriarch handed the meat to the girl named Haru, she beamed and replied, "Thank you, Patriarch."
The patriarch simply chuckled in response. Haru tasted the food, wearing a simple animal skin skirt, her long black hair framing a face that was common yet charming.
At the same time, another immature boy named Aaron received his portion of the roast. Like Haru, he appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen, dressed in basic animal skin attire, with unremarkable black hair and a face that was neither handsome nor ugly—just refreshingly clean.
As they exchanged glances, a smile crept onto both their faces, and they lowered their heads to enjoy their meal. Although the food was simple and not particularly delicious, it felt perfect for them in that moment.
Time flowed on. Everything seemed to develop simply. The tribe grew, evolving from a mere fifty or sixty people to a thriving community. Five years later, the patriarch succumbed to injuries from hunting, and a new leader emerged—one who was powerful and capable, stepping into the shoes of the former patriarch.
Meanwhile, Aaron and Haru had become husband and wife. In this primitive era, the concept of marriage was fluid, but their bond solidified over time.
Years passed.
Ten years.
Twenty years.
Thirty years.
Fifty years.
The two aged individuals were now frail, and the once small tribe had burgeoned into the largest community under the leadership of a formidable patriarch, boasting a population of tens of thousands.
Though Aaron and Haru lacked great physical strength, their status in the tribe remained high. Even the new patriarch held them in great respect.
In contrast to the other warriors, Aaron and Haru had become wise figures in the tribe. While not powerful in battle, their wisdom proved invaluable during critical moments, earning them deep reverence among the tribe members.
In a modest yard—a rare luxury in that era—old Aaron sat in what resembled a chair, leaning back slightly. His body trembled, nearing its limits, yet a gentle smile graced his lips.
"Aaron!"
"You sneaked out to bask in the sun again."
Haru, now frail and aged herself, emerged from the house, using a cane for support. She approached cautiously, admonishing him, "Aaron! Don't you know your health is fragile? The sun will worsen your condition."
Aaron waved lazily, "Haru, you should worry about yourself. If you fall, no healer can help you; after all, you've always been clumsy."
"Shut up!"
"Stupid Aaron!"
Haru scolded him playfully, yet she couldn't hide a smile. Leaning over him, she looked into his eyes, which, despite the anger, sparkled with tenderness.
In that moment, what shone in Haru's gaze was pure love. After decades together, their bond had deepened into something profound. They had relied on each other throughout their lives, and at this stage, nothing else mattered. They were truly husband and wife in spirit.
In an era where relationships were complex—where women had multiple partners and men had many wives—Aaron had remained steadfastly devoted to Haru, just as she had to him.
Though society lacked a formal concept of marriage, were they not a pure couple? A couple defined by essential love, enduring through the ages?
Love!
In any era, in any place, love remains the purest essence—unembellished, unaltered. As time passes, love persists. Even in such a primitive era, their love was undeniably pure.
"Okay!"
"Sit down and rest well."
"Hmph!"
With a playful huff, Haru leaned against Aaron's side, settling in beside him.
Together, the elderly couple sat peacefully, looking at one another, each seeing the love reflected in the other's eyes. They watched the sun gradually set, and as their eyes slowly closed, they embraced the tranquility of their years together.
They had experienced many seasons, and for them, decades had sufficed. With serenity, peace, and love, they closed their eyes. With the setting sun, their own sun set forever, marking the end of Aaron and Haru's pure love.