Chapter 4: The Stranger Named Shebi
The sun was high when Tavypib, Vavi, and Dywewihu decided to take a break. They had faced a ferocious creature earlier and needed to regain their strength. The clearing they were in seemed relatively safe, but neither of them let their guard down.
It was then that they heard light footsteps approaching. From behind a tree, a thin, serious-faced young man with disheveled hair emerged. He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Hey, calm down. I didn't come to fight," the boy said. "My name is Shebi. I just want to talk."
Vavi immediately pulled an arrow and aimed it at him, while Tavypib tightened his grip on his spear. Dywewihu tried to intervene.
"Wait, his hands are up. Maybe he's telling the truth."
"Or maybe it's another trick," Vavi muttered. Without hesitation, she advanced on Shebi, who reacted with impressive speed. He spun around and kicked her hard in the stomach. Vavi fell to the ground, panting and trying to catch his breath. Tavypib roared in rage and lashed out with his spear, but Shebi dodged it in one fluid motion, grabbing his arm firmly. In a single movement, she knocked Tavypib to the ground and kicked him in the face. Tavypib fell to his side, feeling hot blood drip from his nose. Dywewihu, seeing his fallen companions, picked up a piece of wood and charged at Shebi. The boy, however, used his foot to kick another piece of wood that was on the ground, hitting Dywewihu in the head with precision. He fell, groaning in pain, while holding his head. Shebi sighed and raised her hands again, looking at the fallen group with an expression of exasperation. "I just wanted to talk," she said, her voice calm. "I came in peace. But you decided to attack me." Now you will have to listen to me, whether you want to or not.
Vavi tried to get up, but Shebi pointed at her, as if warning her not to try anything.
"Listen carefully. I will not ask you again. I want to make an alliance with you. You need me as much as I need you. This island is not a place for amateurs, and I have survived worse."
Tavypib, still on the ground, spat blood and tried to speak, but Shebi interrupted him:
"Before you say anything, know this: either you accept my help, or you will be swallowed up by this game sooner than you think. Trust is not a choice here, it is a necessity."
The group remained silent, evaluating the boy. Despite his young appearance, Shebi had just defeated them with a skill that made it clear he was no simple survivor.
"So?" Shebi crossed her arms, waiting for an answer. "What will it be?"
Tavypib wiped the blood from his face and, with a suspicious look, replied:
"We don't have many options, do we?"
Shebi smiled at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes remained cold.
"No, we don't."
The tension in the air was almost palpable, but one thing was certain: Shebi had just changed the group's dynamics, and what would come next would be even more unpredictable.