It was like the river itself had exploded. A geyser burst through the planks, throwing splinters of wood and pieces of rope everywhere.
Aruá yanked Caio's arm so hard he felt like his shoulder would pop, dragging him back right before something heavy slammed onto the platform they were standing on.
He could hear screams coming from every direction. Cries of rally, alarms, sobs, shouts of pain. The village was in disarray.
Caio and Aruá had fallen to the floor of the platform, having barely avoided the direct attack. He was still trying to get his bearings among the chaos when he saw Suma pass by them.
She had jumped from another platform with the elegance of an Olympic acrobat. She didn't miss a heartbeat, launching her spear into the dark shape in the water.
The form reacted, sending another burst of water upwards, then it disappeared.
"It sank deep, let's leave this platform."
Only then did he notice that Aruá was already on her feet again, pulling him up. He forced himself and followed her, jumping from platform to canoe to another platform.
He didn't have time to doubt his own body or overthink anything. His body was moving on its own.
When he looked back, he saw that Suma had also left the platform. It was at that moment that he managed to get a good look at the creature as it rushed out of the water, reducing the platform where he was just standing to splinters.
It was a horrible combination of fish and crocodile with the grace and royalty of a cat. It had a long, slick body with chitin plates forming a reinforced armor. Its jaw opened sideways instead of how mouths usually work.
Its whole body released smoke like a furnace when it was exposed to air. He was able to notice an injury on its side, probably caused by the spear. It wasn't huge, but it was better than nothing.
In the corner of his vision, he saw a woman on a nearby platform clutching a kid to her chest and scrambling, trying to flee.
"Back."
Aruá hissed, her hand still firmly on his wrist. She hadn't let go of all that. She kept pulling him without stopping once.
He noted how she was using her own body as a shield, always standing between him and the monster, and he felt pathetic.
Suma threw another spear at the monster while it was still exposed. It stabbed under one of the creature's plates with brutal precision.
The monster screamed and coiled in pain, dyeing the water black when it fell. The thing thrashed, whipping around, smashing the spear to take it out of the injury.
"Skin! Flesh!"
It was Kena shouting, signaling the weak points of the beast, and more spears flew. But the monster dived down to avoid those.
[Fauna Anomaly: Engaged]
[Local Response: ACTIVE]
The System's notifications appeared in the corner of his vision. They staid there, its bold red increasing Caio's sense of urgency.
The entire central walkway of platforms and planks shuddered, throwing even the practiced women off balance.
Aruá's grip eased, releasing him.
His other arm reached, gripping an overhead rope to avoid falling, when he saw the kid.
A little girl, about nine years old. She was one of the kids that were asking him questions earlier. She was at the edge of a platform, frozen with fear.
He saw that the beast had also noticed her, and its dark shadow in the water was already on the move.
Suma, Kena, and the other spearwomen were concentrated near the center, where the monster had been attacking before. It had swum too quickly for them to follow.
The other women were protecting the children. There was nobody else closer to that girl.
Caio moved without thinking.
He sprinted along a reed rope that was the only connection to that platform, as the planks had fallen to the water earlier.
The entire world was reduced to a blur, switching to the background. The only things that mattered were the girl and the monster.
When he was close enough, he jumped, wrapping his arms around the girl and moving her out of the way of the open jaws that were emerging from the water.
Pain exploded along his torso, taking over his consciousness. He barely registered the splash as they hit the water.
For a moment, his vision and hearing were cut by the water before he surfaced again, one arm still locked around the girl.
"Kai-o!"
Aruá's voice broke through the cacophony as he gasped for air. There was another platform nearby, and he saw some human forms on it, so he just reached the girl upwards to them.
He felt the girl leaving his arms, and then something pulling those same arms, lifting him. His vision was clouded, and he could barely process what was happening.
He didn't see the monster coming for him while he was still in the water, nor did he see Suma plunging onto it with all her might, thrusting another spear right between its eyes before it could reach him.
The last thing he saw before blacking out was Aruá crashing onto her knees at his side.
***
He was able to hear before he could open his eyes or make any movement.
There were some conversations going on around him. He wasn't able to follow everything, catching only the meanings of some phrases here and there.
"Stupid land-fish. Brave, but stupid."
"I leave him for one afternoon, and he already tries to die?"
"He bleeds. Not spirit. Not dream."
[COMBAT ENGAGEMENT: SURVIVED]
[Local Factors: Cooperative Defense / Self-Endangerment for Dependent]
[FTH +5]
[LAB +3]
[Tribal Attitude Modifier: +"Mortal, Protective"]
The log flashed in his vision, even though his eyes were closed.
Only then did he notice the change in the tone of their voices. They were now respectful, with a tint of admiration.
I think that I should try to learn what those acronyms mean.
He was feeling a burning pain on his torso, though it was a lot more bearable than before. Even though he couldn't lift a finger or even open his eyes, his mind was slowly getting back to normal activity.
[You are right, Seedbearer. I knew you were a fitting candidate.]
The Overseer's voice sounded inside his head. It was less mechanical now, more warm.
[The Civilization System has five core resources. I'll show them to you now.]
A System pop-up opened in his vision.
[Vital Essence (VE): The life energy generated through reproduction, energy, and emotional bonds. Used for pop growth, terraforming, and tech.]
[Cognition (COG): Derived from discovery, research, and debate. Unlocks tech paths, events, and secret quests.]
[Faith (FTH): Generated by myths, rituals, and belief systems that rise around you and your companions. Unlocks waifu skill trees and upgrades, as well as powerful ritual spells.]
[Labor (LAB): The measurable productivity of your population. Used to improve tiles, construct buildings, and generate strategic resources.]
[Harmony (HRM): The world itself reacts to how well all forces are aligned.]
Ugh… isn't the HRM explanation a bit too vague?
The Overseer sounded cheerful, almost teasing.
[It is.]
He could swear he heard a chuckle.
I see. Can I see how much I have of each resource?
[The tribe has. And not yet, you need to unlock the Civilization Screen first.]
And what do I do to unlock it?
[You'll know.]
His consciousness drowned in darkness again.
***
Caio was sleeping in Aruá's hut, in a makeshift bed made out of banana leaves and straw. His torso was bandaged, and Aruá was kneeling at his side, praying.
There were other women in the hut who had been helping her with the treatment. They were reluctant to leave when another woman entered.
It was Maivira, the Stream-Flower.
All women in the hut stepped to the side and lowered their heads. All except Aruá, who didn't even open her eyes or interrupt her prayers.
"Aruá. Does the river listen?"
Aruá finally stopped her low chant and answered her, without opening her eyes or moving.
"It did. Wrong note came. He moved. Saved child."
The child was near the bed, looking very disheartened. Maivira glanced at her, then back at Caio.
"Pain?"
Aruá gave a small nod.
"Yes. Very hurt. Yet… breathes."
This time it was Maivira who nodded.
"Spirits do not throw themselves at claws. Only foolish men. Aruá, treat him as villager."
Everyone, even Aruá, looked at her astonished. She was strongly against accepting him the day before, yet she was accepting today.
Maivira didn't say anything else. She turned and left the hut.
***
Later, in Maivira's hut, the Stream-Flower was agitated.
She dropped the emotionless mask she always wore, letting her emotions show in her face.
She paced around, sometimes muttering something, sometimes moving her arms like she was about to punch something, then stopping.
Things couldn't be worse… Why did he do that? Now I can't just turn him away.
Stream-Flowers were the embodiment of holiness in the Yarikari society. As the only person able to give birth, she was revered, and her words had enormous weight.
The presence of a man able to give children to other women was one of the most terrifying things that could've appeared. Yet, she couldn't do whatever she wished. She had to act the way a Seed-Flower was expected to act. Pure, impartial, distant. Without emotions.