Human Ancestor

Alypos pulled the makeshift sled, a heavy drag behind him, as the wild boar's lifeless body scraped over the rough earth. His arms ached from the strain of the hunt and the continuous vigilance required in this treacherous world. The blood-soaked earth beneath the sled was sure to attract predators, but he couldn't leave the boar behind—not after all the effort he'd expended. The spear was strapped securely to his back, held by a crude harness he had crafted from sinew and bark. His body screamed for rest, but his mind remained alert.

The forest was still, but Alypos knew it was never truly silent. Birds, insects, and creatures of the night always gave some indication of approaching danger. But now, as he neared the open grassland, the quiet felt more like a warning than a reprieve.

His steps were cautious, even as he moved with purpose. The moment the trees began to thin and the sky above the grassland came into view, Alypos tensed. The landscape here was more exposed—dangerous. He had to cross the field quickly, with no cover save for a few scattered trees near his cottage. He scanned the horizon, his sharp gaze catching every flicker of movement.

The tension tightened in his chest as his eyes darted between the tall grass and the open sky. His instincts screamed for vigilance. "I must remain unseen," he muttered to himself, pulling the sled faster now.

But just as he stepped into the grassland, something caught his attention—a subtle shift in the wind, a break in the rhythm of the earth beneath him. Then it struck: a green blur, faster than anything he'd anticipated. The snake, nearly 4.5 meters long, lunged toward him with its fangs bared, red eyes glistening with deadly intent.

Alypos's muscles coiled like springs. "Stop," he whispered, blue light flickering in his eyes.

The snake's fluid momentum came to an abrupt halt as Alypos froze the water within its body, controlling the fluids with a mastery that had become almost instinctive. But momentum still carried the serpent forward, though slower now. Without hesitation, Alypos yanked his spear from his back and sliced through the air, severing the snake's body in two. A spray of yellow-green blood erupted from the wound, soaking the ground in a sickly hue. The creature twitched once, twice, then fell still.

But Alypos wasn't one to take chances. He swiftly sliced the snake's head clean off, ensuring it was truly dead. Caution was survival, and he had no intention of losing his life to an underestimation.

His gaze fell on the creature's severed body, noticing a faint shimmer within it—a core. He retrieved the colorless core, wiping it clean with a patch of cloth. Another piece of strength, another step forward.

With no time to waste, he bundled the snake's remains onto the sled next to the boar and resumed his journey. The cottage was close now, just beyond this grassland. But the sight of blood spilling behind him pushed him to increase his pace.

Three Days Later

The young woman's breath came in ragged gasps, her legs trembling beneath her as she tore through the underbrush. Her blue hair clung to her sweat-soaked skin, tangled and matted from days of running. Every muscle in her body screamed with exhaustion, but she kept moving. She had no choice.

Bruises and cuts marred her bare feet, each step sending fresh waves of pain coursing through her, yet she couldn't stop. The memory of her comrades' screams still echoed in her ears, of the dragon that had torn through their ranks like a god of death. The Earth Dragon. Just thinking of it brought fresh terror, but she forced the fear down. There was no time for it now.

Her body was breaking, but her will had not. "I will survive," she told herself. "I must survive."

When the expedition team had come to rescue her and the other children, she'd thought they were saved. But the forest had other plans. The Earth Dragon, an infant by the size of it, had awakened from its slumber, annihilating almost everyone. The few who managed to escape were scattered, and slowly, one by one, the forest took them.

Now, she was the last.

She ran faster, even though her legs buckled beneath her, even though her vision blurred from the tears she refused to let fall. As she sprinted through the dense forest, the sound of rustling leaves caught her attention—a snake lunging toward her. Without stopping, she swiped her hand and unleashed a "Water Slash," severing the snake with precision. Its body dropped lifelessly behind her, but she didn't slow down. I cannot stop.

The pain in her legs was unbearable now, her feet bleeding freely. But then, through the haze of her exhaustion, she saw something—a cottage. A shelter.

Her heart pounded harder, hope blooming in her chest for the first time in days. With the last of her strength, she sprinted toward it, praying it wasn't another illusion.

Back at the Cottage

Alypos finished the last of his preparations as the sun began to set. The wild boar was already stripped of its skin, and the snake's core tucked away. The cuts on his hands throbbed, but he ignored the pain. Pain was the price of survival. It was something he had learned long ago. Emotions were luxuries he couldn't afford.

He glanced toward the horizon, feeling a sense of foreboding settling over him. He had seen the wolves from a distance the past few days, their forms shadowed in the trees. They hadn't approached him yet, but the threat lingered. The wilderness had a way of reminding you how fragile life truly was.

As he stacked the last of the firewood, something shifted in the air—an unfamiliar presence. He straightened, hand instinctively gripping his spear.

In the distance, beyond the tall grass, a figure appeared. Bruised, bloodied, and barely standing, but unmistakably human. The woman's blue hair shone in the dim light as she staggered toward his cottage.

Alypos's eyes narrowed. Who is she?