Primitive Man

Baktou lay on a makeshift bed in a dimly lit room, his body aching from the wounds he had sustained in battle against Moga.

His breathing was shallow, and he could feel his strength waning with each passing moment. He knew that this might be his last moment, and his thoughts began to drift.

In his hazy state, he found himself in a dream, standing in a beautiful meadow bathed in golden sunlight. He looked around and saw Garnt and Unami, both smiling warmly at him.

"Garnt! Sister!" Baktou exclaimed, his voice filled with joy and surprise.

Garnt, a tall and strong figure that he admired, stepped forward and clapped Baktou on the back. "Baktou, my brother! It's good to see you. Where have you been all this time?"

Unami, his sister, approached with a loving smile. "We've missed you, Baktou."

Baktou couldn't believe his eyes. It had been years since they had been together like this or that is what he felt like. "I've missed you both so much. How is everyone?

Did you manage to kill Moga?"

Garnt chuckled. "Don't worry about little things. Well, let's rest for now."

As Baktou watched, he saw children running and playing in the meadow, their laughter filling the air. His heart swelled with happiness as he recognized them as Garnt and Unami's children. They had grown so much.

One of the children, a little boy with Unami's eyes and Garnt's smile ran up to Baktou and hugged him tightly. "Uncle Baktou, we've been waiting for you to play with us!"

Tears welled up in Baktou's eyes as he hugged the child back. "I've been waiting too, little one."

Garnt ruffled the boy's hair and said, "Baktou, you'll always be family to us."

Unami nodded, her eyes filled with love. "We'll always be here for you, no matter what."

Baktou felt a warmth spreading through his body, and his pain began to fade away. He knew that this dream was a beautiful farewell gift, a reminder of the love and family that had sustained him throughout his life.

With a contented smile, he said, "Thank you, Garnt, Unami, and all of you. I'll cherish this moment forever."

As the dream world embraced him, Baktou's heart was filled with peace, knowing that even in his last moments, he was surrounded by the love and happiness of those he held dear.

At least that was how he imagined things would go, but then he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his ears.

"What are you even talking about? Talking like you're on the verge of dying," his sister scolded, standing beside him and pulling his ear firmly.

Baktou winced in pain, but his sister's words had a strangely reassuring effect as they brought him back to the real world. Meanwhile, Gundo chuckled softly and approached with a gourd of medicine in her hand. "Finally, you're awake," she said with a warm smile. "Garnt would be happy to see you."

Unami's makeshift anger turned into tears of joy as she saw her brother waking up. Without hesitation, she embraced him tightly, crying softly as she held him. Baktou, though still in pain, managed a weak smile as he hugged his sister back.

"I'm sorry, sister," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion.

Unami didn't reply instead she released him, while looking at the entrance of the hut like she was expecting someone.

Garnt entered the hut, and upon seeing Baktou awake, his face lit up with a mix of happiness and concern. Baktou tried to sit up, but the pain that surged through his body reminded him of the ordeal he had just endured. He winced and lay back down, his face contorted in discomfort.

"How are you feeling, Baktou?" Garnt asked, his worry evident in his voice.

Gundo, holding the gourd of medicine, approached Garnt's side. She looked at him with a gentle smile. "He got quite a few broken bones, Garnt. It's going to take some time to heal properly.

He should definitely rest and let his body recover."

Baktou, ever the stubborn one, attempted to argue, but Unami pinched his ear firmly. "You heard her, Baktou. No arguing. You need to rest and heal."

Garnt, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke up. "Baktou, you did well down there. None of this is your fault. The responsibility of the miners and what happened in the mines is not on your shoulders.

You need to remember that."

Baktou averted his eyes, unable to meet Garnt's gaze. He knew that Garnt was right, but the weight of responsibility had been heavy on his conscience. Still, hearing those words from his mentor and brother provided a measure of comfort.

Garnt continued, "We'll support you through this, Baktou. You're not alone in this journey of recovery, so let us take care of you now."

With that, Baktou felt a mix of emotions—gratitude, relief, and a sense of belonging. He nodded, tears welling up in his eyes. "Thank you, Garnt, Unami, Aunt Gundo. I won't forget your kindness and support."

Unami bit her lip, her heart aching as she watched Baktou's tears. She couldn't help but feel the pain he was going through, and it was as if her own heart was being crushed by the weight of his emotions.

'Baktou never even cried as a kid. This is the first time I saw this happening.'

She muttered to herself with sadness.

After reassuring Baktou, Garnt and Unami exchanged a knowing glance. They understood that Baktou needed time to heal both physically and emotionally. They quietly left the room, leaving Baktou in Gundo's capable hands.

"Don't worry, Garnt. I learnt a lot thanks to your gift. I'm confident in my ability to heal all these people,"

Gundo gently forced Baktou to lie down while muttering those words, and she called over a few girls from the village to take care of the miners.

They set up a makeshift area for the injured miners who were scattered around the room. Some had broken limbs, while others had deep cuts and bruises from the mining accident.

Among the injured miners, there was one man who seemed particularly traumatized, who had been a victim of a horrifying incident involving Moga, the brutish man who had forced himself on him.

The trauma had left the man emotionally scarred, and he lay there, shivering and unable to speak about what had happened.

[I didn't think that wild animal like man would go this far. What did he even expect to happen?]

Meanwhile, Garnt, consumed by anger that he kept hiding, left the room and headed towards the river. He grabbed some stones and angrily threw them into the water, causing huge splashes that mirrored the turmoil within him. Unami followed him, concerned for his well-being.

As Garnt continued to vent his frustration on the river, Unami approached him quietly. She sighed and then hugged him from behind, trying to provide some comfort.

"Unami, what are you doing?' Throwing his final stone, Garnt questioned but she didn't answer.

"..."

Garnt finally stopped throwing stones and turned to Unami. His eyes were filled with pain and determination, as he understood she was trying to share his burden. "I knew someday a threat that could harm our village would appear," he said, his voice heavy with emotion.

"But the death of our people hurts so much."

Unami nodded in understanding. "Garnt, just like you told Baktou, it's not your fault. We'll face this together as a community, as a family."

"I will cut that man like a damn roasted meat! I'm angry too." Saying those words, Unami paused for a minute but then she suddenly did something bold.

Moved by their shared pain and determination, Unami leaned in and kissed Garnt without any restraint, a moment of happiness amidst the chaos and sorrow that had befallen their village.

Unami had expected Garnt to refuse her kiss, but to her surprise, he allowed it, letting her find solace in that tender moment. When she released him, she was prepared for questions, but Garnt surprised her again.

"Why did you kiss me, Unami?" he asked softly, his voice filled with curiosity.

Unami looked into Garnt's eyes, her heart pounding with both fear and anticipation. "Because I want to be a comfort to you," she replied honestly, her voice trembling slightly.

A painful smile formed on Garnt's face, and he pulled Unami into a warm embrace. Unami stayed silent, gently patting his back, giving him the space he needed to process the whirlwind of emotions that had engulfed their village.

Suddenly, Garnt pulled away but held onto Unami's hand firmly. His gaze was intense, and he mentioned something that sent Unami's heart racing even faster. "Unami, you remember your confession? Well, I think it's time I give you an answer."

Unami's heart was in her throat as she anxiously waited for Garnt's response. Her palms grew sweaty as she tried to prepare herself for whatever he was about to say.