In the far south,,, a village stood hidden in the densed forest, in the heart of the lush. It dense foliage forming a protective barrier against the outside world. Towering trees stretch towards the sky, their canopies intertwining to create a vibrant green canopy that shelters the village below.
Not only did the village has tall and giant pines protecting it from the outside world,,, it also promised a merciless weather
Aside the gigantic trees serving as a boundary and protective shield to the village,,, there were mountains too,,, making the temperature drop lower than the rest of the villages located in the northern and eastern parts of the lands
It also had a vast coast,,, the sea always kissing the sky. Living in the village was a survival due to the cold weather…
Inside the village lies the most beautiful hats ever found in any village .
The hats were colorful sombreros,intricately woven pamana hats. Each hat told a story of it own, reflecting the village's rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship.
Kario
A man stood inside a hat….
He was tall and powerful….
The dimly lit room casts a mysterious glow on the man's chiseled features.His broad shoulders and strong jawline are accentuated by the subtle shadows, highlighting his rugged masculinity.He had his biceps and triceps all intact.His piercing eyes seem to gleam with intensity , drawing you in with an unspoken confidence. The soft light dances across his toned physique , showcasing the defined muscles beneath his skin.
One hand grips his waist tightly,,, while the other holds onto his saki firmly, it tips seen lit a little bit…..
(It smells like tobacco, but it wasn't like the usual tobacco..
It was made of well grinded tobacco,, mostly with mortar and pestle,,, adding the major ingredient which is the saki leaves,,and sweet grass to add flavors to it.
A little amount is placed inside animal skin,,, well crafted into thin layers,,, rolled into stick forms. After all this process ,then its finally ready to be smoked. It was seen as a luxury in the village,,, that no ordinary being could afford ).
He had a bear's head tattoo proudly dancing at his back,,, animal fur coat covering half of his body….
" You went to pay your old folks a visit, yeah??,, Kanaq asked mocking
" Yeah,you're right my good friend",he turned slightly, now properly facing his friend,,, a smile played on his lips,,,
He removed his mask,,, bringing his other eye into full view.
The mostly masked eye had it pupil being ocean blue,, with a flicker of gold in it…
Whiles the one always visible to the eyes of man ,deep brown,, a flicker of golden dancing gloriously in it…
He was a beauty….
With a swift movement,
He could easily wins millions heart.
" How was it then,,, tell me Kario,,, how shocked was the old lady???,,, Kanaq asked already knowing the mischievous answer his friend was going to give….
" Well with that,,, let me say eternal,,, Kario smirked.
Kanaq knew better,,, he knew what Kario was capable of….
" Did she accepted it??? Kanaq question….
Slightly amused by how the conversation was turning
" No,,, she didn't,,, I expected the least Kanaq"
Kario replied lazily
Dude,, that woman is tough ,,, I bet she put out a fight….Kanaq chipped in
" You said tough ??? I only see Asena as a stubborn woman…
" She didn't expect to see me,,, and what I told her was a double blow to her face…..
She was scared and annoyed at the same time
The exact reaction I wanted to see on her face,, she throwed few curses and tantrums,,, but I cared less
"Kanaq, she can't stop me from taking her,,, she is mine,,, born to bow beneath me and mine to play with as I pleased.
It was obvious from the beginning ….
"I have no doubt Kario,",, it's about time you stop tormenting these poor souls…
Well, well,,, do you have any news for me Kanaq??? Kario sat sat down in the chair, leaning in small,, supporting his chin with his left hand…
The mission was successful,,, all the ships went down
Kanaq said calmly
That old fool never learns his lessons,, we will deal with him in the harder way....
************
I sat there,,, quietly looking at my old friend …
He was there,, just in time to save me.
( Flash back)
The day my father died was one of the life changing moments that I will never ever forget…..
I came back from the woods when my Dahani sensed danger,,,, I felt this chill inside in…
I heard noises and saw shadows inside my father's hat.....
My father was having a heated argument with someone ,,, I couldn't make out the person's face,,, but all that I heard was a scream, a heart wrenching one...
I quickened my pace,,, barged into my father's hat only to see him stabbed multiple times…..
I saw the horror, the pain and the disappointment he had in his eyes…
I couldn't bare sight that was infront of me
My chest tightened with sadness….
He saw me making my way towards him,,,, he tried to make gestures ,, signaling for me to go away and not to touch him…..
I quickly went to pull the dagger out of his belly so I could stop the bleeding ….
I tried as much as I could but I wasn't able to pull the dagger out from his body,, then it dawn on me…
The dagger was cursed,, I couldn't pull it out of him,, neither was I able to remove my hands from it…..
I shouted,,,, calling the guards ,, but the betrayal was grave,,, one I will never ever forget
They planned all this…..
I just kneeled there,,, my abani drenched in my fathers blood,,, the pain was so unbearable…..
I felt helpless,,, I watched as my father's life slowly slipped away….
And at his last breath he murmured something into my ears
"Ahiga"
I sat there,, motionless as I saw the very figures that killed my father walked to us….
Then he asked what I have done,,, as if he was blind to what transpired here
I couldn't say a word,,,not because I was a coward
But because I didn't have the energy and power to fight that very day,,, all evidence pointed right at me,,, I was only fifteen
Then I saw my mother and other few guards entered,,, those I called upon and got no reply
I was in a daze..
My mother shook me frantically,, her cries filling the room,, her cries echoed everywhere.
"Tell me, tell me you didn't do it??? She pleaded,,the sight alone broke my heart
Please Kario,, just one word…..
Then the culprit shouted…
"What evidence do you need Hawa,,, that child of yours killed his father with his own hands,,, I saw him with dagger,,, stabbing Udaka multiple times.
He is a traitor
" Tell me it wasn't you, tell me you didn't do it Kario,,my mother pleaded
"The king's dagger makes no mistake
See how it clutch to you….
You're a sin to this village,, you deserve to die… Ahiga shouted, grinning secretly,,, amazed by himself for pulling those strings
Am I wrong elders???
They all bowed down their heads,not that they were scared of me,,, but because they were ashamed of me
My mother shook her head in disagreement
" My Kario cannot do that,,, elders?? My mother intervened…
" You believe me right, Melan???
She was desperate..
" Yess sister,,, I really believe you,,, but I can't turn a blind eye to the fact that the dagger clutches to him…..
Our creator do not lie
But he is still my nephew ,,,please let's reconsider
Death is too much for a kid who is only fifteen
They all nodded in agreementment
We've heard all that you've said wise Melan,, let's put him behind bars…
His punishment will be decided later
Then the guards came in,, dragged me roughly on the ground to the village's heart,, stones bore wholes into my skin
I didn't feel anything,,, comparing to the pain and numbness that I was feeling right now,, this pain was nothing
Then I heard the palace messenger announcing that one news that I never in my wildest dreams thought I would hear….
" our great king Udaka passed away, and Kario is the culprit ",, how ironic it sounds
Me of all people ,,, killing my own father??!