Much has happened since Oersted, former hero and once-champion of Lucrece, had set out to make things right by traversing time itself. He had landed not in his former home, but in a land as dry as the desert sands, and his first battle was with an enormous, powerful, furry creature of gold in a bid to rescue a child and his animal companion. For his spoils, a tusk broken from the beast and a strange glass bottle. He even made two companions out of his rescue: a young caveboy named Pogo, and a gorilla whom he had later learned was appropriately named Gori. Having felled the monster, Oersted was guided by Pogo to take his kill and bring it along with them to their home.

He wasn't surprised that his appearance would probably cause a fuss among Pogo's people. So many men in the same wild mane of hair, large noses, and fur pelts on their bodies were all jumpy at the sight of the unfamiliar man in strange, hard pelts from neck to toe. Their chief, an old man coated nearly completely in his own white hair and beard, was especially suspicious. But Pogo spoke, in a metaphorical way, on Oersted's behalf, showing his people the giant creature the new one brought as dinner. All of his people knew of the beast. A monster the chief warned his tribe to stay far away from because of its power.

To see it slain by this new, strange man, and taken to the tribe as an offering of peace, the tribe all cheered and celebrated that very same afternoon, eating at its golden, succulent meat once it was cooked and cut for all. The chief had come to accept Oersted and allowed him to stay. Pogo was happy about that. Gori… well, he was too busy eating his meal to really give any reaction. As he ate this rather crude meal with these people, the former knight couldn't help but appreciate this sense of comradery and familial connection they all had.

Oersted, after the grand feast and being welcomed into the tribe, would learn he would sleep with Pogo and Gori in their part of the cave. Their room was much like all the others the former champion had seen. Stone walls, stone ceiling, dirt ground, and the only things that made for beds and bed sheets were straw and fur pelts, respectively. The only thing he seemed to recognize as being similar to his former home were cupboards that were apparently made of stone. Even a couple baskets filled with dried bones and hard rocks sat nearby. As the cave had grown dark, the former champion went to sleep in his own 'bed' next to Pogo and Gori's beds.

There was just one slight problem with most of those nights, however.

"How in the name of all the gods can young Pogo stand Gori's snoring?" Oersted thought as his eyes twitched, unable to sleep.

As it turned out, while Pogo slept just fine, Gori's sleep was particularly loud. The snores kept the blonde man awake, never letting him rest. Not helping matters was that snot bubble that seemed to inflate and deflate whenever the gorilla snored. Truly, the young lad had to have ears of steel to even manage to survive the sheer torture of the auditory senses. Oersted was truly unlucky.

"Honestly, I could take the great sage's mutterings over this!" his thoughts added.

But then he felt guilty. That night was the last one he'd spend with friendly company back home. He remembered how the aged one slept, the events of their failed rescue and who they lost both in their minds. How he was unable to wake the great sage when he thought he saw his friend false alive and well. Before he…

…The bad memories distracted Oersted enough from Gori's snores. He regretted saying anything bad about the latter after much consideration.

From there, Oersted's new routine as part of Pogo's tribe had begun in earnest. He had learned the basics of hunting food outside to survive, collecting materials in order to better live in the cave, and even spent quite a while with the local smithy… or the tribe artisan, at least what he felt was the equivalent of a smithy in this period, giving materials and having the artisan, watching him actually create interesting items and weapons with them. Be it with pelts, sticks, bones, and stones, the artisan actually knew well enough to create great things with them. The artisan also liked having Oersted around, perhaps because he was interested in the former knight's 'pointy stick'. Maybe he wanted to make something like it one sunrise.

Oersted could tell since there were a couple attempts that were hanging on the cavern walls. He also had to gesture to him a couple times that trying to touch the sword the wrong way would not be good for his hands, and even figured he'd help by trying to create proper smithing mitts out of fur pelts. That bit of goodwill ended up earning the former champion an apparent spot as the artisan's assistant most of the time. Together, they helped expand the array of tools that the tribe had at their disposal, from smiling masks to protect their faces to even prickly stones that the former knight believed would hold their prey in place. From there, Oersted became a more notable member of the tribe.

The tribe began looking to Oersted and the artisan for better weapons and guards to better hunt with. Some had even decided to make little games out of it so those who played would win materials as prizes. Pogo, from what he noticed, had quite the discerning eye for this game, so he was often a familiar face for the tribe artisan. Gori mainly just partook in it for fun, the fallen hero of Lucrece believed. Though how so many tribesmen managed to fit in one pile of straw, he could not figure out for the life of him.

Pogo, as a result of all those games he won, had enough bone, rocks, sticks, and pelts to keep Oersted and the artisan hard at work at creating the best items for him. Upon his pelt, Oersted would create for Pogo something he dubbed 'the Wildheart Armor', which the former knight believed the young lad wanted to make as looking similar to his own armor, but with his own primitive twist. To complement it, Oersted and the artisan had also made a beastskin cap for Pogo to don, and one for Gori for good measure as well so the ape didn't feel left out since he was intrigued by his friend's new choice of wear. For his wrists, the Thump Drum, and for his feet as well as Gori's, the Rough Bands. And for a weapon, a finely crafted spear meant for agility and strength in equal measure. A Quick Spear if you will.

He had to smile. For this beginning age of man, Oersted could see Pogo looked much like a knight… though not many of the other tribesmen seemed to take Pogo all that seriously with his things. Perhaps they thought he was acting like a child playing pretend. The young caveboy didn't appreciate that much and would sometimes pout and sulk. The former hero could sympathize.

But this also reminded Oersted that he had to teach Pogo how to speak English if he was to avoid what happened to himself. Sure, not many people here seemed to have developed language, but he felt it was better to be safe than sorry. So, when he was not working with Clunk, he began trying to teach Pogo how to speak. Easier said than done. How did parents have such skill in teaching toddlers to speak?

Gori seemed to find the whole thing funny.

"Pogo." Pogo said his name once more. That seemed to be the only word that the lad could say with perfect certainty and pronunciation.

Oersted had trouble figuring out just how to get Pogo to learn. Either he didn't seem to understand him, or he just got bored so easily that he fell asleep while the knight tried teaching him. Truly, the attention span of the youth was wanting. If anything, he was just more interested in trying to do all those attacks he watched Oersted do against the golden furred monster. The former hero actually cursed his own capacity as a knight for that.

But Oersted was nothing if not perseverant. Eventually, he DID come up with a method that was sure to teach Pogo how to speak properly.

"Pogo."

Pogo blinked, hearing his name.

"Pogo?" he echoed.

"You, Pogo." Oersted said to him.

The youthful caveboy tilted his head at that. What was the new member of the tribe saying to him with his name?

The former champion pointed at him, repeating himself, "You, Pogo."

The boy seemed to struggle a bit with the word. But fortunately, a word– nay, a sentence actually came out of his lips.

"You, Pogo." He echoed.

Oersted shook his head, signifying that was incorrect. While he was glad to finally start making progress, he still had to make sure the young caveboy knew more than simple living and talking in grunts.

"Me, Oersted." Oersted told him. "You, Pogo."

"...Me… Ors-ted?" Pogo again echoed. "You, Pogo?"

Oh dear, now he had trouble pronouncing the knight's name. He hoped that wouldn't be a constant.

Shaking his head, the former champion corrected, "Me, Oersted. You, Pogo."

Then gesturing between himself and the boy, Oersted said, "Oersted. Pogo. Oersted. Pogo. Oersted…"

He intentionally trailed off, leaving it to Pogo to hopefully register the information in his head. He seemed to look directly at Oersted, blinking a few times. The former hero wondered if this actually did register with him. Then the young man seemed to make a thoughtful expression on his face. He then brought his hand up to Oersted, pointing at him…

"You… Ors-ted." He managed to speak. Then pointing at himself, he guessed, "Me… Pogo?"

Oersted smiled. Finally, progress! Well, kind of. He still mispronounced his name. But baby steps and whatnot.

"Exactly." He told him.

From there, Oersted did his best to teach Pogo much about how to speak just like he could. Pogo did ask one time if Gori could learn too… in his own way at least. But unfortunately Gori didn't seem all that interested and he was an animal. The time traveler knew there was no way he could help an ape speak, even if he was slightly more intelligent than any other creature he had seen. But he took satisfaction that he was helping Pogo learn more, helping him potentially avoid losing everything he cherished because he didn't speak up.

But one thing led to another, as it so often does. When the rest of the tribe had begun hearing and watching Pogo say different things, they all began looking to Oersted to see if they could do it too, even the elder. Thus the former knight was stuck teaching everyone else on top of Pogo. From there, everyone else started speaking like Pogo could, though they too kept mispronouncing his name as 'Ors-ted'. Some things you just can't change, he supposed.

The tribesmen all had their own names he could refer to now. Clunk, the tribe artisan. The cook, or 'meat heater', Niku. The game master, or 'funmaker', Tano. Even the chief had a name as well, Oji. Simple names for rather simple people.

As for Oersted, thanks to his contributions, he had become a well-known member of the tribe. A trusted member of their community, and a proud fellow hunter. For a time, Oersted felt like he was finally back in someone's good graces, finally living as part of them rather than above them as… a monster. True, he knew he still had to figure out how to get back to his own home, but right now, all of this? He was happy.

Now, after all these days of growing accustomed to life in this primitive time, he awakened to another dawn alongside Pogo… though Gori still snored, sleeping soundly even as their cave filled with light. The youth let out a yawn as he got up and shook his head awake, his green hair ruffled by his hand as he got out of his straw bed. He squinted as he felt the light just getting into his eyes.

"Nnn… Why big fire in sky need be so eye-hurty…?" Pogo could speak at least, but his grasp on the English language was still broken.

"Sun, Pogo." Oersted got up as well, running his hands through his hair to fix it up, also using broken English to help him understand. "It called sun."

"Pogo wish sun not so eye-hurty." Pogo corrected himself. He then looked to his ape friend, still snoring away, and then poked him with a stick, "Gori. Gori, no time for sleep. Time to wake."

But Gori was undisturbed, still snoring with a snot bubble from his nose. Pogo grumbled, being used to Gori often sleeping in when he got up just fine. He then looked at the bubble, then at his stick. He then poked the bubble, popping it. Gori grunted and finally stirred, getting up from his own straw bed. The ape looked to his longtime friend and made a few inquisitive, animalistic grunts.

Pogo rolled his eyes and told him, "Yes. Today we get meat. Prove us adults."

Gori seemed to cheer in his grunts, though he was more than likely excited at the prospect of getting food. Oersted seemed to understand why Pogo was up and raring to go, especially for today. From what he learned of this tribe's culture, hunting for food outside was considered a rite of passage for all its members. It showed that they were men who had the capacity to support the tribe and would not be a burden on their resources.

And today was going to be Pogo's chance to prove himself as a man. Not just some boy with no hair on his chest trying to emulate his rescuer.

Standing up on his feet, Oersted adjusted his armor, idly noting some of the dirt and dust that was gathering on it. Making a note to have it cleaned later, he looked to his two new friends and said, "We go now?"

Pogo and Gori nodded, and so, after the lad put on his unique attire, the three walked out of the cave. As they exited, one of the cavemen was found napping just outside their room. Pogo poked him awake, and the caveman got up with a pop of his snot bubble. He looked around, and then he began running off away from them. But then he immediately pulled an about face before running back to them.

In a rush, the caveman told them, "Pogo, Gori, Ors-ted, go see Oji! Oji wait in Oji Cave. No make Oji wait!"

And then he rushed back off towards the main cave, leaving them behind. Oersted crossed his arms, surprised they made quite decent progress at the very least. When he ended up having to teach the rest of them what he taught Pogo, he figured it would be more difficult to do so. But broken English was still broken, unfortunately. Maybe one day they'll learn how to better refine it to speak in proper sentences.

Either way, the three went on their way as well, entering the main cave. All around, other cavemen were going about their business. But when they saw Oersted, they all gave joyful greetings and waves, to which the former knight returned. Some were just… odd. Like this one caveman whom distracted Pogo by making him look away, and then just disappeared when Pogo wasn't watching. Literally no one else batted an eye at this.

"Hm… This must have been a time whence magic t'was not yet examined in full." The former knight thought. "To think, people used to wield sorcery with such ease that it just came naturally."

He remembered his friend false often talking about how powerful his magic was. That one day, glory would be his because of his mastery of the arcane arts. Back then, he had praised him for such skill… or at least he would have, if the false friend would have allowed him to do so. Now that he thought about it, the mage was interested more in hearing himself talk, wasn't he? As if his own voice was the only thing that he needed to validate himself.

Oersted felt his fists clenching again. Even now, that… monster just wouldn't leave his mind. Just remembering what he did… Everything that he put him through… Everything he took… Everything he destroyed…

"Ors-ted? Ors-ted!" Pogo's voice snapped him out of it. "Oji Cave this way!"

Oersted saw Pogo and Gori were ahead of him, just standing before a cave with a pair of horns set together in the shape of a stylized 'U' just above it, embedded in the rocks. He followed after them quickly, and the three entered the cave together. There, they saw Oji sitting upon his straw bed, practically above them as his room had an elevated ground to walk up. Oersted felt like he was back home, in the presence of his king in his throne room, and felt the instinct to kneel, but when he tried it before, Oji insisted he need not do so. Two other cavemen of the tribe followed them inside, standing at both east and west of them as the village chief stood up to approach them. Above him were two different-sized tusks, one small hanging above the larger one, hung by rope.

"Time has finally come." Oji spoke. His grasp on the English language while also broken, was actually better than the others. Oersted was glad that wisdom indeed came with age. "Pogo, you now ready to take test of age, and prove you man. Pogo go out into hunting grounds. Use tools. Find prey, hunt them for food for tribe. Follow Oji. Ors-ted come too."

With that, Oji walked past them, the two other cavemen walking after. Pogo and Gori looked curiously at each other, then to Oersted. The former knight wasn't sure shy Oji wanted him to come as well, since he already proved himself, but he didn't wish to disrespect the chieftain. So, the three followed after them, heading out towards the village entrance before taking a right to head out into the hunting grounds. There, Oersted could see the daylit grounds almost in full, where he could see a few animals running about, but more were no doubt in hiding. Not to mention the bones of some giant sharp-toothed creature sticking out of the rocks as well.

They appeared familiar to the former champion and he seemed to feel something ominous about it too. He took his mind off it by watching Oji and the caveman standing in front of the hill leading down to the grounds. They were discussing something while showing Pogo how he was to hunt. Apparently there was an emphasis on following his sense of smell. The caveman proceeded to show this process, hunting down a doe with three antlers. Oersted didn't recognize the species, though apparently the tribe called them tricorns?

The caveman then brought back a haunch of meat from his prey and brought it back to Oji, who approved of the catch with a nod. He then sent the caveman back inside with his meat before having Pogo take the man's place. He then pointed ahead, Pogo turning to see what he was pointing at… and the boy was then kicked down the hill and landed right on his face. Oersted winced, but Gori just sniggered at his friend's antics before following him down. The former knight went to follow him, but Oji suddenly stood in his way.

"Ors-ted no hunt with Pogo." Oji shook his head. "Pogo hunt by himself. Ors-ted follow Oji. Oji want tell Ors-ted big talk."

By that, the chief wanted to tell Oersted something very important and it had to be away from Pogo's prying ears. Oersted took one more look towards Pogo, who stood up and shook his face before looking up to his hero, whom he heard couldn't join him. Despite that, the young lad gave him an assuring toothy grin and shook his head before giving a thumbs up. He didn't need to say anything to say that he could take care of this himself.

Gori then coughed into his hand. Pogo of course amended. With his friend's help, of course. Gori nodded, happy to hear that.

"..." Oersted, confident that the boy will do well, nodded to Oji and replied, "Alright. Oersted follow Oji."

Oji grunted with approval, and so walked back into the cave as the former knight followed him. As they went, Oji spoke to Oersted.

"Ors-ted been with tribe for many suns and moons." He recalled as they walked down. "Been most helpful. Provided many food and tools. Provided words. Ors-ted could take tribe if wanted. But Ors-ted not take tribe. Ors-ted only help. Tribe is grateful. Oji is grateful."

Oersted was about to reply that he had no intention of taking Oji's place as leader as he had no aim to rule anything. Of course, he stopped himself before he spoke in his original speech pattern and spoke accordingly.

"Oersted not want rule. Oersted just want help." Oersted felt his appreciation for the finer art of speaking in verbose rising the more he spoke this broken English, but what could he do? "Tribe take Oersted in when he lost. Oersted just return favor."

"Oji happy hear that." The elder nodded before turning right towards another exit. Giving a nod to the caveman standing guard, the guard stood to the side as Oji turned back to Oersted and told him, "That why Oji tell Ors-ted something big. Something… concerning."

Oersted had also thanked the gods that Oji learned more complicated words better than the others. But still, for him to say something was concerning, that kept the former champion focused. He followed the village chief outside through the other cave and had to shield his eyes from the brightness of the sun yet again. When his eyes were ready, he then marveled at the sight before him. Beyond a sharp blockade made entirely of wood, there was a vast land even larger than the hunting grounds. He could see all sorts of animals running about, at least keeping a distance from the wooden fence, and beyond that was a vast canyon separating their side of the land from another in the distance.

"These Wildlands." Oji explained as Oersted stared at the land. "They untamed, where stronger beasts run free. Wildlands too dangerous for hunting. Hunting grounds safer. But that not why border made. Look far. What Ors-ted see?"

Oersted saw the hairy chief pointing out in the distance. Squinting his eyes, he could see something beyond the canyon. A narrow trail on the cliff's edge, leading towards another cave with ominous posts having skulls mounted on them. This was curious, the former knight noted. So this wasn't the only civilization in the area?

"That cave over yonder…" he finally said. "Who lives there?"

"That cave of rival tribe up north." Oji answered. "The Kuu."

"Kuu Tribe?" the blonde one echoed.

"Yes. Kuu strong, but not good tribe." Oji shook his head. "Near cave, others disappear. Never seen again. Maybe killed in Kuu god's name."

That widened his eyes. Killed for a god? Ritual sacrifice? Then would that mean this Kuu were a threat to the tribe? Was he going to have to deal with them in the future?

"Tribe fight Kuu before…?" Oersted asked Oji.

But then Oji shook his hairy form before putting his arms up in an 'x' formation.

"No. Tribe keep far from Kuu. No want fight. Tribe safe here." Oji denied. "Tribe safe thanks to sharp fence. It keep outsiders like Kuu out."

Oji seemed certain of that, but Oersted wasn't so sure. Especially since while things may have looked certain, something seemingly small would lead to bigger consequences. He experienced that firsthand back in his home. How it all crashed down. How everything he cherished was taken away in but a single night.

But how could he convince the chief not to take chances just because they have a sharp wooden fence as a barrier? He didn't want to question how Oji ruled his people and he respected what he wanted. Truly a conundrum for the former champion.

"Ors-ted." Oji's voice got his attention again. "Oji tell Ors-ted this as Oji see Ors-ted not as outsider, but as member of tribe. Mighty warrior. Should fence fall, Ors-ted help protect tribe. Ors-ted see?"

There, Oersted understood. Oji didn't rely solely on the fence, but had faith that he would protect them should threats come to pass. That put the former hero more at ease. He could definitely prove he could fight to protect them. He wouldn't fail them.

Not like he had before.

Nodding, he replied, "Yes, Oersted see. Oersted protect tribe with all he have."

Oji nodded with approval on his face and smiled, "Good. Oji like that. Now, that enough time. We see if Pogo pass test."

Oji walked past Oersted and back into the cave with a smile on his face. Oersted followed, though not before looking back at the face and the cave in the distance. Though he believed he would face what would threaten the tribe, that was an inevitability, he still had one concerning thought. Just what was this 'god' that the Kuu worshiped enough to have ritual sacrifices for? And was it more powerful than that beast he fought when he first came to this time?

Either way, the pair went back to the hunting ground to check on Pogo. And what should they find after their time spent talking over important things? Well, there indeed was Pogo alongside Gori, bringing in haunches of meat along with the dead bodies of several game! They didn't just take three from the easiest game. The pair had gone above and beyond, getting more meat for the tribe!

Without needing to speak, Oji approved with a nod while Oersted smiled, happy that the lad indeed proved himself a man. And that mood was shared with the rest of the tribe the rest of the day. Sharing their food altogether, Pogo was congratulated left and right for becoming an official adult, and the young caveman took pride in his success and the respect he got from his people. Oersted continued watching this with a smile, being reminded of the good times he once had. How the people cheered him on to rescue the princess.

The people he had failed… The people who turned him away so easily…

"No, don't focus on that." He told himself. "This is young Pogo's moment of glory. You should not spoil it with your own misery."

Indeed, Pogo's success was celebrated. And after the feast, and night enveloped the cave, everyone went to their rooms to sleep after a good day spent. Oersted went back with Pogo and Gori back to their cave, the gorilla immediately jumping to his straw bed and falling asleep, snot bubble and all, and the two went back to their beds as well, settling so they were comfortable. Pogo laid his head back and closed his eyes, a smile more than apparent on his face. Finally having proven himself to his tribe that he was a man, he was going to sleep much more soundly tonight.

…If only that would be the case for Oersted. At first, he fell asleep with ease, content that Pogo's day was grand. But as the hours passed, his dreams became memories. Very unpleasant memories. Memories of his fall. His failure.

"Why… Why now, husband. I waited. But you never came, husband."

T'was not his fault! He was here before, with comrades and heroes, but–

"In you I placed my trust. In you my faith. For Father…"

But now he was here! Villain most foul defeated! She was safe! He kept her faith true!

"Even though good HATED SORCERER, he… and yet, despite that wrong, he loved me still!"

'Tis naught but lies! 'Tis his fault that he came too late! Why his friends fell! Why–!

"He suffered… Dearly… For your sake. Your pride. A hero's legend built on sacrifice… With victories hard won by better men."

He was a traitor! A fraud! Through his schemes, the king, your father was murdered! He felt entitled to having you for himself! He ruined this land! He deceived you!

"Anointed hero! Glory to his name! And SERPENT-TONGUED DECEIVER, sweet and humble, be forgot."

He laughed as he reveled in good Hasshe's death! In taking your father's life! He cared nothing for the people of Lucrece! Only that he got what he wanted, no matter the cost!

"But not by me."

No… No, beloved princess, don't do it…

"I'll not betray our love!"

Princess! Don't! NOOOO—!

Then Oersted woke up with a shout and a cold sweat, breathing heavily and his eyes shaking. He was back in Pogo's cave. Not back home. Not at that moment. T'was but a nightmare entwined with horrible recollection. His hand was brought to his heart, feeling how fast it pounded, drumming in his ears.

"Ors-ted okay?"

He turned to his left, seeing Pogo staring at him with a concerned expression on his face. The former champion couldn't help but feel bad. His shout must have woken the poor lad up. He told himself not to ruin the boy's accomplishments with his woes, and here he was, getting him concerned all because of a bad dream. Truly a good way to heed his own advice, he jabbed at himself.

"Y-Yes, Oersted okay." The former knight assured the young caveman. "Bad dream is all. Let's go back to sleep."

"Can't go sleep." Pogo shook his head. "Gori gone!"

Catching that, Oersted looked to the other straw bed next to Pogo's and sure enough, their ape friend was nowhere to be seen. That was strange, the older male thought. Just where could he have gone without waking them up? He watched Pogo walk around, sniffing the air before looking out of his room. He had to have picked up a scent.

"Gori this way." Pogo confirmed to Oersted as the former hero got up. "Gori maybe want more meat in meat cave. Tummy never full. Gori big mouth."

The blonde sighed, knowing full well that Pogo was on point.

"We find Gori. Get Gori not eat all meat." Oersted figured.

Nodding, Pogo agreed, "Go sneak-sneak. Tribe all sleep-sleep now. No like wake-up at moonrise."

So the pair quietly left their cave and went in search of the young man's friend, following his nose along the way. They came into the main room, Oersted noticing one of the cavemen sleeping while guarding the exit. Well, he supposed he didn't have to worry that much, seeing as nothing was going to outright attack them late at night. He and Pogo entered the meat cave and sure enough they found Gori just sleeping on his back, snot bubble still present. They took a good look at all the meat present. Fortunately the ape did not get into any of it, so there was no risk of consequences or Niku getting angry.

Oersted could have sworn he heard something rustling, but it was probably just a figment of his imagination at this time of night. So, he went to wake up Gori… but Pogo beat him to it and actually punched Gori awake, making the ape stumble with a shout and fall on his face. He then got up and looked confused at his friend.

"Gori worry Pogo! Ors-ted have bad dream while Gori gone!" Pogo told off the ape. "We go back to room. We go sleep-sleep."

Apparently understanding that, Gori nodded and thus followed Pogo's lead. The trio then walked out of the meat cave so they could get back to sleep. However, after a few steps outside, Oersted noticed Pogo suddenly stopped. He and Gori turned to look at the green-haired youth looking back towards the meat cave, apparently sniffing the air.

"What wrong?" Oersted asked. "Pogo hungry?"

Shaking his head, his friend replied, "No no. Pogo smell something. Smell… pretty flower?"

Gori tilted his head with a curious grunt before sniffing the air with him. He let out an interesting sound, apparently smelling the same thing his friend did. Oersted couldn't help but be curious as well. When was the last time he smelled anything remotely like a flower around here? The lands were practically all rock save for grass and game to hunt.

The three went back inside, and there they noticed one of the haunches of meat was missing! The former champion could tell that meant someone or something was inside. Putting a hand to the hilt of Brion, he kept his eyes open for anything out of place. Pogo, feeling nervous in comparison to his hero, picked up a stray bone nearby and held it, ready to strike at anything that may threaten him, his friends, and the tribe. He looked towards the nearest pile of straw, inching towards it before gently poking it twice…

Then it rustled, spooking both Pogo and Gori and comically sending them jumping into the nearby wall as someone ran out of the pile! Oersted was so surprised by this reaction that he quickly went to help them up. When he did, he saw that the mysterious figure who ran out of the straw pile was gone, no doubt hiding in the other piles near it. But how to find them?

Oersted then decided to try the same thing Pogo and Gori did. He sniffed the air, trying to pick up that sweet scent that differed from the others. And lo, there it was. That fragrant, ravishing smell of a flower well-cared for. And it was coming from the right-most pile. He approached the pile, reaching towards it. And then of course, the figure rushed from it and into one of the other piles before he could react.

He had to blink. This one was quick.

Pogo then poked the middle pile. Again, the figure moved to a different one. Gori poked that one… and suddenly the figure was moving so fast that all the straw piles rustled at once. An attempt to throw them off. Instead, Oersted was just perplexed by what was happening, Gori's eyes were darting everywhere, and Pogo was getting fed up with this silliness. Then they all looked at each other and nodded before sniffing all at once. They picked up the scent once more and surrounded the one pile of straw it was coming from. They all reached towards it…

And then Gori just bumped into it three times before forcing the figure to let out a feminine sound and rush into that last straw pile, actually running with it to the end of the room. Gori then snickered as his human friend gave him a look. But they still looked curiously towards that trapped straw pile. They cautiously stepped towards it, but were stopped when they heard a large grumble coming from the pile.

"Dost thou think it could be a beast trying to scare us off?" Oersted asked, for a moment forgetting this wasn't his land's language and the people here still spoke it in a broken form thanks to him. "Erm… Think it beast?"

"Mmmm…" Pogo thought on that. "No, sound not like beast. Sound like tummy when food need. Maybe strange thing food need too."

Oersted scratched his head. Just what could they feed whatever or whoever this is with– then he remembered just where they were. Seeing a spare haunch of meat nearby, he couldn't help but sigh. The tribe would probably be upset over the missing meat, but they could easily hunt for more cometh the dawn. The former knight picked up the haunch and then brought it back, intending on giving it to whatever was in the straw pile. But then Pogo took the haunch.

"Pogo do it." The young lad told him.

"Pogo sure?" The older of the pair asked.

"Pogo man of tribe now. Pogo prove it." He was certain.

With that, Pogo gently approached the pile, meat haunch extended. Like an olive branch of peace… and then Pogo was hit in the head with a spare bone, dropping the meat haunch near the straw pile. Oersted sighed while Gori sniggered again. The former hero decided he would not let this apparent rejection go unanswered and stepped forth to take matters in his own hands. But instead, Pogo held him back, shaking his head. This would apparently take a bit of time to handle.

So, leaving the stranger with the meat, they waited outside the meat cave for a minute or two before Pogo felt it was alright to head back inside. Once they did, they saw that the meat was missing again. The strange thing must have eaten the meat when they were outside. Once again, they cautiously approached the pile. Then the pile approached them, having them step back. The pile rose up, revealing a pair of feet and making the three stand at the ready for what they were about to see. The pile approached them again… and then the person underneath lifted the pile from their person with a gasp.

Pogo jumped in shock and awe while Oersted's jaw dropped and his eyes went wide. Why, the strange thing was no hideous creature, but a beautiful woman! A tall, slim girl with long magenta-colored hair, adorned by a headdress made up of a magnificent conch shell. Her body, as beautiful as she, was curvaceous and wearing the most revealing attire: scallop shells over her chest and her lower regions. She also appeared to have little shiny green ear accessories that Oersted could barely make out. And then there were her eyes, vibrant and purple much like her hair.

This was the first woman Pogo had seen, actually fainting to the ground at the mere sight of here. She fixed her hair before looking at the young caveman curiously before he got up. He took another look at her, and sure enough his face turned beet red and he immediately got all bashful. However, Gori couldn't help but still view this strange girl with suspicion, and Oersted, well…

"In you alone I place my faith."

"...Alethea…?"

It came out as but a whisper from the former knight's lips, but looking upon this girl, to him, she appeared the spitting image of his beloved princess. The long hair, the glittering eyes, her large… tracts of land. The only difference was that she wore much less, and her eyes were purple. But still, Oersted could not help his hand reaching out towards her. He could not help his feet stepping towards her. She was so radiant. So…!

But the woman got spooked and stepped back. This reaction made Oersted freeze as well.

"I won't betray our love!"

She stabs herself for the man responsible for Lucrece's downfall, the death of everyone they cared for, blaming him for crimes and actions he did not commit, JUST LIKE ALL THE REST–

Oersted gasped and then jumped back, his hand quickly pulling out his sword and holding it before himself, breathing heavily as he looked upon her with fear and pain. This action confused the other three. Pogo and Gori hadn't seen their friend act so strangely before. What was there to be scared of? The woman just didn't know what to make of this weird man with the weird pelts and that shiny pointy stick.

But then Pogo snapped out of it and then began assuring the woman by bowing to her. Basically to show that they meant no harm. The woman looked at him, then to the ape and the former knight. Gori seemed to still look at her with suspicion, and the blonde just seemed to be sweating as he kept that pointy stick up. The young caveman noticed this too and so knocked Gori over the head before approaching his uncharacteristically frightened hero.

"Hey, Ors-ted okay?" He asked. "Ors-ted drip much water from face. No beast here."

Oersted continued breathing, his eyes still shaking even as he looked towards Pogo. The tension started leaving his body as he looked around at the others with him. He looked again at the woman. Her eyes were different. Not filled with contempt or scorn. This wasn't his princess. He had to remember that.

He slowly put Brion back in its sheath, taking deep breaths to calm himself and wipe the sweat from his brow.

"Just… bad dreams…" Oersted answered Pogo. "No want talk now."

That did very little to comfort the young caveman, but he knew better than to press him. He then went back to the female and made several gestures to her, no doubt assuring her that she was safe. He then did some flexes and punching motions, apparently signaling he would protect her if something happened. The woman, understanding these gestures, felt more at ease and smiled. She then knelt down and gave Pogo a kiss on the cheek. He gasped, blushed and spun, feeling like he was dancing on air and making her giggle. Gori, watching this scene, just grunted with a roll of his eyes.

Oersted, despite his own reservations, couldn't help but find the scene endearing. Pogo actually developed a crush on a female. Now that Oersted thought about it, it shouldn't have surprised him. She was the only woman he had seen in this period of time thus far. Perhaps even the first woman Pogo had seen since there was a peculiar absence of them in the tribe. It made him wonder how they even populated… although that in itself was probably a question he shouldn't ask.

"We bring girl to room." Pogo said to him and Gori. "She be safe there."

"Surely?" Oersted raised a brow to question that. "Then how sneak her past awake people?"

"Uh…" Pogo deflated, unsure of how to answer. His hero had a good point.

But then Gori jumped with a shout and pounding of his chest. His animal brain for once had a breakthrough, and so had an answer to this little dilemma! Picking up one of the straw piles, Gori then placed it over the woman, hiding her underneath! He then gave a toothy smile and a thumbs up to Pogo, who understood what his friend was showing them.

"That it, Gori! You do a smart!" The young caveman praised his friend.

Gori sniggered in turn, proud of the praise he was getting. But the girl did make a worried and inquisitive grunt, probably meant to ask if this would really work. Pogo nodded to her with an affirmative grunt and held his hand out to her. She gently took his hand and so he led her along. Oersted and Gori followed behind, looking at each other for a moment before following them. Quietly and carefully they trekked back to their room, making sure others were still asleep as they crept.

When they approached their room, they found one of Pogo's fellow cavemen was snoring away right outside it. With an annoyed grunt, the young lad went ahead and pushed him out of the way. Of course this woke him up, but Pogo easily directed him back to his own cave and he went back there without any issue, or even any questions due to his still tired state. With that, they were finally in the clear and they went inside their room.

With a yawn, Pogo and Gori headed to their beds to get comfortable. But before they could go to sleep, Oersted cleared his throat to get their attention.

"Where girl sleep?" He asked the important question as she slipped out of the straw pile.

"Oh!" Pogo realized it himself.

Hopping out of bed, he looked about for a place that she could sleep comfortably on. He looked over to Gori, but his ape friend shook his head and already went to sleep before he could suggest he leave his bed. He then looked over to Oersted's bed, but looked hesitant. He could never ask him to just let a stranger use his bed…

But Oersted could see the conflict in the boy's eyes and thus waved it off.

"No worry." The former knight told him. "Girl use Oersted's bed. Oersted not mind."

"Ors-ted sure?" The caveman asked.

"Oersted sure."

Pogo then started making the, ahem, 'necessary' adjustments to their sleeping arrangements by moving to the other side of Oersted's bed and kicking it closer towards his own. He patted the bed out, making it nice and comfy for her to slip into, and then went into his own bed. He looked at her, waiting for her to join him. The woman looked a little shy, but since he was nice enough to do this for her, she came up to the bed and got herself inside, turning onto her side so she could sleep. The young caveman watched this with a smile before looking up to the ceiling, happy that this had happened to him. Then finally, he fell asleep.

The only one left awake then was Oersted. With no bed to sleep in, he walked over to the wall and sat up against it. A familiar position that he slept in before, back in the Archon's Roost. Not as comfortable as the bed, but he was used to it. He stared at the three sleeping more comfortably, especially the girl. He knew she was not his princess, but the resemblance was much too uncanny. An ancestor, perhaps?

He shook his head, rebuking himself, "Stop thinking such things, Oersted. Thou were embarrassing thyself back there. Frightened of a girl just because of how close your love lost, she appears. Let not your pain interfere with others. 'Tis not their business. Do not pull them into it."

But even so, there were still a few things he had worried about. This girl… how did she get past the fence without hurting herself? Where did she even come from? What will Oji do once he learns of a stranger appearing in the night? What will happen to Pogo since he had developed a crush and was sheltering her?

All these questions… and the former champion of Lucrece desperately hoped they would not lead to another tragedy. For Pogo's sake, and everyone else he had come to know.

—-

Night was still upon the wildlands, and normally things would be still. Even for the animals. However, on this night, more than animals were on the prowl. Men with long red hair and purple pelts were on the hunt, killing any game they came across while still keeping an eye out for what they were truly searching for. If they failed in finding it, it would surely be them who would be sacrificed in place of the original choice who escaped the moon prior.

Their leader sniffed the air, looking for a particular scent. Since the sacrifice's escape, his chief had him and his fellow warriors rally together to find her and bring her back or else their god would be angry and bring his wrath down upon them. He never believed in this whole sacrifice business, personally, but he was the tribe's finest warrior, and his chieftain's orders were law. He just wished that it wasn't done on the back of so many others. All those people lost. Taken…

He shook his head. He had no choice in this matter. He sympathized, but there was nothing he could do about it. Per their law, a sacrifice must be offered. The clan must survive.

Zaki will obey, for the prosperity of the Kuu.

—-

Hey guys, sorry for the wait when it came to this chapter. I've just been busy working on the penultimate chapter of the Amity Park arc for my other fic (which finally has a TVTropes page now, so check it out when you can and see if you can expand on it too) and real life since I'm studying screenwriting books. Not to mention been playing games like Octopath Traveler II, Like a Dragon: Ishin!, Marvel: Midnight Suns, and so on.

And while I'm at it, I'm going to be revising an original story of mine so I can get that off of the ground as well, so it will probably be a while before I get back to both of these fanfics. But don't worry, neither of them are going to be dead as a result of this. It's probably just going to be slow going for a bit. Best to tell you guys in advance so you don't get stuck waiting for updates.

Thanks again to The Swordslinger for beta'ing this story. See you guys then once new chapters come up!