Chapter 75: Your new home

"Good, now that the majority of you have agreed to join us, you all should start packing now. Only take the essentials and the things you can carry. Livestock, if you have any, will have to be left behind. Pets are able to make the journey to our village, so they are welcome to travel with us."

Kanan continued to explain the travel plans to the people of the Typhon tribe, telling them the dangers that lurked close by, the way they would have to travel, shortcuts they would have to take, and that those who could fight would need to defend those who couldn’t.

Young children and the elderly would be traveling with them as well, so rests would be needed. Because of this, Kanan made sure to have everyone fill up their waterskins for the journey.

It had only taken Kanan’s group no longer than three days to arrive at the Typhon Tribe’s village, but with over 300 people, he expected the journey to take over a week, and that was on the shorter end.

"S-Sir Shaman, are we able to bring our weapons as well? I-I do not wish for you to think that we will attack you, but to defend ourselves from the dangers that lurk—"

"You do not need to explain your reasoning behind bringing weapons." Kanan smiled. "It is only natural that you travel with one. It would be foolish not to. Bring as many weapons as you need. As long as you can carry them, of course."

"Thank you, sir shaman!"

Selin, Kanan, and Jol watched as everyone packed, cried, and prepared to leave, some even cursing and refusing to budge from their spot.

It was understandable. These people had lived their whole lives as the Typhon tribe, and the culture followed them, regardless of their relocation.

There was history wherever they traveled, stories they told their children, who would then pass it on to their own. But most importantly, there was the blood of their fallen that marked these lands.

Spirit beings are who the Typhon Tribe worship, and the souls of their ancestors speak to them when conjured. It was bad enough that they had to leave their tribal land months ago, but now, they had to leave this new place they had called home.

Sure, they planned on taking the Nemean Tribe’s village to make it their own, but they would move their whole culture and history there with them. Now, they would have to blend it into a culture that doesn’t like them, and the feeling was mutual on their end.

Still, it was pretty sad to see it all crumble away. At least that’s how Kanan felt.

He was from the modern day, regardless of how his caveman brain was wired. There was innocence in every warring faction, culture hidden behind agendas and propaganda.

After all, the winners got to decide what stayed and what went. This is why Kanan had no animosity toward these people. He didn’t hate them, definitely not. He only hated their ideals, their support of his tribe’s destruction.

But what of the kids who didn’t know better? Could he hate them? The answer was no. Children were a product of their environment; therefore, Kanan held no anger toward them, even toward their own ideals.

"Are you sure that it’s best to allow their culture to survive in our village? Our history, traditions, and practices could be changed unknowingly, and future generations wouldn’t be able to know what was original, or what came from these Typhon dogs."

Jol was still adamantly against the Typhon Tribe joining their own, but he had no choice but to accept it. As for their culture, that was something he wasn’t obligated to accept.

"Learning from others is how we grow. Their culture is not what led to our people hating each other; it was the fight for survival that did. Allowing them to keep their culture is what will keep their people from hating us even more. Also, it will allow us to learn more about each other. That leads to growth."

Kanan couldn’t believe that he was speaking like this. It was only a few days to a week ago that he voted to eliminate every Typhon warrior who had attacked his home. Now, he was preaching about philosophy.

Selin was impressed. "You are young, yet wise, Kanan. I cannot wait to see how great you become as you get older."

"Thank you."

---

An hour had passed, and the Typhon Tribesmen were finally ready to depart their village. Some cried, others said silent prayers, while the majority didn’t look back.

No one was left behind, even the stubborn ones, once they realized that they wouldn’t be able to survive without a comminity.

"Is everyone ready?" Kanan asked

"Yes. I have double and triple checked everything." Telah replied. "We are ready."

"Then let us depart."

The group set off toward the Nemean Village, following the trail they took in reverse. As expected, the journey would take longer than normal because of the number of people and those who were young or old.

Still, they moved with haste, taking breaks only when needing to, resting early to move early, fighting off the occasional monster that crossed their paths, and saving people who happened to venture off course or trip down a steep slope.

The elements of nature hit everyone hard, especially when the winds were strong and the rain beat down on their bodies. Cold from the mountain set in their bones; the air was hard to breathe, but they still pushed forward.

Kanan wasn’t used to a journey like this, and he started to lag behind. He was stronger than normal thanks to his spirit energy and the Spirit Spring Water that he absorbed, but his mental strength and comfort weren’t up to par.

Instead of acting strong, however, he allowed his weakness to show. He hoped it would set an example to the Typhon Tribe, one that told them that even their greatest wasn’t invincible.

And when Telah decided to help him, as the trek up the mountain caused him to nearly stumble back, the example he was trying to set worked out a lot better than he expected.

"Thank you." He said gratefully

"You spared my people, gave us a place to stay even when we tried to take what belongs to you, and you’re promising that we will be treated fairly and not as slaves. It is I who should be thanking you."

"Heh, you’re a lot different from before."

"How so?"

"When we first met, you were all angry and crazy. Nearly beat me to a pulp."

"Ah, that’s my intimidation persona. I use it against my enemies. I’m normally calm like this."

Kanan liked this Telah, though; he did like the other one as well. "I see."

Verin caught up to the two of them after hearing their conversation and couldn’t help but join in. "Just don’t catch her when it’s time to train; she’s as wild as a wolf and will shout until your ears bleed."

"Oh? Is that so?" That reminded Kanan of Selin, except she was a calm evil. The days when he had to undergo Spirit Energy Reflux were the worst.

’Shit! I’m not finished with my training! Dammit!’

"Verin," Telah smiled, a hint of danger lurking on her face. "Sleep with one eye open tonight."

Verin gulped. "R-Right."

Once the trek down the mountain was complete, it wasn’t long until they reached the village, and once it was in sight, all of the Typhon villagers gasped in awe at the grand structure that stood before them.

"Everyone, welcome to your new home. I hope we get along and can live as one people from now on. Come, let’s get you all situated."