A new day

A warm sensation, as well as the feeling of touching hair, the boy jerked up panicky from the floor with drops of cold sweat flowing from his forehead. He hurriedly left the room and returned, holding a lightened candle in his hand that brightened the room a little. A woman was lying face down at its center, surrounded by scattered opened books, a sight that almost made the boy drop his candle.    

She is alive, he thought as he checked her breathing, putting the candle on the floor and trying to raise her and put her on the bed. He was exhausted, though. Carrying the woman until the bed, he could hardly keep his footing, collapsing, in the end, on the bitterly cold floor. 

No! I have to get up!

However, his body wouldn't listen to him. He was devoid of strength. 

"I have to get up! I have to get up..." He kept on muttering as his eyelids began to close. 

...

...

"Wake up, sleepyhead! It's already morning!" The Great Shaman shouted with a singing voice. 

"That geezer... Ouch! My body hurts everywhere." 

Seeing Sirius's sleepy expression become pained and then start yawning again, a small laugh escaped from the man's mouth. 

"I heard that you finally made some new friends. I was a little worried when I saw in what kind of state you returned yesterday, but I guess you just played a little more than usual?" 

"Is this how friends play with each other here? No, more importantly, how do you even know what happened yesterday?" 

"Haha, I'll leave that to your imagination. Don't worry! Starting today, you'll learn how to put some fight, or at least become more durable..." The Great Shaman commented with a mysterious smile while gesturing at the boy to sit at the table. 

Do they plan on torturing me? Sirius shivered upon thinking of the imminent training he would start today. 

"By the way, I'll have to leave for a few days, so you'll have to take care of yourself on your own for a little time. I have agreed with a woman from the village to bring you food every day. The problem is..."

"Don't worry about me. I can handle several nights," Sirius suddenly said, knowing why the Great Shaman was anxious about leaving him alone. 

"Don't be stubborn and listen to me. I have already talked to your friend's parents, I am talking about that girl, Nerida, and you can stay over there until I return." 

Sirius felt a little touched. The Great Shaman never stopped looking after him despite the problems he had created for him. For one year, he remained by his side, holding his hand at night until he fell asleep, delaying his many responsibilities in order not to leave him alone. 

"No... Let me try! Please! If I become afraid of the darkness again, I promise I'll go to Nerida then."

"Why do you continue being stubborn about this! You have no reason..."

"I can't keep on being scared. I have to stop running away from my fears, or I'll never become strong. Please... Father!" 

This boy...

It was the first time he called him like that. Not calling him a geezer or old man, but a father. How hard he had tried to win his trust, only he knew the answer. 

"Alright, alright. Leave! You shouldn't make the Chief wait for you." 

"Have a nice trip, old man," with the man's consent, Sirius hurriedly exited the hut with a triumphant smile on his face. 

"What I'll do with him," the Great Shaman muttered while wiping the tears from his eyes. 

...

...

Walking through the village had been one of Sirius's favorite diversions since his first day in the tribe. He loved the liveness of the outside, the picturesque scenery of lush green around him, but most importantly, how his strolling reminded him every time that he had escaped from his prison, his previous world. The village wasn't that big, allowing him to quickly become familiar with its structure, knowing his destination's exact location. The Chief's house was located at its center and was the largest house in the whole village. It was made of wood, and like the other buildings, it was built around a circular courtyard. The villagers' main occupations were hunting and fishing, while they were also farming in their yards. They lived a self-sufficient life, peaceful and enviable. 

Sirius began hearing shouts as he approached the house. Walking closer towards its courtyard, he saw a muscular man with tattoos on his whole body yelling at two boys. Despite he could only see their backs because of their position, Sirius still recognized one of them as he was the one he fought with yesterday, Ajamu. His steps also attracted the attention of the trio, making them turn their heads to the boy. 

"What are you doing here!" Ajamu shouted upon seeing Sirius, but a punch suddenly landed on the top of his head. 

"Stop embarrassing me, idiot, and shut up!" The muscular man roared at him before turning to the boy with a big smile. 

"You must be, Astar! I remember your face from when you landed that night from the skies. I wanted to meet you sooner, but I never found the time to do it in the end. 

"No, it is this youngster's fault for not coming to pay my respects even though I have been in the village for almost a year," Sirius hurriedly said while lowering his head. 

"Haha, you have a silver tongue, don't you? Speaking so eloquently in only one year, you are truly amazing! I wish my two sons to become as smart as you one day, but that is just wishful thinking," the man said with a laugh. 

"Maybe because we took after you," the other boy muttered softly. Unfortunately for him, the man's hearing seemed to be sharp as he threw him a punch similar to one he gave to Ajamu. 

"What will I do with these two... Anyway! I am glad that you are here, Astar! Come inside! Hey, Juno, Sarah! We have visitors! Come out!" 

What a delightful person! Sirius thought as he entered. Seeing how nicely the man bullied Ajamu, he had already formed a favorable impression of him.

At the same time, one woman and one girl also came out from the wooden house. The boy could hardly contain his amazement when he saw them. Not because of their stunning beauty or their porcelain, doll-like faces, but because of their hair's peculiar, navy-blue color. It didn't look like a fake. No, it was undoubtedly their natural color, transfusing them an ethereal feeling, like they were fairies that came out directly from a fairy tale. 

"Hey, bastard! Don't leer at my sister like that," Ajamu, who noticed Sirius's astonishment snarled as he poked him with his elbow. That guy had already taken his woman from him, now he wanted and his sister? He was indeed a beast! 

"Didn't I tell you to shut up? What's the matter with you? You are more annoying than usual," the man sighed while giving him another punch. 

"Astar, this is my wife, Juno, and my daughter, Sarah, and these two are my sons, Anders and Ajamu, who I think you should already know," the Chief said with a provocative smile that Sirius found irritating. There was no doubt that the last part of the sentence was an intimation for yesterday's incident. Not even a day had passed since then. How did everyone know?

"As for that boy, his name is Astar. You have probably already heard stories about him. Since I have not immediate responsibilities these days, I plan to train him from today onwards. 

"What? You'll train him?" Ajamu couldn't help than shout, instantly regretting his words and trying to guard his head, but the Chief just stared at him with amusement this time. 

"Yes! It would be best if you gave your all in training from here on. You wouldn't want him to surpass you, right?" 

"There is no way something like this can happen," he replied casually but was actually staring dagger at Sirius. 

"Please, forgive that boy, Astar. He has grown up used to be admired by his peers, making him arrogant, but he is, in reality, a kind boy," Juno said softly while looking at Ajamu with affection.

Witnessing the family's warmth, Sirius couldn't help than feel jealous. It was like admiring a beautiful painting from afar, only watching from a distance, but being incapable of being part of it. He was hungry for love and affection but was forced to stay alone for most of his life instead. This night wouldn't be different. When he returns to the hut, the Great Shaman won't be there this time. 

"I think that's enough for the introductions. Let's talk about you now, Astar. Honestly, your body is in a worse condition than I initially thought. For now, the most important thing is to make your body become used in training. Since it's the first day, I won't be cruel to you."

That is a relief! That geezer must have wanted to scare me!

"Let's do a warm-up with a little running. Let's see... How about running around the village ten times?"

"What?"