After Rogg's departure with the majority of Migase's army sailing north, the Migase Valley was left guarded by only a handful of protectors. Among them were elite hunters, led directly by Bala. While their presence offered a sense of safety, the reality that the valley was now vulnerable to attack could not be ignored. Rogg had previously ordered the closure of the land route to Migase Valley through the cliffs—a preventive measure, knowing that the Balevad tribe could strike at any moment. But cutting off that path also meant limiting vital access to their daily needs.
Now burdened with a heavy responsibility, Bala kept a close watch on the situation. Three months had passed since Rogg's departure, and though no signs of Balevad threat had emerged, the silence itself became a growing source of unease. The weight of ensuring the survival of his people pressed harder on Bala each day.
One evening, under a reddening sky, Bala gathered the troops in the heart of the valley. The wind carried the scent of drying leaves, as if nature itself bore witness to their unease.
"We cannot keep hiding in this valley. Hunting in the high forest is our right—as a free people!" Bala declared with firm conviction, his eyes scanning each warrior before him.
A young soldier stepped forward, his voice tentative. "But Bala... the King instructed us to block the trail, for the safety of the valley from Balevad attacks while he's away."
For a moment, silence fell. Bala took a deep breath, then raised his voice slightly, "How much longer must we obey orders that imprison us in this valley? Rogg has been gone for months! Do we wait here to starve, too afraid to act?"
His gaze swept over the increasingly restless troops. "We are a strong people! We cannot keep relying on a leader who isn't even here. If we don't move, we'll grow weak. And weakness will only bring our destruction!"
Bala's words sparked both fire and doubt in his soldiers' hearts. Some exchanged glances, weighing his conviction. Bala, aware of the gravity of his stance, knew the decision he made today would come with great consequence. Yet behind his anger burned a deeper desire—to protect his people from the greater threat: hunger and fear.
With a steadier, yet unwavering voice, he continued, "I won't force you to follow me. But I won't sit idle either. Tomorrow morning, I will lead a hunting team into the upper forest. Anyone who still holds the honor of Migase in their heart, come with me."
Though the sky grew darker, the fire that Bala had lit now ignited the spirits of many. They knew this decision was not just about survival—but about protecting their dignity as a free people.
Despite the uncertainty, the people of Migase were not lacking. The arrival of Hans and Pragyan's ships from Patisia brought ample supplies and seeds ready for cultivation, strengthening their food resilience. Nakhsa's return added even more resources, enriching the village he had once left behind. These developments offered a sense of safety and stability long yearned for by the Migase people.
Still, Bala stood firm in preserving his tribe's age-old tradition—hunting deer as part of an annual celebration to honor the Sea Goddess. Every year, during the festival, they abstained from eating fish for a week as a tribute to Vasane Devi, the goddess believed to rule over sea life. They believed she called the fish into the deep, granting them time to spawn and migrate. For ten days, no one was allowed to eat from the bay, as a gesture of sacred reverence.
Yet, the declining fish population in Migase Bay could no longer be ignored. Though natural explanations—shifting currents or seasonal changes—offered a rational answer, the Migase people clung to their beliefs. They called it the time when the Sea Goddess summoned all the fish into her embrace, gathering them in a mysterious place beneath the waves.
Then came Rogg and Yara, opening their eyes to another truth. Rogg, with his scientific understanding of the ocean, calmly explained that seasonal shifts in sea temperature could be the real cause. It was nature's doing—not the gods'. He didn't aim to shatter their beliefs, only to broaden their view of the world, offering deeper knowledge of nature and its vast mystery.
Even so, the people of Migase chose to keep their story alive. For them, it wasn't just folklore—it was a symbol of their bond with the sea and its creatures. They knew nature was full of unanswered questions, but they preferred stories that gave their lives greater meaning.
Still, the rational ideas brought by Rogg and Yara planted seeds of doubt in some hearts. Long-held traditions, once solid like stone, began to feel like walls cracking from within. Quiet truths had begun to disturb the peace they once held so tightly.
Bala, ever resolute in upholding the deer hunting tradition, believed the old ways deserved respect.
Standing before his troops, Bala gazed at the towering cliffs of Kavusi ahead. The wind rustling through the forest trees above sang like a hymn calling them forward.
"This trail will be opened again," Bala said with conviction. "The forest above is vast, full of game. We must return to our tradition—hunting that feeds the people of Migase."
One of his soldiers, Garon, stared at the dark forest in the distance. "But Bala… we've hunted there before. True, no beasts attacked us, but what if our enemies still lurk there? Are we certain this is the right decision?"
Bala offered a small smile, filled with resolve. "No one doubts our strength. This is how we provide for our people. And besides, we must prepare for the Sea Goddess festival. That forest is the answer."
Garon nodded, though hesitation still lingered in his eyes. They had hunted there many times without trouble. Deer, wild boars, and other animals were always plentiful. But the world outside was unpredictable. This hunt was no longer just about food—it was about preserving tradition and ensuring their tribe's well-being.
As they stepped into the forest, the peaceful air shifted. Leaves began to fall, and the wind howled louder, as if nature itself had awakened with their arrival.