Dawn was about to break when Harry reached Vulcan tribe rock. His zoomed vision showed that as he came closer to the tribe, the sentries on the rock spotted him and had notified the tribe about him. And he could see a commotion taking place in the tribe, and knew that soon they would come running to him.
But he didn't care, as his mind was still trying to process what he had witnessed the night before.
As a modern man, he knew that most of the stories and knowledge of these people were not reliable. But he never imagined that the stories that these guys have been telling him about monsters who spew fire and control the weather might be true. Last night, he had seen things that he never believed could have been possible.
Not to mention, many ideas were being born in his brain after seeing the fight of the creatures from last night. Especially the power the Watsumon showed last night. If he was right, and he could replicate the technique, then he could make weapons of the same grade as what he used in his previous life…
Groga was the first one who came running towards him. The man looked very worried about him, yet he didnt stop him and started walking with him, "We all feared the worst," he added, "Your mother and siblings have been in distraught since last night. While your father had been shaken as well. I have never seen Imka acting in such a way before."
Of course you haven't, Harry wanted to say, after all, it is not every day that a man tries to kill his son. And then miserably chicken out at the last moment.
By then, a group of people from the tribe, mostly hunters,s had gathered, "Care to explain what took you so long to come back?"
Harry didnt want to reveal the truth, so he spun the tale a little bit, "You won't believe what happened after father left," he said in a tone reflecting enthusiasm and at the same time fear as well. "I encountered this glowing creature…" And then he went on to tell them about the glowing horse and the fight between Watsumono.
In the end, he just added that he saw everything from the top of a tree and was just too afraid to come down. It is only when Watsumono was long gone that he dared to come down and then started making his way here. People of the tribe also seemed to be shaken by his tale. While some offered their empathy, some just straight up started praying for him.
As they reached the base of the rock, Groga was the first one to break the silence, "A Shakahari and a Watsumono.. Damn.." Then the man put a hand on his shoulder, "It would be for the best if you sleep for now. And try hunting later in the day, I won't advise you to go out."
Groga's message was loud and clear; even with your encounter, you still have to go on your Atonement Hunt. Harry didnt mind it at all, in fact, he was thinking of getting over the hunt in a few hours and recuperating for the rest of the day. But that could wait, as he had things to do. Because, as soon as he entered the tribe's premises, he saw his father, clearly shocked to see him there.
"Appa!" and then Harry ran to his father. He enveloped his father in a bear hug and then whispered in his ears, "We need to talk. Come on top of the rock," He then spotted Gremla, his mother, standing not far away, looking horrified. To play with her, he passed the warmest smile he could muster and waved at her, before finally making his way towards the rock…
The sun was shining brightly in the sky, and most of the people of the tribe had fallen into their usual rhythm. Harry stood at one of the edges of the rock, overseeing the grass lands before him. It is then that he heard steps; he finally looked back to see Imka and Gremla standing there. They both have the resolve in their eyes, and it seemed that they were ready to go to war with him.
"Appa, amma.." He said, " I am glad that you were able to make time for your son. Now, if you dont mind, we need to talk things out. It is high time we do that,"
"Shut up Kukarachan!" Gremla said venomously. "You are not our son."
Harry passed them a smile, "So?" He asked them blankly, "I might not be your son. I am better them him, right? I have a great hunter, a good Vita Wielder. And not to mention, I have the power to raise our tribe's name to higher ranks. Then why won't you guys accept me?"
Imka tried to take a lunge at him, but Gremla held him back and spoke, "You will die, Kukarachan. Lord Leh will have your blood, one way or another."
"Sure," Harry said, "But let me give you guys a reality check. I am a very valuable hunter for the tribe. No one knows the truth, except you guys and maybe Karina. I can just kill you guys and keep from spilling the secret forever, right?"
"You can try it, if you want," Imka said angrily.
Harry passed him a smile, "Boy," he said, "I have lived longer than you have. I have killed beasts and beings far terrible than Watsumono that roams in these lands. Do you think that your pathetic attempt to intimidate would work?"
Imka and Gremla were both taken back. Harry calling Imka a boy had clearly caught them off guard. But Harry was not done yet, "I will live, even if you kill this body. Your Leh was not able to kill me. Why do you think that you guys would be any different?"
They now looked scared, so Harry further added, "Remember this for now… Come in my way, and not only will I kill you guys, but also those close to you. The Vulcan would be destroyed in a day, while your children…" Harry then came and stood in front of them, "You wish that they would die with you. Because when I would be done with them, Death would seem like the nectar of the sweetest flower in the world,"
Harry walked away, leaving the couple to think about their life choices…
***
The evening of the last of Harry's Atonement Hunt was celebrated like a festival. He was able to complete the Atonement Hunt with ease, winning the respect of the tribe and also of Elder Joron and Groga. When he came back dragging his cart with the carcass of 10 Bumikins that day, they were practically gushing with happiness. They even announced the feast that day.
While their enthusiasm was not shared by Imka and his family.
Ever since he had confronted them, Imka and Gremla had neither tried to interact with him nor try to sabotage him in any way or form. They were maintaining their distance from him, but now they were openly showing their disgust for him. It did raise a few eyebrows in the tribe, but their ploy had not caught fire yet; it was still full of sparks.
But Harry knew that this could not work. He knew that with Imka's reputation, he would be able to convert a few people to his side, and they could be a problem. Now, with Atonement Hunt out of the way, Harry was planning to either get even or try to silence them before they could become a problem. But that was easier said than done…
As the sun was about to set, a great fire was created. People were cooking on the fire, some were drinking, while some were dancing. Harry was sitting in the seat of honor, adorned by all sorts of necklaces and various colored powders.
It is when a horn was sounded from the top of the rock.