The three tribesmen, led by their sturdy and tall leader, stood before Aries, their eyes scanning him from head to toe. The resemblance between their clothing and his own was uncanny, but Aries couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to this encounter. As he looked closely, he noticed that their clothes were of lower quality than his, a testament to his progress in the wilderness.
Their weapons, simple spears crafted from basic stones, also indicated that they lacked the knowledge and skills Aries had acquired during his time in the forest. As they approached him cautiously, the leader of the group spoke, "Are you alright? We saw you at the village, walking towards the forest, and it seemed strange." The kid was part of their tribe before the reincarnation.
Aries was surprised that he could understand their language, as if the memories of the child's past life had gifted him with this ability. "Yes, I'm fine. I live here," he replied, gesturing to his camp and the surroundings.
The tribesmen exchanged glances, their skepticism evident. "You live here, all by yourself?" one of the followers asked incredulously.
Aries nodded, proud of his accomplishments despite his solitude. "Yes, I made this camp, and I've learned to survive in the forest. I even hunt wolves and boars for their pelts and meat," he stated with a hint of pride in his voice.
The leader of the tribesmen seemed both impressed and intrigued. "You, a mere child, managed to do all this? It's hard to believe," he remarked, eyeing the collection of pelts and the stone tools with a mix of surprise and respect.
"I did it because I had to. In the forest, it's either survive or perish," Aries responded, realizing that these tribesmen lacked the same urgency and necessity to adapt and innovate.
As they continued to converse, Aries sensed that there was more to this encounter than mere curiosity. The tribesmen questioned him about his life, about why he had left the tribe. But Aries couldn't provide a clear answer; he had no recollection of the child's past life before being reincarnated.
They finally asked if he wanted to return to the tribe. Aries hesitated. The life he had built in the forest, though solitary, had become meaningful and fulfilling. He had everything he needed, save for a social life. There must have been a reason why he left the tribe, and he didn't want to jeopardize the peace he had found.
"I appreciate the offer, but I am content here. I have everything I need, and I've learned to thrive in this wilderness," Aries replied, his voice tinged with conviction.
The tribesmen seemed puzzled but respected his decision. They looked around, taking in the evidence of Aries's self-sufficiency, from the bountiful garden to the array of tools and resources he had amassed.
Then, a thought occurred to Aries. Perhaps he could use his knowledge and skills as leverage. He had something they didn't, and he could see how impressed they were with his abilities.
He stepped back into his camp and gathered a few items that he believed the tribesmen might find useful. He presented them with potions stored in bamboo containers, high-quality sharpened stone tools, the collection of boar and wolf pelts, and finally, the red stone he had found.
"This stone can create fire," he explained, holding up the red stone. "Watch." Aries struck the red stone against a piece of flint, and a spark ignited, catching the surrounding dry leaves and twigs. Within moments, a small flame flickered to life, dancing in the palm of his hand.
The tribesmen's eyes widened in astonishment, as fire was a precious commodity in their world, often difficult to create. They watched in awe as Aries skillfully controlled the flame, adding fuel to keep it burning brightly.
The leader of the tribesmen spoke, "You possess remarkable skills and knowledge, young one. We have never seen such craftsmanship before. Your talents could be of great value to our tribe."
Aries saw an opportunity in front of him. "I can create even better things like this, but I want to talk to our leader," he proposed, hoping that a better position in the village could offer him a chance to have a better life than the one he had forged in the forest.
The tribesmen deliberated among themselves, their expressions thoughtful. Eventually, they agreed to Aries's request. They helped him carry all his belongings, including the smoked meat he had preserved, and together, they departed toward the village.
As they journeyed, Aries couldn't help but wonder what awaited him in the tribe. Would he find a sense of belonging he had never experienced before? Or would he long for the freedom and solitude of the forest once again?
A myriad of emotions churned within him as he walked alongside the tribesmen, uncertain of the future that lay ahead. But one thing was certain – his encounter with the tribesmen marked a turning point in his journey, one that would lead him to new discoveries, challenges, and a deeper understanding of both himself and the world around him.