Primitive Man

Chapter 1: Encounter

Life was a delicate balance between survival and the whims of nature, where each day brought forth challenges that tested one's resilience and adaptability.

As the first rays of dawn pierced through the dense foliage, Garnt's eyes fluttered open, his head pounding and his body burning with fever. He groaned softly, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The cave felt oppressively warm, and the air was thick with humidity.

"Mother?" Garnt's voice croaked weakly as he turned his gaze toward the woman who had raised him. His heart sank at the sight of her flushed face, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. She was sick too, just like him.

He could see the worry etched into her features, a silent acknowledgement of their dire situation.

"Garnt, my dear," she rasped, her voice barely audible. "The rain... it brought illness with it. We must fight to survive."

Garnt nodded, his young mind struggling to comprehend the gravity of the situation. Rain, usually a life-giving force, had become a harbinger of doom. He clenched his small fists, determination flaring in his feverish eyes.

"I won't let us succumb, Mother," he vowed, his voice surprisingly resolute despite his frailty. "I'll find a way to make us better."

His mother managed a weak smile, her love and pride evident even in her weakened state. "You have the spirit of a true caveman, my brave Garnt."

Summoning every ounce of his willpower, Garnt pushed himself upright, his body protesting every movement. The fever was unrelenting, but he couldn't afford to surrender. He recounted the story of the rain – how it had brought not just water, but sickness that now threatened their very existence.

As the words spilt from his cracked lips, he couldn't help but marvel at his own courage. He was just a child, but the weight of responsibility bore down on him like a boulder. He had to question himself the purpose of pushing his body to the limit, as he had no idea what to do.

'What can I do? How can we fight this illness?'

Thinking about his next moves, he staggered towards the entrance of the cave, the world outside coming into view. But what he saw took his breath away – the land was transformed into a waterlogged expanse, the floodwaters glistening under the pale light.

The cave entrance was surrounded by a shimmering pool, their isolation now complete.

[Well you could say that] the voice replied, its tone kind and patient.

[I know this is overwhelming, but you're not alone. I'm here to help you, so listen to me]

Garnt's panic started to subside, replaced by a cautious curiosity. "What is happening to me? Why do I see all of this? Am I going to die?"

[Those memories you saw are a part of you now, after all, they will help you in future, but right now I need you to heal your body]

"Mother!" Garnt's fear surged again, his voice echoing in his thoughts. "I need to find my mother, she is sick! Help me, please!"

The voice's tone shifted, becoming slightly more urgent.

[If you want to save your mother, you must listen to me from now on. Can you do that?]

Garnt nodded mentally, determination replacing his fear. "Yes, yes, I'll listen. Just tell me how to save her!"

The voice couldn't help but laugh seeing how naive he was, but she didn't expect a cave kid to have any common sense and she knew from now on this idiotic kid was going to be her host.

[Good] the voice affirmed with a firm voice.

[You can call me Eva since that is my name and I will call you Garnt, Our partnership is going to be a long one, so I hope you won't disappoint me, little boy]

Garnt nodded his head looking at the flooded forest, and he knew from now on his life was going to change for better or worse, but he was ready to embrace that change after all, he knew living in a cave wasn't the peak of what humanity is what capable of.

But also bridge the gap between the primordial past and the boundless possibilities of a world that is yet to come.