Darkness descended upon the world shortly after, painting the skies black. The sky was awash with a myriad of flirting stars, and the lovely crescent moon gave off its light, brightening up the plane.
The emergency camp they had built was serving its purpose excellently.
While children were having squabbles over berries, the adults were busy roasting the game they had caught, preparing for the evening meal.
But while all these were going on, a certain nebulous silhouette stood just outside the reach of the light, hidden by the darkness.
While others enjoyed the warmth of the flames, this individual stood in the embrace of the chilling night wind, watching someone the way a hawk would stare down its prey.
Their focus was unfaltering.
Every single move the target made was closely monitored, from the way the young man yawned to the way he turned the roasting meat.
They watched as his black disorderly hair danced, swaying in the wind and how his golden eyes sparked with mirth when he watched the camp.
Strangely, even in this forest he seemed happy.
Happy that he had managed to rescue so many people. The people might have lost everything, but at least they were alive.
The individual shared this same sentiment, after all, they had been rescued by him as well.
And yet—
'Our sweet feudal lord…'
'How are you not dead?'
The individual brought a trembling finger to their lips before letting out a sharp breath.
Meanwhile, Atlas was arguing with a young man who seemed too impatient to let the meat cook properly.
The man kept trying to snag a piece of meat out of the fire only to be blocked repeatedly.
She let out a light chuckle.
After observing them for a little longer, the individual turned around and left, a smile on their face as they blended into the darkness.
***
"Just a few more minutes and it will be ready." Atlas said to the ever impatient Akaman.
He gingerly turned the meat to the side for the last time and sat back, resting his body on his arms and then he stared up at the sky.
It was beautiful…
The skies were not at lack for stars, the innumerable balls of fire were vivid and brighter than any stars he had ever seen on earth.
"The constellations here… they are different."
It was to be expected since they were on another planet but Atlas couldn't help but feel he had seen them somewhere before.
Like the one above him for example, when traced together, it formed the outline of a certain strange symbol.
He narrowed his eyes, trying to figure out what it was when someone walked up to him and plopped down by his side.
"I'm exhausted!" The girl said before resting her head on Atlas' arm.
Not paying her any mind, Akaman immediately grabbed one of the roasting meat right out of the fire and took a large bite out of it.
'This guy…'
Atlas picked up one of the stick meat and handed it to Dahlia.
"Eat as much as you can, tomorrow is going to be even more challenging."
They had arrived late and so they had little time till sundown. Tomorrow however, they would be working from the start of the day right down to the evening.
From the way things were, there was no way of reaching Delta or even earth…
They were stuck here and so they needed to build a conducive town for themselves right here in the forest, but it was going to take time and a whole lot of effort.
Dahlia grunted and snatched the meat from his hands before sinking her teeth into its juicy flesh.
Once again, Atlas returned his gaze to the stars.
"It's strange isn't it?"
"What is strange?" Dahlia asked.
"Everything. This world is somehow so foreign and yet so familiar…"
Dahlia paused and then nodded.
"Think of it like this— after so many years of exploration, the one planet that was proven capable of sustaining life was strangely similar to earth."
"Oxegen, carbon dioxide… plants and animals working in perfect symphony. Sure there will always be differences, but similarities will definitely be there as well."
After Dahlia finished speaking, Atlas tried his best to hold back his laughter only to fail mid way.
Meanwhile, Dahlia looked confused.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing really, sometimes I just find it hard to believe that you're actually an engineer."
"Pfft." Came Akaman from the side. "She's a quack, newer really went to any uwniversity you know!" He said between mouthfuls.
Dahlia's face was slowly red from embarrassment.
"Shut up!" Dahlia replied, as she leaped at the relatively larger man, pinning him down.
"I'm far better than all those school educated so-called engineers!"
While still pinned down, Akaman tore another piece of meat from the stick before saying:
"Yesh, but with no certificate!"
"Argh!"
"Hahahahahaha, num num num Ha!"
"Alright, alright, he'll choke at this state." Atlas said as he got up to try and separate them.
But Dahlia gripped Akaman's neck just at the last moment and her tiny hands went to work applying more pressure than was expected for someone of her stature.
Akaman coughed, at the verge of choking but still stubbornly continued chewing.
"Dahlia, he'll die!" Atlas screamed all while trying to force them apart.
***
Before the sun peeked from beyond the horizon, before the birds began to sing, before the first light of day… Atlas had already risen.
The light from the sun that was yet to appear was brightening up the world and the silence of the sleeping word created a rather serene atmosphere.
By his side, Akaman was lying on his back in a rather awkward position, while Dahlia was a step beside him with her head laying atop his arm.
Anyone who saw them would think they were siblings, or worse lovers, no knowing that once they woke the eternal enmity would once again continue.
There were a number of things Atlas had to do today. Their wooden weapons had proven to be far too insufficient, because of how weak the tips were, they would often break from overuse or fail to penetrate the hide of the beasts.
But that was not the only reason they needed an upgrade. So far they had been lucky and free of any sort of attacks from wild animals, but that didn't mean their luck was infinite.
Very soon they would brace the perils of the forest, whatever they were and they would have to be ready just in case.
There was no sign of iron ore anywhere and honestly, they still needed a little more preparation before they would be able to craft iron tools.
Right now… what they needed was the next advancement in their line of caveman technology.
Ooga bonga stone tools!
"Let's just pray the dragon doesn't show up too soon…"