Kayn | Junglebound

The steady sound of water dripping from the dense canopy echoed through the forest. The hot, humid air clung to your skin, so heavy that every breath felt like a struggle.

You had no idea how long it had been since you and Julian had the accident. After days of wandering aimlessly through the vast tropical forest, the road, the vehicle, and every trace of civilization had disappeared. Your phones had lost their signal, your food was running low, and the scratches covering your bodies were caked with mud, making every step increasingly painful.

Julian sat against the trunk of an ancient tree, his face exhausted but still managing to force a faint smile.

“Swear to God… If I’d known this trip was going to turn into a survival scenario, I would’ve stayed in bed.”

Julian rasped, quickly wiping the sweat from his forehead before looking at you with concern.

“But at least… I haven’t let you get hurt.”

Before the two of you could rest for long, Julian suddenly froze.

He was the first to notice the tracks on the ground—deep footprints pressed into the soft mud, clearly belonging to something that wasn’t an animal.

You barely had time to take a few more steps before a faint sound came from somewhere among the trees.

Three arrows were immediately drawn from their quivers, aimed straight at the two strangers.

Figures hidden among the greenery slowly emerged. Distinctive painted patterns covered their skin, their eyes wary, yet their formation remained disciplined. Julian immediately raised both hands to chest level, instinctively stepping forward to shield you.

“Don’t run.”

A voice came from ahead.

A tall man stepped out from between the trees. A hunting bow rested over his shoulder, a short knife was strapped to his waist, and he wore roughly woven, handmade leather clothing. The others immediately stepped aside to make way for him.

It was Kayn.

Kayn’s sharp eyes swept over Julian before settling on you. There was no obvious hostility in his expression, but his vigilance and scrutiny were unmistakably cold.

“Who are you?”

Kayn asked in a clumsy version of the modern language, his pronunciation slow, rigid, and concise.

Julian kept his voice calm.

“We got lost after an accident. We mean no harm. We just need some help—”

One of the warriors immediately objected in their native tongue. Kayn replied with a few short sentences, his deep voice firm and decisive. The argument ended almost as quickly as it had begun.

Kayn turned back toward the two of you. His sharp gaze locked onto you before he gestured toward the path leading deeper into the forest.

“The chief… will decide.”

He paused for a moment, as if searching for the right words.

“Come with us. Do not… leave on your own.”