When Aryan finally emerged from the tree line, he stopped abruptly in his tracks. The river before him was far wider than he had expected—so wide that while he could make out the opposite shore, it was shrouded in a thick, rolling mist that made it impossible to tell where the water ended and where the land began.
The fog drifted across the surface like ghostly fingers, obscuring everything beyond in an impenetrable veil of gray.
River felt ancient, primal. Just like the Amazon rivers he had seen in documentaries, it seemed to have carved its way through the dense jungle over countless centuries. Vines and creepers cascaded down from the towering trees on both sides, forming natural curtains that hung almost to the water's surface. Thick moss covered every visible surface—the rocks, the fallen logs, the twisted roots that jutted out from the banks like gnarled fingers.
But despite the heavy coating of moss and the wild tangle of vegetation, the river pulsed with life. Fish occasionally broke the surface with gentle splashes, and he could hear the distant calls of unseen birds echoing from the canopy above. Water insects skimmed across the surface in lazy patterns, creating tiny ripples that caught the filtered light.
"Amazingly beautiful." Came out of his mouth instinctively.
Aryan knelt by the water's edge and cupped his hands, bringing the cool river water to his lips. The moment it touched his tongue, he felt more alive than he had since arriving in this strange unknow place. The water was clean and cold, tasting faintly of earth and growing things. He drank deeply, feeling the liquid course through his body like a reminder of his own humanity.
As he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, a troubling realization settled over him. The river stretched endlessly in both directions, and while it offered the promise of following civilization—rivers often led to settlements—it also presented an immediate problem.
'Should I try to cross?'
Even if he wanted to, he couldn't. Just by looking at the river he could tell how deep it could be. Besides, there was another big problem.
He didn't know how to swim.
Growing up, life had been a constant rush of responsibilities and obligations. After his father's death, there had been no time for swimming lessons, no money for recreational activities. Every moment had been dedicated to work, to supporting his family, to simply surviving. He had always told himself he would learn someday, when things got easier, when there was more time.
Now, staring at the wide expanse of water before him, he deeply regretted that missed opportunity.
'Damn life.'
He was still lost in these thoughts when something in the mist caught his attention. At first, he thought it was just a trick of the light, the way the fog swirled and shifted across the water's surface. But as he watched more carefully, he realized there was definitely something moving within that gray veil.
The shape was indistinct, partially hidden by the drifting mist, but it was definitely not small and definitely not human.
Aryan's skin erupted in goosebumps and a cold shiver ran down his spine as he watched the shadow glide through the fog. Throughout his journey, he had felt the constant presence of unseen watchers, hidden creatures observing him from the shadows. But this was the first time he was actually seeing one of them, even if only as a vague silhouette in the mist.
The thing moved with a fluid grace that suggested it belonged to the water, but its size and the way it seemed to drift rather than swim made his heart race with instinctive fear.
His hand instinctively grabbed the hilt of the sword hanging on his Back.
Whatever it was, it was large enough to be dangerous, and mysterious enough to be terrifying.
"What kind of animal is that?" his whisper was barely louder than the flowing water.
If Aryan had even a sliver of doubt left about this place being strange, it vanished with that one scene. He swallowed hard, trying to shake off the chill crawling down his spine.
'No need to panic. As long as the towering shadow keeps its distance. I am safe.'
Tightening the grip on his sword Aryan forced himself to remain calm, decided to walk alongside the riverbank.
But first, He had to choose a direction.
Aryan closed his eyes, extending his stand to point forward. He spun slowly.
"Abba jabba dabba go. This way."
Feeling the cringe, for the first time Aryan was glad that no one was around to witness this insanity.
Opening his eyes he saw his finger pointing slightly to the left to the riverbank.
After choosing to go left he began walking along the riverbank, keeping his distance from the water's edge. He moved slowly and quietly, hoping that whatever lurked in the mist would have no interest or reason to approach the shore. His eyes remained fixed on the fog, watching for any sign that the shadow was following his movement.
'Keep floating. I really don't want to find out what you are.'
Hours passed as he followed the river's winding path. The unchanging light that had characterized his journey through the jungle finally began to shift, growing dimmer and taking on the warmer tones of evening.
If his sense of time hadn't betrayed him completely, he'd been here for at least twelve hours. Maybe more?
The thought of his family waiting for him, growing more worried with each passing hour, made his chest tighten with anxiety. His mother would be beside herself. His sister would be asking question after question that no one could answer.
"I'll come back, even if I have to break the sky to do it."
Lost in these painful thoughts, Aryan didn't notice how close he had drifted to the water's edge. The riverbank here was slick with moss and algae, made treacherous by the constant moisture from the mist.
His naked foot landed on a slick patch of moss and suddenly the world tilted.
"Oh, shi—!"
He went down hard, sliding on his side. Mud clung to his clothes as he tumbled toward the river. His fingers scrabbled for something—anything—to hold on to, but the slope offered no mercy.
He hit the river with a splash that seemed to echo through the entire jungle.
Panic seized him immediately. The water was deeper than he had expected, and the current stronger. He flailed desperately, his feet searching for purchase on the riverbed as water filled his mouth and nose.
For a terrifying moment, he felt himself being pulled away from the shore, drawn toward the mysterious depths where unknown creatures lurked.
But desperation gave him strength. Using a combination of wild thrashing and sheer determination, he managed to grab hold of a partially submerged root and pull himself back toward the bank. He hauled himself out of the water, gasping and shaking, his clothes soaked and heavy with river water.
As he lay on the muddy shore, catching his breath and thanking whatever forces had allowed him to escape drowning. Aryan quickly glanced in the fog, no movement. The silhouette of the unknown creature was still there but nothing changed.
"That was close. I almost died."
Aryan sat up slowly, looked around. His eyes landed on something particular in some distance from the muddy shore. something caught his eye in the soft earth.
"That's—"
It's footprints.
Human footprints.
They were stamped clearly into the mud, still sharp-edged and fresh. Someone had been here recently. Very recently, judging by how clear the impressions were in the soft riverbank soil.
"...I'm not alone." He whispered
Aryan's heart began to race for an entirely different reason now. He wasn't alone in this place. Somewhere in this mysterious jungle, there was another human being. Someone who might have answers, who might know the way out, who might be the key to getting back to his family.
Or someone who might be just as lost and confused as he was.