After a long tiresome walk, and treacherous climbing, the 2 pairs of strange monkeys finally reached their destinations. Just when we thought we get to see some civilization on this primitive planet, behold, a medium-sized cave with some pitiful colored decoration on the walls and grass bedding here and there on the ground, and a campfire that was releasing smoke- was all they had.

In front of the cave, a member of this species was chopping wood using a stone ax. Its bony structure, wrinkled skin, and slow body movement clearly showed the sign of being ravaged by the force of time, indicating it was an older member of the group.

Now that you look at it, from their hunting tool to chopping wood, everything they used has been made of stones. Even their home was in the heart of rocks. Can't we just name them ''Stone monkeys'' and be done with "strange monkeys?" Nah, let's wait and see what they call themselves.

The old one paused and looked at the snow-covered road only to discover the noisy ones gleefully returning from the hunt. The two bodies of goats also brought a smile to his face as he looked back at the cave and shouted, "Ebi, Gebi, they are back!"

This brought the attention of the ones who were staying inside the cave. Two new creatures emerged out of the cave, distinct from the ones outside.

Unlike their counterparts, these two lacked manes, but their long hair cascaded down to their waists. Their bodies were leaner, with smoother skin and delicate facial features. Their movements were graceful, and they moved with measured steps. Both were clothed from neck to calf in garments made of sheep wool.

One of them sported a noticeable bulging stomach, while the other helped her walk.

So, these were the female members of the group. They appeared more civilized compared to their rough male counterparts.

As the males noticed them, they quickened their pace, especially Abu and Gabu, they were literally running. Upon reaching them, Abu secured the kid with a creeper, while Gabu placed the giant goat on a rock. Afterward, they approached the elder monkey and bowed.

"Baba, we are back."

The old one gently caressed their head and spoke, "Good, good. You are finally back." Then indicated at the females with his chin, "Go on, they are waiting for you."

Gabu rushed towards his partner and embraced her tightly, while Abu took his pregnant companion's hand and slightly bowed, pressing his temple to hers. She reciprocated, caressing his head, and sighed in relief.

"You are back," she whispered.

"Yes, Ebi. I am."

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The old father who was done with blessing his other sons looked at them and smiled. But his misty eyes told another tale. As if he was reminiscing of the past, missing a certain someone, with whom,

he shared warmth in this cold winter,

shared love in this cruel world.

The autumn of life can be a lonely season, and nature often ensures it is so. But luckily, he has his sons to accompany his old bones. Now, his only motivation for living is to see his fruits of love turn into trees and spread their branches, maybe also bear some fruits while at it.

And that's how a family that has been separated in the struggle for survival, finally reunited.

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In the heart of the night, when mother nature covered herself with a veil of darkness, a small campfire at the cave's entrance became the brightest star to the nearby nocturnal creatures. Inside the cave, the family could be seen sleeping soundly on their respective grass bedding. While two young lings, whose names remained unknown, slept in one corner beside the campfire, while the two females rested in a separate corner. But they get to share a wooly bear hide on top of their garments made of woven sheep cloth, showing how cared they are in this family. The little goat also found a corner inside the cave. Now that raises a question, did they skin its mother in front of it?

Sitting beside the campfire, the father asked while chewing on a meaty bone, "How is the situation nearby?"

Gabu, who was busy roasting meat, replied, "Same, no prey."

"Where did you get the goats then?"

Gabu looked outside.

"High! Very High. Find nothing in low."

He could only sigh in tiredness.

At this moment Abu entered the cave. He was carrying two big wooden cups filled with snow with him. He placed the wooden cups before the fire and spoke, "Did all the prey leave this area? I could still find wild rabbits before. But we found nothing these days. Even elks have become quite these days. "

The old male finally finished eating that bone."Animals don't abandon their habitats without a reason. The cold isn't severe enough to drive them away."

"Not cold, then what?" Gabu asked with a curious look.

The old male became silent. But Abu answered, "It means something else is hunting them. So, they are dead, or they left this area to live."

Gabu immediately let go of the roasting stick and asked, "Bi tribe? They here?"

Abu was about to speak, but his father cut in the middle, "They are not Bi tribe. But, they are something worse, the biggest enemy of Humans like us in these mountains."

Both Abu and Gabu stared at their father in astonishment. Yet, he didn't return their gaze. Instead, he rose, grasped the spear lying beside him with a firm grip, and walked outside, his eyes intently fixed on something in the darkness. Surprisingly, his spear wasn't made of stone but shone with a metallic luster and boasted a long shaft.

Multiple black totems in the shape of weird symbols lit up in his arms. Chilly wind-carrying snow blew his mane and hair, yet the dark power radiated from his weak feeble body and blasted them apart. With that spear, he stood there like a mighty figure, the coolest old man anyone had ever seen!

By that time, the sons also followed their father out of the cave and looked ahead. They were also shocked to see the sight behold.

In the dark, around 100 meters away, a huge shadow also eyed the old man. There is only ferocity in its glowing Hazel eyes. The shadow opened its wide maw to show two rows of silvery white teeth. Its body also radiated threatening blood lust in response, its thick fur stood up, making it look even bigger. The shadow grabbed the tree beside it with a huge claw, making deep marks in it easily. But the old man didn't even budge in this show of power, made more steps instead.

The huge creature finally hid its blood lust and turned away, leaving behind a dark growl that sent chills down to the spine. The weak creatures that were trembling in fear- also sighed in peace.

Only when there was no trace of the shadow anymore, the old man also turned back into his feeble- normal self but continued to look ahead.

The two sons standing behind him looked at the display of power in shock. Finally, Abu decided to ask, "Baba, what was that?"

The old man kept silent. But fury was in his eyes. His face contorted, while his grip on the spear became even tighter. Full of rage and disgust, he uttered a single word with all his strength.

"Werewolf!"

**