The following days were cold and near soundless, any talk among villagers kept discreet and brief. It was difficult to tell who acknowledged the reality of the disaster's origin (likely Bhavaroopa and the elders), and who refused to accept in their heart. At any given time in the day or night there was an anxious crowd of at least thirty on the cliffside watching with desperate hope, which eventually fell into severe depression.

There were a few occasions where children shouted out claims that the body moved. People would rush over and ask them where, but even if there was movement, it seemed to have stopped just as abruptly as it had started. Morale then dwindled down to a low that only their farthest ancestors ever knew, as they were forced to continue harsh survival on the land neighboring the corpse of their god and trusted savior.

Shirisha was of course as distraught as anyone from this scenario that none of them could have even conceived, but what pained her far more than even the death of the god was seeing it reflected in all of the people she loved. She wanted to reassure them despite her own pain, regardless of whether the serpent was actually dead or not. Late one evening after days worth of consideration, she discussed what she planned to do with her parents within the confines of the hut, and though at first were extremely surprised at her, but then supported her decision with eagerness.

Shirisha's parents lead simple lives but were strong minded, upholding their role in the society as well as anyone else if not better, but the more years one experienced Abhinatha's coming, the greater the effect of this catastrophe showed on the psyche. They felt extremely fortunate to have a daughter like Shirisha who lived so compassionately, and though they wanted to help, they knew the best support they could offer was feelings and words.

She walked confidently and seriously to the elder's hut, and after a brief knock that reflected these emotions, she was ushered in by a soft voice.

"Enter." it said.

She opened the door, and the sight that met her was discouraging. The nine elders all sat apart from each other, either occupying themselves with blatant busywork or staring into space. Chief Udgam sat with his legs crossed on a pelt in the nearest corner, staring into the ground with a hand on his head. The Kindling Arm leaned against the wall behind him, now little more than a depressing reminder. These people, though having the minds that suffered the worst of hardship over many decades and toughened as a result, were faced with something impossibly devastating that even they were frozen in their actions.

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Despite this, Shirisha maintained her confidence.

"I would like to lead a group down the mountainside to investigate Abhinatha's body. If it is indeed dead, then when I come back I want to discuss with you what we could possibly do."

Udgam looked up, for a good while just stared at her with a look of unfeeling confusion. Then, it was as if something clicked back together within his mind, and his eyes lit up.

"Yes, Shirisha, just-"

He struggled to get onto his feet, making haggard grunts as he attempted to do so. Shirisha immediately moved to help him, offering him his walking stick. He now carried a similar confidence, doing his best to maintain pace on his old legs as they walked outside.

"Already for too long we have sat idle like maggots in the earth." He said firmly as they walked down the path.

"I thank you Shirisha for bringing me back to the reality we face. I am ashamed of myself for how I have responded thus far; stagnation like this in the light of such things is unacceptable."

They arrived at the cliffside where the usual group was gathered, and upon realizing the presence of Udgam they stood attentive.

"I ask you all to listen to Shirisha, and to do what she may ask of you. She wishes to take a group down and along the valley to Abhinatha's head to ensure it has passed. It will be a long trek, leading a good way beyond the end of our typical hunting ground."

He spoke with his signature authority, and then nodded to Shirisha, who stepped forward, now more nervous. She spoke in a voice that was less commanding and more like a concerned and caring friend.

"There are no members of this tribe who have not just had the world they knew fall out from under them, and though I understand some of you- many of you- feel broken beyond the will to even eat, standing here waiting around clinging onto some unnatural hope will only make it so, so much worse." Her voice shook a little as she actually said her thoughts aloud. Many of the adults looked down or away from her, shuffling their feet awkwardly but still remaining silent. The children though looked more confused, not quite knowing what they should be feeling when the actions of their parents are challenged with such directness.

Shirisha continued, regaining herself a bit.

"See this as an opportunity to face what you're feeling, to overcome it. We do not know yet how or where, but the tribe must move on and potentially migrate to survive."

At this just about all of them looked especially shocked, as if up until this point it was only a vaguely defined possibility held in the back of their mind that was suddenly brought to bright and real definition.

"Find at least five hunters to guide us, and tell them to get what they might need. Anyone able-bodied can join, but for safety we cannot have much more than twenty people. Tell everyone you know about this, and at the first light tomorrow those who wish to go will gather at this same spot before we depart together."

"And," Udgam added, "If anyone sees Sang in the village at any time, come tell me immediately." Shirisha thanked them for listening, turning to go back to her hut and parents. The crowd immediately diverged to spread the news, finally leaving their worn perch.