Crushed ice drifted across the water. In the distance, several figures sprinted across the wooden bridge. They were all moving extremely fast, reaching a broken section of the bridge in just over ten seconds.
The five Diba warriors stopped. A female Diba lay on the broken bridge some dozen meters ahead of them, with traces of blood still visible on her body.
"Sasa (native language)."
"Muka, Buba (native language)."
The five Dibam warriors did not rush to rescue her. One held a wooden bow, another a slightly charred wooden staff, and the remaining three held spears.
Drip, drip.
Blood trickled down the broken log and fell into the water, attracting a swarm of giant king leeches.
After a brief exchange, the five Diba decided that two spear-wielders would rescue their companion while the other three remained on guard at a distance.
The noticeably stronger Diba, Gray Snake, walked at the front. As he looked at his fallen kin ahead, a bold idea arose in his mind.
Gray Snake recognized her. She was Blood Crow, a beautiful girl whom he had admired for a long time. The last time he had tried to court her, he had been punched several times before he could successfully drag her into the bushes, delaying his great reproductive undertaking.
Although Gray Snake did not know the phrase "hero saves beauty," he intended to do exactly that. He seemed to already see Blood Crow recovering and helping him give birth to a whole litter of "little monkeys."
"Xida (crow)."
Gray Snake called softly while remaining alert to his surroundings.
Blood Crow showed no reaction, lying there as if dead. This made Gray Snake somewhat nervous, and he reached one hand toward her shoulder.
Splash~
The sound of something falling into the water came from behind, and