The waves crashed against the battered ship, their rhythmic assault a reminder of the storm that had nearly claimed them. The morning sun glowed upon the deck, casting golden light upon the weary yet relieved faces of the crew. Their clothes clung to their bodies, soaked from the night's fury, but their hearts were guarded by the warmth of survival.

  299 BC – The Ryukyu Islands.A land of untouched beauty, fertile and green, where the winds carried whispers of the unknown. It was here, on these foreign shores, that one of the greatest yet forgotten tales of Japan was about to unfold.

  Kofi planted his feet firmly on the wet sand as he stepped off the ship, his muscles aching from the ordeal but his spirit unbroken. The others followed, some collapsing onto the shore, laughing at their own exhaustion, while others looked to the jungle ahead with wary eyes.

  “Alright, everyone,” boomed Osei, the eldest of their group, standing tall like a seasoned warrior. “We survived the storm, but we are not safe yet. Lima, take a group and scout the perimeter. Kofi, you and your team search for a possible base. We need shelter before night falls.”

  Kofi, still catching his breath, gave a sharp nod. “Understood.”

  By his side stood Lima, his closest friend, his expression always carrying a hint of mischief even in the most serious situations. Sawai, Kofi’s cousin, stood behind them, his arms crossed. “Scouting in a place we don’t know? Sounds like the start of a horror story.”

  Lima smirked. “You’re just scared of monkeys.”

  Sawai scoffed, kicking a rock into the jungle ahead. “I’m scared of being eaten alive, thank you very much.”

  With that, the three, along with a handful of others, ventured into the thick forest. The air was damp, filled with the scent of earth and salt. Birds cawed above them, unseen in the canopy, and unseen creatures rustled in the undergrowth.

  Lima wiped sweat from his brow. “So… what exactly are we looking for?”

  Kofi, his sharp eyes scanning the dense foliage, replied, “Somewhere defensible. A place near water. Somewhere we can call home.”

  Sawai, leaning lazily against a thick vine, chuckled. “Oh, is that all? Maybe we should find a palace while we’re at it—”

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  CRACK.

  The vine snapped beneath his weight, and before anyone could react, Sawai disappeared, tumbling down a hidden slope. His yelp was swallowed by the sound of crashing waves.

  Kofi rushed to the edge and peered down. Below, a small cove opened up before them, the white sand shimmering in the sun. A river snaked down from the forest, feeding into the crystal-clear waters.

  Lima, peering over Kofi’s shoulder, let out a low whistle. “Huh. Guess that idiot found something useful for once.”

  Kofi grinned, excitement lighting his face. “Genius! We have found it. This will be our base.”

  By the time they returned to the others, Sawai was grumbling but unharmed, rubbing dirt off his clothes. Lima, in typical fashion, clapped him on the back. “Well done, explorer. You’ve officially contributed to history.”

  With the location secured, the real work began.

  The settlement had to be built from scratch. They had no grand tools, no skilled architects—just willpower and survival instincts. The youth split into groups: some carved rudimentary boats and tools for fishing, while others began clearing land and constructing temporary shelters.

  As the sun began its descent, the air was filled with chatter and laughter.

  “Lima, this boat you’re making looks like it’ll sink before it touches the water,” one of the boys teased.

  Lima held up his creation proudly. “Nonsense! This is a masterpiece. I call it The Unsinkable Lima!”

  “It has a hole in it.”

  “Ah. A minor setback.”

  Nearby, Sawai struggled to tie bamboo poles together for a fishing net. “This knot makes no sense!” he groaned.

  “Because you’re tying it backward,” Kofi said, grabbing the ropes from him. “Here, let me—”

  A loud snap echoed, and the bamboo frame collapsed.

  Silence.

  Then—laughter.

  Sawai doubled over, holding his stomach. “Oh? I thought you were the smart one!”

  Kofi scowled but couldn’t help the grin creeping onto his face. “Just wait until I catch the first fish. You’ll be eating your words.”

  As night fell, the newly formed camp flickered with small fires, their glow casting long shadows against the forest walls. The scent of roasting fish and boiled roots filled the air.

  The three friends, exhausted yet satisfied, stood together, staring at the night sky.

  “Well,” Lima said, holding out his hand, “we survived another day.”

  Kofi smirked and met the gesture with his own. “And we built something.”

  Sawai rolled his eyes but joined in. “Don’t get used to it. Tomorrow, we have to work twice as hard.”

  The three high-fived, their hands meeting with a sharp clap that echoed into the night.

  Unbeknownst to them, hidden in the darkness beyond the trees, eyes watched. Scouts, of lighter pigmentation, had witnessed their arrival.

  And the whispers of conflict had begun.