Primordial Sage: Plight of Immortality

The first thing Stone felt when going out was the sharp light. He squinted his eyes as the light stung them. The next thing was the horrible cold. Before he didn't notice it as he was too disoriented but now he realized that the cold here is much worse than the winter in the south. It was freezing. And the high snow piled up on the ground also didn't help. Moreover, he didn't have proper clothing. Right now he wore some makeshift furs to cover his body since he was butt naked before.

When his eyes finally got used to the light he saw the place he was in. It was plain covered with several tents with people going around with their business. The tent he came from was one of the biggest showing that Kaoran's position as shaman was really revered.

What he noticed next were the wolves. Big wolves. His body froze at the sight of them as they reminded him of those monsters. These wolves were in fact Bakur's tribe companions they tamed. They are strong, have big endurance, and are loyal. Many of them rode on them or used them for transportation of goods.

As he stood there looking at them some of the people also noticed him and few stopped what they were doing and scrutinized him from afar. When Stone saw this he felt uncomfortable so despite his unease he passed around those wolves and started looking for Kaoran. He wanted to ask someone but didn't have the courage. It has been so long since he talked to someone that he is now completely unsocial and has social anxiety. Suddenly one barbarian shouted at him something but when Stone heard it he was confused as the barbarian said something that Stone didn't understand.

'Wait they don't talk Vanaras language? What do I do if I can't even understand what they say?' By the time Stone realized that they talked in different languages the barbarian already lost interest and went to do his things. Stone felt frustrated as he needed to wander. Maybe he should wait for Kaoran? But he didn't want to wait anymore as he lay down for over 9 days and felt anxious.

"Oh Stone, What are you doing outside? Did you already choose what you want to do? You could have waited inside. You barely walk." suddenly he heard another voice from afar. When he turned towards it he saw Kaoran who was together with several other barbarians. He then said something in his mother language to them and everyone except the biggest one left. Then they went towards the boy. When they got closer they already heard his answer.

"Yes, I already decided. I want to go with you and get stronger. I abhor that feeling of helplessness I feel." said Stone who looked into Kaoran's eyes with an expressionless face. But the glimmer of determination wasn't left unnoticed by the two barbarians.

"Ha Ha, Kid you look promising!" Boisterous laughter was heard from the man besides Kaoran who spoke in Vanaras language too. Unfortunately, his accent was so thick that Stone almost didn't understand.

"Don't scare the child, you dumbass. He isn't used to retards like you yet." Kaoran threw a side eye at the man and snorted with a mischievous smile.

"Hah?! Old geezer do you think..."

*Boink*

Immediately after a man tried to bicker with Kaoran he got hit on the head with a cane.

"Don't whine and behave! Little Stone even though this guy doesn't look like it, he is the chief of this tribe. His name is Degres. He is the only one except me who can speak the Vanaras so if you need something you need to talk to me or him. Although it is essential to learn Theras language if you want to live in Frozen Valus Tundra." Said Kaoran with a calm smile.

Degres who stared at him resentfully then turned back at Stone and said seriously.

"Since you already choose to go with us We will do our best to nurture you. I saw what those maniacs did to you and your willpower to survive which I commend and respect. So once this old geezer helps you to recover and put on the track your twisted foundation, I will start to train you and make you into a warrior of our tribe! Now then since this is solved we can set off a few hours early. It wouldn't be funny if that snowstorm really caught up to us."

After Degres's speech, he turned towards Kaoran and told him they were setting off. Stone who heard all of this felt the fervor of Degres' words and felt a little fire ignite inside of his heart. Maybe his future will be much brighter than his past if he follows this tribe... That was what Stone thought at that time...

........

Five days later.

Time passed as they traveled towards their next destination. The place that held their encampment a few days ago was now ravaged by a snowstorm. Unfortunately, it seemed that the snowstorm was stronger than estimated and would catch up to them in a few days at their pace. That means they had to hurry up their entire travel.

For Stone, it was really tedious as he wasn't used to such a trek. Fortunately, he didn't need to go by his legs or ride on those accursed wolves. He rode together with Kaoran on a very big Musk Ox. It was several meters tall and over 5 meters long. It was tamed by Kaoran and used as a pack animal. Furthermore, despite carrying so much burden it can still easily hold many people on its back. Right now Kaoran is sitting on it together with Stone who seemed a little sick from all that shaking.

"Hehe, it takes time to get used to this. Back then I couldn't keep my stomach under control and barfed often when riding the animals on long journeys. You on the other hand handle this much better!" Said Kaoran to the sick boy as he cast a side-long gaze at him while still watching the situation before them.

"Yeah. So lucky... Ugh.." Answered Stone sarcastically with an expressionless face while slowly eating the dried meat. Thanks to his gift and Kaoran's careful nursing Stone already felt much better than a few days ago and can finally eat solid food without barfing it out. His skinny body which looked like that of a mummy already regained a few kilos since the body took the nourishment from all those herbs and food Kaoran provided to regenerate to the peak state.

"Ha ha don't worry, soon we will have to stop for rest. At that time your stomach will calm down a little," said Kaoran as kneaded his long beard.

"As if I get a rest," grumbled Stone as he looked around watching the wild animals in the distance.

"Don't be like that. You need that rehabilitation. You can't even walk without stumbling. I don't know how did your legs get to this state but this isn't something that will solve itself despite that gift of yours. You will thank us once you will be running like a deer. And it isn't that far in the future."

"Sigh... I know it is just hard to get used to this all." sighed Stone as he finished eating and then lay down to rest a little before their stop.

........

Soon After.

"Well, it looks like this is where we will stop this time. It is good there is a river since we can restock our supplies of water. Unfortunately, we can't stay for long for everyone to bathe or wash the clothing as we need to leave at dawn." explained Kaoran to the Stone who listened. He nodded and went down from Musk Ox on the ground.

When he felt the snow under his feet and the cold wind he shuddered a little. He stretched a little as his body muscles hurt after the long travel.

"All right, go visit Degres. He won't be busy for long as always. Then he will help you to move that rigid body of yours." smiled mischievously Kaoran as he took out a tobacco pipe which he lithed right after taking a puff. Then he ignored Stone as he started murmuring something for himself.

*Sigh*

Stone sighed and slowly went towards his destination. His walk was uneventful as he didn't try to socialize since there was a language barrier and others also didn't come to him. But even if he could he wouldn't try anyway.

While he talked with Kaoran and Degres it was usually only when it came to important things. Else he was just daydreaming and his heart was closed. He didn't want any more contact with others than he already had.

As he went he observed barbarians who started to build the tents while others started to create campfire for the food. Not only the adults but also their children helped from a tender age. They always helped with butchering or gathering firewood. And once they reach a certain age they will start hunting and fighting too. Stone who joined the Bakur tribe is no exception and he is expected to do the same once he recovers fully.

Stone wasn't any more special in the minds of the tribe members than the other children. After all, some kids were also adopted in the same fashion as him and also suffered in this cruel world. Some of them are already adults and some already died in battles. Bakur tribe is very open-minded when it comes to this. The only difference between Stone and adopted kids is that he suffered simply too much for the human mind to take. And of course because of his magical regeneration. Thanks to that he is the only kid who got the attention of two of the highest positions in the tribe.

When he finally got to the place Degres stood he saw him barking some orders to others. So Stone patiently waited until he finished.

Degres who already noticed him turned to him and smiled as he said in his deep voice:

"Well, time is tight so let's start, shall we? Let's start with a little stretching."

Then he started to stretch his entire body from head to toe while Stone who watched him imitated him. The stretching routine was always different to make muscles more flexible so he needed to pay attention.

The stretching took almost 10 minutes until Degres finished. Then he came to the Stone and started to teach him all kinds of exercises designated to grow all body muscles, how to keep a straight posture, how to walk properly and keep the balance, how to properly breathe during physical exertion, etc.

All of that was to rehabilitate Stone's body which despite having insane regeneration, degraded by the time. His foundation was completely destroyed and without this help even if he could live without it just fine, it would make many things much more difficult for him and even limit his progress and potential in some of the activities. That is why Kaoran and Degres chose to do this as soon as possible. Of course, this rehabilitation wouldn't even even one-tenth as successful weren't it for Stone's inhuman regeneration which allowed him to recover from the state that is unrecoverable for most normal people.

As of now, those are really basic exercises but Degres was excited as he can teach the boy something new almost every day since his body can easily regenerate all damaged muscles without side effects. This is why he actually gained several kilos worth of muscles in just a few days. Furthermore, while Stone isn't educated or experienced in life he isn't stupid and can learn those exercises easily.

"At this pace, I think we will be able to start with the real training in at most 2 months! This is really unbelievable!" laughed Degres as he watched the boy lying helplessly in the snow sweating like a pig.

"Real training ?" Stone threw a side eye at Degres as he heard something silly. He probably just misheard though...

"Well for today it is enough. Don't lie on the ground like that or you will get sick. Well, you probably don't need to fear being sick but it is a bad habit to make right?"

Stone who heard this started to get himself up. His entire body ached as every one of his muscles were used to the limit. His entire body was exhausted and he felt he would fall soon if he didn't go to sleep. But unlike the pain and exhaustion he felt in the past this kind of ache and exhaustion was actually kind of exhilarating for Stone. He never felt like this. It felt really great when you gave your everything and then just got to sleep to only wake up with a feeling of endless energy!