Crimza’s voice trembles, heavy, as though each word is an unbearable weight. His face, a mask of disgust disguised as fury.

With the glow of the fire. The room feels darker, the air heavy.

Ulubu holds his son close to his chest, closing his eyes. Speaking his love, fears, pain and relief he lets out one word "son!"

"Ruku, I saw him!" Crimza says, his gaze fixed on the floor. "Not as a man offering wisdom, but as a beast tearing into flesh, he chewed her arm like it was nothing but food."

Ulubu stiffens. His fists clench at his sides, his jaw tight, but his eyes betray him---wide, unable to settle.

Ulubu's heart realizes what's coming next. The pain crawls all over his soul.

"Your sister, all the children, they never reached our lord." Crimza's voice feels different, like a dying animal's last breath.

"You’re insane," Ulubu mutters, but his voice falters, hollow and unconvincing.

"I know you don’t believe me." Crimza leans forward, his voice, desperate now. "But I have seen the truth. The sacrifices aren’t for rain or our lord. They are for him. Ruku is no savior. He is a monster."

Ulubu doesn’t respond. He doesn’t move. But his eyes speak the truth, the destructive storm of emotions.

Crimza continues, "As you know children were offered to Lord Kraa. But that night I saw the truth behind the sacrifice ritual." Crimza stops for a second, the look on his face is furious but sad.

Ulubu stays silent, trying to hold his morals inside his mind, failing.

Crimza starts speaking again "I saw him eating her. But some villagers were there guarding him. They saw me while I was watching, they started shooting arrows at me. I ran, realizing what I did, what he does."

Ulubu interupts, "what are you talking about! don't talk about our head that way, it's because of him our village is still standing, I can't believe you!"

Ulubu doesn't know if he can believe his own words.

Crimza starts explaining, trying to understand Ulubu's pain. "Believe me Ulubu, I was staying at a village far from here, They don't sacrifice kids, and rain still falls there."

Ulubu wants to speak, he has many words, many thoughts. But he stays silent, holding his son, with all his emotions screaming out of his eyes.

"I don't know anymore." It's the only thought Ulubu can understand now.

---

In the village, a boy is buying fruits, another boy is laughing and talking to his friends.

A woman is carrying a child on her back. She tries to be as loud as possible in the crowd "Anybody want paintings, anybody?"

Ulubu’s house is burning.

The flames crackle and roar, consuming the dry wood with a terrifying hunger. Villagers are at a safe distance, whispering among themselves, their faces painted with fulfillment.

They enjoy the flames protecting their morals, their truth.

---

Nimina, Ulubu's mother, is in the jungle with a bow and some arrows.