Emerging as a sprout, progressing forth into a sapling, a fruitful tree had grown so much for all to see. Raining a better and much tastier yield below, which the Zeiroidians relished. This was perhaps the largest one compared to its neighbors, bearing many fruits so much that the moment a portion of them fell, curious quadrupedal creatures began to gather, one after another as they soon ate them. A hide so thick a touch of it didn't feel like skin, confident in their protective strength, perhaps the only thing that could eliminate these creatures would be specifically designed traps.
The Individual didn't mind as he vanished, looking for the other inhabitants of Nurne. Beginning with a mammal that stood over 13 meters in height, each leg alone would crush anything in its path.
Although the mammal had noticed his approach, a single huff from its nostrils should be enough to scare the small creature.
Stumbling back after noticing something wrong, but the damage carried out to the mammal's head was already done. Slumping back and to its side before hitting the ground, blood poured ceaselessly, making a pool underneath its lifeless body. The Individual brought the body near the Zeiroidian settlement, but not close enough for them to see and become thrilled.
All these meat over a large mammal, it would take days for the Zeiroidians to finish. Since trees were so bountiful in this world, the Individual made a makeshift smokehouse. In case they have a tendency to spoil fast, it is better to preserve the fat and lean in one go.
Dropping the parts he found unsuitable to taste after setting everything, plunging deep along into a river. Witnessing many creatures feasting away at the leftover piece, the Individual struck one that tried to approach and they devoured the complimentary meal. Flaps of wings descended by the river with its beakless face extending out for a drink, oblivious to a projecting head.
– END -
Giving chorus to its own reflection, waves could be seen fiddling her image, yet she didn't stop. By that time, it was already too late for the winged creature to escape as the Individual held her by the neck. Lacerations proved pointless as the sharp talons broke, a momentary struggle ensued before passing out completely.
Detaching his grip, the humanoid creature laid motionless, so he carried her back. Creating a fire for the both of them and taking a nap while waiting for Sidia to wake up. 'What was my purpose here?' The Individual thought, his mind remained awake, 'What is so special about this place that I am to show patience for it?' Now opening them as he looked around, once he did, it slowly dawned on the Individual as he returned his gaze back to the crackling flame. 'I remember now.. there was something that I needed to do, and here I am."
Beyond the burning wood, a faint whimper could be heard, the Individual waited to see what this humanoid creature would do after waking up. She fidgeted, covering herself after noticing several eyes above and the quadrupedal creatures around with the main one past this fire.
A clutch on her neck, how her precious voice had become raspy, the sight of shattered talons. She remembered all the things that led to her being in this place, looking at him again, the Individual's figure was illuminated.
Uttering words he didn't understand, but knew that she was afraid based on the frantic movements of her head. Bracing herself for the worst, yet unable to make a decisive move. Blinking once before moving his head to the right, where the humanoid creature could be seen crawling close to him. It spoke another set of words after being seen, misinterpreting his silence as coldhearted and ruthless.
Rambling like a child and getting near to his feet, she proceeded to grasp the Individual's hand before he moved it away, making her gasp.
Probably since the Individual was her only chance in escaping, at least she deluded herself to believe that. The grim expression on her face made the Individual misunderstand as the fire had grown weak with no more spare wood and that she might be suffering from the cold breeze as a result, the Individual left her to collect more from the trees he had uprooted from earlier. And in doing so, the act alone made the humanoid creature grit her teeth, thinking that she was abandoned to die.
Covering herself with those wings, she jolted at the sound of something dull being dropped. Feeling glad in some way, especially after seeing what he brought. Until she realized that it was too late since the last ember no longer sparked, pleading more to him. Perhaps the only thing they could do right now was to embrace and conserve each other's warmth.
That was before the Individual summoned forth a fire on his palm, reigniting the lost flame. A widened look on her face upon witnessing something she never thought was possible. Still insensible to the language barrier between them, the feathers on her left wing embraced the Individual once he sat down. It was also convenient, the Individual could rest his eyes while she's very close enough for him to prevent any strife.
Leaning on what seemed to be soft before he squinted as he fell asleep, ignoring the little cries from behind, realizing too late that she was stuck in a very uncomfortable position. Compressed in both ways with breaths reduced to a few and small, the humanoid creature constantly nudged. Sensing Rogea poking on her right cheek, the Individual sat upright before following Rogea back inside.
Not wanting to be left alone, the humanoid creature crawled along towards where the two headed. Quiet and still, Sidia seemed to be fine on the outside, as Rogea thought. However, Sidia was suffering from the visions she saw. Numerous little red vessels could be seen as tears flowed on both after opening them, Rogea immediately became concerned.
Speaking something before hugging Sidia, now her head turned towards the Individual. Bending one knee, the Individual stretched out his right hand over Sidia's forehead and filled her with essences. Boosting the microscopic cells inside, renewing those that have died as the pain slowly alleviated to a delusion.
A feeling so good, it stirred something deep within her. She moaned right as the feeling of relief disappeared, a body quenched but an unquenched mind at the same time. Clutching the Individual's forearm right before hearing a muffled bleat, forcing Sidia to sit upright to look at who it is. Rogea sniffled upon seeing her to be fine as she suddenly cuddled Sidia. "Teacher, what happened to you?" She said before tightening her grip while whispering, "It's a siren…!"
Her feminine lips quivered for a moment, the same goes for the eyebrows. Tapping at Rogea's arm to loosen her arm, she quickly changed the topic, "There's also some things you must see outside!" Sidia tilted her head slightly, "Outside? Did something happen?" Wheezing after the siren had arrived at their feet, "Know this, Zeiroidians…!" Laying her back on the ground, she continued to say, "I didn't… come here on my own…!"
The swift rise and fall of her chest, including the wounded claws. Prompted Sidia to stare at the Individual, who guessed right on her thoughts, "I had nothing to do except wait, so I did a few." Although his actions were done in good interests, Sidia couldn't help but feel increasingly worried as there was nothing her tribe could offer back towards the Individual.
All of a sudden, one sentinel appeared by the doorstep. The swallowing of his throat and him beckoning seemed to be something important. "Meat…!?" The siren stated with a wide look, while a small amount of spit was released from her mouth.
It also made the stomach of the two girls growl before he vanished, just to appear again in a moment. "I'll hear your words later, so come join me, all of you." The siren being the first to go before getting overtaken, she instantly begged the Individual.
Unresponsive to her words, the siren retorted, "I am already at my lowest point, yet why must you be so hard on me!?" Grunting at every stretch forward, "We slept in each other's embrace, shouldn't that be more than enough to form our connection?" Bewildering those who heard it, Sidia translated despite it being erroneous to the ear.
Nevertheless, the Individual motioned for the siren to come up in his arms. Cold upon touching her skin, but better than nothing as she made a few chirps after being lifted to his chest. Witnessing a finger lengthen towards her forehead before a single tap comes about, creating a tiny fracture on the siren's skull.
Wanting to hiss at him, but a little groan simply came out when the Individual looked so fierce. The siren now refused to make any noise on their trip. Dropping the siren down at the ground before picking up the sealed wood from the soil, the smell from the inside blasted out to their faces. The sizzling sound it made overwhelmed those who were near, as if the meat was under their throats, they quickly swallowed with difficulty.