KiAera wondered what kind of relationship GamaGen and Szylla had. Were they close? Did they care for each other deeply? She wished she could ask the book more questions about it, but she sensed it wouldn't want to talk about the topic anymore.
'If what GamaGen says is true, then maybe...' Her thoughts trailed off, shaking her head slightly. 'No. I can't think about that now. Right now, I just need to focus on surviving.'
She mused about her next course of action as Big Osseod snuggled closer to her.
Meanwhile, the Liorex egg glowed faintly, enjoying the warmth of the sun.
KiAera decided not to pry further. Instead, she gazed up at the sky, admiring the bubbles floating in the translucent mist above.
She sighed as she laid against the grass, shutting her eyes and relishing the sensation of the wind against her fur. She smiled. Despite everything she'd been through, despite all the hardships she'd endured, she found comfort in knowing that there was beauty in this world.
She stretched her limbs as she stood up. "Well, we should probably get moving again. No point in lazing around here all day." Her stomach growled.
"KiAera, hungry?" Big Osseod asked, tilting its head.
She blinked, then realized that she was indeed quite hungry. She hadn't eaten anything since encountering the ArchLiorex. It had been a day, had it not? Or as GamaGen called it, a cycle. "Yeah, I'm starving."
The Big Osseod and the small Osseods chirped excitedly, bouncing around. They seemed eager to help KiAera find food. She chuckled. These Osseods really were cute.
Redirecting her gaze from them, she scanned the area. Her gaze fell upon the crystallized vegetation that dotted the landscape, amongst normallish flowers, bushes, and trees.
GamaGen cleared its throat, catching her attention.
| 'Miss KiAera, I must advise you against eating the crystallized vegetation of Zeldritzon. While they may seem appealing due to their appearance, they are far from… delectable. Stick to the light-blue crystals,' | GamaGen warned as it hovered nearby.
KiAera placed a paw to her chin, and her tail swayed. "Why? Do they taste bad or something?"
| 'On the contrary, they taste quite delicious, albeit rather bland. However, consuming them will not increase your power nor provide you with worthwhile sustenance.' |
GamaGen floated closer to her. | 'Zeldritzon is a peculiar realm. Most things within it is composed of pure crystallized life-force, including the vegetation and the flora.' |
KiAera raised a brow. "Elaborate, please."
| 'Hm. Zeldritzonian vegetation is unique because it draws upon ambient mana, otherwise known as abyss particles, to grow and thrive. However, crystallized vegetation and clear crystals only serve as decorations. They hold no purpose beyond aesthetic appeal. Eating them is akin to consuming pretty rocks.' |
The book paused, pondering its next words, | 'In essence, they are worthless.' |
KiAera nodded as she processed the book's explanation. She glanced at Big Osseod, who merely chirped with an oblivious expression. Clearly, it didn't understand what the book was saying.
She sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Thanks for the heads-up GamaGen. Well, guess we'll dine on those delicious light-blue crystals instead." She winked playfully.
The book harrumphed before turning away from her. | 'Limit yourself to ten, Miss KiAera. You might explode consuming above that.' |
KiAera stifled a laugh, amused by GamaGen's reaction. But explode? It wasn't serious, right?
Lifting her gaze from the floating book, she approached one of the light-blue crystals jutting from the ground. She grabbed it with both paws and pulled. Nothing. She tried again. However, it refused to budge.
Big Osseod approached, chirping curiously as it eyed the crystal. "Osseod, helps?" It asked, placing a stubby limb on the crystal. KiAera shook her head, but was grateful, nonetheless.
She didn't want Big Osseod straining itself trying to help her remove the crystal.
"Thanks, Big Ossie, but I think I got it," she replied as she tugged on the crystal again, yet it remained firmly rooted in the soil. "Damn, this thing's really stuck in there," KiAera grumbled.
Her gaze flickered to her droopy ears, and she mused, 'About time I put them to use.' She flexed them like muscles and aimed them towards the crystal. They elongated and wrapped around it tightly, gripping it firmly. Then she pulled once more. The crystal came loose with a satisfying pop! KiAera stumbled back slightly from the momentum. Thankfully, Big Osseod caught her.
"KiAera, okay?" It asked, concerned.
She smiled. "Yeah, I'm fine, Big Ossie. Thanks for catching me." She patted the creature's head appreciatively.
Big Osseod chirped happily as it bounced around in excitement, pleased that it managed to assist KiAera in retrieving her meal.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Big Osseod's [Trust]:
Trust increased!
★ [Companion] [Tier B (8%)] -> [Companion] [Tier B (11%)]!
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Nodding, KiAera peered away, looking at and examining the crystal closely. It shone brilliantly, illuminating the surrounding area. Its surface sparkled beautifully in the light, as if it contained thousands of tiny stars. She marveled at its beauty, reminded of diamonds back home.
Bringing it to her mouth, she took a bite. Immediately, a burst of sweet flavors exploded in her mouth as she chewed. Unlike diamonds, these crystals tasted far better than she expected. It was easy to chew through and tasted similar to honeydew, leaving a refreshing aftertaste lingering on her tongue.
KiAera grinned widely as she swallowed her first bite of Zeldritzonian crystal. "This stuff always tastes amazing!"
૮꒰˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶꒱ა
KiAera's Status:
ding Abyss Particles absorbed: 1 Unit
Accumulated Particles: 6 Units > 7 Units!
૮꒰˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶꒱ა
"And there we go!" she exclaimed, shaking and swaying her hips, tail, and shoulders. She snickered as Big Osseod tilted its head at her dancing. "Heheh~ I call this dance move the 'Crystal Chew Dance!' Whatcha think, Big Ossie?" She grinned as she finished devouring the Light-Blue Crystal.
Her hunger subsided somewhat, yet she felt surprisingly energized. She chalked it up to Zeldritzonian crystals containing mana.
She turned to see that Big Osseod had tilted its head even further. KiAera giggled at the creature's confusion. She couldn't blame it, though; the name was rather silly. Still, it made her happy to see Big Osseod enjoying itself alongside her.
| 'Such an odd display...' | GamaGen muttered quietly to itself. KiAera heard it anyway.
She smirked playfully at the book. "Jealous that you can't join us, GamaGen?"
| 'Hardly,' | It scoffed, turning away from her. KiAera laughed.
Big Osseod bounced around, chirping merrily as it joined KiAera's silly 'Crystal Chew Dance'. KiAera laughed harder as she danced alongside the creature, enjoying herself immensely.
The small Osseods copied KiAera and Big Osseod, bouncing and chirping along with them. Eventually GamaGen joined in, hovering above them while humming quietly to itself. | 'This here, is the GamaShake,' | it announced proudly. | 'You're not worthy enough to learn it, so just watch and admire.' |
KiAera snorted at the book's arrogance but refrained from teasing it further. Instead, she nearly doubled over laughing as she watched GamaGen float above them, bobbing side to side whilst humming elegantly. A rather beautiful tune, actually. She whistled impressed. "Not bad, GamaGen~ Not bad at all!"
| 'Of course it's not bad; I created it after all.' |
Big Osseod tilted its head, staring at GamaGen. Then it hopped beside the book, joining in on the GamaShake. Its crystal hide glittered and sparkled brightly in the sunlight, its footsteps drumming on the ground. KiAera clapped approvingly and collapsed into fits of laughter as she watched Big Osseod hopping alongside GamaGen.
Big Osseod squealed happily as it marched, its stubby limbs continued stomping wildly. "Osse-od! Osse-od! Osse-od!" It sung.
Meanwhile, the other Osseods copied KiAera, giggling and jumping around her. "Ki! Ki! Ki!"
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
12 Osseods' [Trust]:
Trust increased!
★ [Companion] [Tier B (3%)] -> [Companion] [Tier B (6%)]!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
| 'Hmph. Well played, Osseod.' | GamaGen remarked approvingly, floating closer to the creature. Big Osseod chirped again before bouncing away from it, leaving the book behind. | 'Indeed.' |
KiAera wiped tears of mirth from her eyes as she gazed around at everyone.
"Man, this place is weird..." She muttered to herself, chuckling wryly. "Yet... not so bad, honestly." She mused aloud as she plopped down, taking a seat on the grasses. She leaned back, resting her weight against Big Osseod who snuggled beside her.
That was when KiAera smiled warmly. This felt nice. It reminded her of happier times back on Earth when she used to dance with Aria.
She frowned.
Her mood soured at the thought of her sister, and she pondered her past. She had hurt her little sister; she had to for mankind's sake. Sighing dejectedly, she lay there silently, staring up at the frothed clouds drifting in the translucent mist above.
| 'Miss KiAera?' | GamaGen questioned worriedly, floating slightly above Big Osseod.
KiAera waved dismissively as she sat upright. "It's nothing important..." She mumbled. "Just reminiscing about Earth, that's all." She forced herself to smile as she faced Big Osseod before ruffling its crystal carapace affectionately. Big Osseod purred happily, nuzzling KiAera's paw.
| 'That's understandable,' | GamaGen replied solemnly before falling silent again.
KiAera sighed again before standing up. She stretched lazily, then surveyed her surroundings, looking for potential threats nearby. Fortunately, she spotted nothing aside from crystallized vegetation dotting the landscape. She relaxed slightly but continued to scan her surroundings warily.
Big Osseod nudged her leg with its nose. "Osseods, eat too?" It inquired hopefully.
KiAera nodded absentmindedly. "Go ahead, Big Ossie. Eat all you want."
Big Osseod chirped excitedly as it rushed toward a light-clue crystal nearby. It smashed through it easily with its crystalline hide and began chomping eagerly on the remains of the shattered crystal.
૮꒰˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶꒱ა
Big Osseod's Status:
ding Abyss Particles absorbed: 1 Unit
Accumulated Particles: 11 Units > 12 Units!
૮꒰˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶꒱ა
"Osseod, what you eat?" one creature asked. KiAera shifted her gaze, noticing it was the second smallest of the group.
The Osseod being addressed stood out as peculiar compared to the others. It was the smallest, though not truly an Osseod, but a lower form. Her [Insight] confirmed this as it provided her with its details.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Name: Ossemite
Age: [15 Cycles]
Race: [Osseod]
Species: [Ossemite]
APeX: [4 Units]
Evolution Stage: [Genesis]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
It chomped greedily on a crystal, and KiAera could have sworn she was imagining things. It had grown slightly after it finished devouring it. KiAera blinked twice to make sure she wasn't hallucinating.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
[Evolution requirements... met!]
Conditions:
* age [10 Cycles] prerequisite found
* reach [5 Units] of APeX
* [Crystal Spit] TECH: 3 prerequisite found
[Evolution from [Ossemite] to [Osseod]!]
[COMPLETE]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Name: Osseod
Age: [15 Cycles]
Race: [Osseod]
Species: [Osseod]
APeX: [5 Units]
Evolution Stage: [Fledgling]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
| 'Indeed,' | GamaGen confirmed. Of course it had read her mind. | 'As you know. Zeldritzonian crystals contain Abyss Particles. Eating them allows one to accumulate Abyss Particles within their bodies, thus allowing them to evolve. Even by the slightest bit.' |
KiAera hummed thoughtfully as she processed GamaGen's information. She supposed it made sense; after all, she felt energized after consuming a light-blue crystal earlier. Every single time, she always gained [1 Unit] of abyss particles. Was evolution always that subtle?
Perhaps there wouldn't be much difference to her next form's metamorphosis once she reached her [Emergent]-stage? She considered testing this hypothesis later, but right now, she had another question blossoming in her mind.
"What exactly determines evolution?" She asked, watching as the Big Osseod demolished another light-blue crystal. It grew again, albeit minimally. It grew, but it did not evolve. Still an Osseod…
૮꒰˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶꒱ა
Big Osseod's Status:
ding Abyss Particles absorbed: 1 Unit
Accumulated Particles: 12 Units > 13 Units!
૮꒰˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶꒱ა