Big Osseod loomed before them. "Osseod, helps, leg. Give new leg."
KiAera raised her head in intrigue. She peered at Big Osseod, musing about this peculiar skill. "Oh?"
Gnawrat's eyes widened. "New leg? You give Gnawrat new leg?"
Big Osseod nodded. "Give new leg. New leg for friend."
Smiling, the crystal Zeozon then lowered its snout to the Gnawrat's injured limb. Slowly, a crystalline leg began to form, replacing what had been lost. The process was slow, but the result was clear: the Gnawrat's leg had been restored, gleaming with a soft, crystal sheen.
"Thank you," Gnawrat squeaked, standing on its new leg, testing it.
"Osseod helps friends," Big Osseod said, beaming.
KiAera's ears perked upon seeing a small notification appear in her vision.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Big Osseod's [Skill Level] increased:
[Crystal Carapace]: Rank [Basic] (13%) > Rank [Basic] (15%)
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Gnawrat looked around at the Osseods, then at KiAera, its expression softening. "You’re… all friends," it whispered, almost to itself. "Friends with Gnawrat too?"
KiAera nodded. "Of course. You’re one of us now, if you want to be."
The Gnawrat hesitated, its tiny body trembling slightly, then shook its head. "No, Gnawrat go home. Back to nest."
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
New Relationship: Gnawrat!
Trust increased!
★ [Acquaintance] [Tier E (100%)] -> [Allied] [Tier D (100%)]
Bond leveled up!
★ [Allied] [Tier D (100%)] -> [Comrade] [Tier C (100%)]!
Bond leveled up!
★ [Comrade] [Tier C (100%)] -> [Companion] [Tier B (38%)]!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Gnawrat's eyes widened. It stared at her, mouth open. "Friends…" It lowered its head and squealed, shaking its head. "Gnawrat go! Gnawrat go back to nest!"
She nodded in understanding. "Alright, Gnawrat. If you ever need us, we will be here. Please be careful, though."
"Thank you!" Gnawrat said, smiling at her and the Osseods. It took off without another word, surprising her. It ran back...to the same place where it had been harmed. She could only hope that the creature had made the right choice, that it would reach its destination alive, because, without them, it…
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No matter.
KiAera smiled, a warmth spreading in her chest. This is why I fight. Not for glory. Not for power. But for moments like these—small victories, small kindnesses.
It may have had family and friends who would welcome it. KiAera sympathized with the monster, its yearning for those that it cherished. Perhaps they would cross paths again, someday?
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera watched the retreating form of the Gnawrat until it disappeared into the dense foliage, her keen eyes scanning the underbrush long after it was gone. A part of her wanted to follow, to ensure the small creature reached its nest safely, but she knew better. Everyone had their own battles to fight, their own choices to make. She respected that.
The air still smelled of scorched earth and burning foliage, a reminder of the Fierants' attack. Heat radiated off the ground beneath her paws, mixing with the distant crackling of fires they had barely managed to keep at bay. Her fur, singed in places, prickled uncomfortably, but she dismissed the irritation with a flick of her tail. She had survived worse.
Her gaze shifted back to the Osseods, who were busy celebrating their victory. The small creatures moved in a flurry of chirps and crystal flashes, their joy palpable. Big Osseod was surrounded by the others, their admiration clear in every bounce of their tiny bodies. It looked up at KiAera, catching her eye with a proud squeal, its massive crystalline body reflecting the flickering light of the fires.
KiAera allowed herself a moment to breathe, feeling the weight of the battle slowly lifting from her shoulders. They had won, for now. But her mind was already moving forward, cataloging the injuries, assessing the next steps. They couldn't afford to stay here long, not with the Fierants regrouping somewhere in the distance.
⎾'The enemy is unlikely to return soon, Miss KiAera,'⏌ GamaGen chimed softly.⎾'But rest is advisable.'⏌
"Rest," she muttered, shaking her head. "Rest when we're safe." Her paw brushed against her arm where the Fierant's fireball had clipped her earlier. The burn throbbed dully, but she ignored it. They needed to move. Needed to regroup.
The wind shifted, carrying the distant hum of the Fierants' retreat, but KiAera knew it was only temporary. They would be back, more prepared, more determined. And next time, there would be no element of surprise on her side.
Her eyes narrowed as she surveyed the smoldering battlefield. The crystal spikes left in the wake of their defense jutted out of the ground like jagged teeth. But even their sturdy projectiles wouldn't be enough against the full force of a future attack.
"KiAera?" Big Osseod's rumble pulled her from her thoughts. The massive creature had lumbered over, its crystal body gleaming with the pride of their recent victory.
She glanced up, meeting its warm gaze. "You did good today, Big Osseod," she patted its head.
"Osseod strong because of friends," it replied.
A small smile tugged at the corner of KiAera's lips. The Osseods were simple creatures, but their loyalty. Amazing. She could rely on that, at least. And in times like these, that was worth more than any strategy or plan.
"Right. But we're not done yet," she said, turning toward the rest of the group. "We need to keep moving. The Fierants will be back, and next time, they won’t make the same mistakes."
The Osseods' chirps quieted, their attention shifting to her. Even Big Osseod stood a little straighter, his massive head tilting as he listened.
KiAera continued, her voice steady. "We need to find higher ground. A place where we can see them coming before they get too close. Somewhere we can fortify."
She glanced around at the scorched landscape, the fires still smoldering in the distance. "And we’ll need more crystals. The Fierants won't fall for the same tricks twice."
Big Osseod nodded solemnly, his voice echoing through the silence. "Osseods gather. Osseods protect."
KiAera gave a short nod. "Good. Let's move." She gathered the remaining light-blue crystals.
૮꒰˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶꒱ა
★🌱KiAera's Stash:
[Foraged] Light-Blue Crystals: 23
૮꒰˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶꒱ა
As the Osseods busied themselves, gathering supplies and preparing to move out, KiAera cast one last glance toward the trees where the Gnawrat had disappeared. A flicker of uncertainty passed through her, but she quickly pushed it aside. She couldn’t afford to worry about one small creature. Not when so many more were relying on her.
Still, as they began their trek through the charred forest, her mind lingered on the Gnawrat’s trembling voice, on its shy admission that they were friends. KiAera had never been good at forming bonds, at least not in the way others seemed to. But something about that small, fragile creature had stirred something inside her.
But for now, she had a war to fight.