૮꒰˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶꒱ა
Ultimate Skill obtained: [Chief's MereSphere]
૮꒰˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶꒱ა
'I really did that…?' KiAera thought, her paws trembling with the adrenaline still buzzing through her. She had defeated the Shazathei horde and protected her companions. She had proven she could defend herself and others in this form, and it felt… incredible!
She looked down at her paws, still glowing with an eerie purple light, then over at the Liorex egg cradled beneath GamaGen. "We did it..." she whispered.
"We did it!" she exclaimed, turning to face Big Osseod and punching her paw into the air.
Big Osseod smiled in return, its crystalline body shimmering in the moonlight as it danced. "Osseods protect KiAera! KiAera protects Osseods! We won together!"
"Yay!" the smaller Osseods cheered, squeaking as they bounced their chipped bodies around KiAera. "We won! We won!"
KiAera laughed, feeling elated by the victory. "Yes, yes, we did."
'I guess there are benefits to this transformation,' she thought.
She turned her head, watching the Shazatheis dissolve into light blue particles that speckled the night sky. 'Why did they attack?'
Her head throbbed. She wobbled before dropping to the forest floor, barely catching herself. Empty. She panted, feeling drained and overexerted. It took all my energy?
As her paws finally stilled, she reached up instinctively to her forehead, brushing her fur aside until her fingertips grazed the strange sigil that pulsed just beneath her skin. The Mark. A reminder that she was no longer fully human—if she had been at all since arriving here. The mark pulsed faintly, akin to the echo of some distant heartbeat, yet it thrummed in sync with her own.
A thought struck her: What does it mean to be a monster? Is this what being a monster feels like?
| 'Perhaps,' | GamaGen interrupted her thoughts. | 'Or something else. Congratulations on your victory, Miss KiAera.' |
"T-thank you, GamaGen," KiAera stuttered. "It was thanks to you as well."
| 'Not me, Miss KiAera, all I can do is teach,' | GamaGen replied with a warm glow, but then its tone grew serious.
| 'This is a dangerous power,' | GamaGen cautioned, its cover rippling with concern. | 'You must be careful how you use it...' |
KiAera nodded, her expression turning grave. "I will," she promised. The drain she felt was enough proof of the need for caution.
But despite the risks, she knew she had no other choice if she wanted to survive in this new world. She had to be willing to fight for herself and those she cared about.
"I’ll be careful," KiAera reassured GamaGen before turning back to Big Osseod and the smaller Osseods.
"I want to create a home for them," she murmured.
"Where to," she said softly, her eyes reflecting the Osseods' crystalline bodies.
| 'Now, shall we depart?' |
"Of course, let's go," KiAera agreed, leading the Osseods through the nocturnal forest. She was exhausted but relieved their battle had ended in success.
The Osseods walked alongside her, their crystalline bodies glowing brightly under the moonlight. The forest seemed to come alive with their presence, the darkness giving way to a soothing radiance.
KiAera smiled as she watched the Osseods play in the moonlight, their happy squeaks filling the air with joyful music.
She staggered a few times along the way.
| 'Do not worry, Miss KiAera,' | GamaGen reassured her. | 'You will get used to it.' |
"I hope so," KiAera murmured, still processing everything that had happened.
She gazed at the moon, which shone down upon them... a grin met her gaze.
"I suppose," she whispered. Her paws still trembled. Turning to Big Osseod, she said, "Come on, we should keep moving."
Big Osseod nodded, and the smaller Osseods echoed its words with their squeaks. "Osseods follow KiAera! Osseods follow KiAera!" "Osseod likes KiAera. Likes KiAera. Likes KiAera."
A small smile tugged at her lips.
"Hey, GamaGen," KiAera replied as she glanced at the sentient book. "Can you drop the Miss?"
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| 'As you wish, Young KiAera,' | GamaGen replied with a chuckle.
"Young?" KiAera snorted, "I'm twenty-five, GamaGen."
GamaGen hummed. | 'That's where the error lies. An inhibited age.' |
KiAera ears twitched, only to shake her head. "Fine, fine, I guess I am a youngling in your "eyes", GamaGen," she replied with a laugh. "And what about you Osseods? Are you older than me?"
Big Osseod tilted its head. "Osseod is Osseod," it replied after a few moments of silence. "Osseod not know what age is."
KiAera chuckled, amused by the Osseod's innocent response. "I suppose it doesn't matter, you have heart," she continued walking, collecting a light-blue crystal along the way, observing it. "Wither, huh."
૮꒰˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶꒱ა
★🌱KiAera's Stash:
[Foraged] Light-Blue Crystals: 1
૮꒰˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶꒱ა
"Heart?" Big Osseod asked.
"Yes, the heart," KiAera replied as she peered at the stars. "Keep being great."
Big Osseod stared at her with wide eyes before it suddenly smiled widely. "Osseod understands!" It exclaimed as it bounced around excitedly. "Osseod has a heart! Osseod loves KiAera! Osseod loves KiAera!"
KiAera chuckled at the Osseod's enthusiasm. It was infectious, and she felt her own spirit lifting as they traversed the forest together.
She noticed the night was growing colder, but she didn't mind it. Instead, she continued to lead her ragtag group of monsters in search of a safer place to stay the night. She was determined to find somewhere secure where the creatures could rest and recover.
"If we can find some shelter, we'll be able to create our first campsite," KiAera said as she surveyed the surrounding forest. "Then, we can start working on making this place our new home."
The Osseod squeaked in response. It seemed to understand what KiAera meant, even if it didn't fully comprehend the concept of "home".
"I'm sure you're tired of wandering aimlessly. I know I am." She gave a small sigh, her paws aching. "We can't keep pushing ourselves like this. Let's rest soon."
Big Osseod yawned, its crystalline eyes drooping. "Osseod sleepy," it mumbled, rubbing its glowing body with one chipped paw. The smaller Osseods mimicked him, echoing the sentiment.
"KiAera smiled softly. "Not yet, though. We need a safe spot first." Her eyes swept the shadowy trees. She shuddered, maintaining her gaze on the spot. Awaiting.
Big Osseod chirped, catching her attention. Big Osseod's head turned sharply, and it pointed with a glowing limb. "Osseod see," it said, gesturing toward a small clearing up ahead. "Osseod sleep there?"
KiAera followed Big Osseod's gaze, squinting through the gloom. The clearing, framed by scattered crystal boulders, glimmered faintly under the moonlight. "Perfect," she said, a surge of relief flooding her. "Let's get there before it gets any darker."
As they reached the clearing, KiAera paused. What she'd thought was an empty field was actually filled with crystalline monuments, their surfaces catching the starlight.
She exhaled, grateful there were no signs of danger—no Shazathei in sight.
"Thank goodness. I thought we were going to have to walk around all night." KiAera said with a sigh. "I'm glad we found this place."
"Osseod help! Osseod help!" the smaller Osseods cheered, thrilled at finding the clearing. Their chipped bodies bounced in excitement, eager to assist in any way.
Big Osseod squeaked in agreement, clearly impressed by the sight. "Osseod sleep here?" it asked as it looked at KiAera.
KiAera nodded as she surveyed the clearing. "Yes," she replied. "We'll make camp here tonight and continue exploring the forest tomorrow."
The area was relatively flat, and the trees were spaced out. The crystal boulders offering natural barriers. "It's the best we'll find tonight."
"Yay!" The smaller Osseods cheered as they bounced around excitedly. "Osseod sleep! Osseod sleep!"
"Yeah," KiAera replied with a smile. "Let's get some rest."
Big Osseod nodded as it began to make its way into the clearing. "Osseod sleep," it repeated.
KiAera and the smaller Osseods followed behind. GamaGen hovered overhead.
She watched as the Osseods bounced eagerly into the clearing, noting how tattered the creatures were from their recent battle and travels. She was impressed by their resilience. All thirteen of the Osseods were accounted—which included Big Osseod. However, she worried that if she didn't allow them rest soon, their health would deteriorate. Yet, to her surprise, something unexpected occurred.
The cluster of crystal creatures were quick to inspect themselves. Big Osseod chirped several times and the smaller Osseods huddled together. She watched as their crystal bodies sparkled as the Osseods nuzzled another. Slowly their injuries began to mend.
[Crystal Mend]
Ore: Mends damage sustained from [Ore] attribute Zeozons over time.
Scales with APeX.
TECH: +1
[Crystal Mend], she came to discover. It belonged to every Osseod.
"[Crystal Mend]," KiAera whispered as she watched their glow intensify. "You guys never cease to amaze me."
Big Osseod beamed, its body glistening. "Osseod heal!"
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera exhaled, settling down with the Liorex egg in her lap. Her body ached, but her mind was finally at ease. The moon bathed the clearing in a soft glow, and the air felt fresh and calm—so different from the haunted forest they had left behind.
Her head swiveled, surveying the clearing. Her thoughts wandered, scrutinizing the boulders scattered about. 'Maybe we could reshape these into shelter… something sturdy, like a cave,' she thought. 'That'll give us more protection when we sleep. We'll be vulnerable if we don't have something solid against the cold and the dangers of the night.'
She paused; her ears twitching as she heard a soft rustle.
She glanced at the Osseods who were settling down and preparing to sleep. Her ears twitched again, eyes flickering to the trees where GamaGen hovered silently. It seemed vigilant. Why? More danger?
KiAera yawned. He would have given a warning by now... 'I'll leave the guarding to GamaGen tonight,' she thought, curling up against one of the larger boulders. The warmth of the Liorex egg pulsed gently through her fur, easing her into a much-needed rest.
The Osseods echoed her words in their own way, their soft squeaks blending with the night's breeze. Soon, the clearing was quiet, the crystal creatures huddled close to KiAera.
With the Osseods resting beside her and the Liorex egg safe in her arms, KiAera let the weight of the day melt away. Tomorrow, they would begin building the [Crystal Shelter]—the first step toward... her monster paradise.