In a world that reeks of primitive aura with no sign of civilizations, festivals of untamed wildness surged unabated. Yet, this primal wilderness exuded a raw beauty that could captivate any observer.

Under the boundless azure expanse where the sun asserted its radiant dominion and wispy clouds drifted with an air of nonchalance, the presence of a crimson moon and distant planets added an unparalleled picturesque quality to the scene.

Beneath this vast expanse, towering mountain ranges stood like celestial pillars, declaring their dominance over the landscape. However, lush greenery, adorned with vibrant flowers, fearlessly embellished their grandeur, transforming them from symbols of domination into emblems of natural harmony.

All of this was nothing but Creator's artistry to make Mother Nature even more lovely and endearing to her children. In this world, every living creature, from the delicate rabbit that trembles at the fall of a leaf to the formidable bear pursued by relentless bees for pilfering honey, everyone has a place in her nurturing embrace.

She, who gave birth to all life, filled their lungs with tranquil air, and quenched their thirst with eternal springs, remained eternally beautiful. Even the dark cycle of predation could not tarnish her exquisite allure.

Amidst her children, nestled within the alpine shrubs, lay a creature that appeared unusual, distinctly out of place in its surroundings.

This being resembled an oversized monkey with an upright spine but no tail. It sported a leonine mane yet lacked fur over its body. Without a vibrant hide for natural camouflage and devoid of any specialized hunting organs

Couldn't sting like a bug.

Couldn't sing like a bird.  

Its senses were good, but that didn't hold a candle to the canines.

Its reflexes were good, but that was garbage compared to the felines.

Its muscles looked good, but couldn't be compared to the Equines.

It stood as a creature bereft of remarkable attributes, a bland and ordinary existence that might lead sapiens to question if it was a failed creation of the Great Creator. In a world rich with vibrant hues, this being was a solitary figure in stark black and white.

While sapiens might ponder the purpose of such a creature's existence, the creature itself stirred. Something had captured its attention, and it was poised to respond. With its short, ape-like arms, it grasped a sturdy tree branch that bore a triangular stone affixed to one end, resembling a spear. Though shorter than its own stature, it was perfectly suited as a throwing weapon.

The creature moved cautiously, advancing step by deliberate step. Upon crossing a distance of ten meters, it halted, peering beyond a patch of undergrowth to ascertain the source of its interest. There, it beheld a group of six wild goats, peacefully grazing amidst the verdant grass. The playful antics of their offspring revealed their maternal identity. Witnessing this heartwarming sight, a spark of excitement ignited in the creature's eyes, its impulses awakening. However, it swiftly subdued these emotions.

It didn't take any action, but its eyes darted here and there, cautiously scanning its surroundings. If there was prey before your eyes, you are a predator, but not "the only". So, caution here is your only lucky charm.

Its anticipation of the absence of other nearby predators encouraged it to act impulsively. With a swift breath, it blew air rhythmically into a robin-shaped necklace hanging around its neck.

Piiiiiii...Pi.Piii!

Piiiiiii..Pi.Piii!

A melodic chime resonated, yet it was devoid of soul or emotion, much like the creature itself. The goats remained unperturbed by this sound, as they were not the intended recipients of the message, nor did the robin call belong to their species.

Piiiiiii...Pi.Piii!

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Once again, soulless chimes rang out, though not from the creature we were observing. However, it responded to these sounds without diverting its gaze from a particular nanny goat nearby.

Piiiii..pi..piiii

Then silence descended. After a brief interlude, the chime of another bird echoed, distinct from the earlier calls. The goats, too, seemed alerted by this change.

As though a trigger had been pulled, the creature's hand clenched, and it focused intently on its target. With a powerful thrust, it launched its spear, and the goat reacted, leaping to evade the incoming projectile. Yet, its reaction was slightly delayed, and the spear found its mark, piercing the goat's belly. Witnessing this, the other goats swiftly retreated in the opposite direction, showing no regard for the treacherous terrain.

Motivated by their example, the injured goat writhed in an attempt to stand but was swiftly approached by the strange bipedal creature. Another triangular stone, roughly the length of a palm, found its way into the goat's throat, ending its struggle for survival. Only the heartrending cry of the goat echoed through the high alpine landscape.

Just as the peculiar monkey-like creature sighed with relief, a blunt pain struck its lower back. It leaped away instinctively, turning to confront the source of the pain, only to discover a kid—the offspring of the fallen nanny goat. Unlike the other goats, this kid had not fled with the rest. After impaling the transgressor with its formidable horns, it positioned itself protectively before its mother's lifeless body.

Sapiens might find themselves perplexed by this goat's behavior. After all, survival takes precedence above all else in the wild. Instinct compels every creature to fight fiercely for its life when faced with a threat. For a goat with limited intelligence, this instinct should be even more pronounced. Yet, what this kid had just  defied its very instincts.

The peculiar monkey-like creature regarded the kid with a fixed gaze and, for a moment, remained motionless. It seemed as though the sight of this little one had awakened a dormant memory, something profoundly significant that had been left behind—a memory that held great importance to the creature.

Observing the kid's refusal to retreat, the creature remained still, continuing to watch without making any sudden movements. It was almost as though the sight of this kid, standing resolute beside its deceased mother, triggered a sense of familiarity and emotional connection in the creature. This bond, inexplicable yet profound, linked the two beings in that solemn moment.

Unperturbed by the creature's presence, the kid turned its attention to its mother, nuzzling her gently and attempting to rouse her from her slumber. Unbeknownst to the young goat, its mother had departed beautiful yet cruel world,  having served the best service she could provide to the world as a goat, while also leaving behind a nutritious body for other starving creatures and "Him" as the continuation of that service.

In her lifetime, she had nurtured numerous kids like the one now standing vigil over her. She had fulfilled her role as a devoted mother, providing for her offspring with unwavering care. Even in death,  she became a mercy from the creator- for the corrupted creatures that have been venturing these glorious alps for days, while enduring the torture of hunger.

The tableau of the kid's futile attempts to awaken its mother played out before the peculiar monkey-like creature. The kid's actions, driven by innocence and ignorance of the inevitable, painted a poignant picture against the backdrop of the rugged wilderness.

However, the stagnancy broke as three more of the peculiar creatures ascended the slopes, each one bearing the same distinctive features as the first, with subtle differences in physical attributes. These differences, though minor, rendered each creature unique in its own right.

One detail had been overlooked until this moment—a detail that set these creatures apart from the others: clothing. While their bodies lacked fur, they adorned themselves with hides patterned in varying designs, most notably covering their genital areas. This detail alone confirmed that they were sapiens.

Indeed, clothing was a defining feature of advanced sapiens, a privilege bestowed upon these elite beings who possessed consciousness, sentience, self-awareness, and sense of morality combined. However, these particular creatures hardly appeared elite.

Returning to the peculiar monkey-like creatures, the newcomers reached the pasture, two of them carrying another goat. At the forefront, the newcomers appeared larger and more muscular than their counterparts. Upon seeing another goat sprawled in a pool of blood, one of them opened his mouth, revealing sharp, yellowed teeth, and called out, "Abu!" The other responded with a wide smile, exclaiming, "Gabu!"

Both of them exchanged genuine smiles brimming with unrestrained happiness and a sense of relief. These smiles conveyed the immense significance of their successful hunt.

Gabu, the burly creature addressed by the name, hoisted the mother goat's colossal body onto his shoulder singlehandedly. Abu, on the other hand, carried the valiant kid with ease, allowing no room for resistance.

Together, the four of them left the scene, their destination presumably their headquarters. Patches of dried blood on the rugged gray stones bore to witness the story of how lives were lost in order to save lives.

Yet, soon after, the storyteller was blanketed by a pure shroud of white snow, erasing all traces of the tale.