Before sunpeak, Flint managed to stir up trouble numerous times. Seeing a boulder next to us, he kicked it over, and several birds flew out, squawking angrily. They started to attack him, ignoring Hunter’s growls. Eventually Flint had to light himself on fire to get them to fly away, and managed to light my sleeve on fire, though I put it out soon.

The flash of fire attracted several wolves, which were going to attack us, but Hunter behind us probably changed their minds.

Shortly after, Flint spotted a little creature on a tree stump. I looked at Hunter, who narrowed his eyes, his muscles tensing. But as the figure emerged, it became clear that it was not a threat – it was a small, timid-looking creature, its large eyes blinking nervously in the dappled sunlight.

Flint let out a relieved sigh. As soon as the creature heard the sound, its gaze sharpened. It crouched down, and leaped at Flint.

Unprepared for the assault, Flint fell backwards, and I leapt forwards to tear the creature off Flint’s face, and flung it into a tree. It flipped upright after landing, a growl resounding in its throat.

It appeared small and unassuming, almost cute in a way – a furred, round body, large deer-like eyes, short limbs and a long, curling tail. However, the sharp fangs exposed by its curled lips and claws extended from paws showed its true nature: a hunter in disguise.

Flint, now with a flail in hand, approached the animal, which, after a final hiss, retreated into the forest, diving down a hole.

“What was that?” Flint exclaimed.

A creature of disguise. Its endearing looks tends to sway enemies. They attack when the enemy hesitates.

“Please tell me before they attack next time.”

I did not expect it to attack.

“Next time, just tell us what the animal is when it appears in front of us.”

I will do my best.

Suddenly, a deafening roar shattered the peaceful calm, sending a chill down their spines. Emerging from the dense foliage was a massive, hulking beast - its eyes gleaming with feral fury, its sharp claws and jagged teeth bared in a menacing display.

The beast's head was broad and angular, with a long, powerful snout filled with rows of sharp-looking teeth. Its eyes were sunken deep within its skull, glowing with a feral, predatory light. Its body was covered in a thick, shaggy coat of coarse, matted fur that ranged in color from muddy brown to splotches of bright green.

I grabbed my trident while Flint pulled out his sword. Hunter let out a powerful, rumbling growl, his massive wings spreading wide to make himself appear larger and more imposing. Riley and Luna crouched low, their hackles raised, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

Stay. I will try to reason with it.

Before Hunter could do anything, the animal leapt forwards at me. I stabbed forward with my trident. The weapon passed through it, and, to my surprise, did nothing. The creature landed on me, but before it could rip into me, Hunter grabbed it and flung it off.

A roar echoed in our surroundings. I shuddered, the noise bouncing off my ears with a strange tangible quality. It was not from Hunter, yet the creature didn’t open its mouth.

The deep, guttural sound seemed to reverberate within my head, setting my nerves on edge and sending a chill down my spine. It was a sound that commanded respect and instilled a fear that clawed at me.

This creature is not normal. I will fight it.

I took a look at my trident and gasped. Only the handle was left. The part which I stabbed into the creature vanished. However, the structure of the trident was still there, and I easily fixed it.

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Hunter was locked in a fierce fight with the animal. Weirdly, its crushing blows flattened the creature’s body, but it soon bounced up again, not affected by it at all. Its scratches didn’t seem to cause obvious damage to Hunter, though.

A pain suddenly sprang up on my shoulder. The animal scratched me there, but, as I watched, the scratch wound slowly expanded, more and more blood welling up. Flint glanced over to my side and saw the puddle of blood on my shoulder, and quickly slapped a plaster onto it. I hissed as the pain sharpened, but slowly began to ebb away.

We turned back to the battle, trying to join in. Flint shot arrows at the creature, which dodged them while fighting with Hunter, and I shot arrows at it that passed right through them. I frowned. Why can’t I do anything to it?

“Hunter, grab it and hold it still! I’ll light it on fire!” Flint shouted.

Hunter grabbed the animal and smashed it into the ground. As it lay there trying to get up, Flint, rather than lighting it on fire, concentrated and poured some lava onto it. There wasn’t much of it and only a bit got onto the creature, but where it did touch the creature, it did a lot. Its body, once a vibrant green, begin to wither and curl rapidly as the intense heat sears it. Its body crackled and blackened, and it let out a horrifying sound, like a shriek mingled with a gurgle.

However, as it died, it tumbled upright, and leapt at Flint, slamming him into the ground and carving two deep gouges on his chest. It collapsed after that, but the damage to Flint was done.

Flint screamed with a pained voice I’ve never heard from him before. Hunter hurried over, the ground trembling at his rapid steps. Flint managed to contain his screams, but the wound hurt a great deal, and it shows on his face.

I know of a way to remove your injuries, but it will hurt a great degree.

Flint grimaced, a humorless chuckle bleeding out of his mouth. “How much worse can it be than… this?” He lay down, trying to contain his pain. Blood flowed out of his clothes, and his eyes were wide.

My eyes opened wide as I realized how wounds caused by this animal can expand. “Quick, Hunter, treat his injuries, or else they’ll become worse.” Hunter nodded.

Wait here. I will bring him somewhere. Do not engage in combat and avoid animals.

With that, Hunter picked up Flint and vanished, only Flint’s body floating midair, and I laughed at the absurdity of it all, then winced as the pain in my shoulder flared again. I walked over to where the body of the animal was and bent down to examine it.

It seemed to be made out of plants, as the body was black and charred where the lava burned through, and there were no organs or blood. I had to retreat some distance away from it due to the intense heat from the lava, and eventually doused the carcass (or whatever the dead plant animal thing was) in lots of water to solidify the lava, and that was when I noticed something shiny on the head.

I picked it up and Riley yipped excitedly. It was a piece of bright green rock.

“That’s part of the Nature Shard. We need another similar thing to make it whole.” I glanced back down, and jumped, surprised. The carcass of the animal vanished, only the solid lava, or basalt, apparently, remained.

I decided to set up my tent and stay in, while Luna stay outside with Riley, so that they can watch outside. It was Luna’s idea, not mine.

I could occasionally catch a whine coming from Riley. He was probably worried about Flint.

That night, I couldn’t sleep, out of worry for Hunter and Flint, as well as fear for similar creatures attacking me. I was as good as defenseless against a similar creature, since they would just absorb whatever I threw at them.

It was a long time after moonpeak when Hunter finally returned with Flint. I scrambled out of my tent as soon as Luna and Riley started yipping excitedly.

“Oh, skies above, Hunter, is he okay?” I rushed forwards. Hunter stood gravely, Flint cradled in his arms. “Is he okay? Did you patch up his wounds.”

My apologies. I did my very best.

I screamed. “Hunter! Tell me! What happened? Is he alive.” Tears started to flow out of my eyes, and Luna’s prancing stopped. Riley stood, transfixed.

A low, rumbling laugh rolled out from Hunter.

The Fire boy is having a nap. He will be fine. I removed his injuries.

I beat my fists against Hunter’s shoulders. “Hunter, please, don’t joke like that! You scared my heart out of me!”

Hunter pushed me away.

I hope he will wake up soon. He might be out for a prolonged period of time due to his weakened state.

“What did you give him? How are his wounds?” I asked as Riley nudged Hunter’s leg. Hunter reached out a massive hand as if to pat him, but withdrew it.

Don’t you worry. I managed to treat his wounds with some herbs.

My gaze crawled over to Flint. His shirt, still torn, showed nothing except for dried blood. No fresh blood, no red flesh beneath, not even a scar.

“How did you-Hunter, what happened? Please tell me.” Hunter’s face darkened.

It took a bit of time, but I managed to obtain some herbs that cured the wounds of those caused by nature’s abominations. I have some here, to treat your shoulder. Eat these

Hunter handed me a few leaves, bright green and yellow in places. Trusting Hunter, I put them in my mouth, chewed, and swallowed, grimacing at the bitter taste.

Pain erupted from shoulder, but quickly vanished before I even had a chance to scream. I ripped the plaster off, and underneath was unblemished skin.

Normally this type of herb is used to relieve aches, but it also works to alleviate injuries done by creatures such as the ones we have fought.

I swilled some water around in my mouth to get rid of the taste and went to sleep.

The next morning, as I was toying with my trident, Flint woke up.