One and two and dammit! I let out a frustrated sigh, practice wasn't going good. But I have to keep practicing because mating season starts in four days. I was reminded of the mating dance when I saw two striders practice together which was quite the site, to say the least.

I need a break.

The fairy returned after completing her task. I had sent her out to connect anima threads to every nameless arachnid/strider. I will make a personal connection to the named ones, more like aimlessly trying. I have no idea how to change the anima itself, which is now showing its ugly face.

I can change things using anima, condense anima giving it a much more potent effect, yesterday I made a breakthrough and that allows me to make 'ankers' which the fairy used to connect the threads to them.

But to change anima itself? That's beyond me and I'm pretty sure that without changing the anima itself I won't be able to make better connections.

I need fresh air.

My breakthrough also allows me to judge someone looking at their anima. The fairy on my shoulder has anima that almost completely hides her and her inexperience is visible.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Dimitriv is a hard mess. It's as if he has multiple minds, and one of them is clearly more dominant than the others. Also how old is he? Shouldn't he be the same age as us?

Freya on the other hand is easier to read. I'm not sure why but she seems to have taken the role of a defender. Which is fitting considering her great size and the sheer toughness of her shell. Seriously even my anima infused chitting isn't that though.

Ge'trak always has a clear mind, or always when I see him. It's as if nothing can trouble him. And he's always with that one weird arachnid, she's so small, she still has white chitting.

Then there's Ernyök, for some ungodly reason he has unparalleled mana control talent. After my sister Komuku that is. And yet he's focusing on being a warrior.

I left my nest. Actually I never hunted anything on my own did I? Actually, when was I last alone? Never, never was I truly alone.

Guess this will be the first time.

***

My sense of directions suck. This is the third time I pass this tree. I know that because this is the third time I scratch a marking into it.

"Komutzu?"

A familiar voice called out to me.

"Mallia."

I kept a calm and composed look even though I'm lost as fuck right now.

"What are you doing here?"

"Hunting."

"Oh, I'm also on the hunt...you're alright?"

"Yes, why-"

Before I could finish my sentence I was pulled into a back breaking hug.

"I was so worried! Ernyök refused to let me see you and Freya gathered all those herbs and plants and and and..."

I struggled to break out of her grip and for the first time I saw her anima.