The rumble of wheels drew me from my sleep, the faint sound of voices accompanying it. I blinked and stretched, yawning as I stood up on the branch I was sleeping on. I looked down the dirt road towards the voices, and saw several people riding in a cart, being pulled along by a couple horses. They were all dressed in a mix of clothes and armour, and carried weapons.
Now that they were closer I could make out details. The one that looked like the leader was wearing a set of steel platemail and carried a sword and a tower shield. He kept glancing around like he was watching for something. I could make out words now, and thanks to [Language Comprehension], I could understand them.
"How much longer until we reach Tren?" One guy wearing leather armour with a bow asked. He had pointed ears and blond hair, along with an impressive height, so I figured he was an elf.
"Another hour or two, Iven. Don't get yer bowstring in a twist, we'll be there 'efor nightfall." A short man with a warhammer and a magnificent beard that I labeled as a dwarf said in a thick accent. A young woman with a staff and robes sighed and leaned back against the side of the cart, her fluffy sheep legs crossing in front of her.
"I don't know about you lot, but I'm getting mighty tired of sitting here bickering like a bunch of newbie adventurers when we could be doing something else." The beastkin said tiredly. The leader nodded in agreement.
"I agree with Ava, the bickering is starting to get on my nerves. Why don't we stop for a bit and look around, have dinner? Who knows, maybe there is something interesting." The others nodded, stopping the horses and tying them to a nearby tree. I silently hopped off my branch and went deeper into the woods, doing some exploring of my own.
After wandering for a while, I returned to the road. The adventurers had set up a small camp near the cart and were cooking what looked like a stew. The leader was sharpening his sword, the dwarf was whittling with a small knife, Ava was stirring the pot, and Iven was polishing his bow. They continued chatting about random things, and I learned a few things. The nearest town is Tren, a trading city where these four live. The forest I was in is called the Greatoak Forest. The leader is named Marcus, and the dwarf is named Corin.
My [Language Comprehension] leveled up a few times from listening to them, and now I could understand everything said. When they started eating I wandered off, looking for my own meal. I was far enough away that I could run without being spotted, so I began running, my tail keeping my balance as I dashed between trees. I spotted and killed a few rabbits and began eating
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Lvl 5 Rabbit has been slain, experience gained.
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Lvl 10 Rabbit has been slain, experience gained.
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Lvl 8 Rabbit has been slain, experience gained.
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I finish eating, then go to the stream. I wash the blood and gore off of my face and drink. I go back to the clearing I woke up in and look around. A cool breeze ruffles my feathers as I pad across the grassy expanse I first saw.
Snap!
A sharp, searing pain rips through my hind leg as something that was hidden in the grass slams shut. I yelp in pain, and look back to see a rusty, oversized bear trap clamped around my leg. I attempt to pull myself out, widening the wound but freeing myself. I lay down panting in pain as blood drips down and stains the grass crimson. I begin to limp away from the clearing, my health dropping as I move, my leg shattered and shredded. I hear the distant sound of something crashing through the bushes towards me as I begin to feel lightheaded from blood loss. I briefly see the beastkin Ava emerge from the trees before I pass out.
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I awaken briefly when the pain flares again and I thrash, trying to escape, but something is holding me down. The pain fades, and I slip back under.
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I wake up later, something soft under me and the pain gone. The crackling of a fire comes from somewhere nearby, along with hushed whispers. I slowly blinked, a fire coming into view with four figures around it. I realized I was laying on a blanket and slowly raised my head. One of the figures looks over and says something to the others, and they all look over. Another stands up, and I recognize Ava as she slowly approaches me, one hand extended towards me. I blink a few times and recognize the others. Iven has his bow and arrow nocked, Corin has his hammer next to him and Marcus has one hand on his sword. Ava reaches me and begins speaking in a soothing tone.
"It's alright, see, we're friends, okay? We helped you away from that trap and healed you. Just stay calm." I looked at her in confusion before remembering, oh yeah, I'm a beast now. I could feel the bandages around my leg, as well as a splint. I stayed still until Ava reached me, setting her hand on my head. A rumbling purr bubbled up in my chest as she pet me. I leaned into her hand and the others seemed to relax.
"Now," said Corin, "What in Torvald's name is it?"
Ava shrugged as she continued to pet me, before calling over Marcus.
"Hey, grab one of our status cards so we can check." He nods and rifles through one of their bags, pulling out a small wooden card with a brass edge. He walks over and passes it to Ava. She gently lifts my paw and presses it to the card, and it flashes blue. She lets go of me and then taps the card, a message appearing above it.
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Identification Blocked
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They read it and pause.
"Blocked? What does that even mean? Is that possible?" Ava asks. I sigh, glad that they can't see my status.
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Title Gained: Enigma
Title: Enigma has blocked identification by [Guild Card]
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I move, making her jump. I stand shakily before falling back to the blanket, pain flaring from my mangled leg. They had all grabbed their weapons when I stood, but relaxed on seeing my state. I notice that I stand just above their waist when upright. I sit and look at them with my head cocked, tail swishing through the grass behind me.
"Can you understand us?" Ava asked me, not expecting an answer. I nod, making her jump and the others eye me warily.
"Aight, so the beast understands us, aye? So what 'appened last night? We 'ear a blood-curdlin' yelp and Ava rushes to the sound, only to find you nappin' near an abandoned mana trap. How that happen?" Corin says bluntly. I growl softly at him and open and close my mouth a few times. Ava is the first to realize that I can't talk, and mentions this. They all redden slightly, realizing that it was kinda obvious. However, Iven steps forward.
"I may be able to help there. I have a skill called [Beast Speech] that allows me to understand animals. Want to try that?" He asks me. I nod. He activates the skill and I try to speak.
"Can you understand me?" I ask. It comes out as a mix of soft growls. He nods in confirmation as I continue.
"I am a felvaxian, and I have no name. One of my skills allows me to understand you. I got lost in the forest, and have been here for days. Since I am injured, I can't exactly do much but wait here. I got stuck in that trap and managed to rip my leg out, but blood loss caught up." I explain. He translates this to the others and they glance at each other, seeming nervous at the mention of my race. Ava quickly stops petting me and, turning back to me and asks,
"Hey, do you want to travel with us? We're part of the Adventurer's Guild in Tren, and they might be able to help." I nod in response, thanking them.A thought hits me as I sit there.
"Ah, I would appreciate it if you could suggest a name, so I have something to answer to." I say. Iven stares at me in mild confusion before translating. They begin discussing, tossing out different names that I refuse, before Corin speaks up.
"'Aight, how 'bout Vira?" The others glance at me and I nod. A message appears as I lay down to sleep.
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Name Chosen: Vira
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I smiled as I drifted off to sleep.
Tomorrow is a new day.