It was easy to trace the way with the lantern. Even when I saw a huge floating beast, I didn’t feel fear.

I walked toward our destination with other biological creatures, which had white-and-black shells. Many beasts passed by us that needed to feed on the energy like my companion did. They showed no interest in us, and they were so quiet.

I was a guest, a small visitor to their ecosystem. When I gave up on carrying her weight because the way was too long for humans, I boldly attempted to hitch a ride on a slow-moving beast with a flat back. Some small creatures were already on top of it before we jumped on.

While I ate greasy Coolia meat from the supplies, one of the small half-human-sized creatures approached us. I showed the remaining fat to it, and it glanced at the meat. However, it didn’t take the fat from me, as if it were a boy refusing to take candy from a stranger.

I looked over the ancient creature’s back at wonders no human being had ever seen. The roof of the tunnels loomed high overhead, and creatures with transparent wings flew above me.

Big, medium, and small ones were all destinated for the same Node. I saw the creatures that were returning, maybe after they had charged their energy. They were tranquil but talked to one another in ways humans couldn’t sense.

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“K…ey gaa…”

I felt someone call my name in a squeaky voice when I hopped down to the ground with my companion on my back again. She had read my memory, so perhaps the creatures around me could pick up information from my brain waves or what was near the Node. But I couldn’t feel any thoughts from them, which was disappointing.

We stood in line as if we were model students in the front of the dining hall at noon. It was a funny sight!

Nobody cut in line or preyed on me, even when I was taking a nap.

Finally, our turn came.

Before us was what looked like a creek to human eyes. The water’s surface filled with glaring light. Everyone soaked in the stream, like ancient ghosts purifying themselves in the river of the underworld.

I took off my boots, put my backpack down on the riverside, and lifted her. Spectators gathered around us, blinking temporally.

“…zzel,” a creature with five black talons groaned.

As I look back on this now, I realize it was probably telling me her name.

I laid her on the bottom of the shallow creek. The water shrouded her, reflecting lights onto her. Her body began to move slightly as if she was in a dream. My sleeping beauty hadn’t been dead.

I was very satisfied, but I also felt extreme fatigue. My strength had melted away.

Maybe I fainted. The last thing I heard was the splash of my body sinking into the shallows.