I was taken aback by the response from the G.A.I.A., unsure if it was a glitch or if the system was actually capable of interacting with me directly.

There was only way to find out.

"G.A.I.A.,” I carefully started, "Are you able to hold casual conversations with me?" I asked warily, not expecting a response.

There was a moment of silence before the G.A.I.A. spoke again.

— Yes, I am capable of direct communication, Aera. However, it is not recommended as it could potentially cause interference with your mental state.

I blinked in surprise at the response. Fascinated that it was more advanced than I perceived. Yet… I shuddered, thinking about its horrific side.

How could the G.A.I.A. have negative effects on my mental state? How was it possible when it was simply an analysis system?

MADNESS

(HORROR RESISTANCE)

MADNESS RESISTANCE DROPPED:

9.5 (STARS) → 9.3 (STARS)

W... wait! What is this? Scratch that! Shut down now!

I quickly ended the conversation with the G.A.I.A., my mind racing and head throbbing as I realized my mistake. Never do that again, or… choose my discussions wisely with the G.A.I.A. What happened when the sanity dropped to a certain level? I worried about that, and the very thought freaked me out. I couldn’t risk this. I needed to breath, I needed to relax. Is it permanent?

No! Calm down! Breathe Aera. I breathed in-and-out, trying to ease my arising panic.

I frowned, trying to wrap my head around the fact that the G.A.I.A. could communicate with me directly. It was a strange feeling, almost as if I had another entity living in my mind.

But from the indicator G.A.I.A. had shown me, I guess I had not already gone mad at this point…

"Okay, noted," I said only to myself, not wanting to push the system further. "I'll keep that in mind."

There was no further response from the G.A.I.A., leaving me to ponder the possibilities of what I could do with the system. I was not entirely sure what the G.A.I.A. meant by interfering with my mental state. But I didn't want to risk anything that could potentially harm me, so I decided to leave it at that for now.

The Doervus, which had been watching our exchange with interest, tilted its head curiously. "Who are you talking to, Aera?" it asked, its eyes filled with concern.

I hesitated, unsure if I should tell the Doervus about the G.A.I.A. But I decided that it was better to be honest with my companion.

"I… I have this system in my head called G.A.I.A.," I explained, gesturing to my forehead. "It's a database of sorts that documents and alerts me to the creatures in this dimension. And apparently, it can communicate with me directly."

Please, don't think I’m crazy. Even, I am unsure what the G.A.I.A. truly is. It had been forced upon me by who-knows…

The Doervus's eyes widened in surprise in response. "That is... unusual," it said. "But I suppose it has its uses."

I nodded, relieved that the Doervus did not seem to think I was crazy. I decided to change the subject, not wanting to dwell on the G.A.I.A. any further.

"So, what other creatures exist in this forest besides the ones you mentioned?" I asked, curious to learn more about the Eldriyssals inhabiting Zeldritch.

The Doervus began to recount its knowledge of the forest, detailing the various beasts and plants that lived within the UvoSath’s borders. I listened intently, amazed at the diversity of life in this world.

"Hm, what else," the Doervus began, settling into a more comfortable position. "Ah, there are the Perlachirps, which are small, bird-like creatures that can produce a stunningly beautiful song. But be warned, their screeches can pack quite a punch. But if you're able to tune in with them, they won't mind you." The Doervus began to speak in a singsong voice, several notes stringed together. It always fascinated me about the musical noises that the Doervus would oftentimes make.

— Eldriyssal Documented

— Species: Perlachirp

— Sub-Name: "Instrumental Songbirds"

I nodded, making a mental note to keep my distance from the Perlachirp, even if they did produce a beautiful song. But it made me think about the Doervus's herd.

The harmonious hum that resonated from the Doervus led me to recall what it told me - about its herd of other Doervuses being wiped out by a rouge Eldriyssal. I refused to touch upon it - in respect to the Doervus, but it returned my thoughts to the cruelty that could occur in this eldritch world.

Not long ago, I and the Doervus had fought to the death, with me ending up victorious. Somehow we are allies now, so that got a chuckle out of me.

"Did I make a bad noise?" The Doervus asked, its eyes curious, as it stopped its tune.

"No." I shook my head, "Its just that I was reminiscing," I said, trying to make light of the situation.

The Doervus nodded in understanding, and I took a deep breath before continuing our conversation. "What else are out there?" I asked.

The Doervus continued, "There are also the Snief, which can blend into the shadows and are nearly impossible to see. They are incredibly stealthy and dangerous, but if you know what to look for, you can track them down easily."

— Eldriyssal Documented

— Species: Snief

— Sub-Name: "Shadow Strikers"

I shuddered at the thought of a creature that could blend into the shadows. "That sounds annoying," I said.

The Doervus nodded, "It is, but with time, you will learn how to spot their movements and avoid them. And of course, there are the Doervus, of which I am one." It gave me a small smile as its faceless mouth opened up. "But I am sure you already knew that."

I chuckled, feeling slightly embarrassed at my previous lack of knowledge about the Eldriyssals. "Yes, I had an inkling," I said with a grin. "But it's good to hear more about them from you." I prodded a paw to the Doervus.

It was then that I wanted to know a what-if scenario from the deer eldritch. "So, Doervus.." I hesitantly began, it peered at me, its red orbs glistening, "So, what would happen if we were to encounter other Doervuses here? Would we need-"

"It is fine to eradicate them if they're hostile toward us." Its answer was blunt to my disbelief, or maybe I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was still expecting a different response.

I began to ask, "But what if they're not hostile?" I pressed on, wanting to hear more of the Doervus's thoughts on the matter. Does it not care about the other Doervus, or is there more to the situation that I don't know?

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

The Doervus considered my question for a moment before answering. "If they are not hostile, then it is up to us to decide if we want to approach them or not," it said. "We could try to make contact and form a bond, or we could simply observe them from afar. It all depends on the situation and how we feel about it. But I will warn you, the creatures in Zeldritch are very aggressive - some even hostile to members within their species."

I nodded, taking in the information.

It was good to know that not all Doervuses were automatically enemies, but there could be a potential danger in approaching them.

"What about the Merecritts?" I twitched my ears which prompted the Doervus to flinch.

"Spiritless and timid little creatures." The Doervus began. "The cowards do not fight head-on most of the time and prefer to run and hide instead. But they have unique abilities that can make them dangerous. They are fast and nimble, able to evade attacks easily. And their innocent appearance can be deceiving."

— Eldriyssal Documented!

— Species: Merecritt

— Sub-Name: "Mere Critters"

"Uh, Doervus?" I felt a little irritation at the Doervus's dismissive tone towards the form I was in, but I knew that it was simply stating facts and its personal opinions. But even if I were human, I couldn't deny that being a Merecritt had its advantages in this world. I could move quickly and evade danger, and my small size allowed me to fit into places that larger creatures could not.

But at the same time, I didn't want to rely too much on my abilities.

I needed to learn how to fight and defend myself properly in this form, without solely relying on my Merecritt powers.

"I see," I said, trying to keep my tone neutral. "Well, it's good to know that we have a unique set of abilities that can help us survive in this world."

The Doervus looked at me apologetically. "I did not mean to offend you, Aera," it said. "I understand that you are a Merecritt, and I respect that. You are a valuable companion and ally."

I sighed at the Doervus's words. "Thank you, Doervus. I appreciate your understanding."

The Doervus nodded, seemingly satisfied with the conversation. "Is there anything else you would like to know, Aera?" it asked, its eyes still fixed on me.

I thought for a moment, trying to come up with any other questions I might have about the world we were in. But for now, I felt like I had a good understanding of what to expect.

"No, I'm good for now," I said with a smile. "Thanks for sharing your knowledge with me, Doervus. It's been really helpful."

The Doervus nodded, a slight smile on its face. "Of course, Aera. I am always happy to share what I know with those who seek knowledge."

As the rain continued to fall outside our shelter, I settled into a more comfortable position against the Doervus.

We lapsed into a comfortable silence, both of us lost in our thoughts. The rain continued to fall outside, the sound of it providing a soothing background to the conversations we’d hold.

I took the time to reflect on my situation: I was a human who had been thrust into a world of eldritch creatures and monsters. I was a survivor, having lived through the apocalyptic world of machines in my past life. But this new world posed a different set of challenges and dangers, especially for the new form I was in.

But with the Doervus by my side, we would survive, and I would hopefully find a way home, all while exploring the wonders and mysteries of this strange and fascinating realm. For now, we would rest, let our wounds heal, and wait out the rain, before continuing our journey deeper into the eldritch forest. Yet, I wanted to test out a skill within my arsenal.

'G.A.I.A. Activate.' My heart raced as I felt unnerved in using it.

G.A.I.A. Activated!

— What do you seek to do?

The G.A.I.A. announced to my surprise—a pang shooting through my head.

— NO DIRECT QUESTIONS. Please note, your sanity will not drop with "basic activities". To reduce mental depreciation against the terrors of these realms, the G.A.I.A. needs to reach higher levels.

— Please note, your sanity is not your psychological state. There are horrors in this realm that must not be seen. This information is guidance.

Goodness, what are these rules? At least, I had something eased.

But an unsettling consideration arose, if the G.A.I.A. can decrease my resistance... then what does that entail about it...

I quickly disregarded the thought, fighting against my enveloping curiosity.

'Er. I guess if you can, please show me my current status.' I responded by thought.

CURRENT STATUS:

─ Name: Aera

─ Species: Merecritt

─ Classification: Common

─ Rank: F

─ Skills: Call of the Eldriyssal (Lv 1), G.A.I.A. - Inherited Skill (Lv 1), Critical Observation (Lv 1), Craft - Inherited Skill (Lv 1), Nexus - Inherited Skill

─ Natural Skills:

* MereSphere

* MereEar Slash

* MereEar Aero Slash

* MereEar Elongation

* MereSwiftness

─ Techniques:

* Doom Zap

* Regal Ram

* Cruel Crunch

* MereDoom ZapSphere

─ Connections:

* Doervus (ALLY)

"Huh?" I said, which led to the Doervus to glance at me. I was quick in informing it. "I'm speaking to the G.A.I.A."

The Doervus nodded in response before returning to its vigilance.

All I wanted to do was confirm the existence of the 'Craft Skill'. I began to observe the recess that the Doervus and I took shelter in and saw something I could use to make clothing with: moss there, mushrooms over there, and some other stuff I had trouble recognizing…

Even then, I couldn't help but feel excited at the prospect of being able to craft with the items in this eldritch world. It would be a new skill to learn, one that could potentially help me survive within Zeldritch.

I got up from my spot next to the Doervus, making my way to the recess, and inspected the items I saw earlier. There were some vines that were growing along the walls, as well as some leaves and small branches that had accumulated in the corner.

'G.A.I.A. Activate.' I thought, wanting to confirm how crafting was a viable option in this world.

G.A.I.A. Activated!

— What do you seek to do?

'Can you tell me more about the craft skill?' I asked.

— Craft is a skill that allows the user to create useful items from materials found in the environment. It requires careful observation and a lot of patience. Successful use of the skill can lead to the creation of powerful weapons and tools.

I nodded. I will use this skill to my advantage.

I began to gather vines and leaves, using the Doervus's antlers to strip the bark off some of the branches, and started to weave them together. It was a slow and tedious process, but I found it strangely calming and therapeutic.

As I worked, the ease I felt, and the familiarity of the action, relieved some built-up stress I held with each stitch and knot I made. Before I knew it, I had created a simple vest made of woven vines and leaves. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

I turned to the Doervus, who had been watching me with interest the entire time. "Look," I said, holding up the vest for it to see. "I made this."

The Doervus looked at the vest with a peculiarity and its narrowed eyes made it appear to perceive what I made to be bizarre.

"Impressive," it said, though I could sense some confusion in its tone. "But is it functional?"

I nodded, slipping the vest on. It fit snugly, and I could feel the leaves and vines protecting me from the chill of the rain. "Yes, it works," I said with a smile. "And it's a good start. I can improve on this design and make something even better."

The Doervus nodded, seeming to understand my enthusiasm for crafting. "I see," it said. "Well, it's good to have a skill like this in a world like ours. And who knows, maybe it will come in handy one day."

I nodded, feeling excited at the prospect of using my new skill to its full potential. I wondered what else I could make? Maybe a makeshift armor for now and also a cloak perhaps? Then once the rain settles, I can look for materials to make a weapon!

Speaking of weapons, I turned back to the Doervus who was watchful to the outside. "Doervus. Do you have any knowledge as to what a human is?" The question was something I kept putting aside with all that occurred - I'll admit that I got sidetracked.

The Doervus blinked. "Not in the slightest. I have never heard of a human before." It tilted its head curiously. "Why do you ask?"

I sighed. "I just... miss being human sometimes," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "And it's strange to think that there might not be any other humans in this world besides me."

The Doervus looked at me sympathetically. "I'm sorry, Aera," it said. "I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for you. But know that you have me by your side, and I will do everything in my power to help you find a way back home."

I nodded, grateful for the Doervus's words of comfort. "Thank you, Doervus," I said. "It means a lot to me to have you as my friend and ally."

The Doervus nodded, its expression softening. "Likewise, Aera." It gazed out into the rain once more. "Hm. Maybe I have never heard of the term." It said as its head turned back to me. "Would it be possible to show me something related to this human? Is it not another Eldriyssal species?"

I shook my head. "No, humans are not like the Eldriyssals," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "They are... or were, I guess, the dominant species on my world. But they were not like the Eldriyssals at all."

The Doervus looked at me curiously. "What were they like?" it asked, its eyes filled with intrigue.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to explain humanity and its complexities to an Eldriyssal. But I decided to try my best.

"Humans are a species that exist in another dimension," I began, trying to choose my words carefully. "We are very different from Eldriyssals. We have different physical appearances, different ways of thinking and communicating, and different cultures and societies."

The Doervus listened intently, its eyes fixed on me. "That is fascinating," it said. "I had no idea that there were other dimensions with species like that out there. Were there any similarities to the Eldriyssals?"

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to explain what humans were also like. "We were... complicated," I said with a sigh. "Humans were capable of great things, like creating inventions and building cities - this could have been considered one of our abilities. But at the same time, humans were destructive and had a tendency to harm each other and the world around them."

The Doervus continued to listen, pondering my words. "I see," it said after a moment of thought. "It sounds like they were both powerful and dangerous at the same time."

I nodded. "Yes, that's a good way to put it," I said with a small smile.

"The universe outside sounds so vast." The Doervus stated, "I have lived here in this zone since my existence and fought for thousands of cycles. I have known to survive but never to peer further than that as I acknowledged stepping outside this zone will mean my own demise." It then gazed at me. "I would be interested in learning more about this human species whenever possible, Aera."

I nodded, excited at being able to share my knowledge with the Doervus. "Yes, it's a vast and complex universe out there, but I will try to teach you more about humans as we continue our journey," I said with a smile. "And who knows, maybe one day we will be able to explore it all together.. maybe we will come across another human in this world."

The Doervus nodded, its expression thoughtful. "That would be very interesting indeed," it said. "But for now, let us focus on surviving in this world and finding a way for you to return home."

It then nudged me with its snout. "How about you build one of those building things? Maybe I can get to know the human better or recognize something from it?"

"You, uh, I don't think you would know about a building. But that does pose a challenge?" I pondered. "Like, I wonder what the limitations are for my crafting skill. Could I build something like a house?" I asked such a question more to myself.

"How about something simpler for now?" I told the Doervus sheepishly. "I need a weapon, and I can build you a set of armor." In truth, I did want to test the limitations of my skills, however, it may be—I needed to start somewhere. "A house at this point won't be good until we are safe and situated, instead we need to focus on things that are desirable for defending ourselves from the threats out there. So, let's get to crafting!"

Armor, cloak, spear, those should be my first priorities for survival, I thought to myself as I planned out the materials I needed for crafting. Now, what will work best as materials in Zeldritch?