"Sit down! Remember the pledge!"
bellows Daniel motioning for Jack to sit down. Jack, albeit being angry at the animal, decides to relent and sit down. Sitting down the animal reveals a triumphant grin, which only fans his anger.
"You little..."
"Come on, Jack. It's only a flying squirrel. Don't tell me you're gonna lose your nerves. Ha ha ha!"
Laughing at Jacks situation, Emma grabs a fruit and throws it towards the squirrel.
Yes, the small animal is Idan. After being under the influence of the various transformation the Protoss was subjected to, he himself went through some changes. The essence filled fruits can be said to be the topping of the cake. They allowed him to break his shackles and step into the fourth Stage, effectively making him a new species. By growing out the small wing-like skin under his front legs, he is now able to glide for small distances and gain a burst of speed when jumping from higher positions.
This is exactly the way in which he stole Jack's fruit. Jumping off the tree he spread his "wings" and rushed towards the fruit. Suspended for a moment the fruit is immobile and allows him to easily grab it. Straightening his wings he breaks his fall, gliding back towards the ground near the tree.
Happy with his loot he bites into the small fruit, only to find out that it doesn't taste as good as the bigger ones. Even the energy gained is in no way comparable to the bigger ones. Spitting out the fruit he notices the humans staring at him.
Retreating towards the tree he notices one of the humans throwing one of the less tasty fruits at him.
Disdainful towards the fruit he slaps it away, evoking a resounding laughter from one of the humans.
"GODDAMN! He at least tasted mine, but he doesn't even want to taste yours!"
"Sh-Shut up, Jack!" Emma could be seen furiously blushing.
Daniel on the other side was closely examining the animal. Its intelligence was off the charts. At least for the squirrels that are supposed to live around here. Even its Stage was too high. Most squirrels stop at Stage 2, a few are able to reach Stage 3 and even those are seen as special.
And here he found a squirrel at an incredible Stage 4!
It is not particularly strong compared to them but a Stage 4 squirrel is fast and has enough strength to easily rip your throat apart. Small claws and sharp teeth are enough of a threat for an animal that you would easily overlook in such a dense forest.
For a well equipped and experienced group such as them, it does not pose a threat but its increased intelligence complicates the matter. Normally squirrels like ambushes but even then they are dumb and only attack in a fixed pattern. Limited due to their basic intelligence they would definitely fail against their group. With heightened intelligence similar to the present squirrel they would be able to pose a threat. A minor one but a threat is a threat.
"I guess it too searched for shelter," remarked Daniel.
"Where was it hiding? There is no bush or any hill made of leaves on the ground." Emma was skeptical about where it appeared from. Her question was promptly answered when Idan ran to the tree climbing it and disappearing behind its trunk.
"How..." astounded Emma turns to Daniel. He can normally answer every question but even he is perplexed. As far as they know almost no human or animal was allowed in a radius of a meter around the tree, for at least 50 years and now this small squirrel just runs on its branches. The skeletons of humans and animals were more than sufficient proof.
After a few seconds Idan once again appeared on top of a branch. Standing on his hind legs he threw one of the bigger fruits at Emma. Subconsciously catching it Emma was astounded upon feeling the dense essence inside the fruit. Jake's face took a dark countenance. He just laughed about her and now she got a genuine fruit from the eternal tree.
"Th-Thanks, little guy!" Emma was genuinely happy. Not many had the chance to eat a real Eternal Fruit. Biting into it, under the envious gaze of Jack, she instantly noticed the pronounced effect.
It is not like the fruit just has more essence. The intensity is of higher importance.
Imagine a constant stream. It will take a long time to carve a path but when you use a giant pressure you can instantly force your way through. Your body must be strong enough to support it but for somebody like Emma who has remained at the peak of Mana Refining Stage 2 for quite some time such an impact is nothing. Gobbling down the fruit she sends a pleading look at the squirrel.
Seeing the puppy eyes of the human Idan is slightly taken aback. He cannot sense malice from any of them and he instinctively knows he is safe near the tree. Relenting he decides to give her one more fruit. he himself doesn't know why but he feels like she is somebody he can trust. Furthermore, he doesn't know how they would react to his companion. Better to build a good rapport.
Scurrying towards the higher branches he picks up a fruit and moves down to the roots of the tree. Slowly inching closer to the humans he tries to test their attitude. How will they react?
The closer he gets the slower he moves. A few meters in front of Emma, he decides to drop the fruit and push it towards her. According to the motto: go get it.
Moving a few steps back he sits on his hind legs and observes her attitude. Emma herself nears the fruit and picks it up. Looking at the squirrel she sees curiosity mixed with apprehension.
Glancing at the fruit she breaks it in half and offers Idan one of the halves. Idan moves forward and grabs the fruit. Biting into it he lays down and nibbles at his half.
Emma moves into a cross-legged position, picks up Idan and sets him down on her lap.
Slowly caressing his fur he enjoys her touch and curls up.
"It has been quite some time since we met a tame animal." Emma enjoys stroking Idan.
"I think he knows that we won't hurt him. I bet he knows we are not allowed to."
Daniel's opinion on Idan's heightened intelligence is confirmed, at least for him.
"He might be able to help us find the thing the Lady Boss is searching for."
The rough voice of Lar'ge echoes out. Daniel nods and moves towards Idan.
Pulling out a picture he holds it in front of Idan and asks him,
"Now, little friend, you don't happen to know where we can find this?"
Depicted on the piece of paper is a big, blood-red stone shimmering in a cave.