Hitirus stumbled underneath a large metal sign that read 'Vurkuey.' The name resonated well within Hitirus' mind as he read it over again.
Sunlight washed the region clean of its nocturnal drowsiness, waking up the locals. Fresh morning dew filled their hearts with the feeling of a fresh start.
Wagons began to move, workers checked over their equipment, and parents brought out their offspring. Wild Sky Beasts patrolled the skies, looking for a storm to chase.
Right as Hitirus was about to enter town, he remembered his broken noise and bruised body. There was already enough damage to his tattered clothes, the least he could do was look better.
In search of a tool to use, Hitirus glanced down at his legs. He realized he had Crystalized Feral legs, which came equipped with crystal-cutting claws.
He sprinted away from the town, as far as he'd go, then he sat down behind a lonely tree. Using his flexibility, he effortlessly brought his leg up to his neck.
Next came nothingness. Hitirus bled out from the slash wounds on his neck. While he was dead, his body regenerated what he missed. Including the nose.
Several hours later, he rose again. Feeling refreshed and energetic. A warm breeze carried the smell of freshly baked breads, along with the fresh honey from Yokka hives.
Everything felt tranquil, very different from the desert. Instead of feeling uneasy and alerted, Hitirus felt at home and safe. A telling sign of a different Noble Mind.
"Cozy Vurkuey," Zeek commented. "Feeling refreshed, Hitirus?"
In response, he nodded. As he stared out into the lush wheat fields, he noticed something was off. It looked like embers were torching the world around him.
Prompting him to crawl away, just in case they were dancing towards him. When his eyes rested on Zeek, he realized why the field looked like that.
Right beside Hitirus stood Zeek's day counterpart. Blazing fires torched his skin, doing no harm to it. However, the flames were bright yellow.
The restless dance nearly matched the fury of the sun itself. However, it didn't bother anybody. The locals have already seen Zeek enter, it was obvious of his arrival.
"Don't worry, this is just a trick one of Nestres' trophies taught me," Zeek chuckled. "You should see him, sweetest dad I know. He's also a Zesher, impressively enough."
Hitirus frowned, realizing theres a chance he had already seen a 'Zesher torch' before. Despite the connection, he wondered if it was true, was he in here, too?
"Come with me, good friend. I'll tell you my story over breakfast, maybe you can tell me yours in return," Zeek suggested.
A single, firm nod was the only response Hitirus gave. He rose from the soft grass, the texture soothing enough to make anybody rest for a while.
The duo walked into the town, keeping their heads high so everyone could catch a glimpse of them. Variants stared at Hitirus, puzzled by what they saw.
His Feral muscles quickly devolved into just abs, just as his breasts grew bigger and eyes changed color. The aged shirt he wore allowed Variants to see parts of her they shouldn't have.
Many began whispering to each other, saying this was possibly a new contender for Heir or maybe a gift from Zeek to Nestres. However, many others doubted that.
Zeek swept his flames within his body, turning the skin color a bright orange. He sat down at an outside chair, waiting for a worker to come out of the shop and serve them.
Hitirus sat down beside him, then he leaned closer to the Feral. Eagerly waiting to hear his tale.
"You wonder how I beat the kindred moons right out of the sky? It all starts with a bronze pedestal. Holes line its exterior from all the years of use.
But I am loyal to that pedestal, I refuse to get it fixed or a replacement. Because if I did, I would tamper with the original, which I don't want.
I sit on this pedestal every night, holding my bola. As it weighs my hand down, I think of my true bodies. The seventeen shards sit at ease with me.
Each morning, I send out two shards. I let them sing me to sleep, then I rise as my day self. To ensure both the sun and moons have their equal share of time.
On every dusk, I rise to hurl my bola at the sun. The Servant representing it gets tangled within the celestial ropes, draining them of their power.
So I drag them down, blocking away their screams and resistance. As they disappear, the moons appear. They sit together, waiting for their Wielder to arrive.
But he never will.
On every dawn, I rise to hurl my bola at the moons. They get tangled within the celestial barrier, allowing me to send them back home."
Hitirus chewed on her meal, elbows planted on the table. She hides her chest from the outside world, not letting even Zeek see.
The Far Fetcher waved one of the workers over, keeping a modest look to his movement. "Bring this one fresh clothes, then run to tell the Ferals of a bountiful Wild Hunt."
He turned to Hitirus, letting the worker run to fulfill his duty. "Sit tight, Hitirus. You won't have to cover your complex body soon. Just enjoy the atmosphere, and dine."
"You control the wildlife?" Hitirus asked.
"Of course. I'm the only Feral King Khantretakhim chose for her Noble Minds. Most things you see are happening because of me," Zeek answered.
Hitirus cleaned his hands with cloth napkins. "If Coshire changes to suit you, what do the others control? How complex is this region?"
Zeek smiled. "You'll be surprised to know what we can't control. But to directly answer that question, Coshire is twisted. We wont ever let it return to its original state."
"Why?" Hitirus pressed again.
"You ask many questions. I'll send you to Nestres, so you can learn alongside him."