Mowang, that was what the creature called itself.
It did not know why it had chosen such a name or where it had even come from, but it was simply what the creature found most fitting.
Taking in the scenery, he couldn't help but note the vast rocky expanse, where nothing but the occasional weed or passing bird showed proof of a greater world.
Though, as he continued to bask in the landscape around him, something else came into view. Directly behind him was a deep hole, one that couldn't have been less than three meters deep. Although that alone would have made it stand out in this otherwise empty wasteland, that wasn't what attracted him. Instead, it was what he could sense inside of this gaping maw.
Being able to sense something that he couldn't see, that was not normal. He did not know where this idea of what constituted normal came for, but there was an instinctive sense of detachment that shrouded his mind. It did not feel like he belonged here, whatever that entailed he did not know. He couldn't help but wonder if that was just a gimmick of this rocky land, or if there was something else to it.
Fueled by curiosity, he began making his way towards the crash site.
There was no sense of awkwardness, the ability to walk seemed to have come naturally. His steps left a slight imprint on the ground, as his claws easily cut through the hardened stone. Caution was still warranted however, as the terrain was uneven and only worsened as one approached the crater.
Though, in the process of avoiding the rocks which had fragmented from the crash, a sudden realization dawned on him.
Focusing on his back, he started feeling for his wings. After a slight pause, the pressure on his feet started to lighten. Before long, a harsh buzzing could be heard as his body was lifted a meter off the ground.
Many of the obstructions were quite close to the floor, so being at a higher altitude was objectively better. Letting out a slight giggle, Mowang easily navigated above the scattered rocks and arrived at the edge.
Once there, he took his attention away from his insectoid wings, and in turn they slowed down before stopping entirely. After regaining his footing, he peered down the crevice.
At the very bottom there was a mutilated corpse. The body was stripped of skin, appearing a dried-out pink. Blood vessels were cut, and the torn muscles provided a clear window for one to see cracked bone beneath. Jagged cuts were visible around the neck, making it clear that whatever had been on top was forcefully removed, and in a rough manner at that. Insects had already started to feast on the body, with the occasional maggot peeking out of the decomposing body.
Bearing down on such a chilling sight, a feeling arose from Mowang. His heart began to pound, and the corners of his lip couldn't help but raise. Thick black salvia began to escape his open jaw, releasing a harsh sizzle as it made contact with the ground.
Whether he was still capable of thought was questionable, as the world seemed to converge on one thing.
"Mine!"
The squeals resembled scrapping metal more so than any language. Immediately, he ran off the edge and into the dome. His claws barely maintaining grip as he slid down towards the bottom.
Within seconds he had reached the body, and just as quickly, made contact with the flesh.
The crisp sound of snapping cartilage echoed in the tight chamber, Mowangs sharp teeth having little trouble tearing through weakened rib cage. His claws cut deep into the chest, collapsing lung and bone in the process. With a firm pull, he split the chest open in two.
With the internal organs exposed, an overwhelming sense of arousal gripped him. His eye's narrowed to the left-hand side, captivated by an organ which exuded a black miasma.
He could sense it. Their loathing, despair, and most pronounced of all, their unrepressed terror. It was what had lured him here.
Giving it little thought, Mowang dug his claws inside and plucked out the nauseating heart. Without any reservations he quickly threw it into his mouth and began chewing.
As his serrated teeth tore through the organ, the trapped substance spilled out. Black miasma flooded out of the open wounds and began coursing through his body.
The pleasure had surpassed any orgasmic ideal, with the experience radiating through every bodily cell. Wherever the miasma spread his muscles began to bulge, the bones started to toughen, and his blood started pumping.
Though the most impactful change was one that could not be seen with the naked eye.
The vast majority of the miasma had started gathering in his abdomen, swirling around as it gradually began to fuse.
If one were to look carefully, they'd see the formation of little droplets where the miasma was especially dense. Instead of being absorbed, these little droplets began to repeat the previous process and started a second, smaller whirlpool at the very center of the swirling miasma.
It was a slow process, after the first hour the stray miasma which had been coursing through Mowangs body had already dissipated. Yet, the miasma continued to be condensed and liquified in his core, with faint traces of a black solid already appearing at the epicenter of the ordeal.
"Ack!"
Unlike the initial wave of miasma, the whirlpool that had manifested in his abdomen was anything but pleasant.
Despite the miasma and its subsequent fusions residing in his stomach, it didn't seem to actually take up any space. Rather, it seemed to be tearing him apart on a more metaphysical level.
Were the original owner of this heart given the opportunity to release his anger on the foe, then that foe was him. Every grievance, offense, and piece of animosity had been turned into an ethereal sword, intent on inflicting pain so paralyzing that his weak vocabulary was left helpless.
But time was bound to pass, and as the celestial bodies swapped shifts, the last of the miasma had finally fused.
In its place was a small orb, only the size of a one's fingernails. Trapped inside was a trace amount of some black liquid, taking up only half of the already tiny orb.
Mowang stayed loosely on the ground, having long lost the strength to stand up. However, the appearance of a sudden message jolted him awake.
〖Race: Imp〗