The day after surviving the terrifying crocodile attack, tensions heightened within our group. Kero, driven by the fear of an impending threat, took matters into his own hands, confronting the captives, Eugene and his friend aggressively for information. Yet, amidst the turmoil, it was Analu who wielded an unexpected power - a quiet strength that unraveled secrets without force. Her ability to see small fragments of a person's thoughts that she has been around for a few hours came in handy.
She chose a different approach, spending relentless hours with the prisoner, not to inflict pain but to coax truth from the depths of his guarded mind. Initially met with hostility, her patient persistence broke through his defenses. She didn't demand answers; instead, she listened to the unspoken words echoing in his thoughts.
She had done this three days in a row just to see if his information was consistent. The information she got stated that they would try to attack and take over our little community in about 2 months. Based on information that we gathered from Eugene.
Eugene however, wanted a peaceful take over by kidnapping a child and using him to their advantage, while most others from his group wanted a lot of bloodshed. That's how we knew Eugene wasn't really a bad person.
To be honest, we didn't let our guard down and we picked up the pace with fortifying our home. We wouldn't let anyone just come and take what we had. Based on the information as well they only had like 20 capable fighters. We still didn't know if this was all true so we were on guard. Kero and the others went to get stronger for this very reason and other obvious reasons.
Three weeks had drifted away like whispers carried by the wind. The world shimmered in the delicate embrace of a beautiful Friday, painted with the hues of promise and joy. It was a day I dedicated to my little nephew, Atwaine, as we ventured through the avenues of his innocent wonder, lost in the cocoon of his childhood world.
Can you fathom that in mere months, he'd mark six years in this fleeting world? Time danced relentlessly, pirouetting through the calendar, twirling us closer to the end of December, where the air itself felt like Christmas.
"Uncle, why haven't we visited the secret lair as yet?" Atwaine's voice bubbled with a blend of curiosity and longing, echoed by the chorus of his little friends who gathered around, their eyes shimmering with unspoken desires, lips quivering in innocent protest.
Their collective plea, wrapped in those teary eyes and pouting lips, tugged at the very strings of my heart. How could I resist?
"Alright, in a week's time, we shall venture forth," I conceded, but a hint of responsibility creased my brow. "However, I must prepare. The shifting climate demands caution. I must protect you all."
A sudden revelation halted the playful banter. "Uncle, our vice teacher said you're cursed. That we should stay away from you," one of Atwaine's friends uttered with innocent honesty.
A wistful smile danced upon my lips, masking the weight of an unspoken burden. "Ah, did he indeed? Fear not, young ones. The vice teacher's words stem from ignorance. Monsters cower before my power." I feigned a monstrous growl, "raarrrrrr, rarrrr," as playful screams filled the air, and the children scattered like autumn leaves in a joyous flurry, their laughter mingling with the echo of my mock roars.
Yet beneath this facade of merriment lingered a poignant truth—the burden of a misunderstood existence, the ache of isolation juxtaposed against the innocent laughter of those I cherished most.
The chill in the air was notably sharper, hinting at a possible onset of snowfall which was rare in our region. To combat the plummeting temperatures, we utilized an array of materials harvested from both creatures of the wild and monsters, fashioning resilient garments suitable for the changing season.
The adhesive derived from frogs proved to be a salvation in our efforts, facilitating the creation of coats for everyone. As the weather intensified, a select few ventured out in pursuit of more hides, scouring the lands for every available resource. Monsters met their end, while animals met a different fate, their pelts earmarked for our survival.
Analu and I embarked on a quest to the beautiful plains we once visited, seeking out the formidable T bulls we had previously sighted. Their size promised ample meat and fur for the village, yet the endeavor was fraught with risk. The strength they possessed was still a mystery but we knew they were powerful monsters, dissuading us from engaging a whole herd in combat—too perilous a venture, particularly considering their evident agitation, likely stirred by my presence.
Upon our return journey, a solemn silence enveloped us, as memories resurfaced, about what Kero had said about me being cursed. Unlike regular animals, monsters possessed an acute awareness, sensing elements beyond the ordinary. So maybe these monsters are really sensing something off about me.
As we reached the village, a query lingered in my mind. "Analu, may I ask you something?" Surprise flickered in her eyes, signaling assent. "Why do you continue to stand by me despite the curse that supposedly plagues me?" Her smile held a gentle reassurance as she met my gaze. "You're not cursed. There are facets of our abilities and your uniqueness that elude our comprehension. With time, we'll unravel them. Until then, I'm here, steadfast by your side, treating you no differently."
Her words kindled a radiant smile upon my face. My mother, passing by, cast a dreamy glance our way. "Aren't you two going to kiss already? Son, you're running late on giving me a grandson. She's a remarkable girl, and I know she loves you. Come on, life's too short!" Both of us blushed, touched by my mother's encouragement. Her approval signaled something profound.
Looking back at Analu, an indescribable flurry surged within me—butterflies or perhaps birds, as they say, overwhelmed my senses. Three weeks had passed, yet I hadn't dared to kiss her. Was shyness holding me back? What a lover I turned out to be! Moments like these, where signals were exchanged, hadn't escaped my notice, yet action lingered as a timid echo of possibility.
Our tranquil moment was abruptly interrupted by a familiar voice echoing through the village—a tone of fervor carried by our local blacksmith, Keith. He possessed an uncanny knack for all things metallic, an ability to identify and craft weapons. It was Keith who had fashioned our initial weapons post the spiked dog encounter.
My trusty machete had broken during recent battles, leaving me reliant on borrowed armaments. Now, Keith labored on something new—a weapon evolving into a sword, inspired by his love for Japanese cinema. While I do favor katanas, I appreciated his skills so far. With due time he will become a great craftsman in this new world.
Over the past week, our routine visits to his craftsman store were dedicated to a single pursuit—an elusive goal of fashioning a shield from the scales of a Crocodile. Countless attempts failed to harness these scales' defensive potential against nova force attacks, leaving us frustrated. Days passed in a haze of futile experimentation until a spark of insight illuminated our efforts.
It was my suggestion to integrate the Crocodile's orb into the shield that ignited a new approach. The craftsman swiftly fashioned a slot the following day, intricate lines branching from the center to the shield's extremities.
Upon placing the orb—bulky and weighty, almost the size of my head—into the slot, I raised the shield, endeavoring to channel my powers into the orb. Instantly, a cerulean glow enveloped the orb while the scales rustled together, emitting a sound akin to coins jingling in a pocket. The shield shimmered with promise, a spectacle reminiscent of a Christmas spectacle. Our initial tests withstood an assistant's fireball, indicating potential success.
However, to ascertain its effectiveness comprehensively, we summoned Robert, renowned as the community's second-best fire user, for a more rigorous trial. His fiercest flames clashed against the shield, and once more, it emerged victorious. Successively, the shield neutralized an array of elemental attacks, rendering them futile. Yet, against physical assaults, it held the fort like an ordinary shield—resilient but not impervious.
Intent on perfecting this creation, we deliberated on refining its design—a lighter construct without compromising efficacy. Our hopes soared high as the shield materialized into a balance of weight and strength, ready to defy impending threats.
"Rome, Analu, come quickly. It's done!" His jubilant voice beckoned, pulling us away from our intimate moment, eager to share his triumph. Our brief respite from the trials of crafting the shield yielded to the excitement of achievement.
When we got to his store we were surprised at what we saw. A round shield made from wood surrounded by the skin and scales of the creature we killed. The handle was spiked dog spiked melted with a soft rubber like material over it and finally the scales around and on the inside instead of this big orb there were lines of multiple colors.
It looked more like a line of crystal because the orbs looked like crystals. "Wait what did you do??" I asked, looking surprised. "I melted the orb." Said Keith. It wasn't my idea though. It was my little apprentice here who came up with this brilliant idea." Said Keith.
What is your name?" I asked him. "My name is Keno...sir." He stated. I wonder why he was addressing Mr as sir but never mind that. Analu hugged him and said good job. He blushed a little when she did that. I would remember this kid. That's beautiful talent here. The orb was melted at a certain temperature and holes were inserted into the shield and as they poured the crystal inside the lines created it filled the holes and touched the skin directly allowing the scales to activate. "Wait how didn't the wood burn up when you poured....?" I was asking a question but Keith stopped me saying that wasn't important. He was right.
The important thing is that we had a shied that could protect against attacks. "So how many of these do you have??" I asked. "Well...ummm....only one so far but with the remaining materials I think I can make around 15 of them within a few weeks but i would need more man power like 4 other people to be exact." Said Keith. We did get alot of scales from that battle and the shield didn't need alot of liquid crystal. I just hope it is as strong.
"I'm not sure it will be as strong as before but it should hold up even an attack from and terror doves or any monster as strong as a spiked dog that can fire off attacks and definitely it can defend against people with abilities like yours." Said Keith. "Can you make a sword like that.?" I asked. "I'm way ahead of you." Said Keith. He showed us a short sword he was making. It was about 30 inches more like a long knife.
However, he didn't know if the crystals would hold up in a fight sewing that a sword would be slashing away during a battle. "Do it, I'll only use it if necessary. Make another regular sword in the meantime." I suggested. With that we thanked them and left. Within a few days I would get a new sword, a long knife that disables attacks and a sword that does the same. Exciting times ahead.