The changes over the past millennium have transformed the rulers of the planet and brought part of the lost continent of Atlantis back to light. This ancient legendary city has now become a lonely nest for a silver sea python, silently telling the story of thousands of years under the moonlight.
Vincent led Bern and Happiness into the relatively intact dome-shaped building on the left. The situation inside was far different from what Happiness had imagined. The large building had no dividing walls, no corridors, and no living conditions for humans. It was empty and clear at a glance. A beam of moonlight shone through the dome and cast three eerie blood-red concentric circles. Instead of calling it a place to live, it was more like a giant mysterious altar. Water gushed out from the underground in the east corner, filling the small pool. Perhaps Vincent had made some arrangements, as there was a cut in the edge of the pool and the overflowing water flowed out through a channel in the wall.
"We'll stay here for now," Vincent said gleefully in the blood-red moonlight. Since his father left, he hadn't had anyone to talk to for a long time. Although he had become accustomed to the life of a snake, it was still quite lonely at times.
There were no bathrooms, no hot water, and no beds. Happiness jumped down from Bern's arms and the draught blew her hair all over the place through the cracks in the walls and broken glass windows. How could she endure the extreme cold in such conditions?
"Vincent, what about the electrical equipment you mentioned?" Bern frowned. Even if there were communication devices, this place didn't even have a spare battery. He thought that the sea python would be a civilized society, and there would certainly be basic equipment on this island. But now it seemed completely different.
"I will take it now," Vincent slipped out from the doorway and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"Burn, what should we do? Vincent seems unreliable," Happiness worriedly said.
"I'll go get some dry grass and trees tomorrow during the day and build a small nest here. Let's see how things go.
Leave everything to me, and don't worry about anything," Bern said.
"Okay," Happiness nodded and let go of Bern. She squatted on the ground and looked at the patterns on the smooth marble floor under the moonlight. The more she looked, the more chilling it became. This was indeed an altar, with a terrifying scene depicted in the center of the three circles. A square man lay on a high platform, with a priest holding a knife in one hand and his still bleeding heart in the other, while thousands of people worshiped below. Happiness dared not look anymore and groped her way back to Bern. Although she had the courage when Bern was unconscious, once she had someone to rely on, her courage seemed to diminish.
Suddenly, Happiness's cold little hand was held by a pair of warm big hands. Bern sat on the ground and pulled Happiness into his arms, saying in a warm voice, "Are you cold?"
Strangely enough, it wasn't the first time Happiness had been held by Bern. He had even touched her plump rabbit on the aircraft. They had also experienced a shipwreck together. Throughout all these experiences, Happiness had never felt anything, but now, looking into Bern's eyes that were more beautiful than the moonlight... Perhaps it was because of his focused gaze, Happiness inexplicably felt a sense of shyness. Her face turned red and she quickly lowered her head, saying, "Bern, I'm not cold." Her black hair fell on her delicate shoulders, and a blush appeared on her fair cheeks. If Happiness had been more open-hearted, it would have been better. But with her delicate appearance, Bern's heart raced like a drum, and his mind became a mess. He just felt that as long as he could look at and hold this fragrant and soft little creature every day, even if he was forever trapped on this deserted island, he would be extremely happy.
"Why did you give me all the water to drink?" Bern leaned close to Happiness's lips, their breaths intertwining. "Didn't I tell you to take care of yourself first?"
Blushing, Happiness held onto her fingers and said, "I... How did you remember this? Weren't you unconscious? I... I just felt that you were injured and sick, and needed it more than me..."
Bern's hand tightened around Happiness's waist, the pressure just right so as not to hurt her, but emitting an invisible aura of control that comes naturally to males over females. His skin grew hotter and hotter, and Happiness realized something. Her face turned as red as a ripe apple, her eyes as lively as black grapes, flickering between Bern's strong and broad bare chest and her own fingers. What's happening? Happiness scolded herself. She had decided to only like Alexander, to only date Alexander. She had already developed feelings for Alexander, so why did she suddenly find Bern's physique so appealing?! She wasn't the type to be fickle and infatuated. She had only known Burn for a few days!
Happiness was young and had led a sheltered life, so her lack of experience made it normal for her to develop feelings for Bern. After all, they had been through life and death situations together, and in such extreme circumstances, it is easy for emotions to arise between a man and a woman. If Bern had discovered Happiness in a normal environment, like Abyssyus and the others, and interacted with her normally, she probably wouldn't have felt anything out of the ordinary.
Seeing Happiness wanting to look at him but not daring to, Bern smiled and asked, "Happiness, how about following me when we go back? I'll take you to the Tiger Tribe." Although it was a question, his tone was filled with irresistible confidence.
Bern's words shattered Happiness's rosy dreams. She snapped out of her reverie and said seriously, "No, I can't. Alexander and the others have been good to me, and I've gotten used to living with them. I won't go to the Tiger Tribe."
This little girl had a conscience. Even in the face of a beautiful tiger, she didn't forget the kindness that Alexander and the others had shown her. Despite her budding emotions and her vulnerability, she was easily tempted... Although she knew that the Tiger Tribe would undoubtedly be stronger than the Dog Tribe, if she left, Alexander and the others would be very sad and disappointed. She didn't understand much, but she would never let down the male beasts who had been so good to her in the beginning. She would rather offend Bern than let Alexander and the others feel hurt and disappointed.
Bern didn't immediately force Happiness to make a promise. He simply held her quietly, using his body to warm her and shield her from the wind.
At this moment, Vincent returned with a big bag in tow, making a noisy entrance. His brilliant silver hair cascaded behind him as he placed the bag next to Burn and said, "Hey, everything's here. Take a look for yourself."
The small Happiness didn't affect Bern's actions. He reached out and opened the cloth bag. The things inside were far from communication devices... Several pieces of embroidered iron that were almost unrecognizable, resembling ancient phones covered in green mold. In addition, there was a pair of dry batteries that seemed to be useful, still in their original packaging. The sealed plastic had hardened and become brittle, but it had perfectly protected the batteries themselves.
Bern exhaled and picked out the battery. He said to Vincent, "Thanks, I can use this." Little Le carried some parts that were taken off the aircraft in his backpack. With some improvisation, it was still possible to make a signal transmitter and receiver.
"Are you hungry?" Vincent asked enthusiastically. "I can go hunt for some food for you."
"Thank you," Bern said gratefully, then asked, "Vincent, do you mind if we make a fire here?"
"Not at all, you can make a fire," Vincent waved his hand and wagged his tail. He looked excited, but that was understandable.
After Vincent went "hunting," Bern put all the clothes that could be worn on Happiness. He instructed her to shout if there was any trouble and then went out to find firewood and dry grass. He had already asked Vincent beforehand, and because there was a sea python on the island, there were no other predatory animals or beasts, not even harmless birds and insects. The female python was dragged ashore by Vincent and had long since escaped.
The island was rich in tree resources, with plenty of dead branches and tree trunks everywhere. In no time, Bern came back with a large pile of them. The empty building lit up with fire. Considering that the python was a cold-blooded animal, Bern and Happiness intentionally lit the fire in a sheltered corner. Happiness was indeed a bit hungry. The sweet and sour fruits only made her hungrier. Sitting on a thick pile of hay, she couldn't help but glance at the entrance from time to time, wondering what the python would bring as food.
Bern quickly manipulated the machine parts. It seemed that he had practiced before. Happiness couldn't help, so she endured her hunger and used a small dagger to draw on the ground. It was the first time since the escape that she had time to start thinking about her own story. She was determined to write about this experience!
Rustling sounds came as Vincent returned. Happiness saw that he was holding two big fish about a meter long and carrying an octopus. Vincent looked disgustedly at the bonfire because they made the fire with his consent, so he couldn't say anything. Vincent disliked the fire but wanted to spend more time with Bern and Happiness. With a twisted face, he swam to Bern's side and put the fish and octopus on the ground. The big fish was still alive and jumping.
Seeing meat, Happiness swallowed her saliva. Bern put down what he was doing and used his fingers as a knife to start killing the fish. He threw the fish intestines and everything into the bonfire. After a few kills, Bern brought the fish and octopus to a mossy small pond and washed them with the flowing water.
Vincent approached Happiness and spread out his left hand, which had two round gray bird eggs in it. Proudly, he placed the eggs next to Happiness and said, "Swallow these directly. They're delicious." In fact, he had found five eggs in total, but he kept two of them with his snake-like determination.
Happiness broke out in a cold sweat. For a snake, eating eggs raw was fine, but she couldn't do it. Looking at Vincent's expectant gaze, as if waiting to see her swallow the bird eggs, Happiness picked up the two eggs and slowly said, "We should cook them before eating."
Vincent showed a disappointed expression, slithered to the side of the hay pile, and lay down. He reached out and began to fiddle with the communication device that Bern was making. Bern took the fish and walked over to snatch the electronic parts back, saying, "Vincent, can you go out and find a smooth stone for us? I'll make pancakes for Happiness."
"You should say it earlier," Vincent lazily slid outside while turning his head, "I shouldn't have to run twice when I'm hungry."
After a busy moment, the fragrant pancakes and grilled fish quickly made their way into Happiness's mouth. Although there was no salt or other seasonings, she found them incredibly delicious!