What the hell just happened? David thought, staring up at the giant of a man who had felled the massive ape with a single, devastating blow. It didn't seem real. The guy looked as calm and nonchalant as if killing a beast that size was something he did every day. David's gaze traveled up the man's towering frame, trying to process the sheer size and strength of this stranger.
The man standing before him had to be at least eight feet tall, with bulging muscles that strained against his clothing. His thick neck supported a square, bearded face that radiated power and authority. His hair was cropped short, flecked with gray at the temples, and his beard was neatly trimmed, framing his rugged jawline. Despite his seemingly mature appearance, there was a sharpness in his blue-and-gold eyes, a kind of vitality that suggested he was far from the twilight of his years.
This guy looks like he could take on an entire army by himself, David thought. Even his presence was intimidating—like staring at a force of nature condensed into human form.
For a long moment, the man just stared at David, his eyes narrowing slightly. There was a flicker of something—curiosity, maybe?—before he turned and rushed over to Mira.
"Mira, are you okay? Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice deep and rough, yet tinged with an unmistakable worry that contrasted sharply with his otherwise imposing demeanor. He ran his large hands over her shoulders, checking for any signs of injury.
"Dad, I'm fine!" Mira exclaimed, shrugging him off as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "It's nothing, really."
David exhaled slowly, the tension in his body easing just a little. So, this must be her dad… Figures, he thought. He looked just like her, minus the soft warmth that Mira carried so effortlessly. There was something sharper and more hardened about the man's gaze.
"What happened?" the man demanded, his gaze darting back to David. His brow furrowed deeper, the concern in his voice giving way to a hard edge. "And what have you been doing out here with this tiny, ugly-looking man? Don't tell me you two have been out here… doing things together."
"Dad!" Mira exclaimed, her face turning crimson. "It's not like that! I swear!"
David couldn't help the incredulous laugh that bubbled up, though it was quickly cut off by a sharp throb of pain in his leg. Wow, he thinks I'm making a move on his daughter while I'm lying here with my leg broken? It was so absurd, he almost forgot about the fact that he'd nearly died just minutes ago.
Mira's father looked down at David, then back at Mira, suspicion clear on his face. "Explain," he growled.
With a deep breath, Mira started recounting the events of the past few hours—the ape's sudden appearance, the chase, and how David had jumped in to save her. As she spoke, David watched her father's face shift from concern to confusion, and finally to disbelief.
When she was done, the man turned his steely gaze back to David. "How did this frail, weak-looking man possibly save you? I can't even feel his energy signature."
Mira shook her head slowly. "I don't know, Dad. But he's… he's stronger than he looks."
David grimaced, trying to sit up. The pain in his leg flared again, and he bit back a curse. "Hey, broken leg over here—it doesn't exactly feel too good."
Mira's father's gaze flicked to David's leg, and he frowned. He moved closer, his eyes narrowing as if assessing the extent of the damage. Then he sighed and gave a short nod. "Thank you for helping my daughter," he said gruffly. "Let's get you back to my home so we can treat your injuries properly."
David shook his head stubbornly. "No, not yet. I'd feel a lot better if you cooked up that ape you killed so I could eat it."
Mira's father blinked, his expression one of complete bafflement. "Eating the beast is going to help you… how, exactly?"
"Just trust me," David replied, a weak smile tugging at his lips. "Think of it as repayment for me helping your daughter."
Mira's father stared at him for a long moment, then sighed again, this time with a faint note of exasperation. "Fine. If that's what you want." He glanced around and nodded at a nearby tree. "This should work."
In the blink of an eye, a faint glow emanated from his hand. With a single swipe, the man sliced through the thick tree trunk as if it were made of paper. David's jaw dropped as he watched the man effortlessly chop the entire tree into perfect pieces of firewood.
"What the… How did you do that?" David asked, unable to keep the awe from his voice.
Mira's dad didn't look at him as he began stacking the wood into a neat pile. "It's the energy within my body," he said simply, his tone almost dismissive. "Everyone can use it to some extent."
"Energy?" David echoed, still trying to process what he'd just seen.
Mira's dad paused, his gaze turning curious as he glanced over at David. "Where are you from that you don't know this?"
David swallowed, hesitating for a split second. "I, uh… I have amnesia. Don't remember much of anything. Woke up here about two weeks ago."
The man's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression hardening. "That's very strange…" He didn't press further, though. Instead, he lifted his hand and a soft blue light pulsed from his palm. The wood crackled, then burst into flames as if ignited by an unseen force.
David's eyes widened in disbelief. "You can… create fire with that energy, too?"
"Yes," Mira's dad said shortly. "The energy inside every living being can be used in countless ways, from enhancing physical abilities to manipulating the elements." He raised an eyebrow. "You really don't know this?"
David shook his head slowly, still trying to wrap his mind around the idea. Energy manipulation? Like… magic? It sounded crazy, but then again, everything about this place was crazy.
Mira's father watched him closely, then frowned. "Who are you, really? You're unlike anyone I've seen before. And why are you so… tiny?"
David opened his mouth to reply, but his throat tightened. He couldn't tell this man the truth—not yet. "Like I said, I have amnesia. I don't know why I'm like this or how I got here."
Mira's dad studied him for a moment longer, then nodded slowly. "Fine. But I'll be keeping a close eye on you."
Without another word, he turned and hefted the lifeless ape onto his shoulders, carrying it effortlessly to the fire. He propped the carcass over the flames, letting it roast. As time passed, the rich aroma of cooking meat filled the air, making David's mouth water.
Mira's dad hovered close to his daughter, his voice low as he asked her question after question, his worry palpable. David listened idly, his mind still whirling with everything that had happened.
After what felt like an eternity, the ape was fully cooked. Its skin was a crispy golden brown, the juices sizzling in the flames. Mira's father poked at it, testing the meat, then nodded in satisfaction.
"It should be done," he announced, stepping back.
David forced himself to sit up, his body protesting with every movement. "Put it on the ground next to me," he said through gritted teeth.
Mira's father hesitated. "You still haven't explained how eating this thing is going to help you."
"Just… watch," David muttered, the pain in his leg making his voice sound strained.
With a bemused shake of his head, the man set the cooked ape down beside him. David didn't waste any time. He tore into the beast's leg with a ferocity that made Mira and her father exchange a glance.
With each bite, David felt something shift inside him. His muscles tightened, growing denser. Strength flooded his limbs, and he could feel his skin tingling as if every nerve was awakening. This is… incredible, he thought, ripping another chunk of meat free. It was different than the giant rodent—stronger, more potent.
He finished the leg and immediately snapped the bone in half, scooping out the marrow and sucking it down. He didn't even think twice before biting into the bone itself. Pain flared through his jaw as his teeth shattered, but he barely noticed. He knew that once he swallowed, they would be whole again.
And they were.
As he devoured the ape's other leg, he could feel his broken bones knitting back together. The pain vanished, replaced by a sense of power and wholeness that made his head spin. He felt… complete. Stronger than he'd ever been before.
By the time he was done, he was beyond stuffed. His belly bulged, and he looked like he might burst from the sheer amount of food he'd consumed.
Mira and her dad stared at him, expressions of utter bewilderment plastered on their faces.
David leaned back, panting heavily. He couldn't help the small, triumphant smile that spread across his lips.
"So…" he said between breaths, looking up at Mira's dad. "Do you believe me now?"