The next day, Blue awoke with a sense of purpose—or at least, as much purpose as a small scorpion could have. Yesterday, he'd stumbled upon something he hadn't expected: humans. A village full of them, living just on the edge of the forest where he had been wandering.
It was strange, seeing them again. People like the ones he'd known in his old life, going about their daily routines, completely unaware that a black-and-blue-scaled scorpion was watching them from the shadows. He had spent most of the previous day observing from a distance, unsure of what to do. He wanted to get closer, but the risk was high. Who knew how they'd react to a venomous scorpion sneaking around?
Today, though, he felt a bit bolder.
Blue crept through the tall grass, moving slowly and carefully as he approached the village once again. The smell of wood smoke and cooking food filled the air, making his tiny mandibles twitch. The humans were bustling around as usual—carrying baskets, chopping wood, and gathering around a well at the center of the settlement. It was oddly peaceful, a far cry from the dangerous forest surrounding them.
He stopped just short of the village's edge, hiding in the grass. He wasn't quite ready to reveal himself just yet. Instead, he decided to scavenge for some food. The last few days had been tiring, and he hadn't had a proper meal since his run-ins with the other scorpions.
Blue scuttled through the undergrowth, his eyes—or whatever he had for eyes—scanning the ground for any signs of movement. Sure enough, it didn't take long before he spotted a couple of insects crawling nearby. They were small, harmless, and perfect for a quick snack.
At least hunting these guys isn't too hard, Blue thought as he struck, his pincers snapping down on the unsuspecting bugs. One by one, he devoured them, feeling a little stronger with each bite. The insects were crunchy, and they filled his small body with energy, but he knew he'd need more than just a few bugs to keep him going in the long run.
As he moved through the brush, searching for more prey, something unusual caught his attention.
It was a fruit—if it could even be called that. The strange thing was sitting at the base of a tree, partially hidden by the grass. It was unlike anything he had seen in either of his lives. The fruit was about the size of a small apple, but its surface was smooth and glossy, almost like it was coated in some kind of wax. Its color was a deep, swirling purple with veins of green and blue running through it, and it gave off a faint glow that made it stand out even in the dappled sunlight of the forest floor.
Blue approached cautiously, his curiosity piqued. He had no idea if it was safe to eat, but then again, he had no idea what most things in this world were. He clicked his pincers thoughtfully, inspecting the strange fruit from different angles.
Well… nothing ventured, nothing gained, he thought, and with that, he took a small bite.
The moment the fruit touched his mouth, a rush of unfamiliar energy shot through him. It wasn't painful, but it was… strange. His body tensed as the sensation spread through his limbs, his tail twitching erratically for a few seconds before settling. It felt like something inside him had shifted, expanded, but he couldn't quite place what it was.
For a few minutes, he remained still, waiting for something bad to happen. But nothing did. The feeling passed, and eventually, his body calmed down. Whatever had changed within him, it didn't seem harmful. Blue shrugged—or tried to, at least. Must've been one of those magic fruits or something.
Satisfied that he wasn't going to explode or mutate into some horrific monster, Blue finished the fruit, its sweet and slightly tangy taste lingering on his mandibles. Once the meal was over, he felt… different. Stronger, maybe? Or was that just his imagination? Either way, the fruit had filled him up, and for now, he was content.
With his hunger satisfied, Blue turned his attention back to the village. The humans were still going about their business, completely unaware of his presence. He decided to get a little closer this time—just close enough to watch them more closely.
He scuttled through the grass, using the natural cover to hide his approach. The humans were speaking to each other, their voices low and casual, but Blue couldn't make out what they were saying. The language was foreign to him, different from the one he had known in his past life. Still, the way they spoke, their body language—it was all so… familiar.
He crept closer, moving along the edge of a dirt path that led into the village. A small group of humans passed by, laughing and talking, carrying baskets filled with freshly harvested vegetables. Blue stopped just short of the path, his heart racing—or whatever equivalent scorpions had. He was close enough to hear the chatter clearly now, though it was still unintelligible to him.
He couldn't help but feel a strange sense of nostalgia as he watched them. The way they interacted, the small, mundane tasks they carried out—it reminded him of his old life. The village wasn't so different from the kind of places he had visited as a human, though it had a more rustic, almost medieval feel to it.
Despite the tension in his body, he began to relax, letting himself get comfortable in his little hiding spot. He didn't know why, but being near the humans—even if he couldn't understand them—gave him a strange sense of peace.
As Blue settled in, a few more insects scuttled by, and he snatched them up with ease. His tail curled lazily behind him as he ate, his eyes still focused on the humans just a few feet away. The villagers moved about in their daily routines, completely unaware of the tiny predator lurking so close to them.
For a moment, Blue considered trying to make contact, but the thought quickly faded. Not yet, he decided. He still didn't know enough about this world, and the last thing he wanted was to get squished by some terrified villager.
Besides, he thought, his tail twitching idly, this isn't so bad. I've got food, shelter, and entertainment. He watched as a couple of children chased each other near the well, laughing and playing in the dirt. Yep, I think I can hang around here for a while.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the village, Blue felt a sense of contentment wash over him. He didn't know what the future held, but for now, things were calm. And after everything he'd been through, that was more than enough.