Waking up, John stretched his wings and let out a contented chirp. I've always wanted to be a morning person, he mused. Maybe this newfound energy is just part of being a bird.
A warm, vibrant sensation coursed through him, bubbling up as an irresistible urge to hum a tune. He didn't hold back.
He burst into song at the top of his lungs, the melody carrying through the cave like a hymn to the morning. Each note seemed to strip away his doubts, leaving him lighter, freer. By the time he finished, a grin spread across his beak.
"That felt… right," he murmured, a spark of inspiration lighting in his eyes. Time to put this energy to good use and figure out how to begin.
He leaped into the air, wings catching the breeze as he took flight toward the spot where he'd seen the flock of birds the day before.
He found them again in the same trees, perched on the branches, their feathers glinting in the morning sun. The flock was a vibrant mix of different species, their colors weaving a patchwork of life against the green backdrop.
Their morning songs filled the air—sweet, energetic melodies that carried themes of freedom, soaring through open skies, and the thrill of the hunt for worms, insects, and fruits.
As he listened closely, John caught snippets of their exchanges. The chirps seemed to carry inquiries—Who found food yesterday?—interwoven with playful notes and shared excitement. It was a language brimming with life, community, and purpose.
Here comes my chance, he thought, alighting on a branch beside a cluster of five woodpeckers. The group noticed him immediately, their sharp glares making it clear he wasn't part of their flock.
What are you glaring at? John tilted his head, then joined in their song, carefully matching the tone and rhythm of the woodpeckers' sharp, staccato chirps. The mimicry came naturally, flowing from him as if second nature. The tension among the woodpeckers gradually melted away.
Being a mockingbird has its perks, he mused. I can mimic anything. First, I'll earn their trust—then I'll herd them. All of them.
The flock continued their song, discussing where to forage and which areas to avoid. John quickly realized they instinctively knew the risks of straying too far, their melodies edged with caution.
Their chirps painted a vivid map of the territory—a nearby grove teeming with fruit, a shallow stream where insects gathered, and a patch of grass to avoid due to the lurking presence of a predator.
The leading flock took flight, and the rest of the birds instinctively followed. John observed them closely, noting their diversity: sparrows, parrots, and various other garden birds. None of the predator types were among them.
He took to the air, seamlessly blending into the flock.
I hope they're heading for some juicy fruits… wait, worms? No, what am I even thinking? John shook his head, his thoughts betraying a strange, instinctual craving.
Before long, the flock descended, and John eagerly followed—until the destination came into view.
"WHAT the hell?!" John exclaimed as he realized where they were headed.
A cesspool by a line of willow trees stretched out below.
The stench hit him like a slap, and he froze mid-flight. "Are these birds even real? What kind of sick joke is this?"
The flock landed without hesitation, chirping excitedly.
"Worm, worm, worm… delicious worm!" the birds chanted in unison, hopping into the foul basin with glee. They pecked and rummaged through the muck as if it were a treasure trove of delicacies.
John hovered above, stunned. "This is what you call breakfast? You've got to be kidding me…"
One of the woodpeckers he had perched beside earlier chirped up at him, as if urging him to join in, before landing enthusiastically on the yellowish dirt.
Join you? The hell I will! You… you shit-eating bird! John recoiled, his stomach turning as he replayed the earlier parade of joyous songs celebrating breakfast. This was a memory he'd rather erase. Forget the energetic morning vibes. Forget the songs. Forget everything!
Then a horrifying thought struck him like a bolt from the blue.
The realization hit him with such force that he sputtered and spat furiously, as though trying to physically expel the thought from his mind. "Mental diarrhea," he muttered bitterly, grimacing.
"Shit! I need to get the hell out of here," he groaned, spreading his wings to take flight.
Just as he lifted off, the cesspool below rippled ominously. Something large surged up from its depths, sending the birds scattering in panic.
"Monster, monster, escape!" their cries rang out as the air filled with frantic flapping wings.
John turned mid-flight, his curiosity outweighing his common sense. What he saw froze him for a split second—a grotesque creature rising from the filth. It had the elongated body of an alligator, its scales slick with yellowish muck, but its head was disturbingly porcine.
The beast snapped its massive jaws shut, catching three birds in a single, brutal bite.
"What in the world…" John muttered, his feathers ruffling involuntarily. "It's got the body of an alligator and the head of a pig. What kind of cesspool-dwelling nightmare is that?!"
The eerie sight sent a chill through him. "I've got a bad feeling about this. Better leave this place… now." With that, he beat his wings furiously, keeping pace with the fleeing flock, eager to put as much distance as possible between himself and the grotesque predator.
The flock eventually returned, settling onto the tall branches of nearby trees. Despite their close call, they began chirping again, their songs tinged with a mournful hunger as if lamenting their meager breakfast.
They cried in soft, anxious tones, too frightened to venture far from the safety of the trees.
Poor things, John mused, observing their behavior. It's understandable—they're idiots. Then again, I'm not much better, still shaken from seeing that monster. Wait… monster? I'm a monster to them, too.
His eyes lit up with an idea. Fine. Let's use this chance to manipulate them.
Feigning innocence, he chirped in the tone of the flock, "Mangoes, mangoes… full mangoes, all! No— scary— monsters."
The flock fell silent, turning their attention toward him. Their gazes, wary at first, softened slightly, though he could sense their unease at his unfamiliar presence.
One woodpecker, his branch-mate from earlier, hesitated before chirping tentatively, "Families—families? Mango, mango… safe?"
Nice one, Blackie. I'll use you as my second in command later. John nodded, a small smirk creeping across his beak.
"Families—families, mango, mango… safe!" the flock echoed in unison, their chirps blending into a harmonious song. Their admiring gazes turned to John as if he were some kind of savior.
John smirked, feeling a sense of accomplishment. Alright! Time to treat them to some tasty snacks.
Taking flight, he led the flock toward the ten mango trees he had spotted the day before, their branches heavy with ripe, golden fruit. The birds followed eagerly, their songs bright with anticipation.
To creatures of the sky, the concept of a shortcut didn't exist—every route was direct. They spotted the mango trees from a distance, their excited chirps filling the air as they sensed no predators nearby.
The flock swarmed the trees, diving onto the bountiful mangoes with gleeful abandon.
John joined them, his hunger gnawing at him. After all, he hadn't eaten since transmigrating into this new bird body yesterday.
Landing on a sturdy branch, he selected a mango and pecked at its golden skin. The sweet juice burst onto his tongue, its flavor rich and otherworldly.
"The smell… the sweetness…" John murmured to himself, savoring the mango's rich flavor. "This is unlike anything I've ever experienced—like the legendary immortal nectar from fabled tales. Do mangoes always taste this good? No, I don't think so."
He relished the moment, letting the vibrant taste linger on his tongue. By the time he finished his mango, most of the flock had already satiated their morning hunger.
Seizing the opportunity, John chirped loudly before the flock could scatter, "Worm—worm, tasty—tasty, safe—safe!"
The flock immediately responded in a unified chorus, "Worm—worm, tasty—tasty, safe—safe!"
The harmony of their voices brought a sly grin to John's face. Perfect. They trust me enough to follow wherever their taste buds lead.
Chirping twice to signal them, John took flight toward the cave nestled atop the hill. The flock followed him eagerly, oblivious to the significance of the cave they approached. Innocent and mindless, these birds had no idea of the fearsome creature that had once called the cave home.
Fortunately for them, she was no more. Or rather unfortunate.
The flock fluttered into the cave without hesitation, chirping excitedly, expecting a fabulous feast of worms to be waiting for them.
John landed on a ledge inside, suppressing his amusement as he addressed them, "Alright, I'll serve you the tastiest worms of your life. But first, I've got a song for everyone. Worms or song—what's your preference?"
"Song!" the flock chirped in perfect unison.
Birds. Ha! I'd prefer the song too. John grimaced, though a small smirk betrayed his amusement. "Alright, here it comes."
Being a mockingbird had its perks. John launched into a song, mimicking the calls of almost every species present in the cave. His melody resonated with the flock, who began to lower their guard around him, their collective wariness melting into a sense of kinship.
["The beasts are successfully lured and gain their Trust. You Can Proceed With The Lure and Trust Mantra."]
John's heart skipped a beat as the mysterious message flashed in his mind. Let's just hope this works.
As he'd mentally rehearsed, he began singing the chant. His voice carried through the cave, rising and falling in an almost hypnotic rhythm.
After two verses, he noticed subtle changes in the flock. Their eyes gleamed unnaturally, their movements became sluggish, and they swayed as if caught in a euphoric, drunken haze.
Confidence surged within him. With each verse, the chant's power seemed to intensify, and by the time he reached the final lines, something extraordinary happened.
Thin, hair-like extensions sprouted from the bodies of each bird, tipped with a shimmering red merlot hue, encased in a delicate film.
This is it. Nothing bad happened this time, John thought with a tinge of relief. Determined to see it through, he chanted the last verse.
But his celebration was premature.
His eyes jerked wide open as a parrot near the front of the flock convulsed violently and exploded into a grotesque pool of blood, the crimson-tipped hair spiraling out of control.
"What the hell?!" John exclaimed, horror-stricken.
One by one, the birds followed suit. With sickening pops, the cave was soon filled with chaos—blood, feathers, and carnage splattered across the walls. John stood frozen, his jaw slack, caught in a swirling storm of shock, guilt, and disbelief.
"Shit, shit, shit!" he ranted, running a trembling wing over his face. "This is too much. What just happened? Did I… did I just become the mass murderer of birds? My own kind? What am I, a freaking Dexter Morgan?" His words spilled out as he struggled to catch his breath, overwhelmed by a wave of guilt that crushed his feeble resolve.
Desperately, John cried out, "God of Machine, this is going too far! What is the meaning of this?"
The usual cold, mechanical voice chimed in his head.
["God Of Machine Is Unsatisfied With Your Lowly Reaction."]
["God Of Machine Commands You To Discard That Lower Plane Mentality. This Is The Natural Order: Strength Thrives, Weakness Perishes."]
["Stop Whining Like A Bitch And Harden Yourself. Bloodbath Is Merely A Step Toward Power. Either Adapt And Rise Or Be Crushed By Those Stronger Than You."]
The final statement jolted him like a slap to the face.
John stood silent, his breathing heavy, his mind racing. This isn't Earth, he reminded himself. I'm not human anymore. I'm a freaking mockingbird, a creature at the bottom of the food chain in this merciless world. If I don't adapt, I'll get crushed.
His trembling subsided as he forced himself to harden his resolve. "Yeah. Get real. Why should I care whether they die or not? They were just too weak to pass the trial of becoming my subordinates. It's their loss, not mine."
He turned to survey the survivors. Amid the bloody carnage, fifteen birds stood trembling, but alive. They had endured the first trial of the Lure and Trust Mantra.
"Good," John murmured, his voice steeled. "The strong survive. That's the way it is."