The deeper into the cave I went, the more it hit home that I wasn't exactly learned in this world. It felt like the closeness of the walls was slowly drawing closer and the passage diminishing in size; the atmosphere was cold, damp with moisture. It was as if the cave itself was a living, breathing entity.
My senses were always on, monitoring each and every sound, each and every vibration. Even the tiniest noise of air could get me to a full stop. Every corner presented a new possibility for danger, either from other creatures or the surroundings themselves.
But all mixed in with the feel of fear, a weird excitement stirred-somewhere like sparks flying upward. Every second I survived, every thrill of the adrenaline rush, I knew was bringing me one step closer to the answer I wanted.
How strong would I get?
This meant I had survived the first meeting with a much bigger snake-a triumph in itself. Still, there was no cause for rejoicing: the world teemed with predators far larger and deadlier than me. Here, if I wished to survive, I had to grow-change.
My mind went numb as a well-known feeling seized my interest. Without thinking, my tongue darted out salivating in the air. In that exact moment, I knew what it was-the smell of a life. It was weak, but obvious. Blood was heavy in the air.
I flexed. My muscles clamped tight. The hunt.
Yet to know what type of creature it was, I wasn't to make the same mistake I did with its bigger serpent cousin. A lesson learned in that battle was speed as my weapon and using my wits as an ally.
I crushed myself against the cool stone wall of the cave and stayed in the shadows. My heart was running, but I listened to my breathing. Whatever it was, the smell of blood grew stronger; it was close.
Slow, deliberate, quiet motions now, and alert for anything that would betray my presence. Through the ground, the tremors grew stronger and I could immediately see this thing ahead did not suspect my proximity. Again my tongue darted out, and on the breeze was a new scent now-heavy and rank. My eyes began to narrow.
Ahead of me, in a small opening of nature, was an animal different from any I had ever seen.
It was huge for an insect, all full of legs, its body done in separate sections and hard. The legs ended with sharp claws, its jaws working in the air, sensitive for any kind of danger. Its back had spiky plates, and its belly was swollen, distended by a recent meal, I presumed.
I lay there, watching it in the darkness, my muscles tensed and ready to go.
A plan came into my head.
It was not that fast, really slow, and quite clumsy. Its claws were dangerous: a scratch, if it connected, could tear my tough scales. I couldn't afford to make a mistake.
I waited for the perfect moment.
It was headed towards some nearby mushrooms, its back to me. Quite literally, my heart was in my mouth. Now was the time. Strike time.
I tensed my muscles and steeled myself for what was about to happen. When it took another step closer, I launched myself in, arrow-like, at its exposed flank.
In an instant, I sprang forward, my teeth sinking into the soft of the insect's belly. It made a weird, low rumbling, yet was slow in its action. My fangs dug deeper, spitting venom within his body. I felt his muscles jerk, my poison working.
Slowly now, its legs were twitching. I did not wait for its death, having my body firmly wrapped around it, squeezing tight with all my might. The creature fought, but it was too late. The venom was working.
I felt its life ebb away, the creature growing weaker by the second. Then, it was no longer moving.
I finally pulled my body from the insect's body, gasping for breath, yet triumphant. My fangs were still extended into the insect's soft flesh, and within me, the power started to rise. The poison was not just a weapon but a gift. It was in me now-the real essence of this creature that had tried to hurt me.
That was not all. The hunger inside me asked for more.
I pull the bug's tender body back into cover behind a crack and eat it in safety from far larger predators. Even though I was eating it bit by bit, I could feel my body change with every action of my muscles, shifting in my scales to take the energy from the creature.
With each morsel, I could feel my energy begin to rise within me, my vision keen, my body muscles stronger, and the venom within my fangs tingle with life.
It wasn't until the insect was nothing but a still lifeless body that I lay back in my coil, letting a purring hiss escape my lips. But I couldn't remain there just yet. I still had so much to learn, so much more things to know.
I had changed once. And I could do it again.
The instinct had already started to lead me to the next level, for there was more to this world than just survival. A whole network of power lay amidst links between the creatures of this world: some higher than me, and some lower.
But the more I ate, the more I learned-this was only a world where the strongest lived. To be at the top as a predator, I needed to continue growing in all aspects: physical, intellectual, and strategic.
I slipped into the deep part of the cave. So many options ran through my head. Yet still, it wasn't over.
Far from over.