As he wandered deeper into the jungle, Emperal encountered strange beasts unlike anything he'd seen before. They wielded a mysterious energy, bending the elements to their will—strengthening their bodies, controlling fire and water, and unleashing attacks that shook the very ground.
It was fascinating and terrifying in equal measure.
He'd discovered something else, too. These creatures' hearts contained a strange potency. Eating them not only staved off hunger but also seemed to fortify his body. Each one made him feel stronger, sharper, and more attuned to the strange energy that pulsed through this world.
"Maybe I should hunt more beasts while I search for an elven village," he muttered, his silver eyes scanning the trees ahead. Although his powers were formidable and his soul brimming with potential, his body wasn't yet strong enough to channel the full extent of his abilities. This body needed to catch up—or risk breaking under the strain.
Hours passed, and he found himself standing before a massive cliff. Its sheer height was staggering, and he craned his neck to take in the top.
"Maybe I should hunt more beasts while searching for an elven village," he mused, glancing at his hands. They were still foreign to him, elongated and unnaturally pale, yet they had started to feel… stronger.
Hours of walking brought him to a cliff that loomed ahead, its jagged face disappearing into the clouds. He tilted his head back, trying to grasp its full height.
"Why is everything here so ridiculously oversized?" he muttered, frustration evident in his voice. First the trees, now this cliff. This world seemed intent on reminding him just how small he was—or used to be.
With a sigh, he activated Solustasis, his enigmatic power. The energy enveloped him like a second skin, shimmering faintly as it lifted him into the air.
Flying had become his favorite revelation. He'd discovered this ability earlier that morning while hunting a bird. For reasons still unclear, Solustasis, which once refused to interact with his body, now cradled him like a trusted ally. He suspected it had something to do with his soul—or perhaps this world's peculiar energy harmonizing with it.
As he ascended, the forest stretched out below him, an endless sea of green that swallowed the horizon. His gaze hardened.
"What the fu—how the hell do I even get out of here?" he muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Figures. Well, I'll figure it out… eventually. Probably."
He chuckled dryly and floated toward the top of the cliff. Near the summit, he noticed something odd: a burned patch of firewood, its ashes still warm.
"Someone's been here recently," he thought, excitement flickering to life.
But as his gaze turned toward the massive cave carved into the cliffside, his excitement waned. The entrance was vast, dark, and unwelcoming, exuding an aura that made his instincts scream to stay away.
The sky above didn't help. Two of the three suns had darkened, casting the land into an eerie twilight. The third sun hung low, its light wavering like a candle on the verge of extinguishing.
His eyes lingered on the cave, but he shook his head. "I know nothing about this world yet. Let's not be stupid."
Turning away, he plucked a fruit from a nearby tree, its vibrant blue skin glinting in the fading light. He took a cautious bite, the tangy sweetness a momentary relief from the tension clawing at his mind.
As he descended the cliff, his gaze drifted to a gargantuan tree in the distance. It was unlike anything he'd seen before, its roots sprawling across the land like rivers, its golden canopy shimmering even in the dim light.
A strange pull gnawed at him. There was something about that tree—something that whispered of answers.
…
Far from Emperal, near the base of the enormous tree, a sprawling settlement nestled between its roots. The roots stretched for miles, their immense size carving homes, markets, and paths for its inhabitants.
High above, halfway up the trunk, stood a palace that defied reason. It was as large as an entire continent, its gleaming spires piercing the heavens.
Inside, a regal elf woman sat on her throne. Her beauty was otherworldly, her pointed ears a sharp reminder of her heritage. She radiated power, her presence suffused with an aura so potent it felt tangible.
Kneeling before her was a silver-haired elf, her head bowed in submission.
"My queen," the elf said, her voice trembling slightly, "the experiment was… a failure."
The queen's expression didn't change. Her golden eyes remained closed, her face an unreadable mask. With a wave of her hand, she dismissed the messenger.
Alone, she opened her eyes and gazed into the distance. Her vision pierced the barriers of space, focusing on the forest where Emperal rested. A small, almost imperceptible smile graced her lips.
"I knew it," she murmured. "There's no way her son could be a failure."
Her expression darkened as her gaze shifted toward the ominous cave Emperal had ignored. A flicker of disdain crossed her face.
"Bugs," she muttered. Raising her hand, she waved it in the direction of the cave. What had happened was known only to her.
"For now, they won't trouble you my dear… Xynos," she whispered.
…
The jungle awoke with a guttural roar, the sound of a smilodon tearing through the silence.
"Morning already?" Emperal yawned, stretching lazily. From his perch in the trees, he spotted the beast prowling below.
"Oh, breakfast came to me? How thoughtful," he quipped, smirking.
With a flick of his wrist, two sharp canines flew from his waist, piercing the beast's chest before it could react. The creature collapsed with a heavy thud, and Emperal descended to claim his prize.
Ripping the heart free, he consumed it quickly. Emperal felt a familiar warmth ripple through his body—a mix of strength and something darker. Each heart he consumed seemed to change him, making his body feel heavier yet somehow more alive.
As he flew toward the gargantuan tree, his gaze shifted briefly to his own form. His towering height of roughly 310 centimeters was startling, even to him, and the burned mark on his left arm stood out—a jagged scar that pulsed faintly, as if alive with some unseen force.
But what unsettled him most was the hunger. The strange urge to devour the hearts of these beasts gnawed at him constantly. It wasn't just sustenance; it was something deeper, tied to the very essence of his being.
"What is this body hiding?" he wondered, clenching his fists as he pushed the thought aside. The answers weren't going to come from introspection alone, and the massive tree ahead seemed like the only lead in this vast, uncharted forest.
RUSTLE. RUSTLE. BOOM.
The sound of shouting and explosions snapped him from his thoughts. Turning, he spotted a group of people chasing a small yellow creature.
The creature, resembling a pygmy hippopotamus, turned its head and shouted, "I just ate one karamp! You're acting like I took your wife!"
Emperal blinked. "Did that thing just… talk?"
The yellow beast darted toward him, while the pursuing men froze in their tracks. Their expressions shifted to horror as they caught sight of Emperal.
Falling to their knees, one of them stammered, "L-LORD XYNOS?!"