"HoaaaahâŚ!" a young beast yawn widely as he walked out of a plant cave, clearly still sleepy.
"Morning âŚ" came a voice from the giant tree above.
From this point alone, it was obviously a unique beast; at a glance, it looked like a wolf, but upon closer inspection, probably it's closer to foxes. Smooth, silky, pink colored furs accentuated with rainbow colors.
Growling lazily, he looked around.
His, or to be more precise, their family's nest located on high ground, thus he could saw an amazing sight. The morning mist clung to the forest like a silken veil, rays of sunlight filtered through the canopy of dews shimmered in iridescent hues. It was as if the jungle was alive, with its melody sung by the rustling leaves and the chirping of birds.
"Mgrr.."
Walking on four legs, the beast set out for a hunt.
Not even five minutes later, he's back with blood all over his snout. He stride to a small pond to wash his face. After the cold sensation seeped in between his furs to kiss his skin, he's fully awake now.
ButâŚ
"âŚ"
There's nothing to do.
In the end, the beast lounged lazily beside the tree.
The Pixie Forest is an endless, mist-filled jungle where sunlight rarely penetrates. It's the home of countless creatures, both mortal and mystical. At its heart lay a hidden glade, a paradise untouched by human malice. In the center, stood a towering ancient living rain tree almost 100 meters tall. It's width, big enough to open a cave at its base, housed the last Elden family.
Elden beastâThey're an ancient lineage of mystical beasts that had thrived in harmony with the natural forces of the world for thousands years.
Today, peace reigned in the glade.
Not long after Radagon fell asleep, an almost giant Elden beast walked out. Glancing at his son going back to sleep in the morning, the beast just clicked his tongue and set for hunt himself. And few minutes later, the beast come back with a four legged animal twice his size, it's neck in his bloody jaw.
The beast, Gatts, threw the dying meat to the side and spoke telepathically.
The world ticking as always, and before long, the sun almost reached midday time. But although the sun shine brightly, with how thick mist above, the glade' air almost didn't hot at all, even the dews remains.
A young beautiful Elden beast, danced through the dew-soaked grass, her slender figure glowing like blooming flower as light refracted through her fur.
It, she is Ayin.
The young male Elden beast who sleeping beside the tree, Zesh, spoke.
It was obvious from their identical face, same youthful in age, differentiate only in basic male and female characteristics. For instance, Ayin's slender body contrasted Zesh's more athletic physique...
But yes, they're Twin.
Not far from them, two massive and regal beasts with colors so vivid they seemed too otherworldly, watched their offspring' exchange with smile and helplessness.
Their mother, Kaska, spoke to her husband,
After all, Elden beast is no ordinary nor mortal creature. They're being of magic, force of nature that can utilize mystical power. But after all, as you can guess from their name, power come with ages. Gatts and Kaska may not look like it, but they're old enough to have live for over a hundred years. Meanwhile, their kids barely double in age, what power could they possibly have as a telepathic beast?
Gatts consoled immediately,
Kaska bite her husband's neck in annoyance.
But that was the truthâThey're siblings. So how could they ended up like this? Long short story, they live their life for battle. So for tens of years, they did nothing but honed their ability to fight. And then, something bad happened and they become the last of their kind, two old siblings. With barely a hundred years remaining to live, what other choices they had but to hide from their hunter and procreate to make sure that their race' legacy remain?
At this point, they're nothing but vestiges of their past glory, with sole purpose of bearing childrens.
Kaska whispered,
<âŚ> Gatts revealed a complicated expression,
A blood related can't have offspring. It's not only unethical and taboo, but biologically impossible. Or at least, somehow Kaska could only give birth to the twin and no matter how often or how hard she and her brother did the deed, it never work again.
Kaska sighed, <âŚ.they really are our only hope then.>
Kaska chuckled softly, and stopped the topic. Her telepathic voice rich with affection as she said loudly.
<âŚ>
Their father, rumbled in agreement. His telepathic voice was deep and steady, like the earth itself.
The twin running through the grass, their playful growls and mental jabs weaving a tapestry of familial joy. Their parents, the sentient tree, and their neighbors all watched with indulgent smiles, basking in the simple happiness of their lives.
But just as always, Zesh lose to Ayin.
Her sister is just too agile.
The glade filled with laughter.
But happiness is fragile, and so did with peace.
The sun began its descent, painting the sky in fiery hues, when the tranquility of the forest was shattered by the sound of marching. The air grew heavy, tainted with the metallic scent of blood and steel.
Kaska' head shot up, her vibrant fur bristling.
Gatts stood, his towering form imposing even in his unease. His sharp gaze pierced the trees.
Before the family could react, the glade was invaded.
An army of more than a thousand, clad in dark armor and bearing the emblem of a Demon's face, emerged from the treeline. They carried torches that spewed noxious black smoke and weapons designed to tear through flesh and magic alike.
"Spread out!" barked their leader, a man with cruel eyes and a jagged scar that split his lip.
"So the last Elden beasts are here. You Abominable Rainbow! Don't let a single one escape!"
Ayin and Zesh froze, fear rippling through their bond as they hide quickly inside their house.
Their parents stepped forward, their majestic forms shielding their house. Kaska' voice was firm but calm.
Gatts's voice followed, a storm brewing beneath his measured tone as he spoke in human's language. "You dare enter this sacred ground, humans? Leave now, and we will spare you."
"Spare us?" The scarred man laughed, a harsh, guttural sound. "Oh, I'll enjoy carving those words into your hide."
"You humans! We are the one who protects you from what lies behind the eternal fogs, but here you are, baring your claws against your benefactor!" Gatts growled in rage.
The scarred man replied calmly. "But you, Elden beast, in particular will bring an end to us."
"That old witch's word again?!" Gatts anger couldn't be more apparent. "She's DEAD! WHAT WEIGHT DOES THE DEAD'S WORD HELD?!"
"Right after she told that prophecy."
The scarred man raised his sword. "She died out of fear from the future where you Elden beast brought doom to mankind. So it's only natural for us to kill you all Elden beast first."
Kaska snarled. "YOU!!"
"By the name of Emperor Femto," He pointed his sword forward. "Kill them all! Skin their body! We'll sell their pelts as trophies."
The soldiers charged.
Gatts and kaska met the humans head-on. Magic surged through the glade as their fur blazed with light, their attacks swift and devastating. Gatts's roar sent shockwaves through the earth, toppling soldiers like leaves in a storm. Kaska moved with lethal grace, her claws glowing as they tore through armor and bone while her jaw spewing flames.
But the humans were prepared.
Among the soldiers, five magician chanted together to summon a cloud of black mist, causing the air to became suffocating, choking the beasts and dimming their vibrant colors.
Ayin and Zesh huddled together, trembling as they watched their parents struggle. Kaska' movements grew sluggish, her radiant fur dimming. Gatts's roars turned into ragged snarls as the humans overwhelmed him with sheer numbers.
"Hold the big one down!" shouted the scarred man. He stepped forward, unsheathing a jagged blade.
"Time to see what makes you Elden beasts so special."
Gatts roared again, but his strength was failing. The soldiers pinned him to the ground, driving spears into his sides.
His voice thundered in his children's minds, filled with desperation.
Zesh's legs buckled, but Ayin nudged him.
The twins hesitated, their hearts breaking, but their survival instinct finally took over. They turned and ran, tears streaming down their faces.
Behind them, the glade became a slaughterhouse.
Gatts's roars turned to howls of pain as the scarred man drove his blade into the beast's chest, twisting it with cruel delight. Blood sprayed across the grass, staining it crimson.
"Not so tough now, are you?" the man sneered. He raised his blade high, then brought it down in a sickening arc.
Kaska lunged at him, but a spear pierced her flank. She collapsed, her glowing eyes dimming as soldiers descended upon her.
"Finish her off," one soldier snarled.
"Gladly," another replied, about to drive his blade into her throat.
"Don't." the scarred man spoke, "Emperor himself told us to not kill the female one."
Upon hearing that titleâ"FEEMMMTOOOOO!"
Gatts roared madly.
"His majesty Femto for you," the scarred man stabbed his weapon, causing Gatts to gagged with blood, "He also said to kill you in the most painful way."
Seeing such scene, Kaska screamed painfully. "BROTHERRRR!"
The twins hid behind a cluster of rocks at the edge of the glade, their breaths shallow and frantic. They could hear everythingâthe snarls, the screams, the wet sounds of flesh being torn and bones breaking.
Zesh peeked out, his heart shattering at the sight. His father lay motionless, his vibrant fur soaked in blood. His mother's was unconscious nearby, tied up like a trophy. Young Zesh saw everything.
The scarred man barked orders. "Peel the skin off carefully. Also bring her carefully. That old tree is sentient, use the blood flames to burn rest."
The scene that unfold next is just exactly as he said.
Ayin clung to him, sobbing.
The humans laughed and cheered, tossing the mutilated bodies of their father onto a pile like discarded meat. Torches were lit, and the stench of burning flesh filled the air. Ayin and Zesh clutched each other as the reddish flames consumed the remnants of their familyâhouse, garden, everything.
Hours later, the twins emerged from their hiding place
The humans long gone, but the glade, once their sanctuary, was a smoldering ruin. The air was thick with ash, the ground still slick with blood.
Zesh staggered to the remains of his father, his majestic form unrecognizable beneath the charred flesh and mangled fur. He fell to his knees, his body trembling with silent sobs.
Ayin crouched beside him, her tears falling freely. She pressed her head against his. >We're alone now, Zesh⌠They took everything.>
The twins cried and sobbed, their sorrow echoing through the silent forest.
In that moment, something inside her twin broke, replaced by a seething hatred. Under Ayin's shocked gaze, his brilliant colors slowly evaporated into dust carried by winds, replaced by an abyssal black that mirrored what settled in his hearts now.
And so, with seed of vengeance sown in bloodâthe tale of Twin Cultivation, began.