The dense jungle buzzed with life as Eleo, Kenji, Olorun, and Tony remained hidden behind the thick trees. Their eyes were locked on the battle unfolding before them—a clash of brute force and precision. Water bullets tore through the air as the shark-like creature unleashed its wrath, but the nimble monkey effortlessly dodged each attack with fluid grace. The tension was palpable, the air crackling with the raw energy of their fight.
Suddenly, something strange happened.
The shark slowed, its massive form shimmering. Its sharp fins retracted, and its dark skin shifted, transforming into a humanoid figure with pale blue skin and sharp, shark-like features. The monkey—Sarugami—underwent a similar transformation. His body elongated, fur thinning to reveal a muscular, human-like form beneath.
The group exchanged wide-eyed glances, their confusion mirrored in their silence.
Sharky, now fully humanoid, sighed heavily, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Come on, Sarugami. We both know we can't take him head-on."
Sarugami spat on the ground, his sharp eyes burning with disdain. "See? You're too weak. Too scared. You're pathetic, Sharky." His words dripped with venom as he turned his back, fists clenched in frustration.
Sharky's expression twisted, his voice breaking with frustration. "No matter how hard we train, no matter how many times we push ourselves until we pass out, we'll never reach his level. You know that."
Sarugami didn't look back, his voice low and cold. "That's why you're weak. Always making excuses."
With that, Sarugami disappeared into the dense foliage, leaving Sharky standing there, fists trembling, eyes fixed on the ground. "Damn it…" Sharky muttered under his breath.
Eleo broke the silence first, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Uh, should we go out there and talk to him?"
Kenji shot him a sharp glance. "What for? It's none of our business to get involved in someone else's drama."
Eleo raised a brow. "What's drama?"
Tony, ever the joker, scratched his skull with a smirk. "You know, like when things get heated and people start shouting or throwing things."
Eleo tilted his head, considering. "So… like what just happened with Sharky and Sarugami?"
"Exactly!" Tony replied, his bony jaw clicking with enthusiasm. "That was top-tier drama."
"Ohhh," Eleo said, pretending to understand, though his furrowed brow hinted otherwise.
Olorun clapped his hands, cutting through the awkwardness. "Alright, alright. Enough about drama. Let's head into town. I'm starving."
Tony scratched his skull again. "Olorun, we don't even know where the town is. This is uncharted territory."
Eleo sniffed the air loudly, his nose twitching like a bloodhound. "I can smell food! Lots of it! This way!" He pointed in a random direction, his face alight with confidence.
Olorun chuckled. "Must be Kenji's stinky feet."
Kenji's face twisted in disbelief. "Wait, how do you even know what my feet smell like?" Silence fell over the group as they all turned to Olorun.
"Uh… let's just follow Eleo," Olorun muttered, quickly changing the subject.
As they made their way through the forest, the scent of food growing stronger, they stumbled upon an unusual sight—a giant panda sitting cross-legged in the middle of the road, meditating. The panda's breathing was steady, his massive frame still like a mountain.
Eleo tilted his head. "What's he doing?"
Tony smiled knowingly. "He's meditating."
"Ohhh, I remember that," Eleo said, his voice trailing off. He didn't. But it sounded impressive.
Olorun's mischievous grin widened. "Should I poke him?"
Kenji's eyes widened in alarm. "No! Don't—"
Before he could finish, Olorun poked the panda's shoulder. The panda's eyes snapped open, and in a calm, deep voice, he said, "Please stop touching me."
Olorun leapt back, startled. "Uh, sorry!"
The panda's gaze softened as he closed his eyes again. "Thank you."
Tony crossed his arms, still cautious. "Wait, you're not going to attack us? Most of the Animal Kingdom isn't exactly friendly to outsiders… especially skeletons."
The panda shook his head slowly. "I have no need to fight without reason. Conflict arises from fear, anger, and misunderstanding. I choose peace."
Eleo, ever blunt, asked, "So… you're not evil?"
The panda chuckled softly. "When I fight, I fight with all my strength. When I eat, I savor each moment. When I run, I run with purpose. As for evil—no, that path shall never be mine."
Tony blinked, his jaw slightly agape. "Wow. That's… deep."
The panda smiled faintly. "Wisdom comes with age and reflection."
Tony's curiosity got the better of him. "How old are you?"
The panda opened one eye, his tone light. "Forty-two."
As the group continued their journey, the tension eased, and lighthearted chatter filled the air. However, as they approached the outskirts of a small village, Kenji hesitated, his hand raised. "Wait. If we go in, won't the villagers attack us? Tony said the Animal Kingdom doesn't take kindly to humans—or skeletons."
Tony sighed, his bony fingers tapping his skull. "Well, that's mostly because of the war with the mushroom people and humans… but that was, what, a hundred years ago? Maybe they've forgiven us."
Olorun's eyes lit up. "Mushroom people? You're telling me there are actual mushroom people?"
Kenji's jaw dropped. "Wait. There are mushroom people?"
Eleo's eyes sparkled. "Oh, can I eat them?"
Tony groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Yes, they're real. No, Eleo, you can't eat them. And listen, if we're heading to World Two, you three need to know something."
They turned to him, curiosity etched on their faces.
Tony's voice grew serious. "You're going to need to get stronger. A lot stronger. If you don't… you won't survive."
The words hung in the air like a heavy cloud, the group falling silent as the reality of their journey began to sink in.