Mocking chuckles filled the air as the Ravilashes taunted us. The creatures reared up to their full height, wrapping around everything in their path. If I had to compare them to something, the closest resemblance would be Venus flytraps ravished with vibrant blue thorns protruding from their forms.

"Gah! Gah! Gaha! GAHAHAHA!" The crazed plants laughed in malicious unison. A sinister chorus forcing me to clench my teeth and hope for the endless madness to end.

Suddenly their limbs thrashed about, sending rocks and debris flying in all directions as if it became their sole purpose to create a racket.

 

G.A.I.A. Activated!

— Eldriyssals Detected!

— Species: Ravilash

— Sub-Name: "Vile Vines"

— Rank: F

— Classification: Common

— Organism Type: Predator

— DANGER ⚠️ DETECTED

— DANGER ⚠️ DETECTED

 

I zoomed through the forest alongside the Doervus as the Ravilash curled and unfurled in pursuit, revealing a tangled mass of vines and leaves that writhed and twisted as it moved. Their limbs, thick and gnarled, swung out in all directions, knocking aside anything in their rampage with a menacing force.

I ducked and utilized the [MERE-EAR SLASH]to slice and eradicate each vine that whipped through the air and continued to do so in repeat. It was too much, however, I was having trouble hitting as flung my ears.

Whereas the Doervus was thrusting and swinging their antlers, smashed their hooves as it neared a Ravilash, and fired chains of electricity which successfully subdued the monsters.

Lightning struck one of the vegetated monstrosities and it screamed as it was seared and obliterated in that swift instant—abyssal particles ejecting into the atmosphere.

I absorbed the particles, while tranced in defending myself from the swarming Ravilash. My body quickly, reacted as I jumped, hopped, and bounced, weaving under their assault.

During these moments, I examined them, analyzed their pattern with [Critical Observation], finding that these creatures were flawed, every single one had the same exact weakness: sluggish, except for their multi-limbed appendages flinging through the air, the tips at their ends snapping open to bite at their prey—me, and of course, the Doervus.

Their reach remained limited as I leapt back and forth, side-to-side, and using the [MereSwiftness] to dash under their stemmed arms, four on each side of the Ravilash’s bodies. This was their second weakness, once their limbs were launched, it took about 4 seconds for it to recoil back to their writhing forms. And to their reach limitation, it appeared that the range is for these (Common) (F-Ranked) beasts were 8 meters.

And as I entered the range within a group of Ravilashes, I tore through them with an electrified ear as slashed their upper bodies, rending through their thin, flowered necks.

These gushed with abyssal particles as ripped through more and more of the Ravilash, it lucked out for me and the Doervus that their numbers were destroyed in succession as the plants monsters clustered here and there. It reminded me of tending to a garden, wrenching weeds out from the ground, yet the weeds fought back with a vengeance.

I gasped as a vined limb soared, smacking me on the back. It STUNGED—I shivered and gritted my teeth as I was slapped airborne. I somersaulted, flipped, and darted back into action as I spung, and whipped my tail.

It was then the planted beast’s cackling became blighted, shifting into an abhorrent scream as it was burned into smithereens as my flaming tail sliced through it, erasing it from existence.

I grimaced and turned my attention to the Ravilash lumped forest’s canopies, light filtering through them, shrouding the Ravilash in sickly hues.

The Ravilash slithered tree-to-tree, lashing out, casting shadows on the dew-kissed grasses, lengthened up to my shoulders.

I vanished, swiftly submerging myself into the tall grass, confined within their cover to evade the striking fury of the Ravilashes.

With a powerful leap, I landed on a branch, positioning myself at eye level with the Ravilash.

In that instant, I unleashed lightning bolts, a series of azure [DOOM ZAPs], targeting multiple groups of these wretched creatures.

I blushed, feeling flustered as I realized that I needed more practice in firing [DOOM ZAPs] from a long range. However, despite lacking training in such a regard, my bolts managed to find their targets among the trees and within some clusters below.

Unintentionally, my horrid aim still proved helpful in another manner, as it assisted the Doervus who was almost surrounded and entangled by the Ravilashes. The first burst of lightning stunned the Ravilashes, buying the Doervus some time as it sprinted away to safety.

Posthaste, I emitted another, the second bolts fried the Ravilashes, fragmenting them into glowing wisps that dispersed into the air. These wisps were drawn to me! And I absorbed them, feeling their power strengthen me as I basked in the particles.

It was odd, I realized, I noticed there was almost no range limit to the reach of these particles.

Pushing aside the thought, I returned to the forest floor and attacked, striking the Ravilashes with my ears that retracted outward in a flailing massacre.

Every Ravilash tried to subduing me, but I recognized each one had patterned movements as their stemmed limbs were exploited whenever as I lashed out faster than them, slicing off their lengthened limbs.

The Doervus and I met, the Doervus greeted me with a slight nod as we unleashed lightning upon our adversaries.

I stayed close to the Doervus, and I braced myself for a fight to the end, much like our previous encounter with the Barbapt.

Immediately I gathered the abyssal particles within my core and the atmosphere, prepared the [MERESPHERE], and exhaled it, sending it on its trajectory.

It launched through the forest, illuminating it dim ambience and it crashed within the clustered Ravilashes, eradicating a great deal of their numbers—leaving them vulnerable and numbered in the dozens.

The Ravilashes chorus of laughter ended as the vile vines glanced at another, their beaded eyes gleaming with malice. With one slapping another on their budded heads, the Ravilashes proceeded to… retreat.

I breathed as my limbs wobbled while my back ached, and some lesser wounds stung. I glanced at the Doervus, “Shall we continue or plant gathering?” I smiled, it was an awfully long day already, moonlight and sunlight intertwining, filtering through the canopies.

“Not today, Aera,” the Doervus answered to my intrigue, “Let us rest for the time being, and we will attain the rest of the materials you seek.”

“Gotcha.” I nodded, we had fought hard anyways, so, I walked alongside the Doervus, the two of us returning to our campsite.

 ◇ ◇ ◇

The Doervus and I resumed our material gathering, I took the opportunity to observe the surrounding flora. Despite the humidity, it was a pleasant experience to engage in something as mundane as this.

In fact, I welcomed it as a preferable alternative to constant fighting. I took a deep breath, savoring the pleasant aromas that wafted through the air.

Every plant I collected held unique properties, each one adding to my growing stockpile of crafting materials. The inclusion of these resources increased our chances of survival in this untamed realm.

However, the process was not without its challenges. We encountered more creatures along the way, one of which posed a greater threat than the Ravilash.

 

G.A.I.A. Activated!

— Eldriyssal Detected and Documented!

— Species: Vandaquil

— Sub-Name: "Thornback"

— Rank: F+

— Classification: Common

— Organism Type: Predator

 

I stopped in my tracks as the Doervus nudged me with its nose, I recognized the ground beneath our feet was strewn with rocks and crystals. Yet I did not see aforementioned beast in this rugged landscape, lightly populated by gnarly trees.

It was then I noticed a beast with razor-sharp quills chowing on a Ravilash within its mouth. Its aggressive nature made itself apparent as a Dimetfern passed by.

 

G.A.I.A. Activated!

— Eldriyssal Detected!

— Species: Dimetfern

— Sub-Name: "Fin Fern"

— Rank: F

— Classification: Uncommon

— Organism Type: Preda-Prey

 

A thorn punctured out the Thornback’s wrist as it darted over and jabbed the unsuspecting Dimetfern through the chest.

The Dimetfern thrashed, before the Thornback lifted it, and smashed it into the ground and with a swing, the Thornback cleaved downwards. A sonic wave shot across the field, gashing through the Dimetfern and engraving marks upon the nearby mountain.

I blinked, unable to process that it was the over in a flash as the Thornback dragged away the motionless Dimetfern.

I gulped. There was no point remaining here. The Thornback was  on a far more powerful scale than any of us could handle at this point in time.

It was a split second decision, but I and Zest turned back, sprinting away from the rocky area, narrowly avoiding a confrontation with the territorial beast.

"Are you okay, Aera?" I heard the Doervus ask.

I was only slightly sorrowed if I had to admit how I truly felt. "Yeah… just another reminder as to how ruthless some Eldriyssals are." I breathed, my shoulders dropped, "Let's press on," I replied as I pointed forward with a paw.

Despite the dangers, I was not going to lose hope as we continued our search for the required materials!

We pressed forward, and the rainforest continued to unfold its wonders and perils before us, and with each step, we grew more attuned to its rhythms and intricacies.

◇ ◇ ◇

"We've done well, Doervus," I said, offering a reassuring smile to my companion. "Let's return to our crafting station and prepare for the next phase of our journey."

'With these materials. I am one step closer to finding my way back home.' I thought.

With the acquired materials, we made our way back to the crafting station, ready to incorporate the unique properties of the Dewleaf and Mistvine into the armor and cloak I had previously crafted.

As I weaved the Dewleaf leaves and Mistvine into the fabric, a subtle transformation began to take place. The armor and cloak shimmered with an mystical radiance and blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment. The enchanting properties of the plants also added an extra layer of concealment, making it easier to navigate the rainforest undetected.

With the crafting completed, I adorned the upgraded armor and cloak, knowing now that I was protected.

 

G.A.I.A. Activated!

— (Standard) Eldritch Armor - Crafted and Equipped

 

'Hm?' I thought for a moment before giving my focus to the Doervus.

The Doervus, on the other hand, was wearing the makeshift cloak I made from the same materials as my armor—fastened securely around its neck. It looked sleek and elegant, and I could tell that it was pleased with the final product.

Once I was done with my armor and our cloaks, I turned my attention to creating a weapon. I decided on a spear, as it would provide me with some distance from my enemies and allow me to strike quickly and efficiently. Now, what would I use for the spear's tip? I was thinking about using the crystals that were situated on the rainforest's floors and protruded out from the sides of the tree trunks.

I recalled that the crystals were able to harm the Doervus when we had first encountered each other as enemies. So, I at least knew that the crystals were capable of inflicting damage on the eldritch creatures that existed here, and it would be a nice starting material for the first spears I am going to be creating until upgrading later on.

I wanted to make one for use in my Merecritt paws—but mainly the spears would be held by my Merecritt ears, which extended and flexed from my head. Throughout my journey, they had proven to be reliable as pseudo-arms and hands, and I marveled at their incredible adaptability and flexibility.

Stretching and testing the limits of my ears, I noted that they can stretch out for several meters before I felt strain in my reach and control.

Lifting up a boulder, I made a guesstimate that the ears had a bench press limit of 900 kgs—that… that was horrendously strong to my surprise for a small creature…

Continuing to practice with my lengthening Merecritt ears, I was slowly getting better at controlling them.

So, continuing to learn how to fight with the ears will be instrumental in my survival. Now, I gave it some thought, how would I train my other abilities and skills without tiring myself? And it would be hard not to draw attention to myself and the Doervus if I practiced.

Then again, training to improve my use of these skills and techniques could be obtained through skirmishes with the wildlife here, which would grant me actual battle experience against the monsters.

Switching away from contemplation, I decided it was a great time to search for the materials for my weapon. Crystals, may work? I placed a paw to my chin as examined the area around me.

I searched for a crystal that had the right shape and size, and finding one, I carefully removed it from its place, protruding from a tree trunk.

Promptly, I used my Merecritt ears and activated the [Regal Ram] and the [MereEar Slash] techniques to shape the crystal into a sharp point.

It was a tedious task as I had to ensure I was precise, delicate, and dexterous in carving up the crystal; not only that, but I also found the process to be inefficient for energy consumption as the skills drew upon my abyssal mana.

I made a mental note to ask the Doervus later for assistance in crafting additional spears. Their antlers would be invaluable in reshaping the remaining crystals for this purpose.

Using the crystal I had, I affixed it to a long branch that I had stripped of its bark and carefully carved into the desired shape. Soon enough, I had fashioned my very first makeshift spear in this eldritch realm—an eldritch spear!

 

G.A.I.A. Activated!

— (Basic) Eldritch Spear - Crafted

 

“Basic?” I said, a little hurtful but I acknowledged that it was simple.

I shrugged it off before giving my attention to the spear. I stepped back to admire my handiwork, feeling proud of what I had accomplished. First step to conquering Zeldritzon!

I now had a set of armor, a cloak, and a spear to defend myself with in this dangerous world! Now I needed the materials for the Doervus's armor.

"Good job, Aera!" the Doervus exclaimed, looking at my creation with admiration. "You are pretty good at this crafting. Such a strange thing, but it looks like it does have its uses."

"Yep." I beamed at the Doervus's words. "I'm glad I was able to create something that will help us with our survival."

The Doervus nodded in agreement, its expression serious. "We will need all the help we can get in this world," it said. "Perhaps with your skills and our abilities, we can make it through anything."

I nodded in agreement. "I understand that being overly optimistic might make it hard for us to think clearly. But I still believe that if we stick together, we can handle any challenges that come our way," I said, looking at the weapon grasped by my ears. "With this spear, I feel like I'm ready for anything."

With my makeshift spear in-ear, I began to test its weight and balance, practicing a few simple strikes and thrusts. The crystal tip glinted with an luminescent radiance as I moved it through the air. It felt satisfyingly solid, a weapon that could potentially give me an advantage in combat against the Eldriyssals that roamed this rainforest.

A rhythmic sound chanted from somewhere above. It sounded like a unison of whistling and chirping.

 

G.A.I.A. Activated

— Eldriyssals Detected

— Species: Perlachirp 

— Sub-Name: "Instrumental Songbirds"

— Rank: F

— Classification: Common

— Organism Type: Prey

 

In that instance, we directed our attention toward the creatures known as the Perlachirp and listened to their melody within the trees from a secure distance. Without delay, the Doervus emitted its own harmonious rhythm as it hummed and caused its antlers to tremble, producing beautiful notes.

The Perlachirp were captivated by this, and in that moment, I settled on the forest floor to immerse myself in the enchanting music.

The combination of their enchanting tunes and the Doervus's harmonic response created a captivating symphony that resonated throughout the danced through the UvoSath rainforest, weaving a mesmerizing tapestry that seemed to transcend the boundaries of Zeldritzon.

I closed my eyes, allowing the music to wash over me, transporting me to a personal realm of serenity.

As I listened, I couldn't help but feel a strange connection to the music. It resonated deep within me, stirring something in my core. It was as if the harmonies spoke to a part of me that I had yet to fully understand.

Lost in the enchanting melodies, I opened my eyes to find the Doervus by my side, its majestic form swaying gently to the rhythm. It seemed as though the music had affected the Doervus in a profound way as well.

The eldritch deer's eyes glowed, reflecting the beauty of the moment. Surprising me, the Doervus unleashed an euphonious bellow. It then stopped, bowing their head.

Together, the Doervus and I sat in silence, fully immersed in the captivating performance of the Perlachirp. It was a brief intermission from the perils of our journey, a moment of peace that I wished to succumb to.

It was then that I witnessed one of the Perlachirps fly down from the trees and begin to approach me. It was a tiny creature, smaller than myself, and its appearance... was cute with its exotic patterns and features that did not exist on any birds on Earth.

Its round, feathered form grasped its tail with its beak. Promptly the Perlachirp proceeded to blow into it, producing varying pitches that harmonized to create an enthralling melody right before my eyes.

In awe, I watched as the tiny Perlachirp used its tail as a makeshift instrument.

As the Perlachirp serenaded me with its unique melody, I couldn't help but be enchanted by its adorable and playful nature. It hopped closer, its eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Curiosity sparked within me as well, and I extended one of my Merecritt ears toward the Perlachirp, eager to experience the music up close. The tiny creature hopped onto my ear, perched there with delicate balance, and continued its delightful performance. The harmonious notes reverberated through my ear, resonating with my very essence.

The connection to the music ignited a surge of inspiration within me, I couldn't resist the urge to join in.

I gently manipulated the shape of one of my elongated ears, transforming it into an instrument, producing tones that melded seamlessly with the Perlachirp's melody.

The rainforest around us responded to our impromptu duet. The towering trees swayed in gentle rhythm, their leaves rustling in perfect sync with the music.

In tune with the shifting energy, the Doervus made its presence known. Antlers crackling with electricity, it emitted sparks that danced and shimmered, synchronized with the melody. Its harmonious hum permeated the air, adding a depth and richness that elevated our impromptu symphony to new heights.

In that moment, we formed an unlikely trio—Aera, the transformed Merecritt; the Perlachirp, the master of melody; and the Doervus, the guardian of harmony. Together, we forged a fusion of sounds that echoed through the rainforest, capturing the attention and hearts of all who were fortunate enough to hear it.

As our musical collaboration reached its crescendo, the rainforest seemed to come alive with mystical energies. The very fabric of Zeldritch responded to our harmonious unity, shimmering and pulsating with exquisite hues and when our final notes gently faded into the air, the rhythmic sounds from the other Perlachirp still resounded the rainforest.

The Perlachirp before me chirped softly, acknowledging the connection we had forged through music.

I smiled back at the tiny creature, a warmth filling my heart. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice filled with genuine gratitude. "Thank you for sharing your beautiful music with us." It truly was a moment of pure bliss, a fleeting but beautiful encounter in the UvoSath.

Appearing satisfied, the Perlachirp prepared to take flight and rejoin its companions, I extended my hand, offering it a gesture of appreciation. To my surprise, the tiny creature stepped up towards me with its tiny feet.

The Perlachirp then gave a courteous bow before gazing into my eyes, "No need for praise." It chirped back to my amazement, "It's been a pleasure singing with you Merecritt-"

But before its words could fully resonate, a radiant glob-like substance sliced through the air with deadly precision. It struck the Perlachirp's upper body, obliterating it instantly, leaving nothing but a void in its place...

Horror contorted my face, despair seizing my being.

My spindly tail instinctively had made an attempt to pull the Perlachirp out from harms way. But I failed. Memories surged...

They were so close, yet now gone.