They ran across the rushing river, leapt over jagged rocks, and climbed to the top of a tall waterfall. At the end of the valley, a breathtaking view awaited them, a vast blue ocean stretching endlessly to the horizon, its waves kissing a shoreline of pure white sand. For a moment, they decided to rest on a cliff beside the falls.
Adrin went hunting for food, deer and rabbits for lunch while Shima gathered berries and wild fruits. Once they returned, they started a fire to cook the meat. There were no spices, but thanks to Shima's remarkable cooking skills, she managed to create a simple sauce that made the meat taste far better.
"Master, could you get me some seawater down there? And maybe a few kelp strands floating near the shore?"
Adrin flew off and returned in less than ten minutes, carrying not only seawater and kelp but also several green coconuts.
Shima soaked the meat in seawater for a while. When it had absorbed the salt, she coated it with the berry sauce she'd made, wrapped it in banana leaves, then sealed it with clay. Once neatly packed, she tossed it into the fire.
"Alright, now we wait for thirty minutes," said Shima.
"That long?" Adrin groaned, his mouth already watering at the smell of roasting meat.
"While we wait, we can snack on some fruit." Shima handed him a mix of berries.
The growl in Adrin's stomach calmed, and he sat at the cliff's edge, listening to the soothing roar of the nearby waterfall. What was meant to be a short rest had turned into a pleasant picnic, thanks to Shima.
"It seems we've reached the end of the island," Adrin said. "But still no sign of the city we're looking for."
"I'm sorry," Shima replied. "I've never gone this far from my home before. But they say across the ocean lies a great and advanced city. The good news is, once we leave this island, we won't have to deal with werewolves anymore."
"Speaking of werewolves," Adrin said, "why do those creatures exist on this planet?"
"I'm not sure either. They've been here long before I was born."
"When I examined one of the werewolves you defeated earlier, I found a small chip implanted in their shoulder, buried deep in the flesh."
"Really? I never knew that. I just thought they were savage beasts that hunted humans. But sometimes, during the full moon and mating season, the ones who can't find partners attack villages and kidnap women."
"What?" Adrin was taken aback.
"Yeah, Our village gets attacked sometimes during mating season. Since most of our population is female, we become easy targets. You see, most werewolves are male, there are very few females among them. So they invade human settlements to find mates. It's always chaos. Dona, our head of security, is always the busiest during those times. Once, she was almost got captured and raped, but she managed to defeat the werewolf with her strength."
"I see," Adrin murmured, rubbing his chin. "Now that I think of it, all the werewolves you fought earlier were male. Makes sense they'd become desperate during mating season."
"Yeah, thank goodness it's not mating season. Otherwise, they would all kidnap me and take turns raping me. Just imagining it gives me the creeps."
Adrin chuckled softly and brushed her long hair aside. "You know I'd never let that happen. Even if you hadn't beaten them, I would've stepped in and destroyed them all in seconds."
Shima said nothing. She looked down, trying her best not to look at Adrin. Her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. Her legs moved uncomfortably, as if a caterpillar were crawling between her thighs.
"Aha! The meat's probably done! I—I'll check it!" she stammered and rushed toward the fire. The aroma of roasted meat mixed with berry fragrance filled the air.
Adrin could barely contain his hunger now. Shima pulled the clay bundle from the fire and cracked it open. And suddenly the steam burst out, carrying an intoxicating scent. The sight alone made Adrin's eyes widen and his lips wet unconsciously.
She handed him the largest piece. Adrin took one big bite, and his face lit up in pure delight.
"Incredible! This is delicious! I never thought I'd eat something this good with just wild ingredients!"
Shima giggled softly at his sudden change in demeanor. A moment ago, he'd been stoic and cold as ever, like a monk unmoved by anything. Yet now, he looked like a child tasting joy for the first time.
"Of course!" Shima said proudly, lifting her chin. "You forget that I've always cooked using wild ingredients. Making great food out here is easy for me."
She waited, hoping for more praise, her smile bright, nostrils flaring slightly with pride. But Adrin was too absorbed in devouring his meal to notice. Annoyed, Shima puffed her cheeks and decided to eat too. Unlike Adrin's ravenous eating, hers was graceful, elegant, like a noblewoman at a royal feast.
Half an hour later, everything was gone, not a scrap of meat or fruit remained. Adrin cracked open a coconut and drank it dry.
"Phew! I'm stuffed." He lay on the cliff, rubbing his belly, crumbs still clinging to his cheek. "Thank you, Shima. That was an amazing meal."
"Told you, you'd never regret bringing me along," Shima said smugly, still fishing for more compliments. She finished her coconut water and let out a tiny burp. Embarrassed, she covered her mouth and glanced at Adrin, but he was still lying back, relaxed and content.
After their stomachs were full, it was time to move on. They descended the valley and entered the thick forest again, following the river's flow from the waterfall above. Shima leapt deftly from stone to stone, keeping up with her master's pace.
Just as they were about to exit the woods toward the beach, the ground began to shake violently. Pebbles and sand danced off the earth. Adrin sprinted toward the shore, scanning the area for the source. The tremor grew stronger, coming from the left, heading straight toward them!
Suddenly, from within the forest, a massive human-like figure, ten times taller than any normal man, stumbled backward, about to crush him underfoot. His movements were unsteady, as if it had lost balance. Adrin quickly jumped back to Shima's side. The giant fell backward, crashing into the hillside by the ocean.
"Is that… a man? He's enormous!" Shima gasped. Indeed that man was giant. Even Adrin, who stood over two meters tall, barely reached the giant's knee.
"Brodella?" Adrin muttered, recognizing the colossal figure. "What are they doing here?"