Moonlight filtered through Whisperwood's canopy in silver blades. Zzyzx tasted the air, tendrils dancing like curious fingers.
I have standards, damn it. I won't settle for a snack. I want a partner.
She found a cluster of translucent slimes first. One lazy bond — they expanded, then popped like overripe fruit in a gooey pink cascade.
Too fragile. They pop like overripe fruit. Delicious… but no vessel here.
Next, the alpha wolf in its shadowy den. Better strength, feral power… but still too primal. She ejected with a frustrated ripple.
Fur and fangs… close, but no mind to match my curiosity.
She dispersed into powder-blue mist, possessed a horde of giant beetles. They frenzy-turned on each other in neon chaos, shells cracking, bodies bursting. Still not enough.
Zzyzx reformed, restless, tendrils coiling tighter.
All fall so easily. Where are the worthy?
Deeper in the same woods, Vesna limped along a narrow game trail, sword drawn, bandages wrapped tight around her arm. Leshwai perched on her shoulder, tiny antlers flickering weakly.
Vesna rewrapped her bloodied bandages, Leshwai nuzzling her cheek.
"Why keep going deeper?" She tested her sword grip.
"Because standing still means remembering. Mother's hand slipping from mine as the griffin—"
She cut the thought. "No. Forward. Always forward. Maybe someone from the caravan survived. Maybe I'm not…"
Completely alone.
Zzyzx, still in mist form, sensed her from afar. The scarred woman moved with fire in her eyes, alone, resilient. Something pulled — sharp, familiar, magnetic.
That one… scars. Fire in the eyes. She fights alone… like me.
She didn't approach. Not yet. Still testing.
Later, at the glowing heart of the wood, the dryad emerged from her ancient tree, leaf-hair flowing, green eyes wary.
"You seek a true vessel? Then go to the Echoing Depths… but leave my wood in peace, void-thing."
Zzyzx's internal spark flared with excitement. Humanoids. Thinking. Fighting. Wanting. That's what I need. And I just felt one nearby…
She slithered toward the distant rune-carved cave mouth, her pink-azure form cutting through the moonlight like a promise.
The hunt sharpened. A worthy host waited.