Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

They say that the world used to be filled with tall buildings and expansive streets.

The sound of hurrying steps rushes through foliage; Snapping twigs, rustling leaves, and kicking up specks of dirt.

I haven’t seen any of those towering skyscrapers in their prime, but I’ve seen their remnants.

Even louder stomps trail after the quieter steps.

They’re all grown over by now. Barely any sign of the life they used to hold within their small rooms.

A roar echoes out louder than any blast or falling tree. The smaller steps quicken.

A lot of what used to be has been decimated now. Taken over by Monsters and made into their new homes.

The man falls to his butt and slides under a branch. The thing chasing him runs through it without an ounce of hesitance or hurt.

On top of that, anything the humans once created has been destroyed as well. The forests, rivers, beaches, and the general ecosystem has been taking it all back inch by inch.

Green jaws with rows upon rows of thick, sharp fangs jutting from the chin snap at his back. The man keeps running, his red-scaled legs carrying him further despite the burn searing into his very bones.

It was as if Mother Nature had suddenly turned around and made it her life’s mission to destroy all of humanity.

Roots were jumped over and rocks were hopped across. The Monster kept giving chase, crushing the boulders and roots beneath its feet.

This isn’t the first time she’s done this, however. In fact, it’s the second!

A cliff soon came into view, only growing larger as the man ran towards it.

But this time is different. Before, some humans were allowed to survive and rebuild, albeit from the ground up.

Red wings with beige webbing flared open from the man’s back.

This time, however, no human is allowed to survive.

The man leapt off the cliff as far as he could, letting the wind press into the webbing of his wings and ease his fall.

Not even the cross descendants of Wyverians and Monsters; The Monsterians.

A scream erupted from his throat, not only signifying that he was quite young, but also telling the whole forest about his fear.

Which also includes me…

Novah screamed as he plummeted to the ground. He only stopped when he hit the tops of trees down below him. Novah proceeded to then fall along all the branches until he fell to the ground.

A pained groan escaped his busted lips. Yet he didn’t let himself rest for very long. Novah planted his scaled hands on the ground and lifted himself back up. He took a look around, surveying the area.

‘No Monsters. Good.’ He got back to his feet.

Novah picked up his hunk of meat and trotted off. His piercingly yellow and slitted eyes darted around and his pointed ears almost twitched at each and every sound he heard. The dirtied meat was held closer to his chest, covered by a ratty cloak.

The forest was quiet and still around him. Bugs sat on tree trunks and plants held vibrant berries and nuts. They were cast but sparing glances by Novah as he passed by them.

His trek would continue on for quite a while longer. Novah didn’t stop moving for a second, even though his legs still burned. He kept his scaled feet moving and kept his eyes roaming.

‘One can never be too careful out here.’ He always tells himself.

Yet the day still carried on as well. Before the Monsterian even knew it, the sun was setting and the sky was darkening. Novah turned his head up towards the sky, his expression turning mildly disappointed.

“That darn Deviljho put a real big damper on my plans today.” He sighed out, carrying on still. “If that thing hadn’t arrived, I could’ve carved out more food!”

Novah let out a snort, a puff of smoke leaving his nostrils. His red and spiked tail made a frustrated whip but he did nothing more.

‘There’s no use wasting your energy on frustrated movements.’ He also often tells himself.

But with the sky quickly darkening, Novah knew he had to find someplace to stay. He searched around through the dimming woods for any place to take shelter for the night.

The trees could hold Nerscylla, Tobi-Kadachi, or Kecha Wacha. Not to mention any of the far more dangerous Monsters like the Deviljho that was chasing him earlier.

‘Either way, I need to get out of the open space of this forest.’ Novah’s wings flicked.

He traveled around a bit more before finding a dark gap within the roots of a tree. He crouched down and peered inside, studying the amount of space it held. His yellow eyes narrowed and he stepped away.

‘Too small. I’ll get stuck.’

Novah turned up to the trees, debating on trying to stay up there again. But the memory of a pissed Bishaten entered his head and he decided against it.

‘I really do not need food sticking to my clothes and growing mold on them again.’

The Monsterian’s journey continued even into the night. He got more frustrated and more worrisome as the dusk waned on and the sky got darker. Chirping bugs startled him and glowing Flashflies made him whip his head about.

Novah had to shake his said head to get a hold of himself. He sped up into a trot and scanned the area all around him. He worries that he might not find someplace to stay for the night only came to a head as the night came into full swing and the last remnants of sun faded out.

Novah was left in the pitch black darkness of the forest, with only the clothes and backpack on his back and the hunk of dirty meat in his arms. He snorted again as his tail swished.

‘Where was that cliff?! Maybe there’s some small outcropping that I can climb to!’ And he spun on his heel.

Traveling Northeast, Novah was quick to come across the cliff again. He stared up at it, barely able to make one rock out from another. But he held the meat with his fangs and gripped onto the cliff’s wall.

His black claws dug into the hard surface and his black-scaled hands hoisted him onto the wall. His backlegs clutched onto the rocky cliff face just as hard. Pebbles fell as he slowly climbed the steep wall.

Sweat accumulated on Novah’s temple and fell as he caught sight of a teeny-tiny crook within the cliff face. He climbed towards it, gripping hard onto the crook’s edge and hauling himself into it.

The narrow hole barely fit him, but Novah stuffed his back and wings inside until he was all but stuck within the cramped space. He took the meat out of his mouth and let out a tired sigh with it.

Novah’s slitted gaze turned up to the night sky. Many stars twinkled and stared back at him.

“I heard that space travel used to be a thing. That the humans were able to fly through the stars.” He spoke to himself. “I wonder what it was like, to do that. To see them up close and marvel at their brightness.”

He then lifted a hand, as if to grab one of the glittering specks. “I wish I could’ve been up there, marveling at the stars.”

Novah’s hand fell with his gaze. He picked up his hunk of meat and let out a small spout of fire. Or—he tried to, anyway. While trying to cook his meat, Novah ended up using too much power and created a small laser beam. It scored right through the flesh, cauterizing the hole left behind.

Another frustrated huff left his nostrils. Novah decided to forego the cooking and took a bite right from the chunk. Cold and dusty flesh met his tongue. Its raw taste made him grimace.

As he ate, Novah took the time to pluck the stray leaves from the black horns on his head. They fluttered one by one onto the ground below, twirling as they descended. Some dirt was ruffled out of his brick red hair, similar in color to his scales. The color darkened some at the tips.

Only about a third of the meat was eaten before Novah stopped. He reached into his bag and tugged out a spare but filthy cloth, wrapping it up tight and storing it away. After settling back in, his gaze turned back to the stars.

The Sapphire Star hung as bright as ever in the sky. It outshone all the others surrounding it. Novah’s tail waved as he peered at it in all its glory.

“Mr. Sapphire Star, if you’re really looking down on us and lighting our ways, then how come the way feels so dangerous?” He asked quietly. “How come the Monsters have turned against the people that didn’t want to hurt them?”

“Isn’t it always the humans who try to play God all the time?” His gaze narrowed somberly.

But Novah got no response from the shining star. He let out a breath and leaned back. His wings were cramped inside the nook, but it was the safest place at the moment.

“If you’re going to make all the humans go extinct, at least make it less difficult on us Monsterians and Wyverians. We actually like the Wyverns, you know.” Novah spoke to the star again.

He then tilted his head down and set his chin onto his chest. His arms hugged himself and his hands tucked under his biceps to keep warm. The night stayed relatively quiet, if not for the sound of singing and communicating bugs.

Hopefully Novah won’t be rudely interrupted tonight by some wild Monster or another looking to kill him.

Lady Luck must’ve pitied him, or maybe the Sapphire Star actually listened last night, because Novah wasn’t woken up to some Monster trying to eat him.

His eyelids fluttered open as he awoke. Novah was met with the sight of an extremely early morning, the time where birds get the worms. He made a tired yawn and pushed himself out of the hole.

Though, he forgot he was stuck in a wall some dozen feet above the ground and ended up falling onto the hard floor with a loud ‘Thump!’.

“How has this happened consecutively now…” He wondered through grit teeth.

Novah got back up and took a deep breath. He made sure everything was in its place in his bag and clothes before looking around. Novah sniffed the air as his tail waved.

“I don’t smell any Wyverns nearby… No scents are all that fresh…” He spoke to himself. “Guess the coast is pretty clear.”

Turning down the way he’d trotted off to before, Novah continued his trek through the woods. His bag hung heavy on his back, filled to the brim with various things. His wings furled against his back and under his cloak.

Novah’s eyes danced around at the natural scenery around him. In any other time, it’d be a beautiful sight. But in times like these, it was dangerous and eerie.

‘Especially since it’s so quiet.’ He noted as his eyes squinted. ‘Maybe it’s just still too early for most Wyverns to be up? The sun has barely started to rise.’ His gaze fell onto the blue-yellow rays peeking in through leaves.

‘The only animals currently out are the bugs, birds, and lizards. Maybe I’m actually safe for once!’ A smile crossed his face at the thought.

Novah quickened his step to cover more ground. His tail waved behind him with each step. His wings itched to flare out and grab hold of the breeze with its webbing. But Novah kept his figure small.

“I do need to figure out where I’m going, however.” He then remembered. “The river shouldn’t be too far. Hopefully I can find it since that Deviljho made me stray from my original path.” Novah said.

He kept his pointed ears wide open to catch the sound of running water. So far, all he’s heard has been birds and the sound of his own steps. Novah sniffed the air again, only catching dirt, leaves, and passing Monsters.

Novah picked some berries on his way towards his next destination, munching on them for breakfast. His mouth salivated uncontrollably and his stomach rumbled for more when he finished.

During his continued trek, the sun rose over the horizon more and more. The sky and forest slowly enlightened. More birds woke up along with the Pteryx and Shepard Hares. They walked and hopped about in the trees and bushes respectively.

Of course, they were still skittish when it came to Novah walking past them. But he was able to get a couple glimpses of the critters, a small smile forming on his face at the sights.

‘Though, if there’s small wildlife all the way out here, there’s bound to be water nearby.’ He noted. ‘But if they’re waking up, that means so are other Wyverns.’ His wings twitched.

Novah’s lip twitched, a sentence on the tip of his tongue. But he swallowed it back down for fear he’d jinx himself.

‘Best not to test it.’ He thought worriedly.

Novah instead kept on walking ever-further through the forest, catching the faint sounds of heavy footsteps off in the distance. His throat ached with dehydration all the while.

Chapter Text

Following the sound of heavy footfalls led Novah to a small herd of Kelbi. The green and white, deer-like creatures picked at leaves as they traversed through the forest. Novah wasn’t far behind, sticking to shade to conceal himself.

The herd’s pace was rather slow. None of them seem bothered, or even all that alert. It left Novah questioning if they were alright.

‘They’re usually very skittish creatures, even without predators around.’ His tail was kept still. ‘Maybe they’re finally able to relax? Is this place some sort of safe haven?’

‘Hah. Like any place could be considered “safe”.’ He internally scoffed at the idea. ‘I’ll just continue to trail them. Hopefully they’ll lead me to some water.’

The Kelbi trotted along and Novah kept following behind them some distance. His throat ached more and more with dehydration the longer it went on. It didn’t help that he couldn’t even get a moment of rest.

His scaled feet were aching and his throat was turning scratchy. Even the—for once—sleep he got last night only helped so much.

‘At least I’m not super tired.’ It was pretty much the only relief he’s had recently.

Novah was stirred from his thoughts when he saw something shimmering within the treeline. His yellow eyes widened and he quickened his step. His nostrils flared as he sniffed at the air.

‘I can’t smell it…’ He noted. ‘But it’s shining… Please… Please–!’ He jumped from the shade of the trees.

The Kelbi startled and ran off but Novah ignored them. He ran full-speed ahead towards the glimmering reflection of light hiding within the trees. Novah pushed against trees and rocks with his hands, a large grin crossing his face.

His claws stomped onto the ground and his grin turned into a simper. Novah almost yelled out in cheer, but managed to keep it to an excited couple of squeaks.

Novah skipped over and kneeled down by the small watering hole. He sniffed it again, finding little scent within it.

“It’s pure! It’s got a little stink, but it’s pure!” He cheered with pumping fists.

Novah cupped his hands within the cool water. A shiver ran down his spine, all the way to the tips of his wings and tail. Dirt, grit, and grime was washed off within the spring. So much had accumulated on his hands that it was visible within the water.

With all the filth rubbed away, Novah dipped down to slurp some clean water from his cupped hands. The slight chill it held from the coolness of the night was more refreshing than the meat he plucked yesterday.

Unfortunately for him, he never took notice of the lack of other animals around. No Kelbi, no Aptonoth, no Crakes or other birds, nothing. It was just him and the watering hole and the eerie silence.

Silence that wouldn’t even last very long as the sound of stomping permeated the area. Novah stiffened and whipped his head up. His slitted pupils stared deep into the forest beside him. The leafy canopy blocked out some of the sun, making it dim.

The stomping kept going and kept getting louder. Novah’s wings twitched. He slowly got back onto his feet. With a flare of his nostrils, he picked up the scent of another creature.

“You again…” It was a fearful whisper that left his lips.

The Deviljho from before reared its ugly head from the treeline. Its yellow eyes pierced right back into Novah’s. A guttural rumble left the Deviljho’s throat, making it shudder and tremble.

Novah’s foot slid back a step. The Deviljho’s nostrils flared and it roared. Novah flinched, crouching down and covering his ears. It felt as though the ground shook with the thunderous roar.

As soon as the bellow ended, the Deviljho ran forward. Novah’s ear rang as he looked up just in time to be knocked away by the thing’s spiked chin. The trees helped to stop his sudden flight, but not so much as to ease it.

But Novah scrambled back up to his feet, narrowly dodging a strong bite from the Deviljho. His spiked tail lashed out at it, striking it in the face. The Deviljho ripped its jaws from the ground and dashed towards Novah again.

The Monsterian leapt out of the way before hurriedly getting back up to his feet again. The Deviljho used its tail to bat at Novah again. The smaller man was flung away once more.

Novah scrambled to his feet, but the Deviljho was faster. It ran forward, jaws wide open and ready to make shredded meat out of Novah. Said Monsterian’s yellow eyes widened and his heart skipped a beat.

Just as the Deviljho lunged its mouth downwards, Novah’s arm moved of its own accord. The Deviljho roared in pain and recoiled. But it was also quick to shake it off, whipping its head around and clamping down onto the scaled limb.

Novah let out a harrowing scream of pain. He felt it as the bone in his arm was snapped in half. Scales broke and blood oozed from between them. It stained his coat, painting it like ink on paper.

Grabbing onto the Deviljho’s bottom jaw, the Monsterian tried to pry it off. His feet were used, the claws poking into the tough scales. They broke through, making beads of blood peep from around the black points.

The Deviljho took the opportunity to thrash its head around wildly. Novah held on for dear life while at the same time trying to free his arm. The Wyvern’s jaws only clutched harder onto it.

Novah let out another scream of agony, making his chest brighten with white light. He turned his fearful and pained gaze right to the Deviljho’s. He felt as though it held a smug look in them.

Somehow, the look angered him. Novah lifted his other hand and brought it down onto the Deviljho’s face as hard as he could. Its eye was caught within his dark claws. Blood sprayed out from the wound.

The Deviljho roared in its own bout of pain. It thrashed its head further, slammed Novah into trees. His backpack hit hard against his back, but his claws only dug deeper into the eyeball.

Just as the Deviljho dragged him across the ground, Novah finally plucked out his hand. With it came the Monster’s eye, blood flying out spurting onto the grass. The Deviljho roared again and recoiled with a step back.

Novah hauled ass onto his feet and made a bee-line for the trees. The Deviljho roared again and gave chase. The thick trunks were broken into as the Monster rammed right through them, unperturbed by the splinters it left behind.

During the chase, the Deviljho took a mighty leap into the air. It came crashing down onto Novah, making the ground tremor and making him fall. He let out a yelp and tumbled to the ground.

Novah stopped when he slammed against another tree, yelling out as his broken arm flared in pain. A rock was thrown and landed just next to him, nearly trapping his wing under it. Novah righted himself, only to be face-to-face with his adversary from the day before.

Sweat rolled down his temple and neck as the Deviljho snarled at him. Some drool escaped its jaws, running between the fangs on its bulky chin. A small dribble of blood ran down from fresh cuts just under its eye. More blood dripped down from its closed eyelids on the other side.

Heavy, panicked and hurt breaths puffed from Novah’s lips as the Deviljho opened its jaws again. Fresh blood could be caught within its breath. That, and the hints of stinging Dragon Element.

The Deviljho opened its jaws as wide as it could. Novah stared into the gaping maw that was going to kill him. To tear him to shreds and crunch his bone into dust.

His fear picked up and turned into terror. Novah couldn’t even breathe right anymore, and his heart wouldn’t slow down. The fear of death took hold of him like a Rajang with a Kirin.

Through the fear and terror, Novah’s chest ignited with a dim glow. It got more intense the more that power and bioenergy accumulated within it. The webbing of his wings started to sparkle with stars and constellations. Blue specks of bioenergy floated towards his hands, the claws dug into the ground.

The grass and ferns around his hands died as the energy was sapped from them. The Deviljho faltered for a moment, confused at the phenomena. But it recovered quickly and let out another roar into Novah’s face.

He held his hands over his pointed ears, his back claws digging into the ground. The blue specks floated towards them instead. His chest only got brighter and hotter as the seconds passed.

The Deviljho reared its head back and lunged it forward again. Novah stared into the ferocious and unforgiving jaws that were going to eat him alive.

Novah opened his mouth, maybe to protest, maybe to plead for his life. He wasn’t really sure what he was going to do. All he really knew was that he squeezed his eyes shut and lost consciousness.

The scent of ash, smoke, burning trees, and burning flesh hung heavy within the air. Small stacks of wisping smoke wafted into the air along with it. The sun waned towards evening, the sky in the first vestiges of shifting colors.

Grass had died and tree roots were damaged. There was an odd sensation in the air, like an aura of death and reformation.

There was also a dead Deviljho body lying in the grass. Its remaining eye stared blankly at the Monsterian in front of it. Ichor trailed from its previous wounds, as well as from its mouth and the back of its neck.

Some wisps of smoke lifted into the air from the gaping hole its neck held. Burnt flesh still simmered with heat and light. The spine bones were visible, but heavily scorched and charred.

The Monsterian the Deviljho stared at was laying slack and limp against a tree. Novah’s chin sat on his chest and his limbs lay limp on the ground. His broken arm had stopped bleeding and was now slowly healing.

More blue specks floated up to his hand. His scales absorbed them all one by one. The bone beneath made a crack and the forearm shifted. The grass and weeds continued to wither and die with each speck that came from the ground.

The sun waned further as the forest remained quiet. Bugs returned and birds took seats in trees. Revoltures twisted their heads all around and observed the two bodies. As minutes passed and nothing happened, they floated down and pecked at the Deviljho carcass.

One landed on one of Novah’s black horns. It leaned down to gaze at his face. Novah made no movements, but the Revolture could hear his faint breath. It seemed to pull off a mildly disappointed expression before flying towards the Deviljho.

As the black birds picked and pecked at the dead body, Novah kept absorbing the bioenergy around him. The tree he sat against began to wither and decay. Its bark cracked and small bits began to sluggishly curve off the trunk.

A few more critters came by, scavenging from the corpse. Scales were plucked off and flesh was torn off bone. The scent of blood mixed with the smoke in the air. It drove some animals off, but others stayed for a five-course meal.

Sometime during the scavenging, Novah’s eyelids began to flutter. His uninjured hand twitched and a cough made its way out of his throat. He opened his watery, bleary eyes. They turned up, barely able to make out the fresh corpse in front of him.

Novah’s breathing was slightly labored as he stared. His throat was sore and scratchy. The mixed scents of death and destruction made him nauseous. His arm was sore. He was exhausted.

Through a tough swallow, Novah hobbled back to his feet. His bag fell from his shoulders and his wings and tail dragged against the ground. Novah fell to his knees in front of the Deviljho body.

Some Revoltures fluttered away in a slight startle. A few hopped back towards the Monsterian, curious of his next action. Novah stared blankly at the exposed sinew and carrion, at the crimson fluid oozing from broken veins.

His bloodied hand rose and grabbed onto some exposed flesh. His fingers curled and his claws dug deep into the pure, muscly brawn of the beast. Drool glided down Novah’s chin as his arm suddenly ripped out a chunk of meat.

Novah ripped it in half with his teeth. The Deviljho’s tangy blood made him salivate all the more. Novah dipped down to pull out even more flesh and feast upon it. Every bite stung his mouth, the remnants of Dragon Element showing through each time.

Claws ripped through muscle and peeled away skin and scales. Bones were broken off with some struggle and gnawed on until they were left spotless. Spines, spikes, fangs, and claws were discarded in favor of the tantalizing brawn presented in front of the Monsterian.

The Revoltures helped to widdle the carcass down to the bone. They even got angry at each other as they competed for food despite the size of the carcass.

Novah got up and shuffled towards the tail. He swatted some birds away with his wings and tore out more muscle from open gaps. He gorged on the stinging meat for hours. Novah even went as far as to tear some strings of flesh with his own jaws.

Droplets of blood painted the floor as the feast waned into the night. As the Sapphire Star revealed itself to the planet below, Novah stood. He swiped his mouth with his sleeve. He tore out a few more big chunks of flesh and wrapped them up in old, stinky cloth.

Other parts were taken as well; Scales, hardbones, spikes, spines, fangs, hide, anything that might prove useful later. It was all wrapped up and stuffed into his bag.

Once everything was packed back up, Novah turned and went on his way. He can’t stick around here for too long. Some large Monsters like to scavenge, after all.

Chapter Text

It took a while for Novah to regain his senses. The feeling was slow and took its time. Novah had to sit against a tree as a headache made itself known all across his cranium. Even his horns hurt, it was that bad.

Memories slowly came back to him during this time. Novah still didn’t know what happened during the time he blacked out, but he knows what happened afterwards. He could taste the aftermath on his tongue.

Novah spat out some tinted saliva and got back up. He adjusted his backpack and kept walking. Even though his head felt like it was splitting open, he couldn’t sit in one place for long.

Twigs and leaves crunched under his scaled feet. Novah’s wings lay against his back, furled under his ratty cloak. He sniffed the air a few times despite it making his headache flare. He changed directions and kept walking.

The endemic life around him kept their distance. Novah wondered if the Deviljho’s blood wasn’t clinging to him.

‘I know my own blood is.’ He glanced down at his stained sleeve. ‘Though, all this blood does mean I’m easy to pick up through scent. I need to find another watering hole or a lake or something to wash off.’

‘It was a shame that pond I found ended up being a bust, though. I would’ve loved to have made a camp nearby and gathered water, or to take a bath.’ A whine left his lips.

Novah let out a sigh and turned his gaze back up. He hopped over a few fallen logs and glanced at berries. His yellow eyes scanned for any territorial markings, though he found none.

His trek took a bit of a pause as Novah walked into a small clearing. A few abandoned cars sat within it, as well as a bigger camper. Novah’s eyes widened and he ran for it. He opened the door of the camper, only to stumble back onto his butt in fear.

A desecrated human corpse, well beyond its expiration date, had met him right at the door. Novah scrambled back a few paces and slapped a hand to his mouth and nose. The stench that was released could rival that of a Congala’s flatulence…

Novah stumbled back onto his shaky feet. The body that nearly fell on top of him lay stiff on the floor. Maggots, Scavantulas, and ants had already eaten most of the flesh. Novah couldn’t tell if it used to be a human or a Wyverian.

Swallowing down the bile that threatened to come up, Novah grabbed a stick and carefully pushed the body away. Bugs fell and Scavantulas followed the bones. A few of the said things even disconnected from the body.

The stick was tossed with a grossed-out grimace once the body was moved away far enough. Novah stared at the steps it lied on, grimacing even harder at the few maggots that littered it.

Novah tried his best to avoid crushing the tiny insects and stepped into the camper. The smell was strong even with the new ventilation it had from the opened door. And the inside didn’t look much better than the body it was holding for Sapphire Star knows how long.

But the Monsterian searched around anyway. His steps were careful and only took up the cleanest of spaces on the floor. Which was still easier said than done when there were unknown goo puddles on the floor he didn’t see.

“Oooohhh, my Sapphire Star…!” Novah had a full-body shudder when he stepped into one of those puddles. “Please let it be Monster saliva, please let it be Monster saliva, please let it be Monster saliva–!”

He bent over with the awkward angle his legs were placed in and opened a cupboard. Rats squeaked and fled from the dark space. Any food boxes were torn open and ravaged. Both by rats and more bugs.

Novah moved on quickly, closing the cupboard for another one. When all were checked and deemed fruitless, he turned to the cabinets above. They were… Slightly better, housing a couple cans of food.

Though, Novah isn’t sure how long “canned bread” lasts…

Well, he took it just in case, anyway. As well as the canned vegetables that may or may not be bad by now. Novah closed the cabinets and glanced around again. His legs started to ache being in such an awkward pose, so he left.

‘There was barely anything useful in there anyway.’ He huffed with a flick of his tail. ‘Guess I’ll check the other cars out, though.’

The first car was wrenched open with a loud groan. With a silent hope that it wouldn’t attract anything dangerous, Novah poked his head inside and looked around.

Ruined seats, stiff wheel, broken stick, moss, mold, mildew, and stray pests. Nothing unusual, nothing new. But Novah checked the glove compartment, finding only old documents and manuals. The armrest didn’t have anything, either.

The next car was similar, though Novah found the armrest to have been made into a Stinkmink’s nest. Novah barely dodged getting sprayed in the face with its cloudy fumes.

With a huff, Novah went over to the last car. Its wheels were dented and the front windshield was shattered. Novah climbed onto the hood to peer inside it. The glove compartment had a pocket knife hidden within it.

Novah took it out and sat on the hood. He inspected the knife, popping out the blade and angling it. The thing was old, that was for certain. The handle’s rubber was cracked and peeling and the metal was dull and scratched.

‘When the blade came out, it felt like it could’ve gotten stuck.’ He further noted. ‘I doubt this’ll be all that useful.’ He sighed.

Novah tossed the item and turned back around. He dug through the compartments a bit more, inspected the back seats, and came out with nothing again. Novah hopped off the car and got moving through the forest.

‘Is it ever going to be useful searching the insides of cars?’ He wondered. ‘I can’t use the gasoline and the Wyverns tend to destroy them for parts for their nests. Or to sharpen their teeth, maybe. I wonder if they use the parts as baby toys for their babies?’ His tail waved and a brow rose.

Novah shook his head to snap himself from the silly thoughts. It mildly hurt, but it got him back on track. He sniffed the air for any Monsters nearby but got nothing. He turned up to the sky, noting that it was still a vibrant blue color.

A hand reached into his backpack and pulled out an old map. Novah’s clawed and scaled finger trailed across it, pinpointing his location. It then trailed to his next destination.

“Looks like I still have a ways to go.” He sighed out. “Now that I’ve strayed off-course, this trip is going to take twice as long.” His wings made a frustrated flap.

Novah folded up the map and stuffed it back into his bag. He sped up into a trot to try and cover more ground before sundown. He turned back up to the sky again, partially hidden by trees.

His wings inched out in a spread, though Novah quickly shut them down. He kept them tucked under his cloak and turned away from the sky.

‘There’s no use in trying. It won’t work.’ He told himself.

All he could do now was keep jogging before the sun disappeared again.

Thunder boomed above as dark clouds rolled in. Animals took shelter while others came out to play in the oncoming rain. Monsters fled to save themselves from the water while others revealed themselves to bask in it.

Novah managed to set up a small tent by a hill’s outcropping. Tall sticks held up an old cloth, Novah’s backpack sitting right under it. A couple of canisters sat out in the rain, collecting water as it fell into them.

Rain started to fall from the clouds in thick droplets. It took a few minutes for it to become a proper shower. More thunder rumbled overhead and a flash of lightning sparked within the dark brumes.

Novah took off his clothes and rested them on a rock under the shoddy tent. He stepped out into the rain, shivering at its chill. But he let it soak him entirely anyway, rubbing off blood and dirt with its downpour.

The rain glided off his scales, carrying grime with it. Novah scrubbed clean his once-broken arm. He flexed it a few times all over to make sure it was fully healed.

‘No pain, no stiffness, nothing. Good as new.’ A small smile marked his face.

Novah turned down to the rest of his body. His scaled hands made for a decent scrub sponge. The rough and worn texture dug into his skin and other scales to rub off previous days’ travels.

The scales of his legs stopped just at the top of his tail base. More scales ran over his spine to reach his wings. Said wings were run down with rain, the dirt clinging between his scales plucked loose.

Novah cupped some water against his forearm before running it up and down it. The scales there stopped at his elbows. It didn’t prevent the darker spines from forming on them, however.

A hand clutched at the back of his neck, scrubbing the scales of his palm against it. Novah’s tail waved off some water, making it fly. His hands combed through his brick red locks, scratching at his scalp.

Rainfall glided down his black horns and onto his face. As his claws left his hair, they ran up and down along his face. The rough texture and cold water helped to focus his mind.

Novah tilted his head back and opened his mouth to let rain fall into it. A few minutes were spent drinking the rain water and getting as much use out of the thunderstorm as possible. A snuff left his nostrils when he tilted his head back down.

Finishing up his cold shower, Novah walked back under his makeshift tent. A few droplets soaked through the cloth and dripped to the grassy floor. Novah moved his clothes from the rock and took a seat on it himself.

He stared out at the rainy forest. The sound of droplets pattering against the cloth above and on the foliage all around filtered into his pointed ears. The water soaking through the cloth above fell onto his back, running along the clefts and crevices.

Novah curled up his limbs, holding his knees tight. His wings curled around his body and his tail looped around his feet. The rain kept the cover of his scent and the thunder drowned out his breathing.

His yellow and slitted eyes fell down to his hands. A black claw scratched gently against red forearm scales. The pain from the Deviljho’s bite echoed in his arm. His bone tingled with its phantom presence.

And his hands tickled with a yearning he didn’t know. It was as if his hands were trying to call forth something, but Novah didn’t know what. He only knows that it tends to happen after blacking out like during the fight with the Deviljho.

The Monsterian let out a sigh and unwound his tense body. He picked up his clothes and put them back on. Some water soaked into the fabric.

‘Maybe it’ll help wash them a little.’ Was all Novah thought about it.

Combing his messy hair with his hands proved rather fruitless. But at least his tresses were a bit brighter now with all the filth gone. And so did his scales, though they still held a dullness to them.

Novah sat against his rock, quietly listening to rain, thunder, and small droplets splatting against the stone behind him. The forest was ever-quiet during the storm, as usual.

‘I guess I should… Keep going Northeast. I should be able to find another path to get back on track.’ His gaze wandered thataway. ‘And if not… I guess I’ll find somewhere else.’

A sigh blew from the Monsterian’s lips as he sat his head against his knees. His headache lingered as a dull throb. Novah closed his eyes to try and soothe the ache, though it only did so much.

But it helped him focus on the rain and calm down a little. Enough that he ended up falling asleep listening to the quiet and not-so quiet sounds. Something about the rain was just so rhythmic.

A yawn and a stretch signified that another day of walking around had arrived. Novah made like a cat as he did so, getting all of the creaks and snaps of joints out of his body. It also helped to warm up his muscles for when he gets a move on again.

Standing back up, Novah packed up his filled canisters and took down his tent. The rain reflected the midmorning sun’s rays as the air held the scent of fresh rainfall. Novah took it in with deep breaths and relished in it. A scent not often appreciated, he thinks.

With the tent down and stuffed back inside his bag, he hauled the said thing over his shoulders and continued his trek. He still has a long way to go, and he shouldn’t waste daylight.

With his destination in mind, Novah set off once again through the forest. And hopefully this time, he’ll actually get out of it. Traveling through it is such a pain sometimes.

Chapter Text

“Over the rocks and under the trees, on the horizon line a treasure waits for thee.” Novah sing-songed to himself as he hopped over protruding river rocks. “With the sun at my back and the wind brushing past, I give my wings a flap and find myself flying fast.” His wings twitched, though never extended.

He landed quietly on the other side of the river. “‘March ahead, young lad!’ They once said to me,” Novah trekked through the dwindling forest. “‘For they say that the treasure is more than you thought to seek!’” He jumped over a fallen tree log.

“‘So kick your legs into gear, become steadfast!’” Novah slid down a small hill. “‘For the one who finds it first will see, that the treasure is actually the most precious items amassed.’” Novah finally looked up and stopped, a hand resting on a tree trunk.

A small group of buildings lay just ahead of him. They weren’t big but weren’t small. And Novah didn’t even know if they’d have anything useful in them. But he went onwards towards the buildings to find out.

His pointed ears pricked and his slitted eyes darted about. The area was quiet and calm. It made Novah worry about what could be lying in wait amongst these buildings.

Novah peeked around the corner of a window, staring inside. When he saw nothing, he scampered into the building as quietly as he could. Corners in the far back were dim and shelves were empty. A couple of sparse but ultimately useless items lie here and there.

The small store didn’t hold anything of value. Novah took a few Monster scales for himself, though nothing else was worth picking up. He sighed and hopped out of the window to head to the next building.

A small pharmaceutical store. Novah was much more thorough in his search here, rummaging round in fallen shelves and searching every corner for anything useful. Novah was able to find some ace bandages, though they could use some stitching up.

As Novah kept digging and searching through everything, he found some laundry items. Detergent, softening cloths, those spiky balls to prevent wrinkles, and even some hangers.

‘The hangers might be useful if I can bend them and make something out of them.’ The Monsterian thought to himself, testing the pliability of the said object. ‘They’re a bit rusty, though… I guess I’ll take a couple in case.’ And with that, he stuffed a few into his bag.

Novah stared at the detergent for a couple of seconds as he stood. Part of him was tempted to take a bottle. The other part knew it’d be a stupid and worthless idea to do so. Novah left the bottle and headed for the medicines.

And much like he expected, each and every bottle was ransacked far before he ever came by. Not a bottle nor pill was spared, not even a single bandaid.

‘I guess those ace bandages I found were a lucky find.’ Novah outwardly sighed as he dropped an empty pill box.

He turned his sights to the counter where people would pick up prescriptions. Although Novah had no hope, he decided to check it out anyway. Who knows? Maybe he’d find something.

Novah took out all the baskets and searched any brown paper bags. Still, he found no pills or pill bottles. Just the remnants of humanity’s desperation to survive in a world that’s hellbent on hunting them all down.

With each shelf ransacked and devoid of anything worthwhile to take, Novah let a breath out of his nose and hopped out of the drive-through window. His sights turned to the other buildings, finding that one of them was a food shop of sorts and the other two were a couple more stores.

But they weren’t the kind of shops to hold anything more than rotting food, broken furniture, and spiders. Novah turned from the buildings and decided to carry on. Obviously there wasn’t going to be anything worth his time here.

So on he went, back into the forest with tired eyes peeled and pointed ears listening. His scaled tail swayed and his wings hugged his back under his cloak. The sun shone down on the forest and the critters made the most of their day.

Novah tilted his head up to take a whiff of the air. There was a faint scent of Monster but a stronger scent of nature. He let out the breath in a sigh, turning his head back down. His bored gaze flickered across the forest’s scenery, trying to find something interesting to hone in on.

Yet he found nothing. So Novah walked. He walked and walked and hopped and jumped and skipped until his feet were sore and the daylight was running out. But there was little space to find a place to rest for the night.

The tiny cave he found housed scalebats and some bugs. But it also housed the nest of a Nerscylla, one that Novah really did not want to meet.

He tried out the treetops, finding himself a decent branch to settle onto. But he found the markings of a Wyvern just a little closer up. And with a quick sniff, he could tell it was fresh.

Novah moved on as the sunlight died down. He found a large rock to perch on and got settled in before being rudely told that it was actually a Gravios that he was trying to sleep on.

He then had to make a break for it as the Gravios started gnashing at him. Novah was thankfully faster than the bulkier, heavier Monster and could outrun it quickly. Though, it didn’t mean he still didn’t run through the whole night.

By the time Novah slowed down to a stop, the sky was beginning to brighten again. His feet dragged on the ground and his lungs felt as though he was breathing in straight lava. Novah grasped onto a small cliff face but nearly collapsed.

The Monsterian pushed through it and hauled himself up the cliff. He grappled onto any nearby vines to further hoist himself up. And once he managed to roll onto the top of the cliff, he was left breathless and fatigued.

Novah took in many gulps of air before shakily getting onto his hands and knees. He looked up to find the remnants of old ruins—rubble sitting amongst a big tree and a few bushes. Novah struggled to claw his way over, his eyes heavy and his whole body aching.

He ditched his backpack and rested against the tree. His pants were shallow and choppy, his hands and legs trembled, and his wings and tail were limp. Once he was down, Novah couldn’t move again.

Managing to peek open an eye, Novah checked his surroundings one last time. He couldn’t smell any Monsters—even if he wanted to—and didn’t see any territorial markings. Novah closed his eyes again as a couple of ragged coughs hit him.

Novah lied down onto his side and curled up into as much of a ball as he could. His wings blanketed him and kept him warm through the early twilight. He was quick to fall asleep, the day’s stresses and travels wearing him too thin to stay up any longer.

With quiet snores and soft but steadying breathing, the small clifftop became peaceful once again. The sun continued to stretch its rays over the horizon and bathe the fauna once more.

Critters and Wyverns alike woke up with the sun, or fell asleep as it rose. The bugs crawled under rocks or on the shaded sides of trees and cave walls. Breezes brushed by to rustle the leaves of all sorts of plants.

But as the new day broke and this side of the world awoke once again, so did a few particular and peculiar animals.

A tuxedo Melynx skipped up the side of the cliff overlooking a small portion of the forest. His friends came up with him, helping each other reach the top. But as they moved to store their latest finds, they all took a sudden pause.

Their fur bristled and their whiskers went stiff. Their pupils went thin and slitted and their front paws grabbed onto their similarly-designed weapons. The tuxedo-pelted Felynes crouched down but stayed still.

The group of three gave each other a glance. The sound of flapping wings startled them out of their shock and defensiveness. A large sack was set onto the ground and golden and black-scaled feet rested upon it.

The new arrival sitting on the sack noticed the Monsterian resting just a yard away. She hopped off the sack and approached the man with mild caution. Her Melynx buddies followed directly behind her, their tails poofing up a bit.

Bending over to get a good look at him, the woman smirked. She pointed a wing arm at the bag sitting beside him. The Melynxes didn’t need to be told twice.

They ran for the bag and just about ripped it right open. They tossed items out and filled their little paws with everything they could carry. A hatch sitting in the tree was opened so they could pull out another sack.

With the Melynxes filling up the new sack, the woman crouched down in front of the man. The tip of a clawed finger, sitting just next to her huge and segmented wing talon, poked the guy in the face.

He didn’t stir. The woman’s grin grew.

The Melynxes came up to her and she stood. She took some rope from the man’s bag and unraveled it. The Melynxes’ grins all grew just as wide as hers.

A little isle, sitting within a large lake, held on it a large cave that bustled with excitement. Melynxes trotted and loitered about all over the place. Some sat on rocks or boxes, others busied themselves with chores and work.

Multiple tunnels connected multiple rooms and entries. Wood planks tied together created makeshift bridges. Flashflies created ample lighting. The stone walls made for decent insulation and cooling.

It was a home to rival all homes for the large clan of Melynxes. But today, the excitement in the air was especially high. Somehow, word had gotten around that a big catch was caught! And that the plundering group was coming home sooner than expected.

Which meant the whole isle was abuzz with giddiness and intrigue. It left the Melynes restless and chattery, awaiting for when the looters would return. In the meantime, they made room for the treasures they’d be bringing back, organizing their storerooms.

Luckily for them, their wait would only last about two days. A Melynx watching from the highest treetops stared through an eyeglass and spotted a flying figure. In the figure’s talons was a net filled with bags of treasure.

The Melynx yowled loudly and swiftly climbed down the tree. She jumped into a hatch nearby and slid all the down until her butt met fluffy pillows. But she didn’t waste her time and got up right away, running down the halls and meowing at the top of her lungs.

“THEY’RE BACK!!! THE LOOTERS ARE BACK!!”

Her cries echoed down the cavern halls. The other Melynxes suddenly shot into a frenzy, as if contracting the virus themselves. The main gate was opened and the clowder of cats ran out to see the plunderers coming back.

They cried out in joy as the net was slowly set onto the ground. The clowder pounced onto the bags and carried them back inside jovially.

“We came back with something really great!” The woman who carried everything spoke loudly. “You won’t even believe your kitten eyes!” She laughed as her gold and black wings spread.

She fluttered off the bags as more Melynx came over. The ones on the outing with her popped out from the mass of treasure. They trotted out with the surprise hanging hogtied onto a thick branch.

“Take him inside! We can cook him up later!” The woman grinned widely.

The Melynxes meowed back and marched into their home. The rest of the clowder hurried to take in the other bags and the net. The woman sauntered into the home with them, her steps big and prideful.

The gates were closed behind them, protecting the clowder from outside dangers once again.

There was something very warm hitting his back. And for some reason, his wrists, ankles, wings, and tail couldn’t move. Also, his said limbs were going numb. Also-also, why could he smell smoke?

Novah’s face scrunched before his eyelids finally fluttered open. The first thing he was met with was stone walls and a stick. A very suspiciously upside-down stick.

But the second thing he was met with was the fact that he was currently tied to an even bigger stick by the hands, feet, and tail, with his wings tied tightly to his back. And the third thing he was met with was a fire wavering at his back.

Novah blinked as the sleepiness sluggishly faded away. His eyes went wide and he turned his head this way and that in a panic. Finally, he noticed all the Melynxes around him, staring wide-eyed but cautiously right back at him.

The whole cavern was silent for a few minutes—other than the fire still slowly roasting away at Novah’s back.

The said Monsterian proceeded to scream as he finally processed what was happening.

Chapter Text

With the sudden roar, the Melynxes startled. They ran about in a frenzy, pulling out weapons and batting Novah with them. He shrieked and tried to avoid the sharp claws and tough padding of the paw-looking weapons. Of course, it would’ve been way easier if he wasn’t tied up like a pig, but he’ll have to make do.

As the clamor in the room rose, the shoddy wooden door slammed open. The entire room went silent in an instant, the Melynxes turning to the new arrival. A huff left her nose and the sack on her shoulder slid to the floor.

Novah stared as the woman with golden and black scales approached. She wore a halter double side split dress, dark in color but with purple accents similar to the markings on her wings. Shed scales attached to a rope made for a good enough belt just under her chest.

More scales adorned the very bottom of the dress’ skirt. There were even some on her chest, almost blending in with the ones sprouting from her shoulders. It was similar with her legs, scales sprouting out and curving from her back where her tail met her body.

The unknown woman stepped closer with narrowing eyes. Novah startled from his staring, his fear only rising. The woman crouched down—not lady-like at all!—and glared even harder at him.

Novah didn’t say a thing. The staring contest continued for another couple of minutes. The woman’s Rey Dau tail waved on the floor. Her wing arms rested on her knees, three black fingers poking out from the arch.

“I was hoping you were dead.” The woman pouted with a purse of her lips.

Novah blinked at her. “Hm?” He hummed with a stupefied grin.

“Looks like we’re gonna have to hunt for dinner again!” The woman turned, ignoring Novah entirely.

The room filled with Melynxes groaned in disappointment. Novah looked around in even more fear. They were trying to cook him!

“Why are you all disappointed?! And why you?!” Novah whipped around to the Monsterian. “Were you really going to cannibalize me?!” He shouted indignantly.

“Yeah. What’s wrong with that?” The woman said back, far too nonchalantly.

Novah sputtered for a second. “There’s so much wrong with that!” He told her. “We’re the same species! We can’t eat each other!”

“The Wyverns do it all the time though, don’t they?” The woman set her hands on her nigh-exposed hips.

“Well–! That’s–! That’s different!” Novah argued.

“How so? They kill each other, eat each other, hunt each other down.” The woman listed. “It’s not any different than eating you.”

“But we’re the same species! We’re both Monsterians! The Wyverns have different species in their own species!” Novah argued still.

“And so do we. Still not any different.” The woman countered still.

“But we’re part human!” Novah shouted.

“And those same humans have gotten us on the Wyvern’s hunt list!” The woman suddenly shouted.

The Melynxes and Novah flinched. Her shout echoed throughout the room. There was another minute of silence as the sound faded.

Electric sparks sputtered from the woman’s angular horns. She let out a huff and turned her head away, her purple locks with bright blonde accents swaying with it. Her tail nearly thumped on the floor, though she stopped it short.

“I know you’re trying to survive out here just as much as we are,” The woman began, her voice quiet. “But if you want to live, then you need to get over dumb morality and laws.”

“It’ll only get you killed.” Her gaze narrowed on the wall.

Novah stared at her in silence. He didn’t get to stare too long when he felt his back get all the hotter. He turned to it, finding the rope around his wings starting to ignite.

He shrieked and rocked on the stick, frantically trying to put it out. The woman rolled her eyes and kicked the stick from the pits. Novah rolled around to put out the fire. The Melynxes only watched.

Finally, the rope around his wings snapped. Novah used the scales to cut his wrists, ankles, and tail free. He scrambled to his feet, spreading his wings wide in an intimidating display. The Melynxes only stared warily back.

The woman wasn’t as phased. She walked right up to him and glared right into his face. Novah went a bit flush, backing up to get some space from the woman. But she just kept encroaching upon him—up until he hit the wall.

“C-Can I help you??” Novah questioned.

“...Probably.” The woman spoke after a few seconds. “Seeing as we can’t eat you, and can’t let you go, you’re better off helping us around here.” She smirked, her tail waving.

“I– What?” Novah muttered as his eyes widened.

“You want to survive in this world, right?” She questioned.

Novah nodded.

“Then you’re better off joining our clowder! Bigger numbers means less attacks from predators, and more efficient work!” She spread her wings wide, a large grin on her face.

“B-But–” Novah went to say.

“And besides! If we let you go now, you could sell out this place to some Wyverns or other people! And we could die! So now you’re one of us anyway!” She laughed with a wagging tail.

The Melynxes all agreed, jumping and pumping their fuzzy fists and raising their weapons in glee.

And Novah… Couldn’t exactly disagree. He doesn’t really want to be joining any random or unknown groups, but being in a group would mean there’s less danger. It’d also be easier to survive since there’s more hands to go around and help others.

‘Though, I still don’t know these guys. Who knows what they’re like.’ His unsure gaze traveled across the crowd of Melynxes.

“Since you’re going to be joining our clowder now, you need a tour!” The woman suddenly spoke, catching Novah’s attention.

“W-Wait! I didn’t agree to this!” He waved his hands about fervently.

“I didn’t ask if you wanted to! You’re going to whether you like it or not!” The female Monsterian huffed. “We can’t let some outsider go free when they’ve seen us and our hideout!”

“What kind of logic is that?!” Novah exclaimed right back.

“Mine and the Melynxes, obviously!” The woman puffed out her chest in pride.

Novah felt his eye twitch as his mouth gaped.

“But if you really don’t want to, then I guess we can tie you up again and put you back over the fire–” She then spoke.

“NO! No! Tha-at’s okay! Really!” Novah laughed anxiously.

The woman’s brows furrowed and her prideful look fell. “Oh, now you’re okay with it? Way to switch it up, dragon boy…” She crossed her wing arms and turned away.

“As if you wouldn’t do the same thing if you didn’t want to be cannibalized…” N muttered in return.

He was smacked upside the head by a Melynx. It hissed at him, making Novah recoil. The woman snickered—and she didn’t even try to hide it!

But Novah just huffed and rolled his eyes. “Well, since I have no other choice, can you at least tell me your name before giving me a tour?” He inquired, his tail swishing.

“Oh, right.” She replied—did she seriously forget that? “It’s Uzi! And I am the prized princess of this whooole clowder!” She exclaimed with utmost pride.

Novah took a second to process that introduction. “It’s… Nice to meet you, Uzi.” He held out his hand.

Uzi looked down to it in silence. He raised her own wing arm—only to lightly bat at his palm. Novah stared worriedly down at their limbs, then back up to her face.

“It’s uhm– It’s a handshake.” He said.

“A what?” Uzi turned back up.

‘Ah.’ Novah realized. ‘No wonder she has no problem with cannibalism.’

“This is where we all meet up to hang out and talk to each other! If you ever want to take a break, this room is the perfect place to do it!” Uzi gestured a wing arm to the room.

A large stone Felyne statue sat front and center in the room, red paint making a smiling face on it. Smaller boulders, large leaves, and ropes were used to decorate the statue, along with the boxes, vases, and barrels.

More crates and boxes sat around the edges of the room. Boards of wood created small ramps for the Melynxes to climb atop them. Small torches helped to give light to the place and the halls connected to the room.

“That really big hall leads out to the entrance. The island itself should be pretty safe, but I still don’t suggest going out without at least telling someone.” Uzi advised, looking at the said hall. “That smaller one leads to some storage areas.” She moved on.

Novah glanced around as she gave him a tour. There wasn’t anything all too special about the place besides the fact that it was filled with Melynx. A couple of Felynes roamed about here and there, but it was mostly the tuxedo cats.

“If you ever get hungry, there’s fire pits and food stores down the hall directly behind the statue.” Uzi pointed with her wing’s sharp point. “And to the right of that hall is where we tend to sleep. Though, sometimes we just sleep wherever.” She trotted along.

‘Makes sense for cats.’ Novah noted.

Uzi then stopped, making Novah stop with her. She turned around to address him more personally.

“Just so you know, we have specific ways of doing things here.” She informed with a point. “Like looting and hunting; We go out in groups every time, and we always listen to the group leader.” Her tail swished.

“G-Got it.” Novah nodded back.

“You’re in pretty good shape, so you’ll probably be part of the hunting squad.” Uzi smirked at him.

“I would– Prefer not…” Novah returned, some sweat forming on his temple.

He’s dealt with far too many Wyverns as it is. He would rather not have to go out and try and kill them…

“Eh, we’ll see.” Uzi just shrugged. “Anyways, you should probably go and find some bed to call your own. Dinner will be ready soon.” She waved towards the hall with the bedroom.

Novah wanted to argue, but he decided not to. He doubts he would get anywhere. So he went down the hall and entered the sleeping quarters.

Worn pillows and thin blankets lined the floor and rocks. Novah glanced around for any spot that he could call his own. A couple more rooms were connected to this one, filled with more beds.

Novah eventually found a room near the back. He climbed up the wall and to a nice slab of protruding rock. His wings tried to flap as he climbed, though it didn’t do much.

‘But at least this place will be comfy enough to sleep on.’ Novah thought to himself with a tiny and hopeful grin. ‘I just need some cushioning. Hopefully they have a few extra pillows to spare.’

Novah used his claws to mark up the slab before climbing back down. He hopped to the ground and trotted back into the gathering hub. He looked around but found Uzi was nowhere in sight.

‘Of course…’ His tail swished and his wings twitched. ‘Guess I should head to where dinner is being prepped? I would think it’s in the room with the fire pits…’ He turned down another hall.

More Melynxes trotted past him. Some carried bags above their heads and over their shoulders. Novah tried not to step on their paws or tail, though their swift and disorganized movements made it hard.

But he was able to get to the dining room without much issue. He looked around again, glancing at all the pots and fire rings. There was one big “grill” or “stove” on the far side of the room.

Behind the rocky counter was a hole carved into the wall. A bright fire crackled within it, some Melynxes and a Felyne tending to it. Novah sniffed the air, catching a whiff of the meat being cooked.

He approached and sat at the table just before the flame. More Melynxes gathered in the room at various tables—broken furniture refurbished and fixed up. They drooled at the sight and smell of the roasting meat.

As the food was reaching completion, more Palicoes came by with plates and bowls. The Melynx handling the soup started pouring it out and sending it off. One bowl was placed in front of Novah, the steam rising tantalizingly from it.

Even the Safi’Jiiva Monsterian couldn’t help the drool from seeping past the corner of his lip. He licked up the drop and blew gently onto his soup to help cool it. He could smell both meat and veggies with it.

‘And judging by the color and consistency, this is probably bone broth.’ He noted as he smelled it further.

Novah could taste the soup before he even took a sip of it. He couldn’t wait anymore and finally lifted the bowl to his lips. It burned his tongue but was too good to take away from his mouth.

A few careful sips were taken before the male Monsterian had to put the bowl down. His red tail began to wag in delight. The lingering taste of bone, meat, nuts, and select vegetables made him drool even heavier than before.

“Chef! One soup and plate please!” Uzi exclaimed as she sat next to Novah.

“Where have you been? You all but disappeared after I went to find someplace to call a bed.” The man inquired with a twitch of his wings.

“I was busy helping out some Melynx! They had come back from foraging!” She smiled in pride.

“Are some of these ingredients in the soup from that forage?” Novah questioned with a glance to his soup.

“Probably!” Uzi replied. “I don’t usually make food, so I wouldn’t know! Ask the chefs!” Her plate was set in front of her.

Uzi was immediately distracted with it. She blew onto the steaming foods as Novah got a plate of his own. Though, he was quick to notice how his portion was considerably smaller than the female Monsterian’s.

“Why’s my food so much smaller?” His brows furrowed and his wings twitched.

“Because you’re new and haven’t worked for your portion.” Uzi replied flatly, taking a big bite of her meat.

Novah was silent, just staring at the hunk of flesh. He turned his gaze to the oven, uncovered by Palico bodies. He then realized what kind of flesh they had been cooking, his eyes going wide.

“THAT’S THE MEAT I FOUGHT FOR!!” He stood and slammed his hands on the table.

“Not anymore.” Uzi snickered through a full mouth.

“GIVE ME THAT! I STOLE THAT MEAT FAIR AND SQUARE!” He lunged onto the woman.

She shrieked as she fell to the floor but refused to give up her meat. The two rolled on the ground, wrestling for it. The Palicoes around them stared for approximately thirty seconds before lunging towards them and forming a cheering, chanting crowd.

Chapter Text

Although dinner was mostly a bust since a certain someone had stolen his stolen meat chunk, the day moved on and turned to night. The Melynxes cleaned up after dinner and headed right to bed.

Novah, grumpy from his meager meal and tough loss against the only other Monsterian here, climbed up to his perch in the public bedroom. He stared at everyone else as they prepared to hit the hay.

Melynxes created small piles to keep warm in the chilly springtime night. Blankets made from scrap fabrics or carved pelts were tossed over shoulders and soft purrs began filling the silence.

Turning down just below him, Novah could see Uzi already sleeping the night away. Multiple other Melynxes and Felynes were snuggled up against and on top of her, purring and snoring their worries away. Uzi herself was already conked out, snoring just as loud as the other cats with her whole body spread out.

Novah’s expression fell a bit as he stared at the woman. Surely it isn’t that easy for her to pass right out like that, right?

‘There’s no way that tussle earlier could tire her out that much.’ He added as his tail swayed.

Letting out a sigh, Novah turned and got comfy on his outcropping. His wings bundled over his form to keep him warm through the night. The soft purring created a surprisingly decent white noise to fall asleep to.

And after so much non-stop and little-stop traveling, Novah was quick to fall asleep. Though, he still doubts it’ll be too restful.

Sleep is never very restful in a world like this.

Morning time is a fleeting time. If one wants to make use of it, they need to wake up before the morning even begins. It’s another one of the many rules that Novah lives by.

Speaking of, his escape from the odd Melynx hide-out was swift and silent. He fled through the front gates and made way for the islet’s edge. He paused to gaze at the large lake surrounding them.

‘Looks like I’ll need a ride.’ His wings twitched. ‘Maybe they have boats? They’d need more than one way off this island.’ Novah turned back around.

He searched all along the bank before making his way back to the hide-out. His steps were quiet as he snuck around, keeping his eyes and ears wide open. When it’s this early in the morning, the Melynxes and Felynes tend to get real active.

Novah sped past some aforementioned cats as he made his way around the tiny mountain the hide-out was carved into. Novah avoided various traps the cats made and stayed low to the ground.

Finally finding some boats, Novah began tugging one towards the shore. He was glad for his extra strength due to his species. But he made sure not to get too distracted.

‘If I can just get this thing to the shore…!’ He grit his teeth and dug his claws into the ground as he tugged.

He startled hard when he heard the electrifying roar of a Rey Dau. And Novah knew exactly who it belonged to.

With a burst of adrenaline, Novah ditched the boat and booked it for the shoreline. He could hear the pitter-patter of cat paws chasing after him, as well as the flapping of soaring wings.

Novah reached the shoreline in record time. He leapt into the waters of the lake, soaking his clothes and his bag. But things could dry, including himself, and as long as he got out of there, he’s willing to take the chance of his food getting soaked.

Of course, it didn’t make his clothes or bag any lighter. Novah struggled to swim with the sudden increase in weight, only his adrenaline allowing him to do so. Which meant he was going quite slow for such a long way to the mainland.

‘If only that darn she-dragon didn’t wake up so early!’ He would’ve clicked his tongue if his head wasn’t barely above the water.

But maybe Novah would get that chance as he felt something grab onto his shoulders. His wings spread out as he flailed and clawed at the other woman’s legs. She snarled at him, flying him back to shore.

“LET GO OF ME, YOU–!!” Novah snapped his head up to shout at her.

But he never anticipated seeing the underside of Uzi’s small dress. Novah shrieked as his whole face went flush. He slapped his scaled hands over his eyes and snapped his head away.

Uzi used the opportunity to drop him unceremoniously to the ground from the air. Novah grunted as Uzi descended much more safely beside him. The other Wyverian scrambled to his feet just to get yanked back by the woman.

“Damnit, let me go! I don’t want to be a part of your stupid bandit group!” Novah snarled with a swishing tail.

“I told you already! You know where we live, so now you’re one of us! We can’t have you running off and telling others about our location!” Uzi argued back just as loudly.

Novah spun around to face her. “I’m not gonna tell anyone! I don’t even have any reason to!” His hands grappled with her wrists.

“I don’t care!” Uzi shouted back. “Besides! You’re better off with a group than alone! At least you’ll have a fighting chance to survive!” Her grip on his collar grew tighter.

“I was fighting just fine on my own!” Novah snarled back, his claws digging into her wrists.

“Like Abyss you were!” Uzi scoffed. “I bet you were high-tailing it around the damn lands all night and day long! I bet you could barely scrape together enough food to survive through the night! I bet you’ve nearly lost your life quite a few times out there!” She went on, dragging him closer.

The two growled at each other as they glowered into one another’s serpentine eyes. The Melynxes grew nervous around them, taking a step back should the two break out into a brawl.

“I bet that you have no idea what you’re even talking about–” Novah’s tail swished.

“OF COURSE I DO!!” Uzi socked him in the cheek.

Novah stumbled back and slapped his hand to the new cuts adorning his face. His pupils narrowed and his wings vibrated as he released a guttural gnarl. Uzi returned it, flaring her wing arms as electricity zapped across her horns.

“You aren’t the only one who’s trying to survive out here! And you aren’t the only one who’s had to fight fang and claw to see another sunrise!” She went on. “And I won’t allow anyone to go snitching on this place! So if you’re really that insistent on leaving…” She trailed off.

Uzi leaned over whilst her top horns snapped to face her opponent. Novah got into his own defensive position, his wings flaring wider. Uzi’s foot dragged through the ground as a bright blue glow of thunder formed in her horns.

“Then I’m going to kill you myself!!” The female Monsterian finally roared, the electricity firing off.

The Melynxes all fled in an instant. They scattered as the bolt shot into the male Monsterian and sent him flying back. The rumble of thunder echoed across the islet after the fact.

Novah sprung back to his feet. He ditched his bag and his cloak to lessen the weight. A lot of the water was dried from the scorching heat of the lightning. But Novah himself wouldn’t take it lying down like a Canyne.

Springing back into action, Novah ran forward and swung his tail at the other woman. Uzi flapped away, preparing another bolt. Novah flapped his own wings, making dust whirl into the air.

Uzi growled as her vision was obscured by the dust. Novah used it to tackle her and bring her back to the ground. Uzi fired her electricity blindly, the bright streaks shooting high into the air.

Novah’s claws caught onto a softer part of Uzi’s flesh. Blood splattered onto the ground as Uzi let out a hurt cry. She swung her tail at him and knocked him off. The two stumbled to their feet and began circling each other, growling and gnashing their sharp teeth all the while.

More blood dribbled down Uzi’s waist. It stained the edge of her scrawny dress. She paid no mind to the pain stabbing her side. Her focus was solely on the man in front of her. She would make the first move as she flapped her wings and took to the air with a backflip.

Novah was swift to move in right after. Uzi twirled back some distance before coming back around. She angled towards the side and let her rough sandy scales bash into the other Monsterian.

He let out a startled yelp but quickly recovered. Uzi made another U-turn, charging her horns once more. Novah’s wings made a flap but stopped short. He dashed out of the way of another bolt.

Something hot and burning ignited within his chest. Novah tossed a tree branch the woman’s way, making her flutter in surprise. Novah climbed up a tree to jump onto her. Again, the two met the floor.

More tumbling, more rolling, more claws and fangs lashing out. Blood from both sides spilled onto the ground. Short zaps of electricity connected with the grass and dirt. Uzi bit onto Novah, made him flinch, and used it to kick him off.

He went rolling for a short moment, only stopped by Uzi’s clawed foot. She roared into his face. Novah roared right back, swinging out his claws again. Uzi blocked his hand with her wing and used the other to punch him right back.

A bright white glow started to erupt from Novah’s chest. He rolled and got the woman off him. She didn’t stay down long and quickly got back to her feet. With the momentum, she swung her tail at him.

Novah caught in his hands and used it to drag her back. Uzi yelped and tried to stop by digging her claws into the ground. Novah growled and used more strength to lift her up. Uzi flailed; Fervently flapping her wings, twisting her body, kicking at the man, and whipping her golden tail about.

The Safi’Jiiva Monsterian ran back over to the shore, nearly dropping the woman quite a few times. But as soon as his feet met gravel and sand, he tossed the smaller lady right into the lake.

Water splashed onto the sand and rocks. Novah panted as he stared at the water. The stream of bubbles float to the stop slowed to a stop. Novah’s tense posture didn’t loosen. It was good that it didn’t, seeing as Uzi burst from the water and dragged him in with her.

The two fell under the water’s surface and continued their brawl there. Despite their slower movements, they were still able to cut and pierce each other’s flesh.

Uzi’s talons caught hard onto Novah’s shoulders. He let out a big bubble in a reflexive yelp. His hands scratched at her ankles and talons, trying to tug her off. Uzi slammed him to the sandy ground, making the said dust float into the water.

She headbutt the other Monsterian, her teeth bared and pupils paper-thin all the while. Novah returned the fierce look, his chest dimmed and steaming. Uzi charged up her horns and fired another blast–

But her strike only fizzled out within the water—turning into hot bubbles. Uzi tried again to blast the damned Monsterian, but still, nothing happened. Her gaze squinted hard as her vision began to spot around the edges. Her lungs and chest hurt without air, and she could see that the same was happening to Novah.

The two were forced to separate. Uzi bounced off Novah’s body and rose towards the surface. Novah bounced off the ground right after. He was the first to break through the water and gasp for air.

With fresh oxygen filling his lungs, Novah was able to cough out the water that managed to get inside. He flung his bangs out of his face and glanced around.

‘That woman… She’s not here?’ He wondered.

Panic soon shot through his heart as he spun around to search for her. A few bubbles alerted him towards something’s presence. Novah dove back under the water, spotting the woman unable to reach the surface.

Novah only hesitated for a second before diving down and grabbing onto her. He made a bee-line for the shore, hauling themselves onto the rocks and sand. Both Monsterians fell to the ground as water soaked into the grit.

As Novah got more air into his body, he turned to the Rey Dau lady. She hadn’t stirred yet. Novah’s gaze narrowed. He crawled over and started on chest compressions. The woman’s eyes snapped open and her wing arm smacked him away from her.

“G-Get the– Aby-ss away from-m me…!” She rasped out.

Uzi tried to stumble to her feet, before she ended up on her wings and knees instead. She coughed and vomited up the water that infiltrated her lungs. She could barely gasp for breath between each hack and heave.

Novah gave a worried look to the woman. He scooted closer, a hand raised to help yet unsure how. He just sat there as Uzi got the rest of the fluid out on her own.

She panted for another couple minutes. Novah did the same, leaning back onto his scaled palms. His rest didn’t last long as Uzi was quick to pounce on him again. Novah yelped as they rolled along the ground again, getting sand all over them.

Uzi was relentless in her assault against him. Novah had no choice but to fight back. Their claws caught onto flesh and scales alike, ripping and breaking away at each other. More blood oozed from their wounds and clung to their teeth.

“Darn– It! Why won’t you give up!?” Novah asked as he smacked a wing arm away with his tail.

“Because! If you won’t stay with us–!” Uzi tried to pierce her horns into his eyes. “–Then you’re better off dead!” She lunged forward to bite him.

Novah caught her jaws with his forearm. “Just let me leave! I won’t tell a soul about this place!” His free hand grabbed her horn and yanked on it. “I promise!!”

In the man’s attempt to get the woman off, her horn snapped right off her head. Uzi flinched and stumbled back. But she bore her reddened fangs still, swinging her hard wing arm towards him.

“You won’t keep it! You’re just lying!” She argued as she stabbed the blade of her wing into the ground.

“And how do you know that?!” Novah questioned, avoiding being skewered. “You don’t even know me! I don’t even know you! All you’ve known is some damn bandit cats!” He used a wing to throw dust at her face.

“Have you even made a promise before?!” Novah questioned further, ramming his side into Uzi. She was knocked back but scrambled to her feet again. “So tell me! How the Abyss do you know that I would even break a promise–?!”

“BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS DO!!” Uzi bellowed as she charged into her opponent.

The two fell to the ground once more. Uzi punctured her wings’ blades into the ground beside Novah’s head. Her horns stopped just short of piercing his skull. A few beads of blood grew from the tips of her horns digging into his forehead.

Uzi bore her gritting fangs at the man, growling low and dangerously. Novah stared back up at her, yellow eyes wider. Silence had fallen over the area. Already, it had become midday.

“I know you keep any damn promises,” Uzi began, her voice low and strained. “Because no one ever does.” Her eyes narrowed on the male Monsterian.

Novah was silent as he blinked back up at her.

“You all like to spout dumb shit like ‘making promises’ and ‘keeping oaths’ and this, that, and the other. But it’s all lies.” She snarled. “What good is a promise, or an oath, or a swear gonna do, huh? What Monster is going to give a shit if you have a family to go back to?” Her tail swished.

“So no matter how many promises you make, or how hard you try to keep them from breaking, it won’t matter.” She continued, reddened drool seeping from her teeth. “Promises and oaths are useless in this world. They’ll only get you killed. Just like how being on your own will.”

“I would know.” Her eyes squinted in an attempt to keep from tearing up.

Novah just gazed back up at her in complete silence. Uzi lifted her head before shooting it back down to pierce his skull. Novah moved out of her way just in time, some sand flying around.

“I won’t– I won’t leave.” He panted, the glow in his chest dying out.

Uzi glowered at him. Novah slowly took hold of her wing blades and lifted them from the sand. Uzi’s eyes didn’t leave him for even a second.

“I’ll stay, and I’ll help out, and I’ll keep this place a secret.” Novah nodded at her, feeling his heart pound in his hot chest.

“What? Did you suddenly switch up because I was going to kill you?” Uzi questioned.

“Well– Yes. Yes, I did.” Novah admitted with another nod. “But also… You aren’t entirely wrong.” He added.

Uzi rose a brow.

“It might be better to have a group to stick with out here. More hands, more help, that sorta thing.” He went on. “It’s not easy living out there on your own. And, well, you’ve certainly shown that you’re very capable of defending yourself.” He chuckled.

“If you can’t even fight back, you’re just a dead carcass walking.” Uzi snipped back.

“Uh– Yes, that is– Correct.” Novah stumbled. “But… It’s very clear that my survival is more assured when I have others to help me.” He sighed in admittance.

Uzi’s gaze only narrowed more. Novah swallowed.

“I don’t feel like dying today—or any day, really. So, I’d like to join your little–” He paused. “Club. Thing.”

Again, the Rey Dau woman was mute. She scoffed and got back to her feet.

“Another thing that’ll get you killed is indecisiveness." She commented. “But at least you’re smart enough to know when to give up.”

Uzi then gave him a once-over. “Mostly.”

She spun on her heel, starting to walk away. Novah let out a relieved breath.

“Let’s go! There’s work to be done!” Uzi shouted.

Novah startled. He got back to his feet and followed after the woman. The two were slow—exhausted and still bleeding from their fight. Neither one spoke as they made their way back to the hide-out.

But Novah cast a few glances the woman’s way. He let out a sigh as he spotted his stuff, going over to pick it up.

‘Part of me wonders if sticking with her won’t be the thing that gets me killed.’

Chapter Text

‘I can’t even heal up before being put straight to work.’ Novah thought miserably.

He grunted as he lifted a wooden beam. The Melynxes hammered and tied it to the other parts of the infrastructure swiftly. They were quick to move on and place more wooden boards down to create catwalks.

Novah swiped some sweat from his forehead. He glanced around, noting all the other Felynes running about. Some held objects while others rushed to places.

‘It certainly gets busy once daytime comes around.’ Novah sighed to himself.

“Hey, Dragonboy!” He startled and whipped around to a perch higher up. “You’re going outside with me! We’ve got a scavenging quest to go on!” Uzi hollered.

Novah’s tail and wings drooped. “Weren't we just fighting a few hours ago?! Shouldn’t we, I dunno, rest and heal?” He called back.

“There’s no time for resting or healing! So get your scaled ass in gear and get ready!” Uzi sent a warning zap towards him through her horns.

Novah shrieked and jumped away from the zap. He glowered at the woman who glared right back. But he huffed and flicked his tail and left to gather his bag.

‘I guess we have to get more materials. Probably for whatever they’re building now.’

Climbing up to the outcropping of rock he now calls a “bed,’ Novah did a quick check that his stuff was all there. With it all accounted for, he slung it over his back and climbed back down.

Novah went to the canteen to grab a few snacks and some water for the road. He eyes the spot where his precious chunk of meat was grilled and pouted.

‘I worked so hard to get that darn meat!’ His tongue clicked and his tail swished. ‘Darn Rey Dau woman… Does she have no manners at all?!’

Novah shook his head and trotted out to the center of this entire mini-mountain. He spotted some Melynxes putting together their own small bags and fixing their weapons. Novah’s wings twitched as he wondered if he shouldn’t take up a weapon…

“You ready, Dragonboy?” Uzi’s voice startled him.

“I–! Y-Yeah.” Novah nodded back. “Are you? You don’t have any sort of bags on you.” He pointed out, his brow quirking.

“I tend to carry light. Easier to fly that way.” She replied. “Are you sure you want to bring such a big pack? It’s going to be hard to fly with that.” Her clawed finger pointed to the said backpack.

“Uh– Yeah, I’ll be fine.” Novah nodded back with a sudden bout of nervousness. “I don’t really tend to fly, anyway. A bit dangerous with how many other Wyverns like to fly, you know?” He laughed with a rub to his neck.

Uzi gave him a skeptical look. But she made a soft sigh and turned away.

“Just be ready to drop everything in order to get away.” She advised before walking over to the Melynxes.

Novah stared at her exposed back for a few seconds. He let out a breath but didn’t feel all that relieved. After all, it was only a matter of time before she–

“Alright, let’s go! We need quite a few things, to be prepared for a long trek back!” Uzi called loudly to her group.

The Melynxes hopped about and followed after her. Novah got up as well to follow them. The group of a dozen made their way through the forest. The sun shone through branches and leaves to sprinkle the ground with light.

Novah’s gaze wandered about as he walked. Some bugs and lizards sat on the trees. A few berry bushes grew from rocks or tree roots. Novah swore he saw some sort of garden or the like through the bushel copse.

His sights would turn to a few boats that the Melynxes were starting to haul. Novah came forward to help them out, tugging on ropes. The boats were pushed into the water with a rock and small splash.

After all the kitties got in, so did Novah. Paddles were taken up and the cats got to work in sailing to the shore on the mainland. Novah took another couple of minutes to gaze out at the lake.

The sun glimmered upon its surface, as if to blind anyone who looked at it. The water swashed gently on the sides of the boat as it swam through. The breeze helped to carry it by pushing into the sails.

“Listen up, everyone!” But Uzi’s call had him turning away from the pretty sight. “The things we’re after are for the new nursery we’re building!”

‘Oh, so that’s what that new building is.’ Novah thought for a moment.

“For it, we’re going to need feathers, wool, fabric, pelts, and if we can, Flashflies!” Uzi went on. “We’re only going after the small Monsters—things like Gargwa and Kelbi! Don’t go attacking any large ones!”

The Melynxes all meowed back at her in confirmation. Novah just nodded in silence. Uzi’s gaze lingered on him, narrowing. Novah felt his nervousness rise again.

“If a large Monster catches scent or sight of us, do you think you could help buy the Melynxes time?” She suddenly questioned.

“Yeah. I can help.” Novah nodded again.

Uzi was quiet for a few moments. “...Good.” Was her simple reply.

She turned to stare out at the approaching shore. Novah’s wings twitched under his baggy cloak but he said nothing. Mostly from the fact that they were finally making landfall.

The Felynes and Monsterians hopped out. The boats were tied to rocks or nearby trees before the group set out. Ears flicked and noses twitched. Eyes wandered every which way. The Melynxes put up their bandanas to hide their snouts.

Although night certainly wasn’t approaching soon, and the morning had long passed, the mainland woods were quiet. A few crickets chirped here and there, a couple of birds sang from trees, and the breeze ruffled some leaves.

“Do you have a specific destination in mind for this quest?” Novah decided to ask, his voice kept low.

“Not exactly, but there’s a few places that might have what we’re looking for.” Uzi replied just as quietly. “Gargwa and Kelbi are always moving, just like any other creature. But we could find fabrics if we find those tall, rectangular mountains.”

Novah’s expression turned confused as he tried to process the last of her words. “The what?”

Uzi turned towards him. “You know! Those tall, rectangular buildings! With all the clear crystals on the sides! They have flat tops and are always clumped together to make a valley! The bottom has some sort of dark rock!” Her tail swished with her description.

Novah kept staring at her like she was crazy. It took a good couple of minutes before he could try and guess what she was talking about.

“Do you mean the high-rises? In the cities?!” He asked as his eyes went wide.

“‘High-rises?’ Is that what they’re called?” Uzi’s expression turned unimpressed. “Hmph. That’s a stupid name…” She turned back around to continue the trek.

Meanwhile, Novah just paused to stare at her. His mouth hung open as he tried to think of something to say in return to that. Yet there was nothing that could describe his current feelings right now.

“Come on, Dragonboy! Or you’re gonna get left behind and eaten!” Uzi exclaimed.

Novah startled out of his shock and jogged to catch up. He couldn’t help but stare at the Rey Dau Monsterian’s back, still reeling from her lack of knowledge on simple terms.

‘I knew she was strange—mostly from having no problem with cannibalism—but this is even stranger!’ His tail swayed worriedly. ‘At this point, I have to wonder if she even knows where she’s going!’

So Novah trotted ahead of the group to get Uzi’s attention. “Wh-Why don’t I take the lead towards the cities?! Since I’ve traveled these lands and all, and I actually know what cities are, I think it’d be a safe bet!” He tried to give her his best smile.

Albeit, it was still extremely anxious.

But Uzi just stared at him for a few moments. The group kept walking, making Novah walk backwards. Uzi let out a huff and swerved her head away.

“Fine. Since you seem oh-so confident.” She agreed. “But! If you even think about trying to kill us off or get a Monster on our tails, I’m sacrificing you for the better of the group!!” She yelled into his face, a few sparks flying from her horns.

“Tha-at’s reasonable, haha!!” Novah laughed back.

Uzi’s glare only hardened. Novah spun on his heel to take the lead. He couldn’t even let out a relieved breath with such a hard and suspicious look boring through his back.

‘I’m glad at least part of my back has scales, because I’m pretty sure the entirety of it would be going up in flames right now.’ Novah felt worried hot flashes wave across his back at the look.

Hours passed as the trek went on. Novah had taken out his map to ensure their trek was right. A few times Uzi had tried to snatch it from him in an attempt to try and read it. But even when she did snag it, she couldn’t make sense of it at all. Not even the Melynxes could.

Despite the tiny hiccup, the trip was going relatively smoothly. A few Wyverns were spotted in the far distance, leading to a speed-up. The day waned on with their fluctuating speed.

By the time nightfall was coming, the group was looking for a place to camp out. Trees were a no-go and unknown caves were avoided at all costs. The Melynxes offered to make burrows, but if a Monster came by to attack, they’d be stuck.

“We’re never going to find someplace to camp out at this rate.” Novah rubbed his tired eyes with a scaled hand.

“Well, we have to find someplace. We can’t keep walking nonstop for days at a time.” Uzi retorted with a high stretch of her wings.

“But nowhere is safe! I couldn’t even say the sky is safe!” Novah argued.

“How come we can’t burrow into the ground again?” A Melynx asked with a yawn.

“Because we’d be sitting Goocoos if a Monster found us.” Novah replied.

“And we’re sure that the trees aren’t safe?” Another Melynx questioned next.

“Tobi-Kadachi, Pukei-Pukei, Raths, Yian Kut-ku, need I go on?” Novah retorted with a flick of his tail.

“What about a pond or something?” The first Melynx suggested.

“Monsters need to drink water, too.” Uzi was the one to shoot the idea down.

“You two are too stingy!” A third Melynx suddenly spoke up. “We need to find somewhere to rest, or we’ll never get anything done! We’ll be too sleepy to do anything!” He huffed as his tail swished in annoyance.

Novah and Uzi glanced at each. They sighed and nodded.

“Let’s just try the trees this one time. We’d at least be safe from flightless Monsters.” Uzi said.

“Fine.” Novah sighed back. “We should have someone on watch, too. Just in case.” He added.

Uzi couldn’t say no to that.

The group went over to the sturdiest and safest-looking trees to climb into. As they got comfortable on the branches high up, their sleepiness started weighing on them more and more.

For the first hour, Novah would stay up and watch. He stared out at the forest down below, watching the moonlight try and illuminate the grass like the sun does. More crickets came out to sing their tunes in the quietude the moon created.

As things settled down, Flashbugs came out to light up the night. Novah stared at their leisurely passing forms. Some were swifter than others. Some were sitting on trees or munching on leaves.

Some nightly wind fanned against his face. Loose strands of filthy, greasy hair billowed like the grass below. Novah’s wings kept him warm from the slight chill of the dark. But it wouldn’t make his nerves die down to let him sleep.

Minutes turned into full hours as Novah sat there, staring out into the endless woods. The Melynxes took turns keeping watch. Novah was still enough that they didn’t notice he was awake.

But as the witching hour came to phase over them, a new weight sat down on his branch. Novah’s bright yellow eyes flicked over. Uzi stood watch this hour and stared off into the endless thicket with him.

“Can’t sleep?” She whispered.

“No.” Novah’s voice was just as soft.

“If you don’t sleep, you won’t be useful.” Uzi never bothered to put sugar on her words, did she?

“What can I say? I’ve never been able to fall asleep too easily.” Novah just shrugged back, his eyes returning to the trees and grass.

“Not out in the wilderness, right?” Uzi glanced at him.

Novah made a minute shake of his head.

“How have you survived this long without sleep, then?” She cracked a teasing smile.

“Sometimes I get tired enough I just pass out whenever I find somewhere safe enough.” He answered.

“Like the shrine you were sleeping on?” The Rey Dau woman questioned.

Novah nodded. “To be fair though, I didn’t think I was going to be kidnapped by Melynxes.” He added with a slight glare.

Uzi just shrugged. “Should’ve known better than to sleep on a cat shrine!”

Novah rolled his yellow eyes and turned back to the thicket. Some silence passed between the two. The night’s hour changed before they even realized it.

“You really should get some sleep. Even if it’s only a few hours worth.” Uzi spoke up again.

“That’d be nice, but I don’t think I’m getting any tonight.” Novah retorted.

“Do you want me to knock you out?” Uzi turned to him.

Novah opened his mouth to reply before pausing. His eyes went wide and his brows furrowed as he whipped around to her. Uzi just stared blankly back at him.

Was she–? Was she actually serious–??

“N–... No…” Novah replied, a hint of fear in his voice.

“Suit yourself.” Uzi shrugged back at him, turning back towards the woods.

Again, Novah was just left staring at her. He had to shake his head to snap out of it. But it only worked so well when he was so caught off-guard by it.

“I’ll– Keep watch for another hour. Then I’ll try and get some sleep.” He opted to say.

“Alright. Then I’ll be getting more sleep now.” Uzi stood back up, her talons hooking onto the tree branch.

She hopped onto her previous branch and settled down. Novah turned his head to glance at her. He noted how she brought a Melynx onto her lap as she leaned against the trunk. Her wings wound protectively around the cat while it purred quietly in them.

Novah turned away from the—admittedly—cute sight to watch the forest. It remained quiet and still. He was quick to lose track of time once more. Though, he wonders if time even exists like it used to.

All he knows now is day, night, evening, sunrise, sunset, and roughly midnight. Specific hours have turned into nothing more than old habits of the old world. All that subsists is nocturnal and diurnal. The only thing left is hunting hours and sleeping hours.

Novah lets out a tired sigh. Exhaustion is starting to weigh on him and his eyelids. Yet he can’t find it in himself to fall asleep. Not yet. Not now. Possibly not ever.

Maybe tomorrow night he’ll be able to pass out without a problem.

Chapter Text

The hours passed in such a blur that Novah could barely keep up. The night turned to day and the group resumed their trek through the endless woods. Exhaustion clutched at his eyelids and his limbs, trying to distract him from the journey.

But Novah shook his head and pressed onward. He turned down to his map and tracked their current location. His horned head moved about, searching for their next move.

“We aren’t too far now. Doubt we need that thing anymore.” Uzi spoke up, walking to the edge of the hill.

“Well, I’d rather be safe than sorry.” Novah retorted with a flick of his tail.

“Trust me. We’ve been living in this forest far longer than you have.” The woman’s gaze narrowed on the man.

Novah blinked at her, an argument on the tip of his tongue. But he sighed and nodded, rolling up his map to put away. It wasn’t like he hadn’t tracked that they’d been close anyway.

The group resumed their trek, trotting down the hill and towards darker grasses. Trees began to disperse and bushes turned to moss. Some old trash cropped up and a few signs stood tall amongst vines and foliage. Just past them was an old building, rusting, crumbling, dusty, and reeking of decay and death.

Novah felt his stomach churn. The scent reminded him fiercely of the dead body he’d come across not too long ago, while on the run from the Deviljho. He had to shake his head to get the disgusting image out of his mind.

“Here. Take this.” Thankfully, Uzi helped to distract him.

Novah caught the square fabric—a Melynx bandana. “What’s this for?” He inquired.

“It’s to help block out the smell, mostly. But it also helps keep dust from your mouth.” The Rey Dau Monsterian answered.

Uzi tied her own black bandana over her face. Novah turned and saw the tuxedo Melynxes pull theirs up. A couple even brought out their cat-paw weapons. Novah turned to his bandana and finally tied it over his own face.

There was a surprisingly strong whiff of a strange smell that hit his nose. Novah took a few more sniffs to try and figure it out, but couldn’t put his claw on it… But he knows it’s familiar.

“It’s exciteshroom powder. Helps to block out the smell of rotting bodies.” Uzi told him, noticing his sniffing.

“Ah. That explains it.” Novah nodded back. “Anyways, I assume we’re heading into there?” He pointed to the old building.

Uzi nodded. “Might as well check it out, since we stumbled upon it.”

“Judging by the smell alone, I doubt we’ll find anything useful.” A Melynx spoke, staring at the building.

“Well, it doesn’t hurt to try.” Uzi retorted as she walked forth.

‘I beg to differ…’ Novah wanted to say.

Yet he kept his mouth shut and followed the young woman inside. The door was carefully creaked open to reveal a darkened inside. Nothing too unusual. Same for the flies and other bugs.

Uzi stepped inside first, her sand-golden horns sparking with electricity. Novah was next, his eyes on the floor and watching his step. A few Melynxes were last, two outside standing guard and keeping watch.

Looking around, the small group saw toppled and destroyed racks all over the place. More trash littered the floor inside than outside. Cans, bags, tiny packages, and glass shards made them watch their step.

“It looks like a gas station.” Novah noted.

“A what?” Uzi turned to inquire.

Novah blinked at her. “A-A gas station… You know, a place to stop when your car runs out of gas?”

Uzi just stared back at him. Novah was getting worried–

“You mean for those metal cart things outside?” Uzi pointed to a broken window where a car sat.

“Yes…” Novah nodded slowly.

Uzi hummed. “Huh. Kinda thought they were pulled out along or something. Maybe used electricity somehow.” And she turned around to resume her search.

Novah’s brows deepened into a concerned stare on her exposed back. ‘This girl keeps worrying me…’ He thought.

He opted to leave it be for now, maybe get back her lack of knowledge on everything at the islet, and turned to search around the small store. There wasn’t much to search, however. The thing looked incredibly raided and devoid of anything useful.

Even after helping the Melynxes lift up a shelf proved that nothing was there. It was all rotten food, bugs, trash, and unknown stains on the cracked tile floor.

“I don’t think there’s gonna be anything useful here.” The Safi’jiiva Monsterian spoke.

. . .

But he got no response.

“Uzi?” Novah turned towards her.

He saw her staring into what was probably an employees-only room. The Melynxes perked up and stared at her back with him. One trotted forward to catch her attention. Though, if the anthropomorphic cat was going to speak, it suddenly chose not to.

Novah saw her ears swivel to the back of her head and her posture go stiff. The Melynx’s tail drooped and her tiny paw grabbed onto Uzi’s dress. With another crease of his brows, Novah walked up to them.

“Uzi, what’s wrong?” He questioned.

But she still didn’t acknowledge him. She just stared down at something, Novah’s sight blocked by the counter. His tail waved and his wings furled tighter against his back as his yellow eyes flicked to the counter’s obscuring corner.

Dread and apprehension began filling his stomach and forming into nausea. It twisted and writhed within his gut painfully. It only made him hesitant to look around the counter.

But Novah swallowed the nausea down and stepped aside. As he got behind the Melynx and cast his yellow gaze into the room, he slapped his scaled hands to his mouth. Novah took an instinctive step back as his reptilian pupils turned to scared slits.

‘A child…’ Was his first thought. ‘That’s a child… A-A dead, rotting child… Multiple of them…!’

The dread and perturbation came shooting up his throat in the form of vomit. Novah snapped away and keeled over, ripping the bandana off to release the boiling horror. It splattered into the floor and made his knees give out.

Novah hacked and choked on his own spit and churn. His claws dug into the tile and shelf he used as support. More of his trepidation came spewing from his mouth. The scent of his vomit and the rotting carcass filled the gas station and only made him sicker.

Meanwhile, Uzi just stared down at the bodies. A child, two children, and—judging by the size—a teen. She felt a similar bubbling of disgusted nausea in her own stomach, much like Novah’s. Yet hers was muddled and settled after years of sprinkling desensitized ginger over it.

So all Uzi could do was stare somberly down at the group of three, huddled together for warmth, safety, comfort, or because they knew their time was coming to an end. She couldn’t stop their bodies from decaying, from flies and maggots and revoltures picking at their flesh, from Monsters hunting them down.

Uzi lowered down into a crouch. The stench of the maggots and moldy flesh overpowered the exciteshroom powder dusting her bandana. Her purple eyes fell onto the exposed bone of the teen’s leg. She took the weapon from the Melynx next to her and moved away some strands of flesh and old bandages.

The bones had the clear markings of teeth dug deep into them.

Flicking her gaze over to one of the children, she saw the tattered flesh of a torn-off arm. And the second young child had broken ribs and bloodied clothing all on the right side.

‘I don’t really know what I was expecting.’ Uzi thought as she stood. ‘It isn’t like Monsters are known for sparing other Monster children, so why should they spare human children?’ She handed the weapon back to the Melynx.

“Are you okay, Uzi?” She asked with a soft, meek voice, as if afraid to disturb the dead.

“Yeah. It isn’t anything I haven’t seen before.” Uzi replied, though her tone didn’t sound as confident as usual.

The Melynx just stared at her in worry. Uzi picked her up and held her close, petting her head carefully. The Melynx melted into the embrace, stuffing her face into the crook of Uzi’s neck and beginning to purr.

“We should get out of here. Scavenger Monsters might stop by after catching a whiff of this place.” Uzi spoke quietly to everyone.

Finally, Novah stumbled to his clawed feet. He could barely stand at the moment, nevermind keep walking. But he trudged around his sick and made his way outside with everyone else.

But even when they exited the gas station, the group had to stop again just some paces away. Everyone sat down against trees or on rocks. The silence that hung in the air was heavier than a Gravios.

Things stayed like this for a while. Novah glanced around with tired eyes—more fatigued than before. The Melynxes were tense, a couple confused. Uzi was unusually quiet holding the girl cat. And his stomach wouldn’t stop trying to make him gag.

“We can’t stay here fur-ever.” One Melynx spoke up.

“I know.” Uzi nodded back.

“When should we head off again?” A second questioned.

“In a few minutes.” Uzi replied.

Everyone kept quiet after that. They just gave Uzi concerned stares. Ears flicked and tails twitched anxiously. They only stopped staring when Novah took a deep breath of fresh, natural air.

“Do you want to give those kids a burial?” He turned to the Rey Dau woman.

Uzi was quiet for a few moments. She shrugged. Novah blinked at her. He turned his yellow gaze away.

“I’m not sure what a burial would even do.” Uzi then spoke—almost snarled. “A Monster would just dig them up and eat the rest of their bodies.”

Novah took a few seconds to think of a reply. “At least they’d be put to better rest.”

Uzi’s gaze narrowed on the floor. “I don’t think you get it,” There was a venom in her tone, “Nobody gets to just ‘rest.’ Not you, not me, not them, not while the Monsters want us extinct.” And a hatred bore deep in her eyes.

The Safi’jiiva Monsterian just stared at her mutely.

“Besides, those guys were human anyway. I counted their fingers, and their legs weren’t bent like Wyverians or Monsterians.” Uzi went on. “They were doomed to die. Monsters hate humans the most.”

She then stood up, placing the Melynx onto the ground. “We should get going. The strong smell that released from that room will no doubt attract something dangerous.”

Novah watched Uzi turn on her heel and start trekking back down the forest. He stared at his clawed hands sitting between his knees. All he could do was let out a sigh and follow after her.

The image of those kids wouldn’t leave him alone, however. Every time he blinked, their rotting forms would appear in his eyelids. The bitter, acidic taste of his vomit still lingered on his tongue, too, only reminding him further.

‘It’ll just turn into another nightmare and sleep period.’ Novah told himself. ‘You’ve seen bodies before. This one isn’t any different.’ His tail drooped lower to the ground, brushing against blades of grass.

Novah took out a canister of water and took a swig. He rinsed his mouth of puke and took one gulp to rid his throat of the burn. Novah put the canister away and let out a sigh.

With the gas station behind them, everyone was moving on. They couldn’t spare the time to worry about things out of their control or long since happened. Even if Novah felt bad about it.

“The city shouldn’t be too far away. Not if we speed up a little.” Uzi stirred the man from his thoughts.

“Are you sure we’re gonna find anything there? Like the stuff we need?” Novah decided to inquire.

“I can’t guarantee it’ll have everything, but it’ll have some.” Uzi replied. “We should still be careful when we get there, however. Who knows what kind of Monster could have made a home there or is just lurking around.” She advised with a glance to the group.

The Melynxes meowed back in confirmation. Novah just nodded silently.

“Then let’s pick up the pace a little. It’ll still take some time to get back to the islet.” Uzi finished.

She started off in a log, spreading her wing arms like she wanted to fly. Novah jogged right behind her, the Melynxes running after them. Novah felt his own wings twitch and spread, as if to take off–

‘No. That’s stupid.’ But Novah quickly shut it down and kept them furled tight under his cloak. ‘Might as well not even try.’

Shaking his head, Novah focused on his surroundings and pace. The forest was more of a blur and the tops of high-rises could barely be made out way up ahead. Again, some trepidation filled the man’s stomach, but he ignored it.

‘It’s a city. It isn’t like there won’t be anything you haven’t seen before.’ He told himself. ‘Just look out for Monsters, avoid polluted water, and steer clear of bodies. The usual.’

Yet another rule Novah follows. Just another way to stay alive. Even for one more day.

“Let’s stay together while in the city!” Uzi calls. “If there’s any trouble, we run immediately! No need to get into fights we won’t win!”

The Melynxes meowed once more. Novah gave his own ‘Right!’ in response. And it wasn’t something he disagreed with at all.

Soon enough, the entrance to the city was coming into view. Moss, vines, bushes, even trees invaded the concrete, metal, and asphalt, clinging to everything that it can. And as it got closer, the expeditioners slowed to a stop.

A few moments were taken to gather their breaths and stare at the city’s insides. The scent changed slightly, but thankfully there wasn’t any heavy rot that permeated the air.

“You guys all ready?” Uzi turned to her peers.

“Ready!”

“And waiting!”

“Let’s make sure to get a bunch of stuff to take home!”

“Let’s still watch out fur Monsters, though!” The Melynxes replied or chattered amongst themselves.

Uzi turned to Novah. “Don’t worry. I won’t go running off.” He reassured with a wave.

“You better not. Or I’ll make like a Monster and hunt you down to kill you myself.” She scoffed back.

‘Oh. How nice…’ Novah felt a flash of worry come over him.

“Let’s start the search. Remember; We’re looking for things for the nursery. So things like fabric, wool, pelts, stuff like that!” She went on. “Just make sure not to carry too much to hold. And don’t split up! Who knows where a Monster might jump out from.”

With that, Uzi turned for the city and took her first step inside.