Caelum agreed on the mention of food, but was quite concerned about Zero telling him he was part dragon. It seemed like Zero's poor joke did not land.
Standing before the void, Caelum took a couple of steps back and leaped across to Zero's island. Up close, Zero could see Caelum's features much better.
For one thing, he seemed to be quite young from his rather handsome face, likely in his teenage years. His hair was black and short, like it had just grown in. He was quite tall, comfortably above Zero's height, and his physique was muscular and broad for his apparent age. His robe covered his full abdomen and down to his legs. It sat loosely on his body, probably covering strong legs and core. The sleeves of the robe were loose, and the wind would reveal chiseled muscles.
"It is quite impressive that you could kill such a beast. I have only killed smaller critters like the one on your back. I take it you use it for its water, smart. There is also a pond on that island if need be."
'Now that I think about it, is he a monk. I think that is what they wear. Oh, he killed some Harvest Critters too, how cool."
Zero was not going to ask if Caelum was a monk, as he felt it might be a dumb question. Putting down his backpack, Zero untied the chunks of meat, then handed Caelum Valiant Blade.
"Eat up. It's a bit hard to chew and tastes bloody, but it's filling at least."
"Uh… I do appreciate it, Zero. But I think it would be best to cook it. Getting sick out here may as well be one's death. You did not eat it raw, did you?"
'Ah… ahhh. I'm going to die.'
"Did I…just asking, how long until someone becomes sick from it?"
"That is unfortunate. Though I take it you are a seeker too from the statues?"
Zero nodded.
"So you should not get too sick. Now that I am here as well, I can help you while you recover. As for how long until, it depends, so do not worry much."
Zero smiled at Caelum's remark. Not because it was information, but rather since it seemed like he found himself another… comrade.
"Should we start a fire then... Honestly though, I don't know how to, do you?"
"Yes, I know how to start one. I will be prudent with it, for at night it could attract Harvest Critters. Another question, if you do not mind, you hear that voice too after each kill. Also, a floating scroll appears before you at times?"
"Oh, that is smart about the Harvest Critters, and yes, I do hear that voice. Also, I think I know of the scroll you're talking about. It has been quite useful for me."
"Indeed, for me too. It let me know about a healing skill I had. Otherwise, the onslaught of Harvest Gnats and Harvest Critters may have killed me by now. I think it is also the reason for my staff. Forgive my rambling, I am pleasantly surprised to find such an interesting thing."
"No problem man, now let's start this fire. What do I need to grab?"
After rummaging for what few brittle sticks he could find, Zero returned to the drake's corpse and began skinning part of it. Lying it flat on the ground, he arranged the sticks in a cone shape like Caelum instructed. Caelum came back and added to the cone, while removing a couple of Zero's sticks. He set his extra sticks aside. Then he put down a piece of bark and summoned his staff Remembrance.
He began rubbing it back and forth quite quickly. For a while, he did this until a piece of bark shaving caught fire. Quickly, Caelum pushed it over to the other twigs and watched the fire begin to spread. After blowing a couple of times and adding a few more sticks, the fire finally began to grow larger. So large that it could have set the ground around it on fire if not for it being on fire-resistant drake skin.
That was Zero's idea, and he felt slightly proud of it.
Caelum cooked part of the drake meat on a stick, and Zero copied despite being mostly full. The cooked meat tasted so much better. Especially compared to the dull grain he was given at the coliseum.
By the time they finished eating, the sun had just begun to set. They took what meat and skin they could from the drake and prepared to set off to the shelter Caelum had. Together, they crossed to the other island and began walking. It was not long before they encountered a Harvest Critter.
Unfortunately for them, the Critter also encountered them, so there was no hiding.
"It seems like we have a desert."
"Zero, why would that be a desert? Is the water from it sweet?"
"Forget what I said… I didn't mention what skill I have, but it will not be much help here."
"That is fine, I am quite happy to not be fighting this alone. I will attract its attention so you can finish it from behind."
"Works with me."
Caelum stepped forward with his staff, while Zero crept off to the side. Upon the Critter getting close, it charged forward with great speed.
Caelum did not side-step or dodge like Zero would. With a broad, sturdy stance, he stood his ground in front of the charge.
Zero felt a strong gust of wind as Caelum pointed the tip of his staff outward.
'Is he controlling the wind?'
As the Critter flew in the air towards Caelum, it was slowed down slightly by the wind. Then it directly came in contact with the tip of Caelum's staff. Caelum was pushed back into a slide, but his feet never hit the ground. The Critter, on the other hand, clumsily bounced back as its twisty limbs flailed in the air. Then it met Zero's blade.
Zero followed up on Caelum's defense with a slash at the Harvest Critter's back. It did nothing against it, for this one was not injured like the last. Though the strike was not meant to do damage.
Dazed, the Critter swung its limbs where it felt the sword strike, but Zero was no longer there. He had long maneuvered to the front of the Critter, with his blade pointed straight. Stabbing where the Critter hit itself against Caelum's staff, Valiant Blade sank into its woody body.
With some effort, Zero was able to twist the blade, then kick the monster so his blade would dislodge.