The morning light spilled across the forest floor like molten gold, dappling the undergrowth with a shifting mosaic of shadow and brightness. Ahce stirred from her makeshift bed in the tree, the dawn chill brushing against her skin.
The air was crisp, carrying the subtle scent of dew and the faint, alien perfume of the bioluminescent plants that lined the cliffs above the stream. Today's task was planned. She needed to prepare her second meal and begin laying the foundation for a more permanent shelter.
She unpacked the leftover chicken from the previous day, brushing off any stray ash from the fire and setting it aside. With ease, she sorted her small arsenal of ingredients she had scavenged.
Lemongrass, chili pods, crushed black seeds reminiscent of pepper, and sap sugar. Each component had been carefully collected yesterday, and today they would serve to turn the remaining meat into a fresh, nourishing meal.
