It's been some time since I've been in this forest, and honestly, this place is incredible—almost endless. I've run and walked everywhere, and it never stops being amazing. The best part is, whenever I'm hungry, fruits and food just appear, and the animals don't run from me anymore—they even play with me.
I've also discovered some interesting things. Like, my assumption was right—I really am a "baby," especially because I've grown since I came out of the cocoon.
I don't know how long I've been alive, but I know it hasn't been long—something after ten, maybe? That's as far as I can count for some reason.
I still have lots of doubts, but one thing I'm sure of: I'm a child, most likely a baby, because I've felt quite a big change since leaving the cocoon. For example, now I'm about 1.50 or 1.40 meters tall, which is much better than before, when I was around 1.30.
Considering how fast I've been growing, I'm worried I'll end up reaching three meters tall. Imagine trying to run through the forest that big—it would be terrible.
Anyway, there's something interesting that happens every time I go to sleep. Whenever I lie down on the grass and start drifting off, I always hear a beautiful voice telling me to sleep or wishing me pleasant dreams.
I don't know why, but I really like that feeling. And every time it happens, I wake up the next morning to find fruits near me.
All kinds of them, even ones I never find on the nearby trees or plants.
The tastiest thing I've eaten so far is something called a mango. I haven't found any around here, but every time I wake up, there's always one waiting for me. That makes me really happy, since it's not something that normally appears.
These past days have been amazing. Some time ago, I even made a loincloth from my cocoon's fabric. I don't really know why, but one day I just woke up and felt like I had to make it.
Strange, but I didn't mind—it even matches my skin pretty well.
Anyway, lately I've noticed something a bit concerning: I'm strong. And I'm getting stronger every day.
Like, I think it was three days ago when I saw a really cute bear, and I went to play with him. While we were playing, I wanted to test how strong I was, so I tried lifting Mr. Bear—and it was so easy.
Since that day, I realized I'm not just growing fast—my strength is increasing too.
For example, just yesterday I managed to pull a whole tree out of the ground using only my arms. It wasn't exactly easy, but still, being able to do that doesn't feel… normal.
One fun part of my days is playing with the animals. Yesterday, I played with a pack of wolves I came across—it was so much fun.
Now I'm continuing my walk toward somewhere I don't even know, but I always follow my instincts and try to go where I feel I should.
I also discovered a great use for my little horns.
COCONUT PIERCING!
Yeah, those hard-shelled fruits. It took me a while to figure out what these horns were for, but after finding a coconut, I got the idea—and it worked perfectly.
They're so sharp that I just push a little and bam, it opens! Then I drink and break it apart.
The problem is my tail—it still feels completely useless. It just hangs there, swinging side to side.
Oh wait, I'm wrong—it's useful for one thing: showing how I feel, like a wolf's tail.
Anyway, ignoring that, I've been doing great—my life is perfec—
BANG!
I hear a loud explosion that makes my body tense up, and panic floods me. But it doesn't last long before I calm down again.
A bit scared but mostly curious, I start walking toward where the sound came from.
But there's something weird—the closer I get, the angrier I feel. And it's not even my anger.
After walking a bit, I start to hear voices.
"Damn, Carl, you got that beast! How the hell did you get so good, man?"
"What do you mean, dude? I've always been good with a gun!"
The two were laughing while walking toward something. I moved closer, slowly, trying to see what it was.
Wait… that's…
Mr. Bear…?
Why is he lying on the ground?
"Because he was shot."
"What's a shot?"
"It's something bad—it means death."
And the anger that didn't feel like mine suddenly becomes mine.
But it's not fair!
"Yes, it really isn't."
The two strange beings walked closer to Mr. Bear, laughing and talking.
"Will, you're a badass, man! Look at that—imagine the rug this'll make!"
"I know, Carl. Come on, grab the knife."
Wait… they're not even going to eat Mr. Bear?
I understand death. I've seen animals die, killed by others. But I learned it's part of the cycle of life.
I don't really know what the cycle of life is, but I know that if Mr. Wolf doesn't eat Mr. Deer's meat, he and his cubs will starve. So I don't complain about that.
But just for the fur?
Why?
That doesn't make sense…
It's not fair.
Without thinking, I start running toward Mr. Bear to help. I end up startling the two strange beings.
I hug Mr. Bear. I'm scared, but I can't just ignore this.
I start crying without meaning to, while the two beings stare at me, confused.
"WHAT THE HELL, CARL!? WHAT IS THAT!?"
"I DON'T KNOW, WILL!"
They stop for a moment, then start yelling again, angrier this time.
"Wait, isn't that a mutant?"
"What do you mean, Carl?"
"You know, that disgusting species that keeps destroying the cities!"
The two keep arguing, their anger growing.
But I don't care. I just focus on Mr. Bear, noticing the hole in his head and his shallow breathing.
The more I look, the sadder I get. Tears roll down my cheeks as I cry over him—until I hear a voice.
"My little child, you don't need to cry like that."
Huh?
I suddenly feel as if someone is hugging me, whispering softly in my ear—a voice so gentle it makes the whole world go quiet.
"Place your hand on the bear's head."
That voice… where have I heard it before?
I've heard it before.
"Just shoot already, damn it! It's a freaking mutant—kill that thing!"
While I still hear the two shouting, the voice speaks again.
"What are you waiting for, little one?"
Hearing her again snaps me out of my daze, and I quickly place my hands over Mr. Bear's wound. Suddenly, a strange energy flows through me, from my hands into the bear.
And when it reaches him, his eyes open wide, and he suddenly jumps up, startling the two behind me.
When he wakes up, he starts licking me happily, until he stops—and looks past me.
Right. Those two strange beings who hurt Mr. Bear.
But when I turn around, ready to fight…
There's nothing there. Only two weird things lying on the ground.
Huh?
That's strange. Weren't they just here a moment ago?
That's strange... they were just here a moment ago.
I start looking around to see if I can find them, but they're gone. Only those things that shoot—like the voice said—are lying on the ground.
After searching a bit more, I don't see any trace of them, but honestly, I don't care. The old bear is fine, and that's what matters.
I play with the old bear for a little while longer until he starts heading back home.
So I just wait until he disappears among the trees before lying down on the ground and looking up, realizing how late it's gotten.
Time to sleep.
I close my eyes, ready to drift off, but after a while...
That's odd—I can't sleep.
I roll from side to side in the grass before ending up in the same position I started, lying on my back.
"Hello?"
I call out into the nothingness, hoping the voice will answer, but all that greets me is the vast silence of the forest.
Sigh.
Of course there's no answer. It was probably just a voice I imagined.
I turn over to sleep when—
"Hello, my child. Did you call for me?"
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Hey guys, please send me some power stones, please!
Hey everyone! As always, I hope you enjoyed it. If you have any questions, tips, ideas, or constructive criticism, feel free to share them—I'll definitely read them or at least try to reply!