A sharp cry shattered the morning quiet as a giant, dark brown bird circled high above Prosperity Gardens. It flew swiftly, soaring and dipping. Its head was bald, covered only in short, dark brown fuzz, and the back of its neck was completely featherless. Its massive wings, with a span of over two meters, beat gently. As it spread them to dive, its hooked beak opened to let out another shriek.
This was a vulture, a creature that mainly inhabits alpine wastelands or deep mountain forests. They are social, carrion-eating animals, ferocious by nature, and will actively attack other creatures. Its talons are extremely sharp, capable of instantly disemboweling large animals like wild oxen and lions.
The vulture flapped its wings, dove toward the ground, and snatched up a black snake before soaring back into the sky. After circling once, it shrieked and flew away.
