"You're in pain because you're the result of merging five different creatures together," the young man whispered as he watched the creature's shocked expression. "The Severins brought five different beings and fused them in an attempt to create a Drefalisk creature. They didn't care about the pain you'd feel, nor the miserable life you'd be forced to endure after the fusion. All they wanted was a Drefalisk creature!
And the result? A beautiful being, resembling a Drefalisk somewhat—but what's behind all that beauty? Every breath you take feels like shards of glass piercing your chest. You can't eat because your stomach can't digest food. You survive on the solutions they gave you."
He gestured toward the group of hunters and whispered, "Do you know why they're here? The Severins sent them to kill you! They want to get rid of you because they see you as a failed experiment that must be disposed of!"
The creature lowered its head, staring at the sand beneath its feet in shock. Five creatures merged into one? Those voices... the ones that began three months after it first opened its eyes—could they be the voices of the five creatures?
The floating orbs tried to get closer to hear what was being said between the young man and the creature, but a single look from the young man was enough to make them back away in fear. He knelt before the stunned creature, having to tilt his head back due to its massive size.
The creature was nearly seven meters tall, while the young man stood at two. "If you come with me, I will heal your body and correct the terrible errors within it. You'll become a healthy, whole being like any other—and live with greater freedom."
"What... guarantees the truth... of your words?" the creature moved its lips.
The young man smiled slyly, his eyes never leaving the creature's glowing green ones. He stood up, gently held the creature's head, and forced it to look at him. Leaning in, he whispered, "I will heal you now, then leave the choice to you. But remember—your healing comes at a price: your allegiance to me. If you refuse… I will kill you."
The creature was still processing what he had heard when a circle of bright green light formed around him. Its glow intensified gradually until he disappeared within it. The process of correcting the genetic deformities had begun—turning this abomination into a flawless, true creature.
"You pride yourselves on your intelligence, yet you can't even merge a few creatures properly," he said mockingly, addressing the Severins who were watching through the floating orbs.
"I won't say this again: I know where you are, and where you hide your pathetic laboratories. If you don't cancel this mission and withdraw those hunters, I will come to you myself and tear your ugly faces apart!"
A clear threat that struck fear into the hearts of the Severins—even though they still couldn't figure out who this young man truly was. Was he a planet? No, he wasn't tied to any system. He wasn't a planet, nor a demon either—demons couldn't disguise themselves in such a beautiful form.
His aura was far larger and more powerful than that of the fire creatures and the other races... What was his species? He had claimed to know their location—and that alone was enough to make them cautious. The only beings who knew where they were… were the angels.
A digital screen suddenly appeared above, catching the young man's attention. He looked up at it with a cunning gaze—it seemed he had forced the Severins to initiate contact.
– [This situation is getting exciting!]
A message from "Starry Sky" in the public chat.
– [We can exempt them and assign the task to someone else. That abomination must die!]
A voice synthesized by artificial intelligence came from the screen.
"He won't die. I'll make him mine," the young man said coolly, then snapped his fingers. Green circles appeared around the four hunters, beginning to heal them.
"You don't understand! This is a direct order from the angels!" the voice shouted in anger.
"The angels don't order anyone's death. I'm sure they said: 'Fix the crime you committed—or we'll destroy everyone involved.'"
He turned back to the screen with a wicked smile and added, "And guess what? I don't care about your lives. This creature will not die. If you have a problem with that, come fight me. Then I'll finally have a good reason to wipe you all out."
– [...]
He raised his hand calmly, and with a single tap, the digital screen dissolved into tiny particles floating in the air. "I don't want to hear any more of your nonsense," he whispered mockingly.
More than two hours passed, during which the group of hunters recovered. The young man led them out of the tunnel and placed them atop the pedestal, while the creature was still healing inside the dense green circle.
He spent the time either gazing at the sky or walking barefoot on the sand. At times, he sat beside Meril, lifting strands of her hair to examine them up close. He studied Tulip's unique skin—how dark it was, scattered with white patches.
As a faint light spread across the dark sky, the green circle around the creature began to thin, and within minutes, it vanished completely. The young man jumped down from the pedestal and walked calmly, that sly smile still painted on his lips.
Breathing no longer hurt! That was the creature's first realization. He stretched out his arms—his muscles were flexible, and not even a hint of pain remained... No, not just his arms—his entire body... he felt no pain at all!
The young man touched the creature's face to meet his eyes and said with a mischievous tone, "How's my handsome man doing?"
"I..." he began, then immediately fell silent in awe... His voice—it had come out! His green eyes widened in astonishment—he had a voice!
"I can see that," the young man said, understanding the whirlwind of emotions overwhelming this beautiful creature. "So, did you make your decision during the healing process? I hope you did, because I'm busy enough to leave you here and walk away."
He lowered his arms and turned to leave, but was stopped by a large hand gripping him gently, and a quiet voice saying, "Please... take me with you. I will follow you."
The young man hummed mischievously and turned around, the soft pink smile never leaving his lips. "Then let me make one thing clear... something that might change your mind about following me."
He touched the creature's face again, letting his fingertips run through the soft white feathers, and added, "I cherish my followers—I'd wipe out an entire world if even one of them were hurt. And the only thing I ask in return... is loyalty and obedience. If I told them to kill themselves, they would—without hesitation. So now, if you're ready to die for me, follow me."
He walked toward the open gate nearby—an oval shape, dark inside, with glowing emerald edges. The creature didn't think twice; his decision was already made. He rose and walked behind his young master.
"My lord... what about them?" he asked, motioning with his hand toward the sleeping hunters.
"I'm not a babysitter," he said mockingly. "Their masters will take care of them," he added before walking toward the darkness of the gate.
The creature cast one last glance at the endless stretch of sand, how beautiful it looked—golden beneath the first rays of sunlight. Then, he turned and stepped through the gate.
In the early hours of the morning, as the temperature steadily rose to scorching levels, Tulip stirred, groaning in pain. He slowly opened his eyes to see a clear blue sky overhead.
He tried to sit up but quickly stopped, his body stiff and sore. He tried again, bracing his hands against the concrete base and lifting himself with difficulty. Meril and Elena were close by, and Alvin was a short distance away.
But what made Tulip swallow hard in fear, his lips trembling like the rest of his body, were the dozens of beasts surrounding the pedestal—staring at them in eerie silence.