The first light of dawn stretched lazily across the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold. The winds carried the scent of dew and soil, and the once-gray plains outside the troll village shimmered with faint hues of green. It was as though the earth itself had taken its first breath after a long slumber.
The little rabbit stepped outside his hut. His fur glowed faintly under the sunlight, the purple hue soft and serene, while his white mane fluttered gently with the morning breeze. The wings upon his back flexed instinctively — small, but strong enough to stir the dust beneath his feet.
He took a long breath, feeling something unfamiliar: peace.
The troll village was quiet that morning. Smoke from their cooking fires curled lazily upward, and the sound of wooden tools clanking echoed faintly in the distance. Troll children — smaller and with dull gray skin — peeked from behind stones and huts, watching the rabbit with wide eyes. None dared to approach, but their gazes carried both awe and fear.
The rabbit tilted his head slightly, unsure what to make of them. He had seen monsters before — twisted things that clawed and bit — but these creatures, despite their size and strength, seemed almost… gentle. They lived in homes of stone and mud, cooked their food over fire, and even hung crude ornaments made of feathers and beads around their huts.
He began walking through the village, his soft paws making no sound on the dirt path. The trolls parted quietly as he passed, bowing their heads out of instinct. None of them understood why, but deep within their primitive instincts, they felt it — this being was not one of them. It was something higher, something ancient.
As the rabbit walked, a warm voice echoed faintly within his mind.
> "So you've awakened fully," the lion's spirit murmured, his tone gentle for once. "The world greets you anew. Tell me, little one, what do you feel?"
The rabbit paused near a shallow pond at the edge of the village. The surface of the water reflected his new form — purple fur, white mane, faint wings, and that strange horn of light glowing faintly above his head.
> "I feel… alive," he whispered back in thought.
"But also strange. It's like I don't belong here."
The lion chuckled softly, his laughter echoing like distant thunder.
> "That is because you don't. You carry the remnants of a power once feared by gods and demons alike. The air itself bends for you, and the weak will always kneel."
"But… I don't want them to kneel," the rabbit murmured. "I just want to understand this world."
The lion didn't reply. For a moment, there was only silence. Then, quietly, he said,
> "Then explore it. Let peace be your guide — for now."
The connection faded, leaving only the soft hum of mana in the air.
The rabbit dipped his paw into the water, and ripples spread outward in perfect circles. The pond glowed faintly purple for an instant before clearing again. Birds began to sing from the treetops nearby, and the trolls resumed their morning routine — carrying logs, grinding stones, and feeding the small beasts they kept as livestock.
A faint smile formed on the rabbit's face. Maybe this was what life could be — simple, calm, and full of quiet wonder.
A large shadow approached from behind. It was the troll who had bowed before him the day he awoke — a towering creature, its moss-covered shoulders and scarred chest marking it as the village's former leader. The troll kneeled, placing its hand upon the ground respectfully.
The rabbit blinked and tilted his head. "You don't need to bow," he said softly. Of course, the troll couldn't understand him, but the tone alone made the giant lift its gaze hesitantly.
The troll pointed toward the distance — a vast forest beyond the hills — and then gestured to itself, as if asking for permission to follow.
The rabbit hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Alright. Let's see what lies beyond."
And so, they set off together.
The path beyond the village was lined with wildflowers — newly bloomed, fed by the aura the rabbit unknowingly released. The forest beyond shimmered faintly, the sunlight slipping through leaves like streams of gold. Strange insects glowed between the branches, and the distant cry of a beast echoed through the trees, though none dared approach.
As they walked, the rabbit noticed something else — wherever he went, the world seemed to respond. Trees grew taller, the grass richer, the wind gentler. The lion's gift, Devour Magic, didn't just take — it balanced. By consuming chaotic energy in the air, it returned life to what was once barren.
The troll walked quietly behind him, its heavy footsteps shaking the earth lightly. Every so often, it would glance at the rabbit and hum softly — not out of fear, but out of a strange reverence. Perhaps, deep inside, it understood that this creature had brought new life to their dying land.
They eventually reached a high hill overlooking the plains. From there, the rabbit could see the village — smoke rising peacefully, trolls moving about their day, the faint shimmer of mana in the air.
He sat down, letting the breeze rustle through his mane. The troll stood beside him, watching the same view, both beings from different worlds sharing a silent understanding.
The lion's voice returned once more, softer this time, like a whisper carried by the wind.
> "Peace won't last forever, little one. The heavens stir. But until they come, enjoy the calm."
The rabbit closed his eyes and breathed deeply. The sun was warm, the wind gentle, and for the first time since his awakening, he felt truly at ease.
Maybe, just maybe, he thought, this world wasn't as cruel as he had imagined.