I Met a Human

"This is the first time I got skill."

I floated closer to the now-subdued Roc, watching as it lay there, its massive wings folded at its sides, breathing heavily but no longer in a state of fury. The bond between us felt... strange but tangible.

"Call of Lightning, huh?"

The thrill of gaining a powerful new ability was tempered by the surprising empathy I felt for the creature. Its once terrifying and electrifying presence now felt like an extension of my own power.

The Roc ruffled its feathers, giving me a cautious but resigned glance. I could sense it was still wary, but no longer viewing me as a threat.

"Guess we're stuck together now,"

A soft chirp was its only response, but it felt... friendly.

I looked around the forest, now even more alive with potential. Having this new power at my disposal opened so many possibilities. I could feel the lightning thrumming inside me, like a static charge building, just waiting to be unleashed.

"Alright, buddy, let's test out my new abilities."

I focused on the connection between us, reaching for the new power I had gained. The air around me crackled, tiny sparks forming in the air as I channeled the energy. I could feel the storm building inside me, ready to be unleashed.

"Call of Lightning." I muttered. The sky above darkened, thick clouds swirling overhead as lightning flickered within them. The wind picked up, carrying the scent of rain and electricity.

The Roc, sensing my intent, let out a low, approving trill. It raised its head and spread its wings, and I could feel the air around us grow charged with energy.

Then, with a surge of power, a bolt of lightning shot down from the clouds, striking the ground just ahead of me with a deafening crack. The energy from the bolt danced through my flames, invigorating me further. The raw power of the storm was exhilarating, and I could already imagine how useful this skill would be in future battles.

"That... was awesome."

My voice echoed through the charged air, and the Roc gave a soft caw, as if agreeing with me.

I tested the ability again, calling for more bolts, each one striking the ground with terrifying precision and force. Every time, I felt the lightning connect with me, its energy feeding into my abilities, making me feel more powerful than ever.

Then I looked around the forest, some trees have fallen and some are burning. I stared at the burning trees and then back at the Roc, who avoided my gaze like it wanted nothing to do with the destruction I had just caused.

"Okay, maybe I overdid it," I muttered, feeling a little guilty. The forest that had felt so alive moments ago now looked scorched, with smoldering trees and cracked earth from the lightning strikes. I hadn't thought about the damage my new powers could do.

"Sorry about that," I said, though whether it was to the Roc, the forest, or myself, I wasn't sure.

The Roc ruffled its feathers again, giving a small, indignant chirp. I floated over to the nearest burning tree and concentrated, drawing my flames back into myself. The fire flickered for a moment, then extinguished, leaving only smoke and charred bark. I repeated the process, feeling the heat of each fire feed back into my flame form.

"Okay, note to self: use that lightning sparingly."

The Roc gave me a curious look, its massive form still radiating a subtle charge of energy. It seemed less wary now, maybe realizing that I wasn't planning on reducing the entire forest to ash.

"Alright, let's move on before we cause any more trouble,"

...

A girl was running in the forest, the injuries are visible to her body. Blood is flowing down from her shoulder and there's a large shadow following her.

The girl stumbled through the forest, her breathing ragged as she clutched her wounded shoulder, trying to stem the flow of blood. Her clothes were torn, and every step she took seemed like a battle against the pain threatening to overwhelm her. The large shadow that followed her was relentless, growing closer with each passing second.

Thud. Thud.

The sound of massive footsteps echoed behind her. She glanced over her shoulder, her heart pounding in fear. The creature was just at the edge of her vision—hulking, twisted, and hungry for her. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural light, piercing through the dense trees.

She tripped on a root and fell, crying out as she hit the ground hard. For a moment, she just lay there, staring up at the darkened canopy, wondering if this was it. If this was how her life would end.

Then she heard it—the growl. Low, guttural, and full of malice. The creature was almost upon her.

She scrambled to her feet, ignoring the searing pain in her shoulder. Running wasn't going to be enough. She was too injured, and the beast was too fast. She needed help—anything.

That's when she saw it—a flicker of light in the distance. A faint, warm glow piercing through the darkness of the forest. Her heart leapt with hope, though she had no idea what the source was. Friend or foe, it didn't matter. It was her only chance.

Summoning the last of her strength, she sprinted toward the light. As she drew closer, the glow grew brighter, until she could make out two figures amidst the radiance—a massive bird-like creature with wings spread wide, crackling with electricity, and a strange flame-like figure floating beside it. The two of them were unlike anything she had ever seen.

The girl faltered, unsure if she was running toward safety or something worse.

The creature chasing her let out a furious roar, and she knew there was no turning back now.

She burst into the clearing, panting and desperate. "Help! Please!"

...

I turned toward the sudden noise, the flames around me flaring brighter as I saw the girl stumble into view, blood dripping from her arm. Behind her, a large, monstrous creature barreled forward, snarling with bloodlust. Its eyes locked onto her as it closed the distance, a twisted predator intent on claiming its prey.

"A human? I didn't know I'd be seeing one this early."

The Roc shifted beside me, its feathers bristling with anticipation as it sensed the approaching danger.

"Go, Roc. Save her."

The Roc took to the air with a powerful thrust of its wings, sending a gust of wind rippling through the clearing. Its massive form circled overhead, gathering speed as it honed in on the beast chasing the girl.

I stayed close to the girl, my flames forming a protective barrier around her. She collapsed to her knees, gasping for breath, her eyes flicking between me and the monstrous creature still bearing down on her.

"Stay here," I said, glancing at her. But she's no longer awake.

The creature was almost upon us, its twisted form larger and more terrifying up close. Its dark fur bristled, and its eyes gleamed with a sickly green light, full of hunger and malice. The earth trembled beneath its massive paws as it charged toward us.

Just as it was about to leap, the Roc dove down from above with a piercing screech, claws extended. It struck the beast with a force that sent both of them tumbling across the clearing in a violent clash of feathers and fur. Lightning crackled around the Roc's wings, its talons digging deep into the creature's hide.

I watched the battle, ready to intervene if needed, but the Roc had the upper hand. It was a force of nature, channeling the storm that had become part of me, and the beast didn't stand a chance.

After a few moments, the beast let out one final, pained screech before it collapsed to the ground, twitching as the last remnants of electricity coursed through its body. The Roc landed beside its fallen foe, letting out a victorious cry as it ruffled its feathers.

"Wow, I didn't know you had it in you. Alright, go shoo, I'm gonna absorb this."

The Roc gave me an almost prideful glance, then stepped back, allowing me to float toward the fallen beast. The smell of charred fur and singed earth filled the clearing as I hovered over its twisted, lifeless form. Its dark fur still crackled with residual static from the Roc's attack, but it was fading fast.

"Alright, let's see what you've got for me,"

I began the absorption process, feeling the dark creature's energy seep into me. Its form shimmered and distorted as it dissolved, and I could sense the malice and primal fury it had harbored. As its essence flowed into my flame, the familiar rush of power surged through me, but this time, it felt... heavier, darker.

[Absorption Complete]

[Absorption Level Up (Lvl 6)]

[Ability Gained: Savage Instinct (Lvl 1)]

[Ability Gained: Healing (Lvl 1)]

[Ability Gained: Enhance Durability (Lvl 1)]

[Ability Level Up: Enhance Speed (Lvl 4)]

[Ability Level Up: Enhance Strength (Lvl 3)]

"That's a lot."

I floated back from the dissipating remains of the beast, feeling the new energy coursing through me. The weight of the dark essence mingled with the storm's thrill, creating a confusing blend of power.

"Savage Instinct," I muttered, testing the name of the ability in my mind. It hinted at primal intuition and heightened reflexes—something I could use to my advantage.

"First things first, we need to help her." I said glancing back at Roc. "Birds are supposed to have a nest, right?"

The Roc tilted its head, a curious expression crossing its features. I knew it was time to think practically. The girl needed immediate help, and the clearing was no place for her to recover.

"Alright, let's find a safe spot for her," I said, glancing around the forest. There had to be a place where she could rest, away from danger.

I floated closer to the girl, examining her wound. It looked deep but not fatal. "Roc, can you help carry her?"

The Roc stepped forward, its massive wings folding around her protectively. I could see the concern in its gaze as it gently lifted the girl with its talons, cradling her like a fragile treasure.

"Good," I said, relieved. "Now, let's find shelter. There's a cave nearby that might work."

After a few moments, we reached a narrow cave hidden beneath a rocky overhang. I floated inside, checking for any signs of danger.

"Set her down gently," I instructed, and the Roc complied, carefully placing her on the cool ground.

[Notice: Healing Ability can be use, would you like to use it?]

I hesitated for a moment, glancing at the girl's pale face. The wound on her shoulder still bled, and I could sense her weakening.

"Yes."

[Healing Ability activated]

[Healing: Stormfeather Roc]

[Healing: Female Human]

[Ability Level Up: Healing (Lvl 5)]

[Extra Passive Gained: Regeneration]

I watched as a soft, ethereal light enveloped the girl, slowly knitting her wound together. Her breathing became more even, her face less strained. The Roc, too, stood a little taller, its feathers gleaming with newfound energy as the healing spread through both of them.

"That worked better than expected," I muttered, feeling the surge of power from my rapidly improving abilities. The healing had leveled up significantly, more than I thought possible in such a short time.

The girl stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked in confusion, trying to make sense of her surroundings. Her gaze landed on me and the Roc, and for a moment, fear flashed across her face.

"Ahhhhh!! A Stormfeather Roc!!"

The girl's scream echoed in the cave, her voice full of terror as she scrambled backward, eyes wide with panic as she locked onto the Roc. Its massive form, wings still glowing faintly with the remnants of the healing energy, was enough to send her into a frenzy.

"Whoa, whoa, hey! Calm down, it's not going to hurt you!" I said, floating closer to her, trying to ease her fear.

"Ahhhhh!! A talking fireball!!"

The girl's scream grew louder as she backed herself into the corner of the cave, her eyes darting between me and the Roc in sheer panic. "What... what are you?!" She stammered, clutching her shoulder as if expecting another wound to appear.

"Wait! Don't panic!"

I quickly transform into my Minor Flame Beast to make her calm down, but it looks like the situation has gotten worse.

"Ahhhhh! A monster!!" She wailed, eyes bulging in sheer terror. She pressed herself further into the corner of the cave, her hands scrambling against the stone walls as if trying to find an escape. I winced. This was clearly not the reaction I was hoping for.

"Okay, okay, bad move, I get it," I muttered, reverting back to my fireball form. I realized too late that changing forms might have made things worse. The Roc let out a soft, almost amused chirp, clearly unbothered by her panic.

"You're laughing?" I shot the Roc a glare, but it just gave a dismissive flick of its tail feathers, as if to say What did you expect?

The girl was still pressed against the cave wall, her eyes wide and filled with panic. She looked from me to the Roc, then back again, clearly trying to piece together what was happening. Her breathing was starting to slow down, but the confusion remained.

I floated back a bit, giving her space. "Look, I know this is a lot to take in," I began, trying to keep my voice calm and steady. "But we're not here to hurt you. Actually, we just saved your life."

The girl's gaze softened slightly, though her body remained tense. She glanced at her shoulder, touching the spot where the wound had been. Her eyes widened as she realized it was fully healed. "My... my wound..." She muttered, her voice barely a whisper.