Near

Kai walked down the path away from the lizardman elders' residence.

"Was the thing talking to me one of those super ancient gods?" Kai thought to himself, sighing. "Or was it the magic itself speaking to me?"

He shook his head. I could've been either of those. The elders said something about magic having a spirit of its own. But they all also said stuff about primordial gods that existed before others gods.

The next morning, Kai rose early, ready to continue aiding the village's reconstruction efforts. The warm rays of the rising sun filtered through the gaps in the metal shelter's walls, motes of dust dancing in the beams of light. He awoke to Karla looking at him with worried eyes.

Kai sighed. "What is it?"

"When was the last time you have drank or eaten something? I haven't seen you have anything to eat or drink ever since we met? Are you okay?"

Kai got up from the hay bale and put his hands out to calm Karla down. "Listen, It has something to do with my magic. I don't ever feel the need for food or water. It's weird and I can't explain it either."

Karla put her hands on her hips and scoffed. "Well, you are still going to have breakfast."

"W-wha-?"

She grabbed his arm and lead him to a table sitting in the grass of the big park area.

Kai grunted as he sat down. The food was already waiting on the table. It looked pretty normal, except for the slightly different looking fruits and vegtables.

"Who prepared this?" Kai asked.

"I told one the the cooks in the village to make us something."

"And they listened?" Kai said before he took a bite of what looked to be an apple. "I thought they would only listen to me, not a little girl."

"They know we are aquainted with each other. They view me as another leader I guess."

"Have you even contributed to helping everyone here?" Kai asked, finishing his last bites of the meal. He ate pretty fast just because he was in a rush.

Karla ate a spoon full oatmeal. "Yeah, mundane stuff like carrying supplies for mothers and for rebuilding things."

Kai got up from his chair and waved. "Im finished. I'll see ya in a bit."

Karla got up from her chair too. "Hey! Let me come with you. I want to see what you're doing."

Kai sighed. "Whatever. Just finish your food."

Together they walked through the lizardfolk village, observing the ongoing reconstruction efforts. A few dwellings still lay in charred ruins from Kai's fiery rage days before. Though regret still gnawed at him, Kai tried to focus on the present - helping these people rebuild their lives. One day at a time, he would make amends. The rebuilding was almost complete, so Kai was glad about that.

Finding a half-collapsed hut with timbers strewn about, Kai set to work clearing debris. Karla assisted hauling smaller planks and gathering bent nails. The lizardfolk repairing buildings nearby eyed Kai warily but made no protest at his help. Progress, even if slow.

As the day grew cloudier and hotter, Karla brought Kai water. "You push yourself too hard," she chided gently. "Make sure to rest."

Kai drank it to make Karla feel better. "I didn't really need it, but thanks"

Karla rolled her eyes but didn't argue further. They labored until past noon, pace steady if tiring. Kai used his powers subtly to aid lifting heavy beams. Though still distrustful, the lizardfolk's glares held less outright hostility now.

When the workers broke to eat and rest, Karla and Kai sat under a big tree. The clouds were really thick and it was starting to rain a bit. Kai was still a bit scared of storms because of what happened with the huge monster that caused the major storm. But he could manage. Karla pulled out a Mikor fruit from the sack she was carrying and started eating it.

"So what's next?" asked Karla between bites of the Mikor fruit.

Kai rubbed his sore shoulders. "I thought I'd check on the craftsmen - see what supplies they need restocked. The sooner trade starts flowing again, the faster things recover."

Karla nodded eagerly. "I'll come too! Getting commerce back on track is smart and sounds fun."

Kai looked up at the sky. The rain was starting to pour. "Although we might have to postpone doing that."

Karla slouched back on the tree trunk and finished the last bite of the Mikor fruit.

Kai sat crisscrossed and picked the grass from the ground out of boredom. He thought to himself.

Maybe the reason he doesn't get thirsty or hungry is because cosmic magic is giving him nutrients through the air. It was a pretty stupid thought, but it was Kai's best explanation.

Kai looked into the hazy distance and saw a lizardman walking towards them. He was looking down with his hand over his face to minimize getting wet. As he got closer his face looked more and more familiar. It was Narcen.

He waved as he sat under the huge tree next to Kai and Karla. The tree was big enough with enought leaves and branches to effectively shelter them from all the rain. Especially with how bad it got now.

Narcen's whole body was drenched in water.

"What brings you here?" Kai asked.

"I just wanted to see you guys again. That's about it."

Narcen layed on his back with his hands giving cushion for his head. "I wouldn't say I'm the most popular, so it's nice to have someone to talk to."