Encounter

Mana-beasts, an element that has long been present in the 5000 realms yet almost nothing is known of them. Firstly how did they come about? Unlike intelligent races, they often (but not always) lack the required awareness to absorb mana and as any mage can attest mana absorption requires tremendous mental effort. Yet as though to deny this very principle they do it anyway. Then there is the fact that their growth is fueled by mana. In no other group of life does this happen, not even in the dragons creatures hailed as the emperors of magic. Why? How? It's not that other beings growth isn't influenced by mana, but none as extreme as them. For the sake of brevity, this point shall be the last and although it is as such it is by far the most baffling; that is the exaggerated transformations they go through. For example, an average human born with a fire element affinity might have red hair or eyes depending on how strong the affinity is. Yet in mana-beasts, this is taken the extreme. Beings there are who's entire bodies are awash with flames, their very existence a manifestation of their affinities. It begs the question 'Do their bodies change in response to the mana?' or 'Does the presence of mana instigate a change?' A subtle but important difference lies therein. From these points, it can be concluded...

Lecture of an Anonymous Mana-beast biology professor.

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Thump...thump...thump

The sound of his beating heart was like an ominous drumbeat heralding his imminent

doom. But it also told him he was still alive. Alas, alive didn't mean he was in good condition. Whole patches of scales missing, his mouth bore a semblance to a poorly made fence on account of his missing teeth. Streams of blood flowed down from his right claw as it hung limply at his side. A puncture in his chest left his insides revealed leaving another river of blood trickling down forming a crimson puddle on the forest floor.

These were the expenses he paid for having underestimated the opponent before him (a mistake he swore never to make again.) For the first time since entering this foreign world, he grew fearful of the creatures of this forest. Steeling himself he glared at the vexation before him with all the hostility he could muster. A long serpentine body adorned with crimson scales, lengthy horns that pointed skyward, and finally a pair of claws at its side. Simply put it was another like him: that is to say a slithern.

*Kisshisshi*

A hissing sound like that of a kettle boiling water.

Laughter. This bastard was laughing at him. He gathered himself and got ready for the wave of sadistic attacks sure to come.

🐍

2 Hours earlier

Azra arrived at his usual hunting grounds and stealthily got in position. All he had to do now was wait. At least that is what he thought before the first hour passed and he had yet to see any of his fluffy associates. Perhaps it was time he changed to another location and that is exactly what he did.

A while later he came to what he thought would be a good spot. It was a small pond amidst the grove of trees. Water was a necessity for any form of life plant or animal so if he waited here something should come along.

"Come to think of it I didn't have a drink of water since I got here. Hmm, I wonder why I'm still fine?"

This question was soon pushed to the back of his head as he focused on the task at hand.

Soon enough the shrubs in a corner of the pond rustled and out strolled a weird creature. It had a deer-like head atop which rested three silver antlers. The antlers were like works of art, glittering in the sunlight that filtered through the canopy. Two of the antlers grew in their normal positions; pointing outward from the corner of the strange creature's head. The third, which sprouted from the centre of his head, did not look like an antler but more like a sickle-shaped saw. a long white mane ran from the back of its head to the base of its neck.

Its fur was brown and mottled with patches of whiter and green. The oddity's thick trunk was supported on four thick, muscular limbs to which were attached, not hooves, but claws. A long tail like that of a cat swayed slowly behind was attached to its rear. It's strange chimaera features invoked a sense of dissonance in Azra. Somehow he got a dangerous vibe from the creature and decided not to bother it not barring the fact that it was multiple times his size.

Out of curiosity, he decided to analyze the creature.

"Analyse." he recited in his head as the usual transparent blue screen appeared.

[Due to the difference in strength all information on the target could not be obtained.]

[Compiling available information...]

[ Species: Silver-antler deer]

[ Class: Extraordinary ( tier 5)]

[ Origin:???]

[Skills: Active:???

Passive:???

Unique:???]

[Titles: Lord of the Outer Forest]

The deer as though aware it was being observed glared in the direction Azra was lurking. His body tensed as a shiver ran from the base of his tail right up to the top of his stubby little horns. His instincts were warning him 'this creature was not to be trifled with' and as though in agreement,

[Dected hostility directed towards the host. Recommend host leaves the area.]

Hardly had the message been processed before the horns of the creature issued a bright glow before releasing three balls of light two of which landed on the ground before him with the last brushing by his head.

Whoosh*

It made a soft noise, quite unfitting for the destruction it wrought. Dust and pebbles flew into the air as the ground was pulverised. The shrubs he was hiding in reduced to splinters and scraps of what once were leaves.

The creature huffed before turning away and making it's way back into the forest.

"A warning shot...those were warning shots..." Azra mumbled petrified. He was sure if that 'thing' wished it he'd be snake fillet. Once again he reminded himself that this was not Earth. Luckily, the damage he received from that attack was minimal, a few scraped scales and dust in his eyes.

Shrugging off his anxiety he made his way to another shrub and continued waiting. The bushes shook again only this time a familiar shape appeared, a rabbit. He made light work of the fluffball. He snickered in self-ridicule, disturbed by the fact that it only took three days for him to turn into a savage. He was just about to leave when...

"!!!!"

His instincts flared up again, only this time whatever caused it had no intention of letting him go.