Chapter 23 - Daily Life of Monster

"But..." Ravenna began, falling silent for quite a moment as she wrestled with her thoughts.

She was quiet for a time, deeply contemplating Lumina's words. It was an inner struggle, a storm brewing in her mind, trying to find clarity in the chaos.

The task was not as easy as it seemed from the outside, like looking at the ocean's surface without knowing the depth beneath.

"But... " she raised a question again, "What to do?"

Lumina, seeing Ravenna's confusion, urged her gently, "Ravenna, it's up to you to decide. This is your test, your trial. Prove yourself with your own intelligence. The meaning of this trial is for you to demonstrate your resolve without any help."

Ravenna's mind was still a storm of thoughts, the words of Lumina echoing within her.

It was a test, a moment to prove herself, but how? She stood there, watching the Firehorns, feeling the weight of her responsibility and the need to make a decision that was truly her own.

Ravenna decided in that moment. Her mind fixed on the task ahead, she took a deep breath and let it out, the breath from her mouth dispersing the tiny particles of sand floating in the air. 

There was only one way to see how it would go. She started to walk down from the top of the sand dune.

Each step left a deep footprint in the soft sand, creating a small trail behind her. The rays of the sun beat down, making the sand hot and loose beneath her feet.

As she moved, grains of sand clung to her cheeks, carried by the dry, warm breeze that blew across the desert.

The wind teased her hair and dried her lips, but she kept moving forward, her eyes focused on the Firehorns in the distance.

The horde of Firehorns continued their activities, unaware of Ravenna's approach.

The calf was playfully tossing sand at its mother with its small horn, each throw followed by a happy, rumbling sound from both the calf and the mother.

Nearby, some Firehorns were grazing on the sparse desert vegetation, their massive heads dipping low to the ground as they chewed on the tough, thorny cacti and other hardy plants that managed to thrive in the desert hot environment.

Others were resting, lying in the sand with their eyes half-closed, enjoying the warmth of the sun on their thick, armor-like skin.

A few of the larger Firehorns were engaged in what looked like a friendly tussle, their horns clashing gently in a show of strength and playfulness.

The sand around them puffed up with each step and interaction, creating a hazy, golden aura in the sunlight.

As Ravenna drew closer, the sight of this seemingly peaceful and natural behavior made her pause.

They weren't just monsters; they were living beings with their own lives and routines.

Ravenna moved slowly and deliberately, her steps gentle and measured, much like one would approach a wary animal.

She knew that any sudden movement could startle the Firehorns and cause them to see her as a threat. She kept her hands visible and made sure her movements were smooth and predictable.

Her feet sank softly into the warm sand with each step, leaving behind footprints in sand. She felt the gritty grains shift under her weight and the dry desert air brushed against her cheeks, carrying the faint scent of the cacti and the subtle aroma of the sun-baked earth.

Ravenna kept her gaze steady and calm, avoiding direct eye contact with the Firehorns but remaining aware of their every move.

She moved in a slight arc, slowly closing the distance without heading straight towards them, understanding that a more indirect approach would seem less aggressive.

Her heart pounded in her chest, not from fear, but from the excitement of the encounter.

As she got closer, she noticed the calf glance up at her with curious eyes, its play momentarily paused.

The mother Firehorn lifted her head, ears twitching, but did not immediately react. Ravenna paused, letting them get used to her presence, and then took another careful step forward.

She lowered herself slightly, crouching to make herself appear smaller and less threatening. Her movements were slow and calculated, and she extended one hand forward, palm up, in a universal gesture of peace and friendliness.

The calf took a hesitant step towards her, its nostrils flaring as it sniffed the air. The mother watched closely but didn't intervene, seemingly sensing no immediate threat from Ravenna.

As Ravenna continued her approach, she projected a sense of peace and respect. Her mind was focused on understanding and connecting and also not on causing harm. 

Her heart beat steadily, free of any malice or desire to harm. The mother Firehorn, ever protective of her calf, could sense the purity in Ravenna's heart.

One of the innate powers of the Firehorns was their ability to sense the intentions and desires of others. They could feel if someone harbored malicious thoughts or evil desires, but in Ravenna, they sensed none of that.

The mother Firehorn, sensing this purity, remained calm. Her deep brown eyes, reflecting the warmth of the desert, stayed on Ravenna but showed no signs of fear or aggression.

The calf, encouraged by its mother's calmness, took a few more cautious steps towards Ravenna.

It continued to sniff the air, trying to understand the strange yet peaceful presence approaching them.

The other Firehorns in the herd carried on with their tasks, their massive bodies moving slowly through the sand, their deep brown eyes occasionally glancing at Ravenna but remaining untroubled.