Zento: The Prehistoric journey

Chapter 33: Growth

The black-lined beast Ragna had killed wasn't the apex predator of the forest, but it was a powerful foe—enough to place Ragna higher on the food chain in this part of the wilderness. Confidence surged through him. For the first time, he felt capable of navigating the outer forest without constantly sneaking and hiding.

Roha and Woffu had witnessed the entire battle. Woffu growled softly from his hiding spot next to Roha, but true to his timid nature, he never stepped into the fray. When the beast fell, however, the little wolf bolted out of cover, sank his teeth into the predator's neck, and lingered there as if claiming a share in the victory.

For Roha, the fight had stirred buried memories. Her tribe had been torn apart by a horde of migrating beasts, a catastrophic event that led to chaos, destruction, and fire consuming her village. She had watched as beasts attacked and killed her people. Those harrowing moments left her deeply traumatized, instilling in her a paralyzing fear of all beasts. She had fled blindly during the attack, driven by instinct, her survival a mix of luck and sheer desperation.

When Ragna had faced the black-lined beast, that same terror resurfaced. Her body tensed, ready to flee as she had done before. She barely knew Ragna, and at that moment, he was just another fleeting part of her fragile existence—a protector who might fall like the hunters of her village had.

But Ragna didn't fall. He triumphed.

As the beast collapsed, Roha felt an unfamiliar wave of relief wash over her. For the first time in weeks, she wasn't running or hiding. Her wide eyes shifted to Ragna, and in him, she saw shades of the hunters who had once protected her village. He wasn't just a survivor; he was a warrior.

With Roha's help, Ragna hauled the carcass back to the cave. The beast was larger than Ragna himself, but together they managed to drag it through the underbrush. Pride swelled in Ragna's chest. This kill wasn't just a meal—it was proof of his growth.

After skinning the beast, Ragna prepared its meat, cutting away the parts that would spoil first. When the first chunk was cooked, he eagerly tasted it.

A strange but familiar sensation spread through him, starting in his mouth and quickly coursing through his body. It wasn't unpleasant, but it was unexpected—a rush of energy that seemed to ignite his very core. Roha, too, experienced the effect, her startled expression mirroring Ragna's.

Despite the weird fullness that set in after just a few bites, Ragna forced himself to eat more, determined not to waste such a prize. His eyelids grew heavy, and a drowsiness unlike any he'd felt before overtook him. Roha, too, succumbed to the strange fatigue, collapsing where she sat. Woffu, who had already curled up nearby, was fast asleep.

Ragna awoke to the wet sensation of Woffu licking his face and the assault of an overwhelming stench. Groggily, he pushed the wolf away and sat up, blinking against the dim light filtering into the cave. The air was thick with the rancid smell of rotting meat and feces.

Confused, Ragna stood, his body feeling strangely stiff. He noticed the source of the stench: piles of hardened dung and the remains of spoiled meat scattered across the cave floor. Judging by the state of the mess, it had been there for quite some time.

As he turned to examine his surroundings, he froze.

Standing before him was a massive wolf, its height nearly matching Ragna's. Its fur was sleek but wild, and its golden eyes glowed with intelligence. For a split second, Ragna prepared to defend himself—until the wolf tilted its head, tongue lolling out in a familiar gesture.

"Woffu?" Ragna whispered, incredulous.

The wolf's massive frame was nearly unrecognizable, but the playful demeanor was unmistakable. Woffu had grown exponentially while they slept.

Ragna glanced down at himself, noting the tightness of his clothes. His hands and arms looked larger, more defined. As realization dawned, he turned to Roha, who was still sleeping. She, too, had grown. Her legs were longer and more slender, her frame slightly more mature. Her clothes, now too small for her, clung awkwardly to her body.

"What happened?" Ragna muttered, his mind racing. Growth didn't occur this rapidly—not in a matter of days. Then, he remembered the words of his tribe's chief:

"The stronger the beast you eat, the stronger you become."

At the time, it had sounded like a simple proverb to encourage young hunters. But now, it made sense. The ferocity and strength of a beast weren't just trophies; they were imbued in its flesh.

Ragna thought back to the orphans in his village. Unlike the children of hunters, who were stronger and larger, the orphans had no access to the potent meat of dangerous beasts. That was why he had always been smaller despite his rigorous training.

Now, though, the effects of the black-lined beast were undeniable.

As his realization settled, the stench of the cave became unbearable. The mix of spoiled meat and feces burned his nostrils, forcing him to act. He shook Roha awake.

The girl groaned, stretching as she opened her eyes. But the moment the smell hit her, she recoiled, her face twisting in disgust.

"Ugh!" she exclaimed, covering her nose as she scrambled to her feet.

"It's everywhere," Ragna said grimly, gesturing at the mess. Woffu, now far larger, stood at a safe distance, clearly unwilling to venture closer to the source of the smell.

Ragna led them both to the river. Roha, usually hesitant, wasted no time. She tore off her clothes and dove into the water, scrubbing herself with a desperation that suggested she felt the grime crawling on her skin.

Ragna chuckled at her urgency, though he wasn't far behind in wanting to rid himself of the stench. As he cleaned his clothes—which now fit awkwardly—he marveled at how much had changed in so little time. or was it little time?

This forest was shaping them, physically and mentally. The beasts they encountered weren't just challenges; they were catalysts for transformation. And as Ragna glanced at Roha and Woffu, he knew this was only the beginning.