1.
In the distant future, Earth is ruled by a newly born intelligence of technology, reducing humanity to a mere adjunct. To begin anew, the "Kunpeng" sets off into the vast cosmos, carrying the Nuwa System designed to reboot civilization.
"Elementa...
Flicker Shadow continued refurbishing the house. He had built a sturdy and beautiful wooden house next to the hot spring, far surpassing the rudimentary shelter Raina Grace originally constructed.
Now, he meticulously smoothed the doors and windows, ensuring they were sleek and wouldn't harm delicate skin. Though he didn't need such comfort, accustomed to rough and uneven surfaces like a wild beast, this small house represented human customs. Could it also be his destiny?
While Flicker Shadow longed to move in, he still slept outside as he did in the forest, finding any spot that provided shelter from the wind and rain.
WeeStick, even more true to its nature, buried itself in the mud, motionless, pretending to be a tree, a Terra Grove tree. However, given its small wooden heart, it was at best a sapling. Suddenly, WeeStick stirred as if hearing something, then abruptly pulled itself out of the ground, startling the black panther lying beside it.
The panther's sudden jump caught Flicker Shadow's attention. He saw WeeStick swiftly take flight, heading in a specific direction. Understanding something, Flicker Shadow hurriedly followed, leaving behind his tools and the circling panther.
The panther, thinking it was time to hunt again, excitedly chased after them.
WeeStick, glowing in the forest, was an excellent guide, but Flicker Shadow's pace slowed, lagging behind the panther.
The panther looked back, wondering why Flicker Shadow had stopped. Flicker Shadow gestured for it to continue following WeeStick, while he stayed put.
Leaning against a tree, Flicker Shadow reminisced about his years of hunting in the forest. He never needed to defeat anything to prove himself, so most of his prey was obtained through ambush and patience.
If he encountered a formidable opponent, he would avoid conflict unless provoked. While some animals relied on instinct to gauge an opponent's strength, others, foolishly big, based their choices on size alone.
Flicker Shadow didn't easily relinquish his territory. The more ferocious or enormous the beast, the more it spurred his potential. He felt his power erupt in such confrontations, sometimes feeling it was a primal instinct. In those moments, he could think of nothing but victory, blood, and tearing apart...
That exhilaration made him feel destined for the forest, like a born predator, meant to roam and hunt the Verdant Thistle Forest.
Now, as he chased after WeeStick, he felt that possessiveness again. He knew WeeStick was heading towards Raina Grace. He feared his nature would frighten her away, just like the animals he had scared off.
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After a while, there was movement in the forest depths. The panther returned first, excitedly circling Flicker Shadow, trying to pull him by his clothes to follow. Flicker Shadow tapped its head to calm it down. Unable to persuade him, the panther ran off again towards Raina Grace, lingered, then returned to Flicker Shadow.
The panther continued this back-and-forth, as if wanting to connect them with an invisible thread. Unfortunately, it only wasted its energy without understanding its excitement.
Finally, Raina Grace approached. Seeing Flicker Shadow leaning against a tree, she smiled radiantly before speaking. Her bright smile and clear features shone in the tranquil forest, touching the heartstrings.
Flicker Shadow stepped forward, lifting Raina Grace effortlessly by her waist.
"Ah," Raina Grace exclaimed, surprised by his sudden action. "Hey, Flicker Shadow?"
Flicker Shadow laughed heartily, spinning around with Raina Grace in his arms.
The dizzying sensation, coupled with Flicker Shadow's laughter and embrace, made Raina Grace feel secure and joyous, and she laughed along.
They eventually fell to the ground, laughing breathlessly. The soft mud, warm bodies, fragrant air, and Flicker Shadow's increasingly rapid breaths and heartbeat almost overwhelmed him. He grabbed Raina Grace's hand, pressing it against his racing heart. But her gentle touch ignited a fire in him, making him yearn for her entire being to cool his fervor.
Easily pulling the weightless Raina Grace onto him, her slender waist, vine-like limbs, sweet breath, and long hair engulfed Flicker Shadow. Her soft chest and the beating heart beneath nearly suffocated him.
He buried his face in her delicate neck, wanting to bite down like a wild beast, but her vulnerability made him powerless, and he retreated in defeat.
Tossed about by Flicker Shadow, Raina Grace felt a bit overwhelmed. "Do you always play like this with the panther? It almost knocked me down earlier, and WeeStick had to intervene."
Hearing its name, the panther excitedly jumped over, trying to lick Flicker Shadow and join their frolic but was pushed away.
The panther whined, confused by Flicker Shadow's behavior today.
Raina Grace, hugging the panther, sat beside it, sighing contentedly. "It's so good to be back in the forest. I feel like soaking in the hot spring."
"Then let's go back," Flicker Shadow replied, sitting up somberly.
Unaware of his mood, Raina Grace excitedly anticipated returning "home."
"WeeStick, panther, let's go home!" she shouted, running ahead.
The once primitive garden had transformed completely, featuring a new wooden house with a fragrant aroma and a fenced yard. Nestled among trees, it looked quaint and unique.
The hot spring behind the house had been neatly arranged, no longer a rough pit dug by WeeStick but lined with smooth, round stones.
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"Did you do all this, Flicker Shadow?" Raina Grace marveled, finding it unrecognizable from before.
WeeStick, not understanding the purpose, chattered beside Raina Grace in amazement.
Listening, Raina Grace exclaimed, "You've been working on this almost without sleep?" WeeStick had described it as "constant destruction," not grasping human customs of modifying the environment and resting.
"Why the rush, Flicker Shadow? We have plenty of time to work on it slowly," Raina Grace said.
Yes, they had a lot of time together. Flicker Shadow's heart calmed down, realizing he shouldn't have been so hasty.
