The Beast World Resets

Chapter 13

Day 2: Plans in Motion

Colette stood at the mouth of their new home, the morning sun filtering through the rugged landscape beyond. Her eyes darted over the rough sketches she had made on her handmade paper, envisioning the layout of their cave. She had drafted where each element would go—starting with the essentials like the bed, a fireplace, and even some storage carved from the stone.

Curtis was already at work. His powerful arms, lined with shimmering scales, broke away pieces of jagged rock as if they were mere pebbles. His serpent tail, as long as his body, coiled and uncoiled as he lifted the heaviest slabs, placing them with precision where Colette directed.

"We'll need to clear this area next," Colette pointed to a section of the cave. "It needs to be flat for the hearth."

Curtis nodded silently, his claws scraping rhythmically against the stone, removing layers until the floor was smooth.

The silence between them wasn't awkward but filled with purpose. Their movements mirrored one another, a seamless partnership. For hours they worked side by side, transforming the raw cave into something more livable.

By the end of the day, a sense of progress had settled in. The cave's interior was slowly taking shape—no longer just a natural refuge but the beginning of a home.

"This is good," Curtis rumbled, stepping back to admire their work. "But it needs more."

"Much more," Colette agreed, a smile tugging at her lips.

Day 3–5: The Hearth and Ventilation

On the third day, Curtis had woken early, already working by the time Colette stirred from their makeshift bed of furs.

He had carved out a circle in the center of the cave's floor. Colette squinted at the neat, precise cuts.

"I studied your drawings," Curtis said, his voice a low hiss of pride. "You said the fire needs air."

Impressed, Colette knelt beside the pit. "Exactly. We'll also need a way to vent the smoke."

Together, they devised a system using a natural nook at the top of the cave to create a chimney, ensuring smoke from the hearth wouldn't suffocate them. They spent the afternoon smoothing rocks and fine-tuning the chimney's shape, allowing airflow while keeping the warmth in.

By the fifth evening, the hearth was complete. Colette and Curtis sat before the flickering flames of their first fire, its warmth filling the once cold, empty space. For the first time, the cave felt alive—more than just a shelter.

"It's becoming a home," Colette whispered, staring at the dancing flames.

"A strong home," Curtis echoed, his red eyes reflecting the firelight.

Day 6–9: Carving Comfort

As the days rolled by, Colette and Curtis focused on making their home not just practical but comfortable. Colette had grand ideas, not just for functionality, but for warmth and coziness. She envisioned a bed carved from the stone itself, softened with furs, woven blankets, and now, something even more luxurious—feathers. Curtis listened intently to her plans, skeptical at first but soon fully invested in her vision.

Together, they carved a large alcove in the back of the cave, shaping a stone bedframe. Curtis's immense strength made quick work of the heavy lifting, while Colette designed storage shelves into the natural recesses of the walls.

By the third day of work, the bed frame was complete, but Curtis had a surprise in store for Colette. After a long day of carving and smoothing the stone surfaces, Curtis disappeared into the forest, leaving Colette curious but too tired to ask where he was headed.