[center][hr][hr] [img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjU0LmE0MjMyMy5UR2xtWlNCdlppQjBhR1VnUkhKaFoyOXVZbTl5YmcsLC4yAAAAAAAA/medusa-gothic.regular.png[/img] [hr] [img]https://i.imgur.com/DQ7nzfT.jpg[/img] [hr] [img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjU0LmE0MjMyMy5TVWssLjI,/medusa-gothic.regular.png[/img] [hr][hr] [/center] Traveling west, the twin Dragonborn had been hugging the edge of the Qiangshan Mountains. The world around them was still, save for the wind that howled ruthlessly above them. Life around these parts were sparse, with little foliage and even fewer creatures to be found. One could even call this side of the mountains as a dead wasteland. Rain rarely came to this portion of the land and even when it did, it would ruthlessly hammer upon the surface to the point where they would wrought mudslides. But alas, an event of that caliber had not happened in many months. However, Michalis and Minerva remained rather contempt upon the jagged rocks they walked upon. Both didn't dare to go near the hostile sands of the Sandravii desert, nor did they had the strength and knowledge for what laid on the other side of the great peaks. Yet their keen senses had detected the faint aroma of fresh grounds, one that seemed to call for their very well-being. A welcoming forest was within their range, yet a journey that would take hours, if not days, to complete. Yet compared to where they currently found themselves, it would be a safe-haven. Yet in between their destinations, pockets of life could still be found clinging to life on the edge. Scrubland bushes remained firmly attached the the mountainous terrain in small groups, retaining enough moisture for their dark-green leaves to last several more months. Some even contain bright red berries that could be forged for food - something the Dragonborn didn't take for granted. It only gave them menial sustenance - never enough to fill their groaning bellies. Minerva found herself lagging a little behind as she found herself grasping her belly. She'd occasionally pinch herself with her sharp claws in order to keep up with Michalis' more rugged pace. Her brother, however, would notice this and always make sure he didn't walk too far ahead. He'd always be in sight of his sister, waiting for her to keep up, before moving on. Yet they both shared one crucial concern. [b][color=9e0b0f]"We... must eat something... big."[/color][/b] Minerva's voice was already rather wobbly as she stopped to take a breather. Her partner was quick to steady her, his massive hands carefully keeping her upright. [b][color=9e0b0f]"Don't worry..."[/color][/b] Michalis replied assuringly, [b][color=9e0b0f]"We'll find... something - I swear it."[/color][/b] Michalis knew fully well on what she meant. Berries will not sustain them for very long. They need something richer, some much more in precious nutrients to keep their bodies going. They had a savory affection for foods high in protein... Meat shall do them well. But where to find it in such a desert landscape? Michalis began to scour the slopes for anything worth of value. Nothing could be found near the base and nothing could be seen lurking near the top. However, as he scoped to the very edge of the rocks, he saw a large cliff side just cornering their current line of sight. Atop it, a bunch of twigs could be seen hanging slightly over the edge. More curiously, there appeared to be something in it. The dragonborn's ears picked up upon seeing this unusual sight as he nudged Minerva to look. [b][color=9e0b0f]"There is something..."[/color][/b] he said, pointing at the cliff, [b][color=9e0b0f]"Up there. You see?"[/color][/b] It took her a second to figure out what he meant, but upon seeing the mound of twigs she nodded. [b][color=9e0b0f]"I do..."[/color][/b] she confirmed before looking back at him, [b][color=9e0b0f]"Is it food?"[/color][/b] [b][color=9e0b0f]"I... do not know."[/color][/b] Michalis unsurely admitted, [b][color=9e0b0f]"But there's only one way to be sure. Come."[/color][/b] He signaled Minerva to come as they began to slowly ascend towards their destination. They climbed through the steep facing rocks and leapt over small gaps in between each platform. Yet despite the lack of danger near the top, both would begin to crouch as if by mere instinct. A fog cloud was rolling in, and while it gave them some cover, they wouldn't know what to expect until they;d get real close. Eventually they made it upon the solid cliff-face and curiously glanced over towards the pile of branches. Yet they found that it was far from being empty. It held what appeared to be two large white ovular shapes, both being nearly half as large as their own torsos. [b][color=9e0b0f]"What... is this?"[/color][/b] Minerva asked cautiously. They both began to crawl closer to this unusual set up and began to smell the air around it. They could smell the scent of rotting meat and faint droppings emanating around the two objects. Minerva began to slowly approach one of the ovals and slowly placed her hand on it. Upon doing so, a flood of knowledge surged into the dragonborn's mind before she slowly withdrew her hand from it. Her eyes widened upon the sudden realization. [b][color=9e0b0f]"These..."[/color][/b] she muttered softly to Michalis, [b][color=9e0b0f]"Are edible."[/color][/b] Her partner looked at her curiously before he too proceeded to touch the object. His grunt confirmed Minerva's evaluation. [b][color=9e0b0f]"Yes."[/color][/b] he replied, [b][color=9e0b0f]"They are eggs... Big eggs. They will surely satiate our hunger."[/color][/b] Michalis reached out to one of the eggs and carefully lifted it up with his might. Even for him, it was an unnaturally dense egg, and one he could barely carry. Yet as soon as he got a good grip, the duo suddenly heard a screech howling in the distance. They froze upon hearing it, with Michalis almost dropping the egg right there and then, as they attempted to process the sudden noise. They were both feeling uneasy regarding the situation [b][color=9e0b0f]"What was that?"[/color][/b] Minerva asked cautiously as she tried to look around the corner, [b][color=9e0b0f]"Did you hear that, Michalis?"[/color][/b] He nodded silently. The two waited before they heard the screech again, this one being closer than the last. Michalis was quick to connect the dots as his eyes widened in horror. At this stage there's little that they could do here. He's too encumbered to run with such a giant egg in his possession. Surely, it would catch him. He looked down at the cliff edge and without warning grabbed Minerva's arm as the two headed off the cliff-face! [b][color=9e0b0f]"Hang on!"[/color][/b] he called as they suddenly seemed to have disappeared within the thick fog. [center][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU_Dqti8TMo]"Hide!"[/url][/center] Footsteps could soon be felt, alongside heavy breathing, as a massive creature soon came into view. At first, it seemed to seamlessly blend in with the fog around it, save only for a faint dark shadow that masked its presence. Then a clawed foot speared into the harsh rock as the creature revealed itself - a large bird-like theropod creature covered in a snowy-white plumage. It's massive toothy beak held a chunk full of bloodied guts and innards, signaling that it had just came back from hunting. Underneath him, a large crevice formed underneath the cliffside - exactly where the Dragonborn were silently cooped up in. Their eyes were wide in fear and their hearts pumping furiously, as they tried to stay as quiet as possible. Now Minerva had the egg in her possession and they had a mighty hunch at what was going to happen next. The creature's eyes briefly surveyed the area, sniffing the air above him, before it checked the nest itself. Yet it would instantly realize that something was wrong. One of its eggs was missing. It's beak seemed to unhinge in utter blasphemy, as the meaty chum landed bluntly upon the nest. Its eyes squinted before furiously issuing an ear-splitting screech in utter rage, echoing across the mountains. Both offenders struggling to keep their bearings, closing their eyes in a feeble attempt to drown out the sound. Minerva was struggling to keep herself from muttering any noises, as Michallis rose his finger up to her's demanding that she remained silent. The creature was once again sniffing the air around it. It would tilt its head closer to the edge of the cliff, before getting a whip of something... odd. It was a foreign smell - a smell it didn't recognize. The creature began to slowly crawl over towards the edge, slowly trying to track down the origin of the scent. It's head was literally hugging the edge at that point... And the Dragonborn were now fearing for their lives. [b][color=9e0b0f]"T-This... this is it."[/color][/b] Minerva inaudibly whispered to herself in utter terror, [b][color=9e0b0f]"I-Is this how we die...?" "Over an egg?"[/color][/b] Michallis remained silent as they once again closed their eyes, held their breaths, and prayed to the heavens that they would get out of here alive... Until they heard something. The sound of heavy grunting. The bird-creature would immediately raise its head to get a better stance in which to hear. It would chirp curiously as it turned its full attention towards the animal in question. Emerging from the fog, a four-legged beast slowly emerged from the white fog. It revealed itself to be a simple boar - not even bigger than a small boulder. The brown-furred quadruped at first seemed to be oblivious to the predator that happened to be several meters away from it, as it continued uplifting rocks for any tasty mushrooms and other morsels. It's work would be soon rewarded as it suddenly found a truffle hidden underneath a large lichen-covered rock. Once eating it, it continued to search for more food, walking in an almost straight line before hitting its head upon a fuzzy tree log. It snorted rudely as it proceeded to head-butt the thing right in front of it... Only to quickly realize that it wasn't a tree log at all! The boar looked up to see the bird-creature glaring down at him with eyes laced with venomous intent. Realizing its error, the poor piglet squealed in surprise before the bird's massive beak descended upon him. Luckily, its quick reflects allowed for him to dodge the initial jab, as it proceeded to high tail out of there. Furious, the bird screeched as it proceeded to give chase against the foolish animal, both proceeding to quickly disappear into the thick fog beyond until one could hardly hear their conflict. Once they felt like the coast was clear, both Michalis and Minerva began to loosen their stance while breathing a heavy sigh of relief. Then they found themselves beginning to snicker to one another. Then it evolved into chuckle. Until the two found themselves bellowing in laughter as they both embrace one another in absolute relief. [b][color=9e0b0f]"O-Oh Michalis..."[/color][/b] Minerva managed to say as she slowly began to calm down, [b][color=9e0b0f]"T-That was a close one..."[/color][/b] Her partner chuckled before scratching his head. [b][color=9e0b0f]"Yes..."[/color][/b] he agreed, [b][color=9e0b0f]"That was... too close. If that thing didn't distract the beast, we would've surely become her next meal."[/color][/b] The two then stood up and removed themselves from underneath the crevice. Michalis then proceeded to carry the burden off Minerva's shoulders and found himself carrying the egg once more. The woman would then motion her partner to follow her. [b][color=9e0b0f]"Come. Let us find a place to prepare that egg."[/color][/b] she suggested casually as he found herself skipping down the mountain in glee. Michalis could only smile as he began to follow suit. The two will definitely not go to bed hungry tonight. [hider=Post Summary | Prestige Summary] [b][u]Post Summary[/u][/b] The Dragonborn continued their trek through the mountain range towards the forest, when they suddenly came across a bundle of sticks situated upon a cliffside. Curious, the two inspected the oddity, only to find that they stumbled upon a nest of a fearsome "Snodo". One of said Snodos would then return to the nest, forcing the Dragonborn to hide underneath a crevice underneath the nest. Snodo almost snuffed them out, before a random boar bumped into the creature's leg and ran off with the predator in pursuit. Both Dragonborn would laugh relievingly from such a stressful situation and would proceed to find a proper place to make a fire and cook the big ole' egg. [u][b]Prestige[/b][/u] [b][color=9e0b0f]Michalis:[/color][/b] 0 + (2) = 2 [b][color=9e0b0f]Minerva:[/color][/b] 0 + (2) = 2 No MP of FP spent. [/hider]