The morning sun filtered through the cave's entrance, rousing Arko from his sleep.
He stretched his sore muscles, grimacing at the dull pangs of hunger that greeted him. The events of the previous day and the efforts to set up snares weighed heavily on him, espacialy on an empty stomach.
Gathering his resolve, he pushed himself to his feet and stepped outside, his eyes scanning the area around the snares he had set. His heart sank as he saw that they were empty, his hopes of a meal dashed. The forest had once again proven its harshness.
With a heavy sigh, Arko crouched down and carefully dismantled the snares, salvaging the makeshift rope. He knew that he needed to find sustenance soon; his body's protests were becoming more insistent. But despair wasn't in his nature. He had faced adversity before, and he would continue to adapt.
Setting the dismantled snares aside, Arko decided to prioritize water. He made his way toward the stream he had discovered the day before, his thirst growing with every step. The water was clear and cool, a soothing balm for his parched throat. As he knelt to drink, he marveled at the simple yet vital pleasures the forest offered.
After quenching his thirst, Arko's thoughts turned once again to food. He knew that he couldn't afford to be picky. He continued his exploration, searching for any sign of edible plants or small game. Hours passed, his determination unwavering despite the gnawing hunger in his belly.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, his senses keen and alert, his ears caught the faintest rustling in the underbrush. His heart quickened with hope as he crept forward, the machete clutched tightly in his hand. But his anticipation was met with disappointment as he discovered only the tracks of a fleeting creature.
"Damnit, I may well starve if this goes on"
Frustration gnawed at him, but he refused to let it consume him. Survival demanded patience, and he was prepared to wait for his opportunity. With a sigh, he retraced his steps, the sun now reaching its zenith. He decided to return to the stream, his thirst growing once more.
As he approached the stream, however, he stumbled upon a scene that made his heart race for an entirely different reason. There, near the water's edge, lay the lifeless form of a creature unlike anything he had ever seen. It resembled a crocodile but was larger and more menacing, its scales reflecting the dappled sunlight.
Arko's eyes widened as he took in the creature's immense size and fearsome features. The creature appeared untouched by scavengers, a rarity in this unforgiving wilderness. His survival instincts battled with his curiosity, but in the end his hunger prevailed.
Approaching cautiously, he inspected the creature's form. It was undoubtedly dead, its once fearsome eyes now dull and lifeless.
He wondered how such a creature could die for seemingly no apparent reason. As he inspected the dead monster he felt something else. There was something ... more, an energy that lingered despite the stillness of death. It was as if the creature's power had not entirely dissipated.
Arko's mind raced, a newfound sense of purpose stirring within him. He recalled tales of creatures that could absorb energy to cultivate and grow stronger. Could this creature possess such capabilities?
With a mixture of apprehension and determination, Arko knelt beside the creature's massive form. He extended his hand and, with a hesitant touch, pressed his palm against its scaled hide. It was cool to the touch, the texture alien and yet strangely familiar.
Closing his eyes, Arko focused on his breath, attempting to tap into the energy he sensed. It was faint, like a distant hum, but he could feel it, pulsing beneath his touch. He envisioned a connection, a flow of energy from the creature to himself.
For moments that felt like an eternity, nothing happened. Doubts threatened to cloud his concentration, but he pushed them aside.
And then, as if in response to his intent, he felt a subtle surge of energy. It was as though a trickle of power flowed from the creature into his being.
The sensation was both exhilarating and disorienting. It was unlike anything he had experienced before, a rush of vitality that suffused his body. He could almost visualize the energy, like threads of light weaving through his veins.
As quickly as it had come, the sensation ebbed away, leaving Arko feeling both invigorated and strangely incomplete. He opened his eyes, his heart racing with a mixture of wonder and uncertainty.
Had he truly absorbed the creature's energy? Or was it merely his imagination, a desperate attempt to find hope in a dire situation? He looked at the creature once more, its massive form a silent testament to the mysteries of the forest.
With a heavy sigh, Arko stood up, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and intrigue. He understood the implications of what had just occurred, and one thing was clear: Whatever killed this monster didn't even deign to absorb its energy.
After looking around to check for unseen threats, Arko gripped his blade with more strength and plunged it into the beast.
Cutting out a large chunk of meat Arko knew he wouldn't be able to keep much of the beast. Due to its immense size, transporting even a tenth of the meat back to his cave would be a miracle.
The only other part of the beast that Arko thought he could find a use for was the teeth. About an inch and a half long, and very sharp, he decided he could use them as makeshift arrow tips or the like.
Using his machete, he cut through the beasts gums creating a chain like string of teeth. He then threw the horrendous thing over his shoulder and proceeded on with the monsters bottom teeth.
Once he was done harvesting the beast he stood up and started making his way back to the cave knowing he wouldn't be able to come back before the next day. Grimacing due to the weight, he looked up to the sky, noting the imminent setting of the sun.