The woods had quieted down since the ruins. Sunlight filtered through the trees, birds chirped overhead, and the only disturbance in the peaceful forest was the grumbling of a young Void Lynx's stomach.
Zane groaned. "Alright, alright. We find food. Just don't eat my ears."
Ace purred in response, tail flicking lazily behind him as he perched on Zane's shoulder.
Not long after, Zane spotted a large, lumbering creature grazing near a patch of mushrooms. It had the body of a cow, but its horns curled backward like a ram's, and a rough, moss-like texture clung to its hide.
"That... looks edible," Zane said cautiously.
Ace gave a little bounce and licked his lips.
Zane pointed at it. "Hold on, if you're gonna eat it, you gotta kill it. Life lesson number one."
Ace blinked at him.
"I mean it," Zane added. "Show me what you can do."
There was a flash of shadow, a pulse of void energy—and before Zane could even blink twice, the creature crumpled to the ground with a soft thud. Not a sound. Not a struggle. Just—gone.
Zane's jaw dropped slightly. "You didn't even give it a chance..."
Ace strutted back proudly and rubbed his head against Zane's leg before giving a tiny scratch at Zane's shirt as if saying You made me do it.
"Yeah, yeah. I get it," Zane sighed, dragging the carcass closer to a clearing. "Let's roast this thing."
Soon, a small fire crackled, and the scent of sizzling meat filled the air. Zane leaned back, chewing on a skewer, while Ace tore happily into his own chunk, purring loudly.
"I swear," Zane muttered, "first a voice in my head, now a killer void-cat with a bottomless stomach. What's next?"
Village nearby: 4.2 kilometers southwest, Nyx chimed in helpfully.
Zane blinked. "Oh. Thanks, glorified compass."
"I heard that."
Zane smirked. He looked down at Ace, who was now curled up beside the fire, full and dozing.
"Well, let's find that village after he wakes up. Who knows—maybe they've got something even tastier than forest cow."