The atmosphere within the Stone Courtyard pulsed with a rare warmth, one born not of temperature but of spirit. The trees shimred faintly under the dappled light of the forest canopy, their leaves rustling in lazy waves as if murmuring secrets to one another. Today was no ordinary day.
The spiritual fruit banquet was about to begin.
With Noctyss, Alexandria, and Boar lending their hands—or limbs—the courtyard had undergone a small transformation. Vines of delicate forest blossoms had been looped around polished stone columns, their vivid petals glowing faintly under the ambient mana. Soft moss was brushed clean and beaten flat, lining the pathways like a carpet. Even the crevices between the paving stones had been cleared of debris.
And everywhere, the scent of spiritual fruit hung thick and heady—sweet, rich, and almost intoxicating. The air was so dense with it that even the most focused spiritual beasts found their minds wandering toward the banquet to co.
"Water bucket, be gentle, or you will damage the fruits..." Dark Shadow snapped, her voice sharp like silk hiding steel.
Her eight black eyes narrowed as she watched Noctyss tug at a fruit with the grace of a butcher. The silver-haired woman yanked another crimson orb from its branch, nearly tearing off a chunk of the tree’s stem in the process.
Noctyss, for her part, remained unbothered. She didn’t so much as glance at the spider spirit, continuing to pluck the glowing fruits and deposit them into an azure cloth bag—stitched by Dark Shadow herself.
Dark Shadow clicked her tongue in irritation, but a glimr of amusent tugged at the edge of her lips. Then her gaze sharpened.
A thought took hold.
"Hmmm! It should be fine..." she muttered under her breath. "Noctyss," she called out in a deliberately casual tone, "I’ll give you a few fruits—if I’m satisfied with your work."
The motion of Noctyss’ hands halted mid-pluck. Her shoulders twitched, eyes swiveling toward Dark Shadow with sudden heat. That was all it took to break her mask of indifference.
"Are you telling the truth?" she asked slowly, licking her cherry-pink lips, as if already tasting the sweet flesh of the fruit. Her heartbeat quickened—Dark Shadow could almost hear it.
She knew Noctyss had been eyeing these fruits ever since the orchard matured. Even when she had the chance to snatch them earlier, she had hesitated—likely due to Ricky’s presence. But now, with permission dangled like bait, restraint lted like snow in sunlight.
"Hehe..." Dark Shadow chuckled, clearly pleased with herself. "Why would I lie to you? Now get to work..."
She didn’t wait for a reply and turned, floating gracefully through the courtyard as she inspected the final touches. Despite her playful deanor, she was taking this banquet with deadly seriousness.
...
anwhile, several kiloters from the courtyard, Ricky stood in the shade of towering trees, staring down at the body of a massive Stone Hide Bull.
Its four limbs twitched in violent spasms, like it had been struck by divine lightning. Then, slowly, a patchwork of black dots spread across its hide, forming a deathly pattern. In re seconds, the beast’s convulsions ceased entirely.
Its soul slipped away.
"Damn..." Ricky muttered, rubbing his chin with one of his bristled forelimbs. "What am I supposed to absorb lifespan from now?"
His compound eyes narrowed in frustration. This wasn’t the first ti he’d encountered the problem—and it was getting worse.
The stronger he grew, the deadlier his very presence beca. Even without intending to, his venom-laced aura could end the lives of ordinary beasts before he could even sink his fangs into them. At first, he’d assud it was a matter of control, sothing he could fine-tune. But no. Venom, by nature, was poison. Its lethality was absolute.
No amount of finesse could alter its fundantal truth.
Which ant he now had only one option—seek out stronger prey.
His thoughts were interrupted by a subtle ripple in the mana surrounding him. A gentle tremor, almost like a whisper brushing across his spiritual field.
"Hm?" Ricky tilted his head. The direction... the Stone Courtyard.
"Ohh! It’s ti for the banquet already," he said aloud, his voice carrying a tinge of excitent.
The signal was unmistakable. Dark Shadow’s unique way of calling for him. She had long since figured out that most verbal ssages would be lost on him when he was flying about the forest like a madman.
With a beat of his crystalline wings, Ricky shot into the sky, leaving the bull’s corpse to rot beneath the towering trees.
...
Back at the Stone Courtyard, the air shimred with eager anticipation.
In the heart of the grove, a long rectangular stone table stood proudly, carved directly from a fallen monolith and polished to a natural sheen. Upon it rested basket after basket of spiritual fruit—each one glowing crimson and pulsing with vitality. Their surface glead like polished gems, radiating a warmth that made the air hum.
At the head of the table, Dark Shadow sat poised, regal in her composed silence. Her eight eyes stared off into the distance, clearly waiting.
Why is that Thief still not here? she pouted internally. She had even taken the trouble to send him a signal! He better not be wandering off killing bulls again...
Alexandria sat beside her, arms loosely folded, though her golden eyes seed distant. Lately, she had been trying—and failing—to practice a certain technique. A technique, as it turned out, that was only ant for spiders.
Dark Shadow had told her the truth plainly, but Alexandria had rely turned her head and stared at Boar, quiet and unreadable.
The spider could only sigh. Sotis it was easier to deal with arrogant mosquitoes than emotional girls.
Boar, ever the peacemaker, noticed her brooding.
"Big Sister Dark Shadow," he said, "don’t worry. I’m sure Overlord Venom Fang will arrive any mont now."
Dark Shadow gave him a nod, though she didn’t fully register the words. Her nerves remained tightly wound. She wasn’t usually the anxious type, but sothing about this gathering had her coiled tighter than usual.
Noctyss, on the other hand, was as relaxed as one could be. She sat comfortably, her athyst eyes locked firmly on the baskets of spiritual fruit. Her gaze didn’t wander once. If soone tried to move a fruit, she might leap across the table like a wild beast.
Then, a sharp whistle cut through the air—like sothing slicing wind with purpose.
Heads turned upward.
From above, the massive silhouette of a mosquito descended rapidly, wings glinting like glass under the sun. With a practiced flare, Ricky hovered above them, his presence carrying an effortless grandeur.
Then, with all the drama of a stage perforr, his voice echoed into their minds—cool and carefree.
"I hope you didn’t have to wait for long..."
Dark Shadow rolled her eyes but smiled.
Now that Ricky had arrived, the spiritual fruit banquet could finally begin.
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