Becoming a Monster

Chapter 236: Chapter 236: Shadows Beneath the Glow

With the moon looming ever closer, another set of eyes couldn’t stop themselves from enjoying the view. Their faces were being lit up by not only the illumination of the moon but also a burning crimson that continued to flicker. Sounds of abnormal chewing accompanied the crisp crackling of the burning wood. The silent observer couldn’t help glancing towards the sources of the chewing, their gaze softening as they took pleasure in the sight.

On the side of the bigger than normal campfire, Fenrir laid dangerously close to it, so close that it was a miracle that his fur had caught on fire. Ever since consuming that seed, Fenrir found comfort in the embrace of heat, the hotter, the better. His body faced away from Noah, his attention entirely entranced on the cooked meat within his paws. His food wasn’t specifically prepared by any means, the identity of the food was easily recognizable despite being cooked. Giant horns were still attached to the elk-like creature that was over 10 feet tall.

Fenrir fancied food no matter how it was prepared, preferring raw the most since uncooked food held the most blood. Even still, Fenrir found himself enjoying the different tenderness brought about from roasted meat. He tore through the roast flesh with relish, taking smaller bites than his normal voracious appetite.

Noah’s gaze lingered on the beast that was no different than a loyal best friend in his eyes. No matter how ferocious Fenrir grew, no matter how powerful he became, Noah couldn’t see him any differently. Then there was the other childish, almost naive creature in their group.

Noah’s exasperated expression said it all as he watched Eve nibbling on a leg from one of the roasted creatures, her eyes intently glowed on the fire. Steadily she approached, a hint of caution was contained in her movements. She flinched as the flames suddenly moved towards her. The vigilance she had towards the fire hinted that she was aware of the dangers of fire. However, it was only a few moments ago that she had learned of its burning nature.

Witnessing the flames that was able to make her usual meals taste even better than before, she was curious about the flame’s contents. And seeing Fenrir practically being caressed with flames made her believe that she could safely embrace the flames too. Her logic was simple but dangerously naive.

Noah thought she cautiously placed her hand near the flames the first time, only for the mischievous girl to shove her entire arm into the blazing flames. Her face scrunched up before she yanked her arms from the flames. She couldn’t understand what was happening as she confusingly gazed at her arm back to the flames. The moment she withdrew her arm; any semblance of pain was gone which only confused her further. Her forgetfulness hasn’t realized the blazing glowing that was residing on Diablo’s arm, the burning sensation being transferred to him instead.

And this is what led to Noah’s helplessness, watching Eve once again approaching the flames. He couldn’t ascertain how Eve showed moments of intelligence beyond her years, to.....this.

Noah crossed his arms, leaning back slightly as he watched Eve inch closer to the flames again. His instinct was to stop her, to intervene before she inevitably burned herself, or worse. But he hesitated, a voice in the back of his mind reminding him that she needed to learn, even if it was through small mistakes. As long as she didn’t do something as drastic as diving into the fire itself, he would let her explore this curiosity on her own terms. In this way it would potentially help with her critical thinking skills, something he desired for her more than anything so he could feel at peace as the world became more dangerous.

Continuing to experiment with the flames, Eve’s hand edged closer once more, this time stopping as soon as she felt the heat radiating from the flames. She frowned before looking dangerously towards Fenrir, feeling as though Fenrir took the side of the flames that didn’t have this particular effect, but she couldn’t think of a way to make the annoying beast move for her to check. That’s when her eyes traveled to the leg still being held within her small hand. Her eyes brightened at her own genius. She unhesitatingly plunged the entire leg into the fire, edging closer to the other side. Her glowing eyes were fixated on the other side of the fire, convinced that there was some secret to Fenrir’s immunity hidden there.

Seeing her antics, Noah sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, but underneath his covered face, an imperceptible smirk was growing.

”You know....” A voice softly spoke next to Noah, who couldn’t tear his gaze away from Eve’s latest antic, but the slight twitch of his ear was a clear indication that he was listening, an action that the voice noticeably picked up on as they continued. ”I’ve always been worried about getting stronger so I could fight by your side...”

The voice belonged to Ailetta, who silently joined Noah as he observed the peaceful moment. ”But when I see this, I’d prefer to be by your side just like this instead...”

Noah glanced over to her, his eyes lingering on her form as the firelight danced across her features. Her words had stirred something in him, memories from a time when his decisions had been guided by harsh pragmatism rather than the bonds they had since formed.

He remembered the first time he’d turned her away, his voice cold as he told her she wasn’t strong enough to join him. Her pleading gaze had haunted him long after that moment, even though he’s convinced himself it was for her own good. Then, when she had returned, stronger and more determined, he had rejected her again, not because of her lack of power, but because he believed she wasn’t ready for the sacrifices his path demanded.

Yet here she was now, standing beside him, not only surviving but thriving in the harshness of their new reality. Her strength was undeniable, not just in combat, but in her devoted determination to stand by his side, no matter the cost.

”Thank you,” Noah randomly responded, his eyes boring straight into her. Without giving her the chance to respond, he grabbed her hand, pulling her into his body, embracing her as her thoughts reflected everything up until now.

The action left Ailetta surprised, but only for a moment. She felt herself being completely absorbed in Noah’s love that her solid form began to melt as it slowly clung around Noah’s figure, seemingly attempting to swallow him whole.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke, the silence between them filled only by the sounds of the crackling fire, Fenrir’s intense chewing, and the occasional shrieks and roars that echoed within the forest, carried by the night winds from the depths of the forest. No matter the time, the cycle of life would continue between predator and prey.

Noah’s breathing remained steady, unbothered by Ailetta’s unconventional embrace. Allowing himself to enjoy the moment as his gaze drifted towards their home that now had an added touch.

The tower walls now illuminated the background, bringing out its own source of light. This occurrence was only made possible because of the stretches of odd glowing roots that stretched across both the exterior and interior of the walls.

As he thoughtfully looked over his home, his gaze traveled towards an inconspicuous hole. The hole was almost ten meters wide, with its depths impossible to tell just from looking outside of it. The roots that adorned the tower walls extended into the hole, their faint glow casting eerie patterns along the den’s rugged interior. The makeshift cavern was entirely Fenrir’s doing. A feat that was done within just the half a day that they established their base.

The hulking beast felt restless being in the home as everyone else, constantly filled with the same smells that didn’t belong to either Noah or his pack. What spurred him more into creating a place away from the others was also to fulfil his role as Noah’s true protector. If anything were to approach, he would intercept it first.

Noah’s lips curled into a faint smile as he considered the beast’s actions. Fenrir’s instincts were a paradox, protective yet fiercely independent.

As Noah continued to watch the faint glow of the roots, a figure instantly appeared in front of both Ailetta and Noah. The figure was a monster, a monster in the form of a tree. Its bark like skin and threatening features should’ve alarmed the two, and yet Noah patiently separated himself from Ailetta to address the monster.

”What is it, Pandora?” Noah questioned the tree monster, his prompt showing that this wasn’t the first time he had interacted with this creature. Just from the colors of the tree alone, its ash-gray bark and violet roots that enveloped most of its body was a clear indicator of the tree’s identity.

The name came to mind the moment Noah had first laid eyes on the tree and had the thought of taming it. The tree’s appearance was that of a symbol that withheld all of the negative energies from the nature around it, with the only balance limiting and containing all of that energy was nature itself. And now, Noah was in control of all of that negative energy, and he planned to grow it, strengthen it, and eventually let it loose against anyone he envied what was his.