Chapter 17: Adaptation

Running through a thick pile of fallen leaves, hot, white vapors existed through my mouth. My lungs burned with energy as I felt my blood pulsing through my veins. She leaped over the rocks that were in the narrow path and thin tree branches shuffled with disturbance. The forest was cool and damp even in the afternoon, as the season of fall had finally arrived. The place was filled with colors that I had never seen before. The overall picture was like a painting that you can see in an art gallery. Yellow, orange, red, and dull colors of leaves drifted onto the ground from high above. I spread my wings as I ran, feeling the wild emotions that I had in my heart.

Her long, black hair wavered behind her as she continued speeding forward. I smiled while dodging the everlasting rows of ancient trees. My skin was dark-brown now, for I had been running half-naked outside for years. She didn't mind it at all. She cared about me, though she had never told me. I could see it in her ravishing light green eyes, the way they sparkled when the gaze was set upon my face.

From the beginning, I was curious about the color of her eyes. It was rather interesting and strange at the same time that the shade of her eyes was not normal. Could it be because of the race of her people? Could it be that their genes were similar to mine?

I scoffed silently as I shook my head. How could anyone have characteristics that I have? She turned around a corner and I followed closely. Over the past week, it was apparent that the villagers had accepted me. Why, I did not know. Perhaps they saw me as a God or something. I was allowed to live in one of their hand-made huts for as long as I wished. I was grateful for that. I wanted to thank them verbally, but all of us couldn't understand each other. I bowed to them in the end, hoping that they knew it was a gesture of courtesy. Still, I felt an emptiness in my heart.

I skidded to a stop with my talons as I nearly crashed into her. She was standing near the edge of a cliff, the same one that she had brought me to on our first day of encounter. The clouds were sparse and golden sunrays filtered through the floating cottons in the sky. Below us, the scene was as beautiful as ever. A soft breeze caressed our bodies, bringing the fragrance of nature into our nostrils. She glanced around with contentment. Then she turned around and motioned me to stand by her side.

Feeling nervous around her still, I took a few steps forward. Pointing, she said something in her native tongue. In the far distance, I could faintly see an outline of a giant Golden Eagle. Its massive wings were extended to the extreme. It was like a God in the sky, ruling over all other birds of prey and predator. No one could harm it, at least, not directly. Its sharp-focused golden eyes scanned the lands below as it traveled with strength and resolve. I found myself grinning solely when a tiny tap was felt on my bare shoulder. She looked at me and beamed with happiness. I gazed upon her tender face and her figure that was covered by her animal hide clothes. Slowly, I forced myself to look away.

I stopped halfway when her hand reached mine and held tightly together. I stiffened and stared at the ground. How could she stand such a monster like me? Surely she must be scared and... and repulsed by the sight of me now. I tried to jerk my hand away from hers, but she held on with stubbornness. Finally, I faced her boldly and looked her in the eyes. She smiled. We stood facing each other for a few long and silent minutes. Then without warning, she embraced me and we both fell off from the edge of the precipice. I yelled out with shock as wind roared passed our ears. What in the world was she thinking?

"Damn it! Are you crazy?" I screamed with fright.

I got a good grip on the soft and warm body and held her tightly against my chest. With a desperate flap, I tried to slow down the descend. At first, our speed didn't change. The ground from below was rushing toward us with intense speed. Rocky wall of the crag charged by us. I panicked and flapped even harder. At last I felt us slowing down. My back and shoulder muscles were crying out in protest as they were threatening to be pulled apart by the force of the drop. After a few minutes of struggles, we landed safely onto solid ground, half a mile away from the village.

I was sweating and was tired while I slumped onto the wet, pliant earth. I stretched the ache and soreness out of my wings. Glaring at her, I scolded: "That was dangerous! Do you understand me? Dangerous! You could have killed us both!"

She didn't reply. Of course, she didn't understand what I was talking about. Still, judging from my expression, she should get a brief notion of what I was feeling right now. Yet, there was this playful mood in the atmosphere around us. I sighed and closed my eyes. I was frightened to death. The entire ordeal was surprising with me left confused at the end. She sat down beside me. Both of us were staring blankly into the trees for quite a while before a group of native hunters met us. The girl stood up and greeted them. A series of conversations were made. The men dressed in only a few pairs of hide shorts frowned as they observed me a few paces from them. The leader of the pack nodded as he pointed at me. I could understand that they were talking about me now. It was obvious. Finally, they left and she came back to me. Communicating with me through several body languages, I was able to comprehend that they wanted to invite me for dinner. Giving her a weak grin, I agreed with a nod of my head.

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The dark night sky was illuminated by the flickering bonfire, which was burning at the center of the surrounding shelters. Huge slabs of raw meat were roasting slowly within the scorching flames. White smokes rose off from the sizzling surfaces of the food. The delicious smell was making my stomachache with anticipation. Although I didn't really want to eat any veal, but with the emptiness of my belly, I gobbled down six pieces of hot, steaming beef.

People wearing strange costumes ran into the giant empty circle and started to dance. The shape of the masks was somewhat similar to the fantasy dragons that I had seen so many of in the comics. A low yet alluring chant was coming from everyone's throat. Without thinking, I followed along, mumbling underneath my breath. The dance continued well into the night and I fell asleep in the crowds.

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Over the months, I had developed a sense of knowledge toward the native people's language. I could slowly pronounce the tones correctly and I could gradually understand what they were talking about. I had finally learned that they were called "ExiRou", which was a brief description of the way how their daily life was - free and well away from the people that were in modern cities. The girl that I had first met was called Druni. She was two years younger than I was. I asked her about the main reason why she was not afraid of me and she replied: "Because I like you."

Shocked and speechless, I stood there like a statue when I heard the answer. Then, she gave me a smile and walked away. Although I loved her, but I couldn't bring myself to become one of them. I was, after all, different. How could I fit in any social group like this?

Time went by extremely fast, never stopping to wait for me. I had been living with the ExiRou people for well over three years. Yet I never openly offered anything. I was sure that everyone back at home had forgotten about me. After all, I had seen no strangers roaming near the area where I was currently living for a long, long time. Just as when I felt safe and secure, an emergency meeting was held before the Seven Wise Leaders of the village three weeks after I had returned from a distant cave with a clear and fresh stream nearby. I attended the congress of course, when I was grabbed by two muscular ExiRou men.

The mood was dark as someone shoved me forward abruptly. I was stunned when presented before the Seven. Looking around, I was unsure of what was happening. Some people were giving me angry looks while others were looking sad.

"Tobieaz of the Mach'e Group," one of the Wise Leaders began as he cleared his throat a few times. "It has come to our attention that you don't want to function as part of us."

I held my head down. I knew what they were referring to now.

"Since you are living among us, you need to work with us and become one of us. Why do you always wander off to rural and shady places where we cannot see you or find you easily?"

I glanced around and felt emotionally disturbed, but I provided no answer.

"Answer the question! We know that you can understand us!" one of the men shouted with frustration when he saw my hesitation.

I looked up and gazed into the eyes of the old men before me with my green eyes. "Because I don't feel like I am part of your society."

Such response had caused uproar. Men and women were beginning to shout and argue while the Seven held up their wrinkled hands.

One of them leaned forward and frowned. "You said that you don't feel like one of us, yet you leached off the food that we have hunted with sweat and blood. Don't you consider that, immoral?"

I saw Druni looking at me with pleading eyes. I could see her mouthing the words: Don't say it. Don't say it! My heart ached with sorrow. I wanted to tell them what they wanted to hear, but I couldn't! All I could hear was my voice exiting through my mouth saying: "It's not of my concern that you guys want to feed me. You could have kicked me away a long time ago. I am grateful that you didn't, however, I feel... in the place."

Again, the community roared with anger when they had heard my reply. I didn't care. Something inside was killing me off slowly. I didn't know if I was sane or not. Perhaps I had gone crazy?

"That's 'out of place', Tobieaz," the man on the right spoke with authority and corrected my mistake. "Since you don't want to join us, then how come you did not leave? Why must you continue depleting our food source? Do you take us as fools?"

"No, I do not. But I-"

"That's enough!" A shout cut my sentence short. The person in the middle of the Seven glared at me ferociously. "Tobieaz, how dare you mock us like so? We've treated you with care and generosity, yet this is how you repay us?" I stared at the dirt floor. "For three years, we've provided you shelters, food, and even offered you clothes. But you've taken those as granted! We've been kind to you. We've always taken your health into consideration when we have a need to do some activities! For decades, I have never been so enraged! Tobieaz, for this moment on, you are hereby banished from the Hope Region of the Kelto Island! The Seven Guards will escort you to the punishment sector, where you shall spend the rest of your life there! End meeting!" The Leaders stood up and left as everyone started to talk all at the same time.

I gave Druni a pathetic grin as seven stern looking people dragged me off deep into the forest. I could hear her shouting my name with grief, but I had decided it was this that could end the torture of myself. I needed some pain.

The longer we walked, the quieter it became. Gathering up my courage, I asked one of the guards: "What will happen to me now?"

"You will be brought to the area where there will be no easy access to the rest of the island. There, we shall sever your leg tendons so that you may not walk anymore. There will be food brought to you once every three days."

Hearing such severe punishment, I felt myself started to shake with dread. I didn't know that they wanted me crippled. I had to figure out a way to escape, as usual.

~End Chapter 17~