"Sasha, what can you tell me about my people?" Vivian stretched her arms over her head before laying down on her back and staring at the crescent moon high in the night sky. I can only hope she has a lot to say about this.

  “That’s not fair. I don’t know how much information you have, so saying 5% is arbitrary on your part. For that matter, I’d love to hear about my ancient ancestors," Vivian’s mood soured. “I’ll be more specific. Is there any truth to what Isa said concerning my predecessors?”

  "I know my people; they wouldn’t use dark magic. I’d like to believe my ancestors are no different," Vivian defended as she rolled to her side and propped her head up with her hand.

  Vivian fell silent for a moment as she absorbed that information. "Why do I suddenly have a mana pool? Why hasn't anyone from my race had one before now?"

  "I don’t have enough information to rule out any option," Vivian rolled onto her back, then rotated her arm to remove the numbness from her hand.

  "Regardless, it's just speculation and will remain as such, at least for now," Vivian sighed as she rose to a sitting position and crossed her legs. "It's quite nice being able to relax like this. However, I can't shake the feeling like something is trying to get me to let my guard down."

  Vivian eyed her map suspiciously. She noted that a pack of beldereavers was either devouring or chasing away every other animal from coming to this watering hole, not unlike a bunch of guards.

  Just a coincidence? Vivian thought as she shook her head. Not likely. "Sasha, show me some information about these trees."

  Vivian stared blankly in stunned silence.

  Interesting, so the world has seen at least one apocalypse? Vivian thought while rubbing her chin. "Sasha, you wouldn't have any details about those wars would you?"

  "No worries," Vivian spoke lightly as she placed her hand on the trunk of the next tree. "You're much like me, hell my whole race in general. Another victim of circumstance, but I’m envious that you can clean up the mess you're in without help. I don’t have an innate ability to clean up the mess I’m in. Actually, that’s not true anymore, is it? I have you, now don’t I?"

  Curious. Vivian thought, "Hey Sasha, where do these details come from?"

  "It's nice to see you're developing a sense of humor," Vivian stifled a laugh. "Now, seriously?"

  "I've been meaning to ask, what happened to you before?" Vivian brushed a stray bunch of hair from her face.

  "Touchy." Vivian grinned as she made her way through the undergrowth. Another tree came into her scrutiny.

  Vivian stopped walking as she finished reading the information. Reaching her hand up, she firmly grasped one of the low-hanging branches of the rowan. She pulled gently, bringing the branch easily down to her eye level.

  "Huh, I didn't even know there were any berries on the tree," Vivian commented as she mostly ignored the system box. Instead, she focused on the branch in her hand. She admired the smooth feel of the bark along with the ease at which she was able to bend the branch and noted there was just enough resistance. When she released it, the branch snapped back to its original position like a whip. "Even in this unprepared state, that would make one hell of a bow."

  Vivian smelled a change in the air and it perked her mouth into a smirk, "Smells like dinner is about ready." She abandoned her research for the time being and headed back to the watering hole in high spirits.

  "There you are Vivian," Isa stated as she continued roasting the giant lump over a fire.

  "What have you brought back today?" Vivian sat down and observed the bits of the animal that were scattered everywhere, likely the result of hasty preparations.

  "Maupia." Isa said smugly, "Do you have any idea how hard these are to catch?"

  "I can't say I do. I haven't done any hunting."

  "I swear this creature has godlike agility and an equally impressive constitution; it can run flat out for hours without tiring. Which, when you consider its strict diet of dragon leaf, is truly amazing," Isa wiped the saliva drooling from her beak.

  "Is this safe to eat?" Vivian asked as she inspected the discarded skin.

  "This isn't the first time I've eaten one," Isa rubbed under her beak with her wing as her belly rumbled.

  "I'll pass this time around. It does smell good, though," Vivian replied as she busied herself gathering berries. Delicacy or not, it wasn’t worth drugging herself and her baby. As she collected berries she did note that while her map had updated, there were no maupia markers displayed.

  "Suit yourself," Isa shrugged to herself as she sat roasting the maupia with her saliva drooling uncontrollably in ravenous anticipation.

  Vivian had eaten her fill of wild raspberries and was preparing to go to sleep. "I can't believe you ate the whole thing yourself."

  "I can't believe my belly is bulging this bad," Isa commented around a shameless burp.

  "The maupia was at least twenty times your size, I'm shocked you didn't explode from eating so much unless, of course, you're hiding your real appearance from me," Vivian yawned and closed her eyes.

  "I-" Isa’s eyes lost what little focus they had mid-waddle. Her bulging belly had rounded out her body and she rolled about like a ball before settling into a slight depression in the ground. The combination of the dragon leaf that had permeated the entire meat feast she just ate, and the sheer size of the meal, caused her body to ultimately shut down.

  Vivian opened her eyes slightly, just to observe the passed-out phoenix. "I don't think she's aware that the dragon leaf toxin is still present even after cooking the maupia. I'll consider that the maupia truly is a delicacy and she wasn't trying to drug me."

  Vivian couldn't help but smile when she observed the contented expression Isa had plastered on her face.

  "Sleep well, Isa."