Chapter 22: Survival of the Fittest
I woke to the sound of scratching and crunching. I opened my eyes and looked around. The stones by the door were being pushed on by something till a paw pushed it's way through. It was large as large as my head. I immediately started looking for a way out and saw the roots that dripped water.
( This is going to suck...) I ran to the roots and started my climb the cold water lightly coated my arms as my claws dug into the root. I moved upward. It was a little tight, but I was managing. A I got closer to the surface I could see light passing through the roots. I started munching on the roots to get out. Thankfully I saw what was out there before I could chew my way out.
It was a massive cat. As tall as a person and coated in scales with some fur tufts sticking out from beneath them. Its face was that of a tomcat with exception to its abnormally large fangs. Those fangs made it look like a draconic sabertooth tiger. ( That thing shouldn't be here. This ecosystem can't possibly support it. It's too big. Probably best if I avoided it.) I waited a while after it left through some bushes before I came out. I climbed a tree to a decent enough height to glide. ( Seeing as gliding gets me around faster, this makes sense.) I continued gliding and even tried flapping my wings a bit. (Flapping is harder than gliding. I need to work on this or I'll never truly fly!) I thought. I reached a part in the trees where there was a spring.
The spring was surrounded by twisted trees. It almost looked as though they were braided together by something. I settled down at a pool of water not far from the spring and rested a bit. After my little stop, I went on a little stroll. I could see surprisingly well in the underbrush. All of a sudden I was struck by something sticky!
The thing hit me hard enough that my feet came off the ground. / Reinforcement of Stone lvl 4! Hosts scales have grown from taking considerable damage./ My body hit the ground and I tried to roll but something stopped me. I looked and it was a long pink thing holding me. It extended into the bushes by the spring. Suddenly tugged toward the bushes. ( Shit!) I tried clawing and digging into the ground to stop myself but to no avail.
The tongue dragged me into the bushes where I saw a frog the size of a large desk. ( And this is how it ends... Not on my watch!) I tried turning but it kept me facing away from it. And by the time it let me go it was too late. I was in it's mouth. I felt the goop on its tongue and mouth as it swallowed me and I sat in its stomache. It was suffocating. ( Ok.... Enough!) I self ignited. / Host has ignited in a humid environment. Flame efficiency decreased by 50%./ (Then I'll just burn hotter!) I started focusing on the image I wanted most. Not a blow torch or a bbq. I wanted a volcano. I wanted to erupt with such heat it destroyed this damn toad. I focused and felt the heat boiling the stomache. The toad started croaking loudly and hopping. I felt the jarring but I didn't care. I just bit into it's stomache lining to hold myself still. Finally I felt it. The explosion.
There was a loud boom and I was thrown through the air. Sucked out into the light that filled the forest. I had a hard landing. It didn't hurt but it was certainly uncomfortable. I weakly got to my feet.
(That was really draining.) I thought as I looked around. There were pieces of smoking toad everywhere. Plastered across the grass and on the bark of trees. I walked over to one of its large legs that lay smoking on the ground. It must have been 4 feet long.
( Guess you get to be eaten today bastard) I thought as I picked up its leg and started breathing fire over it to cook it. Toad doesn't taste too bad. Like chicken but a little greasier. / Host has eaten Iron Horned Toad. Host has aquired active ability: Sticky Tongue. Allows for catching things at a long range. Can also be coated with poison. Upgrade available if host wants. Poisonous Adhesive Tongue and Poison Spit available./ ( Why not. Yes) I felt an irritation spread across my mouth. I wanted to scratch but it itched even across my tongue. ( This Sucks!!!)
After some time the itch finally abated and my eyes stopped watering. I looked towards a small bird on a branch above me. I wonder if I can hit it. The info for using the tongue immediately filled my mind. ( Oh this is nice! I finally don't have to work to get a tutorial.) I coiled my tongue as best as I could. Till the pressure built and then I let it go. My tongue released like a bullet. Stretching quickly over the distance till it struck the bird with a "poof". And I retracted it right away. My long tongue was covered in pink and red bumps and it felt weird to see my own tongue like this.
( Sorry buddy. But this was for a good cause) I lit the bird ablaze and swallowed it whole. / Host has consumed Cloud Feather Bird consumed. Host has gained materials suitable for wing muscle enhancement/ ( Nice.)
After that I continued to scavenge for the other parts of the toad. ( How can I be this hungry?) I found the rest of thescattered toad after a couple hours of searching and ate it. I had to ignore the stuck on grass, dirt, and leaves but it was better than going hungry.
After some contemplation I continued on my journey. (I need to get off the ground) I thought as I looked up and saw the sun setting.
I found some sticks and leaves and climbed a tree. (How do birds manage this?) I thought as I started making a nest by curving some of the branches like I was making a basket. It brought back memories of what I used to do in arts and crafts. I continued till I was satisfied. I managed to find and skin a strange red squirrel that was the size of a raccoon and used that for padding. (This should do.) I continued to search for materials and found enough to make a small roof. It was like a yurt I guess you would say. Parts that wouldn't stay I used sticky saliva to hold it in place. Luckily the stuff dried and held after a couple minutes.
( This will be my home for now.) I thought sadly. ( Time for bed) I thought as realization hit home. I wasn't going to see Sam for a long time. ( I need to figure out how to get home....) I thought as I drifted off to sleep.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone