Perytons

As Vorbuk walked along the cart he could hear all the adventurers with him chattering among themselves. Talking with others was something that he really wished he could do like he use to. If he was still human he would had been able to communicate with people, but being in the body he was now meant that he had to learn to accept the fact that conversations was something he could no longer enjoy. The only one he had met so far that could speak to him was Leo.

Well I guess this is just life now. He thought to himself as he looked around the surroundings. Everything was vast and full of wilderness as far as he could see. As he gazed more intently at his surroundings he could see small creatures in the distance. At least he thought they were small until he got a better look at them. With his eyes glued on the creatures off in the distance he wondered for a moment if it was a bird, but then realized that even though they had wings they also had the body of a deer.

What is that? He thought to himself with wonder as he found the thing to look rather majestic and serene.

[ Analyzing Target ]

Oh? I didn't realize I could do something like that! Vorbuk thought to himself as he heard God's Voice speaking to him while he stared at them intently.

[ Species: Peryton

Level: 5

Definition: The peryton is said to have the head, neck, forelegs and antlers of a stag, while huge wings are extended from its back as well as long feathers that drag across the ground as they walk. The creature is harmless unless provoked. ]

Really? I wonder what would happen if it was provoked. The thing looks practically harmless. He thought as he contemplated the idea in his mind.

[ Warning! If it is provoked, run! ]

Well, that is very inspirational! The wolf scoffed and shook his head.

The herd of Perytons all perked their ears as they saw the merchant cart coming in their direction. For a moment Vorbuk thought they would all flee like a herd of antelope or deer, but they only gazed on over at the cart and adventurers on it. In a matter of seconds the largest Peryton slowly and gracefully pranced its way over to stand at the front of the herd. It's eyes carefully sizing them all up.

The herd returned to their grazing on the grass below their hooves while the largest one stood guard. Anyone could tell at a glance that it was clearly the leader among them. Even though they looked extremely harmless even the Gods Voice had warned Vorbuk that they were a power not to be provoked at this time. The thought alone was enough to peek his curiosity, but he was not willing to take the risk and actually try it so he just harmlessly tried to look away to avoid provoking the beast.

"They are so cute!" Zoe's shout startled Vorbuk for a moment as he felt his heart jump inside of him.

They might look cute, but don't get too excited. He sighed in his mind at the cat girl's excitement over something that was suppose to be powerful. Though he remembered that all the people with him were strange in the fact that they all seemed to enjoy the dangerous side of things.

If he was back on earth he would have simply ran away at the sight of something that was powerful enough to kill him and continued to size him up. This was not earth, however, and the Peryton kicked up dirt with it's front hooves as it waved its horns back and forth in the air as a warning.

Mortals, pass on! A deep and determined voice shook powerfully through everyone's minds.

What was that? Vorbuk asked in his mind.

[ A High Peryton is able to access ability - Telepathy! ]

There is such an ability? He asked god's voice.

[ Yes. Only High Ranked creatures are able to access usage of this ability. ]

A high ranking creature, huh... He thought deeply for a moment.

His mind was suddenly filled with the thought of how if he could reach such a high ranking then maybe he could gain the ability. If he could gain such an ability then would he not be able to finally communicate with others around him? To be a high ranked creature, though was something that would probably take him time.

I have gods voice that's able to help me along the way... maybe it wont take as long as I think? He thought to himself for a moment. It was a simple dream he had to be able to speak to others again even though it was still not the same as being human. It was something that was as close to communication as he could ever get in his form, however, so it gave him a little hope.

As the cart passed by the Peryton the wolf kept gazing at them with slight envy at their ability.

That feeling only lasted for a moment before being replaced with a new one and it was determination and hope for his future in this realm.

I guess I could make things work out in my own way in this world. A smile plastered itself on his muzzle as he glanced over to see everyone admiring the Peryton as they rode on along. A bit of relief filled him that the peryton were not too wild to attack without reason behind it so they easily moved along without a problem.

Little did Vorbuk know that even as years passed on for him in the future the sight of the Peryton were bound to become on of his most treasured memories and images in his mind. That peaceful moment that he felt was something that had easily and unknowingly engraved itself on his soul for life. He would not realize it, however, in that moment he had found his first moment of peace among the realm of Validore.

Later that night when they made it to a traveler's inn within the vast forest for those on the road to relax for the night Vorbuk would have dreams of the graceful perytons and sleep the deepest sleep he had since entering the realm.