In Pursuit of the Rat's Lair

As Eamon and his troop reached the mouth of the cave, he noticed that the vast expanse before them lay eerily quiet and desolate.

Not a single rat could be seen scurrying across the plain. Eamon scanned the horizon, searching for any sign of movement. But the landscape remained still.

A realization settled upon him. The time had come for him to venture with his troop beyond the safety of their sanctuary. Though the prospect was daunting, Eamon knew that his physical prowess granted him the ability to flee in the face of imminent danger.

More crucially, he understood the profound limitations of his undead creatures. With the exception of Malakai, their intellects were rudimentary at best, rendering them ill-equipped for complex decision-making. He couldn't afford to lose them due to their inherent shortcomings.

This day, they had to go further to find monsters for him to absorb, and Eamon couldn't see or monitor them if he stayed in the cave.

Eamon made his decision. He would deploy the undead as scouts, leveraging their formidable strength to probe the dangers that lurked beyond. His own presence would serve as a safeguard, ensuring that the right decisions were made quickly in case of unexpected perilous encounters.

Eamon and his undead companions emerged from the dim confines of the cave, they were greeted by the soft glow of the morning sun. After spending so long time in darkness, Eamon found himself momentarily blinded by the brilliant light. Blinking rapidly, he shielded his eyes with his hand until they adjusted to the newfound brightness.

Once his vision cleared, Eamon took a moment to savor the warmth of the sunlight on his skin. It had been far too long since he had felt its comforting embrace, and he relished the sensation as it enveloped him.

As he continued to walk, Eamon couldn't help but marvel at the sight before him. The sky stretched out endlessly above, painted in shades of blue and gold as the sun rose higher in the sky. There was only one sun, just like on Earth, casting its golden rays across the landscape and bathing everything in its warm light.

They ventured into the plain, accompanied only by the occasional chirping of birds and the hum of insects. 

As he surveyed the surroundings, Eamon's gaze fell upon a majestic river that cut through the heart of the plain, dividing it into two distinct halves. The river flowed with a serene elegance, its waters shimmering in the sunlight as they meandered through the vast expanse of land.

On either side of the riverbanks, sparse vegetation dotted the landscape, offering little refuge from the scorching sun overhead. The grasses swayed gently in the breeze, their golden hues blending with the earthy tones of the soil beneath.

Eamon observed the tranquil surface of the water, noting that the current seemed calm. Furthermore, Eamon had observed two rats scurrying across the river to escape from them into the nearby forest the day before.

"Fred, cross the river," Eamon commanded. However, to his frustration, Fred looked at him then at the river and remained motionless.

Malakai stepped forward without waiting for Eamon's inquiry. "Allow me, Master," he said, fixing his fiery gaze upon Fred. The zombie suddenly sprang into action.

As Fred plunged into the river and began to swim across, Eamon turned to Malakai.

"How do you do that? The zombies you create appear to grasp only your instructions when the commands are complex," Eamon asked.

"Allow me to clarify, master," Malakai humbly interjected. "When I zombify them, a connection forms, allowing me to extend my influence to Fred and the others. In doing so, I guide their actions and override their limited intellect."

Fred crossed the river, spanning just over 150 meters (approximately 492 feet), in a matter of minutes. As he reached the other side, he emerged from the water.

Eamon raised his voice. "Let's move! Everyone, across the river." Malakai positioned himself behind Eamon, ready to protect him if needed. Feeling the coolness of the water as he touched it, Eamon plunged in the sensation was surprisingly pleasant. He led the way with confident strokes. Malakai followed closely behind, ensuring Eamon's safety. They quickly reached the opposite bank, dripping wet.

As they continued their exploration on the other side of the river, Eamon halted the troupe when he spotted a bush laden with hundreds of orange berries.

"Malakai, do you know if these berries are safe to eat?" Eamon asked as he gestured towards the bush.

"I'm not entirely sure, master," Malakai responded. "My undead state prevents me from testing them myself. It's possible I don't possess the same digestive capabilities as a human."

Eamon pondered for a moment, realizing his own lack of hunger or thirst, likely due to his absorption power. However, he was concerned for Malakai and the zombies. "Malakai, do you and the zombies require sustenance?" he asked.

Malakai paused, considering Eamon's question. "At present, I do not feel any immediate hunger. However, I must admit, I was quite drawn to the flesh of the rats we encountered earlier. I refrained from consuming them as I knew it was your wish. As for the zombies, their needs may arise in the future if hunger becomes pressing," he explained.

Eamon continued along the path with the undead, no longer concerned about the berries. Soon, they reached the forest where the rats had disappeared the previous day.

Eamon directed the zombie rat to follow the scent trail of the other rats deeper into the forest. With its keen sense of smell, the rat led the way, sniffing out the path. Eamon and his undead companions followed closely behind, navigating through the dense foliage of trees that resembled towering pines.

On a tree, a massive beetle, its glossy carapace reflecting the dappled sunlight, darted away, startled by their approach. This beetle was no ordinary insect; it was as large as a basketball.

Pressing on, the group rounded a natural bend in the trail, and the zombie rat's excitement became palpable. Its movements quickened, and it darted forward eagerly. 

"Master," Malakai interjected, "it seems the zombie rodent has found the nest we've been searching for. It must be close, hidden within the thick undergrowth ahead."