The Hunt Begins

Zami adjusted the tattered cloak over his shoulders, its edges frayed from countless battles. His katana rested at his side, gleaming faintly in the dim light of the cavern. The blade had been cleaned and sharpened to perfection, its eerie white symbols pulsing softly, as if resonating with his determination.

He had spent days recuperating, forcing his body to mend from the damage inflicted by the Bone Monarch and the desperate use of his *Exploding Blood Cells* and *The Night Sun*. The healing liquid he had prepared using the colony's plants and fungi had helped significantly, though his arm still bore faint scars from the fiery technique.

Now, with most of his strength restored, Zami stood at the threshold of a new challenge. He was ready to continue his search for the vessels.

Karesh's voice slithered into his mind, a constant presence that he had learned to tolerate over the centuries. "You've recovered faster than I expected. But do you truly understand the scale of what you're attempting?"

"I understand enough," Zami replied, strapping the dagger he'd crafted from the rib of a toxic creature to his side. Its bone-white surface glinted ominously. "If the vessels are tied to the entities, then they're the key to ending this."

Karesh let out a low hum, half amused, half concerned. "You've always been a stubborn one. Fine. Where will you start?"

Zami tightened the straps on his boots, his gaze distant as he considered his options. "The shard from the Bone Monarch's throne is outside the fortress, guarded by the humanoid creatures. I'll retrieve it—on my terms this time."

"And the other shard? The one you discarded?" Karesh asked.

"I'll deal with that later," Zami said curtly. "For now, I need to focus on what's in front of me."

He checked his supplies, ensuring he had enough herbs and fungi to craft more healing liquid if needed. His food stores were running low, but hunting in the colony had never been an issue. The creatures here were plentiful, even if they were far from appetizing.

As he prepared to leave his makeshift home, his thoughts drifted to the past. The shards, the vessels, the meteors that brought them to this world—it was all connected, but the pieces of the puzzle were still scattered. Karesh knew more than he let on, but Zami had learned not to press him too hard. The creature would reveal information when it deemed the time was right, and not a moment sooner.

With a final glance around the cavern, Zami stepped out into the oppressive darkness of the colony. The air was thick with the scent of decay, and the distant sounds of skittering claws and guttural growls reminded him that danger was never far away.

As he moved through the twisting tunnels, his senses remained on high alert. The faint hum of energy he had felt before was stronger now, guiding him toward the shard outside the fortress. It was a sensation he couldn't quite explain, as if the shard was calling to him, beckoning him to return.

Hours passed as he navigated the labyrinthine paths, his movements silent and deliberate. He avoided unnecessary confrontations, conserving his strength for the battles to come.

Eventually, the tunnels opened up into a vast chamber, its walls lined with jagged stones that seemed to pulse with a faint, malevolent energy. In the center of the chamber stood the humanoid creatures he had encountered before, their forms shrouded in shadow.

They were larger in number this time, their weapons glinting in the dim light. Bows, spears, and crude swords—they were prepared for a fight.

Zami crouched low, observing them from a distance. They were guarding the shard, just as he had expected. The faint glow of the object was visible even from here, its presence a stark contrast to the oppressive darkness around it.

Karesh's voice broke the silence. "You'll need a plan. Rushing in will only get you killed again."

"I know," Zami murmured, his eyes scanning the chamber for any weaknesses in their formation. "I'll wait for the right moment. Let them make the first move."

As he watched, his mind raced through the techniques at his disposal. The humanoid creatures were intelligent, but they were still bound by the limitations of their physical forms. He would exploit that, using their overconfidence against them.

For now, he remained in the shadows, a predator waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.