Chapter 12

The Hisiff then picks up the dice and throws it.We must locate his people and ascertain the circumstances.After I organize a group of volunteers, we'll set out for High Rock as soon as the sun rises.Also, is one of you interested in joining the aforementioned volunteer group?

The male elf clenches his teeth.I would, but I can't be alone with my family.The Hisiff sneers, "If one of those monsters attacks the house while we're gone..."Hold on.These two houses are guarded by twelve armed hunters.Eleven will have no effect.Furthermore, the journey is short.We will be back before it gets dark.

The man stops.Scott watches him, but his expression is hidden by the red light.Fine.I'll accompany you.

“Excellent.”After a brief pause, the Hisiff gives Astrid a nod.What do you think?

Scott hesitates briefly.He doesn't want to be eaten alive by whatever is following the road out of his house.On the other hand, He and His brand-new body are probably best suited for survival, and if supplies are discovered, the volunteers will probably get a first taste.He adds, "I guess, but wouldn't the armed hunters be a bit better qualified?" with that thought.

They would be, but you don't appear to be blind or stupid, and an additional pair of eyes can't hurt.Again, what was your name?

Scott laughs as he rolls the dice.Astrid.”

It was nice to meet you, Astrid.You can simply refer to me as Hisiff Winkler.or, more succinctly, "Hisiff."

Scott leans toward the Hisiff as though he is about to reveal something to him.If that were the case, you wouldn't have anything to eat, right?

The Hisiff gives a head shake.We had no idea so many people would show up here... Keep in mind that tomorrow will require our energy.Food is only for busy people.Let's break into the kitchen.The Hisiff rises.

The Male Elf gets up from his chair and says, "Now THAT is a good idea if I've ever heard one."

The three elves sneak into the kitchen after passing through the tranquil house.The Hisiff immediately targets the refrigerator.Astrid.Over there, grab the bread.We will dine outside.

While the Hisiff and the male elf eat their sausage and spread, Scott stealthily takes the baguette.

The Hisiff speaks softly, "Hise.We have some leftover lasagna from yesterday.When He sees someone standing in the doorway, The Hisiff trails off.

A flashlight suddenly shines in the kitchen.Scott has to cover his eyes to avoid the sudden light.

"What are you doing?" asks a female voice.It's the wife of the Hisiff.

The Hisriff responds, whispering, "Getting an early breakfast."

"You know we don't have much food, and you're stealing what's left before anyone else even wakes up?"

Scott is able to see the Hisiff glare at His wife in the light of the flashlight."I am hungry," he says in a vengeful voice.This is my house, and I will eat if I feel hungry.

You could also consider the other people in your life for a moment.Tomorrow's people will also be hungry.

The voice of the sheriff quickly gets louder: "His people are not opening their house to otHiss."Tomorrow, his people are not going to hike through a forest filled with monsters.

Just then, a red figure in the doorway appears.What is taking place?”Noah speaks softly to Scott.

“Nothing.Go outside now.Noah, would you like to eat?The Hisiff inquires.

"I'm tired, so I'm going back to bed right now."If you could all be a little quieter, that would be wonderful.

He also takes a few bottles from the fridge before the Hisriff leaves the kitchen.Additionally, I want a beer.He's moved on from his wife.

Scott and the male elf follow in silence.

"Do you also want one?"Scott is offered one of the bottles by the hero.The Hisiff continues, "It has a lot of calories. He hesitates."assists in reducing hunger."

Scott shrugs when he hears that and grabs the bottle.

The three elves have used up everything they took by the time the sun rises.They continued to consume the spreads as they were even after the bread ran out.The hero then tosses everything out, including the bottles.There is little evidence of what they did in the early morning by the time everyone else wakes up.

The most obvious new plant is, however, a bamboo-like tree with clusters of round leaves at the top that appear to be used by the plant to reach for the sky. These leaves grow out of the stem of the tree.These things stand like pillars to reach for the sun above, despite the fact that the larger trees leave space.

These newcomers fight the plants that have been living in these woods for a long time. Soon, nature will decide which plants will survive in this new world and which won't.

The group takes some time to reach the forest's edge, but as they do, it seems like a weight is lifted off of everyone's shoulders.The tension was unbearable even though nothing happened.

Fields extend out in front of them into the distance, eventually ending in a notHis forest and a fog cloud.There are now several otHis plants in what were once endless fields of almost-ripe corn.The fields are dotted with ferns, flowers that look like palm trees, and many more. Between the regular plants are beautiful flowers in yellow, pink, and blue, weeds, and many new ones.

“Wow.Even though every one of these monsters is horrible, at least the plants are pretty.Lukas asserts

Even though there are monsters roaming about and Scott is unaware of his family, the natural beauty fills him with a deep sense of joy.It truly is.

The fields are divided by a road, which leads to two farms—one a little bit closer and the other a lot further away.One huge building is the one closest to them.At least it used to, given that the building is now demolished.The roof and the entire left section have collapsed inward.The evidence of smoldering ash and small puffs of smoke rising from the wreckage suggests that a recent fire is to blame.Cows and creatures resembling brown bison graze in the fields around the ruin.

The rifle is slung over Lukas's back.Look.Over there is my family's farm.He points to the group of buildings that are still standing, pointing past the burned-out wreckage.

"Looks like we have no more forest ahead of us," Noah declares after examining the map.Before heading to Fynn's farm, do you think we should check that farm to see if there are any living people there?

After giving his question some thought, the Hisiff responds, "I don’t know... you know what, why not?provided that we hurry it up.

They leave the trees behind and head out into the open on the newly asphalted road.They continue to search the forest's edge and the fields for anything potentially hazardous before making their way toward the big building.

Scott is able to make out specifics about the bison-like creatures that eat the grass that grows around the farm as they get closer.The fact that they walk on four legs makes them similar to cows, but that's about it.Their chests are the largest part of their bodies, making their behinds appear small in comparison, and their front legs appear to be significantly longer than their hind legs.They have full bodies covered in brown fur, similar to that of bison.Although none of them have horns, they appear to be large enough to trample an elf or human without them.Fortunately, they appear tranquil and completely uninterested in anything except the plants they consume.

"What is it?"Lukas queries.

Scott initially believes that he is referring to cows, but that is not what he is pointing to.A massive creature was flying toward them, and as his eyes followed his finger, he saw it.a creature that immediately conjures up images of a claw cutting a hole in Scott's shoulder.

He screams, "Run!" when he sees the flying predator heading in their direction.

The other person quickly noticed the bird after being startled by His sudden yell and put two and two toHis.All of them run for the destroyed building.

As Astrid starts to run, he feels the rush of adrenaline, but he can't help but look back to see the monster diving.A scream forces its way past His lips, certain that the creature is headed straight for his.As the featHised monstrosity rapidly approaches, his gaze is fixed on it.He slips and falls as his legs trip over something.His knees, chest, and cheek all come into contact with the hard pavement.He desperately tries to pull his revolver from its holster and simultaneously turn to face the creature, but fear suppresses the pain and rattles His brain like a ton of bricks.

He is too sluggish, and if the monster were to aim for him, he would be caught in its claws before he could lift the weapon.The plan of the bird is different.Its dive sends it straight over Astrid's head, and its talons sink into a cow-like calf with a soft whoosh and a loud bwaah of pain.The enormous bird shoots back into the air as it holds the shrieking animal in its claws.

Scott can't help but stare at it as it quickly gains altitude.He was absolutely certain that it was going straight for Him, and if it had, He would have been impaled on its talons on the way to God-knows-who.