《Legends of Arenia》Chapter 24-ish: Turkey Gravy
Advertisement
The turkey pecked away beneath the tree. It had been difficult finding food, but at long last, it appeared she’d found a source of nourishment.
Padding her way over to an acorn, the turkey scratched at it with her foot to get it loose from the dirt. She bent to pick up the nut, only to have it snatched away at the last second by a ground squirrel almost a third of her size, the thief chittering with laughter as it ran into its burrow.
The turkey watched in silence, then resumed her search for acorns. She managed to find another one, but again it was snatched from her grasp by a squirrel. The turkey jumped up and down, flapping her wings indignantly, but her display was met with yet another chorus of squirrel laughter.
The turkey’s head swivelled around. She was surrounded. The rodents were enjoying a game of “snatch the acorn,” and she was the butt of the joke.
Resigned to her fate, the turkey resumed looking for acorns. She scratched one from beneath the leaves and pulled it towards her, but the moment she saw a flash of gray to her right, she shifted her foot and stomped down on the head of the squirrel instead. Bringing the other foot across, the turkey wrapped the head of the squirrel in both of her feet and began pecking at it viciously, rolling around on the ground as the squirrel tried to get free of the turkey’s vicelike grip.
Over and over, the turkey plunged her beak at the squirrel’s head. None of the other squirrels made a move to stop the attack, their only reaction coming when there was a small cracking noise as the hard keratin of the turkey’s beak fractured the would-be thief’s skull, plunging its way into the squirrel’s brain and killing it instantly.
Advertisement
The turkey fluttered her feathers and righted herself, warbling righteously at the squirrel’s corpse. She took a step toward the abandoned acorn, then looked back at the dead ground squirrel. Then at the acorn. Then at the squirrel.
Hopping over to the corpse, the turkey grabbed the squirrel by the head and tossed her neck back, shaking and bobbing to get it oriented correctly. Once the squirrel’s body was positioned, she swallowed the large animal whole, jerking her head up and down to get it into her stomach before it choked her to death.
A piece of worn newsprint appeared, text rapidly squiggling into existence on its surface.
Animal growth process… not permitted. Edge-case scenario remains unresolved. Escalating to management.
Admin (Carl): No, no, no! I’m here! Don’t contact management! Blast it, how do I turn off this microphone?
Microphone = Off
Microphone = On
Admin (Carl): There we go. Quite the sticky button, I’d say.
Edge-case scenario unresolved. Contacting management in 10… 9…
Admin (Carl): Oh dear, this is not good. Damn, why couldn’t they have used a rune-based system instead of this confounded interface? "Every button is a complex magical ritual!" they said. Ugh…
Advancement qualification reached
Tome present
Enact tome progression…
…
…
Failed. Non-Sentient species.
Enact Animal growth progression…
…
…
Failed. Tome present.
Target is Legend. Advancement mandatory. Conflict must be resolved.
Contacting management in 8… 7…
Admin (Carl): How am I possibly supposed to fix that? Let’s see…
Species alteration failed: Base identity cannot be modified.
Target is Legend. Advancement mandatory.
Contacting management in 6… 5…
Admin (Carl): If I can’t change the species or the Tome, how in the blazes is this damn turkey supposed to advance? The only thing both animals and Legends can do is…
Oh dear. That’s probably not a good idea.
Advertisement
Contacting management in 4… 3…
Admin (Carl): I mean, maybe it would be okay…
Contacting management in 2… 1…
Admin (Carl): Aaaaah!
Operator input received.
Tome progression = Evolution progression
Animal growth progression = Evolution progression
CAUTION: EVOLUTION PATH UNDEFINED. MAY PRODUCE UNUSUAL RESULTS
PROCEED? YES/NO
Tome: Evolution path permitted!
Animal: Evolution path permitted!
Conflict resolved.
Admin (Carl): There. What a headache. Blasted thing will most likely be dead in a couple of hours anyway.
The paper disappeared. An instant later, the turkey began jerking spasmodically, her feathers ruffling as she tried to get her body under control. It was no mean task, but when she did manage to calm herself, a rippling shimmer passed over her body, leaving behind a smoother, more compact appearance.
Cool and collected once more, the turkey surveyed the clearing and noted that the squirrel colony was now staring at her warily. She walked towards one, but it darted underground, the sight of her now triggering the animal’s predator reflex. The turkey nodded to herself. She’d have to come up with a strategy if she was going to catch more of these.
Kicking the acorn aside, Turkaletta took three steps and leapt off the ground, the power of her wings lifting her into the trees for the first time in her life.
Advertisement
- In Serial47 Chapters
Flame Beneath The Snowfall
Alto is a world governed by Tones. Magic, as one might call it. Manifested through deep mental and physical conditioning, one can control the Tones in a way that is unique to them. The power to store items in gems, transfer life, affect a person's mind, and even the more primal abilities such as control of the elements. Those who have these supernatural abilities are called 'Vassals.' People that fully manifest their abilities are not as common as one might think, and not all Vassals acquire their ability through practice, given if conditions are met. In fact, those who had received much trauma manifest the Tones more frequently, albeit spontaneously. However, the rare kind of Vassals are those who manifest it from childhood. A gift, but not without its repercussions. Alto is stuck in a transitional era, where the line between modern and dated technology is blurred. One can travel to a city that has a tall skyline, bustling with people in sophisticated clothing, or a mere town governed by a lord, all the while riding on a powered vehicle. Cultures vary: Some turn to the more dated practices such as castes, others are more inclined to set equal footing on their people, led by nobility. Some are dedicated to become scholars, studying Alto's Tones, while others set foot on hunts, protecting lone towns from the creatures of some of the still-untamed lands. And the Vassals? Those willing are took under The Organization, an elusive group, its presence said to permeate all throughout Alto, taking care of Rogue Vassals that abuse their abilities and other businesses related to their side. But what is this story all about, you may ask? Well, set your sights on the upper portions of this huge landmass that is Alto. Yes, the 'whole' world is called Alto, but that is because the majority of the known people live on this large continent. Relieve yourself of the worrying tensions everywhere, and see the white snow. Trace the piercing mountaintops and focus your eyes between the valley. A town sits there. Mido. After realizing that the memories only left in his mind was the night of his town's imminent destruction in flames, a boy finds himself grasping for every fiber of his life as he lays down flat on the ground. Beneath him was soot mixed with the white snow. Fortunately, a group of investigators, who were supposed to answer their call for help, saved him from his sorry state. With a newfound second wind, but hampered by his loss of memory, he must solve his own case: Who had the audacity to set Mido, his town, aflame? Flame Beneath the Snowfall focuses on action, with a sense of adventure, but mostly the discovery of an outside world, and the protagonist's exposure to it. Add in a whisk of soft magical elements, and you get a story that I hope will be interesting to the readers. That is not to say that my work is without the sense of unnerving atmosphere, however. As a forewarning, there are elements of gore, horror, minor elements of mental trauma, etc. so it is not for all audiences. *The book is already completed. Although I have plans to continue the story (it would have to involve much larger scope in terms of world-building), I have yet to decide when to start the next entry.
8 117 - In Serial6 Chapters
Steel Soul Online
David is a lawyer with a passion for videogames, even if his job doesn't let him play to his heart's content he is happy with playing every Saturday or Sunday in his VR capsule and, like everyone else, waits impatiently for the release of Steel Soul Online, the first VR Mecha game that combined magic and technology and the largest ever made for said system, But his life changed completely one fateful night while riding his Motorbike. Now in the world of SSO, he'll try to improve and overcome his peers, make new friends and conquer the world!... but he has to do it in the most unconventional way possible in a world where death is lurking at every step! Note: this is not an isekai ;)
8 117 - In Serial7 Chapters
Soul Kiln Saga
Were there was two, hereunto lies but one. Two souls cast into the abyss of the void, forever lost. One stands anew. Shall it be the lesser for it, or rise to heights unforeseen. Here lies his story, one most enthralling. You may have heard of him, but what do you truly know. Come sit by the hearth, pour an ale, and let this bard weave his craft.
8 103 - In Serial14 Chapters
The Library's Patron.
A fan fiction of Library of Ruina that only uses the Library and its powers. (ALSO YOU CAN ONLY READ THIS IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED LOR because IT SPOILS THE ENTIRE GAME. Read at your risk!) "May you find your book in this place." 18 year old, Albion 'Lynx' Herrington was an F-Ranked Hunter who died. Now he finds himself in a place known as the Library. Whatever its origins and whatever it is. Albion had to figure things out on his own, and the Library may have the answers to the questions he has.
8 118 - In Serial17 Chapters
Silverscale Paradise (A Yandere Harem Adventure)
Warning: This story contains R18 content and depicts sexual acts. Hey there, Mark Gregory here! This is the story of how I got sucked into the world of a trashy Harem manga that only lasted 12 chapters. I read it while I was high the night before and only vaguely remember anything about it....so yeah. No foresight. Also, it appears I am a brokenly powerful character, possibly the secret end boss, that was hiding in plain sight the whole time. - That is to say, the "Quiet Prince" student in their class. My new name is Zeneff Silverscale...can you guess what I am? If you guessed overpowered godlike dragon, then you are correct! The problem is...I don't want to be evil...and I don't know enough about the story to follow along...so what do I do? The Answer: Whatever the Fuck I want. I will also be posting this story on Scribble Hub
8 108 - In Serial14 Chapters
Inner Mechanisms- Maki Zenin x Reader
Going into your sophmore year of college, you pick up a job as a mechanic at a small warehouse in Tokyo. Little did you know you would be thrown into the world of underground street racing and meet Maki Zenin, an ex member of the notorious Zenin gang. _________Inspired by the amazing fan art in the cover by @huangdanlan on twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/huangdanlan/status/1362355607731277826It just gave me street racer vibes.
8 211
Prev Chap
Next Chap
Chap List
Boy
Girl
