The last of the sun's blessed light faded from the mountainous skyline as dusk coaxes in the beautiful, ethereal light of the night's full moon. Alone, one softly glowing bird makes her journey to the center of the jungle where a perfect lake rests, water shimmering platinum in the moonlight.

"I should be a sitting duck!" I complain in disbelief, only to be met with the voiceless reply of the chilly wind.

"I literally could not be anymore obvious, I'm the only glowing bird next to this stupid wall! Why haven't any worms appeared to donate their exp? I'm about to fall asleep I'm so bored!...Let's not forget..." I continue to rant on and on about my woes to the rocks at my feet.

"Of course the moment I actually want to start a fight is when all the nasties decide to go to sleep, why is this jungle so cruel to me? Just one or two worms is enough!" I plea to the twinkling stars.

With my talons scraping on stones, voice crying out and my very extravagant glowing feathers, it's a miracle haven't come across something yet, anything at all! Not even insects are doing their usual humming or buzzing, I've never been so lonely, even back in my birth tunnel! At least the big blue and white tree, and by extension that little brown boat are getting marginally closer from the constant walking. My glowing feathers make traveling at night just as easy as in the day! Even though I still take 'falling damage' every now and again. I think that squiggle appears whenever I fall and get hurt or something similar? My knowledge on squigglies seems to grow whenever I'm bored out of my mind.

I'd rather be getting hurt fighting those Rattling Worms then falling! I could at least get exp and level up to improve my flying that way!

Maybe the weak holy presence around the wall is scaring away all the naughty creatures who want to harm me? That sounds reasonable.

But, it didn't stop the two worms I fought earlier... so... maybe there are no nocturnal creatures around this rocky area? Only further in the forest? I'm sure that if I wandered into the jungle I'd get lost, but maybe getting a little closer won't hurt?

As the thought crossed my mind, subconsciously my feet already began to veer diagonally to the jungle before I could make the decision.

"Alright then, It's not healthy to ignore your body! And right now its telling me to get more exp!" I say in support of my feet's actions.

The decision to head further away from the unnatural stone wall proves to be unintentionally wise, as the terrain becomes noticeably easier to traverse. No longer are there random holes in the ground or unsteady patches of gravel to slip and fall on! Lucky bonus!

Faintly the sounds of millions of insects carries over the brisk wind as the familiar stone wall drifts further away. I never thought I could miss this sound, they're so disgusting to look at, but kinda nice to listen to.

"This should be far enough" I say aloud, after making it halfway between the stoic wall and the wild jungle.

Now there can be a CHANCE of encountering ambitious exp, attracted by my appetizing form. Little do they know, this delicious chicken is capable of shooting fireballs of death! Yummy toasted blankets for a midnight snack! The thought making me lick the edges of my beak.

Already I can dimly hear the sounds of animals on the hunt, deeper in the jungle. It's only a matter of time before something tries it's luck against the invincible, indomitable and dazzling... ME! Being this exposed is bound to draw attention!

Although, I think 'ME' isn't fitting for my magnificence any longer, I need something grander and less childish to match my growing personality. The perfect name.

It must strike fear into my enemies heart, shaking them in their boots at the very mention!

It also, must be spoken with the upmost respect by those who adore and revere me!

Most importantly, above all other priorities, it must be cute! Very much so. There can be no compromise on this matter whatsoever! Zero tolerance! No exceptions! No deviations! That's final! So what should it be? Fluffee? Yummi? Bluffy? Skittles? oh-o-o- Ruby or Rose or Blankette!? So many choices!

My excited stupor in regards to my nameless crisis nearly made the ominous rustling of some dense shrubbery up ahead go unnoticed... 'nearly' being the keyword.

Instantly snapping to attention, I locked eyes with the offending bushes, hoping to catch another glimpse of movement. The bushes however went eerily still at my timid approach.

Maintaining my pace and edging ever so closer whilst acting as if I hadn't seen anything I mentally prepared to unleash my full arsenal of fire at a moments notice. Whatever this was, it wasn't a scaly worm, they didn't hide in bushes, this was something new!

The safest bet is to kill it with fire!

Inch by inch the gap between the shrub and myself shortened until is was only a couple meters. The bush still showed not a single sign of life, but I knew better. Each next step closer added to the building weight that bared down on my nerves as the unknown and unseen threat waited in hiding.

I was already committed to the act of not noticing it! If I stopped now my surprise counter attack will be lost! I must keep pushing through!

Another few hesitant hops and bounds brought me within breathing distance to where 'it' was hiding. Foliage too dense to see through, I have to get even closer. The invisible weight was on my shoulders now crushing and my adrenaline surging in complete contrast to the peaceful bush.

'I'm not scared' I repeat over and over in my head as I scuttle nearer.

Taking one final step closer the bush's tiny leaves shine brightly in my orange glow, the belly of the bush however, remains pitch black under it's impenetrable shroud of shadow. Whatever's in there's only a wing's length away and I still can't make out a thing!

I think I've acted more than enough.

I basically have 'eat me' written on my face when I'm this close!

Spinning to face the bush and rearing back my wings, I let the bush taste my fire.

"Cinders"

2 Fire Damage

A yelp of surprise and pain cries out as my flames engulf the entire bush. "Cinders Cinders Cinders" I repeat with every flap of my wings, the spray of fire providing a burst of sudden thrust propelling me upwards. Why didn't I think of this earlier? Fire Flapping!

3 Fire Damage 4 Fire Damage 3 Fire Damage

A wailing mess of pitch black fur springs out of the bush and thrashes on the ground as the bush behind it ignites brilliantly. The creatures looks just like the Big Fluffer! Only longer instead of bigger and the color of it's fur is blacker than the space between the stars! Before the black fluffer can snuff out the fire I launch a Bellows from directly above! Taste the power of the high ground!

7 Fire Damage

The Black Fluffer is somehow able to 'shift' backwards on the floor and avoid the brunt of the attack by leaking out a black mist from it's fur and teleporting, but still receives a good face full of fire from the explosion.

Seriously though! What on earth was that move just now! It totally just did a teleport thingy in that black mist! Oh my golly gosh what would I give to be able to do that!!!!

Casting aside my jealousy, I press my advantage by throwing out another Bellows and then tucking my wings to my side to follow the fire bolt's trajectory with a low-altitude dive bomb.

13 Fire Damage Shadow Lynx is Burned

The fire explodes right next to the Black Fluffer that seems to be unable to 'shift' again, still it manages to turn away from the fire at the last second so that only it's rear is burned, unfortunately, it's exposed back makes a easy target for my extended talons that are currently cutting through the air.

6 Piercing Damage 14 Tearing Damage Shadow Lynx is Bleeding

With the full force of my weight and speed my feet slam into the soft, albeit horrifically charred fur and clamp down like a vice as I skid along the rocks, dragging my helpless victim along with me. The pointy stones below give me a few bleeding gashes on my chest, but my passenger, who's suffering far worse, goes limp as it gets crushed along the ground, almost instantly.

Suffered 9 Falling Damage Suffered Minor Bleeding 8 Bludgeoning Damage Shadow Lynx Slain, 53 exp gained

Yes the exp! Gimmie gimmie!

Wiping off the little rocks and dust off my body I dig in to my new tasty treat! Pulling away at the burnt skin I eagerly relish the sweet toasty red flesh residing beneath, I was feeling 'peckish' to start with! Also, defeating something so similar to the Big Fluffer was a total rush! I've grown so much stronger! This scrumptious Black Fluffer wasn't even able to land a single hit on me!

"Amazing~! I'm simply too good~!" I sing out to a happy melody as I scoff down the best parts of my kill, that being mainly the legs because they're the most tender. I avoid the tricky to eat bits like the head and back because there's too many tiny bones, which are definitely not yummy, also, the quicker I eat, the quicker I can find more exp!

There's nothing that can stop me now!

I am the apex predator!!

I rule the jungle!

Not even teleportation can trump me!

... those being my final thoughts before hearing a growl filled with sorrow an anguish rumble right behind me.