Sylvalum had always been one of Pongo's favorite continents, but in the dead of night, he finds himself stepping cautiously through the area, his guns at his side in preparation for a surprise attack. He had left his Skell near one of the base camps, deciding instead to explore on foot. He didn't regret the decision, but as he passes a small lake swarmed by young caros, he wonders if it would be smarter to head back. Sighing, he turns away; the logical choice would be to get back to the Skell, which would increase his chances of survivability if something did attack him.
However, as he steps towards the base camp at the edge of the lake, the sky around him changes to a crimson aura. Confused at the sudden change in weather, Pongo frowns, but before he has time to question it a spine-chilling scream pierces the air. Spinning in its direction, Pongo notices that two indigens are locked in a battle - a caro and an aeviter. Both creatures of immense power, and both creatures he didn't want to engage with. So he watches the fight from afar, gripping his Dyads tighter.
The caro slashes at the aeviter with its front claws, and in retaliation the aeviter kicks out with its stumpy insectoid legs. But in terms of damage, the caro is superior, and eventually the caro bites the aeviter's unprotected wing. The aeviter screeches in pain as the caro rips the wing off of its body, sending purple blood flying onto the pure white ground. Pongo winces at the sight; although he isn't squeamish about the sight of blood, it pains him to see the aeviter losing so brutally.
The battle doesn't last for much longer, however, as the caro makes one final swing towards the face of the aeviter, clawing out its singular crystal blue eye and blinding it. In defeat, the aeviter crumples to the ground, unable to continue the fight. The caro howls in triumph and goes to make the killing blow, preparing to pounce on top of it.
And then a gunshot fills the air. Pongo doesn't realize that he shot the caro until it falls to the ground. One shot, one hole through its skull, and the beast is dead. Pongo lowers his guns, attempting to contemplate why he had felt the urge to save the aeviter. Perhaps it was out of pity, but the aeviter is hanging between the forces of life and death, so what good has he done?
Sighing, he decides to walk up to the aeviter, knowing very well that it could still try to hurt him. But as it struggles to stand up again, his scowl turns slowly to a look of sympathy. It is in so much pain...should I end its suffering?
He's directly next to the aeviter now. It can't see him, but it senses his presence and tries to omit a threatening growl. But it's mixed with pain, and it tugs at Pongo's heartstrings in ways he can't understand. I have killed hundreds of your kind before...why are you so different? He finds himself placing his guns on his back as an offering of peace - not that it can see this, of course.
"I am sorry," Is all he manages to tell the creature.
It doesn't understand, how could it? As its efforts begin to weaken, it falls on its side, its blind eye facing Pongo. He's within arm's length of it, and something possesses him to reach out to it. His pale hand strokes the rough skin of the aeviter, and a single tear escapes his pupiless indigo eyes.
"I wish I could have helped you sooner. You did not deserve this fate."
As he utters these words, the aeviter ceases to move. Pongo's eyes close for a brief moment, regretting the decision to stay out of the conflict. No creature deserves a fate such as this.
His eyes open again, and he is momentarily startled by the voice of Mira inside his mind.
You can still help. Are you willing?
He nods, but his uncertainty prompts him to ask, "How can I help it? It died…"
Everything has a soul. Souls can live on.
"How?"
Just watch.
Mira goes quiet, and the aeviter suddenly jerks as something floats out of its chest cavity: an orb of blue light, the size of a human hand, hovers in the air above the aeviter, contrasting against the crimson aura. Stepping back cautiously, Pongo's fingers touch his photon saber's hilt, which lies at his side attached to his belt. But he gets the feeling that this thing, whatever it may be, won't hurt him.
This is a soul. Every creature I have created possesses one, and once a body dies, the soul inside it can be reused to create another one. And when the soul grows old, it can be rejuvenated and become young again, thus continuing the cycle.
The soul hovers towards Pongo as Mira explains the cycle of life. No longer afraid, he allows the soul to float within inches of his face, in line with his pupiless indigo eyes.
Touch it. You will spark the soul's ability to create a new body, and the l'gaen'teroh will be reborn as a new being.
He recognizes Mira's word for 'aeviter', and he takes a deep breath as his right hand comes upwards. His fingers gently touch the surface of the soul, and he is momentarily surprised at how warm it is. Before he can react, the soul falls towards his feet, and as it hits the ground there is a small eruption of light as the soul takes a new shape. As the light dies down, Pongo's jaw drops as he gazes upon an infant Saltat, its eyes still closed and its wings tucked in against its feathery chest.
"Mira...I had no idea that you were capable of this…" He whispers, short of breath after witnessing the miracle of nature.
I have done this for countless eras. I always found it unfair that creatures couldn't have a life after death, so I created this to ensure that their souls could never die.
Pongo opens his mouth to speak, but Mira continues, its tone growing bitter.
Lately the humans have been killing many of my creatures, and it has become increasingly difficult to manage the souls' regeneration abilities. I have even seen some powerful human weapons kill the soul, which should be impossible. It pains me to see my creatures die so easily…
Pongo can't help but let a single tear fall out of his eye. "I know...It hurts."
As it should. That is a curse you must bear: whatever I feel, you must also feel. And that is one of my reasons for keeping you alive. You are much stronger than I had created you to be. You have fought for your people, the people that taught you what it means to be human. And I appreciate that from them, even after all they have done to hurt me.
The baby Saltat's eyes open and it lets out a small chirp, beginning to waddle away on unsteady feet. You are still young. You have much to learn. But I am willing to teach you, if you are willing to be taught.
Pongo nods. "I am willing. There might be some things I could teach you as well," He adds on a small chuckle.
And, to his surprise, the planet chuckles back.
I will admit, you have me curious. We have a deal.
As Pongo walks away, he thinks of an absurd question. "Hey, if you created me, that means I have a soul...so if I die, will I be reincarnated as an Ovis?"
Mira doesn't respond.