Year : 771
A little more than 3 years after the Cell Game
Getting up and flying over the area allowed 17 and Ruri to see the extent of the damage done to the local environment. There were hardly any animals visible. The few that they could see were generally isolated, and some in pretty bad shape.
It seemed imperative to find the animal that was causing this problem, and quickly. Otherwise, not only would the entire biodiversity of the area be lost, but also the tribes that lived from hunting in the area. And, as Ruri explained to 17, the farmers would also be in serious danger. When the animal would have nothing left to eat in the wilderness, he would increase his attacks on the farms, and all the inhabitants would be in danger.
Eventually, however, they spotted a small group of antelope. Ruri spotted two individuals that seemed weaker than the others, probably older. She judged that it was possible to kill them without damaging the integrity of the herd.
To allow 17 to practice his archery a little, Ruri had suggested a little exercise. She had asked him to stand on high ground, while she had taken care of gathering the animals in his direction. With his speed, he had been able to shoot several arrows very quickly. As for aiming, however, he still had some progress to make. He had managed to hit the antelopes, but not to hit a vital point on the first shot. Fortunately, Ruri was right behind him, and had taken care to finish off the animals right away so that they would not suffer.
17 had then transported Ruri and the antelopes directly to the village of the two humans they had met. They had been very well received by the tribesmen, especially when the latter had seen all the food that was offered to them.
After the usual introductions, an exercise in socialization that was particularly painful for 17, the village chief proposed to organize a big banquet around a ceremony to celebrate the success of the hunt, which Ruri gladly accepted.
The men of the village gave 17 a brand new bow, much more suitable for his size than Ruri's bow. As he had never received a gift before, he didn't know what to say first. But fortunately for him, Ruri came to his rescue and discreetly whispered a few polite words so that he could thank the villagers properly. As for her, she received a dress and jewelry offered by the women of the tribe.
17 was then asked by the men to join them for an archery training session, which he accepted, still disappointed by the fact that he had not managed to hit his targets on the first try. He left for about two hours. The contact with these humans was for him finally rather pleasant. Indeed, contrary to those he was used to, the members of this tribe were not very talkative, and did not seem to be disturbed at all by his mutism. On the contrary. They seemed to respect his silence and his aloofness, proof according to them of his great strength.
As for Ruri, she stayed in the village with the women and children, which she took advantage of to ask a lot of questions in order to try to get information about the foreign animal. Unfortunately, she did not learn much, except that the hunters of the tribe had been in close contact with what they called "the beast", that it had appeared about 7 months ago, and that it had decimated the other animals very quickly. It was undoubtedly a huge animal, but elusive, moving very quietly, without making a single sound. He left behind neither blood nor hair, as if his prey had not had time to fight before being carried away.
At the end of the day, the whole tribe gathered around a big banquet, where 17 and Ruri were the guests of honor. It was only then that Ruri remembered something.
- Ah. Damn," she whispered to 17, as they both took their places in the circle formed by all the villagers.
- What?
- Don't panic, but I just remembered something.
- What is it ?
- I believe that in fact, when a hunting success ceremony is performed, the hunters are offered the most noble part of the killed animal.
- And what is the most noble part?
- ... the eyes.
- WHAT ? exclaimed 17
- Shhhh not so loud!
- But," said 17, lowering his voice, "why the eye?
- They think it's the seat of his soul I think.
- …..
- No but wait, it's not sure, maybe I'm wrong...
They didn't have to wait long to find out their fate. And indeed, Ruri's memories were correct. The women brought the cooked antelope meat and arranged it in the center of the circle. Then a little girl approached them, holding two small bowls in her hand and holding them out to them with a big smile.
An antelope eye was in each cup.
17 and Ruri took the cups, and noticed that all the villagers were staring at them. They looked delighted and were looking forward to seeing their guests open the banquet.
- Well, the good news is that I was right. And the bad news is that I was right... Ruri muttered.
- No way am I eating that," 17 whispered in response.
- Oh no, we can't, that would be rude.
- I don't care of being rude.
- But you'll hurt their feelings.
- I don't care if I offend them.
- The little girl may cry!
- I don't ... but humans really can cry about anything !
- Frankly, I'm disappointed in you. That you're an antisocial bear, that's fine. But that you freak out over so little, really, it's not really worthy of a super-powered cyborg...
- ... I what?
- You're freaking out.
- Are you kidding me ? I'm not afraid of anything or anyone, little human.
- Well, prove it ! Stop your whining and eat this antelope eye !
Stuck, 17 could not go back.
- I count to 3... take a deep breath, and think of something else.
- ... you're really dragging me into some crazy stories...
- At least you're not bored! Come on. 1… 2…. 3 !
The taste of the antelope eye was at least as disgusting as 17 could have imagined, but once he had eaten it, all the villagers shouted for joy, and the rest of the evening went by quite pleasantly.
They stayed in the village for the night, and the next day they decided to leave. Ruri had not slept much. She had spent hours thinking. She had taken a map of the area out of her bag, read one of her books, and also consulted her laptop, talking to some of her teachers. 17 had stayed with her until she fell asleep on the floor, exhausted. He had gently picked her up and had took her to a tent to be cared for by the village chief's wife. He then had spent the rest of the night practicing shooting with the new bow he had been given, soon to be joined by the other hunters.
17 didn't like to be around people, but the company of these humans wasn't so bad. He had even come to enjoy it.
When it was time to leave the village, Ruri asked if it was possible to leave the horses with them for a while. She now had an idea of where the animal they were looking for might have come from, and they would have to fly to get there.
So they flew off to the west of the world. 17 saw 3 islands. Two small ones and one much larger one.
- Is that where you want to go?
- Yes. Just sit on the one you want, we'll inspect all three anyway.
They did not find anything particular on the first one, except that it also seemed depopulated. On the second, the first observation was the same. Except for the rare sounds of birds, a heavy silence reigned there and they hardly came across any animals.
Only the last one, the largest of the three, remained.
17 and Ruri began to explore it. The edge of the island was made up of the same grassy plains as on the mainland, but in the center was a very large forest. After walking around the edges of the island, the two of them headed for the edge of the island.
They were walking in silence when 17 stopped. He had just felt a presence. Something fleeting, but he had the feeling that he was being watched. Ruri was also aware of this. She had heard a noise, crushed branches. Nothing very strong, but enough for her to perceive it. They exchanged a glance, before speaking in low voice:
- Did you hear?" asked 17.
- Yes.
- Stay close to me.
- Okay. Let's continue in this direction, that's where the noise is coming from.
They walked a few steps along the forest floor before they came upon a dead animal. 17 had never seen one like it. It was a very large bird, but with very small wings. It had gigantic legs and an equally massive beak.
- How would you call this animal 17?" asked the young woman, once she reached the body of the giant bird.
- No idea.
- It is a gastornis. That's its scientific name. But I think it sounds cheesy. I call it a very big chicken. It's more fun.
- That at least I can remember.
Ruri did not answer, smiling. She began to examine the corpse.
- Look, 17. If you touch the body, you will see that it is still warm. He is dead, but not for long. A few minutes probably. What else do you notice?
- It is thin.
- Yes, he too is probably suffering from lack of food. It is the first animal that we meet, it is perhaps even the last one...
- Did he starve to death?
- No. It wasn't hunger that killed him. Come and see.
When 17 looked at the body of the gastornis, he noticed two deep wounds in one of its legs. They formed gaping holes, well defined, perfectly regular.
- Do you have an idea? continued Ruri.
- No.
- Think about it. You read my book. What kind of animal can leave this kind of wound? Two holes,neat,precise... I'm not asking for a species. Just a family.
17 took a few seconds, before trying, without certainty :
- A ... snake?
- Not bad! replied Ruri, satisfied with her student. It does indeed look like a snake bite.
- Are you sure?
Ruri remained silent, deep in thought. "A big snake... big enough... but after all..."
- It doesn't seem so silly to me actually... she finally said. A snake is a silent animal. Difficult to spot. It probably kills by suffocating its victims, by holding them firmly in its jaws. And that, that would explain the absence of blood or trace of fight.
- But you said yourself that it killed a lot of the animals around here. It should be huge, this snake. There is no snakes of this size ? Right ?
- Actually... I think I have an idea but... it would be pretty ... amazing.
And immediately, Ruri sat down on the floor, and took out her laptop from her bag.
- Look at this. The titanoboa. A giant snake. A very rare animal, a monster that has almost never been observed. Some zoologists even think that there is extinct for years.
- But if he lives on this island, how could he be the one to attack the animals on the mainland?
- Well, the more I think about it, the more it fits. Snakes can swim. And these islands aren't very far away, actually. When he started to run out of food here, he decided to go to the other two islands first. And once those were empty, he went to the mainland. Something disturbed the balance on this island, depriving him of his usual food source.
- What?
- No idea. We'll have to enter the forest.
- ... ok.
- Be careful 17: it is a very discreet animal, but not only. Snakes have developed senses. They feel the heat of the bodies, and are very sensitive to the vibrations caused by the steps.
- So what?
- He will spot us before we do. And he's probably hungry. So, be on your guard.
17 signaled to her that he understood, and they both entered the forest. They walked for another hour, as quietly as possible. They had been exploring the islands for hours, however, and Ruri began to show signs of fatigue.
Noticing her shortness of breath and that she had slowed down, 17 decided it was time to take a break. He rose into the sky for a few seconds, and realized that a large river ran through the island from end to end. They walked to it, and Ruri was able to sit down and rest for a while.
- Are you thirsty? asked 17.
- Yes, I would like a glass of water," she replied, handing him a metal cup.
But when 17 brought her the cup after taking water from the river, she stood still. Noticing immediately her change of attitude, 17 sat down in front of her.
- Is something wrong?
- This water has a strange smell. Check.
17 brought the cup close to his face. A sweet smell was coming from it.
- Almond. Oh, okay. That makes sense.
- What do you mean?" asked 17.
- The almond smell, it comes from cyanide. It is a poison. The water is poisoned. That's the explanation. The animals on this island died of poisoning. And the snake didn't have anything to eat. And so on...
- But why wouldn't he be dead?
- Snakes do not drink much water. The blood of their prey keeps them sufficiently hydrated. And we're talking about a large animal. It probably takes a massive dose to kill him.
- ... and the giant chicken?
- The gastornis.
- Yes, whatever.
- Mmmmm I think he may be from one of the surrounding islands. They are only a few meters away. With his big legs he must have been able to swim across. It probably wasn't easy, but he too must have been driven by hunger.
- And ... where can the cya-thing come from?
- This is where the fun begins. Cyanide is found in nature, in the pits of certain fruits. But never enough to poison a river. And you know what else you can find cyanide in?
- No.
- In the products that farmers use to protect their crops from pests. Strange coincidence, isn't it?
- You mean the other idiot...
- Him, or someone else. There are several of them around here. Either the farmer we saw doesn't know, or he does and sent us here knowing what we'd find. Either way, it's a win-win. An animal this dangerous, no sane human would want to leave it alive. Especially if he kills two poor zoologists looking for him...
- And why doing this?
- Because this kind of person doesn't care about nature. All they want is land to cultivate. They must have known about the snake. And since they are morons, they thought they could poison him easily.
- I'm going to bring that big dumb one back here.
And saying this, 17 stood up. But Ruri stopped him with a wave of her hand.
- No need for that. The most important thing is the snake. Can you hand me my bag?
17 gave it to her, and the young woman emptied the contents onto the floor.
- So... A package of cake, a juice box, and 4 anesthetic ampoules with the right gun to shoot them from afar. Perfect. All right. Here's the plan, 17. We're going to spend the night here and capture the snake. I'm going to rest for a while, eat and drink to keep my strength up. In the meantime, I'll tell one of my teachers, a snake specialist. He will know what to do. And I'll tell Iris too. If the farmer hears that we're going to capture the snake, I'll bet you anything that he'll come back here on his own. Are you up for some monster hunting?
- Absolutely," said 17, "finally some action.
- Ah, yeah, action, we may have some!