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Chapter 1 - The Best Hunt

Some things are better left forgotten.

That was the thought drifting through Giu's mind as he sat at the pier, pointed ears twitching at every plop of the lake. Every ripple. Every frog's croak. Motions driven completely by instinct. How long had he been sitting there waiting, anyhow? His stomach rumbled its frustration.

It wasn't the first time he'd had to resort to the long game. He'd had plenty of close calls in the past few weeks. Perhaps that was the real reason he couldn't remember anything. Maybe he got so hungry his body ate his memories for nourishment. It certainly would explain why he had woken up in a puddle of saliva in the middle of the woods.

God, I wish I had a fish form.

His fingers squeezed the end of the fishing line, red fur digging into the bamboo. His only saving grace was that it was such a nice day outside.

Under the heat of the sun, it felt like being cradled in a warm blanket. All he needed was a pillow, and he could have happily drifted off to- His eyes snapped open. No. Stay awake, Giu! Resist the temptations! He rooted himself like a log. Now was not the time to falter lest the vultures find him again. He winced at the tug of his empty belly. The last thing he needed was more memories getting eaten away. Assuming that was what happened, anyhow.

Don't be scared, little fishies, his thoughts pleaded. I'm just here to eat one of you is a-

There was a yank on the line.

Food!

At once, all the exhaustion, boredom, and restlessness flew out the window. Giu jumped to his feet. Finally! No, don't try to run, belly fuel! He yanked back the line, reeling with all his might. Whatever it was, the thing was massive. Just sitting still felt like a surefire way to get pulled right in with it. But Giu was no slouch. And he wasn't about to lose a fight with his dinner. Not if he had anything to say about it.

"You-are-getting-in-my-stomach!"

He dug his boots into the planks, slim tail wrapping around his waist as he pulled with all the strength his body could muster. His noodle arms aside, he would fight tooth and nail to survive. Everything else just became a blare of noise and ambiance. It was just him and the fighter. The warrior of the sea. His future dinner.

"Stop-struggling-and-come-here!"

He barely heard the screaming coming from behind him. Even then, it was easy enough to ignore.

As was it easy to ignore how close the voice was getting. And the sounds of trampling feet. And the gust of wind following something landing at his side. No, his eyes were locked on the enemy trying to drag him down. A trophy worthy of a feast. He gave his mightiest yank.

The line split with a snap.

Son of a-

A gray face materialized at Giu's side. It crumpled as his rod flew backward, momentum carrying it crashing into nose cartilage.

Giu blinked. He watched as the large hairless creature was sent sprawling into the grass, an axe landing in front of it, embedding itself into the dirt. What the- Oh crap! His attention immediately snapped from the intruder back to the water.

But it was too late.

The string and his dinner disappeared into the murky depths never to be seen again. A complete and utter failure. His shoulders fell.

"No. My dinner. Come back."

His stomach rumbled in lamentation.

Suddenly, Giu was left with a two-fold problem. The bamboo rod hung broken in his hands, the string cut and the base split thanks to the gray guy's sudden appearance. He looked over to see it gnashing its teeth, shouts screamed in some language he couldn't possibly understand.

"Shtac! Bakatuka!"

Whatever it was saying didn't sound friendly. But then, the axe gave that much away.

Failing memory aside, Giu did vaguely recognize the gray guy's appearance. A large hairless frame covered in gray skin. Long droopy ears that stuck out like antennae. A weapon big enough to carve a tree in half. He couldn't remember the name, but it felt like he'd seen it before. Yet another thing to add to the list of forgotten knowledge.

The same could not be said for what he found cowering at his side.

"H-hi," a soft voice said.

By contrast, the second beast was no bigger than a puppy. Its small orange paws gripped his arm, green saucers gazing at him as it gave a weak smile. Perhaps the fact it hovered in the air should have raised a few questions. But then, it was hard to think about that when there was the hairless guy plucking the axe off the ground.

"Bakatuka!" the gray guy shouted. "Tuka!"

Giu glanced between the two strangers both looking his way.

"Right."

He raised a hand. The gray guy's head tilted. At least it didn't seem to lack for intelligence. Perhaps it wasn't too late to salvage the operation.

"How about we not do this?" Giu asked.

The gray guy didn't respond.

"I don't really have a reason to fight you," Giu continued. "And I'm really hungry so could-"

The axe flew inches past his nose.

Giu stumbled back, touching the spot to be on the safe side. No blood. Even so, the gray guy had nearly carved right through the tip, ending all future smell endeavors. It frowned when it looked at the non-damage. That was enough.

"I take it back," Giu corrected. He threw the broken rod aside. "I think I'll end you after all, gray guy."

His right arm shot out, quickly grabbing hold of the flying thing. It was small and soft. It would make a decent appetizer for later.

"You stay close."

"Um..." the flying beast began, but Giu ignored its protests, getting low the minute he saw the gray guy launch forward.

With a crack, the axe came down, missing Giu as he dodged clear, letting the steel slam into the dirt. A strong one? He doubled back, free hand extended at the ready. The gray guy was quick to close the distance again, but it wasn't fast enough. Giu ducked the blow, slamming the beast twice in the arm. Its axe retaliated.

"Woah!"

Steel cleaved a chunk out of Giu's brown locks. He kicked the creature away, weaving backward.

Crap. Gotta watch out for those swings.

Though a bit shaken, the flying creature had ceased struggling against Giu's grip. Instead, he felt it clinging to his arm. It was always nice when dinner stuck around.

"Sizutac!" the gray guy shouted. "Zuta!"

Giu braced for another swing. The beast's burly gray arms were like tree trunks, but he kept throwing his small punches anyway. If he couldn't beat it in strength, he could win the endurance fight. Probably. Giu doubled back.

"Zuta!"

The axe came faster. Too fast. A flurry of blows rained down before Giu was forced to throw up his free arm. He felt steel bite past fur into skin. A small cut, but no less painful. He broke away, feeling the flying creature squirm again.

"Hey!" it screamed. "Are you okay?"

Giu looked down at his arm. "Tsk. You're gonna regret that."

The gray guy smiled, rows of flat teeth beaming back at its injured opponent. It held the axe in both hands, the blade stained. Any deeper and...Giu pushed the thought away. As much as he hated to admit it, the punches weren't working. In the battle of raw brute force, the gray guy outclassed him in spades. He'd hit it more times than he could count, and the guy barely had a scratch on him. Meanwhile, Giu knew he was one clean hit away from turning into a limbless deadman.

So much for endurance.

He glanced down at his new charge. There was still a chance to flee. Perhaps the thing wasn't a fast runner, and he could get away with meal in hand to fight another day. But then, there was just one issue with that plan. Giu really wanted to end the gray guy. That only left one option on the table.

Might take me out a few days, but whatever.

He lowered himself to the ground, his tail unwrapping and straightening out behind him. Extending towards the sky. Everything happened in seconds.

The gray guy came in a flash, rushing in with axe slicing through the wind. The flying creature screamed for Gui to move, but he ignored it, letting the heat wash over his body. His tail twitched, and he felt the flying thing brace itself. But he only took a single step forward.

Steel met his arm once again. He continued onwards, feeling the shatter of contact followed by a familiar tug on his fur.

"Schafa."

That was the only sound Giu registered from the gray guy.

The heat washed away in an instant, instead replaced by a cool touch on Giu's fingertips. The broken axe pieces fell to the ground, the metal weapon demoted to a giant stick.

"Told you."

Giu took a step backward, his arm removing itself from the hole it had created. The gray beast crumpled, a gurgle escaping before it fell face-first into the dirt.