Zyelok venom was fatal. Kawiqunins were known for their resistance against poisons and diseases, but they were helpless against it.
“Make sure they’re all dead, then clean it up.”
All dead Kawiqunins were skinned and their weapons were gathered to be used as firewood. Some bones and teeth were stored to create various ornaments later. It had been an easy defense, but the death of these Kawiqunins lured in about four hundred Keroxes because of the smell of their blood. However, there was one unusual feature. Keroxes had different varieties and never mixed together, but this group consisted of many different species. The monsters cackled and growled as they circled the town perimeter.
“Amazing.”
“How is this happening?”
“Are the elders saying anything?”
“What in the world…”
All of the Ainos grew concerned. The monsters were easy to fend off, but it didn’t mean any good. They were also part of the forest and the Ainos knew this. All these abnormalities didn’t bode well. As the monsters began to act strangely, the animals did too. The Boduas that usually never left the plains began moving toward human land. Other animals were moving out of the forest as well.
‘What is going on?’
Joonbum frowned as he took aim at the Kerox pack. All the warriors, as well as any who knew how to shoot a bow, gathered together.
“Incoming!”
The Kerox pack charged at the wall, but it was futile. All the Ainos, including the kids, were master archers. It was easy for them to shoot all the Keroxes. The monsters screeched and screamed as they charged and fell prey to the arrows. As they drew closer, it was easy to notice that they were starved from the look of their skinny bodies.
‘They were lacking food… but why didn’t they attack each other?’
Keroxes were known to hunt their own for food. They now had joined in with other Kerox variants which normally slaugthered each other for food, but it looked like they didn’t. They were supposed to be enemies.
‘It’s unnatural. Why?’
Tens of Keroxes were killed and the other Keroxes disappeared, taking the dead bodies with them to eat.
“There are just too many.”
“Even the solitary ones are joining together.”
Gileber nodded as Nofense commented. They were both Ainos warriors.
As they had just mentioned, all kinds of animals from carnivores to herbivores were gathering together, forming groups. At that moment, a huge flock of birds, consisting of all different kinds, flew up and shrouded the entire sky in black.
“Wow…”
It was an unbelievable sight. The sky had grown dark with so many birds above that it was frightening.
Even the Ainos seemed to fear the sight and the Guardians fell silent.
‘What can it be…?’
At that moment, an idea popped up in Joonbum’s mind. He looked at the tall mountains in the distance. They were covered with snow that was said to never melt. It was said that the mountains were so big and so spread out, that they were larger than many huge kingdoms combined. Nobody knew how large it was.
‘It’s a disaster. Unimaginable disaster is coming.’
The first thing that appeared in his mind was an earthquake. Then, after looking at the mountains, he thought of volcanic eruptions.
‘If it is…’
He wasn’t certain. There were no earthquakes or any signs of an impending volcanic eruption. But he could not explain the situation otherwise. There was no reason for animals to move in groups in such numbers. It was just a possibility.
“Elder, have there been any earthquakes or volcanic eruptions in the past?”
Hesgal did not seem to understand the question at all. He looked at Joonbum in confusion.
“Earthquake? Eruption?”
“I mean, ground shaking and breaking or… fires coming up from the top of the mountains, covering the skies and ground with ashes. Have you not experienced such a thing before?”
“Wait…!”
Hesgal opened his eyes in shock. A few people around seemed to be surprised. A few seemed to understand what Joonbum was suggesting, but the rest didn’t seem to know.
“All the animals and monsters are leaving this land. It can only mean one thing.”
The elder fell silent at that thought, terrified. There had been volcanic eruptions in the past, but it was a very long time ago. The younger generation had never even experienced such disasters.
“R-right… I was told by my great-grandfather when I was young. It was the time when we Ainos lived together with the humans. That’s when the ground shook. I heard that all living beings of the forest ran amok. It is known to us as doomsday… HOWEN! We must alert the other tribes at once! WE MUST PREPARE!”
Hesgal, who had seemed to be lost in his memories, came back to his senses and shouted.
“Understood. Gazlow, gather ten warriors and go spread the message to the other villages.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Arm yourselves and ride out on Galims. I will have you decide when there’s danger.”
The preparation was quick. They were armed with all kinds of weapons, including guns and grenades. The forest was much more dangerous in this current state. Ten Galims sprinted out of town with Ainos warriors on their backs.
People began to prepare for a possible earthquake by moving stacked items to the ground. Hesgal guided the townsfolk for a possible disaster and everyone followed without complaint.