A thick forest looms over the dirt road, it's dark canopy rising on a hillside. On the other side, a green field stretches out to the horizon. I wonder if I could catch some rabbits there, but I've been walking for hours without seeing any signs of life. The forest seems too daunting, too tangled with branches and thorns to find any food. And besides, this forest is close to the border of king Tezca's realm, where the land is covered in a veil of his light.

We are taught not to cross this threshold because it marks the end of the king's grace, his light won't protect us beyond it. I shudder at the thought of crossing it, even if my hunger gnaws at me. 

As I continue my journey, my gaze is drawn to a shape in the horizon. My vision is blurred, not as clear as yesterday, but still better than my normal sight. It is a dark silhouette, moving towards me. I stare at it, wary and alert, after what happened yesterday, I can't afford to be careless. We approach each other, and I recognize it for what it is.

It's body is a skeleton of bones, ridged and rough. It resembled a raven of darkness with all the bones black as coal. It's wings were a mesh of tiny bones clamped together. Its head is a bird's skull, encircled by more bones. Its eye is a black hole, with a red dot of light in the middle. Its legs were made up of two bones which spiraled along one another, ending in feet. It's claws are four bone spikes, jutting out like daggers.

I recognize the creature. A Fornsic. Intelligent beasts that feed on the corpses of any kind. They assimilate the bones and make them part of their own, morphing into a grotesque version of what they ate Lord of a magic that only they can wield. Bone Magic.

But the little one looks like it's barely holding on. I can see it's bones thin and cracked. And even though it has wings, its walking on its feets under the bright sun like me. And I wonder, did fate also deal it a cruel hand?

"...Hello, little one. You are a Fornsic, yes?" I ask. My voice is faint, despite my efforts to make it strong. I am still far from well. His red eyes stare at me in silence. Father once told me that they were intelligent, but he never mentioned if they could speak our tongue.

I squat and examine him closely. He doesn't back away, and keeps his gaze on me. I feel a surge of emotions. I want to cry, what happened to me, and to him. But I have to keep going.

"You devour bones, right? Then follow this road. When you reach a fork, then take the left one, to the west. Go on for a while and you will see the ruins of my village. Hundreds perished there just yesterday. I'm the sole survivor." I say while my voice trembled.

I hesitate for a moment but I go on, "...I don't know if you have a taste for charred bones but that's all you will find there. If your body can still carry you to the village, then live by consuming them."

I stand up and look him in the eyes, "Farewell, and may the light guide your way."

The Fornsic remains still for minutes, watching me leave, until he resumes his journey on the road.