Beasts Human condition

Silently, Delta entered the newly selected meeting place, her clothing still covered with combat marks and dust. Her footsteps were tired, but there was resolve in her eyes. Within, Ark smiled as though he owned the world while laying on top of a mass of gold coins with his arms folded behind his head.

“Oh, Delta,” Ark said lazily, lifting his head. “How are you? Don’t tell me you came here just to ruin my perfect nap on gold.”

Delta folded her arms, unamused. “We have one hundred seventy-three survivors.”

Ark sat up at once. “That many?”

“Yes,” Delta continued, her voice steady but heavy. “Ninety-three are children. Forty-five are adult males. Thirty-five are females. They survived… but we are short on everything—resources, food, medicine, shelter. Ark, many are starving. Some can’t even stand. A few are missing limbs. And disease…” Her voice faltered for the first time. “Disease has already taken hold of several. If we don’t act, all the work we did will mean nothing.”

Ark’s smile faded. He jumped down from the gold pile, his boots sounding on scattered coins. He studied Delta carefully, noting the worry behind her strong tone. “So you’re asking for help.”

“Yes,” Delta admitted. “I can fight, Ark. I can destroy soldiers, burn down hideouts, tear cages apart. But caring for people… guiding them, healing them… I don’t know if I can.” Her fists clenched. “That’s why I need you.”

Ark tilted his head, then gave a soft laugh. “You’re making it sound like I’m some saint.”

Delta raised an eyebrow. “You’re the one who dreamed of an association to protect the beast humans. Wasn’t that your idea?”

“Tch,” Ark sighed, scratching his head. “Fine, fine. You win.” He looked toward the sky, eyes narrowing. “First, we treat the sick. If they die now, it’ll crush morale. We’ll need healers, herbs, potions—whatever we can get. I’ll check the markets, maybe even squeeze a few ‘donations’ from greedy merchants.”

Delta smiled, relief flickering in her eyes. “And after treatment?”

“After that,” Ark continued, pacing back and forth, “we built homes. Not cages, not makeshift huts—real houses. They’ve lived like rats in the shadows long enough. They need dignity.” He stopped, glancing at Delta. “A place to finally belong.”

Delta’s lips trembled for a moment before she managed a smile. “That… that’s exactly what they need.”

Ark clapped his hands together, his grin returning. “Good! Then it’s settled. I’ll handle supplies and funds. You handle organizing them—separate the children, the sick, the healthy. Keep order, or it’ll be chaos.”

Her ears perked up. “So… Will I become their leader?”

Ark smiled,. “Who else would they trust more than the one who broke their chains?”

For a moment, silence passed between them. Delta’s gaze softened, her usual hardened warrior face giving way to something gentler. “Thank you, Ark.”

Ark shrugged, turning away with a sly grin. “Don’t thank me yet. This is going to be a pain.”

Delta said faintly. “You never change.”

They went out into the night together. Weak but full of hope, the rescued beast humans waited in a clearing. Ark witnessed them—elders lying on the ground but still alive, fathers struggling to stand tall despite their wounds, and children holding on to their mothers.

For the first time, Ark’s playful mask slipped entirely. He looked at them all and said under his breath, “We’ll give you a home. That’s my promise.”

Ark tightened the coin pouch at his belt as the morning sun reflected long, golden rays across the landscape. Resources were his only objective for the day. To rebuild their lives, the survivors required strength, food, and medicines.

Ark entered the bustling town market, his eyes sharp, scanning each stall. Merchants shouted about fresh produce, fabrics, and trinkets, but Ark ignored the noise, heading directly to the potion sellers.

“Give me every healing potion you have,” Ark demanded, slamming a heavy pouch of silver coins on the counter.

The merchant’s eyes widened. “Every… every potion? That will cost—”

“Don’t worry about cost,” Ark interrupted, voice firm. “Just pack them.”

In a couple of minutes, he was presented with a crate of glowing bottles filled with nutrients to fortify the weak, elixirs to treat fever, and potions to heal wounds. As if they were invincible, Ark carried them over his shoulder and moved on to the next stall.

He purchased stacks of herbs and salves, then moved to the food market. “Ten sacks of wheat grain, ten sacks of rice,” Ark ordered. The merchant blinked at the sheer amount but quickly obeyed once he saw the gleaming gold coin.

Ark chuckled inwardly. Money really does make things move faster. Good thing I emptied those hideouts.

By noon, a wagon creaked under the weight of supplies—potions, sacks of grain, dried meat, vegetables, and rice. Ark grabbed the reins and led the cart back to their secret base.

When he arrived, Delta and a group of beast women rushed forward. The sight of overflowing food made their tired eyes widen. Children peeked out from behind them, noses twitching at the smell.

“Delta!” Ark called. “Tell everyone—they won’t go hungry tonight.”

Delta’s face lit up with rare joy. “Ark, you actually…!” She shook her head, smiling. “You never fail to surprise me.”

He grinned. “Come on, let’s cook. These people need strength.”

The women got to work immediately, grinding wheat, boiling rice, and preparing stew with vegetables and meat. The smelled filled the air, making the children squeal with excitement. Delta moved swiftly among them, giving instructions, steady yet kind.

Meanwhile, Ark set out the potions and called the sick and injured to him. One by one, he treated them—pouring potions into trembling hands, applying healing salves, and whispering words of reassurance.

Then came the ones who had lost limbs. Ark knelt beside a young boy with only one arm. The child trembled, eyes wide with both fear and hope.

“Close your eyes,” Ark said gently.

The boy did as he was told. Ark focused and put his hand on the child's shoulder. Light emerged up around his hand. As his magic rose sharply there was a slight buzz in the air. A new arm slowly took shape in front of the struggling crowd, composed of bone, muscle, and skin, until at last tiny fingers moved with life.

The boy opened his eyes and burst into tears,  clinging to Ark. “Th-thank you, big brother!”

Ark patted his head, smiling softly. “Don’t thank me. Use that arm to protect others one day.”

Gasps and whispers spread like wildfire. Hope, once crushed under chains, ignited again. Ark continued, regrowing limbs for the maimed, curing fever with light, and strengthening frail bodies. By the time he finished, sweat soaked his clothes, but the once-weak crowd now stood taller, stronger, and alive with gratitude.

That evening, the beast women served steaming bowls of rice and stew. Children ate with wide smiles, their faces messy but bright. Men who had been broken prisoners raised spoons with trembling hands, tears streaming down their cheeks as they tasted food filled with warmth instead of fear.

Delta sat beside Ark, handing out bowls. “They’re eating like they haven’t eaten in years.”

“They probably haven’t,” Ark muttered. “But this is just the beginning.”

The next day, Ark gathered the healthier survivors. “You’ve eaten, you’ve healed. Now it’s time to build.”

He raised his hand, chanting softly. The ground shook as earth magic leveled the land into smooth plains. The beast men and women stared, then eagerly began cutting wood, shaping beams, and stacking stones. Delta oversaw the work, showing surprising skill in organization.

Day by day, shelters took shape—small wooden houses, thatched roofs, and sturdy walls. Children laughed as they carried sticks to help. Elders gave advice, and the once-shattered people started to look like a true community.

Ark and Delta stood on a hilltop observing the new settlement on the fifth evening. The rescued beast humans no longer appeared to be prisoners, laughter reverberated from the huts, and smoke rose from cooking fires.

Delta exhaled softly. “They’re smiling again… because of you.”

Ark smiled. “No. Because of us.”

For the first time, Delta allowed herself a true smile, her tail swaying happily behind her.

A new beginning had finally taken root.