G.O.D Complex// Earth Prime

"Ahhh!"

Velvet was pinned to the floor by claws. She struggled to rise, but the force pressing down on her body was inhuman. She was completely at the mercy of the humanoid beast above her.

"You'd better behave until we restore the energy supply," growled the creature. The speaker was a massive, fully humanoid owl—twice the size of a grown man. Its talons held Velvet down like anchors.

The owl leaned down, her red eyes glowing ominously. "If you keep struggling, I'll shred one of your legs as punishment."

"Mrs. Velvet, it's best to cooperate and avoid confrontation. We are clearly outnumbered and unequipped to defend ourselves," said Fischer, trying to calm her.

Velvet reluctantly complied, though she never broke her intense glare at the owl woman.

"Why is Herta so intent on keeping this one alive?" the owl murmured. Her wings folded elegantly around her body like a ceremonial robe. Golden feathers shimmered under the dome lights as her cold gaze swept over the humans.

"Still complaining, Vidya?" came a voice from above. A new figure descended—another birdlike humanoid, but unlike Vidya, this one was vibrant and radiant. A mix of phoenix and eagle, her feathers burned orange and red with an almost divine glow.

"Pyronaxia… What are you doing here? Weren't you waiting for that so-called scavenger?" Vidya frowned, as always.

"He's late. Probably blown away by that nasty gust earlier. He might be dead somewhere. Or not. Who knows?" Pyronaxia shrugged playfully, her wings fluttering with ease.

Vidya sighed and turned to the nearby guards and beastmen. "Examine the layers surrounding the dome. Report any damage immediately. Kill any pest that's landed near—except the scavenger."

She lifted Velvet effortlessly with her clawed feet and tossed her toward two guards. "Take them back to their cells. Keep a close watch on them until the scavenger arrives."

"You should be more careful with them," Pyronaxia warned. "If anything happens, it might cause complications later."

**

"Oh, by the way, Herta is looking for you," Pyronaxia added casually.

"What?!" Vidya snapped, her eyes widening. "Why are you telling me this now?!"

Her golden wings flared, and in a blur of motion, she launched skyward, disappearing like a streak of light.

"Sorry… I just remembered," Pyronaxia mumbled, though Vedya was already long gone.

She shook her head and whispered to herself, "I still don't understand why you left the Defense Force to become a librarian."

**

Despite its small appearance, the colony of Ooron stretched vast—comparable to two countries the size of old France. It was the largest Beastman tribe in existence. Yet, both the Bipedal Nation and the Human Empire still viewed them as a minor, insignificant threat.

Vedya flew silently over the darkened city. Below, lights flickered and soft animal chatter floated up like distant lullabies. She glided unnoticed through the air—like a silent ghost.

Despite the colony being built upon human infrastructure, the Beastmen retained their ancient ways, caring little for technological advancement. They lived as they always had, simply and communally.

Soon, Vedya reached a towering spire rising into the clouds.

[The Core Zone]—the facility that sustained the dome's functions.

**

Vedya landed silently atop the tower. Her ghostlike steps led her to a lone figure sitting at the summit's edge.

This person looked the most human of all the Beastmen. Her snow-white hair shimmered in the moonlight, and her body bore the elegance of a dancer: soft, curvaceous, yet honed. Crystal-blue eyes sparkled like twin gems. Long rabbit ears twitched atop her head, and two glowing white horns peeked from her silky bangs. A delicate tail swayed behind her.

"Is something wrong, Herta?" Vedya smiled, her voice soft as she approached her older sister, who sat overlooking the fog-wrapped buildings below.

Herta didn't respond at first, lost in the serenity of the moment.

Vedya halted, watching her sister. A strange feeling stirred within her—something primal and emotional, something confusing. She reached out, her heart racing.

I want her. She's too beautiful...

But she stopped herself. Just then, Herta turned to look at her.

"You're here... I didn't hear you land," Herta smiled gently and rose.

Though smaller than most, her presence was immense. It was no wonder the entire colony adored and protected her.

"Sorry for calling you. I know you're busy," Herta apologized softly.

Vedya knelt, lowering her head. "No, never too busy. You can summon me any time."

If she had a human face, she'd be blushing furiously.

Herta leaned forward and kissed her forehead. Her hands gently stroked Vedya's feathered face.

Only Herta could do this.

After a moment, they turned to face the horizon together.

"I had a dream," Herta said, her voice trembling slightly. "An unpleasant one."

Vedya immediately wrapped her wings protectively around her. "What kind of dream?"

"A war is coming. One that will decide the fate of this world."

Vedya's feathers stiffened. "A war? Caused by whom?"

"I couldn't see clearly. Just a shadow… a black figure. It awakened the world, then everything turned to glowing particles."

Vedya didn't respond. She understood all too well—but refused to believe.

"Don't worry," she said at last. "If there's no timeline, maybe it'll happen long after we're gone."

Herta nodded with a smile.

"Is that all? Anything else in your dream?" Vedya asked.

"Is the human girl safe?"

Vedya's smile vanished.

"Why haven't we disposed of her?" she asked, clearly annoyed.

"She's just a red-class human. Her brain has some value, but otherwise... forget her."

Vedya fell silent when Herta looked up with a stern expression. A chill ran through her.

"Fine. I'll make sure she's not harmed until the scavenger arrives," she relented.

Herta's smile returned, easing the tension.

"Do you have any clue about that gust that hit the tribe earlier?" Vedya asked, switching topics.

"It was him. The man from the sky. He's not aligned with Prime, but he's not an ally either."

They spoke for a while longer before Vedya took off once more. Herta waved gently as her sister vanished into the sky.

She entered the elevator and descended through the core tower, passing various departments where scientists in white coats worked diligently on technological and biological projects.

**

"You're late, human!" Pyronaxia barked, glaring at the man stepping out of a massive vehicle.

"Why so hostile, Lady Pyronaxia? Didn't you feel the storm?" the man shot back, scanning the area as he removed his helmet.

"That's none of my business. You were supposed to deliver the goods before sundown. You're three hours late."

"Tch. Birds always chirp too much," he muttered.

"What did you say?!" Pyronaxia's feathers steamed, heat radiating off her body.

Unfazed, the man's hand drifted toward his katana, and steam hissed from his suit.

"Enough," came a raspy voice. A small, strange bird-like creature emerged from the shadows.

"Mr. Shredder," the man muttered with clear disdain.

"Scavenger Cyrus," Shredder said politely, tossing a pill into his beak. "If my past actions have unsettled you, shall I personally welcome you more often?"

"No, thanks. I'd rather dine with the devil," Cyrus said coldly.

"Such cruel words," Shredder said, clutching his chest theatrically. "Come. This way."

Cyrus hesitated but followed. He hated dealing with Beastmen.

They entered a transport vehicle. Shredder, head of the Garden and overseer of agricultural development, led the way.

To be continued...