Now we begin the process of environmental change at home, Nala and I. In a soft voice, I ask her to please bring some of the fallen trees she can find or, if possible and with caution, to cut down some large trees and bring them here.
That way, the gem can absorb them, transform them into energy, and subsequently use them to remodel this place. The goal is to improve this den so that both she and I can live more comfortably, and also to condition it so the children can live better with us, with more space to move both outside and inside the house.
Nala simply nodded and told me "okay," with the typical difficulty that characterizes her and a slight growl. Right after, she began to move towards an area with a large number of enormous trees, so thick that several men would struggle to encircle them even by hugging them.
Not much time passes.
I, obviously, keep myself occupied. I also have to start a search: find large trees and stones, with lots of mass and weight. I even think about whether, using organic biological material I can obtain through hunting, the gem could absorb it and use it as energy to initiate the remodeling process.
However, I think the amount of material we need isn't that high... or at least I hope so.
Nala doesn't take long to return, bringing three trees in total. Being a fairly intelligent female, she made sure to remove all the large branches and bring them separately, accumulating them in a considerable mound so the gem could also absorb them.
She doesn't understand —or at least I think she doesn't— the gem's functioning or the reason for what it does, but obviously she knows it's something useful, useful enough to do what's necessary and use it correctly.
That's why she takes this work so seriously, and I can't help but feel proud to have such a willing partner, even while pregnant, to perform this type of task.
But I, obviously, wasn't going to let myself be outdone: she brought three trees and two separate branches; I brought five and two stones so large I dare say they weigh about three or four tons.
Surprisingly, I had no difficulty lifting them. Perhaps even if they weighed tens of tons, I wouldn't either. It wasn't entirely a surprise to discover I have that much strength.
Although, of course, considering the feats I've already demonstrated before, I'm still not able to know precisely how much strength I have. (Since I have no way to quantify it)
But I'm quite sure I could reshape an entire area without too much trouble. That remains to be confirmed later; for now, I can only do what I have to do and take care of what corresponds to me.
While Nala and I gather everything we brought —obviously carefully, making sure to watch that she doesn't overexert herself or adopt any posture that could harm the four eggs in her womb— I stayed attentive. I don't plan to allow anything to crush or compress them in an inappropriate or harmful way.
Once all the things were gathered, I approach Nala and stand beside her. She was panting, breathing with slight difficulty; the effort had tired her a little, or perhaps she had just gotten heated.
She has quite high endurance, though we must consider her prominent muscular size, and I'm sure her vascularization and perspiration are complex topics. I also don't know precisely if we're a cold-blooded species, but we perfectly could be. So movement might be advantageous for us or not.
Although, in truth, I don't know exactly how good exercise is for our bodies. I hope it doesn't cause her any inconvenience; after all, exercise is quite useful for a healthy, long life. And although I don't know how long she and I will live, I hope it's long enough to be together for a long time.
I can't help but take the time to appreciate the magnificent beauty of Nala's body. Although not much time has passed since the last time I stopped to contemplate her, now that she's wearing clothes, it gives her an extra charm... something like a hidden echo of humanity, of a human woman or something similar.
I don't perfectly remember the figure of women from planet Earth, but enough to affirm that clothing gives an extra sensuality to the body, and in this case, Nala looks lovely.
Even more so, considering the way her tight breasts rise and fall due to her slightly agitated breathing... it's simply exquisite.
I don't know why, but having her belly so swollen gives a small extra to the visual taste, as if, in primal terms, it were something extremely striking and exciting: a display of her great fertility.
How pleasant, how exquisite...
She turns around and begins to walk towards a tree, obviously with the intention of sitting at its base and lying down.
Well, that's what I think.
I take the opportunity to notice her giant, prominent buttocks, and I feel a slight excitement.
They were simply too pleasant/exciting to see.
Thanks to her height, her steps cover a great distance, so she doesn't take long to reach the base and sit there. Meanwhile, she stares fixedly in my direction, towards where the things we brought for the gem are, to provide it with energy and carry out the remodeling of our home.
I look at her with a smile, and in a matter of seconds, the gem in my hands —detecting the intention of what we planned— begins to shine. I can hear that familiar voice, mechanical but also biological, coming from it:
Useful materials are detected to carry out the absorption process and subsequent transformation into energy.
In less than a second, the gem shines brighter and all the materials we brought also begin to glow, transforming into small particles of light that are gradually absorbed by the gem.
I hold it in my hand to observe the process, although the incandescent light emanating from it makes it difficult to see clearly.
Still, I manage to distinguish that the gem has opened some small holes, large enough for my sharp vision to catch them. Through them, in large quantities, the luminous particles enter, only to disappear inside, which is probably gigantic... a space so vast I can't even imagine its dimensions.
Although, well, I can't say I know everything either.
In essence, it's like a battery that absorbs a lot of energy but is small in size.
I let out a small gasp as a wave of shock washes over me. It's something completely difficult to get used to, as it's not a humanly normal or possible sight; according to my memory, no such technology existed on Earth, something so incredible it defies all common sense.
I can't help but question again everything related to me. It's not the first or second time, but seriously, I can't stop noticing it and feeling awe at the process.
Nala stood up. I could feel her presence approaching and, in less than three seconds, she was already by my side, looking at me with a smile on her face and moving her tail from side to side happily. It's quite obvious she's interested in seeing the benefits that bringing the materials will bring us.
"Pretty," she says, maintaining that beautiful smile on her lips that can't help but make me feel wonderful inside.
I simply nod. "Yes. From now on, we're going to have a pretty house." I said, not knowing if she meant the light show in front of us or the thought of having a pretty house.
Her tail begins to move even faster upon hearing these words. It's simply adorable —the best word I know to describe this— to see her move her tail from side to side like that.
I turn around and we head towards our home, from which we never stray too far. After a few steps, staying close to each other, we reach the small cabin that took me very little time to build and which, seeing it now, I can't help but consider quite rustic.
It barely meets the ideal characteristics to be a home: it's slightly tilted, the design is poor and quite inadequate, but now that doesn't matter.
What matters is that we're going to have a much better house.
"Gem, I ask you please to remodel our house and make it a better place to live."
That was the intention I projected towards the gem. The gem in my hand shone twice and began to float in front of me. Please, express aloud or imagine what you desire in your new home, said the gem in a tone quite different from usual, more like that of a worker asking instructions from his boss.
I couldn't help but feel a little flattered.
In any case, I decided to quickly concentrate on how I want the house to be. The first thing that came to mind was a large house with four bedrooms and a bathroom. I would also like it to have another floor, where the children could also sleep; it would be quite nice for them to use the second floor.
The upstairs rooms would be for them —one for each— and the downstairs ones, separate, we could use for different purposes, like training or study.
I also imagined a rectangular warehouse next to the house, to store a large quantity of things, with enough space to move freely, considering that Nala and I are quite large compared to normal humans.
Not many other things occurred to me, apart from refurbishing the kitchen to improve it, renewing the living room with soft furniture to sit comfortably, improving the wooden dining chairs —and the table too—, and updating the utensils to make them more human.
In reality, they're already objects that come from the distant base where I found everything: the trunks, the refrigerator, the utensils, human things. Well, I think so.
Once my instructions were given mentally, the gem began to shine intensely, and its glow enveloped the entire house. This light was different: if the first flash was like a connection to transform and absorb, this one seemed to extend and embrace everything, with the intention of transforming it and making it remain that way.
In a matter of seconds —or perhaps tens of seconds— I could see in front of me how our house changed shape and transformed into what I had thought. Beside me, I could hear Nala, or rather the sound of her tail striking the ground forcefully.
It was quite obvious that she already found all of this incredible and interesting.
The house before us met exactly the expectations and imaginary orders I had given to the gem. It was a construction more than double the size of the original, two stories high and made of wood, with the adjacent warehouse.
It was perfectly built, without inclinations, and had a porch at the front where Nala and I could bring chairs to sit and enjoy the landscape, chat, or simply breathe the fresh air.
It would also be a perfect place to watch the children play in the front yard.
I couldn't help but smile at the thought.
The warehouse, attached to the house, was completely different in construction.
While the house was made of a dark, resistant wood —a deep brown tone similar to the trees of this world, but with a texture and density that made it notably stronger— the warehouse seemed to be built of thick, soft gray metal, discreet and without excessive shine.
It wasn't too wide or long, but it was very tall, even reaching the level of the second floor. Considering that both Nala and I exceeded two meters in height, the warehouse wasn't imposing but it was spacious.
Entering the house, we both gasped slightly. The interior was radiant. The floor was no longer earth, but solid, firm wooden planks.
I stamped my foot several times to test its resistance —not a creak, not a sinking— and Nala, noticing, did the same gently while moving her tail from side to side, which I found endearing and amusing. (She probably thinks the act is a kind of custom to test the new home, or something similar.)
The gem had clearly taken the solidity of the home seriously.
The wooden table and chairs had been perfected, correcting the errors of my original construction. Additionally, there were now two armchairs and a large sofa, adapted to our size. They were so spacious we could sit several of us without problem.
I wondered for a moment if they weren't excessively large, but perhaps Nala and I still have growth ahead. Who knows? The important thing was that it was now a much more pleasant place.
While Nala headed to the sofa to test its comfort —a cushioned model of a soft red, nothing like the color of blood, probably to avoid activating unwanted instincts— I dedicated myself to exploring the kitchen. It was now fully equipped, with a white porcelain countertop, four burners, several well-organized cabinets and shelves, and a stainless steel washing area shining under the dim interior light.
Everything was immaculate, functional, and reminded me of those modern kitchens that many on Earth would have wished to have.
I decided to go up to the second floor without disturbing Nala, who already seemed extremely comfortable lying on the sofa. The upper rooms were equipped with smaller beds, designed for future, younger versions of us.
I realized, with slight remorse, that I had overlooked details like cribs or toys for when the babies arrived —they were still embryos inside the eggs, but I think they will soon come out and then be born— but that could be solved later with the gem's help.
For now, the rooms were simple but cozy.
Coming down, I noticed that Nala was still on the sofa, now with her hands resting on a central table I hadn't seen before. I also discovered, with surprise, a lit fireplace with firewood, something I hadn't expressly requested but which added a cozy touch and would be very useful in winter.
The crackling of burning wood filled the environment with an almost palpable and largely comfortable warmth.
Nala stood up and came over to hug me tightly, wrapping her arms around me. "Everything. very pretty," she told me with her usual difficulty, and her voice, rough but sweet, filled me with warmth.
I had managed to turn this place into a home, something closer to what I remembered from Earth, without losing the primal essence I valued so much.
We decided to go out and inspect the warehouse. To my surprise, it wasn't empty: it had long rows of silver shelves extending into the depth of the space, well organized and with dim but sufficient lighting for our sharpened sight.
At the back, after walking a stretch, a hermetic door led to a refrigerated chamber with ice-covered walls, ideal for storing the meat we hunted.
I noticed Nala shivered slightly at the cold that escaped when I opened it, so I quickly closed it, thinking about getting her warm clothes for winter —or perhaps her increased sensitivity was due to the pregnancy—.
Back in the living room, we sat together on the sofa. Nala stared at me fixedly, with a calm smile on her lips. "From now on we're going to have a better life. We can take advantage of all this for our children and for ourselves. What do you think?" I told her.
She responded, with more words than usual: "I like everything. It's very pretty. very nice. We're well protected. It's comfortable." Her response, more elaborate than expected, made my heart beat strongly. I took her hands in mine and we drew closer until our foreheads touched. We kissed softly, a long, deep kiss that tasted exquisite to me.
Time passed and, well, both Nala and I had to take our time to get used to our new home. It wasn't too difficult, considering everything was quite comfortable. What we did have to do was rearrange things a bit. We had to separate the table and four chairs where we ate from the living room, as these two spaces were together, side by side, so we had to redistribute them so they wouldn't be too close and there would be a small walkway between both areas.
At the same time, Nala and I decided to get used to the sensation of being in contact with softer structures and materials, like our sofa and armchairs, and obviously, our bed. We spent time simply lying next to each other, as if there was nothing else to do, without needing to entertain ourselves with anything more.
We also went out from time to time to run or explore. Sometimes, for fun or necessity, we hunted some animals and I would take them, after dealing with them, to the warehouse, which became the preferred place to store everything.
And finally, at nightfall, Nala and I decided to sleep for the first time in our bed all night long. She and I didn't think about anything else, not sex or anything similar, simply because, although we weren't exhausted, we had already had our good dose during the last few days.
So, obviously, we weren't in a hurry to repeat, at least for a while. Though that didn't take away from the fact that I felt excitement from the simple fact of having Nala's body so close.
I also couldn't help but think, now that I saw and felt her with more clothes, how she would look with different garments: whether sexier clothes —although the ones she already wore were quite sexy— dresses, pants, shorts, different shirts of various types, low-cut shirts, or even erotic lingerie. The mere thought made my member become hard and erect.
I also couldn't help but think how cute she would look wearing some makeup, as she has quite beautiful features, and I'm sure that sight wouldn't be unpleasant. I also can't stop thinking about how incredible it would be if I also wore more clothes.
Because really, wearing a loincloth is already quite uncomfortable, and I didn't even take the time to ask the gem to make me clothes. It's not that she's uncomfortable; she hasn't said anything about it, nor has she put any kind of pressure. She's probably already used to seeing me in a loincloth and has nothing to say, which is why she stays quiet.
But I think tomorrow things will go better.
At this moment, both Nala and I are already lying in bed. She was glued to me, hugging one of my arms, at the same time pressing her face into my neck, as if enjoying my scent —or well, that's what I think she was doing a few moments ago, as now she's already asleep—.
So I can't help but smile as I think about the future, about the things and changes that are going to happen. In the end, the most important thing is to enjoy our life, our time together, so that things are done well for both of us.
A week after the changes that happened in our home, Nala and I were comfortably seated on the porch, in the front part of our house. The warehouse, although not full, had already been partially stocked with things that were previously stored in the depths of the cave I originally used as a warehouse.
The trunks containing weapons, or the others containing utensils and food from Earth.
Now that place was completely empty. The small refrigerated room, for its part, was full of a large number of dead animals that were obviously dismantled by me, so that the meat, skins, and other parts were separated and well treated. I did all this using the practical knowledge I obtained by learning from these animals, empirically, through my hunts.
Because, obviously, I had to take the time to analyze the bodies of these beings, although thanks to the gem —or well, what I think is part of the knowledge it provides me— I'm able to instinctively do that type of work comfortably, without any inconvenience or prior knowledge.
Nala had already fully adapted to this new type of life, and at this moment she was sitting beside me, staring at the landscape, listening to the sound of the six-winged birds flying and fluttering, singing to attract females or simply to enjoy the sensation of singing and freedom.
We watched the small insects fly from one side to another, and I noticed during the last week that they didn't come very close to our home —although, well, they never came close to it—.
Although this catches my attention, I decide not to think too much about it. It probably has to do with the way our home is built or the materials it's made of, considering that, in essence, they're basically the same original materials but improved by the gem's hands. (I realized that recently, upon touching the materials)
So maybe there's some kind of aroma in the cut wood that keeps insects away, instead of attracting them. Or maybe it's the type of wood used, as I've seen some insects that live inside wood —not obviously in this one—.
There may be woods that are poisonous to the insects of this world, but others are not, or simply because of the smell they consider it unpleasant or unacceptable to stay near. I don't know.
I won't think too much about it.
At this moment I no longer wear the loincloth; now I wear loose shorts, quite pleasant, made of an unknown fabric material to me, but very pleasant to the touch of the skin.
I think it's made of the same type of material as the thong and shirt Nala wore the first time, a week ago, and which she actually also wears now. It seems this clothing is what she finds most comfortable, although I asked the gem to make more clothes for her, even a dress and pants.
Apparently, those clothes are already quite uncomfortable for her; this one she wears now, however, is much more comfortable for her (And exciting for me). So I think this will be her outfit for a while, until she finds other clothes that she finds pleasant.
For a while, everything remains peaceful and calm, but I can hear the sound of some bushes moving. When I look in that direction, standing up and going down towards that area, I notice what appears to be a familiar figure: a three-eyed bear peeking her head out, with a baby clinging to her back.
A smile forms on my lips, as I recognize this is the bear who helped in the battle against the serpent king alongside Nala.
Nala, who was sitting rubbing her fingers with the palms of her hands, stood up and quickly walked to where she was, hugging the bear around the neck.
—Hello —she greets with a smile on her lips.
After hugging the mother bear, who let out a pleasant growl, she gently petted the little bear on her back, obviously gently, probably because she didn't want the mother or cub to feel uncomfortable.
I, meanwhile, stood staring at the mother bear, who was also watching me. For a second I thought —I could notice the intelligence in her eyes— and that she wanted, in some way or another, to communicate with me, but I simply can't think of any way we can do so.
Suddenly, the gem that was inside the house —and which, as always during this week, was in one of the pockets of my loose shorts— slowly came out of my pocket and began to shine intensely in the air.
A desire to communicate with a life form that is not capable of expressing itself vocally is detected. Initiating psychic link.
Ping... ping... ping...
After a few high-pitched tones in the air, the gem formed some kind of light cable that extended to my mind and subsequently connected, passing through my head. It did precisely the same with the mother bear, who became extremely alert and even began to growl at the gem, as if it were something bad.
But, suddenly, I heard a soft maternal voice in my head:
"What is happening? What the hell is that?" she said.
The mother bear began to shake and move her head from side to side, at the same time digging and waving her claws against the ground. The little bear in Nala's arms seemed to become a little restless seeing her mother like that.
I tell her, in a soft, unassuming tone of voice, to calm down.
She quickly calmed down, and stood staring at me with her three eyes wide open.
For a second, her eyes blinked and looked around, as if wondering whose voice she had just heard.
—I spoke to you —I told her.
She fell back into a notable state of shock.
—How is that possible? —the mother bear growled.
I, for my part, was somewhat used to this type of surprise from the gem, so it didn't affect me as much as it did her. But it was obvious the mother bear was going to be shocked.
—Everything is fine. What just happened is good. Something complex to explain, but I can only tell you that from now on you and I are going to be able to communicate —I said, and I wanted to take the opportunity to add—: And I want to tell you thank you very much. If it weren't for you, my dear Nala probably would have ended up seriously injured, or could even have been devoured by the serpent king.
The mother bear, noticing the sincerity in my words, seemed to smile —or do something similar; I think bears on planet Earth could also do it, so this three-eyed mother bear could too.
—Don't worry. My cub is very fond of your female, and so am I. She's quite nice, and since she already helped us originally, it's normal for me to reciprocate by helping her. After all, if she hadn't been the one who originally perceived the giant serpent, I probably wouldn't have been able to prepare myself for the fight against it —she said.
I simply nodded, understanding what she said, and remained attentive upon noticing that she referred to the giant serpent as giant serpent and not serpent king. I couldn't help but wonder where that word serpent came from for her, but I assumed the most basic and normal thing would be that the gem took care of translating everything into a set of words that my mind could correctly understand, so that communication would be fluid.
Or well, that's what I think. It might be something else, like transmitting an intention clearly and simply, and the mind decodes it with the gem's help. But well, I better stop thinking about complex things.
—How about I prepare some food for you as a sign of gratitude? —I proposed.
—Well, I must say the journey here hasn't been very tiring or anything like that, but I would appreciate some food and water —she replied.
I simply smiled at her and looked at Nala, who was already calm along with the little bear in her arms, moving it from side to side with a smile while making pleasant sounds with her mouth.
I decided to prepare a fairly large amount of food, obviously without many spices for the mother bear. Maybe a stew with rice would be more than enough, though I don't precisely know what her diet consists of. So the best thing would be that, apart from that stew, I also prepare a large steak —about two kilos— with the meat of some three-headed reptiles or another prey, using the meat of the rhinoceros-like beast I faced alongside Nala, which, by the way, we still had stored.
Originally I had it in the depths of the cave, but now I moved it to the refrigeration room in the warehouse.
The method I used to store meat was quite rustic and simple, thanks to the fact that the depth of the earth in this world is considerably colder compared to planet Earth.
The simple fact of making a hole in the ground and wrapping the meat with blankets was more than enough to keep it in good condition, but the blanket had to be considerably thick and I had to make sure the floor wasn't infested with worms or insects of any kind.
That way nothing happened to the meat.
Well... Nala, stay with the mother bear and her cub. I'm going to cook some food for them —I said.
Nala simply nodded and said "okay," staying with the two of them while I headed to the house with the intention of preparing the food. At the same time, I began to formulate in my mind questions I wanted to ask the mother bear, because really I wanted to know many things about this world, and I think only an original inhabitant of it could give me those answers.
But, first of all, I consider that the most important and necessary thing at this moment is to prepare a delicious stew with rice for the three-eyed mother bear, and also take the opportunity to make food for myself and Nala.
I see no problem with that.
When I arrive at the kitchen, I take out all the meat I had in the refrigerator. In the upper part of the refrigerator is the fresh meat, and in the lower part —which has more space and a considerably higher temperature but lower than the outside— are different jars, leftover food, containers with various things inside, sauces, dressings, and some spices that require a temperature slightly below room temperature to remain consumable.
After taking the meat out of the upper part, I place it in a large bucket filled with warm water so it can thaw correctly, without forcing the process.
I take an enormous pot —the biggest one we have— and two one-kilo bags of rice, and I decide to begin the preparation.
I put the water to boil with the two kilos of rice inside. That amount should be more than enough for me, Nala, the mother bear, and the cub (although perhaps it won't leave her completely satisfied), but I think it will be enough to cushion hunger with the steaks I plan to prepare.
I wait a good while for the meat to thaw to a point where I can cut it. I use one of the knives that remained here after the gem's remodeling. Before, I already had quite a few tactical military knives, left by the people from the distant base, stored in the cave.
But now I have specialized kitchen knives, which I can comfortably use to cut the three-eyed crimson lizard meat into cubes, and then throw them into the second largest pot I have, which fits in the kitchen, to begin the stew.
I do all this while paying attention and measuring the times as best as possible. I'm not an expert cook, and I actually guide myself quite a bit by instinct, which I consider extremely important when cooking.
Although I know that from a certain point cooking should be governed more by precise measurements, at this moment I don't want to think about numbers or techniques.
Whatever comes out —and I hope it comes out well— is what I'm going to deliver to the mother bear and Nala.
She trusts my food a lot, and I also trust my culinary skills, as they have been what have kept us satisfied, comfortable, and well-fed.
In fact, even the development of the four eggs in her womb seems to be going optimally; if it weren't, I'm sure Nala would have let me know in some way, either physically or by telling me she feels something strange.
Her senses are sharp enough to perceive any change in her body.
I leave the rice cooking over not-too-high heat —I'm careful because, given the amount of water and rice, maximum heat could burn it—. I quickly also prepare the steaks I have stored in the warehouse's refrigeration room.
The goal is to make some additional quick food.
I take out the steaks, which I had already prepared several days ago and were stored in two white buckets I brought from the abandoned base and had in the warehouse's refrigeration place with everything, and I take them to the house to begin the preparation process.
As with the lizard meat, I use warm water to thaw the steaks, and then I fry them quickly in the pan, adding a minimal but sufficient amount of spices to improve the flavor and make them more pleasant.
I hope all this goes well.
Hello, everyone. How are you? I hope you're all well.
This chapter has just over five thousand five hundred words or a little more, but I think it's well loaded and I hope you enjoyed the reading.