Author Notes:
Depending on which chapter of OBOM you're reading, it's a bit of a chill chapter, or possibly an info-heavy chapter. Honestly, don't ask what's OBOM is about anymore, I legit has no idea how I am to convey the wealth of information that is OBOM in a reasonable and timely manner at this point lol. You all have no idea how my brain is acting up like a schizo for OBOM, RM, and GSS haha.
Anyway, enjoy!
https://www.patreon.com/Heartbreak117
https://discord.gg/cVZxJ29ruh
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The White Pearl is anchored in the middle of a vast, blue lake after multiple days of scouting the waterway. It takes a bit of effort and some patience. Still, eventually, I manage to confirm that, for the most part, the region that the Alpha, Aurea, and I have been occupying is cut off from the rest of the island via a natural barrier, an extensive river network.
I have traveled from end to end, reaching the stretch of ocean surrounding the isle, and I can say for certain that, barring a few shallow crossings, there are only a total of three naturally-formed land bridges that connect the landmass that we call home to the rest of the island. And, much as I expected from my trips up the mountains, our side of the island is dotted with vast jungles and heights in addition to the perfectly curved sandy beach with beautiful blue sea. I would have tried to canvas the entire size of the island, but then it would risk being an endeavor that would run for an unfathomable amount of time.
So, after checking out the features of our neighborhoods to draw up a map for reference, the Alpha and I return to explore deeper into the island, which is why we stopped in the middle of a great lake. This great lake is connected to the natural border that separates our home from the rest of the isle, and it has multiple waterways that lead even deeper inland. Once again, I am amazed at the sheer size of this island, which can host a great lake that is only slightly smaller than Lake Ontario, as indicated by the readings from my radar and sonar. Of course, an accurate reading will be stretched, as the White Pearl doesn't exactly have top-of-the-line sensors in the first place. But, well, knowing that the lake is great is good enough.
However, this also means that, if the river network of this isle continues to be this extensive, then I fear I won't have enough fuel to power the White Pearl if I run her constantly. As such, I pilot the White Pearl in an economical manner, sailing upstream by day before anchoring when it's late afternoon. This allows me to conserve my store of diesel for emergencies while waiting for the Weekly Naval Resupply granted to us by the GAD Module.
Although Aurea and I expected the exploration stuff to be stressful, it's surprisingly quite leisurely in reality. The sights we have seen, the fauna and flora that are more colorful and abundant than ever before... Hell, we even saw a few of what can only be described as six-legged, plant-eating dinosaurs with beards and skeletal crowns on their heads. They may look ferocious with those spiky horns, but I see nothing but docility and gentleness in their eyes when the Alpha, Aurea, and I curiously sail the White Pearl close to the small herd. It's one heck of a healing trip, alright, and I am happy whenever I hear Aurea gushing over something pretty, new, or cute, or all of that at once.
All of this natural beauty does beg a question, though:
Where are all the apex predators?
The question comes because, ever since we crossed the river border, Aurea and I haven't seen a single speck of a predator or aggressive beast. The Alpha, with its keen senses and instinct, also doesn't detect anything that causes alarms whenever I ask. If there's really no danger further inland, then how are you expected to not collapse under its own weight? Like, this place has a plant-eating dinosaur species that is bigger than the Alpha, for goodness' sake. The whole island will be stripped of green if there's nothing to keep the dinosaur population in check.
So, where the hell is T-Rex when it's needed for population control, huh? You can't expect the Horned Wolves, which for some reason don't like venturing beyond the river border in the first place, to hunt down something at least four times their size, right?
Anyway, you can imagine my confusion when, thus far, the Alpha and I are literally the biggest threat to each other and the entire environment around us. Aurea, despite her well-read knowledge of known environmental facts about Arcadia, is also at a loss. Like us, it's not the unknown species that are stumping her; it's the fact that such an Eden-esque island even exists naturally.
After much thinking, however, Aurea proposes a theory that, perhaps, this island without a name has no natural predators in the first place, and its population is mysteriously kept in balance by some other force, which is not necessarily unheard of in the colorful lore of Arcadia. The Horned Wolves, being common predators from other continents and islands in the Known Region, could have had a population offshoot of the species that drifted over to this island at some unknown point in time. It means the Horned Wolves, much like Aurea and me, aren't natives to this isle...
Also, we really should come up with a name for this place at some point.
Anyway, Alpha doesn't know if Aurea's theory is true or not when prompted. It's my understanding that the Alpha was born on this island, and that the pack has long considered the landmass we called home, well, home. It's not like the Horned Wolves have the means to explore their past in the first place.
But yeah, the whole predator conundrum thing has left both Aurea and me curious and nervous at the same time. The problem harkens back to the group of destroyed Knights before, and that the very thing that defeated them could very well be the policing force that keeps this Eden-esque island running nominally. Perhaps this is the reason why only Alpha accompanies me. Its instincts warn it that the pack should remain on familiar grounds.
No threats spotted doesn't mean there are none at all.
When I share the concern, the Alpha surprisingly nods in agreement, once again showcasing extraordinary intellect. I have half the mind to ask it directly if it's actually a human reborn in the form of a Horned Wolf, but then I feel it will be too rude to it. Knowing that the Alpha can understand and communicate with us through simple gestures is enough. No need to shake the boat that is our cooperative relationship for an answer that may very well be answered by all of its actions thus far.
And speaking of the Alpha...
"You know, your teeth are surprisingly well-kept, for a wolf that lives in the wild." I say, while putting my head inside Alpha's opened jaws to give them a good scrub with a random brush the System gave me. "It surprises me that I never smell odor from your mouth. If those corgis were neat like you, half of the trouble in taking care of them won't even exist..."
From the bottom of the Alpha's belly, I hear its grumbles, seemingly answering that it's an Alpha with decorum and dignity to maintain. And honestly, I can relate to the sentiment of being a worthwhile leader to those depending on you by paying attention to the way you present yourself.
After giving its lower jaw one last foamy brush, I take my head out of the Alpha's jaws before giving it a thumbs up.
"That should do it for today. You can go rinse your mouth now."
Sitting on its hind legs, the Alpha nods before scurrying off to the side of the White Pearl and poking its head overboard. Afterwards, I can hear the sound of the Alpha gurgling on water. I shake my head, a bit amazed by how the Alpha and I have gotten so familiar and trusting with each other, to the point that I can put my head between its fangs without a hint of wariness, and that it lets me actually brush its teeth on a near-daily basis because I am a sucker for good hygiene. Even Aurea is amazed by this, as she doesn't think there's any tamer out there with my bravery.
But yeah, safe to say, we may not yet be the best of friends, but the Alpha and I can consider ourselves to be more than just normal friends... We are comrades on the boat, literally, and comrades trust each other with their lives.
I would like to think we have somehow achieved that in the days of leisure sightseeing. Strange, I know, but this is one smart Alpha we're dealing with. Though it's a bit surprising to see that, when away from its pack, the Alpha can be quite lazy. It takes many chances as it can to multitask bathing under the sun and providing overwatch on the rear deck while I focus on sailing the White Pearl. One can easily mistake the Alpha for a giant, fluffy stress ball on the deck, but I can swear that if trouble is afoot, the Alpha will spring up into action at lightning speed. Evidenced by how an annoying bird, one that was hellbent on shitting on the White Pearl, got snapped out of the sky by the jaws of an annoyed Alpha, being disturbed by the bird's wings' blocking out the sunlight it was bathing in.
Suffice to say, the Alpha got a roasted bird for its trouble, and I enjoyed less of an annoying cleaning duty back then.
But yeah, it's been somewhat eventful and a peaceful journey thus far, all things considered. The Alpha has been a nice, cooperative passenger, and Aurea's mental well-being is getting the patchwork it deserves. I am happy with our current lifestyle, for the most part... If only that damn mystery zoo-keeper stopped being a potential existential threat, then 69/10 will recommend spending a holiday here, on this nameless isle.
Once we have replenished our food via fishing and foraging in and around this great lake, however, we will resume sailing deeper inland. Again, Aurea and I are aiming to get closer to the foot of yet another mountain in the far-off distance. There, we shall climb alongside the Alpha to the very top, hopefully using the elevated vision there to map more places of interest yet. Then, rinse and repeat until we climb the tallest peak and map the entire island.
How long will this take? How safe is this journey?
Honestly, I have no idea whatsoever. The Alpha, Aurea, and I are in this for the long haul.
By the way, I don't think I ever got the gender of the Alpha right?
"That's because you haven't asked it yet, Umbra..." Aurea tentatively replies. She is partly amused by my sudden realization, partly curious about the question as well.
I then turn to the Alpha that has now resumed sunbathing. Sensing my gaze, it returns it. We both held the look for a few awkward moments before I turned away while scratching my head.
What, you don't expect me to suddenly ask if the Alpha is a girl or a boy, right?