"Wait, for real?" I asked while looking at Rex's stone prosthetic on top of the table.
Anyone could tell that this wasn't a simple piece of rock, but the fact that it could make him run seemed a bit far-fetched. Even in the old world, according to what I knew, prosthetics were not super advanced. For a good prosthetic to exist, it had to have some motion, otherwise, it would be just the same as the rock peg that he was using so far. Then again, this looked great, I could see the toes, the claws, even an attempt at making a fur texture over the stone.
Rex nodded and gestured to the leg. "Look."
I got a bit closer, and the System spoke up.
[Stone Leg is an item created by Rexeuska. Would user like to see its full description?]
"Yeah, of course. I was not expecting this to be recognized as an actual item."
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Rexeuska Stone Leg
A Stone Leg created by Rexeuska with the hopes of allowing him to move freely again. Its construction has taken into consideration the rudimentary knowledge possessed by Rexeuska of Rodenti anatomy. However, thanks to the reference presented by his remaining leg, the result was very close to the original.
Full Range of Motion
Reserved Energy Cost 1 Energy
When active, this skill allows the Rexeuska Stone Leg to move as a normal leg. It can shift the area that is supposed to be the ankle, as well as provide minor stability. If the Stone Leg is utilized to move at high speeds during long periods of time, there is a chance the Rexeuska Stone Leg can break.
Duration: 24 hours
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"Well done, little man." Michael ruffled Rex's hair, or the fur on his head.
"Yeah, well done. I honestly was not expecting you to come up with something like this."
"Thank you. Still need improve. But should be enough for attack." Rex replied.
"Have you tested it?" Riley asked.
"Only little. Test with friends."
I smiled after hearing that, but Michael quickly said, "Go on then. Don't make us wait anymore."
Rex shifted his body on the chair he was using and took the leg from the table. It was quite bigger than the rock peg leg that he was using so far. It also looked a lot heavier, which could be a problem when he was starting to move around. Rex gently placed it over the scarred stump that was being protected by some bandages from when he lost his leg. With a quick movement of his hand, the rock that was near his ankle shifted up, enveloping the rest of his leg, almost all the way to his knee. There was another pause before he started to twirl his ankle, moving his foot in a circular motion.
"Can you move the individual toes?" Riley asked.
Rex shook his head. "Not enough time for that. Made shoe, not foot."
"Good call. I think you would end up wasting too much time if you were making each one of them." Riley gave an approving nod.
Rex carefully jumped from the chair, letting his full weight on the Stone Leg. Even if he had said he had tested this before, I was worried that something was going to go wrong. The Rodenti clearly shared my feelings and that's why he was being very careful with his movements. Once on the ground, Rex started walking around the table with easy steps at first, quickly getting more and more confidence until he was basically speed walking around us.
"Running?" Astrid asked.
Rex used his new leg as a brake to see if it could handle the shift. Even through all that, not a single speck of dust fell from the rock sculpture.
"Let's see," Rex said before walking towards the door.
We all followed along and outside, in that small compound where his house was near his father's. Soon Rex started to run around on his yard.
"Do you know how long you can run for?" I shouted as he continued to move back and forth without stopping.
He looked down and after a moment replied, "Ten minutes like this. More is slower."
It was a good thing that the System or maybe the Stone Leg itself was telling him how long he could maintain that speed. After all, unless there was a way for him to know how long he could keep running around, every step he took in the future would be covered in worry that he was reaching his limits. Just by having that number, no matter how small it really was, already solved all those issues. Rex kept running for a few more moments before doubling back and trying to go talk to his father.
Unfortunately, the Rodenti chieftain was not around. It seemed like he was greeting some of the other Rodenti that had arrived, and it would take some time for him to return. Rex wanted to share his new accomplishment with his father, and considering how much Ash seemed to care about Rex's survival, I was pretty positive he would be happy with the end result. Still, Rex wasn't done. He returned to his house and started talking with all four of us about the various ways he could improve even more his Stone Leg.
It went from just making sure it was stable and he could move faster to adding attachments such as spears or lances and even wheels on the back of it. While the plans were very imaginative, what Rex was actually able to do was not as much. It would take some time for him to implement those suggestions. Not so much because he couldn't really do it, but because it would require some more time to test things out and make sure any attachment he wanted to give to the legs could actually work, and it wouldn't be something that just made him even slower.
It came time for dinner, where Ash had asked everybody to join in a gathering near the kitchen area of the village. It was basically a place where the communal meals would happen since nearby there were various almost restaurant-like buildings. The Rodenti didn't really use commerce in the regular sense of the word, or at least not in the sense that I was used to. Those restaurants were there and were free for anyone who wanted to have a meal, as long as they were open, of course. In there, you could order any of the dishes that were available, and that was it.
There was no need for you to pay anything. The people who ran the restaurant would be doing that as their way to contribute to the village. It also helped them since they were practicing skills while doing so. The only actual problem was related to deciding who would get each new batch of ingredients. In big events like this, all restaurants would gather and do their best to show off every skill and every ability they had related to the meals being offered.
We were far from the first ones to arrive, but there were also a large number who took their time getting there. Ash told everyone that this was just a moment for them to enjoy. As they had to prepare themselves in order to start the fight, the best thing to do would be to rest and enjoy each other's company. With one cheer, everybody started eating, even though not all the Rodenti were already here.
Once that happened, there was no order to things.
This was a frenzy.
This was a party.
Everybody was eating, having fun, and talking about random things, not even just about their coming fight, although that was also a subject that many seemed to enjoy. Unfortunately, they didn't have booze here. Then again, that might be a good thing. I had no idea how the Rodenti would handle their alcohol, or if it wasn't possible for them to get drunk.
I looked around and noticed a much wider variety of Rodenti than I initially thought there to be. There were some gray-furred ones like Rex, of course, but many others were spotted and even mixed furred. Just at a glance, I could count maybe half a dozen different possible species of Rodenti. That is if they truly came from different species. There was also the possibility that all the Rodenti came from the same rat, but for some reason, I doubted that.
A few hours into the dinner, Ash stood up and walked towards a table that was roughly in the center of this dining area. He climbed on top with a very nimble hop and raised a mug of juice.
"Friends, family. Thank you for being here. Was big ask. Request. You came. We, I owe each a debt of gratitude. Will never forget. Hope each still here to collect once attack over. It dangerous. Nest scary. Facing nest never something imagine doing. Yet, no option. Village too big to move. If tried, lose many. No attack, maybe also lose many. Even then, believe right to protect village. Protect home, mine and ancestor's." He raised his glass once more and said, "Be sure to make them proud."
There was another set of cheers, and Ash downed his cup in a single gulp. He jumped back down and stumbled a bit, getting some laughs from those around him. While he did try to play it off initially, his stumbling grew worse with each step. The large Rodenti bumped shoulders with all those on his path until he collapsed, trying his best to hold himself up on a nearby table. He tried to continue speaking, but the chieftain started to cough violently.
Rex and Rixnala both quickly hurried towards their father. While they were doing so, half of the Rodenti that were here slowly started to turn in the opposite direction. They were not looking at Ash and his children, but instead at Raxzar. The chieftain's eldest son, as he walked slowly across the dining area.
"Good speech, Father. It would be even better if wasn't for such stupid idea. Village is good home, but not worth. Still have time to flee. Wounded, week, and elderly might die. Necessary sacrifice for life of family. But fighting nest unnecessary stupid sacrifice. Not even sure will work." Raxzar jumped on top of the same table his father did in a rather nimble display of movements. It wasn't as clean as what Ash did, as he had to get a boost from a chair, but it was still impressive. "Your plan final proof you no longer fit for chieftain. It hurt. Yet know must be done. Raxzar must take your place. One way or another."
Rex stared at his brother. "What are you doing?"
"How dare you attack Father?" Rixnala barked.
Raxzar shrugged, "Father bad chieftain. Make us all die. Tried talk him out of plan. Father refused. Had no choice. Family must leave. If stay, Eaters kill us."
"We can fight. We can win," Rex protested.
"Maybe. But what after? We fight, many die, no one left to protect village. Eater comes, monster comes, everyone else dies. But, have chance to survive somewhere else. Sad that not all can follow. Sad some will left behind. But, better option. Better than many strong people die."
"Snake! Little coward!" Rixnala shouted.
"Hurt Father and now what? Think can make all obey?" Rex questioned.
"No, not all. But enough," Raxzar said as close to half of the Rodenti in the dining area stood up and walked behind the chieftain's oldest son. Including those who seemed to be the more powerful of the bunch.
"We not letting you," Rex stepped forward.
Just as he did that, Astrid, Michael, Riley, and I followed along, making sure to have our companion's back.
To my surprise, the ones that didn't seem to be on Raxzar's side also got up and stood behind us, all trying to either support Rex and Rixnala or protect Ash. A good number of them were the ones that Rixnala brought here. Others were part of one of the groups that Rex had found in the past. Thankfully, I used {Compression} on my staff to bring it, just thinking it to be a sort of safety blanket. The same couldn't be said for my companions, and it was a decision that they might suddenly regret. Then again, no one was expecting us to end up in an all-out civil war among the Rodenti.