I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

The scent of damp earth blended with the fragrance of wildflowers, tiny white and yellow petals covering the ground like a natural carpet.

Small birds flew among the branches, their songs filling the air with cheerful melodies. Squirrels ran along the tree trunks, their bushy tails swaying as they leaped from branch to branch.

After a few minutes, they arrived at a small sunlit clearing. The space was circular, perfectly natural, surrounded by tall trees that formed a wall of greenery. At the center, an old fallen log rested upon the grass, its surface covered with moss and tiny plants.

Lukas set his backpack on the ground, the sound of the fabric brushing against the grass echoing through the stillness. Then he carefully opened the small wooden box, his fingers moving with great care.

The mouse slowly poked its head out, its bright eyes scanning the surroundings. It sniffed the air, its tiny nostrils twitching as it caught the scents of the forest. It observed the clearing, the trees, and the open sky above.

But it did not come out immediately. It remained motionless on the edge of the box, as if evaluating the territory.

Lukas chuckled softly, his voice calm.

”You can come out.”

The little creature remained still, hesitant.

Then Lukas slowly extended his hand, his fingers spread in an inviting gesture. The mouse watched for a moment, its bright eyes fixed on his open palm.

Then, with a sudden decision, it climbed onto it, its tiny paws moving with remarkable agility.

Lukas carefully observed the golden stripe running across its head, a thin thread of gold that shimmered subtly beneath the sunlight. It was beautiful, almost magical, as if nature itself had painted a streak of light across its tiny body.

”You’ve never been given a name...” he murmured, his eyes fixed on the little creature resting in his hand.

He spent a few seconds thinking, his mind running through different possibilities. The mouse simply watched him, its bright eyes locked onto his, as though eagerly awaiting his choice.

The golden stripe resembled a thread of gold, a living jewel upon its head. That was when an idea came to him, as if the name itself had chosen him.

”Rourke.”

The little creature tilted its head, its ears twitching toward the sound.

”Do you like it?” Lukas smiled, his eyes shining.

”Your name will be Rourke.”

Without waiting for a response, he carefully lowered his hand, allowing the mouse to step onto the grass. Rourke descended with surprising grace, his tiny paws touching the green surface.

He sniffed the grass, his nostrils twitching rapidly. Then he slowly began exploring the clearing, moving with cautious curiosity. He darted between small stones, climbed over exposed roots, and hid beneath dry leaves. Every movement was a test, a discovery, an adventure.

Sometimes he disappeared for a few seconds, vanishing into the vegetation. Soon afterward, he would return, always casting quick glances toward Lukas, as if checking to make sure he was still there.

Astra watched everything from atop a branch, her bright eyes following the little mouse’s movements. She seemed fascinated, her head slowly turning as she tracked Rourke’s erratic movements.

Tilbo remained standing guard beside the boy, her enormous form a comforting presence. Her antennae moved slowly, sweeping the surroundings for any sign of danger.

...

The morning passed peacefully, the hours flowing like water in a gentle stream. Lukas explored the forest alongside his companions, discovering places he had never visited before.

They came across a small, crystal-clear stream winding between the rocks, its surface glittering beneath the sunlight. The sound of the flowing water was soothing, a constant murmur filling the air.

Lukas knelt by the bank, dipping his hands into the cool water. He washed his face, feeling the refreshing shock against his skin, and drank some of the pure water.

Tilbo also lowered her gigantic head to drink, her mandibles opening as she swallowed large amounts of water. The sound echoed throughout the forest.

Astra swooped down toward several insects flying above the stream, her beak catching them with perfect precision before they could escape. She returned looking satisfied, her eyes gleaming.

Meanwhile, Rourke happily ran among the rocks along the bank, exploring every crack and every corner. At one point, he climbed onto a fallen log, his tiny paws gripping the rough bark.

He became completely still.

His tiny ears slowly twitched as he stared toward the horizon, as though listening to something far away. The golden stripe on his head shone for a brief instant, a flash of light that seemed to come from deep within him.

Lukas noticed, his eyes widening slightly.

”Curious...”

He had no idea what had caused that glow. Perhaps it was simply a natural characteristic of the species, a reaction to the sunlight or the moisture in the air. Or perhaps it meant something else, something deeper.

He set that question aside for later, promising himself he would investigate when he had the chance.

...

The rest of the afternoon was just as peaceful, a welcome break from the intensity of the previous week.

Lukas spent much of the time playing with Rourke, enjoying every moment of connection with his new companion. He let the little mouse run along his arms, its tiny paws brushing gently against his skin. Hide inside his sleeves, its little body disappearing into the fabric. Climb onto his shoulders, its tiny nose sniffing through his hair.

From time to time, he used his enhanced vision to admire the nature around him, his eyes perceiving details that others would never notice.

He watched a spider carefully weaving its web, every strand placed with flawless precision. A pair of birds feeding their chicks in the nest, the tiny beaks wide open in search of food. Butterflies landing upon colorful flowers, their wings shimmering with vibrant colors.

After an entire week of intense training, that silence, that tranquility, felt deeply rejuvenating to his soul. It was as though his mind was resting as well, processing everything he had learned and preparing itself for what was to come.

By mid-afternoon, Prata finally returned. The enormous spider emerged silently among the branches, her dark body moving with the fluidity of a living shadow. She leaped from one tree to another before landing beside the group, her legs touching the ground with surprising softness.

In her mandibles, she carried the remains of a small prey animal, a bird or perhaps a small mammal, already dead. She placed it near Lukas, almost like a gift, before calmly beginning to eat.

”Good job.” Lukas gently stroked one of her legs, feeling its rough texture beneath his fingers. The enormous spider remained completely relaxed, her bright eyes fixed upon her companion.