The Rokkusai

*I did bring this creature from another story I am writing on. Just thought it should be known in case I needed to make one from scratch. It has not been flushed out in great detail however.*

In the rainforest, among where there are many boulders and rocks of varying sizes, a small rock pup waddles through the brush, mostly composed of large leaves. His spherical body with four stumpy legs, two in front and two in the back, slowly but surely makes the trudge through the forest. A short stubby tail protruding from his rear waves excitedly and carefree in the small breeze that passes through the trees. Two triangular-shaped ears sit on either side of his head, and a large horn proudly poses on the end of his nose.

“Rock pup” may be a little deceiving though. The term “pup” comes from the way these creatures behave. They act very much like how dogs would. Some call these magnificent beasts “rock dogs”. Although, this can be very misleading, for they only act like dogs; they do not look like them at all. In addition, the Rokkusai, like rocks, come in assorted sizes, making it hard to tell if they are young or old. One could be very small and, yet, be 100 years old. Likewise, a Rokkusai youngling could be very big and only be ten years of age. However, it is always agreed on that just-born pups are small. They do not come out as giants.

The young pup is now making his ascent up the steps of an ancient temple, his favorite place to come to. The crumbly staircase matches his own legs and feet, excluding the cracks. Rock is rock no matter where it comes from and no matter how it is formed. It created this bond the pup felt towards the human structure. Odd, but he did feel a sort of comfort in the embrace of this collapsing earth monument. 

Vines grew anywhere they pleased, stretching as far they could muster. They, too, seemed to want a sense of freedom. 

The pup strides across the top of the complex dwelling to his most treasured spot, on the edge that overlooks a good bit of the area. He loves how he can think, while he watches the gradual descent of the sun. 

The Rokkusai did not necessarily want to be free. More so, he wanted to do a bit of traveling to gain understanding of things, specifically about the creatures known as humans. They were a mysterious wonder to him, one that he wanted to crack and get to know more about.

Another idea that often swirls around in his mind is about something that is a part of his identity as a Rokkusai. One of the things his kind is particularly known for is what grows in their stomachs. Much like a geodude, the creature’s tummy is hollow and holds precious gems inside of them. As to be expected, this makes the beast very sought after. The poorest man could be made rich in a day. However, there is a catch. No one can get to the gems except for the Rokkusai. Even if one hunted and killed one of the creatures, the gems inside would automatically be destroyed.

No, that is not how things go. Instead, a Rokkusai would be loyal to his master, whether the master chose him or he chose his master. In most cases, though, he would choose his own master. If in times of need, the creature would opt to make a choice. This choice would be thought through thoroughly as it would be final, and it would be based on how extreme the need is, for example, if the master and the Rokkusai are starving and there was no way to get food. In such moments, the rock beast would choose to combust, and the gems inside would become exposed, still intact and safely preserved. That way, the master may get food and whatever other provisions he or she needed, but it came at a cost. For the Rokkusai could not be resurrected alone, if at all. 

All the Rokkusai knew this choice as well as the knowing they may all have to make this choice one day, and this is what the rock pup is thinking about at this current moment. Would he make the right choice? Would it be at the right time? Would it be the right person? So many factors to consider, and at the end of the day, at some point, he would have to make it, hoping it is right. He hopes so much that he would give a second chance to someone with a kind and loving heart, not someone who is greedy and careless. That is one of the big reasons he wanted to know more about humans, to understand them. After all, if one day he is to give up his life for the squishy being, he wanted to do it with all the information he can get. He wanted to die for the right human.

And so, after he is old enough, which is approaching quickly, he would ask the elders to go on a quest to observe these other creatures that also inhabited the earth. He did not know what they were going to say, but it is worth the try all the same. His mom may not like it, but she would understand his reasoning for it.

With this settled in his mind, he keeps watching the sun set, how the colors beautifully mix. A pile of tiny rocks and roots lay at his fore paw. He picks up his favorite treat one after the other, munching on it thoughtfully. If one did not know better, they would have thought him to be a rock panda from far away because of the posture and how he ate his delicacies in the same brooding way a giant panda did.

What would his human be like? Would he be gentle? Would he be compassionate? Would he be a she? 

These types of ideas kept him in his trance until the sun almost completely set, and then, he heard his mom called his name. Quickly, he finishes the last of his treats and he rushes down the stairs as safe as he can manage. Then, he bolts back into the lush green foliage and back home as fast as his feet could carry him.