Page 62 of Xara and the Xenobeast

As they drew closer, the formations revealed themselves as towers—not built, but grown. Living architecture that pulsed with the same bioluminescence as the jungle floor. Bridges of woven vines connected the towers, swaying gently in the night breeze.

“Is this...?” she began.

“Tal’Shai village,” he confirmed.

Xara stared in wonder. From a distance, the village had appeared primitive—just lights in the darkness. Up close, she saw the intricate network of living structures, the harmonious integration with the surrounding environment.

“It’s incredible,” she breathed.

The Xenobeast made a low sound in his throat—not quite agreement, not quite dismissal. “Different from your cities.”

“Very different,” she agreed. “But no less advanced.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, as if he’d never considered the comparison.

As they approached the base of the nearest tower, movement caught Xara’s attention. A figure detached itself from theshadows—tall and slender, with long limbs and a sinuous grace that reminded her of a praying mantis. Its skin shifted colors in the darkness, iridescent scales rippling from deep blue to purple to green.

The Tal’Shai.

Xara’s scientific mind cataloged details with hungry fascination. The being stood upright on two legs but looked equally comfortable on four. Its face featured large, multifaceted eyes that reflected the bioluminescent light in prismatic patterns. No visible mouth, but a complex array of breathing slits along what she assumed was its neck.

Most striking was how it communicated—not with sound, but with a rippling dance of color across its scales and subtle movements of its limbs.

The Xenobeast stepped forward, positioning himself slightly in front of her. To her surprise, he responded with his own set of gestures—economical and lacking the fluid grace of the Tal’Shai, but clearly understood.

The Tal’Shai’s colors shifted rapidly, then it reached up to touch a band around its neck. A soft, mechanical voice emerged.

“The Solitary One returns. With company.” The translated voice held no inflection, but the being’s colors pulsed with what Xara interpreted as curiosity. “This is unexpected.”

“Need to speak with elders,” the Xenobeast said. “Important.”

The Tal’Shai’s eyes swiveled to study Xara. “The soft one from the fallen sky-shell. We have observed.”

Xara felt a chill. They’d been watching her all this time?

“I’m Xara,” she said, stepping forward despite the Xenobeast’s protective stance. “I’m a scientist—a biologist—from Earth.”

The Tal’Shai’s colors rippled again. “Names are given, not claimed.” It tilted its head. “But you may be called Xara if you wish.”

Before she could respond, the being turned and gestured toward one of the vine bridges. “The elders will receive you. Follow.”

As they ascended into the canopy village, Xara struggled to take in everything at once. What had appeared to be simple towers from below revealed themselves as complex living structures—part plant, part fungal, part something else entirely. Rooms and chambers had been grown rather than built, their walls pulsing with the same gentle bioluminescence as the forest floor.

Tal’Shai moved throughout the village, their scales shifting in constant communication. Some worked with what appeared to be living tools—vines that responded to touch, bulbous growths that produced substances collected in woven baskets.

“This is incredible,” she whispered to the Xenobeast. “They’re not just living with nature—they’re collaborating with it.”

“Bioengineering,” he replied, his voice low. “Advanced. Different approach than Zarkari.”

“Different and better,” she murmured. “This is sustainable. Harmonious.”

He glanced at her, something like surprise flickering in his silver eyes.

Their guide led them to a large chamber near the crown of the tallest tower. Inside, three Tal’Shai waited—their scalesmore muted in color than the others, their movements more deliberate. Elders, Xara guessed.

The chamber itself was a marvel of living architecture. The walls pulsed with slow, rhythmic light. Furniture had been grown from the same material as the structure, seamlessly integrated. At the center, a pool of clear liquid reflected the bioluminescent ceiling.

The Xenobeast stepped forward and began a series of gestures. The elders responded in kind, their colors shifting in patterns too complex for Xara to interpret.

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