At first, it appeared only as a distortion along the horizon.
A dark line moved up and down like waves on a hidden sea. Clouds of dust rose high into the air. The ground trembled slightly under their boots-not like an earthquake, but with a steady, rhythmic thumping they could feel in their bones,
Eryndor narrowed his eyes, trying to make sense of the shifting shapes.
Then the Beastfolk parted the tall amber grass—
And the world changed.
A fortress the size of a mountain strode across the plains.
A colossal creature—no, many creatures—moved in intertwined unity. Titanic ox-beasts—each large enough to crush a keep beneath its hooves—moved in synchronized motion. Their bodies were fused with living wood and plated metal. Heat-glowing harnesses pulsed along their flanks, threaded with bio-mana that shimmered like veins of light beneath bark-like armor.
Their hides were layered in growth that resembled timber and stone, yet flexed like muscle. Copper filaments traced patterns along their sides, glowing amber sap flowing between them like lifeblood.
Mechanical towers were built onto their backs, made of steel- like bone and rotating machinery. Bridges made of muscle, wood and rope stretched and connected the creatures. Entire districs sat on top of them, including huts, watchtower, and chimneys. Forge fires marked with runes hissed and clanged in steady beat.
The great herd-city breathed—literally.
Steam shot out from vents on its sides like heavy breaths. An amber light glowed steadily under its thick armor. Every time its massive hoof hit the ground, the loud thud sent vibration through Eryndor's chest.
He whispered, voice almost cracking, "…Is it alive? Or built?"
"Both," the lion-kin warrior replied calmly. "But mostly built."
He gestured toward the titanic formation.
"These Herd-Cities are the children of Karshvar. Metal-bone and beast-flesh."
He continued as they walked.
"Within the Eastern Plateau, one of Karshvar's six prime regions, this is one of the plateau's great cities. Built and lead by The Aruq Clan. It is their mobile home, fortress, and war-engine."
Garruk's jaw hung open in awe. "That thing was a war machine?"
The lion-kin gave him a long look, as if the question itself were foolish.
"Many lands have fallen beneath its hooves."
Eryndor stared, speechless for once.
As they got closer, more details became clear. Organic ropes shifted like muscles, keeping the districs in place as the beast moved. Mana engines along their spine beat like hearts, pumping energy through layers of tubes. Their massive fronts horns formed archways carved with clan symbols that glowed softly with its every breath.
Along the living battlements, Beastfolk defenders patrolled—marksmen with bone-carved bows and spear fighters clad in layered hide and amber plating.
It was a city, a nation, a beast, a machine that merged into one titanic moving miracle of savage ingenuity.
Eryndor whispered, without meaning to, "I would very much prefer whoever built this to never be my enemy."
Lirien glanced at him. "You are trembling."
"I am contemplating a strategic retreat," he replied quietly. "Preferably to another continent."
Garruk nodded solemnly. "That is a reasonable thought."
Several of the Beastfolk escort huffed in amusement.
"You smallfolk always fear large shadows," one of them said. "That is a good thing. Fear keeps you alive."
As the Herd-City loomed overhead, blotting out portions of the sun and shaking the earth with each synchronized stride, Eryndor swallowed.
"Excellent," he muttered. "We are about to enter the stomach of a very large, slightly irritated house."
Lirien stifled a laugh. "At least it is architecturally impressive."
"Right up until it digests us."
The Beastfolk did not react much. They continued marching, expecting the trio to follow.
And follow they did.
Turning back would mean wandering alone through a continent that breathed beneath their feet.
They walked under the first archway made of living bone-metal. It felt warm and had lines of amber light inside it. The surroundings changed, and all they could hear was a low humming sound. Warm air came out of vents like giant lungs breathing out mist. The ground wasn't dirt, but hard skin covered in gold plates that looked like old streets. Every step had a steady rhythm.
Thoom… thoom… thoom… It was the heartbeat of the giant beasts carrying the city forward.
Eryndor and Lirien didn't speak for a while. They were both too busy looking around in astonishment. Garruk stopped walking until a bull-kin warrior nudged him to keep moving with an impatient grunt.
The 'streets' were made of hard organic plates with glowing amber lines. They curved naturally and turned into ramps held up by strong roots and thick muscles. With every big step the giant beast took, the amber lines glowed brighter in waves, lighting up the paths.
Lirien's voice was hushed with awe.
"It feels like walking through a giant's bloodstream."
Eryndor grimaced. "Please don't describe it like that. I'm trying very hard not to think about digestion."
When they reached the first high platform, the sight before them halted them again.. A whole district lay before them, with buildings made of goldstone, brasswood, and jade-like bark. The houses were built in layers like stepped pyramids. Sculptures of horned animals and vines decorated every arch. Polished amber discs sparkled in the light.
Water flowed through narrow blue channels, cooled by mana energy. Huge wooden pillars grew from the beast's back to hold up bridges made of roots and metal. Large leaves, wide as sails, provided shade for the marketplaces.
Beastfolk were busy trading and moving through the streets. Vendors sold beads, amber crystals, obsidian tools, and small machines that pulsed with energy. Decorative feathers floated in the air, and wind chimes made of bone and metal rang softly. The place felt ancient and wild. This was a city shaped by nature and mana, then lifted onto the back of a world-beast and set into motion.
Garruk exhaled reverently. "I have seen imperial capitals and steel citadels, yet this city is… different."
Eryndor nodded slowly. "Imagine living somewhere where every street has a heartbeat."
Lirien added softly, "Or where the roof might blink."
Above them, a vast canopy of living leaves shifted and briefly folded inward, closing like an eyelid to shield the district from a gust of hot wind.
Eryndor stared. "…Okay. That is going to haunt my dreams."
They passed glowing stalls where tables grew straight from the floor, changing their shape to hold whatever was placed on them. There were bone flutes that sounded like animals, sap-crystals with glowing insects inside, and humming silk cloth. They also saw weapons made of bone-steel, carved and strengthened with muscle fibers.
Children with small horns ran between the stalls, laughing loudly. Elders painted symbols on their skin with sap brushes, and warriors sharpened their horn-blades on stones that made a singing sound. It was busy, beautiful, and full of life.
Eryndor blinked repeatedly, trying to absorb everything.
"I feel as though I require an additional pair of eyes," he muttered.
Lirien's lips curved faintly. "You are overwhelmed."
"I am catastrophically overwhelmed. But in an enjoyable manner."
Garruk nodded slowly. "It feels like a city that was built by the god himself."
One of the escorting warriors thumped his chest proudly.
"It was said the Herd-Cities carry the memory of Karshvar's first age. Built from the land, not against it."
In the center of the district, a huge wooden pillar with copper lines spiraled upward like a horn. It pulsed with a deep vibration that Eryndor could feel in his chest. When the giant beast moved below, the pillar made a low sound that spread across the city in warm waves.
Eryndor blinked. "The city sings?"
"To soothe the Herd-Beasts," the lion-kin replied. "To guide them calmly."
Eryndor raised an eyebrow. "Your city possesses better emotional support systems than I do."
They climbed a spiraling ramp around a tree trunk as thick as a fortress tower. As they went higher, the plains looked wider in every direction. At the top, they reached a large balcony held up by strong vines and metal-bone supports.
The view was amazing. The endless plains stretched out like a green and gold ocean. The Herd-City moved forward steadily, with several giant beasts walking together. Smaller beasts followed beside them like calves following their mother. Above, some winged Beastfolk flew, their feathers shining from the sunlight reflecting off the golden roofs.
Eryndor gripped the railing.
"This should not be possible."
"This is Karshvar," the lion-kin corrected calmly. "Here, possibilities are endless."
Eryndor leaned slightly toward Lirien and whispered, "I suspect I will never fully understand this place."
As the sun climbed higher, another structure came into view: a vast dome grown from intertwined roots and goldstone, layered in amber scales that pulsed faintly.
"The Great Conduit," the lion-kin explained. "The heart where the city bonds with the Herd-Beasts."
Eryndor blinked. "You mean the city literally fuses with them? Like organs?"
"Yes."
"That is impressive," Eryndor said carefully. "And slightly horrifying."
"You can see it from within."
"I sincerely decline the offer."
Garruk laughed openly this time. Even Lirien's composure slipped into a faint smile, though her eyes lingered warily on the pulsing dome.
Below them, the Herd-City sprawled in full splendor—golden terraces gleaming, vines shimmering with dew, organic machinery pulsing beneath the streets. Beneath it all, the titanic Herd-Beasts moved with unwavering rhythm, carrying civilization like a crown upon their backs.
Eryndor did not realize he had spoken until the words escaped him.
"I never imagined I would see something like this."
The Beastfolk said nothing.
For a long moment, none of them did.
A human, a dwarf, and an elf in disguise stood in quiet awe.
And the Herd-City continued its ancient, thunderous march across the Eastern Plateau plains.