บท 2: Healed, but at what cost?

"They made me shape-shift?" Gustav mumbled.

His continuous effort to figure these constricted surroundings out, yielded some results. This inherited human-like form that he switched to, was less than ideal for his mammoth kind due to some traditional reasons.

He couldn't complain though, as the peace he felt right now was heavenly. All that prior gut-pain, had discouraged transformation for several months due to a simple reason!

Survival demanded a stronger, and more durable body. He couldn't possibly have survived while in this smooth-skinned form, as it wasn't designed to handle tough wounds or diseases.

Anyway, it was nice to feel so light-weight for a turn, as that prior eight-foot tall body surely had its demands. He felt like a butterfly, but this peace slowly made him more confused.

"I'm healed now ha, no more pain. Guess they took my egg too? That's fine, as long as I'm not dead." He could only hope for the best.

A blink later Gustav spotted several creatures, which moved on the other side of this silver-barrier that he was trapped in. Uncertainty could spook anyone, even a mammoth; He had no idea who the others were!

Fear spiked exceptionally, once he discovered that he was submerged within some liquid, but yet it took no effort to breathe through it! He didn't understand how this was possible, because life in isolation didn't really give access to futuristic or weird stuff.

Anyway, Gustav didn't stay idle regardless of how anxious he felt. He swam half a meter forward, and boldly smacked the thin barrier which kept him locked up!

"Let me out!" He shouted afterwards.

Thanks to that brute demand, even through the blurry glass, he noticed how the smaller creatures from the other side began to panic. They hurriedly spoke with one another, to determine their next move!

Regardless of how his human-like form was admittedly weaker, progress was inevitable. Gustav continued to punch the thin barricade which was in front of him, and eventually noticed a crack across that same surface!

After that alarming point, the small kidnappers spread out and sprung into action. It only took seconds for an odd voice to sound out in the container, where it called out for attention.

Although its sub-manly tone was muffled by the water-like liquid, the hasty message was still clear!

"Calm down, specimen number seventeen! We'll let you out soon... rest assured that we only want to pull your guts out, not your heart." It described.

Gustav wasn't one who hid his displeasure, and this case was no exception. Although it was nice to communicate after everything that happened, he was still freaked out!

At that disturbed pace, he punched the blurry glass again and asked. "Why are you after my guts? You bite-sized bastards... let me out and let's handle this man-to-man, I'll rip your heads off!"

It was noticeable that even the one behind the communication device, was irritated by such drama. Although panic was expected from the mammoth's side, it still had gotten out of hand!

Eventually, that creature pressured. "Your guts are a result of faulty evolution, they mutated and developed four different types of aggressive cancers. You have no reason to threaten us, we saved your life!"

It was tricky to make sense out of that explanation, but thankfully there was more. "We're trying to figure out why you mutated, to save your mammoth-kind from a gruesome phase of evolution. If we don't take measures now, your planet will be invaded by alien scientists!"

Gustav still didn't understand what the other said, as his heritage never really favored intelligence. However, he did pick up how sensitive this situation was, so it sounded reasonable to be cooperative.

Before he could express anything though, the other continued to rattle. "We urge you to stay calm, you'll be fine. Oh, and one more thing; Through some medical interventions back in our home planet, Terranidus, we extracted five more eggs out of your guts! They hatched."

A whoosh sounded out in the container afterwards, and the cloud of bubbles which followed along gestured that Gustav got some visitors! Ball-like figures joined this constricted space, but it wasn't easy to make sense out of their shapes.

The male behind the communication device however, was quick to encourage. "Spend some time with your spawns now, please. We'll take your guts out soon, they're pretty much healed so it shouldn't be risky to replace them."

Although that statement was crystal clear, it felt impossible to respond in any way, as he was stunned by fear!

These smaller creatures along Gustav, seemed much more dangerous! They were shaped like baby bears, but were coated with black and red fur. Each of them were just a foot tall, but their unholy craves were noticeable across their sinister, fully conscious smirks!

"Ah!" He screamed, and tried to back away.

It didn't help the case, once he spotted how each of them had short horns on top of their heads! The scary rows of needle-like teeth they sported, tipped the bucket.

When one of them just smiled awkwardly, its overly-white jaws looked like they could entrap souls regardless of innocence!

"Get me out of here! These demons are not mine!" Gustav panicked once more, and banged his fist on the glass barrier.

These furry menaces got closer, regardless of the other's screams, which worsened the situation that was already tense! Their intent however, was swiftly proven unique.

At an uncomfortably fast pace, they swam right where this big mammoth had cracked the container earlier on. Oddly big claws were to their advantage, and they clashed those harmonically against the same spot!

Unlike their startled roommate however, they were far more efficient. It only took them a few clean swipes, to slash through the glass barrier!

"Finally!" Gustav shouted, while he didn't really know what to feel.