Reckon kicked a pile of leaves in frustration as Reach and Koi carried it away. It wasn't golden at all, and Reckon was beginning to grow frustrated. She was covered in mud after taking down the Nukap in the bush, and was overall just radiating impatience and frustration.

Koi gently patted her on the back "Better luck next time, right?"

Reckon sighed, frustrated, "I just want to prove myself to the colony... People wouldn't doubt my hunting skills if I brought home that golden Nukap."

Reckon's shoulders slumped as she watched Reach drag the hefty carcass of the brown Nukap back toward the settlement. Its muddy hide was a far cry from the mythical golden coat she'd been chasing. More frustration boiled in her chest, and her tail lashed behind her in irritation.

"You've already proven yourself plenty," Reach offered, adjusting her grip on the ropes they used to haul the beast. "Taking down a Nukap by yourself isn't something just anyone can do."

Reckon scowled. "But it's not *the* Nukap. Everyone's heard the stories. A beast with golden fur- impossible to miss, impossible to find. If I brought that home, nobody would question me again."

Koi stopped and turned toward her, his expression gentle but firm. "Sometimes, legends are just that, Reckon- legends. You're putting too much weight on something that might not even exist."

"It exists," Reckon snapped, her claws clenching into fists. "I've heard the elders talk about it. They wouldn't make something like that up!"

Koi exchanged a glance with Reach, who shrugged. "Maybe it's out there somewhere," Reach said carefully, "but is it worth beating yourself up over every hunt? You're one of the best hunters we've got. The colony knows that."

Reckon didn't reply. She kicked at another pile of leaves, scattering damp foliage across the forest floor. The group continued their trek back in tense silence, the weight of the Nukap suddenly seeming heavier.

As the trees began to thin and the colony's wooden structures came into view, Reckon suddenly froze. She crouched low, sniffing the air.

"Wait," she whispered, her tone urgent. "Do you smell that?"

Koi sniffed, her nose wrinkling. "Just the Nukap we're dragging."

"No," Reckon hissed, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the underbrush. "It's different. Like a nukap but a tad sweeter?"

Reach have her a curious look. "You think it's...?"

Before anyone could answer, Reckon was already moving, her muddy paws silent against the forest floor. The others exchanged a quick glance before following her, leaving the Nukap carcass somewhere they'd be able to pick it back up later, careful to keep their steps quiet.

The scent grew stronger as they approached a small clearing. And there, grazing calmly in a patch of golden sunlight, was a creature that made Reckon's breath catch in her throat.

The Nukap was enormous, its fur gleaming with an otherworldly gold that seemed to shimmer with every movement, and its eyes glowed like embers. It was majestic, otherworldly, and unmistakably real. Reckon couldn't believe her eyes.

Koi muttered a curse under her breath. "I can't believe it."

Reckon's heart raced. This was it- the proof she needed, the hunt that would solidify her place in the colony's history forever. She reached for her weapon, but Koi held her arm in front of the Tark'ee, stopping her.

"Reckon, wait," she whispered. "This isn't like the others. Look at it."

Reckon hesitated, her jaw tightening around her knives. The golden Nukap lifted its head, locking eyes with her. In that moment, she felt in awe at the creature standing in front of her. The nukap seemed to nod at her, before slowly walking away into the swamp.

"Maybe we shouldn't hunt this one," Reach said softly, her voice filled with wonder as her eyes trailed the Nukap, disappearing into the forest.

Reckon sighed deeply. "Maybe," she murmured, although still sounding a tad unhappy. "It does look a bit too... Ethereal to be something we should hunt- not to mention the size of it." she sighed. "Could you at least back me up when I tell the other about today?"

Koi smirked, nodding happily. "Of course we can. By the sound of it, they aught to respect you more after all."