"They're moving," Zuss said.

She was watching from a window, keeping an eye on the crowd of blue-eyed humans. Several times they had tried to break in, only to be rebuffed by traps and reinforced doors and windows. The few times they tried to burn the building down, something stopped the fire from spreading. Some skills employed by the female dwarf.

It was their second day in the dwarven home. Most of the party's injuries were recovered, except for a few major wounds. Elyndris's wing, Anath's leg and rib, Klaw's heart was still weak, and Daggat still had dizzy spells now and then. They would need likely a week's rest to fully recover, with Hunter's hearth. But, they didn't have that time.

"Oh, good." Daggat said, "It's about time Willow showed up. Let's move!"

The humans turned as one and started walking towards the other side of the village. The plan was simple. Wait until Willow and the others show up, then use the distraction to hunt down the hag. Zuss and Elyndris had a different job, however. Track down the source of the blue eyes thing.

According to Daggat, this was around the time they would show up. They traveled on wolves who could travel much more quickly than the crew did, so their journey from Titanfell to Hallowpine would take a third of the time.

Elyndris pounced and landed on Zuss's shoulder. Unlike the other party members, Elyndris didn't fit comfortably and instead latched onto her.

"Let's go."

Zuss nodded, "Speak only using the text interface. Let's not alert the hag."

There was no need to wait on anyone's say-so or permission. They knew their goal.

A few moments later she was outside, skulking through the underbrush. It was mid-morning, and the sun created long shadows for her to dash to and from. Naturally, she preferred the dark, but carrion eaters can't be picky.

Zuss: <Where are we going?>

THE MIGHTIEST LARVA: <Not sure… the lines of magic come from below.>

Zuss easily scaled the village walls and scampered atop a building. She could see the groups of humans meandering towards the other side of the village.

She also witnessed the carnage. Corpses laid open to the air. Blood pooled around doorways. Buildings had holes smashed through.

Elyndris pointed at a clear patch of ground.

THE MIGHTIEST LARVA: <I think the source would be under there somewhere.>

The rest of the party started to move, rushing the village. Ketil joined them, guiding them around the traps. Zuss had simply spotted and avoided them. Daggat sent her a private message.

Daggat: <Hey, where is the witch bitch?>

Zuss scanned the village. She wasn't in view, but there were a handful of men standing guard at the village warm house.

Zuss: <She has taken the throne. Where else?>

She switched to Elyndris.

Zuss: <Down? Should we dig?>

Elyndris: <No, we should search the surrounding houses.>

Avoiding the humans was easy. They never think to look up. She chose the largest of the buildings first. Its roof was a tad more sturdy than the others, so she was forced to enter through the front door.

There was no passageway down in the large room, but she had found a treasure trove. Sacks of grains, bottles of ales, dried mushrooms, blocks of… something. She threw item after item into their shared inventory. Mostly clay bottles filled with ale. She tried a bottle first, of course.

THE MIGHTIEST LARVA: <This isn't helping.>

Zuss: <Look at all this stuff. Hunter's gonna love it.>

A distant crack of thunder caused the bottles and barrels in the room to shake.

THE MIGHTIEST LARVA: <Hunter is probably fighting for his life right now. We must move on.>

The worm was right. Still, she made sure to clean them out of the good stuff. Of all the benefits of the party system, the inventory was by far the best one.

She was about to leave the building when Elyndris messaged her.

THE MIGHTIEST LARVA: <Stop. Human on the other side.>

Zuss skittered behind a large bag of wool and darkened the shadow. A few moments later, a human with glowing blue eyes entered and looked around. She had made some noise after all.

THE MIGHTIEST LARVA: <KILL IT!>

Zuss didn't need the encouragement. She already had summoned her rope dart. She threw it wide, wrapping it around his throat, then she shouldered the back of the knees. He fell heavily, making a gagging noise. Zuss then dismissed the shadow weapon, scampered onto the human's chest, and stabbed it in the neck with her enchanted dagger. Elyndris was already latched onto an eye and was squirming in. It was bloody, not silent, but quick.

At the same moment as the attack, a distant roar broke the silence. The sound made her shiver.

More humans would come soon. So, she grabbed Elyndris and fled.

Outside, humans were sprinting towards the warm house. Daggat must have started. Zuss flattened herself against a wall as a few passed. They didn't seem to notice her.

She searched a few more buildings, finding nothing of interest. Until she looked into an old, almost crumbling shack that smelled of rancid grease. This was someone's home, yet it was messy. Old moldy bread could be seen on a table, and patches of mold grew haphazardly on the walls. Zuss was about to leave when she noticed a patch of the ground had a faintly different temperature than the surroundings.

Beneath it, under a thin layer of dirt, was a couple of boards. Zuss struggled to slide them to the side, but with Elyndris's help, they managed to reveal a hole large enough for a human to slip into.

Crude stairs descended into what surely was the beginnings of a cellar. Whoever dug it had discovered an ancient ceiling of a structure below, and had broken through it. A Simple ladder lowered into a small room.

It was rich in dust and had a putrid smell. All around were little nicknacks and totems. Small bones, strange carvings, and dried plants. At the center of the room was a stone. It floated two feet off the ground, attached to the walls with a chain. It glowed blue and dripped a glowing liquid into a bowl below. Flowers, vines, and thorns were carved into the stone, from which the blue liquid seeped.

In front of the stone sat a man. He was sitting cross-legged with a large, two-handed sword resting against him. The human, Zuss assumed it was a human, wore armor head to toe. From within its deep, dark helm, two blue lights glowed.

"I think that is the source." Elyndris said, not bothering to use the messaging system, "Are you the guardian of this stone?"

The human stood and brought the sword to bear. It said nothing.

"Elyndris, what say you to a fight?" Zuss asked.

"I say-" Then she unleashed a beam of black energy at the human. Zuss felt her core drain from the spell's proximity.

The human jumped to one side, forcing the beam to only scrape across its ribs, leaving a red line. The human grunted inside the armor.

Zuss retreated slightly, darkening the shadows and then condensing them into a rope dart. The shadows created by Elyndris's beam were deep and dark, perfect to create a dense, sharp metal-like material. She twirled the rope dart, making it spin faster and faster.

The human slashed down at her with the sword. It was slow. Achingly so. It was almost boring to sidestep the attack. She released the dart, aiming for the crack in the face plate. She had only an apprentice understanding of the weapon, so her accuracy wasn't precise. It ricocheted off the human's forehead.

How was she going to kill this one? Her knives weren't exactly suited to breaking armor.

She thought through the problem as she danced around the human's blade. Elyndris gripped tightly around her neck to avoid falling off.

"ZUSS! I can't see straight!"

Zuss sighed, rolled under a swipe of the sword, and then slapped the flat of the blade. It wasn't a strong blow, but it knocked it off balance. Zuss then grabbed Elyndris and pointed her directly at his face.

"Oh. That works."

Another dark beam blasted from the worm. This was a wide beam of force. The human tried to cover their face and back up, but the angle of the attack had caught the helmet and ripped it free.

"The fuck is wrong with your face?" Zuss couldn't help but ask.

The man looked back at her with a corpse-like gaze. His face was wrinkled with age and dried as though dehydrated. Small cracks gave it the appearance it was made of dried mud. Was this a human?

It opened its mouth and tried to speak. All that came out was a wheezing breath. Where its tongue had once been was a blackened stump. Its teeth had long since been removed. The eyes had become so sunken, that all that remained was the blue glow.

Well, now it had a vulnerable spot, at least.

Daggat: <Zuss, how's it going? We're in a bit of a pickle.>

Zuss was distracted by the message so she only barely dodged the sword. That should have hit her in most circumstances. The warrior was slow and shaky. Weaker than he'd be used to. How long had it been down here in this hole?

She threw Elyndris at it. She slapped harmlessly off of its armored chest, but that gave her enough of a distraction to rush to a leg and start climbing. It thrashed, trying to dislodge her, but her grip was mighty.

Then it slapped its sword at her, which only served to delay her a second or two. Eventually, she reached the neck. Drawing her dagger of pain, she stabbed repeatably into vulnerable flesh.

It tried to scream, but it only came out as a hoarse groan. Like an empty forest on a windy night. Eventually, it stopped moving. Thick blood started to pool beneath it. She took a bite.

[You have devoured - Paladin, level 12. Experience gained.]

A paladin? Interesting. It didn't use any paladin-like skills.

"So… what is that?" Zuss pointed at the stone.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"Oh, that, it's a… uh… hold on. Tip of my fang… a tablet?"

"A tablet? How do we destroy it."

"I don't… hmm… I'm not sure. It sounds familiar… but. Ack! I'm going to blast it."

She unleashed her last spell stored, a combination of heat and force. The stone lifted further in the air, being pushed to the extent of the chains. The center began to glow with heat before the spell ended.

The stone still glowed blue. Zuss picked up the large sword and awkwardly swung it at the stone. She scratched its weakened surface, causing the stone's light to flicker.

"Again! Aim for the flowers."

She did so, chopping at the stone a few times until, finally, the glow ended.

"The connections are gone." Elyndris mused, "We did it."

Daggat's Assistant: <It appears you have succeeded. Well done. I hope you haven't lost too many limbs in the process.>

Zuss leaned over the dead paladin. What a strange creature to find here. She began to loot. The sword went into the inventory, as did its armor. She removed it piece by piece, being careful not to damage it. Looking at it closer, it was stained in blood, mostly dried. But beneath the grime was an elegant, silvery full armor. Someone would find a use for it.

The paladin had little else, but he was putrid. He hadn't cleaned himself in… who knows how long. Sores covered his body, some oozing, where he had laid or sat too long on them. She found a single flower tattoo on the back of his hand.

Nothing else of interest was found in the room. She turned to leave but found Elyndris unmoving.

"Are you okay?" Zuss asked.

"I'm… fine. It's just." She shook her head, "Nothing. We should go."

"You better tell me before Hunter finds out. Trust me, you don't want him prying."

"Well… I feel like I should know what that stone is. But I don't. It's like… I did know. I think the knowledge is fading."

"What does that mean?"

"I don't know." Elyndris shuddered, "We should go. I didn't get to kill any humans today, and I am hoping there's a few left fighting."

Zuss

True Name: Zuss Soul: Monster

Genseed: gremlin [ 3 Str, 4 Dex, 3 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Regenerating Teeth, Rot Resistance; Tiny Size] Genbloom: hobgoblin [ +1 Str, +3 Dex, +2 Con, +1 Int, +1 Wil; Nimble Fingers; Small Size]

Base Size: Small [Largest Size: Hobgoblin]

Monster Level: 13

Attributes (0/6) (base growth, +5; Devotion, +1): Strength: 10 (Genesis, +4; Growth, +6) Dexterity: 16 (Genesis, +7; Growth, +9) Constitution: 10 (Genesis, +5; Growth, +5) Intelligence: 8 (Genesis, +3; Growth, +5) Will: 10 (Genesis, +4; Growth, +6) Charm: 9 (Genesis, +3; Growth, +5; Devotion, +1)

Feats: System Knowledge - Discover the system. Reward: System Aptitude skill. Devotion [layered feats] - Offer a prayers to Sahrzuel, Ithrenial, Mythraziel, Vaelion, and Zenthaviel. Reward: Experience gain, +2 skill points, +1 random ability, +1 growth point, +1 biotrait. Mighty Alacrity - Raise Dexterity base to 15. Reward: Improved Balance Biotrait. Shadow Born - Remain in complete darkness for a full week. Reward: Shadow Core.

Skills(0/2) (Mortal Level, +0; Devotion, +2): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] SP SPENT = 0 Deep Shadows: 1 (Natural Skill: Stealth) SP SPENT = 1 Path Finding [Type: Climbing]: 1 (Natural Skill: Climb) SP SPENT = 1

Notable Natural Skills: Stealth: Apprentice Climb: Apprentice Rope-weapon: Apprentice Daggers: Apprentice

Biotraits (1/13) (Monster Level, +12; Devotion, +1):

Inherited biotraits: Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] BP SPENT = 0 Enhanced Night Vision [Mutations: Dark Vision, Magnified Vision, Heat Vision; Apex reached; Source: Gremlin] BP SPENT = 4 Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] BP SPENT = 0 Nimble Hands (below)

Standard Biotraits: [Synergy]Improved Body Control [Mutations: Autonomous Reflex] BP SPENT = 1 --Improved Balance [Source: Mighty Alacrity] BP SPENT = 0 --Improved Nerve Conduction BP SPENT = 1 --Improved flexibility BP SPENT = 1 [Synergy]Nimble Hands and Feet [Mutations: Mighty Grip] BP SPENT = 1 --Nimble hands [Source: Hobgoblin] --Prehensile Feet BP SPENT = 1 Cold Resistant Skin BP SPENT = 1 Enhanced Visual Acuity BP SPENT = 1 Shadow Core [Source: Shadow Born] BP SPENT = 0 Shadow Smith BP SPENT = 1

Notable Gear: Blade of a Thousand Screams Knife of the Traveler Mana Crystal Set Tiara

Elyndris

True Name: Elyndris Soul: Monster

Genseed: Larva [ 1 Str, 1 Dex, 1 Con, 1 Int, 1 Wil, 1 Cha; minuscule Size] — Full Growth Bonus: +1 to all attributes, +6 growth points, +1 biotrait

Base size: Minuscule [Largest Size: Larva]

Monster Level: 13

Attributes (0/12)(Base growth, +5; Larva, +6; Devotion, +1):

Strength: 10 (Genesis, +2; growth, +7; Devotion, +1)

Dexterity: 8 (Genesis, +2; growth, +6)

Constitution: 8 (Genesis, +2; growth, +6)

Intelligence: 15 (Genesis, +2; growth, +13)

Will: 7 (Genesis, +2; growth, +5)

Charm: 7 (Genesis, +2; growth, +5)

Feats:

True Angel - Encounter a true angel. Reward: Skill choice unlocks. System Knowledge - Discover the system. Reward: System Aptitude skill. Vile Concoction - Willing drink a diseased brew. Reward: Disease Resistance. Devotion [layered feats] - Offer a prayers to Sahrzuel, Ithrenial, Mythraziel, Vaelion, and Zenthaviel. Reward: Experience gain, +2 skill points, +1 random ability, +1 growth point, +1 biotrait. Blasphemy - Blaspheme the angels. Reward: A curse upon you. Mighty Intellect - Raise Intelligence base to 15. Reward: +1 Skill point. Fledgling Mage - Successfully cast a spell. Reward: Spellcraft skill.

Skills (0/3) (Mortal Levels, +0; Devotion, +2; Mighty Intellect, +1): Burst of Strength: 1 (Ability Skill: Strength 5) SP SPENT = 1 Pounce: 1 SP SPENT = 1 Construct Capacity: 1 SP SPENT = 1 Spellcraft: 1 [Source: Fledgling Mage] SP SPENT = 0

Biotraits (0/14)(Monster Level, +12; Devotion, +1; Larva, +1):

Jaws BP SPENT = 1 [Synergy]Thaumic Sense BP SPENT = 0 --Enhanced Touch [Mutations: Tremor Sense] BP SPENT = 2

--Magic Sense [Mutations: Refined Sense] BP SPENT = 2 [Structural] Complex organs BP SPENT = 1 [Structural] Limbs (Simple) BP SPENT = 1

--Lesser Wings BP SPENT = 1 Disease Resistance [Source: Vile Concoction] BP SPENT = 0 [Modifier] Force Distributing Flesh BP SPENT = 1 Metamorphosis [Mutations: Swift Change, Extra Form, Rebirth; Apex Reached] BP SPENT = 5

Known Magical Components: Engines: Force, Energy, Beam Drives: Focus

Notable Gear: 3 Refresh Pills

Other:

Curse: Ungenesis

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