《The Pantomath becomes a Dungeon》


 Chapter 1 - An end, and a beginning.

    "It really shouldn''t have come to this, but, I''ll be damned if I let them keep what we made here after butchering us." I say absently to myself, even as I pour in the last ingredient. Throwing the lever to connect the gear box for our little village''s best approximation of an industrial mixer I would set the bowl to spin. Thinking back I can''t help but laugh before breaking into a fit of wet coughing that brings the taste of blood to my mouth as gasses billow out of that churning pot.


    Suddenly there is a loud clatter behind me. With a few grunts of exertion I kick and break of the switch lever for the gear box cause I''ll be damned if they stop it. It''s then that I hear the distinct sound of a shotgun being racked.


    "Hey boss, looks like fatty was still alive, you were right, they did run to a kitchen, but man I don''t know what he was trying to cook but it smells like a vampire''s nightmare in here" he shouts out to...some one, not that it maters any more. I can feel the liquid building in my lungs, my eyes starting to burn some as the skin on my hands blisters and peels from the, oh so wonderful mix I made to deny these bastards the satisfaction of taking everything and using my...our homes as a new base to do this to others from.


    Sluggishly turning to face the raider, I give a bloody smile before coughing up more of my liquifying lungs. The shocked, almost horrified look on his face as he sees me is worth it as I slowly start to stumble toward him, hand raised "A curse.....upon you and.....your ilk. I will deny....you our home as my.....final act....and as the....last one of....my little village..." I''d manage out as I shamble, my speech interspersed with coughing, wheezing, hacking, and the other sounds of one drowning in their rapidly liquifying lungs.


    The last thing I see as my vision fades is the raider starting to cough and hack wetly, giving a shake his head as I collapse.


    --------------------------------------------------------


    Candidate Located: Begin Transfer


    ''It''s funny, the things the mind does as it dies''


    Measuring Karmic Influence


    ''Huh...maybe the Egyptians had something right with that weighing of the heart thing''


    Lives extended by your actions: <del>2348</del> 1231


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    ''Every one did die in our village, not a surprise there, but the last census was just over 1100, how is it off by so much?''


    Lives you have ended: 1140


    ''Wait, there was in no way that many of the raiders, unless I was the only target and...and the guards let them through''


    -Titles Gained -


    Apothecary


    Herbalist


    Forager


    Medic


    Builder


    Engineer


    Inventor


    Chemist


    Glutton


    Devastator


    The Betrayed


    Pantomath


    ''So it was betrayal in the end, well fuck them then but...yeah, that all adds up then I guess''


    Karma measured: Granting Permissions


    ''Permissions for what, I''m dead, or is this my brain rationalizing the after life as some kind of...computer simulation or something?''


    Aspect of Knowledge


    ''Not gonna lie, awesome to get recognition finally for just knowing so much without people complaining about me not doing the "hard" work of plowing a field or digging a well when trying to get things like the windmill to pump the water from said well designed''


    Territory Assigned


    ''Wait, what was that now?''


    Transfer Complete: Core DevelopedGood luck, candidate.


    ''Wait, good luck and what do you mean by core dev-''


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    ''What in tarnation, I should be dead, not having the weirdest out of body experience I''ve ever had. Where even am I?'' I''d think to myself before my vision zooms in on an almost navy blue gem, that I assume was expertly carved into a torus shape, soft lights slowly sparkling and moving within as it sits in the flower of...what looks like some sort of strange cactus. ''Wait...hold on now, is that me?'' I think before feeling a small influx of....I don''t know how to describe it...I guess the closest thing would be invigoration, as I see the lights grow ever so slightly brighter in that gem.


    ''Well that''s something. Now to figure out what I am, what I can do, and what the hell a "candidate" is.'' I would absently ponder as a soft ''ping'' sounds in my head....I guess, maybe more of my mind.


    There is no instruction manual candidate


    ''Okay then, that was weird, guess I''ll just...have to sort it all out myself then?'' I''d say letting out a mental sigh, and feeling some of that invigorating feeling leave me only notice that it results in a change of the flower my new form is nestled in, changing from an almost cream looking off white to an almost iridescent violet. ''That''s new, what if I...'' I would think before taking a deep breath in, and I swear I can smell the flower as something between that of a saguaro and a barrel cactus, but maybe I''m just imagining that since I seem to just be a gemstone now that...is getting slightly more sparkly as I keep breathing in, which is neat.


    Now, lets see what there is to see here cause I can always freak out later.

 Chapter 2 - Its good to have friends!

    ''So it''s night time I guess, unless this place is even more bizarre than back home, it''s hard to tell without a frame of reference.''


    As I ponder my bizarre situation, I''d...see, or maybe feel movement. Looking at this disturbance I''d see for lack of a better term, a scorpion that doesn''t look quite right, something about it''s proportions are off, if I could take a closer look I could figure it out I bet. With that simple thought, and desire, my view would kind of...zoom in I guess, letting me REALLY see that thing up close and personal. It''s very clearly an arachnid with pinchers, we aren''t near water, and no real notable tail, I guess that makes it a pseudoscorpion, as there''s no way it''s a crab, and we are way to far from water to have it be a lobster or crawfish, well, I think anyway. Taking a moment or two more to watch my new, almost pudgy looking, friend skitter about and use it''s almost delicate looking pinchers to pull small insects from the sand I would try to look around more as an idle thought strikes me.


    ''Hmmm....I wonder....if a sigh earlier changed this flower, what would happen if I were to blow on my little arachnid friend there?''


    Pondering that I would decide to first get my bearings before trying to experiment any, after all, it wouldn''t do to try something and causing changes around me before I know what the ''status quo'' is! Also, would be nice to get a hand on this new perspective and perception works. It''s clearly night as that lil critter wouldn''t be out in the day, unless the rules for scorpions and such are completely different but...that wouldn''t be a surprise would it, I''m now a sparkly rock after all!


    As my gaze sweeps over the area I can see, there''s some other, sparse plant, and a damp, shallow, divot in the sand indicates that this very well might be the start of an oasis in this otherwise dusty and dry locale.


    ''Some grasses, what looks like yucca plants. My cactus looks cool though, all coiled up like that, makes it look like a spiky snake almost!''


    Pleased with my basic understanding of the area I find myself looking back at the lil scuttly friend as it makes it''s way around the sand, slowly getting closer to my cactus home. Suddenly stopping it would turn to face exactly where I''m watching it from, almost like it''s staring at me in the eyes. Moving my view to try and see if it''s got full on radial vision, it would follow that shift in perspective still watching *me*.


    ''Huh, smart lil fellah ain''tcha. And with that pudgy thorax and the awkwardly cute way ya move, makes me think of Babe.''


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    With that thought I would start to mentally chuckle before feeling that same feeling as when I sighed out earlier, the feeling not unlike after a long days work when you made such great progress and the feel good feeling starts to fade, I would still watch my only companion in this harsh climate as it grows rapidly, more than doubling in size in mere moments, what was once a lil porker of an arachnid no bigger than a pebble, now being easily the size of a shooter marble. Looking to myself I''d notice the sparkling specs in me have faded a good bit, only the ocasional glimmer showing, almost like shooting stars in the night sky, before returning my attention to my lil buddy.


    ''Oofda, not quite sure what happened there, but it looks like you made out like a bandit on whatever it was. Ah well, what''s done i-''


    Suddenly stopping I''d notice two things firstly, the little fella looks actually confused as it watches me. The second being that, it now has some rather distinct coloring upon it, as every other band of it''s...abdomen I guess is the closest word, I know the correct term starts with a t but never can quite recall it, is now the same navy blue of my new gem ''self''.


    And then, it speaks.


    "Tergit is the word, oh bestower of mind. How can I, the most humble and studious Babe, best support your endeavors?"


    ''It can talk, holy shit it can talk. And it''s name is Babe? What kind of coincidence is that. Also, ''bestower of mind'', is that...me some how? That won''t do, my name is.....wait...what was my name again?''


    As my thoughts essentially scramble from a mix of shock, joy at some one to talk with at least, humor at the presumed coincidence and all the other emotions it would all suddenly stop as my new little friend wavers upon his little legs, pincher cradling his head.


    "Too much, too fast, oh bestower of mind. I beseech you to kindly slow your thoughts." it would call out, bringing my entire train of thought to a rapid and screeching halt as it steadies it''s self. "Thank you. Now, to your earlier lines of thinking, yes, I can speak as you have bestowed me with a name and as such a portion of your essence and knowledge. Next, I am a female, not an it, so please, if not using the name of Babe you bestowed upon me, kindly refer to me in the feminine sense. Yes, I am referring to you when I say bestower of mind. Lastly, I do not know what your name is either, if you no longer remember it, and I, your humblest of servants, have never heard it, perhaps a new name would be the most ideal course of action."


    ''Yanno what Babe, that''s not a bad idea. A new way to live, a new place to live with new folks to meet and get to know, a new name is a great idea! The big question is, do I go with something hoity toity, something more down to earth, maybe literal or perhaps metaphorical. Hmmmmmm this will be quite a decision to make!''


    Doing it''s...her...best approximation of a nod, Babe would respond "That it is, just please, do not focus your thoughts on me as you ponder such. Even just that fraction of knowledge I have received at those few questions has been enough to make my mind feel as though it may burst like an over stuffed grub. I shudder to think of what may happen should all of that knowledge focus upon me as you contemplate!"


    ''Fair point. That said, what can you tell me of this place, I''m as new to it, as speech is to you I''d bet! Oh, and if you want to be closer to the physical me, just climb the snake-tus, you''ll find me in it''s flower!''


    That brief dialog done, I''d watch as my new friendly arthropod climbs the cactus I find myself calling ''home'' for the time being. Stopping occasionally she would manage to snap some gnat like things out of the air to eat. Each time she does a very small amount of energy would flush into me, like it had earlier resulting in me giving a mental chuckle. Seems I''m not the only ''glutton'' around here, and if her having a snack helps me too, I think Babe is going to end up quite plump as time goes on!

 Chapter 3 - New tools and old knowledge

    Looking out as far as I can while waiting for my new lil friend to make their way up the cactus I can''t help but notice the lightening of the horizon. It''s strange really, how I can see everything with such clarity in the areas I can see like it''s mid day, even if it''s the middle of the night, but can also see when the sun is starting to rise as an indicator.


    ''Here comes the sun doo da doo da'' I''d hum to myself with a chuckle as the horizon slowly goes from the pale gray of pre-dawn to the pinks and violets of the light properly reaching out. ''Hey, Babe, being out in the sunlight is bad for you isn''t it?'' with some concern for my first, and currently only, companion in this new, strange, situation.


    "If I were to stay out in it, fully exposed, for a good amount of time, yes. However, I should be able to get enough shade by taking refuge in the shadow of that flower atop this...I believe you called it ''snake-tus''?"


    ''Good to hear, and yeah, I remember reading some where that it''s easier to remember things as a memetic function of things you are familiar with. Cactus looks like a coiled snake, so, snake-tus fits well. Now then, what do you know of this place, anything I should be cautious of, or keep an eye out for?''


    "It is still early in the day, but the wind feels calm, so we would likely not need to be concerned with a sandstorm. Otherwise the next biggest danger would be the sun, as for me I could dry out if left directly under it for too long. Then there are the furred tunneling horrors that would try to eat me, however, they cannot climb, so up here I am much more safe. Lastly there are various scaled ones that would also attempt to make me a meal, and, depending on what you look like, may try to grab you as well."


    ''Thanks for that info, if you need something of me, just...let me know, I''ll do what I can!''


    With that, it''s time to see what else I can do, armed with some basic knowledge of things to watch out for. Furred tunneling horrors makes me think of some kind of mole or similar, who knows how big it would be, as my little friend was much smaller. Scaled ones makes me think some kind of lizard, or maybe skink or actual snake. Hmmm....that might be more of a problem as they''d have no problem crawling up here. I don''t wanna try to change anything on my perch...just yet anyway, so lets try this.


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    Shifting my focus onto what looks like an empty spot of sand I would imagine myself scooping it in hands I don''t have and tossing it aside. While it doesn''t follow that exact motion, I would watch in fascination as a small divot of sand is just removed and suddenly get the sensation like I''d just ate. Looking at myself again, I see quite a bit more of that sparkling once again, this time however some of it would be collecting into a still flowing band against my natural ring shape. Chalking that up as something to contemplate later, I''d focus further on myself and ''feel'' that sand kind of just...floating in a place of nothingness but still there.


    -So...I''ve got some sort of...hammer space to store things in, that''s...very very useful now that I think about it, the possibilities of that will need to be explored later, but for now, lets see about taking things out of it.-


    Looking to the base of my snake-tus I would visualize myself pouring sand out along the base, and, with an almost giddy glee see a small mound of sand pour out and that feeling of fullness would fade. Recalling the grasses I''d noticed sprouting near that seeping spring, I''d pull a few blades into that pocket space by visualizing plucking it and sticking it in a bag. Doing so a few times from each tuft to keep from causing long term damage to any of the plants.


    -Now then, if I can pick things up, pluck things, and store things, lets see what we can do to manipulate things beyond this, man I am GLAD I took that personal development course in basket weaving now!-


    Starting with the longest strand, I would carefully pull it out only to work it into a ring shape up near my flower. Like a circlet of grass, I''d carefully loop and spin it forming a tight band, and a base to work from. Pulling that ''ring'' back into my little pocket I would start adding to it, starting with a little arch way, facing downward and about twice the size of Babe. With the frame work in place, I''d really start to work. Adding and weaving all the grass that''d been grabbed I''d mentally smile at my handy work before checking in on my little friend, now close to the top as the first rays of light properly start to shine.


    ''Hey, Babe, I hope your ready to see something nifty!''


    Without any additional warning or fanfare, I''d place that fairly rough grass basket cap over the top of the snake-tus, covering myself, the flower and quite comically giving it more of a mushroom like look. With a final quick thought I''d pluck some spines from various points on this succulent and carefully add them around the ''doorway'' into the new ''home'' I''ve woven, pointing outward to hopefully discourage any uninvited guests.


    ''Now you don''t need to worry about scuttling around the flower to stay out of the sun, and we''re both safer!''

 Chapter 4 - What is a name?

    Babe POV


    The bestower of mind has set me with quite the ordeal as my first task in their service. To scale this massive, as he puts it, snake-tus. The coiling plant, almost like a long path as I follow it, up. I could simply cross the lines it''s spines grow out of, however, something in me views that as...wrong. After all, there are no shortcuts on the road of understanding. Contemplating this while making my way along that long, coiled, path I would snatch the occasional...thing out of the air to eat. From the knowledge that has already been granted to me they resemble the grouped insects a word of gnat coming across the bond shared with The Bestower. Perhaps more study of these things should be done in future to learn what they truly are?


    They are not at all filling, doing nothing to help that not quite hunger gnawing inside me, yet I still snack upon them while continuing the trek to the summit of this plant. Each one eaten does bestow a small portion of power, yes, though does not serve to fill this strange, new, hunger I have gained.


    -Perhaps things were better before knowledge, and a mind, were bestowed upon me?-


    Suddenly my train of thought is broken as the Bestower of Knowledge asks a question of me


    ''Hey, Babe, being out in the sunlight is bad for you isn''t it?'' they would ask, notable concern in the voice that resounds in my mind.


    It is touching really. Not only have they given me such a gift to be more than I was, but also seem to care about my well being as well, having at times referred to me as a friend instead of simply as their servant.


    "If I were to stay out in it, fully exposed, for a good amount of time, yes. However, I should be able to get enough shade by taking refuge in the shadow of that flower atop this...I believe you called it ''snake-tus''?"


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    Continuing to hike up the path to the Bestower my prior contemplation on how I was before being discarded, as while things were simpler then, it is not better. I am now so very much more than I was, and to be able to consider more than ''eat'' and ''procreate'' is so much more fulfilling. With that determination now solidified, the Bestower, once more draws me from my internal monologue.


    ''Good to hear, and yeah, I remember reading some where that it''s easier to remember things as a memetic function of things you are familiar with. Cactus looks like a coiled snake, so, snake-tus fits well. Now then, what do you know of this place, anything I should be cautious of, or keep an eye out for?''


    "It is still early in the day, but the wind feels calm, so we would likely not need to be concerned with a sandstorm. Otherwise the next biggest danger would be the sun, as for me I could dry out if left directly under it for too long. Then there are the furred tunneling horrors that would try to eat me, however, they cannot climb, so up here I am much more safe. Lastly there are various scaled ones that would also attempt to make me a meal, and, depending on what you look like, may try to grab you as well."


    ''Thanks for that info, if you need something of me, just...let me know, I''ll do what I can!''


    With that I find myself once more traveling, and snacking upon gnats, in silence. Lost to my own thoughts as I travel. Contemplating what could be done to best repay the gift of intelligence, once more that deep philosophical soul searching is interrupted.


    ''Hey, Babe, I hope your ready to see something nifty!''


    Before I could even respond or react, some kind of grass structure would just, appear, in front of me, capping off the plant, and shading the entire flowering top. A large opening clearly added in to allow entry and exit from that covered area. Spines would suddenly sprout from that portal, not pointed in a way to catch or harm one that could easily fit through that egress, rather to stop those that would not be able to from trying.


    ''Now you don''t need to worry about scuttling around the flower to stay out of the sun, and we''re both safer!''


    ??? POV


    Babe seems more than a little surprised by this, we''ll give them a bit to take it all in. Now while they''re doing that, a name. What goes in a name. With this new form of existence, perhaps normal naming conventions should just be dropped? Maybe a name that ties to that whole ''aspect of knowledge'' thing. Hmmmm....and what''s the point of knowledge if you cannot share it. Blindly sharing would be a bad thing to do, as who knows what some one can do with the wrong knowledge in their hands so I really should only share what seems less harmful for the most part.


    That''s it!


    ''And Babe, please don''t call me the Bestower of Knowledge anymore, instead, please call me Curator.''

 Chapter 5 - A shifting in the sands

    Curator POV


    Now that some basics have been dealt with, like protecting myself some, and doing the same for Babe it''s now time to take stock and come up with a plant to get some proper safety. The basket hut think I''ve made will keep away prying eyes and discourage some creatures from trying to push their ways in but any intelligent creature would easily be able to bypass this. Thanks to that slight spring in the area I can influence I have water, with that, sand, and a few other things I could easily make some adobe to build with.


    Although, if making this shelter was any indicator, such would use up quite a bit of this energy that I seem to build up, learning new things seems the best way to get more, and when Babe eats random things some energy seems to flow into me as well. Maybe if I could get a larger companion who could more and bigger things that would generate more energy? Lets take a look at what''s available on that front before making plans then.


    Focusing once more upon myself I''d see Babe has made her way into the basket hut now and has nestled into the flower alongside myself. It''s actually pretty adorable how they rest one of their lil pinchers against their chelicerae almost in the manner a human would rest part of their hand against their lips when deep in thought. Let''s leave them to it for now, after all, things are probably even stranger for them than for me. Sweeping my vision to pay a closer look at the torus that I am, two things would quickly sand out. The first that I''ve grown a fair bit from the looks of it, now being the size of an actual ring instead of the more cheerio size I''d first awakened as. The second that there''s now a solid gold band around me, like a counter coil and there is still a good amount of dancing sparkles throughout the rest.


    -Okay, so, that''s an indicator of gettin'' a kind of...threshold of energy. Good to know, so it seems to be stockpile-able or at least storable and not a constantly burning type thing like calories for ones metabolism would be. Hmmmm....now, is the best course of action to spend the energy to make a better shelter from myself, or, to see if I could find something to spend the energy on to befriend or endear like I accidentally did with Babe before having them do that.-


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    As I would ponder this, the sun would fully rise, streams of light shining in through small gaps in the little shelter. While not enough to put either of us at risk of serious exposure, it would at least, add some mood lighting into our lil home.


    "Curator, what is my purpose? How can I help you?"


    -Well, that''s sudden, and kind of out of no where, lets deal with this right quick then onto other things.-


    ''Well, for now, you are, in a way, my first friend and companion here, so just being here is plenty. Later on down the road, I have some ideas and plans, which you''ll probably like. So for now, let''s just have your task be to stay safe and help me understand this world a bit better as you can''


    With a ''nod'' and a gesture with that a pincher from her eyes and moving like she is putting it palm up while moving it down and away from her face, it''d be clear to see she''s less anxious now.


    "As you wish, Curator, and thank you, for bestowing me with a mind with which to contemplate things. I look forward to the time when I can fulfil the hopes you have for me."


    -Damnit Babe, yer gonna make me start gushin'' over how much of a happy little accident that was. Seriously, just call me Bob Ross at this rate!-


    While watching and fawning over babe I would...feel movement in the sand. My little sphere of influence has grown since first awakening and while I can ''see'' everything in the area, what ever is actually in the sand, is still kinda hidden. Well, not entirely hidden, whatever it is, it''s long, but it''s hard to make out. Kinda like looking at some one across the street in a heavy downpour. Then it breaches the surface.


    -That....that was not what I was expecting from a furred tunneling horror, but man oh man, does it match EVERY single word in that description. Let''s just...get some confirmation.-


    ''Hey, Babe, is this one of those, furry tunneling horrors you''d mentioned?'' the ''spoken'' question paired with an imagining of showing a picture of what I''m currently looking at to my lil friend.


    "Yes"


    -Whelp, that''s a short and concise answer, and man oh man am I glad my first order for Babe was to have them climb up here cause....that''s no mole-

 Chapter 6 - A happy horror?

    Curator POV


    Watching that....thing breach the sand like some kind of whale, if only on a much smaller scale, is shocking. When Babe called it a ''furry tunneling horror'' I thought it would be something like a golden mole or something like that. I was not expecting the horrid cross between a weasel and a Bobbitt worm. Furry tunneling horror indeed, jeeeze that things just...wrong to look at on so many levels. Here''s my dilemma however, if I can make it a companion like I did with Babe there''s no doubt in my mind it''ll be useful, and strong for this area. On the other proverbial hand, Babe seems to be scared of it, and it''s pretty nasty looking. The actually iridescent and reflective fur is pretty though but...that mouth and face...


    Shuddering mentally I''d think about what steps to take here and try to weight the pros and cons further as it starts to wiggle walk along the top of the sand. Seems it''s heading toward that little bubbling spring there on the surface and not under the sand. Maybe it only moves like that to get around some times? Ooooh, or what if it''s an ambush predator, like an -ACTUAL- Bobbitt worm is. Hell, what if it''s a variable approach predator based on what it''s going to hunt or more passively hunts during the night?


    Alright, so then, lets do some proper pros and cons then shall we, without thinking about my own personal discomfort by it. Pros, it''s a hunter of some sort, it seems pretty large, but, for all I know, everything here could actually be tiny. Outside the mandible jaw things it''s actually quite pretty and cute in it''s own way, like, who doesn''t love a lil wiggly boy weasel or ferret, if you can handle the stink. It can clearly dig, so, would likely be able to help me start building a better safe haven for everyone here.


    Now the cons. Food may be an issue, I don''t know what it eats other than Babe being scared of those things to some level so it likely eats her species. It''s unclear how innately intelligent it is or if it can even tell I''m currently watching it like a hawk like Babe seemed to pick up on. Although, that could indicate nothing actively hunts it as well.


    Hmmm, if that''s the case then, this thing would definitely need to be grabbed. Actually, yeah, those mandibles could probably be used to snip and cut things too. Yeah, lets see if we can make it mine, like I did for Babe. First thought what to call it.


    It looks like a Bobbitt worm, and like a weasel. AH! That'' it! Now, how to go about this. With Babe I was just closely observing them and had a strong thought of the name of a character they reminded me of. With this one, I''m trying to intentionally name it so...lets start with the obvious thing to go for, we''ll try something else.


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    Focusing my intention closely upon the creature I''d take a moment to psych myself up.


    ''I name you Poppit''


    With that, the same draining sensation as before would hit, the creature suddenly going stiff as a rod while energy visibly swirl over, around, and even through it. It''s beady eyes, and mandibles, taking on the same navy hue as myself as understanding starts to dawn on it''s, surprisingly expressive, face. It looks....happy, very very very happy.


    Poppit POV


    Thirsty. So thirsty. No juicy snacks in too long. Need to drink. Water. Close, water. Go to surface, walk to water. Smell tasty juicy snacks, so many tasty juicy snacks. Need water now, no time to hunt.


    ''I name you Poppit''


    Energy, thoughts beyond the immediate need of slaking thirst or considering the next meal. Concepts and ideas, that none of my kind have ever had before. Places I''ve never been, with strange stone rock nests. Places with weird pink things that stand on trunks. Other creatures that are small, poofy like the clouds, and so many colors but still walking on two twigs. Maybe those are the offspring of the bigger creatures?


    As soon as that thought crosses my mind the image fades and I can see the world around me properly with a new-found clarity. The sand isn''t a single thing like water, it''s actually lots of really really small things! The plants near that spring, they aren''t just blobs that are stuck together, they have so many different bits and parts, what with the leaves and the flower and the stalks!


    Lost for a moment in the newfound wonder around me my body would let out a grumbling reminder of why the sands were breached in the first place. Practically sprinting now in an eager haste to experience more of these new things, the water which was once just a needed thing now holds a new beauty to it as the sun reflects off of it, letting me truly see myself. I''m quite the handsome fellow, aren''t I!


    Drinking deeply, the cool crispness of the water would be a welcome reprieve from the already warming air of the desert, before the voice speaks into my head again.


    ''So, how do we feel there Poppit?''


    I try to speak my joy, but can only manage out some clicks and clacks of my mandibles and the squanking sound my kind, typically, only makes as young when playing. This feeling of pure joy and elation at all these new sensations and experiences is just a pure delight. Who ever this voice is, I will never be able to thank them enough for this delightful gift!


    Curator POV


    Okay...so...it can''t talk like Babe can. That''s okay, but man, it''s so happy that it''s making ME super happy too. Like watching the joy of an unleashed mob of puppies with only a single kid to play with all of them. If that puppy were a three foot mix between a sea horror and a noodly boyo, if the yucca like plants are like the yucca from back home. It was definitely the right call with this, and, glad that little experiment worked out too, cause whoof, did that take it out of me. That gold band is gone, and it''s only dull lights again, yet, I seem to have gotten just a weeee bit bigger. If I were a ring, it''d be size 9 now, instead of size 8, so that''s good. The real question is, if it can''t talk, how can I effectively communicate with it and tell it what needs doing?

 Chapter 7 - An epiphany, or two!

    Babe POV


    Hearing the commotion outside, the sharp claws of curiosity grip at my mind. I must see what the hubbub is about. Moving toward the portal between the safety granted by the darkness and shade and the danger of the sun, I would pause to gather my breath, and courage. Making a quick peek out would bring me pause. Horror of horrors, it is one of those furred monsters, on the surface. It would writhe, jump, twist and otherwise flail about around and over itself for a few moments before finally settling to move toward the small spring that is the start of this little oasis. Just as the fear and terror of such a beast starts to set in, something catches my eyes.


    It''s mandibles are the wrong color. They should be the color of sand, but here they are, blue as Curator, and the bands I now bear. It''s then that an epiphany strikes me, Curator has also bestowed a mind on that ravening beast for some reason. It is not my place to question their wisdom, yet I feel compelled to get an answer.


    "Curator, why does that beast have mandibles in your color?"


    With that simple question asked aloud, and a hasty retreat to the safety of being fully in this home Curator has made for us. It doesn''t take long for me to get an answer, but it''s not in words. Instead, a flow of pure elation fills me, overwhelming every other thought. This feeling is just, so pure, so GOOD, one could easily see themselves desiring nothing but it. Then it''s suddenly cut as Curator speaks.


    ''That was how Poppit felt from being given a mind like you have. Do you still think they are just a beast?''


    "No. No they are not. A beast thinks only of things like hunger, or thirst. The need to mate and pass on their genes. Nothing like, that. Thank you for sharing this wisdom with me, it is one thing to tell, and another entirely to let one make an assumption or presumption then show how it is wrong to allow for true understanding."


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    Curator POV


    OH MY GOD, Poppit is even doing that happy weasel dance, my goodness this was a GREAT idea! Sensing the movement of Babe, I''d kind of, zoom out would be the best way to put it, my vision so both my animal friends could be seen. It''s very odd being able to see through, but not see through, things like that basket I made. Watching her stop to just breathe a moment before, surprisingly quickly, half scrambling out to look at Poppit being...well Poppit, they''d freeze much like a deer in headlights.


    -Oh man, this has got to be a hell of a shock to them I bet-


    No sooner than upon having that thought does their question ring out.


    "Curator, why does that beast have mandibles in your color?"


    -How to approach this....how to approach it. I COULD just tell them, but, how would they learn a proper lesson from that. Ah, that''s it!-


    With a quick mental visual of flipping a switch to connect a circuit to, hopefully, allow the connection would work as that purest of pure joys is shared with my first friend in these lands. It''s so easy to tell it worked too, as the stop, shudder, and start to rock side to side, almost like one does with music. Giving them a minute to experience that, the mental switch would be flipped off before responding to their question, with my own.


    ''That was how Poppit felt from being given a mind like you have. Do you still think they are just a beast?''


    Her response is, surprisingly, quick, and really from the heart.


    "No. No they are not. A beast thinks only of things like hunger, or thirst. The need to mate and pass on their genes. Nothing like, that. Thank you for sharing this wisdom with me, it is one thing to tell, and another entirely to let one make an assumption or presumption then show how it is wrong to allow for true understanding."


    I feel myself swelling with pride....wait, not just pride but that energy too! Huh. Does teaching to real understanding actually....give me energy too? That oddly would make sense wouldn''t it, that weird voice did refer to me as the aspect of knowledge. Isn''t the point of knowledge to be shared with others to teach, and give true understanding of things to them, to help solve conundrum and destroy fear or terror created by the unknown. Curiouser and curiouser this will very much so need to be looked into, for now though, lets just give Poppit a small bit of time to get used things before giving them their first task!

 Chapter 8 - The past can come full circle

    ??? POV


    "....and in other news, scientists are excited for a chance to measure how the up coming solar event may affect the magnetosphere of the planet. If you are going to a viewing of the event, please remember to use properly polarized lenses. Now onto Bill with sports!"


    Placing my book down to look out the window, I''d sigh. Part of me does want to see the hubbub with whatever solar even is going to happen. The past few weeks have been a constant wash about, some say it''s going to be a solar eruption, other think a solar flare, then there''s the mention of maybe a sun spot being formed. Who knows really, but, it''d be a good way for the astrologists to actually observe and document the event and what happens for the future.


    Getting up to check the time, it looks like there are still a few hours to burn ''till then. Moving to my computer desk I''d start things up. After all, a quick bit of some Dwarf Fortress might be a relaxing way to spend the last bit of time till the reports can start rolling in. Almost as soon as things really start to flow and I get into the zone, there''s a massive series of pops from outside.


    That''s when the power goes out, lights, ac, computer and everything, even despite my backup power wall, and power banks. Concerned I''d go out the garage to check, the power wall, that cost so much having bloated massively like a lithium battery about to burst.


    "Well, fuck"


    The last thought to cross my mind as it bursts and showers me in heated slags and acids is how I should have got a backup generator instead.


    Curator POV


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    Focusing back in after zoning out a bit, I''d take a moment to examine myself again. The lights inside my gemmy self bright and sparkling, but, no ring yet. That''s fine, there will surely be more ways to get more of that energy I bet. For now though, it''s time to put Poppit to work.


    ''Poppit, hey buddy, when you''re done taking a drink, please come over here, you need to meet Babe and know where I am. Then your gonna be put to work, hope ya ain''t to upset about that, but pretty sure you''re gonna like what''s gonna be asked of ya''


    That handled it''s time to start some basic plans. First thing being, a way to determine a rough time of day. A sundial should handle that easily, plus, it''s super easy to make a simple one, especially when I know the direction the sun raises in. Well, that''s if the rotation of this planet is the same, and has a similar tilt of the axis, so on and so forth. It won''t be perfect, but even an only mostly accurate one should work. Actually now that I think about it, first we''ll set it up to determine the cardinal directions.


    Noting my noodly boyo getting close a quick word would be given to Babe.


    ''You should say hi to your new comrade, they''ll be helping us quite a lot I think!''


    Giving them some time to greet each other, a quick look at what resources are available would confirm my plan, should, be viable.


    ''Alright you two, hope you both had a good little meet and greet. Poppit, welcome to our happy lil family of weirdness. I need you to go pluck some grass, a few stalks or leaves per tuft, from each of the tufts by the spring and bring them over here. After that, you''ll need to snip the flowering stalk from one of the spiky bushes then trim the flowers and such off of it. It needs to be smooth and as strait as possible.''


    Turning my focus to Babe it''s time for her to get a proper task as well.


    ''Babe, when Poppit gets the grass over here, you will need to use those pinchers of yours to carefully section them into segments. Roughly twice your length should do the trick and suit what''s needed just fine. Oh, and both of you, if you don''t understand something, or, need help, all you need do is let me know.!''


    Babe POV


    Curator instructed me to ''say hi'' to his other scion, and, it was...quite the experience. They seem to talk faster than they think things out, not weighing what to say, just...saying it. Must be quite refreshing to be so carefree. After a bit of chatting with them, it is clear they are not just a beast, and while almost absurdly eager and full of energy, they are by no means dumb. Just a bit na?ve, or maybe inexperienced, it is quite hard to tell. Then again, I have only had a short time as a head start to this current state of being, so perhaps it''s more akin to how the Curator views things in such a different way to myself.


    That does warrant more in depth looking into. Before any of those questions could be asked, Curator cuts off our surprisingly friendly meeting to give Poppit their first real task, and one for myself as well which is surprising. There isn''t very much I can do currently, but, it is nice to be included. Even if it''s something as cutting things to the best of my ability.

 Chapter 9

    Poppit POV


    -A task. The voice has given me a task! Curator wishes me to do things for him! The new friend Babe also has a thing to do from a thing we need to do! We should do that first, then, the thing they don''t need us to do for them to do stuff!-


    Heading over to the grass tufts first with an almost shockingly excited gait, only the front half would be moving. Their long form allowing them to still keep their hind quarters seated near snake-tus as the get their fore quarters to the grasses. Using their upper mandibles as a hard surface against the spine of a blade, they''d snap it over to cleanly break the blade with a mix of paws and in a way, jaws. Once that spine is broken, a quick movement of their claws to cut through the more flexible material to sever the remaining connection and the first blade is gained.


    As soon as they''d get the first blade, however, it would vanish, much to their confusion. A soft chuckle would resound in their mind as Curator feels their surprise.


    ''I can move it where it needs to go buddy, it''s just much easier to move only instead of pluck myself then move.''


    -This makes sense to us! Less work for one, when others do some work too! Like digging brooding nest, goes faster if all work on it, not just us! Voice is smart, and made us smart too! Still, will not let them down on our first task though!-


    Curator POV


    -Well, they sure are...uh...lets go with enthusiastic to do things. Still weird to see them sitting in one spot and working a couple feet away too. Heh, if this were retail I bet some Karen would be throwing a fit about how dare they be seated while working.-


    Pulling that blade of grass into my inventory and then dropping it out in a slight curl within the lil shelter I made earlier for Babe to get to work on. A good start really, with these tasks we can figure out where true north is, and also, set up a basic clock. Both those things are very, very, useful, but man to really get started we need some hands. Or maybe with the inventory...and now with Poppit, we could make a better shelter, an actual building.


    -If memory serves, we have almost everything needed to make adobe here, the big thing we''re lacking is fibrous material. With how much we''ve plucked from the grasses by this point, I''m....reluctant to pluck more for fear of killing then which will make the ground less stable and could strangle this budding oasis, causing it to fill in with sand. If we go with something more rounded and dome like, we could at least do away with the need for wood by letting the weight distribute in a safe manner. Once that''s done, could excavate and replace with more adobe, working down to bedrock or the like, ensure stability of the structure, and give a large cooler chamber all at the same time. Yeah, that''s a plan!-


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    With a game plan to work with started, and both my companions set to task. Making good headway on those tasks too I''d say. It''s time to take stock of the full situation, and not just the immediate basics like I''ve been doing and not being more distracted than a kid in a candy shop with carte blanche. So, died, got judge, and found worthy for some reason to have a new sense of life as a reality bending gem that can grant, sapience....sentience...both too creatures. Not sure on the exact phrasing but it''s kinda like the spell Awaken from D&D so lets think of it like that. Next, there''s the energy that''s constantly being drawn in from the environment, that''s used to do that, which also gets little boosts when Babe blindly snacks on things, it probably will do the same for Poppit but we need more data on that to be sure. Teaching, truly teaching, and sharing knowledge seems to also grant a reasonable influx of energy, although that was more a life lesson than something as rote as the times tables. The Iron Giant would be proud of that one too. Then there''s the kinda pocket space, reminds me of a video game inventory also, where only I have access to the contents, so, useful in some ways but, problematic in others too.


    Okay. Basic stock taken. Now to scream into the void to get it all out. Turning my view skyward, away from both my friends and the new home, just that would be done. Screaming, cursing, generally freaking out, while directing that feeling away so as to, hopefully, not affect my two weird friends.


    After getting that out of my system, the manic laughter would start. Letting myself calm down and just mentally breath to help center myself. Before looking back over my domain, a steely resolve would set in.


    -I''ll keep my friends properly safe this time, and we''ll make our own paradise out here. If others show up to join, they''ll be vetted better. No chance of betrayal this time. Never, again.-


    Finally calm and with a direction, of sorts, it''s time to make a quick analysis of the new things I''ve learned already in my time here.


    -Now then, instead of just calling it energy, since it''s used too more or less cast spells without silly things like spell slots, we''ll call it mana. Awakening creatures seems to have a variable cost dependent on the baseline, Babe was much less taxing than Poppit after all. Could be size is a factor there also, will need to test further in the future. The rings that form on myself at times seem to be an indicator of a set volume of mana, so more rings is better as we don''t wanna risk a deficit. Next time creature I should should be a test if living things can be pulled into my pocket, as if that is the case, it may allow me to rescue Poppit in an emergency when he starts going out to gather info for me.-


    ????? POV


    "Chieftain, we need to be careful. We should send scouts out to look around to the east."


    "Why is that shaman?"


    Instead of responding, a simple beaconing gesture for the chief to follow, I would lead him to my tent, showing him the Mana Pot, and pointing to the small gems on the eastern side of it. An old device we use as an early warning system for things like elementals, or other highly magical beings, it''s clear to see all the gems on that side have been been over filled to the point of cracking and breaking. The normally color changing crystals a deep black spider webbed by the white lines of those cracks.


    "Oh."


    "Oh, indeed, my chieftain"

 Chapter 10

    ??? POV


    Moving is just pain. Thank god for water towers so that battery gunk could get washed off but a mix of temperature and chemical burns is not a good time. 0/10, would not recommend if one is given a choice. Lathering aloe gel on the burns and lightly binding them does help some. Movement is still agonizing as it does move and shift my damaged skin and muscles. Based on the screaming and panic outside though I''m one of the lucky ones.


    Taking a peek out the blinds of a window my view is taken up by the smoke rising from a few burning buildings. I can see people frantically trying to toss buckets of water on the flames but that doesn''t do anything to a blaze that size. With how many buildings are on fire, you''d think there would be at least one fire truck out here by this point, but no, other than the screaming and the roaring of the flames, it''s dead silent.


    Getting up and moving to the front door, the deadbolts would be thrown closed, then the same would be done to the back. In a pinch they can be opened to let me out, but for now, they should be closed to reduce the odds of unwelcome guests just, walking in. So glad I listened to the manufacturer and kept a fire extinguisher in the garage and moved everything to give that battery wall a few feet of space for safety.


    Pulling out my phone to try and see what''s going on with things, it''d refuse to turn on. That''s odd cause it still had half a battery of power left. Digging out a single use backup battery charger, I''d plug it in after pulling out the battery blocking tab thingy. Seeing as nothing happens, even after a moment or two, my minor shock at the situation, would turn to abject horror.


    "Oh fuck...this is bad"


    Curator POV


    Okay, got a dozen little grass bits, and Poppit just finished with the flower stalk part of the plant. So now it''s time...to work on tell the time! Now that I think about it, with enough time, we could probably get the sun dial to be able to tell the season, or dates, since the shadow would be in different places each time. At the very least summer and winter solstices would be handy to know, and easy to tell due to being the shortest and longest days.


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    ''Good job, both of you. Babe, I''ll be building something else near by that you should get a kick out of. Poppit, now that you''ve helped some take a quick break and rest as you need. When you are ready though, I need you to go out and take a look around. I only know what''s currently in my immediate domain, small as it is, and intel on what''s out side that will be critical to being prepared. The goal is to gather intel, not to fight or get into trouble, so subtlety is the key. That said feel free to snack on things so long as doing so is not going to put you at risk, and, it''s not something intelligent. Easy way to tell on that is if the thing in question has things to cover it''s body or tools. If in doubt though, err on the side of caution, or ask. Not sure if you can while outside my borders, but doesn''t hurt to try and if not, then you could return and ask.''


    My new orders given, it''s time to make that sun dial. Taking the long, stripped, flour stalk from that yucca, it''d get buried half way in the sand. Making sure to place it about six feet from the snake-tus to give plenty of room for longer shadows, a quick top down view shift lets me ensure it''s truly strait up and down. Next, taking one of the small grass cuttings, that too would be buried halfway into the sand, but, at the very tip of the current shadow''s position. Honestly, it''s probably still mid morning but we''ll put a new marker for the shadow again every now and then. Come sun down, we should know, roughly when noon is, and, what true north is too, is a win/win if ever there was one.


    Babe POV


    -Curator is worried, about something. The thoughts of telling time and what part of the year it is from where the sun is quite intriguing. As they work, it seems they are able to put aside that worry. Though upon growing idle, that worry resurfaces. Then there was that burst they did earlier. Poppit likely did not notice due to being further from them, but I did. Who knew Curator could manifest such raw, tumultuous, power. Why did they do such either? I could ask, but, with their worry, for now that question will be kept to myself to not increase on their burdens.-


    Poppit POV


    -Curator is so upset, and we can get it. Keep seeing...feeling...experiencing strange things. Last one had much pain, we hope Curator didn''t feel that! Wish could coil Curator, help them feel better, but will instead focus on new task! Maybe knowing we are being safe and helping them know things to keep all of us safe will help Curator feel better more than good coiling?-


    Vahlu POV


    "You called for me, my Chieftain?"


    "Yes, Vahlu. Now isn''t the time for ceremony or the like. I, WE need your hunters out to act as scouts again. I know you lot have been constantly busy getting food for everyone. But...this is even more pressing than going a few days without food."


    Noting the shift in demeanor of my brother the Chieftain, I''d stand. A look of concern plastering my face as, simply looking over his form now that the tent flap has closed, he looks dogged. That combined with disposing of ceremony and protocol, something big must be happening.


    "What do you need brother, I know you well, so if you are tossing away tradition like this it must be...."


    With a soft shudder up my spine at the thought of how dire things may be, he''d respond.


    "The shaman''s mana pot. So much mana released in the east that the gems on that side were burnt and destroyed."


    Only one thought comes to mind at this.


    "Oh."


    "Oh, indeed, brother."

 Chapter 11

    Curator POV


    Watching Poppit as they heads out, it''s almost concerning how they just...vanish into the sands. If it weren''t for my link to the furry noodle there''d be no way for me to know where they went. Honestly it''s kinda spooky how they can just...poof under the sand like that. Either way, good to know they have that sneaky capability though could come in handy. Babe seems all tuckered out though, so we''ll just let her rest and sleep for now. Looks like I''m back down to less than a ring of ''mana'' again. Doesn''t seem to be by much though just that the ring which was there is fuzzy edged and wobbly now so, only a small experiment then.


    Since putting ''mana'' into animals while giving them a name awakens them for lack of a better way to put it, what about just putting some of this ''mana'' into something? Lucky me, I have a prime candidate to test that out with, and visualizing things out may help me also control how much ''mana'' gets put into it. With how it''s used, the best way to look at the mana would be as...yeah, lets go with a loaf of nice, soft, bread. Carefully slicing off a slice of that loaf similar to the thickness of some Texas toast. Putting the rest of the ''loaf'' away to hold onto it that proverbial slice would then be pushed into the pruned Yucca from earlier, to, hopefully, get it to grow that flowering stalk back.


    Giving the plant some time to act on that influx of energy, it''s time for some work once more. Scooping and storing sand, that little wet pit would be expanded and deepened to increase the amount of water available from that underground spring to fill. Digging up some of the to help the spring flow more freely would be quite the pleasant surprise. The rich red of high clay content soil greeting my sight, quite the little boon for all the things I have planed for down the road.


    ''I am a dwarf and I''m digging a hole, diggy diggy hole, diggy diggy hole~''


    Singing to myself while working makes it much more enjoyable. It also helps me focus on what needs to be done. Expansion of the watering hole done, it''s time to move on to the start of the first true building on my check list. We''ll start by digging down to, hopefully, bedrock to see how much sand needs to be moved.


    Poppit POV


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    -Curator wants us to look around and be sneaky! It''s like they know exactly what we''re good at!-


    With a bounding leap, the strange fur noodle would slide beneath the sands and start slithering his way through the loose ground. Heading in a random direction and moving quickly, yet not so quickly as to disturb the surface of the sand, they''d reach the edge of the dungeon''s territory in but a few quick minutes. Continuing on that, meandering, path a small stop would be made. After all, Curator did give them permission to grab a snack if they can do it safely. With a violent bursting up from the sand, before dragging their unfortunate snack back below the grains as it squawks and struggles. After a few short moments, the only indicator of the violence that befell that patch of sand would be the blood soaked into a tiny pit, and some lost feathers.


    Normally not part of Poppit''s normal diet, they can very much so appreciate the meatiness of the fowl that ran a foul of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. That extra intelligence and knowledge already paying off for the predatory fur slinky, as they know the right way to cripple those tasty birds to make a meal of them now. With a contented belch they''d continue on, continuing, leaving only that minor trace of their passing through the area, and well outside the dungeon''s bounds.


    Vahlu POV


    Standing in absolute shock with a few of his hunters at what they''d all just seen. If not for others to back up what they''d all just seen, he''d turn to look at his compatriots. Greeted by the same look of shocked horror as they turn to face him, he''d gesture for a silent retreat. Making good use of sandboards, the group would practically flee from the site of the carnage they''d just been privy too. Waiting until easily an hour of fast flight from the area, a simple question would be spoken.


    "You all saw that too, right?"


    "Yeah boss. Yeah we did."


    A communal shiver would run through the group. The lot of them just glad to be using sand boards to travel in, relatively, safety from the dangers under the sands. Sandtrap Ferrets are dangerous enough. One either hungry, or audacious enough to make a meal out of a greater sand-runner, a bird that normally puts the furry thins on it''s own dinner plate, would be scary enough. Seeing it do so that effortlessly, and intelligently, unlike their normal approach methods for a meal, combined with it easily being longer than his people were tall was just...this needed to be reported to the chief as soon as possible.


    "How old are they when their mandibles turn blue any way?" came the question from the apprentice hunter with the group, causing Vahlu to stop, almost making the hunter behind him to crash into himself.


    "They don''t, sandtrap ferrets only have sand colored mandibles. Are you sure it had blue mandibles. Like, really, REALLY sure?"


    The edge to his voice wouldn''t be missed, even by the novice who responds quickly.


    "As sure as sand in my scales after a dust up boss"


    With that Vahlu would turn toward the direction they''d left before cursing, heavily for some time and picking up the pace.


    "Double time it back to the camp. This is bad, very, very very, VERY bad."


    With that the entire group would leave caution to the wind, pulling up close too, and around, the biggest of the group who pulled out a hand held sail as the rest grabbed on, acting as steering and stability while catching the wind to move as quickly as possible.


    Unbeknownst to them though, they hadn''t gone unnoticed, and had an extra traveler with them....

 Chapter 12

    Curator POV


    -Whoof that''s aloooot of ''mana''. When I told Poppit to go ahead and snack, didn''t expect him to raid a buffet!. But hey, can''t complain, and how''s that one anime phrase go, eat a daki masku? Not sure why you''d eat a pillow cover with a mask but he...wait, moth people could and those might exist here! No, stop it, focus, no more wild hair brained plots for now.-


    Seems whatever he had, he really enjoyed cause I can still ''feel'' him. Even outside my domain the connections there but it''s slightly muffled, like with tin can telephones when one''s a kid. That aside, if they''re getting even half this energy, things are gonna get even more strange before getting more normal! Up to a full ring and change, a second is at that fuzzy ''proto-ring'' phase!


    In other things, watching that yucca I shoved some energy into, it''s been changing more than growing. The leaves are now a more blue-green color, widening massively and growing longer. Even spikes on the edges of those leaves, reminds me of an honest to goodness agave at this point! They''re related, but if pumping energy like that causes such a change, care will be the word of the day, as agave don''t produce edible fruits. Even if more of the plant is edible, at the cost of killing the plant, it''s not a good food source for anything due to that and the growing times.


    Babe is still snoozing pretty well too, which is no surprise calming. Just watchin'' her body swell and shrink as she breathes is adorable. Oh, and I''m bigger too now that I look at it, she could probably rest inside the hollow of my ring at this point. Hmmm....if I keep growing like this, it might be a problem pretty soon, so really need to start on a more permanent structure to house me. I doubt the elements will cause any grief, but, would rather still be more ''out of sight'' that fully exposed to everything every where.


    Lets give a proper check on Poppit though, if they''re still felt, then it stands to reason I could focus my attention on or through them, like with seeing through Babe''s eyes that one time. With that simple thought a...bizarre sight would greet me, accompanied with the strange sensation kind of like being drawn through a long crazy straw. Not painful or, necessarily unpleasant, just....off. Looking through the sand, it''d be like looking through clear water, slightly wavy, but able to still tell what''s above and below the surface. Seeing the oblong boards, and their riders as I can feel those claws gently digging into the wood of one board only one thought comes to mind.


    ''Oh, you clever clever fur noodle!''


    Poppit POV


    We can feel when the Curator looks through us, as we ride along with the scaled things. At first it''s clear that seeing through our eyes is a new experience for Curator. Then they give us a complement! We are clever! This is good! The joy of that would result in an involuntary wiggle, shifting the other ones, they seem to know it too. It''s too late though, we can see their burrows on the sand, even if still a bit away!


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    Taking this as a good chance to drop off and move on our own, we''d do just that. Sliding off silently in the sand as they come to a stop. What they do doesn''t mater to us at this point, as we need to take a look at what they are up to.


    Vahlu POV


    We''re almost back to our little camp, normally the group sail is much faster than this. Until the final stretch of our journey, I''d have chalked it up to the apprentice leaning too far forward and digging the sandboard in slightly. Then my board wriggles violently, almost throwing me to the sands, so we stop. That panic from earlier turning into a horror deep in my bones.


    "It followed us....it road our boards and followed us"


    After the quick bit of shock, everyone''s faces going pale, I snap into action. Pulling out the signal whistle, and pushing it to my lips I blow. I blow as if our lives depend on it, and they very much so might. The high sharp trill being held for a good bit of time, only to stop, and play three short trills. The sign of those dangerous diggers being around, hopefully, they''ll get the hint in time.


    "We need to hurry!"


    With that, it''s time to pick up the boards and simply run the remaining distance in a mad dash for camp.


    Shaman POV


    It''s close, whatever it is, it''s close. I can feel it, and the remaining mana gems all glow faintly. Something powerful is here. Ever one knows it''s here too. You can see it in how they stiffen slightly as it''s power washes over them.


    Then the signal whistle rings out. Playing the warning for sandtrap ferrets. I know better though. Sandtraps don''t carry this sort of aura to them. Nor, this much passive power or presence. This narrows down the possibilities quite a bit, all of them could be a horrible thing. Only one has a chance to be good. Scurrying as quickly as my old bones can take me, it''s time to visit the chieftain once more. This time to offer wisdom, not a warning.


    Curator POV


    ''Sorry buddy, seems I ruined your solid snaking, if that shrill whistle is any indicator. This could work in our favor though. See if can''t slide up under that big tent there. Normally the leader of a group like this has the biggest place. Keep hidden for now, until we can get a lay of the room okay?''


    With that I ride along, and if the d¨¦cor and single chair facing the tent''s entry, my hunch was right. After a moment of observation, another of those people would burst in, chattering, something to the one in the chair. They are moving stiffly, almost mechanically, but it''s hard to make exactly what they are out. It''s kind of like looking out from under the water to see what''s on the surface, when the suns hitting the surface. Only really basic shapes and such. After they have a bit of back and forth, I''d really focus on the new one, paying proper attention to what it''s saying and after a moment, it starts to make sense.


    "...ftain, we should show caution. I know you feel it''s presence in the camp too. This could be a paragon sandtrap ferret, or a dungeon and it''s scion. These are shifting sands we are on, and a single misstep could cause all to sink."


    "You speak with wisdom shaman. Your words shall be heeded, unless it attacks first, this powerful...thing, shall not be attacked but...."


    ''Well that''s all I need to hear! Hey, Poppit, you know what would be reaaaally funny? Slide up behind that chair, pop your head slowly over the top and move like you are lounging your slinky self over the top.''


    With a sudden, rapid movement to get into position, it doesn''t take Poppit long to start cresting the top of that, essentially throne. Looking through his eyes, it''s so easy to see the shock, surprise, fear...even some excitement, in the shaman''s face as he stops mid word. Looking down at the chieftain now as they look up to follow the shaman''s gaze, eyes wide. I''m honestly a bit caught off guard, lizard folk, or kobolds would have been expected, but seems I''m in the land of noodly things and arachnids, cause who would have guessed skink-le. Look at those short lil arms an'' legs, and those long bodies, honestly reminds me of slightly less worm like Poppits, but with scales instead of fur. And no mandibles...oh and those cute lil outfits.


    As I calm down after my initial surprise as they both still look at Poppit in abject terror. There''s only one thing to say to break the silence.


    ''Well, hello there!''

 Chapter 13

    Shaman POV


    After rushing to warn the chieftain about the potential danger of the situation, surprise upon surprises the sandtrap is there. It''s clearly more powerful than any others of it''s kind that our little clan has encountered before. Those vicious mandibles and beady eyes both the same deep blue of the sky between stars at night as it watches from over the back of the chieftains throne. My sudden silence alerts him to the danger, and as soon as he looks up, as though the monster were waiting for this it...or more something with it, speaks.


    ''Well, hello there!''


    The booming voice likely heard by the entire camp. Covering my ears at the volume, it''s a shock as the chieftain collapses out of his throne, unconscious from the overwhelming pressure of that voice. It does seem to notice this just as quickly however and once more speaks, although, much less forcefully.


    ''Ah, apologies, didn''t mean to be so startling. Or loud, if I''m reading the reason your covering those earholes up then. Now then, who, and what, are you all hmmmmmm?''


    It takes me a moment to to find my voice before speaking. There is the chance this...thing, is just toying with us. Hopefully though, it''s genuine in it''s care and interest, and with this much power, it''s better to play along.


    "Oh great one, I am simply shaman of our small clan. We are called the Ochre Sand Scales. We are but a small clan, doing our best to survive these wastes in our exile. Please do not kill or eat us!"


    The small plea escapes my lips as I tremble on my knees, not even realizing it''s out until it is. My look almost pleading as I look up at the monster as more of it slithers out of the sand to lazily lounge just a small portion of that long, lithe body atop the throne.


    ''Pfffhahahahahahaah! Eat you? Why would I do that. Poppit may be a hungry thing, but I did tell him not to chow down on things that seem intelligent. The way you called yourself shaman, is that your job, your name, or both. And what of the chieftain fellah, he got a name, or is that his name and title?''


    A name, it asks if a lowly one such as myself has a name, and the same of the chieftain as well? Does it not know the power that comes from names? If it weren''t for that disinterest in leading Vahlu would be chieftain of the tribe, not his brother! It also said Poppit may be a hungry thing...is...oh...oh no. The sandtrap has a name....and the way it looks at me tells me very, very clearly it''s not a mindless beast.


    "You said Poppit gets hungry...is Poppit your name then?"


    Curator POV


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    -Ooooh, you are a clever skink fellah ain''t''cha! Ya wanna know my name without confirming if you have one, or, what yours is. Clever, but not as clever as Poppit-


    ''No. Poppit is the name of my...we''ll say companion here. You called them a ''Sandtrap Ferret'' I believe. Good to know the lingo-franco for your species there buddy.''


    Poppit for their part seems immensely amused by this, and...well, you do grow fast from a good meal don''t ya buddy, jeeeze, can really understand their hesitancy if you guys can get this big, poor lil skinky boys would probably be on the menu if not for me eh? Focus. Right, questions, answers and determining how things can go from here.


    ''You also did not answer my question, what are your names. Or, do you just get referred to by what your role here is?''


    That causes a response as it nervously starts to twitch and shake more. Then the tent flap bursts inward as another skinky fellah barges in, this one having a slightly redder complexion than the other two. Looks a bit more hale and hearty too, now that I think about it. Watching as he takes a moment to look on the scene, a chieftain passed out on the floor, a trembling old geezer of a shaman kneeling before a throne and Poppit mostly lounging on the top of it. Not hard to guess just why he hefts that spear and carefully steps, moving sideways to put himself between Poppit and the old fellah.


    "What have you done to the chieftain, beast?!"


    "Vahlu! Hold your tongue you hot headed fool!"


    ''Ah, so your name is Vahlu then? Pleasure to meet you. That said, I would, HIGHLY recommend not pointing a weapon at my lil friend Poppit here. I may not want him to turn you into a snack willy nilly, but if you try to hurt him, or any one I care for...well...let''s just say being a snack might have been a mercy hmm?''


    Vahlu POV


    Hearing that booming voice coming from the chieftains tent and seeing the other villagers freeze in place like a bird of prey is looming over them, there is but a single thought on my mind. The safety of my brother. Grabbing my spear and rushing the chieftain''s tent. Barging in it''s easy to see the beast laying over the top of the throne, brother is on the ground like a discarded carcass and the shaman is almost pissing himself in fear as he trembles on the ground. Honestly, if not for being a named on, I''d probably be in the same boat as the old geezer. Rushing to put myself between this beast and the shaman it would be my turn to speak up.


    "What have you done to the chieftain, beast?!"


    "Vahlu! Hold your tongue you hot headed fool!"


    Before I can rebuke the shaman though, everything passing through my mind freezes as it...no, something else, speaks.


    ''Ah, so your name is Vahlu then? I would say it''s a pleasure to meet you were it not for that spear. That said, I would, HIGHLY recommend not pointing a weapon at my lil friend Poppit here. I may not want him to turn you into a snack willy nilly, but if you try to hurt him, or any one I care for...well...let''s just say being a snack might have been a mercy hmm?''


    With every ounce of effort in my body to not drop my spear. The cold promise in those makes it feel like there is ice in my veins as it''s clear the beast....Poppit...is an agent of a much, much stronger entity. Even as my hands shake and knees tremble, my gaze is kept on the beast. Understanding just what the shaman was going through and likely why my brother lay in a heap on the ground. Suppressing a shudder and looking at the furry messenger my next words would be cut off.


    "Please forgive the named, he is hot headed and brash in his youth. I am simply shaman, much like his brother on the ground there is simply chieftain. We are not named as such a thing among our kind is rare, a sign of power and strength most do not have. Both from innate ability and what''s granted by the name."


    Once more words fail me as I try to make sense of everything being said, and spoken. Surely a being this powerful should know these things already if it has a named sandtrap ferret of such power at it''s beck and call.


    Curator POV


    ''That does explain quite a bit. Thank you for that explanation shaman. I will forgive your ''name-ed'' Vahlu for threatening my lil Poppit like that as thanks for the knowledge you have shared. That said, it does seem like we have all gotten off on the wrong foot proverbially. To ensure we are all on the same page then, it is only fair to give my name as well so you know who you are speaking too. I have given myself the name of Curator, and despite the rough start, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Now then, why had you sent so many of your clan toward my domain?''

 Chapter 14

    Shaman POV


    "Y-your domain?"


    If not for the overwhelming fear at being in the presence of what is now clearly a named scion, the only feeling I would feel would be the smug satisfaction of vindication. My prudence in mentioning it might be a dungeon scion after the whistle was right. That leaves the big question of just what the dungeon was doing to cause such a burst of mana to ruin our only warning system for elementals and other powerful entities.


    "W...I...our mana pot picked up on a massive mana burst to the east. So, when I noticed that, as per my duty, the chieftain was told and I recommended sending out our hunters to scout and check it out. Normally this would be a way to know if it was elementals, or other powerful creatures. Now though...we are...blind in one direction for this, as the gems on that side of the pot were destroyed by whatever happened in that direction to cause a response from the pot in the first place."


    Poppit POV


    The scaly things are so scared of us! We can smell it oh, so strong in the air! Curator is right, with how tasty they look, and smell, if not for their orders, we could see making all of them into snacks! For now though, we wait and let them commune with Curator! The standing one seems stronger than the others, but is still very scared, the trembling one on the ground though, they show the right awe for Curators words, muuuch smarter than standing one. Although, what was funniest was sleeping one. One look at Poppit and they fell out of the chair and sleep.


    Curator POV


    -So, either I did something these folks picked up on and in so doing ruined their early danger detection system. Or, something else is happening and the direction is a coincidence. Hmmm....it''s better to act on the most plausible option based on the data at hand which means something I did likely put them in a bit of a pickle.-


    ''Yes, my domain is in that direction, east, you said. While I am unsure of what may have caused the ''mana burst'' as you called it, you have imparted me with a bit more knowledge, like that mana is a thing here. If it''s like what I know of things called mana, it would be a form of energy that allows you to shape and change the world around you to your whims with the right methods and focus, which may or may not be known as spells, yes?''


    -Well you clever skink-son, lets see what information I can get from you while figuring out what to do about this situation. For both of us.-


    "Yes Curator. That is the way of it, but the way you phrase it...leads me to think you are unfamiliar with such things. With such a powerful scion as your Poppit, that''s hard to imagine you not having much in the way of mana and control over it."


    ''Think of it like you think of wind. You know wind is a thing, but not many know how it forms on it''s own, or just how many uses and applications it has until knowing if their thoughts on it are correct. Like that group sail thing your hunters did, that''s a clever use of wind, but there are oh, so very many, other uses for it. That aside, while I may know much about things in that manner, I''m not all knowing. Since waking here I have found there are many...undesirable, gaps in my knowledge. This may be a good thing for both your people, and, myself. I have plans on things I wish to do and there is much to learn still. Your people too, have things they wish to do, and have so much to learn as well.''


    Taking a moment to compose my thoughts and let what''s just been said, I''d look down pityingly at the chieftain before getting an idea. Pulling from their little waste pit and the air, with magic to help, it should be doable and worth a shot. After all, urine has a good amount of ammonia in it, and the air can provide the carbon dioxide, and while I lack a lab to perform the reaction at normally cold temperatures, all cold really is is an absence of heat and energy. So if we mix the two ingredients and remove the heat, or maybe imagine that spot as being cold....hahaha success.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Vahlu POV


    This...thing...Curator. It is dangerous. It picks up on such small things in the shamans words then uses those to create further meaning from them. Yet, it doesn''t seem hostile, and to quickly point out how our hunters move so quickly and say it knows other ways such techniques can be useful. It''s hard to tell if it''s more clever than the cleverest of us, or just arrogant.


    "What...what are you doing?!"


    The shaman''s outburst pulls me out of my thoughts enough to see the swirling sphere of air. It almost looks like it''s drawing in things and mixing them. Then when frost, the cold burning death it is, starts to form around it, there''s another burst of fear that grips my heart. Does it plan to freeze us then for daring encroach on it''s domain? If that were the case though why....why talk to us, or reveal itself in the first place?


    ''Oh, calm down, I''m just making something to wake your chieftain up. It''s quite a simple thing, but can only be made at very cold temperatures, and dissolves quickly in heat if it''s exposed to the air. Oh, and it smells really, really bad, but, it does work well at waking folks that pass out!''


    "Whu-"


    That''s when the stench hits. Words can''t convey how bad it is. As shaman starts to cough and gag at it, my only saving grace is being tougher, and younger, than he is. Based on the groaning complaint from my brother though, it seems that they were not lying to us, before the smell suddenly lessens, there''s still a small lingering sense of it but without whatever caused it still being around, or having melted away like they said, it''s quickly fading to a more tolerable level.


    "I guess that does work well"


    Chieftain POV


    STINK. UNGODLY STINK. Rousing from unconsciousness from the sheer potency of that stink is...not a pleasant way to come too. There''s no way to tell what caused or created that stink, but hopefully the crisis has passed.


    ''Hey, you. You''re finally awake. You were trying to cross the border right? Walked right into that Imperial ambush, same as us, and that thief over there.''


    "Wha...ambush...border...imperial...thief?"


    Still groggy from my sudden lack of unconsciousness the words that are being spoken make less than no sense, as I open my eyes and see the trembling shaman on his hands and knees and my brother, spear in hand pointed into the ground and his knees shaking, the events that lead to me passing out quickly return to my mind. Looking at both their faces it''s clear they''re just as confused by the words as I am.


    ''Pfffhahahaha, nah, I''m just messin'' with ya some, as a joke there. Honestly always wanted to pull that joke on some one, so congratulations on being my first victim with that one. Now then chieftain guy, we should have some words right quick so we can all leave this crossroads in a better way than they were entered hmmm?''


    The voice! Just not as loud as before, and that laugh felt...genuine, but not malicious. So something we, or I, just did amused it which is...better than angering it.


    "Uh...sure, I can speak for the clan in most matters with outsiders. My words are heeded, even if we''re not following tradition."


    ''Bah, sod it to tradition if that tradition gets in the way of getting things done that need doing. The way I see it, you all are in a bad way with that mana pot thing being damaged. It just so happens that I find myself with the starts of an oasis and a need for hands to help create the things I desire to create. While mana could be used, it''s not as efficient as divvying out the work, and, as the saying goes, many hands makes light work. Ya pickin'' up what I''m layin'' down there bub?''


    Is...is this thing offering us sanctuary in exchange for helping it make things? Why would such a powerful...


    "There is wisdom in what you say. For our people though a more familiar phrasing may be ''many hands on the cloth can hold the wind''."


    That...makes alot more sense. Nodding my appreciation to the shaman, and ignoring the complete disregard to tradition, I would, shakily stand and pat myself free of sand and dust.


    "As the shaman said, many hands on the cloth can hold the wind. From that I take the meaning of what you are offering is to let us into your domain and in exchange we all help you out. Is that what you are offering?"


    ''Well, less you all help me out, and more we help each other out. It is not a one way relationship, nor, do I expect blind loyalty from your people. I will say though, that should you accept the offer and then betray me or my trust, you will wish for death as an escape from the suffering you will experience. Oh, right, and I am Curator, and this sandtrap ferret is my scion. Their name is Poppit.''


    That''s...the malice in that warning leaves little doubt in my mind that it means every wor-oh....Oooooh. Shaman was right, dungeon with a scion...and a named scion at that. The danger of what may happen should we betray it is there but...with enough power for that, my people could know some semblance of safety, and hopefully, peace for some time.


    "So long as only a betrayer would be punished should any be foolish enough to do such a thing, then we can have an agreement there."


    ''That''s fair and reasonable. No need to hurt the innocent to harm the guilty. Now to make it official, we need to shake on it. Since I don''t have hands, you''ll need to shake claws with Poppit.''

 Chapter 15

    Chieftain POV


    It wants me to....to shake the claw of it''s scion. I need to be put at risk of that thing...Poppit...for it to offer my people a chance at some safety. At security, and the chance to try and thrive. Then it clicks, they are asking for a show of fait, a show of trust. If I cannot trust them, and their scion, to not harm me, then how could they trust us into their domain, their home. So, that is what shall be done then.


    Steeling myself and gathering the courage needed, with small, hesitant steps, I''d approach the scion, hand outstretched. To my surprise it either recognizes the gesture, or is being commanded by it''s master, as it slides down over the back of my throne. It''s long body resting in the seat slightly, it''s hinds still out of sight as it raises it''s fore''s enough to grip my hand between it''s claws and shake up and down. The exuberant energy of that shake though is the most unnerving thing, it shows just how quick this creature can be...when it so desires.


    Curator POV


    Good, the lil skinkson gets it that trust is a two way street. Now that the formalities are out of the way, lets start with the more pressing things.


    ''Good, good. Seems we have an accord. Now then, I have need of your shaman, in my domain, for a bit prior to the rest of your people coming out to join. To facilitate this, we would like to use one of your sand board things for the shaman to ride upon or something similar should they need to sit while Poppit pulls it through the sands to bring them to me. Once they are here, Poppit will return to keep your people safe, and help as he sees fit. I''d recommend asking him nicely if you need a hand with something. Once me and the shaman finish our lil pow-wow, Poppit will let the rest of you know, and guide you to my domain.''


    "Wh...why me?"


    ''Because, you realized what was going on, warned your chieftain, and held your wits enough to actually speak with me. You sought dialog first, not at the tip of a spear, or from a seat of power, but from a place of wisdom. I find such things deserving of praise, and care in nurturing. Simple as that.''


    -That, and you know things I need to know. Not to mention wise enough to understand what it means to truly be a confidant and would be the least likely to betray any of my secrets.-


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Instructions given, my focus and view would pull back to my actual domain, looking around at the lack of anything truly noteworthy or grand. Lets fix that...some, shall we?


    While I want to build in adobe, that''d work best for things like dwellings, storage, other ''lived in'' buildings that will likely need repairs as people, well, live in them. For now, I need a place to properly house myself, and, while it seems my abilities don''t let me move directly, we could have that as a task for the shaman. Taking a look at what mana is visible in my form, it seems just this little excursion has paid me handsomely, with two full, and one forming, band of that mana available.


    Now then, time to take some lessons from a game I very much used to enjoy. It''s not the exact natural process for this, but, it was right, sandstone really is just very compressed sand, and I did want to dig down some where to find bedrock to properly quarry into. So this really is a two birds, one stone, type deal. Drawing sand into my pocket from what seems to be the southernmost edge of my current domain. Selecting what looks like a good spot just north of where I already am, the next phase of my construction would begin. Compressing the sand as it''s dumped out of my pocket, really need to come up with a better thing to call it, and grinning like mad. Well, if I still had a face that is. I''d watch as slowly, rising up like a whale breaching the water, as sand pours down the pyramid I''m making. Watching it raise higher, but slower with every passing moment, letting it reach a height of about 20'', it''d be mostly ready. Now we just add in a little column supported topper, with stone bars to all directions, and a lil pedestal for myself in the middle, a flight of stairs from the ground to the top on the east side aaaaand...done.


    Just in time too it seems, as that partial ring is gone now, only faint lights and the two full rings left as I can feel Poppit getting close. He''s much faster than I thought, even when hauling some one''s scaly butt!


    Shaman POV


    It doesn''t take long to get ready, instead of using a board which would require me to keep balance, we went with a hauling bowl. Big, relatively comfortable, more ominous feeling than it should be, and most importantly something my old bones can sit in.


    "Thank you chieftain, for heeding my words. If this is the last we meet, be strong for our people."


    As I give that heartfelt goodbye to the chieftain as though it''s the last I will see him, the scion, Poppit, makes what almost sounds like a scoff and...rolls it''s eyes? Well, if the scion thinks this is over the top, then, likely it''s master means no harm for myself. Vahlu seems to pick up on this as well and clasps me on the shoulder.


    "You''ll be fine ya old rattle bones. Honestly, if it wanted us dead, we''d all be in Poppit''s belly in bits and pieces. Or worse. You''ll be fine, it probably want''s to reward you some, or speak to you privately."


    Upon hearing Vahlu''s words, the scion would nod and tap it''s upper mandibles together a few times. That probably means it agrees, or, is happy with what the hunter is saying. Then, with an astonishing speed I can barely follow it''s grabbed the bowl and we are...flying across the sand with how fast it feels we''re going. It''s not long before our little campsite is completely out of view, the sands stretching, seemingly endlessly in every direction as it blurs by. Just as I start to feel sick, my nausea is completely forgotten as, wonder of wonders, a truly massive structure starts raising out of the sands a bit ahead of us.


    "Stars have mercy..."

 Chapter 16

    Curator POV


    "Stars have mercy..."


    ''Well, didn''t realize stuff was that awe inspiring. Also Poppit you cheeky boy, didn''t know you could move that dang fast! Now off ya go, keep those folks safe for a bit, eh?''


    Now then, how to go about all this. Turning my attention to Babe, a gentle, mental, nudge would quickly rouse her.


    ''Hey Babe, some one is going to be moving me soon to a safer spot. They will be staying here with us, and their people will be joining us soon enough too. I think you and he will likely work closely together when the time comes so you''ll want to say hi to them some.''


    Babe POV


    The Curator has woken me from my sleep...to let me know a new individual will join us, and have the honor of moving them. It is a shame that I lack the strength or size to do so. The ability to be useful to Curator, and while they say they have plans for me, it is not pleasant to feel sidelined so much since my awakening.


    "....as you wish Curator" is the only response that I can muster while moving to stand.


    ''Hey, I know that tone, you okay Babe? I promise there is a rhyme and reason to this. I''ve asked their people to put trust in me, and this is as much a test of them, as me showing the wisest of them trust as well. Our bond lets me feel somethin'' is up with ya, now, speak your mind, please. I don''t want to force myself to look deeper and invade your privacy none, but, if somethin''s eatin'' at ya, we need to get that corrected.''


    There it is again. That same care, quick observation and picking up on things that are not said. Why such care is wasted on a useless scion is beyond me.


    "I am, useless. You say you have plans for me in the future, but as of now, I have been of no use to you. I cannot protect you like Poppit. Or move you like this stranger will. There is no point to keeping me around."


    Curator is silent for a bit, through our bond though the gentle warmth of his care and concern washes over me. It doesn''t take long for this to help me feel a good bit better.


    ''Babe, you don''t need a use to exist. Your existence has value to me. You are my first companion, and I''d hope friend, in this world. You''ve also helped teach me some good things already, as, without you, Poppit would not exist as they are now either. Without that, I would not have been able to find and approach others to get more help in the physical sense to save my mana, and to help build and make the things that will let me share my plans for you. They are still a surprise, but it''ll hopefully be something you can pick up sooner rather than later. Just like with getting to my core on that first night, the paths one can take may be long but the reward at the end can be more than worth the wait. Does that clear things up, or help you feel better any?''


    Heaving a sigh and shaking to clear my head that wisdom would sink in properly. They are right, after all, I am just trying to get to the end, but loosing the journey. In my desire to be useful, I had forgotten I already was, and was helping Curator just by being.


    "Yes Curator. And thank you for your patience. As your first scion I should not be hindering you with my own ineptitude and lack of understanding."


    ''You aren''t inept, you just don''t have a chance to truly shine yet, but trust me, that''ll come sooner rather than later and will be a great help to me, and many others as well.''


    As always, they seem to know just how to make me feel better, for that, I''m more than slightly grateful. It does lead one to wonder though, how do they know how to comfort others so well.


    Curator POV


    Oh Babe, sorry I''ve not done much with you yet, but, until we have the start of a library, we''d be in the same boat even if I were to tell you the plan on that. We''ll have to make that a priority, can''t bear seeing my friends so torn up like that. That said, there are more pressing things to handle.


    ''Welcome shaman to my domain. Sorry for the mess, ain''t had much time to clean up, after all, only been here a night and a day! Now then, I do have a task for you to start with, just south of the pyramid...although I guess ziggurat is more appropriate, you''ll see a plant that looks like a coiled snake, with thorns and a woven grass cap atop it. You will need to carefully remove that cap, and, gently, grab myself. I''d also ask you to let the scion there also ride along with you, they aren''t nearly as big as Poppit, which means it''d take here ages to join me. After you have us both, you will ascended to the top of that ziggurat and place me in the central pedestal in the top. If it helps, think of this as a trial of your resolve, as well as me giving a sign of trust as you have shown to me.''


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    "Y..you want me to move your core!?"


    And here I thought the old fellow couldn''t look and more shell shocked and timid.


    ''You''ll do fine. I have faith in ya, and doubt you''d do anything stupid with my...what''d you call it...core? That''s...apt in the sense of it being my center and such, but...ah lets not ruin the surprises before they can be surprising eh!''


    Shaman POV


    Were it not for out tenuis position as it is, there would be no way I would consider handling a dungeon''s core. Let alone have a scion ride me and with how powerful the other scion is...there''s no doubt this is as much a test of my trustworthiness as it is for this dungeon to show us an...immense measure of trust. First they raise a temple as I approach then they ask of me to carry their core to it''s summit, as though this were a pilgrimage. What to do, what to do...I don''t think running away would do anything but make them disappointed in me, and potentially ruin our chances with a healthy relationship with this dungeon. So push on I must, even if every fiber of my being begs me to flee.


    "O-okay Curator, if...if you say so"


    ''Oh, calm down, it''s not the end of the world, just don''t drop me, try to break me, steal my mana, so on and so forth. Basically, don''t be a bad person, shouldn''t be to hard for ya!''


    Such...faith in another they barely know beyond a brief interaction. They aren''t in any danger from me, perhaps that''s why they asked for me specifically? They know of betrayal, and know seem to hold it in the worst regard yet they still trust a near stranger with such a delicate task? Do they read the weaves of fate to know that they are safe in my claws, is this perhaps a decoy to see what I will do? There are so many possibilities, but, with how they phrased it, they only expect me to be a decent person, a good person. A good person wouldn''t betray the trust of one who''s offered it in good faith.


    Calming my trembling and taking a deep breath, a quick slap to my cheeks would snap me out of that funk before padding toward the indicated place. It doesn''t take long to find the cacti they speak of, the thing almost as tall as I, and that still green but surprisingly well woven basket upon the top. The coiled nature of the plant though means that top must be twisted off the top, a clever way to have something fastened so it''s not just easily lifted off, nor will blow away with the wind.


    "This is a well made basket. Do you have denizens serving you to make such a thing? If so, why not have them move you, instead of trusting an outsider?"


    ''I made it actually, from grasses in the sprouting of an oasis just ever so slightly to the south. Before you ask, yes, I only took a few blades from each tuft, after all, wouldn''t do to kill it off by over plucking! Oh, and the yucca that was growing there is now a form of agave I think, don''t have much of a green thumb as it were, hah!''


    -They knew to selectively harvest to not kill the plants and....transmuted one plant into another on seeming accident? How does that...ask later, focus, don''t mess it up.-


    Taking the basket and slowly lifting while rotating it, my claw tips would clack on something on the underside causing a quick peek under. This reveals a small portal that even my small hand would have trouble passing through, even before those sharp spines and spikes pointed down away from it. Stopping a pause, to consider this before resuming the removal of the basket, I can''t help wonder what kind of scion would be with the core for them to feel the need to put some form of protection against wild animals like that. Perhaps part of the plant is their scion, never heard of anything like that, then again, none of the wisdom of our little clan says dungeons would be like this in the first place.


    Finally freeing the topper from it''s home, it''s quite a sight, a flower that should be pale white is instead a deep violet. Barely inside it is a gem that in my opinion is indescribably beautiful. Look at it more closely and the bottomless depths of that deep blue from between stars, small lights dancing around inside those dark depths. Almost as quickly my eyes would alight upon the golden bands going against it''s ring shapes spin, two solid bands of shimmering gold, and another that looks as though it''s being made from motes of light. Subconsciously reaching out to touch it, I''d be ripped out of my reverie as a pincher grips my finger, halting it''s movement. With a slight squeeze the owner of that claw would move my finger up and down before, to my surprise speaks, in a prim, proper, and crisp voice.


    "Greetings. Curator has informed me that, in the future, we will likely end up working closely together in some way, shape, or form. As such, it only seems prudent for us to be on good terms, and know some of each other quickly before you move them. I am Babe, first of the scions, and first friend in these lands to Curator, who might you be?"


    Not only another scion, but another NAMED scion?! And a Grimoire Tender Scorpion of such prodigious size at that! I didn''t even know they could grow to the size of a hand, I''ve only ever heard of them being the size of a pebble at most! Taking a closer look, it has eyes, and bands, the same deep blue in that gem, and that Poppit had for his own eyes and mandibles that means....the captivating gem is the core. It''s size and beauty are truly misleading, no bigger than a bangle yet so much...power. Then those golden rings are mana wound around it''s mana heart. Truly fascinating.


    Placing my hand palm up near that violet flower I would smile at this Babe, offering them an easy way to crawl up onto me. While there is no risk of being envenomed, if the core has that much mana to spare, one can only wonder what a scion of a species known to be coveted by mages the world over for being skilled at keeping magical tomes and records can do with so much of the core''s influence.


    "Hello, it''s a pleasure to meet you Babe. I am just simply a shaman, I have no name beyond my roll, my people lack the strength to produce many named such as yourself and Poppit much like this dungeon, Curator, has. Hopefully I can live up to both of your expectations and my people may grow strong alongside you and we can all have a prosperous future together."


    Curator POV


    Hmm, seems the shaman was overwhelmed by looking at me some, not sure why. Sure I''m a sparkly rock but that''s about it on that front, much more interesting is Babe, and the...well...everything around here. Does seem those two will get along juuuuust fine, and with some proper companionship Babe will probably feel better too. I''m snapped out of my reverie by a sudden shift in my...everything as shaman lifts me. Sliding me onto his tail and then biting down on it in the corner of his mouth, holding me in front of his body as he walks, Babe riding on his shoulder and looking around curiously, if cautiously as he walks before coming to a stop at the base of the stairs leading up to my, hopefully long term, new home.


    "Whelp, up we go then Curator and Babe?"

 Chapter 17

    Shaman POV


    "You sure didn''t....make this....an easy....task"


    Huffing and puffing with exertion, and only about halfway up, I can only stop to wonder just what Curator expected to be scaling such a temple. Even younger folks of the clan would be spent by this point, and it''s unlikely Vahlu would fair much better. So many steps, and so high up! A fall down from here would be certain death, but carry on I shall for the sooner this is done, the sooner my people may now some semblance of safety.


    ''Then stop and rest a moment. Can''t have you keeling over on me now! Do you need water? I would offer a snack as well, but sadly, not sure what y''all eat. Before you protest, the task was to get me to the top, never said it''d have to be a near death experience, or that I wouldn''t try to make it more manageable!''


    I swear, the dungeon knows exactly how one would think, preempting my refusal of aid before it can even rise in my throat. Sighing and shaking my head with a chuckle it''s quite easy to respond honestly.


    "Some water would be nice. Food at this point wouldn''t stay down, and we mostly eat meat but do also eat some plants. Wouldn''t want to messy up your steps here with the blood."


    "You are faring about as well as I did with my own, similar, trial. I was much smaller then and had to scale that strange snake-like succulent, following it up through the winding manner, staying from crossing the spines as doing so felt...wrong in a way. They even offered that same care, letting me know that, should any assistance be needed I only need ask."


    Hearing such directly from the scion''s mouth would put a lot of my stresses to ease. If the dungeon cares that much about it''s scions, then the care it shows toward me and my people seems more and more genuine. It''s strange really, most stories describe dungeons as places that try to murder and destroy any life to enter them. Or that they can drag into their borders, yet Curator seems more like a kindly elder, eager to help as they can. And knowing all the ways to enact a terrible price should you truly cross them.


    ''Hmmm, something funny?''


    The sudden question catches me off guard as strange blue leaf, curled and holding clean water appears before me. Leaning in to suck the water from that cupped frond, the cool, pure, water would be refreshing like nothing I''ve had before. There is no taste of sand, or silt. Nor tastes of detritus or effluent and similar contaminants. I can''t help myself and greedily drink it all down, even licking what drops remain on the leaf.


    ''Didn''t realize you were this thirsty, I can get more if you need. It''s really no trouble at all.''


    "This is plenty, I have never had such pure water before. Most water we get is filtered out of the occasional plant life, or from stagnating puddles and ponds that we only cautiously drink from if nothing else is an option. I could not ask you to create more of such for me."


    ''Oh, I didn''t create it. This place is the bud of an oasis. There''s a spring that''s bubbled up to the surface, pure, clean, and cold from deep in the ground. It''s one of the numerous reasons your people being here would be good for both of us. The faster the oasis can grow and develop, the faster there are plants and wildlife to work with. Which means more food for you all, and more for me to learn about and experiment with. That said, since you''re done drinking, do your people have a way to test if something would be poisonous to you? I know some ways that might work, without magic but not sure if it will for your kind. If you don''t we could try my methods as that leaf may be edible to your people if it''s anything like the plants it resembles from my own past.''


    Their own past, they have a past where knowing what should be edible mattered? Just what kind of dungeon core is Curator?


    "Not that I know of. It''s usually only after one gets ill or worse. Do you have a way to avoid such?"


    ''Okay, yeah, I do. This bit of knowledge is completely free, as no one should start or fear death from just eating something. Fist thing you''ll want to do is pick up that leaf, at the cut edge you should see it''s kinda....gooey, put some of that goo on your lips and we''ll wait a bit. If it causes any burning or itching, tell me right away, okay?''


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    "Seems simple enough. Is that all it takes to know if it''s poison or not?"


    ''That''s just the first step, but if after a bit it doesn''t cause any burning or itching, then it''s half way to being sure. Now, this is more of a ''general'' test. It''s not fool proof as some plants have very, very insidious poisons, but generally speaking, this works very well. Like how with meats, usually it''s safe if it''s fresh but some animals need special preparation to be edible and can''t be eaten raw, and as is.''


    Once more, that wisdom and experience with food is...surprising from a thing that doesn''t need to eat. Following it''s instructions, I''d smear some of that goo on my lips and get up to start moving up the stairs again. Carrying the leaf in one hand as Babe rides on my chest to stay out of the sun it feels easier to make progress. After that short rest and the invigoration of fresh, clean water, it feels like there is a newfound energy in these old bones. It''s not long until half the remaining distance has been covered, and while breathing heavily still, it doesn''t feel as taxing as I would have thought.


    ''Okay, now then, any burning or itching in your lips at all? Are they numb, do they feel normal?''


    "They feel normal as of now Curator, no burning, no itching, and that water earlier has me feeling better than I have in a long time."


    ''Not a surprise there on the water front. Odds are your people are all dehydrated to an extent, and borderline starving or malnourished, we''ll need to be careful no one eats or drinks too much, too fast else they will grow very, very ill, and potentially die. That said, the next step, heh, of testing if it''s poisonous is to take a small bite, chew it, and hold it in your mouth for a while. Now, this next bit is crucial, you must not swallow it until enough time has passed. If it EVER tastes bitter or soapy you spit it out, right away and let me know so I can pull up more water to rinse your mouth out with. If it tastes sweet, or salty, or spicy, that''s fine, but still don''t swallow until the time is up, okay?''


    "Chew a small mouthful, let it sit in my mouth. If it tastes bitter or soapy spit it out, but other flavors are okay. I take it, if it''s bitter or a flavor that I don''t recognize, that means to spit? Soapy is a word without meaning for me."


    ''Ah, yes, if that''s the case then, if it''s bitter or a taste you''ve never had before, then spit it out. You are familiar with sweet, spicy, salty, and savory then, yes? Savory is that special flavor meat has, if that makes sense, that just...meatiness that most plants never have.''


    "I was...unfamiliar with that savory one until just now, but now that you''ve explained what it is, that makes...alot of sense. Tell me though, you know much of food, yet, you are a dungeon core and have no need to eat or drink, how, and why, would you know such things?"


    After asking my question I''d take that small bite chew a few times and stop, trembling. It takes everything I have to not just eat that small bite right now and start ripping into the leaf. It''s so wet, cool, and most of all sweet. So very very sweet! Sweet things are rare enough for us that we cherish them, but to call those small, shriveled berries sweet compared to this is....it''s to compare the light of stars to the light of the sun!


    ''I can explain that bit in time, after you''ve made it to the top and placed me in my pedestal. For now though, lets focus on the tasks at hand, yes?''


    Nodding in response while holding my tail tip under the crook of my right arm, my ascent would resume. Step after trudging step, we would go. Each additional lift of my legs causing a burning ache to set into them. An ache of exertion I''ve not felt in so long it was almost a forgotten memory of a younger time. Still on I would push, now further tempted by the sweet cloying taste covering my tongue and painting the inside of my mouth with the song of a temptress. That song would raise a chorus quite readily from my stomach as it would grumble in protest at knowing something so tasty is so close at hand, but patience. As Curator has said, it is better to be safe with this than risk the alternative.


    Finally cresting the top as the sun starts to get closer to setting than that of mid day, it''d be clear to see where Curator is supposed to go. A pedestal almost shaped like the forked tongue of a serpent rests in the middle of the open area capping this temple. Padding over it, and carefully pull Curator''s core off my tail, it''s clear with the shape of this how they are to be placed as it''s grooved on the inside. Placing them in that cradle carefully, it''s an almost awe inspiring sight, seeing that dark blue gem framed and filled with the light of the sun, almost like an eye watching the east and west.


    ''Ah, that''s better, home sweet, rocky, home. Ah, and before I forget, if it''s not tasted bitter or off by this point, it should be safe. Now, I''d still recommend only swallowing what''s in your mouth and giving that some time as well, just to be even more safe, but, you should be good. When eating it though, be sure to chew thoroughly before swallowing each bite, this is to make sure you don''t over eat or the like, as I could hear how hungry you are. Go ahead and take a quick break to have that well earned snack. When you are ready there are some questions I need ask you, and that you will need to answer truthfully, for both our sakes.''


    That isn''t ominous at all, but a rest and snack seems quite nice. Heeding Curators advise, in part, only a few small additional bites would be taken of that leaf. Sitting down to bask in the almost blissful sweetness that composes this leaf, it''s small wonder why they are so cautious and give such warnings. This leaf would be enough to easily feed me a few days, and that''s if I were being wasteful, but that tempting sweetness makes me want to eat as fast as I can.


    Curator POV


    Ah, that''s better. Nice and secure and safe. Here I can freely change things to further secure myself as needed and not have to worry about things popping up under me. Shaman did well, and the not-a-gave I accidentally made seems to be edible, and quite tasty, to him which is a boon as well. Lets give him some time to rest. While we''re waiting, lets take some precautions, to be safe.


    With that, crisscrossing bars of sandstone would sprout to cover the open spaces to the north, west, and south, leaving the stairs to my chamber open for now. The diagonal growths and shifting of the stone as it makes that secure lattice seems to further awe my guest as they rest. Doing a bit more and extending some sandstone from my cradle, I''d loosely bind myself to it, so as to ensure I don''t fall out of it randomly, but, still have some room to safely grow.


    "Such power to mold and move stone as though it were sand."


    ''Yet, power without a foundational knowledge is power wasted. That is the main reason I asked you to be the one to come here specifically. I need to know the basics of how mana works. How do things that aren''t like me store and hold it, and, how would my mana affect things it is put into?''

 Chapter 18

    Curator POV


    After asking the shaman for the basics of how mana is stored in those unlike me things become much more clear. Looking at Babe as she scuttles up to the ceiling I can, after a bit of focus on her, see what the shaman described as a mana heart. Really, it''s just the same, or similar, energy as I see in myself and as bands upon my form. Though, still good to know others have these too.


    "As for putting your mana into things, that would depend on what fundamental forces you fall into. Old stories tell of dungeons of fire or ice, who''s denizens and scions took on those aspects."


    Hearing that a small chuckle would resonate from me making the shaman stop and look at my form with confusion. Babe too stops her movement up to a dark corner at the top of my, for lack of a better word, shrine to look upon me.


    "Did...did I say something humorous, Curator?"


    ''Not to most, no. Tell me shaman, what do you think cold is?''


    "I...don''t follow. Cold is cold."


    ''And what is heat?''


    "Well...heat is warmth, it''s the energy of the sun shining down on you"


    ''That''s close. Heat is energy. Cold is just the lack of that energy. The thing I found humorous earlier is that they are seen as different things when they are two sides of the same coin as it were. Something that is cold, merely lacks the energy that is heat. Heat it''s self is just the vibration of very, very small things that make up well...everything.''


    That look of confusion turning to the start of understanding on the shaman''s face is worth every second of all this. Who knew that there''s a specific face for having one''s mind blown. Then there''s the rush of energy as he truly starts to understand, that mana gathering in the hollow inside me a moment as it''s absorbed and condensed replacing more than the mana that was spent on getting this place ready for their visit. They see it too, as it''s brought in.


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    "If...if that''s the case, then cold must burn like heat can right? If they are the same sides of one coin as you put it, and then...where did you pull that mana from a moment ago? Did you do something to me, or my people? Did some creature die nearby?"


    ''Clever fellah, yes, cold can burn too. To much, or too little, energy in a living thing can harm or kill it. As to the mana, in a way I did something to you, yes. I helped you understand a truth, a very very deep truth, of how the universe works. For me at least, helping other know and understand things around them, to some degree, gives me much. Which is only fitting. You''d mentioned dungeons of fire and ice. If they were considered aspects of such, I am too, a dungeon of an aspect. The aspect though is Knowledge, and by extension, change. As knowledge brings about and is the catalyst of change. That explains why you changed so much from what you were Babe, and the same for Poppit. Also why the flower changed as it had when I accidently put a small bit of mana into it, and why that other plant I intentionally did slight experimentation on changed to that tasty leaf you enjoyed earlier shaman.''


    To this the shaman fall silent, just looking at my core, slack jawed in surprise. Giving him a moment I''d go to check on Poppit right quick.


    Poppit POV


    Bliss! Pure bliss! The walking scaled things warmed up to us, surprisingly fast when it was clear we were there to help and started being nice to Poppit. Those little claws can reach all the spots we cannot to scratch and itch. They seem to like to do this for us at they''ve not asked Poppit to do anything but they still scratch us when we are above the sand some. Clever little fingies are the beeeeest!~


    Curator POV


    Okay, quick check on Poppit, things are going very well on that front. Seems the rest of the camp is much more okay with things than the leadership was. With how much happy their exuding when I shift my link over to them so heavily, it''s probably better for now to let that be. To much of that happy feeling can cloud the mind after all, I do have one more thing to do with the shaman.


    ''There is one last mater that we must broach then. That being do you wish for a name, shaman? I''ve no way to tell you what exactly would happen, however, there would be much, much more you could learn with such an arrangement, even if some of that knowledge should be considered forbidden to those who don''t share my mark.''


    Watching him carefully as he goes from slack jawed to a mixture of nervous and excited before being to pace back and forth in thought, it''s hard not to praise how seriously he''s taking that question. After all, he can learn more, and get more power. Yet it will come at the price of not being entirely part of his clan any more. Not to say he won''t be able to live wit them or be part of their festivities and other such, yet he will be marked always. An outsider, even if they''re all in my domain with him.


    "Yes, I think I would. This won''t hurt, right?"


    ''Honestly, I''ve no idea, it...shouldn''t from what I''ve observed. Neither Babe, nor Poppit, seemed to have felt pain from being named and growing or such. That said, shaman, I give you the name of Vekla. You will help with research and learning of magical concepts and development as your main focus in my service.''


    With that said, it''s easy to feel the mana flowing out of me and into the little reptile. I watch in a mix of fascination and apprehension as his body twists and changes, his, more or less, undeveloped mana heart growing as easily a band or two forms around it, only for one to slowly be consumed by the changes happening to his body. His form would lift off the ground slightly with the sheer energy coursing through him. Empowering and, I''d say either changing or mutating him to better fill his role, and name. After a few minutes he''d once more be on the ground standing on wobbly legs.


    "That...didn''t hurt much...but was very unpleasant."

 Chapter 19

    Vekla POV


    As Curator starts putting mana into me and my body starts changing, it doesn''t take long to for a deep aching pain to set in. While manageable, it''s quite unpleasant, especially in conjunction with feeling ones body shift, distort and change into something it wasn''t. Thankfully, the process is quick, even if it causes a sort of existential dread in the back of my mind. One isn''t supposed to experience their bones shifting, moving and writhing under their skin to the right places after all.


    Once all is said and done with the change brought about by this, not at all what I expected, dungeon, the first thing that''s clear is the lack of aches and pain from my age. Lifting my hands to look at them they are...notably different, and it''s easy to tell that my arms are now a good bit longer than they were. Gone are the long claws at the tips of those thick digits, instead replaced by shorter claws at the ends of longer, nimbler fingers. Looking down myself further, it''s also clear that while I still seem to be the same height, it''s not entirely in my core body area as my legs too, are longer, and my barrel shorter. These legs too, ending in three digits like my hands, but while slightly more like what I had before, there''s still that change of less claw, more digit.


    Taking a few tentative steps to turn about it''s easy to see my tail, and thankfully that''s barely changed. My new proportions do mean it''s almost laughable how easy it is to keep off the ground, but still long, still behind me. Then comes the time to examine my head and face as I can. Using those new hands to feel and examine it, it''s like some one has replaced my face with another from what I can remember. A rounder snout with a much more rounded nose, impossibly small scales compared to what I had almost fine enough that if weren''t felt by these new hand, it''d be safe to think there were none at all. From a distance it''d likely be as though I were a furless, scale-less beast of some sort.


    Sliding those hands slightly further back to trace over my eyes and cheeks, these to have changed a fair bit. Not nearly as far to the sides of my head, and much bigger. That would explain why I can still see around me roughly the same, but also why everything that is focused on is so much more clear. Sliding those hands over my scalp, it''s easy to tell not only the shape of my snout and face was changed, but my entire skull is more rounded, more spherical, then I pause, feeling the horns sprouting out to flank the ''crown'' of my skull.


    "I''m....I''m not of the same people as my clan any more....am I?"


    Curator POV


    Watching Vekla examine himself, I''m about as surprised as he is. I guess knowledge being a force of change was much more apt than anticipated. His mana heart is stable with a clear pair of rings wrapping around it, my own core having lost just the one. Perhaps we cores store more mana in ourselves, or maybe it''s something else. Whelp, perfect for my magical research fellah to handle. That said, looking over him as a whole more properly, it''s kind of funny.


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    It''s hard not to reminisce of those old pocket monster games where x would evolve into y. Honestly, I''m half expecting to hear a voice s...


    >System Message Received<


    >*Congratulations: You''re skink tribal has evolved into....a desert kobold!*<


    As this pops up to dominate my vision, that fan fair jingle sounds throughout my mind. Well, that was certainly unexpected.


    >Unexpected, but properly fitting with some of the jokes you''ve made to these folks, no? That said, keep up the good work candidate. You might have been late to the party compared to some of the others, but you''re already making good progress, just take care not to push to hard to fast, lest you outgrow what you can support.<


    -Wait, so, is this like a game or something, what with that system message received bit?-


    >Hardly, you have however crossed a minimum threshold to get some information. That being, there are 3 years, 11 months, and 4 days until the first Calamity. Spend your time wisely. Oh, and little friendly word of advice as you don''t have many resources at the moment, be mindful of those who live to the south.<


    With that the kind of...info box I guess, disappears from my vision. If I think hard on what they meant by calamity though, I get get a nifty little calendar clock thing that''s counting down the time, so that''s handy. And that...word of advice is...bothersome. We''ll have to see what they meant, but only AFTER, things are more established and set up here.


    "I''m....I''m not of the same people as my clan any more....am I?"


    Snapping out of my thoughts and the implications on...whatever I just spoke with, my attention is drawn back to Vekla. Brave little guy, his world''s literally been flipped upside down by this point. No point in hiding the truth or sugar coating it. Focusing and spending the mana to cause a basin to raise in front of myself, it would be quickly filled with that pure clean water. That combined with how the light is shining in at the moment, it should work like a bit of a mirror.


    ''No, you are not. Take a look into the waters here, it should reflect your visage and let you properly see yourself now. From what I can tell you are no longer a skink tribal, but the first of my desert kobolds. Other''s of your clan will likely be uplifted as well, and, in time, you will be nurtured from a small clan to a full tribe if I have any say in the matter.''


    Babe POV


    Curator has put so much mana and effort into Vekla, yet they still question him so? Even when they have the joy of knowing their purpose, and have already been given so much. Why could I not have been given such instead, one who is so much more worthy than this...kobold.


    Curator POV


    Oh, wow, calm down Babe, your turn is soon, but I wanted it to be more special, but maaaan that seething jealousy is real. Lets...nip this in the bud right quick.


    ''Babe, your time will come tonight, don''t you worry none. I wanted you to be more rested so it''s less like a dream for ya, and you do seem more nocturnal than diurnal than Vekla here.''


    Vekla POV


    Taking a few steps forward and peering into the basin, I''m shocked to look myself in the face for the first time in my life. I look nothing like my clan mates anymore, from the larger eyes, no longer small and beady but larger that same deep blue of the core, and a black part in the middle that moves with where I look. My new horns also share this deep blue but my scales retained that nice, ochre color. Even if they are so fine I can''t make them out without leaning in close.


    While examining myself, a sharp feeling trails up my spine. That shame sharp feeling when one is being stalked by a predator like a greater sand-runners or a fire-hawk. Looking around, then up, it''s almost palpable the holes Babe is drilling into me with her eyes, quickly turning away, I''m about to apologize for any impropriety before Curator speaks.


    ''Babe, your time will come tonight, don''t you worry none. I wanted you to be more rested so it''s less like a dream for ya, and you do seem more nocturnal than diurnal than Vekla here.''

 Chapter 20

    Babe POV


    Completely and utterly embarrassed. This is the only way to put my current emotional state. Not only for feeling so jealous of Vekla, but also of it being so palpable that Curator was able to pick up on it and felt the need to speak on it.


    "My apologies Curator, I...I simply wish to feel like I am truly helping out. It will not happen again."


    ''Babe, it''s fine, honest. I understand quite clearly the frustration feeling of lacking a definitive purpose. Just trust me, and be patient, please.''


    Once more it is humbling to see just how much Curator has for a scion. I am unsure if this is something all dungeons act like, or if this is specific to this particular core, but their patience and understanding with me is shocking. It''s almost as if they''ve gone through the same feelings and emotions themselves in the past, and I should ask them about this in the future as well.


    "Scion Babe, if I''ve upset you any, please, let me know so I can make amends as I do not wish us to be on bad terms"


    "It is fine, former shaman, and now Magical Researcher Vekla. I am simply impatient to know my purpose, and here you have only arrived and have been given a task to research magic for Curator. I should not have allowed myself to grow so envious. As Curator said, I would normally be resting at this time and they merely wished to ensure I was well rested before giving me such."


    Curator POV


    Good, good, looks like they''re making up well there, don''t like to call it out so publicly, but envy and discord can''t be allowed to fester here. Especially when there''s an upcoming calamity. Even if that''s a few years out....and I don''t know what will cause it or what kind of calamity it could possibly be. Either way, I will want my...kingdom or domain to be properly self sufficient by then. It won''t do to learn and collect knowledge if it can''t come to use some day after all.


    ''Now that the air is cleared on that side of things. Vekla, should we send you back to your clan, to let them know it''s safe to start heading this way, did you wish to rest for the night, or perhaps have Poppit let them know to start heading this way? We could also have Poppit return close to dawn so as to ferry you back quickly so your people can have time to pack their things and get ready to head this way?''


    "As much as I would like to stay and leave in the morning, with the amount of packing up to do, and how delicate some of my things are, it would be best to try and get packed up mostly before dawn, so at dawn we can start making our way, so as to, hopefully, beat as much of the heat as possible. We are hardened by it, however, it still is taxing, and we have little enough water there to spare."


    ''That is something I can probably help with, we could empty out, and clean out, the water containers they have and refill them with clean stuff I bet let me just try something right quick...and I''ve got just the thing to try with. Now, could you describe which tent is yours?''


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    Listening to Vekla as he describes the tent while dividing my focus and ''poking'' Poppit to check out the former shaman''s tent. It''s a strange sensation only hearing from where my core is but ''seeing'' the area around Poppit, but mostly through his eyes, as the alight on the mana pot. Focusing and pulling that into my ''pocket'', I''d thank Poppit for all his good, quick, work and return my senses and focus to my core chamber. Waiting for Vekla to finish, I would put the mana pot behind him. While I''d love to investigate it in heavy detail in my pocket, as a tool to show I can help with the immediate water concern is more pressing. Plus, it''s still his and wouldn''t want to break it randomly!


    ''Hey Vekla, you should look behind you and tell me if that looks familiar. As that should help also solve the water issue like I figured, and, might also help with other concerns as well.''


    Vekla POV


    Stopping mid description of the things in my tent to stop and listen to Curators words, with a simple nod, I would heed them. Turning and seeing my mana pot there, burned gems facing me an all, it''d be no small wonder why a small step backwards in surprise would be my first response. Thinking on the implications of this...Curator was able to secret it here in mere moments from the act of me speaking on my home of the last...who knows how long.


    "This is...how do you get this here, and with nary a sound either!"


    ''Simple, using your descriptions I guided Poppit to your tent. Then I pulled that pot into my...well...the best way to put it would be to call it a ''pocket'' based on his proximity. Which was a bit more taxing than doing the same for things here in my domain proper, and from there pulled it out of my pocket to place behind you? That''s the best way to describe it, and how it feels. I...don''t know if that pocket space is really there or not, so for now, we aren''t putting any living folks in there unless they do something horrible or otherwise very bad, just to be safe.''


    "That....makes surprising sense, and don''t know why I didn''t think of something similar when you told me you didn''t conjure the water or that tasty leaf but instead brought them from elsewhere. Yes, that could make things easier. Do you think I could take some more of those leaves with me back to camp. Just two or three should do more than enough to sweeten the deal, and give a more...tangible reason for folks to make the trek in the morning."


    ''Yeah, that''s perfectly find Vekla, just...don''t take too much from the plant. Only have the one for now, and we''ll want to cultivate a proper amount before they can be used as a more staple food, and drink, source...heh.''


    "How long would it take Poppit to get here to take me back, so there''s plenty of time to get ready?"


    ''If he''s moving quick, less time than it took you to get halfway up the stairs earlier, and by quite a large margin. Don''t really have a precise way to measure time yet, but, that''s in the works and can be discussed more later.''


    Responding with a nod and stepping carefully around the mana pot, I would scoop up that leaf before quickly heading back down the stairs. Taking them to at a time with, surprising easy, my descent would take mere moments compared to the comparative eternity my ascent had taken. Really have to hand it to Curator, while my form has changed much, the vigor with which I can move now compared to before is the difference in night and day. With the combination of longer, and faster, strides it would take almost no time at all to reach that basket bowl I''d ridden out in and but a moment to set that leaf inside it. Heading back around the south side of the core''s, more or less, temple, it wouldn''t take long to find the dug out area to shape the oasis and already it''s clear to see that crisp clean water slowly filling it in. The sight is still breath taking and were it not for pressing maters, I would happily sit and just watch that beautiful, life giving, water. Instead my eyes would look past it and, easily, spot the, frankly, massive blue-green plant.


    "That...is much bigger than I would have thought"


    Heading over to that sharp leafed monster of a plant it''s hard not to gawk. This thing is bigger than me, and I can see the roughly clipped leaf that Curator had plucked for me. Reaching in and using on of my shorter, but stouter claws, it''d be almost easy to remove it near the base of the plant. Choosing to pull from the same spot on the opposite side incase this strange flora needs symmetry, it''d only take one full extra leaf. Satisfied with that amount of food I''d carry the massive thing back only to be greeted by Poppit who looks at me quizzically before nodding with understanding.


    "Nice to see you again scion Poppit. Let me get seated and secure this bounty before we head out please."


    It''s odd really, this morning just the sight of Poppit would have terrified me. Now though, I feel being around them is one of the safest places in the sands. Reaching out to give them a gentle stroke over the head, like one would to comfort a scared hatchling before clambering into that grass bowl and bracing myself for the upcoming travel. Poppit does not disappoint, it seems they''re much more bold with my new form than the old, as we travel fast enough that in the cooling air of the desert evening there''s a faint chill on my snout, a new sensation to be sure. At this rate we''ll be back at the camp well before nightfall.

 Chapter 21

    Poppit POV


    As the interesting duo crosses the sands at break neck speeds, the trip almost feels too short as the camp comes into view. Vekla for his part would be holding tight and occasionally cheering slightly as the wind whips past him while they travel. Poppit however, would be thinking just about as fast as his little legs are moving under the sand to have them move so quick. Even as they hear the warning whistles from the sand plume behind them being spotted, Poppits train of though would stay on the rails. Well, at least from Poppit''s view point that is!


    -NEW FRIEND! Curator made that scalething into a new friend! It''s like us now, touched by their mana! It''s easy to tell too, with the horns and the eyes! Oh and being the only grown scalething that isn''t scared of Poppit! That''s nice, the few little scalethings aren''t scared of Poppit, but all the grown ones are. It''s so silly of them to be scared! Curator said Poppit would keep them safe and not eat them, what could possibly make Poppit go against Curator? Nothing, that''s what!-


    Vekla POV


    Slowing as we get close to camp, it''s not long until we come to a halt in the center. With a chuckle, it''d be time to say hello, again and in a way, for the first time, to my former chieftain. Picking up that basket bowl that I rode in. With the full and the two parts to make up the rest of the other massive leaf, I''d stride confidently toward and into the chieftain''s tent, even as I hear the sounds of a hushed argument.


    "...shouldn''t trust it..."


    "...what choice...could wipe us out...surviving...maters"


    "Not as a slave"


    Entering fully as that last statement is said by Vahlu as he and his brother, once more bicker. Vahlu cares about the people, it''s just a shame he''s too hot headed and honestly, terrible at speaking with others that don''t intimately know him. Now though, that''s neither here, nor there.


    "Chieftain, Vahlu. I''ve returned, even if a bit more changed from that little adventure than any of us could have anticipated!"


    Taking in their first confused, then shocked faces as they realize just who has barged in on their conversation and interrupted it. As if to make up for their prior showing, the chieftain is the first to respond.


    "Shaman, is that you?"


    "It is Vekla now, but yes. Curator, the dungeon''s core, gave me a name and some of their mana. It''s changed me a good bit, I know, but I''ve not had such vigor in all my life. That''s not even including the gifts they gave me while undertaking the trial of trust they''d set for me. They can be trusted. It''s not like the dungeons in the old tales, not of fire or ice, or elements or violence. They are a fundamental force we too use when raising our young. Here, try some of this, but, do not eat too much at once."


    Handing over the already bit into leaf portion, the markings of one of our own biting into it should show it''s safe. Smiling as the two look at it hesitantly before, once more, the chieftain is the first to act, taking it and taking a small, tentative bite. As soon as that sweetness hits his tongue he takes a second massive bite before shoving it at his brother to try. Watching his eyes water in joy at just how sweet it is as he slowly chews, it doesn''t take any further convincing before Vahlu also takes a bite. This time though, I have to stop him after he takes another and moves to take a third.


    "Calm down Vahlu, and stop. Curator made mention of an illness caused when one eats too much when near starving. They also want to replace what....water....we''ve stored with clean, clear...PURE, water. I''ve had some of this too, again, before this change, and it is...compare the small dry berries we have to these leaves when it comes to sweetness, and that''s only a partly there comparison to the difference from just the water. They also weren''t being untrue about having a fresh water spring that they wish to nurture into a full on oasis, even having gone so far as to dig out the bowl of such to start letting it fill properly, and naturally."


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    Finally finishing his bite the chieftain would look to me with wonder as he licks his snout some to get every last taste of that leaf he can.


    "And we can truly trust this Curator?"


    "Yes, truly we can, so long as we do not betray their trust. The task they''d entrusted me with was to move them. Move their very core, the most vulnerable, and dangerous thing they could have me do. They even asked me to move their other scion at the same time. Poppit is the second scion. The SECOND. Let that sink in. The Dangerous scion was the second one, and they were originally just sitting atop a coil-cacti. Instead of getting the most dangerous thing likely in their domain first, they instead made a grimoire scorpion their first scion. They even asked if I wanted their gift which made me as you see, even if we hadn''t known for sure it would, just that it would change and mark me. They ASKED, didn''t demand, didn''t require, but offered. To those they feel they can trust, and those in their care, I''ve seen naught but compassion and care, they even gave me food and water. All while I was still carrying them up the temple they created when I was still approaching in the first place."


    Stopping to shake my head in a soft chuckle at a memory that, while only made this morning, honestly feels as though it were a lift time ago.


    "I have to say, watching a temple made out of stones made from sand, rising up from the very desert in front of me was...quite the awe inspiring experience!"


    Looking at the slack jawed looks from the brothers, my only response would be a curious, slight, tilt of my head. Unsure of what to say next, I''d wait as that pregnant pause slowly grows into an awkward silence before the chieftain coughs.


    "You say this...Curator, let you, before giving you any gift, handle their very heart as a show of trust, and a kind of, trial?"


    Nodding emphatically as I look at the chieftain, it''d be so very easy to respond.


    "Yes, they had me carry them up to the top of their temple and place them in a receptacle for them. Halfway up, they gave me water, and even taught me a way to test if a plant is poisonous up the remainder of the steps to ensure these leaves were safe for our....your selves. They taught me about the truths of heat and cold even before asking if I would accept their gift. Were honest, and open with me the entire time, and continually assured me that they did not expect me to drive myself to harm to complete their trial. We can trust them. Here, if this alone, with these leaves for every one too enjoy some of tonight, is not enough, let us show you the other part of what they bring, just to help us more easily."


    Turning and heading out, it''s easy to get over to the communal water pots. The few earthenware containers, close to the center of the camp, lids on. I would grab the first one and pull the lid off, the stench of that stagnant water almost nauseating after having had properly clean water. Before any one can stop me, it''s already dumped over and emptied out as a realization hits me. I don''t know how to contact Curator to ask him to refill the pot, as in my own haste, I acted rashly much like Vahlu would.


    ''Don''t be hard on yourself lil buddy. You were just defendin'' a friends honor, and it''s pretty touchin'' honestly!''


    "You...you heard all that? You were listening, and said nothing?"


    ''Correctamundo! I''ve been riding along on your senses the entire time actually. Gotta say, I''m sorry to know you all were making due with this...bile, to get by. I''m going to put a little water in the pot, your going to need to shake and slosh it about to get as much of that stuff out as possible before dumping it out again, where I''ll properly refill it. Ideally though, when you all get here, these pots are gonna get ''lost'' and replaced with new ones that wont run the risk of having been tainted with that filth.''


    Nodding as I hear the soft, wet, crash of water being more or less dropped into the pot it would be grasped quickly. Rocking and sloshing the large thing even as I notice others of the clan staring it me as though I''m mad, it''s easy to hear the brothers catch up to me as I dump out the pot a second time.


    "SHA...VEKLA WHAT ARE YOU DOING! WITHOUT THAT WATER WE D-ie?!


    Curator has impeccable timing it seems as the chieftain''s screams die in his throat as, from above the pot, pure, clear water flows out of....nothingness and into the pot, quickly filling it. Every one can hear and see the over flowing being caused on that pot as the sand slowly soaks with that life giving fluid. Once more the brothers just start, slack jawed and wide eyed.


    "As I told you, we can trust Curator. They really do wish to help and raise us to a new place that we''ve never been before. They even confided in me that they wanted us to prosper enough from just being a small clan to being a full on, thriving, tribe. They need us to help them, but also desire to help us in turn and have the foresight and knowledge to do so."


    Before I''ve even finished speaking, what few adults we have and even the children have crowded in around that now full pot and us. Slight murmurs of confusion, and mutterings of wonder and awe from the crowd before the youngest move and drink from the pot. Slurping curiously then rapidly transitioning to wet, loud, gulps before their parents grab them and pull them away. The children excitedly saying how cool it is, how refreshing it is to drink, leading adults to tentatively drink even as the chieftain and Vahlu try to calm every one down and have them stop. It is, however, to late, as every one starts to greedily drink their fill of that clean water.


    "Curator said we could head out to their domain in the morning, we simply need pack up most things tonight, and then take down the tents in the morning. They can even help with moving everything, in the same manner they move the water from their domain, to here. If you wish to stay, or any one does, they can. However, I hope no one here is so foolish to turn down the offer, it will very much so help our people more than anything we''ll likely come across for generations."

 Chapter 22

    Curator POV


    Okay, that seems settled...ish. Lets just take care of those other pots too. If we pull everything in them out into my pocket and just...leave that stuff there. Might come in handy for some plant watering later with all that gunk in it. Now we just fill the pots in a less...showy...way aaaaand done!


    ''Hey Vekla, I took care of the other pots already. Water situation is dealt with, figured ya didn''t need any further spectacle to prove your points. If you need a hand just let me know, and I''ll check in on things in the morning.''


    Turning back to my own little patch of sand, it is still slowly getting bigger, just like I am. I''m easily the size of a bagel now, one of the good ones that''s hand made. After everything seems I still have that two rings of mana. We''ll hold onto that for now, as first we need to take care of properly giving Babe and Poppit their purposes proper. Kinda curious how they''ll change from that too, but, we''ll see how it goes.


    Zoning out and getting lost in thought as I watch the sun slowly continue to approach the horizon.


    ??? POV


    So, world has gone to shit. Anything with any sort of electronics or circuitry has been completely fried. From transformers, to even just resistors and transistors. Without any electronics, the machinery needed to make, well, anything, is gone. Bet the Amish are laughing as they''ve got the tools and experience to deal with living without modern technology. Lucky technophobic bastards.


    Looking into my pantry, there are plenty of canned goods, but most of those need to be cooked or cut with water. Both of those present their own problems too. Cooking requires a fire of some sort at this point, and who knows how long my grill''s propane canister will last, and with water, I''ve got a good amount of bottles, but no more will come from the tap. Not sure I''d trust it at this point if it did either as stagnant water is a good source of sickness.


    That leaves a few choices. I could load up my bike''s pull wagon with supplies and head out, ditching my current shelter and hope I make it out some where else safe and sound, or hook up the wagon and see what I can rummage up at other places. Thankfully, seems the shooting, and rioting has stopped, but it''s hard to tell what''s been going on. Honestly makes me glad I keep to myself so much, and, that the yard for this place tends to be a bit more over grown.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Thinking on it a bit harder, heading out and finding a place with fresh water makes the most sense. I''ve, thankfully, got plenty of books that should come in handy for this situation. I think the first stop will be a gas station to pick up a local map as it should show things like rivers, lakes, and streams cause those affect the road ways.


    Babe POV


    More of those strange memories. This time in my dreams, although being awoken as the sun finishes setting is wonderful. Are they Curators memories? Walls of white stone and strange things all around. It is clear though that it is a living thing in those memories. It still needs food and water after all, but makes care to plan out some basic plan of action to get the knowledge needed to best ensure their success. The mention of books and tomes has that strange hunger inside me once more brought to the fore and almost palpable. Oh how lovely it would be to devour the words inside them and absorb the lessons they could teach!


    Stretching out my legs and various movable parts some, it does not take long for Curator to notice I have roused from slumber.


    ''You should probably be on the ground properly for this, we wouldn''t want you to fall and get hurt on accident, now would we?''


    "No, we would not. I must ask however Curator. I keep getting...glimpses of memories not my own, but from the point of view of a strange creature in a...home they called it, with white stone walls. Bits where something burst and covered them in painful burning things, others where they have healed enough that the pain is an after thought but they must contemplate leaving that shelter to get things they need. Are these....are these your memories, or perhaps memories of a former, fallen, scion?"


    The poignant silence that follows is almost palpable as I slowly make my way to the ground. Have I upset, or hurt, Curator by that simple question in some way. Will they resent me for it?


    ''It''s my past...from before being....this. Being what I am now. There are many....bad memories from that time, but also triumphs. While they can be...unpleasant to think back on, or analyze, there are lessons we can learn from them to be better than I was. No one is percent Babe, I least of all. The most important thing to remember it''s the choices you make going forward that determine who you are, not just the mistakes of the past.''


    "Do these memories...hurt you?"


    ''Some, yes. However, if they can still hurt, that means I''ve not lost my empathy or the like, which, is a a good thing. It''s easier to relate to others, if you can understand how they feel, or feel the same things.''


    So, be careful about asking on that past to spare Curator as much pain as possible. Yet they do seem to have wisdom that such pain is a good sign eve if it''s unpleasant for them.


    ''Now then, enough about me, and my past, for now. Tonight is about you, isn''t it my little Babe. I hope you''re ready for this!''


    The sudden shift from that melancholy to that excitement that is felt through our bond is, almost whiplash inducing. It does, however, help break the funk that had started to settle into my chitin.


    "Yes, Curator, I am ready. I just hope I can live up to your expectations!"


    ''Oh Babe, no mater what, as long as you don''t become a genocidal or homicidal maniac, you''ll always live up to my expectations. As what more could I want than one who cares, and continually learns and improves like you have? Reassurances aside, Babe, I name you my Grand Archivist. Your task will be to help build, manage, and care for a grand library where all sorts of knowledge can be stored, and shared. A place where many can learn, and leave what they have learned. This also means you''ll be working with any I designate as researchers to help collate their information and getting it formatted into a manner that makes sense to others.''


    As they say this, there''s a massive swell of mana pouring from them, into myself, then everything goes black...

 Chapter 23

    Curator POV


    Now that''s not what I was expecting. As I named Babe, a kind of....cocoon formed around them from magic. Can''t see them, or what''s going on, but it''s probably alot more change than what Vekla went through. Heh, kinda curious to how he''ll respond to this too. We''ll see when they finally get here. Now then, we''ll put a pin in that for now and do some more prep work to take in these new arrivals.


    Looking my domain, it''s not hard to see a good spot to prepare. On the other side of the now, half full, pond that was dug out to help form the oasis, I''d start leveling some of the sand. Packing it down and ensuring it''s more stable would be easy, as would leveling it out, but that doesn''t feel like enough. It''d be nice to kind of ring the area with some type of plant life but I can''t just make plants out of nothing, right?


    Hmmm...lets see if we CAN do something about that. Looking around and closer at the plants nothing really stands out. Just those grass tufts, that agave thing I accidentally made, some other yucca plants around. There''s the start of what looks like a joshua tree sprouting which is good. Yanno, I wonder if any of those skink-le are knowledgeable or good with plants. That''d be good, as plants are needed for paper, which in turn is needed for books. There''s a few other succulents about too and...that one looks like a prickly pear. Lets see if it works the same then, push comes to shove, this doesn''t work, but if it does, over time, that lil ''camp site'' will have some spiny, natural, barriers around it!


    Taking one of those plants into my pocket to break it apart and get it ready, something...weird, would happen. As I focus on the plant my vision kind of...zooms in on it and through it somehow? Looking through the plant like that, it''s surprisingly easy to see how things kind of work there. Mentally forcing myself to not look so close, that perspective zooms back out, resulting in a mental smile. That will, for sure, come in handy for now though back to the task at hand.


    Picking out the spots that I want those plants to start growing from, that vile...liquid...that was taken from the skink-le, would be put to use. Equally soaking the sand in those spots, leaves from the cactus in my ''pocket'' would be plucked and planted halfway into those. If it''s anything like the prickly pears I know, that should cause the leaf to start growing into a plant of it''s own. We''ll have to see though as that''s a process that can take time, and well, I don''t want to spend any more mana than I need to right now.


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    Working really does make the time fly when it''s fiddly stuff. Or maybe the nights are kind of short here or this time of year. Then my attention is drawn to that mana shell around Babe starting to crack and crumble in kind of like a black hole is sucking it in piece by piece and the question to those changes slowly becomes apparent.


    Babe POV


    Awaking to an almost ravenous hunger, I would reach out, and start consuming that shell around me. The last thing I remember before waking up was Curator naming my role, and a powerful surge of mana pushing into me. After the changes to Vekla, I am curious to what changes I have had to myself. The feeling of strangeness one would think of such a drastic change would be imperceptible, as they are simply a part of myself. Looking down it is...strange to look down into my own eyes, while also being able to look up into my own face. A face that I did not posses until the changes were made. Reaching up with chitinous, and almost pink looking, hands I would explore and feel that new face while watching from that lower head.


    Feeling over my face, and, I guess snout, it is a strange sensation. The flesh there is still somewhat chitinous like the rest of me, yet soft, almost supple, like the hide that Vekla had after his own change. A drape of hair frames my newer head, it looks like it too would be soft, yet it''s rough and almost seems barbed. It does not catch on my hands as I run my fingers through it though which is nice. As I examine myself while pulling in the rest of that mana shell, it is easy to feel Curator''s attention on me. They feel...excited and curious.


    ''Oh, you''re just adorable! That name choice fits even better now, an ooooooh, man. You have got to be the cutest archivist ever, and, you''re all mine, well, as long as you wanna stay that is, I ain''t gonna force ya too.''


    Well, he seems quite pleased by the change. The compliments though are not what I was expecting at first, and feeling a warmth in those new cheeks as I can see them darken by simply looking myself in the face, it''s easy to tell I am blushing.


    "Th-thank you Curator. I am glad you find this form pleasing to look upon. It is a very....odd thing, but not at all unpleasant. With hands it will also be much easier to write things down to record them, and to handle object much more than pincher claws were"


    For emphasis my right claw, and right hand would raise, a simple wiggling of those fingers accompanied by the soft clacking of that claw. So many possibilities just an extra set of appendages would give, let alone, a second head. Moving around some with careful steps to get used to the new balance and higher center of gravity, it would be easy to note how much faster I cover the distance in Curators core room much more quickly.


    "I also seem to be larger now. It is...hard to tell accurately without something to compare off of."


    ''Your not wrong there, from what I can tell, you were roughly hand sized for those skink folks before. Now your comparatively the size of what I''d consider normal of a house cat. Again, if sizing is as I''m used too. Hard without a for sure, and static, frame of reference!''


    Curator POV


    I don''t know what I was expecting but a mix of cute Japanese pig orc and arachnea was definitely not it. Man oh man does it fit though! Please don''t let anything happen to my lil Babe, or there will be hell to pay for anything to bring them actual harm!

 Chapter 24

    ??? POV


    Tired, so very, very tired. How many days has it been since I left? How far have I pedaled this damned bike while trying to find a safer place? How much water do I still have?


    Pulling over to rest in the shade of a now useless, gas station overhang, I''d dig out a folding camp chair from the wagon attached to my bike to sit in. Honestly, other than the constant numb sensation in my legs, and the occasional ''road toll'' group, the traveling hasn''t been bad. Honestly though, the road tolls weren''t that bad, just hand over a pamphlet on basic info and most of those folks were super happy. The ''here''s how to identify mushrooms in this area'' laminated ones seem to be the most favored one. The ''how to identify and treat poisonous animal bites'' is a close second. Real glad I''d stuffed all those in my back pack when I''d given a little visit to a grocery store.


    Resting as it''s the hot part of the day, while I keep in the shade, it''s easy to feel just how much of better shape my legs are in, and it''s only been a few weeks since setting out. Taking a drink from my metal water bottle and enjoying the slight saltiness of the electrolyte mix in, I''d sigh.


    "Man, I miss music and gaming."


    "You and me both, brother"


    Sitting up suddenly and looking around, it''d be quick to spot the man walking out of the gas station. Subconsciously moving my hand to grip the concealed derringer stashed in my left pocket the man would smile at me but raise his hands as he saw how on edge his approach made me. Seeing those open, held up hands, and a lack of notable weapon, lets me relax some, but, not fully.


    "Whoa there partner, sorry for startling you. Ain''t many folks traveling these days, ''specially with a bike and a pull wagon. Where ya headed, and, ya got any goods ya need, or things ya got and don''t?"


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    "I might. Why?"


    "Calm down, calm down, ain''t gonna do no funny business. I got water, and still got some canned goods, but I really need either some tools, meds, or even just some sewing stuff. Might have some other stuff too dependin'' on what''cha need."


    "Can''t really help with tools, only ones I have are for keeping my stuff working well enough. Meds...I have some but depends on what ya need really. Do have a few mini sewing kits so I could spare one of those no worries there. Water is always good, food wise it depends on the canned goods ya got. Other stuff I need, well, I could use some camp butane cans, or some cans of that smokeless cooking gel stuff. Could also use some bullets if you can spare any .357. I also got pamphlets on survival info, and a few on first aid I could trade too."


    Curator POV


    Things seem to be calm for now. Night is passing smoothly and Babe is mostly just, learning her new form some. Makes me kind of curious as to what will happen to Poppit when I give him his long term task and role. Hmmm...actually, what will happen if I name more of the tribals, will they become kobold like, kinda like Vekla did, or will they become other things instead? To many questions, not enough answers or data to pull off of.


    There is a quick way to test that might give another data point to use though. Once more repeating that mental imagery and ''slicing'' a portion of my mana off into a lump. Pumping it into another one of those yucca like plants, I''d watch, observing as it changes. While not fast, it is fascinating to see a yucca slowly transform into what''s basically an agave.


    Before I know it, the sun is rising on my domain, and the total number of agave that are in my possession has doubled. From one, to two, and, with how massive those leaves are and how little those tribals seem to need to have enough to eat, that''s honestly a ton of food for them. Speaking of those tribals, my thoughts are interrupted by what could best be described as a whisper into me, from Vekla.


    ''Master Curator, if it would not be too much of a burden, our camp has been packed down and is ready to be moved.''


    ''Ah, Vekla, one moment and I''ll get it sorted. Oh, and just call me Curator. Don''t need that ''master'' bit or such, kinda makes me feel a bit uncomfortable''


    Focusing on that connection I have with the newly minted kobold, my vision would change to see the, former, camp. The tents and structures having already been collapsed down and packed into bundles and similar things, ready to be hauled by the tribals. Lets make the move a bit easier for them either way, even if they could easily move it in this manner. Pulling those piled tents and supplies into my ''pocket'' I''d chuckle mentally a bit, every time there was a sudden gasp or shocked, look of awe, from the tribals. From there point of view, it''s like things were vanishing like a mirage. Some of them even looked, understandably nervous, good think I''m such a nice person eh?


    ''Alright Vekla, that''s all moved now, how long do you think it will take to get here?''


    ''Since we don''t need to carry anything, we could likely be there before the sun is it''s own height above the horizon.''


    ''Good, good. If you need something while traveling, you know how to reach me. Poppit will stay with you all and protect you as best he can on your way here. Safe travels!''

 Chapter 25

    Vekla POV


    Watching everything from the camp just...vanish, is shocking, not only to myself but to every one else. Padding over to the Chieftain and Vahlu a quick nod of greeting is all the notice they get before I speak.


    "Curator has prepared space for us, and, moved everything there already. Poppit, the scion that you have met, will be acting as an escort and guide, to keep every one safe on the journey. Since we don''t have to cary anything, we should make fairly good time, and Curator said they will provide us water and such as we travel if needed."


    Turning to start walking in the direction that my heart tells me the core is in, Vahlu would speak up.


    "So, now we are indebted to it. It''s going to want something of us. Mark my words, it''s got plans on how to use us up and toss us aside."


    Hearing a sharp smack, a quick glance over my shoulder would show the irritable hunter rubbing the back of his head while hunched forward. His brother, the chieftain, shaking his hand some from the force of that smack.


    "We do the same, do we not. We see people who could be of use, and assign them to that which will give the most use to the tribe, regardless of what they do or don''t want. You didn''t want to be the named one, yet, you ended up as such. I did not wish to be chieftain, but due to my connection to you, and your refusal to lead, I ended up in this role. What of the elderly that can no longer provide for the tribe, be it through hunting, or makings, do we not discard them should they not be able to provide something that is needed?"


    Nodding with the chieftains words, I, once more would speak up.


    "Curator even asked if I wished to receive this gift. They gave me choice in it, and I accepted. That''s more than the tribe has ever been able to do. They even give us the most precious of gifts one can get in the desert. Pure, clean, water and food that, while strange is more satiating than anything I have had before. They even warned of a need for caution to ensure we don''t get sick or die, from eating to much too quickly, and, how to test if food is poison to us in a more reliable way. Even without magic to check for such things. They do have need of us, this much is very true, yet, we also have need of them and what they can provide to us and our little clan."


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    Seeing the chieftain nod in agreement as Vahlu stands back up to sheepishly rub the back of his head. He looks, truly abashed by his behavior, although it''s hard to tell if he truly feels that way. Turning once again to look toward the distant horizon we all walk toward, the soft conversations would sound of a mix of anxiety, apprehension, and excitement. Smiling to myself as we walk, a thought strikes me, how will they react to seeing the temple Curator has made for them self?


    -Some number of hours later-


    "What is that, off in the distance?"


    Ah, it seems the Chieftain was the first to spot it. Shielding my eyes from the mid morning sun, it''s easy to see the odd shape in the distance of that temple through the haze of heat. Chuckling to myself and shaking my head as everyone continues that trek, it''s easy to respond.


    "Oh, you''ll see soon enough. At least for you all it''s already there. It was quite the shock when I rode Poppit out here and they rose that temple out of the sands."


    With that small statement, both Vahlu and the Chieftain suddenly come to a stop. The pair of brothers just gaping at me, almost dumb founded. After a moment they''d get their wits about them and take a few quick steps to catch up.


    "You mean...they brought something up from under the sands which is so tall to see it from this far out?!"


    Ah, Vahlu is the first to ask. Not surprising as the chieftain is mumbling and shaking his head incredulously.


    "Yes, it was quite the sight to see too, and watching a stone made out of sand grow to make protective weaves around the...sanctum I guess, they made at the top was even more impressive. I''d say the most impressive thing though was the other scion, who they said was their first. Grimoire Scorpion, easily the size of a hand. She can even talk, quite eloquently too, didn''t get much time to speak with her, but, being named and having a role given too me from Curator seemed to make her more than slightly jealous. Heh, Curator''s response to that was a small lecture, and letting her, I believe the name of the scion was ''Babe'', know that they would be getting their role within the domain at night, so they could rest. The dungeon core even cares about things like when it''s scions need to rest and the like."


    If the pair could have been even more stupefied than this moment, I''m unsure. Yet, they still trudge forward, despite the clear, mind numbing confusion. It seems they, much like I had originally thought, were completely caught up in the old legends of more.....cruel dungeons and the like. Ah well, they will learn better in time if this is anything to go off of. It''s not long till we cross the border into the dungeons domain, everyone can feel it, like a slight presence at the edge of your perception, most seem to just be confused by it. However I am surprised.


    "Hmmm...the domain is...bigger now too. Interesting...."


    Curator POV


    It''s easy to feel when that tribe enters my borders. Seems after Babe''s evolution that bubble has grown immensely, then again, maybe it''s cause most of that space is just empty. Now the real question is, a little mischief or not...eh, let''s not. Those skinkles are likely all out of sorts already with everything after all!


    ''Hey, Babe, our new guests and tenants will be here soon. Would you do a little meet and greet, maybe guide them to the area I set up for their camp?''

 Chapter 26

    Babe POV


    -My first task since my, we will say evolution, is to guide the new denizens to the place Curator has set aside for them. At first that seems like something better suited to Poppit, and not the Grand Archivist, then I remember his exact words. They had said I will help care for and build a grand library, which means I would need to help guide and instruct others as a part of that. Even now, their wisdom in teaching so others understand is outstanding.-


    "As you will it, so shall it be done, Curator."


    Curator POV


    -Okay, now that Poppit can get a lil break it''s time to give them their purpose too. Thanks Babe, you really are a gem and great at picking up the slack to help out. Watching as the now, large house cat sized, Babe calmly walks down the steps. It''s actually pretty interesting to watch as due to having so many legs, her more anthro-ey bits just seem to ''float'' keeping a perfect level, like she were riding down on one of those stair case lift chair things. Fascination aside though, lets get Poppit up here for their turn!-


    Changing my perspective in that bubble to watch their progress I would speak to my new residents, as well as my scions that are among them.


    "Welcome to my domain. Grand Archivist Babe will be joining you soon to guide you to a spot I have prepared for you already. It seems that, without having to haul things you made good progress, either way, I would ask you to get things set up and settled in to rest properly for a while, then, we can discuss how things will go moving forward. Vekla, I trust you will help Babe in explaining things, and other such while also helping out your kin with getting settled in. Poppit, I wish you to attend my chamber, it is time for me to give you your purpose. To the rest of you, please, relax, I''ve no desire nor wish, to see any harm befall you. Oh, and before I forget, if you are going to bathe, please, do not do so in the oasis itself, move the water else where for that, we wouldn''t wanna contaminate it after all!"


    -Orders given, check. Brief instructions, check. Warning them that they will meet Babe soon, who''s honestly, half their size at this point, check. Now come here my lil noodley boyo, lets see what happens to you~-


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    Poppit POV


    -Purpose, Curator will give Poppit their purpose! So exciting, doing these fun things has been nice, but Purpose means Poppit will know what to do when not directly told what to do too! That is good, it means Poppit can have fun and share fun without needing to be watched like bird watches chick!-


    With those thoughts Poppit would quickly make their way to the chamber atop the ziggurat. This time staying entirely over the sand it''s clear movements outside the sand, at this size, are actually rather normal in speed due to their long body dragging on the sand. Passing Babe at the base of the stairs, they''d give an excited, polite chitter of congratulations before heading up the stairs themself.


    -Oooooh Babe looks fun! Got handsies for scritchies too, wonder if Poppit will get handsies too! That would be fun!-


    Vekla POV


    -Ah, so Poppit is now recalled, and Babe has been given a purpose and is on her way to greet us. This will be interesting. If it''s anything like what I went through, then there''s no way to know what to expect.-


    "Ah, so it is time for Poppit to get purpose, and we all get to meet the, likely, new Babe together!"


    At this the Chieftain speaks up.


    "So...this Curator, wishes us to set up camp then rest? Why, we only walked a half day to get here? Also, what do you mean ''meet the new Babe'' I thought this was the grimoire scorpion scion you''d already met?"


    "Yes, I met them, but that was BEFORE they were given a purpose. Like when Curator gave me a name, they gave me a purpose as well. That of being a researcher of magic. That is to say, I will be learning and looking into, what magic can, and can''t do, and helping provide the needed information on that. When everything gets settled in, that is. Odds are, with time, Curator will offer the same to others, a name, and a purpose, within his domain, they seem to understand the importance of getting help from others, after all."


    At that, the Chieftain falls silent, a hand on his chin in thought as something starts approaching it. For me it''s clear what it is, however, I don''t know if the others can make it out from here or not, so lets see how they react, shall we?


    Babe POV


    Passing by Poppit as I leave the Curator''s...home would be the best choice of words here I think. It is not long until seeing the new denizens of this domain. Vekla has noticed me it seems, however the others have not yet. Perhaps they cannot see far and his transformation has granted him better vision? That is a thought for another time however. Moving up to the group, and coming to a stop, I would give them a courteous slight bow.


    "Hello. I am Grand Archivist Babe. Curator has asked me to guide you to a place he prepared for you all to build your camp in. This is likely a temporary state of affairs while working out a way to make more permanent homes and structures. If you hunger, feel free to go hunting, or, to carefully harvest from the plants here, without killing said plants. Are there any questions, no? Good, follow me."


    With that brief introduction, I would turn quickly and start moving toward that area Curator had cleared out for them to set up in. It is easy to see now why they would be invited instead of being driven off. On their own they may not be much, but, with Vekla as a proof of concept, they have potential to be more.

 Chapter 27

    Poppit POV


    -We are finally getting our actual task, like Babe just got! This is so exciting. Long stairs aren''t fun though. So much dragging, and zig zagging to get up them. Maybe we should ask Curator to add in a slope made of sand to swim up? That would be muchly faster!-


    Concentrating, Poppit would do just that, doing their best to communicate that, for them at least, a moderately deep slope of sand would make getting to the top of Curator''s ziggurat notably faster and easier. That done as he reaches the summit the longboyo would eagerly wriggle near the core, their massive excitement barely contained before Curator speaks.


    ''Poppit, you''ve served me well so far, both in helping me learn more about things around me as well as protecting those things I feel should be protected. From this point on your role will be that of the Guardian. Protecting my domain, those within it, and even going beyond my realm to investigate things that might end up being a threat to myself, my realm, or those that dwell within it. Even the most open of libraries, and communities, do need protectors after all!''


    Curator POV


    Upon giving Poppit their role, man I really need to figure out if it''s male or female, they grow silent and unnaturally still. For their wriggly self that is. Watching in, fairly abject, horror as they bloat and inflate like an over stuffed sausage as that flow of mana from myself to them finally ends, I can only hope my fuzzy noodle is fine.


    Thinking on the images they showed me, a sand slide might not be a bad idea. It would allow them to get up and down much faster. Also long as visitors brought something to slide on with them, it''d let folks get down quite rapidly, without the worry of falling down stairs. Plus, after whatever changes finish to Poppit, this should, hopefully, bring them back to their prior sensibilities of excitement and joy, right?


    Focusing on myself to check how much mana is still coalesced into rings, I''d be pleasantly surprised to still see one, and change, after imbuing both Babe and Poppit. Perhaps since this was just ''title'' granting kinda thing instead of full naming, it''s cheaper? Or maybe since I''d previously named them that''s what made it cheaper. Kinda like upgrading a unit in a strategy game is cheaper than buying the new unit from scratch.


    Making a flat bottom ''ramp'' with side guides down the ''back'' of my ziggurat, I''d set a flow of sand going down it till it reaches the bottom and stops flowing. Thank you magic for letting me set this how I want, as a stream of sand isn''t the goal, but a constant slope of it is!


    Looking back at the bloated Poppit, it''d be easy to see their skin through all that spread out fur. As that gaze lingers upon them, there''s...shapes and bulges starting to writhe and move under that skin, almost like the scarab scene from a certain movie. It''s....disturbing and I hope my lil fren is okay.


    Looking for something to take my mind of that...horror show, I''d sweep my gaze over various points. Babe has, indeed, lead those skinkle to that prepped camp area, and they''re already starting to set up those tents. Many of them seem excited, but almost all of them seem, anxious, which is more than fair. If some mysterious powerful...thing...suddenly told me to move it''d put me on edge too. Spotting Babe, Vekla, Vahlu and chieftain all talking I''d listen in.


    "...so on edge? It is not like Curator has demanded you sacrifice yourselves to them, or some, nebulous goal. They has provided a place to shelter, with water and food, and merely asks for your assistance and collaboration on his own plans and ambitions. Which will also benefit your people. You merely need trust him."


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    "See, that''s what we don''t get. Why would such a powerful dungeon core, that is truly intelligent and wise, who has such power, not just subjugate us instead. There is nothing we could possibly do to stop it if it were to decide to wipe us out. Let alone enslave us."


    Hearing those thoughts of the chieftain spoken out loud, I couldn''t help but feel a smidge of anger was over me at the mere thought of doing such. As that happens Vekla frowns and Babe actually hisses in annoyance, causing the brothers to shrink away slightly. Watching Vekla take a deep breath and close his eyes a moment to calm down, my lil...desert kobold I guess, would speak up.


    "Curator must have heard some of what you just said as they grew quite angry over those...ideas...you had toward them enslaving you and such. I''m fairly sure they despise such things, and do not want such. That is why they steered us toward this situation, where it''s beneficial for them, you, and every one here, to work together in the direction they lead too. A direction where our people prosper, and have the knowledge, and know how, to do great things upon the world."


    Speaking up myself at that point, I would finally give my two cents on the situation.


    ''Very much so Vekla. For me subjugation should be a last resort only for those that will not listen to reason. Enslavement shall never be a thing in my domain. To the point that should one show up with slaves, I would likely take the slaves from that individual to ask why they were enslaved, how they were treated and use that to determine if they will be freed and allowed to stay here, freed and expelled, or in some cased, imprisoned and put to work until the debt they''ve built to society has been paid off. The last option there would be for folks who committed crimes that harmed, but did not kill, others, or, did not harm in certain ways. For those who murder, rape, and target children however....I think sending them into the sands without hands, nor feet, to crawl in search of a way to survive may be the best option. In that state, they will likely die, yes, but should they not, it ensures that they will be in no position to hurt people in those ways again. I do try to be good, and fair, but some things, some things I WON''T tolerate in my domain.''


    Having said my peace, and laid down the...law I guess, it would be time to simply watch their reactions. Babe and Vekla both nod in agreement with my statements, the brothers however seem a bit more...perturbed by such. Chieftain has fallen to his knees trembling slightly, and Vahlu looks like he''s just seen a ghost.


    "He....he was listening as we were talking?! Is he always listening like that...do we need to walk upon shifting sands so as to not...rouse such anger?"


    "No such thing. I only felt their presence focusing upon us just before Vekla and myself responded so negatively to your assertions. Curator heard your worries and was upset that you would think so poorly of them that you thought they may try to enslave and subjugate ''willy nilly'' as they would put it. Having seen some of their memories, memories that lead me to believe they were a regular person of sorts prior to becoming the core mind you, I can tell you they have a vehement dislike of pointless violence, or violence as a first resort, however, they are not opposed to violence to protect themselves, or others. Or to resort to such to spite those who attempt to take everything from them."


    Good, Babe understands. I''ll leave her to further handle this then and check back in on Poppit. Returning my view back to my core room it would be easy to see the change to Poppit. That writhing under their skin having gotten worse, and their forms so bloated, stretched, and distended, it''s like watching eels or something moving through them in such a manner. It''s not long until, with a sound not unlike skinning a catfish, their body ruptures. Gore, blood, and viscera spilling out all over my chamber. That is...I thought it was gore and viscera until the things spilling out in that torrent of blood start moving on their own and it''s shocking to see but...mini Poppits. Dozens and dozens of mini Poppits. Is...is this how their kind reproduces maybe, goodness I hope not, that''s...disgusting and violent.


    As I watch though it''s easy to see they aren''t all the same size, as they move, gain their bearings, and start moving into a group, there is one that''s clearly larger than the rest, and of the smaller types there are two sizes, one kinda larger, and one kinda smaller. Reaching out to Poppit''s mind to try and view through their senses again, my own mind would be repulsed and have to pull out. Suddenly seeing from dozens of different points of view and sense is quite disorienting.


    ''Poppit, you okay lil buddy...buddies now I guess?''


    Upon asking that, all of them turn toward me at once and nod, clacking their mandibles in a kind of salute, the largest even standing up on it''s hind legs to properly try and salute. Pulling the...remains...of the prior Poppit single body into my storage, and then dumping a massive glob of clean water over them to clean them of that blood and wash it out of my chamber I''d let out a mental sigh of relief. Seems different species, or maybe just different individuals change uniquely when titled. We''ll need to see if that''s due to the title, the individual, or the species. At least Poppit is still alive...even if they are now a swarm as opposed to one individual.

 Chapter 28

    Vekla POV


    Pure and utter pandemonium. After the panic of a veritable tide of sandtrap ferrets flowing down Curator''s abode to move toward the camp, things have...somewhat calmed down. The chaos of so many Poppits around is still quite notable, but...now that people aren''t screaming and freaking out it''s at least bearable. It was quite a surprise all the same, but, the smallest Poppits seem to have kind of ''paired up'' with folks, staying close or riding on them, where as the moderately sized ones have spread out and are seemingly patrolling Curator''s domain, and even a bit outside the borders. Honestly though, he really should have given us a little heads up about this, the poor chieftain passed out...again.


    Chuckling softly as the still out of it chieftain rests on his sleeping mat with a tiny Poppit laying with him, it''s almost endearing to see. Turning to head out, it''d only take a few steps to be outside once more in the crisp, evening air. Looking around, a sense of accomplishment fills me as my kin enjoy clean water, and food, more than we''ve had before, even the young ones are running around and playing with their new, surprisingly gentle and sociable, predatory companions.


    "If one had asked me even a few days ago if such a sight would be possible, I likely would have said they were mad."


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    Speaking to no one in particular, a quick shake of my head and a soft chuckle, it would be time to head to my own tent. That thing set up closest to the edge of this little camping area it''d be only a few steps inside with that flap closing before a voice would speak up.


    "Perhaps you would have thought such, but, is that which your past self would view as madness a bad thing now that you have seen and experienced it yourself?"


    "No Grand Archivist Babe, more this is so...unbelievable a change that even I''m a bit shocked by it still. For years every night we could have been attacked as we slept, there was almost never enough food, and...you can ask Curator what we had for water. This is...honestly like we have suddenly fallen into a paradise. Safety, food enough to not go hungry as long as we are careful, and water that is clean, fresh, and cool. Honestly, a cynical part of me thinks I will wake up and find this is all a dream. The treks from the past few days, and the changes I''ve gone through let me know it''s not, but it''s...been quite alot, and quite quickly."


    "That is quite understandable. Perhaps you, and the others, should take a few days to fully settle in. Both to get your camp fully established and to show them how to do things with those plants, and how to safely bathe and not contaminate the oasis. As well as to let the shock of all these changes wear off as well and grow accustomed to everyone''s new companion."


    ''That is actually a good idea. Plus, that''ll let me get used to how Poppit is now. It''s kinda weird, as they''re all like...a single shared mind, but trying to view through them, it''s like looking at a wall of camera feeds all at once''

 Chapter 29

    Curator POV


    It''s been a few days since my lil skinkle have moved in. I''ve been, mostly, laying low, just watching, and answering questions at times. Letting Babe, Vekla, and Poppit handle most of the things as that seems to be easier for the skinkle to understand than well...just a mysterious voice coming from no where. Man I really hope they don''t start worshiping me or something, that would be SUPER awkward.


    Looking at how they structured things in that camp site, it doesn''t seem like they set up with any rhyme or reason just setting things up in the direction each ''family'' deems fit. No central walk way, no real order or structure to it...it''s honestly chaos, which explains why I keep getting snippets of just pure annoyance from Babe each time they head that way. Their tent style also isn''t that great, and looking at them, we could likely make them more efficient by converting them to teepees, which would use alot less material and allow for fires and such inside them, when we can secure a reliable source of combustibles.


    Yep, I think it''s time to give a little lesson on the civics sides of things with how to organize a village, town, or city. With that in mind, I''d give another last look over of my domain. It''s not really grown since those initial influxes, it''s still much larger than what''s used though. That just means I''ve space to enact my ideas I guess. Every so often I can ''see'' groups of Poppits shifting through the sand and kind of patrolling the unused areas to keep threats handled.


    Speaking of the Poppits the largest of them has stayed near my core room, occasionally it''ll head out to get something to eat, which, at times does give a mana influx, but that''s usually when it over eats. The larger mid sized Poppits have started roaming outside my domain, hunting and bringing things back at time, which has helped the skinkle a good bit, while also giving Babe some things to start learning from by observing how they are butchered. The smaller of the mid sized ones are the ones actually patrolling inside, with the occasional larger mid sized one mixed in. The smallest however have seemed to pair up with the Skinkle, Vekla and Vahlu included, and stay close by, like a mix of personal guard and pet. Maybe like dogs were treated back in the day for a long while, but not quite dog like and more spazzy. It''s honestly relaxing to watch the younglings playing with their Poppits, and vice versa, and as that''s continued, the entire little clan of skinkle has calmed immensely. Don''t think they''ve ever had safety and security to the point that children could just, play.


    Taking a moment to reminisce on the momentary panic that''d resulted as the flood of Poppit had flowed down the sides of my residence, I''d mentally shake my head while shifting my focus to the ''tent city'' and speak up.


    ''Good morning every one. I hope you all rested well. We need to talk some, about the current state of things, and improving this little huddle of huts we have going here.'' (Curator)


    Giving every one a moment to finish rousing and come out to the ''center'' area for that little place, where they tend to keep the water pots to keep things close for late night drinks. The first one there is Vekla, only beating Babe by a few moments, although, she can''t move as quickly over the sand as he can. Much like how snow shoes are better for fast moving over snow than just boots. The third to arrive is the Chieftain, followed quickly by his brother Vahlu. The rest of the skinkle gathering up and rubbing the sleep out of their eyes. It''s not super early, the sun''s at least 3/4ths the way up over the horizon after all!


    "It''s pretty early, and it''s the first time since we''ve got here that you''ve called for every one to come together is something wrong?" (Chieftain)


    ''In a sense yes, and a sense, no. Looking at how the tents and such here are set up, it''s...dissordly. That, and by changing the shape on them, we can reduce the amount of material used to make each one, both for the supports, and for the leather covering portion. The new shape would also allow for a heat source like a fire in them while letting out the smoke so no one suffocates. For them, we''d need 3 strait poles of some type that are roughly the same shape, tied together in some manner so that the bottoms are all in alignment. Once that part is done I can show you how to pull them up to be the framework for the structure. We could, probably, make two of these from the materials of just a single one of your tents. I''ll make the first covering as well, and lay it out, so it''s easy for your crafts folks to see how it should be, then show how it lays out while assembled, and how to take it down so it makes sense and keeps everything together.'' (Curator)


    Watching as some of the skinkle set off to start tearing down and disassembling one of their tents, at the insistence of the Chieftain as he understands the implications of what I just said the best, I''d then turn my attention to him more directly.


    ''Now, as they are working on that, I''d also like to give some slight instruction on organization that''ll help quite a bit. Since you keep supplies in a kind of central location, the tipis I''m showing you all how to make, should all face inward to that central area. This will also mean you can pack the sand some in the areas folk travel the most, allowing people to move a bit more quickly as the ground won''t be as shifty under their steps, and help with people going here and there.'' (Curator)


    While explaining this, I''d draw it in the sand, doing a little jug shape then triangles for the tipis with a flat side facing the ''jug'' in the center, then padding down the sand in that center area, then padding it down in a few directions leaving that ''circling'' of the water jugs they keep.


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    ''It may seem, strange, compared to what you are used too, but it will help, trust me on that. Organization like this is very much useful especially as more children are born or hatched, and the size of the settlement grows. Down the road, we''ll likely transition away from tipis to more permanent structures, but for now, this is a good step toward giving every one more space, and allowing for easier moving about to do various things.''


    Watching as the chieftain observes the diagram in the sand and mulls over what I''ve said, it''s not long till I feel that influx of mana from teaching that I''d gotten before with Babe. Oooh, that''s really the ticket there.


    "And from this, one of these trails would head toward the filling water pool, another to a place we could clean up or relieve ourselves, and others to lead to other areas of importance here. That is...it''s so simple and strait forward, why didn''t I see that before?" (Chieftain)


    "Well, for starters, Curator has a much different point of view. They also have a wisdom and knowledge well beyond their years, and from...snippets, seem to have memories of a time when they were much like us, but, not like us. There are wonders in those memories I have had the pleasure to glimpse into that are truly wonderous. Like a glossy hide that is unfolded, showing various animals heads, size in relation to the average of what the memories are from, notable dangers of said animal. Whether it is edible or poisonous, and even if it has a venomous bite or sting and how dangerous said venom would be. Or box set against a wall, with doors, that when open, have contents that are kept cold, or freezing, keeping food fresh for longer without needing to dry it out. My favorite of those was shiny tubes that when opened were full of meats, fruits, and other plant parts that are edible, like that, or after being heated but kept safe and in stasis until opened from how it seems. With time, I doubt we will be lacking of such wonders, but, as stated, it will take time to lay the foundations of such. Am I incorrect Curator?" (Babe)


    Blinking mentally, and taken a bit aback, I''d not realized Babe had gleaned so much from those few times I day dreamed of the past. Honestly, such mundane things to the former me would be magical to this place.


    ''Correct, although those won''t be exactly the same as from what I know, as while I know the basics of those things, that doesn''t mean I can recreate them perfectly here. Nor that I would need to. After all, here there is magic, where as there, it was all mundane, which gives us here an edge to hit that level of advancement much more quickly than it took those I was of, before.'' (Curator)


    Vekla, looking between Babe and where I am ''watching'' from looks dumbfounded by those small revelations.


    "So...you could keep things cold, or frozen, without magic? How could something like that be done? What other wonders did you have before this of that nature? You call it mundane, but, to think of freezing without using mana is...how, just how could you do something like that?" (Chieftain)


    ''Well, since we had no magic, we had to get creative. Some materials insulate well, kind of like how you use tents to keep the heat out in the day, or in at night, it''s the same concept, but taken to the extreme. From there, we''d add in pumps and very specific blends of gasses and chemicals kept under so much pressure that they stayed a liquid, kind of like how water evaporates if it gets to hot, if you keep it confined it takes immensely more heat to make it turn to gas or vapor. Those chemicals were then moved by the pumps I mentioned earlier to pull the heat away from the place we wanted cold to a place where the heat could be ''dumped out'' thus, keeping the inside cold. That''s the basic layman''s explanation on it, I can''t really go into things like refrigerants such as Freon, or electric pumps and heatsinks right now cause they aren''t something we can do much about at this time. But yeah, that''s the basics of it.''


    With that I''d be met by stunned silence, as a much larger surge of mana flows into me and I hear Vekla mumble softly.


    "Just like he said, ice isn''t the opposite of fire, but the extreme lack of it..." (Vekla)


    As he says that, the craft skinkle get back, to see the shocked, awed, and otherwise slack jawed gathering of their clansmen and look around confused.


    "Is every one okay?" (Head Craftskinkson)


    "What, oh, yes, everything is fine just....learning the basics of a truth of the world''s quite a shocking thing...especially when it''s explained and handled so casually, like it''s no big deal" (Chieftain)


    Chuckling along with the skinkle chief, I''d smile internally as the craftskinkle lay down the materials from the tent, having placed three bone rods of roughly equal length out first. As they are laying them down, I''d take the opportunity to grab the coverings they had and pull them into my inventory, and quickly set about pulling them apart. Unsewing the hides then, resewing them into the disk with a hole, flaps, and overlaps for some spots before laying it out next to the skinkle to look at. I would then take a single long strip of that hide and weave it over, under, around and back, repeating to bind the three bone rods together, making sure to loop every now and then around the middle bone as well to make a ''rope hinge'' type situation, before tying it off. Spending mana to move and manipulate things like this out of my ''inventory'' is...inefficient, but, the mana influx I get from the craftskinkle more then offsets it as they learn that weave method and start to excitedly chatter about potential uses for it.


    ''Now, we''ve got the bulk of the things done for making a tipi, which is what this kind of shelter is called, as you can see, there is a large amount of extra material from just one tent being converted like this, meaning we could get more tipis out of the same amount of bones and hides than we could the prior type of tent. From here you lift it like so, while moving the rods so the tied ends are like this and, wala, you have your tipi frame done, up, and ready to cover. For covering, you do it like this the first time. Hooking this hole here over one of the ''ends'' up at the top, then simply moving around the base and pulling it fairly tight till you get this over lap, Which, if you notice causes these slits to line up, you then take a bone, cut like this, and slot it in, then turn it till these long side to side bits are now up and down and that keeps it from just coming apart as easy. You repeat this with all these slits and it''s good to go. Now, I know some of you noticed the slits along the bottom as well, for those, we just use bones that are, slightly pointed at one end, ribs would work perfectly for this, and can, get things taut, and, held tight to the ground so the wind doesn''t blow under the tipi as easily. There are lastly, two other things to keep in mind, one is this flap up at the top with the long hide trail down, if you pull it this way, it opens up the top of the tipi some, this will allow you to let out smoke if you have a fire inside, or, help keep it cooler during the day, and pulling it this way, closes it up, to help hold the heat in, but never have it closed like this if you have a fire going inside the tipi, as this would trap the smoke and suffocate you. Last, is this big flap here, this, is actually how you get in, and out, of the tipi, there are some rocks sewn into that kind of ''pocket'' along the bottom there so it is weighted and doesn''t flop open or about should there be strong winds, either in the day or at night, and as you can see, the inside area where people can do things is still quite large, while being more efficient than the kind of dome like ones you had before!''


    Whelp, tipi lesson done, and judging by that massive flow of energy, understood by most there. Watching as they take down the tipi I''d put up to show them how, I''d watch them realize they can leave the hide over it like that to easily move it and keep it all as one bundle as the chieftain explains how to reset up their camp, allowing a killing of two birds, one tipi lesson.

 Chapter 30

    Vekla POV


    ''So far, Curator has only helped us in establishing a better camp, and helped us free up some resources from doing so. Yet, they''re not asked anything of us, other than that we listen when they teach. It feels like I''m not living upto the name they so kindly gifted me, nor, my title as his Magical Researcher so this needs to change. If I am to look into things however, I will need a method to record what I learn, and while speaking is a good way to share what''s learned, things may be misunderstood, and not carry through properly as time carries on, or things may be forgotten and not passed on either. This is a conundrum that does need solving, so lets ask Curator on ways to proceed in that manner. Through our bond I do remember seeing that glossy hide with markings and visages of plants and animals of some sort, so they likely have an idea on solving this problem.''


    With those thoughts in mind, I would start making my way to where Curator''s core is. Steadily making my way up the steps as a smaller Poppit decides to ride up on my shoulder. I still remember the minor panic at first when they all showed up, like a tide of beasts, flowing around and over each other like a loose sand in a heavy wind before spreading out and around to do...things. The smallest ones seem to like to stay with us though, and it''s kind of reassuring in a way as some form of help is never far off. Cresting the top of his temple, I would calmly step inside and look upon his core, that ring having grown since last I was up here, and the accumulated mana having reached a point of easily a claws worth of bands.


    "Hello, Curator, I had some things I wanted to ask, as you have knowledge we lack. As the saying goes, there''s no need to begin again, when some one knows how it''s done!" (Vekla)


    "Heyya Vekla, just to make sure I getcha and we''re on the same page here, you mean you have questions about how to handle things you aren''t sure on ''cause ya think I have a solution to it that you aren''t aware of, right?" (Curator)


    "Exactly! Namely, if I''m supposed to ''research'' magic, what exactly does research fully cover? I figure it means to learn about it, but how would I share what is learned, and how would it be preserved so as to not be forgotten or lost?" (Vekla)


    "Well, your kind of right on the learning side of things. When you research something, you learn about it in very high amounts of detail, and, in many cases come up with ways to use what ya learned, then test that using the scientific method. We can go into that side of things in more detail later. Right now though, you are right that being able to record what you learned is the big thing. As it''s always important to be able to reference what you''ve learned prior. I wish we had some paper to use for that, but we don''t have the materials for that, nor even for parchment due to the lack of animal skins to use for making that. I also don''t suppose you can read, or write, so we''d need to work on basic literacy first with that side of things. For now though, why don''t you teach me what you already know of magic, as, for me, magic is something entirely new." (Curator)


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    Blinking in surprise at that sudden response, and one that shifts tracks of logic so quickly about different problems that might arise, it''s clear the call to ask was a good one. That said, it''s quite surprising that Curator wishes me to teach them something, and about magic no less, when they''ve clearly used it and in ways that I wouldn''t have imagined.


    "Curator, forgive me for saying, but, you likely have a better grasp of magic than I do. You''ve moved things with it, built things with it, and imbued it not only in other that you''ve named, but in those few sweet plants we''ve been eating from." (Vekla)


    "Vekla, being able to do something accidentally, based entirely on a hunch or ''I wonder if...'' is not the same as having a baseline understanding. Like, are there any restrictions on what you can do with magic? Is there a way to predict how much mana you will use when doing certain things? Are there spells where you need to chant something to make it happen, or is it all based on your mental image of things? Does it follow elements only, or is it more like an ''aspects'' thing? There is alot I lack when it comes to knowledge of how magic works, as, the place I am from originally didn''t have magic in the slightest. Or at least, not that was observable or interpretable to the kind I was before." (Curator)


    "Oh....well....lets start with the first question. The only restrictions I know of are using magic that''s more than the mana you have is bad, and can kill you. Every one...well maybe not you, but creatures in generally have a heart to move their blood, and a kind of mana heart to store and move their mana, kind of like a form of vitality in a way. If you use up more mana than you''re mana heart has you can destroy it, and that''s kinda like having you''re actual heart be destroyed. If there is too much mana though, that''s also bad, as it''s like over filling a bowl, but, the surface under the bowl melts if it''s made wet. The best way to prevent that though, is kind of how you are storing your mana, by condensing it into rings around the mana heart, I don''t know if there''s much of a limit to the number of rings some one could have, and most folks can only sense their own mana heart, even then only roughly, and not those of others." (Vekla)


    "Okay, so, if mana were water, too much, or too little, is bad. It can be stored though if you do it right, just like water. Good to know." (Curator)


    "On knowing how much mana something will do, that''s less a ''knowing'' how much, and more controlling how much you will use. Kind of like how, you COULD eat an entire sweet leaf, that agave thing, but you''d get sick, so instead you portion it out to what you need. You do the same with mana so that should help on that front, yes? On chanting to use magic, that''s usually just something people do to help focus their thoughts with what they are trying to do, but some effects do have specific names people use for triggering the spell, kind of like a short cut to what you know. So if you are used to conjuring a sword of fire, you get to the point of saying something like ''fire sword'' to make it easier to do, after doing it enough. Elements play a role in some types of magic, and aspects in others. If some one were fate aligned they''d be able to more easily do things like influencing chance and luck, others could likely do this as well, but it would take more mana and effort as long as they aren''t like, a true opposite to that, but that''s also based on knowledge from before you mentioned how fire and ice are basically the same but based on how it''s applied. For what all things magic can do though, that''s almost entirely based on one''s own ideas and thoughts, although things like making physical items from nothing are....immensely mana intensive to the point that I don''t think even you could do it with all the mana you currently have, for even just a pebble." (Vekla)


    "Okay, so manipulate things yes, make things from nothing, no. Portion it out before using to keep safe, and ''spells'' are just mental gymnastics. Makes sense. What about things like bringing things to life that aren''t alive, like stone, or plants, or things like that?" (Curator)


    "I''m...not sure, maybe? Most of the magic I learned from the prior shaman was things like how to treat some injuries or illnesses, and how to use the manapot we had to detect large amounts of mana use" (Vekla)


    "Hmmm, those would still be useful to know how to do, that said, how about you show me those later, after I come up with a way for us to start recording things, eh?" (Curator)

 Chapter 31

    Curator PoV


    So, already hit the first, big, snag in getting these little guys more learned and in a way that''s easy to pass on to future generations. We don''t have anything to really write on, and I don''t think they even have a written language to begin with. It''s quite a set back, but, not one that can''t be overcome, but man oh man, could I REALLY use some trees, or even just palms to get the fronds from. The grasses and yucca likes are nice and all but, they do grow pretty slow, and with the not-agave I don''t want to use the only, sure, food source just to make paper or parchment. Papyrus would be so handy, but, I think that requires more of a river delta to grow in than some random oasis in the middle of no where.


    Poppit is, slowly, helping me get more information about the area surrounding my domain, but...most of the information I get from them is if things are, or aren''t, tasty or seemingly dangerous. I might need to send out skinkles to start looking around the surrounding area as well, but while that''s being done...perhaps setting up a mind of some sort will help for now, at least a way to get something worth while so that if we come across other people we have something to trade with.


    "So, Vekla, I do have some ideas on how to deal with that issue of recording knowledge but we need resources we don''t have here, so for now, that''s going on the back burner. I do need Vahlu to start exploring and reporting on the area surrounding my domain as knowing what surrounds us will help as well, as we''ll know what resources are, or aren''t available. Poppit helps for noticing things like wild animals or dangerous areas, but well...they don''t really have the same sense of ''this is important'' as you, or I would, no offense lil buddy." (Curator)


    My ''personal guard'' Poppit would just give my core what feels like an indignant look before nodding and laying back down. Seems I touched a nerve, but hey, they are supposed to be the Guardian of my domain, not the ''finder of all the things'' after all!


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    "That may be a good idea, take stock of what you have before trying to solve a problem that isn''t life or death. Vahlu is still....hesitant at our place here, so giving him a goal where he feels he is helping our people stay safe and provided for will likely help." (Vekla)


    "Actually, that gives me an idea, mind fetching me both of the brothers? One still has no name, and both could use titles that will help everyone, no?" (Curator)


    Vekla PoV


    Almost taken aback at the sudden request, it''d take a moment for me to process what''s been said. Curator is going to name both the chieftain, and give both of them titles as well. That is, dangerous, that''s alot of mana to spend after all!


    "Curator, I''m sorry if this seems like I doubt you but...that is a large amount of mana to spend, are you sure it''s wise to spend such mana now, you do have a few rings, but....still, that seems like it will make you run low." (Vekla)


    "Ah, no worries there Vekla. You only speak up cause ya care about my well being, and, well, I''ve found that teaching y''all to the point of understanding things actually gets me more mana. It makes sense since I was told I''m an aspect of knowledge. So I''ll get it back soon enough, big thing for now though is to help cement roles and goals early on. Vahlu knows how to hunt, search, and forage, so I won''t have to teach him much to get him up to speed on continuing to do so, and the chieftain will need to know how to manage logistics, and start learning the basics of running a settlement. So I will get plenty back, in time, but...ah, you likely don''t have any sayings that would make sense then. What I was...before, we had a saying to so good seed lest your fields lay fallow, and even things like planting trees you''ll never see the shade of which I don''t think applies to me anymore." (Curator)


    Breathing a sigh of relief, I''d nod in response. It seems my worries were unfounded, and more importantly, Curator understood that it wasn''t insubordination rather just concern for it''s well being. After all, if it were to disappear, what would happen to those of us left behind.


    "As you say, I will go fetch them, and will return shortly." (Vekla)


    Curator PoV


    Watching Vekla scamper off like I can''t help but be touched by the fact that he actually seems to care beyond just what he directly gets out of things. That''s good, hopefully, others will be like that too. Now then, Vahlu is the chieftain''s brother, and I named the former shaman Vekla....maybe another ''Va'' type name for the chieftain? Hmmm...titles are easy, for the chieftain, he will be my Steward, the one who maintains and plans for the needs of those in my domain, where as Vahlu should be our chief Forager. While it usually has to do with food, to forage is ''to wander in search of'' so a forager would be one who wanders in search of things, food being one sure, but not the only thing!


    Now then...what should we call the chieftain....

 Chapter 32

    Curator POV


    So, Vekla did not disappoint in bringing the brother''s here so quickly, well no time like the present.


    "So you two, your tribe now has security in my domain, and help from my knowledge. So it''s time for one of you to be named, and both, to get roles. You''ll likely change in ways similar as Vekla here did when I gave him his name, any objections or complaints before we start?" (Curator)


    "I have none, I''ve already lead the tribe to a more prosperous future just by encountering you so a new purpose would be nice." (Chieftain)


    "My brother may not have much complaint with it, but I don''t wanna become some stay in the tent busy body from this." (Vahlu)


    "Oh, no worries there. I actually do put some thought into assigning purposes and names, believe it or not. Like how Vekla will be researching magic for me, which aligns well with having been a shaman, or how Babe is to tend and organize the great library I wish to build. And Poppit, such a fun little thing, when you aren''t a danger to him, or a snack, makes them a good choice to protect folks, and their change made that all the easier on all fronts, no?" (Curator)


    Watching the reactions of the pair, it''s easy to see the slight relief on Vahlu''s face, and the contemplation on the Chieftains. Looks like the chieftain might be connecting the dots on how his roll will be to care for the every day needs and logistics of things here. Hmmm....eventually that will need some form of written language, the question is, do we make one, or just, use a language I know well already? Actually, that brings up the question of, if we even ARE speaking English or does mana act like some sort of auto-translator that would have made certain programs before the technological black out, cry in shame?


    "Wait...does that mean I''ll still be leading the people? Even with you here?" (Chieftain)


    "Got it in one...Vaslo, the Steward. Who better to lead your people, than the one that''s lead them here. Now, you will still be a subordinate of mine, but, most things regarding leading your people will be left to you, I''ll be here to advise, and if I see something that will cause issues, I''ll let you know as well. A tribe, village, civilization or nation all requires cooperation. Also, you may have noticed the similarity in your new name with your brother Vahlu, the Forager, I figured that could work well, starting your name with that Va sound since you are brothers, of roughly the same age from what I can tell." (Curator)


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    Feeling the mana flow out as I name Vaslo, and give both the brother''s titles, I''d watch with curiosity as they begin to change, similar, but different to Vekla, but, having a lot more similarities between each other, the ''crest'' horns for the brothers being curled similar to a ram''s as opposed to the straits that Vekla has. Similar deep blue coloration though. Vaslo is bulking up quite a bit to be more on par with his brother, the later only needing more of a shift of stature compared to what happens with the un-named skinkles.


    Turning my focus to Vekla, he looks, enraptured as he watches the changes and mana flows, maybe since it''s something he went through like the chieftain, and with both brothers being more ''the same'' as he was previously this gives him more insight onto how the changes happen. Perhaps he can gleam some ideas for this to try and apply, after all, knowledge is something good, but, it''s only useful if well, it has a practical use!


    Vaslo POV


    Strength...more strength than I''ve ever felt, just...flowing into me. Is this what Vahlu felt like when he was named, or Vekla for that mater? This is...great, it feels weird, and...small bits of pain at times, but, still the good way outshines the bad! Curator said I''d be a steward...based on phrasing that has something to do with taking care of my people, but beyond that I''ve not much idea what it means. Then again, Curator constantly brings in new concepts and ideas, but, in a good way, they help us move forward.


    Looking at my hands, clenching them slightly and moving things it feels so....right in a way. Like a binding I didn''t know I had was removed. The changes in my body feel more comfortable in a way I hadn''t even thought might be the case. Like this is how I should be. How WE should be. Is this what my tribe once was back in the days lost to history? Or maybe, this was what we were intended to become and something got out of sorts along the way and Curator has put us back on the right track? It''s hard to tell, but I will do my best to show I''m worth this change.


    Vahlu POV


    A strange...weirdness fills me as Curator calls me a Forager, whatever that means. Perhaps it has to do with my role of looking for and bringing back things useful to the tribe. That''d be nice if I still got to do that. Twitching my tail as it changes, I can already feel how much more flowing the motions are. Feels like I''m moving it through air when before it was through loose sand. How much better will I be able to find things for the tribe now I wonder?


    Looking over at my brother I can see the changes in him, likely mirrored on myself to a degree, but he is filling out nicely becoming more than just scales and bones like so many of our tribe are, even if Curator doesn''t seem to know the degree of it. They do however, seem to know the dangers of eating too much, too fast, when you''ve not eaten in a long while, and the dangers of food being poison and ways to test for such. Perhaps my earlier caution was misplaced, however, if I were incautious of things, then I might have brought back things that could have harmed folks, so maybe caution isn''t such a bad thing.


    Vekla POV


    Magnificent. Simply Magnificent. Watching how the mana flows out of Curator''s core, and into the brothers almost like dust in water, but flowing into them like one breathes in air. Perhaps this is a trick I should teach Curator also, incase it doesn''t know it. Seeing how the magic flows into, and through, the brothers is...enlightening. How it moves to rebuild their bodies, reshape them into this new form. Perhaps this could be applied to healing and mending wounds also? Flowing the mana like threads through tears to stitch it back together like the craftspeople build the tents. Swirling it through stiffened joints like mixing water with bone marrow paste to make sure it''s all uniform.


    Even just watching this has so many ideas flowing. Such things to test out and try. Not on my kin, if it can be helped of course, but some scraps of leather, and even some plant leaves could make a good medium to experiment with these things.

 Chapter 33

    Curator POV


    As the brothers finish changing I watch, giving them a bit of time to get used to moving again. Seems like a ''fish in water'' situation as they quickly finish some basic stretches and movements and seeing how limber, and in the case of Vaslo, how strong they are.


    "So, how do y''all feel?" (Curator)


    "Better than ever. I do have a question though, what is a ''steward'' and what do they do?" (Vaslo)


    "And what is a ''forager'' exactly?" (Vahlu)


    "Ah, both excellent questions! Lets start with you Vaslo, since you asked first. A Steward is one who supports a group of people. Basically you''ll still be chieftain of your people, but, you''ll still be ''under'' me in a sense. Day to day running of the camp and most things will still be deferred to you, but I''ll still give a direction and even offer plenty of advice. Logistics, supply, food stocks and distribution, all that stuff would fall to you. Now, onto you Vahlu. A Forager is one who Forages. To forage is to search for goods, mostly food, but also other things as well. Functionally, you''ll mostly be a hunter still, but you''ll also look for plants, seeds, other groups out in the desert, and be my eyes and ears outside the sphere of my direct influence. Don''t worry, you''ll still be able to travel and seek with Poppit''s in tow, as it wouldn''t make sense to leave you unguarded while out and about. The reason to also search for plants in addition to meat is that many plants can be used for various medi....er...healing properties. We can also grow and cultivate plants as a long term, sustainable, food source as well, or make materials with which to record information or provide protection and storage." (Curator)


    Now that those roles are better defined, things can start moving forward. I totally didn''t explain things in such detail to recoup some of the mana spent on naming and titling just now. Nope, not at all, and that rush of feeling the energy flowing in is just the sign of a job well done!


    "Any other questions? If not, I''ll let you both get to it, in the ways you think feel right. I do want you''re people to thrive as, in a way, I''ve adopted you all as my people." (Curator)


    "Uh...right, no questions here. It''ll be nice to get back to roaming again, and the extra assurance of our little, vicious, guardians will help ease a lot of nerves." (Vahlu)


    The smug look on Poppit''s face after that is said, must have been imagined. There''s no way that noodly thing can make a smug face with those mandibles...right?


    "And I should get back to the day to day running of things, this newfound energy and strength should help immensely with keeping things running smoothly. It''ll also show our kin that you aren''t stingy with your gifts, and that, they should, with time, get their own names and roles." (Vaslo)


    ????? POV


    "Boss, that group of little lizard kin we were keeping an eye on has just up and vanished. Somethin'' had em spooked so our scouts came back to report, and when they got back to where that camp was it was just...gone. Nothing left, and no real indication of where they went." (???)


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    "Damnit you idjits, how hard is it to keep an eye on some unawakened tribals who are barely scraping by enough to not starve? You do know without blank templates for th'' church to experiment with we don''t get paid, right?" (Boss)


    "I know boss, I know. What does th'' church even want them for anyway, they ain''t full beastkin or anythin'' of the like, an'' alot of the lads wanna know why we can''t just go huntin'' for slaves in some place not so damn hot." (???)


    "Dunno, but, for the price of one of these things for the church we make twice as much coin as th'' normal slaves, and, with a lot less danger. Not much to worry about when fightin'' these folks if ya do th'' prep work for a proper ambush first and kill their strongest fighters." (Boss)


    "Got it boss, dun ask so as t'' not ruffle any feathers. An'' will say, yer right there, should we head back now with th'' group we already got in th'' cages though? Cut our losses, make th'' sale then come back and start lookin'' fer more?" (???)


    "Nah, we should fill the wagons up proper with a haul, after all, the dumb lizards couldn''ta got far from where that camp was before, they''re travelin'' on foot and hauling all that gear after all. Doubly so, if they got folks clearin'' the trail afterwards which is odd that they did anyway." (Boss)


    "Maybe one of th'' scouts got spotted. That team has a rookie on it if I r''member right, and would make more sense as t'' why they cleared their tracks, right?" (???)


    "Good call Terris. S''why yer my right hand. Bring th'' green horn, we''re gonna have a lil chat, and he''s gonna do some work." (Boss)


    "You got it boss!"


    Vahlu POV


    Moving is so easy now. I was stronger than the others before but now, it just feels so much more free, like I was fighting myself before without knowing it. Quickly padding down the steps of Curators...temple I guess, it''s a quick, brisk, walk back to camp. Heading to my tent, I grab my sand board, and the sack I normally take with me when going out hunting. We may say it''s hunting, but really, it''s always been more of scavenging than anything. As I check my bag to make sure it''s got a few rations in it so I can recover my strength if needed, I feel the presence of some one watching me.


    "Can I help you?" (Vahlu)


    "Ah, sorry to ''peep'' but I wanted to see what kind of equipment you were working with currently. You don''t seem to have a spear, or a knife, so what do you use to take down your prey when you find it?" (Curator)


    "Ah. We call it hunting but usually it''s just looking for weakened, mostly dead, or recently dead animals. Much less risk that way, and much less chance of failure." (Vahlu)


    "Fair enough, but, you should at least have a knife, a water skin to take some water with you, and maybe a sling since there isn''t much in the way of rods or the like to use and well, pebbles and rocks are fairly common, and, we can even make those. I''ll see about instructing some of the craftsfolk in making those tools for you, in the mean time, if you need something snipped or cut, just ask Poppit for help, fair enough?" (Curator)


    Taken a bit aback by the sudden interest in what I do, and, the push to ensure I had tools to work with, it''d take a moment to gather my thoughts and reply.


    "Fair enough, but why do you care so much? Why try to help us be better than we were instead of taking what you need. Why teach us and instruct us on new things like you do? Why help?" (Vahlu)


    "The people I....used to be one of had a terminology for this actually. We called it selfish altruism. That''s what we''d typically say is an oxymoron. Words that normally have opposite meanings but taking on new meaning when together. In this case, to be selfish is to only care about ones self to the detriment of others, altruism is the act of caring for others without regard to one''s self. Selfish Altruism, is helping others in order to help yourself down the road. As I teach you things, it gives me mana with which to do things and sustain myself. It also lets me have a more efficient way to learn things about this...situation I find myself in and ensure my own safety and that things I want done can actually be done. For you, it creates stability and security like your people have not really had before so you can grow and be more than you once were. It''s honestly a form of mutualism. You need me, and I need you all, so it makes no sense to be mean or bad about it, as that will result in driving us apart." (Curator)


    Pondering all that has been explained here, the core isn''t wrong. It does need us, but, for our people to thrive and become more than we were, we also need it. Like cactus flowers needing wasps to spread their pollen, but, giving the wasp sweet nectar to do so, one cannot thrive without the other.


    "That...makes a lot of sense actually. Thank you for taking the time to explain that too me. It helps me understand a lot better that you will look out for us, and why we too, should and will, look out for you too." (Vahlu)


    "Glad to help, and I knew ya understood without ya sayin'' it!" (Curator)

 Chapter 34

    ????? POV


    "Brought th'' greenhorn like ya said Boss!" (Terris)


    "Good. Now then, freshy, how ya gonna make up f''r the loss of that group we were gonna snatch and sell off?" (''The Boss'')


    "Well, they ain''t coulda gone far right, so we just gotta find ''em again and snatch ''em right? An'' it''d make sense to go the direction they''d sent out that big hunt party right? So''s we should go west from where we spotted em and we should fine ''em again...I think?" (''Greenhorn'')


    "So ya ain''t completely brain dead then. Good. Terris, grab one of th'' one''s we''ve got already, slap a collar on ''em and make them act like a translator fer ya. Hmmm...we ain''t wantin'' t'' have t'' hunt ''em down again, so take an empty slave wagon, an'' that beast t'' pull it, yanno th'' one. Oh, an'' greenhorn, if ya screw this up, yer gonna be on th'' beasts menu. Ya get me?" (''The Boss'')


    "Yeah....I uh...I getcha boss"


    Vahlu POV


    Preparing for a bit of roaming was always something before, but now its...honestly alot less stressful. The little Poppit ridding on my back and shoulder while holding my emergency food sack in it''s mandibles. Tucking my sandboard under my arm as I leave my tent, I''m quickly spotted by some of the other hunters who quickly grab their kits with nods toward me.


    "You don''t have to go if you don''t want to, yanno." (Vahlu)


    "We don''t have too, but all of us are gettin'' a bit...antsy without something to do and bein'' cooped up in camp like this. Yanno how it goes!" (hunts-skink)


    "Fair enough. I figured we''d roam out toward the old campsite a bit.. Check and make sure we didn''t forget anything important at the old campsite, not that I think we did, and then on the way back just swing around a bit from the path, like this." (Vahlu)


    Drawing two circles in the sand, one bigger than the other, I''d then draw a line from the big circle to the little circle. From there an upward ark from the small circle back to the big one.


    "This route will get us to the old spot quickly to do that quick check, then let us look for other things of interest on the way back. Any complaints?" (Vahlu)


    "I got one their Vahlu. What if we did an ark in to the old place too, get even more ground covered, and, not take the same path back that we took out here in the first place. Last thing we want is for a new greater sand runner to be out there after Poppit made a snack of one. They usually avoid our numbers but, better to be cautious." (veteran hunts-skink)


    "Good call out, wasn''t even thinkin'' on those things, and while Poppit had eaten one so easily before, that was...before. Let''s put it like that. A''right then, make sure ya got your own Poppit with ya, Curator seems keen on keeping us safe, they are light, and, if they help out, some things that might have been a problem to deal with might not be." (Vahlu)


    Waiting for confirmations from the others and seeing the little sandtraps crawling up onto their partners, even as the older hunts folk with me suppress their reflexive shudders, we''d quickly wrap up our preparations. That''s when that familiar presence naggles in the back of my head.


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    "By the by Vahlu, if you run into any serious problems, don''t be afraid to call for help. There are some...tricks...I may be able to pull out of my proverbial hat t'' help out. No guarantees on all of them, but if it''s serious, no tricks, I''ll just use the tried and true method of the people I was of before. Throw a rock, and, if that doesn''t work, it just means you didn''t throw a big enough rock! Jokes aside, I''m only a mental shout of help away, and you know I''m not afraid to get my ''hands'' dirty." (Curator)


    "Got it. A''right you guys, lets head out, I want to be back before sun down!" (Vahlu)


    With a chorus of ''got its'' and slight cheers, the band of hunters heads out. Lead by Vahlu, the eight person team would head out, following the planned route, as best the could anyway!


    Vaslo POV


    While my brother is preparing for his excursion outside Curator''s domain, I''m getting a crash course on the ''needs'' as it were. Babe listens in ''ceiling'' of his core chamber, and Vekla sits beside me, also eager to learn more of what Curator knows.


    "So, what I''m going to cover first is what my people called the ''rule of 3s''. Really useful way to order things by importance in various situations. First of these rules is ''3 minutes without air'' this means if you were to fall into the water of the oasis and be fully under it, or get buried deep in the sand, we''d have about three minutes to get you out to keep you from death." (Curator)


    "Sorry to interrupt but...what''s a minute?" (Vekla)


    I''m so glad that the sh...Vekla is here, he asked before I could and that saves me the embarrassment of not knowing something Curator seems to think is basic knowledge.


    "Okay...that''s...a good question. So, if we say this world has the same length of a full day, one day would be twenty four hours. Each hour, would be comprised of sixty minutes. So it''s a...fairly...short unit of time, not much at all. When I say a full day I mean sun at the highest point in the sky to that same time after it''s set and risen again. This little explanation here? You could fit it, once, maybe twice in a minute." (Curator)


    "Oh, so, very short amount of time. Gotcha, and I can see why that''d make it the highest priority since it''d kill you the fastest." (Vekla)


    "Exactly. These rules are all about ''not dying'' but still make for good fundamentals to check against before trying to thrive instead of just survive. Next on the list is three hours of exposure. This means you should do something about getting out of the elements to an extent within three hours, or if we go based on the sun, the same time it''d take to go from highest point in the sky to halfway to sunset. That''s about 3 hours, now, imagine what would happen to you, without any shelter, or shade, if you were under the sun for that entire time? It...might not be as hard on yall with scales but those without scales would potentially perish in that time. From over heating, or dehydration. A better way to think on it would be, outside after the moon is to the highest point for that same amount of time. You''d probably be dead if you didn''t burrow into the sand, or, have a tent to help hold the warmth in through the night." (Curator)


    Nodding along with what he says, that makes perfect sense, nights are dangerous for that reason, it gets so cold, one can feel their flesh getting hard and stiff if exposed to it for too long. There don''t seem to be any questions there from anyone.


    "Next rule, the third rule of threes, is three days without water. Most things can''t survive from being properly hydrated, for more than three days, there are exceptions to this, but as a general rule, creatures usually need some form of liquid intake every three days to not risk drying out to the point that their organs start to shut down. With right now, water is a reliable resource for you all so that''s not really an issue currently, the big thing will be to ensure that folks do their uh...business, from cleaning to...letting out waste...decently far away, and, in a way that, should we suddenly get rain, it won''t be washed into the oasis and contaminate it. In more crass terms: don''t piss or shit in the place your water flows up from." (Curator)


    "Makes sense, and we did set up the waste pit in a way so that our camp is between it, and the oasis, so that should be fine" (Vaslo)


    "Good, good. Next is 3 weeks without food. While going that long without eating isn''t pleasant, it''s possible, but, makes one susceptible to something called ''refeeding syndrome'' that''s actually why on our first meeting I was so...insistent that you eat slowly Vekla. I didn''t want you to eat so fast that it shocked your system and made your internals decide they''d rather just not anymore, in the simplest way to put it. It''s much more complicated than that, but, either way, it''d lead to death in most cases." (Curator)


    Looking over to Vekla I can see the big gulp he reflexively takes before nodding.


    "Thanks for...keeping that in mind when we first met. I didn''t even know something like that could happen." (Vekla)


    "I''m glad you did also, otherwise many of us may have just...stuffed our faces on those tasty leaves and killed half the clan!" (Vaslo)


    "I''m just glad you all listened to me on that. Now onto the current state of things, for now, we''ve all those bases covered to an extent, the only thing that needs more notable work is food. We''ve got more of the leaves, but, unless we get more of those plants growing it''s a limited resource, and from there we''re back to the situation of you all needing to hunt down everything and hope it''s enough. That''s actually why Vahlu is heading out again already, he''s not ONLY hunting, but also keeping an eye out for plants and other things to bring back. Who knows, maybe there are other critters out there that could be brought back for raising to later be butchered like cattle." (Curator)


    "That is...sadly the state of things isn''t it? We are needing just a bit more to get truly stable to then work on improving other things, like making better shelters and such. Yes?" (Vaslo)


    "Exactly! Like I said, it''s a good foundation to build on. Take my chamber here, and the sandstone it''s built from and atop. I didn''t set this just on the sand, that''d make it shift and move, it extends DEEP into the sands, so that it won''t move, anchored down deep. Stable, and a strong foundation to have things upon." (Curator)

 Chapter 35

    Terris POV


    Trudging through the sand as our wagon is dragged by the beast. Wheels locked up into wide boards acting like skis to function more like a sleigh, causes the soft grinding shift of the sand as that heavy thing is pulled by that loan sod. The clanking of chains as the beast shifts to move that weight, yet absent from the small, mottled brown and green lizard like creature as it scratches at a heavy metal band around it''s neck, causing runes to glow brightly for a moment before it shudders and stops.


    ''Gotta thank the boss for sending me out like this. Easy way to fix the problem caused by that stupid green horn, one way or the other. Heh, wonder if he knows about my bad habits then. Probably does, an'' that''s why we get along so good.''


    Stopping as the beast lets out a soft, almost mad sounding cackle, from it''s frothy jowls, we''d take a moment to survey things. The greenhorn being first to break the silence.


    "Hey, Terris, you see that motion over there?" (Greenhorn)


    "Yeah, I see it freshmeat, what about it?" (Terris)


    "Don''t it look kinda like those scouty types, an'' why''d''ya call me ''freshmeat''?" (Greenhorn)


    Giving him a wicked grin for a moment, to really set him on edge, I''d then look toward that movement again, raising a slightly shaky hand to shield my eyes. Sure enough, it does look like those little lizardshits we''re out here to nab. Lucky fuck this Greenhorn is.


    "Cause, that''s what you''ll be if ya fuck this up again." (Terris)


    Kicking the lizard toward that movement we''d start trudging that way further, keeping an eye on the still hazy, shapes of what looks like our quarry.


    Vahlu POV


    Strangers in the desert. I don''t recognize them, or what they are, for the most part. There''s a member of the Mudscales with them, which means they shouldn''t be bad. That thought''s quickly changed when the larger of the tall ones kicks the Mudscale sending it sprawling a moment before it gets up and hurriedly moves to stay in front of the small group, but not so far as to run away.


    "Curator, do you know what those things are?" (Vekla)


    "Hmm...what was that, let me take a looksie. Yeah...looks like a...green and brown one of your people with some sort of collar on, two humans and....I''d call it a spiky hyena with scabies? Ooooh and a nice big sleigh. That''s handy dandy. Why?" (Curator)


    "Because, they kicked the Mudscale with them and while it got a decent bit away from them, it didn''t run away. Mudscales are gentle folk. They live in oases, and will run or swim away from danger instead of fight. Not stay close to it. They''re another clan, we even occasionally have swapped members of our tribes well in the past as a token of kinship." (Vahlu)


    "Ah...yeah, that''s not very nice. Stay alert then, see what''s up with the humans, see if you can''t rescue the Mudscale. Poppits should tunnel forward, I''ll guide them on some...negotiation tactics that should work, should things go somewhat south." (Curator)


    Nodding and relaying everything communicated between myself and Curator through the link we share since being given my role, my hun....foragers rather, would spread you some, fanning out to make it harder for us to be pressed together as we approach these...humans. As we do so, we all feel the Poppits with each of us drop down before rapidly disappearing under the sand.


    Terris POV


    Lucky, lucky, lucky. This greenhorn really does have the devils luck. Bad stuff happens to push him to the brink of ruin before he has a windfall like no other. It really is those little lizard shits, and they''re comin'' to us. They did spread out a bit, so it''s clear they see us, but that''s no matter, we got our lil mouth piece here to talk to ''em for us.


    "Look alive you scaly fuck. If ya know what''s good for ya, you''ll tell them we''re yer chums, an'' that we''ve a nice safe place fer all of ''em t'' have a gran'' ol'' time at." (Terris)


    Giving a final, I hope menacing growl, to the barely more than a beast, we brought to talk with the yokels, I''d turn to the Greenhorn.


    "Yanno rook, you really are one luck fuck, ain''tcha. Shit seems to go bad for ya, then all of a sudden, at th'' ''leventh hour, ya really do pull one outcher ass. We should start callin'' you Rabbit''s Foot, hahaha" (Terris)


    "Uh...thanks, I guess. Not sure if that''s a compliment, or an insult." (Greenhorn)


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    "It''s a warnin''. If that luck runs out, well, where d'' ya think the get the rabbit''s feet fer them charms?" (Terris)


    Watching the newbie gulp in realization of the veiled threat I''d nod before turning my attention back to our little negotiator and doing a double take. Those things we were out here to nab closed that distance fast on those small wooden boards. More importantly though, they''re being led by a kobold, which means they''re not just nearly braindead idiots.


    "Be ready t'' run like yer life depends on it greeny. The one leadin'' em is a kobold, not just one of these almost feral still primitives. Kobolds are clever, quick, an'' dangerous, and while that pointy bone he''s usin'' as a spear ain''t as scary as th'' weapons we go, it''ll still skewer ya all th'' same." (Terris)


    Curator POV


    Watching Vahlu and one of the huntskinks draw up to the group, I can''t help but mentally smile as I can feel Poppits in position under the two men. One of them looks slightly gaunt, other that a fat belly, his hands and legs slightly shake as he stands there, the other looks hale, and hearty, if a bit scared and like a fish out of water. Hearing them speak, I can only make out a few bits of it, the rest being almost nonsensical to me. Almost like listening to the adults in those old Charlie Brown cartoons way back when. I do hear ''kobold'' and ''dangerous'' though, which lets me know this two do at least recognize what Vahlu is now.


    "Hello friend, what brings you so far from where your clan normally resides?" (Vahlu)


    "Supposed to tell you, they are friends, and they have a nice safe place to have a ''grand old time'' at. They didn''t tell me not to tell you this is lie. Thing on neck though can hurt me if they tell it too, or I don''t do what they say. Doesn''t hurt if they didn''t say not to say something though." (Mudscale)


    Ah, it''s so lovely when people compel others but don''t ensure to keep them from finding a loophole. Speaking of holes, my oh my Poppit, do you see those trouser holes, oh so close to the sand? You do, whoo''s a good horror noodle! Yes you are! How about we teach these two a thing or, a pair of things, about coercive negotiation tactics shall we?


    Poppit POV


    Curator has a fun thing for us to do! They say it''s a game called ''squirrel revival. We don''t know what a ''squirrel'' is, but we hope it''s tasty! We do know what to do for this game though, as four of us lunge up out of the sand, one up each of those ''trouser'' legs as Curator called them. Up and up, and quickly too, as these strange human birdies start to dance and shout only to stop dead still as four sets of mandibles gently grip onto some weird dangly bits. Curator said not to grip tooooo hard, and to grab the eyeball shaped lumps in the dangliest part, then they and Vahlu would handle most the rest, we only need to listen to if we should or shouldn''t squeeze more. The squealing sound as we grip and shift every now and then are funny to listen too though!


    Vahlu POV


    Watching as these huemahns start to jump and move to bat at their pants only to stop and whimper cause me a mean grin at the pair. While I can...feel for them as a fellow, based on where the Poppits went up their pants legs, that''s about all the sympathy I have for them. Turning to the Mudscale I''d speak.


    "You are going to be okay, and safe. Curator said to rescue you, and Poppit is helping with that also. As you can see by the state of those...huemahns, this isn''t an idle well wishing. Curator doesn''t understand much of what they say, but you seem too, so you will need to act as the go between for now. Are you...okay doing that?" (Vahlu)


    Turning to me with eyes wide as saucers the Mudscale would nod rapidly, even as it closes it''s legs slightly. Seems this one is a male too, a shame as they''ve quite the fetching facial ridges.


    "First things first, tell them to take the hurty thing off you. And that if they don''t, they''ll regret not doing so. Then tell them Curator, the...ruler I guess...of the closest domain demands they say why they are here." (Vahlu)


    "I...I will do this. They do have all of my tribe in cages at their camp though. I think they are here for us. Why they brought me to talk, try and get you easy too. They don''t realize how good our hearing is though. Say lots of important things about church and mohnehy for taking us from our homes" (Mudscale)


    "Well then, seems I may need to teach them a thing or two about picking on people, and why that''s a bad idea, but first, let''s get that collar off you" (Curator)


    Terris POV


    Feeling...something crawling up my pant legs, I try and jump away from whatever it is, moving to swat at my inner thigh, only to stop half way as...something starts to grip at each of my balls. Tight enough to not feel nice, but not so much to be really painful, I can only groan as I hear the greenhorn whimpering in pain.


    Turning my head to watch the kobold talk to that scaly turd a moment I see it turn to talk to us, and as it opens it''s mouth I more...FEEL the words press into my skull than hear them.


    Well then, seems I may need to teach them a thing or two about picking on people, and why that''s a bad idea, but first, let''s get that collar off you


    ''FUCK! FUCK FUCK FUCKITY FUCK FUCK! NO ONE SAID THERE WAS A DUNGEON OUT HERE!''


    "Ruler of close place, says you make ouchy thing come off, or you regret. Then want know why here proper." (Mudscale)


    As the...thing...says the word regret, I can only fight down a wave of nausea as whatever''s clamping my boys tightens down for a short while before relaxing. Panting as my vision swims from the ache I can only nod before speaking the command word to remove the slave collar.


    "Loquacious." (Terris)


    As I say that, there''s a loud pop and then a snap as the collar pops open and falls off the small thing, causing it to cackle slightly and rub at it''s slightly raw neck before hopping up and down in glee for a moment. A small cough from the kobold though brings it back down and to task.


    "Why you here, exacly?" (Mudscale)


    "Church is paying for primitive beast folk that don''t have fully awakened mana hearts. Most of you lot are like that. It''s good, easy, money. What the church does, we don''t care, we just want gold, with as little risk as we can get." (Greenhorn)


    Looking at the rookie with a glare, that makes him shrink back before halting and groaning out in pain, I''d turn to the Kobold, only to spit at it''s feet.


    "Fuckin'' coward lizard. Coulda fought us like real men instead of grabbin'' us by th'' balls like this." (Terris)


    Ah, and I know who will be the Message to your ilk. What few I let leave that is. After all, dead men tell no tales to keep scum like you out. Seems the other one gets to play the messenger though, and, if he plays his cards right, will be one that gets to leave, and alive at that!


    Curator POV


    Slavers. No other way to put it, but slavers. Rounding folks up, to sell them like property. These aren''t just like, animals that don''t have any sort of civilization to them. But honest to goodness people. I can almost feel the hatred flowing off me, as the last moments of my prior life spring to mind. I don''t even notice as my mana is spent to pick up the language of this...scum...as they converse with the Mudscale.


    "Fuckin'' coward lizard. Coulda fought us like real mean instead of grabbin'' us by th'' balls like this." (Terris)


    That''s it. No more nice dungeon. These scumsucking slaver assbags wanna be nasty to MY people. They want to try and enslave, not only their friends and kin, but them also? Nah. Fuck. That. I will teach them a lesson. A dark, nasty, horrid lesson.


    "Ah, and I know who will be the message to your ilk. What few I let leave that is. After all, dead men tell no tales to keep scum like you out. Seems the other one gets to play the messenger though, and, if he plays his cards right, will be one that gets to leave, and alive at that!"


    Think a moment about how I wish to do this, I don''t notice the expressions that cross Vahlu''s face. First the slight fear at my rage. Then understanding as he understands this is a righteous fury. Next shock, quickly replaced by absolute horror as my dark ideas of how to, properly, send this message bubble upto the forefront of my mind.


    While I might not notice, the mudscale and the humans do, causing one to speak, even if not too me.


    "Well...seems my devil''s luck still holds, really sucks to be you I bet." (Greenhorn)

 Chapter 36

    Vahlu POV


    Curator is....furious. Rightly so I might add, but, it seems they''ve noticed more bad than I knew of with the...angry one. That fury though isn''t the hot, burning thing I''ve always felt when my temper flares. Now, this is hot yes, but sharp, focused, like the point of a spear, not the spread rage of the sun. Some of the fleeting images I see are...shocking but, in this case I''ve no idea what''s being plotted so I can only just see what happens for now.


    "So big guy, you think you are big, strong and tough? Sure, you''re bigger than my lil friends are, but your more of a monster than that thing pulling your wagon-sleigh thing, aren''t you. I''ve noticed that constant tremble in your hands, and arms, bet you think you''re real slick, but no no, that rage is real. That means you aren''t afraid so much as you are angry. Miss a fix of your favorite poison did we? Or perhaps it''s something else hmmm? You know, I remember old legends of a people in a different time and place. A dark creature, created when some one commits a very, very specific taboo and the right types of spirits are in the area. As time goes on the monster finds that more and more things it eats outside of that specific taboo no longer sate, or are as enjoyable to eat as ashes. Eventually they are compelled to feast again, and each time they do they become more and more the monster, the cravings get worse, the hunger more intense, and normal food even less satiating. Eventually their fingers will grow into claws, their teeth into fangs, their limbs growing longer and gangly. Their hair falls out for the most part and what remains is wispy, and they look almost skeletal outside a bloated and swollen belly, almost like a pregnant woman, that they never can loose. At that point though they are driven only by that endless hunger, that need for the right flesh. Any of that sound familiar, mister message to be?" (Curator)


    Watching the angry one as Curator speaks I can see more and more color drain from his face. That anger draining into a look of fear. That same sort of fear, and maybe realization, like a naughty child has when caught trying to sneak extra water back when that had to be rationed.


    "My oh my, I hit the nail on the head in one didn''t I mister Wendigo to be. Count your blessings that you''ll be long dead before that can happen, if it''s even possible in this place. How many people have you eaten, or eaten from to have that constant tremble I wonder? Oh, that is the reason for that by the way. It''s called a prion disease, basically, the thing that make up the muscles can fold wrong when you eat the meat of your own species, and the more you do it, the worse it gets. Willin'' to bet you wanted to make the fellah who mentioned having devil''s luck your next victim eh? No one to witness, you could blame it on that beast pulling your wagon, or maybe my people after capturin'' em or somethin'' right? Not that it matters now, but Poppit is going to have some real fun with you. Oh, and congratulations, you''ll be the first ones to see this happen if it works!" (Curator)


    Feeling a bit queasy as Curator explains what''s wrong with the, no longer angry, one that further anger makes more sense. Cannibalism is a huge taboo, even amongst my kind. Something to only undertake in the most dire of circumstances, and even then, with plenty of cleansing rituals and letting the meat sun bake till it''s tough as hide to make it safe. To do so...to the point of getting a compulsion to do so more...I''m unsure if I should pitty this hu-mahn for having circumstance for that, or despise them for eating the meat of his kin to that extent.


    Curator POV


    Mmmm, that was satisfying, not much in the way of mana on that little teaching moment though. Maybe that mana influx from learning and understanding things only applies to goings on within my domain or to my uh...we''ll call them chosen? Good to know if that is the case, I''ll need to look into that later. Now comes the fun bit, and Poppit already has a small boyo ready to try this with, awesome! You really are the best eldritch horror noodle ain''t ya buddy!


    Concentrating a bit, I would pull that Poppit into my ''pocket space'' only to then visualize dropping it out of that pocket space right in front of Vahlu. If I can pull things in and take things out, then passing things through from point A to B should work too. Watching that noodle fall to the sand in front of the surprised Vahlu, mudscale, and slavers, I''m almost ready to say that''s a bust before the Poppit lifts it''s head and shakes it''s self off. Through my connection by my death noodle there''s just a sense of ''weird'' as the best way to describe it. More testing to be done on that, but it works, and we''re gonna need a few dozen Poppits out there, plus, you''ll get a good meal buddy, and we get to teach a camp of bad people who''d hurt your friends the true meaning of terror.


    Greenhorn POV


    Terris is a cannibal. A fuckin'' monster, and now that fresh meat comment makes a hell of a lot more sense. Looking at him with disgust my attention is quickly drawn back toward the Kobold as there''s a soft ''POP'' sound like a cork being pulled and a sandtrap ferret just pops into existence near him, falling onto the sand and laying there a moment before getting up and shaking it''s self off. It''s quick to see it''s mandibles are the same color as the kobold''s horns and even my dumb ass can put two and two together.


    "Oh fuck....that''s probably what''s....oh god. Mysterious sky voice of power or whatever, please don''t be the type to ''shoot the messenger''. I swear t'' god an'' all that''s holy, I''ll turn over a new leaf some where, clean up my act, no slavin'', no banditry, not even stealin'' stuff. Hell only reason I joined up with this group was it was that and ditchin'' town quick or maybe loosin'' a hand fer stealin'' some food." (Greenhorn)


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Oh good, you are quite understanding of the situation then! Don''t worry, I won''t kill you, and the few at your camp you can convince to give up on this and turn over a new leaf, AFTER, they subjugate themselves to my justice. I''m such a nice and understanding person that, I''ll even let you keep the coin, and enough supplies to get back to the nearest town on foot with. Aren''t I just the greatest? Oh, and before you start trying to flatter me, that was intended as sarcasm. Nono my ''lucky'' friend, you and the survivors will be left alive to spread what you''ve seen out here. As they say, dead men tell no tales, and you lot will be great for spreading tales of what can happen if you wrong me, or my people. Well, that and being generally evil pieces of shit and stumbling across my domain. Hopefully there are a few more like you that ain''t murderers or worse in the group, eh, so chin up, and...well, enjoy the show! (Curator)


    As this...being....says this, the words less ''audible'' and more ''rattling my brain'' the horror grows as that popping sound repeats, again, and again, and again. So rapidly it''s almost as if the local inn had an accident and let their wines and ales over heat. Watching on in terror is all I can do as dozens of sand traps just blink into existence, most of them are small, but a few larger ones are mixed into the group as I suppress a shudder. That pressure on my balls goes away as does the furry things in my trouser legs too allowing me to stand proper, even if I give my aching orbs a gentle rub to sooth them after that experience.


    "This...this is terrifying. You said it''d be a show but....summoning so many sandtrap ferrets like this is...beyond what I''d expected." (Greenhorn)


    Hahahahaha, oh my sweet summer child. The show has yet to begin, this is merely me getting together all the actors for this performance. Oh and it will be one to haunt your dreams. I do hope you have a strong stomach, and I do expect you to watch to the end, after all, if you choose not too, well, I may choose to remove you from the gene pool, without killing you! (Curator)


    =CONTENT WARNING BEYOND THIS POINT, STUFF IS GONNA GET GORY, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED=


    Giving a quick nod in response I cautiously watch those sand traps, even as they slowly start wriggling their way closer, and closer to Terris. The sharp, snapping clacks of their mandibles taunting him as they get closer.


    "FUCK THIS SHIT!" (Terris)


    Shouting and moving to start running Terris would suddenly collapse, screaming in agony as he grips his groin to the sound of two soft squelches and the muffled clack of those mandibles. Knowing what''s happened make my own boys ache, but, better him then me. That''s when the true horror begins. Surging forward, the larger sandtraps take hold of his lower jaw and upper jaw, turning his head so that I can see his, stuck in a scream mouth as he gurgles something past his yellowed teeth. A squeal like a pig comes from him as I see him shift to try and grip something under his trousers as it moves around his ass before disappearing. Tears stream down from his eyes as the first of the small sand traps starts to force it''s way up one of his nostrils, and a few more forcing their way down his throat. Gurgles and muffled screams are suddenly silenced as one of the ones in his throat retreats pulling out with it, what can only be described as his adam''s apple before promptly starting to eat the gory thing for me to see. The one that went up his nose, seems to have decided it was not particularly fond of that hole as it forces out his left eyeball with a sickening splorch, spilling blood into the sand before biting through the cord of flesh still connecting it to his skull and using that to slowly slurp that bloodshot orb closer and closer to those dangerous teeth like a disturbing pasta.


    Watching in abject horror, yet, unable to look away, I feel I should be ill but....I''m not? Maybe it''s because it''s monsters eating another monster that makes it less nauseating, but, much like people say they can''t look away from a carriage accident, I myself cannot look away from this either.


    The next horror comes as I see more and more of the sand traps disapearing into his holes before I notice the next bit of disturbing revelation. I can see his sking moving with lumps and bumps, the clear outline of a sandtrap''s distinct mandibles here and there. They''re eating him...from the inside out. Blood and viscera is now veritibly gushing from his now empty eye sockets as almost all the sandtraps are now inside him, sans the two largest ones that still, diligently, hold his jaws open. All that manages to come from Terris at this points is gurgling sound and the wet slapping of his tongue as he desperately tries to form some sort of words even while more gore and ichor pours out of his mouth. With a soft tearing sound I can only look back toward that earlier point of concern for the man eater in front of me as a refuse and gore covered sandtrap emerges from the back of his, thoroughly ruined trousers, tugging at intestines and pulling them out while turning them inside out. After a good foot of his insides are pulled out his ass is when Terris finally stops gurgling, merely twitching occasionally as he blacks out from the pain. I almost feel relieved when this happens as I can only imagine the pain he was going through.


    Tsk tsk tsk, after putting up such a strong man front I''d expected more from you, cannibal slaver scum. It''s a shame you passed out so early. If only I had something for just this situation...oh, that''s right, I do! (Curator)


    I can only retch as the strongest, foulest scent wafts from a small pellet of white which just appeared in front of Terris. It seems that even through the pain that made him pass out, that stench is so strong it brought him back as he gurgles loudly, in what I can only figure is dismay.


    Wakey Wakey sleeping beauty, I''m not gonna let you miss a single moment of this until you die of blood loss as penance for the terrible things you''ve done to others. From eating your own people, to enslaving others, and potentially eating people that aren''t human. I''m even instructing my fun lil Poppits on what organs and veins to avoid just to ensure you last as long as possible. Isn''t it lovely having so many fun little eldritch horror noodles that all share a single psyche? It makes a lot of things much more convenient like this! Heeheeheeheehee. (Curator)


    At this point I can''t hold it in anymore as I do vomit into the sand. This, what did Terris call it, dungeon is deranged beyond belief. Yet, part of me understands, this is just it making an example. Much like places will burn people alive for some crimes, or lop limbs for others, this dungeon seems to have a particular hatred for either cannibalism or enslavement....or maybe both. Thankfully this deranged show only lasts a few more minutes before Terris passes out again, only this time he doesn''t wake up when exposed to that absolutely rank pebble.


    Curator POV


    Some may think I went a wee bit far in my handling of that cannibal slaver, buuuut, if the look on the smarter of the pair is to be believed I don''t think he''ll EVER try to enslave any one again. A shame the big guy finally passed out from blood loss before Poppit could forcibly prolapse him to the point his stomach was in the sand. Ah well, such is life, and I hope that whatever devils and demons he encounters in hell or the like if that''s an actual thing there can appreciate the mind breaking pain I delivered unto that trash before he bit the bullet. I wonder if devils and demons that torment terrible people would be disturbed by getting a soul of some one so broken that they just have to show an image of Poppit to make it weep and quake in fear?


    "Ah well, shows over now. Poppit, do be a dear and empty that thing out, we want the skin intact, and the bones and tendons still in place. After all, one does need the proper suit to pull off a trojan horse. Only, instead of soldiers, mine will be filled with ever hungry horror noodles!" (Curator)

 Chapter 37

    Greenhorn POV


    Its over, it''s finally over. While he was a monster watching...that...happen was still taxing. Those gurgles which could have only been screams, and the attempted twitches while some of those sandtraps held his legs down.


    Letting out a horrified shudder and shaking my head, I''d stand back up, having doubled over to vomit earlier.


    "That...okay...yeah...that...horror show...I''ll tell ''em, right as rain I''ll tell ''em" (Greenhorn)


    -Oh, but the show''s only half done!-


    "Wha-"


    My eyes go wide as I see the....husk of skin that was once Terris start to twitch and rise, moving jerkily as it slowly starts to rise up. I can SEE the long, cordlike lumps of the sandtrap ferrets under that, now ashen, skin, moving as they manipulate what bones are still in there to move it like a mannequin. I can feel something in my mind break as that jerky, awkward motion reminds me of a toddler, and despite the, mostly skeletal, look of his face, two small sandtraps peeking out from those now empty sockets, I find myself suppressing a laugh. Eventually giving up on this, it''s only right to just let it out, right?


    "HahahahahahahAHAHAHAHA, Terris the terrible, now just a sock puppet. Yet I''m the one that lives. The one that sees how it haahahahahahappened. What a terrible thing to be, Terris the skinsuit. Yet, it''s a fate that truly fits the right hand of the ol'' boss. Once a terrible puppet, always a terrible puppet! Ya acted like my luck was the worst, but from where I stand, it''s better than yours! I get to live, I was chosen to live....I...I was chosen!" (Greenhorn)


    Curator PoV


    Hmmm...so, having some one watch that level of punishment, and what comes after to try and sneak my wiggly boyos into the slaver camp in a creative way seems to have....broken...the ''greenhorn'' if that cackling and such is anything to go off of. Okay, very much so broken if that prostration toward the Poppit...doll...and Vahlu is anything to go on.


    >System Notification: You have unlocked the trait ''Object of worship''. Mana will be granted based on number of worshipers and some actions they take.<


    Well...that''s new, and hello again screen person. Thanks for the heads up on that, but, not sure how I feel on that. While, it could be a good source of mana, if they turn into crazy cultists trying to sacrifice people in my name, it''ll result in some bad juju comin'' my way I bet.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Okay then. So....person....I get you are really, really touched by being allowed to live and try to be a better person. Remember though, I don''t mindlessly kill or the like, instead, only the irredeemable receive a punishment fitting the evils they''ve done. If you''re gonna get all worshipy or whatever, then, you need to keep that in mind. Help people onto the right path, don''t take the punishment of evil as your goal. After all, I kept you alive to try and get the others in your camp to offer themselves up to my judgement, not to destroy them, and from there, it''d be on you to guide them back to a town for you all to start over on the right path. Treat people how you wanna be treated, help people that need help, that sort of thing. No sacrifices, no vigilantism, none of that crud. Understood?" (Curator)


    "I understand, and I obey, all powerful one. Your will is my command." (Greenhorn)


    Blegh...that''s not comfortable feeling, but...it could be worse, and, if I have a tiny Poppit hide with them, it''ll let me keep an eye on them, and if they step out of line...well...I''ve plenty of ways to make people disappear at this point. God, that''s dark. Okay, okay, pull out of the dark thoughts, more positive...let''s see....ah, let''s check on Babe while Poppit learns to walk his cannibal suit around, at least well enough to be less...janky and uncanny.


    Pulling my focus from the atrocity being enacted by my command I return my focus to my domain properly. With the sun still high in the sky, it seems my archivist is settled in for a nap in the ceiling of my core chamber. That''s fine, soon enough I might have paper and such for them to start working with. Casually looking over things, all seems to be in pretty good order still. Looking at the camp, I can see Vaslo moving about, answering questions and ensuring everything is in order. He seems...anxious about something.


    "Hey Vaslo, you doin'' okay buddy, ya seem on edge about something." (Curator)


    Watching with a mix of amusement and concern as he almost jumps out of his skin, it seems I was right on the money.


    "Oh, uh...hello Curator. I apologize if I''ve done something wrong. Don''t be angry at us, we are doing our best. Archivist Babe said there was nothing to worry about, but...with the rage pouring off your core earlier I just...I wanted to be sure." (Vaslo)


    Hmm....okay, so, watch my temper cause others can feel it. Good to know. Maybe it''s a proximity to core type thing with how they feel it? We''ll need to look into that later I guess.


    "Nono, nothing you did. Vahlu found some....very very bad people that wanted to do bad things to you guys, and did do bad things to a group called...mudscales I think? I was angry that they wanted to hurt you guys and that one of them was...irredeemable and so needed to be met with a fitting punishment. I do intend to rescue the mudscales from these bad people, as well as any one else they may have captured, and offering them sanctuary here." (Curator)


    "Oh that''s.....that''s a relief. Although, depending on how many people join, how will we handle food, it''s still limited to not completely destroy the one plant for that we currently have. The mudscales will be a great help there as they know about working plants in the mud, and other things, but, depending on how many new mouths, that could put a strain on our food. Water we are fine as long as no one does stupid things with the oasis, it''s mostly full now by the way, so we might have random wildlife starting to wander in to get a drink." (Vaslo)


    "Thanks for the update on the oasis, and good to know the mudscales know some form of agriculture. We should have a good bit of food to bring back, along with supplies, from the bad people''s camp so that should ease the stress a good amount. Hopefully they brought dried food stuffs like dried fruits and grains, so we can try and grow those, which would further help with the food situation." (Curator)


    Vaslo would give a soft nod before responding. "Yes, that would help, more types of food, and, more food in general, isn''t a bad thing. We''d have to do something about storing it to keep it safe but that''s a problem for later."


    "Exactly, but I''ve already got ideas for that. That said, I''m gonna go back to dealing with those bad people, I just wanted to check up on yall, make sure things were still okay over here too! (Curator)

 Chapter 38

    Curator POV


    Slight reprieve from the, in retrospect, atrocity I''ve committed it''s time to finish up and start the next step of my....solution...to the slaver problem. Shifting my perspective back to Vahlu I can feel his unease as that skin puppet moves.


    "Don''t worry, this isn''t something I intend to make a common thing, merely a way to send a lasting message with the ones I let live. After all, dead men tell no tales." (Curator)


    "I understand Curator but this is....it seems wrong in a way I can''t put into words." (Vahlu)


    "Oh, for sure, but, this will allow me to sneak Poppit in nice and close to the leader of that group. No one would really expect creatures like Poppit to attack in that manner, right?" (Curator)


    "I guess...do I need to go with them then?" (Vahlu)


    "It would help, it''s not required, but, to help get the mudscales to understand I''m not going to do...THAT...to them, having you there would be a boon. Speaking of, how''s our first mudscale rescue?" (Curator)


    As Vahlu turns his head to look over at the mudscale I can see the poor thing curled tight on the ground. I''m not sure if it''s asleep...or maybe terrified at what I''ve done. That is until I hear the soft snorting of a snore.


    "Ah, poor fellah''s all tuckered out, that''s fine. Honestly bet they''ve been treated pretty badly." (Curator)


    "It''s good that he managed to sleep. At first, while you were focused on the...punishment...he was freaking out to the point that he colapsed. Not twitching or screaming like from nightmares though, so, perhaps they''ll think the things till now were the nightmare? The others were also some what spooked by what happened, but when I explained the situation, and why you got so mad to do...that...they calmed down a lot. After all, your rage on that was on behalf of us." (Vahlu)


    "Ah....sorry about that then, I may have lost myself some to that for a bit. Things are back to normal now though. Well, normal as this situation can be that is." (Curator)


    And indeed they were as I turn my focus more toward the Poppits as they move around their ''suit''. The movement is slightly jerky, but much smoother than when I''d gone to check on my actual domain. Need to do something to hide the face though.


    "Hey, you, the one I let live, you got a cloak or something to cover my trojan horse there with to better cover what''s happened?" (Curator)


    "Oh, yes, yes, we shall hide it''s nature for now and let them see it''s truth later. That is a wonderful idea Great One!" (Greenhorn)


    That manic, off-kilter grin, is a bit unsettling, but hey, not my problem...for long, and I mean, if he goes back to civilization and starts telling people of the horrors he saw out here that drove him mad as The Hatter then well, that''ll work as a wonderful deterrent I think. Well, at least from people that realize that the risk isn''t worth it. Hmmm....well, we should get useful things for making some things from the camp that we keep...might need to go a little ham when my trojan gets in there.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Good, please get to that and help them onto the wagon then head back to your, former, comrades camp. Then, you''ll tell whoever''s in charge that you two have a very important message for his ears only. From there I''ll take care of that, and your job will be to tell the others to surrender themselves to my judgement. Oh, and tell them what happened to this ''Terris'' person will be what they can expect should they refuse. Not a fun way to go. Honestly it''s probably one of the worst executions I can inflict upon some one at the moment, for something that''s not super long." (Curator)


    Watching them emphatically nod and get to it, gives me some assurance to this plan. Next, I explain to Poppit what to do. After all, I know they''ll act upon my instructions. Honestly this is always a bit...odd...like explaining to a hyper intelligent toddler from before, but, could be worse I guess. When that''s done we''ll be ready to go.


    "Alright Poppit. Here''s the plan. The one we left alive will try to get you, he, and the boss of this scum alone. When they say yall have information only for his ears, you''ll need to nod your new toy''s head. When you are all alone, you need to tackle and pin down the boss and then, well, you get to have another snack, this time it doesn''t matter how thorough you are, or how messy. Just make sure you keep them from screaming or calling out for help. When he''s out of the picture, I''ll send the rest of the yous over, other than the ones keeping the sandscales company, and the one protecting me, as there''s gonna be alot of food for ya buddy. Hope ya like the taste of bad people. Not every one is on the menu for you though, it''s gonna be a case by case basis, and their slaves are completely off the menu." (Curator)


    Judging by the excited writhing under that flesh suit, I''d say they completely understand, and well, are more than eager for a feast. Now that I think about it, if they eat enough will they go through that same...process as when I tasked them, making more and more Poppits as a result? Problem for later if so I guess, although, Poppit and Babe don''t seem to NEED to eat to keep going, so maybe that won''t be a logistics problem but more a ''flooding of Poppit'' problem. Hell, not even much of a problem, more guards that know what all the other guards experience only further secures my domain!


    Watching the ''Greenhorn'' wrap the surprise tool for later with that cloak makes me glad of one thing. If I still had a body like before I''d be...disgusted by this. Instead it''s an obscene fascination with watching the process. Like a twisted nature documentary honestly. The cloak does help though, the billowing cloth masking many of the slightly jerky movements as their helped up onto the driving bench of the wagon. Then Vahlu approaches, carrying the groggy and still waking mudscale over a shoulder and sliding them up under that bench before sliding up under it them self. Clever fellah, utilizing the cloak there to help conceal them some.


    "Oh, are they coming with us Great One?" (Greenhorn)


    "Yes, I need Vahlu, with the help of his buddy there, to ensure the others of that tribe understand that they will be safe. Also, please stop calling me Great One. I am Curator." (Curator)


    "Curator...." (Greenhorn)


    Whoa that''s....new. As this ''Greenhorn'' mutters my name with reverence I can feel a flow of mana out from them, and into me, through Poppit, giving Poppit a good bit of mana as well. So THAT''S what the system meant by Object of Worship. Those that Worship send their mana to me, like a tithe. That''s....actually much more useful than I would have thought. I would say everything''s comin'' up Milhouse, but, well, this is much bigger than just, getting all greens on the way to work or the like back in the day.


    "Okay...so...since you so clearly want to revere me, let me ensure I''ve set some ground rules then. First, treat others how you would want others to treat you. Pretty basic, but a good motto to live by. In practice, this means when some one needs help that wouldn''t harm others, help them as best you can. Don''t, like, starve yourself feeding people or the like, but do what you can, that is readily in your means. After all, if you starve yourself or the like, you cannot help as many people. Next is to not take the punishment of evil upon yourself. Punishment does have it''s place, but you will do more good by helping guide people off that path, than from putting an end to them, and, you may just become the very thing you wished to destroy if you do such things. Lastly, if you find any more like the folks you were sent out to capture in captivity, if you can safely spirit them away to send to my domain, then do so. But you need to do it SAFELY. Again, if you die early, the good you can bring to the world is limited. Capiche?" (Curator)


    As I say that, but before the Greenhorn responds, I can feel a flow of mana out of me returning to him. The changes in him are exceptionally minor, only getting a streak of his hair and his eyes changing to the color of my core. Whoopsies. Apparently giving commandments also counts for marking people in this sense. But, hey, on the plus side now I now that at least! Man, it''d be so handy to be able to have that identify ability like they have in like...every one of those old isekai shows that main characters ended up with. Hmm...maybe there''s a spell or something for that I can learn, that''s something for later on though.


    "Yes...I understand Curator. I will follow these commandments as perfectly as an imperfect disciple like me can." (Greenhorn)


    With that I can see a new resolve on that face, even if the half crazed eyes seem to burn with a new fire behind them, as he grabs the reins of that wagon turned sleigh and sets the...pack hyena thing, to a soft trot with a slight start. At that, the other hunters watch, waiting for it to disappear into the distance before turning to head toward my domain. That Poppit positioning system is pretty handy. Just by making sure one is with every person, I know where they are, roughly, in relation to my domain at all times, and can observe as needed too. More Poppits really is better.

 Chapter 39

    Curator POV


    Following their progress back to the slaver camp is kind of....boring. Just, mostly silence, the occasional cackle or muttered "I was chosen" from the ''greenhorn'' and twitchy movements of hands from the Poppit-Puppet as my horror noodle tries to get a feel for more movement. Hopefully that''ll be know how for them that won''t need more usage, although, after this is all done I can pull their ''skin suit'' into my storage space to see if things actively decay, degrade, or change, while in storage so still a valuable thing to hold onto I think. Honestly, this slight reprieve between atrocities is kind of nice.


    "Poppit, Vahlu, when the camp comes into sight, call for me to take part in this. These horrors are mine to bear, and bear witness to as well." (Curator)


    "Gotcha" (Vahlu)


    After a ''nod'' from the head of the Poppit-puppet I shift my focus back to my core and domain instead of my exploratory group. Seeing Vekla in my core chamber still and quite excitedly examining my core my interest is piqued.


    "Hey Vekla, what''s up, something interesting happen?" (Curator)


    Vekla POV


    Jumping with a start as Curator speaks to me so suddenly I can''t help but feel a bit sheepish. Rubbing the back of my head as I chuckle nervously.


    "Well Curator, I was inspecting how you work mana through yourself, inspecting the flow of it and...you shape, circulates it naturally until it has enough to form a more solid band in the oposite direction of your natural shape. Which, in turn seems to speed up the flow of mana through you with each additional band. Which makes me think you might be able to use your mana faster with the more bands you have. Like a sand flow on a dune, the higher up it starts the faster it ends up going and the more sand that shifts." (Vekla)


    "That''s a good observation actually and...gives me some ideas for tools and weapons for some later point. Good catch there Vekla. Now what was that you said about inspecting the flow of mana?" (Curator)


    "Simply that, if you put mana in your eyes in the right way you can see how mana moves and changes. Like when you named Vaslo and titled him and Vahlu. Your mana flowed out of you and weaved itself through every bit of them, more so for Vaslo than Vahlu, but it moved and changed them down to the bones and then after that, the remainder of the mana flow collected around a kind of...second heart for magic and mana, forming bands on them as well." (Vekla)


    "Wait...so mana can be directly observed you said, by focusing mana the right way behind one''s eyes. I don''t have eyes but....let''s see. Heh" (Curator)


    From there the most...unsettling sensation flows over me. Not a direct sensation but a feeling like I would have when inspecting a small bit of meat. It''s discomforting, but, I bear it for a moment before speaking up.


    "Is...is that sensation your doing? I feel like a chunk of meat being inspected for rot." (Vekla)


    "Ah, sorry lil buddy. I was trying to ''see'' what you meant and may need to fine tune it but....heh...I noted a bit more than just mana" (Curator)


    Curator POV


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    So, using mana and magic for me, so far, has been entirely based off visualization. So, Vekla said they flow mana through their eyes to see mana, but I don''t have eyes, and I don''t know how to actively flow mana. So, let''s get imagining eh? Focusing on Vekla, I visualize inspecting him with a magnifying glasses like an old detective or investigator would use to see finer details. After a moment of this I can, clearly see the heart of mana he''s talking about, his seems to have two bands around it, I think that''s good. Is that all I could see doing this though? So, maintaining that mental image as I focus on him a bit longer, more information suddenly pops up moments before he speaks.


    "Is...is that sensation your doing? I feel like a chunk of meat being inspected for rot." (Vekla)


    "Ah, sorry lil buddy. I was trying to ''see'' what you meant and may need to fine tune it but....heh...I noted a bit more than just mana" (Curator)


    Looking at the information....pop ups I guess...that I can see over Vekla''s head I can''t help but smile. A green bar, nice and full, with a blue bar below it that has to blocks under it reminding me of how some games would indicate additional bars worth of health, but this being for mana. Then there''s the name kinda of ''floating'' under his head with <Magic Researcher of Curator> under it. Even when not focusing like I was that extra information just kind of ''stays'' even when the mana flow side of thing fades.


    "What do you mean Curator?" (Vekla)


    "Well...I think I can see your general health, the amount of mana you have to use, your name and the title I gave you. Kind of like a general ''status'' thing I guess? Do you still feel that discomfort you''d mentioned before?" (Curator)


    "No, not at all. However being able to glean so much is great to hear, and it''s bound to have useful applications, right?" (Vekla)


    "Oh, very very much so. I wonder..." (Curator)


    Turning my attention to the biggest of the Poppit''s that resides near my core I focus on them like I had with Vekla, this time though, creating the mental image of viewing them through a microscope instead of simply a magnifying glass. Watching as those details start to show as well, before Poppit looks strait up into my ''point of view'' like it''s looking me in the proverbial eyes. This causes a loud PING to resonate through me as I get a system pop up.


    >Congratulations, you can now freely use Identify to view basic details of creatures. Focusing allows you to glean more detailed information. Some details may still be hidden and require much more exertion to uncover.<


    Pulling my focus back into my core I notice a slight...change in how my form feels. Vekla is looking up at me with big eyes, and his ears covered. Even Babe up on the ceiling of my chamber seems to have been disturbed by...whatever''s happened this time. Poppit though seems excited, but when are they not excited to get attention?


    "What...what was that just now Curator. A loud crack like thunder then what sounded like multiple voices talking over and through each other. It was...it sounded....wrong." (Vekla)


    "I must agree with the head of magic research on both accounts. That sound was disconcertingly loud, and, the sounds after were a jumbled mess, at best." (Babe)


    "Huh....so, based on proximity, when the system or whatever speaks to me other''s can hear it, but not make it out. That''s....good to know. So, that loud initial sound was probably me getting a notification, the sounds after were me being told what the notification was about. Aaaand, thanks to you Vekla, I''ve a new, seriously useful, tool in my toolbox. Thanks for that. I''ll tell y''all more later on this need to...think a bit." (Curator)


    Looking back at Poppit, I can SEE the threads of mana leading to all the other Poppits, like a shifting web of connections, and following that thread to another, it too, connects to all the other Poppits. Seems like even if one of them dies it won''t cause the others to just...stop functioning. That''s good, not that I want any of my lil Poppit buddies to die but, if they are guardians, that may happen so this is a bit of reassurance. Shifting back to my core chamber I, once more look at Poppit, that same information like Vekla had, hovering over their head. This time however, I can see a little icon like an eyeball under the given title of Guardian, as well as to the right of both their health and mana bars.


    Starting with the one under the title and focusing on it a little an actual pop up window would appear, giving me general statistics like I''m used to in MMORPG style games. Strength, Stamina, Agility, Wisdom, Intelligence, Spirit. All their and quantified, maybe not with numbers, but that whole ''ranking'' system. B in Strength and Stamina, A in Agility, D in both wisdom and intelligence, the real surprise though is the SS in Spirit. I wonder if Spirit is like morale and courage in effect or maybe it affects something else? Eh, now''s not the time to dig further on that thread.


    That''s when I notice the list to the right. A list of titles. Based on how things look, they list in order of acquisition. Reading through the list is...interesting, and, it seems that I can see when a Title is in the process of being earned too.


    >Ambusher, Scion, Auspicious One, Seeker, Devourer, Prankster, Friend of Sand Scales, Guide, Guardian*, the Swarm, Null-space Traveler, Restrainer, Sin Eater, Puppet Master (Developing).<


    Hmm, looking at Guardian, it seems that granted titles also have special denotation. Looking into Restrainer to get more details it gives me more to mull on.


    >Restrainer: You''ve becomes skilled at restraining foes without inflicting harm. When restraining an opponent, they will only be able to break free without serious injury should they be two steps or more higher than you in the appropriate attributes. Earned by performing a restraint ten times without causing injury with the restraint.<


    Hmmm...based on this titles grant notable benefits, or maybe down sides depending on the title, and, each Poppit counts as a separate thing for unlocking a title shared between them. That''s...actually a huge upside to being a hive mind, although, on the flip side, since they are all connect, I''m willing to bet that they have vulnerabilities to certain effects too.


    Now then, what''s that "Sin Eater" title all about.

 Chapter 40

    Poppit POV


    This new game Curator taught us is really hard. Moving the skin and bones of a prior meal like the walky folks normally do is more difficult that moving through the sand. It also needs so many of us working and moving just the right ways together to make things move right. As we get closer to this ''camp'' that the smart one was from. As we get closer though, the most delicious set of smells hit our noses and we can''t help but start to drool at the thought of an upcoming feast.


    Curator POV


    So then...what''s this ''Sin Eater'' title Poppit has now. Focusing on it, after a moment a pop up with details ''shows up'' in my vision. Man, I really need a good reward for Vekla, thanks to him I''ve got SO MUCH more info to work with.


    >Sin Eater<


    >Prerequisites: Glutton, Consume three times your weight in flesh that has the ''corrupted'' status<


    >Effect: Overwrites normal Glutton effects. Owner of this title gains quadruple the mana gain from the Glutton effect when consuming ''corrupted'' flesh. Normal Glutton effect suppressed. Owner of this title can smell ''corrupted'' flesh. ''Corrupted'' flesh is only contained within living entities whose actions have left them irredeemable. Mindless undead are composed of ''corrupted'' flesh. Intelligent undead are treated the same as their non undead counterparts.<


    Well...that''s....honestly not what I was expecting. It sucks that Poppit can only give me mana by eating corrupted flesh now. On the plus side though, the sheer amount gained from it should offset how specialized it is. Then there''s the fact that they can now smell if some one''s irredeemable. That''ll be very, very useful for protecting my...subjects I guess? I can''t just say the skinkle, cause, well, we''re liberating folks from that slaving attempt. Still though, pretty useful skill for a guardian to have.


    Speaking of, I should check on their progress toward that camp. I''ve been a bit too focused over here for the past little bit after all, especially with this sort of operation going off. Switching that view point again, to overlook things in the small field around the swarm of Poppits, I can vaguely make out what looks like tents a bit in the distance. What''s disturbing though is all the drooling from the ''sight'' Poppits whose heads are looking out from the Terrisuit''s empty eye sockets, making it almost looking like tears flowing down the face. Hmmmm....maybe a change of plans.


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    "Stop a bit outside the camp, then Poppit, and uh...Greenhorn guy, you''ll disembark and head toward the camp but not enter, standing a bit outside. If the leader comes out to see what''s up, Greenhorn guy, you let Poppit know, so they can chow down, if not, you''ll need to tell the people that do come to see what''s up to bring the boss cause of big news while Poppit you try not to attract attention. Oh right, and Poppit, when you chow down, don''t worry about the Terrisuit, I want you to go for as much shock, awe, and horror as ya can, got it buddy?" (Curator)


    "Your word is my command, oh great Curator. I would ask that you please share the wisdom behind this change with one so idiotic as myself. Heheheh." (Greenhorn)


    "Well, a few things. First, Poppit hasn''t mastered moving around like this yet which means higher chance to get caught in the initial plan. Next, I want to capitalize on their abilities right away. Last is to break morale, a broken enemy when given the option to potentially not die, will take that option instead of try to fight to the death." (Curator)


    "Thank you for enlightening this dunce of a follower. Truly your-" (Greenhorn)


    "Okay, okay, I get it. You revere me and what not, but could ya stop with the hoity toity type talk and such, and the self depreciative cow towing, it''s kind of annoyin'' man." (Curator)


    "Ah, sorry. Should it just speak....normally despite you being superior in all ways?" (Greenhorn)


    "For the love of fuck, yes. I don''t wanna piss in your Wheaties, but fuuuck, I''m not some god. Well, I''m mostly sure I''m not a god, I got limits and I''m not omnipotent and whatever so yeah. (Curator)


    "Understood. I will do my best to speak more casually then." (Greenhorn)


    "Thank you. Now then, while yall stay the course I''ll get the party package ready, heh." (Curator)


    Reaching through the bond into the Poppit hive network it doesn''t take long to see which Poppits aren''t critical, currently, to maintaining patrols, or guarding the Ochre Sand Scales. Capitalizing on the trick from before I pull them through my storage and out, into the covered cage of the slave cart. Grid of bars works well for things bigger than the holes, but well, my horror noodles aren''t nearly as broad as even the skinkle, so when it''s time to clean house...heh. I''m kinda curious how folks would respond to see just a mass blob of wriggling Poppits flowing toward them.


    That done, everything is in place, and only a short bit before Greenhorn brings the wagon turned sleigh to a stop and gets off, followed by the Terrisuit falling off with a heavy thud, only to be helped up by the Greenhorn. Yanno, maybe to be a more aware as their, kinda, my responsibility slightly I should ask their name.


    "Hey, Greenhorn Guy, what''s your actual name?" (Curator)


    "It''s Paul. You''re actually the first to ask that since I had to join on with my...former boss." (Paul)

 Chapter 41

    ''The Boss'' POV


    I didn''t expect Terris, and the Greenhorn, to come back so soon, nor the damn brat to still be alive. Either some one''s report this morning messed up, or that kid had a lucky break. Either way, more money for me.


    Stepping out of my tent, it''s clear that they''ve returned. The big question though is, why is the Greenhorn driving the wagon, and why the hell is Terris wearing a cloak all of a sudden, ain''t it a bit to hot for that? Something is wrong, only way to explain it, and they''re trying to cover it up some. I really need to see what''s up before any rumors start to spread.


    Curator POV


    Looks like we''ve got a decent audience as we draw up to camp. That''s good. They''ll see what happens, and it''ll break their morale. A fighting force with no morale has already lost. Seeing a better dressed individual starting to walk to the wagon, it doesn''t take much to figure that this is the leader of this band, but doesn''t hurt to confirm.


    "Paul, please stop the wagon, but don''t get off it, let that guy come closer. That''s your old ''boss'' right?" (Curator)


    Seeing Paul calmly pull the reins to stop the beast pulling the wagon and giving a slight nod, it''s clear that guess was right on the money. The boss of a gang always has to be flashy and showy every where it seems. Gotta have the best things so people know he''s better than them or something. Arrogant prick. Ah, I shouldn''t think poorly of the soon to be dead and shredded.


    Seeing that monstrous man grow closer his face red, although, I''m not sure if from heat, sudden exercise, or holding in anger, I can only think it''s kind of like a tomato.


    "Terris, Greenhorn, yer back pretty damn quick. It go okay or are the beasts gonna be eating well tonight?" (Boss)


    "Oh, they''ll be eating well alright, but not how you think ''boss''." (Paul)


    With that slight taunt from Paul, a wicked smile spreads on the ''boss''s'' face. With a quick step forward, he''d grab the front of the wagon, winding back to punch Paul, only for the Terrisuit to jerk violently toward him. The unnatural movement catches him off guard as the Poppits start to burst forth from the former slaver. Almost like a flow of iridescent fur, claws, teeth and mandibles. ''Hands'' gripping onto the boss only for those fingers to shred apart resulting in the claws and mandibles of tens of the smaller Poppits to clamp into the boss. With a horrified shriek, of terror, and pain, he''d fall off the wagon, pulling the repurposed corpse atop him. People watching from the camp would slowly start running forward.


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    "It seems it''s time to really get the show started then!" (Curator)


    With a simple mental command, the Poppits filling the wagon surge out, flowing around and through the bars, and holes and gaps in the covering canvas. The people from the camp seeing this are understandably shaken. Then I stow the cloak covering the Terrisuit into storage, and they see the husk that was their former partner in crime, as dozens of Poppits properly surge forth shredding what remains of the skin and descending on the Boss in a frenzy of gnashing, teeth, claws, and mandibles that would make popular culture versions of the piranha seem as tame as a cow. Ah, those horrified looks of the slavers, priceless. The further panic as they see the sand flow with how many of my lil noodleboys are rushing toward them right at the surface even better.


    Calling out to the camp as best I can over the screams, shrieks, and wails of the Boss, I call out to the slaver scum.


    "Okay you scum buckets. You get a few choices here. One, lay down your arms, be judged by me, and maybe live, or at least be put down quickly. Two you fight, and die in a way like your boss there, or maybe even that Terrisuit I just lost, depending on how much you piss me off. Three, run away, but, if only one runs you get to live and not be judged. Buuuut if more than one of you does, all the runners die like your boss. Oh, and where are my manners after you''ve brought all these things to me. I am Curator, you have wronged the people I''ve welcomed into my domain by hurting their friends and trying to hurt them. That is not something I will easily tolerate." (Curator)


    Vahlu POV


    Hearing the screams, it''s hard not to get some grim satisfaction in that evil being consumed by their own arrogance, quite literally. Coming out from under the bench for the wagon as I hear Curator''s commands boom out to the camp, I''d help up the mudscale who was hiding under there with me.


    "Come on, lets start heading toward the camp. There is nothing they can do to hurt us, and I''ll need your help to calm your people so we can save as many as possible." (Vahlu)


    Helping the shaking fellow up, I can''t help but feel a shred of pity. The mudscales always were a gentle people, so this violence must be fairly scaring for them.


    "How can you be so calm with the screaming, the the threats?" (Mudscale)


    "Because, Curator is venting their wrath at these....things...that dared threaten us, and who harmed you. Curator is....different. They aren''t like the old stories of the cores that try to enslave, or just wantonly murder. They took in the entire Ocher Sandscales, names a few of us, changing us like you see here, and providing us water and food. Teaching us ways to use our resources better, and even doing what they can to make our lives better. Now get up, I know this is scary, but it''s only for a bit. Trust me, it''ll be better soon." (Vahlu)

 Chapter 42

    Curator POV


    Watching the runners sprint out from the camp I can''t help but heave a mental sigh. A''right Poppit, more than one ran, make a show of each of them. Maybe throwing a bit of game theory at them was a bit cruel, but, I mean, do I really want stupid people escaping from a slaver camp. The smart ones will understand not to do stupid things like trying to retaliate against me in some manner.


    That said, the mana income from Poppits'' feasting on the former beast is nothing to scoff at. It did say that tainted flesh rewarded a significant amount more, perhaps there''s levels of tainting where it increases the amount further? Although, wouldn''t that have been listed to start with, or maybe the descriptions are just kind of an ''overview'' and a ''usually how it works'' type deal? Ah well, thoughts for another time.


    Watching the sand shift and writhe as my lil hungy boyos split off into groups to chase down the runners, I can''t help but think of how fish will move to swarm a piece of bread. The smarter folks who realized that running is a trap if any one runs though look at the idiots who fled with pale faces, and a pallid expression that I am quite familiar with. Not many folks can look away from a car crash as it''s happening after all and this isn''t much different. With almost simultaneous shrieks the Poppits catch their running quarries and with a surge burst up from under the sand lifting their victim up into the air for a moment before rapidly silencing the screams as they swarm over and bodily drag them under the sand.


    The pregnant silence that follows is, understandable, even as the sand rapidly turns red around the camp. While I can make out a good overview of things without jumping into the senses of my followers, I want to get a proper feel of things. Shifting into Vahlu''s point of view, I can feel the shudder of horror he also suppresses at the sites just now.


    "Ah, right, your people have had issues with Poppit''s kind in the past. Don''t worry though, that''ll not be an issue again lil buddy." (Curator)


    My voice seems to break the heavy atmosphere of that little...demonstration. Vahlu shakes his head which, while understandable, is also really weird when I''m riding side saddle in his senses like this. As he turns to face our foe, they simply seem to collapse. Weapons or tools dropped, some just looking off in abject horror as they fall to their backs, others falling to their hands and knees, looking down at the sand as they shake, sweat, and gasp for air almost like a fish out of water. The interesting ones though, those are the ones that start kowtowing toward my little Pandora''s box of a surprise.


    "Hey, Vahlu, you and Paul gonna be okay sorting things out for the minute, getting every one freed, and getting the slavers all ''lined up'' so I can judge them properly? I don''t think they''ll give yall ANY resistance in this current state. Their morale is completely shattered." (Curator)


    All that and none of my people are hurt, gotta say this makes me really appreciate the attention to leadership being so important in table top games. Fear is a much more powerful weapon than a gun at times. If any one tries to start stuff in the future, that''ll come in handy.


    "Ah, yes Curator, we should be able to handle it, and if people act up. I don''t think Poppit is ever not hungry anymore." (Vahlu)


    "Good lad, ya really get it. Oh, right, Poppit does have a new skill that should come in handy, if being close to some of those slavers results in them starting to drool uncontrollably, that means that person is irredeemable. If they make any sudden movements, or make any threatening movements, END them, be it you, Paul, any of the rescued slaves, doesn''t mater. That said, those that are properly subdued shouldn''t be attacked or harmed until I''ve had a chance to judge them." (Curator)


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    "Understood, and good to know, that''s...weird that they drool from that, but also, like ya said, it''s pretty handy." (Vahlu)


    "Your will will be done Curator, you can trust us with this." (Paul)


    Good good. With that big mana influx, and the weirdness of what I''ve seen through the eyes of Vahlu, or...when I tried it Poppit, I need to do something about that...limitation. I''ve also got the best idea, and well, if I''m going to be an object of Worship, I should give them a proper thing to worship, no?


    Returning my view back to my domain, I sigh, this really is home. Hey there lil snaketus, I didn''t forget about you and how you supported me when I first came too in this place. Seeing how magic is all about how you visualize things, aaand, how I changed your flower some too, well, more changing is fine and this will be great for both of us I think.


    Looking at myself, I have a good bit of mana, so...lets only conserve one ring and spend all the rest on this. After all, I''ll be getting more soon. With that, I need a good name to focus with what I intend. Hmmm...yeah, let''s go with that, and it should make that other idea work even better I bet. Now, the image of how I want the change to take place, and that''s surprisingly easy. Now for the proper pomp and circumstance, just to make things feel right. Heavily focusing on the snaketus I start to flow mana into it, the density of it almost visibly palpable and I can feel eyes of all the skinkles looking in on this, which isn''t surprising really.


    "First to bear me, and give me shelter. Rearing me in my earliest stages of existence in this new land you are indispensable to my early survival. I name you Renenutet. You shall bear me forth inside yourself, sheltering me from those that would dare wish me harm, act as my flesh and sinew so I can better exert my will. To help me raise those I feel deserve to be uplifted and protected, while also allowing me to unleash my wrath properly on those that have truly earned my ire." (Curator)


    Those words spoken the massive flow of mana rushes out compared to it''s comparative trickle before. Part of me wishes to cackle as the snaketus starts to rapidly morph and grow. A proper head developing, eyes forming from azure flower petals as a wide hood opens to give the proper cobra appearance. Colorful ''scales'' in the forms of petals and short spines forming inside that distinct spread neck to give a properly regal appearance. Surging forward toward my ziggurat as it grows, a mouth opens up, sharp and long quills for teeth easily seen, yet it carefully takes me in. My gem like core being hidden away inside it, stopping at the back of it''s maw, veins of it''s soft flesh covering over me, properly hiding me away as it yet grows longer and larger. Already I can see from it''s eyes, as though they are my own, even turning it''s head and shifting it''s gaze.


    Through that connection with it, like my other scions, there is simply a sense of joy and contentment. Not that I mind, honestly it''s quite relaxing. Although....I do need to do something to keep my domain ''locked'' here, don''t I?


    As if reading my mind Renenutet leans her head forward once more, and through me passes a...surprisingly large seed which is placed where I once was, crushing the pedestal and causing Babe even more distress than seeing me be engulfed like this. Seeing roots rapidly dig into the structure I feel a strong connection to it, almost like an anchor, or maybe a keystone of sorts.


    "Will that keep my domain here, even if we go elsewhere?" (Curator)


    With a quick nod of affirmation from my new ''body'' I guess, they would speak.


    "Yesss, that isss the cassse my Father. Alssso, sssister Archivissst, do not fret ssso. I will keep Father sssafe and sssound, from prying eyesss and the harshnesss of the elementsss till the end of daysss." (Renenutet)


    Oh, they can talk....and have a properly effeminate voice to boot. That''s good. I think.

 Chapter 43

    Babe POV


    Watching that massive plant turned serpent devour Curator''s core with ease should be terrifying. However, seeing the color of its ''eyes'' and the patterning of its hood, even without knowing what it is, it is clear it is touched by Curator. The next action it makes, however, is more shocking than anything as it ''lays'' a massive seed from its mouth to drop where Curator''s core was previously. The sandstone plinth that once supported him, simply crushed, by the large plant egg.


    "Will that keep my domain here, even if we go elsewhere?" (Curator)


    "Yesss, that isss the cassse my Father. Alssso, sssister Archivissst, do not fret ssso. I will keep Father sssafe and sssound, from prying eyesss and the harshnesss of the elementsss till the end of daysss." (Renenutet)


    Her voice is not unpleasant either. The fact that one does not need to play a game of charades and guesses to properly understand her is a comparative luxury compared to interactions with Poppit.


    "I would not worry as it is clear you too are touched by Curator, or, as you put it ''Father''. Although, I will admit, I do have many questions now about the nature of just how magic and mana can have such drastic effects. Those however are things for a different time as, it seems, Curator wishes to go do things outside the domain based on that little back and forth." (Babe)


    "Observant as always Babe. Keep safe while I''m out, oh, and if you want to know about magic stuff, ask Vekla, he taught me some tricks there that have already started helping me out a ton!" (Curator)


    "Noted, I will have to ask, as, if it is helpful to you, it will likely be helpful to any connected to you." (Babe)


    Curator POV


    Bases: touched. Transportation: secured. Beacon: placed. Okay, lets do this, I want to make a proper bit of ''godly presence'' if I''m going to be a proper object of worship. Also part of the reason why my..our...uh...the body I''m now in and a part of, is named after an old egyptian primordial god. It''s also fitting for a kingdom around an oasis to have an Egyptian flair, no? I mean, it''s no Nile Delta, but eh, when ya got potato''s you make potato soup. Normally I''d use lemons and lemonade on that, but well, lemonade in a desert is a treat!


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    "Okay Renenutet, can you feel where Vahlu and most of Poppit is? That''s where we are going. If the survivors want to worship, I want to give them something to properly worship that can''t be found anywhere else." (Curator)


    "Underssstood Father. Let usss go and show them the way of thingsss then." (Renenutet)


    With that we''re off and...it''s more refreshing than I though. While I can''t really move...our...form on my own, between us we can move quite well, looking around all over even while still slithering easily closer to the slaver camp. Maybe just due to our size here but, we seem to be moving very, very fast, or maybe really slowly. It''s kind of hard to tell without landmarks and I can only really feel we are steadily getting closer to our little away party.


    "Why do you wish to let sssome of them live to worship you Father?" (Renenutet)


    "Ah, that. A few reasons. One, it gives me a constant income and supply of mana, and, as they convert more people to follow and worship also, that supply of mana will grow which gives me the power to do things. Two, it shows I don''t kill everyone that stumbles too close to me, so people are less likely to try and hunt me down. Lastly, for good folks it will let them know they don''t need to fear me and likely, could seek refuge with me as I''m only going to cull the irredeemable, and the others will spread that as well. Since dead men tell no tales, we need some living folks too. Well...unless necromancy is a thing, then maybe dead men can tell tales, but I dunno if that''s a thing or not." (Curator)


    With a nod of my...our head that I didn''t start, it''s clear Renenutet understands my points there. This is still going to need some....getting used too. It''s really strange having a ''body'' again, but even more so sharing the body with some one else too. It''s got upsides though, since even if I''m thinking on other stuff, I still get from point a to point b without getting lost. That aside it''s quite...overwhelming in a way, to actually FEEL things again, from the sand sliding against our body. To the sun warming us, and the wind over us and through our various petals. It''s....kind of overwhelming after not feeling physical sensations.


    Almost before I know it, I can see that camp on the horizon as we draw closer to it, drawing me out of the relaxed reverie of all the new sensations, or rather, regaining of lost sensations.

 Chapter 44

    Paul POV


    As things settle down at my former cohort''s camp it''s hard not to start laughing again. To think, earlier this morning I was no different than the sheep around me. Standing by for their own judgements. Some to be no more than chaff, other''s to be chosen, much like myself.


    "Don''t you all worry, some will live. After all some crimes Curator can forgive. Did that rhyme? Heeheehee it did! HAHAHAHAHAHA" (Paul)


    Shaking with laughter after the accidental rhyme I barely notice the shocked looks from my former allies. My reverie though, is quickly disturbed as some kind of elfkin shrieks some and points behind me.


    "Oh, shut up, nothing is scary enough to cause that kind of response. Seriously. As long as you can be redeemed, you''ve nothing to really fear at the moment." (Paul)


    Seeing the horrified looks on other''s faces though, I can''t help but feel curious. Turning to look as a soft ''shuff-shuff</a>'' sound starts to trail through the air it''s not hard to tell what caused the fear. Something, honestly, massive is headed this way if the lack of detail and how it''s distorted from heat haze due to the distance still between it and us.


    "Uh...mister speaker of Curator...what is that? Is it another of Curator''s exalted?" (Paul)


    "Hmmm? Oh, yeah, I can definitely feel Curator''s influence from that, and well, Poppit is quite excited now too." (Vahlu)


    Following his pointing, seeing some of that sandtrap ferret swarm in a writhing mass of chittering, clacking mandibles, and almost puppy like exuberance is...endearing? Horrifying? It''s hard to really quantify. In normal circumstances it would be a pants shittingly terrifying thing, but now it''s...I''m not sure. Either way, if they are excited and Vahlu is so nonchalant, it''s fine.


    "Ah, yeah, so, it''s definitely one of their creations, but beyond that, and I''m sayin'' exactly what was said to me here but...''If things are gonna happen this way, I want to do it right, and for that one must live up to expectations properly'' whatever THAT means." (Vahlu)


    "Wait, you spoke to them? I didn''t hear anything." (Paul)


    "I mean, those of us bound to Curator''s mana can speak to them by thinking ''at'' them I guess? They can also put words right in my head too, like, a conversation with myself but it''s not me but Curator. It''s honestly kind of weird, and I''d almost say off-putting, if Curator wasn''t so good to my people without demanding anything at all of us." (Vahlu)


    Staring off as I ponder this, it dawns on me that, while chosen and spared, my connection with the great lord that is Curator is thin, tenuous at best. Maybe I should ask for some more concrete connection...but I don''t want to seem ungrateful either. After all, how many people can say they''ve been given a second chance at life, spared the most horrid death imaginable multiple times, and given some guidelines to live by, by what is clearly a demi-god at the least?


    As I''m thinking that shuffing quickly gets louder and louder to the point that it could compete with a properly shod horse galloping on cobblestone. The terrifying thing, however, is the sheer size of that entity that approaches, as it becomes more and more clear, that elfkin distracting me a moment as they start crying and properly panicking only to fall to their knees. That momentary distraction aside, it''s clear now that, whatever this thing is, it easily dwarfs our tents, likely even most common houses and cottages.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Renenutet POV


    Father has been guiding us to a place of his interest, as we draw closer it''s easy to tell why. One of the exalted of the tribe in his care is there, as well as most of Poppit''s body. Hearing the echo of some maddened laughing cut off by a scream of fear and then, as we draw closer, the sobbing of one despairing, one can''t help but pleased. After all, these things seem to understand the greatness, power, and majesty of Father, and by a lesser extent, myself.


    "We are almossst there, Father." (Renenutet)


    "Good, if they wish to worship me, then I want to do this right. Make sure they understand just how weak they are compared to me, how powerless they are were I to chose just to slaughter them. Show them that, yes, I am capable of mercy just as much as I am capable of wrath." (Curator)


    Hearing Father''s words, I can''t help but feel a sense of pride and smug satisfaction. Good, let''s put these things in their place, show them just how beneath us they are in the grand scheme of things.


    Curator POV


    Man, Renenutet can really get us zoomin''. The trip that took my Forager out, to meeting Paul and coming to this camp took till almost midday. It took us, what, an hour at most? Actually having to take time to slow down for that final stretch of approach, it doesn''t take long to give me a good scale of things. Vahlu comes up to a bit past the knees on a human meaning we''re seriously MASSIVE from this almost, top down view to look over the camp, and it''s remaining occupants.


    "Vahlu, please go with your Mudscale friend to start bringing the slaves and captured folks here. Do any of you lot know how to undo any bonds, shackles, or collars they may have?" (Curator)


    Speaking out, and letting my voice properly carry power, I gently shift my shared body, coiling most of it and raising my head proudly. All so I can leer down on the vermin, Paul excluded obviously, that dared threaten my people from a height that feels almost like it''d be a third, or fourth, story balcony.


    "Yesss and do tell usss promptly, clearly, and without ressserve. Father''sss time should not be wasssted." (Renenutet)


    As Renenutet speaks from our shared body, the shock, confusion, fear, and desperate hope from the scum is clear. The first one to act though is the pointy eared one. I''d think they were an elf if they had elfy clothes on, but, who ever heard of an elf wearing a brigandine coat that''s obviously seen some use, and having a belt of hatchets and hammers, with a maul on their back? If this weren''t a kind of gang thing, I''d be surprised by her being ready for battle, but odds are, she''s one of the people who would be ''the muscle'' or enforcer types.


    "With the b-b-boss d-dead, any of the magical b-b-binds would have stopped b-being magical. They would only need to be taken off which is just a complex latch." (Elfkin)


    Hmm, she started off stuttering but grew more confident as she spoke. Good, she''s smart enough to understand how out classed she is, and composed enough to steady her emotions. Let''s try and spare her if possible then shall we, she seems...useful...at least, I think it''s a she, I''ve never seen an elf like thing before in the flesh and well...Legolas was a pretty boy and much fantasy has a trop of elves looking girly even if not a lady.


    "Good, you''ve taken initiative to respond, did so promptly, and steadied yourself quite well. Poppit is going to give you a good sniff now, if they don''t start drooling instantly you''ll be asked a few more questions. Depending on how that goes, you may yet live. While I may be understandably outraged to learn about attempts to enslave my people, and their friends, I''m not without reason or mercy for those that deserve, and earn it. That''s also why I weeded out all the people who were to stupid to understand what game theory is with that bait for a single runner." (Curator)

 Chapter 45

    Elfkin POV


    So this is it then, a sandtrap ferret determines if I live or die. Entirely based on how ''tasty'' I smell. That''s gotta be some kind of sick joke of the fates isn''t it? What even causes it to drool based off our smell anyway.


    "This has got to be some kind of cruel joke, right? A sandtrap ferret will eat most anything so you''re just setting me up to die, aren''t you? You even just admitted it right? What with tricking people with that ''game theory'' thing of yours." (Elfkin)


    I can''t help shaking after speaking my peace as this ''Poppit'' comes close to start sniffing at me. The sudden stop at it''s approach and the angry hissing and clacking of it''s mandibles near my ear is terrifying. Yet, I won''t stop glowering at that giant...snake-thing as it looks down on us.


    "I guess you could see it that way, yeah. Let me help you understand some then. Game Theory is, like you said, a trap. It requires two ''players'' at least and one...lets go with ''dealer'' here. The dealer then gives the players a choice when it comes time to claim the prize. First they are separated then the dealer makes an offer. You can both get let''s say...5 gold, or, you can get 20 gold, but, if your partner chooses the 20 gold options then you both get nothing. Since the players cannot speak to each other, or even tell what the other player is thinking, the only right move is to take the for sure 5 gold. If you both select it, that means you still have 5 gold, if your partner selects 20 while you still take 5 then you both win. Though, you should never be the one to put in the risk to ensure you both win. This can also be done with punishments, like you saw earlier. Only those who tried to choose their personal greed or fear, ended up fleeing as they were to frazzled under stress to make the right call." (Curator)


    He used...the dealer''s con, as a way to weed people out. I''m not quite sure if, now that it''s been explained, I should be impressed, or terrified. Who would think to use a way to leverage people''s winnings against their greed could be used as a way to punish folks?


    Poppit POV


    All the friends, all the snacks! Curator wants us to smell out the tastiest of snacks. This first one doesn''t smell all that tasty. Not like the very first one that we wore too. They are being mean to Curator though. That''s not a good thing to do. So, we hush them by clacking and showing how much we don''t like them being mean to Curator.


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    Curator though feels...calm? Maybe amused, like by a joke, as they try to calm us down too. It''s hard not to be calm though, when Curator wants it, and when they think something''s funny. This not tasty one, may end up a friend?


    Curator POV


    Ooooh, this one''s a bit feisty, thankfully Renenutet doesn''t need any calming as she''s pretty much in sync with my emotions. Man, that takes me back, maybe when I can start trying to get records or something made I can try to inscribe some music I remember from back in the day on them. Wait, focus and back on the point. It really only does take a moment to explain to the elfkin the logic behind that trap.


    "Now then, since you''ve had a moment to think, congratulations! You aren''t irredeemable, otherwise Poppit would have started drooling and well...you saw what happened to those runners, yes?" (Curator)


    Watching the elfkin nod, with a slightly shell shocked look it''s hard not to, almost, feel bad. Guess I really took the wind out of their sails so to speak. Really though, it''s their own fault for being part of a slaver gang.


    "Now then, first question. Have you ever committed any of the following acts. Murder, Rape, Arson, Burglary, or Kidnapping?" (Curator)


    "Uh...no? Unless you count burning one''s own property to keep other''s from having it as arson, and it was just papers and goods, not a house or anything." (Elfkin)


    "Good. Next question, should you live, what would you plan to do with the life that was spared?" (Curator)


    "I...don''t know. Maybe try going home, see if they''ll accept me back even though I left on a bad note. Really don''t think much beyond trying to live in the moment unlike the rest of my family." (Elfkin)


    "I like the honesty there, with me, that''s the best policy. Since you don''t know what you want to do, how about you join Paul there, set up a place to call home in a nearby domain, help other folks, make up for the path that lead you to this moment, and try to help guide others away from that path. Paul is quite gungho and has taken my words rather to heart...but..." (Curator)


    With a gesture of our tail to Paul who''s constantly moving from kowtowing to reverently staring up at our head, to the occasional off kilter giggle my point should be pretty clear.


    "So...some one to....balance out the zealotry?" (Elfkin)


    "Exactamundo! Got it in one. Now, while I will expect some level of reverence from you still, I don''t want you to blindly follow like Paul there. If you don''t understand something ask, if it doesn''t sit right with you, let me know so I can explain the logic and through process behind it." (Curator)


    "Like how Father and I share a body, you two will alssso share a role. Faith hasss a placsse, tempered by knowledge, and forged by power." (Renenutet)


    "I...understand. Could I...have some time to think on that before making a decision?" (Elfkin)


    "Oh, by all means. Also, based on the pointy ears I take it you''re some kind of elf, yes? I gotta know, do elves in this world have a hard on for trees and the forest and do the whole ''hippy vegan'' thing, or is it more of a ''the forest is our home and we''ll fuck a bitch up if they mess with it'' type deal?" (Curator)


    "What?" (Elfkin)

 The state of affairs

    Hi all.


    Sorry for the radio silence for so long on things, my life kind of went off the rails pretty hard last summer and I''m only now getting properly back in order (Got laid off, started a new job, had my old car totaled and had to fix up a new car, learned I''ve got scoliosis and am getting that treated, and starting to look into proper psychological testing and treatment, it''s been a hectic time) and I''ve learned that, I can''t keep writing this story.  Main reason being, my writing style makes me put myself in the head space of the important/recurring characters and, between Curator and some others (Paul) it puts me in a very bad head space that isn''t healthy.  I do intend to keep writing, so there is something in the works on that front it just won''t be this same story, or even setting, instead something wholly my own, not set in some one else''s setting as one of my strongest suits is actually world building.  Thank you all so much for your support on my writing so far, and sorry that I can''t continue this one at the moment.  In the future I may try to restart it, maybe without being so crazy with the characters, but that''s not a given.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    If any one wants to ''pick up the mantle'' as it were or use these characters and creatures I''ve introduced so far, please, feel free to reach out to me I''m more than happy to discuss such things with you, as, it''s honestly quite flattering/makes me feel good that my creations can have such a lasting impact.  Thank you all so much for your time, and, sorry if I''ve let you all down some how.