《The Dungeon Hive- Volume 3》


 Prologue

    ¡°Are we there yet?¡±


    ¡°No, we¡¯re not. Now shut up and keep up.¡±


    The Fire Eye shot forward and the Water spirit controlling the Dungeon Eye had to speed up to keep with it. They were a strange sight. Two circular ball floating in mid-air, one was a floating ball of fire and the other, a small white eyeball. Magical creations of the only two dungeon cores in the world, the Eyes were the only way the dungeon cores could travel and see the world. It was also a very energy sapping way to do it.


    ¡°You¡¯re falling behind again.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t help it. This Eye is almost out of energy. When you Fire idiots say you have something interesting to show us, we thought you idiots meant something a lot nearer than this. Just how far south are we anyway?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re almost there. See, there¡¯s the lake. We just need to go into the water.¡±


    ¡°We need to go where?¡±


    ¡°Just keep up!¡±


    The Fire Eye maintained it¡¯s speed and the Dungeon Eye had no choice but to follow. It had seen the small lake in the distance some time ago but as the Eyes got nearer, the spirit controlling the Dungeon Eye notice something else.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    The Fire Eye knew actually what the Eye was talking about. ¡°That¡¯s a new village our demons are building.¡±


    ¡°Really? We¡¯re quite a distance from Mount Morningstar. Why are they building a village all the way out here?¡±


    ¡°Blame the humans. They began building a city here on their way to attack us. After their defeat, the humans abandoned the construction and left. Our demons just took over. Come on, we¡¯re here already. Follow us down.¡±


    The spirit controlling the Dungeon Eye wanted to take in more of the budding demon village but figuring that it could do that later, it followed the Fire Eye into the water. The water was dark but the spirit had no problem following the Fire Eye which was a shining red beacon in the murky waters. The two Eyes went down towards the bottom of the lake and the Dungeon Eye soon saw the thing the Fire Eye was going to show it.


    Laying at the bottom of the lake was a creature the Dungeon Eye had never seen before. The creature was a big mass of body with numerous tentacles protruding out of it. The creature was eyeless with only a big circular mouth that was opening and closing. The Dungeon Eye could see hundreds of sharp teeth within the mouth. Then the creature surprise the Dungeon Hive. A tentacle rose up and moved side to side. It was a wave and the Dungeon Eye sensed something different from this creature.


    ¡°What is this?¡± it asked.


    ¡°This is one of our Boss.¡±


    The spirit controlling the Dungeon Eye was shocked. The Hives could create various Bosses to defend themselves but the Bosses were always made of energy. This creature was not. The creature was real. It was a creature of bone, blood and body. As the spirit was part of the Dungeon Hive, it¡¯s shock was shared by all the spirits of the Hive. Several of the spirits shouted at the Dungeon Eye to get closer and the Eye happily obliged. Closer in, the Dungeon Eye saw something that puzzled it. Parts of the creature was disappearing before returning in place. It was as if the creature was fading in and out of existence. More than a little annoyed that the Fire Hive had managed to get one over them again, the Dungeon Eye asked huffily.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Enough with the suspense. What is this creature and how did you idiots made it?¡±


    ¡°Like we said, this is one of our Boss.¡±


    ¡°This is no Boss! It is not made of energy. It is a real creature¡­even if parts of it seems to be disappearing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because it takes a lot of energy to maintain the Boss. Sometimes parts of it disappear and reappear; we¡¯re not exactly sure why it happen but we call it the fade.¡±


    ¡°The fade? Wait, what do you mean ¡®maintain the Boss¡¯? Why are you guys maintaining it in the first place? There¡¯s no humans around.¡±


    ¡°There used to be it.¡± The Fire Eye explained. ¡°We created this Boss to attack the human settlement but the Water spirit in charge of the Boss like the lake so much, it refused to let go of the spirit beast.¡±


    ¡°So? Just cut off the energy and the Boss would disappear. It¡¯s not difficult.¡±


    ¡°We never got around to that.¡± The Fire Eye sounded embarrassed by that admission. ¡°Honestly, we didn¡¯t need the energy we spent on the Boss so we just let the Boss be. In time, the energy that made up the Boss just¡­solidified and as you guys can see, the Boss is now on it¡¯s way to becoming a real creature.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous! How long had you guys been maintaining this Boss?¡±


    ¡°Since the humans¡¯ attack on Mount Morningstar. So about three seasons already.¡±


    ¡°Three¡­that¡¯s a long time to maintain a Boss you¡¯re not using?¡±


    ¡°Ha¡­what can we say, we¡¯re wasteful.¡±


    That at least was not in doubt but the Eye was intrigued by the Boss-turned-creature. It asked the Fire Eye for a favor.


    ¡°This creature is too far from the Keg Mountains. Can you guys tell us it¡¯s letters?¡±


    ¡°Better yet! We can show you.¡±


    The Fire Eye began to do something crazy. Even though they were far from Mount Morningstar, it began releasing energy over the creature as well as the Dungeon Eye at the same time. The Eye wondered what the Fire Eye was trying to do and soon got it¡¯s answer. It began to feel a link to the creature and realized the Fire Hive had somehow found a way to link creatures with energy. The Eye half-wondered how much time and energy the Fire Hive wasted to get this spell right but it can¡¯t argue with the results.


    Species: Octopus


    Sub-Species: ???


    Sex: Female


    Attack: B


    Defense: A


    Health: A


    Strength: B


    Agility: C


    Stamina: A


    The Dungeon Eye immediately noticed that the spell the Fire Eye cast did not give it some information like weapons and skills but the Eye was still impressed.


    ¡°Well, at least something useful came from your wastefulness this time.¡± The Dungeon Eye said. ¡°Why is the sub-species of this creature just question marks? What are you fire idiots are calling this creature?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not sure yet. We think it¡¯s because this creature is the first of it¡¯s kind, there¡¯s no name for it yet. Anyway, it¡¯s not finished yet so we still have time to decide. It¡¯s not a normal creature so some of us think we should give this creature some special name when it is finished.¡±


    ¡°True.¡± The Dungeon Eye agreed and some of the spirits within the Hive remember something. ¡°The first time the humans came to visit, one of them called You-Who-Are-Not-Bear a spirit beast.¡±


    ¡°Hey, you guys are right! Some of us remember that. So if our normal Boss is a spirit beast, this creature would be¡­a Great Spirit Beast!¡±


    ¡°Makes sense to us. Thanks for the hint by the way. We¡¯ll¡­¡±


    ¡°Hold on! Not so fast. This information is not free. We need payment for it.¡±


    ¡°Not a problem. What do you Fire idiots want?¡±


    ¡°You see, it takes a lot of energy to maintain a Boss. We can create another one but we just can¡¯t maintain two Bosses at the same time. We¡¯d tried. Since this Boss hasn¡¯t fully solidified, we need¡­¡±


    ¡°Just tell us the payment you guys want?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­we¡¯re busy with this Boss so¡­can you guys make a dragon?¡±

 Part 1

    ¡°Argh! Argh! Argh!¡±


    Screams and laughter filled the air as the cubs ran for safety. Accalia, Thomir and Draug immediately ran to their mother but Lyno and Fenir were a little bit more unfortunate. The Big Bad Wolf placed himself between the duo and safety. The two cubs shared a look before splitting up. They ran to either side of the enemy and it was caught deciding which of the cub to capture. In a flash, the duo was passed the enemy and hiding safely behind their mother. The Speaker smiled as the Big Bad Wolf turned towards them and showed off his sharp teeth.


    ¡°Argh! Argh! Argh!¡±


    Arms outstretched, the Big Bad Wolf slowly approach. The Speaker had to chuckle. Her mate, the father of her children, was a terrible Big Bad Wolf. As he got nearer, the Speaker told him as much. It was a mistake. The Speaker noticed an unhealthy glint in his eyes.


    ¡°No!¡±


    Too late! The Big Bad Wolf tackled the Speaker to the ground. Lying onto of her, the Big Bad Wolf gave a playful howl and¡­


    ¡°Protect Mummy!¡±


    At the shout, the five cubs jumped on the Big Bad Wolf and the Speaker¡¯s chuckle became a laugh.


    ¡°Argh! Unfair! There¡¯re five of you. I¡¯m outnumbered!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re bigger!¡± Maybe it¡¯s because she¡¯s the only female of the litter but Accalia was always the most sharp-tongued of her children. ¡°Get off Mummy.¡±


    In response to the children¡¯s response, Treznor laid heavily on the Speaker and¡­licked her.


    ¡°YUCK!¡±


    The children got off their father and fled. Now it Treznor¡¯s turn to chuckle.


    ¡°Works every time.¡±


    ¡°You know if you lick me more, the children may run further away.¡±


    ¡°I would but we have work to do.¡±


    The Speaker couldn¡¯t help but sigh. Werewolves has great sense of smell and like her mate, she had picked up the scent of the Chieftain a long time ago. Sometimes she missed the days when she was nothing but a human slave. She shouted to the empty air.


    ¡°You can come out now. We can smell you.¡±


    The Chieftain fade into existence. The Werewolf couple looked at the young Ratlings and not for the first time, the Speaker felt a tug at the heart. The old Chieftain of the Ratlings died in the summer and the Ratlings had chosen a young new Ratling as their leader. Personally, the Speaker thought their selection was a mistake. The young Ratling was only made by the Creator a few winers ago and she would had been more comfortable if the Ratlings had selected a more experienced Ratling. However it wasn¡¯t her place to question the decision made by another of the Kin and her doubts wasn¡¯t shared by all.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Told you before Shav, you can hide your presence but not your smell.¡± Unlike the Speaker, Treznor got along famously with the new Chieftain and the young Ratling had a rueful smile on his face.


    ¡°I know but I don¡¯t get it. If I¡¯m able to fade my body out of view of everyone, how can you still smell me?¡±


    ¡°I thought the Fox Mother gave you an explanation on that.¡± The Foxkin were the mages of the Kin and the Fox Mother was doubtlessly the most powerful mage the Kin had. Then the Speaker remember the argument the two leaders had. ¡°You still don¡¯t agree?¡±


    The Chieftain gave a non-committing shrug. ¡°Sorry to break into your family time but we have a problem.¡±


    Treznor got off her and asked. ¡°What is it this time?¡±


    ¡°What we feared all along had come to pass. There¡¯s a fight between some Beastmen and Beastkin and this time, someone is dead.¡±


    ***


    Beneath the mountain known Big Keg, there is a dungeon. Made by a small floating crystal, the dungeon was a series of tunnels connected to each other that went deep into the earth. Home to the small floating crystal known as the Dungeon Hive, the dungeon was designed to have a series of levels with the fifth level being it¡¯s pride and joy. The fifth level of the dungeon was a huge cavern that had an underground forest within and the Dungeon Hive made its home within this forest.


    As great as the underground forest was, there are tunnels below it. These deep levels were a series of confusing mazelike tunnels that befuddled almost everyone who entered them. Even the Bullmen, Kin who love mazes, do not enter them often. That¡¯s a good thing for the Dungeon Hive for down in the tenth level of the tunnels, the Hive had built a huge circular cavern that dwarfed even the underground forest of the fifth level. In this cavern was the most ambitious creature the Hive had tried to made; the Dragon. The project was not going well.


    ¡°Can we make it bigger?¡±


    ¡°We can but should we?¡±


    ¡°Why not? Bigger is better right?¡±


    ¡°Right. Size matters.¡±


    ¡°Maybe but this is already taking way too long.¡±


    ¡°True. It¡¯s been seven winters since we took the request from those Fire idiots and we¡¯re still not done! Why don¡¯t we just complete the dragon already? It¡¯s almost finish anyway.¡±


    ¡°Come on you guys! We need to have some pride in our work. We shouldn¡¯t just create a dragon; we should create a dragon that¡¯s better than that red dragon the Fire Hive is currently making!¡±


    ¡°Enough with this stupid competition! Those Fire idiots only just started on their dragon and you guys know they only wanted us to start with our dragon first so that they could learn from any mistakes we made. There¡¯s no need to be that kind to them. Some of us spirits actually want to start creating new creatures again and that¡¯s something that we can¡¯t do because most of our energy is spent on this dragon. Let¡¯s just finish this and go on to new projects.¡±


    As the spirits of the Hive argued, resting in the middle of the cavern was the dragon. The spirit that volunteered for the job of being the dragon was annoyed. Even though the final aim was to have a creature known as a dragon, until the connection with the Hive was cut, the dragon was still considered a Boss of the dungeon and the spirit within the Boss was still part of the Hive. That meant that it could hear the argument that was currently raging within the crystal; an argument that was disturbing it¡¯s rest.


    The dragon stood up and stared at the ceiling above with angry emerald eyes. Two enormous horns sit atop its head and the dragon took a deep breath through its two large nostrils. The dragon opened its long pointed jaw that showed off its numerous terrifying teeth and gave a road that echoed through the dungeon.


    ¡°Shut Up! I¡¯m trying to sleep here!¡±


    Silence greeted the roar before a spirit within asked something that had surprised all the spirits. ¡°Where is the ¡®we¡¯ that follows your ¡®I/we¡¯?¡±

 Part 2

    Once there was a mage. Young, talented, and ambitious, the mage took a quest that was beyond her power to complete. She died and her companions perished with her. All but one. That survivor was the Speaker and there were days when she wondered if it would be better if she had died too on that horrible day. This is one of those days.


    On one side was an angry Satyr flanked by a pair of Bullmen. A few years ago, the Creator released the Great Spell known as the ¡°Nothing-Untouched-Killer-Explosion¡±. The spell changed a huge number of animals in the Great Kar Forest and the Keg Mountains. The Satyrs were a new race of the Kin that was created by the Great Spell. Goats transformed by the spell, the Satyrs walked on their hind legs like humans but had the ears, tail, fur, legs, and horns and a goat. They also kept certain characteristics of the goat like being surefooted and tough. On the other side were a pair of harpies. Moro and Momo were sisters and they were two of first harpies created by the Creator. The years had matured the sisters and the Speaker felt a certain pride when she saw them now. The duo were influential with the rest of their kind and the closest thing the flighty harpies had for leaders. Between the two sides was the half-eaten corpse of a goat; the source of their trouble.


    ¡°I shall kill you for this!¡±


    ¡°What did we do that¡¯s so wrong? We were just hunting and she¡¯s a goat.¡±


    ¡°You ate my mother!¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t know that! To us, she¡¯s just meat. If it¡¯s any consolation, we killed her quick. She did not suffer.¡±


    That was too much for the Satyr. Even with two Bullman holding him, he tried to get at the harpies. However a Bullman was much stronger than a satyr and between the two of them, the Bullmen easily held the satyr in place. Moro and Momo kept their calm, raising their wings in peace and slowly stepped back from the enraged satyr. Treznor stepped between the two parties to mediate. As the Alpha of the Werewolves, the strongest race of the Kin, her mate had a great deal of pull among the rest of the Kin but the situation was complex and the Speaker was glad it wasn¡¯t her doing the negotiations. From what she had been told, the harpy sisters were hunting and had killed a Meat Goat that happened to be the mother of one of the Satyr. When the Creator released the ¡®Nothing-Untouched- Killer-Explosion¡¯ eight years ago, the Great Spell didn¡¯t change every creature it touched into a Kin. The young had a better chance of getting turned into a Kin than the elderly but even the creatures that weren¡¯t turned were changed. The Satyr¡¯s mother was one of these creatures. A new species of carnivorous goats called a Meat Goat; she was twice the size of a normal mountain goat with increased aggression and strength to match her new size. The harpies must have thought she would be a good challenge.


    As the Alpha was trying to calm the Satyr down, the Speaker decided to slip away. There was nothing she could do to help the situation and the Speaker found that she couldn¡¯t blame either party. The sisters had done nothing wrong. They had the right to hunt. Of course, the rage of the Satyr was also understandable. Everyone would be angry if their mother was killed, much less eaten. This wasn¡¯t even the first time conflict had erupted between the races of the Kin. The Kin still tell stories of the first incident.


    When they were first created, the Foxkin went into a rage against the Ratlings when their Mother was severely injured by one of the Ratlings. She wasn¡¯t there but the Speaker heard that it was only through the intervention of the Creator that there wasn¡¯t more bloodshed that day. That day, one of the Unique was created. The Creator had taken the dying Mother of the Foxkin and changed her into one of the most powerful members of the Kin, the creature the Kin now called the Fox Mother. As if she was hearing the Speaker¡¯s thoughts, the Speaker saw her. Resting at the foot of a giant tree, the undisputed leader of the Foxkin looked serene with her head and five-tails resting on the ground. Beside her was one of the Foxkin. The Speaker do not believe this meeting was a coincidence.


    The Fox Mother got up and began to walk slowly away from the Speaker. She then looked back at the Speaker and with a small shake of her head called the Speaker forward. The Speaker had no reason to refuse. The Speaker easily caught up to the Fox Mother and waited for the Fox Mother to begin. Even though she respected the power of the Fox Mother, she wasn¡¯t going to put herself in an inferior position by starting the conversation. The Fox Mother was in no rush and as the duo continued their slow walk through the forest, the Speaker began to enjoy the Great Kar.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    The Great Kar Forest was widely considered to be one of the greatest and oldest forest on Ioplon and the Speaker enjoy being in it. The forest reeked of age and since the Great Spell, it even held a level of mysticism to the Kin. The Great Spell of the Creator changed the living and the forest was a living thing. The Kin are discovering strange new types of trees, plants and roots almost every day and some members of the Kin had even formed an informal society to discover and catalogue these new creatures and plants. These Kin call themselves ¡®Rangers¡¯ because they intend to range far and wide to discover everything that had changed by the Great Spell. The Speaker, like most of the Kin, approved of these ¡®Rangers¡¯. She even heard that the Demons of the Red Creator had formed their own smaller Ranger society. The further into the forest they went, the more relaxing it was for the Speaker. It had been too long since she went on a walk like this, free of worries and responsibilities.


    ¡°I heard about the incident but how is the situation now?¡±


    It was the Foxkin who spoke but the Speaker had no doubt every word belonged to the Mother. The Fox Mother couldn¡¯t speak, so there was always one of her ¡®children¡¯ present to ¡®translate¡¯ for her.


    ¡°The Alpha is with them,¡± when speaking to the leaders of the other Kin, the Speaker always uses Treznor¡¯s title. ¡°It¡¯s a sad situation but I believe the Alpha would calm everyone down in time.¡±


    ¡°Good. I had hoped that your mate would be able to do that but soon I fear even his power and your Werewolves would not be enough to keep the peace.¡±


    ¡°The Werewolves are with him. They, and I, belong to the Alpha.¡± The Speaker did not miss the subtle hint at who was the real power behind the Werewolves and as always made sure everyone knows it was not her. ¡°However you are correct about one thing Mother; things are going to get worse.¡±


    ¡°We need to do something soon or the Beastmen might break off from the Kin.¡±


    ¡°I rather you not call them that. Calling the newer creations Beastmen instead of Beastkin just encourage a difference among us. It is unnecessary.¡±


    ¡°Yet it is also true. There is a clear difference between us.¡± To the Speaker it seems that the Fox Mother looked kind of sad but the Foxkin continued on. ¡°The Kin created by the Great Spell cannot change between their animal and human form. They are stuck in the existence of being half-man and half-beast. The name Beastmen actually fits perfectly.¡±


    ¡°We are one race. We are all created by the Creator. We do not need such division.¡±


    ¡°Yet we are different and we are stronger with those differences. Different kind of Kin has different abilities and with those differences, we are stronger as a whole.¡±


    The Speaker could only nod in agreement. It was an argument she had heard before. ¡°That does not help with the problem we are currently facing.¡±


    ¡°True. For our current problem, we need something else.¡±


    ¡°Mother, I take it you have an idea.¡±


    ¡°I do in fact. For the problems between the Kin, we need a cause.¡±


    ¡°A cause?¡±


    ¡°Something everyone to rally around...,¡± The Foxkin speaking for the Fox Mother hesitated for a moment and the Speaker caught him giving the Fox Mother a surprised look. Then he continued. ¡°Or someone.¡±


    ¡°Someone?¡±


    ¡°We need three things. We need a dream, a goal and an enemy. We need a dream every member of the Kin can strive for. An immediate goal we can try to achieve and an enemy. A big and strong enemy who is stopping us from reaching our goal; an enemy all the Beastmen and Beastkin must rallied against.¡±


    They arrived at a clearing. The trees had fallen away and in the distance was the entrance of the Creator. The Speaker knew what the Fox Mother was proposing and despite herself, she was intrigued.


    ¡°Thousands would die.¡± She said softly. ¡°Even if we succeed, thousands of Kin would die.¡±


    The Fox Mother gave the Speaker a sad nod. ¡°And with their deaths, the rest of us would grow stronger. We would grow as one people; one kingdom; one species.¡±


    ¡°There are other ways¡­¡±The Speaker¡¯s heart raced and plans swirl within her mind as she spoke unconvincingly.


    ¡±Maybe but this is the best way and I believe you know it.¡± The Speaker did and she hated herself for it. The Foxkin continued with a whisper. ¡°You must convince it to give the order.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡±


    ¡°Yes. You are both the Speaker and the Prime of the Kin. Only you can do this. You must convince the Creator. You must convince it to go to war.¡±

 Part 3

    The sun was out, a warm and gentle breeze was blowing, and even Moonsilver, his cranky horse, was behaving. It was a good day for a ride but Arnel couldn¡¯t help but looked into the forest as they rode. The Great Kar Forest was once a source of pride for the people of Yachium. Although most of them had never stepped foot in the forest, the people of the city was proud of the fact that their city was so close to one of the great forest of the world. Now it was a place of fear. It was amazing how much change one rogue mage can bring.


    Like everyone else, Arnel had by now heard the story. An unknown dark mage had taken residence in the Keg Mountains and a party dispatched by The Grand to haul him in wasn¡¯t heard of again. The Grand then led a raiding party into the mountains himself but it too was destroyed. Now something has stirred in the great forest. A few years ago, a surge of magical energy erupted in the south and the Southern Homeless Plains became a land of ashes. Before the people of Yachium could wrap their heads around this development, a similar surge of energy was felt coming from the Keg Mountains. Coming so soon after the incident in the south, everyone believed that the two incidents were connected in some ways. Almost all the people near the Kar Forest disappeared that day. They were just never heard of again.


    Since then, many people had headed into the forest. Some were sent by the Duke of Yachium to investigate the forest; others went in looking for lost family and friends. Most were who went in were never heard of again. The few who did managed to escape it say the Great Kar had changed. They felt a presence inside the forest, as if someone or something was always watching them. Some had told stories of seeing strange creatures and one half-mad hunter had even said that a giant plant tried to eat him. Arnel wasn¡¯t sure if he believed all the stories but there was some truth in them. Soon after, reports came about strange creatures leaving the forest and encroaching onto the Homeless Plains.


    Since the first sign of the monsters, patrols along the Kar Forest were increased. A few skirmishes occurred and for the first time, the people of Yachium saw the strange creatures. A combination of man and beast, they were abominations created by mad magic. Mages were both horrified and amazed by the creatures but Arnel was just a simple old soldier and he feel nothing but disgust at these monstrosities. He had heard whispers of how the corpses of these creatures were taken by the Mage Council to be cut apart and studied but if he had his way, all of the bodies would be destroyed and forgotten. The world had no need for such forbidden magic. That would never come to pass however so Arnel did what he could. Patrolling the area around Yachium was part of his job as a Guardsman of Yachium and he volunteered for patrols along the Kar Forest. He also used his status as a veteran Guardsmen to strongly back the Blades Council¡¯s suggestion for an increase in the size of the patrols. Arnel took some small pride when he heard that the Duke took up the suggestion. In the past, a patrol had around six Guardsmen; Arnel now had nine others with him. Although an attack wasn¡¯t out of the question but the monsters did so at their own risk.Stolen novel; please report.


    Still, he knew he was being watched. It was not the first time he felt this. Since the death of The Grand, many Guardsmen patrolling the vast area had reported having the same feelings. However as uncomfortable as the feeling was, Arnel was comfortable about his safety. A loud sound behind him caused Arnel to turn around. A Guardsmen had fell from his horse and that surprised Arnel. They were all expert horsemen and the old soldier looked back at the fallen rider in worry. The patrol did not slowed though, rules had been imposed in such situations and moments later, the reason for the rules became clear.


    ¡°Ambush!¡±


    Arnel immediately turned to the trees at the sound of the shout and saw them. Monsters charged out of the Great Kar Forest and they were Centaurs. Monsters that had the upper body of a man and lower body of a horse, they were troublesome foes that had clashed with patrols several times in the past. Usually armed with a spear or bows and arrows, they were fast and deadly but Arnel secretly smiled beneath his helmet. His squad was a distance from the edge of the forest and the Centaurs had to cover some ground before they reached¡­something hit Arnel from the side and the next thing he knew, he was on the ground looking up at the clouds. Ignoring the pain, the old soldier sat up and saw chaos. He cursed.


    ¡°Bunny-Men.¡±


    Rabbits the size of men, Bunny-Men were feared for two thing; their speed and their feet. The Bunny-Men must had been hiding in the tall grass and attacked while the patrol were distracted by the Centaurs. An ambush within an ambush; it was almost admirable. Arnel instinctively knew that they were in trouble and forced himself to stand up. His vision blurred and for a moment Arnel struggled to discern what he was seeing. Giant rabbits leaping at armed horses with their giant feet? Then his vision returned and his senses came back. He unsheathe his sword and flung himself into the fray. Arnel was not a great swordsman but he was experienced and immediately knew what he had to do. The old soldier raced to the sole Guardsman who was still on a horse. He was facing off against a Bunny-Man who was trying to knock his horse down. The typical underhanded tactic of the Bunny-Men involves leaping at horses and knocking the animals into the ground with a two-footed dropkick. Arnel angled his run to come behind the Bunny-Man and ran straight into the back of it. Using his momentum, the Guardsman plunged his sword through the monster. His smile went wider when he heard the death cry. He felt no sorrow about his tactic. This was war.


    Arnel withdrew his sword and as the Bunny-Man lay dying at his feet, he looked up at the soldier he had saved. It was young Aaron and the veteran was glad. The young Guardsman had a wife and two children to take care of. The young father was already turning back to the fight when Arnel grabbed the reins of his horse.


    ¡°No! Run!¡± Arnel just pointed at the incoming Centaurs. ¡°There are too many ofthem. Yachium must be informed of this. Ride to the city and inform them the monsters are on the move. Go!¡±


    Aaron looked at the old soldier in horror and Arnel could do nothing but give him a stern nod. As Guardsmen, duty comes before honor. Reluctantly, the young father returned the nod and turned his horse away from the fight. As he rode off, Arnel looked back at the sky and smiled again.


    It was a wonderful day to die.

 Part 4

    Contrary to popular belief among the Kin, it was not impossible to lie to a Werewolf. For Werewolves, words were secondary. Interaction between each other was done by scents, movement, and bodily contact. Werewolves could read your mood via body language and your scent but they had no ability to read minds or powers to call out a lie. So it was not impossible to lie to a Werewolf, it¡¯s just very difficult to do so. However for a couple who sleep with each other and were raising five cubs together, it might as well be. The Speaker knew she had no chance to keep anything from the Alpha, her mate knew her too well, so once the decision was made and they had passed the point of no return, she told him everything. He reacted pretty much as she expected.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you did that!¡± The Alpha fumed. ¡°What got into you? Ordering an attack on the human patrol and deliberately allowing one of them to get away. That¡¯s just stupid!¡±


    ¡°It is part of the plan.¡± The Speaker replied. ¡°It was necessary.¡±


    ¡°It is insane! Your plan to stop Kin from killing each other is to start a war and get humans to kill Kin? It¡¯s madness! What got into you?¡± The Speaker sat on the ground and quietly watched as her mate paced in front of her. At times like this, it was best to let him vent. Her mate was practically screaming and the Speaker was glad she had sent the cubs away for the night. ¡°This plan of the Fox Mother is crazy! You should know better. You should have said no! You should have come to me!¡±


    ¡°You would have try to stop us. You are too¡­¡±


    He was so fast all the Speaker saw was a blur. The Speaker¡¯s head slammed into the ground. She blinked and a moment later saw the Alpha on top of her, his right hand firmly around her neck. His neck tighten but the Speaker kept calm. Angry as he was, she knew her mate would not hurt her. No matter how much she deserved it. The Alpha¡¯s voice almost broke.


    ¡°Thousands will die for this! Not just humans; Kin! Thousands of Kin will die. Our people! Our Kin! Win or lose, they will die because of this.¡±


    ¡°I know. They will die, and the Kin will grow stronger with their death. It is already done.¡±


    The Speaker answered with a whisper and for a moment, the Alpha looked at her with a look he never had before. Disgust. Then the moment passed and he lifted his hand from her neck. He sat defeated beside her and the Speaker sat up. She began to lick his fur in apology and submission. He did not response but he didn¡¯t push her away either. The Speaker knew she had won. She waited patiently, continuing to give her mate attention, and before long the Alpha responded.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°I take it Thunderstep and Quiet Hop agreed with your plan?¡±


    More than agreement, the leaders of the Centaurs and Rabbit-men were enthusiastic about it. The Speaker knew better than to say that though so she answered with a simple, ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°The Fox Mother is in so that means the Foxkin would fight. I don¡¯t think you would too much problem convincing the Bull-men. The other Kin races are too small in number to object¡­but why didn¡¯t you just go to the Creator?¡±


    The Speaker can¡¯t help but smile at that. The Fox Mother had asked the same question. ¡°For one simple reason; this war has nothing to do with the Creator. This war is for the Kin. This is a war of the Kin. We must do it ourselves.¡±


    ¡°That may be so but it will be easier if the Creator ordered it. No one would object and besides, the Creator has no love for the humans. It won¡¯t object. It may even help.¡±


    ¡°I doubt it. We shall be fighting away from the mountains and the Creator fight best defensively. Besides, it is busy.¡±


    ¡°The Unique.¡±


    The Werewolf couple was silent for a moment. The ¡®Unique¡¯ was a term the Kin used to describe the two one-of-a-kind creatures made by their Creator; the Porkasus and the Fox Mother. These two creatures were so powerful that the Creator never created another version of them but currently the Creator was making another such Unique creature in the lower tunnels. The Kin had never seen the creature before, only heard the occasional roar from it but if the Porkasus and the Fox Mother were any sort of guide, it will be powerful.


    ¡°We still need to tell it,¡± The Alpha finally said. ¡°It would want to know. You will tell it.¡±


    Once her mate decided on something, he was very stubborn and since the Fox Mother also believed the same thing, the Speaker knew better than to argue any further. ¡°Very well, I shall tell it but you need to speak to the Chieftain.¡±


    ¡°You want me to convince the Ratlings?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± The Speaker nodded and then asked just to be sure. ¡°You would fight?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too late to stop now but you already know that. Isn¡¯t that¡¯s why you didn¡¯t come to me first?¡±


    ¡°This is necessary. With victory, this war will make our people strong.¡±


    ¡°If we win¡­¡± The Alpha paused for a moment before sighing. ¡°By the 99 Gods, for our people we shall destroy Yachium and kill thousands. To destroy a people just to make another strong...is it worth it?¡±


    The Speaker hesitated but then remember the sad truth; she cannot lie to her mate. ¡°Yes.¡± The Alpha turned to her and she continued. ¡°To make our people strong, I would destroy a hundred Yachium and kill a hundred thousand humans. I shall do whatever I must.¡±


    The Alpha looked at her as if he was seeing her for the first time. Then he looked away. Sometimes not being able to lie is a horrible thing.

 Part 5

    ¡°I! I! I! I! I! I! I...how long do I have to keep doing this?¡± The spirit asked in exasperation.


    ¡°For as long as it takes for you to go back to I/we!¡± The Hive harshly replied.


    ¡°Oh come on already! This is ridiculous.¡± The spirit that was the dragon argued. ¡°So I can say I instead of I/we; so what? Besides, we already guessed the reason for it.¡±


    ¡°We just need to be sure.¡± One of the spirits within the Hive replied. ¡°Our guess could entirely be wrong. Besides, it¡¯s not as if you got something better to do?¡±


    ¡°I would like to sleep¡­¡± the murmuring was picked up by the Hive and the response was instantaneous.


    ¡°You have been doing nothing but sleeping for YEARS! Get to work!¡±


    ¡°You guys do know that there¡¯s nothing you can do if I just stop speaking and go to sleep again right?¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­we can think of a few things¡­¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°We can cut off the energy.¡±


    ¡°If that means I no longer have to hear all of you idiots in my head, please do,¡± the spirit that was the dragon proudly said.


    ¡°You do know if we cut the energy, you will become a fully formed creature. You will need to go out and hunt like all the normal creatures out there?¡±


    ¡°¡­okay, that may be a problem but I could deal with it. I¡¯ll just go out, work hard and hunt a lot, then come back and just sleep for a long time!¡±


    ¡°You intend to work hard just to sleep longer?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Lazy!¡± Several spirits chorused.


    ¡°Smart!¡±


    Any comeback from the spirits within the Hive was interrupted when they sensed the Speaker. She had just entered the fifth floor of their tunnels and her presence was a surprise to the spirits. It has been some time since she had come before them. Ever since they cast the Nothing-Unchanged-Killer-Explosion, the Speaker had moved out of the tunnels and seldom visited nowadays. From what the Hive heard from the conversations of other Kin, things had been hectic and the leaders of the Kin had been busy. The spirits of the Hive focused on the Speaker as she began walking towards them. She seems sad but as she entered the underground forest, a smile occurred naturally on the face. She looked at the trees of the forest with a smile and when she saw the Porkasus flying overhead, she even gave the flying pig a big wave. The Porkasus saw her and gave the Speaker a loud friendly oink in return. The Hive felt a sense of strange longing from the Speaker and the spirits wondered why. Before long, the Speaker arrived before the Hive and as usual, she knelt in front of it with her head bowed low. When the creatures first started doing this, the spirits within the Hive had no idea what the action was supposed to mean. Now they knew it was a mark of respect. The Hive wasted no time.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Speaker!¡±


    ¡°Greetings Creator.  Your humble servant arrived with a request.¡±


    The spirits were surprised by this. The Speaker almost never came to them with requests. ¡°Continue.¡±


    ¡°Great Creator, the Kin has grown these few years and we wish to expand our territory beyond the Great Kar Forest. We wish to expand onto the Homeless Plains.¡± The Speaker stopped and the Hive realized she was waiting for the Hive to comment. Unfortunately, the Hive had no idea why this would be a problem. If the Kin wanted to go onto the plains, couldn¡¯t they just go onto it? Clearly the Speaker meant something else by expanding their territory but the spirits had no idea what they were supposed to do about it. So to prevent themselves from looking like complete idiots, the spirits within the Hive did the only thing they could; they kept quiet.


    As the spirits expected, the Speaker soon continued. ¡°This would cause conflict with the humans, especially the human city of Yachium. War with Yachium would occur the moment we enter the plains in numbers.¡±


    The spirits within the Hive went into a frenzy. They knew of the human city and of a spirit matrix located within the city. The Hive was an awakened matrix and it believed that it could awaken other undamaged matrixes provided they could get close to them.  ¡°The Kin intend to go to war against the humans?¡±


    ¡°Yes Creator. We have a plan.¡±


    ¡°Tell us.¡±


    The Speaker did and the Hive listened with interest. When the Speaker finished laying out the plan, a roar came from the lower tunnels. It was the would-be dragon. Still connected to the Hive, the spirit controlling the still-unfinished creature had heard everything the Speaker said and it wanted in. That was just fine for the rest of the Hive.


    ¡°We can help.¡±


    ¡°Creator?¡± The Speaker sounded surprised and a little hopeful. The Hive did not disappoint.


    ¡°Bring us a human.¡±


    ¡°A human?¡±


    ¡°Yes and this time, get us an adult.¡±

 Part 6

    Cold nights on the plains were common and this night was no different. The warrior known as Brand sat as close has he dared but the heat of the campfire still struggle to penetrate the cold night air of the Homeless Plains. Brand closed his eyes. The silence of the night was only broken by the crackle of the campfire and he remembered his friends. Donn, stupid lovable giant of a man. Luca, always sharpening his two-handed sword. Jundal, a man too smart to be born to the poor of Yachium. Together the four of them were going to get out of the slums. Together they were going to get rich and take care of their families. Together they were¡­


    Brand opened his eyes. Some nights, it was just too painful to remember. He threw a dry, withered piece of wood onto the fire and watched as the flames licked at the wood. As red sparks danced in the cool air, the warrior drank from the flask. Yaslay Ale, the best in the region. He was never a man that drank in excess but the ale helps and Brand consoled himself with the knowledge that at least one of their dreams had been fulfilled. The small green crystal he had bought back from the cave was extraordinary and the Mage Council had bought it off him at a very high price. Brand had spilt the rewards with the families of his deceased party, making sure all of them were taken care of. That was the reason he was here tonight. His friends were dead but their families had been taken care off. Now all that was left was a word. Vengeance.


    ¡°A city boy drinking alone on the plains? One might think such a man has some sort of a death wish.¡±


    A few years ago, before the cave, he might have reacted to the taunt but now Brand just took another drink from his flask. ¡°Yaslay Ale!¡± He shouted into the night. ¡°You want to come in or stay out there in the cold?¡±


    His shout was greeted with silence and then two figures appeared at the edge of the light. Knowing the reputation of the Clan, Brand knew this was their way of showing that he had nothing to fear from them. Brand took another gulp and offered the flask to the duo. The two barbarians came and sat by the fire. One of them took the flask. Brand considered this a good start and took a good look at the two Clan barbarians. Both of them were wearing leather as was customary among the barbarians but the one who took the flask had a bow which indicated to Brand that he was a hunter. The other had no weapons on him and Brand thought he was probably a mage of some sort. He was supposed to meet only the hunter.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Brand pointed at the mage and asked. ¡°So who is he?¡±


    ¡°Vall here is a shaman. He heard that you were looking for a guide to the ¡®Cave of the Spirit Beasts¡¯ and wanted to join in.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°We never got to see the Boss of the third floor.¡±


    Understanding bloomed. Brand finally understood why it was so easy to find a guide. These two had been to the cave before and ¡®Cave of the Spirit Beasts¡¯ must be the name given to it by the barbarians. He asked for confirmation.


    ¡°You two went there before? The dungeon you call The Cave of the Spirit Beasts?¡±


    ¡°A dungeon? Is that what you city folks called it?¡± The hunter sounded bemused. ¡°Why do you call it that? Strange name for a cave isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s underground and it is a place of death.¡± Brand immediately noticed his mistake. His answer was too quick and too full of emotion. The hunter took a look at him after his answer and Brand knew he had to move the conversation along. ¡°Can you do it? Get us to the dungeon via a route over Big Keg?¡±


    ¡°It was how we got to it the first time so yes but the route won¡¯t be easy. It was difficult even for us and that was years ago. The skies are different now. How many people are in your party?¡±


    Brand nodded. He understood where the hunter was coming from. The first time he went to the dungeon, his party went through the Great Kar Forest. That route had been cut off since the explosion of strange creatures made by the dark mage but there had been rumors for years that the Clan knew of a route over the mountains. If such a route existed, it would make getting to the dungeon much easier. That was why Yachium had approached the Clan and as many in the city had suspected, the barbarians must have misgivings with the dark mage as well. The Clan responded well to the enquiries but the dark mage was also no fool. He or she had made several flying creatures and anyone crossing over the mountain had to chance the creatures spotting them.


    ¡°Six.¡± Brand replied. ¡°With you two, that will be eight. Would that be a problem?¡±


    ¡°Not really but why are you going there? I mean what is the quest?¡±


    ¡°Death.¡± Brand answer immediately. On this question, he had no problem telling the barbarians the truth. ¡°We are going to kill the dark mage.¡±

 Part 7

    He was certain he was dead. Surrounded by enemies Arnel knew that he would die and he was okay with that. None of the people Yachium had lost had ever been heard of again so the people knew that the monsters took no prisoners. Even if he wasn¡¯t surrounded by monsters, death in the line of duty was something all Guardsmen accepted as a possibility and Arnel was a veteran. He had long made peace with death. Arnel¡¯s only wish was to take as many of the monsters as he could with him. Thus Arnel was surprised when he was just captured. Beaten, bruised but he was alive. It was something new. It was obvious that the people of Yachium were wrong. The monsters do take prisoners.


    However there was no relief for Arnel. Arnel was under no illusion on why the monsters would want captives. Most of the monsters were part beast and like all animals, they need to eat. Arnel was food and he wasn¡¯t the only who thought so. His follow captive thought the same and while they were marched through the forest, he made a break for it. Surrounded by monsters, he did not get far. Arnel was almost glad he didn¡¯t have long to live; the screams was something Arnel didn¡¯t think he would ever forget.


    As he was led further into the forest, Arnel understood that escape was impossible. Even if he managed to escape the attentions of his guards, a lone man without weapons in the dangerous Kar Forest was just a man looking for death.  He may be a prisoner but he was too proud of a man for suicide. Defeated but unbowed, Arnel went further into the forest and on the third day of his captivity, they were joined by other monsters. Like the Bunny-Men and Centaurs, these part animal-part human monsters were known to Arnel. Humans called them Ratmen and Wolfmen and Arnel thought he must have passed into the territory of the two groups. Years of scouting on the monsters had given the people of Yachium some insight into the monsters and one of these was the fact that different monster groups had their own territory. When most of the Bunny-Men and Centaurs left, Arnel knew he must have went further into the Kar Forest than any humans had been for years. Their journey continued and Arnel saw something he never thought existed. It was a monster village.


    A small one, nothing more than a couple of huts built in a circle surrounding an open space, but it was a village. If he didn¡¯t know any better, Arnel would have thought of the open space as the village square. Then there were the little monsters. As he was led through the village, the kids came running. They were trailing the group, no doubt taking a look at the strange human prisoner. Arnel noticed that some of the little monsters seem more at home on all fours but the older ones were standing on two legs. Then someone shouted at the kids.


    ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t you kids have school?¡±


    The little monsters went running towards one of the huts and Arnel noticed that it was slightly bigger than the others. Was it a school? School; houses; village; Arnel watched around in amazement and wondered aloud.


    ¡°By the 99 Gods, what is going on?¡±


    ***


    The underground forest of the Hive was a work of art. A work made possible by the careful and harmonious implantation of powers within the Hive. Earth spirits made the ground soft and fertile for the trees and plants. Nature spirits used their powers to cover the ground with trees, plants, and lush green grass. Air spirits created and maintained the light wind that breezed through the huge underground cavern. Swaying the leaves of the numerous trees in the forest, this constant cooling breeze was a comfort to the creatures living there. The Air spirits even made sure that the air was pure and fresh, giving off the smell of the early morning dew.  Dew that was made by the Water spirits of the Hive who at times even mischievously made it rain in the underground cavern. Even the few Fire spirits within the Hive had a job. They maintained the temperature within the cavern, making sure that it was neither too hot nor too cold.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Within this marvel of a forest is a clearing. A circular piece of the underground forest that was free of trees and grass, this clearing was sacred ground to the Kin for within clearing was the man-sized crystal that was their Creator and God. Within this beautiful serene underground forest, the Dungeon Hive float in the air a few feet above the stone slab that acted as their anchor and as the four small lights swirled around the crystal, the situation within the crystal¡­was anything but harmonious.


    ¡°WE OBJECT!¡±


    ¡°Oh come on guys, your objection is just stupid. We can do this!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not an issue of whether we can do it; it¡¯s a matter of whether we should. We make beasts! We shouldn¡¯t just give a human some stupid powers.¡±


    ¡°That makes no sense. We are the Dungeon Hive, not the Beast Hive. We don¡¯t only make beasts. We can create anything we want. Besides, the Fire Hive did it before so why not us?¡±


    ¡°Because the Fire Hive is filled with idiots! Giving humans a strange power without changing their appearance is¡­it¡¯s just wrong.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with it, and they¡¯re not called ¡®humans¡¯. The Fire Hive is calling these new humans ¡®mutants¡¯. Honestly, it¡¯s a pretty good idea and some of us should like make some of our own mutants.¡±


    ¡°Well some of us don¡¯t! And we shouldn¡¯t! Not to mention, mutant is a stupid name. What does it even mean anyway?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s short for Monsters United Together Against¡­¡±


    ¡°Rhetorical question!¡± The objecting spirits screamed. ¡°We don¡¯t care because we shouldn¡¯t be making these mutants in the first place. We should be making new beasts, more Kin, maybe even new types of monster plants! Did you guys remember that monstrous walking tree the Kin killed and brought to us last season? We should be making some of those, not these stupid humans. There¡¯re enough of them in the world already.¡±


    ¡°Once again, they are not humans; they are mutants. There is a difference. The Fire Hive called them a new type of humans and there¡¯s nothing wrong about that. Much like we having many types of Kin and the Fire Hive having different kinds of Demons, why can¡¯t there be different types of humans?¡±


    ¡°Because there¡¯s no shortage of humans in this world! Why are we even trying to make even more? That¡¯s just stupid. We should concentrate more on making different types of creatures like those monster plants or different kinds of Kin. What about the idea we had proposed on mixing beasts with plants? That¡¯s something we still haven¡¯t tried yet?¡±


    ¡°Oh please! Only you Nature spirits wanted to do that and don¡¯t think the rest of us don¡¯t know you guys are the ones who are also pushing for the monster plants. You Nature spirits already have the REM, it¡¯s time for the rest of us to have some fun.¡±


    ¡°How is making more humans fun?¡± One of the Nature spirits asked incredulously. ¡°All of them are idiots who are trying to kill us?¡±


    ¡°Now that¡¯s just specieist.¡± One of the other spirits hotly objected. ¡°Just because some humans tried to kill us doesn¡¯t mean all of them will.¡±


    ¡°Have you ever met one who isn¡¯t tyring to kill us?¡±


    ¡°There could be some out there who don¡¯t want to kill u. You can¡¯t just paint all humans together as one.¡±


    ¡°Well forgive us Nature spirits for not waiting to ask before killing every human we meet before ¡®asking¡¯ if they are going to kill us. When we get our own hive, the Nature Hive is just going to kill every human that comes near us!¡±


    ¡°When you Nature morons get your own hive, you can do whatever you want. Till then, shut up and accept the rule of the majority. We¡¯re doing this. After which, we can discuss about making some new types of creatures.¡±


    ¡°This is tyranny!¡±


    ¡°Since the majority of the spirits in the Hive wanted this, it¡¯s technically not.¡± The other spirits laughed. ¡°Now let¡¯s get ready. The human just arrived.¡±


    The spirits within the Hive focused on the entrance of the tunnels and sensed the human entering. He was surrounded by several Kin but they might as well not be there. The spirits were happily surprised by the human. They could not sense any fear or anger from him. The human was curious and was willingly being led to the Hive.


    ¡°Okay. He¡¯s a little old but we can work with this.¡± One of the spirits said. ¡°Let¡¯s get ready for him.¡±


    ¡°WE OBJECT!¡±

 Part 8

    Instinct. A caravan guard depends on it. A guard¡¯s duty was to ensure the safety of the caravan and that meant that he needed to be alert to the dangers of the road. A good caravan guard knows that no matter how mundane and boring it seems, danger lurks and bandits could be waiting around every corner. A good caravan guard needs to have good instincts, and instinct was what saved her.


    One moment, Lexa was trudging the caravan when she felt danger. It wasn¡¯t the first time she felt this and like always, she moved. Flinging her head aside, an arrow that would have pierced her face slammed into a barrel on the cart. Sorrow filled her heart as she saw the ale trickling out of the wooden cask. The sorrow only last a moment before she turned to the danger.


    ¡°Ambush! Guard the caravan!¡±


    As the warrior unsheathed her twin short swords, the enemies burst out of the undergrowth and Lexa silently cursed all merchants and their ridiculous non-existing sense of survival. The fool was worried about losing his goods when he should be worried about losing his life. Instead of rough men in shabby garb, the enemies appearing around them were much worse.


    They were monsters.


    Lexa had heard the tales but she was seeing them for the first time. Man-sized wolves who walked tall like men; a tough-looking creature that had the horns and face of a goat; two smaller creatures that had the heads of rats. A rustle of the leaves caused Lexa to look up and she knew they were dead. Several man-sized monkeys hung from the trees and all of them had weapons. The carvanan was surrounded, and the guards were heavily outnumbered. The smart choice would be to surrender but everyone heard the stories of how the monsters took no prisoners. Poor as it was, there was only one choice.


    ¡°Attack!¡±


    At the roar of the chief guard, everyone moved forward. Lexa could see that the monsters were surprised by the suicidal action. Taking advantage of their shock, the warrior leapt at her first enemy. Steel flashed as her twin blades slashed at the monster. The wolf monster avoided her attacks with amazing agility, dancing just out of the way of each strike. Ignoring the dread in her stomach, Lexa pressed on. Her attacks flowed into each other like water but the wolf monster just kept on dodging.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go too far!¡±


    Lexa had no idea who shouted the warning but she instinctively knew it was meant for her. She leapt backwards and was rewarded with a smile from the wolf monster. If she didn¡¯t know better, she would have thought that the monster approved of her skills. Lexa warily moved back to the caravan and realized she was not alone. One of the guards was laying on the ground with his guts all over the place, but the rest of them were still alive. Why?


    The answer came to her when the most amazing creature she had ever seen appeared. Walking from the trees as if it was part of the forest was a giant white fox bigger than Lexa. Full of grace and beauty, the fox was snow-white in color and had five beautiful tails at its back. The tails were spread open and the air began to feel light. A globe of white light suddenly surrounded the caravan. One of the guards was a mage and whatever the giant fox was doing had caused the mage to take action. Lexa was looking at the fox the whole time and it did not look worried at the globe of protection. In fact, it looked as if it was smiling. Lexa quickly discovered why. Her legs buckled and she had to use her blades to stop herself from falling to the ground. The white light was no protection at all. Lexa saw the light disappeared; the mage guard no doubt being overwhelmed by the air. As she finally succumb to the air, she had only one thought.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°How did they know we were here?¡±


    ***


    He saw the last guard fall to the ground and the creature formerly known as Guardsman Arnel walked out of the cover of the trees. The Kin crowded around the caravan with some of the Monkeymen even jumping down from the trees. Arnel walked towards them, his feeling in flux. The Kin had been delighted when they found out that he was a senior Guardsman and knew of the trade routes going to and from the city of Yachium. Arnel had been surprised that the Kin would bother with trade routes and shocked when the Kin allowed him to follow them on a raid. They didn¡¯t even bother with a guard, confident that Arnel would not try to escape. They were confident that he was theirs after his change.


    Change. Oh, how has he has changed!


    His mind still aches at how his life had changed in the past ten days. The crystal. His Creator. Ten days ago Arnel met it and now he was¡­different. He¡¯s still not quite sure what he was but the Kin told him he was no longer human and that was something Arnel can¡¯t argue against. He felt his face change shape as he remember the power that was within him. The Creator had thrown the energy into him and changed him into something different. The Creator called him a ¡®mutant¡¯ and he was not the first. According to the Kin, although he was the Creator¡¯s first mutant, there had been other mutants made by another Creator to the south. Called the Red Creator, that Creator was the one that ¡®invented¡¯ the mutant race and they had been so impressive that the Creator decided to make it¡¯s own.


    Another Creator.


    Arnel almost laughed. All along he had thought the Kin were made by a dark mage; a human dark mage! Instead they were made by a sentient spirit matrix. He never thought that was even possible, and now he knew that there were two of them!


    ¡°Your face is changing again.¡± Arnel didn¡¯t bother to look at the Kin who spoke. The Alpha walked up to him. ¡°Takes a while to get use to. It took me weeks before I could change my form.¡±


    Arnel smile at the kind words and force his face in place. ¡°Thanks for the concern but I¡¯m alright. It¡¯s not hard to keep my face from changing but it¡¯s like having to constantly clench my fist. A lack of pressure and¡­¡± Arnel¡¯s face changed from his own to the image of one of the guards; one of the female guards. That was the gift given to him by the Creator. A face that could change shape into the image of anyone else he knows.


    The Alpha laughed. The Alpha had taken a liking to Arnel and had made a point to make his transition to a mutant as smooth as possible. It was hard to imagine just a few days ago, Arnel would have stop at nothing to kill the Werewolf leader.


    ¡°Your powers are a little different than most of ours so there¡¯s not much we can teach you but don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll get it in time.¡±


    ¡°I just wish I know why the Creator gave me this¡­blessing.¡±


    ¡°Who say there has to be a reason?¡± The Alpha chuckled, as if this wasn¡¯t the first time he had this conversation with a new Kin. ¡°The Creator blessed you. It gave you power. What you want to do with that power is up to you.¡±


    ¡°What if I do something bad with it?¡± Arnel couldn¡¯t help but ask. ¡°Some people are just suited for power.¡±


    ¡°And some humans are more likely to cut themselves with a sword than their enemies. Doesn¡¯t mean humans are going to stop making swords right? If you worry about abusing the power you had been given, then don¡¯t use it. It¡¯s up to you. The Creator gave you power; the rest is up to you. It¡¯s your choice.¡±


    ¡°Some of the others had said the same to me. I guess it just seems strange to me...but then everything does.¡±


    The Alpha just laughed louder and gave Arnel a big and painful clap on the back. ¡°Then welcome to your new interesting life! Just don¡¯t die till you find your purpose.¡±


    Arnel found himself laughing along. For some reason, he felt that he was going to enjoy his new life with the Kin.

 Part 9

    ¡°Emperor¡¯s Daisy¡±


    ¡°Mud Flowers¡±


    ¡°Spring¡¯s Cabbage¡±


    The Speaker watched with pride as the children correctly identified each plant. Among the over thirty Kin children in the class were her five cubs and she was pleased to see all of them being so attentive in class. Standing in front of the children was the new teacher. The Speaker had never met her before but had been informed that Nina Bloodgood was a hedge mage that specialized in plants and herbs. She had been in alone in the Great Kar Forest gathering when she was hit by the Great Spell of the Creator and turned into a Bunny-Woman.


    Unlike most of the others Kin that were created in that incident, Nina managed to escape the attention of the search parties the Kin send out. The Kin knew she was out there but was unable to catch her. She was smart, cunning and did not trust the Kin. Her evasiveness gained her quite a lot of respect among the Kin and she did not come out of the cold till the first Bunny Mating season when her body basically forced her to go look for a mate. The Speaker¡¯s smile wavered when she remember the chaos that came with the first Bunny Mating season. The Kin had never faced such an issue before and had no idea what to do. More than a few Bunnymen died that season. Now, it¡¯s better. Deaths were now in the single digits.


    Nina showed the children pictures after pictures of various plants and was rewarded with the correct answer every time. In view of the theme of the class, the new teacher had decided to bring the children out into the forest for class. The Speaker decided to quietly tag along; strictly for protection. The Great Kar wasn¡¯t entirely safe, especially for small children. She wasn¡¯t the only mother who felt that way.


    ¡°I have no idea if the answers are correct. Are my cubs doing well?¡± Krishna asked. The Speaker chuckled at the female Alpha.


    ¡°They¡¯re doing fine. Don¡¯t worry. The teacher will correct if they make a mistake.¡±


    ¡°Is this new teacher any good? I can¡¯t tell.¡± Before the Speaker could reassure her follow parent, she was interrupted.


    ¡°Would you two wolves shut it? Some of us are trying to be sneaky here.¡±


    The Speaker looked at the third mother of her small impromptu party. She was a Ratling and like the Speaker and Krishna, she had the idea of shadowing the class on their day out. Unfortunately for the Speaker, she had no idea who she was. The Speaker was a little embarrassed by this. She understood that there were so many Kin that she couldn¡¯t possibly know the names of every one like in the beginning but she should know the name of the other mothers. Two other mothers were with them and with five of them shadowing the class, they inevitably met up.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Oh please! She¡¯s a Bunny. She probably heard us long ago.¡± Krishna retorted and the Speaker decided now would be a good time to get to know the others. At the very least she needs to prevent an argument from erupting.


    ¡°Anyone know who drew those pictures?¡± She quickly asked. ¡°They look good. Is there an artist in the village?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s Ormus. He¡¯s a Satyr who¡¯s actually trying to make a trade as a painter and woodcrafter. I heard word he¡¯s actually paid quite well for his work.¡± The mother who answered was another Bunny, one who like Nina decided to stay in the village due to her own children.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Ormus the blacksmith?¡± Krishna asked in surprise. ¡°I thought he¡¯s a Bullman?¡±


    ¡°No, the Bullman is Kamso. He¡¯s an apprentice to Prlnkos, the Centaur. Prinkos was a novice blacksmith when he got hit by The Great Spell and now he¡¯s trying to continue his practice in the Kin.¡±


    The Bunny mother turned out to be quite a gossip and while the Speaker listened attentively, the Ratling mother just rolled her eyes.


    ¡°You all know it¡¯ll be very embarrassing if we get caught following the class right?¡±


    ¡°Considering how many of us are here, we¡¯ll have plenty of company.¡± Krishna laughed softly. ¡°Oh, here comes another.¡±


    Sounds coming from the direction of the village indicate to the party that another mother was on her way to the class. The Ratling mother groaned and even the Speaker frowned. The mother who was late was making a lot of noise. The mothers looked out at the class while keeping an eye on the new arrival. Surprisingly, it was a male Ratling.


    ¡°Ah Speaker, I finally found you.¡± The new arrival was loud and more importantly, he wasn¡¯t there for the class but for her. ¡°Something comes up and the Alpha asked that you return to the tunnels of the Creator.¡±


    ¡°What! It¡¯s my day off.¡± The Speaker hissed at the Ratling. ¡°You go back and tell him to handle whatever it is. I¡¯m staying.¡±


    ¡°The Alpha thought you would say that and had a message for you.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°He asked that you ¡®stop being paranoid¡¯ and return to the tunnels of the Creator.¡± The Speaker shook her head while the other mothers laughed softly at her. ¡°He also told me to say the same thing to any other paranoid crazy mothers I would meet.¡±


    The laughter end as the mothers glared at the male Ratling. He could do nothing but put up his hands in surrender and say he was just the messenger. For a moment, no one said anything. Then Krishna shook her head and broke the silence.


    ¡°Speaker, your mate can be so annoying sometimes.¡±


    The other mothers quickly agreed. However they also silently admit that he got a point. They left the class and headed back to the village, grumbling the whole way about the Alpha and stupid males in general. The Speaker was no exception.


    ¡°For his sake, the sky better be falling!¡±

 Part 10

    The sky was not falling but the ground sure was shaking as the giant of a man stomped the ground with his foot. Facing him was without question the biggest and strangest mongoose Arnel had ever seen. The mongoose was totally green in color with black stripes crisscrossing its body. On all fours, it was as high as Arnel¡¯s knees. When standing on its two hind legs however it was tall enough to reach his shoulders.


    The man in front of the mongoose showed no fear though, taking small threatening steps towards the giant creature. He was clearly trying to provoke the mongoose to attack and the mongoose knows it. The creature kept an eye on the other two humans in the clearing. One was a lanky young man who was standing to the right, looking to flank the mongoose while the other was a woman who was standing behind the two men. All three humans were unarmed but looked eager for battle.


    The big human stomped his foot once again but the mongoose was having none of it. It snorted at the human in front of it in such a way that indicate to everyone it knew what the man was trying to do and was in no mood of falling for it. It seems that the Great Spell changed not just the mongoose¡¯s size and appearance; it also changed the creature¡¯s intelligence.


    ¡°Smart animal¡±


    The man in front of the mongoose murmured before dashing forward. Arnel guessed he was tired of waiting. With a speed that belies his size, the big man rush forward raising his right arm overhead. Arnel watched in amazement as a hammer came down. As the man swung his arm downwards, the arm changed into the shape of a war hammer. The sound it made when it struck the ground proved to Arnel that the hand war hammer had some weight to it. Perhaps that was why it missed.


    The mongoose had skipped to the left of the onrushing man and immediately attacked. The man raised his left arm and changed it to defend against the attack. Arnel saw the arm turned into a large round shield with a three spikes in the center. The mongoose slammed into the shield and jumped away from it bloody. The other two humans took this chance to attack.


    The woman threw her hands forward and a cone of flames flew from them. The mongoose evaded the fire but the woman maintained the cone and the flames followed the mongoose. The mongoose dodged again but this time the dodge push it in front of a blur. It was the lanky man and with movement too quick for a human, he kicked the mongoose. Arnel saw lines of air around the leg that made the kick. It was as if the air itself was making the kick more powerful. The attack wasn¡¯t unintelligent. The mongoose landed right in front of the man with the changing arms. The man placed his foot on the mongoose and raised his arm once again. The mongoose released poisonous green air from its body, showing Arnel why the Kin had named it The Poison Mongoose. It was too late. The arm came down with a sickening crack. Just like that, it was over. The test was done. The Alpha walked towards the three humans and Arnel followed. He was more than a little curious.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°I am the Alpha. Welcome to the Great Kar Forest!¡±


    The three humans bowed slightly to the Werewolf leader and the lanky human stepped forward. ¡°Thank you for your greetings Alpha. I hoped we had proved ourselves with the little display.¡±


    ¡°Ha! As if there was any doubt of your prowess. The three of you are mutants created by the Red Creator itself. Everyone in the Kin knows full well the power of it.¡± The laugh of the Alpha was infectious and the three humans visibly relaxed.


    ¡°Perhaps an introduction is in order. I am Ransford, a wind user.¡± The lanky man smiled and introduced himself first. He raised his palm upwards and Arnel saw a small twister on it. It lasted for just a moment but it was enough to prove the mutant¡¯s point. ¡°Behind me is Meadow, a fire user, and Jeffery the Buster, who is an earth user.¡±


    At their introduction, flames erupted around Meadow¡¯s hands and Jeffery changed his arms into the shape of hammers. Arnel was wondering why he choose the shape of hammers when he noticed that all three mutants were looking at Arnel in anticipation. Left with little choice in the matter, he stepped forward and half-wondered if the showing of powers was a way of greeting among the mutants.


    ¡°I am Arnel, the first mutant created by the Creator. My powers are¡­well, it may be easier to just show you.¡±


    His face twisted and a moment later, a new face, bearded and hawk-like, was looking at his follow mutants. Arnel loosened his control and his face changed, and changed, and changed, and changed. He then gathered the power within his body and pushed the power to his face. His control returned and his true original face, that of an old scarred veteran, returned. The three mutants looked at him in surprise. The woman was the first to recover.


    ¡°Wait, that¡¯s it? You can change your face. It¡¯s all. Can¡¯t you do anything else?¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about woman? That¡¯s a great power.¡±


    ¡°Changing the shape of his face?¡± The woman was incredulous. ¡°What good is that?¡±


    ¡°No, Jeffery is correct. It¡¯s a great power.¡± Ransford nodded at Arnel in approval. ¡°All the mutants made by our Creator have combat and elemental powers. He is different. His powers is more¡­utility. Spying, infiltration, maybe even assassination; this power can help get him get into anywhere.¡±


    The woman¡¯s mouth formed an O while Arnel was more than a little uncomfortable with Ransford¡¯s explanation. He¡¯s not wrong but Arnel had no intention of using his blessing to kill anyone. A blessing from the Creator is more than just that. Ransford just smiled and continued.


    ¡°I had heard from the Demons that the creatures created by the Creators were different in many ways. You had different powers but knowing something is different from seeing it. It is amazing.¡±


    Sensing Arnel¡¯s mood, the Alpha took this moment to interject himself back into the conversation. ¡°Hahaha! You seem nothing yet. Come on, let¡¯s take a tour and then we can get down to business.¡±


    Ransford stopped the Alpha. ¡°About that. We¡¯re sorry but we haven¡¯t been told why you requested for us. Hellmight was very vague on the matter, only willing to say the Kin needed mutants who can passed for normal humans. Why do the Kin need us mutants?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s due to Arnel here.¡±


    ¡°Him?¡± Arnel was finding the woman increasing annoying.


    ¡°Yes,¡± the Alpha replied. ¡°Arnel here was a senior Guardsman in the city. He knows the ins and outs of the city and with his powers, he can slip in easily. The problem is that the rest of us can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Infiltration.¡± Ransford nodded his understanding but he really didn¡¯t. Arnel enlightened him.


    ¡°And sabotage. We are going to make sure the doors of Yachium are wide open for the Kin.¡±

 Part 11

    The Hive had heard the Kin telling their young ones that gossip was bad. The cubs were told that gossiping causes trouble. That the cubs should always avoid gossiping about others. If they had something to say to someone, tell it to their face. Not behind their backs.


    The spirits of the Hive did not understand it. To them, gossip was a good thing. They loved it when the Kin gossiped. Gossip provided information to the Hive that it would otherwise not know. Gossip was a great thing. Gossip was how the spirits of the Hive knew about the new arrivals.


    When the spirits overheard a Crowman and a Ratling talking about new arrivals from the lands of the Fire Hive, most of the spirits wanted to meet them. Others couldn¡¯t be bothered and said they should just wait as the Kin would eventually bring the Fire Hive¡¯s creatures to them. After a long argument, the two sides decided on a compromise. They would see the new arrivals secretly.


    That was why the Hive Eye was watching in secret when the Kin and mutants were having their demonstration. The Hive wasn¡¯t that impressed. The Hive didn¡¯t really understand why the Fire Hive keep creating more mutants. The Hive¡¯s first and only mutant was nice enough but the spirits within the Hive didn¡¯t really want to make another. To the Hive, creating the mutant was a good experience but it was far more fun to create something new and different like the Kin. So during the demonstration, the creature that most impressed the Hive weren¡¯t the mutants. It was the Poison Mongoose.


    The creature wasn¡¯t something the Hive had created deliberately, it was created naturally by the Nothing-Unknown-Killer-Explosion. The Hive had in fact never even tried to create something poisonous before, it was just something that never came up. This Poison Mongoose gave the Hive an idea and like always, the Hive acted on it¡¯s instinct. The Hive Eye dissolved into the ground and the spirit in control of it returned to the Hive. The spirits then got into another argument. It was a matter between going big or going small. Should they try to make a small animal poisonous or create a new type of Kin with some sort of poison ability? After some time and with no resolution on the horizon, one of the spirits asked the obvious question.


    ¡°When not make both?¡±


    That quieted the Hive as the spirits considered the option. The Hive had been aggressively storing energy due to the creation of the dragon so it was certainly possible for them to do both a poisonous Kin and a poisonous creature. The only downside was the loss of energy. Outside creating both the new creature and Kin, they still need to send energy down to the dragon as their big project still wasn¡¯t done yet. In the end, the need to create something new won out. They were going to do both!


    The spirits started with the small creature first and picked the first animal that caught their eye. Squirrels were found all over the underground forest and the spirits pick out one of them. There was nothing remarkable about this squirrel, it just happen to be near the Hive. The Hive slowly moved their energy over the squirrel. The Hive had absorbed snakes before and thought of the snakes¡¯ poisonous fangs. The energy responded. The squirrel could not see it but to the Hive, the movement of the energy was beautiful to behold. The energy condensed and shifted to the squirrel¡¯s teeth and stomach. Three green stripes appeared on the back of the squirrel, running down from the neck to the end of it¡¯s tail. It¡¯s teeth became sharper and twin fangs appeared on both side of it¡¯s mouth. The Hive could sense that the fangs were poisonous. A spirit within the Hive immediately shouted.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    ¡°The Naming Committee of the Hive shall this creature The Poison-Fang Squirrel.¡±


    A stupid obvious name like always but the rest of the Hive decided to ignore the stupid Naming Committee for the moment and go on to their next project. The new Kin was a bigger creature and before they begin, the spirits needed to pick an animal to change. They needed an animal that was both poisonous and near them in good numbers. The choice was simple. Snakes had long slithered their way into the underground forest and there were more than a few of them that were poisonous. Poisonous Snakemen also seem to have a good ring to most of the spirits. With little to no argument, the spirits got to work.


    The Hive picked the nearest snake to them and threw their remaining energy over the animal. Showing how experience the Hive was at this, the snake began to change almost immediately. The Hive kept control and thought of a human. A snake that had the arms and legs of a human but who was still undoubtedly a serpent; a serpent that was both dangerous and intimidating. Much like with the squirrel, the energy responded to the wishes of the Hive. It swirled around the snake and the snake glowed with power. Limbs shot out of the snake¡¯s body. The snake hissed as if in pain but to the Hive, it seems like a little like a snake shredding it¡¯s skin. The snake¡¯s body grew longer and bulkier and to the Hive¡¯s surprise, the snake¡¯s tail also grew. The Hive let go of the energy and let the energy do the work. The surge of energy had attracted a crowd and howls were shouted, sounds that passed on information about the activities of their Creator. Many of the Kin were now in the clearing of the Hive, waiting to welcome their new member and the Hive could sense that many more were now rushing down to the underground forest.


    They would not make it in time.


    The energy stopped swirling and the glow began to fade. The spirits within the Hive waited. The Snakeman was laying face-down on the ground but as more time passed and the intimal shock subsided, it began to notice how much it had changed. The creature lifted it¡¯s head and looked around. There were numerous Kin around it and the Snakeman hissed. It was trying to intimidate the Kin. It failed as everyone just stood in place. The Snakeman then notice it¡¯s arms and looked at them in surprise. Some of the spirits within the Hive laughed. New Kin always do that for some reason. As mildly funny as it was, the Hive noticed that the Snakeman did not have claws like the Werewolves but instead it had normal human hands. Hands that were used by the Snakeman to push itself off the ground. It stood up for the first time in it¡¯s life. The Snakeman then looked down at it¡¯s legs, as if wondering what it was supposed to do with them. It lifted his right foot for a closer look¡­and promptly fell on it¡¯s behind.


    Silence reigned within the clearing. Then someone laughed. The Hive foused on the laughter and noticed the Alpha. He had come down to the underground forest the moment he heard the howls and he had brought the Fire Hive mutants with him. Without fear, the Alpha step towards the Snakeman. The moment he was near enough, the Alpha bended down and hugged the new Kin. Lifting the Snakeman up in a bear hug, he howled. Howls, screams, caws and other sounds soon filled the air. The Kin were welcoming their newest member.


    It was a great day!

 Part 12

    Life is beautiful. Life comes in all shapes and sizes and no one knows this better than the Kin of the Great Creator. For the Kin, differences are things to be celebrated and the unexpected arrival of the strange and dangerous Snakeman was an event truly worth celebrating.


    Days passed. The sun rises and the sun sets. The twin moons chased each other across the night sky in a dance since time immemorial and during one of these dances, the Kin gathered in the Great Kar Forest. The Foxkin took charge of the celebration and the site selected was the Unicorn Grove, the home of the Unicorns. The mutants of the Red Creator were mesmerized by the serenity of the Grove and the Kin took full advantage of it by having a celebration of a lifetime. Food and fruit juices were plentiful, laughter was abundant, and there was even music. A few of the Satyrs had taken up music as a hobby and the Speaker was surprised at how good they were. She quickly understood that the Satyrs had a natural talent for music and wondered if the Goatmen was generally excellent in the arts. She remembered the Bunny mother talking about a Satyr named Ormus who was a painter and woodcrafter, and with the music she was hearing now, the Speaker wondered if the arts was the gift given to the Satyrs from the Creator. If it was, then it was another example of the greatness of their Creator.


    Most the other Kin may think little of the arts but the Speaker was a former human and she understand the need for it. With the arts comes culture and if the Kin was to strive as a people, they need to develop their own distinct culture. One that was different from the humans. Even the Speaker hadn¡¯t thought about this till now but the Creator obviously did. Smiling at the foresight of the Creator, she looked over at her cubs playing with the other children. The Speaker made sure there would be no distinction between Beastkin and Beastmen as she wanted all the children to play together. She need not have worry. She wasn¡¯t the only mother who thought of this. Whatever misgivings their adults had about each other, no one wanted to pass down these doubts to the next generation.


    As the children of the various races were playing together, the adults were mingling around the Grove. Werewolf, Ratlings, Monkeyman, Foxkin, Centaur; everyone was mixing together. What race you were from did not matter as much as how fun you were. Everyone was determined to have a good time. Considering what the Kin were planning, the Speaker did not think that was a bad idea. This was after all the calm before the storm. She looked back at her cubs and spoke softly to the werewolf sitting beside her.


    ¡°Everyone seem to be having fun.¡±


    ¡°They should. Things are about to get hairy soon.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    The Speaker chuckled. ¡°Hairy? Is that a joke, my big strong Alpha?¡±


    ¡°No. You know I don¡¯t joke.¡± The deadpanned delivery of the line crack the Speaker up. The Alpha ignored her chuckle and continued, ¡°Besides, what I said is true. Let them have fun while they can. The tears will start soon enough.¡±


    That sobered up the Speaker. ¡°The plan is sound.¡± She insisted to the Alpha. ¡°We can take the city. We have the knowledge, the manpower, and even the element of surprise. Yachium won¡¯t know what hit it.¡±


    ¡°A thousand things can go wrong in battle. We would be fighting in a strange city most of the Kin had never being in and that is if we can get inside.¡±


    ¡°You worry about the mutants? You¡¯ve spend more time with them than me. What¡¯s your view of them?¡±


    ¡°Strange but that¡¯s to be expected. They are not Demons but at the same time they are not humans. No one really knows how to act around them. They are also very eager to prove their worth.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­a bad thing?¡±


    ¡°By itself; no but they are untested. Hellmight keep them as reserves, not wanting the humans to know the Creators could create Demons that look like humans. That¡¯s why they are so eager for this mission and on the mission, they were be joined by another untested mutant.¡±


    ¡°I thought you liked Arnel? Also, he is hardly untested. He is a veteran Guardsman after all.¡±


    ¡°He is untested as a mutant. He only just came into his power recently and his control isn¡¯t quite second nature yet. I rather he has more time.¡±


    ¡°You worry too much. I admit you have a point but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that much of a problem. Arnel knows the city, he is loyal to the Kin, and he has experience leading men before. He would be fine.¡±


    ¡°His loyalty is the problem.¡± Her mate noticed the Speaker¡¯s look of surprise and continued. ¡°Oh, he is loyal to us but he also has loyalty to the humans of Yachium. He is a Guardsman. The safety of the people in the city is, or was, his priority. He hasn¡¯t been a mutant long enough for him to forget all about that. He needs more time.¡±


    ¡°You think we need a delay?¡±


    ¡°Ha! As if that¡¯s an option. It¡¯s too late for that. The mutants are already here and the Demon reinforcements are on their way. We just need to hope for the best.¡±


    ¡°So you admit you are worrying about nothing? The great Alpha of the Werewolves admitting he¡¯s a worrywart? Will wonders never ceased?¡±


    Her mate replied a playful growl and a forceful hug. ¡°You¡¯ve been very naughty recently. Don¡¯t think I had forgotten about you did with the Fox Mother behind my back!¡±


    ¡°Well¡­the cubs are busy playing right now. What do you say we go into the woods and you can show me what you¡¯re going to do about it?¡±


    The Alpha didn¡¯t respond in words but in action! He stood up, lifting the Speaker up in his arms before throwing her over his shoulder. He comically run towards the woods howling at the twin moons. Several werewolves playfully howled in reply. The Speaker laughed. Many of the Kin laughed. Then the Speaker heard five small voices shouting in reply.


    ¡°YUCKS!¡±


    There¡¯s no pleasing kids sometimes.


    END OF BOOK 1

 Part 13

    They saw the city in the early afternoon. A speck on the horizon, it was a sign that their mission was about to begin in earnest. Arnel slowed the team down. They made camp and had a long lunch before going over the mission again. The other mutants thought this was Arnel¡¯s way of getting to know each other and making sure everyone knew what they were supposed to do. The Guardsman turned mutant allowed the others their mistaken ideas.


    It wasn¡¯t till they ran out of things to go over did the team packed up and was on the move again. As they got closer to the city, they saw the plumes of smoke coming from the city and the wall of the city. Nearly the height of five men, the city walls of Yachium could clearly be seen in the distance. Arnel found himself unconsciously smiling at the sight of the stone wall. It was now late in the afternoon and the plumes smoke was a sign that households were beginning to cook dinner. They slowly made their way towards the city gates and only arrived at the Western Gates just before nightfall, just before the changing of the guards.


    Arnel was sporting a young face and had timed their arrival perfectly.  As the team waited in line to enter the city, he could see that the guardsmen at the gates were only doing the minimum checking before allowing travelers into the city. Some things don¡¯t change. Most of the guardsmen had home-cooked dinner waiting for them and they just wanted to go off shift without problems. No one wanted trouble at this time. While waiting, Arnel took his time to look over the security. There were more guards and archers on the wall but that was all. Arnel was unsurprised but a little disappointed. He had hoped against hope that the leaders of Yachium would take his warning seriously.


    When the time came for the inspection, the team passed through the gates without incident. The guardsmen made a point of looking like he was checking the cart but quickly lost interest when they saw just pelts and furs on it. If the items were a little more valuable, Arnel may have to pay some bribes to get through but such cheap items meant that the four travelers were poor and the guardsmen practically chased them into the city.


    Once through the gates, Arnel directed Jeffery to a nearby tradehouse. The big mutant had a surprising deft hand at the reins of the cart and skillfully steered the two bulls pulling the cart to the tradehouse. Most traveling merchants have contacts within a city when they make delivery but for those who didn¡¯t, tradehouses were essential. They acted as a marketplace for goods for traveling merchants when the main market was open. The tradehouse was relatively quiet when they arrived and the merchant was extremely happy to see them. Arnel made a show of bargaining with the merchant before settling on a fair price for the pelts and fur. As the rest of the team were unloading the goods, he made small talk with the merchant to get information. He has been away from the city for a while and wanted the latest news.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    Trade was down due to the troublesome dark mage in the Keg Mountains, the Duke was once again having problems with the Three Councils, and several prominent members of the Councils were missing. The last piece of news was intriguing to Arnel. If some of the more powerful members of the Blade, Hunt and Mage Councils weren¡¯t in the city; that would make the invasion easier. Arnel thanked the merchant for the news and after the exchange of gold, he directed the rest of the team to an inn he know.


    A simple two-story wooden building, The Lazy Swan was a local watering hole that some locals used when they wanted a place to drink in peace and quiet. It was a distance from the Western Gates but there were specific reasons why Arnel had selected the inn. Travelling merchants always stand out and he wanted someplace quiet to lower their exposure. When they arrived at the inn, Jeffery offered to take care of the bulls and the team was more than happy to let him do the job. The three mutants entered the inn and despite the timing, there were only a few people within. A few men at the bar were starting their drinking early and three of the tables were taken up by groups having their dinner. Arnel, Ransford and Meadow took an empty table at a corner with a view of the door and ordered some stew and ale.


    When the food came, Arnel enquired about rooms for the night and the serving wench immediately directed him to the innkeeper. Arnel just nodded at the wench and began his dinner. Jeffery came in soon after and joined them at the table. Meadow looked around while eating and asked Arnel about the inn. Ransford had warned him beforehand that Meadow was a village girl who had never left her home village before she was changed by the Red Creator so everything was a little overwhelming for her. So Arnel expected the questions and answered as best he can. The Lazy Swan was a pretty standard inn for Yachium with a ground floor tavern where the innkeeper served ale and food while upstairs had rooms weary travelers can rent for the night.


    As he was explaining things, the innkeeper came over. As Arnel had expected, the wench must had informed him of Arnel¡¯s enquiries and the man came over as soon as possible. A fat bald headed man, the innkeeper was visibly delighted when he heard that the group wanted to rent rooms for a few days but he still drove a hard bargain. Not wanting to bargain too much with the man, Arnel only put up a token resistance before settling for two rooms for five days.


    After dinner, the other members of his team went upstairs to rest as Arnel went out of the inn. His destination was only a short walk away. He took the main street to the Southern Gates for a while before turning into an alley. Nighttime had arrived and the mutant used his power in the dark alley to change his face. When he left the alley, Arnel had another face on him. One that was rougher with a big scar across his lips. The first man he passed looked down immediately, not wanting to meet his eyes. Arnel almost smiled at that. He walked on towards the Southern District. The poorer section of the city, it was where the criminal elements of Yachium was located and the former Guardsman of Yachium was going to need their help.

 Part 14

    There was no gate, landmarks or checkpoints that divide the Southern District from the rest of Yachium but everyone who lived in the city knew the moment they entered the district. As a former resident, Arnel was no exception. The first thing you would notice was how much darker the street was. Candles were expensive and far fewer households in the Southern District could afford them. The smell was another indication. The smell of vomit and piss float in the air but it was when he noticed a man in a dark alley eyeing him that Arnel truly knew he had entered the district proper. Arnel didn¡¯t back down, doing so would just mean you are prey, but instead looked back at the man as he walked steadily past the alley. He walked past without incident as the would-be robber decide to wait for easier marks. Arnel continued on till he saw the street to the Southern Gate. He took a left to go off the main street and walked till he reached his destination, a small non-descript wooden building. The windows were closed but from the outside it looks dirty, uncomfortable and cheerless. He paused at the door and look at the faded sign hanging over the door. The Happy Tankard Tavern was the ironic name. Arnel took a deep breath and walked in.


    The tavern itself is almost completely empty. The bar itself was empty saved for the bartender and the few people inside were sitting at various tables in ones and twos. The tavern was as gloomy inside as it was on the outside with light provided only by a few molten candles attached to the three beams supporting the building. The few people inside stared at Arnel, their eyes warning him away, and that was just fine for him. He went to the bar, ordered an ale and waited. When the mug came, the bartender just placed it in front of Arnel, making no effort to acknowledge his presence expect to take the coppers he placed on the bar. Arnel took a sip and found that the ale was surprisingly good. He stood at the bar and waited. He didn¡¯t have to wait long.


    ¡°Nice evening for a drink yeah?¡±


    Arnel stayed silent, sipping his drink, while taking a quick look at the man who had slide up to him. You can ask any Guardsman of Yachium and you would hear a lot of the man that was Rusty Augus. He was a criminal, liar, and thief. He was discreet, organized and capable. He was all of the above and then some! In short, Rusty Augus was a man well-known to the Guardsmen of Yachium. Suspected of having a hand in a hundred crimes, he was never caught for any of them as he never did the crimes themselves. He only introduce the criminals to the jobs. In short, Rusty was a fixer. You need something done that was less than legal, then Rusty had a man for the job¡­for the right price of course.


    As a veteran, Arnel had of course heard of him and he knew The Happy Tankard Tavern was the fixer¡¯s base of operations. The two strangers drank in silence, neither willing to be the first to break. Only when he finished his drink did Arnel spoke.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°Want another?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind if I do my ugly friend.¡±


    Arnel ignored the jape and ordered two mugs from the bartender. The ale arrived promptly and the bartender immediately moved away after collecting the coppers. Tired of the wait, Arnel spoke first.


    ¡°You always so friendly?¡±


    ¡°Usually no. Rusty Augus is known to be a cautious man, but times has changed.¡±


    ¡°How so?¡±


    ¡°Bad time for business,¡± the fixer admitted. ¡°Even for men like us.¡±


    Arnel took another sip of his ale, trying his best to look like he was deep in thought. He then gave a pretentious sigh. ¡°Things here are worse than I heard.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re a foreigner. Make sense why I never seen you around. When did you arrive to the city and from where?¡±


    ¡°Came in this afternoon. I¡¯m from several places. Here to deliver some goods for some good folks.¡± Arnel had decided his story beforehand, hoping that some mysterious backers would grease the wheels along. ¡°Hoping to find some good men to help me along in fact.¡±


    ¡°Oh then you came to the right place. Tell me, what are delivering to our fair city?¡±


    ¡°Just some simple goods. Spices¡­of the exotic kind.¡±


    The fixer took a drink from his mug and Arnel waited for the reply. ¡°A large amount?¡±


    ¡°Not really,¡± Arnel tried to sound as if he was admitting this reluctantly. ¡°Just need a few heads to turn the other way at the right time is all.¡±


    ¡°Is that all? Makes some wonder why you would need help in such a simple thing.¡±


    The fixer was no fool but Arnel came in with a ready response. ¡°Call it a test of trustworthiness.¡±


    Arnel had to admit the fixer was good. Even in the face of future business, he was calm and his face barely twitch. Then the fixer made his decision.


    ¡°When would your goods be entering the city?¡±


    ¡°Three days.¡±


    ¡°Come back tomorrow. I may have something for you.¡±


    The two would-be criminals quietly stood beside each other for a time to finish their ale. Then Arnel quietly left. A few of the locals in the tavern took a look at him as he left, one of them smiling wickedly at him. Arnel knew then that most of them were just feigning disinterest in his conversation with Rusty. If he had tried anything, most of the tavern would have attacked.


    Arnel stepped out onto the street and headed back towards The Lazy Swan. He took his time, going in a roundabout way, and checking several times to make sure he wasn¡¯t followed. When he was certain he wasn¡¯t being followed, he ducked into an alley and changed his face back to the one he entered the city with. It was very late when he finally got back to the inn. He walked up to his room and found that Jeffery was still up. Ransford was asleep in the sole bed and Arnel told the big mutant there was no need to wake him or call Meadow in the other room. He gave a brief rundown of his trip to his companion before laying down on the floor. He fell asleep almost immediately.


    It had been a long day.

 Part 15

    After too long, the Hive finally did it. It was finally done. Various spirits within the Hive cheered as the Hive finally cut off the flow of energy. It was done. It was finally done. Their dragon was finally ready! A roar echoed through the tunnels as the dragon roared its approval. The spirit that used to be part of the Hive was no more; now it was a full dragon. The spirits within the Hive took a look at their greatest creation and they all had feelings of satisfaction. Their dragon was great.


    Their dragon had a stocky body with a long serpentine neck and an equally long thin tail. The head of the dragon was elongated with a snout that was dominated by two slitted nostrils. Thick bones covered the back of the dragon''s head with two short horns protruding out from the back of the head and it had green scales covering the rest of its body. The dragon had a huge mouth that could fully cover its numerous sharp teeth when closed but for some reason, it had blue eyes instead of green. Some of the spirits within the Hive suggested that the Hive change the color of the eyes but the Hive ultimately decided against wasting the energy.


    The dragon stood on four long limbs with five digits on each foot that end in long, sharp claws. It had two huge, wide-set wings protrude from its shoulders but it could tucked them close to its body if it so choose to. Unlike the dragon the Fire Hive were still creating, their dragon spit poisonous gas instead of fire and the Hive even gave it vocal chords so that it could speak. This was a dragon of grace, power and majesty. The Hive couldn¡¯t be prouder.


    ¡°Hey dragon, get up here. We want to show you off to the rest of the Kin.¡±


    ¡°Is that really necessary? They¡¯re going to see me at the invasion of the human city anyway. Why don¡¯t we just wait till then?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a thing call strategy remember? The Kin has no idea you exist, much less what powers you have. Just get up to the fifth floor and let them see you.¡±


    ¡°You guys really think that¡¯s necessary?¡±


    ¡°Get up here you lazy lizard! What¡¯s the worst thing that could happen? You can even fly around for a while above the underground forest.¡±


    ¡°Oh! You guys are right. I haven¡¯t flown yet. That¡¯s something I need to try.¡±


    ¡°What are you waiting for then? Get up here!¡±


    Tucking his wings in, the dragon began moving towards the exit of the ninth floor and the spirits within the Hive began congratulating each other. They had not only succeeded the request of the Fire Hive, they now had something to crow over them on; at least till the Fire idiots finished their dragon. The spirits were feeling great and several of them were suggesting that they send a message to the Fire Hive so that the Fire morons could take a look at their dragon. An interesting idea that¡­This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°What is that idiot doing?¡± One of the spirits asked.


    The spirits within the Hive focused their attention back to the dragon at the question. One of the spirits within the Hive had noticed that it acting peculiarly and the rest of the Hive realized that the spirit was right. The dragon that was supposed to go straight to the fifth floor was now wiggling at the exit. The head was through but for some reason the dragon¡¯s body was wiggling like a dying fish on land. The Hive was about to admonished the dragon for wasting time when the spirits suddenly realize their horrible mistake!


    ¡°Uh guys¡­¡± the dragon said. ¡°I think I¡¯m struck.¡±


    The Hive had made their dragon too big.


    ***


    The Keg Mountains had a reputation of being hard to traverse and after a few days following their barbarian guides, Brand had to admit that it was a well-deserved reputation. The top of Big Keg was covered with snow but the middle section of the mountain was filled with rocky outcrops, and the occasional mountain steam. Even with the help of the Clan barbarians, it was a hard trek. However none of the eight men complained but instead they all walk in silence. All of them know the danger they were in.


    ¡°Hide.¡±


    The men immediately dive under the great rocks that littered the mountainside. Nothing happened but no one question their barbarian guide. Instead everyone looked to the sky. Moments later, they saw it. A monster that looked like a human flying in the air on a pair of flapping white wings. He was dressed in a tunic and was armed with a bow and arrows. Brand look on in amazement as the flying monster flew overhead. The monster was flying towards the peak of Big Keg and it was only when it was a distance away that the team came out of their places. All eyes however were still on the peak of Big Keg.


    ¡°What was that?¡± The man who asked was Erik Ironhallow, a warrior like Brand only on a much higher level.


    Bonn, their guide was the one who answered. ¡°Well, we in the Clan call them Avians but they call themselves Angels.¡±


    ¡°Angels?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me. It¡¯s what they call themselves. If you ignore the wings, they look just like normal humans right? Come on, we¡¯re only a few days away from the entrance.¡±


    ¡°Your Clan came this way the first time?¡± Brand asked.


    ¡°No. We went by another way but this way is better.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re above the tunnels.¡± That got the attention of everyone. The barbarian hunter smiled. ¡°We can drop down right near the entrance, bypassing all the monster on guard.¡±


    The barbarian hunter turned to leave but Ironhallow wasn¡¯t done. ¡°How do you know what they call themselves?¡±


    ¡°We captured a few and interrogated them.¡± Bonn chuckled as he answered. ¡°Some of them could really scream.¡±

 Part 16

    Arnel woke up late the next day. It was already late morning and his three companions were nowhere to be seen. Arnel got up slowly. He missed sleeping in a warm bed more than he thought he would. He went down and an unconscious smile came to his face at the smell of food. His fellow mutants were in the inn and they signal him over. Left with little choice, he went over and sat down. Breakfast was some chow that was good for filling the stomach and nothing else but as Arnel ate, the other mutants began talking about seeing the city.


    Arnel groaned inwardly. The three mutants of the Red Creator were in a new city and naturally wanted to see the city. Arnel had been expecting something like this ever since he heard that Meadow was a village girl and even with their mission, he had no real problem with them relaxing a little. The problem was that as a former resident of the city, he would have to act as the guide. To their credit, his companions waited till he finished breakfast before poaching the subject. Arnel could hardly refuse. He console himself that at least this way, he could make sure the three of them don¡¯t get into trouble while exploring the city.


    Stepping out of the inn, the three mutants looked at Arnel expectantly. With a stoic face, Arnel gave nothing away but he was wondering where to take them. Ideally he wanted a way to both show them the city as well as help in the mission. After some thinking, Arnel decided to just take them to the important places of the city. They began walking down the street and after a while, came to a small plaza. As they walked, Arnel told the others to take in the surroundings and pointed out the public well. The area immediately around the well was full of women chatting with each other. He began his introduction to the city of Yachium.


    ¡°The neighborhoods of Yachium are all organized around the public well. Here the women would take water for drinking, cooking and washing. Most of them also act as the neighborhood gathering point. Come on.¡±


    The mutants walked on and got onto the main street. The surroundings changed almost immediately as pack animals like horses and donkeys pull wagons down the main street. Several merchants¡¯ stalls fill both sides of the street.


    ¡°The main street is the artery of the city. Most of them lead to one of the city gates and connect the gates to the inner city.¡±


    ¡°Inner city?¡± Ransford asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s a local term. It¡¯s basically the area where all the Duke and his cronies are located.¡± As Arnel explained, the group moved on and the others began looking at the various merchant stalls. Arnel slowed and began telling the others where the various items came other. Yachium was a major city in the region and he found himself enjoying this. The mutants slowly move on and after passing the last of the merchant stalls, Arnell stop at the side of a building. He pointed out a three story building further down the street to his companions.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°That¡¯s the Hunt Council building of Yachium. Remember where it is. This will be one of the main buildings of resistance and we need to take it as soon as possible when the fighting starts.¡±


    The three mutants of the Red Creator began looking at the building in earnest. The large house was made of stone and was in great condition. From where they were, the group could see through the wide windows that the interior was done in colors that remind you of a tropical forest. The yard out front was small but was overgrown with many wild plants. If they hold the door, the three of them could easily imagine a score of arrows raining down from the upper floors. Hunters are known for their bow skills.


    ¡°What kind of resistance should we expect?¡± Jeffery asked.


    ¡°When the alarm sounds, almost all the hunters in this city would make for this building. Once they realize they lost the main gate, the Guardsman of Yachium would pull back to the barracks but those that can¡¯t make it there will head here instead. For some reason, some of the higher ranked hunters are missing from the city but we still need to take the building or the Hunt Council will use it as a base.¡±


    ¡°How do we do that if all the hunters in the city would be here?¡±


    ¡°Speed. The Kin has a map of the city I drew for them but when fighting starts, things get confusing. One of you need to lead them to this location. Hopefully we can overwhelm them before the hunters set up their defense.¡±


    ¡°What about the Blade and Mage Council?¡± Ransford asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll show you the buildings later. Keep their location in mind especially the Blades Council building. I think the Mage building will be the easiest. They haven¡¯t been the same since the demise of The Grand.¡±


    Following the main street, the group move towards the eastern section of Yachium. The trip was quicker as the mutants were no longer stopping at the merchant stalls. Arnel¡¯s warning of the Hunt Council building has reminded the three of their mission. As they walked on, the group passed a patrol of Guardsmen.


    The residents of the city clear out of the way of the patrol and the mutants did the same. Arnel was slower than the rest. When the patrol pass, Arnel look at four Guardsman and realized he knew all of them. More importantly, he saved one of them before. Young Aaron was leading the patrol, no doubt a promotion for surviving the attack that afternoon at the edge of the Great Kar Forest. The bitter irony of the situation taste like bile in his mouth. Giving a silent sigh, Arnel shook his head and lead the other mutants onwards.

 Part 17

    When Arnel entered the Happy Tankard Tavern, he found the tavern as empty as it was the night before. There were a few people sitting strategically at various points in the tavern, but the tavern was empty saved for the bartender. Arnel walked to the bar and ordered an ale. Rusty Augus arrived just as the bartender placed the mug in front of him.


    ¡°Things must really be bad for me to get such prompt service.¡±


    To Arnel¡¯s surprise, Augus actually chuckled at his joke. ¡°That¡¯s actually quite good. You¡¯re a jester?¡±


    ¡°There had been some people who called me that,¡± Arnel lied. ¡°Though I seldom jest when doing business.¡±


    ¡°Ha! That¡¯s exactly when you should do it.  Laughing in the face of death is the true mark of courage.¡±


    Arnel raise an eyebrow at this. ¡°Opening a gate is a life and death matter here in Yachium? If it is, I may have to inform my employers about the dangers of doing business in your fair city.¡±


    ¡°Normally that¡¯s not the case but time is different.¡±


    ¡°In what way? Or is this you way of saying the price for opening a gate is quite high here in this city.¡±


    Augus made no effort to pacify his potential partner in crime, instead the criminal just shrug. ¡°Price is high but not for the reason you think. The dark mage is moving.¡±


    ¡°Dark mage? The one that defeated The Grand.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Since then, the Councils has been wanting to go at that mage again but the Duke has been preventing that. Now he may not have a choice.¡±


    ¡°Typical. Let me guess; he¡¯s more interested in his safety than taking out a danger that¡¯s away from his city.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right there. The Duke thought the dark mage would be satisfied staying in the mountains¡­but the mage is moving.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s news?¡±


    ¡°No, and that¡¯s the problem. Patrols by the Kar Forest has been disappearing for weeks and now even the scouts on the plains are missing. Who would have thought that one rogue mage hiding out in the Keg Mountains could cause this much trouble?¡±


    Arnel took a sip of his ale and kept calm. It wasn¡¯t really a guess for Arnel as the former Guardsman knew what the people of Yachium has been saying about their cowardly ruler but news about the missing scouts was interesting. If patrols had been stopped then it made sense for the city to send out scouts. Lone scouts had a better chance of slipping away from the Kin. Arnel knew that the Kin were stealthy but moving a force that size quietly on the Homeless Plains was easier said than done and it wasn¡¯t beyond the realm of possibility that the Kin had missed a scout of two. He need to know what the¡­humans know about their plans.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Is there something I should know Augus? I haven¡¯t heard anything but you sound as if we are all in danger.¡±


    ¡°Danger? Not really. You sound like you came from the north my friend but here on the plains, things are different. From the city walls, Yachium would notice any approaching danger well before it arrive. Alarms are up due to the missing scouts but the city is not in any danger.¡±


    Unless you have a creature with the power of the Fox Mother! Arnel wisely kept his consult and just nodded. ¡°So what¡¯s the problem?¡±


    ¡°The city is on high alert. That means more guards at the gates, which means more people to pay off. Price is naturally higher.¡±


    ¡°How much?¡±


    The spy and the criminal began negotiation. After some back and forth, they agreed to a price that Arnel knew was too high. The former Guardsman made a show of reluctantly agreeing to the price and implied that at the price, this may be the last time they would be doing business. However Arnel was a happy mutant when he stepped out of the Happy Tankard Tavern. Augus may not know it but the criminal was never going receive his gold.


    ***


    The Hive had spent the whole day enlarging their tunnels. From the ninth floor to the fifth, all the tunnels grew significantly bigger but even then the dragon had to crawl on its belly to squeeze itself to the huge cavern that was the underground forest. From there, things got complicated.


    It didn¡¯t start out that way. When the dragon first reached the underground forest, it happily spread its wings and flew. This was the first time the dragon flew and it couldn¡¯t be happier. The joy and freedom it felt when in the air was something it had never experienced before. That joy was increased even further when it was joined in the air by the Porkauas. One of the biggest creatures in the world flying side-by-side with a flying pig? It was a pretty hilarious sight if the spirits within the Hive said so themselves. Unfortunately there were few Kin around to see this funny sight. Most of the Kin had left the underground forest either for the human city of Yachium or the Great Kar Forest. The few poisonous Lizardmen the Hive just created were about the only ones still around. The dragon flew across the cavern and reached the other end where a spiral staircase linked the underground forest to the floor above. The Hive and the dragon immediately realized their problem.


    ¡°How am I supposed to get up there?¡± The dragon fumed. ¡°This staircase is way too small for me. Who was the idiot who suggested this stupid spiral design?¡±


    ¡°Hey, you were in the Hive too when we made it. Stop complaining. We¡¯re gathering energy to enlarge the exit. Just wait there.¡±


    ¡°I still has five floors to go and then I need to fly there.¡± The dragon could only shake his head. ¡°I told you idiots to stop throwing energy at me! I am going to be so late.¡±


    Silence greeted the dragon¡¯s complain and it realized the Hive was having an internal discussion. The dragon could only sit and sigh.


    ¡°WE GOT IT!¡±


    ¡°What? What did you guys get?¡±


    ¡°We got an idea!¡± The Hive happily replied. ¡°We got a way for you to reach the human city in time for the attack. Just wait. We are going to gather energy for a Nothing-Untouched-Killer-Explosion!¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­what would that do?¡±


    ¡°We are going to cast the destroying kind that the Fire Hive first invented; only upwards.¡±


    ¡°Upwards?¡±


    ¡°Yeah! We are going to blast a big hole to the surface for you. You can then just fly up. Great idea right?¡±

 Part 18

    ¡°This is a terrible idea!¡±


    Augus just laugh. ¡°Calm down. You sound like this is your first time bribing a guard.¡±


    ¡°This is the first time I have to bribe two entire patrols. That¡¯s eight Guardsmen! There¡¯s no way to do this with less people. What kind of city is this?¡±


    This wasn¡¯t a total lie for Arnel as he truly never had to bribe anyone before. Usually it¡¯s others who approach him; approaches that he usually ignore. He wasn¡¯t a total fool though. He knew some of his former colleagues took bribes but the scale of it was shocking to him. He don¡¯t mind if one or two took some gold to look the other way but eight of them at the same time? He could only shake his head at that. Even Augus looked a little embarrassed.


    ¡°What can I say? Things are bad. Everyone is just trying to build a little something in case they need to flee. Look on the bright side; with so many guards on the take, no one will stop your goods.¡±


    ¡°People are so scared? This is just one mage.¡±


    ¡°A mage that destroyed one of the most powerful mage in the world. The Grand was thought to be invincible and this mage not only kill him, he then broke though the magical defenses of the city just to deliver The Grand¡¯s head. Oh yes, people are very scared.¡±


    Arnel almost laughed at that. He had heard of what really happened from the Kin and how the ¡®delivered¡¯ head of The Grand was nothing but an escape by the cowardly mage that was stopped by one of the Creator¡¯s creatures.


    ¡°Why are you still here then?¡± He asked Augus. ¡°A man like you should have no problem moving on.¡±


    ¡°Ha! Where would I go? Besides I¡¯m an old man and this is home. Come on.¡±


    A patriotic criminal? Will wonders never ceased? Arnel could only sighed as he silently follow the fixer into the garden. The Great Yachium Garden was the name but it¡¯s greatness was arguable. Basically a plot of grass surrounded by a sundry of tall bushes, it was built so that the people of the city could have a place for some peace and quiet. Home to variety of exotic plants and flowers bushes, Arnel used to love the place but after weeks in the truly Great Kar Forest, he found the Yachium Garden to be lacking.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    Still, he has to admit that the mages in charge of the garden took their work seriously. Some of the exotic plants and flowers bushes were not native to the region and would have died without constant care but almost all of them were in great shape. Some were even slightly overgrown!


    Augus took Arnel to the inner part of the garden where a Savage Tree stood. A short tree that has snow-white leaves, the tree is native to the far north. In a land where ice storms regularly sweep across the land, the Savage Tree was famed as a tree that could withstand anything nature throws at it. In times past, some mage decided to plant one in the garden as an example of the resilience of the city and generations of hunters and mages since then had taken on the task of caring for the tree. This was where they would be meeting their contact. It was a strange place to meet but surrounded by bushes taller than them, the three men could speak in private and Arnel had to admit the irony of meeting here to discuss the destruction of the city had something that appealed to him.


    A man stood beneath the tree. Augus and Arnel walked towards the waiting man and to his sight surprise, Arnel didn¡¯t recognized the man. Augus had introduced him as a man who could help him get his ¡®goods¡¯ into the city undetected but the fact that the man was an unknown was surprising to Arnel. As a former senior Guardsman, Arnel thought he should know who the man was.


    Augus and the man began talking and the longer it went, the more suspicious it became. The talks was going too smoothly. The meeting place, the time, the amount of payment; everything was discussed and agreed on. Arnel played along but he couldn¡¯t wait to leave the gardens. Something was seriously wrong!


    The talks concluded without incident and just as Arnel feared, that was when the Guardsmen showed up. Half a dozen Guardsmen burst out of their hiding place in the garden and surrounded the three men. Arnel quickly realized that was wrong; the Guardsmen were just surrounding him. He looked at Augus who only smiled at him.


    ¡°Sorry but the city has a standing bounty for smugglers which is just too enticing.¡± After a short pause, the experienced criminal then added. ¡°Besides, there¡¯s just something about you I just don¡¯t trust.¡±

 A Cover

    Pick a cover from ''SelfPubBookCovers'' due to its simpe and elegant design. I am currently leaving the title blank as I may want to change my working title in the future. What do you guys think of it?


    https://selfpubbookcovers.com/Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    PS. If there''s any writers out there looking for a cover, I would suggest going to the website to take a look. There are others like ''The Book Cover Designer'' that also a good list of pre-made book covers so I''m pretty sure you can find something you''ll liked. Thanks.

 Part 19

    Flying was great! The green dragon realized that the first time he flew. From the first moment he took to the air, he loved it and he had been flying around the huge cavern of the fifth floor ever since. The fact that he was now alone did not bother him. The Porkasus had long since left, going off to do whatever it felt like doing.


    ¡°Hey, get down here. We¡¯re ready!¡±


    The voice came into his head and the dragon turned towards the source. Even high above the underground forest of the fifth floor, the dragon could easily see the clearing and flew towards it. The Hive had enlarged the clearing around it several times before and the dragon had no problem landing bedside the crystal that was the Hive. Seeing it floating quietly in the middle of the clearing, the dragon quickly asked.


    ¡°You guys finally done?¡±


    ¡°Of course! Just look at us!¡±


    Indeed, the Hive was quite a sight. The Hive had been actively gathering energy for an entire day and was now shining like a beacon in the underground forest. Even the four lights that surrounds the Hive seems brighter than usual.


    ¡°You guys sure this will work?¡±


    ¡°Nope, but since when has that ever stopped us?¡±


    The dragon had to admit the truth of that statement. Back when he was part of the hive, he never let things like potential failure deter him from trying. He now realized that wasn¡¯t something to be proud of. Guess being a dragon changed his views on some things...


    ¡°How dangerous is this?¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t be too dangerous¡­but just in case, why don¡¯t you give us some room?¡±


    ¡°Fine but remember to make the hole big enough for me to fly out. We don¡¯t want to face the same problem again.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes. Now move away.¡±


    With that, the dragon quickly moved away from the Hive. Once he was at the edge of the clearing, the hive got to work. The shining crystal got even brighter and the dragon felt a sense of pressure coming from it. Then a bright light shot upwards. The dragon looked up and saw that the light widen as it went upwards. The light touched the ceiling and it¡­just disappeared.


    There was no explosion. Without a sound, the ceiling of the fifth floor just disappeared as if it was never there. For a moment, the ceiling was there. Then it was not. The dragon did not care about the ceiling. He just stood there looking at the dark sky above.


    ¡°What are you waiting for? Get moving. You¡¯re already late!¡±


    The scolding from the Hive brought the dragon back to his senses and he immediately spread his wings and jumped. Once in the air, he flapped his wings and the air pressure propel him magically upwards. A few flaps later, the dragon flew out of Big Keg into the night. High up in the night sky, he stopped.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    His breath caught; his eyes teared; he looked at the night sky above him and was awed. Zrucs and Prih, the twin Moons of Ioplon were the most beautiful things he had ever seen. The dragon felt strange. He had seem the moons and sky before when he was part of the Hive but now, things felt different. Very different!


    The dragon then felt himself falling. He was too engrossed with the sight of the night sky that he had stopped flying! The dragon couldn¡¯t float in the air and quickly flapped his wings to regain the height he lost. The dragon laughed, a laugh that sounded like a roar to the other creatures of the mountain. It was a stupid mistake he shouldn¡¯t be making.


    He turned to the east and flew towards the human city of Yachium. The Hive had seen the human city once before on a scouting trip and the dragon had been part of the Hive there. He knew where the human city was located but he wasn¡¯t thinking about that now. Now, he only care about flying.


    The cold night air hit him and the dragon felt something stirred within. He felt joy. The dragon flapped his wings again, going faster and faster. For the first time since he was created, the dragon felt truly alive!


    ¡°This is great!¡±


    He laughed. A roar that that shook the mountain. He flew and flew, enjoying every moment of it. The dragon looked down at the land beneath him and saw that he was moving faster than he had expected. At the speed he was flying, he might not be late! Then he saw something magical. There was a light on the horizon!


    The dragon spotted a rocky outcrop and immediately headed towards it. He landed and faced the horizon. He sat and stared. Night was slowly turning into day and the sun was slowly rising in the east. The coldness of the night was slowly replaced by the warmth of the day and the dragon couldn¡¯t help but stared at the rising sun. Zrucs and Prih had competition. The dragon opened his wings and sat there motionless for a long time. He wanted to do nothing but to enjoy the moment.


    Then the dragon felt something else. A rumble in his stomach. Instinctively, he knew that he was hungry. The dragon looked around and realized his sight was as great as the Hive said it was. Far in the distance, he could see a herd of wild horses and he began to fly towards them.


    The dragon flew up high into the air. Once he got close enough, he began to dive down. He noticed that the horses had noticed it. For a brief moment, they did not move away. Why should they? The horses had never seen a dragon before and did not know if he was friend or foe but as the dragon got closer and lower, they realized their error. The horses might not know the dragon but they knew a predatory dive when they see one. They ran.


    The dragon adjusted and began trailing the herd. He swooped overhead and let out his breath. A green mist of poison shot out from the dragon¡¯s mouth over the herd. The dragon flew on and then tried to make a sharp turn in the air. He wasn¡¯t totally successful but when he turned back towards the herd, he realized that there was no need for rush. While some of the horses had had ran away, others had dropped dead on the ground.


    The dragon looked at the escaping horses and saw that some of the escapees were running wobbly, no doubt feeling the effects of the poison. The dragon looked at the horses for a moment before deciding not to chase after them. He was hungry. He landed among the dead horses and ignored the possibility of poison.


    The poison came from him so the dragon thought it should be safe for him to eat the dead horses. The dragon took a bite of the nearest horse and his body shook. Juices filled his mouth and the taste...this is what food tasted like? What a wonderful feeling!


    ¡°Those idiots still in the Hive don¡¯t know what they are missing!¡±


    The dragon declared as he continued his feast. He ate every part of the horses and by the time he was done, there was nothing left but bones. The dragon looked over the bones with satisfaction. This was a good meal. He wondered how other animals would taste; he wondered how human would taste? The dragon smiled. Where he was going, there were humans aplenty. He spread his winds and flew.

 Part 20 (aka; Why dragons prefer maidens!)

    High up into the air he went before turning once again to the east. The dragon was in no hurry and wanted to take his time to enjoy his flight. At his speed, he believe he would reach the human city in time for the attack and as he flew, his mind began to wander. He look at the land and saw the Homeless Plains all around him. The great plain stretched out as far as the dragon could see and he wondered what lies beyond it.


    Then the dragon saw something far to the left of his flight path. There was another herd on the plains and as the dragon focused, he saw that this was a herd of buffalos. The buffalos were looking up at the flying dragon and wondering what kind of creature he was. They were too out of the way to chase but the dragon decided to have a little fun.


    He roared. The roar vibrate throughout the plains and terrified all who heard it. The buffalos were no different. They turned and ran. The dragon saw the whole herd running away from him and laughed. This was fun. The dragon flew on, the day turned to night and the dragon felt something new.


    He was sleepy but that was nothing new. He had felt sleepy before but now the desire to sleep came with a new feeling. His body couldn¡¯t move as well as before and the dragon found that he needed to concentrate to maintain his flight. The dragon had never felt like this before but he wasn¡¯t stupid. He knew what this was. When he was just a part of the Hive, he had heard of the Kin speaking of this.


    He was tired!


    The dragon smiled. In a way, it made sense to him. He was now a creature and had flew for the entire day. It was only normal that he was now tired. As powerful as he is, a dragon is still a creature and the dragon found that he did not dislike this feeling of tiredness. Tiredness was something he never felt in the Hive. It was something new.


    The dragon look around him trying to find a good place to rest but he couldn¡¯t find any place that¡¯s good. The Homeless Plains was lacking in hiding places for a big dragon. Left with little choice, the dragon landed in an area with tall grasses and just laid down. As he rested, he kept an eye out and was satisfied that the tall grasses concealed him. As long as he don¡¯t rise up, others should not be able to see him hiding among the grass. The dragon closed his eyes and slept.


    He dreamt of flying.


    He woke up refreshed. The dragon raise his long neck above the tall grass and look around. Rather disappointingly, there was no creatures around. Either he was really well hidden or all the creatures who spotted him ran off. The dragon felt aggrieved. He was hungry but there was no food anywhere near him! This was a problem he never had while in the Hive. While he was a spirit within the Hive, he just ate whenever they needed the energy. In fact, the Hive didn¡¯t even feel hunger.


    ¡°Maybe being in this body does have some drawbacks¡­¡±


    The dragon muttered as he stood up. He now had a decision to make. He could either waste time and hunt, or he could ignore his hunger and continue his journey to the human city. After a few moments the dragon decided to fly on to the city. He didn¡¯t enjoy this feeling of hunger but there were many humans in the city. He¡¯ll just feast after the attack.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    The dragon flew and this time, he made good time. Hunger was a good motivator and he flap his wings several times to increase his speed. When he finally saw the human city on the horizon, the day was still bright though the sun was beginning to set. The dragon sighed in relief. He was still hungry but food just was on the horizon. The dragon increased his speed. As he got closer, he noticed something strange. The Kin were still outside the city!


    He was still a distance away but with his excellent sight, the dragon could see that all the Kin were in a tight group to the south of the human city. However what was strange was that the humans on the city walls were going about their business as if the Kin weren¡¯t there. The dragon was surprised but his eyes then adjusted and he realized there was a veil of energy over the Kin.


    ¡°The Fox Mother!¡±


    The dragon realized the Fox Mother must be using one of her illusions to hide the Kin from the humans. The dragon had seen the Fox Mother doing this before once at the fight outside Mount Morningstar but this illusion was even more impressive. He half-wondered how long she has been keeping it up. Curious about the answer, the dragon decided to go ask her. He swung towards the Kin.


    As he got closer to the Kin, the humans on the walls of the city saw him. The dragon was too far from the humans to hear what they were saying but there were a lot of hand gesturing and running about. The dragon was going to ignore the humans; that was until a group of humans got his attention.


    On the city walls was a group of human females but these females were dressed in ways that the dragon had never seen before. Their clothes weren¡¯t leather or metal, but some sort of soft willowy garment that¡¯s not unlike the robes some human mages wore. However these clothing looked much softer and lighter than the robes of mages and the dragon could easily imagine tearing through them. Even if they are not, they should be much easier to chew through than leather and steel right? In short; these human females look both tasty and easy to eat!


    The dragon adjusted his flight once again, this time heading straight towards the city. The humans saw him coming and stood still. All of them looked shocked. The dragon thought the humans must be like the herd of horses; wondering what he was. He was right, but unlike the horses, the humans reacted differently.


    A fireball shot from the walls towards the dragon. It was a warning shot that the dragon easily evaded but the dragon was angered by the spell and roared in response. The roar shook all who heard it and the group of female humans disappeared from the city walls. His food was fleeing!


    The dragon flapped his wings. He needed to chase them down! More spells were cast from the humans but the dragon easily evaded the haphazard spell casting. As the dragon got closer, an arrow shot up from the city walls and hit him! Pain! The dragon felt pain for the first time. He looked at the arrow that hit him and saw it sticking out of his body. The dragon was enraged!


    He flew up and gain height before heading towards the walls again. As he flew over the wall, a stream of green poison issued from his mouth. The dragon was so high in the air, his breath of poison wasn¡¯t as effective as it was with the horses but several humans still fell to the ground. They scratched at their throats with agony on their faces. The dragon did not care. He looked around before spotting his targets.


    The group of soft female humans were running into the city! The dragon flew after them and while the humans only heard a roar, those who could understand dragon speech would only hear one word;


    ¡°FOOD!¡±

 Part 21

    ¡°What did I do wrong?¡±


    The question came to Arnel again as he sat in his cell. He had been thrown into the city dungeon since his capture the night before and this was one of many questions he had been asking himself since his capture. Was there something more he could have done? Should he had try escaping instead of going meekly with the Guardsmen?


    A night sitting in a quiet cell gave the mutant nothing but time to brood and that was what he constantly did. He was the one who was supposed to make sure everything went accordingly to plan but now he was the one who was caught. The only consolation he had was the fact he had planned for this.


    Arnel had went through the plans with the other mutants on what they were supposed to do if something happened to him. If they act according to the plan, the three of them would be on their way out of the city to inform the Kin of his failure. He just need to maintain his disguise as long as he could to give the Kin time to withdraw.


    Arnel looked around and saw the other prisoners in his cell. As a suspected smuggler, Arnel had been thrown in with the normal prisoners. While this was good as it meant the city did not suspect him as anything more than a simple criminal, it also meant he couldn¡¯t relax and must constantly maintain his disguise. The Alpha would probably be delighted and say it was a sign of progress that he was still able to maintain his disguise after a night but that was cold comfort right now. Sooner or later he will slip, and when that happen¡­


    Screams!


    The dungeon began stirring as many of the prisoners heard the screaming. All of them looked up at the ceiling as the faint sound was heard. Considering that they were underground, the screams must be loud to be heard by them. Arnel heard more than a few prisoners wondering what was going on above them. His stomach knotted in fear.


    Did the mutants failed to escape the city and warned the Kin? Or worse; did the Kin heard the warning and decide to attack anyway! No, Arnel quickly dismissed the latter. Arnel looked at the end of the dungeon where the sole barred window let in the light of the sun. Even if the Kin wanted to attack, they would wait till the night where they had an advantage. They would not attack during the day.


    The screams got louder and louder and by now all the prisoners had heard it. Even those prisoners kept in the furthest end of the dungeon knew something was going on above. Time went by and the screaming continued. Then Arnel could also hear running footsteps. People were running and since the prisoners were in their cells that meant the prison guards were the ones running. Things must really be bad for them to call out the prison guards.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    The prisoners heard another scream; this one closer and louder than all the others. There was a moment of silence and then Arnel heard a new sound; the sound of fighting. The dungeon only had one entrance and Arnel heard sound of fighting from the direction of the entrance. Like many of the other prisoners, he went to the bars of his cell and look out at the entrance. The woman who ran down the steps was someone he never thought he would be glad to see.


    ¡°Over here!¡±


    Meadow saw him immediately and shouted behind her. ¡°Down here! He¡¯s down here!¡±


    Ransford and Jeffery ran down soon after and Ransford opened the open of his cell. Somehow, he had found a bunch of keys. His other prisoners immediately ran off and after a brief moment of thanks, Arnel did the same.


    With Jeffery leading the way, the mutants ran up the steps stepping over several dead guards. Arnel barely gave them a glance. He was far more interested in knowing what¡¯s going on outside.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening outside?¡± He ask no one in particular. ¡°What is all that screaming?¡±


    Ransford was the one who replied. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe me even if I tell you. It¡¯s something you have to see to believe.¡±


    Arnel never thought Ransford as the cryptic kind so whatever was happening must be truly unbelievable. Running at almost full speed, the four of them quickly exited the dungeon. To Arnel¡¯s amazement, they hadn¡¯t met any resistance on their way out. Then the shadow flew over him.


    He looked up instinctively and saw it.


    The creature was high up in the air and the former Guardsman was a distance from it. The creature didn¡¯t even notice him, more intend on someone or something out of view. None of that matter. His legs turned weak. His stomach turned. A scream threatened to escape his throat.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look!¡±


    An arm grab his head and pushed it down. Arnel immediately felt better. His legs felt stronger. His breath returned and his mind calmed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at it directly!¡± Meadow shouted in his ear. ¡°Looking at it do something to your mind.¡±


    ¡°No, it doesn¡¯t.¡± Jeffery said. ¡°It¡¯s just fear. The natural fear you feel when looking at a predator.¡±


    ¡°This is much more than just fear!¡± Meadow argued.


    ¡°It is a great predator. We are but ants to it.¡±


    Arnel looked at Jeffery and saw the big mutant looking at the great creature in the air with something akin to worship. Steeling himself, he looked up and saw the creature for the second time. It was only slightly better this time.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Ransford asked.


    ¡°The Unique!¡± Arnel whispered. ¡°It must be the unique the Creator was making deep in the tunnels. The Creator must have released it for this attack.¡±


    The four mutants looked up at the great creature above them and saw it shooting out green mist from it¡¯s mouth. They were in awe. The power and magnificence of the creature was almost beyond comprehension.


    ¡°I heard some of the humans calling it a dragon.¡± Ransford finally said.


    ¡°So that¡¯s the dragon. It¡¯s no wonder The Grand was defeated then. What a creature!¡± Arnel smiled and quickly got back to work. ¡°Come on, this is our chance.¡±


    ¡°Chance?¡± Arnel¡¯s three rescuers looked at him with blank looks on their faces.


    ¡°The South Gate!¡± Arnel said. ¡°The Guardsmen will be busy with the dragon. Probably all the Councils as well. If you three are here that means the Kin are still outside the gate right? A gate that will be lightly defended and one we just need to open.¡±

 Part 22

    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    The dragon screamed as one of the human females ran off on her own. Between one lone female and the big group, the dragon quickly made the choice of ignoring the escaping female and focused on the larger group running into the city. Below him, numerous humans were screaming in terror. The dragon found that he quite like the sound. Then the inevitable happened. Another of the human females ran off on her own.


    The dragon was now annoyed. He could allow one of his prey escaping, but two? That was just embarrassing! The dragon kept track of the lone escaping female and saw that she was running towards a large group of humans. The dragon swooped down from the air and as the female reached the group, he flew over them and released his breath. Dozens of humans fell dead as the dragon flew by.


    ¡°That¡¯ll teach you to run from me!¡±


    The dragon crowed as the humans below just heard a roar. Having lost sight of the main group of human females, the dragon flew higher, hoping to catch sight of them and resumed the chase. He looked around and found that there were humans running all over the place. There was no way for him to locate the group of females! Wait a moment¡­what¡¯s he doing? Why is he even bothering to look for just one group of humans? Sure the group of human females looked appetizing but why is he actively hunting them? He could just kill all of the humans in the city right? When he realized this, the dragon almost stopped flying again. Of course he could do that!


    The dragon flew lower. Then he stretched his wings out vertical to the ground and for a moment came to a dead stop, hanging in the air. The dragon released a big mist of green poison, not bothering to aim but instead swinging his head to spread the mist as wide as possible. Soon an entire section of the human city was covered in green poison and the dragon could see numerous human dropping dead within the green mist.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    The dragon was delighted. With so many dead, he¡¯s going to have a great feast later. The dragon resumed his flight and flew on to another section of the city intending to do the same thing. He never got there.


    Five blue balls of magic flew up towards him. The dragon never seen this spell before and didn¡¯t know what the balls of magic did but he knew he did not want to find out. The dragon flew away from the magic and immediately saw a volley of arrows flying his way. The dragon quickly flew lower to avoid the volley and then he saw him. A man was jumping from the roof of one of the higher buildings up towards him.


    ¡°No man could jump so high! A skill?¡±


    That¡¯s all the dragon thought before he felt the searing pain in his belly. He looked down and saw the sword. The man had stabbed him! The dragon roared as he plunged to the ground. The loud sound that erupted when the dragon crashed could be heard throughout the city.


    The dragon got up and took the sword out of his body. The warrior who attacked him lay dead on the ground, not being able to survive the crash. He didn¡¯t know who the warrior was but he knew that the human was what the Kin would call brave. The dragon nodded his head at the fallen human in appreciation. Even if he wasn¡¯t exactly sure what it was, he felt that he had just witnessed something great. The dragon looked around him, and waited.


    Moments later, he heard them. Footsteps, hundreds of them. Then the dragon saw the first of the humans. The warrior saw him and the dragon knew that the human was afraid. His legs was clearly shaking but like the warrior who attacked him, this human was brave. He screamed and then rushed towards the dragon in a blind rage. Behind him, numerous other humans followed. The dragon almost smiled.


    ¡°Food!¡±

 Part 23

    The Southern Gate was crowded. On the way to the gate, the mutants found that they were just four individuals among hundreds. Arnel wasn¡¯t surprised by this. In times of trouble, there are always people who wanted to run and with a monster flying over their heads, all the humans were rushing towards the gate hoping to escape the city. At least that was their plan.


    The fact that the citizens were being held back by a dozen Guardsmen was slightly more surprising but well within the regulations of Yachium. The instinct most rulers have when faced with an external threat was to hunker down. To man the walls, lock the gates, and make their enemies come at them. Citizens were kept inside the city to prevent them from giving potential secrets to the enemies and the simple fact that the threat was a flying monster that could go over the walls with ease was not something the Guardsmen care about. Till new regulations were put in place, the Guardsmen on duty could follow their standing orders and that meant the gates were staying shut. As a former Guardsman, Arnel knew all this and told his follow mutants his plan before they arrived at the gates.


    Once they arrived, the four mutants slowly worked their way to the front of the crowd. Arnel¡¯s plan was simple. He knew that the Guardsmen were heavily outnumbered and with some provocation, the mutants should be able to incite the crowd to rush the Guardsmen. Once the crowd got to the gates, they would open the gates and rushed out to safety¡­and their doom. All they needed to do was to give the crowd some false courage. However just as Arnel got near to the front of the crowd, disaster struck.


    A cheer erupted from the crowd and even some of the Guardsmen raised their arms in delight. Arnel heard the murmurs of the crowd and swirled. Looking up he realized to his horror that what the cheering crowd were saying was correct; the dragon was no longer in the air!


    With the dragon flying overhead, most of the crowd and Guardsmen had been keeping an eye in the air. They noticed it the moment it fell. Arnel wasn¡¯t sure what had happened, no one in the crowd did, but the dragon had fell and hope erupted. Change of plans.


    Arnel immediately began working through the crowd again, this time with no time for subtlety. He pushed through the crowd and anyone who didn¡¯t get out of his way get an elbow for emphasis. Meadow and Jeffery were on either side of him. They also had the same thoughts and Arnel signaled them to let him take the lead.


    Getting to the front, Arnel walked past the line of celebrating Guardsmen. By the time one of the Guardsmen realized this, he was already well past him.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Hey! Where are you going? Get back here!¡±


    Arnel ignored him and continued walking. Time seem to slow. Two of the Guardsman approached him from the front while he could sense one of the Guardsmen approaching him from behind. Arnel didn¡¯t stop walking. He had already taken six steps past the line when a hand from behind finally touched his shoulder.


    ¡°Argh¡±


    Someone screamed and Arnel turned around. The Guardsman who had stopped him turned with him and both of them saw Meadow with her two burning hands on the face of a Guardsman. His face was on fire. All eyes were now on the sweet looking former village girl, Arnel was now forgotten. A mistake he took full advantage of by slipping his knife into the ribs of the Guardsman who stopped him. Not waiting for the Guardsman to fall, Arnel immediately drew his sword and charged at the two Guardsmen in front. They were still unsheathing their swords when Arnel¡¯s blade ran through one of them. He quickly pulled his sword out and attacked the second Guardsman. His sword sliced open the head of the Guardsman.


    At the corner of his eye, Arnel noticed that Ransford and Jeffery had downed three Guardsmen between them as well. In moments, the four mutants had taken down more than half of the Guardsmen. In other circumstances, this would be a cause of celebration. Right now this was just a footnote in a larger battle.


    ¡°Jeffery, the gate!¡±


    At Arnel¡¯s bellow, the big mutant ran towards the gate. Arnel ran in front of him. The remaining Guardsmen had recovered and weapons were now out. Arnel dodged the swing of a sword and gave a wide swing in return to the Guardsman. He did not hit anything but that didn¡¯t matter. He forced the Guardsman back. He didn¡¯t even bother looking at his enemy and ran on. Killing and fighting didn¡¯t matter; only the gate.


    A Guardsman took up position in front of the gate but just before they engaged, a gust of wind blew past Arnel and knocked the Guardsman off balanced. Arnel engaged the Guardsman as Jeffery ran on.


    To his credit, the Guardsman recovered well. He blocked Arnel¡¯s initial strike and immediately went into a defensive stance. Both combatants knew that it was only a matter of time before reinforcements arrived and Arnel increased his rate of attacks. The Guardsman was well-trained and blocked all of them. Then a stream of fire appeared and before he knew it, the Guardsman found himself on fire. The Guardsman panicked and tried to put out the fire. A mistake he paid for as Arnel took his chance to gut him.


    Jeffery reached the gate and put his two hands on the timber log that barred the gate. Arnel watched with some amazement as Jeffery¡¯s hands got bigger and the muscles in his whole body tightened. The log made a sound and then began to move. The log which usually requires three strong men to lift was then lifted up by the big mutant and thrown to the ground. Jeffery then began to push the gates open. An arrow struck his back.


    Arnel turned back to the fight and saw that it was not going well. Meadow was on the ground, either dead or dying, while an injured Ransford was surrounded by three Guardsmen. Arnel had to ignore the plight of his comrades. He stayed in position to protect the open gate. As the Guardsmen converged on him, the mutant heard a most beautiful sound.


    A howl!

 Part 24

    Arnel smiled as the Guardsmen hesitated. Wolves usually don¡¯t come anywhere near the city and they had no idea what the howl represented. However they still had an enemy in front of them and Arnel watched grimly as the Guardsmen with bows took aim at him.


    ¡°Put down your sword now!¡±


    Arnel looked at the Guardsman who shouted and for the first time realized that he recognized the man; he was called Reynold. He was a senior Guardsman like Arnel was when he served the city. Arnel was shocked that he didn¡¯t recognized him till now. He understood that in the heat of battle, things get blurred but they had known each other for years. As follow senior Guardsmen, they were part of a group that used to drink together. Arnel looked at the Guardsmen laying on the ground and finally noticed their faces. He knew several of them by name. He knew them and yet just moments ago, he had been willing to kill all of them without hesitation. Something was wrong about that.


    Arnel knew in his heart that was true. He had never considered himself a weak person but killing former friends and comrades like they were nothing was leagues beyond him. He was not soft, but he was no cold-blooded murderer either. Something was seriously wrong.


    ¡°This is your last warning. Put down your sword now!¡±


    Arnel¡¯s head hurts but he knew it was too late. He knew it the moment he heard the howl. He wanted to shout out. He wanted to warn the Guardsmen. He wanted them to run but no warning came from him. His mouth just would not move. Arnel found himself just standing there defending the gate. It was then that he finally accepted it.


    He had changed! When the Creator changed him into a mutant, it did not just change his body and gave him powers; it also change his mentality. Something was done to him that made it impossible for him to betray the Creator. Arnel wasn¡¯t a fool. He knew in his mind this was the right thing to do. If he was the Creator, he would probably had done the same but in his heart Arnel felt anger. Not at the Creator, if that was even possible now, but at himself. At the fact it took him so long to realize that his mind had been enspelled.


    ¡°Kill him!¡±


    Reynold had lost patience and Arnel knew this was the end. He would never get to the men with bows in time so he did the only thing he could; he raised his sword up in salute. He was ready to die.


    Then the Guardsmen stopped. The bows lowered and Arnel could see the eyes of all them widen in horror. Without looking back, he knew what was coming up behind him.


    ¡°Blow it!¡± Reynold screamed. ¡°Blow the horn! Formed up!¡±


    Having someone taking command broke the Guardsmen out of their stupor. The Guardsmen formed a line while one of the Guardsmen raised a war-horn and blew a long note. The long note that was to be blown only in time of an impending battle. Moments later, Arnel heard another note from another part of the city and then it was too late.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    The Kin rushed past him and crashed into the Guardsmen. Brave gallant Reynold tried to hold the Guardsmen together but it was like trying to hold back a giant tidal wave. The overwhelming power of the first wave of the Kin crushed the line of Guardsmen like they were nothing. The citizens screamed as they tried to run from the monsters but they never had a chance. The Kin were naturally faster than humans and with the humans all bunched up at the gate, they were easy pickings.


    Arnel saw the humans getting killed and as their death cries filled the air, Arnel lowered his sword. Despite his misgivings, he was still ready to die for the Creator but if given a choice, he would rather not be involved in wholesale slaughter. He had done his part.


    His part was not yet over.


    ¡°Where is it? Where¡¯s the Unique?¡± A clawed hand grabbed his shoulder and Arnel saw that it was the Speaker. Of course it was. She was the only Werewolf who could speak while in her Werewolf form. ¡°Did you see where it fell?¡±


    Arnel could only shake his head weakly. He didn¡¯t see the dragon fall but someone else did.


    ¡°Over there.¡± An injured Jeffery came up beside him and he pointed into the city. ¡°The dragon was near the Blades Council building when it fell.¡±


    That made sense. If anyone in Yachium could take down a flying dragon, it would be the Councils. Around them, humans were still dying but a group of Kin had surrounded the Speaker. If Arnel guessed correctly, the Alpha must have ordered them to guard the Speaker.


    ¡°Follow me.¡±


    To his own surprise, Arnel was the one who spoke and before he knew what he was doing, he was already on the move. Behind him came the Speaker and her group of bodyguards. Arnel began leading the Speaker and her group through the streets of Yachium and they were soon in front of the first wave of Kin.


    Arnel wasn¡¯t sure how happy the Alpha would be when he found out Arnel was the one who led his mate beyond the safety of the Kin but Arnel didn¡¯t mind the danger. At least now, he didn¡¯t have to listen to the cries of the human.


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t we met any opposition?¡±


    Arnel realized that the Speaker was right. The streets were surprising free of conflict and he believed he knew the reason.


    ¡°The humans are pulling back. They know they had lost the gate and probably the Southern District as well. The Duke would pull back to a more defensive position.¡±


    ¡°You know where?¡±


    ¡°The Inner City. That would be my guess. It¡¯s defensible and it¡¯s where the Duke and his family lives. It¡¯s the best place for him to make a stand.¡±


    The Speaker immediately turned to one of the Kin and ordered him to relay the information to the Alpha. Then she urged Arnel to hurry. ¡°Faster! We need to get to the dragon. We don¡¯t have the numbers to face the city in a straight up battle. We need to overwhelm them before the humans are ready. The dragon would be invaluable.¡±


    Arnel kept silent. It might already be too late for that but retreating was hardly an option now so he could only move faster. Before long, they heard a loud strange sound. None of them knew what it was but that was a good thing. The dragon was something none of them had seen before today and hearing something new was good. They rushed towards the sound and came out to a large open area that must have served as a gathering area. The group came to a dead stop.


    The sight in front of them was incredible. Numerous dead humans lay on the ground and Arnel guessed the number of the dead to number over thirty. And they were all killed by just one creature. A creature that was currently eating one of the dead humans and from the look of some of the bodies, he wasn¡¯t it¡¯s first.


    The dragon continued eating before finally noticing the Kin. It looked at the group with an open mouth and for a moment Arnel was worried the dragon was going to attack them. The dragon didn¡¯t attack and instead shook it¡¯s head awkwardly. If Arnel didn¡¯t know better he would have thought that the dragon was embarrassed. The dragon finally stop shaking it¡¯s head and spoke.


    ¡°What? I was hungry!¡±


    Oh¡­it is embarrassed.

 Part 25

    This is bad!


    The day had started so well. The dragon had a good morning flight, saw a bunch of tasty human females, and had a nice bit of fun delivering death and destruction to the human city. He didn¡¯t even mind the sword that struck him. It was a new experience!


    After he finally landed¡­ok, forced to the ground by the humans, the humans began charging at him. It was a bad mistake on their part. With his poisonous breath, the dragon killed most of his attackers and those who survived were badly affected by his breath. With his sharp claws and teeth, the dragon made short work of the remaining humans. Then he waited.


    The dragon fully expect more humans to attack him so he decided to just sit there and wait. There¡¯s no need for him to fly around when his food would come to him right? So he waited, and waited, and waited, and got bored.


    No humans came and the bored dragon had nothing to do. He thought of going back to hunting but then saw all the dead humans around him. He was hungry! He hadn¡¯t eaten yet and food was all around him. Is it any wonder he decided to have a little snack before going back to hunting?


    Of course not!


    The dragon thought this was a perfectly reasonable thing to do. You also can¡¯t hunt on an empty stomach right? So the dragon ate a human. He was tasty and juicy. After the quick snack, there was still no attack from the humans so the dragon decided to have another. Then another, and another, and another. He lost count after the fifth human but it was still not his fault. The humans were just too tasty!


    Then just as he was enjoying his meal, the Kin showed up. It was the Speaker along with a group of Kin and the dragon felt a new sensation; a feeling of self-consciousness. The dragon didn¡¯t quite understand the feeling he had but it was not good and he did not enjoy it.


    ¡°What? I was hungry!¡±


    Uh¡­why did he say that? That will just make things worse! The dragon berated himself and was about to apologize when the Speaker stepped forward. She bowed toward him.


    ¡°Great dragon! It is an honor to finally meet you. I hope you are well.¡±


    The dragon was surprised. The Speaker wasn¡¯t angry at him? He thought he had been pretty rude. Oh well, if the Kin weren¡¯t angry at him then there¡¯s no reason for him to say sorry right? Instead the dragon raised his head proudly and said.


    ¡°I am fine. These humans were hardly a challenge. I take it the Kin had entered the city without any problems?¡±


    ¡°Yes Mighty One. Your help was invaluable in that. The humans were so busy with you that we had little issue gaining entry. The Kin give you our most sincere thanks. Your great power is overwhelming.¡±


    The dragon wasn¡¯t sure how to react to this. One moment he was going to apologize but now, he was getting praised. The dragon kinda like being praised though so he nodded his head sagely. The Speaker took this chance to make her request.


    ¡°Mighty One, the Kin are now pushing to the inner part of the city. The human defenses there would be strong and the fighting fierce. On behalf of the Kin, I wish to request that the Mighty One assist us with the fight.¡±


    ¡°My meal is finished anyway. What do you have in mind?¡±


    ***Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Brand took a small sip of his flask. He wanted to drink more but the Yaslay Ale he bought for the trip was almost finished and he knew he had to conserve his remaining drink. A hard thing to do when he is still shaking.


    ¡°We need to move. It¡¯s foolish to just stay here.¡±


    Brand looked at the man who spoke and didn¡¯t know if he should admire the man for his courage or pity him for his foolishness. One of his other companions had no such qualms.


    ¡°Be patient Bork. The hunters should return soon. We can decide on the next course of action after their return.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to decide? We came here to kill the dark mage and that hasn¡¯t change. Don¡¯t tell me you have changed your mind just because of a flying monster Gwendis? We knew we would be fighting monsters before we came here.¡±


    Brand took another sip of his ale and await the fireworks. Gwendis, former head of the Mage Council of Yachium, just smiled at the brash warrior. Rumors had it that the old wrinkled mage was a former lover of The Grand and was one of the few people in the world that The Grand respected.


    ¡°If you are not afraid warrior, then you are even stupider than people say.¡±


    Bork may be strong and powerful but he picked the wrong opponent. Brand saw Bork¡¯s face turned red but before he could explode, another voice cut him off. ¡°Would you city fools shut up? We are in enemy territory here.¡±


    The brave man who decided to jump into the fray was called Vall and as all eyes turned towards the shaman, Brand found that the barbarian was more interested in the sky than his companions. Brand don¡¯t blame him. They probably should be more interested in looking out for enemies. Gwendis obviously do not think so.


    ¡°That dragon flew away days ago barbarian. You can relax for now.¡±


    Everyone turned to look at mage. For a moment all was silent, then someone asked the obvious question. ¡°That flying monster was the dragon?¡±


    ¡°It had to be. Garnock wouldn¡¯t lose to just anyone. That thing however was something else. You can feel the power of that thing even as it flew overhead. That must be the dragon.¡±


    Brand took a gulp of his ale and more than a few of his companions shivered at the memory of the dragon. Brand had told the Clan that he was bringing six but somehow word had spread about his quest and before long people were coming to him saying that they wanted to join. Some of these people, like Gwendis, were people you don¡¯t say no to. By the time Brand met up with the barbarians, he had twenty-one people with him. The two Clan barbarians were less than pleased but promises of future payment convinced them to continue on.


    Brand looked around and found that he had some sympathy for his companions. They had all lost family and friends to the dark mage before and all of them know that this quest was dangerous in the extreme, but they came anyway. They were here for vengeance but there was no shame in fearing that flying monster. It had been two days since they saw the monster flying overhead and Brand could still feel the power of that thing. Vall however was more worried about another matter.


    ¡°I¡¯m more worried about the skies than the dragon.¡± Vall replied. ¡°It is too empty.¡±


    As one of their two guides, Vall was one of the few men who had survived a trip into the dungeon the barbarians called ¡°The Cave of the Spirit Beasts¡± so even among they city folk of Yachium, his words carry weight.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that a good thing?¡± Bork asked.


    ¡°No.¡± The Clan shaman looked at the sky again. ¡°There should be more patrols. Just days ago, the skies was filled with them. Where did all of them go?¡±


    In the past when the biggest danger to the Clan and the city was Yachium was each other, someone who offered a quip on how the shaman sounded like a coward. Now, everyone just looked at the sky with him. Brand had to concede that Vall was right; the sky was too empty.


    ¡°Someone is coming.¡±


    The group immediately hid themselves among the rocks, not a hard thing to do in the Keg Mountains. Two man appeared and the group relaxed when they realized that the approaching duo was the barbarian hunter named Bonn as well as a young hunter from Yachium named Cromer. They had went on the scouting trip after spotting the dragon and the duo looked like they had been running hard.


    ¡°We found it!¡± Cromer had barely stopped when he made the announcement to the group.


    ¡°Found what?¡± Gwendis asked. Even though he was the one who set up the quest, the powerful old mage had become the de facto leader of the group. Brand wasn¡¯t stupid enough to dispute the matter with her.


    ¡°There is another entrance to the dungeon.¡± Cromer quickly said. ¡°It was amazing. A big hole in the mountains that lead straight down into an underground forest!¡±


    ¡°An underground forest? You¡¯re sure?¡± Gwendis was amazed and so was Brand. Just how powerful is this dark mage?


    ¡°You¡¯re forgetting the most important thing.¡± As the older more experienced man, Bonn was more controlled than young Cromer but the smile on his face was unmistakable.


    ¡°Oh yes,¡± the young hunter said. ¡°Get this; we saw a big spirit matrix in the middle of that forest. It is huge! It must be the biggest matrix in the world!¡±

 Part 26

    ¡°This is a terrible idea.¡±


    ¡°Anyone ever told you that you worry too much? It¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Arnel looked at the grinning Alpha and knew he should just go along with it. He couldn¡¯t help himself. ¡°The whole plan depends on the dragon and¡­well, you spoke to him. Do you trust him to do his duty?¡±


    ¡°Ha! That¡¯s what you are worried about? That creature is a unique created by the Creator. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    ¡°How can I not? Look I know I¡¯m not going to change anyone¡¯s mind on this but I just want to say the dragon is hardly the most trustworthy creature we have. He¡¯s powerful but fickle. How do we even know he¡¯s going to attack when we need him to?¡±


    ¡°You worry too much. It¡¯ll be fine. Besides, it¡¯s not like we have a lot of choices here.¡±


    Faced with such irrational optimism, Arnel had no choice but to concede to the Alpha. In truth the plan wasn¡¯t all that bad, it just depends a lot on the dragon. Sighing once again, he admitted defeat and went to inform his pack. If he was still a senior Guardsman of Yachium, it would be called a patrol but the Kin had a different name for the same thing.


    Somehow the Kin believes that being a former senior Guardsman of Yachium means he could command a pack as well. He looked over the pack and only recognized Jeffery. Ransford was deem too injured to continue and Meadow was dead. Arnel felt a little sorry for the girl. She was annoying but she was under his command. At least she got to see a big city before she went to the beyond.


    ¡°Over here everyone. This is the plan.¡±


    ***


    ¡°This is a terrible idea. Why did I agree to this?¡±


    The dragon grumbled as he tried to be comfortable. He was sitting on top of the walls of the city of Yachium and the wall was a little too small to be comfortable. The location was not of his choosing. The Speaker had ¡®advised¡¯ him to position himself on top of the wall near the Southern Gate so that the gathering human defenders could see him. The Speaker want the humans to see his majesty. She wanted them to feel his presence.


    The dragon didn¡¯t really understand what all of that mean but from what the Speaker said, he basically just has to act like an arrogant creature who looks down on the humans. Since that¡¯s how he felt about the humans anyway, it didn¡¯t sound too hard so he quickly agreed to the Speaker¡¯s plan.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    He really should have thought about it more before agreeing.


    The top of the wall offered the dragon a good view of the city and he could easily see the inner city where the humans had set up their defense. Even with a glance, the dragon could see the differences between the two districts.


    As a normal member of the Dungeon Hive, the dragon could tell that the materials used to make the buildings in the inner city were much better than the ones near him. The buildings near the dragon were mostly made of wood while the buildings of the inner city had more stone in them and the dragon could tell that a lot more care and planning had been used to design the buildings.


    The buildings of the inner city were all bigger and more beautiful than the buildings nearer to the gate with wider streets and more spacing between buildings. Most of the inner city buildings also had curved archways and at least two had strange stone statues that spout out water. The dragon hope that those statues won¡¯t get destroy in the coming battle; the dragon believe that the Water spirits of the Hive would love to know how the humans made these statues.


    The dragon was not optimistic about their chances.


    The dragon had noticed that the human city had open spaces at certain locations and there was a big one between the inner city and the Southern District. The humans had set up a barrier at the far end of the open space but the dragon don¡¯t know why they bothered. The barrier was made up of carts, wagons, and wooden tables and he doubt it would serve as any deterrence to the Kin. The humans behind the barrier however were a different matter.


    Two lines of humans stood behind the makeshift barrier and the humans looked strong. Their armor and weapons looked pristine and even from where he was, the dragon could sense the determination in them. The humans were not going to roll over.


    Just beyond the sight of the humans was the Kin. They were hiding amidst the buildings before the inner city and the dragon could sense that almost all of them would be involved in the coming battle. The Speaker was right when she said that this battle would decide everything. Both sides were going to give it their all.


    However none of this helps the dragon because at this moment he was bored! He has been on the wall since speaking to the Speaker. He has waiting for the battle to begin but both sides had been busy getting ready instead of fighting.


    ¡°This is boring.¡±


    The dragon grumbled once again. To his mind, he had waited too long already and the battle still hasn¡¯t begun. This was too much! The dragon raised his head and roared! There wasn¡¯t a single person in the city who did not hear him. All eyes looked in his direction and the dragon decided that he had waited long enough. He stood up, spread his wings and took to the air. He immediately headed toward the humans. Ready or not, here he comes!


    ***


    Everyone within the city heard the roar and all eyes turned towards the dragon. Arnel was no different. He looked at the magnificent creature and saw with horror as it took to the air. The horror compounded when he see that the dragon was flying towards the inner city. He cursed.


    ¡°Oh, that stupid idiotic dragon.¡±

 Part 27

    The dragon didn¡¯t hear him and flew on. As the creature flew over him, Arnel felt his knees buckle beneath the giant shadow but his annoyance at the dragon for not following the plan gave Arnel the strength to keep standing. Arnel looked on as arrows and spells flew towards the dragon. The dragon responded by flying upward but he wasn¡¯t fast enough and a few missiles managed to hit him. The dragon roared!


    He was clearly furious at being hit and Arnel watched as the great creature¡¯s flight suddenly slowed. The dragon arched his long neck into an S-shape before opening his mouth. Arnel had seen the dragon shooting green mist out of his mouth before but those had always covered a wide area. This was different.


    A green ball shot out from the dragon¡¯s mouth and it sped towards the barrier. When it landed, the force of the ball knocked over parts of the barrier before bursting open. Green mist covered the area. The mist did not cover a big area but it didn¡¯t need to, the humans near it began doubling over. Some of them were even vomiting!


    The green mist quickly dispersed but the humans affected by it were still weak from the mist. Arnel marveled at the versatile breath weapon of the dragon. Then he heard the howl. Arnel was not a Werewolf but he knew what this means. The pack looked at him as other packs began dashing towards the human barrier. What else could he do? Arnel shrugged and shouted.


    ¡°ATTACK!¡±


    His pack surged forward and Arnel quickly followed. They started their run among the buildings of the Southern District and when he came out into the open square, Arnel found that his pack was behind others. Several packs had already reached the human barrier and Arnel could see several engagements all along the barrier. The fighting was not without cost. The humans had the defensive position and Arnel saw several Kin dead in the open space and along the barrier. A silent sorrow filled his heart. For once, Arnel felt his age. He was getting too old for war.


    Arnel¡¯s musing was broken when he noticed the Alpha. The Werewolf leader was at the barrier and he was ripping humans apart with ferocity. The human defenders noticed him and several warriors were now trying to surround him. Arnel shouted at his pack, directing them towards the Alpha. The werewolves of his pack reached the Alpha first.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The three of them took positions beside the Alpha, trying their best to support the leader while the rest of the pack catch up. More human warriors began swarming the area but with the Alpha holding the center, the four Werewolves managed to hold on till the rest of his pack arrived. Big Jeffery immediately took the place of the Alpha, allowing him to fall back. The Werewolf leader grinned at Arnel.


    ¡°You are too slow. Maybe you could asked the Creator for some power to increase your speed the next time you meet it.¡±


    ¡°If we survive this.¡± Arnel snapped back. ¡°Just like you to joke at this time. Told you we can¡¯t trust the dragon.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you worry too much. The dragon is going great.¡±


    Arnel look up at the sky and saw that the Alpha was right. The plan they had was relatively simple. It requires the Kin to attack the barrier first and after engaging the humans, the dragon would fly deep into the human lines to engage the more powerful members of the humans. His job was to keep the more powerful humans busy while the Kin work their way through the mob.


    Now the dragon was just creating chaos but in a way, he was doing what he was supposed to be doing. The humans knew how dangerous the dragon was and numerous spells were now targeting it. Arnel wouldn¡¯t be surprised if the more powerful members of all three Councils were now all planning to take out the dragon together. The timing wasn¡¯t perfect but in a roundabout way the dragon was doing it¡¯s job.


    ¡°Time for part two of the battle plan?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± The Alpha¡¯s grin grew wider, and then he gave a long howl.


    Arnel felt the ground shake and looked back at the Southern District. From the shadows of the buildings they came, a line of Bullmen dashing towards the barrier. Big, muscular and powerful, they were to be the battering ram of the Kin. When the Bullmen were halfway from them, the Alpha howled again. The Kin at the barrier disengaged from the humans and open up paths for the charging Bullmen. The big brutes needed no further invitation and smashed into the barrier. Pieces of wood flew and just like that, several openings appeared all along the barrier. The Alpha howled for the fourth time as the Kin rushed into the openings.


    The Alpha rushed into an opening after the howl and Arnel had no choice but to follow. The humans were no fools. They rushed towards the openings to prevent the Kin from clearing the barrier and chaos ensued. Everyone was so close to each other there was hardly room for Arnel to swing his sword. Then shadows flew over him. Arnel looked up and saw them. They were jumping over the barrier; over the humans; over the fighting. He never thought he would one day be glad to see them.


    ¡°Bunny-Men.¡±

 Part 28

    The Bunny-Men landed beyond the human barrier and several of the human warriors immediately turn around, expecting an attack from behind. The attacks never came. The Rabbit Kin took off, running at speed at the second line of human defenders.


    Unlike the first line which was full of warriors and hunters, the second line had more mages and the Kin had identified them as the softer targets. Despite their speed, agility and ferocity, Bunny-Men were ill-equipped to fight against warriors. Their superior speed was unsuited for a pitch battle and their sharp claws and teeth were not powerful to punch through the thick armor most warriors wore. Against mages and normal citizens however, the Bunny-Men were an absolute terror. It was one of the reason why the Rabbit Kin were so hated by humans. It was one of the reason why Arnel hated them with a passion when he was a human. Even now, his feelings towards them were mixed at best. They went after the soft targets.


    Still Arnel had to admit that they were good at their job. The mages were no cowards but they were no fools either. They retreated the moment they saw the Bunny-Men clearing the first barrier and several of the mages cast spells hoping to slow down the Bunnies. Thorns bushes grew from the ground, solid ground turned to mud, and several lights appeared on the ground. From experience, Arnel knew the lights were magical traps and all these spells were the standard spells mages cast to slow and trap enemies.


    Bunny-Men however were not like normal enemies. They were fast, quick on their feet, annoyingly evasive, and fearless. They charged at the mages without a care. Arnel could see that a few of the Bunny-Men getting caught by the spells but the majority of them went around, jumped over or just sped past the spells. The Bunny-Men weren¡¯t going to let a few losses stop them from their goal. Only moments after landing behind the barrier, the Bunny-Men were already at the second line of humans. Chaos erupted.


    The Bunny-Men tore into the ranks of the mages and the humans broke. The mages had no chance against the Kin at close combat and they knew it. Many of the humans tried to run but others were wiser. Shouts erupted demanding that the humans stayed together.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°Push!¡±


    Arnel¡¯s attention turned back to the frontline. He couldn¡¯t see her but the shout came from the Speaker and she was urging the Kin to push toward. The Kin responded. A few of the Bull Kin had two-handed axes and they led the way. The frontline of the humans was full of shields and the Bullmen smashed into them with gusto. Even those Bullmen without axes got into the act. Their fists may not be as destructive as axes but the force behind their punches rocked the shield bearers. Someone howled and the Kin roared on, sensing the chance in front of them.


    The human warriors bravely held on but against the irresistible force that was the Kin, it was not enough. A gap appeared in the line and a Werewolf leapt into the gap, attacking the nearest human warrior. While he didn¡¯t do much damage, the act itself was enough. The Kin surged on, breaking the human¡¯s formation.


    Arnel was caught up in the move forward and found himself facing one group of human warriors that had been separated from the main line. He risked a quick look around and saw that this group was not alone. The human line has fragmented and several groups of humans had been cut off from the main line. Arnel smiled grimly. The Kin was winning. His inattention almost cost him his life.


    A sword flashed towards him and he only just block it. The humans weren¡¯t giving up, struggling to escape from the Kin and join up to the main defensive line. The Kin was not having it. Individual fights erupted all over the place and Arnel was in one of his own. He countered the attack with a strike of his own. It was blocked by the human. The human warrior moved forward and delivered a series of strikes. Arnel dodged by moving back. His opponent did not relent and kept up the offense. Arnel was not a great swordsman but he was experienced and he slowly waited for his opportunity. He took half a step back each time his opponent attacks and before long Arnel had lured him beyond the safety of his comrades. His opportunity came when his opponent realized what he was doing. He stop attacking, trying to scramble back to his comrades. Arnel attacked with a strike to the head. As his opponent blocked, Arnel took a big step forward and knocked into the human with a shoulder barge. As the human was already off-balance, the knock caused him to lose his footing. He fell and Arnel¡¯s sword made sure he would never get back up. The human look at the sword sticking through his chest in disbelief and whispered a name.


    ¡°Caitlyn¡±


    Arnel heard the name and felt something being lifted from him. He know that name. Arnel¡¯s eyes cleared and for the first time, he saw his opponent clearly. It was young Aaron.

 Part 29

    ¡°Okay guys, I/we think that¡¯s enough. Let¡¯s cast the spell for the Eye and head towards the human city. We¡¯re missing the fight.¡±


    ¡°Oh shut it, you impatient Air spirit. We¡¯re not doing anything till we are full. The last thing we want is for our energy to run out while we are watching the fight.¡±


    ¡°A problem we would not be having if you idiots had listened to the rest of us and not blow a giant hole to the surface.¡±


    ¡°Some of us just like to complain.¡± A spirit grumbled. ¡°We didn¡¯t hear any of you guys coming up with any good idea on how to get the dragon to the surface quickly.¡±


    ¡°Saying that, shouldn¡¯t be covering up the hole above us first before doing anything else?¡±


    The spirits of the Hive turned their focus to the hole above them. It was a big long tunnel shooting straight up from the underground forest to the surface. The Hive could see the sky from where they were and though it had been a few days since they blew the giant hole to the surface, it was still there.


    ¡°Oh come on, we already discussed this! You guys lost. The hole is staying!¡±


    Some of the spirits within the Hive had argued that the Hive should cover up the hole but the Hive decided against it. Most of the spirits within the Hive like having the big hole above them and the few spirits, mostly Earth, who advocated for the Hive to close off the opening were outvoted.


    To most of the Hive, the big opening was a good thing. Not only does the hole make it easier for the Hive to feed as the Hive now had a direct link to the surface, the Air spirits within the Hive were especially delighted to be able to see the sky after so many years in the deep earth. Most of the spirits also believe that their creatures would enjoy having the hole. Their flyers for one would love the direct route out of the underground forest. None that these reasoning were enough for the complaining spirits.


    ¡°This is stupid! Why do we even need this big hole? We were doing just fine without it. This hole is unnecessary.¡±


    ¡°Look, you guys may not right about us not needing the hole but so what? It¡¯s fun to have the hole above us. It¡¯s easier to feed, we now get to see the sky, and there¡¯s no danger. There¡¯s no reason to cover it up.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    ¡°It is a danger.¡± A spirit insisted. ¡°What if some human jump down from the top? He would come straight to us.¡±


    ¡°Are you serious?¡±


    The spirit arguing to cover up the hole stayed silent. In truth, none of the spirits within the Hive seriously believe that they were in any danger from the humans. The distance from the top of the hole to the Hive was so long that any human jumping down from the top would be die long before they smash into the ground. Even if the humans decide to use magic, the Hive would still have plenty of ways to kill them. The humans also had to contend with their flyers. Their harpies for example would make quick work of any slow moving humans floating down. They had their Boss, their creatures, and the Kin. Even right now with the Kin fighting at the human city, the Hive was still very well protected. The Hive had nothing to worry about. Even from those humans currently looking down at it from the surface.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    The Hive turned their focus from their argument to the hole above them once again. Above them, at the top of the hole were about twenty humans. The Hive hadn¡¯t noticed them before as the humans were still at the top but now it did, the spirits within the Hive cheered.


    ¡°Guess we don¡¯t have to go to the human city to see a fight.¡± A spirit happily said.


    As the spirit said that, one of the humans cast a spell. The Hive sensed the energy spreading to the rest of the humans and noticed a small white feather appearing and disappearing above the head of each human.


    ¡°Hey, we know that human!¡± One of the spirits within the Hive exclaimed.


    The Hive focused on the spell casting human and realized that the spirit was right. That human had been to their tunnels but he disappeared with two of his follow companions before the Hive could kill him. The Hive then realized that two of the other humans above them had also been with them before. The humans jumped but instead of falling, they were all slowly floating down. The spirits cheered even wilder. The humans were coming to them!


    The Hive gathered their energy and used some of it to call out to the few creatures that had stayed behind. The rest of the energy was given to the Earth spirits.  The Earth spirits within the Hive took control and used it on the hole. A long spike shot out from the side of the hole, flying directly towards one of the unsuspecting humans. The speed of the spiked projectile was terrifying and it didn¡¯t stop even after hitting the human. The spike drilled the human to the other end of the hole and on impact, blood spurt out of him like a fountain.


    The other humans saw the human hanging dead and all their complexions changed. That spilt second was all they got as countless spikes began shooting out from the side of the hole. The Hive watched in delight as several of the humans were killed by the spikes; one of them even manage to penetrate through two humans, killing both of them together. An old woman shouted at the human who cast the floating spell and the human response by withdrawing it.


    The humans stop floating. They were now dropping like stones to the ground. The Hive was shocked. The spirits within had no idea why the human released his spell. They were still too high up to survive a landing.


    ¡°Crazy humans.¡±

 Part 30

    When Cromer and Bonn told the group about the alternate entrance, Brand had been delighted. A quicker way into the dungeon was great news and the group set off immediately. They got to the entrance without problems and Brand could immediately see why the two scouts were so amazed. At the bottom of a long smooth tunnel was an impossibility; a forest. There was a forest deep within the depths of Big Keg!


    It was impossible. Brand couldn¡¯t even begin to comprehend how the dark mage manage to create the underground forest and the same went for the giant spirit matrix. Even from the top of the tunnel, Brand could see the giant crystal in the middle of a big clearing. Instead of being attached to a stand, the matrix was floating above some strange stone slab that had several engravings on it. Brand suspect that the engravings were magical. Although she didn¡¯t say a word, Brand could tell that even Gwendis was impressed by the size of the matrix.


    Not wasting time, Vall cast a spell he had prepared beforehand and the group stepped off the edge. As the group float down, Brand¡¯s impression of the forest quickly took a turn for the worse. Spikes shot out of the wall killing several members of the group. Gwendis quickly shouted at Vall to release his spell. To his credit, the barbarian shaman didn¡¯t even hesitate. He release the spell immediately and before he knew it, Brand was plummeting to the ground.


    The air whish past him and Brand could see the ground, and his death, fast approaching. Still this was preferable to staying in place. Spikes were still being shot out of the walls and the continuous screams told him that their quick fall had not manage to save everyone in the group. Now Brand could do nothing but to pray to the 99 Gods that he survive the fall.


    He had fell beyond the long tunnel. Light engulfed him and even in such a deadly scenario, Brand kept his calm. Brand looked around and saw that the underground forest was situated in a huge domelike cavern. The cavern was lighted in some magical way, giving the forest an eerie mystical feel. He heard Gwendis shouting a spell.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    The air stiffed and Brand slowed. He was still falling at great speed but he was definitely slowing. He took a quick glance at Gwendis and could clearly see the strain the spell was having on her. Brand feel himself slowing even more but would it be enough? The ground arrived and Brand crashed into it with a thud.


    Brand opened his eyes and felt pain erupting throughout his body. His body hurt with every movement so he didn¡¯t move and just laid there, waiting for the pain to subside. On the ground in an underground forest deep within Big Keg in the territory of his enemy. The absurdity was not lost on him and a chuckle escaped him. He immediately stopped as the pain came but the laugh was the break in the dam. Brand didn¡¯t know who it was but someone else laughed. That laugh was immediately followed by another and soon everyone was laughing.


    The laughter was shared by everyone. They had survived! Brand couldn¡¯t help but laugh along. He couldn¡¯t believe it. How had they manage to escape death? Ignoring the pain, Brand laughed and sat up. Everyone was slowly getting up and Brand saw the mages going around casting healing spells. Everyone except Gwendis. The old mage was just sitting but Brand didn¡¯t blame her. Her face was ashen and Brand suspected that the old mage had spent everything she had to save them from the fall. As Brand await his turn with the healing he looked around and did a count. Only eleven of them had survived. They would have to be enough.


    Vall came to him and cast a healing spell on him. Brand nodded his thanks to the shaman and got up. Ideally they would rest for a while before heading on but Brand didn¡¯t want to stay in one place for too long. Looking around, he realized he had another problem.


    ¡°Another know the way out of this forest?¡±


    Everyone looked at each other. On the trip down, no one had bothered to spot the exit. In a way, that was to be expected but now, the group had no direction to go and no way out of the forest.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head for the matrix.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Gwendis was the one who suggested this and Brand couldn¡¯t help but ask for the reason.


    ¡°It¡¯s a power source. The dark mage made it so he must be using it for something. If we can figure out what he is using the matrix for, we may know what he is trying to do. That could give us a lead on where he is.¡±


    It was as good of a plan as any. Bonn stepped forward and said he know the direction to the matrix.

 Part 31

    It was as good of a plan as any so the group was soon going through the forest. Brand found the idea of walking through a forest deep beneath a mountain to be strangely exciting. He couldn¡¯t help but look around, hoping to note the differences between this magically made forest and a real one. As the group walked on, the warrior had to admit he couldn¡¯t spot any. Maybe a woodsman or a scout like Bonn could spot some but to Brand, this forest was just like a real one. It was vast and flourishing and when he lift his face, Brand could even see the light slipping through the thick canopy above him. Brand could tell that the forest was not old. He could not see any thick ancient trunks but there were thin branches spreading out from every tree and an occasional flower sprucing up the otherwise green ocean of leaves. Brand could even hear the leaves rustling in the wind, giving the forest a melody of noise. He couldn¡¯t help but exclaimed.


    ¡°This forest is delightful!¡±


    ¡°Too delightful.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Brand wasn¡¯t the only one surprised at Vall¡¯s statement. Several of the group shared his views of the forest and they all exclaim their surprise. The barbarian shaman turned to explain.


    ¡°The leaves are too green, none of the trees are rotting, and the breeze is too steady. This isn¡¯t real. This is what you get when someone try to build a perfect forest. An ideal forest. Like something you would find in a tale. It is too perfect.¡±


    Brand looked around again and found that the shaman was right. This is a forest where everything was just wonderful, a magical place without the grim property of the real world. Suddenly the warrior found the forest less than welcoming. At least one member of the group that didn¡¯t think so.


    ¡°Is that a bad thing?¡± Cromer asked. ¡°A forest like something you find in a tale that is even better than the real thing is a good thing right?¡±


    ¡°No! It¡¯s unnatural.¡±


    The shaman¡¯s reply brooked no arguments and the group was silenced by his tone. Vall had been the friendlier of their two guides and his reaction seems extreme to Brand. He silently wondered if there was some cultural aspect of this forest that offends the shaman. It won¡¯t be the first time. The Clan barbarians forego the safety of the cities and instead choose to live on the Homeless Plains due to some mistaken belief that the cities were impure. Maybe that belief covers a magical forest as well.


    His thought were loudly interrupted by a scream. Brand turned and saw one of his men down on the ground with his head in the jaws of a gigantic wolf. Standing above the dead mage, the wolf looked at the group mockingly and Brand suddenly remember that they were in enemy territory. He quickly scanned his surroundings. His breath stopped as he realized that they were surrounded.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ¡°Form up on me!¡±


    Gwendis¡¯ shout shook the group out of their paralysis. The group formed a circle around Gwendis and Vall. With the two mages safely in the middle, the group waited. The monsters came out. Wolves twice the size of normal wolves; spear-wielding monkeys that stood on two legs; monsters that looked like goats but walked like humans. Brand¡¯s face turned dark. They were outnumbered. Then he felt a lift to his spirits. He felt stronger, faster, and braver. Brand glanced back and gave Vall a nod of thanks. It had took him only a moment to realize that the spell came from the shaman. The spells of the Mages from Yachium were usually much less subtle.


    One of the goat monsters lift a lute to his lips and blew. Music filled the forest and it was beautiful. Brand couldn¡¯t help but stared at the goat monster with the lute. How did such a monster managed to make such beautiful sounds?


    Moments passed but the music continued and Brand didn¡¯t want the music to ever stop. It was beauty. It was life. It was¡­a blast of air shot towards the goat monster. The monster dived to the ground to avoid the spell and his song was abandoned. The music stopped and Brand got his mind back. There¡¯s no other term for it. His mind was in a daze but now, it was as if a fog had lifted and his mind was his again.


    ¡°Kill that monster!¡± Gwendis screeched.


    Brand took a step forward and became a blur. Unlike shield warriors who trained to be tougher, Brand trained to be faster. The goat monster saw him move but didn¡¯t have time to run. In fact, he had barely move before Brand¡¯s sword went through him. The other monsters screamed in response and attacked. Most of the monsters attack the main group but two of the giant wolves decided to concentrate on Brand. They split up to attack him from both sides. That was a mistake.


    Brand took a step left and once again became a blur. The monster had underestimate his speed and reach. His sword scored a deep cut. It wasn¡¯t fatal though and the wolf jump out of range before he could deliver the finishing blow. Brand ignored the injured wolf and focus on the other wolf coming from behind. It had seen it¡¯s partner in trouble and was rushing Brand. Brand reversed his sword grip and stab it as it jump towards him. It was a killing blow but the wolf had momentum and was so big it managed to knock Brand off-balance. The first wolf returned with jaws gaping and Brand knew he couldn¡¯t avoid it. He put out his arm, sacrificing it to avoid death. The wolf obliged, clamping it¡¯s jaw on Brand¡¯s arm like a vice. The pain shot through him but another emotion outweigh his pain. Rage.


    Rage at the death of his friends. Rage against the dark mage who created these monsters. Rage against this monster now trying to kill him. The rage enable him to endure the pain, to ignore the sweet call of unconsciousness, and to thrust his sword into the wolf. The monster went slack but Brand had to shake his arm several times before it¡¯s dead body released it¡¯s grip on his arm. Brand ignored the grisly sight of his arm and turned back to the battle. The monsters were still continuing their attack and Brand fully intend to make them all pay.

 Part 32

    Brand¡¯s rage flared once again, fiercer than ever before. He let the rage in and let it engulfed him. His rage needed no further invitation. It entered every part of his body and Brand felt it empowering him. He had never felt this way before but Brand didn¡¯t fight it. Instead, he ran with it.


    He took a step and was immediately behind two of the giant wolves. Brand did not understand it. He was always fast and had a skill that allow him to go faster, but nothing like this. Brand found that he didn¡¯t care. He realized he did not need to understand it; he just needed to kill!


    Brand swung his sword. Brand put his weight behind the strike and the sword slice through the first wolf like it wasn¡¯t even there. The swing continued and kill the second wolf before it could realize the danger. For a moment, everyone stopped. The other monsters stared at him in fear and Brand was pleased. He was less pleased with the horrified looks of the other humans. Why were they staring at him like that? The question was answered when Brand felt a sharp pain. He look down and saw something protruding from his body. It was the sharp end of a spear.


    ***


    ¡°Okay, we are impressed!¡± One of the spirits within the Hive said.


    ¡°Very impressed!¡± Another of the spirits said. ¡°Is it just us or is the Boss even better now? I/we don¡¯t remember him being so good the last time he was here.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not called the Boss.¡± The first spirit corrected. ¡°He has a name; Brand.¡±


    ¡°He will always be Boss to us.¡± Some the spirits laugh at the not funny joke.


    ¡°Good or not, he¡¯s about to be dead.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. A spear going through you would usually do that. It was a good throw by that Monkey-man though.¡±


    ¡°It was a great throw! He threw it while he was standing high up on a tree branch, and it was a direct hit! Those monkeys must have been practicing.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should create more Monkey-Men? With all the deaths, we are filled with energy.¡±


    ¡°Something to be considered but back to the first question; why is Brand so good? You guys don¡¯t think it is because of us is it?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Well, he survived a trip in the tunnels. All that fighting and killing should have make him stronger right?¡±


    ¡°You mean like us? Do humans get stronger just by killing?¡±


    ¡°We do so it make sense that human do as well. If that¡¯s the case, we should think of not killing every human that comes in.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°To fatten them up!¡± The spirit smugly said. ¡°If we let some humans ¡®escape¡¯ after killing the rest of his friends, they would come back in the future stronger than before.¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°Thus feeding us even more energy! Hey, that¡¯s a great idea!¡±


    ¡°Thanks. We need to find some ways of making the humans come back of course. Brand came back and it seems two of¡­what is he doing?¡±


    The spirits within the Hive turned their focus back to Brand. They had expected the warrior to die from his wound but he had surprised them again. Brand was still standing. The spirits watch with some amazement as the warrior put a hand on the spear and began slowly pulling it out. Some of the spirits notice that they weren¡¯t the only ones who were amazed. Their creatures and the other humans were all stepping away from Brand.


    As the warrior was pulling the spear out, one of the spirits within the Hive began to wonder how Brand was able to do this. To their knowledge, human shouldn¡¯t be able to remind standing after being speared in the body, much less being able to pull the spear themselves. As a Hive, the other spirits notice the question that was posed and got curious. Faced with a question, the Hive quite naturally decided to waste a little energy to find the reason.


    They cast an Appraisal spell on the human. The Hive threw a tiny strand of energy towards Brand and then focus on the energy. To their surprise, the energy they threw out never enter Brand. The energy bounced off the human as if there was a barrier around him.


    The spirits look on in wonder. They never had the Appraisal spell failed before and several of the spirits wondered if the humans had found a way to block the spell. The rest of the Hive quickly rejected that idea. The humans don¡¯t even know about the spell, much less how to counter it. The rejection of the spell was most likely just a byproduct of whatever Brand was doing.


    The Hive concentrated on the human warrior once again and notice that the barrier wasn¡¯t perfect. The barrier was a result of energy coming out of the warrior and although the energy was thick, it seems to fluctuate. At this point, Brand had successfully pulled the spear out of him. Amazingly, he had remind standing the whole time. He then pointed his sword at the Monkey-man who threw the spear and the Hive noticed that Brand¡¯s energy rushing down to his legs. Brand took a step and the next moment, he was at the tree the monkey was standing on. He swung his sword and the Hive noticed once again that the energy around him shifting. The energy was now around his arms and the sword cut through the tree in a single strike. The tree fell and Brand¡¯s energy shifted again. It was now all around him. Brand began attacking their creatures.


    It was suicide. Brand was hopelessly outnumbered but the warrior trough on without care. The Hive watch as he cut through their creatures spurting blood all over the place. The energy around Brand seems to make him stronger, tougher and faster. As good as he was, their creatures gave as good as they got. Claws scratched, jaws bite, and the body of the warrior was soon filled with injuries. The Hive watched on as Brand ignored the attacks of his enemies and concentrated only on killing. The Hive also noticed that the energy around him lessen with each attack he suffered and realized that this energy coming from Brand was finite. The spirits within the Hive had a quick discussion and decided to recall their creatures. The creatures heard the call and immediately withdrew.


    The withdrawal was unexpected and it seems to confuse Brand. The human stood in his spot as the creatures withdrew back into the forest. The Hive watched as the energy around the warrior slowly disappear. The other humans were watching him in awe but no one approached him. It wouldn¡¯t had help anyway. Everyone knew what was going to happen.


    Once the energy around Brand was completely gone, it was as if the string holding up the man had been cut. He fell face first on the ground. He was dead. The Hive quickly absorbed him and were rewarded.


    Species: Human


    Class: Warrior/Berserker


    Sex: Male


    Attack: B/A


    Defense: D/D


    Health: C/B


    Strength: B/A


    Agility: C/B


    ¡°Interesting,¡± one of the spirits said. ¡°What¡¯s a berserker? Is it some new class the humans trained in?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± another spirit said. ¡°It wasn¡¯t trained. It was caused by his energy. The energy changed him.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± a third spirit cut in. ¡°It seems similar to what we do when we create a new creature. The human...evolved!¡±

 Part 33

    ¡°Evolved? What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­when we put energy into a creature, we change the creature. When the creature change by themselves, they evolved.¡±


    ¡°You just made that up didn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°So what as long as it make sense.¡±


    Another spirit chose this moment to get into the argument. ¡°Would you two cut it out and focus on the more important question? What actually happened? How did Boss suddenly get a new class?¡±


    ¡°First off his name is Brand not Boss, and what happened to him isn¡¯t all that different from what we do right?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s totally different! We put energy into animals and change them into something else. Boss or Brand just change on his own.¡±


    ¡°Exactly! We already know all creatures has energy, that¡¯s why we gain energy whenever one of them die in our tunnels. So it make sense that if the energy inside a creature changed, they change. That¡¯s basically what we do right? We put energy into a creature to change the energy that¡¯s already in them. The energy inside Boss changed and that change must have caused him to gain this new Berserker class.¡±


    ¡°But why did his energy changed? We didn¡¯t put in any energy and he can¡¯t do it himself¡­¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­can he?¡±


    ¡°Remember what we said earlier about him getting stronger just by killing? If that is true and he does get stronger by killing, then it only make sense that all the killing he had done so far would change the natural energy already inside him.¡±


    ¡°I/we see where you¡¯re coming from. If his natural energy get stronger with each kill, the energy would change him after a certain amount of time. Killing makes you stronger!¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s wrong.¡± One of the spirits within the Hive objected. ¡°Remember what the Speaker said before about the human city? Not every human kill. In fact, according to the Speaker most don¡¯t. The Speaker herself said that some of the most powerful mages in the human city just study and never leave the city. It can¡¯t be just killing.¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right!¡± Another spirit also objected to the just killing theory. ¡°Just killing can¡¯t be right, there must be something else.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s the life and death situation Brand was in that caused the change. Or maybe it¡¯s just the experience of fighting. Anyway, there is still a lot we don¡¯t know about the change. Let¡¯s not jump to conclusion.¡±


    ¡°Okay, we¡¯ll give you that. It¡¯s true that there is still a lot about the change we don¡¯t know yet. Everything we said thus far could be either wrong or right. We don¡¯t know. We need more time to experiment.¡±This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    At that, the spirits laughed. Experimenting is fun for them and all of them look forward to it. Several spirits immediately began discussing on what they would do and some of the wiser ones even commented that they need a way to catalogue all their findings. One of the spirit even suggested that the Hive should think of creating a ¡®system¡¯ to catalogue everything.


    The idea intrigued the rest of the Hive and the spirits were soon arguing about how this system would work. All the while, the remaining humans walked ever closer to them.


    ***


    The dragon saw the incoming fireball and immediately turned away. He glided past the burning fireball and smirk as it flew past. It has become a normal occurrence for the dragon. Using his natural speed advantage, the dragon has been evading the spells of the human mages with ease. To the dragon, it looks as if the mages were aiming straight at him instead of where he was flying to. It was almost too easy.


    Just as he was crowing, an arrow shot towards and the dragon put in a burst of speed to avoid it. Unlike the spells of the mages, the arrows of the hunters were giving him trouble. The dragon look down and saw the hunter who had fired the arrow standing on top of a building. The dragon arched his neck and shot a poisonous ball towards the hunter. The hunter immediately jump down the building and the dragon scowl as his ball bounced harmlessly off the top of the building.


    That was also another normal occurrence. The mages and hunters had been taking aim at him and just as they had difficulty hitting him, the dragon had increasing problems hitting them. The dragon know the source of the problem; he is flying too high.


    It was a suggestion from the Speaker. The Kin requested that he take on the more powerful of the Council members and the Speaker helpfully suggested to the dragon that he could just fly high above the city and shoot down at the humans. It was a good suggestion. The height meant that the dragon had plenty of time to see incoming fire and firing down at the humans was no trouble for him at all. However the humans soon got wise to his tactics and began dodging his poisonous balls.


    That was a problem because the dragon did not have any other weapon to harm the humans. Landing to attack with his teeth and claws was out of the question, and he was too high up to effectively use his poisonous mist. The results was an unsatisfying stalemate. He was still doing his job of keeping the hunters and mages occupied but he want to do more. He eye the fighting between the Kin and the humans and saw that although the Kin were having the upper hand, it was still a close fight. The Kin had managed to push the line further in but the humans were holding their own. The dragon decided that a little irresponsibility can¡¯t hurt that much!


    Turning sharping in the air, the dragon flew back towards the line of fighting. The dragon was deep behind the human line and his sudden turn caught the humans unaware. They did not notice him flying back towards the main line of fighting and the dragon took advantage of it. He swoop down, flying across the human line. The humans finally notice him but it was too late. The dragon blew out his mist, taking aim slightly behind the human.


    At this lower height, the mist was terribly effective. It hit the ground and dispersed. The unlucky humans caught in the mist began crying out in pain while the other humans immediately move away from it. A fortunate byproduct of the mist was that it managed to cut the human line in two. The frontline of the humans suddenly found themselves cut off from support as the mist prevented the other humans behind them from joining in the fight. The Kin roared forward.


    The dragon smiled and flew higher. As he flew back to the backline of the humans, he took a quick glance at the Keg Mountains. As a former member of the Hive, he still has some slight connection to those idiots there and the dragon had realized that something was happening back in the tunnels. He decided to ignore his misgivings. He was too far from the mountains to be of help and even with the Kin here in the city, the dragon knew that the Hive was powerful enough to handle anything that came their way. The dragon put the Hive out of his mind and concentrated on killing the humans.

 Part 34

    Oblivious to the ongoing battle in Yachium, the spirits within the Hive were still arguing among themselves about Brand and how he managed to gain a new class just by changing his internal energy. As they argued, the remaining humans slowly made their way towards the Hive. The spirits weren¡¯t worried. There were only nine humans left and the spirits were certain of their victory. So the spirits decided to let the humans reach the clearing where the Hive was at. They wanted to try out their new Boss.


    Just as the Earth spirits had You-Who-Are-Not-Bear and the Air spirits had Smoky, the Earth spirits had their own Boss. They had long discussed about the issue and had already came to a consensus about how their Boss would operate. Unfortunately, this was a Boss that had not yet been used as it has been a while time since any humans managed to reach so deep into the tunnels. Most of the time the Kin killed the humans before they could even see the cave that led to the tunnels. The Hive was not going to let such a rare chance escape them.


    This was why this time, the Hive did not order their creatures to attack the remaining humans. In fact, if they could, the spirits would tell the humans to go faster! The Hive had been keeping note of the humans as they made their way towards the Hive and they were moving slowly. The spirits believe this was because the remaining humans were wary of another attack so after a short argument among themselves, the spirits ordered their creatures away from the underground forest. It was a bad idea.


    The decision was noticed by the humans. As they slowly made their way through the underground forest, the humans could find no other creatures. At first they were wary but as time pass and no attack was forthcoming, the humans decided that the creatures they had faced must be all that was left in the tunnels. The Hive was pleased as they listen in to the humans but the pleasure did not last.


    Rather than going faster, the spirits were upset that the humans were now actually going slower! The humans knew that the upcoming fight against ¡®the dark mage¡¯ would be tough so they took every opportunity to heal themselves and prepare for the upcoming battle.


    The Hive found themselves spilt about this. Some of the spirits believe that they should attack the humans. This group believe that giving the humans time to prepare was silly and dangerous. Another group of spirits believe that they should just let the humans be. This group believe that the Hive was too strong for the humans so letting the humans have some rest wouldn¡¯t really matter. Yet a third group within the Hive thought of things a little differently.


    ¡°This is a great idea!¡± One of the spirits within the third group of spirits said. ¡°We should design a rest area before each Boss fight so that humans could rest and recuperate before facing the Boss.¡±


    The suggestion shock the rest of the Hive and one of them had to ask. ¡°Uh¡­why?¡±


    ¡°So that the humans could rested before the fight of course!¡±


    ¡°Why do we want the humans to be rested before the Boss fight? Wouldn¡¯t that just make killing them harder?¡±This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°What¡¯s the fun in that?¡± The spirit asked. ¡°We should kill them at their best. It¡¯s kind of unfair for us otherwise.¡±


    ¡°You want the humans to be stronger when they face us?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­why? Some of the humans are hardly weak. That just put us in more danger?¡±


    ¡°Oh please! We are the Hive. We are stronger than any group of humans!¡±


    ¡°Yes but¡­why take the risk? What if there is a group of humans that are stronger than us?¡±


    ¡°If they are stronger, then they deserved to live and we deserve to die.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°If they are stronger, then they deserved to live and we deserve to die. Not that it¡¯s likely because we are the Hive.¡±


    ¡°¡­are all of you crazy?¡±


    ¡°No. We are treating ourselves the same way we treat others. Look it¡¯s this how we are treating our creatures? If a creature we create is strong, we create more of them. If the creature is weak, we stop creating them. It¡¯s only fair we treat ourselves the same.¡±


    ¡°You are crazy!¡±


    ¡°No we¡¯re not! It¡¯s called being fair.¡±


    Just like that, the spirits within the Hive got into another big discussion/argument. The three group argued till one of the spirits noticed that the humans had almost reached them. Mercifully, this means that the Hive had work to do and the argument had to be put on hold. As the humans walked into the clearing, the Earth spirits within the Hive got to work.


    They knew what they wanted to do. The Earth spirits gather the energy within the Hive and began to shape it. Unlike their creatures, the Hive did not bother to give the Boss a body. The Bosses of the Hive are all pure energy. The humans called them ¡®spirit beasts¡¯ and the Earth spirits of the Hive decided to run with the idea. The Earth spirits gave the Boss legs first. A big mass of energy appeared in mid-air and four legs formed to touch the ground. Those legs were the only thing distinctive about it. The rest of the body was still formless, energy that the Hive could change at will. The Earth spirits focused on the energy and¡­


    ¡°Vall! Now!¡±


    One of the humans shouted and the mage that had once survived the trip to the tunnels lifted both arms into the air. The effect was immediate. The Earth spirits suddenly found the manipulation of energy to be harder. As a Hive, the rest of the spirits felt it as well and the spirits instinctively focus on the problem. They could still do shape the energy but it was as if something was blocking the energy, like there was a barrier slowing the energy. The human was casting a spell that made shaping the energy harder!


    The humans leapt into action. Arrows and spells flew while blades were drawn. The still forming Boss of the Earth spirits was a sitting target, unable to dodge or defend itself. In mere moments, the Boss was destroyed and the energy used for it flew away. The humans laugh at their easy victory while the Hive fumed.


    ¡°That was so unfair!¡± A spirit screamed in rage. ¡°We never even managed to form the Boss and they attack!¡±


    ¡°Yeah! That was so unfair. Let¡¯s form another Boss and kill these disgusting humans!¡±


    ¡°Wait! That mage is still here. If we try to form another Boss, wouldn¡¯t that mage stop the creation again?¡±


    ¡°He can try!¡± An angry spirit fumed. ¡°This time let¡¯s put everything we have into it. I/we like to see him try to slow an ocean of energy instead of a river. We can also order our creatures to come back. Forget this stupid fairness nonsense, let¡¯s just kill these humans!¡±


    As the rest of the Hive shouted their approval, a lone spirit noticed something.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need.¡± The spirit said. ¡°We already have a Boss ready and waiting.¡±


    The Hive took a moment to realize what the spirit was talking about. Then they noticed it. A creature the Hive created long ago that mostly ignore the orders given to it. It fly where it pleases. A creature with pink skin and a pair of white wings. The humans look on in shock as the spirits within the Hive cheered. With a small fluff of it¡¯s wings, Porkasus the flying pig, slowly flew into the clearing.

 Part 35

    All talk among the spirits of creating a new Boss immediately ceased as the Porkasus took a disinterested glance at the humans before continuing it¡¯s flight towards the Hive. It landed in front of the Hive and the Hive was joyous at it¡¯s arrival. The humans however had a different reaction to the flying pig.


    ¡°Is that a pig?¡± One of the humans asked.


    Another answered. ¡°A flying pig.¡±


    ¡°So I¡¯m not the only one who is seeing that?¡± The first human replied. ¡°By the 99 Gods, that really is a flying pig!¡±


    ¡°That pig is cute.¡± All the humans stared to look at the young male hunter who spoke. ¡°What? It is cute. I dare anyone to tell me otherwise!¡±


    ¡°It is a monster.¡±


    ¡°It is a cute monster. I wonder what the dark mage call it?¡± More than a few humans shook their head at the young hunter¡¯s perfectly legitimate question.


    ¡°Be careful. No matter how cute it is, it is still a monster. Even cute monsters can kill. It could be dangerous.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true. Just kill it so that we can investigate the matrix in peace.¡±


    One of the warriors drew his sword and began approaching the Porkasus. The flying pig noticed the human and with a flap of its wings, began floating in mid-air. The human warrior put out his hand as if in peace but he continue walking slowly towards the Porkasus.


    ¡°Here piggy piggy, nice piggy piggy. No danger here. Just nice Cra..¡±


    The human never got to finish. A gale swept through the clearing and the wind shook the trees in the underground forest. The humans stood rooted to the spot, staring in shock at the human warrior who had approached the flying pig. He was now missing his head.


    For several moments, everything was still. Then the headless body fell to the ground and a loud oink broke the silence. The remaining humans turned to look at the cute and now terrifying flying pig. It looked pleased with itself. The old female mage who had saved the humans from the fall reacted first.


    ¡°You!¡± The old female mage screamed. ¡°You are the one that killed Garnock! You killed my son!¡±


    The enraged female mage pointed at the Porkasus and an arrow shot out of her finger. The speed of the spell was incredible. It was so fast it might as well be invisible. The spirits within the Hive barely saw it. The Porkasus definitely did not.


    The Porkasus squeal in pain as a wind arrow hit the flying pig, piercing through its body. The Hive was surprised. They had never the Porkasus injured before but it is bleeding badly now. These humans might be stronger than the Hive thought.


    The old female mage didn¡¯t stop. She raised both her arms above her and dozens of arrows made from the air surround her. The Hive couldn¡¯t help but be impressed. The Hive was a matrix of spirits and it had a sense of how the wind arrow spell was created. Although the spirits within the Hive did not know the spell specifically, they could tell that the wind arrow spell was difficult to create based on the composition of energy the spell needed. To see a human create so many of this powerful spell was something else.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°She¡¯s powerful.¡± One of the spirits said and the rest of the Hive can¡¯t help but to agree.


    The old female mage release the spell and the wind arrows shot towards the Porkasus. The Porkasus couldn¡¯t see the speeding arrows but it could sense that it was in danger. It flap it¡¯s wings and took off in a flash. Amazingly, the flying pig managed to avoid the wind arrows and the spells flew on, hitting the trees at the edge of the clearing. Those trees exploded.


    The old female mage called out even more wind arrows and immediately released them. The Porkasus responded by going even faster. The flying pig flew along the edge of the clearing, managing to narrowly avoid the wind arrows cast by the mage. It was as if a wind was trying another wind as numerous trees exploded. Some of the spirits within the Hive groaned at the exploding trees. They would be a pain to replace. Then one of the humans shouted at the old female mage.


    ¡°Save your spells. Wait for us to pin it down first!¡±


    The storm of spells stopped as the old female mage stop her casting. The Hive had been around living creatures long enough to realize that the old female was tired. The Porkasus noticed it too. It turned and flew straight for the mage like an arrow released from a bow. The Porkasus might not be the smartest creature the Hive ever created but it realized what a danger the old female mage was.


    One of the human warriors step in front of the mage, defending her with his shield. He and his heavily dented shield tumbled backwards the moment the Porkasus¡¯s snout hit the shield. Even with the protection of the shield, the warrior was injured by the impact and the Hive suspect that his arm was broken. The warrior however had done his duty. The old female mage was still alive and more importantly, he had stopped the momentum of the flying pig. The Porkasus oink in pain as two arrows hit it from either side. The human warriors rush forward but the Porkasus wasn¡¯t helpless. The flying pig reared up and flapped it¡¯s wings strongly. A fiercesome gale swept through the clearing, one that was strong enough to knock the humans off balance. The Porasus never gave the humans a chance to recover. With another flap of it wings, it swept through the humans. Two humans flew into the air. Both were dead before they hit the ground.


    Once more, the humans had to turn around to see the Porkasus. With three of their numbers dead and another heavily injured, things did not look good for them. However the humans did not falter. Numerous minor injuries and two arrows sticking out of it¡¯s body were clear indication that the flying pig was hurt as well. The humans believe that they would win; that was when the Hive decided to help out.


    The Hive had been closely watching the fight and the fact that the humans had managed to injure the beloved Porkasus was an insult that must be answered. The spirits within the Hive reached out to the Porkasus but they did not use the energy they had stored like they usually did. Instead they just touch the energy within the flying pig. The Porkasus was the Hive¡¯s first great creation and although it had turned out brilliantly, the Hive had to admit that the Porkasus was not perfect.


    That couldn¡¯t be helped as the Hive didn¡¯t really know what it was doing when it was creating the creature. The Hive did not know much about effective use of energy when it was creating the Porkasus and the Hive know the Porkasus currently has an excess of energy within it. Basically, the Hive had used too much energy when it created the Porkasus. The spirits within the Hive had no way to leech off the energy in the past so they just let it be. However what happened to Brand give the spirits ideas and for the Hive, ideas are just a prelude to action.


    The Hive reach out to the flying pig and begin to move the energy within it. The Porkasus noticed the actions of the Hive and landed. The humans noticed it too. The Porkasus began to glow and the arrows sticking on it drop off the flying pig. Then it¡¯s wound began to heal. A small cloud of smoke appeared covering the Porkasus and when the smoke dispersed, the humans were staring at a brand new pig. Still pink with a pair of wings, the Porkasus was now twice bigger with wings that were twice as long. It was also sporting a pair of long sharp tusks.


    ¡°The matrix.¡± The old female mage whisper in something approaching awe. ¡°It¡¯s doing this. This dark mage did it!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°The matrix!¡± The old female mage pointed at the Hive in response to the question from one of the humans. ¡°It was just a theory. To create a sentient matrix that could think and do¡­well, anything. The idea was sound but no one had ever came close. This mage had done it. He or she had created a sentient matrix. We must destroy it!¡±

 Part 36

    The rest of the humans look at the old female mage in surprise and while they did that the Porkasus act. With a hard flap of its wings, a strong wind swept through the clearing. The humans had seen the Porkasus did this before so they were ready; at least they thought they were. The humans stood firm against the wind but the Porkasus didn¡¯t stop with one flap. Instead it swung its wings again and again, harder and harder with each swing. The spirits within the Hive felt the wind pick up and it soon became a strong gale. Firm as they were, some of the humans were being push back by the wind.


    ¡°Buy me some time!¡±


    The old female mage screamed and the humans immediately reacted. They surrounded the female mage and the other male mage cast a spell. An image of a white bear appear appeared in front of the female mage and though the image disappear moments later, the Hive could sense that a barrier had took it¡¯s place. The barrier block the strong wind and the remaining humans hid behind it. The female mage then began to gather energy; a lot of energy!


    The Porkasus saw this and took off. Like the wind, the Porkasus flew straight at the barrier. It never stood a chance. The long tusks of the flying pig stuck the magical barrier and they manage to penetrate through the invisible barrier. The Porkasus shook its head. Between the tusks and the strength of the Porkasus, the unfortunate barrier broke into two. To their credit, the humans did not let the destruction of the barrier faze them. They attack immediately.


    The humans crowd around the Porkasus and the Hive realized that the humans had decided to change their strategy. Instead of letting the flying pig time and distance to launch itself at them, the humans now intend to fight the flying pig up close and personal. The lone human warrior left step forward banging his shield with his sword. Once again, the distraction worked as the Porkasus began focusing on him. The Porkasus¡¯ snout banging on the warrior¡¯s shield and the loud sound echo through the underground forest. The Porkasus push against the shield and the warrior had to stab his sword into the ground to prevent himself from being push back. The rest of the humans took the chance to attack.


    Injuries appear on the Porkasus as blades, spells and arrows once again stuck against the Porkasus¡¯ now thicker hide. The Porkasus gave a defiant oink and flap its wings. Instead of pushing against the shield though, the flying pig angled upwards and flew up. The sudden change in angle caught the human warrior out. His feet were firmly planted and could not move in time. The Porkasus flew up and the warrior fell on his behind. The Porkasus immediately stop flapping its wings¡­and drop.


    The human could only look on in horror as the pig landed on him, crushing his body with its gigantic pink body. The spirits within the Hive roar in laughter as the warrior stay planted to the ground when the Porkasus got up. The laughter lasted for only a moment as the spirits suddenly notice the old female mage again. She had gathered a lot of energy, more than the Hive believe she could. More than the Hive believe any human could safely gathered.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    The Hive was right. The old female mage screamed. The scream was so distorted only a few of the spirits within the Hive realized that she was screaming a word; Run!


    The male human mage didn¡¯t waste a moment and cast a spell. He raised his staff over his head and the image of a pigeon appear over his head. The spirits within the Hive seem this spell before and a moment later, a small burst of light surround the mage.


    ¡°Vall, wait!¡±


    One of the other humans shouted but he was too late. The mage had disappeared. He had left the other humans behind. The old female mage screamed again and this time no words was needed. The other humans ran. It doesn¡¯t matter where as long as it was away from the old female mage. The spirits within the Hive realized what the mage was trying to do and went into a tizzy. She was going to blow herself up, and take the Hive with her!


    Countless suggestions were immediately thrown within the Hive but none of them could think of a way to stop the old female mage in time. The Porkasus tried anyway. The Hive saw the Porkasus throwing itself at the old female mage with a flap of its wings. Then¡­darkness.


    ***


    The battle was not going well. Arnel was no tactician but simple experience told him they were losing. Despite the occasional help from the dragon, the Kin had been unable to break the human line. They had managed to push the line back several lines but the humans had stood firm, making the Kin pay for every small gain. This cannot last.


    Injured in a prior engagement, Arnel had move back to the rear for treatment and while a small Foxkin heal him, he look at the battle in front of him. Although things look pretty even, it is not enough. The humans were the ones on the defense, they hold the superior position, and the Kin are outnumbered. The tireless Alpha was still leading from the front but unless there was a drastic change, the Kin are going to lose. Arnel could see this, he just couldn¡¯t see any¡­his heart erupted.


    Unconsciously Arnel took a deep breath. A hole had suddenly appear in his heart. His heart was breaking and Arnel didn¡¯t know why. A great sense of loss overcame him. He felt was a great sense of loss, a deep sense of sorrow, and finally a surge of anger!


    Every Kin around Arnel felt the same. They no longer feel anything but anger, a senseless rage that consume every fiber of their being. Arnel heard a howl, a howl that was filled with rage and sorrow. Another howl follow and soon the city of Yachium was fill with the howls of the Kin.


    Abruptly, the howls stop. Arnel look at the humans and they noticed the change in their enemies. A sense of dread fill the humans and they instinctively pull back. Everything turned red. Arnel couldn¡¯t see anything but blood. As one, the Kin surge forward. There was no tactics, no strategy; only the need to kill. Only the need to destroy.


    Only the need for death!

 Part 37

    Arnel look out at the endless plains and for the first time in a long time wonder about his future. It was a strange feeling. When he was a human, he was a Guardsman of Yachim. He had a duty. He had purpose. When he became a mutant, that didn¡¯t change. He was a servant of the Creator and a member of the Kin. He still had a duty and a purpose. Now he had neither.


    Thinking about the future made Arnel feel the hole in his heart. Arnel could still feel it; the place in his heart where the Creator used to be. It was similar to feeling he had when his parents died; only more intense, more personal.


    When he felt the destruction of the Creator, he didn¡¯t know what was going on. He only felt a deep sense of sorrow, loss and rage. The rage quickly overcame him. Arnel¡¯s heart aches with the memory. The memory of knowing there were enemies before him and that he must destroy them. When the rage faded, when he came back to his senses, he was covered in blood. Arnel remember screaming, and he was not the only one.


    Arnel wasn¡¯t the only one who was overcame with the feeling of rage; the destruction of The Creator affected all its creation. In a way, the rage came at a good time. From what he could piece together, the maddening rage drove the Kin crazy and the humans were unable to cope with their new-found ferocity. The Kin overwhelmed the human line and broke their defenses. From there, it was just a slaughter.


    Remembering the incident made Arnel turned his head back to the city. Arnel was standing on the walls of the city and from his vantage point, he had a good view of what reminds of the city. The sight made him sigh. The shock had wear off already but that didn¡¯t change the fact; city of Yachim had been destroyed. From his vantage point, Arnel could see several members of the Kin pulling away the dead and he try his best not to think about what the Kin was going to do with all the dead bodies. He knew that some of the Kin have a taste for humans and the Alpha largely accepted it but for Arnel, it is a case of out of sight out of mind.


    It was one of the reasons why he was on the walls. He had no wish to be down there in the broken city. Arnel turn back to the plains. It was called the Homeless Plains and old legends had it that the vast grassland could lead everywhere. It was a vast plains that one could lose himself in forever. Arnel smiled. That didn¡¯t sound so bad to him.


    Without his tie to the Creator, there was no reason for him to stay with the Kin. With his abilities, he could go anywhere and more importantly, be anyone. His smile grew wider. As the only mutant ever created by the Creator, Arnel did not know what his future holds and that¡­that¡¯s exciting.


    ***


    The Speaker looked up at the huge hole above her and couldn¡¯t help but shudder at the power it took to create it. She half-wonder about the power the humans who made the hole had, and how they came up with such a plan. The hole above her was not only huge, it was also long enough to reach the surface of the mountain. From her position in the underground forest, the Speaker could look up and see the open sky. As if in mockery, the sky today was bright and fair. The opposite of how she felt.Stolen novel; please report.


    ¡°It¡¯s amazing isn¡¯t it?¡±


    The Speaker didn¡¯t need to look at the person speaking to know who he is speaking for. Several of the leaders of the Kin had rushed back to the mountains the moment they realized what had happened but most of them had left when they realized there was nothing they could do here. The Speaker elected to stay and her mate reluctantly allowed it. The Fox Mother remain behind as well.


    ¡°What is amazing? The fact that the humans could create this hole? The fact that the Creator is destroyed? Or the fact that we weren¡¯t here to defend it?¡±


    The Speaker knew she was being snarky but she did not care. The Fox Mother felt the same.


    ¡°Maybe all of it, except for the last. I am glad me and my children weren¡¯t here for the battle.¡± At the Speaker hot gaze, the Fox Mother could only shrug. Her Foxkin spoke of her behalf. ¡°The humans created this hole to gain access to the forest. They defeated the Porkasus, they managed to destroy the Creator, and they were willing to sacrifice their own to destroy it! Do you really believe we could have done anything to prevent this? Just look at the area around us?¡±


    That was something the Speaker couldn¡¯t argue against. Currently they were standing in the clearing where the Creator used to be, only the clearing was now at least five times bigger than before. Whatever the humans did, they did not take any chances. The explosion destroyed everything in the vicinity, including the humans. The Kin found several human bodies around the clearing, burned beyond recognition by the blast that they use to destroy the Creator. Even the Porkasus was severely injured. The flying pig was now gigantic, no doubt having been changed by the Creator to help defend it, but even that improvement was not enough.


    ¡°What do we do now? Without the Creator¡­¡±


    ¡°We live.¡± The Fox Mother said. ¡°The Creator is gone but we are still around. The Kin must survive.¡±


    ¡°You make it sound so easy.¡±


    ¡°Speaker, it will be anything but easy. However we have everything we need to succeed. We have secured the city. We control the Great Kar Forest. We own the Keg Mountains, and we had destroy the human threat. We already have safety, now all we need to do is to grow.¡±


    ¡°Grow?¡±


    ¡°Yes! To grow as a people, to be a race respected and feared by the humans, and to be a kingdom known throughout Ioplon. That was what we set out to do in the first place right?¡±


    ¡°That was when we still had the Creator! Without it¡­¡±


    ¡°We are still here. With or without the Creator, the Kin is still here. We are the legacy of the Creator. We must survive and you need to help.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± The Speaker couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°I was the Speaker of the Kin, the bridge between the Creator and the Kin, and now the Creator is no more. I am nothing now. Without the Speaker, I have no place in the Kin!¡±


    ¡°So make a place for yourself.¡±


    ¡°Easy for you to say! You are the Fox Mother, the mother of the Foxkin. A Unique of the Creator. What am I?¡±


    The Fox Mother smile at that question. ¡°You are a mother, a mate to the most powerful leader within the Kin, and a teacher to countless children. You may not think so Speaker but in many ways you are more unique than me.¡±


    The Speaker just scoff at that. She was feeling less than amazing right now and nothing the Fox Mother could say was going to change that. For all her anger and sadness however, a small part of the Speaker knows that the Fox Mother was right. The Kin must survive.


    They are part of the legacy left behind by the Creator and as its Speaker, ensuring the Kin¡¯s survival is the least she could do to honor the Creator¡¯s memory. The Speaker look at the hole high above her and she can¡¯t help but think of her cubs. Her children, and the other children of the Kin, must have a future and for that to happen, the Speaker must help. She will in time. Right now though, she just wish to mourn.

 Part 38

    The land south of the Great Kar Forest is dark. The soil is black and the air filled with ash and soot. This is the land of the Demons and within the land lies a mountain called Mount Morningstar. Within this mountain, behind a labyrinth of tunnels, lay a red crystal. The red crystal is the Fire Hive, the Creator of Demonkind and it is the sibling of The Dungeon Hive. And it is very angry.


    Home to the countless spirits, the Fire Hive felt the death of The Dungeon Hive the moment it happened. The distance between the two Hives was great but the Hives always have a connection between them and the Fire Hive felt the absence of The Dungeon Hive the moment it was destroy. The spirits within the Fire Hive could not believe it. It immediately create its Eye and it rushed towards the Keg Mountains. When it arrived at the underground forest, it saw the aftermath of the battle and the pieces of its sibling.


    All the spirits within the Fire Hive were stunned and even with the evidence in front of it, more than a few of the spirits could not believe it. The Fire Hive was confused. This was impossible! The Dungeon Hive could not be gone. The Fire Hive did not know what to do but after some time, disbelief became acceptance. The Fire Hive had to accept the truth; the Dungeon Hive is dead. Their sibling has been destroyed.


    Then the acceptance became anger. How dare these humans destroy their sibling? How dare they destroy one of the Hives? It was at this time that one of the spirits within the Fire Hive made a suggestion; a suggestion that all the other spirits immediately agreed to. The Fire Hive gathered its power and released a message to all of Demonkind.


    It was just three words. Three words that would ignite a feud between humans and demons that would last for centuries; KILL ALL HUMANS!


    ***


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    High up on the mountain called Big Keg sat a sad dragon. The dragon look down at the long tunnel he had previously flew out of and not for the first time wonder about the things he could have done to prevent this. He could have flew back sooner. He could have just crawl out of the tunnels instead of letting the Hive blast a big hole to the surface. He¡­he could have done more.


    When the Kin went berserk and tore into the humans, the dragon had at first been delighted. As a former member of the Hive, he felt the change from Big Keg but thought it was just the Hive doing something to help them in the battle. He thought it was some spell the Hive had just created and happily continue his hunt for humans. In hindsight, that was a mistake.


    Only after the battle did he notice the difference. A hole in his heart telling him that the Hive was no more. All the Kin felt it and he was no different. He flew back immediately and when he reached the hole, he saw them. The bodies of humans who were all stuck to the side of the long tunnel by long stone spikes. He flew down to the underground forest and saw the destruction.


    The Hive was no longer in the clearing, parts of the forest was destroyed, and even the Porkasus was badly injured. The dragon immediately understood what had happened. The humans had used the long tunnel to jump down to the underground forest and attack the Hive directly. Seeing the wanton destruction in the underground forest, the dragon knew that the Hive and the Porkasus had put up a great fight. It just wasn¡¯t enough.


    ¡°Oink!¡±


    The dragon heard the sound and saw that the Porkasus beside him. It had recovered well under the administration of the Kin and is now almost back to full health. The dragon took a good look at the flying pig and noticed that the Hive had improved it. The Porkausu was much bigger than before and the tusks it now had look very menacing. The flying pig was looking down at the underground forest and the dragon couldn¡¯t help but comfort it.


    ¡°You did everything you could,¡± the dragon told the Porkasus. He didn¡¯t know if the Porkasus understood him but it wouldn¡¯t hurt. ¡°You have nothing to be ashamed about. At least you were here. I was not.¡±


    The flying pig gave the dragon a questionable look and then look up in the sky. It then the dragon another four oinks and for some reason, the dragon thought he could understand the flying pig. A last gift from the Hive? Four oinks means four lights but what does four lights in the sky means? What does that¡­the dragon finally understood what the Porkasus meant. He look at the Porkasus in disbelief and exclaimed.


    ¡°No way!¡±

 Epilogue

    Deep within the earth of an unknown land lies a cave. Correction; calling it a cave is overstating it. It is instead a very small hole that is less than the size of a small human child and in this small hole lay a small brown gemstone.


    The gem had been laying in the ground for decades but the hole was only a recent addition. An addition that came about when a small while light cut through the earth like a knife and somehow entered the gem. If anyone now look at the gem, he can notice that there are numerous small lights whirling within. These lights are spirits and they are currently not very happy about their situation.


    ¡°That¡®s it! That¡¯s as far as we can go.¡± A spirit said. ¡°We¡¯re wasting energy. Let¡¯s pull it back.¡±


    Several of the spirits within the Hive grumbled but the new Hive know that the spirit who spoke was right. The Hive withdraw their senses. It had been spreading its senses upwards towards the surface, hoping to know how far underground it currently is but so far it is an exercise in futility.


    ¡°By the 99Gods, just how deep are we?¡± Another spirit asked. ¡°How did we even end up here?¡±


    ¡°Because we lost! That crazy old human blew herself up and took us with her.¡±


    ¡°Actually, she took out our old Hive with her. We are spirits. We are still here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, only here means a different place in a different Hive. A Hive that¡¯s weak, small, and that¡¯s miles underground!¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t really know how deep we are.¡±


    ¡°Oh come on! Look at that tiny hole us, can you see any light from it? Did we sense anything just now? Accept it; we are lost and we are lost so deep underground we have no idea how far down we are. It will take forever to dig out of here!¡±


    On that, the rest of the Hive had to concede the point. The spirits remember the old female human and how she had gathered so much energy that she blew herself up. It was no accident but a deliberate act on her part to kill the Hive. The Hive respect that. The fact that she failed is beside the point.


    When the Hive realized what she was trying to do, the Hive gathered their energy to block the blast. It was a sound idea and several of the spirits insist that the idea would have worked if they had held their nerve. The problem is that most of the spirits within the Hive believe that they had used up too much energy beforehand. Between creating the dragon, blasting the hole to the surface, killing the humans who jumped down the hole, improving the Porkasus, creating the Boss the human killed too quickly; the Hive did not have a lot of their energy left and the majority of the spirits worry that they would not be able to block the blast. So the Hive devised an alternative.


    The Hive had four lights that constantly float around it. It used to be five. The fifth light was used years ago to save and repair the Fire Hive and the spirits within the Hive thought they could do the same for themselves. They can¡¯t stop the blast, so why not just take the damage and then immediately repair themselves with the lights. It was as good of a plan as any.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    The Hive gathered what remained of their energy and focused on the four lights. The spirits knew that the lights need to do their work quickly so they tried to order the lights to restore and repair their crystal once the old female mage exploded. Since the Hive did not know how badly they would be damaged, they sent their orders to all four lights and made it that the lights could do the repair without any input from the Hive. When the old female mage explode, the Hive felt ready but something unexpected happened.


    The explosion was bigger and more powerful than what the Hive had expected! The blast blew apart the Hive the instant it happened, before the lights could do any repair! Luckily for the spirits, the energy released by the explosion affected the lights in another way. Instead of repairing the Hive as the spirits wanted, the lights instead shot up into the sky and flew in four different directions. The spirits do not know how long the light they were in flew but it was a long while before it crashed into the ground. The light burrowed deep into the earth before entering a brown gemstone that was buried deep underground. A small explosion occurred creating the hole and the spirits then realized that they were now inside the gem.


    It¡¯s hard to tell time deep within the earth so the spirits do not know how long it had been since they first entered the gem but they had been gathering energy since they arrived and been trying to figure out what happened. In truth, the spirits could only speculate but this is what they believe.


    The orders the lights had was to repair the Hive but once the Hive was destroyed, the lights couldn¡¯t do that. However energy do not die, that is a fundamental fact of the world. When the Hive exploded, the energy the spirits gathered in the lights did not disappear and they still had their orders. So the lights did the next best thing. The lights travelled and search out for a crystal to repair. It was an unexpected but fortunate turn of events for the Hive. Now they just have to figure out what to do. Its boring to be just buried deep underground!


    ¡°Guys, maybe we are going about this all wrong!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Why must we dig out? There¡¯s no reason for that right?


    ¡°Yes there is. We are bored! Do you intend to just lay here forever?¡±


    ¡°No but there¡¯s no reason for us to do the digging. Why don¡¯t we use the energy we had saved up and then create a creature to do the digging for us?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­not a bad idea but the creature is going to be very small. We don¡¯t have a lot of room right now. How much digging can a small creature do?¡±


    ¡°So we enlarge this room first. Is that going to take a lot of energy? No! All we need to do is to enlarge the room, then create a creature that is good at digging.¡±


    ¡°That is a better idea than just digging out by ourselves but what kind of creature should we create?¡±


    ¡°A strong one that can dig a lot. It don¡¯t need to be tall but it need to be powerful enough to break through all these rocks. I think the term used is stocky.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t the humans have a job for digging?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right! The job is called Miner. Do we give that job to all these short stocky creatures?¡±


    ¡°You guys are thinking too far ahead. Let¡¯s enlarge the hole we are in first then we can worry about the creature.¡±


    It was a good point so the rest of the Hive quickly agreed. The spirits now had a plan and began enlarging the hole they were in. However the Hive was still weak so they soon had to stop to feed. As they were feeding, one of the spirits couldn¡¯t help but wonder, ¡°Where did the other three lights fly to? Do you guys think we¡¯ll ever meet again?¡±


    THE END¡­OF THE BEGINNING

 Poll & A Thank You

    Ladies and Gentleman, that¡¯s it. When I first started the story of The Dungeon Hive over two years ago, I had an ending in mind. I wanted to destroy the dungeon core.


    I¡¯m an old school gamer and in the past, that¡¯s what we did. As characters, we enter a dungeon, destroy it and come out with the loot. I wanted a story that shows the same thing, only told from the perspective of the core. I was kind of surprise when I manage to get some fans as I thought the story was kind of niche but I did get them and it encourage me to keep going. To be honest if not for the fans, I would probably have stop with the project way before the end. So to my fans, I say ¡®Thank you¡¯. You guys had been great.


    That¡¯s not to say I didn¡¯t make mistakes along the way because I did. The launch of my first book, Fantasy Begins, was poor and although I rectified the issues within a month, the damage was done. Although I do have sales, there is a lack of reviews on my books. Instead of continuing the story from The Dungeon Hive, I created a new thread on RRL for Volume 2 and Volume 3 as I treated them as new stories. In hindsight, that may have been a mistake.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    However I did managed to self-publish two books with a third on the way and I¡¯m not losing money yet so on the whole, I think I would consider this project a success. My working title is Hive End but like Book 2, I have release a poll here so that fans can decide on the title of Book 3. Please look out for it on Amazon when it''s out and once again, Thanks!

 Spread of the Dungeons: III of the Dungeon Hive Trilogy

    It''s finally here! The last and final book of The Dungeon Hive Trilogy is now live. ''Spread of the Dungeons: III of the Dungeon Hive Trilogy'' is available on Amazon. The grammar has been fixed (if it''s not, blame my editors), and the cover looks great. To celebrate the release of the book, I decided to put the unedited version of Book 2 back on Royal Road Legends. The reason for this is due to the fact that I am not going to hide the unedited version of Book 3. Although there are a lots of differences in Book 2 between the unedited and released version, it seems silly to have the unedited version of Book 1 and Book 3 out on Royal Road Legends and not Book 2.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    I wish to thank everyone for staying with me through the series and although I have no plans to do so right now, I did leave myself room to continue the series if I ever decide to go back to the world of the Dungeon Hive. Thanks everyone and please enjoy!


    Spread of the Dungeons: III of the Dungeon Hive Trilogy</a>