“Again.” Time-Breaker barks.

Annoyed!

Three cycles. Three awake cycles wasted attempting to learn the other core abilities.

Three cycles, and incalculable amounts of biomass.

Wave tentacles. Growl.

“Again!” Time-Breaker repeats, undeterred and this one forces the main body to stand.

Core energy is currently 46%.

Reach into your Core. Rely on the same feelings you have to change your shape, or regrow your lost limbs.

This communication is from Mind-Walker, adding to an incalculable amount of repetitions.

Growl.

Mind-Walker bows her head (learned that Mind-Walker was female, in her multiple attempts to mate with this one), slinking away.

Just because Star-Reader said they could teach this one how to use its Core abilities… But Star-Reader can’t be coward and not fulfill its promise. Is predator. So.

Grow teeth along main body.

Attempt to separate teeth from the main body with osteomancy. Seems to be the most useful Core ability.

Immediately the teeth begin to deteriorate, dropping to the ground.

“Again!”

FRUSTRATED!

Hear yipping from the pups, pleased noises from them.

“See? Told you Shape-Changer can’t do it.”

Know in Core the smallest of them communicated that.

More yipping and barking. Amusement from them.

Snarl.

The pups run back to their female sire, their mother, and hide behind her.

“Great One, perhaps a hunt would help you to clear your mind?”

Hunt?

Prey!

Look hopefully towards Time-Breaker, and the predator nods. Reluctant?

Smug. This one will still hunt. You cannot stop it.

“But Shape-Changer is not allowed to use their tentacles or body against any prey that they encounter, until they can use their kinesis or psionic abilities.”

Hatred.

Hate Time-Breaker, and Star-Reader who said that the wolf must take charge of this one! HATE THEM!

Hesitation from the Mind-Walker, but they nod their head. Hah! This one did not agree to this!

“Shape-Changer, you must also consent.”

THEY SAW THROUGH THIS ONE’S DECEPTION? HOW?

Fine!

...

This one agrees.

Time-Breaker rumbles their consent.

Mind-Walker stands, flicks their tail in an indication for this one to follow, and leaves the den.

Reluctant.

But hunt?

This one moves, wave tentacles for eyes to pick up light as this one joins Mind-Walker.

It is very strange. The bright, warm light leaves at the end of this one’s awake cycle, and is replaced by two, much less bright lights. Eyes are not as functional during this time, night as the pack calls it. Instead, hearing and scenting become much more important.

Annoyed. This one only joined the pack because Star-Reader and Sun-Walker confirmed they could teach this one how to use it’s other Core abilities. But so far, all that has happened is hunting, looking after the pups while the pack hunts, being told that the way this one attempts to learn is incorrect, and stasises.

Well… the rest of our pack has only been able to unlock their Core abilities through annoyance or danger. And the leaders are not willing to risk losing the Great One. So annoyance it is.

Annoyed that Mind-Walker is constantly listening to this one’s thoughts.

If you don’t like it, then use your own psionic abilities to stop it. She communicates. Is that… smugness!?

Ah! Stop, sniff here. Mind-Walker scratches at the ground, her hackles raising, moving leafs and sniffing, then letting this one sniff.

Hmm…

Prey? But the usual prey does not mark its territory like this. And the scent is heavier… like a predators. Stale, but still here.

“The Supreme One is getting closer to the den.” She growls, ears swiveling and nose twitching.

Sniff the air.

Still.

Scent in air is similar to wolf pack, but different. And it’s fresh.

“Rivals!” Mind-Walker growls, her main body lowering to the floor. This one also lowers to the ground, slinking forwards.

Is not cowardice! Just allows this one to observe prey before it is discovered!

Develop auditory nervous system on tentacles, refine, wave to detect vibrations and noises in air.

“Growl.”

“Don’t give up! Kill the Supreme One!”

“Do you hear that?” This one growls, looking to Mind-Walker. She shakes her head.

Smug. Once again, vindication of this one’s superior design. Able to hear the fighting, while she cannot.

Run! To the fight!

Wait Great One, Time-Breaker said not to fight until you-

TIME-BREAKER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR THIS ONE! Trees blur past this one’s main body, as it shoots forward. Mind-Walker cannot keep up with this one.

YES! This is what this one was made for! Hunting prey!

Tentacles stab into the ground, pushing this one along even faster, paws barely touching the leaves as the main body is moved forward at a speed the developed brain is barely able to process.

Sniff.

Different scents enter this one’s nose. Leaves, heavy with the smell of other, smaller prey, and wtar-water. Rain, this one remembers it being called by the pack. Rain must have fallen, while this one was not paying attention. Various small prey, and…

Other pack prey. And the predator. Much closer, fresh scent.

Great one! Wait for Us!

No! Wrap tentacles around tree, sling the main body up at an angle. Fly! Fly fly fly!

NO FAIR!

Is not this one’s fault you have inferior design! Develop wings then!

See them now. Rival pack-wolves fighting against a BIG prey. Must be the predator!

It is big. Has fur, claw, and sharp teeth structures. But is almost three times this one’s size.

Shake. But must not show cowardice.

The rival-wolves circle around the big predator. Recognize the strategy, was used against this one. Whenever one attacks, the others attack from different sides.

Growl. Cowardice!

But must not charge yet. Sit on branch of a tree, wait, ready for when one prey group or the other is weak.

One of the wolves attacks, biting at the hindleg of the big predator. It immediately turns around, swiping at the wolf.

Yelp-crunch.

…

Surprised.

Just one swipe, and it knocks the wolf-prey against a tree. It collapses, still. Is dead!?

Even with this one’s growth, would not be able to do that.

The other wolf-preys show signs of distress. Back away, more cautious now.

Hackles raise. This one’s turn to fight?

“Great One, where did you… THE SUPREME ONE!?”

Mind-Walker bursts into the clearing, calling for this one, but the other preys notice her before this one can call out.

They all turn to her. The wolf-prey look between her and the predator, and their dead pack member… and flee!?

COWARDS! Do not run from fight!

The predator has scratches on its side, but it does not seem to matter bother it. Recognize the look in its eyes.

Hunger.

“MIND-WALKER, YOU MUST RETREA-”

FAST!

Predator moves faster than this one can finish communicating, bounding towards Mind-Walker. She has slower, inferior design. Won’t be able to move away in time.

NO! MIND-WALKER IS THIS ONE’S FUTURE PREY! YOU CANNOT HAVE!

Wave tentacles, develop respiratory tract on tentacles.

Roar!

The sound echoes out throughout the clearing. The predator pauses, looks for this one.

GOOD! DISTRACTED!

Leap!

Land on the predator’s back. But can’t use tentacles! Said this one wouldn’t!

FRUSTRATED!

Would be cowardice to not do what this one says it would!

Bite, claw, tear into the predator’s back.

Annoyed. Even though there is no armor, the predator’s back is hard to pierce. Rubbery fat prevents this one’s attacks from piercing.

The predator roars back as this one attacks it, turning and crashing into trees. Hold on! Sink claws into back, will not be shaken off!

Prey rolls. Know this move!

Jump off, land a little bit away from prey.

Stare at each other, circling. Prey studies this one. Wave eye tentacles, stare back.

Still surprised at how BIG it is. Almost comes up to half of the tree.

Predator bites at the air in front of it. Confused, this one is not close, so why is i-

PAAAAAINNNN!

Teeth sink into the main body of this one, piercing through armor and ripping 7% of it away. HOW! PREDATOR DID NOT APPROACH!

See the predator’s mouth chewing on this one’s main body.

Hatred.

PAAAIINNN!

Another attack, even though the predator is so far!

Move! Away from the predator!

PAINNNN!

28% of main body is gone. Must repair, but the predator keeps attacking. HOW? IS NOT EVEN CLOSE!

Great One, the Supreme One can attack you from anywhere it is, as long as it can see you! You must hide!

HIDE!?

NO! ALREADY ENGAGED WITH PREDATOR! IS COWARDICE!

Turn around, move back to the predator. Leap!

Paiiinnn.

The predator’s legs attacked the main body, sending it tumbling away.

Vibrations in air, just before the predator attacks from a distance again.

DODGE!

Snap!

Hear teeth snap against each other, wave eye tentacles.

Finally know what is happening, but…

Impossible!

Whenever the predator attacks, part of its body disappears and reappears next to this one!

More vibrations DODGE!

Dodge dodge dodge dodge dodge!

FRUSTRATED!

Can’t get close!

Each time this one tries to move closer, another attack comes, driving it back.

33% of main body is gone, right foreleg is crushed, hanging limply.

Repair.

Hungry. This fight is consuming all of the reserved biomass in this one’s stomach.

LET YOUR BRAIN BE RIPPED OUT FROM ITS SKULL! Mind-Walker screeches through the psionic link.

The predator staggers! Charge!

DODGE!

ANGRY!

The prey swipes at this one, it’s foreleg disappearing and reappearing multiple times, forcing this one to move back Then looks at Mind-Walker.

Dodge Mind-Walker, you must dodg-

It is too late! Mind-Walker is not as fast as this one.

Watch as the foreleg swipes at the air, reappearing next to Mind-Walkers flank. She can’t move away in time, and it hits her, send her crashing into a tree.

Mind-Walker is… still.

Hatred.

Charge!

DODGE! DODGE DODGE DODGE!

Howlllll!

Hate consumes this one. COWARDICE! HOW DOES THIS ONE EVEN APPROACH, ATTACK, IF IT KEEPS SWATTING IT ASIDE!

Mind-Walker was able to confuse it, just for a moment. Through the psionic link.

FRUSTRATED! IF ONLY THIS ONE COULD USE THE OTHER CORE ABILITIES! Then this one could use its tentacles, like it promised.

Predator begins moVING TOWARDS MIND-WALKER!

MUST. NOT. LET. IT. EAT.I

Charge!

Dodge! Dodge!

Charge!

PAINNN!I

It’s paws hit this one, PAIN as the main body hits a tree.

The predator keeps moving.

A feeling builds in this one’s Core.

Stronger than annoyance. Stronger than frustration.

Even stronger than hatred.

Rage.

Something in the Core snaps.

Sensations overwhelm the main body. Hunger, satisfaction at killing annoying wolf, smugness, annoyance at the strange wolf with shapes growing from it, urge to eat, sleep, and eat more.

These sensations are not from the main body?

From… the predator!

Feel it, the connection. Between this one’s brain and the predator’s.

Must eat the wolf, before stranger wolf attacks my body. Must gather as much food as possible, before the bare-leaf begins, and sleep overcomes my body.

No time to think about it.

Rely on instinct now that the connection is formed.

RIP IT’S MIND OUT, AWAY FROM IT’S BRAIN! PULL, TEAR, SCRAPE THIS ONE’S MIND AGAINST IT! DO AS MUCH DAMAGE, AND TEAR IT AWAY!

The predator shudders, and it turns back to this one.

Hatred. From both this one, and the predator.

How dare the strange wolf attack this one’s mind? Must kill it!

Bristle. Growl. Wave tentacles.

Another snap! The teeth on this one’s tentacles tear themselves out, and begin to float around the main body.

Can feel it. The instinct that keeps them floating around this one, quivering, waiting to be unleashed.

This one circles the predator. Predator moves foreleg to swipe again-

Instinct.

Think about the pain of being shocked, the poking instruments being held against this one’s body. And push it against the predator’s mind.

Predator howls, flinching. CHARGE!

Predator’s head lunges forward, attempting to bite this one.

DODGE!

Send teeth straight into the predator’s mouth! Shred!

Feel the connection between the teeth and Core fade, but it worked. The predator staggers, now letting out gurgling sounds. Good. Sent 14 teeth into its throat.

CHARGE!

Predator stares up. Feel it through our connection.

The fear. It is afraid of this one.

THIS ONE CAN USE OTHER CORE ABILITIES! WHICH MEANS IT IS ALLOWED TO USE TENTACLES!

Predator opens mouth to roar, attempts to intimidate.

SEND ALL TENTACLES INTO IT’S MOUTH! DEVELOP TEETH ON TENTACLES!

Predator’s eyes bulge as thirty seven tentacles rip through it’s mouth, stabbing into it’s throat and entering its stomach and intestines.

SEND ALL TEETH ON TENTACLES FLYING OUTWARDS!

Prey’s eyes widen further, its body stiffening. Until, finally, it collapses.

VICTORY!

SATISFACTION!

This one killed a predator!

Remove tentacles, wrap them around the main body again.

How is Mind-Walker?

Walk over to her.

…

She is still. Not breathing.

Still.

A different feeling enters this one. Not anger, or frustration. Strange. This one…

She introduced this one to the pack. Taught how to use Core abilities. Brought biomass, and ensured this one was allowed to hunt.

…

well...

Despite the unpleasant feelings, it is a waste fo biomass to leave her here.

Consume.

W-WAIT! WE ARE STILL ALIVE! Do not eat us!

… what?

Mind-Walker stands up, and shakes, her fur ruffling out.

No. Impossible.

Is it possible… Mind-Walker was deceiving this one?

HOW DARE SHE! HOW DARE SHE PRETEND TO BE DEAD!?

You... you were going to eat Us!?

Will steal eat. COWARDICE! TO THE UTMOST DEGREE, to pretend to be dead.

Wave tentacles. STAB!

The foo-biomass, Great One! Don’t forget about the biomass! Mind-Walker communicates through the psionic link.

Pause.

Yes… there is other biomass to consume.

And… strange urge to share, with the pack.

Disgust. Why would this one ever do that?

Consume.

Eat eat eat eat eat Core! Eat eat eat eat eat!

Could you… at least let Us have some?

…

No. For being COWARD, and deceiving this one.

Oh come on! Please!?

NO!