Rav was downstairs, happily munching on some leftover Balehen meat from the battle the other day. Vysala settled in the chair next to Zaria’s Babamorph. “So, what’s next? Upgrades?”

“Almost,” Zaria said. “There’s something I want to start doing first.” She’d spent some Core Stability - a full 10% - to repair her ankle, and now was able to stand up and walk after giving the talon a few experimental flexes. “It’s going to take some time to clear out the water from the Legacy Dungeon.”

Vysala cocked her head. “I’ve been meaning to ask. Since your Area of Influence stops at your walls and porch, how do you plan on doing that?”

“Any nonmagical, non-living matter in my Area of Influence I can just absorb without any resistance,” Zaria said. “So I’m just going to submerge my porch. Let the water flow in there, but not to the house itself.”

“And how are you going to get down there?” Vysala asked. They’d reached the entrance to the legacy dungeon. It was without question, both full of water and far too small to accommodate Zaria’s frame. Larger than Zaria had expected - it was built for beings easily twice as tall as a man - but still nowhere near what was required for an entire house.

Zaria stepped close to the entrance and turned to the side. Vysala looked over the edge to see what Zaria was doing better.

On that side, Zaria grew a porch right under the Moon mouth. A smaller one than what she had in front - more of a single balcony, the kind that would be seen under a single window. Then she just bent down to hook it under the stone, letting the rock scrape against the surface.

Moments later, she absorbed the entire stone.

“Oh, I’m glad that worked,” Zaria said, sprouting another balcony under the other mouth. Since she’d spent the Bird heart on Rav, it was just another Moon mouth - for now. “So as long as the stone is touching part of my dungeon, I can absorb it, too. Not my talons - I tried that with the dirt earlier - but part of the actual structure. I just need to space them out properly.”

“Can you just like, grow out poles and tap them against the stone?”

Zaria shook her head. “There are limits to modifying my external structure. If it doesn’t still resemble a house in some sense of the word, or something that looks like it belongs on the house, I can’t make it. Even then, the pole wouldn’t work - whatever I’m trying to absorb has to register as “in” or “on” my structure. But it’s fine - my talons make digging easy, and I can use the tongues to pull up whatever I dig and absorb it so we don’t have to worry about where the waste goes.”

Vysala nodded. “So you’ll be working on that while we upgrade. Before we do - I do want to make sure you’ve considered we’ll soon have a Fae to advise us on upgrade choices.”

“We will,” Zaria said. “But I don’t want to wait until we get one. There’s still a chance we get attacked in the interim, and I don’t want to risk being unprepared when there’s upgrade points to spend.”

“Glad we agree.” Vysala leaned forward. “You got what, five upgrade points from that fight?”

“Six, actually. Five from levelling, and one from cooking Chyndra.”

“She smelled delicious.” Rav’s voice startled Vysala, although Zaria had sensed him coming. “Can I eat her?”

“Not yet,” Zaria said to the mimic, and motioned for him to join them. Instead of sitting in the chair, Rav leapt onto it, balancing on the balls of his heels and sitting on his ankles instead of the seat itself. He leaned down to look at Zaria’s core with obvious fascination. “The buff she’ll give you from eating her is too strong to waste until a fight with humans is coming up - and I also need to talk to a Fae to see if the system counts you as Sapient for the purpose of the lycanthrope side effect.”

“Yes. This is good. I have gotten to know lycanthropes better. I do not wish to become one. It smells too tasty. I would not want to feel the need to eat myself.”

Vysala burst into laughter, and Zaria couldn’t help but grin herself. “We’re discussing my upgrades next. I have six points to spend.”

Rav’s shoulder eyes narrowed. “That’s a number. Does this involve math?”

“You don’t have to do the math,” Zaria said. “Just input on what sounds better.”

“Good,” Rav said. “Math was invented by demons to torment my mind.”

Zaria cocked her head. “Why do you think that?”

“Because I am blaming all mind torments on demons. It’ll make eating them more fun.”

Zaria chuckled. “So long as you know that’s not true. Math can be fun. For example. If you can count, you can keep track of exactly how many people you eat during a fight.”

Rav’s eyes lit up. “Math is a gift from the gods that was corrupted by demons. We must reclaim it.”

“I thought you’d think so. Let’s go with some upgrades, and keep track of how we talk about the numbers involved - it’ll help you understand.” She turned her attention back to Vysala. “I think I am going to pick up two elements. Get that out of the way to hit the three minimum for the prerequisites, since I already have the moon heart. But it does mean no new elements for a bit.”

Vysala nodded. “Remind me of the prerequisites for the abilities you’re targeting?”

Zaria pulled them up.

Mistress of the Cauldron Prerequisites: 3 different elemental hearts, Improved Cauldron Spellcasting, Expanded Cauldron spellcasting, Bronze Tier Cost: 2 Upgrade Points

Monster in the Woods Prerequisites: 3 different mob types, Mimic Symbiosis, Any 1 Regional upgrade. Bronze Tier Cost: 2 Upgrade Points

The House that Eats People Prerequisites: Greater Mimics, Bigger on the Inside, Doors Don’t Work Like That, any 1 other Structural Upgrade and Leg Upgrade to your Yagacore. Bronze Tier. Cost: 2 Upgrade Points.

“How much do Improved Cauldron Spellcasting and Expanded Cauldron Spellcasting cost?” Vysala asked. “They’d pair nicely with the new elemental hearts, and you’d hit the Mistress of the Cauldron prerequisites, so you’re ready as soon as you hit Bronze for that one.”

“Let me check.” Zaria pulled up the abilities

Improved Cauldron Spellcasting: The spells from your Cauldron have all base numerical values that scale with your Tier increased. Exact increase depends on spell and value. Cauldron spells are more effective at overcoming resistances of targets with Magic Resistance property. Cost: 1 Upgrade Point. Prerequisites: Baba’s Cauldron

Expanded Cauldron Spellcasting: You gain new spells for all elemental types. Cauldron spells can also be cast by your Striga when not near the Cauldron, although mana costs are doubled for such casting. Cost: 1 Upgrade Point. Prerequisites: Baba’s Cauldron, Improved Cauldron Spellcasting, Dungeon Spellcasting

“I really like those options,” Vysala said. Too casually.

Zaria flashed her a grin. “Because you think they’d be good for me, or because they give you more spells?”

“Do I need to pick?” Vysala said. “And it still gives you two upgrade points left afterwards.”

“Only one point,” Zaria said. “I still need to pick up Dungeon Spellcasting to meet the requirements for Expanded Cauldron Spellcasting - and from what Penara said, that’s a rather lackluster ability.” She pulled it up to confirm.

Basic Dungeon Spellcasting: Unlocks limited spellcasting abilities. Spells granted: Possession, Elemental Orb (Moon), Lesser Heal, Drain Life. Must be cast from an Oven or your Babamorph as the point of origin. Cost: 1 Upgrade Point Prerequisites: Copper Tier, 3 Non-Basic Hearts Unlocked.

Vysala chewed her lip. “There’s something to be said for you having more magic, though. And Lesser Heal would be good to use on your mimics.”

Rav frowned. “No.”

Both Dungeon and Striga looked at him.

“In fight, mimics were best weapon. But we were too weak for the big monster. That is part Tier, yes? But… the bad dungeon, it can make new Chimera. We can expect more, yes? So need more mimics, so we can consume your foes better. Or stronger mimics. Or more… mobs. That is the word, yes?”

“It is,” Zaria said. “And you’re not wrong there. The elemental hearts will be a powerful tool for more mobs. Vysala does have a good point about being able to heal mimics mid fight.”

“Does she?” Rav asked. “Or will you be too busy fighting whatever is strongest to focus on healing?”

“I’ll be able to heal with it, too,” Vysala said.

“Will you?” Rav asked. “Or will you be too busy smacking thing with spork?”

Vysala grimaced. “I mean, when you put it that way…”

“It’s still not bad,” Zaria said to the Striga. “Let me pull up the spell list so we can get a better idea what we’re working with.”

Spell

Effect

Cost

Possession

You take direct control of target non-servitor mob already spawned by your influence

10 Initial, 1 Mana / Minute to maintain.

Elemental Orb

You launch an orb of elemental energy towards the targeted creature or object. Effects vary based on associated element - can be chosen from any element you are capable of making hearts for.

5 Mana

Lesser Heal

You repair non-life threatening damage to a target mob already spawned by your influence.

20 Mana

Drain Life

A beam launches towards the targeted creature or object, reducing their stamina by 5% per second. That stamina is transferred to a target mob already spawned by your influence. Drained energy that would take the mob over 100% of their maximum Stamina is converted into Mana for the mob. Drained energy that would take the mob over 100% of their maximum Mana is converted into increased mutation chance. Yagacore Special: You and your Striga are viable targets for the secondary target of this spell. When using yourself for the secondary target, drained stamina can be converted into Core Stability, but all mana costs are doubled. When using your Striga for the secondary target, drained Stamina is converted into healing first, then Stamina, then Runic Regeneration Rate, then Mana. If all are filled, leftover drained energy is converted to a stacking 1% damage buff for your Striga against the primary target.

15 Mana initial, 1 mana / Second to maintain.

“Possession is near useless to me,” Zaria said. “Until I get proper World Mobs at Bronze, there’s no benefit to possessing a mob over my Babamorph. Elemental Orb gives me a direct damage spell that isn’t Cackle, something I can throw out easily.”

“And not create werewolves if you don’t always want to,” Vysala added.

“More of a downside than an upside there, but I see your point,” Zaria said. “Lesser Heal… it’s good, but I can’t heal you with it, Vysala. At least, I don’t think so, given Drain Life specifies you are a viable target, but Lesser Heal does not. Speaking of which, Drain Life is very nice, though. I have other ways to drain stamina, but that’s still a handy ability - and I can use the secondary effect in wonderful ways.”

“It’s not a bad option,” Vysala said. “But I can see why it’s a bit lackluster. And Rav does have a good point about mobs being the front line of these fights.”

Rav’s back straightened at the praise.

“I do think the two elements and one of the spellcasting abilities would be best. I’m leaning towards Improved Cauldron Spellcasting right now - it provides the most predictable results, just making my existing spells better, and it’ll scale nicely because it impacts the values that get multiplied.”

“That’s three points?” Rav half said, half asked.

“It is,” Vysala said, making sure to give the mimic a proud smile before turning back to Zaria. “For the other three, then?”

“I’m planning on a couple of Coven runs once they get here to reinforce this place. Been too long since I had adventurers inside. So it would be a perfect time to pick up Doors Don’t Work Like That, which leaves two more points free.”

Vysala nodded. “And what were you thinking of doing with that? Improving your mimics? Or something else?”

“Let me show you,” Zaria said, pulling up a new list.

Greater Mimics - Every mimic you summon can be made with two other alternate form they can change into as a 10 second cooldown. In addition, they gain the ability Mimic Dash while transforming, allowing them to relocate and hide again. Mimics will cost as much as their most expensive form. Prerequisites: Second Mob Type, Improved Mob Heart. Cost. 1 Upgrade Point.

Mimic Symbiosis - Your mimics gain the Symbiosis ability. When being wielded by another being as a weapon, worn as clothing or armor, ridden, or any other form of interaction with another being, the Mimic does increased damage, and can also impart one of its abilities to the creature it’s interacting with. Mimics interacting with other mimics in this way instead merge into a single mob. This new mob will have the same cost as each independent mimic, but elemental heart cost only needs to be paid for the more powerful mimic in the group. Prerequisites: Improved Mob Heart, Striga Bond. Cost. 1 Upgrade Point

New Mob Type - Nightchildren: Bats, Rats, Frogs, Flies, Wolves, and more! The Children of the Night category gives you a wide variety of creatures to choose from and enhance with your power. At higher ranks, chimeric creatures are unlocked. Hidden Prerequisite Met: At least one Lycanthrope, Darkraven, or Swampling under your control. Cost: 2 Upgrade Points

New Mob Type - Moonbourne: Creatures from beyond, the Moonbourne are ravenous devourers of flesh, far worse than even the demons that ended your life. You can make some yourself and play with them! Please don’t select this option yet, since no one knows what it does, but it could very easily be bad. Update: Moonbourne may be uncontrolled when summoned, and could be hostile to your dungeon and your mobs. Control of the moonbourne may be erratic. The Moornbourne want in. Update 2: Zaria, you’ve already been channeling moon power. Simulations have been run. Be careful with these things. Do not let them become free willed. If you use them outside your AOI, make sure you have a mimic with them to start eating at a moment’s notice. Update 3: You may pick this soon, given your current trajectory. You’ve been getting the message. It is true that the moon is watching. Under no circumstances should you create a Moonbourne servitor, else the Moon may never blink again. Hidden Prerequisite Met: Be Noticed. Cost: 2 Upgrade Points

“I like the last one,” Rav said after a silent moment. “It sounds fun.”

Zaria chuckled. “I’d say I was surprised, but I’m not. I’ve been considering it for a bit.”

Vysala sighed and rubbed her head. “As much fun as unleashing unknown and partially uncontrolled things into the world sounds to the two of you, I’m going to be the voice of reason and say maybe we shouldn’t until we at least talk to our Fae and see if we get any more information.”

“And wait for two more ranks before I can buy it?” Zaria said. “Because I really don’t like the idea of banking upgrade points when there’s so much going on.”

“If you want a new mob type, you can get the Nightchildren,” Vysala countered. “At least that sounds safe - and it plays with your lycanthropes. Although you haven’t even built your second floor yet, and Greater Mimics and Mimic Symbiosis would do well for that.”

“Can’t pick up Greater Mimics yet. It requires I have a second mob type - and the lycanthropes don’t count as a mob type, just individual mobs. I think the system actually counts them as Mimics right now.”

Vysala sighed. “Damn, that’s a shame. Would make things easier. There’s always the option of picking up Mimic Symbiosis and then circling back to another one of the spellcasting abilities, though. Could make sure you’re ready for Mistress of the Cauldron right when you hit Bronze.”

Rav raised a finger, but didn’t speak for a moment. Just stared at the list. “Mimic Symbiosis would make for stronger mimics,” he said, slowly, considering each word carefully. “And new mobs do not make stronger right away. Just more varied. But you have Command limits. And you can win with variety you have. Mimic Symbiosis, then new mobs… means new mobs stronger.”

“He’s not wrong,” Vysala said, and Zaria nodded to show her agreement.

“So total list will be Doors Don’t Work Like That, Mimic Symbiosis, Improved Cauldron Spellcasting, two new elements - and then Basic Dungeon Spellcasting. Need it eventually anyway, and Rav raised a good point on the new mob types. For the Dungeon, I probably wouldn’t even use them for this floor anyway - I have enough new things to show adventurers to space it out.”

“What are you going to do for that?” Vysala asked.

“I have some thoughts. But I do need to make a final decision on elemental types. Bird and either Frost or Death. Or Cloud - I just had a thought that an air-heavy element may work really well with the Bird Hearts. And that’s going to take some time to ponder. Which I’ll have to do alone.”

Vysala and Rav shared a look of equal confusion. “How do you mean?” Vysala asked.

“We need to get a message to the Coven. I can’t send long range messages. We could all head back - but doing so would leave this area undefended. If Lidivah gets here… someone needs to keep us from having to liberate it again. So you two head back. Rav can fly thank to the Bird heart, so it should be quick.”

“Why not send me alone?” Rav asked.

“Because you are a hungry suit of armor riding a werewolf. They don’t know you. That’s a good way to get you to fight the entire Coven, which is the opposite of what we need.”

Vysala shook her head. “Not riding a werewolf. Not for this. It’ll go wild, remember? Rav can’t control it, and I don’t know how Striga fight works yet. I’ll have to wear you.”

“I promise not to eat you,” Rav said firmly.

“Not a promise I’d ever expect to need, but I appreciate it,” Vysala said, a bemused smile tugging at her lips. “All right. I’m hoping we can make it in a day or two - before Lidivah has time even be aware we’re gone.”

“I’m hoping you can to. Also - do me a favor and keep your altitude low when you go? I don’t want the drone thinking you’re coming for it.” Zaria didn’t add the other thing she suspected.

That drone had been hovering and watching for days. Something was holding it back from making contact. And it was entirely possible the issue was it was waiting for Zaria to be alone. It didn’t want to attack - it would have done so during the Reclaimers fight if that was its goal.

Hopefully, soon, she’d meet the force behind that thing.