Dust to Dust: Monster 10

Descent

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Deeper into the woods the golem traveled. Farther into the grasp of the wicked trees, no longer warm as the previous forest had been. The bark radiated miasma, the branches resembled claws, knots seemed to suck in all light. No guardian was needed here, no sane creature would willingly live here, much less protect the cursed area.

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The armored wolf marched on, unfettered by the petty resistance. The quaint forest was too small for him now, and it was time to move on. He marked each tree with a gouge from his copper claws to make a path in case he lost his way. Staples must be found, food at the top of the list.

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The dark woods were devoid of all life. No plant could withstand the pressure of the botanical monstrosities that blocked out the sun, no animal could escape their gnarled roots. Every damned soul that wandered in from the bright forest was dealt with swiftly, allowing the mutated area to corrupt itself that much farther.

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The golem picked up its pace. He had plenty of green paste stored, however it would run out within a day, and there was no strengthening pink paste in case of combat. An energy-efficient trot was adopted, and the wolf soon fell into the pattern of scanning his surroundings for supplies. A strangled vine here, a hidden root there, barely enough to cover for the energy wasted to search for them. But if there was one thing the golem had in spades, it was patience.

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Weeks passed.

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The armored wolf's body had now been worn in, the first body the golem had used for this long. The stone plating weathered on its edges, and now the pieces fit together perfectly. The copper spikes and blades had to be periodically sharpened by drawing them over hard stones, but that was easy upkeep. Sticks inside the golem had to be replaced from time to time, and some would grow too soggy or rotten to be used as conduit supports. Luckily the dropped branches of the cursed trees was startlingly rigid, and would last a long time due to its natural resistance to decay. A light layer of moss grew on the stones, shading the wolf's armor in green. However the most important addition the wolf was experience. A few weeks of maneuvers and practicing its combat skills on the bark of hostile trees and the golem was now confident in his new body. Trees no longer barred the wolf's way, so as he searched deeper into the woods for sustenance his energy expenditure was much lower.

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Just as the Alpha patrolled the forest, the armored wolf patrolled the dark woods. Walking only to walk, to live a bit longer, to sustain itself and its skills until the next challenge. It was in this holding pattern state of mind that the wolf came upon a clearing, the first different area he had come across in the woods so far. After three weeks of hiking haphazardly through monotony, the surprise was too much to process, and the golem shuddered to a halt.

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No movement or sound. The only object was a spire reaching from the ground and a hole in its side. Slinking towards the landmark, the wolf sensed no changes in the situation and decided it was time to check the opening.

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Inside the hole was a dark chasm leading down, stone steps too worn to consider safe leading down into the abyss.

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The golem considered his options, and retreated back into the woods. After taking a day to survey the area for any additional supplies, he returned to the spire and once again gazed down into the darkness.

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Creaks and groans could now be heard from the depths.

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The abyss was waking, and the armored wolf descended the steps to meet it.

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Short chapter!

Welcome to Section 2 of the Monster arc, The Cave!

I'll keep updating 1k words a day, see ya tomorrow!