Roiling darkness frothed around the center of the deväk's soul. It tried to hold the darkness at bay, but it became increasingly difficult. Most would find it incredibly difficult to keep all sides of the circle even, and it was even harder for our not so bright deväk. As soon as one side would start to cave the deväk would focus there to stop it, which would unfortunately cause a collapse elsewhere. Every little bit that the deväk lost gave the darkness renewed strength, and diminished the deväk's own. While quite impressive that a several week old creature could fight against the corruption of its soul for so long, it was nevertheless a losing battle. That is until Vae started to work her magic.

Pixie magic, in contrast to the corrupting nature of demon magic, was the magic of the natural world. There are negative and positive aspects to all threads. For the pixies their inborn threads were meant as a curse rather than a boon. The magic was dense and unwieldy, and not only did it act as a lure for monsters, but it also took up far too much space. If you imagine a soul as a sphere, then a thread is like a rope attaching itself to your soul connecting you to the concept of your magic. The strength of the rope determined the strength of your bond. Now pixies have what is known as a perfect bond or a perfect thread, this is the least desirable condition for a thread. An amusing parallel for those in pursuit of perfection, in most cases it is either undesirable or unattainable.

Regardless, this type of bond is all consuming, it's almost corrosive to your body, mind, magic, and soul. Aging you years for every day, destroying your connection to other threads, and eroding your soul. Those are just the effects of holding such a thread, using such a thread is beyond detrimental, and the more you use it the more it deteriorates your body. Most pixies couldn’t even use their threads in an active manner, just by existing their magic would affect their surroundings in minute ways. Few are lucky enough to be able to shape nature, few still can use it to attack. Vae had excellent control over her magic, but just because she had control did mean that she could bend her nature thread to the task. However, Vae was special amongst pixies; she possessed a second thread. This was far less powerful, but it could be used freely and for whatever she desired. Her second thread centered around malleability, versatility, and adaptability granting its wielder true creative freedom. It was commonly referred to as the “Basic Thread” or “General Magic”, but it was a stepping stone to endless possibility.

Something she took full advantage of when helping our deväk. First and foremost she had to put a temporary fix in place. Erecting a barrier to keep most of the corruption out, VAelin worked blindly. She couldn’t see the corruption, nor could she see our mutual friend's soul, but as corruption was such an anathema to nature that she didn’t need sight. The barrier fed the meger output of our deväk’s soul. Meger, but it would hold for a time. Next she cast two spells from her arsonal, Fortify, and Enhance as she cast them she used her considerable mentality to bend these spells to her desired purpose. To shift the spells to target the soul instead of the body. It was a skill few mages could accomplish but one Vaelin made look easy.

It was fortunate that even the bug's soul was twisted and small, otherwise she probably wouldn't have succeeded. Many things aligned in just the right way that made this second chance possible a chance our deväk would not squander.

Warning! Your soul has been corrupted, and much has been lost. Luckily the core of who you are remains intact, if you wish to grow as a sentient being, you must reclaim what was lost. The corruption you have suffered has unknown side effects, be wary for only time will tell what has been lost to you.

Congratulations, combat level increased to 7. Attributes increased by; Dex +6, Per +5, End +4, Con +2, and Mnt +2. Physical modifiers increased; Mnt +3.2%, Str + 3.0%, Per +1.2%.

Gluttony

You have pushed past the chains of those you have consumed and kept moving. You feel… Slow 100%

You no longer feel slow. Your body has adapted to the resistance it has been under and then some. Your dexterity and agility will grow faster than your peers. Your agility and dexterity have increased by +5% respectively.

Density increased to level 2

You have shaken off the lingering remains of those you’ve consumed. You’ve recognized a truth few place any importance on. Food is inefficient. This small realization may have far reaching effects, as it has shifted the path of your sin. Food helps refill you with energy, but only so fast until and for only so long, You feel… Unenergized 0%

Warning: due to soul contact with Vae you have contracted the sin, Lust. Charisma stat unlocked, set to 1. Once again you are at the crossroads: indulge or deny? Though it is not of your own failings, lust is intoxicating. You feel… Talkative 0%

The onslaught of prompts was a bit of a roller coaster for our newly limited bug. Going from pleased, to confused, to upset was taxing, yet our deväk was always one to push its own limits. So it only saw opportunities to grow stronger. Opening its eyes, the deväk was greeted with an image of a battered and bruised Vae, with a hand on its chest. Her limbs were twisted and she looked pale, far too pale. Whatever the pixie had done to stop the mudling had cost her severely.

Before the deväk could voice its concern, it heard something it had subconsciously never hoped to hear again. The screeching of a mudling, and then the screech of another. Our bug turned it's head to look at the noise, the deväk saw at least seven mudling's swimming to shore and it looked like even more were coming from the depths.

With the now broken spear still in its grasp, the deväk prepared for one final stand to protect Lady Vae. Since the mudling's were so slow a snack couldn't hurt, right? There was a fresh mudling right there it was probably fine. Besides the deväk doubted that Vae would want any, so it took a bite. Then a few more, before it was greeted with yet another prompt.

Due to the stronger genes of the Mudling the Mammalian gene pool has been modified from Forest Vole to Mudling. Warning the Mudling genetic code, though powerful, is unstable, and may result in undesirable variations. Progress is carried over since the Forest Vole is 98% similar , but more samples are required. 21/60

At least fifteen vole samples were nearby from the earlier slaughter, and it consumed a piece of each before the first mudling had even touched the shore. Raising the progress, but interestingly enough only to thirty. Guessing it was because it needed the other half of the hybrid gene's, the deväk began to approach the shore. It didn't want the mudling's anywhere near Lady Vae. The new found desire to protect something other than itself was strange for the deväk, yet the compulsion felt almost natural.

However the introspection was cut short by the screeching of mudlings which made it hard to concentrate on anything for long. As the mudling closest to it set foot on the shore, our deväk sprinted towards it. The lifting of its burden was amazing; our deväk hadn't realized it, but towards the end the burden had slowed it so much that moving in any direction was laborious. Sins do far more than lower physical modifiers to negative numbers. As percentages grow higher and levels increase the tasks become harder and harder. Moving in its slow condition was nearly four or five times more difficult than walking should be. Meaning our deväk could dodge once more and our bug was more than a little delighted when it dodged the mudling's first strike with ease.

The haft of the bone spear had broken in half, but there was plenty of room left for the deväk to grasp it. Our bug plunged the spear into the mudling's eye socket, the wide blade broke through the surrounding bone as the deväk made sure it destroyed the brain. More screeching came from the water as this mudling died. Apparently they didn't take kindly to one of their own dying. The deväk welcomed the challenge though. It felt like it could take an army of the slimy rats. Which appeared to be exactly what was going to happen, though it was admittedly a small army.

Despite the ease of this first encounter, it should be noted that the mudlings were not just simple opponents. Many were stronger than the ones already slayed. Yet they still fell before the storm that was this deväk. Hacking and slashing through foes, the deväk finally began to accept and understand pain. Even with the relief of its burdens it is not as though our deväk was an expert in combat. So it couldn’t dodge everything, and with the damage to its spear it couldn’t block anything. So the bug was sometimes just forced to take a blow. The chitin would blunt the heavy strikes, but the blows felt like they left the deväk’s bones vibrating. Thus began the bug’s acquaintance with pain; pain wasn’t something to rage at, but to endure and overcome.

The claws of the mudlings would occasionally glance and slip into cracks in the bug’s chitin. Which gave the flower ample opportunity to absorb blood and stitch the deväk back together. The fight was sloppy but the rejuvenated deväk held the advantage the whole time. It may not have been anything special, but it was the hardest fight our bug had yet been in. In short order the mudlings of the forest pond were slain. At least those that showed themselves. Dropping the broken spear, our deväk made its way back to Vaelin. The bug had steered the fight away from the pixie, but stayed close enough to keep an eye on her. Plopping down next to the injured Lady a few prompts filled the bug's vision.

Congratulations, combat level increased to 8. Attributes increased by; Agi +2, and Dex + 2. No physical modifiers increased.

New skill acquired; Dodge: level 1

After continuously dodging and avoiding blows, you have unlocked the skill dodge. This skill will guide you in the art of remaining untouched. Dodging isn’t just about stepping out of the way, it's about seeing where a blow will land before it does and avoiding it. You find it easier to read and react to opponents. This is a passive skill.

Vae was just returning to the brink of consciousness, her breathing was shallow, and she was incredibly pale. It was quite surprising that she was still hanging, pixie constitution being what it is. Her magic had taken a toll, and unfortunately the deväk could not do much of anything for Vaelin, except sit beside her. Vae smiled weakly up at her monsterous protector, as she came to full consciousness, and despite everything she was actually very happy to see our deväk alive and well.

“I knew you could do it. All you needed was a little support. You were outstanding, never seen anyone fight like that.” Vae spoke weakly, but with sincerity. She had been tiring to convince Gwyn to send the deväk help, but had been refused. Gwyn had said that the black shelled monstrosity could take care of itself, and even if it couldn't, why should they save it? It could very well have turned around and eaten all of the pixies.

That was all well and good before the magical insulation was created, but the bug had fought tooth and nail for the pixies, yet Gwyn still hadn't budged on the subject. Instead stating that the deväk was already a lost cause, and they couldn’t risk anyone. Besides who knew what lay outside of the enchanted walls. However there was a chance, with the settlement erected all Vaelin had to do was wait. After a formal council session Gwyn had been stripped of his emergency leadership and they were at long last equals again. So with her autonomy restored Vae cast several augmentation spells upon herself to make her faster and stronger. When she saw the mudling about to kill their protector she removed the safety restrictions in her spells. Giving her unrivaled strength and speed at the cost of her physical wellbeing.

Our deväk knew none of this, it only saw the battered pixie and remained silent, revealing in the calm after the storm. Our bug had been sure that the pixie had abandoned it, yet Vaelin had come to the rescue. Which had only served to confuse it more. The only thing it could think to say was, “whhhHHYyy Ssavve mmeeE. wwhhHHYyy nNNoow?”

Which, thanks to the deväk's grating tone, came out accusatory. Vaelin looked away ashamed, before speaking in a quiet voice, “I was bound to obey Gwyn while he was leader. I know that doesn’t excuse my inaction, but it's the truth. When his authority faded I swear that I did all I could to try and save you sooner.”

Our deväk felt the oath tighten around the pixie, she had infused her own magic into her word and our bug knew she was telling the truth. Unfortunately that only made our bug more confused. The genuine regret and guilt seemed a bit over the top for a stranger. Why would she have tried so hard for the deväk? As if she could hear the bug’s thought, she spoke again, “I know that we just met and so I’m not sure why I’d try so hard… The easy answer would be something like I see great potential in you, or that you seem wholly unique, but I don’t think that’s the case. I think that we could get along. For whatever reason, and despite your deformities, you seemed like a friend. With that said, do you think I could give you a name?”

She paused her shaky speech to cough before continuing, “I know you said you'd think about it, but can I give you a name? It feels... strange to address you without one.”

Originally the deväk hadn't given a flying fire slime, let alone a fuck about having a name, but it seemed important to Vae. Plus she did save its life, so it kinda owed her. Nodding its head and tendrils in ascent, our deväk smiled a deformed smile of assurance.

Without a trace of hesitation Vae smiled right back, and stated weakly yet with full confidence, “I dub thee Stygian Half-light.”

A sense of dignity washed over Stygian, as it realized the rightness of its own name. Many scholars have debated whether the soul is molded by the name or if the name is molded by the soul. None can say for sure which is true. Well I can, but that is not the point. For you see my dear friends, a name defines you, cements you gives one a place in this world. It may only define the smallest pieces of you, yet those pieces can cause a cascade and affect your entire being.

Just as our deväk began to truly understand the rightness of having a name, Vae continued talking, “And if you agree to it I also have an idea, it’s a small thing, but it could keep Gwyn from trying anything too overt. I’d like to make you my personal knight.”

“OOKAy.”

Vae was a bit taken aback by the devä- no, by Stygian’s ready ascent, but it really shouldn't have been that surprising. Our bug had more than a bit of hatred towards Gwyn and his defective spear. So it didn’t need any more of a reason to agree.

The ceremony was a bit unofficial, involving Vae placing a hand over Stygians heart and she poured her magic into the bug.

“As we stand together I ask that you should be my sword and shield. To protect me from harm and to serve me not as a slave, but as a friend would. I swear to share my boon of growth with you, as long as you keep your oath.”

No prompts greeted the deväk at the end, but it felt the power from the spell spread throughout its body. It was a bit of a disappointment to not know exactly what was happening, but it was short lived. Vae told Stygian it was free to feast to its heart's content, and well our bug was more than pleased with the arrangement.

60/60 Mudling's consumed. New abilities, physical attributes, and skills gained upon next metamorphosis. Mammalian gene pool stabilized, 14 months until destabilization and death will occur. Continue to consume in this gene pool for added benefits upon metamorphosis. Be warned, keep your gene pools balanced, to keep all gene pools active.

And the good news kept coming, it was a shame that it wasn't completely stable, but more food would probably help.

Temporary ability unlocked; Metamorphosis

Take a step towards the future and become something new. Changes, skills, abilities, and even attributes can be modified during a metamorphosis. Use caution for something's can never be undone.

It seems that this ability was time sensitive, which the deväk thought was pretty neat, and had intended to activate it right away. The thought of its empty pools made it hesitate though. Then Gwyn and a squad of soldiers left the magically insulated metallic dome, making a beeline straight for Vae and thoughts of metamorphosis fled. Stygian, who was still riding a battle high, noticed that they seemed awfully aggressive towards its Lady. These pixies seemed to be wearing unnatural mottled gray and brown hide armor, as though whatever creature that had produced these pelts had its fur stained before death.

Perhaps not stained, but corrupted like the mudling. Like Stygian. Then more of the picture clicked into place. Stygian had been a distraction, these troops were clearly more combat capable than your average pixie. They weren’t aggressive toward Vaelin or not just towards Vaelin. Stygian was ready to jump back into action, but saner heads prevailed. Lady Vae commanded it to stand down, and take up a position behind her.

Even from this distance, Vae could tell that Gwyn was angry. After all, she had stolen his prize right out from under him. He had even gone so far as to bring his whole squad of Chain Keepers just in case Stygian hadn't been saved by Vaelin. Seeing the deväk standing in a guarding posture in front of Vaelin, he felt the bond between the two. A piece he had been missing fit into place. Very few pixies that could accept a vassal, it was a move Gwyn hadn’t expected. A move that was the final stroke in dividing them. He’d love nothing more than to remove these two as obstacles here and now, but he wasn’t in charge anymore. It was a move that was too risky to take, for now he could only wait. So Gwyn grit his teeth and made a hand gesture that caused his troops to relax.

“Stabilize her, and get her inside.” Gwyn commanded in a clipped tone.

Relief spread throughout Vae, counting on Gwyn’s restraint was always a gamble, but it had worked and she had won the pot. Several Chain Keppers used their powers to lock her limbs to her body so there would be no further damage before a stretcher gently lifted her from the ground. She plastered the most shiteating grin that she could muster, as she passed Gwyn. Though she was bound by the Chain keeper and therefore couldn’t speak, the smile said enough.

“We are here to escort you to safety.” Gwyn said in the same tone as before, while he ignored the clear goading in front of him. In truth Gwyn wasn't a very bad guy, he could at least admit when he was wrong. Sure he would spill the blood of newborns if it meant furthering his magical research, but he wasn't a sore loser and that is what really matters, right?

Name

Physical Modifier

Attributes

Unique Statuses

Stygian Half-light

Str: +3.0%

Str: 9

Oath Bound

Age

Agi: 0.0%

Agi: 8

Soul Corruption

2 weeks

Dex: 0.0%

Dex: 17

Species

Mnt: +8.2%

Mnt: 13

Deväk (Hatchling)

Per: +0.7%

Per: 8

End: +8.6%

End: 14

Con: +7.0%

Con: 11

Cha: -10.0%

Cha: 1

Combat level 8

Abilities

Skills

Sins

Malleable Tendrils

Minor Shapeshift

Gluttony

Parasitical Growth

Unrelenting

Lust

Metamorphosis

Density: Level 2

Dodge: Level 1

Gene pools

Parasitical Growth Progress

Arthropod (Aväk, Desecrator Ant)

Aväk 0/1, Des. Ant 1236/1000

Mammalian (Human)

Human 0/50, Mudling 63/60

Morphis/Annelid (Marg)

Marg 0/100, Host-worm 105/100