--- Azizos POV

{Quest Dungeon Azizos: Your purpose is to aspire beyond growing powerful, you must challenge those who enter to ensure they are strong enough, clever enough and skilled enough for their purpose beyond your Dungeon. Your defeat is not the Questor's purpose. The Questor's defeat is not your purpose. You must construct opportunities for the Questors where survival is earnt, otherwise, they are unworthy and should perish. The Questors must be prepared to defend their civilisation, their cultures, and their existence, you must prepare them by being a harsh teacher. You will be rewarded.}

You will be rewarded. The words tumble over in my head, do I need to be rewarded, is the task or deed against my nature or arduous perhaps? My plans don’t change, for now, the Front Cavern's purpose is to ambush and waylay the unprepared. Perusing my Menu, I add traps to assist Orc Captain Gorick and his minions who can utilise them to manoeuvre any Invaders into them while using the stalagmites as cover and blinds to spring from.

Maybe I need to scheme, plot and trick. Strong, clever, and skilled are my aims for the Invaders. I am also clever, I suggest first before I try to implement, less wasted time and less pain from the System.

To find me, a test of their cleverness and to ensure others could follow a test their co-operation. The System doesn’t punish consequently I implement. The outside face of the Cave Entrance is grown and blended, camouflaged, they must find it. Once found they would be well advised to mark it for others or continually repeat the effort. I hesitate, should I? My location easily identified if I did, although within the area my entrance remains concealed. I check the mana cost and like everything about her, the price is low. The entire mountainside, the portion I absorbed is transformed into polished black basalt.

I am not satisfied; this is the first impression of me to any who approach. A polished reflective surface is at best satisfactory. Firstly, I engrave multiple rectangles into the surface, one of which is the door, the others are decoys. Upon these rectangles I engrave riddles, the first correct answer will reveal the outline of my door. The second correct answer will grow basalt stairs to my door. The third correct answer will silently unlock my door. An incorrect answer will reset the sequence, I hope anyone on the stairs is secure if they answer incorrectly!

For my minions to enter or leave I construct several tunnels, which terminate along the length of the basalt face and when required I will “open” one of the doors. Once Questors, push open my door an identical set of stairs will rise from the floor to enable them to discover the Front Cavern. Perhaps the task is too easy, a test of strength is required to push open my door, after all the basalt is thick and heavy. Once pushed in the door will form the platform, which the stairs will rise to. I am enjoying myself, in eons, I am enjoying myself. Yes, brilliant thought, once the Questors are off the door made into a platform, I will shut my door, the exit disguised once again. Once the Questors are down the stairs, the stairs will retract into the floor since they lead nowhere. They must find an exit. I issue the thought quickly, a pulse of annoyance from the System echoes within my being, sliding away once I acknowledge, an exit is required.

My Orc Captain will possess a key. I will train the Invaders to search for keys, large and small, made from bronze, silver, and gold, also finger-sized basalt blocks with an engraved magic sigil upon them. I will construct others to suit my purpose. For now, my Orc Captain will carry a hand-sized bronze key and placing it on any door outline will reveal a keyhole and turning the key in it will unlock it. I will still insist on a feat of strength to push my door open. The Invaders could always wait for another group to enter and try to warn them to not leave the door made into a platform or perhaps join the group entering, cooperation, yes! A pulse of confirmation from the System invigorates my being and provides a modest mana donation!

“Master?” calls my Orc Captain.

“Yes, loyal minion, you are granted permission to speak.”

“The Orc wives and Ogre wives are due to arrive, and they won’t find the entrance to the Cavern. I humbly ask they are permitted an entrance.”

Respect, he knows his place, he acknowledges my Lordship. How is such recognition difficult!

“I will detect them and create an entrance. Will they fight if they share an entrance?”

“No Master they travel together for protection.”

“All will be well.”

I sense his relief and accept his utter belief. I also recognise self-interest as the Captain informs his Orcs who hoot and cheer, dropping out their oversized appendages charging around with them in a pretence or game. They live for base needs.

I change a door section to unlock and outline with a subtle glow when an orc or an ogre stands or passes by. Again, a test of strength to open the door. The door will open into a passageway, which will lead to the Ogre Cavern. Used once and then deactivated.

Now to examine and prepare the Front Cavern. Water seepage in the roof of the cavern grows the stalactites from the ceiling and the stalagmites from the floor the two opposites at times meeting. During my period of enlightenment, I received the imprints of many creatures. I summon and add an ideal creature to the roof of the cavern, several in fact as the smaller ones are affordable in terms of mana cost. Them above and traps below, with the Orcs herding the Invaders towards both, should yield a glorious amount of mana. Perhaps the stalagmites suitably augmented could assist with the traps?

I leave the battlefield; the open area is ideal for the Ogres to throw rocks and I subtly slope each of the sides towards the middle to encourage any thrown rock to eventually settle there. The Ogres will throw from a blind area, a stone outcrop. Any Invaders will need to cross the battlefield to reach them and during the approach up the gentle slope, the Ogres will pour barrels of oil. The slope gains a slipperiness and will also take to fire readily. When the Questors leave or are defeated, I will consume mana to recover the oil and rocks to reset for the next group. Perhaps they could launch large fiery round bales of entwined rope?

I leave the Rock Room, for now, I need to develop its zone, to a similar or greater challenge standard as I am with the Front Cavern. Instead, I follow the water seepage, multiple minute cracks and fissures, which for decades if not longer forced and squeezed water into the Front Cavern.

As my presence pushes through water-saturated mud and sand, I receive a notification.

{Frigid Lake Zone is available due to your intrusion and being unclaimed. To claim the Zone one of your denizens must defeat the strongest creature within the Zone.}

What is the strongest creature? Can I assume it dwells in the lake? I could construct stairs for an Orc, Ogre or Kobold minion to reach the Lake, would they freeze, would they possess the skills to defeat a water-dwelling creature? Isn’t the Frigid Lake Zone outside of my Dungeon? I conclude I must send her, and if I could spit the words out I would.

{Living Construct has generated Sequence Error, System generating anomaly report, correcting ...}

What has she done now!?

---Three Male Karpy POV

“We used, seed taken, and they gone.”

“We used well, enjoyable,” leered the second one.

“We used, now must claim our place, take winged ones when we want, use them!” decided the third one.

“Come we leave Cavern, follow the direction of winged ones out,” the first one, directed.

“Who say you in command …” says the second one, cut off when he massages his jaw recovering from a punch.

“I say. Any more want says?” glared the first one.

The other two avoid the first’s glare and remain silent.

The first pushes the other two to step down from the flat stone place climbing down rocks to the cavern floor. One of the two glances inside the square room and the first smacks him across the back of his stupid head.

“Leave Cavern stupid!” the first growls.

---Alpha Male Karpy POV

Before long we find an open area, light shines in from outside, helping us see. I push Stupid forward and when he tries to turn his head back to me, I slap it and he continues forward. When nothing happens, I send Second next and follow.

We follow the well-used stone path. One by one we hide behind spikes to pass another small cave. Neither investigates the cave, so no smacks in the head are needed. We continue to follow the stone path until outside the cavern. The sun is bright therefore we stay under the shadow of mountains and march onwards until the sun starts to fade.

Second stops, Stupid crashes into him and I shake my head and then slap them both.

Rubbing his head Second points using his spare hand.

Four ‘like we were’ are carrying a dead creature, legs tied, pointing skywards, a log through the creature’s legs.

Our mouths water, drool splashing on the ground at our feet, our stomachs growl their need. They look back at me. Good, or I would slap them.

“We three, kill nearest two quick, then next two. Run from fight, I slap! Make noise I slap!” I order.

They nod, and then we silently charge. We swarm the first one and smash his head in. The second one holds a stick, waving it at us to keep us back while another two holding their sticks, turn and run. As stupid as Stupid! I hoot and shout, while Second circles left and Stupid circles right. The head of the second one is smashed from behind, his stick dragging and limp now. The other two drop their sticks and flee. We give chase. They yelp and yip.

Our legs are strong, and I leap, one talon around his head, the other around his shoulder and I squeeze as he stumbles under my weight! I tear off his shoulder and burst his head. Second and Stupid catch up to the other one and drag him down. Second grab him around his throat, squeezing and shaking him. Stupid uses his fist to smash his head. The last killed twice over.

More yelping and yipping, louder and louder. I point to Second and then a nearby bush, he nods. I do the same for Stupid, he raises his arms, so I grab and throw him into the bush near me. We wait and four more show on the path, they stop, yip and crouch with heads turning about, but we can still see them. I throw Stupid at them and then leap upon another. Second does the same. Second and I kill our targets, we watch as Stupid is being beaten upon then we grab one each from behind and throttle them. Stupid is beaten and bleeding, tired, he crawls into the bush to hide and therefore doesn’t run.

No yipping or yelping, instead, a strange tinkling noise. Second and I hide opposite Stupid.

Two more not us stalk the path, shiny coverings and holding long sticks with shiny points. They aren’t distracted by the dead bodies; they seek us and prove they aren’t stupid. Second and I charge one each. We are too far away to leap, and we can’t throttle them as their sticks stab at us. One stick manages to stab Second and him yelps. I am tired of not getting hit and reach for the stick as it passes. Using my strength, I jerk on the stick and draw the shiny one to me, grabbing him by the throat and throttle! Second does the same and we yip.

Stupid joins us, walking freely. I slap him.

“Eat fixed.” He points at the two he takes bites from.

“Grab them and drag, follow.”

We return to the animal on a stick, and we take the clothes from the dead with no bloodstains, Second and I take the shiny clothes. We also take a sharp pointy stick each and small metal sticks and their holders, which we put around us to copy them. We can’t wear their bottom clothes, our talons are too big, never mind.

Then we feast, although saving portions for the next day. We sleep and when the sun rises, we feast again.

We carry the animal on a stick, as they did and march along the trail, trying to look ‘like we once were’, although our talons on different legs are an obvious difference. Second and me at the front and Stupid at the back. We march past where we slew the shiny dressed ones and then drop the creature when Stupid drops his end of stick. I try to slap him, I can’t as I also roll around on the ground like him, Second joins us. Something tries to burst out of our bodies.

On my side I push to expel the pain and then it bursts free. Black stink, ooze, some lumps escape between my bottom cheeks. Stupid does the same, being second for a change! Then Second bursts, he is in a great deal of pain, he doesn’t care as he sprays over Stupid. Stupid is covered in Second’s poo and will need more clothes.

We pick the animal up by its stick and march on. The trees, bushes and leaves thin, allow us to see further. Eventually, we march into an open area, around the edges are small places with sticks and leaves above them, shelter? Several are empty, others contain ‘what we were’ underneath them. As they realise ‘we not one of them’ they grab their sticks and leave.

Only stupid ones wait. As soon as we enter the area and the first ones realise, ‘we not them’, we need to drop the creature on its stick. Second who is nearest stabs the pointy stick at him. I see one getting up and my pointy stick bursts clear through its middle before he can stand. I must stand on his body to pull my pointy stick out. I kill three more and I am sure Second and Stupid kill as many. Those trying to kill Stupid are easy for him as they bend over and vomit when near him. Lucky!

We position them back into their stick and leaf homes and hide behind them, gorging on them while waiting to satisfy our hunger. Four ‘once was us’ stagger in with a huge creature on a stick, around them four others dance and yip. Then one of those holding onto the stick growls and they swap who carry.

I consider throwing a spear, yes, the throwing stick is named a spear, its name comes to mind. Throwing seems possible as I test my grip and its balance.

The spear pushes through one and almost another as they stand in line, swapping over the stick carrying duty. They fall anyway, and I throw a spear at the next two and I throw stronger, I want the spear to go through both and the animal carried on their stick! The stick the creature is on rests on the shoulders of the two with my spear in them. The four at the back start yipping as they struggle to hold the creature up. They push forward and then the dead ‘once were us’ fall and the stick of the carried creature jabs into the ground. Second and Stupid now attack with their spears. Two at the rear try to surround Second. I throw another spear. One looks for me and I throw a spear at him also.

We do the same as before, place the dead bodies within the stick and leaf homes, move the creature to the side and hide it under leaves and sticks. I make sure I eat the one who growled, as leader I should always eat important enemies. Some leaf and stick homes remain empty, we wait.

The wait means we eat at least four ‘once was us’ each, they take a long time to return. They tromp in sad, barely noticing the condition of the camp, each looking for their stick and leaf home. Three spears are thrown at them, slow-moving, they are easy targets before others check what is wrong. Then three more slain spears through them. The last two flee. I wave to Second and Stupid to let them go as they might fetch more to us, much better than trying to find them!

We don’t let ourselves build up to bursting and sniff out their poo place and add ours. We then drag and cart all we can to the thicker trees, bushes, and leaves, to conceal ourselves while we feast.

During the night I wanted to wake. I couldn’t. Pain visits every part of my body from the top of my head to my longest talon. I am also thinking differently … a message appears.

{Level criteria met, Gluttony criteria met, evolution complete: Least Karpy Male to Lessor Karpy Male. Due to devouring sentient creatures more intelligent than yourself you evolved to be their equal. Due to being Living Construct spawn your healing from devouring defeated foes is improved.}

“I want a proper name!” yapped Stupid.

“That would be good for me also boss,” added Second.

It seems we evolved.

---First POV

The two Lion Beast kin dance their challenge while Mother leaves under the cloak of the night. I am concerned as Mother returns changed. Her name, I prefer Great One, although her sacred shell evolved me, therefore I accept she is also my Mother. Bucket One and Bucket Two are also worried although accept the change more readily than I, they are thankful to exist beyond lowly Kobolds.

My focus returns to the Beast kin, they are yet to draw blood, I know this as I am yet to taste the delicious scent on the breeze. Secretly I admired the female, taller by a head and as muscular if not more than Mother’s adopted son. Neither tries to rip each other with their claws, they are trying to place a hold on each other. No sooner do they make a hold, than the other strives frantically to break free from it and they resume their dance.

“You’ve managed well for now and I acknowledge you are a surprise. If you agree to withdraw your challenge no more will be spoken of it, on my honour,” the female gasps.

I don’t sniff out blood, I smell body stink. Her body fluids are low and perhaps her muscles ache. Speaking a mistake, revealing her laboured breathing.

He doesn’t reply, although he bares his fanged teeth. I am sure he notes the facial tell as I, her eyelids shutter and open slowly, with resignation, tiredness and possibly both. He strikes as her eyelids open; he is too late. He grasps her arm trying to swing her around and down, while with her free arm she smashes his head. Determined he accepts the punishment. Her eyes wide, she smashes into one of his hands gripping her arm and leaps with her legs, both of her feet striking his knee. The ropes of corded muscle around her waist support her position, his grip on her arm providing a pivot and then she attempts to land back on her feet.

He leans back after she smashes his knee and her kickback to land finds air. Her legs stretched out she gathers them instinctively, a useless action as her body swings around assisted by him yanking her held arm to him and no landed feet to resist.

They both fall to the ground heavily a crunching emanates. His attempt to fall on his side is successful, digging in with his one fit leg as her body weight drags him around. Her body is flung and as she falls, the single-arm capable of softening her landing is still held by him although slipping out of his grasp. His grip on her arm releases, her flying weight too excessive to restrain. She lands heavily on her back and a whoosh of breath escapes her lungs.

He falls back, rolling away from her trying to stand, his knee infirm. She is still catching her breath, her arm limp. As he approaches, she sits up her healthy arm nursing her limp arm, springing to her feet before he arrives easily outdistancing him as he limps after her. She eyes him to ensure she keeps her distance. I am not sure why she doesn’t escape; with his wound, he is incapable of catching her.

Forcing his injured leg down he dives at her. She dodges out of his way or what she thought, as he guesses she will favour the side of her healthy arm. His arms wrapped around both of her legs, and she lands unable to cushion her fall with either arm. He rapidly clambers and slides over her body, his one sound leg pushing with his arms grabbing, while she recovers her breath yet again. Is this the moment I ask myself, intently observing?

He reaches for her arms and rips them behind her head. Pain lances across her face as she has no breath to scream. He slides off her body, rolls her body onto her injured arm side and with her neck raised wraps his arm around it and locks it.

“Do you submit to be my betrothed Pleasant Voice, Matriarch of the Long Grass Tribe?”

Her one functioning arm struggles to grasp him and as she scuffles, he threatens with his arm-lock. It is a magnificent hold.

“I, Pleasant Voice, Matriarch of the Long Grass Tribe submit to be the betrothed of Trusting Cloud, Hunter of the Long Grass Tribe.” Her chest heaves as she gulps for air as his arm lock releases. He lay still, showing fangs, satisfied.

Silence returns as they contemplate the consequences, starkly different for each of them.

“I underestimated you.”

I savour the bitterness in her voice, an unexpected loss. Mother’s son and Mother’s milk.

“If you are not satisfied with our betrothal this time next year you can challenge me to revoke it.”

Her eyes find him, her face full of doubt.

“We are surely married and I possibly with a cub this time next year,” she scoffed.

“I will not bed you until we are married, and I will not marry you until you agree to as your heart’s desire.” The words are a statement of fact.

“You are a fool then. I will prepare for the challenge, and I won’t underestimate you a second time!”

“Before the challenge, my Mother returned to me in a vision and I asked her to grant my wish, to challenge you for betrothal and she agreed and strengthened me. It is she who demands we marry willingly. Call me a fool if you wish as I have no choice.”

He rises to his feet, his knee recovered enough it seems and draws his betrothed to her feet by grasping her good arm. He then braces her injured arm and with a snap and a rub from her, it seems to function.

“How can you walk on that leg?” She points and stares at his slightly swollen knee.

“I told you my Mother strengthened me and now I am aware of your dubious attack you won’t surprise me with it again.”

“I am grateful you don’t punish me. I was weak to resort to it and did so due to lack of witnesses to my shame.”

“You are my betrothed, I will not punish you, strike you or mistreat you and since I will always tell you the truth, I didn’t know for sure if such an attack could be used so I thank you for your honesty.”

“You are … are … not what I expected,” she says as she picks up and equips her gear stacked carefully before the challenge.

He places his hand paw on her shoulder, she flinches slightly, otherwise doesn’t resist and turns to face him.

“We will suffer ridicule for different reasons and others will underestimate us because of it. In a year I will prove them wrong and prove to you our betrothal is fated and unshakable.”

“You recently grew your mane, you are a whole head shorter than me, others will not believe, I am finding it difficult …”

“I will vanquish your doubts. I am confident my efforts will be recognised before this time next year. Now walk beside me, we return to our camp and continue our journey, alive from a successful hunt.”