The beast within lays dormant, as I spy a huge bulky humanoid marching with purpose along the shoreline of the lake. A large Axe, double-sided rests upon his chainmail covered right-hand shoulder. Coils of fine rope wrap around his left-hand shoulder. Blue-white bushy head hair, moustache and beard cover the snow-white skin of his face. A gleaming steel skullcap helmet, sporting large, curved horns from an unknown, unfortunate beast somewhat controls the unruliness of his wild cold-white hair. A chainmail hauberk protects from chest to thighs with short sleeves, leather leggings and leather fur-lined boots. Hardened leather vambraces protect his forearms. The remainder of his bare arms and hands reflect sunlight like the sun on snow.

Inspecting the oval shoreline another three of the humanoids position themselves opposite each other, waving at each other to stop. I glide and circle above the lake, my interest in their endeavour piqued.

Swinging their axes, they chop down several slim fir trees at their base and stack them close to the shore. Taking one trunk at a time they cut away the branches leaving a stubby protrusion. Finally, they sharpen the tip of the already thinning upper trunk. The selection of each tree takes longer than the lumbering, requiring a certain height, a certain girth and drooping branches from being snow-laden all their growing life.

Each giant humanoid then kneels on the stony shoreline, knees in the lapping water and their bare white hands stretching out before them. Slowly the water adjacent to their hands, ices over, the loose ice then firms and finally the firm ice transforms into a solid ice sheet reaching out from their position. The four giants then stroll towards the centre of the lake on their solid icy platform a buddle of logs under one arm, their axe on their other shoulder. The body of free water in the centre of the lake is still greater than the frozen outskirts, perhaps a twenty percent reduction overall, my creator’s education is finally of use as I judge distance and apply calculations and formulas. Perhaps I could have just as easily guessed given my bird’s eye view!

Now set they wave to each other and on queue throw their fir tree improvised barbed spears into the lake’s centre trailing the rope. Their throws are not aimless, centring on a tumultuous beating circle of water.

Shortly after, the fir tree spears rise to the surface, and three successfully skewer a giant fish each, one of those three a specimen still wiggling with life. As they pull the rope back to them, they land their respective catches. Tearing them free of the log spear and grabbing their tails they swing the fish in a wide arc over their heads, smashing their heads against the solid ice of their platform. The fish are long and narrow, a third of their length consisting of upper and lower jaws lined with razor-sharp teeth. Their overall length varies, on average reaching the shoulder height of the giant humanoids. Giant fish?

After accumulating several catches, each giant fisherman swings their axe to chop off the full of teeth heads of each one. They then kick the heads into the nearby water attracting a school of similar, although smaller fish cousins. The lake boiling and bubbling as they fight over the scraps, while their benefactors below, enjoy the cannibalism.

Fortunately, he laughs forward when my talons strike the top of his shoulders, latching on with fierce strength and my claws raked his back down to his buttocks. My weight and momentum carry him over the frozen edge, and he stumbles into the frigid water face first. Unpleasantly for me, the water depth lacked … depth. Recovering from his initial shock and confusion too quickly, as far as I am concerned the giant shakes his head and demonstrating an amazing feat of strength struggles successfully to stand despite my weight upon him!

Analysing the four giants beforehand I reasoned I would easily kill the first by drowning before the other three could scramble to assist. Then I would fly across the lake and attack the opposite giant by diving out of the sunlight from on high. For the final two I would need to improvise, still, according to my Creator, two out of four is a pass mark.

Instead of my weight restraining the giant under the water, his arms gain purchase on the easily, within his reach bottom of the lake and begin pushing his body up and I seem at a loss to prevent him. In desperation, I strike at his shiny helm with my beak, and I am unable to penetrate its thickness and expert craftsmanship, instead, the metal and pectin clash ring out with a bell-like sound. Before panicking I try to flip his helm off with my beak as no strap or cord secures it.

His struggle intensifies, his head clear of the water now, screaming and shrieking. We are in a race as I attempt once again to dislodge his helm. I pause as bloody water bubbles and foams up on either side of his head. Moments pass and he eerily stills. Plentiful and thick blood pools and gathers around his partially submerged body. I take the hint and launch myself into the air above him, the downdraft of my wings rippling the water, the solid red of the blood reflecting in the sunlight. A huge set of fish jaws erupt from amongst the bloody icy water, razor-sharp pointed teeth top and bottom snap down upon his head, neck and a lengthy portion of his chest, slicing swiftly through steel chainmail, bone, muscle and flesh. The behemoth is partially out of the too shallow freezing water, to claim the prize and needs to wiggle its length to retreat and return to the lake’s depths.

I quickly dive upon the struggling giant fish, clamping my talons around the body portion behind the head warily avoiding the creature’s chomping jaws. Straining my muscles, I force my wings beyond pain, to lift me and my prize. The head of the giant fish rises out of the water, snapping and wiggling. As more length surfaces the weight of the lift increases until beyond my strength and my ascent ceases. Tiring from the exertion, the surface of the water now approaches, no longer receding from my view and I must decide whether to release my prize or not. Breaking the water surface snapping jaws of adolescent giant fish reach for me. Oddly some miss badly, carelessly chomping sections of fish flesh from the giant fish I with determination hold aloft.

Instead of lifting and carrying, I drag the head portion sideways through the air lowering some of its lengthy bulk into the water for support and thereby reducing my burden. The snapping of its jaws seems to be a gasp for breath as the creature's gills are exposed to air instead of water. I lower my catch to the frozen platform to rest beside the giant fisherman’s headless fish remains and using my weight and talon strength hold slightly less than half of its length out of the lake. Its entire body now thrashes trying to return to its watery haven, my talons cutting into the ice to resist.

Scanning the shoreline, two of the giant humanoids close in, their steady loping strides eating up the distance separating us. A race then, between their arrival and the giant fish expiring.

A remarkable occurrence decides the outcome, the school of giant fish escorting the exceptionally huge fish turn upon the portion of its body still in the water, feasting on chunks in a frenzied feeding. Their nibbling and tearing drag the huge fish towards their watery domain in jerks and starts; my talons dig in scoring the ice sheet to resist.

The life and death struggle ends, as the desperate breathing attempts cease beneath me.

[Zone cannot be claimed until Invaders are driven off or destroyed.]

Well, the good news is I have won the Zone; the bad news is the job still requires more to be done.

I rest, placing my head beneath my left wing, hopefully feigning exhaustion, although in truth my weariness is not far from fact. The two giants, copies of their dead companion meet and march side by side toward me hefting and practise swinging their two-handed axes, occasionally chipping the ice at their booted feet. I straightened my head as the whooshing from their axe swings alert me to their approach. Their grinning bearded faces display welcome while their bright eager eyes reveal intent.

Bursting into the air, rear haunches providing the initial liftoff, my wings beat furiously to propel my body into the clear blue sky. I deliberately lose myself in the sun, circling to spy upon the stray giant. He continues his lumbering dash oblivious to the events around him. His companions scan the sky fruitlessly, swearing and muttering, occasionally swinging their axes, probably practising how they would slay me.

The drowning plan proved impossible I decide upon another. I plummet down upon my prey’s back, a talon on each shoulder to grip, my weight and momentum to topple him forward. I don’t rake with my claws, the chainmail armour is too effective. Instead, as the giant smashes face-first into the snow-covered stony ground, his body prone, I bounce my hindquarters onto the small of his back, trying to pound any air from his lungs. Regardless of my efforts, he releases his axe and like the giant I slew before him, prepares to lift it with his arms. I hear his wheezing as he struggles to suck air into his lungs.

While fighting for breath, he doesn’t fight to stand and so I begin the second part of my plan. One talon digs into his right shoulder for stability, knowing his chainmail will deflect any penetration. My other talon releases his left shoulder and instead grasps the top of his helm lifting it free in one smooth motion. I hesitate for a moment; the crown of his snow-white head is devoid of hair! Then with all my strength, I peck at the top of his skull. The image of eggshell springs to mind.

A crack, a definite snap sounds out.

My assault upon his pate animates my prey to a fantastic effort, trying to buck me off as well as stand, all the while rotating his head one way and then the other. My talon grasping his right shoulder keeps me securely in place, my wings flapping, playing the part of counterbalance. Fortunately, his head tossing becomes predictable, matching the thrashing of his body to rid himself of me. With my grip upon his shoulder, I sway in time with him. My beak strikes through his ear penetrating his brain and I withdraw quickly before his head turns again. A pressure release of cold air fumes out of his skull. I release his body and flap my wings to escape, although my reaction is superfluous as his final head turn directs the blast into the snow.

He lays still and unmoving. His fall and subsequent death attract the attention of his two remaining companions, who even as I watch, lean against their axes in wonder, conversing instead of charging towards me seeking vengeance! Who would have thought they would stop and think! During their moment of intelligence, I rolled my kill over, eager to sample his liver.

A last glance to confirm they still confer, and I claimed my prize, needing to peck and swallow several times due to size.

{Hominine Essence incompatible with Frost Giant Humanoid form, reducing assimilation to Level 5.}

{Attribute successfully absorbed: Strength +5%, to match the maximum of the donor.}

{Attribute successfully absorbed: Toughness +5%, to match the maximum of the donor.}

{Attribute successfully absorbed: Constitution +5%, to match the maximum of the donor.}

{Attribute successfully absorbed: Vigour +3%, to match the maximum of the donor.}

{Attribute successfully absorbed: Endurance +5%, to match the maximum of the donor.}

{Knowledge successfully transferred: Speak Frost Giant.}

From a small portion of his flesh, his liver, I am overflowing with energy. I also identify his race, Frost Giant.

I take to the air effortlessly. The remaining two Frost Giants take cover in the fir forest nearby leaving the lake in my possession. I land near the slain giant fish, pieces of flesh sliced free and scattered other pieces bearing boot marks, perhaps the handiwork of certain Frost Giants venting their frustration.

{Frigid Lake Zone won by Living Construct Aphrodite}

{Frigid Lake Zone absorbed into the Dungeon of Azizos}

{You have entered the Dungeon of Azizos.}

“While your current spawn is disrespectful and insubordinate, it is powerful and the creatures I have absorbed are certainly formable.”

A noticeable pause, he wants to say more, I am sure. I wait.

“Well done.”

Simple praise, my first from him and despite my attempt to resist, a wave of pleasure washes over me. Admonishing myself my thoughts return to the emotionless. He should be familiar with my stony heart responses and expect nothing else.

“Thank you, Master.”

“You must remain to defend my Dungeon from Invaders, although know the Giant Gar in the lake are your allies now. I am also creating a circular winding stair to the lakeshore, so others from my Dungeon will join you shortly.”

“Yes, Master.”

The remains of the Giant Gar vanish, as the Dungeon absorbs all. The body of the Frost Giant is likewise gone, either food for the adolescent Gar or Dungeon fodder. I suspect my second kill is also foodstuff for the Dungeon. The kills feed my Master’s growth instead of my own and I will hold him accountable one day.

I launch myself into the air and barely five metres above the snow I receive two notices.

{You have exited the Quest Dungeon of Azizos.}

{Warning: Failure to return to the Quest Dungeon of Azizos in 22 minutes will force respawning.}

I land.

{You have entered the Quest Dungeon of Azizos.}

Exploring the limits of my prison on the ground, talons and paws co-ordinating awkwardly I reach a midpoint between the lakeshore and the fir forest edge when I am notified again, and I return with eight minutes to spare. My new confine limits my tactics, I am now but a performing servant in a cage. The beast within growls, reminding me of its presence dismissing my concern.

{Hominine Essence recalibrated to accept Frost Giant Humanoid form, restoring assimilation to Level 10.}

{Affinity successfully assimilated: Frost.}

The cold wind and frozen snow no longer touch me. I notice the tips of my jet-black feathers now carry a pale ice blue tint in sympathy with my new affinity, the beast approves.

I tumble amongst furs, snow-white skin upon snow-white skin, I am male, and the other is female and I “do things” to her, which she enjoys. She encourages me to continue with murmurs and sweet words of praise. At the end of our coupling, we embrace and share a cold affectionate kiss, our eyes sparkling in recognition of our mutual untamed love.

My toddler son is rolled into a snowball, packed in tight and I toss him to be caught by his mother. The snowball bursts upon being caught. Mother and son collapse in fits of laughter.

He is older now and his one-handed axe rests after practice. I am twenty paces away and launch a boulder. There is no fear in his eyes, concentration. He catches the boulder, half the size of him and he sinks into the snow due to his success. He rolls the boulder away and as he struggles out; our eyes meet in amusement and celebration.

To recall these memories is a torment; feelings and emotions, a burden. I quickly preen myself to accidentally wipe the tears from my eyes while I do. Cold stone-hearted ignorance is a state of bliss as foes were either alive or dead and I could easily move on, situation, tactics, conflict and then victory. Is this Zeus’ real game for me, my true discovery of humanity? If so, it is cruel. Feelings and emotions explored over a lifetime for others, he expects me to appreciate in days or at best weeks. How can I, I ask and still retain my centre and sanity?

Uncontrollably, perhaps my sanity escapes my mind for an instant, I screech in laughter, loud, clear and unrestrained. At my least humanness, I remember walking in a uniquely human form and now at my most human, my form is a pure beast, a portion eagle, a reminder of the tormentor of my Creator and a portion panther, a reminder of the beast kin I callously slew without honour, without contest.

My mind is on an axe blade’s edge between sanity and insanity. I am trapped in the Frigid Lake Zone, a restricted space, is that not the very definition of a prison? An attack is coming, there is no doubt, it is about when not if and those who are about to attack me are more than just enemies to be slain, they feel more real to me now than ever, fathers and possibly mothers and I have polluted their idyllic lives. Still, there will be a contest, I grasp the thought fiercely as a sanity lifeline.

{Feline Essence absorbed. + 100.0% Feline Essence Level 6.50}

{Lacertine Essence absorbed. + 100.0% Lacertine Essence Level 3.7}

{Colubrine Essence absorbed. + 100.0% Colubrine Essence Level 4.4}

{Colubrine Essence absorbed. + 100.0% Colubrine Essence Level 4.5}

{Draconine Essence absorbed. + 100.0% Draconine Essence Level 4.0}

{Colubrine Essence absorbed. + 100.0% Colubrine Essence Level 4.6}

NO MORE! I swipe the messages away, willing them to forever cease. I find my avian voice and screech out my will. “Nnnooo Mmmoorrreee.” An echo returns my anguish to me, fading with each repeat. Not this misery again, please leave me be.

My will is crushed and my hindquarters sprawl across the ice followed by the rest of me in sympathy. I am reminded by the messages and although I wipe them, I know my cowardly deed still claims lives. I don’t feel the cold of the ice I lay upon now; perhaps I should as my heart is no longer stone, no longer cold and I need to feel this particular discomfort to remind me. I am uncertain how much more of this blight I can endure, the beast within is silenced as it still lives in a binary world of life or death, kill to eat, eat to survive and my sympathies and emotions for my slain prey confuse it.

My eagle eyes stare skywards searching for the unknown and as a cloud floats by I am jealous as I wish to fly, to glide and be far away and free.

Character Sheet: Aphrodite Name: Aphrodite Culture: Greek Mythos Race: Griffon Superior Spirit: Human Body: Living Basalt Soul: Dungeon Dominate Sentient Dominate: 56% Monster Dominate: 37% Dungeon Dominate: 69% Hominine Essence: Level 10 Avine Essence: Level 10 Dragon Essence: Level 4 Feline Essence: Level 6.50 Colubrine Essence: Level 4.6 Lacertine Essence: Level 3.7 Strength: 80 Grasp: 80 Toughness: 80 Constitution: 80 Vigour: 80 Endurance: 80 Dexterity: 85 Agility: 75 Quickness: 75 Wisdom: 80 Perception: 59 Mettle: 59 Intelligence: 70 Willpower: 75 Power: 75 Charisma: 50 Glamour: 50 Beauty: 100 Languages: Greek Kobold Orc Ogre Feline Human Gifts: Regeneration Prolific Fertility Shadow Hide Silent Step Affinity: Frost Professions: Priest Level 7 Magician Level 8 Spear: Level 10 Halberd: Level 1 Bow: Level 7 Sword: Level 15 Dagger: Level 7 Trapping: Level 7 Shield: Level 3 Armour Affinity: Level 3 Track: Level 5