Chapter 4

Darkness. My vision was a distant memory, I couldn’t see anything. I don’t know how long I lay on the grassy field stained in blood, yet when my vision came back. It was with a torrent of agony, my heart seized in my chest and my stomach felt like it was boiling, I clutched at my throat which felt like it was locking up, strands of blood and spittle dripped from my chin. I tried to scream, I tried to cry but no sound came from my strangled throat, and darkness swallowed me again, but this time took my consciousness and not just my vision.

I awoke to the growling of my stomach along with the aching of my muscles, the sun was high in the sky drifting lazily through white clouds. I had to have been here for at least half a day, maybe more. I attempted to sit up and my head swam with dizziness, regretting the decision I lay back down on the cold grass. The campfire had long since died out, only coals and ash remained. I felt a distinct buzzing in my body, different from mana yet similar, it felt like it was coming from inside of me while mana felt like it came from outside in. Shaking my head to clear it I attempted to sit up again and succeeded, the ground around me was scorched in specific patterns that looked like a glyph ring, yet I didn’t know a single one of them. I reached into my brand new cloak and took out my rune book, then set about meticulously copying the strange runes, the longer I looked at them the more I noticed something was off.

If I attempted to look at on for too long it felt like my eyes would slide off of it and focus on something else, as if the runes didn’t like being looked at. It took longer than I would have thought to copy them all, and in the end they took up multiple pages. I had so many questions, about who this voice was that said he was locked in a prison, what these runes were, and what this buzzing in my body was. I sighed heavily knowing the only place that would have this information would be the Great Archives in Eltri, the capital of Kulain. There was no way that I could pass as a human for an extended period of time, the magical defenses of the city were extreme and would easily be able to tell that I was not what I appeared to be, even if my teeth, tongue, and eyes didn’t give it away.

Since the Archives were out I decided to attempt to ask for information from the only thing I had talked to that I hadn’t killed yet. The voice. I didn’t know if I should try talking in my head, or out loud but decided I may as well attempt both. After several minutes of talking to thin air I was about to give up when I heard the grand voice again.

What is it you need child, I am locked away I cannot speak long or frequently.

I need information if I am to succeed in this task, what can my ability do, I have been able to learn things I didn’t know and my body seems to become stronger with each meal. What can I do?

I do not have much time, yet I can see it was an error to not explain this to you, you are my champion, tried and tested. So I have gifted you, you have a portion of the power I had when free, the ability to Devour. You are part of me now, and the more powerful creatures you consume will sometimes gift you their strength, you can obtain their unique racial abilities, if you consumed enough dragons you might even obtain their ability to breath fire. Though that is only in theory, I have never gifted a mortal before, so the specifics are hazy. If it works as intended, the more you eat, and the more powerful beasts you eat, the stronger you become.

So I just need to hunt more powerful prey?

Indeed.

Where can I find them? The mountains were empty when I traveled up them.

They were empty from my power, you were too weak to combat them and survive, so I warned them off, now, you have become more. Travel south, down the mountain range, and when you reach Mount Lurin begin your hunt, there were many interesting creatures their when I last walked this mortal world. My time has run out and I must be away.

Wait! When I ate the warrior woman there was a golden ball, what was that?

That was here Center, otherwise called the Soul or Core by you humans, all the same, and all different. You have consumed it, as you will many others. They will not always appear, but when they do it is a sign you will be rewarded after your meal. I truly must be off, goodbye my child. Do not fail me in this.

After the conversation that had enlightened me to the true extents of my ability I was left feeling bewildered, the potential was insane. The ability to take powers was amazing, could I devour slimes and melt myself down? Eat a pack of razorwolves and obtain knife like claws? Ideas were tumbling around my head, and were then suddenly silenced as my hunger made itself known again. I sighed and stood up from my seated position, stretching my body with satisfying pops and cracks before making my way south as the voice suggested, and as I walked I was left wondering why I felt slight trepidation at the voice’s parting words.

-----------------

I watched distantly as the landscape passed in a blur, my body running on autopilot with my mind elsewhere. I traveled south with the mountain range to my right hand side, as I ran I thought about what my plan was for becoming stronger and hunting the beasts at Mount Lurin. I didn’t know what kinds of beasts were there but I needed a general plan of action, the first step would be to find water and secure a space for shelter. I knew which mountain was Lurin as it was supposedly the tallest mountain in the Kuran range. The rough terrain was traversed easily as my legs pumped underneath me, I had been exploring the new energy in my body, it was extremely similar to mana but it seemed to be generated from inside of me.

It had a lot of similar properties but the applications were different, where magic was more suited to effect the outside world this energy seemed more inclined to effect my body. One simple application was to increase strength in my limbs, similar to the strength body glyph I had used previously but much safer. Unlike the glyph it had no chance to shatter your mind like a glass pane, instead the only danger I had found was that in using too much energy too quickly caused some exhaustion. The speed it allowed me to go when using my crude application in the legs was nearly double my top sprinting speed, I couldn’t use it for too long, but the more I could use it the longer it was available without exhaustion the next time.

As I overcame a hill the mountain came into view, it pierced past the clouds and showed no signs of stopped. I wouldn’t have been surprised if its peak was in the heavens. The distance I needed to traverse to get all the way to the base of it would take at least three days even with my increased speed, the energy from my Center was helpful beyond words. The way it was used was very different from runes, it required no words or physical form to activate the power. It was controlled like a second set of arms, intuitive and natural. I didn’t know the rules or full extents of its capabilities but the constant buzzing feeling was comfortable, knowing I had something to rely on besides my runes. Even with my limited knowledge of the Center I still knew that each person had a different affinity for it, similar to how mages have affinity. An earth affinity Center user, otherwise known as an enchanter for their ability to “enchant” their bodies, would be able to use their power to become more sturdy, or stronger. Where as a wind affinity enchanter would be quicker and could use their power to cut easier. Similar rules applied with all kinds of magic.

I had been running non stop for several days and my body was leaden and tired, the sun had set in the sky so I found a depression in the ground where two hills met and curled myself into my cloak, I swiftly fell asleep in the patch of tall grass and dandelions. I was awoken by the sun beating down on my eyelids, brightening the dark void of sleep. I grumbled and sat up stretching out my tired body before setting my eyes on the forest not too far away, I needed food to sustain myself. I set off towards the forest and made my way their in a matter of hours, my mouth was dry and my stomach complaining as I followed a set of verl’ik tracks. Small dog like creatures with elongated snouts and protruding fangs, they hunted in packs. I set off down the path, brushing my way silently through the deep green foliage. A cool breeze whispering through my clothing, cooling my skin. The sound of running water caught my attention and I lowered myself to the ground, and stalked towards it.

The direction of the water coincided with the verl’ik tracks, I brushed my way through a pair of bushes and hid, peering through the foliage I saw a pack of four verl’iks drinking at the creek. They lapped at the clear water, and every once in awhile peered around with their small beady eyes. Making sure I was downwind I padded towards the closest one, until it was barely feet away, my form still obscured in the deep brush. I infused my legs with energy from my Center and launched out towards them, kicking up a cloud of dirt that hung suspended in the air. I closed in on the beasts almost instantly as gripped at its muscled neck, slamming it into the hard ground, cracking the bones on a rock. The other three turned towards me and their fallen packmate, before snarling, their hackles rising behind them preparing to leap, the two further away started to circle to my left, away from the creek attempting to flank me.

I stayed low to the ground and quickly took my dagger from by boot, holding it threateningly towards the beat the size of a small dog, the sound of dirt crunching next besides me betrayed their attack. The beast in front charged while the two at my side flew at my through the air, they worked in sync, like they knew each other's thoughts. Most prey they hunted attempted to flee when it was faced with this situation, but I charged forward, under the two verl’ik next to me and thrust my dagger into the throat of one. It let out a pitiful keening whine before collapsing to the ground and spasming, I turned quickly not sparing a second glance at the creature before using my empowered legs to charge at the final two. My knife flashed out and sliced one across the neck while my hand reached out and attempted to grab the others throat, the knife connected solidly and put down the creature while my hand grasped only air. I was thrust onto my stomach with a weight on my back, bucking, I flipped it off of me before tossing my knife at the creature’s face. Whether by luck or some twist of fate it connected solidly in the creature's eye, sinking deep into its brain before it collapsed.

I sighed, noting the tears in the back of my cloak, learning from the past where I had to find new clothes every time I fed, I removed my cloak and tunic before setting in for a nice meal. The meat was stringy but the blood brought with it the same satisfaction it always did. I tore deep into the last of the verl’ik before walking to the nearby creek and thrusting my head under water, wiping away the remaining blood. I shook my hair sending flecks of water into the surrounding forest before looking back at the clear water, reflecting my face. I looked nearly the same as the last time I checked in the fancy tent, but this time in my dark eyes, the huge iris had small flecks of light shining and reflecting like the stars in the night sky. I splashed some water on my face before donning my clothes and setting back out of the forest and on towards the mountain.

-----------------

The man ran towards the city gates, his clothes bedraggled and his hair in disarray. He had wild eyes that spoke of manic desire, and his breathing was labored like he had run without stop for days. He had arrived at the gate of Varinwoode, the closest city to where the attack had taken place. He used to live here working as a guard before taking up the life of a bandit, guard life hadn’t been paying enough for his tastes, and the boring work was not something he looked forward to. The war between Kulain and Valtis was a drain on resources, and guards were in short supply, which in turn made banditry much easier. It couldn’t exactly be called a war yet, but the drafting of farmers and the increase in metal being bought was sign enough for most. Enterprising individuals such as the man at the gate had the brilliant idea to go and prey on the less fortunate.

The man, formerly the bandit known as Boyle, stood outside the gate. Pleading with the guard to be let in, he shouted and threatened before reverting back to begging and groveling. He didn’t want to spend another night out here with that thing still alive, he had seen what it did to Breni and didn’t want to suffer the same fate. That monster was not something he wanted to deal with, especially after seeing it regrow a hand. He had told the guard what had happened multiple times, but somehow failed to mention they were bandits who had been attacked not simple travelers, but the guard responded the same every time.

“By order of the Count Alagin, this gate will not open for anyone once the night bell tolls.” he stated blank faced.

“Please! You gotta let me in! There's a monster out here!” Boyle shouted indignantly.

“By order of the Count Alagin, this gate will not open for anyone once the night bell tolls.”

“You may as well come down and kill me now!” Boyle shouted again, fear evident on his face, “You can’t do this please!”

“By order of the Count Alagin, this gate will not open for anyone once the night bell tolls.”

“I have money, please! I can’t spend another night out here!” he pleaded, his knees carving rivets in the dirt road.

“By order of the Count Alagin, this gate will not open for anyone once the night bell tolls.”

Boyle sighed defeatedly, his face haggard and lost. He would have to spend another night out here, when he was so close to the city. He needed to warn the Count of this monster, he could ask the adventurers guild to put out a subjugation quest for the good of the people. A single tears streamed down his face as he lay down in the cold grass alongside the road leading into Varinwoode, and closed his eyes again.

-----------------

I stood at the base of Mount Lurin, my eyes wide in awe at the sheer magnitude of it. The creatures had become more aggressive and powerful as I made my way closer, but nothing of note had happened. The monsters still weren’t anything serious, a group of low ranking C adventurers could deal with them. More of the leaves in the forest were more colored than before, signalling that autumn truly was nearly here, and with it the weather had become slightly colder. I took the first step on the path up the mountain, small outcroppings worked as makeshift stairs as I climbed my way up to a more flat area. The wind whipped around my face, biting into my skin as I climbed, my hands finding divets to hold onto and my feet spread wide to stand on footholds. I had climbed for nearly an hour before I made it to a plateau, a cave entrance greeted me, its gaping maw open wide.

I peered into the impenetrable darkness of it before taking stock of my surroundings, up above me higher up the mountain were a pack of gultin, goat like creatures with dark grey fur and a single eye. They leaped up the mountain side, latching onto impossible footholds, before launching up further out of sight. To the left and right of the cave I had found were flat paths populated with sparse shrubbery, small thorn bushes, and common herbs. It was impossible to tell which path would lead where so I made my way towards the cave, I had infused my eyes crudely with energy from my new Center and it allowed my to see in the previously dark cave. While the entrance was bright enough the cave seemed to veer off sharply into an even darker area, the entrance had small groups of mushrooms dotted around the area and strange green beetles flitting from patch to patch.

I took a step into the cave and felt a rush of cold air, like earth itself sighed out. Slowly making my way deeper and deeper into the cave I came to the turn and peered around the edge. I was greeted with a dome like room of rough stone with dark lichen hanging from the ceiling, the floor was white and two pathways, besides the one I was in, broke off from the room. One on the left and the other on the right, they looked nearly identical, the only difference being in how the mushrooms and lichen were placed. I stalked into the center of the room, still cautious, when my foot crunched into something, I took my first real look at the ground and realised the floor wasn’t just white, it was bone white. The floor was littered with bones, rib cages of various animals, skeletons of unknown creatures, and suspiciously human looking skulls.

I felt the same rush of air as when I entered, this time it had a definite direction, it came from the right passageway. I turned to the right and was greeted by two huge eyes, they were yellow with dark slits down the center. They seemed to glow hellishly in the dark cave, I took a slow step away from whatever it was when a huge hiss burst out, it sounded like a chorus of snakes, each hiss layered over another. I turned and ran, my feet kicking up dust as I went, pieces of bone flew behind me in my desperate attempt to escape. I heard a deep rumbling, like a boulder shifting, not daring to look back I kept up my breakneck pace until I burst through the room with mushrooms and beetles and out of the cave. I finally turned to look at what was behind me, a demon in truth, it had at least a dozen mouths, all with forked tongues flitting out. A pair of horrible yellow eyes bore into me, its snake like face covered in sickly dark green scales. Its body was like a caricature of a human, bursting muscles that looked like tumors, a huge body with proportionally big legs. As I looked into its terrible eyes I knew that I was dead, this monster would rend me apart with its huge clawed hands as soon as it grabbed me.

Then I noticed that it wasn’t moving past the cave entrance, it stood there stalking back and forth, its tongues flitting out discontentedly. The creature stood in the darker shadows of the entrance and stared daggers at me, a concert of hisses broke at as it dropped to all fours and ran back deeper into the cave. I let out a breath I didn’t know I had been holding and dropped to my knees, my mind awhirl. Well, now I know the voice wasn’t lying about stronger monsters. I laughed out loud at the situation, wondering what it would have looked like to a passerby, a monstrous looking man being chased out of a cave by a monstrous look monster. My laugh turned bitter as I realised the creature would have eviscerated me, a deep bubbling feeling burst inside of me as I made my mind up. You will be the first.

-----------------