~Cobb's POV~

I woke up groggily. I could feel dried tears on my face, my chest was sore and my abs were still in pain. With my low stamina my 100% was only a fraction of JST's or Jones'. Feeling the earth I let the dirt consume the pile of Geckans, my eyes were still closed just in case JST wanted to try shit. I made sure to include the stray Geckan body off to the side. I made sure its tongue was completely buried.

I checked by status bars, approximately 100% red, 15% blue which must've regenerated while I was knocked out, and 30% yellow. I was wondering why my stamina regenerated so quick but then I realized being unconcious probably counted as sleeping. I called up the Stamina window just in case. Information never hurts.

Stamina

Used for all things physical, the yellow bar in your top left determines your energy left to use in any actions involving the body. Some skills require a drain on Stamina. You can regenerate Stamina while resting, sleeping, potions and many more methods. Upon depletion you will be rendered unconcious.

Oh, ok cool. So my Stamina did regenerate while I was "sleeping". I'm interested in the "many more methods" portion of the description since potions are a given. Does that mean skills? Titles could probably have something to do with it as well. Even then Titles are included in the Effects section of the character sheet along with my Race bonus, so how many more effects could there be? I'm assuming buffs from some type of class like Enchanter could presumably be applied there but im curious, Twoen hasn't dissapointed me yet. I willed up my Character Sheet since it seemed like my brothers were just waiting for me to wake up. Though Jones probably could tell i'm awake by now.

Class: Animator Name: Cobb

Titles: Prey Turned Predator, The Green One

HP: 264/268 Lvl: 24

Effects:

Race Jjerg: +10 INT, +5 END, +5 STR, +5 WIS, +10 MND

Prey Turned Predator: +25 INT, +25 WIS, +20 AGI

The Green One: +7 CHR, + Can color things under your magical control an emerald green

MP:49/321

SQP:7/115 SP: 63/210 STR: 15 CHR: 17 END: 15 MND: 10 INT: 208 AGI:20 WIS: 237 ENL: 115 LUK: 10 Stat Points:

Rock Camoflauge (Race Skill) - Beginner 9 (87%)

Hunted Sense - Intermediate 9 (50%)

Inform - Intermediate 6 (22%)

Hyperfocus - Intermediate 5 (62%)

Earth Magic - Advanced 5 (2%)

Storytelling - Beginner 5 (2%)

Animate (Class Skill) - Beginner 3 (10%)

I'm a fucking idiot.

I had completely forgotten about Hunted Sense. I had become aware of a certain pressure after Jones mentioned we were being watched. I never attributed it to a skill rather I thought it came from the tension in the situation. Using it now I felt nothing.

Wait. What are you up to Jones?

I could feel small eyes on me. Nothing like being hunted but more like being targeted with annoyance. So he had realized I was awake. I shrugged it off for now and went back to my Character Sheet.

I had 5 Stat Points left from leveling up from 23 and immediately placed them into ENL, which helped with my contructs. Because it gave Squad Points on a 1:1 ratio I gained 5 SQP and it added to my current points which was 2. The Tree Boa I had made out of rock sometime earlier took a whopping 108 points. Even then my Animate barely nudged in levels since I had already made... Jeff earlier. To only rise 2 levels in Beginner from such huge undertakings is unheard judging from all the data i'd gathered from the rest of my skills. Well, I guess that data is skewed since the only skill that I have that may match Animate's complexity is Earth Magic which I already have copious amounts of experience in. Animate is different in the way I invoke the magic as well as the way I need to prep. One of the reasons I chose the Animator is the sheer amount of intricacies needed to be taken into account. The body of what you're animating, it's purpose, and orders. Each of these 3 things go into very much depth. What can I animate that can do what it needs to do using the least amount of resources? What ratio is more effective in a situation, quality or quantity? Can a simple humanoid handle the task or do we need more tactile and precise creations? The potential for this Class was endlessly attractive. Maybe Class Skills just raise slower?

I got up, rolling over and putting my arms under me, my legs following them. I ran dirt across my face to wipe the dried tears, fortunately I was never dirty since I could just remove all the leftover sticking to me. The pressure eminating from Jones suddenly subsided when I rose, though it was barely noticable in the first place. I strolled over to a portion of flattened dirt, this being where I buried all the bodies. I popped one out and inspected it closely, I almost missed the approaching figure. Quickly I used some dirt to slap away a hand that was reaching for the things tongue.

Not today fucker.

Inform

Geckan Scoutsassin Level - 48

HP: 0/821 (Dead)

This variety of Geckan are ambush predators and more intelligent than the average Geckan. In addition they are equipped with small but sharp claws on their hands and feet. With their 6 foot limbs and long fingers and toes they are formiddable. Rather than the bright colors of normal Geckans the Scoutsassin is more darker to match the surroundings in which they operate, under their lair. You've noticed they share the same tendencies in their combat as normal Geckans, afraid to engage in close quarters. You presume that there many variations and you are correct, the Geckans found in the Geckan Battle Arena are the most basic.

When Inform reached Intermediate the new description allowed me to see their HP, get more in depth knowledge, and occasionally my conlcusions may be verified.

Inform - Intermediate (6%)

Your inquisitive nature and problem solving attitude awards you with the inherent ability to know things. By focusing on an object or entity information is granted based upon the level of this skill. Learning new things and drawing conclusions will also develop this skill. The skill may even make connections you have not.

Effects:

+Basic knowledge and personal conclusions provided.

+HP, more in depth knowledge, personal conclusions occasionally verified

"Well, let's go." I plunged the Geckan deep within the earth, leaving its arm out and tongue submerged before giving JST a scathing glare. Shifting attention back to the Geckan I held up its arm and grabbed its long fingers, tracing my finger down I came across the claws and tested the sharpness. I applied small pressure and scarlet blood added to emerald green. Really I was just trying to answer my question from before, what color do my cheeks turn when I blush? It's probably purple cheeks after seeing the scarlet red.

My brothers shared a glance before Jones led the way, toward the Great Tree. After a while I filled them in on what I found.

"Geckan Scoutsassins." I stated. "A different variety of Geckans, meaning there are most definitely more variations. The Great Tree is definitely our destination if we want to finish this quest, these type of Geckan operate only under their lair and the only thing above is that tree. Though I don't need to say this, make sure to get up close to them they don't like it." I finished the info dump. Though they didn't react we were all in a state of high alert there was no plausible reason that they didn't hear me. Keeping focus on my 6th sense or 7th depending on how you order them I used Inform on the Great Tree.

Inform

Geckan Tree Lair (Great Tree)

The Geckan Tree Lair is the home and breeding grounds of all Geckans. The Tree is hollowed out, though very much alive. 1400 meters high it approaches the height of a mile. At the top lies the throne of the Geckan Queen. Surrounded by guards and various Geckans the Queen handles all threats to the "Geckdom" as it translates. As of now left unchecked the Geckan may very well take the Uncharted for their own.

I relayed them the information in the same manner. We were closing in on the base of the tree but we were attacked by a much smaller group of Geckan Scoutsassins on the way. Finishing my third of the ambushers I watched as Jones weaved in and out of the flailing limbs of the Scoutsassin. He had been diminishing their numbers through the same tactic, getting inside their reach so they could apply no leverage into their swings, a classic technique in boxing. The 6 foot limbs made it easier to do this, comically so. Jones was facing the Geckan in open ground since the closer we got to the Great Tree the amount of smaller trees drastically decreased. I hypothesized it was a battle for nutrition, The Great Tree just sucked up all the nutrients leaving all others to die. Unfortunately this meant that Jones could only reach the waist of the monster and the legs, though it didn't slow him down. I watched as Jones weaved through the legs and cut key tendons on the back of the calfs, the assassin scout fell on it's knees and its spinal cord was severed. I changed focus to JST across the small clearing waiting for him to finish his last Geckan as well. He timed a block to catch the forearm of his opponent on the three prongs of his shield, he pulled the Geckan off balance and cut the arm off at the shoulder. A silent scream could be seen on the flying head of his opponent.

"Put the fucking arm down. We're too close to the Lair for this shit." Relunctantly JST threw down the detached limb.

"Whatever bro." He said, dejectedly.

"Next time can we let JST handle the extra, it's harder for me out in the open." Jones informed us. "I could do it but still, he has like unliminited Stamina so.." He trailed off.

"I'll keep that in mind." JST said.

We walked further out towards the base of the Lair and it really put things into perspective. The Tree spanned upwards and we were very close to the base, it's height was astounding. Continuing onwards as we neared the base it's thick gnarled roots came into my notice, visibly uprooting the earth around them. Further forward the tangling roots met each other and became even thicker singular roots, then those combined and so forth. When the leftover trees around gave barely any cover anymore we stopped. Surrounding us were smaller trees but nothing Jones couldn't climb safely. Their leaves were thin and I doubted they would reach a size like the ones found a mile back but there trunks would do for climbing.

"I'll see what I can see." With that he scrambled up the tree, barely a rustle in the thin leaves, he probably didn't even really need to touch the leaves since he could stick to walls. Only through many thin layers and smaller trunks were we able to stay comfortably unseen, now however even the quantity of the trees dwindled rather than only their size and healthiness. A slight breeze could be felt through the trees, there weren't many wind blocks around to stop it.

"The roots come together at the base of the tree, I can't really see the other side but there's a section cut off because of two huge roots protruding from the bottom of the tree. You probably wouldn't be able to see them but there are about five solidly colored Geckans guarding what seems to be a hole in between the roots." His voice carried on the wind. "Most likely, that's our way in." He landed on his feet softly in the undergrowth.

"Maybe the colors mean something?" JST added. "What were they?"

"Same colors we've seen before but they were completely covered in them. Bright oranges, greens, reds and yellows." Jones answered. It wasn't rare to see JST actually contribute when things got serious.

"Either the colors mean something or the just the fact that they're solid has significance. In any case keep an eye on them as we move in." I speculated. "Either way they're probably higher up in the hierarchy, they're defending an entrance after all." I grinned.

We spent the next minutes making sure there weren't any scouts between us and the section sealed off by the two huge brown roots. Jones had spotted some Scoutsassins as we approached a tad closer, they were up on the walls of the roots but not close enough to notice us, likely just more guards. I ran through a variety of situations that might've explained why the five Geckans weren't stealthed. The most likely theory was that they didn't feel they need to since all Geckans have already demonstrated that they could. Even though there were only two varieties I came across one of them was the most basic one and it could stealth as well, meaning it should be an inherent trait. That meant if these Geckans didn't feel the need to stealth than they were very strong or very stupid. I already knew they were intelligent though. We watched and waited for more information. It had been 20 minutes and nothing.

"I don't like this. The solid ones aren't even trying to hide." JST added, he was crouched beside me, we were taking cover behind a brown root looking up the incline towards the Geckans, they were far out but we hid on the off chance they might notice us. There would be limited earth in this area, only the small amounts found nestled between the roots. Still there wasn't a shortage of roots around here.

"Yeah man. I know. I don't feel like walking around the fucking tree though so we're doing this instead." I said. "Do you see him yet?"

"No I was following him across the roots but I lost him when he-" His eyes stopped searching as he turned around. "What you got bro?" Jones was approaching us a few meters away, walking on roots.

"Nothing really to say, five solids, maybe thirty or so stealthed on each side. Something felt off in the movements of the solid ones though." He shared his thoughts. "They seemed like they were making themselves less coordinated, something I wouldn't have noticed normally." He described.

"You think it's a ploy to make themselves look weak?" JST asked.

"Perhaps, but it could also be an effect of their variant. They have no reason to pretend to be weak when they're in the heart of their territory. If they were really weak than they could've just stealthed, which they're not doing." I conlcuded. Although that depended entirely on if they could.

"Then it's probably something we can ignore for now. In the end as long as we noticed it we can call upon the information if it becomes relevant." It's easy to forget that we have an older brother. Of the three of us he was the best at adapting to new situations and taking things in stride.

Jones nodded after a while and my head followed his.

I told my brothers to stay still while I had dirt crawl over us all and cover us in a thin film and solidified it slightly. It'd be better if we blended in with our surroundings which just so happened to be dirt and roots, brown and brown. The way up the roots and towards the Geckans was very open so we decided to stick to the sides of the roots. After some conversation we settled upon Jones and I taking the left root and JST taking the right root, eventually we would meet at the base of the Tree near the solid Geckans. Jones would support my lack of awareness and I would shore up his lack of Stamina with my Mana. In contrast JST had all the tools he needed to go solo, spatial awareness and unlimited Stamina were the requirements for this particular mission and because of that we sent him alone. Before we departed I had collected small rocks using my magic and repaired the nicks on JST's Rock Gladius and Rock Tri-Tipped Shield just in case we were seperated longer than planned.

"They get thicker the closer you get." Jones voiced as we seperated. JST nodded and walked off.

Some climbing over mangled roots later we came across our first scout, more accurately Jones did. I hadn't even noticed it. I did notice that every time Jones sliced with his Sand Daggers a bit of sand scraped off. Discreetly after every fight I reatached the stray sand particles, can't have them failing him last moment. I had no idea the effects this had on the timer on the weapons though, taking his weapons for inspection right now would be dangerous.

My method of attack was much simpler, I just stuck with dirt spikes, lots of them. The only problem was I needed to wait until I actually saw them before I could strike and additionally I could only form dirt spikes from the surrounding dirt found in the roots. I wasn't about to drag a giant mass of dirt around to use, that drained my Mana when I had tried it with sand earlier. Because I had my source of attack confined in between roots I just positoned myself between a gathering of dirt and the Geckan once it showed itself. When it lunged for me I erupted dirt spikes into it, if it dodged I made more spikes emerge from the original and so forth. This level of control was nothing to me. If they decided to stay away and shoot their tongues instead I either created a spike for them to impale their tongues one or threw large dirt balls into their mouths. It was amusingly effective, they choked on the dirt and tried to pull their tongue in, but it only shoves the ball further down their throat until eventually they suffocate. To me this was the appeal of magic, sure I could've threw dirt spikes into their legs or incapacitated them some other way but why would I waste the effort when I could shove dirt into their mouths? There is magic to everything, the correct angle in a swing, the perfect amount of force in a punch, the minsicule movement to duck beneath a blow, but many don't realize the magic in magic. To use the least but do the most, that is magic.

My thoughts were interrupted by a choking Geckan, not from my dirt but from its own blood. Jones wiped the blood onto his dirt suit before he slipped his daggers into some dirt sheathes I made him, positioned on his hips where he normally keeps his main weapons. I discreetly followed his daggers with some leftover sand I had gathered during the course of the battle.

To our left was the wall of root that would lead us closer and closer to the solid Geckans, I still had yet to use Inform on them, they were out of sight once we started clinging to the left root. Occasionally Jones would use his spider powers to climb up the wall and peek over the wave of roots that seperated ourselves and our older brother. He glanced over and upwards to the Geckans positioned at the top of the incline.

"Maybe 20% of the way there. What is that, seven now?" He asked.

"Eight." We started climbing again.

Almost 60% of the way there and ten dead Geckan Scoutsassins later we found a dozen or so grouped together. We had killed eighteen but that was in groups of two to four, one of them had been five, but twelve? We were atop a considerably higher root to the right of the wall we were hugging which we climbed after Jones had sensed the Geckans' movement. The rolling tangles or roots still concealed our location to the higher ups. However the relatively huge root we were on, at least compared to all the smaller ones around us minus the gigantic one to our left, grew in a way that had captured a lot of dirt. It seemed the dozen Geckans were trading information because they weren't stealthed, I don't understand why they would leave stealth but I chalked it up to a cultural quirk. Nine or so were positioned close together while three were surrounding the perimeter at least according to Jones, they kept their stealth up. There was directly below our perch apparently.

"Can we do it?" Jones was focused on the group of Geckans below, his hairs were swaying faintly. He had said the wind disturbed his Race Skill but it was irrelevant when there were so many moving bodies. "I could take three or five depending on how fast they react. Six if I time it right." He estimated.

"You might only have to deal with three or four. Grab your daggers i'm gonna need a lot of dirt." He grabbed his Sand Daggers and I pulled the dirt off of both of us, his dirt sheathes as well. "Hold the root too." Soon after saying that I noticed the hairs on his forearms stick into the solid wood.

I took the dirt underneath us and lifted it into the air. I had enough to form seven tightly packed spikes, the leftover dirt that was floating solidifed into smaller brown needles. I checked my Mana quickly, 45% and decreasing quickly. I made sure each was sharp, it was more difficult using dirt rather than sand. I split my focus and directed each two meter spike to its target, all were aimed for the heart, about midway of their upperarm but on the leftside of their chest, drawing on what I remember Jones targeting. 17% left and I launched all of them, the smaller needles I directed to the faces of the Geckans I felt would either survive or would not be recieving a bigger spike. Wind buffeted my hair and face as they flew. I raised myself onto the root using the small pillar of dirt I left alone to stand on, it joined me on the sturdy wood. I relaxed my control on the dirt pillar, leaving it inanimate at my feet while maintaining absolute control of the packed dirt I sent flying. Jones waited a few seconds before climbing up himself and jumping down from the view. His trajectory was aimed for the Geckan below us that wasn't in my angle of attack. He would be the first to notice the carnage but my spikes arrived before Jones did. My dirt spikes impaled every Geckan on target with the wet parting of flesh, six of them fell like ragdolls, one seemed to survive even though I aimed exactly where I wanted it was brought to its knees by a sturdy root. It was an immediate death for most though and suddenly the leftover two Geckans that were conversing with the original nine shifted to a panicked clicking and chirping. Shortly after multiple needles found their spots on their faces. Their faces contorted into a certain expression which I had translated into fear after killing so many. I was so caught up with their facial expression that I almost missed the choking sounds below me, two Geckans were dead and one was currently in the process, Jones had been fast. Turning back to the conversing Geckans, their mouths were open in screams too high in frequency for me to catch, I hope they didn't hear that up top. Thankfully Jones dagger found the throat of the first one. It's screaming stopped in proportion to the blood the dirt soaked up, I could only tell the difference because the tension in its neck and mouth subsided.

The surviving Geckan was about to engage Jones but a powerful click came from the Geckan that was now leaning on a gnarled root, a two meter dirt spike protruded from his back. The Geckan slowly stood up and with Jones nearby I could clearly see that this one bordered on thirteen feet. The smaller Geckan began to run up through the roots, engaging its stealth as well. Jones reacted quickly but not before a pink fleshy tongue filled the air where he would've been. The bigger Geckan had stopped Jones from pursuing the scout, he must've realized the importance of getting that information to his superiors. Jones shouldn't have a problem fighting the Geckan since it had a two meter spike through its chest in the first place.

I brought up the leftover dirt at my feet I thought I might end up needing it. I formed a spear out of it and tried to find the stealthed Geckan. It was no use, I couldn't see and without my vison there was no way I could aim. I thought of a different approach. I could remember the speed in which he moved right before stealthing, I know the direction he was going, I could do this. I followed the trail I would've taken through the roots and aimed at a spot and waited. SHIT! I forgot those things could walk on walls! I was giving him a path for a human when I should've been estimating him one for a Geckan. I adjusted my aim as it had been five seconds and changed the location further upwards, still the fastest place into cover would be between a tangling of roots, I had already wasted too much time, I threw where I predicted he would be. My dirt spear flew straight where I wanted, a low whistling could be heard as it cut through the air, it stopped abruptly in the air and fell at an angle. I had aimed just at the entrance of the haven of roots I had identified, there slowly coalescing into existence was a Geckan, my spear had impaled the back of its stomach. It fell backwards and the front half of his body, which had been through the tangled gate came free and into my vision. It lay there in a pool of its blood.

Looking back at Jones I could see him struggling with the bigger Geckan. Even with the dirt spike he managed to match Jones in speed, something that the normal Scoutsassins couldn't. Jones was noticably tired but he didn't have a dirt spike through his heart so eventually nature took its course and the Geckan fell to his knees. Jones approached quickly taking advantage of the weakness. I couldn't really see Jones' face from this distance so I couldn't infer the reasons behind his actions but he ducked and pivoted right before the fatal strike, the Geckan's significantly longer claws swiped the empty air in front him as Jones moved in and sliced his throat, his body fell to the side lifeless. He must've reasoned that this was no ordinary Geckan. He looked back at me and gave me a thumbs up and winning smile.

I couldn't jump down since I had no dirt so I had to take the long way slowly climbing backwards and walking around the mass of roots to Jones.

"What is he?" He questioned. Nudging the dead Geckan.

Inform

Geckan Scoutsassin Master - Level 56

The Scoutsassin Master is a deadly assassin that doesn't rely on any one aspect of its skill. If anything its most used tool is its intelligence, crafty and deadly the only thing that can match its fierceness is its loyalty to the Geckan Queen. It managed the network of Scoutsassins surrounding the Geckan Tree Lair.

"Geckan Scoutsassin Master. Level fifty six." I told him. "I only realized it was different when it stood up, it had a whole foot on all the others. Man, I probably should've realized something was off when it survived the dirt spike though." I said scratching my head.

"Yeah when it matched my speed I had to switch things up. I tried not to underestimate him even in his last moments." He had already personified the Geckan.

"It's just a gecko man." I said.

"I know. I know." He said quiet once more.

After covering us in dirt again and giving Jones his sheathes back we trekked up the roots once again. A good amount of the thirty minutes was spent in comfortable silence. We only met two Geckans on the way which went with Jones' earlier numbers, about thirty or so in total on our side. We reached the edge of the flat clearing, which was just roots that happened to be flat. Five solid Geckans were milling around the center

"It's possible JST let runners slip by if he encountered as many as we did at once so stay alert." I warned. "It's possible they know we're coming." Jones eyes were scanning the other side of the clearing.

"He's there. I see him." Jones smiled. "He's giving us a thumbs up."