Of course, Deckard denied that he ever thought of me in such a way. However, the truth was that when I finally shifted into my full beast form after some bitching and started eating from the bowl, I felt like nothing but a mangy stray. Worse, I ate with more gusto than ever before while wagging my tail contentedly, enjoying the food I was given.

It was humiliating, bestial, and even liberating in a way, yet it sucked. Sure, this form of mine was bigger and hungrier, allowing me to devour more meat than if I were a puny human, but at times I wished I’d rather throw myself into a ditch and die. Like when I needed to wash down the mouthfuls and Deckard took out another bowl, filling with water. Despite my instincts, aided by the knowledge of my ancestors, I had considerable difficulty mastering the trick of moving my tongue fast enough to create momentum and force the water to form a column that would reach my mouth. Much easier was to dip the whole snout in the water and sip. It sucked, though. Getting my nose wet and holding my breath every time I wanted to drink, simply sucked.

And then there was the whole relieving yourself thing when my digestion caught up with my forced appetite. That was a whole new story and experience - period.

“Well, Little Beast. How much longer are you going to drag this out?”

I had to give it to Deckard. He was patient, really patient. He just sat there and watched me feed. Admittedly, he was having a lot of fun.

“It’s hard,” I said back through the link of the union rings.

“Of course it is. But if you want to move forward, you have to pick one of those skills. You can always choose the other later if the first one doesn’t work for you.”

Yeah, that was easy for him to say. The sure and easy choice was [Fierce Pounce], but the more I thought about it, the more I was leaning towards [Beast Core]. Only, the skill was a painful reminder of what I had lost, and so the longer I thought about it, the more reluctant I felt to choose it and the longer I lingered with the decision.

“Fine, it’s done. We can move on. Happy!”

“You didn’t do a thing, did you?”

Damn my body language! “Fine, fine...” I growled, closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and, a little calmer, dived into the system. To change the skill was then a matter of mere thought. It would almost seem that someone might have done it by mistake. After all, there was no window popping up at me saying: are you sure? Are you really sure?

Nevertheless, just like that, [Master’s Shield], the skill that I managed to get to level 37 and, despite its glass-like brittleness, to master the use of it to the point where it was actually useful to me, was gone, replaced by a fresh skill, the [Beast Core]. When it was done, I didn’t feel any immediate change, yet I found myself shaking. So much, in fact, that I hit myself with [Indomitable Will] to calm my disturbed mind.

Beast Core

Passive I (Deviant - 30%)

Still human at your root, you’re capable of creating what only beasts with potential can. The core is a testament to your abilities, a proof of your strength, a token of your determination, and first and foremost, a place to store your mana for times of need. As you grow, it will grow with you.

Name: Korra'leigh Grey

Race: Human/Beast

Gender: Female

Age: 29

Main Class: Deviant of Humanity

Sub Class: Slave

Level: 122

Constitution: 159 (41)

Strength: 88 (30)

Endurance: 44 (29)

Dexterity: 41 (28)

Intelligence: 46 (17)

Wisdom: 29 (14)

Class Skills (8/8):

Indomitable Will (Passive V): lvl 135

Behemoth (Active II): lvl 29

Wrought Hide (Passive III): lvl 42

Unbending Resilience (Passive III): lvl 35

Mantle of Magic (Active II): lvl 15 -> 17

Ride of Ancestors (Active II): lvl 21

Call of Nature (Passive III): lvl 31

Master’s Shield -> Beast Core: (Passive I): lvl 1

General Skills (10/10):

Eleaden Standard Language (Passive I): lvl 9

Perfect Equilibrium (Passive III): lvl 45

Spatial Domain (Passive III): lvl 49

Beast (Passive IV): lvl 65

Never-Dying (Passive IV): lvl 64 -> 66

Tail of Poison Empress (Active II): lvl 27

Heart of Magic (Passive II): lvl 24 -> 26

Striving Mule (Passive III): lvl 32 -> 33

Dancer’s Stride (Passive III): lvl 44 -> 46

None to Squander (Passive II): lvl 23 -> 25

“I switched the skills,” I said to Deckard, doing my best to sound calm, unaffected by it all. “I chose [Beast Core].”

He surely noticed my unease, yet despite his easygoing nature and tendency to make fun of me, he merely nodded, knowing full well that was all I needed at the moment.

“So, [Eleaden Standard Language],” I spoke after a minute or two. “What skill do you think I should pick?”

“Well, now that we have more of an idea of your Class Skills, I’d go for some martial skill, or combat one in general...if possible, one that would allow you to use magic as well, combine the two,” Deckard said and paused, looking me over, thoughtful. “I’ve been wondering. Tell me, Little Beast. Your connection to Idleaf didn’t grant you any skills?”

Yeah, he wasn’t the only one wondering about that. Actually, flipping through my available General Skills and searching for such a skill was one of the first things I did after I got my head around the whole Guardian thing. “Not one.”

“That’s...”

“I know, weird, right?”

To my surprise, he shook his head. “Actually, not that unusual.”

“Really?” Because I would think I should get some skill. After all, with the mutations, I got access to a bunch of them and apparently being a Guardian of the World Tree was an even bigger deal, so...

“You thought that because you gained skills with your mutations, it would be the case with everything, huh?”

Damn his mind-reading skills!

Damn my body language!

Glad to be in my full beast form, I shamefully nodded. “It isn’t?”

“You generally get General Skills by learning stuff. It doesn’t mean you have to be a master of the art, but you have to know the basics. My guess is that as your mutations came with the knowledge of how to use them, you gained access to the relevant skills right away. Your connection to Idleaf seems to be working the old-fashioned way, though. You’ll have to learn how to use it first,” he explained, and then shrugged. “It’s a shame. Being the Guardian that you are, you could certainly have had access to unique skills. One that no other human has...never had, actually.“

Yeah, I knew what he meant. Why go for some ordinary martial skill when I could have a unique one? Only it wasn’t that simple. “So, how do you get a unique skill the old-fashioned way? If I remember correctly, you told me that after I start training, first I’ll have access to something like [Basic Kick], then [Advanced Kick], and when I’m a hundred years old and experienced as a fuck, then I’ll get access to [Master Kick]. Where does that unique skill fit in? Don’t tell me I have to practice something like [Guardian Kick]?”

He chuckled. “I’m sure I didn’t say it like that, but that’s the gist of it. You have to admit that [Basic Guardian Kick] sounds at least better than [Basic Kick].”

“Yeah, it does,” I grinned, exposing my fangs. The question was how to train something like that, though.

“So...?”

“I said I don’t have access to a single one. And if you think I didn’t ask, I did.”

“And?”

“I would need more Guardian markings. All those runes you see - well, not right now under all that fur - are just the result of what I am, my connection to Idleaf, nothing more.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Then why not ask for the necessary ones?”

“Last time Idleaf told me I was too weak to bear more. Admittedly, it’s been a while. Fine, fine...I call her.” Sending mana to my side and lighting up the rune there was sadly the only trick I could do with them. It worked, though. Idleaf, as if she didn’t have anything else to do, appeared within a heartbeat.

“Yes, Korra’leigh?” she asked curiously after giving the area a quick glance to ensure I wasn’t in danger.

>> I hope I didn’t interrupt you from anything… <<

Her eyes brightened. >> I was showing Esudein and his kin how to play on a blade of grass, > But, they don’t have hands like you and me. <<

I almost facepalmed myself, the thought of mossbears playing on a blade of grass popping up in my mind. What would adventurers or just simple travelers think if they ever encountered such a beast?

>> Did he like it? Esudein, I mean.<<

She nodded - hesitantly - then shrugged, half disappointed. >> It was the first time he had heard music. He said it was...interesting. << My guess is Esudein wasn’t that enthusiastic and tried to be polite to her. In a way, he was a gentleman - certainly more than certain lordling I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with.

Deckard cleared his throat. “I do hate to interrupt,” he said out loud to get both my and Idleaf's attention. “...but Korra and I were wondering...”

“Yes?” Idleaf asked excitedly, tail wagging in eager anticipation.

“Do the Guardians have any skills related to being your guardians?”

“Oh, that’s it? Yes, they do.”

“...and Korra doesn’t have any because...?”

“Because...” Idleaf frowned, reluctant to admit it. “I am weak. I didn’t have the power to put runes on her that she could use and learn to control.”

>> You said it was me who was weak, << I argued.

She smiled at me. >> You grew stronger, Korra’leigh.<<

>> Wait, so you think I could bear more runes? << I was never keen on tattoos - partly because my parents would kill me if I got myself some - but I was sporting a dozen of them right now. At least, that’s how many runes I counted on my skin and felt through the magic within me. Twelve of what were basically tattoos. What was an extra one or two, then, right?

>> You could,> Do you want me to put one on you, Korra’leigh? <<

>> No, no, no. I mean, yes, but...are you strong enough? I know making me your guardian took a lot of strength out of you. I would hate to strain you even more. <<

She giggled, happy I was worried about her. “This world is big and vibrant, Korra’leigh. I have already regained my strength.”

“Th-that’s good to hear...” It really was. Until now, I’d sort of avoided asking her about her strength - mostly because I was feeling guilty about the whole issue. Knowing that she was fine and had regained her strength...wait!!! Did that mean that she, as the World Tree, was draining the life energy of this world? Wouldn’t that make her and the other trees parasites? I quickly put that disturbing thought out of my mind.

“So, how’s it looking, guys?” Deckard asked. Somehow I kept failing to remember that in my beast form, he couldn’t understand me and since Idleaf was talking to me in beast language, he didn’t understand her either.

“Korra’leigh wants me to place more runes on her, make her stronger,” Idleaf chirped before I could even take a breath to reply.

“Great, so can you?” Deckard may have been laid back, but this was something that piqued his interest. It wasn’t surprising, though. These were unique skills we were talking about. Any adventurer, seeker or anyone else worth their salt would not remain unfazed at the thought of those.

Idleaf looked me over, sizing me up. “Korra’leigh can withstand one of the basic runes no more. The elder ones agree.” Oh, I almost forgot she was connected to the rest of the World Trees, talking to them all the time. It made one wonder what exactly they saw. One more pressing question sprang to mind, though.

>> What would happen if you tried to put more than that one rune on me? << This time I made sure Deckard understood me too and translated what I said to her through the union rings to him.

“You’d die,” she said, frowning, not liking the idea at all. “You would suffer and burn, Korra’leigh.”

>> I have very good regeneration,<< I pointed out, not loving the idea any more than she did. Curiosity got the better of me, though.

“I may not be able to transfer any mana to you through our connection, but the runes hold my power. They’re mine, not yours. Too much, and your body just starts...falling apart. I’m afraid that not even your regeneration would be enough to stop it, Korra’leigh.”

Whether it was her somber voice or the mere thought of my body disintegrating, I had no idea, but a shiver ran down my spine all the way to the tip of my tail. >> Let’s not do that, then. What runes can you place on me that are safe for me? What can they do? <<

“There are two...”

>> Only two? << I couldn’t help whimpering.

“They’re the weakest, the only ones you can bear.”

>> Sorry, > ...and those two are? <<

“Guardians are guardians; their purpose is to guard. One rune allows you to boost your constitution, toughness, and resilience in exchange for mana to withstand attacks. With the second one, you can boost your strength, speed, and agility.”

“So, it’s either defense or offense. Quite simple,” Deckard took the words out of my mouth. Then he looked at me and added: “If you have enough mana to spare, that is.”

Yeah, get the not-so-subtle hint. It seemed like [Beast Core], whether I liked it or not, was a good choice going forward. The question of [Eleaden Standard Language] was still up in the air, though.

>> Do runes go with skills, Idleaf? You know, if you place one on me, do I get access to a skill as well? <<

“Of course not, silly,” laughed the spirit. “You must learn to use them first.”

A few curses came to mind, and I swallowed them all. >> Of course, << I growled, trying to sound as amused by my silliness as she was. There was no point in explaining to her that I just wanted to make sure.

“Still worth a shot,” remarked Deckard, whom I kept in the loop. “Every bit of help, every edge you have, can help you in the fight. You may think it’s a little thing you’ll never use, but it could save your life someday.”

>> Is that what happened to you? <<

“More than once. You know, not every tier of skills is as useful as another, but each has its purpose and meaning. The same is true with tools. They may sit in your storage for weeks, months, or even years without being used, and then there comes a time when you find them vital to your survival.”

“Like this blade of grass?” Idleaf asked, holding one in her hand.

>> Wait, you had it in your storage? All the time? << Did she even have spatial storage? No tolls on her. Skill perhaps?

“No,” she shook her head. “I just picked it up. But maybe I should keep it. Who knows when it’ll save my life?” One might think she was making fun of Deckard, but she wouldn’t be Idleaf if she wasn’t completely serious about it. Then, when he gave her an approving nod, she was beside herself with joy. The bastard was learning fast how to handle her.

Sighing, I took another bite from the bowl, my mind running through the possibilities of the runes. >> I’m in favor of the offensive one. The rune, I mean. <<

“Then we see it the same way. For a warrior, your defensive skills are more than up to standard. The question is, what to do about your skill, Little Beast?” Yeah, the [Eleaden Standard Language]. Deckard made it more than clear that he wanted me to find the answer myself, and it certainly wasn’t to wait for me to get some guardian skills.

>> I could try one of the General Skills I have, for now, << I said somewhat reluctantly. Honestly, those skills sucked. I had a shit ton of them, but only three were pure combat skills: [Punch], [Claw Slash], and after a lot of effort and training, I managed to get [Roundhouse Kick]. Okay, that one wasn’t so bad, just too narrowly focused on kicks like [Punch] was focused on punching, for my taste. While I said I wished my blows packed a punch, I would have preferred a skill that covered more aspects of my fighting style than just one.

“See, you have your answer. Why wait....?”

“Yeah! Why wait?” Idleaf yelped all of a sudden, cutting off Deckard. She was many things, but being patient was not one of them, certainly not when she was excited to show me stuff.

“Prepare yourself, Korra’leigh. I will move you to me.”

>> Wait, wait, wait! <<

“Why wait?” She whimpered.

As much as I hated to, I had to stop her. She just couldn’t assume everyone would give in to her whims like that. There was so much we hadn’t worked out about my skills. “Deckard, I...”

“Don’t worry, Little Beast. I’ll wrap things up here, inform San, and wait for you at the gate in a few hours. You just watch your ass on the way back,” he said, amused, waving us off. Idleaf took it as her cue, and before I was able to gather my wits, argue back, or at least ask her if she was even capable of bringing me out of Fallen’s Cry, the world turned upside.

***

Actually, it was more of my stomach turning upside down. As soon as I landed, wherever it was, I threw up the contents of my guts on the ground, tears in my eyes - all that delicious meat I struggled to get into me, wasted.

Well, wasted at least for a few moments before the green moss covered it, and my vomit became part of the woods. Yeah, I was in the heart of Esulmor, among the Idleaf’s roots in the shade of her branches covered with the dangling, streaming clusters of purple flowers. And I wasn’t the only one there. Besides Idleaf - both as a tree and in spirit form - I had the attention of Esudein himself and half a dozen Mother Mossbears.

I promptly dropped my wings and ears, bowing my head. >> Greetings, great Esudein, Mothers. I’m truly sorry for my uncouth arrival. << I said with as much humility as I could put into my voice. The worst part of it, I could still taste the vomit in my mouth.

>> Welcome, pup, > You growing fast. Good to see. Why here? Trouble? <<

>> No, Korra’leigh came for a rune, << Idleaf explained eagerly.

That earned me an approving nod from Esudein. >> To get stronger, I see. <<

>> Yes, I’m still weak. <<

>> Young you are, > Idleaf chose well. << The praise made the spirit puff up with pride and giggle.

>> The one for strength, speed, and agility, Korra’leigh? <<

Wait, what? Ah, the rune. >> Yes, that one, << I said, wishing I had something to rinse my mouth out with. ‘Priorities, Korra!’ It was so hard to get my bearings, as everything was happening so fast all at once. My stomach still felt weird after the whole displacement thing, I tried to appear collected before Esudein while Idleaf and her rashness were making it impossible.

>> S-Should I shift back? << I asked Idleaf as she approached me, the jitters getting to me.

She smiled. >> No need, just relax. <<

I tried, to no avail. >> Do I get to choose where the rune is placed? <<

>> No, Korra’leigh, > It will be placed where it needs to be. <<

She took one last step towards me, put her hand on my head between my ears, and closed her eyes for a moment, concentrating. When she opened them again, they shone. A heartbeat later, a wave of violet mana swept across my body - from the top of my head to the tips of my ears, across the last feather of my wings, all the way to the tip of my tail. Where all that energy then built up was my right shoulder, though.