Zyocuh sat by the edge of a blood-red pond. He was wearing a loose-fitting robe that revealed pale skin, so pale that blue veins showed through. Within the bloody pond, an image of a dining room was displayed just below the surface. A stranger was sitting on a woman, who had eyes as green as his. It was his niece, the vessel he had painstakingly cultivated for ten years, yet she had lost? Zyocuhs expression darkened as his lips twisted into a sneer. Gather round, my subjects.
Hundreds of people made from bloody liquid erged from the cracks in the walls of the cavern. Droplets of blood fell from the ceiling, forming creatures made of various animals. Zyocuh spun around. Wherever his gaze landed, the people and animals would shy away while averting their eyes towards the ground.
Where is the queen? Zyocuh asked and furrowed his brow. The chira queen had only been given freedom for ten years, yet it dared to rebel? His body trembled, and the surrounding bloody creatures lowered their bodies to the ground. Zyocuh moved forward and stomped on the head of a chira, bursting it like a bubble. Droplets of blood splattered against his face, and he glowered at his subjects. I said, where is the queen?
One chira whimpered as it stepped forward and gestured with its front paws that resembled a bears. Zyocuh glared it at before his gaze softened. It was killed? he asked and gestured towards the pool. By that man sitting on my neice?
The chira bobbed its head up and down and brought its paws to its lips, pantomiming a drinking motion. Its chest expanded as it swallowed, and it pointed at the pond before perfoming the gesture again.
He absorbed the queen? Zyocuh asked and raised an eyebrow. A wide smile split his face, showing his pearl-white teeth that had too little gum per tooth. Thats perfect.
The bloody creatures in the cavern exchanged glances with each other. Zyocuh ignored their puzzled gazes and chuckled as he swept his hand out over the pond. The bloody liquid within flew up and entered his hand, funneling in like a snake. Once the pond was dry, leaving a jagged crater in the center of the cavern, Zyocuh whirled around and spread his arms. Co, he said, his eyes glistening. The bloody people and creatures wailed as they shrank down into beads that flew towards Zyocuhs body, sinking into his skin. Let us conquer our new vessel!
***
Oh, this ones turning out pretty well, Sera said. She was holding a half-ford staff in her palm, squinting at it while turning it this way and that. The mana veins are flowing perfectly. She held the wooden piece out towards Vernon. See?
Vernon reached out to grab the staff, but Sera slapped his claw down. She glared at him. You see with your eyes. Youll ruin it if you touch it.
Vernon cleared his throat and nodded. Yes, it looks very nice. He rubbed his snout with his paw before scratching his cheek. But dont you think it looks a little big?
Nonsense, Sera said and snorted. The perfect staff-to-height ratio is three to one. Everyone knows that.
Is, is that so? Vernon raised his brow. He rubbed his snout again before nodding. Of course it is. How could I forget?
Is it really, Uncle Vernon? Bonnie whispered from his side. The annoying trio was gathered around a few logs of wood, both burnt and unburnt.
Vernons head tremored as he shook his head with small motions to prevent Sera from noticing. With the tip of his tail, he scribbled on the ground by Bonnies face. The staff should be one-and-a-half-humans long.
The annoying trio exchange glances with each other. How tall is Vur? Eldest asked.
Sera grunted and lifted her tail a few feet off the ground. About this tall.
Eldest nodded. I think Ill make a staff out of this piece right here, he said and grabbed a burnt log. Its perfect for fire spells.
Vur doesnt know any fire spells, Sera said. Hes a blue mage.
Uh. Vernon raised an eyebrow. Thats not true? He knows quite a few fire-type spells.
Seras claws stopped moving mid-carve. Her head rose as she arched her neck towards Vernon. What? she asked, her eyes narrowing into a glare. Who set my precious child on fire?
Vernon shrank back. Dont you rember?
***
Lindyss sneezed. Her hand stretched towards her head and sank into her hair. A mont later, a struggling fairy was pulled out. The cursed elf brought the fairy close to her face and blew her nose on the fairys dress.
Eek! That is so gross! Erin wailed and scooped globs of sticky goo away with her hands. She struggled free and flailed her arms up and down, flinging snot onto the walls and floor of the room. Why did you do that?
It was all the fairy dust you keep leaving behind that made my nose itch Lindyss said and turned a page of her book. Its only fair that you take responsibility for it.
Its not like a leave fairy dust lying around on purpose! Erin hmphed and flew to a nearby box filled with paper to wipe her hands. It just falls off like your hair.
Lindyss let out a low hum that signaled her acknowledgent but not agreent.
Erin sighed and placed her hands on her hips before shaking her head. I dont know why Im friends with you.
Dont ask , Lindyss said without taking her eyes off her book. I have no clue either.
Crack.
A massive black claw broke through the wall in front of Lindyss, showering her and her book with a layer of red and white dust. She coughed a few tis and wiped at her eyes as a voice bood out, Hey, theres sothing interesting moving around. Lets go see it.
Before Lindyss could even clear out the dust that had fallen into her mouth, she was lifted out of her seat by the claw, Erin flying after her. The fairy queen landed on Lindyss shoulder. I dont know why youre friends with him.
Neither do I, Lindyss said and shook her head, dust falling from her hair likes snow. She sighed and patted the black scales underneath her. What is it this ti? Another shiny rock?
No, its so sort of egg, Grimmy said. But it is shiny.
How does an egg move around? Erin asked.
Grimmy snorted. By rolling. Duh. How else?
Erin shut her mouth and pursed her lips.
Speaking of eggs, Lindyss said, werent you going to be a father soon? Is it really alright for you to not keep an eye on your and Leilas egg?
Hmm? Oh, yeah. Grimmy nodded. Dont worry. I already placed dozens of protective features around it before picking you up to co here. If anyone even steps foot into the wilderness, theyll deeply regret it.
What about the elves already living inside the woods?
Theyve been relocated.
Lindyss brow furrowed. To the afterlife?
What kind of person do you think I am? Grimmy asked, staring down at the tiny elf in his palm.
That question doesnt justify an answer, Lindyss said and snorted. The wind ruffled her hair, blowing it into her face.
Grimmy chuckled and placed the cursed elf onto his head. Dont worry. Im sure the elves love their new ho, and even if they dont, its only temporary.
So, where did you send them? Erin asked.
The desert. Grimmy nodded. I settled their village around a cactus. They loved it. His eyes lit up, and he pointed at the ground before Lindyss or Erin could comnt. There it is. The rolling egg.
Lindyss expression darkened. Thats a baby turtle.
You sure? Erin asked. Im pretty sure thats a snake.
Grimmy licked his lips. Well, the easiest way to find out is to eat it.
And why is that? Erin asked.
Ive eaten eggs, turtles, and snakes, Grimmy said. Whichever one it tastes the most like will clear up what it is.
Huh. Weird. Erin scratched her head. That shouldnt make as much sense as it does.
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