This mountain of a dragon had every advantage over David except intelligence. David wasn't sure why this dragon seemed to be more bestial. Perhaps that is why Ambass has been so thrilled with David. Were most of the dragonkind not smart? Did abilities and growth stages influence thinking power? He would need to be careful. He didn't want to revert himself into a state of stupidity. Unfortunately, David couldn't afford to ponder on it any longer as the quickly dubbed beast, Mountain, wasn’t giving him long to think.

He sidestepped another monstrous claw swipe by the mountainous dragon. The tunnel visibility shook and dirt, rocks and debris began to collapse around both of them. A sharp boulder crashed into David's shoulder and tore free flesh and scales. Despite the intense pain David was able to work, dig and fight his way through the mounds of dirt. The Mountain on the other hand just brute forced everything aside with laughable ease. David's extraordinary strength granted by his trait paled in comparison to what the Mountain had.

Rushing forward David dashed to the side as the Dragon’s great mass slammed against and destroyed the nearby wall, revealing another adjoining tunnel. Making a quick decision David dashed into the freshly exposed tunnel and sprinted as fast as his four legs would take him. The Mountain followed slowly but steadily after him. As another smaller tunnel appeared on his left David diverted quickly and soon found himself inside a large cavern. As he swiftly made his way across the cavern he foolishly dreamed, but doubted, that the smaller tunnel would stop the pursuit. Unfortunately his fears were confirmed a moment later as the entire wall between the larger tunnel and the cavern exploded towards him.

David's heart dropped as the Mountain of a dragon thundered towards him. Rocks and other debris cascaded down around him causing him to instinctively slow down to dodge them. The distance between him and the Mountain evaporated quickly as a result. As the Mountain neared close once more David prepared to turn and fight. As he bared his teeth and prepared to charge everything suddenly shook. The ground underneath the Mountain cracked, splintered and broke as a field of thick teeth rose up from the earth and struck the side of the Mountain. A second draconic beast had burrowed its way out of the ground and assaulted the Mountain. It was long, worm-like, covered in thick scale plates and its mouth was lined with endless rows of teeth.

As David fought to stand and gain some distance he observed no limbs on the great worm beast. David briefly wondered how many of these tunnels he wandered might be a result of it simply traveling about. His legs began to pump as he charged at the two titans fighting, he had to get past them to get away and now was his best chance.

BOOM!

An explosion of fire and lava engulfed the Mountain as the Worm let loose an enormous wave of hot magma from its massive maw. The air in the cavern thickened as everything was lit a flame. David dodged, weaved and staggered through flailing limbs and fire. He tumbled then collapsed just as he broke through to another tunnel exiting the blazing cavern. His eyesight was dim, and he gasped desperately for air as he had almost suffocated in an instant. As his mind returned his mouth gaped wide in shock as he stared through the tunnel entrance back towards the two behemoths still battling. The Mountain had started responding to the Worm in kind with blinding bolts of flashing lightning. For a long second his mind raced. David wondered if he was not just dreaming? Was he going to die? No. He needed to keep moving.

Slowly he pulled himself away from the scene and began to drag himself back towards his awaiting kobolds. Maybe one day he would have a real stake in a battle of that magnitude. If he could survive that long…

— Blue —

Blue and her mate were busy preparing their new home for the master's return. Master was an unusual one but they both refused to complain. Most kobolds were prepared to face death the moment they were selected. Their lives were bound to dragonkind. The elders spoke of how the first kobolds only broke free from the toils of their weak existence by the enlightenment given to them by the first. Blue wasn't sure about any of that but she did know that Red, her and her future offspring could only survive with Master's power to guide and protect them.

She chirped happily in thought as she tended the now two eggs that resided inside the nursery. Red had been focused on expanding the tunnels to be bigger for the Master and also began work on a third chamber.

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Despite expecting the Master to return soon, it was still sudden and urgent. The barricades they had placed in front of the cave were thrown open as Master easily tossed them aside with his massive bulging physique. His scales and flesh were scared, burnt and covered in gaping wounds.

Blue let off an alarm and Red quickly appeared to help guide Master to his chamber. Red took the remains of a large serpent from Masters' jaws, the kill was extremely fresh as it still twitched. Blue retrieved the mushroom balm they had just finished crafting. Blue had recently advanced as a Caretaker. Her skills now allowed her to cook and prep almost anything she got her hands on. The mushroom healing balm was an accidental but significant achievement. Her Master would now see the fruits of his mercy at play as the duo began to rub the slightly burning balm into his fresh wounds.

As Red took over and applied the rest of the balm, Blue retrieved her knife-stone and began to chop up the serpent for Master.

—- David “Onyx” —--

David’s aching and pained body began to relax. His kobolds had acted in an instant once he had shown up. They seemed to have been busy while he was gone as he had easily slipped right into the newly expanded tunnels. His body was already healing after some ointment the pair had made was forcefully worked into his wounds. The stinging only lasted a few minutes before relief followed.

He noted an extra egg in the kobold’s nest as Blue brought him chunks of expertly chopped up meat slabs. He was thankful he was able to track down another Horned Burrower before he made his way back. Tracked being a very generous statement since the serpent had in fact tried to hunt him. The battle had been brutal but swift with David’s increased strength that now surpassed even the trait carrying snake. Despite the further injuries he gained they had enough food to hold them over for a bit, with the soon to be extra mouths included.

David had time to really think now and he had to really let the events that unfolded take hold. He needed to be careful and slow. More importantly he needed to make a decision about the prompt that was sitting in front of his eyes right now…

Affinity Selection Available. Select one permanent affinity.

- Fire Affinity

- Cold Affinity

The pieces were slowly falling into place. Both the Mountain, the Worm and possibly Ambass were using affinity? The permanent text on the prompt is what worried David. He saw molten fire and stone coming from the Worm and near the end Lightning was seen. He wasn't given the choice to pick lightning, could he earn it later? Did the fire grow into something more down the road? He turned to Blue with a rumble.

“Blue… how do kobolds communicate to their Masters?” Blue’s eyes clearly registered his words. Blue seemed hesitant but finely spread her lips.

“Talk Master tongue.” Blue murmured low and in a feminine voice. David was surprised.

“Why have you never spoken to me before? Can Red speak too?”

“Red speak. Kobolds don't speak unless given permission, Master” Blue timidly replied.

David almost let out a loud groan. He took a moment to sigh before his focus shifted back to Blue.

“You and Red have permission to speak whenever you feel appropriate. I would prefer you communicate with me over never communicating. Understood?” David rumbled and chirped out. Blue seemed to be processing his words. Her mind turned over and over.

“Blue. Will talk more. Yes.” She finally let out.

“Good. I have a question. Do you know any other Masters with… powers? Fire? Cold?” David cocked his head as he questioned Blue.

Blue pondered in thought before nodding. David continued, “Good. Do those with powers ever… change? Does a Master with fire ever stop having fire?” He carefully considered his words to the small kobold.

Blue considered his words slowly once more, “Masters powers… stay same. Bigger as age. Stronger as age. Same through kobold generations. Yes.” David pondered her words. So the text wasn’t lying and it seemed the affinity was a consent after selection. It could adapt, most likely, and maybe that is what we see with the magma the Worm threw around? Or perhaps it is its own unique affinity? Hmm. He let his eyes shift back to the prompt in front of him. He focused and dismissed it forcefully.

David made the decision to wait. He had delayed it ever since it first appeared after his thrilling and deadly escape, it could wait longer. Fire and cold seemed very basic. Basic wasn’t bad but the lightning that the Mountain threw seemed far more deadly and rare. He should experiment and see if we can acquire any other affinity options before making his choice.

“Thank you Blue. That is all.” He rested his head down as the Blue kobold made her exit. He rumbled to himself as he brought up his full prompt and formed a plan for the future. He wanted to survive and more importantly thrive.

David “Onyx” Manning - Otherworlder Species: Wyrm

Str: 18

Int: 12

Speed: 10

Toughness: 10

Affinity: Undecided

Traits: 1/3 Condensed Musculature