The queen sat in silence as she pondered.

It had been two days since they first reported what they found in the back of that house. Since then Cedric led an additional investigation to the neighboring house further up the road. There he discovered a similar situation to the one they had found previously. A home left mostly untouched and a secret tunnel leading just under the road. While the first home had food left in the oven and a book thrown about its living quarters. The second home didn't have this similarity. Instead it simply stands untouched, frozen in time from whenever its owner last stood there.

After reviewing more information about the owners of the homes it was found that the first home was owned my a local book shop owner. Lybra. The fallen, or rather, thrown book Oliver had found was titled 'Arachnology'. With various sizes and species of spiders on the cover.

A brief expedition was conducted down both underground entrances but as they made it about 50 feet downwards they began to find traces of molting carcasses from spiders. The team quickly turned back and this section of the town, while near the far edge of it, was closed off to the public. The queen placed her castle's scholars to pour of the text but nothing seemed to cover these giant spider molting.

The queen had called Oliver and Slime back into her audience room along with her daughter, Morgantheia Teyr Sophia, Cedric, and a few advisors.

"Cedric did you interrogate the previous investigator?"

"No." He replied shaking his head. "When we went to apprehend the man there wasnae a trace of 'im."

"Hmm." She grunted in annoyance. "So either we have a traitor in our midst or a shifter."

Everyone nodded in agreement and the queen turned her gaze on Slime.

"Tell me Slime, do you think is the work of one of your brethren?" Sitting up to peer down at him from her throne.

He shook his head.

"Probably not."

"How can you be so sure?" An annoyed, sharp, voice came from the Morgantheia. "And how can we be sure we can even trust this monster?" Her eyes narrowed on him.

Oliver hadn't really noticed the princess until now. She seemed to be around his age, or older. Her hair was long and was styled into thick braids that wrapped around the sides of her head. She wore a silver tiara with various purple jewels. The tiara's metal was worked to include the the stargazer design into it. Her gown, from what he could see of it, was a deep purple. Her sleeves stopping just past her elbows and she wore thing silver bracelets and a ring on her pinky, ring, and pointer fingers of each hand.

Slime met her gaze back and transformed his body into a replica of herself.

"This is why." He held his arms out for all to see.

It was obvious what he had meant now. Even though he could change his shape the fact remained that he was still translucent green. He released his form back into his normal slime shape.

Morgantheia grunted in acknowledgement, though unhappy he took her form for this demonstration.

"Excuse me, but, when are you guys going to stop treating Slime like some kind of criminal?" Oliver said to the room. He could feel the heat of everyone's stares on him.

"Listen, I get it. You folks have a weird issue with non humans."

"It issnae just that boy. . ."

"Let me finish." He spoke over the Captain. Soft murmurs rose from the crowd and Cedric turned his to see his queen's reaction. She simply motioned for the boy to continue.

"Thanks." He smiled. "Since we got here everyone has eyed him up and down, or leered at him. You guys wrongfully arrested him and me. After that we've done nothing but be cooperative and help with this investigation as much as we can. And I'm guessing you're going to want more of our help?"

The room was silent as he looked at each member in attendance.

"So, how about a little show of respect to the person you're asking for help."

"It isn't a person, it is a m. . ." Oliver turned a look of frustration at the speaker, But it was the red eye'd glare of the queen that silenced him. "Apologies, I misspoke."

The queen's eyes returned to their normal color and she returned her attention to Oliver.

"You are right Oliver. On behalf of my people I extend an overdue apology to you, Slime." She bowed her head slightly towards him. His eyes focused wide on her and her attendees who at first wore an expression of surprise but quickly followed their queen's actions.

Slime's cheeks roses slightly.

"Oh, well, apology accepted. Thank you, your majesty." She nodded at his reply.

"Now then Oliver, you are correct. We would in fact like to request yours and Slime's assistance in investigating this issue. Our scholars poured over this text but alas we discovered nothing of use in relation to these molting carcasses our team discovered." She then looked at Slime.

"I believe Slime will be of greatest assistance here. I believe we are not dealing with a common spider species."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Well what could it be then?" Oliver shrugged.

"She thinks it's a beast-kin."

"Monster." A man rudely corrected.

"The term 'Monster' is just a made up term by humans used to segregate us beast-kin from human-kin."

The same man grunted at his reply.

"You're rather educated for a mon. . .'beast-kin'." The man replied, the phrase clearly made him uneasy.

"If you ask me it's you humans who choose to be ignorant of our shared origins, not us."

"Excuse me." Oliver raised his hand speaking over the group. "Could someone educate me on what we're talking about exactly?" Murmurs from the crowd flared up again only to quickly be silenced by the queen's hand.

"Slime, do you mind taking the time to catch Oliver up to speed on this after our meeting?" She asked sweetly.

"Oh, of course. Not a problem, your majesty." He gently bowed his body at her and she nodded gently in response.

"Anyways, you will be investigating the first house your explored. The two of you will be accompanied by Cedric, of course. A group of our militia will stand guard at both entrance in case anything might try to come out, or back return."

Oliver nodded and the queen motioned for Cedric to continue.

"Our mission is simple. Investigate where this unduhground passage goes and if possible save any suh'vivors."

Oliver nodded again.

"Oh hold on, you mentioned retrieving information about each home owner. Who owned the second house?"

"Ah, good memory." The queen replied.

"It wasn't anyone of great significance. Just a man named Mick." Morgantheia stated matter of factly.

Most people noticed the twitch in the queen's eye brow, but not Oliver. She cleared her throat loudly.

"What my daughter means is that he is one of the many commoners of our kingdom. While he has no titles I greatly request you ensure bringing him home as well if possible."

Oliver nodded acknowledging her response.

"Everyone you are dismissed. Oliver and company I recommend you stop by the hall and replenish your strength before you head out. And Princess Morgantheia please do stay behind. I wish to have a word with you." And with that everyone took the queen's hint and vacated the throne room.

After they had their fill they checked over their gear and equipment and finalized everything they needed.

The trio left the castle and began their walk back to the edge of town.

"All right Oliver, I suppose now is as good a time as any." Slime said.

"For what?" He questioned.

"You wanted to know about beast-kin and human-kin right?"

"Oh, yes please. I had never heard those words before."

Slime let out a sigh.

"I noticed. That's why everyone gave a collective shocked expression when you said as much. All right well let's get into a bit."

He thought for a moment and then started.

"Are you aware of the creation story of creatures and the world?" He asked Oliver.

"I think I remember my dad mentioning something about the goddess creating the world?" Slime nodded at his comment.

"Right, but not only that she also created all life on the planet. She created the trees, the rocks, the oceans, and of course all us living beings."

Cedric nodded along in silence as he listened.

"After she was done creating the world and its beauties she then created different creatures to inhabit it. She made all the animals, the birds, fish, and everything else. But at the top of her creations she created three species in equal. Beast-kin, Beastmen-kin, and human-kin. Creatures like myself are what are called beast-kin. We often share similar traits to animals but have similar intelligence of our human and beastmen siblings."

"What about those goblins then? Are those monsters then?"

Slime shook his head.

"No, I mentioned this in the throne room. The term 'monster' was made up by humans. A lot of humans lump all beast-kin together. Using monster as a negative term to insinuate that we are feral, unintelligent, creatures that only live to destroy or kill."

"If you ask me, mounstuh is a perfectly fair name for Goblins and Imps." Cedric said.

Slime glared, but shrugged.

"Well, they're not unintelligent. They are very aggressive though. Even to other beast-kin. For them it's really about territory than anything else."

Cedric grunted acknowledging Slime.

"So, how many different kinds of beast-kin are there?" Oliver asked.

"Well, it's hard to say. Each species of Beast-kin kind of branches off. I'm given the name 'slime' but that's another umbrella term created by humans. The slime family has all sorts of variations. We come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and attributes. Though usually our color and attribute go hand in hand. Most green slimes like me usually have the ability to inflict some kind of temporary poison on other creatures. But I have more in common with my blue colored relatives who don't do that."

"Wot about yer pink brethren?" Cedric looked down at Slime as he asked. He simply laughed in reply.

"Well, pink slime are typical similar to blue slime, with the exception that they're all female."

"Really? Female slimes are all just pink?"

"No, pink slime are the female counter parts of blue slime. The orange ones with wings can be both. And the puddled purple ones can also be both. Same with metal now that I think about it. Actually, I guess it's mostly just the standard blue slimes that vary in gender."

"Why?" Ask Cedric.

"How would I know? If you want the answer to that you'd have to ask Creati herself."

"Creati?" Oliver asked.

"Oh, thats the name of the goddess." Slime replied.

"What is she like?"

"Well no one really knows." Slime asnwered.

"Mostly no one." Cedric replied.

"True, I suppose her chosen champions are likely to know more about her than the rest of us." Slime agreed.

"Chosen champions?"

"Every so often the goddess chooses a new born child as her champion. Usually this only happens during a time of great peril."

"So who was the last chosen?" Oliver questioned.

"I'm not sure. Beast-kin don't really keep track of when it happens. Though a global phenomena usually occurs when she chooses a new champion." Slime looked skyward and Oliver did too. "When a new champion is chosen the entire horizon changes to a gradient golden followed by a soft rain, and then the most vibrant rainbow you could ever imagine cascades across the sky."

"The last one was about a decade ago." Cedirc added. "And that's would make it 'he third time I bared witness to it."

"Three times?" Slime said in shock turning his attention to the man.

"Aye."

"Is that uncommon?" Oliver wondered.

"It is."

"Aye, typically the world receives only one champion at a time."

"So why three?" Oliver also turned his attention to Cedric.

"It either means her champion died, or something else entirely." He said coldly.

Oliver's body shivered at the gloom that weighted on the end of his sentence.

"Do you guys know who the third champion is?"

They both shook their heads.

"No. No one came forward after the phenomena." Cedric shrugged.

"But, if the last one was ten years ago then whoever it was chosen is still a child." Slime added.

"Right. Probably best they keep it to themselves." Cedric nodded.

As they reached the house a figure in a purple cloak leaned up against the house.

"Oy, wot are you doing 'ere?" Cedric barked.

The figure raised their hands motioning for him to pause.

"Queen's orders." The muffled flat voice replied as they unrolled a scroll of parchment and handed it over to the Captain.

Blowing air through his lips he scrunched the parchment into a ball and stuffed it inot his pocket.

"Doubtful." His low voice said as he crossed his arms.

The figure simply shrugged.

"Go ask her yourself."

The two starred at one another for what felt like ages before Cedric finally sighed in defeat.

"Fine, let's just go." And the trio suddenly grew by one.