The group traverse the foggy terrain, following a sizeable river along its winding path. The vibrant trickle of water fills the cavern, steadily leading them down to where they can hopefully breach into the next layer. "Are we there yet?" A bored spider mumbles. "How should I know?" A confused dragon responds. "I don't know. Just felt like the right thing to say." "Huh... Now that I think about it that sounds right. Oh, and the river seems to be steadily growing steeper, so maybe we are there... yet."

Lyly perks up, pulling herself from her dazed dangling to stand firm atop her perch. "Really? Finally! Should we wake up the others?" "Already awake." Fluffy announces from Aleph's back, sitting up with a stretch as Goldy does the same. The terrain stoops down, leading into a cave within a pillar wall. Dimly lit fog gives way to pitch darkness as they enter the cave, still following the bustling river.

Fluffy and Goldy hop off Aleph's back, their feet splashing into the water as they begin to wade alongside her. "What lies within the layer below?" Goldy asks, turning to face Lyly and Fluffy. "This far out is new territory to me. How about you elf?" "The next layer varies wildly. If we end up near a geyser it'll be incredibly foggy, otherwise it will be similar to this layer. Interestingly, most of the life there actually seems to be more populous on the ceiling where moisture builds up, and-" "If you go on another tirade about random wildlife facts I am going to bite you." "..." "..." "It's really interesting though..."

As they continue through the tunnel, the wall spread out and light begins to trickle through, saturating the cave with a vibrant red. Aleph turns her eyes to Goldy, walking ahead of the group with his gaze fixated on something in the distance. "Everything okay Goldy?" His gait slows, bringing him back in pace with the rest of the group as he shakes his head. "I though I... Never mind." If you say so...

The cave opens up into a cavern, all vision blocked by a thick, red fog. Aleph takes a moment to pause, expecting the rest of the group to do the same, only for them to keep walking. "Hey, where are you..." Lyly hops of too, skittering away in the same direction. Okay, something's up here...

Through the eyes of an excited elf

Could this be? No, there's simply no way... The elf approaches a small figure within the fog, covered in pristine blue fur and adorned with two dull claws at the tip of each paw. As he nears the creature it lifts onto its hind feet, twitching its button nose as it regards him with a pure unblemished curiosity. "Look at you! Such a beautiful creature!" He coos, picking up the small animal.

Such a perfect specimen! I've never seen a cottonfang with such spectacular fur, and the patterns along its back bear a perfect symmetry too! Not to mention how calm it is, not even the slightest bit scared as I approach! I need to sketch this! Such a... His gaze turns, meeting eyes with another figure poking out of the fog. Is that a grey legsniffer? I had no idea such rare creatures even existed here!

Through the eyes of a nostalgic monkey

That figure... Gol Dhee ambles forward, cautiously approaching the stout silhouette before him. A golden glow peers through the red fog, reflected off the thick fur of the giant being as it holds still, observing his gradual approach. Could it be? He picks up the pace, the figure becoming clear as he breaches through the fog. Father...

Through the eyes of a determined spider

Lyla skitters forth, chasing the shadow which has stolen her attention like a cat with a laser. "You aren't getting away!" She declares, picking up her pace until... Bap! She pounces, nailing the shadow to the ground with her legs. "Fuahaha! None can escape the grasp of the great Lyla!" "Indeed. 'Twas foolish of me to even attempt." It fucking speaks?

Through the eyes of an engrossed elf

Running his hand through the soft, black fur of the majestic beast he follows beside, he analyses, awestruck by the elegant gait of its long legs. What manner of creature even is this? Articulate hooves, furred wings, a mane of horns, is this some form of yet unknown dragon? And its condition... It is clearly of animalistic intelligence yet it is perfectly tame, seemingly groomed to a downright artistic degree, and the way it moves is so... practiced? Choreographed? As if it knows the perfect place to land each footfall. Is this perhaps... some kind of lost animal paradise? He looks around, eyes flitting across the dozens of equally majestic creatures walking, flying, and burrowing around him.

A bird with red feathers that dance through the air like licks of flame, a serpentine mammal which practically swims through the stone, and even an earth drake adorned in a silver crystal shell. All approach and probe without caution, satisfying their curiosity over this new interloper as he does the same. Predator and prey stand together in harmony, as if an unspoken truce has taken root within this mysterious fog. Is something pulling me? He turns, looking for the source of the faint tugging sensation which briefly brushed by. Finding nothing, he shakes his head and returns his eyes to the creatures around him.

It's all... too perfect...

Through the eyes of a surprised monkey

"Father! Is that really you?" Gol Dhee approaches the figure, standing at nearly twice his height with a coat of gold that easily outshines his own. "Fa-" "I am disappointed in you son." "..." He stands still, a stunned silence filling the air. "Father, I-" "You are weak! You cannot so much as bend the earth around you!" "The earth is saturated in too much essence! I cannot hope to-" "You believe you cannot, and thus you are unable! That is all!" The earth fractures, stone rising and spiralling around the pair is if granted a will of its own.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Gol Dhee watches in awe at the display. The dense, essence filled earth he could barely scrape at is hurled violently around, bent with ease like splashing a pool of water. He attempts to step forward, but is held back by a slight pull. "Ignore it and step forth." He complies. The tug fades and he stands before his father, looming over him with an unwavering confidence. Raising his huge arms he proceeds to thrum his chest.

Thoom!

The earth powderises around them.

Thoom!

The air shivers in awe and fear.

Thoom!

"Come! Face me!"

Through the eyes of a confused spider

"Who are you?" Lyla asks the strange shadow beneath her. "Oh, you know me well." It replies, winding free from her grasp and pushing its form out as to white orbs form on its face. No. Fuckin. Way. "Yes, daughter of mine. I am the Progenitor. And you have quite impressed me." Lyla freezes, momentarily struck in the head by revelatory whiplash. Shaking herself out of her daze she meets the figure's gaze and speaks. "Why now? I've been here for so long... Why come out now?" "Indeed. Around one-hundred-and-fifty years I believe it's been since you began in earnest. And your efforts have not gone unnoticed by me."

Squinting her eyes, somehow, Lyla begins to skitter closer but fails to close the distance. I can't move? Shaking herself she breaks free from whatever bound her and approaches the shadow. "Who are you? Who am I? Why does nobody tell me things? I need to know..." "All in due time child. First you must follow-" "No, I need answers! You can't keep me waiting for hundreds of years and expect me to just play along when you show up out of nowhere!" "Very well..."

Through the eyes of a suspicious elf

The elf's eyes dart around, scrutinising every detail, every action of the strangely calm creatures surrounding him. They're too tame. These cannot be wild animals. Not to mention their pristine condition. But that isn't what bothers me... He watches them walk, the way all of them seem to subtly follow the same direction to some common destination. They seem to be leading me somewhere, but more than that... They're so interesting. Each one moreso than the last, as if specifically chosen for me. As if... I see... This is an illusion.

The world wavers, the animals beginning to blur and lose focus as the fog thickens. I didn't even notice the fog growing thinner... I wonder though, is this a reaction to my figuring out the illusion, or has something else caused it to falter...

Through the eyes of a monkey in training

Gol Dhee pulls himself from the ground, his whole body aching as he strains his weary body to dodge the oncoming bolt of boiling rock. "Fight back! Don't just dodge! Claim dominance over my essence!" You give me an impossible task! Planting into the ground, Gol Dhee winds his arm to counter the next strike. His white fur singes and skin burns as he slams his arm into the heated rock, essence surging forth as he wrestles enough control to fling it back. "Good!" His father announces, punting the rock away before lifting more. "Now again-"

The world wavers, the form of his father beginning to lose opacity. Looking around, the larger ape lets out a breath and lowers his fists, the rock falling back into place as he does. "It seems our time has come to an end here." Gol Dhee relaxes, his fur fading back to its natural gold as the pair approach. "Your white fur technique is good, but lacks polish. Technique is vital for handling essence but more vital is your intent. You must demand your will be instilled over all others." His father reaches out a hand, dropping a small pendant into Gol Dhee's palm. "Develop more techniques like this one. Become stronger, and when we next meet-" "I shall be stronger than your current state." "Hah! You wish boy!"

"Be well, my son."

Through the eyes of an elated spider

"No way!" "Yes, this is my true form." Speaks the young, pale skinned girl adorned with jet black hair and wearing a long, black dress. "I knew it! All powerful beings have a cute girl as their final form! I should really work on mine..." The girl chuckles, spreading her arms and performing a twirl. "Of course silly! And that's not all..." "There's more?!" "The reason I'm here is to promote you to that of a fully realised divine beast!" "Wow, really?!" "Yes! No longer will you be made fun of, or be left out by your siblings. Also Kavlaxhar sucks and I'm demoting him to be a housecat." "Wow! It's like a dream!" Literally...

The world wavers, the girl losing detail in her form before fading into the red mist. Guess it's over huh... Well, it was fun while it lasted... The illusion vanishes, replaced by the view of a dragon surrounded by a pulsating mass of teeth and vines, all coated in a thick green goo which the dragon seems to be heartily chomping down. What the fuck...

Through the eyes of a relieved dragon.

Ah, looks like they're regaining their senses now. Aleph hops down from the weird plant thing she just killed and shakes off most of the goop from her body, letting the rest slide off her smooth scales. "You're back!" "So uh... What exactly just happened?" Lyly chitters, skittering atop Aleph to her perch where she slumps down with a noticeable lethargy. Goldy and Fluffy follow shortly behind, sitting in the nearest patch of stone not covered in gross plant goo. "Well, you guys were all acting weird and ignoring me. Even when I nudged you guys you wouldn't react. Then I noticed you were all heading in roughly the same direction so I went ahead and found this thing. Noticed it was releasing red spores into the air and figured that was the cause. So I ate it."

"Finds a weird mind altering plant and decides to just eat it. Honestly, that does sound like something you would do..." "It actually tastes kinda nice. You guys should try some." "Hell no." "I'd rather not." "I decline." Aleph lets out an offended huff, averting her head from the rude trio. Minus Lyly who is in fact, still on her head. Your loss. Aleph stands, ready to set off as her eyes transfix on a strange object held by a golden fist. Has he always had that? Seems kinda... Um... What does it seem like again? Wait... no... was I thinking about something? Eh, probably nothing.

"So wait... How did you not get affected?" "Why would I be affected?" "Why wouldn't you be affected?" "I don't understand the question." "It's your weird yuuthuu stuff again isn't it..." "Maybe? Anyway, we should go." "But then... why did it affect the elf?"