For an almost uncomfortably long time, the three-headed Kami simply remained still after it spoke of the uncertain possibilities of a stolen Mantle. In fact, the silence stretched for so long that behind me Old Anta grew distracted and began peering at the floor.

I tried not to twitch as it pecked at the glowing, star-studded flooring (perhaps mistaking the light for an insect?) and then shaking its feathered head as though to clear it as its beak clinked against the ground.

Remember… I inched a short distance forward. Armored spine. Definitely not opening myself to a schizophrenic ambush…

Hah… times like this, I miss the petty stresses of quibbling readers…

“At any rate, our Mission remains unfulfilled.” The central head finally lifted its beak. As one, all three heads pivoted to me. “Chosen, at the point at which the sun stands at its highest peak in the sky, the responsibility for the Newt’s Mantle passes to you. Please, demonstrate your usual efficiency in obtaining the next piece in our ascension.”

“Perhaps in this instance, you will content yourself with simply accomplishing the goal, without transgressive embellishment,” The left head grumbled.

I opened my mouth, aghast at these heinous accusations. Yet there was something about the intensity of the gaze that the Kami’s gave me pause.

This time, the left head of the Kami spoke sharply to me, not due to dislike, but to nudge my attention.

Your Skill (Language) Bestial Comprehension has grown to MAX(+4).

Across the room, Mookt squirmed, causing its wounds to tear and leak further. I closed my mouth, finally understand the shape of what was offered to me. In its own way, the Kami gave me the opportunity for legitimate superiority over Mookt. If I could accomplish the mission at which the catfish had failed, even this sour mud-slug would need to acknowledge me.

Also, the transition is at noon, I reasoned. I’ll have to finish this stage of the paving. In a way, that’s a fair bit of consideration from To and Fro. Putting down roots means I have certain responsibilities.

Bah… sometimes, living is such a hassle.

“We Chimera siblings have never flinched before a burden,” Nightshade proudly announced next to me. I had inward disagreements about how well I’ve reacted to responsibility in the past, but simply nodded. I would not shirk, this time.

“Then the issue of the Mission is finished,” The right head quacked. “Now, the Call. All my air their considerations in this assemblage of monsters.”

“I’d like to begin.”

Even as Mookt thrashed and perked up, Violala beat him to the punch. The slender venom mantis moved to the center of the temple and pivoted around. I didn’t miss the way her gaze lingered on Nightshade and me. “It is a minor matter, but during our campaign in the mud fields, we encountered a particularly difficult foe-”

“Now you come beginning for assistance?” Mookt’s eyes glittered. It spat to the side. I was slightly disgusted to see there was blood as well as phlegm in the spit. For the first time, I wondered if the catfish might legitimately die of its own brain aneurysm (or internal bleeding) in the near future. “Heh, how pathetic.”

“After a great struggle, the foe was vanquished. I have even used my minor talents to acquire a trophy,” Violala said, much to Mookt’s obvious annoyance. She gestured and I felt a pulse of power from the Kami. A previously shadowy corner of the temple seemed to have been highlighted with a spotlight. “I wondered if any would be willing to exchange our Chosen’s discs for it.”

Despite myself, I gasped.

There, glittering in the corner, were a pearlescent pair of dragonfly wings, massive enough they would seem oversized on my current body. As they shifted slowly, little beads of refracted light seemed to roll in dazzling patterns across their surface. They seemed wrought of moonlight and gossamer.

In terms of body parts, I wasn’t sure if I had ever seen finer.

Now, I still had some mixed feelings about whether it should be necessary for me to apologize to my sister. At the same time…

I could visualize her raw pleasure perfectly. Her whole face would light up. Her tails would brew up a whirlwind behind her, like a too-smart golden retriever overhearing the word ‘walk’. She would buzz, rather than walk. She would talk so quickly the words would tumble together in an uncoordinated expression of joy.

And despite our spat, her pleasure still made me feel a warm thrill of anticipation.

“I would like to bid-” I hesitated. It felt rude to not pay legitimate value for these wonderful dragonfly wings. “Three discs for the wings.”

“I would also like to bid.” Behind me, Old Anta clacked his beak cheerily. “Four discs.”

I started; what the hell would the owl do with wings-

Ah, he did just peck the floor. Maybe just… eat them? Shaking my head, I answered out loud. “I’ll give five discs.”

Behind me, the owl shuffled back and forth with massive, hip-swinging steps. I wondered where the hell Old Anta had gotten the extra discs, but eventually, the owl shook its head. I felt a flash of relief as Violala pointed her serrated foreleg at me. “Chosen Tallum, the wings are yours. I will collect the discs later. For now, please take your prize.”

Transportation… might be awkward. I winced as I walked over to the glittering dragonfly wings. I created a tentacle and brushed up against them, just to get an idea.

Your Skill (Species) Contemplate Flesh has grown to Level 14.

Would you like to integrate the magnificent wings of the Wetland Waterskimmer Lvl 22?

I felt a thrill of pleasure; Sage would definitely love these… strangely shaped tails. Plus, the Level Up notification was a nice reminder that in two days, I would be able to activate my Contemplate Flesh Skill again.

“I must admit, I did not want the wings,” Old Anta said, causing me to freeze. Had it not been connected by interstitial flesh, my jaw would have hit the floor by what followed. “I just wished to deplete our Chosen’s economic powers, so in the future, I would have the upper hand during bargaining.”

“Such a strategy is possible?” Mookt’s eyes bulged. It rolled over and then cleared its throat. “I demand the bidding reopen! I will pay… a hundred discs!”

The catfish looked at me expectantly. I gave it a pitying look. I had been ambushed the Owl, but this fool was a lifetime too early to try and apply “Okay, you win. Pay up.”

“Huh? I-” The catfish flushed. Then it turned and glared at Old Anta. “I have been tricked! This strategy is useless, you mad bird!”

Old Anta cooed and fluttered its wings.

“Is there any other orders of business?” The Central head restored a bit of order to the meeting by speaking.

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

Another unexpected actor moved into the spotlight. The Seven Crowned Toad Lady Gymellicka raised a humanoid, albeit green and miniature, hand. “I would like to make it known. Henceforth, I hope the issue of the undead necrotic horde will fall under my purview. Leave this matter to me. If you locate the woeful soul that has seeded the epidemic… I request you bring them to me.”

Next to me, I felt a surprised tremor from Nightshade’s jelly. I could feel him teetering on the brink of speaking, so I laid a tentacle on his side. It was a strange ask, but it was also a relief. We would journey South tomorrow to figure out this whole stolen Mantle situation. A volunteer anti-zombie vigilante would stabilize the situation.

No one else spoke; no vocalized denials were essentially an endorsement from this group. The Kami looked around but remained still, providing space for the next issue to be brought. I felt tension creep back into my flesh. Yet-

Mookt simply glared at Old Anta. A thought occurred to me.

Has it forgotten its feud with me, because of a new grudge with the owl…? Alright, Old Anta, for volunteering as tribute, I will forgive you. It’s just two discs, anyway.

“I have an announcement.” I said. “I’ll be… ahem, improving the area around the temple in the near future. Once the base is laid out, we will be able to erect additional subdivisions pretty easily. So feel free to experiment with the roads I am creating.”

“Veins of chilling blight across the land,” The left head muttered. The right head looked disgruntled but didn’t contradict the left.

“If no more voices demand listeners,” The Central Head said. “The Call is over. Tonight, enjoy the Feast of the fly swamp. We must retire. The process of absorption has not been easy.”

With a smashing explosion of light and sound, the Kami vanished. For several seconds after the initial burst cleared, I could only stand and try my best to ignore my energy sonar, which wobbled into kaleidoscopic patterns with their hyper-swift departure.

Your Skill (Earned) Innate Mana Attunement has grown to Level 11.

What happened to a classic smoke bomb departure? I lampooned. Kamis these days are too flashy- oh god.

As my vision gradually cleared, directly opposite me stood Old Oak, his teady bear features scrunched into a look of resentment and disappointment. His gaze lingered on the location the Kami had just vacated. And, in a horrible moment of understanding, I realized that the former Kami was thinking the exact same thing as I was.

Well, not the part about ninjutsu. But just as irascible and grumpy.

Proving my horrified impression, the former-Kami stopped around and out of the temple, complaining under his breath. Gymellicka offered a wave to the group and departed on his heels.

I pivoted away; having a jinx moment with Old Oak was not a sign of success in my pursuit of a leisurely life. But when I wheeled around, I found the Venom Mantis Violala waiting for me. Her foreleg flashed. My flinch was hidden by the fact Anta used his hip swinging gait to depart from the temple right next to us. In his wake, Mookt hissed and followed.

Mental note, I thought to myself. Mookt can only remember one eternal foe at a time.

“Lady Violala,” Nightshade rumbled as he moved next to me. “Your kindness in retrieving these wings will not be forgotten.”

“A proper implement goes a long way toward thriving in a dangerous environment,” Violala said as she waved a serrated foreleg. “Besides, although you require a more physical trophy, we all grow off experience from the defeated. There is much to admire in the ease and literal nature of your adaption.”

I stretched out tentacles and plucked up the wings. The drag of air resistance caused them to flutter very slightly. As I considered them, I was sorely tempted to scrap my plan and Integrate the wings myself; they seemed quite potent.

I flexed my squirrel hands.

If I was being honest with myself, I wasn’t actually that tempted. The desire steadily drained away while I considered the wings. Really, it was just a vicious impulse to deprive Sage of something that she wanted-- a little bit of hurt still lingered in me.

“Rather than the discs,” Violala continued. “Chosen Tallum, I had hoped you would be willing to exchange more of that soothing liquid…? The Matriarch… well, she has become rather demanding. She is a harsh conversationalist if she cannot sit in a pool of your oils at dawn and consider the wonders of the rising sun.”

I twitched but the request was not unexpected. My focus reached for my blessing. Plus, with my newfound control, I was able to cut off the Blessing halfway, so only a pinch of my Mana-

Your Skill (Earned) Innate Mana Attunement has grown to Level 12.

Due to your Actions, Proficiency of your Seep Blessed Oils +6.

Fully half of my Mana pool drained away, while I struggled to get the Blessing under control. With my Mana having reached 299, fat drops of oils rolled off me to spatter on the floor and glitter amongst the star-studded shell beneath our feet before I could cause the deluge to cease.

“Do you now see why I cannot help but treat you with careful consideration?” Violala said to Nightshade, even while she began to scrape up the oils into a spidersilk carrier. “How else can I stand tall in front of Chosen Tallum? Any other behavior would see me skulking about the wetland with my head lowered in shame, to owe so much and be completely powerless to repay him.”

“Indeed,” Nightshade gave me a meaningful look. Very subtly implying, ‘Look, even monsters notice your self-destructive largess’. I winced as he pivoted back to the Venom Mantis. “Yet you are the first to bring us a gift like this. It is a notable act.”

“Ah, one more thing.” Violala’s forelegs buzzed back and forth. “The Kami wished for me to emphasize that it would indeed be digesting the power of the new Mantle over the next few days and that you should take some measures to ensure the defense of the area. Particularly, the temple.”

I grimaced, imagining zombie toads hopping around and vomiting necrotic bile all over the temple. Definitely, left head would push for me to be chosen to clean up the mess; I would swiftly be demoted from Chosen to janitor. But that image made me recall the corrupted river opal I still carried with me, which would draw zombies to it.

I shooed away both Violala and Nightshade, telling them I would take care of the wings myself. I also spared a wave for the otters as they departed, leaving me alone in the temple with the pulsing life energy of the Kami. Nightshade would be an able enough host at the fly swamp for the Feast.

Leaving the wings on the ground, I walked up to the living map on the wall.

For a few moments I simply stood in front of it, allowing awe and wonder to fill me. The three Mantles pulsed intermittently with energy, sending out refreshing ‘waves’ through the map, that both sharpened the detail and pushed the edges very slightly outward.

Sometimes, I admitted to myself, I almost still couldn’t believe I now lived in a fantasy world.

Then I got to work, creating a Mana Array around the map. Because all I had were the basic nodes and concentration and dispersal arrays, I had the idea to essentially layer the two arrays. Have a dispersal array inside of the concentration array, so that the arrays would create a barrier of energy between the two.

I had no idea whether it actually provide any defensive value, but I wanted to experiment. Just as I was about to begin, I pause.

Perhaps… I shouldn’t perform my experiments on the final site of the project?

Your Skill (Earned) Monster’s Wisdom has grown to Level 25(+33).

Yea, I got it…

I walked outside to the mudfield outside the temple to make my attempt. I considered my Mana pool and shook my head; definitely, I needed a firmer hand with my Blessings. I conjured the Mana nodes carefully. But before I could even finish the experiment-

Your (Species) Skill Lesser Array Knowledge has grown to Level 25.

Your Skill (Species) Lesser Array Knowledge evolved into (Species) Monstrous Array Knowledge Lvl 1.

Due to Exalted’s Due, Mana +5.

Your Skill (Earned) Exalted’s Due has grown to Level 14.

Monstrous Array Knowledge? I shrugged. Well, it’s true. I’m a Chimera.

Plus, I felt pleased because the shift came with the knowledge of a new Array: the Isolation Array. I quickly gathered up my Mana and created a small circle of nodes specializing in isolation. Rather than causing the rings to rotate inward or outward, each rotated sideways; essentially, they spun the energy around the array in a thick current that prevented any from leaking outward.

Your Skill (Species) Monstrous Array Knowledge has grown to Lvl 2.

Your Skill (Species) Monstrous Array Knowledge has grown to Lvl 3.

Once the array was finished, I plucked the Corrupted River Opal out from my flesh. I considered it for a short time, memorizing its energy signature, considering the air and watching the wafting wisps of necrotic energy spread out and into the surrounding wetland environment. Then I placed it within my small Isolation Array and waited.

Your Skill (Earned) Innate Mana Attunement has grown to Level 13.

The Array did a good job of muffling my impression of the energy within, but my energy sonar had a bit more penetrative power. I could still, albeit vaguely, feel the wisps of necrotic energy… but as they attempted to spread, they were caught in the whirling current. None could escape.

“Now, would you look at that,” I laughed. “I tried something, and it actually worked.”

Quickly, my mood sobered. My attitude turned bleak. “What does it say about me that my thoughts immediately turn suspicious, wondering if this is some sort of System trap…?”