Our mother led us outside the cave entrance where instead of seeing the forest spreading out before us we saw a squirming starry void encasing all of the cave's entrance.
My siblings were excited to see the outside world but as Maeve and I had already been outside we were rather calm in comparison. As I had already learned magic I wasn't amazed by this sight, I was more intrigued or curious about how it worked than awed by its appearance. My mother seemingly noticing my curiosity explained to me what I was looking at.
"Curious? That's your grandma's special portal, it has nearly no danger so even the weakest creature can travel through it. It can teleport to any place Grandma's been before, so if there is ever an emergency she can just directly relocate the entire clan. She stabilises the portal by using something similar to magic pillars to support the space channel and Life Magic to allow weaker life to pass through the channel harmlessly."
"Hey what are you telling him all that for? It's not like he'll understand it. It takes months before monsters can use magic, you know that. Most rely on their bodies to fight before that." Grandma interrupted sounding more lecturing than angry.
"But Mum he already knows magic and he even knows Arcane Magic! I saw it! Show her Lugh!" Mum became mad when I was underestimated and I was foisted into the spotlight.
My siblings after hearing the commotion were now looking over and looking especially intently at myself in the centre of it all. Now even though I could step up to people breaking rules or laws I was generally afraid of being in the limelight as shown by how I only had three friends in my entire life. I wasn't very social and was very neutral thus most people overpowered me in conversations that weren't debates.
Shyly shuffling on the spot I looked up and saw both my mother and grandmother staring at me. My mother was staring in expectation while my grandmother was staring with a twinge of curiosity. Resigning myself with a sigh I began to cast a basic ward spell to quickly end this incident.
As we were in the cave and the entrance which would usually allow light in was blocked the surroundings were near pitch black. So when my bright ward appeared it caused a sensation that I didn't intend for. Lying on the ground were my siblings whimpering while covering their eyes. Besides myself, there were only three others still standing though still somewhat blinded.
My Mother, Sister and Grandmother all looked at me with three very different gazes.
My mother was ecstatic and her eyes were radiating joy but slight worry over her other pups.
My sister's eyes were full of passion and looked like she wanted to tackle me right there and shout 'Amazing!'
Lastly, my Grandmothers face was the image of shock. Her gaze was locked on the ward floating in front of me radiating a brilliant light though it was dimming under my control.
"A-Arcane Magic! H-How!? You are only a few weeks old at the most! It should be impossible! Even elementary magic shouldn't be possible until you are at least 4 months old! Boy, speak! How did you manage this?"
Her face gradually recovered while she was speaking while her tone also became more and more curious than shocked.
I myself was stumped trying to think of how to reply. I can't just casually say "Oh yeah I was reincarnated by Loki God of Chaos and received the blessing of Meridia Daedric Princess of Life. No biggie."
Although Echidna herself is at least a Demi-God according to mythology and is sometimes a God so it might not be the worst course of action. Although from the conversation earlier things seem turbulent in Norse lands.
Oh well, I never was good at lying so I might as well come clean and maybe get some advice.
"Um... It's kind of a long story. I don't know how long your portal can stay open so do you want me to explain it here or wait until later Granny?" While saying this I put on the most pitiful expression I could trying to gain sympathy points from her.
"You're right we should head out first we've been delayed long enough. Everyone gather up! We're heading out!"
With that, we all stepped into the portal and left behind our birth place and began our lives in the Hellas Monster Clan.
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As I stepped into the void-like portal I experienced an odd sensation that I knew was magic but a kind I had not encountered up until this point. Which wasn't saying much as I had experience with only Fire, Light, Sun and Abjuration out of Arcane Magic.
Thinking logically I would assume that the magic was Space magic which is near identical to Conjuration from the Arcane Magic or it might in fact just be Conjuration magic.
After thinking along those lines I began to try to get a sense for this feeling in case it came in handy when I was trying to learn Conjuration magic.
After focusing my mind and trying to get a feeling of this magic the sensation I got was like staring down a deep hole that has no end in sight. Besides that, I felt the magic constantly moving. Not like the wind. More like when it is so hot it seems as if you can feel and see the heat. Within that feeling, there was constant movement almost alike to a squirming bug.
It was a very loose and vague feeling that it was hard to describe. Suffice to say that it was difficult to understand. While being engrossed in sensing out this magic I quickly reached the end of the tunnel and could see a clear white light at the end.
Once I appeared out of the tunnel I was greeted with a large wall that stretched upwards nearly blotting out the sun from behind it. If I had to guess it would be at least 100 feet in height. That's minimum. Even at my lowest estimate, it is still nearly 4 times as large as the Great Wall of China.
As I could only see one face of the towering wall I couldn't get a sense for its thickness. It's appearance, however, was a clear and distinct marble as pure and bright a white as I would expect an Angels wings to have. Inscribed on those walls were passages of text spread evenly around the wall, the language which I could only assume was Ancient Greek, shone on those white walls with a golden lustre that shined brightly with the glaring sunlight shining down on them.
In-between two passages of text was a large gate that reached to about 80% the height of the wall made of what appeared to be golden scales and a dull white metal as support. Standing next to this gate were two statues that gave off the image of supporting the gate. One was of Echidna, the matriarch of the clan, and Typhon, the patriarch of the clan.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Besides the gargantuan walls and the images upon them, surrounding me was a hub of activity. The portal had led to a square in front of the clan as it seems the clan was in the centre of a city. Which was here first is pretty clear with the reverent gazes the civilians around are sending our way as we stood in the square with Grandma in the lead but Mother taking the limelight in her massive form.
"Cera, can you please change form? You know how it freaks out the inhabitants of the city to see a member of the clan in the city." Grandma sighed as if having had this conversation with her many times before. I noticed that her form had also changed and besides her beauty, she looked just like an average human.
Looking depressed with having to change form, Mother quickly gave out a puff of smoke that seemed to be both a grunt of dissatisfaction and a way of hiding her changing form.
Appearing out of the smoke was a woman who appeared to be in her early twenties at most. Her features were soft which gave her an innocence to her youthful looks. This was immediately dissipated though when you look further down and see the clothes she was wearing. She was wearing a deep tiger-red sports bra and matching yoga pants. This by itself was fine, but with her figure, it turned the outfit near obscene. Her breasts were straining the bra's straps to their limits to the point that I'd salute it for its valiant service. Her hips were wide enough that I would think that standard human doors would not allow her entry walking in normally. It didn't help the yoga pants that her thighs and ass were her best feature to the extremes that it wouldn't be a surprise for a cult to form to worship it. Her hair and eyes being a fiery red tied the appearance together. All in all, she seemed like a mixture of a sex god and an innocent virgin even though it seemed like a contradiction when you looked at her it seemed to perfectly fit.
In her new form, she approached me and picked me up into her arms where she then began petting me with an obscene expression on her face. if not for the system title in my status I would have questioned whether this woman was my mother or just a sexual deviant who kidnapped us all.
"Ah! My spirit is being healed. Lugh you're such a good boy. You helped me show off in front of Granny so I'm rewarding you with a round of petting. You better be thankful."
Really, she gave that as a reason as to pet me. I would call her Tsundere if she actually got angry so what Dere would this be?
Of course, as I was now a dog I did really enjoy her petting and my tail began wagging in joy. So much so that I began licking her on the face. This caused a giggle to escape from her mouth which then turned into a full fit of laughter. Even in her changed form, she attracted everyone's sight and soon we were once again the centre of attention in the square.
Grandma was standing a slight distance away with a happy expression with a slight trace of reminiscence in her eyes. Maeve, on the other hand, was glaring in jealousy at Mum. Most would think she is jealous of the petting I'm receiving but then she would be glaring at me not Mum.
Finally, Grandma clapped her hands loudly and gathered our attention.
"We can't stay here all day. Come on Grandpa is waiting for us inside." With that, we obediently followed her lead into the clan through the massive gate....'s side entrance.
There was no way they would open up an eighty-foot gate just for two humans and around a dozen pups.
Within those massive walls was an unexpected sight. I expected a fantastical scenery to be laid before me or at least an outstanding scenery worthy of the massive walls surrounding it.
But no it was as if the walls weren't even there and what appeared before was what looked like more city. The only difference would be that there were the occasional massive proportion houses or stores dotted around the clan's part of the city. Which would make sense since I would think my Mum is not the only one who prefers to be in original form.
We were lead to a large courtyard in from what I could tell was the centre of the city. It looked like a mixture between a Roman villa and a Chinese courtyard. I could tell they were aiming for more of a Chinese feel though as the landscape was dotted with bamboo and a few koi ponds. If it was on Earth it would've probably been criticised as a botched job but here in Gaia with its mystical elements, the landscape looked beautiful.
At the centermost pond, there was a man resting against a rock while fishing, if you can even call it that as it seemed he held no interest in his rod at all. With Granny in the lead and us following like obedient chicks, we approached the man who still seemed to not have noticed us. It wasn't until Granny whacked him across the head and I heard a snort of waking that I realised he had just been asleep.
"What are you doing sleeping you old coot!? I told you I would be bringing Cera's lot back today to meet you but you go and doze off! You really do never change! I would've thought after all these years you would have copped on." Grandma began a stream of berating that caused the man's complexion to get worse and worse but he had no way out as he was in the wrong here. I might've been imagining it but I thought I saw a glint pass by his eyes. He tried to settle the situation in the only way he knew how.
With a flash, Granny was in his embrace with their lips locked. She gave a weak attempt at resistance but finally gave up.
It was only ten minutes later that he let Granny rest. He carefully lay Granny, who was out of breath, down on the grass. He then looked over at us seeming to have only remembered we were here. His eyes seemed to light up when he saw Mum.
"Ah, Cera! My dear Cera! Come give daddy a hug!" With that, he leapt towards Mum. Sadly for him, things didn't end well. With a kick to the face, he was sent flying.
"Hmph, you think after that display I'm letting you anywhere near me or my kids? Dream on. Come back when you've fixed your bad habits, you lecher." With that said she went over to check on Granny with me still being carried in her arms. When she reached Granny's side and let me down. I went next to Granny and gave her a lick on the cheek to see if she was alright.
She turned her head to look at me and gave me a sweet and warm smile and began petting me.
I understand I'm soft and all but why does everyone keep petting me!?
I shyly backed away and ran to hide behind Mum hoping to avoid head pats.
Even there I was unsafe as I was then picked up by Grandpa and then he also began rubbing me. No matter how good it feels I just want to be left alone!
"Hmm so this is the little tyke is Cera's prized child. He doesn't seem too special? Especially to warrant such affection from Echidna. Although this sensation is quite satisfying. Kid, you don't mind me using you as a pillow right? Good, let's..."
Before he could finish he was pierced by three glares, while one could be neglected the other two quickly made him drop me to save his hide.
"Ty do you need a beating? It seems you've been too relaxed lately you've started getting rebellious. This old lady will have to knock some sense back into that thick skull of yours." With a tight grasp on his skull, it seemed like there was no escape for Grandpa. My condolences.
I quickly ran into the litter of speechless pups so that I can escape being pulled into the spotlight again.
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We finally managed to get things back on track soon after where Grandpa explained the basics of the clan.
Roughly the Clan had 10 main branches based on the children of Echidna and Typhon.
Orthus, Cerberus, Lernaean Hydra, Sphinx, Nemean lion, Prometheus' Eagle, Ladon, Crommyonian Sow, Gorgons, Colchian Dragon, Scylla.
As the Orthus was just a two-headed variant of Cerberus they were classed as the same branch. Although my auntie Orthus was on really good terms with Mum it seems the same could not be said for the rest of the branches.
Besides Echidna and Typhon, the other branches were fighting to gain more and more power within the clan so that they're offspring would get better resources from the clan. That was why Mum left the clan to give birth as she was afraid something might happen.
Now that my siblings and I are here we will be mixed into this chaos.
Can I just have my peaceful days back?