Walking along, the key creatures of the floor came into view. The fact that each beast followed the same magical path as all its other brethren became known. For some reason none of them deviated. Maybe it was what they were gifted from birth. Like how his own kind had a natural inclination towards [LIGHTNING] and [LIGHT].
Monster – [FLURRY FOREST PERYTON] – [LEVEL 86]
The perytons were deer like animals with wings. They were the most active, prancing around in the apparent giddiness of just being alive. They were usually in large herds. Though the odd single or duo could be seen here or there.
Monster – [ESOTERIC DAWN LESSER UNICORN] – [LEVEL 88]
It was official. Unicorns were actually real. Like, really real. Yes, he’d seen all manner of strange creatures in and out of the dungeon since his reincarnation, but unicorns? It definitely made him stop and stare. They were all either white, gold or black equines with rainbow-coloured manes, tails, eyes and horns. It was a majestical sight. They were usually lone creatures, with the only groups gathering around the ponds to drink.
Monster – [ESOTERIC FOREST PEGASUS] – [LEVEL 88]
Apart from their colouring and horns, a pegasus was much like a unicorn. The only other difference was, of course, its large feathery wings. Their fur was a dark shade of either pink, purple, blue or even green. The mane and tails matched, but the eyes always stood out. They were the exact same as a unicorn’s. Rainbow colours reflected the shining lights from above.
Monster – [FLURRY SAGE HIPPOGRIFF] – [LEVEL 89]
The hippogriffs did resemble the more equine inhabitants of the floor. They had hooves and wings, but their long tails were feathery and their heads looked like that of an eagle’s. Rather than fur, they had tiny feathers covering their entire bodies. It still looked like fur from a distance, but it wasn’t. All their beaks were dark brown, and their colours ranged from dappled grey to obsidian black.
Every creature they came across did the same. Stopped what they were doing. Stared at him. Took one step forward, then slanted their bodies backwards with their heads to the ground. They were bowing to him. Every single one.
“This make so much more sense now” [ABRAXAS] muttered to himself.
The bunny wanted to ask what the demon was talking about, but then the levels came through.
*DING*
[SOVEREIGN’S INFLUENCE] has reached Level 4
*DING*
[SOVEREIGN’S INFLUENCE] has reached Level 5
That cleared up what the prince had been referring to.
Around two-thirds of the journey across, they came to the largest of the four mana lakes on the floor. Standing in front of the lake were one of each key monster. A peryton stag, a golden unicorn, a navy blue pegasus, and a dark grey hippogriff stood side by side facing him. [MAX] sat down beside him, while [ABRAXAS] looked on in curiosity. [ROGER] was just confused. Neither side had shown aggression. Why have a confrontation now? He felt no malice from what he guessed were the leaders of each group.
They started things off with the customary bow that he had slowly gotten used to. He gave the now routine head dip of acknowledgement.
*DING*
[SOVEREIGN’S INFLUENCE] has reached Level 6
They rose before the unicorn began to speak in a feminine fairy-like voice.
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“Greetings mighty one. We have been told of your arrival by the mistress. She does not wish to reveal herself completely just yet, so please do not ask.
Our mistress is sure you will complete the tasks set before you, as such, you will soon be our new master. It has been made known to us that you have named many beings within this dungeon. We would like to request that you would name the alpha of each herd on this floor. Please keep in mind that unless you pass on the mantle that our mistress is giving you, something that is highly unlikely, we will forever be your loyal subjects.
This is true even should you reject our plea. We only ask before you have even ascended to lessen the impact upon yourself, while you are still lower levelled.”
So many questions. But apparently, they wouldn’t answer most of them. How foreboding. Right. Just move on to what he could question.
“Very well. I understand. But first, why should I weaken myself to name you? Can’t you just name yourselves?”
The equines and cervine looked to each other in confusion. The hippogriff answered in a masculine and gentlemanly tone that sounded slightly hawkish.
“If a monster names themself, then any who learn their [TRUE NAME] can control them. However, if a monster is named by another, then only the one which named them can command them.
A monster giving themself a name is giving themself strength, but also creating further risk unto themselves. I believe it is said ‘with great risk comes great reward’. The statement applies to such a situation.
If you name us then we can be loyal to only you and no one else. Our mistress refused this offer as she does not wish to be tied down. Ever since she took up the position, she has been waiting to hand it off.
You though, will you abandon your home here? If not, then it would be in your best interests to have us serve you”
“I’d like to add” said the stag in a rumbling tone, “that naming the leader of a group of monsters doesn’t just strengthen the leader. Leaders always have passive buffing skills which are reliant on attributes. Naming us won’t just be giving power to four monsters, you’ll also be helping every creature in our herds. And we will all be serving you.”
Man, they made some good arguments. Was it truly worth it though? He thought it over. Maybe? Probably. He had been born in this dungeon, and despite the violent monsters he still called this place home. It wasn’t like he hadn’t been naming monsters left and right anyway.
He really needed to stop giving his stats away, but, this would be worth it. Besides, they’d asked so nicely and even thought up some reasonable arguments. The only thing missing was a convincing power point presentation to seal the deal. Oh well. You could only work with what you had.
“Very well. I agree to your proposal. Who wants to go first?”
The unicorn stepped forward.
“I await my naming, my liege.”
Riiight. A name. He could name. He knew how to name. He’d done it before. Name. A name. Name, name, name. Ahhh… Goldie? He mentally slapped himself. He wasn’t some overpowered main character with a stupid naming sense, that was a whole other series. Time to put that powerful translation ability to use. Something to do with the sun or light. Sky? Nah. Maybe something relating to gold… Nubia! It was unique, beautiful and meant ‘gold’. He was pretty proud of himself. Then he realised he still hadn’t told anyone and had just been sitting there with a smug grin on his face. Luckily rabbit faces weren’t too expressive. Maybe no one noticed.
Clearing his throat to try and hide his embarrassment, the jackalope proclaimed “I name you [NUBIA].”
He felt his stats fall as soon as the statement fell from his mouth. Well, he’d known this was coming.
“Gratitude” [NUBIA] said as soon as she’d finished glowing green, before stepping back.
Soon after the stag stepped forward, “I request you choose a name conveying strength,” he said while bowing.
The sovereign nodded in acknowledgement. He was just glad that he was losing a lower amount of stats with each name. Naming them all at once would have been a bad idea as each ten percent would have been calculated from his original total attributes. Much better to do it one at a time.
Now, a strong name. How about a name meaning strength? He’d already used one African name. How about another?
“I name you [EKON], the name literally means ‘strong’.”
“I accept.”
More glowing. [EKON] stepped back and the hippogriff stepped forward.
“I would ask for name that inspires cleverness.”
Deciding to stick with the African theme the sovereign said, “Your name is [AKILI], meaning intelligent and bright.”
Further weakening, more glowing. Finally, the silent navy stallion stepped forward.
“Any guidelines for your name?”
A shake of the head was his answer.
The bunny considered the vibe he was getting from the monster standing before him. ‘Chill’ was what came to mind. Chill… Calm… Peaceful. And still keeping with the African naming sense.
“You will now be known as [DAMBA]. Continue to keep your cool, for that is what your name means.”
[DAMBA] slowly nodded in acknowledgement before stepping back.
“We wish you well on your journey my liege,” said [NUBIA].
“Climb your way to victory and conquer all!” encouraged [EKON].
“Watch yourself and be careful, the next floor is no picnic” [AKILI] advised with some actually helpful information.
[DAMBA] was as stoic as ever, with not even a nicker of communication.
Well, that was out of the way. Time to move on and figure out who this ‘Mistress’ was.