Joulo could feel the differences as every day something changed. Mana flowed through her land and body, and there were others who noticed as color returned to her features. Once forgotten and alone the color that filled out her once pale complexion gave her a visibility she dreaded.

She sat in her usual corner as she squirmed under the gaze of others. The Father of Swarms could feel something was different about her and stared unashamedly. His ants had tasted the dungeon’s mana before they died and the faint taste had gone back to their patron god. The taste got his attention despite being so faint. A single insect out of billions, and he picked up on it like a shark to blood.

He was suspicious, but without concrete evidence, approaching Joulo was social suicide. She was the outcast, the forgotten, the one that didn’t belong. To spare his reputation he nudged another god and pointed to the dark corner Joulo tried to shrink further into.

They saw her and saw through her. Visually distinct her body had been warped by her hunger. She was dressed in rags and clawed her way into a healthy weight, yet her eyes still revealed the hunger she tried to hide. The duo who blatantly stared at her from across the room knew with a single glance something had changed for the goddess of mountains.

She was prey in their eyes, and if she were to so much as flinch would be the weakness they needed to pounce.

A soft whisper was how it started. A human in the mortal realm began to walk. A slight detour as a subtle feeling deep in their gut overtook them. They had been influenced to take a hike through a dead mountain range. A pawn in the games of gods.

A game Joulo would be forced to play.

The quiet corner of the hollowed halls she enjoyed would soon become anything but. The others made plans, spun webs, and stacked the deck in their favor. The game couldn’t be avoided. If she wanted to survive Joulo would have to play and win. A single glance at the cards she held put dread in her stomach. Thoughts raced through her head as plans failed to come together.

‘Which of my subjects could foil the plans of divine beings? What plant or insect can best the gods and their holy armies?’

In a few weeks’ time, the other gods would have their suspicions confirmed. They would send scouts first, while they mobilized armies of animals and humans alike. Joulo had to defend herself. She was a dead and forgotten god who inherited the title and domain. This gave her flexibility. A tool she had to use if she wanted to keep what was hers.

Steeling her resolve, she fed the gorse plant to the green slime. A sacrifice to make the other stronger. It was the only choice, which made it feel like it wasn’t one.

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Shimmer was a good slime. A green slime that had come back to find the dungeon even better than when she left!

So many new friends. A dozen tiny insects that shared her love of plants so much that they started their own collection. They had a lot in common like that. There was even a new slime, but he was shy and liked to hide underground. Shimmer hadn’t talked to him yet, but wanted to.

As amazing as new friends and her brother were, today Shimmer had a job to do. She was allowed to eat the new gorse plant the Creator had made before she left. A big shrub covered in yellow flowers that were bright like the sun. It would make a splendid meal for the Creator.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The plant reached high into the sky, far higher than Shimmer could reach. She started low, grabbing at the leaves she could reach. Slowly, she worked her way higher as she climbed along the thick stem of the plant. The stem was strong and hard to eat, so she would come back. First, she wanted to eat all the leaves and flowers. A thin shell protected the plant, but that just delayed the mana from being pulled out of them.

She stripped the Gorse bare. Leaves, branches, and even the buds of seed pods were all converted into mana to feed the Creator. That just left Shimmer with the large stock in the middle of the plant to eat, but with enough time, the Guide told her about what a great job she had done!

> Understanding Increased: Wood

> Understanding Increased: Wax

> Candlewick Title Attained: Green “Shimmer” Slime - 15% resistance to the first temperature damage per hour.

A new purpose settled over Shimmer. Not a goal, but a direction for the mana that filled her body. She didn’t evolve, and that was alright because she felt better. A layer of wax coated her body like a coat to protect her. As she rolled around, she left behind the layer of wax to protect the ground at her feet.

She would protect the Creator with what she learned from the plant.

The new friends she had made even wanted to help her. The ants gathered around to admire how much Shimmer sparkled under the light. As much as she liked the attention of her new friends, she had to remind them they had a job to do. They must feed the Creator mana so they would grow!

The ants scattered, hauling leaves, planting seeds, and even picking up some of the wax Shimmer left in her wake. They formed a trail that followed her as they collected the slime she left behind, cleaning up after her. They were good friends, looking out for her and helping protect the dungeon.

Her slime was part plant, so maybe that’s why the ants liked it so much. Shimmer watched as the ants worked alongside her, eating plants to become mana for their Creator. With their great work, she focused on her tasks. Thoughts wondered about how cool moss was before a message from the Guide shattered them.

> Monster [Ant] has Died

That wasn’t very nice. What happened? Shimmer looked around to see how her friends had died, only to find an invader had snuck up right behind her! It even had an ant in its mouth. With a crunch, another message filled her head.

> Monster [Ant] has Died

Two legs made it faster than her, but she was bigger than the invader. She didn’t know how it snuck up on them, but she had to save her little friends. She had to move before it could attack again.

Diving forward, she landed with a soft plop, having just missed the invader that hopped about. It was a lot faster than it looked as it danced out of her reach. She could only grab a small piece before it disappeared in a gust of wind.

Shimmer had no idea what that was, but it hurt her friends. She had to help. The invader left behind a small part of its body, clearly running away from the amazing monster that Shimmer was. She ate what remained behind and learned. It wasn’t a plant, but Shimmer was a good student.

> Understanding Increased: Feathers

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A shadow stalked the land.

A creature far larger than most that moved through these mountains. It walked upright on two legs and had a thick carapace to protect it from the dangers of the dead mana that infused the land. It was born to explore, designed to go where others would die.

Straining under the weight of its protective shell, it carried on. Thick and ragged breaths heaved off of it with every thundering step. It was on the hunt and could not stop.

Binocular eyes swiveled to track its prey. A bird had passed through its territory as it flew above the worse of the dangers of the mana. The monster had to track its prey and find out where it would land, for no place was hospitable. It knew that.

Once the beast crested the hill, it looked upon the valley that lay before it. Snow, and gray peaks, were all to be expected, but an unfamiliar sight filled the valley. Green plants. Life had sprouted.

The monster had enough intelligence to understand this was different. An anomaly not supposed to be. It had found where the bird had stopped to rest during its migration. With his job was complete, he would return to his den and warn the others of his species.

Shouldering his pack, the human strained under the weight of his protective suit.

He had to return to tell the others. The mountains were no longer dead.