Valterra’s gaze was riveted on the words blazing across his Core:
Your “House Mouse” is ready to Ascend!
Please choose from among the following stages:
Mouse Guard (Unique, Rank F - Copper)
A house mouse following in the paw steps of its kin. Where one treads another may follow. This mouse has embraced the calling of Ile’fen as guardian and warrior. Crafted by the Spirit of Conflict, this stage on the Path of Ascension paves a way forward to even higher heights.
Hoarder Mouse (Rank F - Copper)
Laying aside its mundane nature this mouse has Ascended, its eyes and mind transforming to better notice valuable objects. When gathered and placed into its nest these objects provide the mouse with a small amount of excess Aether. These beasts need not ever fight again, content to steal and pilfer to fuel further stages on their Path of Ascension.
Feral Mouse (Rank F - Copper)
Often compared to adult rats this mouse is larger than its mundane kin with sharp claws and strengthened jaws. Found naturally in the wild it is extremely territorial, throwing itself at enemies regardless of danger to itself. Often deployed in unceasing hoards by young dungeons they have proven to be an effective countermeasure to inexperienced adventurers.
Amazing! Valterra hadn’t known that he would be able to choose the next stage of Ascension for his creatures. Now that he thought back, the only other time this had occurred had been when his Mouse Guard had begun glowing back when he wasn’t yet fully sapient. Filled with childish joy he eagerly looked through the options.
The first that stood out was the fact that his Mouse Guard was no longer the only mouse that could become one. That was big news since he was also Ascending which would allow the Core to see what was coming down the road. He almost dismissed the Ascension options for his smaller mice to go and check but held himself back to look at the other options.
The other two stages looked like they were the next step for a natural House Mouse’s Ascension without the interference of a divine entity. Thanks, Ile’fen. Valterra thought, trying to express his gratitude for the Framework of his guardian even though he figured the High Spirit wouldn’t be listening.
It surprised him, therefore, to feel the briefest divine touch as Ile’fen responded with a feeling of pride. Whether the pride was for him or the Framework, Valterra didn’t know but he was comforted that the High Council was watching over him even if it was only to watch him play.
He turned back to the Frameworks before him to try and see how they might be used in a dungeon. The Feral Mouse had it right in the description. He doubted that he would be able to mold its Path of Ascension freely, seeing as it had already been used by dungeons in the past.
The Mouse Hoarder, though, seemed interesting in the way that it stole things and then sat and defended the hoard. He figured it would be hard to trust such a creature with the defense of the Dungeon for another Core though, especially when you could choose a hoard of ravenous giant mice instead. There was also the chance that it was a natural Path of Ascension for a House Mouse rather than simply a wild variety of mice that went feral.
Regardless he could already see a use for the creatures. Who knew what treasures lay in wait to be uncovered in the archmage’s cabin? And of course, Valterra could create little trinkets for his mice to find. It could be fun! Yes, he would have to see about that stage later.
For now, though, he turned away from them. He knew the desire of his little mice and how they looked up to their older kin. They wanted to follow in his paw steps and become Mouse Guards and he would grant their request. That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to summon more mice immediately. He wanted those other stages after all! After he had led them back to their cavern he selected the option and let the light take them.
Your “Constricting Green Snake” is ready to Ascend!
Please choose from among the following stages:
Sylcyne Garter Snake (Rank E - Bronze)
Thicker of body and slightly longer, this snake has chosen to invest in venomous saliva at the expense of less efficient constriction. It retains its green camouflage to better blend in with its surroundings while it waits for prey. Still an ambush predator, now its initial bite
Razorscale Dwarf Boa (Rank E - Bronze)
Growing only slightly in size this snake has gained rigid sharp edges to its scales. Continuing its habit of constricting its prey, its new armor shreds flesh even as it squeezes them to death. Any creature that doesn’t free itself in time will find itself lacerated and broken, helpless as the snake consumes them whole.
Arrowtail Glass Lizard (Rank E - Bronze)
Legless lizards are common enough in the northern parts of the world. Despite looking like snakes they are in fact lizards with moveable eyelids and external ear openings. Known as Glass Lizards for their ability to shed the lower section of their tails, which often shatters into tinier pieces like glass, this lizard has weaponized this ability further. Instead of simply shedding their tail they whip it at the enemy whereupon it shatters mid-flight into small pieces. These pieces harden in the air to become sharp shrapnel that pierces flesh with ease.
Looking over the next series of notifications Valterra was struck once more with flickering ideas of what they might look like. He dismissed the lizard option despite its interesting applications. He knew his third floor guardian was content being a snake and would rather become a more lethal version of himself. He didn’t quite know how he knew that but he did.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
That being said, as his eyes drifted over the other two options he wondered which one might fit best. Against the ants, having the sharp edges on his snake’s scales might help it cut through the hoard. Then again, constriction wasn’t really viable against the ants and he didn’t know if his guardian could move fast enough to become the dervish of death that Valterra imagined.
To make his decision Valterra thought carefully about what he wanted his guardian to be capable of long term. When thinking about it that way, the Sylcyne Garter Snake made the most sense. With its ability to both constrict and strike with venom, it would be doubly able to protect the entrance to the Dungeon, at least in his mind… as long as the reptile wasn’t swamped again under a hoard of ants.
His choice was made, and Valterra guided the snake inside and out of the way before letting the Ascension process begin. He watched as its coils loosened in sleep before turning to the last flashing notification.
Your “Mouse Guard” is ready to Ascend!
Please choose from among the following stages:
Mouse Soldier (Unique, Rank E - Bronze)
A path for the mouse that has dedicated themselves to the way of war and discipline. These mice are loyal and steadfast, elevated from simple guard mice to fearsome combatants. Wielding all manner of weaponry these mice are heads and tails above their former occupation.
Mouse Scout (Unique, Rank E - Bronze)
Eschewing war and conflict, this mouse seeks to range far and wide. With an Ascension that provides a larger than normal Aether Core but reduced overall capabilities, the Mouse Ranger is able to leave the Dungeon’s territory for short periods of time both to explore and to bring back useful Frameworks for their Dungeon’s perusal.
Mouse Guard Veteran (Unique, Rank D - Iron)
Giving up all future potential this mouse has chosen the path of the Guard. Strong, durable, and persistent, it is in its awareness of its surroundings that the Mouse Guard Veteran shines. Able to sense fluctuations in Aether, this mouse is almost never surprised and is able to respond to any threat a young Dungeon might face.
Well, that…was certainly different. Valterra didn’t know what to make of the new options. He knew he wouldn’t be picking the last one at least. Despite his excitement over the option and the power it would bring to the table he didn’t want to stymy his first guardian’s growth.
The Mouse Scout was an interesting option. With the capabilities it offered, he would be able to scout around before expanding his territory. Then again, at the rate he could expand it may not be worth it at this point. He would definitely be getting some in the future but for that, he would need more mice.
Really, there was only one option. Valterra made sure his guardian was back in his cavern before selecting Mouse Soldier. Taking a metaphorical step back he turned his gaze to the third floor, which doubled as his front entrance. It no longer had a guardian but that was okay. He could summon more. That would come later, though.
Over the last few days as Valterra had worked on his newest floor, the new territory he had claimed above ground had become a bedlam of chaos. The third floor, which had set boundaries and a set guardian, was fine situated as it was between the bedlam and the main Dungeon Entrance.
What lay outside the third floor was entirely different, a wild and yet Aether-rich land. It had also been claimed by a dungeon which meant that everything within that space became more and more magical despite not having the dungeon's full attention or having the boundary of a floor.
Thus it became prime real estate for various creatures, with different varieties of insects, arachnids, and rodents fighting over territory. They all sought that most precious of resources…Aether.
As Valterra swept his attention over the carnage he mentally berated himself. Despite his recent gains from the creatures that had just Ascended, he could have been collecting Frameworks or using his extra Aether to claim more creatures and more creatures meant more defenders.
Strictly speaking, Valterra, while intelligent and full of downloaded instinct and knowledge, was like a child in many ways. He had spent the last few days claiming a massive space for one Framework after all. In this moment, as he fumed at the missed opportunity he lashed out in the only way he knew how.
He summoned his Aether reserves and called forth his Authority over the elements. Bolts of fire, rent earth, lashing rain, and biting winds rippled through the new territory causing the denizens to run for cover.
The display helped calm the Core even as he realized it hadn’t accomplished anything. His tantrum had amounted to little more than a new interesting rock feature, some scorched grass, some puddles, and a new haircut for a tiny rodent. Valterra looked at his territory before sighing internally and getting to work.
Within the span of a few moments, he had claimed the spoils from several conflicts, much to the chagrin of the victors who had returned after his display only to find their prize taken. With the corpses came the knowledge of their bodies, their makeup, and how Aether could be used to give them life once more.
Valterra finally let go of the last vestiges of his anger as the Frameworks settled into his soul, already picking through them to see what new defenders his little dungeon would have. At least he had gotten something out of this mess, though he promised himself he wouldn’t shirk making the most out of this new playground of his.
End of Chapter Notifications:
New Frameworks Acquired!
Phoenix Cockroach (Rank F - Copper)
A particularly tenacious example of the species, this cockroach tends to inject its victims with a concoction of fluids that causes their internals to liquefy into a superheated mixture. Its name comes from the fact that females will inject their offspring along with the fluids making the creature a source of sustenance for the newborns. The appearance of the babies breaking free is often characterized by a sudden flash of light and heat, hence the name. Despite this, they aren’t much more dangerous than other pests and often prefer to avoid the taller races and their dwellings.
As the first Dungeon to use such a creature as a Dungeon Monster, you will be able to create and modify its Path of Ascension.
Warning! May have unforeseen consequences.
Jeweled Skitterer (Rank F - Copper)
A common sight in places with a higher than normal Aether content, these insects survive by creating a carbon-based carapace that looks remarkably like jewels from a distance. Often used as a pet by nobles because of their remarkable beauty they are also raised and slaughtered as a means to produce fake jewelry. Passed over as a Dungeon Monster, since they aren’t remarkably formidable, perhaps against creatures its size it will have the chance to shine.
As the first Dungeon to use such a creature as a Dungeon Monster, you will be able to create and modify its Path of Ascension.
Warning! May have unforeseen consequences.
Wolf Spider (Mundane)
A hunting spider, this arachnid doesn’t weave webs. Instead, it chooses to chase down its prey or leap out in an ambush. Despite its name, it doesn’t roam in packs and is a solitary hunter. Despite its mundane nature, it is a fearsome predator and worthy of any Dungeon tiny enough to make use of it.
As the first Dungeon to use such a creature as a Dungeon Monster, you will be able to create and modify its Path of Ascension.
Warning! May have unforeseen consequences.