Zeldritzon [Cycle - 18] - Morning

  Current Location:

  [Lylore Zone]

  [Crystal Shelter]

  [UvoSath Forest of the UvoSath Realm]

  In the garden erected by the Crystal Shelter, an array of fruits and edible plants have begun to thrive, all grown from the light-blue crystals that KiAera's crew mates had gathered. This garden was operated by the Sapkins, the Dimetfern, and the five Mezmeics, with Sapshorla-Sapkin being the Chief of the Garden. Including Sapshorla, there were eight members in the Garden Division.

  Here were the members:

  - Sapshorla-Sapkin

  - Saptal-Sapkin

  - Dime the Dimetfern

  - Mezmeic (One)

  - Mezmeic (Two)

  - Mezmeic (Three)

  - Mezmeic (Four)

  - Mesmeic (Five)

  KiAera was proud of the eight for their dedication and commitment in developing the area from the simple patch of grass in the glades to something brimming with delicacies for future use. Some of the crops visible in the harvest were listed on her notebook.

  ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

  Zeldritzonian Vegetation [Harvest]:

  - [x212] Lumenleaf (Tier I)

  - [x339] Crystal Pods (Light-blue)

  - [x188] Shardmelon (Light-blue)

  - [x483] Crystalberries (Light-blue)

  ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

  [Crystalberries (Light-Blue)]

  Value: 1 APeX Unit

  - Taste: A refreshing burst of sweetness followed by a cool, minty aftertaste that lingers on the tongue.

  - Use: Often eaten fresh, they're also made into cooling preserves or used in teas to calm and soothe.

  [Shardmelon (Light-Blue)]

  Value: 1 APeX Unit

  - Taste: The Shardmelon tastes like a blend of watermelon and honeydew, with a touch of crisp cucumber. It's refreshing and hydrating, with a slight sugary aftertaste.

  - Use: Perfect for fruit salads, smoothies, or simply eaten as a refreshing snack during warmer days. Some even freeze the flesh into sorbets.

  [Crystal Pods (Light-Blue)]

  Value: 1 APeX Unit per seed

  - Appearance: These elongated, pod-like fruits grow in clusters, hanging from tall stalks.

  - Each pod has a hard, light-blue outer shell that appears to glisten with a dusting of frost. When broken open, the inside reveals soft, crystalline seeds suspended in a gel-like pulp.

  - Taste: The pulp is sweet and tangy, much like the flesh of a ripe mango, but with a refreshing note of blueberry. The crystals inside the pods are crunchy and offer a cool sensation when eaten.

  - Use: The pods are best eaten fresh, but the pulp can also be blended into smoothies or used to flavor sauces and soups.

  [Lumenleaf (Tier I)]

  Value: Mends 1 Unit

  - Taste: Lumenleaf has a slightly tangy flavor with hints of earthiness, almost like kale, but with a refreshing twist. The crystals along the edges has an almost sparkling texture. Made from the Mezmeic's capelets.

  - Use: Typically used as ointment for its healing properties. It can be used in salads or sautéed for a garnish. It also serves as a base for wraps within its large, sturdy leaves.

  ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

  KiAera watched as Sapshorla harvested the fruits, directing her little assistants—the caterpillar-like Mezmeics at her root-feet. She herded them through the field to collect the various plants throughout the region. The sight made KiAera smile as she laid curled in a patch of grass nearby.

  Those six weren't the only ones busying themselves.

  She saw Saptal padding along with his tall plant form, planting seeds with the Dimetfern—the other plant-type monster with the appearance of a Dimetrodon. The two were working together, with the Dimetfern carrying containers of seeds draping its form and Saptal reaching into them as he carefully planted the seeds.

  KiAera stretched as her gaze swept away from the operations. They were handling themselves better than she could admit and because of that, she had the satisfaction of leaving them to their tasks.

  Her ears twitched as she scanned the bustling activity of those around her. The Kobolbos were busy reinforcing the outer perimeter with Mina the Minokaurbo, while Gilbud the Plelepun was toying with a stack of logs. Meanwhile, the Osseods were scattered about, nibbling on the light-blue crystal shards that KiAera had set out for them earlier.

  Skadicritt lounged nearby, her tail flicking rhythmically to and fro as she watched the Osseods. Her pinkish fur glinted in the sunlight, and her nose twitched as she stared, unblinking, at the crystal mouse monsters.

  KiAera narrowed her eyes, pausing mid-step. "Skadi," her voice rang light but cautious, "what are you doing?"

  Skadicritt ears perked up. "Huh? Oh, nothing! Just… uh, watching your sparkly mice friends! Yep! Yep!" The girl grinned but KiAera noted the way her front paws kneaded at the ground.

  "Right," KiAera folded her arms and leaned against the shelter's entrance. She'd learned quickly that Skadicritt's innocent fa?ade often masked mischief. "You've been 'watching' them for a while now. Something on your mind?"

  Skadicritt's grin grew wider. "They're just so cute! All sparkly, furry, and zippy. Look at them go!" She gestured as one of the smaller Osseods darted up a pile of crystal shards, squeaking happily.

  KiAera's gaze shifted to the Osseods, then back to Skadicritt. "You're not thinking about chasing them, are you?"

  Skadicritt gasped, her paws clutching her chest. "Me? Chase them? I would never!" But her twitching tail and the gleam in her eyes betrayed her true intentions.

  KiAera sighed, stepping closer. "Skadi, they're not toys. They're part of the team. And they trust us, which means no chasing them around for fun."

  "Team? But they're so chaseable! Look at those little legs! And the way they sparkle—" Skadicritt cut herself off. Her eyes tracked a particularly energetic Osseod as it zigzagged across the field.

  "Skadi."

  The Merecritt groaned, flopping onto her back dramatically. "Fine! Skaditty promises not to chase them. But you can't blame me for thinking about it! It's in my blood, KiAera! If it moves, we chase it. If it sparkles, we pounce on it. It's just how we're made! Don't you feel the same, Kia?"

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  KiAera tilted her head, studying Skadicritt. The girl's words had an air of truth. She was a predator, even if she tried to suppress it. But no matter how hard her instincts cried out to her to engage, she had the restraint to resist the call.

  "I do understand, Skadi," she finally replied with a soft smile, "but we have to be responsible about it. The Osseods are our allies, not just fun little creatures to play with."

  Skadicritt rolled back onto her paws with a begrudging sigh. "Alright, alright! I get it! No chasing. But can we at least play with them a little? Like... maybe, I don't know, a game of tag?" Her eyes gleamed with hope.

  KiAera burst out laughing. "Tag? With the Osseods?" She shook her head, still smiling. "I'm not sure they'd appreciate it."

  "But I can be gentle! Look! I won't hurt them!" Skadicritt bounced on her paws. "I promise to be super-duper nice!"

  Just then, an Osseod scampered over to them. It was Mu Osseod. The marble-textured Osseod went and nuzzled against KiAera's leg. "KiAera!"

  KiAera knelt down to scratch behind Mu's ears, eliciting an excited squeak. "See?" she looked back at Skadicritt. "They're already comfortable with us. We want to keep it that way."

  Skadicritt's ears drooped slightly, but she quickly perked up again. "Okay, no chasing."

  The Merecritt watched as Mu Osseod glanced up at her with a grin before rejoining the others.

  "It's kind of difficult," Skadicritt's gaze flicked from the Osseods and back to KiAera.

  "I get that," KiAera patted the girl's head. "But part of being in a group is respecting everyone's boundaries. The Osseods are skittish. If you chase them, they might not trust you—or me—again."

  Skadicritt sat upright and smacked a paw to the ground. "I didn't think about it like that." She glanced at the Osseods, softening her expression. "I guess I wouldn't want them to be scared of me…"

  KiAera smiled, kneeling beside her. "Exactly. Trust is important. And you're better than just acting on instinct, right?"

  Skadicritt's tail swished slowly as she nodded. "Yeah. I mean, I'm not just some wild Merecritt. If Skaditty wants to be friends with the Osseods, I can master not chasing the fuzzy, sparkly mice!"

  KiAera chuckled. "That's the spirit. Besides, you've got plenty of other things to chase. Like… I don't know… shadows or falling leaves."

  Skadicritt's ears perked up. "Ooooh, shadows are so fun to chase!" She bounced to her feet. "And leaves! The crunchy ones are the best!"

  KiAera shook her head but laughed softly. "You're incorrigible, Skadi. Just… try not to traumatize the Osseods, okay?"

  "Promise!" Skadicritt said with a salute. But as KiAera turned to leave, she heard the Merecritt mutter under her breath, "Still think they'd be fun to chase…"

  "Skadi," KiAera called over her shoulder, not even needing to look.

  Skadicritt burst into laughter, "What? I didn't say anything Kia!"

  KiAera shook her head, fighting back a smile as she walked back toward the garden area, where the sounds of laughter and chatter blended with the gentle rustle of leaves. She could still hear Skadicritt's giggles behind her, and it warmed her heart to know that amidst the responsibilities they faced, there was still room for playfulness and joy.

  As she approached the rows of plants, KiAera spotted Dime the Dimetfern. The creature had become quite adept at nurturing the garden and had developed a keen eye for spotting potentially troublesome pests before they could wreak havoc on their precious crops. "Hey, Dime!" KiAera called out, waving. "How's the planting going?"

  Dime turned. "KiAera! Plants splendid! Seeds from Crystal Pods take to earth nicely, and Dime think we see sprouts by tomorrow!"

  KiAera knelt beside Dime. "That's excellent news! With the way things are going, we'll soon have an even richer bounty to share."

  Dime wiggled its head happily. "Dime loves soil and sun! Plants happy here. Plants grow strong!"

  Saptal chimed in from a distance, lifting a handful of freshly unearthed seeds and showcasing them with pride. "Dime's spot on! Together we make magic! Look at these ripper seeds! The future's lookin' bright for our garden, KiAera!"

  KiAera stood up and scanned the garden, taking in the vibrant colors. "How many more seeds do we have left to plant?"

  Saptal replied, "About twenty packets! Some are the rare Starpetal seeds that we were hopin' to try! With Dime's help, we can plant 'em at the start of the glade, right by the shimmering brook, yeah?"

  Dime nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Starpetals are friends of the garden! They attract good spirits and pollinators! More life equals more fruits!"

  KiAera smiled upon hearing that. "Let's get the Starpetals planted then! The sooner we start, the sooner we can enjoy their beauty—and potential fruit!"

  As they gathered the packets and prepared to venture to the brook, KiAera felt a gentle rumble beneath her feet. She paused, glancing around. The ground shivered slightly, the air buzzing with an odd but familiar sensation.

  "Dime, did you feel that?" KiAera asked, her brow furrowing.

  Dime's fronds quivered, reflecting the unease in the air. "Dime feel it! Something nearby... Energy different..."

  Saptal furrowed his leafy brow. "Could be a shift in the flora. Maybe a new creature is approaching?"

  KiAera stood firm "Let’s stay alert, everyone. If something is approaching—"

  Tailza the Kobolbo bolted toward them, her arms flailing above her head. "It's Scarbol, KiAera! You have to check up on him! H-He's…"

  KiAera positioned her on her fours as the kobold-monster panicked. Meanwhile, the Mezmeics gathered beside her, appearing anxious. She gave a small smile to Tailza. "Easy now, Tailza. Take it slow. Tell me what is going on with Scarbol? Is he okay?"

  The kobolbo girl fidgeted as she stammered her words out. "I-I am unsure how to explain it, b-but you have t-to come along to see for yourself, Miss KiAera!"

  KiAera turned back to where Dime and Saptal stood. Both the monsters nodded their heads as KiAera faced Tailza again. "Let's check up on him, assp!"

  Before she could begin sprinting in the direction that Tailza took off, one of the Mezmeics crawled onto her back. "Miss KiAera, take me along please, I may be of assistance if Scarbol's hurt."

  Hearing that, KiAera gave the caterpillar monster a prompt nod. "Of course, little one. Let's hope it doesn't have to go that way. Hold on tight."

  KiAera wrapped her spindly tail around the Mezmeic to situate it on its position on her back. Taking off in a sprint, her paws launched her across the field at the best speed she could have mustered.

  She quickly caught up with Tailza and was astonished by the sight before her. There she spotted the glowing silhouette of Scarbol. But he did not appear to be in any pain, just hunched over and staring at his palm. The visual startled KiAera as she could only see the shape of light of Scarbol and not his usual form.

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  Creature: Scarbol the Kobolbo

  Faux Nym: Awaiting Confirmation…

  ?? Awaiting Evolution Confirmation ??

  Evolution: [5400 | 5400]

  APeX: [6110 Units]

  ?? Awaiting Evolution Confirmation ??

  ? ? ?

  Evolution Stage: [Fledgling]

  Brief description: fledgling kobold monster.

  Attributes: [Brawl] [Cryptic]

  Current Variant Grade: [Common] (68%)

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  Tailza turned to her with darting eyes to and fro from her and back to Scarbol. "Miss KiAera, he… he is evolving, S-Scarbol is evolving! But he is not evolving!"

  Mina the Minokaurbo towered behind them. KiAera glanced back as she heard her snort. "It's like he's stuck in a loop, why don't he just evolve? It's freakin' weird."

  Scarbol, still an entity of light, turned to speak. "You'd think I would have done so already if I could, Mina. I also have no clue as to what's going on here." He flexed his hands. "I'm all light."

  KiAera padded forth as the Chimera's Mark on her forehead shimmered. She made the guess that it was resonating with Scarbol's evolution—or rather the process toward the step.

  "Scarbol," KiAera said cautiously, "what do you mean you're all light? Can you tell us what you're feeling?"

  Scarbol focused on KiAera, his glowing form flickering as if struggling to maintain its shape. "It's like… my body feels light, too light. I can feel my energy increasing, but I ca'’t seem to anchor it into something tangible. It's as if I'm stuck between forms." He lifted his shimmering hands, watching as the light refracted in different directions. "I can't sense any of my usual abilities or my ground beneath my feet. Everything is just… ethereal."

  Mina sneered. "Well, that's no good! Can't you just, I don't know, push through it or something?" She stepped closer.

  "I wish it were that simple," Scarbol replied with frustration. "I can't control this transformation. Maybe there's something I'm missing, or perhaps a key that needs to be activated?"

  KiAera took a deep breath, focusing inward to herself. "Scarbol, do you trust me?"

  Scarbol hummed but responded without a second thought. "Of course, I do, KiAera."

  KiAera eyes lit up, but not as luminescent as the mark on her forehead and Scarbol himself, "What if the evolution requires a certain type of energy to anchor to?

  "Scarbol, will you accept your evolution?"

  "I evolve." Scarbol echoed. "Yes, I shall accept it!!"

  The light radiating from Scarbol intensified before it reached its peak, taking on a rustic red and dark pink radiance.

  In a blink of an eye, Scarbol's metamorphosis was over as he appeared more dragonic as a kobold. He was taller, rugged, and more muscular than his previous appearance. Scarbol had become a Kolkobalt. He was now an [Emergent].

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  Creature: Scarbol the Kolkobalt

  Faux Nym: Awaiting Confirmation…

  ?? Evolution Complete! ??

  APeX: [6110 Units]

  Evolution Stage: [Emergent]

  Brief description: great kobold monster.

  Attributes: [Brawl] [Cryptic]

  Current Variant Grade: [Common] (68%)

  ??. .????. .????. .??

  Tailza gasped. "Scarbol! You're... you're incredible! You look so strong now!"

  Scarbol glanced at his claws and then down at his legs. "I feel… grounded again. Like I'm finally myself, but more. KiAera, what did you do? That command—it was like you pulled me through."

  The Chimera's Mark on her forehead began dimming back to its usual faint glow. "I think the evolution needed a catalyst, something to stabilize the energy. Maybe because of our bond or my mark, I was able to act as that anchor."

  Scarbol's tail swayed, longer and heavier, tipped with a blade-like growth. His hand lifted to touch his horns that were now curved slightly backward, giving him a slight, fearsome visage.

  Mina folded her arms, snorting again through a smirk. "Not bad, Scarbol. You might actually be able to keep up with me now."

  Scarbol laughed as he looked up, but not quite like he had to do before. "Is that a challenge, Mina? Because I'd be happy to show you what this new form can do."

  "Later," KiAera interjected. "Right now, let's make sure you're fully stabilized. We need to test your abilities, understand your limits, and ensure there are no lingering effects from the evolution delay."

  Scarbol nodded. "Understood. I feel great, but you're right. Better safe than sorry."

  KiAera turned to the Mezmeic still perched on her back. "What do you think, little one? Anything unusual about Scarbol's new form?"

  The Mezmeic's tiny feelers twitched as it stared intently at Scarbol. "He's brimming with energy, Miss KiAera. More than before, but it's balanced now. Whatever that delay was, it's gone. He's... optimized, I'd say."

  "Optimized, huh?" Scarbol said with a grin. "I like the sound of that."

  KiAera stepped closer to him, her eyes scanning his new form. "Scarbol, your evolution means a lot for all of us. You're stronger now, and that strength will be invaluable as we face the challenges ahead. But remember, strength alone doesn't define a leader."

  Scarbol met her gaze, his expression had become serious. "I understand, KiAera. I'll do my best to live up to this new form, for all of us."

  Tailza jumped up and down excitedly. "This is amazing! We should celebrate! Scarbol's evolution is a big deal!"

  KiAera chuckled as she glanced from Tailza and back to Scarbol. "We'll definitely celebrate, Tailza. But first, let's regroup and make sure everything's in order. A naming celebration is in order."

  KiAera yowled, her cry slicing through the glades. All the monsters in attendance within the glades heard her call and began to gather around them.