CHAPTER 3 A NEW BEGINNING

Unknown continent

In a small desolate cave further in the canyon a small campfire bravely combating the darkness lurking in the crevices of the cave where as the shadows are playfully dancing in festivities within the light provided by the fire laying nearby on a stone bed covered with moss in a metallic leather burlap sleeping bags provided by the basilisk separated by a small space between them lays Raloth and Serena it had been 2 days since the events of entering through the door of reincarnation since then they've discovered the cave and fashioned new equipment out of necessity the first to wake up of the two is Serena as she groggily gets up wearing practically nothing besides some undergarments she stops to see raloth sleeping peacefully without a care in the world admiring the man's boldness of nonchalance she notices scars some etched deeper then others along the mans arms the peculiarty of these scars were that the deepest ones were as if chains had been wrapped around his arms out of curiosity to examine the man's visage of old wounds more specifically chained scars she had put her hand outstretched just a hairswidth from his skin before raloth without lifting his eyelids spoke "Serena it would seem your very curious about the scars and the stories they foretold but I would ask for you to please sate your curiosity" Serena out of fright scurries back into her sleeping bag she yelps "okay but how long have you been up you scared the heavens out of me" hearing this raloth chuckles as he turns on his side facing Serena in a pose that exudes confidence as the sleeping bag drapes away reveling the mans marred by scars but very toned body he spoke "I'm a light sleeper so doesn't take much to get woken up" "I see I'll keep that mind so what's the plan now we've established ourselves shelter" she said recovering herself out of her hide away she was now swaying and moving like a lithe cat towards her fold up clothes she proceeds to dress herself slowly and methodically and somewhat seductively raloth admiring the tantalising vixen shook his head to clear his head and he gradually got up from where he was laying wandering towards his pile of clothes in just his undergarments that seem to be like a skin tight leggings but suprisingly didnt show his assets raloth now in front he saw Serena finished then turns back as he slowly picked up his clothes mixed of his uniform and metallic leather webbing and chest rig first putting his uniform and drapping over his kit fastening the straps once both were done they sat by the fire raloth now garbed in military gear and Serena dressed in form fitted leather armor with an addition of a shawl made out of her tattered robes that she wore before relaxing by the fire as the warmth eases the cold away raloth began to speak "were going to do things in stages we are still in the first stage that being establishing ourselves and improving the living conditions second stage or supplementary stage is training core and intangible abilities for me and physical and combat for you Serena as we found that's a weak spot for the two of us the third and final stage is terraformation or nation building which by then I should be able to accomplish in a couple of decades this operation will be named Operation Awal Baru now are there any questions" "no not particularly besides the name of our humble home once The operation is complete" Serena said as she was performing stretches with her armor tightening in certainplaces"no name yet have to leave that for last now lets get this day started shall we Serena" said raloth as he got up to help Serena with her stretches and warm ups making sure her body is taught and limber after doing this he proceeds in doing his warm ups "so how's the training going to proceed" Serena said as she was doing a downwards dog "we will spend most of the day physically training while we hunt and do other errands in our down periods we can train the intangible" said raloth as he was stretching his arms and began walking towards the cave entrance "that seems reasonable enough so what's our task for the morning" said Serena following closely behind while wrapping the shawl into a cowl showing only her emerald eyes piercing through the cowl as they walk through the cave tunnel the light of the festive flames of the campfire is slowly snuffed out by the creeping darkness of the tunnel till there was no light but the pure dark abyss close to the caves entrance light broke through giving way to the barren outside world when they reached the entrance there raloth stood in silence scanning the surrounding environment he then sighs and clasp Serena's back and pointed to what seems to a hilly terrain "our first session now Serena is on observation and judgement yesterday within this area there was no rolling hills suddenly the next morning there is we have now observed a change in terrain but now it's falls to judgement is it impaired or not is up to you" Serena looks to raloth and asks "how does one judgement become impaired and one knows what to observe" "impairment falls under these three categories Emotional Physical Environment or EPE for short emotional is the mental well-being and condition sound similar but different the well being is more or less if your stable when seeing something horrific or emotionally challenging the condition is two or three fold now one being low emotional control or rampancy two being physical health as both mind and body go hand in hand as the saying goes and strong mind pairs well with a strong body so concussions significant bodily damage can denigrate the mind the third and final one being manipulation such as hypnosis and magical manipulation like illusion or charm magic" Raloth discussed while pointing at various points of his body Serena then asked with a pleading look "then how does one become immune to these mental ailments" "you can't" once raloth said just these two words Serena panicked a bit and asked "what do mean by that" raloth sighed a bit and spoke solemnly " mental immunity is something you can't get or achieve without losing who you are mechanical things like robots and sorta AI are mentally immune since they run on circuitry and bolts and I say some AI because it depends on the AI by using the old mentalist techniques so the only way is for you to become a cold and calculative machine or an unthinking primal beast to be able to be mentally immune though you can become resistant and that's about it" "and how does one go about it" she asked with mixed emotions "time" raloth said instantly shocking Serena "what do you mean time" she asked " everything about it takes time the time to recover from battle and the mental preparations takes time either in learning the spell and techniques or just psychicing yourself up inevitably takes time" raloth spoke with clarity " I see so how does the physical come into this" Serena said furrowing her brow "hahahahaha this one's simple" as raloth said this he stood in front of Serena blocking her view "what are you doing" she asked a bit flustered "can you see past me and also are you able to see the creature or creatures buried under the ground" raloth said heartedly "no I can't really" she said flustered " physical is pretty much what's physically obstructing your vision Wether its body injuries, wall or an enemy" raloth said amused with her flustering " I see then environment" Serena said " environment is pretty much the terrain and condition it's sometimes mixed with physical the caveat is fog, rain or pretty much whatever mother nature throws at you" raloth spoke as he was pointing at the fog from the morning dawn "that's how to judge impairment now for observation utilise GOAL which is:

Goal/objectives: what is objective or goal I.e seige, recon or observing for example sieges your observing for reinforcements fortifications weakness and the current line up of the garrison so pretty much on th look out for current and new developments case in point those unnatural hills previous observations say flat terrain current observations is hilly terrain new developments is the terrain moving

Observed: we've observed the changes gathered the necessary information and compile them together on what we know

Assessment and application: we now assess the information gathered compare it with our current circumstances and apply necessary changes

Learned: is what the results of our changes brought or the result of new changes to the current field" as raloth jubilantly explained this he was indicating various developments in front of them such as the hills slithering like a snake smooth and deliberate as if it was stalking its prey while admittedly trying to stay concealed from other threats observing this Serena applied what she just learnt and found glints of a sheen of silver scales as majestic as it was horrifying Serena turned to Raloth with an uneven tone " Raloth that's a world serpent your not thinking of taking it down are you" "no but if the mythos on world serpents are to be believed I'd rather make a contract or come to a understanding with it but who knows" raloth says this with a glint of amusement for a new adventure or thrill Serena wouldn't know before she knew it Raloth started to run towards the silver serpent seeing this Serena sighed " I guess running is the first exercise" and she started to run following Raloth she knew he could go fast but appreciated what he was doing which was going fast but not so much as to cause her concern as they were travelling to the head of the serpent they would encounter various beast and monsters of a reptile nature strangely enough no civilised lizardfolk only Nagas and troglodytes from nearby cave systems with tribal markings along the way that Raloth learned after consuming a few of their kin from both he had gained draconian language and draconic tribal lore and theology though from the troglodytes he had gained chameleon like abilities he did have these capabilities originally but the troglodytes had a far easier method of camouflage far more easier than lowering body temp and slinking into shadows he could now blend his skin in the environment and he had gained a redundant ability of detection since the troglodytes utilise enhanced senses besides sight Raloth already had those capabilities although redundant in terms of enhancement of senses he did gain a repertoire of pheromones and a better understanding on emotional scents people give off from the Nagas he received in depth arcane knowledge this knowledge was more centred on practical application then theoretical he wasn't the only one improving Serena was aswell at an impressive rate probably because she's a diety who knows in their first encounter she's was like a young fawn now a relatively seasoned veteran evidently proving by the current encounter.

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First encounter

Outside the Troglodytes cavern

Near first light of dawn

"So why are we here instead of the head of the world serpent" Serena spoke in a hushed tone pointing towards the cave entrance marked with tribal symbols and a scene of wild velociraptors piled in three wagons being pulled by the troglodytes while being flanked by six other troglodytes and three monitor lizards at the front each of them showing wear and tear from the hunting trip whereas Serena and raloth are tucked behind an outcrop of rocks observing the troglodytes" thought it be nice to hunt and take our time its also go to get your training but lets get some weapons first" raloth said pointing towards the troglodytes various javelins and spears " I'll strike first get you a couple of weapons to use for your training" as he said this he formed a sprinters pose and took off like a bullet barrelling towards his first victim then grabbing said victims face and body slamming it into the ground and retrieved a javelin and threw it straight through the three monitor lizards before they even knew what had hit them the other troglodytes stun from the swiftness of the attack until one of them with a guttural roar of defiance charged at Raloth noticing the charging troglodyte he picked up the first killed troglodyte like a meat shield and as a show of dominance chewed into lifeless corpse while charging it into the spear meant for him [gluttony activated language skill gained: troglodyte] ' hahahahaha now this is interesting ' Raloth thought with glee " wux re vin halkivir sumf (you are an interesting lot)" Raloth growled with blood flowing from his mouth "svaust re wux riika (who are you bitch)" howled did the troglodyte with his spear lodged in his tribal member before Raloth answered he threw the corpse sending both the live and dead troglodyte crashing into the rocky terrain causing an already chewed out corpse to be mangled beyond recognition and the live one strewn all over like road kill Raloth turns to face the seven standing troglodytes and roared with glee " si mi vi steco sent de uoinota filki for wux bivai sumf (I'am a demon sent from hell just for you sorry lot)" " wux re thric steco dout astahi slemon ryorkari re wux ti wux shashtiup bikil (You are no demon your them shape shifters are you not you dirty dog)" howled a hulking troglodyte with tribal markings possibly denoting his position in this hunting group was preparing his gear for imminent conflict his muscles bulged with intent to tear the supposed shape shifters to shreds "thric si mi ti vi slemonessorar kagh coi ahfvenic ir ekess vucot vi shashtiup bikil kol(No i am not a shapeshifter and it takes one to know a dirty dog kin)" Raloth growled with contempt as he charged at the hulking troglodyte picking up an already mangled corpse and throwing it at the leader while scavenging the javelins of its back and throwing the glaive welding troglodyte at the leader again causing the hulking mass to be infuriated and impressed with the primal move set and having both his tribal kinsman thrown at him causing the beast to smack both thrown kinsmen with a flurry of his steel glaive still taking his opportunity to gear up raloth picked up the spear that used to lay next to his thrown victim now equiped with a tattered quiver holding 9 stone tipped javelins he then gained distance and stabbed his recent acquired spear into the ground as if it was a flag for a last stand he grabbed a javelin out of the quiver and thrown it at the peon looking troglodytes hitting one of them and pinning its head against a large rock with the shaft exploding into fragments upon impact he proceeded to load another javelin and threw it hitting another with accuracy 9 javelins became 7 the troglodytes became 5 then 4 then finally 1 that being the hulking mass it was as if a human railgun incarnated had appeared all before the leader could react he had attempted to block it before it hit any of them but 3 javelins had headed towards him in 3 separate occasions the first was with the opening salvo while the first one flew past the beast while he was charging towards the threat a second one followed although the javelin was narrowly blocked the fragments of the javelin caused lesions across the troglodytes scaly hide the second instance he was targeted was when he changed tactics to defend but when three javelins came almost simultaneously only with 10 seconds difference he tried blocking it again with confidence of blocking the first one instead his left bicep was hit as if by his unholy providence of his increased muscle density he had stopped the blow though not without a detrimental effect although his arm wasn't blown off the bones in that arm was shattered and only through shear of will was the beast able to use it but that was not all due to the shear impact the javelin the fragments scattered all across the left hand side of the beast face negating the already reduced sight in his left eye the final throw cleaved the glaive in half with all the javelins spent Raloth started to charge grabbing the staked spear and held it firm in one hand as he was sprinting the head hunter threw one half of his glaive in hopes of slowing the inevitable seeing the weapon thrown raloth sidestepped into picking up a monitor lizard corpse to use as a tower shield and proceed to engage in combat with the headhunter meanwhile Serena was observing the clash trying to gleam whatever she could from the engagement seeing how Raloth had first engaged with distance to soften the target and utilise the environment in this case when the head hunter swings a blow raloth uses the relatively viable corpses as shields and proceeds to pierce the still viable right arm of the beast despite damaging the arm it was never truly out of commission possibly because from were Serena was she could feel a surge of muddy and filthy mana noticing this she yells "raloth that thing is blessed by corrupting mana get away from it" hearing this Raloths interest in the beast grew a bit but was interrupted when he heard it growl an incantation "relgas letni buala (ash flame cloak)" as the incantation was spoken ashen flames coated the troglodyte flaming through the seams of its scales and its already impressive unknown reinforcement was made that more deadly seeing this impressive sight Raloth spotted a maniacal grin and cackled " keh ethima tilsin filki wer idol si hefoc coi zyak svabol ui dout ominak kwi kol (Ah burnt lizard just the way I like it so what is your name oh kin)" "si mi thric kol di douta kagh dout gethrisjir ekess perish ilrigan zyak si geou ingowil wux mrith sia ominak sia ominak ui pilum (I am no kin of yours and your going to perish anyway so I will grace you with my name my name is pilum) " growled Pilum defiantly the time for banter was over as Pilum charged like a raging bull when he reached raloth through shear determination he swiped at Raloth with his compromised left arm while a downwards slash with his glaived right arm both in tandem knowing this raloth tensed his muscles as he trusted through the left arm severing it at the shoulder joint the sound of the flesh tearing like paper though not without sacrifice as the glaives blade slashed against Raloths chest though a surprise was shown underneath the garments which was metal scales noticing this Pilum tried another strike but was stopped as his blade was dug into the ground since Raloth had stepped on the blade to push it further in the ground undeterred Pilum used his deadly claws to slash at the man but missed frustrating Pilum further causing a further surge in power but sadly though the brave warrior felt something reminiscent but frightening reminiscent because it was what he had done as a hatchling but frightening because an abnormal human was doing it and what was Raloth doing exactly it was him eating into the neck of Pilum causing a flow of blood to pour out what was left of Pilum was not a warrior but a chewed out corpse as the sun rose and shone its radiance onto the battlefield not of honour but barbaric and animalistic noticing the battle was over Serena walked over slowly seeing the traces of the conflict remembering the moves used closing her eyes all she could see was blade sparks wooden fragments exploding everywhere she was horrified but enamoured by the simplicity and barbarity she was drawn to it but her thoughts where grinded to a halt by one word "No" it was firm and absolute Serena opened her eyes to see Raloths mouth and neck coated in blood like a cannibal she wasn't perturbed by it though but she was surprised by the sudden answer and replied in kind with one word "why" "because this right here was a slaughter and we are going to slaughter more like this that I cannot deny but I do not wish for you to become monstrous as I was here there can only be one monster between us both" Raloth spoke solemnly Serena stared into the crimson eyes that showed his earnest wish she wanted to say something but she couldn't without sounding like a child throwing a tantrum but she did say something though it did sound defeated "then how I'm I supposed to be useful" " your going to fight in three roles Rouge tank and mage and only those three for now we start as a rouge so pick up those glaives and bring them here" raloth said pointing at the glaives halves while also trying to rub the sweat away from his forehead Serena saw the glaives went over to pick them while still observing each of the corpses in various states of disrepair especially Pilum once the halves were together she brought them over to Raloth who was scavenging and moving the corpses into a piles seeing Serena Raloth stopped what he was doing and looked at at Serena with the halves in her hand he put out his hand to recieve the glaives seeing this Serena hands it over raloth proceeds to shorten the shafts to be more like a blades handle turning a double bladed glaive into duellist swords and hands it back to Serena and returned to scavenging and butchering parts of the troglodytes but began to speak as he was doing so "those blades are going to start you off utilise them well" "your not going to tell me my speciality" she asked in a delirium of confusion as she is staring at the improvised blades Raloth peeked over his shoulder then turned back and sighed as he continued his scavenging he spoke "you can start by strapping four of those javelins to your back" he answered as he surgically remove the insides of a completely whole troglodyte though missing its head he started noting its relative large sized organs and its impressive density of being both thick and heavy organs though what surprised him was the pheromone glands while he was enjoying the discovery Serena had scavenged some decent javelins and some other gear for her ensemble before returning to Raloth who was bemused by certain discovery of the troglodytes skin being like a mixture of light and medium leather armor the outer layer such as the back and the and the outer limbs being composed of medium strength and strangely the ligments and joints though the front was composed of light armor strength which bemused him as they mainly fight frontal he thought it would be same consistently all the way round shaking these amused thoughts as he felt the piercing emerald eyes on his back before he heard a sweet but annoyed tone "I've done what you've asked" "good now we can begin the training a rouges speciality is ingenuity and stealth utilising both traps, tools and their environment much similar to a ranger difference diverges where one tracks and tames wildlife to aid them the other well gathers info through unsavoury means such as thieving and interrogation" said raloth as he started to stash the main organs of the troglodyte such as the pheromone glands and the heart wrapped with the skin of the troglodyte for futher research "okay I understand that so what do you want me to do" Serena said contemplating her role while staring at her blades "simple where going to raid that cave system and clear it out while we still have sunlight" Raloth said pointing to the sun that's still rising breaking the morning dawn "why" Serena said confused "because these guys are cave dwellers basically lizard mole men wonderful eyesight in dark damp places but shitty in light sunny places so if you need to retreat we can" said raloth bemused while setting a cooking pit to consume the butchered flesh while next to a pile of mangled flesh of troglodytes monitor lizards and velociraptors "what do you mean by that" Serena said befuddled while she found a spot across from the man "here" Raloth hands her flesh of the monitor lizards and velociraptors " you have to eat before we go in and the objective is simple I'll be forefront being a distraction your goal is to get behind them and cause disruption I will not be doing any killing as of yet I'll hold them off only" raloth said as he was cooking some meat while looking at the raging bonfire with the stench of charring and decaying flesh flashes of violent conflict some deserving some not shaking the distasteful thoughts he turns to his companion who admittedly despite being a goddess was lacking in refinement when eating the flesh in front of her though the charm was not lost on him he posed a question that he needed clarification on " so Serena how are deities made" and in asking this Serena scoffed out a few chunks of meat she turns to Raloth a bit perplexed and asked "how do you think" "I don't know is there like a set method because there is so many" Raloth spoke as he tilted his head like a curious child "well there's three I think the following being:

1. Ascension: your deeds and karma is weighed to see what tribulations and trials you must face in order achieve god hood and as you complete them its further compounded with how you fulfilled each of the task effects your chances if you did the bare minimum you can still attain god hood at a 90% mark up or die trying.

2. Created:beings created from a natural copulation or artificial best example is probably Zeus with Athena being born from his forehead and Hercules though mortal at first he was born from Zeus's many tryst with mortal women hercules was blessed with having inhumane strength which through trials and tribulations eventually he attained God hood.

3. Evolution: the third and final one being geared towards monsters, animals and the undead this path is mainly for them going through each stages such example would be goblins how the evolved from goblins to hobs to lords then overlords and finally reaching emperor which in this case would be a God to them each monster, animals and undead have their own evolutionary path." "So A.C.E sounds like a round game of poker" Raloth spoke humorously before Serena replied with "oh the gambling gods aren't always the same always losing it to a better off gambler except ones of luck and fortune those deities are sometimes called con artists" after mentioning this there was an weary silence before both laugh hysterically and how mortal gods can be they continue to chat about the different aspects and hoeing down their food like no tomorrow as they were doing so raloth checked his status

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Name:Raloth Race: False god Age: N/A

Meridians-0 faction:sacred flame templar order Class: N/A

Level: 0

Skills

Seven virtues and sins

- greed level 3

Skill plunderer and horder: obtain more skills and hoard your ill gotten gains, can obtain only all novice level skills at this level.

- gluttony level 10

Predation: learn the ways of your prey its skills and its lifestyle through the rawest method of eating it's flesh only works on animals and monsters.

- sloth level 0

- lust level 3

Eregonious Body scan: knowledge of the mortal flesh on the intimate level has granted a scan capabilitie to know your subjects greatest pleasure.

Pheromone enhancement: gained from learning the methods of the troglodytes.

-pride level 5

Warriors pride: take pride in your achievement as a warrior all Warriors less of you will be intimidated those stronger then you will think twice.

-wrath level 3

Survivors wrath: always being the last man standing has caused an unsettling amount of rage.

Envy level 0

-Temperance max

Serene mind: due to the shear amount of years experience has lead to a serene mind

Prudence level 0

Justice level 0

Fortitude Max

Enduring anatomy: having been through a cocktail of experiments has resulted in a body of Endurance although not indestructible but it resulted in one that can endure the harshness of what the world has to offer.

Faith level 5

Conviction: one must have Conviction in oneself so those around may have faith in ones prowess and are more then willing to assist.

Hope level 0

Diligence level max

Scholar savant: all knowing knowledge and techniques are learnt after years of study

Draconic core[passive]

Forbidding knowledge[ passive]

Steeled scales[active]

Primitive draconic language [passive]

Chameleon scales[active]

New skills currently being processed

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Raloth looked over his stat's noticing despite the fight before he had not leveled up but noticed a new icon an icon that looked like a spartan helm in the corner of the screen after pressing it a new screen was displayed.

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Levelling requirements

- level all sins and virtue skills to max

- establish your foundation I.e country or myth

- dominate a mythical beast

- establish Meridians

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'I see guess i got my work cut out for me' thought Raloth he proceeded to stand up from where he was sitting and dust himself off picked up his spear he looked towards Serena who looked pleased with the wild banquet "time to get up goddess we've got training to do" said raloth with a pleased grin "oh... mmm yes ill be up shortly just gotta finish this last bite" she struggled to say with her face full of monster meat finished her last few bites and walked beside raloth to the entrance of the nest "remember the hand signals I taught you while where in there and keep our chatting to a minimum understood Serena" raloth spoke to Serena with hints of concern but mostly stern "understood" Serena replied they both began to scour the cave system with raloth at the front they went unimpeded till they reached a cavern raloth signalled halt to Serena and indicated where she needed to go Serena complies making herself scarce as best she could once in place raloth pulls a javelin from his quiver and thrown it with much force confusing Serena till the javelin pinned a troglodyte now knowing there's a threat Serena started to run some mana to enhance her eyes to sense where the troglodytes are seeing that they hadn't moved yet possibly thinking that Raloths shot was fluke sensing this raloth pinned three more troglodytes seeing it as not a fluke they began to move so did Serena as planned before she proceeds to keep her presence minimal at best and aimed for the first troglodyte to be pinned she coated her glaives with mana steadily when she got close the troglodyte still struggling to unpin itself sniffed the air and turns to see a blade coated in an amber hue slicing its neck Serena after having killed her first being with her own hands wanted to spew but couldn't as she could only focus on her next target while she was slinking through the shadows raloth was pinning a few more troglodytes before running out of javelins a horde of angry troglodytes yelling "wux tzarafar (you asshole)" "xkhat sia ewoig wux pothoc yobolat sack(Become my food you stupid flesh sack)" just to name a few insults thrown at him began to try and swarm him but raloth swept his spear in a wide arc hitting their sides with the pole part of the spear before thrusting it deep into a troglodyte that had a full quiver of javelins he brought the troglodyte close took the quiver before catapulting the now dead body into the horde of foul creatures and began the gambit of pinning the oncoming horde what was unnerving for them was that he didn't speak nor fatigued just methodically holding them at bay on Serena's end she had finally resolved herself her movements going from antsy and nervous to a relatively practice ease she started to incorporate her telekinesis and throw her javelins killing those that succeeded in being released from being pinned despite the progress made her mana reserves started to dwindle but that didn't stop in fact it made her utilise it more effectively instead of keeping the enhancement on passively she only activated it last minute the same went for her javelins such as how a troglodyte broke free and decided to charge at her so with one hand holding her glaive and the other prepared to throw a javelin with it she threw it and as it soared through the air just going over the top of the troglodyte causing it to cackle menacingly before the javelin found its mark in the back of idiotic troglodyte it was the same for most of her kills except the troglodytes started to wise up to the antics of the two intruders but sadly it was to late as the last of the troglodytes fell Serena was standing in front of Raloth panting in exhaustion she keeled over her hand on raloths abdomen she began to spew a torrent of fluids beside him where as raloth stood like a sentry on guard gently stroking her hair until her legs buckled Wether it was from the exhaustion or the fact that the weight of life being taken with her hands no one knew not even herself 'so this is the weight of my actions even when i was seeing it happen I was numbed to it thinking it was something I wouldn't have to deal with but to actually take a life with these hands its terrifying but I must press on' Serena admonished herself for showing a momentary weakness but before she could get up raloth spoke "stay its alright to have this moment you've come to realise and come to terms of taking a life directly rather than indirectly or just complicity watched the carnage its a crossroad at this point with multiple choices one were you preach and vowed to not take a life directly but rather use others to do your bidding second being feign innocence and third is take accountability whatever choice you make from here is what will shape you" Serena looks up at raloth some streams of tears Wether it was pain or sadness both of them wouldn't comment there was an awkward silence with sounds of sniffles after composing herself she got back up and dusted herself off and wiping any remaining fluids they then began to salvage what was left over and proceeded deeper into the cavern system engaging in small skirmishes throughout the winding tunnels marred by chewed remains and scratch marks seemingly marking a spot with raloth still disabling the troglodytes which then has a follow through of a javelin barrelling through their skulls after been thrown and controlled by Serena this continued till they arrived at another open cavern large enough to house large township which as luck would have it did indeed house a troglodyte township of ramshackle huts made with a mixture of they left over remains of the things they hunted some sporting a reptilian humanoid skulls but what was impressive to raloth was not the barbaric huts but that these Primitive beings had built a palisade and earthen walls though the quality is left to be desired as it was just as crude and ramshackle as their huts though the palisade walls did sport tribal markings what also stood out was a clearing marked with a encirclement of totems with a bonfire raging with troglodytes cooing with delight and reverence of a garish banquet that would put any sensible cannibal into a tizzy raloth continued to observe and noticed that all the troglodytes were celebrating he indicated for Serena to come closer within whispering distance as she got close raloth whispered close to her ear causing her to shudder by the suddenness "it appears they've started a banquet without us lets crash it shall we" Serena looks at him astonished by the brazen man but before she could raloth roared menacingly " confn ehaism ve wux xihuulina ziihul kagh tafiaf dout xurwkar (Come face me you worthless meat and meet your maker)" as if to poke the hive further he threw a javelin straight at the head totem splintering into pieces suprising the hosts of the banquet and infuriating them as it was followed by a few more volleys at the totems each shattered splinter from the ensuing chaos skewed a few troglodytes the wisest of them simply moved and tried to rally themselves and the young ones whereas the veteran Warriors embraced the chaos and where already on the move for the kill "Serena start a fire volley target the huts don't worry about the palisades" Serena nodded and started a chant "Inimici tui in conspectu meo pereatis ab ira mea concutiatis(thy enemies in my sight may you perish from my wrath fire volley)" as the chant completed a large rune circle appeared on the ground behind Serena then each rung or tier of the circle formed itself into a telescopic arrangement with nothing but air between each rung and each rung was turning itself to make adjustments once it was done calibrating a volley was fired like a mortar barrel the circle recoiled erupting a blast of individual streaks of light seeing this the troglodyte Warriors embraced it even welcomed it but the welcome wasn't received as those individual streaks like arrows found its mark being the huts setting it roaring ablazed screams of younglins and the sounds of POP! CRACKLE! With sounds of liquid spurting out from egg shells in the hatchery being cracked open from the heat another volley was fired BOOOM! As if the huts and hatcheries burning on fire wasn't enough they exploded sending fragments everywhere majority of it missing the moving targets though those unfortunate stragglers were mangled beyond belief Serena's magic circle disappeared leaving her in a haggard state and with a small amount of mana just enough to get by but not for long as the chaos reigned with all the warriors losing their mind over their homes and younglins being cooked to chrisp Serena hid her presence and started to stalk her prey whereas raloth he welcomed them with open arms skewering the few and swiping them away like fly swatter the troglodyte horde numbers although menacingly massive started to dwindle due to the chaos incarnated the troglodytes tending to the fires started to drop Wether from exhaustion fire accidents or Serena herself it wasn't looking good for the troglodyte clergy the head priestesses shocked and awed by the chaos only responded what might be the first common set of words spoken in their tribe "were royally fucked".