Master Of None

A tiny race like the ink lizard race was not the only smaller race that the party had encountered. However, it was the smallest.

This presented the worries for the safety of the ink lizards in comparison to the other races. A smaller race like that would be at risk of the other races within Genesis moving around them. However, the youngest of serpents had ways to get through everything. They blended in to shadows and avoided the physical dangers of Genesis on a daily basis. The same for the color sprites, they were in the sky but they could move around and avoid dangers well enough.

This wasn’t even considering the fact that it also came with the benefit of them being able to get through places that others might not be able to either. They could live in a smaller area and take over a smaller territory.

That didn’t feel right though.

”The ink lizards must live in a larger territory, don’t they?” The true dark sage looked at Walker and gave a slight nod before replying.

”They have a very large territory where they test their might. They create dark golems to build larger structures. They battle over larger areas than they would normally live. They also grow crops in larger farms than would be normal. Their abilities at wielding dark mana to create more than they are physically is their genius and blessing.”

Without realizing it, the true dark sage had managed to move the entire party a significant distance. It made Walker wonder if the true sages were capable of using space magic to move. Walker knew that wasn’t the case though, he could tell that it was their pure influence over the mana within the elemental plane that they were matching affinities with.

They would use a larger and denser amount of mana to make the space move for them. While this was a lot more control and effort to ensure that what they needed was achieved, it was still viable. Walker had done the same and the elemental rune teleportation formations within Genesis also did the same. It was all just a matter of how skilled the ones working on the mana were at the end of the day.

This didn’t mean that the party wasn’t shocked that they had not realized they were being moved much more. The true dark sage hadn’t said anything. Had not bragged. Instead, they had just done so without a trace of additional mana that Walker had sensed. Proving that even his senses could be called too weak while here in the elemental planes.

The idea was strange to say the least. He rarely had a time or chance to be in the seat of someone who was not understanding what mana was doing and missing what it had done overall. It was an odd feeling but one that inspired Walker to focus a little more on the true messages when he knew they were using their mana to manipulate the mana of the elemental plane around them.

”So, where are we now?” Walker glanced up as Remey began examining the very fine and small black clovers on the ground nearby. There was a lot more plant life here with dark affinities. The same with herbs that he could pick out as he glanced over the terrain. Grassy, hills, and an odd bush or tree here and there. It was a more fertile land so to speak.

When they all turned, the true dark sage was gone, but nearby, the shape of a leopard was walking toward them. It was black and smooth, not furry at all. It also didn’t show hostility, it just walked casually to them before stopping for a moment in front of them.

”Welcome to the lands of ink. You are welcomed here on behold of the ink Lizard race honoring the agreement with the true dark sage. Please continue your journey through our territory to the earth elemental plane and feel free to meet and speak with those you pass, they are curious about you as well.”

”It just melted in to a puddle of dark mana. That thing was a golem, right?” Remey was poking at the dark mana that had become like a liquid and was quickly dissipating. She couldn’t actually touch it since she had no affinity with dark mana, but she clearly could tell she would have been able to touch the golem that was here just now.

”It was in the shape of a shadow leopard. That means that the ink lizard race copies the form of other monsters to make their dark golems out of. I bet that was a temporary one held together with their mana and dark mana. They most likely need the right materials to make a dark golem more permanent.”

The theory that Walker had rang true. It seemed very clear that those who wished to have more permanent golems would need something to act as a core. That was why the golems that the dwarven race made were so amazing. They had cores, moving parts, and so much more for elemental spirits or the spirit race to inhabit and utilize as a more physical body.

”So that means that we have a visitor already?” Onyx slithered around trying to raise his head but worried if he took a larger form he might harm the small ink lizard that may be nearby.

”I don’t sense anyone, I believe that was just a messenger that was sent to let us know that the true dark sage had left us here and had let the ink lizards know. So they sent a golem to just make contact.” There was part of Walker that was also considering the fact that the ink lizard race might be more skeptical of them.

They were all larger than the ink lizards and had a true sage vouching for them as they traveled through this territory. Not to mention they might have been notified that there would be emissaries coming to meet them from the world later. That the party who was here now were powerful beings that represented every emissary that would come visit to form bonds with them.

”Let’s go!” Midnight pushed Walker forward. She was more than ready to see what new things would be here. The terrain earlier was boring. They met some of the obsidian slimes and saw a monster but they could do much more now. Plus, she could tell Walker was keeping part of his mind occupied with thoughts about the undead they had faced and without a push that the party would end up moving way too slow!

It felt like the fields of black plants and grasses were endless with the rolling hills adding different levels to the terrain. This wasn’t the only thing though, there were monsters that the party had spotted.

”Those are hair throwing tarantulas. Then hairs on their bodies get thrown all around them when they see a predator. The dark mana in the hairs will blind the predator for them to escape. That is a long tail pheasant, their black feathers come down in to a longer tail that drags and allows them to dissipate excess dark mana in to the ground. And that one…” The more that Walker rattles off information the more he realizes they had a few watchers.

The small bursts of dark mana he sensed at first were subtle but as they tracked and what he said was heard, they became closer and clearer. It seemed that the ink lizard race was more apt to be called shy than hard to find due to their size. That didn’t mean they were weak, the ability to make very larger than themselves dark golems using just dark mana was noteworthy.

”Remey, that plant you are poking at is called a mage ear fern, they fold up like ears when they die but they are very useful for treating rot or infection in wounds.” This caused a small burst of mana from the ink lizards around since they were surprised and curious about how Walker was sharing all this information.

”You should take out the dark affinity potions and dark nutrient potions. I think we should stop here to eat something and share it with our escorting hosts.” Without any further words, the mana flared around them.

Several shapes formed as dark golems took shape. Some avian, others on four legs, while two or three actually looked like obsidian slime race members.

”How did you know they were escorting us?” Gil felt defeated. He hadn’t noticed their presence and he was supposed to be the very best at such things.

”They gave off a little too much mana when they listened in on our conversation. But I felt that they might want to relax a little. I’m thinking this is a good spot for a picnic.” Walker gazed out from the hill they had just climbed up. Plenty to look at and a safe place to have an eye out for any danger nearby. Perfect.

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