Cromus eased himself out from behind the stalagmite, careful to keep his movements slow as he studied the creatures before him. Seven in total—six smaller ones, and one towering figure that loomed just beyond them.

  At first glance, they resembled horses, but something about them was wrong. Their skin was a sickly, pallid white, stretched so thin over their skeletal frames that Cromus was certain he could count every rib. Loose flesh draped over sharp, jutting bones, their hips protruding at jagged angles, unnatural and uneven. Their manes and tails held no life—dry, brittle strands that barely clung together, so fragile they looked as if they’d crumble with a single touch.

  A faint scent hung in the air—not the musk of an animal-filled cavern, nor the damp earth of the cave itself. Instead, it was something drier, something sharp. Like dust and old bone. The deeper the creatures stepped into the dim light, the stronger the scent became—a stale, mineral tang mixed with something bitter, like the dry air before a storm.

  The air itself felt strange. The deeper parts of the cave had already carried a cold, damp stillness, but the moment the creatures appeared, the temperature shifted. The cave did not just feel dry—the very moisture in the air seemed to be pulled away. Cromus licked his lips instinctively, his mouth already parched.

  Scattered across their bodies, clusters of pale, jagged crystals jutted from their flesh—not decorative, but parasitic, as if they had grown from within, splitting through skin and sinew like slow-moving tumors. The largest of them, a stallion standing just beyond the others, was at least a head taller than a Clydesdale. Unlike the smaller ones, it carried more muscle beneath its ghostly hide, though it still bore the same eerie, malnourished look. Its crystalline growths were massive, sharp formations rising like jagged spines along its back—one for every vertebra.

  It stood silent. Watching.

  The only sound in the cavern was the soft scraping of hooves against stone, the creatures shifting ever so slightly. The crystals along their backs faintly clicked together as they moved—a rhythmic, whispering chime of breaking glass.

  Then… a new sound.

  A slow, steady inhale.

  Not from Cromus.

  Not from Loose Tooth.

  From them.

  A faint stir rippled through the air, drawn toward the creatures. Not a gust. Not a draft. Just a soft, unnatural tug—like the world itself was exhaling into their lungs.

  The mares moved to the water. It would be wrong to call what they did drinking. Their mouths dipped in, and in unison, water rushed into them, absorbed straight through their skin. The underground spring itself visibly lowered, as if something had sucked it away. Their bodies filled out, their ribs less visible, their skin stretching more naturally over their frames.

  And as they looked healthier, the pressure in the cave grew heavier.

  They moved from the water’s edge to the salt piles, grazing on the minerals like grass. The Mustang finally moved, lowering his head to the spring. He absorbed water in the same eerie fashion, his form filling out, muscles gaining shape.

  Cromus felt his fingers tighten around his weapon, instincts screaming at him that something was deeply, fundamentally wrong.

  “What are you?” Cromus whispered, activating identify.

  SALT MINE STALLION

  Level: ???

  Temperament: ???

  Ways to improve temperament: None at this time.

  WARNING:

  A relic of the deep, forged in salt and hunger. Do not linger too long in its presence.

  The instant Cromus registered the text, the Stallion’s head jerked upward.

  Eyes locked onto his general direction.

  Cromus’s heart slammed against his ribs. He tucked himself back, slamming against the stalagmite as he tried to shrink into the rock, heart pounding in his chest.

  A deep, scraping noise filled the cavern, like massive stones grinding against one another. It wasn’t just the Stallion. The entire herd was shifting.

  And then the air pulled harder.

  His lips cracked, a sharp sting forcing him to blink. Loose Tooth visibly trembled, his skin visibly drier, his breath coming in short, uneasy huffs. Athas pressed himself against them, camouflaged but tense.

  Cromus grabbed Athas, adjusting him under his arm, while his other hand clamped onto Loose Tooth’s arm, steadying him.

  The pressure swelled, a crushing weight settling over them. It was like being buried under a slow, rising tide—one that didn’t drown, but pulled something vital from them instead.

  Move. Gotta move!

  Cromus pushed forward, launching himself from behind the stalagmite—ready to sprint.

  And then… it was gone.

  He skidded to a halt, confusion slamming into him harder than his fear. The weight, the dryness, the crushing presence—it had faded.

  His head jerked around.

  The herd was gone.

  Cromus whipped his gaze across the cavern, searching for them—expecting to see pale bodies vanishing into the tunnels, hooves kicking up dust as they retreated.

  Nothing.

  It was like they had never been there.

  “…What the hell?” Cromus whispered under his breath.

  “Uh… Cromus?” Loose Tooth’s voice was small. “You’re… kinda crushing my arm.”

  “What? Oh.” Cromus blinked, realizing his grip had tightened. He let go immediately, exhaling slowly.

  He lifted a hand to his lips—still cracked. Still dry.

  They had been here. And yet…

  His gut twisted. He turned his gaze toward the spring, scanning the shadows, the walls, the distant, untouched salt deposits. Had they truly left?

  Cromus couldn’t help himself. The words slipped out in a whisper. “Or are they still watching?”

  As he was focused looking around the area, something touched his arm, causing him to flinch and pull away.

  Loose Tooth was looking up at him startled by his quick movement, before a frustrated look took over. “Great, now I gotta cast the spell again.”

  “What spell?” Cromus asked.

  “I am trying to heal your face, unless you like it that ugly.” Loose said as he hand glowed green and he pressed up against Cromus.

  Cromus felt the warmth of the healing spell come over him and focusing he could physically feel his lips mending. “You are way to calm right now.”

  Loose tooth motioned to Cromus’s other arm, where he followed his gaze to see a smiling and relaxed Athas still held there. “He isn’t camouflaged anymore. Must be alright.”

  Cromus let out a slow breath, rolling his shoulders. “Yeah. Yeah, you’re right.”

  “I usually am,” Loose Tooth said smugly.

  Cromus gave him a side-eye but couldn’t help but smile.

  They needed to get moving. He adjusted Athas under his arm, motioning for Loose Tooth to follow.

  They both ws quiet on the way out even Athas was silent in his own way. It wasn’t until they was back on the surface in the fresh air that Cromus felt the uneasy completely leave him.

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  “Well that was something.” Loose tooth said.

  Cromus didn’t speak up right away. “I am sorry Loose, I got way to excited for the salt.”

  “It’s ok, nothing bad happened.” Loose said.

  “True and we got an entire satchel full of salt. so it wasn’t for nothing. I will take getting spooked for that.” Cromus said, forcing a smile.

  “If you say so. I am still not fully convinced.” Loose said.

  “That will change later tonight after we eat.” Cromus promised.

  Still skeptical, Loose Tooth nodded along, though his expression made it clear he wasn’t fully convinced. Loose Tooth exhaled loudly, stretching his arms above his head. "Alright, Biggin, I get that salt is important or whatever—but if we’re making food better, shouldn’t we find more than just salt?"

  Cromus shot him a look. "Oh, now you want better food?"

  Loose grinned. "I like options."

  Cromus chuckled, then sent out another pulse of Nature’s Awareness. Immediately, a sharp, fresh scent filled his mind—not just salt this time. His eyes snapped to a small clearing a few paces away, where thin, green stalks peeked from the forest floor. He crouched, brushing his fingers over the wild onions, their scent strong even before he pulled them from the ground.

  "Hah, now this is a find!" Cromus held them up triumphantly.

  They made their way back toward the general direction where they had separated from the rest of the group, but instead of following the exact path, Cromus deliberately veered off, keeping them within a fresh radius for Nature’s Awareness to pick up anything new.

  Loose tooth sent out his own pulse of Nature’s Awareness; it gave him something different—something earthy, damp. His nose twitched, and he followed the scent, leading him toward a fallen tree, half-rotted from age and covered in moss. Nestled in the shadows, growing in clusters, were thick brown mushrooms with speckled caps.

  He crouched down, poking one. "Hey, Cromus. Think these are the ones we can eat?"

  When he saw Loose Tooth crouched near the fallen log, his grin faded. "Hold up. Don’t just pick mushrooms at random, Loose. Some can be poisonous and kill you if you ingest any of its spores included."

  Loose Tooth yanked his hand back immediately. "Wha—WHAT?!"

  Cromus laughed, walking over and kneeling beside him. "Relax, I’ll check." He activated Identify, eyes narrowing as the system processed the mushrooms.

  FOREST STONECAPS

  Edible – Mildly nutty flavor. Best when cooked. Grows in damp, shaded areas near decaying wood.

  Cromus let out a relieved sigh. "Alright, you’re good. These ones are not poisonous."

  Loose Tooth wiped his hand on his pants. "Yeah, well, you almost gave me a heart attack."

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you that bad. But you got Identify as well i suggest getting used to using it, it can be very helpful, and I know I forget to use it at times.” Cromus said, chuckling nervously.

  Loose nodded and gave it a try receiving the same information that Cromus did.

  Cromus, however, was in his element. He gently set Athas down beside him and started picking at the thick clusters, carefully twisting them from the damp earth and even taking the time to dig up the stems. His fingers moved with familiarity, inspecting each one before placing it in his satchel with a satisfied nod.

  "Oh yeah. This is gonna be good," he muttered to himself, clearly pleased.

  Loose Tooth arched an eyebrow. "You’re way too excited about fungus."

  Cromus barely looked up. "This fungus is going to bring even more flavor to our food. Again, trust me, Loose."

  “You keep saying trust you, you know I do.” Loose said as if Cromus was questioning his loyalty

  Cromus paused. “Oh, I am sorry. It's a habit I am not questioning if you trust me just trying to put you more at ease about the unknown. I know it so my knowledge and faith in my knowledge should help relax you. is what I am trying to do.”

  Loose Tooth’s ears twitched. "I ate some when I was young. Thought they were good. Then Kaazz told me another goblin died from eating the wrong kind. So…" He shrugged. "Kinda decided to avoid ‘em after that."

  Cromus nodded slowly. "That’s fair. Some mushrooms can definitely kill you. But these? These are safe." He stood, brushing the dirt from his hands. "You mind carrying these? I gotta keep hauling our ball of a friend."

  Loose Tooth smirked but took the mushrooms, balancing them with the onions. "You really know a lot about food, huh?"

  Cromus lifted Athas under his arm again before answering. "Yeah," he said simply. Then, after a moment, he added, "I was never good with people. But I learned the magic of food."

  Loose Tooth tilted his head. "Magic?”

  Cromus chuckled. "Not actual magic, but… when you cook for people you care about, and you put in the effort right, their happiness when they take that first bite? That’s rewarding." He shook his head, a small, almost wistful smile crossing his face. "Wouldn’t recommend doing it as a job, though. Didn’t work out for me."

  Loose Tooth’s curiosity deepened, but something about Cromus’s tone told him there was more to that story. Maybe later, he’d ask. For now, he just nodded and adjusted his grip on the food.

  "Alright, Biggin. Let’s see if your so-called ‘magic’ is as good as you say."

  Cromus smirked. "Tonight, you’ll find out.” he paused. “Granted I don’t have a lot of cooking tools but for what I got it will be good.”

  They walked a bit further when Cromus got another ping for mushrooms—not just a few, but a decent-sized cluster at the base of a tree on a small hill.

  "Alright, this should be the last bit," Cromus said, setting down Athas before kneeling to pluck the mushrooms from the damp earth. "Then we head back. I just hope Sais and the rest were able to get something made of meat."

  Athas grinned his usual mischievous grin… then suddenly tucked his legs in and rolled down the hill.

  "HEY!" Cromus shouted after him, already too late to stop him.

  Before he could get up to retrieve the little glutton, a sharp, trilling whoop echoed from above.

  Cromus and Loose Tooth snapped their heads up.

  Three howler-like monkeys sat perched high in the branches above them, watching with mischievous eyes. Each was distinct—one black as night, another light brown, and the third with golden fur.

  Then, in perfect sequence, they each took a deep breath and let out a rolling whoop, whoop, whoop!

  Loose Tooth tilted his head. "Why do I feel like they're—"

  The ground beneath them rumbled.

  It was slow at first. A deep, distant vibration beneath their feet.

  Then it moved.

  The entire hill shifted beneath them.

  Cromus barely had time to yell before the world tilted violently, and he and Loose Tooth went tumbling backward, rolling down the side just as Athas had moments before.

  The earth itself rose.

  Not a landslide. Not an earthquake.

  The hill stood up.

  With a great, rumbling sigh, the massive form heaved itself upward, shaking loose dirt, moss, and scattered debris. Branches rustled. Loose leaves and dust cascaded down. And as the creature rose, a cloud of butterflies burst into the air, startled from their resting places.

  Cromus barely managed to scramble upright, breath hitching.

  What stood before them was a titan of nature itself.

  A massive, living dinosaur, easily twice the height of any other creature Cromus had ever seen. Its long, tree-laden back stretched into the sky, thick vines dangling from its massive frame. Bushes and mushrooms sprouted along its spine, giving it the illusion of being part of the land itself.

  Atop its back, the three monkeys howled in glee, swinging from branches, utterly unbothered by the giant’s movement.

  Loose Tooth sat on the ground, eyes wide. "Cromus… what is that?"

  Cromus swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. "I… I don’t know."

  The Titan turned its massive head, slow and deliberate, its deep, amber eyes glowing faintly—not with malice, but with understanding.

  It sniffed the air, massive nostrils flaring, its breath pulling at the loose strands of Cromus’s hair, almost tugging him forward.

  Then—it lowered its head toward them.

  Cromus didn’t move.

  The world shrunk. He could see himself reflected in its massive, liquid-gold eye. The weight of something older than he could comprehend pressed against his senses.

  He reached out. His fingers brushed against warm, leathery skin.

  A deep, resonating rumble rolled through the air, shaking the ground so powerfully that nearby birds scattered from the trees.

  The Titan’s eyes closed. A slow, deliberate blink of contentment.

  Cromus’s lips barely parted. "…So cool."

  The Titan exhaled deeply, then lifted its head again, shaking loose dust and leaves as it turned. It began walking, massive footfalls causing the earth to subtly shift beneath its weight.

  But Cromus noticed something—the forest itself moved with it. Not in fear.

  In respect.

  The trees bent ever so slightly, shifting aside as the Titan passed, branches swaying but never breaking. Roots untangled. Grass flattened, then sprung back.

  It was as if the land welcomed its passage.

  Cromus let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

  Coming out of his awe-struck moment, he quickly activated Identify and Animal Empathy.

  Elemental Dreadnoughtus Titan:

  Level: ???

  Temperament: Friendly

  Ways to improve temperament: Offerings to the guardians on its back.

  Rarely seen, this elemental houses a variety of plants, insects, and small mammals. The oldest Titans form bonds with chosen creatures, evolving them into Guardians—protectors of the land.

  Guardians spread seeds for forests, nurture fruit, and safeguard smaller animals. These Titans are ancient caretakers, their steps shaping the very world they walk upon.

  By the time Cromus lowered his hand, the Titan had already covered an impossible amount of distance, despite its slow pace.

  Cromus stood there, grinning like a child. He was reminded that not everything in this world wanted to kill him.