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It was early morning in the Maguuma Jungle when Kajjex arrived at the Desider Atum bridge. For once Preeke was not with him, the bar owner having some prior tasks to take care of at the club. But while his company was always valued, Kajjex did not feel sore without it. If anything, he was eager to start his first day with the new krewe. If he'd had any less self-discipline, he might have gone without sleep, yet the gravity of his new job was not lost on him. Still, he had to keep himself from sprinting to the bridge the moment he spotted Professor Bronk.

"You came on time," Bronk muttered, looking him over and nodding slightly. "Good. You'll quickly find that I prefer my krewemates to be punctual. A blade can be ruined if left too long in the forge."

"Preeke told me to be here early, and I'm not about to doubt him," Kajjex replied. "Honestly, I'm just ready to get started."

"You still walk unarmed."

"I'm starting to regret it," Kajjex admitted with a sigh, looking out into the wilderness. There was no shortage of aggressive growling in the bushes and trees, of beasts that could regularly make a meal out of an unguarded asura. "I don't get out of the city much, so I've never had a reason to arm myself. Part of my studies were because I knew that had to change."

Bronk didn't speak for a few moments, his eyes focused on something in the distance, though Kajjex couldn't tell what. Still, he had the feeling that some lesson was coming, so he waited patiently for the older genius to break the silence. "When Preeke came to endorse you as a capable fighter with great promise, I was... skeptical. I have met my share of foolish dropouts who want to swing a sword and claim the same 'heroism' that a human or norn would be known for. They're in it for the glory and gold, little more than that, Vigil excepted." He turned to the younger asura, a subtle smile lining his features. "You're the first I've met to break that mold. Despite your evident lack of self-confidence, you are steadfast when it matters. I wish to ask what it is that drives you."

Kajjex leaned against the railing. "I deeply believe that my work is important. Charr don't trust magic users as they did in the past, yet they understand the importance of using magic against their enemies; the same should be true for asura in combat. We can't bank on our knowledge to save us if it's not backed with action, anymore than a mind can control a body without muscles." He sighed. "If I'm the only one who thinks it's important, I have to press on. I don't have anything left if I stop believing in this."

"Take heart in knowing that you're not the only one who believes it's important." He looked over Kajjex with a considering eye. "You've made some changes to your appearance, I see."

"Preeke had a few transmutation kits," he replied, still feeling a little pleased with his selection. "I wanted to update my look a little."

"I have no eye for style among the younger geniuses these days, so I can't say as to whether it's an improvement. I notice, though, that you didn't use it to affect your build in any way."

"The effect would only last until the build atrophied," Kajjex replied. "And it'd be an insult to my personal efforts. I didn't put in years of training just to take an expensive shortcut."

"Excellent," Bronk said, his smile a little more clear. "To me, this says you are confident enough in your strength, and that you understand the value of that time and effort. What's left is to see if you're confident enough to face the foes you may be forced to fight."

Kajjex's ears perked up, his attention now focused entirely on the elder asura. "I will do my best to get into that mindset."

Bronk nodded and reached into his cloak, drawing out a long blade in a gold and black scabbard, with a black leather strap tied to it. "I will let you in on a secret – I have not personally forged a blade since I formed Telumarx a decade ago. I passed my teachings to the rest of the krewe, thinking our work sufficient enough to serve the needs of asura. Now I'm wondering if I stopped too soon." He looked the weapon over, giving what seemed to be a satisfied nod before holding the sheathed blade out to Kajjex.

"This is the first test subject, then?" he asked, reaching out to take it.

Bronk shook his head. "No. This is your weapon."

His hand froze an inch away from the scabbard, drawing away slightly. "Wait, this is – but why...?"

"The agreement was that if you defeated my golem within three minutes, I would fashion a weapon of your choice," Bronk said. "I made that wager thinking you'd be like any other brute college dropout, expecting you to fail. But now that I know that you have an actual passion for this line of study, it would be wrong of me not to reward your efforts. I have gladly honored that bet by personally crafting this weapon. If you're willing to go as far as you have, despite your personal doubts, then I must go just as far with my study in smithing." He gestured to the blade. "I know you didn't choose this, but you did name it as the first weapon you were proficient with. Based on how you moved and attacked, I am confident you will find this blade suitable."

Kajjex hesitated a few moments longer, then took the weapon and drew the first few inches from the scabbard. His reflection stared back from the well-polished steel and for a moment he felt satisfaction. It was his sword – a blade he had earned as opposed to a borrowed blade or improvised weapon. He nodded, sheathing the blade again and slinging it over his back. "I'll use it well."

"And only when necessary," Bronk added with a smirk as he reached into his cloak again, drawing out a pair of axes and holding them out. "Because these will be the first weapons you will be testing for us."

Kajjex took the pair of weapons, arching an eyebrow. Where most asura weaponry had clear indications of magitek, these looked traditionally made. It was only when he looked closer that he noticed the polished, gold-colored alloy that seemed to gleam in the morning sun. He hefted each, nodding – they were well-balanced. "Feels about right."

"Questions?" Bronk pressed.

"What alloy am I working with here? It doesn't look like traditional steel, and I want to be sure it'll survive wet conditions."

"I used a special blend of chromium and aluminum, then seasoned the surface minus the blade," Bronk replied, gesturing to the razor-sharp edge. A thin, barely noticeable groove ran along the blade. "The cavity here was specifically designed for the dispersal of poisons, suitable for those who lack the time or motivation to earn your build. The rest of us need to hit hard somehow."

"Fair enough," Kajjex said, hooking the axes to his belt. "Since we have that settled, I'd like to know how this job will work."

"Very well, we'll get to it." He drew a map from his satchel and unfurled it on the railing, stepping aside to let Kajjex have a look as he jabbed a finger toward the swamp. "The Michotl hylek in Michaon Marsh have asked for aid in holding off incursions; the Cuatl hylek to the east keep raiding their camp for food, and the krait to the west have been harassing them as well. The local Lionguard at Arterium Haven often takes responsibility of overseeing the protection of the immediate area, but today they are in the middle of a personnel transfer and will only have a custodial force overseeing the haven. Their forces will be arriving by tonight, but a lot can happen in a day – and both the krait and the Cuatl hylek will have noticed their absence." He turned back to him. "I am tasking you with going to the Michotl and lending them a hand for all of today. I've no doubt you'll have the opportunity to test the prototypes as you do."

"Are the Michotl important to the trade here?" Kajjex asked.

"They occasionally trade at Desider Atum, but the real reason I'm sending you to help them is because they asked for it." He gave Kajjex a grave look. "Many asura in Rata Sum might say we have no obligation to risk our lives and provide protection to other races. I am of the opinion that this is not only provides overall benefits to trade, but will also continue to foster good relations between Desider Atum and the Michotl. I hope you are of the same mind."

"I am," Kajjex nodded. "Is my presence there going to be enough, though? I can't imagine they'll back off after seeing a slightly taller asura with a pair of axes, and not even heavily armored."

"If it were up to me I'd have the Peacemakers send a squad to support them, but we both know that's not going to happen," Bronk sighed, shaking his head in mild disappointment. "So, no, they will not be dissuaded. They'll see the opening and they're likely to take it, even with you there. But don't sell yourself short, either. I have a feeling you'll be just what the Michotl need."

"Anything else I should know?" Kajjex pressed.

"Just be ready to help out with some minor tasks. It will help our standing if you do more than stand around with your arms folded, so don't be afraid to pitch in a little. Other than that, just stay safe and keep your feet on any dirt while your in the marshes – what looks like a puddle can sometimes be a sinkhole." He held his hand out to him. "That's all I can offer you. Take care, and come back to us safely, lad."

Kajjex shook his hand. "I will, Professor."

Bronk's warning was not idle in the slightest, borne from years of asuran interaction with the region. Most asura had no good reason to venture into the Michoan Marsh, but there were a few exceptions. A handful of the more chemically-inclined geniuses would make trades with the hylek, hiring them to procure flora and fauna that made their home near their settlements. Occasionally, an ill-prepared asura looking to do field studies without an escort would walk into the swamp, fall into a sinkhole or stumble into the river, and sink under the weight of their equipment or armor. Whether or not they drowned (as they often did, stubborn as they were to not lose gear), another asura would later come to pay a hylek to dive and retrieve that equipment. Still others ventured into the area looking to breach a nearby ancient locked lab, believed to have once belonged to an asura genius. But no matter what drew those few geniuses to the marsh, there was never a desire to stay for long.

To a hylek it was an ideal home – wet, warm, and buzzing with insects as small as a flea to dragonflies as large as a hawk. Kajjex pushed carefully into the marsh, keeping his feet on a path formed from soft dirt and fallen trees turned into natural bridges. He could see at least one hylek to either side, bounding across the slick mud and pools of water with the ease of a bird taking flight. They stood twice as tall as he did, far wider than a human, blue-skinned and beady-eyed, with mouths large enough that Kajjex was certain they could swallow him in one gulp if they were so inclined. It was only the knowledge that the hylek did not eat asura that put his mind at ease, as the marshes and ambiance did more than enough to unnerve him. A massive, head-sized dragonfly hummed past his ear and he flinched, his ears flaring and adrenaline pulsing through him as he watched it fly ahead, divert for a moment, and then disappear in a flash of pink.

Kajjex blinked, looking around for the insect before a crunch drew his attention. A hylek warrior adorned in a leather harness stood guard, holding a spade-headed spear in his hands. The twitching leg of a dragonfly hung out the edge of his mouth as he chewed the rest with no attempt at stifling the noise. He grunted, sweeping a long tongue across his mouth and dragging it in before taking an audible gulp. Kajjex had to suppress a shudder as he approached, clearing his throat.

"Uh... h-hello," he managed to mutter. "I'm uh... I'm Kajjex. I was sent by--"

"Mmm, I know who you are and why you're here," the hylek cut him off, slurping his lips and running his arm across them. "Welcome to the Michotl grounds, little asura. Your professor has our thanks for agreeing to lend us aid, and you have our thanks for coming." He held his webbed hand out, so massive it eclipsed Kajjex's as they shook. "Though if you don't mind my saying so, I expected you to be taller; or to come in one of your heavy machines to do your fighting for you."

"I prefer to do my own fighting," Kajjex replied, patting the axes on his side. "Besides, a combat golem would simply get stuck in the mud."

"Yes, we've seen it before," the hylek chortled. "Your Inquest brigands have yet to learn that lesson – or find a solution for it. Come, it's this way to our chief. And mind your step, some puddles here are deeper than you are tall."

Large though his was, the hylek warrior's feet were quick and quiet as he led the way, though not so swift that Kajjex couldn't keep pace with him while talking. "Do you often have problems with the Inquest?" he asked.

"Occasionally, though they find it is more trouble than it's worth to bother us often. When they do, it's because they want to harvest our poisons and alchemical recipes; and it always leads to them sending their most unprepared, expendable apprentices to waste golems and material." He gestured ahead. "But we're not expecting any trouble from them today. Look there."

Ahead was a larger, drier patch of earth jutting out from the marsh, atop which the Michotl settlement rested, its decorated mud walls lined with wooden stakes and guards posted at their entrances. The paths leading into the camp and out into the roads were lined with scented torches, with several embedded in sconces along the wall, curiously lit though the daylight was sufficient. Kajjex began to ask what purpose the torches served before his keen ears noticed the buzz of insects fading as they neared the camp. As they neared the wooden steps leading up into the encampment he saw one dragonfly flit near one of the torches before jerking around erratically and flying away.

"Rata Sum just zaps the bugs that get near the city with automated turrets," Kajjex said softly. "I'd no idea you'd devised a way to ward them off."

"We have to," the warrior replied as they scaled the steps. "They are our food, and will spoil quickly in these tepid conditions if they are not stored immediately. If you're keen on keeping them off you while you're here, we can offer you a salve that will offend their senses and ward them away." He gestured ahead. "Here we are."

It was a simple settlement, as well-built and clean as one could hope for in the middle of a swamp. By his own quick estimation, Kajjex counted at least two dozen hylek moving around the camp, hauling primitive yet effective-looking shields and spears, or working over bubbling cauldrons filled with poisons and antidotes. A few curious inhabitants looked him over, and while his interactions with the frog-race of the marshes was limited Kajjex could not help but feel like their stares were skeptical, if not outright critical. He pushed down that feeling, focusing his attention on one of the larger hylek, adorned in a thicker set of leather armor and an ornate spear. This one seemed to bear a gaze of keen interest instead of doubt.

The hylek guard straightened up and beat his spear shaft into the dirt. "Chief Xoctic, I have brought the asura warrior to us, as you've asked."

The chieftain nodded. "Very good, Tortugatl. You may return to your post at the hatchery. Call if there's even the slightest change."

The warrior beat his chest once and hurried away while Chief Xoctic lumbered toward Kajjex and bowed. "You've my thanks for agreeing to come today, noble warrior. Many have their doubts the asura could field talented fighters, but Master Bronk was most insistent that you could provide the aid we need."

Kajjex had to force his face to remain untroubled by the high praise. "I, er... thank you, Chief Xoctic," he replied, bowing low to the hylek leader. "I'm sure he was honest about the extent of my abilities."

"And I'm sure he embellished," Chief Xoctic chortled. "But I've known him long enough to know that he is the kind of craftsman who does not waste resources needlessly. If he sent you for something like this, then he thinks well of you. Come, I wish to show you our camp – perhaps seeing what is at stake today will help." He gestured for Kajjex to follow, heading towards the river.

To Kajjex's perspective the hylek seemed alert, yet steadfast in their duties, sparing only a few moments each to glance in his direction. Not a single one went unarmed, whether with spears, blowguns, or daggers expertly formed from carved stone. Many of them seemed to keep their eyes westward toward the river itself, where Kajex could barely make out the shape of a spire on the other side of the river, concealed by the morning mist. In contrast, few hylek were keeping guard in the east.

"Professor Bronk told me that the Cuatl were a factor," Kajjex said. "I've always wondered why the hylek in this region never banded together or used diplomacy."

"We've offered our hand in peace to the Cuatl before, yet they continue to refuse our terms. We don't ask for much – just to trade our food in return for their prowess in fighting to protect both our territories. They would rather use that gift in battle to raid our land and steal the food we've worked hard to collect. Because they spawn so many offspring, they are able to throw their own lives away." Chief Xoctic shook his head sadly. "They take their gifts for granted. They can spawn safely in their waterways. We, on the other hand..."

He trailed off, gesturing to the riverbanks. A few simple walls and fences formed along what little land they could be built upon, some several meters short of the riverbed. Several pools of water lay behind the fences, and along the rim of each pool was a line of colorful orbs basking in the rising sunlight. Subtle twitches within each orb seemed to stir, the color shifting as the light glinted off their surface.

It took Kajjex a few moments to realize what he was looking at. "Your offspring?" he said in a hushed voice.

Chief Xoctic nodded. "The sun god Zintl has blessed the Cuatl with strength and the ability to produce many young, and guided them to a place where they can spawn healthy and safe. The Michotl are blessed with a land of food and water, and a place to spawn our own young, yet even our great sun god can not ward away all evil." He jabbed a spear towards the dark spire poking out of the river. "The krait arrived a year ago, and have made dozens of attempts to wipe out our hatcheries since then. I've no doubt they will try again today, now that the Lionguard cannot lend us aid."

For a few long moments Kajjex stared at the line of eggs. He had not anticipated the gravity of the situation, and now it left him dazed. No amount of training or study had imparted the realization that he was in a position to save innocent lives, let alone those yet to be born. After a few seconds he swallowed, trying to loosen his throat as he spoke. "Then I'll do all that I can to make sure your hatchery remains safe, should it ever be threatened," he said in a tone of confidence that he did not feel.

"Don't fret if we lose a few eggs," Xoxtic told him. "All life requires death in some measure. If even a single clutch of eggs can last the week, then it will be a blessing." He looked down to Kajjex, his eyes kind and understanding. "Tall as you may be, I see you are still young and inexperienced. But as long as your heart is in the right place, then we will always be glad to have you stand by us in our time of need – even if we should lose our entire hatchery, you will have our thanks."

"Let's make sure it doesn't come to that, then," Kajjex insisted with an uneasy smile. "What would you have me do for now, Chief Xoctic?"

"First, you must be prepared." He turned and waved to one of the nearby alchemists, who nodded and approached them with a bubbling cauldron. The liquid within smelled like an overcooked roast with burnt cabbage, and seemed to have a dark blue hue when the alchemist drew a ladle from it and poured it into a small, wooden bowl. "I do not wish to put you through unnecessary discomfort, little warrior. That said, krait venom is extremely dangerous. I would not have you fight them without inoculating you against it."

Kajjex stared at it. "Is this...?"

"A solution to counter the poison," Xoctic said. "You will need to drink all of it."

The hylek offered it to Kajjex, who hesitated before taking it with pursed lips and a held tongue. Bronk had told him his presence among the Michotl was as much to foster positive relations as it was to aid the tribe. Even if the concoction was unpleasant, offering to protect him from the krait's poison was a kindness that was better accepted than insulted. He took a deep breath, trying not to gag from the smell, then brought the bowl to his lips and drank. The taste of well-cooked and seasoned meat hit his tongue, a decent flavor that he did not anticipate nor object to; but as he finished the concoction, a greasy, pungent aftertaste seemed to stick to his tongue and throat. He drew the bowl away with a cough, wiping his mouth on his sleeve and groaning.

"Ugh... not as bad as I thought, at least. How long will that antivenom last?"

"From now until your final breath," the hylek chieftain told him. "It will blunt the worst effects of krait poison – paralysis, weakness, and the necrosis of affected tissue. Just bear in mind that their fangs are only one of their weapons."

"Thank you for the boon," Kajjex replied, straightening up and bowing to the chief. "What else can I do?"

"Just keep your eyes westward as you patrol, and carry one of the torches with you to keep the insects at bay. If I am needed or you have further questions, I will be in the main camp as we bolster our huts and walls." He held his hand out to the asura again and they shook. "Be safe."

"I will remain vigilant, Chief Xoctic," Kajjex promised him.

The jungle's morning fog would have dissipated in any other part of Metrica Province by mid morning. But by noon it still hung heavy in some parts of the marsh, making it difficult to make out any clear shapes in the lake. The ambient sounds did nothing to help, as the river and frequent chirps and buzzes of fauna masked most other noises. Still, Kajjex remained vigilant, keeping a hand near one of the axes Bronk had assigned him, his other holding up a chemical torch to ward away the insects.

It hadn't taken longer than an hour for Kajjex to start feeling the steady hum of anxiety running through his nerves, the sense of impending doom that he normally associated to college finals. When it was his training dummy, he had gotten into the rhythm of the fight by intent, knowing there would be no harm. With the Risen and the cross-dimensional visitors from Ivalice, they'd been situations he had not anticipated nor been prepared for. His fight with Bronk's golem was likewise beyond prediction. Meeting those challenges had mostly been survival on the fly, with no time to process the anxiety fully, so it was easy to shake off when desperation took hold.

This was different. Bronk and Xoctic seemed certain something would happen, but having no knowledge as to when or where and being forced to wait until it happened was nothing short of agonizing. By the third hour he had done over a dozen rounds, circling the full range of the Michotl's territory. He was on the eastern border of their land when he finally encountered signs of possible trouble.

His eyes had been scanning a cliff below the road near the Lionguard outpost. It was an area most asura knew by reputation, where a set of ancient stone doors were embedded in the rock, the remnants of a lab of an unknown, long-dead genius. No asura had been able to open the entrance since its discovery, though most agreed it was likely built by one of the first asura to settle on the surface of Tyria. More to stave off the anxiety than to sate curiosity, he looked over the doors and trekked near the cliff, eyes scanning the protruding roots of trees sitting upon the edge. A shift of color drew his eyes, a brief flash of red darting behind the massive roots.

He reacted immediately, holding his torch high and unhooking one of the axes from his belt as he dashed towards the roots, ready to face whatever was trying to evade him. Had he not seen the rustling of brush ahead, he was sure he would have missed the almost completely concealed cave, hidden behind moss, vines, and bushes. He stopped short of the mouth, planting the torch in the ground and peering within, ready to react to any movement. His eyes adjusted quickly to the lack of light, yet the only movement he could make out seemed to come from the back of the cave; whatever noise it was making was drowned out by the ambiance of the jungle.

The sound of footsteps from behind broke his attention away from the cave. He turned away, spotting one of the female Michotl approaching him. "Saw one scurry back in, did you?" she asked.

"I believe so, yes," Kajjex nodded, peering back in. "But just the one, and I think they retreated completely."

"Then we are safe from the Cuatl," she said with a shrug. "If they were after food, they would have attacked you immediately and overwhelmed us with numbers. Subtlety is a foreign concept to them." She gestured him to follow. "We should report this to the chief. I doubt it will give him complete piece of mind, but now we know where to focus."

"Wouldn't the Cuatl just attack later?" Kajjex asked as he tailed behind her. "If that was a scout, they could be reporting back."

"Not if it was only one scout. Raid parties will have multiple scouts. And if they haven't attacked by now, they will not today," she said simply. "Come, we have prepared a meal for you. No warrior of any size should go without food."

Hesitant though he was to accept food from the hylek, his stomach had chosen to growl rather audibly mere seconds after her offer, and he knew better to refuse their generosity. He spared one last look at the cave and lab entrance before shrugging and continuing to follow – a mystery for another time, he thought. Still taking care to tread on the driest patches of land he could find, he managed to keep up with the agile hunter as they returned to the camp grounds. The smell of alchemy was as heavy in the air now as it had been in the morning, but as he drew closer to the walls he could make out the scent of cooked fish. No sooner had he entered the camp's walls than a fully-cooked payara on a stick was thrust towards him.

"Oh, thank you," he managed to say, the pleasant smell spiking his hunger as he took the fish from the chieftain.

"It's the least we can do for a guest in our territory," Xoctic replied. "What news?"

"I sighted a single scout escaping into a cave leading east, near the old asura lab," Kajjex replied, pausing long enough to take and savor a bite. "But I've been told that we don't need to worry if it was only one scout."

"Multiple scouts would be needed in case they want to attack from another direction," Xoctic said, sitting on a long log and offering a seat to the asura. "When they do raid, they prefer the morning hours to use the fog as cover when they rush our grounds. Past noon, the fog recedes and they focus on using the daylight in their secluded grounds to train and design their weapons." He gazed to the river in the west. "We need only worry about the krait, now."

"I confess I know little about them," Kajjex admitted, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. "Beyond that they came to Tyrian shores after being displaced by Zhaitan."

"Not quite," Xoctic said. "They had minor nests on Tyrian shores as far back as three hundred years ago, but it is true that most nests you see now are those forced from the Unending Ocean by the Risen." He shook his large head sadly. "You'll be hard-pressed to find a race that is as cruel and vicious as the krait."

"All races have their bad apples, I've found," Kajjex replied, his thoughts briefly touching on Torkk and the Inquest. "Not every hylek tribe is like the Cuatl. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some peaceful krait in the world."

"Perhaps, but they are not here," Xoctic countered, reaching into his satchel as the asura continue to scarf down the fish. "I have a pair of scouts patrolling the opposite riverbank. They're to perform their loudest call if they see any movement heading toward us, then return quickly." He pulled out a vial and handed it to him.

"What's this?" Kajjex asked, setting his mostly-consumed meal aside.

"Something I've concocted for you," the chieftain said. "Just apply the oil to your weapons. Krait scales are laced with a minor natural toxin, this oil will react to that toxin."

Kajjex eyed the oil for a few moments, then shrugged and unhooked both axes from his belt. The chieftain handed him a cloth rag and Kajjex set to work, pouring the oil along the blade groove and taking care not to cut his hand along the razor-sharp edge. "If this is effective against them, I'm surprised the krait keep coming back."

"The oil is mildly toxic to us as well, so it can't be applied to our blowguns," Xoctic explained. "We sometimes purchase bows and arrows, but the swamp conditions cause bowstrings made from sinew or fibers to quickly become ruined, and the stone in our weapons don't carry the oil well. But if I know Master Bronk, then he sent you with the right tools for the job."

"I hope so," Kajjex remarked, wiping the excess from the weapons before hooking them back onto his belt. No sooner had he secured them when another hylek hunter rushed through one of the entrances.

"Chieftain, you must come see this! Something is happening on the lake!"

Kajjex and Xoctic traded concerned looks, then followed him towards the lake. "I thought you said your scouts would call out if there was trouble."

"They would have," Xoctic agreed. "I fear they may have been captured, or worse. What happened, hunter?"

"The lake is darkening!"

Kajjex was close to asking what the hunter meant by that, but seconds later it was clear that the hunter had only described it perfectly. The relatively clean waterway was now murky and gray, as if a cloud of silt had been kicked up from the bottom of the lake, yet there was something unnatural about how quickly it spread. The wind picked up and a horrible stench rose from the river. Kajjex reeled back and retched, his eyes watering. He was not the only one; the nearby hylek gasped and groaned, pawing at their eyes and nostrils.

Xoctic covered his eyes with his armor, coughing. "What is that reek?!"

"Chemical warfare?" Kajjex suggested, coughing as he barely managed to prevent his recent meal from swimming upstream. "It smells like sulfur and ammonia mixed in a sewer!"

"Get away from the water and ready your arms!" Xoctic ordered. "You three, gather the eggs in baskets and move them to the eastern pools, then post torches there to keep them warm!" The tribe backed up and spread out, drawing their weapons while a trio of the nursery guardians quickly and carefully gathered the clutches into cloth-lined wicker baskets. Xoctic strode forward, looking as if he were powering through the smell as he drew his spear.

"Will they be safe in the pools?" Kajjex asked, drawing his axes.

"We raise them along the lake so they may be blessed by Zintl's light and warmth, but I will not risk our future in such foul and dark waters," Xoctix responded with a clear tone of anger. "This horrible sorcery must be the krait's doing. Wait beside me, little warrior."

"I'm right here," Kajjex assured him. Despite the alarm and fear running through his nerves, that strange sense of calm that seemed to defy his instinct to run was once again keeping him in place, ready to meet what was coming.

A deep trumpeting rang out over the lake, not unlike the norn's warhorn. For a moment Kajjex wondered if an asura experiment had gone wrong, yet the direction seemed to be coming from the other side of the lake. It was a few moments before he realized that Xoctic's scouts were sending out their warning – the krait were on the move.

"It won't be long before they break the surface and come up on shore," Xoctic called out. "Everyone back up and have your spears at the ready!"

The nursery trio finished gathering the last clutch of eggs and bounded away with enormous leaps, just as a dozen hunters lined up a few meters away from the shore. The film on the water's surface was too thick to see through, yet Kajjex thought he detected subtle ripples and swells approaching their side of the lake. He took a deep breath and relaxed his grip on his weapons, quickly trying to recall what he'd learned from wielding them and hoping he wouldn't forget in the middle of a fight.

A strange silence seemed to fall over the jungle, leaving only the chirp and buzzing of insects in the trees around them, and despite the tepid conditions Kajjex felt a nervous chill run down his spine. A minute later, a swell bulged in the water and the surface burst, as no fewer than half a dozen krait slithered on to shore. Kajjex swallowed and stared up at the massive beings, easily taller than six feet and covered in toned muscles and thick scales. Their carved hoods framed their snake-like faces, each of them curled in cruel and hateful expressions, hissing and baring their fangs as they held their spears forward. The clear leader among them stood taller than the rest, as least a good seven feet in height, hold a staff with a spike at its head, upon which a pair of human skulls were impaled. His acid-yellow eyes glared at the hylek chieftain, issuing in a clear and dangerous hiss.

"Xoctic!" He slammed the heel of his staff into the dirt. "What have you done?!"

Xoctic glared at him. "What are you talking about?"

"The lake, it reeks like the walking corpses of Orr!" he snarled. "I would have launched my raid sooner if I'd known you and your filthy tribe would have deployed such a horrible poison weapon in ours waters! I would have come just for your hatchery, but I see no reason why I should not wipe you and your tribe off the face of Tyria! Cleanse the lake now, or I will send your heads to the Cuatl as a warning to all hylek!"

"You dare accuse me of your sorcery, Silassar?!" Xoctic bellowed. "You are as foolish as you are cruel, if you think we would risk our hatchery with poison just to upset your nest! We live off this lake, too!"

"Don't give me that, you warty airbag!" Silassar shot back, pointing a long, clawed finger towards Kajjex. "I recognize an Inquest asura when I see one, you no doubt made a deal with them to poison the water push us out of our nest! You will cleanse the lake or all of you will die!"

"I'm not Inquest and we didn't do this!" Kajjex told him, but before he could continue, the trumpeting of over two dozen angry hylek and the sharp hissing of as many furious krait drowned him out and filled the jungle air. All he could do was look around at the decaying situation. It was not uncommon for asura debating the finer points of science to get heated, and for such debates to be reduced to fisticuffs – Kajjex had witnessed it happening enough times to predict that this was where the argument was going. A minute of calm rationality could have resolved this, to find the culprit and reverse the damage, but it would only take a hostile step forward from either party for the inevitable fight to break out.

One of the krait acted first, lunging forward and hurling their spear at Kajjex like a javelin. The asura gasped and twisted to the side, falling over as the tip of the spear narrowly missed and embedded into the dirt. He looked back up just in time to see both parties break formation and lunge at each other, the air filling with war cries at the battle started.

It was the first time Kajjex had ever witnessed a true battle, a fact that was not lost on him as he watched both groups meet with the intent to kill. This was not a one-sided attack on innocents, or a scientific disagreement gone rowdy; it was a clash between two races, focused little more on wiping the other out of existence. Screams of pain and snarls of hatred mixed with the snap of breaking bones and the hacking of flesh and sinew. It was a chaotic mess that in any other situation Kajjex would have wanted no part of; but as the seconds passed, he got to his feet and rushed into the fray. Even if neither party was responsible for the lake being sullied, he did not want the hylek to die as a result of his inaction. The image of vulnerable, unhatched eggs was still fresh in his mind, and a pang of alarm and worry flared in his chest as it reminded him what was at stake. But instead of looking back he charged forward, his resolve hardening as he joined the battle.

He leapt over a fallen hylek and swung at the krait that had injured him, narrowly missing as the serpent darted back and hissed, his body fluid and undulating. For a moment, Kajjex faltered – the krait's movements were alien, completely unlike those of a bipedal race. The serpent swept at his neck and Kajjex stepped back just enough to avoid losing his head, but realized he could not to judge distance or footwork as he normally could, or to anticipate an incoming strike based on footing and normal body language. Desperate he chopped at its torso, but the krait caught the axe in his shield and knocked him back. Kajjex barely had time to recover before he noticed the krait's lower body tensing, slithering forward as he stabbed down at him.

He leapt away and slapped the speartip away with the blade of his other axe, straightening himself and keeping a close eye on the serpent's movement, eyes flicking between his lower body and deadly, rust-covered spear. Tension seemed to coil in its belly and Kajjex caught the movement of his serpent foe rearing back. A half-moment later Kajjex sprang to the side, narrowly avoiding the spear as it pierced into the earth. With the weapon stuck for a mere fraction of a second he darted in and brought around his axe in a wide, fast arc, burying his axe into the side of the krait and drawing a gout of blood from the wound as it shrieked in pain.

He tore the toxin-laced axe back and the krait's skin sizzled and boiled from the injury, forcing him to double over and jerk in pain. He slashed at the krait again and gouged deep across his chest, dropping him into a coiled, writhing heap. Without a moment of hesitation, he broke away from the foe and darted towards the next closest krait, who was grappling a young hylek hunter. He raised both axes and buried them into the krait's lower back, and though her scales were thick and almost chitinous, they cracked and separated from the blow, sinking into the soft flesh beneath. The krait released her grip and screamed, her tail lashing out and forcing Kajjex to quickly block and back away as it cuffed his arm. The krait turned to him with a war-cry and swung her tail around.

Kajjex was ready for it. With no time to move out of range he instead raised his arms and moved into the blow, halting the momentum early as it slammed into his gut. He grit his teeth, his abs taking the hit with a dull, aching pain. But now the krait was in his range, and before she could slither away he hewed a deep wound into the thick end of her tail. She screamed curses in a hissing, spiteful tongue Kajjex had never heard before. It launched a second swing of its tail and the asura leapt, flipped, and twisted over it, landing on its opposite side and bringing both his axes down.

A blood-chilling scream tore through the air around them as both weapons clove through the same point and separated the tail from the rest of the krait, the serpent flopping on the ground, twisting and writhing in pure agony. Guilt burned in the asura's chest, but he pushed it down and turned back to the fight; made easier when noticed several fallen hylek. Some still moved, but others were dead or dying. For a few moments, Kajjex was nearly locked in place with fear as he searched for Chief Xoctic.

He spotted him near the riverbank, locked in combat with Silassar and another pair of krait. It took only seconds of watching the fight to understand why Xoctic had been made chieftain, wielding a pair of spears with the skill and grace of a trained warrior. He deflected the blows of his enemies almost effortlessly while jabbing at them with deadly aim and strength. One of the krait foolishly charged him with a shield, only for Xoctic to drive the point of his spear through the heavy wood and through the krait's arm before kicking him away, the shield still stuck on his spear. Without even acknowledging it, he swung the spear around, shattering the ruined shield over the face of the other krait, all while using his other spear to keep Silassar at bay.

But the leader of the krait did not fight like the rest. His staff channeled tendrils of dark energy which he flung from his free hand. Even armed with a pair of spears he made no attempt to strike away the tendrils or block them, dodging to either side while trying to keep up with the krait sorcerer, who kept backing out of his range. The krait hissed dangerously and uttered something in his tongue, slamming the heel of his staff into the ground. The ground around Xoctic burst open and long bony, decayed arms grasped around at his legs. A pair of undead hands caught his ankle and the chieftain staggered long enough for Silassar to swing around his staff and trip the hylek leader, forcing him to his knees. He raised his spears to attack from a kneeling position, but Silassar struck them aside with enough force to tear them from his grip and fling them into the river.

Kajjex was already moving to support the chieftain, but the moment Xoctic was disarmed he broke into a full sprint. The krait leader raised his staff high, aiming to plant the spiked tip of his weapon into Xoctic's chest. Kajjex leapt on to the hylek cheiftain's back and sprang towards the serpent, swinging his axes in a cross chop beneath the iron-spiked tip. The krait's weapon cracked and the shaft splintered as the blow shattered the top part of the staff, while Kajjex gracelessly landed on Silassar's face and the pair fell to the ground.

A split-second later Kajjex realized how foolish his decision had been; the krait leader was now left without a staff, yet he was still taller and physically stronger. He threw the asura to the ground with enough force to send a nearly paralyzing jolt through his body, both of his axes tumbling away. Before he had a chance to grab one, Silassar was on top of him, pinning him down with one strong hand while the other drew a long, thin dagger from his belt. Kajjex reached out blindly, his right hand managing to wrap around the handle of one of his axes, bringing it around just as Silassar stabbed towards his heart.

They both screamed in unified agony; the axe sank into the krait's upper torso, diverting the stab midway as the dagger sank into Kajjex's shoulder. As before, the gash sizzled and bubbled, and Silassar to flopped away clutching his wound. It was the first time Kajjex had known such pain, a raw burning sensation that almost seemed to numb the feeling in his arm. Despite the injury he wasted little time in drawing the dagger out and throwing it aside, hot tears running down his face. But it gave Silassar enough time to rally, his acid-yellow eyes hot with fury as he lunged on top of the asura again, his hands around his throat.

"YOU!" he screamed. "Change back the lake, right now, and I'll ease your passing into the Mists!"

Kajjex's eyes widened, unable to answer clearly as the krait throttled him. He clawed at the krait's hands. "It... I can't... I didn't..."

"DON'T LIE TO ME!" the serpent shrieked. "You infiltrate our waterways and spy on us like all Inquest do, you little rat! Tell me now or I will drown you!"

The krait's claws dug into the back of his neck as he was choked, preventing him giving him an answer or a plea. Yet something happened that made Kajjex go completely still. It had started as a mass behind Silassar, which Kajjex would have otherwise dismissed as a hylek or krait fighting behind him – until it started growing in size. It took a few moments to realize the shape was coming out of the lake, dragging itself onto shore. At first it looked like a mass of undulating vines, some of which bore red orbs of light at the ends. But the more he looked at it the more it became difficult to process what he was seeing. A puff of gas exuded from the middle of it and at once the area reeked of the same stench that had been assaulting everyone's senses. By now the fighting had stopped, and from Kajjex's prone position it seemed like both tribes had retreated from the mass of vines, and an eerie silence fell upon the battlefield. Silassar finally noticed the change in atmosphere, releasing Kajjex as he turned to face the newcomer.

It towered over the krait sorcerer, perhaps ten feet tall and just as wide, a round mass of thick appendages that flopped beneath and swayed above. For several long seconds, the mass of vines went still. An ominous sound emanated from it like a deep breathing; the red orbs at the end of the tentacles blinked, and Kajjex realized they were illuminated eyes, staring fixedly on Silassar. The middle of the mass split open horizontally to the sound of splattering saliva, revealing several rows of long, white teeth, framed before a deep, cavernous throat.

A long, deep roar erupted from the beast and the jungle shook around them. At the same time, a brown burst of gas poured out from its gullet and washed over the krait leader. Instinct took over; Kajjex scrambled to his feet and scurried away before the effluvium could reach him, covering his nose and mouth as residual fumes assaulted his senses with a fresh burst of unspeakable stench. It took all his willpower not to vomit on the spot, his eyes watering and burning as he staggered away. He'd gotten perhaps a few meters when he leaned against a tree and turned again, just in time to see Silassar coiling and writhing on the ground, stunned by the gaseous attack. It wasn't until the beast's tentacles had wrapped around his form that the krait shrieked and writhed, trying to claw his way out of its grip. Kajjex's eyes went wide and he turned away, unable to watch as the sorcerer's screams were silenced by a sickly, wet crunch.

"Wh... what is this beast?!" one of the krait wailed.

"It got Silassar!" another cried out. "Fall back, let the hylek deal with it!"

"Leave the injured and reinforce the nest!" one commanded, as they slithered back into the river.

The beast roared again, it's maw stained red with fresh blood; nothing else of Silassar remained but stuck sinew and scales. The urge to run and find safety nearly overwhelmed Kajjex, until he saw the hylek scurry around the beast and drag their injured and dying away before it could consume them. It was not time for him to leave, not when he could still help. He spotted Xoctic nearby, the chieftain looking rattled but uninjured as he dragged a wounded hunter away. The asura quickly returned to his side, grabbing one of the hunter's armor straps and aiding the chieftain. He spared a brief glance at the beast as a pair of uninjured hylek jabbed it with spears, but the creature lashed out and knocked both away like they were rag dolls.

"What is that thing?!" he shouted, his voice nearly drowned out by the creature's bellow.

"I've never seen it before!" Xoctic answered. "Watch it, it's going to attack again!"

The pair diverted and dragged the injured hylek behind a wide tree, hiding behind it as another blast of hot, putrid mist issued from its throat. Several nearby hylek were caught in the blast, but while it was clear the mist had done them some measure of injury they managed to leap up and out of the mist, flopping onto the ground far from the beast's reach. Xoctic grimaced, sniffing at the air.

"Those fumes... it's chemical, but there's some magic in it," the chieftain said. "Transformation magic."

"Transformation?" Kajjex repeated, looking out at the hylek. Though injured, none of them seemed to have changed in any way. "What kind?"

"I cannot say, this magic smells familiar, but... foreign to me," Xoctic admitted. "Perhaps some dark spawn of Zhaitan? But the dead are not rising. It does not matter, we must stop it before it destroys our home." He turned to Kajjex, his eyes tired. "You have done more than enough for today, little one. You stood by us in battle and saved my life, even taking injury. I release you from your duties. Go back home to--"

But Kajjex was already shaking his head, the chieftain's words stirring within him and bringing a grateful smile to his face. "With all due respect, Chief Xoctic – shut up. I gave my word to help your tribe, and I'll see it through. If we don't stop it, the nearest asura settlements will be next."

"How can we stop a beast we know nothing about?" Xoctic asked.

"By doing what an asura does best," Kajjex replied. "Studying."

He peeked around the tree again, studying it as its tentacles lashed through the air. One of the hylek hunters threw their spear at it and found its mark, sinking into the flesh between its tentacles. It twisted around and lunged at the hylek, spraying more stink as it did, but could not catch it before the hunter leapt away. It was certainly fast for its size, yet not enough to catch a prepared prey. It seemed to focus on using its fumes and limbs, unable to meet the range of a pair of hylek peppering it with blowgun. The body was thick and fleshy, lacking any other natural armor, leaving its tentacles to take the brunt of damage from hylek spears.

The beast turned to lunge at a retreating hylek, but failed to notice another hunter flank it from behind until he stabbed it. It roared and spun, whipping its tendrils along the ground while the hunter bounded away. Its back was a rounded mass of muscle and had no tentacles, nor any sort of armor as far as he could tell. The eyes seemed to be facing completely forward, and while its lower appendages looked capable of sweeping all around its massive form, it did not seem to notice any nearby hylek behind it.

Kajjex ducked back behind the tree just as Xoctic did. "A blind spot and a weak spot. Perfect."

"That is where we attack," the chieftain nodded. "You are small enough to escape its notice, so we can divert its attention while you move in." He nodded to the asura's remaining weapon, the longsword Bronk had rewarded him with strapped on his back. "Hamper its movement and we can move in to finish it."

Kajjex drew the sword from its sheath, staring at the polished blade. Even with his limited knowledge of smithing he could tell it was a weapon created with the skill of a master, its edge sharp and its balance perfect. A spear might give him better reach, but the hylek weapons would be unbalanced in his hand, and the axes he'd used were discarded on the battlefield. The longsword was all he had, and he was glad for it. He looked up to Xoctic and nodded.

"Get as many blowguns as you can and try to aim for the eyes," Kajjex instructed. "I'll circle around and hit it from behind."

"Zintl protect you, little one," Xoctic said. The chieftain turned and called out in a rumbling croak. "Michotl!" Every hunter and warrior stopped in place, all eyes facing their leader. "Grab a blowgun and rally to me, quickly!"

Kajjex scurried away, glancing around as the remaining battle-capable hylek converged at the tree. A pair of hylek hunters kept the beast's attention, darting out of reach and jabbing at its limbs while the asura ducked behind the trees and fallen logs, keeping low and out of sight until he was at its side. He peered around the tree, watching as the hylek spread out and pelted it with darts. The monster howled, shaking angrily and lashing about before charging at a close group of hunters. At the last second they jumped out of the way, the beast crashing against a tree and splintering the trunk. Kajjex watched the battle, waiting for its attention to return to the hunters before moving again, finding cover behind another tree. Once it faced away again, he made his move.

With his blade held ready he charged the beast, hopping onto a nearby log and leaping at it with a cry. The blade buried easily into the upper part of its back, deep into its hide, until all but the a few inches of blade were left. He collided with its back, gasping as he clung to the hilt with both hands. The beast let out a horrible shriek, flailing and nearly throwing the asura off. It only deepened the injury, the blade carving through its back as it swung, yet Kajjex clung to the handle for dear life, knowing that his odds of survival would drop precipitously if he fell and the monster spotted him. It spun in place, trying to face its attacker, and Kajjex caught brief glimpse of the hylek. It's lashing had scattered their ranks, knocking away many of the hunters before they could close in with their spears. What few were left tried to approach, but it turned back and spat another putrid cloud at the stragglers. The smell was so thick and heavy in the air it was dizzying, and while he'd gotten used to the rancid odor it was strong enough weaken his grip, already hampered by injury. The beast lurched back and sent him flying, hitting the ground and sliding several feet away.

Pain wracked his body, his left arm nearly numb. It took a moment for him to sit up, but by then the beast had faced him. The hylek had done considerable damage to the creature; their darts had punctured several of its eyes and a few of its tentacles were reduced to stumps. Yet despite looking ragged, it was clearly ready to fight to the death. Cold fear gripped the asura as its glowing red eyes glanced in every direction, until they all of zeroed in in perfect unison. The beast roared and Kajjex tried to stand, slipping in the dirt and forced to crawl back as it approached him with its maw wide open. It was only a few meters away when his hand bumped against a wooden shaft.

It was one of Bronk's axes.

He had only seconds to act. With a desperate cry, he grabbed the axe and flung it into the beast's gullet. The weapon sailed cleanly past the rows of teeth, and though he did not see it, Kajjex could hear the dull sound of its blade puncturing whatever passed for the back of its throat. It howled and writhed once more, rearing back and making a horrible hacking sound, plumes of vapor choking out of its maw. Seeing an opening, Kajjex got back to his feet and began to run.

And tripped.

He hit the ground and rolled onto his back, spotting one of its tentacles wrapped around his ankle. Fear overtook him as he clawed at the ground, trying to wrench his foot free, but it maintained an unbreakable grip, dragging closer. In desperation he made a grab for a discarded spear, hoping to stab it before it could drag him into its maw. He was halfway to raising the spear when it vomited yet another cloud of its haze, right on top of him.

It was unlike anything Kajjex had ever felt before, a sensation of being overwhelmed with unspeakable filth. It filled him with a desperate desire to be immolated and cleansed of the poison that was covering his body and flooding his lungs, like drowning in a vapor of death and despair. It was beyond a sensation of nausea, more akin to an almost spiritual taint that Kajjex was certain he would remember for the remainder of his short life. The edges of his vision went blurry and he became lightheaded, the fight fading from him in mere seconds as he rolled onto his back. When he looked up, the beast looming directly over him, looking much larger than before.

The last thing Kajjex saw before darkness closed in were its many rows of teeth.

How long the darkness lingered, he could not say, but there was no pain to speak of; just a sensation of feeling light and naked, the air cool around his skin. It was pleasant and sweet, fragrant with natural aromas. The fear that had gripped him was no longer present, and comfort and peace had taken its place. Yet as the seconds passed, his brow furrowed. Something was wrong. If he was dead and in the Mists, he should not have felt anything at all.

His eyes opened, his vision blurry before the shapes became sharp and clear. A small fire was burning at the center of a room with a dirt floor, illuminating it. Beads hung from the roof and doorway of the inside of a hylek hut. He scanned the room and spotted Chief Xoctic, bent over a mortar and pestle with a bandage around his arm. Kajjex breathed in and tried to sit up, finding it difficult to move, his limbs feeling almost disconnected from his mind. When he finally managed to face Xoctic, he opened his mouth to speak.

Only for a long, squeaky croak to issue from it.

His hand slapped over his mouth and his eyes went wide, but it only made things worse. Another croak erupted from him as he stared at his alien hand. He still had four fingers, but they were long and smooth, ending with disc-like pads. Looking back he saw he was completely naked, but his legs were thin and long, bending in ways they never had before. The surface of his skin was cold and slick, almost wet with a thin sheen of mucus that felt both clean and disgusting all at once. He brought one of his disfigured hands up and felt around his head, noticing his eyes were jutting to either side, his mind barely able to process the shift in perspective. His face had changed shape as well, feeling nothing like his own; it was flatter with a gigantic mouth, and his hair was completely gone. His eyes fell upon Xoctic again and he let out a clear croak of dismay as he recognized exactly what he looked like.

I'm a frog?!

It was that last croak that got his attention, Xoctic looking over to Kajjex with what appeared to be a smile. "Ah, you're awake, little one." He turned to the door. "You can come back in, you two!"

Had he been in any position to speak he could have cried out in joy as Preeke and Bronk entered the hut, both of them hurrying towards him. As it was he could only roll onto his newly-shaped hands and feet, staring up at them with what could have only been a frog's despondent expression. Even so, he couldn't deny being happy to see both asura.

"My goodness... this is quite a dilemma," Bronk mused, stroking his beard. "Of all the things that could happen to you on your first day of work, nobody could have anticipated this." He turned to Xoctic. "You can turn him back, I hope? No asura should have to face such a fate if they haven't brought it upon themselves."

"I'm certain of it," Xoctic said.

"You okay, buddy?" Preeke asked, his ears drooped. "For a while we thought you'd been eaten, but then we found you asleep in your clothing and we realized you'd survived. By the Alchemy, this is not the kind of makeover you needed."

Kajjex managed a nod, wishing he could explain what happened, but it was Xoctic who provided the answer. "I was right when I had detected transformation magic in the fumes that beast spewed. It didn't affect us because of our own physiology – we share common ancestors with feral frogs and toads." He approached Kajjex and Preeke, holding a vial in one hand. "When your warrior was hit with its fumes it almost seemed like he had disappeared and left his clothes behind, so I assumed he'd been disintegrated. I am glad to be wrong, of course. Had I not noticed the markings on his back and the color of his skin, I might have mistaken him for a normal frog."

"That is him, I'm sure of it," Preeke said, reaching down and petting Kajjex's head. "Poor guy. I'm glad you're alright, relatively speaking."

"Don't worry, he'll be good as new once you back away," Xoctic assured him, pouring the contents of the vial into his palm. "Breathe in deep, warrior!"

He had no idea what was coming, but he trusted the hylek chieftain enough to oblige without worry, opening his mouth and sucking in air just as a plum of gold-colored smoke blasted him. A flash of light flickered in the hut and all at once Kajjex felt completely normal, falling backwards with a gasp.

"That was..." He swallowed. "I am never doing that again without being fairly compensated!" He groaned and hopped off the table, swaying on the spot until Preeke caught him. "Ugh... how do I look?"

"You look like you did last night," Preeke assured him. "Still cute and completely sexy."

The younger asura went red in the face and nearly asked what had prompted him to speak so plainly, before looking down to see his cock and balls bouncing between his thighs.

"Right... of course I'm naked," he sighed. "Why wouldn't I be."

"Easy, lad," Bronk advised, patting his shoulder and handing him some simple clothes and the sheath to his longsword. "This minor embarrassment is the least of your potential fates, and if Preeke is to be believed you'll have to get over such things soon."

"Screw being embarrassed," Preeke intoned, slapping his back with a grin. "Be proud! You should be allowed to flaunt some skin for everyone after how much of a badass you were today!"

Kajjex managed not to smile too widely at Preeke's praise, looking over his body quickly to ensure he was whole. He rubbed his shoulder, searching for the wound he had sustained, only to find it had been completely healed over without the barest hint of a scar. Once he was sure everything from his ears to his toes were exactly where they should be, he turned his attention to the chief and nodded to his bandages. "Are you alright, Xoctic?"

"More than fine, little warrior," the chieftain assured him. "The beast managed to knock me into one of the stone outcrops and I cut my arm among them – it's barely a scratch. Most of the tribe is alive and recovering, as well. Zintl truly blessed us with your presence and our courage. We only lost two hunters today."

"I wish we'd lost none," Kajjex said as he began dressing, but Bronk shook his head.

"Don't blame yourself, lad. You saved more lives that I thought you would, against a monster the likes of which we've never seen. Take solace in the lives your efforts have helped." He gave him a small smile, striding out of the hut. "And in the process, you may have made a name for yourself. Come with me."

Kajjex traded a curious look with Preeke, then adjusted the scabbard around his torso and followed the elder asura. The hylek seemed to be in decent spirits, though a few of them were injured, two of them lacking limbs they once had. At the far end of the camp were a pair of shrouded bodies being tended to by three other hylek, who spread flowers and petals on the fallen in what was clearly a ceremonial sign of respect. He tore his eyes away, trying find comfort in the fact that others had been saved while he continued to follow Bronk towards the lake. Some hylek were patrolling along the shore and near the corpse of the tentacled beast, but there were also a few small groups of asura nearby speaking with the tribe members. A few of the asura were Peacemakers, but others were clearly from krewes operating out of Soren Draa, looking very out of place and uncomfortable in the marshes.

"What's with the newcomers?" Kajjex asked.

"That stench reached all the way to Desider Atum, though it wasn't nearly as bad as it was here," Bronk informed him. "And not enough to quell their curiosity. A few have tried to lay a claim on this thing."

Kajjex slowed his pace once he neared the corpse, unsure as to whether it was truly dead or not, and only approached when Bronk did. He followed close, quickly spotting his sword still embedded in the beast's back. Knowing the longer it stayed the more likely it would be damaged he quickly climbed up its back and drew it from the body, grimacing at the thick, almost gelatinous blood on its surface before hopping back down to the ground. "I've never heard of a creature as disgusting or putrid as this," Kajjex muttered.

"Ugh... thing still reeks something awful," Preeke coughed, pulling a clean piece of cloth from his satchel and handing it to him.

"It was worse when it was alive, but assuming my olfactory senses haven't been burned away, the smell is dissipating quickly," Kajjex told them. He looked toward the lake, which was now clear and clean as it had been before the krait had attacked, then dipped the cloth in the water and wiped his blade clean. "The lake was sullied before it appeared, so I'd hazard a guess that this... thing was what caused it."

Bronk looked over the beast, jabbing his cane at the corpse a few times and then whacking one of its tendrils. "Hmph. Quite an ugly specimen, I must say. I've never heard of such a grotesque beast in any bestiary I've studied. If it were a minion of Zhaitan, it would have bled a foul ichor and reanimated by now. I'd normally suspect something like this was an Inquest experiment gone wrong."

"I wouldn't be surprised," Kajjex admitted, sheathing the weapon. "Why wouldn't you suspect them?"

Bronk glared and nodded at a trio of asura wearing black and red, all talking to a pair of Peacemakers aggressively. "Because they're trying to claim it now."

The younger asura followed his gaze, tensing up as he recognized one of the all too well. Professor Torkk had given up his normal black and white research attire, now adorned in a well-fitted suit of black and red that looked more like armor than research robes. Kajjex's eyes narrowed and he started approaching the elder asura.

"Whoa, Kajjex, don't!" Preeke said, grabbing at his shoulder and pulling him behind the corpse. "Not here, not now!"

"What do you mean?!" Kajjex hissed. "He shouldn't even be here!"

"Professor Torkk has expressed an interest in taking the specimen," Bronk explained quietly, keeping his eyes on the Inquest trio. "He was among one of the first groups to arrive, shortly after Preeke and I did, but now there are too many witnesses around. No doubt he was hoping to attack and abscond with the corpse."

"Give me a clear shot and I'll give him a day off with another bloody nose," Kajjex growled, peeking around the corpse.

"Don't be foolish, lad," Bronk said, though a slight twinkle in his eye seemed to hint at what he thought of the suggestion. "He's not worth the expenditure of energy. Besides, we already settled the matter of the specimen with the Peacemakers and logged it as your find."

Kajjex blinked, all the fight leaving him. "Wait. It's... mine?"

"Technically, the discovery belongs to the Michotl first, since it was slain on their territory," Preeke clarified. "But as you were the one who dealt the final blow, and they have no use for it besides testing it for alchemical purposes, they've agreed to hand the rights of discovery to you."

"A gift from the Michotl," Chief Xoctic said, as he approached them. "If you would have it, little warrior."

Kajjex looked at the dead beast, overwhelmed by the chance to claim a new discovery. The more he gave it thought, however, the less he was enthused. After perhaps half a minute he shook his head. "As much as I appreciate the gift, it doesn't fall under my field of studies right now. It might be better for another asura to handle it – or an entire krewe." He looked to Bronk. "I think the right call here is to allow the hylek to study it, at least for now, while the corpse is fresh. If you know anyone you can trust to analyze the corpse--"

"I've just the people in mind," Bronk said, nodding.

"Then just add me as a primary mention in the peer-review submission, plus an eighty percent cut of the gold for the discovery. I gotta come out of this with some advantage for my efforts. Besides, I feel like studying this thing would just give me nightmares," he added, eyeing the corpse nervously.

"Leave that to me," Bronk told him, patting his back. "You've done excellent work today, apprentice. Not at all what I was expecting, obviously, but you've made a solid impression on your first day of work."

"Thank you, Professor," Kajjex said gratefully.

"That said," Bronk continued, "you still have a bit more to do before you clock out."

"Er... what's that?" he asked, slightly nervous.

Bronk gave him a wry smile before walking back to the camp. "Go find those axes, lad. They cost good money, and you still need them to file your report tomorrow."

It didn't take long for them to track down both weapons. The first axe was still buried in the back of the beast's throat, and easy enough to reach once a Peacemaker was convinced to climb into its gullet and extract it. The second took a little longer, as it had been knocked into the lake during the battle, but one of the Michotl scouts was more than happy to dive into the lake and retrieve it. Neither weapon looked worse for wear, aside from a few surface scuffs.

Kajjex was slightly worried that the volunteering scout would have been attacked by the krait in retaliation for the battle, but Xoctic quickly reminded him that the beast's presence had been proof that the Michtol weren't to blame for the lake being sullied. With the lake now cleansed of its filth there was no need to continue fighting, and with Silassar dead it would take perhaps a couple of weeks of tribal infighting for a successor to be chosen. By then, the Lionguard would be more than prepared to provide aid to the Michotl.

As for Torkk and the Inquest, it had taken over an hour for them to give up on trying to claim the beast's corpse. They only left when it had been dragged into the Michotl's campsite with the Peacemakers ensuring they would keep the area guarded until the Lionguard transfer was complete. In that entire time Kajjex, Preeke, and Bronk kept watch from a distance, to keep them from switching focus to having Kajjex arrested. Once the Inquest had left empty-handed, the trio returned to Desider Atum, though not before Chief Xoctic had once again expressed his thanks to Kajjex for his help.

Night had fallen by the time Kajjex and Preeke were ready to go, but they stayed just long enough to bring up concerns about Torkk and his efforts to keep Kajjex's works suppressed. Bronk seemed more than happy to help, discussing the situation with the pair as they walked to path to the bridge.

"That old fool," Bronk grumbled. "I'd heard he had sided with the Inquest, but actually seeing gets the blood in my ears boiling. Young fools or exploited geniuses, I can understand; but one of his standing and reputation should have better standards than to join those immoral novices." He shook his head. "Pay it no mind, Kajjex. What Torkk does with his credentials will not reflect poorly on you by association. Unlike some of my contemporaries, I grade my students and krewemates on their own merits, not their connections."

"Thank you, Professor," Kajjex said. "So you can help me?"

"It's not the first time a genius with more ego than sense has tried to hamper the peer-review process, especially to bully others. But while I'll grant that he's going about it more cleverly than most, it won't last forever." He stopped and leaned against the railing, facing the pair. "Preeke is right that having my name attached will give more weight to your research. I have done such things rarely, and I prefer not to in most cases. A researcher's work should stand on its own merits, or fall to its own flaws, without requiring my involvement" He smiled. "That said, I sympathize with your situation and your field of study. If it can at least get the Peacemakers off your back, then simply bring the data crystals to me and I shall take care of it."

Kajjex sighed in relief. "Thank you, Professor Bronk. If there's anything I can do to--"

"Just keep up the good work," Bronk interjected, waving his hand. "I don't expect you to slay rare monsters every week, but if you were able to do that on your first day then you'll have no excuse for slacking off later." He smirked. "Alas, you have been cursed by the double-edged sword of expectations."

"I'll do my best," he chuckled.

"Good. Then get some rest tonight, and have your analysis of the weapons on my desk by tomorrow afternoon. Bring a copy of your research on a data crystal and I'll have hard copies of it for you and I to keep archived. Perhaps your own research can help in mine." He held his hand out to him. "Have a good night, lads."

"You too, Professor," Kajjex replied, shaking with him.

"Nighters, Professor," Preeke said, waving at the elder asura as he left. "So... hell of a first day."

Kajjex sighed. "Yeah..."

The older asura peered at him curiously. "How are you holding up?"

He didn't answer immediately, leaning against the stone rail for a moment before sliding down and sitting with a groan. "Tired. Restless, somehow," he said, fumbling for words. "I need a minute."

Preeke said nothing, letting the silence set in. After a moment Kajjex pulled his scabbard off his back and stared at it. Now that he had a moment to think and reflect, his mind was trailing to the battle. Half-hazy images flickered through his thoughts, gaining greater clarity over time, until he could almost imagine the sounds of battle again. The sharp ringing of steel and cries of pain echoed in the back of his head. He shook himself out of it before it got worse, feeling his pulse quickening slightly.

"I wasn't prepared for today," he said softly.

Preek sat next to him. "No?"

His throat tightened, a burning bile welling up in him. It almost made it hard to breathe, his heart starting to race. Words came slowly, deliberately, and chosen with enough thought. "When it was the trio from out-of-town, or that Risen in the labs... it was different," he explained. "Risen are almost mindless on their own, bar the malice of their master, but it was a direct fight against something that was already dead. And with the trio, they were just a bunch of violent thugs that would probably hurt others without killing. I kept thinking about both scuffles while I was patrolling, I guess trying to anticipate what I'd face." He swallowed, thinking of the krait and their cruelty. "But until today, I've never been in a situation where I'd watch two groups of people actively trying to kill each other. Like... really try to kill, out of hatred and spite. I wasn't prepared."

"Well... I have to imagine anyone with a good heart and good intentions would be unprepared for it," Preeke reasoned. "Does it bother you that the hylek were ready to kill or die?"

"Maybe...? No, I don't think so," Kajjex decided, shaking his head. "I understand why. Their offspring and tribe was at risk. As far as they knew, the krait were responsible for the lake turning rotten, especially after admitting they were going to raid them. I guess I'm just..." His voice caught for a moment, his breathing a little shaky. "I told Bronk that I'd be ready to take a life if it meant protecting myself, and... I'm glad I was able to save a few lives. But I never had a moment to think about actually killing anyone. I just... did it. Does that happen when your focus is combat? Do you lose yourself and commit to violence when you're forced to fight?"

Preeke shook his head. "No. You commit to surviving when you're forced to fight. The hylek face that every day. And I think asura are, broadly speaking, too insulated and ignorant of what survival means, the way a hylek understands it."

"I killed today, Preeke," he said quietly. "I know I did. One of the krait, I'm sure, but definitely that monster. Should I be okay with it? I... think I'm okay with it, but should I be?"

"I think if you were actually okay with it, you wouldn't be worried about it," Preeke told him, putting his arm around his shoulders. "And you shouldn't be 'okay' with it. You should be trying to process it, and that's exactly what you're doing by talking about it. That's a good thing. It means you still value life, trying to preserve it. The hylek see that in you – you're not a mercenary to them, you're a hero."

The word made his ears flick. "N-no, I'm just... it was part of my job to--"

"Nobody chooses to be a hero," Preeke said. "Some are heroes for a day, some for a lifetime; but the best heroes are just doing what they can to help others without a prompt or expectation. Sometimes – too often, I reckon – that means taking a life so that other people can live. It's like the Vigil of Tyria say: 'some must fight, so that all may be free.' Today, that was you." He got to his feet, holding his hand out to him. "I'm not saying this to boost your ego, because that's not what you need right now. I'm saying this because what you've done is nothing to be ashamed of. As long as your heart is in the right place, and you're doing it to save lives, you won't lose yourself." He smiled down at Kajjex.

The younger asura hesitated, then took Preeke's hand, getting back to his feet. "Thanks, Preeke," he said, feeling more at ease now.

"Anytime you need it, buddy," Preeke replied. "Just don't feel the need to bottle it up. Things like that can eat you up inside. It'll still be tough, but you can handle it. And I'll be there to give you a hand."

Kajjex smiled, slinging his sword back over his shoulder again. "I'll let you know if I need your counsel. Just need to take it a step at a time, I guess."

"An excellent idea," Preeke said, pulling Kajjex along. "And speaking of steps, we've got a ways to go before we get back home, so let's get going. What are your plans for tonight? We could stop by somewhere for some grub."

"Eternal Alchemy, yes," Kajjex sighed. "I could use a cheeseburger and a cold drink, followed a long, hot shower." He sniffed at his clothing briefly. "I don't think the stench stuck on me, but I still don't feel one hundred percent. Almost, but--"

He stopped short as Preeke's arm slid around his shoulders, his lips right next to his left ear as he murmured softly. "Just say the word and I'll help you out with that shower – and more, if you'd like."

Kajjex shivered, his face burning hot and a shy smile curling along his face. "I... that is... damn." He looked away, trying not to look too pleased by the affection. "Didn't you say no falling in love?"

"Aww, I'm not trying to seduce you and make you my boyfriend... yet," Preeke teased. "I just wanna help you out. Maybe by helping relieve that stress physically. Maybe take you back to the club, drag Myrreah off-stage and double-team her while Tawdd watches. Then I can take you back home, pin you down, and give you a good--"

"Preeeeeeke, stoooop!" Kajjex whined, hiding his face in his hands, holding back a giggle. "Okay, fine! We can stop by the club, I could use the company. But don't you have work tonight?"

"Oh, so now you want to go on a date, is that it?" Preeke said, nipping at his ear playfully. "I'd be glad to!"

"Preeeeeeke!"

"Okay, I'll stop teasing you," the taller asura said, grinning. "But you and I should at least stop at the club for drinks, to celebrate your first successful day at work. If the norn get to break open kegs of ale for slaying a powerful beast, then an asura should be able to drink from the tap for doing the same thing."

They approached another bridge, this one spanning across a small river. At this time of evening most asura preferred not to travel the paths through the jungle without golem support or an escort of Peacemakers. They were halfway across when his ears picked up the sound of movement upstream. His ears twitched and he got down low.

"Hear that?" he whispered.

Preeke had crouched down as next to him, nodding. Movement from upstream could mean a number of things, but it was the krait nest that he was immediately concerned about – the river ran from the very lake they lived in. His hand went to the handle of his longsword, ready to draw at a moment's notice, and with as much care as he could manage he peeked over the railing.

He had expected having to stare into the water, watching for subtle ripples or any sign of movement beneath the surface, illuminated by the moonlight overhead; instead he quickly spotted the source of the noise on the water's surface. Not far ahead were a pair of black-wood skiffs, carried by the river's current and guided by one of three occupants each. He could not see much of the figures, but it was clear from their size and build that they were all asura, clad in some form of black armor, though as the seconds passed saw a hint of red. He ducked back behind the stone parapet.

"Two boats, three asura each," he muttered.

"At this time of night any reasonable person would be using the paths and the bridge, not sailing through krait-infested waters – especially after today," Preeke muttered. "I thought I saw sacks in their skiffs. They might be smuggling illegal materials."

"Inquest, you think?" Kajjex suggested. "They're supposed to have a lab up the hill, just above the old golem factory."

"Yeah... the 'Funhouse,'" Preeke said darkly. He peeked over the rail again, then shook his head. "Let's wait for them to pass. We don't want any trouble, and they'll be quick to start some if they happen to see either of us."

Kajjex nodded and they leaned against the parapet. "They must be coming down from the Thaumanova Reactor, up north," he muttered. "Though it wouldn't explain why they're using the river to travel, or why they seem to be secretive about it."

"That alone screams Inquest," Preeke agreed. "Let's keep it down, they're about to drift below us."

They went silent, the sound of their skiffs cutting through the water barely audible to Kajjex's ears, a subtle creak and groan the only other indications that a vessel was traversing the river. Even this sound was drowned out as the skiffs drifted beneath the stone bridge for a handful of seconds, before resuming on the other side. Kajjex breathed a sigh of relief, turning to whisper to Preeke again, but another voice broke the silence.

"Let us go, you jerks!"

It was a muffled, squeaking voice, but clear enough that Kajjex's heart leapt to his throat. Almost without thinking he sprang to his feet, but it was Preeke's hand grabbing his wrist that kept him from sprinting to the other side of the bridge. The older asura shook his head and got up. "I heard it too. Quietly, now."

Kajjex nodded and the pair crept to the opposite parapet, peering over the side at the skiffs as they drifted to the right side of the river and ran aground. Six of the asuran figures jumped out of the boats, with four of them slinging large sacks over their shoulders. Those carrying the bundles immediately began to hike up the hill, while the remaining two tossed something into each skiff and pushed them back into the river before joining their comrades. Kajjex was a moment away from asking what they'd done when a pair of flashes erupted from the bottom of the skiffs, followed by two loud pops. In seconds both of the skiffs were engulfed in flames, still drifting down the river and into a nearby lake.

"They must be trying to cause a distraction," Preeke mused. "The Peacemakers will be too busy with the boats to notice half a squad of Inquest kidnappers."

"We have to follow them!" Kajjex said, hurrying to the other end of the bridge.

"Kajjex, wait!"

But he was already sprinting up the path past the old golem factory, still able to see the two asura at the back. Fast as he was, the pair disappeared over the top of the hill just as he reached its base, and by now he could hear the steady creaking of the lab gate opening just beyond it. Halfway up the hill he heard more voices.

"Someone help us!"

"Shut those rats up and get them inside!" one of the Inquest hissed.

Spurred on by the pleading Kajjex pushed himself harder up the hill, grunting as he reached the top and running towards the now-closing gate. Before he could cross even half the remaining distance the heavy steel doors clanged shut, leaving behind an omnimous echo as he slowed to a trot with a frustrated sigh.

"Fuck... they got away," he growled.

"And what would you have done had you reached them?" Preeke asked pointedly, having caught up with him. "In case you missed it, they were all armed with rifles. I doubt they would have had no compunctions against shooting us dead and kicking our corpses into the river to hide the evidence."

Kajjex shook his head. "Yeah, probably. But still..."

Preeke gave him a sympathetic look, then gazed at the door. "Sounded like they kidnapped a bunch of skritt from the Brisband Wildlands. Maybe from Skrittsburgh or Skrittsatawney."

"I know," Kajjex sighed. "Inquest bastards... figures they'd still be brutalizing skritt. You'd think asura as a whole would get over it already."

"Soft spot for the skritt, huh?" Preeke guessed, and Kajjex nodded. "I'm with you there. They sure as hell don't deserve to be cut open and gutted just to satisfy the Inquest's curiosity."

"And the worst part is that we can't even report this to a Peacemaker," Kajjex finished, kicking a rock toward the gate. "They won't give a damn."

Preeke stared up at the gate, his brow furrowed. "Something about this feels off."

Kajjex cocked his head. "What do you mean?"

Preeke pointed back toward the bridge. Out in the distance, just above the rocky outcrops and trees, were the top arches of a nearby asura structure. "The Brill Alliance lab does studies on skritt almost every month at that lab. Granted, they don't kidnap skritt and their experiments are fairly humane, but why would the Inquest want to hide the fact that they're kidnapping skritt if nobody cares?" He folded his arms, shook his head. "Something stinks about this, for sure."

Kajjex considered Preeke's observation, his ears flicking as he recalled something form recent memory. "Could be Torkk, now that I think about it."

Preeke frowned. "What about him?"

"Remember back in his office, when he was talking to that overseer, or whoever she was? She mentioned that the Inquest would be giving him lab access to the Funhouse. They also mentioned specimens being delivered. That might've been what we just saw."

"It wouldn't be the first time a highly-respected genius got involved in such cruelty," Preeke nodded. "Still... there's not much we can do about it from here. C'mon, let's clear out before they open the gate and decide to throw us on a vivisection table."

Kajjex hesitated a few moments, sparing the Funhouse gates a final look of loathing, before sighing and following Preeke up the path to Rata Sum.