Author's Note: Rushed ending. My apologies, I just wanted to churn this out. If you want, decide in the comment/review section if I should focus more on quality vs. time? IDK.

Also, I split this up into 2 chapters because it was getting loooong.


I was being whipped. I don't remember for how long. My burning body had shed over and over. An endless cycle of bruises and lashes, head occasionally being crushed and pounded from the inside out. Sometimes, I had to drink poison. My flesh melted away, and so came bones, which collapse on the floor. In that fading dream, I was dead. Sometimes, people died with me. Sometimes, I was someone else. "Who am I?" I would ask. The answer never came. No Hive Alert worked. My vocal cords had melted into a puddle of thick ooze within my bony throat, leaving me speechless. Who am I?

Who am I? I can't see myself.

When I wake up, the answer is always clear. But within my fading dream, the one who is me is dead.

Who am I? I am Skulk, Danian Mandiblor. Born into low class, will always be in low class. Fine by me. I've been recognized enough-I would receive missions no other Danian would take due to my body type and skills.

Sound far-fetched? Well, it is. But most Danians aren't known for flexibility and acrobatics. I'm not like most Danians. My exoskeleton is weak but light, rough and jagged in only some places. I only have to walk on two legs, and my earth-colored body often allows me to blend to the environment. Because of this, I'm often someone who gets put on intruder watch, or repair the tighter areas of the Pillar's walls. Sometimes, either with myself or a few other Danians, we're put on an ambush mission. I don't really remember how many times I've killed a Creature, not any more. Not much, I'm sure, mind you-I'm not exactly itching for a bloodfest. But there is a certain satisfaction in fulfilling a mission, even if my heart twinges with each final breath of my victims.

Creatures don't seem to like to talk about themselves. No charm or charisma. Many friendships at the Danian Hive seem-forced. But we are all connected by brotherhood, either way. Just the thought of not having a home at the Hive-it sends shivers down my spine. "The Hive is the most important thing to you." I forget who taught me those words, but they're most certainly true.


My yellow-filtered and red eyes flutter open. I press myself up, my claws fixating into their usual indent of my clay bed. 'Home', I thought. 'Not a nightmare.' Absentmindedly, I fling my legs over to the side of my bed, getting ready to stand up with a flick of my-

"Mallash, sir."

My voice dribbles out of my mouth by instinct as I'm greeted with an unimpressed expression.

Why in Perim was one of the Battlemasters here? Don't tell me I overslept.

"Lore wants you in his study before training, Skulk." The brown Danian states, shoulder pincers twitching. His arms were tense yet relaxed, rigid like poles, but down at his side.

"Alright. I'll be there shortly."

"You're coming with me." Mallash retaliates sharply.

"Right..."

Was he slurring his words? Not really, but I kept noticing some sort of tick. Something that had him confused or apprehensive, like he almost messed up on something.

Well, nervousness or anger wasn't anything new. I blame my sleeping partner, really. The amount of guards this sleeping shift is apparently more than most because of him. Besides, I had just woken up, even if I do tend to get up and moving quickly. Maybe I had just misheard him.

My sleeping mate was still asleep, from the looks, so I didn't bring him up. Nothing to worry about with him anymore, anyways. Standing up, I stand side by side with Mallash as we exit the tent, softer clay becoming harder stone, a familiar sensation.

A slow paced walk, we nodded to the many Danians we passed, some giving us odd looks or-was that a smirk? I cross my arms, biting my tongue for now. Had I really gotten in trouble? Perhaps that what it looks liked, maybe. I could only wonder as Mallash and I marched, little by little, closer and closer to Lore's study.

Enclosed in a tower near the Gates, he and only the the most select Danians entered on a daily basis-if you needed anything, you would often just wait outside. If I recall, it's actually composed of three levels-Lore's study being the top, a library being the middle, and the Hivebringer's study being the base. Etched with glowing Mugic symbols, it was said to be the home of first Danian Queen's consort.

Never sure what to make of that, considering this definitely wasn't the Location of the original Hive, but either way, it meant little to me overall. Sure did look nice, though.

Pushing off my unsure and casual thoughts, I walk up the tower's bulky stairs, an encirclement of the sturdiest stone. A little pitter and patter, a large stomp, stamp, stump, and stimp-the echoes of our movement filling the air. With rhythm, our song carries us to the conclusion-an already open door, Lore sitting down in a chair in his study.

"Come in."

A grizzled but experienced voice demands us to enter, a voice emerging from Lore's mouth. Without question, Mallash and I stride into the building, the door closing behind us.

Lore's study... I had been in here before, and it looks just as tidy. Cabinets lines the main walls, a multitude of preserved reports, and led into a much more open area, with raised and shaved boulders, fashioned into chairs, surrounding an empty pool for crafting Mugic. Odd, foreign fabrics dotted the library ceiling, mixtures of grey, yellow, green... Mostly yellow. I had never seen this fabric mass-produced before, but I knew that at least half of these were Mipedians. Did they come from a raid on a Mipedian merchant?

Lore's desk was neat, but it was still adorned with a multitude of books, scrolls, and reports. In fact-my eyes noticed a striking material on the desk. A black cover? Yes, that was it. I could only see the shape of a large book underneath it, but the material made me look like I was looking into a void of despair-a pool of infinite black, and impossible to see through.

Odd. I'd never seen anything like that before in the Hive. I wondered what he could be hiding-in fact, my gut was telling me to rip off that cloth right now and read what was underneath.

Why was I thinking so peculiarly? It was none of my business.

"Thank you for your swift movement, Danians. Take a seat over here."

After a wordless bow, Mallash and I pass by Lore to the much more open lounge, which the Muge had motioned towards. We stand in front of the Mugic pool, wordless. Lore stayed behind us. He doesn't want his back turned on his work when others are in reach, or so I presume.

Lore soon follows our lead, but stops at one of his cabinets, dancing his fingers around the handle, opening it with grace. He brings out a-

Was that OverWorld alcohol? It looked like the same type of bottle. With a set of 2 small glasses, too. I am very confused. Judging from his bulging eyes, I judge that Mallash is, as well.

Lore, however, was unfazed. As if he was some sort of servant, he brings over a polished plate, the wine and glasses on it, and sets it down in the air above the pool, the plate levitating, a small hum surrounding it. Mugic must be holding it up. Lore knew exactly what he was doing. "Ask questions already. It's clear you want to." Lore fiddles one hand around another, while another pair of arms crosses in expectation.

Instead of following his commands, both Mallash and myself give a slightly nervous glance at one another, lost in thoughts. I thought I knew why I was called, but it certainly wasn't for this. Had I been fou-

"Lore, tell us why you called us here." Mallash broke the silence, thank the Cothica. His pincers twitch with worry.

"Hm." Lore turns his gaze to me, a piercing gaze that I can only describe as a whirlpool.

"This has to do with your previous mission, Skulk. The one from 2 weeks ago."

Possibly the most intense whirlpool that's ever existed.

"Yessir."

The whirlpool beckons me in deeper: had I been discovered?!

I-I need to calm down. Why does it feel like my heart is bursting? For a second, my body feels like it's on fire. It's like my skin is melting. My face is tight, unmoving. I'm being chained, and I'm going to-

However, instead, nothing is happening. I-hadn't felt that level of panic in such a long time. What was happening to me just then?

Mallash and Lore have been talking. I must have been off in my own world for a few seconds. I take in a deep breath, reasserting myself, listening in.

"So Skulk found a collection of these plants?"

"That's correct."

My mission, of course.

"Will you tell us about them?" I interrupt, Mallash, but not Lore, turning to look me in the eyes.

There's a small silence.

The room feels tense, and I can't help but feel paranoid. Why did I feel so hot? I-I can't-

"I'll tell you what I'm able to." Lore eventually states, staring into an apparently interesting bookshelf.

...

"I can't find any Danian records on them. But, it seems to be some sort of derivative of past Mipedian flowers. The roots and beginning of the stalk seem to match quite well." He begins, straightening his posture, but staring between us now-not looking either of us in the eyes.

"They seem to get their energy from something other then the sunlight-it must be something to do with particular or soil. I can not tell you why.

The only true resource I think we could use from this is perhaps some sort of construction material, if we can find a-suitable maintenance. Otherwise, the only thing else is the berries-which is why you two are here.

The berries seem to be perfectly fine. I haven't tasted them myself, but I tested them on quite a few parasites-they seem to be quite happy after drinking. If anything, it seems to be very nutritional. Quite juicy, in fact; One berry can fill a shot glass. My point: I made a drink from it, and I want you two to drink it."

Another perverse silence. The musty air in the room seems a lot more interesting at this moment to everyone. A small torch's light flickered. I noticed the faint outline around the middle bookshelf. Would that be connected to the "dead end indent" in the library below? If so, that was classic. ...I felt like escaping right now, honestly. No, that's-Focus, Skulk. You're better than this.

"That's it?" Mallash eventually expressed, an edge of annoyance in his voice.

"Yes," Lore spoke, gracefully, and softly. "And I want you to faush together on this."

Mallash looks like he had just thrown up. The most ugly expression I had ever seen a Danian behold was on his face, a fiery blaze lit in his eyes. His snout was snarled, his brow-line was tight, and his claws would have been pierced into his own skin if he didn't have his hard outer-covering judging by how hard he was clenching his fists.

"I REFUSE. I REFUSE TO FAUSH WITH THAT-THING!"

I groan internally, a rumble shaking my throat. What insufferable hubris.

Faushing is a term that apparently other tribes don't use, whatever the reason may be. To be fair, it's odd to hear, even for me.

If you faush with someone, the other brother-in-arms will be willing to be sacrificed for you, and vice versa. It's bestowing your life to the other person for honor. You will do the same thing as them, anything to help.

The term is also used for-guinea pigs who are going through the same treatment, ready to feel the pain they're feeling... It's more of a formal thing.

Good to know I'm moving up in life, my new rank being "guinea pig."

"I'll only faush with someone I can respect." I mutter, words like sweet poison dripping out of mouth.

"You! Shut your mouth! You're as Danian-"

"What? Because of how I look or act?! How many times do I have to say I'm just as much of a Danian? Stop!"

My head hurts. I feel like I'm overreacting again. There's nothing to be scared of, only frustration, but I'm breathing really hard. I-I should know how to control my nerves better than this. But I'm sweating, my body feels cold, a-and...I'm-

"Quiet, both of you!"

My mind draws a blank as we both turn back to Lore, who shuts down our argument with his firm voice. His golden eyes leer into us, pincers oddly still as he speaks again. "If you will not faush with each other, leave. I have no time for this."

My eyes squint as I reassert myself. Hm...

Lore was-on edge. His voice was a lot more serious than before, perhaps even more serious then telling us to be quiet. His claws were fiddling nervously with his cloak, and the glow in his eyes were brighter than normal.

'That's right.' I thought. 'Lore is busy with something.'

You see, just a few days ago, I took a sneak peek at the rotation times listed in the barracks. Something many Danians noticed is that, in a sixth of a solan, there's an odd gap in time in the Queen's Chamber guard, with a scribble next to it saying "No questions. I'm busy. - Lore" ...Calling us here didn't have anything to do with that, did it? No, it couldn't have been, but whatever was going on, it must be stressing Lore out.

Lore... What are you hiding?

Ugh, why did I care? What's wrong with me? I had already decided what I would do.

"I'll faush," I said, after working up my nerves. "But not for Mallash. I will faush for you, High Muge Lore."

"Hmph." Lore found the floating plate with the liquid extremely open to observation. But he smiles, or perhaps smirks. Lore's far too hard for me to read. And after a brief pause, he looks to Mallash, who nods, despite his rather unkindly face.

"I feel the same way, sir. I will do the experiment, if only for you." Mallash quickly jumps in with his excuse, as he always did. Honestly, the way Mallash wormed his way out with excuses reminded me more of a Mipedian Noble then a Danian Battlemaster.

And Lore...? What did he think?

With a tense pause, Lore nods, accepting our proposition. "Begin the Faush over the Mugician's pool."

As if sensing our desire, a crackling golden flame creeps up from the depths of the Mugic pool. It held no warmth, only a blistering sense of emotion in which I cannot describe further. I'd never seen anything like it-even Mallash looks absolutely mystified.

After a select silent second, Mallash waddles sideways across from me, and after a small pause, reached a set of hands over the small hole, waiting for mine to embrace his own. My fingers twitch, but soon, I too do the same thing, my clawed digits wrapping around his rough, leathery knuckles.

My mind feels thin. Lore is staring. The fire is crackling. It was as if time itself stood still. Waiting. Waiting for us to move. We know what to do. We close our eyes, the fire pulsing at each of our words.

"My fellow Danian, I will faush with you, mind, body, and soul. May we feel the same power and regrets, and may our union be as strong as the Hive itself. My life is in your hands."

We stay in our position, hands clasped firmly together, our eyes firmly shut. I'm almost certain nothing is actually happening, but it feels as if I am praying, praying on the middle of a ravaging battlefield. Winds are howling. I'm being tossed through air, plummeting into the earth, but Mallash and I are still connected. Faush. The union of trust.

The crackling stops, and both me and Mallash fluttering our eyes open. This world is exactly the same as the one we had left, but it certainly doesn't feel that way. It's another long pause. We stare. We stare at one another for a long time. I can see every contour of his maw, and how rushed his green whiskers were groomed. I can see his dandelion eyes, and the pattern, no, the words of the fabric, snug tightly around his horns. "Undefeated."

We blink.

A plate-that same silver plate-with two full glasses of a dark red liquid sits directly in front of us now. We lower our arms, our eyes not wandering. We follow the instructions of the next thing we hear: "Drink the liquid in the glass."

No questions needed now, we begin at the same time, wrapping our fingers around the cup. I can see a distorted reflection of myself. We raise it and open our maws. I brace myself for a familiar taste.

Sweet, sweet juice blasts down my throat. Ah, this really was the good stuff. While it begins somewhat bitter, it quickly turns into a sweet, delectable drink, cool and easy to drink. A refreshing, airy aftertaste. This is what I remember. I set the glass back down on the plate, sealing my mouth shut. My mouth felt like it was sealed with a coated poison.


In the end, Lore asked a few simple questions, after we remained in the room for 3 hours: What did it taste like? How did you feel after drinking it? Do you feel bloated? Each question was answered truthfully: Bittersweet, just fine, and a hearty no. Lore was satisfied-he proclaimed he would do a few more tests, and to report back to him the moment anything felt strange, asked if we were curious about anything (I kept my mouth shut) and then we were dismissed.

So, for what certainly wasn't, but certainly felt as if it were-I lied for the first time in the time life. I lied to myself. I lied to the High Muge.

No wonder I felt so anxious. Because I had already known what Lore was talking about.

I never gave him all of the berries. I never gave him the full pouch he asked for.

I knew how exotic they were. I had tasted them already. I decided to grow them.

I had already been growing the berries already and selling them on the Mandiblor's market.


AN: Like I said, rushed ending. I'll write it out if people want me to? I know this is rather unprofessional, but I'm not feeling professional, least not with school.

Remember, this is two parts, so next section will still be about Skulkie here.

Next actual chapter, we go check in on Sar-Bear. Or, rewind? Fast Foward? That's for me to know, and you to figure out.

Perceptive readers will have many ideas.