The hivelord was curious about its sudden rise. Previously, it had only been a feral creature that gave orders and oversaw the work of the hive. But now, it found that it could ask questions. It could analyze and improve upon itself and the slivers as a whole. Within weeks, the hive's expansion and conquest was greater than ever. The hivelord was able to think and improve upon each slivers' unique role in the hive and start a golden age for the slivers.

But while the slivers grew, the hivelord wondered. Most importantly, what had caused it to awaken to the world of independent thought? How had it previously been unable to think with independence, emotion, and will? How had this new world been closed to the hivelord for so long?

It paused. Nothing would come from asking itself the same questions over and over. Yet, it didn't know what else to do. Now able to lead the hive much more efficiently and productively, it found itself with another new foreign object: free time. And it used that extra time to think, to ask questions that no one would hear.

One thing didn't change. Its power. Its dominion over the hive. Its leadership. Independent sentience or otherwise, the hivelord was the hivelord. Nothing would ever change that.

The party made a good pace following a valley road that cut through the mountainous landscape of central Shandalar. The four travelers had been walking for a few days and good weather had graced their backs. Tasken had been right at home in the mountainous landscape and helped the group camp out for the nights while they made their way towards Kalonia. It wasn't a short trip, but Shandalar had no lack of trading posts and small towns on its many roads, so food and supplies wasn't a problem. Thus, they continued on with brisk steps and excited hearts.

"Hey, Mizu." Ticus spoke.

The cloaked man didn't respond, but looked at Ticus. Mizu and Ticus were slightly ahead of Karumont and Tasken.

"I've been wondering. How come you always keep your right arm under that ripped up cloak?"

Mizu paused for a moment, and Ticus was about to drop the conversation, but then...

"It was taken from me. I've been looking for the people who took it."

"... Taken? Someone stole your arm?"

"You could say that."

Mizu's rough voice was hardly uplifting, but it wasn't melancholy, either. Ticus felt a repressed anger in his voice. Mizu was an enigma to the others, but he had gotten them out of many sticky situations before, even when Ticus's shields and Tasken's stonecrafting had failed them. Mizu was capable of loosing great lightning bolts from his arm, and the group had yet to see a foe live through one. It seemed to take Mizu some time to gather the energy, but he was able to blast apart anything that had faced the party. Though Mizu had only been with the group for a year, they owed their lives to him quite a few times over, and he never asked for anything in return. Karumont had suspected him to be quite old and experienced, figuring Mizu must have obtained some way to retain his youth.

"Oi! Don't stray too far ahead, now!" Tasken shouted.

Ticus spoke quietly to Mizu. "Sorry. Didn't mean to dig up old memories."

"They're with me every day."

Ticus nodded, and the two slowed to allow Karumont and Tasken to catch up.

The party carried on, with negligible interference from roadside thieves or monsters. Most highwaymen or goblins that saw the group as targets quickly had second thoughts upon seeing Tasken and his colossal form. They enjoyed easy travels.

This was a strong motivation for the group, particularly Karumont, to seek thrill and adventure. The excitement that their travels lacked was more than made up for when they found their destinations. Still, the group was always aware of their surroundings, after a painful encounter with a zombie horde at dusk had taught them.

"Just mountains after mountains over here. Everything looks the same," moaned Karumont.

"Don't you knock the mountains, now. These lands are more rich in minerals than anywhere else on Shandalar! Hahaha!" Tasken boomed proudly.

"What appeal is there to a bunch of big rocks? If you want to see a rich world, head to the Eloren region. Beautiful, untamed, wild. Nothing better than a green wilderness and wild life by your side. Here it's just stone. No color, no wild animals, what appeal?"

"Oi! Do you not see the birds overhead? And the mountain lions? The lizards and snakes? There's animals everywhere!"

"None as majestic as a tiger, or leopard, or lion. This is a dull wilderness, with no color or activity, just stagnant stones everywhere."

"Aye, the stones are what you make of them. You see a bunch of big rocks, I see an endless resource of crafting and building. While you have fun swinging through trees and racing jungle cats, I'm on a mountainside, crafting my new iron armor, each set better than the last."

"As you would. These are two of Shandalar's extremes, I suppo-"

"Hey, the next town!" Ticus interrupted.

"Ah, ye. That's Valtel, which means we're over halfway through the mountains. We can rest up here for the night, and by this time tomorrow we may be seeing the edge of Kalonia," said Tasken.

"We've been walking for quite a while! It'll feel good to rest our legs in a bed again," said Ticus.

"Indeed. Wilds, mountains, or otherwise, nothing beats a long rest after a long day under the hot sun," said Karumont with a sigh.

Tasken knew this area of Shandalar's mountain range well, and passing through it once more had rekindled his desire to visit the highest point of Shandalar- Valkas. Tasken had lived in the northern mountains, and had never gone as far south as Valkas, but the stories he heard all his life constantly enticed him. Until meeting Ticus and Karumont several years ago, he'd never been outside the region, a decision he sometimes regretted. His conversation with Karumont triggered his desire to see Shandalar even further, and he wanted to act on those feelings before time caught up with him. Tasken turned and gave the tall mountain peak behind him one more look, and smiled before following the group into town.

Valtel was a merchant town, serving as a trade hotspot that gave the towns on the plains access to stone and mineral resources. Various shops lined its streets, and many roadside merchants stood behind stalls, selling their wares to any and all passers-by. The streets were busy, even as the sun began setting, filled with travelers and traders from all across Shandalar's northern plains.

The group stopped at a local inn, and managed to secure a room. They were heading up when they were approached by yet another merchant with a long, dark coat full of supplies and souvenirs.

"Resting on your travels, gentlemen? I see you have no lack of fine armor. Care to-"

"No thanks, we've passed enough merchant trying to hawk their crap," said Karumont coldly.

"Ah, but I believe I see an artificer in your midst, no?" Said the merchant.

Ticus paused, and raised his brow. "Go on..."

The merchant dug through his pockets for a moment, and pulled out a small glass case.

"This may interest you. I've held this for a while, looking for the right man to sell it to, and I think I've found him at last."

Ticus approaches the merchant and looked into the case. Inside was a necklace. It was a shimmering, cut gemstone polished to a glistening perfection. It seemed to radiate a pure light from within and gave off a sense of grandiose power.

Ticus was speechless. He recognized the gemstone at once.

"Is... Is that...?"

"A Mox Diamond, my metalshaping friend."

Ticus looked the merchant dead in the eye.

"A Mox!?" Karumont said, himself surprised. "Those are supposed to be impossibly rare!"

"Ah, you speak of the ancient Moxen. While this is no ancient Mox Pearl, sir, it's a genuine Mox Diamond, modeled directly after the old Moxen. It doesn't have the unlimited power that the original Moxen supposedly held, but this is a gemstone any artificer would need for his collection.

"Who wouldn't need something like that?!" Bellowed Tasken. "The Moxen are ancient artifacts legendary for their power, said to accelerate the user's ability to channel mana tenfold. I've heard stories of an era long forgotten where the Moxen were commonplace to ancient wizards and warriors, but that was millenia ago. Even if this is a descendant of the originals, it would still be unbelievably powerful. What would a single merchant in a hotel be doing with a MOX?!"

"Skeptical about its authenticity, I see," said the merchant slyly. "I wouldn't blame you. It's true, the Moxen artifacts are impossibly rare nowadays- but they do exist. Artificer, surely you could deduce if this is genuine or not?

"May I hold it?" Ticus asked.

"Surely," the merchant responded. He opened the case and carefully gave Ticus the gem.

Ticus held it in his hand and let his magical energy course over it. On the mana-rich plane of Shandalar, magic was commonplace even to everyday citizens, and Ticus was no exception. From his youth, he had a knack for controlling metal with his mana, despite being adept with white. This allowed him to command and use artifacts like his armor like it was an extension of his own muscles. And as he coaxed the power out of the Diamond, he could feel it radiating with his own mana wavelength, almost as if it were bonding with him. Ticus watched the stone glow softly white, pulsing with the mana he was channeling around it.

"I can feel it... This is like nothing I've ever..."

Ticus trailed off as the power of the diamond grew. He soon released his mana, and in its place lay the Mox Diamond, glowing softly, before slowly fading. Everyone in the vicinity could feel the power radiating from it.

"It's real. Amazing." Karumont muttered.

"S- sir, how much would you ask for this?" Ticus said, his eyes still fixated on the stone.

"Ahaha, you're like a child in a toy store, Ticus!" Said Tasken.

"Hmm..." The Merchant pondered. "You're a good man, artificer; you and your friends look like the closest of traveling companions. My original price was thirty coins, but for you... How about twenty-five?

"That's... That's a very good price! I'll take it!" Ticus yelped with a giant grin. "Merchant, you are a great man!

Ticus held out his arm to the merchant, who shook with two.

"Please, call me... Tolican."

"Mr. Tolican, this is the best purchase I've made in years." Said Ticus, as he dug through his bag for the payment.

"The pleasure is all mine, sir Ticus!"