Good morning, perhaps goodnight, dear reader.
The following work of fiction is one of several parts of a jumble of stories that comprise Tower of Exile - Origins, a prequel novel to the in-progress main story, Tower of Exile. The stories within provide extra context not necessary for the main story and can be enjoyed in any order.
This part, following Calamity, is 10 chapters plus an epilogue averaging around 2200 words each. Normally, one chapter is released every two days for this series. As I found this site late, the first 5 will be posted back-to-back.
Currently, I am working on another part of this volume zero, with the current pace indicating it will start releasing shortly after this part's epilogue. Now with enough said by me, please enjoy this fiction and have a wonderful day!
Hidden within a realm unknown to humanity lies a place known only as the Cavern of Arrival. This expansive ecosystem, home to all manner of creatures, reshaped and empowered far beyond those traditionally known by mankind. Thousands of mossy colonies shimmer brilliantly, illuminating an otherwise lightless domain. Here, the laws of nature reign supreme, a silent force granting all beings their primal right to peace. Far removed from this natural cycle, nestled deep within the earth, something seeks to break free.
Located within this paradise rests a gigantic door overgrown with moss and flowering vines. Beneath the accumulated flora, a dark light with occasional shimmers of white radiates outward. The fragment representing Augustus's primal nature descends and rests within. Bursting forth from ancient inscriptions, this light clears away all obstruction, laying bare its host before an empty audience. The sudden brightness begins to dim, paving the way for Augustus' fragment to incarnate as a small ball of muscle. As it descends toward the ground, a black screen materialises. This screen shakily displays the word 'Calamity' in bleeding white letters before vanishing silently as it came.
Squirming around, the newly born creature attempts to move. Failing to do so, its body begins bulging as a thick leg-like limb sprouts from it. From the apex, three dull claws jut out. Contracting these claws causes Calamity to hop, then fall onto a patch of grass. A muffled munching sound is produced as the grass is torn by fleshy gums in a newly formed mouth. Once again, it pulses, its body self-devouring, leaving naught but a fleshy cocoon. Later, it emerges once more, having grown longer and possessing two additional, leg-like limbs that are grown opposite to the original. Grass grows from fresh flesh as the young life stumbles forward, aided only by instinct.
Devoid of senses often taken for granted, Calamity continues onward, unaware it's no longer alone. Through sheer luck, the other creature hadn't yet become aware of their presence either. Then came their momentary collision. Startled by the unusually soft yet spiky sensation, Calamity backs away, confusion flooding its thoughts. Upon laying dull eyes upon Calamity, this creature's long brown tail lashes, anger overtaking its rabid features.
Under the wary gaze of the ravenous big rat, Calamity blindly wanders forward in search of that soft feeling. Circling the strange monster, the wary rodent prepares to strike. Calamity's curiosity vanishes when an unbearable sensation erupts from its hind leg. Experiencing pain for the first time, it comes to a simple conclusion: pain is terrifying. Hating this new sensation, it grows a second mouth and bites back, attempting to make the pain cease. Startled by its head suddenly being sandwiched by fleshy gums, the rodent panics. An instant later, it realises there is no pain, just an unyielding pressure. In retaliation, it sinks its teeth anew, inflicting more pain on the monster.
The stalemate between this unlikely pair continued, seemingly giving way for the rat's victory—if not for one unseen factor. Calamity possesses the ability to learn and adapt reactively. Taking inspiration from the rat's own jaws, it begins pushing forth claws from its gums. Blood trickles down grey fur as the eyelids shoot open and panic floods its eyes. Utilising all its might, the rodent fights back, ripping and tearing whatever it can to escape. Its resistance proves futile; the muscles it tore stitch themselves back together. Before any further resistance is mustered, the rodent falls limp. Deforming once again, Calamity's muscles creep across the creature, slowly forming a grotesque orb.
The lifeform known as Calamity is clearly unlike any other creature. This is due to it being a 'fleshoid,' one of many lifeforms that failed to develop. Unlike the original fleshoids, which couldn't eat, Calamity began devouring and entering cocoon-like states. Roughly an hour later, it would emerge as something new. The unusual behaviour stems from the unique skill 'Devouring Evolution,' which allows Calamity to survive by robbing the strength, traits, and abilities of other species.
Blood overflows through narrow veins as the unskinned mass pulses wildly, revealing raw muscle beneath. The pulsing increases rapidly before suddenly ceasing. Blood spills forth as the veins burst, and a pale nose pushes forth. From the crack stumbles a naked, rat-like creature, its raw muscles exposed. The creature's dark eyes dart around; its ears twitch vividly. For the first time, Calamity was smelling, hearing, and observing its surroundings. Without warning, eyes sprout across its monstrous physique, wildly twitching as Calamity leaves no sight unchecked.
Dirt, plants, life, blood—all these stimuli flood Calamity's newfound senses. The beauties of life stun even this grotesque monster. Whether it be from awe or instinct, Calamity's jaw drops, revealing rows of sharp teeth. As it stands motionless, a grassy fur sprouts from its dried flesh. From its rear, a mass begins swelling outwards, slowly forming into a construct resembling their original leg. With an onset of bleeding, it deforms, stretching out as sharp spikes line the apex. Freed from awe, Calamity steps forward whilst drawing breath. Escaping the monster's newborn throat comes a distorted rat-like squeal. Calamity has completed… its first true evolution.
Fuelled by its newfound senses, the ravenous Calamity explores the grasslands. Possessing full awareness of its surroundings, it effortlessly hunts other big rats. Whether through sudden ambushes or brute force battles, Calamity continues triumphing without fail. Through repeated encounters, it hunts the strongest rats to devour, replacing stolen genes and further strengthening itself. Yet only engaging rats has left Calamity gravely unprepared for what else calls these grasslands home.
Lunging forth, Calamity feels its body jerk as something invisible stops it midair. Unable to comprehend what has occurred, it begins thrashing about to escape. The grass ahead sways. Put on high alert by the situation, Calamity's countless eyes fix on the shift, tracking each change in motion. Something creeps forward silently, displacing the grass as it approaches. Whatever was approaching stops just a few blades of grass away, from behind which a thin, sharp leg creeps forward. Calamity is unable to react as the leg shoots forward, skewering the monster's vile head. Not even a squeal escapes before Calamity's hideous body falls lifeless.
Calamity's mysterious murderer approaches its corpse, revealing a brown arachnid body. This creature, known as a field spider, repeatedly stabs the corpse while bearing its fangs. Using its sharp legs, it cuts Calamity loose, intending to dissolve and eat the corpse. Digestive fluids flow down the spider's fangs as it bites down to dissolve Calamity. The expected juiciness of fresh flesh pours out yet doesn't captivate the spider's attention. Suddenly, an overwhelming force slams its head downward, decorating the dirt with dislodged eyes. The disoriented spider's two remaining eyes look up, locking onto a mysterious silhouette looming above.
Crack! Feeling its back breaking under the pressure triggers the spider's fight-or-flight response. Gathering its legs, the spider attempts to stand but is met with building resistance. The spider's legs lift before flying toward whatever manner of limb held it down. It stabs repeatedly, drenching itself in murky blood, lessening the pressure with each consecutive stab. Beginning to rise, the spider is eager for revenge. Just as its body begins to reach full mass, a sharp sensation sends shivers through its nerves.
Sensing imminent danger, the spider attempts to escape. Breaking away from the monstrous grip, it hastily turns and tries to skitter away. An unknown force seizes its leg from behind, sending the spider sprawling on the spot. Spun around from the fall, the spider realises one of its legs was freshly torn. Its eyes twitch in disbelief at the sight of its bloodied prey, watching intently with countless, soulless eyes. Fearfully, the spider desperately scrambles across the ground, trying to escape its fate.
Frantically defending itself, the spider's limbs are torn apart one by one. Left with only one leg, the spider desperately swings. Crunch… blood leaks from the severed leg. Pain shoots through the spider's body as repeated stomps steal away its life. Strands of muscles spiral above, casting a shadow that leaves the dying spider nothing but darkness. Slipping into an eternal slumber, the spider vaguely senses a wriggling within itself. Calamity's flesh covers the spider's deceased corpse inside and out, forming a still cocoon littered with slits that give way to emotionless eyes.
The moss-borne light illuminating the cavern of arrival begins to slumber, paving the way for darkness once again. With the last rays of light fading to memory, another lifeform begins to wake. Spider venom pools within a grotesque cocoon. Although harmful to most creatures, this venom is neutralised by Calamity's natural-born resistances. Minutes later, the venom, along with the remaining mushy corpse, ceases to be. The pulsating cocoon falls still, its eyes sink into muscle, leaving only a small protrusion forming on the surface.
From within a crooked appendage slowly tears flesh, marking its birth with a drizzle of blood. Exploring the outside air, this thing carelessly slices away its host cocoon. With every chunk separated, more is revealed. From the cocoon emerges a quadruped. It hosts two skeletons— one internal, composed of bone, the other an outer coating of chitin. As Calamity strides forward, the restrictive parts break away, revealing grassy fur underneath. Venom drizzles down its mouth, and the rampaging spider-like limbs settle. Armed with new sensory, defensive, and offensive capabilities, Calamity sets off to find its next victim.
Squeak, gnaw, squeak. A big rat happily chews on some of the surrounding tall grass. It goes for another bite but stops halfway. Lodged in its skull is a long spider leg covered in minuscule spikes. This was one of Calamity's modified spider legs, grown solely as a killing tool. Judging the rat weaker than what it's already consumed, Calamity leaves its lifeless body to decay. Thud! Calamity's arachnid senses pick up a massive vibration in the distance.
Dashing forward while avoiding stalking spiders and scavenging rats, Calamity forces its legs to go faster. Creatures run when they sense something overpowering. It's a common instinct. But Calamity wasn't running away. Leaping forward, Calamity's appendages pierce the tall grass, suspending its body midair. Empty eyes observe a creature they've never encountered before. This quadruped is massive, wielding wood-like protrusions from the head on a body covered by fur. This lone behemoth blissfully eats grass, unaware of the venom-drooling monster stealing glances from afar.
Peacefully munching on tall grass, this lone creature known as the berserker moose is a fine example of how his species operates. Despite having powerful muscles and durable antlers that could easily end life, its diet consists solely of nature's bounties. His jaws slacken as he raises his head, staring far off in the distance. Unbeknownst to others, his skill 'danger sense' alerts him to a nearby threat. He stamps his hooves, attempting to scare the source of the sensed threat, his intimidating bellow encapsulating his full intent.
Sensing no sign of the threat withdrawing, the berserker moose slowly creeps forward. The slightest sway in the grass ahead shifts his once slow pace into a full-on charge. The mighty male drives his lowered head across the ground, launching a small monster through the air. With a sickening splat, it lands, bending the grass just ahead. The moose observes the scene momentarily before lowering his head in preparation for another charge. The thunder of his hooves startles the writhing monster, allowing it to throw itself aside just as the moose crashes through, kicking up a thick dust cloud. Guided by his danger sense, the moose sweeps the grasslands for the trespasser on his territory.
There exist many forms of pain one can experience. Within the scope of its limited time, Calamity has experienced one after another, overcoming each in turn. Yet this time, the pain differs; it cannot retaliate against this feeling. The torment of being flung without the power to fling drives it to a new conclusion. Helplessness, an overwhelming fear. Suddenly, it was inconceivable to step forward, to rip and tear as it had before. The behemoth's gaze drew closer. Before it even had time to process, Calamity's legs had already begun to flee.
There was only one thing on the fearful monster's mind: how could it escape? Would the behemoth chase after it? Hopeful tension overtakes Calamity's mind, every step taken, wishing not to hear another stamp in the distance. Just as such hope begins to blossom, the dreaded sound rings out. This foe couldn't be bitten back like the big rat. Surely playing dead like with the field spider could work? All tension leaves its muscles, and Calamity falls, its motionless eyes locking on the moose. The behemoth's pace slows from charge to trot. Stopping just before the lifeless monstrosity, the moose raises its foremost hoof. Immense pressure flows through Calamity. If this were an attack, what could it do in response?
The berserker moose observes the strange threat, seemingly lifeless yet still setting off his danger sense. His hoof hovers above, but the intruder doesn't even twitch. To squash it, or let it run free? To this individual, the answer is most obvious. Smashing his hoof down, the moose watches as the monster reanimates. It scrambles to escape, yet it was already too late. All that remains under the hoof is a corpse. Initially sceptical, he leans down, waiting to see if danger sense reactivates. Nothing. Satisfied, the berserker moose trots away in search of its next meal of luscious, tall grass.