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The original was posted on /r/hfy by /u/Undercover_Dragon1 on 2024-09-28 07:46:16+00:00.

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing good. Here is this weeks chapter, enjoy!

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— Chapter 9 —

The prompt displayed two traits he could pick from. It indicated he could only pick one though.

Lightweight Reinforcements - Your body becomes lighter as your muscles restructure themselves but doesn’t lose any toughness or strength as a result. The bottom of your feet become padded to such a degree that almost all sound is muted and you can fall from extreme heights without dying. Your speed increases by 4.

Lightweight Reinforcements trait available. Absorb Y/N? 

Thagomizer Defenses - Your body becomes reinforced by and covered up and down by large spikes and horns. These spikes can be used offensively and defensively but are prone to breaking off. They do regenerate overnight. Your toughness increases by 2. 

Thagomizer Defenses trait available. Absorb Y/N? 

This was unique. He had never had the choice between two traits? Did it have to do with some special condition? He needed to focus. The Lightweight Reinforcements explained how the Wyrm was so nimble and how he almost got away from him. Everything appeared nice except the fact it seemed to reduce your overall weight. David had established earlier that he needed more mass to take advantage of his strength properly so that one was off the table.

What about this Thagomizer Defenses? Upon first read it did seem somewhat underwhelming as a trait but he had first hand experience on how the reality was much different. Everytime he had struck the Cannibal he had ended up worse for wear. So far his affinity made him tougher than expected and combined with the potential to damage opponents while in the defensive meant that he could, in theory, wear down almost anyone else his size or even bigger? He considered the damage he could do with these spikes combined with his strength as well and let off a small chuckle. Lastly, he wondered if his affinity would instantly regenerate the spikes once used up? If he picked it that would have to be another experiment for his list. David struggled with the decision for only a moment before he finally accepted. His updated stats pinged his visual.

David “Onyx” Manning - Otherworlder

Species: Wyrm

Str: 19.5 (22.5 Jaw)

Int: 12

Speed: 10

Toughness: 12

Affinity: Life (0/2 Charges) 

Healing Breath (Fog) - 1 Charge Cost

Healing Breath (Focused Cone) - 1 Charge Cost

Traits: 3/3

Condensed Musculature

Rupturing Jaws - Death Roll Ability

Thagomizer Defenses 

The pain struck him a moment later as he gasped loudly! Ambass watched with amusement and let off a sinister little laugh. The outside of his body became lined with a variety of spikes, including two more distinctive horns that grew forward on his head. One horn was pointed forward on either side of its mouth. They were not far enough forward to impede his ability to bite but he could twist his head and gore someone if needed. After what was a tortuous few minutes David’s transformation was complete and the pain quickly disappeared. 

He shivered as he peered over at Ambass with a tired look, “Why were there so many choices?” 

Ambass hissed in glee, “That is why so many become kinslayers. Dragon’s absorb other dragons better than other monsters. You must be careful though. There is a hierarchy to this world that you don’t want to draw the ire of just yet. Come. I have a promise to fulfill.” 

The pair made their way back to Ambass’s central chamber and settled in. Ambass turned to David with a soft chirp of their shared tongue, “You wish to ‘understand magic and how it interacts with our kind’ yes?”

David simply nodded in response as he settled down. His new spikes were rather inconvenient as he had to be careful not to stab himself as he shifted his weight into a seated position. His body felt more rigid and firm as the spikes and their bases reinforced his body in key spots. 

“That is a deep question. I do not have all the answers but I am quite knowledgeable.” Ambass nodded at his own self compliment as he continued, “Magic lingers in the air around us and our bodies, as Dragons, are receptive to it. When you sleep your body opens up to it and begins to absorb and rekindle itself. This is why your affinity refreshes every time you sleep. There are numerous affinities and they change based on how the individual draconic being utilizes it. Fire comes naturally to most and is the most seen affinity but even it manifests differently among our kin.”

“Like the Worm? In the tunnels between here and the stream. It spewed molten magma when I last saw it.” David perked his head as he offered the question.

“The “Worm”? Hah. Geloa would probably find that name a bit too on the nose.” Ambass crackled out loud, “That is a good example. Geloa was of fire affinity but through means he wouldn’t and probably couldn’t share it has become a mixture of two affinities.”

“When you said I could mold my life affinity into anything I could envision you were not exaggerating. Hmm. So Geloa’s affinity became a mixture of fire and… earth? Can someone have more than one affinity” David’s mind pondered and began to wander as a variety of ideas popped into his head. 

“I simply stated the truth. Ah… Yes and no. Every dragon is set in their affinity except in a rare case…” Ambass tapped his claw against the ground in thought, “I suppose this warrants the information you speak. Mmm. I am a Faerie Dragon and my branch of dragonkind specializes in raw magic. I have two affinities… one of which is the raw manifestation of magic itself. The other you would have to pay to know.” Ambass hissed in a little sinister laughter once more.

David’s mind had a AH HAH moment as Ambass finished, “Those barriers… that is magic in its raw state wielded as you wish? Wait. Ambass… you always seem to be pulling in magic at all times? Is that part of being a Faerie Dragon or a trait perhaps?” David’s mind raced.

Ambass simply laughed once more, “Such a keen mind. You would make a fantastic Faerie Dragon and yet I do not believe you are destined for such a path. What you observe is not natural to a Faerie Dragon but is desired by most.” David nodded his head. So it was a trait that Ambass had? Perhaps it allowed him to absorb magic at all times and recharge even when not asleep? Fascinating. 

“I deeply appreciate the help, Ambass.” David finally let out after they talked back and forth for a while longer. Nothing else significant was revealed but Ambass was helpful and most importantly fair to him.

Ambass let off a little snerk, “Being fair and dealing in trades is how I have survived this long. Not all of our kind are reasonable or even smart. Prepare for the day that your debt is called by the brood mother and we will see where it takes you, little survivor.” Ambass chuckled as he spread his wings, “There is little else I can tell you. You know where to find me but I expect it will be some time before we meet again…” His eyes gleamed like they knew a secret he wasn’t willing to tell as he began to hover then fly up and away. 

By the time David had reached the Sanctuary again it had been a few cycles. His guard duty had dragged on for a few cycles and remaining awake the entire time had drained him. After Ambass excused himself David had found a comfortable hole to crawl into and slept. Crossing Titan’s Expanse had also been slow but luckily uneventful. As he approached his lair he was greeted by a heavily armed Red and three much smaller kobolds each carrying a small pointed bone spear held forward in alarm. He rumbled in delight, “I see you have prepared them quickly, Red.”

Red’s eyes beamed as he lowered his spear, “Master! Forgive Red. Appearance so different. Could not be sure.” Red lowered himself into a kneeling position and offered a prayer to his “Master”. David sighed internally as the children copied their father but he continued on his way towards his lair. 

Blue was delighted to have him back around. Two of the little kobolds were running around helping Blue as David had to force himself through the previously expanded tunnel system. His spikes dung into the sides as he forced his way to his expanded chambers. Red and David had oversized his chamber for future growth thankfully and he easily fit inside. 

After settling in Blue had informed him that they were able to pull in enough nutrients to sustain them and more. Red had become rather proficient in hunting down lizards, serpents, bat things and even some of those rats David had just discovered. He took the next few cycles to relax and focus on his affinity. 

David began to ask himself the big questions. What was life affinity? He could heal himself, yes but how? He needed to test it out. He needed to start testing and experimenting if he was going to find any answers. He asked Blue’s permission first and White’Yellow quickly joined him. The little kobold wasn’t very large but the cute little guy kept chirping happily to him.

“White’Yellow I just need you to stay still and let me use my healing fog on you. Alright?” David reassured the little kobold. White’Yellow just rapidly nodded its head in agreement. 

David had a few theories on how his healing might actually work. The least likely was time itself reversed around the …

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