Chapter 3: Beyond The Forest

Waking up, everything from yesterday seemed to feel like a dream. Looking at my elongated up forward leg, it was not so. Standing up my head almost touches the top of the tent, I was not particularly a large person but also not short, somewhere above average. I cautiously step one leg at a time, out of my tent.

The bright sun rays hit my pupils, the sun felt better than usual. As my eyes dilate to adapt to the sun I start seeing what I could only classify as chaos. Many dogs were tripping over themselves, falling and tents were on fire. Where did the fire come from I do not know.

“What's happening!” I ask the nearest worker, he was incharge of bringing sticks to the construction sites.

“Sir with the new change everyone is having difficulties” He said

“Yes I know that but where did all this fire come from?” I replied

“I don’t know sir, I’ve seen some people with fire coming out of their hands but they are as clueless as me or you…” He said

“Alright, sound the howlers I shall make an announcement.

25 MINUTES LATER, ADOLPH POV

As I stood next to our leader he discussed that we will have a break from all duties for today only to get use to our new bodies. For the speech he stood up which motivated us to try it aswell. It was not hard to figure out, I have gotten use to it by now but other dogs are finding it harder. Kaiser looks at me giving me my queue.

“And for the next order, everyone who says fire has been affected by this update and fire is coming out of your hands please report to me. We will discuss of what this means and its usefulness. That is it!” I command, with that all the people left and went to their homes, some walked upright others continued walking on their 4 limbs but it was awkward due to the new limbs.

THE NEXT DAY, KAISER POV

By now everyone has gotten use to their legs and hands, the system provided innate knowledge for most of the learning and instincts. As for the fire it seems to be a side effect of picking the sun god. Many of us, around 30% have been giving “FIRE BLESSING I” skill, allowing basic creation of fire on our hands, allowing us to ignite things on fire like sticks for warmth. The skill seems to be given to people with a higher intelligence and wisdom then average, as 100% of the council has the skill. As I wrap a leather wrap around my waist it hid my reproductive organs. After acquiring “Intelligence II” small behaviors have been planted into my head such as hiding my parts. Many of us have adopted this new clothing, and the ones who have not have been seen as barbaric.

I left my tent and and walk towards Sigmunds house, he lived far away from me, the city of uudNau was large but not very dense. We were the apex species in these forests. As the 4 major species live in this city they all live in their own groups. The German Shepherds in the north, Dobermans in the East, Bull Mastiffs in the South and the Beagles live with the Dobermans due to their similarity in work. The German Shepherds were adapt at any task, many were hunters, workers or builders. While the Dobermans and Beagles loved to hunt, and one wouldn't see them outside of the hunting grounds. The Bull Mastiffs were also like this that due to their large muscle and frame they were mostly builders and craftsmen.

Sigmund's tent was the largest, he partly made it himself. He was a great builder and designer and used as much as he could about human civilization to make ours. He was inside sleeping as he always was, tapping on his shoulder I wake him up. He doesn't open his eyes but answers.

“Today is my break, talk to Alto for orders...” He said, before dozing off back to sleep.

“It’s me Kaiser, Sigmund wake up” I say in a hurried tone.

“Oh, good morning comrade Kaiser. Did you need something” He replies.

“That mission you were speaking off, the monoment. The blessing of fire has greatly improved our living. I was thinking of pushing that forward for today, with the finishing of it, the blessing may grow in strength and the destruction of the rabbit fiend will be easily dealt with.” I say, sitting down on the floor.

“I was thinking of that, already working on it, it is to be built in front of the beech tree. Speak to Alto he will explain. And as for me, it is time for my well needed break.” He said going back to sleep.

He left me no time to reply, I smile as I leave my comrade to his sweet slumber. I leave his large tent, and head to the beech tree. It was in the center so many people collected here and exchanged conversations. The tree was large, almost 64 of us if one were to stand on top of each others head. I arrive on the sight, a young man with a strong posture and build was ordering other works.

“Alto?” I question.

He turns around, after seeing me lowered his head. “Yes sir, what do you need of me?” It was natural in Hund manners to not look directly in the eyes of someone with higher class or honor.

“Friend, Sigmund told me you were in charge of the monument that is to be built. The beech tree is a great choice but the sun will not shine bright under its shade. Seeing as you have not started, wouldn't it be better to move construction site to the largest hill east from here?”

“Yes that is a great idea Sir, You head heard him get moving!” He ordered at the workers.

Remembering that I had to speak with Adolph I go to the hunters tent. The tent was a collection of tents, full of meats and things found in the forests. As I walk inside I see some of the rabbits being above a fire with the smoke going over it.

“You like the new smoked rabbit? The fishermen at the south river learned this technique, it adds flavor and preservers the meat and it works wonders on the rabbits as well.” Adolph says as he walked behind me, he was quite the sneak.

2 HOURS LATER, KAISER POV

Long Grass Plains

As we traversed past the eastern river and escaped the expanse of the forest we met the plains. The grass in this region was fairly long almost reaching our waist, the rabbits hid in these areas with the protection from the tall grass. They were horrifying cunning and adept at trickery, as we keep walking one hunter screams.

“Rabbit!!” He barks

We all get on alert, rabbits never wandered off alone. Usually come in clusters of 20 or even 45. Our group was currently 100 of the best hunters and 10 beagles.

“Sniff them out men, we can't have them running back it will ruin this mission!”Adolph ordered, quickly all the beagles and some hunters pointed their nose to the air, our strong nose capabilities could pick up the faintest of smells.

“Over here!” One beagle said, seeing that their positions were spotted the rabbits fleed. Quickly being stopped by a flank of dobermans. They were called chasers as they were the fastests, and could catch rabbits. I catch up to them, and join the fight.

A unlucky rabbit's back off infront of me to flee the slash of a hunter, catching him with my claws I sink them into his neck, he looked at me with eyes of fear and panic. He too recieved intelligence from the system, a lot of things were running through the rabbits mind but these were not people to feel bad for. Letting go of my grasp of my neck, I killed a few more rabbits. They were surrounded and panicking, outnumbered they easily lost.

YOU HAVE LEVELED UP: YOU ARE NOW LEVEL 6

Character Status Status

Name: Kaiser

Level: 6

Health Points

100

MP:

140

Titles: Leader, Thinker, Hopeful

Experience: 350/1200

Str

13

DEX

12

Vit

10

INT

14

Char

16

Agi

13

Racial Traits:

Intelligence II, Loyal...

The stat points seemed to be assigned automatically, depending on the means of leveling. For example I have gained 3 levels prior just to giving speeches and giving orders. The base starts at the race base, in total I have used 12 points, 2 per level.

Adolph ordered his men to be more careful, we were now approaching the rabbits domain.

YOU HAVE REACHED THE RABBITS DOMAIN, HEALTH AND DAMAGE REDUCED BY 15%

When one reached anothers domain you would receive a penalty, that retracts from your fighting capability. Our domain also has this, and offers us more strength while fighting in our land.

ALTOS’ POV

I chose the largest hill in the area, it was steep in its left and front side, the back and right as a nice slope which allowed the workers to bring the rocks gathered from the mountains. Our workers were strong and carried large rocks in groups of 4. Sigmund gave me instructions on how to build the monument. He is truly a genius, no one in the city would have the brain to come up with this.

5 tall stones would be placed in a circle, on top would be more rocks, the middle was a stand with table made of stone on top. It would be used to sacrifice animals and other things, on the steepest side a “stair” was being made. I remember this when I lived with my old master but Sigmund said it is important as the steep side faced the city. The stairs were made of different sized blocks of rock, chiseled by sharp rocks. We were almost done, with the last steps being added and the sacrificial stand being decorated. Hopefully the hunting party and our leader will return after its commencement.

BRUNOS’ POV

We have successfully scouted the planes south of the forest, going any deeper would result in us being overrun by the rabbit swarm. As the leader of the scouting unit of the hunters my nose is very fine tuned to the smelling and scavenging of these plains. I could estimate maybe millions of rabbits have accumulated in their lands. I inform this to Adolph and he ordered me to bring 3 of my best men and infiltrate directly inside their base and leave unseen.

I represent the Beagles and work only directly under Adolph, so I take the task. As I reach a small lake me and my 3 men rub the mud on our fur, concealing most of our scent. Just past this lake would be the rabbits city.

I cautiously traverse the planes, hiding in the tall grass. We reach a golden field, the field was the shape of a rectangle or squares. At the end of the field was a house, much like our tents but made out of grass and twigs, not pelts and branches. There was thousands of buildings like these, the golden fields seem to be full of these golden grass that the rabbits would harvest. I pull some of the golden grass and place it in my pouch, and sling it in my back. My comrades do the same and we slip past into the inner city, walking from field to field hiding in the grass.

We reached the main city, thousands of rabbits could be seen celebrating in some sort of event. After which they began to glow a warm blue, very much like we did the night we received our mutations and traits. The leader stood up, now on his hind legs stood clumsily. He head a long shaft of wood that was pointed at its end. He held such a weapon with new hands. It seems the rabbits are making similar advancements to us perhaps faster, I conclude these golden grains are food for the large population, and with the acquirement of similar mutation they hope to compete with us on a large level.

As I hide behind the large rock a small rabbit clumsily stepped in front of me, scared he urinated and cried for help. I quickly flung a rock at his head, it went through with no effort and I signaled my men to quickly retreat before they find out of our location.

ADOLPH POV, 3 HOURS LATER

“So you are saying we are no match for the Rabbits Bruno?” I ask

“Yes they have become bipedal, and obtained methods of land cultivation we have not even thought of! Here…” Bruno says as hands me some golden grains.

“They have farms, in the hundreds scattering their domain, they use this to feed the millions of soldiers they have.” He continued.

“Millions?! What do you think of this Kaiser? You seem to be quiet on this return trip” I say

“I believe in my men, we shall prepare for an attack, we must no go to them as they outnumber us and their domain will give them the leverage. As for the plans for protection I have an idea I shall discuss with in the council meeting tomorrow. For now let us only think of our bounties we have collected and celebrate with the finishing of the Sun Gods monument.”

“Yes I have almost forgotten of such thing events, hopefully the new council members prove wise.” I say.

This was a long walk ahead and even a longer days to come, can we defeat the spread of these rabbits?

KAISER POV, 1 HOUR LATER

As we arrive to the outskirts of our great city uudNau, the bustling commosion stopped as they see our men walk barely unscathed with me and adolph leading proudly.

“Hail the glorious leaders on the bountiful hunt!” One resting hunter who did not go on the trip exclaimed.

As the hunters pack away the food, and Adolph ordered them what to prepare for the ritual event I go to the construction site. I met Sigmund their, in his usual manner of tired apathy he greeted me.

“The monument is built if you go up these stairs, I feel like something is missing. Perhaps a statue with your name?” He said.

“Why should my name be on it, I want the people of uudNau to think ‘Why isn’t there a monument for built him’ then ‘Why does he have a monument’. Comrade, one shall not praise false idols our new patron god will guide us.” I replied.

“Such wise words Kaiser, always with your rhetorics and ... words. Maybe the thing missing is a suitable sacrifice…” He says as his voice trails.

I walk up the stairs, it reminds me of the one I had in my masters home. Those times now vivid and forgotten, as I take my last step I could see the sun setting, during these late summers the darkness would envelope the land quicker.

NEW MISSION: SUN GODS RITUAL

Info: The Sun God wants you to host a ritual for the introduction of his rule.

(Y/N)

Reward: Prophet, FIRE BLESSING II, +Faith

I accept the task, I would be a fool not to, as I hear the howlers and people start flowing into the monument I wait.