Hunter and Zuss stopped running over a mile from town. Some of the least confused humans followed for some time, but a shadow knife at their feet sent them off. They had a more pressing issue, anyway.

What a hypocrite, that old woman. She'd been screaming about monsters from the moment they set foot in town. It turns out she was a monster too. At least now Zuss understood a bit better. The hag didn't care about them not being human. She was afraid her territory would be taken by stronger monsters.

Hunter heaved deep breaths, each one upsetting the local vegetation.

"Can't… go on… much further." He wheezed.

His foot had been repaired by the angel, but he still favored his organic one. It slowed him considerably.

"I'll find somewhere to hide." Zuss offered, and then she dove into the underbrush. Zuss never bothered to wait for a response. She was making the right call, and it only slowed her down to wait on others.

Sometime later, she found a nice secluded spot that was difficult to see. Hunter would have to push through, but he would fit.

The ogre did, eventually, push his way into the brush. Then he gently laid Daggat down.

"What's wrong with him?" Zuss asked.

"Bad head wound. A concussion, I think."

"Will he be alright?"

Hunter shrugged, "I don't know. I think so. There isn't much we can do about it other than let him rest. We'll have to risk a fire."

Zuss nodded and curled her knees to her chest. She had never felt more embarrassed. It was a mistake, killing the human. She was going to tell someone, but everyone was asleep. Waking someone up for that was out of the question.

She glanced at Hunter. He was focusing on lighting a bundle of branches with his torch. He was probably mad at her. Like Daggat was. Like Anath probably would be when she got back. They might decide it's better to leave her behind. To drop her.

A moment later, Zuss was out of sight. She didn't want to see the disappointment on Hunter's face.

Then she climbed a tree. High, up into its branches. A moment later, she darkened the shadows around her. She felt more comfortable in the dark. Where she couldn't be seen. Hunter's fire was still in view. She wasn't far. Close enough to jump in if there was a problem.

But, far enough away so she didn't have to face Hunter and Daggat.

After a short time, Hunter called out for her. She curled into a tighter ball. She wished he would just let her be.

"Zuss!" Hunter called. He was closer. She heard the lumbering of his footsteps approach the tree.

Of course, he could find her. She had darkened the tree. No other trees were like it. Another mistake.

"Zuss," he said more softly. "You up there?"

"Go away."

"Can you please come down?"

He just wanted to yell at her. Like Daggat did.

"No."

For a time, nothing happened. Then she heard grunting of effort from below. She glanced down. Hunter was climbing the tree. His face was contorted in effort and his metal boot was digging into the tree.

"What are you doing?" Zuss asked.

"If… you won't… come down… I'll come up." He said between lunges. His technique was awkward. Hugging the tree and sort of shifting his way up it.

"Daggat needs you."

"He's… not… going anywhere."

Hunter was making impressive progress for someone his size. Zuss could easily move to another tree. He was working this hard just to talk to her, so she might as well let him berate her. A little.

Eventually, Hunter made it to the first branches. The tree groaned as he grabbed onto them for support. He just hung there, catching his breath.

"What do you want? To yell at me too?" Zuss said.

He blinked in her general direction in surprise. "I'm not going to yell at you."

"Why not? You're mad at me. Everyone is."

"Well. Maybe. I think you could have done that better. But, I'm not mad at you."

"Daggat is."

"I didn't think you would care."

"I don't!"

"Then why are you hiding?"

Zuss didn't have anything to say to that. So she let the silence hang.

"He's not mad at you for the reasons you think."

"It's because I killed that human. I'm not sorry. He tried to kill us first, and was going to try again." Zuss mumbled, "and he made Anath sad."

"Nope. That's not why."

"Then it's because I didn't wake anyone up to tell them. Because I messed up hiding the bodies." She whispered. Then, she continued. Speaking faster and faster. "Because I left bite marks, I didn't sleep when I should have, I poisoned myself, I left Birdy behind, I ruined everything here. And a million other things."

Zuss closed her eyes. She didn't want to look at Hunter. He said nothing. Eventually, she peeked at him.

He was smiling at her with a big, stupid grin.

"What?" She said.

"Nope. Those aren't it either."

She wanted to stab the infuriating ogre. What was he on about?

"Then what?"

"Don't worry about that. It doesn't matter."

"Ogre, I am about to stab you." She summoned a dagger and tossed it in the air. Not that he could see it.

"Oh, then he WOULD be mad at you." Hunter chuckled.

"What are you even doing here?"

"Talking."

"You climbed a tree. That's a lot of effort for a chat."

Hunter tried to shrug, but the motion nearly made him fall. Zuss dropped to him and grabbed an arm to help steady him. He smiled at her again.

"It's cause you wouldn't come down."

Zuss sighed, "Fine, you stubborn ogre. Down we go. Then you can 'chat' all you want."

"Oh good. I don't like heights, turns out."

Hunter's journey down was even more precarious than his climb up. By some miracle, he managed to fall when he was only ten feet off the ground.

He landed with a heavy "Oof!" and then laughed.

Zuss landed on his chest and crossed her arms. He didn't seem to notice.

"Okay. What is so important." Zuss said, looking down on him. He suddenly looked serious.

"Zuss, you keep hiding from us."

She took a few steps back. Meaning she was now standing on his stomach.

"I'm the scout. That's my job."

"That's not what I mean. Its… you…" He sighed. A motion that made Zuss feel like she was standing on a rocking boat. "You run off at the drop of a hat. Most of the time you are skulking in the shadows. Whenever we get together, you are the first to leave."

"So, what? What's it matter? I do what I want." She turned away from him. Her instinct was to leave him. But that would just prove him right.

Hunter stood up, and Zuss nimbly stepped off of him.

"If that's what you want. Then, fine. But, I don't know if something upsets you. You just walk away. You hide your face. We never know what you're thinking. We don't know what you are doing."

Zuss stood there for a moment. "We need to get back to Dag."

"See, you are changing the subject."

She turned on him, "What's it matter to you?"

"I don't want you to be afraid." He said simply.

"Me? Afraid? Whatever, I'm going back."

"See. Running."

Zuss summoned her shadow chain dart. "You are really starting to piss me off."

His eyebrows furrowed. "I'm sorry. I want to listen. Anath isn't here… so I have to step in as the friend."

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"Friend. Listen, ogre. You aren't my friend. Anath isn't my friend. I don't have friends. We're just a bunch of monsters trying to get rich. That's it."

Zuss felt a twinge of guilt as soon as she said it. But it would be enough to get him to back off, at least.

Hunter gave her a kind smile. This ogre really was infuriating.

"That's okay." He said. "You are still our friend."

"Don't say that."

He frowned. "Why not? It's true."

"Friends don't leave each other to die!" She yelled.

Suddenly, he looked panicked. "Did I? When?"

"No, not… you." Zuss dropped back into a ball, letting her weapon disappear.

"What's your favorite food?" Hunter asked suddenly.

"…what?"

"Your favorite food. I don't know."

"Slimy."

"What?"

"That's my favorite food. Slimy."

"What is slimy?"

"Like, worms, eggs, and grubs."

"Oh. Okay. I'll remember that."

"Why?"

"See these," he tapped his ear, "these big ears are good for listening. You just have to talk. Now I know you like slimy things. Remind me to make you pasta sometimes."

Zuss looked up at him. What a strange creature, this ogre. "You know about Glut."

"I do."

"In that fight, I was hurt. Klaw had to carry me. Then they left me to die. Dropped me at the feet of a monster."

"That sounds awful. I'm sorry that happened to you."

Zuss rolled her eyes at him. "You've gone through worse."

"Do you think we'll abandon you again?"

"I don't know. Maybe."

"Is that why you keep shutting us out? Hiding from us."

She absently ran her finger through the dirt. Why was she talking to him anyway? He had an infectious smile and a soft way about him. What pissed her off most about him was she had no reason to be mad at him for anything.

"If I make it so I am not useless alone, then it will hurt less when I am abandoned."

"So, you are trying to be independent. But, you help out Dag. Tell him stuff and scout for him."

"Dag said sorry. And Dag is Dag, it's hard not to do things for him." She said.

"You know I won't abandon you. And neither will Anath, that's for sure. She thinks of you as her best friend."

"Klaw is my brother. He still dropped me."

"I can't speak for Klaw. But I think he hates what happened. You should talk to him about it. For me, though, I would let the monster eat me first before leaving you behind."

"… you promise?"

"I do. And that includes the villagers. Though, you're scary. I don't think I will have the opportunity. I can get the others to promise too, if you want. Otherwise, they won't get dinner!"

Zuss snorted. "Okay. That's a promise."

"So, is there anything else these big ears can help with?"

Zuss was quiet for another long moment. She pulled at an ear in embarrassment. "I miss my cat. I wanted to bring her, but I was afraid she'd run away."

[Party member has slain- goblin, level 13. Experience Gained. You have gained one monster level. One Biotrait Point awarded.]

"Oh, looks like the others have started. We can go back for her if you want. We aren't too far."

"Maybe. I don't know."

"We should probably get back to Daggat for now, just in case."

Zuss nodded. The two of them hiked the short walk back to the camp. The fire was still burning softly.

Daggat was not where Hunter left him.

"Huh, Daggat!?" Hunter called.

The world darkened as Zuss slipped into a shadow and darkened it. Not to hide from anything in particular, but to shade the blinding fear that crept over her. They had taken Daggat.

"DAGGAT!?" Hunter bellowed again. "I shouldn't have left him… oh no, no, no."

He started throwing apart the campsite, checking under logs and stones. Zuss realized she was hiding again, and looked around with him.

"Calm down, let's do this smart," Zuss said. She slipped into the status void and opened her party menu. He was still alive. "I have some points saved up. Let me try to find something that will help."

Scrolling quickly through the biotraits, there wasn't anything that could help with finding someone. Perhaps scent, but if she could avoid selecting another biotrait, she would. Instead, she thought to upgrade an existing trait.

Didn't someone say something about an apex?

Selecting Night Vision, she had two traits to unlock for it. Magnified Vision, and Heat Sense. With this, she could see the heat signatures of living creatures. And Daggat was VERY hot. She selected both traits.

Now she had a new option.

[Raise Night Vision to its apex?]

It cost a biotrait. Her last one. Well, it was worth it to find Daggat. Zuss confirmed the choice.

[Night Vision has reached its apex. All evolutions enhanced. The user's various vision modes are overlaid. True vision unlocked.]

For a brief moment, her vision darkened. Then, the world bloomed. Every shadow brightened, yet she could still see the difference. Her vision could focus on every detail, zooming in like a hawk. Hunter glowed with heat, as did the fire. She could see three different ways at once. Normal vision, temperature vision, and true vision. It was disorienting to be given so much information at once, but she was quickly getting used to it. The third vision… true vision. She didn't notice any difference yet, except it seemed to not need light to see at all.

Blinking a few times, she noticed the glowing spot where Daggat had lain. From it sprinkle spots glow brightly. Drops of blood that had yet to cool.

"I've got a trail. Let's go."

Zuss

True Name: Zuss Soul: Monster Genseed: gremlin [ 3 Str, 4 Dex, 3 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Regenerating Teeth, Rot Resistance; Tiny Size] Genbloom: hobgoblin [ +1 Str, +3 Dex, +2 Con, +1 Int, +1 Wil; Nimble Fingers; Small Size]

Monster Level: 12

Attributes (0/6): Strength: 10 Dexterity: 16 Constitution: 8 Intelligence: 8 Will: 10 Charm: 9

Feats: Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Devotion [Layered feats] Ability: Mighty Alacrity Act: Shadow Born

Skills(0/2): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] Deep Shadows: 1 Path Finding [Type: Climbing]

Notable Natural Skills: Stealth: Apprentice Climb: Apprentice

Biotraits (0/12): Base size: Small [Source: Hobgoblin] Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] Enhanced Night Vision [Mutations: Dark Vision, Magnified Vision, Heat Vision; Apex reached; Source: Gremlin] Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] Improved Body Control [Synergy: Improved Balance + Improved Nerve Conduction + Improved flexibility; Mutations: Autonomous Reflex] Nimble Hands and Feet [Synergy: Nimble hands + Prehensile Feet; Mutations: Mighty Grip] Cold Resistant Skin Enhanced Visual Acuity Shadow Core [Source: Shadow Born] Shadow Smith

Transformations: Drakeheart Form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Smoke Aura Lesser Wings

Night Stalker form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Enhanced Scent Deepen Shadow+, Widen Shadows

Notable Gear: Blade of a Thousand Screams Knife of the Traveler Mana Crystal Set Tiara

Pet: Name: Birdy Genseed: Cat

Attributes: Strength: 2 Dexterity: 4 Constitution: 2 Intelligence: 2 Will: 2 Charm: 3

Biotraits: Lesser Wings

Hunter

True Name: Hunter Soul: Mortal/Monster Genseed: Ogre [ 8 Str, 2 Dex, 6 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Ogre's curse; Large Size]

Hearth Tender Level: 8 [+1 Str, +1 Con, +4 Wil; Invoke Torch, Hearth Fire] Monster Level: 4 [Source: Ichor of the Beast]

Attributes (0/6): Strength: 14 Dexterity: 7 Constitution: 13 Intelligence: 9 Will: 15 Charm: 8

Feats: Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Vile Concoction Act: Devotion [layered feats] Act: Slayer Ability: Unshakable Will Act: Gluttonous Feast

Skills (0/10): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] Invoke Torch: 2 [Perks: Mighty Torch] Hearth Fire: 2 [Perks: Healing Warmth] Sacred Flame: 2 [Perks: Debilitating Warmth] Encompassing Warmth: 1 Brilliant Bash: 2 [Perks: Hearth Flame] Bounty Hunter: 1 [Source: Slayer] Seek: 1 Fearless: 1 Peaceful Presence: 1 Condense Aura: 1

Notable Natural Skills: Healing: Apprentice

Biotraits (2/4): Base Size: Large Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Vile Concoction] Hunger Core Gorger

Other: Curse: Ogre Curse Boot of Rashail

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