The Chameleon Loop

“All we are missing now, is a minotaur.” Said Nora.

“I don’t want to hear any last words outta your mouth!” Shouted Nox.

He ripped a gloss stone out of his pouch and examined the floor, strands of coarse white fur were stuck between each of the polished tiles, proof that the minotaur had slept here recently. The tip of his Mbar screeched against the crack, collecting a wad of fur for all to see.

“Guys, we’re in the minotaur’s bedroom. Anyone who can see the traps, get us the fucking hell out of here!” Said Nox.

Taylor, in Nox’s body, moved first, jogging to the nearest tripwire and severing it. With the Ziggurat’s blessing of daylight, the traps glowed in their eyesight, but more than that, the mechanisms to defuse the traps appeared, allowing the team to mark and bypass traps at a breakneck pace. Soon they reached a fork in the corridor and Nora directed them to throw Jamal and Ashley onto the wall to survey the paths ahead. Taylor joined them, acting as lookout.

What can we even do without Jamal’s talent? Ash can’t use it, crap, we’re already a hunter down and every ability we used against the minotaur is locked down.

Mana 200% !!! Mana sickness in progress!!! !!! MANA CANCER AT 300%!!!

Well… Fuck. Thought Nox, attempting for the umpteenth time to unlock the Minotaur’s soul and receiving the same [INSUFFICIENT MANA] error. He swallowed, looking at the four absorbed human souls…

I’m not so desperate to spend someone’s soul for a minor enrichment… Thought Nox, shifting his head to enhance his senses.

“Dude, that’s disgusting. Like, really creepy.” Said Taylor, looking down on his own body with Nox’s eyes.

The revulsion in his voice was palpable, and the only thing that kept Nox from clapping back was his face. What would I do if Taylor shifted my body? Punch him in the face until he stopped, but that might be counterproductive…

“Uhm… Sorry Taylor, but shifting helps stop the mana sickness… and without May shielding us we’re gonna get real sick really soon–” began Nox.

Lala, a hunter from a distant camp fell to her knees, shivering. She rubbed her shoulders like she was trying to warm up, shaking despite the precisely average room temperature of the labyrinth.

“Sick right now.” Corrected Nox.

Half the party is E rankers, if it took an hour for mana sickness, we might have only one more hour before we start dying from mana cancer… Mary-sue, I never appreciated just how important you are to the team.

‘Ready to give up?’ Asked Loki.

And give up on the chance to slap your stupid face? NEVER!

“Guys, if you use a talent or spell that consumes mana, it’ll delay mana sickness.” Said Nox.

“Weren’t you listening we can’t–”

“FIND A WAY OR GET CANCER AND DIE!” Snapped Nox, meaning every word, albeit not the tone. “Taylor, I don’t have any talents so–”

[Human soul][UNLOCKED] appeared in Nox’s mind.

“Your talent is weird…” Muttered Taylor, wrinkling his nose as he flexed his fingers, clenching and unclenching as his body changed.

[Human soul][UNLOCKED]

[Human soul][UNLOCKED]

Nox felt his strength surge, his health bar lengthened, and some of his missing HP climbed to HP 100%. The yellow stamina bar grew as well, as if his maximum HP and stamina increased with every slain homo sapien. Kill people gain power? No, no no no! They were my allies! Corporal Evans, Specialist Jenkins! They deserve to rest in peace, not be mulched into fuel for me!

“Taylor! STOP! You have no idea what you’re doing!” Said Nox.

He shrugged, “Keep it down, the wyverns aren’t close, but we shouldn’t be shouting. Besides, I’m out of mana anyways.” Said Taylor, turning to scan the night sky.

With his blessing the underground labyrinth was as bright as high noon, yet cloudless. Granting perfect overwatch to his venatorus eyes. Others began to coach their doubles, trying to recreate the emotional states or patterns that led to their spells and talents activating. But they lacked the Nox’s interface, and failed to create any effect, not even Lala and Zoe who were equal ranks and identical classes. Nox’s gaze fell onto the unconscious Ruby, watching her eyes move beneath her eyelids. They were effectively leaving her to die. If she didn’t wake up soon, they would be down a mage who specialized in barriers. Too little, too late… It’s going to be the C rankers, Taylor, and myself if this goes on for another hour.

Finding his feet, Nox began to pace, hoping the increased circulation would aid his thinking. What is our objective? Kill the minotaur, but we only have raw strength which is… effectively nothing. Without Jesus’ sword and Jamal’s spear talents we wouldn’t have a chance. Ah– but Jamal’s talent destroyed the only spear he has, so we have to get to the Ziggurat anyways, and the daylight vision is pretty important… Crap, Ash lost her legs, she had to spend all her mana and May still dragged her out of there. We’re fucked.

Wind rustled through the labyrinth, sounding like chased leaves. They were underground, there wasn’t supposed to be any breeze down here. Could that be from an underground tunnel? The wire rat’s camera recording showed a normal tunnel and normal mana levels… What if there was a safezone? S ranked dungeons often have those!

He opened his mouth to call out, and froze, body going rigid as a pair of grapefruit eyes met his. Not even a hundred feet away, and on top of the labyrinth’s marble walls sat a fox like creature. Small and sandy-white in hue, like a Fennec fox, yet its eyes were enormous. Crazily disproportionate to its body, and equal in absurdity to the three obsidian talons on each foot. Unconstricted pupils met Nox’s dopple eyes, and the creature cocked its head, ears pivoting to eavesdrop on the kill team.

The fox’s lower jaw fell open, marking the creature as an otherworldly abomination as it’s entire neck split, revealing three rows of incisors. An impossibly vicious maw for an otherwise exceptionally cute creature. Leaves whispered across concrete once more, and this time Nox understood what the fox demon was asking.

“Strange cousin, your mortal kin grow sick, why have you chosen to intrude on our domain?” Said the demon.

Nox’s hand found the 1911 pistol, “It wasn’t our choice. We were deceived by the dungeon’s master and trapped against our will.” Said Nox, leveling the 1911 at the demon fox. “I intend to see Loki die–”

Nox’s mouth snapped shut. SHIT! Why did I say his name out loud? I hope no one heard–

“Loki? Hehe that’s big talk for a bastard in a borrowed body.” Laughed the fox, “How can you kill that which possesses no physical body?”

Fiber optic pistol sights aligned themselves over the fox’s eyes, it would be so easy to kill it now. A ginger squeeze of the trigger and the fox would have a third eyehole, yet Nox couldn’t bring himself to cross that millimeter wide gap.

“I have a method, but if you’re offering me a weapon, I’d be happy to accept.” Said Nox.

His antics had drawn the other’s attention, who were peering into the darkness, unable to see the demon. Or comprehend it’s whispered words, in fact, Nox wasn’t sure he was actually comprehending the creature. Flexible minds… it doesn’t matter that how, only that you do. As if reading his thought’s the demon smiled, barring teeth from snout to shoulders.

“I have many weapons. From the minotaur’s weakness, to his strengths, all are known to me. Similar to yours, I can help your kin process mana, or slay those who might hinder you.--”

“You offer me the world when I cannot accept. None of your kin has ever aided a human, why are you different?” Asked Nox.

Swords scrapped free of sheaths and the labyrinth fell silent. Every hunter present –except for Ruby– was watching Nox’s discussion, although they could not see the demon. Strange, no one is looking up, but he’s right there.

“Never aided a human? Hehehehehehe hahaha HAHAHAAHAHA!” Cackled the fox.

Laughter echoed through the party, sending shivers down the exchanged spines of a dozen lost souls.

“Cousin, do I look like a creature who enjoys living inside a dark hole?” Said the fox, rising to sit on it’s hind legs.

The motion finally caught the hunter’s eyes, as talons and fangs shone in the darkness with an inner fire.

“A creature such as yourself would die without mana. I cannot take you from this place, even if you aided us.” Said Nox, shrugging in way of apology.

Sweat, fear, anger, all were scents that Nox tasted with his nose. What did I say to make everyone so scared? Oh—

“But you could… I see you have exchanged bodies, I know of this magick and its cure. Lend me a vessel to leave this place. Take me to your home and I will aid your escape from this one.” Said the Fennec-Demon-Fox.

“Take you home? Sure, cause introducing a demonic fox to mom will go over so well. We’ll let you sleep between the port-a-pottys. And hope the sapiens don’t use you for target practice. Or start brawling over who get’s to pet the cute-widdle-foxy.” Said Nox.

Lips covered the demon’s teeth, and it turned to walk along the walltop, still invisible to most. It padded the the wall’s corner and hid in the shadows, obscuring half of its face from Nox.

“Humans have always fought amongst themselves. Free me and I will repay the debt by setting your enemies upon each other. Look there, that vessel is weak, let me inhabit it now while before she perishes alone. Nothing will be lost, but you would gain an ally, and a debt.” Said the fox.

One glance over his shoulder told him Ruby was still prone, her sweat tastable from where he stood, and he could see her involuntary shudders despite the three blankets that were covering her. If only we had May’s talent, then we would have time to figure things out… A vision of Ashley’s rotten face and empty brackets came to mind, and Nox turned his power against the fox.

[Fall in love before I die, get out of the damned Corps.] Appeared over Ruby.

[Find joy, escape dungeon, erase malice] Hovered over the demonic fox.

Erase malice? What even is this goal? That’s beyond high-minded, it’s conceptual, people don’t think in concepts, they think using emotions, with inconsistent logic and transient goals!

“Nigga, whos choppin it up wit you?” Asked Jamal, with Mary-sue’s mouth.

Her diction was more than jarring. Making Nox cringe and roll his shoulders.

“These are my peers and allies. I cannot give you permission to possess a body other than my own. But rest assured, all of us would surely consider possession from a nameless demon as an attempt on our own lives.” Nox warned.

Incredulity struck the fox, as if Nox had uttered some half-assed insult such as “your mom’s so fat when she laughs there’s an earthquake.”

“Nameless fox?! Bah, you’re a welp, one who cannot grant permission, nor has any standing to refuse entry into the home.” Said the demonic fox, vanishing in a flash or platinum smoke.

Sparkles, floated down the wall, fading without casting any light.

“Weird… Uh, what’s up Jamal?” Asked Nox, turning to face the team.

Four guns and two extremely pointy sticks were aimed at Nox’s back. Nora held an Mbar and shield, carrying the mana crystal enriched disk with purpose.

“Mi amigo, who were you talking too?” Asked Nora.

“The demon fox thing… On top of the wall.” Said Nox, encountering blank stares. He pointed to the walltop. “It was right there, why are you looking at me like i’m a madman?”

Nora exchanged several glances, first trying to meet Ashley’s gaze, then realizing Ashley wasn’t in her body.

“Worst game of musical chairs ever.” Muttered Nora. “Nox, no one was there… There wasn’t any fox, or shadow.”

Nods of agreement, everyone was ganging up on him. Quickly isolating Nox. Othering him. Then the last voice Nox had ever expected to save him piped up, speaking with his own mouth.

“I saw it… But it was fuzzy. Like a white alligator made of cotton balls.” Said Taylor.

“Are you certain?” Snapped Nora, tightening her grip on the Mbar and raising her shield to cover her neck.

“It was sitting right on top of the wall, then moved to the corner, and vanished. I couldn’t focus on it right, but I thought it might just be a trick. But then it moved its mouth after Nox spoke, I couldn’t understand what it said but it sounded like a language.” Said Taylor, shrinking away from the kill team’s gazes.

The squad contracted like a sphincter, standing shoulder to shoulder in an attempt to form a defensive line against an invisible opponent. But it was all for naught. Silver glitter appeared next to Ruby, and the demonic fox appeared near her throat, obsidian talons resting just above her collarbone. Nox was the only one to notice. That was, until Ruby’s eyes crashed open, looking into the demon’s face.

“I’ll take you anywhere! Don’t let me die alone! Please!” She said, her throat barely managing to produce a whimper.

The demon’s grin extended down his neck. Nox sprinted forward, uncertain what he would do, or what he should do. If Ruby allowed the possession, and it saved her life… Why allow her to die? It was a question he would never have to answer. Since the demon vanished down Ruby’s throat, as easily as a cough could enter and exit her lungs.

Nora reacted to Nox’s dash by dropping her shoulder and darting forward with all her weight, catching Nox’s unprotected flank and knocking the wind out of his solar plexus.

“Blehg- ack.” Coughed Nox, bouncing off the marble wall and slumping onto the floor.

Sucker punched by my sister’s sixteen year old sista… Oof… Actually, when was the last time we celebrated anyone’s birthday… We aren’t in high school anymore, and haven’t been for a while. When did Nora move in... Thought Nox, strange thoughts intruding into his air deprived mind.

“Ruby! You’re awake!” Gasped Nora.

“Not, Ruby…” Was all Nox managed to cough out before he was picked up and guided to the wall, by Ruby herself.

Where once Ruby had been a woman in her late teens or early twenties, now she appeared ageless, with eyes that lacked any sclera, iris, or pupil. Instead of those mundane ocular essentials, her liquid quicksilver now flowed through her eyeball, an indecipherably shielded window into her soul.

“You’re– Ack– Possessed!” Shouted Nox.

He hadn’t expected anyone to stop Ruby, but maybe they could see her eyes like he did.

“So what If I am? Ruby would die without my aid, and I cannot escape without her body. We are allies of convenience, walking similar trails to different towns along the road of life.” Said Ruby, though her tone was strange, as if a human was speaking and waiting for their worlds to be translated within their own mind.

If the kill team had been on edge before, they practically flew off a cliff. Everyone began shouting at once, screaming to be overheard above the raised blades and loaded guns. All while Ruby held Nox against the wall, silently grinning at his confusion. She made no attempt to disarm him, and the muzzle of his pistol slashed miniscule figure eights above her throat.

“Hmmm. Mana sickness is rather inconvenient, wouldn’t you agree cousin?” Said Ruby, lifting Nox onto his feet only to dust him off. “The hungry lizards will be along shortly. Time to leave. I’m no fool, Ruby is far too weak to escape without your aid. Come with me.”

Ruby spun on her toes, and called the hunter’s bluffs by walking through their blades and ignoring the guns. In one bound she ascended the wall, bending at the waist and holding a hand to her forehead as a visor.

“Here they come, run with me now or die here. I would suggest coming along, after all, I’m on your side.” Said Ruby, jogging along the walltop.

There was no time to think, only time to act. So Nox charged, clamoring up the wall like a gecko, his fingers shifted into talons, somehow conquering the polished marble and biting into the stone.

“A wyvern!” Shouted Taylor, “A wyvern is coming!”