Because I'm terrible good at creating witty titles.

This is a story written for  technic based off a skype chat revolving around a 'what if' scenario about a certain Asura from Guild Wars 2. Because he nor I can get enough of the lovable little scamps. And he can't get enough of them growing. Twigg, his Asura thief from Guild Wars 2 is also present as well.

This is quite a long story. Easily the longest thing I've written thus far. I hope you enjoy reading it.


Edit: The limited description cuts the story off at the halfway mark. I strongly recommend downloading it instead of reading it in the description.

---

Strands of evening light spilled through the dense jungle canopy of Metrica Province. Beneath the foliage, large Asuran structures dotted the landscape and hummed with activity. Droning pulses of energy accompanied the buzzing of insects and the cry of birds flying through the humid jungle. Experiments of the Asura took place within their research centers and laboratories. The brilliant minds of Rata Sum flocked to these hubs of science, gathering together to further their fields of research and advance their people. Prodigies, the young would-be Geniuses and Savants of the future, were educated within their stone walls. Under the wizened wings of their elders they learned of the Eternal Alchemy and their place within its myriad cogs and wheels. The wide-eyed children sat before their aged professors while they were guided through their journey through the various realms of science and technology. Golems lumbered about the pathways that criss-crossed between the cubes while they hauled various parts and components in their metallic arms. The mechanical constructs of the Asura towered over the Peacemakers that accompanied them. Their diminutive masters kept watch over them and the roads they walked, watching for intruders and would-be assailants.

The nearby brush lining the edge of the road quietly rustled behind them. The group continued their trek as small clawed fingers dug through the branches and leaves. The thickets parted, allowing a large pair of eyes to gaze upon them in silence. They watched the patrol march down the road towards the plaza to the west. When the guards disappeared from view they turned their attention to the other side of the path and found the roads to be empty. Its eyes and claws sunk into the foliage. Within moments the figure emerged from the brush and sprinted across the road. The Asura, short by even their species' standards, pressed himself against the wall of the lab and hugged the sides of the building as he slid into the bushes that lined the edge of the building. His brown eyes darted from side to side as he crept forward. The tips of his long, flat ears brushed against his red and black leather armor with each move he made. He stopped just outside the entrance of the lab and turned his head towards the road. His upper body appeared from the brush and his hands quickly drew several gestures in the air before ducking down again. He looked though the leaves and watched two Asura appear from the trees, quickly closing in on his position. The pair threw themselves into the underbrush and breathed heavily as they knelt by his side and looked to him with expectant eyes.

“I’ve confirmed a visual of our objective," the short Asura reported to the female. The leader of the trio nodded while her silent companion kept an eye on the road.

“We’ll proceed with the next phase of the plan," she whispered. “Move in and take anything of value. These senile professors keep their best inventions out in the open to impress the Prodigies. There has to be something worthwhile in there." She then looked to her underlings and eyed the both of them as they awaited her command.

"You two know the drill,” she said. “On my mark, we enter."

She carefully slid against the wall until she approached the entrance of the lab. Peering inside from around the corner, her eyes darted around the lab and soon fixed upon lecture that was taking place inside. The Asura's ears strained to filter the words of the mentor from the chatter of the children.

"And in conclusion, what I’ve learned in my many decades of research is that keeping the appropriate antitoxins on my person at all times makes all the difference.” He clapped his hands once to get the children’s attention before he continued. “Now then, let us proceed to the lower levels so we may continue yesterday's lecture on aquatic life forms." Class ended a collective groan from the students as they picked up their belongings and followed their teacher down the stairs.

She quickly glanced through the now vacant workstation before turning her attention towards the upper floors. Her eyes watched the personnel of the lab through the clear walkways while they moved away from the demonstration area. She raised her fist into the air. Her comrades were ready, their bodies tense with anticipation.

At the drop of her fist, the trio stormed the lab. They split up and scoured the first floor of the lab, tossing half-finished inventions and experiments onto the floor. Their claws tore through notes, half-finished blueprints, and homework during their furious search. Several minutes later the leader’s ears perked up along with her partner’s when they heard a sharp whistle come from behind them.

They approached the short Asura who then turned to face his leader. In his small arms he held a rifle that was easily longer than he was tall. She took the weapon from his hands and examined it. At first glance she thought the weapon was merely a variant of the standard Peacemaker rifle. But it was upon closer inspection that she had begun to realize the differences. Many of the parts that were usually present had been heavily altered and modified. The long and sleek barrel normally found on their standard-issue rifles had been replaced with a larger and more angular barrel. The components that allowed their weapons to switch from lethal high-power bursts to low-energy stuns were missing. Even the optional chambers that allowed for pyro-rounds and cryo-bolt capabilities were absent as well. Still, she felt an energy pulsing from the weapon’s core while the cooling vents that lined sides of the weapon emitted a blue-green glow.

"Were there any more of these?” she asked her underling without taking her eyes off the weapon.

"Negative, ma'am," he reported. “It was the only one I found.”

The leader's ears twitched, forcing her to look away from the rifle. She looked through the clear platforms above them and saw several of the lab’s personnel making their way across the walkway, slowly making their way to the ramps that led to the first floor.

"This will have to do then.” She quickly turned to face her comrades. “Pull out and split up. We'll meet at the rendezvous point and return to base. Hopefully this discovery was worth the trouble."

The trio bolted from the building and fled into the dense underbrush at the other end of the road. The lab members coming down the ramp stopped in their tracks when they saw the mess downstairs. They shouted for the others and one by one they all gathered downstairs to view the disaster that had mysteriously appeared, each of them wondering what could have been responsible for the chaos.

---

Dense swampland lay to the north, nestled deep within the jungles of the Province. Flies and mosquitoes infested the air and buzzed over the surface of the murky waters, nipping at the flesh of any careless enough to stumble into their domain. Thin, sickly trees drooped towards the ground, bent low by the larger and healthier trees above them. Their long, sagging branches snaked into the muck and dipped themselves into the fetid pools, touching their gnarled roots below. Beneath the trees three figures and their quiet footfalls slid through the swamp. Creeping through the muddy ground and keeping close to the ancient trees to stay hidden, their slow strides scarcely broke the surface of the water. Their leader guided them forward, keeping a close eye on her cohorts while they held their prize above their heads.

Thick vines crept from tree to tree, draping themselves over endless branches until resting upon an old cube that lay partially submerged within the mire. Dirt and grime caked its stony exterior, concealing the dim red lighting that pulsed beneath the foliage that blanketed the facility. Sentries donned in black were posted at the vine choked entrance of the lab. Eyes, ears, and weapons kept watch over the swamp, searching for anything that disturbed the still waters. Their uniforms blended into the shadows the overgrowth and evening sky provided.

The guard on the left raised her weapon the moment her ears perked up. Her partner kept his eyes to the swamp, his finger steady on the trigger of his rifle. The slow plodding sound of disturbed mud and water lumbered ever closer towards their position. Through the sights of her scope she spotted the source of the disturbance – three Asura trudging through the mire. Two of them carried an object above the waters as they waded through the deeper pools. They continued their approach towards the lab, heedless of the golems strewn throughout the swamp to deter outsiders. The sentry remained steady and weighed her options, but the Asura that lead the trio turned her head in the direction of the sentry. The guard was taken aback that her target had somehow managed to spot her. Before she could react and pull the trigger, the Asura in the swamp raised their arms and moved their hands in a series of gestures. The guard exhaled and moved her finger away from the trigger, ordering her comrade to stand down with a stern nod. They watched the three emerge from the murky swamp and enter the lab.

Inquest golems patrolled the entrance hall and approached the Asura entering the facility. Their blood red stones gleamed with the surges of electricity arcing across the ceiling. The silent automatons remained motionless while they scanned and confirmed their identities. The golem’s arms and legs retracted themselves into their bodies immediately afterwards and fell to the ground with a thud, allowing them to pass. None within the angular chambers of the cube turned from their work to witness the return of their mud-caked colleagues. The Inquest Asura busied themselves with their work, ever consumed with their thoughts regarding the latest experiments and equations. Others hunched over their cluttered workbenches, their blurry eyes buried under line after line of endless formulae and theorems. The trio watched personnel that had gathered in the open areas, raising their voices over one another in heated debate, their shouting echoing throughout the laboratory.
On the highest level, several Asura trailed behind their superior. Their heads nodded intently while their long ears swiveled and strained to hear him over the loud arguments that surrounded the group. His red and black lab attire stood out from the underlings that followed him, the metallic pins and fastenings that held his clothing together clinked against one another lightly with each step and gesture he made. He stopped speaking when he approached the railing near the stairwell and listened to his underlings for a brief moment. He turned to overlook the facility below him, letting his eyes wander until he spotted the trio idling near the entrance hall. Without a word he walked away and raised his hand to cut them off mid-sentence. They scurried to their stations without a word of protest, busying themselves while he turned his attention the three below.

“So, you have returned,” he said as he descended the second set of staircases. The three turned towards his direction and stood at attention as he approached them. He stood before the group’s leader while he kept his arms wrapped behind his back. His dark eyes stared into hers while he spoke. “I trust your mission was successful?”

Her underlings were motionless while their commander remained silent for a moment. “Yes, chief,” she said. “I believe we’ve managed to acquire something of interest.”

“’I believe?’” he said, letting those two words drip from his lips in a slow and condescending tone. “Is this hesitation I sense?” The krewe leader leaned in to gaze at her, letting the frown on his mouth twist into a brief grin. “No matter. I shall be the judge of whether or not your find is worthy of my valuable time.”

The smallest of the three gulped when he found himself under the stern gaze of the krewe chief. He watched the chief cross his arms and raise an eyebrow while he waited. The little one lifted his tired arms and extended the concealed item towards his superior. His limbs began to shake slightly while he held them in the air, hoping the krewe leader would take the weapon from him. He whimpered quietly when he noticed a scowl slowly forming their leader’s face. The sound of his claws tapping against the metal on his attire grew louder and more frequent.

“Was this all you were able to obtain?” the krewe leader asked impatiently when he turned to face their commander again.

“Yes, sir,” she said slowly. “It was the only worthwhile item of interest we found during our foray.”

The chief scoffed and turned his head towards the short Asura. “Hope that it makes up for the excuses I’ve heard from you thus far.” His hand reached for the dark covers and lifted it as he leaned in to inspect their discovery. He then threw the wrapping over the short Asura’s head so he could see the weapon in the light.

“Curious,” the chief muttered. “I did not expect something like this to be in their possession.”

“Sir,” she began, but the chief threw his hand up to interrupt her before turning to walk away from them.

“You two, report my quarters within five minutes for debriefing. And as for your vertically challenged companion, take the weapon to Razz. He will be the one that shall confirm or refute my suspicions.”

The female Asura turned to her partner when the krewe leader disappeared from sight. He saw a brief glimpse of worry in her eyes before the features of her fatigued face hardened. She looked away from him and sighed.

“We shouldn’t keep him waiting, Brott,” she said quietly. “Let’s go.” Brott nodded and followed her as she walked towards the stairway.

The short Asura’s ears perked up when he heard their footsteps moving further away from him. He opened his mouth to call for them, but his voice was muffled by the thick wrappings that still lay draped over his face. He shook his head to try and get them off without having to set the weapon on the ground. Lowering his head a little, he felt the covers slide from off of his bald head and back onto the rifle in a messy pile. When he ran to try and catch up with the pair, he stumbled forwards and tripped over a stray corner of cloth that lay near his left foot. He reached out to try and catch the weapon, but it was just beyond his reach. He bit his lip and shut his eyes the moment he heard it fall to the ground. Their leader turned around when she heard the noise and her eyes went wide when she saw the weapon laying on the floor. She rushed down the stairs towards the small Asura, leaving Brott behind while he watched them from above.

“Be careful with that!” she chided. “He’ll tear our ears off if this was all for nothing.” She snatched his arm and pulled him up from the floor before picking up the weapon and shoving it into his hands.

“I-I’m sorry, Lukka, I -” he tried to say as he scooped the weapon up into his arms. He stopped speaking when he felt her hand touch his head.

“Just take it to Razz and meet up with us later, Flitt,” she said slowly, trying to reassure him. “Hopefully the chief will be done reaming us by the time you’ve returned.” She helped him wrap the cloth around the rifle before returning to the stairway to catch up with Brott.

Flitt’s eyes followed them then slowly wandered towards the base of the stairs, focusing on the small passageway that led deeper into the lab. He sighed and began walking in the direction of Razz’s chambers. He hesitated for a moment when he approached the path. Looking down at the long rifle in his hands then to the narrow path, Flitt turned and pressed his back against the wall and awkwardly slid through the passageway. The short Asura had difficulty navigating the cramped corridors while he held onto the weapon. The warm and humid jungle air began grew cool and damp during his descent into the older parts of the facility. By the time he neared the bottom, the smooth and curved walls shifted to rough and angular surfaces before the corridor widened at the end. The warm glow of ruby light led him to the oldest sections of the lab. Massive piles of half-finished and failed creations lay strewn about the grime-stained floor. At the other end of the chamber was a small and worn workbench, nestled between two mounds of golem parts. Flitt watched carefully as he saw the shadows shift around a small figure that hunched over the desk. He heard an old and rattled voice as he quietly neared, listening to the old one arguing with himself.

“S-Sir?” he said. The old Asura that sat at the bench did not respond, forcing Flitt to speak up once more. “Razz?” The clatter of tools falling onto the workbench cut him off before he could continue speaking.

“Who’s there?” the startled voice called out. The young Asura stood in place and watched a thick set of lenses turn to face him. The dim lighting of the room shone in the ancient Asura’s goggles, giving him the appearance of a red-eyed hunchbacked imp.

“I see you there,” he said once he calmed down. “Approach.”

The old one’s goggles remained fixated on Flitt as he watched the short Asura stumble over smaller piles of junk while trying his best to hold onto the weapon. Flitt managed to get a better glimpse Razz’s wrinkled and leathery grey skin and ragged ears. But before Flitt could open his mouth to speak, he felt Razz’s claws latching onto his arms and digging into his skin. With a startling amount of strength he managed to pry the weapon from the grip of the small Asura. Razz breathed heavily while he placed the device on his workbench and tore through the leather bindings and unwrapped the cloth. He paused for a moment to ogle the rifle that now lay before him. A giggle escaped from his gap-toothed grin when he placed his hand on the weapon.

“Oh, I’ve not seen anything like this before,” Razz said gleefully to himself while he examined the rifle. At least that’s what Flitt thought he heard Razz say during the old one’s fits of babbling and banter with himself. The young Asura took a step back and sat at the base of a small pile of scrap. He waited for what seemed like ages while he watched the old Asura tinker with his latest find.

“What’s your name?” Razz suddenly asked him.

“Uhm, it’s Flitt, sir,” he replied.

“Flitt, hm?” Razz said while he continued working. “Go stand over there.” Flitt looked towards the empty corner of the room where the old Asura’s bony finger pointed. The young Asura held his tongue, figuring it would be quicker to do as he was told. With some hesitation Flitt stood up and walked across the chamber, wondering why Razz gave him such an odd command. He soon stopped and heard his thoughts being drowned out by the low hum of a weapon powering up behind him. He slowly turned around and saw the old Asura pointing the rifle in his direction.

“Do you want to know something, Flitt?” Razz said as he tried to hold the rifle steady in his shaky fingers. “I do not tolerate interruption of any kind. Especially from anyone that barges into my chambers without explicit permission.”
Flitt gulped and raised his hands. “Th-The krewe chief ordered me to bring this to you. I’m just doing what I was told to do.”

His response only agitated the elderly Asura. “Were that the case, he would have informed me of your arrival. That or he’s taken to irritating me for his entertainment.”

He glared at the trembling Flitt before lowering the rifle for a moment. “But since you’re here, I suppose you can be of some use to me,” Razz muttered to himself. He took his eyes off of the short Asura for a moment and looked at the weapon.

“Tell me, Flitt. Do you know what this weapon does?” He looked up and watched Flitt’s fear stricken face shake from side to side.

“No?” Razz said before letting his lips spread into a wide smile. “Well, I don’t either. I need a guinea pig and you’ll have to do.” He quickly raised the weapon and took aim.

No sooner did Razz pulled the trigger, a stream of energy loosed itself from the muzzle of the rifle. The sudden flash of light and the force of the recoil knocked the unprepared Asura to the ground. Flitt moved his arms to shield his face, his eyes wincing when the light from the blast overwhelmed his vision. Razz’s claws were still clutching the weapon while his free his hand groped for his workbench. He looked in Flitt’s direction as he slowly dragged himself from off the ground, staring intently as the small Asura’s body was immersed in the energy from the rifle.

A numbing tingle ran though Flitt’s body as he tried to move his limbs. But he felt no pain, even though he was certain the blast hit him square in the chest. He tried to take a step forward but he felt his foot trip over a pile of junk, causing him to lose his balance and fall over.

Razz blinked as the energy dissipated, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness and dim red lighting that filled the room once more. He carefully placed the weapon on the bench and slowly approached Flitt as he lay still on the ground. The old Asura stopped in place when he heard a groaning noise coming from him.

He looked down at Flitt and slowly stepped away as he watched the young Asura’s limbs steadily lengthen and expand. The rest of Flitt’s form followed suit. His head and torso swelled, quickly catching up to his limbs before slowing to match their pace. The Asura’s feet inched across the chamber, knocking aside anything that got in their path until they brushed against one of Razz’s many junk piles, causing it to loudly collapse in a heap on the ground. The noise caused Flitt’s eyes to open. While Flitt slowly reached for his aching head, Razz took another step back and slipped on a gear that had fell from the mound, giving him a full glimpse of what happened next.

Flitt slowly rose from the ground and looked towards the old Asura. When he noticed the fear on Razz’s panic-stricken face, he slowly came to realize that something was off. He looked to his left once he managed to stand upright and saw that his vision was now above the piles of junk that once towered above him. His eyes went wide when he looked down at the floor and saw his shadow steadily lengthening along the walls. Razz’s mouth was agape as he gazed upon the still growing Flitt. The young Asura’s form continued to fill the room, forcing the old Asura to retreat to the closest corner of his chambers.

“Golems, golems!” Razz shouted at the top of his lungs as he crawled towards the wall. “Apprehend this behemoth before he crushes me!”

He slammed his fist down on the stone panel, causing the wall next to him to rise. One by one four golems emerged from the recess. Their red lights blazed in the darkness of the room as they closed in on Flitt, their claws raised and ready to strike. Flitt cried out and threw his arm up to shield his face from the first golem’s blow. His claws accidently swatted the construct’s frame when he tried to protect himself, sending it off balance and knocking it to the ground. The second golem approached Flitt from his left and struck him in the side with its claw. Flitt’s arm lashed out instinctively and smacked into the golem’s body. The force of the blow sent it flying towards the wall nearest Razz and struck it with a loud thud. The ancient Asura watched his golem rise, only to fall apart as each limb rattled and fell from its body. The two golems left standing approached Flitt in unison, their claws crackling with electricity. Before he could react their limbs grabbed ahold of him and sent countless volts through his body. He yelled out and tried to free himself. It didn’t take long before he was overwhelmed with pain. He fell to the ground with a crash.

“Wait!” Razz commanded. The remaining constructs came to a halt the moment the word left his lips. They stood in the center of the chamber amidst the chaotic mess, keeping the unconscious Flitt in their claws. Razz pulled himself away from the wall and slowly approached the silent automatons, wary of the now enlarged Asura. The old Asura was speechless. He removed his goggles and let his faded green orbs look at Flitt. He reached out and placed his hand on Flitt’s bald head and his eyes widened while his claws slid across the Asura’s head from one ear to the other.

“Yes. Yes!” Razz whispered, his voice growing louder as he became more animated. “Those fools have finally crafted something of true magnificence. The myriad possibilities of such a device in our hands.” He trailed off and quickly fastened his goggles. “He must be informed at once.”

---

Upstairs the krewe leader paced back and forth before Lukka and Brott, his large eyes bulging from their sockets as he glared at them. Spittle flew from his mouth and onto their swamp-stained armor while he yelled in their faces, his tirade only interrupted when a loud pinging emanated from his desk. He turned around and stormed the table, slamming his hand down on the button. A small hologram of Razz appeared on his desk.

“Well?” was the only word he could muster with barely contained anger.

“Vinn, gather everyone and bring them to the demonstration chambers immediately. Our little krewe member stumbled upon a marvelous discovery.”

Vinn closed his eyes and balled his hands into tight fists when the hologram faded. His claws dug into his palms while he took several deep breaths before the krewe chief turned to face the two again. He spoke to them again as he tapped his claws against his desk. The slow, venomous words that fell from his mouth betrayed his now calm and barely collected look.

“It appears that your friend has spared you from my ire. For that, you should be grateful.” Vinn stared at the pair while they stood at attention. He his anger simmered beneath his features as he raised his voice. “What are you waiting for? Get out of my sight.”

---

Everyone’s heads looked up while Vinn’s voice projected throughout the lab. They set aside their work and left their stations to enter the halls and stairwells. Lukka and Brott were outside Vinn’s chambers when the pair heard the announcement. They made their way downstairs and joined with the crowd as they made their way towards the lower sections of the lab.

“Is this what I think it’s about?” Brott asked Lukka.

“I think our little find got his attention,” Lukka responded. “We’ll know for sure when we get there.”

“You don’t sound very excited about this at all,” a voice called out from behind them. The pair turned their heads and saw a female Asura shoving her way through the crowd to catch up with them.

“Teyo,” Lukka muttered to herself. She sighed and turned her head back towards the path.

“You should be eager to see what he has planned,” Teyo continued. “It’s a rare occasion that we’re gathered for such events.”

Brott shook his head. “How can I be eager if I already know what it’s about?” he retorted.

Teyo scoffed at his remark. “Say what you want, but I’m curious as to what the Chief is going to unveil.”

“Of course you are,” Lukka replied. “I, too, would be excited if I constantly fawned for his attentions like an obedient dog.”

Teyo laughed at her response. “So touchy today, aren’t you? I’d be sullen and crestfallen too if I were constantly berated at by him.” She walked ahead of them and waved her hand dismissively. “Unlike your failure of a group, I get results. If he likes the results, I get praise from him. It’s only natural that he desires the very best. I strongly suggest you increase the quality of your work ethic in the near future.”

Lukka’s claws dug into her palms while she watched Teyo disappear into the crowd before them. Before she could say anything, she felt Brott’s hand on her shoulder.

“Just let it go,” Brott said. “Let her say what she wants. She could never understand the efforts we make for this lab.”

---

Vinn and Razz stood on the raised platform in the center of the demonstration chambers, watching the crowd slowly fill the room. Their eyes at times glanced down at the curious krewe members as they talked amongst themselves. Others threw curious glances towards the large covering behind the two Asura onstage. Once the last of the stragglers entered the hall, Vinn began speaking.

“Very good. Now that everyone has arrived, we can begin.” Vinn turned to Razz and motioned for the old Asura to step forward.

“This had better be worth it,” Vinn growled into Razz’s ear when the two crossed paths. A light chuckle was the only sound that passed Razz’s lips when they parted. He slowly made his way towards the end of the platform and looked at the crowd before he addressed them.

“I have gathered you all here, my fellow krewe members, so we may together marvel at the genius that is Asuran technology.” He stopped and pointed at the large sheets behind him. “Each and every one of us standing here knows the purpose of the Inquest. Every discovery we unearth and every secret of the Eternal Alchemy that we unravel, no matter how great or small their significance, must be revealed so that we, the truly deserving, can fully exploit it to fulfill our potential.” Razz stopped speaking for a moment and waggled his bony finger at the covers. “Beneath this lies shroud our potential.” He approached the covers and clutched the cloth. “Without further ado, I present to you my discovery.”

Razz’s claws reached for the cloth and pulled down. The sheets fell to the ground and revealed a massive cage that towered above him. Collective gasps and murmurs filled the room when they saw that the confines contained a large, restrained, and unconscious Asura. Lukka placed a hand over her mouth as her eyes went wide the moment she recognized the individual as Flitt. Flitt’s arms and legs were bound to the sides and floor of his cage while his head hung heavy and touched the bars in the front. Next to the cage was a hastily drawn on yellow line that reached from the floor to the top of the cage, topping out at twenty feet in height.

Razz returned to the front of the platform, now holding the rifle in his hands. “Behold, the first individual that has taken the great first step towards our future, and the tool that shall guide the rest of us.”

An unimpressed Vinn looked at the crowd and saw into their awe-stricken eyes. He shook his head and approached the elderly Asura from his side. “I hate to interrupt you, Razz, but how is this our potential?” Vinn said. “This looks to be no more than a lab simple lab accident. I’ve seen plenty of enlarged krewe members and test subjects in my time – all of them the results of clumsy experimentation. How is this any different?”

“Have you not retained a single iota of what I taught you?” Razz snapped. “You’ll never comprehend the greater picture so long as you obsess over useless minute details.” He turned away from Vinn and spoke to the crowd once more. “There is no doubt that our genius is unrivaled by any sentient species in Tyria. But despite our staggering intellect, we face a grave limitation; our size.” The old Asura turned his back to the crowd and looked at the unconscious Flitt. “All the cubes we create to house our research, all of the golems we construct to do our bidding – Everything we have done does not change the simple fact that we Asura are vertically challenged.” He rushed towards the cage and grabbed onto the second nearby sheet and pulled down on it, revealing a sizeable pile of destroyed golem parts. “This gargantuan goon single-handedly destroyed two my precious golems with only his bare hands. And he was short and scrawny even by our standards.” Razz’s eyes widened and his voice grew more animated and wild. “Imagine if each of us had the kind of power that this individual possesses. Nothing would stand in our way of global domination. All who stand at our feet would be made slaves to our whims!”

Having heard enough of the old Asura’s raving, Vinn placed his hands on Razz’s shoulders and pulled him aside, causing the old one to lose his place in his speech. He stepped forward and interrupted him by saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, you’ll have to forgive our most esteemed – and senile – colleague for taking our valuable time from more important research. Return to your stations immediately.”

Razz spun around and prodded Vinn’s chest with a boney finger. “If you are not convinced that this is for our benefit, then why not let one of them volunteer for a chance to bask in greatness?” he spat angrily while his other hand gestured towards the audience. “We have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

Vinn turned his gaze upon the breathless audience who clung to their every word. Their eyes were upon him, filled with anticipation as they awaited his response. He turned his attention back to a now lucid Razz, whose face slowly shifted into a wry smile. Now thoroughly deflated, Vinn stared at him and muttered, “If that is what it must take to silence you then so be it.” He then turned to the crowd and spoke to them. “Krewe, I am pleased to announce that I am offering the opportunity for one of you to become a participant in a long term research project. If you can somehow prove his farfetched theory to be plausible, then I will grant you a most generous promotion.”

“I believe that I am more than adequate for this task,” a confident voice in the crowd piped up. His eyes focused on the lone hand that went up almost immediately after he finished speaking.

“Very well. Approach,” Vinn ordered. He and Razz stood on the center platform while they watched the Asura pass through the crowd to reach them.

Brott’s arm nudged Lukka’s side as he tried to get her attention. “That’s what we found?” he whispered to her when she looked in his direction. “Poor Flitt, being put on display like that.”

“There’s nothing we can do for him,” Lukka said reluctantly. “Not until they decide to let him out. Hopefully the effects are temporary.”

Brott nodded before he changed the subject. “I can’t believe that someone would willingly volunteer for that.”

Lukka scoffed. “I can’t believe someone actually stood up to the Chief,” she replied. “Who do you think would be crazy enough to want to be a guinea pig?”

Brott shrugged. “Well, I can think of a few individuals who’d jump at the chance to leave for somewhere saner than this lab. But if you asked me, you’d have to be insane to want to be bigger than a Norn. I can’t even wrap my head around the thought of being over six feet tall.”

“Whoever it is, they’re either very confident or very stupid,” Lukka said. Their conversation ended when their ears perked up at the sounds of footsteps moving in their direction. Their heads turned along with everyone else’s, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the Asura walking towards the center platform. Suddenly the Asura changed direction and headed in the pair’s direction. Lukka saw the figure moving through the crowd, at times seeing the feminine face that approached them. When Lukka recognized the willing participant, she sighed and shook her head.

“In this case, monumentally stupid,” she said when the figure came within earshot.

“You’re just jealous of my initiative,” Teyo quickly retorted as she walked past them.

Teyo made her way through the crowd and walked up the steps on the side of the platform. She approached Vinn and stood before him with a confident smile, only to dial it back slightly under his stern gaze.

“I had a feeling you would jump at the opportunity,” Vinn said in a patronizing tone.

“It would be foolish to pass up a chance such as this,” Teyo replied, seemingly oblivious of his snide remark.

“We’ll see.” Vinn turned to Razz and nodded.

Vinn addressed Teyo once more. “Now then. I’m sure you’re well aware of the potential risks and flaws of such a reckless study, so I won’t waste my breath on it. This will be a relatively simple study, something I’m sure even you can handle. We will observe your activity and run tests to determine the viability of your altered size. Depending on the results, I will decide what shall be done afterwards.”

“Of course, Chief,” Teyo beamed. “You’ll find that I’ll make for a superior test subject.”

“Your enthusiasm is duly noted.” Vinn said. He stepped away from Teyo as Razz approached her, rife in hand. His fingers rubbed the barrel of the weapon as he looked at her with wide eyes.

“You’ve been briefed, I see. Good. Let’s not waste any more time then.” He pointed at the open area at the front of the platform closest to the audience. “Stand over there and face the crowd.”

Once she had done what was asked, Razz stood behind her. “Now you will all witness what I have seen with my own eyes.”

Razz’s finger gently squeezed the trigger and let go. Everyone shielded their eyes when the weapon unleashed a bolt of energy, briefly filling the room with light before it entered Teyo’s body. The impact of the shot caused her to stagger forward before regaining her balance. Her breathing quickened when she felt her fingers, toes, and the tips of her ears grow numb while the rest of her body tingled with the energy of the rifle. No sooner did it fade, she felt her body shudder as it began to alter itself. Teyo held herself still as her form began to swell in size. Inches piled onto inches while the power coursed through her veins. Her eyes watched the crowd fall further away from her before she looked down at her arms and hands and saw them lengthening and thickening before her. The growing Asura shut her eyes when she felt herself suddenly warming up with the energy that forced itself out of her body.

The constant murmuring from the astonished crowd forced Teyo to open her eyes. When she looked down at them they all looked up to her, each bearing the same shocked face. She bent her head lower and looked down to her feet, nearly stumbling over from the sudden vertigo that almost overtook her. Teyo’s left hand clutched her head while she closed her eyes once more and tried to get her bearings. Razz cautiously approached her and kept the rifle aimed at her while he quickly measured her new height. Originally she was around the height of the average Asura – no larger than four feet at most. But as he stepped close to her side, it was readily apparent to everyone that she had now exceeded anything resembling normal for Asuran standards. Teyo now stood at a staggering ten feet, easily rivaling the tallest of Norn. Razz looked up at her and spoke her name to get her attention. He recoiled when she suddenly turned to face him, nearly dropping the weapon at his feet. Stepping back, he coughed loudly to try and get the audience’s attention.

“N-Now then,” Razz stammered as he tried to regain his composure. “A simple test to make sure your mental faculties are intact.” He held up his hand and stuck several claws out. “How many claws am I holding up?”

“Three,” Teyo said.

“What’s two hundred and seventy six times eighty seven?” he asked.

“Twenty four thousand and twelve,” she replied without hesitation.

Razz turned to Vinn and shot him a wide grin before looking in Teyo’s direction once more. “Excellent. It seems you’re still with us.”

“Of course I am,” she said. “I feel perfectly healthy. In fact, I feel great.”

The old Asura turned to the crowd and gestured towards Teyo. “Well, you heard it from our lovely test subject herself. No unforeseen abnormalities and no nasty side-effects. She remains perfectly healthy. Perhaps even more than healthy. This is exactly what we desire for our future.”

“Let’s not be so hasty,” Vinn interjected. “She may look perfectly healthy, but it’s far too early to judge her condition without extensive testing. I don’t know what you see in this ‘future’ you keep babbling about, but I can guarantee you it will not go far without knowing if it’s even feasible to begin with.”

“If I may be so bold as to interject, Chief,” Teyo said as their eyes turned to hers. “But I strongly recommend field testing to gather the data that you desire.”

Vinn shook his head and walked away from them. “I’ve heard enough of this nonsense. We’ve wasted enough time and at this point, I could care less what you plan on doing. Perform your pointless field testing and your futile examinations or whatever you feel will prolong this fruitless endeavor. She’s your problem now, Razz, not mine.” He shot a look at the audience that had been staring back at him the whole time. “And the rest of you, get back to work immediately.”

Razz watched Vinn as he stormed off the platform. His fingers touched Teyo’s leg. “Well then, my dear. You heard the krewe chief. Let us begin our work.”

“What do you have in mind for testing?” Teyo asked.

Razz scoffed. “Forget testing. It’s a waste of our time and your potential. Any work we do will not suffice for one such as him anyways. Vinn is blind to the truth and he refuses to see the obvious. Your precious chief will not acknowledge our success unless he sees tangible results. His obsession with performance held back whatever potential he ever had.” He looked up at Teyo and smiled. “But if he wants results, we’ll give him results. That and much, much more.”

---

Teyo walked through the halls of the lab while Razz followed closely behind her. Curious and distracted onlookers stared at the towering Asura that strode through the facility. Some had even left their stations to follow her from a distance despite the warnings and protests from their colleagues. Teyo couldn’t help but smile at the attention she had been receiving since the presentation, especially from the more impressionable newcomers that at times strayed close to her. An agitated Razz took to his task more seriously, shooing away and threatening any that came too close to them. When they finally had a quiet moment to themselves, Razz looked up at Teyo.

“How have you adjusted to your new height?” he asked, trying to keep abreast with her pace.

“It was a bit disorienting at first, I’ll admit, but now I feel great,” Teyo said. She looked down at her hands and balled them into fists. “I don’t know how to describe it, but it feels invigorating.”

“That’s probably how the other fellow felt when he destroyed my golems,” Razz said. “He’s only a runt, but he smashed them to pieces with his bare hands. Just imagine what someone like you could do.”

Teyo puffed out her chest with pride. “Whatever you have planned for me, I won’t disappoint you,” she said. “When all is said and done, he’ll have no choice but to admit what a good job I did.”

Razz chuckled and pat her leg. “Worry not, all will be revealed in due time.”

---

Lukka and Brott were by themselves off in the corner of the entrance hall while they inspected their gear. Brott sat on the floor and busied himself by wiping down his mud-caked armor while Lukka leaned against the wall next to him. She was silent while she watched him work to get every bit of grime off of his equipment.

“You know we’re going back out there, right?” she said to him.

“Yes, and what’s your point?” Brott replied without looking up to her.

“You’re wasting your energy. It’s just going to get dirty again.”

“Well, I need something to do,” he said with a bit of annoyance. “We’ve been waiting here for too long and we haven’t even gotten any rest since our last mission. I need stimulation to keep me focused.”

“You’ll get all the stimulation you’ll need once we get moving,” Lukka said while she touched the base of his ear. “Just be patient until the person we’re to escort arrives.”

“Oh look, it’s little Lukka and her itty-bitty boyfriend having a touching moment,” Teyo jeered as she approached the pair. Lukka pulled her hand away from Brott and turned her head to shoot Teyo a venomous glare. She laughed and waved her hand at them dismissively as she walked past them. “Have fun playing with your toys, simpletons. I’m off to do important things.”

“Like what? Getting stuck in the mud due to the weight of your fat head?” Lukka calmly replied. Before she could turn away, Teyo’s large hand lunged out and snatched her head. Lukka grunted as Teyo’s fingers pressed against her head and lifted her into the air, forcing her to look into the larger Asura’s eyes.

“If you really must know I’m going on a mission. And I will not tolerate an inferior runt like you insulting me.” Teyo smiled and looked down towards Brott, dangling Lukka in the air before him. “In fact, I just might tie the both of you to the bottoms of my boots. If I flatten you hard enough, you might just barely distribute my weight.”

“Teyo, Teyo!” Razz yelled from across the hall as he tried to keep up with her. When he caught up to them, he bent down and put his hands on his knees and wheezed. “That’s no way to treat your partner,” he panted.

“What?” Teyo and Lukka said in unison. Teyo released her grip on Lukka and let her fall to the ground before turning to face the old Asura with anger in her eyes. “I don’t know what you have planned, but there’s no way I’m working with her.”

Teyo stood over Razz as they stared each other down. Even though she was well over twice his size, he kept his smug demeanor intact. “Well, that’s too bad,” Razz said. “Because you’re going to work with each other.”

“Why should I?” Teyo asked. She crossed her arms while she kept her stern glare focused on him.

“Because your partner happens to be in charge of the weapon. Not you,” Lukka interjected. Teyo watched as Lukka approached Razz and took the rifle from his hands.

Teyo was infuriated. “Why does she get to have it and I can’t?” she yelled when she turned back to Razz.

“Because she’s responsible for this phase of my plan. And last I checked, she outranks you.” Teyo fell silent then glared at Lukka, who stuck her tongue while she walked off with Brott.

Razz coughed loudly, trying to get her attention once more. “I need to bring you up to speed before I send you away. Lukka has already been briefed, but as you can see, I did not tell her that you would be accompanying her. She would have outright refused to cooperate had she known and I don’t dare trust anyone else with such a sensitive task.”

“It better be worth it,” Teyo muttered under her breath.

“It will in the long run, my dear. It all depends on how well you cooperate. The three of you will meet with the members of the Biocauldron Alchemics Lab on the other side of the swamp. I’ve heard reports that some of their personnel have taken a profound interest in size alteration methods. If we show them our device as well as the results of its use, they will no doubt find a constructive purpose for it.”

“I fail to see what so constructive about trudging through a swamp just to have a chat,” Teyo said. “What’s constructive is making me bigger and letting me do as I please.”

Razz sighed. “And for all I know, you’d end up crushing us all with your short-sighted power lust. Just do as I say and it will be well worth your time.”

Teyo sighed. “Fine. If that’s what I have to do to impress him, then so be it.”

“Why do you keep going on and on about impressing Vinn?” Razz asked with a puzzled look on his face. “It’s like you’re obsessed with him.”

She quickly turned away from Razz before he could see the blush on her face. “I-I am not,” she stammered. “He offered a promotion for doing this and I intend to exceed his expectations in every way, shape, and form. That’s it. No other ulterior motives at all.”

“We’ve wasted enough time,” Lukka shouted from the entrance. “Hurry up or we’re leaving you behind.”

“Remember, we have a lot riding on this and your cooperation is vital. What happens today will change our future for the better.” He motioned towards the entrance of the lab when he saw Lukka and Brott leaving. “Now go. We’ll talk more when you have returned.”

---

Teyo’s enthusiasm dampened when she stepped out into the humid night sky. She stood at the edge of the path where the paved ground gave way to the murky swamp. Looking down, she hesitated for a moment before taking her first step into the water. She yelped when she felt her leg sink into the muck. She dipped her other foot in and pulled her leg from out of the mud before beginning her trudge through the swamp. Despite her new height and added weight, she soon caught up with Lukka and Brott thanks to her longer strides. She remained silent during their uneventful trek, keeping her eyes fixed on Lukka while the smaller Asura guided them towards their destination.

Razz’s words of disparagement repeated continuously through Teyo’s mind. How was it possible that Lukka outranked her, she mused. That may have been true before her alteration, but now? She had become stronger and potentially more intelligent than Lukka or any other Asura could ever be, yet she was still was forced to follow Lukka and Razz’s orders to the letter. Teyo balled her hand into a fist while she glared at the tiny Asura below her. She should be following my orders, Teyo thought, letting her anger build. They should be following me.

Her eyes darted to the bundled weapon Lukka carried on her back. What was to stop her from simply taking it for herself? Teyo’s eyes switched to Brott before moving back to the rifle. Lukka and Brott were experienced fighters, but she doubted they could beat her. It would be impossible for them to beat her, especially once she had the rifle in her possession. Her desire for the weapon overwhelmed her thoughts while her heart beat faster. One quick snatch – that’s all it would take for her to attain limitless power.

Teyo’s hand slowly reached out for the weapon. Her pace quickened as she tried to close in without alarming her escorts. She felt her hand trembling as her claws inched closer and closer to the weapon, ready to take it from her the moment she neared.

“We’re here,” Lukka said suddenly before she and Brott quickened their pace.

Teyo growled in response while her hand slid back to her side. She looked ahead and saw several Inquest standing guard at the entrance of the lab, each of them staring straight at her. She took a deep breath and slowed her pace, putting space between her and her guides. She’ll play along, for now.

---

The guards stood aside when the trio neared the vine covered lab while being especially watchful of Teyo. Some of them stood aside when her mud covered boots stepped onto the stone walkway, allowing them to see just how small they really were compared to her. They looked up at her as she moved past them, some with their mouths open in disbelief while they turned and watch her enter the facility. One of the senior members on the lab stood in the entrance hall waiting for the three to meet with him. He walked towards Lukka and kept his eyes on her at first, but soon they swiveled upwards and looked at the towering Asura that stood behind her.

“Y-You must be the one Razz mentioned,” he said before quietly addressing Lukka. “I didn’t think she’d be so large.”

“He was grossly off the mark,” Teyo snapped. “Let’s just do what we’re supposed to do and get this over with.”

“O-Of course, I’ll summon her immediately.” He then ran up the stairs and out of the trio’s sight.

Lukka turned to face Teyo with an angry look. “You’re supposed to let me do the talking, remember?” she whispered. “Keep quiet and do as I say next time.”

Teyo rolled her eyes. “And listen to your squeaky voice ordering me around all the time? I think not. I relish the fact that I’m the center of attention now, but we’re wasting our time chatting with these nobodies. What do they have to offer that we can’t do ourselves right now?”

Lukka’s ears perked up before she could answer. She turned her head away from Teyo and looked in the direction the heavy thudding came from. She took a step back when she saw a large set of claws reaching out from around the corner of the stairwell, soon pulling its body into plain sight for all to see. A female Asura climbed down the stairs, far larger than the ones that scampered away from her plodding feet. She crouched down once she reached the end of the stairs, trying her best to wedge her large form into the main hall. Even Teyo looked on in astonishment once the large Asura finally stood upright.

She walked towards them and looked down at the unfamiliar faces that stood before her. Her eyes quickly scanned Lukka and Brott, gauging their reactions to her presence. Then she turned her attention to the Asura that stood behind them. Her eyes then narrowed and kept themselves fixed on Teyo. Without warning Indri suddenly charged forward and hurled herself against Teyo in a fit of rage. Her arms lunged out and caught Teyo’s sides before the two giants collided and crashed to the ground, knocking aside the lab tables that were behind them. She pressed her legs into Teyo’s torso while her claws latched onto each arm. Teyo winced when she opened her eyes and looked into her attacker’s face.

“H-Hi, Indri,” Teyo stammered. “Long time no see?”

Indri growled and dug her claws into Teyo’s arms. Her wild eyes were fixated on Teyo’s face, watching her wince in pain while her head lay on the ground. “I thought I told you I never wanted to see your face again,” she snarled before pressing her forehead against Teyo’s head.

Teyo shuddered when she felt Indri breathing into her face. “I-I didn’t have much of a choice in this matter,” she pleaded, trying to look away from Indri. “I was told to come here so we cou-”

“You liar!” Indri screamed. She pulled herself away from Teyo and grabbed onto her sides, steadily lifting her into the air. Teyo looked down at her dangling feet before being forcefully shoved against the wall. “Why are you here?”

Teyo laughed nervously as she tried to speak with Indri in a calm tone. “You’re still not mad about what I did back then, are you? Th-That was years ago.” Teyo said.

Indri shook her head and breathed deeply. “No,” she said calmly before slamming Teyo against the wall again. “I’m livid!” She turned her head and glared at Lukka and Brott. “Why is she here?”

Lukka took a step back and gulped. “She was ordered to come with us so we could collaborate on a project,” she said. “As much as I hate to admit it, she is telling the truth.”

Her head swiveled back to Teyo and looked into her eyes. She bared her sharp teeth released Teyo from her grip, letting her fall to the ground with a heavy thud. From the ground Teyo looked up at Indri, taking in how tall she was compared to her.

“How did you get so large?” Teyo asked.

“You don’t know?” Indri said coldly before walking away from her. “I thought you’d know, seeing as you had extensively read my highly sensitive and unpublished research without my permission.”

“Oh, that,” Teyo said dismissively, “Well, we were together at the time and I thought sharing information was what trusting lovers did. Don’t worry though; I only skimmed through it before I put my name on the front.”

Indri stood still and clenched her fingers. “Be fortunate that I chose to ignore that remark,” Indri warned. Her claws dug into her palms while she turning her attention to Lukka. “Show me your device,” she ordered, pointed to the nearby table.

Without hesitation Lukka approached the table and removed the rife from her back. She glanced up at Indri, only to see her scowling back at her. The smaller Asura’s eyes went lower and looked at her large claws while they impatiently scratched against one another. Indri approached the table, forcing Lukka to back away from the larger Asura’s feet.

Indri knelt down and placed her hands on both ends of the table. Her claws scratched at the surface of the stone workbench while she eyed the cloth bound device. She raised her left hand and ripped the bindings with a quick swing of her finger, exposing the rifle to her view. Leaning in, she examined the weapon carefully and took in every detail she could. Teyo, Lukka, and Brott remained as silent while Indri gently touched the weapon.

“When did your lab assemble this?” she asked the three without looking up at them.

“We didn’t,” Teyo replied. “These two found it in one of the labs near Rata Sum,”

Indri grunted. “Figures they would think to create such a device after they kicked me out. Before I could perfect my own method. Fools and cowards, all of them.”

Teyo approached the other end of the table. “Was that method somewhere in that endless pile of rambling you called your research papers?” She paused when a loud grinding noise came from the other end of the table. She looked down and watched Indri’s hand slide away from the fresh claw marks in the stone surface. When her large hand came to a rest, Teyo hesitated and carefully chose her next words. “The one thing of note I remember reading was something about hormones.”

“Yes, N.G.H. – Norn growth hormones. That’s what I have been using since the beginning. Nowhere near as potent as other more viable species, but it was the easiest thing to get a hold of and it gave me and my test subjects the results I desired.”

Teyo leaned in and lowered her voice to a whisper. “But it has drawbacks, doesn’t it?” Indri looked up at her. “After a certain point its effectiveness begins to plateau. Not to mention repeated dosages make the subject increasingly aggressive.”

Indri set the weapon down on the table. “So you have read my work extensively.”

“Why not make them see that you have the more effective method right here?” Teyo looked down at the rifle that lay between them. “You and I can make them see the errors of their ways.”

Indri hesitated. “Why should I trust you after what you did to me?”

“Look, this is our one and only chance and it’s in our grasp. You can be angry at me all you want, but it doesn’t change the fact that they wronged you. They saw your research and they kicked you out for it. They gave you no credit nor recognition for your hard work and they cast you aside. And you know how the Inquest works – they’re not going to let you keep this up forever on their gold. Sooner or later you’ll make a fine guinea pig for an aspiring member.” Teyo slid her hand over the rifle and placed it on Indri’s claws. “We have power, and we deserve more power. If those fools in Rata Sum could see you now they’d be trembling in fear. Why not give them something to remember? Something to make them regret the mistake they made in getting rid of you.” Her finger moved past Indri’s hand and rest on the trigger. “They wronged you in more ways I ever could. Why not use this chance to make things right?”

Indri’s fingers snatched Teyo’s hand and squeezed hard. “If I do this and I find that you’ve betrayed me yet again, I will take this device away from you and make myself as large as I can possibly be. And then my foot will come down on you and I will trample you and I will utterly annihilate everything that your grubby claws have ever touched or remotely cared about in your worthless life. Am I clear?”

“Crystal,” Teyo said with a slight whimper.

“Then let’s have some fun.” Indri’s finger pulled down on the trigger and the rifle went off.

A loud crackle and burst of energy filled the lab. No sooner did everyone’s heads turn to locate the source of the noise, they covered their eyes from the blinding light that enveloped the pair. Indri and Teyo grit their teeth as the power from the weapon surged through their bodies and flooded into them from ear tips to toes. Their beings were filled with power as it flowed through their veins and flesh, filling them to the brim as their bodies greedily drank in more and more of the weapon’s seemingly limitless energy. Little by little their bodies pushed upwards and outwards as feet piled upon feet and their towering forms only grew more imposing. The Asura in the lab slowly backed away from the pair while their forms expanded and took up more and more of the lab. Teyo’s foot shifted and brushed against one of the nearby tables. The metal foundation offered little resistance against her heel the moment they made contact, bending and snapping apart as the table was crushed beneath it. Indri’s arms wrapped around Teyo’s body as she pressed herself against her, pinning the rifle between their still growing forms. The ceiling of the lab buckled under the pressure of their bodies as their heads and backs pressed against the roof. The Asura still remaining within the lab fled from the crumbling facility and into the swamp as debris fell around them. Their arms and legs pushed against the walls of the lab, crushing the remaining tables and equipment beneath their limbs as they squirmed into what little space was left.

The krewe that gathered outside of the facility looked on as their lab began to shake itself apart. The water at their ankles rippled from the vibrations of the crumbling facility while within, Teyo and Indri’s bodies pushed the building to its limits. Bit by bit pieces of the lab fell into the swamp, first small pebbles and rocks followed by larger and larger pieces that tumbled off its fractured walls and into the water with a loud crash. The quaking only grew louder still when the horrified crowd watched a large fist erupt from the side of the lab. Its impossibly long fingers grabbed onto the side of the building and sunk its claws deep, ripping out the corner of the lab and sending it falling into the swamp. Soon one limb after another emerged from the ruined facility, knocking apart what little of the building was left.

Teyo and Indri untangled themselves from one another before moving away from the confines of the ruined lab. Indri’s hand fell upon the krewe as she tried to stand. Her palm narrowly missed them by only a few feet as it slammed into the muck sent a tide of swamp water into the frightened krewe’s faces. The giant Asura’s claws sunk into the soft ground and ripped a chunk of the soft earth away from the land when she pulled herself up. Teyo was the first to rise from the wreckage. Her head rose above the ruins and the trees, ripping them from the ground as her arms and head towered over the swamp. They looked down at themselves then to the ground below, seeing blotches of brown swamp in the sea of green trees. The feeling of power in their bodies receded as their energy fueled growth slowed to a stop. Indri opened her palm, telling Teyo to look down at her outstretched hand.

“It seems we broke our toy,” Indri said, flicking