Dungeon Keeper (LitRPG/Monster Evolve)

[Chaperone]

Howl's hut looked warm and cosey from the outside. Nestled in a small clearing near the FruitBat's orchard. Smoke billowed from its cobblestone chimney - the materials were obviously stolen from the main footpath through the Graveyard. While the thatch roof was supported by walls of gravestones and lids taken off tombs.
Moss crept forward through the blue grass, watching for movement in the windows.
The flicker of a fire danced on the window frame, coaxing weary travelers to enjoy the heat.
Must be a big fire. The keeper thought, considering how much light was shining on the surrounding trees. He crawled through the few dark patches, heading for the window furthest from the door. If Happy Howl spotted him and came charging out, Moss wanted to be gone before the door opened.
Moss couldn't remember coming here during his Supa session. But considering the slash marks on his back, he was sure Happy would.
As he reached the wall the keeper had to snake around a cellar door to reach his view spot. The wooden door was rotten and covered in thick foliage. Deep rust covered its hinges and the chain holding it together.
Satisfied no monster was leaping out of there. Moss moved like a LeoPent over the trimmed grass towards the window.
It's strange that he lets the bush grow, but tends to the grass.
With his claws on the windowsill, Moss did his greatest impression of a FortSnail as he rose up.
I just need to find out where Po and my scrips are then sneak in.
If he spotted any fur or claws, his plan was to become a statue and activate his UnseenRunt.
But as the inside of Happy Howl's hut came into view. Moss forgot all manner of stealth.
So much gold.
Gold shone on every surface. Stacked high in neat piles on shelves, counters and in the corners. A large dining table was set with golden plates, cutlery and goblets. A layer covered the floor, so he could barely see the wood beneath. It was difficult for him to make out details due to the blinding light. It felt like he was looking into a star or the Divine's HiddenEye. A fireplace burned against one wall, while candles flickered across the room. Reflecting on the shiny metal and creating the intense light.
Hoping to spot a coconut amongst the hoard, Moss had to squint and get closer.
He stood. Then fell as the grass beneath him opened up.
"Aaahhhh!" The keeper yelled as the earth consumed him.
The drop was short. His body bounced against the side of a dark tunnel as it curved and then spat him out into a room. A hard floor caught his head like a swift kick.
Dazing him and making his, already sore, head swim. He felt his eyes grow heavy as he slipped in and out of consciousness.
It took all Moss's will to stop himself from writhing around in pain.
For he knew where he was from the smell alone. Rot.
The mad HowlerBear's lair. But if I stay still, he'll hopefull-
From the shadows he heard a sweet giggle. Then a gravelly voice.
"Welcome back little keeper."
The last thing he saw were its claws reaching towards him.

The keeper awoke.
He sat at a long table with half melted candles burning in the centre. They did little to fight the shadows of the decrepit basement he was in. But they showed a few horrors closeby. As his vision came back after being knocked out, he almost wished the candles weren't there.
The remains of young HowlerBear sat across from him. Her flesh was mottled with green and black mould. Patches of loose skin were poorly sawn over areas to cover the horrible sight. Yet most of the deep claws marks were visible and festering.
Bugs crawled in her sockets. Her head tilted forward, causing the sludge and maggots to spill out onto the table.
"Oh Pia, you've made a mess." A little hero girl said in a soft voice. "Let me get that for you." Her blonde curls bounced as she got off her chair and wiped the table clean.
Moss could see the red eyes of a dweller beneath her stitched skin, also sawn in place to cover her face. Loose thread poked through her scalp where the hair came down in ringlets. She came back around and sat beside Moss, giving him a serious stare for a flicker before returning to her happy smiles and giggles.
"Isn't Twiglett such a treat? You're lucky to have such a kind friend, Pia." A harsh voice said from the head of the table.
Happy Howl's tall frame was hunched in the basement. His neck and back bent, yet the back of his head grazed the floorboards above. Moss could see the gold lighting up gaps in the floor. And illuminating the remains of the mad HowlerBear.
Chunks were missing from his body. An entire shoulder was replaced with bright green flesh that contrasted with the black fur that had survived. He was patched together just like the young one they called Pia. Except Happy was very much alive.
His paws reached out to a bowl on the table. The skin around his claws was flared and weeping. Dripping blood over the steaming roots that he delicately collected. Placing one on Moss's plate before serving the others.
"All that running around will make you a hungry monster." Happy said to him. His snout was exposed to the air. No lips or cheeks covered his fangs, giving him a perpetual smile.
So that's how he got the name.
The keeper's stomach grumbled. The roots smelt amazing and he had been surviving off potions for shifts now. Most keepers couldn't afford fresh food that was grown on the upper floors. That was for the well paid dwellers.
It felt odd having a meal in a mad monster's lair, but he didn't want to aggravate his host. He bit into the soft vegetable. A soft moan escaped his hood, reminding him of Pittons.
Bang.
The bear slammed the table, shaking all its contents and Moss.
"The monster of the lair eats first!" Happy snapped at him.
The keeper dropped the roots immediately and began apologising.
Happy raised a single claw to hush him. "I see you are enjoying it." He said, as if he hadn't just assaulted the furniture. "It's a treat from the FruitBat's orchard, they grow right through the walls making it easy for my dear wife to harvest them. Isn't that right, Tillow?" Happy said, indicating to the other end of the table.
Another Howler sat there, nibbling at the root but more fixated with a gold coin in her hand.
Again, the fur covering them was stitched on. But this time, green flesh could be seen through it. In fact, it was such a poor attempt that made the goblin beneath look like they were wearing poorly fit bear clothes.
Did he just call that goblin his wife?
The table shook again as Happy slammed it. Everything jumped into the air, including Moss.
The little girl took no notice, while the goblin squealed.
"Agoo baboo gada laga."
The bear's growls had rumbled through the room. But as the goblin spoke its gibberish, he grew quieter and quieter. "You're right, Tillow. You worked very hard to prepare this meal. I do apologise. Enjoy your treat." Happy said.
"Baga boboba la goab." Tillow replied.
To Moss's surprise, both Happy and the little girl laughed.
Can they understand goblin speech?
Happy's long arm reached into the shadow and came back with a brown sphere on a golden plate.
As he placed it in front of Moss, he had to stop himself from snatching her away.
Po. I've found you. I'm so sorry for leaving you here.
"What a treat you have brought us this evening, Moss. Desert from the dessert. I'm happy I invited you to our table. And after such a great meal prepared by my wife and cooked by Twiglett. I must apologise for my daughter's rudeness."
He turned his fangs towards the corpse. Glaring with dark sunken eyes. "Youths these shifts have no manners." He waited for her apology, and when nothing came he struck the corpse.
Slashing down her side and severing an arm.
Moss froze at the sudden violence. But Twiglett just giggled and got down from her chair. She skipped around the table once again, picking up the arm.
A fat tongue poked through a mouth hole in her face mask. Stretching it against the thread as she licked the arm and stuck it back on. "All better."
Moss saw it now. The red eyes. The slithers of blue beneath her hair. Her tiny stature and fake voice.
She's a keeper.
"All better." Happy repeated.
As Moss watched the keeper girl skip back around to her place, he realised the goblin was no longer staring at her piece of gold, but at him.
A green finger pointed at him accusingly. "Laga looba booba goba."
Howl's claws scraped grooves into the table, matching many more before it.
"Yes, darling. I was getting to that." He turned his giant rotten girth towards him. "Now Moss, I think you have something to say to my wife."
"I do?" He mumbled out.
The claws scraped deeper. "It's why we're all here. It's what this evening's all about."
Holy Pools, just say something or they'll be wearing your cloth next.
"I think my fall might have banished the memory away."
Twiglett giggled. "You chased her through the Graveyard silly. Kept screaming about your quest for gold."
Moss clicked his claws with feigned realisation. "Ah, that's right. Tillow I am so sorry for chasing you. It was completely unacceptable behaviour and I will never do it again."
The goblin snarled, turning in her chair to face away from the table.
"Darling?" Happy said, reaching across the table to comfort her, but she shrugged him off.
His fangs returned to Moss. A single claw extending towards him. The keeper tried to shuffle back but he was wedged in against the table.
The point pierced his cloth and skewered his shoulder.
A sharp pain shot through him as blood spilled out.
"Say you're sorry in words she can understand or you will be served as the next course." Happy snarled at him.
"But.." Moss cried. "We don't speak the same tongue."
"Then you will learn." Happy removed his claw and picked up a knife. It hovered over Po. "But first, a sacrifice."

 

[Chaperone]

Chair legs scraped as the family gathered together. Twiglett disappeared in the darkness before returning with a red jar.
Tillow stood beside Happy, fixated by the golden cleaver.
"It'll hurt a little. I'll try not to laugh." The keeper girl said beside Moss. Her claws dipped into the jar, removing a gooey substance. "Trust me." She whispered in a normal keeper voice.
Hell bells, she's not completely mad like the rest of them.
"This Happy's special jam, you're going to love it." She said loudly before spreading it across his wound. It was cool and soothing. The wound sealed together like he'd drank a HighGrade health potion.
The HowlerBear snout poked the side of his hood, snorting aggressively. "No please, no thank you for providing this banquet and shelter. Has respect and manners been banished from the dungeon? "
"No, not at all. Thank you so much Twiglett." Moss stammered. "I'd love to give you a hug but I can't quite stand up."
A paw nudged the back of his chair, moving him back and allowing his legs to swing free.
He leaned over and awkwardly hugged the keeper girl.
"Don't make him mad." She whispered.
"Let us begin." Happy said, holding the blade high.
"No wait!" Moss yelled.
This time Twiglett did react, cursing softly under her breath and stepping back.
Before Happy could stab him again, Moss blurted out a lie. "It's not a coconut. It's a rare SwampSloth egg. Highly poisonous."
"You brought a poisonous egg to my family's dinner table?" The HowlerBear rose, causing the floor boards above to creak and bow.
Coins clattered through the gaps, raining down on top of them and pinging off the table.
Tillow, squealing in delight, started collecting them. She had gathered several until a paw slammed on her arm, pinning it to the table.
Happy raised his cleaver over Moss.
The keeper squirmed. He wanted to run, but there was nowhere to go. And he couldn't leave without Po.
"It's edible!" Moss yelled. "You just need to prepare it in boiled water."
The HowlerBear nodded at he words as he sat back down,
Fuck! Boiling water. That'll take a tenth of a candle, I couldn't have thought something that takes a few shifts.
"And now the offering." Happy stated as the cleaver fell.
Moss squealed, Twiglett giggled, Tillow screamed and Pia's head fell off.
The goblins blood sprayed across the table as her finger was severed.
"Aga Laboomba!" Yelled the greenskin from behind her Howler mask.
"Happy took the piece of green meat and handed it to Twiglett, who shoved the end in the jam jar.
"Darling I know you're in pain but there is no need for such racist terms." Happy scowled his wife. "The jam please, Twiglett."
As she handed it over, Moss noticed an oddity. One of the keeper girls' claws wasn't white, but the same green as the goblin.
"Who's the offering for?" He asked.
They all turned to him.
"You and your Flow." Happy took Moss' arm with ease. Placing it on the table. He didn't bother fighting it, he'd have an easier time pushing over a GreatTree.
"My Flow is fine as it is." The keeper whimpered.
"How will you apologise if she cannot understand you?" He snapped.
"Please, I'm just a keeper. Pools didn't make us strong like you."
"Pools!" Happy lashed out.
Moss ducked down beneath the bear's arm, his small body helping get under the table where he saw Tillow and Twiglett join him.
Pia wasn't so fast.
She hit the basement wall in parts. Her innards spilled out like a pot of mouldy soup had been knocked over.
"Pools!" The HowlerBear roared again. "Where was Pools when my family needed her? This-" The jam jar shattered against the wall next. "- is all she offered. A fruit for my barren garden. Sterile and broken like me. The Core knew it when they rejected my wife for being weak. They allowed us to steal a sterile fruit to mock me. It's nothing but a salve to smother our pain, so we can continue to suffer in this nightmare forever."
The goblin didn't waste the opportunity and began collecting the fallen coins, leaving a trail of green blood.
Twiglett lifted her face mask so Moss could see her mouth. She had a scoop of jam that waved in front of him. 'Lover'sFruit.'
Holy Pools, that's some expensive jam.
Twiglett then dipped it in goblins blood and offered it to Moss. 'Eat it.'
He cowered as the table was slammed again.
Before Moss could hesitate further she shoved her claw in his mouth.

Monster Graft: GreenGoblin (Minor)
Flow bond made. Further access to GreenGoblin records and knowledge granted.

Dungeon achievement unlocked: Hybrid breed (Rare)
You've successfully merged Flows with another monster race, welding together like lustful lovers in the candle light. Sounds nice, I'm sure they've been very good to you and deserve such special treatment.
Reward: DeathRelic

The blue coin formed in the frozen world, then immediately melted into him.

New ability unlocked: SoulBond
Used to graft the soul of a traveling being in the after life.

Before Moss got a chance to consider his new ability, a paw grabbed his leg, dragging him out to be dropped back in his seat.
Before Moss could run away, his arm was slammed on the table as the golden blade fell.
"Ahhhhh!" Moss screamed as his flesh was severed. Blood splurted out to add to the mess.
He squealed and struggled, but the mad monster held him with ease.
Happy inspected his tiny middle claw. "An offering. Bring the jam."
Twiglett scampered out and grabbed a smear off the wall.
The goblins head popped up now, wearing a wicked smile.
"Fucking monster gonna learn how it is being a goblin." She sneered at him.
"I'm a blood keeper. I already know." Moss shouted back through gritted fangs.
Her grin disappeared as her and Happy shared a look.
Moss imagined he wore the same puzzled expression.
Did I just hear a goblin speak? And she understood me as well.
"I'm sorry for chasing you earlier. I was out of my mind." The keeper gushed out, hoping to keep his hand from gaining an ugly green appendage.
I've got their attention without making Happy mad, I need to use this.
"It was Pool's fault. Her lackeys sold me a cursed potion and promised me the realm. I wouldn't never mean to be so rude and chase a goblin, such as yourself."
Happy released Moss and sat back, head tilting as he heard his pain.
That improved Wit is beginning to show. Imagine if I already had that FairyDust.
"He had the fucking look of a goblin basher." Tillow said, pretending to banged her head with a gold coin. "But there was maddness there before." She put the coin over eye like it'd help her see and then leaned in. "I don't see now."
The keeper steadily climbed off his chair and moved around the table to the far side. Ignoring Twiglett with the jam, he started collecting the rotten remains of Pia. "A mad monster cares nothing for family and formalities." He licked the younglings limbs and reassembled her at the table. "A mad monster wouldn't bring apologises, gifts or your daughter back to life. Let me take her to a well."
Twiglett was facing away from the others, so only Moss could see her face.
She giggled, but her expression was dead serious. "The Core betrays Happy's family even now. No well can bring her back. We've tried."
The HowlerBear snapped his head back and howled into the ceiling. In the confined basement it echoed off the walls and deafened the keeper. He had to grab onto something to stay up right.
"When I first met Twiglett. I forced her to revive my Pia." Happy moaned. "But not once did the wells work for us."
He is mad, every dweller knows you can't force the Flow out of another monster. Otherwise Queenie would have the keepers strapped to poles and working in the middle of a battle.
The keeper girl giggled and nodded along. "I was a grub back then. Small, ugly and weak. Only when I became a beautiful Cleric girl could Pia return. Happy gave me these gifts so I could evolve." She twirled in her dress and played with her ringlets.
What the fuck is going on?
"So… Pia is alive?" Moss asked, unsure.
"Of course silly." Twiglett said, stroking her friend's arm. "She's just been in and out of the wells so much that it's made her sensitive. Her voice is soft like a gentle breeze. Only when you truly listen, can you hear it." She nodded slightly towards the HowlerBear who was leaning back in his chair, eyes closed and nodding along.
Happy nodded along. "I hear her all the time. She's scolding me now." He reached out and gently patted her head. "Of course darling, I will make amends. Such rudeness cannot go unpunished."
He pointed back at their chairs, beckoning them to join him at the table. Moss had used the moment to see the stairs at the back of the room. A large black sheet covered it, stopping the golden light from bleeding in.
The keeper held his bleeding claw as he shuffled back around. His head was thick now. But still he noticed a spade leaning on the wall.
What an odd item for a monster. Moss thought as he looked back around the table and who sat there. What am I saying, their stitches are falling apart. They're using the most sort after fruit in the realm to make fucking jam, and using to mix their body parts.
Pools dam them, I need that jam.
He had been planning on dipping his wound into it while he worked on the corpse, but Twiglett had gathered it all.
The red substance glistened in her claws. Moss almost asked for it, but in another monster's lair it was considered offensive to take the last of something. And wanted to be anything but rude.
"Moss." Happy said to him, one paw on the keeper while the other held the cleaver. "Never before has a guest brought so much to our table. Just look, look at how happy my daughter is with you here."
The younglings head slumped awkwardly onto her shoulder, dark sludge dribbling from her ear.
"And yet." He growled like a WindDragon forming a storm. "I have done nothing but question your integrity and insult your character. Please, accept my apology and this offering." The blade thudded into the table - this time taking one of the bear's claws.
"The jam." He demanded.