Lizard friends

Durvekka first lightly and carefully opened the lizard's eyelid and saw that the usual reddish eyes were gone. She smiled as she carefully closed it again. She loosened its bindings and moved on to the last lizard.

[Str save... 17, 0, 12]

"How do I know if they've reincarnated enough?" she asked the first lizard while looking at the third one.

"{I'm not sure... I think by looking into their eyes. As you saw before, when we gain clarity, it loses that reddish tint. You might be able to discern it by how red it is,}" the lizard said as it moved closer to the second lizard.

Durvekka nodded and stared into the lizard's eyes... but she couldn't discern anything at all.

[Rolling Insight...4]

"...I can't tell... I'll still try and help it," Durvekka said with a sigh as she walked closer to the lizard and repeated the same process as before, embracing the motherly feeling she felt from Eina and trying to give off the same feeling of care toward the lizard.

[Rolling Animal Handling... 17]

[Rolling Wisdom save... 4]

She carefully gave it a hug, trying to calm it down, but it didn't help as the lizard tried to break free from its restraints. She frowned slightly but stayed like this, trying to speak in the same tone that Eina did.

[Rolling Wisdom save... 3]

But it was to no avail, as the lizard kept trying to break free and kill her. She sighed but kept going.

She recast {Entangle} and tried for another minute, but it didn't work. The lizard was becoming more relaxed, but its red eyes still gave off the same murderous intent.

She sighed as she let go of the lizard and looked at the first one, who gave a small nod.

Durvekka removed the bindings of the second lizard and carefully moved it away from the third lizard. After that, she turned around, cast {Ice Knife}, and threw it at the third lizard.

[Dex save (Dis)...Crit fail (1)]

The shard of ice easily went through its eye and exploded in its head, killing it instantly.

[Lizard #3: 25->-2]

"...Why do I feel so bad? How could I still be an adventurer knowing that the 'monsters' could be alive?" Durvekka asked herself as she sat down on one of her vines.

"{...I can't tell you much as I am still a newborn... But I want you to know that the only way for us monsters to become like this is by dying and being reborn a multitude of times.}" Durvekka frowned slightly.

"...Isn't that cruel? Being killed over and over again? Not only that, I am positive that most adventurers won't realize the difference between a monster and a person... You said earlier that one of the goblins was after you too, so won't having clarity and awareness be far worse if not even the dungeon is safe?"

"{...That would mean that we would rely on you, big sis,}" Selara said happily.

"...Big sis?"

"{No matter how you want to view it, you still saved me and my brother. From what I could feel and understand, I think that even if you hadn't helped us, we would have eventually been reborn with clarity and self-awareness. The more we die at the hands of adventurers and remember them, the stronger our longing for the surface world becomes. This longing, I think, is what causes us clarity and, in turn, makes other monsters see us as targets. And looking like monsters also makes us a target for adventurers... but now we have you.}" The lizard spoke with—no, her tone filled with happiness and respect when she mentioned Durvekka, who stood up and smiled as she walked toward the two lizards.

"Longing for the surface world and having your 'family' hunt you down while trying to get there..." she said softly.

"I know the feeling all too well... I think I know what my end goal is before I start to explore the surface to its fullest." She smiled as she walked toward the two lizards.

"I'll help you and the others who might be stuck in the dungeon to see the surface, and then we can explore the surface as one big REAL family." The lizard nodded her head and spoke happily and seriously, "{And we will help you along the way too.}"

After resting for a bit and waiting for the second lizard to wake up, Durvekka decided to kill the monsters that were still struggling in the vines. More goblins and kobolds spawned while they waited, but Durvekka simply recast {Entangle} while they waited for the second lizard, who they decided to name Zeruk, to wake up.

"...I can only talk with creatures that are considered 'beasts' or 'animals,' so I won't be able to help humanoids..." She sighed, but Selara, the first lizard, shook her head.

"{As bad as this may sound, killing them is also a form of helping them. Think of it as mercy killing to help them gain their own consciousness,}" she spoke softly as Durvekka nodded her head and finished them off.

She took a deep breath, gave a small bow, and then she extracted the four kobolds' and two goblins' stones. Three of the four kobolds dropped their nails as she collected and stored their items. She then walked toward the lizard's body, gave it a bow, and extracted its stone too.

She said a soft, "Thank you," as she walked back to the two lizards and sat next to the sleeping Zeruk. She recast {Speak with Animals} and {Entangle} as they waited.

"The main problem now would be to find a place for the two of you to stay... My home won't have enough room for all three of us... Maybe, as for the adventurer problem, I'll ask for Eina's help. We can make something to let adventurers know that you all are part of my family," Selara nodded her head and spoke with pride, "{I trust that big sis can figure something out for us.}"

"...I won't be able to do everything on my own, so I will still rely on everyone's help in the end," Selara nodded her head, "{And we will help out where we can.}"

"{...mmm...}" They heard Zeruk starting to move as his eyes opened and looked around in confusion.

"{So you are finally awake, sleepyhead?}" Selara teased as Zeruk looked slightly annoyed at her.

"{My head feels so clear all of a sudden. What happened?}" Zeruk asked, ignoring Selara's words as his eyes lay on Durvekka.

"You see..." Durvekka explained what had happened so far while also explaining her and Selara's goal for the future.

"{I see, then I am joining in too,}" he nodded seriously while Durvekka smiled and Selara nodded proudly.

"Now then, I am going to bring all of you back to the surface. Make absolutely sure that you two stay as close to me as possible. A lot of adventurers will be around, and I don't want any problems to arise as we ascend." They both nodded as they all walked together toward the surface.

On the way toward the first floor's stairs, they encountered two kobolds as the two lizards quickly pounced on them.

[Dex save...7, 13]

Selara was able to catch the first kobold by surprise as she pounced on it and bit its neck.

[Kobold #1: 9-> -3]

The second kobold managed to step to the side, causing Zeruk to miss... But Durvekka didn't, as she ran in close, gripped her staff with both hands, and slammed it into the left side of the kobold's head as it fell over.

[Kobold #2: 7->-8]

She extracted their stones, not knowing what to think as a small sense of guilt appeared in her heart.

'I didn't feel like this when I killed that goblin at the beginning... so why am I feeling like this now?' she wondered as she looked at her bloody hand that held her knife.

'...Is this what they call empathy? Or is this pity?' she wondered as she shook her head and walked further with the group.

As they continued, they found another group of two kobolds, killed them with ease, and walked up the stairs toward the first floor. A few adventurers saw them walking and were on guard, but seeing Durvekka walking with them in such close proximity made them ignore the group.

On the first floor, they found a few groups of goblins and kobolds, but they easily killed them on their way toward the dungeon's entrance.

More adventurers came into sight and were shocked by the two lizards on the first floor, but seeing Durvekka walking with them, they simply made way for her.

She smiled as she cast {Speak with Animals} and heard Selara humming a happy tune while Zeruk joined in.

'It seems that they are enjoying themselves,' she thought, her smile staying on her face as they climbed the stairs toward the surface. The stairs bothered the two lizards, so they used their suction discs to climb the walls instead, which they did when they climbed the previous floors, and made sure to stay close to Durvekka.

Making it to the top, they walked through Babel and exited the tower when they finally made it to the outside world. The two lizards were fascinated by the beautiful sky as they felt the comfortable sun on their skin.

"I understand the feeling, but we need to register the two of you first." Durvekka chuckled slightly as she told the two, who nodded absentmindedly as the three walked towards the guild.

They were looking around the place as they took in the surroundings.

"{I didn't think the surface would be this nice...}" Zeruk said in awe as Selara nodded.

"{It truly is... I can't wait for the day when the others could join us up here too.}"

"It will take time and effort." They both nodded seriously as they made it into the guild. Durvekka walked in first and waited on the side for the two to enter, and then they walked towards Eina together.

All the adventurers looked at her seriously; most were visibly shocked while others were jealous.

[Rolling Perception...19]

"Isn't that the girl that can turn into an Al-Mi'raj? She's a tamer too?" One of the adventurers spoke in shock.

"Isn't she only a level one too? How is that even possible?"

"Is she hiding her real level?"

"I doubt it; she is a new member of the Miach Familia. Having a high-level tamer would be better for their status than to hide it... plus, it is against the law, and that fine would make them poorer than they already are."

'...It seems trouble will also be coming my way after this too,' Durvekka thought as she heard them speak.

"Durvekka... did you enter the dungeon without telling me? ...And why are there two dungeon lizards at your side? The same creatures that nearly killed you too?" Eina's wry smile started twitching as she saw Durvekka avoid eye contact.

"...I woke up early today and had to use {Wild Shape} to leave the store... Didn't want to waste my low usage of the skill, so I went straight into the dungeon." Eina sighed and nodded her head as she looked at the two lizards that seemed to be staring at her intently.

"{...Is that big sister's big sister?}" Zeruk asked as he tilted his head slightly.

"{It seems so. Is big sis in trouble?}" Selara asked as Zeruk said, "{Maybe, but what was that about almost being killed by dungeon lizards?}"

"And what about them?" Eina asked while caressing her forehead.

"I wanted to know if I could register them in the guild and get something that I can put on them so that other adventurers won't attack them." Eina nodded her head and asked, "Did you tame them?"

"No, and they aren't my pets," Durvekka said seriously. "They are friendly and won't attack any adventurer unless provoked."

Eina nodded her head and took out two papers and stood up from her seat.

"We can go to one of the private rooms and fill in their documents." Durvekka nodded her head as she followed Eina, while Selara and Zeruk followed her. They all entered the room, and both Durvekka and Eina took their seats across from each other.

"These are documents about them. You can fill in their race and name, the floor from which you found them, and your name in the trainer part with your Familia affiliation," Eina said as Durvekka frowned slightly.

"I am not their trainer." Eina sighed as she nodded her head.

"I understand, but this is sadly the only way to protect them from other adventurers. After you have filled in the document, I can get the bands that they can wear." Durvekka nodded her head.

"Sorry if I was being rude, and thank you for helping me." Eina smiled as she shook her head slightly, "You don't have to apologize, and it is my duty to help you. I know that there is something you haven't told me about this situation, and I accept it. Just be careful and make sure to visit me whenever possible and for any information you need."

"I am your advisor, and it is my responsibility to give you any information that could save your life." Durvekka smiled as she nodded and filled in the two documents. Her {Speak with Animals} spell had already worn off, so she wasn't able to hear the two lizards talk to each other.

"{That is big sis' big sister.}" Selara said as she and Zeruk both nodded their heads.

"{Everyone needs a big sister to help them out, it seems... I wonder who is big sister's big sister's big sister?}" Zeruk asked himself.

"{That's a good question... I wonder if we will meet her in the future?}" Selara wondered as Durvekka finished filling in the form and handed both to Eina. She nodded her head after making sure everything was filled out correctly.

"Good, I'll get those two armbands for them, and then those two will be good to go," Eina said as she walked outside of the room.

"I forgot to mention, but my spell {Speak with Animals} only lasts for 10 minutes, and I can't recast it infinitely, so when we fight together in the dungeon, I won't be able to understand the both of you." They nodded in understanding as Durvekka smiled and calmly waited for Eina to return.

It only took her two minutes as she came back with the two armbands. They were of a sturdy leather build, reinforced with metal plates, and prominently displayed the Guild's insignia. She handed them to Durvekka, who took them and looked at the straps.

"You can adjust the straps so that it doesn't sit too tightly. It is also light enough to not impede their movements." Durvekka nodded her head as she placed one on Zeruk's front left leg and one on Selara's front right leg.

They both walked around for a bit and nodded to themselves as it didn't bother them that much.

"Thank you, Eina," Durvekka said, genuinely thankful for all that Eina has done for her until now.

"You don't have to thank me every time I do my job," she said, a smile on her face.

"...It makes me feel better voicing my thanks when I am thankful for something."