Rey watched with rapt attention as the side of the egg suddenly burst, a veritable river of red liquid flowing down the tree. They all had to back up to avoid being caught in the deluge. Then the body hit the ground with a wet squelch.

  "Ow," came Matthias’ voice from the body, its features obscured by hair and red liquid.

  They all stood there for a moment, taking in the sight of a humanoid shape lying belly-down at the base of the tree. The figure only twitched a few times during the first minute.

  "Da-da?" the Arachne child asked as she looked at the figure.

  With a visible effort, the figure groaned as he lifted himself onto his hands and knees. With a snap, the wet ground dried and the figure became clothed. Slowly, he rose to his full height, as if the motion were painful or unfamiliar. Rey’s heart skipped a beat once she got a clear look at him.

  She could feel it in her soul—now that she could see his face—that this was Matthias.

  He stood just over six feet tall. His black hair fell to his lower back, streaked with forest-green highlights. His skin was a golden tan, his jaw square, and crow’s-feet creased the corners of his eyes as he grinned at them. His ears were even more ornate than Rey’s, decorated with elegant swirling patterns.

  But he also bore reptilian features. Forest-green scales traced the lines of his cheekbones and jaw, continuing down his neck to pool across his shoulders and upper back. From there, they ran down his arms to his forearms, stopping just short of his hands. The scales also flowed down his sides and across the fronts of his thighs. He had the hands of a laborer—thick and calloused from long hours of work—and feet marked by the same signs of toil. Both hands and feet ended in thick black nails that curved into reptilian claws.

  His eyes were unmistakably reptilian: golden sclera, violet irises, and vertical slit pupils. A long, heavy tail extended behind him, idly swaying back and forth against the ground.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Despite the reptilian traits, everything else about him reinforced his fatherly aura. His build was not sculpted muscle, but functional strength. His face held a soft smile that spoke of understanding and acceptance. His shoulders were broad like a protector’s, not a warrior’s. Warmth seemed to radiate from him.

  Set into the center of his chest was the swirling violet gem of his dungeon core.

  Matthias had conjured shorts, a leather vest, and sandals to preserve his modesty. He looked between the stunned faces, clearly expecting someone to speak.

  "Let me guess—Sylt is seeing his girlfriend," Matthias quipped, placing his hands on his hips.

  The Arachne child was the first to move, running forward and hugging his leg. She clung to him like a child to her father. With strong arms, he scooped her up and held her close.

  "So, what’s up?" Matthias asked, glancing around.

  "Wow," Chloe said, breaking the silence.

  "You are not what I was expecting," Lucy admitted.

  Matthias grinned and scratched the back of his head. "Would you believe it took so long because I rejected the original avatar it tried to force on me?"

  "Really?" Rey asked, finally emerging from her stupor.

  "What was the original avatar?" Serenia asked.

  "A hydra with fey faces for heads and roots for legs," Matthias said with a shiver. "There were a few other details, but I rejected it instantly. It looked too much like a false hydra for my tastes. The second option was a scaly war troll with a man’s face and a tail, so I had to build my own. It’s hard to describe the unique test of will it took to create this body."

  "You seem very… paternal," Serenia observed.

  "That was intentional," Matthias admitted. "I build things, care for them, then let them go. I’m kind of a dad to the whole dungeon, so it felt appropriate. Plus, it’s easier to talk to a father than an apex predator."

  "I think you have a bit of that too," Lucy said, pointing to his eyes.

  Matthias nodded. "I had to set an iconic minion for my dungeon. I chose the hydra, which meant incorporating some of its aspects into my avatar."

  "Makes sense," Chloe agreed. "What abilities does this body have?"

  "Well, I have access to all kinds of magic and abilities," Matthias said. "But I can’t leave my dungeon’s influence. That’s part of the cost of unlocking this early. Some things are still too delicate for me to stray far from. While I can cast spells outside my domain, I don’t have much practice."

  "That just sounds like you need training," Serenia said. "And would you look at that—we happen to be in a dungeon." She chuckled.

  "Very funny," Matthias replied. "I’m sure you’ll all put me through my paces. But I’m tired. What do you say we have a family meal together before doing anything else?"