Multi-Dimensional Merchant System

The massive creature cautiously padded across the throne room on its six legs, long, pitch black claws scraped the floor with every step. Spikes and protrusions, black at the base but fading to blood red at the point, jutted out from its back and gleamed wickedly in the brightly lit room. To anyone from Earth, it would have almost resembled a six-legged grizzly bear... Only larger. Such a large and imposing predator reached the stairs at the base of the throne and ducked its head so low as to nearly prostrate itself.

It didn't dare to look upon the one who sat high above without permission.

“Majesty, my underlings have opened the treasury as you commanded! They are eager to welcome these new creatures to our ranks! These chewbas will surely be a fine addition.” The soft rumble of its voice filled the room as its numerous underlings flitted in and out, depositing the money and items their Lord had demanded.

None dared look upon the throne, let alone its occupant.

“Chupacabras, Hemrin. They are called Chupacabras. And get up, you big idiot. You know I hate that!” A small voice squeaked from atop the throne.

Hemrin raised his head slowly, a glint of amusement flashed through his eyes as he gazed upon their Lord. His Lord... And best friend. A creature so feared that none but Hemrin would dare even stand near him... A creature that had slaughtered millions and waded through an ocean of blood... And not in a metaphorical sense.

The Bloodgorger of Myrn, though Hemrin knew that he hated that title. He much preferred to be called by his name, Kalen... Though no one else dared to utter the name for fear of another slaughter like the one that had earned him his title.

Sitting on his throne, Kalen, The Bloodgorger of Myrn, was an unimpressive sight. Barely two feet tall and covered in pristine white fur, the closest Earth analog to his appearance was that of a Koala... Save for the fierce red eyes, overly large claws, and the pronounced fangs that were perpetually stained red by the blood he consumed.

“As you say, my Lord.” Hemrin chuffed in laughter, startling his workers. As the last few dropped what they were carrying and fled, he turned back to look at his friend. “These... Chupacabras... They are like you? They drink blood?”

Kalen nodded absently as he stared into the crystal embedded in the arm of his throne, focused on the reactions of others in the auction. “They are. Strange, is it not? In all the world, we have yet to find another like me... And, suddenly, this merchant has not one but five creatures that drink blood! And their appearance is so different from mine... Where did he find them? Are there more like them elsewhere?”

“Are they intelligent? Or simply beasts? I have many questions I wish to ask this merchant named Silk...”

Hemrin nodded along, as he found it quite curious himself. “Shall I dispatch the hunters to find this merchant so you may question him?”

Kalen hesitated only for a moment before shaking his head. “No. He has done nothing to warrant such treatment... And, considering the many strange items he has sold... Food, weapons, interesting creatures... It is best not to make an enemy of him.”

“Send word throughout my lands: if any should encounter this Merchant Silk, he is to be treated with respect and invited to visit me. Invited, mind you. This is a request between gentlemen and nothing more. Understand?”

As he spoke, he gently brushed his paw across the top of the crystal and infused it with a touch of his will.

The Bloodgorger of Myrn bids 50,000 credits.

The sound of rocks grinding against each other echoed around the cave as Warlord Ketrim shifted in his seat, and he sighed in relief as he leaned back against the wall. These brief moments, alone with his son and free from the burden of command, were the only chances he had to relax throughout the decades he led his people. His broad shoulders of jagged obsidian sagged as he momentarily set aside the weight of his responsibilities... But, even in this moment, he couldn't fully set them down.

He still had a war to win, or else his people would be ground to dust and forgotten... Just as the people of Sale and Gran had long ago. So vicious was his enemy that only complete domination or utter destruction would end this conflict.

“Father, will these creatures really help us? Even if they can be trained for war, there are only five of them. And how will we even feed them?”

Ketrim chuckled softly as he draped an arm across his young son's shoulders. “These are good questions, Faluoun. How will we feed them? They drink blood... and our people do not even possess this 'blood'. Within our caves there are few creatures that do...”

“But do you know what does have blood? Our enemies, the Bramdin.” Seeing his son's eyes go wide, he laughed again. “You remember when they sent those assassins to kill me and we executed them? The red liquid that left their bodies is called blood.”

Faluoun nodded slowly as he considered that fact, before shaking his head. “But still, you said there are only five of these 'Chupacabras'... And there are millions of the Bramdin! How can five creatures make a difference?”

Ketrim nodded slowly, enjoying the moment. His duties often kept him away more than he liked, so having a moment to teach his son was something he treasured. “These creatures are different from us, Fal. While we are made of living earth and stone, birthed by Mother's grace... They are flesh and blood. Long ago, they diverged from the true path and began to produce offspring without Mother's aid.”

“They are divided into two groups they refer to as 'male' and 'female'.” Ketrim continued. “They do not carve their offspring from the living stone and beseech Mother to breath life into their young... Instead, a 'male' and a 'female' come together and create a child themselves!”

Ketrim nodded at the look of shock and fear on his son's face. “Because of this, there is disharmony with the Will of the World. With Mother. And it is also because of this that the Bramdin have such numbers while we are so few.”

“H-how...” Faluoun stuttered in fear and dismay. “How can we ever beat them then!? They can just create more and more until we drown in their numbers!”

Ketrim nodded sadly. “This is a fear that I have... But there are ways, son, so you must not lose hope.” Gesturing at the vision his son could not see- called an 'Auction', a word he had never heard before- he spoke on. “And I believe these Chupacabras may be one such way.”

“How- Wait, you hope these creatures will make more so that they can fight the Bramdin? But how can five become millions?” Faluoun was awed by the bold idea as much as he was by impossibility of it.

Ketrim shrugged slightly. “Like the Bramdin, these creatures would make more of themselves faster than we can. With time and care, it may be possible. But even if making millions of them isn't possible, there are still possibilities.”

“Sending them to the surface so that they can create chaos, preying on the other creatures that the Bramdin call 'livestock' is one option. And, even if my plans fall short, they may have other uses. Just buying us time to find another solution is an acceptable outcome.”

Ketrim nodded resolutely.

Warlord Ketrim bids 50,000 credits and (Tome of Stone Song).

The Bloodgorger of Myrn bids 50,000 credits.

Warlord Ketrim bids 50,000 credits and (Tome of Stone Song).

Pack Master bids 60,000 credits.

Mad Scientist Imogen bids 75,000 credits and (Potion of Genetic Awakening).

The Bloodgorger of Myrn bids 100,000 credits.

Oliver watched, wide eyed, as the bids flew by and a bidding war began. He had expected some interest, but not the sudden eruption of bids... For a moment, the anguish he had felt since his conversation with Polina was forgotten...