Armed with a bundle of meat and what passed for fruit among the Echoren, I approached the worm handers' area.
Seeing the worm up close was a humbling experience.
Its massive body coiled in the cavern, each segment shimmering faintly under the light of the bioluminescent fungi.
The sheer size of the creature was mesmerizing.
Several handlers were busy spreading the worm's goo around its enclosure, ensuing it felt secure and anchored. One of them, a Dualsage girl with short, spiky hair and a confident swagger, turned toward me. Her deep orange eyes gleamed with amusement.
"What are you here for, slacker?"
She called out with a smirk tugging at her lips.
"Hey, thought you might need a break."
"What's this? The slacker playing delivery boy now?"
I grinned, tossing a piece of the dried meat in her direction. She caught it effortlessly.
"This slacker's trying to be a functioning member of society. Figured you'd be impressed."
"Impressed? Hardly. Surprised? A little. What's the catch?"
"No catch. Just trying to pull my weight, for once. Speaking of which, care to enlighten me on what you're doing here with this massive worm?"
I said, handing out the rest of the food to the others.
"You want to learn? Fine. These big guys don't just stick around on their own, you know. It's a lot of work keeping them in line."
I watched as she tapped a small, metallic device hanging from her belt.
"This is a pheromone emitter. It lets us control where the worm goes and keeps it calm. Without it? Let's just say you don't want to be standing in its way if it decides to bolt."
"Okay, so what's the deal with the goo?"
"The goo is something the worms naturally produce, to keep their tunnels from collapsing. They also use it to build nests for sleeping, mating, and laying eggs. It's like their home base, you know? By spreading it ourselves, we trick them into thinking this spot is their nest. It keeps them in place without us needing to rely on pheromone emitters all the time. As long as they're comfortable and we keep them well-fed so they can keep producing the goo, they'll stay put."
"I can see that."
"You know. I heard about what you did in the tunnels. That was... uh, pretty cool. Just... just don't pull that kind of stunt again. Some of us might actually miss you if you're gone."
Zeera turned away slightly, fiddling with the emitter on her belt. Her voice was casual, but I caught the faint blush on her cheeks.
"Some of you, huh?"
The corners of my mouth twitched upward.
Zeera's blush deepened, and she cleared her throat awkwardly.
"I—uh—obviously, I meant Veshira. She'd be devastated."
"Of course, Veshira."
"Exactly!"
She said quickly, glaring at me.
"So don't let it go to your head, slacker."
"Alright, alright. Teach me more. I want to be the best worm handler you've ever seen."
"Fine. But if you mess this up and the worm decides to crush you, don't say I didn't warn you."
I come closer to Zeera.
"There are three key signals you need to understand if you want to control these creatures."
She began, holding up one of the vials.
"First, there are two main pheromones that the worms respond to. The first is a predator signal. It tells them to run in the opposite direction, away from danger."
I nodded, watching intently as she carefully secured the vial and picked up another.
"And the second?"
"The second is a mating call. It lures the worms in, telling them, 'Wait here, I'll get to you to mate.' It's incredibly strong and overrides most other instincts."
"And the third signal?"
"The third isn't from a pheromone. It's their natural response to vibrations. It's instinctive, primal. If you send the wrong signals—like panicked or uneven movements—it tells them prey is nearby. That's when they crush you."
"Got it. Just remember, slacker: if you screw up, I'll tell Veshira you tried your best. She'll probably cry over your remains."
"Not a chance."
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"We are done here."
Zeera said, brushing the dirt off her hands as she stood.
The last of the goo nest glistened faintly under the pale light, its structure sturdy and gloppy enough to keep the worm comfortable and calm.
Most of the handlers were already halfway out, eager to return to their quarters for a well-deserved rest.
"Aren't you coming?"
I shook my head.
"I'll stay back a little longer."
"Alright. But don't take too long. You'll need your rest, too."
With that, she turned and followed the others, her footsteps fading into the distance. The pen was quiet now, save for the faint, wet rustle of the worm shifting inside its new nest.
I took a cautious step closer to the worm, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. Its immense form loomed over me, muscles rippling beneath its tough, slimy hide. My hand trembled slightly as I reached out, resting my palm gently against its side.
**Soul Transfer.**
The world around me blurred and faded, replaced by a dark, pulsating void.
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"It's hurt."
"Stop crying."
-------------------------------------------
When the transition was complete, I opened my eyes—or rather, the worm's eyes. The world now appeared different, as though I were seeing it through fractured lenses.
My body, now lifeless, stood before me, hand still pressed against the worm's side. I moved one of the worm's antennae experimentally, marveling at the strange sensation of controlling such an alien body.
Then, a sudden _ping_ echoed in my mind, and a glowing window materialized in front of me.
*********************************************
**[SOUL TRANSFER COMPLETE]**
**Host Body: Elder Worm (Class: Apex Burrower)**
Serial Number: AX-3147
**Abilities Unlocked:**
- **Tunneling Surge:** Burrow through terrain at incredible speed.
- **Pheromone Cloud:** Emit a powerful pheromone to attract allies or deter predators.
- **Crushing Coil:** Constrict and incapacitate prey with immense strength.
- **Enhanced Senses:** Detect vibrations, heat, and pheromone trails in a 360-degree radius.
**Status:** Synchronization 85%
**Energy Levels: Stable**
**Warning: Prolonged transfer may result in permanent fusion.**
*********************************************
For a moment, I felt invincible. But then, a new vibration reached me—one that didn't belong to the handlers or anything I recognized. Something was approaching, and it was big.
Shifting the worm's enormous body, I activated **Enhanced Senses** to get a clearer understanding of the approaching threat.